Category Archives: short article on business

MESSY–#MAGGI 2 MINUTE #NOODLE

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

maggi maggi1

MESSY–#MAGGI 2 MINUTE #NOODLE

What MNCs should know #MaggiRecalled

High lead content in Maggi. Has sent Nestle into a tizzy of a lifetime. Vigorous tests are on, in the food labs of India. Soon anyone’s bluff will be caught if not already. And, it is not only for Nestle. But a reminder for all MNCs. That gone are the days. When you could serve a sub-standard and obsolete product in India and get away. But now the equations have altered and tables have turned.

    Today the literacy levels in India are at 74%. Most Indians, when they walk into a store have already made up their minds. About what they are going to buy and why. Consumer laws too have firmed up, even when they may not be as pungent as the US.

    India over the years has become a very attractive and money spinning sub-continent market for any MNC. With its newly rich population and the population explosion. In some ways it fares even better than the markets of the US. In fact serving the Indian market is like clocking a revenue equivalent to serving half of Europe. When we milk the geographical advantages of India’s neighbours.

    The Indian population as per 2011 stands at around 1.21 billion. Out of which around 830 million is rural and 380 million is urban. As compared to the total US population of 319 million. So, even our urban population is higher. Than the total population of the US. Our urban distribution is at 69% and rural 31%. Quite favouring, a smooth flow of goods and services across the sub-continent.

    With a population of 1.25 billion. On an average every seventh person in the world is an Indian. This has extrapolating advantages when you sell in India. In terms of scaling up a brand, brand recall or even name recalls of niche segments in prominent SKUs. And a big chunk of Indian population, are expats and NRIs. To them what is sold at home is acceptable in foreign lands too, from day one. So, a MNC, even gets a ready export market should it want to manufacture in India. Where, labour and cost of infrastructure is way below the western world.

    Although India’s population is three times that of the US. Its land area is only 1/3rd of the US (India 3287590 square km—US 9857306 sq km). That makes India a much more compact market than the US. Where, distribution costs are much lesser. And, an even more gleaming factor would be the population density. That directly triggers footfalls, and consequentially sales. The average population density of India is 364/km as compared to the US which is 90/square miles—again a favourable tilt towards India.

    Summing up. In times to come. Such large markets in confined clusters. That will give high footfalls will be a rarity. Therefore Indian consumers and markets need to be treated with a lot more prestige and seriousness by MNCs. As days are not far, when operating headquarters of many MNCs will move closer to the bulk of their consumers. Where, only China and India will be their likely destinations.

    So, MNCs should move around with bags. That have single pockets, and not bags with too many pockets or hidden pockets for various countries. As transparency is the wholesome virtue in present times. And last but not the least. The golden goose is very much there. But the MNCs shouldn’t try to kill it for short term gains.

    And brand ambassadors of MNC products. Need to verify complete details, before they sign up for any product.

*****

 

#SEBI MAKES FRESH BID TO FIND #SAHARA #INVESTORS

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A small investor’s perspective

This high profile Sebi-Sahara jig saw puzzle, remains far from unsolved. Perhaps, the duo of Supreme Court and SEBI will now have to commission the services of Hercule Poirot straight out of Agatha Christie’s novel to solve the plot.

For, in its prolonged and much publicized investigation and offensive against Sahara, Sebi has not been able to ferret names and documents of bonafide Sahara investors from two of its group companies and therefore has been unable to refund the entire amount deposited in the Sebi-Sahara-Refund-Account by the group hitherto; and to that effect has held Subrata Roy, Chairman Sahara group in captivity for over a year now, along with two of its directors.

So far in the first attempt Sebi was available to refund only 4,900 claims. The details of the second attempt to locate eligible investors could not be ascertained and now Sebi is making a third attempt. But, in this entire chain of events, there is something, that’s not meeting the eye.

For if the entire amount belongs to small and poor investors, then why have they not queued up to collect their hard earned money? In fact, the number of investors runs into crores but till date only 4,900 applications have been serviced.

So, then the mystery question is where are rest of the investors and why aren’t they coming forward to collect their amounts? Or is it, that these are ghost investors, and bogus documents to misguide Sebi? Or Sahara is right when it says it has already paid back 95% of its small investors?

Well, it is difficult to answer these questions as of now, as this doesn’t look to be a straight forward case anyway, and we will have to wait in the time orbit, for Supreme Court to crack it.

TOI column,

“New Delhi: Making a fresh bid to locate Sahara investors eligible for refunds, capital markets regulator Sebi asked the bond holders to submit their claims along with the proof of investments.

The latest exercise follows two similar attempts made by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) in the past.

The first exercise began in August last year, when the investors were asked to submit their refund claims by September 30, followed by a similar exercise in December when the bondholders were required to approach Sebi with their applications by January 2015.

There is no specific deadline as yet in the latest attempt by Sebi which has been asked by the Supreme Court to refund money collected from the bondholders of Sahara India Real Estate Corp Ltd (SIRECL) and Sahara Housing Investment Corp Ltd (SHICL), after verifying the credentials of the investors.

While the details of the second exercise to locate eligible investors could not be ascertained, Sebi had received 4,900 refund claims in its first attempt last year from the bondholders of two Sahara firms, which had raised Rs 25,780 crore from about three  crore investors.

While Sahara firms were asked to deposit the money with Sebi for further repayment to the investors, the group claims to have already refunded about 95% investors directly. The group has, however, already deposited over Rs 12,000 crore in the Sebi-Sahara Refund Account, although the regulator has been able to repay only a small amount to investors as yet. Sahara chairman Subrata Roy, as also two top executives, have been in Tihar Jail for more than a year and the group was asked to deposit Rs 5,000 in cash and bank guarantee for a similar amount for their release.

When contacted, a Sahara spokesperson said the group has repaid around Rs 23,000 crore to the bondholders directly, still it has already deposited more than Rs 12,000 crore to Sebi’s refund account. The group further said Sebi could repay only about Rs 2crore after three rounds of media advertisements across 50-60 publications that resulted in total demand worth about Rs 20 crore, as most of the investors have already got back their money.” PTI

THE CLASSY ICON- #ANAND #MAHINDRA- CMD, #MAHINDRA GROUP

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

New Doc 6_1 (1)

Some personalities happen to impress you at times, but some always. He happens to be one of them. And, I would desist from venerating him; in some paltry words of mine. For words will fall short in contouring this supersonic icon of Indian business. But yes, he is inherently original, beamingly creative, and knows well how to welcome the future in all humility. A role model for many. He does complex things in simple and novel ways.

And, this time he conjoins the childhood favourite board game of Snakes and Ladders to the health regimen and shares it on Instagram for better recall value. This interesting creation of his was published in ET Panache, around the World Health Day (April 7). Wherein, he makes some simple but interesting observations in the colourful boxes of snakes and ladders,  where ladders you need to climb and snakes you need to avoid:

  • Ladder: High fibre meals (>30 gms/day), controls Blood Sugar and cholesterol.
  • Ladder: By consuming fruits and vegetables regularly, one can be at low levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
  • Snake: Aerated drinks, fruit juices and maida items lead to high blood sugar levels.
  • Ladder: Exercise (5-6 days/week) leads to significant control of lifestyle diseases.
  • Snake: Waist size (>43” M; >38” F) is a direct market for heart attack.
  • Snake: Papad, pickle and processed food increases risk if obesity.
  • Ladder: Quit smoking, it decreases the risk of heart attack.
  • Snake: Sedentary lifestyle increases waist circumference and weight.
  • Ladder: Taking the stairs increases the fitness levels.
  • Snake: Fried snacks, farsan, bakery products increase high risk of high cholesterol.

Wishing Mr. Anand Mahindra health, wealth and fame.

*****

COMMUNICATION SKILLS AT WORKPLACE

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Just think of the modes in which our distant forebears communicated long ago- the evolution of the written word, speech, smoke signals, semaphores and the Morse code-one can go on and on. Here, of course, we need to concern ourselves with communication skills and time management in work place and home in the present times. Popular work culture does not perceive separate rules for men and women. We are all global managers in the local set up. Consider home, for a moment, as an extension of work place, particularly in the context of Indian women. While life at home may be laid back, care free, but is not without responsibility. And there the difference ends. The modern employee needs oral, written and technological skills to excel. Even the most naïve housewife is expected to operate the washing machine, handle the microwave oven, run the mixie, to draw money from an ATM and even to drive a car- that is if she wants to contribute meaningfully to the chores of routine but modern domestic life.

Nearly all work involves interaction and communication with others. Clear and effective communication between individuals, between teams and among departments is a vital part of any successful organization. Without effective communication in work place, business results and team relationships suffer. Poor performers continue to perform poorly and productivity drops. Good people are overburdened with more responsibility. In our personal lives we blame each other for lack of communication and agree to live in companionable silence.

We can see that employees still need written communication skills. Yet interpersonal oral communication skills are the ones most prized by employers in the new informal workplace atmosphere. At home the oral word has to be more precise as well as concise to avoid attrition. The ability to follow oral instructions is an important parameter in the overall persona of an employee, especially for front office employees. Considering the important nature of this faculty even CBSE has incorporated it in the form of ‘Listening & Writing skills, in their curricula. Employees who work with the public or closely with teams need skills in empathy and feedback techniques, especially in fields such as customer service, medical, and legal. Critical thinking and the ability to function as part of a problem-solving group are also skills that employers look for. Today’s worker must remain cool under pressure, adaptable to new technology and to a fast pace.

With benefit of hindsight I’ve shortlisted a few points which may be of some help to you while interacting with people.

  1. Clarity: Ensure the information you need to convey is, firstly, intelligible to you. Communicate it clearly and directly. Use language that is specific and unambiguous. Check that the receiver understands the message as you intended. Avoid acronyms lest they be confused.
  2. Be attentive Without becoming an active listener means you cannot make a conscious effort to truly hear what the other person is saying—don’t interrupt or respond until the other person has quite finished. It should come as no surprise that the best communicators are also the best listeners.
  3. Deportment: this means using the other person’s name, looking them in the eye, and nodding to aid in demonstrating you understand what they are saying. If you are communicating in writing, reread before sending your message to ensure that it could not be misinterpreted or taken as disrespectful.
  4. Message & Medium. Some of us are better communicating in writing and some are better at speaking. Consider the preference of your receiver.
  5. Who is the end-user : you may have to style your communication with your boss, co-worker, customer or supplier, differently.
  6. Mode: More and more of our workplace communication is done via email, voice mail and text messaging. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these, depending on the message and the audience. Texting can be especially effective when a quick question or answer is required without further explanation or repeated follow up, e.g., “What time is the school council meeting.”

The important thing is to stay focused on behavior or performance and not character. You are not a judge of character. Avoid being biased or opinionated. When you are on the receiving end, avoid getting triggered by difficult messages. Keep in mind the bigger picture and the long term implications.

Don’t be yourself all the time. Be someone a little nicer and never confuse motion with action. After all, “ a man diligent at his work shall stand before kings”

A.K.Tripathi

Anubhab Apartments                                                                       26/03/2015

CELEBRITIES, PLEASE DON’T JUST ENDORSE PRODUCTS FOR CASH STACKS ALONE- THINK OF THE CUSTOMER TOO

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    Product endorsement is a form of testimonial from someone, who indicates they like or approve of a product. Generally, product endorsements are solicited from people who are socially prominent. Friedman & Friedman defines a ‘celebrity endorser as an individual who is known by the public for his or her achievements in areas other than that of the product class endorsed.’

    Therefore, in that context, is it right for any celebrity to endorse a company’s product without proper due diligence, about its quality and customer satisfaction levels. In fact, customer satisfaction should be one of the basic criteria to decide, whether the celebrity should go ahead and endorse the product or not.

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    For, when a customer decides to buy a product. He does take into account the profile and aura of the celebrity, who is endorsing it and takes his ‘words’ to be the gospel truth. But why? We may ask. Reason is very simple. Because, the customer one way or the other equates the profile and personality of the celebrity, endorsing the product, with that of himself and the product and service, the company offers.

    Moreover, the customer ratifies the ‘trust’ by buying the product, that the celebrity creates around the product by endorsing it–Primarily in parameters of quality; and a brief description of ‘quality’ would be, ‘what is promised, is delivered.’

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BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN INDUSTRIES WHERE CAUTION IS REQUIRED BY CELEBRITIES

    For example Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the brand ambassador of Amrapali group. A prominent builder of North India, and endorses almost all their housing projects. Film stars such as Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor (nee Neetu Singh) endorse flats and houses of Gaur sons and Shahrukh Khan for Mahagun.

    These celebrities, endorse projects of builders by appearing in full page newspaper and magazine advertisements, apart from bill board and fancy TV advertisements. To build that brand pull by charging a fortune–mostly in crores. But before accepting these endorsements, do they even check to their satisfaction about the myriads of customer complaints against these builders, in terms of projects not being completed on time, quality issues, overcharging, illegal construction, stopping of genuine refunds to customers and the list is but long. And, basis these endorsements, thousands and thousands of customers invest their hard earned and lifetime savings with these builders only to be left hapless most of the times.

SO IS THERE A WAY OUT?

    Just as the company undertakes a thorough due-diligence about the celebrity, in terms of his or her brand positioning against the product he is about to sign. The celebrity too should also undertake a thorough check of the company’s reputation and its customer satisfaction levels. Where, the advertising agency should provide all but relevant details to the product endorser. Maybe, the government can formulate a stringent law against such celebrities, who endorse false claims across industry, product and customer satisfaction levels.

    For, it will only be ethical on the part of these celebrities to make their additional millions, by not callously stamping on a common man’s dream, by endorsing any product, by any company. And, for such companies without any moral and ethics. It is imperative they revisit their mission and vision.

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

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ALL WOMEN’S ROUGH & TOUGH PINK FLEET OF MERU CAB

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

Meru lady cab driver Jyoti Gupta
Meru lady cab driver Jyoti Gupta

 

It was a novel experience when my wife and I were driven home the other day from Delhi Airport by Ms Jyoti Gupta, a lady cab driver, of the pink fleet of radio cabs, christened ‘Meru Eve,’ recently introduced by Meru Cabs.

To begin with Jyoti briefly narrated how the chief executive of Meru Cabs, Siddhartha Pahwa, announced the new service from a dais decorated with daisies and gladioli at the time of launch. The holistic concept being, how to make women safer in Delhi; where the newfound breed, of these daring and young female cabbies were adding value.

Meru lady cab driver
Meru lady cab driver

We had some luggage that needed to be transferred to the luggage carrier atop and tied. I offered to help but she refused priding she could do that just alone, and she did it. And while she was doing that we could see some male cabbies prying and smiling at her.

And as we started from the airport, I could see both male and female eyes gazing at her, for she was a novelty- a cab driver, who had dared to break into the hitherto male bastion of cabbies.

In the small conversation that followed she told us why she took up to this career. Surely, it was not for any pantomime. But the intense and rancid pattern of daily abuse from her husband. She now had two college going children, and was up in arms with her husband, seeking divorce; and had merited class ten herself, from Haldwani.

Quick to learn and savvy about business numbers. Knowing her vehicle inside-out. Not scared of the male rowdiness or the male overwhelm on the road. And while driving, she appeared quite a seasoned and inveterate, as I was not missing the male counterpart for a change.

And, there was something captivating about her. For she was not sulking to the challenges of a tough profession, but was gaga about it. As, by now she had already demonstrated the definition of toughness. That was moving away from stark physicality to an enduring mindset which females too had. And, last but not the least she conveyed the ultimate mission of life, that was common for both man and woman, and it was only the short lived difficulties that are different.

All the best Jyoti!

ARTICLE: ARE SOME AMERICAN COPS MERE DUFFERS LIKE ERIC PARKER?

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Sureshbhai Patel lying paralysed in hospital
Sureshbhai Patel lying paralysed in hospital
3rd degree torture by Eric Parker
3rd degree torture by Eric Parker

 

Madisan, Alabama policeman Eric parker is charged with 3rd degree assault and is being fired, after authorities say he threw down a handcuffed 57 year old man from India who was walking around town, while visiting some relatives. Though the FBI is investigating this incident in which Sureshbhai Patel has been paralyzed, yet this brings us to a horrific and nagging question. That is about the IQ levels of some of these American cops who shoot from the hip to prove no point, and in the process they only reveal their racial bias. A media report now suggests Sureshbhai Patel was used as a guinea-pig by Eric Parker to teach his colleague how to pin down criminals. But even that is cruel, animal like and atrocious by any standards. And in the process he has paralyzed Sureshbhai; and his racial sound bite about ‘a black and skinny man roaming the area’ has only embarrassed the black skinny but otherwise healthy President of the US- Barack Obama.

Policeman Eric Parker
Policeman Eric Parker

Even in some earlier instances American cops have gone overboard, by not being able to distinguish between the turban of an Indian Sardar and a Muslim terrorist of the likes of Osama and have subjected them to humiliation. They have also demeaned Indian dignitaries at airports. So the moot question is. Are American cops insulated from rest of the world, that they can’t even decipher sartorial niches and accomplishments of other countries. And so, shouldn’t they be given a complete run down on various kinds of attires worn across the world since America is the world’s greatest economy and people from all over the world flock here some way or the other. Also, a rerun of visuals at regular intervals about world’s whose who, will help.

NJ cop shooting a black man when both his hands are out of the car
NJ cop shooting a black man when both his hands are out of the car

And, in this episode also Eric Parker from all corners looks and behaves like a duffer. Not being able to decipher between a hardcore criminal and a 57 year old non English speaking gentleman, and behaves as if all non English speaking individuals are criminals. The video released only enrages the world. As a cop he should have been more aware than a normal American citizen to decipher between a criminal and a gentleman. So what creates such duffers in the US Police Department is again the moot point when they boast of such a high standard of police training with a sensitive and thinking mindset.

In 2000, the US Department of Justice (USDOJ) Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Offices and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) collaborated to pilot an innovative post-police academy training strategy with Reno, Nevada Police Department. This problem based learning strategy, titled the Police Training Officers (PTO) Program. Institutionalized adult learning theory and problem solving tools into a process that encouraged new officers to think using proactive mindset, enabling the identification of and solution to problems within their communities

The APOSTC or the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission requires law enforcement officers to go through and pass the academy and be certified as police officers of the law. Before going through the academy, they must be employed full time as a cop, meaning they have to work an average of 40 hours per week and within 6 months of being employed they need to complete the academy training in order to be certified. Failing to do so will nullify their employment and they will have to wait two years before submitting another application.

While the training has various physical and legal requirements. It also talks of some important physical, legal and behavioural aspects that the candidates should possess such as:

  • Age should be at least 19 years.
  • Have a high school or a GED
  • Have a valid driver’s license
  • American citizenship
  • Good moral character with no felony or misdemeanor or convictions, and isn’t a registered sex offender
  • Complete medical examination by a licensed doctor or a physician and be certified for good physical health and fit for physical demands of the Police Academy.
  • Complete psychological examination and in case they fail this test, a 2nd comprehensive test will be administered by an agency that is commissioned by the commission and in case a candidate fails, both the test, he or she must wait for a year to become eligible again.

All academy trainees must complete 480 hours of basic academy training.

  • The overall score of all the written exams, first aid exams, legal issues exams should not be less than 70%.
  • Successfully complete and pass the physical agility test.
  • Pass all 43 hours of firearms training. Must qualify in two out of three attempts in the firearms course.

So while the training of Police in the US is all comprehensive there is need to screen officers who nurse racial biases. With the wherewithal of the US, it should not be difficult to identify such policemen and indoctrinate them with better virtues and humanness. For one can perform police duties even without paralyzing dark and skinny ‘Sureshbhais’ for if South Africa could give up apartheid why can’t a minority of police officers in the US. But then to arrive there. The US must first accept the scourge of racialism in its Police force and not just sham away from reality.

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THE OBSOLETE SWING OF 9 TO 5 – OFFICE HOURS

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With the rough noose of target around one’s neck and loads of life to carry on with; merely observing office timings has become more of a head count drill and a calculation of salary mechanism for the accounts and HR. For what, if I only observe office timings but don’t achieve my targets. I may still be sacked, even when I am a regular office attendee. But what, if I achieve my business targets and don’t achieve my attendance target. I may have to take a salary cut along with a sack for breaking office discipline, in spite of achieving my business targets. Where, management, at sweet will may be kind enough to sanction my accrued incentives.

Perhaps, there has always been a simmer of sorts between the Management and the employees on this account– office attendance–leave and the targets. Mind you, mere office presence, between 9 to 5 does not get you to your targets, with present day complexities and the sordid hustle and bustle of life. So something, close to high octane energy, something different together with a meandering passion is required to achieve those never ending and ever accruing professional targets of life.

The stated 48 hours of office in a week is just about sufficient to prepare the springboard from where you could dive to pluck your target. But the tedious groundwork starts brewing the moment you get up from your bed; is when your soul starts mating full flow with the business targets. That then moves with you to every corner of your house that you go to, including your precious morning throne. Supposedly your most private moment, where not even your better half is allowed, but those business targets are.

And, beyond the breakfast table, or to any other morning ritual of yours, including your morning prayers, and prayers collectively in tandem with your colleagues for targets. Thus, building the spiritual bulwark for the organization.

The average travel time to office in big cities has increased to over an hour one way and during this time also, you are glued mostly to your business and organizational targets. Where, all you do is to think, plan and set up a daily bit-by-bit approach towards achieving those milestones moments. For in the mornings it is not a rare sight to see business executives waiting impatiently to speak to their clients while they may take any mode of conveyance, including personal cars and two-wheelers, crowded buses and metro rail or a suburban local. And your business pursuit doesn’t just get over when you leave office for most us carry it home whether you like it or not. And the buck doesn’t stop there, as post a Sunday afternoon siesta, when the Monday morning blues erupt in you, is when you open your laptop to prepare for the Monday morning review, cutting into your well deserved weekend. For, if the review goes well your week is made, else, you need to build your entire week all over again. So, what earlier was in the confines of 9 to 5 has spilled beyond the time warp. Some management’s who are abreast to this reality, are sailing through competently with tweaked systems and procedures-employee friendly, but some are still struggling, only to conceive the reality.

The intricacies and pressures of both sides could be better understood. Only, if the modern day employer more appropriately termed as ‘management’ had ever done a job and the ‘employee’ ever ran an enterprise. For both uselessly keep visualizing the other side of the grass is greener, when it is actually a bald zone.

The point of essence is; today’s employee is not a 9 to 5 guy but a 24 x7 guy. Who at times operates from the designated office, from the road, his personal car or even a two-wheeler, airport, railway station, jam packed bus or a bus stand, cab, crowded local suburban, metro rail and at some lucky moments from his residence; for you can’t exist anymore on a obsolete routine of a mere 9 to 5 show up. And in all of this your gadgets (Smart phones and laptops) have become your office.

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Title : Mahindra rise moment of Life

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BECOMING MARKET LEADER IN TAMILNADU
Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi with On 21-Aug 2014
Story Picture

‘MAHINDRA RISE MOMENT’ OF MY LIFE

BECOMING MARKET LEADER IN TAMILNADU

    In the year 1991 I was transferred from Jaipur to Chennai as Area Manager. It was a sector shift from Automotive to Farm Equipment. A cross country movement and an exposure to a new work culture. And I vividly remember, how a colleague of mine had even jokingly remarked at that time about my transfer from automobiles to tractors–‘So Kamlesh! now your ‘speed’ reduces but ‘torque’ increases.’ Quite connoting to the characteristics of an automobile and a tractor. But there was a bigger barrier beyond speed and torque. That was the local vernacular ‘Tamil language’ that was utter Greek to me. And my palate that was not akin to the local culinary in all frankness. So, I felt, overall, it was a dim and a losing proposition for me. I landed in Chennai draped in apprehensions. Not knowing fully the local ball game. Yet I was oozing with some valid convictions and arrived procedures as a springboard.

    As a territory, I had Tamilnadu (TN), Kerala and the Andamans. To sell and service, the rugged, Red Mahindra Tractor. Therefore, I needed to rub shoulders with TAFE the local giant. I was told we had an effective network of well laid out, ebullient, dealers and officers. The HO mandate was to become Market leader in two years. More pronounced and reminded often by M&M icon Mr Alan Durante, President and Head of Marketing, AD & FES then.

    If my memory serves me right. TN market was then on an upswing and hovering around 8k-10k tractors annually, between 1992 -1996. TAFE were market leaders, followed by us. But the gap was only widening. With great expectations I had landed in Chennai. When, I decided to do three simple things that I thought would help us achieve our goals:

1.     I took a whirlwind tour of all Dealerships. Basically to establish an effective interpersonal rapport with the owners and their employees that was required as a force multiplier, and even more because I hailed from the North. Bought an English to Tamil translation book to learn and remember some key words. Required for day to day business.

2.     Took a complete inventory of Dealer infrastructure- (hardware, software, systems and processes) from all our Dealerships and branches and did a similar exercise for competitors. To understand where we stood. And, that was an eye opener.

3.     Launched a local ground level tactics “To be the best in each activity.”  Such as paid up stock, availability of spare parts, Dealer finance, Manpower training, Showroom display, Field contact, Tractor workshop record, Vehicle downtimes, Dealer branches and service points for doorstep service.

    During my first year in Chennai. We did not get significant results. To establish ourselves as market leaders. But on realising our level of activities. TAFE too pulled up their socks and started with aggressive wholesale, in districts of Chengalpet, Madurai and Tirunelvelli. I still remember the stinkers I then used to get from Mr Alan for not becoming market leaders.

    But the crafty tempest of TAFE did not deter us, and we continued with our sincere efforts in programming and monitoring the market almost on a daily basis.

    And then on a particular month in F-93, if I remember correctly. We did become Market Leaders for that particular month beating TAFE in their own home ground. For a couple of months we played down this big achievement. To let any fluke pass over. But our efforts were beginning to manifest and soon we became market leaders in all 25, 35 and 45 HP categories.

    Soon Chennai office was also adjudged runners-up, winners and runners-up in financial year’s f-93, f-94 and f-95 in Area Office performance award.

        Today I realise. That was truly a ‘Mahindra rise moment’ for me.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

shravancharitymission@gmail.com

By Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(Archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)  

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. Book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

Story of an Indian salesman who is lowly qualified but fights his ways through uncertainities to reach the top. A good read for all salesmen. Now available in Amazon.com

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

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article: SHOULD TEXT BOOKS BE AVAILABLE, BOTH IN PRINT AND E-BOOK FORMAT FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN?

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134

SHOULD TEXT BOOKS BE AVAILABLE, BOTH IN PRINT AND E-BOOK FORMAT FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN?

 

    Every day when I go for my morning walk. I see innumerable school children and some very young, carrying their heavy rucksacks filled with books up to a bursting point. Many out of them are even unable to walk in the normal manner because of the weight. Some even walk sluggishly and at times are helped by their nannies or their young parents or even their old grand parents. To, be on time for their school bus or any other mode of conveyance that they take. And I am more than sure this must be causing a great amount of unspoken dissonance in these children. Considering, the matrix and size of India. I consider this as an important issue to be looked at seriously. When it affects 52% of our population. The hypothesis finds more ground when we dig into some relevant statistics as given below.

526

MIX OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

    India has approximately 113.8 million children attending primary school and another 88.5 million attending secondary. While PE (Primary Education) covers an age group of 5 to 14 years, SE (Secondary Education) covers children in the age group of 14-18 years. PE is up to class 8 and SE spills over to class 12 and beyond that is the HE (Higher Education)

    Now, if we were to analyse the demographic structure of education in India in the table below, we would find:

DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE IN EDUCATION 2009  
AGE GROUP EDUCATION GROUP POPULATION IN CRORE PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION
0-3   7.5 6.50%
4-6 Pre Primary 7.9 6.80%
7-11 Primary (I-V) 14.4 12.40%
12-14 Upper Primary (VI-VIII) 8.5 7.30%
15-18 Secondary (IX-XI) 9.7 8.30%
19-24 Higher (XII+) 12.6 10.90%
  Population 60.6 52.30%

    The population in the age group between 4 to 18 years, which comprises of Pre-Primary to Secondary level, is around 40 crore and around 35% of our total population; which is sizeable. So, at no cost can we condone their issues, especially when they are not adults and cannot speak for themselves. The existing state of play, where they use printed text books may not be that convenient, both for them and their families, but then they have no choice.

SOME MAJOR DISADVANTAGES OF PRINT TEXT BOOKS

  • Bulky and heavy to carry and the weight only increases as you go up, the classes.
  • Often these books are out of print especially when the text is modified or when a new session starts and are even sold at a premium.
  • Print books are subject to wear and tear.
  • Expensive as compared to an e-book, and with the rise in paper, print, labour and transportation costs the prices will only increase.
  • May not be readily available at multiple locations.
  • In many areas we don’t have regular electricity supply or have long power cuts, when you can’t read these books and this is a great disadvantage, during times of examinations and even routine study. Whereas, an e-book can be read in the dark.

INDIAN PRINT TEXT BOOK MARKET

    If we take the Indian text book market it is at a level of $ 1.2 billion, with an addition of $510 million of supplementary books. However, private publishers have access to just 60% of the market. Given the monopoly of state boards and NCERT in 95% of the school text books. And a large chunk of schools are vernacular with local languages; and often out of print.

BENEFITS OF E-BOOKS

    If Finland can say good bye to ‘cursive handwriting’ by 2016, why can’t India move towards e-books. When the advantages are so many,

  • Except for a onetime cost of purchasing the e-reader the recurring costs of purchasing text books will reduce substantially. Government can incentivise purchase of e-readers.
  • It will always be available, both in India and globally. And never out of print.
  • You can even read in the dark.
  • Very light to carry and not bulky.
  • Will give even a rural child a sense of advancement in life.
  • One book for many books: e-reader.

WAY FORWARD

     The government should introduce e-book as a parallel option for children. To assess the ground reality the project could be piloted in a particular district or a state. It could even start with a particular subject. E-books could be readied out of print books and loaded in to simple e-readers, with white paper technology. The project can be launched in identified schools where it could be monitored by an IT instructor of the school along with teachers. And I am sure with this even our rural child will go global.

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

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                                                   https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

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