When we talk about something, our mind creates an image of it...But what if our mind cannot? We speak about the particular object in a very abstract manner...We do not completely understand or know the object.
The same is true with corporates. Every corporate should have an image. So, when someone talks of it, that person should be able to visualise the company. Let us take a few examples...Apple, Google, Facebook, McDonalds, Mercedes, BMW, Nike, Microsoft, etc.
The one thing common between all these is the fact that these are some of the biggest brands in the world today. If we try to visualise them, we will be able to carve out an image for each of them.
Now let us compare them with their Indian counterparts There are very few examples which would fit the description in the above para. A reason why we have only 1 Indian company in top 100 world brands. The image could be a person or probably a logo.
Every company has a logo, but do they market it well. Its disappointing to say, but the truth is that very few Indian companies do so. Only recently, companies like Airtel, Yes Bank, Axis Bank, SBI, etc. Have started marketing their logos, but the rest still lag behind.
A proper and well marketed logo not only enhances consumer brand value but also increases the brand recallability.
My favourite logo is that of FMCG major - Unilever. A very powerful and a meaningful logo. A close look at it reveals the numerous shapes which form the U of the logo. Each shape representing each of the brands of Unilever. And yes, Unilever today is a huge brand.
Thus the importance of a logo and its marketing cannot be underestimated. It is infact even more essential for companies which target individuals and for companies which do not have a single individual as a visual representative of the company.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Candour - Is it Practical?
A lot of management gurus across the world, including the great Jack Welch, have preached the importance of Candour in everyday life and especially in business.
Lack of Candour is a barrier to complete exchange of essential information and ideas. It may not essentially be with an intent to do harm but it is naturally abstained from by people across all walks of life. No matter where we go, lack of frankness can be seen everywhere.
However, is it really practical to have a complete Candour policy? People abstain from being candid to avoid conflicts, from becoming an eye-sore. Why is it so? Is being frank that bad?
It is not easy to be candid. Being frank overwhelmes people. It causes resentment, reluctance, anger, conflict and awkwardness.
Personally, I do not advocate Candour. Yes frankness is essential. It reduces efforts, makes work better, easier and faster, but being candid about everything will somehow or the other create issues - personally and professionally!
Problem arises when people are not frank about the indispensables. Essential ideas and information should be frankly communicated. Appraisals and feedbacks should always be honest. People should not take criticisms negatively. There has to be a change in the thinking and mind set of people. When this happens, the organisation does better and employees have better motivation.
But let me be frank...Being candid about everything is not practically possible or viable. You should be candid only where it really helps people and the organisation. If you are candid and towards the end of the conversation you feel it could have serious implications, you should make an effort to tone it down a bit without taking away the essence and purpose of the conversation!
It is a challenge to implement it across all aspects of life, but it should be done!
Lack of Candour is a barrier to complete exchange of essential information and ideas. It may not essentially be with an intent to do harm but it is naturally abstained from by people across all walks of life. No matter where we go, lack of frankness can be seen everywhere.
However, is it really practical to have a complete Candour policy? People abstain from being candid to avoid conflicts, from becoming an eye-sore. Why is it so? Is being frank that bad?
It is not easy to be candid. Being frank overwhelmes people. It causes resentment, reluctance, anger, conflict and awkwardness.
Personally, I do not advocate Candour. Yes frankness is essential. It reduces efforts, makes work better, easier and faster, but being candid about everything will somehow or the other create issues - personally and professionally!
Problem arises when people are not frank about the indispensables. Essential ideas and information should be frankly communicated. Appraisals and feedbacks should always be honest. People should not take criticisms negatively. There has to be a change in the thinking and mind set of people. When this happens, the organisation does better and employees have better motivation.
But let me be frank...Being candid about everything is not practically possible or viable. You should be candid only where it really helps people and the organisation. If you are candid and towards the end of the conversation you feel it could have serious implications, you should make an effort to tone it down a bit without taking away the essence and purpose of the conversation!
It is a challenge to implement it across all aspects of life, but it should be done!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
BrandZ!
BrandZ was formed by Millward Brown Optimor to value the world's biggest brands. They take into consideration the consumer valued brands and not corporate ones...
The top spot this time was stolen by apple from last year's top brand - Google. Google is followed by IBM at 3, with McDonald's, Microsoft, Coca Cola, AT&T, Marlboro, China Mobile and GE complete the rest of the top 10 positions.
The only Indian company to feature in top 100 was ICICI Bank at number 53 while Infosys is expected to break in to top 100 soon.
Facebook is the bigggest new entrant in the top 100, while Wells Fargo, Apple, Pizza Hut and Standard Charter Bank were among largest gainers this year.
The data has been compiled with information from Brandz, Kantar Worldpanel and Bloomberg.
The top spot this time was stolen by apple from last year's top brand - Google. Google is followed by IBM at 3, with McDonald's, Microsoft, Coca Cola, AT&T, Marlboro, China Mobile and GE complete the rest of the top 10 positions.
The only Indian company to feature in top 100 was ICICI Bank at number 53 while Infosys is expected to break in to top 100 soon.
Facebook is the bigggest new entrant in the top 100, while Wells Fargo, Apple, Pizza Hut and Standard Charter Bank were among largest gainers this year.
The data has been compiled with information from Brandz, Kantar Worldpanel and Bloomberg.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Give India!
GiveIndia is a donation platform to support a cause from over 200 NGOs...It has been formed in 1999 by Venkat Krishnan who is an IIM-A Graduate.
Thousands of donors have contributed so far to over a million lives by supporting these over 200 NGOs...
GiveIndia has tied up with a number of corporates where a number of employees give up a part of their salaries directly...The contributors have the option to choose the specific NGOs where they wish to contribute their donations...
The website for GiveIndia
http://www.giveindia.org
Thousands of donors have contributed so far to over a million lives by supporting these over 200 NGOs...
GiveIndia has tied up with a number of corporates where a number of employees give up a part of their salaries directly...The contributors have the option to choose the specific NGOs where they wish to contribute their donations...
The website for GiveIndia
http://www.giveindia.org
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Credit Rating Agencies - A Farce??
When we look to make for investments, what are the things we analyse and keep in mind before taking any decisions??? Return...Time Period...and most importantly creditability!!!
How do we know the creditability of the instruments we are trying to invest in? Most of the time we are generally aware of some of them as the underlying entity or the reference entity is well known, has a public image and is probably a large corporate with strong financials. But what do we do in case we don't know the details so well??
We fall back on the judgement of institutions called Credit Rating Agencies. Some of the largest agencies are Standard's & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch. If they rate some financial instruments strong, we think of investing in them or otherwise we don't.
The question is how credible is the ratings of these agencies. Can we really rely on them? Here are a few examples I would like to site -
1) The CDOs issued by institutions in USA against sub-prime loans - Most of the loans which went bad, were given some of the top ratings by credit rating agencies just a few days before they went bad!!
2) Lehman Brothers, AIG, Freddie Mac & Frannie Mae, Merrill Lynch - These companies either went bust or were on the verge of bankruptcy or required financial bailout. However, just a few days before these events took place, their credit ratings were quite strong and high.
3) USA, GREECE, IRELAND - When recession hit, USA, Greece, Ireland, Britain, Germany, Japan, Spain, etc. were some of the countries which were impacted the most. Yet before the situation of these countries were made public, their ratings remained the same and decently good since a long time. But when the exact situations were made public, the ratings of some of them were changed. Greece for example needed bailout. While the rating of the country was changed only after the news of bailout came.
So why do we need credit rating agencies if their ratings cannot be relied upon. Even a common individual with no knowledge of business and finance would be able to lower the creditability of a corporate or a country after knowing that they require bailout.
So, do these agencies have any liability or do they have to answer these questions??
The answer is no. These agencies have no liability, no obligation, etc. even if their ratings are wrong and cannot be relied upon!!
I guess its time to question the creditability of these Credit rating Agencies themselves to find out the truth. But, interestingly it would be difficult to establish the creditability of the people/firms trying to find out!!!
A VICIOUS CIRCLE OF MISTRUST!!!
How do we know the creditability of the instruments we are trying to invest in? Most of the time we are generally aware of some of them as the underlying entity or the reference entity is well known, has a public image and is probably a large corporate with strong financials. But what do we do in case we don't know the details so well??
We fall back on the judgement of institutions called Credit Rating Agencies. Some of the largest agencies are Standard's & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch. If they rate some financial instruments strong, we think of investing in them or otherwise we don't.
The question is how credible is the ratings of these agencies. Can we really rely on them? Here are a few examples I would like to site -
1) The CDOs issued by institutions in USA against sub-prime loans - Most of the loans which went bad, were given some of the top ratings by credit rating agencies just a few days before they went bad!!
2) Lehman Brothers, AIG, Freddie Mac & Frannie Mae, Merrill Lynch - These companies either went bust or were on the verge of bankruptcy or required financial bailout. However, just a few days before these events took place, their credit ratings were quite strong and high.
3) USA, GREECE, IRELAND - When recession hit, USA, Greece, Ireland, Britain, Germany, Japan, Spain, etc. were some of the countries which were impacted the most. Yet before the situation of these countries were made public, their ratings remained the same and decently good since a long time. But when the exact situations were made public, the ratings of some of them were changed. Greece for example needed bailout. While the rating of the country was changed only after the news of bailout came.
So why do we need credit rating agencies if their ratings cannot be relied upon. Even a common individual with no knowledge of business and finance would be able to lower the creditability of a corporate or a country after knowing that they require bailout.
So, do these agencies have any liability or do they have to answer these questions??
The answer is no. These agencies have no liability, no obligation, etc. even if their ratings are wrong and cannot be relied upon!!
I guess its time to question the creditability of these Credit rating Agencies themselves to find out the truth. But, interestingly it would be difficult to establish the creditability of the people/firms trying to find out!!!
A VICIOUS CIRCLE OF MISTRUST!!!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Debate - 1st man to conquer EVEREST - George Mallory!!
George Mallory is considered by some to be the first man to conquer the Mt. Everest in 1924. However debate continues!!
George Mallory's body was found in 1999 on Mt. Everest - a few 100 feet from the peak. Some claim that he had reached the peak and had died on the way back while some say he had died on his way to the top!! It is said that he was carrying a picture of his wife with him which he wanted to laceon the peak of the mountain. When his body was found the picture was missing, while all other equipments were in place!! Which suggests that he had reached the peak!
Andrew Irvine, his climbing partner too was found dead a few feet away from George. However, the only thing missing from those spots was the CAMERA!!! So, the proof of them reaching the top wasn't there!!
Edmund Hillary was therefore the first man to conquer everest with proof in 1954!!
I just hope that the truth is revealed...If George Mallory was the first man...then he should be recognised to be the one!! I just hope that the Camera is found!! Search though is still on!
Till then its difficult to decide whether his name should be added to the list of legends or not...because if it is added...another shall have to be removed!!
George Mallory's body was found in 1999 on Mt. Everest - a few 100 feet from the peak. Some claim that he had reached the peak and had died on the way back while some say he had died on his way to the top!! It is said that he was carrying a picture of his wife with him which he wanted to laceon the peak of the mountain. When his body was found the picture was missing, while all other equipments were in place!! Which suggests that he had reached the peak!
Andrew Irvine, his climbing partner too was found dead a few feet away from George. However, the only thing missing from those spots was the CAMERA!!! So, the proof of them reaching the top wasn't there!!
Edmund Hillary was therefore the first man to conquer everest with proof in 1954!!
I just hope that the truth is revealed...If George Mallory was the first man...then he should be recognised to be the one!! I just hope that the Camera is found!! Search though is still on!
Till then its difficult to decide whether his name should be added to the list of legends or not...because if it is added...another shall have to be removed!!
OSAMA BIN LADEN KILLED
Yesterday Osama Bin Laden has been killed by the CIA in Pakistan. Good news undoubtedly....However a number of questions arise!!
1) How did they enter Pakistani territory and conducted this huge operation without the knowledge of the Pakistani Government?
2) Is the Pakistani Government providing refugee to terrorists?
3) Will the Pakistani Government now take action against terrorism?
4) Will there be a backlash from the terrorist groups towards USA and other cuntries?
These are some intriguing questions which only time can answer. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Government is embarrased and they need to provide a number of answers. It is high time that other nations support India's cause and pressurise Pakistan to initiate serious actions against terrorists in their nations!!
1) How did they enter Pakistani territory and conducted this huge operation without the knowledge of the Pakistani Government?
2) Is the Pakistani Government providing refugee to terrorists?
3) Will the Pakistani Government now take action against terrorism?
4) Will there be a backlash from the terrorist groups towards USA and other cuntries?
These are some intriguing questions which only time can answer. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Government is embarrased and they need to provide a number of answers. It is high time that other nations support India's cause and pressurise Pakistan to initiate serious actions against terrorists in their nations!!
West Bengal Elections
This could be considered as the most debated elections across the nation!!
The Left havent done much in the past 35 years of ruling...Ofcourse change is required...However, I am disappointed to say that the only other dominant party in the state isn't a desired change...So on the one hand its the Devil himself and on the other a never ending ditch!!
Ofcourse a change is expected and the time seems to have changed in favour of the TMC...we the people on the other hand can merely hope and keep our fingers crossed that it brings about a positive impact on the backward moving Bengal economy!!
The Left havent done much in the past 35 years of ruling...Ofcourse change is required...However, I am disappointed to say that the only other dominant party in the state isn't a desired change...So on the one hand its the Devil himself and on the other a never ending ditch!!
Ofcourse a change is expected and the time seems to have changed in favour of the TMC...we the people on the other hand can merely hope and keep our fingers crossed that it brings about a positive impact on the backward moving Bengal economy!!
Indian Scenario - Helpless RBI and silent Government
The Indian Government is a disappointer...With inflation refusing to cool down, the Indian Government is doing nothing. RBI is helpless as it has already raised bank rates by almost 150 basis points over the past 12 months.
Raising bank rates will not help reduce increase in prices of food and crude...Fiscal measures are required and not Monetary measures. Since the Central Government is sitting quietly waiting for the state elections to get over, the common mass is sitting on a ticking time-bomb...further rise in inflation!!
The Central Government has obviously asked the Oil Marketing companies not to raise the oil prices till elections are over. So with the crude prices having crossed USD 120, we may see significant rise in petrol, diesel and LPGprices post elections. This would further increase prices across all sectors!!
Why cant the Central Government reduce duties on crude and also ask state Governments to reduce sales tax on the same. This could infact lead to fall in prices in petrol, diesel and lpg despite the fact that crude has crossed USD 120.
RBI in its last policy declarations clearly said that it was helpless....despite this we still do not have any response from the Government...Now with the unwinding of all the big scams during the tenure of this Government, I have serious doubts on the capability of these guys to run the country!! We can just hope for a change soon!!
Raising bank rates will not help reduce increase in prices of food and crude...Fiscal measures are required and not Monetary measures. Since the Central Government is sitting quietly waiting for the state elections to get over, the common mass is sitting on a ticking time-bomb...further rise in inflation!!
The Central Government has obviously asked the Oil Marketing companies not to raise the oil prices till elections are over. So with the crude prices having crossed USD 120, we may see significant rise in petrol, diesel and LPGprices post elections. This would further increase prices across all sectors!!
Why cant the Central Government reduce duties on crude and also ask state Governments to reduce sales tax on the same. This could infact lead to fall in prices in petrol, diesel and lpg despite the fact that crude has crossed USD 120.
RBI in its last policy declarations clearly said that it was helpless....despite this we still do not have any response from the Government...Now with the unwinding of all the big scams during the tenure of this Government, I have serious doubts on the capability of these guys to run the country!! We can just hope for a change soon!!
Indian World Cup Victory
India has finally lifted the world cup after nearly 3 decades....surely a great time for celebrations!!
So Sachin Tendulkar has at last added the last jewel to his crown....in fact it was the only one which was eluding him so far!! He is indeed the God of Cricket!!
Mumbai has erupted...whole night saw terrific celebrations on the streets across Marine Drive....loads of people out on the streets waving the Indian flags and shouting slogans while amazing fireworks lit up the sky!!
So Sachin Tendulkar has at last added the last jewel to his crown....in fact it was the only one which was eluding him so far!! He is indeed the God of Cricket!!
Mumbai has erupted...whole night saw terrific celebrations on the streets across Marine Drive....loads of people out on the streets waving the Indian flags and shouting slogans while amazing fireworks lit up the sky!!
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