I’m a sucker for technology.

I always have been.

It might explain my background in technology PR, and my fondness for gadgets of all kinds, as well as my stint (brief, though it was) as the editor of the Singapore edition of an international computer and video game magazine.

I’m not even going to list the number of gadgets and devices that I have, and use on a daily basis. (Probably more than you.)

The latest object of my techno-desire is the Apple iPad, launched in Singapore last Friday, and sold out in Singapore the very same day by all accounts. I’ve visited Apple’s online store a number of times, and have gotten close to the checkout a number of times. I could own an iPad in about thirteen working days, the website says, and I’d like to take Apple at their word. But I had reservations as well, because, well, who needs an overgrown iPod Touch?

(I do, because my 1st gen Touch is very old, and very slow, and really I need one. Really.)

In any case, the kind folks at Digital Life asked via their Facebook fan page whether anyone would be interested in a demo of the new Apple iPad, and I was quick to respond. It pays to be first off the mark – I was invited, with a mere handful of other guests to Singapore Press Holdings where I got a chance to touch, play with and learn more about the gorgeous tablet device.

I have no words for how much I want an iPad right now.

From a distance, the device seems deceptively simple, but until you’ve seen it in action, until you’ve seen people talk passionately about how it’s changed the experience of computing for them, it’s hard to comprehend how much of a game-changer the iPad might turn out be.

The sharing session was chaired by Grace Chng, the Editor of Digital Life, and she had a couple of iPad power users to show us the ropes, Charlotte Ong and Julian Wong. Charlotte runs a successful web company, and gleefully showed off the more fun side of the iPad, while Julian (who lectures at Republic Polytechnic) not only showed off the device’s more serious side, he also showed us examples of how different and revolutionary the iPad actually is.

The session was more like a conversation – no one there was pushing a product to sell – so it was really just a gathering of enthusiasts (all right, geeks) talking about what we might use the iPad for, and looking at the plethora of applications that make the platform something really different.

The iPad itself is a handsome beast – aesthetically very pleasing, a little bit on the heavy side, but very easy to hold. The touch-screen interface is intuitive, the graphics are beautiful, and all in all, the entire thing is very well thought out. It’s not going to be a replacement for a desktop or notebook, but it makes consuming media, particularly on the ‘net, a much more pleasant experience. I suspect that my iPad will be a suitable adjunct for the devices that I already own, and I will largely use it for reading RSS feeds and interacting on social networks. And the iPad is also surprisingly productive, using the iWorks office suite and an external keyboard. But even without, it is an outstanding demonstration of how wondrous  and easy-to-use a computer really can be.

Because that’s what it is – the iPad is a computer minus some of the complexity, and with a lot of the rough edges shaved off. It starts instantly, works quickly (I never noticed any lag) and it makes everything just that much easier to use. With the incredible number of apps available for free or very low prices in the iTunes App Store, the iPad boasts a level of utility and function that’s difficult to match.

I’m glad that I had the chance to go for the demo session, and got to see how amazing the iPad can be. The three presenters used their devices in very different ways – looking at the stars, watching high-definition video, and even (at one point) projecting a video onto a wall with a portable pico projector. All in all, it was an enchanting hour-and-a-half, and I understand now why the three presenters loved their iPads so much.

That passion was contagious, I’m afraid – so now I’m trying to figure out how to squeeze the price of one out of the corners of my budget.

LAST month, the Geneva-based international organisation Horasis hosted the Global India Business Meeting in Madrid with over 400 business and government leaders engaging in a dialogue on the theme ‘Overcoming the crisis – opportunities for India’.

The forum primarily sought to reflect on the need for Indian firms to build global and sustainable brands towards fulfilling the country’s potential as an emerging global economic power.

While investments by the Indian government on the ‘Incredible India’ campaign have helped internationalise the national brand, its impact has been largely confined to tourism.
 
 
Read more at Business Times (registration required) or in the July 27 edition of The Business Times.

CROSS cultural awareness is a must for companies seeking to close business deals or market their products and services overseas. In fact, it has become so crucial that there should be an effort to imbibe this understanding and respect for cultural differences across an organisation, and for each member of the team to be able to respond constructively to cultural nuances.

I would highly recommend nurturing cultural diversity in the workplace. Having a multicultural work environment gives us a huge advantage when we bid for projects that extend outside Singapore. Our consultants have lived or worked for many years in countries such as Australia, Hong Kong/China, India, Malaysia, and the Philippines. They contribute their in-market knowledge, experience, local language skills, as well as key business or influencer contacts whenever needed, and this significantly bolsters our credentials and business pitch.

 
 
Read the rest at Business Times (registration required), or in the July 27 edition of the Business Times.

Following an eventful two months, my internship at Rice Communications is quickly coming to an end in a few weeks time. I wouldn’t go as far as saying that this internship has been a life-changing experience, but it has been a positive and beneficial learning experience for me.

I began my internship sometime in early June – a hectic time for Rice – as the team was busy preparing for CommunicAsia 2010. At a time when I was still putting faces to names, I found myself struggling to also familiarise myself with the background information of different clients and projects. Immense workload and tight deadlines seemed to set the tone for the rest of the week but fortunately the team was kind enough to make me feel at home and orientate me. The team is always there to lend a helping hand and is very supportive when any help is needed. The occasional chatter, jokes and jolly laughter in the office kept my spirits and energy at the highest level, and they will probably be my fondest memories of my time here.

Weekly meetings and team lunches are also a common practice here at Rice. These sessions provide a perfect (and legitimate) way for the team to get out of the office, reconnect and spend some quality time together. They are also a great way for new additions, like me, to become familiar with the rest of the team.

My second week of internship saw me helping to translate for two Chinese journalists during an interview session with a client spokesperson. It was a nerve-wracking experience and I remembered myself thinking hard to come up with the most appropriate translation in the shortest possible time frame. Fortunately, the feedback has been positive and barring a few occasional awkward moments, I really enjoyed the translation session and the rapport I struck up with the journalists.

At Rice, I have had the opportunity to meet up with clients and sit in on client meetings. It’s been a great experience being able to talk to the clients and provide input and suggestions to them. I must say, it is a lot of responsibility resting on my shoulders, but that is what makes it real!

All in all, the responsibilities and trust given to me during my time here made me really feel like I made a difference to the team, something not always the case in other places. I learned an immense amount, but also was able to contribute what I have studied but have  never before been able to apply in the real world.

Sonya Madeira, Managing Partner, Rice Communications

Social media offers governments the chance to engage with the populace at a grassroots level, by creating online cyberplaces where citizens can talk to the government and one another. For effective engagement, governments need to adapt to the nature of these new, level playing fields, and demonstrate their ability and willingness to start a dialogue with their constituents.

Success will depend on constant, active participation as well as the ability to respond openly to the queries and questions that will no doubt appear once these forums are created. Social media allows its participants some measure of anonymity, and this can be used to place an unwelcome spotlight and unwanted scrutiny upon policy and other decisions. Traditional responses can be seen as propaganda, or overly defensive, so a lighthanded approach is preferable.

Read more in June 2010 – Vol 7.3 of FutureGov Asia Pacific magazine.