December 2011 - KICTANet

ST NICK WAS A SMART BUSINESS MAN AS WELL
by Titus Ngeno 24 Dec '11

24 Dec '11

Father Christmas, Saint Nick, or - as he is better known - Santa Claus, is a symbol of the global economy. After all, he is an exporter - he delivers goods (toys) to consumers (children who are good) across the world. For those of you who don't believe it, look more closely at Santa Claus' operation. You will find that Santa's business operation, structure and delivery system follow all the best practices of thriving export businesses. First of all, Santa Claus is a born globalist. He realized long ago that the North Pole has a limited domestic market for toys. He therefore decided to run his business on an international basis. This is an important lesson for many companies in small countries. If you have a limited domestic market, you should think about exporting. Second, like most successful global businesses, Santa Claus is a well-known brand and has built a sustainable export business around this brand while keeping his corporate headquarters in the North Pole. In this way, he maintains a worldwide brand while maintaining the company's roots and strong local identity (which is part of his brand's strength and reputation). This is a good lesson for potential exporters. Third, Santa Claus has maintained a high standard of human resource management. He has a stable, loyal workforce and good industrial relations. In fact, there's never been a strike or lockout at the North Pole. Santa's Little Helpers have been with the company all their careers and have hence built up strong networks and knowledge about the company and its operations. Research shows that long-serving employees are the best knowledge workers, as their experience and social networks make them far more effective to the company than younger workers. Furthermore, good wages and conditions help too. Research also demonstrates that exporting companies on average pay higher wages and provide better conditions and job security than do non-exporters. This helps the company too in terms of skill development and productivity. Fourth, Santa overcomes logistical problems by using intermediaries. He cannot gain all the market knowledge he needs, so he uses proxies (such as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles) to ascertain the ultimate needs of consumers. He then franchises to reliable local parties to ensure that he goes the "last quarter mile" in satisfying the customer (and therefore avoids the pitfalls that have beset many dotcom companies). Fifth, Santa, like all successful exporters, visits the market on a regular basis and undertakes market research in the lead up to Christmas. He seeks advice about the market (where required) through strategic positioning at shopping centers and by making selective appearances at Christmas parties. This has enabled him to adapt his product to different cultures in countries all over the world. On the big night itself, he uses simple market entry strategies - via the chimney - and responds well to clear market signals (such as Christmas stockings hung over mantlepieces). Finally, like all successful exporters, Santa Claus is flexible and innovative. Like all good exporters, he leads the market in terms of consumer tastes and trends. For instance, Santa knew when wooden toys were making way for plastics and electrical goods. He's always up on all the latest technology. Furthermore, research shows that exporters are very innovative in terms of production methods and business practices. Santa is no exception. When faced with an unusual natural resource (such as a red-nosed reindeer named Rudolph), Santa demonstrated his ability to think outside the box and had Rudolph lead the other reindeers in pulling the sleigh in bad weather. So there you have it: Santa is a long-term, sustainable exporter operating a global business in many different markets. He knows his customer (through direct and indirect mechanisms), knows the importance of his brand and treats his workers and his reindeer well. So Merry Christmas, and let's hope Santa delivers for you too. -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+titus.ngeno=ebix.com(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2011 11:30 AM To: Titus Ngeno Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 55, Issue 100 Send kictanet mailing list submissions to kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke You can reach the person managing the list at kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: Merry Christmas and happy 2012 (Walubengo J) 2. Merry Christmas and happy 2012 (Lucy Kimani) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sat, 24 Dec 2011 01:31:14 -0800 (PST) From: Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga(a)hotmail.com> Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Subject: Re: [kictanet] Merry Christmas and happy 2012 Message-ID: <1324719074.36676.YahooMailClassic(a)web161703.mail.bf1.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hey, I know some Listers had proposed we keep religion out of the list but I cannot help but wish you all a Merry Christmas and pray for a prosperous new year! regards. walu.

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Fw: ICANN is looking for a new CEO
by Walubengo J 21 Dec '11

21 Dec '11

Yawe, Here's a post that is at least advertised (unlike the PMG one ;-) walu. all are welcome to apply. --- On Wed, 12/21/11, Anne-Rachel Inné <annerachel(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Anne-Rachel Inné <annerachel(a)gmail.com> Subject: [afgwg-discuss] ICANN is looking for a new CEO To: africann(a)afrinic.net, "African Governments Working group" <afgwg-discuss(a)afrinic.net>, "African Information Society Initiative - Discussion Forum" <aisi-l(a)lyris.bellanet.org>, "Discussion List for African Private Sector and ICT4D" <aisi-ps-l(a)dgroups.org> Date: Wednesday, December 21, 2011, 7:18 PM Please distribute widely on lists and encourage people to apply.http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-20dec11-en.htm Further Progress by the CEO Search Committee 20 December 2011 The CEO Search Committee has now completed a job description for the position of CEO (reference [PDF, 145 KB]) and a CEO candidate profile (reference [PDF, 576 KB]). It has contracted with a search firm, Odgers Berndtson of Brussels, to assist us in the search process. The Search Committee strongly encourages qualified candidates to express their interest in the position, and encourages members of the community to encourage others who they believe are qualified to do so also. All suggestions, recommendations, and expressions of interest should be sent directly to: ceo-search(a)odgersberndtson.be -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ afgwg-discuss mailing list afgwg-discuss(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/afgwg-discuss

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Cornell Wins Bid for New York City Tech Campus
by Paul Kukubo 21 Dec '11

21 Dec '11

Interesting story and note the role of benefactors and potentially interesting lessons as we progress Konza City. "Cornell University has been chosen by New York City to build a technology campus on Roosevelt Island with a grant of city-owned land and $100 million. The campus Cornell proposed will occupy 2.1 million square feet, accommodate up to 2,500 students and cost more than $2 billion to build. A $350 million gift from an anonymous donor, the largest in Cornell’s history, will help foot the bill. Other schools that expressed interest in New York City’s tech campus offer include Columbia University, Carnegie Mellon, and a consortium led by New York University and Stanford, which dropped its bid Friday. But Cornell, an anonymous source told The New York Times, has been the school of choice for a while. And it might not be the last. “This is the first selection announcement for the Applied Sciences NYC initiative,” says a statement released by the city. “Productive discussions are ongoing with other respondents…and the possibility of additional science and engineering partnerships in the City is still open.” Cornell plans to open an off-site location of the campus by 2012, with the first phase of permanent Roosevelt Island opening by 2017. The university will lease the land from the city for 100 years, after which it will have the opportunity to purchase it for $1. SEE ALSO: NYC Startup Scene Celebrated in 2012 Calendar [PHOTOS] It’s potentially a mutually beneficial plan. Plotting a tech branch in New York City is an opportunity for Cornell to become the Stanford of the East Coast — an incubator for new businesses (and their patents). Attracting prestigious technology-education institutions is another step in New York City’s relentless efforts to become the Silicon Valley of the East Coast. “This is a momentous day catapulting New York City into the forefront of the 21st century economy and burnishing its place as the high-tech center of the East,” U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer said in a release." More About: Cornell, new york city, New York city Tech Campus For more Business coverage: Follow Mashable Business on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook Subscribe to the Business channel Download our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad -- Paul Kukubo Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya 12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960 Fax: +254 20 2211962 website: www.ict.go.ke local content project: www.tandaa.co.ke, www.facebook.com/tandaakenya twitter:@tandaaKENYA BPO Project: www. doitinkenya.co.ke Digital Villages Project: www.pasha.co.ke personal contacts _______________ Cell: + 254 717 180001 skype: kukubopaul googletalk: pkukubo personal blog: www.paulkukubo.co.ke personal twitter: @pkukubo ____________________ Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for socio economic enrichment

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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 55, Issue 86
by Titus Ngeno 21 Dec '11

21 Dec '11

Konza city should be made free trade zone (FTZ) Immediately to get politics out of it. Can someone talk to peter kiguta east african community ? _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/robertyawe%40yahoo.co.… The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.

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PesaPal Bill Payments ...
by Agosta Liko 21 Dec '11

21 Dec '11

Hi All PesaPal BillPay goes into Public Beta .... https://www.pesapal.com/billpayments ... Please give us feedback ...... and yes, we are adding more billers ... Enjoy

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Vision 2030: ICT and Other Sectors Converged (Day 1)
by Sam Aguyo 21 Dec '11

21 Dec '11

Mr Kibati, Thanks for being in the discussion list. I take note of the open data deployment as a way of relaying public information to citizens. Also considering that that Vision 2030 flagship projects are quite a number spread out across the nation, how would you use ICT to inform the public on the status of these projects which i would closely link to the open data. Regards Sam Aguyo

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CCK extends deadline for switch off mobile handsets
by Wambua, Christopher 21 Dec '11

21 Dec '11

PRESS RELEASE Listers 21st December 2011 RE: CCK EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR SWITCH OFF OF COUNTERFEIT HANDSETS The deadline for mobile operators to switch off subscribers using counterfeit phones in the country was today extended for a four-month period, effectively giving the affected subscribers reprieve to replace their handsets before they are disconnected. ICT sector regulator, the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), today announced the extension of the disconnection deadline from the end of this month to April 30 next year. Acting CCK Director-General Mr. Francis Wangusi said the extension was necessitated by the need to first undertake a consumer awareness campaign and also for the industry to establish a mechanism through which consumers could confirm the status of their mobile devices. The extension will also allow mobile operators to undertake the requisite technical preparations in readiness for disconnecting counterfeit handsets. The extension will provide the affected mobile subscribers with more time to replace their mobile handsets in view of the prevailing hard economic realities in the country. Mr. Wangusi said the industry was exploring the possibility of putting in place a system through which subscribers would be able to interrogate a central database via SMS to verify whether their devices are genuine or not. Regulatory concern over counterfeit handsets stems from the fact that counterfeit devices deny manufacturers of revenue through counterfeit production of their products. In addition, use of counterfeit handsets may expose consumers to safety and health risks as the phones may not meet the approved radiation standards. Further, counterfeit devices typically enter markets via unofficial channels thus denying the government of revenue. According to industry statistics, close to 2.4 million mobile phones in the market are counterfeit, representing 9.39 % of the active mobile devices in the country. The ongoing initiative to rid Kenya of counterfeit mobile phones is driven by CCK in conjunction with industry players, handset manufacturers, and other relevant government agencies including KeBS, Office of the President, Anti-Counterfeit Agency, and the Kenya Revenue Authority. Issued by: Francis W. Wangusi Ag. Director General

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Konza; alight at the end of he tunnel
by robert yawe 21 Dec '11

21 Dec '11

It was with excitement that I read in the Tuesday Nation (20th Dec 2011) about the intention to invest in the Konza technology city by DVK Group. What was more enlightening was the fact that the Hon. Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka was instrumental in inviting the group to consider investing locally. After the hullabaloo by the leaders of the county where Konza falls at the inception of the project it is positive to notice that they have finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel of which I would like to assure them is not an oncoming train. Regards "Only a fool never changes his mind" Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Re: [kictanet] Vision 2030: ICT and Other Sectors Converged (Day 1)
by Harry Delano 20 Dec '11

20 Dec '11

Dear Listers - Ladies and gentlemen, Good morning, and herein lies an opportunity to take part in shaping what should be a very important vision for this nation. I personally trust that opinion and important suggestions here are of huge value, and that it is not late for the Vision 2030 Team to incorporate some in their blue print, and also that this blue print has inbuilt flexibility to make adjustments as much as it is desirable as we move forward to implement. Dear Mr. Mugo Kibati, Welcome on board, and as a vision for this country, we congratulate the team for being bold. I believe the forum here will focus heavily on the ICT Sub-sector. But, just as the Vision 2030 correctly correlates interdependence between different projects on the map, we will not hesitate to point out that ICT needs the rest as enablers, just as the rest needs it. My first question is, what are the clear bench marks to achieve the stated vision for the country, looking at the project pillars listed? How do we measure and audit achievements to date to ascertain whether this ship is on course..? We have been on the website checking out the Key pillars and the enablers; I note that, under the Macro Enablers section, the project in which we have had keen interest falls under the heading " <http://www.vision2030.go.ke/index.php/projects/details/Macro_enablers/2> Energy Generation of 2300MW and distributed at competitive prices" While the endeavor towards generation of enough power, for adequate, quality, reliable and affordable energy is laudable and ongoing, we urgently need to address the question of "distribution" of the same to go lock-in-step with these valiant efforts. I believe Energy distribution should be listed as a "Macro-Enabler", then this way we can now address the question of the monopolized aspect of it that currently is almost crippling and reducing the project to naught, at the expense of progress in other project areas. No doubt ICT sub-sector will be a huge victim. Left unchecked, a monopolized energy distribution network on which everything else hinges as we go forward, could as well be equated to a "national security disaster-in-awaiting". Can the team review the objectives in this area to focus heavily on this aspect also, and propose, pursue and lobby unrelentingly towards a de-monopolized energy distribution design. Let this nation have the benefit of redundancy in this area. Short of this, we are left at the mercy of the current national distributor. At the very best, it might remain a cog in the wheel of this Vision2030. I would wish to draw the team Vision2030 to the tremendous success that we've all witnessed in the Telecommunication subsector, since liberalization was introduced from around 2002/3 and competitiveness brought about the huge dividends that we now reap. We herald this as one of the greatest turning points in this industry. Let's go that route in the energy subsector. Harry

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FW: Vision 2030: (2-3 days more)
by Grace Githaiga 19 Dec '11

19 Dec '11

Bwana MugoFYI. Rose (see message below) only replied to my address but the message is meant for the list. RgdsGrace ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life is all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go forth and rule the World! > Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:19:39 -1200 > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Vision 2030: (2-3 days more) > From: mburuw(a)gmail.com > To: ggithaiga(a)hotmail.com > > Hi i find that vision so vague (i stand corrected) but what is the > role of ordinary citizens like me running mpesa kiosks,my fellow mama > mbogas, hawkers, students etc. no one has told me how my mpesa will > bring economic growth of 10%, or my contributn is not want'd/worth it. > > Rose > > On 12/18/11, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > > > > > > Dear Mugo > > > > We welcome your request for an extra two or three days to allow you to > > respond to concerns raised. Thanks for all the information you have provided > > to us. It is enlightening and so far it has been great learning. It is our > > hope that you will continue to be on the list even after we conclude the > > Vision 2030 discussion. > > > > You have the extension. > > > > Thanks also to Harry, Joseph and Muraya for keeping this debate live! > > > > A great week to all of you. > > > > Rgds > > Grace > > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life is > > all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go forth > > and rule the World! > > > > > > > > > > > > From: mugo(a)vision2030.go.ke > > To: ggithaiga(a)hotmail.com > > CC: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > Subject: RE: [kictanet] Vision 2030: Political Pillar (Day 4) > > Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:13:59 +0300 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Grace, > > > > I know that this was to end today but I have not yet been able to respond to > > all comments and suggestions and would like to do so over the next 2 or 3 > > days if I would be allowed to do so. > > > > Regards, > > Mugo > > > > > > > > > > Mugo Kibati > > Director General > > Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat > > KUSCCO Centre, 2nd Floor - Upper Hill > > PO Box 52301 - 00200, Nairobi > > Email: mugo(a)vision2030.go.ke > > www.vision2030.go.ke > > > > > > > > From: kictanet-bounces+mugo=vision2030.go.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > [mailto:[email protected]] On > > Behalf Of Grace Githaiga > > Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 2:23 AM > > To: Mugo Kibati > > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Vision 2030: Political Pillar (Day 4) > > > > > > > > Thank you Lucy for raising the concern on Goal 5 that touches on maternal > > health. I agree that we need to capitalize on social media to disseminate > > information on this important matter. I am sure you will get a response from > > Mr. Mugo. > > > > We now move to the last day of our discussion. > > > > Our focus shifts to the third pillar namely the political pillar (rule of > > law, electoral and political processes, transparency and accountability > > etc). http://www.vision2030.go.ke/index.php/pillars/index/political > > > > The objective of the pillar is stated as...'moving to the future as one > > nation and envisions a democratic system that is issue based, people > > centred, results oriented and is accountable to the public'. > > > > Listers, please continue to raise your concerns in any of the areas > > discussed so far. > > > > Have a great day. > > > > Rgds > > Grace > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life is > > all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go forth > > and rule the World! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:59:14 -0800 > > From: lkimani(a)yahoo.com > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Vision 2030: ICT and Other Sectors Converged (Day 3) > > To: ggithaiga(a)hotmail.com > > CC: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > > > > > > > > > > > Bw. Mugo, > > > > > > > > Thanks for taking the time to address the issues raised so far. I would > > like add my pesa nane on the Vision 2030 Social Pillar which closely ties in > > with the Millenium Development Goals. From the MTP Report attached for > > listers, I was shocked to read that the Goal 5 "Improve Maternal Health" is > > one that is unachievable and actually increased from 414 in 2003 to 488 in > > 2009? Yet this is one that should be easier to address through education > > via social media through vehicles such as the digital villages to > > disseminate information on the importance of maternal health. Programs > > enlisting churches as partners in spreading the word and most importantly a > > concerted effort by the GOK in funding clinics that focus on providing > > healthy supplemental foods and nutrition counseling for pregnant women, new > > mothers, infants and children especially in rural areas. Numerous studies > > have shown that pregnant women who participate in similar programs have > > longer pregnancies leading to fewer premature births; have fewer low birth > > weight babies; experience fewer fetal and infant deaths since they seek > > prenatal care earlier in pregnancy and consume more of such key nutrients as > > iron, protein, calcium and Vitamin C. > > > > > > > > I found the report to be defeatist in the assessment of this particular goal > > and would hope for a re-evaluation and better planning in attaining the goal > > in a Vision 2030 kind of way:-) > > > > > > > > Lucy > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > Sent from my mobile device > > For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in > a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. > > Nelson Mandela

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