Chatting with Brett Wilson, chairman of FirstEnergy Capital, CBC newest Dragon - Part 2

As promised, here is part 2 of my chat with Brett Wilson, chairman of FirstEnergy Capital, the newest investor in Dragons’ Den.

Before I show you the videos, I would like to point out my favourite quote by Brett was this one from last posting (emphasis mine, link added),

“I had the great privilege of working under Dan Sullivan, under Jim MacDonald, under David Wilson. People who went on to become icons of the industry were my training ground. That was my learning curve … was working under people where Integrity and a handshake meant everything. And so as a model, it meant a lot.”

Incidentally, Brett's discussion of integrity and ethics has reminded me of another wonderful Calgary businessman and leader, Mr. Dick Haskayne. His book "Northern Tigers: Building Ethical Canadian Corporate Champions (a memoir and a manifesto)" is a must read and a wonderful way to learn from the former CEO, president, or board chair/member of companies like Hudson’s Bay Oil and Gas, Interhome Energy Inc., TransAlta Corporation, TransCanada Corporation, MacMillan Bloedel, Weyerhaeuser, NOVA Corporation, Fording, Manulife, CIBC.

Oops, sorry for this long “incidentally”. (big smile)

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How rich is Brett?
Brett’s views in charity

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Dragons’ Den experiences
The qualities that Brett look for in entrepreneurs or deals

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Advices to entrepreneurs

Chatting with Brett Wilson, chairman of FirstEnergy Capital, CBC newest Dragon - Part 1

Last year, I had wonderful chats with five successful Canadian business people Arlene, Jim, Kevin, Laurence, Robert (”Dragons” to the fans of Dragons’ Den) and Dianne (host of DD).

This year, I had the great pleasure to chat with Brett Wilson, chairman of FirstEnergy Capital, the newest investor in Dragons’ Den. As a bonus to me, we chatted at Brett’s beautiful home (some pictures in this post).

The following are part of my video chats with Brett. Feel free to leave a comment or feedback. Enjoy.

I will be posting the other video chats next week. Stay tune.

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Engineering & Business school,
Early investment experiences

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Early work experiences & Business School
Consumer & Buyer behaviour

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Starting his business

Tales of a Chinese Purchaser, Episode 15 (買手的故事, 第15集)

In episode 15, we will conclude our discussions on how to handle things when order size changes (產品訂單有變時，如何處理).

• The steps in handling a normal decrease or exceptional decrease in order size (當訂購數量有減少或異常的減少時，如何處理)
• An example of how US head office handled a cancellation of materials (美國總公司取消材料訂單的例子)

You can click here to listen to episode 15 of the program in mp3 (or you can download or stream the program here).

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Program Info: My friend Simon has worked as a Hong Kong-based purchaser for over 30 years before his retirement. Simon has agreed to record a series of Chinese audio shows/podcasts call “Tales of a Chinese Purchaser 買手的故事“ to share his years of experiences and insights in purchasing and working with Chinese factories. (Note: This program has been recorded in the Cantonese dialect.)

Tales of a Chinese Purchaser, Episode 14 (買手的故事, 第14集)

In episode 14 and the next episode, we will continue the discussion of how to handle things when order size changes (產品訂單有變時，如何處理).

• The steps in handling an exceptional increase in order size (當訂購數量有異常的增加時，如何處理)

You can click here to listen to episode 14 of the program in mp3 (or you can download or stream the program here).

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Program Info: My friend Simon has worked as a Hong Kong-based purchaser for over 30 years before his retirement. Simon has agreed to record a series of Chinese audio shows/podcasts call “Tales of a Chinese Purchaser 買手的故事“ to share his years of experiences and insights in purchasing and working with Chinese factories. (Note: This program has been recorded in the Cantonese dialect.)

Tales of a Chinese Purchaser, Episode 13 (買手的故事, 第13集)

In episode 13 and the next few episodes, we will continue the discussion of how to handle things when order size changes (產品訂單有變時，如何處理).

• Negotiate with suppliers (與供應商討論協調)
• Determining if suppliers have tried their best (using a plastic parts example to illustrate) (決定供應商是否已竭盡所能 (用塑料部件的例子說明) )
• Production and Material Control (PMC) department reviews feedback of rescheduling requests from suppliers using their expertises/experiences of the production process (生產及物料控制部門用生產過程的經驗分析供應商的反饋)
• When the order quantity is increased or decreased abnormally (當訂購數量有異常的增加/減少)

You can click here to listen to episode 13 of the program in mp3 (or you can download or stream the program here).

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Program Info: My friend Simon has worked as a Hong Kong-based purchaser for over 30 years before his retirement. Simon has agreed to record a series of Chinese audio shows/podcasts call “Tales of a Chinese Purchaser 買手的故事“ to share his years of experiences and insights in purchasing and working with Chinese factories. (Note: This program has been recorded in the Cantonese dialect.)

Tales of a Chinese Purchaser, Episode 12 (買手的故事, 第12集)

In episode 12 and the next few episodes, we will discuss how to handle things when order size changes (產品訂單有變時，如何處理).

• When products are selling well ==> Increase order size or move up shipment (當產品暢銷 == >增加訂單或提早出貨)
• When products are selling poorly ==> Decrease order size or delay shipment (當產品不暢銷 == >減少訂單或延遲出貨)
• How purchasers can use computer to generate “rescheduling reports” to help process these changes (買手如何可使用電腦 “新調度報告” 來幫助處理這些變化)
• When suppliers can’t meet the revised scheduling requests (當供應商不能滿足 “新調度” 的要求)

You can click here to listen to episode 12 of the program in mp3 (or you can download or stream the program here).

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Program Info: My friend Simon has worked as a Hong Kong-based purchaser for over 30 years before his retirement. Simon has agreed to record a series of Chinese audio shows/podcasts call “Tales of a Chinese Purchaser 買手的故事“ to share his years of experiences and insights in purchasing and working with Chinese factories. (Note: This program has been recorded in the Cantonese dialect.)

Tales of a Chinese Purchaser, Episode 11 (買手的故事, 第11集)

In episode 11, we continue and finished the case discussed in episodes 9 and 10.

• Use emails to document the reasons/mistakes for the lower-end supplier under priced the quote and high-end supplier over priced the quote (用電子郵件記錄 — 低檔廉價供應商報價太低 及 高檔供應商報價太高 的原因)
• Helping the suppliers (high-end and also the lower-end) to provide more accurate quote (幫助高檔及低檔供應商提供更準確的報價)
• Visiting the high-end supplier’s factory and providing technical assistance to help reduce yield lost thus provide better quote (參觀了高檔供應商的工廠,並提供技術援助,以幫助減少產量損失,從而提供更好的報價)
• Working with the high-end supplier to create a handbook to help reduce yield lost (幫助高檔供應商及寫一本加工手冊,以幫助減少產量損失)
• Passing on lessons learned to the lower-end supplier (教其他供應商)
• Updating US headquarter of the new cost & rationale, plus provide engineering samples (通知美國總部新的成本及原因,並提供工程樣品)
• An important lesson of do not simply pass along quotes from suppliers without some investigations (一個重要的教訓,不應簡單地交上報價,應做一些調查)
• Work together with the vendor (和供應商合作)
• How will Simon handle the “mis-priced” quotes if they are much closer in prices? (如報價近,Simon會如何處理這一”錯誤”?)
• Please send us your feedback, questions and cases (請電郵上您的意見,問題和案件)

You can click here to listen to episode 11 of the program in mp3 (or you can download or stream the program here).

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Program Info: My friend Simon has worked as a Hong Kong-based purchaser for over 30 years before his retirement. Simon has agreed to record a series of Chinese audio shows/podcasts call “Tales of a Chinese Purchaser 買手的故事“ to share his years of experiences and insights in purchasing and working with Chinese factories. (Note: This program has been recorded in the Cantonese dialect.)

Tales of a Chinese Purchaser, Episode 9 (買手的故事, 第9集)

In episode 9, we talk about

• The decision of moving from small production CNC (Computer Numerical Control) to larger production quantity tooling (決定由小生產的CNC （電腦數值控制）轉用較大生產量的工具)
• The process of including new suppliers for larger production (為大量生產找新的供應商
• Sending out Request for Quotation (RFQ) (發送請求競標)
• The price differences between high-end original supplier and lower-end supplier (高檔原供應商與低檔供應商的價格差異)

You can click here to listen to episode 9 of the program in mp3 (or you can download or stream the program here).

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Program Info:

My friend Simon has worked as a Hong Kong-based purchaser for over 30 years before his retirement. Simon has agreed to record a series of Chinese audio shows/podcasts call “Tales of a Chinese Purchaser 買手的故事“ to share his years of experiences and insights in purchasing and working with Chinese factories.

(Note: This program has been recorded in the Cantonese dialect.)

Tales of a Chinese Purchaser, Episode 8

In episode 8, we talk about

• How to handle supplier's material cost when there is erratic price swings (當供應商的材料成本有反复無常的價格波動時，如何處理)
• The importance of applying knowledge learned from the making of other products (in this case, a product that contains gold as a material) (運用從其他產品學到的知識的重要性,(在案例:產品包含了黃金作為材料))

You can click here to listen to episode 8 of the program in mp3 (or you can download or stream the program here).

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Program Info:

My friend Simon has worked as a Hong Kong-based purchaser for over 30 years before his retirement. Simon has agreed to record a series of Chinese audio shows/podcasts call "Tales of a Chinese Purchaser 買手的故事" to share his years of experiences and insights in purchasing and working with Chinese factories.

(Note: This program has been recorded in the Cantonese dialect.)

Michael Geist, technology law expert & Canadian Copyfighter, at Kempton’s Virtual Cafe

Michael Geist is one of the leading and internationally recognized legal expert in technology law and the fight for fair copyright. It was my great pleasure to attend a copyright workshop with him as the featured speaker at University of Calgary yesterday. Michael also took time to meet with some members of the Calgary Chapter of the Fair Copyright for Canada group.

After the Calgary chapter meet up, I interviewed Michael for a few minutes. The following is my first face-to-face interview in my Kempton’s Virtual Cafe series. I hope you will enjoy them and learn as much from them as I did.

Michael Geist Interview - Part 1 of 7

Michael Geist’s impression of meeting Fair Copyright for Canada Calgary chapter members.

Michael Geist Interview - Part 2 of 7

Michael gives an update on the copyright bill.

Michael Geist Interview - Part 3 of 7

Michael explains how to use “Access to information” as a tool to investigate and find out more information. (For example, www.onlinedemocracy.ca is a site that keeps a record of existing ATI requests.)

Michael Geist Interview - Part 4 of 7

With blog entries like “30 copyright things you can do” and “The Copyright MPs”, I ask Michael if he has always been politically active?

Michael Geist Interview - Part 5 of 7

How did Michael first get interested in internet law? And his view on the growing interest of the academics and general public in technology law.

Michael Geist Interview - Part 6 of 7

Michael talks about how internet is getting the voices of many people heard and reshaping our political processes, etc.

Michael Geist Interview - Part 7 of 7

Michael talks about current interests and focuses (including a discussion about ioptout.ca , a site that lets people opt out of annoying polling, “exempted” calls ).

P.S. Many thanks to Michael for meeting the members of the Calgary Chapter of Fair Copyright for Canada even after a non-stop day of workshop and seminar. And then spending another 30 minutes to chat with me. Thanks also go to the members of the Calgary Chapter who took time to meet and chat about Copyright and technology law issues to keep ourselves better informed of these important issues.

Tales of a Chinese Purchaser, Episode 7 (買手的故事, 第7集)

In episode 7, we talk about

• Case: The metal enclosure of a central vacuum cleaner system (案例：中央吸塵系統的金屬外殼)
• The advantage of using smaller and less automated factory (較小規模和較少的自動化工廠的優點)
• The making of a rather unique stainless steel key (生產特別的不銹鋼鑰匙)

You can click here to listen to episode 7 of the program in mp3 (or you can download or stream the program here).

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Program Info:

My friend Simon has worked as a Hong Kong-based purchaser for over 30 years before his retirement. Simon has agreed to record a series of Chinese audio shows/podcasts call “Tales of a Chinese Purchaser 買手的故事“ to share his years of experiences and insights in purchasing and working with Chinese factories.

(Note: This program has been recorded in the Cantonese dialect.)

Marie So and Carol Chyau, co-founders of Ventures in Development, at Kempton’s Virtual Cafe

It was a great delight to chat with Marie So and Carol Chyau, co-founders of Ventures in Development, after I blogged about their ventures in early March. My chat with Marie and Carol on air and off air gave me a great sense of their devotion and joy of being social entrepreneurs (helping people via a profit generating sustainable business). I really admire their effort in helping some very impoverished people in remote western China where there aren’t running water and most basic amenities.

The chat was Kempton’s Virtual Cafe’s first Skype conference call, where Marie called from Hong Kong, Carol called from Shanghai and I was in Calgary. We start our chat with my virtual cup of Tim Horton’s coffee, and Carol and Marie had some tasty yak butter tea (酥油茶) where we chat about their businesses - Mei Xiang Yak Cheese and Shokay (maker of luxury product using yak down (the Tibetan word for yak down is “Shokay”) and there personal experiences.

Please click here to listen to my chat with Marie and Carol (in mp3 audio) (or you can download or stream the program here).

*** Note: My apologies for the poor audio quality in parts of the chat. I have applied some audio magic to try to improve the listening experience but small parts of the chat are still tough to hear (drop outs and time delay, etc). Fortunately, most of the chat has good quality audio.

Tales of a Chinese Purchaser, Episode 6 (買手的故事, 第6集)

In episode 6, we talk about

• How to handle new product — Case: Alloy case for motor of garage door opener (如何處理好新產品 — 案例：車房門電動馬達的合金金屬外殼)
• The technical challenges of using a new motor (用新電動馬達技術上的挑戰)
• Economic benefit of sourcing this particular motor in China (在中國購買這電動馬達的經濟利益)

You can click here to listen to episode 6 of the program in mp3 (or you can download or stream the program here).

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Program Info:

My friend Simon has worked as a Hong Kong-based purchaser for over 30 years before his retirement. Simon has agreed to record a series of Chinese audio shows/podcasts call “Tales of a Chinese Purchaser 買手的故事” to share his years of experiences and insights in purchasing and working with Chinese factories.

(Note: This program has been recorded in the Cantonese dialect.)

Tales of a Chinese Purchaser, Episode 5 (買手的故事, 第5集)

In episode 5, we talk about

• How to handle new product - Case: Home security system control panel (如何處理好新產品 — 案例：家庭安全系統的控制面板)
• Rejected engineering samples (reasons and solutions) (不可接受的工程樣品（原因及解決方案))
• Cooperation between U.S. engineering and HK purchasing (美國工程部與香港採購的合作)
• A creative solution (有創意的解決辦法)

You can click here to listen to episode 5 of the program in mp3 (or you can download or stream the program here).

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Program Info:

My friend Simon has worked as a Hong Kong-based purchaser for over 30 years before his retirement. Simon has agreed to record a series of Chinese audio shows/podcasts call “Tales of a Chinese Purchaser 買手的故事” to share his years of experiences and insights in purchasing and working with Chinese factories.

(Note: This program has been recorded in the Cantonese dialect. And I hope to add the ability to subscribe to this show soon and make it a truly “podcast”.)

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Note: Sorry for the delay in posting episode 5.

Tales of a Chinese Purchaser, Episode 4 (買手的故事, 第4集)

In this episode, we talk about

• Guiding/helping sub-standard factories in becoming qualified suppliers (申援手改"劣品厰"為"合格供應商")

You can click here to listen to episode 4 of the program in mp3 (or you can download or stream the program here).

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Program Info:

My friend Simon has worked as a Hong Kong-based purchaser for over 30 years before his retirement. Simon has agreed to record a series of Chinese audio shows/podcasts call "Tales of a Chinese Purchaser 買手的故事" to share his years of experiences and insights in purchasing and working with Chinese factories.

(Note: This program has been recorded in the Cantonese dialect. And I hope to add the ability to subscribe to this show soon and make it a truly "podcast".)

Tales of a Chinese Purchaser, Episode 3 (買手的故事, 第3集)

Program Introduction

My friend Simon has worked as a Hong Kong-based purchaser for over 30 years before his retirement. Simon has agreed to record a series of Chinese audio shows/podcasts call “Tales of a Chinese Purchaser 買手的故事” to share his years of experiences and insights in purchasing and working with Chinese factories.

(Note: This program has been recorded in the Cantonese dialect. And I hope to add the ability to subscribe to this show soon and make it a truly “podcast“.)

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You can click here to listen to episode 3 of the program in mp3 (or you can download or stream the program here).

In this episode, we talk about

• Story of high carbon steel clips - missing de-hydrogen process after hardening (高碳鋼夾的故事 - 鋼夾見硬後未施予除氫工序)
• The trouble of Chinese supplier (factory owner) misusing factory spaces for personal handy crafts (供應商老板展示工藝品惹禍)

Tales of a Chinese Purchaser, Episode 2 (買手的故事, 第2集)

Program Introduction

My friend Simon has worked as a Hong Kong-based purchaser for over 30 years before his retirement. Simon has agreed to record a series of Chinese audio shows/podcasts call “Tales of a Chinese Purchaser 買手的故事” to share his years of experiences and insights in purchasing and working with Chinese factories.

(Note: This program has been recorded in the Cantonese dialect. And I hope to add the ability to subscribe to this show soon and make it a truly “podcast“.)

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You can click here to listen to episode 2 of the program in mp3 (or you can download or stream the program here).

In this episode, we talk about

• The difference in handling manufacturers and dealers/distributors (處理廠家和代理的分別)
• The complexity in buying something as “simple” as screws (買螺絲並不簡單)

Mike Dillon, General Counsel of Sun Microsystems, at Kempton’s Virtual Cafe

I’ve been a regular reader of Mike Dillon’s blog “The Legal Thing” since it was launched on Aug 9, 2006. Mike, a lawyer with over 20 years experiences and Sun Microsystems‘ General Counsel, has been very generous in sharing his insights and wisdom. It was my great pleasure to chat with Mike about ideas he talked about in his blog and follow up with him on a few topics raised.

You can listen to my audio chat with Mike in mp3 format (or you can download or stream the interview here). The following are the time codes with topics, including links to the related blog entries.

00:00 - 04:54 : Welcome Mike to Kempton’s Virtual Cafe and talking about Reebok Rules and Mike’s experience of being an in-house lawyer. Mike talks about writing his own updated set of rules to include new requirements from acts like SOX.

1. This should be interesting - Mike’s first blog entry. Joining 3,000 of fellow employees at Sun and their CEO to blog. Mike also explained how he got the name of his blog from the “Reebok Rules” (PDF file).
2. Thanks, ACC - This is where Mike first linked to the wonderful “Reebok Rules” for in-house counsel. Now, I think we all have something to learn from these rules even you may not be a lawyer. You may be pleasantly surprised. Reebok Rule #15 is — Do “The Legal Thing” (see page 8 of the PDF file).

04:54 - 07:25 : Not having an office and its impact. And the tools Mike uses (including SunRay and his Treo 680).

1. Where do you work? - A few more benefits are discussed here.

07:25 - 10:54 : The work to simplify contracts at Sun.

1. Mr. Edison’s Lawyer - Check out the cool Sun Grid as well.
2. Contracts with Clarity - Check out the difference between the old contract and the new and simplified one.

10:54 - 17:51 : On patents and patent trolls. And taking internal intellectual property and open sourcing it.

1. The “Tax” On Innovation
2. On Litigation … (AZUL)
3. The NetApp Litigation
4. The NetApp Litigation (Continued)

17:51 - 20:24: About Regulation Fair Disclosure and the ground breaking blog and comment exchange between Chairman Cox and Sun CEO Jonathan.

1. Reg FD - Setting some cool example.
2. Sunlight on a Cloudy Day - Cool, a blog comment from SEC Chairman Cox.
3. Free Virtualization, and Sun’s Q2 Results - Check out the bonus at the end of the “Safe Harbor Statement”. (smile)

20:24 - 24:52 : Building and evaluating leaders. Giving and sharing.

1. Building Leaders
2. Planting seeds during the holidays - Mike talks about teaching his children the idea of giving and sharing.
3. Kiva Update - an update on the “Planting seeds” entry

24:52 - 26:44 : Sun’s Project Blackbox (modular data center). About the Google patent on similar idea.

1. During the next “big one” - has a really cool YouTube video about Sun’s Blackbox (modular data center)

26:44 - 28:51 : About Sun’s diversified workforce and “Day in the Life” videos of employees around the world. I asked Mike to see if Sun will consider posting and sharing these videos which I think are very informative presentation.

1. Working to be unnoticed

28:51 - 33:13 : The issues and benefits of allowing comments in blogs. Other companies’ request of Sun’s help with respect to blogging policies, work environment, and flexible working arrangement.

1. A Nice Decision for Bloggers - good to know it is safe to have comments (at least in California (smile))
2. FYI: Here is my entry and unsuccessful effort to help CBC. “CBC Blogging guidelines“

33:13 - 34:47 : Creating online contents under licenses like Creative Commons.

1. Have a question about licenses - ask your teenager

34:47 - 36:03 : Sun’s involvement in the Peer to Patent project

1. A Different “P2P”

36:03 - End : Mike’s experiences in blogging so far and how will he blogs in the future.