India Business Checklists: An Essential Guide to Doing Business »

Rupa K. Bose is an economist and consultant on international business. She has worked at Bank of America, Business International (now part of the Economist Group), Merrill Lynch and Paribas in the areas of finance, applied economist and equity research focused on Asia, particularly India.

Rupa has worked in India, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the US. She has published extensively and has presented on TV and radio programs. She is currently based in San Francisco assisting not-for-profit organizations. Rupa holds an honors degree in economics from Delhi University, and MBA degrees from the Indian Institute Management Ahmedabad as well as UCLA’s Anderson School.

India Business Checklists is directed toward professionals who are exploring the opportunity that the Indian economy can offer their business. It covers essential elements of doing business in India, from basic travel tips to various business and legal issues. Coverage includes health & safety, etiquette & expectations, market entry strategies, types of business entity, evaluating risk, choosing a location, distribution channels, HR issues, tax structures, the legal system, dealing with corruption and much more. Case studies from Coca Cola, Crocs, Audi, Vodafone, Amway & many others.

Acknowledgments.

India Boom Town!

Part 1: The Context.

1.1 Basic Facts.

1.2 History--You Don't Need Much But a Little Helps.

1.3 Political Background.

1.4 India’s Economy.

1.5 Why Everyone Talks of "Liberalization".

1.6 The Indian Government.

Part 2 Preparing for India.

2.1 Getting Started.

2.2 Planning Your India Trip.

2.3 Hotel Bookings.

2.4 Plan for All Seasons.

2.5 Getting Around in India.

2.6 Meetings and Entertaining.

2.7 Dealing with English Comprehension.

2.8 Etiquette and Expectations.

2.9 Food and Hospitality.

2.10 Dealing with Stereotyping and Prejudice.

2.11 Health and Safety.

2.12 Sensitivities.

2.13 Warnings from the Twice Shy.

Part 2 Entry to India.

3.1 Planning for India.

3.2 Market Entry Strategies.

3.3 Exporting to India.

3.4 Selecting an Agent.

3.5 Countertrade and Offsets.

3.6 A Presence in India.

3.7 Setting Up a Representative or Liaison Office.

3.8 An Indian Company.

3.9: Startup vs. Acquisition.

3.10 Business Connection.

3.11 Considering India as an Offshore Center.

3.12 Planning for an Offshore Operation.

3.13: Evaluating Risks in Outsourcing or Offshoring.

3.14 Selecting an Outsourcing Provider.

3.15 Managing an Offshoring Effort from Overseas.

3.16 Manufacturing in India.

3.17 Sourcing Products from India.

3.18 Choosing a Location.

3.18 Locating to an SEZ.

Part 4 Managing in India.

4.1 Understanding the Indian Market.

4.2 Surveying the Market --How Large is the Opportunity?

4.3 Accessing India's Rural Market.

4.4Advertising and Promotion.

4.5 The Special Case of Retail.

4.6 Distribution Channels.

4.7 Human Resources.

4.8 Labor Troubles, Retrenchment, and Dismissal.

4.9 Finding People.

4.10 Retaining Employees.

4.11 Managing Employees.

4.12 Expatriates, NRIs or Local Managers as Country Head?

4.13 Adjusting to India as an Expatriate.

4.14 Schooling for Expatriate Children.

4.15 Living in India-Logistical Issues.

4.16 The Problem of Premises.

4.17: Operating Against the Odds.

4.18: Taxes.

4.19 Overview of India’s Financial System.

4.20 The Legal System.

4.21 Intellectual Property Protection.

4.22 Issues with Corruption.

Appendices.

Acronyms You May Encounter.

Useful Addresses.

Additional Sources.

Index.