Easing your passage from and to India
Upworldly Mobile in Bangalore
Bangalore, Jan. 28, The Park Hotel, M.G. Road
Ranjini Manian’s new book “Upworldly Mobile” was released by Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy, Founder of Infosys, in partnership with The Park Hotel Bangalore, on a lovely Saturday evening.
A turnout of about 120 business, diplomatic and society leaders of Bangalore listened enthralled as Ranjini shared real-life anecdotes of her 16 years experience running Global Adjustments and interacting with clients from 75 different nationalities. In a humorous and lively way, Ranjini stressed the importance of Cultural Intelligence and adjustments in business life, using her business story with the visiting delegation from a major German automotive company as an example. Years back, she played a role in convincing the Chairman of the Board Dr. Norbert Reithofer about Chennai as the preferred location for their factory, by impressing him with small – but powerful – adjustments to the German culture, e.g. being punctual to the minute. From the same encounter she learned several lessons:
- As you advance in hierarchy ladder, people are simple at the top: For instance, Dr. Reithofer, instead of using the provided fleet of cars, asked for a bus for himself and his colleagues to see India first hand.
- You need to be careful with stereotypical assumptions: When Ranjini asked Dr. Reithofer why he didn’t bother about hierarchy, he said “Well, what is hierarchy, after you have read the book “Who am I” of Ramana Maharshi?” – the German understands Indian philosophy and it’s time for the Indian to speak up for himself.
- If you do something that resonates with someone’s culture, do not hesitate to point that out: When Ranjini dropped Dr. Reithofer back perfectly on “German” time – he noted this and Global Adjustments was soon chosen as the preferred vendor for moving their employees to India.
Mr. Murthy, Founder of Infosys – India’s first company listed on the NASDAQ, New York – and currently independent director of several corporate boards (e.g. HSBC, Unilever, NDTV), stressed the need for Cultural Intelligence in today’s India. In his opinion, there could have been no better time to release a book like “Upworldly Mobile”, as Indians have a lot to learn from other cultures and consequently have to make many adjustments. Ranjini’s book would therefore be very useful in getting to understand the nuances of other cultures, without losing our own cultural roots, he pointed out. Becoming Upworldly Mobile would bring more prosperity to all sections of society – including the less privileged ones, he added.
Mr. Murthy ended by sharing four cross-cultural tips for Indians with his audience, drawing from his experience in leading a 130,000 employee multinational company – Infosys:
- Become “thick skinned”
- Increase integrity
- Say “yes” only after considering consequences
- Stay friendly but don’t get intimate
Find out what he meant by watching the video below:
Follow Ranjini on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter!
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about 1 year ago
Hi Anita and Ranjani,
I had been wanting to send out this email earlier – but forgot about it…. I had gone through the book “Upwardly Mobile” in full. IT is excellently written. The best part of the book is that, most of the examples are taken from real-life scenarios and very typical scenarios – not some rare occurrences. It makes it that much more easier for the reader to associate with the situations being narrated.
And, another aspect which I feel strongly about it is, that this book would serve as a hand-book for any traveler. It is not for a one-time read like many other books.
Though I do not claim to have exhausted all the books in the market today, still I am a very active reader. There are articles here and there covering certain aspects of Cross-cultural communications and behaviour – but I have not come across one book that is so exhaustive and focused just on this aspect. In today’s world, traveling and interacting with people of other cultures or expats coming over to India are increasing exponentially. In such a situation, there is dire need for a book of this kind, that can help in avoiding misunderstandings arising from cultural issues.
I have been a regular follower of Ranjani’s articles in Hindu Business Line. This book is very much in line with the tone and nature of her articles – very relevant in the work places today.
Thanks a lot for giving me an opportunity to read this book soon after its release.
With regards
Anand.
about 1 year ago
I believe its a combination of colonisation and gurukul that led to hierarchical behaviour. but I rest my case, I think you have a good point to make, Jonson, though I might call it “Indian” rather than Hindu as you can see it in Christian and Muslim parts of India as well. This idea of surrender to a master is still strong in many areas of life in India.
There are other areas the British colonized that didn’t develop a subservient attitude. Of course, many of those are British-heritage people in another land, so maybe that contradicts the point.
Did the British create a subservient attitude in India? Maybe not. Did they exploit it and reinforce it? Maybe.
about 1 year ago
Congratulations Ms. Manain. Your firm’s and your expertise leveraged very ably through this book shall help millions in crossing the cultural boundaries to limitless opportunities & success.
My best wishes.
Dr. Debashish Sengupta
Chair-Professor, Alliance University,
School of Business, Bangalore
about 1 year ago
Hi Ranjini,
Today (Feb 21, 2012) I attended your session “Behavior and Business skills for the New Indian Manager” in Cognizant, MEPZ facility.
I strongly disagree with one of your points that you made during the session.
You claimed that the Indian’s behavior of saying “YES” is because, British people colonized even our minds.
But the root cause for this behavior is Hinduism. In Hinduism, a disciple has to obey the master/guru. In the same way,
children have to obey their parents irrespective of what is the outcome. In India, When someone disobeys elder people/guru/master,
that is considered as a great sin. This is in the culture of Hinduism.
I can quote several examples from the Hindu teachings, traditional books and holy books.
“Surrender yourself completely to the master, no questions” is the mantra of most of our philosophies. I strongly believe that you know this very well!
I hope, you will revisit your explanation.
Thanks,
JONSON.J
about 1 year ago
I think you have a good point to make, Jonson, though I might call it “Indian” rather than Hindu as you can see it in Christian and Muslim parts of India as well. This idea of surrender to a master is still strong in many areas of life in India.
There are other areas the British colonized that didn’t develop a subservient attitude. Of course, many of those are British-heritage people in another land, so maybe that contradicts the point.
Did the British create a subservient attitude in India? Maybe not. Did they exploit it and reinforce it? Maybe.
about 1 year ago
As always there’s always something to review and understand and be enlightened about. And to improve oneself upon.
Going beyond that: Communication links go beyond words and technology. If we understand each other, it’s the most wonderful thing.
In my talks with Japanese, I am taken aback at lack of communication that exists. In technology, I find emphasis on Fax nos whereas I would expect them to reflect their email addresses upfront. And we discarded our fax machines long back. And of course I have learnt to speak English very very painfully slow on phone; so that they understand.
Yet they understood our Buddha so well, who probably spoke so little. And then Zen, where one needs patience, silence and depth.
Cultural identities are different; that is why the world is so colourful. As it is with globalisation and with onset of multinational brands we almost all will tend to look alike, sound alike and live alike. The tongas (and the culture with that lifestyle) are gone and metros are in.
But metros are almost the same in all countries. But as part of cultural reflection in Hongkong recently, I noticed the escalators at metro stations moved faster carrying people faster reflecting their faster outlook and way of life . . . . . The streets were full of girls who wore same tights, same blacks and same style of cigarettes . . . . Youth tending to imitate each other
On a vist to USA I must have taken some twelve flights, all very orderly, seeing Americans travelling in an orderly, mannerly way of life. When it came to flight to India at Chicago, it was same old jostling to get into the aircraft, as one sees for Blue line buses in Delhi . . . .
about 1 year ago
Hi Ranjini,
Congrats on the book launch, will it be available at Crossword Mumbai. I could pick up a copy there.
about 1 year ago
Naresh, the book should be available at Crossword Mumbai, otherwise you can order it online: http://www.flipkart.com/upworldly-mobile-0143068032/p/itmczyrpfzqyqc26?pid=9780143068037&_l=gWxQa0snNjHUHKJhnj_y0w–&_r=nAlUKvwPwKsMSS2AD9Ufnw–&ref=1bf273e2-b5e7-4160-9c3c-1b7a3d3793b2
about 1 year ago
Ranjini
I completed reading “Upworldly Mobile” last week. I must congratulate you for putting your collective wisdom acquired over several years in a easy to read format for the benefit of the young Indian manager. In particular, I liked your comments on the importance on knowing about our culture and short tips on how to network better.
Cheers
Karthik
about 1 year ago
Dear (……..) Ranjini,
I wish I had the appropriate title to address you, as “Miss/Madam” falls short to express the gratitude I owe to you,
First of all I would like to extend a warm “thank you” for the book that you so generously gave me at the Alliance Francaise de Delhi on 11 Jan. 2012. I have already read it twice,
It has been a fantastic read, from the perspective of business as well as spiritual. I really consider you as a role model being a business woman, and a first generation business entrepreneur.
I particularly liked the section “breaking the ice”, as its better to get comfortable with your client first and then move on to business by following up, rather than getting pushy in the first meeting.
Another page which I particularly liked is where you have mentioned “Guru” means remover of darkness, which is so true and defines a true leader.
At some point of our lives, we all need a “guru”, whom we can follow and who can guide us, and above all, should help us connect to the god , Santana dharma ( eternal values) through our karma .
I would like to thank you again for reading this mail and would like to know if its possible for you to recommend more books to read.
Sincerely,
Jyotsna Bhatia
( Entrepreneur based in Delhi).