futurechat

Once upon a time mobiles were considered to be a status symbol. Soon after they became a necessity – every person had one – people cycling on the road, the dhaba wala, the domestic help – everyone!

• Did it ever occur to any of us that it could still be considered a matter of status symbol in some remote corners- maybe it did
• Did it ever occur to anyone that this again can become a feminist thing to fight for maybe it didn’t!

Actually that is a fact.

In small villages in the south, women aren’t allowed mobiles. Its not the cost involved – the mobile is a status symbol. Only a few men can own it and the woman can occasionally use it.

Why and how a mobile can become more than a communicating tool can only be discovered once you see the usage in these areas. The local villagers use the mobile to communicate . The need came from younger college going youth traveling to cities, being influenced into having the luxury of having one and then the worried parents wanting to keep in touch.

The need also arose from the middlemen who constantly commuted between the small villages to the cities to sell.

The need then gave way to the luxury of talking at home and at will.

But the need never became a necessity to use it beyond the regular wanting to stay in touch or to inform. Women who are considered home makers everywhere regardless still aren’t allowed the luxury of the mobile. There are innumerable plans for women, remunerative scheme to help woman becoming independent and earn of her own – there is no plan or an intention to provide these  woman to  have a voice and communicate.

If this mobile is an empowering tool and can make a difference in each of the rural homes it can only be made by having the woman to use it.

I am not a feminist but I was actually shocked at the thought why a woman is deprived of such a simple tool

• We have given her a smokeless chulha,
• We have given her health programs to take care of her family,
• We have given her and her children affordable education programs
• Then why not a mobile

Why hasn’t anyone thought that empowering  woman with mobiles is actual empowerment. Why hasn’t anyone thought that lets not think that this mobile is just to communicate its to build community support systems, its to enhance our fragile sense of security and most importantly it can be used to learn and share information.

The Indian drug and cosmetic act states specific standards for labeling, however it can be further strengthened by learning from other countries. In addition, I have listed down some additional recommendation that might be useful in making the products customer friendly.

Clarity of Communication – Further details on font, size, color, clarity of communication, label types as detailed out in US, FDA. It has been noticed that in Indian products, implementation of the spirit of the Indian drug and cosmetic act is frequently absent. Information is written in very small font, difficult to comprehend and sometimes obscured by vignettes that may obscure the lettering. Small size products, where the all information cannot be printed should appear on a tag, tape or card affixed to the container.

Language – While the act states that communication should be in English, I believe that in a country like India communication in a local language should also be made mandatory.

Ingredients - Ingredients are often written in the very small font size and more over the scientific naming of the ingredients makes it hard for a normal user to be able to know the risks involved. I believe that a centralized database should be maintained regarding the intensity of  all ingredients and products on human body.

Warning Statements - Caution statement should be included in all the cosmetic products, clearly mentioning that certain ingredients in the product might cause problems in certain individuals. While this is mentioned in the Indian drug and cosmetic act, and several suppliers do mention cautionary statements, many cosmetic products don’t.

Dermatological Testing Outcomes – Dermatological testing out comes should also be included along with the product, if not possible, should be posted on the websites of the brands.

Banned Substances – Certain ingredients, which are banned in other countries, should not be used in India. While this is regularly done by the Indian authorities a comprehensive database, available to the public on the web will increase transparency and ensure compliance.

Environmental Concerns – A statement that the ingredient used in the product or packaging do not cause any environmental problems should also be included.

This post is a concluding post in a series. The earlier posts are listed below

• The Lack of Beauty Information
• Beauty Products – Thoughts on Packaging and Labeling
• Information Map For Beauty Products
• Indian Standards for Cosmetics Labels
• Notes on Cosmetics Labeling Standards in the EU
• Notes on Cosmetics Labeling Standards in the US

Customer experience has become even more of a critical issue in the current business environment. But think about this.If one were to look at the Brand Experience in terms of internal and external.

Some of the best coaches in sports manage to get their teams to perform way above their level and making them believe in a shared vision.

Think Employees, they have to go deliver the brand experience to customers. What does a company do in making them feel connected to the core philosophy of the company or brand. It starts here…

Think Customers, do they get great experiences from motivated employees or others ? So the tone that one hears in emails , call centers and other communication and services is a reflection of the above….

But in this season of slow down and layoffs, how do the CEO’s and other leadership members get to be like the best sports coaches and make their companies do better .

One might say that coaches have a smaller number of people to work with but a leader in a company must reach out with a human , inspirational voice across many levels and regions.

Can it be done in the age of collaborative practices but in reality a communication vacuum ?