Perhaps its not fair to call it a dance, although that would have been neat. Imagination aside, it was more like a series of talks.

Mine was a concise 9 minute session, directed at entrepreneurs who just got their pre-seed grants:

• Made a case against common perceptions of ‘innovation’.
• Examples and experience from managing a fast-growing startup Joel and I have recently put together.
• Definitely not one of my best speeches, considering the ANIMAL IN ME didn’t emerge. But I was still accused of being energetic, and there may be some useful ideas in there, especially for those from a tech background, moving into business.

(My full speech transcript is at the end of this blog post)

You can also download slides of other speakers’ presentations.

Speech aside, I met so many cool people at the event!

For example, you would never expect a Venture Capitalist (VC) to be like Chok Bee Wee, Managing Director of Teak Capital.

Chok, who invested in Jobstreet and helped groom them to be the hundred million dollar company it is today, is not your typical VC. She is straightforward and caring, LIKE A MOTHER. Feels like someone who will look out for you, and won’t hesitate to tell you to your room is a complete mess.

Then there’s Pamir, a VC from investment group Newtonmore Advisors in the UK. He gave us plenty of good advice.

We also bumped into successful young entrepreneurs like Bob Chua of Pulse Group. One of the more bobular dudes who spoke that day, his journey from bedroom entrepreneur to and IPO in AIMS in 33 months, has MOMENTUM written all over him, pushing the future of market research as we know it. At the rate he is going, he will easily be one of Malaysia’s most globally successful entrepreneurs in the next 3 years.

Got a pic with Ashroff, too, a familiar face in these circles! Another dude who makes you feel like family.

We also met two silly looking zombies who look eerily familiar.

And Ganesh Kumar, a real success story. Read “Going for broke” (Published by TeAM, in bookstores now) to hear his full story.

It’s worth the read.

Many early stage startups were also at Innotech. Like Socialwalk, with Tham King Yiew, who was ranting about bad experiences with web developers.

And how can I not forget… The MDeC Crew!

Life has been full of surprises ever since I set out to sail on my own. And along the way, friends have strangers have been very kind to me.

I don’t catch up with Roslan and MDeC team often, but in the background they’ve been opening up many doors to local technologists and entrepreneurs. I have personally benefited a lot from the efforts of the MDeC crew, including the invitation to speak here at Innotech 2008.

Lets have a look at a few of them!

“Good Vibes” Syafinaz.

Jamie “Rock Steady” Haniff

And Roslan, um, “Bakri” Zakaria

Thanks everyone!

Overall it was a great day with great food, great conversations, and we left Innotech having added validation of our business model, and added excitement to follow through with the journey we set out on.

For those of you who are curious about my presentation, here it is:

Khailee Ng, The Youth Intelligence, Innotech 2008

I remember stumbling across something pretty neat, a while ago.

I was 24 years old at the time.

It was late in the night. Like 4am. And I was sort of, half dressed in front of the computer. Doing what young, hot-blooded young men do in front the computer. (You know, reading techcrunch and stuff.)

Then I came across this picture:

It’s not the most arousing picture, I know. It’s a surfer. A male surfer. And he’s not even wearing a bikini. Which is probably a good thing.

So why is this surfer?

Well, this picture is a powerful metaphor, and reminder for something we already know.

It’s actually taken off a slide from Greg McAdoo, partner at Sequoia Capital. As most of you may know, Sequoia Capital is a pretty large and successful VC, funded the likes of Yahoo! And Google.

Greg brought up this slide when he spoke at startup school about the kind of companies he funds, and the conditions required for a company to really scale. (See his full presentation here)

He likened an entrepreneur to a surfer. Where you could be a really hardworking and smart entrepreneur, but if you’re not riding on a really big wave, you’re not going to be growing a really big company.

He also spoke about how the biggest most successful companies of our time were NOT about trying to create waves which weren’t there – but seeing big waves coming, and riding them in an interesting way.

So I stared at the picture for a long while, and this question crossed my mind.

And I’m sure any entrepreneur or VC like yourself would at some point wonder the same….

Are we really riding on a big wave?

Like, a really big wave?

Or an imaginary one?

Ladies and gentlemen. 

Thanks for having me here. It’s great to get to know you. I’m Khailee. The technology and community director with The Youth Intelligence, and cofounder of Malaysia’s Largest Youth Opinion Community, YouthSays.

6 months after my semi-naked night surfing the web, looking at surfers, When I discovered 3 things

1. I am still 24 years old
2. I’ve got more clothes on
3. And I’ve been asked to speak here today about “Social Net and Entrepreneurship HOT SPOTS”

Which is very convenient if you think about it.

Because a HOT SPOT in the social net and entrepreneurship, is probably not too different from a really hot trend or are and perhaps a really big wave.

So let’s travel into a really big wave today, and try to find a new perspective on how to ride them. Cool?

I’ll share my perspective as a young Malaysian, as well as an entrepreneur currently scaling up a profitable company.

We’ll be talking about this ONE BIG WAVE we are all being affected by.

This is ONE BIG WAVE many may know about – but not many may know what to do about it. This of course opens up great opportunities for all of us, and I’ll get to that in a bit.

I’ll also touch on something I’ve personally discovered is of utmost importance in riding big waves – especially when you’re already armed with great technology and belief in your product.

So to get our feet wet.

Let’s dive straight into THIS BIG WAVE – and have a look at the OBVIOUS part.

2 MILLION YOUTHS WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Front page of theStar newspaper last week.

Fellow Malaysians will know firsthand how the government is waking up to this generation of youths who are currently exercising their right to decide on what they want, when they want it.

And it’s becoming clear, it’s not just in Malaysia, this wave is hitting the entire region.

So what’s going on with these youths?

I’ve been involved with building communities all my life. I started what was once the most vibrant Malaysian socio-political youth community online, some offline communities in the local music scene, and later I was involved with rallying communities around products and web applications in US & UK markets.

And just like any Malaysian infected with too much 2.0, I’d use to think.

“Oh Malaysia is so backward, it’ll take a couple of years before our society is revolutionized by technology.”

But you know how life is full of surprises. It seems this ‘future’ is happening. Right now.

(The above is based on a nationwide sample of 8,000 Malaysian youths. Survey conducted by The Youth Intelligence, October 2008)

As we speak, Malaysian youths are organizing themselves online, and on-ground, around the issues they care about, their own interest and passions. You can email me if you want examples, but ladies and gentlemen, this is just the beginning.

Now. For the not so OBVIOUS part.

Businesses are actually waking up. It’s not fair to accuse them of being in the dark, because the past 6 months, feedback from all the biggest brands and agencies tell me that they are definitely keen to ride this wave with us.

Some have mentioned, they read the papers and think…

Wow, 2 million young voters will make the difference. How about 2 million young consumers?

Especially when by 2010, over 65% of Malaysians will be under 35.

That’s a lot of youths. Youths who are using the internet in interesting ways. The same is happening to Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and so forth.

But here’s the BIG FAT GAP.

Last Friday, I was meeting a new client. They’re a multinational brand with a growing focus on the youth market, and after some discussion, they blurted out.

“Look. I want to be transparent about this. I’ve got a budget of XX,XXXX that I have to spend online by this December”

“But my suppliers have been giving me proposals I just don’t understand, they’re asking me to spend on banner ads on these sites, but how does that really convert to sales?”

The businesses want to get on board – but as entrepreneurs and marketers we can’t accuse them of being BLUR about it – we have to show them what that really means.

Sometimes, it seems, there are way too many businesses focused on giving people new new new – on innovation this and that – but not enough effort is being put into translating that into something of OBVIOUS value.

We’re standing here armed with technology, talent, ideas, funding – and to truly ride waves of this sort, what we need, is more marketing focus.

This bleeds into all our decisions.

Are we going to build a new feature? Or improve my presentation deck. Am I going to hire a new programmer, or meet new clients?

Technology is what drives this wave – but it’s not all there is to riding it.

In the same was we laugh at technologists when they say “Build and they will come” Marketers fall into that trap too. Theirs is “Tell them and they will come”.

Well, I experienced that I had to do much more.

Just a personal example, just 6 months ago, my business partner and I put up a website for Malaysian youths to do surveys for brands, and to discuss issues, share opinions, and answer each others questions. It quickly grew to 40,000 members – and it keeps on going…

But the only reason why our business is growing profitably right now with big brands like ASTRO CELCOM etc was because we STOPPED focusing on innovating on our technology – and focused on innovating on how we can help businesses with the existing technology and products we had. 

On many meetings, I wasn’t there to sell technology – or potential – I was there to sell them a problem and solution. I had to be a marketing strategist, a management consultant, and creative agency all at once – to push this to market.

In summary.

It used to be that businesses and the media told the youths what they wanted – and now the youths are telling the world what they want.

And that’s a wave that has hit.

While technological innovation in this space is great – there’s a lot of opportunity for great marketers, too.

So if you’re already out there, given limited resources, if your product or technology is ‘good enough’, stop innovating on it. Focus on marketing and help people to use it.

Here’s a slide with some links, and my contact. Should you find yourself semi naked in front of a computer at night, drop me a line.

And I’d like to close by saying.

We live in some pretty exciting times!

I’d like to think we’re in the same boat. Maybe some of you have not caught your wave. Some of us are in the midst of it. Some of us are leading it.

And as we roll forward with entrepreneurship and innovation in technology and marketing – let’s enjoy the thrill of innovating on our minds as well.

(Not all of them were Halloween costumes. Many of them were you know, for casual Fridays and visiting relatives and such.)

Absurd costumes. What was I thinking.

All of my costumes are home-made. Even this lactating dog one.

Oh wait, not the Spartan costume… that wasn’t much of a costume, I just took off my shirt, that’s all.

So what am I going to be this year?

Come for the MOB. See if you can recognize me ;)

We’re writing out “proposals”.

To think that a great business partnership, the formation of an youth entrepreneur hub, or a million dollar transaction can begin from innocent words on paper.

Especially the first line, “purpose”.

I still do.

This time, a blank CD was my canvas victim.

Seated on my balcony, Broken Social Scene in the background, I ended up doodling for an hour.

Here’s a closer look at the damage. (Click on the picture to zoom in)

That’s right folks.

I’m proud to announce, Doodling dinosaurs on CDs is the latest quick-fix stress relief fad!

Burst your medicine balls, undo your eye massage goggles, and delete your collection of naughty videos, because doodling dinosaurs on CDs will save your career and marriage.

It’s so simple even adults can do it!

Game?

You will need

1. A blank CD
2. Music you actually like
3. A permanent marker (I use one with two different fatness)

Benefits of doodle dinosaurs on CDs include:

1. Avoid real work
2. Save on petrol
3. Return to your childhood moments (the ones involving no torture)

Try it, and shout “Grrrrroooooooooooooo! (a dinosaur sound) when you’re done. You’ll be glad you did.

And upload a photo of it online and leave a comment here!

What happens when you can’t think of smart post titles?

Well, I use twitter.

http://twitter.com/khailee

I tried it way back in ’06 but I only really started using it now. I keep fantasizing of what silly, rude things I can say there, but really it all ends up family friendly. Boo.

You heard the man.

And if you haven’t, here’s the skinny:

This July 26th, the Malaysian scene will EXPLODE into a orgy of mass-sharing and learning with the arrival of BarCampMalaysia.

If you’re into early-stage web applications, and related open source technologies, social protocols, open data formats, and connecting with like-minds, BarCampMalaysia will stroke you the right way.

Wanna feel the heat?

“Attendees must  give a demo, a session, or help with one. This is called sharing and we like it.”

Damn right.

You can start by copying and pasting anything from what you’re reading, or from the wiki, onto your own blog.

Go forth and multiply!

What is BarCamp Malaysia?

BarCampMalaysia is an ad-hoc gathering packed with discussions, demos, and interaction from attendees. It’s inspired by BarCamps all over the world, born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment.

The focus is on early-stage web applications, and related open source technologies, social protocols, and open data formats. But of course, you can only imagine what other random surprises are in store.

When and where is BarCamp Malaysia happening?

When
July 26-27, 2008
Saturday 10:00 AM-6:00PM (official section)
Hangout time 6pm to Sunday morning
Sunday 10:00 AM-2:00PM

Where
xTrain Sdn Bhd
Unit E-7-1, Block E
Megan Avenue 1
189 Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur
Google map – View

Wow this is mind-blowing! I want to know more!

Go to the wiki, read up, and add your name as a participant.

You can also

• Join our Facebook Group
• Get on the mailing list in our Google Groups
• See Schedule & proposed session ideas
• Help us out! Sponsorship Info
• Keep track of our Volunteer Meetup Notes
• Follow @barcampmalaysia on Twitter for latest updates
• Spread the word! BarCampMalaysiaPromotion

And remember to blog about this!

See you there!

Personal Note

BarCamp Malaysia is a big step in setting the local internet scene alight. There’s more funding money, tech geeks, and crazy entrepreneurs around here than we think, and its events like this which pulls the pieces together.

I’ll be presenting a few sessions during the BarCamp, will let you know as soon as I prepare them. If you are even slightly geeky you really should come and see!

Lastly, it’s a coincidence I’m using a Fight Club scene in a blog post for the second time. I’m not that crazy over the movie… I happen to like “The Princess Diaries” and the Disney Channel more than Fight Club haha just kidding.

Wires on the floor.

I was in Cameron Highlands with a handful of programmers. We brought our weapons along so we could all enjoy the weather and the scenery while glued to our laptop screens.

My babies

I bought myself a bunch of small cactus plant thingabobs. I have to like, water them once in a while. What a commitment! I’m a father!

Post-its and office love

Testing out a new way to get work done at the office, inspired by agile software development. I love experiments in the workplace!

The morning birds

I woke up at 7am to start work on my balcony. Life is good.

What have you done for me lately?

Joel and I were up at 4am talking about how young people dream much more than they actually deliver, and how successful people and organizations tend to deliver on what they dream… then we saw a “sign”. How are we going to build a culture that delivers? Hmm…

Putrajaya

I’ve been there too many times this month. But for good reasons. My fingers are crossed. By the way that’s Joanne in the picture. She is one of the characters in this new bunch of misfits I’m working with. Will tell you about her, and the other wierdos someday.

Tired

This weekend I’m going to catch up on sleep.

Next week, my new workplace experiment begins…

To be continued..

Given the trajectory of my life right now, I thought it was apt to invite The Pixies to lullaby me to the sound of collapsing buildings…

Let me give you the lowdown.

Over the past month, my life has taken a huge-ass detour. I stopped for directions, but disobeyed it. I only got a rough idea as to where I’m headed, but I really don’t care. All I know is I’ve shifted gears, and the wind in my face makes me feel alive.

And I’ve been clinging on to dear life ever since.

In the past 12 days itself I have been on an exotic all expenses paid 5-star getaway with beautiful strangers, experienced death and resurrection by dancing, felt a few mini paradigm shifts brewing, and captured some really good sleep.

As usual, new business ventures are in the works. But this time, I’m doing things differently, to make sure the magic happens.

I guess I should also mention that I am no longer working with the beautiful people at MindValley. We’re still great friends and we’ll be there for one another. Let me blog about this later.

Where am I headed next?

Let’s see… I’ll be on a plane to Singapore till Sunday to mix business with pleasure. When I get back I have a list of people to meet, a RM150,000 grant to apply for, a parking lot of dreams to vacate, and new life to live.

A roadmap would be handy. You know, lend a pattern to the chaos. But I don’t have one. Nor do I feel the need for one right now.

All I have are different pieces, slowly taking shape. When they come together to make a picture, I’ll tell you more.

For now, I trust everything will fall in its right place.

And I’m going to let it.

But most of the time I keep quiet about it.

However, silently, I daresay I’m working very hard as part of this movement, to promote making your work your bliss.

The Guinea pig for my attempt?

MindValley, of course! The folks at MindValley believe in the dream, and are not afraid to put money and sweat down to achieve it.

About a thousand emails, conversations, and experiments later, MindValley as a workplace utopia is taking shape…

So much so some people are taking note.

We’re officially on the list of the Most Democratic Workplaces in the world. We’ll be appearing in international press in coming weeks. We’re the only company from friggin’ Malaysia, and I’m very proud that I had an active hand in creating this.

What does this award mean?

You can take a peek at Organizational Democracy, the award, and details on the Agile Entrepreneurship blog. It’s in no way a huge deal in the big scheme of things, and we have a long journey ahead. But I admit it’s great to know something you work hard for and care about is valued.

On a related note, a professor for an MBA program at Denver University used Apple, 37Signals, and MindValley as case studies for organizational innovation.

I’d like to think that slowly, but surely, we’re doing something right, and more companies can do it too, and employees around the world will return home everyday smiling and celebrating their awesome day at work :)

Want some ideas on how to help your company give more meaning, happiness and impact to its work?

See what the other winners have done right (including crazy ideas such as “The Love Machine” at work) and sign up for this book I helped write, called Agile Entrepreneurship.

Ok. So here we go….

What is it?

Well, check it out and you’ll see.

We’ve signed up over 1,000 users before it’s launch, so I’m pretty optimistic about its success.

Time will tell.

Disclaimer: YouthSays has nothing to do with MindValley. It’s Joel’s venture more than anything else.

I’ve been investing / growing a couple of other ventures with MindValley, will talk about them when the time is right.