Today, Asian nations have brought the art of technological emulation to the next level. Not only are we able to duplicate technology, we also make it cheaper to customise features to the needs of the consumer. But why is it that Asian nations still trail behind in innovation? Many Asian smartphones are still powered by American software. Haven’t we learnt enough from our Western counterparts to become leaders on our own terms?
As part of a series of opinion editorials, Lawrence Chong, CEO of Consulus, and Shiraz Latiff, CEO of Hummingbird International, share their insight on how to ‘build Asian brands that will shape the world’. Asian firms can no longer remain the factory of the world. Asia must take the skills we have learnt and emerge as the incubators of ideas and imagination for the future.
Chong and Shiraz propose three critical steps in ensuring Asian businesses move from production to innnovation: reorganising the mindset and culture of companies to support innovation, building an appreciation for great design, and developing an ambitious vision.
