'People always flock to happening place'

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">The controversies and his unceremonious exit from Infosys have not dithered him. As the CEO of iGATE Global Solutions, an integrated consulting, technology and operations company, he is all set to give Infosys a run for its money. In an exclusive interview from Fremont, California, <span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Phaneesh Murthy</span> dismisses allegations of poaching from Infosys, speaks of his new venture.Excerpts:<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Q. Tell us about iGate. How did it happen to you?</span><br /><br />iGate was impressed with both the business model that we had put together and the management team that we had assembled in Quintant. So in June iGate approached us to see if we would be willing to merge the two companies. <br /><br />At first, our investors and we were in doubt but Ashok Trivedi (Co-Chairman and President, iGate Corporation) and Sunil Wadhawani (Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, iGate Corporation) sold us the dream and our investors felt that they could use the money in other projects. So, here we are.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Q. Is it just a company built on the legacy of Infosys or does it have an identity of its own?</span><br /><br />iGate is the first company that will have an integrated tech and operations. It is unique and will build its own place in history.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Q. How is it making an impact so soon. What is its USP?</span><br /><br />Good ideas and good business models are always sure to create an impact. iGate is at the right place at the right time. It is a happening company with attitude and will therefore attract the best talent, it will attract investors and customers.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Q. After having spent a long time in Infosys, how was it to start afresh?</span><br /><br />Starting in a different company is always different. It is a new and exciting challenge.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Q. Is iGate being projected as a threat to Infosys?</span><br /><br />iGate will be an effective competitor to any services company. If you build a good business model, companies will sit up and take notice.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Q. The Phaneesh factor seems to be haunting Infosys. In the space of less than a year, six Tier 1 Infosys executives have quit to work for you? </span><br /><br />People will always flock to a happening place to intellectually stimulating environments. People will work with others that they trust and that they feel they will benefit by working with. We have people from Accenture, KPMG, Infosys, Wipro, etc.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Q. Is iGate offering more than the undisputed Indian leader like Infosys. Or what is that iGate is offering which Infosys cannot.</span><br /><br />iGate is the first integrated tech and ops company - it is bound to create opportunities that no one else can. We are in the business of creating virtual enterprises and this is a complex and challenging task. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Q. How has life changed for Phaneesh Murthy after all the controversies both professionally and in personal life?</span><br /><br />This has been answered in some way in the previous questions.</div> </div>