Deepak Alse RadhakrishnaSimplifying problems, products and projects
Bio

Experienced management professional with entrepreneurial drive, the ability to combine big picture systems thinking with details and a successful track record across all stages of technology product/service lifecycle (strategy, development, launch and customer support) for electronic hardware and software systems in industry-leading firms across multiple industries.


Recent Answers


Considering the three key strengths you have ( Clothing experience, Access to multiple brands and physical outlets), and the specifics of Argentina's online retail space, I'd go with option 2. Gilt does have a unique brand image and you can develop something that has more sustainable competitive edge. Trying to be a mix of all things for everyone will put you in competition with someone like Mercado Libre and also strain your focus. Many of the other themes and products you mention fit under the 'Lifestyle' category and those will be a logical extension once you establish yourself as a good focussed fashion/clothing online retailer. All the cross-reference and sub-sites style architecture creates great business for those in the business of search engine optimization and generating clicks but there is little evidence that such a model does indeed create a higher margin or higher volume of business. The benefit for investing in a focussed brand for online retail is that it tends to generate a higher order of repeat business and that is something worth considering in a country like Argentina where the internet retail business has a significantly higher level of penetration when compared to many other countries. The business of promoting a web of online properties is a complicated exercise that sounds very exciting but it is not necessarily the best way to establish your online presence. You have physical multi-brand retail outlets and I'd lean towards a hybrid online presence model that will use the online presence for brand building and the store as well as related supply chain for operations. Again, the answer lies in the details for what you want to accomplish first with the online business - You want Scale, or Margins, or Sustainable business based on branding or just skim the market for whatever opportunities exist?


Here's a few things I've done for B2B engagement with a startup.

1. Engage with their primary IT services/solutions vendor for a three-way deal that commits the vendors support for your product for a 3-5 year timeframe - This will mean a margin erosion, but you'll benefit from having a larger partner and the execs will be comforted by the fact that there's a longer term support vision.
2. Put your code and design in escrow - There are many source code escrow options and you should negotiate the contracts carefully and with good legal advise.
3. Build your pricing mechanism in ways that stagger/cycle payments over a longer period of time - This is tougher when you are starting up, but it maybe a point on the negotiating block that will help the vendor managers/contract teams lean towards you.

Your 'Go To Market' strategy should envision as many scenarios as possible and build a response case around each. There is no single silver bullet that will convince all execs who deal with startups.


You should start with understanding the 'Pulse Polio Initiative' that the Government of India(GoI) runs. GoI is a critical player in any plans you'll have for entering the Indian market. The 'red tape' will depend on the type of Polio vaccine you intend to introduce - IPV/OPV. There are many Indian manufacturers of polio vaccines and they will be your competition as well as sources of red tape. Until recently, there were no IPV manufacturers, but now the Serum Institute is a significant player in the IPV space, locally and globally.


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