Entry Nine 9 is an entry moving forward from Entry Zero 0, in a normal chronology manner.
Corporate lesson:
Let's learn about the term "corporate espionage".
Also know as: Industrial espionage, economic espionage.
Definition of espionage: Spying. Involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information.
Definition of corporate espionage: A form of espionage conducted for commercial purposes.
Who: From whoever you can extract such information
When: Whenever you can extract such information
How: However you can extract such information
What: Whatever information you can find and extract
Why: To gain the upper hand, not suffering any losses, not ending up selling your mom, dad, wife, kids, houses, cars and eveverything you have.
Other terms: Spying, cheating, stealing, framing, sabotaging, betray.
Important reminder: Never get caught.
Entry Eight 8 is an entry moving forward from Entry Zero 0, in a normal chronology manner.
After the Singapore trip, everything was well. We were interested. We wanted to have work with Jack on the new idea, the new concept. We have been communicating with Jack on the preliminary pricing and general terms and conditions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). We want to cover all angles to protect ourselves.
Corporate lesson:
Never sign put your signature of any document that you do not understand. You will never know what kind of problems (the technical term is "liabilities') you might get yourself into. Do not be "Convinced, Confused and Conned" by anyone into signing any documents. For all you know you might have given away your mom, your dad, your wife, your kids, house, your car, and everything you have. Giving away things away is the least of your problems, you could be a slave for the rest of your life. My question now is: Will I get what I paid for (after signing the MOU)? My answer now is: Ask for more evidence, defer payments, wait and see.
If tech companies made cars.
Entry Seven 7 is an entry moving forward from Entry Zero 0, in a normal chronology manner.
Me and my friend arrived at Singapore and were picked up by Jack and one of his business partner. Everything is moving smoothly. We got down to business right after we have settled down. We went into detailed discussion about the concept, the business operations, the legal matters, the logistic matters, the financial matters, the business development matters, marketing matters, etc. We exchanged thoughts and opinions. And finally the coffee tasting which was the highlight of the trip.
We were quite impressed by Jack and his business partners' presentation and their deep knowledge and experience in the food and beverage industry, which gave us more confidence in believing in them. The presentation was conduct professionally and very organised. They were very easy and open which makes the communication more effective and efficient. We are very happy to work with them.
The coffee tasting was good, the coffee was good and so as the brewing processes (a hint here about the concept). We find it very unique and interesting, and most of all, the coffee was good.
Anyone seen these little contraptions?
Entry Six 6 is an entry moving forward from Entry Zero 0, in a normal chronology manner.
Jack sent has sent me an email telling me that there were no response from our original Vietnamese coffee franchisor. I have pretty much expected that to happen. I am quite glad that there is no reply from them so that I can forget about them and move on to my next project.
Jack also informed me about this new coffee cafe concept that was conceived by him and also his partners. Its a very interesting concept and I think it is not yet available in Malaysia. Jack sent me some presentation slides over the email. The presentation seems attractive, interesting. I can see that there were alot of effort being put into the presentation. I can feel the sincerity in this business venture.
Immediately I contacted Jack to arrange for a face to face meeting and also coffee tasting session. 2 weeks later, we were on a plane bound for Singapore for the live presentation. It was purely a business no non-sense trip. There is no time for shopping or sightseeing. I went on saturday morning and came back on sunday night. At that moment, I felt like a "businessman". I have watched many movies where a businessman travels alot, but I never understood it until I have tried it.
Entry Five 5 is an entry moving forward from Entry Zero 0, in a normal chronology manner.
Here is a question:
"What goes well with your morning/afternoon/evening/night coffee?"
