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By Katie Martin
ID Dunedin not only showcased fabulous
talent on the catwalk but it also provided, thanks
to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, a seminar with speaker
Jack Yan, global fashion website publisher
and co-author of “Beyond Branding” (Kogan
Page, London, 2003).
Jack Yan founded Jack Yan & associates,
one of the world’s first virtual firms, in 1987. He is
a graduate of Scots College and Victoria University of
Wellington. His company is based or represented in over
a dozen countries worldwide. Among his company’s interests
are business consulting, imaging, software and media,
including the fashion magazine brand Lucire (see www.lucire.com).
Where is Lucire based?
Lucire started in Wellington in 1997, but has bureaux
in New York, Long Beach, San Francisco, Melbourne, London
and other centres.
Who is a typical Lucire reader?
We think of the Lucire reader as the “well travelled girl”.
Statistically, she is usually aged between 25 and 34 with
an average household income of between US$40,000 and US$50,000.
Her mindset is global, and she doesn’t view other countries
as separate from her own.
Where are Lucire’s readers? Only
2.6 per cent of Lucire’s readers are from New Zealand.
Around 48 per cent are from the United States, with Canada
(6.7 per cent), the UK (5.9 per cent) and Australia (4
per cent) next. Jacks speech was very entertaining and
inspiring and it was the kind of speech that made you
want to get out of your seat and start doing great things.
Here are some things I learnt from the
speech that I think would be helpful to everyone reading
this.
10 points to make this country
great-
1. Whatever you do, you must have a dream
or a vision that encompasses not just you but what you
can do for your nation and planet. This attracts people
who can help you because it’s hard to change the world
alone.
2. Never get swayed from that dream
3. Being in New Zealand is the greatest advantage you
can ever have, because you are allowed to think and create
new things. Never be scared about taking a risk because
there is no shame in falling over. Provided you did everything
ethically, you have nothing to worry about.
4. New Zealand is about independence, innovation and intuition.
5. Honour is what separates the greats from the also-rans,
not money. Hence we admire those who are responsible.
6. Always look for win-win relationships
7. The minute you start caring more about money, rivalry
or documented contracts, take a chill pill and ask yourself
why you are in business.
8. Having international standards is not being wanky.
9. It is about time we restored our unity of purpose.
We need to show the world we are innovators.
10. Love life, find something you love to do and you will
never feel like you Are “working” “You must have a vision
and never let go of it, because eventually you do get
what you wish for”.
Well. Have fun tossing these thoughts
around in your head, and I hope they have inspired you
as much as they did me. Try sticking them in your diary
or on the fridge; you don’t have to read them all the
time but they will be there as a reminder that life is
great and that you can achieve your dreams if you put
your mind to it.
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