Who's who of corporate world from Infosys, Google, ITC to Stan C is supporting this event.
I urge each one of you to support this cause to save earth from global warming.
The world has done it and know it is turn of India. SO, let's join hands to support the event.
Earth Hour 2009, Saturday 28 March, 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM. For more information, please log on to www.earthhour.in
Have a look at the video which says all about the contribution of World.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
When I look back at my hostel life !!
Life then !! There is so much to say about the best days of life that it is difficult to put it on a piece of paper.There is hell and heaven difference between life 5 years ago and life now. Life was then so carefree with no responsibility at all and so full of fun that I go on record to say that those were and will always be the best days of my life. But this is how life is meant to be...
College is replaced by Office and tuitions by training
Jeans and Tee by Cufflinks, neck tie and formal shirts
Tiny pocket money changed to huge monthly paychecks
Few local denim jeans changed to new branded wardrobe
Single plate of samosa changed to a full Pizza or burger
Small tea shop changed to cafe coffee day
Limited prepaid card changed to postpaid package
Mobile handset to blackberry
College note book changed to Laptop
and Report Card to Appraisal and PMS .
Life now and Life then!!
Life meant: one home, one road, for all friends, 150 C R Avenue(my hostel)
Life meant: CA, St. Xaviers College and article ship
Life meant: Roaming in corridor till 3 in the morning & struggling to attend college at 6
Life meant: Bunking college, Saturday test and to office at 10 AM
Life meant: Tuitions, CA Sunday test, and 3 months serious study for CA Exams
Life meant: One day leave for Bcom Exams, 1 night, 1 book and 18 duffers to read
Life meant: Late night parties @ Ajad Hind Dhaba,B’day parties @ Jakaria Street,hostel mess,
Life meant: CA, St. Xaviers College and article ship
Life meant: Roaming in corridor till 3 in the morning & struggling to attend college at 6
Life meant: Bunking college, Saturday test and to office at 10 AM
Life meant: Tuitions, CA Sunday test, and 3 months serious study for CA Exams
Life meant: One day leave for Bcom Exams, 1 night, 1 book and 18 duffers to read
Life meant: Late night parties @ Ajad Hind Dhaba,B’day parties @ Jakaria Street,hostel mess,
India hobby center late night party one night before Bcom Exams.
Life meant: Diwali in hostel (all thanks to CA Exams), New Year in hostel (CS exams)
Life meant: Countless parties at best restaurant in town, CA final Champagne party,
Life meant: Saraswati Puja, Freshers’ Welcome Day ,Annual Social Function & Ragging days
Life meant: 1St Floor Vs. Second floor cricket match / volley ball match and hungama
Life meant: Endless fight between 1st floor & Second Floor on trivial issues…
Life meant: Diwali in hostel (all thanks to CA Exams), New Year in hostel (CS exams)
Life meant: Countless parties at best restaurant in town, CA final Champagne party,
Life meant: Saraswati Puja, Freshers’ Welcome Day ,Annual Social Function & Ragging days
Life meant: 1St Floor Vs. Second floor cricket match / volley ball match and hungama
Life meant: Endless fight between 1st floor & Second Floor on trivial issues…
And now life means only one thing:
Old friends, separate cities, separate lives and endless effort to earn money.
Old friends, separate cities, separate lives and endless effort to earn money.
- Amit Khandelia.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
McDonald's don't sell hamburgers, they deal in real estate !!
Last time when I went to McDonald’s outlet in Delhi with my nephew (my sis’ elder son), I decided to irritate him a bit. I just love it when he is frustrated with my questions. He is all of 8, but just like any other kid, outspoken and naughty.
I wanted to give him a tough time and as we entered McDonald’s outlet, I told him that I am not going to buy him a cold drink if he is not able to answer my answer which obviously was to irritate him and he was definitely going to have the cold drinks irrespective of his answer. “So, Chummu (his nickname) tell me what do McDonald’s sell?”, the moment I asked this question, he frowned at me as if I am a fool or trying to make fun of him by asking this stupid question. He didn’t uttered anything for next two minutes and was double checking at the back of his mind whether the answer he is going to say is correct or not. I reiterated, “Chummu tell me what is the business of McDonald, what do they deal in?” The purpose of irritating him was seeing some accomplishment as I started smiling and he finally opened his mouth – “mamu don’t make fun of me! They sell burgers aur kya.” I knew this was coming and then started tweaking the question which was not his cup of tea.” Hey dude! I agree with you that they sell burgers but selling burgers is not their core business. I mean they don’t make enough money from selling burgers. So, what is it which fetches money to them?” The mercury was rising as he could not counter me and made a second guess that McDonald’s then must be making enough money from cold drinks.
On the face of it, Chummu is absolutely right that McDonald’s sell burgers and cold drinks and it is a common perception too. McDonald’s do sell burger but they don’t make enough money from selling burgers as they do from real estate business. Yes, this is what they do in most of the countries abroad. Close to 15% outlets are owned by McDonald and as per their business model which is completely different from other food chain models, they charge rent on the basis of sales. Apart from this, as in case of normal franchise business they also charge franchise fees and marketing fees.
The former CFO of McDonald's CFO, Harry J. Sonneborn is often quoted as having said -
"We are not basically in the food business. We are in the real estate business."
"We are in the real estate business. The only reason we sell hamburgers is because they are the greatest producer of revenue from which our tenants can pay us rent."
It is a common belief among masses that McDonald’s, the largest chain of fast food restaurants is a market leader in hamburgers which is true but actually it is a real estate power house. It is the largest commercial real estate landowner in the United States. McDonald's property portfolio was estimated to be valued around eight billion dollars, as of 2001. To explain it further, McDonald's makes money on real estate by buying and selling properties which are generally restaurant lots. On the one hand, it invests in hot locations while under performing locations are also sold out to balance the portfolio.
Well !! Chummu is too young to understand the business model of McDonald’s and he finally had his share of cold drinks but next time you don’t lose on yours if someone asks you – What is the business of McDonald’s ?
I wanted to give him a tough time and as we entered McDonald’s outlet, I told him that I am not going to buy him a cold drink if he is not able to answer my answer which obviously was to irritate him and he was definitely going to have the cold drinks irrespective of his answer. “So, Chummu (his nickname) tell me what do McDonald’s sell?”, the moment I asked this question, he frowned at me as if I am a fool or trying to make fun of him by asking this stupid question. He didn’t uttered anything for next two minutes and was double checking at the back of his mind whether the answer he is going to say is correct or not. I reiterated, “Chummu tell me what is the business of McDonald, what do they deal in?” The purpose of irritating him was seeing some accomplishment as I started smiling and he finally opened his mouth – “mamu don’t make fun of me! They sell burgers aur kya.” I knew this was coming and then started tweaking the question which was not his cup of tea.” Hey dude! I agree with you that they sell burgers but selling burgers is not their core business. I mean they don’t make enough money from selling burgers. So, what is it which fetches money to them?” The mercury was rising as he could not counter me and made a second guess that McDonald’s then must be making enough money from cold drinks.
On the face of it, Chummu is absolutely right that McDonald’s sell burgers and cold drinks and it is a common perception too. McDonald’s do sell burger but they don’t make enough money from selling burgers as they do from real estate business. Yes, this is what they do in most of the countries abroad. Close to 15% outlets are owned by McDonald and as per their business model which is completely different from other food chain models, they charge rent on the basis of sales. Apart from this, as in case of normal franchise business they also charge franchise fees and marketing fees.
The former CFO of McDonald's CFO, Harry J. Sonneborn is often quoted as having said -
"We are not basically in the food business. We are in the real estate business."
"We are in the real estate business. The only reason we sell hamburgers is because they are the greatest producer of revenue from which our tenants can pay us rent."
It is a common belief among masses that McDonald’s, the largest chain of fast food restaurants is a market leader in hamburgers which is true but actually it is a real estate power house. It is the largest commercial real estate landowner in the United States. McDonald's property portfolio was estimated to be valued around eight billion dollars, as of 2001. To explain it further, McDonald's makes money on real estate by buying and selling properties which are generally restaurant lots. On the one hand, it invests in hot locations while under performing locations are also sold out to balance the portfolio.
Well !! Chummu is too young to understand the business model of McDonald’s and he finally had his share of cold drinks but next time you don’t lose on yours if someone asks you – What is the business of McDonald’s ?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
India TV - Laughter @ its best !!
First of all, wishing all of you a very happy and colourful Holi !!
I make it a point to watch India TV everyday for about fifteen minutes to half an hour. Like the usual viewers of India TV, I am not looking for current news on this so called news channel but the main idea is to relax a bit after hectic travelling and work throughout the day. Trust me, if you watch it with your friends, the daily prime time dose of India TV is good enough to ease the tension. Ayush (my room mate) and myself try so hard to avoid the crap of this news channel but to be very honest, somehow both of us are looking forward to our daily dose of 15 minutes. So far as India TV is concerned, it plays its role to the best by making a great story everyday which has nothing to do with the current events.
On a serious note, India TV is a shame on all the news Channel and Indian media. They have to talk about all the crap in the world and every week they decide on the date when the entire world will perish (Sarvanaash and Parlay) but unfortunately, they day never comes and they keep on revising the date. Lately, Pakistan is their prime time topic and they way they make the headlines is really funny - 'Pakistan jhoota hai...Jardari miya kaha jaoge bach je ab...'. Some of the best one which I remeber are - 'Paijama 2 inch neech aur jaan gayi' - This is with respect to some fatwa in Taliban. 'Truck dhabe mein ghusa, billi (Cat) ki poonch baddi ho gayi, nag aur naagin ki prem kahani, Swarg jaane ka raashta (This is another favorite of India TV), Pataal ka raashta and the list is endless.
Everything which they show on their channel is undoubtedbly the BREAKING NEWS irrespective of the fact that whatever they show has no co-relation with other sensible news channel and current event of the country. Earlier I used to be very worried at the irresponsibility of media in our country but since news channel like India TV does not deserve to be in media league there is no point being worried and after all who cares about the image of country, it is TRP that matters for this absolutely irresponsible news channel with Zero news.
Check out some of the news of India TV and decide :
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Airtel's new Ad - A boy and toy Phone !!
First of all, sorry for completely perishing from the world of blog for a good long time. All thanks to Ekta, (I hope she is reading this) whose blogs made me realise that there is something called as 'blogging' which used to be my favorite time pass.
Have you seen the new ad of Adirtel. Don't tell me you haven't seen it yet. If you watch cricket or any other sports, you will definitely get to see Airtel ads in break. If you don't see sports then you must definitely be watching reality shows..nah..not seen it yet...cos there are so many of them that you are confused which one I am talking about. Let me give a clue, "Papa aap dilli gaye mummy ne mujhe daanta..aap bhi mummy ko daantna"..."papa ka phone aaya tha na "...Now am sure all the housewives and 'moms to be' have by hearted this advetisement..Ya that is how it is..
Last week I happened to be at my mamu's place in surat when I was watching idiot box and suddenly this ad flashed..Guess what !! My maami ji came running from the kitchen with a big smile on her face. I could not stop myself from saying - "Mr. Sunil Mittal (Chariman & MD, Bharti Airtel) hats off to you! Every penny you spend on Ads is worth it." After the Ad, She went on praising it endlessly...'Bhaiya !! Jab bhi ye ad aata hai, mein kitchen se daud kar aati hun isse dekhne ke liye..mast ad banaya hai.' What more can an Ad agency expect from its commercials. This is a live experience of consumer's response to Airtel's new Ad. Full marks to the Ad agency and also to Airtel marketing team!!
What is so unique that Airtel's Ad reaches to the masses so easily? They never talk about the product and tariffs in their commercials but still it connects so well with the viewers. Even in this Ad, they have not talked about their product or brand. They are able to connect so well because they know the psyche and pulse of Indian consumers. It blends so well with the emotions of the customer that they don't need any big bang celebrity or grappling tariff to reach to the masses.
Taking a break as Sachin is playing at 150 not out and he is hitting boundaries ball after ball !!
Have you seen the new ad of Adirtel. Don't tell me you haven't seen it yet. If you watch cricket or any other sports, you will definitely get to see Airtel ads in break. If you don't see sports then you must definitely be watching reality shows..nah..not seen it yet...cos there are so many of them that you are confused which one I am talking about. Let me give a clue, "Papa aap dilli gaye mummy ne mujhe daanta..aap bhi mummy ko daantna"..."papa ka phone aaya tha na "...Now am sure all the housewives and 'moms to be' have by hearted this advetisement..Ya that is how it is..
Last week I happened to be at my mamu's place in surat when I was watching idiot box and suddenly this ad flashed..Guess what !! My maami ji came running from the kitchen with a big smile on her face. I could not stop myself from saying - "Mr. Sunil Mittal (Chariman & MD, Bharti Airtel) hats off to you! Every penny you spend on Ads is worth it." After the Ad, She went on praising it endlessly...'Bhaiya !! Jab bhi ye ad aata hai, mein kitchen se daud kar aati hun isse dekhne ke liye..mast ad banaya hai.' What more can an Ad agency expect from its commercials. This is a live experience of consumer's response to Airtel's new Ad. Full marks to the Ad agency and also to Airtel marketing team!!
What is so unique that Airtel's Ad reaches to the masses so easily? They never talk about the product and tariffs in their commercials but still it connects so well with the viewers. Even in this Ad, they have not talked about their product or brand. They are able to connect so well because they know the psyche and pulse of Indian consumers. It blends so well with the emotions of the customer that they don't need any big bang celebrity or grappling tariff to reach to the masses.
Taking a break as Sachin is playing at 150 not out and he is hitting boundaries ball after ball !!
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