Cover Story
- FMCG firms are steady market performers, but those that constantly innovate do better.
- Despite the gap in their ages, the camaraderie between the 57-year-old Manwani and Paranjpe and their shared vision.
- Innovate or perish has become a rallying call among FMCG companies of late. However, most innovations perish rapidly post launch.
- In its search for new growth opportunities, the Rs 130,000-crore fast moving consumer goods sector has plunged headlong into launching new products.
- HUL's Shakti programme deploys thousands of pedalling distributors.
- The Indian arm of Unilever, under the leadership of Harish Manwani and Nitin Paranjpe, seems to have shed its margin obsession now. In fact, over the past five quarters, the company has successfully driven its volume sales up at the cost of profit margins, or the ratio of profit to revenues.
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What men want: My favourite things
Over the past year there have been some defining moments of beauty, of clarity and of living it up. As BT More celebrates its anniversary, we ask members of the business fraternity for their 'lifestyle moment of the year'.Will new Hyundai Verna be a game changer in India?
The latest generation of the Hyundai Change Verna is out with the mission of becoming a game changer in India.Stephen Marshall on his favourite things
There are different kinds of love, but they all have the same aim. Possession.Best places to travel for a vacation
Sitting at a vertigo-inducing altitude of 1588 feet, the Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong literally touches new heights in hospitality.New products and their reviews
Check the desirability quotient of the new products in the market.LG India COO Y V Verma on books that influenced him
Y V Verma, COO, LG India talks about the books that have made him what he is today.Events taking place in the place
We've lifted off the streets and taken to the skies. It's only natural then, that attention shifts to airborne interiors.Reviews of restaurants: California Pizza Kitchen, Tryst MusiCafe, Chutney-Bar and Tandoor
Prompted by its soaring popularity, California Pizza Kitchen, the American casual dining chain, has opened its second outlet at High Street Phoenix in Mumbai and offers some great Italian dishes that shouldn't be missed.Learn all about traditional and modern Calligraphy
From suitable writing styles to choices in nibs and inks, Nikhil Ranjan, CEO of William Penn offers a complete guide to the wildly visual art of calligraphy.All about fast cars, bikes and boats. Racing tidbits from around the world.
Read all about fast cars, bikes and boats. Get to know about the racing tidbits from around the world.Dining out at Lebua's Tower Club in Bangkok
The Tower Club at Lebua in Bangkok allows you to table hop from the world's highest al fresco restaurant to a dining outfit that sources its ingredients from fifteen countries.Prepare for a cross-dimensional and thought provoking movie experience
Prepare for a cross-dimensional and thought provoking experience with Malick's next.The stylish cars: Bugatti Veyron, Maybach 62,Cadillac Escalade SRX
It's probably the only car in the world which actually comes close to flying off the ground. Fasten your seatbelt!Stylist accessories to show off
Who said men don't need chic bags? Louis Vuitton is redefining men's accessories The emerging winner from the most thorough and accurate analysis of the global nautical industry. It's love at first sight for both techno geeks and those who know nothing about technology. Welcome the iPad 2.Camera's that are photographer's delight
Till a little while ago 'corporate gifting' a concept. Today,. of products which make for perfect gifts.Cigars for connoiseur of all genre
Explore the aroma and flavours of the Cohiba Behike 54 as you enter the world of the best of Cuban cigars.Wines that stun the world with their taste
Brought to life in the historic vineyards of Bordeaux, the Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982 vintage is expected to stun the world for the next 70 years.The best Champagnes that you want to pop
When it comes to superstar champagnes, this blinged out bubbly is the clear winner; a hip-hop heavy hitter that stunned everyone.Hotels that make staying memorable
A great new Spa resort in the heart of the French Alps is sure to warm your heart.Most desirable experiences on offer: From destinations to gadgets to wines
Celebrating BT More's anniversary, we bring you a pick of the most desirable experiences on offer- from destinations to gadgets to wines. Indulge!Watches that allures and impress
A limited edition timepiece in rose and white gold impresses and allures at once with its fitting tribute to the King of Madecon.
Better lifestyle can prevent arthritis in young
Though perceived as an ailment of the aged, arthritis often afflicts people as young as 40, says Rahul Sachitanand.
India Infoline chairman Nirmal Jain admires Nitish Kumar, Steve Jobs
The chairman of India Infoline Nirmal Jain talks about his leadership style.
Will Vikram Akula's strategy put SKS Microfinance back on track?
Will Vikram Akula be able to clear the mess and put SKS Microfinance back on track?Our focus is on existing clients, says Vikram Akula
In an interview to E. Kumar Sharma, Founder and Chairman of SKS Microfinance, Vikram Akula, says: "We have stopped acquiring new clients. Our focus is on our existing clients and bridging the gap created by other MFIs."SaaS revolution comjes to sweep Indian now
Start-ups with niche cloud-based applications are in turn drawing other start-ups as their first clients, creating rare synergies.With its reputation at risk, microfinance sector struggling to survive
With its reputation at risk, its business model under a cloud, the microfinance sector is struggling to survive.Real estate market booms in Bhopal
At a time when real estate is reeling under the impact of a series of body blows - interest rates climbing higher and higher, scarce capital, a volatile Sensex, all of which are scaring away buyers - Bhopal seems entirely unaffected.'Farmers will keep on fighting against illegal land acquisition'
Supreme Court lawyer Rajeev Dhavan says the governments of the Union and states support policies for maximising rapacious acquisition for business with increased compensation.Pranab Mukherjee's fiscal targets may hurt inflation control measures
Unrealistic assumptions made while fixing fiscal deficit targets have come unstuck and may hurt efforts to control inflation.Leading companies have big investment plans for Bihar
Leading companies are lining up to enter Bihar, a state they once shunned. With both policing and connectivity in the state having improved dramatically, industry sees no reason to be diffident.
Destinations to unwind
Head out to Nepal to walk the greatest mountain range on earth in great style and, yes, great luxury too
Restaurants that are foodies delight
It created a revolution in culinary arts when it opened seven years ago. It is still winning awards.
People who made news
Starring: Ankur Bhatia, Ranu Kawatra, Rahul Munjal, Rishad Tobaccowala, Ashwin Deo and Adam Gurian.
How different things work
Satellite search is conducted using ISRO's Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network, or ISTRAC, which provides support to low earth orbit satellites and launch vehicle missions. Television Viewer Ratings for the ICC World Cup 2011 were 69 per cent higher than the 2007 edition. In contrast, TVRs for the first 25 matches of IPL 4 show a 27 per cent drop over IPL 3. Air India and Indian Airlines announce a loss of about Rs 541 crore and Rs 230 crore, respectively, in 2006/07. Revenues from mobile phone value-added services could cross Rs 55,000 crore by 2015, driven by 3G and BWA networks, multilingual content, smart apps and devices, estimates a PwC study.Most watched advertisements in April 2011
Food and beverages giant Kraft Foods has begun unleashing its arsenal - it breaks into the BTTAM Most Watched Ads list with its Tang commercial at the fourth position.Quotes by political and business leaders
India is a consumption story…. Demand for financial services will exceed supply for the next 10 years. Hence, there is no room for irrational demand in the economy, says Aditya Puri, CEO, HDFC Bank.Are gold and silver better investment options than equities?
Majority of respondents has bet in favour of the precious metals. No doubt, gold and silver prices have seen an unprecedented rally since 2008, as they tend to thrive in uncertain situations.Jamming on the iPad2 and a smartphone with resolution
Jamming on the iPad2 and a smartphone with resolution.All listed companies to file their financial statements
The mandatory filing of company financials in the XBRL format will make it easier to slice and dice data by Manu Kaushik.Globalisation is not progressing in a straight line, says Paul A Laudicina
Paul A. Laudicina, Managing Officer and Chairman of the Board at A.T. Kearney, talks about how globalisation, instead of progressing in a linear fashion, is moving sporadicall.'Fall in corporate profitability in the fourth quarter is temporary'
The fall in corporate profitability in the fourth quarter is a temporary squeeze, says Ajay Srinivasan. With Mamata Banerjee in power in West Bengal, the world of business expects big changes on the ground there. So is the case with J. Jayalalithaa, the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.Biggest deal in the past 30 days.
Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone, part of Adani Enterprises, has won the bid to acquire Australia-based Abbot Point X50 Coal Terminal for Rs 9,000 crore.
Will new givt in Kerala give the state an investor-friendly face?
The new government must attract private investment and make Kerala less dependent on foreign remittances.Left never took any steps to improve West Bengal finance: Amit Mitra
BT'S Sunny Sen and Somnath Dasgupta caught up with Mitra a day after he felled CPI(M)'s Asim Dasgupta, who was West Bengal's finance minister, in the state assembly polls. Mitra talks of the Communists' failure in the state and the road ahead. Edited excerpts:Sushil Kumar Modi may head the empowered committee on GST
The UPA wants Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, a BJP leader, to replace Asim Dasgupta as the chairman of the committee onGoods & Services Tax.New Jayalalithaa government in Tamil Nadu inherits budget crisis
The interim budget of Tamil Nadu for the year 2011/12 shows a marginal revenue surplus of Rs 439 crore as stated by the state finance minister in his budget speech.Challenges await Jayalalithaa as Tamil Nadu chief minister
Enormous challenges lay ahead for the third-time chief minister, as the DMK government ensures near-empty state coffers for AIADMK. Will Jayalalithaa be able to turn around things?West Bengal businessmen hail assembly election results
The mood among West Bengal's businessmen and executives after Mamata Banerjee's sweeping victory in the assembly polls.Many challenges await Mamata Banerjee as West Bengal chief minister
The new chief minister of West Bengal has achieved her goal of demolishing the Left in Bengal. Now comes the tough part.BT talks to Amit Mitra about his plans for Bengal
Yinglan Tan book shows how Chinese companies are innovating fast
The book shows Chinese companies too are innovating fast, says Shamni Pande.
Readers' views on Business Today stories
Your cover story, This Time for Africa (May 29), truly captures a continent brimming with opportunities.
Intel's Ivy Bridge promises paradigm shift in computing
Intel's Ivy Bridge processors will mark a paradigm shift in computing.
Get your house insured for a safe living
People invest huge sums in buying a home, but many make the mistake of forgetting to insure it.
McDonald's paneer burger for the Indian palate
A 2009 meeting of McDonald's India executives has culminated in the launch of 'McSpicy Paneer' in end-March this year. The offering that has proved so popular that most outlets keep running out of stock every day.
TVS group has never faced a labour problem
The 100-year old TVS group with a unique achievement - it has never faced a serious labour problem. The first company of the group, TVS & Sons, set up in 1911, has a strike-free record. So do the other 30-odd companies.
Firms are hiring right candidates via social media
Firms are logging in to social networking sites to pick up the right candidates. A study reveals 90 per cent of Indian employees have individual accounts on social media sites, of which 81 per cent use them for professional purposes.