BUSINESS FREAK

Brand history- Nivea

2010-03-15T00:16:00.005+05:30

NIVEA is a German brand owned by Beiersdorf company, marketed in India by JL Morrison.

1911 is the birth of NIVEA Creme.

1890 Oscar had acquired the Troplowitz Beiersdorf by company founder Paul C. Beiersdorf. He successfully been producing medical plasters and the first rubber-band-aid (the forerunner of Hansaplast), as well as technical adhesive tapes (the forerunner of tesa). The scientific advisor of Oscar Troplowitz, Professor Paul Gerson Unna, drew his attention to the discovery of Dr. Isaac Lifschütz: the emulsifier "Eucerit" for determining the link between fat and water to form a stable cream base.

Eucerit, originally discovered in medicine, has now been used as base material for a new cosmetic cream - the first stable oil and moisturizing cream of the world: the NIVEA - Cream. They possessed due to their stable consistency pure white appearance - hence the name NIVEA, which is derived from the Latin nix, nivis snow.

The product range initially comprised NIVEA - cream - and powder - soap.

In 1924, the company Beiersdorf developed a fundamentally new approach to advertising. The image campaign of "NIVEA Boys" introduced a completely new, modern image, which is still in the familiar blue and white presentation showed all NIVEA products.

The social upheavals of the 20s, began associating naturalness, freshness, associated leisure fun in the sun and nature, with wind and weather with NIVEA.

1928 - 1930 The product range was extended to hair and shaving, and the respective items sold internationally.

Today Nivea has sub-brands such as NIVEA Body, Visage, Beauté, SUN, FOR MEN, Hair Care, Baby, whose history can be to trace the beginnings of NIVEA Creme.

BUSINESS FREAK 9

2008-09-03T23:40:00.023+05:30

Presenting a quiz,after an extremely long sabbatical….ENJOY!!!!!

1.Started as Bookwing Publication and Trading Company in 1984, this family business is a pioneer of publishing educational books in the country. What is the current identity of this company?

2.What is the significance of this pic. ?

3. (Before I came to Mumbai, lots of ppl had told me loads of good things about Marine Drive. But , after actually goin 2 d place , I realized whatever things I heard were nothing!!! Its simply amazing!!!!! Mesmerised by Marine Drive, lets have a lil trivia related to it!!!)

This skyscraper is supposed to come up at the Queen’s Necklace on Marine Drive in 2010. What is the claim to fame of this skyscraper? (Don’t tell me its gonna compete with Burj Dubai. By 2010, Burj Dubai would dominate the global building height stakes at about double that height!!!!)

4. This service which would be available sometime next year, transforms the car into a hotspot. Not only can the kids in the back seats play games on the internet; but the other passengers can surf too. Which company has planned to launch this service?

5. Years back, George Fernandes, asked a businessman the reason for which it took so long to get clearance for their power project, the businessman reasoned that it was because they didn’t pay bribes. Which businessman? (People who said, history doesn’t repeat itself, were so wrong!!!)

6. Identify this group from the pic. (Clue: No more they are as youthful as their counterparts!!)

7. Connect the two pics

8. Identify the logo.

9. Way back in 1930s, there was a Manufacturers’ show for a particular kind of product in Atlanta. The company in question had lack of funds to market this brand because of which they could not register for the show. So, the founder parked his car at the entrance and boosted the volume of his car radio with loudspeakers to attract attention. Thus, he encouraged the show attendees to look at his product. Thus began the popularity of which brand?

10. During WWII, American Research and Development was established. Its founder became a professor @ Harvard later on .What concept did he pioneer by establishing the above company ?

Answers only to those who care to attempt the quiz.
Suggestions, remarks and answers can be sent to nidhi148@gmail.com

BUSINESS FREAK 8

2008-04-18T18:20:00.004+05:30

1. During 1960s, In the French Alps an enterprising hotelier marketed something with the slogan “No need to rent the room, buy the hotel, its cheaper!” What first did he market by the slogan?

2. Anjaneyulu Kakkera, is busy with setting up a new retail business under the brand name of “Vah Magna.” Magna has created a network of 70 outlets occupying over 5 lakh sq ft of space. While, bulk of the outlets are located in Andhra, two of them are located in Maharashtra. Magna, operates four retail formats comprising hypermarkets, cash-and-carry stores, FoodEx supermarkets, and recently launched Super Centre. With which other retail chain would you associate the name of Anjaneyulu Kakkera?

3. DIC Entertainment, the mid-size kids' TV program producer and syndicator, is working on a direct-to-video animated kids' series called "The Secret Millionaire's Club" . What is so special about this animated series?

4. What organization/company did Peter G. Peterson and Stephen A. Schwarzman establish with a shared secretary and a balance sheet of $400,000, in 1985?

5. BBC Worldwide has launched BBCGreen.com, a consumer lifestyle website. How is this website different from other websites?

6. On March 10, a certain innovation was carried in Times of india, Dainik Jagran and Sandesh. What was the innovation and what was it meant for?

7. If Sunsilk : www.Gangofgirls.com ; ______: www.Magicofblack.com?

8. NDTV Profit has launched a contest that will require participants to register on the contest site, www.makeovermyoffice.co.in, and write a small essay about why their office needs a makeover. They can supplement their claim with pictures of the office premises. Successful participants will have their offices revamped on a reality show on NDTV Profit. The show is used as a platform to promote which company’s products?

9. ‘A Library for every school’, is a large rural education program under which, so far 25000 libraries have been setup in various government schools across AP, Karnataka, orrissa and Kerela. Who/what is behind this venture?

.10. Easy one- Which was the first Indian IT services firm to list on NASDAQ?

Suggestions, remarks and answers to be sent at nidhi148@gmail.com.
Answers to those who reply.

BUSINESS FREAK 7

2007-05-02T00:03:00.003+05:30

1. This business has its origins in 1900 when Dewan Bahadur AM _________ Chettiar established a money-lending and banking business in Burma(now Myanmar) , which then spread to Malaysia, Srilanka, Indonesia and Vietnam. The group had to strategically move its assets back to India and restart from scratch in 1930s , before the Japanese invasion in WWII. Presently it has interests in engineering, abrasives, sanitryware, fertilizers, finance , bioproducts and plantations. Name the business group in question.

2. In 1952, a first generation entrepreneur started off in a small village in Haryana by trading in steel pipes. He established a manufacturing plant near near Kolkata in 1952, producing steel pipes, bends and sockets. He then expanded to Hisar in Haryana, setting up a steel manufacturing unit. Today the group is a leading steel producer, with interests spanning across the spectrum, from mining ore, to manufacturing value-added steel products. Name the business group in question.

3.The group was founded by Thomas Leishman, a Scotsman. In 1947, X then only 22, took over as the first Indian director of the company. The company initially made its impact by manufacturing bulk beer for he British troops which was transported in huge barrels or ‘Hogsheads’. The 1950s and 1960s saw myriad expansions and acquisitions. The group also moved to agro-based industries and medicines. The group today has interests in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, alcoholic beverages, fertilizers, infrastructure development, media and international trading. Name X and the business group in question.

4. The group’s business origins can be traced to 1820, when X arrived in Kolkata from Dundlod, in Rajasthan, to do business with the British East India Company. Alongwith his brothers, he acquired several profitable agencies. By the turn of the 20^th century, his business expanded rapidly with significant diversion in banking, textiles, jute and tea. Name X and the business group in question.

5. The group began as a conference room sized assembly line in 1979 and is today a $2.5 billion conglomerate. The founder, X was a Sugarcane and cotton cultivator. He began an entrepreneurial venture by importing machinery from Europe to setup a Gangapur Sakhar Karkhana(Sugar Mill) in 1955. In the early 80s the founder initiated his three sons into the business. The group’s interests are primarily in consumer durables, but it also has a significant presence in glass, oil and gas. Name X and the business group in question.

6. The group was setup by Parmanand Deepchand ________, a young entrepreneur from Shikharpur in Sindh(now in Pakistan). He traveled to Mumbai in 1914, and quickly learnt the ropes of the business. The business journey which began in Sindh, entered the international arena with an office in Iran(the first one ouside India) in 1919. merchant banking and trade were twin pillars of the business and the group remained headquartered in Iran until 1979, when it moved to Europe. The group has expanded and diversified into business interests like Banking, Finance, Energy, Chemicals, IT/ITES, Media and entertainment, Real estate, investment banking and international trading.

7. The group was founded over three decades ago and the family has been in business and trading since 1800s when the family first moved to Mumbai from Rajasthan. In 1956, the founder moved to Chennai to begin independent business activities. In 1969, following the deise of the founde, his sons took the reins of the business. With a strong foundation in both India’s industrial core and the sunrise services sector, the group has stayed firmly at the forefront of new opportunities. The group setup India’s first independent power plant and its first generation private steel plant. Name the founder and the group.

Suggestions, remarks and answers to be sent at nidhi148@gmail.com

BUSINESS FREAK 6

2007-03-29T00:26:00.000+05:30

This connect special is a dedication to all those Moron friends who are soon to end their student quizzing and from now on be a part of corporate quizzing.
Rock the Paradise forever guys!!!!!!

ISI-1

Business-Freak 05

2007-02-15T04:29:00.000+05:30

1. The idea for this brand originated in 1858 when a Pennsylvania chemist first noticed oil workers treating cuts and burns with a residue from oil pumps. Now this brand has almost become generic to the product category.(Now don’t ask me whts a generic product!!!) What is the brand name?

2.This product was first used in Germany in WWII. Its name in german implied fantasy since considerable imagination was needed to create a palatable drink from the limited means available in the war years of austerity. What are we talking about?

3. It was initially sold as ‘Motor Spirit’, until a London based firm trademarket it to the present name. Name it

4.In the 1780s, Andrew ______ realised that Londoners were using rouges, creams and powders manufactured by him to repair the harm caused by hard soaps of that time. This led him to produce a soap. Its production process has been maintained over the two centuries. Each lot of soap takes about 10 weeks to manufacture and another 10 weeks to mellow, before each bar of soap is hand polished. Which soap are we talking about?

5.Richard Branson’s Virgin Group has a wide range of products under the Virgin brand. Name the only brand owned by this group which isn’t sold under this brand name, because it isn’t used by virgins

6. In the US a certain Barbie doll was banned by the schools. Hy?

7.Which product was the first and oly so far to be launched in the Indian Parliament ?

8. What is so special about THE Rothmans brand of cigarettes in London?

9. To the countless paramours, it is simply known as ‘The Bug’. It had its engine in the wrong place – at the rear of the compartment. Adolf Hitler was the inspiration behind this people’s car. It was designed by the legendary car designer Ferdinand Porsche. It first rolled out of the production line in Germany in 1938. Name this legendary car?

10.Washington Wentworth Sheffield was a dentist in New London, Connecticut in the mid 1880s, who developed a tooth cleaning powder that was quite popular with his patients. His son Lucius, also a dentist, helped him modify to make Dr.Sheffield’s Crème Dentifice. What first did this establish?

Business-Freak 04

2007-02-09T00:10:00.000+05:30

1.Which is the first Indian company to sponser MSN messenger, the most popular one-to-one messaging system on msn.com?

2.Which internet company sometime ago blocked the sale of Nazi memorabilia on its US auction and shopping sites, in effect catapulting it to the jurisdication of an overseas court over online material?

3.Which popular brand established in 1938 gets its name from the second name of its founder? The first of the founder was Earl.

4. Fit, Fabric, Finish and Features-These are the four Fs of the worldwide marketing strategy of which company?

5. Which brand trademarked in 1948 is associated with the Battelle Development Corporation and how?

6. Which company introduced the fully transistorized “Handie-Talkie” HT-200 FM portable two-way radio in 1962?

7. ‘Snap’, ‘Crackle’ and ‘Pop’ are amongst the most recognized characters in advertising the products of which company?

8.Identify the man in question.

9. Connect the pics.

ENJOY!!!!!!

Business-Freak 03

2007-02-01T16:51:00.000+05:30

1.Long time back, when the British ruled India, a small factory was setup in the suburbs of Mumbai, to manufacture sweets and toffees. The year was 1929 and the market was dominated by famous international brands that were imported freely. Despite the odds and unequal competition, this company survived and succeeded, by adhering to high quality and improvising from time to time. Name the company in question.(Hint: You must have watched Fiza and Page3!!!!!!)

2. There were two cousins X and Y who spent much of their youth in the family’s textile mill in western Japan that was established in 1918. When a British concern offered an impressive sum in 1929 for the rights to his latest, the family saw an opportunity to shift gears entirely and convert to automobile production. Y helped setup the family’s new manufacturing operation, while X was sent off to Tokyo Imperial University to study mechanical engineering. In 1934, the family produced an engine so identical to a Chevrolet model it accepted Chevrolet parts. Under Y’s leadership it also found revolutionary ways to boost efficiency. After receiving a degree in 1936, X returned to the business. To their dismay, the major portion of their plant was destroyed during war. The family rebuilt their plant and resumed production. Later, to understand competition, X visited Detroit. He came back with inspiration and ideas. He also developed his first yearning for international expansion, which led to exports to half a dozen countries including the US by the end of the decade. My question is which company does this story relate to?

3. Identify the logo

4. Connect the pictures

Business-Freak 02

2007-01-25T06:06:00.000+05:30

1.In scorching heat of 1969, a son of small-time farmer was trying to mix Soda Ash and few other intermediaries, to make a detergent. He was a qualified science graduate and was working as junior chemist in Government laboratoray. As a moonlighting activity, he was making detergents in the 100 sqft backyard of his home, using bare hands and bucket. Once the mixture was ready, he used to pack them in polythene bag and was selling door-to-door….. Gradually, the product became well accepted in the consumer community and the rest is known to one and all.This is a success saga of a first generation entrepreneur on his way to create history n the marketplace. Who and which company?

2. This organisation was founded in the 19^th century. The founders were influenced by the Swadeshi Movement led by mahatma Gandhi. Today this organisation is an association of Industrial and charitable trusts. The principal businesses of this organisation include tyre, paper, cement, drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Agri Genetics, Dairy and Food products, Audio Magnetic tapes, Sugar, Cosmetics, Woolen textiles, Steels, Engineering files, International trading, Hybrid seeds, Industrial Rubber products, Material Handling System etc.. Which organisation?

3. X co. has had a rich history, starting with Nathan Cummings' purchase of the C.D. Kenny Company in 1939. In 1956, Consolidated Foods Corporation acquires X and enters the retail food business by acquiring 34 Piggly Wiggly supermarkets. After over 65 years of development into one of the world's leading branded consumer packaged goods companies.It also has a JV with Y in Y’s country. Recently, as a part of the JV’s image makeover, it has signed a leading actress Z from Y’s country. Name X, Y and Z.

4.Connect the pics

Business-Freak 01

2007-01-25T05:43:00.000+05:30

1.Who is the author of a book named Ale and Arty?

2. In 2002, Bank of America got benefits to the tune of $2 million. It was because of what?

3.This was first introduced in Pureto Rico in 1947 and thereafter by Ireland in 1960. Its first of its kind came up in Asia at Kandla(Gujarat) in 1965 ; later also at Shenzen in China and Pudong
near Shanghai. The one in Jebel Ali in UAE came up much later in 1980s.What are we talking about? (Hint:These are grabbing lots of space in media and India)

4. It was established in 1968. Mr. Fakir Chand Kohli, an accomplished Power Engineer, was brought in as its first General Manager , from the erstwhile Tata Electric Companies (and now The Tata Power Company Limited), where he was a Deputy General Manager. Its first software export project was undertaken in 1974 when it converted the Hospital Information System from Burroughs Medium Systems COBOL to Burroughs Small Systems COBOL. This project was carried out entirely in its Mumbai workstation on the ICL 1903 Computer. A team of more than 12 people delivered this project to their first US based customer, and thus the Indian Software Export Industry was born. Which corporate giant are we talking about? (Hint: This company has created a record of sorts recently)

5. Its roots date back to two telegraph companies, Eastern Telegraph Co. (ETC) (founded 1872) and Indian RadioTelegraph Co. (IRT)(1927). The two merged in 1932 to form Indian Radio and Cable Communications Co. (IRCC). Later IRCC was renamed as ________. It was incorporated on April 1, 1986 as a wholly owned government entity under the Indian
Companies Act, 1956. Its traded on BSE as 500483. Which company are we talking about?