Roar For SME Community

After independence we have seen our fair share of conflicts, struggles, and setbacks. India still faces many challenges, but now it is poised to reach a higher position on the world scene than at any previous time.

A roar of lion is filled with victory and joy. It is time for SMEs to be fearless like lions. The SME community can gain a lot if they contribute towards this initiative of Make in India.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the industrial development of any country. The importance of this sector is well recognized worldwide due to its significant contribution to gratifying various socio-economic objectives, such as higher growth of employment, output, promotion of exports and fostering entrepreneurship.

Recently, the Prime Minister charmed the global community and national industries with his enthusiastic promotion of his “Make in India” campaign, inviting international manufacturers to come and conduct their core operations in India. Global businesses are looking towards India and creating new opportunities for small enterprises and start-ups.

India’s economy is divided between agriculture which accounts for a quarter of the gross national product, manufacturing constituting another quarter, and the high-tech service sector which now makes up a full half of the gross national product. Striving to become a “knowledge superpower,” it hopes to skip the intermediate step of industrial development that has preceded other nations’ march into the Information Age.

The primary factors of production, large availability of labour, and ready access to capital work quite well to lay a solid foundation for a thriving manufacturing sector in India. Labour has traditionally been seen as a major strength, even though historically labour has been regarded as cheap but relatively unskilled. That is changing quickly, because even though businesses are still able to avail the service of indigenous labourers at increasing but still cost-effective rates, overall, the training, skill and expertise of the average Indian worker has shot up significantly over the past few decades.

As for capital, banks and financial services companies are ready, willing and able to provide loans to new businesses, and SMEs in the manufacturing sector in particular have various government schemes and subsidies they can profitably utilize. Banks have seen credit and restructuring default rates go down compared to other sectors, and are willing to provide capital on demand to most.

The government is attempting to pitch these factors to invite foreign manufacturers interested in establishing India as their base. After weathering this crunch time, it is now gradually beginning to pick up again and has returned to solid growth, so that it remains on course for the 2025 target of accounting for close to a hundred million jobs.

So now roar with all the power of a mighty lion. Be fuelled, not fooled!

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

It is widely known that small and medium enterprises play an important role in the vitality of local economies around the globe.

I was recently reminded just how important SMEs are as growth engines of our economies and that very moment I got stuck to this very famous quote “I think, therefore I am” a theory of existence proved by philosopher Rene Descartes.

I am referring to this quote because technology has taken the responsibility of every business organisation to show their actual existence.

Technology is viewed as a means to save time and effort. In recent past it is seen that technology is transforming innovation at its core, allowing companies to test new ideas at speeds and prices that were unimaginable even a decade ago. They can stick features on Web sites and tell within hours how customers respond. They can see results from in-store promotions, or efforts to boost process productivity, almost as quickly.

Advancement of technology has increased the level of competition and performance in various sectors of industry by broadening their innovation capacity.

Technology beyond the use of emails alone, has helped to move some businesses past the word of mouth and traditional print advertising approaches by introducing social networking platforms, e-commerce tools, customer relationship management techniques and other internet based activities that help spread the word about the business thus enhancing reach and online visibility.We all understand that technology has become the backbone of every organisation. But we still lack by using it in appropriate way. Let us now understand how technology helps us in expanding and controlling our business:
Marketing and customer acquisition is expensive and time consuming as it is usually based on referrals and not a structured activity defined by a specific process.

Due to new technologies doing business is more easy and cost saving. Now communications are instantaneous, huge amounts of information move through email and the Internet and powerful tools are in the hands of owners and employees. Innovations in technology have improved operations at companies of all sizes and helped turn small local businesses into global businesses.

We have observed there will be better payoffs for customers. Their likes and dislikes will have much more impact on companies’ decisions. In globally competitive markets, they will ultimately end up getting products and services tailored to their needs.

Earlier there were no employee bank accounts; attendance records were maintained manually and employee were recruited via reference. These things were time consuming hence HR could not work much on the growth and welfare of staff.

But after coming up of new technologies a new modern market has taken place where the responsibilities of HR has changed which include recruitment and training, oversight of legal and regulatory compliance, benefits administration and the safeguarding of confidential employee information, along with many more.

Technology slowly making its way into the supply chain the logistic operations have become more beneficial and informative.Logistics businesses totally depend on I.T. services to maintain high efficiency standards and ensure good service to customers.Social networking websites, apps has improved market logistics operations by linking the numbers of your supply chain through network communications which has also increased the productivity and reduced the time.

According to Federal Bureau of investigation annually uncountable cargo theft takes place. But now technology has made logistics more secure. This can be done by attaching a transmitting device to cargo so as to track and monitor cargo all through its journey, using wireless communication.

Hence, technology is leveling the small business playing field. Today’s entrepreneurs are using technology that, just a few years ago, was the exclusive property of large enterprises As technology becomes cheaper, more powerful and more accessible, the costs of starting and operating a business decrease, while the opportunities for small business innovation increase.

The growth of Internet, broadband networks, social networking software and mobile computing are obvious examples of trend that is powering the business organisations. It has also helped in enhancing small business innovation opportunities in manufacturing logistics, customer service, finance and almost every other business activity.

PUBLISHED ARTICLE: http://smbconnect.in/blog/technology-and-innovation/

On My Canvas- Juno winner releases "Sanata: Stillness"

DOG>GOD

Its a fairy tale

Blessed with a real tail.

White cotton ball

Delicate sweet and small

Four little legs

Jumping on bed

Pink cherry nose

Smells mutton gosht

Day and night

Running behind

Few may call him Dog

For me he is my baby

I believe him as God

His unconditional love

Instant picks me up.

Walking on a road side

Brings Courage, Hope and smile.

He says bow wow
I say wow so cute.

ROAD TO MY HEART IS PAVED BY PAWS..... 

HOW 2014 BUDGET CAN BE A TURNING POINT FOR SMEs?

We all must have passed a phase where we have grown up seeing our parents taking care of day-to-day chores of the household. Budgeting each month - buying grocery, giving pocket money, paying several bills, putting little money in savings, etc… All this require some sort of planning and wisdom.

When I was a child I remember how my parents had fixed a budget for me to buy things within a given amount.

During my schooling, after every year of passing I had always bought a new bag, pencil box, water bottle, lunch box, school uniform, shoes, etc… I was trained in a way where I was given a limited amount to fulfil my needs. Before going for shopping the first task I had to do was penning down my list of items from 1 to 10 or 20 …30 …100.  I was a demanding child… Ye bhi chaiye… who bhi chaiye… sab chaiye…!!!

The next job was convincing my dad about the things that I require the most which has to have valid reasons.

We then use to go shopping. At first we enjoy by doing window shopping and finally after analysing the stuff I loaded myself with bags.

I feel I was like a SME (small medium enterprise) where I was enterprising in my own way expecting more and more from my parents. My dad was playing a role like government who was looking after my needs and was trying to give best of the things whereas my mom played a balancing role being a mediator between me and my dad, making me understand what should I buy and what should not.

On the arrival of new government, everyone had high expectations just like a child has expectations from his father that he/she will be getting new toys, clothes, etc…

For corporate India, four focus areas were clearly visible in the Union Budget 2014-15.

Infra push: The thrust on infrastructure development was unmistakable. Overall spending on infrastructure is budgeted to rise 24 per cent over last fiscal to Rs 2.1 trillion. Projects such as creation of 100 smart cities, and greater allocation to roads, irrigation and water projects will boost infrastructure investments. To strengthen the public-private partnership (PPP) framework, a new entity ‘3P India’ will be set up. Innovative funding mechanisms like infra bonds for banks and Infrastructure Investment Trusts will channelize funds for infrastructure.

Creating conducive investment climate: Measures such as clarity on retrospective taxation, liberalisation of FDI in insurance and defence and extension of tax holiday for power sector are aimed at improving the investment climate and kick-starting the cape cycle.

Promoting SME/MSME growth: To boost the small and medium enterprises, the Budget proposes setting up of a Rs100 billion venture capital fund to encourage entrepreneurship and a district level idea incubation programme, lowering of limit for investment allowance to Rs 250 million and putting in place a legal framework for easy exit for SMEs.

Boosting purchasing power and consumption: The relief offered to individual taxpayers through a hike in standard tax deduction, increase in investment limit under section 80C, and increased subvention on home loan interest is clearly intended to stoke consumption and, therefore, economic growth. At the same time, the changes in customs and excise duties will also make some consumer products such as soaps, low-end footwear and colour televisions, and personal computers cheaper, providing a fillip to demand for these items.

And who doesn’t love surprises. After shopping I was surprised with my favourite ice cream or a piece of cake. Therefore new budget 2014-15 brought a surprise along with the boost for handloom and textiles sectors which are among the biggest employers after agriculture and have a large concentration of micro and small enterprises. Arun Jaitey's announcement of Rs 50 crore for Pashmina Promotion Programme to uplift the Pashmina shawls industry of Kashmir and Rs 50 crore towards setting up of a Trade Facilitation Centre to promote the handlooms industry of Varanasi is a welcome measure.

As a general boost to the textile sector across the country, Budget 2014 has proposed setting up six mega textile clusters at Varanasi, Bareilly, Lucknow, Surat, Kutch, Bhagalpur, Mysore and Tamil Nadu with a total sum allocation of Rs. 200 crore.

Overall, not a dream budget for SMEs and start-ups but definitely forward looking.

So it was important for me to have faith in my dad in believe that whatever he will buy for me would be the best. Hence whatever government will plan would be the best.

It seems therefore to be a common belief that different funding solutions need to be planned and implemented for enterprises which cannot invest massive assets as collateral, but that have a good business proposal and innovative ideas in order to win the global competitiveness in the digital era.

SMEs are increasingly requiring additional financing sources apart from lending. This need is now being addressed through the new 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework Programming Period.

Large expectations would result satisfied for SMEs and entrepreneurs such as easier access to finance firstly, but also more prominent role for self-employment and business development as important sources of growth and job creation, and therefore a more competitive industry and higher employment rates.

As the existing entrepreneurs (small businesses in particular), also future entrepreneurs (including young people) would benefit from new generation finance access instruments for SMEs and start-ups both for consolidation and growth of existing businesses as well as for initial assistance in setting up their own businesses in the start-up phase.

PUBLISHED ARTICLE: http://smbconnect.in/blog/how-2014-budget/

ARE YOU BEING RECOGNISED….!!!

Once upon a time there lived a man who was a sculptor in a small district. One day he made a same piece of art which was already installed at a public place in a city. Both the art were same but the city art had wide audience. The statue located in city was huge and attractive that people passing by could not resist themselves to stop and praise. Many other travelers and people from different cities countries used to come to see that magnificent art.
Whereas the statue in district had limited audience and it was even more challenging for the artist to make his presence alive.
It was a big question for the talent about its new art piece... Why will it be appreciated? According to sculptor his statue was different and old art was just an inspiration. But still artist conviction and perseverance kept him moving forward. He was sure that he will please his audience even though the art was same… His art piece was not for own self but for others… his beloved audience. The artist was confused, he wanted to tell the world about the art but was unaware about the possibilities. But then a mentor came to guide him.
Mentor played a huge role in sculptor life. He engraved never giving up spirit in artist heart and mind. Mentor provided many strategies to promote his art and also trained him for the same. He made an indispensable place in market. A day before art revelation… sculptor took his drums and went on a journey to publicize his art. It brought attention and interaction among locals. Many others from far countries started coming to see that sculpture. It was not mystic but it was artist tireless effort and guidance by his mentor.
Similarly what Small Medium Enterprise should do when they have competitors around, that too in large number?
The first thing that one should focus on is how they can benefit their consumers:-
• Assurance that the product will deliver the promised value,
• Performance guarantee,
• Ease of selection,
• Psychological satisfaction,
• Social status
The company may also find it will lose some clients along the way. If this is the case, do they fit in with brand values? A customer that doesn’t fit this value may harm the brand. If these customers do fit the perceived brand value, then the company needs to find out why it still isn’t working the way it planned what the brand should communicate.
In today’s global scenario how you can make yourself spot among other sheep’s?
In the economic globalization, to compete on a global scale and survive Small Medium Enterprises must focus on a strategic approach of market strategy and their other brand building needs. Brand management is a systematic process involving management activities, with both science and art. Often, the problems faced by SMEs in the market are answered by the branding strategy but it’s on us to implement and maintain the continuity then falls on the SME itself. From brand positioning, brand quality, brand culture, brand personality building, brand public relations and extension, etc. SMEs must know how to implement brand strategies and stand up in market with pride.
Who, What, When, Where and Why marketing yourself?
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) today need to think beyond conventional marketing practices of large companies and search for alternative marketing approaches such as personal contact networks, social networks, e-commerce tools, B2B portals, business networks and industry and marketing networks. For Branding & Crowd Sourcing one should get ideas from all over the world to improve your products & services which will help in attracting more visitors to your website & get them to stay longer than before
The piece of art conveyed a message; it was made for a target audience, was well advertised.
I have seen many SMEs who have failed to get buyers or even enough inquiries because they had never developed the Unique Selling Point (USP) of their products. They are not sure about how their products were different from those already in the market. Since they were unaware of this vital aspect, they were unable to understand the needs of their target audience
How can Small Medium Enterprise apart themselves from their competitors…..???
Step 1: Identifying the Target Audience
• Affects decisions related to what, how, when, and where message will be said,
  as well as who will say it
Step 2: Determining Communication Objectives
• Six buyer readiness stages
Step 3: Designing a Message
• Attention, Interest, Desire, Action framework guides message design
• Message content contains appeals or themes designed to produce desired results
• Rational appeals
• Emotional appeals
• Love, pride, joy, humor, fear, guilt, shame
• Moral appeals


 “However, most of the Small Medium Enterprises are yet to wake up to the fact that online marketing can and is the only cost-effective, measurable and targeted advertising channel. At a time when the major markets are shrinking considerably, I strongly believe that each and every SME should have a marketing strategy to not only showcase its products, but also to easily get inquiries from other markets.
Excellence is drive from inside but not from outside….. The more you shine, brighter will be your growth.”

Winning Sales & Marketing Strategy in Fast Changing Global Scenario…

In an increasingly volatile world characterized by tumultuous change and sweeping transformation of the business environment, business leaders and policy makers need a set of strategic planning tools that can enable an organization to perceive and react effectively to change.

Scenario based on strategic planning incorporates a broad range of views into strategic decisions- both now and in future. This in turn gives business leaders and policy makers the tools they need to gain both an immediate impact and growing advantages.

Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "The great thing in life is not where we stand, but what direction we are moving." No matter what business you work in, a "business as usual" mindset will insure your competitors are making more money than you are. If you don't stand out from the competition you may find yourself stood up by your customers. Now more than ever you have to focus, improve, and possibly even change what you do to attain, retain, and maintain customers.

In simple terms marketing is traditionally described with four Ps: product, price, place and promotion. But now who uses the old handmade potter utensils. With the change in time one has to adapt new techniques and skills. Marketing has taken a step forward with a new set of four Ps that can enhance engagement strategies to retain long-standing relationships as well as acquire new profitable customers.

·         Planning is the foremost thing for a successful business. Setting up the goals and achieving targets on time is another efficient and productive thing for the company’s growth.

·         Perspective. Analyzing and generating the data with a fresh perspective. Market research and taking feedback about your brand helps the organization to work with a fresh perspective by bringing new things out which also creates curiosity for the consumers.

·         Purpose. Understanding your brand in order to promote and position it correctly to the right segment of customers will help create loyalty and reassure risk-averse customers. Start by understanding how your brand promise resonates with the most attractive segments of your customer base, which can be done through activities such as focus groups, surveys or customer forums.

·         Path.Path is where one practices and stands firm by building new blocks step by step. With today’s scenario building up yourself strong on a bigger platform one has to be indispensible in eyes of all. Social media, PR, Advertisements, etc… helps to sustain and grow. 

·         Proliferation.It issaid if one is learning than one is growing. Taking advices and guidance’s from the experts can help in developing in fast changing scenario.

Each business has ups and downs, but having a strong determination and conviction to stand up again can raise the organization in a short span. But the question is How? There are few key points for setting up the marketing strategies and creating a win-win situation.

·         Designing and executing your learning strategy. A learner is always a victor.

·         Win small but fast. More work… more winnings…

·         Find the power. There is always a hero in every organization. Examine one raise many.

·         Assessing the right partners. Indulge… Be a support to each other.

All organization wishes for growth in terms of profit. In the hustle and bustle of enterprises a buyer gets confused… which brand one should choose. Few consumers are rigid and sticks to their old brands whereas growth of new brands are not possible. Its important to build trust first interacting with customers and knowing your target audience.

What makes a brand indispensible?

·         Think big and audit your time. No matter the size of your business, place a mental image in your mind as if you are the largest and most successful person in your industry. How much time is consumed by routine office work someone else should be doing? Spend more time with more important tasks such as marketing strategies, improving customer relations, and implementing new strategies to expand your services.

·          Build relationships with your customers. For each month that goes by, customers lose 10% of their buying power. Create a customer database and contact them on a regular basis. Mail them a postcard, birthday card, sales flyer, newsletter etc. to keep your name, phone number, and service on their mind.

·         Collect E-mail addresses. Get permission from your customers to use their E-mail address. Periodically send updates and notices to your client list. As long as you have their permission and avoid overuse, E-mail can be a powerful and inexpensive marketing tool.

·         Feedback. The most effective way which gives you a sense of realization of that you are growing in your respective organization is by receiving feedback from your clients.

Fallen flowers can’t grow back on tree but new flowers can certainly grow. Business in not about what we couldn’t do so far. Its about what we still can do. It is you who will decide a game plan to remain in the battle. Your customers are looking at you. Are you responding them?

So it’s time to standup like never before. Think Big and Act Even Greater!!! Get set Go….

BADLAV

Dosti aur yaadain

Aaj ka din aaya
Aur mere dil mai ek khwaab aaya
Ye dosti kya hai?
kyu hai?

Tabhi sab puraana yaad aaya
Har ek muskuraht
aur har ek aasun yaad aaya
Har ek kamini harkat k piche
Jiska haath tha woh yaad aaya
Jab giri, aur jisne uthaya woh yaad aaya
Mere dost har baar tu yaad aaya
Tabh jaa k dosti ka matlab samjh aaya.

Ye uppar walley ka karishma hai
Jo tu mere sukh dukh mai shamil hone aaya
Khushi mai sath rehne walley toth boht mille
Par jo dukh mai mille woh apne ban k reh gaye
Mere dost har baar tu yaad aaya.

Far still close

Oh Love
I pity on you

Waited too long only for you
My madness for you
not let me sleep over night
and awake me early for a next fight.

I never flaunt
but you use to taunt
I never fake
but you use to laze
My love for you was true
but why did you flew

Your eyes made me melted over you
I tried to hold my emotions
but my breath ran towards you

It was you who insulted me first
Still I prayed for my love
I remember that dark scary night
When we last fight
I didn't want to hurt you
because my love was meant for you .

I wow those moments
when we use to comment
Your one look made me walk
while my eyes and smile use to talk.

Lets forget the things
and exchange the rings
Its a new start
with fresh hearts.

SIRASU - NEW GATEWAY

We are always been caught in our own daily life demanding for our internal growth and finding new ways to live a comfortable life.

But finally I got an opportunity to come out of my nut shell and experience the life of villagers.

Sirasu a small isolated village situated in the foothills of Himalayas with a population of approx. 1500 people.

We started our journey from Bharat Bhoomi Guest House at Rishikesh and took an hour to reach. This village was located half way up the hill bordering the Ganga and is accessible on foot after crossing the great river. We took a raw boat ride and then walked 500 mtrs ahead uphill. The road was however uneven and full of ruts but all of us was tuned in Garwali songs with full enthusiasm that we finally reached our destination. Everything was so beautiful, air was cool and sun was sparkling and shimmering in river water. Everything was green around me with so much of freshness.

As we entered the village we started calling people roaring our voice “Aao Aao Naatak Dekho… Naatak Dekho…” The motive behind was to gather as many people as possible, share  dialogue, happiness, be with them, understand them, exchange our thoughts and aware them about their rights,.

I was astonished by seeing the attitude of villagers. They were so friendly, wearing a broad smile on their face. Even a 60 year old granny was looking half an age because of her everlasting smile. I felt so positive and encouraged with each ones gesture.

Later they took us for a walk, showing the village around, from huge fields to their small houses, buffalos, cats and other pets…. They live in small houses, mostly were kaccha houses. These houses have low roof, one door and no windows which serve two rooms and one kitchen.

The village is inhabited by farmer’s hard work, fighting for the basic needs by planting organic farms, building guest houses, restroom, hotels, etc...These men and women are the models of industry.

I have the privilege at the moment of being part of a virtual conversation focusing on growth, leadership and emergence in the context of change in communities. For betterment of society everything that begins is with network, I went there to experience their life but after knowing there difficulties I intentionally shifted my interest for their welfare and that is how our discussion began. They told us about the problems like how difficult is it for them to travel from one place to another, specially at the times of medical emergency it is just impossible to take someone at the doctor. Also women shared their concern about not using sanitary just because they are too expensive for them.

Everything is built on relationship. Keeping that in mind we started interacting with oneness of mind solving their problems, coming up with alternative solutions, delivering them about voting rights, women sanitization, Aasha workers, Janani Shishu Suraksha Yojna, etc… in a form of nukadh natak which was enjoyed by everyone. We assume that Villagers of Sirasu will try to implement the points for their own betterment.

 After the end of session they invited us for a wedding that was happening the very same day in village. We started dancing with them… ate sweets… Atlast it was time to say goodbye.Spending one day with them was not sufficient, but at the same time it was valuable too. We were able to treasure every heart

                                 

“We should act locally, connect regionally and learn globally.”

Finally after this realization, I believe our campaign was successful.