It wants to do a Santro, after being edged out to the third spot by Tata Motors’ Tata Indica.

IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

So, can the i10 deliver? Can it become the next messiah model for Hyundai in India? Can it correct Santro’s mistakes, or strategic gaps? Santro’s success ingredients also proved to be its key problem areas. What set the Santro apart from other competing models was its radical design. It was different, it was unique, it gave a segment of first-time customers the impression that they were buying a car that wasn’t being driven by the conservative masses. But then, complacency set in and, over the years, Santro looked the same except for cosmetic changes. The consumers got tired of buying a model that was too visible on Indian roads.

The i10 aims to do the same with the new buyers of today. Yet again, it’s different, and offers design features like the sun-top roof that are not available in other models in the same price and engine-capacity range. Says an auto expert, “The i10 can appeal to customers who wish to buy a new product, one that distinguishes them from others.” The idea is to make the buyers feel special, as if they are paying for a compact car but getting design elements that usually exist in a bigger, more expensive model.

In the design arena, Hyundai has been successful in borrowing elements from global players, especially European car makers. For example, the i10 is similar to Peugeot 206, Sonata to Audi A6, and Getz is “very Italian”, just like the older Fiat Punto. While talking about Hyundai’s Genesis large rear wheel drive Sedan that was showcased at the New York Auto Show in 2007, Autosavant, a website, commented that “on paper, this sounds like a heck of a car! … But what’s wrong with the car! It’s a victim of Hyundai’s own lack of creativity, or lack of confidence, in its own design team.”

According to the website’s review in March, 2007, “From the front, this car looks a lot like a 2007 Toyota Camry, but with more chrome. From the side, it is trying to look like a Lexus LS 460, even to the point of having a BMW-like “Bangle Butt” decklid design, which Lexus cribbed off of Bangle’s BMW 7-series. It also has the same crease cut into the doors and into the front fender that the 2005+ Acura TL has.” The idea, some critics opine, is to boost the confidence of customers, like is the case of India, who are more impressed by European and American models.


For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

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


Read these article :-
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
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The Bush meltdown begins

IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

Bush refuses to learn despite large-scale desertions

Which is this the man whom the Western media calls the crusader of the 21st century? Is he still capable of leading the American empire? The president is still busy defending his policies & justifying his adventures in Afghanistan & Iraq. His arguments, however, might not go down well with all in the US, as his policies fail one by one.

The latest in a series of events that exposed the inability of his administration to cope with the challenges of the new world order was the resignation of State Department’s Public Diplomacy chief Karen P. Hughes. Hughes is known to be one of the last members of Bush’s inner circles. Bush brought her to the State Department in an apparent effort to do an image makeover of the US in the muslim world. Was this counterbalancing game successful? If so, she would not have stepped down. Dr. Chinthamani Mahapatra, professor of International Relations at JNU told B&E, “Growing number of American population & Republican leaders are angry with the foreign policy of the Bush administration. Though the resignation of Hughes might have many dimensions, it shows that the administration is in a crisis of sorts. It’s a fact that America’s image is getting worse in the muslim world.”

Hughes is not the first presidential aide to leave. Bush’s troubles started with Rumsfeld’s resignation on 8th November last year. In the following month, Bush failed to get the appointment of John Bolton ratified in the Congress. Last August, his closest ally and the man who was called as the ‘Bush Brain’, Carl Rove, had to quit his team in wake of some fresh scandals. Sixteen frontline people have deserted the president. Does President Bush take any lessons from these setbacks? Most unlikely. He appears to be busy lobbying to get more war funds approved in the Congress & expand the global war zones.


For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

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


Read these article :-
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY
IIPM awards four Bengali novelists
The Hindu : Education Plus : Honour for IIPM
IIPM ranked No.1 B-School in India, Management News - By ...
IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
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» IIPM ranked No1 B-School in India :: Education, Careers ...
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He believes that the real challenge and opportunity lies in the rural economy

IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

#. K. V. Kamath

Forbes Asia’s ‘Businessman of the Year’ and the Padma Bhushan are just two of the awards he won over the past year. Leading India’s fastest growing private bank for 12 years is no child’s play

An ICICI Spokesperson on Kamat’s charisma

“Kundapur Vaman Kamath, the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of ICICI Bank Limited, India’s second largest bank by assets and the fastest growing bank, has during his tenure played a pivotal role in transforming the group into a diversified, technology-driven financial service group that has leadership position across banking, insurance and asset management in India. His vision is to develop ICICI bank into an organisation that is empowered by the bright and talented individuals. To attain the same, he is adopting a strategy of merit-based rewards and recognitions, which till date has paid rich dividends. Capitalising on new business opportunities, leveraging brand & distribution capability, proactively adopting technology and developing human capital have been the pillars behind the successful implementation of his strategies. The ability to read the future much before his peers and executing acceptable changes in time has been his hallmark. He believes that the real challenge and opportunity lies in the rural economy. With technology as the USP, he is all set to transform ICICI into a ‘universal bank’ offering the widest range of products. Recognised by many as the leader to emulate in the banking sector, his man vision is that of a general who’s used to victory at all costs.”


For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

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


Read these article :-
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY
IIPM awards four Bengali novelists
The Hindu : Education Plus : Honour for IIPM
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IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
Moneycontrol >> News >> Press- News >> IIPM ranked No1 B-School in ...
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» IIPM ranked No1 B-School in India :: Education, Careers ...
The Hindu Business Line : IIPM placements hit a high of over 2000 jobs
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Sourav Ganguly, He successfully led India during his captaincy

IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

#. Sourav Ganguly

He successfully led India during his captaincy, staged a beautiful comeback in 2006 and has not looked back

Shahrukh Khan on Ganguly’s prowess

“I adore Sourav Ganguly. As a cricketer he’s a genius talent and as a human being you will be amazed when you meet dada.”


For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

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


Read these article :-
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY

IIPM awards four Bengali novelists
The Hindu : Education Plus : Honour for IIPM
IIPM ranked No.1 B-School in India, Management News - By ...
IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
Moneycontrol >> News >> Press- News >> IIPM ranked No1 B-School in ...
IIPM ranked No. 1 B-school in India- Zee Business Survey ...
» IIPM ranked No1 B-School in India :: Education, Careers ...
The Hindu Business Line : IIPM placements hit a high of over 2000 jobs
Deccan Herald - IIPM ranked as top B-School in India
India eNews - IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
IIPM Delhi - Indian Institute of Planning and Management New Delhi ...
domain-b.com : IIPM ranked ahead of IIMs
IIPM makes business education truly global-Education-The Times of ...

And the funds investing in such areas are likely to perform well...

IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

One can see new investments streaming into the real estate space, providing addition capital to further develope the space...

With the regulator offering a platform, the show is now waiting for the players to move ahead. As per Suraj Saraf, “With the organised retail format, the ever growing Information Technology sector and higher income levels of young Indians; there arises a scorching demand for real estate properties. And the funds investing in such areas are likely to perform well.” On the other hand, Fahima feels, “Performance depends on many elements including the fund managers managing it.” As per her, it all depends on how the fund managers understand and perform to the fundamentals of the sector in coming years. But for the time being, one can see new investments streaming into the real estate space, providing addition capital to further develope the space.

However, when it comes to a comparision between real estate funds and other funds like equity and debt funds, analysts feel it will be placed as a category between debt and equities. Mridul Upreti, Joint Managing Director, Capital Markets, Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj puts it as, “REMF based on the underlying assets (completed assets) will be benchmarked over debt funds and much below equity funds.”

But then, one should not forget that it’s altogether a different category as compared to classical mutual funds. Like other innovations, this will also help investors diversify their portfolios. Thanks to such offerings, investors can now reap benefits from other asset classes as well. How can one forget the Gold Exchange Traded Funds? The only asset class, which was busy delivering fabulous returns when the stock market and equity related funds were crashing during the fourth quarter of the last financial year. But, in case of REMFs, investors must understand one thing that their NAVs would not show rapid movements like that in the case of equity funds and thus investors should always take a longer view while investing.

SEBI has definitely developed the pitch for the realty players and is a boon for the sector. “Thanks to SEBI, even retail investor can now contribute their small savings to this sector, which traditionally required huge capital,” tells a satisfied Fahima. However, the darker side is bound to exist alongside. Thus Mridul conveys, “In a way it was a positive move, but a lot of clarity is still required on taxation and valuations of REMF.”

Apart from the above mentioned hassles there are a few major problems, which may surface with the passage of time. One such possibility comes from the fact that REMFs have no upper limit for investment in real estates. This would allow the fund managers to manage the REMF as a virtual real estate funding trust.

Over the last few years the sector has largely been benefited from introduction of organised retail formats, expansion of corporate houses to Tier-II & Tier–III cities and the growing housing demand on back of higher income of middle class families. But, it has been one of the most unorganised sectors. However, with the entry of REMFs the sector is expected to become more mature, organised and transparent, expect industry experts. “It’s sooner rather than later. Would be very beneficial from the investors’ perspective. Being an alternate asset class, it’s still not devoid of market risks,” avers Vivek Prasad, Partner, PwC.

Investors with a higher risk profile and quest for higher returns may mull over real estate private equity funds with higher exposure. However, for the rest, REMF is an option that should be considered after appropriate assessment of respective schemes. No doubt, REMFs have a constructive purpose and a function which until lately was missing in the real estate network. But, one thing is certain that its momentum will only be judged by the way investors clinch on to it.

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

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

Read these article :-
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Companies snap up non-IIM B-school grads
IIPM set to beat economic slowdown
IIPM, GURGAON
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Filling up the demand-supply gap equals success

IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

Now, they even have another brand to their fame which is an economy brand called the Red Fox.

But no regrets indeed! Within just five and a half years of its operations, the company has regularly added one new hotel each year and its last financial year turnover accounted to Rs.600 million. Now, they even have another brand to their fame which is an economy brand called the Red Fox. However, given the cut throat competition from host of both luxury and economy hotels, how does Lemon Tree aim to redeem its pledge? The answer lies in its positioning. “We are not at all competing with the luxury segment. Luxury is like Kingfisher’s first class and we are like Air Deccan (through Red Fox) and economy segment of Jet (through Lemon Tree),” explains Patu. The consistent focused strategy on nothing else but growth has helped Lemon Tree to stand tall among others. And guess what? They even have a mascot, ‘Sparky Keswani’, (a dog!) who is a ‘Senior Food Critic’ and reflects their brand values of freshness, fun and spirited energy. Surprised? After all it’s ‘refreshingly different’!!

Neha Saraiya

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

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


Read these article :-
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Companies snap up non-IIM B-school grads
IIPM set to beat economic slowdown
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM awards four Bengali novelists
The Hindu : Education Plus : Honour for IIPM
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Moneycontrol >> News >> Press- News >> IIPM ranked No1 B-School in ...
» IIPM ranked No1 B-School in India :: Education, Careers ...
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Deccan Herald - IIPM ranked as top B-School in India
India eNews - IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
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A twist of lime!

IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

Filling up the demand-supply gap equals success

“Yesterday you told me ‘bout the blue blue sky, and all that I can see, is just a yellow lemon-tree.” This one is definitely from the Fool’s Garden! However, the one which we are talking about is not just another lemon tree but the one identifiable with refreshing ambience, tangy & spicy fragrances and of course the plush green, yellow interiors sparkling with zest - Lemon Tree Hotels.

No doubt, there has always been an acute shortage of non-five star hotel rooms in the country. And sensing the same, Patu Keswani, an IIT-Delhi and IIM-Kolkata alumni sowed the seed for this Lemon Tree in 2002. All he had was a mere Rs.30 million (too less to start a hotel chain) but of course a rich 15 years experience with Taj Group of Hotels – a factor that led this sapling’s fast growth into a full fledged tree.

Already boasting a presence across major cities in India, which include Gurgaon, Goa, Pune and Delhi, the company is now planning to add 18 more hotels to its portfolio. “By the end of 2009 we plan to increase our rooms to 1,200, which will further go up to 2,500 rooms in 2011,” avers Keswani, Chairman and Managing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels. The company has even purportedly received investments worth $30 million from Japan’s Shinsei Bank and Kotak Realty Fund, which has further triggered the value of the firm to over $500 million, making it the third largest hospitality firm in India, by value.

But the germination of this lemon seed was not as profound as it seems as it’s the land cost, which accounts for at least 60% of the total project cost in India. Moreover, the running cost of such projects is quite high too. So among the gamut of ginger, banyan, choice et al, what triggered him to develop an upscale moderately priced hotel? Reminisces Patu, “I felt that Indians customers should get better. They had no choice - either stay in a five-star hotel and pay an enormous price or stay in a third class hotel at a cheap price. And this forced me to start a hotel chain which could give them both service and quality at a low price.” And that’s not all! They even had to swallow a fatal rejection for investment at first instance from Warburg Pincus, (one of leading PE equity firms in the world).


For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

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


Read these article :-
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Companies snap up non-IIM B-school grads
IIPM set to beat economic slowdown
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM awards four Bengali novelists
The Hindu : Education Plus : Honour for IIPM
IIPM ranked No.1 B-School in India, Management News - By ...
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Moneycontrol >> News >> Press- News >> IIPM ranked No1 B-School in ...
» IIPM ranked No1 B-School in India :: Education, Careers ...
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India eNews - IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
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Tagging away to glory!

IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

RFID is now the lifeline of Indian retail sector

Guess what’s common between digital audio tapes, Iridium, push technology, DIVX and Web TV? Well, before you hop on to a conclusion let me tell you that all of the above mentioned names were one of the biggest technology flops of the last century. In fact, promising more and delivering less has always been one of the biggest drawback of any technology platform. However, if there is one technology that has delivered more than it promised, it has to be the Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) technology.

Moreover, apart from the commercial feasibility of RFID, the burgeoning retail sector has also contributed to the overall success of RFID in India. Now, with corporate honchos like the Tata’s, Birla’s, Ambani’s and Biyani’s competing in the retail sector, RFID has emerged as one of the biggest aid to the retail revolution in India.

In order to stay ahead in this retail race, all the competitors are implementing the RFID technology to boost their respective prospects. One of the pioneers of the retail revolution in India, Kishore Biyani has roped in software majors Wipro and Cisco to implement RFID in its retail outlets.

Biyani is making an incredible investment of Rs.2000 million to possess the largest RFID implementation mandate in Asia.Explains Mayur Toshniwal, Head Operations, Pantaloon Retail, “We want to implement RFID as it makes the maintainance of stock and accounts more systematic” Even Reliance Retail is pledging to have a well-tech structured retail management. This year itself, Reliance has charted out five RFID-deployment scenarios, which would enable them to track reusable fresh food and level crates of high-value goods with proper tagging. “This saves time and specially with to survive in the competition, you have to be error free and a full pledged RFID program takes care of error management right from the shipping level,” feels Ajay Baijal, President, Consumer Durable, Reliance Retail Ltd. The group has conducted proof-of-concept tests by using passive EPC Gen 2 UHF RFID tags.

Apart from RFID, Point of Sale (PoS) Solutions are also providingmore value added services to the customers. Shoppers’ Stop became one of the early adopters of the IBM i550 performance servers and deploy the PoS application. Cashing on these techniques, it has become the first company to set up a hypermarket with more than 35 PoS machines.

Well, RFID and PoS solutions seem to be the sure shot success mantras in the fiercely competitive $300 billion organised retail market. Well, the question is, why aren’t the unorgansied or small retailers resorting to RFID? “India’s infrastructure is such, that using RFID for most of the small retailers and shop owners, it’s a luxury. So it’s only big retail giants who can afford it and specially when they will have to compete with global players, they should implement RFID,” replies Gibson G Vedamani, CEO, Retailers Association of India.

Well, the need of the hour is to make these technologies more affordable so that their benefits could be extended to the smaller players, empowering them to tackle the global competitors which are constantly knocking on India’s doors.


Angshuman Paul


For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

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


Read these article :-
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Companies snap up non-IIM B-school grads
IIPM set to beat economic slowdown
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM awards four Bengali novelists
The Hindu : Education Plus : Honour for IIPM
IIPM ranked No.1 B-School in India, Management News - By ...
IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
Moneycontrol >> News >> Press- News >> IIPM ranked No1 B-School in ...
» IIPM ranked No1 B-School in India :: Education, Careers ...
The Hindu Business Line : IIPM placements hit a high of over 2000 jobs
Deccan Herald - IIPM ranked as top B-School in India
India eNews - IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
IIPM Delhi - Indian Institute of Planning and Management New Delhi ...
domain-b.com : IIPM ranked ahead of IIMs
IIPM makes business education truly global-Education-The Times of ...