CNBC - The Business of Innovation

CNBC - The Business of Innovation

This was one of the better business based programs I have seen in the last year or so. I still have another program to catchup on my sky+.

They do ask a lot of appropriate key questions (mostly for midium size to conglomerate firms) which should be important even without studying a MBA!

However, it is rather US centric, but to be frank, its 50-100 times better than our dragon's den in UK, which is too much about life-style business.. and entertainment..

we really need some higher quality business programs in UK/europe.. surely, RDF and others can do something about it!

All in all, CNBC, great job!

Re: Writing an article on traffic and LinkedIn for CAP magazine

Ok Rasmus

How about:

Gareth Wong, founder of GamBond®, Gambit special interest group (www.TheGambit.info) and CXO Europe's thought on virtual networking.

I use various online social networks, from LinkedIn, Plaxo to facebook (only started a few months).

However, business wise, I use mostly LinkedIn due to the extensive number of senior executives across many business sectors and countries. As I network extensively both within and outside gaming gambling sectors (looking at Technology, media, entertainment, finance and governments), I thought the environment of linkedIn most appropriate (less complex, essentially linked CVs of different individuals). Although it has changed a bit and provide more messaging, questions & answers etc, I hope these would not scare off other senior executives.

However, a network is only as good as quality of people and the value they bring (rather than take!), therefore, I'm getting stricter by the day in terms of whom I would connect with. As I find too people who are "trying it on" and linking for linking sake or trying to contact my network for selfish reasons, so, I just cut them off. It may seem as drastic, but I want genuine & qualified requests to get the best response and don't want to waste anyone's time, especially my senior contacts!

In terms of Groups, in 2004, I chose also run the Executive MBA alumni group for my business school on linkedIn and in 06, I also founded the Gambit group there, for people that support and have previously been to Gambit events (as sponsors, speakers or those that bought our tickets) and buy into our ethos.

In terms of numbers, on my personal database, I have more than 12,000+ entries on my blackberry, and just over 1,400 people connected with me on LinkedIn, and 270+ on facebook.

Having founded and run CXO Europe, I find I have to be more selective now on whom I exchange cards with and whom I invite to join my networks, as I have so much lunch,telephone requests that are mostly requested on basis of meetings for meetings sake. I maybe writing too much already.

One thing is clear, networking is like farming, you cannot expect anything unless you spent time in cultivating & looking after the plants. Looking to start farming at time of a draught & femine is already too late!

Furthermore, meeting face to face cannot be replaced by how many people you know or connected virtually! The more senior people are, the less virtual network applies!! Therefore, CXO is focus primarily on our peer lunches & evening VIP invitation only gatherings.

Happy networking! (Virtual or otherwise)

Founder of Gambit (www.TheGambit.info), GamBond® ( www.GamBond.com) and CXO Europe (www.CXO.org)

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Strategic Business | M&A | Board Advisor | Mobile | Gaming Gambling | Consultant | Entrepreneur | CXO |
Personal website: www.GarethWong.com

From Gareth's BlackBerry


CXO (cross industries): Hope to welcome you to next CXO lunches in Nov. (for CEOs of £3m+ profit firms and CFO/CTO/CIOs of £30m+ profit firms and deal makers of £3m+ deals etc.), see www.CXO.org for more details

Gambit (gaming focused): or at the next Gambit on mobile & iTV developments £50/person only, on 7th Nov (6-9pm), it will be far reaching and thought provoking again, register for our newsletter to be informed, we are also giving away a free ticket at the Emerging market summit 3-4Dec, signup at www.TheGambit.info/re/ for a chance to win.

This email, together with any attachments, is for the exclusive and confidential use of the addressee(s) and may contain legally privileged information. Any other distribution, use or reproduction without the sender's prior consent is unauthorised and strictly prohibited.

A date with the planet, China's Venture Capital /Private Equity opportunities

I really cannot appreciate how dedicated all 'bloggers' are, I am already so swamped that I barely have time to sleep and do the normal things, let alone blogging!

However, not one to give up easily, I will give it a try for a whole year minimum to see how it goes. (well, this post I drafted in March... what month is this now!?)

I started to comment on A date with the planet in March after been to that lovely event organised by George Polk, but drafted and never managed to finish and publish it. Its probably my typical habit of trying to draft it right and double/triple check by people (for business journals or book chapters on my business sectors). Does it mean that the quality of blogger's writing could be affected as people try to 'publish' it sooner rather than later?

I guess its the idea that counts.

I have been to so many different sector's events and met with so many great people in the last few months that I still have tonnes of business cards to follow up, from renewable energy, VCs/PEs, gaming, government departments in UK, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Madrid etc. etc.

One thing is for sure, it is that people are continuously looking for good and likeable people to hope to stay in touch and see what real and substantial opportunities may lie and hope to position to capitalise on it.

Same rationale happens in the carbon trading (aim to control/minimise on carbon emission), to clean tech, and even ways of finding/checking/and investing in start-up and mid-market growth firms in China.

REAL question is if the market is keep changing, rules are being formed (nationally and internationally), does it mean that only limited number of people who has the overall view of the opportunities can win or be able to profit (at least for the long term). And if so, is it likely that those people that has the most amount of resources are more likely to win?

Not necessarily as we can see that even major firms, don't want to name names, quite a few major private banks in the last few months just re-merge their hedge fund operations back into their asset management operations.

Therefore it does not mean likes of The Climate capital or major Private Equity firms would do well in their sector given billions funds.

One of the key message from the China Venture capital and Private Equity forum, keynotes from Andrew Yan and Hugo Shong both mentioned that its not just money but insight, and adaptability to the local culture/opportunities. Thats why mostly the successes have been with those firms like Andrew and Hugos.

Same would apply for the carbon/clean tech and other emerging markets, however, some may argue that there might be some altruistic goals for certain sector, having found and run CXO, I can identify with that, but not sure how sustainable it is!

Until next time (hopefully not seven months!).