IndianMaze

This old trick seems to be forgotten in the current economic environment.........

There is a side effect of every medicine just as there are always pros and cons for every decision. Coupled with this, excess of anything is harmful. India has perhaps one of the largest numbers who can read/understand English. English is very closely associated with the "Developed World". Hence, our English media is greatly influenced by the "Developed World". It actually goes further from media to individuals. The more "cerebral and globally connected" individuals are all a ball of gloom. R written large on their faces and expressions. There are enough reasons given, even for India. - Current slowdown - Approaching elections - Job slashes - Next monsoons To me it is a clear sign of clouded mind. It is so visible in the English newspapers vs local language papers. Headlines in English media all talks about - losses, layoffs, slowing demand, US companies going down under etc. Language papers talk of recent elections and promises, banks slashing interest ra...

Yesterday was an eye opening day. Event was an unexpected behaviour from a teenager who is crazy about plants; particularly Bonsai. UTK is more concerned about his plants on getting up than brushing his teeth. He has enriched his library with books on plants, does experiments with plants including grafting, pushing for aerial roots of many plants and so on. On his school annual fest, he was truly amazed to see the variety of bonsai on display. He wanted to get at least one for home despite resistance from his family members who were already complaining about space taken by plants. UTK "gently" persuaded to go and buy bonsai from the farm house who had come to the school exhibition. On selecting a particular piece, he asked " How much is this for? and, this one; and this one..." He narrowed down his choice to two plants. One was at Rs 150 and the other at Rs 500. He was thrilled (as these were quoted at Rs 200 and 750 at the school festival) to find a bargain. And th...

Public sentiment moves in extremes, were the prophetic words used in my induction to the world of PR. Ever since, I have seen very few departures from the words of wisdom. But once in a while, there is a voice that describes the situation as it is rather than as it is believed to be. In this particular incidence I am referring to the economic condition prevailing in India. Stock market crashed by more than 70% from its peak. Neither the peak was justified nor, I think, was the trough. Yes, there may still be a few skeletons in some cupboards but those are unlikely to impact either the whole industry or the whole economy in any significant manner. Banks also seem to have got some better sense prevailing and the practice "have money, will not lend" being given a go bye. Inflation is down (should go down further very significantly as POL corrections are brought in line with prevailing prices) and so are interest rates. Manufacturers are reducing prices by large fractions as inpu...

One of the best tips I got in a crass "non-management" style was from a first generation successful entrepreneur when we got talking about clean ups required in organisations. His advise was "all clean up has to start from the highest point, even at homes..". How true! Now look at the response to the current crisis by the top. - The 3 senior most management looking for bailout of their respective companies flew in personal jets - Immediately after the bailout package running in tens of billions, an exclusive overseas golf party lasting many days with spouses, helicopters and gifts in line. Expenses calculated at about $ 1.5 millions - Closer home in India, happened to be meeting some top guys (all men incidentally). Cosy controls - only mineral water on table for self and guests, imported juices and soft drinks, entertainment at top restaurants. - Heard at the airport "What non sense! How can you send me this car? Don't you know I am THE group CFO! Send m...

There are enough doubting Joneses everywhere and India is no exception. My co passenger on a nearly 50% occupancy flight said " Kuch hobe na " in chaste Bengali accent when we got talking about the citizen journalism and consumer pressure groups. It is three weeks to the tragedy of Mumbai and I am glad that "short lived memory" is not so short in this case. Churchil had IInd World War, Gandhi had satyagraha , Indira Gandhi "Bangladesh creation", Manmohan Singh "Nuclear treaty". Is there a new chapter being written in India where the hero is going to be the consumer. I was glad to know that NBA has formed a code of conduct for disaster reporting. Even better was a channel that showed more fire, both actual and verbal, than better sense prevailing; moving to conducting an sms and web based poll if media crossed its line in coverage of Mumbai tragedy. What pained me was the same show of fire when covering news bit on Pakistan. My appeal to ...

People (and politicians in particular) believe that public memory is short and as long as one can get a couple of weeks pass, people will get back to "life's like that". This appears to be a part of popular Indian way of life "यहाँ सब चलता है". On the question of accountability - does it rest with only politicians and public service (servants). Mumbai attacks seem to have changed the way we keep our short memories. Just in aid of those who would like to change the system, let me propagate public accountability of those who are neither politicians nor in government . It is about media accountability. I received an emotion charged mail. It made me think that even without the emotional outburst, there is something to ponder about. What will be the results? Will the "culprit" own up? Will the concerned organisation "take action"? Will the action be in line with action demanded from the establishment? Quote Appalling journalism. Absolute blasphem...

I was in discussion with a group of youngsters who had gathered for a training programme. As expected discussion moved towards the difficult economic scenario in India and how to cope up with all this. The steps (as suggested by various members of the group) that they will take are: - will not go to cinemas - no parties - no flying (on holiday and otherwise) - only window shopping - less eating out and then they could not go further. This is the reality of today's youth who are likley to be facing difficulty for the first time. This, in my opinion, is true for urban middle/upper middle class offsprings. Back to dinner last night where in more mature (in age if not otherwise) people were talking of cost cutting steps initiated: - cut communication cost, use internet as a replacement - replace travel with video conferencing - if must, travel by train - no entertainment - no more "strategic" investments (that do not generate cash immediately) - minimise cash burn - stop...

Over the sumptuous dinner at one of the great regional cuisines of India amongst colleagues and ex colleagues, the talk started as usual. Catching up with the old times, people who we all knew in common etc. But there was a difference, mood was sombre. A little too quickly, talk moved to the two most common heard out issues that I thought may not come up. Mumbai attacks and cost cutting by organisations. Former was in a corner of the table where talk was all about the attacks and who all someone in the group knew and their versions. One of the most elaborate one was from the interview conducted by National editor of Forbes, Bob Lenzner, with the survivors Michael and Anjali Pollack. Well worth going through. Video link http://video.forbes.com/fvn/topstory/bl_pollack120408 Quote Mine is a story so improbable that if it were made into a movie, no one would believe it. It begins innocuously enough with a dinner reservation with another couple (Shiv and Reshma) at a leading restaurant in ...

These days, there are two topics of discussion. One about the national security and issues related to it and second, economic scenario and its impacts on individuals (own and in the organisations they work in). Jobs are difficult to come by. Packages are not as great as they used to be. How do students in B schools etc tackle it: - toppers are more worried about how much money will they make - others are looking at beyond placement cells - companies that were shooed away till last year are being treated with great honour - some students have resorted to contacting their freinds, long lost uncles, relatives etc to seek a favour On talking to a few CXOs, it was clear that making contacts to seek favours actually works to the detriment of the candidate. They all agreed that people is the key concern for them to run a business. They clarify quickly that it is all about RIGHT PEOPLE. How many students are actually writing to the organisations specifically demonstrating how they can add val...

There was an interesting chat going around in the company. Usual topic of the times - how to cut costs? Solutions : Mundane points which are as visible as to anyone with a sight of 2/6. Recycle paper, book tickets in advance, get cheapest fare, pool cars, print on two sides of paper, etc. Normally, I resist from talking buisness at home but when TV is on and I am watching a business channel, how can kids be immune to corporate doings? My children beat any journalist when they start asking questions. They can be nasty (in questioning) but calm. I had to sit up when my daughter asked, "Dad, what is economy drive? " I knew that more missiles are on its way. Next few questions were - Why talk of cutting costs now? Why build up costs anyway? Why office lunch costs Rs 100 per person when food in school canteen is available at Rs 25? Why office people use top class stationary and writing instruments? "My Rs 5 Linc Ocean Gel writes as good as the your fancy Rs 20 pen." Why...

One of the biggest impact is the push that citizens are making on the politicians. Most have received the SMS targetted at Mr Raj Thackrey. The pressures have taken toll of Home Minister at the Center, NSA escaped by a whisker, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra is gone, Chief Minister is on his way-out after getting additional flak for keeping company with bollywood stars on a trip to Taj Mahal hotel. The latest that I got on SMS today was Our forces will take care of the people coming by boat but who will take care of people coming by vote. Hope it is the turning point where politicians are made accountable. Quick to add that many of pictures appearing in media (both TV and Print) are too ghastly to be published. They are doing a great job but do go overboard at times. Is media listening? I am conscious of that fact that I am adding my own behaviour to the blog but hey, I am also an Indian consumer.