Bangalore: Infotech czar Azim Premji on December 9 exhorted Indian companies to think big, challenge constraints and always look upon optimising resources and keeping costs down, as if one is in a downturn.

While economic downturns and business cycles are an intrinsic part of any business, they hurt companies most when they are not prepared for them, Pemji said delivering the keynote address on 'Leadership in Challenging Times', as part of the 'India Workplace 2002 Conference'.

"Think big. Do not allow yourself to be stemmed by constraints. Challenge constraints. Many of these limitations are in our own mind. That is the first step to achieving leadership in your function.

"At the same time, a downturn teaches us many lessons and offers us many opportunities", the chairman of Wipro Limited said. "The key lesson we have learnt is that we must always look upon optimising resources and keeping costs down, as if we are in a downturn.

"There is no need to waste something because it is available in plenty. And in a downturn, this can actually determine the survival of the business," he added.

Emphasising the importance of utilising the best concepts available in building quality, he said if there is one factor that has changed significantly in recent times, it is the customer expectations.

"What leads to satisfaction today becomes a minimum expectation of the customer tomorrow," he told the two-day event aimed at providing insights on facility management and workplace development and a platform for delegates to interact with global workplace product and service providers.

PTI