From Meghalaya Times
Shillong, Dec 28: Vodafone India, one of India’s leading telecommunications service providers, brought cheers this festive season by donating a cheque of Rs 50,000 to Anand Bhavan, Missionaries of charity.
Giving Christmas a whole new meaning, representatives of Vodafone handed over the gifts and the cheque to Sister Franca of Anand Bhavan on the eve of Christmas this year.
The proceeds was raised by Vodafone from the Wish Tree which they had put up at MUDA Shopping Complex in Police Bazaar, Shillong. Vodafone planned to fulfill the wishes of the children of the Anand Bhavan Missionaries of Charity this year by contributing a sum of money basis the pool of messages found around the tree.
Well-wishers/ Citizens could walk into MUDA and write messages for the kids and put it up on the tree or write them on the graffiti board next to the tree
Gifts and sweets were also distributed amongst children to celebrate the true spirit of joy and celebrations of Festive Season. Santa entertained the children with his games and Cake cutting was done to commemorate the occasion.
Mr. Brajesh Bajpai, Business Head- Assam & North East, Vodafone India said, “Christmas signifies the spirit of joy and celebrations for the people of Assam and North East”.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Vodafone Unveils back2music - an online music launch
back2music was launched on 25th September, 2011. This video captures the launch event sponsored by Vodafone. The press conference was held in Guwahati with an array of reporters and journalists from all leading newspapers and media houses, Senior Vodafone officials of Assam & North East and Senior members of the Gupshup Radio station team. The promoters of the project Rrituraj Sharma and Indrajit Chetia joined online respectively from London and Mumbai.
It is a 10:12 minutes video. Brajesh appears in the clip from 1:20 to 3:50 minutes.
It is a 10:12 minutes video. Brajesh appears in the clip from 1:20 to 3:50 minutes.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Vodafone bags - Dainik Purvoday's "Best Brand" award for the North East
Dainik Purvoday, the leading Hindi Daily of Northeast, presented the second Northeast Consumer Awards at the state capital on November 12, 2011 to the most preferred brands adjudged by 3000 valid household survey by research agency MaRS across 5 cities of Northeast. The category list this year has increased from 30 last year to 37 to include airlines, watches, apparels, shoes and digital cameras.
Vodafone was selected as Best Brand of the Year. Nokia and Samsung Mobile walked away with the Most Preferred Mobile Phone and Most Preferred Smartphone award respectively.
Governor of Assam Sri J. B. Patnayak and Rajya Sabha MP Bhubaneshwar Kalita gave away the award to Mr Brajesh Bajpai - Business Head (Assam & North East) Vodafone in a colourful function held at D'Royal Auditorio of Royal Group of Institutions in the city.
While appreciating the initiative of Dainik Purvoday group Governor Sri Patnayak said that in future agri-based industries, handicrafts and silk products should also be brought under the purview of these awards. Welcoming the guests the chairman of the Dainik Purvoday Publication Group Sri A. K. Pansari assured that next year the awards will include rural and agri -based products and services also. MP Sri Bhubaneshwar Kalita said that such recognition on a public forum will boost the morale of manufacturers and service providers and incentivise them to improve their products and services. Utpal Kanta, Economic Editor, Dainik Purvoday, said, “As for the recipients, the award not only constitutes the crowning achievement of their efforts, but more importantly it also represents the most valuable reward of all, the knowledge that they have earned the trust and loyalty of consumers.”
Vodafone was selected as Best Brand of the Year. Nokia and Samsung Mobile walked away with the Most Preferred Mobile Phone and Most Preferred Smartphone award respectively.
While appreciating the initiative of Dainik Purvoday group Governor Sri Patnayak said that in future agri-based industries, handicrafts and silk products should also be brought under the purview of these awards. Welcoming the guests the chairman of the Dainik Purvoday Publication Group Sri A. K. Pansari assured that next year the awards will include rural and agri -based products and services also. MP Sri Bhubaneshwar Kalita said that such recognition on a public forum will boost the morale of manufacturers and service providers and incentivise them to improve their products and services. Utpal Kanta, Economic Editor, Dainik Purvoday, said, “As for the recipients, the award not only constitutes the crowning achievement of their efforts, but more importantly it also represents the most valuable reward of all, the knowledge that they have earned the trust and loyalty of consumers.”
Monday, August 22, 2011
Vodafone Announces ‘Birthday Surprise’ for its customers
From : Insight VAS
Vodafone India has partnered with BIG Cinemas to offer a unique initiative for the most valued customers. An endeavor to make Vodafone customers feels special on their birthday.
As a part of the initiative, any Vodafone customers visiting the Big Cinemas screen to watch a movie on their birthday will get a free ticket to watch the movie and a greeting card by Vodafone. During the intermission, Vodafone will also put up a slide on the screen with the Vodafone customer’s name, while playing the birthday jingle in the background.
So, between 12th Aug to 26th Aug, 2012, any Vodafone customer, who goes to see a movie in BIG Cinemas at Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Palanpur, Patan and Vapi, will get a Birthday surprise that will truly Delight!
Additionally, select BIG Cinemas in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, will present the Vodafone birthday customer with a birthday cake.
The Vodafone BIG ‘Birthday Surprise’ initiative is a part of the ongoing ‘Vodafone Delights’ programme that seeks to bring multiple simple, meaningful joys to the life of every customer, throughout the year.
On the initiative, Mr. Brajesh Bajpai, Business Head, Vodafone Gujarat, said, “At Vodafone making every customer feel special is second nature and it is one of the key factors driving everything we do. Birthdays are special to all and we wanted to contribute to the celebratory moments with a generous dose of ‘feel special’ elements, without being intrusive. We are happy that BIG Cinemas has partnered with us to make birthdays extra beautiful for Vodafone customers.”
The Vodafone Birthday Surprise initiative will be implemented across 41 cities, 55 multiplexes and 162 screens. It is expected to reach approximately 60000 cinema viewers each day.
Cinema halls offering the programme will have display material highlighting the initiative.
Vodafone India has partnered with BIG Cinemas to offer a unique initiative for the most valued customers. An endeavor to make Vodafone customers feels special on their birthday.
As a part of the initiative, any Vodafone customers visiting the Big Cinemas screen to watch a movie on their birthday will get a free ticket to watch the movie and a greeting card by Vodafone. During the intermission, Vodafone will also put up a slide on the screen with the Vodafone customer’s name, while playing the birthday jingle in the background.
So, between 12th Aug to 26th Aug, 2012, any Vodafone customer, who goes to see a movie in BIG Cinemas at Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Palanpur, Patan and Vapi, will get a Birthday surprise that will truly Delight!
Additionally, select BIG Cinemas in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, will present the Vodafone birthday customer with a birthday cake.
The Vodafone BIG ‘Birthday Surprise’ initiative is a part of the ongoing ‘Vodafone Delights’ programme that seeks to bring multiple simple, meaningful joys to the life of every customer, throughout the year.
On the initiative, Mr. Brajesh Bajpai, Business Head, Vodafone Gujarat, said, “At Vodafone making every customer feel special is second nature and it is one of the key factors driving everything we do. Birthdays are special to all and we wanted to contribute to the celebratory moments with a generous dose of ‘feel special’ elements, without being intrusive. We are happy that BIG Cinemas has partnered with us to make birthdays extra beautiful for Vodafone customers.”
The Vodafone Birthday Surprise initiative will be implemented across 41 cities, 55 multiplexes and 162 screens. It is expected to reach approximately 60000 cinema viewers each day.
Cinema halls offering the programme will have display material highlighting the initiative.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Brajesh Bajpai - Interview in Asomiya Pratidin
Publication: Asomiya Pratidin
Headline: Vodafone
Synopsis: Vodafone Group, in India Vodafone Essar started its mobile service in 1994 and they were able to reach the limit of 20,200 crore revenue. Vodafone Essar, India’s 3rd largest mobile company has an average yearly growth of 13.7%.
Synopsis: Interview with Mr. Brajesh Bajpai, Business Head, Vodafone (Assam & North East)
Q. How is the response of customers in Assam & North East?
A. Quite Good. Vodafone subscriber base has reached 2 million after launching service in September 2008. Vodafone service is available in all parts of Assam. At present Vodafone services is launched in 192 cities of Assam & North East.
Q. Can you tell about Vodafone 3G services?
A. Vodafone will soon start 3G service in Assam. With this subscribers can avail the facilities of Video calling, high speed gaming and high speed internet.
Q. Can you brief about your future planning in North East?
A. Vodafone has been providing services for over 30 months and we have different strategies in our hand so that we can proceed further from strength to strength. Specifically we are focusing on rural areas of the region.
Q. Why should a subscriber choose Vodafone?
A. Vodafone provides better service at low cost, that’s why subscribers are attracted to taking our service. In addition the network service of Vodafone in Assam is much better.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Beyond borders
From: The Business Standard
For Marico, going global is more than a means of opening up new avenues of growth
In roughly 13 months, between January 2010 and February 2011, fast moving consumer goods company Marico has snapped up four international acquisitions — which include brand Code 10 (Malaysia), Derma Rx (in Singapore via wholly-owned subsidiary Kaya Ltd), Ingwe in South Africa, and an 85 per cent stake in International Consumer Products Corporation (ICP) of Vietnam. That’s one new addition every three months or so.
For Marico — which started its journey as Bombay Oil Industries in a traditional commodity-driven business — going global is not just a means of opening up new avenues of growth but also an opportunity for cross-border learning. That, in part, explains the shopping spree, and the amazing growth of its International Business Group (IBG). With a footprint in West Asia, North Africa, South Africa, Bangladesh, Malaysia and now Vietnam, the division has grown from Rs 96 crore in 2004-05 to Rs 734 crore in 2010-11.
Today, Marico’s international business fetches almost a quarter of the group’s revenues estimated at Rs 3,300 crore for 2010-11, thanks to a judicious mix of organic (two-thirds of the IBG’s revenues) and inorganic growth. The Mumbai-headquartered company started off by exporting its flagship coconut oil Parachute brand across the subcontinent and in West Asia in the early 1990s, though its real foray as a serious investor overseas happened more recently, in 2000 in Bangladesh, when it set up a manufacturing facility for Parachute oil just outside capital Dhaka. Bangladesh brings in the lion’s share of IBG’s revenues at over 50 per cent, with West Asia (currently present in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Yemen, Sudan and the Levant region) bringing in another 30 per cent. The balance is contributed by the other geographies where Marico has a footprint, namely, Egypt, South Africa, Malaysia and Vietnam.
These acquisitions have also brought more than six new brands under the Marico umbrella, significantly adding to the company’s international offerings that comprised only one brand (Parachute) till about 2005. However, the company’s revenue mix is still extremely dependent on Parachute (hair care) and Saffola (edible oil), its top grossers, which together bring in close to 60 per cent of Marico’s overall revenues, points out Swati Gupta, senior research analyst (institutional clients), AC Choksi Share Brokers.
Marico has 14 production units overseas, seven owned and seven based on the contract manufacturing model. Last month, the company announced that it will set its eighth plant in Bangladesh at an investment of Rs 35 crore.
Marico is well aware that to take the next step towards being a global conglomerate, it will have to leverage its acquisitions well. “Going forward, we want to grow both in width and in depth,” says Vijay Subramanium, CEO (international business), Marico. “In terms of depth, the company wants to consolidate in the current geographies, introduce value-added offerings and gain scale. In terms of width, the company will continue to expand through organic and inorganic routes,” he adds.
In sum, Marico’s international expansion rests on three pivots — one, capitalising on the strengths of its acquisitions in categories such as hair care, healthcare (termed as nourishment franchise) and male grooming. Two, concentrating on emerging markets of Asia and Africa. Three, cross-pollinating products across geographies. Brajesh Bajpai, vice-president (sales and marketing), Vodafone who once spearheaded Marico’s Egypt and West Asia operations, adds, “The Marico stock is less affected now by factors like lack of demand and supply chain pressures in India.”
From the looks of it, Marico is looking at segments growing quickly and where penetration is low. In India, Parachute and Saffola have tried many brand extensions; not all have been successful. Says Shirish Pardeshi, co-head, research, Anand Rathi Financial Services, “There is a limit to how much more these brands can grow. It is wise that Marico is building a strong product pipeline abroad. In the future, the company could explore the possibility of bringing back these brands to India.”
Likewise, other FMCG majors such as Dabur, Godrej and Emami have also tried to de-risk their domestic operations by following the Indian diaspora to markets of West Asia, South East Asia, and parts of Africa. Dabur, for instance, has manufacturing units in Bangladesh, Nepal, Egypt, Nigeria and the UAE. The company recently announced its decision to bring to India its Hobby brand, which came under its fold during the Turkish acquisition of Hobi Kozmetik. On its part, Godrej is estimated to have spent $600 million on acquisitions over the years and owns brands such as Cuticura, Erasmic, Adorn, Nulon, Apri, thanks to the buy-out of Keyline Brands of the UK in 2005, and the home care, personal wash and hair care portfolio of Megasari (Indonesia) following its acquisition last year.
| Beyond borders |
| Preeti Khicha / Mumbai June 6, 2011, 0:48 IST |
In roughly 13 months, between January 2010 and February 2011, fast moving consumer goods company Marico has snapped up four international acquisitions — which include brand Code 10 (Malaysia), Derma Rx (in Singapore via wholly-owned subsidiary Kaya Ltd), Ingwe in South Africa, and an 85 per cent stake in International Consumer Products Corporation (ICP) of Vietnam. That’s one new addition every three months or so.For Marico — which started its journey as Bombay Oil Industries in a traditional commodity-driven business — going global is not just a means of opening up new avenues of growth but also an opportunity for cross-border learning. That, in part, explains the shopping spree, and the amazing growth of its International Business Group (IBG). With a footprint in West Asia, North Africa, South Africa, Bangladesh, Malaysia and now Vietnam, the division has grown from Rs 96 crore in 2004-05 to Rs 734 crore in 2010-11.
Today, Marico’s international business fetches almost a quarter of the group’s revenues estimated at Rs 3,300 crore for 2010-11, thanks to a judicious mix of organic (two-thirds of the IBG’s revenues) and inorganic growth. The Mumbai-headquartered company started off by exporting its flagship coconut oil Parachute brand across the subcontinent and in West Asia in the early 1990s, though its real foray as a serious investor overseas happened more recently, in 2000 in Bangladesh, when it set up a manufacturing facility for Parachute oil just outside capital Dhaka. Bangladesh brings in the lion’s share of IBG’s revenues at over 50 per cent, with West Asia (currently present in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Yemen, Sudan and the Levant region) bringing in another 30 per cent. The balance is contributed by the other geographies where Marico has a footprint, namely, Egypt, South Africa, Malaysia and Vietnam.
These acquisitions have also brought more than six new brands under the Marico umbrella, significantly adding to the company’s international offerings that comprised only one brand (Parachute) till about 2005. However, the company’s revenue mix is still extremely dependent on Parachute (hair care) and Saffola (edible oil), its top grossers, which together bring in close to 60 per cent of Marico’s overall revenues, points out Swati Gupta, senior research analyst (institutional clients), AC Choksi Share Brokers.
Marico has 14 production units overseas, seven owned and seven based on the contract manufacturing model. Last month, the company announced that it will set its eighth plant in Bangladesh at an investment of Rs 35 crore.Marico is well aware that to take the next step towards being a global conglomerate, it will have to leverage its acquisitions well. “Going forward, we want to grow both in width and in depth,” says Vijay Subramanium, CEO (international business), Marico. “In terms of depth, the company wants to consolidate in the current geographies, introduce value-added offerings and gain scale. In terms of width, the company will continue to expand through organic and inorganic routes,” he adds.
In sum, Marico’s international expansion rests on three pivots — one, capitalising on the strengths of its acquisitions in categories such as hair care, healthcare (termed as nourishment franchise) and male grooming. Two, concentrating on emerging markets of Asia and Africa. Three, cross-pollinating products across geographies. Brajesh Bajpai, vice-president (sales and marketing), Vodafone who once spearheaded Marico’s Egypt and West Asia operations, adds, “The Marico stock is less affected now by factors like lack of demand and supply chain pressures in India.”
From the looks of it, Marico is looking at segments growing quickly and where penetration is low. In India, Parachute and Saffola have tried many brand extensions; not all have been successful. Says Shirish Pardeshi, co-head, research, Anand Rathi Financial Services, “There is a limit to how much more these brands can grow. It is wise that Marico is building a strong product pipeline abroad. In the future, the company could explore the possibility of bringing back these brands to India.”
Likewise, other FMCG majors such as Dabur, Godrej and Emami have also tried to de-risk their domestic operations by following the Indian diaspora to markets of West Asia, South East Asia, and parts of Africa. Dabur, for instance, has manufacturing units in Bangladesh, Nepal, Egypt, Nigeria and the UAE. The company recently announced its decision to bring to India its Hobby brand, which came under its fold during the Turkish acquisition of Hobi Kozmetik. On its part, Godrej is estimated to have spent $600 million on acquisitions over the years and owns brands such as Cuticura, Erasmic, Adorn, Nulon, Apri, thanks to the buy-out of Keyline Brands of the UK in 2005, and the home care, personal wash and hair care portfolio of Megasari (Indonesia) following its acquisition last year.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Top Thirteen Lessons for Me from WC 2011
Well it all started on Feb 18th 2011 and hasn't ended on 2nd April.... Each one of us has connected with this WC in a unique manner. Here are my Top Thirteen Lessons from this WC....
1. Visualize Your Success in Advance. You always win twice, first in the mind's eye and then for real. This team started visualizing playing in the WC finals one year back at Dambulla (well Aug 27th , 2010 to be precise) & Pady Upton was the man who created that vision for the first time.
2. Speak Less Do More. Calmness is a virtue which isn't valued much nowadays. Calmness, Dignity & Poise make character shine, and thanks to Sehwag for bringing them back in fashion. Can we ever forget him getting down from the team bus whistling ? and then an hour later brutally spanking Umar Gul to all parts of the park.
3. Do it for team and not for your-self. Difficult one to believe, but more often when a team starts to do it for other members the glory that comes ones way is unbelievable. We will all remember the quote of the final "He has carried the nation's hope on his shoulders for 21st years, time we carried him on ours" Kohli you beauty.
4. Acknowledge Self's Mistakes and Team's Success. Every member of team throughout the campaign kept on talking about where he could improve individually and how others were doing great collectively.
5. Each Member’s Contribution is Critical for Team’s Success. It could boil down to Nehra or Raina or Chawla or even Sreesanth. Once given to you that is your team, one can’t always have a say in that. However one can show undying and unwavering faith in your team members and that’s how a Nehra v/s SA can turn into the best bowler v/s Pakistan.
6. When a Team Member is Down, Don't Forget Him. In today's dog eat dog world, who carries the can for any-one’s failure. But remember when your team member is down, that's when he needs you and the team most. And don’t worry he will remember it and will pay you back - Yuvi's Story will be part of sporting folklore for many decades.
7. Even the Best can't do it Without the Right Team. One word - Sachin !
8. Scraping is Just as Beautiful. Beautiful and sublime has no meaning if it isn't effective and purposeful, wonder how many will remember Mahela's sublime innings. It is Ghambhir's scraping, fighting, chancy and dirty innings which was more valued. Some time it is just too easy to throw it away , but team values every scrap that’s done for a larger cause.
9. Importance of Back-room Boys. Greg v/s Gary , need I say more. It was so emotional to see the masseur of the team holding and posing with the cup in the dressing room. The image of support staff in red shirts forming a chain behind team blue’s victory lap signifies the foundation role of these man with few words and lots of hard work.
10. Remember The Contributions of the Past Members – The team pulled Kumble in the dressing room celebrations, Yuvi remembered Saurav’s contribution to his life at the most important press conference. In today’s world when most people are busy garnering all for themselves, it was nice to see this team remember past contributors with humbleness.
11. Lead from the Front. Of course it is risky, so was coming at no.5. Of course you will be criticized ,so was not picking Ashwin, Of course you will be tense, so was facing the best bowler of all times, Of course you will have self doubts, Of course it’s for all or nothing ... but that's the only way to be crowned the best Caption in Modern Cricket - Mahi you are the Man.
12. Once Done, Let Go of the Emotions. – That’s the time to bare it all to the world. Yuvraj, Sachin, Bhajji, Gary in tears will remain etched in our collective memories for ever. Also important to let those emotions flow so as to close the successful chapter and look forward. After all life’s a journey is it not :-)
13. Remembering The Ordinary Man who is behind it all – Every cricketing fan in this world should hold the moment dear when Sachin called Sudhir Gautam (the man who paints himself in tri-colors and supports SRT with a Conch at every match) and posed with him holding the World Cup. In the bright light of super stars it is easy to forget the fans who make it real.
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