The Cheap Indian Mentality Is Slowly Killing Us All

The Indian business landscape has long been marred by a mentality that values cheapness over quality. This mentality has not only affected the quality of products and services, but it has also hurt the reputation of Indian businesses both domestically and internationally.

Rajat

3/16/20233 min read

The Indian business landscape has long been marred by a mentality that values cheapness over quality. This mentality has not only affected the quality of products and services, but it has also hurt the reputation of Indian businesses both domestically and internationally.

First of all, let us establish the difference between being cheap and not being able to afford something. i.e., being poor. These two things are drastically different from each other. We are not talking about bargaining and negotiating either, negotiation & bargaining are skills. However, being cheap is an unreasonable and ill-mannered adamant behavior.

"The cheap Indian mentality" is often downplayed and deemphasized especially by Indian middle-class, lower middle-class, and lower class. It is quite surprising and sometimes shocking for the objective learners from all classes to witness such psychological conundrums at play.

The effects of the cheap Indian mentality in business are far-reaching. Domestically, it has resulted in a market flooded with low-quality products and services, making it difficult for consumers to find quality alternatives. Internationally, it has hurt the reputation of Indian businesses, making it difficult for them to compete with businesses from other countries that prioritize quality.

It is time for Indian businesses to break free from the cheap Indian mentality and start prioritizing quality. This will require a shift in mindset, with businesses focusing on long-term success over short-term gains. It will also require a willingness to invest in research and development, to innovate and create products and services that are truly world-class.

Firstly, many Indian businesses fail to invest in research and development, choosing instead to focus on cost-cutting measures. This has resulted in products and services that are often subpar, lacking the innovation and creativity that is necessary to stay ahead of the competition. This short-sighted approach has stifled growth and prevented many Indian businesses from reaching their full potential.

Secondly, the focus on short-term gains over long-term success has also contributed to the cheap Indian mentality in business. Many Indian businesses are content with making a quick profit, even if it means sacrificing the quality of their products and services. This has led to a cycle of mediocrity, with businesses content to produce low-quality products and services that are quickly replaced by even cheaper alternatives.

Finally, the general disregard for the value of quality has also played a role in the cheap Indian mentality in business. Many Indian consumers are willing to accept lower quality products and services in exchange for lower prices, perpetuating the cycle of cheapness in the market. This has made it difficult for businesses that prioritize quality to compete, as they are often unable to match the prices of their lower-quality competitors.

One must stop and think for a minute. How do we judge all other behavioral aspects and qualities of people? Simply put, if our actions are for benefit of others, they're generally considered good and if our actions are for the benefit of ourselves, they're generally considered selfish.

Being cheap therefore is logically and morally selfish. Especially because it disregards the value of something which is widely accepted by majority and being cheap means prioritizing our own self-interests over everyone else's.

The cheap Indian mentality in business has been perpetuated by a number of factors, including a lack of investment in research and development, a focus on short-term gains over long-term success, and a general disregard for the value of quality.

Only by prioritizing quality can Indian businesses hope to compete on the global stage and earn the respect they deserve. The time has come for Indian businesses to step up and embrace a new mentality, one that values quality above all else.

Let us know about your thoughts and views on the same. We've got a simple plan to solve this problem, which we'll explain in the upcoming blogs and newsletters. Peace.

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