Answers to last week's quiz (#404)

1. In this company the term 'Strategy Tax' is often referred to the reason why the best of its innovations and inventions came out were killed. Name the company and explain what the term Strategy Tax means.
   During the Gates and Steve Ballmer era, which started in 2000 and ended last year, Microsoft focused only on its flagship operating system Windows. This many employees termed as a Strategy tax, since a lot of good ideas and inventions that could have kept Microsoft ahead of others were brushed under the carpet.
    
2. This company was established in 1936 and was first named after a Soviet statesman, who was a prominent member of Polish and Russian revolutionary movements. It was initially set up to manufacture freight cars but eventually after WWII it started to manufacture tanks. It's in the news now for the launch of its next generation product that gets its name from the Hellenic (Greek) word "arma", which means weapon. (It was also an Old Russian word for 14th century guns). Name the product and the company.
   The "Armata" Universal Combat Platform is a Russian prototype of an advanced next generation heavy military tracked vehicle platform. It is manufactured by Uralvagonzavod, which was initially named after Felix Dzerzhinsky when it was set up in 1936.
    
3. The US and the UK both recorded zero on a parameter in February this year. Name the parameter.
   Inflation.
    
4. This European company founded in 1872 initially specialised in rubber and derivative processes, and the company formerly made scuba diving rebreathers. Today apart from its flagship product it is also known for its PZero brand. It was recently acquired by a Chinese corporate giant for $ 7.7 billion. Name the company and its recent buyer.
   Pirelli the Italian car tyre manufacturer, which supplies tyres to Formula 1 cars, was bought by China national Chemical Corporation recently for $7.7 billion.
    
5. This person who has been this brand's ambassador for the last 17 years first came to media attention in April 1999, when a former dorm mate of his, wrote an article for Indiana Daily student about his weight loss. The Men's Health magazine confirmed the story and included the "___ sandwich diet" in an article. Today he is known as the ____Guy and is famous for his significant weight loss, because of the "____ diet", attributed to his eating sandwiches sold by this company. Name him and the brand.
   Jared S Foggle, the brand ambassador for Subway.
    
6. This camera was introduced in 1912 and was advertised as the Soldiers camera, during WWI to boost its sales. Name the brand (full name)
   The Vest Pocket Kodak.
    
7. Name this Indian dotcom company that is named after an evergreen subtropical plant?
   Jabong.
    
8. What is the term or buzzword used to describe the incessant gloom and doom predictions from economic analysts who feel compelled to issue updates even if nothing has changed?
   Nagflation.
    
9. Whose brand ambassador is called Richard the Cat, a.k.a., Pundit of People?
   The US retailing giant Home Depot.
    
10. Whose logo is this?
    Avanade Inc. It was founded in 2000 as a joint venture between Accenture and Microsoft to serve an untapped market for Microsoft-focused consulting services. The company provides IT services focused on the Microsoft platform for mid-sized to large enterprise organisations.

 

There were 7 correct entries for quiz No. 403. Avneesh Kumar from Bangalore wins Rs 2,000.