



: Powerpoint presentations are a torture for most audiences. Some executives are aware of the monotony that these cause. It was, therefore, a pleasant surprise to the assembled CEOs when Sequoia Capital’s partner, Michael Moritz, clarified at the very beginning that there would be a minimum of such slides. “Unlike the Americans, you and I have something in common,” he said, addressing the gathering, “I was brought up in the UK. So we can use English to communicate. Let’s use English. It’s a very expressive language.” It evoked an appreciative round of laughter from the audience.
Congratulatory bite
At any press meet, journalists are known for pouncing on company officials and grilling them. However, competition for being first with sound bites seems to have made some journos from the electronic media extra polite. At a recent IPO press meet, where the promoters were being asked all sorts of questions related to their forthcoming offering, a journo from a reputed Hindi business channel asked for the mike and, to everyone’s surprise, started congratulating the promoters for their IPO! Only after finishing his congratulatory bite did he proceed to ask his question.
Walking the talk
How many companies have taken to good governance practices in the light of the new Sebi guidelines? Precious few, says Sebi chief M Damodaran. “So many seminars take place on corporate governance,” he commented at one on the subject in Mumbai, “but I doubt if there are as many companies that comply.”
More from Edits & Columns
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |

© 2009: The Indian Express Limited. All rights reserved throughout the world