I am not sure if there is any connection with these two things but I just realized some oddly interesting facts -
The largest beverage maker is run by a man of Muslim faith - Muhtar Kent with a Turkish heritage is COKE CEO while the second largest company Pepsi is run by a Hindu -Indra Nooyi who is of Indian heritage.
Both run soda companies that make products which appeal to global tastes but both companies are American.
Changes like that are happening in many big American corporations with the appointment of another Indian born chief to head the operations of Citigroup worldwide. Mastercard too happens to be run by a Sikh of Indian origin.
Then there is talk of the venerable institution called Berkshire Hathaway which might find a new leader who happens to be a Jain from India. One of his cousins it appears already runs a large German bank.
I think what this trend underlines is that hard work and a bunch of lucky accidents do pay off big regardless of religion, faith, alignments, age and gender.
Cool cat the Japanese are Tokyo at dusk My second visit to this land of the rising sun after almost a decade. Back then clearly I was wet behind the ears product manager and likely didn’t pay attention to all (efficient) things Japanese. But today I did and of course continue to be impressed. It is as much the obvious stuff like on time travel that is both clean and comfortable and all that which makes it possible. The impressive landmark and landscapes that these humans have put together despite their cramped (or because of it) surroundings and precarious geological conditions could amaze a novice architect among us. But it’s also the little things that someone had to think about which have a phenomenal impact on day to day lives that make the Japanese stand apart. Below are few random examples- 1. Providing a very fine machined wooden toothpick in every packet of wooden chopsticks. The said chapsticks are simply set on the To Go counter of any food vendor/ convenience store wher...
By a coincidence, Muhtar's name came up in a meeting with Coke's VP at IMT Ghaziabad last week, because I think he is visiting India soon. I have been off soft drinks for a while now, but I think Americans may have severe withdrawal symptoms if they do that! Just my guess.
ReplyDeleteBeing off soft drinks is not a hard choice given the availability of hard drinks that are soft on the budget stateside..I have stuck to the potent stuff with an occasional beer thrown in to mix things up
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