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Company visits - New Delhi

by Bernard Ablola

Sep 21, 2009 India 2009, MBA

Today we were fortunate to attend two corporate company visits, Hewitt and Hero Honda.  Here are some insights and reflections from companies who are leaders in their industry.

Hewitt

Hewitt, a leader in BPO, Business Process Outsourcing, thrives on human capital.   Hewitt provides global sourcing to the U.S. and other countries.  Hewitt’s three key areas of focus remind me of Nandan Nilekani’s view of India, People, Process and Technology, with a core focus on people.

The challenges India faces, despite the mass of human labor pool, are finding qualified people.  There are even fewer people with specialized skills in human resources and benefits management.

Keeping talented employees in the BPO and I.T. sector is challenging.  The attrition rate is high.  The average age of the Indian employee is 25 and they are not afraid to change jobs for better pay.

The call center support roles, has turned India into a different culture compared to its past.  Woman are more independent, have higher roles and have money to spend.  Employees  work night shifts to service the Western world.  Some restaurants open at 2 a.m. to support this new consumer. 

Despite the rapid growth India faces, I believe that India must solve their infrastructure and labor pool issues.  India will not be able to compete as a low cost provider in the future.  They must reinvent themselves through innovation in order to sustain this rapid growth.  This concept should be applied to our own careers and businesses.  As business people we should ask ourselves “How can you provide better products, services and support to our internal or external customers?” 

Continually, ask yourself how can you move yourself or your business how you can move up the value chain?

Bernard