I have a problem.
No time.
I am therefore having to temporarily retire The Blog until after Vegas. There is so much I want to say, but JML say no. So no it is....................
(Big Hint: If you want updates on Pingar, then check out the link. And if you want to understand why JML are saying 'no', bookmark the link).
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Monday, 31 August 2009
Countdown - 49 Days 2go
I've just lost 13 days!
Whilst the blog has been quiet for the past two weeks, its author has not. I'm still working through those lists - and each day new items are added.
What is really awe-inspiring right now though is to see the different teams working as one as we close in on 'The Strip'. That's the teams in NZ, the UK, HK and Bangalore. And our first outpost in the US of A.
The past two weeks has seen the recruitment of a non-Executive Chairman for Pingar LP and a massive increase in marketing effort for Vegas. And so to the new Chairman first.
I was delighted last Monday to announce the appointment of Chris de Boer as non-Executive Chairman.
Chris has extensive experience in investment banking, regulation, private equity, venture capital and consulting in London, Hong Kong and Australasia. He was an adviser to the Cable and Wireless Group in Asia/Pacific between 1987 and 2001, director of Optus Communications, Chairman of the Hong Kong Takeovers Panel and an Investment Committee Member of GEMS Oriental & General Fund.
Chris was Chairman of the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund and Chairman of Phitek Systems. He is currently a director of Macquarie Media Group, a director of Mobilis Limited, Chairman of Sonar6 and Chairman of AngelLink.
I look forward to working closely with Chris in the weeks and months ahead.
On matters marketing, a whole series of initiatives have been planned for the October launch. It has been great working with the team at JML Communications. They have it nailed.
Last Thursday, I was invited to attend the MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards dinner at Sky City in Auckland. It was an uplifting event at which many of New Zealand's future scientists excelled in a series of excellent presentations. The value of greater funding for research in our Universities cannot be underestimated. Thursday night proved that.
This week has got off to an odd start. I have no engagements in Auckland in the week ahead. That means I can focus on all things Tauranga. And that date in Vegas in 48 days time.
Whilst the blog has been quiet for the past two weeks, its author has not. I'm still working through those lists - and each day new items are added.
What is really awe-inspiring right now though is to see the different teams working as one as we close in on 'The Strip'. That's the teams in NZ, the UK, HK and Bangalore. And our first outpost in the US of A.
The past two weeks has seen the recruitment of a non-Executive Chairman for Pingar LP and a massive increase in marketing effort for Vegas. And so to the new Chairman first.
I was delighted last Monday to announce the appointment of Chris de Boer as non-Executive Chairman.
Chris has extensive experience in investment banking, regulation, private equity, venture capital and consulting in London, Hong Kong and Australasia. He was an adviser to the Cable and Wireless Group in Asia/Pacific between 1987 and 2001, director of Optus Communications, Chairman of the Hong Kong Takeovers Panel and an Investment Committee Member of GEMS Oriental & General Fund.
Chris was Chairman of the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund and Chairman of Phitek Systems. He is currently a director of Macquarie Media Group, a director of Mobilis Limited, Chairman of Sonar6 and Chairman of AngelLink.
I look forward to working closely with Chris in the weeks and months ahead.
On matters marketing, a whole series of initiatives have been planned for the October launch. It has been great working with the team at JML Communications. They have it nailed.
Last Thursday, I was invited to attend the MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards dinner at Sky City in Auckland. It was an uplifting event at which many of New Zealand's future scientists excelled in a series of excellent presentations. The value of greater funding for research in our Universities cannot be underestimated. Thursday night proved that.
This week has got off to an odd start. I have no engagements in Auckland in the week ahead. That means I can focus on all things Tauranga. And that date in Vegas in 48 days time.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Countdown - 62 Days 2Go
I am looking at a very long list. I have inherited this disease from Jacqui.
It is called 'Lists are Very Important' and my list has both a significant number of headings and a frightening number of sub-headings. Plus dates. 62 days is not long enough! But like Napoleon who could offer his generals more troops, more cavalry and more guns, the one thing he could not offer them was more time. So like Napoleon, we will be ready on the day.
This morning's main focus has been, 'The Stand'. I had it all mapped out until an email arrived from the Expo organisers. Branding issues, restrictions and State of Nevada regulations have meant a total rethink. Fortunately, John at the excellent Textiles Alive has come to the rescue. New plans are being drawn up as I type.
And so to the marketing of 'The Stand'. Julien at JML Communications has taken this baby on board. We are meeting in Auckland to work out the logistics. And hopefully start the process of knocking off some of those threatening sub-headings.
Tomorrow, the focus is product. A meeting at WaikatoLink followed by a meeting with FRST to discuss their new Postgraduate Internship Program.
The list goes on.........
It is called 'Lists are Very Important' and my list has both a significant number of headings and a frightening number of sub-headings. Plus dates. 62 days is not long enough! But like Napoleon who could offer his generals more troops, more cavalry and more guns, the one thing he could not offer them was more time. So like Napoleon, we will be ready on the day.
This morning's main focus has been, 'The Stand'. I had it all mapped out until an email arrived from the Expo organisers. Branding issues, restrictions and State of Nevada regulations have meant a total rethink. Fortunately, John at the excellent Textiles Alive has come to the rescue. New plans are being drawn up as I type.
And so to the marketing of 'The Stand'. Julien at JML Communications has taken this baby on board. We are meeting in Auckland to work out the logistics. And hopefully start the process of knocking off some of those threatening sub-headings.
Tomorrow, the focus is product. A meeting at WaikatoLink followed by a meeting with FRST to discuss their new Postgraduate Internship Program.
The list goes on.........
Monday, 17 August 2009
THAT Deal - A Perspective
Since my return to NZ, I have been asked by several people to comment on the Microsoft / Yahoo deal that was signed off whilst I was away.
I have checked back on this blog and the last post which signalled the deal was posted five days before it actually happened. The only surprise is that it took so long to close.
The deal itself is an interesting one since it does not involve an actual M & A. It is built instead on a commercial deal that enables Yahoo to continue to develop its online real estate whilst providing Bing (sorry, Microsoft) with access to Yahoo's advertising sales teams.
It gives the 'Search' capacity of Microsoft a more significant market share. Google is still out there, but the gap has closed and the market is now ready for real innovation to be able to differentiate between the two.
The Search battle ground therefore is now nicely set. And the timing is sweet.
Pingar's time has come. And all will be revealed on 19th October.
On the 'Strip'.
I have checked back on this blog and the last post which signalled the deal was posted five days before it actually happened. The only surprise is that it took so long to close.
The deal itself is an interesting one since it does not involve an actual M & A. It is built instead on a commercial deal that enables Yahoo to continue to develop its online real estate whilst providing Bing (sorry, Microsoft) with access to Yahoo's advertising sales teams.
It gives the 'Search' capacity of Microsoft a more significant market share. Google is still out there, but the gap has closed and the market is now ready for real innovation to be able to differentiate between the two.
The Search battle ground therefore is now nicely set. And the timing is sweet.
Pingar's time has come. And all will be revealed on 19th October.
On the 'Strip'.
Thursday, 13 August 2009
The Blog is Back
Having spent the past 12 days making the most of the sun, sand and sea of Phuket, 'The Blog' has returned to NZ, tanned and re-energised.
The next few weeks and months will be the most momentous in the short three years that 'The Blog' has been posting messages to this address. Starting Monday, 'The Blog' will begin the countdown to October 19th.
Set your watches. On Monday, it all starts again.
The next few weeks and months will be the most momentous in the short three years that 'The Blog' has been posting messages to this address. Starting Monday, 'The Blog' will begin the countdown to October 19th.
Set your watches. On Monday, it all starts again.
Monday, 27 July 2009
This blog takes a vacation
It's been at least three years since I took a 'proper' holiday.
Tomorrow, that all changes. The blog and I are off for 12 days R & R.
Twelve days to relax and reflect on the weeks and months ahead.
Twelve days to restore body and mind to full health.
So it's adios from him and goodnight from me.
Tomorrow, that all changes. The blog and I are off for 12 days R & R.
Twelve days to relax and reflect on the weeks and months ahead.
Twelve days to restore body and mind to full health.
So it's adios from him and goodnight from me.
Friday, 24 July 2009
It's Yahoo time
It's been a long time coming but I expect an announcement sometime soon of an advertising deal between Microsoft and Yahoo.
Microsoft's shares fell 8% overnight after a pretty poor set of quarterly sales figures. Yahoo's sales figures announced earlier this week also failed to impress. Meanwhile, Google marches on.
So I expect some sort of deal to come out soon. It is clearly in both Microsoft's and Yahoo's best interests. They can then focus on a single key competitor.
That battle though has only just begun.
Microsoft's shares fell 8% overnight after a pretty poor set of quarterly sales figures. Yahoo's sales figures announced earlier this week also failed to impress. Meanwhile, Google marches on.
So I expect some sort of deal to come out soon. It is clearly in both Microsoft's and Yahoo's best interests. They can then focus on a single key competitor.
That battle though has only just begun.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Next Stop - Swansea
When we established a presence at the Technium in Swansea back in February, there was some concern raised about the City's distance from London. The UK Government clearly listened.
On today's BBC Website, come details of a £1bn plan to electrify the main rail route between London and Swansea, to be announced by the UK government.
They say the electrification will lead to cost savings in the running of trains - and the £1bn Great Western investment, funded through Network Rail borrowing, will be repaid over 40 years.
Splendid.
On today's BBC Website, come details of a £1bn plan to electrify the main rail route between London and Swansea, to be announced by the UK government.
They say the electrification will lead to cost savings in the running of trains - and the £1bn Great Western investment, funded through Network Rail borrowing, will be repaid over 40 years.
Splendid.
Mainland Recession
I have just returned from two days in Christchurch. It was only my second visit to South Island's biggest city since my arrival here six years ago.
Christchurch itself is a lovely City, but for the first time in a long time, I became aware of 'recession' in NZ. And the sources were impeccable. The 'economists' were the taxi driver, the bar owner and the fact that 40 staff had just been laid off by a local supermarket. (I thought they were supposed to be doing well in this climate).
Christchurch's CBD at lunchtime was quiet. A number of eating places were either empty, closed or in receivership. Not that the last bit is very public. They still trade but Saturday is the only big night in town. The bar manager had time to talk though. Jacqui and I were the only people there. And he shouted lunch!
The taxi driver also had time to talk. There aren't as many fares right now. People are using buses instead.
I'm not sure however if it is a Christchurch-thing. Maybe I need to pay more attention in Tauranga. I guess you just get set in your ways and miss the things that visitors see. To me, there are green shoots sprouting all over the Bay. Tomorrow, I will remove my glasses and start taking a closer look.
Christchurch itself is a lovely City, but for the first time in a long time, I became aware of 'recession' in NZ. And the sources were impeccable. The 'economists' were the taxi driver, the bar owner and the fact that 40 staff had just been laid off by a local supermarket. (I thought they were supposed to be doing well in this climate).
Christchurch's CBD at lunchtime was quiet. A number of eating places were either empty, closed or in receivership. Not that the last bit is very public. They still trade but Saturday is the only big night in town. The bar manager had time to talk though. Jacqui and I were the only people there. And he shouted lunch!
The taxi driver also had time to talk. There aren't as many fares right now. People are using buses instead.
I'm not sure however if it is a Christchurch-thing. Maybe I need to pay more attention in Tauranga. I guess you just get set in your ways and miss the things that visitors see. To me, there are green shoots sprouting all over the Bay. Tomorrow, I will remove my glasses and start taking a closer look.
Sunday, 19 July 2009
NZ Postgrad Internship Initiative
I received an email yesterday from Shane at The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST). FRST is piloting a postgraduate internships initiative programme to support 150 science, technology and engineering postgraduates. They will provide a significant contribution to the postgraduate’s starting salary, for a maximum period of six months.
FRST aims to take postgraduates from the top 20 per cent of postgraduate courses and place them with some of New Zealand’s best and brightest research and innovation companies. That's the nuts of the email.
A few weeks ago, I spoke at a Technology NZ event here in Tauranga. I commented on the 'missing access links' between the University sector and private industry. This then is exactly the sort of initiative that I applaud.
Back in March 2003, I gave evidence to the House of Lords Science & Technology Select Committee on 'Science & The RDAs'. I spoke then of the lack of access points for UK SME's to the University sector. Six years on and the problem still exists.
In NZ, FRST has launched an initiative that will help bridge that gap. Hat doffed accordingly.
FRST aims to take postgraduates from the top 20 per cent of postgraduate courses and place them with some of New Zealand’s best and brightest research and innovation companies. That's the nuts of the email.
A few weeks ago, I spoke at a Technology NZ event here in Tauranga. I commented on the 'missing access links' between the University sector and private industry. This then is exactly the sort of initiative that I applaud.
Back in March 2003, I gave evidence to the House of Lords Science & Technology Select Committee on 'Science & The RDAs'. I spoke then of the lack of access points for UK SME's to the University sector. Six years on and the problem still exists.
In NZ, FRST has launched an initiative that will help bridge that gap. Hat doffed accordingly.
UK VC Funding
One blog I have permanently bookmarked is TechCrunch. It's my 2009 version of 'First Tuesday'. With a touch of The Valley.
Hands up those of you who remember 'First Tuesday' then. It is an iconic reminder of all that was exciting about the Dot Com era. Entrepreneurs, VC's and wet behind the ears investment bankers turned entrepreneurs met to plan the 'next big thing'. Well according to TechCruch today, things are not quite as rosy in post credit crunch UK.
I have lifted these three following paragraphs from TechCrunch. All rights recognised etc. etc.
'You think you have it bad, Mr.-Silicon-Valley-entrepreneur-trolling-Sand-Hilll-Road-for-cash? Try life on the other side of the pond. Out of 39 firms that were active investors in British start-ups over the last five years, only thirteen venture firms have £5 million or more left in their coffers to invest, according to NESTA, the UK agency that advocates for start-ups and also sponsored the recent Traveling Geeks blogger tour.
That’s right: All but thirteen firms in the United Kingdom are either completely tapped out or have committed the rest of their funds for follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies. In total, NESTA estimates there’s about £400 million left that’s uncommitted among the thirteen, with only half of that available for brand-new series A deals. To put that into perspective, there’s roughly the same amount of money in the fund Marc Andreessen just closed than there is for new companies in the entire United Kingdom right now.
This is coinciding with a precipitous drop in UK firms closing on new funds thanks to the global credit crunch. In 2008, only seven firms closed new funds, and NESTA expects fundraising to be even weaker in 2009'.
In March last year, I was invited to attend the 2008 UK Technology, Growth & Innovation Forum in London. This was an annual meeting of entrepreneurs and VC / Angel funds. The prognosis then was not great. It has clearly become a lot worse. GBP 200 million for UK start-ups is abysmal. And according to NESTA, it might deteriorate even further.
This news contrasts with what I view as being 'green shots' in the New Zealand VC sector. (Calling it anything more than a sector amounts to exaggeration. There are so few active funds at present). The view on the street however is that three or four funds here might announce quite significant new funds through 2009.
For now though, I am digesting the news from the UK.
Ouch.
Hands up those of you who remember 'First Tuesday' then. It is an iconic reminder of all that was exciting about the Dot Com era. Entrepreneurs, VC's and wet behind the ears investment bankers turned entrepreneurs met to plan the 'next big thing'. Well according to TechCruch today, things are not quite as rosy in post credit crunch UK.
I have lifted these three following paragraphs from TechCrunch. All rights recognised etc. etc.
'You think you have it bad, Mr.-Silicon-Valley-entrepreneur-trolling-Sand-Hilll-Road-for-cash? Try life on the other side of the pond. Out of 39 firms that were active investors in British start-ups over the last five years, only thirteen venture firms have £5 million or more left in their coffers to invest, according to NESTA, the UK agency that advocates for start-ups and also sponsored the recent Traveling Geeks blogger tour.
That’s right: All but thirteen firms in the United Kingdom are either completely tapped out or have committed the rest of their funds for follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies. In total, NESTA estimates there’s about £400 million left that’s uncommitted among the thirteen, with only half of that available for brand-new series A deals. To put that into perspective, there’s roughly the same amount of money in the fund Marc Andreessen just closed than there is for new companies in the entire United Kingdom right now.
This is coinciding with a precipitous drop in UK firms closing on new funds thanks to the global credit crunch. In 2008, only seven firms closed new funds, and NESTA expects fundraising to be even weaker in 2009'.
In March last year, I was invited to attend the 2008 UK Technology, Growth & Innovation Forum in London. This was an annual meeting of entrepreneurs and VC / Angel funds. The prognosis then was not great. It has clearly become a lot worse. GBP 200 million for UK start-ups is abysmal. And according to NESTA, it might deteriorate even further.
This news contrasts with what I view as being 'green shots' in the New Zealand VC sector. (Calling it anything more than a sector amounts to exaggeration. There are so few active funds at present). The view on the street however is that three or four funds here might announce quite significant new funds through 2009.
For now though, I am digesting the news from the UK.
Ouch.
Living in Winterland
I've been living in New Zealand for six years now, but July still does not feel right.
This morning on Sky, I have been watching both the Ashes Test from Lords and the Open Championship from Turnbury. That's July in England. The probability of rain in London threatens England's excellent opening three days. And goose bumps are the order of the day on the Scottish coast.
Right now of course, it is mid-winter here in NZ. The daily temperature hovers around 14c and the wind blows off the Pacific.
On reflection then, July here is not that different to July back home. (Except for the Pacific). UK airports are now packed with people escaping the English 'summer' for warmer climes. Rock on Spain, Greece and Turkey. And here in one week's time, we are planning our own 'mid-winter' escape. The ability to redeem our Krisflyer air points points, makes Thailand an obvious destination.
For anyone who reads this blog fairly regularly, you might be aware of some of the opportunities that lie ahead. The problem is, this body needs to get some rest in the only window I can see between now and the end of 2009.
Jacqui has spelt out the rules. Internet access limited to 30 minutes a day. In 30c + sun, I will try and comply.
This morning on Sky, I have been watching both the Ashes Test from Lords and the Open Championship from Turnbury. That's July in England. The probability of rain in London threatens England's excellent opening three days. And goose bumps are the order of the day on the Scottish coast.
Right now of course, it is mid-winter here in NZ. The daily temperature hovers around 14c and the wind blows off the Pacific.
On reflection then, July here is not that different to July back home. (Except for the Pacific). UK airports are now packed with people escaping the English 'summer' for warmer climes. Rock on Spain, Greece and Turkey. And here in one week's time, we are planning our own 'mid-winter' escape. The ability to redeem our Krisflyer air points points, makes Thailand an obvious destination.
For anyone who reads this blog fairly regularly, you might be aware of some of the opportunities that lie ahead. The problem is, this body needs to get some rest in the only window I can see between now and the end of 2009.
Jacqui has spelt out the rules. Internet access limited to 30 minutes a day. In 30c + sun, I will try and comply.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Azure Launch Announced
I have blogged a number of times before about Azure, Microsoft's 'Cloud' platform.
It is extremely significant for Pingar. We are basing our global server architecture around the Azure platform so it is good that Microsoft have fronted up with some significant 'launch' news.
November 2009 appears to be kick-off date. I am working my way right now through some of the plans, but this is going to require direct engagement with the Azure Services team. 1 million servers might sound a lot. That number will have to be ramped up significantly.
It is only Day 2 of the Microsoft WorldWide Partner's Conference in New Orleans and already some key milestones have been set. For Pingar, those milestones appear to dovetail nicely into our own launch road map.
Good work, Steve and Ray.........
It is extremely significant for Pingar. We are basing our global server architecture around the Azure platform so it is good that Microsoft have fronted up with some significant 'launch' news.
November 2009 appears to be kick-off date. I am working my way right now through some of the plans, but this is going to require direct engagement with the Azure Services team. 1 million servers might sound a lot. That number will have to be ramped up significantly.
It is only Day 2 of the Microsoft WorldWide Partner's Conference in New Orleans and already some key milestones have been set. For Pingar, those milestones appear to dovetail nicely into our own launch road map.
Good work, Steve and Ray.........
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Office 2010
I guess my blog is bugged.
Shortly after submitting my last post about Office Lite, I get an email from Microsoft Connect inviting me to join the Office 2010 Technical Review Program. I have accepted.
It also reminds me that I have not yet posted about our latest Microsoft engagement. Pingar has been invited to join the Microsoft Wave 14 - Partner Engagement Program. I understand we one of 400 - 500 worldwide partners to be asked.
I did blog about Wave 14 a few weeks back. It is the acronym to describe Microsoft's 14 key product launches in 2010. Office 2010 is one. SharePoint 2010 is another. Pingar will be engaged with both.
So for now, it is time to go through the Connect pages. And time to start downloading part of the inevitable future.
Shortly after submitting my last post about Office Lite, I get an email from Microsoft Connect inviting me to join the Office 2010 Technical Review Program. I have accepted.
It also reminds me that I have not yet posted about our latest Microsoft engagement. Pingar has been invited to join the Microsoft Wave 14 - Partner Engagement Program. I understand we one of 400 - 500 worldwide partners to be asked.
I did blog about Wave 14 a few weeks back. It is the acronym to describe Microsoft's 14 key product launches in 2010. Office 2010 is one. SharePoint 2010 is another. Pingar will be engaged with both.
So for now, it is time to go through the Connect pages. And time to start downloading part of the inevitable future.
Office Lite
Microsoft is hosting its Worldwide Partner Conference in New Orleans, this week. I was very tempted, but events in NZ just did not allow enough time.
I had expected a number of 'announcements'. So on Day 1, we get quite a significant one. Microsoft are launching a free 'Lite' version of Microsoft Office online in 2010. I guess this is all part of the Software AND a service mantra that Steve Ballmer has been promoting for some time now. It certainly increases focus on the Cloud and suggests that the gloves might be coming off in the battle with Google. Certainly, a 'lite' version of Office poses a significant challenge to Google Apps.
It's all warming up quite nicely. I am expecting more 'announcements' over the next three days as Microsoft position themselves for the slug fest ahead.
Interesting days indeed.
I had expected a number of 'announcements'. So on Day 1, we get quite a significant one. Microsoft are launching a free 'Lite' version of Microsoft Office online in 2010. I guess this is all part of the Software AND a service mantra that Steve Ballmer has been promoting for some time now. It certainly increases focus on the Cloud and suggests that the gloves might be coming off in the battle with Google. Certainly, a 'lite' version of Office poses a significant challenge to Google Apps.
It's all warming up quite nicely. I am expecting more 'announcements' over the next three days as Microsoft position themselves for the slug fest ahead.
Interesting days indeed.
Monday, 13 July 2009
Welcome Ping & Rafal
Ping and Rafal join us today from The University of Swansea. They have been recruited under the IT Wales scheme. Hat doffed accordingly.
This is a busy week UK-wise.
Tomorrow, I am welcoming Auckland-based UK Trade & Investment to Tauranga. More about that later, but it is good to engage from the other side of the world. With the other side of the world.
How long that engagement will continue however is a moot point. I have already begun to get the dreaded European summer auto-responder replies.
'Sorry, I will be away for the next three weeks. I will handle your enquiry on my return'.
C'est la vie. Until September.
This is a busy week UK-wise.
Tomorrow, I am welcoming Auckland-based UK Trade & Investment to Tauranga. More about that later, but it is good to engage from the other side of the world. With the other side of the world.
How long that engagement will continue however is a moot point. I have already begun to get the dreaded European summer auto-responder replies.
'Sorry, I will be away for the next three weeks. I will handle your enquiry on my return'.
C'est la vie. Until September.
Friday, 10 July 2009
Investor Relations
On Wednesday night, we hosted our half yearly Investor Presentation here at The Smart Business Centre.
Having caught 'man-flu' last weekend, it was a challenge both for me and our investors. I stuck to the water whilst they stuck into the goodies. I know which I would have preferred.
Investor presentations are a great way to take stock of where you are and where you are going. I was able to update the team on where I had been and what the road map for the next few months looked like. I think it is fair to say that they were supportive of the plans. Not for nothing, they call themselves 'Good Bastards'. I will leave it to Nick and Toby to explain that one!
As we move forward, communication with the investment team is going to become ever more important. We are trying to apply the same core principals that are required for publicly quoted companies.
Julien Leys from JML Communications spoke to the meeting and outlined our longer term Investor Communication strategy. For a relatively small start-up company, our approach might appear to be a highly structured. Long term however, it puts a process in place that will require little amendment. Transparency and openness now will pay dividends in the long term.
As will the goodies!
Having caught 'man-flu' last weekend, it was a challenge both for me and our investors. I stuck to the water whilst they stuck into the goodies. I know which I would have preferred.
Investor presentations are a great way to take stock of where you are and where you are going. I was able to update the team on where I had been and what the road map for the next few months looked like. I think it is fair to say that they were supportive of the plans. Not for nothing, they call themselves 'Good Bastards'. I will leave it to Nick and Toby to explain that one!
As we move forward, communication with the investment team is going to become ever more important. We are trying to apply the same core principals that are required for publicly quoted companies.
Julien Leys from JML Communications spoke to the meeting and outlined our longer term Investor Communication strategy. For a relatively small start-up company, our approach might appear to be a highly structured. Long term however, it puts a process in place that will require little amendment. Transparency and openness now will pay dividends in the long term.
As will the goodies!
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Focus on Search
Google's announcement overnight that it intends to take on Microsoft in the OS market, comes as no real surprise. It was interesting to note that Microsoft's share price stood steady.
One might expect Steve Ballmer to become defensive and invest more heavily in Windows 7.0 development. That would be a mistake. Bing is already beginning to make an impression on Google's search numbers in the States. And with FAST Search being integrated into SharePoint and no doubt further Microsoft apps in the future, this is where I believe the battle lines are really drawn.
My own take is that Microsoft has finally begun to work to a search roadmap that will lead to positive results. Acquiring search market share back from Google is now therefore back in Microsoft's own hands. Deploying significant resource in Google's own backyard might just be the strategy to offset last night's news from Mountain View.
One might expect Steve Ballmer to become defensive and invest more heavily in Windows 7.0 development. That would be a mistake. Bing is already beginning to make an impression on Google's search numbers in the States. And with FAST Search being integrated into SharePoint and no doubt further Microsoft apps in the future, this is where I believe the battle lines are really drawn.
My own take is that Microsoft has finally begun to work to a search roadmap that will lead to positive results. Acquiring search market share back from Google is now therefore back in Microsoft's own hands. Deploying significant resource in Google's own backyard might just be the strategy to offset last night's news from Mountain View.
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Global Expert
Global Expert is an excellent service offered by The Foundation for Research, Science & Technology.
The Global Expert program uses a knowledge network of more than 20,000 pre-screened and qualified experts from leading universities, research institutions and corporations around the world to help NZ companies identify skill sets difficult to locate in NZ.
Such a requirement for Pingar became apparent during the two-day SharePoint Conference in Wellington, last week. I have started the engagement with Global Expert today.
As to the two days last week, I have not yet had the opportunity to post on them. Except to say that I will return next year. Almost 250 people attended the Conference. It attracted a very impressive selection of international speakers. With the upcoming launch of SharePoint 2010, next year's event can only be so much bigger.
Congratulations to the organisers of this inaugural event. All were volunteers from the NZ SharePoint Users Community. I hope that next year, Pingar might be able to make a more visible and viable contribution.
The Global Expert program uses a knowledge network of more than 20,000 pre-screened and qualified experts from leading universities, research institutions and corporations around the world to help NZ companies identify skill sets difficult to locate in NZ.
Such a requirement for Pingar became apparent during the two-day SharePoint Conference in Wellington, last week. I have started the engagement with Global Expert today.
As to the two days last week, I have not yet had the opportunity to post on them. Except to say that I will return next year. Almost 250 people attended the Conference. It attracted a very impressive selection of international speakers. With the upcoming launch of SharePoint 2010, next year's event can only be so much bigger.
Congratulations to the organisers of this inaugural event. All were volunteers from the NZ SharePoint Users Community. I hope that next year, Pingar might be able to make a more visible and viable contribution.
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
To Wellington (with boots)
It's time once more for a trip to Wellington. This time to the NZ SharePoint Users Conference.
There is a seriously busy agenda in store. 7 sessions a day. Plus a lot of networking.
I am looking forward to it. Talking product for two days is not something I am used to. Soooo much time has been spent in recent weeks with professional advisers and others. As well as travel.
The forecast? Very cold, windy and wet. Welcome to our capital city!
There is a seriously busy agenda in store. 7 sessions a day. Plus a lot of networking.
I am looking forward to it. Talking product for two days is not something I am used to. Soooo much time has been spent in recent weeks with professional advisers and others. As well as travel.
The forecast? Very cold, windy and wet. Welcome to our capital city!
Monday, 29 June 2009
Taxing the Cloud
In Hong Kong, I had a very interesting meeting with KPMG.
We looked at the business model and started talking about Microsoft's Azure platform. As previous postings to this blog will verify, this is Pingar's preferred hosting platform.
Most of the discussions I have had around 'Cloud Computing' relate to technical issues. The meeting with KPMG highlighted another - tax.
If one follows the basic Microsoft Azure premise that server and broadband capacity can be replicated across multiple servers as demand requires, it is quite possible that e-commerce transactions could be transacted across numerous locations. That leads to some interesting tax-related scenarios. This is not a discussion I have had before.
At this point, I do not know enough about the Azure platform, to understand how the system might manage this process. Sure as hell, if the IRD or IRS come knocking on the door, we will need to be able to audit and date stamp each transaction. This is going to lead to some interesting conversations. Starting now.
More about this particular line of enquiry as I process through it.
Tauranga - The Week Ahead
It's amazing how the in tray piles up when you are away from the office. I am currently working my way through correspondence of all sorts. This is not unimportant.
On Wednesday, I am traveling to Wellington for the NZ SharePoint Users Conference. Before then, there are a stack of engagements I need to set up around NZ. That's part of the joy of offshore market visits. They set up a whole new set of files and folders. Hong Kong already has its own set of drop-downs in place.
Several stories have surfaced whilst I was away. One very positive one is the news that Sparkbox founders Andrew Duff and Henry Tait are fundraising for a new $50 million venture capital fund to invest in early stage New Zealand technology companies. It has received a $20 million funding commitment from the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund.
The fund is called the '2 Ignite' fund and it will apparently target technology-based investments in areas such as information and communications, the medical and bio-tech sector, and the Internet.
Last year, I spoke to Greg Sitters of Sparkbox and he identified a hole in current NZ capital markets for emerging technology companies. I very much hope that 2 Ignite is one way to begin to address and fill that hole.
Saturday, 27 June 2009
Shanghai Expo 2010
A sketch of the NZ Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010
A couple of weeks ago, I posted a blog about the intended presence of Export NZ (BOP) at the Shanghai Expo 2010. Although I am now back in NZ (fog at Auckland was the problem, not the expected typhoon off HK), my mind is still working on this past week's meetings.
The Expo is expected to attract 70 million visitors between May and October. At least 40,000 are expected to visit the NZ Pavilion over this period, EACH DAY. That's some exposure.
The New Zealand Pavilion, themed "Cities of Nature: Living between Land and Sky", will be located on a 2,000-square-meter land in Pudong side of the Expo site. The New Zealand Government will invest nearly NZD30 million (US$23.05 million) at the Shanghai Expo 2010. That's some spend.
Which brings me neatly back to 'my thoughts'. How can we benefit from and leverage this presence? The opportunities I have witnessed this week are real. They are also enormous. Keep thinking Peter, 'keep thinking'.
Friday, 26 June 2009
Auckland Bound
The market visit to Hong Kong has come to an end.
The visit has surpassed all expectations. The opportunities here are immense. A return visit is already scheduled.
Right now, my focus is directed at the NZ SharePoint Users Conference to be held in Wellington next week. It will be good to connect with the NZ SharePoint user community and engage with some Microsoft professionals.
Between then and now however, there is the small matter of the commute home. And the in-bound typhoon. Hmmmmm......
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Awesome - NZ Chamber of Commerce
As those who follow this blog will know, Pingar is a member of the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce.
So tonight, it was a privilege to be invited to meet up with the NZ Chamber of Commerce, here in Hong Kong. I have to say, it was full on. Networking here is both instant and fun. I have more business cards tonight in the wallet than after 5 Tauranga CoC BA5s. So what's the difference?
I guess in part, it is the business networking environment. This is a business city. For most of the people I spoke to tonight, this was just one of three or four such events this week. They love it. And it works.
Last night, Jacqui and I attended the NZTE Summer BBQ at the Pacific Club. The two events are related. There is a very strong Kiwi business community here. Jacqui and I have been privileged to meet them.
So if you are a business in New Zealand and are looking to set up here, then check them out. We have, and we will again.
So tonight, it was a privilege to be invited to meet up with the NZ Chamber of Commerce, here in Hong Kong. I have to say, it was full on. Networking here is both instant and fun. I have more business cards tonight in the wallet than after 5 Tauranga CoC BA5s. So what's the difference?
I guess in part, it is the business networking environment. This is a business city. For most of the people I spoke to tonight, this was just one of three or four such events this week. They love it. And it works.
Last night, Jacqui and I attended the NZTE Summer BBQ at the Pacific Club. The two events are related. There is a very strong Kiwi business community here. Jacqui and I have been privileged to meet them.
So if you are a business in New Zealand and are looking to set up here, then check them out. We have, and we will again.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Awesome Cyberport
Hong Kong's Cyberport
Last time I visited Hong Kong, it was the Science Park at Shatun in the New Territories that caught my attention. This time, it is Hong Kong's Cyberport.
It is home to Microsoft HK, plus a significant number of other ICT companies. It is also home to Smart-Space, an incubator for start-up companies. I am interested.
The first two days of this market visit have been packed with meetings. Last night, NZTE hosted a reception at the Pacific Club in Kowloon. It was a great opportunity to meet great Kiwis doing great things in the region. There are now even more dots to connect.
At a meeting yesterday morning with Microsoft HK, I was surprised to learn that Pingar could well be the first Microsoft NZ partner to set up an office here. At Cyberport however, the story was different. It was clear that an existing engagement existed with Growth Wellington around the digital / creative industry space. The name WETA comes to mind.
This market visit is going quickly, but after two days, many of the original milestones have already been met. More updates when I am back in NZ.
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Awesome - Dim Sum
My umbrella is at the ready.......
On 23rd April, I blogged that it was cloudy and drizzly outside.
The words of the captain 6 hours ago were not that comforting. "We are skirting a typhoon", he said before ominously adding, "there are thunderstorms in the Hong Kong area". So 2 months on and the same wet and humid reception awaited.
This time I am here for a week. On the last trip, I talked about discovering 'dots' and possible 'networks'. This week, it is all about joining them up. Meetings have been organised and a busy schedule lies ahead.
First things first however. Finding that awesome Sunday Dim Sum is my next quest. Kowloon, here I come.
Friday, 19 June 2009
SunLive
Tauranga has a new daily News online portal. It is SunLive and looks as though it is published by the publishers of The Weekend Sun.
Up to this point, The Bay of Plenty Times has been the main local online news source. Its one fault however is that it seems to update local news only once a day and this is taken from the day's printed paper. By contrast, SunLive appears to be updated throughout the day.
It's good to have an alternative local news source. It will be interesting to see how the BOP Times responds. Or if, as part of the online APN publishing portfolio, it can.
Bing
I've bookmarked Bing.
Support the small guy. That's my mantra. (A US 12% market share is small - even if the owner isn't)
I am still working through some of the search functionality. I want to determine if the owner has used any of the really valuable search IP it has acquired in the past 12 months: namely PowerSet and FAST. Both acquisitions have in my view accelerated Microsoft's move to the smart end of contextual and enterprise search. And at the fraction of the cost of the expected Yahoo acquisition.
Copying Google is not the way forward. Improving on the search and user experience is. PowerSet and FAST both provide that opportunity. I am just trying to figure out what they might have added to Bing.
[Updated: An interesting related story I read on Reuters following this posting. It's all about timing, they say!]
'Microsoft Corp is willing to invest up to 10 percent of its operating income in its Internet search business for up to five years', Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said on Thursday, as its "Bing" search engine starts to gain ground with Web surfers.
Bing -- part of Microsoft's perennially money-losing online services unit -- has been winning market share from rivals, according to industry data released this week, but still trails market leader Google by a long way.
"Our shareholders, I told them we were willing to spend 5 to 10 percent of operating income for up to five years in this business, and we feel like we can get an economic return," Ballmer told a business lunch in Chicago, without elaborating on the timeframe.'
Now that's serious money.
Support the small guy. That's my mantra. (A US 12% market share is small - even if the owner isn't)
I am still working through some of the search functionality. I want to determine if the owner has used any of the really valuable search IP it has acquired in the past 12 months: namely PowerSet and FAST. Both acquisitions have in my view accelerated Microsoft's move to the smart end of contextual and enterprise search. And at the fraction of the cost of the expected Yahoo acquisition.
Copying Google is not the way forward. Improving on the search and user experience is. PowerSet and FAST both provide that opportunity. I am just trying to figure out what they might have added to Bing.
[Updated: An interesting related story I read on Reuters following this posting. It's all about timing, they say!]
'Microsoft Corp is willing to invest up to 10 percent of its operating income in its Internet search business for up to five years', Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said on Thursday, as its "Bing" search engine starts to gain ground with Web surfers.
Bing -- part of Microsoft's perennially money-losing online services unit -- has been winning market share from rivals, according to industry data released this week, but still trails market leader Google by a long way.
"Our shareholders, I told them we were willing to spend 5 to 10 percent of operating income for up to five years in this business, and we feel like we can get an economic return," Ballmer told a business lunch in Chicago, without elaborating on the timeframe.'
Now that's serious money.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Microsoft - Connecting to Wave 14
Credit to UX Evangelist for the Wave 14 road map above....
That's some list. It's quite a bit longer than the one posted in the previous blog. It just goes to show.
Next plan is to find the blogs for each of the 'Wave 14' products. And then bookmark them. I used to think that the Mount Main beach provided big waves. Nothing touches this however for a comprehensive roll out.
I now expect the 2009 Microsoft Worldwide Partners Conference in New Orleans next month to be an even more hectic affair. What will inflate the interest is this combined roll out and its interaction with Azure - 'The Cloud'. My own guess is that more and more of these roll outs will see increasing integration with 'The Cloud'.
I am now first however preparing for 'The Wave'. According to Mr Dive, it is all about getting the initial set-up right.
Microsoft - Looking Forward to 2010
I have been looking at Microsoft's apparent launch schedule for 2010. It looks like it's going to be a major year for some pretty serious product upgrades. Amongst the most obvious are:
Windows 7
Windows Server 2008 R2
Office 2010
Exchange Server 2010
SharePoint 2010
They have been clustered around a project plan called 'Wave 14'. The penny has only dropped in recent days. God, I am slow sometimes. Or just not connecting to the right blogs. I hope to be fixing that up to day.
Windows 7
Windows Server 2008 R2
Office 2010
Exchange Server 2010
SharePoint 2010
They have been clustered around a project plan called 'Wave 14'. The penny has only dropped in recent days. God, I am slow sometimes. Or just not connecting to the right blogs. I hope to be fixing that up to day.
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
H1N1 Flu just got closer....
When I landed at Auckland Airport a few weeks ago from San Fransisco, I was met by a bevy of health professionals. Today, I guess they are spread thinly across New Zealand's landscape facing the almost inevitable pandemic.
News in today's Bay of Plenty Times reported the second confirmed case in Tauranga. The victim worked in Briscoes. That's 100 metres from this office. And 5 co-workers have gone down with flu-like symptoms - all are now in isolation and taking Tamiflu.
I went into Briscoes a couple of days ago. Not surprisingly, there is no bevy outside the store today. We are way past that. Swine flu is here and it's getting pretty damn close.
News in today's Bay of Plenty Times reported the second confirmed case in Tauranga. The victim worked in Briscoes. That's 100 metres from this office. And 5 co-workers have gone down with flu-like symptoms - all are now in isolation and taking Tamiflu.
I went into Briscoes a couple of days ago. Not surprisingly, there is no bevy outside the store today. We are way past that. Swine flu is here and it's getting pretty damn close.
NZ Online Ad Spend Up
The New Zealand Interactive Advertising Bureau reports strong year-on-year growth for the first quarter of 2009.
In its PriceWaterhouseCoopers-audited survey for the first three months of the calendar year, the IAB found online ad spend had increased 7.99% over the same period in 2008, hitting $46.26 million.
During the same period, advertising in traditional media was down at least 10%.
The IAB’s trailing 12-month total for NZ’s online ad spend has now hit an all-time high of $196.55 million.
These numbers follow my recent postings on the challenges facing traditional media. Whilst current online spend is perhaps down on the rather more optimistic forecasts of 12 months ago, they still demonstrate growth and resilience at a time of entrenched global recession.
Longer term, they also demonstrate the continuing drift of ad media spend from the offline to the online space. That drift is now structural and is here to stay.
In its PriceWaterhouseCoopers-audited survey for the first three months of the calendar year, the IAB found online ad spend had increased 7.99% over the same period in 2008, hitting $46.26 million.
During the same period, advertising in traditional media was down at least 10%.
The IAB’s trailing 12-month total for NZ’s online ad spend has now hit an all-time high of $196.55 million.
These numbers follow my recent postings on the challenges facing traditional media. Whilst current online spend is perhaps down on the rather more optimistic forecasts of 12 months ago, they still demonstrate growth and resilience at a time of entrenched global recession.
Longer term, they also demonstrate the continuing drift of ad media spend from the offline to the online space. That drift is now structural and is here to stay.
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Thinking about China
I received an email from Export NZ (BOP) on Saturday inviting me to a briefing next Wednesday at the Chapel Street offices.
Export NZ Bay of Plenty is planning a business delegation to China next year for both their 'Sister Cities' relationships and to coincide with the Shanghai World Expo 2010. For me, this might just map some longer term thoughts.
New Zealand business is uniquely placed to take advantage of the 2010 Expo. As the first, and at this point, only country in the world to sign a Free Trade Agreement with China, it provides NZ business with a great opportunity.
The NZ Government has already committed considerable resource to build an NZ Pavilion at the event. A number of other initiatives are underway to facilitate engagement between Kiwi and Chinese corporations.
So far as Wednesday's invite is concerned, I am signing up. Time perhaps to build some more substance around those thoughts.
Export NZ Bay of Plenty is planning a business delegation to China next year for both their 'Sister Cities' relationships and to coincide with the Shanghai World Expo 2010. For me, this might just map some longer term thoughts.
New Zealand business is uniquely placed to take advantage of the 2010 Expo. As the first, and at this point, only country in the world to sign a Free Trade Agreement with China, it provides NZ business with a great opportunity.
The NZ Government has already committed considerable resource to build an NZ Pavilion at the event. A number of other initiatives are underway to facilitate engagement between Kiwi and Chinese corporations.
So far as Wednesday's invite is concerned, I am signing up. Time perhaps to build some more substance around those thoughts.
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Battle in the Cloud
Following yesterday's post on tonight's (NZ-time) Azure presentation in Swansea, I read an interesting article on Reuters today.
Google has introduced software to make it easier for businesses using Microsoft's Outlook to switch to its Web-based communications and collaboration products. Google says that its new software can easily transfer data from a Microsoft Exchange server to its own cloud-based online service.
The new product allows business users to continue using the Outlook client for email and other tasks, but the back-end functionality and data storage would move to Google, instead of residing on a company's internal servers running Microsoft software.
The product, Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook, will be available immediately as part of the existing Premier version of Google apps, which costs US$50 per business user but is also available to educational and nonprofit customers for free.
This is not so much a battle, as a preliminary skirmish. Expect plenty more of the same however as the Clouds gather. At the moment, it is 'handbags at dawn'. Down track, the battles for eyeballs, hits and dollars will become much more intense.
Google has introduced software to make it easier for businesses using Microsoft's Outlook to switch to its Web-based communications and collaboration products. Google says that its new software can easily transfer data from a Microsoft Exchange server to its own cloud-based online service.
The new product allows business users to continue using the Outlook client for email and other tasks, but the back-end functionality and data storage would move to Google, instead of residing on a company's internal servers running Microsoft software.
The product, Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook, will be available immediately as part of the existing Premier version of Google apps, which costs US$50 per business user but is also available to educational and nonprofit customers for free.
This is not so much a battle, as a preliminary skirmish. Expect plenty more of the same however as the Clouds gather. At the moment, it is 'handbags at dawn'. Down track, the battles for eyeballs, hits and dollars will become much more intense.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Understanding The Cloud
Today, in Tauranga, it is raining.
Tomorrow, at the offices in Swansea, we are hosting an event: 'Azure - The Cloud' for a number of invited delegates. The event is being jointly hosted with Microsoft UK.
Understanding The Cloud is something that Pingar is 'deeply engaged' in. Azure is our long term Cloud 'platform of choice' and resource is now being committed to it.
Cloud computing is not however just a case of uploading an application to a Cloud network. It requires specific Azure 'coding'. Even though we work with the standard Microsoft technologies, that additional layer of Azure coding is still required. We are now working on that.
This will be the first Pingar hosted event in Wales. It is in fact one of the first formal Azure presentations in the principality. I hope to be able to publish a report (plus photo's) of the event on Thursday.
(In the meantime, apologies for the opening paragraph pun. Even I am cringing....)
Tomorrow, at the offices in Swansea, we are hosting an event: 'Azure - The Cloud' for a number of invited delegates. The event is being jointly hosted with Microsoft UK.
Understanding The Cloud is something that Pingar is 'deeply engaged' in. Azure is our long term Cloud 'platform of choice' and resource is now being committed to it.
Cloud computing is not however just a case of uploading an application to a Cloud network. It requires specific Azure 'coding'. Even though we work with the standard Microsoft technologies, that additional layer of Azure coding is still required. We are now working on that.
This will be the first Pingar hosted event in Wales. It is in fact one of the first formal Azure presentations in the principality. I hope to be able to publish a report (plus photo's) of the event on Thursday.
(In the meantime, apologies for the opening paragraph pun. Even I am cringing....)
Monday, 8 June 2009
The CEO Club
Later today, I am meeting up with several CEO's here in Tauranga for an informal get-together. It is a good way to engage locally and share common experiences with peers.
Tonight, we will sit down for dinner and be joined by John Cunningham, Executive Director of Ignition Partner Limited and Eileen Basher, Director, Technology New Zealand. Both are presenting at the Technology NZ roadshow tomorrow.
It is perhaps one of the truly amazing things about Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty. It has a reputation in New Zealand for being a retirement town. It isn't. Pingar is a member of both Priority One and Tauranga Chamber of Commerce. We are also members of the Interactive Advertising Bureau. We are regularly invited to events organised by Export NZ, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and The Institute of Directors (I am a member).
I calculate that if I said 'yes' to every business invitation, I would never spend a night at home. Tonight however is a night when staying away from home is a not a bad thing. This is one dinner I would not want to miss.
Tonight, we will sit down for dinner and be joined by John Cunningham, Executive Director of Ignition Partner Limited and Eileen Basher, Director, Technology New Zealand. Both are presenting at the Technology NZ roadshow tomorrow.
It is perhaps one of the truly amazing things about Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty. It has a reputation in New Zealand for being a retirement town. It isn't. Pingar is a member of both Priority One and Tauranga Chamber of Commerce. We are also members of the Interactive Advertising Bureau. We are regularly invited to events organised by Export NZ, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and The Institute of Directors (I am a member).
I calculate that if I said 'yes' to every business invitation, I would never spend a night at home. Tonight however is a night when staying away from home is a not a bad thing. This is one dinner I would not want to miss.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Research Focus
On Tuesday, I am speaking about Pingar's experience of working with a University research partner at a Technology NZ workshop in Tauranga. As those who have followed this blog would expect, I will be talking about our relationship with WaikatoLink and how it has evolved over the past year or so.
Pingar's current research strategy however extends far beyond WaikatoLink. Later this week, John and Emma will be recruiting three computer science graduates to join Kaimai Research at the Technium in Swansea. They are going to focus on Pingar's integration into Microsoft SharePoint.
Also this week, I hope to start an engagement with Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to help commercialise a truly exceptional algorithm being developed there.
Research & Development (R&D) is a critical function at Pingar. Whilst most focus is still on the imminent launch of Pingar, we are already looking at the next phases of research. The AUT and POWIS initiatives are just part of that process.
Tuesday's Technology NZ workshop is designed to encourage companies in the Bay of Plenty to take advantage of innovation as a means of tackling the recession and preparing for the inevitable economic upturn. For me, innovation and R&D is not such a transitory activity. For me, it is what Pingar is all about.
Pingar's current research strategy however extends far beyond WaikatoLink. Later this week, John and Emma will be recruiting three computer science graduates to join Kaimai Research at the Technium in Swansea. They are going to focus on Pingar's integration into Microsoft SharePoint.
Also this week, I hope to start an engagement with Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to help commercialise a truly exceptional algorithm being developed there.
Research & Development (R&D) is a critical function at Pingar. Whilst most focus is still on the imminent launch of Pingar, we are already looking at the next phases of research. The AUT and POWIS initiatives are just part of that process.
Tuesday's Technology NZ workshop is designed to encourage companies in the Bay of Plenty to take advantage of innovation as a means of tackling the recession and preparing for the inevitable economic upturn. For me, innovation and R&D is not such a transitory activity. For me, it is what Pingar is all about.
POWIS Update
John gets up close to HRH Charles
I traveled to the University of Waikato on Thursday to touch base with the Computer Science Dept to discuss POWIS. At the same time, John Beer, Pingar's UK-based, co-founder, was snuggling up to the POW at Clarence House. Hat doffed, Sir.
Our initiative is to connect the University of Waikato with the University of Swansea in Wales on a joint Pingar research and development initiative. POWIS funds a Waikato graduate to spend two years in Swansea to qualify for a PHD on a Pingar focused project. It's a great initiative from POW and the University of Wales.
Over the next few months, we will hopefully work through the process and commence that engagement. More news when I have it. Now where's that cucumber sandwich?
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
HBI Software - Same address: New Office
HBI Software Pvt Limited opened its doors in Bangalore in September 2001. The address was and remains, Sunrise Chambers, 22 Ulsoor Road, Bangalore.
This week, the company moved into its third suite of offices. I have only seen the photographs but the news from Bangalore is good. And the local telco managed to move all the telecoms across 'just like that'. Hum, I say, as I look at the redundant wireless modem here. If only.
Online Newspaper Subscriptions?
The timing of the previous blog was coincidental. Minutes after publishing it, I can across the following story from Editor and Publisher.com
The nation's top newspaper executives gathered at a Chicago O'Hare airport hotel today to discuss charging for online content and protecting intellectual property.
The summit was initiated by the Newspaper Association of America in response to the recent hearings on Capitol Hill. John Sturm, the NAA's CEO, told E&P the event's purpose was to bring together top publishers to "discuss how best to support and preserve the traditions of newsgathering that will serve the American public."
Sturm said those gathered discussed such topics as protection of intellectual property rights, as well as possible approaches to Congress and Administration to address these and other issues.
I took this as being a slight nod in the direction of Google and others. Intellectual properly and content rights management is becoming a more central area for online debate. It is one that Pingar welcomes. The Newspaper Association of America's concerns are well founded. Democracies require fiercely independent media. That relies on having the resources necessary to find the stories, research and then publish them. That costs. So revenue generation AND protection becomes more important.
It is a debate to follow.
The nation's top newspaper executives gathered at a Chicago O'Hare airport hotel today to discuss charging for online content and protecting intellectual property.
The summit was initiated by the Newspaper Association of America in response to the recent hearings on Capitol Hill. John Sturm, the NAA's CEO, told E&P the event's purpose was to bring together top publishers to "discuss how best to support and preserve the traditions of newsgathering that will serve the American public."
Sturm said those gathered discussed such topics as protection of intellectual property rights, as well as possible approaches to Congress and Administration to address these and other issues.
I took this as being a slight nod in the direction of Google and others. Intellectual properly and content rights management is becoming a more central area for online debate. It is one that Pingar welcomes. The Newspaper Association of America's concerns are well founded. Democracies require fiercely independent media. That relies on having the resources necessary to find the stories, research and then publish them. That costs. So revenue generation AND protection becomes more important.
It is a debate to follow.
Newspaper woes deepen
The challenges facing traditional print news media are increasing. Their online offerings are not delivering.
In the US, amid the ongoing story of revenue declines among print newspapers comes the news that online ad revenue dropped 13.4% industry-wide during the first quarter of 2009, for a total of $696 million. The drop represents the steepest online decline since the Newspaper Association of America started breaking out online revenue as a separate category.
I put this down to two reasons:
1. Pure internet plays are not concerned about cannibalising offline ad sales. They can therefore be adventurous and focus entirely on online delivery. Their online print cousins are still doing everything to protect their offline ad revenues. It is a difficult bridge to cross.
2. Talk of traditional print media (newspapers) starting online subscriptions (charging for access) will decimate online ad sales. Digital ad agencies want volume. Subscription sales do not offer that.
This is clearly a difficult time. New Zealand's two major newspaper publishers (Fairfax and APN) have both been laying off staff as they try to restructure. And that is the key story today. This is not just about recession. This is about a fundamental restructuring of information delivery.
Today, a revolution is taking place - evolution was last year's story.
In the US, amid the ongoing story of revenue declines among print newspapers comes the news that online ad revenue dropped 13.4% industry-wide during the first quarter of 2009, for a total of $696 million. The drop represents the steepest online decline since the Newspaper Association of America started breaking out online revenue as a separate category.
I put this down to two reasons:
1. Pure internet plays are not concerned about cannibalising offline ad sales. They can therefore be adventurous and focus entirely on online delivery. Their online print cousins are still doing everything to protect their offline ad revenues. It is a difficult bridge to cross.
2. Talk of traditional print media (newspapers) starting online subscriptions (charging for access) will decimate online ad sales. Digital ad agencies want volume. Subscription sales do not offer that.
This is clearly a difficult time. New Zealand's two major newspaper publishers (Fairfax and APN) have both been laying off staff as they try to restructure. And that is the key story today. This is not just about recession. This is about a fundamental restructuring of information delivery.
Today, a revolution is taking place - evolution was last year's story.
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Pingar LP Moves Office
Pingar LP is moving!
Our new address details are as follows:
Pingar LP
Smart Business Centre
Bay Central
65 Chapel Street
Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
New Zealand
Telephone: +64 757 888 00
The Smart Business Centre is the building at the left of the complex.
Saturday, 30 May 2009
God Save the Queen
One of the nice things about New Zealand is that it celebrates Her Majesty's birthday with a public holiday. Monday is it.
This day will not however be entirely free of work, at least in this part of Godzone. More about that on Tuesday!
This day will not however be entirely free of work, at least in this part of Godzone. More about that on Tuesday!
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Tauranga ICT Expo Presentation
Photos can be so cruel.....
Brett Roberts from Microsoft NZ spoke to a full house yesterday at the Pingar Sponsored 'Looking into the Future' workshop at the Tauranga ICT Cluster Expo yesterday. It was standing room only.
Not that the photograph above shows that. Believe me. I'm a journalist. It was!
Monday, 25 May 2009
TechNZ in Tauranga - 9th June
TechNZ is hosting a series of ten “survive and thrive through innovation” Research and Development (R&D) workshops throughout New Zealand this autumn to help businesses get ahead despite the recession.
The events, held in conjunction with regional TechNZ partners, are aimed at giving companies new tools to identify emerging business opportunities, develop new products and prepare for the inevitable economic recovery.
On the 9th June, Tauranga is hosting one of the ten workshops. Running from 9.00am - 1.00pm, the event will be held at Baycourt Centre. I have not seen the program at this point, but do know one thing. I will be speaking at the event to talk about my experience of working with WaikatoLink.
For more details of this event, visit the Events Schedule.
The events, held in conjunction with regional TechNZ partners, are aimed at giving companies new tools to identify emerging business opportunities, develop new products and prepare for the inevitable economic recovery.
On the 9th June, Tauranga is hosting one of the ten workshops. Running from 9.00am - 1.00pm, the event will be held at Baycourt Centre. I have not seen the program at this point, but do know one thing. I will be speaking at the event to talk about my experience of working with WaikatoLink.
For more details of this event, visit the Events Schedule.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Tauranga ICT Expo - Wednesday 27th May
It's that time of the year again.
This year, Pingar is sponsoring a workshop entitled 'Looking into the Future'.
Brett Roberts, Microsoft New Zealand’s National Technology Officer, will talk about Microsoft’s vision for the future and how this will impact on every business in the Bay of Plenty.
I get to speak for about five minutes. It will go something like this.
'Hi. My name is Peter. And this is Brett. Good afternoon.'
It is a sign of the strength of the local Western Bay of Plenty ICT sector that the stands and the workshops for the Expo sold out in record time this year. Last year was the first Tauranga ICT Expo and it probably exceeded expectations. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of 'new business' was signed up. This year, the exhibitors are perhaps better prepared and more focused. This really will become an annual event.
As last year, entry to local businesses is free. For more details, check out the WBOP ICT Cluster website.
Be there......
This year, Pingar is sponsoring a workshop entitled 'Looking into the Future'.
Brett Roberts, Microsoft New Zealand’s National Technology Officer, will talk about Microsoft’s vision for the future and how this will impact on every business in the Bay of Plenty.
I get to speak for about five minutes. It will go something like this.
'Hi. My name is Peter. And this is Brett. Good afternoon.'
It is a sign of the strength of the local Western Bay of Plenty ICT sector that the stands and the workshops for the Expo sold out in record time this year. Last year was the first Tauranga ICT Expo and it probably exceeded expectations. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of 'new business' was signed up. This year, the exhibitors are perhaps better prepared and more focused. This really will become an annual event.
As last year, entry to local businesses is free. For more details, check out the WBOP ICT Cluster website.
Be there......
Wellington Bound
[Postscript: Saturday 23rd May. The flight back to Tauranga has been cancelled due to wind gusts of up to 140km. And every flight to Auckland. So we are trapped. Another night in Wellington. Another reason why this place fully deserves its name - 'Windy']
Any misconceptions about where I am in the world will vanish tonight. I will land in Wellington to a seasonal cold blast from the south. (And in Windy, this is one long season).
It's the first of two fairly quick visits to the capital. Next month, I arrive for the NZ Microsoft SharePoint Users conference. This week, it is meetings with the usual suspects. Enough said.
I've been back in Tauranga now for five days. The mood on the street HAS slightly changed since I left for Hong Kong in April. The change is an absolute mirror of my final days in the UK just over a week ago. The common factor? The weather.
I'm no economist, but looking back to last October and November when the world's banks were having 'their moment', in NZ, spring was in the air and the focus here was on the beach. It all seemed so distant. Now the nights are closing in and the threat to jobs becomes more real, so does that change in mood. Contra in London. MPs may have been caught with their hand in the cookie jar, but the temperature is heating up - and so is the pound and the stock market. People are looking forward to the summer. Coincidence?
Over the next two days, I will put the theory to the test. Once I have found my thermals.......
Monday, 18 May 2009
Aussies Boost R & D Incentives
Foreign companies will be able to claim 40 cents for every dollar invested in research and development under new rules to be introduced by the Australian government.
Senator Kim Carr, the minister for innovation, industry, science and research, said companies would be eligible even if the intellectual property were owned outside Australia. “This is the biggest increase since records began and the biggest change to business innovation support in more than a decade,” he said.
The 40 per cent tax credit, to be introduced from July next year, would offer “more generous and more predictable incentives for doing R&D in Australia”, he told the Financial Times on Sunday.
The scheme, to be managed through the Australian tax-return system, would have no turnover limit.
I hope someone at the Beehive is watching.................
Senator Kim Carr, the minister for innovation, industry, science and research, said companies would be eligible even if the intellectual property were owned outside Australia. “This is the biggest increase since records began and the biggest change to business innovation support in more than a decade,” he said.
The 40 per cent tax credit, to be introduced from July next year, would offer “more generous and more predictable incentives for doing R&D in Australia”, he told the Financial Times on Sunday.
The scheme, to be managed through the Australian tax-return system, would have no turnover limit.
I hope someone at the Beehive is watching.................
Saturday, 16 May 2009
VC - Do you need it?
I am now back in NZ.
The events of the past few days are fresh in the memory. So the experience of Palo Alto is highly relevant to an article I read this morning.
'With cloud computing and rentable hardware driving down the costs of starting up a Web company, venture capital is becoming less important for online entrepreneurs, according to a paper by Santa Clara University business Professor Robert Hendershott. Additionally, new business categories, such as iPhone and social networking applications, have development cycles that can be measured in weeks, not months or years'.
In part, I agree. In part....
The real cost of establishing a web company extends beyond the scope of development and hosting. Building a global presence is not cheap, so significant investment is still required to fund headcount, support, IP and structures. The question I think is rather, are VC's the ideal funding partners for this?
It is not a route that Pingar has taken. In NZ, the reason is quite simple. The lack of a competitive capital market means that the high net worth investor route has been more appropriate. Retaining IP in NZ would have been much more difficult if we had had to access global capital markets.
The issue raised by Professor Robert Hendershott is however an important and relevant want. An evolving technology market certainly impacts on web businesses funding options. As start up firms learn to become leaner and smarter in these 'economic times', venture capital is no longer the only play in town.
The events of the past few days are fresh in the memory. So the experience of Palo Alto is highly relevant to an article I read this morning.
'With cloud computing and rentable hardware driving down the costs of starting up a Web company, venture capital is becoming less important for online entrepreneurs, according to a paper by Santa Clara University business Professor Robert Hendershott. Additionally, new business categories, such as iPhone and social networking applications, have development cycles that can be measured in weeks, not months or years'.
In part, I agree. In part....
The real cost of establishing a web company extends beyond the scope of development and hosting. Building a global presence is not cheap, so significant investment is still required to fund headcount, support, IP and structures. The question I think is rather, are VC's the ideal funding partners for this?
It is not a route that Pingar has taken. In NZ, the reason is quite simple. The lack of a competitive capital market means that the high net worth investor route has been more appropriate. Retaining IP in NZ would have been much more difficult if we had had to access global capital markets.
The issue raised by Professor Robert Hendershott is however an important and relevant want. An evolving technology market certainly impacts on web businesses funding options. As start up firms learn to become leaner and smarter in these 'economic times', venture capital is no longer the only play in town.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Farewelling SF
Tonight, this particular series of market visits comes to an end. After 3 weeks 'on the road', NZ is just one flight away.
Over the next couple of weeks I will reflect on this trip through a series of posts. To be honest, there are so many actions to follow up, I may even revert to Jacqui's habit of writing 'lists'. The headings will be interesting.
Right now, I have one full day left in SF. And one final meeting.
And then its home....
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Palo Alto has Attitude
The meeting in Palo Alto yesterday was upbeat. It says a lot about Americans approach to life. VC start up deals in 'the Valley' might be down by about 25% this year - but they still represent around USD 9 billion of new money. It backs up my post yesterday. It is all about size and scale.
It's also about attitude. Start ups looking for investment today have what was referred to as 'balls'. The fact that they are still actively pursuing funding in this market marks them out. Cheque books in this part of the world are certainly not closed at this point. Word on the street is that one NZ tech company is about to announce a major VC win here.
What I had not fully appreciated until my visit was the significance of the presence of Stanford University. Palo Alto is what it is because of Stanford. Tech spin outs and VCs have clustered around the University campus making this a key play in the US technology market.
The striking thing about this was how it mirrors Pingar's own engagement with the Universities of Waikato in NZ and Swansea in Wales. In both instances it might be small scale stuff by comparison, but the model is right. It reinforces my own view that this is one model that should be actively promoted in NZ. The structure is in place. It just requires significant extra funding. Is this possible?
I believe the answer is yes. Another key lesson learnt from yesterday is a changing perception and attitude towards high growth potential NZ tech companies by Valley-based VC. Our geography is no longer such an issue. The opportunity is. It's a message I will be taking back home. Right now, 'The Valley' is open for business.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Welcome San Fran
I do not know what it is about the States, but they certainly know how to create an impact on arrival (and I am not just referring to the Transit Lounge at LAX - this time).
It is all about size and scale. Although the view from NZ has been one of downright recession / depression here (and that is probably right), it is the pure size of the economy that we Kiwis need to think about. It might be going through a tough patch today, but as I discovered on a visit to LA a couple of years ago, the breakfast takeaway sector here exceeds New Zealand's GDP. That's a lot of chocolate muffins.......
So my focus tomorrow is based on that opportunity and how Pingar can best benefit from it. My meeting in Palo Alto at lunchtime is a follow-up to a couple already held in Auckland. It is not therefore new ground. The timing is good. I will explain why in future posts.
Right now though it is time to bed. The clock here says 7.45pm, Sunday. The same clock in London earlier would now be reading 3.45am, Monday. That's late. It's time for some sleep.
It is all about size and scale. Although the view from NZ has been one of downright recession / depression here (and that is probably right), it is the pure size of the economy that we Kiwis need to think about. It might be going through a tough patch today, but as I discovered on a visit to LA a couple of years ago, the breakfast takeaway sector here exceeds New Zealand's GDP. That's a lot of chocolate muffins.......
So my focus tomorrow is based on that opportunity and how Pingar can best benefit from it. My meeting in Palo Alto at lunchtime is a follow-up to a couple already held in Auckland. It is not therefore new ground. The timing is good. I will explain why in future posts.
Right now though it is time to bed. The clock here says 7.45pm, Sunday. The same clock in London earlier would now be reading 3.45am, Monday. That's late. It's time for some sleep.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
'California Dreaming'
The UK leg of this odyssey is almost over. Tomorrow, I catch the plane for San Fransisco and then spend three days in the US of A.
It's an action packed 72 hours with meetings set up with Microsoft, an ex-Butterworth colleague and an attorney. Future postings will reveal the relevance of the trio.
It's actually my first visit to SF. And the Monday lunchtime meeting in Palo Alto is my first in Silicon Valley. It is an appropriate way to end what has been a 3 weeks + set of market visits. As time goes by, the significance of these visits will become more apparent. All I can say at this stage is that it is good news for those old friends of mine: the lawyers and the accountants.
I leave the UK with a sense of real encouragement. The structure here is now mapping the structure we created in New Zealand last year. With the additional resource at the Swansea Technium, we have established a real beachhead for UK and European expansion.
So my time here is almost done. One final leg before touchdown in Auckland next Friday. My 360 view of the world will be complete.
Until next month.........
It's an action packed 72 hours with meetings set up with Microsoft, an ex-Butterworth colleague and an attorney. Future postings will reveal the relevance of the trio.
It's actually my first visit to SF. And the Monday lunchtime meeting in Palo Alto is my first in Silicon Valley. It is an appropriate way to end what has been a 3 weeks + set of market visits. As time goes by, the significance of these visits will become more apparent. All I can say at this stage is that it is good news for those old friends of mine: the lawyers and the accountants.
I leave the UK with a sense of real encouragement. The structure here is now mapping the structure we created in New Zealand last year. With the additional resource at the Swansea Technium, we have established a real beachhead for UK and European expansion.
So my time here is almost done. One final leg before touchdown in Auckland next Friday. My 360 view of the world will be complete.
Until next month.........
Friday, 8 May 2009
Back to London
Technium 2 in Swansea
It was a busy time in Wales. By the time I next return to Swansea, I expect us to have a fully manned 6 person office in Technium 2.
The visit enabled me to renew old acquaintances if that is what you call the lawyers and the accountants. It was great to meet up with Emma Northam for the first time. Emma is our recently appointed GM in Swansea and will be responsible for building and managing headcount. I also had the opportunity to meet up with Dr. Mark Jones who used to work at the University of Waikato. Some very interesting opportunities exist in that space.
Today, I have final meetings at the Institute of Directors in central London.
(Useful hint to NZ businesses visiting London: If you join the IOD in New Zealand, it gives you complimentary access to the IOD's fabulous facilities in London. You get free internet access, use of meeting rooms, not to mention a decent bar and brasserie. And it is next door to NZ House on the Haymarket.)
I will reflect on further aspects of this UK visit in future posts to the blog.
I am now making plans for my departure. Next stop? Palo Alto and Silicon Valley. More news on that when I arrive in San Fransisco on Sunday.
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Wales Bound
I'm off to Wales today and then look forward to two days in Swansea and surrounds.
It's now almost four months since Pingar first established its presence at the Swansea Technium. With a 'shopping list' of requirements for expanding headcount, it is a good time to re-visit and re-engage.
The 'shopping list' helps. It prices up the cost of funding necessary and the cash flow requirements for the rest of the year. It also emphasises the global basis of Pingar's sourcing opportunities. We can now compare relative costs in the UK, NZ, HK, Bangalore and beyond. Given the ease of international communication, it provides both flexibility and an increasingly natural 'hedge' for the company's offshore business.
The next two days are an important part of that global mix.
It's now almost four months since Pingar first established its presence at the Swansea Technium. With a 'shopping list' of requirements for expanding headcount, it is a good time to re-visit and re-engage.
The 'shopping list' helps. It prices up the cost of funding necessary and the cash flow requirements for the rest of the year. It also emphasises the global basis of Pingar's sourcing opportunities. We can now compare relative costs in the UK, NZ, HK, Bangalore and beyond. Given the ease of international communication, it provides both flexibility and an increasingly natural 'hedge' for the company's offshore business.
The next two days are an important part of that global mix.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Welcome to the UK
As forecast, the last week has not been grim at all! It has however been unbelievably busy!
Pingar has gone beyond 'market entry'. We now have budgets to work with that will see an acceleration in headcount and an expansion of our presence 'on the ground'.
What has been particularly satisfying is seeing how the ground work laid over the past two years has now come together. We have managed to establish an amazing network of people and companies who are working rapidly to assist the UK roll-out.
Over the past few days, I have had numerous meetings as we collectively finesse the team here. The names will be familiar: Microsoft UK, NZTE, UK T&I. The outcomes though are more advanced.
I am halfway through this particular market visit. Next week, the focus is on Wales and the progress we are making at the Technium in Swansea. Meetings with International Business Wales and other agencies will help consolidate and then expand our operations there.
We are preparing for 'the curve'. And it is not far off. The UK has an incredibly important role to play over the next few months. All the evidence so far is that the operational framework to enable that role to be effectively executed is almost in place.
Next week's meetings are designed to reinforce that position.
Pingar has gone beyond 'market entry'. We now have budgets to work with that will see an acceleration in headcount and an expansion of our presence 'on the ground'.
What has been particularly satisfying is seeing how the ground work laid over the past two years has now come together. We have managed to establish an amazing network of people and companies who are working rapidly to assist the UK roll-out.
Over the past few days, I have had numerous meetings as we collectively finesse the team here. The names will be familiar: Microsoft UK, NZTE, UK T&I. The outcomes though are more advanced.
I am halfway through this particular market visit. Next week, the focus is on Wales and the progress we are making at the Technium in Swansea. Meetings with International Business Wales and other agencies will help consolidate and then expand our operations there.
We are preparing for 'the curve'. And it is not far off. The UK has an incredibly important role to play over the next few months. All the evidence so far is that the operational framework to enable that role to be effectively executed is almost in place.
Next week's meetings are designed to reinforce that position.
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Welcome to Grim
Actually, it's not grim at all. The daffodils are out and the weather is pleasant. And Blackpool FC secured a draw yesterday guaranteeing another year of Championship football.
The UK newspapers paint a different picture though. By the time I had finished reading the Saturday edition of the Daily Telegraph, I was ready to head back to Heathrow and fly back home. I will not be alone. According to today's Sunday Times, a number of leading business figures are planning to depart these shores.
The headlines say it all:
Blair's despair over 50% tax rate
Big Brother (the Government) will monitor every email, call and text
Middle-class jobless crisis grows
Darling forecast hammered by GDP fall
UK faces a decade of severe austerity
Welcome then to 'Grim'.
I have a heavy schedule of meetings across the UK over the next two weeks. Against this backdrop of economic 'doom & gloom', I have to find evidence of green shoots. Certainly, this is nothing like the more composed response to the global 'crisis' I have experienced in NZ, and more recently HK. It is going to be an interesting fortnight.
The UK newspapers paint a different picture though. By the time I had finished reading the Saturday edition of the Daily Telegraph, I was ready to head back to Heathrow and fly back home. I will not be alone. According to today's Sunday Times, a number of leading business figures are planning to depart these shores.
The headlines say it all:
Blair's despair over 50% tax rate
Big Brother (the Government) will monitor every email, call and text
Middle-class jobless crisis grows
Darling forecast hammered by GDP fall
UK faces a decade of severe austerity
Welcome then to 'Grim'.
I have a heavy schedule of meetings across the UK over the next two weeks. Against this backdrop of economic 'doom & gloom', I have to find evidence of green shoots. Certainly, this is nothing like the more composed response to the global 'crisis' I have experienced in NZ, and more recently HK. It is going to be an interesting fortnight.
Friday, 24 April 2009
Hong Kong Science Parks, Shatun
I am spending today at the Hong Kong Science Parks in Shatun.
This is a cluster of 200 technology companies based in 20 state of the art buildings. A total of HK 12 billion (US$ 1.5 billion) has been allocated to the HKSP Project in 3 Phases. That's some Government investment.
The mix of on site services appear to be more extensive than I have experienced before. The availability of a number of Technology Support Laboratories would certainly help start up and early stage companies. A series of incubation programmes for technology and design start-ups exist. There are a range of funding packages available to incubatees. Oh, for some of this in Tauranga!
Tonight, it's back to Hong Kong International and a 13 hour flight to London. More time to reflect. What is clear from even such a short visit is the scale of potential.....and the dangers of risk. Finding the right partners and networks is key to launching successfully in North Asia.
I will be back.
This is a cluster of 200 technology companies based in 20 state of the art buildings. A total of HK 12 billion (US$ 1.5 billion) has been allocated to the HKSP Project in 3 Phases. That's some Government investment.
The mix of on site services appear to be more extensive than I have experienced before. The availability of a number of Technology Support Laboratories would certainly help start up and early stage companies. A series of incubation programmes for technology and design start-ups exist. There are a range of funding packages available to incubatees. Oh, for some of this in Tauranga!
Tonight, it's back to Hong Kong International and a 13 hour flight to London. More time to reflect. What is clear from even such a short visit is the scale of potential.....and the dangers of risk. Finding the right partners and networks is key to launching successfully in North Asia.
I will be back.
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Landed in HK
I've just checked into the hotel. I would like to say that the image above was one I had just shot. Unfortunately, it is cloudy and drizzling outside so I can only just see across the street.
It is not the only issue I have just faced. When I went to Blogger, everything had defaulted to Chinese. It does mean though that I have definitely arrived. And the early hotel check in means I can prepare properly for the two meetings listed in the last blog.
12 hours on an Air New Zealand flight does give you time to think. I wrote down all the Hong Kong / Chinese connections I have and I was surprised. It almost makes a network. So added impetus for the two meetings today. And good preparation for the crispy duck tonight.....
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Hong Kong Bound
This time tomorrow, I will be heading for Auckland to catch a flight to Hong Kong.
It's almost a year since I was last there and some serious catch-up time is necessary. I am meeting up with both NZTE and InvestHK on the ground.
The Chinese market is in some ways the most interesting, but challenging one that we face. To ensure we have an appropriate market entry strategy in place, it is important that Pingar commissions some locally-generated market research. That I hope is the key outcome from this trip.
I hope to post an update from Kowloon....Before catching the next leg of this offshore trip to Heathrow.
It's almost a year since I was last there and some serious catch-up time is necessary. I am meeting up with both NZTE and InvestHK on the ground.
The Chinese market is in some ways the most interesting, but challenging one that we face. To ensure we have an appropriate market entry strategy in place, it is important that Pingar commissions some locally-generated market research. That I hope is the key outcome from this trip.
I hope to post an update from Kowloon....Before catching the next leg of this offshore trip to Heathrow.
Friday, 17 April 2009
Xero to 1.38
It's been quite a few days for Wellington-based Xero.
A highly successful funding round, improving customer sign-ups and great PR. It also demonstrates that despite the times we are in, SaaS is perhaps finally being recognised for what it is - an amazing opportunity for NZ businesses to compete on equal terms globally.
There are several other great NZ start-ups engaged in this space. If government and investors are looking at one specific sector with potential, then this is surely it.
A highly successful funding round, improving customer sign-ups and great PR. It also demonstrates that despite the times we are in, SaaS is perhaps finally being recognised for what it is - an amazing opportunity for NZ businesses to compete on equal terms globally.
There are several other great NZ start-ups engaged in this space. If government and investors are looking at one specific sector with potential, then this is surely it.
And the Winner was........
I can't actually say right now. I believe JML Communications will be press releasing that information later today.
What I can say is that the judging experience at the 2009 Technium Challenge demonstrated the depth of amazing technology and innovation that is coming out of New Zealand's brightest companies. There were six finalists. They represented different sectors, but the one thing they all had in common was an intense desire to grow - and global development was at the core of their strategy.
In my view, there were six winners on Wednesday. They did themselves and this country proud.
What I can say is that the judging experience at the 2009 Technium Challenge demonstrated the depth of amazing technology and innovation that is coming out of New Zealand's brightest companies. There were six finalists. They represented different sectors, but the one thing they all had in common was an intense desire to grow - and global development was at the core of their strategy.
In my view, there were six winners on Wednesday. They did themselves and this country proud.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
The Long Weekend
Jazz, wine, chocolate Easter eggs...... and GST returns.
It was a great break, of sorts. Today, it's back to work with a trip to Auckland, an audience at JML and then dinner with Gareth Davies of IBW.
And then tomorrow I am judging the New Zealand segment of the Technium Challenge International 2009. This is both an honour and apt.
Next week sees me heading off to Hong Kong (more about that trip later) and then onwards to the UK and Wales. A key focus of the UK / Wales visit is to manage Pingar's own presence at the Technium in Swansea. There is much to do and therefore tomorrow's judging will be a reminder of what Wales is all about.
It was a great break, of sorts. Today, it's back to work with a trip to Auckland, an audience at JML and then dinner with Gareth Davies of IBW.
And then tomorrow I am judging the New Zealand segment of the Technium Challenge International 2009. This is both an honour and apt.
Next week sees me heading off to Hong Kong (more about that trip later) and then onwards to the UK and Wales. A key focus of the UK / Wales visit is to manage Pingar's own presence at the Technium in Swansea. There is much to do and therefore tomorrow's judging will be a reminder of what Wales is all about.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
No Twitter
The battle lines are drawn.
On one side is Twitter. On the other is 'my life'. In the never ending conflict between real and virtual worlds, I hope my real one comes out on top.
So I have resolved not to twitter. Ever.
There....I feel better already.
On one side is Twitter. On the other is 'my life'. In the never ending conflict between real and virtual worlds, I hope my real one comes out on top.
So I have resolved not to twitter. Ever.
There....I feel better already.
Monday, 6 April 2009
Daylight Saving
Well that's the end of summer then.
Daylight saving finished yesterday and we are now in what I guess is the non-daylight saving season. For most Kiwis it means lighter mornings and darker evenings. For me, it has a rather more significant meaning.
The time difference between the UK and NZ has now shrunk twice in two weeks. The thirteen hour time difference has become eleven. That impacts on the timing of conference calls. It means more early evening calls and fewer early morning ones. That's not great. I am an early morning person.
The same reasoning applies to HBI Software in Bangalore. Skype calls there will become late afternoon. That is good. Unlike the cricket. As I type this post, India have NZ on the ropes in the Wellington Test Match. It will take more than non-daylight saving to rescue the Black Caps.
Autumn in Tauranga (for that is the season) though is different from London. Today, I had lunch on the deck with the shades up. It is still that warm. In three weeks, I will be in the UK for the start of their Spring; with winter clothing at the ready.
Some things never change.
Daylight saving finished yesterday and we are now in what I guess is the non-daylight saving season. For most Kiwis it means lighter mornings and darker evenings. For me, it has a rather more significant meaning.
The time difference between the UK and NZ has now shrunk twice in two weeks. The thirteen hour time difference has become eleven. That impacts on the timing of conference calls. It means more early evening calls and fewer early morning ones. That's not great. I am an early morning person.
The same reasoning applies to HBI Software in Bangalore. Skype calls there will become late afternoon. That is good. Unlike the cricket. As I type this post, India have NZ on the ropes in the Wellington Test Match. It will take more than non-daylight saving to rescue the Black Caps.
Autumn in Tauranga (for that is the season) though is different from London. Today, I had lunch on the deck with the shades up. It is still that warm. In three weeks, I will be in the UK for the start of their Spring; with winter clothing at the ready.
Some things never change.
Friday, 3 April 2009
Google Settle
A interesting article in this morning's National Business Review.
Google has finalised an out-of-court $US125 million settlement with book publishers for scanning their titles without permission, and the NZ Copyright Council has begun taking local claims on the cash.
Copyright Licensing Ltd, the vehicle set up by the Book Publishers Association of NZ for dispersing copyright fees, has just opened its website for New Zealand publishers to make claims under a $US125 million worldwide settlement reached between publishers and Google.
An interesting glimpse into a key difference between the Google and the Pingar business models. Pingar will only search data which is owned by content owners who are contracted to Pingar. Period.
Quality data. Quality returns. And happy content owners....
Google has finalised an out-of-court $US125 million settlement with book publishers for scanning their titles without permission, and the NZ Copyright Council has begun taking local claims on the cash.
Copyright Licensing Ltd, the vehicle set up by the Book Publishers Association of NZ for dispersing copyright fees, has just opened its website for New Zealand publishers to make claims under a $US125 million worldwide settlement reached between publishers and Google.
An interesting glimpse into a key difference between the Google and the Pingar business models. Pingar will only search data which is owned by content owners who are contracted to Pingar. Period.
Quality data. Quality returns. And happy content owners....
Thursday, 2 April 2009
SharePoint Update
A couple of weeks ago, I posted a note about hoping to go to the 2009 Microsoft SharePoint Conference in Las Vegas in October.
Well, we've gone one better.
Pingar has taken a stand, so it's four days of leather wear (that's standing on my feet) at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Convention Center. Before then, the challenge is working out all the issues relating to the stand equipment, collateral, presentation materials etc. And shipping it half way around the world. Lovely!
Closer to home, I have also registered for the two-day New Zealand Community SharePoint Conference 2009 in Wellington in July. It appears to have an excellent panel of speakers. It will be good to mix with some of NZ's leading SharePoint community members.
Before then, I am meeting up with some developers in Hong Kong who are working on part of our SharePoint solution. So right now, SharePoint is up there on my application roadmap. Together with Microsoft Server 2008,Visual Studio, .Net Framework..........
Well, we've gone one better.
Pingar has taken a stand, so it's four days of leather wear (that's standing on my feet) at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Convention Center. Before then, the challenge is working out all the issues relating to the stand equipment, collateral, presentation materials etc. And shipping it half way around the world. Lovely!
Closer to home, I have also registered for the two-day New Zealand Community SharePoint Conference 2009 in Wellington in July. It appears to have an excellent panel of speakers. It will be good to mix with some of NZ's leading SharePoint community members.
Before then, I am meeting up with some developers in Hong Kong who are working on part of our SharePoint solution. So right now, SharePoint is up there on my application roadmap. Together with Microsoft Server 2008,Visual Studio, .Net Framework..........
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
I'm Free!
And that's not an April Fool......
The financial year end has passed. Not only are we still here, but we are bursting with ideas and plans for 2009 - 2010. What recession?
It's time to dust off the passport again as I prepare to take in Hong Kong, the UK and Redmond, USA for 3 weeks later this month. I will blog daily (well, almost) as we start the commercialisation process and sign up key partners.
Today, really does mark a new beginning. The structure and product are in place. Time for the team to make good on the Pingar road map we have set.
The financial year end has passed. Not only are we still here, but we are bursting with ideas and plans for 2009 - 2010. What recession?
It's time to dust off the passport again as I prepare to take in Hong Kong, the UK and Redmond, USA for 3 weeks later this month. I will blog daily (well, almost) as we start the commercialisation process and sign up key partners.
Today, really does mark a new beginning. The structure and product are in place. Time for the team to make good on the Pingar road map we have set.
Monday, 30 March 2009
The Year End
This blog has been on a 'go slow' for the past couple of weeks.
Tomorrow marks Financial Year End. That's all I really need to say. Time spent blogging has been time spent instead with all sorts of advisers, investors and people close to Pingar.
I have not had time to talk about April's trips to Hong Kong, the UK and the US. They have been booked and the bags are half packed.
It has all been 31st March and nothing much else. All that changes on Wednesday.
......And that's no April Fool.
Tomorrow marks Financial Year End. That's all I really need to say. Time spent blogging has been time spent instead with all sorts of advisers, investors and people close to Pingar.
I have not had time to talk about April's trips to Hong Kong, the UK and the US. They have been booked and the bags are half packed.
It has all been 31st March and nothing much else. All that changes on Wednesday.
......And that's no April Fool.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Blackpool FC
I have not filed a single post this season on the travails of Blackpool FC. With only a handful of games to go to the end of the season, some readers may think that this personal, overwhelming and all consuming passion has subsided.
Not true.
It is a sad fact, but the first page I access on a Sunday morning is the Seasiders home page on Rivals.net to check the score from Saturday's game. It kind of sets my mood for the day. With 8 games to go to this season's end and despite a host of injuries and a bank balance the size of Noddies, we are still hanging in there. Tonight's game against Southampton is crucial. Win that and I think one more season in the Championship is assured.
Lose it and an anxious wait till May is guaranteed!
Not true.
It is a sad fact, but the first page I access on a Sunday morning is the Seasiders home page on Rivals.net to check the score from Saturday's game. It kind of sets my mood for the day. With 8 games to go to this season's end and despite a host of injuries and a bank balance the size of Noddies, we are still hanging in there. Tonight's game against Southampton is crucial. Win that and I think one more season in the Championship is assured.
Lose it and an anxious wait till May is guaranteed!
....back to Tauranga
That was one heck of a windy road.
Over 1,000 kms covered in just 3 days, with Taupo being thrown into the melting pot at the last minute. It was also an interesting week.
A text from Wellington on Thursday morning said simply, 'Check the Herald'. We did. And we found a good article about Pingar written by Simon Hendery. A flood of emails ensured and I am spending this morning trying to reply to as many as possible.
A conference call with the UK team this morning and a trip back to the UK (sans Jacqui) is now planned for next month. It includes stopovers in Hong Kong on the outbound leg and Redmond on the return. And a further update on the Technium in Wales. I have been asked to join the NZ judging panel for this year's 'Technium Challenge'. Previous winners include two great NZ ICT companies, Xero and TracPlus.
The long and windy road continues on Monday with another trip to the City of Sails, though that is I hope it for a few days. There is more than enough in Tauranga to keep me and the team occupied over the next few days. Until the next journey.
Over 1,000 kms covered in just 3 days, with Taupo being thrown into the melting pot at the last minute. It was also an interesting week.
A text from Wellington on Thursday morning said simply, 'Check the Herald'. We did. And we found a good article about Pingar written by Simon Hendery. A flood of emails ensured and I am spending this morning trying to reply to as many as possible.
A conference call with the UK team this morning and a trip back to the UK (sans Jacqui) is now planned for next month. It includes stopovers in Hong Kong on the outbound leg and Redmond on the return. And a further update on the Technium in Wales. I have been asked to join the NZ judging panel for this year's 'Technium Challenge'. Previous winners include two great NZ ICT companies, Xero and TracPlus.
The long and windy road continues on Monday with another trip to the City of Sails, though that is I hope it for a few days. There is more than enough in Tauranga to keep me and the team occupied over the next few days. Until the next journey.
Monday, 16 March 2009
On the long and windy road.....
This is probably an apt description of life at Pingar at present.
A number of milestones have been set. All it requires now is for their successful execution. That means meetings and more meetings; with partners, suppliers and customers. Not forgetting of course the lawyers and the accountants.
Whilst the technology platform excites, it is the background business grunt that has to be put into place. That's 'the long and windy road'. In New Zealand, over the next few days, it takes in Taranaki, Auckland and Tauranga. In the UK, it traverses between Norfolk, London and Swansea. There appears to be no end to this particular road. Or the meetings.
Today, it included the BOP ICT Cluster Steering Committee. Tonight, it's an NZTE sponsored dinner. And then about 800 kms down that long and windy road before returning to Tauranga on Thursday.
Whilst it normally takes me 3 - 4 days to fully recover from jet lag following a lengthy offshore trip, it normally takes me 2 - 3 weeks to adjust back to my NZ way of life. 3 weeks have now passed since my last trip. I am therefore adjusted.
Taranaki, Auckland and Tauranga, beware.
A number of milestones have been set. All it requires now is for their successful execution. That means meetings and more meetings; with partners, suppliers and customers. Not forgetting of course the lawyers and the accountants.
Whilst the technology platform excites, it is the background business grunt that has to be put into place. That's 'the long and windy road'. In New Zealand, over the next few days, it takes in Taranaki, Auckland and Tauranga. In the UK, it traverses between Norfolk, London and Swansea. There appears to be no end to this particular road. Or the meetings.
Today, it included the BOP ICT Cluster Steering Committee. Tonight, it's an NZTE sponsored dinner. And then about 800 kms down that long and windy road before returning to Tauranga on Thursday.
Whilst it normally takes me 3 - 4 days to fully recover from jet lag following a lengthy offshore trip, it normally takes me 2 - 3 weeks to adjust back to my NZ way of life. 3 weeks have now passed since my last trip. I am therefore adjusted.
Taranaki, Auckland and Tauranga, beware.
Friday, 13 March 2009
Microsoft SharePoint Conference 2009
Back to earth with a bang. No, I did not fall off!
An email overnight arrived containing details of the Microsoft SharePoint Conference 2009. It is slated for October 19 - 22, in Las Vegas. I hope to be there.
I've not blogged too much before about Pingar and the SharePoint potential. Developing an enterprise solution is right up there in terms of Pingar's roadmap and SharePoint is an obvious collaborator. It squares up nicely with our Microsoft engagement and provides a neat 'route to market'.
In July, there is the two day inaugural New Zealand Community SharePoint Conference, to be held in Wellington. Connecting with the NZ SharePoint community is an obvious first step, so I expect to be there to.
I expect to blog more in the future as this strategy evolves. Employees in enterprises often face exactly the same challenges as consumers in the 'Cloud'. Finding data in a fast readable format is as important in business as it is in the 'consumer' world. Addressing this enterprise need, is a key milestone for the team at Pingar.
An email overnight arrived containing details of the Microsoft SharePoint Conference 2009. It is slated for October 19 - 22, in Las Vegas. I hope to be there.
I've not blogged too much before about Pingar and the SharePoint potential. Developing an enterprise solution is right up there in terms of Pingar's roadmap and SharePoint is an obvious collaborator. It squares up nicely with our Microsoft engagement and provides a neat 'route to market'.
In July, there is the two day inaugural New Zealand Community SharePoint Conference, to be held in Wellington. Connecting with the NZ SharePoint community is an obvious first step, so I expect to be there to.
I expect to blog more in the future as this strategy evolves. Employees in enterprises often face exactly the same challenges as consumers in the 'Cloud'. Finding data in a fast readable format is as important in business as it is in the 'consumer' world. Addressing this enterprise need, is a key milestone for the team at Pingar.
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Introducing 'Tauranga 2011'
Early days yet (only a few hours actually), but I am delighted to formally announce 'Tauranga 2011'.
The decision to cut the City from New Zealand's 2011 Rugby World Cup plans presents the Western Bay of Plenty with a number of seriously positive marketing opportunities. (And all in the best interests of 'Festival New Zealand', of course)
To understand that, let's consider the following:
1. The world's media will be in NZ for several weeks and their total current focus will be RWC 2011. Let Tauranga and the WBOP provide them with an alternative view of 'sporting' New Zealand.
2. Tens of thousands of overseas visitors will be on our shores. Let Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty provide them with plenty of what we are good at - (We do not have the name 'Plenty' for nothing).
- The 2011 WORLD GAME FISHING TOURNAMENT
- The 2011 WORLD BLOKART CHAMPIONSHIPS
- The 2001 WORLD SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS (p.s. we do not need a clean stadium)
- The 2011 WORLD KAYAKING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- The 2011 WORLD SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS
All to run concurrently with the RWC 2011 schedule. And let's be bold. Let's put up NZD 1 million prize money for each event. Maybe 2.
That's opportunity. It actually sounds a bit like Melbourne. Now that really is a long term opportunity. And that's just my first one hour take on Tauranga 2011.
I haven't even considered the cycleway yet.
The decision to cut the City from New Zealand's 2011 Rugby World Cup plans presents the Western Bay of Plenty with a number of seriously positive marketing opportunities. (And all in the best interests of 'Festival New Zealand', of course)
To understand that, let's consider the following:
1. The world's media will be in NZ for several weeks and their total current focus will be RWC 2011. Let Tauranga and the WBOP provide them with an alternative view of 'sporting' New Zealand.
2. Tens of thousands of overseas visitors will be on our shores. Let Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty provide them with plenty of what we are good at - (We do not have the name 'Plenty' for nothing).
- The 2011 WORLD GAME FISHING TOURNAMENT
- The 2011 WORLD BLOKART CHAMPIONSHIPS
- The 2001 WORLD SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS (p.s. we do not need a clean stadium)
- The 2011 WORLD KAYAKING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- The 2011 WORLD SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS
All to run concurrently with the RWC 2011 schedule. And let's be bold. Let's put up NZD 1 million prize money for each event. Maybe 2.
That's opportunity. It actually sounds a bit like Melbourne. Now that really is a long term opportunity. And that's just my first one hour take on Tauranga 2011.
I haven't even considered the cycleway yet.
Rugby World Cup 2011 Woe
So Tauranga will not be hosting any rugby during the 2011 Rugby World Cup 'NZ Festival'.
The city is NZ's 5th largest and fastest growing, per capita. Go figure.
This is not however sour grapes. Like the recession-busting cycleway, this demonstrates Kiwi's iconic approach to life. And sport.
Of more concern, my UK readers, is my own hosting plans for the event. Not only will there be no rugby in the Western Bay; England's Pool matches are based in the South Island.
The good news however is that the cycleway should be open in time for the opening game. That's great news. It means you can fly into Tauranga International, we can hire some bikes and peddle like mad between Rotorua and Hamilton to catch Oceania 1 v Africa 1, Wales v Oceania 1 and Fiji v Africa 1.
Or maybe, we can just go fishing.
The city is NZ's 5th largest and fastest growing, per capita. Go figure.
This is not however sour grapes. Like the recession-busting cycleway, this demonstrates Kiwi's iconic approach to life. And sport.
Of more concern, my UK readers, is my own hosting plans for the event. Not only will there be no rugby in the Western Bay; England's Pool matches are based in the South Island.
The good news however is that the cycleway should be open in time for the opening game. That's great news. It means you can fly into Tauranga International, we can hire some bikes and peddle like mad between Rotorua and Hamilton to catch Oceania 1 v Africa 1, Wales v Oceania 1 and Fiji v Africa 1.
Or maybe, we can just go fishing.
CEO Forums
I received an invitation last night from Ken Stevens, Chairman of Export New Zealand, to attend a CEO Forum here in Tauranga on 24th March. It marks the beginning of quite a season of 'CEO' events.
The Tauranga Forum is designed to help New Zealand businesses share their challenges, learn from each other and prepare for a brighter future. It is co-sponsored by NZTE so I expect to see some familiar faces.
As I write this post, Allan Bollard has just announced a 0.5% reduction in the official OCR. That brings NZ rates down to 3%. One more fall maybe later this year, but I suspect this cycle is almost complete. I do not believe further rate cuts will be passed onto consumers or SME's in any meaningful way. So as a Forum, we will need to adjust our focus on other ways to stimulate the economy and our own businesses.
Effective management rather than Government aid should be the mantra of the day. And for the months ahead.
The Tauranga Forum is designed to help New Zealand businesses share their challenges, learn from each other and prepare for a brighter future. It is co-sponsored by NZTE so I expect to see some familiar faces.
As I write this post, Allan Bollard has just announced a 0.5% reduction in the official OCR. That brings NZ rates down to 3%. One more fall maybe later this year, but I suspect this cycle is almost complete. I do not believe further rate cuts will be passed onto consumers or SME's in any meaningful way. So as a Forum, we will need to adjust our focus on other ways to stimulate the economy and our own businesses.
Effective management rather than Government aid should be the mantra of the day. And for the months ahead.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Not that Long!
So it was the Karangahake Gorge for 24 hours. I highly recommend it!
Sadly, my silence over the past three days has not been based on an extended 'Birth Anniversary'. I have been 'on the road', if that's what a couple of days in Auckland is called. It has been a busy time as I have tried to explain to enquiring journalists exactly what Pingar's medium term road map is. The first results of this exercise are now being published.
The same is true in the UK. It has been interesting to compare the comparative take between the two countries. In Wales, the focus has been on the inward investment. In NZ, the focus has been on the positive notion of offshore expansion. Same story, different angle.
Also good has been the coverage of HBI Software in Bangalore over the past 24 hours. Their current work on Acacia has been highlighted as an example of their development prowess. Expect more of that.
That just leaves the small matter of Microsoft Windows 2008 Server and the incompatible hardware RAID disc card. That one can wait until tomorrow. Ahhh...the joys of technology.
Sadly, my silence over the past three days has not been based on an extended 'Birth Anniversary'. I have been 'on the road', if that's what a couple of days in Auckland is called. It has been a busy time as I have tried to explain to enquiring journalists exactly what Pingar's medium term road map is. The first results of this exercise are now being published.
The same is true in the UK. It has been interesting to compare the comparative take between the two countries. In Wales, the focus has been on the inward investment. In NZ, the focus has been on the positive notion of offshore expansion. Same story, different angle.
Also good has been the coverage of HBI Software in Bangalore over the past 24 hours. Their current work on Acacia has been highlighted as an example of their development prowess. Expect more of that.
That just leaves the small matter of Microsoft Windows 2008 Server and the incompatible hardware RAID disc card. That one can wait until tomorrow. Ahhh...the joys of technology.
Friday, 6 March 2009
A Long Weekend
Last night, the 2009 BOP Export Awards Launch exceeded expectation.
It was less the presentations - they were fine. It was more the amazing optimism I found amongst pretty much everyone I spoke to about both the medium and long term opportunity out there. If you could place that optimism in a pill, it should be compulsory for journalists and economic commentators to swallow a couple first thing, every morning. It was that infectious.
Today however, I face a grim reality. It is my impending 'birth anniversary'. The instructions from Jacqui are quite clear. "You stop work at 2.00pm". No negotiation there.
And as I look out of the window, the normally clear Tauranga skies are grey and wet as the next cyclone blows through. It can't be fishing or an afternoon BBQ then .
In just over an hour, I will find out.....
It was less the presentations - they were fine. It was more the amazing optimism I found amongst pretty much everyone I spoke to about both the medium and long term opportunity out there. If you could place that optimism in a pill, it should be compulsory for journalists and economic commentators to swallow a couple first thing, every morning. It was that infectious.
Today however, I face a grim reality. It is my impending 'birth anniversary'. The instructions from Jacqui are quite clear. "You stop work at 2.00pm". No negotiation there.
And as I look out of the window, the normally clear Tauranga skies are grey and wet as the next cyclone blows through. It can't be fishing or an afternoon BBQ then .
In just over an hour, I will find out.....
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
BOP Export Awards 2009
In my last posting, I talked about NZTE and Pingar.
I expressed the view that despite the current global challenges, I remain optimistic about NZ companies ability to successfully engage and expand into offshore markets.
Tomorrow night, Jacqui and I are attending the launch of the BOP Export Awards 2009 at the Sebel, here in Tauranga. It is a sell-out.
Some sectors might be under pressure, but it is easy to ignore the positive noises coming from many of our local export-orientated businesses. They will help lead NZ out of the current downturn.
This blog and the previous posting are very much related.
NZTE Support
Pingar has enjoyed a great relationship with New Zealand Trade & Enterprise since inception. In today's market, it makes a real difference.
For regular readers, this blog has always been pretty optimistic about NZ companies opportunity for offshore engagement. It still is.
Yet, having just returned from several weeks in the UK, it would be negligent not to recognise the special challenges that we face at present. Whilst economists focus on the benefit of a lower NZD for export return, the contrary argument applies when looking at offshore market set-up. A declining NZD can make offshore market entry much more expensive. Twelve months ago, NZD 1 stood at USD 80c. Today NZD 1 buys USD 49c. Go figure. Market entry costs to the USA have increased by 40% in one year.
NZTE support Pingar in different ways. They provide critical Market Development funding to support some of our offshore market entry strategy. They also provide valuable network support; both in NZ and in our global markets.
As we refine our offshore market strategy, the support of NZTE really is making a difference.
For other NZ businesses looking at offshore expansion, I cannot underestimate the value of this relationship. Check out the NZTE Portal for more details.
For regular readers, this blog has always been pretty optimistic about NZ companies opportunity for offshore engagement. It still is.
Yet, having just returned from several weeks in the UK, it would be negligent not to recognise the special challenges that we face at present. Whilst economists focus on the benefit of a lower NZD for export return, the contrary argument applies when looking at offshore market set-up. A declining NZD can make offshore market entry much more expensive. Twelve months ago, NZD 1 stood at USD 80c. Today NZD 1 buys USD 49c. Go figure. Market entry costs to the USA have increased by 40% in one year.
NZTE support Pingar in different ways. They provide critical Market Development funding to support some of our offshore market entry strategy. They also provide valuable network support; both in NZ and in our global markets.
As we refine our offshore market strategy, the support of NZTE really is making a difference.
For other NZ businesses looking at offshore expansion, I cannot underestimate the value of this relationship. Check out the NZTE Portal for more details.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Content Aggregators Faring Well
An interesting article in today's Wall Street Journal.
'While many media businesses are stalling, a small group of online publishers appears to be bucking the trend.
Several start-up Web sites such as SB Nation, Seeking Alpha Ltd. and HealthCentral Network Inc., which create and aggregate content about topics like sports, business and health, are recording sharp gains in visitors and revenue. They are outpacing other sites on similar topics through business models that allow them to create niche content. Many also are landing distribution partnerships with big media brands eager for content during the recession'.
Interesting. Very interesting........
'While many media businesses are stalling, a small group of online publishers appears to be bucking the trend.
Several start-up Web sites such as SB Nation, Seeking Alpha Ltd. and HealthCentral Network Inc., which create and aggregate content about topics like sports, business and health, are recording sharp gains in visitors and revenue. They are outpacing other sites on similar topics through business models that allow them to create niche content. Many also are landing distribution partnerships with big media brands eager for content during the recession'.
Interesting. Very interesting........
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