THE SCOPE of outsourcing and its impact on the State with particular focus on Indore - the host city for the 3rd national conference on outsourcing organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) - were discussed in detail here today.
Conference chairman and keynote speaker Zensar Technologies Managing Director Ganesh Natarajan was appointed brand ambassador for the IT Crystal Park being developed at Indore by Madhya Pradesh State Industries Development Corporation (MPSIDC) Managing Director Raghav Chandra.
Natarajan, in his keynote address, focussed on outsourcing as a whole, Information Technology (IT) and emergence of India as an outsourcing destination. Major companies the world over were rationalising their priorities and outsourcing the work falling outside their core area of competence. Leaving the boom in IT and BPO sector behind, outsourcing human resource (HR) related work was on the rise.
India riding on the wave of its expertise in the knowledge sector emerged as an IT hub in the 80’s by sending qualified professionals outside and now the outsourcing business has brought the work from outside right to our doorsteps. Giving the formula for developing an area into a sought-after destination, he said that excellent infrastructure, strong support of government, correct marketing of the place and support to local industries were the key elements.
AT Kearney principal advisor Mohit Rana gave a presentation as part of his special address on ‘India: Staying on top of the global outsourcing marketplace’. He clarified the difference between outsourcing - a commonly practiced concept - and off shoring, a relatively new concept. However, near shoring of jobs - that is sending them to a nearby country - was still a bigger sector than off shoring.
{{/usCountry}}AT Kearney principal advisor Mohit Rana gave a presentation as part of his special address on ‘India: Staying on top of the global outsourcing marketplace’. He clarified the difference between outsourcing - a commonly practiced concept - and off shoring, a relatively new concept. However, near shoring of jobs - that is sending them to a nearby country - was still a bigger sector than off shoring.
{{/usCountry}}‘‘Country, state and city-level competence would have to be developed to attract job opportunities from abroad in order to compete with other countries moving up on this index. In order to remain a cut above the rest the right time, place and price would have to be offered.’’
The graduate pool of the country would increase in the near future by 10 per cent, however, the demand would be for 33 per cent, with currently addition being two per cent yearly to the graduate pool available and amenable for BPO work.
The shortfall would have to be bridged fast. The BPO sector would have to be projected as a long-term career and not just a part time job, he said.
MPSIDC MD Raghav Chandra speaking on ‘outsourcing opportunities in the State’ projected the State and the City as a destination to be invested in.
Indore Divisional Commissioner Ashok Das reiterated the resolve of the government and promised all support on that count. CII (MP) chairman Vipin Mullick delivered the welcome address and made the concluding remarks in the inaugural session.
The next session was ‘scope of outsourcing’ with CII vice-chairman B S Khargaonkar presiding. Khaitan Company partner Rabindra Jhunjhunwala spoke on ‘legal process outsourcing’, KPIT Cummins vice-president Harshu Ghate spoke on ‘knowledge process outsourcing’ and e-Serve financial officer Venkita Subramanian spoke on ‘financial/accounting outsourcing’.
The session on ‘key aspects of outsourcing’ was presided over by Natarajan. UGS manager Rajah Cathiavad spoke on ‘product lifecycle management’ and Microsoft Global Centre senior director Sashi Kumar spoke on ‘transforming the process of innovation’. The panel discussion on ‘industry-academic linkages’ was presided over by Mullick.
State Audyogik Kendra Vikas Nigam (AKVN) managing director Ashish Shrivastav delivered an address on ‘Indore-next hub for outsourcing’. Indian Institute of Management-Indore (IIM-I) director Dr S P Parashar, CRISP chief executive office Mukesh Sharma also participated as panelists in the discussion.