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Half-Doorway method

From east to west, north to south, outsourcing, or the decentralizing of corporate products and services has been a popular means to stay alive from global competition for many enterprises. There is this urgent need to cut down on production cost just so that they can better compete with others. For the corporations, it is survival instinct, but there is a troubling downside to it, because outsourcing will inevitably result in retrenchments. People without jobs are a source for trouble and no governments can stand idly by without doing something. Yet, there is no viable solution in sight, except for the unilateral imposition of heavier import duties. Worker unions have also been vociferous in making their objections felt by organizing more protests. Is there no way to stop the rot?

There is however a solution to the problem, at least for those that outsource their tangible products. If we were to take an in-depth look at their present mode of operation, we could see that they are mostly engaged in out-sourcing their productions to third world countries like China, Vietnam, Brazil and India. Most of these low cost production countries can produce the same product at a third of the cost, inclusive of shipping charges. Most of the low cost producers are third party contract manufacturers, but we are also beginning to see big corporations themselves setting up manufacturing shops in those areas to take advantage of lower cost. From the standpoint of efficiencies and economics, outsourcing seems to be the right thing to do. But from a political point of view, it is a source of embarrassment and a great contentious issue. Allowing outsourcing to continue without abatement will ultimately bring about economic chaos and disruption on a global scale.

Solution- the half doorway method Continue with the production in the low cost country, but instead of completely producing the finished product, send back the various parts so that it could be assembled at the home factory. This will allow some added value at the original base and an added source of income for assembly workers. Depending on the nature of the product, assembling facilities can also be fully automated with robotics to give it a certain level of sophistication. Workers can then be robotics engineers instead of mere assembly line workers, and local residents will not have to gripe about their back-yard styled factories. This model can help bring about an increase level of efficiency, as it allows the 'just in time' method of production. Sourcing of parts can also be directed at different places so that it will not be disrupted in case of any unpredicted stoppages. The above outsourcing solution would be more palatable to both employee unions and governments, and although it is only a partial solution, at least it allows governments to save their faces in the light of contentious economic confrontations. The half-doorway method is so called because it only allow a limited and controlled outsourcing of parts. As for non tangible items like software and services, the above mentioned model will have to be modified to so that some level of local involvement will have to be structured. There are actually an abundance of local workers, but they must be willing to work at some inconvenient time to the usual and at a lower take home pay. It would be more of changing mindset sorts of thing as everybody is exposed to changing conditions due to a border less world. Creative adaptation is the keyword and not confrontation. This solution should be mandated by concerned governments as soon as possible, otherwise, the outsourcing method as we know of now becomes entrenched; it would be too late for any rectifications.

Yap Tat Meng

inventing ideas

What can you get from attending trade shows?

Well besides updating yourself on the latest products and services trends, are there other things that you can benefit from? Off course you can. First off, you will feel the atmosphere from the many other competitors that you will inadvertently meet there. Well, trade shows should be the best place to go to get new ideas. Whether you are in the trade or not, you will find many things to learn about. And if possible, do attend every trade show, even though you may not belong to that particular trade. Why, you may ask?

The simple reason is because trades shows are the place to not only learn new things, but it will also serve as a place to generate new ideas of your own. If you are a college student, you will be able to learn about those toys that the big guys are playing, and the processes behind their operation. If you are an academic at the university, then there is even more reason for you to learn about why and how the commercial world turns. Think in terms of the networking that you can get from the people who are actually pushing out the latest product and service range! And if you are an artist and you feel that it would be out of place for you to attend a furniture trade show, think again as you will be missing one of the best place where you can interact with the exhibitors to get new ideas. I have always make it a point to attend trade shows, and it has always been a great place for me to learn about the latest thinking, be it a product or a service. Not only for me, but also it would be a great opportunity to bring the kids there as well, for I can't think of a better place for them to learn about the real world. Most trade shows allow public attendance on the last day, so bring along the family. You will not be able to find a better place to learn and generate your own ideas, and what more, in most cases, it is free.

There is another reason why people should attend trade shows. It is the amount of work that has gone into bringing the show to fruition that most people do not know about. In normal circumstances, organizers of trade shows will need about a minimum of eight months to bring about the show. It is also a great logistical nightmare to bring in the exhibitors. If you were to take into account the amount of effort and money required to come up with the products, then you will appreciate the value of trade exhibitions. Unfortunately, there have been insufficient efforts being made to drum up the great opportunities that can be derived from attending trade shows, from both the commercial sectors and the governments. Besides coming up with the products, exhibitors will also have to prepare the catalogs and flyers to pass around at the show. The tech guys will also have to prepare their groundwork so that they can answer all questions that are posed to them at the show. In short, a great amount of effort would be required.

How then to maximize your time at the trade show? Firstly, before you go to the show, find out more about the particular trade if you are not well verse in it. When you are there, you will benefit more by interacting with the exhibitors as a well informed attendee, rather than a country pumpkin. Secondly, ask as many questions as possible, especially on those things that you don't know. Now you know why it is important to do some background work before you attend the trade show. If you are informed, you will be able to pose relevant questions and get answers that might give you an advantage in whatever that you might do some other time. Thirdly, grab every piece of catalog and trade leaflets that are available so that you can read them later. Just imagine, you will have most of the technical information that these guys have spent a whole year and more preparing, not to mention the work done on previous models. If you are allowed, video tape it as well as it would form a very useful archive that the organizers don't even have!

As you glossed over the exhibitors, you will surely form new ideas. Take note of it as it could be a very useful seed idea for product development later on. Trade shows are a great refresher course for people who are involved in product and services developments. They will never get it anywhere else, not even the best university in the world. And if you were to make it to the major trade shows of the world, and with the right approach, you will have the best knowledge on your fingertips, surpass even the most knowledgeable ones from the ivy leagues!

Yap Tat Meng

creativity and invention book

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