Team Building

Our Company Sub dairy Varion FoodSciences Pvt Ltd. was formed with the premise to offer effective and affordable solutions to health enthusiasts. Today, Our Company offers India’s largest range of genuine health supplements across categories that includes all major brands. It has grown from a team comprising four members in June 2016 to 10 plus and aims at becoming India’s Numero Uno in this segment. A team comprising trained nutritionists, counsellors and product experts, help customers in choosing the right product/service via live chat, email and phone.

Sharing his insight on the business, Sanjay Kumar, Co-founder and MD of this company, says, “We source the best health and wellness products from across the globe and provide them to every Indian via premium online shopping experience. Our offering covers categories like Nutrition, Sports and Fitness, Diabetes, Home Devices, Eye, Personal Care, Beauty, Parenting and Premium Organic, Ayurvedic health and beauty products. We partner directly with brands and their authorized channels, to ensure strict quality control and deliver 100% genuine products.”

“We believe it is high time that we combined great technology, smart design and awesome customer care to give India a massive health and wellness boost. While there are challenges that need to be overcome, we are driven by our vision to become a dependable, household name in India, and offering customers direct access to genuine health products at best prices,” added Sanjay Kumar.

The venture is backed by eminent Ayurveda practitioners Ayurveda Shri M. N. Choubey and Dr. Prof S. Tiwari and Dr. N. Panchakshri and Dr. R. Panchakshri and Dr. Minal Vaze who have served through several generations and Industry stalwarts from US, like Mr. Sid Shastri, who has co-founded Jarrow Formulas US and given their life to this Industry.

We have filed 3 patents for innovation and we are looking forward that our scientific team will be filling some 9 odd patents lined up. It will boost our visibility in the market as a Innovator of supplements for Indian and other markets.

Sanjay shares his views on e-commerce in the health vertical

Is buying health online similar to any other e-commerce transaction or is there any kind of hesitance?

Authenticity plays a major role in health related purchases. We invest heavily in our supply chain to ensure we effectively fight against grey/fake products. Consumers are unaware of

the rampant grey market / fake products in health and come to us for the genuine guarantee quality products.

Can you give us an insight on the growth of this company?

It has seen fast growth from a less than 5 person team about two years ago to almost 10+ team as of now. We started with 200 SKU’s and now stock over 3,000 SKU’s. We are the dominant player in a number of our core categories and are larger than most of the offline retail chains in this sector.

What are some of the products that do well on the website?

Our top selling categories are Ayurveda supplements for all modern lifestyle related and chronic problems and sports nutrition, fitness, health devices, diabetes etc.

How have you been promoting the website?

We promote largely through online media. This includes advertising on Google, Facebook, and other ad networks, SEO, Social Media marketing among others.

Going forward, how will this company evolve as a healthcare brand?

We intend to be the one-stop shop for all health and fitness supplies.

It launched a magazine, what was the rationale behind it?

We see a gap in information around various topics related to health. We have a lot of in-house content that we wanted to share with the online community. Doing an online magazine is the first step towards that.

How does your delivery model work?

We deliver through various logistics partners. Usually delivery happens within two business days to metros.

What is the kind of funding you have received and what is the revenue model?

We are initially resistant to go for outside funding as we might lose out on the flexibility of the business. We have recently acquired an existing facility to make our own supplements and scale up our operations. Once done we may approach for Funding or we might go the IPO route.

Popular e-commerce sites are said to be bleeding profusely, what is your view on the future of e-commerce space in India?

We believe India will take at least 3-4 years to mature as an e-commerce market. We are basing our growth on strong fundamentals and are confident that for all players who’re doing the same, there is plenty of room to grow. We have a strong base in exports markets and we are looking to tap that market as al other countries have realised the importance of Ayurveda science and products.

In this ever changing world, it is always important for you to think outside the box and not rely on a single income or even rely on your formal job. Let’s face it, the world is increasingly becoming expensive and we would all love to live a certain life style. Unfortunately, not many of us can afford the lifestyle we would like to have, at least not with single formal employment. The fact that there is a high rate of unemployment today does not help the situation and this goes for both the educated and the uneducated alike.

This, therefore calls for ways of how to make extra money to increase your income base. One of the ways that you could make some extra money is online. However, the question would be how you go about making some money online, especially given that the World Wide Web is filled with con artists and some not so honest jobs. Contrary to what you might think, it is actually possible for you to make money online without necessarily doing illegal or immoral things. Below are some of the legit ways of making money online in Uganda that have been tried and tested.

Article or Content Writing and Rewriting

Writing is not only reserved for journalists but can be done by all who have a passion for it. If you love to read, then I guarantee that you can write as well, or at least you can learn to do so. There are a number of legitimate sites online that connect article writers to those who would like content to be written for them. Not that you will get a highly paying job as soon as you start, but like all things in life, your reputation will speak for itself. Slowly build a clientele and in a short time, you will have so much work to do, that you may not be able to finish it all. Some of the sites that you could start with are freelacer.com and fiverr.com among others. You could also look out for some blogs that are looking for paid content.

Affiliate Marketing

Sell other people’s products online and make money. Affiliate marketing is that simple. If you have your own products, you could sell those but if you don’t, all you might need to do is pay a small fee to access other people’s content and start marketing it or selling it on their behalf to earn a commission.

Start your own Website/Blog

You need not have a degree in computer engineering or programming to start your own website. There is so much content online as to how to start your own website right from choosing a domain to templates and design. Create your own website, post attractive or good content, get visitors and start earning money. However, for this to be a viable income generating activity, you need to employ some bit of creativity. Create a website that has content which will attract as many visitors as possible. Remember that the more traffic you receive on the site, the higher your earnings.

Surveys and Reviews

There are several websites online that offer payment for surveys and reviews of different products and services. You might be required to write reviews about certain products or take surveys on them. However, it will also require you to supply certain information to that website for example your credit card information or banking details. It might also require that you purchase the products or try out the services for you to be able to offer a proper input as to their quality. However, it is of utmost importance that you be careful when supplying your bank details since they can be used by fraudsters to rob you. In other words, only deal with websites that are genuine and remember that if a site is offering money that seems too good to be true, it probably could be a scam.

Virtual Assistantship

It is possible for you to work from home and work as a virtual assistant to businesses or companies that need help doing things like answering phones, responding to emails, data input and any other administrative support. You will most likely work with businesses that are too busy to do the work themselves and are looking for a work force that is not too expensive yet effective at the same time. You could choose to do this as a solo or make a company and partner with other virtual assistants especially if you are looking to dealing with big companies that might have loads of work. You too do not want to be overwhelmed and seem ineffective in the work given.

Data Entry

Many may argue that automation is threatening this kind of work today but I assure you there is still lots of data that needs to be entered in many companies in the world. This is one of the easiest jobs you can do online since it doesn’t require any special skill other than having a good typing speed and dedication. So if you get a data entry job, take it not for granted but do it effectively and it could bring for you some good money.

Gaming and betting

Gambling is also another thing that you could look into, though it is often best that this is combined with another job all together. For you to benefit from gaming, you need to do it responsibly and also understand the kind of game you intend to invest in. For example, if you are a football fan and understand the game and teams well, you are probably best placed to focus on betting on football than going into say, horse racing.

The ways of making money online at home are endless and it is not possible to exhaust all of them in one single article or go. But whatever you try, remember that like all other jobs, you may have to start small and slowly grow your business. You could choose to do online work as full time or simply take it on on a part time basis as a way of earning some extra money. Whatever you decide, the work is out there and you need only go out and search for it.

This startling figure comes from a recent review of the financial advice offered from the big four banks by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).

Even more startling: 10% of advice was found to leave investors in an even worse financial position.

Through a “vertically integrated business model”, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, Westpac, ANZ and AMP offer ‘in house’ financial advice, and collectively, control more than half of Australia’s financial planners.

It’s no surprise ASIC’s review found advisers at these banks favoured financial products that connected to their parent company, with 68% of client’s funds invested in ‘in house’ products as oppose to external products that may have been on the firms list.

Why the banks integrated financial advice model is flawed

It’s hard to believe the banks can keep a straight face and say they can abide by the duty for advisers to act absolutely in the best interests of a client.

Under the integrated financial advice model, there are layers of different fees including adviser fees, platform fees and investment management fees adding up to 2.5-3.5%

The typical breakdown of fees is usually as follows: an adviser charge of 0.8% to 1.1%, a platform fee of between 0.4% and 0.8%, and a managed fund fee of between 0.7% and 2.1%. These fees are not only opaque, but are sufficiently high to limit the ability of the client to quickly earn real rates of return.

Layers of fees placed into the business model used by the banks means there is not necessarily an incentive for the financial advice arm to make a profit, because the profits can be made in the upstream parts of the supply chain through the banks promoting their own products.

This business model, however, is flawed, and cannot survive in a world where people are demanding greater accountability for their investments, increased transparency in relation to fees and increased control over their investments.

It is noteworthy that the truly independent financial advisory firms in Australia that offer separately managed accounts have done everything in their power to avoid using managed funds and keep fee’s competitive.

The banks have refused to admit their integrated approach to advice is fatally flawed. When the Australian Financial Review approached the Financial Services Council (FSC), a peak body that represents the ‘for-profit’ wealth managers, for a defence if the layered fee arrangements, a spokesman said no generalisations could be made.

There are fundamental flaws in the advice model, and it will be interesting to see what the upcoming royal commission into banking will do to change some of the contentious issues surround integrated financial advice.

Many financial commentators are calling for a separation of financial advice attached to banks, with obvious bias and failure to meet the best interests of clients becoming more apparent.

Chris Brycki, CEO of Stockspot, says “investors should receive fair and unbiased financial advice from experts who will act in the best interests of their client. What Australians currently get is product pushing from salespeople who are paid by the banks.”

Brycki is calling for structural reform to fix the problems caused by the dominant market power of the banks to ensure that consumers are protected, advisers are better educated and incentives are aligned.

Throughout, history, we have experienced, a variety of economic conditions, and circumstances, including, recession, inflation, and somewhere, in – between! For a few years, we experienced, very – low inflation, largely, caused by a variety of conditions, world – wide, and largely, disrupted – by, the ramifications, and impacts, created and caused, by this horrific pandemic! Currently, we seem to be experiencing, a serious amount of inflation, created, by many factors, including, but, not, limited – to: post – pandemic ramifications; Supply and Demand issues, caused, to a large – degree, by, supply – chain, issues; maintaining, unrealistically – low, prolonged period of near – record – low, interest rates, etc. With, that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, examine, consider, review, and discuss, 6 potential dangers, from prolonged periods of inflation, and why, it is important to know, and understand, options and alternatives, to attempt to choose, the best – path – forward!

1. Cost of Living: Some factors, determining, the Cost of Living, include: wages (and wage growth); prices, etc, and how wages, are, or, aren’t able, to keep – up, with the increase in costs, etc! Most realize, we have, in the past – few months, experienced, a huge, jump, in pricing, most – apparent, in the food stores, restaurants, and, nearly, everything, related – to, day – to – day, existence, etc!

2. Federal Reserve: In recent times, the near – historic – low, extended period, of interest rates, has, in addition, to the intended measures (helping businesses, and the economy, in trying – times), has caused a Real Estate, Sellers Market, and, a huge rise, in home prices, in most parts of this country! In addition, it created a surge, in consumer use of credit, because, borrowing, appeared, cheaper! However, most economists forecast, many of these supports, and maintaining, such low rates, will, gradually, be reduced (or minimized), probably, beginning, next year. What impact will that have, and will we see, the historic reaction, which has been, when rates rise, it helps reduce inflation, etc?

3. National economy/ conditions: Largely, because of a world – wide, supply – chain, set of obstacles/ challenged, many industries, have experienced, challenges, in terms of, getting sufficient amounts of needed materials, etc! Go into, nearly, any store, and you will see, more – sparse, shelves, than we have seen, in recent memory! In addition, building supplies, products, food, toys, cars and car parts, etc, are under – stress, because of this!

4. Worldwide economies/ economic conditions: Nearly, every nation, is experiencing, economic issues and challenges! The United Kingdom, because of worldwide, as well as specific national trends/ causes/ conditions, has been largely, impacted! Since, we live, largely, in a global economy, when there is any disruption, in the supply – chain, it affects, everyone!

5. Stock and Bond Markets: Because of several reasons/ factors, the United States Stock Market, has benefited, significantly, and experienced, significant increases, in the price of stocks. In addition to the obvious ones, because, interest rates, have been, so low, many investors, believed, stocks, were, nearly, the only game – in – town! When, if, interest rates, rise, bond rates, will rise, and existing, bond prices, will adjust, and drop!

6. Immediate, intermediate, longer – term ramifications/ impacts: The immediate impact of inflation, is, usually, rising prices, and, wages, which, usually, rise, at a far – lower rate! In the intermediate – period, we begin to see, weakening economic trends, and in the longer – term, depending on how long, it ensues, there are often, several, undesirable ramifications, and impacts!

Don’t take inflation, and its risks, for – granted! The more you know, and understand, the better prepared, you will be!

Although, we hear, a lot of opinions, about, interest rates, and their trends, and impacts, very few people seem to understand, the significance, and importance/ relevance, of these rates, in several areas of our lives! After, many decades of involvement, in political campaigns, leadership, leadership training/ planning, real estate, financial sales and consulting, etc, I strongly believed, one benefits, by understanding, more about these, and how they affect, many things, in our lives! Whether, related to personal, organizational, and/ or, public finance/ spending, home ownership and related costs, credit – related issues, business matters, stock and bond pricing, etc, interest rates, truly, significantly, matter! With, that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, 5 of these areas, and how the cost – of – money, makes a significant difference.

1. Bond prices and interest rates: The price of a bond, generally, is inversely – related to interest rates! When these rates go down, prices, rise, and when they go up, the inverse occurs! Bonds have, what is known, as, a par – value, which is the price, paid, at the end of the term. Markets usually set these at 100, which represents $1,000 per bond, at maturity. However, during the period, the pricing can rise or fall, which impacts, liquidity – related issues!

2. Mortgage rates: For the last few years, we have been witnessing and experiencing, record – low, mortgage interest rates, which have helped the overall, real estate/ housing market, especially, in terms of, pricing increases! In most areas of this country, we are seeing, home prices, at their highest levels, ever, by a significant, dramatic amount! When this rate, is low, a home buyer is able to buy, more – house – for – his – bucks, because, his monthly payments, are so low! Consider, however, what might be the potential ramifications, and impacts, when these rates, will, inevitably, rise?

3. Consumer credit: Low costs of borrowing, help the automobile industry, in terms of consumer financing, etc! Although, not as much as other vehicles, rates on credit card debt, are lower, and there are often, shorter – term, promotions, offering deals! However, since, most of these are variable, and based, on some index, etc, what happens, when there is an increase, in this?

4. Business borrowing: Another area affected, is business cost of borrowing! Presently, they have had access, to relatively, cheap – money, which helps in reducing the costs of borrowing, overall operations, purchasing inventory, etc. But, what happens, when this, ticks – up?

5. Impacts on stock market prices: For some time, because bonds have paid so little, in terms of dividends, etc, many have considered, the stock market, the only game, in – town! In addition, many corporations, have seemed, better – off, than they probably are, and we have witnessed, a higher, ratio of prices to profits, than in the past! How long will this last? How high can it go?

Many factors impact these issues, especially: actual and/ or, perceived inflation; consumer confidence; politics/ government actions/ the Federal Reserve, etc. The more you know, and understand, hopefully, the better – prepared, you will be!