We would like to share our experience on starting businesses in a few countries. We'll explain why today (2009-201?) is the best a few years for small business, startup to go global.

1. Starting Up Going Global Lessons Learned From A Startup Andy Harjanto andy@guppers.com Wish you were here

2. Agenda We Have Launched, What’s Next? New Global Opportunities For All of Us Lessons Learned From Starting up Globally

3. What We Learn From Starting UP Globally - Guppers.COM

4. Start with Observations Billions of Texting DeliveredEveryday, Everywhere in the world!

5. Why Texting Is Always P2P? Would Group Texting Be Better? How About Directory Services for SMS? How about Premium Content? Exclusive Membership?

6. Prototypes, Hypothesis Validation Cloud Services People in a few pilot countries really like the service

7. But What’s Wrong? Dealing with local telephone provider was hard for a startup. They protect their cash cow. They’d ratherbuild services internally, as opposed to form a partnership. Lesson #1 Dependency on large companies is the kiss of death for many startups* *unless you know the key players inside the company

8. But What’s Wrong? (Cont’d) End consumers in many countries arevery cost-conscious Credit card is not usedto pay bills in many countries. Mobile payment is not as easy to integrate Lesson #2 Think thru end-to-end customer experience for each region

9. One Door Closes, Another Opens.. Businesses are using our service! High stickiness Many usages that we’ve never thoughtbefore Less issue on payment and prices. Credit cards and invoice are common Lesson #3 Do not resist opportunities, even if your product is not design that way Each region presents unique opportunities

10. Unexpected Shift Happens Global Economy Meltdown 2008-? Promise of Cloud Computing (Cost Elasticity) The Rise Of Social Computing (Productivity) Lesson #4 Mobility Accelerated Ride the global wave early, offer compelling solutions

11. …Back to Drawing Board The new Guppers.com was born… Cloud Computing Ready The Use of Social Computing Heavily Focus on Mobility Effortless Collaboration, just use your daily tool (SMS, Email, Browser) Social Media Ready Does this work? It’s early to tell, but we’re hopeful from looking at the data

13. Tight hand-holding is required Lesson #5 Expect to spend more time and resource with customers in different parts of the world. US is not the barometer

14. Understand Their Daily Life Work Day Evening Hours Social Engagement continues well into the night

15. Guppers Usage By Region Mostly SMS Online and Email dominated Mix SMS and Online

16. Does Social Media Work Outside US? Although Asia has the highest Internet population and growth, US companies have little tractions. Online services are dominated by local online services (CyWorld, Baidu, Mixi) Lesson #6 In Asia and Europe, co-workers’, friends’ recommendations are much more important

17. Distribution Channel: What Work For Us Outside US? Lesson #8 Partner or hire local connectors Local Connectors, Influencers

19. Business is very personal in many different countries; without body, you’re nobody

20. They know local laws and regulations

22. How To Find Local Connectors and Influencers? (Cont’d) Secondary Option: Issue: Unknown personal quality

23. Getting Your Business Funded Global organic growth is possible, but it’s unlikely in the first year VC Funding dries up in the US, Why not outside US?

24. Money Waiting To Be Invested In Asia, unprecedented amount of savings ready to be invested. However, they’re wary of US recent economy meltdown

26. In Asia, personal trust is especially important Lesson #7 Earntrust, Customers will come, they might be your best investors

28. Establish local a company with your local member and hire local.

31. French, German, Italy, Spain: Localize it

32. Asia: It depends -

33. Business App, High Tech, Highly Educated: English Acceptable

34. End-Consumers: Must be localized Lesson #8 Localization matters, but not for all countries and not for all customer segment . Keep your cost low

37. Cell phones are very affordablein many countries.

39. Global Team? Good Idea? Guppers team members span over 5 different time zones

41. Tools are effectively free or inexpensive

42. Nothing beats human face to face meetings; but today’s tools are good enoughWhat we’re using…. Live Meeting Conversation via SMS, Email, Online Personal Status Group Conference Call Email Hosting Screen Sharing

44. The cost of building and maintaining data center is too expensive for startups

45. Cloud Computing offers “Pay As You Go” model, which works well for usWhat we’re using (pilot)

47. At Guppers,

48. We’re THE #1 customer

51. Pick only a few countries

52. Ensure the end-to-end scenarios work first

53. Expand to the other regions slowly

56. Eastern Europe: Romania, Ukraine, Poland

58. Huge Market Potential

59. Hardest to penetrate

60. Best bet is to workwith local company

61. Main issue: Generation saving attitudesFar-East

63. China web users alone, outnumber US population

64. Have to visit to understand the magnitude of opportunities, threats, and progress.

66. Layoffs Hit US and Europe Some best and brightest are forced to start their own business

69. Some countries still grow, even at slower pace

70. Competition to produce cheaper goods & service become fiercer

73. The cost could be further reduced by outsourcing to certain parts of the world who have the expertise.

75. How can I trust this person?

76. How do I know if this person is real expert?

77. How do I know I could work well with this person who is 12,000 miles away But we have to start somewhere!

80. Typically, requires no heavy investment

81. Allows to diversify to many different startups

84. At personal level, regardless of countries, the pattern is consistent : many good apples, couple bad ones.

85. Appreciate many cultures so much more. Always expect the unexpected

87. Playing field has been leveled

88. Time and Space have been compressed

89. The cost of going global is a possibility even for a startup and a small business.

90. The biggest challenge remains

91. Building and maintaining relationships to your partners and customers

93. If you would like to contribute, please share your experience; we’ll update & credit your contributions

94. Join discussions in a Linked-in new group. Click here

95. We hope we can network entrepreneurs, connectors, investors, influencer from all over the world.

96. Spread the words, let’s network