Enterprising British youngsters are utilising their school holidays to gain first-hand knowledge of the impact of globalisation. At least 30 are learning Indian business processes at leading multinational companies, acquiring basic knowledge of Indian culture as lodgers with Indian families and familiarising themselves with the education environment at schools in India.
They are part of 100 British high school students, new college graduates and youth representatives who are using a six-week break to study the process and understand the scale and speed of transformation of emerging economies in India, China and Brazil under the (British) Prime Minister's Global Fellowship programme.
The 30 students who are located at facilities in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore arrived in the country July 17.
Full report here Times of India
Showing posts with label pearson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pearson. Show all posts
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Online bookstore launched in Delhi
Bibliophiles will have it easy with an online bookstore being launched in Delhi on August 12,Thursday.
Pearson Education India launched a bookstore through its online retail partner, VRV Bookshop.
Talking about the need for online bookshops, Sangeeta Mehra, COO of VRV Bookshop, said: 'With internet penetration growing, Indian online retail is increasing at an astounding rate. Books remain one of the highest purchased items online.'
The online bookstore will focus on students and faculty. It will have school, higher education, institutional, professional as well as competitive exam segments apart from the fiction and non-fiction books.
Vivek Govil, CEO of Pearson Education India, said: 'With our ever growing catalogue, the portal will make even hard-to-find books accessible to students and faculty, anywhere in India.'
Full report here Sify
Pearson Education India launched a bookstore through its online retail partner, VRV Bookshop.
Talking about the need for online bookshops, Sangeeta Mehra, COO of VRV Bookshop, said: 'With internet penetration growing, Indian online retail is increasing at an astounding rate. Books remain one of the highest purchased items online.'
The online bookstore will focus on students and faculty. It will have school, higher education, institutional, professional as well as competitive exam segments apart from the fiction and non-fiction books.
Vivek Govil, CEO of Pearson Education India, said: 'With our ever growing catalogue, the portal will make even hard-to-find books accessible to students and faculty, anywhere in India.'
Full report here Sify
Sunday, April 18, 2010
A place for books in digital world
With the excitement around the launch of Apple's iPad and the growing popularity of other digital devices, it is a challenge to retain the romance of the printed book, according to the head of publisher Penguin.
The iPad, a cross between a smartphone and a laptop, is helping foster a market for tablet computers that is expected to grow to some 50 million units by 2014, and with it, also expand the market for e-books, which has been hard to crack.
So far, book publishers like Penguin, owned by Pearson, have struggled to find an online model that works successfully in terms of content and the consumer's propensity to pay, said Penguin's John Makinson on a visit to India.
But with the iPad, book publishers see a new chance to get their electronic offering right and win more bargaining power if the iPad emerges as a viable rival to Amazon's Kindle.
Full report here Times
The iPad, a cross between a smartphone and a laptop, is helping foster a market for tablet computers that is expected to grow to some 50 million units by 2014, and with it, also expand the market for e-books, which has been hard to crack.
So far, book publishers like Penguin, owned by Pearson, have struggled to find an online model that works successfully in terms of content and the consumer's propensity to pay, said Penguin's John Makinson on a visit to India.
But with the iPad, book publishers see a new chance to get their electronic offering right and win more bargaining power if the iPad emerges as a viable rival to Amazon's Kindle.
Full report here Times
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Romance of books key in digital age, says Penguin CEO
With the excitement around the launch of Apple's iPad and the growing popularity of other digital devices, it is a challenge to retain the romance of the printed book, according to the head of publisher Penguin.
The iPad, a cross between a smartphone and a laptop, is helping foster a market for tablet computers that is expected to grow to some 50 million units by 2014, and with it, also expand the market for e-books, which has been hard to crack.
So far, book publishers like Penguin, owned by Pearson, have struggled to find an online model that works successfully in terms of content and the consumer's propensity to pay, said John Makinson on a visit to India.
But with the iPad, book publishers see a new chance to get their electronic offering right and win more bargaining power if the iPad emerges as a viable rival to Amazon' Kindle.
Large screen digital devices are opening up bigger opportunities for us: opportunities for interactivity with readers, and around social networking, said Makinson.
There are opportunities not just in a marketing sense, but for actual content and new material, he said.
Full report here Washington Post
The iPad, a cross between a smartphone and a laptop, is helping foster a market for tablet computers that is expected to grow to some 50 million units by 2014, and with it, also expand the market for e-books, which has been hard to crack.
So far, book publishers like Penguin, owned by Pearson, have struggled to find an online model that works successfully in terms of content and the consumer's propensity to pay, said John Makinson on a visit to India.
But with the iPad, book publishers see a new chance to get their electronic offering right and win more bargaining power if the iPad emerges as a viable rival to Amazon' Kindle.
Large screen digital devices are opening up bigger opportunities for us: opportunities for interactivity with readers, and around social networking, said Makinson.
There are opportunities not just in a marketing sense, but for actual content and new material, he said.
Full report here Washington Post
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Green meet for publishers
The printing and publishing industry in India has traditionally been looked upon as a noble sector because of its obvious contribution to literacy, education, and awareness. However, as ecological concerns rise in the form of water depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, chemical discharge into water bodies, energy inefficiency, and environmental hazards, the conventional idea of profit maximization by private firms is being replaced by the ideology of corporate social responsibility.
Recognizing this and the role that the publishing industry can play in going green to save the environment, TERI Press, the publishing arm of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) organized an event Pathways to Green Publishing: a stakeholders’ dialogue on ecological and sustainable publishing practices. With inaugural addresses by Dr RK Pachauri, Director General, TERI, Dr Vijay L Kelkar, Chairman, 13th Finance Commission, and Akshay Pathak, Director, German Book Office, the event brought together stakeholders involved in the process of publishing, including paper manufacturers and printers, on a common platform to discuss the environmental issues plaguing the publishing industry as a whole.
Giving his inaugural address Pachauri, said, “One of the most important frontiers in tackling the global threat of environmental degradation lies in greening the entire chain of printing and publication activity. If one were to assess the power of this extended sector, it would become apparent that the message of green practices applied in this field would reach every member of human society. India should be a leader in the field of sustainable development and consequently pathways to green publishing are important avenues for India to tread in a leadership position.”
Dr Pachauri further added that “It is critically important to set a motion of activities so that a radical change in the publishing industry can be seen. It is important to influence the thinking minds and it is heartening to see the enormous response TERI is getting from the stakeholders. It is crucial now to use the best methods & technologies to make publishing green in every aspect. He further stressed on the importance of involving the youth in this kind of initiative. “It is for you to be empowered & empower others. It’s high time that we not only need to correct the damages but to also reverse the damages too,” he added.
Kelkar said “Sustainable growth is crucial for the development and growth of any industry and the publishing industry is no different. We all are aware that the whole process of publishing a book really turns out to be, not only very wasteful in nature, but also harmful for the environment. And it is imperative that we protect our environment as time is running out.
Dr Kelkar while talking of the roles of all active stakeholders touched upon the role played by authors and intellectuals in encouraging a movement towards sustainable publishing. “There is more than mere lip service that authors can pay to the environmental concerns plaguing the industry in particular and the economy in general. Authors can play a significant role in first, becoming aware of the current scenario that is detrimental to sustainable growth in future and second, influencing the publishers they work with to follow environmental rules, make adjustments that lead to a greener and cleaner tomorrow and understand that being environmentally conscious is not an expensive decision to make.” He further added that “Most importantly, this conference fills the glaring information gap in the industry, which is also relevant for all other stakeholders in the supply chain beginning with authors and ending with the kabadiwalla.”
The highlight of the conference, however, was the high level Business Leaders Forum, which saw CEOs from the leading publishing conglomerates such as Pearson, Cengage, and Elsevier, as well as top printers like Thomson Digital and Gopsons in a discussion that looked at the ecological issues facing the industry as a whole and their quest for sustainable solutions.
Apart from important sessions on Business Leader forums, Sustainable best practices etc, this years conference had two special sessions titled ‘Educational institutions as drivers of a greener tomorrow’ and ‘Author Speak’. Teachers and students from leading schools of Delhi NCR, like The Shri Ram School, DPS Noida, and Kulachi Hansraj School participated in the conference to discuss the environmental initiatives that can be taken by schools and other educational institutions. This is in keeping with the vision of Dr R K Pachauri to inculcate the spirit of environmental awareness in young minds.
The event also focused on ‘green business’, the economics of sustainability, and the role of the media in bringing about a change. Therefore, students and faculty members from reputed management and media institutes such as NRAI School of Mass Communication, Management and Technology, Pioneer Media School, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology and, colleges such as Miranda House and Ramjas College participated in large numbers, where issues on how youth can be torch-bearers of change were dealt.
The special ‘Author Speak’ session saw renowned authors talking on best practices that the publishing industry can look into and also talked about the latest technologies available. Famous author, Paro Anand addressed the session and shared her thoughts on how authors can lead the ‘green revolution’ in publishing.
The conference is a culmination of a year-long series of workshops under the Green Publishers’ Guild in collaboration with the German Book Office, New Delhi. The first and second workshops addressed issues related to the publishing industry, such as the feasibility of using recycled paper and management of hazardous wastes in the printing industry. The second and third workshops addressed a wider audience with an emphasis on greening office buildings and educational infrastructure.
Prominent speakers included Vivek Govil, President and CEO, Sanjay Banerjee, Managing Director, Elsevier, India, R Srinivasan, Member, Corporate Management Committee, ITC Ltd, Lata Vaidyanathan, Principal, Modern School, Sanat Hazra, Technical Head, Times of India, and Urvashi Butalia, Director, Zubaan Books. Prof Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute, Columbia University, USA addressed the gathering through a video message. Representatives of renowned publishing houses such as Cambridge University Press, Pearson Education India, Pratham Books, Katha Books, Zubaan Books, Ratna Sagar Pvt Ltd, Narsinghdass and Co Pvt Ltd participated in the conference.
While giving the vote of thanks, Madhu Singh Sirohi, Head to TERI Publications said, “TERI press the publishing arm of TERI is perhaps the first publishing house in India to conceptualize a dialogue on the environmental impact of the process of publishing. I am hopeful that all those present here will benefit greatly from the deliberations and will also be inspired to lead from the front so that a pattern of sustainability is established throughout the supply chain.”
Sirohi also introduced the ‘Green Publishers’ Guild, which is a membership-based body of stakeholders from the paper, printing, and publishing industries as well as corporate houses, government institutions, media, and educational and knowledge-based institutions. The Guild is an active body that carries out workshops throughout the year, which finally culminates in the main event that is, Pathways to Green Publishing. The Guild also brings out a quarterly newsletter and is a platform for access to research conducted by TERI in the field of paper manufacturing, printing, and publishing.
Recognizing this and the role that the publishing industry can play in going green to save the environment, TERI Press, the publishing arm of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) organized an event Pathways to Green Publishing: a stakeholders’ dialogue on ecological and sustainable publishing practices. With inaugural addresses by Dr RK Pachauri, Director General, TERI, Dr Vijay L Kelkar, Chairman, 13th Finance Commission, and Akshay Pathak, Director, German Book Office, the event brought together stakeholders involved in the process of publishing, including paper manufacturers and printers, on a common platform to discuss the environmental issues plaguing the publishing industry as a whole.
Giving his inaugural address Pachauri, said, “One of the most important frontiers in tackling the global threat of environmental degradation lies in greening the entire chain of printing and publication activity. If one were to assess the power of this extended sector, it would become apparent that the message of green practices applied in this field would reach every member of human society. India should be a leader in the field of sustainable development and consequently pathways to green publishing are important avenues for India to tread in a leadership position.”
Dr Pachauri further added that “It is critically important to set a motion of activities so that a radical change in the publishing industry can be seen. It is important to influence the thinking minds and it is heartening to see the enormous response TERI is getting from the stakeholders. It is crucial now to use the best methods & technologies to make publishing green in every aspect. He further stressed on the importance of involving the youth in this kind of initiative. “It is for you to be empowered & empower others. It’s high time that we not only need to correct the damages but to also reverse the damages too,” he added.
Kelkar said “Sustainable growth is crucial for the development and growth of any industry and the publishing industry is no different. We all are aware that the whole process of publishing a book really turns out to be, not only very wasteful in nature, but also harmful for the environment. And it is imperative that we protect our environment as time is running out.
Dr Kelkar while talking of the roles of all active stakeholders touched upon the role played by authors and intellectuals in encouraging a movement towards sustainable publishing. “There is more than mere lip service that authors can pay to the environmental concerns plaguing the industry in particular and the economy in general. Authors can play a significant role in first, becoming aware of the current scenario that is detrimental to sustainable growth in future and second, influencing the publishers they work with to follow environmental rules, make adjustments that lead to a greener and cleaner tomorrow and understand that being environmentally conscious is not an expensive decision to make.” He further added that “Most importantly, this conference fills the glaring information gap in the industry, which is also relevant for all other stakeholders in the supply chain beginning with authors and ending with the kabadiwalla.”
The highlight of the conference, however, was the high level Business Leaders Forum, which saw CEOs from the leading publishing conglomerates such as Pearson, Cengage, and Elsevier, as well as top printers like Thomson Digital and Gopsons in a discussion that looked at the ecological issues facing the industry as a whole and their quest for sustainable solutions.
Apart from important sessions on Business Leader forums, Sustainable best practices etc, this years conference had two special sessions titled ‘Educational institutions as drivers of a greener tomorrow’ and ‘Author Speak’. Teachers and students from leading schools of Delhi NCR, like The Shri Ram School, DPS Noida, and Kulachi Hansraj School participated in the conference to discuss the environmental initiatives that can be taken by schools and other educational institutions. This is in keeping with the vision of Dr R K Pachauri to inculcate the spirit of environmental awareness in young minds.
The event also focused on ‘green business’, the economics of sustainability, and the role of the media in bringing about a change. Therefore, students and faculty members from reputed management and media institutes such as NRAI School of Mass Communication, Management and Technology, Pioneer Media School, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology and, colleges such as Miranda House and Ramjas College participated in large numbers, where issues on how youth can be torch-bearers of change were dealt.
The special ‘Author Speak’ session saw renowned authors talking on best practices that the publishing industry can look into and also talked about the latest technologies available. Famous author, Paro Anand addressed the session and shared her thoughts on how authors can lead the ‘green revolution’ in publishing.
The conference is a culmination of a year-long series of workshops under the Green Publishers’ Guild in collaboration with the German Book Office, New Delhi. The first and second workshops addressed issues related to the publishing industry, such as the feasibility of using recycled paper and management of hazardous wastes in the printing industry. The second and third workshops addressed a wider audience with an emphasis on greening office buildings and educational infrastructure.
Prominent speakers included Vivek Govil, President and CEO, Sanjay Banerjee, Managing Director, Elsevier, India, R Srinivasan, Member, Corporate Management Committee, ITC Ltd, Lata Vaidyanathan, Principal, Modern School, Sanat Hazra, Technical Head, Times of India, and Urvashi Butalia, Director, Zubaan Books. Prof Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute, Columbia University, USA addressed the gathering through a video message. Representatives of renowned publishing houses such as Cambridge University Press, Pearson Education India, Pratham Books, Katha Books, Zubaan Books, Ratna Sagar Pvt Ltd, Narsinghdass and Co Pvt Ltd participated in the conference.
While giving the vote of thanks, Madhu Singh Sirohi, Head to TERI Publications said, “TERI press the publishing arm of TERI is perhaps the first publishing house in India to conceptualize a dialogue on the environmental impact of the process of publishing. I am hopeful that all those present here will benefit greatly from the deliberations and will also be inspired to lead from the front so that a pattern of sustainability is established throughout the supply chain.”
Sirohi also introduced the ‘Green Publishers’ Guild, which is a membership-based body of stakeholders from the paper, printing, and publishing industries as well as corporate houses, government institutions, media, and educational and knowledge-based institutions. The Guild is an active body that carries out workshops throughout the year, which finally culminates in the main event that is, Pathways to Green Publishing. The Guild also brings out a quarterly newsletter and is a platform for access to research conducted by TERI in the field of paper manufacturing, printing, and publishing.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Penguin group announces record 2008 profits
Penguin Group, the international publishing company, on March 2 announced record profits of £93m for 2008, representing growth of 26% over the previous year. The company achieved a profit margin of 10.3%, meeting its commitment to a double digit margin in 2008. Sales rose 7% to £903m. This exceptional performance was achieved in spite of one of the most challenging retail environments in recent times.
The strengthening of the dollar in the course of the year boosted both the sales and the profits of the company in sterling terms but, even on an underlying basis, sales were up by 3% and profits showed growth of 4%. These numbers were all struck after a profit charge to reflect liquidity issues in the UK at the Woolworths Group.
The improved profitability was the result of a company-wide focus on margin improvement through operational efficiency, consistent and disciplined investment in author and product development and the development of a globally coordinated publishing organisation benefiting from worldwide scale.
These strong Penguin results were part of an excellent overall Pearson performance in 2008. Penguin Group Chairman and Chief Executive, John Makinson, said: "We are hugely proud of Penguin's performance in 2008. In a very difficult market for consumer books, which deteriorated progressively during the year, Penguin achieved outstanding growth in sales and profit allowing us to meet our longstanding commitment to a double digit profit margin. This performance was underpinned by exceptional publishing around the world which we expect to continue in 2009."
In India Penguin, the largest English-language publisher, grew sales and won almost all the major awards including the Vodafone Crossword award for Best Book fiction for A Girl and A River by Usha K R and Best Book non- fiction for The Last Mughal by William Dalrymple. The launch of the Allen Lane imprint in India was spearheaded by the publication of founder and chairman of Infosys Nandan Nilekani's Imagining India.
The strengthening of the dollar in the course of the year boosted both the sales and the profits of the company in sterling terms but, even on an underlying basis, sales were up by 3% and profits showed growth of 4%. These numbers were all struck after a profit charge to reflect liquidity issues in the UK at the Woolworths Group.
The improved profitability was the result of a company-wide focus on margin improvement through operational efficiency, consistent and disciplined investment in author and product development and the development of a globally coordinated publishing organisation benefiting from worldwide scale.
These strong Penguin results were part of an excellent overall Pearson performance in 2008. Penguin Group Chairman and Chief Executive, John Makinson, said: "We are hugely proud of Penguin's performance in 2008. In a very difficult market for consumer books, which deteriorated progressively during the year, Penguin achieved outstanding growth in sales and profit allowing us to meet our longstanding commitment to a double digit profit margin. This performance was underpinned by exceptional publishing around the world which we expect to continue in 2009."
In India Penguin, the largest English-language publisher, grew sales and won almost all the major awards including the Vodafone Crossword award for Best Book fiction for A Girl and A River by Usha K R and Best Book non- fiction for The Last Mughal by William Dalrymple. The launch of the Allen Lane imprint in India was spearheaded by the publication of founder and chairman of Infosys Nandan Nilekani's Imagining India.
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