My first initial thought was that this book would bash India and the other developing countries who are leading the way in (stealing American and European jobs) offshore outsourcing. This topic has become literally the hottest discussion topic in the IT field (and has been argued upon to death). The subtitle for this book, “52 Ways to Save Your Job” is really more appropriate for the book. I guess Fowler threw in India for shock value.

The first chapter of the book explains the author’s journey to India to create a “seed team” for offshore development. He looks to hire 25 initially with an ultimate goal of hiring 250. After the initial chapter the balance of the book focuses on the subtitle above. It is the balance of the book that has led me to share this book with my entire team at work. It describes in detail what I have been teaching my people for years now, its not about the hands-down work, it is about marketing, learning the business and selling yourself. Or, as our CIO puts it, being employable versus being employed.

The chapters I found most interesting are:

* Supply and Demand — you can/t compete on price
* Coding don’t cut it anymore — learning the business is what keeps your job, your job
* Love it or leave it — find your passion
* Understand business basics — this allows you to create value for yourself
* Mind reader — think ahead, think way ahead
* Marketing perceptions — perception is reality
* Being present — clients want to see you — this is something the offshore worker cannot provide (yes I know there is video conferencing but its not the same)
* Lead ‘em — lead the offshore workers
* Manage /em — manage the offshore workers

The only real criticism I have of this book is the title. This book provides valuable advice for those trying to chart a course in the software development business: The author’s choice of a humorous title could well dissuade people from giving the contents of this book the serious attention that it deserves.

Throughout this book there’s no attempt to “blame” foreign developers for “taking jobs away”. Fowler explains that the game has changed and that we’re all competing in a global marketplace. He states that it’s extremely arrogant to assume that someone can’t do a good job just because they’re from another country. Although offshore developers can compete on price and quality there are still many things we can do in the west to remain valuable. Much of the advice in this book could be described as “playing to our strengths”. That is, getting better at the those things that are best done locally. This book offers two kinds of practical advice: firstly advice that will help increase your awareness of the software skills market and then advice on practical ways to increase your competitiveness in that market.

Perhaps his most interesting comment is that there will be no room in the software business for people who are just here for the money. Fowler states that in the future being a successful developer will involve enough effort to drive out all but the genuinely enthusiastic. My Job Went to India is published by the pragmatic programmers and can be bought either from booksellers, or directly from their website either as a paperback or electronically as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file.