Market Activated Corporate Strategy (MACS) Framework

Market Activated Corporate Strategy (MACS) Framework was developed in the late 1980s. But it wasn’t developed at once. There were several predecessors to this framework. Once of the first can be the BCG Growth-Share Matrix. This matrix represents the market growth rate and the relative market share, and according to the level, the business units were divided into 4 categories. It was used very often before, but over the time more comprehensive tools were designed, to eliminate the weaknesses of BCG Matrix, like the fact that is takes into consideration only two factors, avoiding many many others that have a huge impact on profitability. BCG Matrix also assumes the independence of each business unit, therefore it leads to underestimation of the interconnection that often exists (as “Dogs”, for example, sometimes help in gaining competitive advantage) Another predecessor is the old nine-box matrix, developed by McKinsey. It covers industry attractiveness and Continue reading

Pre-shipment Finance

Pre-shipment is also referred as “packing credit”. It is working capital finance provided by commercial banks to the exporter prior to shipment of goods. The finance required to meet various expenses before shipment of goods is called pre-shipment finance or packing credit. DEFINITION: Financial assistance extended to the exporter from the date of receipt of the export order till the date of shipment is known as pre-shipment credit. Such finance is extended to an exporter for the purpose of procuring raw materials, processing, packing, transporting, warehousing of goods meant for exports. IMPORTANCE OF FINANCE AT PRE-SHIPMENT STAGE: To purchase raw material, and other inputs to manufacture goods. To assemble the goods in the case of merchant exporters. To store the goods in suitable warehouses till the goods are shipped. To pay for packing, marking and labelling of goods. To pay for pre-shipment inspection charges. To import or purchase from the Continue reading

The Pros and Cons of Securitization

Securitization forces banks to compete with institutional investors and other financial institutions for the business of prime borrowers. In response, banks are beginning to provide borrowers with a range of fee-earning services that facilitate the sale of debt instruments to investors. For example, banks offer borrowers note-issuing or underwriting facilities instead of loans and agree to help borrowers sell their debt instruments to investors as and when needed. Banks may also agree to purchase only the unsold portion of the debt issue. Thus, securitization is moving banks away from performing traditional banking functions, such as extending credit in exchange for periodic interest payments. In addition, securitization provides the creditor with two significant benefits. Because the lender can choose whether to trade the notes or to hold them to maturity, the lender can better manage its credit limits and asset portfolio. The bank also earns a major part of its income Continue reading

Overview of Reverse Innovation Concept

Vijay Govindarajan and Chris Trimble, in their book on Reverse Innovation defined the term “Reverse Innovation”; they define it as any idea, which will be first adopted in developing world. This phenomenon was not very common in the past for a simple reason that the rich and affluent that had the ability to demand were mostly concentrated in developed nations. Demand drove the technology and hence most of innovations happened in the west. United States and Germany have about 300 noble laureates in science and technology, while India and China who are six times in population have less than ten of them in total. Most of the solutions that were innovated in the west were hence imported. Slightly modified versions of the global products, mostly their low-end were “Glocalized” and were seem to be most relevant. This view, over time, is seemed to be no longer accurate. The nature of Continue reading

Human Resource Cost Reduction

Cost reduction is defined as the achievement of real and permanent reduction in the unit cost of goods manufactured or services rendered without impairing their suitability for use intended. Cost reduction must be real and increase productivity. It must be permanent and should not impair the suitability of products or services for the intended use. The scope of cost reduction is wide and it could be applied to wherever cost is incurred. In many organizations the cost of human resources is very high. The top management should find ways by which the cost of human resources is reasonably reduced. Any abnormal reduction of cost in this regard may lead to unfavorable organizational climate. In autocratic type of organizational climate the human resources cost will be reduced since the employer is not so particular about keeping the morale of the employees high and to motivate them for higher productivity. Since better Continue reading

Impact of Motivation on Employee Behavior and Performance

One of the most challenging aspects of human resource management is employee motivation. It manifests itself through employee morale, output, absenteeism, effort, labor turnover, loyalty and achievement. Motivation is generally defined as an internal state that induces an employee to engage in particular behaviors, or a set of factors that cause employees to behave in certain ways, but it is extremely complex. This is because employee motivation is the product of many interacting factors such as the culture of the organization, management’s leadership style, the structure of the organization, job design and HR policies and practices. The employee’s personality, skills, knowledge, abilities and attitudes also play a part. Motivation is not understood by managers and its essence remains enigmatic. It is what makes the “high fliers” fly. It is why some employees demonstrate a burning desire to achieve, and accept increased responsibility, while others remain passive or openly hostile. What Continue reading