High-Growth Markets are Hotbeds of Entrepreneurialism
3/19/2007

by Henri Richard, AMD Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer

One of the greatest success stories to come out of the 50x15 Initiative is what AMD and our industry partners have accomplished in Greater China this year — connecting literally millions of citizens, students, and teachers across the country to the Internet.

What's more, our work with Dawning, Founder, Lenovo, the Ministry of Education, and other technology partners continues unabated. At last count, we had deployed more than 200,000 desktop and server systems to schools across 18 provinces, and the revenue we're generating from this effort is respectable. Who knows what these numbers might look like a year from now?

The 50x15 Initiative represents AMD's commitment to connect half of the world's population to the Internet by 2015, using new, innovative technology solutions and business models. Our work in Greater China is particularly important, because it illustrates just how far out of phase conventional wisdom can be with reality when it comes to providing technology to people in high-growth regions.

The reality is that customers in high-growth markets look for the best technology in the same way that customers in traditional markets do. They are highly motivated, business savvy, proactive, and sensitive to established brands. They are not looking for a handout or charity. Like their counterparts in Europe, Japan, and North America, they want the right technological tools to enable their vision for a better, more productive life.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

The human aspects of digital inclusion are compelling and surprising. I continue to be amazed by how pervasive the entrepreneurial spirit is everywhere around the world — especially in high-growth regions. The conventional wisdom holds that people in these areas require continuous assistance just to survive. Let me illustrate why that assumption is wrong.

In a tiny, remote village on a mountainside in Mexico, a close-knit community is invisible to all but the few tourists and government workers who make the long trek to explore this hidden treasure. This community is proud of its long history, its unique language, and its special culture.

The elderly women who are the heart and soul of the village spend their days producing and selling handmade purses and similar accessories to visitors who pass through. These novelties are beautifully crafted and full of vibrant colors. Right now, the women are able to sell just enough of these items to eke out a threadbare living.

During a recent trip to this village, several AMD representatives sat down with these women and discovered that they are some of the savviest businesspeople you'll find anywhere. These women desperately want computers and Internet access for themselves and their village so they can take their business global.

They want to reach as many new customers as possible around the world, and they know the only way to do that is to tap into the digital economy. What's more, they want a business partner to help them reach their goal.

I'm ready to do business. How about you?