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Editor’s Note N
FOR THEM, SUCCESS IS A JOURNEY
ow that we have ushered in the New Year with new hopes and are working towards new goals, here is more cheer to your fervour via our speciallycurated edition for you. Our last two editions garnered us a whopping response. And this edition is anything but a testimony to the fact that no disruption can prevent you from being in focus if you are focused. Hard work, perseverance, creativity, self-belief, and adapting to change are essential requisites for any business to succeed. Our edition throws light on the companies that have set milestones against all odds and during good times. These companies rose to fame with their extraordinary offerings and the determination to be on the top. History has it that the world's most outstanding leaders have always thought out-of-the-box. For them, success is a journey and not a destination. The waves of change that they brought about have changed the landscape of their niche.
Sumita Sarkar Editor-in-Chief
sumita@insightssuccess.com
In this era of cut-throat competition and digitalization, every single moment is precious for growth. Companies exhibiting high-performance is not just customer-centric but also employee-centric. A fierce passion for building such companies is not everyone's cup of tea. We shortlisted companies that fit the bill. We have mapped their journeys of creating a robust market through their consistent prolific streak. While reaching the top is no cakewalk, being on the top consistently is more challenging. Today, as these companies and their leaders bask in the glory of their success, we tell you how they reached where they are. Ignite your entrepreneurial fire amid winter chills by reading this edition and discovering what makes some
companies stand out from the rest. We also insist that you read the articles curated by our in-house writers. We are sure you will enjoy reading these as well. Have an exciting read, be inspired!
C 16 Cheers Creative Agency Celebrating Brands Uniquely
24 Emprada Mines and Minerals
Taking Barite Exports to Newer Heights Efficiently
32 NETSTAIRS
The Staircase to Video Technology and Innovation
O N T E N T
Cover Story
08
Articles 20
28
Editor-in-Chief Sumita Sarkar Deputy Editor Aditya Umale Managing Editor Abhishek Joshi
sales@insightssuccess.com
JANUARY, 2022 Corporate Offices: Designing Head Rashmi Singh Designer Sandeep Tikode
Sr. Vice President Megha Mishra Sr. Sales Manager Tejaswini Whaval Business Development Lead Asif Patel Sr. Business Development Executive Uttam Barun
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Company Name
Management
Brief
Cheers Creative Agency LLP
Monish Mehta, Founder
Cheers Creative Agency LLP help you enter the ever-growing, competitive market with a bang!
Emparda Mines and Minerals
Vikram Akepati, CEO and MD
Emparda is one of the leading exporters both in the national and international market sourcing directly from the world’s single largest Barite mine which is extended over 225 hectares with more than 50 million ton of reserve.
Natural Remedies
Anurag Agarwal, CEO and MD
Natural Remedies is a global animal health company dedicated to support its customers and veterinary fraternity.
Netstairs
Ahmad Moradi, CEO
NETSTAIRS strongly connects creative minds, machine intelligence, AI, and multi-tier cloud integration to bond the world closer in realtime.
Roha Dyechem Pvt. Ltd.
Sunil Kapoor, Managing Director and Founder
ROHA is constantly evolving to serve its clients by co-creating new and innovative solutions that anticipate future requirements and developments.
Shiash Info India Pvt. Ltd.
Ram Gowtham, COO
Shiash Info Solution is a market leader in providing its extensive range of IT consultancy services.
TSC Consultants India Pvt. Ltd
Sanjai Singh, Director
TSC Consultants helps you to solidify your vision and keep in constant contact until your dream is realized!
H
arnessing nature and applying science for health is the essential asset evolving with each passing day. Organic and herbal products are in great demand as it is the safest and most sustainable solution to health-related problems. People are happily shifting towards organic remedies quickly. It is safe to say that organic and herbal health care solutions are becoming an essential part of human and animal life. One such company providing top-notch health solutions is Natural Remedies. Having started in 1998, Natural Remedies is today a pioneer in the herbal animal healthcare industry. Not only is the company one of India's leading manufacturers of herbal animal and human healthcare products, but it also holds the number one position in the herbal segment. It is regarded as one of the top five companies among all animal health care companies in India. In the past 35 years, the company, led by a strong leadership team, has established its presence in over 30 countries, found a state-of-theart Research and Development team, and launched over 20 products with nearly 200 representatives spread across India. The Dynamic Saga An increasing number of mediumsized companies have demonstrated explosive growth over the last few years. One such player is Bengalurubased Natural Remedies (NRPL), steered by Anurag Agarwal and his COO, Narender Reddy. Narender Reddy is a hands-on company veteran who had joined the company as a veterinary sales representative three decades back. He was elevated to the position of COO in June this year.
An inspiring leader and manager par excellence, Narender Reddy (KNR) is one of the youngest COOs in this sector. Having rich hands-on experience, KNR is a seasoned professional in the herbal healthcare industry. A firm believer in doing thorough homework before embarking on a new journey, he exudes positive energy and wisdom. Growing with Every Step Narender started his career with Natural Remedies as a veterinary sales representative three decades back. He considers himself lucky to have received training under the guidance of Anurag Agarwal and other industry stalwarts. Their advice and discipline molded him to be what he is today. He has recently been elevated to the post of COO from that of Commercial Director. He spearheads the Sales, Marketing, Formulation and Development, and Supply Chain Management teams. He is delighted to be part of an organization that nurtures professionals to their potential and gives them a clear career growth path. Some of his other colleagues who had experienced a high growth career at NRPL are heading multimillion organizations outside of NRPL, while many in Natural Remedies have also risen the ranks to lead their departments. NRPL is all about growth and opportunities. Growing to Achieve the Best As Narender mentioned, he was lucky to have been groomed by the best in the industry in the early stages of his career. He continues to follow the path of continued growth with the Founder's inspirational vision, unwavering values, and commitment. His vision
and actions reflect the company's core values and help it to achieve business growth. Future Endeavors Narender firmly believes and follows the maxim, 'Ordinary people with extraordinary efforts produce outstanding results.' For this to happen, he teaches the team at NRPL to be 'geared for anything' and follow the concept of 'organic growth' in an 'inorganic' way. Though he is called a stern taskmaster, he is fair in his appraisals and highly focused on work. He believes one should walk the talk. To make NRPL future-ready, he has selected and groomed a set number of new-gen managers to lead NRPL into the future. The company strongly believes in the 'bottoms up' approach. He prefers and encourages its employees to open up, talk, share their ideas and implement them if it benefits the organization as a whole. In this case, the employees get more confidence and are its brand ambassadors for the new generation. Creating an Impact Uniquely Natural Remedies is steadily enhancing capacity by setting up multiple plants across India to reach out to the farmers at the grass-root level, diversifying its range of products, ushering in advanced technologies, and enhancing quality assurance. Growing at a quick pace, the company is expanding its presence nationally and internationally. The various brands of Natural Remedies continue to enjoy the trust of thousands of consumers for the high quality and innovative benchmarks that they have attained over time. Their value-driven culture has enabled them
to be the preferred manufacturer of herbal healthcare products for other established brands.
keenly. We aim to be a truly global organization in the coming decade," adds Narender.
Shining Bright with Achievements "Though there are many achievements not only set by myself but also our departments, especially our R&D, I have taken the liberty to mention a few here. We have established a state-ofthe-art research and development facility to introduce new products to help animals and their owners/farmers resulting in breakthrough innovations and products," says Narender.
Similarly, the company's turnover has increased four times year on year compared to the industry growth, which very few companies have managed to do. Last but not least, the organization has bagged the prestigious great places to work certification for the third time in a row and India's best workplaces in healthcare and commitment to being a great place to work award.
"We increased the number of partners and distributors overseas as per our set targets and time frame. We now intend to expand to other markets in the coming year. We have a strong presence in 30 countries, starting with the Asia Pacific region. We moved to Europe and are now eyeing the US
Robust Sustainable Trait Worldwide, the animal health industry is growing at a steady 5%, with the demand for organic and sustainable products far higher when compared to India. With international governments also laying out policies emphasizing the usage of chemical-free, residuefree, and antibiotic-free products, Natural Remedies is way ahead in this regard. Its motto is 'Go Green, Be Sustainable.' "Since inception, sustainability has been an integral part of our way of conducting business. Ensuring profitable growth yet remaining sustainable, we consistently work towards reducing carbon footprint with a firm focus on alternate crops with high yields," says Narender. The company also aims to ensure that the environment and farmers are duly benefited. The focus has been on operating with a strong regard for the environment and its sustenance. The company and its partners (farmers) work closely with herbal and natural elements, with responsible management of natural resources an
integral part of the business activities from the very start. As a part of the Being Useful, Natural Remedies support its partners in cultivation, ensure their animals have access to superior health products through the strong R&D, resulting in healthier animals and happy farmers, making them better human beings. The journey of NRPL started in the foothills of the Himalayas, and the team respects and values natural resources immensely. Narender recalls a quote by Mr. Anurag Agarwal wherein he said, "The earth does not belong to human beings, but humans belong to the earth." This is one of the prime reasons why Natural Remedies' emphasis on sustainable development is massive. The company has even formulated a unique 'Herb Secure’ program to adhere strictly to its environmental responsibilities. Herb Secure Program – At its Best The five pillars of the Herb Secure program as devised by them are: • • • • •
Good agricultural practices Good collection practices Good manufacturing practices Good laboratory practices Good quality practices
The Herb Secure program enables the herbs to be sustainably sourced with complete control over the company's quality and supply chain. Though it is not 100 percent 'herbal' in all its products, the team is getting there. Natural Remedies is clear about its goals and will achieve them as its R&D team is working on it constantly.
Going an Extra Mile by Providing Unique Solutions India is unique. Though the farmers’ land holdings are meager as compared to the overseas markets, the team makes it a point to identify the clients’ pain points, sit with them, and cocreate solutions. "As we work closely with them, they automatically know our processes and methodology. Today, many look at us as their 'solution provider' rather than a mere product supply organization," states Narender. Being in the healthcare industry and providing services in dire need has also helped NRPL gain the customers' confidence. During the pandemic's peak, the company went above and beyond to help customers by offering credit and delivering much-needed products within given timelines. Many customers appreciate the company's genuineness, its help to overcome their pain points, methodology, and approach by extending the required technical support and scientifically validated products. All this is a part of the core value i.e., Being Useful. Sustaining the Pandemic "We do not have any written mantra. What has been guiding us is our Founder's vision and values. We change and adopt new methodologies as the situation demands. For example, we told ourselves it is the 'survival of the quickest' post-pandemic, states Narender. The pandemic did take a toll on everyone and has shrunk the global
economy. Though the organization was also affected to an extent, it managed to make a comeback by thinking on its feet, adapting, evolving, and implementing what it felt and knew was right in these given circumstances. To start with, Natural Remedies, a product manufacturing organization, was quick to deploy a select number of employees to the shop floor. It provided them with boarding and lodging facilities. It ensured they were protected from the virus as they stayed inside and completed the assigned jobs while the factory premises was offlimits to everyone else. It then addressed the issue of how to communicate with its customers in India and Overseas. The organization wanted to convey to them that it is here and ready to help them. "We shifted to the virtual mode by launching our in-house virtual universe platform. We reached out to our customers, vendors, and partners on a timely basis, assuring them our full support. We are proud to say we can call ourselves one highly responsive and responsible organization in India," expresses Narender. Industry Know-how "I think I have a distinct advantage when it comes to this industry. I have a professional degree in Poultry Sciences and a management degree from the Indian School of Business," says Narender. This has helped him understand the industry's nuances yet remain passionate about serving the animal healthcare segment by bringing
effective and scientific solutions and addressing commercial farming needs in India and abroad. Change is the only constant, and one has to evolve with the changing times. There are many pain points that every organization has and need to be tackled. This industry is very crucial as it is the healthcare partner between farmers and their animals. "We need to bring in more professionals, shift farmers from unorganized farming to organized farming and ensure no animal is left untreated. We are working towards this goal, and we should definitely see positive changes in the coming years," adds Narender. Due to the increased animal protein consumption by millennials, Natural Remedies is planning to achieve a fourfold growth compared to the industry's average growth. As it expands and grows multifold, it needs and welcomes the next generation to join the workforce. It is indeed exciting times ahead for the organization. The organization believes that keen minds can transform this industry with its well thought best management practices firmly in place.
Agency Celebrating Brands Uniquely
B
rand building and marketing is one of the most solid trends of current times. Digital marketing is setting a ravishing foot in the industry. No matter the size of firms or businesses, every business needs marketing to create a strong impact globally. Creating a benchmark of effective digital marketing solutions, Cheers Creative Agency LLP excels in the limelight with an epoch of experience in creating strategic designing and intelligent thinking. Cheers Creative has never failed to deliver an exceptional quality in its work and its team of enthusiastic and quirky heads holds the potential to elevate your business from the bygone era and steer you into this new digital age. In an exclusive interview with Insights Success, Mr Monish Mehta, Founder of Cheers Creative, gives us information about his firm and the know-how of the digital marketing space. Following are the highlights of the interview.
Kindly mention in detail about your advertising agency, its dynamics, and its inception story. As it is rightly said, 'Goals determine what you're going to be.' For a boy whose focus was always on creativity and animation, I took my passion ahead, I chose Advertising (Mass Media) for graduation and simultaneously learnt animation. This always gave me an upper hand in all the assignments and cultural events.
always smiled, but only the road I walked knows the number of challenges it made me walk. What is a journey without challenges, the very first being and the one which most of us fear 'rejections'? This made me put multiplied effort to understand my clients. From just one client we used to work with at the lowest possible rate to now international clients ready to invest heavily on us, it is truly a journey worth being grateful for.
The next few years of working in an ad agency gave me the required exposure. At the peak of my career as a lead visualiser, I decided to take a wellcalculated decision to start Cheers Creative, and that's how this lifetransforming journey began. A 24 years-old boy was ready to take up challenges as they came, and after a decade of experience, one thing that has kept me going is my attitude towards accepting challenges.
How has the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic influenced your business operations? Like almost all organizations, initially, even we faced issues during the lockdown. However, the only way we could thrive was planning alternatively and motivating our clients to start afresh and with a bang. Plus, digital space was hardly affected; in fact, 'Being Digital' is the best place to be in these times.
What challenges have you faced in your professional tenure? Looking at my list of clienteles, many people have commented saying that the luck has been on your side, and I've
As a creative advertising agency, what steps are you taking to acquire new customers or retain the existing ones in these challenging times of COVID-19?
16 | January 2022 | www.insightssuccess.in
O mantra has always been Qualy is e King We have worked towards offering solutions to clients, helping them sustain the COVID-19 setback. We could do this due to our multi-media exposure, be it print or digital mediums. Acquiring new clients is challenging when there is a global resource crunch. But we have utilised this to our benefit by proposing solutions, which are value for money and result-oriented for our clients. Plus, being an agency with our hands and heads full of projects, we never get much time to upgrade our profiles, my team and I utilised this time to its fullest to build a strong profile and also worked on self-learning and development considering there is so much to learn each day in this digital space. What makes you different from your competitors? Every organisation has its USP; one feature that helps us stand out is our exposure and the experience we have acquired by working with clients across domains, be it fashion, food, sports, entertainment, hospitality, healthcare, automobile, etc. Also, the mediums on which we have worked are wide-ranging. We have experts for Branding, ATL marketing activities, 17 | January 2022 | www.insightssuccess.in
Monish Mehta Founder
BTL marketing activities, web designing, digital marketing, social media marketing, social media management, product packaging, video production, and post- production, etc. Our top clients are Maddock, Castrol, Big 92.7fm, Zee Classis, Window sit entertainment, Craftsvilla, October movie, Tata Memorial Hospital, B Blunt. What kind of challenges have you faced while catering to the advertising business? Setting anything new is challenging. Every hindrance on the road is a new lesson learnt and trust me, it helps in the long run. Right from recruitment to budgets to other operational issues, I've faced it all like any other businessman, but it's ok till the time you manage to deliver the best quality to your client, and they remain unhampered by your challenges. How are you making your creative advertising agency's work environment vibrant in this ongoing pandemic? By being more adaptive and accepting the current trend of the flexible work
environment. We have been compassionate to our employees throughout the pandemic, and that is how we build a long-lasting relationship with them. Our trust towards them has proportionately resulted in their work output and dedication. What advice would you like to give to aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to enter the advertising space now? Only one piece of advice, don't colour your thoughts/ideas. There is a thin line between inspiration and imitation. Try and think out of the box, yet keep in mind the client's budget and requirements. There are ample opportunities in this field. The only way to grab these is by being up to date with the current ever-evolving trends and latest marketing platforms. Where do you envision yourself and your company in the long run, and what are your future goals? Though there are a set of targets and goals that I have set for the company (financially and operationally), I am a strong believer in living today, both personally and professionally. While
there are long-term targets, but my focus is always on 'today'. If I can make my clients happy today, my tomorrow is already filled with success stories. Still, a one-line answer for this question will be, 'to work with clients across all domains from diverse backgrounds and be known as a master of all skills (advertising).’ What is the current scenario of the advertising space in India? The current Indian advertising scenario is full of opportunities considering the growth in the digital space. Today, you don't need to be a 'big bull' with considerable budgets to advertise your brand. Even medium and small organisations can advertise on digital mediums with efficient planning. With the current pandemic and changes in the overall economy, even developed countries are looking at sourcing work to Indian advertising firms. If you've talent and creativity, this field won't let you down.
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The Retail
Evolution - Bric to
Online T
he COVID-19 years had a distressing effect on the retail industry. It is evident that the brick-and-mortar store will have a new role. The role of physical stores looks uncertain as retail has increasingly moved online. Continuous falls in the overall store revenue have posed a huge challenge to physical retailers with high fixed costs. Many retailers filed for bankruptcy as the 2020 pandemic devastated the markets. It further triggered the growth of digitalization that revolutionised retail. The sales grew by 32% during the holiday season, which sent e-commerce flying towards a great future.
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Past and Present
k-and-Mortar
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The most established brands were not prepared for what the 15 months of pandemic tsunami did to the retail market. The retailers did not understand how to provide the same VIP experience they gave while the customer was in-house.
Amazon. The DTC has provided a great opportunity for brands to encounter them directly. For many retailers, it's a great improvement to protect their businesses. When brands plan on a DTC strategy, they keep in mind three objectives.
The wave hasn't fallen back yet. Some retailers think that transformation should be the new normal. A research study by Sitecore states that over ten people in the United States and the US will do most of their Christmas vacation shopping through e-commerce sites this year. That's a tremendous rise for a quarter who have digitalized their retail stores.
Firstly, they get deeper insights into consumer tastes and patterns, which further help manufacturers design better products. There had been a massive change because, through the system of direct feedback about the product and services, the brand knows what the end consumer expects.
It looks quite blooming for industries. But there is always a question of the security posed by the end-customer. Many online retail markets from the US, Australia, and Europe are establishing standards to protect individuals' data and curb the dominance of digital colossal. Apart from protecting data, retailers face other challenges. The e-tailers simply don't have to push their products through a blanket of advertising. But brands need to pull in the targeted consumers with a variety of approaches. Brand loyalty with the shops is a fading concept. Consumers get endless options online; they look for quick and optimized services. The end-consumer has started expecting more from the online retail industry, which gives a plethora of choices. Now, it is less about the designs the retailers are providing and more about the choice and needs of what the endconsumer wants to buy. For the first time, the end-consumer is ahead of technology. It is now upon the brands to make sure they retain their customers and lure them into coming back. Some technologies bridge the gap between the endconsumer and the retailer. Half of the Fortune 3000 companies create a personalized digital experience. Brands are modernizing best-of-breed platforms that are frequently native to the cloud. They want to take it a long way and bring to life what the end-consumer expects. They are trying to maximise their retail through industry-leading offerings that span every facet of modern retail.
Secondly, brand engagement and loyalty can be established by using a combination of digital and traditional touchpoints. It keeps the customer connected through the ecommerce stores. Lastly, it is observed that selling directly through marketplace platforms can boost revenues, improve margins and help the retailer to expand into a new market segment. There had been a massive change because the brand knows what the end consumer expects through the system of direct feedback about the product and services. Online penetration is picking up rapidly in affluent and densely populated cities and suburbs. Customers are willing to pay for the service of picking and delivering, especially as online shopping interface quality has upgraded. There are better curation and recommendation available that saves time. It is assumed that a few products that have a better market hold will continue to grow on an international scale. A few winning grocers have crossed borders and are reaching international customers. It was said that access to most products and services was well-preserved for the wealthy. But this view has changed with the advances in artificial intelligence. Like, the way the access economy makes luxury apparel affordable by sharing the cost of a product with a dozen of consumers. Even though consumers don't physically go out, the shopping experience has become more luxurious through the comforts of our homes.
Technology will serve the retail industry in ways we are only beginning to understand in the upcoming years. There will be a transformation in which companies will sell Direct to Consumers (DTC), instead of wholesale windows like
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- Shrutika Khedekar
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Vikram Akepati President and CEO
“
Helping Global Oil & Gas majors to perform their Oil Well drilling efficiently by suppling our Best in class drilling muds.
“
Companies in Focus
Taking Barite Exports to Newer Heights Efficiently
T
he increase in oil and gas drilling operations is primarily driving the growth of the worldwide barite market. Furthermore, the increased use of Barite as a weighting agent in oil well drilling fluids to offset specific pressures caused by well drilling activities substantially adds to market growth. Increased offshore oil and gas drilling operations, as well as increased investment by major oil firms in deep and ultradeep offshore exploration, are projected to boost market growth over the projection period. Barite is also utilised as a filler in the paint and coating industries. Thus, the worldwide barite market’s expansion may be ascribed to increased paint and coating usage in the construction, automotive, and general sectors. One company that is contributing to the barite industry is Emprada Mines and Minerals Pvt. Ltd. Emprada is the manufacturer, supplier, exporter of Barite. The Barite manufactured in the company is sustainable, pure, economical, and reliable. Emprada is an API Certified company that directly sources from the world's single largest barite mine extended over 225 hectares with more than 50 million tons of reserves and specializes in providing high-quality Barite Powder (up to 96% BaSO4) without any toxic materials to its clients. It is of premium quality and purity, which makes it all the more appreciable. The Barite Barons “We conduct strict quality tests in our API Certified laboratory to ensure the delivery of high-quality Barite Powder as per the API 13A and other industrial standards,” says Vikram Akepati, President and CEO of the company. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Austin,
TX, USA along with having a production plant in Andhra Pradesh, India with over 85 full-time resources, it has made exponential development in the exports of Barite. Its exports raised from 7000 MTS in 2016 to 500,000 MTS in 2021-22. Barite is majorly used in Oil and Gas companies as a drilling mud during oil drilling. Barite exports are one of the many other potential areas that took shape over the years. Vikram envisions huge potential in Specialty Metals, Industrial Chemicals, Drilling Fluids related to this industry. The company serves the global majors in this field in over 20 countries across five continents. “We commit to the quality and delivery of what we agree upon,” explains the team of Emprada. The company adheres to the highest industry quality standards (API Spec 13A) and globally accepted 3rd party quality analysis companies to test and certify its products before delivery. The global expertise gained from Vikram’s corporate background is helping to gain an extra edge over other existing competitors. Dynamics of Emprada Having worked and settled in the USA for over 15 years, the thought of changes that can be brought about in Vikram’s hometown made him research the potential options nearby. Expertise gained in any job/industry should be fluidic and should be utilized to bring about an impact on others. Long-timers become complacent with the existing system/working style and do not easily adapt to the inevitable changes forced by technology. “This is the time for the Nex-Gen folks to step up and revolutionize traditional business practices,” he conveys. Emprada is one of the last companies to enter into this business when the global market for Barite has been in a downtrend. There have been quite a few established
25 | January 2022 | www.insightssuccess.in
companies that had a market share of over 90% and have been in business for more than forty years. But with the new age practices, effective client engagement, strategic initiatives focusing on quality and delivery, the company was able to penetrate and capture about 25% of the market share in just four years and opened new avenues as well. It was not easy to compete with companies that were established forty years ago and who knows the business in and out. It was difficult to leverage expertise and manpower to succeed among any other upcoming competitors. Initially, when Emprada started, it struggled to bag an order to produce 4000 MTS per year. But down the line after Four years it was able to produce and export over 5,00,000 MTS per year. “All our clients have been so supportive to us and had great faith. For us the volume of the order is secondary, we had designed a seamless system to execute orders of any complexity and quantity. And it was not a smooth journey either. The Pandemic destroyed the international market completely. However, with our strong basics, we were able to withstand and overcome this.” Explains Vikram.
Being in a stagnated market, this growth itself proves to be a big achievement altogether. In an established business with cutthroat competition, the only edge that Emprada has over others is dynamic leadership, vision and doing things differently. It has set up a State of the Art API Certified (Best in the industry) Quality Analysis Lab with qualified analysts to perform rigorous testing on the material to qualify for exports. “We keep a close watch on the changing industry trends by attending industry conferences and following the business magazines,” states Vikram. “We keep mining the data related to the exports, geographies, shipping companies and govt/industrial policies,” further adds the team of Emprada. Towards the Glory The organization has evolved organically from three members to 85+ members. There is always that satisfaction to see locals get employed and guided in the right direction. Out of its regular pieces of training and quality policies, the company is now equipped with the knowledge and expertise to face the daily challenges and come up with an optimal solution. This inclusive growth is the secret of its success.
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Keeping the employees’ needs addressed is the most crucial aspect for a growing company or for any company for that matter. “We all know the famous saying – ‘If you want to go fast, go alone and if you want to go far, go together. Unless you hear them out and address their issues and keep them motivated, visions do not turn into reality,” says the team of Emprada. The company provides periodic training and gives them challenging opportunities all the while helping them to perform better. Many a time, handholding might be required to make them learn and the company does not hesitate to extend this support to upskill them. Glimpses of Seasoned Leadership Vikram is a qualified Engineer who passed out of USNW, Australia. He has worked with Fortune 50 companies in the USA for more than fifteen years in decision making roles. “Corporate experience and global exposure helped me to gain the expertise to handle the international clients Distinguished Accomplishments •
Our exports are expected to cross 500000 MTS in FY 2021-22.
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Awarded ‘Star Export House Certification’ from Govt of India
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Awarded API Monogram – Spec 13A certification by American Petroleum Institute, USA (Highest recognized certifying agency for Barites in the world) for having the best quality process.
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Achieved ISO 9001- 2015, ISO 140012015, ISO 45001-2018 for our quality standards.
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30 acres of the Production plant complex
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Supplying Barite to over 20+ destinations in 5 continents
•
Built 6 manufacturing units and employed 85+ full-time employees. One of the highest in this business.
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Produces Drilling Grade Barite in various specializes such as Lumps/Ore, Powder, Micronized Barite with multiple grades including 4.22 SG, 4.2 SG, 4.1SG, 3.95+ SG etc
• •
effectively,” he claims. Though, almost everyone working in the industry sources Barite from the same mine, the processes, quality aspects, seamless integration of different departments such as operations, logistics, port cargo handling, and export management has provided Vikram with the edge over others to provide real-time data and ontime delivery to the customers. He has brought in the latest technology to replace age-old existing processes to improve the efficiency of the company’s operations. He considers two people his role models - Elon Musk of SpaceX and Ritesh Agarwal of Oyo Rooms. Vikram chose them because he believes that their rational thinking and progressive thoughts have made a difference in the world, which he wants to imbibe and implement. Advising the budding entrepreneurs, he concludes – “The new age entrepreneurs should be ‘Capitalist in mind and Communist at heart. Inclusive mindset would always fetch positive results.”
Digital Future
The
future of
e-commerce in
India T
he growth of e-commerce in India has been set off with the increase in internet users across the country, the increasing number of smartphone users will only add to the speed and development. It is expected that the market size of the ecommerce industry will grow five times its size in the next couple of years. The enormous growth of this industry is seen mainly because of a few leading players. Some of the prominent companies in the ecommerce sector are Flipkart, Amazon, etc. however, multiple small players are entering the industry and carving themselves beautifully. The industry is very efficient in adapting to new technologies. The future of e-commerce will entirely depend upon the uptake of the latest technology, its continence to the end consumer, usage, and cost.
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The major reasons determined for the growth of the ecommerce industry are government policies, an increase in industrial investments, and mergers and acquisitions. The covid-19 pandemic has led to an impetus in the industry; it’s bound to grow exceptionally in the upcoming years. One of the major reasons for the growth of the industry is the user experience. It has improved drastically in the past few years. There has been more focus on merchandising, logistics, customer service as well UX designs. All of these have been aided through next-generation technologies which make them userfriendly. People have turned more techno-savvy and hence, the demand for more goods and services through the internet. Such a distinguished technology plays a significant role in reaching out to the audience. In addition, it has also helped ensure the trust factor among the audience.
mobile apps. The apps send messages and notifications in the form of constant reminders. Such campaign strategies help in the growth of the industry. As the demand for goods and services has increased to a widespread audience in the country, the e-commerce industry is made to increase its reach aggressively. The access to pin codes and the growing number of warehouses show that a considerable amount of increase in sales has taken place over the last couple of years. This has further increased investments in logistic channels to keep the wheels of the industry moving. The growth of the e-commerce industry is not limited to one domain. But rather, it has seen a multifaceted growth. While it has been largely dominated by electronics, apparel, books, etc other sectors like food deliveries, groceries have also shown a tremendous increase in sales. E-commerce is largely pulling traditional retailers to start their online stores which further adds to the growth story.
The industry is so fast-growing that it has spread across the country. The gigantic players have reached out to smaller towns. It has been possible because of the connectivity of the internet in such areas. The penetration of high-speed internet has not just expanded the industry but has also created jobs in these areas.
Even though E-commerce is virtual it gives a realworld experience which has been a complete gamer changer for the industry. It is getting immensely accepted across specific sectors like home décor, jewelry, fashion, etc. This has only added to the growth and popularity of the industry.
With improved user experience, the growing use of digital payment is also significant. Unlike traditional payment methods, digital payment methods are easier and more convenient. It is hectic to stand in the billing line and wait for your turn. Once you're there, the products need to be scanned before the bill is printed. This process is wearing. When you purchase something online, the payment can be done from the tip of your finger. This method of payment is quicker.
One of the factors influencing the growth of Ecommerce is the omnichannel presence. It is an interconnected experience where the customers can undertake video chats directly with the business. In addition to this, social commerce for example Facebook marketplace has made businesses reach customers through social media platforms. This has made businesses reach out to the audience effectively through an improved in-app experience.
The rise of the e-commerce industry has created an impetus for the rise of mobile commerce. A study shows that 73% of sales globally take place on mobile devices. The security provided by these devices has encouraged consumers to shift to digital payments. Customers are willingly using online methods of payment which makes it convenient for them to make payments while on a move.
Ecommerce is a link-up of convenient shopping, competitive prices, discounts, etc. The entire foundation is laid upon competitive prices and quality assurance which has paved the way for growth. The marketplace is more consumer-centric rather than business-centric which attracts more and more audiences. This has resulted in the bricks-and-mortar stores revamping their operations. E-commerce had witnessed a huge global surge and it will boom more in India and emerging economies in the next few years.
As mobile phones are handy and can be used from anywhere anytime, many companies have opted for
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NETSTAIRS The Staircase to Video Technolo
T
he world is changing and adapting to the advancements in technology faster than ever. There are few companies in the world that are helping businesses make this transitional process much simpler and easy. The digital medium, the internet and services have given this world a wide perspective about how innovative the internet industry can be. Real-Time video technology is now the trend that every company having a digital presence is excited about.
While searching for some of the most innovative companies that often work behind the scenes with major companies, which are the true gamechangers; we came across NETSTAIRS, an innovative company that is specialised in bringing RealTime Video Technology and WebRTC to life. With an insightful conversation with Ahmad Moradi, Founder and CEO of NETSTAIRS, we discovered that the company has been in the market for so long, that it has seen almost every trend in this sector. Along with bringing innovation to life this company has always been focused on saving the environment. Here are some of the detailed highlights from our conversation with NETSTAIRS.
and Innovation
Describe your company in detail. NETSTAIRS brings Real-Time Video Technology and innovation to life. Since March 2000, the company has specialized in Video-First strategies assisting companies to monetize their CAPEX-based or OPEX RT-based video services. Brief us about the featured person and shed some light on his/her professional journey. Ahmad Moradi is a forward-thinking knowledge engineer who is interested in business, technology, and equity structure. He has launched several innovative business models, products, and technologies during his career, owing to his hands-on experience in human interaction, organisational behaviour, art, science, and technology. Business View Magazine named him Entrepreneur of the Year for 2020. NETSTAIRS was named one of the most destructive tech businesses of 2019 by Wired Magazine. Mirror Review Magazine named Moradi one of the 30 Most Inspiring Business Leaders. He was honoured with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Honouree in 2017. After spending a lot of time in specific industries as online content delivery, internet, interactive broadcasting,
digital media, Health IT, healthcare services, intranet, network management, law, and infrastructural networking. He brought creativity and experience along with him as an entrepreneur specialising in Information Communications Technology (ICT) and Strategic Business Growth with a focus on AI. In 2005 and 2004, Moradi was named Florida Businessman of the Year. He has over 40 years of experience in business, management, marketing, and information technology from a variety of industries, including healthcare. Moradi has also been recognised by over 37 Who's Who Registries and global institutions such as IBM, MIT, and other publications. The United States Presidential Business Commission named him Businessman of the Year for 2003. He was named Honorary Co-Chairman of the National Leadership Council and the National Republican Congressional Committee's Business Advisory Council (2003). He received the Congressional Order of Merit from the National Republican Congressional Committee. In 2002, he was named Honorary Chairman of the United States Presidential Business Commission, for which he received the Ronald Reagan Gold Medal. He has extensive
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Companies in Focus
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NETSTAIRS was named one of the most destructive tech businesses of 2019 by Wired Magazine.
Ahmad Moradi Founder and CEO
“
structural business expertise, with a focus on technology, finance, marketing, management, mergers and acquisitions, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). He has served as an elected officer of public firms and has counselled businesses on how to go public. Mr Moradi is a self-taught and selfstudied entrepreneur who has spent
decades researching numerous topics following his undergraduate degree in International Business from Florida Atlantic University, which led to PhD studies in AI (Expert System). Maxwell Rand, Inc. and NetStairs.com, Inc. are his current companies, and he serves as Chairman, CEO, and President. Mr Moradi has already advised and
worked as a catalyst for a number of research institutes, universities, and scientists throughout the world on numerous discoveries and innovations. He has worked with small, medium, enterprise, and Fortune 500 firms as a consultant. Gerson Lehrman Group Councils and g4 Inc. are the organisations where he presently delivers consulting and advising services.
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helped us to stay competitive while managing the company's Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives.
How COVID-19 pandemic affect your business? Post COVID-19 everything has changed. Our commitment shifted to serving our clients with the least physical crew and venue presence. This led us to deliver a host of services inclusive of PIXEL, LET'S CAST, and ZIMZIM, which are designed to provide iOTT (Interactive OTT) and Watch Parties. Apart from that, we deliver four general types of services:
· · ·
iCDN - Interactive Content Delivery Network Cloud Services iMHS – Interactive Managed Hosted Solutions – Services iCPS – Interactive Creative Programming Services iCPT – Interactive Cost Per Time made for the Advertising market.
What challenges have you faced while entering the industry you are catering to and how did you transform these challenges into opportunities? Technology and constant changes in technology were the major challenges that we faced. And keeping relevance with the current and future market has
What would you like to advise the young generation of entrepreneurs and enthusiasts who want to become a part of the industry you are catering to? Trust your own intuition. Take a positive journey by placing the highest demand for ethical and empathic delivery of your solutions and services, that will help Earth, Environment, and Humanity regardless of its origin,
manifest collaborative visions into perceived reality. Where do you see yourself in the future? Kindly tell us about your strategies for scaling your business. Continue to invent and give back to society and those who helped you get there. Our business scale is simple, we work for the "Vital Few" and in turn, they serve their "Trivial Many". What is the current scenario of your industry? As entrepreneurs, we must choose tech and business strategies at the same time. And the current state of flux in the codec, standards, metadata, video streaming, codec, transcoding, streaming, and new innovations makes strategic decisions harder. We believe by 2025, 80% of the world will be on for some Real-Time (RT) or "TELE" services (e.g., Tele-Health, TeleCommerce, Tele-Law, Tele-Education, Tele-Video, etc.).
“
Our business scale is simple, we work for the ' Vital Few' and in turn, they serve their ‘Trivial Many’
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How was your firm/business affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and what measures did you take to shorten the damages, while helping your clients and maintaining the safety of your employees? The impact of COVID-19 dramatically shifted our market position from education to backlogged, until late 2022 bookings. After all, we have pioneered technologies and services that could reduce carbon footprint, while keeping companies "Green" helping governments, industries, and companies improve real-time broadcast, collaboration, and communications as a service. We call it iBCC-PaaS.
colour, creed, language, political and religious views. Take pride in what you do and no matter what, stay on course. When Divine Matrix grants your turn, you will know that you are ready, and the universe is your laboratory to
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