Foreign Talents?

We are quite disappointed with the quality of the computer engineers from India. While I am not sure of what the rest of the folks in the industry think, must say most have pretty impressive resumes, deliberately crafted, sometimes deceptive. However, we observed that most seemingly lack the industry knowledge and/or hands-on experience to handle the practical aspects of things.

Nowadays, India look like a "factory" for mass production, with "assembly lines" chunking out large numbers of IT engineers to export overseas. Yes, they are cheaper to hire than our local chaps but when it comes to quality, we are often surprised by what we get.

Once, we are trying to install a software product on a Linux platform. We asked the developer, "What port does your program listen on?"

"Listen to port?", he replied, giving us a blank stare.

"If your program does not listen to a port, it is part of inetd?" we asked, because we want to more on the application flow.

"Inetd?"

We went on explaining to him how Internet services running on a Linux system, down to the concept of ports and sockets . This guy just cannot get it. We have to perform a "dissection" on his software to understand how his program works. Worst, he gave a lame excuse that the previous owner has not passed down the knowledge ... His manager of the same origns, is similarly clueless.

On another occasion, we are implementing Siebel CRM products at our customer site, the vendor sent down an impressive entourage of six "consultants". While I was on the system console, ready to install the software. Those six guys started poring over installation manual , crowding around me and looking over my shoulder.

"Ok, how do we proceed?" I asked.

Then they began, reading aloud from the manual the installation steps, discussing rowdily among themselves and suggesting what I should do next after every step. I got so fed up that I screwed them on the spot.

Why should we be engaging consultants, who come on site, stand behind you, read from the installation manual and ask you for advice instead of offering their professional services? We might as well read the installation guide ourselves.

To be fair, we expect foreign imports to the country to bring with them valuable experience and in-depth expertise. Because as a small business outfit, time is particularly precious, we cannot afford to become the training ground for these people. What appalling, it is not just the skills that is lacking, it is the fundamentals!!

No, we are not racists nor are we against our "foreign talent" policy. In fact, one of our founder is a local Indian. And we have worked with IT professionals from various nationalities and diverse background.

Perhaps, our friends from India has yet to realise the importance of good work ethics in business - a few rotten apples spoiling a whole barrel.