What will it prove if NRN succeeds in his second stint with Infosys

Majority of the Infosys employees have breathed a sigh of relief at the news. While the actual outcome of this move is to be seen in times to come; it has brightened the moods like the pre monsoon showers in Bangalore. We live in an era of instant gratification. Eggs are counted before they are hatched. It is not very difficult to imagine that Infosys stocks will reach highs in coming week (unless and until counter balancing news of some US federal rulings about visa usage irregularity by India based Software service providers hit the news headline).

NRN’s return to Infosys draws comparison with some other famous comebacks like that of Steve Jobs to Apple or Pele’s return to Brazil’s national squad for 1970 world cup though he had announced retirement post 1966 world cup. The 7.5 Billion Dollar question is; “Will he be equally successful at that?”

There are critics and skeptics within and without the organization. I have heard the arguments that success of Infosys can also be attributed a large extent to the timing rather than the pure brilliance and talent of founders. TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Satyam, HCL, Mahindra BT; almost every India based IT companies grew handsomely in the first 25 years of their existence (1980 – 2005 era). Government showered the IT industry with ample tax holidays, there was no backlash in US, Europe for outsourcing jobs; recession was yet to hit West in the way it has been hitting in the recent times.  There was untapped market and Indian companies reaped the first arriver’s award. The test of the true mettle is going to be the next 25 years (2006 – 2030). What attributes have got the Indian companies to this status in last 25 years doesn’t guarantee the same trajectory in next 25 years. Everyone needs to reinvent, adapt and innovate to avoid dinosaurs’ fate.

Irrespective of the changed industry dynamics; NRN as an individual, commands respect. He is and will remain one of most admired entrepreneurs in India. He has led by example when it comes to imbibing the values of sharing credit, sharing fortune, not letting success get into the head, non-attachment to position of power, building successors, leading a controversy free life and what could be loosely termed as compassionate capitalism. He put his integrity and transparency above everything else. Some values that have really defined the character of the company, Infosys. One can only admire the decisions of Infosys like not bidding for any work for National UID scheme launched by Government of India when Nandan was chosen to lead the project; or not to make any attempt to gobble any of the assignments being executed by Satyam when it went bust.

It pains me to see that a man has been forced out of his well-earned retirement as the successors faltered. He is 67 years old now and has taken up the role for next 5 years! Perhaps it is not a burden for him as I see it. After all Infosys has been his middle baby. I wish him good luck as I wait and watch out for his magic touching my life one more time. J