The Infosys Chairman, Mr K.V. Kamath, today said that turbulence in global markets is likely to provide a “win-win opportunity” for Indian IT players, since clients would be looking more at operational efficiency and productivity gains.
“The reason is that turbulence in our customer markets would mean our customers would seek even greater operational efficiency and productivity gains,” Mr Kamath told PTI in an interview.
“If Indian knowledge sector players can prove that they can partner in these areas, and deliver value, a win-win opportunity develops. I am reasonably sure this is going to happen,” he said.
A renowned banker Mr Kamath took over as Infosys Chairman in August from Mr N.R. Narayana Murthy, the company co-founder.
Noting that Infosys has a well-established and clearly defined processes, Mr Kamath said his role at the company would be, what is expected of an independent non-executive Board Chairman, namely governance oversight.
Mr Kamath is also a non-executive Chairman of ICICI Bank.
“As it happens, having been at the centre stage in driving technology in ICICI Bank through a period when large scale disruption of technology was taking place, gives one a rather unique insight,” he noted.
Professional team
Showering praise on his predecessor, Mr Kamath said that Mr Murthy proved that a professional team, driven by passion can create enormous value for all stakeholders while upholding the highest standards of governance.
“My role would be to take this forward. I do recognise that this is an enormous shift that is taking place, a transition after almost 30 years of iconic leadership,” Mr Kamath said.
According to him, Mr Murthy has left behind a value system that he created and nurtured throughout the organisation.
“This in addition to all else that he did, such as empower people, motivate them, create a process-driven company which can replicate and scale its business model,” he pointed out.
He noted that performance level has indeed to be measured at the individual level in addition to the team level.