After having grabbed my choice seat on the subway today morning, (yeah that’s how courtesy works in New York City), I was reading an interesting article on today’s Journal: New Ways to Read the Economy. When it comes to macro details, I like the right mix of data, insight, and, of course, “unfounded rumors” -helps one arrive at the preferred judgment.
For instance, 18 months back when economists were still debating if it was a recession in the US, it was pretty clear to all of us trying to get some new business that recession was here in its full glory.
So, as I read through the article I wanted to throw out some of my rather skewed ways to read the economy. I am pretty sure this will stir a pub debate with our analysts in India, but by the time I make my next trip this blog would be a distant memory – hopefully 
.
So here goes:
The Mom Index: Every week I have a pretty long chat with my folks in India. My so very connected mom would tell me how my distant cousins were doing (and how much they are making), what was on sale at the store, and of course the power cuts. A pretty decent sample and cross-section of topics to get the pulse of a rather large demographic in India – The Middle Class.
The Cabbie Correlation: Whether you are in New York, Dubai or India, the best way to get a feel of the social fabric is to speak to the cabbies. Last year around cabbies in New York would tell me which bank was laying off, why people weren’t spending, and how life was getting tough in the city (with a lot of colorful expletives that are a noise in the sample).
And of course how can I miss out my doorman here. He knew exactly who was recruiting, who got laid off, and who was headed back to China. All this with the apartment numbers…that’s pretty good micro segmentation for you…
And finally (do I hear the bugles…)
The Fair Weather Index: How many of my sales buddies called me to discuss opportunities-needless to say vice versa as well. When you are busy selling, you usually don’t call anyone..
I would be curious to know your own indices and your track record with them…
Till next …Happy Selling…
