Tom H. C. Anderson - Next Gen Market Research

Do We Need to Understand More About Indian Culture?

Having traveled and lived abroad as much as I have, and also having conducted so many research projects globally, I feel I know quite a bit about various cultures, religions and politics around the world. Still I was surprised by a small article in yesterdays’ local paper and realized I don’t know enough about Indian culture.

Though mentioned in the news now and then, it seems separation of church and state is more or less taken for granted here in the US and most of Europe. I realized I have never heard much about the issue in India. Anyway, apparently an Indian business school just named a Hindu monkey god “Hanuman” as its chairman!

The position comes with an incense-filled office, a desk and a laptop computer. Four chairs will be placed facing the empty seat reserved for the holy chairman, but all visitors must enter the office barefoot.

According to the Schools Vice Chairman, Vivek Kangdi, “When we were looking for a chairman for our institution, we scanned many big names in the field of technology and management. Ultimately, we settled for Lord Hanuman, as none was bigger than him,”

Curious why this got so much media attention? Also wondering if we need to learn more about Indian culture? [Obviously a lot of us in market research off-shore to India, I've done so in the past myself a few years ago (more on that in another post). India it also going to be the worlds largest country/market soon.]

-Tom

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