Why women don’t lead
Think of a CEO and you always visualize a man,” started Rosalyn O’ Neale, CEO of Barnes O’Neale & Associates as she got down to explaining why women in IT were rarely in leadership positions today. Addressing the IT Women’s Leadership Summit 2006 organized by NASSCOM, she went on to sum up the issues within the theme of gender inclusivity (sic) at work. The first of its kind, the event was used as a platform for the IT industry to tackle the oft-asked question- ‘why so few women make it to the top?’ The NASSCOM committee went ahead and also announced awards recognizing IT companies that excel in gender empowerment practices.

As of 2006, women constitute 30 percent of the Indian IT industry where the man to woman ratio stands at 76:24. While the number is seeing a steady increase and expected to reach 65:35 by 2007, the bunch of panelists addressing the summit brought out a common thread where lack of women in leadership positions was a becoming prominent void in today’s industry.

“There is a greater need for gender inclusivity in the IT industry and we need to create room for the women here to grow professionally,” said N R.Narayana Murthy, Chairman Infosys. With 23 percent of its workforce as women, Infosys has only seven percent (of women) holding top positions.

Many of the key challenges like notion of gender stereotype, lack of networks, and most importantly lack of support for work- home life balance were addressed and dealt by panelists—all prominent women achievers in their field. They noted that attrition among the women in IT reached a peak after they hit the mid level, personally and professionally. Many are forced to make a choice between family and work. They have to leave their jobs many a time giving up lucrative offers and high posts.

Though flexible timings and telecommuting were suggested options, these seem to be in the lip service mode and yet to be seen in action. While telecommuting is currently a restricted option due to Government regulations, flexible timings and satellite centers are applicable ideas. For instance, Infosys is in the process of unveiling a satellite center created in the heart of the city that would enable pregnant women to find a closer place to work from. Companies like IBM, Motorola have special childcare centers and Women Leadership Councils to help promote leadership among women.

Attended by over 350 women from various IT companies, the daylong summit saw a healthy interaction between the role models and the aspirants. Questions flew across the room, attacking or applauding the subject in question. “We never get to meet many women leaders in our work schedule, this was a great opportunity to meet them, network with them and hear their success stories,” said Neethu Kishore of GE Healthcare about the panel of successful women leaders and entrepreneurs. Playing on the same thought, O’Neale explained how having women leaders would attract more women into the company and would initiate a cycle in itself.

However, there were others who viewed the event as a redundant attempt with no new results. “There should have been more men so that they could understand and address the problem,” few complained. Some panelists took a further step and went on to sever the myth of gender exclusivity at work. “When I work, I am a professional and do not judge myself according to gender,” was the strong rebuke by Sandhya Vasudevan, Managing Director Thomson Corporation (International).

Chamber’s Mission India
Cisco CEO John Chambers has a grand new plan: To make India a base for Cisco’s globalization drive. Last month a dozen of senior most executives from Cisco’s headquarters flew down to Bangalore along with Chambers to start a new globalization center. The Bangalore globalization center would be only second of its kind for Cisco after its first center which is based in San Jose.

The Globalization Center will enable Cisco to have a significant presence in Asia-Pacific region where there is high growth potential. All of the company’s primary business functions, including sales, business development, finance, HR, marketing, engineering, and customer support will all be represented in India, as well as in the U.S.Wim Elfrink, Chief Globalization Officer at Cisco, will now move to Bangalore to lead the new Center. Elfrink will also retain his position as senior VP of customer advocacy and will continue to report to Chambers. Additionally 10 senior executives of Cisco will relocate from the U.S and Europe to work in Bangalore. Two of these VPs, in charge of finance and HR verticals, have publicly confirmed their moves.

However, experts are skeptical about the powerful executive team moving to India, considering that the Indian networking market is still a small market for Cisco. But according to Elfrink there is much more than what meets the eye. Cisco has had operations in India since 1995. Cisco’s growing ambition for Indian networking market can be gauged from its investment plan worth $1.1 billion for business activities in the next three years. Cisco’s revenue from India is moving towards magic $1 billion figure and is attracting a lot of attention from Chambers. In 2005, when Chambers visited India he had said India will contribute five percent of Cisco’s revenues in the next two to three years.

Cisco has plans of increasing its Indian workforce from 2000 to 6000 people in the next three to five years. Chambers forecasts India could account for half of Cisco’s future workforce growth. Being optimistic he hopes of having a senior HR person in Bangalore, to identify HR practices to manage diversity. Cisco’s total investment in R&D activities, training and development in India over the next three years would be more than $750 million.

Cisco has also hinted at setting up its manufacturing plans in India, which will include some of its mainline products like routers and switches. The pilot manufacturing facility, which will be located in Chennai, is scheduled to begin operations by March 2007.

Sybase launches ‘India User Group’
Users of Sybase in India have some good news to cheer. The Dublin, California, based company has launched the Sybase India User Group (SIUG) in order to increase awareness and adoption of Sybase software in India. SIUG will provide a platform for the user and developer community to share knowledge, their experiences and best practices of using Sybase.

Major users of Sybase in India such as HDFC Bank, AIRCEL, Bombay Stock Exchange, IBP, and the Center for Rail Information Systems (CRIS) are happy with the development. The SIUG has enrolled 250 plus members presently, with expectations to grow over 1500 plus in the next 3 months. The users hope that the beefed up presence of the company in India will offer enhanced technical support to Sybase users. SIUG will also act as an information channel that helps to determine the product directions of Sybase.

The group will encourage the users to publish white papers. This user-generated content can provide valuable information to all users across geographies. The group plans to start a tech journal too in the near future.

Sybase has been operating in India since 1989, and presently serves over 2000 customers in the country. Sybase also has a software development center in Pune since September 2004.