Latest news with #PCC
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Ponnam dangles JH seat carrot for local candidate
Hyderabad: Hyderabad's In-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar today clarified that the Congress party will allocate the ticket for the Jubilee Hills by-election to a local candidate, stating that individuals from outside the constituency would not be considered this time. Speaking to media persons in the presence of cricketer-turned-politician Mohammad Azharuddin, Ponnam gave a clear indication that Azharuddin would contest once again from the key constituency. The Transport Minister affirmed that party cadres would work unitedly for the victory of whichever candidate is fielded by the party high command. He exuded confidence that the Congress party would hoist its flag in the Jubilee Hills constituency. The by-election for the Jubilee Hills seat was necessitated by the death of the sitting MLA Maganti Gopinath of the BRS. Gopinath, who had defeated his nearest rival, Azharuddin, by over 16,000 votes in 2023, died of cardiac arrest on June 8. Azharuddin, who also serves as PCC Working President, had earlier declared himself as a candidate amidst speculation that the party was unlikely to field him in the by-election. For Jubilee Hills, scores of party leaders are vying to contest. Besides Azharuddin, former Mayor BonthuRammohan, TMREIS chairman Md Faheemuddin Qureshi, former PCC working president Jetti Kusum Kumar, V Naveen Yadav (who contested from AIMIM in 2014), C Rohin Reddy (who recently contested from Amberpet), and numerous others are eyeing the ticket. Azharuddin, who recently attended the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting, has made his intentions clear that he is willing to contest once again from the Jubilee Hills constituency, despite his loss in the 2023 Assembly polls. Bonthu Rammohan, who had maintained a low profile until recent days following his failure to secure the Secunderabad MP ticket, is once again attempting to re-enter the limelight and claims to have a strong grip on constituents. His wife, Sridevi, the Cherlapally division corporator, is said to have a good support base in the constituency. Coming from the Kamma caste, Kusum Kumar had previously sought an MLC position, with his candidature also backed by former MLC T Jagga Reddy, citing the need for proper representation for Kammas.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Inside the store: PCC's 1st small-format store is an urban lunch stop
This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter. Pardon the Disruption is a column that looks at the forces shaping food retail. PCC Community Market's first foray into downtown Seattle did not go according to plan. The store it opened at the base of the Rainier Tower office complex in 2022 lasted just two years before closing — a casualty of the pandemic and the remote work trend that rattled so many urban retailers. But a lot has changed in the city center recently. Office workers and tourists have returned to downtown Seattle, boosting foot traffic closer to pre-pandemic levels. And PCC says it's learned a thing or two from its first venture about how to connect with urban shoppers. So the cooperative grocer is giving it another go with a reimagined store that opened earlier this month at the same site as its former downtown location. At 6,500 square feet, PCC Corner Market is less than a third the size of the previous store, but still able to meet the quick-shop needs of locals, office workers and tourists who don't have many other grocery options in the area, according to CEO Krish Srinivasan. 'It's a smaller version of your neighborhood co-op, serving a big need in downtown Seattle,' Srinivasan said in an April announcement. Half of PCC Corner Market is devoted to fresh meals, including a hot bar, salad bar and grab-and-go items, while the other half is dedicated to a curated selection of groceries. In the middle sits a bank of self-checkout machines overseen by one or two staffers. To save space, the store doesn't have any manned checkouts. Small-format retailing has proven challenging for grocers, with concepts from Kroger, Stop & Shop and Publix closing down in recent years. However, companies like Whole Foods Market and Target still see considerable promise in scaled-down locations. Whole Foods recently opened its third Daily Shop in New York City. Will PCC Corner Market succeed where its former location failed? It's only been a week in, but so far the reception has been encouraging, store manager Eli Dorr-Fay said earlier this month when Grocery Dive visited the location. 'People are really excited we're back,' he said. Here's a look inside PCC Corner Market. A strategic design PCC is hoping its new scaled-down store will prove more appealing to customers than its earlier, much larger iteration. PCC Corner Market includes a curated selection across the same core departments its full-size stores offer, Dorr-Fay said, including produce, dairy, frozen meals and beer and wine. That should help facilitate the sort of quick, low-frills shopping that apartment dwellers and harried office workers value. The store features two entrances: A street-facing one that's mainly used by residents and tourists and another that opens directly into the foodservice department via the Rainier Square office complex. The grocer is also hoping to solve another problem with its revamp of the space at the base of the 58-story Rainier Tower. In the coming months, PCC plans to relocate its headquarters to sit adjacent to PCC Corner Market, according to a company spokesperson. The move maximizes the space it's using on a 10-year lease and also addresses local criticism that the company's current headquarters is too large and pricey, according to The Seattle Times. Focusing on lunch PCC Corner Market's operating hours reflect a focus on local office workers. The store is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on weekends. To maximize sales during those daytime hours, it offers a wide range of meal options, with a particular focus on the lunch crowd. Selections include fresh-made sushi, grab-and-go sandwiches, pizza and a full hot bar and salad bar. Customers who visit in the morning hours can fill up on self-service coffee, baked goods and breakfast sandwiches. To help move customers through the self-checkouts during busy periods, Dorr-Fay said workers will direct customers to a special queuing section near the payment terminals. An innovation hub Retailers like to test out their latest innovations close to headquarters. That's certainly the case with PCC Corner Market, which serves as a testing ground for the latest technology and meal innovations for the company, said Dorr-Fay. The small-format store is currently piloting digital shelf tags to see if they could work across the chain. It's also sizing up a new focaccia pizza in the foodservice department. Catering to tourists and residents alike With numerous hotels located nearby and a surge of cruise ship passengers flooding Seattle during the spring and summer months, PCC is hoping its new market will be a hit with tourists. In addition to its many grab-and-go items, the new store offers travel-size products like toothpaste, floss and lotion, as well as small collectibles like mugs and water bottles. For those looking for something a bit edgier, there's $45 vodka in a bottle shaped like the iconic Space Needle. PCC Corner Market is trying to offer an assortment that appeals to both consumers who are passing through the city and those who live there. Dorr-Fay said one of the store's most popular products so far is milk, indicating the new format has struck a chord with local residents. Recommended Reading PCC plans to debut first small-format store in July Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: MC plans to hand over C&D waste mgmt ops to private firm
In a major shift aimed at cutting costs and improving efficiency, the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) is planning to hand over the operations and processing of construction and demolition (C&D) waste to a private firm. At present, the civic body, in collaboration with an outsourced agency, is overseeing the collection, transportation, and processing of C&D waste generated across the city. As per the plan, MC will invite bids from eligible agencies for the operation and maintenance of the C&D waste processing plant located in Industrial Area Phase-1, Chandigarh. (HT photo for representation) The draft Request for Proposal (RFP) detailing the terms and conditions has been prepared and will be placed before the General House of the civic body on Tuesday, for discussion and final approval. Once cleared, the tendering process is expected to begin, paving the way for a new model in C&D waste management in the city. 'Currently, MC is spending around ₹25 lakh every month on the entire process,' said an MC official. 'Once a firm is hired, it will take over all responsibilities — from collection to processing and sale of by-products. Instead of making monthly payments, the MC will earn royalty from the agency, including a share on the sale of products made from recycled waste,' the official added. As per the plan, MC will invite bids from eligible agencies for the operation and maintenance of the C&D waste processing plant located in Industrial Area Phase-1, Chandigarh. The proposed concession period is five years, which can be extended by another two years. The firm will be selected on the basis of the highest royalty quoted per metric tonne (MT) of waste processed. The selected concessionaire will be tasked with collecting both authorised and unauthorised C&D waste from across the municipal limits, including door-to-door collection on a paid basis. They will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the processing plant, which produces a variety of recycled construction materials such as paver blocks, tiles, kerbs, bricks, manhole covers, garden benches, and other RCC/PCC products. The agency will bear all operational expenses, including electricity and water bills, maintenance of machinery such as crushers, sedimentation units, concrete mixers, vibrating tables, misting machines, and other mechanical, civil, and electrical components of the plant. The bidder will be required to quote a per-MT royalty amount, which will increase by 5% annually on a compounded basis starting April 1 every year. Additionally, the firm must pay a fixed 5% royalty to the MC on the sale of products and by-products manufactured from the processed waste. Other agendas on General House meeting today The MC is also planning to rope in private firms to take over operation and maintenance of fountains in various green belts and gardens, and will be offering advertising space with a monthly fee. There are 22 big fountains, and 30 small fountains under the MC's jurisdiction. At present, these are being maintained by the civic body itself. As per the plan, the firm shall pay licence fee per month for fountain and shall pay advertisement fee according to the size of the advertisement from the ground level. MC house will also discuss the proposed three-fold hike in the booking charges of city's community centres, and a proposal to invite eligible bidders for the operation and maintenance of Rose Club, Sector 16, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Local body polls: Congress to undertake week-long padayatra
Hyderabad: Keeping in view the local body polls and strengthening the cadres at grassroots level, the Congress has geared up to organize district-level padayatras and 'shramadaanam' programs in one select constituency in the composite districts. In its first phase, Rangareddy, Medak, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar and Warangal will be covered from July 31. This week-long padayatras led by AICC State incharge Meenakshi Natarajan and PCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud will cover the route beginning from Pargi and covering Andhol, Armoor, Khanapur, Choppadandi and Wardhannapet in the first phase. Each day, the leaders will undertake padayatra during evening hours, beginning from 5 pm. The following day after a night halt in the constituency, they will engage in Shramadaanam. This will follow workers meeting, before resuming the walkathon in a new constituency at 5 pm. This padayatra and shramadaanam will continue till August 6, covering all the six Assembly constituencies as part of the first phase. As per the AICC directive, apart from AICC in-charge and PCC President, Ministers, MPs, MLCs, MLAs and senior leaders from the district will participate in these programs. On the decided dates, a 10-kilometer padayatra would be organised from 5 pm in an important center in the constituency. After that, the leaders will make a 'sleepover' with Congress workers in the same area of the village. The next day, leaders will wake up early in the morning and will organise a large-scale Shramadanam program in the village. This will follow a party meeting at a local community hall, where Local MP, MLA and other leaders will interact with aspiring MPPs and ZPTCs. Mahesh Kumar Goud informed that MS Raj Thakur, MLA, Shankar Naik, MLC, Kethoori Venkatesh, Juluru Dhanalaxmi and Puli Anil Kumar will officiate as coordinators for the programs in the first phase.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
From Reactive To Reflective: Leading With Intention In Times Of Change
Alba Contreras Rodriguez, MBA, PCC is the founder and president of FONS LLC. In today's fast-paced world, reacting quickly can feel like a badge of honor. Leaders are applauded for jumping in, solving problems, moving fast. As a former corporate executive and management consultant, I've noticed the thrill of moving fast and "whatever it takes" approaches. But over time, constant reactivity becomes a trap. It erodes strategic focus. It strains teams. And it disconnects leaders from the very purpose that once anchored them. This is especially true in times of uncertainty and change, when tension is high, decisions are complex and outcomes are unpredictable. In the rush, even well-meaning people and priorities can get sidelined. Leaders feel pressure to act swiftly, to respond to the next fire, to prove their value by doing. But this constant motion often masks a deeper cost: the loss of intentional leadership. The Cost Of Reactivity Reactive leadership means operating from a state of urgency and defensiveness, responding to what's loudest rather than what's most important. Unfortunately, it is a common way of leading, especially because those who put out fires often receive more recognition and reward than those who take the time to be proactive or preemptive. Over time, leaders stuck in the reactive mode tend to: • Chase short-term wins at the expense of long-term vision • Make decisions based on pressure instead of principle • Drift from their values and unintentionally model that drift for their teams When change is constant, reactivity feels justified. But reactive leadership limits growth, stifles innovation and creates burnout—for the leader and for those around them. Reflection Is A Strategic Tool, Not A Luxury The most effective leaders I have worked with pause to think before acting. They anchor decisions to values. And they create space to ask the deeper questions: • What's really driving this decision? • What are we reacting to and what are we trying to create? • Is this aligned with the impact we want to have? The shift from reflex to reflection will sharpen your focus, allowing you to lead from clarity instead of chaos. And it often results in more confidence, stronger alignment and better business outcomes. Leading With Intention In Practice Here are three ways you can begin to shift from reactive to reflective. Schedule regular, protected time to step back and reflect. Not to catch up on emails, but to pause and consider what matters most right now. Think of it as a "strategic reset" that allows you to respond with clarity rather than react from stress. When the pressure is on, values can become blurry. Write down your top three leadership principles. Then ask yourself: Are my current actions aligned with them? If not, what needs to change? You don't have to make every decision alone. A coach can create the space to challenge assumptions, test ideas through experimentation, take you out of your comfort zone and reconnect you to your deeper leadership goals, especially when the pace around you is pushing you to react. One of the phrases I often share with clients is: "Go slow to go fast." Embracing it can radically shift how they show up and what they make possible. Slowing Down Is Wise, Not Weak Intentional leadership is all about being purposeful. It's not the loudest voice in the room or the fastest decision that wins. It's the one anchored in clarity, guided by values and aligned with a bigger vision. In moments of change and uncertainty, your greatest strength isn't how fast you move; it's how clearly you lead. If you find yourself stuck in reaction mode, it may be time to create space for something more powerful: reflection, alignment and the kind of leadership that truly lasts. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
