Comments on: There is a storm coming that will suck out our brains – are we ready?

By: Hira Khan

Hira Khan — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 08:50:35 +0000

I had an opportunity to work with exciting startups and i nerrate “his” thoughts

1. Infosys evaluated its Human Capital and put it in its balance sheet as well ! Infosys really evolved the thinking of considering its employees as human capital

2. Perks do cost extra! and at the end of day that cant be quantified and you cant boost off your take away with other friends. For a “collective” society like ours, lump sum salary is a good indicator-

3. Start-ups start sharing equity. My friend, who also runs at high-tech startup laughs at this. According to him
“Most of his Pakistani friends, want to join the running wagon and want to get hold of the equity, without really putting in efforts”.

As Osama mentioned, equity can be given to Employees for “high-risk” projects like social networking etc – I am not known to companies with stable cash flows.

In my experience, i have yet to come across someone who can put in 200% in return of an equity. I have seen many people doing this for a cash compensation:)

By: Osama A.

Osama A. — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 08:36:38 +0000

There was some news that Weblo was going to start a campaign in Pakistan to launch weblo locally — Im not sure if they were affected by the recent talk as well.

By: Osama A.

Osama A. — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 08:35:24 +0000

Salman, in principle these are valid points but there surprising employees refuse perks and demand pay – its been reported by MNCs offering 22inch monitors and “luxury cubes” as perks, and with employees in startups willing to offer equity. There was a great debate on TechLahore’s blog about it.

It is a matter of the perceived value of your product – your employees may be able to perceive the value if they have the experience to appreciate it.

From the startups where the employees are taking equity (other than Alchemy) most of them are working on social networking or you-tubesque projects… basically things that those employees would understand.

We have had a little trouble getting people to care about perks because our product is based on research that started back in the 1950′s and in behavioral trends.

Lets start by trying to convince someone that firms will pay higher salaries when they’re not doing anything interesting enough to be able to retain you. “How much of your salary are you willing to sacrifice today for the premium experience you are getting at our firm” – if you get candidates who understand that question then you know that you can hire that person

By: Salman Munir

Salman Munir — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 08:12:30 +0000

Hira, nice idea to monitor job trends on rozee. I came across a report on newspapers namely Dawn, Jang etc. by PU students, I’ll try to get hold of that report and share here.

On a Macro level, 2 incidents I have came across.

a) A US company having a very small foot print here was planning a major marketing drive right before the Emergency announcement and have tied up with numerous companies and some Govt. sector orgs. But due to the announcement they have to pull the plug, hence wasting there 1 year of effort. And no clue how ro go about continuing there presence and keeping up the BD drive.

Another company working for some clients in gulf having some potential clients coming in for Demo’s and meetings were coming in around the same time. Now, the companies BD staff have to fly to Dubai and setup everything from there. Costs $! Its going to cost them on-shoring rather than off-shoring.

Qazi, the miracle would be the following:
- Acknowledging Human Capital as an asset
- Better Managers hence no man-handling
- Pay rates are already at there peak, its time to bring in perks
- Start-ups start sharing with the employees

By: Hira Khan

Hira Khan — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 07:49:18 +0000

Qazi i do agree to your analysis on micro level, what are your thoughts on macro level to Pakistani IT industry. Any reports of delayed projects or impact on Pakistani IT industry. Do you have any insight to how offshoring ( which is primarily the major source of revenue ) will be impacted by the situation, especially the call centers.
May be “jobs trend on rozee.pk” can act as a proxy variable.

By: Qazi

Qazi — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 20:51:54 +0000

Well, this situation will act like a catalyst, friends i know who previously had no plans what so ever and even had family conditions which would make it almost impossible for them to move out otherwise, are planning to do so although for them previously it was almost impossible for them to even think about it. Lets pray we show them some miracles here to change their minds.

By: Hira Khan

Hira Khan — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:35:40 +0000

Lets see how the outsourcing industry is impacted through “Emergency Proclamation”. The immigration of telent was motivated for learning and money – With growing Pakistani IT and offshoring, the IT industry in Paksitan was able to attract and retain talented indivisuals – Lets see, how shock absorbant our infant IT industry is?

By: Osama A.

Osama A. — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 04:43:34 +0000

I guess recent events makes these predictions even more important to consider?

By: Qazi

Qazi — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:06:26 +0000

Jaywalker, thanks for sharing it really is a good guide

By: Qazi

Qazi — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:03:28 +0000

BitterTruth, the problem with PhDs in pakistan i have seen (and I have met few HEC phds) is that this is why they come to get this degree to teach and have a good life i have yet to see a PhD who would defy the comforts of teach ( a couple of hours lecture a day and sit in office rest of the time) and go do real research or work with an organization doing such thing.