Thursday 4 April, 2013

Promotional schemes for msm enterprises


Promotional schemes for msm enterprises – a series
·        Government policy promote msm Enterprises
            Besides IDCs providing developed land and sheds to the entrepreneurs on cost basis with appropriate infrastructure, special schemes have been designed for specific purposes like quality up gradation, common facilities, entrepreneurship development and consultancy services at reasonable charges.
Central Govt. has been executing the incentive scheme for providing reimbursement of charges for acquiring ISO 9001-2008 certification to the extent of 75% of the cost subject to a maximum Rs. 75,000/- in each case. ISO 9001-2008 is a system to facilitate adoption of consistent management practices and production technique as per the ISO guide lines & requirements. This facilitates achievement of desired level of quality while keeping check on production process & management of the enterprise.
·        Excise duty concession to msm enterprises


·        Credit schemes on priority to msm enterprises


·        State government policies  schemes for the promotion of msm enterprises


·        Awards & recognition


·        Promotional packages




·        List of reserved items for exclusively manufacture in the ssi sector

Monday 1 April, 2013

Be on your own in marketing


Be on your own in marketing – a series
·        Entrepreneurs in the field of marketing
            Only listen to those experiences who have become entrepreneurs after 1991 and marketing their product either in India or abroad. They are the entrepreneurs who have started their enterprises in unprotected business environment. Their experience is just like similar to the today’s children using electronic gazettes like mobile or computers. Because their enterprise has taken birth in unprotected business environment and they are accustomed with the game of marketing. I know such one J.P. fine chemicals enterprise which claims that they have acquired worlds 17% market share of few high profile medicines.
            Entrepreneurs have to concentrate on Features (F) Advantages (A) Benefits (B) (FAB) of the products. The enterprises have to offer goods and services of desired quality at optimum cost. Select the right market/customers identified at the time of planning the unit. The transit of services or products from manufacture to the end user is known as marketing channels. It may be manufacturer to wholesaler to dealer to retailer to end user or with any combination from manufacturer to end user. Establish direct marketing channels or a network of dealers as per requirements of the product based upon initial survey. One should highlight the uniqueness, FAB, strengths, innovativeness, price, variety of options, after sales service, of their products or serives.
·        Make your new product a popular one
            One has to make his service or product popular for marketing his/her services or products. Think from the point of view of the buyer or end user. Why he will see your product and how he will buy your product. Either it is need based or it is pleasure.
            One may create awareness among the buyers or consumers about your services or products strong points, uniqueness in order to convince them of the utility of the product. Mouth publicity, distribution of handbills, display of banners, press conference, press note, launching of the product event; demonstration of the product, advertisements in daily newspapers or TV channels, services or products websites, presence of social community sites, portal of the services, distribution of free samples, display of air balloons in the sky, hoardings, digital display boards, e-mails, SMSs, parts in exhibitions, product stickers, etc. these are some of the means for giving publicity to the products. Publicity in various available forms has to arrange within the budgetary constraints. Indian market is very peculiar market poor people may need quantity with bothering about quality; middle class people are aware they may need quality at a reasonable price; rich people may need excellent quality & may not bother about the price. So entrepreneurs should be aware about the niche market of their products. You should sale your products & gain the confidence of the consumer’s and tries to retain the consumers/customers. One may get & review the consumer feedback, NSIC, MSME, MSSIDC, help in popularizing the product through domestic and international trade fairs or exhibitions.  
·        No marketing assistance in private but some marketing assistance through government
In fact there is no such agency who will take 100% guarantee to sale your services or products. It is your duty to search & identify the market. Again NSIC, MSSIDC, KVIC are the Govt. agencies for providing marketing assistance to MSM Enterprises to some extent. NSIC directly market the MSME product in the domestic and overseas market. NSIC also manages a single point registration scheme for manufactures for Govt. purchase. Unit’s registered under this scheme get the benefits of free tender documents and exemption from earnest money deposit and performance guarantee. 
·        About exports
ECGC, DGFT, ITPO, FIEO, Chamber of Commerce in different countries, ministry of commerce provide assistance in providing exports. Office of the DC, MSME provides financial assistance to MSM Enterprises to display their products in overseas fairs & also for sales – cum – study tours abroad.
MSM Enterprises gets special benefits such as duty drawback, advance licensing for import of capital goods & raw materials pre-shipment and post shipment credit against firm export orders, marketing development assistance, income tax benefits, from Govt. agencies.
·        The scheme of Bar coding
To attain global standards “bar coding” should be adopted. To facilitate adoption of bar coding MSM Enterprise the Central Govt. has launched a support scheme.
Details of the scheme