Cover Stories

May, 2013

We Understand DNA of SMEs: Sanjeev Goel, MD, Intec Capital Limited

SMEs sector in India has emerged as the most vibrant sector of the Indian economy accounting for about 95% of industrial units in the country. The sector contributes approximately 40% of value edition in manufacturing and around 45% to exports. The sector has emerged as a panacea for providing employment to around 42 million persons and the chief promoter of inclusive economic growth thus is an important agent of development.

Apr, 2013

Initiating SMEs in Infrastructure Sector

He came to act. He saw and acted. And he conquered. What seems to be a short story is a tale worth telling. It revolves around Ravishankar, a civil engineer who graduated from the National Institute of Engineering, Mysore.

Mar, 2013

Two Visionary Entrepreneur-Friends Set Outstanding Benchmarks to Embrace Success

Bangalore-based Paramount Nuritions is a success story of two friends from divergent backgrounds. One fine morning, Rakesh Agarwal and B. Krishnappa thought of venturing into entrepreneurship to do something challenging. They decided to plunge into the food processing sector. All they had was an unfailing commitment to good business practices and set benchmarks to deliver unquestionable quality.

Feb, 2013

Sarees Take Them to the Sky

The story of Dhammanagi Group is a proud saga of unabated growth and path breaking steps. The Foundation of the group was laid way back in early fifties when the opportunities were limited and resources scarce. The founders of the Group, however, set a growth path that was to go wide and far. Forward approach and a vision of the founders embraced success after success which speaks volumes about their passion and the entrepreneurial hunger.

Jan, 2013

Indian MSMEs Sector Can Thrive on Digitization of Cable TV

A new digital revolution is quietly taking place everywhere in India. Despite having world's lowest PC penetration at just 1%, millions of Indian homes have started getting the taste of the new digital era. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has taken up the cudgels with the onerous task to make digital viewing reach the living rooms in the countrysides and bylanes in not too distant future.

Dec, 2012

Indian SMEs Embracing e-Sourcing, Changing Their Mindset

India is on the move. Double digit growth happens or not, its trade and commerce is embracing newer technologies and bringing a revolution of sorts. Just five years ago, e-sourcing was like a taboo for industrial players. Today a silent revolution is sweeping across the country making India the fastest growing B2B marketplace in the world. Some of the leading corporate have even made it mandatory for their suppliers to the take the e-sourcing route. Spend management is fast coming of age.

Nov, 2012

Supply Chain Management- Making SMEs Adoptive and Responsive

One fine morning you get up to find out that your daily bread's price has gone up by 15% and the Kinnaur apples that you savour costs 20% more, you may be wondering what has gone wrong even while the price of ingredients used in bread remain steady. Is it the bread manufacturer or the apple grower who are playing spoilsport? Here the role of supply chain management comes. Something must have gone wrong down the supply chain line. Manufacturing or production, labour, traders, packaging, transportation, competition are some the factors which have driven up the costs.

Oct, 2012

R.O. Technology and KENT Founder Mahesh Gupta Rides the Rising Wave.

As you finish reading this article, about 100 children in India would have lost their lives to preventable water borne ailments. At any given time, more than half of the developing world's population is suffering from one or more of the main diseases associated with unsafe water and poor sanitation.

Sep, 2012

We are Struggling for a New Financial Environment for MSMEs: Mukesh Mohan, President, CIMSME

If recommendations of the Chamber of Indian Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (CIMSME) hold water and are eventually implemented, it may usher in a new financial environment for India's whopping Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector comprising over 40 million enterprises.

Aug, 2012

An Export Promotion Measure: With or Without MSMEs ?

The “Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojana” scheme was introduced as an initiative of the FTP to boost exports of fruits, vegetables, flowers, minor forest produce and their value added products in Agriculture sector. In this scheme capital goods imported under EPCG for agriculture were permitted to be installed anywhere in the Agri Export Zone (AEZ) and ASIDE funds are to be utilized for development for Agri Export Zones also.

Jun, 2012

Bringing Quality at Your Doorsteps

The last six decades have seen the Indian economy grow by leaps and bound; however, the principal casualty of development remains the quality. Are we not quality conscious? Are we compromising with quality? The answers may lie in the demand and supply equation. We go to the market and may look for cost effective goods and services but quality, invariably, remains at the back of our mind.

May, 2012

A Shared Prosperity for Indo-ASEAN SMEs

India and ASEAN committed themselves to jointly contribute to the promotion of peace, stability and development and respond positively to the challenges of a dynamic regional and international environment. India and ASEAN are now intensifying their political and security dialogue to add a new dimension to a mutually beneficial economic and commercial relationship. Reflective of India's interest in intensifying its engagement with ASEAN, both sides now are in the process of jointly developing India-ASEAN Vision. India is in the immediate neighborhood of ASEAN. Both share land and maritime borders. The vital commercial sea lanes straddle the Indian mainland and its island territories. India's relations with ASEAN have grown considerably over the last decade but a vast potential still remains untapped. Apart from economic co-operation there is much more that the two sides can work together to give greater visibility to co-operation. India has expressed keen interest in forging closer co-operation with ASEAN in establishing comprehensive economic co-operation. In this regard, there are potentials for both sides to co-operate.

Apr, 2012

Aspired ASEAN Community and Inspired SMEs

The Small and Medium Enterprises represent one of the fastest growing industrial sectors in the world. Their contribution to employment, innovation, economic growth and competitive process is being increasingly recognized. Interestingly, SMEs constitute an overwhelming majority of all business in most countries. The role of SMEs has been well recognized by ASEAN in its meetings

Mar, 2012

SME WORLD Workshop Food Processing – Sector to Look Forward To

SME WORLD organized a Workshop of Food Processing – Challenges and Opportunities for the MSMEs sector. Dr. H. P. Kumar, Chairman cum Managing Director, NSIC was the Chief Guest. Other experts present were Dr. G.J. Gyani, Secretary General, Quality Council of IndiaI, S.B. Dongre, Consultant (PA) , Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Dr. R.K. Singh, DGM, SIDBI, , Dr. Sain Dass, Advisor (Hybrids), National Seeds Corporation, Dr. K.S. Hooda, Principal Scietist, Directorate of Maize Research, K.S. Ahluwalia, Executive Coach and Mentor, Excaliber, P.K. Jain, Chairman, National Council (SMEs), ASSOCHAM, Jagat Shah, Trade Commissioner for India, Govt. of Manitoba, Canada, Sudershan Sareen, National Chairman, All India Confederation of Small and Micro Industries Association and others.

Feb, 2012

Two-day QCI Seminar a Big Success: MSMEs Must Adopt Quality Tools: Experts

Stressing the need to adopt quality tools by the MSMEs sector's various stakeholders, K. C. Mehra, Chairman, NBQP said that Quality is a continuing process. “Quality is a journey which is never completed.” He was inaugurating the National Workshop on 'Enabling MSMEs to be Competitive through Quality Tools' organized jointly by Quality Council of India and the Ministry for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in New Delhi recently.

Dec, 2011

Governance Propels Growth and Glocalization

In the last few years, whenever a discussion has commenced on economic development, investments, increase in GDP, per capita income etc., Gujarat has always been on the forefront. What is the core reason that has helped prop it to this enviable position? Why are so many companies investing in the state and trusting it with so much money and efforts? Why is the economy booming there? Why does everyone want a share in the growth pie even though there are frequent negative publicity of the state and its administration? Why the other states are lagging behind or are not pursued like Gujarat for investments?

Nov, 2011

Development and SMEs: Synergize to Sustain

We hear and read about economy and its development regularly. It is a very broad term pointing towards improvement of economic well-being of a nation and therefore of its population on the whole. A layperson's yardstick of measuring this development could be through analysis of the general quality of life in a country.

Oct, 2011

Zero PAR and Delinquency Management in Indian Micro-Finance: Implications For Credit Risk Management

The issue of delinquency has long dominated the micro-finance debate and it has been said that micro-finance boasted among the best repayment rates till recently in (all of) the financial sector. This has usually reflected itself as “Zero” or near “Zero” PAR (Portfolio at Risk). However, as I traveled through the field areas during the recent Andhra Pradesh(Indian) micro-finance crisis, I realized that Zero “PAR” was a conscious strategy pursued by MFIs and that the real repayment situation may not be quite as good as portrayed. I will attempt to highlight lessons/ issues relating to Zero PAR and delinquency in this article for the benefit of various stakeholders, including RBI which is drafting detailed guidelines for micro-finance and the Union Ministry of Finance (MoF) which is preparing a bill to legislate all of Indian micro-finance. And I shall first introduce the concept of PAR and identify its strengths/weaknesses before delving into the Zero PAR issue.

Sep, 2011

NSIC Braces up for the Next Level

Set to move to the next level of growth, NSIC is bracing up to create an all-new ecosystem to bring more and more people especially from tier II and tier III townships to have easy access to a variety of its services to create work opportunities for them. Dr. H.P. Kumar, Chairman cum Managing Director, NSIC, has set his vision to turn the corporation into a magnificent power house of entrepreneurship and the planning is already underway. “Our eyes are on the future which calls for an ecosystem in tune with the growing demands of work opportunities.”

Aug, 2011

BSE SME Exchange Promises World Class Platform for SMEs

A large number of merchant bankers are optimistic about the SME Exchange/ Platform. The market makers will get the fees out of the issue expenses, like the merchant bankers. The members who have the experience of market making in the past are positive on the scope of market making in this segment. Investors' outlook is not yet clear.

Scrip on Healthy Small Bourse: SME Stock Exchange in Context of Corporate Governance

SEBI has been doing a commendable job by taking various measures in order to protect the Shareholder and Investors interest. Now, the clearance for setting up of the SME Stock Exchange for facilitating financing of growth oriented Small and Medium Enterprises.

Traditional Finance Model for SMEs to Change

The requirement of having net tangible assets of at least Rs. 3 cr. in each of the preceding 3 full years, a track record of distributable profits for at least 3 out of immediately preceding 5 years and a net worth of at least Rs. 1 cr. in each of the preceding 3 years, as per the existing ICDR regulations is relaxed for a company to be listed on SME exchange.

Jul, 2011

A Culture of Innovation: The Ultimate Guarantor of Business Growth

According to research and studies done on change, a majority of change initiatives fail to achieve desired outcomes due to the poor acceptability by the employees and poor implementation of change policies and procedures. The world's best idea is futile if it remains on the drawing board.

Jun, 2011

Liquidity Crunch, Uncertainty Stalks Microfinance Sector

Development practitioners still maintain that the extension of financial services to the poor in an efficient manner can help them climb out of poverty. Overtime, policy makers and practitioners have developed a novel understanding of the movement's objectives--many see microfinance as an effective mechanism for achieving financial inclusion.

Working Women's Forum : Power to the Poor

The current liberalization and economic restructuring does not benefit the poor in India as elsewhere, with 41% living below poverty line, WWF is a future oriented, multi-pronged initiative and a pro-poor strategy that helps the Indian poor women to face the onslaught of globalization.

Critical Issues For Policy Makers and Other Stakeholders

Indeed, what has become more apparent with this kind of skewed growth is the dualistic nature of the Indian economy - where the gaps are indeed deepening and widening across various sections of the society. The classic manifestation of these gaps and the failure of the economy to re-adjust and ensure equitable economic opportunities for wealth creation, especially in relation to the work and inputs, can hardly go unnoticed –one manifestation is suicides by small and marginal farmers, at the grass-roots.

Re-Engineering the Inclusive Finance Paradigm

Second, the focus of financial inclusion must be re-engineered such that the delivery of financial services are used to strategically to drive higher rewards, better remuneration and greater power down the value chain as shown later in Figure 2 – otherwise, it will be of limited use. And again, as said before, to achieve this, one needs to better understand existing relationships, particularly in post harvest and post production marketing situation in different value chains.

Microfinance - Important Role in Economic Growth

There is a lot of hype surrounding microfinance. For some, microfinance is an effective tool used to promote large-scale poverty alleviation. For others, it is simply considered a way for moderately poor individuals to better their own situations. Statistics have shown that overwhelmingly (above 95%) of the entrepreneurs, who have availed microfinance interviewed reported that their loan had a positive impact on both their personal and professional lives. That is certainly something to be proud of.

May, 2011

The Imprint of Big Business on Policy: For Whom the Bell Tolls?

Empirical work in academics has not considered its worthwhile to delve into the issue. What then is the state of the MSME sector is only a matter of conjuncture. It appears to be a story of hit and run accident on the road. Save your skin if you can or you may be run over--it could be an injury or death.

Withering Heights: SMEs Wilting Under LE Dominance

Today, though we are constantly berating government and industry policies, banking norms, economic reform measures etc., for the stunted growth of the biggest employment generation segment – small and medium enterprises; it is the large enterprises that are significantly instrumental in impeding the growth in more ways than one. This article aims to look at the various spheres where large industries' (LEs) clout is wilting the SMEs.

MSMEs Secretary's singular efforts on procurement from MSMEs: ‘SMEs are Servants; LEs Masters'

The secretary of Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises, Uday Kumar Varma expressed his anguish on the dominating cult of the large corporate who hover over the small enterprises in a developing economy. He said that the large companies in India are like masters and treat the SMEs as servants.

Apr, 2011

Time to Re-evaluate, Restructure, Rejuvenate

The new business year has begun. The recent central government budget has been presented with certain changes – positive and negative. There are strong undercurrents of General Sales Tax as well as the Direct Tax Code in the coming years. What impact they will have is anybody's guess at the moment but they will definitely create some ripples or waves in various aspects of the business environment.

Measures to enhance the competitiveness of Indian MSMEs in the global market

Rising inflationary pressure has indeed started affecting MSME sector. This has not only made the life of MSMEs difficult but also tightened the belt of people employed in the MSME sector. Inflationary pressure has to be matched with simultaneous wage hike.

Mar, 2011

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for SMEs: Random Musings

As a business grows, number of people starts increasing and functions are segregated either formally or informally. Soon, situations start arising where there are gaps in communication leading to duplicity or loss of data and information. Initially, people are complacent and try to find a way around to resolve the issues. In due course of time confrontations start occurring with casting aspersion at each other.

Role of ICT in Development of Herbal and Medicinal Plants in India

India is a land to about 17,000 species of higher plants, out of which 7500 are known for their therapeutic uses. Ayurveda, has alone reported approximately 2000 medicinal plant species, followed by Siddha and Unani. The Charak Samhita, an ancient written document with rich literature regarding herbal therapy, production of around 340 herbal drugs and their indigenous uses for curing various ailments and diseases.

'E-commerce is still at a Nascent Stage in India' - says Arvind Kajaria, the man behind 123greetings.com

Today the social media websites and the mobile applications are gaining momentum. The traffic is moving towards the social media websites. Thus, the opportunity to develop customized applications on those sites exists thereby taking advantage of the huge traffic following.

'Website is the Most Competitive Communication Platform' - Tarun Davda, Business Head, Big Rock

The website penetration in India is very low as there is an absence of trusted partners, which has significant experience of taking business online, along with lack of knowledge among consumers. In India, there are roughly about 80-90 million Internet users and some 1.7 million-odd websites that translates into 'only 2 websites for every 100 Indian Internet users' or connections, while globally this ratio is 12 or 13 websites per every 100 Internet users.

'ICT Can speed-up the business process' says Jayan Narayanan of CSS Corp

Choosing the right cloud application is a challenge. Since the game is about picking the 'need of the hour' modules, SMEs can go slow to start with and gradually increase the portfolio of applications based on need and comfort. Initially SMEs can opt for a hybrid model (Mix of enterprise apps and cloud based apps) and progress closer to cloud step-by-step.

Feb, 2011

Impact of Globalisation on SMEs

The liberalization move called for supporting changes in the economic policies of this nation. It heralded quite a substantial economic reform steps to produce the necessary environment to foster growth and sustenance in the new scenario.

New and Innovative Schemes for Technology Development of MSMEs

The Ministry of MSME has taken a number of initiatives for further improving the performance under PMEGP through KVIC like implementing e-application tracking system and related data collection and its uploading in the system, relaxation in mandatory EDP stipulation etc.

Entrepreneurs in the Competitive Global Market: Where are They After 20 Years of Economic Reforms?

This indeed raise a pertinent question, can entrepreneurship be learned really? There are numerous programmes of entrepreneurship development in this country. There are specialized institutes focusing on entrepreneurship training.

Jan, 2011

Credit Ratings Need Pragmatic Approach: A cogent Analysis

A credit rating is a professional opinion given after studying all available information at a particular point of time. Nevertheless, such opinions may prove wrong in the context of subsequent events. Further, there is no privity of contract between an investor and a rating agency and the investor is free to accept or reject the opinion of the agency.

Credit Rating and MSMEs

The importance of MSMEs for the overall economy cannot be overstated. Besides the growth potential of the sector and its critical role in the manufacturing and value chains, the heterogeneity and the unorganised nature of the Indian MSMEs are important aspects that need to be factored into credit decisions.

The Credit Rating Rigmarole in SMEs – an Honest Anecdote

The whole rating exercise was found to be highly shallow and inadequate in its approach. The agency did not bother to understand the intricacies of the business and rated simply on pre-set parameters without trying to analyze the underlying causes thereby trying to establish an inference of the findings.

Dec, 2010

IITF Falls Short of Entrepreneurs' Expectations

“It is very sad that IPTO failed to promote those enterprises which had a huge potential for trading their products. I saw many enterprises with vision and innovative products tucked away in remote corners visited by few. Ofcourse,' Techmart' and MSME Pavilion were given better visible or prominent places. I think the authority is only concerned with money with least concern with promoting the trade and entrepreneurs.”

Trade Fairs Are Not for Trading

For ITPO, trade fairs are yet a business proposition, not a promotional activity. The IITF seems to be fast losing its luster. Times have changed and let the organization has a new ecosystem which justifies its very name.

Cost Effective & Employment Generation Oriented Technologies Showcased

“NSIC through their Techmart India is providing single window platform for showcasing clean & energy efficient /employment generating technologies, to start their own industry. It is needless to say that in India and world wide entrepreneurship through MSMEs has become catalyst to blossom into large scale business empires from small start ups (like Microsoft, Infosys, Biocon, etc),”

Relevance of Trade Fairs & Exhibitions for SMEs

Rather than focussing on developing exhibition space in few metro cities, the government needs to take measures to develop a much more regionalised development of exhibition infrastructure, in such a way that benefits rural and semi-urban MSMEs as well.

Nov, 2010

Business-To-Business Marketing (B2B) – Effective Marketing Enabler

By bringing together huge numbers of buyers and sellers, thus creating virtual markets and by automating transactions, B2B markets expand the choices available to buyers, give sellers access to new customers, and reduce transaction costs for all the players.

IT is everywhere: Embracing ICT is imperative for MSMEs

Internally, there is a constant creation of data in a business through its various functions like Procurement, Production, Sales, Service Delivery, Post-sales Support, Accounts and Administration etc. This data is of no use unless it is collated and sorted to create information which can help in creating an advantage for the enterprise and help in operational and .....

Cyber tools for MSMEs & Entrepreneurs

Again, actual ICT adoption within our manufacturing companies, especially Micro, Small and Medium sized companies India has nothing much to be boasted about, with just 45 percent of rural enterprises. While that remain a fact, technology has started impacting lives of the people, businesses, the way businesses are run, marketed etc.

Oct, 2010

The Richest Czarinas of India

Many a billionaire women have inherited their empire and yet multiplying their wealth is truly praiseworthy. They have done it with poise and the beauty is they have acquired fame. This is often a testimony of their high education, wisdom, professional skills and entrepreneurial abilities.

Sep, 2010

SMEs in India - A Bird’s - Eye View

In reality however, this has not been the case. In the last two decades, MSMEs have been buffeted by intense competition both from within the country and outside. And in many cities and towns, it is common to find stores sell products that were locally manufactured earlier(toys, flashlights, electronics, gadgets, hand tools etc.) that have mysteriously found their way into our stores from factories in China.

Jul, 2010

Harpreet Ahluwalia’s Tryst with Nature: Creating Green Space in Your Life

It all started when she got a potter custom design a few pots for her. She decorated them with plants in rhythm with different themes to make them meaningful. People started liking them and she got orders for more such pots and plants. She soon found that she is in the business and launched Earthly Creations, about a decade ago.

Jun, 2010

Striving for a Smiling Society

Of late, individuals as well as the Indian corporate have been initiating efforts for the upliftment of the society. Be it a film personality or a social celebrity or an organization or any large corporate, the activities for the betterment of the society are gaining ground. It doesn't matter what the objectives are, the remarkable part remains that the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) wave is beginning to blow trying to bring smile of millions of underprivileged faces of society.

May, 2010

IPRs as a Tool for Empowerment of Small Entrepreneurs, Artisans & Craftsmen

Majority of the professionals in the country are not well-aware about the IPR protection and this veil of anonymity is thicker in case of micro and small enterprises. Micro and small enterprises, generally, are more vulnerable to violation of IPR laws in comparison to large corporate who do have means and the resources to monitor and safeguard their interests and act in alacrity in case of infringement of their trademark, copyright, patent rights etc.

Apr, 2010

“A New Class of Investors Will Emerge” - Paul Joseph

Most of the Boards/Exchanges for SME in the world are functioning very well in terms of raising capital and trading in the shares of SME. The most well-known success stories of SME listed on Exchanges are Microsoft, Oracle and Intel.

Mar, 2010

Budget Raaga on FM 2010 Mhz: No Great Budge(t) for MSMEs sector

The fact is that the Prime Minister constituted a high-level Task Force which held detailed discussions with all stake holders and drew an agenda for the action seems to find not enough favour in the budget.

Feb, 2010

Recommendations are Rosy But when will Benefits come?

Not many. The Credit Guarantee Trust of Micro & Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) which assures collateral free loans has done little and has miserably failed to meet the objective for which it stands. It is a sad commentary that the Trust is reported to have felicitated not more than one lakh units out of the whopping population of 26 million entreprrises.

Task Force Recommends setting up of an integrated independent body for MSMEs sector

The proposed independent body will provide financial and managerial support for setting up of industrial estates and raise developmental infrastructure in partnership with the private sector.

Detailed Report of the Task Force

The MSME sector is a nursery of entrepreneurship, often driven by individual creativity and innovation. This sector contributes 8 per cent of the country's GDP, 45 per cent of the manufactured output and 40 per cent of its exports. The MSMEs provide employment to about 60 million persons through 26 million enterprises.

Jan, 2010

New Era for Indian MSMEs Ready to Dawn?

Certain key recommendation were made in a meeting of the 11-member task force members headed T.K.A. Nair recently. Senior officials from various ministries and public sector banks were part of the meeting.

Oct, 2008

Can Our Industries Save Yamuna?

All great civilizations in the world developed along river banks. The rivers have been sustaining life in its various manifestations and glory. The importance of rivers in India can be understood by one simple fact that almost all rivers are worshipped as goddesses.