Exhibitions and Business Events Blog

Gone are the days when one has to send communication through letters, fax or by other modes , today is the world of hi tech communicating modes say e-mail, sms, mms etc. Trade show : New media of internet has dominated the business as well, so is the high time when online exhibition should replace the offline exhibition. Since, online exhibition has following benefits: a) No traveling b) Deep reach c) Less cost d) More profit e) 24 hrs live f) No international boundary g) More ROI h) More exposure in the history of b2b portals of the world including India , the online exhibition is for the first time introduced by www.made-from-india.com which is going to see not only area specific exhibitions but also industry specific exhibitions. The first phase of exhibition is to start from 14 December 2008 and will last unto 31st January 2009 in which prominent exhibitors of Indian industrial belts i.eAhmedabad, Aurangabad, Rajkot, Mumbai, Surat and vadodara will be highlighted. During second phase, from 15the February 2009 to 31st March 2009, industry specific exhibitions will be for cotton, pharmaceutical, plastics, chemicals etc. This will also highlight some prominent manufacturers from entire world, since industry specific will be international exhibition. This exhibition is going to be a great boon for manufacturer, exporters, importers, traders etc of entire world.

B2B ONLINE EXHIBITION- AN ERA OF ONLINE REVOLUTION

Exhibition is one of the glamorous media for exploring business branding and finding new avenues of expansion as

well.

I remember the days during 2003, when I was working in one automobile accessory parts manufacturing company and

the company was very aggressive in media participation. The entire emphasis was on Exhibition.

Those days were very hectic. Before, the exhibition was to start long brain storm sessions with technical team

and reporting to top brass for strategy for the specific exhibition was normal for almost every week. Also, at

times, had to complete all formalities of visa and et all , so that I can safely land in international territory

for new international territory of business for the company.

With the completion of new exhibition, the tension of attending the one was on the chart and again the same

cycle .The same type of preparations and activities were at par with daily sops of channels.

Once, I had to make a last minute visit to Nairobi for an international exhibition. I alongwith my team reached

in late night , unfortunately the hotel denied to honor their commitment of booking and the very next day , we

were also supposed  to look fresh so that visitors can be attended in a sophisticated manner. The night was very

long by the time we settled for some roof for our head.

All such experiences taught me one lesson that attending an exhibition successfully requires preparation for

every phase:

Tracking exhibition on regular basis.

Choosing and getting a stall booked.

Pre-preparation for attending an exhibition including accommodation and other reservations.

Making stuffs for distribution and packing it for transportation.

Study of participants of a particular exhibition.

Reaching in advance.

Attending the days of exhibition and explaining to visitors.

Compiling all data’s of probable’s and packing on completion of exhibition.

Reporting on exhibition to management and action plan.

Over twenty five years of experience in attending exhibition and trade events, I always wish that if I had some

alternative to attending an exhibition. Since offline exhibitions are very expensive, time consuming, requires

intense traveling, devotion of entire days during exhibition, limited reach to the visitors and participants of

exhibition and requires extensive preparation.

Finally, I got online B2b exhibition not only as an alternative but is more effective and advantageous than

offline exhibition. Really, want to know how, then Pl read it very carefully:

No international Boundary – Online exhibition has deepest reach and penetration since any person at any point of

time and from any part of the world can see the exhibitors products and services. No international boundary

exist for the visitors who want to go for online exhibition, whereas, offline exhibition always have a barrier

of international boundary. Since, entire world is for business and b2b portals just make it happen.

No Traveling – Neither the exhibitor need to travel to a place to show their products or service nor a visitor

need to travel to see the products or services of the exhibitors.

Very Less Cost -  The cost for traveling , lodging and boarding, cost of distribution stuff and manpower gets

reduced to almost 5%  .It is very cost effective since , costing is the need of the hour especially when entire

world is pointing on costing.

No Time Limitation – Convenience is the other name of online exhibition since there is no restriction of time

for visiting online exhibition. Any person can visit such exhibition at any time of day or night and see and

find the products and services of his/her need. This is not possible with offline exhibition. With such

innovative online B2b exhibition people don’t have to plan out time ,out of busy schedule to visit unto the

place of offline exhibition but as per their convenience , it can be explored .

Maximum ROI-  Business world always care for return on investment i.e. profit , for them online exhibition

always have maximum ROI in return .Since, not only it is cost effective and reaches maximum mass and targeted

genuine audience but also more people can participate in  exhibition.

Better Communication – On finding a particular exhibitor, a visitor can immediately contact him/her by email or

call as entire details are available. It makes communication more effective and fast as well.

Maximum Exhibition can be attended- One can attend atleast 5 online exhibitions at the cost of 1 offline

exhibition. Moreover, frequency of participation also increases without much preparation and no need to settle

again after visiting one exhibition before preparing for participating the other one.

Tension free- The term tension can include any and everything which is associated with offline exhibition.

Whereas, online b2b exhibition is totally tension free and blended with latest technology to improve the chances

of success.

The list of advantages are more and more …….just think once again, but I really wish it had been in existence

atleast ten years back as well.

The author is an exhibition advisor to www.made-from-india.com

If Business is to profit, then Marketing is to business. Since, without marketing, business is not possible whether it is done in any form.
Even traditional business had some marketing tactics, be it delivery unto buyer place or flexibility in payment terms. Ultimately, what can turn on more business is often considered as marketing and its implementation after analysis of the situations from time to time can be termed as strategy.
I often found, when you say strategy, people nod their head but when it comes to know what is strategy they loose the color of their face.
Strategy is a factor which construes marketing and marketing runs on strategy. What RCC beams are to a building in the same manner strategy is for marketing .if one claims to be doing marketing without strategy then he may be fooling himself and more to others as without strategy in any manner , marketing is not possible.
The very next thing which comes is how to make strategies for marketing the product?

Before that, let us take some pain to understand what exactly is strategy. Strategy is nothing but understanding the basics of positioning a product, features and potential of product, strength and weakness of products, timely review of plannings etc and then analyzing it to conclude with some parameters for selling the same product with respect to different zones and geographical areas, this result into strategy. Isn’t is very simple .If one makes simple strategy, he makes simple way to success in business.
After Strategy, What Next?

Then comes the real marketing play. Again, it is followed by another question how to and what can be the modes of marketing.
Lets us see which mode is required, when marketing modes option comes to be chosen for business:

Whether Online Marketing?
Whether Offline Marketing?

Before, discussing about advantages and dis-advantages as well as requirement of online marketing, let’s see the modes and strategies of offline marketing.

a. Direct Marketing
b. Telemarketing
c. Advertisement in TV
d. Campaign based advertisement in Radio.
e. Advertisement in public places, public transportation
f. Participation in Exhibitions & Trade Shows
g. Door to Door Marketing
h. Promotional campaigns
i. Discounts and offers
j. Referral Marketing
k. Public Relations
l. Print Media
M. sponsoring some events, sports etc.

The list can have much more to it, but the aforesaid are considered to be the prominent amongst any other options possible or available for any person.
So, after doing, still one requires any other mode of marketing, before we make a hasty decision, what if some online marketing options are just explored:

a. Contacting and Responding through Mail
B.Advertisement in Google, Yahoo
C.Advertisement through Ad brite
D.Advertisement in Blogs
E.Advertisement in most popular sites and portals
f. Article Marketing
g. Affiliate Marketing
h. Online Viral Marketing
i. Email Marketing
j. Activities in Forum & Social bookmarking
K. Linking with quality sites
l. Banner Exchange
m. Search Engine Optimization via Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

Many more to be added, even in this sphere alone.
After referring to all, do you feel one is required and sufficient and if one is, then which one .Then I must answer that absolutely NOT, one cannot be a substitute for other, but both are required.
Because, Offline, marketing is very well known potential mode of marketing and will always be required but at the same only offline marketing will not do justice to your marketing, still don’t believe, then just check the truth as stated below:

a) Round the globe more than 50% business is carried out and communicated through mails which is online mode.
b) Corporates, SMEs, MNC all are dependant upon mail for communication.
c) Young generation is net savvy.
d) People are dependant upon websites to fulfill their basic necessities be it
1) jobs,
2) accommodation,
3) buying and selling
4) marriage
5) chatting
6) communication
7) outsourcing work
8) filing tax returns
9) gathering any information etc
10) on an average more than 50% business man and involved in international trade use B2b Portals to effect the business .
If this is the some eye opening facts , can still one keep away from online marketing ………….Now You Decide !

Khudos to the new president of US , Barack Obama, of Democratic Party, for his outstanding victory in

presidential elections over    John McCain of  Republican Party      .This race for presidency is stated to be

the  largest ever media focused election. It also saw some very dramatic ups and downs and even withdrawing of

much talked   barrister of US and Hillary Clinton the wife of Bill Clinton, the ex-president of US. Much have

been written and talked in every sphere of business and politic bureau that the new election will have good and

bad impacts on the India. Outsourcing industry of India is in panic since, the statements of Obama have had been

twisted by media and intellectuals in such a manner that a havoc got created that outsourcing work to India will

be curtailed.

The negative sentiment of such interpretation has also impacted the stocks of TCS,   Wipro etc especially when

due to meltdown of US economy, entire worlds economy was shattered and Indian stock exchanges were no exception

to it. On careful, study of all the speeches so far given by Obama, nothing specific has been found which can

conclude that outsourcing industry will have to see dark moon. Rather, Obama has stated in his statements that

India and China are going to boost the economy of USA. If this single statement is analysed then it means there

will be growth in mutual business relationships between India and USA. If such is the statement of Obama where

he is considering India amongst one of economy partners, then an imagination of grey days for outsourcing sector

of India is not sustainable.

This all started with the speech of Obama that had two statements

“US tech firms have thousands of jobs, but not enough talent at home”

“tax sops will not been given to companies that outsource work out of the country”

But at the same, he has openly given a statement,

 “"I will start giving them (tax breaks) to companies that create good jobs right here in America"

So going by the employment factor being generated by Indian companies in US, there seems that   the worry of

outsourcing industry is useless. At the most, worst to worst, the companies which are not creating employment

for US citizens may face the mar of any policy if made against outsourcing companies. The compulsion of US to

outsource work is also an admit fact by Obama by the remark that "……….., but not enough talent at home” . Hence,

to carry out growth, the US companies will be requiring talents as talents are not there in US. The above fact

is also substantiated by the recent statement to press by IT tycoon and Microsoft founder Bill Gates that

      “ Recently , I was introduced with five best talented person of micrsoft and Four were Asians“

So, the compulsion of US should be rather a matter of growth for Indian Outsourcing Industry. As told to PTI,   

NASSCOM President Som Mittal has stated that "We are not sure whether he had meant outsourcing in the software

sector or the manufacturing sector. But I don’t think the software exports will be affected or slow down…
At the same, it should be noted that Indian major outsourcing companies, say Infosys, TCS and Wipro, have major

revenue to the tune of 70 % coming from US. This was the reason that the Indian software and services exports

segment grew by 29 per cent in F.Y 2007-08 than what it had in F.Y 2006-07.

In overall scenario and going by the given circumstances, US cannot afford to outsource work to India and if

stops then in that case, from where it will generate the talents to cater the needs of its industry which

requires talent for growth. Even, if Obama had in his mind to check outsourcing to India, he will have to

revisit his views after knowing the naked truth of over dependency of US companies over India for outsourcing in

IT sector. On the contrary, Indian Healthcare and Pharma companies have every reason to cheer over the victory

of Obama in US as he has pledged to strengthen global fund. This fact has been attested by Bill Gates who on 4th

November 2008 was in India and reacting to Obama has said to have stated that his win will help strengthening

the global health fund and improve healthcare in India and abroad as well. As regards to other industries, be it

power sector also, the impact will not be negative after the new governance in US.

The author is a business editor of www.made-from-india.com

The universe is small in front of speed and world of internet.  Don’t you believe? Through surfing, the unreachable can be surpassed at the speed of thought.
The world is at reach with your laptop/pc, provided with internet connection. Khudos to business to business (b2b) portals, even in vacation, business seems to be fun.
 Gone are the days, when one need to do endless correspondences and struggling to settle with a buyer and if buyer found, to settle in other terms was almost impossible job. Now, everything is transparent and at the reach of a businessman, after all, time optimized signifies, time saved for more business, which always means money by way of profit.
Is any one really interested in traveling and wasting precious time of life in struggling for a buyer or take pleasure in finding buyer at ease .If no, then its high time to enter the game of e-commerce at clicks away.
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS PORTAL FOR BUSINESS OF NEW AGE
A b2b portal is simply a magical wand for business in new age of e-commerce. If it comes to wonders in business, then it can be one. www.made-from-india.com matches the magic in business by its services for offers of buy and sells, lead on demand, SEO, 12 pages website with 12times more exposure to search engines and better Alexa ranking as well as virtual office.
It provides all leads/offers from both buyer and sellers of manufactured goods and services without any hurdle. Genuineness always comes packed with every such information of products of Indian manufacturers, suppliers, exporters which are required by businessmen of India as well as traders form every part of the world.
In a b2b portal, a member can have spacious showroom to display their products and services, as the case may be, and to get maximum business offers round the clock by their virtual office , which is the most unique feature and never before offered by  any single b2b portal of the world for years.
Virtual office is revolutionary tool to face the competition and outgo competitors, with all information constantly stored, even when office of a businessman is not working at woo hours. The virtual office has evolved after research and development in business needs for a b2b, over two decades, so as to maximize the benefits of Indian manufacturers, suppliers, exporters and importers, beside similar generic of the world.
With the aid of virtual office one can manage the affairs of business be it procurement of raw materials, market their product in its own country , exporting , recruitment i.e manpower , finances and can even plan out its inventory and look for business services to run the show.

Benefits of Business to Business (B2b) platform:
a)    Viability
b)    accessibility
c)    time saving
d)    better and more options of buyers and sellers
e)    virtual office , a revolution in business i.e global power
f)    presence in internet world through best SEO
g)    brand creation, brand awareness, brand make over.
h)    Business for 24hrs X 7 days for 365 days
i)    Wider reach
j)    Exploring untapped market
k)    Boundary less communication
l)    Unlimited business via unlimited business queries/leads/offers
m)    Quicker response
n)     Business without travel
o)    Better negotiation powers i.e  buying power
p)    Better price for final goods i.e  selling power
q)    Do business in your terms and conditions
r)    Launching your products at zero cost
s)    Enhanced profits , more turnover
t)    Decreased expenses, more Profits i.e controlling the economy of business.
u)    Buyers of your product can be from any part of the world which is not possible if not present in B2b platform
v)    Show your products and potential to world and world will respect your product and demand it in turn.
w)    It connects buyers and sellers at ease and business occurs at a blink.
So, can any one really miss the jet of success, when this jet is available for all. But at the same, one has to be careful so that the profit in business sustain even if b2b platform way is adopted for carrying out business.

Why New Markets Are Required For Ones Products

Before, one understand this mystery, three factors are to be known for
Revealing the mathematics of any market players:
a)        Demand and Supply
b)        Quality at competitive rate
c)        Growth for survival in tough competition
I remember, last Saturday I got a call from a senior president of a MNC
, saying that I am looking for new market but can’t make as to where shall I go for and especially when the management is insisting for fast set up of new supply chain in new markets but I am afraid with global melt down of economy, since, it has broken the backbone of every company irrespective of country. I started to deal the situation with certain things which I am just reiterating so that some one can use it as to why new markets are required. Portal is best b2b Marketplace.

New Markets can be set up by adopting any of the ways as is practiced by the global players:
a)        Setting up a subsidiary unit
b)        Making up channel sales force
c)        Making business associates
d)        Making assignment based agents
e)        Generating continuous leads for business deals

People may choose as per their best economy, nature of business and
longetivity of business interest. But, the gentleman was sounding over enthusiastic and even said ,…….yes, Mr Becker, I know this all but my problem is still as such  and repeated it as well for times .This made me  to finally ask him to accompany me over tea which longed to dinner.
In our first sitting , he had a very long brain storming session and he
was only interested to know an answer to why ? Instead of knowing how to do it so , let us name it “Why Session” Why Session New Market means more business and new business as well. In other words means more profit and revenue irrespective of its sustainability.

Again the same question cropped as to why new market, ofcourse! for this I am paid for and companies make business out of such advises.
a)        What is the meaning of new market?
b)        How to explore new market?
c)        Which market will be the best new market?
All the aforesaid questions have simple answer as discussed below.
It can be understood by simple formula of demand and supply. Where there is demand which is sustainable and with better prospects will be
considered as new market. The new market can be within the territory of
one’s country or may even cross the barrier of international market.
If demand is more in a new market, then it is always advisable for
exploring a new market . The market can be explored with better pricing
with best quality , since the golden rule is quality should always command the pricing factor and pricing factor always follow quality factor. Since, both are incomplete without each other and compliment vice versa. As already said, the new market could be explored with new subsidiary, joint venture, partnerships, business associates, deployment of work force or even without substantial investment by way of continuous generation of business leads, may be a B2b platform or b2b portal can get business leads for you like www.made-from-india.com ,which I recently saw and seems to be a promising one for global traders and exporters. Exploring new markets can be even by way of launching your product in unexplored areas of one’s country and even exporting the product to a particular country where best demand is there. The result will be more demand will always give better pricing factor. Ofcourse, such markets will be the best market to be explored since business is done for profit and the market which can give more profit will always be the best market whether it is new and unknown as well. Say, a ball pen has the best quality over the existing ball pens in its segment and usage, but unless not being sold in better market will always get less revenue over inferior ball pens which are in best market where the demand is more for ball pens and for quality.

After, listening such simple things, the gentleman said, Mr. Becker even I knew this but you made me understand the simple analogy and now I am sure to give some promising result to my management. We shall be discussing other aspects of other sessions in due course of time, meanwhile, simply understand the fact that business is for profit and it is always dominated by demand and supply.