The start

I have finally given into the temptation to update my LinkedIn profile. Knowing very well how slow my organisation can be in issuing a a letter of reference, I realized I cannot wait for so long. Thus I join in the long list of people trying to create a brand of themselves.

Though it might not be the best option to put my headlines as a supply chain professional, I guess I should start by being a little honest. But of course, I cannot afford to have my title as only a logistics improvement specialist. I am more. And I aspire to be more.

Thus the CFA. Trying hard to quench my thirst for analytics and finance, I have joined in the race to earn a CFA charter. Or maybe its just the title and the money. To be recognized as an Associate or a AVP definitely adds a few points to your resume.

My journey has thus began and no end in sight (which is of course contrary to a lot of management gurus who say - begin with an end in sight). I will try to track my progress through this blog and measure how well do I succeed.

Supply Chain best practices

Some of the key supply chain problems faced by companies worldwide are - overproduction, excess inventory, high cycle time, low flexibility, high defects and low human and machine efficiency.

However, there are a number of tools available that can help supply chain professional overcome these problems.

The 3 step process to reduce the supply chain waste is

1) Identify waste through value map analysis

2) Perform root cause analysis to find cause of waste

3) Use problem solving tools to eliminate waste

The tried and true tools of problem solving tools include

1) USP Analysis

2) Greiner Curve

3) BCG Matrix

4) Core competence analysis

5) Critical success factors

6) Porter 5 forces

Reliance's foray in telecommunications

1. Reliance bought the pan India broadband wireless access from Infotel for usd 1 billion. In addition the reliance industries will pay the government 2.8 billion

2. Reliance was able to buy Infotel after cancelling the non compete agreement with brother Anil Ambani

3. BWA so far does not allow voice transmission. But reliance industries is expected to over come the hurdle

4. Voice has also been commoditized in India and transmitting other types of data will open blue oceans for the reliance industries.

5. The Indian government should also be commended on the way they handled the bidding process and liberated the telecommunications industry

6. The bidding process allowed for multiple phases and allowed to create highly competitive market for Indian companies that have acquired global capabilities

tender offer and proxy contest

Proxy Contest: Done with the intention to remove/change the board or management and/or the management policies. Required to garner support of majoity of shareholder

Tander offer: Gain the support of manjority of shareholders to launch a takeover bid. Majority of shareholders will agree to sell their shares at a premium to acquirer.

How to create a 3D table

3D table

Credit Derivative

Credit derivative is a financial instrument whose value is determined by the underlying "credit risk" of the financial asset like the bond or loan.

Credit Risk is used to transfer the risk from one party to another in case if a credit event. Let us say that Party A gives loan to party B (reference party). Party A, to secure itself against a default from party B takes insurance from another Paty C.

The most commonly used credit derivative is the 'credit derivate swap' where the credit risk is swapped between 2 parties. Party A makes regular payment (premium) to party C but party C makes no payment unless there is a credit event. In case B is not able to repay the loan, partt C makes payment to A and then the swap terminates. The amount of payment made is generally the decline in the market value of the reference asset.

http://www.finpipe.com/crederiv.htm

chapter 2: DEMAND

1. The demand Curve
2. Diminshing Marginal Benefit
3. How Demand and Income are related
4. Substitutes and Complements
5. Normal vis-a-vis Inferior Products
6. How Demand and Advertising are related
7. Demand for Durable goods
8. Market Demand v/s Individual Demand
9. The Buyer Surplus