More and more Indian companies are becoming customer focussed. They are being
allowed to do so. For too long goverment policies relying on a permit raj
decided on most parameters that determine business growth and innovation. Some
very indegenous notions of socialism decided what could be produced, in what
quantities and at what price levels. The market was not allowed to operate
freely,
monopolies were built, corporate culture depended on maintaining status quo,
managers were dissuaded from any innovation. Competition was not encouraged.
Political and government control was all-embracing.

Things are better now, consumers are beginning to develop a voice, barriers to
growth of competition are crumbling. Markets in India are maturing and
expanding,
Indian corporations are able to stand up to MNC competition and are changing.
The newer generation of professionals have not spent a lifetime being badgered
in an environment that had to keep an unwieldy workforce, hang on to outdated
technology, cater to a captive market and be at the beck and call of every
'babu'.

It is not a distant scenario when Indian corporations will be globally
competitive, but this is unlikely to happen unless local markets also develop
in terms of both size and sophistication. Remember, we have just been unshackled
to some extent and the freedom that our minds must feel in order to attain a
position of leadership is only now being experienced.

Many Indians know that they are among the best in the world, our customers are
beginning to tell us that they want top class products and services, our
corporations will deliver.

I have worked in the Indian business environment since the mid 70s and have
watched the changes at close quarters. Things have never been as exciting as
they are at the present time. Yes, we are the white collar labour pool of the
world, but we are continuously looking to move up the value chain. Indian
business is setting up shop in global markets, it is developing competitive
edges in many areas, local markets are growing at a never before pace, complex
synergies are at work.

Dont be disheartened, Uday and Sudhir, 'times, they are a changing...'

Deepankar



--- uday_dandavate <uday@...> wrote:
> The crisis of confidence in competing in the global mindset comes from the
> traditional feudal mindset of "Serving the Master". We are satisfied when
> someone else contributes to our wealth, that someone else might be the
> government , A funding agency, A corporate house, or a charitable
> organization.
>
> Not that India does not have the monetary resources or knowledgebase to
> produce world class technology, products or services. We lack focus on and
> commitment to developing key areas of excellence that can compete in the
> global marketplace. Given the right environment and work culture, Indians
> have risen to the top of global corporations.
>
> Having worked with innovation teams within many global corporations, I have
> realized that they key to success in developing globally competitive products
> is to tune the innovation process to the culture, behaviors and needs of the
> markets in which one wants to compete. Technological innovation alone does
> not help organizations succeed. How these technologies are translated into
> local context is what determines its ultimate success. Succesful global
> companies are continually tuned into the voice of their consumer. It is not
> difficult for Indian managers and business owners to develop a culture of
> tuning into their consumer's life. When end-users of products play a role in
> defining the products, the organization develope the capability to make
> investments in innovation that is meaningful to the marketplace.
>
> I can understand the frustration of Sudhir, when he says, "I feel we
> > are out of our depths to understand and change that..since thats how
> > these companies are set up." On my part, I have been trying to do my bit by
> reaching out to the Indian industry through writing papers (wrote a few
articles
> in Business World) and facilitating Industry workshop (did a couple at IDC and
> through NID). I am hoping to reach out further and more regularly, so that
> atleast someone begins to liesten.
>
> Thanks
>
> Uday
>
> In nidesign@..., "Sudhir Sharma" <sudhirelephant@y...>
> wrote:
> > Hi Uday welcome to the group,
> >
> > What u say is very right...we have been working with many IT domain
> > clients and recently met up with a big company in Delhi....the story
> > is same....all doing very well and great..but all supporting
> > companies from west and really competing with them...they all
> > compete with other indian companies in supporting them. I feel we
> > are out of our depths to understand and change that..since thats how
> > these companies are set up...but still a few of them seem to have
> > the vision at least.
> >
> > I am in Hanoi (Vietnam) from 8th till 11th and then in Singapore
> > (11th till 15th may)...will like to meet up anyone from this group
> > in that region. Do mail me suhdir@e... or sms +91
> > 98220 93832. Or if u know any Nidians in that region do let me know.
> >
> > regards
> > Sudhir Sharma
> > Elephant Design
> > GD 1983
>
>





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