Comments on: Doing Business in 21st-Century India: How to Profit Today in Tomorrow’s Most Exciting Market http://www.hrinindia.org/doing-business-in-21st-century-india-how-to-profit-today-in-tomorrows-most-exciting-market Sat, 27 Mar 2010 05:22:06 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: W. Vanderbok http://www.hrinindia.org/doing-business-in-21st-century-india-how-to-profit-today-in-tomorrows-most-exciting-market/comment-page-1#comment-84 W. Vanderbok Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:01:34 +0000 http://www.hrinindia.org/doing-business-in-21st-century-india-how-to-profit-today-in-tomorrows-most-exciting-market#comment-84 India and its environs are called The Subcontinent for more than geological reasons. It is easily the most complex linguistic, social and cultural area in the world. The diversity is overwhelming - more languages than Europe, major presence of every religion in the world, cultural traditions foreign to Western experience, a proud history going back further than even China's -- yet the sirens' call of globalized business opportunity grows louder and louder. Many books are now available explaining why India is an inevitable global power of enormous investment potential. Gunjan Bagla has produced something different, a "dirty fingernails" book explaining exactly what you need to know to actually do business in India. It provides an invaluable series of guideposts and pitfall warnings to help the Western entrepreneur achieve success. None of the book's chapters is comprehensive. They are more in the nature of dipping a toe in the water to gage the temperature for each can unfold into several more books. Possibly the single most important chapter, the one most outsiders erroneously believe is least relevant, discusses India's historical and cultural landscape. The chapter on cross-cultural communication, both verbal and non-verbal is filled with insights and "ah has," even for those of us who have spent a lifetime studying the country. So are the chapters on human resources, marketing, finance, legal and accounting issues, and living in India. If you are thinking about investing in India you need to take "Doing Business in 21st Century India" seriously. If you are serious about India, this book needs to be under your pillow at night. Rating: 5 / 5 India and its environs are called The Subcontinent for more than geological reasons. It is easily the most complex linguistic, social and cultural area in the world. The diversity is overwhelming – more languages than Europe, major presence of every religion in the world, cultural traditions foreign to Western experience, a proud history going back further than even China’s — yet the sirens’ call of globalized business opportunity grows louder and louder. Many books are now available explaining why India is an inevitable global power of enormous investment potential. Gunjan Bagla has produced something different, a “dirty fingernails” book explaining exactly what you need to know to actually do business in India. It provides an invaluable series of guideposts and pitfall warnings to help the Western entrepreneur achieve success. None of the book’s chapters is comprehensive. They are more in the nature of dipping a toe in the water to gage the temperature for each can unfold into several more books. Possibly the single most important chapter, the one most outsiders erroneously believe is least relevant, discusses India’s historical and cultural landscape. The chapter on cross-cultural communication, both verbal and non-verbal is filled with insights and “ah has,” even for those of us who have spent a lifetime studying the country. So are the chapters on human resources, marketing, finance, legal and accounting issues, and living in India. If you are thinking about investing in India you need to take “Doing Business in 21st Century India” seriously. If you are serious about India, this book needs to be under your pillow at night.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Amazy Reader http://www.hrinindia.org/doing-business-in-21st-century-india-how-to-profit-today-in-tomorrows-most-exciting-market/comment-page-1#comment-83 Amazy Reader Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:48:02 +0000 http://www.hrinindia.org/doing-business-in-21st-century-india-how-to-profit-today-in-tomorrows-most-exciting-market#comment-83 Despite having no experience with, or knowledge of India, I was 'volunteered' to spearhead my growing companies attempts to both produce and market our newest product in India. I was to get manufacturing of our product going first, then start the overseas marketing local to those facilities (to benefit from cheap shipping to start). <br /> <br />Honestly, I was petrified! I was to met with several of my counterparts from several companies and I desperately wanted to get it right. Normally I'm quite comfortable in these situations (that's why I'm the youngest member of the executive team) but I knew there had to be major differences and nuances alike that could side-track my best efforts. I needed info. <br /> <br />So, I decided to learn everything I could about doing business in India and purchased several books on the subject. Of the bunch, I only read one, Doing Business in 21st Century! It helped me get a better overall understanding of how things are done when I read through it the first time (on the long, long, long flight), and provided a ready-reference in many occasions during my visit. I thought of it as my secret weapon by the time the trip was over. <br /> <br />The trip didn't go as planned (factors beyond our control) but it surely wasn't due to miscommunication or mishaps with my contacts, and I owe that to this book. <br /> <br />A must have (and a must read) if you are in a similar situation. <br /> Rating: 5 / 5 Despite having no experience with, or knowledge of India, I was ‘volunteered’ to spearhead my growing companies attempts to both produce and market our newest product in India. I was to get manufacturing of our product going first, then start the overseas marketing local to those facilities (to benefit from cheap shipping to start).

Honestly, I was petrified! I was to met with several of my counterparts from several companies and I desperately wanted to get it right. Normally I’m quite comfortable in these situations (that’s why I’m the youngest member of the executive team) but I knew there had to be major differences and nuances alike that could side-track my best efforts. I needed info.

So, I decided to learn everything I could about doing business in India and purchased several books on the subject. Of the bunch, I only read one, Doing Business in 21st Century! It helped me get a better overall understanding of how things are done when I read through it the first time (on the long, long, long flight), and provided a ready-reference in many occasions during my visit. I thought of it as my secret weapon by the time the trip was over.

The trip didn’t go as planned (factors beyond our control) but it surely wasn’t due to miscommunication or mishaps with my contacts, and I owe that to this book.

A must have (and a must read) if you are in a similar situation.

Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: VICKI FLIERHUDSON http://www.hrinindia.org/doing-business-in-21st-century-india-how-to-profit-today-in-tomorrows-most-exciting-market/comment-page-1#comment-82 VICKI FLIERHUDSON Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:22:30 +0000 http://www.hrinindia.org/doing-business-in-21st-century-india-how-to-profit-today-in-tomorrows-most-exciting-market#comment-82 This book is unique in the fact that it is simple and easy to read, but still manages to cover all of the key topics people need to know when doing business in India. I love how the book goes into both logistics, such as credit and marketing, and culture; many businesspeople often overlook one for the other. As an India consultant I would recommend this book to any of my clients. Rating: 5 / 5 This book is unique in the fact that it is simple and easy to read, but still manages to cover all of the key topics people need to know when doing business in India. I love how the book goes into both logistics, such as credit and marketing, and culture; many businesspeople often overlook one for the other. As an India consultant I would recommend this book to any of my clients.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Ken Silverman http://www.hrinindia.org/doing-business-in-21st-century-india-how-to-profit-today-in-tomorrows-most-exciting-market/comment-page-1#comment-81 Ken Silverman Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:45:09 +0000 http://www.hrinindia.org/doing-business-in-21st-century-india-how-to-profit-today-in-tomorrows-most-exciting-market#comment-81 What a delight...and an invaluable read. Gungan Bagla clearly knows what he's talking about, first hand. He writes with conviction, clarity, and easy readability. I've been doing buisness in/with India for more than a decade, and been there 9 times to date, but still found a treasure trove of remarkable new information and insights. Anyone who's "been there, done that," relative to business in India, or who's preparing their initial foray, or even who's just starting to flirt with the idea, owes it to themselves --- and to their business associates in India --- to read and relish this particular 'Doing Business in India' book. I loved it. Rating: 5 / 5 What a delight…and an invaluable read. Gungan Bagla clearly knows what he’s talking about, first hand. He writes with conviction, clarity, and easy readability. I’ve been doing buisness in/with India for more than a decade, and been there 9 times to date, but still found a treasure trove of remarkable new information and insights. Anyone who’s “been there, done that,” relative to business in India, or who’s preparing their initial foray, or even who’s just starting to flirt with the idea, owes it to themselves — and to their business associates in India — to read and relish this particular ‘Doing Business in India’ book. I loved it.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Ravi Deva http://www.hrinindia.org/doing-business-in-21st-century-india-how-to-profit-today-in-tomorrows-most-exciting-market/comment-page-1#comment-80 Ravi Deva Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:57:14 +0000 http://www.hrinindia.org/doing-business-in-21st-century-india-how-to-profit-today-in-tomorrows-most-exciting-market#comment-80 A MUST READ FOR ANY EXPATRIATE WANTING TO DO BUSINESS IN INDIA OR EVEN JUST TRAVELLING TO INDIA FOR LEISURE!!! <br /> <br />Also, a must read for any Indian who has been living outside of India for a while and wants to connect back home. <br /> <br />The book is written in a very easy to read format. I would say it is more targetted to the American traveller to India. The book contains a treasure trove of information that puts the entire India experience in it's due and proper perspective. <br /> <br />The narrative is very easy to follow, infact more often than not it conjures up visual images that illustrate the points being touched upon extremely well, a testimony to the writer's excellent understanding and grasp of the Indian socio-economic-culture helping to bridge any gaps in context of Western thought processes. Rating: 5 / 5 A MUST READ FOR ANY EXPATRIATE WANTING TO DO BUSINESS IN INDIA OR EVEN JUST TRAVELLING TO INDIA FOR LEISURE!!!

Also, a must read for any Indian who has been living outside of India for a while and wants to connect back home.

The book is written in a very easy to read format. I would say it is more targetted to the American traveller to India. The book contains a treasure trove of information that puts the entire India experience in it’s due and proper perspective.

The narrative is very easy to follow, infact more often than not it conjures up visual images that illustrate the points being touched upon extremely well, a testimony to the writer’s excellent understanding and grasp of the Indian socio-economic-culture helping to bridge any gaps in context of Western thought processes.
Rating: 5 / 5

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