Green Drive

As a new generation of electric vehicles gets set to enter the market, Nissan Leaf takes the lead:

In 1997, Toyota sold the first hybrid Prius in Japan. In 1999, Honda introduced the first hybrid to the US. US hybrid sales since then have amounted to around 1% of the country’s total vehicle sales, with Prius models accounting for around half of those hybrids. The Obama administration has made a strong contribution by buying almost a fourth of the Ford and GM hybrid vehicles sold since the current president took office, pumping up federal purchases as consumer demand waned in light of the economic downturn. The latest kid on the block is the Nissan Leaf, which is the first vehicle to go through a new US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rating system that tries to give gas-mileage equivalents for cars powered by alternative energy. EPA, it seems, will give the Leaf the ‘best’ designation for fuel economy and environmental impact. Nissan representatives have been making much of how their Leaf posed a real challenge for EPA: We have no gallons, no gasoline. Its rating is nearly double that of the Prius. Its tailpipe emissions are actually non-existent. The Leaf alleviates range anxiety as well, because it delivers the equivalent of 99 miles per gallon.

Nissan & Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn has predicted that battery-powered autos may account for 10% of global sales by 2020, especially in light of higher oil prices and tighter emission norms. But, as in the US case, governments will have to get behind such vehicles in a solid way. In the UK, deficit targeting has left the $7,940 electric car subsidy untouched. Beijing is planning to put 500,000 energy-efficient vehicles into the market every year. Is India paying heed?

An emerging career option for MBAs

Real estate: an emerging career option for MBAs:

With increasing number of developers, projects, introduction of new formats, role of private equities and expansion of multinationals, real estate industry has outgrown the expected size in recent times. Besides, development of infrastructure, government regulations and infusion of FDI has supported the expansion of real estate sector many folds. With the increasing size of industry, there is an increasing demand of professionals across all segments.

One of the most promising job profiles in this sector is of a real estate consultant, which is much in demand both for the commercial and residential segments. The number of jobs for real estate agents is expected to grow as the players operating in residential agents are many but it is difficult to find trusted advisors for commercial properties. With the augment of multinationals, outsourcing business and expansion of Indian companies, a property consultant’s role is more evident and valued. One of the thrills for a real estate consultant is the constant learning he derives from fast changing market trends, launch of new projects, change in government reforms, introduction of new formats and changing client’s requirements.

Working as a consultant in commercial properties means that you will be interacting with the heads, admin/facility managers and senior management across industries. Thus, it is important for the consultant to keep an update on the client’s industry movement. One needs to get into the psyche of the client to understand his requirements.

As the country lacks specialised academic courses and institutes for real estate, it is both profitable and beneficial for MBA graduates as it generates new scope for them. There are two main routes into real estate consulting. One is directly from the campus (undergraduates and MBAs) into entry-level positions (research/market analyst, business development). The other leads from industry into middle-level positions from specific industries (banking, insurance, retail and financial services) and functions (marketing or client relation associate). It’s a high-paying, high-profile field that offers students the opportunity to take on a lot of responsibility right after their master’s degree and quickly learn a great deal about the real estate world. After making a stint of 2-3 years with reputed developers, many people shift from project marketing to real time consultancy.

Getting a job opportunity with a reputed consultant may be a challenge for freshers. However, stint of 1-2 years in any marketing field with good qualification set may get you an entry level position with a trusted banner in consultancy. In consultancy, one can earn big money; a large part of the remuneration is sales driven, so more one can sell, more one earns. After spending 2-3 years with a professional consultant, many practitioners find it lucrative to start their own set-up.

Employment with a reputed realtor or working with us as well gives a secure income along with annual incentives based on sales achieved. Besides, while choosing a consultant in commercial real estate, clients seek trusted company with long-term presence and staff strength. Working with a reputed realtor can help learn the tricks of the trade following ethics and complete professionalism. There are some skills required of a good real estate marketer. These are excellent communication skills, smart decision-making, creating trust factor, analytical reasoning, being aware of the latest market trends and future market predictions, efficiency in financial calculations and high patience levels.

'Working women need flexi work time'

Information technology and BPO industry body NASSCOM today favored a flexible work atmosphere for women engaged in raising their family to curb drop-out rates and boost their numbers in mid-level and senior management positions in companies.

National Association of Software and Services Companies Chairman Harsh Manglik said one of the major issues facing the IT-BPO industry was that of women wanting to raise their families at some stage.

"So, during the time that they are gone, if they are interested (to work during that period), we need to look for...can we offer them an opportunity to stay engaged..so perhaps some flexible way...,"he said at the NASSCOM-organised "Diversity and Inclusivity Summit 2010" here.

Harsh Manglik, who is also Chairman & Geography Managing Director, Accenture India, observed that the "biggest barrier" is that once women take a break and come back to the profession after a few years, it's (the work atmosphere) is "intimidating" as they feel "outdated" and "disconnected" and fallen behind in technology competency.

He stressed that while women accounted for about 30 per cent of the IT-BPO industry workforce, the number of those rising to mid and senior-level positions needs to accelerated.

NASSCOM officials said that women accounted for more than 30 per cent of entry-level workforce of the industry and that overall, there were six lakh women working in the IT-BPO industry in India today.

"But one major gap still remains. We still have less than four per cent women as CEOs and CXOs in our industry. Where do the women disappear. Let's explore this," Sucharita Eashwar, Senior Director, NASSCOM, said at the beginning of the two-day event.

She said the shared child-care services model in IT hubs has worked well and has addressed the major reason why women drop out of the workforce in mid-careers.

Managing Director of Britania Industries, Vinita Bali, said diversity was more than just about increasing women workforce and about having certain percentage of women in the company.

It is about if the "voice" of the women is being heard and if women who are part of an organisation know "what's happening" in the organisation and functions (roles) that they represent. "Diversity without inclusion is a blunt sword", she observed.