We bring you a critical but unambiguous view from Raj – Chairman, Avalon Consulting, who in his note on 2020, has predicted that the world would tip, and tip it did! His was a lone voice at the time, when there was inexplicable exuberance about the year ahead. He had introduced an imaginary character called Cyrus the Virus who explained what the ‘yet to be named’ pandemic would do to the world. In his latest note, Raj revisits Cyrus the Virus, to bring us a view on how health, politics and economics will shape 2021.
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Specialty Chemicals business has been a success story for India in the past (Pre-COVID) with above average EBIDTA margins and a healthy growth across a wide range of companies and sub-sectors. At Avalon, We have analyzed 125 companies across 13 sub-sectors of the Specialty Chemicals business in the Pre-COVID-19 period and subjected them to the Avalon Pandemic Test to assess their resilience to COVID-19. Companies were assessed based on three key parameters – Cash Resilience, Profitability and Sector Impact. The results are stark and underscore the importance of prudent cash management and consistent profitability, among other suitable interventions.
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Driven by environmental concerns, technological development and scale economics in batteries, and aided by subsidies, Electric Vehicles are continuing their inevitable march to replace Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles worldwide. This perspective evaluates the present market trends, prevailing government policies along with their impact and the future of electric vehicles adoption in India.
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Avalon Consulting is delighted to present its perspective on “Distributor Engagement in COVID-19 times in India”. Most distributor-driven businesses are today reeling under the impact of the slowdown induced by the Covid-19 pandemic. Companies are struggling to find ways to stay connected with customers even as their sales organisations remain cut-off from markets. A strong and motivated channel can provide the answer here. This perspective provides a 5 step process to assess, identify and energise the right elements in the channel network and convert them into engines of growth.
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As we complete a month of being under lockdown and with another 10 odd days to go for it to end, the issue uppermost in our minds is our exit strategy. Read our take on the exit strategy here.
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At Avalon, we have analysed specific trends which will get accentuated as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. One of these is the need to de-risk and diversify supply chains away from China. This note highlights the context for the shift away from China and outlines a systematic process to help re-configure your supply chain.
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At Avalon, we have formulated a Pandemic Test and applied it across >1500 companies in India Inc. to understand the impact of COVID-19 and assess which companies are better placed to withstand these testing times. The results are stark and reveal the challenges in front of managements. We have also suggested critical actions to be pursued across the board and specific interventions needed based on the financial wherewithal and the impact of COVID-19 on your business.
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Avalon Consulting believes that in these uncertain times, redefining your business plan through a conventional and rigid approach may not work. We instead recommend that businesses use our flexible yet focused TILDAR methodology. This would be the key to cut through the noise and navigate the uncertain future, and will transform your business planning thought process in the long-term.
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As we are all hunkered down at home and firefighting with issues related to our businesses and lives, here are thoughts from Mr. Sridhar Venkiteswaran, Chief Executive Officer, Avalon Consulting on What Next after the Lockdown which we are all experiencing.
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Avalon Consulting is pleased to present to you Part II of “The Tipping Point” thought paper focusing on the economic impact of Covid 19 on the interconnected world. It has grave portents for the Indian economy which is weak and slowing down but it also presents opportunities.
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In continuation with our “Avalon Perspectives” series, we are pleased to present to you a thought paper on “The Tipping Point”. This is the first of two parts illustrating how India is going through a serious slump and it postulates the likelihood of far reaching reforms in India on the Annual Budget Day (Feb 1, 2020) because there is No Other Choice (NOC). (more…)

Mr. Raj Nair, Chairman Avalon Consulting delivered an address to the IMC Chamber of Commerce & Industry, sharing his view on the current downturn in the Indian Economy, including how the RBI and Supreme Court’s overreach may have added to the existing burden. He goes on to point out the criticality of key reforms and maps out an intelligent 4-point agenda which may have the potential to revive the economy and delves deeply into each of them. (more…)

Avalon Consulting is pleased to present “ Ripe for the Picking- Organic food could be the next big food wave in India”. This paper discusses the prospects of organic food in India and what it will take to propel it into the next phase of growth. Supply chain debottlenecking, regulatory push and above-the-line marketing could just be the catalysts needed in this market that is ripe for the picking. (more…)

Manufacturing firms globally are at a crossroad – The traditional model of competitiveness driven by low labor costs are being disrupted by a global megatrend of rapid digitization of every aspect of the manufacturing supply chain. While favorable policies like Make in India and increased FDI are driving growth in manufacturing in India, there is a need for Indian companies to adopt digitization to retain a competitive edge globally. (more…)