Afraid of starting a new venture in an economic slowdown? Don't be, say investors. War times, recession and economic slowdown give excellent opportunities to set up new businesses and gain competitive advantage.
Capital expenditure and wage costs cannot be any cheaper than in these times. From Hyatt and FedEx to GE and Hewlett-Packard to Indian firms like Mindtree and Wipro BPO all were born in a slowdown. To set up a new venture, a core marketing and operations talent is essential. Economic slowdown gives an excellent opportunity to attract such talent at low wage costs, and give them excellent equity rewards and challenging work in return.
Top talent is also liable to easily migrate if their growth is not taken care of (in terms of salary hikes or promotion), even though in a recession. Capital infrastructure businesses will also find the expenses cheaper than they would in boom times.
Any product follows the normal PLM (product life cycle management) graph. It follows five stages of development, introduction, growth, maturity and decline. Most ventures start with a loss and achieve break even after six months to an year. And the curve can be timed in such a way that the growth period starts with the period when stock markets start picking up pace.
The ideal maturity period should end with another phase of boom and beginning of a slowdown . Though no business can achieve accurate timing, entrepreneurs can time their product launches gauging the trend of the curve. Raman Roy, founder of three BPO ventures and CEO of Quattro BPO says: that there's is no good or bad time to start. "If you start selling bullock carts in this age, it won't work even in a boom times. Even we started Spectramind in post dot com bust, and we did very well. If the idea is good it will sell. It should satisfy the needs of a market."
Roy started Spectramind at the peak of the dot com bust in 2000, with funding from Chysalis Capital. In two years, the company ramped up to 9,000 employees. It was bought by Wipro for $175 million after which Roy founded Quattro BPO with his own capital.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
ABOUT ORGANIZATION
Basic Definition
Basically, an organization is a group of people intentionally organized to accomplish an overall, common goal or set of goals. Business organizations can range in size from two people to tens of thousands.
There are several important aspects to consider about the goal of the business organization. These features are explicit (deliberate and recognized) or implicit (operating unrecognized, "behind the scenes"). Ideally, these features are carefully considered and established, usually during the strategic planning process. (Later, we'll consider dimensions and concepts that are common to organizations.)
Vision
Members of the organization often have some image in their minds about how the organization should be working, how it should appear when things are going well.
Mission
An organization operates according to an overall purpose, or mission.
Values
All organizations operate according to overall values, or priorities in the nature of how they carry out their activities. These values are the personality, or culture, of the organization.
Strategic Goals
Organizations members often work to achieve several overall accomplishments, or goals, as they work toward their mission.
Strategies
Organizations usually follow several overall general approaches to reach their goals.
Basically, an organization is a group of people intentionally organized to accomplish an overall, common goal or set of goals. Business organizations can range in size from two people to tens of thousands.
There are several important aspects to consider about the goal of the business organization. These features are explicit (deliberate and recognized) or implicit (operating unrecognized, "behind the scenes"). Ideally, these features are carefully considered and established, usually during the strategic planning process. (Later, we'll consider dimensions and concepts that are common to organizations.)
Vision
Members of the organization often have some image in their minds about how the organization should be working, how it should appear when things are going well.
Mission
An organization operates according to an overall purpose, or mission.
Values
All organizations operate according to overall values, or priorities in the nature of how they carry out their activities. These values are the personality, or culture, of the organization.
Strategic Goals
Organizations members often work to achieve several overall accomplishments, or goals, as they work toward their mission.
Strategies
Organizations usually follow several overall general approaches to reach their goals.
Exercise makes cigarettes less tempting
Research from the University of Exeter shows that exercise can decrease the power of cigarettes and smoking-related images that grab the attention of smokers. The study involved moderately heavy smokers, who had abstained from cigarettes for 15 hours before the trial. "We know that smoking-related images can be powerful triggers for smokers who are abstaining," said Kate Janse Van Rensburg, doctoral student at the University of Exeter, who led the study. "While we are no longer faced with advertisements for cigarettes, smokers are still faced with seeing people smoking on television, in photographs or in person. We know that this makes it more difficult for them to quit," added Rensburg. "During two visits to our laboratory participants began by being shown smoking-related and neutral images, and then spent either 15 minutes sitting or exercising on a stationary bike at a moderate intensity. Afterwards, they were again shown the images," she said. While participants were shown the images, the research team used the latest technology to measure and record their precise eye movements. They were able to show not only the length of time people looked at such images but also how quickly pictures of cigarettes could grab their attention, compared with non-smoking matched images. The study showed an 11 percent difference between the time the participants spent looking at the smoking-related images after exercise, compared with the after sitting. Also, after exercise, participants took longer to look at smoking-related images. Exercise, therefore, appears to reduce the power of the smoking-related images to grab visual attention. Numerous studies have shown that a single session of light to moderate intensity exercise, for example five-15 minutes of brisk walking, can reduce cravings and responses to smoking cues, said an Exeter release.
Monday, October 26, 2009
WHAT IS GDP AND ITS IMPORTANCE
The gross domestic product(GDP) is one the primary indicators used to gauge the health of a country's economy. It represents the total dollar value of all goods and services produced over a specific time period - you can think of it as the size of the economy. Usually, GDP is expressed as a comparison to the previous quarter or year. For example, if the year-to-year GDP is up 3%, this is thought to mean that the economy has grown by 3% over the last year.
Measuring GDP is complicated (which is why we leave it to the economists), but at its most basic, the calculation can be done in one of two ways: either by adding up what everyone earned in a year (income approach), or by adding up what everyone spent (expenditure method). Logically, both measures should arrive at roughly the same total.
The income approach, which is sometimes referred to as GDP(I), is calculated by adding up total compensation to employees, gross profits for incorporated and non incorporated firms, and taxes less any subsidies. The expenditure method is the more common approach and is calculated by adding total consumption, investment, government spending and net exports.
As one can imagine, economic production and growth, what GDP represents, has a large impact on nearly everyone within that economy. For example, when the economy is healthy, you will typically see low unemployment and wage increases as businesses demand labor to meet the growing economy. A significant change in GDP, whether up or down, usually has a significant effect on the stock market. It's not hard to understand why: a bad economy usually means lower profits for companies, which in turn means lower stock prices. Investors really worry about negative GDP growth, which is one of the factors economists use to determine whether an economy is in a recession.
Measuring GDP is complicated (which is why we leave it to the economists), but at its most basic, the calculation can be done in one of two ways: either by adding up what everyone earned in a year (income approach), or by adding up what everyone spent (expenditure method). Logically, both measures should arrive at roughly the same total.
The income approach, which is sometimes referred to as GDP(I), is calculated by adding up total compensation to employees, gross profits for incorporated and non incorporated firms, and taxes less any subsidies. The expenditure method is the more common approach and is calculated by adding total consumption, investment, government spending and net exports.
As one can imagine, economic production and growth, what GDP represents, has a large impact on nearly everyone within that economy. For example, when the economy is healthy, you will typically see low unemployment and wage increases as businesses demand labor to meet the growing economy. A significant change in GDP, whether up or down, usually has a significant effect on the stock market. It's not hard to understand why: a bad economy usually means lower profits for companies, which in turn means lower stock prices. Investors really worry about negative GDP growth, which is one of the factors economists use to determine whether an economy is in a recession.
Global banks lord over Deal Street
MUMBAI: Hemendra Kothari did the Raasi Cements deal.’ ‘Nimesh Kampani did the Sesa Goa deal.’ ‘Uday Kotak did the BSE deal.’ That’s how mergers
and acquisition (M&A) deals used to be discussed in India till recently. But this is changing. Now it is institutions such as JPMorgan, Stanchart or Deutsche, to consider three banks active in the Indian market, which do deals. Rainmakers of the past three decades, the home-grown three Ks who moved thousands of crores with financial acumen and relationships built hand holding businesses and sweet-talking over decades, are giving way to institutions which employ scores of Harvard, MIT and IIM-educated brains and have loads of money. “There has been a sea-change over the years,” says Hemendra Kothari, boss of DSP who was the first to form a joint venture with an overseas investment banker, Merrill Lynch, in 1994. “Ideas, suggestions and relationships were very important
and acquisition (M&A) deals used to be discussed in India till recently. But this is changing. Now it is institutions such as JPMorgan, Stanchart or Deutsche, to consider three banks active in the Indian market, which do deals. Rainmakers of the past three decades, the home-grown three Ks who moved thousands of crores with financial acumen and relationships built hand holding businesses and sweet-talking over decades, are giving way to institutions which employ scores of Harvard, MIT and IIM-educated brains and have loads of money. “There has been a sea-change over the years,” says Hemendra Kothari, boss of DSP who was the first to form a joint venture with an overseas investment banker, Merrill Lynch, in 1994. “Ideas, suggestions and relationships were very important
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
For those of you that have to show off your music loving nature in everything you do, now you can even show it off in your tool box. Instead of whipping out some tape measure with little to no personality, you can pull out what appears to be just an ordinary cassette tape. That also means you can show your love of those good old mixed tapes that are no longer needed.
The tape measure comes with both inches and then of course metric units as well to appeal to those that like to hop between both methods. This tape measure doesn’t mention if it is able to lock in place or anything. However, it’s pretty obvious this tape measure is only meant for those that don’t really use their tools a ton. That is except for those random household things that come up, like measuring for curtains. You can purchase the Cassette Tape Measure for $8 from Gama-Go.
Monday, October 12, 2009
QUESTION BANK
1. What are some of the major environmental challenges facing today’s and tomorrow’s organizations and management? Briefly describe these developments.
2. What is a paradigm? How will the paradigm shift affect management? What are the implications of this paradigm shift for organizational behavior?
3. Why do you feel the Hawthorne studies made such an important historical contribution to the study of organizational behavior?
4. Why are theory development and rigorous scientific methodology important to the field of organizational behavior? What role does validity play in the design of research studies?
5. How does organizational behavior relate to, or differ from, organizational development?
6. In your own words, identify and summarize the various theoretical frameworks for understanding organizational behavior.
7. How does the social learning approach differ from the cognitive approach? How does the social learning approach differ from the behavioristic approach?
8. Explain the model for organizational behavior.
9. Explain the organization Theory.
10. What is meant by diversity, and what are the major reasons that have made it such a dimension of today’s organizations?
11. What are some of the major characteristics of diversity?
12. How can diversity be effectively managed? Offer suggestions at both the individual and organizational levels.
13. What is meant by ethics, and what types of factors influence ethical behavior?
14. Many organizations are determined to eliminate sexual harassment. What are some steps that can be taken?
15. There are a number of misconceptions that people have about the glass ceiling. What are some of these? Also, what can organizations do to help break theglass ceiling?
16. Because privacy issues are likely to become increasingly important in the years ahead, what can organizations do to effectively deal with this ethical challenge?
17. Do you agree with the opening observation that people are human information processors? Why?
18. How does sensation differ from perception?
19. Give some examples of the external factors that affect perceptual selectivity.
20. Explain how perceptual constancy works.
21. What does stereotyping mean? Why is it considered to be a perceptual problem?
22. What is meant by the halo effect? Summarize the current thinking on this halo effect.
23. What is meant by impression management? What is meant by impression motivation and impression construction?
24. What are some of the major strategies employees can use in impression management?
2. What is a paradigm? How will the paradigm shift affect management? What are the implications of this paradigm shift for organizational behavior?
3. Why do you feel the Hawthorne studies made such an important historical contribution to the study of organizational behavior?
4. Why are theory development and rigorous scientific methodology important to the field of organizational behavior? What role does validity play in the design of research studies?
5. How does organizational behavior relate to, or differ from, organizational development?
6. In your own words, identify and summarize the various theoretical frameworks for understanding organizational behavior.
7. How does the social learning approach differ from the cognitive approach? How does the social learning approach differ from the behavioristic approach?
8. Explain the model for organizational behavior.
9. Explain the organization Theory.
10. What is meant by diversity, and what are the major reasons that have made it such a dimension of today’s organizations?
11. What are some of the major characteristics of diversity?
12. How can diversity be effectively managed? Offer suggestions at both the individual and organizational levels.
13. What is meant by ethics, and what types of factors influence ethical behavior?
14. Many organizations are determined to eliminate sexual harassment. What are some steps that can be taken?
15. There are a number of misconceptions that people have about the glass ceiling. What are some of these? Also, what can organizations do to help break theglass ceiling?
16. Because privacy issues are likely to become increasingly important in the years ahead, what can organizations do to effectively deal with this ethical challenge?
17. Do you agree with the opening observation that people are human information processors? Why?
18. How does sensation differ from perception?
19. Give some examples of the external factors that affect perceptual selectivity.
20. Explain how perceptual constancy works.
21. What does stereotyping mean? Why is it considered to be a perceptual problem?
22. What is meant by the halo effect? Summarize the current thinking on this halo effect.
23. What is meant by impression management? What is meant by impression motivation and impression construction?
24. What are some of the major strategies employees can use in impression management?
SPORTS
JAMSHEDPUR: Four-time world champions MC Mary Kom's temporary suspension was revoked on Wednesday after the Manipuri pugilist apologised for her
unsporting behaviour in the ongoing National Boxing Championships and promised never to repeat it again.
"Having considered her achievements and seniority, the temporary suspension till 27th October of Mary Kom has been lifted after she apologised before the jury and the officials this morning," P K Muralidharan Raja, secretary general of the Indian Boxing Federation, said.
Mary Kom was slapped the temporary suspension because of her "unsporting behaviour" after her surprising quarter-final loss to Pinky Jingra of Haryana on Monday.
Raja said the IBF Executive Council, comprising himself, vice presidents N S Kichi and Asit Banerjee, senior joint secretary Anil Bohidhar and the technical director of the ongoing championship, called Mary Kom and the jury members to discuss the ugly incident.
Mary Kom subsequently apologised before the council and promised not to repeat such behaviour in future and the IBF Executive Council decided to revoke her suspension as there is no major event till October 27, Raja said.
The IBF official described Mary Kom's outburst against the jury as a "heat of the moment reaction" but made it clear that IBF would not tolerate such indiscipline irrespective of the achievements of the boxers.
Mary Kom is a world champion and senior boxer and the IBF decision to punish her was to set an example before others, Raja said.
He also expressed confidence that Mary Kom, being an ambassador of women boxing, would set examples in the sport arena to promote the game.
Mary Kom lost her bout against Pinky on count-back and the five-member jury had to step in with their judgment after they were locked in a 15-15 stalemate
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"Having considered her achievements and seniority, the temporary suspension till 27th October of Mary Kom has been lifted after she apologised before the jury and the officials this morning," P K Muralidharan Raja, secretary general of the Indian Boxing Federation, said.
Mary Kom was slapped the temporary suspension because of her "unsporting behaviour" after her surprising quarter-final loss to Pinky Jingra of Haryana on Monday.
Raja said the IBF Executive Council, comprising himself, vice presidents N S Kichi and Asit Banerjee, senior joint secretary Anil Bohidhar and the technical director of the ongoing championship, called Mary Kom and the jury members to discuss the ugly incident.
Mary Kom subsequently apologised before the council and promised not to repeat such behaviour in future and the IBF Executive Council decided to revoke her suspension as there is no major event till October 27, Raja said.
The IBF official described Mary Kom's outburst against the jury as a "heat of the moment reaction" but made it clear that IBF would not tolerate such indiscipline irrespective of the achievements of the boxers.
Mary Kom is a world champion and senior boxer and the IBF decision to punish her was to set an example before others, Raja said.
He also expressed confidence that Mary Kom, being an ambassador of women boxing, would set examples in the sport arena to promote the game.
Mary Kom lost her bout against Pinky on count-back and the five-member jury had to step in with their judgment after they were locked in a 15-15 stalemate
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Financial Management
Financial management entails planning for the future of a person or a business enterprise to ensure a positive cash flow. It includes the administration and maintenance of financial assets. Besides, financial management covers the process of identifying and managing risks.
The primary concern of financial management is the assessment rather than the techniques of financial quantification. A financial manager looks at the available data to judge the performance of enterprises. Managerial finance is an interdisciplinary approach that borrows from both managerial accounting and corporate finance.
Some experts refer to financial management as the science of money management. The primary usage of this term is in the world of financing business activities. However, financial management is important at all levels of human existence because every entity needs to look after its finances.
The primary concern of financial management is the assessment rather than the techniques of financial quantification. A financial manager looks at the available data to judge the performance of enterprises. Managerial finance is an interdisciplinary approach that borrows from both managerial accounting and corporate finance.
Some experts refer to financial management as the science of money management. The primary usage of this term is in the world of financing business activities. However, financial management is important at all levels of human existence because every entity needs to look after its finances.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
SGH i400 smartphone
Samsung released this little beauty, the SGH i400 smartphone. Although we already got used to Samsungs S60 Sliders, this one has the Symbian OS trademark in the upper-left corner. It is equipped with a 2 megapixel camera to make sure you don’t miss out on taking really cool photos even if you don’t own a genuine digital camera. And didn’t you got bored of navigating through your whole menu just to try and find an MP3. Well, they have solved your problem by adding up a special MP3 button. It is also equipped with A2DP, Bluetooth and MicroSD expansion for your pleasure and comfort. You also have full support for Internet Browsing (it would have been weird if you didn’t) and you are provided with a 2.3 inch display, so you won’t have to wear your glasses just to make a simple phone-call.
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