One of my favourite TV shows at this moment is Tricky Business, aired midnite on TVIQ. I always like stories about fledging entrepreneurs trying to stamp their mark in the business world.
Probably I see myself lying deep as per their predicament. Good business ideas, well-to-do start ups but having difficulties elevating themselves from the little leagues. Dire need of investment, lack of resources plus the importance of having a well-rounded support system are common problems faced by these emerging business people.
Comparing the environment within the series (in UK) to the country that I reside in, meritocracy seems to be one important thing that is almost non-existent here. Investors are keen to invest their dollars in businesses that have good potential, well run and helm by people with passion for the industry. These certainly give the extra-push needed by entrepreneurs to push the envelope further and attain success on merit no matter how young there are.
Stories such as Belle & Bunty (picture of their Summer 2009's collection on top) and SuperJam are examples of this anecdote.
However, in this country, meritocracy seems to be replaced by the terms "cable". Unfortunately, it is not your usual copper-based thingy hanging above your head though. It is about who you know that can influence decision makers either in investment decisions, getting contracts or even setting up an appointment. The relevance/knowledge of the "cable" in any particular industry is of no importance, his stature and the persons that he knows dictate the success of your business.
Somewhat embarrassingly. this idea has become a norm. They even are appointed into the Board to serve as "proxy"....which equate to something like "official cable" to that particular company. I have seen many companies with absurd "proxies" sit as the Chairman of the Board with no particular experience whatsoever to the business that the company is in, except that he is a "somebody" or "who's who" to the decision makers.
So, what is this rambling is all about? To appoint this "proxies" is certainly not cheap, and they are there just because of the money...not the passion for the industry. In fact, many companies that are competing on merit lose out to inefficient "proxy"-led companies especially when dealing with getting contracts or incentives given by the government.
As a fledgling company that is trying to soar to greater heights, this whole scenario does make us feeling cheated. gutted and disappointed by the power that is. Why can't we compete on merit? Mano e mano?
Why do we need old grey-haired, pot-bellied, blood-sucking psychopath to be our "face" to success??
Probably I see myself lying deep as per their predicament. Good business ideas, well-to-do start ups but having difficulties elevating themselves from the little leagues. Dire need of investment, lack of resources plus the importance of having a well-rounded support system are common problems faced by these emerging business people.
Comparing the environment within the series (in UK) to the country that I reside in, meritocracy seems to be one important thing that is almost non-existent here. Investors are keen to invest their dollars in businesses that have good potential, well run and helm by people with passion for the industry. These certainly give the extra-push needed by entrepreneurs to push the envelope further and attain success on merit no matter how young there are.
Stories such as Belle & Bunty (picture of their Summer 2009's collection on top) and SuperJam are examples of this anecdote.
However, in this country, meritocracy seems to be replaced by the terms "cable". Unfortunately, it is not your usual copper-based thingy hanging above your head though. It is about who you know that can influence decision makers either in investment decisions, getting contracts or even setting up an appointment. The relevance/knowledge of the "cable" in any particular industry is of no importance, his stature and the persons that he knows dictate the success of your business.
Somewhat embarrassingly. this idea has become a norm. They even are appointed into the Board to serve as "proxy"....which equate to something like "official cable" to that particular company. I have seen many companies with absurd "proxies" sit as the Chairman of the Board with no particular experience whatsoever to the business that the company is in, except that he is a "somebody" or "who's who" to the decision makers.
So, what is this rambling is all about? To appoint this "proxies" is certainly not cheap, and they are there just because of the money...not the passion for the industry. In fact, many companies that are competing on merit lose out to inefficient "proxy"-led companies especially when dealing with getting contracts or incentives given by the government.
As a fledgling company that is trying to soar to greater heights, this whole scenario does make us feeling cheated. gutted and disappointed by the power that is. Why can't we compete on merit? Mano e mano?
Why do we need old grey-haired, pot-bellied, blood-sucking psychopath to be our "face" to success??
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