U.S. policy worries India, but outsourcing apace
Economic Times/Mint
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee voiced his opinion against protectionism, saying if the U.S. stops outsourcing, revenues of both the economies will be affected, Economic Times reports. “Countries were free to adopt policies that suited their requirements, but they should not lead to protectionism,” Mukherjee said on a two-day visit to the U.S. The World Trade Organisation was working to free flow of goods and services across the globe, he added. U.S. President Barack Obama has offered larger tax breaks for companies which provide jobs at home, but those outsourcing work would have to pay more taxes. However, observers say that even as companies in North America and Europe keep IT budgets unchanged or cut them in 2012, more IT-related work may be outsourced to low-cost countries such as India, adds Mint. The decline of the rupee provides an ample earnings hedge, according to Kotak Institutional Equities Research analysts.
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Citi bullish on India despite economy slowing
Economic Times
Vikram Pandit, CEO of Citigroup, said that 7 percent growth is no reason to walk away from India, Economic Times reports. He was speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos where the India story emerged even stronger for a country which had achieved a fine balance between democratic processes and economic growth. Pandit expected India and China to grow despite the financial crisis in Europe and he did not foresee an impact of the European Union financial crisis on emerging markets. He warned that the world needs at least 600 million jobs in the next decade, including 200 million in the immediate future. His comments came amid release of figures that showed infrastructure growth slowed to 3.1 percent in December. The cumulative growth rate in the core sector was 4.4 percent in April-December, down from 5.7 percent in the corresponding period of 2010-11.
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IIM-A retains ranking, ISB down seven spots
Financial Express/Economic Times
The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), has been placed 11th among a total of 100 B-schools in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2012, Financial Express reports. It was at the same position in 2011 as well. Hyderabad-based Indian School of Business (ISB) has been ranked 20th, a drop of seven positions from 2011. U.S.-based Stanford Graduate School of Business, Harvard Business School and University of Pennsylvania made up the top three, in that order. “The drop of seven does not bother me. Rankings are based on parameters not in our control," says ISB Dean Ajit Rangnekar. “These are all world-class B-schools. You have to be in the top set.” Also at No. 20 were Yale School of Management and University of Oxford, adds Economic Times. The FT rankings take into account 20 parameters.
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Demand up, social sector talent gets costlier
Economic Times
Finding and retaining the right talent is becoming a big challenge for non-profit organisations and NGOs because those with relevant experience are demanding higher salaries, Economic Times reports. A programme officer with two or three years’ experience of managing small NGO projects makes Rs 15,000-16,000 a month, for example, and could get Rs 30,000 elsewhere. “That’s the jump they’re expecting – 30 to 50 percent and sometimes even 100 percent,” says Anupama Kalra, executive director at United Way, a funding organisation for NGOs. Those with brand building, marketing and fund-raising experience are in high demand. So are programme managers who handle project planning, people in community development, social impact assessment and social auditing roles. With increasing professionalisation, it will require skills that are more business-like in nature. Keeping overheads low through a lean administrative and execution team may no longer be possible.
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Lateral placements at IIM-L lift slowdown blues
Economic Times
The Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (IIM-L), had a good lateral placement season, with the institution managing to place about 50 percent of its students during the process, Economic Times reports. More than 35 companies participated. Firms such as Deloitte India and Cognizant picked up a large number of students. The top recruiters among IT firms were Capgemini, Microsoft, HCL, Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys. Hindustan Unilever also offered roles in the IT domain. Microsoft, Snapdeal.com, Michael Page, Unisys, Valyoo Tech and Myntra.com came to recruit for the first time. IIM-L has a batch of around 400 students, half of whom were eligible for lateral placements, having prior work experience. “A good lateral season amidst the financial crisis has infused positive sentiments among both recruiters and students for the upcoming final placements,” IIM-L said.
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R&D executives less prone to hopping jobs
Economic Times
A study has concluded that senior executives in R&D firms are more likely to stick to one company and rise up the corporate hierarchy compared to their peers in IT, Economic Times reports. Management consulting firm Zinnov conducted the study across 20 R&D companies based in India with roots abroad, including Google, Cisco, Samsung, General Motors and Microsoft. More than 520 senior executives were surveyed. It found that most of the top brass in R&D firms have worked with only three to four companies and around 60 percent of directors have switched jobs four or even fewer times. Those who worked with one company reached the post of director or above in 13 years and those with experience across two firms reached the top in 14.7 years. In IT, only those with ESOPS linked to their salaries stayed on longer.
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The pros and cons of a career break
Economic Times 
A small but growing number of professionals are taking sabbaticals from their work. More often than not, the practice exposes them to newer avenues and boosts their careers, Economic Times reports. For example, Ibriz Moonim, deputy sales manager at Ista, Pune, took a mid-career break to pursue a post graduation in advertising and marketing from the University of Leeds. The degree gave him a fresh perspective on his sales and marketing job, besides keeping him happy and satisfied. However, Ajit Menon, executive director - organisational development, Mudra Group, says that taking a mid-career sabbatical has both positive and negative effects. In times when competition is tough and delivery demands are high, taking a sabbatical to upgrade one’s knowledge and skills is good, but taking one to get re-energised may just accelerate your retirement plans.
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U.S. tech sector keeps job hopes alive
Financial Express
Tech companies in the U.S. increased their hiring by more than half in the past two years, Financial Express reports. Data from Bloomberg shows some small  and mid-size businesses boosted payrolls almost fivefold, as demand for Internet services, software and electronics remained resilient during the downturn. Lured by an industry that kept hiring while other businesses cut jobs, thousands joined the technology sector. In the software and services industry, 74 companies with more than $100 million in market value expanded their workforce by at least 10 percent, more than any other industry group measured by Bloomberg. Apple, Google and Amazon.com were among the companies that increased their workforce by at least 50 percent. Amazon and Facebook each plan to add thousands of jobs in 2012, many in new satellite offices. EBay and Tibco Software also are stepping up their recruiting.
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Smart ways to look for jobs on LinkedIn
Economic Times
When searching for a job, maximise every possible resource instead of limiting your hunt to newspapers or consultants. A report in Economic Times gives tips on how to get the best use out of professional networking site LinkedIn. Get a good recommendation from your boss/manager that highlights your strong points and shows you are a treasured employee. Choose and form connections with the profession community that is right for you. When entering into subject discussions and debates on relevant groups, work on the assumption that a potential employer is silently watching, says Adil Malia, group president HR, Essar Group. Identify people in various companies and get on to their networks. You can build a network of relations with their connections. Closely monitor those which keep posting relevant openings and see if you can explore these, Malia suggests.
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People Moves & Recruitments

Skoda picks India MD from Renault
Financial Express
Skoda has picked Sudhir Rao to head its Indian arm as managing director, Financial Express reports. Rao is former deputy managing director and chief operating officer of Renault India. He will be joining Skoda from March.
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McCann Healthcare India names Creative Chief
exchange4media
McCann Healthcare India has appointed Rajesh Rai as senior vice president and executive creative director, exchange4media reports. He has been in the healthcare communication space since 2004.
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Mudra picks Chairman & Creative Head from Bates
exchange4media
DDB Mudra Group has appointed Sonal Dabral as chairman and chief creative officer of the group, exchange4media reports. He has more than two decades of experience on brands such as Audi, Fiat, Tata Safari, Dove, Le Sancy and Unilever Foods. His last assignment was a dual role with Bates, as regional creative head and chairman-India, operating out of Singapore and Mumbai.
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