Any economy growing at 7.8 percent (even through GFC Mark II) with a growing wealthy middle class, plus the emergence of national scale and global enterprises, would have to be the next big thing for ICT vendors.

The new paradigm for India is not that the country is the world’s largest IT outsource destination, although the figures for this is also staggering (figures …) and has major implications for ICT investors. The new paradigm for India is that it’s only just becoming rich enough to demand world class innovation, systems and people. Yes! In India now you will find a heady confidence about the future (unlike in Europe, Japan and America). And with an acute demand for communication technology, the time to get in is now.

“If you had the choice to invest in China 20 years ago or today, which would you choose? Probably your answer would be 20 years ago. Imagine the first mover advantage you would have if you started in China back then. India is today where China was 15-20 years ago, in terms of its scale, import demand, size and reach of enterprises and consumer discretionary income.”

So, my point here is that if India is not on your portfolio, here are five reasons to get moving.

1. Educated, English speaking business community
2. Deregulation and liberalising of industries
3. Openness to foreign investment
4. Growing middle class of 250 million+
5. Emerging second and third tier cities

Marcus G Valles is founder and CEO of Global India, connecting and launching start up companies on behalf of global investors in several Indian industries. He is also founder of Imagine India, a not for profit organisation that reaches the needy and underprivileged. Marcus is currently researching for his book, Billion Dollar India – Final Frontiers for Business and Mission, to be released in 2012.

Visit the Austrade website for ICT trends and opportunities, in India.

Most of these positions are not advertised and are instead offered through word of mouth referrals and the headhunting approach. So whilst it may appear to be quiet building up to Christmas on the job front, there is actually much activity happening around replacing existing under-performing sales teams.

Here’s what I recommend to the industry’s top 2% achievers in reassessing their careers options: make a list of three to six ideal technology companies you would love to work for, then speak to us or others who have connections to those companies.

Sometimes it can take up to six months to actually get a position, so the best thing is to start before Christmas to plan for a new job in 2012