Message From MD, October – 2024

Dear Friends,

As we mark the completion of the first six months of the financial year, it’s time for our mid-year review – a crucial opportunity for reflection and recalibration. This biannual review helps us assess staff performance, evaluate progress against our targets, and identify areas for improvement. It enables both the management and teams to pinpoint skill gaps, revisit development goals, and make necessary course corrections to ensure we finish the year stronger.

I’m pleased to share that our performance so far is promising, especially considering the challenging market conditions. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to those who have exceeded their targets and encourage everyone to continue striving for excellence in the second half of the year.

However, amid these achievements, I find myself deeply concerned about the innovation landscape in our industry. True, we see product modifications, but many of these lack customer-centricity and sustainability. Technological advancements are quickly followed by newer iterations, making it increasingly difficult to stand out through functional differentiation alone. This is not unique to us—many industries face the same challenge.

Take Apple, for example. It’s been 17 years since the first iPhone launched, yet millions of people eagerly await every new model, expecting revolutionary changes. While Apple has enjoyed unparalleled success, even they have struggled to meet expectations with their recent launches, where functional innovations have become harder to achieve. The iPhone, once defined by its cutting-edge features, has now transitioned to a brand that thrives on its surrounding ecosystem – its surround attributes. This shift is a powerful lesson for us. When functional differentiation reaches its limits, we must pivot to the surrounding elements that resonate with customers: the experience, the brand narrative, and the emotional connection.

The key to success lies in identifying and leveraging these surround attributes. By deeply understanding our customers’ mindsets, we can craft an experience that goes beyond mere product functionality. And once these attributes are identified, it’s imperative to communicate them effectively. As they say, even the best mousetrap without the right bait won’t catch the mice. That’s where great marketing comes in—pairing superb product design with compelling storytelling is what makes a brand unstoppable.

In the era of AI, this becomes even more critical. AI will continue to make data more accessible and markets more transparent, meaning products will become increasingly comparable. Our challenge is to ensure that what we offer—our projects and services – cannot be easily compared to anyone else’s. Innovation remains important, but with AI accelerating the pace of replication, our unique narrative and customer experience will differentiate us in ways that products alone cannot. To achieve this, we must meticulously manage every aspect of our offering – the product, pricing, placement, and promotion.

As we embark on the second half of the financial year, let’s harness the power of great design, purposeful storytelling, and a relentless focus on delivering an unmatched customer experience. Together, we can continue to build an unbeatable brand.

Wishing you all the very best for a successful and fulfilling second half.

Warm regards,

Sunil Kumar V
Founder & Managing Director
Asset Homes