Archive: March 24, 2023

Serta Simmons Bedding to expand its business in India in collaboration with VFI Group

24th March, Delhi : Serta Simmons Bedding, the largest bedding manufacturer of premium mattresses in the USA is expanding its operations to India by establishing new factories in collaboration with VFI Group. This new venture is expected to bring high-end luxurious mattresses to the Indian market, catering to the growing demand for premium sleep products.

Serta Simmons considers India as the fastest growing market with tremendous potential, and to cater to the high-end customers in India, they are setting up 2 factories in Meerut and Vadodara with a deal of technology transfer. The factories will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and manufacturing processes, ensuring that the mattresses produced meet the highest quality standards and cater to the growing customer base.
Serta Simmons Bedding, with a strong focus on research and development, has been a pioneer in the bedding industry for over 150 years. Their commitment to innovation and quality has earned them a reputation as the most trusted brand in North America.

Moreover, Serta Simmons Beddings has been the sole bedding provider for Marriott International for years. Additionally, they cater to some of the world’s most renowned hotels, including Intercontinental Hotel Group, Radisson hotels, Hilton Worldwide, Taj hotels, and many others.

To solidify and oversee the expansion plan, Serta Simmons’ representatives-Mr. Alex Seidel and Ms Tonya H. Berry are joining us for our official “Howdy India” meet at the Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Delhi.

Mr. Alex Seidel is the Director, Brand Licensing at Serta Simmons Bedding. He is a bilingual professional and an expert in sales, account management, and business growth. At Serta Simmons, he oversees more than 60 licensees in more than 120 nations. Before joining forces with Serta Simmons, Mr. Alex also worked with some of the world’s top brands like The Coca-Cola Company and Mystic Investments LLC. His experience in foreign business, agreements, and growing global presence also extends his skills to relationship building and management, promoting global footprints.

Ms Tonya H. Berry is the Vice President, Global Licensing Strategy and International Expansion at Serta Simmons Bedding. She is an influential leader and a visionary who understands and addresses complex business challenges. With more than 20 years in the business, she is an expert in her field and fearless of any obstacles. She has been associated with many renowned brands in her professional journey, such as Zep Inc., Kimberly-Clark, L’Oréal, etc.

This collaboration between Serta Simmons Bedding and the VFI Group marks a significant milestone for the Indian bedding industry. And with this venture, Serta Simmons Bedding aims to generate a revenue of 200 crores by 2026.

VFI Group is India’s largest premium mattress manufacturer, producing luxurious mattresses using innovative technology and materials. VFI group is also the owner of the Indian International premium mattress brand and exporter— Springfit and now is collaborating with Sera Simmons. As a responsible corporate citizen, VFI Group is committed to supporting the Prime Minister of India’s “Make in India” initiative, which aims to boost the country’s manufacturing sector and promote domestic production.

The company’s focus on innovation and research has helped it to develop products that are not only comfortable but also sustainable. With this new collaboration with Serta Simmons Beddings, VFI Group aims to target the high-end customer base of India and generate 800 crores in revenue by 2026.

Uber launches airport-friendly features for riders and drivers in India

Mumbai, March 24, 2023: Uber today announced a slew of new features to make airport travel a breeze for riders as well as drivers ahead of the busy summer travel season. This includes the option to ‘Reserve’ rides up to 90 days in advance. The ridesharing company has been working to create a seamless airport transit experience and already has dedicated pick-up and parking slots at all major airports in the country.

Here are the new features for riders to navigate their rides better at the airport:

Directions To Pickup

Allowing flyers to better utilize their time at airports, the Uber app now features a step-by-step wayfinding guide, assisting riders on their way from the gate all the way to the Uber pickup zones. The guide includes actual pictures from the airport, guiding passengers to seamlessly make their way to their Uber. The feature is being rolled out across 13 of the busiest airports in the country, catering to a vast majority of flyers.

Additionally, riders at select airports will also see the approximate walking time from their gate to the pickup zone, helping them plan their journey accurately.

Travel Integration to Pre-book Rides

With an aim to help people plan their travel to airports at the tap of a button, Uber has introduced a new feature where riders can opt to sync their travel plans with Uber via email integration. The new feature helps riders pre-book their rides, while being assisted with pre-filled dates and times on their Uber app, corresponding to their flight, saving them the hassle of booking a trip at the last moment.

The new feature is an opt-in, and will require riders to sync their email IDs with their Uber app to be able to access it.

Uber Reserve

Uber Reserve trips will be available to be booked up to 90 days in advance. This extension will allow for better planning when it comes to reserving a ride, including to the airport. This also gives driver partners the added advantage of being able to lock in their potential earnings, and plan their time better.

Uber Reserve rides, while being available for airport drop-offs, can also be booked for regular, planned travel, and are available through a range of options, including Uber Premier, Uber XL, Uber Intercity, and Uber Rentals.

Boosting Driver Support for Airport Trips

For greater transparency and information for driver partners around airport trips, Uber has introduced an update for them too. The Uber driver app will now show the approximate waiting time at the airport before drivers can expect to get a ride, the number of cars in queue, and the number of expected flight arrivals over the next hour. These updates have been introduced with an aim to help drivers plan their airport trips better, and to offer them intel on the expected time for their next ride at the airport.

Uber recently announced a thorough revamp of its app, making it more intuitive, customized to the individual preferences of each rider, offering easy access to all services, consistent experiences, and smooth flows through the booking process. The launch of these new features for airport travel is part of the redesign to make airport experience seamless as travel bounces back globally.

Vastu Housing Finance Corporation partners with Dhriiti to felicitate entrepreneurs with the WOMEN MICROPRENEUR AWARD 2023

New Delhi: As a part of its ‘Oonchee Udaan’ initiative, Vastu Housing Finance Corporation partnered with Dhriiti, an NGO, to felicitate 50 women with the WOMEN MICROPRENEUR AWARD 2023 in New Delhi today. The awards ceremony celebrated the strength and resilience of women from low-income communities who have become entrepreneurs against all odds.

These women micropreneurs run various businesses, ranging from makeshift kirana shops, and tailoring to food carts to tuition centers with an average annual revenue in the range of INR 2-3 lacs. The ‘Women Micropreneur Award 2023’ is the culmination of a series of efforts to identify, motivate, train, guide, and support women who are striving to earn a livelihood through modest businesses.

After an intensive process of engaging with 400+ women across Delhi NCR, 50 women micropreneurs were chosen from Delhi’s low-income neighborhoods, including Sangam Vihar, Dakshin Puri, Tigri, Noida, Jaitpur, Tuglaqabad, Bindapur and Najafgarh for the program. Held at Triveni Kala Sangam, the award ceremony was graced by Smt. Urmila Jamnadas Asher, a septuagenarian Youtuber, founder of Gujju Ben Na Nasta, and a MasterChef India 2023 finalist. She shared her experiences and stories of courage with the audience, inspiring the women entrepreneurs with her “Gir Uth Par Ruk Mat” mantra.

“The Micropreneur award honors the grit and determination of 50 women from less privileged backgrounds who have overcome challenges to embrace entrepreneurship. Our Oonchee Udaan Program provides micro- entrepreneurial women a platform to access the resources, tools, and mentorship necessary to manage their businesses successfully. It reflects our commitment to advancing financial inclusion, and increasingly empowering women entrepreneurs, in the country.” – Sandeep Menon, Founder, MD, and CEO, Vastu Housing Finance Corporation.

The ceremony saw a panel discussion on “Leveraging the entrepreneurship revolution to benefit women- micropreneurs.” The panel comprised Ms. Firdos Khan, a member of the Delhi Commission for Women, Ms. Vikas Goswami, CSR Leader; Ms. Kamini Prakash, Indian School of Development Management; Ms. Mamta Jaiswal, Dhriiti Alumna Entrepreneur and moderated by Ms. Rituparna Ghosh, Entrepreneur & Storyteller.

Dhriiti – The Courage Within (www.dhriiti.com), an NGO in Delhi, is the co-creator of the Women Micropreneur Award 2023 to recognize and support women in their entrepreneurial journey.

Ms. Nidhi Gupta, Executive Director, Dhriiti – The Courage Within, said, “Our first cohort of awardees comprises a brigade of unstoppable warriors. When I met these women entrepreneurs for the first time, I realized that while their challenges are unimaginable, they personify resilience in a way many of us can never do. With no training in business and no identity as an entrepreneur, they leave no stone unturned to keep their little ventures alive. Hats off!”

There are innumerable challenges that restrict women from low-income communities to sustain and scale their business enterprises. Most of these women-led businesses operate in the informal sector with no access to government schemes, compliance benefits, growth finance, etc.

Vastu’s ‘Oonchee Udaan’ initiative provides an opportunity for these women to benefit from the resources and opportunities that the current ecosystem offers entrepreneurs. It attempts to build a new narrative in the start-up ecosystem that identifies women micro entrepreneurs as active and valid participants in the entrepreneurial revolution of the country.

It was the first time for the 50 women to attend an entrepreneurship support program that shares know-how on building better businesses. Through a multi-pronged approach of skill development, perception building, community building, and in-kind support, the program has enabled the women entrepreneurs to strengthen their financial status, break out of existing social identities, and understand their agency in life and business.

Social Media Influencers Take India’s Travel Sector by Storm

Social media influencers have undoubtedly revolutionized the way we travel! From hotel reviews to restaurant suggestions to incredible destination ideas – it’s never been easier to get the scoop on the best places to stay and things to do.

Especially in India, where tourism is a booming industry and growing at an impressive rate, influencers are playing a major role in helping people discover new and exciting destinations. From small towns with local delicacies to ancient historical sites and bustling cities – India has something for everyone!

“Social media influencers have become a major driving force for the hospitality and travel sector in India, and partnering with them can offer immense benefits. Working with influencers can create a wider reach and effectively target niche markets that may be difficult to access otherwise. It is also a great way to promote special offers, generate brand awareness and trust, and encourage potential customers to take the plunge.” says Pushppal Singh Bhatia and Ravneet Kaur, That Couple Though.

Challenges of Working With Influencers in India

It can be difficult to find the right influencers for your brand, as many of them don’t specialize in this sector or have a good understanding of the industry. Additionally, the sheer number of influencers available can often make it difficult to pick the most suitable one for your brand.

Another challenge lies in knowing how much to pay an influencer. Influencer fees vary depending on the size and reach of their audience, but they can also be quite unpredictable if you don’t have an established relationship with them. It’s important to ensure you are getting value for your money and that the influencers you work with are doing their best to promote your brand.

Measuring the Impact of Influencer Campaigns on the Travel and Hospitality Sector

You may not realize this, but influencer campaigns can have a major impact on the travel and hospitality sector in India. After all, social media has now become an integral part of many people’s lives and they turn to influencers to find out what trends they should follow when it comes to traveling and staying in a hotel.

Social media influencers in India are looking at ways to further utilize technology such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in order to create engaging content that will really hook people into planning a desired trip. This tech will allow potential customers to experience what a certain location looks and feels like before they even book their ticket, adding yet another layer of trust for those considering a trip to India.

Not only have they helped drive more traffic to the hospitality and travel sector, but they have also been instrumental in increasing brand awareness and generating more revenue for companies in the sector. It’s clear that the travel sector in India is improving due to the rise of social media influencers and their ability to tap into the nation’s fast-growing digital population.

Cyboard School announces Admission Open for 2023-24

New Delhi, MARCH 24’2023– Cyboard School, a leading online K-12 school, is pleased to announce the admissions for the new batch of the 2023-24 academic session. The school offers CBSE mapped curriculum for Nursery to Grade 7 with futuristic education methods through the best faculties in the country.

Cyboard School uses its homegrown AI-enabled technology in teaching that uses machine learning algorithms to personalize the learning experience for each student. This innovative technology will enable teachers to provide targeted instruction and feedback to students, leading to better academic outcomes. A one-of-the-kind two-live teacher model ensures a very healthy student-teacher ratio of 40:2 along with AI monitoring.

The school also amalgamates STEM modules in its curriculum to provide hands-on learning experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The STEM module is a part of the school’s ongoing efforts to provide students with learning that prepares them for higher competition. Cyboard School also offers a diverse language program that includes both Indian and foreign languages. Students can choose from a range of languages, including French, German, Spanish, and Sanskrit.

” We are excited to announce the opening of admissions for the 2023-24 academic session,” said Supreet Kaur, Principal of Cyboard School. “We strive to provide an education that prepares our students for success in the 21st century, and our CBSE-mapped class module and AI-enabled technology in teaching are just some of the ways we are achieving this goal.”