A recent discussion on recession and it’s affects
A recent discussion I came across on recession. Thought of sharing it with you.
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A reply to it:
Thank you for the mail on actionable insights to prepare for the
recession. I wish to differ on certain points mentioned by the
“financial consultant”
First of all, Recession means different things to each person as a
Businessman, Investor or employee
To the Investors, it is the best time to buy (or invest). During
recession precious land becomes affordable, cost of construction
becomes less. So if you, as an investor is planning to invest in a new
project that involves construction works, this is the best time. This
is becuase, a typical construction of mall, factory or a resort takes
about 1.5 to 2 years in India. The recession will be over in say 1-2
years. So your new business will be opening up at a time when the
economy is recovering. And if you are planning to invest in already
established businesses (instead of new ventures), this is still a good
time. This is because, in good times the promoters of this business
will ask you for a heavy goodwill amount. In recession, even the best
companies may have cash flow problems and may be willing to bring in
equity at investors terms. And once the recession is over, these
companies will get back to form. (Recession has happened many times,
infact it is a cycle, so dont think of recession as a Tsunami that
wipes out everything).
To the businessmen, recession can be a bad time or a good time, based
on what thier position is. To begin with there are some industries
that do good when others do badly. You just have to search out for
those sectors. Recession can be bad to a business that has heavy
overheads and its business is dependant on other businesses which
might get a bad kick from recession. Businesses with good cash
reserves should hold on to thier cash, as they can expect red figures
in the profit loss account for few months to come. It is a good time,
for them to eliminate fat (both in terms of bad staff and unproductive
assets). When the times are good, businesses seldom care about best
practices and efficiency. I was involved with a factory during a
downturn period, and in order to survive, we had to take extreme
measures with regards staff management, implementation of new
machineries and all kind of best practices (much aganist our will) to
survive. To finance these we had to merge with a competitor as well.
Bad times made that business so strong, that in 2008 (when the global
economy calls it a bad year), they made a record profit and became
market leader in thier sector. So if we take the recession properly,
it is a good time, to make a business strong.
To the Employees, recession can be good and bad, again. Lazy and
unproductive employees will have a hard time holding on to thier jobs
and in case they lose thier jobs, it will be difficult to get a new
one. One good thing about employment market during recession,
especially in India, is that I am hoping to see “job hopping” slow
down. But recession is a good time, for loyal, hardworking staff to
show thier worth to the company. By working more than others, by
accepting mangement decisions, by perhaps sacrificing bit of thier
salaries, these employees can show to management, they are soldiers
they can count on. And they will be most visible. These employees,
have a better chance to get promotions and upgradation in salaries
during the good times.
My comments where I disagree to the previous mail, are ;
1. Dont sell your stocks, if you can afford to keep them for 1- 2
years. Most of the stocks are now trading below thier intrinsic value.
By selling them at loss now, you will buy them at even higher cost
later on. So hold on to them. Put your shares in locker and go to
sleep. Wake up after 2 years, to see its price. On a different note, I
dont recommend day trading to anyone, its almost like gambling. With
stocks you should buy and sell, with long term view.
2. I dont agree to not investing, for reasons I have mentioned above.
3. Dont sell your assets now, the price is Below its real value. Wait
for 2 years for boom to start again.
This are my views. About me, I am the CEO of a Venture Consulting firm
based in Calicut (Kerala). I did my masters in Finance and Investment
from Exeter University, UK. I have been in Gulf for many years. I had
worked at german strategy advisory firm (Dubai), as consultant.
At Capella, we advice investors on investing in various of projects,
by conducting business research, preparing project reports, business
plans, business counselling and venture project management.
Forwarded e-mail
As forwarded by a financial consultant, in Dubai.
>> *Recession is coming… make your own judgment, don’t panic! Do
what is wise.
The recession looks very eminent. It is really time to take pro active
steps to avoid a painful time in the next two years which is how long the
recession is expected to last.
> Suggestions:
> 1. Don’t take any loans; buy homes, properties with loans, or even cash. Keep as much cash as possible.
> 2. Pay off as much of personal loans, private loans, as debt collection
will be hastened.
> 3. Sell any stocks you can even at lower prices.
> 4. Take money off from Trust Funds.
> 5. Don’t believe in huge sales forecast from customers, be extremely
prudent, lowest inventories, reduce liabilities.
> 6. Don’t invest in new capital.
> 7. If you are selling homes/ properties/ cars, do it now, when you can get good prices, they are going to fall.
> 8. Don’t invest in new business proposals.
> 9. Cancel holiday plans using credit cards.
> 10. Don’t change jobs, as companies will retrench based on ‘last in first
out’.
Stay cool, wait, and if you took all of the above actions and more, you
probably will be better off then many. This is not a rumor.
Bear Stearns is the first of many banking and financial institutions that
will start falling in the not too future. If Bear Stearns can fall, so can
JP Morgan, Citibank, HSBC, and the whole world. US economy falls, the rest will crumble.
India and all those self economies will be the most protected, but not
gullible.
Europe may be a little stronger, but not China, another giant place!
Malaysia will see significant impact.
> Be alert and pass this to your friends!!!*
Bangalore IT pros take survival training
Bangalore IT pros take survival training
BR Srikanth, Hindustan Times
Software professionals like Anoop Ramakrishnan, 24, and many others in the tech industry in Bangalore are picking up new survival skills — not to endure the economic gloom, but to survive a terror attack or a hostage crisis.
Following the recent terror attacks, techies are queuing up to be trained in anti-terror and hostage survival techniques being imparted as part of Krav Maga, an Israeli school of self-defence and combat tactics.
They are being taught how to hold their nerve during a terror attack, ensure minimum injury, how to escape a fire, and avoid being trapped in a stampede during evacuation.
Said Anoop, software professional at Sasken Communications: “We are here to learn to minimise casualties through the concept of muscle memory — that is how not to panic but train our muscles to move quickly and save ourselves during an attack.” He has been urging colleagues and friends to take these lessons too.
Ditto with Ashish Puri, of Cisco Systems, who is also taking the training. “I have persuaded seven-eight colleagues to join these workshops,” he said.
Frank JW, the instructor and in-charge of Bangalore chapter of International Krav Maga Federation, said: “I am currently training 75 people in Bangalore. Most are from the IT industry.”
Frank said the training sessions are not intended to make “everyone a Superman” but to teach techniques that can come handy — like lying flat on the floor to escape bullets. At Rs 250 a person for two hours, the anti-terror survival model is certainly worth trying.
Things You Should Know
Things You Should Know
4 January 2009 KHALEEJ TIMES
RTA statistics show that the number of students in government schools is 28,108 in 92schools. Out of this, 63 per cent (17,651) of the students use school buses.
In private schools, 1,36,738 students study in 123 schools. Out of this, only 61 per cent (83, 798) students use school buses. Also, the number of buses in private schools is 1,934, while the number for government schools stand at 235.
The alarming fact is that 1,350 school bus drivers and 1,700 male and female attendants have not received any special training regarding transportation of students. Again, 613 school buses do not have safety belts in them. Around 27 per cent of Dubai schools do not have separate entries and exits for buses. There have been 81 mishaps involving school buses this year causing one death and six injuries.
Important School Bus Regulations
* All school buses have to be yellow in colour with the term ‘School Bus’ written in Arabic and English languages between the bus headlights, uppermost part of the bus, the rear sides and on middle of both sides of the bus. The name of the school or name of the operating company should also be mentioned.
* All buses should have an electronic ‘Stop’ arm on the external side just beneath the drivers’ door. Such an ‘arm’ comes out electronically and includes two red flashers which flash when the bus stops.
* The bus windows should open towards the upper side only and should not consist of any iron or steel bars. The windows should be tinted at 50 per cent.
* There should not be any foldable seats in the buses. The bus passageway should be empty without any obstacles. There should not be hand rests, ashtrays in or behind the seats.
* There should be adequate space for storing the bags. The spaces should be safe and in no way, should bags fall down in case of an emergency. The bus passageways must be covered by a layer of uninflammable and anti-slippery rubber. There must be electronic doors which can be open or closed only by the drivers.
* The maximum speed of the buses must not exceed 80km per hour. There must be a speed controlling system in the same connection.
* Seat belts must be available for all the seats. The buses should have fire extinguishers and first aid kit. The buses must have emergency exits according to the bus capacity with indicators and without any obstacles.
* Who Can be a School Bus Driver
The person should be a holder of a heavy bus driving licence and has to register and attend the training and test. He should be at least 25 years old with no criminal records. He must also submit a health certificate.
* The driver must speak either English or Arabic to pass the theory test conducted by the authority.
* The permit issued to a driver will be valid for one year after which needs to be renewed again. For this, he again has to undertake training and a test.
* The driver must wear a clean uniform and should not be eat or drink during trips.
All schools have to provide transportation for the students. Adequate transportation must also be provided to the handicapped students.
* Schools have to appoint an officer responsible for school buses. His contract details must be with the authority and the parents. Schools must also designate the student’s seat in each bus. The rear seats of the bus must be only for the female students. The front seats will be for males. • Schools must ensure that there is a maintenance schedule for each bus. The schools must also ensure that drivers are send to the training courses.
എറണാകുളത്തു വീട് വില്ക്കാനുണ്ട്
അന്പതാം വിവാഹ വാര്ഷികാശംസകള്
പ്രവാസി രക്ഷാകര്തൃത്വം
പ്രവാസി രക്ഷാകര്തൃത്വം 
കൂടുതല് വിവരങ്ങള്ക്ക് സന്ദര്ശിക്കുക visit http://www.pravasibandhu.com
Too much TV can be risky for kids
Too much TV can be risky for kids
1 Jan 2009, ANI
MELBOURNE: A new study has found that too much television during school holidays can put children at greater health risks.
In the study over 4500 Australian school children, the researchers found that they were spending 70 pct of their time sitting in front of TV screens during holidays.
Moreover, 10 per cent of boys are “extreme screeners” – glued to a screen for 7.5 hours a day.
Study author and University of South Australia Professor Tim Olds has warned parents to keep their children away from screens these holidays.
“Don’t put a TV in their room, switch it off when it’s not being used and make rules around watching TV, using computers and playing games,” the Courier Mail quoted Professor Olds as saying.
“It seems (from the health data collected in the study) to be more important to get kids away from the screen than getting them to run around,” he added.
The study also found that obese or poor children generally spent more time watching screens than their thinner or wealthier peers.
It also showed that girls spent 30 to 60 minutes less a day watching a TV or computer, but their health became poorer as they moved through their teens and became less active than boys.
Professor Olds said fewer students now walked or cycled to school.
“This research highlights how important it is that parents encourage children to be active during the holiday periods,” he added.
Now we can see jay walkers
The pedestrian over bridge in front of Abu Dhabi mall is getting ready. The wide road and speeding traffic, it was getting scary for all those who wanted to go across. Now that the bridge is ready, how can we change our hold habits. I am sure, we will get to see the newly derived group of careless pedestrians – i.e. jay walkers – crossing the road even if there is a beautiful bridge just near to them… Follow the rules and let safety be first.
ClicksandWrites 
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