Knowledge Base / Management & Collaboration in India
We regularly receive questions related to improving the cooperation between Dutch and Indian employees. Below we have listed the most common questions and answers.
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Frequently asked questions about working with and managing Indians
How do I find a good director to manage and report to me on my Indian branch?
There are a number of options. There are many executive search firms operating in India. The quality of these varies. Often European companies are looking for an Indian executive who understands the European way of working and communicating. There are a number of steps you can take:
Search through the informal networks; i.e., ask other European entrepreneurs for suitable candidates. If one of your contacts nominates a candidate, the candidate will not want to lose face with the nominator and will therefore be serious.
Search the Indian community in Europe. Many Indians working for an organization in Europe want to return to India sooner or later. This group has work experience in Europe, knows the culture and mentality.
Engage headhunting agencies: the quality is not always good and our experience is that these agencies do not always understand what you are looking for. Many companies choose this as a complementary strategy to e.g. 1 and/or 2. IndiaConnected can advise you on the best strategy in your specific situation.
Read here more about choosing between sending a European manager to India or searching for the right local candidate and which option fits your company and sector.
What management style works in India?
India and Europe are very different in terms of management style. India has a strongly hierarchical (business) culture while in Europe it is more egalitarian. In addition, Indians communicate very indirectly while Europeans are used to more directness and businesslike manner. European entrepreneurs are sometimes idealistic and try to implement a 'flat' management style in India. Most of the time they do not succeed. European companies that are successful in India usually have a local management that manages the staff. European management communicates almost exclusively with Indian management, not with the people in the organization. Don't be naive: getting to the bottom of unwritten, cultural rules is a hopeless task. The IT sector is an exception; cultural differences are slowly diminishing in this sector.
Learn more about the differences in work culture and how to address it as a European company in our free guide for employers in India:
How do I find a reliable partner in India?
You will need to do in-depth research on your potential partner in India. Check references, talk to relations of your partner, engage with customers. In addition, we recommend that you spend sufficient time with your potential partner. This goes beyond business meetings. Go and visit your partner's family, meet his/her parents, relatives and children. In addition, your potential partner will have to make a commitment. Is he/she willing to co-invest? To purchase x number of products? Commitment is achieved when a first transaction is completed and the money is in your account, not before.
Read about the experiences of finding a suitable business partner in India from companies such as clothing brand Scotch & Soda, German wholesaler Metro and Flemish bio-energy plant builder Vyncke.
