The Hindu : V. Balaraman on Polaris board

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 11, 2002

Business

Business

V. Balaraman on Polaris board

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI JULY 10. Polaris Software today announced the induction of V. Balaraman, former Executive Director (Exports) of Hindustan Lever Ltd. (HLL), into its board.

In a statement, Arun Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of the company, said Mr. Balaraman's experience "will be of fundamental value in developing the brand positioning of the company". Polaris, in the meantime, is preparing itself for life post-OrbiTech merger with it. Polaris is seeking the assistance of independent consultants to help it draw up a comprehensive business plan and a product positioning strategy. The company is reported to have short-listed a couple of consultants to facilitate this task.

The two names are believed to be McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group. These moves are seen in the context of Polaris pining for stronger presence in the global village. Sources say these require the organisation to be redefined.

It may be recalled that the company, in the wake of OrbiTech merger announcement, had said that it had solicited the help of GrowTalent, an HR consultant, to address the issue of `people integration' in the post-merger entity.

Sources aver that the proposed business plan will also suggest the kind of corporate structure that the bloated Polaris will sport and define the organisational positions and responsibilities.

With OrbiTech products coming into its portfolio, Polaris, it is learnt, is also trying to get its product positioning strategy right. Floated by the Citi group, OribiTech largely satiated the needs of group clients — Citibank. Their positioning post-merger so as to have a larger client base may yet prove a daunting task for Polaris. The decision to seek a consultant's help and rope in Mr. Balaraman is clearly read against this backdrop.

Even in the midst of organisational churning, Polaris is also finalising its plans for entering the business process outsourcing (BPO) segment Harpal Dugal, who had joined the company after quitting Standard Chartered Bank, is expected to present an action plan for BPO foray by the end of the month. For the moment at least, Polaris has kept its option open. Its splash into the BPO segment, it is gathered, could be through a combination of modes — greenfield and acquisition.

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