Thursday, October 11, 2012

Is he the ‘suitable boy’?

It would not be surprising if Vivek Paul is actually being considered for the role, but his experience may not fit the bill. Right Mr. Tata?

His name springs up whenever there is a crisis of leadership in any big ticket company, especially in the IT sector. After all, Vivek Paul was known as the poster boy of the Indian IT industry, the way he took Wipro’s international business to towering heights as CEO before he stepped down in 2005. An MBA from the University of Massachusetts, Paul brought the first wave of investment into India through GE medical equipment and a change in the global business mindset towards the country. Paul began his career with Main & Company, and later on he joined PepsiCo. He spent around 10 years in GE after 1990, and was elevated to the post of CEO of GE’s medical equipment joint venture. In 1999, this GE veteran was handpicked by Azim Premji to run Wipro’s software unit in India. He was later on elevated to the post of Vice Chairman of Wipro and CEO of its global IT, product engineering and business process service segments.


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Cinema on 18mm

Here’s a new avenue for individuals to unleash their creativity: Cell phone cinema!

Many people may argue that mobile phone radiation is harmful to one’s health. Some say it can damage one’s DNA; some put up videos on YouTube showing how it can cook an egg and even make popcorns! Worst of all, phones with cameras are often used by the disoriented and perverted minds to come up with scandalous MMS videos. However, Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT) has given mobile phone users a new direction, toward the art of movie making. So, as it goes ahead promoting this radiation-emitting monster, no one, as yet, is complaining. This year, on 21st January, 2009, it organised the 2nd International Film Festival of Cell Phone Cinema, which aims at providing a platform for creative individuals to create masterpieces by making use of this rapidly growing technology. Here, the competition was in the field of fiction/music videos, reality/electronic news gathering, and still images, wherein the participants are expected to use mobile phones only in order to take photographs, and videos are not to exceed the time limit of three minutes. The competition witnessed 500 entries from over 20 countries.

They were judged by a jury, which comprised a mix of Indian and international personalities such as Karl Bardosh, Master Professor, Tisch School of Arts, NYU and the pioneer of these awards; Kurt Inderbitzin, Hollywood Film producer/director; Rahul Rawail, film director; Pankaj Prashar, film director; and Arun Anand, still photographer. The winners for the video films were All Elements of Hand – Ek Kavita by Sachin Sreshta and Mukti Krishnan as well as Rainwaters by Sachit Sadanandan; which won US $1,000 and US $500 respectively. While the first is a film that shows what a human can achieve with his or her hands, including surreal achievements like holding sunlight in one’s palm, the second is a film about rain water harvesting. The best award for a still photograph with a prize of US $500 went to Dead Carrier can Die too by Kamal Mahrishi that showed a discarded van from a morgue. The winning films will be screened at New York University – Tisch School of the Arts Theatre.

Akshay Marwah, the festival director, quotes film director Pankaj Prashar to enumerate the criteria for choosing the winners, “the main idea was not replacing a film camera by a film camera, but to see that a mobile phone can capture moments that film cameras can’t, and that is one of the most important criteria and of course technicalities and quality would follow.” Mr. Rawail, one of the jury members, said, “Whatever the technology, it is ultimately the content which should hold the attention of the viewer, and therefore those who create, must realise that their responsibility has increased”. “These short films can provide a good laugh and some can be for social causes and be informative as well.


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.

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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Are judges above the law?

 It would have been quite humorous, were it not so pernicious and dangerous. The latest fracas between the Right to Information Commissioner and the Supreme Court is a classic example of how desperately the judicial system in India needs a complete revamp and overhaul. This is what famous lawyer and constitutional expert Fali Nariman has to say about the unwillingness of Supreme Court judges to reveal their assets under the RTI Act: “For judges of the highest court to litigate as to whether or not they should disclose their assets is as bad as judges going to the court on whether it was lawful for income tax to be deducted from the salaries they get! We have good judges, but we need more judicial wisdom." And look at the ‘Supreme’ irony of the whole matter.

Recently, the Central Information Commission passed an order that required judges of the Supreme Court to declare their assets. Rather than gladly agreeing to set an example for everyone else in India, the Supreme Court appealed to a High Court against the order. In other words, it is akin to the Managing Director of a company appealing to a General Manager of his own company against an order passed by an independent board of the company! The High Court promptly stays the Information Commission order and asks Fali Nariman to appear as a ‘friend of the court’ in the case. To his credit, Nariman has politely declined. And urged the judges to lead by example.

Here is another tale from Indian judiciary that is hilarious. The Central Bureau of Investigation is pursuing the notorious Sister Abhaya murder case in Kerala. A High Court judge, Justice K. Hema effectively stays the CBI investigations. A few days later, a fellow judge of the same High Court, Justice R. Basant, asks CBI to continue investigations and says he will personally monitor the case. Then, a furious Justice Hema passes another order a few days later stating that no other judge of Kerala High Court can ‘clarify’ her order and only the Supreme Court can do so!

Then again, honourable judges of the Punjab & Haryana High Court are at each other’s throats over the Rs.15 lakh cash scam. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court says it is better that Justice Nirmal Yadav is transferred as there are allegations that Rs.15 lakh in cash meant for her were by mistake delivered to the residence of fellow judge Justice Nirmaljit Kaur. Justice Yadav formally complains to the Chief Justice that actually there was a Supreme Court judge behind all this and he was present in the residence of Justice Kaur when the cash was delivered.


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.

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Monday, October 8, 2012

Theory of creative capitalism

Bill Gates writes about his theory of creative capitalism... inputs coordinated by B&E’s Ruchika Chawla

Creative capitalism isn’t some big new economic theory. And it isn’t a knock on capitalism itself. It is a way to answer a vital question: How can we most effectively spread the benefits of capitalism and the huge improvements in quality of life it can provide to people who have been left out? Creative capitalism isn’t an answer to the relatively short-term ups and downs of the economic cycle. It’s a response to the longer-term fact that too many people are missing out on a historic, century-long improvement in the quality of life. In many nations, life expectancy has grown dramatically in the past 100 years. More people vote in elections, express their views and enjoy economic freedom than ever before. Even with all the problems we face today, we are at a high point of human well-being. The world is getting a lot better. Of course, governments in developing countries have to do a lot to foster capitalism themselves. They must pass laws and make regulations that let markets flourish, bringing the benefits of economic growth to more people.

More than 30 years ago, Paul Allen and I started Microsoft because we wanted to be part of a movement to put a computer on every desk and in every home. Ten years ago, Melinda and I started our foundation because we want to be part of a different movement – this time, to help create a world where no one has to live on a dollar a day or die from a disease we know how to prevent. Creative capitalism can help make it happen. I hope more people will join the cause.


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.

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Saturday, October 6, 2012

Can Indian Animation Take The Big Leap?

Despite Tremendous Potential, Indian Animation and Gaming Industry is still at a Nascent Stage as Compared to the Global Market calling for Some Quick and Radical Steps to Get Going. '

The animation and gaming industry, which was once considered just for kids, has actually outstretched its reach to the youth and the experienced alike. Erstwhile animations and games like Duck Tales and Marios have now been replaced by high definition 3D movies and game consoles like Avatar, Grand Theft Auto and San Andreas, which are catering to all genres. In tandem with demand, the global animation and gaming sector too is now on a high growth path. But the basic problem for India at the moment is the fact that the country, which has been the dominant player in the field of global IT related services and outsourcing, has been cornered completely. One can imagine the scenario from the very fact that while India commands a whopping 51% share in the global IT outsourcing and BPO market, the contribution is much lesser than 10% in case of animation and gaming. So the question remains why such a situation has arisen in the first place?

Animation is not a very new concept in India. It started way back in 1974 when Doordarshan aired Ek anek aur ekta, a short educational movie in Hindi. Then the trail followed, but in bits and pieces. Gayab Aaya, which was aired in 1986 became the first animated series and finally Roadside Romeo became the first 3D animated movie in 2006. In fact, animated movies like Hanuman, Ramayana, and Jumbo have done fairly well adding an impetus to the growth of the industry in India. But despite that, as pointed out by a research report published by Deloitte and Assocham, Indian domestic animation and gaming industry is a miniscule 0.6% of the worldwide animation and gaming market. In spite of growing at a good 32% between 2005 and 2009, the domestic industry still stands at just $739 million ($122 million is animation entertainment, which includes TV, DVD, movies; $83 million is hte visual effects industry; $295 million is the custom content development industry; $239 million is gaming, out of which mobile gaming is 66 m$) whereas the global industry is pegged at $115 billion. And the reasons are manifold including lack of skilled manpower to government support to improper IP protection laws.

Says Anuj Kacker, COO, Aptech & Global Head, Arena Animations, “Availability of inadequate skilled manpower is a challenge. And at this pace [of lack of manpower], demand of animation industry will soon outrun supply.” Like the IT industry, animation too is a segment where skilled manpower is of utmost importance. As Nasscom specifies, Indian animation industry, which needed 17,500 skilled people last year, will demand 29,500 people by 2012. But due to lack of awareness about animation as a career, the supply side is going quirky. Moreover, with China and Philippines already into the low level basic outsourcing work, it’s now all the more important for India to produce skilled workers to get going. Support from the government’s side is also not very encouraging either.


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.

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Friday, October 5, 2012

"For Us Design Is Primarily A Business Tool"

A Part of the WPP Group and one of the World’s Leading Branding and Design Consultancies with clients like Microsoft, Vodafone, Dell, P&G and Nokia, among others, the London-based FITCH has just started its India journey. In an exclusive conversation with MONA MEHTA of B&E, FITCH’s South Asia managing director David Blair Explains why the Indian Banking players are suddenly Opening up to modern design and look when it comes to brand transformation

B&E: You mention Dhanlaxmi Bank has just roped in Fitch to roll out a new brand identity and retail design. What is it that the private sector bank is looking at with this latest move?
David Blair (DB): Though Dhanlaxmi Bank is an established name, the new leadership wants to communicate an up-to-date approach to banking. An approach that encourages an open relationship between the client and the bank, where banking is demystified and made easier, and as such becomes more in tune with the demands of a new and often younger audience. While the modern design of the bank’s branch offices reflects this new approach, the brand name & logo continue to communicate the values of trust & reliability that it has built over 80 years of experience.

Globally, the banking industry faced a slowdown in the last two fiscals. Did the global meltdown have an impact on the financials of Fitch as well, in terms of providing design consultancy to banks globally? Further, how has the company battled with the slowdown?
DB: Like all other global consultancies, Fitch too was affected by the recent slowdown. However, Fitch, like many of its banking clients which include Dhanlaxmi Bank, HSBC and Citibank, has come out well through the crisis and is now in a very good shape. In fact, we are back in action and ready to work for clients across all industries, and not just the banking sector.

B&E: But do you plan to tie-up with other local banks as well or would you expand beyond that sector?
DB: We are certainly looking forward to a strong presence in the Indian subcontinent, be it the banking industry or any other sector for that matter.

B&E: Give us some examples. We’re told Fitch has provided design consultancy to several big Indian retailers including Reliance, ADA, Tata group in the past. How has the new branding execution benefited these players?
DB: Some of our clients come to us to redesign existing brands and formats, like Westside and Landmark for Tata Trent. Some to create brand extensions, like Zoya for Tanishq (the Titan owned jewellery brand), and some to create entirely new brands, like the iconic stationary brand, P3, we created for Bilt. Majority of the time, this results directly in an increase in customer base and revenues. For instance, when we redesigned Godrej’s grocery brand and retail concept, Nature’s Basket, we were informed by the company that its revenues increased by 100%. Likewise, when we redesigned the Chemistry brand and experience for Esjay, a global garment manufacturer, a similar uplift in existing retail outlets was reported, even 60% to 70% increase in revenues in some cases.


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
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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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