Indian firms look at Europe when expanding globally

As more Indian businesses aim to expand globally, UK and mainland Europe is seen as their first choice, said Laxmi Chaudhry, founder of UK-based '1Stop HR'.

She was speaking at the BCIC-sponsored meet on the 'Latest Development in the Field of Human Resource Management' and said that to be competitive overseas and to understand the complex employment legislation framework that accompanies any overseas expansion, an emphasis on human resources is essential.

Companies need to understand the ability to appreciate how a deep understanding of cross cultures will lead to competitive advantage and drive the development of effective business organisation, she added.

The role of top management has a significant impact. This is often based on rules and norms of their own culture and the corporate culture, especially when interpreting other cultures' behaviours.

Stressing the need for cross cultural team in an organisation, Laxmi Chaudhry said, it is important to have a strategy to build an effective cross-cultural team rather than rely on a 'laissez faire' approach, because instinct is fundamentally technocentric.

The foundation of any strategy has to be awareness of the real difference in the various cultures and expectations, she added.