What are the marketing challenges of doing business in India? Can Finnish companies succeed in India? These and many other success factors were discussed at a joint India Breakfast for HAAGA-HELIA, Finpro and the Helsinki Chamber of Commerce at the Scandic Continental hotel on 2 December 2010. The event had about 40 participants and was organised by HAAGA-HELIA’s Porvoo international marketing students.

The event kicked off with an introduction to HAAGA-HELIA’s India programme by HAAGA-HELIA’s Asia programme head Jarmo Peltoniemi. This was followed by REACHLaw partner Jouni Honkavaara, who told about his company’s experiences when entering the Indian market. International marketing students Amandine Boccon-Doure and Daria Zhilkina gave a presentation of best practices shared by Finnish companies operating in India. The presentations were chaired by international marketing student Annika Kiander. 

During the discussion that ensued, the following tips emerged for companies interested in the Indian market:

• Acting –It’s good to just roll up your sleeves and start doing in India. Plans have the tendency to change along the way.
• Patience – It takes time to establish operations in India, often much longer than expected.
• Building trust – Personal contacts and networking are very important in India. Without them it is difficult to build the kind of trust you need to deepen business relationships.

India Business Breakfast belongs to HAAGA-HELIA’s Asia programme, which has the aim of improving Asia awareness and expertise among Finnish SMEs and HAAGA-HELIA students and teachers. The Asia programme to date has included five visits to India, interviews of 28 companies in both Finland and India, the publication of an India country manager’s handbook, as well as an India Business Seminar.

The Handbook, which was published in 2009, is as a practical guide for companies about to launch operations in India. This autumn students have prepared cases on Finnish companies already operating in India. The cases will be available to everyone on HAAGA-HELIA's India pages next spring (http://india.haaga-helia.fi).