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The annual summit of solution providers in Post Blair, Andaman was a great
experience. India's leading players attended the conference and in the process
gave a lot of insight into how this community works, how they view life and
work, what are the challenges they are facing, and what is their outlook towards
going forward.
I must admit, that even though many of our solution providers are small in
size and brand, they are very tech savvy. I would actually rate them better than
many of the high-flying executives we come across in well known IT companies, or
many CIOs that we interact with. Therefore, I think that in the days to come,
these solution providers are fairly well geared up to meet the challenges in the
market.
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| Ibrahim Ahmad |
I also realized that these solution providers are much more flexible and
receptive. As networking and bonhomie was one of the objectives, we had asked
all the delegates in this Andaman conference, most of who were CEOs or the big
boss of their organization, to share rooms. These delegates took it in the right
spirit, and really enjoyed the company of other CEOs from other regions. Most of
them confided at the end of the conference that they were able to make new
contacts. I strongly believe that this is a great quality that will go a long
way while addressing the domestic market.
One of the outdoor activities we had decided to do as part of this conference
was group snorkeling. A group of five people are tied together and with their
headgear are taken away from the shore to view under-sea marine life and coral.
I was surprised at the response. Many of our guests were senior people in terms
of age, but had the enthusiasm, excitement, and courage of a child to undertake
a demanding sport like snorkeling. Clearly, our solution providers have the guts
to take risks and venture into new and unknown waters.
The reason for listing down these qualities that I found among India's
leading solution providers is important. I have this apprehension that at a time
when the big fishes have also jumped into the domestic market the small solution
partners will not be able to survive. I have a feeling now that I will be proved
wrong. Kala Pani taught many of our freedom fighters the art of surviving.
Ibrahim Ahmad
ibrahima@cybermedia.co.in Page(s) 1
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