The number 1 application
of people using computers now is email and for cell phones it is
texting. We have been texting and
emailing for well over 10 years now, and although there has been a lot of
arguments that there are better and faster and more efficient ways to
collaborate and work together than this, these 2 fundamental applications just
kept growing.
One of the interesting stats I see is that only 56 percent
of the Americans text. However, it IS
catching on, and another statistics pointed that global SMS traffic grew by
over 30%. A sign that it is popular – 43
billion text messages were sent alone wishing the coming new year. The only difference – most text messages you
receive in other countries are mobile ads or sent automatically, while in the Philippines, it
is really sent by a person and it is a personal message. When I saw the breakdown, it seems we
Filipinos still among tops. India has 220
million mobile subscribers and they sent 1 billion text messages in New Year. The Philippines, in contrast with just
50 million users, sent 1.39 billion text messages welcoming the New Year.
There has been a lot of news that says the US Economy, and
even the world economy might slow down in 2008.
While that mean that the IT outsourcing will also slow down? I really don’t think so, and in fact one
study pegged that BPO outsourcing will continue to grow at a forecast growth
rate of 8.1% in 2008.
Outsourcing could well be a business that is recession free-
when the economy is good, companies need to expand rapidly, and will
outsource. When the economy is bad,
companies need to save money, and will also outsource.
Looking back 2007, I think one of the most significant
infrastructure that we are proud to be there is the Cebu International
Convention Center. The hoopla has died down, but it continues to
be there, and it was a big help to business.
I believe our company, the various chambers of commerces , and the other
various associations had several events that materialized because of the
presence of that venue. Last Christmas, we even had our party there.
I would like to recount an anecdote as a tribute to it, and
to the new infrastructures of Cebu which
signals that it is equipped and ready to do business.
A taxi driver picked up an American passenger from the
airport.
“Nice airport, you got there, “ The American commented. “how long did it take to build, “
“ Maybe two years,” the taxi driver replied.
“Two years? “ The American commented. “ In our country, it
would be done in a year!”
At length, they passed through the Marcelo Fernan
Bridge. The American then said it was a nice bridge,
and how long did it take to make.”
“I think one year, “ the taxi driver told him.
“ One year!” the American commented. “ Bridges are easy. There are no interiors, and it is all
fre-fabricated. In our country, 6
months!
The taxi driver was getting frustrated with this boastful
visitor, when at length, they passed through the Cebu International
Convention Center.”
“Wow, that’s one big structure, “ the American commented, “
What is that place, and how long did it take to build?”
“ Oh, sorry, “
replied the taxi driver , “ I would not know. I have not passed this way since last month,
and last time I looked, it was still not there….”
Anyhow, may we continue to build to progress, whether it is hardware infrastructure which
is the facilities or software infrastructure which is our people
Wilson Ng keeps a blog of his articles in www.ngkhai.net/bizdrivenlife