Business Network & Clusters

A Critical history of an entrepreneurial venture using

business networks and clusters

K. Ravinther

How many of you are interested to build your

own business?

Why do you want to build your own business?

“ When you do your work, do it as a service to others.

Do it full heartedly without expecting anything in return. The human network

has enormous power to see you through life ”

K. Kunju Raman

“ A business enterprise must grow in harmony with society. A business has to

expand and develop all the time, but the prosperity that results cannot be enjoyed solely by itself – it must be

shared with society ”

K. Matsushita

April 1992

August 1992

October 1993

1st October 1993 - 4th June 2004

Serve first, sell later

Business Idea

If we can sell our experiences

we all will become millionaires

K. Kunju Raman“ Human beings are capable of accomplishing much more than

initially imagined if they are provided with trainings and

special know-how. And if these conditions are met, the person

assigned will exercised his or her abilities to the fullest if given the

chance”

K. Matsushita

Sell our experiences - ASK

ASK - Principal Activity• The company is principally engaged in

competency development, providing training services and related business

Lecturing•Management CoursesTuition•Mathematics•Science•Statistics

Education Training Consultation

Organizations•Effective Professional Selling Skills•Effective Telemarketing Skills•Effective Telephone Style•Effective Customer Service•Effective Supervisory Skills•Effective Communication Skills•Effective Team Building & Motivation

•Marketing Planning•HR Consultation

Individuals•Coaching•Counseling•One-on-one Executive Trainer•Career Coach

EventManagement

•Keynote Speeches•Organizing Seminars•Organizing Events•Master of Ceremonies•Game Show Host•Youth Programs•Children Camps•School Camps•Spokesperson•Seminars to promote Client•Moderator•Facilitator•Professional Speaker•Sports Carnival

Specific Characteristics

Lifestyle Firm Market Influence

Lean Management

Industry Independence

Personal Influence

Close Relationships

Life Long Education

Strategic Network

Business Network & Clusters

14

“Business clusters refers to geographic concentrations of interconnected companies, specialized suppliers, service providers, and associated institutions in a particular field that are present in a nation or region”

Michael PorterHarvard Business School

The survival of our business draws upon certain types of relations developed through trade and business networks…

ASK Business Cluster

15

Hyper Markets

Carrefour

Jusco

HarveyNorman

SENQ

Courts

LCS

Best Denki

Tesco

MMU

UM USM

UPM SYUC

Sylog

Fuji Xerox

Sharp-roxy

Suppliers

BBS

RCG

Brother

Cambodia

Laos

KenwoodDeVO

Tamico Bell

Dealers Network

KLG

Delta

Panatech

TCSS

InnovativeFormula

GIN

Training Partners

HousingMinistry

EducationMinistry

RTM

Former Class mates

Avisol

Bintang Maju

Bosch

Former Colleagues

PSE

MGR

BSD

CPD

EMDCSDV

MMCS

Logistic

HR

Finance

MD

EDGM

Panasonic Malaysia

Universities

Soyotech

Key Customers

Consumer Electronics

Telco/SME Education Airlines, Logistics & Medical

Banking & Retail

PSE

MGR

BSD

CPD

EMDCSDV

MMCS

Logistic

HR

Finance

MD

EDGM

Panasonic Malaysia

certain types of relations

To manage a business network we must improve our communication skill…

But…HOW do we do that?

Colleague You Another Person

Your Problem

19

ValuesStandardsJudgmentMotivesEthicsBeliefs

Behaviour

Attitude

Solutions…

Dimensions of How We Relate to Other People/Time/Space & Environment

1. Universalism vs. Particularism2. Analyzing vs. Integrating3. Individualism vs. Communitarianism4. Inner-directed vs. Outer-directed5. Time as sequence vs. Time as

synchronisation6. Achieved status vs. Ascribed status7. Equality vs. Hierarchy

Soft Skills

Mindful Interpreting

What did I do well?

What can be improved?

What have I learnt?Page 7

22

Co-existence & co-prosperity

Cool head, warm heart

Your reputation is your brand

Give more than you receive

Put yourself in the other person shoe

Give the other person the benefit of doubt

Think good about everyone

Rec

onci

liat

ion

T

ech

niq

ues

Year Growth

2004 -

2005 190%

2006 109%

2007 161%

2008 133%

2009 122%

2010 120%

2011 130%

Sales Growth

What my mother taught me…

Avoid wrong place,

wrong time and wrong company

Be vigilant

Call-off the

counsel of the

wicked

DARE TO ASK