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By Tai, August 13, 2009 7:28 am

I bet YOU want (more) shares of Facebook in your portfolio

Yes, you, and you, and you too. I mean all of you. No matter if you’re a Happy Farmer, or a Mafia, or an investor, or an online marketer, or an application developer, or a geek.

Here are why

1. Facebook IPO will be big, both financially and technically

This year when Facebook’s COO announced the company’s 5th consecutive profitable quarter, I shouted out that Facebook was preparing for IPO. I was wrong.

Mark is a deadly brilliant and ambitious folk: he wants neither to start earning big sums at 300 million users, nor to go IPO at $10b valuation. He aims at much more than that, well beyond some of our wildest imagination.

Technically, Facebook was going through an interim period by absorbing more contents to attract more users. Right after that move, Facebook is rolling out real-time search and Facebook Lite.

Strategically, it is possible that Facebook received the investment to have the cash to buy off Friendfeed. What’s more, Facebook is going on a proven Microsoftish strategy: sucking its enemy’s blood until the enemy dies dried.

Financially, don’t let it takes you that advertising is Facebook’s only revenue stream. They have multiple.

2. Facebook is changing people’s business, effective immediately

Facebook is not simply for entertainment. It is, in fact, changing the way we do business.

See here for details. And here for a simple case.

3. Facebook holds the key to the future of life on web

Think about it, Facebook has been building a great wall surrounding its massive user base. Now they’re having even more into their core competencies.

So what?

If you’re a Friendfeed lover, start loving Facebook.

I know, Friendfeed gives you the in-depth conversations and highly relevant information and all sophisticated social graph.

But. Can Friendfeed’s innovation make a revolution? No.

Scientific and technological breakthroughs need a business mind to commercialize the themselves to humanity. No other than Facebook gives better environment for all the experiments Friendfeed is leading.

Trust me, you would want to have Facebook in your social portfolio.

If you’re a Facebook lover, love it more.

Real-time search and Facebook Lite are but two very initial options offerred to you from Friendfeed team. With Gmail founder and Google Map founder in Friendfeed team, nothing is impossible.

And it’s natural if you find out Facebook is sucking up the share of time you spend online.

If you’re an application developer

Massive user base who are willing to share information and put pressure on their peers to keep up with them plus advanced technology. What’s more, Facebook is one of the most robust platform for ecosystem to grow on. I would call it the holy grail for your development portfolio.

If you’re a blogger

Facebook is growing a distribution platform.

It also brings relevant readers to your blog.

And guess what, now they have real-time search to drive even more traffic.

If you’re an investor

Now, let me lay things on the table for you.

One, look at 3 reasons I just gave above.

Two, if I am to name the most profitable and long-term investment sector, I would say “technology”. Think Google 2003 to 2008. Think Facebook next.

Three, investing in Facebook gives you access to the whole ecosystem rotating the service. All the technology, contents management and marketing companies, all the freelance IT workforce, all its user base.

Four, Facebook is one key to Microsoft.

And finally, being a Facebook user is costless. You get to see both sides of Facebook’s business.

Have all these convinced you that Facebook deserves a portion of your investment portfolio?

How about the other giants?

I disagree that Google should buy Twitter for $1b. Indeed, Twitter should offer itself to Google for $1.5b

Yup, when you’re scared, you should act.

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By Tai, June 25, 2009 12:03 am

When more analysis brings more risks

It is frequently equated that more analysis reduces the risks in decision making. However, there exist cases that the more analysis is done, the more risks are produced.

1. When analysis slows down decision making

Excessive analysis can slow down decision making.

Early mover advantage is shattered and thus, more risks are introduced in the rivalry.
Excessive efforts for analyzing data and networking for relevant information increase costs and make the firm less competitive.
The longer it takes for analysis especially networking, the higher the probability of information leakage is.

2. When analysis increases sunk investment

Investment in R&D, analysis and innovation initiatives become sunk investment.

While these practices are increasingly seen in strategic perspective as opportunities drivers, they are still viewed as fixed costs in traditional accounting perspective.

Accounting risks are reflected in risk assessment of the firm nevertheless.

3. When analysis conflicts with intuition

Imagine you’re an ambitious entrepreneur and your intuition whispers so powerfully “go for it!” while analysis shouts “don’t!”.

Conflict in communication and conflict in roles (especially in startups) are inevitable.

4. The risk of structure and process

More mature enterprises have structures, processes, role definition and division of labor in place. The risk of this is people fulfiling their roles can lock themselves within their frames and aggressively defend their ideas.

Analysts might hinder certain innovative, risk-taking efforts. The risk of politicking decision making is also a concern.

Insights

In short, these examples prove that analysis and risk taking are not mutual exclusive. They are not on the two ends of a string, but intertwines at some points.

What to do

Roles

Know your roles and your workmates roles. Respect their standing and seek mutual understanding.

Some smaller firms don’t hire professional analysts, so one person can take multiple roles. In this case, techniques like the six thinking hats can be helpful.

Blended decision

In the blurry literature cases of uncertainty, an advice is often to balance different views. This does not recommend a ’straight’ balance of determinant factors. What should be aimed for is a wise mixture of practices in lights of the situations. At the end of the day, your logical mind and judgement are best.

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By Tai, April 17, 2009 11:04 am

1. Introduction

This article discusses implications behind the adoption of a “2.0″ approach to corporate management. This article is built on and extends the introductory discussion of an FPT HR representative on their application of 2.0 to internal communications. It seeks an equivalent position of the 2.0 characteristics within an organization. Basing on this finding, recommendations are given to FPT.

Hi TaiTran,
Ko hiểu youtube có lỗi hay do mạng lởm nên tôi ko trả lời bạn trực tiếp được tại video trên youtube. Quản trị 2.0.
Quản trị 2.0 là khái niệm được FPT nhắc tới bắt đầu từ 2008, đơn giản là ứng dụng 2.0 vào công việc quản trị. Các bạn chắc biết rõ hơn tôi về web 1.0 và 2.0 và biết sự khác biệt giữa 1.0 - tiếp nhận thông tin 1 chiều và 2.0 tăng tính tương tác.
Quản trị 2.0 tương tự:
- Đưa ứng dụng web 2.0 vào việc quản trị. Ví dụ mở các kênh tiếp nhận thông tin từ nhân viên qua blog công ty để lãnh đạo lắng nghe ý kiến nhân viên tốt hơn. Các lãnh đạo tự mở blog cá nhân để chia sẻ về suy nghĩ bản thân, truyền tải thông điệp lãnh đạo (ko nhất thiết trong công việc) để gần hơn với nhân viên và tiếp thu thông tin.
Hiện FPT đang có kênh 2.0 đặc trưng là: Chợ Dưa FSoft - chodua.com và FLI Blog: fli.fpt20.com, là kênh internet có thể truy cập. Còn các forum, mạng nội bộ khác chỉ dành cho nhân viên FPT. Đặc điểm ẩn danh cho phép nhiều người được nói thẳng nói thật ý kiến và cả các bức xúc của mình trong công việc hay comment thoải mái về các chính sách công ty mà ko sợ lộ mặt.
Những cái này có thể nhiều công ty đã áp dụng như “học thuật” hóa thì được gọi là quản trị 2.0.
Những thông tin khác bạn có thể đọc tại fli.fpt20.com hoặc chodua.com. Mời bạn vào trao đổi! Tks!

vanbich, FPT HR representative

Ông Trương Gia Bình nói về Visky 2.0

2. The position of the 2.0 characteristics

2a. Web 2.0 is about Communication. Is Enterprise 2.0 about Communication?

Basing on the comment from vanbich, the idea of FPT 2.0 is to provide channels and facilities for their employees to communicate with one another and with leaders.

At first, it seems sensible given light that a Web 2.0 product provides platforms for its users to communicate and share information with one another. And users do this with purposes.

Some examples of Web 2.0 products:

How are “2.0 communication” and FPT’s explanation linked together?

It’s useful to map the idea:

Figure 1 - trying mapping web 2.0 product and enterprise 2.0: incorrect

While we see that the total scale of a Web 2.0 product is allow Communication, the total scale of an Enterprise is much larger than that. We want to revise the ‘conventional’ enterprise:

Figure 2 - simplified model of a conventional enterprise

That is the full scale of an Enterprise. Communication plays an important role, but does not take up entirely its operations.

So how do we map it more precisely?

2b. Here is what I visual it: mapping between two 2.0 entities

Firstly, as we know that communication is the main activity of a Web 2.0 product, it is important to find out what is the main activity of an Enterprise. As from figure 2, the main activity of an enterprise is Production and/or Providing Services.

Secondly, it is important to characterize the style of communication in Web 2.0 products so that we can do the same on the style of production of an enterprise.

What best describes “multi-directional” and “decentralized”? It is autonomous. People in the 2.0 sphere communicate autonomously and are responsible for their behaviors.

Combining these two findings, here is what I propose the mapping between a Web 2.0 product and an Enterprise:

Figure 3 - mapping web 2.0 product and enterprise 2.0

At full scale, the applied 2.0 characteristics does not only involve open and partially anonymous communication, but reach the level of autonomy in production.

3. Some considerations

1. It’s easier for startups than for an established company.
   Think about Google. It had been famous for its anti-corporate culture at the first days. As the company becomes mature, corporate issues start to emerge.
2. Does the structure of the company make it reasonable to build autonomous teams/divisions?
3. Does the culture of the company and the culture of the society make it reasonable to build autonomous teams/divisions?
4. How ready are the employees, in terms of capability and mentality, to be autonomous?
5. Autonomous, together with self-directed communication is not new. It traces back to 1970s and Motorola, Xerox, AT&T and so on. However, it might be new to Vietnam.

4. Some recommendations for FPT toward 2.0

1. Select mature teams to build autonomy
2. Delayer these teams
3. Allow (sometimes dramatic) changes in structure, culture and mentality
4. Allow (sometimes dramatic) changes in personnel management and resource allocation
5. Treat this as on-going experiment

Benefits:

1. Bring the “2.0 spirit” to the company as leaders desire
2. Increase innovation
3. Reduce cost, especially management overhead
4. Reduce absenteeism
5. Identify unofficial leaders of the teams in addition to the existing leadership training program

5. Summary

Changes in production characteristics, rather than sheerly in communication, reflect the full-scale shift within an Enterprise. Analyzing Web 2.0 characteristics leads us to autonomy. Whether and how FPT will implement it is interesting to observe. The implications of recommendations in this article go beyond social media, product management and technology companies to leadership generally.

6. Reflection

It has been challenging and exciting to write this. The excitement was how I can link seemingly scattered parts of my knowledge to form a cohesion piece of consultation - something I love doing. The great challenge lies in the idea of evaluating a big, established, known and loved company. Nevertheless, if I want to learn, first thing first, I must dare the keyboard discussion.

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By Tai, April 10, 2009 12:59 pm

Barcamp Hanoi 2009 will be held on April 19, from 8.30 AM to 5.00 PM at RMIT International University, Hanoi campus - 2/2C Van Phuc Compound, Kim Ma street, Hanoi.

Topics may include, but are not limited to: online services, social media, startups, UI design, entrepreneurship, VC, Web 2.0 technologies, online marketing, online advertising, online payment, e-commerce, open source software, hardware hacking, robotics, mobile computing, bioinformatics, programming languages, even the future of technology or global issues.

REGISTER FREE HERE: http://www.barcamphanoi.org/?page_id=10&lang=en
WANT TO SPONSOR US: http://www.barcamphanoi.org/?page_id=12&lang=en

As a part of the community building process, we’re looking for people to help spread the word about the event.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?

* Add a badge to your websites or blogs (http://www.barcamphanoi.org/?page_id=130&lang=en)
* Write blog entries about Barcamp and Barcamp Hanoi 2009 (What is Barcamp?, Information about Barcamp Hanoi 2009, Sponsor for Barcamp Hanoi,…)
* Spread information about Barcamp Hanoi 2009 to people who may concern, maybe via IM, Discussion groups, Email, Twitter, Facebook,…

That would help us alot and make Barcamp Hanoi even more successful.

Thank you so much, we greatly appreciate what you do for Barcamp Hanoi.

***

Hội thảo công nghệ mở Barcamp Hanoi 2009 sẽ được tổ chức vào ngày 19/4, từ 8.30 sáng đến 5.00 chiều tại trường Đại học Quốc tế RMIT, cơ sở Hà Nội - 2/2C khu Ngoại giao đoàn Vạn Phúc, đường Kim Mã, Hà Nội.

Chủ đề không giới hạn, có thể bao gồm: Dịch vụ trực tuyến, social media, startups, thiết kế giao diện người dùng, entrepreneurship, Đầu tư mạo hiểm, Các công nghệ Web 2.0, marketing trực tuyến, quảng cáo trực tuyến, thanh toán trực tuyến, thương mại điện tử, phần mềm mã nguồn mở, hardware hacking, robotics, mobile computing, bioinformatics, các ngôn ngữ lập trình, công nghệ tương lai, các vấn đề toàn cầu…

ĐĂNG KÝ THAM DỰ TỰ DO TẠI ĐÂY: http://www.barcamphanoi.org/?page_id=10
TÀI TRỢ CHO SỰ KIỆN NÀY: http://www.barcamphanoi.org/?page_id=12

Là một phần của quá trình xây dựng cộng đồng, rất mong các bạn giúp đỡ quảng bá sự kiện này đến những người quan tâm.

BẠN CÓ THỂ LÀM GÌ ĐỂ GIÚP ĐỠ BARCAMP HANOI?

* Thêm phù hiệu Barcamp Hanoi vào website hay blog của bạn. (http://www.barcamphanoi.org/?page_id=130)
* Viết blog về Barcamp Hanoi (Barcamp là gì?, Thông tin về Barcamp Hanoi 2009, Tài trợ cho Barcamp Hanoi,…)
* Gửi địa chỉ trang web này và giới thiệu với những người có thể quan tâm, có thể qua Yahoo! Messenger, Email, Forum, Twitter, Facebook,…

Việc này sẽ giúp những người tổ chức rất nhiều và làm cho sự kiện thành công hơn nữa.

Cảm ơn các bạn, chúng tôi thật sự rất cảm kích những gì bạn làm cho Barcamp Hanoi.

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By Tai, February 9, 2009 2:47 pm

Tai Tran's Lab: Technology As Innovator

Dear Subscriber, if you can't see this presentation in your feed reader, kindly go to the original article to view the content.