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SINGAPORE : It was a virtuoso performance by Creative Technology chief Sim Wong Hoo.
Sparkling with humour and candour, Mr Sim spoke to a 6,000-strong audience on Friday on a most timely topic: how to succeed in a harsh business world.
Creative Technology is currently locked in a cut-throat battle with industry giant Apple in the MP3 player market and has bruises to show.
In the heat of battle, this commander has not lost his sense of humour.
But having broken a vow, Mr Sim began his speech with a confession.
Mr Sim, Founder and Chief Executive of Creative, said: "I got a confession to make: I am not supposed to be here because I made a vow to my staff that I will not make any speech for the next five years. Because I have to focus on the company. Now to actually fight this big war, that I am fighting right now. But for Bill Gates, I made the exception."
It wasn't too long ago when Creative declared war on Apple, hoping to take the MP3 market by storm, by overwhelming it with lots of value-for-money gadgets.
That strategy hasn't caught on.
Apple holds 54 percent of the world's MP3 player market, while Creative has around 10 percent.
And Creative was forced to downgrade its revenue forecast for the quarter ended June amid the price war.
It is now facing a quarterly operating loss.
But Mr Sim is unfazed.
He prefers to see the big picture and he says it is not just a battle with Apple.
He said: "The war I am fighting here today, is not with Apple. It's something bigger. We are looking at the big living room, we want to be in your living room. We want to be the speakers, the wireless connection, and everything. Because there is a lot of things there."
Mr Sim says opportunities abound in the wider digital entertainment arena, which Creative is targeting and that MP3 is only one component of it.
"Today I am still fighting a big war. But I think we will survive: the good thing is that we will survive. And if you survive, you can actually hit jackpot one day," he added.
On Friday, Creative shares were down one percent at S$11.00.
As for aspiring entrepreneurs, Mr Sim advised patience, believing in one's dream, risk-taking, finding one's niche, and not being afraid to start small.
Students said they connected with Mr Sim, saying he was frank and candid.
Then, they turned the tables, with a few comments, of their own.
Hauw Junying, Student, National Junior College, said: "I can see like one big difference...I would say it's the design. For me, iPod design appeals greatly. It's simple, yet efficient and easy to use. Creative - the controls are complicated. I like simplicity. I don't like to go around and look for what I can...do with the device." - CNA /ch
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