India Insights

10/Aug/2011, Written by Peter & Ken Everett

In July I travelled to India for market research. I wanted to learn how might we as a business, and a training program, best build on our small success so far.

Over 6 days, across 4 cities, I had 15 meetings/conversations. Everyone I met was open with their time, and their expertise. I truly enjoyed their company. 

It was a memorable trip, not least of which for the Delhi Belly I had to contend with when I got home to Sydney. :-) 

Apart from learning I should have avoided eating meat whilst I was there, here are some more business related insights:

• The market for 'international training programs' is alive and well.
• An affiliate network/business model can work well in India.
  
• Quality is key. Quality of the trainers/providers trumps everything.
• Clients are as happy to buy from one-person businesses as they are from medium to large size training organisations. As above, quality of the trainer is what steers decision making criteria. 
• Quality of hub-affiliate relationships also important. 
• Networks (who you know) very influential.
• 'Customisation' of programs important for clients; you must address this at all times. Can be satisfied with good questions (pre-work) and good quality adaptation practices/assurances.
• Target market is senior managers and executives - where affordability of 'international programs' is not a big issue.
• But opportunity exists for large volumes at lower level staff - need to develop a volume/price model to match.
• Strategic relationships with Management Schools (Business Schools) would be beneficial. e.g, public/open programs on their curriculum.

All fairly basic insights I guess. But very reassuring none the less. 

I came away with a very positive feeling about the potential in India. 

And an equally warm feeling about the people we might work with. 

Thanks again to those of you who connected me to people in India. It's what made my trip!

Peter