Lost in Haste

I have been associated with a reputed software firm for over 9 years. I have seen it grow 10 folds ( in Man power ).
When a company grows to that size, the only way it can function is through well established quality processes. We seem to have tamed that beast.

With the sudden expansion in business in the last few years, which frankly most did not anticipate, we started moving towards generating more revenue by filling in. Most companies never had the time to reflect on the capability or suitability of their work force.
I would term this act as the exploitation of the business oppurtunity. This is truely the curse of the service industry. When such exploitation continued for long term, it sowed the seeds of discontentment, the sense of not getting enough value out of the deal.

It is only natural that India is no longer considered as low-cost-high-skilled centre for business. More than the increasing cost factor, the "skill" part took the biggest hit. All thanks to the passive encouragement of "shallow knowedge". We no longer seem to have people with vertical ( core ) expertise. "Breadth" is appreciated more than "depth".

Imagine companies operating with excellent processes without necessary skillset. A hopeless combination , I dare to say. It is like a soul without body, never having the vital faculty to bring about a visible change.

Though companies sensed the impending doom, they never got a breather to introspect, always busy in meeting numbers/targets. Recent recession provided the much needed break. It shook most companies awake from their deep slumber.

As I see it, we don't have too many choices ahead. Everything has been made quite simple now. Either we break this inertia of ineptness to move upwards or slowly roll down towards the valley of oblivion.

It doesn't serve well to be overtly pessimistic. All is not lost. But its definitely time for action !
All these juggernauts should wash away the cling-ons. They should go back to their core strengths, skill and process. Like phoenix, we have to rise from ashes. India should once again be regarded as the land of the knowledge workers.

It is always pleasant to look forward to such a future.