The Pandemic’s effect on Consumers’ behavior

 

The world has changed since early 2020 when the virus was first discovered. It's now more than a year today and situation has not changed any better. In fact I am in the beginning of the second wave and the situation looks grim. The pandemic has upended life for people across the globe, from how we live, work and the way we socialize. Despite fluctuations in the pandemic the overall level of impact it has on the consumer has remained high. Experts say that the world will never be like before. We ought to change and adapt to the “new normal”. This pandemic has indefinitely altered societies and economics around the world and has hit various sectors of society in different ways.  This unprecedented situation has totally changed the everyday life of consumers and has dramatically changed how businesses act and consumers behave. The current situation has made many consumers reconsider their established buying and shopping habits and even forced many to learn a new one and get used to the ongoing trend. There is now a definite need for retail marketers to watch the changes in consumers’ shopping behaviour and habits. They have to try and learn the changes in strategies that they need to adopt and cater to the needs of their customers.  

A consumers' choice can be can significantly affected when the customers learn about the scarcity of products. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, consumers have showed stockpiling behaviours that are significantly unusual from their usual traditional shopping behaviour. Furthermore, new regulations imposing social distancing have a further vast impact on consumers’ favoured channel for shopping. The surprise addition to this is that the older and less digitally-savvy consumers have started learning and enjoying online shopping, welcoming the safety offered by technology. Consumers are switching to online purchases because it offers the safety and benefits of home deliveries and also cashless payment. The lockdowns have certainly caused disruptions and triggered behavioural responses in the minds of the people.  

In the past we have read about the major transformations that happen during times of crisis. People now are deeply concerned about the impact of this virus, both from a health and an economic perspective. When it comes to shopping, a significant number of people are making online purchases more frequently during this pandemic than they did before, and less than 30% are shopping in person at stores. This shows the drastic change in consumers’ behaviour. Research shows that the virus and its consequences has led to fears, worries and anxiety and has become one of the major factors impacting the health and wellbeing of individuals worldwide. 

Online store keepers have to think of a different approach when they deal with buyers who are not comfortable with online shopping. Especially in their purchase decision-making, fear for health, play an important role. Marketing communication and the retailing process have to address their fears and reduce the risks connected with the shopping process. Retailers have to produce after-sale services in order to have the customer happy. The e-commerce sector has responded rapidly to the challenge of creating positive experiences during this pandemic. Companies have widened their product ranges. This has attracted large numbers of consumers, and this will make many of them continue to buy online for a long period of time. E- commerce retailers  that provide positive experiences are likely to last longer, particularly those driven by a customer-centric approach with good customer service. 

 

What Can This Be?

After many years, I have now struggled to accept reality. Its bitter and the path ahead seems scary and palpable which makes me think twice before taking my next step. I find my decisions becoming conscious which slows my pace. This, I am writing here, just to motivate myself each time I read it, that nothing should stop me.       

The god’s we make

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. I grew up reading the Bible knowing the existence of God based on how it is recorded in the Bible. I believed in a God who was self existing from time immortal. This God whom I know was not created, but I believe is the creator of everything. No one made Him a God, but He is that supreme power that He is.

The perception of this supernatural being called God which I have picturized within me, seems to be so different from what many have in this country. This ‘God’, I now see, seems that He can be easily created. The things I learnt growing up are different from what it is now. I realized now that becoming god is easy in the land where I live in.

Easy steps to become God:

1. Become a master blaster cricketer:

In a nation obsessed by the game of cricket, all you need to do is to become a very good batsman. Score loads of runs even if your team loses the match. All you have to do is to play cricket all your life. Money and fame will be at your door step. You will be crowned ‘The God of Cricket’.  

          Requirement: Have a strong, fit body. 

2. Start acting:

Entering the film industry would be the best idea if you ever thought of becoming a God. If you become a superstar, you become a god. People will build places of worship for you. Most of the actors and actress have these things built for them.

Requirement: Should be born in a wealthy family. Fair/dark skin,                                 fat/muscular body not needed.  

3. Enter politics:

You become popular and powerful when you become a politician. Place of worships are built for politicians and they are worshiped.

          Requirement: Should be good in convincing masses. Should be an                              exception in knowing all the crooked ways. If you’re                              good at cheating, then this is the right choice. 

4. Dress less and Meditate more:

Yes, if you dress less, wearing minimal clothes and sit under a tree motionless for some days, you are in for a surprise when you open your eyes. People would have built a place of worship around you and would be performing spiritual rituals to you. This too, like the above is a very enticing way to become god.

The common result for all the above ways is that fame, money and power are guaranteed which come along with a ‘god’ status. So, isn't it easy?

Analyzing this issue:

I pondered on this for many days trying to understand this whole concept of who god is? Why does a man believe that another commoner, the same human as he is, is a superhuman being? The answer is simple. The search for god, is what makes him do all these things.

The quest for peace, joy, love and happiness ends with God. When man realizes this, he starts searching for God. This search makes him go to extends where he ends up doing the same old things as before if, he does not end up on the right path which is, as recorded in the Holy scriptures’, as Jesus said ‘’I am the way, the truth, and the life:’’

*this article is written not to target any religion or community but solely for the purpose of helping a person to analyze his life.   

Save life - Written for Help a child of India

With nearly 20 million homeless children, out of which 10 million are girls, India’s future stands at the brink of a lost path. In spite of several measures and strict laws, safety and security of women continue to be the concern across the country. The episodes of Nirbhayas and Abhayas exposes how unprotected are girl children, particularly those who dream of pursuing education and employment in a city not known to them. Attacks and abuses are unabated. One incident follows another with spine-chilling details. It is a stab through the heart to hear of every instance when a woman has been traumatised.

Some alarming facts:

• 12 out of 100 girls are forced into child labor
• 18 out of 100 girls are married off before they turn 15.
• 1 out of 4 girl children go through abuse (Physical/ emotional/ Sexual)
   before the age of 4.

Many children growing up on the peripherals of the society become victims of various kinds of abuses - sexual, physical and emotional. Unlike few fortunate children who enjoy a decent life, many are deprived of safety, love, affection and supervision of adults. Many children walk around with empty stomachs. All the bad elements in the society misuse such innocent children and they are forced into child labor, abuse, drug abuses and also into anti social acts.

Help a Child of India after intensive research in a quest to address these issues, have identified 10 Urban Agglomerates where we will work for the protection and wellbeing of girl children. They are 

Amritsar  |  Ghaziabad  |  Guwahati  |  Vishakhapatnam  |  Surat
Patna  |  Pune  |  Ranchi  |  Coimbatore  |  Ernakulum

There is a great mission that is ahead of us “Caring for the Girl Child”. Our focus is to help empower underprivileged women and girls in India through personal safety and physical self-defence training. We need your support and contribution for this venture.

No girl – No mother – No life.  So,

Join us and Help a Girl child live in dignity.

http://www.helpachildofindia.org/

Rise up India - In aid of Help a Child of India

Help A Child of India (www.helpachildofindia.org) has had its presence in India for 44 years and has been working for the welfare of marginalised children, irrespective of their caste, language or religion. The work of Help a Child is spread across 14 states and currently over 10,000 children are supported. Its interventions are mainly in the area of education, health and vocational training.

The concert is unique as 50 percent of the seats is reserved for children and large part being under privileged children from various Orphanages in and around Chennai.

The concert will feature two children bands "Minor Chords" and "CeeGees". The proceeds from the concert will be used for the "Girl Child Protection" initiative of Help a Child of India .

Follow Jesus on Twitter - or what it would have been like :-)

The Christmas Story Via Facebook

A wonderful video . 

The Super grandma

Make it clean

This is an amazing video which I stumbled across while surfing the net. This, I am sure will teach a lot of lessons to all of us. Watch and follow its message .... Make this a better place to live...:-)

Title: Nandri Jesus

Many times I started writing songs, but never completed anything. I have always thought to myself why am I not able to write a song. This song talks about the love of my lord Jesus. It is a time to thank the Lord for all the goodness He has done in my life. This song will touch the hearts of all those who hear it. Thank you Jesus.

1.   Incomparable is your love Lord, So, nandri easu,

   Unmatchable is your love Lord, So, nandri easu,

   Thy mercies are new for me everyday, So, nandri easu,

   Uncountable is your faithfulness, so nandri easu.

Chorus:

Thank you Jesus, nandri Easu,

Nandri Easu, thank you Jesus

Enn pathangal thavaramal you held me,

Enn valikai ali yamel you guided me,

enni your Word theytriyadhu,

Thank you Jesus, nandri Easu,

Nandri easu.

      Iam the apple of your eye,  So, nandri easu,

   You have numbered my hair, so nandri easu,

   You have graven me on your palm, so nandri easu,

   It is you who first loved me, so nandri easu.

   You bore all my sins, So, nandri easu,

   Iam now a free person, So, nandri easu,

   Still koinjam kalam than, so nandri Easu,

   Then to a land far away, So nandri Easu. 

 --- Anand Emmanuel john

Touch one child’s life and inspire a million - Help A Child in India

When I had a cup of coffee it was 4 in the morning. No sun rays had peed out from the clouds yet. The roads were calm and the night had not faded away. But there was this young mother of a 2 year old girl child trying to make herself and the baby comfortable admits the pile of stones that were stocked in front of a construction site. The building next to our home happened to be that place. That evening I walked up to the place where the construction was going on and enquired her whereabouts. Those workers had come from different places of India as daily wages. The next day in the afternoon she and some workers came to my house and asked for water. As I gave them a bottle to drink, she smiled and told that her name was Salim. She seemed to be in her early 20's. 

Many like Salim are burdened of parenting a child at a very young age. These children suffer from malnutrition. They never get the opportunity to go to school as their parents ( In most cases single mothers) leave their home towns and travel distant places for a living. They don’t find a permanent resting place of their own, instead build beautiful luxury homes for others all through their life.

The worst affected are these toddlers. They are born on the streets and live life like a vagabond with a high risk percentage of becoming into a notorious criminal or fall prey to poverty and hunger. These little victims of bad destiny, for no fault of theirs except for being born into a poor undesired, marginalised society, suffer without proper shelter, food, clothing, education and a decent upbringing. For a crime they are not part off, these children are exposed to pollution, all kinds of diseases, sexual harassment (Which is common in our country now a days), torture (In case of child labour which is also a major concern in this country), unclean drinking water and many other threats. In these, some of which like sexual harassment and child labour, continue for generations where a select community of people are underlined and branded that they are born to undergo these kinds of inhumane brutalities. 

   

Are we all not born with the same blood as those innocent infants are? Is it not our responsibility to bring a change in the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters?

Help a child in need and enjoy the smile on its face. There are many not even able to find a daily wages job. Their life ends in their small unapproachable village where only poverty laughs loud in those lands. Touch one child’s life and inspire a million. You can do so by contributing just Rs.500/- per month.

please visit the below web site

http://www.helpachildofindia.org/

 http://www.helpachildofindia.org/donate-money-gifts.html

Are we Mourning or Dancing?

I wanted to write on this issue a long time back, but I just dint get the right words to express my inner most feelings as it was hurt by a lot of cruel and unhealthy criminal contributions by our whole national system towards women who are considered the sacred identity of God.

There are a large section of people who stood up against some evil doors demanding justice for poor Nirbhaya. But what happens to the other thousand Ms X, Mrs Y’s? With a deliberate intention I coated the other victims of this cruel act with different prefixes. Yes, the young and the old are all sufferers of such viciousness and their cry gets disappeared into thin air even before it could reach their roofs. Some die even before they could cry. Their identities are lost and gone for ever.

Marry young, escape rape: Haryana ex-CM, Om Prakash Chautala backs Khap Panchayats call to lower marriageable age to 16. – Hot news making rounds in all the media.

If such is the mind set of these political leaders of this worlds largest democratic nation, then how can justice be without bias?

This is the anger of a real living soul. An rage suppressed by power and money. This has become a place where law is covered under a haystack and burnt to ashes.

Dr. Anita Shukla, Lions Club Secretary has said: ‘The victim should have surrendered when surrounded by six men, at least it could have saved her intestines'.

I want to end here with a question, a suggestion and a promise …..

Is India mourning the death of an innocent victim of brutality and animal behavior or is it celebrating its cricket victory over its rivals? If here, the later part wins, then India will never see a CHANGE. Celebrities from every field should stand up for this cause. Even they are humans and citizens of this country. Its cricket and films that drive Indians crazy. Why cant celebrities (Demi God’s) raise a hand against abolishing this cruel act from our society. Where has the IAC, the Hazare’s and the kejriwal’s gone? No matter who supports, I will stand up for this. A commoner like me will fight it out. 

Justice is inevitable.

A serious thought

Last month the state of Haryana saw more than 15 rape cases and the Government says that rapes in Haryana are consensual a statement given by Haryana Pardesh Congress committee (HPCC) member Dharamvir Goyat. 

Earlier, opposition leader chief Om Parkash Chautala is sincerely seeking to lower a women's marriageable age to prevent rape cases. He wants to introduce "Child Marriage". What a solution to prevent rape.... 

Suggestion to lower the marriageable age of boys and girls to bring down incidents of rape points to the utter failure of our society to protect a girl child. Instead of strengthening her protection, our leaders want to confine the girl child indoors. They say child marriages should be legalised to ‘rescue’ girls from such crimes. Is there any evidence to show that married women are not sexually assaulted or that married men do not commit the heinous crime? Why are solutions to crimes against women in the form of restrictions like ‘don’t go to school, don’t go to work,’ etc? Instead, why not teach our sons to respect girls?

Child marriage is a crime against society, especially girls.  These reckless statements given by our leaders only show the pathetic situation in which the nation is. Our politicians are not only corrupt but also irresponsible.   

Where is the nation heading??? God have mercy...... 

"Rape is a reproach on Haryana"....

FB – A new nation

I asked a friend, Hey buddy where r u? and he replied, Iám on FB man. I’ll catch you there.  You are in a lost world if your not hooked up with fb.  Some people say that they spend more time in fb than elsewhere. They don’t find you cool if you aren’t a fb man. 

Social networking has brought in a whole new change in this society. It gives a wide range of exposure all under one roof.  

To be continued soon.......

Driving – A nightmare in Chennai

It took one and a half hours to cross one kilometer at around 7 in the evening on old Washermenpet road. Such is the nightmare caused by these broken roads and the construction of the metro rail for the people. The men on their bi-cycles could not move either. I switched off my engine and so did I see many doing the same. I was lucky to take my friends that day as we had some long interesting conservation. But when I looked around, I found many interesting people. A lonely man inside his luxury Skoda car was struggling to keep awake as he was in total frustration. Then I saw a family of 4 on a motorbike struggling to give place for each other but finally as usual the mother’s love was triumph full. That was a beautiful screen to watch as I saw love and contentment overtake comfort and struggle.

Then, after a while of talking with my friends I again looked through my car window and I started to observe the people on a bus. People were cramped into that bus and I found many not even finding a place to hold anywhere. For a moment I thanked my Lord for giving me this privilege of sitting in an air-conditioned car. The people sitting were not comfortable at all. Humidity and the smoke coming out from the vehicles was chocking them as many had their face covered with a cloth. Many had their earplugs connected to their handsets enjoying their favorite tunes. Some, after a good look I realized that they were busy talking with someone.

With all these things happening around me I was able to forget my frustration and slowly the traffic moved on. But sadly it was just for a few meters before it came to a standstill and I had to start over from where I left my observations.

Roads in Chennai are virtually becoming hell for drivers as most of the roads are blocked and made into one ways. To top this all, the roads are hardly seen with the way filled with only loose stones and mud. The metro rail construction has swallowed more than half the roads in most of the places. Usually our roads would be just 70 to 80 feet wide. Now with the intrusion of the metro rail construction these roads have shrunk to about 40 to 50 feet in width and with a two way traffic lane. With the increasing population and the rapid increase of vehicles (Both four and two vehicles) in spite of the hike in fuel prices, these roads have become unpleasant for driving. It would take another five years to breathe freely on these Chennai roads.

Thirumbi Naan Paarkayil – A spirit filled musical treat

This song is sung by Brother Samuel Jabro and Sister Hema John, a prominent, spirit filled singner among the Christian population of South India. Bro Sam as he is fondly known among his friends is a dedicated Christian and a fervent prayer warrior. He is a talented musician who carries the gospel around the world with his musical talents. The song’s lyrics were penned down by his wife Sister Anusha Jabro who witnessed the darkest side of this world by undergoing the toughest situations and is a living testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. The outcome of this beautiful consequential song is the path through which she went in life.

This song starts off by counting the richest mercies of God remembering God’s hand during our toughest situations in life. “Nadandhu vandha paadhaiyai, Thirumbi naan paarkaiyil, Iraiva neer andru illayael Naan indru illai”. The translation goes like this “As I look back on my life, Lord I realize, had you not been there then, I will not be here today.

Yes, If we stop a moment, give a break from our busy schedule and look back at our past, we will realize how wonderful and graceful our Lord was upon us. He would have protected us from the clutches of death a million times in the past years. Every breath we take and every step we take is because His love has no bounds. It is because we are the apple of His eye. He has selected us and not we. It is because He as graven us on the palm of His hands. He died that we may live and it is because He still lives and has his angels watch over us.

Life is because He was there for us on that day holding our hand firm as we treated on the rocky places not knowing our ground not even knowing to toddle properly with our weak legs. This is why He says that “My grace is sufficient for you”. Yes, His grace alone is enough for us to live in this world.

The song then goes on like this…..

Nadu kadalil naan kadhari azhudhavaelaiyil,

En Kural Kaettu ennai vandhu meeteerae,

Uyir pogum ena naan kalangiya vaelaiyil,

Um siragaalae moodinirae,

Which mean ‘When I cried out to you in the middle of the ocean, Lord you heard my voice and rescued me. When I shivered and feared for my life. Lord you covered me with your wings and protected me.

Our Lord is our pleasant help in times of trouble. The Psalmist says “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help”. The Bible is full of promises which will never fail. We stand on the unfailing promises of Jesus. Our ground is a solid rock and with Christ in our vessel we can anytime smile at the storm. He is always willing to lift us up from the clay and rescue us in times of trouble.

The last verse concludes bring in hope for the hopeless,

Edhir kaalam ennavendru theriyaadha vaelaiyil,

Pudhu paadhai neerae kaatinirae,

Kadhavugal ellaam moodiya vaelaiyil,

Suvaraiyae udaiththu vazhi amaitheerae,

The English translation for this verse is “When I did not know what the future held for me, Lord, you showed a new path to tread. When all the doors of opportunity shut on my face, Lord, you broke the wall and made a new way”.

The only hope for the Israelites was Mosses, the prophet of that age sent by God to lead them from captivity. But we, the spiritual Israelites, the bride of Christ are more blessed as we have our savior himself as our only hope in these last days. So, lets us cling on to him and walk according to His word and prepare ourselves for that glorious coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The theme of this song is love. When we look back at our past, we can see nothing but love alone. Tears roll down my cheeks as I look back at my life and then I can say just one word “LOVE”. Love is God, for God is love. What an awesome God I have. I can write a thousand pages and still say that I am at the beginning. So great this love is which is limitless.

This is a beautiful song which will turn the hearts of a million across this world towards the original and everlasting love of our maker and creator the Lord Jesus Christ....

Some meaningful visuals has been added to this music track for you to be blessed more so that you can show this to all your friends easily.

The below link will direct you to this video song. Enjoy watching it. God bless you…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4qf2sUw9Skk

A new Look

Today thought of giving my blog a new look. I never changed its style since i first made it in 2007. So I thought to bring in some new features as well. I need your valuable comments on this. I will also be soon launching my new blog exclusively for music lovers. So be right back here soon for its arrival. I am sure it will excite all music lovers and its sure to give the world of music at the click of your mouse. So stay tuned in folks for the music.

A million riding high with this luxury

A billion eyes fall upon him as each time he enters the cricket arena.  He shows his class and exhibits his supreme talents and outplays each opponent every time on the field. He is a master in all the department of this game. At 37 he runs faster than the youngest cricketer and fields better than the finest fielders in the world. Yes, it’s the little master (I call him the Big Boss) because he is truly the boss of cricket. He has given this nation of riding high on his achievements.  The Indian team is still depending on this genius even after him carrying the entire nation on his shoulders for more than 20 years now.  His age might call him old, but he is still new and fresh to this game. A fearless batsman who can belt any kind of blowing attack and make them look like a piece of joke. 

He is the highest run getter for India as of now in this world cup edition. He has been India’s most successful cricketer ever and it will take another 10 decades to break his records by any cricketer.   

I am a trainer now

With the students of Annamalai University in Chidambaram. Next to me are the other trainers and the faculty members.

This is another turn around in my life. Standing in front of a crowd is a big achievement for me. Yes, on the 20^th of July when I received a call confirming my job with TCS, I was overwhelmed with joy not only because I had got a job after a long gap, but also because of the giant leap I had taken in my career. Becoming a trainer was a dream coming true as I had only been admiring that job. I always admired the speaking talents of people who used to speak on a stage with such fluency and command over their topic. This opportunity came by sheer God’s grace who works in ways that we cannot comprehend. I also got the opportunity to lecture to the final year top rank engineering students of Annamalai University in Chidambaram last week. I also had a session for a set of their lectures too. I was a big stage for me as it was the first time I was training on soft skills for such a large audience. But by God’s grace I was able to perform well and got positive reviews from all the students and the factually members. I hope to continue in this profession for as long as I believe that I can strongly contribute to this field of training.

Materializing the dreams of a billion

India finally fulfilled the dreams of a billion by taking the world cup after a gap of 28 years. It was a great achievement by these men. By taking this victory, India’s greatest batsmen Sachin has now added all the feathers onto his cap . This was one thing that was missing in this little man’s great career, but now he is part of this historical event too. This huge victory will be remembered for generations to come. Hope the boys keep this winning streak going and stay on the top position for some time. They should not let this victory sit on them and start playing lousy cricket. They should keep this momentum going and start dominating this game like how the Aussies did for these past several years. Hanging on to that magical No.1 position should be their next goal. But for now I conclude by saying three cheers for their great victory over our neighbors on that great world cup final match.