Comments on: Should I join – IT Products or IT Services?

By: Arijit

Arijit — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:30:07 +0000

Hi Ashish,

Very well written, I am going through the same situation,would like to discuss.

By: varun

varun — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:58:07 +0000

Hi,

Was one great article comparing the two streams which broadly define the line of seperation in the IT industry. Hmm but somehow i dont understand one thing, you have defined the product based companies as one great place. I started my career with such a place which is known for the maximum number of patents in its past one century of existence.

But it doesnt seems to be like that. The innovation you are talking about is just a keyword which is played with every now and then. It seems like one outsourced center which handle certain trivial tasks, which i dont think really matter as a business modal.

The real challenge lies when you present your product to the end customer and see him delighted with the innovation and the thoughts that u have spent, not in coding some stuff which hardly matters and then supporting it for a life time to come.

Thanks and regards,
Varun

By: Prasanna

Prasanna — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:03:52 +0000

Well Written the facts and it’s really useful to everybody.

Thanks to Ashish

By: Sameer

Sameer — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:06:02 +0000

Arvind: More than accountability, I believe its a matter of NOT even attempting to go big in the transactional sellling.
The basic qn for indian IT industry is that if they are able to make a bn$ out of servicing, why even think of anything else?
First of all, you dont have the product talent or consulting talent.

i have worked in one of the indian biggies and let me assure you that middle management is the biggest bottleneck, when it comes to “thinking beyond customer reqs”.

Sameer

By: arvind

arvind — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:38:32 +0000

Hey Nick,

Attitude is subjective, accountability is lacking epecially amongst junior staff. Good reporting processes and an emphasis on communication, both formal and otherwise might help.

I was not having a go at the companies. Curious to know if the cost model for Indian companies can evolve.

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:57:09 +0000

Well Arvind, I work for a products based Indian MNC and let me promise you cost is not that can be sold when it comes to products. So as far as “Indian MNCs” and attitude is concerned its very subjective matter.

By: arvind

arvind — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:28:57 +0000

I just joined an Indian MNC and yes you are dead right that outsourcing is what they sell. Cost is key differentiator.

Talent is what you cultivate, its about attitude, core values, training and motivation, surely Indians have the best mathematical and logical thinking skills to develop high value consulting skills. Attitude is an issue, a big issue.

Before this I have a few years (3) with a Big 4 consulting company outside India.

By: Ashish

Ashish — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 07:25:53 +0000

Arvind – the issue here is do Indian MNCs have enough talent and a genuine interest in doing so?
At the end of the day, they still look at all engagements as “outsourcing” ones – focused more on transactional value rather than consultative selling.

What has been your experience?

By: arvind

arvind — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:43:28 +0000

Hello,

Nice comparison. I moved from Consulting to Services, and would like to understand why Indian-MNCs who offer Services at low cost would not want to become value-led, asset powered Consulting companies. This way the revenue generated would easily doubled, based on cost and high value consulting is always at a premium.

By: Srinath

Srinath — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:05:12 +0000

Very nice article..Excellently written.. Would be glad to discuss more about this with you…

By: Manoj

Manoj — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 18:23:00 +0000

very well authored writeup..thanks

By: Arvind

Arvind — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 06:43:00 +0000

Very useful.
thanks a lot.