RAFFLES GUEST LECTURE SERIES
Going Global: Platform for Decision Makers

from left: Ms Ng Shan Shan, Dr Stewart Cheifet, Mr Jean Francois Jadin,
Mr Fayaz, Dr Raken and Ms Mary Reggie

The Dynamics of International Business, Innovative Initiatives and Marketing Strategies

Every business is an international business either because it does business internationally or because it competes with other companies that do so.

With trade liberalization and growing interdependence between nations, many businesses have begun to concentrate their efforts on establishing themselves internationally.

In line with this, Olympia College had organised a seminar/talk on International Business, IT and Media at its campus in Wisma Budiman, Kuala Lumpur on 17 May 2008.

Among the invited speakers was Dr Stewart Cheifet (JD, Harvard, MBA alumni, Wharton). Dr Stewart’s first presentation topic is “International Developments: Global Market Competitiveness” -  the session includes an overview of recent market trends and innovation in the US and Asia, particularly in China.

 Participants will gain an in-depth insight into the full media potential in terns of market and product positioning. Dr Stewat’s second presentation topic is “Market and Media Strategies: Content to Value to Capital to Revenue” -participants will gain an in-depth view of the power of branding and media in transforming the perception of products and services offered. Participants will also receive practical inputs on acquiring international audience or market through affordable means.

Dr. Stewart Cheifet is the President of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), Archives and he has pioneered a host of business set-ups and projects related to knowledge management, technology and broadcasting.

The participants

As President and CEO of four companies, he has led major growth involving the management of significant changes in technology, regulation, and markets.

His experience ranges from small startups to large multinational corporations. Stewart’s background includes law, business, psychology, technology, journalism, and mathematics - all skills which are relevant to managing people and complex business relationships while keeping an eye on the bottom line.

Stewart holds a doctorate in law from Harvard University and he was a Benton Fellow in technology journalism at the University of Chicago. He is also an MBA alumni with Wharton Business School. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in mathematics and psychology.

Cheifet has also taught in several universities. He is also highly prolific in education and knowledge management matters and has been frequently invited to be the keynote speaker in major business, education and technology events in countries such as China and Egypt.   

He has worked in various top positions and capacities for top US corporations e.g. ABC and CBS, including New York, Los Angeles, London, and Paris. He also served as President of PCTV, a company focused on media and technology and was also CEO of WITF, a diversified broadcasting and media company.   

Stewart Cheifet served as host and managing editor of "Computer Chronicles", “Holistic Health”, "Net Café" which werebroadcast in more than 100 countries. He has been called “the original TV techie” and “the dean of television computer journalists”.

He pioneered the field over 20 years ago when he created and launched the award winning public television series Computer Chronicles. Cheifet was formerly a correspondent for the PBS’ Nightly Business Report, which covered the high-tech sector in the Silicon Valley and the Pacific Rim.

He has won numerous awards for his broadcast journalism work, including 12 awards from the Computer Press Association, including the Best Individual Technology Television Programme of the Year award. He was named by Adweek Magazine as one of the five most influential broadcast journalists in the field of technology.

Ms Ng Shan Shan

Ms Ng Shan Shan from Contracts Management, Ministry of Social Development, New Zealand, presented on the topic “Innovative Initiatives”.The session provides a perspective of how innovations can be fostered and managed through affordable means.  Practical "down–to–earth" view will be provided on model comprehensiveness and complexity.

Ng Shan Shan resides in New Zealand. She was admitted as a Barrister at law (Lincoln's Inn) in England and Wales, and was an Advocate and Solicitor of Malaya.  Since qualifying as a lawyer, she has had a number of roles in the private law firms in Australia and

Malaysia specializing in commercial and civil litigation, intellectual property, employment private, and advising clients on a range of interesting cases.

Since moving to New Zealand, she has worked in the IT procurement line in EDS and numerous other international companies. She is currently working as a Senior Contract Specialist in the IT procurement department at the Ministry of Social Development. She has also done a brief stint as a legal counsel in an offshore trust company in the Cook Islands.
Her intense passion for the subject, unrivalled communication skills makes Shan a powerful and dynamic presenter, capable of shifting the mindsets of audiences.