| On Entrepreneurship and Globalization: John Gokongwei, Jr. (Part 7) |
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(This is the seventh of 8 parts of Mr. John Gokongwei, Jr.'s speech during the Ad Congress on 21 November 2007.) If we want to be philosophical, we can say that, with a world-class brand, we create pride for our nation. If we want to be practical, we can say that, with brands that succeed in the world, we create more jobs for our people, right here. Then, we are able to take part in what's really important-giving our people a big opportunity to raise their standards of living, giving them a real chance to improve their lives. Today, one remarkable Korean brand has made it to the list of Top 100 Global Brands: Samsung. Less then a decade ago, Samsung meant nothing to consumers. By focusing on quality, design, and innovation, Samsung improved its products and its image. Today, it has surpassed the Japanese brand Sony. Now another Korean brand, LG Collins, is following in the footsteps of Samsung. It has also broken into the Top 100 Global Brands list. What about China? Who would have thought that only 30 years after opening itself up to a market economy, China would become the world's fourth largest economy? Goods made in China are still thought of as cheap. Yet many brands around the world outsource their manufacturing to this country. China 's own brands-like Lenovo, Haier, Chery QQ, and Huawei -- are fast gaining ground as well. I have no doubt they will be the next big electronics, technology and car brands in the world. Lee Kwan Yu's book "From Third World to First" captures Singapore's aspiration to join the First World . According to the book, Singapore was a trading post that the British developed as a nodal point in its maritime empire. The racial riots there made its officials determined to build a "multiracial society that would give equality to all citizens, regardless of race, language or religion." When Singapore was asked to leave the Malaysian Federation of States in 1965, Lee Kwan Yew developed strategies that he executed with single-mindedness despite their being unpopular. He and his cabinet started to build a nation by establishing the basics: building infrastructure, establishing an army, WEEDING OUT CORRUPTION, providing mass housing, building a financial center. Forty short years after, Singapore has been transformed into the richest South East Asian country today, with a per capita income of US$32,000. These days, Singapore is transforming itself once more. This time it wants to be the creative hub in Asia , maybe even the world. More and more, it is attracting the best minds from all over the world in filmmaking, biotechnology, media, and finance. Meantime, Singaporeans have also created world-class brands:Banyan Tree in the hospitality industry, Singapore Airlines in the Airline industry and Singapore Telecoms in the telco industry. I often wonder: Why can't the Philippines, or a Filipino, do this? (Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 and Part 8)
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Newer posts:
- Quotes from Successful Pinoy Entrepreneurs (2) --
- On Entrepreneurship and Globalization: John Gokongwei, Jr. (Part 8) --
Older posts:
- On Entrepreneurship and Globalization: John Gokongwei, Jr. (Part 6) --
- On Entrepreneurship and Globalization: John Gokongwei, Jr. (Part 5) --
- On Entrepreneurship and Globalization: John Gokongwei, Jr. (Part 4) --
- On Entrepreneurship and Globalization: John Gokongwei, Jr. (Part 3) --
- On Entrepreneurship and Globalization: John Gokongwei, Jr. (Part 2) --
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