BRAND PERFORMANCE

So what exactly is brand performance? No rocket science really. It’s the consumer’s perception of how a brand has been able to stand out amidst the clutter, due to various brand building exercises it undertakes, including distribution, word of mouth publicity, ad campaigns, promotional activities and other marketing initiatives, as opposed to close competitors.

No surprises then that Pepsi with its strong below the line activities, coupled with a healthy brand portfolio and shout-out loud advertising, has climbed up the ladder of the Brand Performance index. If rival Pepsi is there, Coke cannot be far behind. But Coke lands 7th position, and not surprisingly, with Thums Up being the flagship Indian cola for the Atlanta behemoth. Airtel, with its ever-expanding subscriber base has also joined the club. Godrej, Infosys, Maruti and Tata Group are also no surprises to be a part of this group, as they remain clear market leaders in their respective sectors.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

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

Eliica–10,696,408 INR

So what's the hottest thing on eight wheels? No not a truck, but a car built by Tokyo’s Keio University. Eliica which is actually short for Electric Lithium-Ion Battery Car is self explanatory for a car that runs on, well, battery! And, since it has four wheels to steer the front, the acceleration and turns are amazingly smooth. Capable of zooming from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds, Eliica has been test driven already by former Prime Minister of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi. Prototype still, this one's a scorcher!

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

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

As consumer boom had its run?

led by leveraged purchases of new homes automobiles, consumer debt in India as tripled from four years earlier to Rs.6 trillion (about 15% of annual gross domestic product). After three increases by CICI Bank in its lending rate, auto loan is bursals fell in Q4 FY07 compared to he previous year; a fact confirmed by oth Bajaj Auto &Hero Honda.

For Indian banks, now is the time to reorganise their loan book. And perhaps also increase exposure to corporate borrowers for whom the current high interest rates aren’t a big deterrent as most of them are looking beyond the present business cycle. Even FM P. Chidambaram, in a meeting with bankers, asked them to rebalance their portfolio. He said, “They must rebalance their portfolio so that adequate credit at correct prices is available to productive sectors.” Saugat Bhattacharya, VP, Business & Economic research, UTI Bank agrees to an extent, “As per data available till December 2006, personal loans absorbed 29% of incremental non-food credit, mainly as loans to housing sector & ‘other retail loans. So, some banks did ride the wave of retail banking & consequently, have been too aggressive.”

The continued focus of Indian government on infrastructure & SMEs and emergence of new businesses like organised retail presents a great opportunity for Indian banks to expand horizons. In the current environment of monetary tightening & higher borrowing cost, those banks which focus on cost effective resource mobilization will hold the key till the time Y. V. Reddy finally can see the light.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

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

1. 2.. 3... twist!

Is India all set to sell out its strategic interests to meet the growing demands made by Uncle Sam?!
Two years ago India entered into a civilian nuclear agreement with the US, hoping that this would help it clinch a strategic deal with the sole super power of the world. But little did India realise that the American empire would first cater to its own imperial interests and its non-proliferation agenda before granting India the coveted status of a nuclear nation.

Nine years ago, on May 11 and 13, India had marked its arrival on the global strategic landscape with five underground tests at the Pokhran nuclear range. The event was hailed as the triumph of Indian nationalism over the non-proliferation diktats imposed by the global nuclear club (USA, UK, China, France and Russia). Shakti ‘98 (name of the operation) was celebrated as the reassertion of India’s independent decisionmaking ability in a largely unipolar world. Although, the pre-test preparations were carried out under total secrecy and the execution was clandestinely conducted, the post-test announcements to the world were loud and clear.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

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

Recycling waste!

Syringes pose the biggest hazard
According to World Bank and Ministry of Health’s recent report, 65% of syringes used in India are unsafe. The demand for syringes is nowhere less than 5 billion annually, but analysts reveal that merely 1.5 billion of them get manufactured in the country.

There have been reports that doctors and medical professionals have swindled patients by using unsterilised syringes. Furthermore, the syringes are reported to have been used for more than 25 times before being disposed off . Alarmingly, these syringes most oft en carry within them life saving drugs into the vitals of a human being. More than 1.3 million children reportedly die each year from infected syringes, and that not less than 22 million people get infected with one or the other form of infectious diseases.

Further, on a daily basis, it is also estimated that 60% of plastic syringes used in Delhi’s hospitals are infected and unsterilised. Even the destroyed syringes are picked up from dumping sites, washed, repacked, and resold. This dangerous practice would increase the spread of blood-borne infections, and of course, deaths. Time we cared?

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

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