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Madhumathi D.S.

The English-speaking Indian brigade is found to be less insular, with superior business and marketing skills, and more ready to move out.

Bangalore May 9 MNCs across industries have almost always had overseas stints for their Indian executives.

Pharma major AstraZeneca, right now, seems to be doling out a strong dose of Indians as secondees abroad.

In the past 12-15 months, at least half-a-dozen middle to senior managers from the Bangalore marketing outfit have gone on secondments; and three from the R&D and Process R&D units. This is a good number if you considered the company's size, its formation in 2003-04 or the level at which the executives are being picked, says Mr Sameer Nagarajan, Vice-President, Human Resources, AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd.

Recognising talent

"The first formal secondment happened only a year back and we have already logged five starting in June 2006," Mr Nagarajan told Business Line. "At AZ, we are recognising talent early, at middle and senior management levels."

"If you look at the larger players in the business, I don't think people get posts of the intensity that we have. They would probably have it at much senior levels — for vice-presidents or GMs."

The AZPI secondee is getting to grow relatively faster in the organisation, too. For now, the secondees are moving to Singapore, the company's regional headquarters for Asia, excluding China, Japan and South Korea, for one-two year stints. After the regional movement comes a bigger role back home or at the London headquarters. The English-speaking Indian executive is found to be less insular, with superior business and marketing skills, and more ready to move out. "Clearly we have an edge. That's just not all about the Indian flavour. Until recently, AZ on a global scale had a lot of Australian managers outside Australia. That has for various reasons declined now and (in an unconnected way) Indian managers are increasing. But it's not that if an Australian goes, an Indian comes in."

More Stories on : Human Resources | Pharmaceuticals

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