Decoding India
Since India's support to the tech industry during Y2K, it has become a much-favoured partner for many organizations. Today, this status has only become stronger thanks to the multiple geopolitical factors in play. India has become a necessity, not just an option.
However, working with India and Indians continues to be a dilemma for many Westerners, especially Americans. In my two decades of representing the outsourcing industry, I have observed some common, but lesser-known challenges that continue to trouble them.
If you give Indians a process that needs to be followed by the T, they will make mistakes somewhere. If you give them just the target, they will not know how to get there. What works best is a mild combination of both. Show them the goal, the bigger picture, and the impact that the work will have. Provide them with a framework or a minimum viable product that will help. However, leave room for change. Because the Indian mind will question, interpret, evaluate, and improvise.
Here are some tips for working effectively with India:
Share the bigger picture - don’t just provide a set of instructions, but articulate the vision you have in mind. Understanding the larger vision works as a great motivation and can be the secret sauce to success
Be clear about your expectations. Communicate what you need clearly and concisely. Document the brief rather than just relying on Chats and calls. If you have deadlines or non-negotiable clauses, state them so that work can you done accordingly
Be open to different ways of working. The team may have different ideas about how to approach problems. Don't be afraid to try new things.
Be respectful of Indian culture. We Indians take their culture very seriously. Be respectful of local customs and traditions. Take some time to research or better still, ask your team about it!
Trust the Indian mind. The Indian youth is highly skilled and resourceful. If you give them the space to do their jobs, they will succeed.
Don't try to fit the Indian mind into a standardized model. It will fail. Allow us enough room to do "jugaad" (improvise), and you will be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.