- You just had a successful business trip in Myanmar. Could you share something interesting about this market, sir?

- I went to Myanmar to attend the opening ceremony of a Vietnamese company’s office in interior decoration for five-star works. I think Myanmar is  going to be a very acctractive market in the coming period for all Vietnamese enterprises, esspecially Binh Duong enterprises.

In Myanmar, people sell books about investment law, land law in the same way newspapers are sold on the street, in Vietnam.

When I had reached Yangon city, what surprised me the most is that there is no motorcycle on the street, but cars. This is a really interesting point with a country whose embargo has just been ended by the US. Another interesting and surprising thing is that people sell books about investment law, land law in the same way newspapers are sold on the street, in Vietnam.They even sell books at the cross when cars stop. First I thought these were newspapers or magazines, but they were really book about many kinds of law.

Awareness is not enough to position a good brand.

OSEVEN has manufactured wood paint for 15 years. With a distribution network of more than 1,500 retail outlets across the country, it has spread out on over 50 provinces and cities in Vietnam and in the process of expanding to Cambodian and Myanmar markets ...  Since the very first stage, we have absolutely defined that our company was born to manufacturing no other kind of paint but wood paints. Outlining the company business before searching for customers and expanding markets are very vital. We positioned our brand at that time as a sociable, friendly brand, not choosing segments. At this time we considered that paintings was just a normal raw materials for the furniture industry. It means that we estimated wood as the most important factor. A message we used at that time: "Having this good wood and having good paint". In other words this was our slogan during the first 5 years.

“Weekend Binh Duong Entrepreneurs”.

That is the topic of the weekend playground for the first time Young Entrepreneurs Association (DNT) Binh Duong holding at 8:00, on 13-4-2013, at Café Vita (ground floor, the building Becamex). This week's theme is "Brand positioning" shared by entrepreneur Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman-CEO of JSC OSEVEN.

This is one of the series of activities will be held next weekend in order to create meaningful and identifiable values for connecting, sharing and supporting members of the Young Entrepreneurs Association on the path of international economic integration. Thereby, the program also aims to create sustainable value for members of the Young Entrepreneurs Association in province, train rich-intellectual businessmen who do only plan good strategies but also have responsibility for the business community and society. Simultaneously, it is also to broadcast the brands of young entreprises in Binh Duong to domestical and international friends.

In addition, besides interaction with the speakers, there are many attractive programs such as Subaru test drive, visiting the member enterprises (Dental Johnson), cultural exchange ...

 At the second stage, after 5 years, we identified strategic objectives more carefully, wisely for the long term: the quality has to be the best with the widest coverage of products, highest quantity and become the leading brand in the industry... Since then, we have repositioned the entire system from selecting the best suppliers of raw materials, improving the manufacturing process system and building human resource structure more comprehensive, selecting target customers, changing the service method, Pr & Marketing correctly and effectively, and restructuring the entire identity... Simultaneously at this time, we decided to change the company name to OSEVEN (formerly Duy Hoang), major brand name was the same with the company name.

We have clearly realized that OSEVEN is no longer an ordinary material for furniture but a product which decide the beauty, the surface aesthetics of furniture. It even decides selling prices for such products when the surface is painted perfectly by our paint. Our message is very clear according to the positioning in this period as "man beauty at silk, wood beauty at paint" which means that without wood paint, the products cannot have high value, just like the women become less attractive without embellishment (laugh). We cost a lot of time in order to keep going on this path and fortunately, we have attained success.

- Sir, what are differences in point of views in positioning brand among your enterprise and international & national enterprises, especially Binh Duong enterprises?

- It is greatly different because of thinking and awareness of developing the company brand of leaders is very important. However, awareness is not enough to position a brand. It is likely that in developed countries, due to the high-conscious environment of building brand, enterprises are able to have many advantages and inherit the quintessence. Moreover, establishing a good company in developed countries can encounter many difficulties and it is serious to everyone. Therefore, they are seriously about this and plan carefully before setting up the company, including building long-term strategy for their brand. Many enterprises in Binh Duong have achieved success in building their brands.

- According to you, what enterprises should focus on to be successful in building their brands?

- Everyone has their own way, therefore we cannot consider which one is the most effective. However, in my opinion, it is important to give yourself a high motivation. We have to understand that “brand” is not only a name on products but also the fortune of the company, the future and the credibility of the company.

- Thank you very much and wish OSEVEN will grow increasingly more!

(According to the Binh Duong news).