The discussion revolves around the establishment and evolution of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India, focusing on their role in enterprise sales and tech adoption. Abhishek Jain, a veteran in the GCC space, shares his extensive experience in setting up and scaling GCCs across various industries. Establishing a GCC: Setting up a GCC involves defining a clear mission, vision, and strategy aligned with the parent company’s objectives. This alignment is crucial for gaining stakeholder support and ensuring long-term success. A robust governance model, involving representatives from business divisions and enabling functions, helps navigate challenges and ensures collective ownership. Challenges and Solutions: GCCs face several challenges, including balancing cost arbitrage with value creation, building competencies, and aligning with global stakeholders. Abhishek emphasizes the importance of hiring for attitude and future potential rather than just current skills. Employer branding plays a significant role in attracting and retaining talent, especially in a competitive market like India. Talent Acquisition and Retention: To retain talent, GCCs must focus on enriching job roles, providing clear career paths, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Employee engagement activities, such as hackathons and reverse mentoring, help create a sense of belonging and drive innovation. Addressing the issue of fake profiles involves assessing candidates’ problem-solving skills and consultative mindset during the hiring process. Tech Adoption and Innovation: Technology adoption is crucial for GCCs to move up the value chain. Collaborating with tech partners, startups, and research universities enables co-creation and knowledge sharing. Successful tech implementations, such as adopting Office 365 or transitioning to Microsoft Dynamics, demonstrate the impact of technology on business operations. Partnering with System Integrators: System integrators and agencies play a vital role in supporting GCCs, especially during the initial setup phase. Leveraging their expertise for specific projects and competency building is essential. However, the focus should be on co-creation and eventually building in-house capabilities through rebadging. Future Trends: The future of GCCs in India is promising, with a growing focus on R&D, innovation, and sustainability. Nano GCCs and the role of tier 2 cities in GCC setup are emerging trends. While tier 2 cities offer cost advantages and government incentives, they also present challenges related to talent acquisition and infrastructure. Building an Employer Brand: Building a strong employer brand involves showcasing the GCC’s tech consulting capabilities and success stories. Hackathons, innovation challenges, and sponsoring events help create buzz and attract talent. Companies like Nike have successfully positioned themselves as tech companies, highlighting the importance of employer branding. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Measuring the success of GCCs involves tracking KPIs related to growth, cost, employee turnover, engagement, and innovation. Continuous improvement initiatives, such as Kaizen, contribute to cost savings and efficiency gains. Career Advice for GCC Aspirants: Individuals aspiring to build a career in GCCs should focus on developing business acumen, a consultative mindset, and continuous learning. The ability to challenge the status quo, recommend solutions, and drive business conversations is highly valued in the GCC ecosystem.