by Gunjan Bagla
Reviewed by Beth Robinson
There's an interesting mix of the culturally fantastical and the extremely practical in this book, perhaps a bit like India itself, as the author attempts to simplify the very complex. The author, Gunjan Bagla, is a native of India and a management consultant for Western companies that want to enter into business in India. Much of the material was refined during the course of seminars he has taught on the subject and he regularly moves into first person to share his own experiences.
If you are doing business with people from India or are considering traveling there, then the book is worth checking out of the library for the sections on context and communication. If you are planning on extending your business into India then go purchase your own copy, because you'll be delving more closely into the sections on marketing, finance, and key legal and accounting issues. You'll need to go to other resources for many exact contacts, but Doing Business in 21st Century India gives you the framework in which to look.
This book is easily readable and written in a casual style so that even the drier portions are pleasurable. The main chapters are divided into smaller sections with headings and some side points are set off in their own boxes. As a helpful extra touch, it includes a glossary of Indian English with a web address leading to a continually updated version.
Beth Robinson lives near Philadelphia with her husband, daughter, two
grey tabbies, and a whole lot of books. She is currently employed as
a product development chemist and is earning an MBA degree online with
an eye towards moving into marketing. She creates embroidered
collages and blogs about her artistic journey. Her current
overarching goal is to learn to think better, an endeavor that also
has its own blog.
Thought blog: http://www.inventingelephants.com
Art blog: http://www.artbybethrobinson.com
Buy my art: http://pumpkin12pm.etsy.com
