Written by Divya Badri, with inputs from Shruti Rao
If you want to do business in India, then you need to understand India. Knowing India becomes important because it is a complex nation. It is therefore vital to develop your culture quotient when approaching India.
Indian culture is possibly around 10,000 years old and it is incredibly diverse and well known for this diversity. This incredible diversity could come as a surprise to many. The culture becomes a part of everyday interaction, whether it is for personal communication or building businesses. The diversity of Indian food, language, lifestyle, all changes not only from state to state but also from different regions within the states. All these make India seem mysterious for those coming from conformist and homogenised societies. Doing business in India means being able to understand not only the urban and globalized citizens of the country, but also the many others who live on the subcontinent outside the urban cities. All of these myriad Indians together carry forward ancient traditions and culture of the land.
Watch: Doing Business in India
An Emerging India
India is an important emerging market and this ancient civilization has fast become a global IT hub. The country’s economy is rapidly developing. This growth has propelled many multi-national companies to invest and establish themselves in the Indian market. At the core of their success or failure has been their ability to connect with the Indian market. On the other hand, Indian companies are reaching out to global markets and whether you are in India or not, chances are you must have engaged with Indians abroad for work. Being armed with information on Indian culture, Indian business practices and just being able to understand India, in general, will go a long way in nurturing strong relationships.
Read: Culture Quotient
Experiencing India
Alan Rosling, Author of ‘Boom Country: The New Wave of Indian Enterprise’ once advised a forum, “Go to somewhere, where there is going to change. And, what more change could there be than the biggest, fastest-growing emerging market in the world (India)”. He could not be more right! If you are planning on doing business in India, then pick up an online course to understand India. Courses on India should be able to give you information about not only the culture of India but also how multi-national companies customize their products for the Indian market.
It is important that you not only pick up courses in India but also find experiences or events which will enable you to understand India deeply. Shekhar Gupta, Editor-in-chief, The Print once said, “If you want to know more about diversity, democracy and have a few healthy arguments with of course great food and great places to see, come to India”. His advice was spot on! You also need to be able to live experiences or attend events to get a more holistic view of what it means to work in India.
Read: What it means to understand a country like India?
Mastering India’s Culture
Understanding the culture of India should be one of the key elements while deciding business strategies for foreign and domestic companies in India. Whether you are a foreign organization trying to do business in this country or a domestic organization trying to start a business in another region, India should not be a mystery to you. Mastering India – a blended learning hub for all things India is here to simplify the process. We will arm you with the knowledge on how to approach India for business not only through online courses but also through events and experiences! Events and experiences will help you gain a more holistic understanding of the subject matter at hand. So, what are you waiting for? Hurry and sign up with Mastering India today!
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