Latest news with #HarmanIndia
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Enabling the last mile with AI generated insights
In a country like India, enabling effective last-mile customer experiences is crucial. When a customer walks into a retail outlet, they must have a positive interaction, one that ultimately leads to conversion. The question is, how can AI help drive better last-mile conversions? To explore this, in association with has released an episode of 'Enabling Phygital Experiences : Empowering the Last Mile with AI-Generated Insights', featuring industry leaders from the marketing world. This episode delves into how AI can transform last-mile delivery by equipping sales representatives with real-time insights, simulating customer interactions , and improving pitch precision. Featuring voices from Harman India , Signify, and it highlights AI's role as a value multiplier when applied thoughtfully across sales, marketing, and customer support. The episode features Akhil Sethi, head of digital marketing, Harman India, Anmol Reen Jaloota, head of the digital enabling function, Signify Greater India, and Arun Subramaniam, co-founder, Jaloota observed, 'At the ground level, sales representatives need to be able to sell better. They need to understand the unique selling points of a product or project and how to effectively pitch it to the customer. AI helps answer the fundamental question: What do I sell to this customer? By analysing past purchases, financial background, affluence, and even geographic preferences, AI helps identify customer needs, whether someone would want a fan or not, for instance.' He added that AI is already playing a significant role across various functions at Signify, saying, 'We've been using AI in lighting design. Imagine large offices or open spaces where someone is selling lighting solutions but doesn't know the best placement. We've introduced an agentic AI lighting designer that suggests optimal lighting layouts.' AI is not just a tool, it is a powerful mechanism that helps sales representatives better understand their customers, gain deeper insights into products, and ultimately sell more effectively. That is the real value AI brings to the table. Elaborating further, Sethi said, 'What we've observed is that AI is advancing at a very rapid pace across every department. In customer support and marketing, we use AI to track conversations happening both in the social media space and offline, using various tools at our disposal. We conduct sentiment analysis to understand how different products are performing, looking at ratings, reviews, and customer feedback. On the marketing front, AI not only helps us target specific cohorts more effectively from an engagement perspective but also plays a crucial role in driving conversions and sell-through.' One of the biggest challenges in last-mile engagement is that every conversation is unique, no two are ever the same. Unlike marketing, where you often have access to rich data or assumptions about the customer, sales often operates with far less information. Counterintuitive as it may seem, a salesperson typically knows less about a customer walking in than a marketer does, even at an aggregate level. Equipping sales reps with relevant data the moment a customer enters is easier said than done. Subramaniam noted, 'Need analysis is what most customers ask for, yet it is often underused. Why? Because sellers on the field typically lack the confidence to ask personal questions like "How many people are in your family?" or "What's your salary bracket?" Budget-related queries are easier, but deeper profiling becomes uncomfortable. So, how can we support sellers with AI without demanding too much input from them? We see AI helping in two ways. First, by giving sellers a tool, like a ChatGPT-style assistant, they can use it to get quick answers. While possible, it may not be well received during live customer interactions. Second, and more effectively, AI can simulate real-world sales scenarios. We use AI to conduct role plays, sending virtual customers with different personalities, needs, and behaviours to train the seller. Some may be polite, others more difficult. This helps salespeople prepare and adapt, improving performance without direct pressure during a live pitch.' This episode explored how AI can enhance last-mile delivery, highlighting both practical use cases and potential pitfalls. When applied in the right context, AI serves as a powerful value multiplier, capable of simulating diverse customer interactions and helping sales representatives better prepare, personalise, and perform.
Mint
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
Mint Exclusive: JBL maker Harman to sell controlling stake in India unit
Harman US, the maker of JBL, Harman Kardon and Infinity audio products, is in talks to sell a controlling stake in its Indian unit, three people aware of the matter said. The US company has approached global private equity and buyout firms to sell its shares in a deal valuing the Indian unit at $500-600 million, the people said. Harman US, a subsidiary of South Korea's Samsung, has picked Deutsche Bank to help with the process, one of the three people said on the condition of anonymity. 'There is a global restructuring the group is looking to set into motion. Selling the India business is part of it," the person said. Also read | KKR looks to sell RE Sustainability again, may fetch $1.5 bn Harman US is a Connecticut-based manufacturer of audio systems, automotive infotainment systems, lifestyle products, and connectivity solutions. The company supplies audio products to leading automakers, which makes up its largest business. In March 2017, Samsung acquired Harman US. A Harman India spokesperson declined to comment on queries about the sale. The spokesperson, however, added, 'We are always exploring opportunities to strengthen our business, enhance our capabilities, and deliver value to our customers and stakeholders." Operations in over 30 countries Harman US operates in more than 30 countries, including the US, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Australia. Harman India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Harman US. Harman India has four major business segments, namely, Lifestyle (LS), India Development Centre (Software division; IDC), Connected Car (CC), and Professional (PRO). LS is a consumer audio division, which deals in the retailing of headphones, earphones, blue-tooth speakers, sound bars and car audio. 'The valuation arbitrage that India offers is huge. The company is looking to monetize its stake. Though the final contours of the deal are yet to be decided, the firm might look at selling anywhere between a significant minority to a controlling stake," a second person added. According to a July 2023 Care Ratings release, Harman's Indian business has picked up after the relaxation of covid-19 related restrictions. Also read | These startups are drawing investor interest amid a growing tribe of pet parents Harman's CC segment makes infotainment systems and telematic solutions (head units) for automotive OEMs at its plant in Chakan, Pune. 'Globally, Harman's CC business is around $4 billion and is among the top three players. However, similar success is yet to be replicated in the Indian market, which is gradually adopting advanced infotainment technology. The IDC segment provides software development services only to its group entities. It operates on a cost-plus model. This segment has earned relatively stable profits for Harman India," the release said. As per the release, in FY23, Harman India recorded revenues of ₹4,113.41 crore as against ₹3,162.66 crore in FY22. Profit after tax stood at ₹294.24 crore in FY23 as against ₹221.95 crore in FY22. Some of the global companies such as Thyssen Krupp, Haier, Siemens Gamesa, among others have been looking to sell their Indian business and focus on their core business in the last 12-18 months. Also read | Warburg Pincus looks to clock out of SBI General Insurance with a $350 mn cheque
