The Hindu Business Line : `Spot an opportunity and build on it for success'

A CAPACITY to perceive an opportunity that is present in every change happening around and to capitalise on the same is necessary for success in business. Changes, viewed as challenges and worked upon further, provide the power to sustain and forge ahead in the chosen field of activity, Mr Rajesh J. Subramanian, Managing Director, Susee Group of Companies, said here on Wednesday.

Raising the question on the visible changes that one could observe in the last ten years, while inaugurating the Business Line Club of the Department of Management Studies, The American College, he listed the changes in terms of number and variety in TV channels, car models, telephone service providers etc., and observed that in the process, the hitherto sellers' market in the country has been yielding place to buyers' choice.

What was once viewed as foreign and needed to be provided for in terms of foreign exchange and waitlisted is now available at one's doorsteps. The change that is witnessed could not merely be attributed to the change in the industrial policy or the opening up of the economy.

The capacity of the entrepreneurs to identify the opportunities in these changes and work on them to seize the potential market for their business and growth, has brought about the change, Subramanian said.

Auto sector riding high: Stating that a dramatic change has taken place in the automobile sector in the country, he said motorcycles are overtaking scooters and mopeds.

Detailing the market scenario among the various segments, he said companies are vying with one another to attract the prospective buyers with choice in different segments. While the motorcycle market has almost grown ten times in size over the past decade, the car segment is expected to reach two million units in the next five years.

Specialisation that brings value-addition to the product has come to hold the key. Industry does not take in generalists any more. Tata Motors is working on providing Rs 1-lakh car as it has foreseen an opportunity in the growing young population in the country.

Speaking further, he said management graduates should identify the opportunities that come their way in various sectors in the economy and equip themselves.

In the interactive session that followed, he said the used car segment is also growing along and would take some time to get organised. He felt its growth would not pose a challenge to the new car segment.

Import of reconditioned cars is another area of development. Competition has come to stay and the entrepreneurs need to face the same. Economy of scale, efficiency and market access would become critical factors for survival, he added.

Mr T. Murali, Regional General Manager, The Hindu, and Mr Ravikumar H. Joseph, Director, Department of Management Studies, The American College, were present.

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