Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Mukesh – and his Maya-Jaal

 


 

( with grateful ack to “ K Lal and his Maya-Jaal “ )


Context :

·         RIL looks to tap kirana stores  /  Hindustan Times (Noida)  / 23 Nov 2021

 

For eight straight days, household goods salesman Vipresh Shah has failed to sell a single pack of Dettol soap to the storekeepers who have been buying from him ever since he took over his family business as a teenager, 14 years ago.

 

The 31-year-old said he lost $2,000 of his own money as he discounted products to match prices on Jiomart, the app rolled out by Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani in his drive to revolutionise retail in India.

 

Up and down India, the mom and pop stores that account for four-fifths of a near-$900 billion retail market, are increasingly turning to Jiomart to stock up on foreign and domestic brands.

 

Just as Ambani has disrupted the country’s telecoms industry, the tycoon is intent on shaking up retail distribution, taking on US e-commerce giants like Amazon and Walmart Inc.

 

The country has around 450,000 traditional distributors, who have legions of salespeople to service every corner of the vast nation, including 600,000 villages. They typically earn a margin of 3-5% on product prices and mostly take orders physically once a week, making deliveries to retailers within a couple of days.

 

But Reliance’s model throws a wrench in that supply chain: The kiranas, can order goods on Jiomart Partner with deliveries promised within 24 hours. Reliance also offers training on ordering, credit facilities and free product samples for affiliated kiranas’ customers.

 

That means hundreds of thousands of salesmen representing consumer giants like Reckitt, Unilever and Colgate-Palmolive, face an existential threat to their business, according to interviews with salespeople, 20 distributors and a trader group with members across India.

 

Many of the distributors said they have slashed their workforce or vehicle fleet, seeing their sales from door-to-door agents drop 20-25% in the last year as shopkeepers partner with Reliance.


 

MY  TAKE :


It seems like a case of :

#  Distributors disrupted / decimated

#  Intermediaries eliminated

#  Middlemen marginalized

#  Beginning of the End  

#  Playing out of the following script that I wrote 3 years ago :


 MA = DA x 4,000,000 ?  ……………….[ 17 July 2018 ]

 

Extract :

If you join Reliance Eco System, here is what it will do for you :

 

===================================================

SALES :

 

All of your merchandize will be available for selection / ordering on our ONLINE web portal 

 

This online presence of your merchandize will expand / extend your " reach " to thousands of consumers in your neighbourhood

 

You will need to only focus on OFFLINE ( across-the-counter ) sales to consumers who walk into your store

 

For OFFLINE sales , we will install in your stores , all the necessary Computers / POS terminals / Routers / Internet Connections / Mobile Wallet Payment systems and an end-to-end , RETAIL MANAGEMENT software 

 

All of your OFFLINE sales data will get transferred to our Central Server

 

===================================================

SUPPLY  :



We will deliver to your store , all merchandize on " Consignment " basis



This means , you do NOT need to pay us for what we deliver to you store !



Till sold, all goods in your store will be our " stock "



This way, you do NOT need any " Working Capital " as far as your stocks are concerned 



We will also tie-up with the manufacturers



You don't need to have any interaction / dealing with the manufacturers



===================================================

INVENTORY  :



On a continuous basis , our web server will keep a track of each and every item of merchandize sold from your stores



Our Server will calculate , your " Stock Movement



Based on this data, our Server will compute / set for each item :



#   Minimum Stock Level



#   Alarm Stock Level



#   Stock Re-Order Level



#   Re-Order Quantity ( Minimum Batch Size ) 



Based on this logic , our Server will instruct the relevant " Merchandize Manufacturers " ( or their dealers / stockists ) , to deliver the stipulated " Re-Order Quantities " to your stores



A " Re-Order Instruction intimation ", will get delivered to your computer



Upon arrival, you will need to update the data



From time to time , our Software will also figure out your current stocks of " Extremely Slow Moving " and " Obsolete / Expired " items , and arrange for " Return Delivery " , which you will need to enter in your database



===================================================

DELIVERY  :



Not only we will deliver the merchandize to your store , but we will also pick up " Ordered Items " ( for ONLINE orders only ) , from your store and deliver the same to your customers  !



Initially we will employ manual " Delivery Persons " for this but , before long , we will deploy a fleet of autonomous DRONES for this purpose 



This fleet will cover " Kirana Stores " and " Online Customers " , located in pre-designated areas , covering 4 sq km ( 2 km x 2 km )



We are in talk with https://what3words.com/toddler.geologist.animated , to enable precise delivery through your 10th floor window  !



These drones will get their " Delivery Instructions " directly from our Web Server , for all ONLINE orders



When these drones arrive at your Store to pick up the items ( to be delivered ) , they will transfer ( Blue Tooth / NFC ) and display on your Computer screen , following data :



#  Online Order Number / time / date



#  Items covered with description / value of each



#  Customer Name / Address 



#  Mode of Online Payment / Bank Details 

 

#  Your online account CREDIT details , giving,



     ( Sales Value ) - ( Purchase Price )  



    " Purchase Price " of goods in your stock will be based on FIFO method



===================================================

FINANCE  :



As explained earlier , you will have a bare minimum need for " Working Capital " , since all of your stock will be on " Consignment " basis

We will collect the "
ONLINE  PAYMENTS " directly from the customers and " Credit " the same to your " online sales account " with us

Against same account , we will "
Debit " the " purchase price " ( price at which you purchase the merchandize from Reliance ) of the goods sold

Our server will also take care of all GST payments and filing of
GST returns

As far as OFFLINE sales is concerned , all the data captured through POS terminal will get transferred to our Central Server

===================================================

MARKETING  :

Not only will we carry out all marketing for your ONLINE sales , we will help you with your OFFLINE marketing , through introduction of the following technology-enhanced features :

#   Arranging a better
display of merchandize on your shelves / re-arranging of

     shelves


#  Introducing
Augmented Reality ( AR ) for clothes / fashion goods in " Trial

    Rooms " for giving the customers , an experience of " touch - feel - looks "

    

#   Introducing
Robots to answer customer inquiries

#   Eliminating " Check Out Counters " , based on " Payments through
Bio-metric

    Recognition " of customers

#   Embedding
RFID sensors in each item of merchandize and RFID readers

     embedded in Shopping Carts

#   Improving your
window display thru rotation

#   Introducing
music

#  Eventually replacing " Physical " merchandize with " Holographic Display " of

    merchandize on your store  shelves !

     

===================================================

Since Reliance does not OWN any of these ( 5 million ? ) Kirana Stores, it is unlikely to introduce Amazon-like cashier-less automatic check-out


However, to know what kind of a VANISHING ACT, this Maya-Jaal will do, read :


Birth of a Black hole ? ………………………[ 18 Jan 2021 ]

 

Extract :

WHAT DATA WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE THIS BLACK HOLE ?

STAGE  1

To begin with, your entire PURCHASE HISTORY of a life-time, comprising :

       WHAT you purchased - WHEN – from WHOM – at WHAT PRICE – HOW much qty., – how PAID for

 STAGE 2

Next, it will compile data about each unique item that you ever purchased – and some more :

       Ø  Frequency of Purchase

       Ø  Package Size

       Ø  Brands ordered

       Ø  Mode of Delivery

       Ø  Mobile Number ( and, may be all of your CONTACT DATA – to entice your

           friends / family )

       Ø  Your MONTHLY CONSUMPTION RATE for each item ( and by using AI, size of

           your family )

       Ø  Whether you are single or married (does not require sophisticated software )

       Ã˜  If married, number – and age – of your children

       Ø  Your bank ( - and your bank balance ? You bet ! )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With regards,

Hemen Parekh / hcp@RecruitGuru.com / 24 Nov 2021

 

Related Readings :

Weave a Wondrous World [ W3 ]  

Bypass E : Go from D to F 

Jio Hubs : Entrepreneurs Apply  

 Reliance : Retailing - Detailing –Gobbling……………. [ 17 Aug 2021 ]

 

Reliance Retail : a Guess comes Good ……………………….[ 31 July 2021 ]

 

CC :

care@jio.com

 shop@jio.com

 enterprisecare@jio.com

 jiofibercare@jio.com

 mukesh.ambani@ril.com

  jyoti.jain@ril.com

  info@ril.com

 

 

Monday, 22 November 2021

Domestic Workers Survey : a Seven Year Itch ?

 


Or is this a classic case of :

Ø  Left hand does not know what right hand is doing

Ø  Replicate – Duplicate – Multiplicate   


Context :

  First all-India survey on domestic workers kicks off

 

  /   HINDU   / 22 Nov 2021

Extract :

The first-ever All-India Survey on Domestic Workers was flagged off by Labour and Employment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday and the Ministry said it would be completed in a year.

The survey, being carried out by the Labour Bureau, was aimed at :

#  estimating the number and proportion of domestic workers at the national-level and in the States; #  the proportion of domestic workers who live-in / live-out, engaged in informal employment and

    Migrant / non-migrant;

#  wages of such workers; and

#  other socio-economic factors

The survey would also include :

#  details of the number of households with live-in/live-out domestic workers and

#  the average number of workers engaged by various kinds of households, it stated.

Questionnaire

The questionnaire, which was released by Mr. Yadav at Monday’s ceremony, would include:

#  details about the size of the household,

#  religion,

#  social group,
# 
monthly consumption expenditure and

#  the nature of the dwelling unit.

Information about the domestic workers, including their

#  age,

#  social group,
# 
migrant status,

#  duration of work and

#  type of remuneration, ………………would be collected as well, the Ministry noted.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wages would also be a part of the survey that would cover 37 States and Union Territories, covering 1.5 lakh households in 742 districts. The result of the survey was expected within one year.

Addressing the virtual launch event, Mr. Yadav said this was a first-ever such survey in independent India, which showed the “commitment of the government towards evidence-based, data-driven policy”. Though domestic workers were a significant part of the total informal sector employment, there was a lack of data on the employment conditions, he pointed out.

===================================================

MY   TAKE :

 

[ 1 ]

Why do I call it a “ Seven Year Itch “ ?

This survey was conceived nearly 7 years ago. Read :

Ø  Maid in India ? ……………………………….[ 10 Aug 2015 ]

 

In this e-mail, I have elaborately listed ( as reported in news report in 2015 ) :

11 Provisions of the proposed “ National Policy for Domestic Workers 

And added ;

#  some 28 provisions which that news report did not mention

#  what could be likely “ implications “ if such policy were to become a LAW

 

Ø  Waiting to see the Questionnaire …[ 05 Jan 2021 ]

 

Extract :

 I anxiously await to see whether the planned QUESTIONNAIRE covers the following questions that I had envisaged in my following blog / email :

Domestic workers Survey : a Non-Starter ? …………………………..[ 12 Oct 2020 ]

Extract :

DOMESIC  WORKERS  SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

===================================================

[ A ]  …   EMPLOYER DATA

            #  Name / Aadhar No / Address / PAN

 [ B ] ….  “ DOMESTIC WORKERS ENGAGED “ DATA ( separately for each domestic

                worker engaged )

           #   Name of worker / Aadhar No / Address / Gender / Age / Jan Dhan 

                Account Number / Photo

           #   Mode of hire ( direct or through some manpower supply agency )

          #   Working since ( date )

          #   Whether issued any formal “ appointment letter “

          #   Monthly salary  /  Annual Bonus amount

          #   Mode of salary payment ( Cash / Cheque / Digital transfer to bank

               account )

         #   Number of work-hours in a day

         #   Work timings

         #   Lunch-break / Tea break [ whether free lunch provided ]

         #   Weekly off day

        #   Paid Holidays per year

        #   Annual Privilege leave / Sick Leave / Casual Leave / leave without pay [

             Maternity leave in case of female workers ]

        #   Whether Uniform supplied

        #   Allowances if any ( Click “ Maid-in-India  /  10 Aug 2015 “,  for the list to

             be ticked, YES / NO )

      ==================================================


I am afraid, before opening the door to welcome the Surveyor, the house-holder would ask to see the questionnaire

Just a quick / cursory glance and he will say :

“ Thank you but we do not engage ANY domestic workersMy family members do all household chores 

Now you will appreciate, why I am afraid this proposed survey would become a Non-Starter !

 

Could anything be done to “ motivate / incentivize “ the house-holders to enthusiastically come forward to supply the desired data ?

No solution would be without “ accompanying problems “, but would following suggestion help ?

Surveyor says :

“ Sir / Madam,

Government has just announced ( shows relevant circular from Finance Ministry ) that the total amount of money that you annually pay to your domestic servants ( by way of wages / bonuses / allowances etc ), is tax-deductible from your annual PERSONAL INCOME TAX RETURN

Of course , this exemption is conditional to your making ALL MONTHLY-ANNUAL payments , directly into the JAN DHAN ACCOUNTS of your domestic workers and subject to TDS “

 

[ 2 ]

Why this could be a classic case of :

Ø  Left hand does not know what right hand is doing

Ø  Replicate – Duplicate – Multiplicate   ?


Some 3 months ago ( on 26 Aug ), Labour Ministry launched a portal e-SHRAM, to compile similar data for 38 crore ( 380 million ) Unorganized Workers ( which also include, DOMESTIC WORKERS as a distinct category )


As of this morning, this portal displays on its DASHBOARD, following figures :


#  Total No of registrations……………………………. 8,83, 89,203

#  Of these, Domestic Workers…………………….1,53,87,996

#  Nos registered Yesterday ( in 1 day )……………..26,87,480


When 17.7 LAKH “ Domestic Worker “ voluntarily registered ONLINE , every single day for past 87 days, then what is the necessity of employing thousands of surveyors to visit 1.5 Lakh households ( out of approx. 30 crore / 300 million households ), over a period of ONE YEAR , to compile the same data MANUALLY, at a cost of hundreds of crores of rupees ?


All that was needed was to add some more relevant / desired “ data fields “, if some one identified himself / herself, as a DOMESTIC WORKER while filling up the form on e-SHRAM portal !

 

Dear Shri Bhupender Yadavji,


It is still not too late to implement my suggestion and compile the desired data, at no extra cost


And it will take no more than 10 days to modify the software of e-SHRAM portal !

 – and save 10 months of efforts ( with prospect of not being able to even analyze that data because of garbage inputs ! )


With regards,

Hemen Parekh  /  hcp@RcruitGuru.com  /  23 Nov 2021

 

 

 

Related Readings :

Domestic Workers - Use and Abuse………………………… [ 11 July 2011 ]

 

 

CC :

Dear Prof S P Mukherjee ( Head of Expert Committee ) / prof.mukherjee@gmail.com

Professor Rahul Mukherjee  /  rmuk@iimcal.ac.in

Professor Debasis Kundu  /   kundu@iitk.ac.in

Professor Kalyan Das  /  kalyanstat@gmail.com