An Engineer's experience moving from a MNC to a Technology Start-up
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Dr. Tan Guan Hong shares his transition from working in a multinational corporation to founding a technology start-up, highlighting the essential skills and qualities needed for future engineers to succeed. He emphasizes the importance of hard work, self-discipline, and adapting to challenges while underscoring the evolution of industry demands. The presentation offers insights into his career journey, lessons learned, and observations on global market dynamics in technology and engineering.
An Engineer's experience moving from a MNC to a Technology Start-up
- 1. Confidential and Copyright 1 An Engineer’s experience moving from a MNC to a Technology Start-Up Dr Tan Guan Hong Programme Director of I2R Synopsys 24 July 2013
- 2. Confidential and Copyright 2 Introduction To A*STAR
- 4. 1997/65% 2001/75% 2006/66% 2011/60% 2016/??
- 5. Confidential and Copyright 5 8 12
- 8. Multi Disciplinary Approach I2R Research Departments Infocomm Security Cybercrime & Security Intelligence Data Analytics Human Language Technology Neural & Biomedical Technology RF, Antenna & Optical Modulation & Coding Signal Processing Visual Computing Programme Director Tan Guan Hong Smart Grid Intelligent Transport Systems Robotics Ocular Imaging Video Behaviour Analytics Situational Awareness Analytics Reconfigurable System Wireless Chipset Power Aware Transceiver Photonic Switching Scalable Multimedia Platform Personalised Interactive Tele-Services Joint Labs Baidu I2R Research Centre (BIRC) I2R – Singapore Power I2R – STEE Info- comm IPAL (UMI CNRS 2955) A*STAR Initiatives Urban Systems Initiatives Sense & Sense-Abilities Business Analytics Translational Centre INTELLIGENCECOMMUNICATIONSMEDIA Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) Building Industry Relevant Solutions. Focus on market oriented, end-end solutions ENGINEERING
- 9. Confidential and Copyright 9 In this presentation, I will share my Engineering journey from an Engineer to start SysEng , a System Engineering Company, in 1994. Then diversify to Civil Sector, Water Sector and be acquired in 2009 by Tritech Ltd TriTech
- 10. Confidential and Copyright 10 How can we prepare our future Engineers to be competent and successful ? In this presentation, I will share my Engineering journey from an Engineer to start an Engineering Company and the challenges which I faced, highlighting the skills, competencies and values individuals require
- 11. Confidential and Copyright 11 Minimum Requirements:- •Hardworking (>12 hours per day and almost 7 days a week) •Full commitment with Drive and Ambition •Communication, People, Political and Social skills •Set example of 120% work standard •Leadership by example •Start Young (< 35) and Believe in yourself •Go against Norm (do what the average guy don’t do).. Don’t be a me too person •Challenge yourself to always be better yesterday •Able to transform your own habits •Self discipline
- 12. Confidential and Copyright 12 My past experiences have already shaped my future as there is no future without the past. These are my experiences
- 13. Confidential and Copyright 13 Born in Dec 1953 Started Electronics as a Hobby at age of 15 In 2nd year University course, best subjects were Electronics while the Electrical (Heavy Current) subjects had lower grades. But I still chose for the Electrical options ! My Head of Department called me up and asked me if I had make a mistake (He thought that my “England” was poor and mis-understood). •B. Eng Degree in 1976. •Ph.D. in Electrical Machines in 1979 (Wolf Safety Lamp Coy Industrial Scholarship)
- 14. Confidential and Copyright 14 Learn Electrical Engineering to bring R&D outcomes into a working prototype for a British SME 1976 to 1979
- 15. Confidential and Copyright 15 Industrial PhD: Increase 55W to 250W Generator 55 W Version
- 16. Confidential and Copyright 16 Modular Real Time Analog Computer • Product Design Improvement x5 in same packaging • Bridging Theory to Real World with Constraints • 2D Finite Element Method (FEM) Software Development and Electronic Design Stator Rare Earth Magnet Magnetic Field Prediction My work place for 3 years Green Engineer @ 23
- 17. Confidential and Copyright 17 Knowledge in Log scale KnowledgeintheWorld Read 101,000,000 1010 Understand 105 Apply 103 Education trains you to acquire Knowledge and apply what you have been trained for. This is normal forward path. I wanted the reverse, by understanding the market, then go back to the Knowledge Centers to pick what can make business sense Better look for solution to solve problem
- 18. Confidential and Copyright 18 Learn Product Design & Manufacturing Technologies for Global Market 1980 to 1993
- 19. Confidential and Copyright 19 My Philips Singapore History (Make Company Dependent on you !) March 1980 to Dec 1993 in Philips Singapore in Toa Payoh Audio-Radio Factory • Development Engineer (1980) myself • Senior Development Engineer (1981) myself • Section Manager (1982) 3 staff • Chief Engineer (1983) 6 staff • Quality Assurance Manager (1984) 80 staff • Production Engineering Manager(1987)12 staff • Engineering Manager (1988) 100 staff • Senior Manager (1991) 100 staff
- 20. Confidential and Copyright 20 First Big Challenge in Philips (1984 to 1986) •Promoted to be a Department Head of 80 staff in 1984 when Factory Quality was dropping ! •Negotiated with the GM that when the Quality was 99%, I would look for a new job function Average Quality dropping
- 21. Confidential and Copyright 21 Made my boss successful to be promoted to GM and I took over his Engineering Department in 1988 •Streamline Factory Process for Quality & Productivity and Flexibility •Reduce and De-skill manpower to be globally competitive Transform Factory from 0.5 day to Just In Time (JIT) Manufacturing lines Transformation
- 22. Confidential and Copyright 22 • Who am I without the Company Logo behind me ? • Can I stand on my own feet and make a living without the Logo behind me ? • We all can … as before our first job, we were actually unemployed Mid career crisis ? Done everything ? Bore ? Dr G H Tan B. Eng, Ph D Who am I without Philips ?
- 23. Confidential and Copyright 23 •As we have grown accustomed of the trappings of an MNC by its size & job security, we take it for granted •The reality is that we are a NOBODY without the Company Logo behind us •As an individual in an MNC, you are only 1 in their 1,000 staff. You are easily replaceable as MNC has a operating system in place anyone. This is their strength in the first place. •With Globalization, you are now calibrated with the talent globally. Embrace it rather than fear it
- 24. Confidential and Copyright 24 MNC 1st Jump Just starting to survive Fear Factor ? Loss of face ? Loss of income ? Many, many ????
- 25. Confidential and Copyright 25 The Barrier is actual you yourself ! In an MNC when you grow up, you have to be aggressive & push to get things done but when you start on your own you have to be more accommodating
- 26. Confidential and Copyright 26 Some people make things happen Some people watch what happen Some people wonder what happen
- 27. Confidential and Copyright 27 Employee Entrepreneur Boss Above him Himself Profit Nil Everything Loss Nil Proactively Avoids Salary GIRO Variable Pay rise Boss Himself Pay Loss Nil No Pay Stress 9 2 5 24 x 7 Holiday 14/Year Everyday Destiny Coy Himself Risk Avoid Challenge Decision EXCEL Back of envelope Spend By Budget Minimize
- 28. Confidential and Copyright 28 Don’t Know Know √ Self Aware of your own self Over confident ?Learning Over confident also, Arrogant ? Opportunity √ XXX KnowDon’t Know You
- 29. Confidential and Copyright 29 A domesticated Animal is fed from can food Keeps owner Happy In the home, the large Alsatian is the King compare to others and he is kept well fed Compare to a Wolf who has to hunt for food every day to survive ? They hunt as a team
- 30. Confidential and Copyright 30 We send two shoe salesmen to Africa to explore opportunities One told me “Boss, we can’t sell shoes as African don’t wear shoes”The other told me “Boss, we have Huge Market as Africans don’t wear shoes” Both saw this ???
- 31. Confidential and Copyright 31 Learn How to start a Test Engineering Company from Ground Zero 1994
- 32. Confidential and Copyright 32 System Engineering
- 33. Confidential and Copyright 33 Rotate 90 degrees Sine and Square Waves Analog and Digital Technologies
- 34. Confidential and Copyright 34 Test Engineering Business line PCBA Flying Probe Tester Motor Tester Step Angle Motor Tester Fax Functional Tester DC Motor Tester Water meter Tester
- 35. Confidential and Copyright 35 Trends in Singapore and World in 2000
- 36. Confidential and Copyright 36 See what Young people want to do, then do what they don’t want to do. Go to areas of excess and Supply to areas of shortages They like to do :- Office type of work and computers Business Opportunity :- Use technologies to do the Dirty & Mundane work, Glorify them using technologies
- 37. Confidential and Copyright 37 Cost Structure changes in Singapore • Move from Low Cost Economy to Knowledge Intensive Industries • Cost structure moves from (High Material & Low Manpower) to (Low Material & High Manpower) • Trend follows Europe. No longer repair at component level but swap at module level for servicing • Professional equipment and services are commoditized for a larger market like Computers, Mobile Communication Devices, Medical Devices. Material 80% Manpower 20% 1970 to 1980 1990 to 2020 High Man Value Knowledge Base Service Low Man Cost Economy Material 20% Manpower80%
- 38. Confidential and Copyright 38 Singapore Growth Curve with the Emergence of China & India 1970 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 Electronics Peak of Electronics Civil, Water, Transport Bio Tech, Nano Material Growth 1980
- 39. Confidential and Copyright 39 Every Business, Every Product, Every Service has a Life span unless you are in basic essentials like Water, Food, Energy, Transport. Even these changes with the method of generation, delivery and consumption 50 70 80 90 2000 10 20 30 Cassettes 60 Water, Food, Energy & Transport Video Tapes Desktop Computer Mobile Phones 40 50 CD / DVD Smart Phones
- 40. Confidential and Copyright 40 •Electronic has 2 peaks (Summer & Xmas sales) in a year •Construction has 1 peak every 3 years Business Cycle Peak & Dip
- 41. Confidential and Copyright 41 Learn How to start Diversify to Civil Engineering Sector using Test Technologies 2001
- 42. SysEng R&D Investment in Structural Health Monitoring of Highway Bridge in April 2001
- 43. May 2001
- 44. Confidential and Copyright 44 In Business Times 23th March 2003, SysEng was featured at the center page by IDA as a State of the Art Wire-less Technology System Developer for Automatic Tunnel Monitoring System. This is the innovative method of deploying Wire- less and Inforcomm Technologies for Tunnel Monitoring
- 45. 20 April 2004 April 2004 Crisis comes with Opportunity
- 46. Real Time Monitoring for Marina Bay Sands •Sensors are measured and processed every 10 minutes and available in the secured website using Machine to Machine Technologies (M2M) •300 MEMs Tilt sensors for structure movements •400 VW Strain Gages and 400 Temperatures for cast-in, Post- tensioning and strut monitoring •System handles 158,400 sensor readings per day Confidential and Copyright Sept 2006
- 47. Confidential and Copyright 47
- 48. ` Future LTA Projects till 2020March 2007 and I will be 67 years old !
- 49. Confidential and Copyright 49 Construction M2M Approach 2007 Sensors and Domain Specific Devices Horizontal Technologies •Mobile •Internet •Network Data Collection, Analysis, Management & Alert Environmental Transport Facility/Building Healthcare Manufacturing SupplyChain Project Specific Development
- 50. Confidential and Copyright 50 Started in January 1994 to provide One Stop Shop for Factory Test Solutions from Design to Production Remote Instrumentation for Buildings, Tunnels and Bridges Real Time Monitoring & Alert systems using Wire-less and Internet for Civil Engineering Machine 2 Machine (M2M) Solution Provider
- 51. Confidential and Copyright 51 The Biggest Challenge at this stage of SysEng Growth in 2007 •How to move to the Next Stage of Growth ? •Which sector ? •What type of Organization is needed for the future ? •How to transform team to the next Organization ?
- 52. Confidential and Copyright 52 A snake has to shed its old skin to grow. An organization has to shed the irrelevant business units and resources to grow to the next size
- 53. Confidential and Copyright 53 As company evolves, each will rise to his level of incompetence (Peter’s Principle) •Can you accept your former customer to be your boss in 5 years time ? •Is the company bigger than you or you are bigger than the company ? •Do you use people’s strengths or use their weakness in a team? •Are you aware of your own weakness and strength ?
- 54. Confidential and Copyright 54 4 Ms which I started with are Man, Machine , Materials & Methods Now I have learned that another 2 more are even more important Market & Money
- 55. Confidential and Copyright 55 Handling Known Knowns & Known Unknowns
- 56. Confidential and Copyright 56 The business has 3 domain blocks Electronics Software Civil Engineering For business to work, all 3 sub-blocks must work Each sub-block has 2 states, “0” Not-working Logic and “1” Working Logic This business has 2 x 2 x 2 possible combinations (23) to work or fail Profits
- 57. Confidential and Copyright 57 The business has 3 functional sub-blocks 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 For business to work, the probability is 1 / 23 = 1/8 = 12% The possibility of unit not working is 7/8=88% ! When getting it to work, can you assume that the person has the skills to troubleshoot any of the 7/8 ? Unlikely
- 58. Confidential and Copyright 58 The business has 3 functional sub-blocks 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 How it works is a Known Knowns of 1 combination And Known failure occurs is a Known Unknowns of 7 combinations
- 59. Confidential and Copyright 59 Learn How to start Diversify to Water Sector using Test Technologies & Civil Engineering Out-door deployment 2008
- 61. Confidential and Copyright PUB Command Center for Live Flood Sensor readings and Video Wall
- 62. Confidential and Copyright 62
- 63. Real Time Track Record Aug 2012 Confidential and Copyright Outdoor stations over 710 km2 Project Number of Stations Number of Parameters Interval Frequency of monitoring / Day Amount of Data / Day Water Gauging Station 30 76 15 min 96 7,296 Water Vertical Profiler 24 2,474 15 min 96 237,504 Water Hydrometric Flow 53 265 10 min 144 38,160 Total Suspended Solid Monitoring 25 75 10 min 144 10,800 s::can Station 5 30 10 min 144 4,320 Water Level 66 189 10 min 144 27,216 Reservoir Level Monitoring 17 51 5 min 288 14,688 Metrological Station 2 8 10 min 144 1,152 Rain Stations 60 120 5 min 288 34560 RTWQMS India ,River Ganges 10 140 15 min 96 1344 Rain Stations 64 64 15 min 96 6144 Camera 66 132 10 min 144 19,008 Low Tension Alarm Panel 8 32 10 min 144 4,608 Fleet Management 408 3,264 1 Week 0.1 466.3 Geotechnical Monitoring 75 3,173 10 min 144 456,912 Structural Monitoring 33 3,899 6 hours 4 15,596 Total 919 13,619 1,732 879,774 Amount of Data Points / Month 26,393,220
- 64. Confidential and Copyright 64 In 2012 • 45% of LTA Real Time Monitoring Projects • 75% of PUB Real Time Monitoring Projects
- 65. Confidential and Copyright 65 Tritech Marble Business in 2012
- 66. Confidential and Copyright 66 Bought 33 years marble mining rights in Kelantan Tritech group have Geologist who can core the rock and assess ourselves rather than depend on the seller “independent” geologist report to buy the mine Tritech has Water Membrane manufacturing in Qingdao China, Water Monitoring business Water monitoring will determine where to put water filtration plant along the river and give access to local plant builders to supply membranes Good quality marble are sold as blocks. Broken marbles are turn into Grounded Calcium Carbonate (GCC) which are used for pH correction in water treatment plants.
- 67. Confidential and Copyright 67 Reminder ………Minimum Requirements:- •Hardworking (>12 hours per day and almost 7 days a week) •Full commitment with Drive and Ambition •Communication, People Political and Social skills •Set example of 120% work standard •Leadership by example •Start young and Believe in yourself •Go against norm (do what the average guy don’t do).. Don’t be a me too person •Challenge yourself to always be better yesterday •Able to transform your own habits •Self discipline •Always ask Why ?, Why ? Why ? (three times) •Continuously Knowledge Acquisition
- 68. Thank you Email : tangh@i2r.a-star.edu.sg