Hello Professional HR & Business Veterans,
Please find attached a very inspiring whistle-blowing watchdog entrepreneurial lesson in ET on Cultural Transition, Integration & Compatibility, and Financial Management of Family Wealth, i.e., Sethji Culture in Most Family Companies.
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)
539Please find attached a very inspiring whistle-blowing watchdog entrepreneurial lesson in ET on Cultural Transition, Integration & Compatibility, and Financial Management of Family Wealth, i.e., Sethji Culture in Most Family Companies.
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Dear Dilip,
The "Sethji" culture prevalent in India has reasons embedded in ancient times. India has never been a country of inventors. We never thought of introducing anything new to society. The "Toyota Production System" introduced the concept of lean manufacturing to the world. Walmart and Dell have provided the concept of efficiently managing the supply chain to the world. Today, studying Walmart means studying the supply chain, and studying the supply chain merits an examination of Walmart.
In contrast, our "Sethjis" were traders, and even today, they take pride in remaining as traders. In the past, Sethjis sold small items that were manufactured in India. Now they sell "Made in China" products. If you delve into history, you will find that the "Vaishyas," a section of society, engaged in business but never in manufacturing. This Sethji culture has origins in the "Chaturvarna" system of society.
The Sethji culture exists because we do not have a strong sense of originality. This lack of originality stems from being ruled by outsiders for thousands of years. Sethjis lack a global vision, and the common Sethji takes pride in competing with another Sethji, rarely considering competition with anyone overseas.
Thanks,
Dinesh V Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
The "Sethji" culture prevalent in India has reasons embedded in ancient times. India has never been a country of inventors. We never thought of introducing anything new to society. The "Toyota Production System" introduced the concept of lean manufacturing to the world. Walmart and Dell have provided the concept of efficiently managing the supply chain to the world. Today, studying Walmart means studying the supply chain, and studying the supply chain merits an examination of Walmart.
In contrast, our "Sethjis" were traders, and even today, they take pride in remaining as traders. In the past, Sethjis sold small items that were manufactured in India. Now they sell "Made in China" products. If you delve into history, you will find that the "Vaishyas," a section of society, engaged in business but never in manufacturing. This Sethji culture has origins in the "Chaturvarna" system of society.
The Sethji culture exists because we do not have a strong sense of originality. This lack of originality stems from being ruled by outsiders for thousands of years. Sethjis lack a global vision, and the common Sethji takes pride in competing with another Sethji, rarely considering competition with anyone overseas.
Thanks,
Dinesh V Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Greetings,
Here's a similar discussion from HBR: [Family firms need professionals](http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/03/family_firms_need_professional.html)
I had shared my thoughts on the same. My views primarily pertain to upbringing. However, they fundamentally include small and micro-level enterprises.
This article considers the large business houses. Small and medium enterprises run by families are not mentioned here. These entities are not failures; rather, they strive for perpetuity rather than sudden gains. Small trading companies held by individuals from Gujarat and Maharashtra have been operating brilliantly. The reason is that the environment of these households nurtures children with the mindset required to succeed in business. The dairy and food sector is another area that has seen remarkable success. While they may not go public with an IPO, they are likely to remain profitable for a much longer duration. In these cases, business responsibilities for every child start with extensive apprenticeships throughout their teens.
Education is quintessential. Organized learning combined with experience shapes a CEO. This can happen in an academic environment as well as in a natural setting if properly groomed for the purpose.
Regards, (Cite Contribution)
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Here's a similar discussion from HBR: [Family firms need professionals](http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/03/family_firms_need_professional.html)
I had shared my thoughts on the same. My views primarily pertain to upbringing. However, they fundamentally include small and micro-level enterprises.
This article considers the large business houses. Small and medium enterprises run by families are not mentioned here. These entities are not failures; rather, they strive for perpetuity rather than sudden gains. Small trading companies held by individuals from Gujarat and Maharashtra have been operating brilliantly. The reason is that the environment of these households nurtures children with the mindset required to succeed in business. The dairy and food sector is another area that has seen remarkable success. While they may not go public with an IPO, they are likely to remain profitable for a much longer duration. In these cases, business responsibilities for every child start with extensive apprenticeships throughout their teens.
Education is quintessential. Organized learning combined with experience shapes a CEO. This can happen in an academic environment as well as in a natural setting if properly groomed for the purpose.
Regards, (Cite Contribution)
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Well, I agree more with both (Cite Contribution) and Dinesh. However, I would like to add that I find it a little difficult to generalize the issue about Indians not being original against the backdrop of our rich heritage, which, for some reason, has been blatantly copied and used by foreigners more than by us Indians. But I guess a realization is dawning upon the younger generation.
From United States, San Francisco
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
From United States, San Francisco
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
The only thing lacking is the right education. Once our Sethijis will have that, such as Tatas and Ambanis, there is no stopping them. Tatas, Birlas, Ambanis have already shown the world that education mixed with family business can take the business to a totally different place altogether.
Regards, Archna
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Regards, Archna
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Our education system, modified by the Queen's rule, ensured that we stopped thinking and followed the rote system of learning to get good grades. We merely repeated and regurgitated what was told to us, which we also accepted without question.
The originality in our culture was slowly and gradually diminished by the foreign rule, making us mere puppets in their hands, even till this day. This was how they were able to rule over us for so long.
Even now, the person who stands up to ask questions is ridiculed in public but admired from within.
We have stopped thinking and merely replicate others' successes. It is humiliating to fail, and hence, we do not even try but take the safer path, leading to us living mediocre lives. A student is judged by their mark sheet rather than their inquisitiveness. The purpose of education is to open up a closed mind. Unfortunately, here, we are more interested in stifling budding flowers.
Regarding the Sethji culture, this kind of copycat mentality increases his insecurity, and often the Sethji's efforts are siphoned off by more enterprising (and less ethical) individuals. Chances are the Sethji himself would be guilty to some extent.
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
The originality in our culture was slowly and gradually diminished by the foreign rule, making us mere puppets in their hands, even till this day. This was how they were able to rule over us for so long.
Even now, the person who stands up to ask questions is ridiculed in public but admired from within.
We have stopped thinking and merely replicate others' successes. It is humiliating to fail, and hence, we do not even try but take the safer path, leading to us living mediocre lives. A student is judged by their mark sheet rather than their inquisitiveness. The purpose of education is to open up a closed mind. Unfortunately, here, we are more interested in stifling budding flowers.
Regarding the Sethji culture, this kind of copycat mentality increases his insecurity, and often the Sethji's efforts are siphoned off by more enterprising (and less ethical) individuals. Chances are the Sethji himself would be guilty to some extent.
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)CiteHR is an AI-augmented HR knowledge and collaboration platform, enabling HR professionals to solve real-world challenges, validate decisions, and stay ahead through collective intelligence and machine-enhanced guidance. Join Our Platform.
International Business Skills - Culture, Customs and.pps
Layoffs at Indian IT Companies.pdf