MAM
Havas Group India concludes the Havas Spark 2.0 internship programme with Gen Z Report 2022
Mumbai: Havas Group India has recently concluded the second edition of its flagship internship programme, Havas Spark, and launched the intern-led Havas Spark 2.0 Gen Z Report 2022.
One of the advertising industry’s biggest internship programmes, Havas Spark 2.0, which kicked off in April 2022, saw 21 bright, young interns transform into integral members of the Havas Group India network. Launched in 2021, Havas Spark is a one-of-a-kind, six-month intensive training programme that gives aspiring industry entrants an opportunity to explore various career paths in a structured yet flexible manner.
In a graduation ceremony conducted on 11 October, which marked the completion of Havas Spark 2.0, a report called Gen Z Report 2022 was launched. The study presented in the report was conceptualised and executed by the interns as part of their curriculum. The purpose of the study was to provide insights about the newest generation of Indian consumers by exploring how they perceive brands, what drives their purchase decisions, their media consumption patterns, and more.
To get a more defined and representative view of gen-z within the Indian context, individuals aged 16–24 years across nine metro and tier-1+ cities formed the sample. An additional layer of insight was added by virtue of the researchers, i.e., the Havas Spark interns, belonging to generation-z themselves. The final report, which included both quantitative as well as qualitative analysis approaches, shed light on several interesting outcomes that help us better understand gen-z and bust commonly held misconceptions about them.
One of the top insights of the study was that 70 per cent of gen-zs are more willing to consider buying from a brand that stands up for environmental and social causes that they believe in. The revelation that gen-z prefers brands whose values align with their own raises questions about the presumption that they are careless and voracious consumers. Furthermore, sustainability, for gen-z, transcends the label of “environmental cause” to encompass a more conscious, mindful mindset that is manifested in small actions as well as larger, more institutional-level ones; for example, not littering, carrying one’s own bag to the market, or even reusing plastic containers, all inform the concept of sustainability.
Another interesting insight is that when it comes to attracting gen-Z’s attention, the humour factor (27 per cent) works best, followed by luxurious (26 per cent), emotional (17 per cent), and with satire and serious tones each taking 15 per cent. This may be indicative of why instant and meme marketing are so popular.
From the perspective of brands, sustained brand loyalty from consumers is prized. Inability to adapt to changing times emerges as one of the key reasons gen-z (according to the study, 60 per cent) lose interest in a brand. Other reasons include poor user experience (54 per cent), poor customer service (49 per cent), a limited product range (42 per cent), false celebrity endorsements (32 per cent), and, finally, unjustified product prices (21 per cent).
Brands that are digitally savvy, adopt the latest tech to make the consumer journey more seamless, and effectively leverage social media platforms are the go-to choice for gen-z. When it comes to digital consumption, social media is where gen-z expresses themselves the most (18 per cent), with Instagram and YouTube being the most popular platforms.
On average, 29 per cent of gen-z spend one-two hours per day on these two platforms. When it comes to influencers, gen-z feels that influencers represent their own values and beliefs and reflect what they aspire to be.
In addition to generating insights, the study served the dual purpose of busting some preconceived notions about gen-z. One of the most misunderstood aspects about them is their relationship with money. Contrary to the belief that they do not handle their finances responsibly, results reveal that gen-z is an extremely money-savvy generation. They actively discuss and educate themselves on wealth growth and management, redefining money as a means of elevating quality of life.
As per the report, some other observations about gen-z are:
Gen Z is a stressed and anxious generation, but at the same time, they are proud advocates of mental health and wellbeing.
Gen Z prefers smart work that stimulates growth as opposed to hard work. Additionally, gen-z believes organisational structure is important, but hierarchical boundaries should be porous, allowing them the ability to impact final decision-making.
Gen Z continues to demand transparency and authenticity from brands over big claims and celebrity endorsements.
Havas Group India chief human resource officer Vandana Tilwani said, “The programme is meticulously designed so that the newcomers are actively involved in the day-to-day operations of their respective disciplines as well as challenged to go the extra mile by engaging with clients via live projects. This experience not only gives the interns a taste of how the industry operates but is also a conscious effort on the part of Havas Group India to pump fresh voices and perspectives back into the industry.”
She added, “The experience of working on the gen-z 2022 report has been a key element in the overall learning journey of the Spark. Our effort is to provide as much real experience as possible in these six months, which is why the whole programme has been designed to ensure that the transition into a full-time role is seamless and natural.”
Commenting on the findings of the Gen-Z 2022 Report, Havas Media Group India head of strategy Sanchita Roy said, “Gen-Z is perhaps one of most misunderstood generations of our times and probably the most enigmatic at the same time. In keeping with our philosophy of finding meaningfulness in everything we do, we launched the second edition of our gen-z study with the Havas Spark interns this year. The study, divided into two parts, not only explores gen-z’s relationship with brands and the media but also busts some of the myths surrounding them. The report will help brands not only make a meaningful difference but also plan more effectively as they try to forge stronger and better connections with this digitally native audience with a natural penchant for quick changes.”
Most business owners treat their working capital limit like a safety net. It sits there, attached to their current account, ready to be drawn on whenever cash gets tight. And for routine operations, that arrangement works fine. But there are specific situations where a lump-sum loan disbursed quickly into your account is the smarter financial move. Knowing when to pick one over the other can save you real money and keep your business from getting stuck.
The Fundamental Difference People Overlook
A working capital limit, often structured as an overdraft or a revolving credit facility, gives you access to funds up to a pre-approved ceiling. You draw what you need, pay interest on what you use, and replenish it as receivables come in. It is designed for short-term, recurring needs like paying suppliers or covering payroll gaps.
A term loan disbursed quickly, on the other hand, drops a fixed amount into your account. You repay it in instalments over a set period, with a clear end date. The interest rate is typically fixed or at least predictable. These two products solve different problems, and treating them as interchangeable is where businesses get into trouble.
When Speed and Certainty Matter More Than Flexibility
Here’s a scenario that plays out constantly. A retailer gets an opportunity to buy inventory at a steep discount, but the supplier wants full payment within 48 hours. The retailer’s working capital limit is already partially drawn. The available balance might cover part of the order, but not all of it. Requesting a limit enhancement takes days, sometimes weeks, because the bank reassesses your financials.
An instant business loan solves this cleanly. You apply, get approval quickly, and the full amount lands in your account. You buy the inventory, sell it at full margin, and repay the loan over the next few months. The cost of interest on that loan is far less than the profit you would have lost by passing on the deal.
This pattern repeats across industries. A logistics company needs to repair a critical vehicle immediately. A restaurant has to replace kitchen equipment before the weekend rush. A manufacturer lands a large order but needs raw materials upfront. In each case, the need is urgent, specific, and finite. A revolving facility wasn’t built for these moments.
The Hidden Cost of Over-Relying on Working Capital Limits
There’s a psychological trap with revolving credit. Because it’s always available, business owners tend to lean on it for everything, including expenses that really should be financed separately. When you use your overdraft to fund a one-time capital purchase, you reduce the buffer available for daily operations. Then, when a genuine cash flow gap appears the following week, you’re scrambling.
Worse, many working capital limits come with annual renewal. If your financials have dipped, the bank can reduce your limit or decline renewal altogether. If you’ve been using the facility for purposes it wasn’t designed for, your utilisation patterns can actually work against you during the review.
A distinct term loan keeps your working capital limit clean. Your revolving facility handles day-to-day operations. Your loan handles the one-off expense. This separation makes your balance sheet easier to read and your banking relationship easier to manage.
Interest Rate Math That Favours Term Loans
Working capital limits often carry floating interest rates pegged to the bank’s benchmark. The rate adjusts, and over time, especially when monetary policy tightens, your cost of borrowing can creep up without you noticing because you’re only looking at the small daily interest debit.
A fixed-rate term loan gives you certainty. You know exactly what each instalment will be, which makes cash flow forecasting more accurate. For a specific expense with a known amount and a defined payback period, this predictability matters. You can map the repayment against the revenue that expense is expected to generate.
A working capital loan structured as a revolving facility makes sense when your borrowing needs fluctuate week to week. But when you know exactly how much you need and roughly how long it will take to pay back, a term product is almost always cheaper in total interest cost. The discipline of fixed repayments also prevents the slow balance creep that plagues overdraft users.
When Your Facility Is Maxed and Opportunity Knocks
Perhaps the most compelling case is the simplest one. Your existing limit is fully utilised. Business is good, money is coming in, but right now the account is stretched. A new opportunity appears. You can either let it pass or find additional funding fast.
Waiting for a limit increase is not a strategy when timing matters. Applying for a separate short-term loan, getting approval the same day or the next, and funding the opportunity directly is a concrete action with a measurable return. You are not adding long-term debt to your balance sheet. You are financing a specific transaction that pays for itself.
The smartest business owners don’t treat all credit as the same. They match the product to the need. Revolving facilities handle rhythm. Term loans handle moments. Getting that distinction right is one of the quieter advantages a well-run business holds over its competitors.
