Who would have ever thought ...
Imagine 20 years ago, if someone had said to you that sometime in the near future, India was going to be the outsource capital of the world. You probably would have shaken your head and said this guy is crazy.
Here we are, 20 years later. With the magic of the internet, some very bright entrepreneurs, and some hard working folks in the homeland, India finds itself with a booming economy and center of attention. It is hard to imagine fortune 500 type companies placing full page ads in the Indian newspapers for 'help wanted", yet it happens all the time right now.
Services are in order, and your imagination is the limit. The cost of labor is significantly lower in India compared to the U. S., and there are enough educated hard working individuals that can be hired to put their talents to good use. It just makes sense! Sometimes when you call for technical support, a little to your knowledge, you are being forwarded to a city like Banglore, where a capable young person is willing to help out. The scope of services is very broad, providing it can be done by people on the other side of the world.
I am sure many must feel like that this can and will hurt the U.S. economy in the long run with the loss of jobs.���Possibly in the short run, but America compared to other countries like, U.S. has consistently operated in the true capitalist way, which actually contributes to it's long term growth. Let's not forget that in the 50's and 60's, the number of farmers we needed in the U.S. was around 60%, now that number is less than 10%, even with the growth in population. Those farmers who left farming, obtained new skills and are contributing to the world in a different way. Outsourcing not only contributes to jobs, but it also creates an effective distribution channel.
Let's take a brief example of "Sony vs. Heinz". Sony makes electronics products, have their exclusive stores to sell their products, have their own trucking and manufacturing plants, and enjoys it's exclusivity in Japan. Then you have Heinz. One of their products is ketchup. Heinz doesn't manufacture it's own bottles, labels, have it's own shipping or even it's own advertising company.���They outsource to the company who can do the best job at the lowest possible cost. This way they get the best rate from a company who specializes in that field, without having additional burdens of ownership.
I am sure other countries besides India are also contemplating ways they can be a resource providers to countries like the U.S. The world is a competitive place, and it is important for us to realize that no one has the exclusivity on anything.���Corporate America can turn it's direction on a dime, if there are better or cheaper solutions available to them. India will have to maintain it's quality of services and offer competitive rates.
In the meanwhile, it just excites me to think of the possibilities that await us in the future.���Imagine 20 years into the future. What new jobs and industries will be created. The technology and conveniences that will be made available to us as well as the options of residencies. Who knows, maybe we'll one day publish Khabar from a tropical island in Caribbean's overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Wouldn't that be nice? Hey, it can happen!
-Rajesh C. Jyotishi
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