The BCCT paint Shenanigans red!

The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) held another of their networking evenings on the Eastern Seaboard in Shenanigans last weekend. The networking night had been moved back a week, after it was found that the Australian Thai Chamber of Commerce Seaboard Sundowners evening would clash with the BCCT date. Many of the BCCT members are also actively involved with the Australian chamber.

V.B. Singh, Managing Director for Thailand/Myanmar Berger Paints, sponsored the BCCT Networking Evening.

Sponsor of the evening was Berger Paints, with the managing director for Thailand/Myanmar, V.B. Singh, saying that the past few years had been difficult for the paint manufacturers (and there are more than 100 manufacturers in Thailand), but Berger had their niche products, especially in the protective floor coverings, and had weathered the storm. He predicted slow, but positive growth from now on and felt that in the next few years Thailand would be a very strong market.

The evening was very well attended, with Robert Clark, the general manager of Colbree Advanced Products appearing most enthusiastic and stating that Colbree was showing excellent progress in Thailand. A special mention has to be made of John Swift, the GM of the Heavy Fabrication division of Unithai Shipyard and Engineering, sponsor of the last networking evening in Bangkok, who was left off the “honourable mention” list by the BCCT themselves. There you are, John, the Pattaya Mail has remembered you! The date for next networking evening will also be published in this newspaper!

eGuideThailand.com Thailand’s online business directory, plans to distribute 300,000 business CD directories to local and international business sectors starting in this month. The CD directory will allow local businesses in Thailand to gain incremental exposures from the CD’s worldwide distribution networks in addition to the online directory www.eGuide.thailand.com

In addition to the online version, eGuide has developed the CD directory in response to user feedback to provide an ideal solution for remote workers or other users who do not have internet access to the online directory. Non-internet users can access the eGuide’s business database on a computer that has a CD-drive in order to source products and services all over Thailand.

Joseph Lim, CEO of eGuide Thailand.com said, “Thailand’s 150,000 small and medium-size businesses will greatly benefit from the eGuide CD directory. Starting November 2001, the 300,000 CDs will be distributed, free of charge, to businesses, internet subscribers, universities, government offices, libraries, book stores and business and trade associations in Thailand and overseas.

“Since the eGuide directory is currently the most well known and credible source of online business information in the region, the CD directory of eGuide Thailand will be able to attract additional businesses from local and international businessmen who are keen in importing or exporting Thailand’s products and services,” Lim added.

The CD directory is a part of a comprehensive portfolio of eGuide Thailand’s businesses directory. Lim said, “We are committed to improving communications channels for our users. The CD directory is the latest in a series of the most comprehensive business databases in Thailand from eGuide, while the online directory has already proven to be a valuable and effective tool for our users.”

The British Chamber of Commerce in association with First Training present a full-day seminar titled ‘Negotiation Skills’ on Tuesday November 20. The seminar will take place at ECC, Siam Square, Chula Soi 64 (opp. Chula Book Store Centre) from 9 a.m. (registration) to 4:30 p.m. The seminars are limited to a maximum of 20 participants per day and will be conducted in the English language.

The seminar is aimed at Thai junior to middle managers who are relatively new to the field of negotiating in English. They will cover the following topics: introductions, opening conversations, cultural differences, agreeing to an agenda/procedure/objective, gathering/exchanging information, asking and answering questions, using options, putting forward an idea/proposal, persuading your audience, agreement and disagreement, bargaining/bidding, settling and concluding.

The cost per participant is baht 1,100 inclusive of VAT, course materials, certificate and coffee break. Lunch is not provided but there are many eating outlets in Siam Square. Please fax or e-mail the name/s of participants to the BCCT office, fax +66 (0) 2651-5354, email [email protected]

Due to difficulty in collecting payments for previous seminars, payment must be made in advance to confirm bookings. Please make cheques payable to “The British Chamber of Commerce”. The bookings received with payment will be accepted. Please ensure that attendees do not change their bookings without informing the BCCT.