I have always held the view that you should have your own medical and life insurance – do not trust your company to cover you sensibly. Most general insurance (medical) decisions in corporate India is a finance and HR decisions. Rarely, if at all are they equipped to handle this decision. Let me give you […]
A few industries that I have been seeing from close quarters – and have very strong views on are food and health, pharma, financial services. One thing clear in all the 3 industries – the more you complicate, the more money you can make. So whether it is a Kellog, or a Gillette they can […]
A finance ministry official says “If foreigners are allowed to invest directly in India, volatility will go down in Indian markets”. I am completely unable to understand this. Like I cannot understand what is wrong with Intra day or Intra month volatility! Markets have always been volatile – the question is how volatile that […]
I met a well to do Financial Advisor, or rather should I say almost Ex-Financial advisor. He is in the business of mutual fund distribution, given up life insurance and general insurance distribution, does not entertain clients any more for direct equity, and does financial hand-holding for SMEs. He tried his hand at fee based […]
When I speak to well informed and educated investors (and advisers) the biggest retirement income worries seem to be the following: Market volatility, Regulatory changes, Medical expenses not covered by their medical insurance, Inability to maintain a complex portfolio beyond a particular age, Inflation and poor financial understanding. All these fears seem to be valid, […]
Either the financial services industry is full of people who announce business plans for time pass or I have brilliant 20/20 vision. When Big Bazaar group entered the financial services business, there was a chuckle. However they hired a top notch very (and frightfully) expensive executive….rumored to be paid a few million dollars (US!) then […]
When you speak to a CXO level of person there are somethings you do not want to hear: – You know our systems, na….this is how it works! – Oh! this is just a small error – it is not symptomatic. – I know it is wrong…but everybody in our industry is doing it. Yuck. […]