Robert Levering, co-founder of the Great Place to Work Institute, kicked off the Great Place to Work Seminar Series by flashing warning signs to Indian companies riding the BPO (business process outsourcing) crest.

"Increasing global competition means there is no safe harbour anywhere. Today you may be the recipient. Tomorrow it may be elsewhere,"  he said, adding that great places to work would be the ones who do not alter the stakes with their employees even in tough times.

• India and Outsourcing: Complete Coverage

Levering is in India to address three one-day seminars organised by talent management firm Grow Talent and business magazine, Businessworld.

Recounting his two-decade experience in ranking great places to work across 24 countries, Levering pointed out that great places to work often tend to be better financial performers and outperform market averages.

Levering stressed on the importance of 'trust' in building a great work environment and told the gathering of senior executives that building trust cannot be a flavour of the month for any company's management.

He added, "Trust requires openness and vulnerability. You do not trust people who live in ivory towers," hinting that top management must be ready to answer uncomfortable questions from employees below the line.