Saturday, May 29, 2010
Google | The World's Biggest Internet Search Company
Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1995 and its mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Google’s business Model is based on the four functions namely SEARCH – ADS – APPS – MOBILE as shown from the video above.
In this post, we will analyze the three current issues or threats that Google is currently facing or might be facing in the future which would threaten its position.
TOP ON THE LIST - ANTI-TRUST REGULATION
Google, the largest advertising agency, ad network, search engine, online videos and web email provider, has raised discussions regarding anti-trust issues of its dominating position in many industries.
Microsoft argued that Mozilla’s Firefox derives bulk of its revenue from driving Web traffic to Google’s search engine and also the possibility of having Google Chrome OS on Windows PCs, would lead to an overall domination of Google in search advertising. Microsoft further added that Google Books tend to lock in business partners and content, and exclude competitors, thereby undermining competition. Recently, Gary Reback, who almost single-handedly brought the antitrust regulation on Microsoft, is now contending Google to air the Foundem couple’s complaint that Google’s “objective” algorithms search that dropped Foundem intentionally in Google’s search results. Also FTC is enquiring the antitrust implications of the ties between the boards of Google and Apple, sharing of director. To make things worse, the privacy issue from Wi-Fi sniffing further aggravated the mistrust between Google and federal regulators.
With all the above mentioned issues, the federal government is examining Google’s acquisitions and actions in closer details and this would, from my opinion dampened Google’s sustainability and more so on its further expansion as they would have to be more careful before making a move. Failure to do so would result in monetary and reputation loss which will drastically affects Google’s competitive advantage, and a direct loss in market share.
SECOND ON THE LIST – THE RISE OF THE MOBILE INTERNET
Google has succeeded in becoming leader for web navigation which is also the most popular type of web navigation, namely search. However, with the introduction of mobile internet, coupled with Apple's early dominance in this market, the concept of web search is truly threatened for the first time. The smartphones — especially the iPhone with so many specialized apps (Yelp iPhone app to search for local restaurants, Linkedin app for quick people search etc) and no qwerty keyboard compel consumers not to used Google in searching information. However, even smartphone with full qwerty keyboard like BlackBerry, typing is still far slower than pointing, scrolling, and selecting apps. The convenience provided by iPhone might lead to behaviour habit of users reaching for the smartphone instead of the laptop in search for information, would reduce the number of people using Google’s search engine. However, the main issue currently face is the difficulty of finding the right app one amongst so many apps. This issue is definitely not a showstopper and it is a matter of time when an appropriate solution is introduced. Thereafter, the smartphones industry would become the most widespread global computing platform and maybe this is the main reason behind Google’s efforts in making Android successful with the strengths of AdMob.
LAST ON THE LIST – TOO MANY DIFFERENT MARKETS?
Without any doubts, Google is definitely the leader in search. However, Google in trying to achieve its mission of organizing the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful has led it to a diverse range of products which inevitably create a whole new set of competitors across the digital media and technological spectrum. In fact, Google is into so many businesses that it is hard to track all of them. Below is a summary of Google’s possible competitors (not an exhaustive list) and their corresponding products.
Apple – Smartphone (iPhone), online music (iTunes), Browser (Safari)
Google – Google Android, MySpace and Pandora, Google Chrome
Microsoft – Brower (Bing)
Google – Google Chrome
Amazon – e-book store, Amazon’s Elastic Computing Cloud (EC2)
Google – Google Book, Google’s Apps Engine
Facebook – Facebook connect
Google – Orkut offers Google Friend Connect
Yahoo – Search and Advertising (Joint deal between Yahoo and Microsoft), watch videos or stream music
Google – Google Chrome, Youtube, MySpace and Pandora
Mozilla – Browser and default search engine
Google – Google Chrome
Nokia – Smartphone (recent deals with Microsoft is all set to bring Office Mobile to Symbian devices)
Google – Google Android
IBM – Areas of collaboration tools (Lotus Lives)
Google – Google Wave
Most of the competitors are ready to poise serious threats either alone or in collaborations against Google. And Google’s revenue and reputation might be at stake if not dealt with properly.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Where is Microsoft Today?
INTRODUCTION
In 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft and now, Microsoft is a leader in the field of computer programming, with $58.43 billion of revenue in FY2009. Its software products run from operating systems, personal computers, mobile phones, and other devices to software development tools, video games, and hardware such as the Xbox 360 and Zune. Mission of Microsoft "To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential".
STRENGTHS
Huge Global Brand name
Rapid product development - Microsoft is also known for releasing new product updates and product fixes throughout its network, for example, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010.
Wide distribution channel easily accessible to the consumers and businesses
Cash rich – Ability to conduct intensive R&D
Consumers might be resistance to change in the short run
WEAKNESSES
Lack the openness in sharing its software’s programming codes which does not allow modification by external programmers if bugs or malwares are detected
Lack strong customers care service
Failure of Windows Vista - Poor performance and reliability with hard and software incompatibility issues and lack of driver support
Market has matured – Difficult to change the market
OPPORTUNITIES
Diversification during the past years via expansion into the gaming arena, for example Xbox and government agency like the military, for example, Command and Control solutions are built on a robust and security-enhanced Microsoft platform designed for military messaging and situational awareness to increase accuracy
THREATS
LINUX (open source, easy to use and can be obtain free of charge) and MAC (interactive interface and good graphic design and presentation software)
Competing with other established players, for example PlayStation in the gaming industry
Government control
Internet explorer vs Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox
Piracy issues
CONCLUSION
As of today, Microsoft is still the leading company the software industry (“With the release of Windows 7 in December 2009, Windows finished the year with roughly a 92% market share, as well as an 80% market share among enterprise customers and a 63% market share in web browsing through Internet Explorer.” – Microsoft.com), we can see that it has issues to combat to prevent the loss of market share to competitors. Windows Vista was not successful but Linux and MAC did not really capitalize on the opportunity. Another of such plunder, Microsoft might face the music.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Microsoft should listen to the desires and wishes of the customers and to conduct R&D in ensuring that it’s products is of superior standard as compared to its competitors and it’s after sale services. Microsoft should also combat the issue of piracy by ensuring that their products are pirate proof.
In 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft and now, Microsoft is a leader in the field of computer programming, with $58.43 billion of revenue in FY2009. Its software products run from operating systems, personal computers, mobile phones, and other devices to software development tools, video games, and hardware such as the Xbox 360 and Zune. Mission of Microsoft "To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential".
STRENGTHS
Huge Global Brand name
Rapid product development - Microsoft is also known for releasing new product updates and product fixes throughout its network, for example, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010.
Wide distribution channel easily accessible to the consumers and businesses
Cash rich – Ability to conduct intensive R&D
Consumers might be resistance to change in the short run
WEAKNESSES
Lack the openness in sharing its software’s programming codes which does not allow modification by external programmers if bugs or malwares are detected
Lack strong customers care service
Failure of Windows Vista - Poor performance and reliability with hard and software incompatibility issues and lack of driver support
Market has matured – Difficult to change the market
OPPORTUNITIES
Diversification during the past years via expansion into the gaming arena, for example Xbox and government agency like the military, for example, Command and Control solutions are built on a robust and security-enhanced Microsoft platform designed for military messaging and situational awareness to increase accuracy
THREATS
LINUX (open source, easy to use and can be obtain free of charge) and MAC (interactive interface and good graphic design and presentation software)
Competing with other established players, for example PlayStation in the gaming industry
Government control
Internet explorer vs Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox
Piracy issues
CONCLUSION
As of today, Microsoft is still the leading company the software industry (“With the release of Windows 7 in December 2009, Windows finished the year with roughly a 92% market share, as well as an 80% market share among enterprise customers and a 63% market share in web browsing through Internet Explorer.” – Microsoft.com), we can see that it has issues to combat to prevent the loss of market share to competitors. Windows Vista was not successful but Linux and MAC did not really capitalize on the opportunity. Another of such plunder, Microsoft might face the music.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Microsoft should listen to the desires and wishes of the customers and to conduct R&D in ensuring that it’s products is of superior standard as compared to its competitors and it’s after sale services. Microsoft should also combat the issue of piracy by ensuring that their products are pirate proof.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Information Systems Session 5 & 6 - 19/200510
In Session 5, we learned about the following:
The Main Positive Effects of Technology
1. Reduce search time (simplified information access)
2. Brought distant places closer (buying online)
3. More interactions (computer networking)
How the Net works? (http://www.warriorsofthe.net/)
Activate IP --> Packet --> Label --> Address: URL --> LAN --> Accidents (error correction) --> Router and Swtich --> Network Interface --> Proxy Server --> Firewall --> Error Correction / Acknowledgment --> Webserve
Twitter
We can see a increase use of Twitter from companies as show below:
1. Comcast Cares and Telefonica uses Twitter as a channel for customers to provide feedbacks and because of this convenience, people expressed their concerns more and thus these companies are also able to tackle their concerns and thus increasing satisfaction index. Some banks are using Twitter, Facebook and Skype to communicate with their customers.
2. Another avenue for companies to leverage Twitter's users is when users posts their wish list on Twitter. Company can then try to tap on these potential customers. Twitter is extremely powerful to companies in this aspects.
In Session 6, we learned that Foursquare is a Geo location, personal, real time application that harvest data (data stream) on reviews, types of places, demographic, location where customers visit, the retails' popularity and we can also find out possible competitors through these data collected. For more in-depth analysis please refer in my previous blogs.
Although I understand that the success of Foursquare is actually pegged to the number of users and more importantly, the data they create, I did not know that there is actually a term associated to it. The term is "crowdsourcing". The main difference between crowdsourcing and ordinary outsourcing is that a task or problem is outsourced to an undefined public rather than a specific other body. This is an extremely powerful tool. Not only social networking application can make use of the idea of crowdsourcing. Businesses can also create crowdsourcing like how Starbucks create a forum to tap on ideas from the public (See - http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/ideaHome).
Another important thing I learned today is the "Initial to change". Currently the number of users are increasing exponentially and that existing users had created a network and reputation, accumulated points and badges, and this causes a huge resistance for Foursquare users to rebuild everything if they were to join a new similar platform. This effectively demonstrated the initial to change. This effectively is Foursquare greatest competitive advantage. Thus, if Facebook or Twitter tries to launch a similar application to compete with Foursquare, chances of them succeeding is very low.
The Main Positive Effects of Technology
1. Reduce search time (simplified information access)
2. Brought distant places closer (buying online)
3. More interactions (computer networking)
How the Net works? (http://www.warriorsofthe.net/)
Activate IP --> Packet --> Label --> Address: URL --> LAN --> Accidents (error correction) --> Router and Swtich --> Network Interface --> Proxy Server --> Firewall --> Error Correction / Acknowledgment --> Webserve
We can see a increase use of Twitter from companies as show below:
1. Comcast Cares and Telefonica uses Twitter as a channel for customers to provide feedbacks and because of this convenience, people expressed their concerns more and thus these companies are also able to tackle their concerns and thus increasing satisfaction index. Some banks are using Twitter, Facebook and Skype to communicate with their customers.
2. Another avenue for companies to leverage Twitter's users is when users posts their wish list on Twitter. Company can then try to tap on these potential customers. Twitter is extremely powerful to companies in this aspects.
In Session 6, we learned that Foursquare is a Geo location, personal, real time application that harvest data (data stream) on reviews, types of places, demographic, location where customers visit, the retails' popularity and we can also find out possible competitors through these data collected. For more in-depth analysis please refer in my previous blogs.
Although I understand that the success of Foursquare is actually pegged to the number of users and more importantly, the data they create, I did not know that there is actually a term associated to it. The term is "crowdsourcing". The main difference between crowdsourcing and ordinary outsourcing is that a task or problem is outsourced to an undefined public rather than a specific other body. This is an extremely powerful tool. Not only social networking application can make use of the idea of crowdsourcing. Businesses can also create crowdsourcing like how Starbucks create a forum to tap on ideas from the public (See - http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/ideaHome).
Another important thing I learned today is the "Initial to change". Currently the number of users are increasing exponentially and that existing users had created a network and reputation, accumulated points and badges, and this causes a huge resistance for Foursquare users to rebuild everything if they were to join a new similar platform. This effectively demonstrated the initial to change. This effectively is Foursquare greatest competitive advantage. Thus, if Facebook or Twitter tries to launch a similar application to compete with Foursquare, chances of them succeeding is very low.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Investment Report | Research and Analysis of Foursquare
IS $100 MILLION IS A FAIR VALUATION FOR FOURSQUARE?
In Sept 09, Foursquare was only valued at $7 million – $14 million. Recently, Yahoo is targeting Foursquare at $100 million. We see the spike in valuation within just a short span of time and my question is whether $100 million is a fair valuation for Foursquare? In 2007, we see Facebook turning down an offer of $1 billion by Yahoo Inc. back and in 2008, Twitter rejecting Facebook’s offer of $500 million in 2008. Apparently $100 million may not be so much after all if Foursquare is able to rise up the ranks of Facebook or Twitter in time to come.
Some VCs explained that Foursquare’s valuation of $100 Million was due to the fact that there isn’t that many good start up companies to invest in despite them having the money to invest. Thus, a slightly above average company may be valued beyond the fair valuation due to demand and supply factors. Furthermore, they are investing not because they believe that Foursquare would gain mass market adoption but in hope that larger companies will believe that Foursquare can gain mass consumer adoption and purchase it at a higher price. However, to understand the valuation of Foursquare, I will be analyzing their fundamentals in two main aspects namely competitors and revenue stream.
COMPETITORS
The closest competitor of Foursquare at this moment is Gowalla, which is another location-based social networking service. Both applications are good in providing games, incentives and rewards. Gowalla is available in 7500 cities as compared to Foursquare’s 100 major cities. However, in due time, Foursquare would be available almost anywhere. Foursquare on the other hand trumps Gowalla in aspects such as friend management, check-in location accuracy, value added features like a city guide device, to do list and device support. Thus, by comparing the pros and cons of two of the leading services, clearly Foursquare outshine Gowalla and if this continues, Foursquare would eventually take over as the market leader for location-based services. Furthermore, Foursquare is like a complement to Twitter, it serves as a feature set to Facebook, it is not completely about map like Google Latitude, and its interest is not in local businesses like Yelp. Thus, Foursquare is right in the middle of all of these folks and not being a direct competitor to them.
REVENUE STREAM
Foursquare’s short and medium term revenue will be generated based on location-based advertising while its long run revenue would be based on genuine world-wide advertisements and promotions. To further illustrate Foursquare’s long run revenue stream, we see Foursquare moving beyond the retail sector to strike deals with companies like Zagat's, Bravo and the History Channel. Furthermore, with the increased in the number of users, 50% - 60% every month, Foursquare expects to hit 1.5 million users by the end of May, which highlights the potential of moving towards mass market adoption in due time if the trend continues. Personally I feel that that Foursquare’s future market would be enormous. For example, government agency such as tourism board, charitable organization and event organizers could leverage on Foursquare to create more awareness and publicity for a fee. Also, Foursquare might want to enter into a joint venture with Linkedin to further create career networking opportunities anywhere and anytime for those who are willing pay a subscription fee to enjoy the exclusive information. Users will have the option to display or not display their information so as to avoid the issue of privacy.
In conclusion, Foursquare does has a sound business model with relatively undefined market boundaries. It is interesting and fun, and more importantly, it creates value to both the buyers and sellers. Foursquare is like the ‘invisible’ middle man for anyone in any parts of the world. With all the facts gathered, I believe Foursquare’s current valuation is fair and will continue to rise as I trust that it would be able to rise up the ranks of Facebook and Twitter in time to come. Thus, I would RECOMMEND A BUY.
REFERENCES
http://techcrunch.com/2010/03/25/four-vc-firms-battle-for-foursquare-valuation-goes-stratospheric/#ixzz0o6hTF0zu
http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/04/08/foursquare-may-walk-away-from-100-million-are-they-crazy-or-thinking-big/
http://joetrippi.com/blog/?p=2958
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/04/07/businessinsider-why-vcs-think-foursquare-is-worth-100-million-2010-4.DTL#ixzz0o8RlRJaJ
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/foursquare-ceo-dennis-crowley-my-phone-rings-off-the-hook/19446003/?icid=main|aim|dl9|link1|http:
http://radar.oreilly.com/2010/03/foursquare-location-apps.html
In Sept 09, Foursquare was only valued at $7 million – $14 million. Recently, Yahoo is targeting Foursquare at $100 million. We see the spike in valuation within just a short span of time and my question is whether $100 million is a fair valuation for Foursquare? In 2007, we see Facebook turning down an offer of $1 billion by Yahoo Inc. back and in 2008, Twitter rejecting Facebook’s offer of $500 million in 2008. Apparently $100 million may not be so much after all if Foursquare is able to rise up the ranks of Facebook or Twitter in time to come.
Some VCs explained that Foursquare’s valuation of $100 Million was due to the fact that there isn’t that many good start up companies to invest in despite them having the money to invest. Thus, a slightly above average company may be valued beyond the fair valuation due to demand and supply factors. Furthermore, they are investing not because they believe that Foursquare would gain mass market adoption but in hope that larger companies will believe that Foursquare can gain mass consumer adoption and purchase it at a higher price. However, to understand the valuation of Foursquare, I will be analyzing their fundamentals in two main aspects namely competitors and revenue stream.
COMPETITORS
The closest competitor of Foursquare at this moment is Gowalla, which is another location-based social networking service. Both applications are good in providing games, incentives and rewards. Gowalla is available in 7500 cities as compared to Foursquare’s 100 major cities. However, in due time, Foursquare would be available almost anywhere. Foursquare on the other hand trumps Gowalla in aspects such as friend management, check-in location accuracy, value added features like a city guide device, to do list and device support. Thus, by comparing the pros and cons of two of the leading services, clearly Foursquare outshine Gowalla and if this continues, Foursquare would eventually take over as the market leader for location-based services. Furthermore, Foursquare is like a complement to Twitter, it serves as a feature set to Facebook, it is not completely about map like Google Latitude, and its interest is not in local businesses like Yelp. Thus, Foursquare is right in the middle of all of these folks and not being a direct competitor to them.
REVENUE STREAM
Foursquare’s short and medium term revenue will be generated based on location-based advertising while its long run revenue would be based on genuine world-wide advertisements and promotions. To further illustrate Foursquare’s long run revenue stream, we see Foursquare moving beyond the retail sector to strike deals with companies like Zagat's, Bravo and the History Channel. Furthermore, with the increased in the number of users, 50% - 60% every month, Foursquare expects to hit 1.5 million users by the end of May, which highlights the potential of moving towards mass market adoption in due time if the trend continues. Personally I feel that that Foursquare’s future market would be enormous. For example, government agency such as tourism board, charitable organization and event organizers could leverage on Foursquare to create more awareness and publicity for a fee. Also, Foursquare might want to enter into a joint venture with Linkedin to further create career networking opportunities anywhere and anytime for those who are willing pay a subscription fee to enjoy the exclusive information. Users will have the option to display or not display their information so as to avoid the issue of privacy.
In conclusion, Foursquare does has a sound business model with relatively undefined market boundaries. It is interesting and fun, and more importantly, it creates value to both the buyers and sellers. Foursquare is like the ‘invisible’ middle man for anyone in any parts of the world. With all the facts gathered, I believe Foursquare’s current valuation is fair and will continue to rise as I trust that it would be able to rise up the ranks of Facebook and Twitter in time to come. Thus, I would RECOMMEND A BUY.
REFERENCES
http://techcrunch.com/2010/03/25/four-vc-firms-battle-for-foursquare-valuation-goes-stratospheric/#ixzz0o6hTF0zu
http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/04/08/foursquare-may-walk-away-from-100-million-are-they-crazy-or-thinking-big/
http://joetrippi.com/blog/?p=2958
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/04/07/businessinsider-why-vcs-think-foursquare-is-worth-100-million-2010-4.DTL#ixzz0o8RlRJaJ
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/foursquare-ceo-dennis-crowley-my-phone-rings-off-the-hook/19446003/?icid=main|aim|dl9|link1|http:
http://radar.oreilly.com/2010/03/foursquare-location-apps.html
Friday, May 7, 2010
Foursquare Business Model
From my research online, Foursquare's business model is simple yet amazing.
Foursquare was launched initially as an application that allows you to find a friend, track your location and at the same time play a game. In April 2010, within a short span of 1 year, Foursquare has managed to have 1 million users, and is being pursued Yahoo Inc., which offered as much as $125 million.
Seven months ago, Foursquare launched their beta advertising platform which is Foursquare for Businesses. This platform allows retailers highlight discounts or special offers relation to their rank to users who check-in nearby. Businesses will be able to get information about the users who patronize their stall such as:
1. Total number of check-ins
2. Special offers or discounts redeemed
3. Details of Customer including how often and the location they came from and the location they are going too
Foursquare for Businesses is a build on to the product; a necessary and critical addition to the basic application and it is this potential to advertising which enable it to be such a simply yet attractive business plan. If this current trend continue to expand and the audience continue to grow, marketers will definitely put money into Foursquare as part of their advertising effort.
Thus, the challenge is sustainability. Innovating to sustain or increase the interest of users, coupled with attracting more marketers to believe in this market through word of mouth or advertisements, would inevitably be the way in which Foursquare has to adopt.
Foursquare was launched initially as an application that allows you to find a friend, track your location and at the same time play a game. In April 2010, within a short span of 1 year, Foursquare has managed to have 1 million users, and is being pursued Yahoo Inc., which offered as much as $125 million.
Seven months ago, Foursquare launched their beta advertising platform which is Foursquare for Businesses. This platform allows retailers highlight discounts or special offers relation to their rank to users who check-in nearby. Businesses will be able to get information about the users who patronize their stall such as:
1. Total number of check-ins
2. Special offers or discounts redeemed
3. Details of Customer including how often and the location they came from and the location they are going too
Foursquare for Businesses is a build on to the product; a necessary and critical addition to the basic application and it is this potential to advertising which enable it to be such a simply yet attractive business plan. If this current trend continue to expand and the audience continue to grow, marketers will definitely put money into Foursquare as part of their advertising effort.
Thus, the challenge is sustainability. Innovating to sustain or increase the interest of users, coupled with attracting more marketers to believe in this market through word of mouth or advertisements, would inevitably be the way in which Foursquare has to adopt.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
IE - Singapore Club Madrid Chapter Founded on 6 May 2010
Today marks the significant day in which IE - Singapore Club Madrid Chapter is founded. The objectives of the club are as follow:
1. Increase awareness of Singapore
2. Connect IE students to businesses in Singapore
3. Foster a strong community for people with interest in Singapore
4. Promote IE's brand in Singapore
In this changing environment, and being a new club, we will inevitably face uncertainty. We have to learn as we go, staying agile and adaptable. I sincerely believe that everyone in this team is unique and possesses a spirit of excellence. Below are the names and appointment of the management team of IE-Singapore Club Madrid Chapter.
1. PRESIDENT - Jun Hao LEONG
2. GENERAL SECRETARY - Rakesh SINGH
3. VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE - May Lynn HO
4. VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING & COMMUNICATION - Marte RUIZ
5. VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING & COMMUNICATION - Shumei LAM
6. VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE SERVICES LIAISON - Sri SIRAM
7. VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE SERVICES LIAISON - Adrian PAVELESCU
8. VICE PRESIDENT CONSULTING LIAISON - Vinit GOSWAMI
9. VICE PRESIDENT CONSULTING LIAISON - Bhuan AGRAWAL
10. VICE PRESIDENT SPECIAL PROJECTS - Alain CAIGNARD
11. VICE PRESIDENT SPECIAL PROJECTS - Geumjoo LEE
1. Increase awareness of Singapore
2. Connect IE students to businesses in Singapore
3. Foster a strong community for people with interest in Singapore
4. Promote IE's brand in Singapore
In this changing environment, and being a new club, we will inevitably face uncertainty. We have to learn as we go, staying agile and adaptable. I sincerely believe that everyone in this team is unique and possesses a spirit of excellence. Below are the names and appointment of the management team of IE-Singapore Club Madrid Chapter.
1. PRESIDENT - Jun Hao LEONG
2. GENERAL SECRETARY - Rakesh SINGH
3. VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE - May Lynn HO
4. VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING & COMMUNICATION - Marte RUIZ
5. VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING & COMMUNICATION - Shumei LAM
6. VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE SERVICES LIAISON - Sri SIRAM
7. VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE SERVICES LIAISON - Adrian PAVELESCU
8. VICE PRESIDENT CONSULTING LIAISON - Vinit GOSWAMI
9. VICE PRESIDENT CONSULTING LIAISON - Bhuan AGRAWAL
10. VICE PRESIDENT SPECIAL PROJECTS - Alain CAIGNARD
11. VICE PRESIDENT SPECIAL PROJECTS - Geumjoo LEE
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Information Systems Session 4 - 050510
One of the keys things I learned today was the issue of friction between online purchase versus physical purchase. More importantly, I learned that technology is a great friction reducer and this can be illustrated through buying online.
My research to why online buying grew was due to the following reasons, mainly
1. Rise in transportation costs
2. Decrease in telecom costs
3. Increase access to the internet
Furthermore, the technology of online purchases platforms offers a larger selection of products, coupled with the decrease in searching cost, inevitably led to more competitive prices. However, with all the pros stated below, one cannot engaged their 3 main senses (smell, touch, taste or try) when selecting the product.
In conclusion, if one is able to create a technology in which consumers and feel, smell and even taste via a virtual product which will be launch from a laptop, there will be absolutely no need to step out of the house to do any shopping. A radical technological innovation indeed and I do not foresee it to happen anytime within the next decade. One this particular technology can come true, I believe one will not need to travel overseas to attend anymore meetings.
My research to why online buying grew was due to the following reasons, mainly
1. Rise in transportation costs
2. Decrease in telecom costs
3. Increase access to the internet
Furthermore, the technology of online purchases platforms offers a larger selection of products, coupled with the decrease in searching cost, inevitably led to more competitive prices. However, with all the pros stated below, one cannot engaged their 3 main senses (smell, touch, taste or try) when selecting the product.
In conclusion, if one is able to create a technology in which consumers and feel, smell and even taste via a virtual product which will be launch from a laptop, there will be absolutely no need to step out of the house to do any shopping. A radical technological innovation indeed and I do not foresee it to happen anytime within the next decade. One this particular technology can come true, I believe one will not need to travel overseas to attend anymore meetings.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Information Systems Session 3 - 040510
Yet another amazing and insightful lesson on Information Systems!
Today, I learned about how I-Tunes entered the music industry and the reasons for successfully capturing a portion of the market share without the telecommunication companies seeing it comign. I have also learned that it is almost impossible to stop the sharing or downloading of songs or videos in this era when there are so many websites on the internet such as Megaupload, last.fm, The Private Bay, BLIP.fm etc which facilitate the downloading or P2P sharing. Thus, in order to survive in the current environment, we will need to adapt and to innovate in order to be competitive in the current paradigm. Constantly living with the old school thinking and staying in the comfort zone will not bring any companies anywhere.
Next, we spoke about the introduction of SKYPE and how it changes the paradigm of the telecommunication's industry through the introduction of digital voice communication. Some telecommunication companies were forced to re-model their business model in order stay competitive in the market. We can also see that some telecommunication companies are precluding the use of SKYPE via their mobile wireless network to ensure that they do not loose their main stream of revenue. I truly believe that the telecommunication industry will continue to evolve in the coming years and instead of waiting for things to happen before reacting, companies should start anticipating future challengers.
At the end of the day, no companies would want to end up like how BRITANNICA was made obsolete by ENCARTA or how ENCARTA eventually was replaced by WIKIPEDIA, (non-profit) organization. Therefore, the best chance of survival is to be innovative and to adopt a continuous improvement policy.
Today, I learned about how I-Tunes entered the music industry and the reasons for successfully capturing a portion of the market share without the telecommunication companies seeing it comign. I have also learned that it is almost impossible to stop the sharing or downloading of songs or videos in this era when there are so many websites on the internet such as Megaupload, last.fm, The Private Bay, BLIP.fm etc which facilitate the downloading or P2P sharing. Thus, in order to survive in the current environment, we will need to adapt and to innovate in order to be competitive in the current paradigm. Constantly living with the old school thinking and staying in the comfort zone will not bring any companies anywhere.
Next, we spoke about the introduction of SKYPE and how it changes the paradigm of the telecommunication's industry through the introduction of digital voice communication. Some telecommunication companies were forced to re-model their business model in order stay competitive in the market. We can also see that some telecommunication companies are precluding the use of SKYPE via their mobile wireless network to ensure that they do not loose their main stream of revenue. I truly believe that the telecommunication industry will continue to evolve in the coming years and instead of waiting for things to happen before reacting, companies should start anticipating future challengers.
At the end of the day, no companies would want to end up like how BRITANNICA was made obsolete by ENCARTA or how ENCARTA eventually was replaced by WIKIPEDIA, (non-profit) organization. Therefore, the best chance of survival is to be innovative and to adopt a continuous improvement policy.
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