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[nop_90]

And the Jollibee in SF went belly-up a few months back and closed.  What works in one place doesn't necessarily work in another.

I don't understand why
How could Americans not like "Happy Birthday Spaghetti"
Everyone knows Spaghetti should contain sliced hotdogs, and enough sugar that you get diabetes after eating it.
I hate fuking jolibee, I hate fuking "Happy Birthday Spaghetti".
Filipinos sometimes also like to make potato salad with mayonnaise sweet also.
I think they also throw chunks of fruit in it also.

Anyway what you said pretty much sums it up

[isthisthingon]

If the only way for something to be "successful" is to have complete, utter world domination then there is not a brand in the world that is successful.

Not to be argumentative, () but there are plenty of multi-nationals that perfectly fit the description of "successful everywhere," or at least everywhere that would be desirable for the product(s) in question. So Hitachi does just fine here in America as well as the Asian markets, Europe, etc. Toshiba, Sony, Samsung, Nintendo, blah, blah, blah, all enjoy plenty of success here in the states and I believe fairly equally around the world too.

The difference is that Apple, quite arguably, would desperately love to penetrate certain Asian markets better yet they are rather immature when it comes to international business. Here in America we're so lazy and frankly un-inspired that a company that tells us what to think, buy, do, and believe in order to sustain our withering self-image is far more successful than in places where the public decides these things more for itself.

Certainly a broad generalization (as usual for discussions here ). But also I think in general the rest of the world has an unfair advantage over America, because American/western culture along with the English language permeates much more of the world than other cultures - by far.

"Toyota's are like butts: everybody has one."

[perkiset]

I think basing the notion of "success" on whether or not Apple is in a particular market is silly. Equal to your points, ITTO, are that there are lots and lots of multinationals that are NOT in every country around the world. Since Apple is now 35th in the Forbes 100, has surpassed Microshaft in gross revenue and profit and is the largest company in the US based on capitalization, I'd say they know what they are doing and are successful.

And I stand on my point earlier as well: They were knocking on deaths door a decade ago. They've had to do some REALLY amazing things to get back to where they are. They are starting to penetrate the Asian market and I'd lay even money that they will be a real contender and viable force within 3 years.

@ uninspired, lazy etc: I think you overestimate the rest of the world meng. Marketing may take a different tact or use different colors or say different things, but it's all about telling people what to buy ... and those companies that are doing it in Asia successfully right now simply understand that rhythm. I think it would be a huge mistake to assume that the average Chinese salaryman is any less susceptible to the wiles of good marketing than the average American Joe. The message, by necessity, is different but the end game is the same.

[isthisthingon]

and is the largest company in the US based on capitalization

 

I thought that was Exxon but that's pretty impressive if true. Still, the universal self-preservation of corporations and constant need of expansion would indicate that regardless of domestic success, Apple would dearly *desire to more deeply penetrate various other markets around the world. I'm not talking about places where people can only pay with livestock. But where there's serious money there's got to be serious interest in tapping into it.

One of the other risks of failing to gain market share in other desirable and related markets is the cool factor itself. If something becomes sufficiently "cool" in an influential market such as tech in Japan, the ones left behind are those with the least clout in the market in question. But no question about Apple's success in terms of wealth amassed.

[perkiset]

I don't disagree at all. I think it's patently obvious that Apple wants the Asian market. I was just expressing that, IMO, they are really only recently in an position to try to do so, so I don't think there's any kind of institutional failure, so much as noobness.

[isthisthingon]

noobness 

[perkiset]

Threads this morning on topic:
Apple climbs to 35th in Fortune 500

IDC says smartphones grew 79.7%, Apple takes #2 spot behind Nokia

Apple starts selling iPads to long lines and sellouts in China


Note that this is NOTHING compared to the US yet, but again, I think it's fair to say that we've only begun to see Apple's assault on the Chinese (et al) market.

[isthisthingon]

All those people lining up to take a bite of the fruit of knowledge thereby risking expulsion from the garden of Eden, only to wind up in yet another walled garden 

Seriously though, that creepy Apple logo on that building reminds me of the eye of Mordor 

[perkiset]

  Frickin' great.

Actually if you look at the thread, you'll see that the Chinese employees are not only wearing the exact same uniforms ( ) as the American stores but are even lined up for the incoming rush in the sort of "Pad Walk" formation. It's so Disneyesque its pretty frightening. My two sons asked if they should apply to Apple as a first job.

Um, that'd be a "No."

[isthisthingon]

Just show them this and I think they'll reconsider applying

[perkiset]

 

A great flaming pussy with an Apple herp' in the middle.

[isthisthingon]

A great flaming pussy with an Apple herp' in the middle.

Wow man, guess that's what happens when you "Think Different" 

[nop_90]

The difference is that Apple, quite arguably, would desperately love to penetrate certain Asian markets better yet they are rather immature when it comes to international business. Here in America we're so lazy and frankly un-inspired that a company that tells us what to think, buy, do, and believe in order to sustain our withering self-image is far more successful than in places where the public decides these things more for itself.

You hit the nail on the head ITTO. This is what I have trying to say.
Coke figured this out 50+ years ago. That is why I posted that Coke movie propaganda made in the Philippines ages ago.
Coke is basically some brown shit, sugar, CO2 and water. Chemically Filipino Coke is exactly the same as American Coke.
But it is not the same product.

Note that this is NOTHING compared to the US yet, but again, I think it's fair to say that we've only begun to see Apple's assault on the Chinese (et al) market.

That is a crowd ? More fucking people came to the blessing of my house FFS. Lame.
And I am in a rural area. In a city with a population of 20 Million + it would not even count as a small gathering
This is a crowd my child

That is by the Robinson Galleria Mall. Edsa 2. The lady is the shrine.
That is only a "piece" of the crowd. If you would pan the 360 degrees around there would be more people.

Chinese employees are not only wearing the exact same uniforms.
It's so Disneyesque its pretty frightening.
My two sons asked if they should apply to Apple as a first job.

You are a smart guy perks. In many things a lot smarter then me
But the above statement shows a total lack of understanding of Asian beliefs and culture.

In a successful Asian company. All employees wear uniforms. It is partially to stop competition among employees.
But also also to show they are one "family".
So with the San Migel Brewing company. All men wear what looks like a beer delivery uniform.
From the guy who actually drives the truck to the vice presidents. Granted the vice president's uniforms are custom tailor made, and made with finer materials
They wear the uniform with pride because they are part of the San Migel "Family".
When you hire an employee in Asia, it is like getting a family member.
You have to look after the employee, in exchange he will give you his loyalty.
But as an employer, do not abuse that loyalty.
You might be asked to solve problems which you think are not your problem.
 
Yesterday my brother had a "small" wedding party. The main one will happen tomorrow.
I had sponsored a basketball team a few months ago. As a result I had T-Shirts made which where red for my team.
They where very cheap T-Shirt. Some people asked if they could have a T-Shirt, even though they are not on the team.
They where so cheap, like $1 each I said why not. So I had 50 more made.
Anyway day before wedding like 25+ people showed up to help. I had 4 pigs, 2 goats etc.
Without me saying anything, they all where wearing the red T-shirt I gave them. If they did not have one they just wore a normal red shirt.
Because I am part of the "community" people support me.
Most foreigners are stupid, they spend more money replacing stolen stuff, hiring security etc, then I spend giving back.
Meanwhile they have constant problems etc.
I have many plants and trees in my garden they where all given to me. All the foriegners ask how much did you spend ?
I reply nothing They do not believe.
All the people that work for me, I look after, so that means company outings etc.

When people have problems, they come and ask me, "Uncle" for advice.
"Uncle" is a bit of a "scam". Most of the time I have no idea what they are saying. But my wife translates.
I then pretend to look thoughtful and pondering
I then ask my wife, what do you think is the best solution. So I then tell my wife, tell them I said that.
"Uncle" is very wise

But "Uncle" has no "real power".
A few months ago there was a massive mahjong/gambling tournament going on by the main road.
I guess it was causing problems for over a week, and many people where upset.
So I then told a few people who where gambling, that I did not think it was a good idea to expose children to gambling.
I then suggested maybe they should move the location. (You can not stop gambling, so I did a compromise).
The next morning the gambling tournament was moved to a more private location, because it was upsetting "Uncle".

It is not what you do, but how you do it
But what do I know ?
All the Americanos who have attempted to do business in the Philippines and failed horribly tell me I am "stupid".
They are a lot smarter then "Uncle" in USA, but not in the Philippines

[perkiset]

This is a quite simple point to me: Huge, incredible success does not depend on deploying in a country you think has value. Honestly I could give a damn if Apple is successful in Asia (although I think THEY really want to succeed). They have gotten to where they are WITHOUT it. You miss the fundamental point: The Yin and Yang do not demonstrate the way things are, they show a fraction of a moment of balanced perfection. As is now with business - to imagine that things are now the way they will be is silly. The market is a huge, chaotic, frenetic beast with a million heads - and Apple is a big one now. To underestimate their ingenuity, perseverance or ability to adapt would be quite naive. JUST as it is naive for Americans to think that Asians do not invent, adapt or are not every bit as driven as the most aspirational American.

It's going to be quite an interesting battle, and Apple has the cash, revenue and momentum to stay in it for a long, long time. I do not assert, at all, that they will win or lose. But they will play and it will be great to watch what they do and gauge how they perform.

[perkiset]

BTW: Apple's iPad2 sells out China in less than 4 hours

Apple’s flagship store in Beijing attracted a massive crowd of customers and scalpers, who started lining up at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Overnight customers were treated well: there was a special waiting room for them to sleep in, and everyone got a wristband, allowing them to leave the line for an hour and return to their place in line.

Dude. You can say all you want, but there's a pretty reasonable amount of buzz and demand.