I have worked in sales, team management, and market development long enough to see connecting people as an essential part of building systems. Today, as DIGIU’s representative in southern Vietnam, I remain concerned with the market and a network of partners. But I want to be careful with the word “network.” If all we count is how many people know one another’s names, we may end up with a long list and very little meaningful collaboration.
A working relationship needs more than an introduction. Both sides need to know what problem they are solving together, what each can contribute, and where current promises end. Without that clarity, early enthusiasm can outrun the ability to deliver. I think trust begins with precise language about what exists, what is being tested, and what remains an expectation.
This matters especially when the conversation turns to technology, investment, or long-term projects. In these fields, language is easily pulled toward grand futures. A vision may be necessary to bring people together, but it cannot replace verifiable information. A good partner deserves to understand both the potential and the uncertainty before choosing to take part. I do not want to build commitment through a fear of being left behind.
To me, market development means listening to real needs, translating technological possibilities into understandable value, and creating the conditions for the right people to work together. Sometimes the useful step is an introduction. Sometimes it is another question, or an acknowledgment that an opportunity is not the right fit yet. Saying no at the right time can also preserve trust. It spares everyone the cost of a commitment made too soon.
I want the network I help build to grow through the quality of its relationships, not merely the length of a contact list. One person who understands what we are doing together is worth more than many meetings held only to exchange business cards. The long road calls for ambition, but lasting ambition needs honest conversations and steps that hold up in the light of day.