We Will Definitely See Some Bounce Back In The Economy: Markand Adhikari, SAB Group
Markand Adhikari is an Indian Media Baron and Chairman & Managing Director of Sri Adhikari Brothers (SABGROUP). He has many firsts to his credit and his SUBGROUP has a presence in all verticals of media.
In an interview with BW Businessworld, Adhikari talks about from pandemic to the future of broadcasting and media.
How have been the last 17-18 months for you personally and professionally?
It’s been a very unique experience both ways. Suddenly the entire world has turned virtual. If you look at it, just two years back, video conferencing facility was rare and only a few big companies would use it but now everyone carries it in their hand. Personally speaking, I don't feel energetic if I don't attend office. I feel the energy has dissipated from my life.
How have been for Sab Group?
At SAB we have managed to sail through with the tide. Though it is a challenging time, however, we have faced challenges right from from start. Hope the coming festive season will bring happiness. Sometimes after a Tsunami, the roads become clearer.
What is the direction your business has taken at Sab Group?
As I said, God is kind enough and we have sailed through the storm. Business is more and less the same though it has taken a beating during the first 6 months of lockdown 1 and in three months of lockdown 2. As we have always done something different, within these challenges too, we have decided to create a new roadmap for Digital businesses.
How did you show compassion for your external and internal stakeholders?
It is well-known fact that we are one of the very few business groups that have not laid off or cut salaries of our workforce during this unprecedented crisis. In fact, we have also started social initiatives to extend our hand of cooperation for migrant workers through “Hunaar Pratiyogita ” across our platforms.
What is the future you see for broadcasting and media?
Broadcasting is here to stay in our country because our culture is of family and appointment viewing. Media is a part of day to day life of every human, be it entertainment or news. Even though at present maximum ad spends are going into broadcasting, but digital is the future and time is not far when all mediums will be digitised. Digital will see vertical graph growth year on year.
You were the first listed media entity. Why are stock markets so exuberant?
India is a very vibrant economy and the capacity of consumption is far more than what it is at present while developed countries are saturated. So foreign institutions and investors are pumping huge money into stock markets every day and the result is in front of us. During this pandemic induced lockdown, many middle-class individuals earned a lot through the stock market while sitting at home. Despite that, there is a big disparity between the stock market and the main market.
When do u see the full revival of the economy?
I think this answer lies in the fact that how long the virus will continue to exist and how fast vaccination programme penetrates throughout the world as now economy is somehow globally interwoven. In short term, we will definitely see some bounce back but the sustenance of the same is dependent on virus mutability.
What do u feel about the valuation of startups?
Out of every thousand startup’s, the survival and success are between 0.01% - 0.05%. It is a very micro ratio but the world survives on hope and there is always a future discounting method in businesses. It is too early to comment on the valuation of startups as the gestation period is about 8-10 years. So at present, it is a loss funding proposition. One doesn’t know which horse will win the race.
