Monday, September 10, 2012

CHILDREN: OBESE VERSUS UNDERWEIGHT

Amusingly, while India suffers malnutrition, US suffers obesity

Obesity in American youths (aged 12-17) increased from 5% to 13% in boys and from 5% to 9% in girls between 1966-70 and 1988-91. Obesity related plans account for 7% of total health care expenditure in developed nations. Even the US first lady Michelle Obama was forced to ask the food and beverage industry to market nutritious, and not junk foods to kids.

It’s ironic that while one set of nations suffers obesity, another set suffers malnourishment. And both these situations bring extremely worrisome health issues to the fore. Although the suggestion might even seem churlish, the real challenge now is to understand how to handle the surplus of food in developed nations better and re-route the same to the rest of the world. A utopian world would surely be one of unequivocal nourishment.


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
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IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
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Saturday, September 8, 2012

“AMD provides the ‘right’ quality; we will maintain this”

After years of being stuck in the doldrums, AMD, with its relatively new CEO Dirk Meyer and the fusion technology bet, is finally gaining some momentum. B&E’s Steven Philip Warner talks to Chris L. Cloran, Corporate Vice-President, AMD, about how AMD plans to save its semiconductor skin
 
B&E: AMD is looking to strike back at its competitors in the PC and notebook market with its new Turion chips. And the results so far look promising, with HP, Acer, Dell, Lenovo, MSI and Asus either having already launched or announcing the launch of AMD-based notebooks in 2010. It looks like the entire operational and front end model of AMD underwent a radical change with 2010 setting-in.

Cloran_Chris (CC): Yes. AMD entered 2010 with a new business model, compelling products and greater access to customers. Our first quarter marked a good balance of achieving strategic milestones and operating performance in an improving market. Our Server, Desktop and Notebook businesses saw double digit revenue growth compared to the same period in 2009. So after the tough times during the slowdown, we started 2010 with a different mindset altogether.

B&E: When he was made the CEO two years back, what were the immediate fire-fighting steps that Dirk Meyer took to make changes to save a market share that was growing weaker by the day?
CC: July 2010 marked Dirk’s two year anniversary as CEO and over the past two years, yes, he has tried to make certain serious changes. During this time, he has worked to strengthen the company’s leadership team, align the company’s focus on delivering AMD’s Fusion family of products, improved the company’s product and platform execution and implemented several moves to improve the company’s financial position.

B&E: Late last year, AMD settled a $1.25 billion anti-trust complaints with Intel. More than Intel, market watchers view this settlement as being of more help to AMD. Are they right?
CC: No comments on whether they are right or not! But yes, it has been very encouraging for AMD. For us, the settlement marks the beginning of a renewed focus on innovation and development. We now have the essential tools to compete and innovate – ground rules for an open and competitive market, the freedom to design and manufacture to serve our customers, and a new IP cross-license. This settlement is in the public’s best interest as well. 


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
 
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
 
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Thursday, September 6, 2012

It is Time for Hindi-Chini Bye Bye

Rising powers have a habit of flexing muscles. They are also genetically programmed to keep pushing the envelope; to keep cajoling, threatening, posturing and browbeating neighbours and other global powers. Germany did that in the beginning of the late 19th century. Japan did that in the first half of the 20th century. Russia did that even before the end of the Second World War. The result was two World Wars and a Cold War. Now, it is the turn of China to enter the equation.

Will the rise of China eventually lead to conflict, violence, bloodshed, hatred, triumphal emotions and even a war? If you go by history, violence, bloodshed and war are very much on the cards. Notice how China behaved almost immediately after it surpassed Japan as the second largest economy of the world. It has ploughed into a war of words with Japan. Ostensibly, the dispute is related to conflicting sovereign rights of the two nations over East Asian waters. In reality, it is China flexing its now hefty muscles and generally telling the world that it is really a Big Boy now; not to be trifled with. It doesn’t help that Japan had once militarily occupied China; Chinese rulers don’t seem to mind stoking jingoistic fires, as the average Chinese citizen is reminded again and again of Japan’s role as a former Imperial power.

China is treating India even more disdainfully. It refuses to allow a serving army general to visit China only because he is posted in Jammu and Kashmir which, China now seems to think, is a disputed territory. It is refusing to give visas to people from Arunachal Pradesh, since it claims the state actually belongs to China. It deliberately provokes and humiliates India by stapling visas to the passports of visiting Kashmiris instead of stamping them. It tried every trick in the book to sabotage India’s entry into the formal club of nuclear powers. Having failed, it is publicly and loudly doing everything it can to help Pakistan with nuclear technology and reactors; in a deal that mirrors India’s nuclear deal with the United States.

This China has to be stopped before it goes too far; so far down the road that conflict and war become inevitable in Asia. And India is in a unique position to play the kind of balancing role that will prevent that kind of catastrophe. As of now, Japan and India are the only powers in Asia who can say no to China. Others like South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia and even Australia too would love to do that; but they simply don’t have the heft to do so.

As the visit of US President Barack Obama draws near, India strategists must ponder over this new role India must play in Asia. The idea is not to oppose everything that China does. But it is to send an unmistakable message to the rulers in Beijing that that there is a limit to which they can proceed and not beyond that. How about persuading America, Japan and ASEAN nations to announce that Tibet is disputed territory?


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

From medicine to poison, here’s how honey’s sweet image transformed

While the Export Inspection Council (EIC) has laid down stringent legislations and quality checks, the fully functional domestic bodies like The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India turn a blind eye. Mr. Singh further adds, “Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA), Bureau of Indian Standards Act (BIS) also over-look the domestic market”.

As a consequence of the prejudice, export-reject stock gets introduced in the domestic market. This circle continues as we naively spread honey on our toast. The aftermath of the antibiotic fiasco has left the consumer with little choice. However, the silver lining has been that Hitkari, a seasonal brand, has avoided the malpractice. Mr. Nitin Malhotra, general manager, Hitkari Pharmacy, manufacturers of Hitkari Honey, beams, “It is due to the selective beekeepers we buy from”. Mr. Singh of Little Bee cites, “Apart from testing the raw honey regionally, parallel testing by outsourcing is the most favorable option to ensure quality standard.”

Rakesh Singh, a seasoned exporter confirms that organic honey is a more than suitable alternative. “It may cost more but delivers quality and assurance,” said Mr. Singh.

It is shocking to see only the exporters claiming a 100% guarantee of quality while the domestic suppliers prepare their case in defence. The domestic regulatory bodies of course, continue to sleep.


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
 
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Don’t mess with her!

Actress Esha Deol has definitely taken after her dad, Dharmendra. On not receiving payment for her work in Darling, Esha filed a case against director Ram Gopal Varma due to which the shooting of his upcoming film, Rakta Charitra, was also stalled. Having realised that she’s not one to give up easily, RGV finally cleared the dues recently. Now we all know, this lady may not have her dad’s build but is equally dangerous when trifled with!



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Monday, September 3, 2012

Justifiable perks

The perks of being Justin Timberlake include not just owning a £5 million worth home at Mulholland Drive, but also having his very own NBA-style basketball court and a five-hole putting green. If that was not enough, Justin, who has been chosen as Givenchy’s newest face, has now got an upscale tree-house set-up in his backyard, for times when he wants to drink and play cards with his buddies! Of course, the fact that he is with Jessica Biel only adds to his fortune day by day…


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Saturday, September 1, 2012

The Current Inflationary Scenario

It was an extremely difficult year for DLF Ltd. And things really started looking up only towards the end of the year. however, Debt remains a worrying issue for the company, as does the uncertainty of Realty Demand in the Current Inflationary Scenario. by Praveen Kumar

However, Q4 has been a visible sign of hope with consolidated revenues at `21.46 billion, which are up by 59% yoy; and consolidated PAT at `4.26 billion, which has risen by 170% yoy. Boost in the residential segment and divestment of non-performing assets have been the major contributors to the performance. As a follow up, DLF recorded consolidated revenues of `21.6 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, an increase of 24% yoy.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBIDTA) stood at `1,112 crore, an increase of 32% as compared to `840 crore in the corresponding period last year. Net profit stood at `4.11 billion, showing a modest yoy increase of 4%. Commenting on the results, Saurabh Chawla, executive director of DLF Limited said, “Commercial segment continues to lag the momentum exhibited by residential segment, though we are seeing increasing traction on the leasing.” But inflation is the major concern that could dampen the demand sentiment.

In its July presentation to analysts, the company has explained its debt deleveraging plan for fiscal 2011. The company’s debt has been rising routinely over the last three quarters, resulting in a net debt outstanding of around `220 billion and a debt-equity ratio of 0.8 in end-June. The company needs to repay around `21.58 billion during fiscal 2011 out of its mandatory obligation to repay `28.9 billion.

However, a positive sign is the robust rebound in lease activity. DLF’s quality land bank also contributes favourably to valuations. The company has also expressed its intent to sell off its non-core businesses to generate cash. Talwar adds, “It’s already established that whatever overhead developmental costs or interest costs we have are well met from our usual leasing and launch businesses; so DLF doesn’t face pressures that some other overleveraged companies may face.”

Divestment is key to the group’s plans to bring back the balance in its balance sheet. DLF had a divestment target of `55 billion in FY 2009-10 and could manage actual divestment of `18 billion. A further divestment of `28 billion is targeted for this year. In the June quarter, it cashed out of its retail brands business and some land, too. Market watchers, though, are sceptical about the company’s ability to sell more land as prices have shot up in certain pockets, making buyers alert.

With respect to the challenges ahead, DLF’s rising debt also means that interest costs are still a drain on profits. In the June quarter, revenues rose by 23% on a yoy basis but profits rose only by 4%. Debt reduction has to be done, for which it is indeed important for the company’s divestment plans to achieve their stated target. The realty major also took some price cuts in the last two quarters, which it hopes will convert into increased demand in the latter half of the current fiscal and help it achieve the overall target of 15 million sq ft, even though the sales for the first quarter are quite low at just 1.44 mn sq ft in the residential segment. Delays in certain projects as well as new launches are in fact only making matters worse. Leasing really looks the only silver lining for the quarter as it stood at 1.2 mn sq ft, in fact more than the leasing that happened in the previous fiscal.

In the long run, there is no denying that the realty story remains robust due to the shortage of supply for a fast growing economy like India. After having burnt its fingers once, it is expected that K. P. Singh’s DLF will be more careful with respect to its expansion plans and its leverage levels, which brought it to the brink of capitulating in the recessionary period.


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