SKALI LAGI (Chapter 4)

In chapter 4, they launched a website with address http//:altavista.skali.com. The name of SKALI will choose because “skali” in Malay means “oneness” which is the fundamental philosophy of SKALI’s culture. Within three months of the launch, they realized that their business model was not working. The failure to generate traffic was partly their fault, partly AltaVista’s and partly the circumstances at the time. In 1997, they were facing serious financial problem. They were facing bankruptcy. By December 1997, they managed to get a much-needed infusion of cash from Japanese venture firm, Nomura Jafco. In May 1998, Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) gave a loan but not without strict conditions.
The biggest problem they faced at the time was they couldn’t even pay them employees their full salaries. At the same time, they were receiving letters of demands from the lawyers of their contributors. On October 23, they have the meeting and with that, the entire staff walked out on them. They started getting e-mails from anonymous addresses to demanded answers for what’s going on with the company. They worked on everything to make sure no sabotage could take place. After discussion with some ex-worker, they agreed for came back in this company. The deal was pay 30% of the salaries owed to them up front and the remainder would be paid in installments over the next four months. In all, including the directors, their staff strength grew back to 17 people.