The pandemic and its ripple effect have given a surprise boost Virtual-event platforms.
Dear Balbir Singh Sooch,
From businesses to our daily lives, the pandemic has changed everything in a short span. While the virus has left several sectors faltering, a few businesses have managed to ride out the storm, clocking rapid growth. Take virtual events and conferencing. The segment has presumably benefitted the most on the back of a spurt in digital consumption amid the lockdown. Our first story focuses on this trend.
TECH
The rise of virtual-conferencing platforms
Virtual-event platforms have been operating for more than a decade now. However, the uptake of virtual conferencing, except for a few solutions such as remote-collaboration tools for business meetings, had been dawdling. The pandemic and its ripple effect have given a surprise boost to these platforms. But the question is: Will their customers switch back to walk-in events once normalcy returns?
CONSUMER
Fashion stores take to D2C to save business
Left to the mercy of scared shoppers and an unpredictable public-health policy, department-store chains have been forced to ramp up efforts to directly reach customers. But going online would mean competing with e-commerce marketplaces. Also, the D2C format will have limitations for established players, which are attuned to traditional ways of doing business.
ENVIRONMENT
Draft law thumbs its nose at environment
The recent judgement in the Sterlite Copper case highlights two serious flaws with the draft Environmental Impact Assessment Notification. One, it allows ex post facto clearances to industrial units that violate environmental laws. Two, it expects the violators themselves to report the wrongs they have done, or government authorities to file complaints. People’s objections may not make any difference.
Regards,
ET Prime Team