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The Great Integration: Technology, talent and transformation in Asia
The Economic Times· 2026-02-11 07:10
Group 1: Economic and Business Insights - The 1980s were characterized by a strong American work ethic and significant career opportunities, with a notable appeal in its music, intellectual strength, and economic power [1] - Indian economic reforms began in the 1980s, leading to a foreign exchange crisis in the early 1990s and subsequent major reforms [2] - Japan's economic narrative in the 1980s was dominated by its real estate valuation, which at one point suggested the Imperial Palace grounds were worth more than all of California's real estate [2] - General Electric (GE) was a leading company with a market cap of $600 billion in 2000, emphasizing management principles that remain relevant today [14] Group 2: Shifts in Business Strategy - The transition from operational efficiency to strategic focus and then to cultural importance reflects the evolution of business practices as companies scale [3] - The concept of SOAR thinking (strengths, opportunities, aspirations, results) is presented as a more applicable framework than traditional SWOT analysis in real-world business scenarios [4] - The rise of Asia, particularly Hong Kong, is noted as a significant shift in career opportunities, surpassing Europe by the late 1990s [5] Group 3: Technological Developments - The 2000s saw the emergence of niche markets, exemplified by Google disrupting the advertising market and the valuation of Chobani yogurt at $20 billion in 2025 [6] - Bill Gates' observation about underestimating long-term technological changes highlights the transformative impact of innovations like electric cars and artificial intelligence [7] - The rise of artificial intelligence is accompanied by concerns of overcapacity in AI infrastructure, reminiscent of the early internet bubble's telecom investments [12][15] Group 4: Investment and Market Trends - The acquisition of CG Power during the uncertainty of Covid-19 exemplifies antifragile thinking, with the asset now valued at approximately $11 billion [11] - The potential for significant losses in AI infrastructure investments is noted, as the market may be oversaturated with players [12][15] - The concept of "grindcore," combining hard work and hustle, is introduced as a new mindset for success in the tech industry [13]