ValueBuddies.com : Value Investing Forum - Singapore, Hong Kong, U.S.

Rule 1: Better before cheaper — compete on differentiators other than price.
Rule 2: Revenue before cost — prioritise increasing revenue over reducing costs.
Rule 3: There are no other rules — so change anything you must to follow Rules 1 and 2.

What does it sound?

3 rules for making a company truly great

Much of the strategy and management advice that business leaders turn to is unreliable or impractical. That is because those who would guide us underestimate the power of chance.

Gurus draw pointed lessons from companies whose outstanding results may be nothing more than random fluctuations. Almost no one provides scientifically credible answers to every business leader’s basic questions about superior performance: Which companies are worth studying? What sets them apart? How can we follow their examples?

http://www.todayonline.com/business/mana...ruly-great

(15-04-2013, 10:42 AM)CityFarmer Wrote: [ -> ]Rule 1: Better before cheaper — compete on differentiators other than price.
Rule 2: Revenue before cost — prioritise increasing revenue over reducing costs.
Rule 3: There are no other rules — so change anything you must to follow Rules 1 and 2.

What does it sound?

3 rules for making a company truly great

Much of the strategy and management advice that business leaders turn to is unreliable or impractical. That is because those who would guide us underestimate the power of chance.

Gurus draw pointed lessons from companies whose outstanding results may be nothing more than random fluctuations. Almost no one provides scientifically credible answers to every business leader’s basic questions about superior performance: Which companies are worth studying? What sets them apart? How can we follow their examples?

http://www.todayonline.com/business/mana...ruly-great

There was 2 SGX companies that I was familiar with and found to be investment worthy (wouldn't say they belong to the 'truly great' category though:

Unisteel
- happened to be doing something that was very important to it's customer product, yet comparatively speaking, did not account for that much of the customer's cost.
- it took a focused approach, hence having good reputation with its customers
- thus, I guess this is one possible way to achieve that above average ROE? That is, using a customer focused approach and happen to be selling something that is very important to the customer, but yet little on the cost. This increases the power of the company over its customers. There is little incentive to switch.

Sincere Watch
- luxury watch industry pretty much depends on whether principals 'like' you right? Well, Tay Liam Wee's fantastic at that. Managed to get exclusive rights to distribute Franck Muller watches in north asia. Pretty much boosted the return as compared to retailing.
- I guess this is considered a customer centric/focuses approach also? Also can get one the above average return...