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:

"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."

Source: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/technology/personaltech/21phone.html?em&ex=1203829200&en=dbd3c403b1e4b99d&ei=5087%0A

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.

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 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.

Entrepreneur-hard-ship

Looks like another late night for me.

Entrepreneurship seems to be the prevailing trend. A lot of bells and whistles. Definitely a welcoming tend i would say, as personally i feel that the entrepreneurship mindset is definitely a much needed agent of change in the globalised world today.

However instead of jumping onto the bandwagon, why not ask yourself, why entrepreneurship?

1. Prestige
2. Seems like the right thing to do.
3. Everyone is doing it.
4. Money $
5. Sheer passion.
6. Vision
7. ... *
8. All the above.

*The list does not exhaust here.

So? What is/are your reason(s)? Do feel free to post comments. Discussions welcome.

Hello world!

Hello World!

Presenting to you 3's a Company!

Basically this will be our virtual hangout, where we will be communicating our thoughts and ideas, and also share our experiences in our journey towards founding our own company.

Contributors include yours truly, Mechanical Engineering Yr 2 undergrad hailing from NUS, Kelvin who is also from NUS, a Business School undergrad + USP student (University Scholars Programme! Woot!) and Stanley from NTU, Chemical Engineering Yr2.

Heh. So let the chatting begin!

*Dozing off now. Will chat later. Happy Chinese New Year peeps. Ciao!

*And i will also prove you right, that engineers can't write.