As I peek into the lives and times of century-old companies, I am struggling to find that one common element in all of them. Is there one at all? Or are there many? And does knitting all of them together make for the creation of a true-blue timeless brand that has the ability to nurture the love of every generation it caters to, has catered to and will cater to in the future?
The 17 companies [profiled in this issue] span literally every type of enterprise there is to mention. There are the biggies from the realm of products and services (Tata Steel and Tata Power), there are banks (Bank of Baroda and Central Bank of India) and companies that span every other type of enterprise that finds a use at home or office. There is the grower and marketer of the coffee bean (Tata Coffee), the guys who got us that syrupy ruby-colored drink called Rooh-Afza (Hamdard), the makers of the best Good Day biscuit (Britannia Industries) and the guys who help you paint the walls of your life white, yellow and green (Berger Paints). And there are more to munch on this list.
These companies have created timeless brands that have helped them bridge the gap that generations leave behind them to the benefit of their top-line, bottom-line and affection-line equally. If you really think of the companies on this list, affection for sure is a common sentiment that arises, directly in some cases and indirectly in some others.
I do believe timeless brands are created by companies that believe in timeless values. Three for now.
Trust Tops the List
Bu hikaye Outlook Business dergisinin August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Outlook Business dergisinin August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Scale Stimulus
For technology start-ups, growth funding serves as the catalyst to scale, innovate, expand into new markets and make critical hires. New capital brings strategic value through investor expertise and industry network, customer introductions, helps maintain operational efficiency and mitigate cashflow challenges.The landscape of venture and growth financings in India has undergone a major shift since the pre-Covid era. The pandemic gave rise to a low-interest rate environment which saw an unprecedented inflow of capital into Indian start-ups with a very strong focus on high growth, often at the cost of high burn. Post-pandemic, the environment has seen a significant shift in focus towards sustainable growth, profitability and efficient unit economics.
The Best Valuation Need Not Be the Highest
Info Edge founder and veteran start-up investor Sanjeev Bikhchandani talks to Deepsekhar Choudhury about high valuations and corporate governance in start-ups. Edited excerpts
GCCS Shaping Start-Ups
The remarkable journey of global capability centres (GCCs) in India continues to set new benchmarks, enriching the nation's economic narrative.
Behind the Scenes
Evaluating start-ups is more than number crunching. While some factors are quantifiable, many are more nuanced. Here's a sneak peek inside the war room from where the rankings emerged
Start-Ups have Generated 17.28 Lakh Direct Jobs
Amardeep Singh Bhatia, secretary, department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) tells Pushpita Dey about the government's various schemes to give start-ups a leg up.
On the Road Less Travelled
Our entrepreneurial journey as the founders of the CarDekho group proves the fact that ambition and ingenuity can flourish in the most unexpected places.
Being Local Matters
India's rapidly evolving consumer market, backed by a young, progressive population and a flourishing middle class, is a landscape of opportunity and complex challenges.
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE: OUTLOOK BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT - ACHIEVERS AWARDS 2024
Recognizing Visionaries Who Inspire Growth, Innovation, and Progress
At the End of the Day, You Bet on Founders
Zerodha founder and chief executive Nithin Kamath tells Deepsekhar Choudhury that the philosophy of a company is what sets it apart and makes it special. Edited excerpts
Time to Go Global
India's defence and space start-up ecosystems have witnessed exponential growth in recent years, with over 1,000 defence and 250 space start-ups driving deep-tech innovation. Government initiatives such as Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), positive indigenisation lists and allocation of 75% of the defence capital budget for domestic procurement, along with support from Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (InSpace), have created vast opportunities.
