The polls are here, so are the Maoists!

Hopes of free, fair and non-violent elections in Nepal are receding

Much like the Indian Marxists, the Nepalese Maoists, too, are acting tough, making it difficult for the government to implement crucial policy decisions. In a recent attack on the government’s decision to hold elections on November 22, 2007, the Maoist chief Prachanda has asked for the postponement of the exercise till April 2008. Calling the entire efforts of the government a mere “drama”, Prachanda insists on making it “real”. However, little did Prachanda understand the implications of his statement, because the moment he uttered it, criticism from various sections within the Maoist organisation have begun to flow in. It was the Maoists, who had earlier forced the government to announce the dates for elections. Therefore, the Maoist chief’s recent musings have only added further confusion to the prevailing political conditions in Nepal.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

The ebb & flow of diplomacy!

Germany wants Japan to play a more proactive role in global affairs
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, on her maiden visit to Japan has reiterated her resolve to conjoin with Japan in its fight against climate change and terrorism. Kicking off her three-day visit to the land of rising sun last week, she entered into serious discussion with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on issues ranging from climate to Taliban. Despite, showing her concern for the South Koreans, taken hostages by Taliban in Afghanistan, Merkel’s greater emphasis is on evolving a global treaty aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions. The Chancellor has urged Japan to play a pivotal role in pushing a plan which would assist in reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases by 50% by 2050. And since Japan will be hosting G-8 summit of industrialized countries in 2008 & is also in the process of pushing for a successor to 1997 Kyoto Protocol, Merkel has sought Tokyo’s support to persuade the US to pay greater attention to environment issues.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

A world sans distances!

MTNL launches VoIP telephony
The scenario in the telecom sector in India has always had more than its share of excitement, be it in terms of crippling controversies or path breaking developments. Recently, for instance we have the Cellular Operators Association of India accusing the regulator TRAI for not doing enough for reducing roaming rates. On the other hand, we have an interesting business innovation that could based on the internet, that could in fact have a positive influence on even the lives of people who have been hitherto untouched by it. Telecom service provider Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) has taken the initiative to introduce Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This service is called Netfone, and would enable its subscribers to make international calls to countries like US, UK, Canada & Australia at a tariff as low as Re.1 per minute, hence making a killing in the market. MTNL has collaborated with Aksh Optifiber to facilitate the citizens of Delhi and NCR region to make inexpensive calls using VoIP to more than 150 countries. The company plans to extend this service to Mumbai too, very shortly.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

Liberation & opulence unite!

Women & lifestyle publications are growing fast; but seriously does this segment really have a market?
It would not be at all inappropriate to say that if you wish to understand the real direction of a nation’s thought process, you need not look much further beyond the media spending habits of the nation. If one were to look at India itself, one significant trend in particular, actually mirrors the way society & culture is fast evolving – it’s the pandemic rise in women & lifestyle related magazines & supplements in India. But do these publications actually have a market in India? B&E decided to investigate. For starters, national dailies have their supplements full of women & lifestyle related issues. Hindustan Times recently introduced HT Splurge, its popular lifestyle supplement (earlier available with HT Mumbai edition) in New Delhi. When asked by B&E on the reasons for this sudden rush in publishing space, Benoy Roy Chowdhury, Head-Media Marketing & Circulation, Hindustan Times, commented, “It’s more in tune with lifestyle changes... Specialised magazines have created their own niche & the trend is bound to pick up.”

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

‘T’omorrow ne‘V’er die‘S’!

Seven new models released by TVS are quite timely considering the declining sales situation
August 30, 2007 was the day Venu Srinivasan, Chairman & MD, TVS Motors, chose to make a compelling statement in more ways than one, of how his company was in line with the best in the business when it came to spectacular design & ground breaking technologies. The company unveiled three products in the three-wheeler space (hitherto unchartered territory) and four models in the two wheeler category (three bikes & an electric scooter).

An understandably exuberant Srinivasan told us, “The launches represent a whole new aggressive stance taken up by the company.” Aptly christened as the biggest roll out in the automotive industry, TVS does expect these launches to make it a more complete company and put it in the league of Bajaj & Hero Honda w.r.t. a much improved & wider product portfolio. Addressing the need of the hour, the company has launched avant-garde fuel injection technology in Apache. Besides it, the special attraction was a new bike baptised as Flame, which is in the 125 cc prefecture, i.e. the executive segment, where TVS has a nearly zilch presence.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

LG heating up the GSM space

After being out of the GSM space for quite some time now, LG is back in action through their latest off erring Shine. After Chocolate, Shine is the next major launch by LG in India. The move will not only help LG in strengthening its portfolio but will also help them in marking their presence in the premium segment in which they were virtually absent till now. Shine, at present is available in two models. While, the bar phone would cost Rs.9,000, the slider will come for Rs.16,000

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative