Indian IT Slowdown - Are we a scapegoat!!

Well you mite be wondering about the context in which "we" has been used in the Title. I would like to keep this open across all the layers (a.k.a hierarchy) that follows in an organization. This seems to be a very common theme these days, for everyone, but I feel who matters the most are those who live with this uncertainty.

Just a mark before proceeding : There are as many opinions and perceptions in this world as the number of brains, and mine (opinion meant) is just one of them. So, do come up with your comments and experiences and share if you have felt the heat too.

It is that time of the evening when I swipe out of my office and say "Thanks" to the almighty, as I know, I have my workplace sound and I will get the salary till date. I know I have to follow my daily schedule tomorrow as well, but somewhere underneath my heart, I have this fear that says "Will tomorrow be the same as today?". Every individual who's involved in this *not withstanding* industry has felt this fright some day or the other.

Regrettably, many have faced this bad music and have tasted the flavor of so-called "pink-slips", which have not only affected them alone, but the complete aura around them. The negativity that pours into the mind and the helplessness that hurts the confidence, shakes up the complete soul.

Not only this, I feel more "dejected" when I see the plights of the people around that mortal. Today you may not be affected by it, but "who knows who's next". I would like to quote here " We all are in a rat race, Even if we win the race now; we still will remain a rat."

I agree that companies are facing a global slowdown, due to enormous reasons, and there are times when they (companies) need to keep a check on the expenditures and cost-saving mechanisms; but the argument is "Is Pink-Slip the only solution?" We all believe that "Make hay (employees referred) when the sun shines", but we all should also know that "There comes a time when the sun sets too.."

Companies have a tendency to hire people for projects that they *for-see* and when those projects do not materialize, the axe falls on the people who were hired to make that a success. There is a need for bench strength, but there is a need for stringent actions that can set up the guidelines for maintaining the bench strength. A company hires a professional when it's fully convinced the professional, and the professional joins an organization with the conviction that this might be another step on the ladder of success.

I have heard that many organizations set the benchmarks of profit so "High" without even considering the market scenarios, and once they are not able to meet those (Please Note: the profits are fine but still less), the we community takes the hitting.

As the title says "Are we a scapegoat!!", I think we are, because the penultimate thing for any working individual would be receiving a *Termination of Services* letter, without being at wrong end. There should be certain guidelines set that will help an organization grow professionally as well as ethically and I wish there will come a time when we all will go home with peace in mind.

A Big Brand - Is it a requisite for sucess?

The modern world constructs stress too much on brands, be it a social gathering, a job change, a matrimonial invite or a fast food juncture. The list is endless and the culprits are "we". Restricting this discussion to the "IT Sector", lets just decipher how important "Brand Name" is in deciding the fate of an individual.

People whether aware of the "hot & in" IT Industry or not, usually have a pre-conceived notion: "The Bigger the Brand -

1. More the Opportunities
2. More the Calibre and Excellence
3. More the stability..... so on and so forth"

But I have a question for all such people who "lack" subtlety and insight: Was Big always Big? It's a hard truth that every starter may not result into a "successful" big marque, but its also true that every big brand was at once a starter. I think it's the vision and aspirations of individual(s) that can bring a transition from small to big.

One of my personal experience made me feel feeble when I realized the mind-set of so called "Recruitment Teams". My friend was clinched with a pretty small company for over 2 years and then needed a job change. It was that time when the IT job market was flying high, but it wasn't the case with him. He didn't even get the chance of moving to the technical rounds, just because he was turned-down after knowing about his present employer.

The goons of an organization, often scan resumes looking for an imprint of a self-aggrandizing name. The simplistic theory of "choosing the brand and snubbing the worth" is cultivated in many of the organizations these days, just because of the belief that the brand creates your worth. However in the actual sense, it's the other way around.

I would like to support the fact that "now-a-days", a big brand has become as a major requisite for success, but would also like to oppose the thinking itself. I think, it's good to be associated with a big organization; but it should not be a curse if you have a knot tied with a not so known company. Individuals should be gauged on their skill set and not on the brands that they have in their kitty.

Your views are always welcome....