India’s business model has remained quite different from the global business model. In India, there are products which are famous based on their city and places. For example, we talk about Kolhapuri chappal, Old Delhi sweets, Banarasi saree, and many more.
These businesses and products were primarily known for their supreme quality which was the result of world-class craftsmanship.
But with Industrialisation, India was known for cheap labor. Indian IT industry created its position on the global stage but it also started with cost advantage resulting through low-cost labor.
But now is the time for our Indian Entrepreneurs and professionals to change our positioning and regain our ancient glory as of the producer of world-class Products.
If we take a look at the global brands, at the bottom of the pyramid lies people who build products with their hands and sell at low cost. At the middle level, we have machine-based production. Though at the highest level, there are handcrafted materials that are considered ultra-premium and which only a few can afford. For example, expensive car makers like Mercedes Benz, BMW vouch that their premium customized cars have handcrafted interiors.
So we need to reposition our craftsmen and entrepreneurs from the bottom of the pyramid to premium craftsmen. We need to leverage our strength which is our ancient craftsmanship. Without proper branding, these skilled professionals were termed as uneducated laborers and they lost the battle with machines. To keep their pricing competitive with Industrial products they further reduced their price which pushed them to poverty. This financial struggle pushed the next generation of these craftsmen to join MNC as employees.
Hence as we need to leverage our strength to change your global positioning and to create employment for the youth of our country
- The first step would involve taking the collaborative effort to create an ecosystem so that our existing craftsmen can be positioned as premium craftsmen selling their world-class products at premium pricing. Once these craftsmen start getting their due recognition and commercials, it would inspire their next generation to join the family business.
- Also with industrialization and machinery, we need to put innovation into practice so that we can manufacture world-class products and export to different countries
In the post covid world, digitization has happened at a very fast pace. With upcoming technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning, if we are not able to position our strength to our use, it would further escalate unemployment in the future. Also, many of our ancient crafts and science are getting extinct every day.
I have been coaching & mentoring professionals to develop a world-class mindset and expertise which is helping them in becoming world-class with financial gain. I observed that many professionals see it as an aspirational word but not understanding the art and science behind becoming World-Class. “Vikas World-Class Quadrant” as covered in my book “Be World-Class” covers the framework and strategies to become world-class in any Industry.
As per my study, there is a severe shortage of world-class talent in every Industry. Also, existing world-class professionals are charging very high fees to deliver quality services considering the shortage of such talent. Hence it would be a great demographic advantage for Indian professionals and craftsmen to leverage their existing talent.
This would help us regain the ancient glory of India and make it truly World-Class.
