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Jawaral Nehru Port

by Bernard Ablola

Sep 21, 2009 India 2009, MBA
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India’s importing and exporting business has declined due to the economic crisis.  As India transitions into its democracy, it faces issues such as corruption, poor infrastructure and poor policies.  The Indian government works too slow in order to solve these issues.   It is up to the individual companies to take the correct stance against these issues. 

As I walked through the port tour, what shocked me was that the port workers did not take any safety precautions.  There were no safety glasses or hard hats in the work environment.  Most of the jobs involved crane operation, lifting and manual labor. 

 

If an employee is injured or killed, their family may not have enough money to sue or represent the employee.  The worker is too easily replaced. 

 

The Port of India made me realize how we often take for granted that the United States with all its rules and regulations is set up to protect its citizens.  India is growing too fast for itself.  The issues it struggles with need to be addressed in order to be a world leader and sustain its growth.

 

If people are the true capital of India, then every measure must be made to protect its citizens.  Growth at the expense of human capital is not sustainable.

Company visits - New Delhi

by Bernard Ablola

Sep 21, 2009 India 2009, MBA
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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

Taj Mahal - 7 Wonders of the World

by Bernard Ablola

Sep 21, 2009 India 2009, MBA
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Our first full day in India begins with the road trip from New Delhi to Agra, to visit the Taj Mahal.  The roads in Agra are crowded filled with people, camels, cows and monkeys.  Cars and bikes cut in and out of the two lane highway.  Our driver presses the horn like a musical performance.  Light taps of the horn tell cows to move.  Harder strikes of the horn signal to the aggressive drivers to get out of our way.    

The first glance of the Taj Mahal through the doorway is truly breath taking.  The white marble looks almost fake, a painted portrait or Disney replica.   As we get closer to the Taj Mahal each step presents us with a new view, a different angle and perspective. 

 

Breathtaking

 

This is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen in my life, truly one of wonders of world. 

 

As we walk closer to the memorial our tour guide explains the story of emperor Shan Jahan’s love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal who died giving birth to their 14th child.  This was his tribute to her.  It took twenty years and twenty thousand men to build.  This explains the persistence and resilience of the people. 

 

If there is one place to see before you die, a bucket list, of some sort, visit the Taj Mahal.  It was truly an unforgettable experience.

 

Marble Museum

 

Today, I witnessed the Billy Mays of India  (RIP Billy).  He wore a blue shirt and had facial hair and proceeded to pitch us on the quality of the marble pieces he sold.  He even spilled soda on the table to demonstrate the quality of the product.  Effective marketing engages the consumer, tells a story and removes and barriers to purchase.  The Indian Billy Mays educated us, then sold us on the quality of his product.  He presented the wow factor by taking the product and throwing on the floor to demonstrate its durability.

 

 

With  1.1 billion people, the second  most populous country in the world and a quarter billion people in the middle class that is growing, India is an untapped market of opportunity.  In the next couple of days we will see how companies are profiting from this expanding country.

 

I love marketing and advertising in any form and can quickly learn from others and apply it to my business.  As a marketer I would suggest being open to being sold.  Listen to the telemarketers, watch the entire infomercials and read the direct mail pieces that come to your door.  Become a student of marketing not only in the classroom but in the real world setting.  Your business will benefit from it.

 

Bernard

New Delhi, India

by Bernard Ablola

Sep 21, 2009 India 2009, MBA
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We touch down in New Delhi on Sunday night, the streets are filled with people.  Brown faces are everywhere.  We weave through the people, bikes, cars, trucks and animals that  fill the streets.  I am anxious and excited. 

 

Last year around this time I was in China, the hardware capital of the world, now this year its India, the I.T. hub of the world.  A country filled with history.  Home to meditation, Ghandi and 2.1 billion people.  Home to the booming BPO industry (Business Process Outsourcing).

 

We drive pass the India Gate and the President’s house and head to The Lalit.  The hotel is impressive, surrounded with business people and luxury.  A stark contrast from a just a few steps outside.  Where we are surrounded by the “streets.”  In Baltimore city, we referred to the “streets” as a the neighborhoods where you witness survival. The struggles and challenges are written on the people’s faces. 

 

We pass through the security check point at the hotel and x-ray our items through the metal detector, this quickly reminds us that a few months ago India was the target to terrorist attacks that left hundreds of people dead. 

 

The luxury hotel, filled with the almost unlimited amenities, shields us from what is happening on the outside.  It is almost surreal.  In just a few steps outside people are living on less than a couple cents a day.  India depicts a stark contrast, some live in splendor others live in squalor. 

 

My mission in India is to get immersed in Indian culture, food, people and business to get a better understanding of the globalization of this fast growing country.