India Business Checklists: An Essential Guide to Doing Business

BRAIN FOOD

Rupa K Bose

 

With a population of over a billion, India is one of the world’s largest markets. In recent years, its economy has been expanding at a rate of 6 to 8 per cent annually and companies are rushing in to tap this growth.

But for foreigners unfamiliar with its culture and federal system, doing business in India presents many obstacles.

Not to worry. Help comes in the form of a new book published by John Wiley and Sons (Asia) and written by international business consultant Rupa K Bose.

An easily accessible and practical guide, the book starts by introducing the reader to India’s history and culture and shows how its financial system evolved.

Targeted at the busy expatriate professional who may otherwise be floored by the complexity of doing business in India, the book takes the reader through the process of setting up a business, such as getting the needed documents, approaching the relevant authorities, meeting regulatory requirements and as well as observing proper etiquette.

Also included are travel tips, climate information as well as a list of holidays.

And for those looking to live in India for an extended period, the book provides practical advice such as getting student visas for their children and the need for a backup electricity system because of the frequent power outages.

Case studies of multinational companies, such as Coca-Cola, that have set up offices in India, are also provided to give detailed real-life examples of the issues involved in doing business in the country.

With its extensive explanation of all aspects of doing business in India in short, easy-to-read chapters, the book is an essential resource for foreigners looking to take part in the country’s growth.

ONG DAI LIN

From TODAY, Succeed – Monday, 20-April-2009

Dim Sum Leadership

BRAIN FOOD
John Ng

Like a dim sum spread, it provides small bites of information for easy digestion, perfect for time-crunched managers in need of advice.

If you are looking for advice on any aspect of leadership, this book wouldbe a handy guide. From the character of a leader to how a leader develops talent, it takes a practical approach in describing aspects of good leadership by taking values often neglected and presenting them in easy-to-read chapters.

A running theme through the book is the ethics and integrity of leaders. For example, in a chapter discussing team leadership, the author advises one to live “a life of integrity” in order to lead effectively. In another section describing competent leadership, the author devotes a chapter to the importance of kindness, which for instance, can take the form of recognising an employee’s contribution.

Written in a personal tone, the book is an easy read that does not overwhelm the reader with too much theorising — it reads like well-meaning advice, rather than a sermon on what works and what doesn’t.

But the book’s aim to deliver bite-sized pockets of advice is also its drawback: While it allows the reader to read each chapter on its own without having to go through the whole book, the various parts can feel disjointed at times and the book doesn’t effectively convey as well-rounded a picture as it could. More detailed case studies of good and bad leadership would also have conveyed the message more effectively and provide more examples for readers to identify with.

Nonetheless, in touching on values rarely discussed in many books about management — such as kindness — the book is still a refreshing read.

LIN YAN QIN

Dim Sum Leadership is available at major bookstores at $28.00 (excluding GST).

From TODAY, Business - Monday, 13-April-2009