Color Design India Lights Up

Realising his true calling, Mr. B.S.Mehra, Proprietor, Color Design India moved past hurdles to offer his clients unique services. Today, Color Design India is present across the country and has its name embedded as one of the most renowned companies in the field of illumination and aqua solutions. From a humble beginning in 1999, the company has come a long way by offering some of the best fountain and LED lights. “We established this company in 1999, and as we are into fountains and LED lights we have very wide range of product segments which includes specifically musical fountains, show fountains, laser fountains, water curtains and champagne jets,” shares Mr. B.S.Mehra, Proprietor, Color Designs.

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Color Design India offers products that are considered as luxury and unique and therefore not seen as essential for living by many. Aware of this fact, Mr. Mehra realised the challenge he faced but this did not deter his conviction of going ahead with the idea he believed in and set out to make a name in the business world. “These are not products which are necessary for day to day routine life. So we need to market our product and we need to educate our customer about the application of these equipments. So there was a tough challenge to make them understand that yes we can contribute for their success.” said Mr. Mehra.

As a result of constant endeavour to excel, the company has earned accolades from the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, in recognition of their efforts towards enhancing the beauty of Jaipur through their services. “The best compliment we received was from Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhra Raje Scindia who specifically complimented about the hard work we have done for the beautification of the city as we are in to the master plan of Jaipur.” Mr. Mehra proudly adds.

Color Design India has a well defined marketing strategy which focuses on web promotions to enhance their reach. They have adapted the online media to generate the maximum queries for their business.

Companies Bill to be more flexible; SMEs worried

In a bid to make the Companies Bill more lean and flexible, it will be stripped of all detail, which may be separately inserted under the heading – Rules. 

The bulk of the Bill is being taken to the Rules, to enable quick amendments through notifications without going to Parliament.

“The procedures will be in the rule as always,” said an official of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. 

“Any amendment in the Act, i.e. law, is a complicated task as it requires Parliamentary approval, whereas Rules can be amended by the Government at any time through official notifications. Hence, it was preferred to avoid giving details in the Act,” said Mr Pavan Kumar Vijay, Managing Director of Delhi-based consultancy, Corporate Professionals. 

While industry welcomed the move, they cautioned against pushing through of misplaced legislation, especially the medium and small and micro enterprises (MSMEs). 

“The Government will have the flexibility to listen to different associations from time to time but there is a danger of it becoming a victim in the hands of big companies. For small companies whose lobbies are too small to be heard, it does not provide a level playing field,” said Mr Dinesh Agarwal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Indiamart.com. 

Read more at: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/article2696148.ece

Direct to Home: Pune Farmers' Innovation leads to fresh vegetables to consumers

Agriculture is the largest economic sector in India and plays a significant role in the overall socio-economic development. About, 65% of Indian population depends directly on agriculture, and it accounts for around 22% of GDP. India is the largest producer of fruits and second largest producer of vegetables in the world. 

The government supports agriculture by deciding minimum support prices for the major agricultural crops, subsidies and credit schemes. However, there is a lack of required level of investment for the development of marketing, storage and cold storage infrastructure. According to National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) post harvest losses accounts about 25% to 30% of production in India.

The solution to this problem is advocated through innovation, which is going to change the game for small and emerging businesses related to agriculture. Kudos to Pune Farmers, who not only cut the middleman from the business, but also find a solution to sell their product directly to consumers. This story was recently highlighted by The Economic Times (ET).

A new trend for small and emerging businesses related to agriculture

According to the ET story, Pune is witnessing a new trend where farmers are offering consumers directly with fresh vegetables right at their door step. The idea is to create a self-help group and adopt new technology for payment system, and then approach the end-users directly with their offerings. 

The trend in the case of Pune has recorded three tonnes of fresh vegetables being delivered at the door steps of more than 200 families which has encouraged the spirits of these farmers. The orders get placed online and they are processed in the village itself. To relish the farm fresh vegetables, the customer needs to pay a sum of Rs. 2, 000/- online to their site. The minimum size of the order has been fixed at Rs 150 per delivery. This innovate idea has caught instant attention of working couples and elderly people. The trend has emerged as a real delight for those who are willing to pay a premium for farm fresh vegetables.

Online delivery of fruits and vegetables is not a new trend in India but what makes the Pune experiment different is being driven by farmers themselves. It is an ideal condition for those who are willing to start a small-sized business related to farming. Earlier, a hefty amount was retained by middle-man and there was no direct contact between producer and consumers. However, with the advent of e-Commerce now it is easy to sell their product online. Further farmers have made a deal with large housing societies to sell inside their premises once a week. It would enable them to offer discounts as well.

Small sized ventures have a huge potential in organic farming

A budding interest in organic food is an answer to a potential business venture. There is a growing concern towards healthy living, and consumers are very apt to pay for foods involving natural farming. Organic products usually get a premium of 10% to 20%. Organic farming also cut cultivation and input costs by up to 70% due to the use of cheaper, natural products like manure instead of chemicals and fertilizers.

How SMEs can harvest profit out of it

As per the existing laws in India, markets for agricultural product can be set up at the initiative of State Governments alone and there is still no provision for individual farmers. Recently, it has been recommended that ‘Special Markets’ or ‘Special Commodities Markets’ in any market area for specified agricultural commodities can be operated in addition to existing markets. Growers are permitted to apply for the establishment of new markets for agricultural produce in any area. Therefore, in a market area, more than one market can be established by private persons, farmers and consumers. There will be no compulsion on the growers to sell their produce to existing markets only.

Therefore, a small-sized venture is in a unique position to tap this growing market by adopting new technology and approaching directly to the end-user with their potentially better offering.

Hitachi Data Systems to introduce cloud services for Gujarat SMEs soon

Hitachi Data Systems has decided to unveil its cloud services for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the state as the state accounts for more than 10% of the three million-SMEs in India. 

 

SMEs in the state have been looking at data backup and email management services, along with data and business analysis from the cloud solution providers.

During the early part of this year, at the ninth meeting of the National Board for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr Virbhadra Singh, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), has stated that Centre would be joining hand with service providers to offer latest information technology and software at cheaper rates.

Read more at: http://news.indiamart.com/story/hitachi-data-systems-introduce-cloud-services-gujarat-smes-soon-151290.html

'MSME of the Year' Award Goes to Tarini Infrastructure Ltd.

'MSMEs were like playback singers of the country until now,' said Mr. V. Chandrashekhar, Chairman & CEO, Tarini Infrastructure Ltd. on receiving twin Awards - 'MSME of the Year' & 'Leader of Tomorrow (electrical & electronics category)' at the grand ceremony of 'IndiaMART Leaders of Tomorrow Awards 2011' that was held on 28th November, 2011 at Intercontinental The Lalit,Mumbai. He was ecstatic to receive the honour from none other than Mr. NR Narayana Murthy, Chairman Emeritus, Infosys Technologies, a revered figure in the business world. "These Awards will ensure that their successes are brought to the forefront," the proud winner added.

Delighted with this double win, Mr. Chandrashekhar said, “These awards are certainly encouraging for MSMEs. Until now only large corporates were recognised. But these awards now provide a kind of recognition that will go a long way in developing entrepreneurs of the country. Such an exposure will assist companies like us strive harder and achieve higher scales. It is also an aspiration for budding entrepreneurs to look up to become leaders of tomorrow. I thank IndiaMART.com and ET NOW to have instituted these awards."

Mr. Chandrashekhar, a first generation entrepreneur from the family of the defence background, established “Tarini International” in his start up days in the year 1995. Since the inception of the mother Company, there has been no looking back. With its vast experience and contemplation over the successful years, the “Tarini” nurtured into “Tarini Group” and emerged as one of the leading Group Companies mainly involved in hydro consultancy, hydro power generators, hydro power turbines, hydro projects in Africa and India. He has always believed in finding solutions through quality, commitment and competence.

The overwhelming response received this year has positioned these Awards as the most coveted Awards in the MSME space. Also, the support lent by distinguished names such as Mr. NR Narayana Murthy, Mr. Sam Pitroda, Mr. BS Nagesh, Mr. Prasoon Joshi amongst others has increased the credibility of IndiaMART Leaders of Tomorrow Awards by manifolds.

Govt to surge spending on healthcare sector from 1.3%

Centre has decided to raise the spending on the healthcare sector from 1.3% to 2.5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) period, said Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission. He has also spoken about the quality of healthcare in India.


This statement has come while he has been addressing the India Health Summit 2011 organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry here. Mr Ahluwalia has said that Centre needs to be berated for not spending huge percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on offering better healthcare.

Read more at: http://news.indiamart.com/story/govt-surge-spending-healthcare-sector-13-montek-singh-ahluwalia-151020.html

Vishv Books Script Success

A company that started eight years back, in 2003, leapt forward and turned into one of the most successful enterprises within a short while. Vishv Books, headed by Ms. Mudit Mohini, Director of the company, is one of the premier publishing and printing houses. Based out of New Delhi, the company has over 1500 titles to its credit. “We deal with all kinds of books which include fictional and non-fictional. We have huge variety of children books like story books, colouring books, activity books and all kind of innovative books. We also have games and now we are entering into CDs and e-publication.” shares Ms. Mohini. Apart from these Vishv Books offers women related, short stories and world classics to its readers. The company is an associate of Delhi Press Patra Prakashan Ltd., publishers and owners of titles like Grihshobha, Sarita and Champak etc.

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Vishv Books’s rapid growth earned it a well spread infrastructure that includes 4 state-of-the-art printing centres and has 18 offices located across India. Today, it is known as an educational and entertainment centre, serving readers' interest across all age groups.

But everything was not as rosy for Ms. Mohini as it seems. Coming from a slightly different background the company initially faced challenges. “Traditionally, we were into magazines. Main challenge for us was that we had to learn and unlearn what we used to do then and market, design & print differently for books. So this was the main challenge, first to find new market for books and also increase the no. of readers for these books.” shares Ms. Mohini.

What accelerated the company’s growth further was the decision to go online. “Books are now basically marketed through digitized medium, website and now we are entering into age of e-pubs and CDs which is easily marketed through the internet.” says Ms. Mohini. Internet has played a key role in their marketing activity and has become the mouthpiece for Vishv Book’s quality products.