IBM has laid off an undisclosed number of workers this week as the company intensifies its focus on some of some of the technology industry's hottest markets.
The cutbacks are part of a reorganization that IBM Corp. executives disclosed in April during a conference call discussing the Armonk, New York, company's first-quarter earnings. IBM said it would spend $1 billion reshuffling the types of jobs it needs in its workforce this year, with most of the changes coming before the end of June. The company indicated most of the layoffs would occur outside the US. Read More at Huff post.
Monday, June 17, 2013
IT, jobs
Salaries for fresh engineers in IT companies may fall in coming years
For years, fresh engineering graduates have had it good because demand from the IT industry was robust. That's changing. Salaries for fresh IT engineers will be under major pressure in the coming years.
"Fresher salaries of Rs 2.75 lakh to Rs 3.25 lakh will remain unchanged or be lowered over the next few years," wrote Kawaljeet Saluja and Rohit Chordia of brokerage firm Kotak Institutional Securities in a recent report.
The trend is changing because the number of students graduating in engineering has shot up in the past few years, and the demand has slowed. Estimates by IT industry body Nasscom show the number of engineers graduating each year has more than doubled to 8.13 lakh from 2007-08 to 2011-12. Read More
"Fresher salaries of Rs 2.75 lakh to Rs 3.25 lakh will remain unchanged or be lowered over the next few years," wrote Kawaljeet Saluja and Rohit Chordia of brokerage firm Kotak Institutional Securities in a recent report.
The trend is changing because the number of students graduating in engineering has shot up in the past few years, and the demand has slowed. Estimates by IT industry body Nasscom show the number of engineers graduating each year has more than doubled to 8.13 lakh from 2007-08 to 2011-12. Read More
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Infosys, Wipro
Infosys announces wage hike, Wipro follows suit
NR Narayana Murthy has made his first significant move upon returning to Infosys by effecting an unexpected round of wage increases for the company's 1.5 lakh employees. By doing so, analysts said, the Infosys chairman is trying to kill several birds with one stone, displaying tactical finesse that has earned him a reputation as one of India's canniest entrepreneurs.
On Thursday, less than a fortnight after Murthy came back to helm the company, Infosys announced an average increment of 8% for India employees, effective from July 1. For employees outside India, the company said the increments will be 3%, albeit with some riders. The biggest push was reserved for its global sales force which will get a raise of 8% effective May.
Wipro, which announced increments in July last year, also sent a note about an hour after the news from Infosys. It said it is giving an average increment of 6-8% for offshore employees and 2-3% for onsite employees, effective from June 2013. For high-performers, the raise will be in double digits. A Wipro spokeswoman said the emailed note was in response to media queries.
"There have been serious issues with employee motivation levels at Infosys. Wipro rolling out wage hikes on the same day shows that it wants to ensure the company doesn't lose employees to Infosys," said Pradeep Mukerji, president and managing partner at outsourcing advisory firm Avasant. Infosys's populist move — a certain vote-winner among staff — could raise morale, enhance Murthy's stock of goodwill and send out a message to all stakeholders and rivals that the Infosys co-founder is back and means business. "By announcing wage hikes, Infosys wants to calm down anxiety among its employees and stabilize things within the organization. It is a smart move; however, we do not expect more bold moves from Murthy," said Manish Bahl, country manager at Forrester Research. "He will be focused on getting things aligned, talking to clients and creating expertise on the product innovation side." Read more
On Thursday, less than a fortnight after Murthy came back to helm the company, Infosys announced an average increment of 8% for India employees, effective from July 1. For employees outside India, the company said the increments will be 3%, albeit with some riders. The biggest push was reserved for its global sales force which will get a raise of 8% effective May.
Wipro, which announced increments in July last year, also sent a note about an hour after the news from Infosys. It said it is giving an average increment of 6-8% for offshore employees and 2-3% for onsite employees, effective from June 2013. For high-performers, the raise will be in double digits. A Wipro spokeswoman said the emailed note was in response to media queries.
"There have been serious issues with employee motivation levels at Infosys. Wipro rolling out wage hikes on the same day shows that it wants to ensure the company doesn't lose employees to Infosys," said Pradeep Mukerji, president and managing partner at outsourcing advisory firm Avasant. Infosys's populist move — a certain vote-winner among staff — could raise morale, enhance Murthy's stock of goodwill and send out a message to all stakeholders and rivals that the Infosys co-founder is back and means business. "By announcing wage hikes, Infosys wants to calm down anxiety among its employees and stabilize things within the organization. It is a smart move; however, we do not expect more bold moves from Murthy," said Manish Bahl, country manager at Forrester Research. "He will be focused on getting things aligned, talking to clients and creating expertise on the product innovation side." Read more
Rebuilding a 'desirable' Infosys will take 36 months
Recalled to ride out the bad times for Infosys, its Chairman N R Narayana Murthy today said the task of rebuilding a "desirable" Infosys would take at least 36 months and there would be some tough decisions resulting in "pain." "The challenge is daunting and the task is tough," said Murthy in a candid address to shareholders at the 32nd Annual General Meeting here, two weeks after he was recalled and made Executive Chairman of Infosys which has reported poor earnings disappointing investors. He said "the task of rebuilding a desirable Infosys will take at least 36 months, even with a high quality team and full dedication of every Infoscion. In the process, there will be some tough decisions resulting in pain as we move forward." Read more..
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
new openings
Ericsson hires 4,000 employees in India
Ericsson, the world's largest mobile network equipment maker, has increased staff headcount of its global services unit in India, buoyed by a sharp surge in its managed services business.
The Swedish vendor has hired more than 4,000 techies at Ericsson India Global Services, accounting for nearly 90% of its India workforce expansion in calendar year 2011, executives aware of the development told ET.
Latest employment numbers shared by Ericsson reveal its India workforce climbed nearly 72% last year to 11,535 from 6,710 reported in December 2010.
The Swedish vendor has hired more than 4,000 techies at Ericsson India Global Services, accounting for nearly 90% of its India workforce expansion in calendar year 2011, executives aware of the development told ET.
Latest employment numbers shared by Ericsson reveal its India workforce climbed nearly 72% last year to 11,535 from 6,710 reported in December 2010.
Infosys, New Deals, TCS
Infosys, TCS, Sify bag Postal Department's technology projects
The Department of Post (DoP) has issued Letters of Intent (LoIs) to Infosys, TCS, Sify and Reliance Communications Infrastructure for different technology advancement projects.
"Department is trying to induct technology in a big way. There are eight RFPs (Request for Proposal) we have floated and issued Letter of Intent in five (projects) to companies which include Infosys, TCS, Sify and Reliance," Secretary (Posts) Manjula Parasher told reporters here.
The Department has got approval of Rs 1,877.2 crore to be spend across these projects over period of two years and will seek additional funds when the need arises.
"Department is trying to induct technology in a big way. There are eight RFPs (Request for Proposal) we have floated and issued Letter of Intent in five (projects) to companies which include Infosys, TCS, Sify and Reliance," Secretary (Posts) Manjula Parasher told reporters here.
The Department has got approval of Rs 1,877.2 crore to be spend across these projects over period of two years and will seek additional funds when the need arises.
Dell to acquire Wyse Tech for $1bn
Dell Inc, the world's third-largest maker of personal computers, paid about $1 billion to buy closely held Wyse Technology Inc, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
Purchasing Wyse, which makes desktop devices for cloud computing, will boost earnings in the second half of fiscal 2013, Dell said today in a statement, which didn't disclose terms of the deal. David Frink, a spokesman for Round Rock, Texas-based Dell, declined to comment, as did Wyse's Tim Smith.
Purchasing Wyse, which makes desktop devices for cloud computing, will boost earnings in the second half of fiscal 2013, Dell said today in a statement, which didn't disclose terms of the deal. David Frink, a spokesman for Round Rock, Texas-based Dell, declined to comment, as did Wyse's Tim Smith.
Friday, March 30, 2012
cognizant, CTS, H1-B
India shows concerns to US over rejection of H1B, L1 visas
India has complained to the US about an increase in the rate of rejection of US visas for Indian professionals that resulted in a sharp decline in the number of visas issued to Indians last year.
Commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma took up the visa issue with US commerce secretary John Bryson in a bilateral meeting on Monday.
Commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma took up the visa issue with US commerce secretary John Bryson in a bilateral meeting on Monday.
BPO
Call centre jobs: All you need to know
Information Technology (IT), the greatest change agent of the twentieth century, is changing the way we live, work, communicate, shop and study - practically everything we do.
IT is also changing the way we do business. Not only does it remove the barriers of distance and geography, but it also dramatically alters 'how' business is done.
Click here to read more.
IT is also changing the way we do business. Not only does it remove the barriers of distance and geography, but it also dramatically alters 'how' business is done.
Click here to read more.
Google beats Facebook in employee satisfaction after 4 years
Google appears to have stolen the title of 'the best place to work' from Facebook this year, according to a survey on employee satisfaction.
Career website Glassdoor, which conducted the survey, noted this year is particularly noteworthy given Google has lagged behind Facebook in employee satisfaction for the past four years.
But the two tech giants are neck and neck in terms of what employees think of their CEOs, with Google CEO Larry Page earning a 94% employee approval rating, just 2% higher than that of Mark Zuckerberg, the Huffington Post reported.
Career website Glassdoor, which conducted the survey, noted this year is particularly noteworthy given Google has lagged behind Facebook in employee satisfaction for the past four years.
But the two tech giants are neck and neck in terms of what employees think of their CEOs, with Google CEO Larry Page earning a 94% employee approval rating, just 2% higher than that of Mark Zuckerberg, the Huffington Post reported.
new openings
Facebook offers Rs 1.34 cr package to Allahabad engineering student
Social networking giant Facebook has hired an engineering student here for a fat annual pay package of Rs 1.34 crore, one of the biggest offers made to alumnus of any technical institution of the country.
According to P Chakravarti, Director of the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), a B.Tech student from the institute, who has requested that his name be withheld for "security reasons", received a letter on March 27 from Facebook confirming his appointment and the annual pay package on offer was stated to be USD 262,500 (around Rs 1.34 crore).
Interestingly, the MNNIT Director said the recruitment process began with a mail from Facebook "in October last year which was followed by nine rounds of telephonic interviews" before he was finally selected for the plush job which would require the student, who hails from Kanpur, to move to Menlo Park in California after finishing his software engineering course at the institute.
According to P Chakravarti, Director of the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), a B.Tech student from the institute, who has requested that his name be withheld for "security reasons", received a letter on March 27 from Facebook confirming his appointment and the annual pay package on offer was stated to be USD 262,500 (around Rs 1.34 crore).
Interestingly, the MNNIT Director said the recruitment process began with a mail from Facebook "in October last year which was followed by nine rounds of telephonic interviews" before he was finally selected for the plush job which would require the student, who hails from Kanpur, to move to Menlo Park in California after finishing his software engineering course at the institute.
TCS
TCS to provide banking solution for Malaysia's AmBank
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) today said Malaysia-based financial services group AmBank has decided to deploy the banking solution of the Indian software major.
This integrated banking suite, spanning conventional and Islamic banking, will support both retail banking and lending functionalities, TCS said in a statement .
By deploying 'TCS BaNCS', AmBank will see its banking business expand into new areas, while enabling flexible development and the scalability to meet market and regulatory needs, it added.
This integrated banking suite, spanning conventional and Islamic banking, will support both retail banking and lending functionalities, TCS said in a statement .
By deploying 'TCS BaNCS', AmBank will see its banking business expand into new areas, while enabling flexible development and the scalability to meet market and regulatory needs, it added.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Adobe Systems to scrap annual appraisals
About 10,000 employees at Adobe Systems, including 2,000 in India, have just completed what could probably be their last performance review. The global product services company plans to scrap the age-old practice of being pitted against colleagues and measured up by the bosses once a year.
"We plan to abolish the performance review format," says Donna Morris, senior VPHR at the company. Still in its blueprint, the plan is to have managers give regular feedback to their teams to ensure a quicker and continuous selfactualisation, rather than wait for the year-end.
Adobe took the plunge after it entered the digital marketing space, which required a completely different gamut of customer base and marketing strategies that called for an overhaul of HR processes as well.
"We plan to abolish the performance review format," says Donna Morris, senior VPHR at the company. Still in its blueprint, the plan is to have managers give regular feedback to their teams to ensure a quicker and continuous selfactualisation, rather than wait for the year-end.
Adobe took the plunge after it entered the digital marketing space, which required a completely different gamut of customer base and marketing strategies that called for an overhaul of HR processes as well.
Layoffs in USA
Yahoo layoffs, possibly this month, could reach thousands, report says
Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson may be close to announcing a major reorganization and sizable layoffs at the Sunnyvale Internet company, which has been grappling with falling revenue, dissident investors and a changing Internet landscape.
Thompson's plans could lead to thousands of layoffs being announced in coming weeks, according to two news reports Monday that cited unnamed sources.
But analysts warn that cutbacks alone won't solve the company's problems.
"I wouldn't say there is fat to be cut. I would say there has to be a transformation of the company," said Ben Schachter, who follows Internet companies for Macquarie Equities Research. "They cannot continue to conduct business as they have for the last 10 years."
Thompson's plans could lead to thousands of layoffs being announced in coming weeks, according to two news reports Monday that cited unnamed sources.
But analysts warn that cutbacks alone won't solve the company's problems.
"I wouldn't say there is fat to be cut. I would say there has to be a transformation of the company," said Ben Schachter, who follows Internet companies for Macquarie Equities Research. "They cannot continue to conduct business as they have for the last 10 years."
CTS, HCL, Infosys, TCS, Wipro
IT cos like Infosys, HCL Tech, Cognizant, Wipro pamper placement officers for best talent
Once reserved for market analysts and key clients, Indian information technology companies are now pampering college placement officers by taking them on domestic and foreign trips as they seek to hire the best talent from Indian campuses ahead of competition.
Over the years Cognizant has been taking placement officers to cities like Bangkok and Dubai while others have been holding their offsites within their campuses. Infosys has also joined the race this year, although with a modest start in domestic locations.
Indian IT firms depend on campus recruits for a bulk of their hiring every year, making job offers to thousands of students every year. In this financial year for instance, Infosys is hiring over 20,000 students from campus while TCS is hiring over 30,000.
Such events, some analysts say are part of efforts to get the best interview slots when hiring from colleges. Infosys, which insiders say lost out in the talent scramble because it failed to get the socalled "slot zero" has now started Samvaad 2012, where the Bangalore-based firm hosts placement officers in Mysore, Pune, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, and Chandigarh.
Some 310 placement heads from a similar number of engineering institutions across the country are being invited, according to a company spokesperson. Through the event, Infosys seeks to impart skills, including "negotiation skills" to help these placement officers in their current roles.
Over the years Cognizant has been taking placement officers to cities like Bangkok and Dubai while others have been holding their offsites within their campuses. Infosys has also joined the race this year, although with a modest start in domestic locations.
Indian IT firms depend on campus recruits for a bulk of their hiring every year, making job offers to thousands of students every year. In this financial year for instance, Infosys is hiring over 20,000 students from campus while TCS is hiring over 30,000.
Such events, some analysts say are part of efforts to get the best interview slots when hiring from colleges. Infosys, which insiders say lost out in the talent scramble because it failed to get the socalled "slot zero" has now started Samvaad 2012, where the Bangalore-based firm hosts placement officers in Mysore, Pune, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, and Chandigarh.
Some 310 placement heads from a similar number of engineering institutions across the country are being invited, according to a company spokesperson. Through the event, Infosys seeks to impart skills, including "negotiation skills" to help these placement officers in their current roles.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
BPO, Layoffs in USA
IT services co Tieto to cut 1,300 jobs
Finnish IT services group Tieto plans to cut 1,300 jobs, or 7 per cent of its staff, as it struggles to compete against global rivals like IBM .
The company's share rose 6 percent to the highest level in 13 months on the move, which Tieto said will cut annual costs by 50 million euros ($66 million).
The cuts will include 500 jobs in Finland, 300 in Sweden, and around 500 elsewhere, the company said.
The company's share rose 6 percent to the highest level in 13 months on the move, which Tieto said will cut annual costs by 50 million euros ($66 million).
The cuts will include 500 jobs in Finland, 300 in Sweden, and around 500 elsewhere, the company said.
Layoffs in USA
Goldman Plans More Layoffs
According to Reuters, The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) is moving ahead with its cost cutting plan. To start with, the bank has sacked employees in its trading and investment banking divisions.
In 2011, Goldman reduced 2,400 positions, out of which 1800 layoffs took place in March 2011 as part of its annual review process. The recent announcement of job cuts also comes under Goldman's annual retrenchment of workers, who performed below expectations.
In 2011, Goldman reduced 2,400 positions, out of which 1800 layoffs took place in March 2011 as part of its annual review process. The recent announcement of job cuts also comes under Goldman's annual retrenchment of workers, who performed below expectations.
Satyam
Mahindra Satyam, Tech Mahindra merge to create $2.4-billion company
The erstwhile Satyam Computer Services and Tech Mahindra announced details of their planned merger, saying the whole will be greater than the sum of their parts and positioning themselves as a player with the potential to challenge India's top-tier software companies.
The merger ratio, at 17 shares of Mahindra Satyam for two Tech Mahindra shares, was along expected lines, valuing the former Satyam at $1.8 billion (Rs 9,000 crore). CP Gurnani, the chief executive of Mahindra Satyam who oversaw the difficult transition of a fraud-hit firm to normalcy, will be the head of the combined entity, whose name has not yet been chosen. "It is a marriage made in heaven," Gurnani said on Wednesday about the merger, which becomes effective from April 2011.
The merger ratio, at 17 shares of Mahindra Satyam for two Tech Mahindra shares, was along expected lines, valuing the former Satyam at $1.8 billion (Rs 9,000 crore). CP Gurnani, the chief executive of Mahindra Satyam who oversaw the difficult transition of a fraud-hit firm to normalcy, will be the head of the combined entity, whose name has not yet been chosen. "It is a marriage made in heaven," Gurnani said on Wednesday about the merger, which becomes effective from April 2011.
new openings, TCS
Tata Communications to hire 1,200 new staff, may raise debt
Tata Communications will recruit an extra 1,200 staff over the next 12 months in its outsourcing, sales and engineering divisions as it tries to turn around nearly three years of losses, the firm's CEO said on Wednesday.
The operator will also consider upping its debt if the potential returns justify it, Vinod Kumar, Tata Communications chief executive, told Reuters. Kumar declined to comment on the prospects of Tata buying Cable & Wireless Worldwide (CWW).
Tata said in a regulatory filing on March 1 its plans for an all-cash bid for CWW were "at a very preliminary stage", adding it would decide on whether to make an offer by March 29.
The operator will also consider upping its debt if the potential returns justify it, Vinod Kumar, Tata Communications chief executive, told Reuters. Kumar declined to comment on the prospects of Tata buying Cable & Wireless Worldwide (CWW).
Tata said in a regulatory filing on March 1 its plans for an all-cash bid for CWW were "at a very preliminary stage", adding it would decide on whether to make an offer by March 29.
New Deals, Wipro
Wipro Technologies eyes $3.5-billion services deals
Information technology services provider Wipro Technologies is pursuing contracts worth around $3.5 billion, senior management of the company told investors during a recent road show in Europe.
The Bangalore-based company is pursuing 15 $100-million deals and another 40 deals worth at least $50 million each.
Selective disclosure to groups of investors is seen a pro-active effort by firm, which underwent a management restructuring almost a year ago, to instill confidence among the investors community.
The Bangalore-based company is pursuing 15 $100-million deals and another 40 deals worth at least $50 million each.
Selective disclosure to groups of investors is seen a pro-active effort by firm, which underwent a management restructuring almost a year ago, to instill confidence among the investors community.
New Deals, Satyam
Mahindra Satyam acquires vCustomer BPO for $27 million
Mahindra Satyam, on Friday acquired Delhi based BPO firm vCustomer's International operations for $27 million. This is the first 100% acquisition by Mahindra Satyam since it became part of Mahindra Group.
The acquisition marks the entry of Mahindra Satyam's BPO operations into other verticals such as Retail and Consumer Technology in addition to enhancing its technical support business.
The acquisition marks the entry of Mahindra Satyam's BPO operations into other verticals such as Retail and Consumer Technology in addition to enhancing its technical support business.
Outsourcing
Offshoring to India will end in 8-10 years: Report
Offshoring of jobs to India will begin to decline starting 2014, and will reach the end of its lifecycle in eight years, according to US-based strategic advisory and research firm The Hackett Group released at the Nasscom Global In-House Centers ( GIC) Conclave being held here.
According to The Hackett Group, the traditional model of US and European companies moving finance, IT, and other business services jobs offshore will reach the end of its lifecycle over the next 8-10 years, and US and European companies will simply run out of jobs which can be moved offshore to locations like India.
The Hackett Group's offshoring research, examined 4,700 companies with annual revenue over $1 billion and headquartered in the US and Europe. It found that by 2016, a total of 2.3 million jobs in finance, IT, procurement and HR will have moved offshore. Click here to read more.
According to The Hackett Group, the traditional model of US and European companies moving finance, IT, and other business services jobs offshore will reach the end of its lifecycle over the next 8-10 years, and US and European companies will simply run out of jobs which can be moved offshore to locations like India.
The Hackett Group's offshoring research, examined 4,700 companies with annual revenue over $1 billion and headquartered in the US and Europe. It found that by 2016, a total of 2.3 million jobs in finance, IT, procurement and HR will have moved offshore. Click here to read more.
BPO, Outsourcing
Dell chalks out new BPO offerings, takes on Indian outsourcing firms
In a bleak environment where unemployment and sensitivity around offshoring are hurting the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, IT giant Dell is readying an ambitious foray that will pit it against Indian outsourcing rivals in some of the largest back-office processes outsourced to third-party providers.
Once known for desktops and laptops and its direct selling business model, Dell has been beefing up its services portfolio by adding offerings since diversifying into software services by acquiring Perot Systems.
Ashutosh Vaidya, who joined Dell from Wipro to head its third-party BPO services nine months back, is adding final touches for the launch of four new backoffice services -- finance and accounting, procurement, customer interaction services and analytics -- slated for next quarter. Click here to read more.
Once known for desktops and laptops and its direct selling business model, Dell has been beefing up its services portfolio by adding offerings since diversifying into software services by acquiring Perot Systems.
Ashutosh Vaidya, who joined Dell from Wipro to head its third-party BPO services nine months back, is adding final touches for the launch of four new backoffice services -- finance and accounting, procurement, customer interaction services and analytics -- slated for next quarter. Click here to read more.
Monday, March 19, 2012
new openings
iGate Patni plans to hire 1,500 for product engineering business
Technology firm iGATE Patni expects nearly 25 per cent of its overall revenue to come from the product engineering services (PES) business in 2-3 years.
"We expect almost 25 per cent of our total revenues to come from the PES business in 2-3 years. Currently, about 15 per cent of the revenues accrue from PES business," said iGate Patni Executive Vice-President and Head of PES Satish Joshi.
PES business provides end-to-end product development and product life cycle management -- right from research and evaluation, electronic and engineering design, up to sustenance and maintenance. The business caters to sectors such as auto, industrial automation and control, consumer electronics, mobiles and semiconductor.
"We expect almost 25 per cent of our total revenues to come from the PES business in 2-3 years. Currently, about 15 per cent of the revenues accrue from PES business," said iGate Patni Executive Vice-President and Head of PES Satish Joshi.
PES business provides end-to-end product development and product life cycle management -- right from research and evaluation, electronic and engineering design, up to sustenance and maintenance. The business caters to sectors such as auto, industrial automation and control, consumer electronics, mobiles and semiconductor.
new openings
Snapdeal to hire 500 people in 6 months; keen on acquisitions
eCommerce major Snapdeal plans to increase its headcount over the next six months by adding 500 people.
Snapdeal, which claims to have over 15 million users, employs about 1,000 people at present.
"We have seen 80-90 per cent growth in traffic month-on-month over the last three quarters. We have been gradually increasing the pace of hiring and over the next six months, we will add about 500 people," Snapdeal Chief Executive Director Kunal Behl said.
The addition would be done in the areas of engineering and analytics, he added.
Snapdeal, which claims to have over 15 million users, employs about 1,000 people at present.
"We have seen 80-90 per cent growth in traffic month-on-month over the last three quarters. We have been gradually increasing the pace of hiring and over the next six months, we will add about 500 people," Snapdeal Chief Executive Director Kunal Behl said.
The addition would be done in the areas of engineering and analytics, he added.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Layoffs in USA
Layoffs hit again at Connexion Technologies
Connexion Technologies has laid off 232 workers – more than half its staff – in its second round of layoffs this year.
The layoffs by the company, which builds and manages telecommunication networks for residential communities, included the elimination of 106 employees in North Carolina, mostly at its Cary headquarters.
Connexion was founded in 2002 by former Cary Mayor Glen Lang, who remains CEO. The company had 455 workers before this week’s layoffs.
The layoffs by the company, which builds and manages telecommunication networks for residential communities, included the elimination of 106 employees in North Carolina, mostly at its Cary headquarters.
Connexion was founded in 2002 by former Cary Mayor Glen Lang, who remains CEO. The company had 455 workers before this week’s layoffs.
jobs
Does Cloud Really Matter for Your IT Job?
The job market is already warmed by the news about emerging job openings with cloud computing. Recently published Microsoft Corp. commissioned research from IDC analyst firm points out that cloud computing is to create over 14 million new jobs globally. New findings report that business that shifts to cloud can invest more time and money in innovation and job creation. While half of all new cloud-related jobs are centered in China and India, IT job hunters are seen relaxed despite of the Tech job cuts are happening in another side.
Though employment bright lining in cloud computing, a study by CSC, the IT Service Provider, indicates that 14 percent of companies reduced their IT staff after setting up cloud strategy. By embracing cloud computing, enterprises may need different types of IT professionals who are asked to manage vendor relationships, to work across departments and to help clients and workers integrate into the cloud.
The survey also found 20 percent of surveyed companies have actually increased their IT staff. It shows instead of a wholesale cut off or hiring, it depends how the enterprise works with cloud computing while cloud is meant only for a shift of responsibilities.
Though employment bright lining in cloud computing, a study by CSC, the IT Service Provider, indicates that 14 percent of companies reduced their IT staff after setting up cloud strategy. By embracing cloud computing, enterprises may need different types of IT professionals who are asked to manage vendor relationships, to work across departments and to help clients and workers integrate into the cloud.
The survey also found 20 percent of surveyed companies have actually increased their IT staff. It shows instead of a wholesale cut off or hiring, it depends how the enterprise works with cloud computing while cloud is meant only for a shift of responsibilities.
jobs
India job market prospects to improve in next quarter: Survey
The job market outlook in the second quarter of 2012 has improved in most countries, with prospects being the best in India, according to a survey by staffing services firm ManpowerGroup. A survey of 4,992 Indian employers showed that most plan to increase headcount in the April-June quarter this year.
India's seasonally adjusted net employment outlook for the second quarter stood at 44%, one percentage up from the previous quarter. Net employment outlook is the difference in percentage of employers who anticipate increase in employment at their location in the next quarter and those who expect a decrease.
It was 46% for the same quarter last year. The two sectors in India that may offer new opportunities are services (59%) and finance insurance and real estate (51%). While outlook in the services sector has improved by 9 points over the previous quarter, and 10 points over the year-ago period that of the finance insurance and real estate sector has improved by 6 points over the previous quarter.
India's seasonally adjusted net employment outlook for the second quarter stood at 44%, one percentage up from the previous quarter. Net employment outlook is the difference in percentage of employers who anticipate increase in employment at their location in the next quarter and those who expect a decrease.
It was 46% for the same quarter last year. The two sectors in India that may offer new opportunities are services (59%) and finance insurance and real estate (51%). While outlook in the services sector has improved by 9 points over the previous quarter, and 10 points over the year-ago period that of the finance insurance and real estate sector has improved by 6 points over the previous quarter.
New Deals, Wipro
Wipro eyeing deals worth $3.5bn
Information technology services provider Wipro Technologies is pursuing contracts worth around $3.5 billion, senior management of the company told investors during a recent road show in Europe.
The Bangalore-based company is pursuing 15 $100-million deals and another 40 deals worth at least $50 million each.
Selective disclosure to groups of investors is seen a pro-active effort by firm, which underwent a management restructuring almost a year ago, to instill confidence among the investors community.
The Bangalore-based company is pursuing 15 $100-million deals and another 40 deals worth at least $50 million each.
Selective disclosure to groups of investors is seen a pro-active effort by firm, which underwent a management restructuring almost a year ago, to instill confidence among the investors community.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
cognizant, CTS, jobs
Cognizant rewards employees with 200% variable payout
CHENNAI: After growing faster than Indian information technology (IT) industry, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp has now rewarded its employees by giving out as much as 200% of the variable components of their 2011 salaries.
Typically, anywhere from 20 to 30% of an employee salary is labeled as variable pay, linked to a combination of overall company performance and individual performance.
"The company has done the repeat of 2010 in rewarding its top performers. The top performers got around 200% of their target bonus while the average bonus given was 150%. The bonuses were on expected lines as the company has been scoring good quarter on quarter," said a Cognizant employee in Chennai on condition of anonymity.
"Yes, Cognizant has announced performance-linked bonus payout for all its associates, globally," said Shankar Srinivasan, Chief People Officer, Cognizant. "Our industry leading revenue growth in calendar 2011 has enabled us to pay performance bonuses well above target."
Cognizant's bonus comes at a time when industry lobby Nasscom has projected tepid revenue growth for software exporters. Last month, Nasscom forecasted 11-14% growth for India IT-BPO Industry during fiscal 2013, lesser than the 16.7% growth that the sector saw this in the just concluding fiscal.
Click here to read more.
Typically, anywhere from 20 to 30% of an employee salary is labeled as variable pay, linked to a combination of overall company performance and individual performance.
"The company has done the repeat of 2010 in rewarding its top performers. The top performers got around 200% of their target bonus while the average bonus given was 150%. The bonuses were on expected lines as the company has been scoring good quarter on quarter," said a Cognizant employee in Chennai on condition of anonymity.
"Yes, Cognizant has announced performance-linked bonus payout for all its associates, globally," said Shankar Srinivasan, Chief People Officer, Cognizant. "Our industry leading revenue growth in calendar 2011 has enabled us to pay performance bonuses well above target."
Cognizant's bonus comes at a time when industry lobby Nasscom has projected tepid revenue growth for software exporters. Last month, Nasscom forecasted 11-14% growth for India IT-BPO Industry during fiscal 2013, lesser than the 16.7% growth that the sector saw this in the just concluding fiscal.
Click here to read more.
cognizant, CTS, H1-B
Lawmakers question sharp rise in denial of H1B, L1 visas
Voicing concern over increasing rates of denial of H-1B and L1 work visas, that are popular among Indian professionals, top US lawmakers and corporate bigwigs have questioned the Obama administration over the issue, warning this would hurt American business interests.
Officials at a Congressional hearing cited last year's figure of 26 per cent denial to H1B visa applicants, that was the highest in recent years, and also pointed out instances where the visas were denied for flimsy reasons.
Elton Gallegly, chair of the Immigration Policy and Enforcement Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee, said figures obtained from US Citizenship and Immigration Services show a rise in denial in certain categories of visas between the years of 2008 and 2010.
Click here to read more.
Officials at a Congressional hearing cited last year's figure of 26 per cent denial to H1B visa applicants, that was the highest in recent years, and also pointed out instances where the visas were denied for flimsy reasons.
Elton Gallegly, chair of the Immigration Policy and Enforcement Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee, said figures obtained from US Citizenship and Immigration Services show a rise in denial in certain categories of visas between the years of 2008 and 2010.
Click here to read more.
Layoffs in India
Ericsson lays off 22 execs in India; to transfer another 100 to sister units
The Indian arm of the world's largest telecoms gearmaker, Ericsson, is trimming and redeploying staff as it faces lukewarm operator spends in a fiercely competitive market.
Nearly 22 executives across categories have been fired on performance grounds and another 100 are likely to be transferred to sister organisations like Ericsson India Global Services, Ericsson Supply Site Jaipur, R&D centres and the regional technical centres (RTCs) to boost efficiencies, a top company executive aware of the development.
The Swedish vendor, which nearly doubled its India workforce last year to 12,000, is also undertaking a major "people competence" mapping exer-cise in the country to weed out non-performers.
Nearly 22 executives across categories have been fired on performance grounds and another 100 are likely to be transferred to sister organisations like Ericsson India Global Services, Ericsson Supply Site Jaipur, R&D centres and the regional technical centres (RTCs) to boost efficiencies, a top company executive aware of the development.
The Swedish vendor, which nearly doubled its India workforce last year to 12,000, is also undertaking a major "people competence" mapping exer-cise in the country to weed out non-performers.
Layoffs in USA
AOL cutting 40 more jobs
AOL Inc (AOL) is firing as many as 40 people in the group that includes its AOL Instant Messenger service, while executives Eric van Miltenburg and Jason Shellen depart, three people with knowledge of the matter said.
David Tempkin, who now runs the mobile group, will become head of the consumer applications division, which includes mobile, AIM, e-mail and about.me, an online profile application, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the changes haven't been announced. He replaces van Miltenburg, they said. Shellen was head of AIM, the instant messaging service.
AOL, based in New York, has 5,660 employees and is trimming costs amid declining sales. AIM's staff cuts are related to the division's underperformance, the people said. AOL, led by Chief Executive Officer Tim Armstrong, could eliminate more staff in other departments, these people said.
David Tempkin, who now runs the mobile group, will become head of the consumer applications division, which includes mobile, AIM, e-mail and about.me, an online profile application, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the changes haven't been announced. He replaces van Miltenburg, they said. Shellen was head of AIM, the instant messaging service.
AOL, based in New York, has 5,660 employees and is trimming costs amid declining sales. AIM's staff cuts are related to the division's underperformance, the people said. AOL, led by Chief Executive Officer Tim Armstrong, could eliminate more staff in other departments, these people said.
Siemens CFO blasts NSN job cut plan
Siemens finance chief Joe Kaeser has blasted the way joint venture Nokia Siemens Networks was handling planned job cuts in Germany and called on it to hold talks with labor.
NSN, in which Nokia holds 50 per cent plus a "golden share", is run from Finland by Indian executive Rajeev Suri, who has called 3,000 job cuts in Germany unavoidable. NSN staff in Germany have reacted with outrage.
NSN is cutting 20,500 of its overall 74,000 jobs, and Kaeser acknowledged it had no choice but to consolidate. He said NSN's restructuring was not a matter of requiring more money because it already had enough capital and liquidity.
NSN, in which Nokia holds 50 per cent plus a "golden share", is run from Finland by Indian executive Rajeev Suri, who has called 3,000 job cuts in Germany unavoidable. NSN staff in Germany have reacted with outrage.
NSN is cutting 20,500 of its overall 74,000 jobs, and Kaeser acknowledged it had no choice but to consolidate. He said NSN's restructuring was not a matter of requiring more money because it already had enough capital and liquidity.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
IT market, TCS
TCS pips Infy as the most valued IT company in India
Country's top software exporter TCS today toppled its main rival Infosys Technologies as the most valued IT company in the country.
Shares of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) rallied over 6 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange, taking its market capitalisation to Rs 1.62 lakh crore, higher by Rs 3,470 crore than Infosys' Rs 1.59 lakh crore valuation.
The Tata Group company TCS is now the fourth most valued company in the country. Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries is the most valued firm with market valuation of Rs 3.47 lakh crore as of today, followed by state-run ONGC and NTPC in that order. Infosys is at the fifth place in the top group.
TCS's over 24 per cent rise in April-June quarter profit at Rs 1,906 crore saw it shares surging on BSE. The counter closed up by a whopping 6.16 per cent, the highest among Sensex stocks.
Shares of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) rallied over 6 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange, taking its market capitalisation to Rs 1.62 lakh crore, higher by Rs 3,470 crore than Infosys' Rs 1.59 lakh crore valuation.
The Tata Group company TCS is now the fourth most valued company in the country. Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries is the most valued firm with market valuation of Rs 3.47 lakh crore as of today, followed by state-run ONGC and NTPC in that order. Infosys is at the fifth place in the top group.
TCS's over 24 per cent rise in April-June quarter profit at Rs 1,906 crore saw it shares surging on BSE. The counter closed up by a whopping 6.16 per cent, the highest among Sensex stocks.
TCS
TCS looks to generous variable pay to keep staff
The country’s biggest software exporter, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which competes with rivals Infosys Technologies and Wipro for talent, will bank on a generous quarterly variable pay linked to the company’s performance to retain talent, a senior executive said.
TCS battles rising employee churn as demand for IT services revives, and unlike Infosys and Wipro, does not have the benefit of Esops as a tool to retain employees. “We have the variable option, which we pay out at the end of the quarter. Last year, in three quarters, we paid more than 100%. Two quarters (Q2 and Q3), we gave out 150% and in the fourth quarter we gave 125% of the variable.
In the first quarter of 2010-11, we have given 100%, which is the full variable. That is one kind of lever that we have which peers don’t,” Ajoy Mukherjee, global head, (HR), TCS, told ET.
The Tata group firm does not have an Esop policy and instead compensates senior executives with higher pay. Last month, Infosys issued five equity shares to every employee and one more share for every year in the company to its lakh-plus staff to ring in its 30th anniversary.
TCS battles rising employee churn as demand for IT services revives, and unlike Infosys and Wipro, does not have the benefit of Esops as a tool to retain employees. “We have the variable option, which we pay out at the end of the quarter. Last year, in three quarters, we paid more than 100%. Two quarters (Q2 and Q3), we gave out 150% and in the fourth quarter we gave 125% of the variable.
In the first quarter of 2010-11, we have given 100%, which is the full variable. That is one kind of lever that we have which peers don’t,” Ajoy Mukherjee, global head, (HR), TCS, told ET.
The Tata group firm does not have an Esop policy and instead compensates senior executives with higher pay. Last month, Infosys issued five equity shares to every employee and one more share for every year in the company to its lakh-plus staff to ring in its 30th anniversary.
Friday, June 18, 2010
IT market, New Deals
MindTree bags UID deal to develop applications
Software services company MindTree on Thursday said it has bagged a multi-crore IT deal from the Nandan Nilekani-headed unique identification project (UID).
As part of the deal, MindTree will develop and maintain applications for the UID project, also known as Aadhaar, the company said in a statement. The exact financial details of the contract were not available. The application will capture and manage data from different sources.
As part of the deal, MindTree will develop and maintain applications for the UID project, also known as Aadhaar, the company said in a statement. The exact financial details of the contract were not available. The application will capture and manage data from different sources.
IT market
Capgemini buys UK-based company
Capgemini, the Paris-based information technology (IT) consulting, services and solutions provider, today announced that it had acquired all of UK-based Strategic Systems Solutions (SSS) to boost its presence in the capital markets sector and add new platforms in China and the Philippines.
Prior to the acquisition, Capgemini owned 49 per cent of SSS, and now it will fully integrate SSS with its capital markets unit. The acquisition will strengthen Capgemini’s presence in the capital markets sector and provide added strength in the Asia-Pacific region, with IT and BPO (business process outsourcing) platforms in the two countries.
It will reinforce its presence in Singapore. Capgemini has more than 23,300 employees in India. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in the United Kingdom (UK), SSS is recognised in the capital markets sector and employs 670 professionals across the UK, US, Singapore, China and the Philippines.
Prior to the acquisition, Capgemini owned 49 per cent of SSS, and now it will fully integrate SSS with its capital markets unit. The acquisition will strengthen Capgemini’s presence in the capital markets sector and provide added strength in the Asia-Pacific region, with IT and BPO (business process outsourcing) platforms in the two countries.
It will reinforce its presence in Singapore. Capgemini has more than 23,300 employees in India. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in the United Kingdom (UK), SSS is recognised in the capital markets sector and employs 670 professionals across the UK, US, Singapore, China and the Philippines.
CTS
Cognizant buys Paris-based Galileo Performance
Cognizant, a Nasdaq-listed information technology (IT), consulting, and business process outsourcing services company, today announced the acquisition of Galileo Performance, a Paris-based provider of IT-testing consulting services. The terms were not disclosed.
Galileo helps leading companies in France optimise and extend business performance through IT system measurement, management and testing. It will complement Cognizant’s fast-growing global testing practice, with its 10,000 testing professionals, while strengthening Cognizant’s existing business presence in France, according to Cognizant’s statement.
Galileo helps leading companies in France optimise and extend business performance through IT system measurement, management and testing. It will complement Cognizant’s fast-growing global testing practice, with its 10,000 testing professionals, while strengthening Cognizant’s existing business presence in France, according to Cognizant’s statement.
Infosys, IT market, new openings
Infosys to set up another centre in Tamil Nadu
Infosys Technologies, the country’s second-largest information technology (IT) services exporter, has approached the Tamil Nadu government for 200 acres of land near Chennai for setting up a development centre, according to a senior state government official. The Bangalore-based company confirmed talks with the state government representatives, but refused to comment further.
The official said Kris Gopalakrishnan, chief executive officer and managing director of Infosys Technologies, met Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday discussed on the company’s future expansion in the state.
The official said Kris Gopalakrishnan, chief executive officer and managing director of Infosys Technologies, met Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday discussed on the company’s future expansion in the state.
IT market, Satyam
Pay hikes for all Satyam staff next month
Information technology company Mahindra Satyam [ Get Quote ] (earlier known as Satyam Computer Services Limited) is likely to announce a pay hike for all its employees on July 1.
This, according to a top executive of the company, follows Mahindra Satyam's annual appraisal process 'ASPIRE', which begins in April and ends in June.
"It is progressing as scheduled," the executive said. The exercise applies to the entire 25,000 associates (as Satyam calls its employees) and will be communicated internally to the company's leaders on June 21.
While declining to share the final quantum of the salary revision, he said: "We haven't closed the loop internally, as yet. The pay hike will be announced on July 1.
"The company is also in the process of hiring 1,000-1,500 laterals (or experienced hands) in "sync with its growing business", said the executive.
"Recruitment of 3,000 freshers is now more or less concluded and the next thing we are going after is laterals, which is going as per the schedule.
"We will be having about 1,500 laterals on our rolls this quarter and the next quarter. Given the growth, we may continue to hire more in the coming quarters," said the executive.
Key leadership hiring in different pockets -- a few from other companies -- to beef up the company's sales efforts is currently on, he added.
Wins from new and existing customers continue across various continents from a multi-year contract with an auto major in Japan [ Images ] to government accounts in Singapore, from a global energy drink giant in Australia [ Images ] to a retail chain major in South Africa [ Images ] and from an electricity and water management authority in West Asia to major banking institutions in Europe.
Additional business from large customers in the US is also helping augment Mahindra Satyam's position in the market, he added.
This, according to a top executive of the company, follows Mahindra Satyam's annual appraisal process 'ASPIRE', which begins in April and ends in June.
"It is progressing as scheduled," the executive said. The exercise applies to the entire 25,000 associates (as Satyam calls its employees) and will be communicated internally to the company's leaders on June 21.
While declining to share the final quantum of the salary revision, he said: "We haven't closed the loop internally, as yet. The pay hike will be announced on July 1.
"The company is also in the process of hiring 1,000-1,500 laterals (or experienced hands) in "sync with its growing business", said the executive.
"Recruitment of 3,000 freshers is now more or less concluded and the next thing we are going after is laterals, which is going as per the schedule.
"We will be having about 1,500 laterals on our rolls this quarter and the next quarter. Given the growth, we may continue to hire more in the coming quarters," said the executive.
Key leadership hiring in different pockets -- a few from other companies -- to beef up the company's sales efforts is currently on, he added.
Wins from new and existing customers continue across various continents from a multi-year contract with an auto major in Japan [ Images ] to government accounts in Singapore, from a global energy drink giant in Australia [ Images ] to a retail chain major in South Africa [ Images ] and from an electricity and water management authority in West Asia to major banking institutions in Europe.
Additional business from large customers in the US is also helping augment Mahindra Satyam's position in the market, he added.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Cost cutting, Infosys, Layoffs in India
Experts' take on how India Inc handled layoffs
Mohandas Pai, DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES, INFOSYS:
You have to look at the layoffs within the context of the fear of a global financial crisis and an impending deep recession. After our annual performance appraisal last year, we let go of about 3% of people as compared to 1.5-2 %. In a good year, when people rank poorly, they tend to leave on their own. However, that wasn't the case last year as there weren't many jobs available. It was a gut-wrenching decision, but it had to be taken. We kept people on the bench for a longer time, and doubled our investment in training and education during the period. This year we are looking at hiring about 30,000 people.
Manish Sabharwal, CHAIRMAN, TEAMLEASE:
There is a new normal in the industry as companies are realising that they can do far more with less people. When the tide was high, hiring standards had gone low and companies had started converting variable costs into fixed costs. This resulted in low productivity which came back to bite them when things got bad. Companies are still not back to hiring the way they did in the past. Over the last few months when companies say that they have been hiring, it means that they are no longer firing people. The upside to all of this however is that companies are now focussed more on quality and the productivity of the employee.
Ganesh Shermon, PARTNER AND COUNTRY HEAD OF PEOPLE AND CHANGE PRACTICE, KMPG:
Companies often use the 'saving jobs' rationale to justify retrenchment. They say they are letting go of 500 people as a way of saving the remaining 3000 people. However, the way they have gone about doing this has left a lot to be desired. Many companies hired in the previous year based on predictions of growth, but it was a forward hedge that went wrong. Companies that fired people in a huff now find themselves in a situation where they have to go out and hire people at a far higher remuneration , and are still finding it difficult to attract the right kind of talent.
N S Rajan, PARTNER, NATIONAL HEAD & EMEIA LEADER - PEOPLE & ORGANISATION, ERNST & YOUNG:
When you are trying to save an organisation, there is a very fine line be tween whether you need to do something or not. When it comes to letting go of people, there are only certain situations, when the company is faced with bankruptcy or is restructuring to avoid going under, that layoffs deemed acceptable. There is a relatively simple quid pro quo between reducing the number of people and saving costs, but has deeper implications. As you slice layers from the organisation, you lose not only the individual, but also his collective years of experience within the organisation. The employer brand also needs to be safeguarded. Layoffs, done as a first resort without compassion, have a negative impact on employee engagement among the people who are still at the firm, often leading to the best talent leaving the organisation.
Source: EconomicTimes
You have to look at the layoffs within the context of the fear of a global financial crisis and an impending deep recession. After our annual performance appraisal last year, we let go of about 3% of people as compared to 1.5-2 %. In a good year, when people rank poorly, they tend to leave on their own. However, that wasn't the case last year as there weren't many jobs available. It was a gut-wrenching decision, but it had to be taken. We kept people on the bench for a longer time, and doubled our investment in training and education during the period. This year we are looking at hiring about 30,000 people.
Manish Sabharwal, CHAIRMAN, TEAMLEASE:
There is a new normal in the industry as companies are realising that they can do far more with less people. When the tide was high, hiring standards had gone low and companies had started converting variable costs into fixed costs. This resulted in low productivity which came back to bite them when things got bad. Companies are still not back to hiring the way they did in the past. Over the last few months when companies say that they have been hiring, it means that they are no longer firing people. The upside to all of this however is that companies are now focussed more on quality and the productivity of the employee.
Ganesh Shermon, PARTNER AND COUNTRY HEAD OF PEOPLE AND CHANGE PRACTICE, KMPG:
Companies often use the 'saving jobs' rationale to justify retrenchment. They say they are letting go of 500 people as a way of saving the remaining 3000 people. However, the way they have gone about doing this has left a lot to be desired. Many companies hired in the previous year based on predictions of growth, but it was a forward hedge that went wrong. Companies that fired people in a huff now find themselves in a situation where they have to go out and hire people at a far higher remuneration , and are still finding it difficult to attract the right kind of talent.
N S Rajan, PARTNER, NATIONAL HEAD & EMEIA LEADER - PEOPLE & ORGANISATION, ERNST & YOUNG:
When you are trying to save an organisation, there is a very fine line be tween whether you need to do something or not. When it comes to letting go of people, there are only certain situations, when the company is faced with bankruptcy or is restructuring to avoid going under, that layoffs deemed acceptable. There is a relatively simple quid pro quo between reducing the number of people and saving costs, but has deeper implications. As you slice layers from the organisation, you lose not only the individual, but also his collective years of experience within the organisation. The employer brand also needs to be safeguarded. Layoffs, done as a first resort without compassion, have a negative impact on employee engagement among the people who are still at the firm, often leading to the best talent leaving the organisation.
Source: EconomicTimes
Cost cutting, IT market
IT cos hire non-techies to cut costs
When Ishwar Prasad graduated from a Mysore college two years ago with specialisation in commerce, a career with one of India’s top three technology firms was nowhere on the agenda.
However, Prasad went on to do a six-month diploma in computer hardware management last year and is now helping some of the leading telecom companies in the world manage their computer desktops and other infrastructure, from a remote infrastructure management centre at the tech firm.
As tech firms automate their commoditised service offerings, they do not necessarily need engineers to perform all tasks. Instead, they are increasingly hiring non-engineering graduates such as Prasad for testing software applications and managing computer infrastructure of their clients in order to do more with fewer staff and at lower wages than computer engineers.
From nearly 10% of their current workforce, non-engineering graduates could account for nearly 20-25% of the staff at companies such as TCS, Wipro and HCL, over the next one to two years. Multinational rival Cognizant already has almost 20% of its global workforce who are non-engineering graduates.
Prasad is among thousands of non-engineering graduates being hired by companies such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, HCL and Infosys for performing highly automated tasks of software testing and computer infrastructure management with the help of user-friendly, readymade platforms that can serve multiple customers.
“In my hometown, working for Infosys or Wipro makes parents proud. I could have never got into such companies with a commerce degree, but now many of my relatives think I have made it big and become a software engineer,” says the 27-year-old.
Companies such as Wipro are already readying their strategies for shifting nearly 40% of software services to readymade templates that can serve additional customers without having to hire incremental staff.
“The prime impact of these delivery models is the asset-based view as opposed to a labour-based one, that is, less number of people for the same work and an increase in operating margins per employee, while simultaneously reducing capital expenditure for their clients. The impact on employee mix (those with a BE degree vis-a-vis non-BEs) will be there but will not be applicable for all technologies and domain areas,” said Saurabh Govil, senior vice president HR, Wipro Technologies.
For years, India’s $50-billion software exports industry has been hiring thousands of engineering graduates every year for writing software codes and processing back office tasks for top customers such as General Electric, Citibank and JP Morgan Chase. However, increasing wage inflation and rising attrition has forced them to seek ways to arrest linear growth.
However, Prasad went on to do a six-month diploma in computer hardware management last year and is now helping some of the leading telecom companies in the world manage their computer desktops and other infrastructure, from a remote infrastructure management centre at the tech firm.
As tech firms automate their commoditised service offerings, they do not necessarily need engineers to perform all tasks. Instead, they are increasingly hiring non-engineering graduates such as Prasad for testing software applications and managing computer infrastructure of their clients in order to do more with fewer staff and at lower wages than computer engineers.
From nearly 10% of their current workforce, non-engineering graduates could account for nearly 20-25% of the staff at companies such as TCS, Wipro and HCL, over the next one to two years. Multinational rival Cognizant already has almost 20% of its global workforce who are non-engineering graduates.
Prasad is among thousands of non-engineering graduates being hired by companies such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, HCL and Infosys for performing highly automated tasks of software testing and computer infrastructure management with the help of user-friendly, readymade platforms that can serve multiple customers.
“In my hometown, working for Infosys or Wipro makes parents proud. I could have never got into such companies with a commerce degree, but now many of my relatives think I have made it big and become a software engineer,” says the 27-year-old.
Companies such as Wipro are already readying their strategies for shifting nearly 40% of software services to readymade templates that can serve additional customers without having to hire incremental staff.
“The prime impact of these delivery models is the asset-based view as opposed to a labour-based one, that is, less number of people for the same work and an increase in operating margins per employee, while simultaneously reducing capital expenditure for their clients. The impact on employee mix (those with a BE degree vis-a-vis non-BEs) will be there but will not be applicable for all technologies and domain areas,” said Saurabh Govil, senior vice president HR, Wipro Technologies.
For years, India’s $50-billion software exports industry has been hiring thousands of engineering graduates every year for writing software codes and processing back office tasks for top customers such as General Electric, Citibank and JP Morgan Chase. However, increasing wage inflation and rising attrition has forced them to seek ways to arrest linear growth.
IT market, new openings
Intelenet to hire 7,000 in India
Leading BPO services provider Intelenet Global Services has said it plans to expand its footprint overseas and hire around 7,000 personnel in FY '11.
"The IT sector is expected to grow at 15-20 per cent and so is the BPO sector. With the US economy back on the recovery path, we expect double-digit growth as against four-seven per cent last fiscal. We are, hence, planning to expand our business and hire more people. We plan to hire 7,000 personnel across the country this year," Intelenet CEO Susir Kumar said.
Currently, Intelenet employs over 32,000 people across the globe at 35 delivery centers at strategic locations. It has a headcount of 18,000 in India.
Mumbai-based Intelenet, that operates its BPO arm under BSE-listed Sparsh BPO, also plans to open more offices overseas and is focussing on markets such as China, the Middle-East and South America.
"The emerging markets such as the Middle-East, China and Latin America have tremendous potential. We are planning to open a few offices there. Besides, we are also looking at expanding our domestic operations to Tier II and III towns," Kumar said.
He, however, refused to divulge details on how many offices it plans to open and the amount of investment to be made in fiscal 2010-11.
Intelenet, with a global turnover of $350 million, already has offices in the US, Poland, the Philippines, Mauritius, the UK and Australia, to cater to the needs of several Fortune 500 companies there.
The company, which provides BPO solutions on banking and financial services, travel, hospitality and telecom, has recently added manufacturing services to its portfolio. It has over 90 clients across these sectors.
"The IT sector is expected to grow at 15-20 per cent and so is the BPO sector. With the US economy back on the recovery path, we expect double-digit growth as against four-seven per cent last fiscal. We are, hence, planning to expand our business and hire more people. We plan to hire 7,000 personnel across the country this year," Intelenet CEO Susir Kumar said.
Currently, Intelenet employs over 32,000 people across the globe at 35 delivery centers at strategic locations. It has a headcount of 18,000 in India.
Mumbai-based Intelenet, that operates its BPO arm under BSE-listed Sparsh BPO, also plans to open more offices overseas and is focussing on markets such as China, the Middle-East and South America.
"The emerging markets such as the Middle-East, China and Latin America have tremendous potential. We are planning to open a few offices there. Besides, we are also looking at expanding our domestic operations to Tier II and III towns," Kumar said.
He, however, refused to divulge details on how many offices it plans to open and the amount of investment to be made in fiscal 2010-11.
Intelenet, with a global turnover of $350 million, already has offices in the US, Poland, the Philippines, Mauritius, the UK and Australia, to cater to the needs of several Fortune 500 companies there.
The company, which provides BPO solutions on banking and financial services, travel, hospitality and telecom, has recently added manufacturing services to its portfolio. It has over 90 clients across these sectors.
IT market, Outsourcing
Desi IT co bags $4.5 mn UAE contract
Software developer Valuemart Info Technologies bagged a $4.5-million (Rs 20 crore) contract from the UAE-based Supreme Software Technologies to develop a project help desk solution, the Bangalore IT firm said.
"The project help desk suite is an enterprise web-based solution for electronic monitoring of project-related processes. The solution helps an enterprise to track workflows of multiple projects and ensure their completion within timelines," Valuemart managing director C K Vasudevan said.
The company will execute the order within two years to facilitate Supreme Software manage multi-location project teams, including those working on offshore and onsite models.
"Supreme Software awarded the contract after we successfully demonstrated the functional aspects of the suite as a proof of concept. The deal will also enhance our ability to bid for high value projects and move up the value chain," Vasudevan said.
The 13-year-old Valuemart offers enterprise resource planning (ERP) and business process management solutions in diverse verticals such as manufacturing, banking, financial services, insurance and legal.
"The project help desk suite is an enterprise web-based solution for electronic monitoring of project-related processes. The solution helps an enterprise to track workflows of multiple projects and ensure their completion within timelines," Valuemart managing director C K Vasudevan said.
The company will execute the order within two years to facilitate Supreme Software manage multi-location project teams, including those working on offshore and onsite models.
"Supreme Software awarded the contract after we successfully demonstrated the functional aspects of the suite as a proof of concept. The deal will also enhance our ability to bid for high value projects and move up the value chain," Vasudevan said.
The 13-year-old Valuemart offers enterprise resource planning (ERP) and business process management solutions in diverse verticals such as manufacturing, banking, financial services, insurance and legal.
Cost cutting, IT market
Cost cutting helps Sony cut losses
Sony Corp reported a smaller loss than the company forecast, citing bigger-than-expected cost reductions and gains from its life insurance unit.
The net loss was 41 billion yen ($445 million) in the year ended March 31, narrower than the 70 billion yen the company had previously projected, Tokyo-based Sony said in a statement today. Sales were 7.21 trillion yen, or 1.2 percent lower than forecast, according to the statement.
The maker of Bravia televisions and Cyber-shot cameras has eliminated 20,000 jobs and shut factories to weather the global recession, which led to Sony’s first back-to-back annual loss since its listing half a century ago. Chief Executive Officer Howard Stringer is counting on a recovery in global demand for electronics to revive earnings growth this year.
Sony shares gained 0.7 percent to close at 3,080 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange before the company reported preliminary results. The stock has gained 15 percent this year, outperforming the benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average.
The net loss was 41 billion yen ($445 million) in the year ended March 31, narrower than the 70 billion yen the company had previously projected, Tokyo-based Sony said in a statement today. Sales were 7.21 trillion yen, or 1.2 percent lower than forecast, according to the statement.
The maker of Bravia televisions and Cyber-shot cameras has eliminated 20,000 jobs and shut factories to weather the global recession, which led to Sony’s first back-to-back annual loss since its listing half a century ago. Chief Executive Officer Howard Stringer is counting on a recovery in global demand for electronics to revive earnings growth this year.
Sony shares gained 0.7 percent to close at 3,080 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange before the company reported preliminary results. The stock has gained 15 percent this year, outperforming the benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average.
CTS, IT market
Cognizant promotes 15,000 globally
It's raining benefits at Cognizant! First, the company paid out about 200% bonus in March to a cross section of its employees. Now, the company is promoting about 15,000 of its associates globally who are below the 'manager' level.
The company has sent out letters of promotion to 15,000 employees on Friday that will take effect from May 1, 2010, sources said.
ToI has also learnt that this is just the first round of promotions and a second batch of promotions for people above the 'manager' level will happen in May. It is learnt that a sizeable chunk of the employees in that level are also likely to see themselves redesignated to a higher level. These employees would receive a fair chunk of pay hikes as well, sources added.
The company has 78,400 employees. This is the single largest number of promotions announced by any IT company in India this year. Last month, Infosys had announced promotions for 7,500 employees.
"This morning we announced global promotions for associates below the level of Manager. These promotions would be effective May 1, 2010. Cognizant's industry-leading growth over the past year has enabled promotion and career growth opportunities to a record number of employees," said Gordon Coburn, chief financial and operating officer, Cognizant in an e-mail.
Apart from the email, company officials remained tightlipped about any of the announcements including a hike in the salaries.
The company has sent out letters of promotion to 15,000 employees on Friday that will take effect from May 1, 2010, sources said.
ToI has also learnt that this is just the first round of promotions and a second batch of promotions for people above the 'manager' level will happen in May. It is learnt that a sizeable chunk of the employees in that level are also likely to see themselves redesignated to a higher level. These employees would receive a fair chunk of pay hikes as well, sources added.
The company has 78,400 employees. This is the single largest number of promotions announced by any IT company in India this year. Last month, Infosys had announced promotions for 7,500 employees.
"This morning we announced global promotions for associates below the level of Manager. These promotions would be effective May 1, 2010. Cognizant's industry-leading growth over the past year has enabled promotion and career growth opportunities to a record number of employees," said Gordon Coburn, chief financial and operating officer, Cognizant in an e-mail.
Apart from the email, company officials remained tightlipped about any of the announcements including a hike in the salaries.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Infosys, IT market
Infosys IT Inc's biggest paymaster in 2009
Unveiling plans to hire 30,000 persons this fiscal, IT bellwether Infosys today said it has paid $134 million (nearly Rs 600 crore) in salaries in 2009-10-the highest amount in the IT industry's history in India in a year.
Infosys HR head T V Mohandas Pai said the company has already made 19,000 campus offers for fiscal 2011.
Talking to reporters, he also said Infosys envisages recruiting 1,000 personnel each for its China and US offices and around 400 in Manila, he said. The company plans to induct 5,500-6,500 laterals, he added.
"There has been a large wage increase for middle and junior level employees. At the senior level, there has been a 10 per cent increase in wages. Overall, the average wage hike has been around 14-17 per cent," he said.
Nearly 7,500 persons were promoted by Infosys during the past year, out of whom 2,500 had been impacted by the company's new employee restructuring programme, called I-Race.
As per the restructuring programme, which aimed at fitting employees into roles they were prepared for, nearly 4,500 employees had been fitted in a role lower than what they were earlier fitted into. 0ut of these 4,500 personnel, 2,500 have now been promoted and the remaining 2,000 might be promoted in October.
Infosys HR head T V Mohandas Pai said the company has already made 19,000 campus offers for fiscal 2011.
Talking to reporters, he also said Infosys envisages recruiting 1,000 personnel each for its China and US offices and around 400 in Manila, he said. The company plans to induct 5,500-6,500 laterals, he added.
"There has been a large wage increase for middle and junior level employees. At the senior level, there has been a 10 per cent increase in wages. Overall, the average wage hike has been around 14-17 per cent," he said.
Nearly 7,500 persons were promoted by Infosys during the past year, out of whom 2,500 had been impacted by the company's new employee restructuring programme, called I-Race.
As per the restructuring programme, which aimed at fitting employees into roles they were prepared for, nearly 4,500 employees had been fitted in a role lower than what they were earlier fitted into. 0ut of these 4,500 personnel, 2,500 have now been promoted and the remaining 2,000 might be promoted in October.
IT market, new openings
Indian cos' hiring activity picks up 1.5 % in March
India Inc's hiring activity picked up 1.5 per cent in March, led by IT-enabled services, insurance and auto sectors, a report by job portal naukri.Com has said.
Job portal naukri.Com's monthly Job Speak survey reflected renewed optimism among recruiters, with the new job index moving up to 962 in March compared to 947 in February.
The portal takes into account not only the jobs posted online by its clients but also those made by them with the help of the website's tele-calling team.
"The hiring intentions of companies in most industry sectors seem to be moving in a positive direction as reflected by the consecutively upward moving Job index in the first quarter of 2010. It seems 'cautious optimism' among employers has given way to definite optimism," said Sumeet Singh, the National Head (Marketing and Communication) of Info Edge, which owns the website.
Hiring in ITeS and insurance sectors have seen maximum movement with the index moving up by 13 per cent and 15 per cent respectively in March over the last month.
Recruitment in auto sector moved up by 8 per cent and in pharma sector by 7 per cent in March, the report said.
Professionals in production, banking and HR also witnessed an increase in hiring by 8 to 12 per cent in March over February, the report said.
Overall, the index seems to be moving in a robust manner with hiring moving up across all industry verticals, functional areas and cities.
Among cities, Delhi have emerged as the most bullish on hiring, with the city-wise job index moving up 13 per cent over the last month.
Job portal naukri.Com's monthly Job Speak survey reflected renewed optimism among recruiters, with the new job index moving up to 962 in March compared to 947 in February.
The portal takes into account not only the jobs posted online by its clients but also those made by them with the help of the website's tele-calling team.
"The hiring intentions of companies in most industry sectors seem to be moving in a positive direction as reflected by the consecutively upward moving Job index in the first quarter of 2010. It seems 'cautious optimism' among employers has given way to definite optimism," said Sumeet Singh, the National Head (Marketing and Communication) of Info Edge, which owns the website.
Hiring in ITeS and insurance sectors have seen maximum movement with the index moving up by 13 per cent and 15 per cent respectively in March over the last month.
Recruitment in auto sector moved up by 8 per cent and in pharma sector by 7 per cent in March, the report said.
Professionals in production, banking and HR also witnessed an increase in hiring by 8 to 12 per cent in March over February, the report said.
Overall, the index seems to be moving in a robust manner with hiring moving up across all industry verticals, functional areas and cities.
Among cities, Delhi have emerged as the most bullish on hiring, with the city-wise job index moving up 13 per cent over the last month.
IT market, new openings
iGate to hire 500, eyes acquisitions
IT services company iGate said it will hire 500 professionals in the next two quarters to support its expanding operations.
"Most of the 500 people we plan to hire in over the next six months will be in India and some in Mexico and the US. They will be employed in both services in BPO areas," iGate CEO Phaneesh Murthy said.
The Nasdaq-listed company, which has been eyeing acquisitions in $30-70 million range for some time, is hopeful making it in 2010.
"We are aggressively pursuing it... We have $100 million cash on our balance sheet. We are eyeing acquisitions in $30-70 million range and we should finalise it in few months," he said. The company is looking at healthcare and financial BPO services.
There is a large pent-up demand... I think the bigger recovery is in the financial services," he said.
iGate said its net income more than doubled to $11.6 million for the January-March quarter compared to compared to $5 million registered in the same period last year, Murthy said.
Revenue was up 29 per cent at $57.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, compared to $44.8 million during the same period last year, he added.
iGate Chief Financial Officer Sujit Sircar said, "While we had an excellent performance in Q1 and expect revenues to grow, margins are likely to be under pressure due to increased hiring, rupee appreciation and wage inflation. Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments crossed the $100 million mark."
The company ended Q1 with 7,357 employees, a net addition of 447 employees during the quarter. Seven new customers were added by iGate during the quarter.
"Most of the 500 people we plan to hire in over the next six months will be in India and some in Mexico and the US. They will be employed in both services in BPO areas," iGate CEO Phaneesh Murthy said.
The Nasdaq-listed company, which has been eyeing acquisitions in $30-70 million range for some time, is hopeful making it in 2010.
"We are aggressively pursuing it... We have $100 million cash on our balance sheet. We are eyeing acquisitions in $30-70 million range and we should finalise it in few months," he said. The company is looking at healthcare and financial BPO services.
There is a large pent-up demand... I think the bigger recovery is in the financial services," he said.
iGate said its net income more than doubled to $11.6 million for the January-March quarter compared to compared to $5 million registered in the same period last year, Murthy said.
Revenue was up 29 per cent at $57.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, compared to $44.8 million during the same period last year, he added.
iGate Chief Financial Officer Sujit Sircar said, "While we had an excellent performance in Q1 and expect revenues to grow, margins are likely to be under pressure due to increased hiring, rupee appreciation and wage inflation. Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments crossed the $100 million mark."
The company ended Q1 with 7,357 employees, a net addition of 447 employees during the quarter. Seven new customers were added by iGate during the quarter.
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