Flush with success after crossing $1 billion in India revenue for the first time in 20 years, networking major Cisco has embarked on Project IndiaG (G = Growth) to more than double its India revenue over the next three-five years.
The project sets out an ambitious target for its sales team to achieve $2 billion in revenue by FY 2018 and $5 billion in revenue by FY 2020, revealed sources who wished to remain anonymous.
To achieve these targets, Dinesh Malkani, President Cisco India and SAARC, and his team will focus on deeper engagements with key industry verticals such as e-commerce, education, manufacturing, energy, hospitality; widen the company’s geographic reach; mine existing customer accounts to increase order value and drive solutions-led sales.
The India team also plans to focus on garnering a large chunk of business from mega projects such as Digital India, National Broadband Network and Defence modernisation.
“Cisco is looking to capitalise on a $2-billion opportunity over the next few years from country transformation projects. These include, smart cities, e-governance and citizen services, mobility, public safety, IoT, broadband access, Defence modernisation, community Wi-Fi, among others. Cisco is attempting to deliver hyper growth in revenue by aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India and other nation-building initiatives as well as by harnessing the power of IoT to accelerate mega transformation projects,” one of the sources said. In March, the company set up a Cisco India Advisory Board comprising five industry leaders to advise the India leadership team on strategic matters and help the company tap new business opportunities in Digital India. The advisory board will also counsel Cisco executives on future investments and guide the company in addressing customer business priorities.
Cisco’s India revenues have been growing at a steady clip; at 6 per cent, 11 per cent, 6 per cent and 5 per cent in Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 of FY 2015 (August – July). Sources said with additional investment, Cisco India can accelerate growth to generate $1.2 billion in additional revenue over the next three years.