Managing Editor Ajit Ravi
Editorial
Editor Jebitha Ajit Associate Editor Bejoy George Legal Advisor Adv. Sreelatha Parameswaran Correspondents Dr. Thomas Nechupadam Tressa Varghese Denisha Sahadevan Sheela Abraham Sreerekha R. Nair Creative Design Ashique K. Gilsha Bindosh Marketing Vice President, Marketing Neeti Sharma, Ph: +91 88009 22566 Tamquest entertainment LLC PO box 232886, Dubai UAE Riju Rajan, PH : 97555776966 Bharath Kantham, Andrapradesh, Ph-no: 95500 54943 Anupama Suvarna, Karnataka, Ph: 0966 362 8748
Pramod Mithun Mithraa - Trivandrum Jenson Antony
I am happy to present you the 24th edition of Unique Times. This is yet another milestone. At this moment I would like to thank all our readers for their immense support. Also I would like reiterate our commitment towards serious journalism. Probably one column that we get most of the feedback is that of gadgets and especially from the younger generation. We present this edition as a gadgets special. Hope you all will find it interesting. We have an interview with Mr. Deepak Sathyapalan who is the CEO and Managing Director of Beaumonde The Fern, Kochi’s first Five Star Ecotel Hotel. In our regular columns, Mr. V P Nandakumar writes about innovation at Manappuram Group and auto review column looks at the success of Hyundai’s Fluidic Design. I want to thank you all the continued support. Please mail me your feedback. Happy Reading. Thank you
Photographer Jinish, Photogenic Our Patron: Mr. V.P. Nandakumar
Ajit Ravi
Printed and Published by: Ajit Ravi Pegasus, L5-106, Changampuzha Nagar Kalamasserry, Kochi-33 Printed at: S T Reddiar, P.B. No: 3627, Veekshanam Road, Cochin Contact: Ph: 0484 3242220, 3292223, 3046432 Mob: +91 98460 50283, 94470 50283 editor@uniquetimes.org
Cover Photograph: Deepak Sathyapalan
Our Patron Mr. V.P. Nandakumar
RNI Reg. No: KERENG/2011/42633 * All rights reserved worldwide. Reproduction in any manner without permission of proprietors is prohibited.
Contents
20 Entrepreneurship Dr. Thomas Nechupadam
29
Financial
LEXICON 14
CUSTOMERis the SERVICE key to OUR
SUCCESS Deepak Sathyapalan, CEO& Managing Director, Beaumonde The Fern Kochi's only Five Star Ecotel
INNOVATION DRIVES
26
GROWTH AT
MANAPPURAM
15 Shri V.P. Nandakumar is the MD & CEO of Manappuram Finance Ltd.
40 MID – QUARTER
Monetary Policy Review
Gadgets
19
WORLD'S BRANDS top
The beautiful
Maldives
VALUABLE
60
52 THE
FLUIDIC
SAGA
Hyundai's D E S I G N
Books
58
Success 32
Beauty Tips ................ 48
5
STEPS for Success in
SOCIAL MEDIA
62 SOUTH AFRICA
Business Diary
Nalco’s Investment N
alco is said to be investing more than 33,000 crore rupees in a host of sectors which include energy in order to boost its productivity and profitability as their plan for high growth through diversification and expansion. “Nalco has begun a new odyssey to conquer the challenges of present and threats of future with its new Corporate Plan, this will give a significant boost to the company’s productivity and profitability,” said the CMD of Nalco, Ansuman Das. Referring to the Greenfield projects, according to the Nalco chief, the company is also pallning to set up a 5,500 crore rupees alumina refinery in Gujarat with a capacity of one million tonne per annum. On Nalco’’s entry into the engery sector, Mr. Das said that the company has formed a joint venture with Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) to set up nuclear power plants.
Power Grip Corp Hires Citigroup and Other Banks
T
he state run company Power Grip Corp of India has hired Citigroup, UBS AG and three other Indian banks for a $1.2 billion share sale according to sources. The other banks that have been selected for handling the issue which is most likely to be laughed early next year are SBI Capital, ICICI Securities and Kotak Mahindra capital. The company will issue 601.9 million new shares, or 13 percent of its existing paid up capital, as part of the follow on share sale, which is being valued at about $1.2 billion at the current market price. The government’s divestment of a 4 percent stake in the company is part of the Centre’s plan to raise 40,000 crore rupees through sale of its shares in state companies in the current fiscal year ending in the month of March 2014.
06
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations. Peter Drucker
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead
Environmental Project set in Australia A
ustralia’s new government has set in an order of 47 major coal and coal seam gas projects so to seek national environmental approval, including the controversial Kevin’s Corner project which was proposed by the country’s richest Gina Rinehart. The Environment Minister Greg Hunt said that they needed to be assessed for their impact on water supplies, adding the move showed the new conservative government was providing certainty for the mining industry and protecting environmental standards. The projects include those led by global mining firms such as Anglo American, Adani Enterprises, Glencore Xstrata. A decision on the process of assessment has been delayed by September 7th elections and because related environmental laws only passed parliament in late June.
Tata and Singapore Airlines Joint Venture is Not an Issue I
n order to clear the air regarding the Tata’s signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Singapore Airlines, AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes has said that there is no issue between him, Signapore Airlines and the Indian group. Fernanades stated on Twitter “I have and continue to have no issue on SIA (Singapore Airlines) and Tata. No difference to Ginger and Taj Hotels. These are two very separate business.” The new venture which Tata Sons, holding the company of the Tata Group signed on with Singapore Airlines for a joint venture is to be called Tata SIA Airlines Ltd which would have Tata Sons as its majority partner with a 51 percent stake, while Singapore Airlines would hold a 49 percent stake with $49 million of foreign direct investment.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 07
Business Diary
Gas Pricing Policy Apply to All O
il Minister M Veerappa Molly has said that the new gas pricing policy will apply uniformly to all as talks of Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industries Ld (RIL) being denied a higher price for gas due to output from the KG-D6 fields not matching targets circulate. “There are no grey areas. The policy which we have adopted (based) on the recommendation of the Rangarajan Committee will be applicable to everyone,” he told reporters on sidelines of the Global HSE Conference, organized by Cairn India. The Oil Minister refused to be drawn into the issue of RIL being denied a higher price of gas produced from its main fields in the eastern offshore KG-D6 block till the dispute over he reasons for output not matching the targets is resolved. When pressed further about pricing of gas based on the average of rates at international hubs and the actual cost of imported LNG applying to all domestic producers uniformly, he commented to say “yes.”
Investors Knew NSEL was Unregulated F
inance Minister P Chidambaram said that the investors knew that they were putting money in an unregulated entity as far as the National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL) is concerned. “I think there is much more to the way NSEL started business than meets the eye. People seem to have given money to NSEL promoters with open eyes that it is not a regulated entity that is violating conditions from day one. Yet they were giving money to NSEL. Many of them made money in initial stages and some of them lost money now,” he said. NSEL, a subsidiary of Jignesh Shah-promoted Financial Technologies, suspended trading in forward contracts on July 31st following government directive. The suspension of trde and the consequent delay and default in payouts of over 5,500 crore to various entities is now a full blown out crisis.
08
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born-that there is a genetic factor to leadership. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born. Warren Bennis
The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it. Theodore Roosevelt
A Burden for Google F
rance’s data protection watchdog moved closer into setting a fine on Google for the way it stores and tracks the user information after the search engine ignored a three month ultimatum to bring its practices in line with the local law. The privacy watchdog, known as CNIL said that it was opening a procedure to impose the formal sanctions. Under the French law, there is a chance that Google can be set with a fine which amounts up to 150,000 euros. Along with France, Spain, Britain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands have also opened cases in similarity against Google since the U.S. based company’s privacy policy which was introduced in 2012 doesn’t conform with the local rules protecting consumers on how their personal data is processed and stored. Privacy issues are not Google’s only legal burdens in Europe. They also have to seek to settle a three year probe with the antitrust regulators into whether it squeezes out online rivals in search results.
Reappointed as MD and CEO of
SKS Microfinance M
Ramachandra Rao has been reappointed as SKS Microfinance Ltd’s managing director and chief executive officer for a period of five years with effect from October 4th. SKS Microfinance LTd informed the BSE that its board of directors has reappointed M R Rao as the company’s MD and CEO also saying in a separate filing that Rajana Kumar, an independent director has given in her resignation as the director from the board of the company due o personal reasons and that the board has taken note of the resignation by passing a circular resolution. Ranjana Kumar who had previously worked as the chairperson of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) had been appointed as an independent director of the company on March 8th. According to SKS Microfinance “she did not cite any reasons for her resignation.”
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 09
Business Diary
Volkswagen Regarding the London Stocks T
he German auto giant Volkswagen has announced that it is planning on withdrawing its shares from trading on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) from late October. Volkswagen which has been listed in London since 1988 said in a statement that it has applied to the Financial Conduct Authority “to request the cancellation of the trading of the shares on the main market of LSE with effect from October 28th. The last day of trading in London will be on October 25th. Volkswagen spokesperson stated “it’s simply a cost matter. The various outlays we have the financial reporting obligations and so forth aren’t reflected by the trading volumes generated there. It simply wasn’t economical.” Volkswagen had withdrawn from the Tokyo Stock Exchange a few years ago for similar reasons.
Sundeep Sikka appointed chairman of Amfi T
he Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi), an industry association of mutual funds, which interacts with market regulator Sebi has appointed Sundeep Sikka, the president and the chief executive of Reliance MF, as its chairman. The association has also elected Sandesh Kirkire, CEO of Kotak Asset Management Company, as its vice chairman. These decisions were made in Amfi’s annual general body meeting and were communicated to the fund houses by Amfi CEO H N Sinor. Mr. Sikka and Mr. Kirkire have been elected by the Amfi members unanimously and will be holding up their respective positions for the period up until the next annual general meeting in 2014. Mr. Sikka, who was the vice chairman of Amfi earlier on has succeeded Milind Barve, the MD of HDFC MF.
10
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. Harry S. Truman
India Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes. Peter Drucker
T
he Global beverages and snacks major PepsiCo is looking to enhance potato procurement through its tie up with farmers by around 20 percent to 65 percent in India in the next five years. The company is aiming to strengthen regions where it is already working with the farmers and also entering new geographies in the country. PepsiCo which works with around 24,000 farmers across nine states under collaborative farming model procures around 45 percent of its current total requirement of 2.40 lakh tones of potato per annum by working with farmers and the rest 55 percent from the open market. The company is looking to strengthen the existing regions where it is working with farmers. PepsiCo India currently works with farmers across various states including Punjab, Maharashtra and West Bengal, to procure agri-products from them. It utilizes potatoes for various brands under food business like Lay’s and Uncle Chips.
Remaining Stakes in Hindustan Zinc, Balco A
ccording to Vedanta Resources, it has been stated that it was open to any methods to acquire the remaining stakes in Hindustan Zinc and Balco, and that it would participate in the auction if the government takes that route to divest its residual stakes in the two erstwhile PSU’s. Vedanta chairman Anil Agarwal told the PTI “I am open to the idea. It will be a pleasure to have the stock (remaining shares of Hindustan Zinc and Balco) but even if government goes to the stock market and somebody is there to acquire the shares, it is fine and that is how it should be. If I can acquire 15 percent or 5 percent, that’s fine, 2 percent is fine, wholesome is fine,” he said adding that he and his officials have been talking to the government consistently and have held 2-3 meetings in the last few months on the matter.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 11
Business Diary
Real estate groups expressed disappointment over interest rate hikes. M
ajor real estate groups expressed disappointment over RBI's decision to hike key policy rates RBI raised the short-term policy rate by 0.25 per cent to inflation under check. Real estate developers said “this would lead to increase in finance cost and also affect housing demand during the festive season”."There was no need to increase the repo rate at this juncture. It will hurt the growth sentiment further," DLF chief financial officer Ashok Tyagi told PTI. Parsvnath Developers' Pradeep Jain said, "It is highly disappointing to see such a signal from RBI. Though increasing repo by 25 bps (0.25 per cent) may curb inflation marginally or may hold rupee for a while, it is going to impact market sentiments significantly".
RBI has banned zero per cent interest rate scheme
R
BI has banned zero per cent interest rate scheme on purchase of consumer goods though credit cards and other methods. RBI directive says “Such schemes only serve the purpose of alluring and exploiting the vulnerable customers... In principle, banks should not resort to any practice that would distort the interest rate structure of a product as this vitiates the transparency in pricing mechanism which is very important for the customer to take informed decision.” In another decision, the central bank said that no additional charges can be levied on payment through debit cards. “Such fee are not justifiable and are not permissible as per the bilateral agreement between the acquiring bank and the merchants and therefore calls for termination of the relationship of the bank with such establishments,"
12
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily; even if you had no title or position. Brian Tracy
The nation will find it very hard to look up to the leaders who are keeping their ears to the ground.
Car pooling, Bus days to reduce fuel bill. I
n an exercise to cut the fuel bill and as part of the austerity drive of the government, Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily asked chief ministers of states to travel by buses once a week. He also asked to celebrate a “Bus day” every week. This suggestion is part of the several measures to reduce India’s reliability on expensive fossil. Other suggestions include car-pooling, proper maintenance and upgrading vehicles and generators. Diesel price will also be increased by 50 paisa every month.
Sir Winston Churchill
FDI proposal accepted. T
he Finance Ministry said it has Okayed 15 foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals totalling Rs. 2,000.5 crore, and recommended two applications, including that of US drug major Mylan, for Cabinet clearance. The proposals were cleared following recommendations by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board "In addition, two proposals viz., M/s IDFC Trustee Company Ltd, as proposed Trustee for India Infrastructure Fund II, Mumbai and M/s Mylan Inc. USA amounting to Rs. 10,668 crore, have been recommended for consideration of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs," the ministry said.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 13
Investment Lexicon
Haircut
I
n finance, a haircut is a percentage that is subtracted from the market value of an asset that is being used as collateral. The size of the haircut reflects the perceived risk associated with holding the asset. However, the lender has a lien for the entirety of the asset. The higher the haircut, the safer the loan is for a lender. The haircut and the LTV add up to 100%.
Lehmans formula
T
he Lehman Formula, also known as the Lehman Scale, is a formula to define the compensation a bank should receive when handling a large underwriting or stock brokerage transfer transaction for a client. The formula usually applies to the entire value of the stock being transferred.
Bluebook
A
guidebook that compiles and quotes prices for new and used automobiles and other vehicles of all makes, models and types. Formally known as the Kelley Blue Book, it was originally only available to those in the automotive industry, but both a consumer edition and an online edition was made available in the 1990s for the general public.
Carry Clawback
A
clawback or clawback provision is a special contractual clause typically included in employment contracts by financial firms. The aim of the clause is to secure an option for an employer to limit bonuses in case of catastrophic shifts in business, such as the financial crisis of 2007–2010.
14
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
T
he carry of an asset is the return obtained from holding it (if positive), or the cost of holding it (if negative) (see also Cost of carry). For instance, commodities are usually negative carry assets, as they incur storage costs or may suffer from depreciation, but in some circumstances, appropriately hedged commodities can be positive carry assets if the forward/futures market is willing to pay sufficient premium for future delivery.
Shri V.P. Nandakumar is the MD & CEO of Manappuram Finance Ltd.
INNOVATION DRIVES
GROWTH AT
MANAPPURAM As a rule, whenever a firm moves up the pecking order to acquire a position of leadership in the market, you can be sure that innovations have a played a major part. Manappuram Finance Ltd. is no exception. In fact, we take pride in our culture that fosters innovation and the ability to think differently. Consider the record. First to advertise loans
As the first corporate entity to get into gold loans, we succeeded in introducing scale, technology and professionalism to the activity. Manappuram went on to revolutionise the gold loans business in India.
Manappuram’s founder, V.C. Padmanabhan (my late father), ran the business in a very risk-averse manner. Over the years, the firm had acquired a wealth of goodwill but, being a typical conservative banker, he maintained a self-imposed cap of Rs.25 lakhs on the deposits he was willing to accept. It may seem hard to believe but people in those days were actually told to wait in a queue and allowed in only when an existing depositor withdrew his money. When I took over in 1986, I decided to expand the business and do away with this voluntary cap on deposits. Thanks to the goodwill Manappuram had built up, deposits began to flow in. Very soon, we faced difficulties in stepping up lending in proportion to the inflow of deposits. That was how, sometime in the late 80s, Manappuram became perhaps the first firm to advertise its gold loans. Those were the days of credit rationing, when banks competed to attract deposits but they never had
to advertise loans. Manappuram did something unheard of in those days. We took out ear-panel ads loans in the local papers, to sell our gold loans.
First corporate entity in gold loans A few years after taking over, I realised that the proprietary set-up in which we carried on gold loans was not conducive to growth and expansion. That was how I promoted Manappuram Finance Ltd. in 1992. The original plan was to capitalise on the opportunities opening up in the leasing and general finance areas. Initially, there was no place for gold loans in this strategy (which continued with the original proprietary concern). However, sometime in the latter half of the 90s, the CRB scam prompted a regulatory backlash against NBFCs. We ran into a serious funding problem and faced an asset liability mismatch. Around this time, we decided that Manappuram Finance Ltd. should also
September 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 15
Our investment in technology has paid off in many other ways, for example, in streamlining procedures to reduce turnaround times in gold loan disbursal and in implementing advanced risk management practices.
get into gold loans. We became the first corporate entity in India to get into this business. Until then, gold loans were carried on in a very traditional manner, mostly by neighbourhood pawnbrokers and moneylenders. As the first corporate entity to get into gold loans, we succeeded in introducing scale, technology and professionalism to the activity. Manappuram went on to revolutionise the gold loans business in India.
Innovative fund raising As the first corporate entity to get into gold loans, it took many years for the company to gain acceptance with banks and financial institutions. In fact, banks were initially sceptical about our business model and hesitant to lend money to us. We overcame this hurdle in a unique way. Instead of continuing to knock on the doors of domestic banks (and getting rebuffed), we decided to head out of India. In December 2007, Manappuram Finance became the first NBFC in Kerala to garner foreign institutional investment when Sequoia Capital, the celebrated private equity fund, invested Rs.70 crores together with Hudson Equity Holdings. The second round of private equity funding happened in November 2008, when circumstances were the bleakest with the global financial markets in a tailspin. It was led by Ashmore Alchemy which, together with Sequoia and Hudson, put in another Rs.108 crores. Once the foreign investors
16
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
came in, there was no looking back for Manappuram. From this point on, banks in India had no further inhibitions in lending to a pioneering gold loan company like Manappuram. Later, sizable foreign investment was received during two rounds of qualified institutional placements (QIP) in 2010 when a total of Rs.1,245 crores was raised. In fact, the QIP in November 2010 raised a mammoth Rs.1,000 crores which is, even today, the single largest foreign investment into a private company in Kerala.
Technology innovations In the matter of technology, Manappuram has been a pioneer in the gold loan sector. We were the earliest to adopt the “core banking” platform. This was a major achievement considering that unlike the banking sector there were no ready-made software solutions for gold loans. We invested in the development of our own proprietary solutions, and today our technology platform is one of our core strengths. Our investment in technology has paid off in many other ways, for example, in streamlining procedures to reduce turnaround times in gold loan disbursal and in implementing advanced risk management practices.
Product innovations Manappuram has led the way In the matter of product innovations too. For a long time, gold loans were sold as a “one-size-fits-all” product. The company was a pioneer in introducing variety to gold loans. We were the first to offer progressively higher loan amounts at higher price points. We were also the first to come up with the concept of “one-day interest” in gold loans. We gave borrowers the flexibility to settle a gold loan at their earliest convenience, even within a day. They were required to pay interest only for the actual days the funds were utilised. Till then, the industry norm was to recover interest for a minimum of fifteen days or even a month.
The concept of using brand ambassadors to promote one’s products is not new. But the practice was to use one celebrity brand ambassador for the whole country. Manappuram pioneered the use of multiple brand ambassadors, each specific to a particular geography
Its landmark initiative was the “Janaraksha – Manappuram Free Health Insurance Scheme” which provides free health insurance to about 20,000 BPL families in seven identified Panchayats around Valapad in Thrissur District. The policy covers their medical expenses up to an annual limit of Rs.60,000.
Innovative marketing
Innovative CSR
Despite the vast amount of gold in private hands in India, the gold loan business is yet to grow to its true potential. There is a continuing stigma attached to pledging gold. And so, rather than use their gold to raise money, many would still prefer go to moneylenders and borrow at exorbitant rates.
As a socially responsible business, Manappuram has always stood by its responsibilities to the community. The Manappuram Foundation was set up in 2009 to spearhead our CSR mission. Its landmark initiative was the “Janaraksha – Manappuram Free Health Insurance Scheme” which provides free health insurance to about 20,000 BPL families in seven identified Panchayats around Valapad in Thrissur District. The policy covers their medical expenses up to an annual limit of Rs.60,000. The premium payable by each beneficiary family is funded entirely by the Manappuram Foundation at a recurring cost of over one crore rupees. The Foundation also employs a team of trained social workers and psychiatric social workers to assist beneficiaries in filing claims under the scheme and provides psychiatric counselling services to them. Today, the scheme is widely hailed as a model CSR initiative, relevant to the needs of the community, and well implemented.
Manappuram was a pioneer in tackling this sensitive issue head-on. In 2010, we adopted a strategy of a big-budget advertising campaign revolving around high-profile and credible brand ambassadors with strong regional appeal. The idea was that credible local brand ambassadors would talk to people in their own language and educate them about the virtues of gold loans. The concept of using brand ambassadors to promote one’s products is not new. But the practice was to use one celebrity brand ambassador for the whole country. Manappuram pioneered the use of multiple brand ambassadors, each specific to a particular geography, e.g. Mohanlal for Kerala, Vikram for Tamil Nadu, Mithun Chakraborty for Bengal, Akshay Kumar for Hindi speaking states etc. Manappuram’s advertising campaign featuring celebrity brand ambassadors has been hugely successful in growing the gold loan business throughout India, and benefits have been reaped players across the sector.
Looking ahead It’s fair to say that these days gold loan NBFCs in India are up against very challenging circumstances. Our ability to survive and to thrive under adverse conditions will depend largely on our continuing capacity for innovation. It’s a challenge that Manappuram is well placed to take on.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 17
Brands
WORLD'S BRANDS top
VALUABLE
01
18
Interbrand's Best Global Brands 2013 is the definitive list of the world's most valuable brands. Apple unseated long reigning soft drink giant Cococola to become the most valuable brand in 2013. Coke was unquestioned number one for a long time from 2000. Interbrand is the world’s leading brand consultancy, specializing in a vast brand services and activities, including brand analytics, brand engagement, brand strategy, brand valuation, corporate identity, digital brand management, pharmaceutical branding, brand naming, packaging design, retail space design, and verbal identity.
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
Interview
CUSTOMERis the SERVICE key to OUR
SUCCESS Deepak Sathyapalan, CEO& Managing Director, Beaumonde The Fern Kochi's only Five Star Ecotel 20
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
BEAUMONDE THE FERN
I
n the heart of the city, quite unassuming there stands Kochi’s first 5 star Ecotel, Beaumonde the Fern. Living up to its distinction of being the first Ecotel, there is green envelope on the compound walls. The guard smiles at me pointing towards the parking lot. Enter the lobby, you get a warm reception and everybody welcome you with a smiling face. Deepak Sathayalan sits in naturally lit room, living up with standards of an Ecotel and with a minimalistic design. Deepak who has done his B-Tech and later MBA from England proved to be a down to earth person to talk with. In a short interview he told me about the hotel, the history and future plans.
Kochi is emerging big time; the Cochin International Airport was the first trigger which catapulted Kochi into the developmental orbit. Now with taking of International Container Terminal, Smart City and Metro train projects, Kochi is all set to become a major port city in India.
Kochi is an ‘aspiring’ metro city. What were your initial thoughts when you were planning to start a five star hotel in Kochi? Is your planning on course? Yes, Kochi is fast becoming a metro city. You can see it in the culture of Kochi. In fact Kochi had this cosmopolitan culture for a long time. May be it’s because of this vibrant culture and wide acceptance that traders came and settled in Kochi. Kochi is emerging big time; the Cochin International Airport was the first trigger which catapulted Kochi into the developmental orbit. Now with taking of International Container Terminal, Smart City and Metro train projects, Kochi is all set to become a major port city in India. Coming to the second part of the question, setting up a five star hotel was a natural progression for us. We were running a Three Star hotel called The Metropolitan here. The question What Next is always there. A five star hotel seemed to be a natural progression, even though it had a lot of hurdles. Yes the planning is on course, we are working on the extension of the hotel to add another 25 rooms from the
current 50. So many plans are on the anvil. Kerala is known for the notorious harthals and other types of strikes? Is it affecting your business? Anybody who wishes to start a business in Kochi or Kerala will be well aware of this situation. I have been born and brought up in Kerala, so like any Malayalee I know the difficulties well. But saying that, I would also like to say that every place will have its own advantages and disadvantages. The management will have to overcome these hurdles to conduct the smooth running of the business What is the concept of the hotel? Our hotel is a business class hotel; we cater to business travellers and also tourist who are making a stopover in Kochi. We are committed to the environment, we also tell our guests that they can contribute to the environment while staying in our hotel, The Ecotel classification requires stringent adherence to rules in areas from energy consumption to waste management.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 21
Fern Hotels was established by a gentle man named Param Kannampilly. He developed the concept of environment friendly hotel under the name Fern Hotels, Fern hotels operate hotels of different classifications, that includes Five Star hotel, Meluha The Fern in Mumbai.
You have told that there was a three star hotels in this place, before Beaumonde was established; can you tell our readers a little about the history of this hotel. We are in the hotel business for some time now. My grandfather Late Shri K G Bhaskaran started a small lodging facility and hotel in this called, it was called the Ernakulam Tourist Bungalow. It was a place where authentic Kerala cuisine was served. It was one of the most sought after place for Kerala food at that time. In 1994, we established the hotel metropolitan here. Even Metropolitan had the same loyal customers, who supported us immensely. In fact Dr C K Devadas our Chairman was the Managing Director of the Metropolitan Hotel. His experience is a great asset for us as he comes with an experience of more than 20 years in hospitality. In 2012 we started Beaumonde here. Your grandfather K G Bhaskaran had the foresight to start a hotel in heart of the city? What are your memories about him? My grandfather passed away when I was an year old, so I hardly have any memories about him. But I have heard a lot about him from my parents, neighbours and the people of Vypeen. I sometimes become awestruck by hearing some of the stories. My I am writing a book on the life of my grandfather, I am trying to compile all the stories to reconstruct his life and times.
22
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
Fern Hotels is your hospitality partner. Can you tell us more about them? Fern Hotels was established by a gentle man named Param Kannampilly. He developed the concept of environment friendly hotel under the name Fern Hotels, Fern hotels operate hotels of different classification, that includes Five Star hotel, Meluha The Fern in Mumbai. What are the benchmarks for an Ecotel? The Ecotel Certification is based on five areas of environmentalism, each of which is designated by a Globe award. These five areas are referred to as the ‘cornerstones of environmental responsibility’ or simply as ‘Globes’. These Globes are: Energy conservation, Water Consevrvation, Solid Waste Management, Employee environment education and Environmental commitment Can you tell us more about the hotel and your team? Currently we have 50 rooms; we are in the process of adding another 25 rooms, as I have told you before. Those 25 rooms will come under the heritage wing. Now if you ask me why heritage wing in business hotel, the answer is that our learning while interacting with our guests, anybody who comes to Kerala want to experience a bit of
Kerala. If you are looking for a remarkable dining facility, Beaumonde The Fern, Kochi is the place to be. Taste the flavors from all across the globe under one roof only at 'Cilantro'. Savor the Mughlai, Kerala or Thai cuisine and enjoy a lavish feast at this all day dining restaurant. If you are looking around for a soothing ambience, then 'Gravity', classic yet contemporary Restro bar is the best place to hangout. We also offer recreational facilities like a roof top swimming pool, Health Club, Spa Centre and a room to meditate and relax. Mr. Mahesh Jasrotia is the GM of the hotel. His enthusiasm and leadership skills have proven to be of great advantage to our hotel. He helps run the hotel like a well oiled machine. What are factors that differentiate you from other hotels? We are an Ecotel, that itself is a huge differentiating point. When whole world is is moving towards green practices, being a green hotel earns us that differentiation. We can well boast of diverse culture as far as our employees are concerned, they come all different places in India. We give our guest a very personal experience; we have provided channels so that our guests can interact with the top management. Personal expericnce is something you miss in a large hotel.
Tell us about your Marketing Activities? How intense is the competition? We have Regional sales offices in all major cities in the country. We are also very active in the social media and especially in Facebook. What are your Future Plans? We are planning to start a five star hotel in Srilanka, The island country shares similar culture and cuisine of Kerala and the geography is almost the same. We are planning it to the first Ecotel in Sri-Lanka Tell our readers about your family My father is Dr. Sathyapalan, he is a physician working with PVS Hospital Kochi. My mother is Bhuvaneswary , she is one of the director of this hotel. I am married to Dr. Ayswarya, she is an ENT Surgeon. I have a sister, Priyanka, she is married to Dr. Sachin, and he is a paediatrician. What are your hobbies, how do you unwind? I travel a lot, for me travelling is all about learning and exploring. I was also interested sports especially cricket and swimming. I am quite interested in arts and I admire Raja Ravi Varma a lot.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 23
Stay
Beaumonde The Fern: Kochi’s only Five Star EcotelŽ
L
ocated right at the heart of the city, Beaumonde The Fern lives up to the standards of an Ecotel. The Elegance and sophistication is hid under a charming veil of simplicity. One of the first Five Star Ecotel hotel in Kochi, Beaumonde The Fern. The hotel in Kerala which is owned by KGB's Hospitality & falls under the well known brand of Fern Hotels and Resorts presented by the Concept Hospitality Limited is set amidst lush green surroundings & offers peace and tranquillity to the guests. The hotel is well equipped with modern facilities and eco friendly toiletries. As an eco-friendly initiative, all the rooms in our hotel come fitted with energy saver panel. Guests can pamper at a relaxing Spa Centre or can choose to exercise at the Fitness Centre. Dining is another experience that makes for a fun treat. Enjoy a potpourri of cuisine at the all day dining 'Cilantro' or if you wish to spend some light moments and settle down with a glass of your favorite drink, then 'Gravity' is the best place to be. With 3 conference halls, a banquet hall & 2 board rooms well furnished and offering excellent business facilities, our hotel in Ernakulam Cochin satisfies the need of every corporate traveler. Special facilities like parking facility, travel desk car rental facility, salon and safety deposit lockers add convenience to the guests.
24
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
Enjoy a potpourri of cuisine at the all day dining 'Cilantro' or if you wish to spend some light moments and settle down with a glass of your favorite drink, then 'Gravity' is the best place to be.
versed with the water conservation operations of the hotel.
Solid waste management
The 5 Globes
®
Ecotel : The Hallmark of Environmentally Sensitive Hotels
The Ecotel Certification is based on five areas of environmentalism, each of which is designated by a Globe award. These five areas are referred to as the ‘cornerstones of environmental responsibility’ or simply as ‘Globes’. These Globes are:
Energy conservation This requires the existence of a formalized framework to actually reduce the energy consumption of the hotel. For instance, whether the hotel has been designed and constructed keeping in mind maximum energy conservation. Factors like whether minimum lighting is being used, the extent of involvement of the guests as well as the employees etc. also make a difference to the final score.
Water conservation Evaluates the effective conservation of water in all departments of the hotel, across all levels. The extent to which water is recycled and utilized is also considered an important factor. Again, all employees are expected to be well-
The hotel must effectively recycle and manage waste wherever generated. Proper systems for collection, recycling and disposal of these wastes in all departments of the hotel are a must for the Ecotel certification. Moreover, all employees of the hotel must undergo training in the basic solid waste management techniques.
Employee environmental education Evaluates how involved the employees are in the efforts of the hotel to contribute towards the environment. The hotel should have training modules in place for employees at all levels to familiarize them with the eco-friendly initiatives of the hotel.
Environmental commitment The hotel/ resort/ inn must demonstrate the existence of a formalized commitment towards the preservation and enhancement of the natural environment. It must, through all operations, activities and written statements, communicate its commitment to the environment. For e.g. the mission statement of the hotel/ resort must mention its environmental dedication. Additionally, every hotel should have a green team headed by a member of the top management ensuring that all departments are working in consonance with the hotel’s mission of environmental responsibility. October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 25
Banking
MID – QUARTER
Monetary Policy Review September 2013
R
BI’s Mid –Quarter Monetary Policy came as surprise as it announced a hike in the repo rate by 25bps first time in the financial year. The hike was against the market expectation and was duly reflected in the market sentiments after that. The market expectation of rate reduction was because the Federal Reserve a day before has postponed its tapering programme. The repo rate was hikes as per the policy focus of RBI to control inflation. Along with the repo rate hike, RBI I also reduced the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate by 75 basis points to 9.5% and the minimum daily maintenance of the cash reserve ratio (CRR) to 95% effective from September 21, 2013. This resulted in enhanced short term liquidity and helped correct the yield curve which has tended to get inverted. In the last policy the repo rates were kept unchanged. RBI has now indicated that its prime objective remains to anchor inflation.
26
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
Infrastructure projects are also showing a downward trend. But overall the monsoon was good, and that will be reflected in the agricultural output
There are various challenges before the Reserve Bank of India. First among them is tapering of Quantitative Easing. Advanced economies witness a moderate recovery, but several growing economics witnessed slowdown owing to different factors including the prospects of tapering. Even though the Federal Reserve has called of tapering, the threat remains. Domestic growth has also weakened and there is a sluggishness in industrial activity and services. Consumer consumption is also showing a downturn. Infrastructure projects are also showing a downward trend. But overall the monsoon was good, and that will be reflected in the agricultural output. The wholesale price index has risen because of a weak rupee and crude price hike. The food WPI is a concern. The CPI inflation too has tended to crawl around 9.5%. But with some better kharif harvest, CPI will ease down. But still inflation is threat our economy is facing.
Current Account Deficit remained above sustainable levels of 2.5 % owing to weakening domestic savings and lower export demand and rising. The CAD has been now seen as the biggest risk to macroeconomic outlook by RBI. The geopolitical problems arising from west Asia will further aggregate. RBI Reduced of Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) by 75 basis points and Minimum Daily Maintenance of CRR from 99% of the requirement to 95%. . this was done in order to ease the liquidity situation. The reduction in the MSF rate is aimed at reducing the funding cost of banks. Even though, taking the borrowing through the MSF and repo rate window from 26th July 2013 when the effective MSF came into operation; it was observed that on daily average banks borrowed around Rs 47,309 crore through MSF and Rs 38,707 crore through the repo window. The effect in percentage terms on a annual basis wills 3% and there will no significant benefit.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 27
Marketing Lexicon
Brand Identity The outward expression of a brand – including its name, trademark, communications, and visual appearance – is brand identity. Because the identity is assembled by the brand owner, it reflects how the owner wants the consumer to perceive the brand – and by extension the branded company, organization, product or service. This is in contrast to the brand image, which is a customer's mental picture of a brand. The brand owner will seek to bridge the gap between the brand image and the brand identity.
Affiliate Marketing Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought by the affiliate's own marketing efforts. The industry has four core players: the merchant), the network the publisher and the customer.
Focus group The Pareto principle The Pareto principle (also known as the 80–20 rule, the law of the vital few, and the principle of factor sparsity) states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. Business-management consultant Joseph M. Juran suggested the principle and named it after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who observed in 1906 that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population.
A focus group is a form of qualitative research in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging. Questions are asked in an interactive group setting where participants are free to talk with other group members. The first focus groups were created at the Bureau of Applied Social Research in the USA, by associate director, sociologist Robert K. Merton.[1] The term itself was coined by psychologist and marketing expert Ernest Dichter.
Macro-marketing Macro-marketing addresses big/important issues at the nexus of marketing and society. The principal scholarly outlet for macromarketing research is the Journal of Macro-marketing. In a more interconnected world of markets, marketers, and their stakeholders, macro-marketing is an important mechanism to study both opportunities and shortcomings of marketing, and both its intended positive effects and unintended deleterious effects.
28
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
Entrepreneurship
Dr. Thomas Nechupadam heads Metanoeo, a total transformation/ grooming company that has been the by word for grooming and dressing, personality enhancement and Social/Corporate Etiquette for many pageants including Ms. South India and Mannapuram Ms. Queen of India contest 2012.
Entrepreneurship
Social entrepreneurship in India has developed significantly in the last decade. Young educated men and women are utilizing their entrepreneurial energy to develop sustainable companies.
S
ocial Entrepreneurship frequently hit our discussions nowadays. In a country like India entrepreneurship with social cause is emerging rapidly, partly because there is lot of “opportunity” available and partly because lot educated young people want to come back to India and give their best to their county. Saying this a lot of home grown people also is becoming more interesting in social entrepreneurship. Wikipedia says” Social entrepreneurship is the process of pursuing suitable solutions to social problems. More specifically, social entrepreneurs adopt a mission to create and sustain social value. They pursue opportunities to serve this mission, while continuously adapting and learning. They draw upon appropriate thinking in both the business and non-profit worlds and operate in all kinds of organizations: large and small; new and old; religious and secular; non-profit, for-profit, and hybrid. “
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 29
Social enterprises are making a big impact in the Indian society. The impact may not be seen in the micro level. Social enterprises have seen 15 to 100 times growth in their beneficiary base.
Social entrepreneurship in India has developed significantly in the last decade. Young educated men and women are utilizing their entrepreneurial energy to develop sustainable companies. This in turn makes major changes in the country. Most of these companies are operating in the non-profit mode. They achieve what the government is not able to do. The government now is keen in promoting social entrepreneurship. One of the major highlight over emerging social entrepreneurship is that people who have worked in major corporations bring the same kind of operational efficiency and discipline, which will be visibly lacking in government initiative. In a city like Mumbai, social entrepreneurs and their non-profit organizations educate more than 250, 000 children on a daily basis. The government is totally supporting this cause and there are no barriers, but in certain countries, government puts measures to control non-profit organizations. The government and these organizations co-exist and work together to bring change. In some western countries non-profit organizations are funded by
30
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
government. But In India it is still to happen. But the way things are developing government will certainly will plunge into the band wagon. Government will be to significantly increase the output working with these organizations, even though they may not achieve hundred percentage, but will be better than the result when government alone does it. Social entrepreneurs address existing gaps in the society which will require practical solutions and these solutions are implemented by people who have implemented much more complex business and industrial solutions. Social enterprises are making a big impact in the Indian society. The impact may not be seen in the micro level. Social enterprises have seen 15 to 100 times growth in their beneficiary base. But it is not enough. The challenges ahead of these organizations are huge . there is lack of awareness and concern about the social problems. Also there will have to be policy and regulatory framework for these organizations to operate. If there is collaborative work and free flow of idea. Social entrepreneurship will certainly grow in India.
Auto Review
THE
FLUIDIC
SAGA
Hyundai's D E S I G N
Success
HYUNDAI GRAND I10
H
yundai Grand i10 is the new entry-level diesel model to release in India. The Grand i10 occupies the slot between the i10 and the i20 The highlight of the next-generation car is the all-new 1.1-litre diesel engine developing 70bhp and 160Nm. The all-new Grand i10 follows the much successful Hyundai's fluidic design philosophy. The front of the car features a standard hexagonal grille and well sculpted headlamps that resemble the i20. The fog lamps are big with bold black surrounds adding more aggression the car. The Hyundai Grand i10 looks like
32
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
the current i10 from the side, but it is noticeably wider, longer and taller than the current model. The rear of the Hyundai Grand i10 looks like a shrunk version of the i20. The Grand i10 is bigger in size than the i10 hatchback and hence offers lot more cabin space, along with 258 litres of boot space. The top-end variant Asta option gets climate control, rear parking sensors, steering mounted audio controls, driver seat heightadjustment, tilt-steering and integrated music system that has 1 GB internal memory to store songs. the most attention-grabbing addition to the Hyundai Grand i10
is the rear AC vents, which is not only a segment first feature but something that is not available even on the bigger i20 hatchback. But on the flip side there is not automatic air-conditioning even in the high model. The next generation Grand i10 is powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder kappa petrol engine which pumps out 80bhp and 112Nm. The diesel engine is all-new with displacement of 1.1-litre via threecylinders and produce close to 71bhp and 160Nm of torque. It gives a mileage of 24 kmpl. The Grand i10 is available in four trims – Era, Magna, Sportz and Asta.
i20 HYUNDAI
N
ew i-Gen i20 is the face lifted model of the popular Hyundai i20 . the updated i20 is even more spacious and stylish and has some amazing features. The car follows Hyundai’s fluidic philosophy. The car has some great features and superb build quality. The top end features Smart Key with Push Button Start, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel and Gear Shift Knob, Electric Adjustable Folding and Heated Outside Mirrors, Tilt and Telescopic Steering, 60:40 Split Seat with cushion pop-up for optimum passenger and luggage space utilization, premium 2-DIN CD/MP3 Audio System with 4 speakers and 2 tweeters, USB, Aux-in and Bluetooth connectivity along with Steering Mounted Audio and Bluetooth controls. The car has got automatic headlamps and
wipers a first in its class. The car is available in 3 engine options that include the 1.2 litre kappa petrol engine, 1.4 Litre CRDI diesel engine and 1.4 litre gamma petrol engine. The car has got some features like High Gloss Front Grille, Rear Spoiler with integrated Stop Lamp, 8-Spoke sporty alloy wheels, Turn Indicators on outside mirrors etc. In the safety aspect the hatchback is fitted with highly advanced safety features and safeguards like ABS (Anti Lock Braking System), MDPS (Motor Driven Power Steering) along with 6-airbags, clutch log system, speed sensing auto door locking, impact sensing door unlocking and reverse parking sensor, seat belts with pretensioner and auto-unlocking doors. It is car with 5 star safety rating.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 33
Auto Review
HYUNDAI
ELANTRA H
yundai’s new Fluidic design notches yet another success with the new Elantra. The design elements are well proportioned. To an extent it resembles the Verna but it is larger car. the strong shoulder line that rises from the front bumper to the tail-light looks sporty and elegant . The Elantra also comes with safety features like six airbags, ABS and Vehicle Stability Management. The VSM also has the ability to make small steering corrections if it thinks the car is getting out of shape. The Elantra’s interiors reflect the impressive design language as well. The door pads are well sculpted and dashboard is full with points and curves that flow into the centre console. The
34
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
steering wheel looks and feels great, while the instrumentation is clear and easy to read. Even the fit and finish is really good and the cabin will live up to D-segment buyers’ expectations. The Elantra has got a large wheel base this has practically reflected in the legroom in the back . The Elantra comes with a fresh 1.8-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine. This engine is twincam, four-valve-per-head motor excellent and develops 148bhp at a peaky 6500rpm. Max torque comes at a high 4700rpm. The diesel Elantra, on the other hand, uses the same 126bhp, variablegeometry turbo (VGT) engine as the Verna, but the overall gearing is shorter. So, despite the Elantra’s higher kerb weight, it is quicker off the line. It takes 10.2 seconds to reach 100kph and reaches its top speed of 191kph rather easily. The shorter gear ratios also help Elantra respond faster to taps on the throttle.
HYUNDAI
Verna
H
yundai Verna is exquisite blend of luxury and sportiness. The fluidic design model is extended into this car. The car is probably the most sold car in its class. It is also one of the safest car in its class. The top end version SX (0) is fully loaded with 6 airbags, smart key push button start speed sensing door lock, clutch lock system and reverse camera. The car comes in thirteen trims and has got automatic variants in both petrol and diesel. The exterior is adorned with e improved & two tone headlamps, front hexagonal grille,
L-shaped fog lamps and sleek & trendy bonnet. Adding more thrust to eye-catchy appearance of Hyundai Verna Fluidic, the car is fitted with trendy side mirror integrated with turn lights, chrome plated door handles with big tail lamps blended with massive stop light. The car also boasts horizontally shaped turn indicator and reverse light for delivering more sportiness. The car comes with 4 different engine options and automatic transmission for the 1.6 diesel and 1.6 petrol engine. The CRDI engines 1.4 and the more popular 1.6 are amazing.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 35
Auto Review
HYUNDAI
Sonata
T
he Hyundai Sonata also follows the Fluidic design concept. The long sweeping headlamps and the large chrome grill has got a premium touch. The wheel arches and the rising shoulder also looks smart. The car has complete set of gadgets with cruise control, steering mounted controls, electronically adjustable seats, keyless engine start. The engine is a smooth unit that offers power of 201bhp to. There's a good amount of torque too at 250Nm. As a result, the Sonata can get up to speed quite quickly. The driver gets a 10-way electrically adjustable
36
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
seat. And one that is super comfy to be in too. The dash is uncluttered and not too dissimilar to what's seen in the new Verna. The rear seats too are very comfortable. This car has a 2.4litre petrol engine but the difference is this unit features direct injection. Hyundai Sonata has 6-speed manual transmission. It is more fun to ride with smooth shifts and a light clutch which make it easy to drive in the city. The ride quality really stands out. The suspension is great. There is no diesel engine option.
Blue Ocean Strategy According to the Blue Ocean Strategy the whole world is divided into two the Red Ocean and Blue Ocean. Red oceans represent all the industries in the known market space.
B
lue Ocean Strategy is a business strategy book first published in 2005, written by W. Chan Kim and RenÊe Mauborgne of The Blue Ocean Strategy Institute at INSEAD. The book demonstrates the is the best organizational strategy to generate growth and profits. Blue Ocean Strategy is the way where an organization should create new demand in an uncontested market space, or a "Blue Ocean", rather than compete with other companies in an existing industry. According to the Blue Ocean Strategy the whole world is divided into two the Red Ocean and Blue Ocean. Red oceans represent all the industries in the known market space. In the red oceans, industry boundaries are defined and accepted, and the competitive rules of the game are known. Here companies try to outperform their rivals to grab a greater share of product or service demand. As the market space gets crowded, prospects for profits and growth are reduced. Products become commodities or niche, and cutthroat competition turns the ocean bloody; hence, the term red oceans. Blue oceans, in contrast, denote all the industries not in existence today – the unknown market space, untainted by competition. In blue oceans, demand
38
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
is created rather than fought over. There is ample opportunity for growth that is both profitable and rapid. In blue oceans, competition is irrelevant because the rules of the game are waiting to be set. Blue Ocean is an analogy to describe the wider, deeper potential of market space that is not yet explored. The key point of Blue Ocean Strategy is 'Value Innovation'. A blue ocean is created when a company achieves value innovation that creates value simultaneously for both the buyer and the company. The innovation (in product, service, or delivery) must raise and create value for the market, while simultaneously reducing or eliminating features or services that are less valued by the current or future market. The authors criticize Michael Porter's idea that successful businesses are either low-cost providers or nicheplayers. Instead, they propose finding value that crosses conventional market segmentation and offering value and lower cost. Educator Charles W. L. Hill proposed this idea in 1988 and claimed that Porter's model was flawed because differentiation can be a means for firms to achieve low cost. Apple Corporation is a perfect example of a company practising Blue Ocean Strategy.
Gadgets
Smart Phones
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9000
SAMSUNG
NFC Support Dual Camera: Dual Shot / Dual Recording / Dual Video Call Android v4.3 (Jelly Bean) OS 2 MP Secondary Camera with Smart Stabilization and BSI Sensor Full HD (1080p) Recording and Playback Support
49,990
13 MP Primary Camera with Auto Focus and BSI Sensor Octa Core Processor (1.9 GHz Quad + 1.3 GHz Quad) and 3 GB RAM Samsung Smart Scroll and Samsung Smart Pause 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080) Display S Pen Optimized Features: Air Command; Action Memo; Scrapbook; S Finder; Air Gesture and Air View
Lumia 925
NOKIA
Windows Phone 8 OS 4.5-inch Touchscreen 8.7 MP Primary Camera 1.2 MP Secondary Cam 8.7 MP Primary Camera 4.5-inch AMOLED Capacitive Touchscreen 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Dual Core Processor Windows Phone 8 OS 1.2 MP Secondary Camera Wi-Fi Enabled Full HD Recording Wireless Charging
40
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
33,499
Xperia Z1
SONY
Android v4.2 OS 20.7 MP Primary Camera 5-inch Touchscreen 2 MP Secondary Camera
2 MP Secondary Camera Android v4.2 (Jelly Bean) OS 2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad Core Processor
42,999
Wi-Fi Enabled 20.7 MP Primary Camera 5-inch TFT Capacitive Touchscreen Full HD Recording Expandable Storage Capacity of 64 GB
LG
G2 (16 GB)
2.1 MP Secondary Cam... Android v4.2.2 OS 13 MP Primary Camera 5.2-inch Touchscreen 2.26 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad Core Processor 13 MP Primary Camera 5.2-inch Capacitive Touchscreen
40,490
Full HD Recording Android v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) OS 2.1 MP Secondary Camera Wi-Fi Enabled
**All brands belong to their respective owners. Pictures are for illustrative purpose. Prices are indicative and may vary. Please check with the local distributor.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 41
Gadgets
Camera
Nikon
D3X SLR (Black, Body Only)
2 Years Nikon India Warranty and Free Transit Insurance. ISO 100 - ISO 1600 Sensitivity 24.5 Megapixel Camera CMOS Image Sensor 3 inch Low-temperature Polysilicon TFT LCD Screen
5,24,950
SONY
Alpha A57K SLT SLR (Black, with 18-55 mm Lens)
45,990 3 Years Sony India Warranty and Free Transit Insurance. See Details 16.1 megapixel Camera Exmor APS HD CMOS Image Sensor Full HD Recording 3 inch TFT, Xtra Fine LCD with TruBlack Technology ISO 100 - ISO 12800 Sensitivity
42
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
Canon
EOS 6D
Kit 24 - 70 SLR
20.2MP full frame CMOS sensor DIGIC 5+ image processor
2,06,000
ISO 100-25600 standard, 50-102800 expanded 4.5 fps continuous shooting Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS Single-axis electronic level
Canon
EOS 70D SLR
(Black, with Kit II EF-S 18 - 135 IS STM)
1,02,995 2 Years Canon India Warranty and Free Transit Insurance ISO 100 - ISO 6400 Sensitivity 3 inch TFT Color, Liquid-crystal Touchscreen
**All brands belong to their respective owners. Pictures are for illustrative purpose. Prices are indicative and may vary. Please check with the local distributor.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 43
Gadgets
Laptop
Apple
MD212HN/A MacBook Pro
(3rd Gen Ci5/ 8GB/ 128GB Flash/ Mac OS X Mountain Lion/ Retina Display)
94,400
ProcessorCore i5 (3rd Generation) BrandIntel Clock Speed2.5 GHz Cache3 MB MEMORY System Memory8 GB DDR3 STORAGE HDD Capacity128 GB
44
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
HP Envy TouchSmart 15-J001TX Laptop 4th Gen Ci7/ 8GB/ 1TB/ Win8/ 2GB Graph/ Touch)
79,990
94,400
ProcessorCore i5 (3rd Generation) BrandIntel Clock Speed2.5 GHz Cache3 MB MEMORY System Memory8 GB DDR3 STORAGE HDD Capacity128 GB
**All brands belong to their respective owners. Pictures are for illustrative purpose. Prices are indicative and may vary. Please check with the local distributor.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 45
Gadgets
Laptop
ProcessorCore i5 (2nd Generation)
Apple
MacBook Air Mac MD223HN/A Laptop
BrandIntel Clock Speed1.7 GHz MEMORY System Memory4 GB DDR3 STORAGE HDD Capacity64 GB
67,900
Dell
1,90,009
Dell Alienware 17 Laptop 4th Gen Ci7/ 16GB/ 750GB/ Win8/ 3GB Graph
ProcessorCore i7 (4th Generation) Variant4800MQ ChipsetMobile HM86 Express BrandIntel Clock Speed2.7 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology Upto 3.7 GHz Cache6 MB
46
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
PHILIPS
RL205 FM Radio 3 R20 Type Batteries Table-top Radio
865
425 mW Sound Output Battery Powered 6 Months Philips India Warranty and Free Transit Insurance. See Details 3 R20 Type Batteries LED Torch Headphone Socket Table-top Radio Telescopic Aerial 425 mW Sound Output Battery Powered CMOS Image Sensor
HD 800 Headphone
Sennheiser Wired
Over-the-ear Headphone Circumaural Open Headphone Over-the-head Design 14 Hz - 44100 Hz Headphone Frequency Response
84,990
300 ohm Headphone Impedance 102 dB/mW Headphone Sensitivity at 1 kHz 6.3 mm Headphone Jack
Klipsch
Gallery G-17 Wireless Airplay
Total Output of 60 W RMS 2 Woofers Tweeter Support 102 dB SNR
29,900
1 USB Port
**All brands belong to their respective owners. Pictures are for illustrative purpose. Prices are indicative and may vary. Please check with the local distributor.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 47
Beauty Tips
Grooming
Men TIPS FOR
L
ong hair is back in style. But it is not just the length that matters it’s the health. Always Use a good conditioner at least three times a week, don't over-brush your hair and always avoid heating without using a good heat serum first. Take care for your facial skin. A lot of guys cleanse their face with the same bar of soap they bathe with. You should try to avoid this because it could dry out your skin and cause more blemishes. Instead, opt for a nice facial soap. If you got some gray hairs cropping up and you decide to dye it, we suggest getting it done professionally so it will look natural. If you decide to do it yourself, just make sure you don't choose a shade that is too dark or you'll be in for a shock. Even if you're clean and dressed well, having neck and ear hair can still ruin your appearance. We suggest going to saloon once a month where they will take care of this unsightly problem. If you have beard; keep your beard neat and well trimmed. If you wish to grow it in a longer style, make sure the parts closest to your face are well shaped and whisker-free. To ensure that the ends are not split, have it trimmed regularly and condition it as often as you use conditioner on your scalp.
Tressa Varghese Director, Phoebe International
48
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
Premier Business & Lifestyle Magazine
The Magazine you find in a premium hotel
Premier Business & Lifestyle Magazine Full Name
: (Mr / Mrs / Ms / M/s) : ................................................................................
Address
: .................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................. ................................................................... Postal Code : .........................
Contact Number :...................................................................................................................
UAE Launching Offer for 1 year
WHY SUBSCRIBE ?
Only
Never miss an issue Get your issue before it goes on sale in shops Hassle-free delivery to your door Beat the price hike in the next six months
SUBSCRIBE
TO SUBSCRIBE
AED 60
: .................................................................................................................. Vistit : www.uniquetimes.org/subscribe Call Hotline numbers : 98460 50283, 94470 50283, 93499 50283 95678 50283, 96337 50283 By Post
: Please fill the form below and send it to us. L 5/106, Changampuzha Nagar, Cochin-33
UAE
: Jazz Media Services LLC, Dubai, + 971 4 3583453
Yes, I would like to subscribe to Unique Times, 1 Year ¨ 12 issues for 360/- (AED 60 for UAE readers) I enclose a Cheque / Demand Draft fo the amount Ticked above, made payable to Unique Times, Kochi
uniquetimesindia@gmail.com
Money
Got a credit card? Use Your
Credit Card
Wisely
Credit cards are double edged swords, it is certainly beneficial as its gives a financial ease and security. But at the same time, reckless use and repayment issues can land you into big trouble. A wiser approach in using cards can save you from late payment fees, accumulating interest and penal charges. 50
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
Using credit cards to buy grocery and other everyday expenses often gets you into big trouble as there is chance you may overspend. When you are spending from your credit card make sure that you have a monthly budget made and do not overspend Buying Grocery and other everyday expenses Using credit cards to buy grocery and other everyday expenses often gets you into big trouble as there is chance you may overspend. When you are spending from your credit card make sure that you have a monthly budget made and do not overspend. If you have a tendency to overspend make sure you use your debit card.
Restrict from withdrawing money by using credit card. Never withdraw money from an ATM using your credit card. Credit card has a facility to withdraw money, but the interest rate is hefty and the bank with charge up to 3.5 % monthly and will have a flat transaction fees as well. So unless it is an extreme emergency don’t withdraw cash using credit card.
During the months you have restricted cash inflows Credit cards come with a inbuilt free credit period of 20-50 days. If you do not pay your bills within the due date, you will be charged a late payment fee, high interest of 2.5-3.5 per cent every month and also there are taxes on these charges. So if you have restricted cash flow coming in please restrain from using the card.
credit cards are helpful, you may be affected forex fluctuation and you will repay it with higher rates. A prepaid card will help you avoid this.
Reward Points Most of the credit cards offer reward points. But spending more just to earn reward points is foolishness. In the end, you will end with exorbitant bills and rewards points you will possible not use at all.
When you shop at unsecured websites You must refrain from using your credit at unsecured shopping sites which may offer deep discounts for products. In the end you may become the victim of some credit card fraud.
When you cross your credit limit It is always better to not use the card above your credit limit. The fact is that even if some companies allow you to use the card above the spending limit, they may charge a hefty sum on it.
Discount sale Never use your card when you see a discount sale, or for things you may never want. Also don’t use the card to impress somebody at a party or to give away expensive gifts. At the end of the bill cycle the credit card bill will promptly come for you to pay.
Using credit cards when you travel abroad A prepaid forex card will be beneficial when you travel abroad. Even though
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 51
Travel
The beautiful
Maldives
52
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
T
he Maldives are an archipelago of 1,192 coral islands grouped into 26 coral atolls 200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts in the Indian Ocean. They lie south-southwest of India and are considered part of Southern Asia. Formerly a Sultanate under Dutch and British protection, the Maldives is now a republic. The Maldives are tropical, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures around 30°C throughout the year. However, rainfall increases considerably during the April-October southwest monsoon, particularly from June to August. The Maldives are formed of 26 atolls, or atholhu in Dhivehi — the source of the English word. These are not single islands, but giant ring like coral formations hundreds of kilometres wide that have fragmented into countless islands.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 53
A
toll naming is complex, as the atolls have both lengthy traditional Dhivehi names like Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi, and snappy code names like Baa that refer to administrative regions and may consist of more than one geographical atoll. The code names are actually just the letters of Dhivehi alphabet, but being easier for non-Maldivians to remember and pronounce, the code names are popular in the travel industry and are hence also used here. Of the 20 administrative atoll groups, only (parts of) 10 are open to tourism, and from north to south these are: Male - The capital and largest city and Addu City - Second-largest city. The Maldives have a remarkably easy visa policy - Everybody gets a free 30-day visa on arrival, provided that they have a valid travel document, a ticket out and proof of sufficient funds, defined
as either a confirmed reservation in any resort or US$100 + $50/day in cash. Practically all visitors arrive at MalĂŠ International Airport (IATA: MLE, ICAO: VRMM), located on HulhulĂŠ Island right next to the capital Male. The airport is served by a wide array of flights to China, India, Sri Lanka, Dubai and major airports in SouthEast Asia, as well as an increasing number of charters from Europe. Many flights stop in Colombo (Sri Lanka) on the way. Getting around in the Maldives takes three forms: boats, sea planes and private yachts. The boats are the Maldivian equivalent of a
54
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
car, while planes and private yachts are mainly reserved for tourists. Air taxis and boats prefer not to operate at night, so if you arrive at the airport after dark and are going to a distant resort, you may have to spend the night in Male or at the airport hotel in Hulhule. Private transfers, though expensive can be opted for resort transfers, instead of spending the whole night at Male. Private transfers could cost anywhere between US$500800. On the way back, there may also be a significant gap between the time your transfer arrives and your flight departure. Check with your resort or travel agent. Independent travel to
Turquoise water and perfect waves makes it an ideal and un crowded destination for surfers looking for smooth surfing conditions.
The Maldives is becoming an increasingly popular surfing destination
inhabited islands other than Male requires an Inter Atoll Travelling Permit, and receiving one requires Rf.10, a copy of your passport and the hard part an invitation from a resident of the island you wish to visit. Permits are not necessary for the organized island-hopping tours arranged by resorts and live aboard. No point in the Maldives is more than 90 minutes away by plane from Male, and visitors to the more far-flung resorts use air taxi services. There are two main operators: Maldivian Air Taxi, with red and white planes, and Trans Maldivian Airways, with yellow and blue planes. The services are largely identical, with both flying DHC6 Twin Otter seaplanes that take around 15 passengers. The taxi boats generally take tourists to and from the islands in the North and
South Male atolls. They come in all different shapes and sizes depending on the quality of the resort you stay in — the Four Seasons has a large enclosed motor cruiser with drinks and food, while the lesser resorts have open sided dhoni fishing boats. Talk English is widely spoken, particularly by government officials and those working in the tourism industry. English is the language of instruction in schools, which means that you will be able to communicate with the locals. Since Maldives happen to be a popular destination for German and Italian holiday goers, a sizeable number of local resort workers are able to speak fluent German and Italian. Aside from making the water bungalow rock on your honeymoon, the primary activity on the Maldives is scuba diving. The atolls are all coral reefs
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 55
Diving is possible throughout the year, but rain, wind and waves are most common during the season of the southwest monsoon. The best time for scuba diving is from January to April, when the sea is calm, the sun is shining and the visibility can reach 30 m.
56
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
hundreds of kilometers away from any major landmass, meaning that water clarity is excellent and underwater life is abundant. While diving is very good by world standards even in the immediate vicinity of Male, visibility and the chance of encountering large pelagics increases as you head to the outer atolls. Many divers opt for liveaboards, which can actually work out much cheaper than paying high resort fees. Currents vary considerably, with generally little inside the atolls but some powerful streams to be found on the sides facing the open sea. Diving is possible throughout the year, but rain, wind and waves are most common during the season of the southwest monsoon (June-August). The best time for scuba diving is from January to April, when the sea is calm, the sun is shining and the visibility can reach 30 m. Decompression chambers can be found on Bandos in Kaafu (15 min from Male), Kuredu in Lhaviyani Atoll and at Kuramathi on Alifu.
The one downside to diving in the Maldives is that it's quite expensive by Asian standards. Prices vary considerably from resort to resort, with specialist dive resorts offering better prices. The Maldives is becoming an increasingly popular surfing destination. Turquoise water and perfect waves makes it an ideal and un crowded destination for surfers looking for smooth surfing conditions. The best period for surfing in the Maldives is between March and October; the biggest waves occurring in June, July and August. This paradise is exposed to the same swells as Indonesia is, except that its higher latitude and its South-East exposure offers cooler and less hardcore surfing. The recent O’Neil Deep Blue Contests held in the Maldives has placed Maldives firmly on the world’s surf map. While most of the recognized surf breaks are in Male’ Atoll, there is certainly more to be discovered.
2014
Are you the one with pleasant personality and style that allures everybody? Are you the one who fire on the ramp? If yes then you can definitely apply for the finest pegeant in South India
Books
Coaching for Breakthrough Successs :
Proven Techniques for Making Impossible Dreams Possible 1st Edition (Paperback) Coaching for Breakthrough Success is packed with stirring personal stories, life changing case studies, crucial coaching conversations, exemplary coaching questions, and ready-touse tools that equip you to achieve professional mastery in coaching. This practical manual guides you through the top 30 principles every coach needs to succeed. Youll learn the six paradigms of Situational Coaching, the ultimate power of Achievers Coaching Techniques and the tried and true secret to making impossible dreams possible. All you need to lead your team to victory is heart, mind, energy and Coaching for Breakthrough Success.
Authored By: Peter Chee, Jack Canfield | Publisher: Tata McGraw-Hill Education (2013) | Rs. 475/-
The Essentials of Business Etiquette How to Greet, Eat and Tweet Your Way to Success 1st Edition (Paperback) The Essentials of Business Etiquette offers 101 crucial etiquette tips for improving behavior when greeting, eating and managing social media with customers, partners, coworkers, supervisors and in other business relationships. Pachter covers such topics as distributing business cards, using the right profile photos on social media, email and smartphone etiquette, Skype interviewing and using Twitter appropriately.
Authored By: Barbara Pachter, Denise Cowie | Publisher: Tata McGraw-Hill Education (2013) | Rs. 450
Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business (Paperback) "We believe that business is good because it creates value, it is ethical because it is based on voluntary exchange, it is noble because it can elevate our existence, and it is heroic because it lifts people out of poverty and creates prosperity. Free-enterprise capitalism is the most powerful system for social cooperation and human progress ever conceived. It is one of the most compelling ideas we humans have ever had. But we can aspire to something even greater." From the Conscious Capitalism Credo.
Author: John Mackey, Rajendra Sisodia | Publisher: Harvard Business School Press (2013) | Rs. 1250
58
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
Risk Management and Financial Institutions 3rd Edition Proven Techniques for Making Impossible Dreams Possible 1st Edition (Paperback) Fully revised and updated, this new edition features coverage of Basel 2.5, Basel III and Dodd-Frank as well as expanded sections on counter party credit risk, central clearing, and collateralization. In addition, end-of-Chapter practice problems and a website featuring supplemental materials designed to provide a more comprehensive learning experience make this the ultimate learning resource. Written by acclaimed risk management expert, John Hull, Risk Management and Financial Institutions is the only book you need to understand-and respond to-financial risk.
Author: John C. Hull | Publisher: Wiley India Pvt Ltd (2012) | Rs. 659
Boost Your Brain Power (Paperback) You can redesign and energize your brain at any age. Dr. Marie Pasinski of Harvard Medical School and Chicken Soup for the Soul will help you Boost Your Brain Power with these revealing personal stories, clear medical advice, and tips. You can improve your memory, reduce your risk factors for Alzheimers disease, stay sharp in your senior years, and enhance your mental abilities, at any age! Read how other people just like you have boosted their brain power, improved their memory and cognitive thinking, and have even come back from traumatic brain injuries in these fascinating and revealing personal stories.
Author: Marie Pasinski | Publisher: Westland (2013) | Rs. 495
The New Digital Age Reshaping the Future of People, Nations and Business (Paperback) The New Digital Age: Reshaping The Future Of People, Nations And Business discusses the existence of two civilizations, the digital world and the physical world. The current world that we live in evolved over multiple centuries whereas the the digital world into existence recently. While the current world is calculated and structured with the amalgamation of cultures, religion, states, governments, policies, and laws, the developing digital age is ungoverned, unstructured and almost anarchist at times.
Author: Eric Schmidt, Jared Cohen | Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (2013) | Rs. 650
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 59
Apps
QuickVoice Recorder Q
uickVoice Recorder is one of the best apps for taking voice notes for new business ideas and reminders, especially when you’re on the MOVE. Also It allows you to send voice messages. With its latest update, you can use other apps while recording.
MakeMe
M
akeMe is a fantastic app for pushing you to get things done when you might otherwise procrastinate. The whole experience is in a game mode , so there’s an element of fun peer pressure that is amazingly effective for inspiring action.
i
DoneThis allows you to reply to an evening email reminder with what you did that entire day. The next day, it sends you a digest with what everyone on the team got done. It’s simple. Its helps you a lot in managing your work
K
Kingsoft Office
60
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
ingsoft Office allows you to work with every file type you may need, including Microsoft files, and it provides you with iCloud support. the mobile app is free and you can access and edit files on the move, you do not need to spend a small fortune for the services, which allows me to put my budget toward other necessities.
SUPERCALENDAR
S
uperCalendar is a virtual assistant to manage your calendar. It’s a service that you can adapt around to continue leveraging on an ongoing basis. It also helps the rest of your team, and customers get the most out of you.
B Brooke
rooke helps you keep tabs on your favorite people, companies and publications on twitter. You I get the information you want, but you spend less time on social media and more time getting stuff done.
F
ancy Hands is virtual assistant service when you have tasks you don’t want to spend any time on yourselves. All you have to do is open the mobile app, describe what you want done and send it to the team at Fancy Hands. Within a few hours, they’ll have it taken care of. The best part is that they don’t close a task until you are completely satisfied with the outcome.
Fancy Hands
M
ailbox helps you cut down on time spent dealing with email. Being a fast and efficient email app can really make you stand out as a responsive and on-theball founder.
Mailbox
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 61
Social Media
5
STEPS for Success in
SOCIAL MEDIA
62
UNIQUE TIMES October 2013
01 Set up your targets and your strategy Approaching the social media with the target audience in mind and the strategy to win them will make a lot of difference. This process gets skipped most of the time. You have set up specific goals and strategy time on time and give your audience exactly what they want. For this you will have exactly identify and learn about your audience.
02 Plan your activity The simplest way is to be real organized and set up a content calendar. This calendar needs to consist of different types of posts. What types of content should you post? Content creation is a whole lesson of its own, but you resort various guided to create good content. There are many resources in the internet available.
03 Be regular with your contents You now make a calendar of types of posts. Scheduling your main posts is important and will keep your posting consistent. you can use tools like Hootsuite, Post Planner or the Facebook scheduler to schedule your post. Organizing creates the consistency.
04 Engage with your audience. Social media is not just about talking at people, it’s about talking topeople. Make sure to join in other conversations. Also make sure to truly get to know and care about others and it will come back to you. If you spam and pitch your business all the time, nobody will notice you. Actually, they will, but not in the way that will get positive attention. Most likely they will unlike your page or disconnect with you on the social networks
05 Monitor your posts and delete which don’t work. You should be reviewing your posts weekly or bi-weekly at least. It is important to look at your statistics. There are many monitoring tools available, but the best free tool is Google Analytics. Facebook Insights recently revamped to show amazing statistics too. You should be reviewing these weekly or bi-weekly at least. Sometimes it takes some experimenting and really getting to know your audience for social media success.
October 2013 UNIQUE TIMES 63