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For the first time in the history of the Muenchen Bharatham community; we hosted an exclusive e,meetup featuring Binoy Sasidharan; the co-founder of Munich’s authentic Kerala restaurant; Spice Route. This session, mediated by Krishna Mounika; went beyond culinary success to explore the mechanics of transition; specifically how an expert in Electronics and Communication Engineering and IT consulting engineered a new life and business in Germany..

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Engineering a Career in Germany

Binoy’s journey is a masterclass in professional adaptability. With an extensive background in IT transformation across India, Germany, and Canada; he eventually chose Germany as his permanent base. His primary motivation? Work,life balance. Binoy noted that while salaries in India are increasingly competitive; Germany offers a unique, strict segregation between professional and personal life that is rarely found elsewhere.

Key Advice for the German Job Market;

• The Probation Reality; Unlike the more relaxed approach sometimes found in India; the German six month probation period is a strict assessment of cultural and professional fit. Binoy recommends seeking weekly feedback during this time to ensure alignment with company expectations.
• The 70% Language Gap; While English,only jobs exist; they represent only about 30% of the market. Investing in German language skills is critical to accessing the remaining 70% of opportunities.
• Consulting vs. Industry; For those starting in IT; Binoy suggests beginning in consulting rather than industry roles to accelerate learning and gain broader market exposure.

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From IT Consulting to Spice Route

The transition into entrepreneurship was not an overnight leap. Binoy and his partner utilized a Cloud Kitchen model for nearly two years to validate their concept within the Munich Kerala community before investing in a physical location.

Building a Business in Munich;

• Financial Buffering; Binoy strongly advises entrepreneurs to have at least six months of operational costs buffered in their initial capital to survive the stabilization phase.
• Unique Selling Proposition; In a crowded market of generic Indian restaurants; Spice Route stands out by refusing to compromise on authentic spice levels or regional authenticity.
• The Paperwork Hurdle; Germany is a land of heavy regulation and taxation. Binoy’s top tip for any founder is to hire a professional accountant and lawyer immediately rather than attempting to manage complex paperwork alone.

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The Power of Mentorship

Throughout the session; Binoy emphasized that no one succeeds in a vacuum. He views mentorship as a circular process; acting as both a mentor to newcomers and a mentee to senior leaders. He encouraged the audience to break through any hesitation and actively network on platforms like LinkedIn and Xing; or by attending local career events.

“You grow by making others grow. Never be hesitant to reach out to a senior person to ask for support; they are often more willing to help than you think.” — Binoy Sasidharan

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Event Summary and Next Steps

The session concluded with a Rapid Fire round where Binoy chose Germany for his brain; referring to work,life balance; and India for his heart. Attendees like Sathya Moorthy and Nikhilesh Kola expressed deep gratitude for the transparent look into the challenges and triumphs of expat entrepreneurship.

What is next for the community?

• Monthly Meetups; Our president Ramakrishnan Pandiarajan plans to host monthly guests to help the community with career planning.

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