Obama moves in fast to repair the Middle East

Mere rhetoric can fall flat unless Obama moves in fast to repair the Middle East

Middle Eastern people’s analysis of US policy will not be transformed merely by a triumph for Barack Obama. Rather, they want to see no-nonsense steps by him to end the occupation of their land. The Palestine question will be the gravest challenge. If a sovereign Palestinian state with Beit-ul-Moqaddas (Jerusalem) as its capital is not created, the state of affairs in the region will beyond doubt deteriorate.

“In the newfangled circumstances, where the US has seen a change in control, a new chance has been made available to US officials to modify their approach toward Iran,” said Hossein Alai. Alai also believes the US has viewed Iran as a “problem” which is the root cause of all recent crises between the two nations. If Barack Obama modifies this outlook and recognises Iran as a strategically and politically significant country, then there will be a scene for establishing a credible Tehran-Washington dialogue.

Evidently, Barack Obama has a lofty order. He devices to recover “America’s moral stature in the world” with one of the first things on his “to do list” being the shutting down of Guantanamo Bay and a stop to military torture. Furthermore, over the years, he has damned America’s entrance into Iraq and promoted a speedy pulling out of US troops. These moves can’t come almost immediately; but first, he must defy pressure from the old guard and the more hawkish of his advisers to walk with prudence. This new broom desires not only to sweep up clean but must also be open-minded in the exercise of strong antiseptic before we can even start to pardon the infringements of human rights committed by his precursor.

First, he has to abandon the ludicrous, hollow term “war on terror” as well as the guiding principles that draw from it, which have prompted militant radicalism rather than eliminating it. Instead, he must learn terrorism’s pedigree and how best to soothe anti-American/anti-Western emotion through discourse and cultural exchange. He can start off by instructing his border guards to behave reverently to all visitors to the US, especially those with Muslim names.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

A recess from work!

Learn priceless lessons for life as you teach the lesser privileged children and work at making inequity in education history...

Having previously taught primary school children, I am particularly inclined to indulging them and endlessly listening to them prattle. Once, as I observed two innately sharp and eager kids from two different economic strata of society, it dawned on me how our country’s misdeeds (towards an ever-widening educational inequity) were limiting the growth of lakhs of bright children. For while the 8-year-old Sudhir (a helper’s child who went to a government-run school) was as witty and keen as the same-aged Sarah (a financial consultant’s daughter studying at a ‘reputed’ public school with world-class standards), his lack of exposure to the learning experience as hers (despite the same education board), had exponentially widened the gap between their respective banks of knowledge, apart from also impeding his ability to grasp new concepts.

Though this existing system of education can’t be turned around in the short-run, an innovative initiative – Teach for India – formally started in 2008 by a group of young leaders, shows promise of bridging this educational inequity. Inspired by the success of Wendy Kopp’s Teach for America initiative, and the positive results of the study carried to learn about the feasibility of similar implementation in India, the organisation is recruiting ‘outstanding college graduates and young professionals’ for its full-time two-year Fellowship. ‘Committing two-years to teach full-time in under-resourced schools’, these fellows are trained to become successful teachers and leaders.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

Casualties of the animation industry...

Only a superhero can rescue comic-book artists from becoming casualties of the animation industry...

But where are the Prems and RK Laxmans of today? Most of us will find it very hard to recall the name of a single upcoming comic book artist.

About 20 or 30 years ago, a political cartoon used to appear on the front page of national dailies like Times of India and Hindustan Times and people liked to see the political cartoons on the front page daily. But now the whole concept of journalism has changed and the editors like to print photographs of film stars and film actresses and sports persons in place of a political cartoon. So, now cartoons have taken an exit,” says Prem, laying the blame for the decline of cartoonists on media’s shoulders. “Indian Institute of Cartoonists has plans to start on regular basis, courses and workshops for budding cartoonists,” says V.G.Narendra, who also mentions that, “A cartoonist in India earns a meagre amount for his art. Although, I feel cartoonists have the opportunity to grow in a number of animation studios.”

But will the future see iconic cartoonists like Prem and René Goscinny emerge, or will there merely be animation studios with faceless artists; as Prem puts it, “…like a factory employing a certain number of workers and labourers.” While we can only wait to see how the future of cartooning shapes up, one thing’s for sure, that as long as there are children and a child inside every adult, cartoons like Asterix and Obelix and Chacha Chaudhary will continue entertaining – in print, TV and over the Internet.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

WHY DO THEY DISLIKE INDIA?

The governments of Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh reveal to akram hoque of B&E...

Nehru’s dreams started unraveling in 1947 itself when the founder of modern Burma, Aang San was assassinated and Indians were forced to leave everything and flee. By the winter of 1948, Nehru had got a first taste of jihad in Kashmir, a jihad that now threatens to debilitate India even as it destroys Pakistan. Two more shocks awaited Nehru and his vision of a peaceful and comradely South Asia in 1959. The leader of Sri Lanka, Solomon Bandarnaike was assassinated and the genie of anti-Tamil policies uncorked; the resultant civil war has just about reached a lull. And of course, China annexed Tibet, claiming it was always a part of China, forcing the Dalai Lama to flee and get exile in India. By 1962, when the Chinese military humiliated India, Nehru’s dreams of a ‘friendly’ neighbourhood were utterly and completely demolished. Since then, India has simply not been able to forge really close and friendly ties with the people and governments of its neighbours.

Let’s face it. No matter how many times Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh stand in front of the mirror and ask “who is the fairest of them all?”, the fact is that India is not very popular in the neighbourhood. Perhaps the only saving grace is that it is usually the governments of these neighbouring countries that are more hostile towards India than their citizens. For Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, India is the Big Brother and Bully that has a nasty habit of throwing tantrums and throwing its weight around. For Pakistan - or at least a large part of the ruling establishment in Pakistan - India is the Eternal Enemy that defines the existential rationale for the nation state. For China, India is a ‘hegemonistic’ upstart that needs to be taught a lesson every now and then. Why, even Bhutan has problems with India.

This is particularly galling for Indians and Indian policy makers. India is a unique country amongst major powers - including Japan, China, Russia, Germany, France, Britain and the United States - that has never invaded a neighbour. India is the only country amongst major powers that has actually ‘lost’ homeland territory in the last 100 years. India is known for its unique culture of tolerance, co-existence, respect for all religions and openness to new ideas and identities. And yet, why is it that people and governments in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh think that India is a Big Bully which threatens their very existence? Somewhere deep down, Indians are downright offended by the very notion that India can play the Big Bully against any country. And yet, the perceptions persist...

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

RUSSIAN DIPLOMACY: ROLE OF ORTHODOX CHURCH

Is it the Orthodox Church that Putin is using in his new diplomacy?

There are three sects predominantly in Ukraine; Kiev patriarchate with 50.4% followers, which is predominant in the Western part of the country backed by the President, Yushchenko. The Moscow patriarch is another with 26.1% having enough support of Russian government.

Finally, the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church with 7.2%. This demographic picture is giving substantial support to Patriarch Kirill to put forward the Russian political agendas.

For the Russian polity, some of Kirill’s recent initiatives have been witness to clear political cognizance. His recent statement that it’s very important to increase Russian speaking presence in EU bodies was one of his first political remarks as Patriarch; interestingly, this statement garnered enough support in the Russian polity. But what separates him from his quite normal predecessors is that fact that he is the first Russian Patriarch in known history to consider himself as the universal patriarch for the world in the Christian Orthodox faith. That is quite a gargantuan consideration, given the expanse he is trying to address. But as his Ukraine trip showed, he is not without his stable followers. Kirill is also trying to strengthen the current weak relation with Georgia. In addition, his recent statement that “there are no conflicts, even most cruel, [and] no human hostility that could ever destroy the church unity, including the unity between the Russian and Georgian Churches” caught the attention of the intellectual Georgian community. Common Georgians look forward to Kirill’s visit more positively in Georgia now more than ever. Kirill’s further attention to control food consumption for joy and save the world from ruin has increased his general popularity and exemplified his knowledge in world economics. His speech in Crimea to thousands of people including Russian and Ukrainian navy personnel urging them for a peaceful cooperation was meaningful. He said, “Keep the Orthodox faith! Keeping the faith means not only attending church but building good relations with people,” more broadly between Ukrainians and Russians. 

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

“Consumers trust maruti”

Shinzo Nakanishi, MD, Maruti Suzuki

B&E: In your view, which all factors played a major role in empowering Maruti Suzuki to save the grace of its bottomline in the last fiscal when almost all the other automakers were on their knees?

SN: In times of a slowdown, people do not want to take any risk. They prefer purchasing brands on which they have full trust; and in the automotive market Maruti Suzuki comes on the top on those grounds. Moreover, we saw the slowdown coming in the urban areas of the country and we moved rather aggressively into the rural and the semi-urban market, which helped a lot to cope up with the slowdown.

B&E: Your expectations from the ‘new’ government?

SN: The previous government helped a lot to deal with the dull phase in the automotive market, be it the excise cut or petrol price going down; the government surely helped many players to sustain in the second half of 2008. If the government can again provide more help, everyone will be more than happy.

B&E: Honda & Mahindra have tried their hands in hybrids, is Maruti Suzuki planning a hybrid for India?

SN: If Maruti Suzuki will bring a hybrid in India it will be through Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan. The current hybrid that Suzuki has is a big car, but they are working on developing a small hybrid for the Indian market.

Read more.....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

“No schemes! No gimmicks!!”

LG finally had it right the third time in india. now it is decisively upping the stakes

B&E: What factors have worked for you in India?

VT: We have been in the Indian market for 14 years now, and believe that our foresight and belief in the country and commitment to the telecom market, along with work with the government have helped grow the telecom industry. Nokia devices today straddle a comprehensive range of products at every price point for all segments. India is not only its second largest market globally, but is also one of the only three countries, where Nokia has an end-to-end presence, including a manufacturing unit, R&D centres and over 10,000 employees.

B&E: What strategy did you adopt in the initial days to help you penetrate the Indian market?

VT: Nokia had a holistic approach towards developing the market and growing its consumer base. Our strategy has hence been focused on investing before time, understanding different consumer needs, building a strong product portfolio that caters to all segments of the market and making our products and services relevant to the Indian market. We were the first to invest in setting up a robust distribution network, to understand the potential of having an effective after sales network. Today, our reach and scale is amongst the best in consumer durable industry, let alone handset industry.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

“We refresh our consumers...”

B&E: What are the strategies that you think have make Coca-Cola successful in India?

AJ: Brand Coca-Cola worldwide stands for positivity, upliftment of body, mind & spirit and universal connection. The same values define the brand in India. In addition, we are constantly looking for opportunities to reach out to our consumers and strengthen our connect with them. Innovations in advertising, 360 degree communication, strong distribution network and chilled availability of the product in different packages and at appropriate price points have had a role to play.

B&E: How did Thums Up fit in?

AJ: Thums Up today is India’s largest selling sparkling beverage brand. Born in 1977, Brand Thums Up was added to the Coca-Cola portfolio in 1993. During this period, it moved towards a more individualistic masculine positioning in ‘I want my Thunder’. In, 2002, Akshay Kumar was roped in as the brand ambassador and the brand continued to strengthen its position as a Male Iconic Brand through consistent positioning. To further enhance the appeal and connect with consumers, the Thums Up logo too has been contemporized. The sharper edges are added to the ‘Thumb’ in the Thums Up sign to bring out the core masculine values of brand Thums Up more prominently.

B&E: Please tell us about your future plans for the Indian market?

AJ: We have grown consecutively for the last twelve quarters with the quarter ending June 2009 registering a 33% growth over the same quarter previous year. This was the 12th straight quarter of growth, with 9 out of the 12 quarters delivering double digit growth We believe that this growth has been led by our continued focus on the route-to-market strategy and ongoing investments in technology, infrastructure and consumer marketing. At Coca-Cola India we follow an OBPPC model which is all about marketing the right brand, in the right pack at the right price, sold through the right channel and at the right occasion.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

“Honest pricing policy”

B&E: What were the vision and mission for the Indian market when LG started off its operations in India?

MBS: The company pursued the vision of becoming a true leader, attracting customers worldwide through its innovative products and design. In the first few years after its entry, LG did not get into price wars. Unlike other players, it did not offer any exchange schemes or discounts. We believed in an ‘honest pricing policy’ and our message to customers read ‘No scheme, no gimmick, great products and honest prices.’

B&E: What understanding of the Indian market did LG had then and what strategies did LG as a company formalise for penetration at that time?

MBS: Since its initial years in India, LG has focused on bringing out new models regularly in its product range. In its first year of operation in India, LG launched 70 models across a range of products. In 1997, it introduced its Golden Eye Technology TV, which had a light sensitive natural algorithm ‘eye. Thus, LG showed that it cared for customers’ health through its products. LG’s concern for health of customers was its Unique Selling Proposition (USP) in the Indian consumer durables market. Similarly, LG positioned its refrigerators as the ‘preserve nutrition system’ refrigerators.

B&E: What were the key challenges that LG as a company had to face at that time?

MBS: When LG started its operations in 1997, it sold products that were imported. Hence, its products were priced high and were equivalent to other foreign (Japanese) products. However, in 1998, LG launched ‘Sampoorna’, its first low priced TV for rural consumers, and followed it with ‘Cineplus.’ The Indian customers wanted the best products at reasonable prices; LG started introducing quality products in the economy range.

Read more......

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

International Curry

Some international campaigns succeed in creating momentously historic landmarks in the global advertising playfield. 4Ps B&M brings to you a review of one such stellar campaign that was active during the month ending April 15, 2012.

Damn... it’s invisible!

Advertiser: Diamler AG
Ad Title: Mercedes: Invisible
Category: Ambient

4Ps B&M Take: Jung Von Matt/alster’s (an agency based in Germany) brilliant job for Mercedes-Benz is a global benchmark on how luxury brands can be promoted through on-ground activation, yet retain the brand’s uber essence. The brief given to the creative team at the agency was clear – to highlight the fact that Mercedes-Benz represents the most innovative drive technology in the world and is future ready. Jung Von Matt/alster decided to create an ambient campaign around the German car major’s F-CELL hydrogen fuel cell technology. Engines that run on hydrogen fuel cells produce zero emissions. This means such cars would be invisible to the environment. Select Mercedes-Benz models were covered with LEDs. Next, a camera was mounted on the other side of the car which would transmit the image to the LEDs. Once ready, the cars were taken to the street. With mounted LEDs, the vehicles appeared to be transparent to people on the street. Every few minutes, the LEDs displayed a message – Invisible to the environment. F-CELL with 0.0 emissions. Dubbed the F-CELL tour, the campaign was live across Germany for an entire week. The ambient campaign was a perfect recipe for mobilising attention and reinforcing the technological prowess of Mercedes-Benz. People on the streets would stop dead on their tracks when these cars would pass by. To increase engagement, some of the LED laden cars were simply parked on the road. Bottomline? The branding exercise executed by Jung Von Matt/alster was bang on target, generated buzz and reinforced Mercedes-Benz’s image as the future of automobile technology. The wonder of it is that if the German giant can do it in Germany, why can’t it replicate the same innovative streak in India, a market where it has now slipped to the third position in unit sales, beaten by BMW and Audi.

Read more.....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

Wholesale retail: For those with staying power

Of the four or five big players known for their prowess in wholesale retail, only Wal-Mart and Metro appear to be serious contenders for the game in India. The rest are yet nowhere near getting their strategies and plans sewn up. Why?

As growth flattens in the developed countries of America and Europe, retail giants are looking to India as the market that could help put some life into their limp balance sheets. With a $500 billion retail market growing at roughly 15%, of which hardly 10% is organised retail, a roughly $2 trillion economy, and with 1.2 billion potential consumers, India is no doubt a mouth-watering proposition. But then, India with its derelict infrastructure, a vast but ropy supply-distribution network extending into the hinterlands, which in some places can be as old as 200 years, can test the nerves of even the most doughty marketers determined. And with government policies skewed in favour of the traditional ‘kirana’ stores, the country, despite its big potential, often proves frustrating for global retail players wanting to spread their business wings in India.

But as everywhere, where there is a will, a way is always found. So despite being a tough market to crack, global retail biggies like Wal-Mart, Carrefour, Metro and Tesco, are all agog and breaking sweat to make a go of the business to business retail model in the Indian retail sector. A small tailwind working in their favour is that the government allows 100% foreign FDI in the wholesale retail space. Also, most players hope that FDI in multi-brand retail is likley to come sooner than latter in spite of the faux populism preached by most political parties in India.

The wholesale cash-and-carry domain is dominated by the American retailer Wal-Mart (with 17 stores), which has a 50:50 JV with its Indian partner Bharti, and German biggie Metro (with 10 stores). The second-largest retailer, French Carrefour, has only two stores so far in north India, and plans to open two more this year, in the northern Indian cities of Agra and Meerut. The UK-based supermarket giant Tesco has no immediate plans of setting up shop here, and is happy partnering with Tata Trent Group’s Star Bazar chain of operations. The only Indian player who can take on these overseas giants is Reliance, but it has just one store to show for on its wholesale retail scorecard.

Over the long term horizon, only Bharti Wal-Mart and Metro seem to have significant expansion plans. Both retailers aim to open 50 cash and carry stores across the metros, and tier 2, 3 towns of India. With a typical Metro store costing anything between Rs.60 to Rs.70 crore, that would entail an investment of roughly around Rs.35 billion from Metro. The group has already invested about $150 million so far in this market, and plans to invest roughly Rs.6 billion in opening 8-10 stores this fiscal. Says Rajeev Bakshi, MD of Metro Cash & Carry, “Our USP is that we have a long-term understanding of the India market, being the first one to set up shop in 2003. We are going to only focus on cash and carry format. And that doesn’t mean we are passive retailers.” Bakshi joined Metro from PepsiCo India, and is actively focusing on pro-actively using marketing to reach out to prospective consumers, and entering into long-term relationship with kirana stores.

 

Read more.....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

A river (used to) run through it

The biggest issue of this century will be preservation of water

Mark Twain (in an editorial by Charles D. Warner, Hartford Courant, in 1897) said, “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” 112 years ago, Warner’s op-ed quoted that if you are in Colorado, it’s illegal to divert rainwater falling on your property unless you have a very old water right or when the weather is “very happy.” In other words, you could not harvest rainwater for personal use. Surprise surprise. The situation’s the same even now in Colorado.

Interestingly, many other states in the US are reportedly taking steps now to set up similar rules. UK goes one-step further and fines anyone using hosepipes (a 1,000 pounds fine). On the other extreme is New Mexico, which makes it mandatory for new dwellings to harvest water. So what’s our drift? The drift is that today, one third of the world’s population is suffering from water shortages; and by 2025, as per UN, two out of three people would undergo “water stress.”

Read more.....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

The brunt of underwater tourism

Joining the list of species affected by man, stingrays bear the brunt of underwater tourism

Intrusion of man in the habitat of the wild has almost always caused the animals harm, and with quite a few species appearing in the ‘endangered’ list, it’s about time that we realise that some precautions if taken now, can prohibit additions to that list in the future. Wildlife has always been an attraction for tourism, but along with it, it’s also imperative to protect and preserve the species. “Such cases have simple solutions. Either stop contact with customers or create more awareness among operators to incorporate the right methods to maintain the health of such species,” says Upasna.

Many of us would want to visit Cayman Islands or other such places in order to catch a glimpse of such unusual species. Watching the antics of stingrays is indeed an amazing sight, but is it fair if it’s at the cost of jeopardising their very existence? Seeing the stingrays approaching the beach, flapping around in the azure waters is one of my most treasured memories, and I’m sure of many more who’ve seen stingrays. In some years, I would want to go back and still find them there. If that requires me to give up feeding and frolicking around in their vicinity, I certainly would… Wouldn’t you?

Read more....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

Long Lee Manor, Shamwari Game Reserve

If you are longing for an exotic experience amidst the wonders of nature and wildlife, don’t think twice and just land into the Shamwari Game Reserve at the Long Lee Manor, which offers a distinctive colonial experience. This exquisite Manor House offers its guests some enticing cuisine, refined comfort and unmatched hospitality. This ultimate African adventure stretches right up to the Garden Route meandering along the Bushman’s river.

The view: Right in the middle of flora and fauna, stretching up to the river and the ocean, unmatched scenic view and adventure all through is what rightly defines the Long Lee Manor. Archi type: The colonial style of this Manor House has been preserved ever since it was built in 1910. The interiors have been tastefully done and a lot of thought has been put in for guests’ comfort.

Bon appétit: Sumptuous meals can be savoured under the star-studded sky at the Palm Court or around the blazing fire in the barn. Around the corner: Long Lee Manor is situated at an hour’s distance from the main city of Port Elizabeth. Although it has a variety of facilities within the Shamwari Reserve, which easily extends up to 18,000 hectares. There are regular flights at short intervals, which keep shuttling between the city of Port Elizabeth and the reserve.

From under the carpet: For those who don’t appreciate nature much and aren’t comfortable with an overdose of adventure, this isn’t quite the ideal place. A better idea would be to soak in the sun at some beach resort at Port Elizabeth. In essence: Port Elizabeth and Long Lee Manor have a great deal to offer.

Read more.....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)

...and facing a blinking dawn!

Nepal needs stability, but Maoists are having other thoughts

The political crisis in Nepal is all set to be resolved after Maoist chief and caretaker PM Prachanda agreed to end the blockade of the Parliament. And now that Madhav Kumar Nepal is going to be the second PM, more stability can be expected in the beleaguered nation.

The formation of the new government led by the CPN-UML alliance was getting delayed because the Maoists, led by Prachanda had blocked the Parliament, protesting against President Ram Baran Yadav’s move to reinstate Army Chief General Rukmangad Katawal. The Maoists had promised to withdraw their protest as soon as the President rectified his move, but they changed their minds mid-way and stopped the blockade.

The Army Chief was sacked by Prachanda for resisting the integration of former rebels into the forces as decided under the 2006 peace deal. The standoff between the Army Chief and Prachanda had jeopardised the very existence of democracy in a country that achieved peace in 2006 after a decade-long insurgency.

Read more......

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
IIPM – FLP (Flexi Learning Program)