Session 5: Success stories - Perspectives from the ground

Mr Tobias Glitterstam, Vice president Asia and Pacific, Business Sweden

“My Reflections of these two days reconfirms that this is a very attractive market, even if diverse.” We have a good starting point with over 500 companies in this region, and a lot of unlocked potential. There are opportunities everywhere.”

Mr Lars-Erik Forsbergh, President Volvo Trucks South East Asia

Volvo is a successful company in this region and a leading provider of heavy vehicles with strong core values within safety and quality.

As an innovative company – Volvo contributed early to CSR by focusing on traffic safety. We shared our invention of the three-point belt with the entire vehicle industry that saves millions of lives every day. In Singapore today, we run a traffic safety educational program, Stop. Wait. Wave, with local school children endorsed by Prime Minister Lee. In addition to the Stop Wait Wave program we also educate truck-drivers to gain awareness about traffic safety.

Mr Magnus Zederfeldt, Regional Director South Asia Pacific, Axis Communications

Axis is the global market leader in network cameras. Mr Magnus explains what their success factors are;

• Local; We are a global company with a clear local presence.
• Trust the value proposition; We have a zero tolerance for corruption, our products are PVC free and high quality is non-negotiable.
• Recruit the right people; Recruit people with high self confidence who dares to make mistakes and be creative. My first recruiting question would be; What mistakes have you made in your life and what have you learned from them?

Mr. Zederfeldt shares what he has learned; rather than to discuss a cheaper product, we help customers with selling arguments as to why they should invest in quality instead.

Mr Patrik Falk, Head of Subscription Business, Asia Pacific, Spotify.

Spotify have grown rapidly after their launch in the region four years ago. Originally the market approach was a one size fits all service, that later had to be adapted to the different markets featuring mainly local music. This misfired as the markets became too saturated with local music and lacked variety, we had to adjust again and offer today a balanced mix of Western and local Asian music. We have learned that we need to meet directly with the customers;

meet real people and not only rely on market data. Today we have local music editors in every market.