Multiple SIM cards for single mobile phone no.

Now its time to launch multiple SIM cards with same MSISDN (Mobile no.) as handset operating multiple SIM cards has been an exhausted idea due to battery back up shortage. One in smartphone and another in simple phone. This can happen with prioritization concept i.e. the call should latch on the switched on handset if another is switched off and on either of handsets if both are switched on subject to condition of prioritized handset in such circumstances.

Cost Reduction Tectic for Engineering Cos

Dear Friends,

EPC companies begging business from Govt. sector have to face major challenges while acquiring large orders as the same has (as usual) following three elements that adjudicate their eligibility criteria for wining the orders as follows:

1. Price
2. Quality
3. Readily Availability

Companies majorly forgo the first element in terms of profitability for the sake of winning the orders against anticipated loyalty of their customers towards the rest two. This, however, is done with a hope to regain the subsequent orders and to recoup the loss so incurred at later stage. But since the clients are smart enough to sense this and enjoy the competitive environment, they go through the same set of procedural aspects again when they wish to release the new orders w.r.t. their new requirements. Consequently the companies lose the control over the price they quote and tend to become lose making.

What to do to overcome this dilemma??

This can be dealt with by achieving control over the cost rather than looking for opportunity to increase the price. Friends, Major portion of cost of their products is the material cost, wherein, again required quantum of material cannot be curtailed unless a totally substitute item is introduced as an option. Nevertheless, the price paid for material used can be controlled by some traditional ways viz. Negotiations, Finding alternative vendors base, Bulk Buying and so on. However, these all have become age old tecticts to control cost.

Nonetheless, This requires an out of box treatment for controlling the material cost.

Prior to proceeding further, i like to take you through an ad film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPRH0cMPidE

Hope it took your brain through something relevant to the matter that I'm about to discuss.

Just imagine what a Film Director in order to encourage an amateur actor says when he expects him/her to act as. Yes........."Put yourself into the shoes of the character and then act". Likewise my todays post puts the requirement and manufactures' parts to think from the angle of a vendor. Just Imagine what a vendor wants. For sure you would endup with concluding three things.

1. Large Business Volume
2. Consistency
3. Timely receipts of their dues for the materials they provide. (Favourable liquidity).

Lets Discuss, each of them individually:

1. Large Business Volume:
Offer of large business volume to vendors may not be possible considering own scale of economies and Opeartions as no miracle can be brought in the requirements w.r.t. the same in terms of cost improvement. Also EPC Cos have constraints of tendering pattern of order winning thus business is not an assured piece of cake.

2. Consistency:
Due to it's inherent nature the business model is not sure to retain it's market share on consistent basis.

3. Quick Liquidity:
Since the business model requires the own dues from the clients to be cleared on successive basis viz. Supply of goods, Installation, Commissioning etc., it's unable to clear the outstandings towards the material so bought from vendors.

To encounter the above three vices, the EPC business model needs to be re-structured as follows:

1. To see who all are the other business houses who dont fall in our competition but again have the same set of requirements as far as principal inputs are concerned.
2. To form a shared service group that accumulates the requirement of inputs for self as well as for such non-competitior group.
3. To place the order for clubbed common requirements and get them processed on time.
4. To retain the maximum profit by the concept initiator and to share the rest amongst the remaining stakeholders.
5. Vendors can be controlled by meeting their requirements w.r.t. all three needs they ever dreamed of.

To Cross-check this model of business following differents can be infurred:

• Own requirements are limited on individual basis but can generate large requirement of inputs when clubbed togather. this will give rise to bulk requirement which is not totally dependent on single business and would redult into bulk business for vendores who are nominated.
• There subsists increased probability of  consistent requirement due to variety of business models.
• Since not all stakeholdhers have same kind of business, the cash richness will also vary in other business models forming part of such non-competitor group. This will enhance the liquidity of group as a whole and will facilitate quick clearance of dues for materials so sought.

When all above three requirements of a vendor are fulfilled, they would tend to become the business parterns rather than being just a vendor and would pass on the benefits of scale of economies achieved from such orderings.

Once benefits are passed on by the vendors to the customers, these will be retained by shared service, and will be shared amongst the stake holders by way of retaining major savings for own and minor share of non-competitors group.


This will result into massive reduction in material cost and thus will improve the cost structure of a products in market. This will give rise to chances of obtaining business at a rapid rate.

 

Remedial packing options for Gutkha in India

Dear Readers,

The Supreme Court of India has  promulgated an order prohibiting Gutkha manufacturers to pack & sell gutkha in plastic sachet from 1st March, 2011 onwards. The remarkable point is that the quantum of Gutkha being sold in sachet (plastic pack) is substatial in it's overall sales volume. This would cause a massive loss to annual business of Rs.2500 crore of Gutkha Industry if they dont get the option in time.

No worries, I've got the option for them. Any guesses.....................

...................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................

Paper.....................no......................Thermocol...............no(lol).................corrugated box..............no....................cardboard..........no................................................

Then??????

Well, it can be packed in cheap silver.................yes.........the "Aluminum Foil".

Yes, aluminum foil. But why aluminum foil??????????????



Aluminum foil is the best option because:


It's has tremendous features like shining & strength to replace plastic pack overnight.
It's Cheap. Remember, when a pack of 10 tablets is price ranging from as lower as Rs.2/-, the price may go up as higher as Rs.1000/- if different 10 tabs are available in the same pack. This clearly denotes that it's not the cost of packing (in aluminum foil) that varies but the cost of tablets. Even in a Rs.2/- pack of 10-tablets when the drug company recovers the overall cost and profit as well from the customer, it's packing cost remains very negligible.

Afterall, what makes aluminum foil as the best option to plastic packs:

 Aluminum is the most abundant metallic source. This means there is always lots of it, and it is relatively easy to get. Both aluminum and plastic do not degrade, good for things that need to last long. Aluminum is stronger by itself, without needing other materials added into it. But plastic can have glass and steel fused into it, to make it as strong as a rock, while still relatively light. There is also the fact of the aluminum being a good insulator. Plastic is more versatile, because it can be strong, heavy, or light. They can both keep food from spoiling, but plastic can be translucent, allowing it to be seen from outside. Aluminum foil also can bend easy, and isn’t molded, which means it can’t hold soup or other liquids, while plastic can. This makes plastic used more commonly in the household, because it is better.

Outside of the household, aluminum is better. Aluminum is relatively light, and is still strong. It is good for bridges, vehicles, bikes, and many other things. It is also used in silverware. Aluminum is the most commonly used conductor of energy at 700000 volts or more. While it only has 63% of the conductivity, it weighs half as much, and if you use a little less than twice as much is works out better for you. Aluminum is used in pop cans. Pop cans are so common, there wouldn’t be enough plastic to make them all. Aluminum is easily recycled, while plastic is hard to recycle, because of the many different types of it.

Effects on the Environment

You must also take into consideration the environment effects of both aluminum and plastic. Aluminum definitely wins here. First of all, aluminum is recycled so much easier. Aluminum is also easy to find, and there’s lots of it. Unlike plastic, which is made from fossil fuels (oil, coal). Fossil fuels are already depleting, and once they are all used up we are in trouble. There is no way to currently get rid of plastic. If you burn it, it creates poisonous gases. It doesn’t decompose, and it nothing eats plastic. This is a growing problem around the world. Scientists are working on making decomposable plastic. Aluminum can be made into other aluminum easily, because there aren’t many forms of aluminum. An example would be with pop cans. You see pop can recycling bins everywhere. Pop cans get recycled over and over.

 Thus, I believe alumium foil will be the best option to plastic packs for gutkha after 1st March, 2011 in India.

 Stay tuned for lot more new business ideas like this............

Use of laptop battery for charging cell phone

Sometimes, we find that the battery of our cellphone is not charged enough to enable us to communicate and there's no charging facility nearby. Fortunately, we may have our lappy with fully / substantially charged baterry. Of course, we can still communicate with people through our lappy with if net connection is attached to that. But the communication made by voice has different approach than that so made through any messenger service through lappy. Moreover, all the people whom we wish to communicate with instantly, may not always be online for us. Thus, life could be easier, had there been any device that enables u to borrow the battery power of your lappy for the battery of your cellphone.

Stay tuned for similar new innovative ideas on this blog.

Again the punch line Problem > Solution > Business

You may also join my community named "Innovation Insane" on orkut for such ideas in forums.

Remote operated Skating shoes

Have u ever imagined that you can roam around by merely standing on your remote operated shoes. What u just have to do is to hold the remote control in your hand like steering and direct your shoes to take u where u want. Unfortunately there's no such product in the market at present. Why don't producers think over it.


For producers, this is a free gift from my end for you to launch a new product in market which would be full of fun

For students with specialization of "electronics", it would be a great project.

Stay tuned to find more likewise from me right here.

EduGaming for youngsters

Preface

The objective of this project is to focus on an opportunity to address the issues as regards complexity in learning methods especially for people pursuing higher studies viz. CA, CS, ICWA, Civil service examinations, Medical and Engineering studies by way of presenting the tutorial content in a game based mechanism. Attempt is made to explain the business opportunity by way of discussing problems of some commercial courses viz. CA, CS, ICWA. However, the scope thereof is not merely confined to that as this will be equally applicable to other categories of course viz. Entrance exams like UPSC examinations, CAT, MAT, GATE. Also it will serve the purpose Game based education for young crowd especially when the disciplinary obligations after schooling become lighter and that leads to dis-interest in conventional book-based method of study.

Majorly this project throws light on evolution of business plan comprising of service to provide relevant academic tutorial content in user friendly, exciting and presentable way.

Source of Evolution:

In India the professional courses viz. CA, CS, ICWA are in great demand. Also, while it’s universally known that higher studies viz. CA, CS, ICWA are tough to pursue, following are the prime reasons for that:

·        One of the main reasons is that the course study materials are badly drafted. Their text matter does not contain clarity or continuity and their practical problems are not laid down step by step as they want in examination. Also, the guidance from these institutes is non-existent. Many times, guidance cells established by these institutes do not respond.

·        Although the exam syllabus remains the same, the expectation from students in exam changes drastically with reference to latest amendments in Accounting standards, Audit Standards, Tax and other laws. And the subsequent exam requires new set of books. Approximately, at least 30% or more of contents require to be updated on regular basis. These books are costly and difficult to understand as one has to go through the entire book again and again. Though there are books representing merely the amendments in the form of ready reckoner, but these still require the explanation of the application of such amendment in replacement of old one.

·        The option of coaching is also very costly as the coaching classes ridiculously charge around ` 20,000/- per subject.

·        Due to the aforesaid issues the result of these courses remains very low (Exhibit 1 represents the result of merely CA course )

Opportunity:

It’s worthwhile fact that where there’s problem there’s opportunity which can be translated into business. Thus considering the dilemma of Chartered or Cost accountants in India, the solution to this issue can become a great business opportunity.

How to address (in a nutshell):

The issues enlisted as aforesaid can be addressed in the following manner:

·        As an option to boring methods of reading through books, a new game based learning system would be introduced to cover the case studies in animated matter for various subjects covering various course contents with an option to select the game through which the content is to be transmitted.

·        These games would be regularly updated with latest amendments or event taking place for the time being in force.

·        Price for such product is discussed at later part in this project report.

·        These games would be audio-visual and descriptive at the first instance and would be based on push technology exhibiting any new event in scrolling on the screen.

Value Chain

Inputs:

·        Professors (Subject Matter Experts):

Professors from relevant backgrounds having sound teaching and explanation power and paper setting traits shall be hired for supplying the educational primary contents for corresponding subjects of various courses at. Not only would they provide the content but also they would set the mock test in the form of games after each animated round of cases explaining the content.

·        Gaming Concept Professionals:

These professionals would conceive the idea through which the game would be created. These professionals will play a sound role in creating the interest in study by way of designing the exciting and interesting games. Preferably these professionals need to be aware of subject matter.

·        Animation Professionals:

The next step is to animate the content for which the animation professionals would be hired. These professionals will also play a sound role in creating the interest in study as they would present the content in the form of game.

·        Software professionals:

These professionals would add value in terms of overall management of the gaming software

Process:

·        Server :

Server would be required to cater to the transmission requirements of EduGames on site

·        Data Entry Operators:

Data entry operators would key in the data as and when required to crat the text content of the game as well as for regular updation of game with reference to latest amendments upon receiving the same update.

Output

Output shall be customized considering the distribution channel as follows:

1.      Outsourced EduGaming Zones:

Own Educational gaming zone would be the concept which would be close to an internet café wherein students would be using the learning resources upon payment of time based charge. Initially, the games would be made available to Internet café operators by way of installation thereof on some of their PCs so that they sell this gaming service like normal internet café service. It’s important to note that they would run this service under our brand.

2.      Online Transmission:

a.      For Retail Customers:

                                                                          i.      Through DTH Platform:

This can also be distributed by way of supplying the resources to some DTH service operator viz. Tata Sky, Big TV, Videocon d2h, Dish TV etc. Direct to Home (DTH) Market – India. The Direct to Home (DTH) market in India has been growing steadily but continues to be a niche segment. Since its inception, DTH service has established its presence on a pan-India basis and is dominated by the northern and western regions. The growing middle-class and rising disposable income coupled with the rising number of television households over the years has assisted growth. Demand for enhanced viewing experience and various interactive services have been attracting investments in this market. Moreover 2.5 crore customer netwoerk brings gigantic opportunity for EduGames to be launched on. Thus this would be major platform for service delivery. This would require securing adequate uplink bandwith with the DTH service provider.

                                                                        ii.      Through Website:

Launching this service on web is also a line of service distribution especially for people having fast internet connection and having connection package of unlimited access of internet for a fixed sum. The Games would be available online on own website upon periodical subscription for some charge.

b.     For Institutional Customers:

This would also cater to the coaching class or institutions that need this service for their students through some online educational platforms viz. HughesNet, NIIT Imperia etc.

Revenue Generation:

·        From Outsourced EduGaming Zones:

Each café operator shall be provided a username and password which shall be utilized every time he needs to let the customer make use of it. Periodically such usage time shall be taken note of for account settlement. On the basis of such usage time and revenue so collected by him on a stipulated rate recovered from customer, revenue on agreed rate shall be shared amongst the net café operator and EduGaming Company.

·        From DTH Platform:

DTH service providers may not go for hiring EduGaming services at variable charge as they tend to hire the services on the basis of fixed charge and recover the subscription charge for the complete package. However, since this is going to be the first and unique service of its kind, fixed share in their per subscriber charge may be recovered as the DTH service subscriber base is as large as 2.50 crore in India which will derive huge chunk of revenue for EduGaming Service. E.g. if they charge ` 1 per DTH subscriber, the initial revenue would account for 2.50 crore / month resulting into ` 30 crore p.a. interms of revenue. 

·        From Web based services:

In case of web based service provision, subscriber has to subscribe to Fixed or variable plans and has to make online advanced payment for that.

·        From Institutional Customers:

Depending upon the customer requirement monthly or periodically fixed or variable subscription charge shall be recovered from institutional customers.

Future Prospects:

Future prospects of EduGaming service are obviously very bright as students are frustrated from the traditional book based dumb method of acquiring education and many of them really quit the studies due to it. Not only does this fulfill the requirement of learning but also it ameliorates this purpose by adding excitement to it by way of gaming approach. This will provide new edge to the acquisition of learning as this will enhance the passing result of even the tough courses inspired from which more and more students would get encouraged to join higher and tough to get through course and prove their worth. So by and large, while this service is going to enjoy bright future in terms of more and more market share, it’s in a way going to serve the purpose of corporate social responsibility.

Stay tuned for lot many other new business ideas.

Packing of Facewash in Sachets in india - a scintillating opportunity

Over the period of time, bottle packs were turned into sachet for various FMCG products in India. Reason being the following:

•  Affordability: A lower income customer segment of Indian population was not ready to afford a bottle pack with a price disallowed by their personal / family budget.
• Easy to keep along: Many people were thinking from the view point of how to adjust a big pack that can be taken along anytime and anywhere.

These played key role in limiting the products to the potential consumers. As solution to this dilemma many FMCG companies came up with sachet packs for Shampoos, Hair oil, Sauce, Anti Acidity powder (e.g. ENO) and many other things.

Well this has become a age old story......but u are here for what's new??

I like to elaborate that if all above products can be packed and supplied to customer in sachets, what's wrong with doing the same with facewash. Facewash in sachet pack really has a promising market in india.

Let me tell you how:

• People who cannt afford to opt for face wash in bottled pack are waiting for facewash to be launched in sachet pack.
• Many teenagers aging between 13 to 17 are prone to acne / pimple problem on their face. They need to wash their face 3-4 times a day in order to safeguard their cute look for future. This crowed mostly stays away from home viz in School or tuition classes and finds it absurd to carry a facewash bottle along with them everywhere. So launch of facewash in sachet pack can  overcome their issue.
• Same is the case with collegians who wish to look fresh all the times to attract attention while in college. They can also welcome the sachet packed facewash to a great extent.
• While being  on job, profession or business, everybody likes to have a fresh look so as to create an impression of sound personality in the views of others.

These all are keenly waiting for a branded facewash to be launched in sachet pack. There's no scope of confusion in launching this. Again let me tell you how:

• Fear of existing Bottle sales: Producers may be scared about the effect of such sachet launch would affect the existing sales of botteled face wash. It's really worthless to think that. Because the new packing way would rather enhance the reach of customer base that was defunct in using bottles for aforesaid reasons. So bottles' sales would be almost affected. rather new customers would get engaged in consumption.
• Cost & Price: Very simple answer to this query is again a question: When a shampoo in 100ml bottle offered @ Rs.69/- is sold in sachet for Rs.2/- why cannt the facewash be even facewash is available with lower price then shampoo.

 I'm really perturbed to notice when I observe not a single entity (corporte or other) whether core brands like Hindustan Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Colgate Palmolive, ITC etc. or even non-branded entities to endeavour in this field.


This is a good business opportunity for them.