CATEGORIES

The Peril of Prioritising Start-Up Expansion over Positive Cash Flow

Show me the money!\" screamed the character played by Cuba Gooding Jr in the Hollywood hit movie Jerry McGuire. He may as well have been saying this to start-ups. It encapsulates a fundamental principle in the valuation of businesses: the importance of positive cash flow.

The Start-Up World between IITs and IIMs

Is it necessary for a founder to be an alumnus of India's elite institutes, such as IIT's or IIMs? One way of analysing this question is by re-orienting it to look at the outcomes: \"Will an education from an elite institution make me an elite founder?\" Or, to consider another problem-solving paradigm: \"Is a founder really a founder unless they have received the stamp and branding of these institutions?\" Or a more accurate one: \"What is it about becoming an entrepreneur that requires such credentials?\"

It is Never Too Early to Pay Attention to Unit Economics

India's start-up ecosystem, comprising founders, investors and experienced start-up professionals, has lived through multiple phases in its journey. It has seen the euphoria of high growth and rising valuations. It has also battled the challenges of high cash burn and funding squeeze.

Entrepreneur's Balance

The entrepreneurial roller coaster can often get turbulent and the lesson I have learned over the years is that the delicate balance between unit economics and growth can calm the choppiness.

THE MARKET LEADER

Our rankings begin with profiles of the best performing growth-stage start-ups in five major sectors. We also put the spotlight on three emerging sectors. Through company financials and other data, we analyse why these are the hottest start-ups

Praycation: Religion To The Rescue Of Covid-Battered Travel Sector

By investing in the development of pilgrimage destinations, governments are harnessing the potential of religious tourism as a growth driver for the overall tourism sector. At the same time, it is good politics too

LUXURY PLAYTHINGS

From opulent gadgets to high-end leisure essentials, some products are passport to a refined globetrotting experience. Kartikeya Shankar lists the ones that travellers should invest in

For The Pleasure Of Waiting

Airports are increasingly being designed or revamped to make waiting a memorable experience for passengers. From food to shopping to entertainment, they have it all covered

JETSETTER'S GUIDE TO BUSINESS TRAVEL

Business travel is an important pillar of the tourism sector. Navjit Ahluwalia, senior vice president and India head of hospitality behemoth Hilton, lists his top five preferred business travel destinations, each offering a mix of economic vitality, cultural richness and infrastructure

THE SOCIAL INTROVERT

Amit Choudhary, chief operating officer of IT services major Wipro, is a self-confessed introvert who loves planning most of his non-work activities, be they golfing, skiing, playing board games or watching movies, around his family and friends

Madhivanan Balakrishnan: IDFC FIRST is digitally savvy, knows customers well to build services around their needs

IDFC FIRST Bank has posted stellar results in the recent past. Riding on its digital capabilities, the bank is looking at constant innovation to serve its customers better. In a freewheeling interview with Suchetana Ray, editor, Outlook Business, and Nidhi Sinha, editor, Outlook Money, the bank's executive director and chief operating officer Madhivanan Balakrishnan talks about the bank's strategies, including the use of its digital capabilities, to enhance customer experience. Edited excerpts:

NITIN GADKARI HIGH ON HIGHWAYS

Within the story of India's rapid infrastructure development, it is hard to miss the swanky expressways and highways that are giving the much-needed thrust to the country's ambitions. The man behind the massive infra push is Nitin Gadkari, minister of road transport and highways. In conversation with Neeraj Thakur and Rajat Mishra, Gadkari talks about his strategies for growth and dealing with issues like land acquisition and infrastructure financing. He also responds to the Comptroller and Auditor General's charge on Dwarka Expressway. Edited excerpts:

LANDS THAT MEAN BUSINESS

Whether it is the bustling business districts of France, the tech-driven atmosphere of Ireland or the financial powerhouses of Germany and the US, each destination offers unique advantages for business travellers

TEEING OFF: The Subtle Draw of Golf Course Beyond the Game

Golfing destinations are not just for professional golfers. Their exquisite and serene locations provide a perfect opportunity for family holidays as well as corporate gatherings. While there are several popular international destinations that offer golf holidays, India is fast catching up

The OPULENT TOUCH to Travel

The luxury travel segment is growing worldwide, with travel enthusiasts with deep pockets willing to pay whatever it takes for experiences that are unique, lavish and unforgettable

Vinita Bhatia: WHEN THE BUSINESS HOTEL RISES WITH A DIFFERENCE

Uniqueness, be it in terms of service offerings, additional amenities or environment sensitivity, is helping major business hotels stand apart in the crowd

ESG CHECK-IN FOR RESPONSIBLE HOSPITALITY

The interests of the hospitality industry are deeply intertwined with those of the environment and people. It must prove its commitment to upholding global environmental, social and governance standards for its survival and growth

The Corporate Travel Conundrum

Business travel was once a badge of honour. As corporate soldiers, we once used to march around at airport lounges, dressed in our navy and grey suits, holding on to our leather carry-on bags, with a copy of The Financial Times tucked under our arms.

India's MICE Market Needs an Uplift

India’s booming economy and rising number of business visitors have contributed to the spectacular expansion of the country’s outbound meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) travel sector. Unfortunately, the same is not the case for the inbound MICE market. India attracts less than 1% of the worldwide MICE industry despite its extensive history, tourist attractions and new economic centres.

Corporate Travel Zooms Out to Reality

There are multiple shades and segments of tourism. The most notable among them are leisure, corporate, medical, education- and government-related and special interest travel. The last category includes travel for sports, films, adventure, pilgrimage and so on. Geographically, these forms of travel can be inbounded to or outbound from a country on a short haul or for long distance and for varying periods.

BLEISURE BECKONS

A portmanteau of business and leisure, rapid growth of bleisure in the last two years reflects the evolution of travel and brings hope to the hospitality and tourism industry

THE IMBALANCES IN INDIA'S GROWTH STORY

There is a serious lack of understanding regarding the connections between the real economy and the financial economy, says author Nikhil Gupta. This interconnectedness is what makes the economy a complex subject to understand. In his book, The Eight Per Cent Solution, Gupta harps on the need to make fundamental structural changes if the country wants to attain 8% economic growth rate

FinTech Game Is In The Data Cloud

With customer acquisition and retention as prime drivers, fintech players want data patterns on fingertips. They are embracing data cloud to make a concerted move towards data-informed efficiency and product innovation

TAKING OFF CONVENIENTLY

No place is far away and no travel plan difficult to make, thanks to online travel companies which have redefined convenience with their range of products and services that cater to every aspect of travel. Rajesh Magow, co-founder and group CEO of online travel company MakeMyTrip, describes five ways in which these companies have come of age in India

THE CONSTANT LEARNER

Raghavendra Vaidya, MD and CEO of Daimler Truck Innovation Center India, is a man of varied and deep interests. From riding bikes to automating things at home, from making furniture to constantly studying new subjects and listening to old Hindi songs, he pursues all of them with passion

PAINTING THE ORCHARDS RED

Coca-Cola India's Project Unnati is rejuvenating the agriculture ecosystem with its focus on efficient farming practices like ultra-high density plantation, drip irrigation, etc. This has helped apple farmers in Uttarakhand significantly raise their productivity

EMAMI'S PERSISTENT BEAR HUG

After more than four successful decades, FMCG major Emami, which owns popular brands like Navratna oil, BoroPlus, Kesh King, etc., seems to be losing its charm among retail investors. Why has it lost significant value at the bourses in the last five years?

BYJU ON THE CORPORATE GUILLOTINE

Will educator-turned-entrepreneur Byju Raveendran be sidelined in-or even ousted from-his eponymous edtech as the newly constituted board advisory council struggles to bring the company back on to the profitability path?

PRONAB SEN

'Nothing Can Correct Faulty Sampling Due to Delayed Census'

THE NOWHERE MEN & WOMEN HOW INDIA ABANDONED 14 CRORE CITIZENS ON A POLICY PAPER

The government of India runs the world's biggest food security scheme, which provides free ration to more than 80 crore people. The scheme has won Prime Minister Narendra Modi accolades. But what if we realise that there are over 14 crore people who have been omitted from the benefit of this scheme because the government has not counted Indian citizens in over a decade? Can its intransigence break the welfare structure of governance?