Kalolwala & Associates to offer Virtual AGMs service in India

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to keep everyday life at a standstill in India and across the globe, the importance of technology to handle emergency situations is going up exponentially. In a recent development, the Indian Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) gave its nod for the use of audio-visual equipments and/or videoconferencing tools, for conducting the Annual General Meetings (AGMs) of companies virtually. Kalolwala & Associates Pvt Ltd (K&A) - a fast emerging corporate communication consultancy in India working with some of the leading corporates - has taken a bold step aligned with evolving regulatory landscape. 

Following the directive from the MCA, Kalolwala & Associates has been working closely with several leading corporate houses in India, to understand the precise requirements for video conferencing through audio visual means for conducting a seamless Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Founder and CEO, Mr. Hussain Kalolwala, (a CA and CS by qualification) has partnered with a leading global technology firm to deliver a fully customised and cost-effective platform for the companies. Understanding the nuances of annual reports and delivering concept, content and design - the extension of virtual AGM as a service only completes the spectrum of services offered by K&A. 

K&A is keeping a close eye on the stipulations and checklist mentioned by the MCA to ensure adherence to compliances. The company has already been advised by several of its clients to prepare a checklist of the regulations, and make sure that its virtual event app builder platform abides by all of them. The K&A team is working accordingly.

Greater technological flexibility and a wide range of options are major hallmarks of the virtual AGM platform that K&A will be delivering to the Indian corporates. The platform offers full integration with the most popular videoconferencing tools - like Zoom, Webinarjam, YouTube Live, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex and Facebook Live (customisations will be done on an ‘as-required’ basis). The focus is squarely on delivering the integrations that companies will be comfortable with, and will be confident about.

The importance of a powerful online conferencing tool for these virtual AGMs is immense. With the coronavirus-triggered lockdowns still in place, it is imperative for corporate houses to connect with shareholders, do the relevant business communication, and offer complete transparency regarding their operations. The AGMs conducted through the platform solution provided by K&A, companies will be able to provide just that.

With its virtual AGM platform, K&A is also offering never-before data security and cost-efficiency to the Indian corporates. Key features like e-voting (integrated with the authorised Share Transfer Agent of the Company), shareholder details and time-stamped logs for videoconferencing will be protected by the latest encryption methods. At a time when Covid-19 is seriously denting the earnings of companies, the companies will also get the chance to register huge cost benefits by switching from in-person AGMs to the virtual meetings. 

The USP of the virtual AGM platform (apart from its customisable features) is its high user-friendliness. As a well-placed source from K&A explained, it is a zero-coding platform, features can be selected as required by customers, visual elements can be personalised, and shareholders/participants can be added securely, and with ease. There are also options for live q&a, live polls, live push notifications, real-time analytics, and more. 

The most remarkable achievement of the K&A team has been making the virtual AGM platform ready for use - within only a few days of these meetings being directed by the MCA. The strategic alliance and partnership with a global technology firm and being the authorised service provider in India, they are setting the ball rolling fast. With online conferences and meetings becoming increasingly mainstream, the scopes of the platform are extensive indeed.

Visit https://www.kalolwala.co.in/ to know more about the company and the online platform for virtual AGMs they offer. With permissions for virtually conducted corporate meetings getting the nod from authorities, platforms like this one are all set to gain in popularity immensely in the foreseeable future.