Outwitted
With the state-owned airlines close to sell-off, wonder if the private ones too are going the sarkari way? A Delhi professional discovered this while travelling to Pune. Since the Pune flights on all three domestic airways operate within an hour’s timeband and seats are easy, most regular travellers keep options open and carry coupons for more than one. At Delhi airport, he went to an empty Sahara counter to check in, only to be told that it was business class and he’d have to shift to the next with a fairly large queue. When he told her that if she minded checking in an economy class passenger so much, he’d probably be better off checking in at the empty Jet counter. The lady agreed that yes, he should exercise his choice. Stupefied that such a comment should come from a private operator now on an overdrive to woo passengers, the man shifted to Jet. Rueing that even Indian Airlines 10 years ago would not have let go of business quite like this!
Losing Fizz
The ad industry may be seeing faint signs of revival, but intra-industry shake-ups continue. McCann Erickson recently burnt its fingers over an important account—the Fanta account has moved to O&M. A couple of months ago, McCann lost a big one to Euro RSCG, the Reckitt Benckiser account worth Rs 40 crore, because of some global realignment. Industry circles are also abuzz that Perfetti is about to pull the plug on McCann. Another Rs 20 crore worth of business moving house!
Smooth Drive
After-sales is as important as aggressive sales pitches, especially in the auto industry. Realising this, DaimlerChrysler India has initiated its first one-year comprehensive "DaimlerChrysler India Automotive Mechatronics Program" for future Merc technicians in India. Mercedes-Benz vehicles have advanced electronic, mechanical and electrical networking systems and a correct diagnoses of the car is essential. The company and the dealers financially collaborate for this residential course in the company HQ in Pune. Merc owners, one more reason to be happy.
