Reliance Industries Ltd.

Reliance Industries, the petrochemicals giant, which is diversifying into many new sectors, has employed over 100 such short-term managers, some at the CXO level, some senior experts, many expatriates, and all highly-paid. They are being brought in to execute a business plan in the short term, build the second layer and move on. The company believes that there was a time when people use to join company and ultimately retire from the same company. But now people are moving away from that era and they prefer to switch after some intervals.

High-flying expat talent is willing to take on such short-term assignments for the sheer value of having India on their CVs and for the astronomical compensation packages built around such stints. The plan is being implemented across businesses - retail, 4G broadband and also for the core petrochemicals and oil and gas. Some people will be hired for pre-defined periods, and in some cases, there is an unspoken message that managers will be eased out when they outlive their utility.