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.