Things to know before you go

Jul 15 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

Bureaucracy - we only have ourselves to blame if we get caught up in India’s red tape. It was the British colonials, after all, who left them with the legacy.

Infrastructure - the further you get from the main business cities, including New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mumbai, the more difficult it is to do business. Seventy per cent of the population who live in rural villages suffer basic power and communication failures on a regular basis, which can hold up a deal

Language - despite there being 18 official dialects, most business is conducted in English, India’s law is based on our own, as are accounting practices. But there is a huge disparity in literacy between the south, with 90% and the north, with just 45%

Hierarchy - Tata is not the only influential family firm. Many Indian businesses are family run and it’s important you identify the decision maker

Religion - with four principal religions and strict observance of high days and holidays, India can be a colourful but frustrating place to do business. It is important to respect the major festivals of Holi in the spring and Diwali in October/November during both of which work comes to a halt. Many Indian business people defer making decisions until a more auspicious day in the religious calendar

Body language - the most common greeting is “namaste” said with hands held together as if in prayer. Women are mostly greeted in this manner as they are not expected to shake hands. Don’t be fooled by the customary rolling of the head - this is a sign of affirmation, not a negative!