Thomas Friedman let us all know that Chindia would own the next century back in 2004 (see 'The World is Flat'). It seems that every large company is outsourcing to India or China at some point in their value chain.
But have you ever tried to manage a group of employees in India? I've been talking to people about this over the past month, and the reviews aren't positive. A friend in Boston mentioned to me recently that his company shut down their office in Chennai and gave up on the notion of outsourcing directly. Instead, like most ISVs, they're going to use a large provider (Wipro) - despite the cost per resource being nearly 100% higher. Why? In his words: "Managing Indians is impossible. Only Indians can manage Indians."
Over the past week, I've checked in with several business managers - all of whom I know to be actively involved in managing Indian staff. All of them admit to having been occasionally baffled by the culture.
So, consider this an open call to all readers of this blog (especially those in India): what advice do you have for North American business managers about how to best manage Indians, and navigate Indian culture?
To start you off, how about commenting on this rant: it is an an excerpt from an email I received last week:
"If you are in a management or leadership role, you already understand that gossip is and always will be part of corporate life. Indian workers, however, take the gossip vine to an entirely new level. The word ‘confidentiality’ doesn’t exist in Indian culture. People will discuss their salaries openly (usually for bragging purposes), invent stories about their colleagues (did you know Amar and Shilpa are fooling around in the back of the call center?), and claim first hand knowledge of upper management’s top secret intentions. What’s worse: No rumor is too stupid to become reality in the minds of your staff. This is the single biggest difference I’ve found between the gossip vine in Western culture and the gossip vine in Indian culture. A rumor started in India, no matter how silly, will be taken seriously."
True? False? Opinions please.
Indian employees of course has potential for every challenge. The concern is only to make them incentive based or to put them into the consequences which may cost their job.
ReplyDeleteDear Angel Mehta,
ReplyDeleteOne thing very offshore employee wants is due respect from his family and he works off-shore only to gain maximum respect from his family mainly his wife and kids. Hence all efforts should be made to show that recogonition - from the employer company to his family. Simple schemes to include the wife / children in the award program will motivate the employee much more to perform the best. Things like a good word for the perfromance or praise in the presence of the family and say a gold chain for the wife will go a long way to produce fantastic results and maximum contribution
This is my personal expereince, any amount of perks is welcome, but there is no one to see it other than the immeidate family who is along with the employee.
Regards,
Deepak Gupta.
Dear Angel Mehta,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mr Deepak Gupta. Indian employee is very happy & becomes loyal when he gets due recognition in presence of his family members & relatives. It can be an award, promotion, small increase in perks/facilities, gift useful to his family or an incentive bonus. Secondly, he is very much concerned about his self-respect. If this is taken care of, he will be always loyal to the organisation.
With warm regards,
Hasmukh V Lodhia
Dear Angel Mehata,
ReplyDeleteIndians have traditional thoughts with professional actions, so EQ works more than IQ managing Indians,
regards
Ajai Bhushan
I would opine that the comment about offshore indians is very negative and i would not agree to it. I have worked in MNC in india and also outside. It is very easy to extract work from indians whether in india or outside.It is not necessary that one should be an indian to extract work from indians. Please see how many expats are working as CEO of many companies in india. They do not want to go back given a chance.
ReplyDeleteregards
G. Madan Mohan
Indian Employees are one of the most hard working and sincere lot in the world, the only thing you need to get them around is to care for them , motivate them and be a mentor for them rather than a Boss. Yes, off course you will have to carry the stick occasionally so as to remind them that you mean business, but most of the time if you show that you are with them in times of crisis, you are with them to guide and lead , they will give their lives for you.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it doesn't pay to play politics amongst your team, because sooner or later they all team up and will make life difficult for you. You need to be one amongst them, rather than above them always.
Having agreed that gossip is a necessary part of Corporate culture the world over, there is little merit in trying to bring down the intensity level in the indians ! What is perhaps needed more is to give them a sense of belonging, actual respect for them and their talents and the job that they are in. Treat them with equal respect and expectation to do their jobs on time and do them well, and you will see them surpassing themselves !Indians are easily more friendlier of the employee pool that any one can expect to get, they are emotionally attached easily to their jobs, individuals and most of all their family. Utilise this rare factor and see the results for yourselves !
ReplyDeleteAn Indian is very individualistic, regionalistic and creative. A person from a particular state will be most comfortable with another from the same state, or having a common language. Each state specialises in some field of work.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, to an Indian "work is worship", when not in the homeland. Afterall, he is away to earn more, which indirectly encompasses quantum of work.
If you give space with total responsibility, it works wonders. The Banking system, more than justifies its success to this.
An Indian will behave differently abroad, than in his homeland. He will never consider littering, although at home he will not hestitate to rubbish the adjoining path.
The Gulf countries have been created with major Indian labour inputs, and is now functioning due to dedication of the Indian workforce at all levels. With due & justifiable pride, the Indian considers it as an alternative homeland.
With a fertile mind, an inherent interest in politics, the ability to appreciate a series of slapstick comedies, gossip becomes cannon fodder to the Indian mind. But, it does not have a negative impact, as the various behaviour patterns cited above justify.
-Udayan V Shah
lot of good thoughts indeed...agree wholeheartedly with the one that yes gossip is a 'necessary evil' in the Indian corporate sector...and its gets murkier when it is related to company policies and when employees start feeling that their jobs/ promotion chances are threatened...give a safe-haven feeling and the Indian psyche works the best...loyal, hardworking, sincere, innovative and enterprising of the lot...and basically all the rumors spread b'coz of the Indian mentality of 'connecting' with others and this seems like a very good 'ice-breaker'...and the inherent belief that its completely 'harmless'!!!But again pointless to glorify this 'rumor' bit...and yes Indian employees can be managed very easily by anybody who knows and practices 'empathy' and 'participative-management' sometimes...
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