Cover Story

Eight entrepreneurs who built huge pharma business away from limelight
Most of them started with very little capital and resources. And all of them persevered through the bad times of the industry.

2015-07-05

Publishers discover virtues of pre-order marketing

It's amazing what a bit of clever marketing can do. It can put books that are not yet released right on top of the bestseller charts.

Some social networks will pay users for posts, updates

Tsu, which was launched in October 2014,  says it will only keep 10 per cent of the ad revenues it generates with itself and share the rest. Already it claims to have two million users.

How venture debt is coming to the rescue of start-ups

Venture debt has to be paid back in two-three years. The interest cost is 15-24 per cent, higher than the usual rates of 12-14 per cent, because of the higher risk involved in funding start-ups.

Factors that are contributing to death of 3G in India

A host of factors including unwillingness of telcos to make enough investments to build 3G networks and growing prominence of 4G technology and Wi-Fi services are making 3G less and less relevant.

Features

Can workplace democracy work across organisations?

Companies like Semco have radically departed from the traditional command and control structure and introduced total workplace democracy. It's a very difficult management model but can some bits of it be replicated in other corporations?

Why mega food parks are failing to attract corporate interest

Promoters have faced difficulties in selling the new concept to banks and, as a result, have failed to secure loans to build the parks.

Four PSU insurance companies are losing the race against private players

In the 15 years since the private sector was allowed into the sector, these companies have seen their combined market share fall to 55 per cent from 100 per cent.

Banking

Latest RBI rate cut to make income funds more attractive

Long-term debt funds tend to benefit during rate cuts as bond prices appreciate when interest rates fall.

News

Which is the best mobile shopping app? We find out.

An app on your smartphone is undoubtedly convenient but it has its downsides too. First, price comparison isn't easy. Also, the convenience of looking at different products in multiple tabs isn't there anymore.

Leadership Spotlight

Dearth of book shops challenge for publishers in India: Westland CEO

Gautam Padmanabhan, CEO of Westland, the fifth-largest English language publisher in India, says Indian publishers have no answer to what works and what doesn't. Excerpts from an interview.

Book

Age of supereconomies different from that of superpowers: Raghav Behl

Media entrepreneur Raghav Bahl talks about his new book Super Economies and how India and the US should deal with China's growing influence, in this interview with Business Today.

Book review - Coined: The Rich Life of Money and How Its History Has Shaped Us

An open book that looks at money in dimensions and from approaches hitherto unexplored by mainstream economic thinking.

Expert Speak

There should be policy consistency in India: JP Morgan's Tai Hui

Tai Hui, MD, Chief Market Strategist - Asia, JP Morgan AMC, says a lot of clarity is required on minimum alternate tax (MAT). "You have to be careful in bringing in new policies, especially with retrospective aspects", he adds.

Retirement

How good are the govt's new insurance and pension schemes?

The good part of these schemes that they can be availed by all bank account holders. But do these policies suffice as they cater largely to economically weaker sections.

National Pension System offers little comfort for old age

Returns from the National Pension System (NPS) are taxed on maturity. This is unlike all other products including any equity mutual fund, insurance and even provident fund (PF) or public provident fund (PPF), where the returns are tax-free.

Money Today

Looking to insure your house? All you need to know

Many people believe that home insurance does not cover acts of God. But the fact is that acts of God are covered under home insurance. Section 1 of a home insurance policy generally covers fire and other allied perils such as floods.

Are balanced funds a safe investment option?

Depending on the nature and aim of investment, as well as the disposition of the investor, balanced funds can come in different shades in between the two extremes.

Real Estate

Pros and cons of buying property via real estate websites

Realty portals are a good help in locating a property but are not of much use in checking sellers' credibility.

Focus

Will new initiative to clean Ganga make any difference?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has now launched another initiative to clean the holy river. Will it make any difference?

Tweak in investment norms for NRIs may not spur inflows

Any investments by non-resident Indians (NRIs) on a non-repatriable basis in Indian equities or convertible debentures would be treated as investment by residents and not FDI.

Maggi controversy: We need a strong food regulatory system

The country does not have the necessary infrastructure for test facilities and even existing testing units do not often meet global standards. There are only 166 approved laboratories that are capable of testing samples collected from the near 24 lakh FBOs.

Economy faces challenging times due to global and domestic factors

Many say the US recovery is a double-edged sword. This is because while it would boost India's exports, it would also put pressure on the stock, debt and currency markets as foreign funds would move their money out of emerging markets.

Banking

How to draw up a financial plan for different life stages

The most important point in financial planning is that one must start early. A small amount invested over a longer period will have a big impact on one's portfolio. It cannot be compensated even by doubling the investment," says an expert.

Interviews

We are fixing legacy problems, says RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan

Raghuram Rajan says, "As we deal with some legacy problems of the past that have built up over time, growth will pick up. I think it is in the process of already picking up. But more work needs to be done, we are not finished".

Harsimrat Kaur Badal on how Mega Food Park Scheme is central to Make in India

Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister of Food Processing, tells Business Today how the Mega Food Park Scheme will be central to Make in India.

Corporate

Luxury carmakers are increasing their use of indigenous components

"Our localisation level was 20 per cent only a year ago, but now it is 50 per cent," says Philipp von Sahr, President, BMW India.

How sixth grade fail PC Mustafa built his Rs 62-crore food company

PC Mustafa says the company has been profitable from day one and the amount of batter it sells in one day can make a million idlis.

Why Indian family businesses are seeking mentors from outside

There is an awareness of the need for executive coaching, especially for business leaders in new roles. There is a realisation that mentoring is crucial, more so at the time of succession.

People