How is the global economic meltdown affecting Bangalore IT companies? It’s difficult to decipher from the gung-ho coverage.
Saritha Rai of silicon.com strikes a discordant note on zdnet:
To survive the slowdown, outsourcing companies will have to learn to be thrifty.
The successful ones have already been doing this. At Wipro, legend has it that chairman Azim Premji would ask that toilet paper be rationed, and insist employees switch off lights and air conditioners when leaving a room.
In fact, Premji, one of India’s richest men by virtue of his share in Wipro, apparently practices frugality to the extent that he orders ‘by-two’ samosas in the office café. ‘By-two’ is a famous local habit, quickly adopted by newcomers, of splitting one order of anything (coffee to soup) between two people to save on costs.
Read the full article: India’s outsourcing bubble is bursting
Also read: Five reasons why India’s IT cookie could crumble
churumuri 
Premji has always used this technique for dramatic effort. Rumours of his alleged penny pinching ways have always been spread throughout the company: ‘Premji travels economy class’, ‘Premji does not stay in a suite in his five start hotel room’, ‘Premji doesnt order the most expensive drink in Bangalore Club’ etc. etc.
A good way to impress on the sweatshop labour that they should be frugal when it comes to company resources. And it makes sense since he holds most of his company stocks, and will be pocketing the difference…
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I am reminded of a funny incident related to by-two coffees. One of my friends who was used to ‘by-two” and ‘by-three’ coffees in Bengaluru, ordered a ‘by-two’ on a visit to Delhi. He got two full cups instead. When asked, the waiter replied that my friend had asked to ‘buy two’ coffees.
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These things are already in place for the last 7 years! No free lunch/snacks anymore (since 2001).. Salary hikes have not been crazy anyway. So, howz this reflecting current credit crisis or downturn?
Yes, these are certainly sober days..but to quote Azim Premzi’s by-two samosas is really cheap journalism..
ps: ..how many by-two samosas is he ordering per day?
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Do they serve by-two samosas? Just curious. By-two coffee, I can understand. But never heard of by-two samosas or Dosas. May be they do; I don’t know.
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Azim Premji for PM of the Country. He knows the meaning of economics which India needs at this point of time.
Let all secular individuals unite to elect Azim as the PM of India.
This will unite the Indian muslims under a secular banner.
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Hope they don’t resort to “By two” salary…
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Article against Azim Premji – per Amaresh Mishra this must be the work of CIA/Mossad/RSS/BJP!!
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@Srinidhi Hande,
good one :)
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By-two coffee is a very good culture – esp. if you are drinking it to ‘pass time’, ‘give company’, etc – good for health & pocket! I’m sure by-two IT salary is more than what ordinary people earn!
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Is it possible that this journo used to the spoils of the politicos press conferences was spited by half a samosa at Wipro ? Or was she dumped by an IT employee (the last sentence is full of it). :))
“And then the Bangalore workforce will go back to feeling like average tech workers instead of modern-day Maharajas.”
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I have spoken to three of my friends in Wipro, and all three have flatly denied that there is any rationing of Toilet Paper. At my specific insistence, they went to the toilets and checked personally. There are reams of toilet paper in every toilet.
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What ?!?! There are IT people other than NRN and there are IT companies other than Murthy-angadi ?!?!
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Use water if you dont have toilet paper!
ashte
:)
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when did Indians start using toilet paper in toilets??? eek!!!
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I am surprised to note that Wipro staff are using toilet papers to wipe their a**. This is not only unhygienic but anti indian tradition. Is it due to the scarcity of water that they have to resort to paper. I don’t think so. Why are BJP/RSS/Sangh Parivar are silent on this issue.
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If the ‘top of the pops’ US tech co Google, itself is cutting back on food,
http://valleywag.com/5054328/googlers-free+food-privileges-slashed
(saritha Rai, Read this article before commenting on Bangalore tech cos)
what could our sweat shops do but to ration things and hand over Rs 200 to the over-worked techie to take Vayu-Vajra to the airport, instead of the Meru Taxi.
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Initially toilet papers in IT companies were meant for foreign clientele and it was up to employees to use it or not.It is not unusual to suddenly find extra toilet paper, hand soap and napkins turning up in toilets during visits by foreign clientele. But news about rationing is definitely bogus.
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I am working in a foreign company(call centre) in bengaluru and i am surprised to hear about satyam people using paper. We have indian type payakane which are clean . Thanks to Churumuri for pointing this out. I will never shake hand with Satyam staff including ladies. Ashudda company
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@Indian Guy
Maybe Sangh Parivar is scared of backlash from Italian Parivar and Lal Salaam Parivar.
Couldn’t resist that..
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CurryHurry,
“”Maybe Sangh Parivar is scared of backlash from Italian Parivar and Lal Salaam Parivar.””
For that dont they have their street dogs to take the Italian and lal salaam parivars on???
Couldn’t resist that..
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@Naveen
The ones that stoned the police constables ? Tsk Tsk.. touchy huh ?
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Nice arguments on wiping vs washing. Makes interesting reading.
All businesses are constantly researching on cost cutting, not only IT. As for wiping and washing are concerned, i would say washing may turn out costlier as it is water intensive. Much research is needed on this subject before definite conclusions are formed
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bengalorian,
I am sure they have soap in satyam toilets. You know that people who use toilet paper wash their hands with soap and water right?
Where do they keep soap in your office paikhane anyway? Or maybe the satyam folks shouldnt be shaking your hands?
Just joking… :)
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