Shally Seth Mohile, Shivani Shinde &Amp;Amp; Shine Jacob

Stories by Shally Seth Mohile, Shivani Shinde &Amp;Amp; Shine Jacob

How TCS is reconfiguring its future

How TCS is reconfiguring its future

Rediff.com   7 Nov 2021

In March this year, when Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) unveiled a new brand statement of "Building on Belief", many wondered if it was the right strategy. When things are uncertain, wouldn't a brand statement such as "Experience Certainty" have been better? But for Rajesh Gopinathan, CEO & MD, TCS, it was all about the way the company was looking at business. As Gopinathan explained over a video call, "Today, we have over 1,000 customers and 98 per cent of our business is repeat business; our relevance to customers should continue, and to increase.

Pre-owned car sellers see brisk volume growth as chip crunch persists

Pre-owned car sellers see brisk volume growth as chip crunch persists

Rediff.com   4 Nov 2021

Even as the semiconductor shortage has limited the demand for new cars, the pre-owned car segment is seeing a surge. A preference for personal mobility, availability of multiple organised online platforms, including e-commerce channels, aggregators, and classifieds, have been fuelling growth. The growth rate of the pre-owned car market is expected to be 1.5x that of the new car market over the next five years.

Business travel takes off again on a wing and a prayer

Business travel takes off again on a wing and a prayer

Rediff.com   2 Nov 2021

Business executives are finally dusting off their long-unused suitcases to resume travel, thanks to a good vaccination rate, a drop in fresh cases, and an easing of travel restrictions. It comes as a huge relief for the ravaged aviation, travel and hospitality sectors. "We are witnessing a 40 per cent recovery on pre-covid volumes from our business travellers, signalling the return of corporate confidence in air travel," said Indiver Rastogi, president & group head, Global Business Travel, Thomas Cook (India) & SOTC.

Can Ilaya Thalapthi Vijay win where Rajini and Kamal failed?

Can Ilaya Thalapthi Vijay win where Rajini and Kamal failed?

Rediff.com   1 Nov 2021

A relatively quiet foray by actor Vijay into politics through the TN rural local body elections last month has captured the attention of many, reports Shine Jacob.

We eat OATS for breakfast: Rajiv Bajaj takes a dig at Ola Electric

We eat OATS for breakfast: Rajiv Bajaj takes a dig at Ola Electric

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2021

As a 75-year-old septuagenarian, Bajaj Auto has adapted itself as a nod to competition, regulations, and changing buyer preference. It will continue to do so, said its managing director Rajiv Bajaj at the launch of the all-new Pulsar 250. This was in response to a question on the company's preparedness for disruption by electric two-wheeler start-ups.

Hotels roll out red carpet for year-end vacationers

Hotels roll out red carpet for year-end vacationers

Rediff.com   28 Oct 2021

After a better-than-expected Dussehra weekend, hospitality firms are hopeful of ending the year on a positive note by doing good business over Christmas and the New Year. Typically, year-end bookings kick in two to four weeks before the season begins. Owing to pandemic-related uncertainties, hotels are seeing a significant reduction in the booking window, with travellers waiting till the last minute to make hotel reservations.

China-Plus-One to push Indian textile exports to $65 bn by 2026: Study

China-Plus-One to push Indian textile exports to $65 bn by 2026: Study

Rediff.com   28 Oct 2021

Backed by the 'China Plus One' sentiment globally, India's textile exports is expected to grow by 81 per cent to $65 billion by 2026 from the pre-Covid level of around $36 billion in 2019, said a report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and global consulting firm Kearney. This jump is likely to generate 7.5-10 million new jobs. A large chunk of this targeted increase, or around $16 billion may come from the China Plus One sentiment due to India's relatively large strategic depth compared with Vietnam or Bangladesh, the report said.

Kerala Oppn, experts question Centre, state on dam management

Kerala Oppn, experts question Centre, state on dam management

Rediff.com   26 Oct 2021

Poor dam management was considered as a major reason for the 2018 floods in the state that led to a loss of around Rs 50,000 crore and claimed as many as 483 lives, reports Shine Jacob.

Despite strong Q2 numbers, large deals become scarce for IT majors

Despite strong Q2 numbers, large deals become scarce for IT majors

Rediff.com   25 Oct 2021

The second quarter of FY22 continued to show double digit growth for the top four IT services providers, with every vertical and geography growing well, even though the total contract value (TCV) looked soft for all the players. The trend was first evident in Accenture's Q4 numbers, which saw its TCV in outsourcing deals softer. A soft TCV does not mean that growth is declining, but it does point to the trend of few and scarcer mega deals.

Chip woes dent festive mood for auto firms

Chip woes dent festive mood for auto firms

Rediff.com   25 Oct 2021

The first leg of the 35-day festive period, which ended with Dussehra, failed to bring any cheer for auto companies. While makers of passenger vehicles struggled to meet demand due to the persistent shortage of semiconductors, a recovery in demand remained elusive for two-wheeler manufacturers despite offers and schemes. The overall season, which ends two days after Diwali, is unlikely to bring any turnaround in either the supply or the demand scenario, said dealers and officials at auto companies.

Stalin asks Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Odisha to lift firecracker ban

Stalin asks Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Odisha to lift firecracker ban

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2021

According to the Indian Fireworks' Manufacturers' Association, the ban would wipe out sales of around Rs 600 crore during the upcoming Deepavali season.

States, Centre not on same page on digital health mission

States, Centre not on same page on digital health mission

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2021

Tamil Nadu plans parallel programme with unique user IDs

Carmakers stare at nearly 500,000 units of booking backlog

Carmakers stare at nearly 500,000 units of booking backlog

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2021

Ahead of the peak festive season, India's passenger vehicle makers are staring at a cumulative order backlog of nearly 500,000 units as chip shortage continues to cripple production. The crisis is forcing companies to change their production plans frequently and take a call on the variants they can manufacture based on the availability of semiconductors. The booking numbers are not a true reflection of demand, said manufacturers.

ITC Hotel to launch boutique luxury property, its 6th

ITC Hotel to launch boutique luxury property, its 6th

Rediff.com   2 Oct 2021

Mementos, the new brand, would be aimed at addressing the need for boutique luxury hotels across various destinations.

Hotels see green shoots of recovery as the fear of pandemic recedes

Hotels see green shoots of recovery as the fear of pandemic recedes

Rediff.com   1 Oct 2021

The mood at the Hotel Investment Conference South Asia (HICSA), the annual hospitality industry conference was rather upbeat. But hotel brand operators and owners remain cautiously optimistic of the outlook and are living on a hope that a third wave of the pandemic doesn't become a reality. Having just survived the unprecedented zero revenue situation, the two day confrence organised by consulting firm Hotelivate, was dotted with anecdotes and best practices adopted by the hotels of all hues.

Hiring sentiment highest in India, 17% firms keen on freshers: Survey

Hiring sentiment highest in India, 17% firms keen on freshers: Survey

Rediff.com   22 Sep 2021

Fresher hiring sentiment is highest in India, with 17 per cent employers keen on recruiting fresh graduates in the July to December 2021 period against 6 per cent globally. According to the Career Outlook Report by TeamLease EdTech, conducted across 18 sectors and 14 cities, the hiring sentiment in the country has registered a 2 percentage point increase over the February-April 2021 period. In terms of sectors, those that have been able to withstand the impact of the pandemic and witnessed a stronger hiring sentiment are information technology (31 per cent), telecommunication (25 per cent) and technology start-ups (25 per cent).

From Ford to Harley-Davidson, why US automakers failed in India

From Ford to Harley-Davidson, why US automakers failed in India

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2021

Besides their country of origin, General Motors, Ford Motor and Harley-Davidson have another trait in common: all three have failed in India, the world's fifth largest automobile market. All three of them took a tough call to de-prioritise India as a market amid disruption from heightened regulations and sharper focus on capital allocation by the parent.

Why TCS wants to hire MORE women!

Why TCS wants to hire MORE women!

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2021

Overlooked yet capable candidates will now have the opportunity to apply for TCS open requirements.

Mystery fever in wake of falling Covid cases raises alarm

Mystery fever in wake of falling Covid cases raises alarm

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2021

The sudden spike in cases of fever in India has claimed over 100 lives in five states, including UP, MP, Bihar, Haryana, and West Bengal. In UP, Firozabad and Mathura alone have reported 72 cases.

Luxury car sales at pre-Covid levels but delays persist: Mercedes

Luxury car sales at pre-Covid levels but delays persist: Mercedes

Rediff.com   18 Sep 2021

The company said that while the first quarter numbers were at the pre-pandemic levels, it saw a growth of 34 per cent in sales compared to the April to June period of 2020.