Tales from Taipei

This week’s blogs comes to you from downtown Taipei, where I am attending the World TAFISA Congress on behalf of ‘Life. Be in it’.

The visit raised my awareness of the difference in level of government commitment to the development of smart companies and the increasing level of cross linkages between Asian nations that are only marginally on the Australian corporate horizon. We still live off our heritage while they are carving out a high-tech future.

Taiwan has a population around the same size as Australia but has very different attitudes to the promotion and development of small business as a cultural and commercial future in the region.

Its SME sector is vastly more culturally sensitive, albeit of necessity due to the ongoing issues of its status within the Chinese diaspora and it continues to develop a significant global trade leadership in new technologies, strategic networking and cross-border customer relationships management.

It is instructive to look at the list of their award-winning smart companies to find a predominance of high-tech, biotech, and systems design companies that are part of the more than 95% suppliers of new export developments.

While Australia has remained heavily dependent upon its quarry, farm, school and a bit of tourism, this island economy has linked with the research and development leaders around the globe to become a globally competitive supplier of innovative products as a leading supplier to the world markets.

It is not, however, the high tech focus that is of concern here. Rather, it is the conscious promotion of an entrepreneurial culture and the systematic promotion of smart companies as the major source of job creation and sustainable prosperity.

Whereas Australia is using 457 visas to import key personnel from overseas rather than investing in the development of quality innovative programs here, and supporting dodgy colleges to collect fees without any accountability for the quality rather than the quantity of courses, Asian countries and cities such as China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan are aggressively seeming to upgrade their human resources at the same time as we are giving 50% capital subsidies to reduce labour consumption.

As a result, all of these economies are increasing the rate of development of smart companies, actively creating pools of capital for both onshore and offshore development and encouraging young entrepreneurs to have a go.

One story from Jang Jau Fu is indicative of the overall pattern from the principles of the Magic Balloon International Co. Ltd who set their directions by two aphorisms:

“Creating a god is easy, but making a team become a legend is better and more competitive” and “Challenge yourself, stay in shape, and prove yourself when the chance comes”.

Here is part of their story that sets out this smart company’s lesson from abroad that entrepreneurship is hard and endless determination is needed to succeed. Always remember the ideals and goals you had when business just started, they are exactly the things that brought you to where you are today.

“A few years ago, my senior classmate and I were drinking and talking at a noodle stand. Both of us were unemployed and had no idea what we were going to do in the future. He was flipping through a magazine and saw a picture of a celebrity with balloons decorated behind him. He said to me: “Let’s make balloons!

I said: “Balloons???”

I watched a TV program about balloon art later that night and became fascinated as well. Various balloon images appeared in my mind and I was hooked.

We didn’t know anything about balloons and used our enthusiasm, determination, and heart to sell our product at night markets and all the way up to department stores. Looking at the magic balloon team we have today, makes us feel the long nights, the discussions and all the hard work, was worthwhile and has finally paid off.

Although we didn’t have a large capital, we still did it step-by-step and succeeded. Our family was not happy at first, but now they are very proud of us. Some may think we got lucky, but we had our fair share of struggling. There were months when we could only eat one meal a day. We chose bread according to its weight, because it was more filling. Although we no longer have to live like that, we still are used to eating one meal a day.

No case is too small for us. We try to understand the needs and deadlines of every customer. Professional advice and creative ideas are then given according to their profile. We want our customers to feel comfortable and respected, because one of the things we sell is sincerity.

Our main goal is to develop professional technologies and become the number one balloon provider in Taiwan. We want to improve the related technologies, organise professional tutoring teams, grow and stay competitive, and satisfy market needs via diverse strategies. Our dream is to excel as a listed balloon company and let the art of balloons become a science in college and universities. Foreign countries will look in awe as balloons become a symbol of this country.

We plan to synchronise technologies, get international recognition and expand our business to other countries. When Taiwan becomes a host country for holding international competitions, it will stimulate local markets and make them flourish.

Our company specialises in manufacturing balloons, party supplies and the balloon decor for exhibitions. What we actually provide is elements of “surprise, happiness and touching moments” to our customer through a medium of balloons. Changes in society and the market have caused people to be more distant and wary of each other; we want to tear down such barriers and bring people closer to each other and their emotions through our products.”

Another award-winning small business setting the pace is GeoVision.

GeoVision products are designed and developed with the capabilities of digitisation, networking, smart video analytics, integration and central monitoring, creating a high value added platform for a global expansion program. It is one of the first security companies in Taiwan that provides multi-platform solutions including digital video surveillance system, POS/ATM integration, IP surveillance solution (IP camera and video server), license plate recognition solution and access control integration.

This company is dedicated to product innovation, thanks to its in-house R&D team and advanced video technologies offering competition edges in production flexibility, good quality control, cost control and competitive prices. With products offered in 19 languages for different countries, which help to open distribution channels that help it to raise brand awareness in nearly 70 countries in the world. By establishing overseas subsidiaries and distribution channels, GeoVision is able to provide delicate services to customers and collect information from local markets. Exhibitions, seminars and new products workshop also help bring up brand awareness.

Which all reminds us that the purpose of world travel is to see how big is the gap between Australia’s reliance on global serendipity rather than making a systematic effort to develop a truly innovative, creative and entrepreneurial economy that supports the growth of smart companies.

Dr Colin Benjamin
Entrepreneurship and Strategic Thinking Consultant

Marshall Place Associates offers a range of strategic thinking tools that open up a universe of new possibilities for individuals and organisations committed to applying the processes of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Email dr.colinbenjamin@marshallplace.com.au
Contact: CEO Dr Jane Shelton, Phone +61 3 96400099

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