Random Notes from Singapore Auto Market contd

Singapore is controlling the amount of new cars being sold every year. An average 3,000 cars pa (approx.) are sold. 

One of the tools to control is a transparent way of collecting an eligibility fee to obtain a certificate of entitlement. The prices of cars are quite exhorbitant! Fuel prices are not cheap either. Of course, Singapore can boast of a good public transport. 

I was surprised to see fancy car showrooms though. For such a small auto market especially.
Car is a status symbol perhaps in an evolved society like S'pore, like most other markets. Of course, we get to see most high-end cars in the island-country, but without any scratch and quite well maintained & cleaned. 

Being K I A S U - Random Notes from Singapore

Got this addition to my humble vocab @ S'pore - being "Kiasu"! It means being afraid to lose out to others !

Sounds familiar ?! 

Singaporeans, many of them at least, see their society as being kiasu. Many see that synonymous with elitist, materialistic, self-centered, etc.
Some see it as 'icononic' ! 
Some see it as 'part of the dna' in a city, which is fast-paced, achievement oriented... 

I don't want to comment on this or be judgemental. 

But I feel, this is a universal phenomenon. Many, in all areas of activities (not just in corporate) are being 'kiasu' ! 

But it would be sad if society sees it as positive and welcome... 
I feel we will be trivialising our lives by being elitist, materialistic or self-centered...

Your thoughts ? 

We lost two Armstrongs - Random Notes from Singapore

Singapore is surely a society with a higher percentage of fitness-freaks :) While there are many joggers & 'just-walkers', there are many cyclists also on the road. 

Cycling, swimming, riding a bike, playing soccer, running (sprint/long distance), etc., are part of the joy of growing up. 
On the other side, we grow up singing, dancing, acting, etc. 
We continue to hold on to these favourite hobbies well in to our youth & beyond. 

Singaporeans' passion for cycling is very evident. One of the letters from a reader of newspaper, The Straits Times (FORUM section), went as follows : 

• In just six years, New York City added over 400 kms of bike lanes & received 66% approval rating in a survey...S'pore can do much better....
• But I particularly liked this comment: the hierarchy of priority should be pedestrians, cyclists and motorists ! No rocket-science here, simple logic. But see the roads, world over !!!

For the passionate cyclists and for many, many outside the cycling fraternity (yours truly included) Lance Armstrong was a great inspiration. Just as the aspiration to bat like Sachin, sing like Kishore da, dance like MJ, play like Maradona..... to cycle like Lance was the goal ! The fact he fought back cancer added halo to his larger than life personality. But now, the greatest cyclist of all times is standing at the edge of yet another 'cancer' that plagues all sports, doping allegation, and an impending ban.Who is right - Lance or USADA ??! But, for us ordinary fans of Lance & the sport, we have lost an ARMSTRONG. Will miss you, Lance. 

Fate took away another ARMSTRONG, NEIL - the American astronaut, who made "one giant leap for mankind" when he walked on the moon. RIP Neil !

Random Notes form Singapore 2 : Auto News

Here is an auto-industry udpate from this part of the world !

Malaysia's opposition party, PKR, riding on the public dissatisfaction over high car prices, have started a campaign for lower levies !! 

Private vehicles make up one of the largest components of retail finance.  
Car-buyers are forced to avail high loan amount against a 'small/cheap car' !

RM 6 to 7 billion is collected annually from car related levies, customs/excise, etc. That is a critical source of govt revenue. 

Is lower taxes the real solution ? 
The primary problem is not high taxes, but seemingly an inadequate, inefficient public transport. 

Random Notes from Singapore 1

It is over 48 hours since I landed at Singapore. Should I say, 'I have been Singapored!!??"  :) 

My first intro to Singapore was truly 'filmy' - through a Tamil film, when I was in school ! The Rajnikanth & Kamal Hassan starrer,  Ninaithale_Inikkum_(1979_film) ! Don't remember much of the film, except the songs which continued to be popular for several years, Rajnikanth's popular role ( a comic-kleptomaniac!) and of course, Singapore, where most of the film was shot. 

Over the years, I have read & heard so much about the country, its efficiency, administration and their child/family-friendly tourism. 
Though I travelled to Malaysia few years ago, did not get a chance to visit Singapore, till now.

Better late.... 

Over the last two days I have been in semi-shock, more than awe!! I did go around a bit. Yesterday was Sunday and today was a public holiday (Eid). So, not much traffic, of course. But I have been touched by the quality of roads, greenery, discipline on road, courtesy of people all over, cleanliness, et al.
I also went around.....walking... nowhere in this part of the world, a pedestrian gets so much space, with greenery all around him... 
No wonder so many people were actually out, walking & jogging, or just moving around. With so many joggers, on a per capita basis, this must be one of the fittest nations. The weather was actually not very conducive for outdoor activity, but people seem to be at peace & happy to be just out. How beautiful !

Today, went to Sentosa, for a short visit, as part of the training program. Did not explore the island, plan to do it in near future, with family. Have heard so much about Sentosa, means tranquility or peace in Malay & originated from Sanskrit word 'santosha', which means happiness/bliss. No wonder, I found visitors at Sentosa, mostly with families, were at peace & happy!

Travelling to and fro Sentosa, gave me a chance to see another part of the city. I opted to sit alone in the coach & look out with the curiousity of a child. And, I continue to be in awe, and in a state of shock !!!

Awe... for what the people have achieved to develop such a wonderful city. 
In a shock when I think of our own cities. Sad, our cities suffer so much in comparison. Except Chandigarh, virtually no other city can even aspire to reach a higher level of urban living in the near future. Cities like Bengaluru can easily achieve, but do we have a chance... ? Will it happen ?? More importantly, instead of blaming politicians & administrators, can we demand a better urban living? And be ready to work to achieve the goal ??

We get what we deserve... including quality of urban living !

PS: Sentosa has evolved since 1972, when the development corp was formed, with a logo, quite like Doordarshan! Logo changed in 1978, 1982 and 2008. Sentosa is celebrating 40th 'birthday'! Over the last 40 yrs, the island has evolved to a world class tourist attraction !


http://www.sentosa40.com/flashback.aspx

Renault register growth in GCC

Having seen KSA market very closely, the new Renault dealer is a case study as to how to handle auto sales !
No big action, but get small, but key things right.
Get fundamentals right, other things will fall in place, incl market share, market perception ( of a European market dominated by Japanese brands), et al.

Hope they replicate it here in India...

Lots of expectations from newly launched Duster !

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/french-car-maker-posts-32-rise-in-gcc-sales-470176.html?message=3

Google Search 'googled' !

As part of my settling down and out of a habit recently developed, I have been checking out a lot more (comparatively) on google.

Over the last five years, India has definitely gone a lot more hi-tech too. So, some catching to do.

But I have been surprised to note, when I 'google' for something, the result I get is 

• asklaila.com
• justdial.com
• yellowpages.sulekha.com
• ask-me.com

Of course, then you have the sponsored ads, which are not very trust-worthy, being 'sponsored'. But they are better than the local 'search' options!

May be I need to fine-tune my search process !

Or Google needs to modify their algorithms ?

As of now, I feel 'google' stands 'googled' :)

Rat Race

I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse. — Walt Disney

Also, let us not lose sight of the fact most of us are in the 'rat-race' :)

or

corpoRATe race !

Movies

'Professionally Yours' need not be 'all work & no play' :)

I did get some queries about the films I had seen since I returned home (lock, stock, barrel & a dog!). 

Frankly I surely seem to have overcome the obsession to watch movies regularly as one of my favourite entertaintments. While reducing interest is one of the key reasons, a more important reason has been that I seem to have overcome the 'need' (or want!) for such an external source of entertaintment ! Then the hazzle of going to the theater... And of course, most of the films that are coming out are not of my 'taste' ! (about the taste, but just different!!)

There are lot of films that are being promoted thru mindless action ( Rowdy Rathore/Singham), skin & related themes ( Dirty Picture/Jism/kya kool hain hum),  crude violence (Wasseypur), etc. I will still watch Wasseypur on TV, as and when it happens, as I can do my own 'edit' thru the remote. 

I usually never try my luck with movies. I would opt to watch only if I am sure of its review, rating, theme, etc.

But I did go for just one movie, with better-half. Love for movies-experience, complete with samosa/popcorn/chaat, was mutual.  

The movie was 'Cocktail'. Just an ok type of movie. Though I was encouraged by average *** reviews, I would just give 2.5 !  

But one moview I saw during my recent flight was 'Kahani'. Had received few good recomendations. The movie had hit the theaters before we moved back. Had opted not to watch it on Showcase/Tatasky as I was prejudicised against a Vidya-Balan-starrer, additonally the possible suffering of a pregnant woman!! But indeed, the movie was very good. Good story/theme, great performance by all leading actors ( Khan superb), good direction/editing and captured essence of Kolkotta, incl Durga Puja ( resulted in a strong urge to travel to Kolkotta, inshallah this winter). 

Seeing Kahani & Paa, I wonder why Vidya Balan need to act in 'dirty-pictures'?! (Of course, it is her professional choice). Just as why Bhats no longer make a 'Saaransh' or even a 'chitti aayi hai' Naam/'Dil hai ki...' !! 

But then, we get what we deserve ! 

Professinally Yours !! As always :)

IDay

Only in the nation in which the goddess of Dharma (Righteousness) and Santhi (Peace) are adored will genuine prosperity and happiness exist. - Sri Sathya Sai

Independence Day

Back from a short trip. It was great to travel out and get back home soon. A quick 'Zoom-In & Zoom-Out' !

Got to catch up with old friends, made new friends. And interacted with few strangers too, courtesy their ability to hit a conversation with me, as I prefer to read or sleep!

One of the latter type was in Mumbai airport. He had almost missed the flight due to the Azad maidan incident. He stays alone abroad. His family was back home. He was full of anxiety for the safety of his family, well being of his friends & relatives and most concerned about the direction our society was heading to. His city has seen an increase in theft, violence, disease, inflation, et al. He felt 'people have become more money-minded, self-centered, aggressive, noisy...'!! Virtually, on all parameters his family was living in a less safer situation, compared to a few years ago, in spite of being more affluent. "was it all worth it ?" was his concluding remark... 

That conversation summarised the concern of many Indian expats abroad, esp those who live alone.For all their efforts we do not take care of the average NRI. Most of the NRI's are not enjoying great quality of life abroad, esp those in Gulf. They sacrifice their youth to support their family, often at the cost of their individual happiness & health, thus future happiness too. 

Kind Attn All Workaholic professionals

The Google Fact™ ‏@thegooglefact

Sleeping for less than 6 hours any night will impact your ability to think clearly the following day.

PS: Take care of your health - not worth "losing sleep" on anything else, at the cost sleep & health thereof

Musically, Yours

Bhakti & Peace is a great idea for the series of events organized by Banyan Tree. All credit to Banyan tree for organizing the program so well. The team was very professional, at the same time sensitive. (Even the snacks at canteen tasted so great)

·      The venue, Shanmukhananda hall was packed. There was traffic chaos outside! Saturday evening, at Kolivada/Sion, near Shanmukhananda hall & for Panditji’s program, it was expected! Thankfully there was no stampede. People were very well behaved.

·      That stuck me actually. People were so very well behaved. Unlike any other program/get-together, people were genuinely classical-bhajan music lovers. Not a single cellphone rang during the program !! Very unusual, I thought. Hats off to the audience. At the end of the program, Panditji made a mention of the discipline of the audience. The ambience was truly spiritually electrifying!

·      Introductions & felicitations were very quick & brief. Thoughtful of the organisers. It was announced that audio/video recordings were not allowed. I did not see anyone using their cell phones at all.

·      Panditji started off with greeting the audience saying we were all embodiments of Divinity.  That set the stage for an enthralling three-hour session.

·      Got to see a Master at his best. What a genius Panditji is. He takes singing to a new level.

·      We saw the master at 'work' – it was ‘serious’ work, but Panditji made it lively with an occasional smile, comment & jokes. He was in total control, as was expected of a great exponent.

·      He was supported by dedicated group of his students, true to the Guru-Shishya parampara.

·      Panditji and his group offered garlands of musical flowers to the Lord that made the evening truly blissful.

·      Om Namo Bhagvathe Vasudevaaya… was a fitting finale. That number went on for almost 30 minutes. Every one in the audience was enthralled. It was pure bliss…

·  

‘JAI HO’… as the Master would say!

Seth's Blog: The difficult challenge of media alignment

From Media Vs Customers to Social Media Vs Customers - How will twitter earn its bread & butter.. or 'grain for the bird' ? Interesting read


Food for thought for the emerging ( already emerged?) social media giant, TWITTER. 


But then, how many on twitter will be willing to forgo the 'free-lunch' & pay some fee ? Many on social media think they are God's gift to humanity :)


JUST HOPE twitter DON'T LOSE FOCUS ON CUSTOMERS


Seth's Blog: The difficult challenge of media alignment

Dieselisation of Indian Auto

No respite to this madness...

Now Honda may stop production of its once popular Civic.

Government, auto industry and educated public is sitting on this important development - dieselisation of India's auto industry. No one is bothered as long as he is able to drive a diesel car, thanks to diesel prices cheaper than petrol by 40%. Car owners are looking the other way. Auto Industry is not taking responsibility. And, what to say about this government, we have selected. They are sitting on many more such important issues... :(

Dieselisation trend in India

• March 2008 : 21%
• March 2012 : 40% 
• June  2012   : 50% 

Honda has a diesel engine in Europe. But, can not be sold in India, thanks to the quality of diesel sold. 

India's auto market will miss the holistic development of the industry. 

PS : Health hazard of diesel fumes already mentioned in a previous post !

It Takes More Than This to Boost Home And Car Sales

On paper it appears a good tactic. More of a low-lying fruit, as of now !

May be there was 'advice' from ministry to drop rates

Indeed, lower interest rates by itself may not be sufficient. But, private banks always back up a drop in rates with increased focus on sales, promos, leverage on dealer/developer relationships, cross-sell, etc.

It depends how much SBI is able to do same within their system. SBI's clientele is the key - majority of them, unlike private banks' clients, will not be so much in doubt of their job-security. If SBI is able to get the sales focus at the front-end (counter) and branch-level, there is enough business out there to ensure growth in volumes

http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2012/08/03/it-takes-more-than-this-to-boost-home-and-car-sales/

Travel Booking in India thru Yatra.com

I have been quite loyal to Jet Airways, till recent past... till they decided to otherwise!

I have since tried couple of other airlines for local travel, except Kingfisher & Air India - while I have summarily avoided the former all along, the latter was not preferable in view of their low-score on punctuality. I have been surprised to note other private airlines are pretty good!

Once I 'let go' Jet, I have been looking at various options, best among them in terms of pricing & time slot, etc! And, I usually have an advantage of timings, as I do not need to take early morning/late night flights, unlike my friends in corporate world :)

That is when I tried http://www.yatra.com/. ( Nothing to do with Salman Khan's endorsement and his philanthrophic thrust thru 'Being Humane'. I find so many youngsters in 'Being Humane' t-shirts these days! The Superstar must be doing a lot of good work. God bless his service activities. We need more celebrities come & partcipate in such noble efforts)

Yatra.com offer good prices, simple process to book on-line and you get the text-message/e-ticket... hassle free process.

But when I had to change the flight timings, I was not very happy to note I had to call, could not modify on-line. But the tele-sales agent was so very efficient, to facilitate, call/hold/complete the process with the airlines-staff on con-call and take the differential payment ( incl service charges !!)

The process seemed a well thought out and simple. I always admire when companies are able to come up with simple, uncomplicated & user-friendly process-flow.... Is that not basic ? Yes, but . . . :)


Taking trouble to pen this post, as it may help my friends who may be travelling to India on their annual vacation... enjoy the break, folks ! 

Cross Sell @ our banks

Just saw this on Twitter -

The Google Fact™ ‏@thegooglefact

It takes only 200 milliseconds to read emotion from a person's facial expression.

So very true... I just had the unpleasant experience at a bank branch, just this afternoon. 

On a holy-day of Rakshabandhan, they were making it holy by working ! 

• Had reached the branch 30 mts before the closing time
• Almost all staff, except one of two tellers were with branch manager, in a meeting in his cabin !!! 
• One of the two tellers does not know me, unlike the other ( who was with BM)
• After  I finished my cheque deposit, waited for Insurance Cross sell team
• Two staff came, very soon. When I shared my service requirement, they exchanged a look & simple expression ( non-verbal communication, we learn in our management classes) which spoke more than a few words ! Neverthless, they got down to business. 
• I have to go back to complete the work ! 
• Thereafter, one of them had the guts to solicit business, after seeing my account was so called 'premium' ! I have always felt 'mass'/ bottom of pyramid/ cattle-class at the branch :)
• I did refuse, not so politely
• Most off the staff are new at the branch - so the people who were so keen to 'cross-sell' insurance to me in 2010 were missing, except one - he chose to ignore me ( afterall, I was on a service call! 

Perhaps, at the end of the day, people are tired ?!
Or sheer attitude ?! 
And, this is one of the best banks in the country !


This is my second experience about 'cross-sell', first with another bank... that story is still on... !!! 
Our banks are not ready to handle cross sell effectively, yet. 


PS: Bank name & other details deliberately hidden. 

Rakhee return gifts undelivered - India's on-line shopping

2nd Aug: 
Rakhee greetings to all sisters...

1st Aug:
After some years, got rakhees before dates, from sisters.... it was possible as they had to 'courier' within India, unlike last 5 years.


I thought, thanks to all those 'on-line shopping' options, I can send them return gifts!!  On time too... ! 

1. OLS-1 : tried out with the most familiar brand, having used mostly for books & delighted with (past) experience. Selecting the gift was a Herculean task. Not dramatising at all. After sometime, got my better-half also got to join the 'on-line' search. We finally short-listed our options and proceeded to complete the 'on-line shopping' purchase. We were shocked to note the location had no logistics support. I thought our courier industry was well-entrenched. Moreover, our Post Office is one of the best in the world, with all its inherent 'delays' 
• Only delays in case of our Post Office - had two experiences recently. A letter from son and my letter to a relative took more than a month! But, I was confident it would reach, only with delay :)
2. OLS - 2 : we proceeded to the next option, Indian subsidiary of a global giant. The latter, one of my fav brands. The search had to start from scratch here. We spent some time, short-listed & proceeded to complete the transaction.
3. OLS - 3: Surprisingly, this global leader's local presence directed us to a local brand. But sadly, the result was same - no logistics support. 

Both OLS 1 & 3 were prompt to track down the fact the deal was not complete & prompt to write to me. I replied. They were yet again 'prompt' to revert to inform no logistics support there !!

One of them was Kolkotta city, for God's sake! 

I feel sad that I am unable to send gifts promptly. 

But very sad to note our e-commerce platform is still a long way to go ! 

Now, I am a less enthusiastic on-line client, for now at least, till they catch up !

PS: As per my usual practise, I am deliberately not mentioning the brand-names.