Thanks to Nanyang Siang Pau (南洋商报) and its Deputy News Editor, Koh Kok Wee (许国伟), for arranging this interview. Nanyang’s reporter, Bernard Saw (苏正义), came out with this great write-up published on the Chinese business daily on Jun 21st, 2016.
We have a great chat about digital businesses and startup scene in Malaysia. I shared some views based on my experiences working for a local media company’s Internet division, a regional adtech startup & Malaysian Digital Association. Below are some highlights of the interview:
1. Malaysia got talents! Many established Internet-based companies, such as Grab (formerly known as MyTeksi), JobStreet etc, started up in Malaysia and emerged as very successful regional players
2. Asian businesses should learn how to value failures. In Silicon Valley, some businesses hire CEOs who have experienced failures before as failure is essential to learning how to run a successful business
3. A startup needs to have long term vision and strategy
4. Large corporations should setup funding arm and take part in the startup ecosystem
5. Identifying the right local partners is very crucial if businesses want to get into markets like China and India
6. To embrace social media by having a long term strategy in managing social channels and experiences