Its Time for Tata, Infosys, Wipro, Satyam and Others to Invest!

Filed in archive Opinions & Insights on September 16, 2008

© Emil Jacobs

With the financial crisis hitting all areas of the US and global economy, it is becoming increasingly clear to this author that it is time for the large Indian outsourcers, such as Tata, Infosys, Wipro and Satyam, to step up to the plate and invest in the US economy.

With substantial cash resources, the current political pariahs (the Indian offshore companies) could pony up some of their cash and help stabilize the US economy and markets - and come away looking like heroes. Just think if a consortium of Indian outsourcers ponied up $10b to help stabilize AIG, for example.

Instead of politicians tottering around and talking about how they will put commissions together to figure out a solution, a consortium of private companies - who have made billions by providing offshored services - would be investing in their customer's market to help shore it up. The problem would be on its way to solution even before the commissions are named.

I can see the ads now... "The Outsourcers of India - your partners in good times and bad." Great PR and very possibly something that could save their businesses as America turns inward to deal with its economic crisis.

Done correctly, this could prove to be a publicity boon for the Indian outsourcing community. Furthermore, if it works, it could go a long way to staving off economic disaster for both the US companies and the Indian outsourcing community.

Certainly, the Indian outsourcing community needs to do something to shore themselves up in the public's perception soon. We'll have a new president in 4 months - and in either case, that president will be obligated to impose changes that will likely hurt Indian outsourcers - unless those very companies do something to raise their profile and improve their public perception - and do it quickly.