INTERNATIONAL MARKET AT CROSS ROADS –STRATEGIC DIMENSIONS AND DIRECTIONS

The market follows only one rule - There are no rules in market. This has been appropriately affirmed by the current scenario wherein the International Monetary Fund predicts that this is the worst global slowdown in three decades. Crisis, though inevitable in market cycles, is neither usual nor regular. As an afterthought, the crisis may have been triggered by financial imprudence and lack of adequate external supervisory control. However, looking at it through a rear view mirror would only tantamount to aiding Alice in getting further lost in the wonderland. The only way forward would be to analyse the dimensions and identify the directions that would help in moving ahead of the crossroad without getting crippled or crumbled.

Considering the multi-disciplinary repercussions of the global slowdown, change of the Presidential power in the biggest economy in the world, shifting of balance of power from G7 to G20; the seminar intends to provide a platform for deliberation over its impact on a wide spectrum of arenas.

1. BUSINESS STRATEGY- The tectonic movements in the International markets warrant a paradigm shift in the way organizations envisage strategic planning. In depth deliberation is required to seek out innovative avenues for maintaining a viable fit between environmental opportunities and organizational competencies in the present scenario.

2. BANKING & INSURANCE- The extensiveness of product assortment, multiplicity of delivery channels and gradual up gradation from high – contact to low – contact trading has been offering a challenging proposition to the banking and insurance industry. This has to be seen in a new perspective owing to the problems of disproportionate leverage, inadequate capital base and high risk exposures which has led to erosion in overall consumer trust.

3. FINANCE - The solvency crisis degenerating into the liquidity crisis, notwithstanding the TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program), demands radical transition in terms of financial practices and norms.

4. ECONOMICS - The wealth of the world, according to current estimates, is around US $ 150 trillion. However, a major share of this has been added only during last couple of years. The present crisis, has only abetted a rationalization of this wealth to a more realistic and sustainable level. The economists need to deliberate upon whether a new world economic order is about to emerge.

5. MARKETING – The consumer behaviour needs to be assessed exhaustively to find new ways of ensuring brand resonance. The more strongly customers identify with the brand; the brighter are the chances of the brand weathering this storm. The entire gamut of Ps needs to be overhauled to ensure effective product designing and deliverance so as to cater to from bottom to the top of the pyramid.

6. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – The downturn has thrown up unprecedented pitfalls for the human resources, with the series of lay offs across sectors. The mandarins in the human resource sector need to introspect and suggest measures for improved skill management.

7. LEGAL – The increasing emphasis on TRIPS (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights) and ensuing significance to both process and product patent, demands that the market needs to evolve so as to overcome the ethical and operational dilemma.

8. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - Information technology and its related aspects have been the vanguard of a resurgent India. The arena of IT and ITeS has facilitated metamorphosis if India into the knowledge capital of the world. However, the impact of the ongoing changes in the world economic order on this vital sector may have far reaching consequences which need to be delved upon.

9. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - Stagnation is an anathema that no organization can afford to be associated with. Emphasis on R&D is mandatory to effectively counter status-quo. However, R&D is a gradual process requiring passion, planning, patience and perseverance. Notwithstanding the difficulties, R&D provides a new impetus to the analysis of various strategic dimensions and a fresh thrust towards the strategic directions, at any point of time when the market is at crossroads.

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