'Like a strict school teacher': Sridhar Vembu explains the Indian consumer mindset
Indian consumers are known for being tough critics. Their high expectations and relentless demand for quality push companies to constantly improve. For businesses that survive this pressure, the payoff could be a strong foundation for global success.
Sridhar Vembu, co-founder and CEO of Zoho, recently compared the Indian market to a strict schoolteacher. He drew from his own experience under a particularly demanding educator during his middle school years.
Vembu recalled his time at Sacred Heart Middle School, where his teacher, Smt Parimala-ji, set exacting standards. She refused to accept anything less than excellence, pushing him to work harder. Decades later, he sees a similar dynamic in India’s business landscape.
Indian consumers are fiercely demanding, value-conscious, and quick to scrutinise products and services. Companies face thin profit margins, complex regulations, and relentless competition. Yet, those that adapt often emerge stronger and more competitive. Vembu acknowledged that India isn’t the only country with a tough domestic market. He pointed to Japan as another example where consumers hold businesses to high standards. Still, he expressed gratitude for the challenges in India, arguing they prepare companies for global expansion. The pressure doesn’t just come from consumers. Regulatory hurdles and compliance add to the complexity. But for businesses that navigate these obstacles, the reward is a hard-earned approval from Indian customers—and a proven ability to thrive elsewhere.
Companies that succeed in India often find themselves well-equipped for international markets. The relentless push from consumers and regulators forces them to refine their offerings and raise standards. For those that endure, the result is not just survival but a competitive edge on the global stage.
Read also:
- Federal Funding Supports Increase in Family Medicine Residency Program, Focusing on Rural Health Developments
- Potential Role of DHA in Shielding the Brain from Saturated Fats?
- Alternative Gentle Retinoid: Exploring Bakuchiol Salicylate for Sensitive Skin
- Hanoi initiates a trial program for rabies control, along with efforts to facilitate the transition from the dog and cat meat trade industry.
