Buffett's priceless gift to India Inc.
In this issue:
» Can the Japanese tragedy bring in better times for global economy?
» Another doom theory on the Euro
» Rental properties luring realty investors
» Are Indian banks staring at NPA blues?
» ...and more!
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India Inc now needs to put the economy's demographic dividend to better use than ever before. Hence, Buffett advice could not have been better timed. The Oracle of Omaha shared the key traits he looks for in people he hopes to work with. But he also emphasized on why it is necessary for all the traits to be present for the organization's success. "I look for three qualities in people I do business with - intelligence, passion and integrity. But God forbid, if the integrity of the person is questionable and the man is highly intelligent, it can lead to worse scenario". There is little doubt that Buffett words will have a lasting impact on India Inc. For the economy has been witness to some of the biggest scams in recent times.
Labour is theoretically the only resource available to Indian businesses in abundance. But securing skilled and ethical employees require loads of effort. We often come across managements of India's biggest corporate telling us that labour issues are the biggest risk to their business. Only if Indian businesses take that extra effort to select the right people will they accomplish their long term goals. No one better than a shrewd investor like Buffett to drive this point home.
What do you think should Indian companies do to get the right kind of people? Let us know your views on post them on our facebook page.
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He has put forth five reasons. First, the economic damage from the current calamity could well be twice that of the 1995 earthquake. Second, Japan's public finances at present are weaker than in 1995. Third, Japanese monetary policy could be ineffective this time around as benchmark rates are already near zero. Fourth, given the nuclear fall out, it may take time for Japan to fully recover from lost power production. This can hurt economic growth and global supply chain. Last but not the least, global economy today is not in as comfortable position as in 1995. Multiple headwinds are staring in its face. Given these factors, El-Erian feels that it is too premature to get all optimistic about the economic fallout from Japan's calamity. He thus requests policymakers across the globe to have proper action plans in place. Given the cogent arguments put forth by El-Erian, we couldn't help but agree with him.
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He sternly added, "You can't have three or four or five countries that are in effect free-riding on the other countries. That won't work over time — they have to get their fiscal houses in reasonable harmony."
There's no denying that the Euro-zone is in a tough spot as of now. But then, so is the rest of the western world including Buffett's US. Years of misguided borrowing and spending has brought these countries to such dangerous levels that moving out from here would depend largely on luck if not anything else.
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The interest is now focused on developed commercial space which has not been completed and rented out. Investors are more willing to invest in stabilised assets as they do not carry development risks, particularly issues relating to land acquisition. The lure of rental yield assets has also increased as there is now a substantial stock of property that has been developed in the past few years. There are at least four real-estate funds that are raising nearly Rs 25 bn to invest in rental properties. These funds are betting on the growing demand for office space in the country.
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04:45 | Today's investing mantra |
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11 Responses to "Buffett's priceless gift to India Inc."
jagdish sanghvi
Mar 26, 2011Dear all
It would be very interesting to put Mr Buffet's principles of integrity/intelligence analogy at work in the top level managers (politicians) in context of our country (as a company). According to Mr Buffet if there is total bankruptcy of integrity, the situation is hopeless.
We know how immoral the top level managers of our country are while being very intelligent and extremely passionate about looting the country. Then can we ever be hopeful to become world/super power by 2050??? What ever rise we see in the economy is temporary/eye wash or is it for real?? Our definition of honesty has changed (adulterated) so much that congress to cry hoarse that Dr. Manmohan singh is an honest man because he did not know/steal any thing for himself but he only looked the other way while the theft was/is going on so others can loot the country.
There is still a bleak ray of hope for India. Mr Buffet although a strong proponent of "integrity", did not seem to be perturbed about the height of corruption in India, when asked. He even went to explain about the corruption levels in America in the 19th century and only things changed some time in 20th century. So India has a chance and Dr. Manmohan singh can still look the other way, or better yet, just close the eyes without being/feeling accountable for anything,plead total ignorance, while his cronies can loot/rape the country.
India has a chance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AD
Mar 26, 2011It is not too tough to find men of integrity coming straight from colleges - it is what jobs do to them that matters. How many companies are willing to retain independent & hardy men of spotless integrity vs. the usual henchmen / yes-men of their bosses?
In fact the Indian entrepreneur ranks are full of men who finally ditched corporates for such reasons. And the middle management has a very high concentration of leftovers who should never ever try entrepreneurship.
Gopal Kalpathi
Mar 25, 2011Why does it always has to come from the west? No doubt, Mr. Buffet is a noble person but was there any doubt about the quality of the employees for the organizations to covet for?
The second aspect I would like to point out, especially in the Indian scenario, is about the 'integrity'. Of course it is one of the most important quality to seek and have in an employee, but can we expect the same from the employers as well? There is a general lack of mutual trust between employees and employers. Employees are always looking for proper guidance and direction from the management, but what can they learn when they see lack of governance and want of integrity from the top management? I am sure, Mr. Buffet must have meant his gem of an advise for the owners of business to crate a top level management team based on the three qualities of those who will make this team. Such qualities are generally not taught in B-schools but needs to be built as a culture starting from the parents, peers and teachers. That is what is the scarce resource among the multitude of Gen-Y. Get rich quick does not call for such qualities.
Anupam Garg
Mar 25, 2011why is it tht i m finding a lotta similarity between Mr. Buffett and renowned Indian yoga guru Swami Ramadeva. While both hav done miraculous wonders in their respective field of work, now both r spreading 'words of wisdom'. While a lot of Indians criticise Mr. ramdeva for attracting attention by publicising himself, the same remarks r never found 4 Mr. Buffett. I fail to understand the meaning of philanthropy in which the entire world is informed prior to philanthropic work itself. All in the name of integrity or fame, Mr. buffett?
A J WADHWA
Mar 25, 2011Integrity is the most difficult to be ingrown, imbibed in the young of India. Right from KG class to any discipline of education one is required to pay bribe.To earn back the expenses the integrity is sold. our politicians at any level only reinforce people to do away with integrity to make a quick buck. Reforms must start with education.
Ganesh K
Mar 25, 2011Japanese are hard working and intelligent race. One cannot but admire them for this and emphathise with them for the disaster they face.However the slow down in FDI in Indian Auto sector from any quarter ( not only Japan) is welcome news. See our clogged roads and poluted weather and burden on foreign exchange due oil imports. What india needs is environmentally clean & energy efficient Public Transport system and not road blocking SUVs which are guzzling oil.
Shome suvra chakraborty
Mar 25, 2011Performance appraisal should be accompanied with potential appraisal. Proper flow of information should be dissipated through the entire organization, halo effect and other biases should be stopped.Intrinsic awards are important along with the extrinsic rewards.Recruitment should be matched with the profile of the co.
BhBhaskar55
Mar 25, 2011First let us get good politicians. Now a days we elect(mostly from poor sections)the people who doll us everything right from rice to laptops. They don't care whether the party leaders are looting the country or selling it to greedy people. The result is taxes are increased on all items and middle class and uppper middle class people pay for the inefficiency of our politicians. Rich people don't bother and poor people don't fore-see the future. If India is in this stage, it is only because of the efforts of middle/upper middle class people. But they do not or can not de-throne the corrupt policiticans, sheerly because of their laziness to cast their votes. So, get use to sufferings in near future and watch unethical politicians looting this country. Best of luck.
H.B.Vani
Mar 25, 2011Indian Companies should put the Finance, Investment and Accounts portfolio in the hands of men above middle-age, (say 45+ years,) experienced and men with family whose background is not only impeccable but also of business integrity having privously worked with respectable business houses.
Jamnadas Dayah
Mar 27, 2011Indian corporate house to take interest in our education system so that right type of educated youth are available in first place.