BUSINESS
Paytm versus Google is really about the frightening power of platforms
Paytm’s canny leader Vijay Shekhar Sharma turned the issue into one of Indian nationalism, but the fact is home-grown platforms will soon become equally powerful and exercise the same authority over companies like his
BUSINESS
Oracle’s TikTok deal doesn’t offer a template for India
A home-grown resolution keeping in view the various sensitivities involved would be an ideal solution
BUSINESS
The near-death of online retail 20 years ago
From the ashes of the collapse in the late 1990s emerged today’s vast e-commerce retail market which stood at $30 billion in 2019.
BUSINESS
We don’t need to be atmanirbhar in everything
The nation and industry must make smart choices based on a clear vision of the India of the future.
BUSINESS
How COVID-19 is forcing companies into coopetition
Even as demand and supply chains faced severe disruptions, there have been a spurt of collaborations between companies across geographies in terms of sourcing components and raw materials, sharing manufacturing capacities as well as distribution depots and delivery vans
BUSINESS
China’s recent restriction on technology exports is just sabre-rattling
China's government is imposing restrictions on technology that leaves its borders which can potentially affect a whole range of products. Its real target may lie somewhere else
BUSINESS
Work from home shouldn’t be a cost-cutting exercise alone
In India, most people in cities live in small apartments shared with large families, making working from home difficult
BUSINESS
Dream 11 as IPL sponsor reveals muddled thinking on Chinese products
The economic impact of the freeze on Chinese apps is minuscule. Smartphone market leader Xiaomi’s India revenues have crossed $5 billion while ByteDance, whose app TikTok is in the eye of the storm, has yet to cross Rs 100 crore in sales
BUSINESS
Coronavirus vaccine | History of trials does not offer too much comfort
In the pharma industry, the gap between trials and eventual products is huge and there is a tragic history of drugs that have had to be culled just short of being put out in the market. Roughly 9 in 10 drugs and biologics that are tested in humans don’t even reach the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its approval even after Phase 3 testing
BUSINESS
Survival at stake, many Indian companies need entirely new businesses
This pandemic is only a warning of radical new challenges ahead forced upon us by climate change
BUSINESS
On Nagasaki Day, let’s not forget that companies gain from wars
The armament industry is unique that its customers are governments across the world. A small cohort of companies, no more than a dozen, make their fortunes when countries can’t resolve conflicts peacefully or even when they can drum up imagined threats
BUSINESS
Can Microsoft make TikTok dance to its tunes?
In an unusual move, Microsoft is throwing its hat in the consumer social media ring with its TikTok acquisition bid
TRENDS
When radio sang a different tune
Home listenership of the radio has spiked over the past few months, and that’s good news for the 350-plus radio stations in India
BUSINESS
Yes Bank troubles show that being the best isn’t about size
Many of today’s hugely successful companies are in serious danger of losing their momentum because of their founders’ need for self-glory
BUSINESS
Rahul Bajaj has shown the way for Indian business family patriarchs
Even as many Indian businessmen flamed out following ill-thought through forays into disparate businesses, the Bajaj patriarch stuck to knitting through the company’s healthy balance sheet and allowing it to constantly explore related opportunities.
BUSINESS
HDFC Bank’s CEO search has gone on for too long
According to PwC’s Strategy & Global Study 2018, CEO turnover across companies has been rising. Significantly, the study also notes “Successors to long serving CEOs are not faring as well as they are likely to have shorter tenures, worse performance and more often forced out of office than the CEOs they replaced.”
TRENDS
A dhoti resurgence as work from home becomes the norm
Truth be told, pants were never really made for the Indian male with his signature paunch atop mostly short legs making for a rather comical combination.
BUSINESS
RIL AGM | How Mukesh Ambani built Reliance into a powerhouse, one dream at a time
Reliance’s overarching strategy: dream big, plan perfectly and execute flawlessly
BUSINESS
Buying Air India would serve little purpose for Tata
The group may not be in the best shape to absorb another airline at a time when it is juggling with the conflicting claims of the two it is already flying
BUSINESS
Google’s billions for India are aimed at mining a few good ideas
Google’s parent company Alphabet is one of the most prolific corporate investors in the start-up space. A few of its investee companies have gone on to become world-beaters
BUSINESS
Our cars have followed us into obesity
We weigh more than our grandparents. Ergo, our cars weigh more too
BUSINESS
India’s business elite should speak up more on politically and socially sensitive issues
Their reticence comes at a time when in the US, business leaders are increasingly speaking up on issues even if much of their courage comes from bottom-up pressures from employees
BUSINESS
HUL’s cautious e-commerce play holds lessons
Consumers are going online to shop for FMCG products during the pandemic. While e-commerce players are smiling, have FMCG giants such as HUL missed an opportunity?
TRENDS
When banks were robbed, not swindled
Forget bank robbers, it’s hackers who are after your money
