Both the cultural landscape and ways of doing business are quite different from the West - and companies need to be prepared for the many differences that lie ahead.

1.Finding employees
While talent abounds, finding the right employees is not straightforward. There is no official way to conduct background checks - to confirm, for example, that an applicant's credit history is clean. There simply is no official documentation of credit history or other like measures in India. Computerized, interlinked records are rudimentary at best. As such, recruiting for Indian workers is very relationship-driven. Companies have to rely on someone with connections who can connect them with the right people.

2. Insurance obstacles
The concept of companies providing health insurance is not widely accepted in India. With the exception of factories, which are required to carry Employees' State Insurance (ESI), employers in India are not mandated to provide health insurance for workers. That said, multinational companies tend to want to keep parity with their global standards for health insurance benefits. In India, this can be complicated due to workers' lack of interest in health insurance because it reduces take-home pay.

3. Resolving disputes
In the U.S., when a business relationship goes bad, lawsuits follow. Not so in India. The legal system in India is not as helpful at resolving disputes as it is in the U.S. Issues in the courts can drag on unresolved for years - and may never see a successful resolution. Without the legal system as an added safeguard, entering into solid and trustworthy business relationships is even more critical.

4. Workplace norms differ
In India, labor is cheap, and Indians rely on it. For example, workers don't get their own tea during break, but rather are accustomed to being served tea at their desks by domestic help. Likewise, professionals do not do their own office tasks such as scanning or copying. When U.S. workers spend time in Indian offices, Indians tend to look askance at the multitude of tasks U.S. workers perform themselves.

5. A cash economy
Be prepared to pay cash. Unlike the U.S., India has an informal market, in which more cash transactions take place. Checks and credit cards are much less prevalent than in the U.S., and many workers need to be paid in cash, including domestic, janitorial and security staff. Each office needs to have a substantial petty cash fund to pay for day to day cash transactions.

6. A trusted adviser
In India, relationships matter enormously. Companies that hope to set up shop need a local relationship with an adviser or accountant who can guide them in how business is conducted in India, whom to hire, with whom to transact business, etc. While the benefits of operating in India can be enormous, companies cannot expect to succeed without a local adviser who can bridge the cultural gap, open the right doors and pave the path to profitability.

Hmm...believe me, it was strange for me too. But had to agree with these facts, after my brief meet with A.K. Srinivias (Principal Secretary)