Infosys has truly been an iconic brand for the 1990s...one of the defining metaphors for what our country went through as it shed its socialist past and embraced capitalism. To use Douglas Holt's thesis, brand Infosys provided a dramatic reconciliation for the ideological conflict the nation was going through. While a nations of so many underprivileged people naturally resonated with the idea of socialism and central role for government, the 1991 crisis exposed the vulnerability of that model. On the other hand, while the success of capitalism was unmistakable, our society was still suspicious of unbridled capitalism.
Infosys emerged as a brand which was highly competitive, global, high technology and yet humane, socially responsible and authentic. Like JN TATA almost a hundred years ago, it was difficult to say whether NarayanMurthy was a socialist or a capitalist. He reinvented the archetype for the new century. In a way, in the 1990s, he was more TATA than the TATAs.
Moreover, with their middle class educational upbringing, the management made the dream beliveable 'for the rest of us'.
However, the last 3 years have been relatively tepid as far as Infy's masterful performances are concerned. It has been a while since one got to see a bold visionary move that this brand had been so good at in the past. Whether it is putting the value of the human capital on the balance sheet or the generous wealth sharing or the breathtaking campus or taking bold stands on various issues...the new Infy seems to be far more conservative and self-centred.
And the impression one gets is of an extremely efficient execution machine delivering great stock market performance but losing touch with its soul. The CEOs after NRN have also been more
managers/strategists than visionaries.
Probably they see themselves now as incumbents rather than challengers and thus the need to preserve status-quo rather than invent new paradigms....
At times their efforts at making a difference have looked publicity stunts rather than authentic expressions of care. Case in point being the one crore donation for Kashmir earthquake a day after announcing quarterly profits of over 600 crores.
It is a brand that has been the pride of this nation and one hopes it continues to play the progressive role it provided through the 1990s in inspiring Indian corporates towards greater transparency and equitable wealth-sharing. That was the Infosys difference and definitely something that all of us who want to see standard-setting global corporations emerge out of India, would want preserved.
The challenger in Infosys probably needs to be rekindled!
Infosys emerged as a brand which was highly competitive, global, high technology and yet humane, socially responsible and authentic. Like JN TATA almost a hundred years ago, it was difficult to say whether NarayanMurthy was a socialist or a capitalist. He reinvented the archetype for the new century. In a way, in the 1990s, he was more TATA than the TATAs.
Moreover, with their middle class educational upbringing, the management made the dream beliveable 'for the rest of us'.
However, the last 3 years have been relatively tepid as far as Infy's masterful performances are concerned. It has been a while since one got to see a bold visionary move that this brand had been so good at in the past. Whether it is putting the value of the human capital on the balance sheet or the generous wealth sharing or the breathtaking campus or taking bold stands on various issues...the new Infy seems to be far more conservative and self-centred.
And the impression one gets is of an extremely efficient execution machine delivering great stock market performance but losing touch with its soul. The CEOs after NRN have also been more
managers/strategists than visionaries.Probably they see themselves now as incumbents rather than challengers and thus the need to preserve status-quo rather than invent new paradigms....
At times their efforts at making a difference have looked publicity stunts rather than authentic expressions of care. Case in point being the one crore donation for Kashmir earthquake a day after announcing quarterly profits of over 600 crores.
It is a brand that has been the pride of this nation and one hopes it continues to play the progressive role it provided through the 1990s in inspiring Indian corporates towards greater transparency and equitable wealth-sharing. That was the Infosys difference and definitely something that all of us who want to see standard-setting global corporations emerge out of India, would want preserved.
The challenger in Infosys probably needs to be rekindled!
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