10 things Kingfisher could do to save itself

Limit the number of check-in counters at allairports to one or two. Build and use self-service baggage check-ins. Discourageuse of the counters by charging customers who still use the counters tocheck-in themselves and their baggage. This will help reduce their employee countand also the rent that they pay for the real estate to the airports. Instead of providing a 5 course meal on the flight,provide vouchers to all passengers redeemable at either the originating orarriving airports to buy fresh food. This will help reduce their cost of servingthe customers and also enable customers to have freshly made food and offers […]

10 things we can learn from the God of Cricket (Sachin Tendulkar)

His commitment to the team and his game. His ability to remain calm, focused and fit, whichhas helped him to play more cricket than anyone else in the history of thegame. His hunger for more success, despite being the mostsuccessful cricketer in the history of the game.    His ability to unlearn old techniques and learn newones to stay relevant in the changing times. His ability to adapt to the game/situation (abilityto shift between offense/defense). His humility despite all his success, adoration andthe love of the entire nation. His continued passion for the game (which he has playedmore than anyone […]

You are fired Mr. MP!

In the past, conducting an assembly election was a mammothtask, a logistical nightmare. So, it was a practical solution to hold electionsevery 5 years.  This provided a level of stability to the government to take along term view on all important policy decisions without having to worry aboutthe short term impact these decisions could have on the government. However, I think it is time for us to sit back and re-lookat the past and see if this model still works for us or should we re-look atthe term of office for these elected representatives. Some questions that areworth asking are: […]

Customer Engagement – What if your customers do not engage with you?

There is a lot being said about the customer centricorganizations and how businesses can involve customers at different stages of product/servicedevelopment. There have organizations that have done this verysuccessfully and continue to engage with their customers. I did write about onesuch initiative that FM station RadioOne recently. However, what happens if your customers do notparticipate in these activities? Without their active participation, the entireprogram is designed to fail.  How does one deal with this situation? How would you deal with such a situation? 

Caught you!

While driving to my office today morning, I saw avery common sight in Bangalore (and in any city in India). There were 3 trafficcops waiting at a busy T-junction. Now imagine, you are in a hurry to reach your office(or wherever you are going). You see that the signal has changed form Green toYellow and you are right at the turn. You race to cross the signal before thesignal turns red. Alas! The signal wins the race and just turns to Redat the instant you are taking the turn. Bang! The waiting cops pounce on you and slap afine or […]