Consumers in India and around the world have become more value conscious post a protracted slowdown, says Dr Naresh Kr Malhotra, Regents' professor, DuPree College of Management, Georgia Institute of Technology. Malhotra is also a visiting consultant for business, non-government and government organisations in the US and around the world. During a recent visit to India, he spoke to Rajarshi Bhattacharjee about the relevance of marketing research during economic uncertainties.

We are seeing a shift of power away from the companies to the customers: Naresh K Malhotra

Business Standard

Netting a celebrity endorser who believes in his endorsement is nothing short of a casting coup. Advertisers and celebrities alike will insist that it is true for all their ads but the audience knows better. Then that&rsquo;s a different story.

Celeb riding the sine curve

Airtel is not willing to let its popular campaign &lsquo;Har ek friend zaroori hai&rsquo; (HFZ) go out of currency. If the earlier ads had featured young college goers as friends who appealed to all, its new effort is targetted more sharply at the youth in its theme and the medium used.

Airtel: Is he your 'friend type'?

A recent study by Underwriters Laboratories says consumers are increasingly gaining influence and effectively getting their voices heard across the global supply chain.

Look who's watching you

Recently, the website of Ankit Fadia, a well-known ethical hacker, was hacked by another group that goes by the name Team Grey Hat (TGH). The &ldquo;hactivist&rdquo; group entered Ankit Fadia&rsquo;s official site and exposed his credentials, including sensitive data, student details, database credentials (like name, user name &amp; password). In a blog message, TGH also rubbished Fadia as a hacker and his courses.

Wanted: Ethical hackers

I am seriously considering buying the Hyundai Tucson to replace my Honda City. Since the Tucson has a diesel engine (I have only owned petrol cars till now), I have been told that diesel engines

Diesel confusion

I am based in Chennai. I am interested in buying a 4-year old diesel Ford Ikon. What is the sort of price I should pay for a well maintained 4-year model?

Burning oil

Last time we discussed in detail the amendments made to the Budget proposals while passing them in the Parliament. However, the flood of emails that I have received on the subject makes it clear that

A question of securities

I own a 2000 model MPFi Zen and would like to retrofit an Esteem engine into the car. I would like to know how much will it cost me and if the gearbox will have to be changed too. Can I fit a NOS

Mod-cons

Why are steel firms making a beeline for Orissa?.


Steel struck

My son has recently purchased a Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSi. Since the sixth service two weeks ago, he has been pestering me to allow him to put a fatter rear tyre on the bike. He says it will improve

Oversize fits all

It's the next step on the road to globalisation - global acquisitions. But how does a company know it's ready for an alliance that spans countries?


An acquired skill

IS CNG A WORTHWHILE OPTION FOR THE PALIO? I have a one year old Palio 1.2, whose ride quality and overall feel are very good. The only pinching issue in the ownership

Gas problems

Please explain to me the following:R>1. How to compute short term and long term capital gains on listed securities / units invested in equity shares under section 54ED?R>2. How to compute

A N Shanbhag: Q & A corner

Summers here and competition is hotting up in the 3.5 million unit refrigerator market. The white good giants are going all out to woo customers with a range of refrigerators in all shapes and sizes.

The new kings of cool

I have been, for a long time, a regular reader of Business Standard Motoring. Last week, I read 'Which Car? ' with great interest and that made me write to you.

Five lakh wonder

The Games are just 29 days away, and all we hear about is corruption and controversy. It&rsquo;s time the spotlight turned on what really matters &mdash; sports.

How many medals will India win at CWG 2010?

The essential Jetta

I have undergone hip joint replacement surgery four years ago on my left leg and need a car to suit my condition.

Quick solution

They may have started out as caddies and odd-job boys. But now they are successful golfers in their own right.

Out of a storybook

Dwindling membership, no funds, punishing rentals. The woes of film societies are all too familiar by now.

The film fan frat

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