Going Native

Going Native-

If only a person's air plane ticket showed the reason for travel. A prestigious job offer? Higher pay? Chance to see the world? Learn about one's inner soul?

For Joel Dunand, at the ripe age of 26, the reason for travel was an exploration and discovery of the land of India. After finishing a degree in Information and Communication Management Joel wished to do an internship. With China and India as his two destination options, India won. "India seemed to be exciting with a very special culture and a clear connections to the western world," Joel recalls. What kept him here was something different.

After all his internship applications were rejected, Joel purchased a ticket to Indian anyway.

Chennai was his city of choice, for the mere reason Joel had heard it was the "new Bengaluroo." As Joel arrived to Chennai, without knowing anyone, I got stung by a very liberating feeling that this was a step into a New World."

It was through his own experience of apartment hunting that Joel found his place in the city. "On my arrival to Chennai I thought I was going to need only one night at a hotel before finding my own place, however, the comparison between what I was promised and the truth about the flats I was showed was dreadful."

Finding the best ad from the Hindu, Joel negotiated the deposit down to 3 months, and signed a contract for 6 months. Celebrating for his first deal was with his landlord from Kerala, a local Real Estate broker in desperate need for a web designer. Joel's was able to assisted. "The website was ready 10 days later and my friend Martin Osterloh, myself and our landlord Mr. Nambiar decided to be business partners."

After just two months of hard work the first customer found a flat. Interestingly enough, the customer was a Norwegian by whom Joel had earlier applied for an internship with. "He still had my CVs on his desk." What Joel quickly realized that he could accomplish anything with sweat, tears and staying power in this country.

As Joel now finds himself as more than a new edition to Chennai he notices deep beliefs in religions, ongoing festivals, and an interest in everything which is new. "What I found very important is the deep intelligence of the Indian people." Joel most respects Indian's immense interest in other cultures: interested in how it is to live in other countries and their constant openness for the opposite opinion.

This years Diwali festival was very special for Joel. Calling his local network of friends from countries such as France, Germany, India and USA, they all came together and cooked their native meals and shared it around a big table. A firecracker show for dessert. "I believe that, as a non-Indian, you have to find your own way of celebrating the Indian festivals."

When comparing Germany to India, Joel expresses that Germany is saturated and does not hold many doors open for new things. "India on the other hand is developing and this is the place where I can realize my dreams. The magic of India is that somehow everything works. At times you need to be patient and wait for quite some time but as long as you are open and honest an Indian will never forget about you. Help is always around the corner." Joel now realizes that unlike the western world, criticism is scarce in India. The ears are instead wide open and when one has any new ideas there are always many business people who say that it would be exciting to jump on board.

"India is currently the place to be. India is electronized. India manages to change between tradition and modernism and is open for new influences and ideas."

When asked how he would answer the posed question, " Why are you in India?" he would answer, "Why the hell are you not here?"

Joel realizes that business is done differently in India. His first observation was that in India everything is dealt with on a very personal level and that it is unbelievably important to meet partners and customers face to face and to establish a good relationship. "I like this kind of business culture, and we have forgotten about the existence of it in Europe." Joel explains that "in Europe we endeavor efficiency but I believe that we often miss out on opportunities since we do not sit down to discuss plans together." Many of Joel's ideas have emerged through conversations and discussions and many of his problems have been solved when seeing a business partner, who many times has had the same problem before.

The key to his success is the ability to communicate and understand the local people of Chennai. It would be impossible to penetrate the cities tightly nit real estate industry without making solid friend and associates.

Today Mr. Swaminathan, CEO of the Swathi Group, is Joel's new business partner. With his 40 years in business he perfectly advises and supports Joel. Today the business is called IGEPS Consultancy and works with an international clientèle with in the local Chennai Real Estate market.