Digital Real Estate an arena for entrepreneurs

Presently, “dot com” is the king followed by queens “dot net” and knights in the form of “dot org”. This will empower Sri Lankan enterprises to capture international markets through online marketing and to become a major player in the Sri Lankan e-commerce arena. “Domaining” is a unique business within the internet which involves investing in website addresses and is now one of the most fast growing markets. WebMaster Property specializing in the enlargement, enhancement and exchange of digital real estate, is an endeavour of Manjula Fernando, a young entrepreneur who has worked alongside some of the most prominent names in the United Kingdom’s tech industry.

An old boy of Sri Sumangala College, Panadura (Primary), Ananda College, Colombo (O/L) and Gateway International School, Colombo (A/L) Manjula’s father is a Civil Engineer and his mother is a house wife. He believes that life is a journey and not a destination. “My ambitions were not constant; they kept on changing from time to time. However, although my idea of pursuing a career in a certain field was indistinct, one thing remained very clear – that was, to execute something radical on my own.  As a kid I had many dreams, to be a planter having my own plantation, to be a businessman and even an actor. What was consistent was I had a passion to start my own thing. More than anything, I felt I can work on my own schedule with my own targets, no boundaries for what I can earn as revenue and I have a say in my finances and decisions he explained.

He obtained his first PC when he was about thirteen years old. He had a passion for computer games, and on top of that he used to experiment by developing programming languages. He used to design not so complicated creative logical programs like magic squares producing a series of numbers, graphics using programming languages, animations out of coding not using any motion designing, but using pure programming language. He had the knack to explore and to understand the functions of a computer. He recalls experimenting and learning through his PC at every possible opportunity. When the Internet was introduced to his PC several years later, he was amazed at the abundance of information, knowledge and resources that escorted with it. Manjula reiterated “it was then that I realized how IT could have an impact on my future.  It motivated me to develop a solid determination and passion – that IT would inevitably become my future. In the year 2000, young Manjula was selected to the national pool to represent Sri Lanka in the “SEAARCC” (South East Asia Regional Computer Confederation) under 18 software competition held in Manila.  After completing his Computing Science Bsc Hons Degree in England, he got himself employed in several British firms for a couple of years. Thereafter, he came to Sri Lanka with a vision to set up his own company and “WebMaster Property (Pvt) Ltd.” is the result of that. His target is to help the local businesses thrive whether it is the overall business itself or a particular brand or product, by exercising a methodological framework of recommendations with proven results in using technology and e-marketing strategies.

Explaining about the impact IT made on him, “Because of the internet, one can connect to anyone easily, one can easily find global clients or partners in developed countries like US and UK as a result of the technology advancements. He went on to explain, “I sit in front of a computer in Sri Lanka and I am able to offer my knowledge elsewhere in the world, thereby building a strong client base by attracting global consumers to Sri Lanka. One can even connect with them even from the hill country or from the nice beaches in Hikkaduwa, the reach is inevitable and this will continue to grow. When information is at your fingertips you can be whoever you want to be.” Having access to information enables knowledge and Sri Lanka is a knowledge hub; youngsters like Manjula are an example. In an evolving industry, to be updated and produce totally unique ideas is paramount. “These should be directly applied to the business along with the technology to improve productivity, quality and accuracy. The cycle time in the overall business process should be minimized to make it more productive. Capitalizing on innovativeness is fundamental for entrepreneurship, for example, Apple and Google or even Sri Lanka’s Virtusa.

In order to build a nation of radical entrepreneurs focused measures needs to be in place In order to eradicate the brain drain. There is a need to attract more investors to Sri Lanka and develop opportunities for our people.  Manjula expalined “We need high tech joint ventures in the country to produce numerous career advantages as still our labour cost is comparatively low. With this process, I believe Sri Lanka could get the best of our knowledge economy. Also, apart from this, there is another advantage - our people will be a lot happier as a result of the emotional bond to their motherland”.

The literacy level of the youth in Sri Lanka is of the highest compared to most developing countries. As per Manjula, Sri Lankan youth needs to explore the opportunities using technology, to connect with anyone around the world. With the Sri Lankan hardware market booming with a price decline, youth have more opportunities to catch the bait. His advice to the youth in the country is that “it’s much better to work one efficient hour rather than wasting a day. The benefits you reap for your efficiency in working this way is unlimited, rather than going through sleepless nights”.

Sri Lanka is presently developing a proper infrastructure in the country including good English language skills. Focus must be on people delivery, maintaining a quality service and a positive outlook. Human Resources and logistic issues are a major concern in our country, for instance, most BPO countries are based in UK and USA or another country in a different part of the world so we must keep up with the time difference. Hence, we need to have a proper transportation system in Sri Lanka supporting the BPO sector.  Tax reductions on vehicles and development of highways are a visionary leadership. By developing and promoting entrepreneurship, Sri Lanka will gain immensely. If we develop more entrepreneurs serving clients globally, we will in return be known as a knowledge economy hub, we needn’t be dependent on any constraints. We can stand as a leader rather than a follower, as a developed country.