The FINANCIAL — CEOs and top executives of several top tier American companies with Indian investments were at the Indian School of Business (ISB) recently, as part of an Executive Mission from the US India Business Council (USIBC).
The USIBC is the premier business advocacy group representing America’s top companies with Indian investments and global Indian companies. The USIBC was established in 1975 with the support of the US Chamber of Commerce, to promote business ties between the two countries.
John Deere, GE Security, PepsiCo, McLarty Associates, Mahyco Monsanto Biotech, Nenko Advisors, Nichani Holdings LLC, Savani Farms, Weston Solutions and Boeing were the companies represented at the mission.
Dr Ian Thomas, President, Boeing India and Ron Somers, President, USIBC led the mission. After they were given a tour of the campus by Deputy Dean Ajit Rangnekar, the group interacted with the students.
Somers talked about the establishment of the USIBC and its current role. He mentioned that he had lived in India for 12 years. “I learned about cricket and Indian politics – two great hobbies to have,” he said. He encouraged the ISB to take advantage of the USIBC’s membership of 300 US companies and 20 Indian companies. “At the same time, let us hear from you,” he added, because you are the future.” One of the USIBC members, Bhaskar Savani, President & CEO, Savani Farms talked about introducing mangoes in the US. “Seventy percent of Americans did not know what a mango related item is, so I saw an opportunity,”he said. “Now you can go to a Starbucks and see a mango related item there.”
Somers and the rest of the mission answered questions from the students on a wide range of topics, including outsourcing, farm to retail, crop insurance and the US economic crisis. Deputy Dean Rangnekar concluded the event, saying that the ISB and USIBC shared a lot of the same values. “We as a school are focussed on those values – inclusive growth, micro finance, crop insurance, education, healthcare, affordable housing and the environment,” he said. Dr Thomas later talked to the students about Boeing and the aerospace industry. The talk was hosted by the General Management Club.
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