DEFINITION of Entrepreneur

DEFINITION OF 'ENTREPRENEUR'

An individual who, rather than working as an employee, runs a small business and

assumes all the risk and reward of a given business venture, idea, or good or

service offered for sale. The entrepreneur is commonly seen as a business leader

and innovator of new ideas and business processes.

.

Meaning

An entrepreneur supplies risk capital as a risk taker,

and monitors and controls the business activities. The entrepreneur is usually a sole

proprietor, a partner, or the one who owns the majority of shares in

an incorporated venture.

According to economist Joseph Alois Schumpeter (1883-1950), entrepreneurs are

not necessarily motivated by profit but regard it as a standard for measuring

achievement or success. Schumpeter discovered that they

1. greatlyvalueself-reliance,

2. strive for distinction through excellence,

3. are highly optimistic (otherwise nothing would be undertaken), and

4. always favor challenges of mediumrisk(neither too easy, nor ruinous).

Entrepreneurship is the process of starting a business or other organization.

The entrepreneur develops a business model, acquires the human and other

required resources, and is fully responsible for its success or failure.

Entrepreneurship operates within an entrepreneurship ecosystem

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25 Common Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs

Regardless of your definition of success, there are, oddly enough, a great number

of common characteristics that are shared by successful businesspeople. You can

place a check beside each characteristic that you feel that you possess. This way,

you can see how you stack up. Even if you don't have all of these characteristics,

don't fret. Most can be learned with practice and by developing a winning attitude,

especially if you set goals and apply yourself, through strategic planning, to reach

those goals in incremental and measurable stages.

1. Do what you enjoy.

What you get out of your business in the form of personal satisfaction, financial

gain, stability and enjoyment will be the sum of what you put into your business.

So if you don't enjoy what you're doing, in all likelihood it's safe to assume that

will be reflected in the success of your business--or subsequent lack of success. In

fact, if you don't enjoy what you're doing, chances are you won't succeed.

2. Take what you do seriously.

You cannot expect to be effective and successful in business unless you truly

believe in your business and in the goods and services that you sell. Far too many

home business owners fail to take their own businesses seriously enough, getting

easily sidetracked and not staying motivated and keeping their noses to the

grindstone. They also fall prey to naysayers who don't take them seriously because

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they don't work from an office building, office park, storefront, or factory. Little do

these skeptics, who rain on the home business owner's parade, know is that the

number of people working from home, and making very good annual incomes, has

grown by leaps and bounds in recent years.

3. Plan everything.

Planning every aspect of your home business is not only a must, but also builds

habits that every home business owner should develop, implement, and maintain.

The act of business planning is so important because it requires you to analyze

each business situation, research and compile data, and make conclusions based

mainly on the facts as revealed through the research. Business planning also serves

a second function, which is having your goals and how you will achieve them, on

paper. You can use the plan that you create both as map to take you from point A

to Z and as a yardstick to measure the success of each individual plan or segment

within the plan.

4. Manage money wisely.

The lifeblood of any business enterprise is cash flow. You need it to buy inventory,

pay for services, promote and market your business, repair and replace tools and

equipment, and pay yourself so that you can continue to work. Therefore, all home

business owners must become wise money managers to ensure that the cash keeps

flowing and the bills get paid. There are two aspects to wise money management.

1. The money you receive from clients in exchange for your goods and services

you provide (income)

2. The money you spend on inventory, supplies, wages and other items

required to keep your business operating. (expenses)

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5. Ask for the sale.

A home business entrepreneur must always remember that marketing, advertising,

or promotional activities are completely worthless, regardless of how clever,

expensive, or perfectly targeted they are, unless one simple thing is accomplished--

ask for the sale. This is not to say that being a great salesperson, advertising

copywriting whiz or a public relations specialist isn't a tremendous asset to your

business. However, all of these skills will be for naught if you do not actively ask

people to buy what you are selling.

6. Remember it's all about the customer.

Your home business is not about the products or services that you sell. Your home

business is not about the prices that you charge for your goods and services. Your

home business is not about your competition and how to beat them. Your business

is all about your customers, or clients, period. After all, your customers are the

people that will ultimately decide if your business goes boom or bust. Everything

you do in business must be customer focused, including your policies, warranties,

payment options, operating hours, presentations, advertising and promotional

campaigns and website. In addition, you must know who your customers are inside

out and upside down.

7. Become a shameless self-promoter (without becoming obnoxious).

One of the greatest myths about personal or business success is that eventually

your business, personal abilities, products or services will get discovered and be

embraced by the masses that will beat a path to your door to buy what you are

selling. But how can this happen if no one knows who you are, what you sell and

why they should be buying?

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Self-promotion is one of the most beneficial, yet most underutilized, marketing

tools that the majority of home business owners have at their immediate disposal.

8. Project a positive business image.

You have but a passing moment to make a positive and memorable impression on

people with whom you intend to do business. Home business owners must go out

of their way and make a conscious effort to always project the most professional

business image possible. The majority of home business owners do not have the

advantage of elaborate offices or elegant storefronts and showrooms to wow

prospects and impress customers. Instead, they must rely on imagination, creativity

and attention to the smallest detail when creating and maintaining a professional

image for their home business.

9. Get to know your customers.

One of the biggest features and often the most significant competitive edge the

home based entrepreneur has over the larger competitors is the he can offer

personalized attention. Call it high-tech backlash if you will, but customers are sick

and tired of hearing that their information is somewhere in the computer and must

be retrieved, or told to push a dozen digits to finally get to the right department

only to end up with voice mail--from which they never receive a return phone call.

The home business owner can actually answer phone calls, get to know customers,

provide personal attention and win over repeat business by doing so. It's a

researched fact that most business (80 percent) will come from repeat customers

rather than new customers. Therefore, along with trying to draw newcomers, the

more you can do to woo your regular customers, the better off you will be in the

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long run and personalized attention is very much appreciated and remembered in

the modern high tech world.

10. Level the playing field with technology.

You should avoid getting overly caught up in the high-tech world, but you should

also know how to take advantage of using it. One of the most amazing aspects of

the internet is that a one or two person business operating from a basement can

have a superior website to a $50 million company, and nobody knows the

difference. Make sure you're keeping up with the high-tech world as it suits your

needs.. The best technology is that which helps you, not that which impresses your

neighbors.

11. Build a top-notch business team.

No one person can build a successful business alone. It's a task that requires a team

that is as committed as you to the business and its success. Your business team

may include family members, friends, suppliers, business alliances, employees,

sub-contractors, industry and business associations, local government and the

community. Of course the most important team members will be your customers or

clients. Any or all may have a say in how your business will function and a stake in

your business future.

12. Become known as an expert.

When you have a problem that needs to be solved, do you seek just anyone's

advice or do you seek an expert in the field to help solve your particular problem?

Obviously, you want the most accurate information and assistance that you can get.

You naturally seek an expert to help solve your problem. You call a plumber when

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the hot water tank leaks, a real estate agent when it's time to sell your home or a

dentist when you have a toothache. Therefore, it only stands to reason that the

more you become known for your expertise in your business, the more people will

seek you out to tap into your expertise, creating more selling and referral

opportunities. In effect, becoming known as an expert is another style of

prospecting for new business, just in reverse. Instead of finding new and qualified

people to sell to, these people seek you out for your expertise.

13. Create a competitive advantage.

A home business must have a clearly defined unique selling proposition. This is

nothing more than a fancy way of asking the vital question, "Why will people

choose to do business with you or purchase your product or service instead of

doing business with a competitor and buying his product or service?" In other

words, what one aspect or combination of aspects is going to separate your

business from your competition? Will it be better service, a longer warranty, better

selection, longer business hours, more flexible payment options, lowest price,

personalized service, better customer service, better return and exchange policies

or a combination of several of these?

14. Invest in yourself.

Top entrepreneurs buy and read business and marketing books, magazines, reports,

journals, newsletters, websites and industry publications, knowing that these

resources will improve their understanding of business and marketing functions

and skills. They join business associations and clubs, and they network with other

skilled business people to learn their secrets of success and help define their own

goals and objectives. Top entrepreneurs attend business and marketing seminars,

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workshops and training courses, even if they have already mastered the subject

matter of the event. They do this because they know that education is an ongoing

process. There are usually ways to do things better, in less time, with less effort. In

short, top entrepreneurs never stop investing in the most powerful, effective and

best business and marketing tool at their immediate disposal--themselves.

15. Be accessible.

We're living in a time when we all expect our fast food lunch at the drive-thru

window to be ready in mere minutes, our dry cleaning to be ready for pick-up on

the same day, our money to be available at the cash machine and our pizza

delivered in 30 minutes or it's free. You see the pattern developing--you must make

it as easy as you can for people to do business with you, regardless of the home

business you operate.

You must remain cognizant of the fact that few people will work hard, go out of

their way, or be inconvenienced just for the privilege of giving you their hard-

earned money. The shoe is always on the other foot. Making it easy for people to

do business with you means that you must be accessible and knowledgeable about

your products and services. You must be able to provide customers with what they

want, when they want it.

16. Build a rock-solid reputation.

A good reputation is unquestionably one of the home business owner's most

tangible and marketable assets. You can't simply buy a good reputation; it's

something that you earn by honoring your promises. If you promise to have the

merchandise in the customer's hands by Wednesday, you have no excuse not to

have it there. If you offer to repair something, you need to make good on your

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offer. Consistency in what you offer is the other key factor. If you cannot come

through with the same level of service (and products) for clients on a regular basis,

they have no reason to trust you . . . and without trust, you won't have a good

reputation.

17. Sell benefits.

Pushing product features is for inexperienced or wannabe entrepreneurs. Selling

the benefits associated with owning and using the products and services you carry

is what sales professionals worldwide focus on to create buying excitement and to

sell, sell more, and sell more frequently to their customers. Your advertising, sales

presentations, printed marketing materials, product packaging, website,

newsletters, trade show exhibit and signage are vital. Every time and every

medium used to communicate with your target audience must always be selling the

benefits associated with owning your product or using your service.

18. Get involved.

Always go out of your way to get involved in the community that supports your

business. You can do this in many ways, such as pitching in to help local charities

or the food bank, becoming involved in organizing community events, and getting

involved in local politics. You can join associations and clubs that concentrate on

programs and policies designed to improve the local community. It's a fact that

people like to do business with people they know, like and respect, and with people

who do things to help them as members of the community.

19. Grab attention.

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Small-business owners cannot waste time, money and energy on promotional

activities aimed at building awareness solely through long-term, repeated exposure.

If you do, chances are you will go broke long before this goal is accomplished.

Instead, every promotional activity you engage in, must put money back in your

pocket so that you can continue to grab more attention and grow your business.

20. Master the art of negotiations.

The ability to negotiate effectively is unquestionably a skill that every home

business owner must make every effort to master. It's perhaps second in

importance only to asking for the sale in terms of home business musts. In

business, negotiation skills are used daily. Always remember that mastering the art

of negotiation means that your skills are so finely tuned that you can always

orchestrate a win-win situation. These win-win arrangements mean that everyone

involved feels they have won, which is really the basis for building long-term and

profitable business relationships.

21. Design Your workspace for success.

Carefully plan and design your home office workspace to ensure maximum

personal performance and productivity and, if necessary, to project professionalism

for visiting clients. If at all possible, resist the temptation to turn a corner of the

living room or your bedroom into your office. Ideally, you'll want a separate room

with a door that closes to keep business activities in and family members out, at

least during prime business and revenue generating hours of the day. A den, spare

bedroom, basement or converted garage are all ideal candidates for your new home

office. If this is not possible, you'll have to find a means of converting a room with

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a partition or simply find hours to do the bulk of your work when nobody else is

home.

22. Get and stay organized.

The key to staying organized is not about which type of file you have or whether

you keep a stack or two of papers on your desk, but it's about managing your

business. It's about having systems in place to do things. Therefore, you wan to

establish a routine by which you can accomplish as much as possible in a given

workday, whether that's three hours for a part-time business or seven or nine hours

as a full-timer. In fact, you should develop systems and routines for just about

every single business activity. Small things such as creating a to-do list at the end

of each business day, or for the week, will help keep you on top of important tasks

to tackle. Creating a single calendar to work from, not multiple sets for individual

tasks or jobs, will also ensure that jobs are completed on schedule and

appointments kept. Incorporating family and personal activities into your work

calendar is also critical so that you work and plan from a single calendar.

23. Take time off.

The temptation to work around the clock is very real for some home business

owners. After all, you don't have a manager telling you it's time to go home

because they can't afford the overtime pay. Every person working from home must

take time to establish a regular work schedule that includes time to stretch your

legs and take lunch breaks, plus some days off and scheduled vacations. Create the

schedule as soon as you have made the commitment to start a home business. Of

course, your schedule will have to be flexible. You should, therefore, not fill every

possible hour in the day. Give yourself a backup hour or two. All work and no play

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makes you burn out very fast and grumpy customer service is not what people

want.

24. Limit the number of hats you wear.

It's difficult for most business owners not to take a hands-on approach. They try to

do as much as possible and tackle as many tasks as possible in their business. The

ability to multitask, in fact, is a common trait shared by successful entrepreneurs.

However, once in a while you have to stand back and look beyond today to

determine what's in the best interest of your business and yourself over the long

run. Most highly successful entrepreneurs will tell you that from the time they

started out, they knew what they were good at and what tasks to delegate to others.

25. Follow-up constantly.

Constant contact, follow-up, and follow-through with customers, prospects, and

business alliances should be the mantra of every home business owner, new or

established. Constant and consistent follow-up enables you to turn prospects into

customers, increase the value of each sale and buying frequency from existing

customers, and build stronger business relationships with suppliers and your core

business team. Follow-up is especially important with your existing customer base,

as the real work begins after the sale. It's easy to sell one product or service, but it

takes work to retain customers and keep them coming back.

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Mr C V Jacob

Chairman

Synthite Industries Ltd

Born in 1933, in an Orthodox Christian family at Kolenchery, Mr. C V Jacob

started his career in Cardamom trade and auctions. In 1951 at the age of 18, he

took up the family business of civil engineering contracts. Realising the scope for

further expansion, on his initiative, a partnership firm was set up in 1954 which

took up several prestigious civil engineering contracts in Sabarigiri and Idukki

hydro electric projects. He specialised in tunneling and bridges which helped in the

progress of the firm. His Engineering works in the early days of his career include:

1. Interconnecting tunnel in Sabarigiri Project between 1961 to 1964.

2. Access tunnel to Moolamattom underground powerhouse between 1964 and

1966.

3. Diversion tunnel at Anairangal dam between 1959 and 1960.

4. Bridges at Kalarkutty Hydro Electric Project.

5. Several works in National Highway and a 600 feet long Ramamangalam Bridge

across Muvattupuzha river etc.

He made his maiden entry into the industrial-front through Arborites (P) Ltd., in

1965, for manufacture of urea-formaldehyde resin. In 1967 he established Slabs

and Aggregates - a fully mechanised quarry and granite crushing unit, first of its

kind in Kerala, for the production of granite aggregates which employs over 200

workers.

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Though destined for civil engineering construction, he pioneered into Spice

oleoresin industry in 1972 and established Synthite Industrial Chemicals Ltd, now

renamed as 'Synthite Industries Ltd'. Spice Oleoresin was a non-traditional product

for export at that time. Started in a small way it has today become a conglomerate

with a group turnover of Rs. 700 crores. Currently, Synthite contributes 50% of

India's export of spice oils & oleoresins and this share is equivalent to 35% of the

world demand. Synthite has a portfolio of 500 products from spice oleoresins,

essential oils, natural food colours, functional food ingredients, flavours etc. It is

this industry which has projected India's image to the world in spices and its value

added products. Synthite has won National Awards for outstanding export

performance during the years 1976-77, 1977-78, 1978-79, 1983-84 and 1990-91

from the President of India, and export awards and rolling trophies of Spices Board

regularly from 1976 onwards.

Synthite has been constantly evolving to meet the world demand through its strong

R&D base viz. C.U. Varkey Centre for Research and Quality Assurance. This

R&D centre is recognized by the Department of Science and Technology,

Government of India. It is Mr.Jacob's philosophy and vision that prompted the

group to set up different processing plants close to the raw material growing

centres to optimize the cost of production.

Accordingly the following units were established:

1. Herbal Isolates (P) Ltd., Vadavucode , Ernakulam established in 1984

2. Synthite Industries Ltd, Fragrance Division, Maradur, Tamil Nadu instituted in

1986 for the extraction of floral concretes and absolutes. Attached to this unit,

floriculture nursery was initiated to distribute saplings to farmers. This enabled

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employment to 1000 village workers. Marigold cultivation was introduced in

India in a commercial scale for the first time, creating employment for 14000

farmers in approximately 15000 acres of land.

3. Sijmak Oils (P) Ltd., Chelambra, Malapuram Dist. a sick industrial unit was

taken over and re-established in 1992

4. Synthite Industries Ltd, Harihar Division, Karnataka was commissioned in 2001

for the processing of chilly.

5. Synthite Industries Ltd. Spice Ingredients Division. Synthite Taste Park,

Pancode. Established in 2006

6. Synthite Industries Ltd, Khammam Division, Andhra Pradesh started in 2008 for

deseeding of chilly.

7. Synthite Industries Ltd, Ongole Andhra Pradesh in 2013

In addition, the following institutions have been established by Mr. Jacob

1. Synthite Properties and Investments (P) Ltd. established in 1993, built a centrally

air conditioned Housing Project, first of its kind in South India and now its civil

construction and housing projects.

2. Riviera Suites, Cochin, an apartment hotel first of its kind in Kerala was set up in

1998.

3. Synthite Exports Private Limited, established in 2000 for export of traded items

4. A five star property in Cochin named Ramada Lake Resort & Spa, Kumbalam in

2008

In addition, the following diversification were also made

Synthite has partnered with Aromco UK, a leading sweet and confectionery flavor

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manufacturer, to form Aromco India. The new company offers an outstanding

range of sweet and savory flavor profiles, in liquid, emulsion and powder form

designed for use in all applications. Synthite has also established a Joint Venture

with Omega Savory Technology, Austria to form Symega which is focused on the

manufacture of savory ingredients and seasonings for the food industry.

Synthite Industries Limited was accorded ISO 9001 certification with HACCP in

August 1994 - the first food company in India to obtain the same. In the year 2005,

Synthite Lab received NABL accreditation. Its facility is now certified with ISO

22000, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 & PAS 99, FSSAI

As part of the backward integration programme Vanilla Plantation was initiated by

the group under Mr. Jacob's leadership.

Besides the co-generation of electricity and steam by its own agro waste as fuel the

group has established wind farms in Tamil Nadu for exploiting non conventional

wind energy for power generation.

Excellent industrial relations and labour management

The group provides employment to more than 2000 people directly and meets the

livelihood of thousands of farmers in rural areas indirectly. He maintains excellent

relations with employees at all levels and for the past 39 years the group has not

lost even a single day for labour unrest. This has been made possible by

implementing sound social security schemes in all the group companies. He has

been one of the first to implement the pension scheme in the private sector

covering all the employees from the lowest paid to the highest in the early 90's.

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His social awareness and commitment to the poor prompted him to establish

Synthite Silver Jubilee Charitable Trust on 11.11.1997 to commemorate the silver

jubilee year of the company. Now this trust is rechristened as 'CVJ Foundation'.

This trust carries out the following activities :

1. PARPPEDAM - a housing scheme

2. SPANDANAM - Heart surgery

3. PRAKASHAM - Cataract surgery scheme

4. VIDHYADHANAM - scholarship scheme for deserving students

5. SURAKSHA - An insurance scheme for the BPL people

Under the Parppedam scheme, the Trust constructs houses for the poor who do

not have houses of their own. Preference is given to widows, handicapped and the

physically weak persons. More than 70 houses have been built under this scheme

since its inception spending more than Rs 70 lakhs

Spandanam: This scheme is intended to help heart patients who can not afford to

meet hospital expenses to undertake bypass surgery.

Prakasham: Cataract surgery - The trust in collaboration with Ophthalmology

department of Malankara Medical Mission Medical College Hospital conducts free

cataract surgery and implants lens free of cost.

Vidhyadhanam: Extending financial support to economically weaker students

with high merit and rank for professional education. The scholarship is given to

deserving candidates in the disciplines of Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture,

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Chemistry, Food Technology and Art.

Suraksha: Medical Insurance for people below poverty line. In assocaition with

United India Insurance Company, the Trust introduced a Viswa Arogya Medical

Insurance Policy for the people Below Poverty Line in Aikaranadu Gramma

Panchayath. Under this scheme, over 1600 families comprise 7000 people were

covered. As per the scheme, each family is eligible for medical insurance up to

Rs.30,000/- per year. This scheme is the first by any private sector undertaking in

India.

Community project (Drinking Water Scheme)

The Trust has undertaken a drinking water scheme in Kakkanchery in Malappuram

District. and in other drought prone areas in the State to supply drinking water to

the poor

Substantial amount is set apart by the Trust every year to carry out such charitable

programs under the above schemes.

He has received the following awards:

1. 'Udyog Patra' award from the Vice-President of India in 1978

2. 'Vyvasayasree' award from Ernakulam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

3. Appreciation award from Fragrance and Flavor Association of India 1997

4. For the sake of Honor Award , Rotary 2000

5. Jaycees Business Entrepreneur Award 2003

6. Akshaya Award 2003

7. Kerala Managemnt Leadership Award 2005

8. 'Sesqui Centenary International Award' from YMCA South West India Region

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9. Ethical Business Person - Instituted by GTK Memorial Trust & The Alumni

Association of St. Thomas College, Palai 2010

10."V.C Padmanabhan Memorial Award" for "Business Excellence leading to

development of Society at large" instituted by Manappuram Foundation in the

year 2012

Widely travelled in Europe, USA, Canada, Japan and other industrial nations, he

has attended the following conferences:

1. Expo '70 (Japan).

2. Anuga Fair, Germany.

3. International Federation of Essential oils & Aroma Trades (IFEAT) held in

Cannes, Washington, Delhi and Vienna.

4. American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) conventions.

He is one of the promoters and a member of the governing body of the following:

1. Secretary, St: Peter's College, Kolencherry since 1987.

2. Executive Member and advisor to, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical

Mission Hospital, Kolenchery.

3. Chairman, Special Committee, MOSC Medical College.

4. Director, Cochin International Airport Limited.

5. Vice - Chairman, Mar Baselios Christian College of Engineering and

Technology, Peermade.

6. Advisor to Govt. Higher Secondary School, Kadayiruppu.

7. Advisor to Elijah Institute of Management Studies, Thrissur

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8. Manager of St: Peter's Senior Secondary School, Kadayiruppu since 1974.

9. He served as Vice-Chairman of Spices Board.

Member of the following institutions:

1. Institute of Food Technologist's, USA.

2. American Spice Trade Association.

3. Indo American Chamber of Commerce.

4. Indo German Chamber of Commerce.

5. Indo French Chamber of Commerce.

6. Indo- Australian Chamber of Commerce

Mr. C V Jacob has played a significant role in the establishment of Cochin

International Airport Ltd. He serves as its Director and Chairman of the

construction and Audit Committees. Civil engineering construction is a passion for

him and that flair in him expedited the completion of Nedumbasserry Airport

ahead of time.

His contribution to the education sector in Kerala has been commendable. The

latest being the commissioning of the infrastructure for Mar Baselios Christian

College of Engineering and Technology, Peermade and Malankara Orthodox

Syrian Church Medical College, Kolenchery which were completed in record time.

The achievements of the institutions outlined above are an indicator of his

leadership ability and commitment to the society.

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It was the time when the people in Spices Board and the Union Commerce

Ministry were emphasising the need to export value-added spices. Mr Jacob seized

the opportunity and he hasn't looked back since then.

KADAYIRUPPU, a village in Ernakulam district, has found a place in the world

spices map. Over 40 per cent of the spices oleoresins and spices oils exported from

the country originates from this village, thanks to the vision of an industrialist, Mr

C.V. Jacob, who belongs to this place.

His manufacturing unit, Synthite Industrial Chemicals Pvt Ltd, located deep inside

this rural environment, has contributed to the development of the area. As a result,

Kadayiruppu is well-connected by wide asphalted roads suitable for plying trailer-

trucks carrying containers, apart from telecommunication, education and medical

facilities.

The company, started in 1972 with an annual turnover of Rs 25 lakh, has a

combined turnover of over Rs 200 crore today. It gives direct employment to over

800 people while another 10,000 are indirectly benefited.

It has a Fragrance division at Marudur, again a village near Coimbatore in Tamil

Nadu, and Harihar division at Kumarapattinam in Karnataka.

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Synthite has the distinction of being the first food company in the country to be

granted the ISO 9001 with HACCP in 1994.

The leadership of Mr Jacob has steered the company to the top rung of exporters of

spices oleoresins and oils, winning certificates of merits and trophies for

outstanding export performance in 1976-77, 1977-78, 1983-84 and 1990-91 from

the President of India. Synthite has constantly won the Outstanding Exporter's

Award of the Spices Board every year from 1976 till today.

After his matriculation, Mr Jacob was not interested in higher education. He joined

in the family's cardamom plantation at Kallar in Idukki district. After a brief stint

there, he started off his career as a civil contractor along with his brother and

brother-in-law and undertook major civil construction works of Sabarigiri and

Idukki hydel projects and many others of the KSEB. From the construction field,

he moved out to set up Arborites Pvt Ltd, a unit manufacturing urea formaldehyde

resin, along with his friend.

It was the time when the people in Spices Board and the Union Commerce

Ministry were emphasising the need to export value-added spices so as to increase

the forex earnings from spices exports. Mr Jacob seized the opportunity. Realising

the tremendous potential, he set up the unit in his native village on a 10-acre plot,

adjacent to his 34-acre plantation and he hasn't looked back since then.

The growth has been splendid. What is significant is that he has been managing the

company single-handedly, of course, with the support of the right technology and

technical experts. Even now, at the age of 70, he is active in the business, but much

of the responsibilities have been transferred to his sons and sons-in-law.

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It is probably the only company in State without a trade union. The workers are

provided interest-free housing loan and all are covered by LIC pension scheme to

which 70 per cent of the premium is paid by the company.

Just 2.5 km from Kadayiruppu, Kolenchery has a medical college, an arts and

science college, besides the higher secondary school at the village, all run by the

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. His contributions to these institutions' growth

have been immense.

In fact, Mr Jacob is instrumental in setting up the Malankara Orthodox Syrian

Church Medical College at Kolenchery. His company had extended an interest free

loan of Rs 5 crore to the medical college, he told Business Line. He is also a major

contributor to the Mar Baselios Christian College of Engineering and Technology

at Peerumedu in Idukki.

Mr Jacob is one of the few people who had actively worked to make the

Nedumbassery International Airport a reality. He is now a Director of the Cochin

International Airport Limited (CIAL) and Chairman of a sub-committee.

He says that his company uses the airport for exporting its products to various parts

of the globe. Besides, at least 250 foreign businessmen visit Kadayiruppu through

this airport. Thus, "we are major customers of this airport."

His interest in sports contributed to the construction of an indoor stadium at the

arts and science college with Central Government support. The All-India Women's

Volleyball Tournament was held here recently.

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Mr Jacob says the secret of his health is the 90-minute battle with the shuttle daily.

His schoolmates, who watched his success with envy, say it is good that he

discontinued his education after matriculation.

How Rohith Bhat has built a global mobile app business in Udupi

In a classic example of digital entrepreneurship in small town India, Rohith Bhat

has built a global mobile app business in the temple town of Udupi. His company

Robosoft Technologies' largest selling app has been downloaded 20 million times

worldwide. In conversation with Radhika P Nair, Bhat talks about how geography

is just incidental to developing a quality tech product company.

The Inspiration

I passed out of engineering college in 1993 and for three years I worked for a

product development company. We were building a word processor in Japanese on

the Apple Mac platform and I travelled to Japan for that. I saw the progress Japan

had made and thought why can't we make world class products for the global

market from India? I started Robosoft in 1996 as a company that develops products

for global clients.

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Riding the Apple Wave

Apple was just coming to India and so we decided to build products for this niche

segment. There were not many developers in India who could build products on

the Apple platform. Apple was a great supporter.

One of the first products was an Indian language kit for the global tech giant. We

developed a meta search engine in the early 2000s before anything called Google

happened. But then the dot com bust came and busted our product dreams.

Thankfully, Apple was changing its operating system and that got us a lot of

customers.

Till 2006, we focused on services. In 2007 we created a product that could search

and download video, which became very popular. Then in 2008, iPhone and the

app store happened. iPhone launched with 200 apps, out of which five were

developed by us for clients. Seeing the response, we decided to create our own

apps. The unpaid version of our Camera Plus app has been downloaded almost 20

million times, while the paid version has seen almost one million downloads. We

today create products under two brands: Global Delight and 99 Games Online.

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Mumbai to Mangalore to Udupi

This progress was not seamless. We launched our company in Mumbai, but

running a small start-up in a large city was difficult. India was just waking up to

Internet and email and I realised that geography was irrelevant. I decided to move

to Mangalore as it was where I grew up and did my schooling. I knew people there.

We were in an incubation centre and were supposed to give up our space at the

centre after three years. I spoke to a number of people to figure out where I could

shift. I connected with people in Udupi and they were very supportive and we

decided to move. From Udupi, we create products for the world market.

Looking ahead

We have built a good team and have grown so far on our own steam. We have 32

crore in revenue. Now it is time to take the next leap. We want to raise funds and

in the long term, we plan to go public.

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Fragrance of success

Keeping in mind India’s slow progress in the fragrant market, Perfume Station was

launched in India in 2010. Sharing the expansion plans of the brand via franchising

is Sandeep Kapoor, CEO, York Transnational Ltd.

Sandeep kapoor says,

“Perfume Station belongs to York Transnational Limited a Hong Kong based

company having 16 years of experience in Perfume industry. The brand has just

started its journey in India and it has been very good so far. There are some

specific country related problems in India but I think we understand the Indian

market much better now and we will travel the route with much more ease. The

brand has international presence across 15 countries including Russia, Singapore,

USA, Ukraine and Mexico. We started our first store in July 2010. I believe that in

any market if you have a proven track record then franchise route is the best since

it gives the maximum expansion possibilities in minimum time. Only one store in

Jodhpur is company owned. All the others are franchised.

We have 2 modules:

Stand alone shop with a minimum area of 200 sq. ft. This requires a total

investment of Rs 7 lakh and can be made operative in 45 days after the

location has been finalised. This works very well in all Tier II and III cities.

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Kiosk model with an area of 64 sq. ft requiring a total investment of Rs 4.20

lakh and can be operative in 30 days. This is specially designed for super

markets, shopping malls and shop in shop concept in metro towns.

The important criteria for selecting a franchisee are:

Availability of required finance

Entrepreneurial attitude

Involvement in the business

Ours is a 100 per cent perfume store providing a vast range at affordable prices and

a perfect ambiance. The ROI is 40 – 60 per cent per annum depending on the

module and operating profits comes within three months of operations.

We have plans to open 15 stores by the end of 2011 and 50 by end of 2012. The

vision is to make perfumes available to the masses so that they can enjoy this

product and break the myth that perfumes is meant only for the rich and famous.”

PERFUME STATION BY YORK TRANSNATIONAL LIMITED GEARS

UP TO SPREAD FOOTPRINT IN RAJASTHAN THROUGH

FRANCHISING

Jaipur, March 14, 2011: Perfume Station by York Transnational Limited, a

unique concept of a 100% perfume store announces its foray in franchising at 36th

Edition of India’s biggest Multi-City Expo & Conference – FRO EXPO 2011

organized by Franchise India. FRO Expo 2011, India's national Franchise & Retail

show embarking in Jaipur, Rajasthan on March 16th – 17th at the Birla

28

Auditorium. In its 13th year, Franchise India is credited for being the first and most

successful company in franchise solutions.

Elaborating further, Mr. Sandeep Kapoor, CEO, York Transnational Limited said,

“India is a country brimming with enormous opportunities for franchising and the

market conditions are ripe for significant expansion in the FMCG domain. To

capture the opportunity available and the enormous gap, we need to bring more

minds to fulfil our vision. For our potential partners, the concept offers a high

return on Investment, continuous support from us in terms of business

development in terms of new products and brand building and an opportunity to

grow rapidly with us in one of the fastest growing industries in India. With our

stores running successfully in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Beawer we would now

be opening minimum 8 more stores in Rajasthan in this year."

Perfume Station is looking at entrepreneurs to capitalize on this lucrative

opportunity and invest in a strong and proven business model under the central

guidance and support of the experience Perfume Station management. York

Transnational Limited is a Hong Kong based professionally managed company

which has 16 Years of experience in Perfume Industry with international presence

in 15 countries including Russia, Singapore, USA, Ukraine and Mexico. It has

been nearly 10 months since the exclusive direct retail channel – Perfume Station

has been created in India starting from Jodhpur. With a deep understanding of the

Indian perfume market, the product array is accessible with high value for money

within an average range of INR 250 to INR 1500 and the collections include more

than 100 SKUs with special ranges for men, women and children. The current

geographical presence is limited to 5 operational stores in Jodhpur, Jaipur, Beawar,

Udaipur and Ahemdabad with a strong logistic and supply chain management. At

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present, the company is operating on standalone format however, intends to follow

both the standalone and kiosk model while penetrating more markets.

Commenting further, Mr. Gaurav Marya, President, Franchise India said,

“With higher disposable incomes and living standards, India consumers have

begun to splurge with aplomb, to be upbeat with the latest. This rise in the

discretionary expenditure has led to colossal shift in average Indian consumption

basket. FRO 2011, Jaipur is a massive prospect for Perfume Station to get the

maximum out of the changing trend in the Indian society.”

About Franchise India

Franchise India is Asia’s largest integrated franchise solution company since 1999,

with an absolute authority on Franchising, Licensing, Retailing, Real estate and

Marketing. The company has consulted several major brands over these years like

Café Jubilee, Sbbaro, SportyBeans, AgriMart, Peter England, Barista, Booster

Juice, Videocon, Perfect Wellness, Satya Paul, Bwitch, HCL, MGF, Quality Walls,

Tata, Gitanjali, HSBC, Levis, JK Tyres, Lakme, D’damas, Adidas, Euro Kidz, The

Apollo Clinic, Chhabra 555, Kidzee, Motilal Oswal, and Rosebys, Next, Welhome

and more, through media, advisory and exhibitions. With its strategically formed

divisions, Franchise India has created its own niche as the pioneers of franchise

industry and a small business authority.

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Bahadur Ali grew up in Rajnandgaon in Madhya Pradesh. His father died at an

early age, and he got into the poultry business. That also led him into the poultry

feed business and soya bean processing, thus opening up the larger ‘protein’

market for his company, the India Broiler Group, with a turnover of Rs 2,200

crores.

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Chipping away to glory

Chandubhai Virani, in more ways than one, personifies the indomitable entrepreneurial spirit that is the hallmark of Indian businesses today. , Mr. Virani co-founded Balaji, a manufacturer of potato chips and snack products. He started the wafer business from the canteen of a cinema hall in Rajkot in 1974. Till 1982, the wafers were made in his house and distributed in and around Rajkot city. Today, Balaji Wafers is today an INR 800 crore company and giving b, tough competition to international players, especially in Gujarat and Maharashtra markets. Balaji has already spread its wings in Goa and parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh as well.

Balaji is today the third largest sweet and savory snacks brand in India with a 10% market share. It commands a market share of approximately 90% in wafers and about 70% in namkeen products in Gujarat. It also has a dominant presence (market share of approximately 65%) in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Goa.

Chandubhai has affected an expansion in Balaji’s product portfolio by developing innovative and region-specific products. Besides potato chips, which accounts for 40% of the production, it also offers a gamut of choices across savory snacks. The company has adopted a ‘value for money’ positioning to ensure affordability across consumer groups – it sells namkeens at price points as low as INR5 -

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INR30. Balaji has manufacturing facilities in Rajkot and Valsad with a combined capacity to produce 3,400 kg of chips per hour.

The company has a network of 550 distributors and its products are sold across 400,000 retail outlets in India. It is also interesting to note that about 70% of Balaji’s workforce comprises of women.

History

The story started in 1972, when Virani and his brothers Bhikhubhai, Chandubhai,

Kanubhai and Meghjibhai migrated from a small village in Jamnagar district to

Rajkot. Popatbhai Virani, a farmer who sold ancestral agriculture land and gave

Rs. 20,000 to his sons to venture into business.

Viranis invested money given by their father in farm equipments business, but

could not succeed and lost the money.Chandubhai Virani and his brothers started

wafer business from a canteen of a cinema hall in Rajkot in 1974. Till 1989, wafers

used to be made at Virani's house and distributed in and around Rajkot city. [3]

By the overwhelming retail success they inspired to set a semi automatic plant.

Instead of preparing wafers by the traditional frying method this semi automatic

plant boosted the quality, taste and more sales also. The fame of taste reached to

the whole Gujarat hence it was time to take over the whole Gujarat so the biggest

automatic plant of Gujarat came into the picture.

In the initial stage Balaji Group had set up their plant at Aji Vasad (Industrial

Zone, Rajkot) with their new concept of making the potato chips. The main benefit

they got is the readymade infrastructure availability due to which their cost is

reduced to larger extent. They have operated over there around 20 to 22 years.

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Now Balaji Group has set up their new fully automatic plant near Metoda G.I.D.C.

which is in the area of the village named Vajdi(vad) and also outside the town of

Valsad. [4]

Warehouse / Production Capacity[edit]

Balaji's Valsad unit, which has a wafer manufacturing facility of 2,200 kg per hour,

is one of the largest potato chips-making units in Asia. The company had sourced

the entire plant from USA, Australia, Netherlands, Germany, Japan and China.[3]

Market share

“ Balaji’s share of the local potato and vegetable chips market grew to 13.7% in

2012, from 9.5% in 2008, ”according to researcher Euromonitor, while PepsiCo’s

share fell from 69.7% to 56.8%. Balaji also dominates in the western market with a

share of 70%. In its home state Gujarat, it has a share of 90%.[1]

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Wafers[5]

1. Plain-Wafers

2. Chat-Chaska-Wafers

3. Kela-Mari-Wafers

4. Masala-Wafers

5. More-Wafers

6. Simply-Salted-Wafers

7. Kela-Masal-Wafers

8. Tometo-Wafers

Namkeens[6]

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1. Aloo-Sev

2. Chanal-Dal

3. Chataka-Pataka-Masala

4. Farali-Chevdo

5. Gathiya

6. Khatta-Mitha-Mix

7. Mung-Dal

8. Ratlamisev

9. Shing-Bhujia

10.Chataka-Pataka-Tomato

11.Masala-Shing

12.Tikha-Mitha-Mix

13.Vatana

ACHIEVEMENT

1. Economic Time recognized Balaji Group as 'Sultan of Wafers'[7]

2. international magazine i.e. Asia Pacific food online published a special

article with 'Chip Off the Old Block' tag.[5]

3. Balaji Group is also a member of Snacks Food Association.

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Bibliography

www.google.com

www.askme.com

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