Another Little Step Forward
Had a good meeting with The Chairman of The Contender at our office, recently.
Frankie and I were flattered that The Chairman had asked to meet us, to view our technology. They are big players and even though they're being severely underestimated, I had a feeling that The Contender had not even started pulling its punches yet.
But they will, early next year. And they're looking at our technology and product to be a part of their offering.
The Chairman had a quiet and an unassuming personality. None of the regal and distinguished air that we usually get, from Chairmen and CEO's of large companies. He was dressed in a jacket with zippers and came to our office, holding a book. Too simple, for someone who was known to be a close friend of the Prime Minister and his son.
The Chairman's a typical engineer. Functional, unpretentious with no ostentatious toys. I could hear his brain ticking behind that quiet, low-key facade. He was analyzing us, sizing us up, probably assessing how far we could be trusted or stretched in a negotiation. And whether we were open to working with them or whether we were siding with The Incumbent.
It didn't matter to Frankie and me. Let him size us up. We have nothing to hide. Our interest is purely business - we had no interest in taking sides between The Contender and The Incumbent. We'd prefer to sell our products to both sides and level the playing ground for everyone - we could sell more of our products that way.
It was so much easier getting a buy-in from The Chairman, though. He was technically proficient and had an appreciation for technology and neat gadgets. We didn't have to do much selling on the business case - he was fascinated by the technology.
And I guess at the back of his mind, he knew that he couldn't afford us doing an exclusive with The Incumbent. It would wipe The Contender out. It was better for him to get a foot in with us now, even if on a non-exclusive basis.
The meeting lasted 2 hours. We listened to his plans for The Contender and attentively took down notes, as this would be important to our own future strategic planning. The Chairman was robust on the prospects of The Contender, although I had nagging doubts about whether his implementation was just as robust.
But yes, at the end of it, he was keen to collaborate. To bundle our products in with their own and to push it all out to their customers. And perhaps, to be the first partner in the market to do so, too.
I asked him his forecast for his first year sales. "About 300,000 customers", he said. I thought he was a tad optimistic, seeing the strength of The Incumbent, but even if he was 50% off, that's still very good volume for us.
It would be our estimated sales for the first 2 years, if we sold to The Incumbent's customers on our own.
But this was a "lock-in" arrangement - it was like a Government concession. I feigned nonchalance and raised an ironic eyebrow. Although inside, I was jumping in joy.
We shook hands and agreed to follow-up on the collaboration. Frankie couldn't stop smiling. I maintained my cool, not wanting to start the jig, until The Chairman, was out of sight.
Next week, we start our R&D adaptation to make our product compatible with The Contender's products. By clinching this deal, I should be able to raise the remaining 40% of the funds I needed to start to kickstart the manufacturing and commercialization of our product. Now, the (bloody-risk-averse) investors would be keen to jump in!
I told The Tycoon about it. He said he was proud of me and got quite excited about prospects of working together with us, to break into the Middle East market. I grinned in anticipation. It was strange talking to this billionaire on the phone. But somehow, I think I've just won myself a mentor.
I expressed my thanks to him, for his support in our venture. Without his half of the investment in via Blue Eyed Boy's company, we may still not see the light of day.
The path is clearing up. I can see the peak coming closer and for our dreams to be realized. I remind myself to not celebrate yet and to pay close attention to the details - because that's where the devil is, usually. Keep focused on the business and the delivery of value and quality to the customers - everything else is just a distraction.
But yes, today is filled with a sense of possibilities. Today, Malaysia and perhaps, tomorrow, Asia.
May God light the steps of Providence for me.
Frankie and I were flattered that The Chairman had asked to meet us, to view our technology. They are big players and even though they're being severely underestimated, I had a feeling that The Contender had not even started pulling its punches yet.
But they will, early next year. And they're looking at our technology and product to be a part of their offering.
The Chairman had a quiet and an unassuming personality. None of the regal and distinguished air that we usually get, from Chairmen and CEO's of large companies. He was dressed in a jacket with zippers and came to our office, holding a book. Too simple, for someone who was known to be a close friend of the Prime Minister and his son.
The Chairman's a typical engineer. Functional, unpretentious with no ostentatious toys. I could hear his brain ticking behind that quiet, low-key facade. He was analyzing us, sizing us up, probably assessing how far we could be trusted or stretched in a negotiation. And whether we were open to working with them or whether we were siding with The Incumbent.
It didn't matter to Frankie and me. Let him size us up. We have nothing to hide. Our interest is purely business - we had no interest in taking sides between The Contender and The Incumbent. We'd prefer to sell our products to both sides and level the playing ground for everyone - we could sell more of our products that way.
It was so much easier getting a buy-in from The Chairman, though. He was technically proficient and had an appreciation for technology and neat gadgets. We didn't have to do much selling on the business case - he was fascinated by the technology.
And I guess at the back of his mind, he knew that he couldn't afford us doing an exclusive with The Incumbent. It would wipe The Contender out. It was better for him to get a foot in with us now, even if on a non-exclusive basis.
The meeting lasted 2 hours. We listened to his plans for The Contender and attentively took down notes, as this would be important to our own future strategic planning. The Chairman was robust on the prospects of The Contender, although I had nagging doubts about whether his implementation was just as robust.
But yes, at the end of it, he was keen to collaborate. To bundle our products in with their own and to push it all out to their customers. And perhaps, to be the first partner in the market to do so, too.
I asked him his forecast for his first year sales. "About 300,000 customers", he said. I thought he was a tad optimistic, seeing the strength of The Incumbent, but even if he was 50% off, that's still very good volume for us.
It would be our estimated sales for the first 2 years, if we sold to The Incumbent's customers on our own.
But this was a "lock-in" arrangement - it was like a Government concession. I feigned nonchalance and raised an ironic eyebrow. Although inside, I was jumping in joy.
We shook hands and agreed to follow-up on the collaboration. Frankie couldn't stop smiling. I maintained my cool, not wanting to start the jig, until The Chairman, was out of sight.
Next week, we start our R&D adaptation to make our product compatible with The Contender's products. By clinching this deal, I should be able to raise the remaining 40% of the funds I needed to start to kickstart the manufacturing and commercialization of our product. Now, the (bloody-risk-averse) investors would be keen to jump in!
I told The Tycoon about it. He said he was proud of me and got quite excited about prospects of working together with us, to break into the Middle East market. I grinned in anticipation. It was strange talking to this billionaire on the phone. But somehow, I think I've just won myself a mentor.
I expressed my thanks to him, for his support in our venture. Without his half of the investment in via Blue Eyed Boy's company, we may still not see the light of day.
The path is clearing up. I can see the peak coming closer and for our dreams to be realized. I remind myself to not celebrate yet and to pay close attention to the details - because that's where the devil is, usually. Keep focused on the business and the delivery of value and quality to the customers - everything else is just a distraction.
But yes, today is filled with a sense of possibilities. Today, Malaysia and perhaps, tomorrow, Asia.
May God light the steps of Providence for me.
posted by Stingrayz | 11:55 PM
8 Comments:
This is truly excellent news! Am v. proud of you!
Meow, am so happy for you. Life is going great for you bro.. alhamdulillah..
errr demo kayo jak gi, demo beli ko ambo talipong baghu deh....? hehehehehehe
Looks like it's new mentor season all around, bro. We shud catch up soon, mucho stories to share.
Salam,
ZR
Today, Malaysia; tomorrow, Asia; the day after, the world??
Ylanda:
Thanks, dear. :)
Pseudo:-
Stop that! You're worth much more than that, bro'. :)
Pink-Fins:
Tokse. Demo tok talipong ko kawe pung? Wak gapo nok talipong baghu? ;)
ZR:
Yes, look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Thinktankgal:
Allo, I'm just starting out lah. You are "cashing out" already woman. Still chasing to be where you are, maaaa,...:)
Elina:
Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. :) The world is a big, big, place.
Expansion is something that should be planned and carefully calculated, according to one's own strength.
Although we'd probably need to, because the Malaysian market is still too small, taking a medium-term view.
I'd be happy if our products were penetrating some countries in Asia and is profitable, over the next 5 years. God willing. :)
Eh, global citizen, when are you coming back to Malaysia for holiday-lah?
I must go out and conquer the world first!
ray, is everything ok? why so quiet?
Elina:
Eh, once you conquer the world (and Camelot too), can I be your Arthur? ;)
Lita (and the rest who have been concerned about my long silence):
Sorry to all, that I've been quiet. Been taking time out to think.
Read the blog entry after this one. Perhaps, you will understand.
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