The ICC World Cup 2011 (February 19-April 2) promises to be bigger and better this time, especially because it's happening in India. However, the cricket tournament looks set to send many other businesses for a toss.
According to a survey by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM), the event will certainly hit India Inc's productivity. And if you don't get to watch any good films, or fresh episodes of your favourite shows, blame it all on the World Cup.
Mind Your Business
According to the survey, with approximately 10-12 million people watching the matches, there will be a productivity loss of 768 million man hours. With 35% of the respondents planning to use their annual leave, 23% planning to call in sick and 32% working shorter days, bosses may have a tough time keeping employees focused on their workstations.
"Although some of the good matches will be during weekends, three of the quarterfinal matches are scheduled for weekdays. If any of these happen to be between good teams, I'll definitely take leave. Thankfully, India is playing twice in Bangalore, and both matches are on Sundays," says Sanket Ahuja, working with an investment firm in Bangalore.
Bosses concur that this is not the first time they'll face this situation. "This happens during IPL and the FIFA World Cup too. Suddenly, more than half the male employees try and call in sick. Those who come to work itch to get back home. During IPL's last season, on popular demand, we had to have a television installed in the canteen. And all this happens despite the fact that we follow a flexible timings system," says Santosh Sharma, executive vice president of a Delhi-based IT firm.
Box Office Bomb
Apart from " Saat Khoon Maaf", releasing on Feb 18, and "Game" on April 1, there are no big releases during the two months the Cup will be on. Says Pramod Arora, group president, PVR, "Producers shy away from releasing films during big sporting events. This year too, the World Cup was taken into consideration. Except for "Saat Khoon Maaf", "Tanu Weds Manu" and "Game", we don't have any big Bollywood films releasing these two months. But we have very good regional (Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam) and Hollywood content. All cineplex chains knew this was going to be the leanest quarter." Jayendra Banerjee, VP (operations), Satyam Cinemas, says that this is the time when only good content can bring masses to cinema halls. "Unlike other quarters when we register footfalls for even not-so-great films, this is the quarter when WC and exams are going to badly hit the BO. Since people already have a lot on their agenda, only films that click really well will do business," he says.
Idiot Box Rules
This is also the time when the 'TV vs biwi' wars will start. General entertainment channels (GECs) are anticipating a fall in TRPs for even their best shows. "This time the frenzy is higher as most of the matches will be played in India itself. TRPs for shows will be hit especially on the days India is playing. Interestingly, IPL has starting affecting TRPs a lot, since no matter who's playing, Indian players are always there," says Danish Khan, business head, Sony Entertainment Television.
And if they can't cure it, GECs have plans to endure the event. "On weekends, we may have marathon reruns of some of our most popular shows. No new shows will be launched during this period," says a source at Colors.
According to a survey by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM), the event will certainly hit India Inc's productivity. And if you don't get to watch any good films, or fresh episodes of your favourite shows, blame it all on the World Cup.
Mind Your Business
According to the survey, with approximately 10-12 million people watching the matches, there will be a productivity loss of 768 million man hours. With 35% of the respondents planning to use their annual leave, 23% planning to call in sick and 32% working shorter days, bosses may have a tough time keeping employees focused on their workstations.
"Although some of the good matches will be during weekends, three of the quarterfinal matches are scheduled for weekdays. If any of these happen to be between good teams, I'll definitely take leave. Thankfully, India is playing twice in Bangalore, and both matches are on Sundays," says Sanket Ahuja, working with an investment firm in Bangalore.
Bosses concur that this is not the first time they'll face this situation. "This happens during IPL and the FIFA World Cup too. Suddenly, more than half the male employees try and call in sick. Those who come to work itch to get back home. During IPL's last season, on popular demand, we had to have a television installed in the canteen. And all this happens despite the fact that we follow a flexible timings system," says Santosh Sharma, executive vice president of a Delhi-based IT firm.
Box Office Bomb
Apart from " Saat Khoon Maaf", releasing on Feb 18, and "Game" on April 1, there are no big releases during the two months the Cup will be on. Says Pramod Arora, group president, PVR, "Producers shy away from releasing films during big sporting events. This year too, the World Cup was taken into consideration. Except for "Saat Khoon Maaf", "Tanu Weds Manu" and "Game", we don't have any big Bollywood films releasing these two months. But we have very good regional (Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam) and Hollywood content. All cineplex chains knew this was going to be the leanest quarter." Jayendra Banerjee, VP (operations), Satyam Cinemas, says that this is the time when only good content can bring masses to cinema halls. "Unlike other quarters when we register footfalls for even not-so-great films, this is the quarter when WC and exams are going to badly hit the BO. Since people already have a lot on their agenda, only films that click really well will do business," he says.
Idiot Box Rules
This is also the time when the 'TV vs biwi' wars will start. General entertainment channels (GECs) are anticipating a fall in TRPs for even their best shows. "This time the frenzy is higher as most of the matches will be played in India itself. TRPs for shows will be hit especially on the days India is playing. Interestingly, IPL has starting affecting TRPs a lot, since no matter who's playing, Indian players are always there," says Danish Khan, business head, Sony Entertainment Television.
And if they can't cure it, GECs have plans to endure the event. "On weekends, we may have marathon reruns of some of our most popular shows. No new shows will be launched during this period," says a source at Colors.
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