S. Gopalakrishnan: What Drives Infosys Forward

Knowledge at Wharton

  • Nov 13, 2008
  • 23:35
  • Full Episode

In 1981, seven young entrepreneurs in Mumbai set out to create a global corporation from scratch. The company they founded, Bangalore-based Infosys Technologies, has become a US$4 billion information technology powerhouse, with more than 100,000 employees. "We focused on building a world-class company," said S. "Kris" Gopalakrishnan during a recent Wharton Leadership Lecture. Gopalakrishnan described what it took for him and his six co-founders to see their vision through, and how Infosys envisions its future in the IT sector.

Brief Summary

Gopalakrishnan discusses Infosys's vision, innovation strategies, competition, and the impact of the financial crisis on growth.

Key points

  • Vision for Infosys. The CEO emphasizes a consistent vision focused on respect and excellence in global markets.
  • Growth Amidst Crisis. Despite the financial crisis, Infosys aims for continued growth, projecting 13-15% this year.
  • Avoiding Layoffs. The CEO discusses the company's strategy to avoid layoffs despite economic pressures.
  • Emergence of Modern Corporations. Indian companies are leveraging global expertise to operate 24/7, transforming corporate structures.

Tension

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