How could William H Pickney acculturate himself in India?

Answer 1

If there is one thing William H. Pickney, Managing Director and CEO, Amway India has mastered during his seven year stay in India, it's the art of breaking the coconut in one go. He has had enough practice at the opening of every new branch office, and during the annual Diwali puja in office, which is an Indian followed religiously at Amway.

From wearing a kurta pyjama to eating local food, Pickney has taken to India and things Indian. Even his office has shades of Indian influence, including a bronze Ganesh statue. "My wife and I had always talked about an adventure, and to us, India was the ultimate adventure, " says Pickney.

The Pickney affair with India started in late 1997, when Amway sent them for a typical look-see, to decide whether they could contemplate living here for some two-odd years. They spent a week in Delhi just 'getting a feel for living in the capital city'.

"Before I came here, I had heard a lot of stories, and none of them were good." What didn't help matters was the number of vaccinations he had to take before coming to India; "I had never had as many shorts I my life before," says the only expat on the rols of the Rs. 600-crore Indian operations of Amway.

Cleanliness and health were two issues the Pickneys were concerned about. But, to their immense relief, it turned out be far better. "We have not taken any malaria pills in the last five years."

People were the first thing Pickney noticed on his arrival in India. "In Sydney, you don't find people on the roads just outside the city. Here, they are everywhere." What's impressed him most about Indian is the level of education, dedication and commitment, which he says is 'the best and the highest in the world'.

Professionally, the HR aspect of working in India has been most interesting, 'a learning curve' for him. "Coming out of the West, one used to giving direct feedback. But in India you have to be very careful about that. Constructive criticism has to be applied very carefully."

Another interesting observation he made was regarding performance appraisal. "People here equate hard work with high performance. Just because you spent as many hours, it does not make you a high achiever."

Pickney himself works almost every Sunday, if he is in town, and dislikes taking work home to his lovely house in the plush Sainik Farms locality in the outskirts of Delhi. While both husband and wife tend to stay in more, dining out with friends is one entertainment options available in India. He has got more Indian friends than expats, mostly people he met through business, like Kanwar Bhutani of Tupperware.

Both, however, try to find time to play golf at the ITC Golf Course in Gurgaon. It's a game Mrs. Pickney took up in India, since she found free time on hr hands for the first time in her life. A certified chartered Accountants, Mrs. Pickney used to run her own business in Australia. Some of that time has been used to learn to cook typical Indian fare, butter chicken, also palak. Rogan josh and dal makhani.

It's no wonder then that half their meals are Indian. They've adjusted to the spice factor in Indian Food. What was hot when they first came is nothing compared to hot today. "When was hot when they first came is nothing compared to hot today. "When we travel abroad, we really miss the spice."

After all this in India, they still find it striking that irrespective of which part of the country they are in, 'there's a positive spirit about people of India.' "People have hope, optimism, and are generally happy." The respect Indians have for their culture and beliefs is another factor that the Pickneys appreciate.

"Family ties are much stronger here, as is respect for elders and their wisdom. For instance, girls in our office who talk and dress in a Western way, have no problems accepting arranged marriages," says Pickney, whose daughter is getting married in Australia in November this year. Papa Pickney is planning to throw an Indian reception after the Autralian wedding, including traditional attire for the bride and the groom.

"Yet another occasion to break a coconut, Mr. Pickney?" we wonder.

Answer 2

If there is one thing William H. Pickney, Managing Director and CEO, Amway India has mastered during his seven year stay in India, it's the art of breaking the coconut in one go. He has had enough practice at the opening of every new branch office, and during the annual Diwali puja in office, which is an Indian followed religiously at Amway.

From wearing a kurta pyjama to eating local food, Pickney has taken to India and things Indian. Even his office has shades of Indian influence, including a bronze Ganesh statue. "My wife and I had always talked about an adventure, and to us, India was the ultimate adventure, " says Pickney.

The Pickney affair with India started in late 1997, when Amway sent them for a typical look-see, to decide whether they could contemplate living here for some two-odd years. They spent a week in Delhi just 'getting a feel for living in the capital city'.

"Before I came here, I had heard a lot of stories, and none of them were good." What didn't help matters was the number of vaccinations he had to take before coming to India; "I had never had as many shorts I my life before," says the only expat on the rols of the Rs. 600-crore Indian operations of Amway.

Cleanliness and health were two issues the Pickneys were concerned about. But, to their immense relief, it turned out be far better. "We have not taken any malaria pills in the last five years."

People were the first thing Pickney noticed on his arrival in India. "In Sydney, you don't find people on the roads just outside the city. Here, they are everywhere." What's impressed him most about Indian is the level of education, dedication and commitment, which he says is 'the best and the highest in the world'.

Professionally, the HR aspect of working in India has been most interesting, 'a learning curve' for him. "Coming out of the West, one used to giving direct feedback. But in India you have to be very careful about that. Constructive criticism has to be applied very carefully."

Another interesting observation he made was regarding performance appraisal. "People here equate hard work with high performance. Just because you spent as many hours, it does not make you a high achiever."

Pickney himself works almost every Sunday, if he is in town, and dislikes taking work home to his lovely house in the plush Sainik Farms locality in the outskirts of Delhi. While both husband and wife tend to stay in more, dining out with friends is one entertainment options available in India. He has got more Indian friends than expats, mostly people he met through business, like Kanwar Bhutani of Tupperware.

Both, however, try to find time to play Golf at the ITC Golf Course in Gurgaon. It's a game Mrs. Pickney took up in India, since she found free time on hr hands for the first time in her life. A certified chartered Accountants, Mrs. Pickney used to run her own business in Australia. Some of that time has been used to learn to cook typical Indian fare, butter chicken, also palak. Rogan josh and dal makhani.

It's no wonder then that half their meals are Indian. They've adjusted to the spice factor in Indian Food. What was hot when they first came is nothing compared to hot today. "When was hot when they first came is nothing compared to hot today. "When we travel abroad, we really miss the spice."

After all this in India, they still find it striking that irrespective of which part of the country they are in, 'there's a positive spirit about people of India.' "People have hope, optimism, and are generally happy." The respect Indians have for their culture and beliefs is another factor that the Pickneys appreciate.

"Family ties are much stronger here, as is respect for elders and their wisdom. For instance, girls in our office who talk and dress in a Western way, have no problems accepting arranged marriages," says Pickney, whose daughter is getting married in Australia in November this year. Papa Pickney is planning to throw an Indian reception after the Autralian wedding, including traditional attire for the bride and the groom.

"Yet another occasion to break a coconut, Mr. Pickney?" we wonder.