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: As Google steps up its activities in India, Shailesh Rao, the new managing director who took charge in March this year, is busy building up both operations and sales. His focus has been on entering new strategic partnerships by building relations with both industry and government. The enthusiastic response has raised optimism of accelerating growth.
With degrees from premier US universities, including Wharton School and the Kellogg School of Management, Rao has been responsible for growing Google’s local search business globally and the rich experience will hold him in good stead in driving business to new highs. The initiatives to tap the mobile potential and services in local languages open new vistas. Rao spoke with FE’s Ninad D Sheth on Google’ India play. Excerpts:
What role does India play in Google’s overall strategy?
Google looks to India not just as a strategic market but also a place from where top talent can be harnessed to develop world-class software. For us, India is also important from the AdWords initiative viewpoint, which we believe can be taken forward with a focus at leveraging the larger market. As a strategic market, too, India figures as a priority for Google. The use of the Internet as well as access to computers is growing very quickly and, therefore, the market is reaching critical mass.
How many patents does Google have from its India workforce?
I cannot disclose that figure. However, in terms of software development, we see India as a strategic fit with our worldwide programme and a major thrust is in continuing to build a leading-edge team at our development centres here. Developing software is a key reason for Google to be present in India.
Could you elaborate on the AdWords strategy for India? What are the numbers in terms of revenues for Google from AdWords in India?
I cannot share revenues with you at this stage. In India, per capita advertisement expenditure is still very low. The Indian advertiser typically is a value-for-money advertiser. With the measurability offered by AdWords there is a fit here with the spending culture. The real big challenge is to take AdWords to small & medium enterprises across India. Both for Internet advertising in general and growth in Google revenues in particular, it is important for Google in India to go beyond big advertisers. This is the biggest challenge for Google—to attract the small and medium enterprise to AdWords and let them experience its value...
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