The Sunday Times March 16 2008
EBIS brings affordable business information to SMEs
Leonard Tan, Managing Director and Founder of PurpleClick Media Pte Ltd
Back in November 2005, Leonard Tan saw a business opportunity while working with an international internet search engine company. With the rapid growth of the internet, Leonard noticed that many advertisers were not maximizing their advertising dollar on the web and realized there was a marketing need to be fulfilled.
One year later, at the age of 30, Leonard decided to strike out his own and started PurpleClick Media, a search engine marketing firm which provides online advertising and helps clients enhance their website ranking in search engines like Yahoo, Google and MSN.
Last year, Leonard was looking at expanding the business to Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. “We were unfamiliar with the market conditions in these countries. Good market research data was hard to come by especially with an emerging market such as Vietnam. Even Indonesia, which is an established market, does not have adequate market data.”
“And like any other SME, we didn’t have extra funds to do research or market entry feasibility studies on our own,” recalled Leonard.
Fortunately, Leonard heard about the EnterpriseOne Business Information Services (EBIS). EBIS is an information consulting service that helps local businesses indentify their information needs and assists in accessing online business databases.
Leonard said, “An info-consultant at the EBIS centre the statistics on the internet penetration rates and online usage.”
Armed with this information PurpleClick Media finally set up a subsidiary in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia late last year. Leonard shares, “For entrepreneurs likes us, most office hours are spent on meeting clients and clinching deals. Paper work and market research are often done after office hours. With EBIS’ online access to numerous business databases, I can get a lot of information at my convenience. This is a huge incentive for companies or new entrepreneurs who are fighting for time to build their businesses.”
“EBIS provided us with the very comprehensive data on our target markets. The report covered advertising trends, demographic information and a list of the competition. What we found particularly useful were the statistics on the internet penetration rates and online usage.”
LEONARD TAN
MANAGING DIRECTOR / FOUNDER
OF PURPLECLICK MEDIA PTE LTD
“Doing business in itself is already a big challenge,” Leonard revealed. “And to do it in a foreign territory poses even greater challenges. EBIS provides a good source of business information that would empower any organization looking to venture overseas.”
At a glance
A multi-agency initiative led by the Singapore Business Federation in partnership with National Library Board, SPRING Singapore and International Enterprise Singapore, the EnterpriseOne Business Information Services provide:
Information Consulting Services
Info-consultants guide and assist EBIS subscribers in locating the business information they need.
Industry Research Reports
The EBIS industry research reports cover seven industry sectors. Companies can tap into emerging trends and developments in industries like media advertising, food and beverage and services, among others.
Industry Workshops and Seminars
Help from EBIS doesn’t need to stop once your business is set up to go. There are annual workshops to update you on industry sectors and opportunities in emerging markets such as China, India, Vietnam, Thailand and the Middle East. Register online at www.ebis.sg or call 6 827 6830. The annual subscription fee is $117.20.