Economic figures may recover in future, but his childhood cannot.......

(Source: picture captured at Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India on 18th July 2012)

Economic figures may recover in future, but his childhood cannot.




Regards
Amol Nakve.

The Thorn Birds

From the very first page of novel -The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough. 

There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out-carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and GOD in his heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain…..or so say the legend..

-Amol

Letter to Prime Minister.

Dear Prime Minister,

      I have never intended to write a letter to you. But the current uncertain economic scenario has forced me to write a letter to you to get an expert view from you.   

Today I have been reading many article on web,  news papers with the news stating that the India could be the first nation to have investment rating to junk  status among BRIC. There had been a lot of political view/suggestion made for the betterment of the economic affairs within and outside the country and avoid the further deterioration. This is the only alarm buss by this global rating agency.

S and P were downgraded  India’s outlook  on  BBB- rating to ‘negative from positive’. This was the first instance to wake and act for the reforms. 

      It was clear from the quotes of the some of your colleagues in news which clearly shows  governments denial mode. The report’s conclusion has not been taken into right spirit. There were few example where countries had adopted corrective measures opted for more economic development.  The global rating help to guide investors  to park their money in form of FII and FDI.

UPA I and UPA II agenda were Inclusive Growth of the nation. On social front government has done lot of remarkable work.  NREGA has played catalyst role to ensure the employment of the rural citizen though world bank has slapped the act for stopping the migration of people and real cause inflation. Despite of this I support the scheme as it has created the sense of imp among capitalist to ensure the minimum wages to the labour. Right to Food will also  prove the flagship program by UPA-II. Now World Banks data has also proved that, poverty has also started eradicating from India.  Governments efforts on social front are likely to be appreciated.

     There is lot need to be done for agriculture. Supply for critical  fertilizers is one highly important area where your team member has to focus on as it is having direct correlation with budgeted subsidies. As government has to balance the interest of farmers and fiscal budget. MSP for the farm yield will have to be review after this monsoon to keep it aligned with market standards. I differ your view  stating that fundamentals of our economy are strong because we are agriculture based economy but present scenario is changed, now there are negligible efforts to raise the share of agriculture in GDP( unlike govt. efforts on New Manufacturing Policy).

     Especially when we talk abt inflation the monitory policies were supportive in nature to tame the inflation but the fiscal policies are not aligned with them. Still inflation is real factor to worry and we are just scarifying our growth. And monitory function in case of 2G case, CWG and coal auction has badly affected the government image.  This year budget was really roll back event in UPA tenure, we roll back GAAR, FDI in retail,  ban on Export of Cotton, train fare and others. I do understand running coalition govt is not the cake walk. The people were saying the policy paralysis a lot. But I don’t think your government is observing the this symptoms. The real reason behind all the roll backs was that these were not studied well prior to presenting to both the houses. 

      Sir, you were the force behind the economic reform of 1991. And have the economist as expertise. There are lot of bill pending in houses for clearance & which are very necessary for economic reforms and nation development. One of  them is Micro Finance bill to regulate the sector. This sector had served the financially excluded segment of the society. If this bill will passed as soon as possible then MFI industry will collapse and this for sure, your special intervention is required on this. We all are seeking  your views on the current economic betterment by breaking the silence.               

Regards.

Amol Nakve

Incentives( an Economist view)

Incentives

One thing which I have learnt while reading the book titled Freakonomics by (Steven D Levitt &  Stephen J Dubner) is that how incentive are working. We have basically two type of incentives positive and negative(in economic views). Positives, say like monitory rewards, non-monitory awards and negative are the penalties and punishments.

 There are three favors of the incentives viz Economic, Social and Moral. A single incentive scheme will have to  include all three  varieties. for an example 30%  tax on cigarette is economic incentive, ban in restaurant and bar is social and terrorist raise money by selling in block market is moral incentive.

Idle incentive, should take consideration of all these favors to achieved the required results/changes. Unless these were not put into very appropriate manners it would be quite challenging to achieve the desired outcome.  This is an economic approach towards incentives.

I undoubly  while reading this book believed that HR persons should  be master of an economics to peruse Human asset in all possible direction. The world of HR shall be only limited to business HR but this is time to became an HR economist to serve the stakeholders of the business community. It would be highly recommended to read Freakonomics .

Faith.

Amol Nakve.

Just for Today, Lord.

Hi,

Last evening I have attended the seminar conducted by SHRM India on HR ration.

Good to know that ISO and SHRM are working toward the standards like ISO 9001 for HR.  

The subject of the day was HR Ratios and how this can be helpful for HR fraternity by Mr. V. P. Mashroo( V.P. HR for Harsha Engineers Limited.)

He has started the function with following prayer, I just thought to share with you.

Just for Today, Lord.

I will live through the next 12 hours and not try to tackle all of life’s problems at once.

I will improve my mind.

I will learn something useful.

I will learn something that required efforts, though and concentration.

I will be agreeable.

I will look my best, speck in well- modulated voice, be courteous and considerate to my colleagues.

I will not try to change or improve anyone but myself.

I will have program.

I might not follow it exactly but I will have it.

I will save myself from two enemies- hurry and indecision.

I will do two things,

I will do a good turn and keep it secret. If anyone finds out, it won’t count.

I don’t want to do, just for the exercise.

I will believe in myself.

I will give my best to the world and feel confident that the would will give its best to me.

 Regards

Amol Nakve.

Ahmedabad.

Character and Behavior.

How to Build the Character and Behavior.

Zenger and Folkman suggested the following three steps to alter behavior and build character.

1) Always Deliver: Be cautious in the commitments you make. One of the core values of Infosys is, 'under promise and over-deliver' rather than over-promise and under-deliver. If you know that you may not be able to deliver, then you should not commit. False commitments inconvenience others and damage their trust in you, If you have made a mistake, admit it and work on correcting it. Next time remember to be careful.

2) Be humble: Do not flaunt the power and authority given to you. Be willing to laugh at and correct yourself. Humility is a very commendable quality. It encourages strong relationship building.

3) Find a Mirror: You need to be constantly aware of how others perceive you and your character. The mirror may be a good mentor, a trusted colleague, or a friend. 360 degree feedback is also helpful.

(note:  from the book Managers Who Makes a Difference by T.V. Rao.

New, improved marketing manager.

New, improved marketing manager.

STR Team / August 8, 2011, 0:29 IST



The role is fast changing from managing to being a growth champion.

The relationship between brands and consumers is growing more dynamic, challenging and multi-dimensional. New challenges are emerging with each passing day thanks to technological, social and cultural breakthroughs. These changes mean that the role of the marketer is undergoing immense change — and like brands, marketers also need to stay relevant with time.

Two big shifts are impacting marketing at the macro level. Classically, a manager would make a business projection and work backwards on the marketing spends and the avenues thereon. Media would cost money and thus the marketing cost had to come out of product sales. But today a manager has the wherewithal to market a product before it is available, as spends are not a challenge in the new media vehicles like Twitter and Facebook. Thanks to the new forms and channels of media available, a sense of intrigue can be created around the products before launch and that too at no extra cost. This was not part of a conventional marketing plan, and hence, the profile of marketing managers.

India, by its sheer size and subsequently the scale that it offers, especially in categories like food, appliances or entertainment, develops its own trends that may not necessarily follow the tastes of developed markets. Managers in India face the task of leveraging local nuances and concerting the offerings into a global scale. Customers seek validation of their behaviour from family, community and culture. So the room for influence available to marketers is partial.

A case in point is the hair oil category that was deemed as a dying category in India by many multinationals and the brands kept changing hands. Till one company stuck to working with the consumer by making shampoo an ally and went on to create a large business on the basis of this one brand. And it has become large enough to expand overseas while keeping its foothold in India strong.

In the times that we live in, the marketing manager’s responsibilities extend beyond marketing strategies and programmes.

From managing to growing and creating: The marketing manager’s role needs to evolve from just managing to creating. Most of what is done under conventional marketing involves looking at the scenario in terms of the 5Ps of marketing, which essentially is only about market planning. But marketers need to be enablers of creation, moving from brand management to brand enhancement, from brand promise to brand action. From what a brand says to what it actually does. Nike’s ‘Just do it’ explains this shift. It’s a movement, a call for action.

Earlier, roles were clearly demarcated. CEOs would hold the fort for expanding and retaining the customer base, work on innovation, and be responsible for revenue management, while marketers would apply traditional marketing tools to fulfill that agenda. Now, it is imperative that marketers take part in transforming the business model. This creation process implies marketing as a growth centre and not a cost centre. There is a gap between what marketing is delivering and what can be delivered. From managing a brand it needs to be seen as a growth champion.

From managing an asset to adding value to the brand: While marketing is the new line function with the brand profit and loss, many marketing managers are still living in the staff function role. The marketing manager needs to be both a businessperson (left brain) and a marketer (right brain). While a creative background is an asset, the key for marketers is to understand and speak the financial language of business. The role now demands that marketers are equipped with a broader set of skills and personal qualities, and are able to demonstrate financial accountability using metrics like revenue, cash flow and profitability. This brings credibility during management meetings. From developing a marketing strategy after the business plan is made, the shift demands identifying opportunities where the company invests and has the capability to win consumers, thus creating business. Recent acquisitions of brands have shown ‘brand investeeship’ at play.

More partners to collaborate with: The marketers’ partners have expanded from marketing and advertising agencies. The rules of the game are constantly changing; retailers now offer significant influence in shaping consumer preferences. A marketer who sees retailers as allies in shaping consumer behaviour would be furthering the growth agenda of their categories.

From a broadcaster to an aggregator: It’s not about communicating to the consumer but with the consumer. A relationship is a two-way process. Marketers trying to control every interaction hinder the development of a real relationship with the customer because the customer base is fragmented and is looking for a conversation. The marketer needs to acknowledge that he/she is no longer a broadcaster pushing out messages but essentially an aggregator who brings together content, enables collaboration, and builds and participates in communities.

The views are personal.

DEVENDRA CHAWLA
President, Food & Fmcg, Future Group

Source Business Standard.