Basab Pradhan: New Kid On The Blog
Corporate blogs have not really taken off in India, and CEO blogs are virtually non-existent. Rajesh Jain’s Emergic is probably the only prominent CEO Blog that people are aware of. I feel that Basab Pradhan’s new blog will make up for some of the void in this space. (Via) If his initial posts are anything to go by, it promises to be quite a thought provoking blog.
Basab Pradhan was Infy’s high-profile sales head (Basab was Phaneesh Murthy’s successor) before he quit to start Gridstone Research (formerly known as Perputo Inc.). Gridstone is almost entirely founded by Infosys-IIMA alumni and operates in the areas of financial modelling and research.
Basab feels that publishers should directly launch paperback editions in India (as against Hardcovers), as the pricing of the international hardcover edition would be quite expensive by Indian standards. This is a very valid point, but publishers might also have a fear that the low-priced Indian edition would make its way to other international markets thereby eating into the sales of the newly launched hardcover edition.
A recent NYT article pointed out that low-priced Indian editions of some technical and engineering textbooks are being sold in a clandestine manner in the US. As per the prevailing US laws, it is perfectly legal for students to bring in cheaper foreign editions for personal consumption, but some students have apparently made a business model using this loophole.
In another interesting post, Basab explains why Bangalore passengers rush to get off the aircraft even before the plane has come to a grinding halt whereas air passengers landing in Delhi are in no hurry to get off the flight.
Basab Pradhan was Infy’s high-profile sales head (Basab was Phaneesh Murthy’s successor) before he quit to start Gridstone Research (formerly known as Perputo Inc.). Gridstone is almost entirely founded by Infosys-IIMA alumni and operates in the areas of financial modelling and research.Basab feels that publishers should directly launch paperback editions in India (as against Hardcovers), as the pricing of the international hardcover edition would be quite expensive by Indian standards. This is a very valid point, but publishers might also have a fear that the low-priced Indian edition would make its way to other international markets thereby eating into the sales of the newly launched hardcover edition.
A recent NYT article pointed out that low-priced Indian editions of some technical and engineering textbooks are being sold in a clandestine manner in the US. As per the prevailing US laws, it is perfectly legal for students to bring in cheaper foreign editions for personal consumption, but some students have apparently made a business model using this loophole.
In another interesting post, Basab explains why Bangalore passengers rush to get off the aircraft even before the plane has come to a grinding halt whereas air passengers landing in Delhi are in no hurry to get off the flight.
posted by Kaps at
2:24 PM
5 Comments:
i thot that paperback editions have always been directly launched in india instead of hardcovers. even on my last trip, i bought the paperback edition of grisham's latest book which had just been released in the US. the books always say 'not for sale outside india' or something like that. so not sure why he's saying that...
By
Balaji, at 3:19 PM
Indian top business executives should grow a habit of writing blogs as it can enusre better interaction with the world. However, I think that because of strong family ties, they have to attend too many parties and festivals in the evenings and do not have enough time or energy to maintain a blog.
By
Anonymous, at 6:57 PM
I read through the 'Competitive Indian' post of Basab, and dont agree with this:
>>So the next time someone cuts into the check-in line at the airport in front of me, I'm going to think calm thoughts. Here's someone who wants to get ahead in life, I'll tell myself. May his tribe increase.
If someone cuts in your line, thats plain bad manners. I am reminded of this story, with frogs in a can in a ship and how the Indian frogs were still in the can because each one was trying on its own pulling the others down from escaping, hence none of them got out!
By
BZ, at 8:10 PM
Good posts, Kaps. Thanks for the links
By
Venky Krishnamoorthy, at 3:52 AM
@Balaji,
i think paperbacks launches are more suited for popular fiction. However, books like Freakonomics etc had their hardcover editions launched first.
i think Basab is referring to this.
@Razib,
can family ties come in the way of blogging? I think the Indian CEO's think that the nature of their business doesn't necessitate blogging. However if we have one or two success models, there will be more interest.
@Saranya,
i see some different between this and the frog in a can story. in the frog story, it is a question of survival and growth and people pull down others to get ahead in life. in the case of the airline, i think it is just a matter of a few minutes....so it might not really matter much.
By
Kaps, at 10:31 PM
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