‘Deal making’

But despite all these praises and eulogies for the Indian automobile sector, the killing truth is that the automobile sector suffers a critical paradox. On one hand, the auto industry is severely bogged down by India’s legendary slow moving government machinery, which, apart from failing to provide adequate infrastructure for manufacturers, have waited for an unfathomable number of years before bringing out an Automotive Mission Plan. One fails to understand the utter lack of sincere orientation within respective ministries, which are more concerned with true ‘deal making’ rather than with ensuring that entrepreneurial progress does not get hampered. One AMP, does not a successful future make. It is one thing to boastfully announce press conferences (that seem more like hagiography meetings of well dressed businessmen ‘close’ to politicians), and another to actually put the plans into action. One prays and hopes that that is not the state of things to come.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2006

An IIPM and Management Guru Prof.Arindam Chaudhuri's Initiative

The 9th Schedule: Created in 1951 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

If only our politicians had paid heed, the judiciary wouldn’t have been up in arms against the legislature for tainting and polluting the 9th schedule of the Constitution with vote gathering devices devoid of passion for able governance. If only our mendicant politicians were visionary enough to foresee the challenges posed to the State by the forces of globalisation, they would have mended their errant ways and made genuine efforts to win the hearts and minds of people. The net outcome of the political perfidy heaped on the common man is, he has lost all trust in the guardians of politics and sees judiciary as his only saviour in trying and troubling times. Have the two lost trust in each other’s ability to honour the commitment made to the nation? The fire brand leader of the CPI(M) & Rajya Sabha MP, Brinda Karat, commenting to B&E, refrains from using harsh words like ‘loss of trust’, but she adds that both, legislature and the judiciary, “must spell out the approach being adopted to interpret the constitution.”

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2006

An IIPM and Management Guru Professor Arindam Chaudhuri's Initiative

Novartis, testing Pat(i)ent's Patience!

Novartis has filed an appeal against Madras Patent Office which had earlier rejected its plea to patent the HIV/AIDS drug Gleevec. The grounds for rejection were that the anti-cancer drug was a new form of an old drug which, according to the Indian law, cannot be patented. However, Novartis' move has invited a lot of flak from both within and outside the country. If the Pharma major's challenge is successful, Indian generic companies may not be able to manufacture variants of Novartis' drugs, which are sold at one-tenth the price. Countries like Europe are also opposing it, as India is a major supplier of cheap HIV/AIDS drugs to developing countries across the globe.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2006

An IIPM and Management Guru Professor Arindam Chaudhuri's Initiative

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If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride

So now, does that imply that dreams of ‘common’ aficionados to bear a souvenir of their dream (without going bankrupt, of course) remains a dream? Ah, no! Comes licensed merchandising, a strategy which allows car-makers to cash in on their brand value without the risk of diversification. Merchandising – a strategy that, despite having no connection with the primary auto product, encashes solely on the basis of the weight of the brand in question. Some great examples of the whole exercise are Ferrari watches, caps and jackets; Bentley umbrellas; and Porsche jackets – all of which provide a decent overview of what we are saying here. Such items are somewhat expensive when compared to their competing equals, but mind you, they cost a miniscule proportion of the real car brand they represent. According to Siddhraj Singh of Autocar India, “Consumers are willing to pay extra for the car brands they love, this is true even in the economy segment.” All bigwig car brands, which command a devoted fan following to even remotest degree, have reaped maximum returns from licensed merchandising. Legendry Italian car-maker Lamborghini, for instance, allows mini car-makers, Hotwheels and Maisto, to manufacture and market miniature Lambos.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2006

An IIPM and Management Guru Professor Arindam Chaudhuri's Initiative

Read more IIPM articles:-


You've got a ticket to ride: on self-confidence
Triumvirate Ambanis, Reliance's Famed Fables!
Rupert Murdoch, the True Mogul of Media
Richard Branson, The Virgin Knight
Tata Motors - Royalty in The Waiting
Ran'baxy - it will run the full mile...
EXXON-MOBIL - Exonerated for Profits
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS - The Numero Uno
Paradise Lost
Nabbing The Napster
Painting The Town Blue
Losing Its Grip
M&As Try 'N' Beat 'Em!
The Death Of An Idea
Made For Each Other
Explosion of choice & implosion of growth
Reagan talks peace
New gold, old votes