Sunil Mittal exhorts industry to prioritise ‘India-first’ approach, focus on talent dividend, R&D – ET Telecom

Sunil Mittal Urges ‘India-First’ Approach: Harnessing Talent and R&D for Global Capability Centres

Published: June 2024 | Author: Han Digital Insights Team

Introduction: A Transformative Moment for India’s Tech and Professional Services Sector

India stands at a pivotal juncture in its economic and technological evolution. With a burgeoning young workforce, a thriving startup ecosystem, and the world’s attention on its innovation potential, industry leaders are calling for a strategic shift. Sunil Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, recently exhorted the Indian industry to adopt an ‘India-first’ approach, emphasizing the need to leverage the country’s talent dividend and invest in research and development (R&D). His remarks, as reported by ET Telecom, resonate deeply with the ambitions of professional services companies seeking to establish or expand Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India.

Sunil Mittal’s Vision: Prioritizing India’s Talent and R&D

At a recent industry event, Sunil Mittal articulated a bold vision for India’s future. He urged the industry to prioritize an ‘India-first’ approach, focusing on harnessing the country’s vast talent pool and investing in R&D to drive innovation and global competitiveness. Mittal emphasized that India’s demographic dividend—its large, youthful, and increasingly skilled workforce—offers a unique opportunity for the nation to become a global leader in technology and professional services.

According to Mittal, “We must ensure that our best talent is retained and nurtured within the country, and that our investments in R&D are aligned with the needs of both the domestic and global markets.” This approach, he argued, is essential for India to move up the value chain and become not just a destination for cost arbitrage, but a global innovation powerhouse.

The Strategic Imperative for Global Capability Centres (GCCs)

Professional services firms worldwide are increasingly establishing GCCs in India to tap into the country’s deep talent pool and cost advantages. According to a 2023 NASSCOM report, India hosts over 1,580 GCCs, employing more than 1.66 million professionals. These centres are rapidly evolving from transactional back-offices to strategic hubs for innovation, digital transformation, and R&D.

Sunil Mittal’s call to action aligns perfectly with this trend. For GCCs, the ‘India-first’ approach means not just leveraging Indian talent for global operations, but also investing in skill development, leadership, and R&D that benefit both the Indian ecosystem and the global enterprise. This strategy is crucial for professional services companies aiming to build resilient, future-ready operations in India.

India’s Talent Dividend: The Engine of GCC Growth

India’s talent advantage is unparalleled. With over 500 million people under the age of 25 and more than 1.5 million engineers graduating annually, India offers a vast and diverse talent pool. Recent research by McKinsey & Company (2023) highlights that India is now the second-largest digital talent hub in the world, second only to the US.

For professional services companies, this means access to a workforce skilled in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, cybersecurity, and more. The ability to tap into this talent pool is a key driver for establishing GCCs in India. However, as Sunil Mittal noted, it is imperative to invest in continuous upskilling, leadership development, and inclusive talent strategies to fully realize this potential.

R&D: The Key to Moving Up the Value Chain

While cost efficiency remains a key attraction, the future of GCCs lies in their ability to drive innovation and R&D. According to Deloitte’s 2023 India GCC Trends Report, over 60% of GCCs in India are now engaged in advanced R&D and digital transformation initiatives.

Sunil Mittal’s emphasis on R&D is particularly relevant here. By investing in local R&D, professional services firms can not only develop solutions tailored for global markets but also contribute to India’s innovation ecosystem. This creates a virtuous cycle—attracting top talent, fostering entrepreneurship, and positioning India as a global innovation hub.

Policy Support and the ‘India-First’ Ecosystem

The Indian government is actively supporting the growth of technology and professional services sectors. Initiatives such as Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), and the National Policy on Software Products are designed to foster innovation, digital skills, and R&D. These policies create a conducive environment for GCCs to thrive and align perfectly with Sunil Mittal’s call for an ‘India-first’ strategy.

Moreover, recent reforms in labour laws, ease of doing business, and incentives for R&D investments make India an even more attractive destination for global professional services firms.

Challenges and Solutions: Bridging the Talent and Innovation Gap

Despite the opportunities, there are challenges. Talent retention, leadership development, and aligning R&D with business objectives remain critical concerns. Professional services companies must adopt a holistic approach—combining competitive compensation, career growth, diversity and inclusion, and a culture of innovation.

Recent research by Gartner (October 2023) found that 70% of Indian GCCs plan to increase their investment in digital skills and leadership development in the next 12 months. This underscores the importance of a strategic approach to talent management.

Han Digital: Empowering Professional Services Firms with Talent Intelligence

In this dynamic landscape, Han Digital stands out as a trusted partner for professional services companies establishing and scaling GCCs in India. With over a decade of experience, Han Digital offers unparalleled insights into the Indian talent market, helping organizations navigate the complexities of talent acquisition, leadership hiring, and workforce planning.

Unique Understanding of Talent Markets: Han Digital’s proprietary talent intelligence platforms and market mapping tools provide real-time data on talent availability, skill trends, compensation benchmarks, and competitor analysis. This empowers GCCs to make informed decisions and build high-performing teams tailored to their business needs.

Deep Connections with Senior Leadership: Han Digital’s extensive network with senior leadership across industries enables professional services firms to access top-tier talent, foster leadership pipelines, and drive succession planning. Their consultative approach ensures alignment between talent strategy and business objectives—crucial for the success of GCCs.

Customized Solutions for GCCs: From talent market entry strategy and employer branding to R&D talent acquisition and leadership hiring, Han Digital offers end-to-end solutions. Their expertise in diversity hiring, digital skills development, and workforce transformation makes them the partner of choice for global professional services firms.

Case Study: Accelerating GCC Success with Han Digital

Consider the case of a leading global consulting firm that partnered with Han Digital to establish its GCC in Bengaluru. Leveraging Han Digital’s talent intelligence, the firm identified critical skill gaps, optimized its talent sourcing strategy, and built a leadership pipeline within six months. The result: a high-performing GCC that not only supports global operations but also leads innovation initiatives for the parent company.

This success story is echoed across multiple professional services firms that have relied on Han Digital’s expertise to navigate the Indian talent landscape, align with the ‘India-first’ approach, and drive sustainable growth.

Best Practices for Professional Services Companies Establishing GCCs in India

Adopt an ‘India-first’ Mindset: Align GCC strategy with India’s talent and innovation ecosystem. Invest in local leadership, R&D, and community engagement.
Leverage Talent Intelligence: Use data-driven insights to identify skill trends, optimize sourcing, and build future-ready teams. Partner with experts like Han Digital for market intelligence and leadership hiring.
Invest in R&D and Digital Skills: Foster a culture of innovation by investing in R&D, digital skills, and continuous learning. Collaborate with academic institutions and startups for co-innovation.
Focus on Diversity and Inclusion: Build diverse teams to drive creativity, innovation, and business performance. Implement inclusive hiring and leadership development programs.
Engage with Policy and Industry Bodies: Participate in industry forums, policy advocacy, and government initiatives to shape the ecosystem and access incentives.

The Road Ahead: India as a Global Innovation Powerhouse

Sunil Mittal’s exhortation to prioritize an ‘India-first’ approach is both timely and visionary. For professional services companies, the opportunity is clear: leverage India’s talent dividend, invest in R&D, and build GCCs that are not just cost centres but engines of innovation and growth.

With the right strategy, partnerships, and investments, India can emerge as the global epicentre for technology, professional services, and digital transformation. Han Digital, with its deep market insights and leadership networks, is uniquely positioned to help organizations realize this vision and unlock the full potential of India’s talent and innovation ecosystem.

Conclusion: Seizing the India Opportunity with Han Digital

As the world looks to India for the next wave of innovation and growth, professional services companies must heed Sunil Mittal’s call for an ‘India-first’ approach. By focusing on talent, R&D, and strategic partnerships, organizations can build resilient, future-ready GCCs that drive global success.

Han Digital is committed to empowering companies with the talent intelligence, leadership connections, and market expertise needed to thrive in India’s dynamic landscape. Connect with Han Digital today to unlock the power of India’s talent dividend and lead the future of global capability centres.