Monday, August 14, 2006

Think and Act Global

Just a few decades ago, in the 1970s and 80s, India had a very big problem of brain drain, the migration of its intellectual capital to the developed world. The cases of brain drain have not gone down the drain altogether, but the brains have been preserved. These preserved brains have not only given recognition to Indian mind through Nobel Prizes, but today when they have looked back towards this nation with affection and attachments; they have changed the whole paradigm of development. Dr R. A. Mashelkar, commonly known as the Dangerous Optimist, points out that when one such person with her brilliance comes back to this country, it is equivalent to 100 people existing here. India is lucky to have such a population of 20 million across the world. They have become a brand – Brand India. They are going to change the future.

When these brand Indians are back, we are facing other serious problems as a nation, I termed that as Company Drain. Indian private companies are not serving India but it is going to US and other European countries. This situation is becoming very common today. Indian Call Centers and BPOs are doing this. Indians companies dealing with vegetable and fruits will be doing this. It is almost impossible to grow money in sluggish, rigid and conservative society. It is good that they bring money to this capital starved nation through this global business. It is expected that in the time to come, it is equally going to be beneficial like brain drain of 70s and 80s. It will be good for the country.

Indian Multinational in real sense not through advertisements, Infosys puts 25 years unprecedented growth behind and shapes up for the future. Infosys is ready to set its own course and provide guidance to other emerging companies. A minor study of unprecedented growth reveals many obvious conclusions. There are five essential lessons for emerging companies to achieve unprecedented growth in developing country –

1. Never Rely on India – You may have born in India. You may love India. You may be genetically attached to its regional languages. You may be interesting to see India growing. But you can not rely on India for your growth. You have to rely on US and other European countries for your growth. Infosys CEO Nandan Nilekani says, ‘Infosys does 90% of its business from outside India.’ Starting from its first Rs 10,000/- to few billions, Infosys did never rely for its operation, business, profits and growth on India.

Infosys might have been started by Indians from Indian soil, but never tried to convince Indians to accept its products. Even after 25 years of its operation, it is looking outside India including China for its new businesses. India has not been able to harness its capabilities. India has not given due respects and consideration to this giant Indian company. When the whole world understands its capabilities for its effectiveness, India is still behaving a poor host for its global outlook individuals and companies.

2. Don’t Rely Heavily on Indians – Narayana Murthy says, ‘working with diverse cultures across nations help break down political barriers.’ He is fully aware about the polluted political mind of this country. Certainly this impacts the normal mental level of educated youth. They remain disgruntled with their distorted political believes because of improper unlearning. A wrong political believes inducts inefficiency and ineffectiveness in the work culture of any organization, which results in discipline cases. Infosys will not like to keep handling such trivial issues.

3. Not Only Talk Global, Act Global – In rising country like India, it becomes a status symbol to use the word global in any policy discussions and implementation. Even Indian film industry that never raise the quality of movies, talks going global. The regional leaders and politicians who have no courage to accept universal language, talks shamelessly about global. The people who talk ruthlessly about reservations, conversions, regionalism, and religion for their own benefits, also want to join the hype of globalism.

Infosys is 180 degree different than these talking individuals and institutions. This year, the company has recruited 126 American students from various US Universities. Last year, they invited 100 Chinese students and spent millions on the program. They have planned to hire people from UK Universities in 2007. Students from Universities of Australia, China and other Europe are also in the pipeline. This is called talk global and act global.

4. Develop India on Global Power – Infosys chief mentor said the capabilities brought in by the people from diverse cultures will create a more competitive business model for the company. All these new recruits from all over the world will make a true global village at Mysore in India. This will pave the way for real creation of developed India. The subsequent developments in other sectors including SEZs will take few lessons from these steps of Infosys. The arrival of intelligence, languages, cultures and values from across the world will create global India.

5. A Lesson for MNCs – Most of the MNCs in India are being headed by Indians. These Indians, even at high positions, are engulfed with regionalism, religion and linguistic mentality. That is the reason; most of these MNCs are headed by Bengalis, Oria or Keralites. They always prefer to recruit the people belonging to the same region, speaking similar languages and having similar beliefs. They are successfully able to misguide their global bosses with existing resources and network.

The real global MNCs are working sometime as worse as local state level departments of a developing country. That is the reason; most of these MNCs are unable to grow significantly on Indian soil, example – Dell, one of the best computer manufacturers in the world, is losing heavily in India operation. The overseas MNCs bosses have to take lesson from Infosys operations.



Indian companies which are rising against odds are setting good lessons for the future managers and entrepreneurs across the globe. These lessons are obvious and clear. Sometime there may be a need for more explanation. I am available at kamekish@yahoo.com for further queries. The companies which wants to establish on Indian soil, these lessons are very vital for unprecedented growth, the companies deserves in 21st century. Country need to be serious to stop Company Drain. The growth of companies is important for India and Indians. The growth is important for whole world. The growth is essential for well deserved peace.

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