Global & International: A Subtle Irony

Wednesday 29 October 2008 company strategies , corporate culture , so near yet so far so good 0 Comments

Synonym?

Many people always use the word “Global” and “International” interchangeably, as they view these two words as synonyms to one another in definition. However, further analysis on the meaning of these words discerns the apparent differences. While their differences may seem trivial to many; it is crucial to FingerTec.

Both “Global” and “International” terms are interwoven and inseparable in FingerTec’s marketing and support system. “Global” amplifies “once and for all”; it is obvious in our online platform, marketing materials, products design, software application, System Development Kit (SDK), multilingual platform, packaging and etc, all to serve the world as one with single activity.

Extension of Globalization: Localization

The globalization strategy spun into localization when we start to term it with different regional markets. The localization strategy is an extension of our very core globalization system which if multilingual, it is definitely originated from English; if features added, we would compile them under one software or hardware platform as selectable options for users.

Inter-National: Nation-to-nation

What about “International”? I detach the word by adding a hyphenation in between to become “inter-national” for easier comprehension. Yes, it is all about “between two countries”. Nation-to-nation, border-to-border, it has a lot of differences when goods and money change hand due to different government policies.

Some countries require Certificate of Origin (CO) for goods importation; some requires an independent organization such as BIVAC to inspect goods prior to release of cargo; some requires a formal sales contract for every shipment to prevent under declaration of goods value. And for payment transactions, some countries disallow Telegraphic Transfer; some only accepts Letter of Credit and some prefers Euros than US Dollar for international trade.

Cope with the Varying

How well a company can handle the varying transactions and logistics issues in ensuring smooth, prompt and cost effective product delivery determines the successfulness of the company in its overseas business dealings.

In summary, “Global” is a strategy to achieve “once and for all” that applies to one world, and to reduce job duplications; in contrast, “International” is a strategy to adapt to the varying factors of bilateral trade effectively.

Simplicity vs Complexity

It is bizarre for the two words that carry almost the same meaning can lead to the opposite ways in marketing strategies. In short, “global” moves towards “simplicity”, and “international” heads towards “complexity”.

The only route to reduce complexity is to reduce tangibility of your products. Selling or providing intangible services or products such as the ones provided by Google, you're free from all the hassle in transportation and border control, which you can forget about “International”, and concentrate more on “Global”.

Envy of Google making a huge profit by offering online services? Such service might seem far-fetched for FingerTec, in your opinion, but we're closer than you think. Stay tuned for FingerTec’s next development.

by Teh Hon Seng, CEO, FingerTec HQ

S ynonym? Many people always use the word “Global” and “International” interchangeably, as they view these two words as synonyms to o...

10 Things Uniquely India – At least from my observation

Friday 24 October 2008 0 Comments

Last week I was in New Delhi for the second time, attended IFSEC India 2008 with our partner, Compax. Here are 10 things I observed which are uniquely India!
10. Auto is the king of transportation
The auto can get you almost anywhere at the cheapest price and the fastest way. Hop on any of those and enjoy the traffic of Delhi!

9. There’s something about Indian guys hair
Even the cartoon characters have Indian hair and the sideburns. Not a single strand is out of place and it stays neat throughout the day. They must have received some kind of training during childhood on hair maintenance.

8. Healthy snack is everywhere
Nuts, peas, dhal, rice with onions, green chilies and tomatoes combined is heavenly. Sweet potatoes, refrigerated water everywhere. What’s not to like?

7. Natural mouth freshener
As natural as you can get…

6. Crowded redefined
Nearing Diwali, the Indians started to shop and in places near the Jama’ Mosque, India gives me new definition of crowded. And it was C.R.O.W.D.E.D!!!!

5. Honking is a culture
You honk to avoid people banging you, you honk to avoid being banged, you honk to say you are there, you honk for fun, and you honk just because you are alive.

4. Cricket is life
I went to India Gate and saw every guy in Delhi trained and played cricket. Soccer is just netball for Indian guys. :-)

3. Negotiation is in their blood
When people said INR 1000, I said INR 5000, and I thought I was good. This is how you SHOULD do it.
You: How much?
Seller: INR1000.
You: What? This thing for 1000 rupees? INR250!
* If they didn’t budge, just walk away. You will get seal the deal in 5 seconds.
2. Vegetables are in huge demand!
Even the ice cream experts is a pure vegetarian. My friend from Chennai told me about this new development, “Chicken is a vegetarian”. And we argued the whole night about this new development and we plan to continue this argument next year.

1. Hospitality is No. 1
Indian hospitality is No. 1, the first time I went and the second time around. Thank you guys for the warm welcome and the lovely stay. India rocks! That's me in Indian traditional attire. Happy Diwali to all my Indian friends and clients.

by Norana Johar, COO, FingerTec HQ

Last week I was in New Delhi for the second time, attended IFSEC India 2008 with our partner, Com pax. H...

I want less.

Monday 13 October 2008 0 Comments

Humans are pretty weird if you haven’t noticed yet. We evolve and we adapt to our environments. Whose theory was right? Jean-Baptiste Lamarck theorized that giraffe had long neck because of its constant effort to reach the higher leaves. Darwin kicked Lamarck’s arse by introducing the theory of evolution where giraffe that reached the better leaves (higher leaves) survived and multiplied. Darwin went a bit further with his theory, saying that men originated from apes, which I refuse to be a part of; I stay with my human descendants. The fact is, humans adapt. We (humans) always go one way and then reverse, and then we start again following the pattern, to adapt to our surroundings. Take for example, mobile phones. Back in the 80s, the hugest the better. After a while those who hadn’t changed their phones pretended that the ringing phone in the handbag was not hers. Everybody rooted for the smallest Nokia where humans with thumbs exceeding 1 inch in diameter would not be able to use. When PDA phone was introduced, we went big again. The bigger the better and those with PDA phones had smirk in their faces when looking at those having mere talking phones.

Talking about FingerTec, I was with the company since the AC600 model (For the uninitiated (mostly all of you), it’s the-futuristic-protruding weird-looking fingerprint machine which we thought cool at that time and some judges thought the same things as we won several awards for AC600). Now, occasionally we use it to crack a joke. “Whoever gets the highest sales will receive a one-kind award-winning phone.” It’s pretty lame but we rolled on the floor laughing when the AC600 was introduced.

Then we got slimmer with AC900. So slim that many were envious and produced the same thing. One thing they didn’t notice, our AC900 has two strips of silver on the sides. It’s just an illusion to make us look slimmer like most women do. After the introduction of AC900, we shifted our focus to give more; more features, more capacity, more memory, more this, more that which in the end means more money for us and for our clients. While many welcomed our enthusiasm in producing more, one thing we failed to realize at that time was there were people who prefer less. Minimalists do exist, people! 

As humans, we adapt and we produce the machines for the minimalist. The simpler, the better they say. And we obliged. Thus, soon we will be introducing TA100 DIY. No software, easy-to-use time attendance reader, easy on your mind and easy on your wallet. My question is, do you think the TA100 DIY will stay small? By now, you get the drift already that we always go one-way and reverse to start again. Check out the latest TA100 DIY to go back to simplicity. 

by Norana Johar, COO, FingerTec HQ

Humans are pretty weird if you haven’t noticed yet. We evolve and we adapt to our environments. Whose theory was right? Jean-Baptiste Lamarc...

FingerTec in Iran: Perceived Sensitivity

Thursday 9 October 2008 business trends , company strategies , corporate culture , exhibition show , i don't mind admitting when i make a mistake 1 Comments

Tehran, Mt. Damavand in background

You won’t find urinal in any gent toilets in Tehran; but it doesn’t really matter, you carry out your business like usual. What really matter is, you have to use cash to pay your hotel, your meals, your shopping, practically everything. No merchants take credit card here. This should be part of the outcome after the US imposed a blanket trade embargo on Iran in the aftermath of the Islam Revolution back in 1979. And most of the active importers have to make Dubai their financial hub to deal with suppliers.

Once strong and fascinating ancient Persian culture slowly receding after the Islam revolution, left Persian carpet, still attracted buyers for its whiff of mystique. No alcohols, no western entertainments and the TV channels could doze you off in a matter of seconds.

What is well perceived by all foreigners: Women have to put on scarf to cover their hair, and enough cloth to cover their body before stepping onto the Iranian’s soil. What’s not so sensitively perceived by me: My exhibition booth’s backdrop showing a model lies on her belly exposing her arms, although considered quite conservative in other places, create some uneasiness here.

The controversy backdrop and the conservative Ms Mehri Molaee

Being the world’s fourth-largest exporter of oil, the petrol price here is extremely low and enviable, USD0.10 per liter. Tour the city with a cab, you won’t feel the pain.

Back to business: FingerTec is Farsi language-ready for hardware and software; hence the inquiries were overwhelmed in the Trade Show. But without the assistance from my interpreter, Ms Mehri Molaee, the communication would most probably be a halt.

Always strike hard and hope for the best; FingerTec in Iran, and in everywhere.

by Teh Hon Seng, CEO, FingerTec HQ

Tehran, Mt. Damavand in background You won’t find urinal in any gent toilets in Tehran; but it doesn’t really matter, you carry ou...

Eid Mubarak to All!

Sunday 5 October 2008 1 Comments

Eid Fitr is such a wonderful and meaningful celebration to me and my family and I'm taking this opportunity to wish all my Muslim customers, Eid Mubarak. I'm taking a long break for Eid and please accept my sincerest apology if I couldn't be reached during this time of the year. I'll be back by Wednesday next week, a couple of pounds heavier. :-)

by Norana Johar, COO, FingerTec HQ

Eid Fitr is such a wonderful and meaningful celebration to me and my family and I'm taking this opportunity to wish all my Muslim custom...