94% Indian businesses plan to hire in 2013: survey

India Inc seems to be optimistic about their hiring intentions for 2013 as 94% of the businesses are planning to increase their headcount, according to a survey.

The survey conducted by workplace solutions provider Regus among more than 26,000 businesses in nearly 100 nations, including India, revealed that most of the recruitment is expected in sales and marketing segments.

The Regus global business confidence index for India stood at 137 points in April, suggesting a stable score. However, it has slipped four points since October 2012.

"...94% of Indian businesses are planning to increase or maintain headcount in 2013," the survey noted.

Globally, 85% of businesses surveyed are planning to increase or maintain their headcount in 2013.

The robust hiring intentions of Indian employers could be attributed to higher revenues and increased profit reported by the Indian companies in the past one year.

The survey noted that nearly two-fifths (39%) of businesses plan to increase headcount by more than 5%. Interestingly, 67% of respondents are planning to recruit employees in sales and marketing verticals and 49% in operational staff.

"....Companies feel it's the right time to go out there and sell. These results suggest that sales and marketing professional will be in high demand in the coming months," Regus Vice President (South Asia) Madhusudan Thakur said.

"Businesses need to consider how to recruit and retain the best in the field, ensuring they can remain competitive in their market," he added.

The survey said that 63% of Indian businesses has reported rise in revenues and 54% posted increased in profits over the past twelve-months.