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- Hero would fondly remember Honda. That may be because Hero got a true sweetheart deal as it can launch products with Honda technology till June 2014 and can continue to sell them for as long as it wants. They have begun on a good note, but a good divorce settlement can ensure only short-term happiness.
People who made news
Starring: Bennett J. Morgan, Deven Sharma, Meena Kaushik, Steve Mcmohan, Ravi Pillai, Umesh C Deveshawar
How different things work
Anand Mahindra's tweet supporting Anna Hazare's campaign has been much discussed. It can be a useful platform for companies to build brand image, talk about its CSR activities and support social causes. I-T authorities has asked Mahindra Satyam to pay Rs 2,113.42 crore as outstanding taxes for financial years 2002/03 and 2007/08.Indians believe corruption is a major risk
Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems in January 2010 and has been embroiled in a $2.6 million lawsuit Sun filed against Google for patent and copyright infringement over use of Java in Android.Nokia C2-00 tops the 10 most watched ads in July 2011 list
The telecom industry seems to be on steroids with 3G. The latest evidence is the Idea ad that suggests ingenious ways to check population growth.Will a selective hike in diesel prices for car owners be feasible?
An overwhelming majority of respondents has answered in the negative. This is hardly surprising, considering the absurdity and impracticality of differential pricing of diesel for car owners. Anna Hazare has become a rallying point for citizens fed up with corruptionWorsening global economic outlook is driving gold prices to record highs
India, the world's largest gold consumer, is yet to buy the yellow metal in bulk, as its two-month-long festival season begins only in late September. Besides, there are no indications yet that the global outlook might not worsen further.Indian tablet manufacturers hope to repeat the success
Indian tablet manufacturers hope to repeat the success of their mobile handset-maker counterparts.Is RBI's tight monetary policy helping in fight against inflation?
RBI has emphatically staked its claim to lead the fight against inflation by reminding everyone that it is the only institution in the country with a formal mandate to deal with it. The result has been 11 policy rate increases since March 2010, and a strong chance of one more on September 16, when the next policy announcement is due.India's and the world's most talked-about CEOs (July 16-Aug 15)
Rata Tata was the most talked-about CEO in August.Simpler rules will help check graft in SMEs
Simpler rules will help check graft, easing the burden on small and medium enterprises.Anna Hazare and his anti-corruption movement
Most felt Hazare was the right person to head the movement as his own integrity was unquestionable. He might not be perfect, but a first step had to be taken, they said. Some voices we heard:Quotes from leaders on Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement
The government is committing political hara-kiri - as they say, if you are in a hole, stop digging, says Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman, Biocon, on Twitter.
American Express' Sanjay Rishi admires Warren Buffet
Sanjay Rishi, Asia Business Head, Emerging Payments and New Ventures, American Express (India) shreas his leadership style.
The line dividing the strength and weakness can be thin
Most of us have strengths that, at some point in our careers, no longer seem so to our peers.Recruiters turn cautious amid fears of a slowdown
The big question doing the rounds in the recruitment arena is whether companies will reduce hiring. Most companies do not admit to any cutback in requirements. But few have forgotten the global economic downturn of 2008 which caught many economies and businesses unawares. Rajeev Peshawaria goes to the core of the leadership
Rajeev Peshawaria goes to the core of the leadership issue. Whether buying an HD-capable DTH box is worth it
Should you switch to high-definition broadcast? AbsolutelyCustomers are turning to social media to make companies accountable for lapses in service
Unlike traditional advertising, social media allows people to grade brands and advertisements by clicking the 'like' button if they want to. From poetry to personal attacks, social networking professionals face it all to manage real businesses while promoting brands.
Commercial vehicle industry at the threshold of yet another downturn
A sharp increase in the cost of trucks due to higher input costs, higher interest rates, rising diesel prices and severe shortage of drivers coupled with no commensurate increase in freight rates have hurt demand.Nearly 10,000 trucks are lying idle in Bellary following the SC ban on mining there, while several sectors such as cement and cars are generating lower output. It seems the commercial vehicle industry is at the threshold of yet another downturn.How companies play with accounting policies to their advantage
The rising number of auditors' qualifications in accounts statements indicates the deteriorating state of Indian accounting standards. In times when Indian corporations run global companies, accounting practices should be conservative rather than aggressive when there is an element of uncertainty.BPO industry hurtling towards next phase, to see bigger, fewer and more specialised providers
The business process outsourcing industry has been on a shopping spree in the last three to four months to chase expertise. However, acquisition is not easy as they face tough competition with IT players such as TCS, HCL Technologies and Cognizant all on the prowl. What does all this frantic buying mean?Who are the new helmsmen at the top at India's most respected firm
For those watching changes at Infosys, the feted Bangalore software services company, a story from 31 years ago will throw light on the DNA of the team taking over at the firm's helm.Grab the hidden opportunities and cover your risks
With the outlook for the global economy worsening, operating risks have become higher. Be alert, grab the hidden opportunities and cover your risks, advise top names from India Inc. New words in business
The involvement of a third party or person to understand, negotiate or explore business opportunities.
There are more women CEOs in India, says Ripa Rashid
Ripa Rashid's book that she co-authored with Sylvia Ann Hewlett of Winning the War for Talent in Emerging Markets, looks at how employers attract and retain women in Brazil, Russia, India and China, or BRIC, nations - as well as in the United Arab Emirates.Obstacles women face in their climb to the top
Individual capacity is vital to a person entering the corner office. But the fact remains that currently the overwhelming majority of people occupying these offices is male. Personal issues also make it difficult, especially for women in the age group of 27 to 32 years.They were strong contenders for the BT Top 25 list this year.
They were strong contenders for the BT Top 25 list this year.The MD of Credit Suisse India wants to do something in education
Vedika Bhandarkar, 43, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Credit Suisse in India, says her dream project will be in education that she feels is an opportunity to give back to society.Multiples Alternate Asset Management MD and CEO enjoys work
Renuka Ramnath, Managing Director and CEO, Multiples Alternate Asset Management, says her inner strength is evident in the way she reacts to the global economic crisis.JPMorgan Chase CEO power for her means getting things done
Kalpana Morparia, 62, CEO, JPMorgan Chase earned a reputation for just that at her previous workplace, ICICI Bank, where she spent more than three decades, and it persists.MD and CEO of ICICI Venture Funds Management has an impressive career graph
Vishakha Mulye, 42, took over as Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Venture Funds Management two years ago, after having been Chief Financial Officer of the ICICI group.Apollo Hospitals Enterprise MD worries about the health of Indian woman
Preetha Reddy, 53, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, loves art and has even trained in the fine arts. But the healing provided by her chain of hospitals gives her even more pleasure. The rising prices of wheat, sugar and dairy products worry Vinita Bali, 54, Managing Director, Britannia Industries, as much as they do every housewife.The chairperson and editorial director of HT Media wants to see more women at the top
A nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, Shobhana Bhartia also runs one of India's largest media houses. She is Chairperson and Editorial Director of HT Media which had revenues of Rs 1,815 crore in 2010/11.The Group President and CEO, Lupin Pharmaceuticals on expansive mode for the firm
Vinita Gupta, 43, Group President and CEO, Lupin Pharmaceuticals and Director, Lupin, is based in the United States, but has been in India a lot in the past one year.The ED and V-P, Human Resources, South Asia, HUL has introduced flexi-hours at the company
Leena Nair joined Hindustan Unilever Ltd on passing out and has stayed with the compnay for 19 years.The Managing Director and CEO of Crisil rates idea above hierarchy
Roopa Kudva, 47, Managing Director and CEO of Crisil, has been with the rating agency for 19 years. She is also Region Head, South Asia, of Standard & Poor's, which holds majority shares in Crisil.The Managing Partner of AZB & Partners believes in honesty
Zia Mody, 55, is Managing Partner, AZB & Partners, the law firm that has advised companies such as Reliance Industries, Vedanta and Bharti Airtel on their biggest deals - with BP, Cairn and Zain, respectively. Ashu Suyash, 44, has been Managing Director and Country Head of Fidelity International's Indian asset management business since late 2003. A day in the life of Nita Ambani, Reliance Industries' first lady, includes attending to the needs of her family and checking on work progress at her dream projects.The Programming Head of TV channel Colors believes in doing things differently
Ashvini Yardi, the 38-year-old Programming Head of TV channel Colors says was not easy for Yardi to take on established channels like Star, Zee and Sony when Colors started, but she let her work do the talking.The CEO and Executive Director of IL&FS Investment Managers is result-oriented
Archana Hingorani, 45, is CEO and Executive Director of IL&FS Investment Managers, which controls a private equity corpus of $3.2 billion, one of the biggest in the country.For the MD of KMCC, the biggest challenge is doing a successful IPO for a firm
Falguni Nayar, 48, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, or KMCC,The Joint MD of Balaji Telefilms is addicted to American television shows
Ekta Kapoor, Joint Managing Director of Balaji Telefilms, has been the talk of the television industry for over two decades. Most of her shows are among the top 50 on TV.The Head of Facebook India Office believes in creating new choices
Kirthiga Reddy, Director, Online Operations, and Head, Facebook India Office says do not accept choices that are given to you.CEO and Managing Director of Pearson Education Services banks on start-up energy
The serial entrepreneur, and CEO and Managing Director of Pearson Education Services says she has been driven largely by what she calls "start-up" energy.The chairperson and MD of Bharat Hotels is known for her strong ideas
Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director, Bharat Hotels, is known for her strong ideas and forthright behaviour.The Managing Director of HDFC has all the reasons to be happy
Renu Sud Karnad, Managing Director of Housing Development Finance Corporation, often check with her employees if they are having fun working at the company.Chiki Sarkar, Publisher, Penguin Books India, has plans for new kinds of books
Sarkar, now 34, took over as the publisher of Penguin Books India, the largest English trade publisher in the subcontinent. On the anvil are plans for new kinds of books, even ebooks.The senior V-P and group head, human resources, Infosys, feels she is still learning
Nandita Gurjar, 50, Senior Vice President and Group Head, Human Resources, Infosys, has a great deal on her plate. She has to manage the expectations of 1.3 lakh employees and build the Infy brand globally.The CEO of Capgemini India grabbed every opportunity that came her way
The CEO of Capgemini India has eagerly grabbed every opportunity that came her way in the last two-and-a-half decades to reach where she is now.Top women professionals debate whether Indian marriages are ready for the working woman.
Business Today held a panel discussion at The Leela, Mumbai, to debate the subject: How 'ready' are Indian marriages to accept professional women?Tractors and Farm Equipment CEO prefers no-frills working style
Mallika Srinivasan's grit and unique working style have made her company India's second largest tractor manufacturer.The Axis Bank MD and CEO's achivements are formidable
Despite her numerous achievements, Axis Bank chief Shikha Sharma remains unfailingly modest.The Piramal Healthcare Director runs the business with a smile
Doctor-turned businesswoman Swati Piramal runs Piramal Healthcare with a smile - and quiet resolve.The chairman and managing director of Biocon admires people who dare to do things differently
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw made several unusual choices on her way to building Biocon into a billion-dollar businessThe managing director and CEO of ICICI Bank can command an army
A colleague of ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar says she is so capable that she could even command an army.The country head of HSBC was the first woman to enter the male bastion of investment banking
A role model for Indian women in financial services, Naina Lal Kidwai is all grit behind the genteel persona.BT's eighth annual list tells stories of dreams come true
This issue of Business Today celebrates those who have tackled it head-on. There have been sacrifices: being unable to meet a dying father, delaying marriage, getting little time with children. But BT's eighth annual list of the Most Powerful Women also tells stories of dreams come true. ALSO SEE: Hall of Fame | Full Listing | VideosThe chief creative officer of broadcasting at UTV loves fixing problems
Zarina Mehta, 49, Chief Creative Officer of Broadcasting at UTV, has recently launched a new channel, UTV Stars, and is busy getting programmes on air.'Why are there are so few women on Corporate India's boards'
Why are there so few women on Corporate India's boards? Companies complain they cannot find enough of them. This is partly true. But the whole truth should also include the way the nominations committee process works in most boards. 'Hazare became the unlikely fulcrum of a people's movement.'
A 74-year-old Maharashtrian on the fast track of protest has become the unlikely fulcrum of a people's movement. Letters from the readers
In your B-school survey process, in the HR and functional head category, it was surprising to see Chandigarh having the same sample size as Bangalore; and Kolkata and Patna having higher sampler sizes than Bangalore and Hyderabad.
