On BPOs and us
This was supposed to be a comment on this post I found. Ended up being a full length post :) I don't cross post usually. But I would love to know what you have to say about this. Here's the article that talks of BPO and the obvious discrepancy between the work done by us, Indians and the western world and what follows is my comment on the same.
True, we working in BPO and they working on cutting edge technology is not a pleasant thought. But what's the alternative - we chuck these jobs and get into product innovation. A matter of choice, attitude and opportunities (that's got nothing to do with BPO!). Let's face it - if world is a market, all we have to offer now is low cost labor, hard work and good customer service. so, if that's what we have to give, that's what we are going to get.
Trust me, BPO is done more good than harm to the society (in an economic sense, let's come to the social issues later!) in general. Middle class, which was once a very slim layer of pseudo-have nots is a thriving, growing class of people. These guys shape the economy and bridge the gap between rich and poor. They buy things and thus help a whole lot of other industries thrive (automobiles, home appliances, real estate ... you name it!). BPO and software industry has made it possible.
Where do we go from here - as the basic infrastructure levels increase, public sector does its part in removing infrastructure bottlenecks, in modifying systems (including education at all levels) to the changing personality of the nation and take us forward. Private sector, thanks to all the red tape that will be removed, will thrive, diversify and come up with innovative solutions that will place graduates in all levels of work. Quality of life will improve, labor would be respected - talented souls will stay, will return, research will flourish and the story goes on ...
trust me, don't evaluate BPO from your position and point of view. See it from the eyes of the guy who should have settled for 2000 Rs job if not less. It's a choice that he's glad to make. so many other jobs that you would have no idea about are far worse than this because neither do they pay nor do they help you grow - it's the same disillusionment in the end.
Of course, it's not all good - the burnout is painful to say the least. But, the only way we chuck this is to reach a point where we give people, another choice worthy of a vocation.
True, we working in BPO and they working on cutting edge technology is not a pleasant thought. But what's the alternative - we chuck these jobs and get into product innovation. A matter of choice, attitude and opportunities (that's got nothing to do with BPO!). Let's face it - if world is a market, all we have to offer now is low cost labor, hard work and good customer service. so, if that's what we have to give, that's what we are going to get.
Trust me, BPO is done more good than harm to the society (in an economic sense, let's come to the social issues later!) in general. Middle class, which was once a very slim layer of pseudo-have nots is a thriving, growing class of people. These guys shape the economy and bridge the gap between rich and poor. They buy things and thus help a whole lot of other industries thrive (automobiles, home appliances, real estate ... you name it!). BPO and software industry has made it possible.
Where do we go from here - as the basic infrastructure levels increase, public sector does its part in removing infrastructure bottlenecks, in modifying systems (including education at all levels) to the changing personality of the nation and take us forward. Private sector, thanks to all the red tape that will be removed, will thrive, diversify and come up with innovative solutions that will place graduates in all levels of work. Quality of life will improve, labor would be respected - talented souls will stay, will return, research will flourish and the story goes on ...
trust me, don't evaluate BPO from your position and point of view. See it from the eyes of the guy who should have settled for 2000 Rs job if not less. It's a choice that he's glad to make. so many other jobs that you would have no idea about are far worse than this because neither do they pay nor do they help you grow - it's the same disillusionment in the end.
Of course, it's not all good - the burnout is painful to say the least. But, the only way we chuck this is to reach a point where we give people, another choice worthy of a vocation.
posted by Rathish at 3:49 PM
11 Comments:
BPO is certainly a win-win situation. 6000 rupees a month a world of difference to lots of families in this country.Dignity is an arguable topic. Any decent job in our own country is dignified , isn't it? Don't Indians working in foreign countries sacrifice dignity to a certain extent ? BPOs are not matter of choice but question of survival for many.For others, it is a way to be independent(self-indeendent) and look for better opportunities. Hope enough opportunities come our way to utilise indian talents well.
"Hope enough opportunities come our way to utilise indian talents well."
Ah, but that just IS the point, Arvind. We as a people are being de-talented. I'm sure you'll counter that with "do you know how many patents GE bangalore has?". My question to you "How many of those benefit Indians? Who gets the real profit off of them? Who came up with the idea for the research?"
BPO maybe good for the money it brings in. But that's only short term. What when then the companies find out that South Africa is better investment?
We need to wake up and see what this really is about. It's about DEPENDING on someone else for jobs. The US never depended on anyone for jobs. That's what makes her what she is. That's what we should aspire to be.
( I made this long comment on the blog Rathish mentions. But I seem to have a way with loosing posts - must be my west-inspired education :-\ )
Just so we're clear - my previous argument applies to "research" outsourcing too. Until we start doing our own, we'll ALWAYS follow.
@A no nymous - Totally agree with you on that and as I mentioned, we do have a problem when it comes down to innovation. But my point is, BPO is not responsible for this attitude problem. It's been there even before the word was coined (thanks for 40 years of governance that curtailed innovations with red tape!). But my point is, BPO in itself is bringing about a change in the economical and social standards that will make it possible that, even if people working in BPOs (and s/w companies for that matter) don't manage to become entrapreneurs and innovate, they are helping their sons or grandsons to aspire for something like that!
Of course, it would be great if we didn't have to wait that long and someone finds a way to change this attitude. (that is a whole long post in itself!). But what's the answer?
Perfectly agree with Ratish. We can't blame BPOs for lack of innovation.
My 2 cents ...Manufacturing market and agricultural market in India are very strong. But in terms of software, customer market is still growing in India (still in early stages). Software market is very strong in US and Europe.How many of our industries utilise software extensively? Some Indian entrepreneurs have started their companies started in US from where they can serve the majority of customers better. Others service the industries offshore. Research and innovation require good funding and proper environment. The question is why is technology take-up very slow in India ? Once India becomes a niche market, there will be more opportunities for Indians to do research and innovation. Just thinking what kind of attitude change we need to improve the situation. May be indian entrepreneurs need to concentrate on Indian customers and expand the Indian market,also target lower South Asian Markets Your comments please. I will think more about this ..
@Rathish:
Ah. Of course, you can't blame them.
But what I'm concerned about is that they'll do that last bit to push us into complacency. Without these all pimped scientists doing directed research in private labs, India would have been forced to wake up one day and deal with her people's lack of innovation. But now that drive is dead. Because our bellies are full with BPO spoils. (Obligatory quote from old world wisdom: 'Necessity is the mother of invention').
@Arvind:
Exactly. We have to concentrate on local creativity for local markets. That's what builds internal, INDEPENDENT wealth.
And in general,
I was reading this article about the Walmart cheif honcho coming to India to meet with Indian bureaucracy, among other people. That concerns me. Before we open our markets up, we have to make sure that our people are up to a level where can compete. We've allowed the car manufacturers into India, without letting any local competition (except Maruti - but then that's basically Suzuki) flourish. Corporations, by definition, exist to make profit. So 'job creation' won't be one of their primary concerns. They'll end up setting up super-efficient automated factories that feed the market with cheap goods. And Indians and Indian companies end up loosing.
Finally, for all the noise about "economics", realize that what applies to a country of a few million with practically unlimited resources does NOT apply to a country of a billion, mostly poor, people with limited resources. We cannot, not at this point in time, afford to apply western economics to the Indian condition. Not without a human cost.
@A no nymous - I am sure u have missed some of the Indian entrepreneurs who have started setting up software product firms in India itself. Couple of them that I am aware of is Kayako Helpdesk Solutions @ Jalandar, Punjab. AdventNet is another software product development firm based in Chennai. Apart from these there are lots of entrepreneurs in the manufacturing industry.
If you need more examples of Indian entrepreneurs, here are some:
Tata Group of Industries
Birla Group of industries
Ambani Group
BPO has no link to the creativity of an individual. If you have the passion to be creative, you will be... irrespective of the industry that you are in.
Personally, I think we have already started doing research and are no more followers.
"BPO in itself is bringing about a change in the economical and social standards that will make it possible that, even if people working in BPOs (and s/w companies for that matter) don't manage to become entrapreneurs and innovate, they are helping their sons or grandsons to aspire for something like that!"
i picked this from rathish's comments
My thoughts:
is this what we live for- to create avenues for our posterity to dream and aspire? what about all the dreams and aspirations we should be nurturing in our own lifetime? if we are going to focus on ways to make more money in easier ways while we are in our prime, who will innovate? when does it begin?
'Coz trying to keep up with the economy will always be a fight,as the rich keep getting richer and the economy keeps growing,value of money keeps going down....it's a vicious cycle.
I'll not be surprised if our children and grandchildren are also caught up in this BPO jungle....(or whatever "the west" comes up with in future)
Hey , time for a new post !!
Our biggest asset - "Population"
Split my workforce into two
(1) A group that innovates
---Will I make a 10 pointer in IIT/Bits to sit down and code for a US firm that likes to buy cheap software for Walmart from India ??
(2) A group that generates income by catering to global needs
----Will I allow a scientist to work in NASA rather than work in DRDO? And have an average performer slog it out at DRDO trying to copy designs and make it work here in India?
Of course, I cannot judge people based on any one criterion. But performace speaks. If I can reinvest money from outsourcing into innovation for home, I am right on target.
And speaking of uplifting poor, helping the illiterate and what not philanthropical extravaganzas...No one can chage unless they choose to. Everyone is unto himself to catch up with life. If there is one thing you can do to uplift the poor - ASK THEM TO WORK !
"...philanthropical extravaganzas..."
Who's asking for extravaganzas?
Would you be what your are with your big English words and 'intelligent' ideas if you'd not had the advantage of BASIC education? Would you have been able to even concentrate on education if you hadn't had food on the table, you table lamp shining and your self sheltered courtesy your parents who happen to make good money?
"If there is one thing you can do to uplift the poor - ASK THEM TO WORK !"
Hmmm. I'd wanted to let this go... But I wont.
How much work do you put in for a can of coke? How much does the rickshaw-puller you see on the street corner work for one square meal?
They DO work. But they make a lot less because their work isn't as "worthy" as yours. They'd do "worthy" work too... if they'd had the tools. Ergo, we need the "...philanthropical extravaganzas...".
.oO ( Teenagers )
*Rolls eyes*
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