The 180 Pulse
With thought-provoking articles covering varied domains, 180DC SRCC aims to create student leaders through a holistic learning experience.
Read to take a deep dive into looking at world issues from the eyes of a consultant.
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
Continuing failure of Ed-Tech
The Ed-Tech industry which gained immense popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic is now on the threshold of failure. From being a supplementary mode of education to a primary one during the pandemic days, the industry is now coming to terms with reality. Well known companies like Unacademy laid off 600 employees and Vedentu another 200. Despite the fact that most of these companies are well funded and have high valuations they have not been able to perform well. They are facing problems of low enrollment rates and numerous complaints from the existing customers. The question this poses is that Ed-Tech’s were simply a necessity during an unusual time in human history and with things back in order, the limitations of virtual learning are finally exposed.
Dive deeper into this article to analyse the trends and the reasons behind the rise and fall of Ed-Tech startups and if they do have a future in the Indian scenario.
Product Updates: Is Latest Really the Greatest?
Consumers often assume that the latest product iteration is superior, but this isn’t always the case. Businesses frequently use updates, sometimes minor, to renew interest and attract buyers. This “newer is better” assumption can lead to blind consumerism, pushing unnecessary purchases and creating overconsumption trends. Despite occasional disappointment, consumers maintain interest, assuming the next iteration will surpass predecessors. While updates can improve efficiency and satisfaction, misleading updates can exploit consumers’ trust, leading to inferior purchases and unnecessary expenses.
Check out T Himaja Reddy’s article as it navigates through the disruptive world of product updates and their impact on consumer rationality by analysing the example of Apple’s recent launch of iPhone 15.
End to password sharing: Boon or Bane for Netflix?
In a shocking twist, Netflix has declared war on password sharing, ending an era where one subscription meant endless connections. The fallout was immediate – angry subscribers, threats to abandon ship. But did Netflix’s gamble pay off? The unexpected answer lies in a surge of 5.9 million new subscribers, defying skeptics and reshaping the streaming landscape. Dive into the full article to unravel the suspense behind Netflix’s bold move – a decision that not only challenges the norms but leaves a lasting mark on the future of online entertainment. Discover how the streaming giant turned a potential crisis into a triumph, setting the stage for a new era in streaming.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
5G: A DIGITAL REVOLUTION?
The fifth-generation broadband technology would not just transform the lives of millions but also boost India’s economic growth. Given the rather stop-start journey of 5G in India which is now gathering pace fervently, this breakthrough in the form of mobile connectivity 5G technology will enable a more uniform user experience and the emergence of new services, applications and experiences, thus connecting the world at a breakneck pace.
How has been India’s tryst with 5G so far? Are we ready for 5G technology and 5G network in India? What does it has in store for the future of India?
Head on to the latest article in 180Pulse – “5G- A Digital Revolution?”, where Mehak Goyal delves deeper into the 5G technology in India and provides the answers to all the questions mentioned above.
Virtual Fashion: To wear, or not to wear
In a society recently ravaged by a pandemic, networking over the internet appears to be a routine chore. One may converse from the comfort of their own home using innovative programs such as the Metaverse. Digital clothing is something that enhances these encounters. Clothes no longer exist physically in this fashion-meets-digital scenario, instead, they are chosen from a virtual depiction created using 3D software and AR-based computer technology. But what is the future of this technology? Will its popularity fizz out?
Read out as Tanvi Vaidhyanathan delves deeper into the nuances of virtual fashion and provides with an interesting insight of this industry.
The Rising role of AI and its Future Impact on the Consulting Industry
Since the pandemic took over our lives, the word at the top of our minds has been ‘uncertainy’. Jobs are being replaced and taken over by machines on a daily basis as a result of the rise of a technological world. AI has the potential to do the same for the next generation, and it has become a source of concern for both young and old professionals.
What will the future of consulting be in this situation? Can consultants be ‘replaced’? Read as Harishraj Srinivasan tries to figure out the road ahead for the consulting industry in the AI-driven world.
ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC POLICY
Public Transportation: The Perfect Answer for 21st Century Problems
What if we had the permanent solution to problems like global warming, traffic jams, pollution, rising fuel prices? Perhaps, we already have the solution and haven’t given enough thought and attention to it.
Embark on a captivating journey through Manan Gulati’s thought-provoking article, “Public Transportation: The Perfect Answer to 21st Century problems?” Explore the economic, environmental, and societal benefits of embracing robust public transport systems. Learn how redefining the way we commute and paving the way for a sustainable, healthier future is not all that difficult.
Understanding India’s Aromatic Future with the Purple Revolution
Were you aware that the cultivation of lavender has been instrumental in helping farmers in Jammu & Kashmir endure the COVID-19 pandemic? This emerging trend of lavender farming in India has been coined as the Purple Revolution.
The primary objective of the revolution is to maximize the natural resources of Jammu and Kashmir and enhance the cultivation of lavender. By providing education and training in lavender cultivation, this initiative has effectively transformed the lives of numerous farmers in Jammu and Kashmir.
To gain insight into the Purple Revolution and the aromatic future of India, check out our recent article, which delves deep into Understanding India’s Aromatic Future With The Purple Revolution.
The Declining Dollar Reign
The dollar’s long reign of dominance as the world’s primary medium of exchange is beginning to wane as nations around the world adopt strategies of de-dollarization in order to prevent Western countries from exploiting their economic power for personal gain.
But what is de-dollarisation and how India is moving towards becoming a developed nation through internationalisation of the rupee?
Are there any risks involved in internationalising the rupee? If so, what are the measures that need to be taken in order to ensure that these risks are minimised?
Check out Pooja Jain’s article on “The Declining Dollar Reign” that delves deeper into these questions and tries to answer how India is taking steps to reduce its reliance on the dollar and become a more prominent player in global trade.
PSYCHOLOGY & HISTORY
A Good Deal: The Theatrics of Mental Accounting
Imagine you’re walking down the street, and you happen to find a ₹2000 note lying on the sidewalk. You’ve been trying to save some money to put towards buying a new car in the future. Today, however, you take your newfound ₹2000 and put it towards an expensive dinner. You tell yourself that this money isn’t “car money” — this is a one-off, special occasion, so why not treat yourself to a nice evening out?
Why do we treat some money differently? Why do we think less about some purchases than others? Consumers, although deemed to be rational, are economic elements that more often than not are ruled by cognitive errors.
Because of mental accounting, we often behave illogically when it comes to money. Read on as Suhani Jain breaks down how marketers use this loophole to their advantage, convincing customers into the Theatrics of a ‘Good Deal’.
Generation Gaps in Workspace: Threat or an Opportunity?
In spite of attempts made to bridge today’s generation gaps between people of different age groups, few instances of “Generation wars” do pop up in some form or the other. Apart from social and cultural interactions, the workplace is where people belonging to almost all generations find themselves interacting on an everyday basis.
But is having a diverse set of workforce always necessarily a threat to organizational efficiency? When we frequently point out issues such as communication barriers, differences in working style and contrasting beliefs, why do we often overlook the benefits of intergenerational interactions?
Head to the latest article on 180 Pulse – “Generation Gaps in Workspace: Threat or an Opportunity?”, where Subhashini K analyses how generation barriers can be turned into effective tools to propel organizational growth.
Bounded Rationality in Decision Making
When we think of all the decisions that we have to make daily, trying to make the optimal decision is often not possible. Our cognitive thinking abilities and self control across diverse activities are ‘bounded’ because of various limitations. The implications of these limitations range from having misconceptions about certain people in our lives to speculative bubbles in various asset classes.
What deviates our decisions from what is considered to be desirable or logical? How do we make the right decision and outsmart our cognitive biases?
Check out Ananya Taneja’s article on ‘Bounded Rationality in Decision Making’ that delves into these questions through the realm of Behavioural Economics.