The makings of a retail giant

But will these small ticket acquisitions, that too impoverished ones, do any good to Reliance? The strategy to turn second rate operations into cash cows is how steel magnate L. N. Mittal scripted his success chronicle. All state owned retail chains that Reliance is eyeing are in the red. Obviously, it’s not size and synergies that Reliance is betting on. The prime real estate locations in the metros are what could be driving Reliance, which would otherwise find it almost impossible to acquire space for retail outlets. And Reliance might be looking at a real life dress rehearsal before actually somersaulting into the Indian retail mud pool. The state-owned retail chains, with their unionised work force and bureaucratic practices would actually offer Mukesh Ambani and his team a few lessons on how to manage a service sector organisation.

For complete IIPM article click here

Source:- IIPM Editorial

Visit also:- IIPM Publication, Business & Economy & Arindam Chaudhuri Initiative

Tata Indicom's ......‘Conditions Apply’

How different was Tata Indicom’s positioning from its competitors?

When we started, we were very clear it would be with a clear brand diktat; and we would never put an asterisk saying, ‘Conditions Apply’. Whatever be the conditions, good or bad, right or wrong, we would be completely clear. This was one facet of the brand. The second being – when you say you belong to the Tata Group, you are there to improve quality of life.

For complete IIPM article click here

Source:- IIPM Editorial

Visit also:- IIPM Publication, Business & Economy & Arindam Chaudhuri Initiative

Webbed: Until death do us part

Innumerable demons, voices in our heads, a constant tussle that continues unabated until we opt out of this rat race altogether... Latest research says that people ailing from body dysmorphic disorder, who spend their days obsessing about their body (Uma Thurman for one), are 45 times more likely than others to wash their hands off this life. While their families may place their faith in medical science, the devil may appear from corners unexpected – like the innocuous PC most wouldn’t give a second thought to. Last month, thirteen-year-old Jenny Sykes hung herself with her school tie.

For complete IIPM article click here

Source:- IIPM Editorial

Visit also:- IIPM Publication, Business & Economy & Arindam Chaudhuri Initiative

How would the team respond to an “unthinkable” scenario?

What would the group do, for instance, if 30% of the company’s factory workforce in Asia dropped out? What if the United States closed its borders? How would the team respond to an “unthinkable” scenario?

The goal is not to create specific rules for responding to specific threats but to practice new ways of problem solving in an unpredictable and fast-changing business environment.

As for the two organizations described previously, advantage in a crisis will go to the one that can leverage its capabilities and cooperate with other members of the community – even competitors, in a seamless fashion.


For complete IIPM article click here

Source:- IIPM Editorial, 2006

Editor:- Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri