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

Saturday 7 March 2020

Jumping onto Reliance Retail Bandwagon



Context :



Extract :


Which Tech Startups ?

Ø  Express Stores
Ø  Behtar stores
Ø  Gully Network
Ø  Good-Box
Ø  ShopKirana / Need Square
Ø  NIFLR [ ankur@niflr.com  ] 



What “ new models “ ?

Ø  Co-branding
Ø  Efficient Supply Chain [ connecting retailers directly with brands ]
Ø  In-store Experience
Ø  Customer Engagement

How executed ?

Ø  Merchandizing
Ø  Inventory Procurement
Ø  Invoicing
Ø  Financing
Ø  Branding / Brand Partnership
Ø  Self-Check-out
Ø  Online Ordering
Ø  Customer Relationship Management Tools
Ø  Analytics
Ø  Logistics
Ø  UPI – QR Code-based Payment solutions / POS solutions
Ø  Digitization and Ledger Solutions


Quotes :

Ø  Ajay Nain ( Founder , Gully Network Retail )

“ Physical retail is such a large, fragmented, differentiated and unorganized business that no one solution can fit this underserved market
Our thesis is that small shops need a 360 degree handholding to embrace technology to cope with the ever-dynamic purchase behavior of consumers and generate additional income other than their primary business “



Ø  Sumit Ghorawat ( CEO, ShopKirana )

“ Kirana stores in India will take their own journey to be the STORES of the FUTURE.
Our aim is to work on taking these steps with them “



Ø  Abey Zachariah ( CEO, Goodbox )

“ It has become an imperative for kiranas ( corner stores ) to use technology to even survive in the future “



What is the Reliance Retail bandwagon ?

In my blog :              MA = DA x 4,000,000 ?           [ 17 July 2018 ]

I envisaged Reliance Retail “  Game Plan  “ as follows :

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


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 neighborhood

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 www.What3Words.com , 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 !



Related Reading:

Ready to revolutionize Retail [ 3R ] ?                                      [ 15 Aug 2019 ]


Who needs Fulfillment Centres [ FC ] ? Not Reliance Retail        [ 23 Apr 2019 ]



Bypass E : Go from D to F                                                       [ 07 Feb 2019 ]


 

Reliance Retail acquires Shri Kannan Departmental Store for Rs 152 crore [ 08 Mar 2020 ]


 Extract :

Reliance Industries said the investment will further strengthen the group's retail operations and presence in the state of Tamil Nadu and will further enable retail and new commerce initiatives.

Reliance Retail registered over 50 crore footfalls last year and clocked a turnover of Rs 1.3 lakh crore. With a presence in nearly 7,000 towns and cities, the company has over two-third of its 10,415 stores are in tier II, tier III and tier IV towns.


Over the next five years, it aims to be among the world's top 20 retailers by leveraging blockchain, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and other new technologies on a pan-India basis.

 

Retail 2020

 

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

08 March 2020

hcp@RecruitGuru.com



Friday 6 March 2020

Congratulations, Shri Ajit Pawar / Shri Nawab Malik

Congratulations ,


Shri Ajit Pawar, Finance Minister [ officialfbpageajitdada@gmail.com  ]

Shri Nawab Malik, Skill Development Minister [ contact@nawabmalik.com ]

---------
Context :



Extract :

Ø  The Maharashtra Apprenticeship Scheme, which entails an expenditure of Rs 6,000 crore in the next five years, aims to provide employment, self-employment opportunities and experience to all youths who have passed at least 10th standard. The scheme will encourage the establishments for hiring of apprentices and training of 10 lakh young educated unemployed youth.


Ø  Candidates will be trained for a given period in the traditional and new industries in the government, semi-government and private establishments


Ø  An amount equivalent to 75% of the monthly stipend or Rs 5,000, whichever is less, will be paid to private establishment per month per candidate


Ø  For this, an annual expenditure of Rs 60,000 will be spent on each candidate. The government will provide 100% stipend


Ø  Under the CM Employment Generation Programme, one lakh industries will be established through self-employment in the next five years and it is expected to generate 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh jobs every year.


    The government has proposed an outlay of Rs 130 crore for 2020-21. Under this
    scheme, grant between 15 and 35 per cent is given to the new entrepreneurs for
    implementing self-employment projects.
 
======================================================

I sent following email to Union Cabinet Ministers / State Chief Ministers , 3 years ago :


Ø  Universal Basic Income                                  [ 20 Jan 2017 ]

I wrote :

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

WHAT WOULD BE THE RIGHT APPROACH ?

*  Right approach would be :
" Do not give fish to a hungry man / teach him how to fish "

 In short , empower them to earn their own living by teaching them " Skills " and by
 gaining " Experience " in use of those skills

Entire cost of this " Skilling " and " Experiencing " to be borne by the Government , till
each targeted poor / unemployed person , either gets gainfully employed or becomes
self-employed

Should he choose to become Self-Employed ( by registering as a " Start Up " ), exempt
him from paying Personal Income Tax for next 10 years

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

HOW TO TRANSLATE THIS " SELF HELP " CONCEPT INTO PRACTICE ?

Divide the implementation in following 3 phases

*    Empowering - 3 years ( Imparting Skills in Industrial Training Institutes )

*    Experiencing - 3 years ( Providing experience in Ind / Commercial Establishments )

*    Self-dependence Phase ( Working in a gainful job or as Self Employed )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT SKILLS WILL GET PROVIDED IN ITI ?

Entire range of Manufacturing Industry related skills being currently imparted plus a
whole host of commercial skills required by E Commerce / Fintech / Agriculture Processing
 / Payment Banks / Service Sector / BPO / Telecom and other emerging sectors

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

HOW SHALL WE MOTIVATE UNEMPLOYED YOUTH TO JOIN ITIs ?

* Each trainee will receive Rs 1000 pm ( for course duration of 3 years )

   This amount will get deposited in Jan Dhan bank account of trainee ( DBT )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOW CAN WE GET PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PHASE ?

*  If a Private firm or individual comes forward to set up such a Training Institute ,

   #  Treat it as an Infrastructure SPV

   #  No questions asked as to the source of funds for setting up such ITI

       {  a kind of Amnesty Scheme to convert Black Money into White Money  }

   #  A government grant of Rs 1,000 pm per trainee to such SPV ( DBT in Bank A/C )

       If this is done , expect 10,000 SPVs to come up within one year and 10 million youth

       to get  trained each year !
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW CAN WE GET INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS TO PROVIDE
EXPERIENCE TO TRAINEES PASSING OUT OF ITIs ?

*  Amend Apprenticeship Act

*  Allow all Industrial and Commercial Establishments to engage ANY NUMBER of
   apprentices ( without upper limit ) , for a period of 3 years

*  Starting stipend = Min of Semi-Skilled wages ( currently , approx Rs 6,000 pm )

*  Annual Increment = 5 %

*  Establishment to pay 75 % of stipend

*  Government to pay 25 % of stipend ( DBT into Jan Dhan account of the Apprentice )

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW CAN WE ENSURE A " LEAKAGE PROOF " DISBURSEMENTS OF DBT AMOUNTS ?

*    Through implementation of Mobile based Attendance System , outlined in my blog,

   " From BAD to MAD " 

  { http://myblogepage.blogspot.in/2016/06/from-bad-to-mad.html }

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

There is no doubt that MVA govt of Maharashtra listens to ordinary citizen


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

07 March 2020


hcp@RecruitGuru.com

Wednesday 4 March 2020

Caused by CoronaVirus ?




Context :


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

Extract :

People are now taking calls from home, in what promises to be an Uber-like disruption in customer service.

Global business process outsourcing (BPO) companies have begun pilot work-from-home projects with Indian ecommerce and health-tech startups. This will enable them to provide services that are cheaper and one that can be dialled-up or down based on demand.

However, with a near shutdown of large parts of China due to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the work-at-home call centre model is likely to spread, industry executives said.

The model is also cheaper, a significant plus for clients and call centre operators in India


Teleperformance has shut some centres to move to a work-from-home model. Other providers such as Sitel and Sykes are also increasing work-from-home agents.


Singh of Teleperformance said the shift would also help employ more women, particularly in India.


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

On 11 April 2018 , I wrote :


[ for details of scheme, read this email to Shri RaviShankar Prasadji ]


- where I said :

But then , in today's totally interconnected World , why should it be necessary for housing 10 / 20 / 50 persons in ONE place , under ONE roof , for collaborating on execution of COMMON tasks ?


I am sure , in any given ONE square km of a small town , there are 50 unemployed - and quite possibly , GRADUATE - youngsters , who would be more than happy to " work from home "


They will be happy to set aside, in their homes, a 5 feet by 5 feet space, as a " Home Work Station "


Now , that subsidy of " Rs 1 lakh per seat " that the IT Ministry has promised , is quite sufficient to set up a :


VIRTUAL CALL CENTER ,


by connecting those 50 youngsters through a , VPN ( VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK )


And since these youngsters are working from their homes , they can be asked to work in 3 shifts of 8 hours each , providing " Round the Clock " service to customers !


If Uber-Ola are adding 5,000 " Ride Sharing Taxies " EVERY MONTH , by providing lease finance to the drivers or even buying the cars themselves and giving to these drivers , then what is holding back the IT Ministry to follow their suit and enable 5,000 youngsters to become " Self Employed " , each month ?   or even  50,000 ?

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

05 March 2020

hcp@RecruitGuru.com