Consumerism & Stationery Trends

With the rise in the middle-income economy, lifestyle changes have come into play. More spendthrift trends descend upon societies that start generating affluence.  Though considered a business necessity stationery ideally is also a personal choice a  means of communication preferred by men and women.

Gifts, invites, seasonal greetings, and personal messages are societies' means of consumption of paper products. Though Internet has made a substantial leeway the personal touch of written words on printed letterheads, amazing gifts and greetings convey a feeling that cannot be generated online.  

Better designs, advanced printing techniques, and trendy, vibrant colors have made use of the paper stationery for personal and business communication more attractive. Letterpress printing has come into vogue with full force. Thanks to digital methods the oldest form of printing has arisen from its grave. Variants, advancing technology, and expert craftsmanship has made letterheads, wedding invites, and greetings more attractive and trendy. Many studios and designer names have emerged that have increased sales and drawn attraction of buyers - the future looks bright. Shops small and big crank out craftily designed attractive wedding invites, greeting, festive cards, business stationery, and whatnot revitalizing an industry.   

   

The rise in consumption of stationery products is just not limited to lifestyle the augmenting economies, increase in literacy on all fronts. The emergence of a large number of schools and colleges in developing countries have led to a revolutionary demand for notebook, pen, and pencil not forgetting the associated products. A rising economy means a rise in office setups that need tons of stationery.  A strong resurgence in consumer passion especially for specialty paper products is auguring a birther future for the industry.  Trade shows and events are the best means of highlighting future trends and established norms.  The written words expressing personal sentiments now rule the roost.      

Demonsterization & The Holy Cow of Corruption

"At the stroke of midnight when India awakens....." Nehru's memorable speech whence we gained independence."  

Now and then, India awakens but often with hiccups! This spasm that has come is of quake-like intensity... a thunderbolt.  

On one stroke, a little before midnight the sleeping country awakened. It gave sleepless nights to those with large stacks of black money in notes of 500 and 1000. The very instrument of exchange promised security was subject to demonetization. Since the legal tenders (read legal income) were being accepted albeit in a short period, this action was not that of distrust by the financial institutions in India.    

This was an event waiting to happen. A nation reeling under the corruption of unfathomable magnitude since Independence finally came to terms - enough is enough.  The corrupt with an immense amount of undisclosed wealth was running a parallel economy much to the impairment of the nation's real economy. 

The monsters hidden in all wakes of life were at extreme comfort, under a system that prevailed without any obstacles in their unholy path.

A holy cow that no one dared to touch.

The large-scale hoarders rarely faced any punitive action such was the invincible strength of this system.  This was also a blow to racketeers indulging in counterfeit currency in India and abroad. The lethal nexus of criminals, smugglers, and those involved in heinous terrorist activities, all those who survived on fake currency have been hit hard,..they were bound to.  

The scramble began as soon as the announcement was made. Some... real estate dons, businessmen, politicians...criminals, and habitual tax evaders all those who indulged in nefarious activities were caught unprepared. The attack on the tentacles of corruption led to an unprecedented upheaval...all were awoken by a little before-midnight announcement, for many, there was sleep lost forever.  

Amid mind-boggling consternation, things became clear whence the junta woke up in the morning. This was the right step that awaited for a long time, the average Indian put forth his views. Much discomfort was due but if the action augured a better future then all was bearable.

There is expected to be a big overhaul in the systems that prevail..systems that had failed in curbing the menace of parallel economy. This praiseworthy action calls for structural changes which are robust and effective.  

But if success strikes which are very likely...there are some fears.

Will those empowered go overboard?

Will the regulatory mechanism affect those who are not into nefarious activities?

Will there be a lack of pragmatic governance after being emboldened?

These are genuine worries, though the opposition which is the crying wolf is a safeguard against authoritarianism in our country. And so are the electoral imperatives and vibrant media.

There is a lot of hope from the present establishment in power. The action is not comparable to banning beef which was accepted stoically due to the large-scale sentiments that prevail in the country.

The impact will be accessible in the near future. But the gut feeling is that demonetization is a step in the right direction.      

Mobile Phones Future

The massive growth in sales of mobile phones in last decade will touch one billion soon. But the growth will subsequently slow down and this will place greater impetus on manufacturers to come up with latest technology models. The thrust will be on companies to induce buyers to switch on to latest models.

New introduction will be on TV on latest mobile phones in order to compete with present generation of phone with camera, added memory and 3G speed. The slimmer version of mobile phones is already in vogue with Motorola and Samsung taking a lead. For all mobile phone models looks colors and newer features such as software enabling will dominate among next gen users. Easy to use MMS services will also be in thing. As of now 3g mobiles are being pushed to turn into hot selling commodity.

South Asia, Asia pacific, South Americas and Africa is where the focus of mobile manufacturers is targeted. these areas will see large growth of handset acquisition but not necessary the high priced models.

Construction in US & Structural Steel Industry

Major aspect of economical health in North America has been the construction industry. But in the recent slow down the economy has suffered such that there has been a rapid down slide in the industry. Nevertheless with ever growing population the residential construction has been gradual but still significant. The negative impact has been furthered by the credit squeeze.

About six million tons steel was made use of in USA. With the total production of more than seven million tons USA is a net exporter of structural steel. This augurs that the industry is alive and kicking. The worker strength of the industry is  more that one hundred  fifty thousand. There are  more than two thousand local fabrication concerns spread all across America. They are servicing more than eight thousand projects.     

As more and more buildings are being framed in structural steel the future is bright.