Golmuri » africa

World’s Cheapest mobile phone by Vodafone

rohit — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:29:21 +0000

Vodafone recently launched the world’s cheapest mobile phone ‘Vodafone 150′ which is available at less than $15! This low cost mobile has basic features including voice, SMS and has built-in support system for mobile banking. This revolutionary product is again targeted at the “Bottom of the Pyramid” just like the many nano products being launched by the TATAs. Initially this mobile will be launched in India, Turkey and eight African countries. An advanced version is also launched simultaneously for $20 with color screen and an FM.
This strategy of Vodafone will help them play with volumes rather than margins. This product has the capability to help mobile phones penetrate to the remotest of places and hence contribute in their development.

Rogues

Artificial Wings are getting used to crashes

rohit — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:51:57 +0000

At 0237 GMT a Boeing 737-800 took off from Beirut International Airport hoping to reach Addis Ababa in the midst of heavy rain and thunderstorm. Alas! It went off the radar just five minutes after take off. Eighty three passengers were on board along with seven crew members. The reason for the crash is not yet certain but the residents in the coast say a “ball of fire” crashing in the sea. Ethiopian airlines is a state owned company is well positioned in the African market. The matter of concern is what is what made it happen, whether it happened due to negligence of the company or technical fault. Who is to blame? It is said the the airlines industry is one of the few industry where the margin of error has to be kept lowest and still mishaps are happening. How low should be the margin?

Rogues

This is the country for you!

rohit — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:23:39 +0000

How many of you want to live in the country of your choice? Which country is the best to live in?

A survey from 2007 to 2009 in 135 countries by Gallups revealed that 16% of the worlds adult population would like to leave their home country for a country of their choice. This 16% converts to 700 million people and that is more than adult population of entire North & South America!

The most desired country was found to be US, Canada, UK, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Australia. Out of these 700 million majority would like to migrate to North america. Among the countries from where people would like to migrate, Africa tops the list along with other developing countries.

Why is this disparity between countries? Why does the grass on the other side seem to be greener always?

In this context we could say that the people from emerging nations aspire to live one day in a country as developed as US or UK. The IT/ITES revolution of this century have increased the awareness about what a developed country is all about. The standard of living, the ease of transportation and the predictability play major roles in setting a benchmark for choice of a country. People believe that sometime in future their country will emerge as a country of their dream. However, the waiting time for such transformation is huge in most of the cases. This urge of shortening the waiting time can be one of the reason for these 700 million to dream of switching the country.

Rogues

Freeman or Friedman

rohit — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:51:12 +0000

Once Vioxx was the largest selling drug in history. It was manufactured by Merck & Co. since 1999. A very potent drug, very effective painkiller and was easier on stomachs. In short it was a revolutionary drug! In 2004 during some clinical trials, it was found that Vioxx increased the risk of heart attacks. Its competitor naproxen was hard on stomach but had no visible side effects on heart.

In 2004, 50,000 people sued Merck for damages caused by the side effects of Vioxx. In 2005 Merck was found liable in the firt case. In all Merck paid $ 4.85 billion as damages to the affected people.

Now, Let us see the better half of Merck! In 1980 Dr. Mohammed Aziz accidently discovered that the drug Ivermectin (highly potent parasite killer in animals) is the solution for River Blindness. River Blindness is an endemic with 13 million people affected and another 21 million at risk. It is prevelent in African and some Latin American countries. Dr. Aziz’z discovery helped Merck to develop the drug Mectizan which was extremely effective for this disease. Merck, after finding that the target segment for Mectizen were so poor that they would not be able to buy this medicine at $1.5. It approached many countries to fund distribution of this pathbreaking medicine. Finally Merck made history by taking a project, one of its kind. It distributed the medicine to millions of people in the risk zone free of cost. This corporate governance portrayed by them have proved the world that pharma companies do care for mankind.

Looking from Freeman’s point of view Merck was absolutely correct on Mectizen distribution programme, which actualy helped them to promote as a responsible company. While the Vioxx may be a seemed as an correct decision from Friedman’s point of view.

The question remains, Can both the views co-exist for a single company?

Note: Fiedman’s views: Profit maximization for the organization

Freeman’s theory stresses on Stakeholder values

Rogues