Sony Hopes Its 4th Overhaul Is the One That Counts



The Japanese electronics and entertainment giant, which predicted on Thursday that it would lose 110 billion yen, or about $1.1 billion, in its current fiscal year, said it would sell its unprofitable personal computer unit. It also announced plans to turn its equally troubled television manufacturing business into a separate, wholly owned subsidiary. And it said it would cut 5,000 jobs.



The overhaul marks the fourth round of large-scale job cuts over the past decade. Sony announced 10,000 reductions in 2005, 8,000 more in 2008 and a further 10,000 two years ago, bringing its head count down to 145,000 as of September.
“Sony has had bigger cuts,” said Damian Thong, an analyst at Macquarie Securities “But these are, in some ways, the most meaningful cuts.”While previous divestitures have involved peripheral operations in areas like chemicals, now Sony is ridding itself of a brand and a business: Vaio computers, which it once considered central to its ambitions of keeping pace with global technology powers like Apple and Samsung Electronics. And it is positioning itself at arm’s length from television, a sector in which its Trinitron and Bravia TVs once set the standards in picture quality and brand image.
While Sony’s problems reflect a broader crisis in the Japanese electronics industry, other companies, like Panasonic, have moved more aggressively to restructure. Panasonic, which has been pulling out of certain consumer electronics markets, like smartphones, and focusing more on behind- the-scenes businesses like batteries for electric cars, this week reported that its quarterly earnings more than tripled.
While some investors and analysts have urged Sony to get out of consumer electronics entirely, the chief executive, Kazuo Hirai, reiterated on Thursday that he wanted to rebuild around promising areas like game consoles and smartphones.
Those businesses showed progress in the quarter ended in December. Sony reported a “significant increase in sales of smartphones” as well as a big jump in operating income in its game division because of the introduction of the PS4 console.
Over all, the company reported net income of ¥27 billion, or $267 million, after a loss of ¥10.8 billion a year earlier. Sales rose to ¥2.41 trillion from ¥1.95 trillion, though the main factor was a weaker yen, which increases the value of overseas sales when converted into the Japanese currency.
But investors have gotten used to a dose of bad news following any sign of improvement from Sony, and Thursday brought no exception, with the new estimate of a ¥110 billion loss for the current fiscal year, which ends in March, after a previous forecast of a profit of ¥30 billion. While much of the expected loss will come from restructuring costs, Sony also lowered its full-year sales forecast for smartphones to 40 million devices from 42 million.At a news conference in Tokyo, Mr. Hirai described the agreement to sell the PC unit — to the investment fund Japan Industrial Partners — as an “agonizing decision.” Sony said it planned to keep a 5 percent stake in the new PC company to be formed from the sale. Other terms, including the price, remain subject to negotiation, Sony said.
Japan Industrial Partners specializes in buying unwanted assets from Japanese electronics giants, including companies like NEC and Olympus.
Japan Industrial Partners “believes that with its support, the new company that will operate the Vaio-branded PC business will be able to achieve future growth and profitability and meet the expectations of Vaio customers by leveraging the wealth of innovative design expertise and operational know- how accumulated by Sony within the PC business,” the companies said in a statement.
Along with televisions, PCs have been a particular drag on Sony. PC shipments from all makers worldwide fell 10 percent last year, to 316 million, according to Gartner, a research firm, as more consumers turned to tablet computers or smartphones to connect to the Internet. Sony’s share of that total slipped to 1.9 percent worldwide in 2013 from 2.1 percent in 2012, Gartner said, making it the ninth-largest maker of PCs worldwide.
With profit margins under pressure in the PC sector, only a handful of the biggest companies, including the market leader, Lenovo, make money in the business.
“Somebody has to exit from the market because there are still too many competitors,” said Mikako Kitagawa, an analyst at Gartner. “This is an extremely difficult market in which to survive. That is not going to change.”
After splitting off its television business into a subsidiary, Sony said, the new unit will focus on expensive sets, including ultra-high-resolution 4K TVs, while scaling back output of cheaper models.
While Sony is retaining ownership, the new structure could also make it easier to open the TV business to outside investment, analysts said. The changes could also make it easier for the company to cut costs by outsourcing more manufacturing and other operations, while retaining the Sony brand.
Sony has adopted such structures for other business lines, including mobile phones, with mixed results.
In 2001, Sony set up a joint venture with Ericsson of Sweden, but the partnership struggled and Sony bought out Ericsson’s stake in 2012.
Mr. Hirai, the Sony chief, said that while the company had no immediate plans to sell the TV arm, it was keeping its options open.
“There are many possibilities, not just for our TV business,” he said.

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Satya Nadella gives Brand Hyderabad a credibility boost


HYDERABAD: The coronation of mana Hyderabadi Satya Nadella as CEO of the world's largest software player Microsoft couldn't have come at a better time for Brand Hyderabad, which has been grappling with the shame of having lost its erstwhile IT poster boy, Ramalinga Raju, to the Satyam scam in 2009 and gaining the dubious distinction of being a 'city of scams'. 

Of course, Brand Hyderabad's image as a global investment destination and IT hub, built over the better part of the last decade, had taken a further beating thanks to the Telangana-turmoil that kept the city on the boil over the past five years. 

So will Telugu bidda Nadella put Brand Hyderabad back firmly on the global IT map and resurrect its flagging fortunes? Corporate honchos feel that from its days of Satyam infamy to basking in Satya's glory, Brand Hyderabad has come a long way and not only stands vindicated but finally gets the much needed credibility boost. 

According to Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd chairman and CEO GV Prasad, though several Hyderabad entrepreneurs have made a global impact, this is the first time that a professional from the city has risen to the position of CEO at such a large global organization. "I believe this appointment will help 'Brand Hyderabad' gain more respectability and credibility. We are a city of varied talent and it is great to see a fellow Hyderabadi go to such great heights," says Prasad. 

"Nadella's news reaffirms the 'fundamentals and ethos' that Andhra Pradesh and particularly Hyderabad's IT industry has stood for all these years. His success is a landmark because it will inspire young Indian techies to aspire for top jobs in IT firms and is also an important development for the IT sector as a whole," feels Nasscom president Som Mittal. 

Former JWT India CEO Tarun Singh Chauhan is of the opinion that the positive association of Hyderabad with Nadella will go a long way in helping the city shed some of the negative baggage of its recent past. "A lot of other negative issues related to the city now become irrelevant. Hyderabad is now a globally relevant brand as Nadella has bagged one of the most coveted jobs in the corporate world and it is the city that gifted this talent to the world. It is also about the victory of people from humble backgrounds." 

Raising a toast to yet another feather in Hyderabad's cap, BVR Mohan Reddy, founder chairman of homegrown IT major Infotech Enterprises says this is "very positive" news for Brand Hyderabad. "There are quite a few high profile names in the corporate world with a Hyderabad connection such as Prem Watsa of BlackBerry, Adobe Systems chief executive officer Shantanu Narayen and now Satya Nadella. This will go a long way in boosting Hyderabad's image," he says. 

Randstad India president Aditya Narayan Mishra too feels Satya Nadella is the much needed "feel good factor" for Hyderabad, which has been facing a lot of headwinds recently because of various reasons such as the ongoing political uncertainty in the state. 

However, the city needs more of such "feel good" news to pump up Brand Hyderabad, points out Indian School of Business (ISB) deputy dean Deepak Chandra. "Whenever a son of the soil makes it to such heights, it is a matter of pride for the region. Nadella's rise to the helm at Microsoft is a positive development and puts Hyderabad in the news for all the right reasons. The city needs many more such consistent and positive reinforcements to have an enduring impact on its brand," he says.

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Setback for AAP Government

Raising a red flag over the move by Delhi’s AAP government’s to bypass the Centre on the Jan Lokpal Bill, Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran has said the Bill must be presented to the Lieutenant-Governor before it is tabled in the state Assembly.
Parasaran has said the Bill can “become law in the National Capital Territory only after it receives the President’s assent”, it is learnt. His opinion came in response to L-G Najeeb Jung’s request for counsel on two counts: whether presenting the Bill in the Assembly “without sending the legislative proposal to the Central government” —  as Arvind Kejriwal’s government has sought to do — violates the constitution; and whether the Delhi government has the power to legislate on matters concerning the Delhi Police and the Delhi Development Authority.
Parasaran’s opinion suggests the Delhi government will not only be violating the constitution if it sticks to its plan of “directly” discussing the Bill on the floor of the house, but adds that Presidential sanction is required to bring the Delhi Police under  the Jan Lokpal. To support his opinion, the Solicitor General has relied on provisions in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, it is learnt. According to the Act, no Bill that involves expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India -  as the Jan Lokpal Bill does -  can be introduced in the Assembly without “the recommendation of the Lieutenant-Governor”.
Since the Jan Lokpal Bill’s provisions will “overlap” with those in the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, passed by Parliament, Parasaran has suggested “the law can never come into force” without the President’s assent. Also, throwing a wrench in the AAP’s works is Article 239AA of the constitution which stipulates that the Delhi government cannot make laws with respect to the police, unless it is approved by the President.
As reported by The Indian Express, the draft Bill seeks to bring the Delhi Police within its ambit. Since Parasaran has not been provided a copy of the Bill, he has simply highlighted Parliament’s superior legislative power on this count. While the AAP government has said it will push the Bill without seeking the approval of the Union government, the Delhi Congress has said it will not support a bill which is not constitutional, setting the stage for a major confrontation between them.
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Celeb Trend - Sexy Net Saris

The festive season is upon us and it's time to dress and look our best. Whether it's a wedding, evening reception or a party, sari is one such item that never goes out of style. This season, it's all about looking sexy and sensual in net saris. Take tips from our B-town beauties to rock a net sari!

Images via : iDiva.comWe have nothing against white! But, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's sari looks too boring! We wish she had chosen a solid coloured blouse or accessories to go with it.Image courtesy: BC 
Images via : iDiva.comSonakshi Sinha looks lovely in this scarlet net sari. We love the way it's draped too.Related Articles - 12 B-Town Actresses Who Went BacklessB-Town Actresses and Their Radical T 
Images via : iDiva.comWe're a huge fan of Rani Mukerji's sari. It's stunning no doubt, but unfortunately Rani's huge stomach ruins the overall look of her outfit. Her hair is extremely boring too.Rela 
Images via : iDiva.comThe lace on Priyanka Chopra's sari is plain tacky. We're not fond of satin ribbons on the border as well. We recommend light embroidery or sequins instead.Related Articles - 12 B 
Images via : iDiva.comWe just love how Preity Zinta looks here. Her yellow sari can bring sunshine to the gloomiest day! Bright colours are perfect to beat the winter blues too.Related Articles - 12 B 
Images via : iDiva.comMadhuri Dixit looks so elegant in this white sari. We love the purple blouse and the neckpiece. You could also try a dark blue, fuchsia or a scarlet coloured choli.Related Articl 
Images via : iDiva.comKatrina Kaif was spotted wearing a pink net sari recently. We think she looks a bit uncomfortable and the sari isn't draped well too.Related Articles - 12 B-Town Actresses Who We 
Images via : iDiva.comKareena Kapoor looks pretty in a white and orange shaded sari. Her sari has silver embellishments which makes it perfect for a wedding reception.Related Articles - 12 B-Town Actr 
Images via : iDiva.comDeepika Padukone looks gorgeous in this white and red sari by Sabyasachi. The contrasting blouse adds colour to the whole look.Related Articles - 12 B-Town Actresses Who Went Bac 
Images via : iDiva.comBipasha Basu looks graceful and pretty in this grey net sari with white lace border. We find the sari somber and can be worn during day as well.Related Articles - 12 B-Town Actre 
 
 

 

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