Thursday, March 30, 2006
Incredible India!
I haven't been blogging for quite some time now, so what better way of getting into the swing of things than to write about my 'home country', India.
This spring is my last semester at uni before the world is at my feet and I'm left to fend for myself. In all honesty, I still don't know what I'll be doing this time next year as there are many variables in play. One event I thought would give me some inspiration is International Day, about India, held by Bergen Chamber today. I have to say I'm left with lots of impulses from different companies and people of different backgrounds.
Norway has never been in the forefront when it comes to trade with India. It was therefore refreshing to see that they've finally woken up and are more proactive. The day was about companies in Bergen hoping to do business with India.
Here's a list of presentations held, and my thoughts on their messages.
Rolf Lunheim, anthropologist, NTNU
This man has strong ties with India and Rajasthan. After finishing his studies he moved to a remote town in Rajasthan where he worked on several projects for Norsk Hydro. There the local Brahmin 'made up' a story about how he was a reincarnation of a camel warrior.
In 1994 Hydro ventured into The Utkal Project together with Canadian Alcan, Indal and Tata which aimed to building a bauxite mine and an alumina plant in the Indian state Orissa (formerly Kalinga). This project soon turned into major fiasco and Hydro had to pull out. The project has later been taken up again, but I couldn't find anything substantial on the net.
I've never seen a Norwegian talk about India with the kind of passion he showed. He fascinated everyone with his colourful pictures and topics ranging from history, religion, philosophy, establishing a business in India, and the list goes on. In the break my sister and I got a chance to have a chat with him. Actually he approached us! He was a little worried he might have offended us, or said wrong, but I assured him that for an 'angresi-Norwegian', he knew quite a bit about the culture.
International Business
This is an annual project carried out in collaboration between Innovation Norway and twelve students attending the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration (NHH), and the Norwegian School of Management (BI). The last few years they've concentrated on the BRIC-countries and this year it was India's turn.
My uni is represented in the project, but the students at my campus were never informed, so I was VERY disappointed that I didn't get a chance to take part in this.
I've yet to read their report, but am really looking forward to it.
His Excellency the Ambassador Mahesh Sachdev, India's ambassador to Norway
This man is one joker! Last time i saw him was in October when Norway celebrated the centennial of the separation of the union with Sweden. Back then he seemed like a little Indian man amongst big western businesspeople. Today I noticed that when he talks, people listen and take notes! And the facts he presented were very helpful in painting a picture of the modern India.
Per Reinboth, Innovation Norway, New Delhi
Not all the presentations were equally good. Plus it's not his fault that everyone before him presented most of his material already. One good comment he did come with though that things are done differently in India, and that businesspeople should keep that in mind when doing business in the subcontinent. Hint hint!
Anders (Haakon) Lier, Cap Gemini, Vice President, Outsourcing Services
This guy was more interested in talking about how his company outsources than anything else. So yet another dull presentation.
'Man' from Norwegian Film Commission
This dude had to step in for Hans Otto Nicolayssen at a short notice, so it's not really his fault he was crap. At least they know that their completion Switzerland is actively marketing itself.
His Excellency suggested holding an award ceremony in Bergen which would bringing the whole industry. Not a bad idea at all. Plus marketing Bergen as two hours away from London is much better than marketing it alone.
Prakash Challam, Regional Sales Manager, Nordics & Benelux Infosys Technologies Limited
Infosys has a internship program called INSTEP. Last year there were 150 positions. The program is an excellent way of learning about an amazing company that's created lots of millionaires.
Svein Lang, Indian Consulate in Bergen
This man seemed very arrogant. I actually wanted to talk with him, but left it. The consulate opened in March, so I still don't know much about it. The most interesting topic he brought up was how he's working towards removing having to get a visa for companies wanting to invest in India.
The last point on the agenda was Hordaland's Export Price. This year it was presented by his Excellency and it went to, 'and the award for best film goes to...ahem, export goes to' Lerøy Seafood Group ASA. And for those interested in exporting salmon to India, the duty has recently gone down from 25 to 10 percent.
One of the most positive approaches I had today was by a woman that was in my accounting management class last term. We were supposed to work with her last term on a project, but two strong personalities in one group isn't a good idea, so basically she was thrown out. I'm not proud of this, but it was a joint decision. Anyway, she works for Innovation Norway and currently she's got a Norwegian client wanting to invest in India. Apparently this client is quite big too! But she was very hush hush about it all, so I don't know who it is. She asked me whether I was interested in a position like that, which I am, so I gave her my details. One of these days I'm expecting a job offer from in a big Norwegian company. Good thing for me she doesn't hold grudges! Either way, I don't mind being used. Hehe.
All in all, a very inspirational day!
Fake time: 7:37 pm Thursday, March 30, 2006
This spring is my last semester at uni before the world is at my feet and I'm left to fend for myself. In all honesty, I still don't know what I'll be doing this time next year as there are many variables in play. One event I thought would give me some inspiration is International Day, about India, held by Bergen Chamber today. I have to say I'm left with lots of impulses from different companies and people of different backgrounds.
Norway has never been in the forefront when it comes to trade with India. It was therefore refreshing to see that they've finally woken up and are more proactive. The day was about companies in Bergen hoping to do business with India.
Here's a list of presentations held, and my thoughts on their messages.
Rolf Lunheim, anthropologist, NTNU
This man has strong ties with India and Rajasthan. After finishing his studies he moved to a remote town in Rajasthan where he worked on several projects for Norsk Hydro. There the local Brahmin 'made up' a story about how he was a reincarnation of a camel warrior.
In 1994 Hydro ventured into The Utkal Project together with Canadian Alcan, Indal and Tata which aimed to building a bauxite mine and an alumina plant in the Indian state Orissa (formerly Kalinga). This project soon turned into major fiasco and Hydro had to pull out. The project has later been taken up again, but I couldn't find anything substantial on the net.
I've never seen a Norwegian talk about India with the kind of passion he showed. He fascinated everyone with his colourful pictures and topics ranging from history, religion, philosophy, establishing a business in India, and the list goes on. In the break my sister and I got a chance to have a chat with him. Actually he approached us! He was a little worried he might have offended us, or said wrong, but I assured him that for an 'angresi-Norwegian', he knew quite a bit about the culture.
International Business
This is an annual project carried out in collaboration between Innovation Norway and twelve students attending the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration (NHH), and the Norwegian School of Management (BI). The last few years they've concentrated on the BRIC-countries and this year it was India's turn.
My uni is represented in the project, but the students at my campus were never informed, so I was VERY disappointed that I didn't get a chance to take part in this.
I've yet to read their report, but am really looking forward to it.
His Excellency the Ambassador Mahesh Sachdev, India's ambassador to Norway
This man is one joker! Last time i saw him was in October when Norway celebrated the centennial of the separation of the union with Sweden. Back then he seemed like a little Indian man amongst big western businesspeople. Today I noticed that when he talks, people listen and take notes! And the facts he presented were very helpful in painting a picture of the modern India.
Per Reinboth, Innovation Norway, New Delhi
Not all the presentations were equally good. Plus it's not his fault that everyone before him presented most of his material already. One good comment he did come with though that things are done differently in India, and that businesspeople should keep that in mind when doing business in the subcontinent. Hint hint!
Anders (Haakon) Lier, Cap Gemini, Vice President, Outsourcing Services
This guy was more interested in talking about how his company outsources than anything else. So yet another dull presentation.
'Man' from Norwegian Film Commission
This dude had to step in for Hans Otto Nicolayssen at a short notice, so it's not really his fault he was crap. At least they know that their completion Switzerland is actively marketing itself.
His Excellency suggested holding an award ceremony in Bergen which would bringing the whole industry. Not a bad idea at all. Plus marketing Bergen as two hours away from London is much better than marketing it alone.
Prakash Challam, Regional Sales Manager, Nordics & Benelux Infosys Technologies Limited
Infosys has a internship program called INSTEP. Last year there were 150 positions. The program is an excellent way of learning about an amazing company that's created lots of millionaires.
Svein Lang, Indian Consulate in Bergen
This man seemed very arrogant. I actually wanted to talk with him, but left it. The consulate opened in March, so I still don't know much about it. The most interesting topic he brought up was how he's working towards removing having to get a visa for companies wanting to invest in India.
The last point on the agenda was Hordaland's Export Price. This year it was presented by his Excellency and it went to, 'and the award for best film goes to...ahem, export goes to' Lerøy Seafood Group ASA. And for those interested in exporting salmon to India, the duty has recently gone down from 25 to 10 percent.
One of the most positive approaches I had today was by a woman that was in my accounting management class last term. We were supposed to work with her last term on a project, but two strong personalities in one group isn't a good idea, so basically she was thrown out. I'm not proud of this, but it was a joint decision. Anyway, she works for Innovation Norway and currently she's got a Norwegian client wanting to invest in India. Apparently this client is quite big too! But she was very hush hush about it all, so I don't know who it is. She asked me whether I was interested in a position like that, which I am, so I gave her my details. One of these days I'm expecting a job offer from in a big Norwegian company. Good thing for me she doesn't hold grudges! Either way, I don't mind being used. Hehe.
All in all, a very inspirational day!
Fake time: 7:37 pm Thursday, March 30, 2006
