PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE

Philosophy of Life A boat is docked in a tiny Mexican fishing village. A tourist complimented the local fishermen on the quality of their fish and asked how long it took to catch them.  "Not very long." they answered in unison. "Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" The fishermen explained that their small catches were sufficient to meet their needs and those of their families.  "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"  "We sleep late, fish a little, play with our children, and take siestas with our wives.  In the evenings, we go into the village to see our friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs.  We have a full life." The tourist interrupted,  "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."  "And after that?" "With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant.  You can then leave this little village and move to  Mexico City , Los Angeles , or even  New York City !  From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."  "How long would that take?"    "Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years." replied the tourist.    "And after that?"    "Afterwards?  Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting," answered the tourist, laughing.  "When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!"   "Millions?  Really?  And after that?" asked the fishermen.  "After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends." "With all due respect sir, but that's exactly what we are doing now.  So what's the point wasting twenty-five years?" asked the Mexicans. And the moral of this story is:  Know where you're going in life, you may already be there!  Many times in life, money is not everything. “Live your life before life becomes lifeless”

AN INTERESTING E-MAIL WHICH I RECEIVED AND THOUGHT ITS WORTH SHARING.

ENJOY LIFE FOLKS..

The BEST INDIAN AD CAMPAIGN for the year 2011

The BEST INDIAN AD CAMPAIGN for the year 2011

Its a clutter out there! Think of advertising and you think of....Airtel "Har ek friend", Vodafone "ZooZoo", Coke "Happiness" campaign..eh..wasn't the Pepsi campaign better? Lays wasn't too bad either! Clutter..isn't it?

Every brand eyeing for those precious eyeballs!

Every single penny..sorry..if it is the mad ad world..Every single eyeball counts!

However, with the increasing impact of social-networking media and television becoming all the more pervasive..advertisers can't miss it. Especially, if yours happens to be a brand for masses.

Child vs. Youth

The big debate, I remember, we used to have a few years back was "Is it ethical to use children in the advertisements?". Thankfully, the debate has subsided. Reason, the media is back to the youth. So the focus again shifts to the youth. Be it Maruti, Ford, Hero or any other company, youth is the key! The Indian youth, backed by huge spending power (some funded by family and some by the call centres) are making the marketers merry. And the result is many ads and marketing campaigns targeting the youth. Amongst all the ad campaigns, I believe, one did the job fantastically.

The selected one

"Har ek friend zaroori hota hai" was the jingle on everybody's lips. 

The Facebooks and the  Twitters were full of "Har ek friend zaroori hota hai"..you had jokes on them, you had tees on them and what not! Possibly it did give some competition to Indian superstar Rajnikant, I guess!! It was something that touched the life of everybody, especially the youth, in India. The campaign designed in Hindi (used a mix of Hindi and English) was a runaway success. And the creative team at Taproot (The agency behind the campaign) was basking in all the glory. And why not? Truly deserved. In a report, Mr. Agnello Dias, co-founder and chief creative officer, Taproot India, said “The attempt was to reach out to a younger audience. There could have been no better way to do it than through friendship - something youngsters recognise and understand well”. The campaign also attempts to take Airtel’s positioning - Dil Jo Chahe, Paas Laye (Getting you close to what you love) - to the next level by playing up the friendship angle among youngsters. Must say, Airtel, the brand which is known for its creativity and aggressive marketing campaigns, once again lived upto its expectations and delivered the goods. 

Waiting for the airtel-wonder of 2012!


P.S. Let's have a look at India's Top Advertising Agencies:
1) Ogilvy & Mather - (www.ogilvy.com)
2) Ignite Mudra (Mudra Communication) - (www.mudra.com)
3) FCB Ulka - (www.draftfcb.com)
4) Rediffusion DY & R - (www.rediffusionyr.com)
5) RK Swamy BBDO - (www.rkswamybbdo.com)
6) Grey Worldwide - (www.grey.com/India)
7) Leo Burnett India - (www.leoburnett.com)
8) J Walter Thompson (JWT) - (www.jwt.com)

9) McCann Erickson India - (www.mccannworldgroup.com)

10) Contract Advertising India - (www.contractadvertising.com)

New Year Theme - "Never Ever Give Up" - A Rule to Follow for SUCCESS IN LIFE

New Year Theme - "Never Ever Give Up" - A Rule to Follow for SUCCESS IN LIFE

Well the year 2012 has just begun and many of us may have made new year resolutions. However, recently I came across many incidents and examples in life (some personal and some of friends) which prompted me to write on this issue..What does one require to be successful in life?

The answer, though not easy to give, possibly lies in the fact that one should "Never ever give up in life". The key lies in the fact that once who have committed yourself to something, don't leave that thing till you achieve the desired result.

The picture says it all..

What a better co-incidence! Just when I was about to write on the same..I came across a beautiful (well I thought this is the correct adjective to use) picture.

What a beautiful picture this is! A frog, even after being trapped in the mouth of its predator (a crane), does not give up. The picture shows the frog getting hold of the crane's neck and trying to strangulate it! Though the picture is on the lighter side, it is very pertinent. The picture is vicarious indeed! What a message it conveys! "Never ever give up!" 

Ek baar commitment kar diya!!

At this stage, I recall a very famous dialogue from the Salman-starrer "Wanted" - "Ek baar commitment kar diya, phir main apne-aap ki bhi nahi sunta (once I commit something, I don't give it a second thought, even of my own)"..funny as it sounds to be! But relevant indeed! Sometimes, films come up with something which is life-changing!

TATA Nano - The People's Car

Let's take an example of a project. The Great Indian car of 5000 $ - the TATA Nano. 

I recall the articles published in the dailies when Ratan Tata thought of this, say, "wild" concept. It did sound to be unrealistic to the detractors but Mr. Tata was firm and the result is in front of us.

Let us not forget that TATA Nano was not a runaway success and neither it is so successful at present. But, the product was launched, the first success and the efforts are on, aiming towards the ultimate goal - to actually make it the people's car.

Examples are galore! We can talk about Reliance, McDonalds, KFC, et al. we can also talk about Dhirubhai Ambani, Carl Lewis, Lance Armstrong and millions of others, who achieve their dream and set an example for others to follow. But one thing is common, all of them "Never ever gave up".

Once again, I would say, persistence pays.

So friends, would again reiterate..once you have committed something, just don't give it up..till the time you get desired results. Reason, you have got one life to live. Achieve what you want. 

As somebody rightly said.."Don't waste in your time in trying to make right decisions, rather make decisions and make them right!"

NEVER EVER GIVE UP - HAVE A SUCCESSFUL LIFE - HAPPY 2012!

Mah-CET to continue this year..

CMAT to step in next year..

Admission to the MBA/ MMS institutes of Maharashtra this academic year will be through their Common Entrance Test (CET) known as Mah-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test) only.  In a notification by the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) of Maharashtra State it has been mentioned however that the date of the CET for MBA has been postponed to 11th March 2012. For the exact notification, please visit http://www.dte.org.in/download/MBA-CET_RescheduleNotification28122011.pdf

Mah-CET is a very good option for students seeking admission to MBA programmes as it has got some of the premier institutes of India in its portfolio. Some of them are Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Sydenham Institute, Narsee Monjee Institute, Prin. LN Welingkar Institute, Pune University, amongst others. Overall it is a very good proposition for the students who are ready to study in the state of Maharashtra. Maharashtra as a state also offers good exposure in terms of industry, culture and above all learning. 

The notification for the admission to the MCA programmes through Mah-CET is also available on the link 

http://www.dte.org.in/download/MCA_cet_date_notification_2012.pdf

Mah-CET for MCA will take place on 4th March, 2012.

Students targeting MCA must note that Pune and Mumbai have got a relatively well-developed IT industry and hence a possibility of better exposure and opportunities.

Overall, Mah-CET (both for MBA and MCA) comes out as a very good option to explore..

Persons interested in the said exams are requested to regularly visit the following links:

www.dte.org.in

www.pteducation.com

All the best folks..!!

Gujarat not to consider CMAT this academic year

Gujarat not to consider CMAT this academic year

As per the reports in the newspaper, the management institutes in Gujarat will continue to take admission through the GCET route. This is true for the institutes which consider the GCET exam for their intake. The Principal Secretary of education, Gujarat State, Mr. Hasmukh Adhia, in a statement said that the decision was based on the fact that the students are not prepared for CMAT this year. Another line of reasoning for not going the CMAT route this year can be possibly the limitation of its scope. Currently this exam is applicable to admission into MBA institutes only, it does not cover the MCA programmes of India. 

As suggested by many, the AICTE may try and cover both MBA and MCA exams the next year.

For more updates on CMAT, I would advise everybody to regularly visit: www.aicte-cmat.in. and www.pteducation.com

However, please note that CMAT proposes to include almost all the institutes in India offering management programmes approved by AICTE under its purview. 

Hence according to me, the most obvious benefits the exam would offer are:

1) Hassle free approach for application: You just need to apply for one exam which will ensure your application to all the AICTE approved management institutes of India.

2) Cost effective: I would say that is a big cost advantage. Students need not apply to each exam separately. Hence a huge saving!

Overall, it offers time and cost benefit. What more one can ask for!

I would recommend the students preparing for MBA entrance exams to go for CMAT as it will open the gates of admission of B-schools outside Gujarat also. GCET in any case remains a good proposition, however, CMAT with its all-India scope becomes appealing. 

I would say CMAT is worth a try, for the benefits it offers and the efforts which have been put behind.

All the best folks..

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) Update

‎Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) Update

Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)-2012 will be conducted online in 61 cities from 20th February to 28th February, 2012.

In a major initiative, Government has changed the process of admissions in Business schools across the country. It has directed to conduct online Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) under the supervision of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for facilitating institutions to select suitable students for admission in various management courses.

Referring Supreme Court judgment in this respect, the Ministry for Human Resources and Development (HRD) said, “The initiative has been taken to address the issue of physical, mental and financial stress being imposed on the students through number of entrance examinations being followed by the institutions for admission into all Management Programmes in AICTE approved institutions.”

According to the programme chalked out by AICTE and HRD ministry, the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)-2012 will be conducted online in 61 cities from 20th February to 28th February, 2012 and scores awarded will be used for admission in the post graduate management programs both at Degree & Diploma level, all over India for year 2012-13.

In this connection, ministry has also addressed the respective Secretaries of the state dealing with technical education and Vice chancellors of the universities to advise the competent authority for admissions in their respective States & jurisdiction to use the merit list of CMAT-2012 for allotment of students in the AICTE approved management institutions for academic year 2012-13.

According to sources, the scores of the all India Common Management Admission Test (CMAT), however, will not be valid for admissions into Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other 178 B-schools. They will continue considering the candidates’ scores in common admission test (CAT), conducted by the IIMs every year.

Referring Supreme Court judgment in this respect, the Ministry for Human Resources and Development (HRD) said, “The initiative has been taken to address the issue of physical, mental and financial stress being imposed on the students through number of entrance examinations being followed by the institutions for admission into all Management Programmes in AICTE approved institutions.”

According to the programme chalked out by AICTE and HRD ministry, the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)-2012 will be conducted online in 61 cities from 20th February to 28th February, 2012 and scores awarded will be used for admission in the post graduate management programs both at Degree & Diploma level, all over India for year 2012-13.

In this connection, ministry has also addressed the respective Secretaries of the state dealing with technical education and Vice chancellors of the universities to advise the competent authority for admissions in their respective States & jurisdiction to use the merit list of CMAT-2012 for allotment of students in the AICTE approved management institutions for academic year 2012-13.

According to sources, the scores of the all India Common Management Admission Test (CMAT), however, will not be valid for admissions into Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other 178 B-schools. They will continue considering the candidates’ scores in common admission test (CAT), conducted by the IIMs every year.

Source: pteducation weblink

FDI in Indian Retail – Much to be done just than being said..

FDI in Indian Retail – Much to be done just than being said..

The titans of retail vs. the kirana stores

The Urban Indian has been eagerly waiting for a shopping experience at the Harrods, the Wal-Marts, the Tescos, et al but the catch is “Here! In India”! But the big question is “When?” An easy question to ask but surely not that easy to answer!

Let’s have a look at the scenario:

Current Scenario:

Retail trading (except under single-brand product retailing — Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 51 per cent, under the Government route) is prohibited in India. Simply put, for a company to be able to get foreign funding, products sold by it to the general public should only be of a ‘single-brand’; this condition being in addition to a few other conditions to be adhered to. This is the reason why the Urban Indian is still waiting for the Wal-Mart in India!

India as a country is not that much reserved though in the retail sector, as one may perceive from the hue and cry around FDI in retail in India at present. In the year 1997, Govt. of India allowed for FDI upto 100% in the cash and carry model (Wholesale format). Slowly and gradually it further opened up and in the year 2006, an investment to the tune of 51% of the total outlay was allowed for the FDIs in Single Brand retail outlets. However, Multi Brand retailing has not been opened up still. A proposal is there and hence the great discussion.

However, it is noteworthy that India is a member of the General Agreement on Trade in Services of the World Trade Organisation and hence it India was bound to open the retail sector, both in case of wholesale and retail.

FDI Policy in India:

The FDI policy as stipulated by the Govt. of India, the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) govern the FDI in India. Except for a few sectors where the approval of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) and/ or RBI is required, the foreign investors are free to invest in India. Lets look at the Retail sector of India. The current policy says that:

• FDI up to 100% for cash and carry (wholesale) trading and export trading allowed under the automatic route.
• FDI up to 51 % with prior Government approval (i.e. FIPB) for retail trade of ‘Single Brand’ products.
• FDI is not permitted in Multi Brand Retailing in India.

Single Brand Retailing and FDI:

In single-brand retail, FDI up to 51 per cent is allowed, subject to FIPB approval and subject to the conditions that (i) only single brand products would be sold (i.e., retail of goods of multi-brand even if produced by the same manufacturer would not be allowed) (ii) products should be sold under the same brand internationally, (iii) single-brand product retail would only cover products which are branded during manufacturing and (iv) any addition to product categories to be sold under “single-brand” would require fresh approval from the government.

This means that foreign companies would be allowed to sell goods sold internationally under a ‘single brand’ say for example a Nokia, Samsung, et al. Retailing of goods of multiple brands, even if such products were produced by the same manufacturer, would not be allowed.

However, there is ambiguity to the meaning of Single Brand as defined by the Govt. of India. The existing policy does not clearly mention whether retailing of goods with sub-brands clubbed under a major brand can be considered as single-brand retailing or not.  Also it does not clarify whether co-branded goods would qualify as single brand retailing or not!

Multi Brand Retailing and FDI:

Multi Brand retailing, as it appears to be, means that a store/ company or any such business unit can sell multiple brands under the same roof. However, at present the Govt. has not given a concrete definition of Multi Brand retailing.

Recently there have been many discussions about multi brand retailing in India. If allowed, it means that the idea which the Urban Indian fancied will come true. India will have its own share of the Wal-Marts and the Tescos!

Multi Brand Retailing and the debate!

-          Concerns

If Multi Brand retailing is allowed in India, the concerns which the common man in India is having are:

(i)                 Unfair Competition: It will result into unfair competition as the small domestic Indian shopkeepers will find it too difficult to compete with the titans of retail! This may result into the exit of large number of such small kirana store owners which may further lead to large-scale unemployment.

(ii)               Huge Bargaining Power: There are serious concerns that these titans of retail, with their huge bargaining power, both in terms of purchasing and at a later stage, selling too, will control the prices and hence the markets too! And obviously, people believe, it would hardly be in the benefit of the customer.

(iii)             Indian Retail - A budding flower: Organised Indian retail is at a nascent stage. To allow such big retailers to come to India would mean the death of Indian retail. A theory says “Let the Indian Retail mature first and then open it up to the sharks of retail”.

(iv)              Indian Consumer: This is the biggest question, I believe! The Indian Consumer! Where does she stand? Does she really have the price advantage and the luxury of being spoilt for a choice or is it just on the cards? This question, I guess, only time can answer.

Makes sense!

-          Benefits

If Multi Brand retailing is allowed in India, the benefits which the common man in India is perceiving are:

(i)                 Stimulus to the Indian traders: A lot has been said about the poor productivity of Indian businesses. The competition will spur them to be productive. This sounds interesting and appealing too!

(ii)               Access to Best Management: Indian business houses will get access to best management practices, take for example, the supply chain management of Wal-Mart is an example for many in the retail sector.

(iii)             Increased capital flow: Multi Brand retailing will ensure increased capital flow in our country. This capital can be used for the betterment of the citizens of this country.

(iv)              The “Middlemen” eliminated – The entry of these players will possibly mean that the “middlemen” are eliminated and hence benefits both, the producer and the consumer.

(v)                Growth of Indian Retail sector:  Indian Council of Research in International Economic Relations (ICRIER) which conducted a study on impact of such big players in the Indian retail sector has said that the worth of Indian retail sector is about to reach $496 billion by 2011-12 and it has come to the conclusion that investment of ‘big’ money (large corporates and FDI) in the retail sector would in the long run not harm interests of small, traditional, retailers.

Again, makes sense!

Conclusion:

As it comes out to be, it is a very important decision that the Government and the people of India have to take. A cautious approach would work. However, it appears that a phased involvement of FDI in the Indian retail sector (Multi Brand too) can be the solution. It will not only result into a surge in the country’s GDP and overall economic development, but would also help the Indian retail market match the global retail market.

A few points to be noted that can help:

-          A phased involvement should be there. Just like we started from the cash and carry model!

-          The interests of the farmers and others small traders should be safeguarded.

-          The titans of retail should necessarily be made to invest in the backend i.e. the operations and other areas (cold storage facilities, facilities that connect the farmer to the store amongst others).

-          Employment generated by these giants should guarantee a part of its employment to the displaced people.

-          To protect the small retailers the government should come up with a framework which ensures that the titans do not resort to predatory pricing.

It seems that the path for FDI in Indian Retail is highly complex, but a cautious and informed approach from the Government and the citizens will help the country grow further.