Confident of growth, Cognizant will hire more in India and other markets: CEO

US-based Cognizant is confident of gaining the "bellwether" status in the IT sector as it bolsters its workforce across markets, including India, to meet the demands of clients that are investing increasingly on digital transformation, its chief executive has said. Playing down any concerns around slowdown in demand, Cognizant CEO Brian Humphries told PTI that companies across sectors are increasingly looking at IT services not as a choice but as a fuel for growing their overall business.

"It's important to recognise that services companies like ours, sometimes regardless of the market environment, are addressing the needs of customers that increasingly view IT as the business and not as a choice or cost centre," he added. Humphries, who took over the reins of the company earlier this year, said he has spent the past few months in marathon meetings with clients and employees.

"In the last few years, it has been said that we haven't reached our full potential, certainly relative to the heady heights of Cognizant's historical levels," he said. He, however, added that it was his firm belief that Cognizant -- which has about 2 lakh employees in India -- is a "fundamentally healthy company" that has all the ingredients to reach its potential again.

"...and that's what I and my leadership team have been focused on... trying to unlock the potential for Cognizant to once again be the bellwether of the industry. I think we've got a great strategy, we've got great talent, and now it's time for execution," he emphasised. Cognizant's revenue grew 3.4 per cent to USD 4.14 billion in the second quarter of 2019. For the July-September quarter, it expects revenue growth to be at 3.8-4.8 per cent in constant currency, while for the full year, the topline is forecast to grow by 3.9-4.9 per cent.

Asked if Cognizant was looking at job cuts and slower hiring, Humphries emphasised that there will be net addition in headcount. "...there will be job creation in Cognizant in the years to come in India and internationally. The real story of Cognizant is a growth story. Our goal is to get back to basics and to accelerate revenue growth...we will take in more freshers each year. In fact this year, we have more than 30 per cent increase, versus the prior year," he noted.

Humphries said the the company is also partnering leading universities in India to train the workforce on new-age technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things and cybersecurity. "In an organisation of 288,000, there will always be some reskilling, some re-balancing. But ultimately, I expect to have a net increase in headcount," he said.

On the opportunity in India, Humphries said the market should continue to grow rapidly for the company. "...we're exploring how we can accelerate our investments in India and our commercial success in India. Our business here's a few hundred million dollars in size per annum... there's an opportunity for us to accelerate our business here in India... India sits within what's called our global growth markets, and that business should certainly hope to grow 20-plus per cent on a year over year basis," he said.

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