MALAYSIA’S SEARCH FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

           From the review of article, development in entrepreneurship has had a positive and significant impact on the local business sector. The government has always given attention to developing young entrepreneurs into resilient and competitive players in the global market.

Firstly, Masterskill Education Group Bhd’s founder Datuk Seri Edmund Santhara, Masterskill, which is the country’s largest operator of non-government nursing colleges. Under his leadership, Masterskill has seen student population growing to over 9000 through the implementation of innovative measures. 

Secondly, Ganesh Kumar Bangah is the co-founder of MOL and group CEO of Friendster. He basically built his company from scratch and is now the biggest online payment service provider in Asia.

Thirdly, Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, is the richest young billionaire in the world at the age of 26. His great insight and intelligence allowed him to incorporate pre-existing concepts and turn it into ideas that have swept the world. 

In addition, Jerry Yang from Taiwan, moved to the United States of America when he was 10. He created his web directory in 1994 with partner David Filo when both were Stanford grad students. The Yahoo! co-founder made his debut among America’s richest at age 29.

From my point of view, young Malaysian entrepreneurs can learn from these people. They can start from their humble beginnings that were able to turn their ideas into something of great value. They were able to overcome challenges presented before them and go on to become what they are today. It is possible for young Malaysian entrepreneurs to emulate these people. It needs some hard work and effort, and the inspiration to succeed. A paradigm shift among young people is highly imperative, as their contributions to entrepreneurship would stimulate the country’s economic growth. In conclusion it can help young entrepreneurs to move forward in becoming a developed nation by 2020.

4 APPROACHES INTRODUCED BY MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH OF ENTREPRENEUR AND LOCAL BUSINESS

            From the review of article, Malaysian Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak unveiled the 4 Approaches for Entrepreneurship Growth to create a vibrant environment in order to cultivate more interest towards pursuing Entrepreneurship. Firstly, it is creative in introducing the new ideas to encourage the growth of entrepreneur. Najib said among the approaches or new ideas that should be practiced to the extent the margin or profit to entrepreneurs was negligible. Secondly, inject innovation in business can enhance and expand the business. He said government encouraged networking so that the product of an entrepreneur can sold in domestic market and nationwide.

           Thirdly, apply strong and popular branding is another approach in business development of entrepreneur. Najib said, it was important and be given attention if a brand was accepted by consumers. Cost of a product may be RM10,000 but with intensive branding, we can sell for RM20,000 to consumers. Lastly, we can use website to expand the market. Najib said entrepreneurs should also take full advantage of websites like the internet to sell their products. Government had earlier launched the Rural Transformation Program in Gopeng. It is a fresh initiative towards empowering the rural entrepreneurial sector.

                     From my point of view, the 4 basic approaches that the Prime Minister described tend to mirror the patterns of businesses. It is introduced by the Prime Minister in committing the government’s support towards Entrepreneurship. Most of the entrepreneurs in Malaysia are lack of creativity in developing their business. Creative in introducing the new ideas can build a supportive, competitive and vibrant Entrepreneur eco-system in Malaysia. Besides that we can inject innovation in business. For example, MATRADE’s initiatives can promote Malaysia’s innovations globally. Moreover, we can apply strong and popular branding to entrepreneur’s product. Proton can introduce hybrid car in the market to get strong and popular branding in Malaysia and all over the world. Lastly, we can use website to expand the market. Nowadays, many entrepreneurs use website to promote their product. Customers can get the latest information from the website easily and more convenient. 

THE INNOVATION SECRET OF STEVE JOBS

            Steve Jobs had led one of the most interesting, successful yet challenging lives as an entrepreneur. Steve Jobs is a maverick entrepreneur from being he fired from his own company which he founded. Then he returns back to the helm and revolutionize the digital products and services industry.

             In ‘The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs’, there are the four core principles of Jobs’ core business philosophy and how others can adapt it. Firstly, do what you love. Following your passion might sound like a soft skill, but Steve Jobs has said it's responsible for much of his success. Jobs was once asked point-blank what advice he would give a young entrepreneur looking for career advice. Secondly, put a dent in the universe. In 1976, when Jobs and Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple, Jobs' vision was to put a computer in the hands of everyday people. He knew immediately that the technology would make computers appealing to "everyday people.

            Thirdly, kick start your brain. Creativity leads to innovative ideas. For Steve Jobs, creativity is connecting things, Jobs believes that a broad set of experiences expands our understanding of the human experience. Fourthly, sell dreams, not products. To Steve Jobs, people who buy Apple products are not "consumers." They are people with hopes, dreams and ambitions. He builds products to help people achieve their dreams. 

                  From my point of view, Steve Jobs enhance the support of both the consumer market by presenting nicely designed innovative products. He is creating new platforms that have allowed people and households to be a part of the vast Apple products eco-system. For example, he has invented iPod Nano, iPhone 4, iPad and so on. It is a simple innovation which can create deeper, emotional and connection to the customers. The creativity and innovation of Steve Jobs create more potential entrepreneur as the technology of the product keep increasing. 

Entrepreneur of Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad (TCMH) , Nissan in Malaysia - Mr. Tan Eng Soon

                           Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad (TCMH) - Mr. Tan Eng Soon

            3.1       Background of Entrepreneur 

Mr. Tan Eng Soon has been the Chairman of Tan Chong International Ltd. since November 28, 2005 and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Tan served as Group Managing Director of Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd from February 1, 1989 to June 30, 2012. He has been involved in the Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad Group's operations since 1971. He served as Deputy Chairman of Tan Chong International Ltd., from January 2000 to November 28, 2005. He has been an Executive Director of Tan Chong International Ltd. since January 2000. He served as a Non-Executive and Non-Independent Director of APM Automotive Holdings Berhad from November 1, 1999 to May 22, 2013. Mr. Tan has a Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of New South Wales, Australia.

            3.2       Business development of Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad (TCMH )

Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad (TCMH) was incorporated in Malaysia on 14 October 1972. It began as a distributor of small motor vehicles back in the 1950s, TCMH Group is one of the largest national conglomerates involved in a myriad of business activities. It come from assembly and marketing of motor vehicles and auto parts manufacturing to property development as well as trading in various heavy machineries, industrial equipment and consumer products in both locally and abroad. It act as part of a restructuring exercise to strengthen the foothold as an industry major player in 1998.      

            3.3       Reason to choose Mr. Tan Eng Soon as entrepreneur

Mr. Tan Eng Soon is able to communicate and understand the customers’ needs by kicking off a ‘Business Made Easy” promotion package that consists of free first 5-year warranty program for Nissan Light Commercial Vehicles. He makes the company being cooperated within one another for whole Malaysia merchants. He also get the sole distributor of Nissan vehicles in Singapore which joins the drive towards a ‘no gas, no tailpipe’ zero-emission future by introducing the all-new Nissan LEAF to the world. 

Entrepreneur of SP Setia Bhd Group - Tan Sri Dato' Kee Sin Liew

                                        SP Setia  Bhd Group - Tan Sri Dato' Kee Sin Liew

                2.1       Background of Entrepreneur 

Tan Sri Dato' Kee Sin Liew has been Group Managing Director of SP Setia BHD since May 3, 1996. Tan Sri Dato' Liew also serves as Chief Executive Officer and President at SP Setia BHD. He started his career in a local merchant bank in 1981. After gaining 5 years of extensive experience in the banking industry, he ventured into property development. He does not have any family relationship with any director or major shareholder, nor any conflict of interest with S P Setia BHD. He has been an Executive Director of SP Setia BHD since 15 January, 1996. He has Bachelor of Economics Degree in Business Administration from University of Malaya. He has no convictions for any offences over the past 10 years.

            2.2       Business development of SP Setia Bhd Group

Tan Sri Dato' Kee Sin Liew has expanded his business in Klang Valley (KL Eco City ,Setia Alam, Setia Eco Park , Setia Nexus 1 , SetiaWalk , Duta Tropika , Duta Nusantara, Setiahills Ampang, Putrajaya Precinct 9, Putrajaya Precinct 15 and Pusat Bandar Puchong). Johor Bahru ( Bukit Indah, Setia Indah , Setia Tropika, Setia EcoGardens , Setia EcoCity). Penang (Setia Pearl Island, Setia Vista , Setia Greens).In addition, SP Setia Bhd Group has expand the business in overseas in Vietnam (EcoLakes MyPhuoc) , Singapore (Eco Sanctuary) and Battersea Power Station in United Kingdom.

            2.3       Reason to choose SP Setia Bhd Group as entrepreneur

SP Setia Bhd is a reputable home-grown property developer that delivers on quality, well designed and innovative property projects. It has been awarded the overall champion of the Aon Hewitt Best employers 2013 in Malaysia Study. He says that empowering the staff is the key of succeed to live up the vision internally and externally. Team spirit is instilled in our daily work life to induct the culture of the organization. On the other hand, he focuses on talent development and management to meet its human resource needs. He has expanded his business in Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, China, Indonesia and United Kingdom which can develop internationally savvy talents and pursue international mobility opportunities in national. 

Entrepreneur of Airasia - Tony Fernandes

            1.1       Background of entrepreneur   

Tan Sri Anthony Francis "Tony" Fernandes, CBE who born on 30 April 1964 is a Malaysian entrepreneur. He is the founder of Tune Air Sdn. Bhd, who introduced the first budget no-frills airline, AirAsia, to Malaysians with the tagline "Now everyone can fly". He managed to turn AirAsia into a failing government-linked commercial airline, into a highly successful budget airline public-listed company. He has since founded the Tune Group of companies. Besides that, he proposes the idea of open skies agreements with neighbouring Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore. As a result, these nations have granted landing rights to AirAsia and other discount carriers.

            1.2       Business development of Airasia

Fernandes' biggest achievement has been to turn the AirAsia airline into an international carrier. Before the creation of AirAsia, countries in the region did not have open-skies agreements. In Thailand and Indonesia, AirAsia holds a minority stake in the respective local companies. Thai AirAsia, a joint venture with Shin Corporation, Thailand’s largest telecommunication conglomerate, took to the skies in Feb 2004 and has to date carried over 1 million passengers in its first year of operations. PT Awair, re-launched as a low fare airline on 8 December 2004 and subsequently renamed Indonesia AirAsia, presently serves 5 domestic destinations in Indonesia.

            1.3       Reason to choose Tony Fernandes as entrepreneur

“In AirAsia we consider ourselves basically a dream factory…We deliberately decided that we wanted a company where people can pursue their passion and we wanted to make use of all the talent that we have in-house.” Tony Fernandes tells people to dream the impossible.  He uses unique culture and management style to transform AirAsia into one of the fastest-growing and most successful low fare airlines in the world. He also encourages people to pursue their passion to create an environment where people can learn, grow and do what turns them on. Besides that, he breaks down hierarchy to encourage people to speak up, relax formality and break down the walls in an open floor plan.