Spotting Gaps in the Market and Finding new opportunities

What did you uncover today?

Here are some general ideas to spot new opportunities in the market, improvement hacks in life, or ways to make public life better.

Firstly, look for the challenges that the current situation is creating. For example, I see a rising trend of drinking problem in Kerala. So, what could be done and from where can we make a slight difference.

 Probably, it could start from the distribution center ie BEVCO outlet.

 Let's look at the social message or the culture that's promoted in BEVCO outlet. ( It's a bloody dirty, negative culture - putting all those who buy booze as കുടിയൻമാർ! F*&ing statement! 

( Thanks to this app https://www.manglish.app/ for quick translation of manglish to malayalam)

 For example, if we go to the outlet at Prasanth Nagar side, the cleanliness, the method of delivery, etc draws a certain kind of negative vibe. Is this the way a booze is distributed in a private bar in Bangalore on in Goa? Why can't we find a better system of keeping the space clean, providing space for buyers to keep bottles in the counter? 

I guess, our planners, statesmen, bureaucrats- नौकरशाहों  ( famed IAS fraternity) should use their idle brains to create a better system/process. ( I think I need to go into details in here. But, that will be in another blog post)

Second point - Explore how we can combine services ( or products) to make it much interesting. Again, let's take the booze distribution example. Can we think how this space could be utilized for cross selling other products? For example, this shop can ( Supply a bag, sell dry snacks at the counter ( made by a kudambashree), provide price details more clearly, keep more dustbins inside the shop compound, etc. 

Create a bigger service - For example, think of each BEVCO unit has the facility to collect used bottles. Will it help customer to discard them in a better way and keep public places clean. Or let's say, there are agents who will visit homes and apartments to collect bottles and discard them effectively. This is also another way of adding value. 

Introduce new technology - An app which can be used as a store locator and a delivery option. \

Hey, I hope these will give some idea on how such concepts can be applied to a biz. Btw, I picked this template from Jim's Marketing Blog. 

Any winners here?

Just came across the video and I listened to it halfway. Will continue to know all sides of the story and also on what's going to come in the coming days.


War Mongers of 21st Century

War ranges in Middle East and on the Russian side. Things are not easy for thousands of people who are struck in the war zone. Hope there will be a settlement in sometime. 

Summer Pleasures

 

Mango Slices

Somehow, by the intersection of many celestial events I get blessing from the mango gods - each season for the past few years, I get homegrown mangoes. This time ( 2024) at our rented house in Trivandrum, we got more than our fair share of mangoes. 

Also, from B'lore, we had a good harvest of mangoes. Only challenge I face is the difficulty of  transporting mangoes from Domlur house to  SMVT platform 5 or 6,  and then from Kochuveli platform 3 to the exit gate. Even though I hired a porter at both stations, I had to haul,lift the wheeled bag over the stairs. Oh man, my hand hurts badly with the heavy tonnage of mangoes.The saving grace is thought of savoring chemical free mangoes.

Thanks to Railways!

One thing I always thank Indian Railways for helping people like me to bring heavy load of luggage is the train. Many a times I had carried my entire household in different bags. And, when I fill my luggage space under the allotted seat, I encroach other spots, mostly the next berth.In this way, I somehow managed to bring all things along. 

So, what are the heavy items you have carried by train?

 I bought Ikea tables. To send it home, I took it to SMVT parcel booking office for sending . For people who are booking it for the first time here are few points.

1. The parcel office at SMVT is located on the right side of the station. There's a small road which good alongside of the track. I felt good taking my scooter on the platform.

2. While booking for a parcel like this, one has to give photocopy of aadhar card. 

3. There's a form to be filled, which is give by the railway clerk.

4. Check for the sample form which is filled and pinned on the notice board. It makes the task much easy as govt forms are bit complicated for a first time person. ( Wish they kept a NOTE which says - Check this SAMPLE for reference) 

5. I paid one guy who handles things over there. It's okay to pay a small amount as an incentive for lifting and taking care of our stuff. 

Ikea Table Top at SMVT Parcel Office

I travelled in SMVT Kochuveli Humsafar train. When I reached Kochuveli it was raining heavily. Luckily I managed to get a good potter who carried my luggage. I kept my bag near the canteen and then again in the rain proceeded to get the parcel. It was a good sight to see my parcel on the front parcel bogey. And, from there, the potter carried the table top to the parcel office. I had to show the paper and got a release. 

Few things that could make things easy at Kochu Veli station 

When train stops at platforms other than 6, it becomes difficult to get a potter. Also there are few potters in this station. And these days, most people carry the trolley bags by themselves.  I wish there was some phone number to contact potters or even get some immediate assistance when a person is at other platforms. 

And this blog is about...

Can I become an ideator in your start-up

On this blog I share, ideas, concepts, suggestions about anything and everything! I think I have a strong faculty in forming connections from random settings - be it a website menu, or a marketing strategy or biz improvement strategy, or monetizing website, or just improvement of public service. 

Based on my inert skill in spotting new connection or finding a new route in a biz, I wish to work as a consultant ( agent of change) with businesses, start-ups, govt organizations and Not for Profit units.

Also, through this blog I intend to:

• Build connections with people like you ( bond over a coffee or beer)
  
  
• Meet, share and exchange ideas( sharing ideas for small biz)
  
  
• Get hired by people or biz or govt agency ( If you think, I can provide a different point of view to your team, biz, or help in marketing your services, or critically examine a project), then I'm available as a consultant. 
  
  Basically, I can work as a remote member of your team (virtually) and suggest some improvement to a biz, process or marketing plan. I could join physically ( Bangalore & Tvm or Kochi)  or virtually in a  brainstorming session, where I can give my suggestion from a third person's perspective. 
  
  

Sample Concepts and Suggestions posted on this blog 

1. Suggestions to Hilly Acqu Water by KIIDC 

We know for sure how most govt run projects goes into a limbo after the initial flight. Why? We all know - too many hands, lack of responsibility or incentive, favoritism, less adoption of biz standards and lack of SOPs, nepotism, etc takes the juice out it.. 

Perhaps, these suggestion might hold water to this bottled water manufacturing unit at Arivikara, Trivandrum. 

Check this blog post for my take on this topic 


2. Rosa Mystica 🌹
     
   This is a suggestion to patriarchs, major archbishops, and metropolitans of Catholic church. The concept is simple - start a large rose garden, cum chapel, and old age home for sisters. Ideally such a project will work in large area of land outside of the city of the city. Read more.  Also, check another post related to church service called Sermon Musings

3. Suggestions to BEVCO 

  It's easy to list out scores of improvement at booze outlets run by Kerala state. Here's my take on it. Up- selling Post 1, Post 2, Post 3,  Forbidden Fruit Effect Post 4,

4. Improvement to E-District Portal of Govt   

    This post is about the suggestion to implement AI in e-district portal. The objective of this is to automate application approval process, reduce errors, and stress on Govt staff ( Primarily aimed at Village Officers) . Check out this blog post . Another post on speedy trial on bribery cases. ( Malayalam Version - സർക്കാർ ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരുടെ കൈക്കൂലി )

4. Healthyfy Chair ( Chair beyond ergonomics) 🪑

   What if the offices in IT parks has chairs which tracks the time an employee sits on the chair and alerts them to move? Tracking, alerting the excessive time spent on office chairs will help people to move around, be more active. What do you think? Pls read this post. 


5.  Wanking Booth 💦at KSRTC Stands ( Name is as Sleep Pods in KSRTC )

     
     What if we have sleep pods or small cubicles which gives the privacy of people to take rest, indulge in self pleasure, have a bath, change clothes, brush, charge phones and also take a nap!. ( KSRTC Booth Idea ,  GPS in KSRTC - ഒറ്റമൂലി., Post 3 KSRTC Makeover Plan, Post 4 Malappuram KSRTC Depot Makeover, 

6. 

I had the same question in mind - can I become a professional with the title "Idea Generator" or Idea Hose" Idea Hive". And when i googled it, I came across this  LINK which contains a good set of answers about the very same idea. 

Richard Dawkins Interview

Why in Kerala has become more polarized about religion? Why is the sudden resurgence of faith in all sects? Is the flow of people visiting  temples, mosques or church bringing a  benevolent change or the society? I doubt so?

Or is the rush of faith in 21st century a short term trend seen in select geographies? 

Snapshot from a Whatsapp forward

Rainy Day Pics from the Balcony

From sweltering heat to constant drizzle

Hello Pair in the rain

 
I have a fancy liking towards rain. And, I'm not alone. Mostly, I think of my younger days when I loved to see sparkling rain water gushing through small drains and the grass patches flooded with rain water. 

What type of thought comes to your mind during a rainy day? Is it a happy feeling?

And, now for me, heavy rains are a cause for concern. Our house lies in a low ground, it was flooded during rains. Luckily, my mom who stays there was in our house. 

And, with this constant rain, mould has formed in the kitchen, and the dirty mosaic floors looks wet from the water sweeping from the ground. 

So, rains like many things brings glee and misery! 

What's your good memory about rains and what pains you?


P.S - Singin' in the rain

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swloMVFALXw 

Reboot in 50's

Hey Ho! Here's my latest attempt to share my voice, thoughts, jingoism with you. There has been many attempts in the past and most of it failed due to my inconsistent approach. 

Btw, if you're struck in life, financially ( mostly) then what plans do you chalk out to bring more cash-flow? Do you plan to start a biz or find ways to generate cash through novel practical ideas?

Whatever, I wish to talk to people who are on the same page as I'm. Probably, our connection can mutually benefit to find new ideas or reshape our thoughts.

Hope we get to talk and meet! :)

Chilled Curd Milk on Wheels!

 🚌🥛 Introducing a Cool Business Idea: Chilled Curd Milk on Wheels! 🥛🚌

Dear KSRTC MD/ Mgt, MILMA MD 

As summer temperatures soar, we have an innovative idea to provide relief to commuters and boost revenue for your esteemed transport company. Imagine offering chilled curd milk, made by the renowned brand MILMA, onboard your fleet of buses!

Here's how it works:

Equip each bus with an ice box filled with refreshing chilled curd milk.

Passengers can request curd milk from the conductor during their journey, providing them with a refreshing treat and an added level of comfort.

Additionally, set up small booths at bus depots where local vendors, particularly women, can sell chilled curd milk to commuters waiting at the stands.

This initiative holds immense potential:

Additional Revenue Stream: By offering chilled curd milk onboard, your company can tap into a lucrative revenue stream while enhancing the overall customer experience.

Employment Opportunities: Setting up small booths at bus depots will create employment opportunities for locals, particularly women, empowering them economically.

Increased Sales for MILMA: Partnering with MILMA for this venture will boost their sales and brand visibility, benefiting both parties involved. Moreover, it's an opportunity for MILMA to milk additional income during this extreme summer month. They can also set, curd milk booth at different points which be a convenient way to distribute curd milk.

Customer Satisfaction: Providing chilled curd milk will not only quench the thirst of passengers but also offer a healthy and refreshing beverage option during their journey.

What do you think of this? How can this be implemented fast - chalk out a plan to start a MILMA booth in all bus depots to start with. ( Also, retired KSRTC employees can be called to manage booth). This will give them additional income as many of them are struggling with less-salary and rising cost of living. 

Let's utilize this with a positive business opportunity.