Facebook gets serious about Singapore

Facebook’s Singapore office appears to be rising in importance within the company as key international jobs are going to be located on the island, while more services are being offered to Singapore users.

The social networking giant has a job vacancy for its ‘global business manager’, to be located in Singapore. According to the job description, this person will be the “strategic leader responsible for ensuring that all client needs are met and we are aligned across international accounts globally.”

Facebook is also looking to fill high-level vacancies in the Singapore office for an ‘Asia-Pacific director of online sales and advertising’ and for something called the ‘law enforcement relations lead, APAC’. Some of the requirements for the latter job include experience in computer forensics, e-commerce fraud and financial fraud.

Facebook’s Singapore office has 10 advertised vacancies. By contrast, its Tokyo office has two openings, both of which are actually for jobs involving Japanese-language work based in Singapore. The latest job openings puts the Singapore office on par with the Hyderabad office in India, which also has 10 advertised vacancies.

A Facebook representative based in Tokyo told us that the company is growing the team in Singapore as business in Asia increases. The representative would not say how many employees Facebook has in individual country offices.

“While we do not disclose our headcount in each individual office, we have more than 2,000 employees around the world. In Singapore, we are investing in a team to scale with the business here in the region. We started with a handful of employees and have been adding more as the business grows,” the representative said.

Facebook appears to segment its offices by geography and function. The representative said that Singapore was a sales office while Hyderabad was operations and Tokyo houses engineering teams.

Facebook’s increased hiring in Singapore comes as it launches its location-based service, Places, locally and in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The company said Places was launched in those markets because of organic demand from users.

“We were seeing that people were using the status updates to share with friends where they were, who they were with, and what they were doing in specific locations. We wanted to make it easy for people to share with their friends,” the Facebook representative said.

Places is another advertising revenue channel for Facebook because it allows the platform to serve location-based advertisements to users when they check-in. However, Facebook refused to say how many merchants it had signed up to advertise on Places in Singapore. The company also would not say if it had a schedule to launch Places in other Asian markets at this time.

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Communication Tips To Startups [Stop Sending Copy/Paste Emails]

Startups often stay in the state of ‘I am changing the world’ and while this is surely the right passion to have, it’s very important that they rub on the same passion while communicating with others.

At Pi, we receive almost 25-35 emails daily from startup founders/companies (including email from wannabes/excluding press releases from biggies) and here is how I categorize these emails

#1. I don’t give a shit [BCC]

Typically BCCed, and starts like this

–

Hi there

We just wanted to send across our newly launched startup<>com and request you to publish the press release in your site.

—

On an average day, such emails do not get attention for more than 20 seconds. If you don’t give a damn to others and don’t care about whom you are approaching, the channel basically doesn’t mean much to you. And the feeling is mutual.

Deleted.

#2. Copy/Paste

An improved version from point 1.

Typically, individuals and companies have to send multiple emails to bloggers/media companies and they end up copy/pasting the email without making the appropriate changes (they have a template where name/company names are changed).

What surprises me is the lack of awareness of email marketing software/services which does give you the mechanism to send ‘personalized email in a very impersonal way’.

In such cases, I typically reply back asking the sender if this was sent to us by mistake?

#3. Where is the context?

“Would you like to review <X>? We launched couple of days back and have been covered by <abc>, <crap>.com media sites.

–

Why don’t you tell me the product features/usage/problem you are solving, instead of sending a press release? In some of the cases, the sender doesn’t know too many details of the product (happens with marketing intern), but as a startup you need to share the ‘basic information’ across all hires.

Similarly, there are emails whether its not clear whether the founder wants a feedback/bounce off ideas or wants a coverage on Pi?

Setting context helps, as one allocates time/resource based on the context. And don’t feel shy to say ‘I want coverage for the new feature launch’. Marketing is your birthright and you better do it.

#4. I want <> [Hurry]

Sometimes founders are in a hurry to get a feedback/review without setting the right relationship in place. Though I don’t care so much about the relationship part, but its human to reply to somebody whom you know (after all, review takes a certain amount of time) than a complete stranger (who doesn’t even care to introduce him/herself).

No harm in sending such emails, but great entrepreneurs often build relationships before they start reaping benefits of these relationships.

So what works?

There is no formula here, but given that the other person reading your email is also human, its important to understand the context a little bit. Relationship building always helps (some of the startups with whom I connected 3 years back simply call up (without any prior notice) and share the company update, i.e. no formal process).

Most importantly, a company’s external communication needs to have a defined baseline, process and the time to define that is now (waiting till funding doesn’t help!).

Of course, I am not suggesting that you need to suck up to get profiled (we are equally guilty of not replying to genuine emails), but the important part to note is that we are still not in the decade where bots community, publish and read. The communication still involves human beings.

What’s your opinion?

Must Read:

• How to Write a Press Release that gets noticed
• 5 Basic Email Etiquette for Entrepreneurs
• How should startups approach bloggers?
• Sales Tips for Small Businesses & Startups

Link to full article

Read More

Home Repair and Renovation Hits the Web With Fix-All, Chennai Based Startup

In our endeavor to cover new and upcoming startups, we tried out a very interesting startup recently. Fix-all (www.fix-all.biz) is a Chennai based startup that provides home repair and renovation solutions. Their website mentions – “Fix-All offers a range of services like electrical, plumbing, civil, carpentry, painting, A/C and computer maintenance services. The service offering is carefully chosen to address the specific pain points associated with each service. Fix-All ensures transparent pricing and accountability for the service. ”

However – like always – we thought we would try it out before writing about them. So we sent them an email and filled up their online form at morning around 9 AM. We got a call at about 1130 AM from a technician speaking Tamil (unfortunately that’s the reality Chennai lives with – but I guess in other cities they would have a common language caller). The person was courteous and fixed up an appointment in the evening. I also called up their call center to ask for the follow up (I had forgotten the number of the technician) – and they got my case details from the tracking system.

In the evening, the person reached on time. He did a survey of the problems and called back his call center (mostly due to my inability to understand Tamil). The person on the phone then called back to mention the exact rates of repair and was helpful enough to suggest that I replace the fan rather than repair it.

Overall the experience was MUCH more professional than anything I have encountered in Chennai or any other city till now. They were also very transparent about their costs and did not attempt to “push” a service – which was another big plus for them in my list.

Like most such businesses, I guess they will have big challenges in scaling and providing the same service levels (most of such services tend to remain localized). I am not too sure how big their setup is (they mention 15 people on board), but they definitely are addressing a major pain point for almost all urban residents. They also take out the haggling part out of the discussion (although I suspect you pay for that implicitly), but I think Indians will increasingly pay for service rather than the outcome only – and this is a good step forward.

Moreover, creating a brand in a price sensitive segment would be an interesting play to watch out for.

So if you are in Chennai (for whatever reasons), do give them a try and let us know! Are you game for a flat rate/professional service for home repair needs (and in return, pay a premium price for the service)?

Also see: eTechies, Managed IT Helpdesk for SMB and Consumer Secures Angel Investment

Link to full article

Read More

Communication Tips To Startups [Stop Sending Copy/Paste Emails]

Startups often stay in the state of ‘I am changing the world’ and while this is surely the right passion to have, it’s very important that they rub on the same passion while communicating with others.

At Pi, we receive almost 25-35 emails daily from startup founders/companies (including email from wannabes/excluding press releases from biggies) and here is how I categorize these emails

#1. I don’t give a shit [BCC]

Typically BCCed, and starts like this

–

Hi there

We just wanted to send across our newly launched startup<>com and request you to publish the press release in your site.

—

On an average day, such emails do not get attention for more than 20 seconds. If you don’t give a damn to others and don’t care about whom you are approaching, the channel basically doesn’t mean much to you. And the feeling is mutual.

Deleted.

#2. Copy/Paste

An improved version from point 1.

Typically, individuals and companies have to send multiple emails to bloggers/media companies and they end up copy/pasting the email without making the appropriate changes (they have a template where name/company names are changed).

What surprises me is the lack of awareness of email marketing software/services which does give you the mechanism to send ‘personalized email in a very impersonal way’.

In such cases, I typically reply back asking the sender if this was sent to us by mistake?

#3. Where is the context?

“Would you like to review <X>? We launched couple of days back and have been covered by <abc>, <crap>.com media sites.

–

Why don’t you tell me the product features/usage/problem you are solving, instead of sending a press release? In some of the cases, the sender doesn’t know too many details of the product (happens with marketing intern), but as a startup you need to share the ‘basic information’ across all hires.

Similarly, there are emails whether its not clear whether the founder wants a feedback/bounce off ideas or wants a coverage on Pi?

Setting context helps, as one allocates time/resource based on the context. And don’t feel shy to say ‘I want coverage for the new feature launch’. Marketing is your birthright and you better do it.

#4. I want <> [Hurry]

Sometimes founders are in a hurry to get a feedback/review without setting the right relationship in place. Though I don’t care so much about the relationship part, but its human to reply to somebody whom you know (after all, review takes a certain amount of time) than a complete stranger (who doesn’t even care to introduce him/herself).

No harm in sending such emails, but great entrepreneurs often build relationships before they start reaping benefits of these relationships.

So what works?

There is no formula here, but given that the other person reading your email is also human, its important to understand the context a little bit. Relationship building always helps (some of the startups with whom I connected 3 years back simply call up (without any prior notice) and share the company update, i.e. no formal process).

Most importantly, a company’s external communication needs to have a defined baseline, process and the time to define that is now (waiting till funding doesn’t help!).

Of course, I am not suggesting that you need to suck up to get profiled (we are equally guilty of not replying to genuine emails), but the important part to note is that we are still not in the decade where bots community, publish and read. The communication still involves human beings.

What’s your opinion?

Must Read:

• How to Write a Press Release that gets noticed
• 5 Basic Email Etiquette for Entrepreneurs
• How should startups approach bloggers?
• Sales Tips for Small Businesses & Startups

Link to full article

Read More

Home Repair and Renovation Hits the Web With Fix-All, Chennai Based Startup

In our endeavor to cover new and upcoming startups, we tried out a very interesting startup recently. Fix-all (www.fix-all.biz) is a Chennai based startup that provides home repair and renovation solutions. Their website mentions – “Fix-All offers a range of services like electrical, plumbing, civil, carpentry, painting, A/C and computer maintenance services. The service offering is carefully chosen to address the specific pain points associated with each service. Fix-All ensures transparent pricing and accountability for the service. ”

However – like always – we thought we would try it out before writing about them. So we sent them an email and filled up their online form at morning around 9 AM. We got a call at about 1130 AM from a technician speaking Tamil (unfortunately that’s the reality Chennai lives with – but I guess in other cities they would have a common language caller). The person was courteous and fixed up an appointment in the evening. I also called up their call center to ask for the follow up (I had forgotten the number of the technician) – and they got my case details from the tracking system.

In the evening, the person reached on time. He did a survey of the problems and called back his call center (mostly due to my inability to understand Tamil). The person on the phone then called back to mention the exact rates of repair and was helpful enough to suggest that I replace the fan rather than repair it.

Overall the experience was MUCH more professional than anything I have encountered in Chennai or any other city till now. They were also very transparent about their costs and did not attempt to “push” a service – which was another big plus for them in my list.

Like most such businesses, I guess they will have big challenges in scaling and providing the same service levels (most of such services tend to remain localized). I am not too sure how big their setup is (they mention 15 people on board), but they definitely are addressing a major pain point for almost all urban residents. They also take out the haggling part out of the discussion (although I suspect you pay for that implicitly), but I think Indians will increasingly pay for service rather than the outcome only – and this is a good step forward.

Moreover, creating a brand in a price sensitive segment would be an interesting play to watch out for.

So if you are in Chennai (for whatever reasons), do give them a try and let us know! Are you game for a flat rate/professional service for home repair needs (and in return, pay a premium price for the service)?

Also see: eTechies, Managed IT Helpdesk for SMB and Consumer Secures Angel Investment

Link to full article

Read More

Communication Tips To Startups [Stop Sending Copy/Paste Emails]

Startups often stay in the state of ‘I am changing the world’ and while this is surely the right passion to have, it’s very important that they rub on the same passion while communicating with others.

At Pi, we receive almost 25-35 emails daily from startup founders/companies (including email from wannabes/excluding press releases from biggies) and here is how I categorize these emails

#1. I don’t give a shit [BCC]

Typically BCCed, and starts like this

–

Hi there

We just wanted to send across our newly launched startup<>com and request you to publish the press release in your site.

—

On an average day, such emails do not get attention for more than 20 seconds. If you don’t give a damn to others and don’t care about whom you are approaching, the channel basically doesn’t mean much to you. And the feeling is mutual.

Deleted.

#2. Copy/Paste

An improved version from point 1.

Typically, individuals and companies have to send multiple emails to bloggers/media companies and they end up copy/pasting the email without making the appropriate changes (they have a template where name/company names are changed).

What surprises me is the lack of awareness of email marketing software/services which does give you the mechanism to send ‘personalized email in a very impersonal way’.

In such cases, I typically reply back asking the sender if this was sent to us by mistake?

#3. Where is the context?

“Would you like to review <X>? We launched couple of days back and have been covered by <abc>, <crap>.com media sites.

–

Why don’t you tell me the product features/usage/problem you are solving, instead of sending a press release? In some of the cases, the sender doesn’t know too many details of the product (happens with marketing intern), but as a startup you need to share the ‘basic information’ across all hires.

Similarly, there are emails whether its not clear whether the founder wants a feedback/bounce off ideas or wants a coverage on Pi?

Setting context helps, as one allocates time/resource based on the context. And don’t feel shy to say ‘I want coverage for the new feature launch’. Marketing is your birthright and you better do it.

#4. I want <> [Hurry]

Sometimes founders are in a hurry to get a feedback/review without setting the right relationship in place. Though I don’t care so much about the relationship part, but its human to reply to somebody whom you know (after all, review takes a certain amount of time) than a complete stranger (who doesn’t even care to introduce him/herself).

No harm in sending such emails, but great entrepreneurs often build relationships before they start reaping benefits of these relationships.

So what works?

There is no formula here, but given that the other person reading your email is also human, its important to understand the context a little bit. Relationship building always helps (some of the startups with whom I connected 3 years back simply call up (without any prior notice) and share the company update, i.e. no formal process).

Most importantly, a company’s external communication needs to have a defined baseline, process and the time to define that is now (waiting till funding doesn’t help!).

Of course, I am not suggesting that you need to suck up to get profiled (we are equally guilty of not replying to genuine emails), but the important part to note is that we are still not in the decade where bots community, publish and read. The communication still involves human beings.

What’s your opinion?

Must Read:

• How to Write a Press Release that gets noticed
• 5 Basic Email Etiquette for Entrepreneurs
• How should startups approach bloggers?
• Sales Tips for Small Businesses & Startups

Link to full article

Read More

Home Repair and Renovation Hits the Web With Fix-All, Chennai Based Startup

In our endeavor to cover new and upcoming startups, we tried out a very interesting startup recently. Fix-all (www.fix-all.biz) is a Chennai based startup that provides home repair and renovation solutions. Their website mentions – “Fix-All offers a range of services like electrical, plumbing, civil, carpentry, painting, A/C and computer maintenance services. The service offering is carefully chosen to address the specific pain points associated with each service. Fix-All ensures transparent pricing and accountability for the service. ”

However – like always – we thought we would try it out before writing about them. So we sent them an email and filled up their online form at morning around 9 AM. We got a call at about 1130 AM from a technician speaking Tamil (unfortunately that’s the reality Chennai lives with – but I guess in other cities they would have a common language caller). The person was courteous and fixed up an appointment in the evening. I also called up their call center to ask for the follow up (I had forgotten the number of the technician) – and they got my case details from the tracking system.

In the evening, the person reached on time. He did a survey of the problems and called back his call center (mostly due to my inability to understand Tamil). The person on the phone then called back to mention the exact rates of repair and was helpful enough to suggest that I replace the fan rather than repair it.

Overall the experience was MUCH more professional than anything I have encountered in Chennai or any other city till now. They were also very transparent about their costs and did not attempt to “push” a service – which was another big plus for them in my list.

Like most such businesses, I guess they will have big challenges in scaling and providing the same service levels (most of such services tend to remain localized). I am not too sure how big their setup is (they mention 15 people on board), but they definitely are addressing a major pain point for almost all urban residents. They also take out the haggling part out of the discussion (although I suspect you pay for that implicitly), but I think Indians will increasingly pay for service rather than the outcome only – and this is a good step forward.

Moreover, creating a brand in a price sensitive segment would be an interesting play to watch out for.

So if you are in Chennai (for whatever reasons), do give them a try and let us know! Are you game for a flat rate/professional service for home repair needs (and in return, pay a premium price for the service)?

Also see: eTechies, Managed IT Helpdesk for SMB and Consumer Secures Angel Investment

Link to full article

Read More