Monday 28 October 2013

HOW TO WELCOME NEW EMPLOYEE


When you welcome a new employee, you have the opportunity to build up your relationship, and the new employee's relationship with your company, in a powerfully positive way which may lead to number of advantages out of which. job satisfaction is the most important. But, to do this effectively requires an investment of your time by management.
Once you have invested the time for one employee, however, it will provide you long term return as it is a durable investment. Your management philosophy and approach to on-boarding a new employee are unlikely to radically change.
Though the investment on the front end is time consuming and demands efforts as well but it's worth every minute. Here are few recommendations:
  • Develop a 90-120 day on-boarding plan that introduces the new employee to a nature of their work, company, customers, or culture every day.
  • Provide him  with a booklet containing codes of conduct and also give him access to ask questions if any confusion arises in understanding such rules.
  • Recruit an employee mentor for the new employee.The mentor should be  person who has common interests as that of employee's, so that the new employee may feel himself comfortable.
  • Develop a new employee welcome letter that imparts your philosophy and expectations so that the new employee knows what to expect on arrival. The welcome letter will help to make employee feel that from now on he/she is a part of your system.
  • Prepare and distribute a new employee announcement that tells coworkers enough about the new employee so that they are intrigued and interested to meet him or her.
  • Make sure your company's HR department sends paperwork, network access, and so forth in advance of the employee's start date.
  •  Make sure that the company orientation occurs quickly after the new employee starts.
  • In first two months of the job, rotate employee to various divisions and appoint a person who gives over view to the employee about the departments.
  • On day of orientation, don't forget to hand them over some company's gift hampers as souvenirs
  • Though, these things are very minor but they impart a lot in the long term and helps to reduce turn over in companies and develop healthy relationship of the employees with their peers as well as top management.

Saturday 26 October 2013

PAKISTAN'S ECONOMY FROM LAST EIGHT YEARS

Islamic Republic of Pakistan has faced various regimes of democracy and dictatorship since her birth. The macro as well as micro economic condition of Pakistan has seen ups and downs. Here as an over view of economic situation of Pakistan from 2005-2013. The data, statistics and facts have been extracted from the Monetary Policy decisions and Statements of fiscal year 2005-2013 published by State Bank of Pakistan.

2005:
Demand pressures in the economy were observed as a result of which SBP increased the policy rate by 100 bps and 150bps in two stages. Furthermore, adjustments in reserve ratios were done. In order to increase the supply of money injections of liquidity was done through open market operations. During the year 2005, SBP did monetary targeting.

2006-2007
Due to exceptional requirements of textile industry, there was excessive growth of reserve money. The economy faced supply chain food problem, which affected prices of food items. Significant rise in global community prices generated new inflationary pressures in most economies. Pakistan CPI inflation stayed around the same level much higher than target of 6.5%.
 Due to bunching of heavy foreign exchange inflows, slippage of money supply growth from its target was seen. As a result of impact of FY07 developments, broad money supply grew by 13.7%, GDP growth increased by7.2% and inflation target was 6.5%. Due to assassination of ex-prime Minister Of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto, losses were faced by various private and public sector enterprises. The policy rates announced by SBP were 9% in FY06 and 9.5% in FY07. Monetary targeting regime was followed in 2006 and mixed approach was adopted in 2007 considering various economic variables.

2008:
 Due to development programs in first half of FY08, monetary policy deviated from its frame work. The introduction of long term financing facility (LTFF) facilitated export growth up to Rs 8million. As a result of slippages from fiscal deficit target complications for monetary management increased. Delays in privatization resulted in brought gap in financing the deficit.
Issuance of global depository receipts and sovereign bonds financed almost 41% of budget deficit. Refinancing requirements were lower due to which reserve money growth slowed to 9.6%(stronger growth than planned ) and central bank financing grew to Rs.241.6 billion with market treasury stock reaching its record level of Rs.624.6billion.  Due to political uncertainty and pressure of govt. borrowings on financial system, liquidity management complications increased.
Liquidity injections in the system and decline in effective cash reserve requirements (CRR) resulted in private sector credit managed to grow by 10.4%. Export financing provided by banks as well as SBP provided export benefit of Rs.139.6 billion against export credit of Rs.131.6 billion.
During FY 2008, inflation increased to 8.7% on year on year basis, CPI inflation reached to 8.8%, food inflation was 12.2%.  Hence SBP adopted tight monetary policy which caused moderate increase in KIBOR and banks lending rates, and flat monetary conditions Index(CMI) along with fall in effective CRR. High annualized M2 growth was seen. Policy rate increased by 50bps to 10% .During first half of FY 08 SBP adopted Inflation Targeting Regime.
During second half of FY 2008, US mortgage crisis occurred which brought rise in commodity prices in international market and slide in US dollar against various currencies. The impact was global shocks in Pakistan, slow economy, along with inflationary and recessionary trend. Monetary and fiscal deficit contributed to macroeconomic imbalances. Government borrowing was within the limit i.e. only Rs 23.3 billion however resulted somehow in stability and softening of interest rates in later months. Increase in commodity prices in international markets brought economic stress and increase in CPI by 4.3% which resulted in food inflation. Increase in CA deficit by 1.5% resulted in pressure on exchange reserves. Hence SBP announced policy rate to be increased by 50bps to 10.5%.
2009:
Subsidies against increased electricity prices and poor supply chain administration brought decrease in CPI. Core inflation also decreased from 12.6%-10.7%. Strong foreign remittances resulted in surplus external current account and decrease in cumulative external account deficit. Due to increase in oil prices and cost push shocks lowered economic activities and slow down aggregate demand. The decrease in aggregate demand also decreased imports.
Increase in portfolio inflow, increase in IMF inflow, adequate DFI and decrease in non IMF official inflows resulted in improved financial accounts, increase in exchange reserves and increase in NFA. Decrease in Government borrowing caused fiscal pressure. Moreover, retirement of wheat financing and improvement in external flows brought improvement in market liquidity and flow of private to credit sector. Stagnant private sector investment decrease potential OP of economy.
Due to some risk to inflation, gradual stabilization of economy, uncertain fiscal consolidation and electricity crisis, SBP announced policy rate to be 13% following mixed approach in September 2009.
Decrease in inflation to 8.9% brought improvement in current external account. Government borrowing was within limits hence M2 remained along projected path. There was real sector improvement, which resulted in large Scale Manufacturing recovery phase after declining. Due to poor administration in supply chain, higher fiscal deficit than projected, increase in commodity prices in International Market and increase in gas and electricity prices, inflation increased between 0.5%-1.7%, CPI Basket also showed monthly increase than benchmark.
The Global economy started to revive which improved flow of liquidity across borders. This brought increase in Exports of Pakistan and private financial inflows. Decrease in DFI, decrease in portfolio inflow, decrease in official inflow, decrease in IMF inflow and uncertain non-IMF inflow caused problem of liquidity management and government budgetary financing.
 Strong inflow of worker remittances improved current account deficit. Increase public sector borrowing resulted in increase in net domestic assets (NDA), risk averseness of bank, increase in LMS and decreased chances to early retirement of borrowing for rice procurement. Improvement in electricity supply brought increase in private borrowing.
Hence it was concluded that Increase in economic risk and uncertainties because of increase in borrowing and limited economic growth, the policy rate decreased by 50bps to 12.5 for November 2009. SBP adopted mixed approach.

2010:
With increase in energy sector prices, the economy faced persistent inflation pressure. Improved BOP position, decrease in external current account deficit and decrease in external financial flows resulted in increase in foreign exchange reserves. With increase in LMS due to improvement in electricity supply and security, the private sector grew due to which Government and public debt decreased.
Weak fiscal position brought increase in uncertainty. The Government decided to decrease development expenditures, as a result of which surge in domestic prices and decrease in public sector investment was seen. Uncertain non tax revenues on account of foreign re-imbursement brought even more fiscal complications.
Increase in financing by friends of Democratic Pakistan (FDoP) and increase in debt financing by IMF caused banking sector resources to increase. Increase in circular debt resulted in risk averseness by banks and they would tend to negotiate higher rates in risk free securities e.g. KIBOR increased from 1.5 to 2%.
There was uncertainty in fiscal sector and MP stance had difficulty in maintaining the balance between inflation, financial stability and economic growth during FY 2010. The policy rate remained at 12.5% and SBP adopted mixed approach in March 2010.
Due to economic stabilization efforts in May 2010, contraction in external current account deficit containment of excessive recovery growth and reduction in inflation were seen. Power crisis decreased economic activities, weaken the fiscal situation and decrease in macroeconomic stability hence, bringing increase in inflation.  Steady worker’s remittances increased in exports and coalition support funds (CSF). Along with that increase in NFA and M2 liquidity increased in rupee value.
Increase in government borrowing for budgetary support resulted in increase in NDA, decrease in private sector credit and increase in fiscal account. Tax collection was less than required and another collection of Rs 354 million was needed. FBR tax-GDP ratio was less than 10% which was one of the lowest in the world. Tax-GDP ratio was needed to be increased. Revenue deficit was 1.5%  of GDP and might cross 2% by the end of the year. Government cut developmental expenditure to decrease revenue deficit which resulted in damage to infrastructure, limited productive capacity and increase in inflation.
Decrease in productivity, increase in inflation, increase electricity prices and increase in petroleum brought increase in CPI, increase in sensitive Price Index and increase  in Non food, non energy price index. SBP while using mixed approach announced policy rate for May 2010 to be 12.5%.
In September flood hit the country resulting in fragile macroeconomic stability, low growth, increased inflation, stressful BOT and fiscal accounts. There was increase in government borrowing as well. Due to loss of infrastructure and agricultural damages, growth slowed down and exports decreased. This resulted in shortage of food leading to food inflation.
There was increase in private consumption the Government got busy meeting demand of food by victims and rehabilitation leading to deterioration of fiscal accounts. Increased electricity prices, induction of reformed GST and increased government borrowing from SBP caused increase in inflation. Decreased investment in domestic national savings increased foreign borrowing.
Budget deficit brought increase in government borrowing from SBP leading to unstable macro economic variables. Increase in external CA deficit and uncertain foreign inflows resulted in decrease in foreign reserves and pressure on exchange rate. With expansion in broad money, NFA increased. SBP adopted inflationary targeting and increased policy rate by 50bps to 13% as affective from September 2010.
High inflation, fiscal slippages and power and energy crisis caused destabilization of economy. Along with that, adjustment in fuel prices and energy, post flood disruption in supply chain added inflation increment. Increase in Govt. borrowing from SBP. Increase In security expenditures and flood related expenditures along with power sector subsidies, narrow tax base, decreased tax to GDP ratio, depreciation in rupees, increase in total debt, and decrease in productivity by private sector enhanced fiscal complications.
Increase borrowing and money creation resulted in high inflation leading high interest rate. With increase in petroleum and electricity prices and  food prices due to flood, increase in CPI by 0.6% on month on month basis occurred. Widening of tax by introducing reformed GST, power sector subsidies and limited Govt. borrowing from SBP resulted in long term economic growth.
Increase in working capital credit requirement of private sector resulted in higher in private sector prices and increased interest rates by banks. Decreased growth in NFA and deposits bought challenges of liquidity management. With real  real growth of 2.5% and decrease in public and private sector debt caused decrease in external CA deficit. Higher cotton prices made export earnings to be increased tp $7.1 Billion.
In conclusion economy was having emerging risk and uncertainty, there was a need to decrease private sector borrowing to manage fiscal position, there was restless govt. borrowing from SBP along with that increase in NDA ratio was associated with CPI inflation. Considering all factors SBP announced policy rate to be increased to 14%. Inflation targeting regime was followed in November 2010.

2011:
Improvement in external account deficit retrained Govt. borrowing from SBP and stable financial markets allowed Govt. to focus more on fiscal improvement. Check on Govt. borrowing, tax reforms, subsidies and forward looking debt strategies lead to economic growth. Dissipation of effect of flood on food prices, incomplete pass through of oil prices, smaller adjustment in electricity prices, subsidy of power sector, decrease in the Govt. borrowing and GST exemption to some extent resulted in inflation rate to decrease from 15.5 to 12.9%.
Monetary expansion aligning with productive economic capacity increased NFA. Increase public debt and decrease bank credit of private sector resulted in challenges of monetary management. Implementation of credit medium term budgetary frame work decreased revenue deficit. Middle East and North Africa uprising and damaged economy of Japan due to Earth quake affected Pakistan in many ways. Improvement in BOP caused increase in foreign exchange reserves. Using mixed approach SBP decided to keep policy rate at 14% for March 2011.
Persistent inflation, weak OP growth and decrease in private investment resulted in large budget deficit. Strong export earning along with robust growth in remittances however brought CA surplus of $748 million, increase in Foreign exchange reserves, increase in NFA and stable and liquid rupees.
Increase in cotton prices increased exports by $ 25 Billion. Private sector working capital was 3.2% and total deposits were 5.3% which gave increase to private sector credit. GDP growth was below 4%, which brought decrease in real private investment and increase in consumption demand. Increase in domestic demand and aggregate supply of OP and rising debt caused difficulty in bringing inflation down.
There was a need to Increase private investment and productive activities to manage debt burden. Along with implementation of fiscal reforms should be made. Decrease in Govt. borrowing was required to decrease fiscal deficit. SBP announced policy rate to remain at 14% and adopted mixed approach in May 2011.
Reduction in policy rates by 50bps in July 2011 lead to Decline in CP inflation and decline in govt. borrowings from SBP resulted in external current account  position stability, decline in foreign exchange reserve as well due to payments. Severe energy crisis and precarious law and order conditions made domestic economic environment least conductive for productive activities.
Flood in Sindh resulted in falling short of the annual GDP growth target. Persistence of govt. borrowings from scheduled banks , exchange rate depreciation and upward adjustments in the administered prices of energy increased inflation to 9.5%.  Closing aggregate demand and supply gap reduced inflation pressure. Due to decline in foreign financial inflows and increase in oil import payments there was depreciation in rupee of 1.7% against US $, decline in foreign exchange reserves and stressed liquidity conditions.
SBP decided to reduce polcy rate by 200bps to 12% by following exchange rate targeting in October 2011.
Decrease in policy rate by total 200 bps resulted in support of private investment in the economy. Average CPI inflation remained within the announced target. Fiscal weaknesses and falling foreign financial inflows lead to risks of macroeconomic stability and challenging market liquidity situation.
Increase in wheat support price by Rs.100 to Rs1050 per 40 k and CPI inflation, along with growing government borrowing from the banking system resulted in inflationary pressure. Abnormally high cotton prices, high international oil prices of $110 per barrel and strong growth in non oil imports brought increase in total imports growth and trade deficit.
Net direct and portfolio inflow were $207million due to which larger external current account deficit was seen. Net outflow $113 million in official loans decreased liquid foreign exchange reserves. Decline in financial inflows and external current account deficit resulted in reduction of Rs.115 billion in net foreign assets(NFA). To increase the demand for money liquidity injections by SBP through OMOS of rs.340 billion was done.
SBP announced that the policy rate would remain at 12% and mixed approach was adopted in September 2011.

 2012:
Low level of exports, increased oil prices and lack of financial inflows resulted in stressed liquidity conditions in the market. Decline in private investment had adverse impact on medium term inflation Growth and employment prospects. Shortfall in external sources increased Government borrowings. Growing government borrowing requirement (from 218 billion – 373 billion), weak private demand, increase in international oil prices caused adverse effect on inflation.  Increase in Size of fiscal borrowing, lack of investments decreased medium term productive capacity of economy.
Decline in investment to GDP ratio was a cost of economy more visible in term of private and government borrowings. Adjustments in fiscal position brought liquidity injections by SBP to keep the payment system functioning and financial markets stable. Liquidity pressure and short term liquidity injections resulted in increase in Inflationary risk.
External current account deficit, declining foreign inflows, declining trend of export quantum, substantial external debt payment led to decline in foreign exchange reserves and external position under pressure. Few developments in external sector exerted downward pressure on rupee liquidity.
Encouragement of depositors to put their savings in govt. securities through investors portfolio securities (IPS) account brought improvement in financial deepening and competition in banking system and better returns on deposit overtime.  Introduction of 5%floor on all categories of savings/PLS saving product caused average deposit rate of all saving related products increased from 2.1 % to 5.25%.
Economy needed significant fiscal and energy sector reforms, early realization of planned financial inflows was required and banks were required to pay a minimum profit rate of 6% on PKR saving/PLS saving products. Considering all these conditions SBP adopted mixed approach and decided to have same policy rate of 12% in April 2012.
Inflationary pressures, external and fiscal pressures, scheduled banks avoidance in extending loan to private businesses, energy shortages resulted in slow-moving GDP growth and adverse impact on economic conditions. Fiscal borrowing from banking system, particularly from SBP was within path so inflation was controlled. Expansionary fiscal position and aggregate demand pressures led to offsetting of weak private demand especially investment demand.
Limiting and retiring budgetary borrowing from banking system and implementation of consistent and credible policies proved to be helpful in moving away from the undesirable equilibrium. Persistent energy shortages, unstable law and order conditions, no energy sector reforms brought decline in investment to GDP ratio moreover and shrank the demand for fresh private credit.
Absence of fiscal reforms, sheer volume of borrowings from banking system, expectation that the trend of borrowing would continue the gap between fiscal revenues and expense increased and there was a fall in private investment to GDP ratio to 12.5%.
No increase in additional revenues caused difficulty in reducing the scale of borrowings from scheduled banks and retiring the borrowings from SBP. External current account deficit (3.4 billion cushioned by workers remittance) and lack of sufficient external inflows to finance deficit led to Lack of development in external sector.
Repayment of IMF loan resulted in SBP’s net liquid foreign exchange reserves declined to $ 11.3 billion. Problem of euro zone increased the uncertainty in the global economy. Moreover, appreciation of us dollar decreased oil prices and oil bill of oil payments. However, it had positive development (save up to $700 million from import payments in FY13).
Economy needed fundamental reforms to improve the economic performance. Borrowing from banking system rose to Rs.1098 billion and from SBP Rs.414billion in the same period. Year on year CPI inflation raised to 12.3%. Borrowings should be minimized.SBP did no specific targeting and announced same policy rate of 12% in June 2012.
Resumption of monetary easing brought change in  behavior of borrowers in private sector and scheduled banks to improve economic conditions. Reduction in fiscal borrowing needs from the banking system improved supply of credit to the private sector. Increase in private investment demand reduced inflation. Retirement of Rs. 412 billion of fiscal borrowing from SBP brought down core inflation by having beneficial Impact on inflation expectations. Weak financial inflows and deficit in current account balance made it difficult to create money from accumulation of net foreign assets of banking system.
Decline in year on year growth in loans to private sector businesses from 22.4% in FY08 to 0.7% on end of FY12 and declining interest rate environment helped to reorganize strategy of scheduled banks . Scheduled banks initiated again performing their basic intermediary role and channel loan able funds to private sector. Consistent shortage of energy, lack of effective utilization of installed productive capacity and weak global economy adversely effected the demand for fresh credit. Export growth remained unresponsive.
Energy sector reforms were needed for Revival of private credit, investment, sustainable medium to long term economic growth . To strengthen the liquidity management framework SBP should have implemented certain measures. Comprehensive fiscal reforms, broadening tax base, reduction in waste full subsidies, and better co- ordination between federal and provincial government in terms of keeping consolidated fiscal position under control, were required to keep borrowing from SBP under control and avoid negative consequences of excessive borrowings from scheduled banks.
The policy rate in October 2012 was declared to be reduced to 200bps to 10%. Exchange rate targeting was adopted.
Credit extended to private businesses remained muted, deceleration in CPI inflation is faster than the projected path and small Current account deficit position n were events led to improvement in economic performance. Declining financial inflows and substantial debt repayment resulted in stress on external position and decline in reserves of SBP from $10.8 billion to $8.6 billion.
Direct and portfolio investment flows led to total net capital and financial account inflows declined from 7.2 % of GDP in FY07 to 0.7% of GDP in FY12. Decline in foreign exchange reserves resulted in contraction of rupee liquidity. Depreciation in rupee by 3.3% affected the size of outstanding external debt in rupee. Lower interest rates resulted in potential effect on credit demand, increase in imports  and return on rupee denominate assets relative foreign currency assets.
Year on year growth of 26.4 % fiscal borrowing from banking system led to monetary expansion. Persistent energy shortages and output gap resulted in stagnant economic conditions coupled with deceleration in CPI inflation (November 2012 6.9%), food inflation dropped down to 5.3%  and non food inflation to 8.1%.
Fiscal authority relied on domestic sources and not on SBP for financing fiscal deficit ,comprehensive fiscal reforms along with scaling down of liquidity injections were required by SBP. To remove fiscal deficit, tax collection capability should have been improved and decrease in expenditure of interest payments were required in FY2012. Contraction took place in the manufacturing sector due to energy shortage, Targets of Improvement in availability of energy and reduction in fiscal borrowing had not been achieved. Demand for and supply of credit to the private sector remained sub optimal.
Policy rate further declined to 50bps to 9.5%. SBP adopted exchange rate targeting.

2013:
Debt repayments declined foreign exchange reserves by $2 billion (from $8.7 billion in January  2013 to $6.7billion in march 2013). Decrease in year on year inflation by 1.5% points (from 8.1% to 6.6%) provided ease in policy rate. (divergent policy choices for SBP). Low financial inflows and high debt payments provided difficulty to finance external current account deficit of  $700 million, hence there was more pressure on BOP.
Increase in interest rates discouraged speculative demand for dollars by keeping rupee denominated assets sufficiently money spinning. Substantial decline in inflation resulted in increase in real return on rupee denominated asset and depreciation of 5.2% in nominal effective exchange rate (NEER). Moreover, The real effective exchange rate depreciated by 4.2% along with increase in competitiveness of external trade sector.
Increase in real cost of borrowing led to decline in private investment and low growth economy. Loans to private business increased by 173.3 billion along with that 450 bps decline in policy rate since beginning of FY12 led to modest growth 2.9% in large scale manufacturing (LSM) sector and encouragement of further borrowings by private sector. Excessive borrowings from the banking sector including SBP ( on cash basis for budgetary support $925billion) resulted in fiscal imbalance, upward pressure on systems liquidity, market rate increase and restraining growth in private sector credit.
Untargeted subsidies, lack of tax reforms, high borrowings and increased debts servicing expenditure provided liquidity through open market operation (OMOs) as long as inflation expectation remained manageable. High level of subsidies financed by government, high rate of fiscal borrowings used to pay already accumulated debt, muted private sector investment expenditures led to substantial fiscal borrowings, high growth in M2 inflation, dampening effect on aggregate demand.
SBP announced policy rate to be 9.5% and adopted mixed approach in April 2013.
Elections in May 2013 brought clarity in political front, change the behavior of banks in auction of government securities. Stock market also reacted to the event and showed rise in index. Improvement in consumer confidence, inflation expectations and  economic conditions were observed.
Absence of financial inflow, high fiscal borrowings, power shortages and worse security conditions led to strong impediments to growth and stressed BOP. Increase in GST by 1& ( from 16% to 17%) changed the tax structure for some goods and services along with adjustment in electricity tariff resulted in average inflation increment from  target of 8% with moderate aggregate demand. Muted real economic activity especially private investment expenditure led to decline in inflation trend. Declining inflation trend and below target GDP growth resulted in reduction in policy rate.
Repayment of IMF loan and lack of financial inflows stressed out BOP. Relative political certainty caused continuation of economic policies for some time. Decline in inflation brought increase in real return on rupee denominated assets. Absence of tax reforms, untargeted subsidies and energy sector problem increased the fiscal deficit (8.8% of GDP , higher than earlier projections).
Zero net external financing resulted in more pressure on domestic sources in particular banking system. High fiscal borrowings (Rs.1230 billion for budgetary support and 413 billion from SBP brought upward pressure on system’s liquidity, increase in short term market interest rates, restrained growth in private sector credit.
CPI inflation was 5%, core inflation was 6.7%, provisional estimate of GDP growth for FY 13 was 3.6% (which is lower than 4.3% target of the year), private fixed capital formation was1.8%, and growth in LSM was 4.8%, stressed bop but inflation under control.
SBP announced reduction in policy rate by 50bps to 9%. The exchange rate targeting was adopted.

Wednesday 9 October 2013

ADOPTING POLC CYCLE IN YOUR LIFE

Planning, Organizing, Leading and Controlling. This is a POLC cycle that we study in our management books. But most of the people normally assume that POLC is of no importance in practical life. Normally people believe that POLC steps are not taken into consideration when decisions are made in organization. But this assumption is needed to be smashed because without adopting POLC you cannot even spend your own life in a well organized and steady manner. The article is not about how to apply POLC in a business but this will tell you how you can use POLC in your daily life.

To me POLC is a key to success because successful minds always plan things out before they implement their ideas. The CEO of Coke Cola Company says that whenever he has to buy a company he writes it down that why he needed to make a buying decision. He says that if you successfully write a reason, it means your vision is clear about what you have decided to do.
So now let’s discuss all four phases of POLC:

Planning:

Jotting the idea down is basically planning. So whenever you decide to do something in life, whether it’s a matter of your personal life or a business decision making, always write what you’re going to do? When you write your plan down, the next step is to think about its possible outcomes. Write all positive and negative consequences. This may also be referred as “What if” analysis.
It is a misconception of people that What if analysis is a habit of risk averse people and after what if analysis usually the idea what has been planned simply end up going in a waste bin. But I do not believe in this. The purpose of what if analysis is to give weightage to the positive and negative aspects of your idea. If your idea has more weightage of positive points, go for it. And if not, it doesn't mean you shouldn't go for it!
If the idea has more weightage of the negative over positive points, it simply means your idea is raw and you need more clarity in it. The best way to clear your stance and make it likely to be supported by more positive weightage is by doing research. Polish your idea and nurture it to the level at which you are able to give it more positive points. At this stage your first phase comes to an end i.e. Planning.

Organizing:


Now the next phase is organizing. One cannot peruse the plans unless one organizes them. Moreover, one cannot take a lead unless one has not built milestones. There are two good ways of organizing your plans. One way is that you just write your aims and objectives down and start following them one by one by defining a final deadline. The other way and this is more helpful is that you set your goals step by step and then prescribe a time limit to each goal. This is I call a master milestone.

 In master milestone you will take a big chart paper, hang it inside your cupboard or paste it at the back of your door and write all the objects. The next step will be to write the beginning date and then when you accomplish the target, put an ending date to the objective. Trust me this works a lot and help you in organizing your plans. One thing is for sure everyone has multiple major plans going on in life. So organize all of them by dividing the chart into segments.

Leading:

Now the next phase is leading. Basically leading comes from self-motivation. The process of leading totally depends upon how you keep yourself energized towards a thing. Normally the issues that hinder leading a plan are, lack of self motivation, fright of what others will say, laziness in updating your schedules or being too lethargic to see your objective milestone every time. Some people panic too when they have to achieve something. But self motivation is something that can help you in getting rid of all such problems.

Don’t feel bad in attempting anything for the first time and always try to be initiator. This is the first rule of leadership. Sometimes it is good to freak out. Bringing yourself out is not bad. But remember! Bringing it out in front of wrong people is even worst. So chose a right friend, pear or family member before you freak put your anxieties and dogmas of life. Sometimes secret practices may also help you in achieving what you are up to. So once you organize your plans, lead them by self-determination and full energy. Don’t think about failure. You have already planned your task. And even if failure comes, never stop. Keep on trying. One day you will lead.

Controlling:

The last phase is controlling. The question here is controlling what? And the answer is simple, controlling your targets by preparing for uncertain scenarios. Controlling also involves meeting deadlines on time, so that you do not have to hassle at the end. So keep a check on whatever you are doing and keep a sharp eye on your progress.
By adopting POLC cycle in your normal practice will help you to make sound and sane decisions. It is one way to get a smooth journey on the road to success.


Monday 7 October 2013

Nominal Anchors Of Monetary Policy

Nominal Anchor:
·         Nominal anchors are the variables that keep the price level from growing or falling from a certain level, thus keeping the price stable.
·         Nominal anchor is important because it can limit the time-consistency problem, in which the monetary policy is conducted on day-to-day, discretionary basis which lead to poor long-term output.

Time-Consistency Problem:
·         It arises because economic behavior is influenced by the firms and the people.
·         Policy makers assume that the discretionary policy will not make the firm and people’s behavior to change, so they adopt expansionary policy to boost economy which leads to high inflation in long-run.
·         Moreover, the short term objectives are achieved by extending long term objectives.
Regimes of monetary Targeting:
There are 4 basic regimes of monetary targeting which are discussed one by one below:
Exchange Rate Targeting:
This type enables pegging the currency of targeting country with high vale, low inflation currency of anchoring country.
Advantages:
1.      Keeps inflation under control by tying prices of international goods by fixed exchange rate.
2.      Avoids problem of time consistency. The expansionary policy is used when there is a tendency of domestic currency to appreciate. The tightening monetary policy is applied when there is a tendency of domestic currency to depreciate.
3.      Simplicity and clarity of policy. Easy to e understood by public.
4.      This nominal anchor is more effective in controlling inflation in emerging market countries than industrialized countries.
5.      It encourages integration with the neighboring countries.
6.      Tool to break hyper-inflation.
Disadvantages:
1.      With exchange rate targeting, the country can no longer pursue its independent policy.
2.      Loses its ability to use MP to respond to domestic shocks.
3.      Shocks of anchoring country are directly transmitted to the targeting country. Such as, Change in interest in anchoring country will change interest rate in targeting country.
4.      Exchange rate targeting leaves the country open for speculative attacks.
5.      It weakens the accountability of the policy makers, particularly in emerging market countries. Exchange rate targeting may eliminate the signal that indicates overly expansion of money in the economy. Developed countries have bond markets which indicate expansion of money due to increase in inflation, hence raising the interest rate and reducing the bond-price in the long run. Central banks of developed countries avoid such situation. Emerging markets do not have bond markets, well organized. So if the economy will expand due to exchange rate targeting, the currency will depreciate.

In order to avoid the problem of accountability and transparency, there are two solutions:
·         Currency board
·         Dollarization
Currency Board:
·         Domestic currency is 100% backed by foreign reserves.
·         Note issuing authority sets a fixed exchange rate.
·         The note issuing authority stands ready to exchange the domestic currency with foreign currency at fixed rate when ever public demands it.
·         Note cannot be printed and interest cannot be adjusted.
·         Currency boards are established in Hog Kong, Estonia, Bulgaria, Lithonia, Bosnia, Argentina etc
Advantages:
1.      Money supply can only be expanded when foreign currency is sold at the central bank.
2.      Central bank being transparent is committed to a fixed exchange rate, hence inflation can be controlled easily.
3.      Quick exchange rate adjustment leads to less speculative attacks.
Disadvantages:
1.      Lack of independent monetary policy.
2.      Loss of central bank’s ability to print money as a lender of last resort.
3.      Speculative attacks may lead to sharp contraction of money in economy leading to economic damages.
Dollarization:
Dollarization is the use of US dollar as a currency. It can be a suitable option for emerging mrket countries.
Advantages:
·         Completely avoids speculation on targeting country.
Disadvantages:
1.      Loss of independent monetary policy.
2.      Increase in economic shocks from anchoring country.
3.      Inability to create money as lender of last resort.
4.      Country losses it own currency, so it losses the revenue that government receives by issuing currency, i.e. seignorage.
Emerging Market Countries
Industrialized Countries
Advantages:

Argentina, till 2002 used exchange rate targeting and fixed its one peso with one dollar. Inflation got controlled
In 1987, France pegged its currency with German mark. Inflation in France was 3% above Germany in 1996 inflation fell to 2% and later it even got lower than Germany.
Mexico used exchange rate targeting and reduced its inflation from100% in 1988 to below10% in1994.
In 1990, UK pegged its currency with German Mark and inflation reduced from 10% to 3% in 1992.

Italy also had more gain than loss by pegging its currency with German mark.
Disadvantages:

Speculative attacks in East Asia in 1997 lead to financial crises.
In 1990, Germany reunified and result was massive money supply in economy and inflation. Germany had to adopt tight policy so it increased the interest rate leading to the increase in the interest rate of France and Uk.  All countries who pegged their currency with mark suffered from inflation due to slow output growth and unemployment.
Before, 1997, Thailand had currency crisis because there was no control of public over the policy maker, and there was great political pressure which made MP overly expanded.
France, Sweden, Italy, Uk were speculated, hence the only solution was to depreciate the currency against mark. However, France managed to adjust to the mark and was less attacked by speculators. So it continued to follow the same regime. However, UK adopted inflation targeting. Result was that France faced unemployment and slow growth issues in long-run while UK got saved.
In 1994 Mexico also suffered speculative attacks.

In 2002, speculative attacks in Argentina made its economy fell in financial and economic crises.

Monetary Targeting:
Developed countries do not opt exchange rate targeting because:
·         The country is too large.
·         No currency can be used as nominal anchor for their domestic currency.
Policy makers adopt monetary aggregate targeting to achieve price stability.
Milton Friedman suggested that the chosen monetary aggregate will grow at constant rate. But its not the case. Central bank never adhered strict rules for monetary growth.
Advantages:
1.      Focus on long term considerations and control of inflation.
2.      Transparent policy making.
3.      Clear and easy to be understood by public.
4.      Flexible in practice rather than strict and rigid.
5.      Adjustments are made in policy to cope up with domestic considerations.
6.      Enables central bank to choose inflation goals.
7.      Information about achievement of policy can be obtained with in weeks.
8.      Monetary aggregate targeting generates signals to market and public which helps in fixing inflation problems.
9.      Immediate accountability of the outcomes of the policy.
Disadvantages:
1.      Policy conflicts with exchange rate goals.
2.      M1, M3 are not reliable indicators of tightness of policy.
3.      If money growth gets too slow it may lead to collapse of stock and land prices, bank crisis, deflation and financial instability.


Canada and UK
1970
·         Adopted Monetary Gradualism
·         Targeted M1 growth to control money supply with in target
·         M1 was abandoned by central bank of Canada
1973
·         UK adopted M3.
1980
·         UK adopted Medium Term Financial Strategies and proposed gradual deceleration of M3 strategies but it had same problems as M1.
1983
·         M3 was suspended and M0 was introduced. M3 was abandoned till 1987.

Later, the central bank of UK and Canada adopted multiple aggregate and did not announce any regular schedule. They used artificial means to bring down the targeted aggregates, hence they missed targeted monetary aggregates and deviation in MP occurred.


Japan
1973
Increase in the oil prices was major shock for Japan
1974
Inflation increased above 20%
1978
Started forecasting at beginning of each quarter for M2+CDs and adopted expansionary policy
1979
Second oil price shock. But this time M2+CD growth was reduced.
1978-87
Better performance of economy due to successful MP
Mid of 1970
Monetary growth slowed down and inflation increased.
After 1987
Deregulation in Japan reduced performance of M2+CD monetary aggregate. Also, Bank Of Japan was concerned about currency appreciation.
1987-89
Money growth increased which increased speculative attacks on stock and real estate and caused economic bubble.
1989
Tight monetary policy collapsed the economic bubble.
1990
·         Collapse of stock and land prices.
·         Bank crisis.
·         Deflation.
·         Financial instability.



Germany
End of 1974-20years
Monetary Aggregate Targeting. Inflation was controlled
1974
Narrow Monetary Aggregate targeting in which the weighted average of bank deposits and currency in circulation was taken which was equal to reserve ratio.
1988
M3 target was adopted. Germany focused on exchange rate and increase in output. Flexible policy was adopted rather than rigid. Gradually covered the long-term inflation.
1990
Medium term growth paths were adopted.
1992
Expansion path
1994
Medium path
1995-99
M0 was adopted and it enabled in controlling inflation


Switzerland
1974-80
M1 was targeted
1980
Narrow Monetary Aggregate, M0 was adopted.
1989-92
Inflation overshoot because of 2 reasons:
ü  Swiss Bank allowed monetary base to grow above 2%.
ü  Change in inter-bank payment method.

Success of Central Banks Of Germany and Switzerland: Monetary aggregate targeting may bring inflation in the long-run, if the monetary substantial targets are missed. However, the central bank of Germany and Switzerland succeeded besides missing monetary targets because the policy was communicated to the public and the markets. There was high transparency in MP and greater central bank’s accountability.
Terminologies related to Monetary Aggregate:
M0

It only includes cash or assets that could quickly be converted into currency. This measure is known as narrow money because it is the smallest measure of the money supply.

M1
A category of the money supply that includes all physical money such as coins and currency; it also includes demand deposits, which are checking accounts, and Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (NOW) Accounts. This is used as a measurement for economists trying to quantify the amount of money in circulation. 
M2
A category within the money supply that includes M1 in addition to all time-related deposits, savings deposits, and non-institutional money-market funds.
M2+CD
The Money Supply M2+CD released by the Bank of Japan measures all the JPY (Japanese Yen) in circulation, encompassing notes and coins as well as money held in bank accounts. It is considered as an important indicator of inflation, as monetary expansion adds pressure to the exchange rates. An acceleration of the M2 money is considered as positive for the JPY, whereas a decline is as negative.
M3
The category of the money supply that includes M2 as well as all large time deposits, institutional money-market funds, short-term repurchase agreements, along with other larger liquid assets. This is the broadest measure of money; it is used by economists to estimate the entire supply of money within an economy.It only includes cash or assets that could quickly be converted into currency. 


Inflation Targeting:
This policy is adopted by countries who want to have their independent MP.
Elements of Inflationary MP:
1.      Public announcement of medium-term numerical targets of inflation.
2.      Institutional commitment to price stability as primary long term goal.
3.      Strategy involving more than one variable for decision making.
4.      Transparency is increased by communicating stance to the public.
5.      Increased accountancy of central bank.
Advantages:
1.      Focus on domestic concerns.
2.      Independent policy.
3.      Stability in relationship between money and inflation.
4.      Uses all information and not only one variable to make policy.
5.      Easier to be understood by public.
6.      Increase in accountability of central bank.
7.      Takes support of political dialogue and debates to ensure transparency.
8.      Inflation targeting central banks are in continuous communication with Government.

Disadvantages:
1.      Delayed Signals:
a)      Inflation is not easily controlled by policy makers.
b)      Inflation outcomes can be observed after a time lag.
c)      Signals are received late by market and public.
2.      Too much rigidity:
a)      Rigid rules are to be followed.
b)      Policy makers have to respond to unforeseen circumstances.
c)      All useful information is to be considered.
d)     Policy depends upon case to case and according to circumstances of the country.
3.      Potential for increased output fluctuation:
a)      When there is high inflation, the policy will be tight and output fluctuation will be greater.
b)      When the inflation target is set, it has to be above 0 because negative target leads to deflation which is another fearful aspect.

4.      Low Growth Economy:
Leads to low growth and employment but once low inflation levels are achieved output and employment become higher than before.



New Zealand
1989
Parliament passed a new reserve bank for country and increased its independence of policy making.
MP was to be made after negotiation between policy makers, prime minister and governor of central bank.
1990
To lower inflation between 3-5%
1996
To lower inflation between 0-2% range.
Result was:
ü  Recession
ü  Increase in unemployment
After 1992
Growth rate increased to 5% and unemployment decreased.


Canada
1992
2-4% Range of Inflation
1991-94
 Unemployment increased to above 10% but later declined substantially
1996-98
1-3% inflation range
Result was that inflation dropped dramatically


UK
1992
After September 1992 crisis UK adopted inflation targeting
1997
ü  Inflation range 1-4%
ü  Inflation dropped below 2.5% from 9% in 1991
ü  Growth increased and unemployment decreased.

GDP Targeting:
·         As inflation targeting leads to output fluctuations, so GDP targeting was introduced.
·         GDP targeting puts weight on price and output during policy making


Comments on GDP targeting:
1.      Government/Central bank has to announce number of potential GDP growth overtime.
2.      When potential GDP is announced,it is being criticized by public because they consider it low and think that the central bank is anti-growth.
3.      However, if the estimates are set high, it may get embedded in the inds of the public as target and it leads to inflation.
4.      It is difficult to collect the data of intrinsic price and the nominal price of goods in timely manner.
5.      Concept of inflation targeting is easy to be understood by public as compared to GDP targeting, though GDP targeting is more effective in achieving short term objectives than inflation targeting.