-Courtesy of Fortune Magazine
Steve Jobs. Apple Computer's Permanent CEO sure has some wise things to share.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Quote of the Day.
-Courtesy of Fortune Magazine
Steve Jobs. Apple Computer's Permanent CEO sure has some wise things to share.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Start-up @ Singapore Awards Ceremony 2008!
Hi all, since it's the 3 months hols now for us folks at NUS, NTU and SMU, 3's here would like to wish all of you guys/gals out there a very happy holidays! For those doing internships (like yours truly here.) please have fun doing so, and have a meaningful learning experience.
Just a little something to fill up your schedule during the holidays:
See you guys there!
Just a little something to fill up your schedule during the holidays:
See you guys there!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Business of Innovation
Awesome podcast by CNBC! You ought to check this one out if you argue that innovation is the backbone of a startup company as well as the most essential component of its sustainability...
5 insightful episodes, bout an hour long for each episode... worth every minute of it...
5 insightful episodes, bout an hour long for each episode... worth every minute of it...
Monday, March 24, 2008
Quote Of The Day
“When the winds of change are blowing, some build shelters and others build windmills."
- A Chinese Proverb.
Saw this somewhere online today. The source of quotation can't be verified. Some say it's from the far east while some other said it's from a well-known American cartoon. Gee.
Anyways guess this sure shows the spirit of innovation, encompassed in what it means by entrepreneurship.
Just want to share.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Practice makes perfect ???
Take me a while to decide whether to share this fundamental with everyone of you out there.
I have been pondering for quite a while on the idea of starting another small business to re-define all our skills, business senses and to taste the fruits of "small-fry entrepreneurs" before we even dare to dream about tasting the real fruits of success.
Based on my previous business attempt with TL, TL and I felt that starting a small business would be the most viable option for the 3 to grasp a piece of the 3's grand plan and at the same time, to keep our heads on the ground until we are mature and expert enough. Seemingly uninteresting for most aspiring entrepreneurs out there, K did mention in his previous post to "Control the impatient monster". Anyway, we always hear the saying that PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.
But, the most troubling thought that has been disturbing me for the past few weeks is this:
Are entrepreneurs born? or made? (since this is the beginning of journey of the 3, this question need to be addressed.)
Pretty cliched sounding, but I believe that if the 3 is able to understand the implications of the answer to that hotly debated question at all times. We will be able to pick the most viable alternative for the sake of the 3 and its future companies, which includes our decision whether to go ahead with another small business plan to shape our characters and obtain more business skills.
After all, half of the entrepreneurs we know today, e.g. Henry Ford and Thomas A. Edison among many others, did fail literally thousand times before they succeed, while the other half, e.g. Larry Page and Bill Gates, did not fail as much as the previous group to materialize their dreams.
I have been pondering for quite a while on the idea of starting another small business to re-define all our skills, business senses and to taste the fruits of "small-fry entrepreneurs" before we even dare to dream about tasting the real fruits of success.
Based on my previous business attempt with TL, TL and I felt that starting a small business would be the most viable option for the 3 to grasp a piece of the 3's grand plan and at the same time, to keep our heads on the ground until we are mature and expert enough. Seemingly uninteresting for most aspiring entrepreneurs out there, K did mention in his previous post to "Control the impatient monster". Anyway, we always hear the saying that PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.
But, the most troubling thought that has been disturbing me for the past few weeks is this:
Are entrepreneurs born? or made? (since this is the beginning of journey of the 3, this question need to be addressed.)
Pretty cliched sounding, but I believe that if the 3 is able to understand the implications of the answer to that hotly debated question at all times. We will be able to pick the most viable alternative for the sake of the 3 and its future companies, which includes our decision whether to go ahead with another small business plan to shape our characters and obtain more business skills.
After all, half of the entrepreneurs we know today, e.g. Henry Ford and Thomas A. Edison among many others, did fail literally thousand times before they succeed, while the other half, e.g. Larry Page and Bill Gates, did not fail as much as the previous group to materialize their dreams.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Some Reports from the Geeky Side
The Technology section of the New York Times is a daily read for me. I have to admit that i have a penchant for things geeky and erm, gadgety. Anyway, would like to share this little piece of news i just read:
Talking about cell phones, it seems like China companies are really inspired by the cell phone industry in the US. (READ: iPhone) Ok, maybe pretty much the whole consumers electronics industry in the US. OK. Heck, China is copying everything from cars, TVs, chips and even maybe TV show.
While generally the so called clones are of sub standard quality than their intended originals, China is definitely picking up in terms of R&D in the recent years. This sort of reminds me of the Japan success story in the 70's. Japan took the long and arduous process in re-inventing its industry by progressing from imitator, manufacturer, designer and now innovator. And look where Japanese companies are standing now in the consumer electronics scene industry.
In so i believe, while now as we scoff at so-called cheap and lousy China products of today, don't forget they might well be the ones providing the world with cars that run on water one day. At the mean time, let us marvel at the craftsmanship of the supposedly iPhone clone.
Like you can tell the difference.
"The Zzzphone, a made-to-order cellphone, recently captured the imagination of the gadget crowd. But it remains to be seen whether it can live up to its promise."Pretty cool ain't it? A cell phone made to order. Imagine the kinds of junk you will like to dump into your phone. Everything but the kitchen sink? Whoa.
Source: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/technology/personaltech/21phone.html?em&ex=1203829200&en=dbd3c403b1e4b99d&ei=5087%0A
Talking about cell phones, it seems like China companies are really inspired by the cell phone industry in the US. (READ: iPhone) Ok, maybe pretty much the whole consumers electronics industry in the US. OK. Heck, China is copying everything from cars, TVs, chips and even maybe TV show.
While generally the so called clones are of sub standard quality than their intended originals, China is definitely picking up in terms of R&D in the recent years. This sort of reminds me of the Japan success story in the 70's. Japan took the long and arduous process in re-inventing its industry by progressing from imitator, manufacturer, designer and now innovator. And look where Japanese companies are standing now in the consumer electronics scene industry.
In so i believe, while now as we scoff at so-called cheap and lousy China products of today, don't forget they might well be the ones providing the world with cars that run on water one day. At the mean time, let us marvel at the craftsmanship of the supposedly iPhone clone.
Like you can tell the difference.
Friday, February 22, 2008
The begining of 3's
Life is short, isn't it?
In a glimpse, two months have passed for the year 2008. I am glad that they have been eventful. For aspiring members of the community who are aiming to start their own Pte Ltd, these months are critical. It marks the submission deadline of two major business plan competitions on this small, but promising island nation at the South of Peninsular Malaysia. So what do these months mean to the 3's? A hell lot...
Indeed, the 3's was formed out of the desire to begin their own company. Of course, it was forged not just out of common interests, but most importantly, friendship, trust and nights of kopi. The end result is, we are not joining the business plan competitions this year.
The 3's started of with big dreams and ideas. We looked at big market trends, global developments and technologies; we spoke to friends, professors and entrepreneurs. Night after night of brainstorming, research, debtates...All this done for a single objective: to ride on global trends and come out with a technology biz plan.
Tech plan, tech plan, tech plan... The two words have gradually become mantra. Why must it be tech plan?! Because it is what would win the competition. However, the more we research the more we realize: there are certain barriers that no ordinary undergraduate can overcome. Where are we going to find the technology? Create by ourselves or license from others. If we create, it will take light years, beyond our knowledge, and we don't have the luxury of enormous research fundings that our peers in MIT or Yale enjoy. Even if we successfully license or hire professionals to develop the tech, what else can the 3's contribute? Run the company? No experience. Continual product development? No expertise. Having a good idea itself (assuming that it is good) is just not sufficient.
Tech, tech, tech...with all due respect to other undergraduates who are reading this, but seriously, what level of technology or business experience can an undergraduate possess to pull out a good tech plan? The high level of tech and sophistication of tech business management seem to be beyond reach for undergraduates. Correct me if I am wrong, and I sincerely hope I am wrong. Reading through the Fortune, Financial Times, Business Weeks, young tech entrepreneurs are rare. When I said young, I meant college-age. Most young entrepreneurs are largely in F&B, retail; or they are genius; or they have parents with deep pocket. What then is the path to a tech biz for an average Joe?
As I crack my brains day after day to overcome these barriers, I came across a book: Entrepreneurs' Notebook, by Steven K Gold. The first chapter: RESPECT YOUR LIMITATIONS. I used to think that with hard work and ambition, we can take on the world. I still believe so, but more importantly, I believe that we have to be patient. Patience. Be patient to yourself and respect your current limitations, current. One step at a time. Control the impatient monster in you. May be tech biz should not be the first step. May be we should work as an intern in the industries first. May be we should start a small biz first to gain experience. May be...
To be honest, even till now, I still do not know what steps should be taken to achieve a tech startup. But one thing I do know, like mentioned in the book Good to Great by Jim Collins, do something you can be the best in, do something you enjoy, and do something that can make money. I have not found the exact path. But I am glad to have the other 2 pals in this journey of problem solving.
That's all for now.
In a glimpse, two months have passed for the year 2008. I am glad that they have been eventful. For aspiring members of the community who are aiming to start their own Pte Ltd, these months are critical. It marks the submission deadline of two major business plan competitions on this small, but promising island nation at the South of Peninsular Malaysia. So what do these months mean to the 3's? A hell lot...
Indeed, the 3's was formed out of the desire to begin their own company. Of course, it was forged not just out of common interests, but most importantly, friendship, trust and nights of kopi. The end result is, we are not joining the business plan competitions this year.
The 3's started of with big dreams and ideas. We looked at big market trends, global developments and technologies; we spoke to friends, professors and entrepreneurs. Night after night of brainstorming, research, debtates...All this done for a single objective: to ride on global trends and come out with a technology biz plan.
Tech plan, tech plan, tech plan... The two words have gradually become mantra. Why must it be tech plan?! Because it is what would win the competition. However, the more we research the more we realize: there are certain barriers that no ordinary undergraduate can overcome. Where are we going to find the technology? Create by ourselves or license from others. If we create, it will take light years, beyond our knowledge, and we don't have the luxury of enormous research fundings that our peers in MIT or Yale enjoy. Even if we successfully license or hire professionals to develop the tech, what else can the 3's contribute? Run the company? No experience. Continual product development? No expertise. Having a good idea itself (assuming that it is good) is just not sufficient.
Tech, tech, tech...with all due respect to other undergraduates who are reading this, but seriously, what level of technology or business experience can an undergraduate possess to pull out a good tech plan? The high level of tech and sophistication of tech business management seem to be beyond reach for undergraduates. Correct me if I am wrong, and I sincerely hope I am wrong. Reading through the Fortune, Financial Times, Business Weeks, young tech entrepreneurs are rare. When I said young, I meant college-age. Most young entrepreneurs are largely in F&B, retail; or they are genius; or they have parents with deep pocket. What then is the path to a tech biz for an average Joe?
As I crack my brains day after day to overcome these barriers, I came across a book: Entrepreneurs' Notebook, by Steven K Gold. The first chapter: RESPECT YOUR LIMITATIONS. I used to think that with hard work and ambition, we can take on the world. I still believe so, but more importantly, I believe that we have to be patient. Patience. Be patient to yourself and respect your current limitations, current. One step at a time. Control the impatient monster in you. May be tech biz should not be the first step. May be we should work as an intern in the industries first. May be we should start a small biz first to gain experience. May be...
To be honest, even till now, I still do not know what steps should be taken to achieve a tech startup. But one thing I do know, like mentioned in the book Good to Great by Jim Collins, do something you can be the best in, do something you enjoy, and do something that can make money. I have not found the exact path. But I am glad to have the other 2 pals in this journey of problem solving.
That's all for now.
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