1. Purpose of grant: Hooraay~~~ Malaysian will enjoy high speed broadband in the near future!! However, the authorities are afraid that the broadband penetration rate will still remain low after the implementation. Hence, the objective of this grant is to generate more local contents to encourage the nation broadband penetration. Hence, your proposal and business model must be able to align with their strategy in promoting broadband uptake in Malaysia. In actual, with or without the grant, with high speed broadband, i see a lot of opportunities ahead for businesses such as IPTV and etc.
2. Amount of grant: RM100,000
3. Duration: 8 months
4. Application Flow: The application flow for ICON grant is rather different from  PRE-SEED. For Pre-seed, after submission of application, you will need to present your ideas to the panels yourself. However, for ICON, after submission, you will be assigned with a representative from the ICON community, and you will present to your representative, and your representative will present on behalf of you to the panels. There is a possibility that you will also need to do the presentation yourself if the panels has doubts and they need further information or better understanding from you.
5. Disbursement method: I hope I did not interpret this wrongly from MDEC. If I do, please do correct me. PRE-SEED disbursement will be given upfront by MDEC in quarterly basis. However, ICON will be rather different. The phases are structured in 2/3/3 format. which means 2 months + 3 months + 3 months = 8 months. If I did not interpret wrongly from the community, the first 2 months, 20% of the requested amount will be given upfront from MDEC, but the remaining quarter, you will need to fork out your money first, and claimed back as proposed. In another word, if you are requesting for max RM100k, you need to have extra RM40k to survived the first 5 months after 20k has been disbursed.
6. Type of Programme Supported: Please read the following links = (ICONapps, ICONedu, ICONity, ICONex)
7. Forms and Application: Please contact them via their email to obtain the forms and application.
8. More details please contact them personally via their email. Please download the infopack

A few months back, I was helping a friend with their grant application, great business model with great proposal written. However, they failed due to poor presentations. A brief recipe of what you should be present:

1. Problem – What is the current problems in the market which you found it as an opportunity ?
2. Solution – The solutions to the problem. What can your system do?
3. Product – The main features of your product that provides the solution.
4. Demand – Show them the demand from the market. Tell them this is what the market wants. show them letter of interest.

I believe most of the you might have known of the above recipe. but what you have not notice which kengyew has pointed out, and I totally agreed with that. Things you should get notice for your presentation:

1. Don’t put your panels to sleep nor giving them a headache:
   • This is one of the mistakes that my friend did. The panels are listening to more than 20 presentation a day, they are tired, sleepy. So, Stop listing all the features that what your system can do.
   • Example, you are pitching to built a Toilet bowl with a system that is able to analyse human health condition by examine the faeces (your stool).
   • Hence, you do not list down every single feature of the toilet bowl from flush tank, design, flap seat, ass washer, can do this, can do that and bla bla bla bla bla etc. How boring was that!!!
   • All you need is to find out your few main unique feature, and focus on that only. the rest, mention in brief.
   • if you list down too many features, it looks more like a rojak system instead of a uniquely defined product, and may open up more problems and question for the panels to haunt you down.
2. Tell Stories
   • “Imagine, every morning when you are sitting on your toilet bowl, there is a nice sweet voice with background music, reporting on your health condition, advising you the amount of water you should drink, print and plan the type of food you should eat. Apart from that, if your ass get too numb, you get to comfort your ass with the massage system”,
   • rather than …“The toilet bowl that we proposed will have voice reporting system, a built-in speaker, a printer that will list down the amount of water should drink and the food to consume. and also, a built-in X2131 latest model of massage system.”..ZZZzzzzz …. who cares about X2131 model.
   • I am not a good story teller, that’s why I plan for my presentation with stories. Preparation is needed.
3. Is all about Emotion:
   • You don’t present like you have just gotten up from bed or your dog just died last night.
   • You need to show PASSION and EXCITEMENTS. Give me the money or i will ….~!

Malaysian Top model Amber Chia has now became the role model for all Malaysian startups. A lesson that should be learnt when dealing with businesses. According to the news in the recent papers (see: news 1, news 2), Amber ran into a business partnership with a friend that claim to possess a Franchising Agreement from Ford Model, an international model search franchise, to run a show based on Ford Supermodel of the World. Winners of the show would win US$50,000 (RM173,250) each, coupled with modelling contracts and stand a chance to compete in the Ford Supermodel of the World contest. The saddest thing is the business started off with a verbal agreement and Amber have no doubts on the Franchising agreement that her friend claimed to own. And these are the real facts that do always happens in the real world.

We humans tends to be over sentimental than rational when dealing with business. The moral that amber has taught everyone that no matter how close you are with your business partner, you will still need to take in consideration of self protection. Self protection is not meant by profiting only yourself, but is just to be un-harm, where risk are fairly shared and profits are fairly distribute. Coming back to the reality of life, Yes, the business world is cruel and complicated. Even blood brothers, relatives, siblings can betray each other, there is no doubt that your best friend will turn you over. Amber mistakes was not getting a confirmation from Ford Model from the very beginning before running into business and over trust a friend. Sometimes these kind of "sentimental relation risk" is needed to take, but we still can minimize the risk and to be extra cautious. I envied that Amber has the heart and ability to encourage, to train and nourish new young talented models from Malaysia, however, I guess, to protect and benefit others, first you will have to be strong enough to protect oneself.

Although we were given good feedbacks from clients, but we knew the road in front is tough, we are left out with no more capital to spent, hanging in between. Looking at your friends and ex-colleague getting promoted with income raise, I have wonder why did I put myself in such situation, but I never regretted.  I feel glad that I had a team that runs with me until now, and thankful for the support from my family from the beginning. Hence these only made me no choice but to continue to move forward even you knew the road is tough. I love pressure~!

1. How Business Ideas Work - Grant applicant must read.
2. How Business Plan Work - Grant applicant must read.
3. How Start Up Capital Work
4. How Does Venture Capital Work
5. 10 Ways to Finance A New Business
6. 10 Common Problems for New Businesses
7. How Business Legal Structure Work
8. How Marketing Plans Work

For those who are reading the my blog post on "Basic Tips and Guidelines for applying ICT Funding in Malaysia", the links above is a must read, specially the How Business Plan and Business Ideas Work.

At the recent local newspaper, it has known that the founder of pendrive is a Malaysian. Yes, indeed, Malaysian is the one that invented the pendrive(a thumbdrive, usb flash memory, etc or whatever u named it), Mr Pua Khein-Seng, the pride and proud of an Malaysian Entrepreneur (click here for more info). I felt proud for the moment when I was reading the articles that how Pua made his way up when he started his company (PHISON ELECTRONIC CORP) in Taiwan while he was only 27. I googled around and search for his profile and I came out to a very ironic information (which i do not know how true it was), that Pua was a rejected student from the local university, and even though his proposal of his USB flash memory (pendrive) was also rejected by Malaysian authorities, and he was force to stay back in Taiwan to start his invention. a Malaysian Entrepreneur which was not in MALAYSIA.

Today, PenDrive or USB Flash memory, has revolutionize the era of floppy disk and storage in the world of computer. As an inventor, just only by receiving licensing revenues from different manufacturer would have made how many billions of dollars from around the world. However, the most ironic thing is this, it is claimed to be a “TAIWAN TECHNOLOGY” instead of “MALAYSIA TECHNOLOGY“. First of all, the technology is patented under a TAIWAN company, funded and invented in TAIWAN, hence, it is a TAIWAN TECHNOLOGY. This is just one “in your face” disgraced for MSC MALAYSIA, that has missed an opportunity to sparkle and polish Malaysian capabilities that all pendrive around the world is a MALAYSIA TECHNOLOGY. Apart from that, the millions and billions of dollars that has flown into the TAIWAN company which is worth RM4.1Billion, instead of a MALAYSIA company has really really sadden me off. Arggg…..I am so sad, so angry, the money, the pride, the proud~~ gosh, all gone to TAIWAN~! You can’t blame Pua. Now, whether is it for 1Malaysia, reporters has been running around to spot out entrepreneurs that has lost from malaysia, asking them, “Will you be coming back? do you still love your country? will you bring back your business?”, i think most will answered, yes, I love my country, i will be back. In terms of bringing back the business, hmmm, what will be the offer from the country? My business is well established out of malaysia, whats for the hassle to bringing it back?

I was wondering, if Pua managed to do this in Malaysia, will it be the same achievement as he has in Taiwan now? so? the pride, the proud or the shame?

Entrepreneur can change the world

This video is really awesome. Although is an telecommunication advert, however it expresses and flourishes the value of entrepreneurship in one single video.

1. You remember when you were a kid, and you thought you could do anything? You still can.
2. Because a lot what we considered IMPOSSIBLE, is easy to overcome,
3. Because incase you haven’t notice we live in a place where One individual can make a difference
4. Want Proof? Just look at the people who built our country, our parents, grandparents, our aunts, uncles,
5. They were immigrants, new comers, ready to make their MARK,
6. May be they came with very little or perhaps they didn’t own anything, except for a SINGLE BRILLIANT IDEA
7. These people were Thinkers, Doers, Innovators until they came up with the name, ENTREPRENEURS.
8. They change the way we think about what is POSSIBLE
9. They have a CLEAR VISION of how life can be BETTER
10. For all of us , even when TIMES ARE TOUGH.
11. Right now is hard to see when our view is cluttered with OBSTACLES,
12. but TURBULENCE, creates OPPORTUNITIES for SUCCESS, ACHIEVEMENT, and pushes us to discover NEW WAYS OF DOING THINGS.
13. So what opportunities will you go after and WHY?
14. If you’re an Entrepreneur, You know that RISK ISN’T THE REWARD.
15. NO. The REWARDS are DRIVING INNOVATION, CHANGING PEOPLE’S LIVES, CREATING JOBS, FUELING GROWTH, and MAKING A BETTER WORLD
16. Entrepreneurs are everywhere, they run small businesses that support our Economy,
17. design tools to help you connected with friends, family and colleagues around the world.
18. and they’re FINDING NEW WAYS of helping to SOLVES OLDEST PROBLEM
19. Do you know an Entrepreneur?
20. ENTREPRENEURS CAN BE ANYONE, EVEN “YOU”
21. so, Seize the opportunity to CREATE THE JOB YOU ALWAYS WANTED.
22. Help Heal the economy, MAKE A DIFFERENCE, take your business to NEW HEIGHTS,
23. But most importantly, Remember when you are a KID, when everything was within your reach,
24. and then say to yourself quietly, but with DETERMINATION: IT STILL IS.

Yes, we have forgotten how innocent we were when we were young. Everything is possible, and we just do what we want to achieved. we are so determined. obstacles are never in our way. Is time to remind us we still CAN~ ENTREPRENEURS CAN BE ANYONE, EVEN “YOU”!

Malaysia needs more competitive awareness, and I personally still feels that Malaysia has not awaken from its comfort zone. The best example that the recent abolishment on implementing English in Maths and Science has raised a critical issue in the region where the authorities are over protecting the inability of rural areas and the insufficient knowledge of the poor educators and has forgotten of who we wanted to be in the global position. In my personal opinion, applying sufficient pressure in the education system is the only way to improve our competitive advantages in the global industry. Stop protecting and stop giving excuses to yourself for not improving. Its only a matter of whether you want to be improved or not. I came from a Chinese independent school, and I remember the horror in learning English, Chinese and BM in both Science and Maths. Get over it, Malaysian~!

I have delegate most of the responsibility of sales call and meeting schedule with clients to my marketing partner, kc. However, I decide to take up the challenge to learn something which I don’t always do - A cold call to a potential clients. Yes, is my first Cold Call, which I think is a skill that needed to mastered in the path of becoming an entrepreneur.

So, I listed down a list of potential customers and their contacts in a piece of paper. I put the phone in front of me. then…. oppps , of all the sudden, I felt thirsty, so I go make myself a cup of tea. Ok, the tea is ready, I suppose if I talk too much I still get to clear my throats with the tea. Hmmm, I think not enough contacts in my list, so I when google for more contacts, in between, facebook for a while, and listed down extra 10 contacts to my list. Ok, now I should be ready~! I pickup the phone, suddenly, I felt shit right at my ass, and I head to the toilet and make it big~! Ok, I think almost everything should be ready, the list of contact, the tea, my throats are clear, there is no shit in my ass. Oh ya, I forgotten to write a script for my call. So, I spent some time to write the script. Ok, now everything is prepared. Set to go. What the Hell, I am still freaking nervous when the phone is on my hand. And, 2 hours gone~! I have been shouting at myself - Make the Call ~!!! you Fucking Idiot~!

What happen to me, why am I so nervous. I am able to faced the 10 panels from MDeC and now I am so chicken~! So, I told myself, If I don’t make the call now, I will be eating bread for life!!! Hence, I get myself calm within minutes, pick up the phone, and dial the first number on my list. A lady pick up the phone, hence, I read my script.. “Hi, I am Chee Hoong. Calling from Joove Enterprise Sdn Bhd”, then the lady answered~ “WHAT IS THIS REGARDING~!”, oh gosh, the sound on the other sides seems having a period, I felt very uninvited, my brain just got a shock, stunned for a second. And I repeated the script again “Hi, My name is Chee Hoong, calling from Joove Enterprise Sdn Bhd. We are doing bla bla bla. and blablabla. Are you able to spare me some time for a meet up?”. Wow, I read that script in one breath~! and I hope she gets my message. She replied. “SORRY, WE ARE NOT INTERESTED!” slammed the phone. There goes my first call. Oh, is sounds so hurt, is like being dump by your girlfriend. OK, get on with the second call with the better feeling, still tense up, half recovering from the previous rejection. Second call, heart brokening. Third call, Failed. Something is not right some where.

So, I call up my partner, get him to call some clients on my list, and I observe his conversation. The next day, I make my second attempt, imitating the way my partner did, these time without scripts, no tea, and with shit in the ass. I converse in a way like how you talk to a friend, gentle, nice and honest. Finally, One appointment made, YES~! That moment, I felt so over joy. I am happy that I am able to overcome the fear, and successfully getting an appointment via the phone. Then the second call, third call, forth call, is so exciting, and I got it all through and appointments are set. I believe, there are still much to learn from cold calling skills. A lot of practice needed on me. Hence, Geeks, all you need is to overcome the fear. Start calling now or you will be eating bread for life.

Small tips for cold calling. 1st, Prepare a Script but Never read from the Script. 2nd, Identify your objective. 3rd, focus on your objective. 4th, converse in a smooth way. 5th, Just enough information will do. 6th, Ask for appointment. 7th. PICK UP THE PHONE AND DIAL AND KEEP A SMILING FACE~!

Links to share:

1. http://sbinfocanada.about.com/cs/marketing/a/coldcall.htm
2. http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-10-Tips-For-Cold-Calling-Success&id=80590
3. http://www.bytestart.co.uk/content/marketing/articles/cold-calling-guide.shtml
4. http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/marketing/customer-service-acquisition/7-tips-for-turning-cold-calls-into-hot-leads.aspx#tipsforturningcoldcallsintohotleads

I was reading on theStar online that a frustrated visitor urge to saved our Country Zoo, claiming the animals are not well treated, looked under-fed, dirty and unhappy, surrounded by untrimmed bushes and uncut grass, incomplete renovation and expansion work, filthy walls and drains and other unsightly scenery (details read here.) . Yes, indeed the Zoo “Negara” needs our help. Is sad to say, Zoo NEGARA is an NGO, Non-Governmental Organization. I was surprised too when I first known this off when I tried to approach Zoo Negara as our potential advertising clients weeks off before the news came out from the paper.

Holding the word Zoo “NEGARA”, a Country Zoo, I bet everyone thinks that the Zoo, is supported and funded by the country government. And is very sad to hear that, our  country government is not doing anything with it, and the Zoo is not listed as a tourism spot in Malaysia.  The management for Zoo “Negara” are looking for sponsors for to feed the animals in the Zoo, sponsors for their advertising campaign, and sponsors to renovate the zoo. and I was wondering, why in the first place it is called ZOO “NEGARA“.

Why is Singapore Zoo so crowded with tourist, Jurong Bird Park is so pack with visitors? and our Zoo, you don’t even need to queue to get your tickets. First of all, the location of the Zoo is Not strategic (don’t expect someone going up to Genting will drop by the Zoo), secondly, there are no special performance that will attract the visitors (I prefer to go Genting to watch the White Tigers that performs Magic), and the Zoo is barely surviving itself.

Someone and Some department under the government has to do something about it, or find someone to put his head in the tiger as a key attraction to the zoo. Instead of spending such a huge amount of money in promoting Malaysia Tourism via EPL, why can’t that amount be used to improve the countries properties! Malaysia has lots of attractive tourism spots, jungle tracking, water fall that needs to be well maintained, and yet you see rubbish stacking up everywhere. Tourism Malaysia has over focused on foreign markets, and have neglected the local markets that will also indirectly steer the economy in within the country itself. If our own nation does not even support the local tourism, why do you expect the foreigners will?