UK-based SMEs undergo training at IIM-A

In a bid to study the dynamics of the Indian market before setting up their businesses here, UK-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have come down to the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) for a training programme. This is probably for the first time that any foreign SME units are being trained at the institute.

Under a week-long management development programme titled ‘Indian Marketing Strategies for UK SMEs’, the units are on the lookout for opportunities to hone their skills for developing businesses in India.

“The Mayor of London had initially approached us for such a training programme, after which several SME units joined in. The programme looks at training these UK-based SMEs who intend to acclimatise themselves with Indian market conditions. These SMEs are looking forward to increasing business between UK and India and desire to understand how businesses work here,” said Arvind Sahay, director of the programme at IIM-A.

Around eight or nine SMEs representing a wide spectrum of sectors including telecom, information security, FMCG, safety, health and education services, pharmaceuticals, publishing and internet software have participated in the programme. The turnover of the units ranges from 500,000 to 30 million pound sterling (about Rs 4-224 crore).

“We have been taking up issues like diversity of businesses, pricing strategies in India, venture capital and government regulations under the programme. Among the representatives of these SMEs are managing directors, chief executive officers and several heads of companies,” added Sahay.

While it is for the first time that such a programme is being conducted, the institute is working on a model that will enable it to hold such training programmes on a sustained basis, said Sahay.