Doing business in India requires a few key considerations. Market entry should only be attempted by companies that are willing to put in at least five years of effort to see it through. Here are a few challenges that American Companies are facing in India. Organizations like Amcham India are helping American Companies to fight these challenges.
There remains a tremendous barrier to communication.
When dealing with an Indian, you should expect them to speak English, which might be problematic because it gives the impression that you and your Indian counterpart can communicate and comprehend one another. Take care to create actual understanding with your Indian partner, who speaks English and thinks Indian.
You’re in a foreign land.
In most of Asia and China, tourists are constantly reminded that they are in a different country with a distinct way of life. However, in the workplace, India can appear to be more Westernized than it is. There are many attractive similarities in cultures, therefore it’s better to broaden your mind and look at things and people more objectively, rather than only focusing on the superficial “westernization” of things and people.
In the long run, relationships are everything.
Ties are the most important aspect of success in India, which is a collaborative society, and creating relationships takes time. There may be some success for those who view India as a long-term investment opportunity, but it won’t last long before someone comes along with a better deal. For long-term success, you should focus on building relationships. This can be an exciting and promising start to a business partnership when a delegation from one of your companies comes to meet with representatives from the other.
Make sure you’re ready for the group
In contrast to Europeans, Indians have a strong sense of community and are hence more likely to interact with one other in groups. When visiting an Indian company, it is common to see a meeting with four or five Indians, and it is not always evident who is in charge. When it comes to these gatherings, many Indian leaders prefer to keep their mouths shut and instead rely on others to speak for them.
Adopting an adequate pace for expansion is important
Depending on where you go, modern India can either be slow or rapid. So, don’t send your least patient executive to India because you’ll need a lot of patience to thrive there. To succeed, you must be able to handle both slow and speedy delivery.
An organization should not simply have a concept for an opportunity in the future. It should be ready to deliver on that opportunity right now. Every week, trade missions from around the world arrive, so they have lots of options. India is a living and dynamic paradox that combines fast and slow, east and west, in equal measure.
Final Words
Thus, we have seen in detail, the different challenges that are faced by American companies. Amcham India is striving hard to help American companies so that they can walk through these challenges easily.
