New Delhi, Aug 24 (KNN)  Considering the large emerging workforce from small innovative companies, the industry should make every effort to provide services for the MSME sector to enhance their growth, said President Nasscom (National Association of Software and Services Companies), Som Mittal.

Speaking at the inauguration of the second FM Zone India Leadership Summit 2013 held here on August-22, he said the next round of industrial growth would be driven by SMEs. 

“Workplace reflects our personality.  It adds to our brand, our values and beliefs which clients observe.  Today there are new ways of how space is utilised and we need to cater to small companies,” Mittal said.

He reiterated that facility managers (FM) had a large portfolio of services which have to be aligned to the changing environment. 

“FMs play a key role.  They have to be innovative and creative to reflect the personality of an organisation.  They make a big impact on productivity and the profile of a firm.  While their role includes smoother functioning of utilities and efficient movement of workforce; their role has transitioned from being a mere service provider to that of a business enabler.

Observing that 90 per cent of work in the sector happens in six cities such as Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and NCR, he said the urban infrastructure in those six cities would not be able to handle additional growth.  Calling for infrastructure development in other parts of the country, he said there was a need for integrated townships in Tier II and II cities as well, also stating that the special economic zones were alive and kicking.

Meanwhile, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda, Ernest Rwamucyo said that there were plenty of opportunities for Indian SMEs to partner with or invest in business companies in Rwanda.

Talking of Indo-African linkages and their vision towards unprecedented growth by 2020, “We have huge infrastructure projects which can be tapped by businesses both in Rwanda and India,” he said. 
 
However, the Nasscom president mentioned four areas that needed increased focus.  While data security was vital for the industry, he pointed to safety of women.  According to him, women had the birth right of working at their choice of time and while work place safety was important, they should be allowed options of working from home, flexibility of hours and being closer to children.

Also, organisations should accommodate at least one per cent of differently abled personnel.  While ramps and special toilets are being made at public places, we should consider the visually and hearing impaired as well and see how we can provide equal opportunities for them.

He commended FMs for making the show go on and their 24 X 7 role not just in supporting a company but also in building a company.

The first leadership summit hosted in 2012 featured participation from LG Soft, Microland, Dell, TCS, Wipro, Infosys, Mphasis, Google, Yahoo!, Tavant, Oracle and many more. With over 500 participants, 20 sessions and panel discussions and 50 speakers, the event was pivotal in addressing issues about workplace safety, green technology, energy management and facility management.  (KNN/ES)