2009-2010

Around this time last year, I was looking forward to a new job with an MNC and some serious shift in my general role and profile at work. Today, I realize I was never really cut out for that or for the kind of low end technology profile I have since changed into. I shifted 3 jobs in one financial year after staying in the same place for 10 years… 10 years is a long time, but to find a role that gives me the adrenalin rush of a commercial deal closing, the success of a well run seminar and the fun of interacting with different personalities and explaining a software solution to meet the needs is just so tough.

I hope in this June, I once again find a good role and am able to shift to a new job where I can spend the next 10 years. Or I could leave the city I love and find my fortunes elsewhere…

MNC’s in Rural India – Jekyll & Hyde?

There is the story of MNCs spending on the rural economy to do well in the long term and gain advantages in terms of CSR. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB127296168752486467.html?mod=WSJ_hp_us_mostpop_read#

I also know of stories where HLL has made specific efforts to destroy the production of "arita" a fruit that was used predominantly across rural India as an effective hair care solution. Arita was sold cheap and was easily available till HLL realized it was unable to sell its chemical formulations simply because of the availability of cheaper indigenous solutions. They created a strategy that would eliminate competition.

This story is not much different from the way food production has changed in India from the many varied regional varieties like ragi, bajra production and consumption giving way to wheat that can then be refined and sold.

Where is the CSR?