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June 2023

Business

How Kevin Modany Turned an Executive Consultant Role into the Career of a Lifetime.

by Hallie Sam on

Kevin Modany has made a career out of providing businesses with the kind of information that they need in order to make winning decisions in the marketplace of ideas. An executive consultant since 2016, Kevin Modany has plied his trade at the highest levels of executive leadership, providing key details and insights to executives who need to make decisions that impact many people in the industry.

Kevin Modany took time out of his day to share insights he had learned along the way, preparing future executive consultants for the work they will be doing in the field. Let’s look at what Kevin Modany believes an executive consultant should be able to accomplish.

Inside the Mind of an Executive Consultant

An executive consultants should have a well-rounded set of skills that they can deploy in order to help overcome hurdles and challenges as they are presented with them. Kevin Modany suggests that an executive consultant is someone who is a recognized expert in certain subject matters, providing key insights to CEOs and other senior executives along the way on the topics of operational efficiency, finances, and strategic planning.

Executive consultants are required to have excellent communication skills as they must quickly, succinctly, and clearly transmit the knowledge that they have to the appropriate audience. Executive consultants can take on short-term and long-term assignments, though temporary positions are more likely.

Trends in the Future to Pay Attention To

Executive consultancy isn’t protected from changes in the industry due to technology, just like any other field. As a result, Kevin Modany believes it is of the utmost importance to always be ready to learn and advance your knowledge when working in this field.

Kevin Modany outlined a few other driving trends that are worth paying attention to as an executive consultant, so let’s expound on them below.

  • Digital Platform Expansion – From the way we rent movies to how we order food, digital platforms have taken over day-to-day activities. Executive consultants must be prepared to meet the needs of these new digital operations, implementing digitally-based strategies that incorporate data and analytics.
  • Business Model Adoption – A highly competitive industry doesn’t leave much room for error. Kevin Modany works with business leaders as they seek to adapt new revenue streams through service offerings or new products.
  • Career Growth – Companies that focus on consultants while increasing productivity will find that they have an edge compared to competitors. The employment of consultants in the future is steadily looking to rise, showing the importance of the position.

Ultimately, career executive consultants are being increasingly looked to in order to help business adoption and better practices in today’s digitally-driven world.

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Business

How Alejandro Pena of Keter is Tackling Corporate Responsibility and Recycling

by Hallie Sam on

The ethical role that corporations play has changed dramatically in the past ten to fifteen years. Corporate responsibility and social sustainability have become hot topics for every significant market player, no matter the industry that they exist within.

Alejandro Pena was brought on to lead the Keter Group as its CEO while guiding the company toward more sustainable endeavors. With a focus on expanding its global footprint while reducing negative outcomes for the environment, Keter has enjoyed monumental steps forward while under Pena’s leadership.

Let’s take a closer look at the ambitious recycling plans of Keter Group as told by CEO Alejandro Pena.

Recycling For a Better Future

Keter Group was established more than 50 years ago in Israel as a producer of recycled resin-based home goods, furniture, and outdoor decor. With low prices that are improved by the longevity and high quality of its prices, Keter has enjoyed sustained growth in a number of major markets, which has led it to have more than 20 manufacturing facilities around the world.

Keter uses recycled resin materials for all of its products while focusing on communal recycling and sustainability. Keter CEO Alejandro Pena said, “It is very important to understand that tall Keter products can and should be recycled.”

Pena went on to add that his company was becoming more proactive when it came to trying to collect discarded products. One aspect of its sustainability mission included a commitment to keeping materials from its manufacturing facilities out of landfills.

With more than 5,000 employees and 20 manufacturing facilities around the world, Keter has been an industry mover and shaker with regard to greener outcomes and initiatives.

Sustainable Production Facilities

To offset greenhouse gas emissions while reducing their overall impact on the environment, Alejandro Pena and Keter have focused on building manufacturing facilities in the regions where products will eventually be sold.

Pena said of this goal, “During the pandemic, we were able to leverage our global footprint and avoid long lead times that our competition had.”

Pena went on to add, “60% of our production is in the country and the region where the product will eventually be purchased.”

This means that lightweight products are designed in the United Kingdom for consumption there, while bigger products are built across the ocean in the United States. No matter where products are created, Pena and Keter make sure that they don’t find their way into local landfills.

For Keter, Pena has built the future of the company around three core concepts: material innovation, responsible business, and design innovation. Keter continues to invest in product development and sustainability while moving away from single-use consumer products.

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Business

Unlocking the Benefits of ELSS: Your Ultimate Guide

by Hallie Sam on

Generally, people opt to carry out mutual fund investments with just one aim. The said aim is to acquire wealth over time. But some mutual fund schemes can be used for more than saving money and accumulating wealth for the future. Look at an ELSS mutual fund or equity-linked savings scheme as an example. These funds are helpful for both accumulating wealth and saving on taxes.

What is ELSS?

This variant of mutual fund invests in stocks or equities that come with a lock-in period of three years. These funds can save tax under Section 80C of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. Hence through this tax-saving mutual fund, you can claim deductions on taxable income of up to ₹1.5 lakhs annually. They offer the benefits such as tax-saving advantages and possible capital gains through equity investments.

This variant of mutual funds invests approximately 80% in equities. The rest 20% is allocated to debt instruments. Fund managers of ELSS invest in a wide range of stocks of companies that are listed. Before investing, the manager selects stocks of companies with a wide range of market capitalisation like small-, mid-, or large-cap funds. Apart from investing in companies of different capitalisation, the fund manager also invests in the stocks of companies of other relevant industry sectors. ELSS mutual fund allocations are carried out in specific proportions and depend on the fund’s objective.

Why invest in ELSSfunds?

Now that you know what ELSS is, let us look at the different reasons for you to consider an equity-linked savings scheme as an investment option:

  • Tax advantages:

ELSS funds come with the best tax benefits of all the tax-saving mutual fund investment options under Section 80C. With the help of these funds, you can claim a deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakhs annually. The tax-saving advantages of this type of mutual fund can help you reduce your tax liability and save more.

  • Professional management:

You don’t need to manage your mutual fund portfolio. Instead, the fund manager is responsible for taking care of your portfolio. A fund manager carefully selects the underlying assets for investments. You also don’t need to track your portfolio or rebalance it when required. An experienced fund manager with an excellent track record can help you acquire wealth over time. Simply put, ELSS funds offer more than just tax benefits.

  • Higher returns:

ELSS, as its name suggests, allocates funds to equities. But investing in equities comes with risks. However, because of their volatility, equities have the potential to generate high returns in the future. You could take care of volatility and accumulate wealth over time by opting for SIP and staying invested for the long term.

  • Lowest lock-in period for tax saving option:

An equity-linked savings scheme has a lock-in for three years. Three years is considered the shortest, unlike other tax saving options under section 80C like FD, NSC, EPF and VPF, and PPF.

Conclusion:

ELSS is an investment option with dual benefits, saving taxes and accumulating long-term wealth. But before signing up for an ELSS, check factors such as past performance of the fund, expense ratio, and risk profile. Choose ELSS if you have a long-term goal and diversify your investments to make the most of this fund. Contact a qualified financial advisor to choose the best ELSS mutual fund that aligns with your risk tolerance and financial goals. Start early and invest wisely.

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