Four years ago I was working at the Philips Shavers in Holland when one fine day I got a call from our CTO Mr Huijser to ask if I wanted to run the innovation campus in Bangalore. I took five minutes to say yes. My wife Matty said ‘go for it’. It’s very important that your family should be comfortable with living in different places too.
(This story appears in the 14 August, 2009 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
Mr. Alexius<br /> Your account made me painfully nostalgic. I came back to India 2 years ago after having lived and worked abroad for 10 years. Mr. Alexius i guess you are at a position in the company where you call the shots. Being in India you have the right to treat your juniors with contempt and an option to respect them. But when someone sits somewhere in between the top and the bottom he is stretched to his ends specially if he is trying to inject a culture or views different from his peers. I took the fire in the first company i worked for for being not respecting and not being compliant. It happened again in my second job. Today I am placed at the top where i have a wee bit of immunity plus the culture here is slightly moderate. But to be honest its still not that adventurous and fearless. One and all in India fear losing his job. People do not innovate because if you dare cut across the seams you are gutted and no one pays you a job seekers allowance here:)<br /> Most people prefer to have their own business if they can for this one reason. My life on personal and professional grounds has changed beyond my wishes but thats what i have for now. In this nation age, position get respect but not your thoughts or the very fact that every living or dead has some basic right to honour.<br /> <br /> Gaurav<br /> g.a@hotmail.co.uk
on Oct 23, 2009ya.u r very ri8......
on Aug 18, 2009Mr.Alexius did not mince words in penning his account on Indians. I appreciate the way he liked to live outside of his commune to understand the real India.
on Aug 17, 2009True Dutch speak! A very candid airing of views by Alexius. An enjoyable read.
on Aug 12, 2009I quite liked the article and to a certain extent agree to it as well.I appreciate the thoughts which are penned down and also believe that one needs to learn to adapt to change ... wherever he may be....and to think a little broader, and beyond makes all the difference !!
on Aug 12, 2009