A nation finds its voice

As India struggles to come to terms with reality, with the Modi Sarkar’s “Acche din ane wale hai” slogan, I have started believing that we have found our voice. And I would not really blame the people of India; for the past ten years we were subject to politics and politicians who were blind, mute and dumb just like Bapu’s teen Bandar (3 monkeys). Whether it was through Anna Hazare, or that a volcano of patience erupted that India finally found its voice.

The burgeoning middle class came onto the streets (finally) literally through protests, hunger strikes, rallies in support of the numerous rape victims, Anna Hazare, transparency, better governance and figuratively through the various social media platforms. For days together, facebook and twitter were full of status messages supporting these strikes, protests and rallies.

For years, Indian politicians had ignored this middle class and this was coming back to bite them. Economic policies were written keeping the lower income and the super-rich in mind. The Indian middle class with incomes in the range of INR 30000 – INR 100000 per month had developed the ‘this too shall pass’ attitude of patience; the English version of the Indian ‘chalta hai’. They were used to corruption, inflation, high unemployment rates, low level education and healthcare facilities and poor infrastructure. The common man (the metaphor) for the Indian middle class assumed that this was life and it would not change. The idea that change had to come from within was lost; until 2011 when a series of revolts against governments erupted across the globe, starting with the Arab Spring. India awakened in the true sense and the demographic dividend came onto the streets to demand what was rightfully theirs.. access to better infrastructure, better education and health facilities, better wages, lower inflation, more transparency, lower bureaucracy and red tapism, no corruption. This time though the youth wanted to take charge and technology gave them an increased and more penetrated reach. It was not only the urbane India but also the rural India that protested. The nation wanted justice against corrupt officials, politicians and criminals. They supported Anna’s call for implementation of the Jan Lokpal bill and the Right to information act in the Parliament. The sheer strength in number and voice changed the political landscape of India. The erstwhile ‘family’ politicians had to face a massive loss at the hands of a smart, internet-savvy, forward thinking Hindu nationalist. The BJP came to power with a thumping majority in the lower house of the parliament. And this victory came again from both the Indias - Urban and Rural.

People had finally found their voice and poured out in millions on the election-day. The nation voted for a candidate they believed could bring that change!

And this belief was not limited to only to the man on the street but also reflected across business houses and the SENSEX. The nation had after more than two decades elected a majority government. Now the ball is in the government’s court to deliver. One of the jarring issues was on opening up the economy and allowing more FDI. Growth in FDI inflows, increases employment opportunities and thus demand that indirectly leads to economic growth.

A country’s economic growth is generally funded by two sources:

1. Public funds/Savings
2. Private investments

When public funds fall short, the government opens up the sector(s) for private domestic and or international investment to bridge the gap. Private investments can be via two sources:

1. FDI (International)
2. Domestic entrepreneurs

In fact growth in FDI inflows is one of the leading indicators of economic growth.

GDP equation states:

•       Y = C+I+NX

•       GDP is a function of Consumption, Investment, Net Exports

We are assuming here that FDI inflows will affect investments. However more FDI inflows might just crowd out domestic private sector (indigenous entrepreneurial) investments.  A simple correlation analysis between GDP and FDI inflows gives a very low correlation coefficient (0.02) indicating FDI inflows is not the only indicator that leads to GDP growth, it is rather one of the many that influences growth.

I may be wrong here but I really hope that the government plans to invest more in infrastructure projects both soft and hard to generate growth besides just exploring sectors that could be opened up for investments. That is one change we are eagerly awaiting…

   

Customisation makes you feel empowered...

Customisation has really taken new roads today. From getting options in car colours (either a white or a black ambassador car in India) to designing clothes that fit your body scan, customisation has really come a long way. I was browsing through an article recently that got me interested in this space. Firms are taking the age old adage “Customer is the king” rather seriously.

Take Starbucks for instance, the global coffee maker brand has a website where you can make you own flavoured coffee (virtually of course!) from scratch. So right from selecting the fat content in the milk, to the coffee flavours, to the whipped crème option you can choose your flavour from over 5-7 choices at a time on the screen. While this engages the customer more as he/she finds it endearing that their ‘round-the-corner-coffee-shop’ is taking that much interest in their choice, it helps Starbucks in knowing their customer better.

It reduces that distance between their target audience and their brand. Their customer feels privileged to have been given the choice to make his/her own coffee (sounds so lame right, and still we walk right into the trap!) while Starbucks gets the relevant and priceless data on their customers. They know which flavours are demanded more across markets and which combination works best for a majority. Currently they did not ask for my demographic details such as age, location, etc. But these would also help them identify the best possible combination across segments.

Customisation analytics is a big field today. Companies are all for getting to know their customer better and quicker than their competition. In today’s world the customer, knows what’s being offered across the globe by a particular brand, is very hard to please and to retain. The concept of loyalty is fast losing ground. There exist firms offering better (maybe?) and cheaper options to any brand, delivering anytime, anywhere. There are options available and nothing is indispensible. Customers are well educated because of the social media connect and reach. They already know of the models old and to be launched and have read/heard of their reviews that have already prejudiced their minds.

So what should a company do to retain their customers? The (not-so) simple answer would be to design a customisation program.

·         Identify and highlight the USP of their product

·         Get to know their customer better through constant interaction

·         Make the customer feel involved in the decision making process

·         Reach the customer either directly or through the supply chain links; and of course be better at this than your competition

Starbucks is doing this so are other global brands. And it’s a win-win for both the firms as well as the customers; both not only get what they want but also feel empowered.

 

Her story and lot's of love...

Her story and a lot's of love...

Had it been a normal day she would have even noticed the sky change its colours from blue to yellow to orange to red and then see the night settle in. But today was different. She was in a hurry. She just wanted to go home and CRY. She wanted to change her mood, she had been through a lot emotionally recently and finally she could not bear it any more.

As she hustled passed her favourite bakery, she did not even hear the baker call her name and tell her that he had kept her favourite pastry aside. She walked passed as soon as she saw him as she was afraid he would see that tear find its way to her cheek.

She reached her apartment and fumbled while finding the key in her bag. “Why is his happening?” “Count to 10, things will be better”. She had learnt to pacify herself by counting to ten every time she was under pressure. And sure enough she found the key! At last opening the door, she threw her bag on the floor and herself on the bed. And she cried, long and hard. She cried for the good, the bad and the ugly, she cried for everything, letting herself go. Letting emotions take the better of her. She did not know when she fell asleep or how she fell asleep. She had not checked the time. When she woke up it was still dark outside, but the lights in her apartment were on and so was her laptop. She checked her laptop and saw their photo, she quickly opened another window; she had been listening to The Doors (their favourite band). And the memories started coming back again. Her expressions changed from happy to sad. The smile faded and she started crying again.

She wailed she hit the bed and threw the pillows; she fell on the ground and cried her lungs out. “Why did I let him go... might we have worked things out?” but that time was long gone, for he was already fighting a battle on his home base. He had been called back to report to duty immediately and he just met her briefly. They had planned to announce their engagement and marriage this time to family and friends. Her parents had begun wondering who she was dating in the city and were worried. They had given her a year’s time to settle or eventually get married to a man of their choice. But she had fallen madly, deeply in love with him.

It wasn’t love at first sight, nor was there any melody playing in the background when they met. It was a casual meeting over thanksgiving dinner at a friend’s place. But they got talking and she didn’t remember whether it was the wine or just him for they talked for hours through the night and all the way till he dropped her home. Being a gentleman he did not come in and they agreed to meet again; this time over coffee.

 It was just always so smooth with him, he knew exactly what she was thinking, what she wanted, how she felt, how she would react, what she would say, how she would express. She thought he was perfect. He took care of her, and her wants. He always understood her so very well. And best of it all, he would always make her laugh. They had the same tastes too in food, wine, cigarettes, books, films, music, and theatre. Plus he was a tender lover. She would moan and yield in every time. He loved her dearly, and when he held her, he felt complete. They had started living- in just two months in their relationship (“Was it too soon?” they would keep asking each other). But they were happy. He cracking stupid jokes, making her laugh while she would cook him breakfast.

But time was running away and he would have to return to his base. He would only come to be with her every 2 months and she would make the most of it. They would just spend the mornings cuddling in bed and then finally get up only when the sun hit their eyes. This time he had planned to stay back for more than his normal 10 days, he was planning to stay back forever; he was planning to quit the forces. But as luck would have it, a war broke out and he was called back.

He saw her waiting at the baggage claim with flowers in her hand. He just kept staring at her, she was looking so beautiful. He noticed how she had been to the parlour and set her hair, she was wearing make-up, and a new dress. He held her in his arms and kissed her ever so softly and gently. But before she could say anything he told her he had to be back at the base. She held herself, did not show him her frustration, anger, sorrow and despair. She kissed him back and bade him good bye.      

But that was a fortnight ago, and here she was tonight crying away alone. She was waiting for the doorbell to ring, for him to come in and swipe her off her feet. A bell had rung last morning. She had received a call from the commandment centre asking her to come to their office to identify a soldier’s body. She was not willing to go and all the while she did she prayed that it wouldn’t be him. She was led to the morgue and asked to look at the body. She looked and turned pale and fell to the floor and nodded in agreement. It was him. She waited to reach home before she could cry. She sat at the window with dull eyes looking up at the sky and trying to find love again.

She remembered a story her mother had told her, when people die they go to the heaven and become stars and shine upon us. “It’s their way of lightning up our darkened lives”, her mother would say. She looked up again and found him, shining back on her and guiding her...her pole star.

My world is changing...

My world is changing...

E-commerce is changing the way the world shops, one can now purchase goods and services online either with a direct bank transfer of the amount charged or by swiping one’s credit card. But did you also know that now you can do all this and more by using virtual currency? Yes, it’s entirely legal to purchase some goods and services online using virtual currencies like Bitcoin!

Now how is this possible you may ask.. I did some research on Bitcoin concept myself and this is what i have found

A software developer called Satoshi Nakamoto proposed Bitcoin, which was an electronic payment system based on mathematical proof. The idea was to produce a currency independent of any central authority, transferable electronically, more or less instantly, with very low transaction fees.

Conventional currency used to be based on gold, or silver. Bitcoin is based on mathematics. Around the world, people are using software programs that follow a mathematical formula to produce Bitcoins. The mathematical formula is freely available, so that anyone can check it. The software is also open source, meaning that anyone can look at it to make sure that it does what it is supposed to.

Bitcoin has several important features.

1. It’s decentralized

The network isn’t controlled by one central authority. Every machine that mines Bitcoins and processes transactions makes up a part of the network, and the machines work together. That means that, in theory, one central authority can’t tinker with monetary policy and cause a meltdown – or simply decide to take people’s Bitcoins away from them.

2. It’s easy to set up

3. It’s anonymous

4. It’s completely transparent

Bitcoin stores details of every single transaction that ever happened in the network in a huge version of a general ledger, called the block chain. The block chain tells all. If you have a publicly used bitcoin address, anyone can tell how many bitcoins are stored at that address. They just don’t know that it’s yours.

5. Transaction fees are miniscule

6. Its fast

You can send money anywhere, and it will arrive minutes later, after the Bitcoin network processes the payment.

7. Its non-repudiable

When your Bitcoins are sent, there’s no getting them back unless the recipient sends them to you. They’re spent.

But what goods/services can one buy with Bitcoins?

One of the biggest destinations for people’s Bitcoin is online gambling. It’s fast, with an immediate return (or loss) and bets can start relatively small.

There are some more general e-commerce sites selling multiple products in a particular category and offering cross-category sales.

Bitcoinshop.us, for example, offers products from air-conditioners to watches, all priced in Bitcoin, for those wanting to make a purchase. The catch: it only ships to people in the continental US.

BitcoinStore.com sells electronics and ships internationally.

Now it’s actually really up to us to embrace this virtual reality!

And just like that she cried...

And just like that she cried...

It had taken her a year to climb the mountain and a year to descent,

But the down- hill way very tough, tougher than she thought,

For her anecdote her love had dried up...

And just like that she cried...

She used to call him teddy and cutie pie and then she called him names

She used to love his sight and then she hated the same

And just like that she cried...

He told he loves her, but that was not enough,

She wanted to live a 100 years over with him with her face chin up

They held hands, forever till eternity they sang

And then... well logic hit them with a bang!

They chose to watch each other’s back; they chose to be happy for each other

And just like that she cried...

But were they happy enough?

Enough to fool logic but not themselves... they cried every time the radio played their song, the television ran their movie...

But no word was exchanged, until he read the news in the obituary column, she had bidden the world good-bye, and now she was waiting for him...

And just like that he cried...

2013 to 2104....

It’s the time to rejoice, we have outlived a year (again)…

Thank you God for giving us the opportunity to live a healthy life and enjoy the pleasures, learn through the tough times, meet new people, create new bonds, gain new perspectives and experiences and last but not the least, learn to respect life and value time. J

It’s December 31^st today and it’s my time to reflect on the year that was and the year that will be…yeah, it’s my time for New Year resolutions….

1.  Stay fit – exercise regularly, eat healthy
2. Pursue passions – music continue with riyaaz, write more, read more – form opinions on global events, be aware of the latest be it in technology, science, fashion, anything
3. Explore more 
4. Travel more – to adventurous destinations, a jungle safari, climbing a mountain, exploring hard terrains

For me 2013 was more of putting to practice whatever I had learnt in my b-school. The year was more of learning, be it at a new job, making new friends, building professional relationships, conceptualizing, designing, and managing events, and projects and handling clients.

On a not-so personal front, the country witnessed a huge upheaval against corruption and short-sighted political agendas. This protest was special because it was not politically motivated, but was driven by the common man. The people who came forward formed a political party and their leader today is the common man. He is the CM of Delhi and the world waits how he pursues his party goals.

This revolution was witnessed not only in India but the world over people united against corruption and a lack luster political system. We witnessed the Arab spring that shook the autocratic regimes in the MENA region.  The world is changing, lets pray for the better. People are opening up to democratic ruling and regimes today threatened by this wave of change are ready to share power with the populace.

Digitization is bringing the world closer by passing on information faster. Autocratic regimes are crumbling take the example of Ukraine where people are protesting against their leader supporting and echoing a particular neighbour’s opinions or Syria where the world forced America to take the necessary actions if Syria did not concede. And of course how can one forget the riots in Bangladesh and Thailand against the ruling governments.

The global economies are still battling the after effects of loose monetary policies and living in the fear of the potential tapering off of the Quantitative Easing by the Fed. There are some green shoots seen across the developing countries, but this is mostly uneven growth. Even as the world shifts it’s focus on emerging markets, corporations need to understand the regulatory risks and volatile growth that they might face in these economies.

Overall, 2013 was a difficult year given the natural (typhoon ) and the man-made disasters. But let’s pray that the year 2014 will ring in happiness and prosperity to all. Let the people’s rule define politics, let R&D, science and innovation pave the way for a healthier future and let education create opportunities for the youth.

On this positive note, here’s raising a toast to the year that was and the year that will be..! Happy New Year! 

What's changing our world?

Have you recently doubted your intelligence because you did not know how to operate the latest nexus5? Or were you surprised to learn about the new virtual currency “bitcoins”?

If the answer to the above questions is “yes” (thanks for that by the way) then let me tell you that we are sailing in the same boat J

Technology is changing at a nano second speed and being wired to the latest “IT” has become the new norm. Societies all over the world are going through major changes. These changes or what sociologists call “Megatrends” are re-shaping our world; actually changing old (hitherto expected to die hard) habits!

Change Thinkers (now this is a new term too, and took me a while to catch on to it) have listed down 4 megatrends that according to them are changing the world scenario and to which governments will have to pay more attention.

1.       Demographic shifts and accelerating urbanization
2.       Shifts in economic power
3.       Resource scarcity and climate change
4.       Digitization

Sociologists say (it’s still difficult to say Change Thinkers) global population is ageing and some societies are ageing faster than others.  So while the supply of working age population declines in these countries, some countries will continue to be “baby boomers” and have a growing working age population.  The implications of these demographic shifts will have a bearing on government budgets and policies.

According to a UN report on world population, we will have 360 million older workers leaving the workforce by 2050. This implies the increasing burden on medicare facilities; a huge dent on the government budget and expenses. The increasing working age population on the other hand will lead to increasing urbanization as population moves to the cities in search of better work opportunities. The governments will have to increase investments in housing, education and food (agriculture) for sustenance of this population.

 The financial crisis of 2008 has changed the way the world looks at developing markets today. Developing economies are increasing being looked at as growth drivers because of the increasing disposable incomes and consumption power that resides within them.  This economic shift is evident as all major global corporations shift their regional headquarters to these geographies.

The 3^rd megatrend affecting the world is scarcity of resources and climate change. By 2030 it is estimated that the world will need 50% more energy, 40% more water and 35% more food. By and large governments are finding it difficult to sustain populations on depleting natural resources. Impacts of climate change will include rising sea levels, water shortages, food scarcities, and extreme weather conditions. It’s thus important to use the available resources wisely if we wish to leave behind a better planet for the future generations.

Digitization has completely changed the scope of human existence. Globalization has indeed made the world flat leaving very few economies decoupled in the true sense. Technological breakthroughs are saving millions of lives today by investing in drugs, better medical facilities, feeding millions and eradicating fatal diseases.

It is thus becoming extremely important to adapt to these changes in order to be a true global citizen. So it’s never too late to learn how to use that “new touch screen” mobile or read up and ask questions on the latest in technology. I have started this journey by learning to navigate the ipad and of course the latest nexus5; it’s your turn now….