Perka: Loyal Marketing Platform Gone Interactive

In April 2011, a new digital loyalty marketing platform was established to provide an engaging alternative to plastic card or paper-based incentive programs. This company, called Perka, is an interactive solution. Its technology is compatible with mobile phones through apps and SMS.

Aside from being a loyalty marketing platform, Perka is also functioning as a direct marketing platform or an analytics tool. Perka’s features complement all kinds of mobile loyalty categories. It fact, it is a modern version of a loyalty program.

Perka is different from the traditional loyalty platform that rewards customers for visiting stores even without making a purchase. At Perka, a customer earns rewards as the point-of-sale validates a purchase. At its early goings, Perka’s design was primarily for coffee shops, giving away one free cup for every ten cups purchased. But Perka has already diversified to include other types of businesses.

Perka is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Its founder was former Zenbe CEO Alan Chung. Joe Stelmach, Jay Harlow, Rob Coury and Robert Bethge were his co-founders.

Micromax: India’s Worldwide Influence

Micromax is an electronics company headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana, India. It manufacturers consumer electronic devices such as computers, tablets, mobile phones, LED TVs and 3GDatacards. The company operates 23 offices in India and employs more than 650 employees.

Micromax was established in 2000 as an IT software company to work pm embedded platforms. It first ventured into the business of mobile phones in 2008. By the end of 2010, Micromax is one of India’s largest low-cost mobile phone producers. Micromax accounts for 22% of the smartphone market in India.

In such a short time, Micromax was able to penetrate the mobile phone market of India through its wide array of product portfolio. As of the first quarter of 2013, Micromax offers over 60 different models of mobile phones that feature 3G Android Smartphones, dual SIM phones, 3Gdata cards, Tablets and PCs and LED TVs. Micromax was also to be credited with many firsts: dual SIM, 30-day battery backup, Universal Remote Contro Mobile Phone and QWERTY Keypad.

When Micromax decided to enter the mobile phone production business which was dominated by multinational companies at that time, the company had to emphasis its primary selling point – price. For Micromax, technology and innovation need not increase the price too much, that more people can’t access the gadgets. The company forecasts that by 2014, Micromax would account for a double digit mobile phone market share.

It looks like Micromax is on its way to achieve its goals. The Global Handset Vendor Market share report from Strategy Analytics indicated that Micromax is now the 12th largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world. as Micromax continues to put emphasis on innovation, technology and research and development, Micromax would do well in differentiating itself from other industry players through its new designs at lesser price.

Micromax’s success in the handset industry was steered by four people who shared the responsibility of running the business along functional lines: Managing Director Rajesh Agarwal, Executive Director Rahul Sharma, Business Director Vikas Jain and Chief Technology Officer Sumeet Arora. Since 2008 when Micromax entered the mobile phone market, the emphasis on dynamic adaptation to the changing market trends has not changed at Micromax.

SigFig: Free Investment Protector

It is unfortunate to be burdened by bad investments and hidden fees. It is good that there are companies like SigFig that helps in tracking and protecting investments for free.

SigFig’s solution integrates investment stuff in one dashboard – funds, stocks, IRA, and 401Ks. This helps the investor to take a look at his investments at one glance, using a desktop or any mobile device. Based on the data available, SigFig will run portfolio tests in order to provide unbiased and data-driven investment advice. It signals for underperforming investments, unnecessary brokerage fees, and overcharges from money accountabilities.

Security at SigFig is of prime importance. SigFig implements bank-level security. To prevent anyone from moving money or making trades, it also functions as read-only. Using the same encryption and security practices as those employed by banks and other financial intermediaries, SigFig has been helping over half a million users manage more than $40 billion worth of investments.

BrightSource Energy: The Fulfillment of the Solar Promise

BrightSource Energy is a designer and developer of solar thermal technology that produces high value steam used in industrial processes, power generation, and petroleum. Combining breakthrough solar technology with the capabilities of power plant designs, BrightSource is one of the most reliable and responsible clean energy generators.

BrightSource has standing power contracts for the production of 1.8 gigawatts of electricity with two of California’s largest utility companies, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and Southern California Edison.

Nearly 30 years ago, a group of technical experts pioneered the first utility-scale solar power plant by designing and developing a solar thermal electric power plant that can generate 354 megawatts of electricity. Using its extensive expertise in project development, this team was able to develop, construct and manage solar, wind, and other conventional power plants worldwide that has the capacity of generating 20 gigawatts of power.

BrightSource capitalizes on these experiences to advance the industry of solar thermal energy through the development and deployment of solar power tower systems that provide higher solar power conversion efficiency at the lowest possible costs.

In its thermal technology, BrightSource creates steam outside the conventional way – using nuclear power or fossil fuels – but the energy comes from the sun. Because there are no turbines used in the operation, not only the output power is clean but the entire process of producing that power is clean and environment friendly.

In order to control thousands of tracking mirrors, BrightSource is using its own proprietary software called heliostats. This allows the sunlight to focus on the boiler filled with water. As the boiler is hit by sunlight, the water heats and creates steam. The steam drives the turbines to produce electricity or enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the industrial process application.

With the integration of power black components like turbine with its proprietary technology, BrightSource expects to be able to deliver the most reliable, most cost-competitive, and cleanest power.

Knowmia: Learning in New Packages

Much of what we know now have been the influence of the teachers who have painstakingly transferred knowledge and information to us. These teachers have inspired us and made learning new things enjoyable.

In this modern time, teaching materials have moved to the use of short video lessons. A destination that features these videos called Knowmia provides materials that help people succeed in school in a time-efficient and affordable without compromising personal touch.

Its wide array of video lessons presents challenging topics that help students prepare for a new test or an entire course. The videos are also presented in different teaching styles so that users can choose the one that fits their learning preferences.

Initially, Knowmia’s target audience are high school students. Meanwhile, plans on expanding to other grade levels are on the way and would be implemented soon.

Knowmia was founded Ariel Braunstein, who was co-founder of Former Flip, and Scott Kabat, a marketing executive.

Accor: The Outstanding French Hotel Group

Accor S.A. (Societe Anonyme) is a French hotel group that is part of the CAC 40 index. It operates in 92 countries, with about 3,500 hotels in five continents that represent various diverse brands. Their hotels vary between budget and economy lodgings and luxurious accommodations in exotic locations.

Accor was founded in 1967. During the decade when it was established, the travel industry in France was booming. However, new hotels were concentrated in major urban areas such as Paris. Paul Dubrule and Gerard Pelisson, who were both living in the United States and working for huge computer firms back then, went into business together and decided to establish a hotel group. SIEH (Société d'investissement et d'exploitation hôteliers) was developed in 1967. As they saw the success of American lodging properties along primary highways and in suburban areas, the two partners launched their first American-style Novotel hotel just outside of Lille in Northern France. In 1974, they also launched the ibis brand as they opened the ibis Bordeaux.

In the next year, the hotel group acquired the Courtepaille and Mercure brands and in 1980, the Sofitel hotel brand, which consisted of 43 hotels back then. After two years, they bought out Jacques Borel International which was the world-leading brand offering restaurant vouchers at that time. The group acquired its current name, Accor, in 1983 and they continued to offer restaurant tickets and hotels. 

In 1984, Accor’s founders were elected as Managers of the Year by the Le Nouvel Economiste magazine. Meanwhile, in 2010, Accor sold 48 hotels for the hefty amount of 367 million euros which is about $465 million. The sell out was part of their plan to liquidate some real estate holdings including seven properties in Germany, 10 in Belgium, and 31 in France. The sale occurred within the next three years and the company’s debt was cut by about 282 million euros.

Boyd Gaming: Filling the Void in the Gaming Industry

Boyd Gaming Corporation is an American company based in Paradise, Nevada. It is focused in the development, ownership, and operation of casinos and hotels in and out of Nevada.

Boyd’s history can be traced back to 1941 as founder Sam Boyd first arrived in Las Vegas with his family. After acquiring a job as a dealer, he continues to work his way up in the Las Vegas casino industry until he was able to buy a small interest in the Sahara Hotel and Casino. He later left Sahara to become a partner and the general manager of The Mint Las Vegas.

With his son Bill as his partner, he acquired the Eldorado Casino. After the Mint was sold in 1968, Sam went on to work full-time for Eldorado. Boyd Gaming was then established on January 1, 1975. It was known as the Boyd Group back then and it initially had 75 investors. In 1979, Boyd Gaming performed its first expansion and opened Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall.

Lindsay Corporation: Manufacturing Irrigation Products for Over Five Decades

Lindsay Corporation, a company listed on Forbes Magazines’ list of America’s Best Small Companies, is a company engaged in the manufacturing and production of irrigation and infrastructure equipment.

Founded in 1954, the company has grown from a small farm equipment business, to a worldwide corporation that has products being sold and used in over 90 countries.

Lindsay operates in two segments: irrigation and infrastructure. The company’s irrigation segment is responsible for the development, manufacturing, and distribution of the company’s line of irrigation products. These include lateral move, central pivot, and hose reel irrigation systems. Their products are primarily used in the agricultural industry, but have special uses in other industries as well.

Lindsay’s infrastructure segment is responsible for the marketing of the company’s infrastructure products that include road safety equipment, road barriers, railroad signals, steel tubing, and crash cushions to name a few.

Lindsay’s success over the years has been due to the company’s determination to provide innovative irrigation and infrastructure products that truly make a positive impact on businesses and the community as a whole. Their irrigation products are specially designed to promote better soil structure and to increase overall yields.

The company’s infrastructure segment is determined to provide safer transportation systems for the world’s increasing population, especially in developing nations. Although road safety is the primary concern, the company also manufactures products that make railroads and rail travel a safer means of transportation.

As part of the company’s growth strategies, Lindsay is in the business of acquiring other companies that they deem will positively contribute to the company’s overall mission. Their acquisitions include Digitec, a company engaged in electronics research and development; IRZ Consulting, an irrigation consulting firm; and Claude Laval Corporation, a company they acquired in August of 2013.

Lindsay Corporation is based in Omaha, Nebraska. Their more than 1,000 employees work in their different offices around the world. CEO Richard Parod, who continues to increase growth for the company, leads the company.

Babolat: The “Total Tennis” Company

Babolat is a sports equipment company based in France. It is known worldwide as a producer of badminton, tennis, and squash equipment. Babolat was used by some of the world’s most popular athletes like Rafael Nadal.

Babolat started producing strings in 1975 after Pierre Babolate was successful in creating the first strings made of natural gut. The company’s successes continued until 1994 when Babolat resembled a “total tennis” company.

With its popularity, Babolat not only produced strings but request frames which the company sells in Europe. Expansions also followed as Babolat entered the Japanese and American markets. Sales picked up quickly in the US and other North American countries. Babolat requests were distinguishable since it carries an easily identifiable trademark – double lines on the strings on the racquet face and the frame.

Babolat eclipsed the more popular brands like Prince, Dunlop, Head, Yonex, Wilson, and Slazenger at the 2005 Australian Open. This indicated how Babolat has made a mark in the tennis and badminton markets.