The Search for Asia Top 50 Apps
TweetCome this 22 – 23 September 2010 in Suntec Convention Center in Singapore, Singtel together with Joi Ito’s Neoteny Labs and our good friends E27 brings to you Accelerate.
What is Accelerate 2010?
Accelerate 2010 is the ONE show developers in Asia CANNOT afford to miss!
Asia will host the largest gathering of solutions providers and developers from around the world on 22nd and 23rd September 2010. You will have the opportunity to participate in pitching sessions to 8 major Asian markets – the largest such activity orchestrated in Asia!
Apps . Access . Asia .
This unique three-pronged approach conference is specifically designed for companies and developers looking to develop solutions and deliver applications in Asia Pacific.
ASIA. Deal Rooms
Pitch your solutions to Asia’s eight leading telcos operating within high-growth Asia markets.
Gain knowledge of key trends in Asia’s consumer enterprise markets across Asia Pacific.
Gain insights on how to operate and access key Asian markets with in-country experts.
ACCESS. Keynotes on 3 Focal Tracks of accessing the market shaping trends and ideas in Business, Technology and Design presented by global and Asian thought leaders and influencers on topics such as social gaming, content distribution, collaborative innovation and design thinking.
APPS. 30 in-depth training & Discussion workshops for developers and innovators with a comprehensive range of topics.
Why You Should Attend?
· Accelerate 2010 is the ONLY conference that gives you the opportunity to access multiple Asia Pacific markets in one go.
· You will receive an unparalleled level of insights into the key trends, market barriers and regulatory frameworks in these markets.
· Get involved in cross-disciplinary workshops that will provide you with skill sets that enable you to gain new perspectives to help future-proof your business.
· Share knowledge with veteran developers and thought leaders on topics such as open source, cloud computing, social collaboration, social networking and mobile applications.
Who Should Attend?
Are you any of the following people?
· A business operations manager looking for solutions and business innovations?
· An investor looking for the next BIG thing?
· A researcher who wants to expand on their perspective on innovation in Asia Pacific?
· A software developer looking to create synergy between yourself and the best minds in the business?
· The founder of an up and coming solution provider or technopreneur?
· A web or mobile technology designer?
If you are any of the above people, then Accelerate 2010 is something you definitely do not want to miss!
Conference Keynote Highlights
· Unleash the Power in Asia
Speaker: Bill Chang, EVP, SingTel
· Riding the Open Web – Collaborative innovations for success
Speaker: Mitchell Baker, CEO, Mozilla Foundation
· Disruptions in Media: How Technology Changes in Content Value Chain
Speaker: Joi Ito, CEO, Creative Commons
· Design Thinking – Asia
Speaker: Diego Rodriguez, IDEO
· What 1 billion non-apple downloads mean to Asia
Speaker: Bill Scott, SVP, GetJar
· Farmers and Mobsters: How businesses can decode social gaming
Speaker: Robert Goldberg, Zynga
· Cloud & Asia
Speaker: Ismeal Gahlimi, CEO, Intalio
· Investing in future of Asia
Speaker: Edgar Hardless, VP, SingTel
Workshops and Subtracks
| Business
| Technology | Design |
| Future of Mobile Payment in Asia Presenters: Singtel, 2C2P, MOL, Paypal Future of Voice (India case study) Speaker: Mrigank Tripathi Plenary – Future of Music &Content Moderators: Joi Ito, Cory Ondrejka, Jean Miller (EMI), Anthony Volodkin Scaling a Web Startup: From Asia to the World Speaker: Amit Ranjan, Slideshare Product Management Techniques from Google/ MakeMyTrip Speaker: Amit Somani Plenary – Innovative Social Graph: From Asia to the World Moderators: Benjamin Joffe (e27) Panelists: Eto Batara, CyWorld, MOL Term Sheets 101 Speaker: Joi Ito Cultures Around the World: Insights from Xerox Labs Speaker: Pratyush Prashanna IP Protection Essentials Speaker: Gilbert Leong | Plenary – How Cloud Computing will Impact Asian Enterprises
Case Study – Grid Computing: Alatum, Altium, Haier
Agile on Development Speaker: Rob Mee, Pivotal Lab Enterprise Collaborations in a Web 2.0 World: Social networks, micro-messaging, security, and mobile access. SaaS in Asia Presenter: Intalio Mobile Developer Tool Kits (3 sessions)
SaaS Developer Tool Kits (3 Sessions) | Innovation Lessons in Design Ogilvy Labs Speaker: Mark Seeger, Ogilvy Digital Innovation Lab Design Thinking – The practical tips by IDEO
How to Design Virality Speaker: Noah Kagan Intuitive design anything – Aviary Revolution Speaker: Michael Galpert Game Design Fundamentals by EA
Mobile Application Design Philosophies: By The Digital Agency of The Decade
Quantitative Design -Testing Techniques from Youtube: A/B testing Speaker: Hong Qu |
Deal Rooms
Deal Rooms have one goal – to reveal the best ICT innovations and discover the next star products that will transform regional markets.
As one of the top 80 companies that will be selected to participate in Deal Rooms, you can pitch to panels made up of representatives from SingTel Associates including SingTel (Singapore), Optus (Australia), Bharti (India), Telkomsel (Indonesia), Globe (The Philippines), AIS (Thailand), as well as International Enterprise (IE) Singapore Centre Directors from China and other Asian nations.
Reservation is required as there are limited seats available. More details coming soon.
Conference Program Highlights
· Overveiw of South East Asia Market
· Overview of China and IndoChina
· Pitch Pads:
Consumer Segment:
o Mobility Solutions: 16 Sessions Available
o Web Application: 12 Sessions Available
o Content: 12 sessions Available
Enterprise Segment:
o SaaS Solutions: 16 Sessions Available
o Mobility Application: 12 Sessions Available
o Vertical Solutions: 12 sessions Available
================================================================
Event Date : Wednesday – Thursday, 22 – 23 September 2010
Venue: Suntec City Convention Centre Singapore
(click here to view map)
Ticket Prices :
S$299 (Early Bird Price valid till 14 August only)
S$399 (Standard Price)
S$699 (Onsite Price)
This Week in Asia Episode 58: Live from Open Web Asia SEA
TweetIt has been an exciting week for the Malaysia web/tech scene with the Open Web Asia – Southeast Asia conference happening in Kuala Lumpur on 13-14 July. The TWIA crew hosted a live show with Serkan Toto (@serkantoto) from TechCrunch & Brian Wong (@brian_wong) formerly from Digg and now followFormation as our guests. We touched on some hot topics with great seats about InMobi’s 8M fund-raising success, the feedback about the Open Web Asia Conference and interesting start-ups which caught our eye, how Asian start-ups should improve on their pitching so to attract investors (and Asian investors should be more harsh on feedback to the entrepreneurs here) and Serkan’s interesting prediction for Asian companies in the next few decades. A special treat for all our listeners that you can view the video of the live show here.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read MoreNew Media and the Internet: Blessing or Curse for SMEs and Entrepreneurs
TweetAs an entrepreneur, you own your new idea. You may actually have a revolutionary idea that will change the lives of many. Or it may be the case that you are evolving an industry and know how to make it work better.
Having this idea is great, but you need to let others know about it. Otherwise, there will be no customers and no customers means you will soon be out of business. There are many things to consider when getting your name out to the people who may buy your product. The Internet is one of many possibilities, the one we will be looking at here.
What is available to you as an entrepreneur?
The Internet offers you a myriad of opportunities to promote your brand (to learn more about our view on brands, please see our earlier article: weblink). We would suggest you closely link your brand to the tools you are using. Here is an example: If you produce a product for youth, you should be utilizing the platforms that your audience frequents. Facebook for example. Should your target audience be older and less tech-savvy, this approach may not work. Yes, you may have to think about font sizes here as your readers may not be able to see the small fonts on Facebook.
Depending on your budget, you can use a mix of many tools. Here are just a few worth considering if you run a small business:
- E-Newsletters: This amazing tool tells you who reads your news, who forwarded it and most importantly, which e-mails bounced. A bounced e-mail is an indication that your contact has moved on. Remember, you know that person and new client acquisition is away more expensive than keeping current ones. Pick up the phone, call them to update the email. It also shows that you care about their business and them personally
- Search Engine Optimisation: Given that your website may not be large, this can be an affordable option. Given that more than 70% of users carry out an online search before ANY purchase, it is important to come up relatively high in the search results. This will get you short listed more often. While this is not a guarantee to sign up new clients, it improves your chances.
- Syndicated E-PR: If you have something news-worthy, you may want to prepare and distribute a press release. Magazines, trade journals and newspapers might pick up this news and publish it (free!). As you may not know whom to send the release to, you can use service providers that will, electronically channel your news to the right people. You can even specify where it should go, depending on your target market’s geography.
The other side of the screen (aka. Flipside of the coin)
However, with the new medium also comes a host of difficulties for others, the small companies.
While today a website is a must (with more than 70% of users searching online before any purchase), some companies struggle with the new media. Budget constraints and the lack of dedicated staff to manage online accounts are just two issues. Basic understanding might be lacking and some may fall for service providers offering a cheap solution that will cost a lot in the long run.
Above we suggested using Facebook for a youth brand. While the actual account is free and using the medium is free too, there is a certain cost that needs to be associated with this. You may want to call it an ‘opportunity cost’ if you, as the owner of the business maintains the account. You have the choice between posting something on Facebook or doing something else. Maybe meeting a supplier that can offer you a better deal, thus improving your bottom line. Alternatively, you can appoint one of your staff to handle the account.
Then there is the question of whether or not that person is able to communicate the brand in the correct manner. Or if the investment into a dedicated person is worthwhile. Or, if it might make sense to outsource to a specialist company to ghost-write for you. The last option then requires you to be able to identify a suitable and reliable partner. Not an easy task either.
Some of the tools will also require long-term thinking. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is not something that you start and stop every now and then. It should be carried out continuously over extended periods of time. The simple reason is that the dynamics of change are in a constant flux. Today, your audience finds your site looking for a specific term. That term may change next month. Then the terms in the back of your site need to be amended too. As a result, one needs to keep going with SEO, which can put some restraint on budget and cash flow.
Can a website really sell your business?
The short of the long is: it depends. From our (Launchpad’s) point of view, a website can assist in the sales process. Unless the site is meant to be the, or one of the main sales channels (Amazon, E-Bay), then the site is probably a step in the sales process. Let’s be honest. If you are a service provider, your offer will be tailored to the needs of your clientele. You will not be able to sell a six-month consultation package off the shelf.
Your website can only suggest what can be done. The final offer will be determined in personal discussions. Your website needs to look good and has to be up-to date. However, you may not need the biggest and fanciest site. What is important is that people find your site and have the opportunity to contact you.
Quoting The Adcontratrian, here is a thought: What is more important? Engagement with people or selling your product? While it can be fun to chat with stakeholders on Facebook or to up-load a video to YouTube, always ask yourself if the activity translates into sales. Maybe a networking event will yield better results?
Here is a simple question that I haven’t been able to answer myself: We have two websites, one blog, we send out e-newsletters every month. Yet 67% of our business originates from networking events that we attend in person. (Having said that, every time we attend a networking event, people we know comment on our E-Newsletter).
Is it that our websites are wrong and don’t work for us (could be, I admit) or are people just more open to a face-to-face? Maybe they check out the websites after meeting us to validate that we are for real?
Look at your online assets like it is your business attire. Just wearing a suit (having a website) will not sell your services or products. But NOT wearing any attire will certainly not help. In essence, you need to have an online presence (wear business attire) and that attire needs to be appropriate for your business.
Big brands dominate the internet
In today’s interactive arms race, SMEs might be the ones losing out. Perhaps it is time that service providers educate them? Or maybe a new paradigm is needed where less is more and tailored solutions for SMEs are easy to understand and apply? Perhaps there is too much hype around interactive and the web isn’t really that good for building your business?
About Launchpad
Launchpad is a full-service, branding, marketing and communications group of forward-thinkers, devoted to brands that will shape the 21st Century. As Asia’s only partnership of strategic, marketing, creative and technology people, the group has diverse backgrounds, vast experience and a long track
record of solving tough marketing challenges. Launchpad’s expertise spans marketing, advertising, design, branding, digital / interactive, technology, and beyond. We work best with brands that have ambition for growth and want to make a difference. Launchpad is your ‘marketing lift-off in Asia’.
Stefan Pertz is the Group Managing Director of Launchpad Sdn Bhd.
Passionate about marketing, Stefan has practiced what marketing textbooks teach. He set up direct distributions in Singapore and Sydney, helped to open offices in Hong Kong and Malaysia. The successful launch of a new brand under his supervision resulted in the client, a postal service, being nominated among the top 10 direct marketing providers. The name Launchpad (Your marketing lift-off in Asia) depicts the sole reason for its existence: the company boosts companies in the region to new marketing heights. Learn more about Launchpad: www.launchpad.com.my or www.launchpadnews.com
Read MoreGuerrilla Entrepreneurs series: Is this you?
TweetIn the first part of the Guerrilla Entrepreneurs series I’d like to start by introducing the Guerrilla Entrepreneur.
Is this you?
Balance
You are an entrepreneur on a journey. You control your enterprise, not the other way around. Because you cherish your freedom as much as you do your work, you never compromise on a balanced work life.
Passion
You are passionate about your work. You are good at what you do but constantly look for ways to improve your skills.
Leader
You realize that no man is an island and rely on your allies to build your business. Your customers, employees, team mates and suppliers follow you because they believe in who you are and what you stand for.
Cutting Edge
You are a feverent and intelligent user of technology, to conserve two of your most precious assets – time and money. Huge marketing budgets are nice but not essential for your success.
Laser Beam Focus
You have initiative, insight and guts. You succeed because your efforts and focus defeat larger and better-funded competitors.
Brand Champion
You are in it for the long haul. You aim to build a business that will last and are willing to invest in the marketing of yourself and your brand.
Peak Life Experiences
You seek experiences that money cannot buy. You want work that is satisfying, enough money to enjoy, great health and fun in daily living. You will have your cake and eat it too.
Big Picture
You are passionate about making money but you are even more passionate about giving back to the family that raised you, friends that supported you, society that nurtured you and world that you prospered in.
(Thanks to Guerrilla Entrepreneurs)
Sound impossible that an entrepreneur can be all of the above? Well stick around and during this series I will introduce you to people who not only embody the above but are also open to showing you how you can be a Guerrilla Entrepreneur and practice 21st Century Entrepreneurship. If you are someone already a Guerrilla Entrepreneur, then drop me a line! I’d love to chat with you!
Catch you soon!
————–
Guerrilla Entrepreneur Series is part of a greater mission to empower people to live a life of passion, balance, abundance and the greater good.
Read MoreStartup Ecosystem Done Right.
TweetIn 2 weeks time, we will be celebrating one of the biggest web tech events to reach the shores of KL. The sea.openwebasia.com conference will draw to Kuala Lumpur startups, investors, developers, evangelists and a whole lot more from all over the world.
So i was thinking right. What have we done so far? What kind of message will they bring back with them? Guy Kawasaki made a visit 2 years back. He talked about visiting Batu Caves and chicken wings in Jln Alor. haha As a Malaysian, I’m really proud of these things, but heres my question, when do people start talking about the companies and startups of Malaysia?
How do we compare against our neighbours to the South? I attended Unconference in 2009, and Echelon in 2010, and story is consistent. That Singapore produces startups of quality, with innovative ideas, refined products & potential for scalability. Wait a minute, so do we. BUT – They support this (and this part is really important) – with a network of human relationships stretching from Singapore to Shanghai to Silicon Valley and back .
This network provides Singapore with a not so obvious but huge advantage.
1) The ability to bring their startups global in the shortest time possible
2) bring investors to their shores, and not have their startups move away.
3) exposure to the world and vice versa, in terms of how they execute startups, following the lessons and learning from mistakes of not just Singaporeans but global level startups.
This didnt happen overnight, Singapore made investments years ago planting young interns in Silicon Valley (the folks at E27.sg remembers this, and Echelon happened 6 years later)
Now theres alot more that makes up a startup ecosystem but for the purpose of this post, i wanted to draw attention to this.
The last couple of years, Malaysia has been investing in the tangible. Financing via Preseed and Cradle, training and workshops via the same entities. I don’t think we pay enough attention to human relationships. Just because there is no obvious ROI to it, doesn’t mean its not part of the ecosystem, which I suspect is the way we operate today.
This is a call to action, that when Open Web Asia happens, we make an effort to build relationship with our international guests, to work on simple projects together, collaborate, co-invest, and etc. To be honest I dont exactly know what to do, but i do know something has to be done, and the timing is right. hence tagging all of you guys, whom I consider leaders and visionaries here and elsewhere.
Read More
