Month: March 2016

Resurrection of Kingfisher Brand

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Kingfisher Brand

Where have the Good Times!

It’s the lent time. Many Christians and pseudo ones are fasting – abstaining from booze, meat, etc as a remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus, son of David.

And in few days time, the Christians around the world will break the fast on Easter Day – the day Christ rose from the dead. Easter is marked as a time of revival, hope and day for a new beginning.

In the spirit of this Easter, I wish for a new beginning, a revival or resurrection of one of India’s flamboyant brand Kingfisher Airlines.

Well, is it my daydream!

I was thinking today if there was some way to raise the millions of dollars which Kingfisher owes to the banks and to the lenders. What if Indians do a crowd-sourcing magic.

Oh, just think of such a scenario. A major and the first of the kind in the world to raise so much an amount though Kick-starter project. Will it work. What if Mr Vijay Mallya reads this post and think about it. Most probably, he will brush it down an unpractical joke.

But, I want Kingfisher to fly Indian skies. Yes, the red crew members, the superior service, etc. Also, the glamour quotient of the brand.

Can we raise so much amount through such a project. What if I contribute Rs 100 and like that millions of Indians across the world do a some kind of contribution. In case someone thinks of such a project how many hundreds will be required to fill the void. Of-course, there are many who will contribute more than hundred, say 5K or 10 K, etc.

Why I don’t like any brand or business to down its shutters?

  • B’cos their loss is our loss too
  • People loosse job when a company goes into red
  • A company is troubled watters raises the anxiety of its staff
  • Many a dreams are squashed or culled
  • Money is lost – for the investors, government and society

Mallya – Jokes Apart

 Btw, I’m fed up of the jokes which fly in Whatsapp group. Well, I’m also a part of the cheap joke stuff and I too have forwarded many such ones to my peers. But, jokes apart, how can we make those red birds fry again?

Well, in any business environment, we know that there are many which perish, and some who flourish. Well, Kingfisher is not the first airline which has gone burst. There are many in the history books. Also thinking of this, is there a book on the collection of various bankruptcy filed by airline companies. The reason, aftermath, etc and the lessons learned.

Book on How Arline Companies when Down Under – Lessons Learned!

Probably there are, but in the latest edition they can add the story of Kingfisher.

Your’s in Spirit!

When Tinder Meets Idea Sharing

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Not a Tinder Match but an Idea Hock-up App

I couldn’t think of another headline, so came with this nonsense line. Forgive me about it…

This post is about a mobile application idea, which can help to connect the foreigners or natives with brains.

This is an idea sharing app and it’s something like a Tinder match. So, here’s the plan I got.

1) Imagine a foreigner lands in India

2) He or she could be here for vocation or avocation, just searching for peace of mind or nirvana, so was  Elizabeth Gilbert and many before her.

3) Now, this person could be an expert in any field ( Medical, Architecture, Origami, Fitness, Games, Fishing, Sushi, Fire Works ( not bomb making ),  Philanthropy, Video Editing, Porn artist, marketing speaker, Make up man, Hair Dresser, Art designer, graphic designer, Yoga Teacher, Math’s tutor, Stock Marketer, Balloonist, Frisbee expert, Vegetable carving specialist, App developer, Chef, Grammar expert, life coach, etc)

4) In most cases, these people come for a holiday or stay in a place or visit or explore cities in India and leave the country. Yes, they do it without sharing their talent or skills. In many cases, they would be happy to share their skills or talk about them to likeminded people or even make extra bucks trading their skill for cash. In the current situation, it’s quite impossible to know if there’s such a person around. We never know, because it’s not possible to track or find or research on such a visitor. .

5) So, the IDEA is this. Create a mobile App where people can log-in and add the key skills, qualification ( if any) in the field of work, samples, recommendation and proof. Also, they should display what they are looking for. Are they looking to share their skills for money or trade for a goodie or they are willing to share it for taking care of their accommodation in the city, etc.

6) Next stage is bit tricky. The person who signs-up should have multiple options: He can either hide his status, or again he has more options. ( Share his skills to a group ( e.g for 2 hrs), Meet someone who has the same skills, Casual meet-up for a coffee or beer, Exchange his skills to underprivileged or people who can benefit, or, share his skills for money. )

7) Next, there are the people who seek these talent. They can also put up their msg or request based on demand. If two match, there is a WOW moment.

Now, imagine how India can benefit from thousands of talents landing in our country each day. Will the connection bring a fusion of ideas, sharing, wealth, etc.

I was thinking of many tourists landing in Kerala and leaving without adding  any value to the people. Probably, they would have like to speak at a meeting, share the latest in AI or the IoT, or whatever they are good at. Imagine the benefit both sides has.

Acid test this Mobile Application

Do you think such a cross exchange of work or skill happen in a society where people are not ready to open and also there are few risks involved with meeting of strangers, etc. Will this mobile app has a human verification aspect so that each person is vetted and verified.

Are you the One Who…

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1) Will keep the plastic sheet on the seat of the new car and run for more than six months

2) Will honk without a real purpose or reason

3) Will keep bothering other people with your minor worries.

4) Is extremely enthusiastic about the performance of your kid who is class I

5) Doesn’t have any conscious to leave waste by the road side or spit on the road.

6) Will dig nose in the public, regardless of who’s watching

7) has little regard for people living in your locality

So, are you the one…

1) Who goes out of the way to help a fallen biker

2) Who stands by and helps relatives when they have financial difficulties

3) Help strangers without expecting any return

4) Spend money or voluntary clean the neighborhood.

5) Who takes the first step to say hello to your neighbours or visits the house with a portion of meal or sweets

Spout Biz Idea in Bangalore

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Kadala Chundal ( Source: http://www.sharmispassions.com/)

I don’t know if I had shared this spout idea before. Anyways, I’m doing it again as I see an unique value proposition about in a place stacked with fitness freaks and Lycra babes.

Don’t get me know, it’s about a healthy business proposition.

So, here it goes!

Sometime back a colleague got a small Tupperware box full of steamed kadala ( Green Gram, Cherupayaru. Red Gram, Thuvara parippu). He shared his snack with all of us and I eagerly went for second helping. The taste of it was just fantastic and I kept asking him for more. Later, he used to bring different varieties of such snacks which was prepared by his mom.

Here’s a recipe to make kadala sundal at your home

After having it for a couple of days, I asked if he could sell this item to public. I even told that selling to early morning park goes or evening strollers would be a fine idea. But, as usual, this idea is just an idea without any action or momentum.

So, what’s next level.

I thought it could be a good idea if we can sell spouts of different kinds in a small shop. Will this idea click? Will there be audience to buy spouts, especially those who love to go healthy. I even figured out that a shop next to any of the fitness centers would ideally attract health freaks.

Also, the packaging of these spouts should in Rs 10 packs. This should be served in organic plates or boxes. I don’t think that would be difficult as there are many plates and small bows made of palm leaf, etc.

So, what do you think? Will it work. Probably, a small road side tea vendor can start if his shop is near to any of the swanky health clubs. Well, there are few in Indira Nagar side, and one near Figurine Fitness.

Given a chance I’ll speak to the owner and see if he will buy this idea. Only problem right now, is that I have to learn Kannada. Ok, I’m planning to do so at the earliest. 

Opportunity Knocks Only Once…

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Knock Knock

I remember a wit from Punch magazine..

Knock, Knock, Knock
Who’s there
Opportunity..
No, opportunity knocks only once…

Why did I have to share this on this post. B’cos, I was thinking of the lost chances, lost date, slow start, delay to start living healhtyhealth issues due to lack of exercise, etc.
The question is did I learn from all the slow start? I don’t think so. Even now, I keep waiting, warming, pacing before I do wake up to the opportunity.

Will I ever Learn?

Probably, next project or after that or now!. The problem with me, like many others is that we feel time in infinite, and we get ino the old habit. In a recent article I read, it says that more than 40% of daily task is a matter of habit. If that’s the case, getting into the right high is one that we should take care.Another problem is that we don’t keep  a deadline. Seth Godin say – Keep a deadline before you start a project.

Cheers!

Gokarna Street View

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Gokarna Town – Dye for sale

Sleepy Gokarna Town

No Hurry – Life at it’s Own Pace

Typical house/shop in Gokarna

Vegetable vendor ( Road side)

These pictures are my visit to this beach side town called Gokarna. In this town, I could find few similarities with Kerala – tiled houses, small shops, and the tropical flora.

Name the Visionary Politician in India

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Show me the future

Photo Source: Flickr

Suddenly it dawned on me that most of our political leaders are fighting, clinging to their seat, selling short-term dreams, mooting short term growth, without shaping the long-term vision of our country. The political manifesto is just a piece of paper, forgotten after the election. How can a nation grown, thrive with such men?

When can we see people with vision who as politicians take a stand for the long term growth of India? Do you know anyone in that genre?

Track Politicians Journey
I wish there’s is a website which rates the growth of each political leader. this visual site will address these questions:

  • When did he or she started the political career
  • How did they look when they started?
  • What could be the bank balance at that time and NOW?
  • What all do they own as they grew in the political ladder?
  • What was the biggest break in their career? 
  • What was the mistakes or embarrassment they faced?
  • What are the assets they own?
  • What visions they have about their constituency, state, country?
  • What do they tell during each speech?
  • What is their opinion about social media, digital channels?
  • How often do they help poor and rich?
  • What do their kids do? 

I have a dream…

Well, this is a crude list, which will require perfection or omission. Whatever, my intention is simple, let’s know what our leaders have in mind. What are their strong points? Will they be good enough to take our country forward?

Movie Poster in Trivandrum

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Malayalam Hits

Filim Posters in Trivandrum

Poltergeist Poster

Film Promotion

Are you a movie poster collector? Do you have similar interest like me to collect move posters from different languages? If so, Trivandrum is the place for you. All you need a bit of luck and you can get hold of couple of posters to add on to your collection.

Modus Operandi – Movie Poster Collection

One source to get poster is from cinema halls. The right person to ask is the security guys  or the guys who you can spot either at the entrance of movie theatre or those fellas chit-chatting near the lobby area. First spot the right person, who you think can help you on this. Next, ask. Make your own story about your love for movies, or poster, or pretent that you’re a fan of that particular movie star. Also, express that you’ll give something in return of the poster.

In Trivandrum, I’ve failed couple of times as they brushed me away. Also, few had enthusiastically searched and found few posters. So, give it a try and take home a piece of the big picture.  

Future of Gold Business in Kerala

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Shoppers in a gold store in Kerala

Pic source: Flickr
Do you know the most crowded shop in Kerala after govt run liquor shops? If you think it’s ration shops, then you’re wide off the mark. It’s gold shops in Kerala which is perpetually packed with buyers eager to buy gold. I guess, we Keralities has picked the fascination towards gold in the 80’s or many be in late 70’s. Whatever, I may be wrong, it’s just my guess.

However, one of the question I was thinking is this – how long will the lust or the bull run on gold purchase last in Kerala? Will Malayalees continue to consume tons of this metal for the sake of giving dowry or as investment?

I doubt the growth and I see a gloomy picture. And, here’s why.

There are few aspects to why gold biz will grow lean in the coming years.

# 1. People are broke. Well, I’m kind of broke and I don’t see much prosperity in people. When I travel by bus, the general appearance doesn’t show a prosperous picture. Well, I could be wrong. Reason for saying is just this; Gulf economy is in a rocky state. There are reports of companies sending employees out and employees are working with less salary. This could directly and indirectly affect the earnings of our state. With not much money, who has the capability to buy gold as in the earlier era.

#2. With rising number of love marriages, the role of parents are taking a back seat. These days, boys and girls are planning, deciding and making arrangement for their marriage. In such cases, the hefty dowry are often less important that it used to be.

#3  Rise and fall of gold prices has shaken the confidence of people. The investment in gold has come down and now people are diversifying the investment into multiple assets, like land, shares, gold, mutual funds, etc.

# 4 Rise of gold pledge is the testament of the rise in residential borrowing. So, what’s happening in Kerala. People have pledged most of the gold they own. So, there’s little gold left in the hands people. Who own the rest? The big financial firms, like Muthoot, Cooperative banks,  Nationalized Banks, etc.

Taking stock of this scenario, there’s little hope for gold rush to continue in Kerala. One point I missed here is that the taste of people has changed and now many prefer platinum and diamonds. So, another negative vote for gold.

So, what’s the conclusion…

If you’re in gold business, it’s time to diversify into other business areas. For instance, we have seen how: Muthoot group has diversified into tourism, hospitality, etc. Well, I think they know the old parable “Don’t put all eggs in one basket”.

Bye!

———————
2020 update: I was wrong to say back then that our gold fascination will die soon. As I write the price of one gram of gold has shot up beyond 3K. And, still there’s no less demand for gold in Kerala.

Damn! I’m no good in predicting the buying trends or behavior.