‘Global players will have to redesign, become like us’

So, we thought, ‘‘the company of the future’’ should combine the efficiency and quality of (Infosys’s) Global Delivery Model with world-class consulting.

• The Global Delivery Model was Infy’s first New Economy child and was accepted as the new way to do business in the world. What makes you think you can do it again for global businesses?

Business consulting is a new venture for us, but we think it is the only model which is sustainable in the future. Which means that even the existing global players will have to redesign their architecture and become like us. What you see happening now in the industry is a race to this very end.

• Does this mean that Infosys will invest afresh into globalising under a new set of rules?

Sure. We’re investing US $20 million into the consulting arm. We’ve hired top consultants, two of them from Deolitte, another from EDS, all top guys, because we want them to build Infosys Consulting. In Canada we’ll hire 200 people and have 75 people in Infosys Consulting in India. Build it and integrate it with Infosys so that we can go to the next level.

• What is this new model of outsourcing that you are pushing globally?

In the old days, companies used to do ‘total outsourcing’. They would give the entire task of outsourcing to a company, which took care of the task for them. We think that is a wrong model. The new model is to do ‘‘strategic’’ outsourcing, where you still retain control (of your company, the task) but give out pieces of your outsourcing to others. So, Infosys is coming out with a point of view on such strategic offshoring.

• Interestingly, you’re using an Acer notebook…

That’s not mine, actually. Infosys uses Dell and Toshiba—because we’re bothered about our clients. We believe in the philosophy of buying from our clients. It is a part of our philosophy. Now, for example we have Nike for one of our customers so we buy shoes from Nike too. And then I bank with Citigroup because they’re a client of mine. We believe it’s mutually beneficial and positive to purchase from clients and customers…

• Was it a setback when the Phaneesh Murthy sexual harassment scandal broke? What has Infosys done about such incidents in the light of the ongoing worldwide debate about corporate governance and ethics?

At Infosys we are absolutely clear about it—there is to be absolutely no harassment at the work place…

Male, female, Indian, American—doesn’t matter. We want every employee to feel part of what we’re doing. And we have a number of methods to ensure this…including a whistleblower policy.

• How does the Infosys whistleblower policy work?

In this policy, any employee of Infosys can send a message to our head of legal if he believes that Infosys values and practices are not being followed. For instance, if any Infosys employee sees another employee accepting favours from a client or doing something else against company policy then he can send an e-mail or a letter pointing out the violation. We are very particular about these issues at Infosys and action can be initiated against the person.

We also have a very strong anti-sexual harassment initiative, headed by a lady who is an outsider. Any Infosys employee can approach her directly and proceedings can be initiated.