BUSINESSGOA
50
Goa’s Only Business Magazine
www.businessgoa.net
PANAJI GOA VOL 5 ISSUE 11
MAY 2014
and the award goes to...
The third edition of Goa’s only business awards was celebrated in style and grandeur with 24 awardees taking a bow
News Views Articles Interviews Profiles Focus Analysis Opinions Events Features
Contents
May 2014
30 Goan Brand 35 Professional Dossier 36 Education
12
Aviao, by Casa J.D.Fernandes is a growing brand of books and stationary products
Dr. Abhijit Kamat has built a name over the years as one of Goa’s most trusted dentists
12 Cover Story
GIM’s Part Time MBA program provides an ideal and structured stepping stone for success in business and better prospects in employment
The NRB Group presents Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence 2014 were back! Bigger and better
20
38 Lady Power 52 Bon Appétit
Special Focus
President of the Rotary Club of Panjim Riviera, Madhavi Bandekar Shetye
Ninad Laud dissects the Supreme Court ruling on the lifting of the mining ban that was operating in Goa for 18 months
The Brasserie at Club Gaspar Dias serves up Indian and Goan cuisine befitting of royalty
22 Starting Young 24 Enterprise
Duncan Viegas of Inkfidel talks about his passion for tattooing
30
Mahalasa Logistics has slowly but steadily become a name to reckon with in the supply chain sector
52
26 Interview 28 Industry
Newly installed Chairman of the CII Yi, Rajesh Salgaonker talks about his plans for his term
COLUMNS 40
With its wide range of products, Bhasker Assoldekar’s Vibha Natural Products Ltd has gained international fame and repute for quality
28
43
44
06 Editorial 08 Corpo Scan 34 Campus 34 Book Shelf 34 BG Crossword 48 What’s Up Goa 50 Community Living 50 Health & Wellness 54 Goa Buzz 62 Newsmakers 62 BG Quiz 04 Business Goa
MAY 2014
46
Nandini Vaidyanathan talks about the importance of developing a well defined product and validating it
Blaise Costabir writes about the ‘Elevator Pitch’ as an example of fund raising for a venture
42
26
40 Antarprerna 42 Reluctant Entrepreneur 43 Letter from America 44 People Tree Jay Dehejia discusses the rise and fall of the Obama image in the United States
Kishore Shah discusses how organizations build indigenous succession planning with a live case study of Durguesh Angle
46 Good Company
Swatee Rane talks about the importance of periodic internal auditing for a smooth functioning
EDITORIAL
hbhatkuly@gmail.com
An evening of insights VOL 5 | ISSUE 11 | MAY 2014
Editor & Publisher Harshvardhan Bhatkuly Co-Publisher & Group Head Urvija Bhatkuly Advisory Board Datta Damodar Naik Ralph de Sousa Rajiv D’Silva Swapnil Kamat Group Editorial Head Rachel Fernandes Team Alisha Patel Annalise Gouveia Ashok Kolvekar Govit Morajkar Mayur Santinezkar Monaliza Dias Pritesh Naik Sigmund D’Souza Contributors in this Issue Veeraj Mahatme Nandini Vaidyanathan Jay Dehejia Blaise Costabir Kishore Shah Swatee Rane
new
Editorial, Advertising & Administrative Office Business Goa 409, Citicentre, EDC Patto Plaza, Panaji, 403001 Goa India Tel.: 0832-6456555, 2437822
Email: businessgoa.media@gmail.com
Business Goa is a monthly magazine dedicated to trade, commerce and business features and news. Editor, Publisher & Printer: Harshvardhan Bhatkuly. Printed At: Printek Printers
Unsolicited material may not be returned. The opinions expressed in Business Goa are not necessarily that of the publishers. While great care is being taken to ensure accuracy of information, the publishers are not responsible for omissions or incorrect information. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers.
06 Business Goa
MAY 2014
The Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence are a landmark event for us every year. Since we had them the first year at Tito’s, on a windy February evening, the Awards have begun to markedly raise the bar and benchmark for corporate excellence in the State. This year, we moved away from the beach belt and kept the action close to where we are based – right here in Panaji, at the Goa Marriott Resor. Boy, what an evening! Every year, I speak about the event and our efforts in putting it together. I have always looked at event management with a sense of amazement – the way things just fall in place as you approach the zero hour is almost magical. The cucumber cool attitude of the event managers – Crosscraft, who partnered with us to host the show, says a lot about their professionalism and domain expertise. But this year, the takeaway for me is what our awardees in the ‘personal’ category spoke upon accepting their respective awards. I reflect upon it now much better because on stage, I was just ticking off in my mind another item on my checklist. But what our awardees spoke in the grand finale of the event had a lot of power to it. What made the varied messages that much better was the sheer variety of our awardees spanning age, social backgrounds and cultural makeup. That they excel in their respective business domain is just one stray commonality. First to walk up and pick his award as ‘Young Turk’ was Chirag Naik, founder and CEO of the Canapé brand of fast food and leisure outlets. Chirag said that the greatest inspiration behind starting Canapé was his overseas travel. That, he said, was ‘true education’. His aspiration to get bigger than the KFCs and McDonald’s of this world spoke about the ambitious streak in Goan entrepreneurs. Next up on stage was Suresh Zantye, the gentleman businessman whose business of cashew nuts is as much known for quality as it is for ambition. Zantye said, “Base your business on ethical practices. It will pay you in the long run.” Sandip Bhandare, a leading Charterd Accountant was awarded the ‘Professional of the Year’. Asked what is the one big reform that he would wish to see in Goa’s economic policy, Bhandare replied “Investor friendly business. And free up the land which has been locked in litigation” “There is never a right time for a woman to be an entrepreneur. Various life changing events www.facebook.com/businessgoa
like marriage and motherhood take their toll on a woman’s entrepreneurial dreams. And when she is ready to start something, a decade or more has passed, rendering her unequipped for the world of business. She then starts something which is a typically feminine business, like baking or so. And this is the tragedy of women entrepreneurs in the country,” said Nandini Vaidyanathan, a career mentor and our Businesswoman of the Year. The Business Man of the Year Award went to the MK Gupta, the Managing Director of GKB Hi-Tech Pvt Ltd who said so much in just one line. Asked how he had managed to scale up a business from a mere Rs 50 lakh turnover to a Rs 250 crore plus conglomerate with multiple offices in India and abroad, Gupta said he has not done anything great. All that he has done in his career is to stay focused on his business. A fact so simple that you can’t miss its importance in our daily businesses! What is the secret of working with siblings? “We brothers share a great relationship and friendship but our areas of concentration do not overlap,” said Dr John Britto of Acron, the Business Group of the Year. Asked why they chose to look outside Goa to take their real estate ventures to, the Director of Acron said that it was a conscious move since real estate development was not looked at favourably within the State and the company took the decision to look at greener pastures outside of Goa, a decision that has paid off handsomely. So if I summarize the varied responses of the awardees in the personal categories, there is much to think, ponder and play in your head. One is the fact that there is youthful ambition and a caveat to play the game ethically. The other is to look at entrepreneurism as an opportunity and not to squander it away. Yet another is for Goa to re-create an image and ecosystem for industries to invest in our State. While on the deeper level, it is to stay focused on your business and do the knitting. Lastly, as Goans, we have to not only grow, but be adaptable in times of adversity and look at taking our business ambitions across the globe and not just stay put in our comfort zones. Yes, all these sound very simple and text bookish, but the awesome part was that none of these awardees were told that an acceptance speech was due from them. Their responses are as spontaneous as they are genuine and what was on top of their mind. That, to me, is the greatest success of this year’s Business Goa Awards ceremony www.twitter.com/businessgoa
Goa Shipyard holds vendor meet
In order to widen vendor base and improve business relations with vendors, a one day vendor meet was organized by Goa Shipyard limited (GSL) and MSME Development Institute at Goa Ship Yard Officers’ Club. RAdm (Retd) Shekhar Mital, NM, CMD Goa Ship Yard Ltd stressed on the need for holistic relationship between vendors and GSL. He added that e-tendering and bill tracking system (BTS) have been introduced in GSL for transparency and that on-line vendor registration is also being implemented.
corpo scan
Home fashion brand, Portico New York sets up shop in Goa Leading home fashion brand, Portico New York launched their first store in Panaji recently housing their exquisite range of products in bath and bed linen. The store was inaugurated by Portico New York’s CEO, Arun Bhawsingka. This new venture is a part of the brand’s expansion plan. Commenting on the addition to their expanding retail outlets, Bhawsingka said, “Goa is a huge market and customer
Stanley Fernandes, Aires Andrade, Suchendra Hanchate, Dr Ajoy Estiberio
base for us. We are thrilled at this opportunity since it gives us easier access to our customers in Goa and vice versa. India’s home fashion landscape is changing and, we, at Portico New York are
the torch bearers of this change. With innovation and creativity at the heart of everything that we do, we are ushering global fashion into Indian homes. More rooms in Panaji will now live and breathe style, just like the people who inhabit them.” Portico New York’s range include an impressive mix of bed sheets, duvets, duvet covers, fashionable and luxurious quilts, blankets, pillows, soft and absorbent towels, shower
curtains, bed covers, cushions, mattress guards and kids licensed merchandise like Superman, Tom & Jerry, Dora and the Therapeia range of health bedding products. They have also tied up with renowned fashion designers including Manish Arora, Neeta Lulla and Nishka Lulla to harness their design aesthetics and launched exclusive collections with Portico New York. This range is available at the store
Goa based Dsouza Biotech launches Metro Shoes launched in Goa new range of flavoured Lassi teenagers and families over
An ideal treat to beat the heat of summer, Frugurt, of Dsouza Biotech recently launched its brand new Frugurt Lassi range. This is their latest offering in the process of diversifying into another dairy product. Elaborating on the health benefits of this product, the company said that Frugurt lassi is a filling, tasty and healthy option to beat the heat this summer as each cup of Frugurt lassi offers a healthy serving of calcium, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, Vitamin A, B and riboflavin. Best of all, it is free of any artificial preservatives, gelling agents
or stabilizers. It is an optimum option for people who are on a weight loss program, as they can substitute their afternoon meals with a couple of glasses of lassi and not feel hungry throughout the day. Consuming yoghurt after a meal also helps burn body fat and helps the body to digest food more efficiently. Dsouza Biotech is a family run company business which has been operational since early 2000. Headed by first generation entrepreneurs Joseph and Alina Dsouza, the company entered the value added dairy product market when they introduced India’s first natural stirred yogurt, to a niche clientele under the brand name Frugurt. The product, incidentally, is fully manufactured at their state of art plant at Tivim, Mapusa. One can easily find the range of Frugurt’s dairy products including the newly launched lassi at most leading grocery stores in Goa
Metro Shoes, the largest fashion footwear brand in India opened its showroom in Panaji and was inaugurated by Sohel Kamdar, CEO, Metro Shoes, Khalid A Majid, Regional Manager, Metro Shoes and Tahir Isani, franchisee owner of Metro Shoes in Goa. The product range at Metro Shoes will feature style, quality and the latest international trends that appeal to all age groups. “Goa is a rapidly developing location with a sizeable population base that is fashion forward and has a liking for quality branded footwear. Being a tourist spot and attracting a large number of
the year gives Metro Shoes an impetus to target the place and offer all footwear needs under one roof”, said Khalid Majid, Regional Manager, Metro Shoes. A superb amalgamation of modern styling and rich Indian heritage, Metro Shoes provides a one stop destination for all footwear needs, making it a must have accessory in the wardrobe of every fashion aficionado including Bollywood stars. The newly inaugurated store stocks more than 7,800 pairs of shoes that comprise of formal, casual, sports-wear, and wedding footwear for men, women and children. To celebrate the opening, Metro Shoes announced a 20% discount on all in-house brands and 10% discount on other brands like Florsheim, Lee Cooper, Red Tape, Bulchee, Fila, Franco Leone & Ganuchion
Lenskart.com launches trendy eyewear in Goa Lenskart.com, India’s largest online retailer of fashionable and stylish eyeglasses, sunglasses and contact lenses recently launched its eighth store in the country in Goa, thus marking its foothold in the Western Region yet again. The portal has already established its presence in Pune. Thie store enables customers to access products using the innovative ‘click and mortar’ 08 Business Goa
MAY 2014
model as adopted by Lenskart. com which brings personalized, one-to-one services to those interested in experiencing the brand first hand. Serving the varied eyewear needs of people pan-India, Lenskart.com has extended its operations to the offline space with the click and mortar model by opening physical franchisee stores. With this, Lenskart.com
offers customers the exclusive opportunity of ‘touch and feel’
to choose the product that they love. This model enables a customer to walk in, select and buy the product of his choice. However, if the customer would like a different variant of the product i.e. a different colour that is unavailable at the shop, he can place the order online. The store also takes the frame size and prescription and places the order online for the customer
Tata Swach launches non-electric water purifier
corpo scan
Tata Swach, the revolutionary brand of water purifiers recently launched its premium non-electric water purification solution – Tata Swach Silver Boost. The company, on its platinum jubilee, announced its entry into electric purifiers RO category. Now, Tata Swach has raised the bar in the non-electric category as well by introducing the multi-benefit Tata Swach Silver Boost which are available at all leading showrooms in Goa.
Suhail Monteiro wins Heineken’s GCCI Women’s Wing initiates Course promotional campaign on Nursing Assistantship
Suhail Monteiro from Goa and Ashish Anand Jain from Chandigarh emerged winners of the Heineken ‘Legendary Travellers Wanted’ promotional campaign. The promotion was part of Heineken Voyage marketing campaign, which urged young men across the world to go beyond their comfort zones and explore the new. The grand prize winners have won the ultimate experience of being part of a space training
camp at NASA, Houston (USA) this year. The two young men emerged triumphant from amongst the 4200 entries received from across the country. While all participants won Heineken merchandize, a shortlist of 15 lucky ones were chosen to attend a three-day multi-skill outdoor camp that tested their physical, mental and emotional ability — traits that are critical to embark on a potential space adventure. The camp was engineered to bring out the ‘Legendary Traveller’ in a person while also testing their creativity, inventiveness and spontaneity through a series of tough physical and mental endurance tasks
Economic slowdown result of poor Governance says Minoo Shroff Economic growth in the the decline of the Indian world’s largest democracy economy. He also pointed has slowed down out how a similar policy considerably in the last paralysis and lack of three years, growing at governance during the about 5 percent last year Minoo Shroff previous Congress regime after recording an average of in Goa had resulted in Supreme nearly 8 percent over the past Court banning all mining several years. This slowdown is activities and bringing the state attributable to a combination of economy to a grinding halt. He weak governance, bad politics said that we are in the midst of and a string of corruption an election and hoped that a scandals over the last few years, new Government will be able said Minoo Shroff, well known to give a new direction to the economist and Global Chairman country and put the economy of World Zarathushti Chamber back on track. of Commerce (WZCC) at a talk Welcoming the delegation organised by Goa Chamber of of WZCC, Narayan Bandekar, Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President of GCCI recounted in Panjim. He pointed out that the excellent relationship that for past several years; both India Goans shared with the Parsis in and China were matching each Mumbai and assured to provide other in growth rates. But while a platform for Parsis in Goa Chinese economy continues to to come together and address grow at a brisk pace, the Indian any issues of concern. WZCC economy has declined. He and GCCI signed a MOU for blamed the policy paralysis and extending co-operation and lack of proper regulations that regular exchange of information has plagued the last few years and more frequent interaction of the UPA that has resulted in between their members 10 Business Goa
MAY 2014
GCCI Women’s Wing in collaboration with Fr. Agnel Vocational Training Institute has started a six months course on Nursing Assistantship. The Inaugural Function for the Course on Nursing Assistantship was held on 30th April, 2014 at the Agnel Vocational Training Institute, Verna. The Chief Guest for the function was Dr Rajesh Javherani, Centre Head, SMRC and Chairman, Medical Committee, GCCI In his keynote speech, Dr Javherani expressed happiness that the Women’s Wing was organizing this program because there is dearth in nurses, especially to work at home with the old people. Earlier, Manisha J Naik, Chairperson, GCCI Women’s Wing, said that there is a huge demand for trained nurses on account of rise in number of hospitals and healthcare clinics in Goa and for nurses to look after patients / aged persons in private households. In order to partly bridge the gap, GCCIWomen’s Wing has decided to conduct courses on Nursing Assistantship. The Training course for the first batch of 20
participants will begin on 2nd May, 2014 at Fr. Agnel Ashram, Verna. Ms Roshan Bandekar, Cochairperson, GCCI – Women’s Wing in her address said that the nursing course has been started with twin objectives, firstly to meet a very important need of the society and secondly – providing gainful employment opportunities to women. She thanked the sponsors for contributing towards the nursing course namely Vintage Hospital, Manda & Narayan Bandekar Charitable Trust, Khadisi, Rita Nitin Maganlal, Bougainvilla Hermitage Pvt Ltd., Inner Wheel Club of Panjim, Dempo Health Care, Carasid and Soyara Mohite. Fr Alfred Almeida, Manager, Agnel Technical Education Complex, complimented the GCCI – Women’s Wing for organizing this much needed Course for Nurses. Namdev Naik, Project Officer, Agnel Vocational Training Institute compered the program and cautioned the trainees that it is not an easy course and to take it seriously and try and complete the six months course
Goa bags TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice award TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, while declaring the winners of its Travelers’ Choice Awards for beaches, recognized more than 322 beaches globally and 25 beaches from India, including top lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific and the US. The Indian list was diverse with beaches from East, West and the South making it to the list. Goa retained the title of the official ‘Beach State’ with 15 of the 25 beaches listed being from the state. Orissa made its debut with Puri Beach taking the eighth spot while Radhanagar Beach from Andaman and Nicobar Islands toppled Agonda beach from Goa
to take the number number one spot this year. Agonda beach, meanwhile, was ranked number 2. “We are delighted that in just the second year of the awards India has been able to create a spot in the world list. It only demonstrates that we have beaches that match up to some of the best in the world,” Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor India said
COVER STORY
www.businessgoa.net
Goan Business at its Best
T
he third edition of the Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence 2014 presented by Vasco-based NRB Group headed by Narayan R Bandekar, were all about style and panache. Held at the Goa Marriott Resort in Miramar, the evening saw 24 businessmen, businesswomen and businesses walk away with a personalized award plaque amidst thundering applause and cheering from the who’s who of Goa’s business fraternity. The event witnessed a spectacular turnout from friends, well-wishers and industry biggies. The Chief Guest for this spectacular evening was global traveller, Ashwini Kakkar, a famed entrepreneur and Vice Chairman of Mercury Travels. The evening started off 12 Business Goa
MAY 2014
with an introductory speech by Founder - Editor, Harshvardhan Bhatkuly, about the idea behind hosting the Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence. In 2009, Savoir Faire Media created a milestone when they launched Goa’s first Business Magazine; and in 2012, the brand created yet another milestone
with the Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence, a highly anticipated event on the corporate calendar. Keeping with the trend of the awards, this year too, apart from the regular categories honouring the best of the best, a host of new categories featured in the line-up – paving the way for some less highlighted game changers to get their due share of the limelight. Agriculture is a traditional Goan occupation, yet one that took a backseat with the rapid industrialization of the State. Now, however, due to the sustained efforts of a few groups and individuals, this sector is witnessing a resurgence, with numerous housewives and youngsters discovering their green fingers. State-owned agencies that are doing a stellar
job of promoting, both, the State as well as its burgeoning entrepreneurial section also made their way into the list of awardees. In the hospitality category, this year, focus was also put on heritage. Keeping in mind Goa’s popularity among the pharmaceutical sector, this year the spotlight was on pharma companies who are also into research and diagnostics. The illustrious list of awardees for 2014 was as follows. In the hospitality sector Casa Bhonsle won for ‘Best in Goan Cuisine’ while Wan Hao at the Goa Marriott Resort was awarded ‘Best in International Cuisine.’ Goa’s famed Chef Urbano do Rego walked away with honours for his fabulous work in ‘Preserving Goan Culinary Culture’ and Panjim Inn
www.facebook.com/businessgoa
The winners of the NRB Group presents Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence 2014 along with Chief Guest Ashwini Kakkar, Narayan Bandekar of NRB Group and Harshvardhan Bhatkuly, Publisher-Editor of Business Goa
The third edition of Goa’s only business awards was celebrated in style and grandeur with 24 awardees taking a bow. Sponsored by Vasco-based NRB Group, the event drew the who’s who of Goa’s business landscape to the Goa Marriott, for an evening that celebrated excellence in business
won the award for ‘Best Heritage Hotel.’ In the real estate sector, it was the Sardesai Group that was awarded the ‘Real Estate Brand of the Year,’ while Vision Dempo was the ‘Real Estate Company of the Year.’ For his sustained efforts to reintroduce Goans, especially youngsters, to the joy of home gardening, Miguel Braganza walked away with the ‘Contribution to Agriculture’ Award. Meanwhile, Green Essentials was awarded the ‘Green Business of the Year.’ The ‘Publishing Company of the Year’ Award was bestowed on the effervescent Fredrick Noronha’s Goa 1556. In the excellence category, Verna based Astra Metals was awarded the ‘Industry of the Year’. The Tulip Group bagged the ‘Pharma and Diagnostics
Company of the Year’ Award while Manipal Hospitals won the ‘Healthcare Company of the Year.’ Verna based AM Ventures was judged as the ‘Automobile Company of the Year’ and Margao-based Travco Holidays was chosen as the ‘Services Company of the Year.’ Among the Government agencies, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) was selected as the ‘State-owned Corporation of the Year.’ And Goa State Industries Association (GSIA), was adjudged as ‘Business Institution of the Year.’ For their immense contribution to bring quality education to the State, while also keeping abreast with the latest technological advancements to enhance the teaching and learning experience, Smt. Parvatibai
Chowgule College of Arts and Science won the ‘Contribution to Education’ Award. Tito’s which has put Goa firmly on the world’s party map was awarded the ‘Goan Brand of the Year.’ The final category was the personal awards and kick starting this leg of the ceremony it was the Award for the ‘Young Turk’ which was won by Chirag Naik of Canapé fame. Suresh Zantye was awarded for his ‘Exemplary Contribution to Industry’. The ‘Professional of the Year’ Award was bagged by chartered accountant Sandip Bhandare. Nandini Vaidyanathan who has made it her life’s mission to initiate and consistently nurture entrepreneurial passions in the State, was awarded the ‘Business Woman of the Year’ while Mahendra Kumar Gupta
of GKB Hitech Lenses Pvt. Ltd was honoured as ‘Business Man of the Year’ for his vision and leadership in taking his brand beyond boundaries. The final Award of the evening, ‘Business Group of the Year’ was bagged by real estate and hospitality group, Acron for 25 years of consistent and qualitative growth. Business Goa believes that every business man and woman who has the gumption to go out and pursue his or her dream to fulfillment, no matter how big or small their business may be, is a winner all the way. These awards are a token of appreciation and encouragement for their efforts and congratulating them for their success. NRB Group was the presenting sponsor for this glittering Awards function MAY 2014
Business Goa 13
COVER STORY
www.twitter.com/businessgoa
Dr. John Britto
Nandini Vaidyanathan
Sandip Bhandare
M K Gupta
Business Group of the Year
Acron
Business Man of the Year
Business Woman of the Year
Mahendra K Gupta Nandini Vaidyanthan
Professional of the Year
Sandip Bhandare
David D’Souza
Bruno Gomindes
Chirag Naik
Suresh Zantye
Exemplary Contribution to Industry
Suresh Zantye
Young Turk
Chirag Naik Dattaram Sawant
Goan Brand of the Year
Tito’s
Shekhar Sardessai
Services Company of the Year
Travco Holidays
Principal Gaonkar
N Sriram
Pharma and State-Owned Business Institution Diagnostics Company Corporation of the Year of the Year of the Year Goa Tourism Goa State Industries
Tulip Group
14 Business Goa
MAY 2014
Development Corporation
Association
Contribution to Education
Smt Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts & Science
www.facebook.com/businessgoa
Milind Bhonsle
Chef Urbano do Rego
Ghanashyam Sardesai
Preserving Goan Culinary Culture
Best Heritage Hotel
Real Estate Brand of the Year
Chef Urbano Do Rego
Panjim Inn
Sardesai Group
Best in Goan Cuisine
Casa Bhonsle
Jack Sukhija
Karthihaivelan G
Saleem Yaragudi
Rajesh Dempo
Real Estate Company of the Year
Vision Dempo
Frederick Noronha
Healthcare Company of the Year
Manipal Hospitals
Publishing Company of the Year
Goa 1556
Miguel Braganza
Contribution to Agriculture
Miguel Braganza
Charlton Colaco
Praveen Pai Pradeep D’Costa Karan Kapoor
Satish Shinde
Industry of the Year
Astra Metals
Tomas Menezes and Lara Godinho
Best in International Automobile Cuisine Company of the Year
Wan Hao
AM Ventures
Yogita Mehra
Green Business of the Year
Green Essentials
MAY 2014
Business Goa 15
COVER STORY
www.businessgoa.net
O
n the third anniversary of Business Goa Awards I stand here today with a great sense of humility at what is being achieved in this wonderful state of Goa. The amount of diverse stuff that’s going on in the business arena by the dynamic leadership that is starting to emerge in the State is very, very impressive. What is also impressive is the support systems. I think Harsh is running a fantastic organisation and this is the organisation that brings your stories out into the rest of the world. While, tonight’s awards are going to look at past performance, I would like to take you on little journey to let you know what are the things that are going to impact business in the months and years to come. Some of these things are not in the far future, they are here already today. So let me start by asking you, if you were to live to the ripe old age of 90 years, how many days do you think you would have on this planet? ‘Many’ is a good way of putting it, but let me remind you that you would have lived only for 30,000 days. If you are 30 years old 10,000 of those days are already gone and there is no guarantee on the balance 20,000. Equally, a lot of other people like us are becoming fully aware of this fact and there are huge ramifications of this knowledge in your head. So, what is the first ramification? If you lose all your money, become bankrupt, you can go out there and start again. You can do it a second, third and fourth time even. But when Yamraj is standing at your door step, claiming your soul, I don’t think there is any time for respite. So, this leads me to the thought that time is replacing money as the most precious commodity in people’s lives. This also leads to other ramifications in business because the customers across the globe are getting polarised into ‘cash rich - time poor’ and ‘time rich - cash poor’ customers. There’s a whole lot of grey in between. Time pressures are 16 Business Goa
MAY 2014
excerpts from the chief guest’s speech
Goa should go out and attract China for business in tourism. That is where the large spends in tourism will come from ashwini kakkar Ashwini Kakkar is an Entrepreneur and Vice Chairman of Mercury Travels, Chairman of Via.com, Ambit Corporation and the Fight Hunger Foundation. A distinguished fellow of the Institute of Directors London, Kakkar was knighted by the French Government in 2007 with the “Chevalier De L’Ordre Merite
also increasing. The average human being who owns a phone is averagely accessing a mobile phone 150 times a day. We also make ourselves available 24x7 on our various electronic devices. For employees, the ramification is that there is very little time to make a significant contribution, because if you don’t, somebody else will overtake you. For the management, it obviously means lesser time to deliver results. For organisations, it means a much shorter life span. For customers, it means a much shorter time to assess which products and companies are relevant. There is mounting pressure on everyone to deliver a lot more, to get a lot more done in a much lesser time. Now shifting to a second thought, let me start by asking another question. How many years did it take for radio to get its first 10 million customers? 40. It took telephone 27 years and television 11 years and the internet 13 months. The I-phone achieved 10 million customers in four days. What is the message? The pace of change of technology is dramatic and if we don’t learn to cope, I think we could be in deep trouble with our
businesses. Imagine a vaccine against heart attacks, printable human parts and so on and so forth. And the internet space you could connect to all your devices in the house or at your business – everything through the internet. By 2020, the 7.6 billion people on this planet are averagely going to be connected to 50 billion devices. What does that mean for you? You know these are big, big things. This itself is going lead to a 1.2 trillion industries only for airwaves and is going to lead to tens of trillions of dollars of business for devices that are connectable. These are things that you really need to think about and while technology, especially the internet, has worked miracles in some areas, like mass distribution, operating in a connected world and also a democratisation of price, one area where it has completely failed is the arena of service. I think that has some great impact for Goa. While on the hard side I think mining industries has worked wonders for Goa, not only for Goa but for India as a whole, I think the area where we may be missing a trick in the area of travel and tourism. Travel and tourism is certainly the largest
industry in the entire world, it’s a 7 trillion dollar industry. I think Goa has a great chance in this whole industry, but I think we need to take some radical steps. We don’t need to follow all the time; we need to show leadership in that regard. There could be very creative idea like installing some Chinese speaking guides or doing something radical or going and promoting Goa and China. You know two out of three visitors in the next 10 years in this Asian region are probably coming from China, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Asian counties. I think there are great opportunities and those will need to be tackled. But, apart from technology, the other thing that I want to talk about is customer emerging as the servant of the servant of the organisation. The customer today is not only a salesman; he’s an advisor and designer for large organisations. He goes out and puts it out on his social media network. He’s just all the time on the social network talking about various things. Not only is he spending his own time and effort and making sure that his entire network understands what he is doing and what he wants others to do, as a sales person, he’s passing on references, contacts and making posts on various places to ensure that people are buying some products of the brand that he prefers. As a designer, this is even crazier because he is helping to generate ideas for improving products for doing various things. The last little thing that I wish to share about is Asia being the crucible of world GDP and growth. It seems that in the next 20 years, Asia is going to go back to that 50 per cent of world GDP because this is where the bulk of the world population is going to be, this is where the bulk consumers of the world are going to be and this is how the whole cookie is going to shape up. We will see as much change in the next 20 years as we saw in the last 20,000 years. So, fasten your seat belts and remember that the future is never an extrapolation of the past
COVER STORY
www.twitter.com/businessgoa
A set designed for achievers
I
t was a glamorous night as Goa’s business fraternity came together to toast to the 24 winners of the fourth edition of the NRB Group presents Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence 2014, hosted by Business Goa – Goa’s only Business magazine. In its third year now, the Awards have set yet another benchmark with its highly stylized stage setup. The man behind this was a Goan who has carved a niche for himself on the national level,
18 Business Goa
MAY 2014
Sushant Tari. A native of St Estevam near Marcel and an alumnus of the Goa College of Art, Tari owns the famous Mumbai-based company The Production Terminus Pvt Ltd (TPT), a design firm specializing in TV shows and event based sets. To TPT’s credit are the set designs for epoch events including the Economic Times’ Brand Equity Quiz, the Filmfare Awards, GQ Awards, Indian Idol and the Pogo Amazing Kids
Awards, among others. Speaking about the inspiration behind the cube design of the backdrop he created especially for the NRB presents Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence 2014, Tari said, “The cubes represent steps. These steps are extremely significant as they depict the steps that the Awardees have climbed to get to the successful space that they are in today, and for which they are being awarded. My idea was simply to showcase the
Sushant Tari Founder-CEO, The Production Terminus Pvt Ltd
people who have reached their full potential. Through the NRB Group presents Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence, these Achievers’ hard work and business acumen has been recognized and applauded on a large platform.” TPT has also created the sets for the World Economic Forum 2011 at Davos, Switzerland and the Samsung Forum 2013. Tari’s TPT was the winner of the Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence in the category of Services Company of the Year for 2013
The cubes represent steps. These steps are extremely significant as they depict the steps that the Awardees have climbed to get to the successful space that they are in today, and for which they are being awarded. My idea was simply to showcase the people who have reached their full potential
SPECIAL FOCUS
www.businessgoa.net
LIFTING OF GOA MINING BAN
Decoding the Goa Mining Judgment of the Supreme Court
Supreme Court Advocate Ninad Laud breaks down the judgment passed by the Apex Court with regard to the lifting of the 18 month old mining ban in the State
In a glimpse • Monday, April 21, 2014. Finally there seemed to be that proverbial ray of hope when the Supreme Court, India’s apex court, lifted the 18 month old mining ban prevailing in Goa.
Pics for representational purpose only
• The lifting of the ban was accompanied by an important rider – an interim annual cap of 20 million tonnes on the ore that is extracted and that the final capacity that will be allowed to be mined in the State will be decided by an expert panel within the next six months.
20 Business Goa
MAY 2014
and without hearing any of the parties, thus obviating any knee jerk actions by the Government. In what came as the biggest jolt for miners, the Court has held that all the mining done from 2007 to 2012, based on a deeming provision, extending their leases while their renewal applications remained pending was illegal. However, with the Court not prohibiting renewals upon the recording of reasons by the State, those who are eventually granted a renewal may be able to steer clear of the implications of this declaration of illegality. In any event, mining now can resume in Goa only after miners obtain the requisite renewal for their mine or obtain a fresh lease from the Government. In what will lead to a change in the landscape of the mining Pics : www.igep.in
J
ohn F Kennedy had said that victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan. Myriad interpretations of the judgement in the ‘Goa Foundation v. Union of India’ case are mushrooming thick and fast in Goa after the pronouncement of the judgement on April 21, 2014. While the dust is yet to settle on what the judgement means for the people of Goa and the mining industry, I am attempting, in this piece, to set out what appears to me the most significant implications for all stakeholders since it is virtually impossible to encapsulate the whole of the judgement here. First and foremost, unlike in Karnataka, where the Court took action on its own as much as cancelling leases and directing prosecutions based on the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), in the case of Goa, the Court has refused to order prosecutions on the basis of the Shah Commission Report or even that of the CEC. Further, it has recorded an assurance from the State that no action would be taken solely on the basis of Justice Shah’s Report
• Back in 2012, the Court had imposed a blanket ban on all mining activities in the State after a government backed inquiry alleged that they were illegal and lacked environmental permission to operate. • The ban on iron ore mining in Goa was imposed in September 2012 on a petition filed by lawyer Prashant Bhushan after a judicial commission, headed by Justice M B Shah, alleged a Rs 35,000-crore scam involving top mining companies, politicians and bureaucrats. • Mining accounts for nearly a fourth of Goa’s GDP and around 70,000 people are directly dependent on it. areas, the Court has held that no dumps can be kept outside the lease areas. Also, for the existing dumps, the Court has asked for a report from one of its committees on how they are to be dealt with. Also, to deal with dumps, one will now require an environmental clearance. Though the Court has disagreed with Justice Shah that no mining could have been undertaken within 10 kms of wildlife sanctuaries and National parks, the Court has reinforced
• The Court also ruled that workers on rolls for all mining firms will be paid 50 per cent of the wage during the period for which they were out of work due to the SC stay order. • The Goa Government has been ordered to formulate a scheme within six months for utilising the funds generated by e-auction. In November, the Court had allowed e-auction of iron ore already mined in Goa (around 11.48 MT).
In what appears to be a first of its kind move, the Court has directed the formation of the ‘Goa Iron Ore Permanent Fund’ and has further directed 10 per cent of sale proceeds of all mining in the future to go to this Fund its earlier interim order in another case, that no mining can take place within one kilometre of sanctuaries and parks. As for the eco-sensitive zone under the Environment Protection Act, the Court has directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests to notify the same within six months. It remains to be seen whether this zone will be of one kilometre or more. The Court took cognizance of the Goa (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Storage and Transportation of Minerals) Rules, 2013 and in what appears to be an approval of its capability to be effective in controlling illegal mining, has directed its strict compliance, without adding any further measures in its judgement. The Court had appointed a committee to recommend a ceiling on the extent of mining that can be undertaken in Goa. Till this committee gives its final report in six months, a cap of 20 MT has been imposed by the
Court. This would be a significant reduction from the last reported extent which was 45 MT. However, this figure of 20 MT is not static and could increase, subject to conditions of infrastructure development such as dedicated corridors for transportation of ore and the likes. Another significant observation of the Court is that this cap of 20 MT excludes dumps. In what appears to be a first of its kind move, the Court has directed the formation of the Goa Iron Ore Permanent Fund and has further directed 10 per cent of sale proceeds of all mining in the future to go to this Fund. The State has been asked to formulate a scheme in this regard in six months in consultation with CEC. The fund is to be used for the purpose of sustainable development and inter-generational equity. The Court has rejected the plea of Goa Foundation that all leases must be auctioned. It has
held that whether to auction or not, is entirely up to the State Government. As for the already mined ore, the Court has directed that, of the entire sale value of the stock of mineral ores sold by e-auction, less the average cost of excavation would go to the lessees, 50 per cent of the wages and allowances would be paid from the same and 50 per cent of the storage charges would have to be paid to MPT. The remainder would be paid to the State Government which is the owner of the mineral ores which have been sold by e-auction. The State Government will have to set-aside 10 per cent of this balance amount for the ‘Goan Iron Ore Permanent Fund’. Another hurdle to the resumption of mining that remains, is the order of the MoEF putting the environmental clearances of all the leases in Goa in abeyance. The Court hasn’t quashed this order, but has left it to the MoEF to vacate
this order. So it is to be seen as to when this order is vacated to pave the way for resumption of mining and also in how many cases the MoEF insists on fresh clearances. Before parting, I have to note that the Government of Goa needs to be commended for putting up a formidable performance in this case, and at any rate, better than that of the Government of Karnataka in the case of ‘Samaj Parivartana Samuday’, the implications of which has been that till date a Court Appointed Committee continues to regulate the mining in that State. The faith reposed by the Supreme Court on the Goa Government in this judgement, in terms of the road ahead, is telling on this aspect The author is a Supreme Court lawyer who represented some of the mining companies in this case.
MAY 2014
Business Goa 21
STARTING YOUNG Inkfidel
Tattooing wasn’t my first career choice; but once I started, I realized that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life
Duncan Viegas
Inking his way to the bank Duncan Viegas’ journey to discovering his passion has defined him as a person and a professional, finds Monaliza Dias
R
ight from an early age itself we are told about what we have to achieve in life. Consequently, we all compete to achieve the ultimate goal of taking a secure job that takes care of us till much later in life. We might not even be close to passionate about the job, but do it only because society expects it from us. However, there are a lucky few who choose the path truly meant for them, however unconventional it may be. Duncan Viegas, Proprietor of Inkfidel is one of the ‘lucky few’. He says, “I was always interested in art. I’ve been drawing since I was a kid and knew I would one day make a career using this talent that I’ve honed over the years. Tattooing wasn’t my first choice, but once I started I realized that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Getting into this field wasn’t a conscious decision, it just happened. I used to work in a call centre and would constantly doodle while taking calls. Seeing this, a friend suggested I take up an apprenticeship with a tattoo artist.” And thus the journey begun. This tattoo artist turned out to be more than just a teacher, he eventually became Duncan’s mentor. “My teacher sent me here from Mumbai to manage his Goa branch. I worked for him for six years, after which I felt I had paid my dues and that it was time to move on. I started my own studio known as Inkfidel Tattoo in March 2013.” Having been born and brought up in the hustle and bustle of Mumbai, it would have made sense if he furthered his career in the city of his childhood. But Goa had changed his life in one too many ways for Duncan to move back. He says, “Having worked here in Goa for four years, I had already built my contact base. Also, this is where I found the love of my life Dionne Tassi. Hence, it made sense to stick around.” He further adds, “Being a non-Goan, working in 22 Business Goa
MAY 2014
Duncan Viegas and (below) some of Duncan’s works
Goa was never an issue. Having spent a few years here, people were aware of the kind of work that I’m capable of, so it wasn’t really a struggle. I owe all my success to the support from loyal clients, friends and of course, my girlfriend.” With tattoo artists and parlours popping up at almost every nook and corner of the State, how does Inkfidel manage to stay ahead of the race? Duncan says, “Tourists and locals usually regard me as just another, but that’s only till they’ve been tattooed by me. Unfortunately, a lot of people choose the artist based on his/her charges rather than the quality of work. I’ve lost clients simply because another artist down the road would do it for a lesser price, but ended up doing a bad job. It took a long time for people to recognize my ability as a quality tattoo artist. Even to this day, I have known of people who compromise on price.” So what does Duncan have
within his prowess that sets him apart from the rest of the tattoo artists? He says, “I insist on customizing each design. My designs are never repeated and I don’t copy designs done by other artists. Convincing clients to go with a particular design or size that you know will make for a better tattoo is, however, almost always a challenge.” He further adds, “When it comes to equipment and hygiene I don’t cut corners. I use top of the line products that are used in the tattoo industry worldwide. All my equipment is imported from America and sourced from an authorized tattoo supplier in Delhi.” We strive to do to the best of our ability and sometimes the smallest details of our lives, which may seem insignificant to others, can be our greatest achievement. Duncan too, narrates some of his achievements. “Having my artwork published in an art book in America alongside some of
the artists that I look up to was definitely a highlight in my career. Also having my artwork used as a flip flop design by a major sports label (Puma) ranks high up on my list of professional achievements. Being offered an apprenticeship at a reputable tattoo studio was the best thing to happen to me, and for that, I will always be grateful. Also, I was privileged to learn several techniques and new approaches to tattooing at a tattoo convention where I met a couple of international artists who are held in high regard in the tattoo industry.” There is a perceived image of tattoo artists that exist in people’s minds – unfortunately mostly negative. The ground reality, though, is completely different. Duncan says, “Most people expect tattoo artists to be covered in tattoos. An artist not being covered in tattoos also doesn’t make him a bad artist and an artist being covered top to bottom in tattoos doesn’t automatically make him a good one.” Duncan has made a conscious decision of choosing an unconventional career path for himself and lives each day enjoying every minute of it and the work that he does. “Personally, if at the end of the day I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food in my stomach and a smile on my face, then I’d say I’m successful. I’m fortunate to have clients, friends and family who support me in what I do. I like to think of life as each chapter unfolding itself. But one thing I would definitely like to do is travel to more conventions – both, national and international, so that I can spread my art to other places as well. However, as an artist, and on a professional level, I have miles to go before I can claim success. I always strive to be better than before.” Duncan concludes the conversation with the mantra he swears by, ‘Do what you love and love what you do!’
ENTERPRISE sanat poy raiturcar
Talking about the USP of Mahalasa, Sanat reveals that the company follows simple principles. ‘Carry more for less’; they provide supply chain solutions as per the needs of individual corporates. They deliver in a short time span, mahalasa logistics
The ‘just in time’ logistics company Sanat Poy Raiturcar has slowly and steadily built Mahalasa Logistics into a name to be reckoned with and is now gearing up to face the future, writes ALISHA PATEL
B
usiness always ran in Sanat Poy Raitucar’s veins, as he hails from one of the most reputed and oldest business families in Margao – that of Govind Poy Raiturcar. Believing in pure professionalism, Sanat is always eager to expand and diversify into varied fields provided those with whom he deals with adhere to norms and follow systematic business standards. “Entrepreneurship is an itch. The only ointment which soothes it is work,” says Sanat.” For this gen-next entrepreneur, for whom the learning process has never stopped, even after he stepped out of college, strongly believes that you need to keep the sails open and then wait for the wind to blow. Sanat’s first tryst with business began in 1996, soon after he returned from Mumbai after gaining shop floor training and ventured into printing and folding board cartons at his factory in Nesai Industrial Estate. “We catered to the pharmaceutical and liquor industry in Goa and when the factory lacked space, I moved to the Verna Industrial Estate in 2004; adding new state-of-theart machinery to adhere to the stringent quality standards of the pharmaceutical industry. Indoco Remedies, Blue Cross Lab, CMM Group, DCI Pharma, Finolex cables and Nestle were few of our major clients along with some liquor industries,” says Sanat. In 2005, due to saturation and heavy competition in this business, Sanat was compelled to diversify into yet another field – that of opening exclusive retail outlets as a franchisee of Bangalore based Himalaya Drug Company. “Successfully adhering to the quality mandates of the pharma industry, my team underwent training before I could open two outlets – in Panaji and 24 Business Goa
MAY 2014
Sanat Raiturcar
Mahalasa Logistics deals with reputed international companies like Mars International (which handles chocolate brands like Snickers, Galaxy, Bounty and pet foods like Pedigree and Whiskas), Unicharm – the leading Japanese company in diapers and sanitary wear, as well as, Ahmedabad based Wagh Bakri Tea Margao,” he states. Soon the enthusiastic entrepreneur in Sanat expanded into multi-brand outlets in 2010, giving customers total perception of herbal and bioproducts of some other brands. It was also in 2005 that Sanat began operations as a super stockist and C&F agent by being part of the supply chain of reputed corporates at Mahalasa Logistics Inc. Mahalasa Logistics Inc. deals with reputed international
companies like Mars International (which handles chocolate brands like Snickers, Galaxy, Bounty and pet foods like Pedigree and Whiskas), Unicharm India Limited – the leading Japanese company in Asia Pacific region in diapers and sanitary wear, as well as, Ahmedabad based Wagh Bakri Tea, to name a few. “We enjoy local patronage as well as foreign collaborations,” smiles Sanat who has been conducting free Bone Mineral Density (BMD) tests annually for his customers at the retail stores apart from indulging in various CSR activities. “We purchase paper bags made by special kids from the Gujarati Samaj School in Margao to handover the goods to customers and give gifts during festivals, also prepared by them,” he explains. Over the years, Mahalasa has offered Sanat an opportunity to deal with reputed companies that follow systematic online billing systems like SAP. “We are still growing at Mahalasa,” says this entrepreneur, looking forward to add more corporates to his list. Leaving no stone unturned to ensure world class
treatment of the products under his banner; Sanat has built a high-tech one thousand five hundred sq.ft. cold storage unit in Margao. The unit, he explains, adheres to the stringent quality requirements stipulated by Mars quality standards which are followed across the globe. “I had to invest in the cold room facility and in refrigerated vans as unlike other States, Goa does not have these facilities which can be hired. Any business demands multiple investments if one wishes to see good returns and I believe in growing together,” shares Sanat who offers equal opportunities for his staff to grow with him. He strongly believes in delegation and runs the businesses professionally. Sanat’s father Datta Poy Raiturcar had ventured into printing paper and supply of printing paper. He continued this business till he retired. “However both my parents still play a major advisory role in my life, “says Sanat. His wife Shruti is also actively involved in the business. Sanat began his own industry immediately after graduating from the Sydenham College in Mumbai. Over the course of seventeen years, he has run his various businesses with an equal amount of ease and struggle. Though he hails from a business family, Sanat has had to face numerous hurdles during his initial years in business as he ventured into a new avenue on his own and had to learn things the hard way. “Everything that I have learned has helped me immensely during my later years as the business grew manifold”. He says. His biggest challenge, he reveals was that of finance and labour. As years went by, the problem of finance was taken care of, but labour in Goa is still a sticky issue. This, he says, has forced him to introduce automation in his
thereby helping the companies that they supply to in inventory reduction to a great extent. They also make it convenient for their clients to track cargo online
processes including forklifts at his facilities to reduce the human dependency. On a more candid note, Sanat adds that when you wait long enough, ordinary grapes mature into fine wine. “I am also blessed with a very good set of friends who have always been with me through my good times as well as bad,” he adds. One of the biggest motivators, Sanat credits the Goa Urban Bank for their faith in Mahalasa. Having seen their vast experience and efficient operations over the years, the response from the Bank has been encouraging, as compared to initial days when a lot of efforts had to be put in to convince bankers. This support from the Bank has helped Mahalasa to grow at a rapid pace. Talking about the USP of Mahalasa, Sanat reveals that they follow simple principles. ‘Carry more for less’; they
provide supply chain solutions as per the needs of individual corporates. The company aids their clients’ Just-in-time (JIT) model by delivering goods in a short time span, thereby helping the customers that they supply to in inventory reduction to a great extent. Mahalasa also makes it convenient for their clients to track cargo online. They also store their products safely in their fully equipped facilities which adhere to global standards ranging from hygiene to high quality equipment. “Over the years, our style of working professionally and in-depth knowledge of this sector in our region help us in providing total solutions to our corporate clients in supply chain,” states Sanat. Dabbling in real estate and the property market, Sanat also leases out commercial spaces for corporates. “After managing a hectic business from 1996 to
www.businessgoa.net
Retail store in Margao
2004, I started taking an active interest in social causes,” says Sanat who is actively involved in Goa State Industries Association as a member of the Executive Committee. Aiming to give back to society, he also gives time for Samaj Seva Sangh run school Mahila and Nutan English High School in Margao, by being on its board. When not hard at work, Sanat enjoys travelling with friends, reading management books, enhancing his business skills, and exercising daily. He is
also an avid dog lover. On being asked the secret to his success, Sanat is quick to reply, “Work hard, have fun, create history. But two out of three is not an option!” Looking ahead, Sanat reveals that his ultimate aim for Mahalasa Logistics is to be able to provide complete solutions in Logistics and supply chain management. “My aim is to help corporates connect directly with the end consumers and in turn improve their lives and work together,” he says
MAY 2014
Business Goa 25
INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH
Rajesh Salgaonker
www.businessgoa.net
I want to take up entrepreneurial and health initiatives in Goa Rajesh Salgaonker, Chairman of Yi (Young Indians) Goa Chapter, interacts with Business Goa regarding his plans for the organization under his Chairmanship
Y
oung Indians (Yi) is an integral part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India’s premier business association. Its membership includes young progressive Indians between the age group of 25 and 40 years and comprise of entrepreneurs, professionals and achievers from different walks of life. With the aim of ‘becoming the voice of young Indians globally’, it provides a platform for young Indians to participate in and contribute to being an integral part of the Indian growth story. Rajesh Salgaonker, who recently took over the chairmanship of the organization, shares his plans that he wants to implement in his tenure and topping his list are entrepreneurial and health initiatives. Excerpts from the interview: As the newly elected Chairman of Yi. What are your plans? We have a sequence of programmes lined up under the National plan from the time the Goa Chapter of Yi was established five years back. I cannot bring up initiatives of my choice, which do not fall under any relation to the State’s welfare. I can, however, bring to the notice some prominent issues of the State and work around it. We can have events and programmes related to our State under verticals like education, employability, healthcare, environment, arts, culture, sports, governance, youth affairs, women empowerment, etc. For instance, last year, we conducted the first Tower Run in India. It was highly successful with around 200 participants. Yet, keeping in mind the national guidelines of Yi, I have been working within the national vertical initiatives that Yi holds such as healthcare, environment, employability and 26 Business Goa
MAY 2014
Rajesh Salgaonker
the likes. I have also been doing rigorous work in the fields of education and environment. Since it was established in Goa, has Yi grown as expected? When Yi was established in Goa, we had a membership strength of 57, which, over the years, reduced for various reasons, mostly due to migration. Nevertheless, for the past few years, our membership has been at a constant 39. We plan to increase the number during this year and induct committed individuals who would work in line with Yi’s thought process of nation building with integrity and professionalism. We have had members move out of Goa, on the other hand, we also have people join the Goa Yi Chapter from their respective Chapter from another State, too. The country looks upon the Indian Industry to take affirmative action and create education and employment opportunities for the weaker sections of society. How is the Goa Chapter contributing towards the same? We are in the process of tying up with private / government training institutes to ensure that school dropouts and the less fortunate are educated. Once the person is trained, they will be given a job opportunity with CII member’s companies, those with appropriate placements in their firms. We hold strong values in training people according to the respective industry requirements. We are also working towards reducing the need of persons having to travel to another village or State to work because their training was not suitable for Goa. Since Yi established the concept of students net, how
has the response been? Is it growing at par with other Chapters in the country? We are about to start a ‘students net’ in Goa. Plans are in progress to hold one at the Goa Institute of Management. A proposal had come from the Institute last year, but we decided to implement it from this academic year. What are Yi’s various initiatives in the different sectors of the State? We are planning to work with the farming community by conducting awareness drives and teaching them new farming techniques and growing four different crops in one hectare of land in a year. A while back, we also conducted a workshop for taxi drivers in Calangute, where we trained them in road mannerisms, soft skills, defensive driving etc. We had conducted a workshop for mining truck drivers about how to drive their trucks around the city and also to take after-care of their vehicle. This initiative was sponsored by TATA. Earlier too, we have worked on initiatives like
parenting workshops, healthcare camps, diabetes management awareness programs, drawing, learning sessions with eminent citizens and industry experts on various subjects. The very essence of Yi is youth-centric. What are Yi’s youth initiatives? We conduct career guidance programmes for school and college students. We also have an initiative called ‘Blue Ocean’ for school students of classes from seventh to ninth standard. This initiative is for students having uncut ideas in certain fields, to help it grow or innovate a business plan. We also have a national initiative called the ‘Green I Contest’ which is open to all schools upto class twelve, to help develop green concepts. The winning team gets Rs.7.5 Lakh nationally to implement the initiative in their respective schools. How has Yi Goa been able to provide a platform for entrepreneurs? We have not yet begun
We plan to increase the number of members during this year and induct committed individuals who would work in line with Yi’s thought process of nation building with integrity and professionalism our initiatives for Goan entrepreneurs. However, we plan on implementing some soon. We will also be part of the G20 summit this year. This will create a pathway for young entrepreneurs. Under the ‘International Engagement’, Yi is one of the proud founders of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance which is a collective of leading entrepreneurially-minded organizations representing the G20 countries who seek to promote youth entrepreneurship as a powerful driver of economic renewal, job creation, innovation and social. It is one of the founders of the Commonwealth Asia Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs (CAAYE) which is a network of young entrepreneurs from the Commonwealth Asia region and the organizations that support them. Yi has organized learning missions to many countries around the world to understand and learn from the best practices
and cultures of different countries. It has also worked with the Planning Commission of India in conducting consultation workshops across its chapters for accumulating a youth perspective to be included in the 12th Five Year Plan and with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India to facilitate missions of visiting delegations of young entrepreneurs to India from around the world. Has Yi had or has any tie ups with any other corporate/ Government body in Goa? We do not have any tie ups with any other organization or government bodies. However, for any particular event or programme, we associate with credible organizations. For instance, we will be conducting a health camp on World Health Day alongwith Rotary Club of Ponda (Next Generation), the Indian Red Cross Society etc.
What is Goa doing within the national plan of the CII-Yi? In the beginning of every year, a path finder is released to every Yi Chapter in the country, to chalk out the various initiatives and plans for the rest of the year. The national path finder for 2014 will be released shortly. After this, we will be working to make the initiatives come to pass. We can choose which initiatives we would like to implement in the chapter and add any other initiative relating to the State in the Goa. In the past years, the national path finder included planting one million trees across the country. Through Akshara, under education, Yi has impacted more than 15000 students across 57 centers nationally and has successfully managed campaigns like the ‘SYightboard Project’, providing blackboards to schools across different cities, reaching out to 1070 schools nationally and impacting approximately 2,53,000 children.
www.facebook.com/businessgoa
We also distributed plants in villages during the monsoons. What is your vision for Yi in Goa? I personally want to take up entrepreneurial and health initiatives in the state. We are already in talks with The Indian Red Cross Society to assist people, especially the aged, who may have to travel long distances for just a regular check-up. We plan on holding a workshop for people to get a basic nurse training. Also, the Goa Tower Run, which was recently implemented, was the first of its kind in the country supported by the World Tower Running Association. We plan to host this event on a yearly basis, thus promoting healthy living among corporate employees and the need to promote the use of staircases versus elevators. I aim to promote health as a vital initiative in Goa
Don’t let the rain drip into your home this monsoon SavoirFaire
It is time to repair your leaking roof and keep the rain out of your home. Made possible with superior German technology waterproofing systems from MC-Bauchemie
AUTHORISED DISTRIBUTORS FOR GOA FOR MC-BAUCHEMIE (INDIA) PVT. LTD. Daulat Building, Ground Floor, 18th June Road, Campal, St.Inez, Panaji - Goa. Tel.: 2224668, 2236739, Fax: 0832-2420514. Margao Branch: 5, Vasant Vihar, Near Santo’s Garage, Opp. Borkar Super Market, Aquem, Margao - Goa. Tel.: 2750375, 2750335 MAY 2014
Business Goa 27
INDUSTRY Bhasker Assoldekar
www.twitter.com/businessgoa
Vibha Natural Products Limited
Taking Ayurveda to the world With its wide range of products, Bhasker Assoldekar’s Vibha Natural Products Ltd has gained international fame and repute for quality writes Veeraj Mahatme
The range of products manufactured by Vibha Natural Products Limited
B
hasker Assoldekar, Chairman and Managing Director of Vibha Natural Products Limited, was born in 1950 in Assolda, a quiet village near Chandor. His father was an agriculturist and mother, a doting housewife. “My education started in a B school and ended in a B School” Bhasker quips. The first B school he refers to was Bablo’s primary school and the last, the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. “Bablo’s school had two rooms, one accommodated students of 1st and 2nd standard, while the other accommodated students of 3rd and 4th standard. The seats were gunny bags which would get wet in the rains. Classes commenced after Bablo, a milkman, finished dispensing milk. From him, I learnt what passion is all about. There was no need for him to run the school to earn his daily bread. Running a Marathi primary school during the Portuguese Rule could never be considered as an economically viable proposition. 28 Business Goa
MAY 2014
It was, however, Bablo’s passion for the language and for education that perhaps made him run the school, battling meagre fees on one hand and veiled resistance from the Portuguese Government on the other hand,” Bhaskar says. After completing his 12th, Bhasker secured admission in the Goa Medical College. Blood and flesh, though, weren’t his cup of tea. Not one to waste time, he sought admission in Chowgule College from where he completed his B.Sc in 1970. He then moved to Mumbai and completed his B.Sc. (Tech) in 1973 and M.Sc. (Tech) from UDCT in 1977, standing second in Bombay University. During his studies in Mumbai, Bhasker came down with jaundice. Little did he know then, that almost 20 years later, the illness would influence his choice of business. After his post graduation, Bhasker joined Suhrid Geigy in Ahmedabad in 1977 as Technical Executive and was based in
Gujarat. Somewhere in 1979-80 Mr Mitha, Bhasker’s classmate in UDCT, and then a student at IIM-A, was doing a project on Marketing of Dye stuffs. He wanted Bhasker to guide his group in understanding the basics of marketing of textile dyes. The IIM-A students would animatedly discuss their project. At the dinner table, their rotis would be dipped in the dal but the pieces would remain in their hands, suspended in mid-air, till they had finished discussing the point. A few sessions with Mitha and his group mates (which included Ashank Desai of Mastek Ltd.) and their exhilarating discussions motivated Bhasker to get into IIM-A. Since he was about to get married then, and already had a secure job in Ahmedabad, Bhasker had opted exclusively for IIM-Ahmedabad while filing the application. He worked towards CAT Exams for three months on Saturdays and Sundays, this in times when there were no coaching classes to train for such competitive entrance exams. Sometime later the results came – Bhasker was selected. With a pregnant wife and the prospects of no income for the next two years, Bhasker had to make a tough decision. It was his fatherin-law who realized the value of an IIM-A qualification and helped Bhasker pursue further education by taking care of his family. After getting his MBA, in 1984 Bhasker joined Indokem, the marketing company of Khatau Junker Ltd. as Regional Manager and went on to became its CEO in 1991. Though there were perks to be availed off including a nice bungalow, chauffer driven cars and business class travel, there were also prices to be paid. Bhaskar could not attend three of the first five birthdays of his son. While at work, though many decisions were taken by the
Chairman, the answerability on the end result lay squarely on the CEO. “I felt both answerability and the decision making to be wrested in one individual. I felt that if someone else can earn more from my day to day inputs and efforts in his company then why can’t I do it on my own?”, he says. And thus begun the entrepreneurial phase. 20 years ago when Bhasker had come down with Jaundice, allopathic treatment offered no relief. Finally, his brother, Datta took to him some ayurvedic medicines from Goa. Within just one week, Bhasker was back in the classroom. The power of ayurvedic medicines was etched in his memory. While at Indokem, as CEO he would travel often to the Middle East and there, in the course of informal talks, Arab businessmen would speak highly about a range of Ayurvedic herbal products exported by a famous Indian lady entrepreneur. These conversations helped Bhasker to narrow down on Ayurveda as his choice of business. In 1996, Vibha Natural Products Ltd, was born which manufactured and exported Ayurvedic cosmetics and medicines. Like most entrepreneurs, Bhasker’s entrepreneurial journey wasn’t a smooth one. He had to go through a lot of adjustments and the huge learning curve that all entrepreneurs go through, especially in the initial phase. Some of the adjustments included having to travel by BEST buses, a far cry from being a chauffeur driven CEO, from receiving a handsome package to ensuring that his employees were paid before he could take something home – his family had to shift from a CEO’s lifestyle to that of a regular, middle class one. In the very first year of business, the company received
Like most entrepreneurs will confess, Bhasker’s entrepreneurial journey wasn’t a smooth one. He had to go through a lot of adjustments and the huge learning curve that all entrepreneurs go through, especially in the initial phase an order from Saudi Arabia. The businessman paid him in advance on two occasions and asked for an open credit on the third large order. The order was executed but the party defaulted on payment. It was a big financial shock for the young company and Vibha Naturals almost went belly up. However, Bhasker’s philosophy that ‘You never fail till you lose your patience’ helped pull Vibha Naturals through. The next two years saw the young company face two more severe challenges, each one almost knocking it out of business. Faced with such an adverse future versus the ease with which he could land a nice job, the temptation to shut down and move back to a secure office job was strong, but Bhasker persevered and the operations stabilized after three years. After 14 years in business, Bhasker feels that marketing is his greatest challenge. In fact, the one man that Bhasker
Today, Vibha Naturals successfully makes over 30 products that are sold in India and exported to the Middle East and European countries. The top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur are passion, perseverance and patience. You have to enjoy what you are doing Bhasker Assoldekar would have loved to meet from history is Mahatma Gandhi for his extraordinary ability to mobilize the whole country and market his idea of freedom by peaceful means in the most hostile conditions and without the support of media. Today, Vibha Naturals successfully makes over 30 products that are sold in India and exported to the Middle East and European countries. The
company now has operations in Kenya, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, and Holland. For Bhasker, however, success is not how you are doing compared with others, but how you are doing compared with your own abilities and strengths. Having this focus on strengths, he feels, helps not only the entrepreneur but also helps him to help others grow. Bhasker’s one time peon is today his IT officer.
www.businessgoa.net He says “We often tend to compare our success (or our children’s success in academics) with neighbours/friends (or their children). This can bring only frustration.” Bhasker feels that the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur are passion, perseverance and patience. “You have to enjoy what you are doing” he says. Bhasker is passionate about Ayurveda and spreading its benefits to the world. Such is his passion that he gets invited to lecture on Ayurveda at conferences in India and abroad, that too, when he is not even a qualified Ayurvedic doctor! In the last week of March 2010, Bhasker was invited by the Sultan of Oman as a state guest to talk on Ayurveda. It is fringe benefits like these that make Bhasker’s entrepreneurial journey fulfilling. Feedback from customers whose health has improved using his products makes the effort worthwhile
MAY 2014
Business Goa 29
GOAN BRAND
Currently available under the Aviao brand are files, cash memo books, duplicate books, register books. In the future the firm plan on launching notebooks which should be on stands by next year
Aviao
The stationery label Not just the range of stationery that they stock, Casa JD Fernandes is also famed for their home-grown Aviao brand of products. Monaliza Dias chats with Oswald Fernandes about Aviao
The journey of Aviao has been amazing. I am only carrying forward the legacy of my father, AC Fernandes, the man and brain behind Aviao OSwald Fernandes The range of Aviao products
T
here are certain brands in Goa that have been around for decades making them almost a part of the Goan DNA. One of these is Casa J D Fernandes’ stationery store. Based in the heart of Panjim city, different people will reminisce different memories associated with the store – be it their childhood where they bought their first fancy pencil set from, or college days when they sourced project papers or even those hurried birthday plans where one would rush into ‘JD’ – as it is still affectionately called, and be able to buy almost anything that you need for party decor. A reputed stationery store, JD Fernandes’ claim to fame is more than just the wide variety of stationary products that they stock. Interestingly, recognizing the demand for stationery, the firm went on to launch their own brand titled Aviao. Oswald Fernandes, proprietor of Casa JD, “Casa J.D Fernandes was established in the 1900s. Then, in the 1940s, my father A C Fernandes went on to launch Aviao. I am the third generation of this business.” Avio has an interesting brand logo. Explaining this, Fernandes says, “The launch of our stationery brand coincided 30 Business Goa
MAY 2014
with the launch of the world’s first plane during the World War 2. My father made the image of the plane our logo. We have been using the same logo till date for all our stationery products.” He further adds, “Back then the focus was on notepads, files, and books. Currently we make files, cash memo books, duplicate books, register books. In the future, we plan on launching notebooks which should be on stands by next year. We also plan on getting more stationery items under Aviao.” One of the advantages that well established brands have is the trust of their clients. Fernandes says, “We are indebted to our clients who, for many years, have always trusted the brand. Both, our imported and local products are of excellent quality and hence, people do not hesitate to buy either. Additionally, we never had to face major losses because we stock a wide variety of stationery products. Whatever your stationery requirements, it is available here. We also import stationery items such as hi-end files and folders from China, in all sizes and variants. We are the only stationery store in Goa stocking these files. In fact, files are our fastest selling products. The range starts from as little
as Rs 6 and goes up to Rs 35 per unit. Affordability in a wide spectrum of options has been our USP.” A brand stays consistent due to their quality products. Fernandes says, “We use high quality paper and card specially bought from Bangalore and Hubli. We produce in batches on the basis of our requirements, a total of 500 items of each product. We produce 5,000 files of each type due to their immense popularity. Another hot seller is conference pads and we manufacture 5,000 per batch.” A well-established stationery store notwithstanding, Fernandes says he constantly strives for Aviao to make a mark in the market. He says, “We want Casa JD Fernandes to be known for Aviao products. Of course, we would not stop pushing other brands, but our mission is to make people think ‘Aviao’ when they hear the name Casa JD Fernandes.” Unlike many brands that have adopted the advertisement route to increase their popularity and visibility, Aviao has done no such thing. Fernandes says, “People know of us, they trust us and more importantly, prefer our products. Hence, we never felt the need to market our store or brand. We
also do not believe in ‘offers’ or ‘discounts’ because our products sell. If we already have such quality products and affordable prices, offering a discount would make people wonder about our intentions and may actually send existing customers away. I do not want our customers to have any doubts about quality and brand value in their minds. Also, stationery products do not have a limited shelf life, they are not perishable products, so keeping the inventory does not hurt.” Talking about the future of both, the store and the Aviao brand, Fernandes says, “The store is already well established in Panjim and we now plan on venturing into other areas in Goa and introduce our brand Aviao in each of these stores. Although we do not sell our products outside Goa as of now, we plan on doing so in the near future.” A soft spoken gentleman with a determined personality, the time and effort Oswald has invested in consolidating his family business is today bearing rich fruits. He concludes saying, “The journey of Aviao has been amazing. I am only carrying forward the legacy of my father, the man who actually created the brand”
EVENTS OF THE MONTH
www.businessgoa.net
Social Hackathon at Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration Participants at the social hackathon
T
he Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration (CIBA) in association with Codeniti organised a social hackathon at the Agnel Technical Education Complex, Verna. The event was organised to bring entrepreneurs, developers and
designers together to create apps or websites in the public and social domains to support a social need. The hackathon began with a short presentation by non-profit organisation representatives who pitched the pressing problems of
the organisation. Voting was done to identify the most relevant issues to be solved by the participants and after twelve hours of intense planning, coding and development, the solutions were developed for the identified problems. The organisations got an opportunity to find solutions for their problem and the developers and designers got an opportunity to work on live projects which gave them the confidence of developing solutions for social problems using Information Technology as a tool. Codeniti is conducting these sessions of social hackathon in various venues throughout the country. This is their third event, the
first two being Mumbai and Bengaluru. About 70 coders, developers and designers attended the programme. The programme was organised in collaboration with GDG, E-Cell of Goa Engineering College and E-Cell of Padre Conceicao College of Engineering. The organisers were pleasantly surprised with the response shown for the programme especially by the students of Engineering Colleges of Goa
Cashew Trail 2014 held at Park Hyatt
Treasure Island Valentine Vaz and Thomas Abraham launching Treasure Island a one year old premium Cashew Feni from Madame Rosa Distillery with Mac Vaz
E
very year during harvest season, Park Hyatt Goa traces the life journey of Goa’s beloved fruit, the cashew. Taking the harvest celebration a notch higher, this year the festivities lasted over twelve days with the culmination of the celebration, the annual Cashew Trail. Cashew Trail is an annual event that was conceptualised by 32 Business Goa
MAY 2014
Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa in association with Madame Rosa Distillery in 2012. The elegant afternoon was hosted by General Manager, Thomas Abraham. The highlight at the Sunday affair, a cookoff competition by culinary
connoisseur Karen Anand, had the gentlemen flaunting their cooking skills and creativity. In keeping with Hyatt’s higher purpose and commitment to giving back to the community, two garrafãos of rare Feni and Urrak from the Vaz family’s private collection were auctioned. The funds raised through the auction were presented to COOJ (Cause of Our Joy), an organisation that works towards promoting mental well-being in Goa. The afternoon also saw the launch of Treasure Island, a one year old premium Cashew Feni from Madame Rosa Distillery. A cashew stomping ground, soulful live music and a photo booth inspired by the afternoon added fun and excitement to the celebration, while young guests kept busy at the children’s play area. Redefining the realm of culinary creativity
Cedric Vaz
was a menu that infused the rich flavours of the cashew fruit into succulent meats and delicate desserts. Speaking on the occasion, Thomas Abraham, General Manager, Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa said “The world over, Park Hyatts are curators of enriching experiences that are rooted in local character. At our annual Cashew Trail, we embrace one of Goa’s proudest heritages and narrate its unique story through food and celebration. We are also pleased that we were able to raise funds for COOJ through this afternoon’s auction. Making a difference in our community is a natural extension of our mission to provide authentic hospitality to all who we serve”
CAMPUS GOA
book shelf
www.twitter.com/businessgoa
GIM’s Convocation celebrations held Arianna Huffington at Sanquelim Thrive The Goa Institute of Management (GIM) hosted its annual convocation ceremony for the PGDBM batch of 2012-14 at the campus in Sanquelim. Students received the coveted diploma after having completed over 22 months of academically packed, rigorous training with exposure to live industrial projects as well as community oriented assignments. A total of 286 students were awarded their diplomas at the convocation ceremony. While 247 are fulltime PGDMBA students, 39 are from the part-time MBA program which has gained ground with working executives. The event was presided over by Gopal Krishnan, Chairman, Board of Governors of GIM and Executive Director, Tata Sons. R Mukundan, Managing Director, Tata Chemicals Limited and Chairman, CII, Western Region delivered the convocation
address. The 20th Convocation ceremony at GIM began with the Director’s Report on the Institute’s performance for the last academic year, highlighting the achievements of the B-school and its students. The students proved that they are one of the best across the country with placement offers from some of the top companies in India which include JP Morgan, Wipro, ICICI Bank, Cognizant and Infosys among others. 95% of the students have received lucrative placement offers with some securing international postings
In Thrive, Arianna Huffington makes an impassioned and compelling case for the need to redefine what it means to be successful in today’s world. Huffington’s personal wake-up call came in the form of a broken cheekbone and a nasty gash over her eye, the result of a fall due to exhaustion and lack of sleep. As co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group – one of the fastest growing media companies in the world – celebrated as one of the world’s most influential women, and gracing the covers of magazines, she was, by traditional measure, extraordinarily successful. Yet as she found herself going from brain MRI to CAT scan to echocardiogram, to locate an underlying medical problem beyond exhaustion. She wondered, ‘is this really what success feels like?’ Huffington talks candidly about her own challenges with managing time and prioritizing the demands of a career and raising two daughters, of juggling business deadlines and family crises, a harried dance that led to her collapse and her “aha moment.” Drawing on the latest groundbreaking research and scientific findings of psychology, sports, sleep which show the profound and transformative effects of meditation, mindfulness, unplugging, and giving, Arianna shows us the way to a revolution in our culture, thinking, workplace, and our lives Publisher:
BG CROSSWORD 54
Harmony
QUIZZARE
Deltin launches Institute of Learning
The Deltin Group, a leader in the entertainment and hospitality sector recently launched its hospitality and gaming training institute aimed at equipping local youth with standard skills of the 5-star industry, thus making them immediately employable. The Institute, christened Deltin Institute of Learning is a state-of-the-art facility, centrally located at Porvorim. The surroundings are ideal for a good Institute with lush greenery, no noise or exhaust pollution and overlooking a picturesque valley with the Mandovi flowing sedately through. The Institute is equipped with all the latest audio visual teaching aids, a 20 capacity IT Lab and a well stocked library. All classrooms are air-conditioned with a maximum capacity of 20 thereby ensuring individual attention. For practical training, a 20 cover 34 Business Goa
MAY 2014
training restaurant and bar has been created. The Housekeeping training lab is fashioned to virtually represent a 5-star hotel standard guest room. All faculties are professionals from the hotel industry with rich 5 star experience. The Institute is equipped to provide intensive, professional training for F&B Service, Front Office, Housekeeping and Gaming. The Hospitality courses are of 6 months duration, 8 hours-a-day, 6 days a week. The course is a mix of theoretical inputs, with emphasis on practical training to develop relevant skills. The objective is to absorb the students in-house, to meet Deltin’s requirements, as well as, placement across the hospitality industry locally, nationally and abroad. Those who successfully complete the course are assured of placements
Across: 1 – Tainted former head of McKinsey (5,5) 6 – Smartphone family from Sony (6) 8 – Industrial town in Himachal Pradesh (5) 9 – Mumbai’s civic transport and electricity provider (4) 10 – Popular chain of silk saree stores (5) 14 – American travel technology company (5) 15 – A tablet computer is also called a _____ (5) 16 – Taiwanese computer hardware company (4) 17 – See 12 Down Down: - 1 – Popular sunglasses brand (3-3) 2 – Naveen ______ - MP and industrialist in steel and power sector (6) 3 – What a plane does after it lands (4) 4 – United Arab Emirates (1,1,1) 5 – Brand of cleaning products owned by Colgate (4) 7 – Former industrial area in the US, now mostly abandoned (4,4) 11 – Collection of maps (5) 12 (& 17A) – Email client provided by IBM (5,5) 13 – Popular jeans brand (5) answers to crossword 53 Across 1- Subway 4 –Axis 5 – Yashraj 6 – Ralf 8 – ANZAC 10 – MICR 12 – Jalan 14 – TPA 15 – IFFI 16 – AMEX Down 1 – Siyaram 2 – Basel 3 – Vista 4 – Ajanta 7 – Fortis 9 – Canon 11 – IDFC 12 – Java 13 – Lone
professional dossier
Being a dentist isn’t easy; it is a tough balance to maintain. More so if you have my kind of commitment – a cruel and hectic schedule. To be successful, we need to manage our time. God has given 24 hours to all of us, what we make of it is up to us
dentist
dr abhijit kamat
The smile specialist Dr Abhijit is a professional who goes beyond his call of duty and strikes an instant rapport with his patients
Today is the survival of the fittest. I appreciate healthy professional rivalry as it gets the best out of me and thus my patients benefit in the bargain
Dr Abhijit Kamat
M
y childhood ambition was to be a doctor and I strived very hard to achieve it. Although the fact of the matter is that I missed the bus to achieve that dream. I vividly remember as a child, when people asked me what my ambition was, I would say I want to be a doctor. God had better plans. I proposed, he disposed and I became a dentist. Initially, I did hold it against him but now I have no regrets. I missed admissions to a medical course by quite a few marks and to a person whose
lifelong dream was to be a doctor it was nothing but obvious that I would feel utter disappointment, at this point my only other option was dentistry. As my maternal uncle was also a dentist, it was not exactly an alien field to me. I completed my Bachelor in Dental Surgery from the Goa Dental College, Bambolim. I have been in the field of dentistry for quite a while now and through commitment, have managed to improve my clientele base. Rhetorically, being a dentist means the smiles of your patients. Having studied
Psychology on my own accord has helped me understand my patients. I try to connect with my patients and make them comfortable regardless of their age, gender and socio economic status and this comfort level helps me perform better and makes the patients feel minimal pain. I foresee myself working until I can deliver 100% of my professional ability. Personally I would like to be on sabbatical pursuing hobbies like trekking, fishing which have long eluded me. My motto has been to always satisfy my clientele which is not the easiest task to achieve. I belong to a profession where aesthetics is prime and patients are often over expecting. But God has been kind and so far I have managed the tight rope walk successfully. I believe in giving excellent professional service at an affordable cost and that has become my USP. Being a dentist isn’t easy; it is a tough balance to maintain. More so if you have my kind of commitment – a cruel and hectic schedule. To be successful, we need to manage our time. God has given 24 hours to all of us, what we make of it is up to us. Time management is an art and so far I have been a good artist. Being a perfectionist and committed to my work life does hamper my personal life. My wife Soniya belongs to the profession, so she knows the pros and cons involved. And hats off to my kids Anoushka and Archit for coping so well with situations where I cancel their respective moments of joy at nth hour. I try to compensate for it at the first given opportunity and spend maximum quality time with them. I have faced many struggles
in life and I have taken them in my stride. And like Abraham Lincoln said, I am eternally grateful to the people who rejected me. It is because of them I learnt to do things on my own. Today is the survival of the fittest. I appreciate healthy professional rivalry as it gets the best out of me and thus my patients benefit in the bargain. I retort those who say perfection cannot be achieved have not tried hard enough. Success is a relative term. I don’t like comparisons because when you compare your journey to others, you are insulting yourself. Finally in life, it is a tussle between needs and wants. So far by the grace of God, all my needs are satisfied and wants curbed. If I have become a yardstick for somebody’s success proves I am successful. A magazine of your repute considers me worthy of an article – that is success. The credit to my success would obviously go to God almighty, my mother, my family with a special mention to my uncles who have supported me in all my endeavours. My friends for sharing their invaluable professional experiences with me and also for tolerating me that helped me grow as a professional. My technician, Narenda Azgaonkar and his team without whom I would be incomplete professionally. Last but not the least, my patients who have reposed faith in me and my abilities time and again and made me whatever I am today. My dear friend Dr Rajan Mahatme, the famous city homeopath once told me “It is very easy to get a patient but very difficult to retain them.” So yours truly should also take some credit as I have managed both As told to MONALISA DIAS
Advertise with The Voice of Business in Goa
Reach out to a discerning, high-spender business reader. With wide circulation and quality content, this is the media vehicle that your brand should ride on. To advertise in Business Goa, call us on 0832-6456555 or 2437822. MAY 2014 Business Goa 35
education
The Executive MBA programme at GIM is not limited to certain groups or type of individuals. In fact, GIM has ensured to plan it in such a way
Goa Institute of Management’s PART TIME MBA program
Education for that business edge GIM’s Part Time MBA program provides an ideal and structured stepping stone for success in business and better prospects in employment
W
hether you’re applying for a job or running your own business, an MBA degree always gives one an upper hand. People are very well aware of the benefits of an MBA education. Consequently, every year, thousands of students enroll themselves in coaching classes around India to be able to successfully crack the CAT entrance exam with flying colours and then, get into a reputed MBA college. Every year thousands of MBA graduates get into the world armed with a MBA degree which will potentially land them a good job with a high pay packet. However, there are numerous working individuals who cannot commit long hours in the day to attend classes, yet wish to attain a management degree. A full time course acts as a restriction to their desire to be equipped with the intricate knowledge of management. And with limited options to make a choice from, most often, their best recourse is a correspondence MBA programme. The prestigious Goa Institute of Management aims to plug this vital gap with their Part Time 36 Business Goa
MAY 2014
MBA programme approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The Institute is ranked among the top 10 private B-schools in the country. GIM also engages a dedicated and highly experienced faculty. Additionally, this course is conducted conveniently at their Ribandar campus, thus making it easier for working individuals to commute. The students of the Part Time MBA programme can avail of a host of modern resources at the campus including fully equipped AC classrooms.
Every person inclined towards business harbours certain entrepreneurial ideas. Each of these ideas has the potential to become the ‘next big thing’. The only hurdle to success is one’s understanding and negotiating skills of the complex business world. To get ahead of the competitors, one needs to get a management perspective
The MBA from GIM helps me in my job as Medical Superintendent I strongly suggest that everybody should do a management course because it helps in every aspect of life. The Part Time MBA programme I took at GIM helped me in the administration job that I was recently assigned to at Goa Medical College, besides my responsibility as a doctor. I would
credit this additional responsibility as Medical Superintendent of GMC to the knowledge I gained during the period of my course. It has made managing both the roles easy and efficient Dr Sunanda Amonkar, Medical Superintendent, GMC
on how things work. Keeping this is mind, getting just an MBA is not a guarantee for the head start required as working individuals or students with a plan. Francisco Fernandes, Senior Officer HR, Sesa Goa and an alumni of GIM’s Part Time MBA programme says, “Joining the program not only helped me acquire new management skills, but also helped me develop my individual personality. In class, I got to interact with professionals from different companies who are always ready to share their experience with me. In a way, the programme gave me an overview of the business world, the current practices, the likely challenges and insights into how to handle them. Most of all, it gave me the confidence to handle difficult and crucial job situations. It has also planted a seed of starting my own enterprise in the near future.” Talking about his experience of the course, Ameya Mardolkar, Operations Head at 3D Systems India says, “Earlier I had a technical support job at an IT company. However, I was not content as I wanted to get into the management level. I found the Part Time MBA programme at GIM very convenient. With weekend classes, I could both, continue with my job and simultaneously gain an MBA degree. It was due to the convenience of the Part Time MBA programme that I enrolled myself. Upon completion, I got the opportunity to get a management level job at a multinational company.” The Part Time MBA programme at GIM is not limited to a certain group or type of individual. In fact, their timings are convenient
so as to not clash with the work timings of employed persons. Classes are held on weekends at GIM’s Ribandar Campus, which is close to Panaji enough to accommodate every professional. The Institute has ensured it in a way so as to not clash with the work timings. Classes are held on weekends at GIM’s Ribandar Campus. These classes are normally scheduled on Saturdays between 4:30 pm and 8 pm and on Sundays between 9 am and 6:30 pm. Special focus is laid on entrepreneurs and family managed business owners and members. Aspirants with entrepreneurial acumen or members/owners of family owned businesses with a key stake in the business with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with at least 50 per cent marks or Executives/supervisors with the zeal to advance quickly in their careers who have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent with at least 50 per cent marks are eligible. The aspirants are trained and imbibed with management knowledge right from A-Z. The pedagogy used is a
healthy blend of theory and practice. Case studies, role play, simulations and live projects ensure that the skills and attitudes essential for effective managers are developed through the programme. While the curriculum is designed to develop both – conceptual and skill based competencies, the core curriculum consists of courses that comprise the common body of knowledge of business management and are compulsory for all students. The Part Time MBA programme is exclusively designed for working individuals who are unable to take out the required day each to attend the programme. This programme helps them brush up existing and gain new and improved management skill. This programme gives its students that all important opportunity to get ahead with the knowledge of management
www.twitter.com/businessgoa
Police is a service provider. An MBA equips you to manage the dynamics of the Force
Atmaram Deshpande Superintendent of Police
The Goa Government was sponsoring a few officers for the Part Time MBA Programme at GIM. I decided to avail of this golden opportunity. I have always believed that education is the stepping stone to power and responsibility. When you are educated in a certain field, you are able to manage your tasks better. Being a police officer does not limit my role
to just that of maintaining law and order of the State. I also have the responsibility of HR resource management. I need to look into the welfare of the force, get my people motivated and increase their efficiency and productivity while simultaneously ensuring that they are happy. I also have to look after IT and e-governance. I even manage a large infrastructure. At the end of the day, we are service providers; we also aim for customer delight more than just satisfaction. The executive course helped me tremendously in all the three needed factors – HR resource management, IT and e-governance and improving the quality of service. Of course, the education is provided but it is up to us to implement what we’ve learnt
MAY 2014
Business Goa 37
LADY POWER
Work, social service and family – Madhavi handles each of her responsibilities with amazing ease. How does she manage this? She says, “Sometimes it does get tough. I am a firm believer of time management which is why I am able to manage my family, my company and my Presidency effortlessly,” she says
Madhavi Bandekar Shetye
Passion for compassion Madhavi Bandekar Shetye speaks to Monaliza Dias about her works as President of Rotary Club Panaji Riviera
B
eing born and brought up in a family motivated to help others deeply instills in a person the urgency to follow the same path. Madhavi Bandekar Shetye, President of the Rotary Club Panaji Riviera and Proprietor of Madhavi Investment and Trading Pvt Ltd says, “I always heard tales of the good that my grandfather Dayanand Bandodkar, the first Chief Minister of Goa, did in his lifetime. He was a preacher of education and strived to help the less fortunate get access to various means of education. He was also a very selfless man, who sponsored many causes. This has had a strongly impact on me and I noticed myself doing the same.” It was this very passion for compassion that urged Madhavi to join the Rotaract Club in her late teens. In 2009, she joined the Rotary Club. She says, “I always wanted to be a Rotarian. Since the time I joined, I was thoroughly committed and did considerable work. Maybe this got me noticed and here I am today as the President of one of the most vibrant clubs in the country.” Though Madhavi devotes a substantial amount of her time to the cause of Rotary, which is not her only responsibility. The lady is just as business oriented and in fact, has her own businesses. “I am proprietor of a construction and real estate firm, Madhavi Investments and Trading Pvt Ltd which my mother and I inherited from my father, the late Laxman Bandekar, after his demise. I was also a restaurateur of a place called Fun Mantra for a while because I wasn’t too keen on real estate. But after marriage, I got back to real estate as my husband too, is in the same business.” But why join a Club to ‘help others’ when 38 Business Goa
MAY 2014
one can do the same through their own individual efforts or anonymity? To this Madhavi replies saying, “I have personally worked with NGOs representing the physically handicapped because it is a matter that’s dear to my heart. However, taking up an issue individually can be tedious. Being part of a Club gives one the freedom to decide what issues we would like to take up as a team. As an individual you are not always equipped to reach out to as many people as you would like to, but when you are a member of a Club, which is efficiently working towards social causes, it makes things easier.” Madhavi joined the Rotary Club just five years back, but was elected to the post of President in her fourth year itself – a challenge that she took up heads-on. Speaking about her experience, Madhavi says, “Upon being informed about my term as President, I swiftly got into action. I decided upon all the activities and causes that we would hold in the five avenues of Club – Community, Vocational, International and
Madhavi Bandekar Shetye
New Generation. My work started much in advance as compared to my official tenure as President, which began in July 2013 and will end in June 2014. I have around twelve projects lined up in each avenue.” Elaborating on the Club’s social causes, she says, “We have teams for each project. I am a strong crusader of women and youth issues. We conducted basic computer education for women and youth who cannot afford the same in Panjim and Aldona. We also conducted a workshop where we taught women to make sweet dishes and even provided them with the required utensils. One of our projects involved working for an all girls orphanage where we beautified their backyard with a playground and garden. Besides this, we have also reached out to unreachable rural areas and conducted medical camps. For instance, we conducted an eye camp for the underprivileged and provided them with spectacles. We also had cataract detection camps and conducted cataract operations on people urgently requiring them but unable to afford the same. Till now, we have conducted 31 such cataract surgeries. Within the next three months of my existing presidency, we plan on conducting a threeday workshop for the visually impaired people, which is one of our annual activities. I also intend to start a physiotherapy clinic in Vasco for the under privileged people. Also among our plans, is one for a permanent vocational centre which would be much very beneficial to the people.” How does the Club manage their funding?
A blood donation camp organised by the Rotary Club
Madhavi says, “That is largely thanks to the extreme generosity of the Club’s members and friends of Rotary, as we refer to the non Rotarians, who are determined to do some social service but do not have the required time on hand.” Work, social service and family – Madhavi handles each of her responsibilities with amazing ease, not letting any slip. How does she manage this? She says, “Sometimes it does get tough, especially since I am based in Vasco. Moreover, most of my work is not only Panjim based, but takes me all over Goa. I am a firm believer of time management which is why I am able to manage my family, my company and my Presidency effortlessly. I make it a point to divide my time efficiently. Another positive for me is the fact that I live in a joint family and when I am away, my family takes care of my son.” “Being a part of Rotary is a huge sense of achievement and blessing as I am able to do what matters the most to me – helping others. Non-Rotarians, too, have been donating towards the Club only because they noticed something in my work. This makes me feel like my work has been appreciated and is a humbling experience. I have to credit my team, family and friends because each one of them have helped me build myself, take another step and grow,” Madhavi says with a smile
It is always good to take your product to market in phases. It helps you manage your resources better, it allows you to listen to customer feedback, and it puts you in control of your market
antarprerna
What is my product? The Columnist talks about the importance of a well defined product and its marketing
I Nandini Vaidyanathan The columnist is the founder of CARMa which mentors startups, mature businesses and family enterprises. She teaches Entrepreneurship in several Ivy League biz schools across the world. Nandini is also author of the best-selling Entrepedia, a step by step guide to becoming an entrepreneur in India. www.carmaconnect.in
If your product is a platform for integrating all social media, you should be able to clearly define that your customer is perhaps a midsized restaurant who is very active on several social media like Facebook, Twitter, Quora, Delicious, Google+, both for creating awareness, as well as customer acquisition
n my last column we spoke about validating an idea in its potential catchment area before actually going to market. Let’s now move on to the next step, which is defining and developing the product. I am using the word product in its most embracing, inclusive form. It could be a product such as a smart phone. It could be a product such as housekeeping services. It could be a product such as a travel portal which is integrated with portals of other service providers such as Makemytrip.com, it could be an online grocery store partnering with small grocers in each city for delivery. It could be a platform that integrates all social media or it could be a ring sensor which enables you through gesture recognition technology, to perform all your previously device-based functions such as calling, texting, emailing, switching on and off your lights, air conditioners and other home appliances without the aid of the respective devices. There was a time when entrepreneurs went to great lengths to distinguish between ‘product’ and ‘service’. Many started off with so called services and aspired to build products with the cash flow that services facilitated. Today, almost anything can be productized, as long as it is designed to deliver compelling customer experience. It is very important to define what your product is. Most entrepreneurs can articulate what it can do for the customer but struggle to articulate what it is! If the entrepreneur is not able to define ‘it’ clearly, chances are nor will his customers be able to, which spells doom for the product. So you need to be able to say, this is software, a
tool, a device, an interface, a platform, etc. The next thing you should be able to describe is who it is meant for and why do you think there is an opportunity there? For example, if you say your product is a platform for integrating all social media, you should be able to clearly define that your customer is perhaps a mid-sized restaurant who is very active on several social media like Facebook, Twitter, Quora, Delicious, Google+, both for creating awareness, as well as customer acquisition. The opportunity there is the tedium in managing content on so many different platforms. So your solution offers a single integrated platform from where your customer can manage content on all the social media without logging in to each of them. Once you have defined this, unravel your product in its entirety. How long is it going to take to develop it? What kind of people, in terms of qualification, do you need? How many people do you need to develop it? Do you have to hire them or can development be outsourced? Do you need experienced people or can you hire interns under your supervision? If it is interns, how are you going to source them? If
Advertise with The Voice of Business in Goa Reach out to a discerning, high-spender business reader. With wide circulation and quality content, this is the media vehicle that your brand should ride on. To advertise in Business Goa, call us on 0832-6456555 or 2437822. 40 Business Goa
MAY 2014
you are hiring, where will you find the people? Do you need people on a full-time basis or can you hire part-timers and freelancers? Where would your product development happen from? How much would you price it at? What would be the channels of delivery to customer? The whole nine yards. Equally important is to articulate a feature enrichment plan over the next three years. Let’s say you go to market with a simple platform where your customer can post content on different media. That would be your version 1.0. In 6 months, you may decide to add mediawise analytics. That would be your version 2.0. And so on. Unless you plan your product enhancement in phases for the next three years, you will neither be in a position to estimate resource requirement nor will you be able to project revenues because along with additional features you will also have a pricing plan. It is always good to take your product to market in phases. It helps you manage your resources better, it allows you to listen to customer feedback, and it puts you in control of your market
RELUCTANT ENTREPRENEUR
Do not focus on the elevator pitch and lose out on the long ride. Do not focus on valuations, EBITDA and stake sales at the start of your entrepreneurship venture. Focus on building a company, a brand, a product and valuations will follow
The Elevator Pitch
The Writer discusses the importance of a precise pitch and uses the ‘Elevator Pitch’ as an example
Blaise Costabir The Columnist a first generation entrepreneur whose company rotomoulds custom moulded technical parts blaise@gmizm.com
This shortage of time and doing everything quickly has led to a situation where an entrepreneur has to explain his business idea to a potential investor in the time that an elevator takes to reach the floor that the investor wants to land on. It is called “Elevator Pitch” in business parlance
T
oday, individuals are obsessed with SMS. Everything is designed to reduce the time taken to communicate while expecting flawless understanding. Therefore, we have job applications written in SMS lingo, 42 Business Goa
MAY 2014
“Pls cal me if u wish 2 meet me”. No doubt to save time, but whose is the question, employee’s or employer’s? Will this same time saving techniques transfer to the job and make a customer feel short changed? This shortage of time and doing everything quickly has led to a situation where an entrepreneur has to explain his business plan and idea to a potential investor in the time the elevator takes to reach the floor that the investor wants to land on. Sounds good for elevators in Mumbai or better, New York. In Goa, with just a few buildings with more than five floors, it’s a tough ask. It is called “Elevator Pitch” in business jargon. This trend, however good it sounds, is fraught with risks for both, the pitcher as well as the receiver. The receiver – because he is trying to play God and discern where to invest his money in the shortest possible time and yet, get the biggest bang for his buck. I do not possess any statistical data as to how many elevator pitches were made, how much money was invested and what were the returns? Have you ever heard of Warren Buffet making an investment decision based on an elevator pitch, yet there is no one more successful as an investor over the long term than him. The danger for the pitcher is even greater. Fortunately, at this point, the epidemic has not crossed over to the manufacturing sector and the so called angel investors have not placed manufacturing on their horizon. It is bound to happen sooner than later. Traditionally, the manufacturing sector depends on banks for funding. Banks, public or private, want a detailed explanation as to why an entrepreneur thinks that his project will make money for himself after taking care of the bank’s interest, or will not cause any loss. I believe banks have a
‘safety first’ policy – of course, the Kingfishers of this world are exceptions to this rule. To make this explanation, an entrepreneur has to think of every aspect of his project. In the process, he will possibly iron out a few glitches. He has to spend time connecting his strategy to his financials, employment to output and investment to profits expected. All this, if done properly, ensures that the entrepreneur has considered almost all factors; the data sheets required to be completed are standard and time tested. The formats are designed to ensure that the viability of the project is tested. All in all, a huge assistance to any entrepreneur. The focus of elevator pitches, EBITDA calculations, burn rate of cash etc. is to inform the investor when he should sell his stake in the targeted Company irrespective of what is happening to the company so as to make
a killing. The focus in both the approaches is different. One looks at viability of an idea over the long term while the other looks at appreciation of investment based on the idea. In case the idea fails to meet the targeted return within a specific time frame, the “angel investor” will dump it, consider it a bad idea and move on. Not so in the case of banks, they will try to revive the investment, restructure the loans, maybe infuse fresh capital and make the investment viable. In some instances, they will be forced to allow a closure, eg: company making black and white TVs. Do not focus on the elevator pitch and lose out on the long ride. Do not focus on valuations, EBITDA and stake sales at the start of your entrepreneurship venture. Focus on building a company, a brand, a product and valuations will follow. Why, even investors will follow you
LETTER FROM AMERICA
Politicians are prone to make promises when they contest elections. You know this syndrome as you have watched the election assurances made by Indian politicians as they toured their constituencies during the recent national election
The Black & White of Barack Obama The Columnist talks about the making and the wane of Barack Obama’s popularity
Jay Dehejia The Writer used to be a senior corporate executive, now a social entrepreneur. He spends most of his time between Goa and New York jay@dehejia.net
B
arack Husain Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States in 2008 with an overwhelming majority. He is the first AfricanAmerican to become President of the United States. The country was then at war with Afghanistan and Iraq where many young American men and women were being killed, and unending wars were costing the United States over one billion dollars a day. The American economy was spiralling down as the financial sector was in a meltdown. Even before he took office, Barack Obama and his team started working on two fronts – of trying to end the wars and finding ways to stop the recession from getting worse. Americans and the world at large had great expectations that Obama would bring order to the world. Today, the President is in the second year of his second term in office, and Americans generally appear to be unhappy with him. Has Obama failed, or is it a perception of the few? Politicians are prone to make promises when they contest elections. You know this syndrome as you have watched the election assurances made by Indian politicians as they toured
their constituencies during the recent national election. As the new Indian government takes office many Indians will wonder what happened to the pledges made in the last few weeks. It is difficult to analyze whether election promises can be converted into actual governing. In the last six years, President Obama has managed to keep 45% of the promises he made. He had to compromise on 25% and has broken 22%. We can say that this is not great but an acceptable record. It is interesting to compare data from this year with the time when President George W. Bush left office. In 2009, the Dow Jones Index was at 7947 while it is now at 16,459; unemployment figures have moved down from 7.8% to 6.7%. GDP growth was a negative 5.4% in 2009 while in 2014 it has gone up to a positive 4.1%, and consumer confidence has risen from 37.7% to 78.1%. These numbers appear to indicate that the United States economy is improving and that the population at large is happier than they were during the previous President’s term. We would say that the President has been successful. This does not seem to reflect in the popularity rating for Obama, when he took office his approval rating was at 69%; it is now at 41%. If one is to break this down by subgroups, the problem may become clearer. Democrats give Obama an approval rating to 85% while Republicans rate him at 20%. Blacks and non-whites give the President a positive rating of around 80% while the white population has him at 34%. The biggest issue that any elected official faces is that the expectations of the general population run high soon after an election. Many have little understanding of how the legislative branch can stymie the plans of the executive branch of the government. Soon after
Obama was elected President, the leader of the Republican opposition in the Senate appears to have vetoed most initiatives of the Obama administration. The Republican led Congress, at one stage, voted to close down the government, sending all Federal workers home without pay, when they themselves continued to get their full compensation. The same Party voted to eliminate ‘food stamps’ for the poor while they continued to get subsidized food at the Congressional restaurants! The Republican members of the Senate and Congress continue to veto raising the minimum wage proposed by Obama when the richest 1% receives tax breaks on their investment portfolio. Many Republicans still believe that Obama’s signature achievement of the “Affordable Care Act” is bad for the country and its citizens even when Senators and Congressmen get subsidized health insurance paid by the taxpayers. The list of vetoes is long; governing is difficult. President Obama has not managed to govern as well as one had expected. He appears to be a ‘loner’ and unable to negotiate with the opposition members of Congress. Jennifer Ruth’s article in the ‘Washington Post’ of March 24th judges him thus: “President Obama’s thin skin and overarching ego made no allowance for independentminded advisers in the second term. Only political flacks would do, and that is precisely what he got. To expect critical judgment and political courage from such
a crowd would be asking too much.” Foreign affairs have seen some major failures as well. His indecision on helping the rebels in Syria in the early days of the conflict has resulted in Taliban related elements taking control of the Syrian ‘freedom’ movement. Barack Obama’s stance against Russia in their annexation of Crimea appears to be weak at this time. Bilateral relations with India that were at their peak during the Bush era have been under a cloud for the last few years under Obama. It has to be seen how relations between the US and India may change as India’s new government takes charge. President Obama’s second term will end in January 2016 giving him less than two years to leave this country in better shape than when he took office in early 2009. It is our belief that, on the domestic front, if he is able to raise the minimum wage, increase job opportunities for the young, and manage energy security in concert with his environmental protection policies, Obama will leave the United States in a better economic situation. On foreign affairs, if he can secure a nuclear treaty with Iran, and avoid another ‘cold war’ with Russia, he will leave the world a safer place. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to push his agenda, and whether the empowered Republicans will allow him that opportunity remains to be seen. As India embarks on its path with the new government it is imperative for all to remember that promises made during election campaigns do not always convert in to how India is governed and how the government is allowed to function by the new Parliament. Democracy is complex, but let us all ensure that the will of the majority and not that of the vocal few prevails both in the United States and in India MAY 2014
Business Goa 43
PEOPLE TREE
“If we have to stick to the holistic definition of succession planning, then it should not just limit to ‘taking over’ from your superior, this dilutes the cause because
Indigenous Succession Planning The Columnist discusses how organizations build indigenous succession planning with a live case study of Durguesh Angle
Kishore Shah The Writer is a organisational development and talent analytics consultant. He is also the founder sponsor of Goa CSR awards shahkishorem@gmail.com
T
his article attempts to highlight how various organizations in their growth, development and evolution journey build their own management techniques both for survival and excellence. A collective document built on content analysis, participant observations and in depth interview techniques which attempts to weave a fabric out of such individuals strands may be termed as insights to ‘indigenous management’ This article focuses on an intervention called ‘Succession Planning’. There might be a genetic compulsion and or cultural bearing that life must propagate; it may be the very nature of our ‘nature’ that we reproduce. Succession planning is an expression of life continuity and thus, has deep biological roots, which over a passage of time, got internalized into our 44 Business Goa
MAY 2014
very social system. To understand it in the here and now context, I decided to meet Durguesh Angle who Heads HR in a multinational company, as I was aware of the fact that Angle was a key team member at the 3rd Asia Pacific HRM Regional conference recently held in Goa. Durguesh is also the General Secretary of Verna Industries Association, Joint Secretary of National Institute of Personnel Management, Goa Chapter and was conferred Goa Management Association’s “Young Manager of the Year Award”. The idea was to get some ground reality insights about this topic from a seasoned HR personnel (the views expressed are his personal views and not on behalf of any forum or organization that he belongs to). Here are some questions we posed to Durguesh Angle to get more insight through his experiences and experiments.
Durguesh Angle in conversation with Kishore Shah
Q: Your thoughts on ‘Indigenous success planning’? A: Succession plan is not at all a new term, it has been there for ages and in HR, it comes in various forms and shapes, but at the heart of it, it is a noble purpose, as it aims at maintaining ‘business continuity’ and ‘futuristic growth’ and this becomes very critical to those organizations who are in the area of ‘life saving’ products and services, as the answerability to various stake holders and specially to end customers is multifold and hyper sensitive. A shrinking tolerance with reference to time leaves practically very small room
for learning and settling down for any role incumbent in such situations. It leaves us with fewer options but to adopt ‘Succession Planning’, at least for a few critical positions on the higher levels of hierarchy where all four factors are interdependent namely ‘Knowledge, Attitude, Skills and Habits’ Q: Share your own experiences of succession planning and its success? A: “If we have to stick to the holistic definition of succession planning, then it should not just limit to ‘taking over’ from your superior. This dilutes the cause because one should not forget about the larger picture which should focus on ‘business continuity’ ‘futuristic growth’ and ‘stake holders trust and expectations’. The first taste of succession planning in its true form came when I was in the Commercial department at Titan Time Products Ltd at Verna. The then unit head P K Vatsa was a very observant leader who spotted my potential and offered me a chance to be a part of HR. This was indeed a shock for me as I was not equipped with any formal qualification in HR and had worked for over half a decade in Commercial, Procurement, IT and Business Excellence. I accepted the cross functional shift but the other important factor that made this shift successful was the mentoring support from my functional superior P Arun Kumar who used to then head the HR department and was an expert in HR systems. At Titan, it was sort of 360 degree handholding culture for any such cross functional movements. The execution started bearing fruits without much hiccups and issues. I also started enjoying as I could resonate and felt like I could
express my core DNA without any doubt or fear. My experience in commercial department also complemented my new role. I personally feel this was the finest succession planning case in my life as it gave me a platform to explore my DNA and blend it with Organizational need. Q: If you were to design and implement ‘succession plan, how would you do it? A: In my view organizations should practice the following steps: 1. To formulate a strategy with a clear picture of the numbers and type of people that are required to drive the business in the future. 2. Identify the key positions in the organisation with regards to business continuity. 3. Use state of art ‘Talent Analytics’ and ‘Talent Management’ techniques. 4. For new recruitments, one should check fitment with all possible roles. And not just one post, comprehensive reference checks is mandatory. 5. During the transition, both the employer and the role incumbent should share and start owning up responsibilities and tasks. These projects/ stretch assignments should be ear-marked with increasing complexity. 6. Superiors should extend unconditional support to the incumbent in the capability development through coaching or mentoring. 7. If the organization has any prior success stories, the process should be documented and ‘areas of excellence’ built over it. 8. From the point of view of successors, there is no alternative for transparency and building trust. People will start relating much faster than the expectations which indicates that one has now truly integrated.
one should not forget about the larger picture which should focus on ‘Business continuity’, ‘futuristic growth’, and ‘stake holders trust and expectations.” Q: Your message to the management students specializing in HR and your HR colleagues in other organization? A: For management students, I strongly feel that they should sense the organization before directly jumping to any judgments and learn the practical aspects along with the theory, as management is a practicing science. To my colleagues in HR, I strongly feel that they should work on co-operative values, contribute to associations like NIPM, NHRD build a collective repository of cases, to reinvent the wheel. If we share our best practices through a collective platform of interaction, it will improvise our present and make us more ready for the future. As the conversation with Durguesh came to an end, I realized, through this heart to
Succession planning should explore unfolding the potential and encourage cross functional movements and not just aim at uni-directional upward career progression heart talk, that, to make any intervention successful, the epicentre is one’s conviction, commitment and an indigenous management process. One can experience the emotional turmoil and trauma of both, the one who is moving out and the one who is moving in. We need to make the best of the overlap time zone which could be few years/months such that the person leaving the unit does
www.twitter.com/businessgoa
not feel lonely and lost. Also, the organization’s worry about ‘what next?’ is taken care of along with a smooth transition for the one who is moving in the role. We need to design and value our own indigenous processes as evident from the conversation with Durguesh which is elaborated below: 1. Succession planning should explore unfolding the potential and encourage cross functional movements and not just aim at uni-directional upward career progression. 2. Planning for the ‘transition phase’ in succession planning is the turning point i.e. the phase out for the predecessor and the phase in for the incumbent have to be provided with both, emotive and cognitive comfort and security . 3. There should be an extended support by making the phasing out predecessor as part time consultant and should be made
available on an on call basis. This serves as excellent ‘back up’ during any crisis situation. 4. Day to day supportive work culture will be of paramount importance as that is where succession gets internalized faster. 5. Keeping everybody into the ‘trust loop’ enables one and all to groom the incumbent the way we are groomed in our family, not just by our parents but also by our uncles, aunts, grandparents. Variety in stimulus matters. 6. The incumbent himself should have a personal drive and ability to integrate and think beyond career goals and focus on a larger purpose. I am sure this interview will stimulate management academics and management practitioners to see and conceptualize the succession planning from different perspectives keeping indigenous management in place
The best of Goan businesses rely on our creative skills As an advertising agency, we have consistently worked in tandem with our clients and their brands. Our strength is in nailing the communication brief – and achieving a perfect bull’s eye in the market place. No wonder Goa’s best businesses decide to entrust their advertising business to us.
achieving Excellence in Enterprise comes naturally...
ADVE R TI SI N G
409, Citicentre, EDC Patto Plaza, Panaji 403001 Goa. Tel.: 0832-6456555, 2437822 Email: savoirfaire.ad@gmail.com
SavoirFaire
Shrinivas Dempo with the Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award 2014 – India, recognised for his leadership of well-known widely- held calcined petroleum coke major, Goa Carbon Ltd.
...when your company is built on strong values
Enriching shareholder interest, delighting the customer, fostering human capital, giving back to communities and meeting regulatory standards. At Goa Carbon Ltd, we don’t just enshrine the maxim, ‘Satisfied Stakeholders Mean Good Business’. We live it.
Corporate Headquarters: Dempo House, Campal, Panaji, Goa 403001, India. Tel.: 91 832 2441300 Fax: 222 5098 / 222 8588 | www.goacarbon.com E-mail: ceo@goacarbon.com
D EMPO GROUP OF COMPANIES
MAY 2014
Business Goa 45
good company
Entrepreneurs in India are under a lot of pressure to ensure that the innumerable compliances under different legislations are fulfilled on specified due dates. One cannot expect every businessman to be an expert in all the complex requirements of law
Do you need an Internal Auditor? The Writer talks about the importance of periodic internal auditing for smooth functioning of an organisation
Swatee Shere Rane The Columnist is a Practising Chartered Accountant and Member of Institute of Company Secretaries of India caswateerane@yahoo.co.in
V
aibhav owned a small manufacturing unit which produced car accessories. When he started three years ago, he had only five people working in his enterprise and he single-handedly managed all the functions – production, distribution, administration, finance, personnel and marketing. Slowly, as the business grew, and the people he employed and the markets that he served increased, his focus on the various functions and activities of his business blurred. Although he had installed internal check systems, it was increasingly difficult to ensure that these were run effectively. His anxiety mounted, because his bottom line was slowly dwindling and profit ratio dipping. Vaibhav’s control on his business organisation had weakened, and he needed assurance that the control mechanisms which he had installed were effective. How does he get this assurance? An entrepreneur knows all the details of the activities conducted in his business enterprise as much as a mother would know all about her baby’s play and mischief in the cradle. But as the baby grows and starts going to school, he is exposed to 46 Business Goa
MAY 2014
new people and surroundings. Slowly, the mother’s control and influence on her child reduces. Similarly, a businessman’s grip over the various activities of his organisation loosens as his business grows. He then starts seeking professional support of experts who may oversee, review, report and help him tighten his hold on his business. That’s when an Internal Auditor is appointed. The Internal Auditor deals with issues that are fundamentally important to the survival and prosperity of any organisation. He continuously and critically appraises the functioning of an entity and helps to strengthen the overall governance mechanism of the business. The focus of an Internal Auditor is not restricted to what the financial statements reveal, but to wider issues such as the organisation’s survival, sustainability, growth, and the impact of its working on its stakeholders, community and environment. Internal Auditor for review of Internal Control Procedures: We were once approached by the management of a reputed Hotel, which found that the sales collection of the Hotel was reducing, although the room occupancy was increasing. A detailed investigation of the front office operations revealed that the Front Office staff were given authority to allow discounted room tariffs to the guests. Due to this unchecked authority delegated to the Front Office personnel, the hotel rooms were being sold at very low room rates. Thus, the sales proceeds of the Hotel reduced although the volume of sales had increased. Internal Auditor for Fraud Detection: Do you know any business in which there is no danger of fraud? Fraud is an ever present threat to the effective utilisation
of resources. Risk of fraudulent activities has always been an important management concern. An entrepreneur needs to be vigilant 24 x 7 to ensure that there is no fraud taking place. The management of Akash Papers, a leading paper manufacturing company, found that it was rapidly losing its strong market position because the quality of the paper it was manufacturing was deteriorating. Although the marketing and promotion efforts were stepped up, the sales kept falling. Management called its Internal Auditor to investigate. The Auditor discovered that the purchases of raw materials were being made by the purchase manager, who was solely authorised to select the vendor. The management did not review the control procedures for the issue of purchase orders, and the manager kept purchasing from a supplier who was related to him and who supplied low quality materials at a higher price. Internal Auditor for ensuring Compliances: Entrepreneurs in India are under a lot of pressure to ensure that the innumerable compliances under different legislations are fulfilled on specified due dates. One cannot expect every businessman to be an expert in all the complex requirements of law. Non-compliances lead to interest and penalties being charged which in turn increases the expenses and adversely affects the bottom-line. It also creates a lot of harassment and hampers the smooth functioning of the
business. If tax is not deducted at source on specified payments, it leads to expenditure not being allowed as business expenditure. The levy of service tax has become so complicated that not only does a businessman need to collect and pay the tax correctly; he is also expected to pay the reverse charge on specified payments. To add to this, there are various compliances under the labour laws – FEMA regulations, excise, and customs law, and none of which can be ignored. So, how does a businessman ensure that he has complied with all the mandates under the law? And how can he be assured that no compliance officer shall come knocking on his door for unintentional failures? Under such challenging circumstances, appointment of an Internal Auditor assists the businessman in reviewing the internal mechanisms and processes of his organisation so that the compliance requirements are consistently enforced. Internal Auditor for Risk Management: Nowadays, leading organisations are looking for the Internal Audit function to assume a leadership role in assessing and managing the strategic risks of the business. This in turn helps in adding value to the organisation. Since the Internal Auditor reviews and monitors the internal control systems, he is well equipped to identify the strategic and operational risks. He can effectively identify these risks and recommend methods to manage them and improve the operational and overall competence of the business. So, as you struggle to scale up your activities and expand into new markets and products, wouldn’t it be wise to go ahead and appoint an Internal Auditor, whose services would outweigh the additional costs involved in having him on board?
Merces Panjim Mapusa Calangute
Sofa
Office Tables starting at ` 7,500/Safes starting at ` 4,299/-
Bathroom Accessories
Chest of Drawers
Soap Dispensers
Candle Holders
Design Specific Workstations and Cubicals
Storages starting at ` 11,256/Vases
Storage Jars
Designer Mugs
Computer Tables starting at ` 4,500/-
Office Chairs starting at ` 2,700/-
Wooden Trays & Cutlery Holder
Merces
Renovadi, Merces, Goa. +91 832 6634962 to 66
Mapusa
Store Timings: 10:00am - 8:00pm Sunday : 11:00am - 6:00pm For corporate enquiries, please mail at: shopping@cmmgroup.in
Raj Raunak, Shetyewaddo, Duler, Mapusa, Goa. +91 7774004228
what’s up goa
www.facebook.com/businessgoa
100 Windows of Goa exhibition held Henry and Fenesy Nazareth with Governor Wanchoo
‘100 Windows of Goa’ a unique exhibition that celebrated the essence of Goa and all things Goan was inaugurated by Francisco de Braganca, President, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) at the Art Gallery, Kala Academy. Also present at the occasion was honourable Governor of Goa Bharat Vir Wanchoo. Henry and Fenesy Nazareth, the creative brains behind Goa’s unique fashion and lifestyle store ‘O My Goa’ put together this
48 Business Goa
MAY 2014
unique exhibition showcasing products, interiors and a fashion collection inspired by the architectural beauty of windows of old Goan homes. Having done extensive research on the art and architecture of windows of old Goan homes, Henry and Fenesy have incorporated its designs and elements into the various products on display. The exhibition showcased canvas wall art, wooden wall art, lamps, mugs, umbrellas and a capsule collection of garments and lifestyle products. Speaking at the exhibition Fenesy Nazareth said, “We seek to put forth Goan designer products to people who appreciate art, admire the beauty of the land and would love to have that unique Goan something which adds to his/her lifestyle. We feel that Goa lacks in its own designer products and we wanted to do our bit”
Street Food festival at Mekong Lounge and Diner Chef Raj
With the temperatures soaring in May, the team at Mekong Lounge and Diner, in Miramar above Pan Asian Bowl are going to notch it up by few more degrees. With the support and guidance of Corporate Chef Raj, Mekong will be transformed into a street food hub. The food will be on display for you to choose from and the chefs will prepare the dishes in a variety of sauces. The different styles of Oriental food will be showcased through
each preparation either BBQ, grilled or most exciting, on the Hot Lava Rock griller. At this ultimate street food celebration, explore the influence of Asian cuisine, culture and travel by feasting your way through Asia’s diverse cuisines and cultures without leaving the magnificent space of the only lounge in The City. “Street Food is a worldwide phenomena showcasing the best of each culture in an unadorned space”, says General Manager Rajan Kamat. “By bringing this food to our space we want to show that street food is considered to be the best way to sample the local nuances of cultures through the cuisine”. At the Mekong Street Food Festival you can also try your hand at making your own dishes from a variety of sea food, meats and vegetables and sauces
www.twitter.com/businessgoa
Inimitable Italian Fare at Goa Marriott
Chef Alfonso Montefusco
Goa Marriott Resort & Spa hosted the ultimate slice of Italy with ‘An Italian Sojourn’, a marvelously authentic Italian Food Festival featuring visiting Italian Chef Alfonso Montefusco from the Bangalore Marriott. Diners reveled in the gastronomic magic of the Land of Ravioli, with myriad dining options to choose from. While The Waterfront Terrace and Bar held a plethora of scrumptious Italian specialties included in its formidable buffet, Simply Grills delighted its customers with an exquisite a la carte Italian fare. From Antipasti
like Beef Carpaccio, Burrata (Sea Bass Tartar) and FrittoMisto (Calamari, zucchini, prawns) to the subtle but delicious flavours of Soups such as Caciucco (Seafood Soup) and Minestrone. The Pasta and Rice offerings included Gnocchi, Ravioli, Tortelli and Panzerotti, and Mains like Spigola (Sea bass steak), Pollo (Diavola cooking style baby chicken) and Scottadita (Australian lamb chops)had patrons singing mamma mia before they knew it! Also a part of the festival were exquisitely sinful desserts like theTiramisu and Gelato which provided a fitting end to this edible symphony! Making the festival truly memorable was the unique opportunity to learn Italian cuisine under the expert guidance of Chef Alfonso at the Viva Italia Cooking Classes which had participants whipping cream and flipping ravioli with ease!
MAY 2014
Business Goa 49
community living
Seeking to synergize the Group with experienced mentors, Professor Madhav Gadgil, well known in the field of science and ecology of the Western Ghats, was invited as ‘Mentor of the Month’ who interacted with the young group with keen interest on possible next steps
Youth leaders from Goa inducted as Global Shapers of Panjim Hub The Global Shapers Panjim Hub was set up this year in February with Tallulah D’Silva as its Founding Curator. The following youth (between the age group of 20-30) have been inducted as its first set of Shapers - Mrinmayee Thakur (Student, Goa College of Architecture), Atul Sinai Borkar (Research Associate at Mhadei Research Centre), Krystal Cardozo (Coordinator, School Book Treasury of Bookworm Children’s Library), Fabian Franco (Caritas Centre for Responsible Tourism), Anwesha Singbal (Freelance Journalist and Konkani Poetry Writer), Chandrakant Shinde (Research Associate – Centre for Environment Education, Teacher at Manovikas School), Tarika Kiran (Children with Special NeedsInstitute Piedade), Raghuvir Mahale Purohit (CIBA Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration), Varad Sabnis (Assistant Professor of History/ Archaeology, Chowgule College), Nitish Wagle (Business/
IT Entreprenuer). At its first meeting on the 5th of April, this month, the Shapers discussed issues like garbage, littering, pollution of water bodies and ground water, urban forestry, traffic congestion, etc and presented possible solutions like decentralized bio gas systems, segregation of waste and need for bins at key locations, grey water recycling using plants, bioremediation of creeks and lakes, urban tree conservation, walkability and cycling with a focus on generating benefits to the local community. Seeking to synergize the group with experienced mentors and leaders, Professor Madhav Gadgil, well known in the field of science and ecology of the Western Ghats, was invited as ‘Mentor of the Month’ who interacted with the young group with keen interest on possible next steps. Sujeet Dongre, CEE also shared his thoughts by drawing focus to climate change and pledged his support to future initiatives by the Shapers
T
he World Economic Forum (WEF) is a multi-stakeholder platform, established by Professor Klaus Schwab and famous for its iconic annual meeting in Davos where world leaders and change makers congregate each January. The WEF is a forum committed to ‘improving the state of the world’ as per its mission statement. Bringing together business leaders, academia, and government stakeholders, the World Economic Forum allows international dialogue to shape regional and international agendas. Recognising that youth had emerged as a key demographic
over the past few years, the WEF launched the Global Shapers Community (GSC) with the aim to empower and gather youth of leadership calibre under this initiative, which would call upon youth to address key issues through innovative dialogue and projects. The Global Shapers Community with its head office in Geneva-Switzerland is organised in over 300 city-based Hubs, each with its own decentralised governance structure, and is a strong international network of youth leaders – not of tomorrow, but of today.
health & wellness
Dempo Healthcare inaugurates Advanced Healthcare & Rehab Centre at Miramar
D
empo Healthcare recently inaugurated its Advanced Healthcare and Rehab Centre in Miramar which focuses on bridging the gap between fragmented General Practitioner (GP) services and highly expensive super-specialist hospital care, by creating a single point of care for everyday healthcare needs. The health centre includes consulting, diagnostics and pain management services, all under one roof. Technical Head Sandeep Joshi said “Our aim is to bridge the gap between a patient and hospitals. We rehabilitate patients suffering from chronic pain, post-operation and postnatal syndromes. The idea is to enable quick recoveries to help one move on with their lives. This 50 Business Goa
MAY 2014
Rajesh Dempo and Shrinivas Dempo look on as Vishwasrao Dempo inaugurates the health venture. Also seen are Bhakti Dempo, Yatish Dempo and Akshaya Dempo
100 per cent safe technology is a substitute to pain killers.” The new Laser Therapy System will be used to treat patients with the most advanced therapy techniques for pain
management, both chronic and acute pain. HealthX Lasers are non-drug therapy using natural light energy to stimulate cell recovery in the body very quickly. This type of medical Laser is
known as either “Cold Laser” or “Low Level Laser” (LLLT) and can treat almost 100 different types of medical conditions such as pain, inflammation, wound healing, swelling, bruising, strains, sprains, sports injuries, chronic conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis, diabetic foot ulcers and much more. In addition to these laser therapies, the health centre also boasts of a state-ofthe-art pathology lab where comprehensive tests for blood sugar, lipid profile to full health check-ups are conducted. GP services are also available at the health centre with consulting doctors available during certain days of the week. The health centre will also offer home services for collection of blood samples, physiotherapy, etc.
BON APPÉTIT
The Brasserie AT CLUB GASpar dias, miramar
A rare union of Goan and Awadhi fare Fancy an Indian food experience? Go down to The Brasserie which offers the best of Indian Cuisine. Monaliza Dias tastes the incredible cuisine flavours. And if you are a fish loving person, you will surely finish every last morsel on your plate. Almost every restaurant serving Indian cuisine serves butter chicken, but The Brasserie stays true to its essence. The dish is tossed in honey ensuring a lingering sweet and spicy flavour. Another great gravy dish was their Awadhi specialty, Karachi Handi. A contrast from the butter chicken, this dish is all about tender chicken pieces and Khada masala. After being offered the best of Goan and Awadhi cuisine, I still had one last round to go through, one that is served unfailingly in every Goan household – rice, curry and fish. That aromatic basmati rice, the flavourful prawn curry and
The lawns at The Brasserie
L
ocated just off Miramar beach, Club Tennis de Gaspar Dias is an ideal place to spend those lazy evenings, especially weekends. In fact, their poolside offering, The Brasserie, a multi-cuisine restaurant specializing in Goan sea food and Awadhi cuisine makes for a perfect reason to head there. After the success of their Porvorim-based NH 17 Kitchen and Bar and The Kebab Corner in Panjim, Girish Desai made a prudent decision of establishing The Brasserie, which is dedicated purely to local Goan seafood and Avadhi cuisine and yet, easy on pockets. Most of what the restaurant has to North Indian delights
52 Business Goa
MAY 2014
offer is our own local cuisine consisting of fresh seafood specialities alongside some long forgotten home delicacies like the prawn and tisryo dangars. Complimenting the Goan delicacies is a range of specialties inspired from the Awadh region – food with a distinctive Mughal cooking technique. The Chefs of Awadh transform the traditional Dastarkhwan with elaborate dishes like kebabs, kormas, kaliyas, romali rotis and the likes. The restaurant also has on its menu a bestseller, the ‘Dum Biryani’, which is cooked over a light fire, one of the best and most-loved exports of Awadhi cuisine. The Brasserie offers not only the best of Goan seafood and Avadhi cuisine, but aims to relive century old recipes for patrons to indulge in. The food is so exquisite and that it’s almost like dining with Nawabs and patraos themselves. My dining experience started off with the refreshing mocktail Blue Lagoon, a mixture of blue curacao, Sprite and soda also the Cindrella, a sweet blend of
Fried Kingfish
citrus fruits. Both were ideal to beat the summer heat. A highly recommended dish by Operations Manager, Sunil Kapoor was the Mutton Galouti Kebab which leaves a smooth blend of spices in your mouth. Next came the Prawns Dangar which really brought to life each and every ingredient in the mix. The Paneer Shahi Kebab, meanwhile, was a perfect vegetarian snack with a paneer base and a cornflake crust. After this marvellous start, I was served every Goan’s favourite sea food – kingfish. The delicate Kingfish Calderado is an exciting stir of spicy
the well marinated Kingfish rawa fry, it was an absolute treat. And after this, for a sweet experience, I was offered a bowl of my favourite, Serradura. Indeed, a perfect finale to my gastronomically exciting experience. Every dish at The Brasserie relives cuisine that is centuries old, right from the food of the Nawabs of Lucknow down to our local varieties. If you are in the mood for an experience similar to mine, The Brasserie is the place to go. With a wide variety of vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes to pick and choose from, it is indeed a foodie’s delight
GOABUZZ
www.facebook.com/businessgoa
Business Goa Awards 2014: A dazzling evening
Shivanand Salgaocar
Nandan Kudchadkar
Ralph de Sousa
Ashwini Kakkar and Harsh Bhatkuly
Neville Umrigar, Sabita Dhanrajgir, Anuta, Zahan
Bhakti Dempo
Rohan Khaunte
Dr. Sunil Rai
Dilip Salgaocar
Jaco Le Roux
Caroline de Sousa
Atul Pai Kane
Beate Mauder
Pics: FOTo kada and aliston dias
Narayan Bandekar
The NRB Group presents Business Goa Awards for Corporate Excellence 2014 were hosted with grandeur and pomp. In all, 24 awards were presented amidst thundering applause by the crowds. From industry captains like Shivanand Salgaocar, Anil Counto, Ralph de Sousa and Dilip Salgaocar to Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni, Miss India Sabita Dhanrajgir and her husband Neville Umrigar, the awards brought together the who’s who of industry and society for a night of celebrations. The event also saw travel and tourism industry biggie Ashwini Kakkar deliver the keynote address as Chief Guest. Also presence was his wife Beate Mauder
Mac and Marusha Vaz
Hanish Timblo Harshvardhan and Urvija Bhatkuly
Datta Damodar Naik
Vaishali Joshi
Nitin Kunkolienkar
Ashish Prabhu Verlekar
Anand and Sheetal Palan
Dinar Bhatkar
Manguirish Pai Raikar
Gaurapriya Pai kane
Keshav (Babu) Kamat
Devdas and Shaila Naik
Kirit Maganlal
Sushant Tari
Abhit Naik
54 Business Goa
MAY 2014
Naval and Priyanka Naik
Shobit Gupta
www.twitter.com/businessgoa
Sanjay Sardesai
Seenu Kurien
Gaurish Dhond
Lisa Menezes
Narayan Bandekar and Harshvardhan Bhatkuly
Anil Counto Saloni Naik
Dr Vinaykumar Raikar
Alan Viegas
Pooja Lawande and Abhishek Karmali
Lata Bhatkuly
Rajkumar Kamat
Karishma Verlekar
Sheetal and Sunil Pai Kane
Parag Joshi
Yogirag and Neha Kamat
Kishore Shah
Anil kher
Denzil Xavier
Betty Remedios
Pradnya Naik
Ajay Sardesai
Khalil Ahmed
Swatee Rane
Krishnakant Kamat
Kanchan Desai
Rakesh Gopal
Rajesh Jog
Tallulah and Rajiv D’Silva
Syne Coutinho
Bindiya Dempo
Mahesh Prabhu
Samir Dukle
Dorothy Albuquerque
Ashton Godinho
Gaurav Counto and Sahil Advalpalkar
Amit Bandekar
Toral Gosalia MAY 2014
Business Goa 55
GOABUZZ
www.facebook.com/businessgoa
Shane Francis
Kishore Kamat
Andrea Maganlal
Shweta Desai
Naguesh Rao Sardessai
Gautam Verlekar
Amol and Asha Arondekar
Manisha and Sajjan Batcar
Manish Karapurkar
Dr. Muriel Sequeira
Girish Sardessai
Sapna Shinde
Desiree Alemao
Nidhi Kenkre
Parvish Andani
Aakash Counto
Swapnil Kamat
Sanat Poy Raiturcar
Allwyn D’Costa
Sean Faia and Diana Braganza
Goa has just raised its fashion quotient
designer sarees bridal wear
N OW AT T H E G O A M 56 Business Goa
MAY 2014
www.twitter.com/businessgoa
Atmaram Nadkarni
Kedar Dhume
Preeti Sheth
Arvind Ghatkar
Rajesh and Sasmira Colvalcar
Reema and Krushnan Naik
Arup Angle
Kabir Pinto Makhija
Dr L U Joshi
Prashant Shinde
Manisha Kenkre Salkar
Ramakant Kamat
Dr Sangam Kurade
Priya Prabhu Verlekar
Dr Hemangini Shah
Pritam Verlekar
Raghu Shetiye
Adrian da Cunha
What with two of India’s most celebrated fashion labels in town!
SavoirFaire
r cocktail dresses bridal gowns
M A R R IOT T RESORT MAY 2014
Business Goa 57
GOABUZZ
www.twitter.com/businessgoa
Meghana and Manoj Caculo
Sushanta Naik
Rajesh Kenkre
Dr Radhika Nayak
Nitin Desai
Sapna Sardessai
Raunaq Rao
Rajiv Nevgi
Sangana Gosalia
Manisha Sardesai
Sanjeev Salvi
Satyen Keny
Sharad Sardessai
Shweta Dukle
Shiva Baba Naik
Sharmila Umesh
Neeraj Gupta
Sayuli Pai Raikar
Shashank Mahatme
Sanjeeta Bhonsle
Divya Lunia
Pratima Dhond
Shruti Poy Raiturcar
Siddharth Zantye
Valentine Vaz
Prakash Kamat
Surendra and Ruth Furtado Sanjay Bharne
Umesh Padmanabha
Turanz Grace
Tony Dias
Manish Gosalia
Varsha Pai Raikar
Rasik Naik
Vikram Verlekar
Skitter Faia
Devisha Bhatia, Valerie Fernandes and Elwynne D’Souza
58 Business Goa
Sajini da Costa
MAY 2014
Conrad Stephen
TEAM BUSINESS GOA: Monaliza Dias, Sigmund D’Souza, Alisha Patel, Aliston Dias, Annalise Gouveia, Rachel Fernandes and Govit Morajkar
Co lo ur s of S u mm e r
Now at the G o a Mar r i o tt R es o r t SavoirFaire
GOABUZZ
www.facebook.com/businessgoa
Former Miss India Sabita Dhanrajgir opens her designer store in Goa Pics: Tejal Mahambre
After satiating the wardrobe appetite of the rich and famous, former Miss India, Sabita Dhanrajgir Umrigar, the granddaughter of Raja Dhanrajgir of Hyderabad along with her husband Neville and her fashion designer daughter Zara have set up base in Goa. They recently launched their exclusive stores at the Goa Marriott Resort and Spa. The stores house three unique and prestigious brands – Sabita Dhanrajgir, Zara Umrigar and Christina, thus bringing to the State the finest and highest quality products. Christina is a classy boutique launched by Sabita’s son Zahan and daughter-in-law, Anutha Umrigar. The boutique, which prides itself on being more than a place to shop and a way of life for the fashionable, boasts of a strong presence in the metros of Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore and now has set sight on revolutionizing the Goan fashion scene, too. Aiming to introduce luxury fashion in Goa, the stores offer patrons an exclusive collection of fashion wear to choose from. The Sabita Dhanrajgir label offers an exclusive collection of bridal wear including sarees in chiffon and georgette with intense and intricate hand embroidery with sequins, pearls and Swarovski crystals. Meanwhile, the Zara Umrigar label boasts of a more contemporary collection which is a mélange of regal grace with overtones of funk. Here you can take your pick from short dresses as well as gowns with embellishments along the neckline and waist. Zara has beautifully experimented with stretch net and chiffons and her colour choices are bold and strong. The brand Christina specialises in exquisite silk blouses and shirts, scarves, ties, dupattas (long, thin scarves for draping), and silk-edge purses and wallets. Only at the Goa Marriott Resort Zara Umrigar
Deviya Rane
Neelam Khaunte
Nandini Sahai
Zahan and Anuta Umrigar
Sabita Dhanrajgir
Sonali Amonker
Neville Umrigar
Akshaya Dempo
Ila Karapurkar
Vinita Bandekar
Collection at Christina
Sonal Kakodkar
Saachi, Sonali, Aaryan and Vineet Raut
subscribe to the Voice of Business in Goa
60 Business Goa
MAY 2014
Ranju Alex
NEWSMAKERS
www.facebook.com/businessgoa
Jaco le Roux appointed General Manager of Grand Hyatt Goa
Edwin Pinto enters in a collaboration with ideaz Unlimited
Jaco le Roux was recently appointed as General Manager of the Grand Hyatt Goa. With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he has worked with the Hyatt Group world over as General Manager, Director of Food and Beverage, Executive Assistant Manager and is well qualified with the hotel’s strategies and policies. He started his career in 1994 after which his impeccable skills have taken him across the globe, where he has worked with some of the most revered names in the hospitality industry. Apart from working in his home country, South Africa, he has also worked and managed 5-star chains in various locations like Muscat, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Moscow, Belgrade and London. Prior to joining Grand Hyatt Goa, Le Roux was General Manager of Hyatt Regency Oubaai Resort & Spa for three years
In an attempt to involve the Goan community in a creative exercise, Edwin Pinto, proprietor of Janota Goa, has teamed up with Kishore Shah, Director, ideaz Unlimited. This union brings together intellect and adventure from Kishore’s bookstore and adventure gear and beauty and creativity through shoes, Edwin is looking forward to strong support from the people. Talking more about this collaboration, Edwin states that apart from selling their shoes, they will be conducting regular workshops including music and ‘wealth out of waste’. He also reveals that the idea for the collaboration grew over a period of time after Kishore and he were introduced through the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “The only way forward for small entrepreneurs is through collaborations. I want to promote craft and craftsmen. The main idea behind the collaboration is to celebrate creativity,” Edwin says
Nirmal Kulkarni receives Lokmat Gaurav Award Noted wildlife ecologist, Nirmal Kulkarni recently received the Lokmat Gaurav Award 2014 in the Environment category at the hands of MLA Vishnu Surya Wagh at a function held at Kala Academy. Elated on receiving the award, a ‘people’s choice award’, Nirmal thanked everyone who voted for him for placing their trust in his works and that of his team. He said “I would like to thank my wife Assavri, my parents, close friend Devadatta Naik, Vaibhav Kandalgaonkar, Gowri Mallapur and my teams at Mhadei Research Center, Hypnale Research Station and Wildernest Nature Resort for being by my side always. I also thank close friends, colleagues and mentors whose guidance I have received”
Nitin Kunkolienkar appointed National Vice President of MAIT In a rare honour for a Goan, Nitin Kunkolienkar of Smartlink Network Systems Ltd, has been appointed National Vice President of the Manufacturers Association of Information Technology (MAIT). Being one of the top hardware organisations in the country, the MAIT comprises of members from leading companies such as HP, Lenovo, Canon, HCL, Dell, Microsoft, Google etc. Kunkolienkar has been actively involved in the organization’s functioning in various positions. He was Chairman of the Western Region for the last four years as well as Chairman of the Legal and Taxation committee. He has also been a member of the National Council. He has been an instrumental team member in working with the Government on different IT policies. Speaking on his appointment, Kunkolienkar said that he was truly honoured that his hardwork for the organization has been recognised. “It is a dream come true for me as I always dreamed of representing a National body after all my work for the State of Goa. I will always endeavour to make transforming changes in the electrical hardware manufacturing industry on the country 62 Business Goa
MAY 2014
Parvish Kamat chairs CII Western Region Indian Women Network CII Western Region has launched a special initiative for women in the corporate and business arena across the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Goa. Coined as Indian Women Network (IWN), the initiative aspires to bring together women throughout their careers to empower them, engage with them and enable them to rise to the best of their capabilities through training, mentoring and the creation of an associative model that all professional women can benefit from. The Goa Unit of the IWN is being led by Parvish Andani Kamat, Proprietor, Anka Services, Marketing Communication Consultancy. The Network will work with women at different stages of their career; especially those who would like to get back to their career post a sabbatical
quiz
59
1. Which 2013 film is based on the life of a stockbroker named Jordan Belfort? 2. Launched at the Auto Expo 2014, the name of which Maruti Suzuki offering means “heavenly river”, according to the company? 3. The ‘jousting knights’ logo is the brand identity of which German company? 4. Which is the world’s largest-selling toy? 5. Under what brand name does Bata sell shoes for young children? 6. Identify this South India based media baron Answers to BG Quiz 58 1.India’s first private port 2.R K Shanmugham Chetty 3.Ranbaxy 4.John Thompson 5.Saudi Aramco 6.Boost 7.Raghuram Rajan
Email your entries to businessgoa.media@gmail.com First all correct entry will get 1 year’s subscription to Business Goa