Top business tips

Really simple - a few things you may find useful, when doing business in India.   The most important one: there are no Indian stereotypes - only the continent of Africa exceeds the linguistic, cultural and genetic diversity of India - so respect the diversity and individuality in your interactions.   Instead of assuming, just inquire; Indians love to talk and will be happy to explain anything and everthing that you may want to know! The other four are:   *1. Be familiar with the official Map of India as India sees it - not the CNN version! (if you visit us[contact-us/]you can see one in our office). National borders a very emotional and sensitive subject and it may pay to grasp the Indian perspective. Here it is: (source)* * * * *   *2. Get a local mobile number and a sim card with "Lifetime Validity" - that way you will always have the number with you and...

Indian festivals

It is natural that a country such as India with her cultural, ethnic and religous diversity will have lots of holidays! Which is good and not so good - from a business perspective.   It's good as they say almost every week there is a holiday somewhere and hence the opportunity to get some R&R in between doing deals.   Take for instance holidays that are anchored on religion (remember that she is a secular country by constitution and practice) - there are the Hindu festivals of Diwali, Makar Sankranti, Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi, Dussehra and then the Islamic festivals of Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Mawlid an-Nabī and even Muharram (which is mourning for the Prophet Muhammad's grandson).   Then there are the Sikh festivals of Guru Nanak Jayanti and of course Christmas and Good Friday and finally the Jain festivals of Mahavir Jayanti.   This is by no means an exhaustive list. It is just that turning...