Help! Need Urgent advice re opening an office in India

wilcosarge · Apr 27th, 2006, 23:42

I have an opportunity to help open a satellite office in India - as a company we are a sort of marketing and web agency specialising in the tech sector (clients like Microsoft, Dell etc) = we are not a full geek coding house though so not sure places like Hyderabad will be suitable.

I can help recommend where we should open this office - from the reviews I have read it looks like a straight choice between Bombay and Delhi.

However Bombay - no open spaces, just flat living

Delhi - very hot in summer!

With both expected traffic and pollution stuff etc

I also have 3 kids (aged 4,3 and 1) to think about. Where are the best schools?

Or do you all think I am completely mad and keep my head down in West london (which I am a bit bored of) or take a jump into one of these cities and which one would be best for the kids?

PS I do live India so need not be persuaded myself, it is the family angle I am having trouble with.

Thanks all

Will

greenchutney · Apr 28th, 2006, 02:08

attached is an article about delhi in the latest issue of an india mag~

Delhi Article

DELHI
Mean Streets... All HQ, No IQ
Political mecca, consumerist haven, now Metro chic... Delhi's all that. But it's also crass, crude and callous, a city sans a soul.

Merchant · Apr 28th, 2006, 02:31

Mumbai, famously, has some of the highest office rents in the world. Both cities have significant traffic, pollution, and other quality-of-life issues, as you point out. Why not look to other locations?

Hippie at Heart · Apr 28th, 2006, 04:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merchant

Mumbai, famously, has some of the highest office rents in the world. Both cities have significant traffic, pollution, and other quality-of-life issues, as you point out. Why not look to other locations?

I found the article writer and reference’s attempt to ridicule a great city based on few news snippets, assumptions and hearsay, two dimensional and churlish I cannot help but laugh and give up the argument in same vain. OP wanted to have some logistic suggestions as pointed by Merchant, but he must wade through the drivel first.

Shaktipalooza · Apr 28th, 2006, 04:36

Bangalore isn't an option? Traffic and pollution are pretty bad there too but perhaps Mysore would work out nicely. Then you're not too far away from Bangalore with all it's IT satellites.

Some people have answered similar questions with Pune. Don't know anything about the place, I've just seen it recommended a few times.

tornado989 · Apr 28th, 2006, 04:41

What abt Gurgaon, outside Delhi?

PortieOwner · Apr 28th, 2006, 06:04

I'd do it in Delhi since that is where my family is, but why not consider another city if you can swing it? Chandigahr, Armritsar, Jaipur are all within 5-6 hours of Delhi (notice I didn't list Agra). Maybe even check out Calcutta?

Portie

capt_mahajan · Apr 28th, 2006, 08:34

k so you want

-"the best" schools (I never let my schooling interfere with my education... Mark Twain)
-presumably good business connectivity (people, infrastructure, mobility)
-open spaces

and you dont want

-flat living
-extreme summer
-traffic and pollution

offhand its a kind of catch 22 situation a lot of us face in India. Reputed schools are in big cities, and usually so is business infrastructure. And so is pollution or flat living or extreme summer or all of the above!

Out of the box... lot of reputed schools in or around hill stations or a place like Dehradun in India. Not that places like Dehradun dont have their own problems.
Can your business work from any such place? And can your family survive smaller town living?

If not, join the club and live in big cities.

wilcosarge · Apr 28th, 2006, 14:01

Yes, I would need to be in a city as I would need to build up an office, hire good people.

If I went for Gurgaon (now I think more likely) where could I live - I would get my company to go for the best place (hell it is worth asking) eg can i get a place with a pool or am I in weirdy expat land??

I don't want to live in a complex too much either - not too fussy eh

?

thanks

capt_mahajan · Apr 28th, 2006, 15:37

everything is availble... depends on what you can pay.

adihere · Apr 28th, 2006, 18:31

how about pune ,close to mumbai,closer to major indian and MNC corporates ,marketing agencies,fin HQ of India,good schools,relatively cheaper rents,not so hot weather,lovley hill stations around etc

oh ,and am not from pune

schematic · Apr 28th, 2006, 18:42

If there are any plans to scale this operation, I'd hope your decision is based on key factors such as affordability of acceptable office space (including data center if there's any such component) and availability of talent, and not on your personal preference or your ability to get a house as opposed to a flat.

I've not been involved in this type of evaluation firsthand, but people that I have talked to about this have generally recommended Tamil Nadu and Kerala as places with higher education quotients and lower operational costs than, say, Mumbai or Delhi and its environs. I know specifically one Indian entrepreneur native to Mumbai who inconvenienced himself by starting up in Chennai because of cost advantages.

Good luck with the venture.

PortieOwner · Apr 28th, 2006, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilcosarge

Yes, I would need to be in a city as I would need to build up an office, hire good people.

If I went for Gurgaon (now I think more likely) where could I live - I would get my company to go for the best place (hell it is worth asking) eg can i get a place with a pool or am I in weirdy expat land??

I don't want to live in a complex too much either - not too fussy eh

?

thanks

I am pretty sure there are developments or gated towns in Gurgaon which have community pools. The other option is to join a golf club which has a pool and I am not familiar with the golf clubs on that side of Delhi.

Portie

wilcosarge · Apr 29th, 2006, 00:22

No congestion, no pollution, got all the talent there, get a good place to live etc?

Waddya think (thanks again guys, am very nervous about this as you can tell)

eater · Apr 29th, 2006, 12:52

[QUOTE=wilcosarge]No congestion, no pollution, got all the talent there, get a good place to live etc? Waddya think (thanks again guys, am very nervous about this as you can tell)[/quote]

How old are the children? I would choose a place taking that into consideration, private schools. Plus your own / wife's considerations.

Do you like long distance commuting? or, walking distance to work?

Wife's needs - near family? friends? shopping, entertainment nearby?

Write down good/bad columns and discuss with family, around a table and pizza. Good luck and enjoy!!

Apr 27th, 2006, 23:42	#1
wilcosarge Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: london Posts: 4	Help! Need Urgent advice re opening an office in India I have an opportunity to help open a satellite office in India - as a company we are a sort of marketing and web agency specialising in the tech sector (clients like Microsoft, Dell etc) = we are not a full geek coding house though so not sure places like Hyderabad will be suitable. I can help recommend where we should open this office - from the reviews I have read it looks like a straight choice between Bombay and Delhi. However Bombay - no open spaces, just flat living Delhi - very hot in summer! With both expected traffic and pollution stuff etc I also have 3 kids (aged 4,3 and 1) to think about. Where are the best schools? Or do you all think I am completely mad and keep my head down in West london (which I am a bit bored of) or take a jump into one of these cities and which one would be best for the kids? PS I do live India so need not be persuaded myself, it is the family angle I am having trouble with. Thanks all Will

Apr 28th, 2006, 04:36	#5
Shaktipalooza Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Portland Oregon USA Posts: 896	Bangalore isn't an option? Traffic and pollution are pretty bad there too but perhaps Mysore would work out nicely. Then you're not too far away from Bangalore with all it's IT satellites. Some people have answered similar questions with Pune. Don't know anything about the place, I've just seen it recommended a few times. __________________ IndiaGroove - Train finder now in beta! Pics from India 2006 Traditional Indian Dance

Apr 28th, 2006, 14:01	#9
wilcosarge Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: london Posts: 4	Thaks a lot guys Yes, I would need to be in a city as I would need to build up an office, hire good people. If I went for Gurgaon (now I think more likely) where could I live - I would get my company to go for the best place (hell it is worth asking) eg can i get a place with a pool or am I in weirdy expat land?? I don't want to live in a complex too much either - not too fussy eh ? thanks

Apr 28th, 2006, 18:31	#11
adihere Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Mumbai Posts: 95	how about pune ,close to mumbai,closer to major indian and MNC corporates ,marketing agencies,fin HQ of India,good schools,relatively cheaper rents,not so hot weather,lovley hill stations around etc oh ,and am not from pune __________________ http://nomad-i.blogspot.com

Apr 29th, 2006, 00:22	#14
wilcosarge Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: london Posts: 4	What about Pune? No congestion, no pollution, got all the talent there, get a good place to live etc? Waddya think (thanks again guys, am very nervous about this as you can tell) Last edited by wilcosarge : Apr 29th, 2006 at 03:41.

Apr 28th, 2006, 02:08	#2
greenchutney Account Closed Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: planet earth Posts: 1,578	attached is an article about delhi in the latest issue of an india mag~ Delhi Article DELHI Mean Streets... All HQ, No IQ Political mecca, consumerist haven, now Metro chic... Delhi's all that. But it's also crass, crude and callous, a city sans a soul.

Apr 28th, 2006, 02:31	#3
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Mumbai, famously, has some of the highest office rents in the world. Both cities have significant traffic, pollution, and other quality-of-life issues, as you point out. Why not look to other locations?

Apr 28th, 2006, 04:41	#6
tornado989 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tempe, Arizona Posts: 222	What abt Gurgaon, outside Delhi?

Apr 28th, 2006, 06:04	#7
PortieOwner Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 351	I'd do it in Delhi since that is where my family is, but why not consider another city if you can swing it? Chandigahr, Armritsar, Jaipur are all within 5-6 hours of Delhi (notice I didn't list Agra). Maybe even check out Calcutta? Portie

Apr 28th, 2006, 08:34	#8
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,538	k so you want -"the best" schools (I never let my schooling interfere with my education... Mark Twain) -presumably good business connectivity (people, infrastructure, mobility) -open spaces and you dont want -flat living -extreme summer -traffic and pollution offhand its a kind of catch 22 situation a lot of us face in India. Reputed schools are in big cities, and usually so is business infrastructure. And so is pollution or flat living or extreme summer or all of the above! Out of the box... lot of reputed schools in or around hill stations or a place like Dehradun in India. Not that places like Dehradun dont have their own problems. Can your business work from any such place? And can your family survive smaller town living? If not, join the club and live in big cities.

Apr 28th, 2006, 15:37	#10
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,538	everything is availble... depends on what you can pay.

Apr 28th, 2006, 18:42	#12
schematic Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chennai via NYC Posts: 58	If there are any plans to scale this operation, I'd hope your decision is based on key factors such as affordability of acceptable office space (including data center if there's any such component) and availability of talent, and not on your personal preference or your ability to get a house as opposed to a flat. I've not been involved in this type of evaluation firsthand, but people that I have talked to about this have generally recommended Tamil Nadu and Kerala as places with higher education quotients and lower operational costs than, say, Mumbai or Delhi and its environs. I know specifically one Indian entrepreneur native to Mumbai who inconvenienced himself by starting up in Chennai because of cost advantages. Good luck with the venture.

Apr 29th, 2006, 12:52	#15
eater Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mumbai presently, previously Canada Posts: 431	[QUOTE=wilcosarge]No congestion, no pollution, got all the talent there, get a good place to live etc? Waddya think (thanks again guys, am very nervous about this as you can tell)[/quote] How old are the children? I would choose a place taking that into consideration, private schools. Plus your own / wife's considerations. Do you like long distance commuting? or, walking distance to work? Wife's needs - near family? friends? shopping, entertainment nearby? Write down good/bad columns and discuss with family, around a table and pizza. Good luck and enjoy!! __________________ Just happy to be here.........

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