BSNL: franchise model

BSNL signs franchisees for BWA spectrum

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a telecommunications company providing comprehensive range of telecom services in India has opted for a franchise model to monetise its Rs 8,313.80 crore investment on securing pan-India Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum.

The company has opted for a franchise model on a revenue-sharing basis to use this spectrum. The company has short-listed three companies namely Teracom, Starnet and Take Solutions as its franchisees and will be responsible to distribute BWA spectrum in their respective territories. Teracom has been given Rajasthan, Karnataka and Bihar circles, Starnet has Chennai Telecom District and Himachal Pradesh and Take Solutions has won rights in Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh (West) and Orissa. As per the agreement, the franchisees have to deploy the WiMax network and BSNL would provide infrastructure like premises, towers and media connectivity.

Retail: Apollo expansion

Apollo to add 1,000 pharmacies in 2 years

The Apollo Hospital pharmacy department is planning for aggressive expansion from April. It is reported that it would add around 1,000 new stores in the coming next two years.

The company has envisaged the amount of Rs 200 crores for its expansion. Apollo has 1,200 pharmacies, of which 70 per cent have broken-even. The profit after tax too would become positive this quarter.

Apollo has 1,200 pharmacies, of which 70 per cent have broken-even. The profit after tax too would become positive this quarter.

The company is positive about the efficiency and sales in the present scenario. It has plans to hive off the pharmacy division but it prefers to wait till the decision on FDI in retail is allowed.

information of people and business

Providing Data Base Services

Getting delicate information on people and businesses that matter is easy now.

How would it feel if you could reach just anybody and everybody? Data Base Services makes it easier, by giving you direct email id and mobile numbers of those you have always wanted to connect with. Better than the local directories and yellow pages whose collection is limited to only addresses and phone numbers.

Scope

The scope of business covers wide spectrum like FMCG, Top Brokerage Companies, Recruiters, Financial Publications, Mutual Fund Companies, Banks, Bollywood, Production House, Marketing firms, World Email Directory, Credit Card Holders, etc. basically, almost all businesses thrive on contacts, so the more the better and what could be more easier than getting it ready made in CDs.

Offer

Accurate and relevant data (at least 80 per cent) with personal email ids and phone numbers and the price starts from 3,000, containing over 5 million business and 50 million consumer e-mail addresses and mobile numbers.

Minimum Investment

There is no minimum investment for this. But you may be required to invest in man power that would collect data, assemble and put it on CDS. You may even start from home. Amjad Sharif of Data Base Services started with 2 lakh initially that was his own money, and 2 staff, and today he have 12 staff in all. His idea is to reach new prospects and retain existing customers with e-mail & Mobile marketing campaigns with over 5 million business and  50 million consumer e-mail addresses and mobile numbers.

Retail point

Sold online and on order, and also in shops.

Tackling Competition

There is a lot of competition now so one has to really be different to stay in the business. So, how does one get the best deal? One must, before comparing the prices from other data provider compare the following:

1. No. of datas (Quantity)

2. Updated year (coz with year N year data becomes outdated)

3. Discount offered

4. Other facilities, like cash on delivery, direct deposit in bank etc.

Check points

A good solution provider will adhere to the practice of maintaining:

1. Accurate & relevant data

2. Updated data till recent date

3. Bulk mailing software for inbox delivery

Assembling Data

It is better to get the data from the office of the business/person. In some cases, from  Pr agencies( which may not come directly or easily). In case, it is on the net, check that it is updated before including it in your directory base.

Promotion strategy

1. Through sms, email and largely by word of mouth.

The idea seems interesting, if it does at all, then put everything in the right place as discussed above; so that you are raring to go.