Saturday, June 16, 2007

Cheaper Expats vs Indian talent!! No comparison!!

I quote from a blog I just read "Indian executives could be in danger of pricing themselves out of the market with salary demands that are so high they are forcing Indian companies to look to cheaper expatriates to fill senior roles.” It didn’t take long, did it? Part of the problem is the silly practice of setting executive salaries by comparisons with other executives. That’s a sure recipe for constant leap-frogging. This will also be very familiar. "
While the author probably moralises the issue, I am certain the context is just ironically on the
contrary!!
I am glad Sanjeev Sahgal pointed out that it is a factor of the growing market!! To quote " Over a period of time these would get normalized, not to forget most of these position are with Global companies...which simply means that those hired here could be leading other global location over a period of time. With the globalization peaking as years come, the world will be a level playing field and only Talent will win...and get paid."
I am of the belief that the Indian market and its challenges are very unique -and so expecting any global professional to come and transplant the learnings elsewhere -is a sure shot recipe for disaster!!
Be it Coke or McDonalds, or any of the telecom, insurance or consumer durable companies, they have all needed an Indian touch to be able to penetrate into the market. The customs, let alone the traditions, practices and the habits- are so unique to the different regions within India, that one should be looking at the Indian continent as a bunch of heterogenous markets!
As a specialist in hiring 'returning Indians' with global flavour, my own experience has been that those who have had the 'grounding in India' and have been away for overseas experience of 4/5yrs-are more likely to hit the ground running !!
And why should not they be paid their pound of flesh!!?

2 comments:

Indian Blogger said...

AK,
I agree with your views.Based on my observations,folks who have had their "grounding in India" and then have worked abroad for a few years actually understand the best practices of both worlds.They know the challenges and obstacles that could exist in India(in addition to the culture factor) and also perhaps have an idea of what practice from the west can be replicated in India (with a fair bit bit of customization.)

My best bets would be on folks who have started their career in India ,and then have gone global and are now returning back. I feel based on their observations, experiences and analysis have figured out the "hybrid model" that is the best of both worlds. what say?

Anonymous said...

AK:

Go easy on the exclamation marks (use less of them). It tends to detract from the message you are trying to convey...