Media Behemoths argue that they need more freedom

IIPM BEST MBA INSTITUTE

Media behemoths argue that they need more freedom to consolidate their businesses in an increasingly competitive market where consumer groups, independent content producers, journalists, et al argue that consolidation is killing creativity and diversity. Global coverage, technological dynamism and mass customization have become more of a necessity due to increase in the segmentation amongst media customers. Thus it is very evident that the need for convergence has necessitated consolidation. Supporters of the ongoing process of consolidation believe it to be a part of the societal and technological transition, which is bound to benefit everybody in the long run. There are opportunities for synergy and leverage, yet bringing together several activities under one umbrella does bring about some degree of risk. The ill effects stretch beyond compression of salaries and erosion of working conditions to threatening standards of professionalism in journalism and broadcasting.

Indeed, in this maddening rush for subscriber base and advertising revenues, companies must ensure that the content aspect is not compromised on. Commoditisation of news can at best provide them with short term gains.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

The Taj is fast losing its luster

IIPM PUBLICATION

A parliamentary committee report has revealed that the great monument of love, the Taj Mahal, is losing its sheen due to pollution. The committee, headed by Rajya Sabha MP Sitaram Yechury, has recommended that steps should immediately be taken to stop this decay and that the Taj should be restored to its former glory. “The committee expresses its concern that Taj Mahal, the world-famous monument at Agra is becoming yellowish due to the deposition of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM),” says the report that was tabled in Parliament. “The deposition of SPM on the shimmering white marble of the Taj Mahal imparts yellow tinge to the marble surface. To restore the pristine glory of the Taj Mahal, as a conservation measure, the clay pack treatment, which is non-corrosive and nonabrasive, is carried out for the removal of the deposits.”

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007 London

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

Bankrolling poor!

IIPM BEST MBA INSTITUTE

ADB should not follow World Bank

The biggest financial powerhouse of Asian region – Asian Development Bank (ADB) – in its recently held 40th meet at Kyoto, grappled with the same old theme of managing liberalisation while keeping the growing poverty & inequalities under check. Restructuring the four decade old institution, in tune with the changing scenario (driven by burgeoning inequalities & challenges to environment), remained high on agenda during the meet. This meet suggested that the Bank change its focus from “fighting extensive poverty to more inclusive growth, emphasizing environmentally sustainable growth over traditional economic growth, & moving from a primarily national, country by- country focus to a more regional focus.”

The emphasis on environment was enough to draw the American wrath, which condemned the Bank for diverting from its core business of beating poverty. Protesters in Japan also blamed the Bank for doing too little to fight poverty and rather catering more to the interests of Japanese trading houses and investing in infrastructure projects in less-developed Asian nations. There is no doubt whatsoever that Asia is fast replacing Europe as the engine driving the global economy. But despite the encouraging economic indicators, threats of widespread poverty, environmental deprivation and hunger are bigger than ever (roughly 1.9 billion people in the Asian region are earning less than two dollars a day). And this, of course, is the biggest challenge.

Under such circumstances , it becomes all the more imperative for the Bank to refrain from any allurements to follow the World Bank or IMF model, based on exploiting poor nations for the good of MNCs. The Bank may increase its sphere of influence, but any digression from people-oriented programmes will, in fact, only harm the Bank’s image.

B&E edit bureau: Vikash Kumar

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative