From Corporate to Startup: Breaking free of the Golden Handcuffs

Times are a changing! India's own cyber valley has evolved from the so-called 'coolie-valley' to Startup Valley. The corporate goldrush and the pure-play low cost outsourcing, is seemingly receding and with the US reportedly entering a recessionary phase, a clear sense of the way ahead in India is emerging.

The big 5 Service Giants, and all the Worlds Biggest brands put together are finding it difficult to hold onto their 'prized leaders' any longer. There is a whole bunch of senior executives waiting to break free of their 'golden hand-cuffs'.

Reason: Life Stage!

It is my firm belief that the India of 2008 is way different from that of 2003/4/5. Why you may ask and here's my answer...

1. Boredom: The Global biggies (atleast in the IT World) read IBM, Accenture, EDS, Cisco, MS, (feel free to add to the list) are no longer a novelty in India. They are large in India as well.. and that in itself is the problem. As size increases, processes take over and role decreases, excitement wanes and the superstars of the firm get bored.. Well that's the best word to define reality today - Boredom.

2. Financial Security: A lot more Indians are financially secure today - when compared to 2 or 3 years back. With the great IT Salaries and attractive increments, money is no longer the primary motivator for a significant populace of middle and senior level execs. Besides, the smart folks have also invested in Property and the buoyant stock markets.

3. NRI growth: The return of the NRI's back home is another key factor. Having spent years abroad - securing their lives and that of families, they are looking to 'give back' or do something out of the ordinary. Do they want to join a 70,000 plus organization as 'another' Director? Most likely Not.

The above 3 factors has created this increasingly restless community of Executives trying to break the shackles of their 'Golden Handcuffs'. The Big Question - Where Do We Go??

Verdict: Life has come full circle. Time to get into a startup. The VC's and PE's are back and the Angels are coming. People are ready to take the plunge given their 'Life Stage'. This is the key to the next new wave in our evolution - The ENTREPRENEURIAL WAVE 2.0 - The Real Thing! (Unlike 2000). Wait and Watch.

The Journey from Talent Acquisition to Talent Management and Development

For every statement that one makes, the opposite is equally true. This characterises India more than any other nation. Of course India itself is a Point of View!!

Todays Economic Times is a clear example:

"PE's (Price-Earning Ratios) irrelevant in heady times"

"Dearth of skilled workers - shrinking KPO industry".

My take is that we need to keep pace with growth and not take growth for granted. The Leadership vacuum (3700 CXO's in the next 2 years), and the talent shortage and consequent shrinking KPO industry are indicative of deeper issues which could hit India below the belt.

Solutions to increase the Talent Supply Pool are critical as is the increase in Leadership Pool. Executive/Leadership Coaching a well established industry in the West is bound to catch up. PDI (Personnel Decisions Internation) a $100mn speciality HR firm announced its entry into India to setup a Wholly owned subsidiary focused on Talent Development and development of the leadership gene pool within organizations.

Clearly a shift in focus from Talent Acquisition to Talent Management and Development.

Launching the Great Indian HR Blog

Welcome to the Great Indian HR Blog, This blog will reflect my gut feel, intuition, and thoughts on where we are, where are we heading and how do we sustain our glorious run.

India has entered a new era from the problem of plenty to scarcity - even on the HR front. The challenges are different and the HR approach must align with the reality.

Will pour my heart out, Invite you to react, respond, debate and provoke to enable emergence of path breaking solutions.