AsianScientist (Aug. 11, 2022) – Apple, Fb, Razer and extra—quite a few well-known corporations began out as SMEs and gained entry to worldwide markets by addressing shoppers’ ever-changing wants. Whereas worldwide enlargement stays the target of a lot of Singapore’s SMEs, it’s no straightforward feat.
From differing product rules specs to discovering the wants of an entire new market, new entrepreneurs can face main challenges whereas going international. Nonetheless, with an entrepreneurial veteran on their aspect, SMEs could possibly navigate abroad markets with better ease.
One such information, IPI Innovation Advisor Dr. Loh Wah Sing, faucets into roughly 5 a long time of trade expertise within the chemical substances and supplies sectors to assist SMEs take care of operational challenges in addition to shoot for worldwide progress.
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Constructing a harmonious working relationship
A former Deputy Govt Director of the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Science at Singapore’s Company for Science, Expertise and Analysis, Loh’s fruitful profession encompasses a number of senior technical and administration appointments in sectors starting from chemical substances and supplies to precision engineering and environmental administration.
One notably notable invention of Loh’s is a long-lasting, algae-resistant paint developed particularly for humid climates like Singapore’s. The answer gained him substantial recognition, together with the Establishment of Engineers Singapore’s Innovator Award, and continues for use on public housing estates since 1991.
Accordingly, Loh’s experience lies in growing market-oriented know-how, from proof-of-concept to commercialization. His outstanding acumen has allowed him to help SMEs as they determine and clear up challenges throughout product and repair growth in addition to commercialization.
By fostering an intimate and productive working relationship with purchasers who search his skilled steering, Loh adopts a client-centered strategy and positive factors extra perception into the boundaries they face.
“I all the time attempt to know each the market in addition to the corporate ecosystem,” mentioned Loh. “Having in-depth dialogues with purchasers provides me a window into their views, which makes it simpler for me to get to the foundation of their issues.”
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Prime ideas for industrial success
In his expertise, Dr Loh has discovered {that a} main problem corporations usually face is knowing the detailed wants of the market and pivoting their product to swimsuit them. He believes that by remaining affected person, gathering knowledge and beginning on a small scale, corporations can confidently develop invaluable options which are prone to succeed.
“I like to recommend going out to interview prospects along with laboratory work. Our perceptions of what the market wants and precise suggestions from shoppers could also be solely totally different,” defined Loh. “Many innovators who don’t do that sufficient find yourself with services or products that want a substantive re-work or in excessive instances, change into white elephants.”
Having mentioned this, Dr Loh additionally shared the episode of how a supposedly doomsday non-sticking adhesive pattern ready in 3M’s laboratory was subsequently changed into the extensively publicized post-it observe enterprise.
Developed over his profession as a scientist, Loh additionally has a knack for translating complicated scientific content material into comprehensible phrases that purchasers could make sense of. With clear and concise info, miscommunication will be averted throughout the session course of and purchasers’ wants are naturally higher conveyed.
“You should be capable of speak in a layman language that purchasers perceive, not utilizing high-sounding ideas or sophisticated chemical reactions for illustration,” added Loh.
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Giving corporations energy to face on their very own
Making use of his seasoned abilities in his position as an IPI Innovation Adviser, Dr Loh presently offers skilled recommendation to Siang Could, a market chief within the manufacturing of artificial fibre merchandise utilized in varied industries starting from agriculture and aquaculture to industrial and sport fishing.
With Dr Loh’s help, Siang Could is within the strategy of growing a collection of recent services focusing on markets that may result in simpler use of sources and better value efficiency advantages for each current and new purchasers thereby contributing to sustainability. The corporate’s in-house R&D staff will widen and deepen collaboration with native R&D centres to hurry up achievement of the objectives.
With a wealth of expertise in innovation and commercialization, Dr Loh is well-positioned to help and information Singapore’s SMEs, throughout quite a lot of industries, as they navigate the challenges of taking their services abroad.
“It’s significant to me that I’m in a position to assist budding SMEs and provides again to the society inside my means and experience,” mentioned Dr Loh.
Asian Scientist Journal is a content material accomplice of IPI.
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