AsiaBizStories - Entrepreneurs in Action: Recent Episodes
Neville J. McKenzie
Premal Patelhttps://youtu.be/Sp9lcKeweqwPremal Patel is a customer loyalty, customer success and engagement specialist with around 30 years of experience across financial services, retail and agency environments. Premal explains how his business helps corporate leaders and entrepreneurs build stronger human connections as AI and digital technology reshape the workplace. Drawing on his book, Yanga Unplugged, he offers workshops for leaders and aspiring leaders alongside strategic consultancy for enterprises, start-ups and scale-ups. The conversation explores his target audience, practical frameworks, professional experience and commitment to supporting younger people facing difficult career conditions. Premal’s central message is that organisations must not allow the pressure to adopt new technology to weaken authentic relationships, because human connection will become increasingly valuable as the world grows more complex.
Takeaways * Premal Patel helps corporate leaders and entrepreneurs create better human connections in a digital age. * His services combine leadership workshops with strategic consultancy in customer loyalty, customer success and engagement. * The workshops developed from ideas and frameworks featured in his published book, Yanga Unplugged. * His programmes are designed for enterprises as well as start-ups and scale-ups at different stages of development. * AI and rapid digital change can cause leaders to neglect important relationships inside and outside their organisations. * Premal helps leaders reframe their thinking so they can balance technological progress with authentic human connection. * His approach is informed by approximately 30 years of experience across financial services, retail and agency environments. * His frameworks combine lessons from both professional successes and situations where he failed fast and adapted. * The business aims to keep its methods simple, immediately applicable, accessible and affordable. * Premal also supports younger people through pro bono work as they navigate increasingly challenging career conditions.
Sound bites “Helping leaders create and build better human connections in a digital age.”
“We keep it simple, we keep it accessible and we keep it affordable.”
“I think the opportunity is huge right now in terms of creating and building better human connections.”
Chapters00:06 Introducing Premal Patel and a New Interview Approach
00:45 Premal’s Preferred Name
00:58 Helping Leaders Build Better Human Connections
02:13 The Businesses and Leaders Premal Serves
02:51 Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Relationships
03:39 Thirty Years of Experience and Practical Frameworks
04:42 Describing the Business in One Sentence
04:57 Where to Find Premal and His Work
05:38 Industries and Professional Sectors
05:44 Targeting Loyalty, Marketing and HR Leaders
06:29 Supporting Graduates Through Challenging Career Times
07:06 Closing Thoughts and Thanks
07:19 How Listeners Can Connect with Premal
LinksLinkedIn: Premal Patel
Website: https://www.premalpatel.co.uk/
Website: https://www.tkopworld.com
YouTube: The Wellbeing Majlis
Book: Yanga Unplugged
Natasha Clarke and Dave ButlerGuest Background & Career JourneyDave Butler is a business coach who runs David Butler Coaching. He focuses on helping founders clarify goals, reconnect with purpose, and build structured, actionable plans for growth.
Natasha Clarke is an interior stylist specialising in staging, styling, and design for homes going on the market, holiday homes, and bespoke projects. Her work increases property appeal and can boost sale value by 3–10%. She is two years into her business journey, continually refining her offer, pricing, and client understanding while balancing family life.
Current Business / Practice OverviewNatasha’s business centres on enhancing property presentation for sale or stay. She has developed a clear three-tier pricing structure:
- Power Hour — A whole-home assessment with practical recommendations and a written report, allowing owners to complete improvements themselves.
- Light Staging & Styling — Hands-on styling for the three core rooms: kitchen, lounge, and master bedroom.
- Full-Home Service — A complete, hands-off staging solution, including sourcing tradespeople for decorating or upgrades through Natasha’s network.
Her strategic priority is building a reliable client funnel, strengthening relationships with estate agents, and directly approaching homeowners whose properties are slow to sell.
Key Themes* Gaining clarity on purpose, direction, and desired destination * Designing offerings that build trust quickly * Using pricing tiers as a funnel into deeper work * Learning to value one’s expertise and price accordingly * Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt * Taking consistent action rather than staying in planning mode * Balancing business demands with family life * The emotional journey of entrepreneurship
Tactical & Strategic Insights Pricing as a Funnel: The Power Hour acts as an entry point, providing value while identifying clients who want fuller support. * Client Fit Matters: Not every client is the right match; filtering protects quality and wellbeing. * Clarity Reduces Fear: Understanding the “why, what, and how” creates confidence and momentum. * Action Beats Over-Planning: Progress emerges from consistent outreach and experimentation. * Estate-Agent Strategy: + Engage agents persistently but professionally. + Supplement with proactive door-knocking for unsold homes staying too long on the market. * Track the Numbers: Weekly and monthly target clarity helps guide decisions. * Purpose Drives Resilience:* Remembering the dream sustains entrepreneurs through doubt.
Notable Quotes “There’s so much learning… it’s a constant journey for us all.” — Natasha * “Until we embrace the gap between where we are and where we want to be, we can’t put a plan together.” — Dave * “Not every client is the right client.” — Natasha * “Nothing happens in business until somebody sells something.” — Dave * “I don’t ever want to get to a stage where I have regrets.” — Natasha * “The last thing that comes in business is the cash flow and the money.” — Dave * “You’ve reconnected your goals with why you started — now we’re connecting the how.”* — Dave
Key Takeaways* Clear packages create clarity for clients and allow natural upsell paths. * Trust is built fastest through upfront value, not persuasion. * A business grows when the founder reconnects to purpose. * Imposter syndrome is universal — even coaches experience it. * Door-knocking and proactive outreach can create momentum when pipelines are low. * Planning is essential, but action is what changes revenue. * Tracking daily and weekly activity builds discipline and confidence. * The entrepreneurial path requires courage, emotional resilience, and persistent clarity.
Links Mentioneddavidbutlercoaching.co.uk
https://www.clarkeandclarkepropertystaging.com/
Listener Glossary Staging: Preparing a home for sale using design improvements to enhance appeal. * Styling: Arranging furniture and décor to highlight a space’s strengths. * Power Hour: A one-hour expert consultation providing tailored improvement recommendations. * Funnel:* A structured pathway that moves prospects from initial contact to deeper engagement.
Timestamped Chapters00:07 – Introductions and purpose of the coaching session
00:21 – Dave’s background and coaching philosophy
00:37 – Natasha’s business overview and service scope
01:14 – Early business reflections: clarity, alignment, and pricing
02:05 – How expert staging increases property value
02:28 – The emotional reality of entrepreneurship and continuous learning
03:21 – Understanding the gap between where the business is and where it needs to be
03:49 – Natasha’s three-tier pricing model explained
05:37 – Dave reframes the Power Hour as a strategic client funnel
06:31 – Building trust quickly and choosing the right clients
07:20 – Confidence, imposter syndrome, and valuing expertise
09:33 – Connecting purpose, packages, pricing, and planning
11:07 – Ideal clients and outreach strategy (estate agents + door-knocking)
13:28 – Transitioning from planning to action and consistent execution
15:17 – Purpose, self-belief, long-term progress, and closing reflections
Hari Pudeddiihttps://youtu.be/HDJ1MICWviMHari Pudipeddi’s Background and Career Transition
Early Influences and Career Path: Hari is a seasoned health-tech professional with a BSc and MSc in Computer Science, followed by a master’s in General Management. He spent 12.5 years at Cerner, joining as one of the company’s first ten hires in India (2004–2016). Exposure to large-scale healthcare systems, product thinking, and APAC operations shaped his strengths in product strategy, go-to-market, and translating real problems into workable solutions. He splits time between Melbourne and Bangalore to stay close to customers, teams, and new business models.
Previous Corporate Career: At Cerner, Hari gained deep experience in complex, regulated environments and scaled product delivery, which informs his emphasis on clarity of problem definition, operational discipline, and commercially viable execution. He also teaches product and GTM in universities and institutes, and hosts conversations with founders who are bootstrapping rather than fundraising.
Transition to Entrepreneurship: In 2016, Hari left corporate to build a co-working SaaS. After securing a few clients, he exited the model, recognising it wouldn’t scale in the Indian context. In 2019, he moved into PropTech and later founded/led product strategy at HAPLO. To bootstrap responsibly, he cleared personal loans, sold his house, and reduced fixed costs to extend runway—advocating for MVPs, fast customer feedback loops, and frugal use of grants over premature fundraising.
The Business: Product Strategy and Venture Building
Hari focuses on product strategy, venture design, and fractional product leadership across APAC. His philosophy is to pursue “meaningful problem + process improvement” over novelty for its own sake. He champions layered validation: define the monetisable pain, size the magnitude, and prove early revenue potential before seeking capital.
Services Offered:
Product Strategy & GTM: Defining the problem, shaping the solution, and creating a path to first customers and revenue.
Fractional Product Leadership: Part-time/short-term engagements to establish product foundations, discovery cadences, and execution rhythms.
Advisory & Education: Teaching product and GTM, mentoring founders on MVPs, metrics, and capital efficiency.
Differentiating Bootstrapping and Fundraising
Bootstrapping: Founder belief plus prudent capital allocation; create a multi-year runway, build an MVP, validate with customers, and iterate quickly. Grants can help, but must be used frugally and onshore (India/Australia) to serve employment and local-impact goals.
Fundraising: In today’s market, investors expect evidence of traction and a working model. “AI” on a slide can signal high capex (GPUs, infra). Most SMEs should deploy AI to improve efficiency, not attempt to build foundational models.
Founder Interaction, Policy Context, and Challenges
When advising founders, Hari probes the “why now,” time pressures, and end goals, then researches the ideal customer’s context to align solution and message. He highlights how grants and incubators (India/Australia) work similarly, with Australian programmes often state-level and both countries enforcing onshore spend. He stresses Rural Cyclic Economies (RCEs) in India—keeping value, skills, and spend local to reduce brain drain—and contrasts “futuristic” moonshots with granular, locally relevant solutions (citing UPI, Digi Yatra, and accessibility tech examples). A recurring challenge is expectation management: prioritising solvable, monetisable pains over assumed problems or hype cycles.
AI: Practical Perspective and Adoption Curve
Hari distinguishes AI from automation and frames today’s LLMs as AI tools, not “AI itself.” Real value appears inside trusted ecosystems (e.g., productivity suites) that reduce task time. He sees AI adoption as early-stage: model quality, costs, and infra constraints (notably GPUs) limit widespread impact today; meaningful shifts in software development may land 2030–2045. For most organisations, the near-term win is using AI to drive efficiency, not displace teams.
Personal Notes and Contact
Hari’s work straddles India and Australia to stay close to customers and talent. He engages widely with practitioners across branding, sales, marketing, finance, and security to map realistic AI impact by function.
Website: studionavaka.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harinathpv
Key Takeaways (Quick Scan)
- Validate before you fundraise: MVP + customer conversations > pitch decks.
- Extend runway deliberately; reduce fixed costs and iterate fast.
- Use grants and incubators, but spend frugally and onshore.
- Prefer meaningful, monetisable pains over speculative “futuristic” problems.
- AI’s near-term value is efficiency within existing workflows; infra costs are real.
- Distinctiveness and clear communication drive durable advantage.
Notable Quotes
- “If you don’t believe in your idea and invest in it… who will?” — Hari
- “Solve the small piece; the big piece falls in place.” — Hari’s coach (via Hari)
- “Grant money is for creating jobs at home.” — Hari
- “AI’s job is helping you become more efficient.” — Hari
- “Progress begins when you trust your instincts and take that first step.” — Neville
Links Mentioned
- Studio Navaka — studionavaka.com
- Hari on LinkedIn — linkedin.com/in/harinathpv
- Entrepreneurs in Action — asiabizstories.com
Technical Terms & Jargon (Listener Glossary)
- Bootstrapping: Building with personal funds and operating revenue instead of external capital.
- Runway: Months you can operate before needing new cash.
- MVP (Minimum Viable Product): The lightest version that tests real demand.
- PropTech: Technology for real estate markets and operations.
- APAC: Asia–Pacific region.
- Rural Cyclic Economies (RCEs): Self-sustaining local economies that retain value and employment.
- UPI: India’s instant real-time payments system.
- Digi Yatra: Face-ID based, paperless domestic airport journey in India.
- GPU: Hardware essential for training/running many AI models; expensive and capacity-constrained.
- Micro-investor: Early-stage investor typically writing smaller cheques (e.g., ~£100k).
- Blue Ocean Strategy: Creating uncontested market space via differentiation.
- AI vs Automation: Automation repeats predefined steps; AI generalises/reasons across tasks.
- LLM (Large Language Model): AI model class powering tools like ChatGPT/Claude.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hari Pudipeddi’s Journey
03:59 Bootstrapping: The Entrepreneurial Path
06:44 Navigating Funding and Grants in India and Australia
09:45 Rural Cyclic Economies: A New Approach
12:59 Comparative Insights: India vs Australia
15:41 The Role of Technology in Economic Development
18:51 Local Solutions vs Global Aspirations
21:42 Generational Perspectives on Problem Solving
29:10 Granular Problem Solving
33:42 The Role of AI in Business
41:25 Understanding AI’s Current Landscape
48:16 The Future of Ideas and Innovation
51:31 Summary
Natasha ClarkeWatch here on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/y5r-BNbjZf8
“Today’s guest, Natasha, has a story that proves your passion can quietly follow you through life — until the moment you’re ready to step fully into it. From her early years surrounded by building, redecorating, and antiques, to a demanding career as a social worker, Natasha always carried a love for transforming spaces. It was only after raising her two boys and returning briefly to her old profession that she realised her joy was in design — in creating rooms that feel calm, warm, and full of possibility. Now, she runs a business that stages and styles homes, helping families, sellers, and businesses unlock the true potential of their spaces. And today, she’s here to share that journey with us.”
Natasha Clarke’s Background and Career TransitionEarly Influences and Passion: Natasha’s early life cultivated a hands-on approach to property; her father was a builder, her mother was always redecorating, and the family frequently visited antique fairs and markets. This immersion led to her realisation that she loved interior design and “making a space look amazing” when she renovated her first cottage while receiving help from family. While her now-husband also renovated his fisherman’s cottage, building up shared knowledge of property. Over the years, they bought and sold several properties, where Natasha would personally handle the interior design and styling before market listing.
Previous Career as a Social Worker: Natasha trained and began her career as a social worker in her very early twenties. She predominantly worked with local authorities, supporting adults and older adults in the community, including those being discharged from hospitals. Her role involved assessing needs, risks, problem-solving, and acting as an advocate during challenging times. Before leaving the profession, she managed a large project for Hertfordshire County Council.
Transition to Entrepreneurship: Social work was described as incredibly intense and stressful. After getting married and having her first child, Natasha made the decision to step away from social work to be a stay-at-home mother for 13 years, raising her two boys (William, 13, and Eddie, 9). As her children grew older, she felt it was the right time to pursue her passion. A brief return stint confirmed she wanted a change, which solidified when redecorating one of her boys’ bedrooms brought her joy. She recognised that her previous professional skills—managing large caseloads, handling stressful situations, problem-solving, and meeting quick timelines—would be beneficial in her new business venture.
The Business: Property Styling and DesignNatasha runs a business focused on property staging, interior design, and styling, using her skills and experience to help clients. Her design philosophy is centered on creating warm, calm, textured, layered, and luxurious design.
Services Offered: Natasha serves three main client types:
- Staging Homes (For Sellers): Preparing and styling properties specifically for sale.
- Residential Interior Design (For Occupiers): Helping clients reimagine a space, such as transforming a tired room, creating a den for teenagers, or setting up a hobby room for those whose children have left home.
- Business Clients and Holiday Homes: Styling workshop spaces to reflect a business, creating tablescapes for corporate events, or designing holiday homes and serviced accommodations.
Differentiating Staging and Interior Design: Natasha clarifies that her work involves solving slightly different problems depending on the client:
- Interior Design: This service is specific and bespoke to the individual client, catering to their personal taste, needs, and desired look/feel. This applies to residential properties and holiday homes.
- Staging (for sale): This is specific to selling a property. Since the market is broader, the styling is not personalised to the current homeowner. The goal is to appeal to the specific target audience or “dream buyer” by de-personalising the space (but avoiding a “stark” or too minimalist look). Advice often involves reducing clutter, advising on storage, and removing objects that might be too unconventional or not to everyone’s taste (like zebra wallpaper).
Client Interaction and ChallengesWhen beginning work with a property seller, Natasha first ascertains crucial information like why they are selling, their timelines, pressures, and their “end goal” (e.g., securing a dream home). She researches the demographics of their ideal buyer to ensure the styling appeals directly to that specific market.
Her service is bespoke, ranging from minor advice to major decluttering projects. She notes that lighting design, though seemingly simple, can have a major positive or negative impact on a room; she advises on using low, warm lighting alongside practical ceiling lights.
The biggest challenge Natasha faces is managing people’s expectations. She must reassure clients that she is the expert and needs to be trusted, especially when styling decisions conflict with the homeowner’s personal taste. Her role requires being both honest and diplomatic when explaining that changes must be made to attract the target audience.
Personal Life and ContactNatasha’s family is very supportive; her husband is described as her “biggest fan” and assists in the background. She actively teaches her sons about how businesses work.
People can contact Natasha via her website, www.clarkandclarkpropystaging.com, or by email at info@clarkandclarkpropystaging.com.
Dave ButlerPodcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:35 — 40.0MB) | Embed
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Watch here on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/csxcaLqwG_4
“What would make someone walk away from a six-figure salary, a senior leadership role, and the comfort of a corporate career… to start over with nothing but a blank sheet of paper? For David Butler, it was a single moment — a moment that revealed what truly mattered most. In this episode, David takes us inside that life-changing decision, sharing the highs, the doubts, the wins, and the lessons from building a coaching business that transforms not only careers but lives. From facing skepticism and imposter syndrome to helping business owners reclaim their time, income, and purpose — David’s journey is a masterclass in courage, reinvention, and the power of coaching. So, whether you’re dreaming of leaving your 9-to-5, growing your own business, or simply seeking inspiration, this conversation will give you insights you won’t want to miss.”
- David Butler’s background in sales and his transition from a corporate six-figure job to starting his own coaching business.
- The critical role of family and friends in supporting small business owners, encompassing both support and doubt.
- The multi-layered benefits and necessity of coaching for individuals, their families, and even for the coach themselves.
- The realities of the entrepreneurial journey, including personal experiences with doubts, worries, anxieties, and imposter syndrome.
- Achieving credibility and recognition, as exemplified by winning the National Business Coach of the Year award.
- David Butler’s role as a “coach’s coach,” guiding other coaches in growing their businesses and overcoming self-doubt.
- The continuous need for personal coaching and support, even for experienced coaches like David Butler.
- The services David Butler offers, including one-to-one coaching, group programs, a business club, and contact information.
Summary
In this episode, we gain insights from David Butler, a seasoned sales and business coach, on his journey navigating the entrepreneurial landscape. Drawing from his extensive background in sales, where he started with a week’s trial at a local newspaper, and later worked for media companies and Monster Worldwide, David recounts his transition from a corporate career to becoming a dedicated coach. He realized his passion for managing and coaching people while working as a sales trainer and director. David emphasises the importance of understanding one’s true calling, detailing a “light bulb moment” when, despite a six-figure salary, he was unhappy and a specific trigger (being told he’d have to make up time after leaving early to watch his son’s football game) propelled him to leave his job and start his own coaching business. This decision was driven by a desire to help people and achieve freedom of time and money, using his business as a vehicle to live his ideal life.
Delving deeper, he explores the critical role of family and friends in supporting small business owners, noting the “polar opposites” of support and doubt he encountered. While his immediate family was supportive despite thinking he was “a bit mad” for giving up a senior position, others “questioned what [he] was doing” and “said [he] was going to fail”. David shares invaluable insights on how these challenges, particularly skepticism, can further fuel one’s drive for success.
Next, David examines the multi-layered benefits of coaching, asserting that “everyone needs a coach”. He explains how coaching not only empowers the individual coachee to achieve their ideal life and goals, but also positively impacts their friends and family, providing them a better life. He illustrates this with an example of a plumbing business owner who, through coaching, reduced his working hours, earned more, and achieved a better work-life balance, moving from working “in the business” to “on the business”. David also highlights the reciprocal learning he gains from working with others, finding huge happiness in seeing people “live their ideal life or live life on their terms”.
Moving forward, we explore the realities of the entrepreneurial journey, including the prevalence of doubts and imposter syndrome. David candidly shares his own experiences with these feelings, admitting he still has doubts, worries, anxieties, and “imposter syndrome”. He recounts how he sat there thinking, “what the hell have I done?” after leaving a six-figure job to start with “a blank piece of paper”. He discusses how winning the National Business Coach of the Year award from the Entrepreneur Circle provided credibility, showing that his work was “truly worthwhile,” and served as “payback for the risk, the heartache, [and] the hard work” he had put in. This achievement also inspires other coaches.
Finally, David delves into his role as a “coach’s coach,” leveraging his personal journey of building a business from scratch to guide other business coaches in growing their ventures and overcoming self-doubt. He emphasizes that because he has “been there” with the blank page and the doubts, he can pass on valuable knowledge to others. He concludes by underscoring the continuous need for personal coaching and support, even for experienced coaches like himself, as he has his own coach who keeps him “straight,” challenges him, and supports him when he’s “having one of those days”. He believes it’s “really important for a lot of business owners to have somebody to reach because it can be really lonely”.
Dave Butler on LinkedIn
Human and AI Hosts Interacting on Podcast Neville McKenzie discusses the rapid development of AI technologies and their integration into his production processes. He notes that new AI tools are constantly emerging, requiring continuous learning. * The AI Threat: The concern about the potential for AI to make podcasters redundant, necessitating a “radical readjustment” in the podcasting field. He mentions a peer already using AI platforms to produce podcasts without human guests. * Experiment: Neville conducts an experiment using a recently launched AI platform to produce a podcast based on his own career documents. He acknowledges that the AI-generated content may contain errors or “hallucinations” that might seem real to unfamiliar listeners. * The Experiment: A deep dive into Neville McKenzie’s Career with the podcast transitioning into a discussion of Neville’s career, analysing his diverse experiences and entrepreneurial journey Neville’s Early Work Career as an electronics test engineer, then into IT and Project Management. His Career path changes with a move* to China where he immerses himself into the culture, even learning 600 technical Chinese words. * The move to Singapore and AsiaBizStories are discussed and the Use of AI in Podcasting to streamline podcast production, such as refining show notes and generating interview questions. * The Educator: As an adjunct lecturer at the University of Newcastle in Singapore, teaching creative industries entrepreneurship. * Athletic Background: Neville’s is also revealed to be a professional volleyball player for the England national team, earning 71 international caps. Where he developed as an athlete, such as discipline and resilience**, that have contributed to his entrepreneurial success.
Key Takeaways: The show notes suggest several key takeaways for the future of podcasting: AI integration is becoming inevitable, requiring podcasters to integrate AI technologies into their production processes. This integration may lead to a “radical readjustment” of the field, potentially impacting the role of human podcasters. Despite AI advancements, human creativity remains essential, particularly in creative industries. Podcasters will need to engage in constant learning to adapt to new AI tools and platforms. Experimentation with AI can reveal valuable insights, but podcasters must be aware of potential errors or “hallucinations” in AI-generated content which are present in this experiment.
Morten Damgaard AndersenWatch the Video Podcast here
https://youtu.be/FNR6PSj-CJE
Morten Damgaard Andersen talks on “Leadership Perspectives: Navigating Multicultural Environments,” in this podcast and also available as a video podcast Morten as a seasoned leader shares insights on emotional intelligence, effective communication, and cultural competence in diverse workplaces.
In this episode, we explore how self-awareness contributes to a leader’s emotional intelligence. Morten has over 25 years of experience in Asia’s dynamic business landscape, and emphasises the importance of understanding one’s own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses to make informed decisions and empathise with others.
Delving deeper, he adds the potential drawbacks of overemphasising emotional intelligence and how leaders can balance competing priorities without succumbing to procrastination. Our guest’s practical approach involves committing to action and engaging in open dialogue with peers and team members.
Next, Morten examines the role of cultural competence in managing diverse behaviours. He emphasises the need to understand cultural norms and communication styles to foster effective collaboration across multicultural teams.
Moving forward, we explore the key components of a leadership style that resonates with team members in multicultural environments. From having a clear vision and effective communication to setting non-negotiable behaviours and demonstrating authenticity, Morten shares invaluable insights on inspiring and empowering teams to achieve success.
Join us for an enriching conversation that delves into the nuances of leadership in multicultural settings. Subscribe now at “AsiaBizStories.com: Entrepreneurs in Action” via audio only or on Google video podcast for actionable strategies and thought-provoking discussions with seasoned leaders.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:54 How does self-awareness contribute to a leader’s emotional intelligence?
02:59 So based on that are there any potential drawbacks or challenges associated with an overemphasis on emotional intelligence and leadership?
08:54 In what situations can adapting to diverse behaviours lead to a more effective communication? Can you give us and example of situations?
10:54 How do you avoid making excuses that allow you to avoid making decisions and taking actions?
14:05 So what role does cultural competence play in understanding and managing diverse behaviours?
20:20 What are the key components of a leadership style that resonates with team members, considering multiculturalism?
26:51 Contact details on LinkedIn Morten Damgaard Andersen
Goh Sok KoonGoh Sok Koon is a company secretary a vital role in any business in Singapore. I am fortunate to have met her as she has been extremely helpful to me in getting my business up and running. Even before that, I was trying to get her to appear here on this podcast. By her own admission she has been reluctant, preferring like many people to work diligently in the background of the many businesses that she is a part of. But as a business founder of her own, specifically Lioness Corporate Services, and additionally as she plays a more active role in business groups she is a member of she now feels ready and the need to appear on her first podcast.
As well as:
- Goh Sok Koon introduces herself as a company secretary for Lioness Corporate Services with over five years of experience.
- Describes the importance and main role of a company secretary for a businesses in Singapore.
- Qualifications required to become a company secretary depend on whether one is an accountant or a lawyer, with a usual completion time of two to three years.
- The route taken to become a professionally qualified company secretary in Singapore
- Reasons for moving to Singapore and the impact it had on her career.
- Changes that need to be kept up with in order to be a successful company secretary in Singapore.
- What are the additional important areas that need to be understood beyond the core duties of a company secretary.
- Key advice entrepreneurs need before starting a business.
- What makes a good company secretary.
- Goh Sok Koon hopes for her business in the future.
- The extended role of reminding directors and CEOs of their obligations and providing guidance and support.
- The benefits of Business Development Society, a supportive networking group focused on learning and sharing experiences.
- How her experience and knowledge gained as a business owner help her assist others, especially foreigners, in starting businesses in Singapore.
- The enjoyment from her job demonstrates how in depth Sok Koon is willing to go to help people understand the process of starting a business and providing guidance along the way.
Contacts and Links Mentioned:
Goh Sok Koon on LinkedIn
Business Development Society website
Neville J McKenzieNeville J McKenzie the usual host of AsiaBizStories Entrepreneurs in Action is asked the questions by Chris Pardey the lead of the Brunel Alumni Association, Singapore .
Neville grew up in London. At school he wanted to be a scientist but became a Radar Test Engineer after gaining an HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He then moved into the world of Information Technology Systems as a Field Engineer, before leaving work to study a degree in Computer Studies with Business Studies. Up until this point he played volleyball first as a junior international and then as a senior international for the England. After graduating He worked for 10 months before the Dot-Com crises forced him out of work in October 2001. In February 2002 he was teaching in China where I remained for over fourteen and half years before moving to Singapore in 2016 where he now resides.
As well as:
- Discussion of the cultural differences between China and Singapore and the personal difference of becoming an entrepreneur in China.
- The hopes and dreams for the future in Singapore.
- Neville talks about his involvement with the Brunel Alumni Association in Singapore and how it helps him network and connect with people who have a common connection.
- Neville explains his podcasting journey, how he started in 2014 in China, and how it is evolving into a business.
- Helping the Brunel Alumni Association, Singapore to win the Alumni Association Award of the Year by committing to podcasts, has now led to being nominated for the International Alumni of the Year award.
- The events in the decision to pursue a degree after seeing an education shop while driving leading to acceptance to study Computer Studies with Business Studies from 1997 to 2000 at Brunel University.
- Neville talks about his experience playing volleyball for England, coaching, and the impact it had on his career as an engineer.
Insights into his start and end in coaching in China but none in Singapore.
Neville J McKenzie on LinkedIn
Chris Pardey on LinkedIn
Brunel Alumni Singapore Web page
Brunel University Alumni Web page
Kelly Shan GuojiaoKelly Shan is an experienced healthcare professional in the areas of nursing and public health. She started as a scrub nurse in the operating theatre before transferring to a pre-operative anesthesia assessment clinic,
“after a few years in the Outpatient Clinic you realize that a lot of even higher education background you know even there are lawyers or teachers they don’t have much knowledge about what is the meaning of the blood pressure the two numbers right so they do not understand what is the meaning or about diabetes they don’t really know much even they have higher educations “
This inspired her to take a specialist diploma in nutrition and health promotion and pursue a Master’s in public health and health promotion at Brunel University in the UK.
After returning to work in Singapore, Kelly is now looking for a career change to expand her horizons further. She has elicited the help of the Brunel Alumni to help her with this.
“I would just send a message in a group I didn’t really expect any reply but yeah Mario is one of our member I think that afternoon he messaged me for a quick call yeah to just know a little bit more what I want to do because he’s the international head of HR department”
This conversation is the seventh in the pilot for the Brunel Alumni Association (Singapore).
The format is based on Entrepreneurs in Action and we are looking to evolve it into a stand-alone podcast series focused on Brunel Alumni based in Singapore
Send your ideas and suggestions to me on LinkedIn, or in person at the next Brunel Alumni Association meetup in Singapore
So now without further delay lets begin
- Kelly Shan Guojiao on LinkedIn
- Kelly Shan Guojiao on XiaoHongShu
- Kelly Shan Guojiao on Instagram
- Brunel Alumni Association Webpage
CJ TanCJ Tan is a regular member of the Brunel Alumni Association. He has extensive experience in manufacturing and quality management, including start-ups and high-volume production. He is skilled in building quality systems and ensuring the safety of employees and the environment. CJ has led initiatives to improve quality company wide and worked closely with manufacturing partners to maintain quality standards. He actively engaged with customers to support their engineering and quality initiatives.
“It is true you know you always been treated as a bad guy in the the company a stopper in a company right and then when the quality is not right we tend to be more aggressive and stop the production from going on”
He has worked in QA for some of the biggest names in the Semiconductor industry. CJ’s last role as a quality director ended in 2016. After taking some time out he started a fresh new career as a realtor (CJ Tan, Realtor). His motto is “Customer Comes First”.
“semiconductor Manufacturing in Singapore there is less and less uh jobs or rather demand for the kind of skill set that I have you know there are jobs out in the market but outside for the kind of skill set that I have”
CJ Tan is the second in this series to have graduated from the Henley Brunel MBA Program.
Contacts and Links Mentioned:
- CJ Tan on LinkedIn
- CJ Tan ERA Realtor on Facebook
- Brunel Alumni Association Webpage
Stanley MakStanley Mak is a regular member of the Brunel Alumni Association Experienced entrepreneur with a rich history of working in the marketing and communications industry. Skilled in Inbound Marketing, Digital Marketing and Integrated Marketing Communications. With an MBA from the Henley Brunel MBA Program.
Originally from Hong Kong he moved with his then employer to Singapore in 1986. Eventually the desire to build his marketing own company took over. Today he leads iSmart Communications. He has successful navigated the innovations that have radically changed marketing and has an insatiable appetite for innovations to come.
“and then in the second and third year the business really boomed then I said wow Hallelujah never look back then during the.com boom period I I saw the opportunity of the internet”
He was also Vice-president of the Hong Kong – Singapore Business Association. He was the original president of the Henley Brunel MBA Alumni Association which which has now been renamed to the Henley Alumni Association and no longer affiliated to Brunel University.
“some people even say that why don’t you become president forever I said no no no I don’t want I’m not Lee Kuan Yew I don’t want to be become a president for life”
His outside interests include being a keen language learner based on his professional languages use and recreational travel.
Contacts and Links Mentioned:
Stanley Mak
iSmart Communications.
Brunel Alumni Association
Chris PardeyChris Pardey is the Brunel Alumni Association Representative in Singapore. Chris grew up and was educated in the UK. He has spent over 40 years working in the commodities industry. Spending 20 years with one company, working in the UK, Switzerland and Germany.
His move to Singapore saw him eventually being in the right place at the right time co-investing in a company and taking the role of CEO/Director.
“the banks like to spread their risk em and so it’s you know so it I think our Peak we were we were borrowing around 350 million dollars”
After cashing in, again, at the right time, he is currently Head of Agribusiness at R1 International PTE LTD.
From the beginning he has been a sports enthusiast starting as Captain of the Brunel University Football team and member of the Cricket Team, he now makes time to watch sports of all kinds. He links his work, love of sport, Brunel Alumni Association and current students to his charity work as Trustee with the Bali Sports Federation.
“So it’s basically been my initiative with Brunel but it’s partly what the University alumni is looking to achieve in terms of providing work experience opportunities for students ”
As Well As:
- 0:02:05 Chris Pardey introduces himself.
- 0:02:10 Over 40 years of experience in the commodity business and living in Singapore since 2005.
- 0:02:21 His passionate for sports and involvement in charitable activities in Indonesia.
- 0:02:31 Becoming the Brunel alumni representative in Singapore.
- 0:03:13 Chose an international career for job opportunities and to experience Asia.
- 0:03:40 Passionate about football and cricket, ran a football team in Singapore.
- 0:05:09 President of Brunel Alumni Association.
- 0:05:35 Creating the association and the connection to Brunel’s 50th anniversary and his reason.
- 0:09:44 His commitment to the Bali Sports Foundation, and the provision of sports opportunities for disadvantaged individuals in Bali.
- 0:10:38 Creating the link between Brunel and BSF.
- 0:11:20 The role for Brunel students within BSF from 2016, and the two years due to COVID-19.
- 0:12:16 The commitment BSF places on students for the charity and helping disabled individuals in Indonesia.
- 0:18:35 Chris’s after university, selected based on his involvement in sports.
- 0:18:57 His Work for 20 years in Geneva, Germany, and the UK, before he moved to Singapore.
- 0:19:01 Investing in RCMA with two colleagues, a commodity business and taking the role of CEO then selling in 2018 to a Chinese company.
- 0:19:46 Getting lucky and diversifying into other products and services
- 0:20:33 His current role working for another Chinese company.
- 0:21:58 The risk involved in taking on the role of CEO and learning along the way.
- 0:23:44 Why the business needed to deal with the 12 different banks.
- 0:24:52 Asking for money from the banks, relationships and not being nervous.
- 0:27:20 The reasons for selling and the outcomes for everyone involves.
- 0:28:17 Being able to walk away from the business.
- 0:28:40 Thanks to Chris for a great chat
- 0:28:42 If you have interest in the Brunel Alumni Association, are a Brunel student looking to get involved with the Bali Sports Foundation reach out to Chris on LinkedIn or visit the webpage.
Contacts and Links Mentioned:
Brunel Alumni Association
Bali Sports Federation
Yaya San kahaya Mutiara Ubud
Ben ClarkBen Clark in 2010 whilst on a break from training for the London Olympics as a swimmer dove into the sea and broke his neck changing his life forever.
Despite having 75% of his body paralysed he was determined to not let it defeat him and set out to live his life to the full.
That thinking led him to Adapt To Perform which Ben started as a way to help himself and others get fit and healthy no matter their circumstances, a first of kind!
“also make sure they’ve got the right equipment and the right trainer on the door and so that if somebody comes along they’re not just “umming and ahing” what to do they are there to be like oh welcome we’ve got a we’ve got a program this guy knows how to show you around the gym tell you what you can do Etc…”
Adapt To Perform is now the world’s largest resource of adapted fitness helping over 10,000 individuals all over the world live their life to the fullest. Ben does this all through content creation via both the Adapt To Perform website and social media. Which now reaches places he didn’t expect or plan for
“but I realized quickly that it went out to multiple places in the world and it was helping people that were in very very different situations to myself despite having the same disability so they would be maybe in India Indonesia even in parts of Africa or in the Middle East ??”
This conversation is the third of a new venture with the Brunel Alumni Association (Singapore).
The format is based on Entrepreneurs in Action and we are looking to evolve it into a stand alone podcast series focused on Brunel Alumni based in Singapore
Send your ideas and suggestions to me on LinkedIn, or in person at the next Brunel Alumni Association meetup in Singapore
one final thing at around five minutes 40 seconds I asked Ben about the accident, he does go into some details so if you are of a sensitive nature please skip forward to around seven minutes 45 seconds where I ask him about his recovery. Due to possible editing changes please visit the website for more accurate details
so now without further delay let’s begin
As Well As:
00:00 Introduction
02:35 Ben’s life before his accident
03:41 The event and sport Ben trained for
05:01 Was Ben the kind of athlete that needed to be pushed or did he push himself?
05:41 the accident: what happened and the effect it had after thinking his life was over
06:39 What saved his life?
07:43 After the accident and the obvious changes, rehab, the new challenges and swimming
09:31 The next swimming goal to make the Great Britain Paralympic Swimming Team 2012?
09:56 How the Stable Disability rule was missed.
11:07 The low point in around 2015?
12:57 Re-evaluation based not on role but higher values and becoming a coach?
13:30 The thought process behind becoming a coach, and success or failure?
15:41 Taking the discovery that there was an empty niche and the desire to progress with it further
17:48 Origin of the name of the company Adapt to Perform?
18:39 Funding Adapt To Perform
20:11 The biggest challenge for Adapt To Perform?
22:44 The surprise after the start of Adapt To Perform?
24:35 The future of Adapt To Perform
27:56 Ben’s and Adapt to Perform’s involvement with with Brunel University?
29:13 Posting the Bali trip on your YouTube channel?
29:59 How people can contact you?
31:09 Next episode Chris Pardey who is the Singapore Alumni Association president and Trustee of the Bali Sports Federation BSF
Contacts:
- Ben Clark on LinkedIn
- Adapt To Perform on Instagram
- Adapt To Perform on FaceBook
- ali_and_benji on Instagram
Mario Ferraro
Mario Ferraro is a thought leader in the area of Global Talent Management and an active member of the Brunel Alumni Association, Singapore
He moved to Singapore in 1998
But his unusual journey began in 1987. At the age of 18 one week after graduating from secondary school he moved on his own from Italy to the UK. Mario had no job and spoke very little English. His early jobs were for basic survival and during his commute he began reading books on physics. His interest grew, and In 1987 he enrolled to study a degree in physics at Brunel University. Mario’s first job after graduating required him to use his physic knowledge but a gradual shift towards the people within organisations occurred.
"Because you know you will have the best idea in the world If you don't have the people to execute it in the right place, at the right cost, at the right time. It’s just not going to happen. The world is full of great ideas which would never properly implemented…"
However, his physics training was and still is an important part of the approach Mario takes in his role.
When I think of how my physics interest and my physics background has help me throughout this, is I have found so many parallels and so many similarities between the laws of physics and what I observe in individuals in organisations and in societies in general.
So now without further delay let's begin
As Well As
Introduction Early life in UK, basic jobs interest in physics, interview and starting at Brunel Curiosity and how things work, a Basic under standing of Physics, a developing interest, Education in Italy and his specialisation First job in the UK with a tailor, factory then hotel, experience the UK and avoiding the Italian community. Panic answering the phone in English leading to increased confidence Early locations in UK and saving money to complete degree The goal to survive in the UK The evolution of Mario's career from physicist to human capital How his first job move after graduating came about How the move to Singapore occurred and the role Building and maintaining continuous career improvement Mario's role and purpose as employee number one for his current company Naming and describing his role in detail as an "Integrator" How Mario deals with conflicts in large organisations and the connection to individuals personal lives Equations that describe human behaviour Dealing with culture shock using physic's law of refraction to explain and deal with top performers failing in a new environment The mistaken assumptions that can be made when English speakers move to Singapore Mario's thoughts on his career progression over time and adapting when people no longer move physically and have to work remotely. The different approaches countries have taken post covid and allowing foreign employees to cross borders. Benefiting from the global talent pool Benefit of being part of the Brunel University Alumni Association (Singapore) Advice to current Brunel University Students Meeting at the next session
Mario Ferraro
ITX
Brunel University
Laurence Barrett
Laurence Barrett is a pioneering aviation engineer, entrepreneur and active member of the Brunel University Alumni Association. He has worked and lived in Singapore since 2014. His career in aerospace started as a systems engineer in 2002 in September 2012 he started an MBA in Aviation at Brunel University after making the challenging decision to leave a successful career as an engineer. After graduating He moved to Singapore working as a self-employed Aviation Business Specialist. Then in May 2015 he made the daunting decision to found his own aviation company Barrett Aerospace. "And I do actively employ people that are passionate about the jobs that they do. So much so that I would even create the job around the person" I sat down with Laurence in his engineering workshop for a conversation that covered his path from engineer, then founder, a few of the exciting developments that are occurring in the aerospace industry and the role that Brunel has played in his career and business development. "The MBA taught me a lot but I think the real world teaches you a lot more, and when you have something that’s a deadline that’s looming” This conversation is part of a new venture with the Brunel Alumni Association (Singapore). The format is based on my Entrepreneurs in Action series and we are looking to evolve it into a stand alone podcast series focused on Brunel Alumni based in Singapore. Send your ideas and suggestions to me on LinkedIn. So now without further delay let's begin As well as: 0:02:00 Leaving school with less than exemplary A-level results getting him into Polytechnic or RAF, or A-level repeat 0:02:58 Followed by 15 years in industry with Multinational companies 0:03:31 Learning how companies work by changing roles every 3 to 4 years 0:04:39 The role that overwhelmed him and revealed what he was not good at 0:05:05 supply supply relationship/analyst or engineer and the opportunities presented 0:07:14 Decision process of the next career move that led to quitting and a full-time MBA at Brunel University 0:09:12 Consulting wife, family and friends 0:10:48 Learning as a mature student and why choose Brunel University 0:12:33 Thinking about career options after the MBA 0:13:40 The realisation of the goal of doing something financially successful in the commercial aerospace industry 0:15:41 The Human-Powered Aircraft the Merlion Project 0:15:56 A bad joke by the host that's cleverly sidestepped by Laurence 0:16:04 Back to the serious business of human powered flight 0:18:47 Barrett Aerospace’s journey from drones to other aircraft and the effects of covid 0:19:53 electronic aircraft and electronic flight cooperation with Eviation and Deadlines 0:21:01 The importance building a network over time in an industry that enables working with other people and collaborating 0:21:27 project on time and on budget, the Alice Aircraft, July 2019 Paris 0:21:56 Eventually not just an engineer but the CEO and Founder 0:22:32 Creating jobs and roles around passionate, determined and driven people to create innovation 0:23:32 The real world need to bring engineering and return on investment together to the Human-Powered Aircraft Merlion Project 0:25:37 Working with other companies and start-ups that use crowdfunding and other non-traditional finance 0:26:24 how can and does the Singapore Alumni Association help? 0:31:08 Barrett Aerospace looking for engineering students for industrial placements 0:32:35 Finally we can be both contacted via LinkedIn A reminder if you're a Brunel Alumni or a current student and you wish to contact Laurence Barrett or myself Neville J Mckenzie you can do so through LinkedIn Links: https://www.barrettaerospace.com/ www.eviation.co https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurence-barrett-ab164846/ linkedin.com/in/njmckenzie
Chanfang Wang gave insightful answers, highlighted here, during The November China-Team ChinaWebinar Expert Talk: German Manufacturing Machines for Future Chinese “Red Ocean” Companies saw the moderator Xiaolong Hu interesting and informative discussing the Chinese machinery and automation market that is not only the largest, but also one of the fastest growing markets in the world.
Peter Bornschein, Thomas Wiedemann, Dr. Roland Rohde, Jan Lambacher and Rolf Kupek
Christmas time and unreliable Supply Chains don't go well together! Join our latest China Webinar! In the coming year, things are likely to look different. The banking association BdB assumes the strongest consumer boom since reunification in Germany. Despite the high order backlog, industrial activity is likely to be subdued into the coming year. With our experts, we discuss in an open panel about: What supply chain challenges will German companies have with regard to the Chinese market? What risks do the supply bottlenecks entail? How to prepare preventively? Panel Experts: Thomas Wiedemann, Senior Project Manager at Korn Consulting Group Dr. Roland Rohde, Representative Hong Kong South and West China at Germany Trade & Invest Jan Lambacher, General Manager at Yardistry Limited Rolf Kupek, Managing Director at Kupek Consulting & Business Development Moderator: Peter Bornschein, Lean Project Manager at msg systems AG Expert Introductions: Thomas Wiedemann Senior Project Manager Korn Consult Group Mr. Wiedemann has a degree in mechanical engineering and brings practical experience in automotive projects, especially with purchasing, supplier development and customer management and has also proved himself as an excellent team leader. He brings the following company experience: Webasto, JTEKT, BMW. He speaks German, English, French, Italian and Mandarin. Dr. Roland Rohde Representative Hongkong South and West China, GERMANY TRADE & INVEST Roland Rohde has a doctorate in economics and has been working as a market observer in Asia for Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) for 18 years. He is in Hong Kong for the second time. From there he reports on industries and markets in China. His reporting focuses on the electronics industry, the digital economy and aviation. Dr. Rohde speaks fluent Chinese (Mandarin) and a little Cantonese. Jan Lambacher General Manager Yardistry Limited Jan has been based in China since 2009 and has worked across the supply chain of multinationals and SMEs in the medical, industrial and consumer goods sectors. Central theme of his work has always been optimizing supply chains for import and export in and out of China within a global supply chain strategy. Rolf Kupek Managing Director Kupek Consulting & Business Development After studying mechanical engineering, more than 30 years of professional experience in project management at home and abroad with large corporations and more than 20 years as founder and managing director of a service company, the company was handed over to a successor. With Kupek Consulting & Business Development , the network built up and cultivated over the years is used alongside the company's own expertise to support medium-sized companies in their transformation processes and current problems. Especially the organization and development of international business connections are a main focus and have been successfully implemented several times. In doing so, a holistic, cross-functional approach is important, which is implemented in a pragmatic and goal-oriented manner. Peter Bornschein Lead Project Manager msg systems ag Seasoned General Manager and Leader in Business Software and Services Industry. Track record of growth, business development and client coordination. Exceptional competence in restructuring and turn-around. Established proficiency in transferring know-how and implementing company structures. Experienced in project steering and management. Demonstrated ability to communicate technical knowledge to different clients. Superb team player and leader with the ability to train, coach and motivate team members. Extensive multi-national experience in Germany, China, Poland, Malaysia, Singapore, USA, Sweden; communication skills in German, Swedish, Chinese and English
Xiaolong Hu, Martin Ebner, Chanfang Wang, Dr Martin Kovacik, Dr Tianyu Liu
The November China-Team ChinaWebinar Expert Talk: German Manufacturing Machines for Future Chinese “Red Ocean" Companies saw the moderator Xiaolong Hu interesting and informative discussing the Chinese machinery and automation market that is not only the largest, but also one of the fastest growing markets in the world. With German machine builders increasingly doing business with Chinese customers the future may look bright However, in many areas of application, the Chinese competitors even have an advantage due to their proximity to the production locations. With our experts, we discuss how German mechanical engineering companies can assert the Chinese market and serve Chinese customers in the future with market-oriented product concepts and high product quality. Panel Experts: Mr. Martin Ebner, CTO, Strama-MPS Group Chanfang Wang, Founder China Expert Services, Digital China-Europe Network Dr. Martin Kovacik, Director Engineering Energy Storage, Manz AG Dr. Tianyu Liu, General Manager Machine Sales Asia, voestalpine eifeler Vacotec GmbH Expert Introductions: Martin Ebner Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Strama-MPS Maschinenbau GmbH & Co., Straubing Trained in one of the first dual courses of study in Bavaria to become a mechanical engineer and at the same time holding a certificate as an industrial mechanic, as well as a consecutive master's degree at the Friedrich-Alexander University of Nurnberg-Erlangen, Mr. Ebner has already been working at Strama-MPS for 13 years in different areas. For two years now, as CTO, he has been managing the company's digitalization, strategic fields as well as innovations in the areas of automation technology. Besides he is a member of the Wirtschaftsjunioren Deutschland as well as a former scholarship holder of the Hanns-Seidl-Foundation. Xiaolong Hu Managing Partner China-Team GmbH He is expert and ChinaCoach supporting European small and medium sized enterprises archiving sustainable market success. As founder of China-Team (www.china-team.de), Xiaolong Hu looks back on 20 years experience in consulting business in Europe and China. Chanfang Wang Founder China Expert Services Digital China-Europe Network Chanfang Wang has more than 13 years of experience in Europe in corporate strategy, change management, market & competitive intelligence, business development in IT, machinery automation & robotics industries. Now she's the Founder of China Expert Services (CES) and Digital China-Europe Network based in Frankfurt. She’s passionate about connecting people, ideas and technology. CES helps European high-tech SMEs expand and digitize in China, Chinese high-tech SMEs expand to Europe with transformational educational programs and digital tours. Dr. Tianyu Liu General Manager of machine sales Asia voestalpine eifeler Vacotec GmbH Dr. Liu received his Ph. D degree from Humboldt University in 2004. Since then he has over 15 years work experience based in Shanghai. This includes 7 years business consulting to support SME customers to formulate China business entry strategy and in addition to implement running the business. He has a very good knowledge of the Chinese market and is able to establish business relations and strategic orientations in Asia, especially in China. He devoted himself to support German SMEs to do the business development in Asia right after his consulting career was over. Market and customers needs orientation in addition to his strong technology background can always lead to successful business development stories in China. Dr. Martin Kovacik Director Engineering Energy Storage Manz AG Martin is mechanical engineer with PhD. in Bionics and Innovation strategy. He built up two engineering centers in Slovakia and China for German Machine and System manufacturer KraussMaffei Technologies and in China developed two serial machines for local Chinese market.
Prof. Peter Sachsenmeier, Dr. Sandra Bell, Johannes Kreissig, Corinne Abele, Winfried Mayer, Claudia Sanders
Prof. Peter Sachsenmeier is a strategist, expert in complex technology management, industrial innovator and visionary. He is actively involved in knowledge transfer from research to industry, and combined outstanding appointments in academia with important posts in international companies. He combines deep technology knowledge with a keen sense of new business and management modes based on the digital transformation of all industries. With the national engineering academies of China and India, he has been engaged in smart city research and with the associated technologies for the last 15 years. In his International Innovation Center he leads smart city, green technologies, green materials and green finance teams. In 2014, Professor Peter Sachsenmeier 院士 received an award from the Chinese Green Rooftops association for his contribution to green ideas and technologies.
Dr. Sandra Bell is an accomplished business leader, lifelong China expert and visionary strategist. She has 20 years working experience in strategy, go-to-market, and e-commerce. She worked 10 years for The Boston Consulting Group, and had leading positions in Henkel and Hershey, both in Germany and China. Today she leads the China & India region for Viega. Viega is a family-owned company and a hidden champion from Germany. Viega is global market leader in copper press technology and hygienic & potable drinking water solutions for infrastructure buildings.
Johannes Kreissig is a visionary and thought leader in the field of sustainable construction. He has over 25 years of professional experience in the areas of life cycle assessment, sustainability assessment and strategy consulting. He worked for more than 15 years as a acting partner in the software and sustainability consulting specialist thinkstep. Since 2016 he has been CEO of the German Sustainable Building Council - DGNB, which is Europe's largest network for sustainable construction. The DGNB certification system, a planning and optimisation tool for sustainable buildings and districts, which helps to increase real sustainability in construction projects, is DGNBs key instrument to achieve sustainable buildings for everybody – everywhere.
Corinne Abele is the Head of the Foreign Trade Information Bureau of Germany Trade & Invest in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. Corinne has been living and working in China for nearly 20 years. An experienced journalist and economist, she has documented China's economic development with analyses, articles and lectures. A big part of her work focuses on the observation and analysis of innovation-driven technology markets and industrial digitalisation in China. Her other main topics are environmental protection, renewable energy, engineering and competition in China. Since 2014, Ms. Abele has been heading the Trade Information Section of Germany Trade and Invest in Shanghai. Prior to this she worked in the same position in Beijing (2004-2012) and in Taipei (1998-2004).
Winfried Mayer, founded MPS in 1984 in Stuttgart MPS designs factories and industrial buildings in accordance with German standards and, depending on the area, according to local regulations. We also supervise local planning, take care of tender procedure as well as monitor and direct building operations on-site all over the world. Branches: Shanghai, China; Pune, India; Beverungen, Germany Projects: Over 500 projects in 25 countries
Claudia Sanders is with the Network for Architecture Exchange NAX, the Federal Chamber of German Architects (BAK) supports German architects of all disciplines, engineers and specialist planners on their way to new markets. NAX thus promotes planning quality and the brand "Architecture Made in Germany" abroad with a wide portfolio of formats and activities. NAX brings together export-oriented planners and mediates contacts between domestic and...
Laurie Underwood
Laurie Underwood is an American professor, author and consultant specializing in cross-cultural business communications She has studied worked and lived in Shanghai since 2002 Together with Prof Juan Fernandez at CEIBS, she has co-authored China CEO (2006), China Entrepreneur (2009) and most recently China CEO II (2020). The audio book was released in June 2021. Book links below. After around 10 years of work in Corporate Communications (most recently as Communications Director Asia Pacific for Air Liquide) she got her doctorate finished in 2019 and switched to consulting and teaching. She is a senior consultant with Sino Associates, focusing on intercultural business communications and crisis communications, and she teaches at several business schools including NYU Shanghai, University of Aberdeen, SKEMA and EmLyon. Today, she speaks with us about the realities of working in China post covid, working with China if you cannot travel there because of covid, and more generally sharing advice from China CEOs on the challenges and opportunities of doing business with China today. As well as
The answer to the most Northern City in the USA Laurie’s career journey Moving to China and reasons for staying Career transitions and motivation for the changes The origins of China CEO and China CEO II, The differences in the people performing the role of CEO in China A hint at how they became CEOs The routes to becoming a CEO The personality traits that a CEO should have to not fail in China How someone can fail at being a CEO in China Laurie’s perspective on Westerners recently trying to move to live and work in China The speed of change and the changes that have taken place The freedom to reinvent yourself What does the word “culture" mean to Laurie? What do the different generations think about Career, Work and Entrepreneurship How Laurie’s classmates careers have changed The recent need for Laurie’s knowledge and experience Laurie explains why she isn’t a CEO What she has learned from CEOs, and as a professor and consultant
so now without further delay let's begin
Jochen Schultz, Qiang Rong, Wei Zhang, Stefan Sack, Hsiao J Chiu (Top Left, clockwise)
Jochen Schultz is the Managing Director and Member of the Board at China Netzwerk Baden-Württemberg, He has been supporting institutions and companies with professional training for 16 years (Schultz Professional Trainings). Which specialises in the development and implementation of qualification measures in China as well as for Chinese companies in Germany. In this podcast a recording of the webinar “Future Leaders in Sino-European Enterprises”, his role is moderator.
The keynote:
Qiang Rong who has dedicated himself for the Chinese city Foshan and German cooperation for more than 10 years Qiang represents the sponsor, Foshan Sino German Industry Service Zone. He has helped many companies from Germany to invest in Foshan and promotes the benefits of setting up in Foshan. The industrial service zone is also open to companies to setup from all part of the world.
The expert panelist joining Jochen and Qiang are:
Stefan Sack General Manager Zobele China - Director APAC Zobele Group
Zobele is manufacturing company with 2,000 employees located in Shenzhen. After completing his PhD Stefan has lived and worked in manufacturing in China since 2005, His various roles have been with German and Italian companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen. He has also served as Vice President and Chairman of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai 2013-15.
Wei Zhang is the founder of Beijing For You International Management Consulting Co., Ltd, China which provides training, coaching and blended learning solutions to local and international clients in China. She has worked with many German companies in China, helping them identify and develop talent. Wei Zhang uses her unique insights and valuable experience to combat the rapid changes still taking place in China.
Hsiao J. Chiu is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of JP contagi Asia, an Executive search firm with offices in Germany, Switzerland and China. As a professional recruitment consultant and cultural hybrid, he has been supporting European and Chinese companies for more than 15 years’. Hsiao J. Chiu’s family are originally from Zhejiang province, with Hsiao being born in Germany and has been based in Asia since 2004.
The combined teams wide and varied experience allows them to tackle the following questions:
What is the status quo of people management in China, what are the current challenges and how does this effect the leadership management? How to identify future leaders? How to qualify future leaders?
So now without further delay lets begin
Time Stamp
00:00:31 Introduction
00:03:43 Opening of Webinar by Jochen Schultz Introduction to keynote
00:05:48 Delivery of Keynote by Qiang Rong
00:25:26 Questions to Qiang Rong
00:30:26 Introduction of Experts
00:33:26 Discussion with Experts led by Jochen Schultz
00:35:26 Stefan Sack, Wei Zhang and Hsiao J. Chiu and Qiang Rong
01:22:17 Dr Tumis’s comments on Cultural aspects of trust
01:24:00 Final Closing remarks from experts
01:33:00 End
This podcast it's made in partnership between ChinaTeam (on LinkedIn) and AsiaBizStories
Frank Epping in 1995 founded CUP&CINO in Germany. He is still the sole owner and CEO of the company that started with coffee shops. This podcast is a recording of a moderated webinar titled “How to Participate in the Boom of the Food and Beverage Market in China?” We fast forward to today where this entrepreneur along with his team are about to enter the Chinese market. They bring with them CUP&CINO's own Coffee machine and business concept. Kerstin Kaehler, Fabian Berndt, Maik Juengst on the panel and moderated by Adrian de Riz. They are all experts at doing business in China and give guidance to a CUP&CINO as it to steps into the new and unknown. Frank Epping is in the audience listening. However, the keynote is delivered by Sven Keysers the Chief Business Development Officer of CUP&CINO. From this point on the podcast speaks for itself however. But, Sven does present a series of slides before the moderated discussion takes place. If you'd like a copy of the slides visit China team on LinkedIn and make a request. So now without further delay let's begin. Time Stamp
00:01:33Introduction of the experts by the moderator00:03:40Delivery of Keynote by Sven Keysers00:25:05Panel Discussion01:22:17Closing Remarks01:26:00End
Neville J McKenzie
Erin Soutar of the Hive Co-working Space Lavender Podcast studio in Singapore reverses the roles on Neville J McKenzie as he is the one discussing his thoughts on podcasting. The Hive has allowed AsiaBizStories to share the podcast on it's platform. As Neville talks about the topic of podcasting generally.
From using podcasts in education
Neville: So then you're not asking students to sit down and read or watch videos in the class. You're actually sending them to a website or a podcast and saying, read listen to this then when we come into the classroom we'll discuss what you've learned from it. Erin: It certainly sounds like a better way of learning I suppose we just need to convince the parents now.
Building a community around podcasting
Neville: I find them very interesting. I get to meet a good range of people because podcasting crosses all sorts of boundaries and this is where I hope that we can build a community, because it's not, it's not about the competition between podcasters, because there's and I think there's a niche for everyone that is interested in podcasting.
In this conversation Neville gives a brief insight into the potential, and changes Erin’s mind on a few beliefs about podcasts and podcasting.
So now without further delay lets begin.
As well as:
Entrance to the world of podcasting in China and entrepreneurship. A perspective on how the senses relate to podcasting The challenges faced by podcasters. His role in encouraging potential podcasters to give it a go. What makes a successful podcast What it means to build a community around a podcast. The growth of podcasting in Singapore Advice on the first steps to becoming or improving as a podcaster The mind set of a podcaster What effort and operating costs are involved in podcasting Key points to consider when choosing where to hosting a podcast What to focus on when building your audience What to prioritise in order not to make a bad podcast Engaging the youth with podcasts Using podcasts for education and blended learning and the need to convince parents and students. Convince Erin that she should not feel guilty about listening to free content and why it is good for the content producer What podcasts listened to and used Inform Erin that there is a podcast out there for every listener, you just have to find it. Up and coming projects at the Hive Lavender. How and why subjects are selected for the AsiaBizStories podcast series
Elvis Simon
Elvis Simon is a barber with 33 years experience as a salon owner and teacher of barbering in London, England. He has also founded the Quality Barbers Association, QBA, which is involved in raising the professionalism of barbers. His colleagues include some famous names in the UK barbering and hairdressing world such as Rudi Page the former sales manager of Dyke and Dryden, Derek Clements, former Artistic Director of Splinters International and MK a mens stylist with Andis. He has also worked on TV and film sets, first the 90s TV show “Dance Energy, where he planned the hair styles of the DJ Normski and then a film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Until Death. Where he was responsible for the hair styling of British actor Gary Beadle of East Enders fame. Our conversation took place when he took a break during his short visit as he explored the potential of the Singapore market. Generally everyone needs a hair cut and his introduction to someone thinking of becoming a barber or hairdresser… If you don't like what you're about to do, don’t do it. because this is something that even when you want to get out of you can’t With the average haircut taking 45 minutes and the nature of being a barber bringing you into intimate contact with thousands, Elvis has learned a thing or two about people. I’ve been doing this for thirty years. I’ve seen people evolve from really clever to really stupid and you know in thirty years. Man has not progressed he has regressed, unfortunately. Just got thicker and thicker. This podcast covers a lot of ground in the black barbering industry. As well as
Why he founded the QBA and who else is involved The events that led him to becoming a barber, learning from his elders and opening his own barbershops How and the reasons why hairstyles have changed since the 60s and links to hairstyles dating back hundreds of years Using hair as a tool for personal branding and the reasons why footballers such as Paul Pogba, Djibril Cissé and Matteo Guendouzi. Being judged by your hairstyle and the effects of cultural biases Why Singapore is now looking attractive to an entrepreneurial barber from London The favour that got him into teaching and new opportunities The latest trend in men’s hair care scalp micro pigmentation Traditional black barbershop culture and how it is evolving to provide health information to the community The limits in China for black haircare in the 90s and early 2000s and the DIY and self-help approach Teaching and training other nationalities how to cut black people’s hair and what NBA players do in China The request for a (free) haircut Working in TV and Film and the challenges it posses Barber—client confidentiality and a story he can tell us The wisdom, knowledge and advice coming from the barber How to approach embarking on a new and challenging venture
Thanks to Elvis for that great insight into his plans for the future in Singapore and the business world of Black Hairdressing. We wish him all the best You can follow Elvis Simon on Instagram @ebs748
Moses Kakanga
Moses Kakanga was born by Lake Victoria in the old capital Entebbe, Uganda where he attended school before moving to the capital Kampala Makerere University, the oldest university in eastern and central Africa. Where he graduating with a degree in biomedical laboratory technology. Moses then went on to work for an infectious disease Institute for three years before returning to study for a Masters degree in structural molecular biology, which culminated with study at Birkbeck College University London. He then returned home and continued with his previous employer for another four years. He then decided on another round of graduate study finding a scholarship on the Singapore international graduate award. And move to Singapore to pursue a PhD in biochemistry. From young Moses wanted to work in the medical field as a scientist. He was surrounded by several role models. His father was a practice in physician for 40 years and is still practising although semi retired. His mum is a nurse and many of aunts are nurses and growing up in a hospital community he saw he was exposed to many other role models in the medical profession. Initially he wanted to go to medical school but didn’t get the points before settling on biomedical laboratory science. When he looks back he looks back Moses attributes his success to working hard, which was based on his desire to attend medical school and in Uganda like most countries required the highest grades and to be top of your class. Moses believes he’s achieved everything he’s wanted academically. Initially he wanted to remain in academia and become a professor then after doing his Phd and living in Singapore he came to the realisation he wasn’t suited for a career in academia saying “If you wanna be in academia in the Western World you have to publish well. The pre-requisites are very stiff.” It wasn’t the challenge of academia as his previous employer wanted him back, offering him a position in the USA for two years. But he realised he wanted to have a career in Bio-med Innovation and create devices for unmet clinical needs. Moses grew up in the 90s in Entebbe before leaving in 2004 to go to the capital, Kampala to study at the Makerere University, which was a former College of the University of London and after independence it was handed over to the government of Uganda. It has the oldest medical school in Uganda. The medical school is ranked highly internationally is one of the top five in Africa. During the time he studied there a lot of international students from Kenya and Tanzania Moses then received a commonwealth scholarship and was attached to a scientist in Uganda. However the final six months were finished at Birkbeck, University of London while still attached to a Scientist in Uganda. He wasn’t lonely in London as he had cousins there and had a pleasant time. Missing out on the scholarship didn’t feel so bad because Moses was young at 17 and his dad was a bit scared about sending him alone to Hungary where he would also needed to learn a new language as well as the fact that he was already going to university in Uganda. Looking back at the time going it may have seemed like a missed opportunity but the other opportunities that have presented themselves have more than made-up for it. The desire to develop by a medical devices arose during his Phd studies as he worked on Biosensors for screening anti-cancer drugs and his interest shifted to a desire on innovation, drug or devices development. Moses feel that by remaining in academia he would not be able to accomplish as much due to the rigid and competitive career development. The challenge he sees for a scientist entering the world of entrepreneurship, are a lack of business skills, which for example may be business model development, customer development, market access. This lake is something that can be overcome by hiring a person with these business skills.
Ann Morgan is new to the world podcast production and joins Graham Brown the founder of Asia Tech Podcast and myself in our latest conversation recorded in the Asia Tech Podcast studio for the Ask Me Anything Podcast, where we discuss podcasting with a focus on Ann’s questions as she navigates the world of podcasting from a complete beginner.
"Because funnily enough I know there's a lot, we've talked about a lot about confidence and just getting on with things and for me actually doing the podcasts is a step, and I'm not saying it's not scary, finding your voice and becoming natural at it and just making improvements
Anne’s passion is growing as she develops her project and works out who and where her audience is, and with the launch phase approaching the excitement is increasing for us both all.
““You've literally gone Live, or you've started to go live. Would you... Do you think you have to do a pre, some kind of pre-thing? Do you have to be on every single social media... What's a simple way of doing it?”
Even though Anne has a non-technical background she has in our view comfortably reached the publish stage of her podcast production journey and constructed her website.
You can contact Anne on Linkedin and her website at celibratethestory.com
As well as
Ann describing her journey towards being a podcast producer from nowhere to recording four episodes, one hour in the studio with four colleagues on a roundtable Publishing your podcast and the next step After recording the podcast, the first thing, then what do you do? The editing and the process of making it live. Choosing where to publish iTunes, Spotify, the next two Google, Stitcher Including music in the podcast, Royalty free or buy, outsource or commission starting out at a low price or even free and the pitfalls. Free music source websites as well as get a family member to create Professional production can be low cost or costly, see fiverr But do you need music at all just go straight into the intro, DIY approach, or use a voice over professional again see fiverr Can someone not like your podcast because there is no music? Domain naming your podcast, How to choose and where do I put my podcast. Server, Soundcloud, Blubrry, Possible problems, Free, Paid options, stepped options. Where to put show-notes and integration with website Audio file hosting. Taking the paid option with SoundCloud, Blubrry or the free one stop option for example with Anchor which is free, but has the potential pitfall of who owns the content. Designing your Cover Art: The fiverr option the low price option, the restrictions and potential pitfalls Publishing on Sound Cloud and iTunes followed by how do you attract an audience and who to hustle and how. The confusion of subscribe and how to overcome it. What are the platform algorithms doing and how to give the podcast a boost to reach escape velocity and get reviews Should you launch 1, 3 or more podcasts, publish regularly or irregularly? Different approaches to podcasting: Experimenting or putting out your podcast for business reasons The effect on media of noise in the content world and the need to hustle. The importance of producing something that is good, but remember it has to appeal to a specific audience that is interested. How to make it easy for your friends and guests to share the podcast with the example of a ATP’s live card. Brief explanation of getting onto SoundCloud without a website The ATP’s live card, creating a template and where to get the guests picture The challenge that appears after recording: the editing. Eliminating excuses to not publish and overcoming the loneliness of editing Preparing for the conversation it helps with editing. What happens during the conversation the challenges and how to overcome How to decide when to stop the editing process. What to do with Ums and Ahs.
Graham Brown is the founder of Asia Tech Podcast. This is our second one on one conversation and was recorded in the ATP studio for the Ask Me Anything Podcast, where we discuss podcasting with a focus on Asia along with the wider personal aspects of podcasting.
“Now a podcast is personal as you say. So really, I think this is a mistake people make this come to this they try and focus podcast on a very specific subject area, which is fine. However that may change over time, and it probably will like any human being you're going to evolve and find new interests and so on.”
Graham is very passionate about podcasting and warning that this is revealed in the language he uses to express what he is doing with Asia Tech Podcast and podcasting in general.
As well as:
Graham’s podcasting series and conversations with other podcasters. Some of the specific issues with podcasting in China, for example the blocking of Google web services. Learning how to use web services outside of China. Cooperation between podcasters by sharing podcasts. Listener questions The growing interest in podcasting in Asia, which likes Europe and the USA. The show stopper question, what should I broadcast about? and how most people get it wrong. The importance of telling your personal story that enables growth. Evolution ending a podcast series and starting a new podcast with the story that you really want to tell The host enabling the continuity of the podcast and dropping clues to their own personal experiences. The difference between a podcast host and the traditional interviewer. The listener eavesdropping on a conversation and building a relationship of trust with the host. Breaking away from the traditional interview with Asia Tech Podcast’s Camp fire like podcast ‘the Grind’. The audience as the third person in a conversation. The difference between private conversations of the past and public conversations and its dangers. Being able to witness peoples views changing and allowing people to grow. The repercussions of Elon Musk smoking marijuana on the Joe Rogan show, changes in language and leaving in swearing and the ‘ums and ahs. Errors during the podcasting recording process. The individuality of each podcasters working in different ways. The belief that everyone should have a podcast to tell part of the story. Using the tools available to market yourself. FEAR, the reason why people don’t market themselves in the way they should. Podcasting as a way of bringing your thoughts together. All you have to do is step up. You don’t need 1 million downloads. You just need to reach the people you need to reach. The interest in how to podcast? Start off with your friends and asked the question, what should we podcast about? The next question how long should a podcast be? The different types of audience, just for, information, entertainment and edutainment. The podcaster’s journey of improvement. What’s a good length to start off with? If people can find the time to binge watch Game of Thrones, why should you worry about producing a 3 hour podcast on your topic of interest and ignore the advice to keep it around 10 minutes. The listener is in control and can pause the podcast. Is the flexibility of podcasting up to the imagination of the podcasters? The world before social media and the change it brought about, for example hijacking the heart. Audio formats fight back against social media. Did TV start the process of desocialisation or did it bring us together? Mass broadcast TV losing its social currency versus video on demand. Podcasting using the Starbucks model to reconnect people. Increased understanding with audio and video communication. Human to human hormonal response. Turning humans to machines and the missing soul in AI. Podcasting as a way of getting your thoughts together, germinating crystallising ideas.
Graham Brown is the founder of Asia Tech Podcast. In this conversation Graham tells us about his journey from an AI graduate in the 90’s, when there was no demand, becoming an entrepreneur in several industries, going into semi-retirement to travel the world, before being lured back to the world of entrepreneurship in Singapore.
“If you were into music they were all made by Japanese companies and you had a stereo at home, which was Japanese and you watched it on a Japanese TV, and we learned about Japanese cars, samurai and ninja. Wow! This world just blew me away and I wanted to be part of that and I looked at where I grew up and just wanted to get out.”
The failures that often accompany entrepreneurs before the overnight success.
“We went from people playing like 10 to 15,000 dollars to speak, to be on a conference, to sponsor it, to be on that. To like the next week nothing. Crickets! just wants right to be on that they like the next week nothing crickets sorry. That completely went belly-up. So he has a wild ride. That was the second business”
This is the first time that Graham has appeared as a guest and the conversation was recorded in the studio of Asia Tech Podcast, where I also appear as a guest host.
So now without further delay lets begin.
As well as:
The first radio style interview in 2002 with an employee of Hewlett-Packard who later became the founder of Angry Birds. The break into marketing, founding a property company, a telecom company. How the switch between different Industries is an essentials part of peoples lives. His life in Japan in the 1990s, returning to the UK and determined to start business even with no connections in entrepreneurship. The big break to start his own business, a phone number in the newspaper and making 120 calls a day selling Financial Services The lessons learned from working in a tough environment Are you joining a cult? Overcoming the disheartening response from the people around him. Silence and the quest for self-improvement. The type of person that ended up in Japan in the 1990s Why Graham idolised Japan and a graduate in AI 20 years too early, so go teach English in Japan just as the bubble bursts 2 years in Japan Returning to the UK after two years in the late 90s as the UK economy picks up. The rumours of people walking out of university and picking up good jobs in the city. Unable to get that job in the city so taking the job selling Finance in the city as a stepping stone The first business building computers with his best mate and a marketing strategy based on what he’d learned in finance making hundreds of calls a day. Building Computers the business fails after a year and his friends returns to a job Graham left with the debt but determined to go as an entrepreneur with the debt paid off 10 years later. The second business 1997-98 organizing meet-ups in pubs on the internet, meeting people on ICQ. Reasons why around 2000 people started getting interested. How confusion led to conferences appearances in the USA and opportunities with CNBC on the topic of Mobile and WAP commanding fees of $10--$15,00 to speak on a conference panels and then the following. The effect of the Dot Com crises. The third business the firs and only at the time to research “mobile phone usage with young people” Rejection by Nokia but accepted by Disney, MTV, Intel, European Union, United Nations and the published UN report "Children and Mobile Phones”. (https://www.unicef.org/adolescence/files/SOWC_2011_Main_Report_EN_02092011.pdf). The reasons why this business was a success why he got out with as much cash as possible, where he put the cash and selling the business to his partner and then sitting down with his wife and explaining what he wanted to do next. A father selling ancient Japanese Scrolls around the world and why his wife understood the entrepreneurial world.
John Cheng, Aaron Wong and Wynne Peh are three participants of Feed Camp 2018 and we find out the background to their participation
The issue and what if a solution is not found stated by John from Cheng Yew Heng Candy Factory.
“… even in FEED Camp 2018 which is really about feeding, you know a very big 9 billion population in 2050, where if we don't come up solution right now, when we reach that stage, you know, food as a resource can be seen as a tool for war.”
Innovative ideas based on waste from Aaron Wong from SinFooTech
“ Because I mean what we're trying to do is that we're taking a waste by-product and turning them into Innovative consumer products that never been seen before and they have a fair bit of commercial value as well…”
And top secrets under development from Wynne Peh also with Cheng Yew Heng Candy Factory
“We have right now before the new office and the new labs comes up in Q1 next year. So I think we were doing good with kombucha but it's all secret right now. We can’t reveal too much of it.”
This conversation was part 2 of a four part series published on the AsiaTech Podcast platform where I am also a guest host.
So now without further delay lets begin.
As well as:
John: States his role as director of Cheng Yew Heng Candy Factory a very traditional family business modernising and the creation of Innovate360 Aaron: States the benefit of SinFooTech being part of the Innovate 360 initiative to develop new startups that develop new foods. Aaron: The creation of a new Soya alcoholic named Sachi from soya waste. John: scouting for individuals and startups to join the Innovate360 program during the FEED Camp 2018 Wynne: states her role supporting John and Innovate360 as they move into uncharted territories in Singapores food industry Wynne: Innovate360 and the creation Singapores first incubator facilities focused on food in order to produce a more sustainable food ecosystem, is the focus of FEED Camp 2018 John: The uncharted territory that Feed Camp 2018 will explore John : adds his grand father starting the Cheng Yew Heng Candy Factory’s history in 1947 making Chinese candies and preserved fruits, trading their own raw materials in the 1990s to now being one of the bigger players in Asia in sugar, rice and flour John: Along with automation and maintaining the traditional sugar based products John: The Jewels was initiative started in the last 2 years ago that transformed a very traditional rock into something young and trendy John: How he was called from a career in the banking industry back to the family business where he found himself as a young manager having to modernise the business John: The challenges of changing processes, building trust with the employees in order to move the company in a new direction with his brothers John: Entering the business with a vision to put in place systems, raise productivity, attract younger talent, talk about succession, and grow the business Aaron: The gratitude towards John in passing on his fantastic experience as a mentor and partner to help develop SinFooTech as a startup in the food industry Aaron: his journey from a brief corporate background in the aviation industry before joining SinFooTech was only a matter of time as his parents were entrepreneurs Aaron: Why food entrepreneurship should not be overlooked Aaron: Overcoming the biases associated with using waste to produce new forms of food, which are nutritious and tasty. Aaron: Producing alcoholic beverages from waste soya Aaron: Going from producing food in the laboratory to factory production with the help of Innovate360 John: How he through Innovate360 will use the new factory facilities to be the foundation of taking new foods from the laboratory to commercial production as a one-stop-shop solution for startups who are looking to scale-up.
Glenn van Zutphen
Glenn van Zutphen is the founder of VanMedia Group a company he founded over twelve years ago and based on his knowledge of over twenty-five years as an international journalist. The mission he chose is to guide thought leaders to significantly shape their organisation and industry by creating and communicating provocative & memorable messages across digital and traditional channels for news media interviews, conferences, and TED Talks.
Now due to the rise of social media and the rise of social selling the need for entrepreneurs to get to grips with what is happening is on the rise.
Literally anybody can buy these days with just a few hundred dollars, maybe a little bit more depending on the type of gear you get, and then put together a podcast like this or any kind of a news story and upload it whether it's on your own website or on Stitcher or on any number of podcast hosting sites.
In comparison in the past being an entrepreneur or business executive was a lot simpler and easier. Now the ability to communicate credibly both personally and professionally is exponentially increasing as social selling becomes more demanding.
Generally speaking, executives don't like to see themselves on TV, or hear themselves on the radio, or they don't really like this idea of exposing themselves externally to whatever… whatever audience it is. So from that perspective there was a bit of hesitation on most peoples… you know the reaction.
In this conversation, which was recorded at the 1880 Members Club in Singapore we get a brief insight into the thoughts of one of the top media professional in Asia.
As well as:
Glenn van Zutphen's journey from a graduate in media studies in the USA to Singapore: Why and how the self confessed news junky at heart decided to step away from daily journalism and build a business of his own: How much do you need to put together a podcast or news story and upload it to a website: Which is more important interviewing skills or being curious?: Why the process of developing a podcast requires understanding the need to figure out first, what is the voice of the podcast: The requirements to become a credible source: Understanding that fake news has taken on a new importance: Facing the challenges of leaving a stable job to create a media company and taking a long hard look and asking the hard personal questions: Running a business successfully takes longer than the 6 months it takes to getting started: Using the network to reach out and let everyone know what you are in business: Who has the budget to give you business large companies or SMEs Training to overcome the fear of appearing in front of a camera and understanding why executives should do it: The complete novice to strong communicator in 8 hours: Why should an executive should have hands-on with Social Selling: The arrival of the Smart Asian Leaders communicating globally in their own style: Communication style: one size doesn’t fit all: Personal reflections on what makes journalism and passing on the skills enjoyable: The first step in the personal coaching process: What needs to be achieved, how many, what are the issues?: The age we live in and the communication noise, watch, read, listen and using your voice to become clear, concise, confident, hopefully even captivating: A personal experience of not managing information overload well: A solution to managing rabbit hole of information overload: Relaxing with the family and disconnecting from the digital world:
Links:
Glenn van Zutphen on LinkedIn
Virginia Cha and Patricia Lim
Virginia Cha and Petrina Lim discuss Feed Camp 2018. Virginia Cha, professor-in-residence at Platform E and Petrina Lim, Head for the Centre for Applied Nutrition at Temasek Polytechnic. Feed Camp 2018 is an initiative orgainsed at PlatformE in which Virginia and Petrina are key participants.
The issue as thought out by Virginia.
“Wondering out loud, you know we're going to be something like 9.7 billion people on this earth very soon in the next 20-30 years…”
And technical guidance from Patrina
“So that’s targeting the food manufacturing sector, also the food service sectors as well, and trying to encourage this environment of healthier eating for the people…”
This conversation is part 1 of a four part series published on the AsiaTech Podcast platform where I am now a guest host.
As well as:
A look at innovation and entrepreneurship in the food industry. Feed camp 2018 the first step to make Singapore the food start-up. The need for a paradigm shift in food production in the way food is delivered, made, and the way waste is dealt with. Virginia Cha’s role as the former entrepreneur professor in residence at Platform E we'll help to create a framework to stimulate innovative thinking for prototypes and products at Feed Camp 2018 Patrina Lim’s role is as the technical expert and sees her role as being a nutritionist and food scientist from the Temasek Polytechnic is to develop meals and food manufacture systems that will provide healthy eating for Singaporeans hobby of eating The different types of collaboration international and domestic. The benefits Feed Camp 2018 will bring to create an ecosystem at Platform E. The Feed Camp / Boot Camp held on a Thursday night, Friday night and all day Saturday to bring new concepts of food and the experience. What Hershey recent acquisition of pirate brands means to the food industry. Feed camp 2018 idea for conceptual prototypes and people in the food science space meet the needs of an increase of vegetarians in Asia by 140% and the interest in China. Patrina’s passion as a nutritionist and food scientist to see the creation new food from inception to the shelf to satisfy the future needs of people and solve the major food issues. Patrina’s participation in a recent conference on food with industry partners manufacturers, restaurateurs that examined potential new food sources. Who is involved in making new plant-protein based foods tasty and where demand is coming from and the effects on the food industry. Who’s mind needs to be changed and the challenges Local examples of Singaporean startups that are leading the way. The NDA that stops the mention of the major food company that will attend to find out what are the innovations and experience what is happening. Patrina’s experience of working with large companies verses startups, where each excels and are there any preferences. Find out the importance that Platform E and Singapore places on food innovation and the plans for April 2019. The qualifications that Singapore; the abundance of F&B outlets, described as foodie nation and a trusted brand. How a future motivated Singapore involved in the food production with Government support with provide new initiatives in food. Involved in the Feed Camp 2018 ecosystem are PlatformE, Temasek Polytechnic, Innovation360 and FocusTech Ventures
Links to the FEED Camp 2018 joint initiative by
Platform E, Temasek Polytechnic, Innovate360 and Focustech Ventures.
Jeroen van Overbeek
Jeroen van Overbeek is the founder of Social Impakt a social impact enterprise. Previously he spent over twenty years working in manufacturing in Europe and Asia. He then decided he wanted to change track and switch to making a social impact. The mission he chose was to bring clean water to South East Asia specifically Bali in Indonesia.
Now, due to natural disasters in the area he finds that as a social entrepreneur the need for his product has increased drastically along with an expansion of volumes and the area where his product is needed
“A problem which is 3, 4 times the magnitude of the Bali issue, because there's about half a million people, close to half a million who have no roof right now and that will last for a while, They are reconstructing now.”
Being an entrepreneur in normal times is difficult enough but in an environment where nature is unforgiving the stresses are greater.
“Try to get more sleep. You trying to get as fit as you can in the conditions. Just give you and example, because of the Lombok earthquake I scaled my business 30 times in the period of two weeks.”
In this conversation we get a brief insight into the world of the social entrepreneur at the sharp edge where nature is unforgiving.
As well as:
The journey to Bali to become a social entrepreneur starting from a career and experience in general management in manufacturing, food, pharma, selling products B2B internationally leading to a final role handling 3.5 million and overseeing a thousand people. The formation of reasons behind the change in wanting to start a business based on his experience, knowledge and a desire to return to Asia and work on something with a social value The first ventures which were starting two companies in 2013, one a peer to peer lending micro-finance social enterprise and the other supplying clean water to rural communities The emotions and challenges of going from corporate to social impact from a regular salary to no salary and the challenge of living off savings with the goal of reducing the mortality rate of children by providing clean water. And so to Indonesia where finding the right, safe, affordable product with local production facilities that provide an effective clean water solution to the people of Indonesia was important. The benefits of attending the Social Enterprise World Forum in Edinburgh, Scotland with 1500 hundred other social entrepreneurs enabling Jeroen to make connections, exchange ideas, and gain happiness with the knowledge that the social impact community is doing good work all over the world. Witnessing corporates and social enterprises working together to expand the social impact ecosystem though procurement through a diverse community of delegates from all over the world interested in developing the social enterprise ecosystem. Including innovative initiatives at getting marginalised people and ex-prisoners back into the workforce. The event helped to overcome the loneliness of being a social impact entrepreneur that specifically offered the opportunity for future cooperation and collaborations with like minded entrepreneurs working on clean water provision in the future. Facing the practical reality of frequent recent disasters in the region. The first being the eruption of Mount Agung, which saw his company supply 1200 units in a three month period, the second the Lombok earthquake in August and then the third and most recent Tsunami in Sulawesi. Working-out the cost of supplying the product during a disaster with balancing being a for profit company with social entrepreneur that tackles environmental social problems of access to clean water which require that company costs are covered. Compounded by a personal responsibility to reduce margins further and to supply with the help of donations. Sourcing donations from private people, organisations, friends,
Jo Anne Sukumaran
Jo Anne Sukumaran initially wanted to be a cellist and auditioned for the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) at age 12. However this lead to her receiving a full bassoon scholarship and being tutored by Zhang Jin Min.
After reading a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Literature Jo Anne followed her passion as a professional musician. And now like many entrepreneurs she is taking the plunge and looking to raise funds to take her career in a new direction.
“It's a bit hard to say when inspiration strikes. It’s not everyday that it comes. So when it comes I try to make a voice memo of the idea.”
She talks about the challenges
“So long in this game and you still talking about privacy.”
and the expectations that others have
As well as:
The unpredictability of when inspiration comes. The challenges of combining entrepreneurship and being a musician The journey to become a musician and significant events along the way, The role the movie the Music Garden played and Yo Yo Ma Music, Finale of Saint-Saens Sonata for Bassoon and Piano Research into raising funds and the government restrictions as a classical musician, which led to Kick Starter and the alternative Patreon Life as a teenage musician in the Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore and moving on to adult orchestras and ensembles Playing internationally with the Asian Wind Consort in Jeju, Korea playing for the Korean The difference between rehearsing for a festival and orchestra Auditioning internationally and self-financing The stresses of being a classical musician The effect of the quality of the reed The Grandfather Theme for bassoon from Peter and the Wolf, by Sergei Prokofiev. The inspiration that led to the bassoon, an instrument that she had never heard of Reasons for personalising musical instruments and giving them names Choosing and the cost of buying a bassoon Borrowing the buying her first bassoon which was a Püchner and the current a Moosmann and the cost Maintaining a bassoon The benefits to mental health that her music can bring The recommendation from a mentor to do Vipassana Meditation and how it help her set goals and overcome the negativity surrounding her The lifestyle that stops her from fitting in and difficult situations that being a woman may place her The inspiration for the album Being able to relax in nature and its connection with creativity Using Bjork techniques to help find inspiration through nature, and the unpredictability of finding inspiration Composers whose work will be used for original improvisation, Camille Saint-Saëns, Alexandre Tansman, Charles Koechlin, Robert Rønnes Music, Excerpt from Saint-Saens Sonata for Bassoon and piano (last movement) Favourite place to play concert hall, Concertgebouw The National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands (NJO), Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands and finally Save the Bassoon closing concert Parents prefer their children to play violins The personal relationship and taking care of a bassoon Jo Anne’s podcast “Legends of the Reed” and the benefits of sharing online Performing in the future and making the decision to play solo and in Chamber music ensembles and opportunities in the future Self Management and own business development Major challenge from detractors and critics The changes in revenue model for music The snapshot of life that the album will bring The future role of the album and its use as as a calling card Being scoffed at for the path she is taking Being encouraged and career advice from a famous bassoonist, Bram van Sambeek, who gave her the confidence to follow her new path as an independent bassoonist Advice from Bernhard Kerres of Hello Stage leading to the five year plan Jo Anne’s ambition to emulate the cellist, Yo Yo Ma Taking up the challenge to start her crowd sourcing campaign from scratch Over coming shyness and making the leap of faith
Muriel Boutin-Becuwe, was an entrepreneur I met a few months after I arrived in Singapore in October, 2016, you can listen to our conversation in episode EIA 032 where she discussed her start-up, which was focused on environmental sustainability and social impact.
Recently Muriel has become involved with a not-for-profit organisation The Young Professionals’ Group (YPG). In this episode Muriel will describe what YPG offers young people. You will also hear from six participants just starting out on the YPG mentorship programme. So now without further delay let’s begin.
Links
The Young Professionals’ Group (YPG)
EIA 032 The Challenge with Muriel Boutin-Becuwe
Craig DeLarge is a digital healthcare executive in the Pharma Industry. In a career that spans over thirty years. His focus has developed into challenging leadership roles that have advanced digital health outcomes globally. From his base in the USA specific projects included digital mental health, digital healthcare strategy development education & advisory and change leadership strategy consulting & coaching. He knows what it takes to make an organisation change when it faces a crises. “It’s Just that in my experience what I found generally people will agree with you about an opportunity but they will act on a crisis.” Three years ago he moved to Singapore to support clients & stakeholders navigate the emerging digital healthcare ecosystem and develop the capacity to lead in ambiguous change scenarios. He describes himself as an intrepreneur. This is our first meeting. Our conversation takes place just a few days before his return to the USA, in his bare bones apartment. A reflection on move which is about to see him start a Master of Public Health in Global Mental Health, a family reunion, and the next phase of Craigs passion project and the change from Intrepreneur to Entrepreneur “The Digital Mental Health Project”. “…the point in life where your most susceptible to becoming mentally unwell, between about 18 and 25, I hope the university that he goes to, has a whole suite of support systems, technologies, data algorithms, notifications to the family, and an absence of stigma.” During our conversation Craig reveals the motivations behind his career choices and how he sees the potential benefits that digital technology can bring to the field of mental health. As well as:
His origins as a regional hybrid from the southern United States before moving to north-east and Philadelphia. His initial career choice and the reason for switch to the Pharma industry. His memory of going to his VP who advised him that his career choice was going to ruin his career. The role love and novelty in his career replaced burning out. The nature of the digital cycle of adoption in the Pharma industry and how this led to him become a serial intrapreneur. The last three years in Singapore working as the head of the digital accelerator for for Takeda Pharmaceutical. Similarities and differences between the roles of intrapreneur and entrepreneur. The forces working against the intrapreneur in an organisation and the reasons. Well know failures that did not capitalise on their own R&D innovations. The point when an organisation recognises a crises, before during and after. The thing that makes an organisation successful is also the thing that can make it fail. Solutions that reduce the possibility of organisations from failing. So why don’t most companies do that. The 3M model is well known. I know about it. Why organisations conserve of energy. and the connection to complacency and then crises Employees that see a crisis coming and what should you do. The Fortune 500 today is not the same as a decade ago. How the switch to a career based on love of being a designer.began with an MBA at University of Westminister to connect the intrapreneur, and innovator within to design management. How “nudge” is helping healthcare is get human beings to take better care of their health. The sabbatical that led to linking being an entrepreneur in the pharma industry to his mental health advocacy for the creation of the Digital Mental Health Project. Future benefits that digital technology will bring to improve mental health. How in the future mobile digital devices can move from damaging mental health to improving it. The move from intrapreneur to entrepreneur, the nervousness, the advantages and disadvantages of each The loneliness of being an entrepreneur and advice on how to maintain mental health How Silicon Valley is recognising the negative mental toll that the pressure,
Chris Morris is a Relationship manager & Entrepreneur his previous career roles have been with NHS Trusts and Department of the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs in the UK. This was before setting up a new life in Singapore where he initially supported his wife’s career before finding a role in Change Management and then as an independent consultant. Now, he splits his time between being a Regional Relationship manager and his real passion as an Entrepreneur with his restaurant the Lime House in the heart of Singapore.
“I took on the lease for Lime House I didn’t have a chef. So I actually took on the lease, because a lot of people think I am a restaurateur and I am not. I don’t cook at all. My wife is a very good cook not me. But I like to entertain and so I see myself very much as a founder anyway, so I took the lease on and I thought oh shit you know we’ve got to find a, we need to find a chef from somewhere. So actually got a plane flew to London, on the way to London I googled top Caribbean chefs in the UK. I landed I interviewed three of them, two of them thought I was just crazy Caribbean guy from Singapore and didn’t want to engage.”
During our conversation Chris reveals the motivations behind his founding of the Lime House, difficulties, career changes, family and his positive purposeful attitude he creates for the future.
As well as:
The only Caribbean establishment in Singapore Arrived in Singapore as a trailing spouse in 2008 Background as Management consultant Start of the job business transformation practice as a consultant for five years The reason for the row Then became a entrepreneur Passion of the Caribbean led to him creating a Caribbean footprint in Singapore f or his children and the Caribbean diaspora The opportunity for a positive Caribbean experience in Singapore Its all about the food and ambience The size of the ground floor restaurant, second floor bar and third floor event space. The Trinidadian and Tobago meaning for the word “Lime” and its origins A history and cultural lesson of rum and the largest rum collection in Singapore at 168 The journey of growing up in the Caribbean, moving to London and then to Singapore, Corporate to Cultural Entrepreneur Specialism from IT to change programs in organisational culture in government agencies. However mentor and locked his passion to mix food culture. Overcoming opening a restaurant with no cooking skills. The top Caribbean restaurant chef in London solving the cooking issue for a crazy Caribbean Guy Using passion, belief and culture to achieve success The years of pain to produce success The dark lonely moments of being an entrepreneur and the don’t do it message from the naysayers, Singaporean success Fridays and Saturdays full Singaporeans creating authentic Caribbean food Localised in the food. The connection between the food in the Caribbean and Southeast Asia The competitiveness of the Singaporean restaurant market, fine dining the failure then the chance meeting Creating a grab and go experience in Singapore that failed and then moving it halfway around the world to London using the lessons learned in Singapore Three minutes to walk out with a meal learned in Singapore. A new fusion food experience. The entrepreneurs need for the support of family but it helps when they eat the food Creativity is in the family fashion design father, set designer sister, artist brother and the link to Central St. Martins Chris' excitement of changing perceptions of the Caribbean diaspora The most difficult task for the entrepreneur is always dealing with failure The painful road of luck When did you realise you have to close How an entrepreneur knows when to stop Being comfortable talking about failure and playing it safe and the role exposure plays to opportunity, capital and expertise through mentors
Wilson Chew
Wilson Chew is a User Experience designer with a varied background that revolves around the power of the story. He is also a Co-Founder and Content Strategist of REASSEMBLE, a start-up, which came into existence in March 2018. In previous roles Wilson has worked as a digital marketer and charity fundraising coordinator, Where he made use of stories to influence and change behaviours of the target audience. Now he approaches stories from a different angle when helping entrepreneurs and SMEs to develop their user application interfaces. He believes every user has a story, built from their needs, frustrations, behaviours and ways of thinking. His job is to create digital designs that cater to users' stories and resonate with them. "I think that when people hear that we’re a user experience design agency They think we’re just there to, again we’re just there to make things look really nice. Which we can do, but then we tell them that we’re not hear to make things look nice…" During our conversation Wilson reveals the fundamentals of User Experience Design, its purpose and the benefits it brings when carried out correctly. So now without further delay As well as:
Explaining the role a user experience designer plays is the development of a product The architects of the computer interface From nice to The role Don Norman plays in the UX design world The movie app as a case study, film and snacks The role that "User Needs" play in the design Don Norman and the door knob, link to the digital and physical world and the Hawaiian missile alert Where UX Design is managed well and considered normal and where knowledge and enthusiasm fail due to the drive to make things pretty and nice. The difficulties to be overcome to get UX Design to be accepted by entrepreneurs. The percentage of work that can be saved by coders The difference is rising costs to errors in the design, coding and post launch phases How to reduce 75% disappointment for app purchasers Should you release a minimum viable product and the pushback it is receiving? Degree in international relations to Digital marketing in London to an Anti-slavery charity then back to singapore with a Children’s Charity. From marketing to user research and finally UX Design Teaching Is coding ability necessary and is it an advantage or disadvantage in UX design The biggest challenge in UX design and persuasion The research that goes into the construction of the wire frame. The role that Contextual Enquire, User Interviews, Usability Testing play Off the peg apps and solutions leading to how do we know that it is good The benefits of Quantitive data and UX Design which is looking at the Why. How to UX design can help reduce the bounce rate for peg apps and Template Shops such as Shopify
Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilsonhjchew/
Christie Fernandez
Christie Fernandez is an Entrepreneur on a mission to create a positive impact in clean transportation & energy in the emerging markets of the ASEAN region, Indian subcontinent, Africa & South America. Christie is the Founder of Sooorya EV, which is headquartered in Singapore and is focused on providing affordable, comfortable & eco-friendly transportation. What’s unique is that Sooorya is redefining how automobiles are designed, manufactured and sold, with a strong focus on sustainability, profitability and societal impact. At first Christie tried this with his idea. “It's kind of stuck with me. I tried giving it away but it didn't happen” During our conversation, Christie reveals his motivations behind the idea of creating his startup, his vision of how it can help farmers in rural communities by harvesting solar energy, and how he tried to give it away. As well as:
The goal of last mile connectivity Affordable, comfortable and eco friendly transportation The regions of the world where this technology is needed. How the countryside can produce a sustainable source of electrical energy using swappable batteries Energy production as a handicraft opportunity for farmers to earn additional income. The contrast with the big automobile manufactures that focus on speed, range and fast charging and the need in rural communities for low cost affordable transportation The business model mix of large and small. The The uniqueness of his idea and what is required for the cost to come down. Incorporating the IKEA business model Frugal Engineering and how the Incorporating the Apple manufacturing business model and transferring ideas from the mobile phone industry Changing the car industry Moving around the Asian Region and the reason for choosing Singapore a a base for operation and HQ Legal protection and holding on to your IP. personal impression of Singapore The timetable to production of an affordable car launch and location His background in IT, Marketing and the factors that encouraged the switch to the auto industry The influence conversations with colleagues from the farming communities of India and he can help to expand the take-up of electric cars and his vision of the future. His reluctance to be seen as the Elon Musk of the affordable electric car
Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiefernandez/
Gary Guwe
Gary Guwe is one of the cofounders of the Business Development Society of Singapore. In the previous podcast, EIA 037, I had conversations his fellow cofounder Gunes Altungunes, and a couple of attendees. At the time Gary Guwe was out of the country and Gunes suggested that I return at a later event and speak with Gary. However, in this cast Gary and I don’t actually converse but we have a brief Fly-on-wall experience of the event organised by Gary and Gunes and titled Connections Over Coffee - Monthly Casual Networking, which is held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month . Gary plays a key role by running the event in a relaxed manner, encourages entrepreneurs to give a two minute introduction of themselves and the company they represent and gives his own advice. After Gary opens we move on to Joshua Chua (an experienced Sales Excellence Coach), Hussain Sayeed (In the third week of his startup), Arthi Ramakrishnan, (a recent arrival to Singapore from India) and finally, he ropes me in unexpectedly to present myself and the fact that I’m volunteering my services by recording the event. Also mentioned Gary Guwe
The Chinese New Year celebration The mission of BDS and its role in building business relationships. The BDS origins in 2015 and its current number of members The reasons behind the sharing sessions and the link to Free Publicity How Gary Guwe turned himself from an introverted and shy business person to a headhunted target and the co-founder of the BDS. What’s on offer from the BDS to SME’s
Joshua Chua
His promise for your jump in sales The free 90 minute consultation with tweaks Back to Gary and advice for speakers to share their origin stories
Hussain Sayeed
His origin story with BT and HP Reasons for attending the BDS meetup The promise of a safe pair of technology hands in his third week as an entrepreneur Cisco, the Cloud are not always the answer for SMEs Back to Gary and more advice
Arthi Ramakrishnan
An Indian Corporate Solution provider Skills Development in Information Technology, Telecommunication and Soft-Skills The company origin story Arthi’s time in Singapore
Back to Gary and more advice Neville J. McKenzie
The importance of getting your message across How can AsiaBizStories help you Self help advice with public speaking with everyone has one of these
Finally back to Gary with some love to me.
Güneş AltunGüneş, Chris Dawson and Norrapat Shih (L-R top to bottom)
Güneş AltunGüneş, Chris Dawson and Norrapat Shih are three attendees that attended a recent event in Singapore. Güneş AltunGüneş is a Director of Marketing, Chris Dawson is a Director of Business Development and Norrapat Shih is a Research Fellow at National University of Singapore. The event was organised by the Business Development Society of Singapore.
The first conversation is with Güneş AltunGüneş, who is a cofounder and organising member of the Business Development Society of Singapore reveals about herself and some of the background and motivations behind the Business Development Society organising an event called OTOT.
“So whatever comes in its goes back to the marketing, operations and so it's like a circle we're trying to build like a self-sustaining community.”
In the second conversation Chris Dawson reveals something typical of many entrepreneurs that they work with multiple organisation. In his case Bam, who he represented at the event and Nimbus Design Consultants, a company he works with run by wife.
“She's the brains, she's the designer, she knows where she wants the company to go.”
Third and final conversation Norrapat Shih reveals his background as a research scientist at the National University of Singapore and the route he is taking to become an entrepreneur in the field of medical science
“So basically a lot of people in my lab we catch snakes different venomous animals, ticks leeches”
This entrepreneur event like many is attended by individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences. So now without further delay let's begin.
As well as:
Güneş
Why the business development society call the events OTOT. Other entrepreneur events such as connections of coffee, COC. Reasons for choosing Singapore. Organisation structure of the business development society. Profit or non-profit organisation. The reason for creating the business development society. Why the founder whose idea what's to create the business development society, isn't present.
Chris
The reason why Chris left his native USA for Singapore. His role in the company and the service it provides. Reasons for attending the event. His office location in a co-working space. Platforms and different types of events organisers
Norrapat
Commercial drug research from venomous animals in Singapore. Moving from research to a start-up in the pharmaceutical Industry. How his research could help heart-attack patients going through percutaneous coronary intervention. The cost of creating a new pharmaceutical drug. Venture capitalists fears. Patent ownerships and licenses The hope of grants from the Singapore government to create a start up. Taking your specialist knowledge and finding app and software developers The road from Thailand, Canada, a failed start-up and finally to Singapore. The attitude of scientists to research and commercial Products. How to teach yourself Chinese.
Podcast Updated 2018 01 26
Links
Güneş AltunGüneş on Linkedin
Chris Dawson on Linkedin
Norrapat Shih on Linkedin
Business Development Society Website
Bam Website
Nimbus Website
FocusDigit Team
Shubham Barat, Anushka Singh, Anchal Gupta and Vipul Srivastava are four of the staff members that work with Abhinav Sharma the CEO and Tanisha Chawla the COO, of the startup FocusDigit. An eCommerce platform that provides sellers with end-to-end solution to reach their customers online across multiple channels. In the previous podcast “Supplier and Client Fighting for the Seller” (EIA 035) Abhinav and Tanisha discussed FocusDigit and if you haven’t listed we suggest you do. All six live and work in Dehli, India and represent the growing number of entrepreneurs that are building companies successfully out of India to challenge on the world stage.
During the first part of this podcast we get insights from Shubham, Anoshka, Anchal and Vipul four members of the execution team. In the second part we continue where we left off in EIA 035 with Abhinav and Tanisha revealing more of what is driving their success. Following on from Tannish’s the revelation that Abhinav’s kept and from who in the first 6 months, in EIA 035, Abhinav reveals Tanisha’s secret passion, which she is finding difficult to indulge in due to her commitment to the startup.
“Adding to her persona she plays…”
The dynamic and humorous relationship between Abhinav and Tanisha is still apparent.
As well as:
Shubham Barat, Anushka Singh, Anchal Gupta and Vipul Srivastava describe their roles and some of the task required in FocusDigit. What employees look for in a company Abhinav reveals another source of income. International and local coworking spaces in Delhi. Abhinav and Tanisha reveal weaknesses and what they do or plan to do about them. Employee expectations from management The competition, execution and the business environment and Blue Ocean. FocusDigit’s approach to meetings with customers. Advice to those following in the Startup arena.
Links Website
Abhinav Sharma on Linkedin
Tanisha Chawla on Linkedin
Abhinav Sharma & Tanisha Chawla
Abhinav Sharma is the CEO and Tanisha Chawla is the COO, entrepreneurs of the startup FocusDigit. An eCommerce platform that provides sellers with end-to-end solution to reach their customers online across multiple channels. Abhinav and Tanisha live and work in Delhi, India and represent the growing number of entrepreneurs that are building companies successfully out of India to challenge on the world stage. During the conversation Abhinav and Tanisha reveal what makes them a successful team, based on their knowledge and experience with a touch of humour. Tannish also reveals the secret that Abhinav’s kept and to who in the first 6 months of the company, “Six months later he actually broke the news to her.” In the podcast Abhinav reveals Tanisha’s secret passion, which she is finding difficult to indulge in due to her commitment to the startup. Abhinav and Tanisha also kindly allowed me to talk briefly to other members of the company, which is why the podcast is over two episodes (EIA 035 and EIA 036). As well as:
Abhinav Describes his entrepreneurial journey that started when he was still a student to earn money. His early failure because of his lack of maturity. The start of his passion for retail industry. Tanisha’s conventional educational path before breaking away and turning a hobby into a business and realising it was not what she wanted to do. Her father's entrepreneurial influence and working in the family business. How supplier and client came together to help build the business. What occurs on the bad days. The source of the difficulties they face. Spending zero on marketing and still grow the business. Being operationally profitable in a year and a half. Starting in a basement. Where to recruit and what to look for and the key qualities in a startup employee. An Indian’s approach to working internationally with colleagues. The problems faced and working to the rules of my company. The support of family, single mother’s influence, secrets, and an entrepreneur as a father role model. The madness of being an entrepreneur and the shift from the old rat-race to the new. As we are in India we have a cricket anecdote to discuss failure along with a Hindi saying for the road to profitability. The entrepreneurial game of short-term gain vs sustainable long-term business.
Links Website
Abhinav Sharma on Linkedin
Tanisha Chawla on Linkedin
JC Sekar
JC Sekar is a cofounder of the startup AcuiZen. A startup that is looking at simplifying training and empower a dynamic and dispersed workforce. JC as he is know has after a career that spans 3 decades in the corporate world decided to take the plunge and become an entrepreneur. This is based on the belief that a career interacting and working closely with customers across different sectors and geographies has enabled him develop the skills to uncover unstated pain points. To then create and conceptualise solutions and produce new service offerings. During the conversation JC revels his thoughts and experiences as one member of a team of cofounders in a thoughtful and controlled manner. Find out in this episode some of what it takes to make the jump after thirty years from the corporate world to entrepreneur. “I keep telling people that this is probably a startup which somebody out of college would not have come up with because it's really a distillation of my experiences together with that of my cofounders” “my company believed that it was pointless to go and waste your effort with so many small companies”. As well as:
A career that spans several continents, industries, public and private sectors. Gaining experience through changing rolls within a company and between companies The conversation with a senior parliamentary secretary at the World Safety Congress in Germany that was the genesis for the startup The different decisions that small and medium local businesses compared to large multinational businesses have to make when deciding who to serve. Singapore’s businesses need to look to the world for their market after starting with the home market. The relationship between protection, comfort; the talent from China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and going international. Where the opportunity lies for his startup with “Point of Need Learning”. The cofounder structure and how developers are selected Deciding the focus now is Singapore but what about India, the Middle East, China the USA and Europe? Dealing with the cultural diversity of Singapore. The weekend sacrifice his family has made. The advantages of becoming an entrepreneur when he did. Making money and when to look for outside money. The process of the startup refining the product.
Links AcuiZen website JC Sekar on Linkedin
Adeesh Agarwal
Adeesh Agarwal, is the founder of the startup dKreator, a furniture marketplace personalised to a buyers preferences. It applies data science to connect buyers 'likes' to a sellers products. Its aim is to get buyers to collaborate, discover products and social proofs, manage their budget and buy the product using its online platform. Adeesh has diverse experience in many roles and by following his path you can see how the dots connect architecture, real estate and healthcare, which lead to him becoming a consultant and then a Business Development Advisor, the final stepping stone into the perilous world of his own startup.
During the conversation Adeesh revels quite unexpectedly that things are not going to plan as a major disaster is taking place. His manner shows that the experience he has gained allows him to take it in his stride as he looks into the future to find solutions with a positive frame of mind. Find out in this episode how when bad things happen you should behave.
“All of that to get to where we were three hours prior to launch. To give it all away just because one person is off the grid. Doesn’t make sense to me. And honestly, I don’t have a Plan B.”
As well as:
The links between Architecture, Real estate, medical devices and finance come together to make and entrepreneur. Looking back with fond memories at the secure company job with Medtronic. The founder is full-time and everyone else is part-time. Disaster strikes when you least expect. Ask yourself, how would you handle the situation? Challenges and building things makes you look past the temporary disaster with a positive look to the future. Family support and where it leads Insights into an online startup: how to measure success, knowing what you want to achieve and how to test the market. Finally a mention that bigger startups have fallen.
Links
dKreator website
Adeesh Agarwal on Linkedin
Muriel Boutin-Becuwe
Muriel Boutin-Becuwe, is a Co-founder of PAPAYAPATHS and Originator of the H3Rs Giveaways Program, a business focused on environmental sustainability and social impact. Muriel previously worked for Schlumberger in North and South America, Europe and Asia, learning a great deal in her various roles. Now an entrepreneur based in Singapore we spoke together a few weeks before the official launch of the PAPAYAPATHS web platform. During the conversation Muriel reveals part of her journey and what it takes to bring her vision to reality covering many aspects of the entrepreneurial journey, and to bring the vision into reality of enabling the Hotel industry meet the growing demand for sustainability by facilitating access to best in class pre-validated green solutions that can demonstrate positive returns to all stakeholders.
In this conversation Muriel reveals the determination and some of what has been overcome to make her vision a reality.
Muriel talks about the decisions she made to leave her native France for the US, being employed by a major MNC. How the dream to challenge herself to create a Business focused on environmental sustainability and social impact grew to the point in her life when she made it happen.
“If you work alone you’re doomed. You have to surround yourself. So surround yourself with the right people. Filter out the toxic people. Be patient and have faith, don’t give up.”
As well as
Graduating then looking forward and choosing to leave for the USA to be employed by Schlumberger The mayhem of divorce, moving, death in the family and leaving your job for a startup occur at the same time Beginning the dream with a cofounder with the same ideals Carrying on when her cofounder had to step down Making the decision to sell up, move house in order to save the business How to include children in the important decisions that need to be made and spending time with them. What the Angle that believes in you is willing to do to help you establish the business dream What she learned from applying for government grants in Singapore compared to other countries The role of interns partners and sweat equity How to select and reject Hotels, NGOs and Do Good Organisations to join the H3R platform Controlled grow and a hint of the future objectives Surrounding yourself with the right people and removing toxic people from your life What was learned working in the different cultural environments of North, South America, France and Asia and getting results Who, where and how to spend time with do deal with the ups and downs of entrepreneurship Reveal a possible cure for insomnia Who and where inspiration comes and the result of coaching How to get over screw-ups and the difference between a community and a network Wishing and knowing that the clock can’t be wound back and what to do about wasted time in the future Setting goals and measuring progress Advice if anyone is thinking of creating a startup business
Links
PAPAYAPATHS website
Mark Kay
Mark Kay is the CEO and Founder of MJ Creative Ventures; a company that specialises in providing mobile friendly, SEO optimised websites for Small Business owners and non-profits.
This is a follow on from the previous podcasts where we discuss how small business owners can develop their websites in order to improve their business. In this episode Mark takes a look at the making a website mobile friendly and helps us to understand better some of key features and terms that newbies should be aware of.
The basic security issues that a business should be aware of How a business owner can protect and reduce the chance of an attack Preparation for the attack so what preparation should an What to do after the attack A recent case of an attack and what happened How an attack slows down a website Are there any other examples of that you can give us How latest software and plugin versions affect an attack Once someone has got in what to do?
Amy Picanço
Amy Picanço, Is the Managing Director and Founder of Aym Designs. An interior design startup based in Singapore. At heart Amy is a creative but is just as passionate about the business aspects of running a startup. This insightful and balanced approach is the key to why Aym Designs is making steady consistent progress in the Interior Design Industry and after only three years has already started expanding into other Asian markets.
“If you are going to start your own business you have to realise that you are starting a business, and no matter what I think the business that you are in, and no matter what industry you still have all those BUSINESS things that you as the founder need to be able to do.”
During the conversation Amy describes being a Managing director and founder and touches on the following:
The lead up, suitability and key moments to becoming an Interior Designer How old buildings and Battersea Power Station triggered her interest The cultural diversity of Singapore presenting opportunities The service and how it is provided to commercial clients that enhances productivity, reflects brand identity Finding the ideal client is Incorporating Singapore’s Paranakan Heritage into her favourite project and overcoming the challenges The process of interior design, and doing the extra to help the client The limitations and benefits of open plan vs. the cubicle space The four elements required for a co-working space Creative benefits of working in Singapore vs. the UK The least and most enjoyable aspect of being an Interiors Designer Aym Designs own office environment and it’s affect on people Advice for an entrepreneur moving from home to the first office Clients and their relationship to the business location How to tell the customer that it's not going to work and how to make it easy to do The future direction of the company and steps to going international and being realistic with your dreams, The key ingredients to running an Interior Design business and the approach taken as a founder and General Manager and the enjoyment being an entrepreneur can give Finally the importance of the team and placing trust in its members and partners
Mark Kay
Mark Kay is the CEO and Founder of MJ Creative Ventures; a company that specialises in providing mobile friendly, SEO optimised websites for Small Business owners and non-profits.
This is a follow on from the previous podcasts where we discuss how small business owners can develop their websites in order to improve their business. In this episode Mark takes a look at the making a website mobile friendly and helps us to understand better some of key features and terms that newbies should be aware of.
What is a mobile friendly website Does my website need to be mobile friendly What are the advantages apart from the look of your website Your current website and what is needed to make it mobile friendly Making an old website mobile friendly using current content Optimising content for a mobile friendly website Popups are annoying even on a desktop The hamburger or three horizontal lines stripes The effect of social media and share buttons The differences for mobile friendly SEO Business advantages of having a mobile friendly website
Links
google mobile friendly test
Daryl Saw
Daryl Saw is the CEO of the Stewords Riverboat a food and beverage facility that caters for 100 diners as well as having a bar for 150, which is located at the Marina South Pier in Singapore.
"A large portion of the young people want to start their own cafes... but they are not aware of the sustainability and the amount of hours of hard work that goes into it."
During the conversation he touches on the following:
His introduction to F&B without having a formal education Surprising legal requirements for boats and cooking in Singapore His own personal touch for building his network Social networks, Instagram vs Facebook Wine tasting qualifications, corporate, birthday and running events and eating as much as you can The limit reached as a young F&B CEO and the work and the sacrifice required Look ahead into the future for business His understanding of the pros and cons of the restaurants location and its special features The gamble his father took when the family bought the business Knowing his limit and a warning to others that wish to follow him
Mark Kay
Mark Kay is the CEO and Founder of MJ Creative Ventures; a company that specialises in providing mobile friendly, SEO optimised websites for Small Business owners and nonprofits.
This is a follow on from the previous two podcasts where we discuss how small business owners can develop their websites in order to improve their business. In this episode Mark takes a look at the WordPress theme, and helps me to understand better some of key features and terms that newbies should be aware of.
How is a theme created How to select a theme Security issues around a theme The advantages and disadvantages or free verses paid for themes Factors to consider when selecting a theme How easy is it to change a theme HTML, CSS and coding As a business develops what can be done with WordPress How long does it take to become a developer The visible and hidden things that slow down a website and how they are found Selecting a developer to work with you on your theme, the questions to ask and what the developer should ask you
And finally: if you have any questions you'd like Mark to answer send them to comments and suggestion.
Mark Kay
Mark Kay is the CEO and Founder of MJ Creative Ventures; a company that specialises in providing mobile friendly, SEO optimised websites for Small Business owners and nonprofits.
This is a follow on from the last podcasts where we began taking a look at how small business owners could develop their websites in order to improve their business. In this episode Mark takes a look at the WordPress dashboard of my own website; asiabizstories.com, and helps me to understand better some of key features and terms that newbies should be aware of.
In this episode we look at:
The purpose of the dashboard Post, Widgets and Plugins How a business can use a website to improve business. The standard options, posts Organising by categories and tags WordPress’s management of Media images, hot linking and image size The difference between Pages, Post and meta data The required basic Plugins and updating Free, Premium and Paid for Themes balancing features and speed Import security changes that should be made Tools selection Domains and sub domains to create more websites Basics settings to improve your websites speed The best option for the address bar
And finally: if you have any questions you'd like Mark to answer send them to comments and suggestion.
Mark Kay
Mark Kay is the CEO and Founder of MJ Creative Ventures, a company that specialises in providing mobile friendly, SEO optimised websites for Small Business owners and nonprofits.
This is the first in a series of podcasts to help small business owners improve their websites in order
Reason why a business have a website. Advantages of having a webpage over a Facebook page and Linkedin page Solutions for a business with zero budget. The suitability for WordPress as a solution Skill level for a professional looking page from 0 to 100% The next step to improve the website to develop the business What is SEO and how to improve your Google ranking? The three big mistakes made by novices, images, widgets and cheap hosting account. Where to start as a business.
And finally: if you have any questions you'd like Mark to answer send them to the comments and suggestion.
Jane Jia, Jia Wenting
Jane Jia, AKA Jia Wenting is the founder of Pawnstar, Shanghai. As sustainability, recycling and upcycling become more main-stream Jane positions herself as a pioneer in the changes that are taking place in China by breaking the negative traditional view of second hand clothing and goods in the Middle Kingdom. Passing through the Pawnstar consignment store are great quality high-end fashion items at vastly discounted prices.
In this conversation Jane helps me to understand the world of the high-end fashion consignment.
Jane tells us how as a girl she would ask other girls for their unwanted clothes and carry plastic bags with her to avoid waste. Her constant laughter is an expression of how much she enjoys what she is doing as she tells her story
“When I was a kid I hated plastics so much, when polyester became very popular in China I just couldn’t bear it”
Her background in software design and energy management for government departments and starting a company at the age of 26. Her career switch to recycling and sustainability lifestyle based on her childhood and work experience. A look behind the scene at the running of the Pawnstar consignment shop, which is follows on the examples of similar shops found New York’s Manhattan Island and Central London’s Camden. How to use the technology platforms, WeChat and TaoBao, available in China as business tools to connect with your customers. The issue of fake goods being sold online and quality control. The Monday Carnival free give-away that creates positive online revenues The reaction of her family, friends, peers and other people feel about what she does. How she sees the future of the recycling, upcycling industry in China. The range of items varies from unusual prints to high-end fashion. As well as advice to those that wish to follow in her footsteps.
Links
“Pawnstar on Stylites”
Nick Moritz
Nick Moritz is the founder Wolfpack Response Limited, Shanghai (上海狼群信息技术有限公司). He is an entrepreneur from Detroit Michigan, United States and graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in communication. After graduating he moved to Chicago for a couple of years where he worked as an IT salesman for CDW a large third-party reseller of IT equipment. There he learned about supplying enterprise equipment for IT infrastructure. Significantly, since he was a child he has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. At nine years old he had a paper round and worked throughout high school and university.
He first came to China in 2010 during the depths of the financial crisis in the United States to work as a teacher,
His drive to search for ways to improve his students’ education and his failure to convince his bosses of the benefits of his idea led him to getting involved in the start-up community in Shanghai. After entering a start-up weekend in July 2014 with a version of his tool and a business proposal and then winning second place he quit his job and founded WolfPack Response Limited, Shanghai.
He has ensured that his business is built on a solid base by involving a well know mentor Dean Merritt who led him through the WFOE registration process and other important business building processes in China, which also secures his Chinese visa as a business founder and helps him to be fully focused on driving his business forward.
The challenge of finding the correct message that can convince people that the service he offers is one that can enhance an audience experience. His biggest regret is that he didn’t buy fifty clickers and get them into peoples hands so they could test them out earlier and see how audience engagement is improved. He has secured partnerships with a Chinese manufacture called SunVote after being turned down by US companies that didn’t see the benefits of entering the Chinese market.
Also discussed:
The value of the experience learned by being a teacher Communication and being concise with language Participating in the start-up community and its events with your idea to get feedback on its feasibility Obtaining a mentor, its importance and ensuring that you are taken seriously Being well informed by reading from various sources Understanding what the challenges are that the business face and overcome them Knowing what your core business is and explaining how it benefits its target customers Applying correct and legal practices to enable a focus on building the business Seeking out the right strategic partner to create mutual benefit through barter exchange Creating your own videos using freely available software applications Using the benefit working with you brings to others as a negotiation tactics Knowing your character and how it relates to others and what you bring to any interactions
Links
Nick Moritz can be found by search on Linkedin
Morry Morgan
Morry Morgan is the Managing Director as well as Head of Consulting at ClarkMorgan Ltd., an award winning corporate training firm that develops teams and individuals of multinational companies across the Asia Pacific region, in particularly China, Singapore and Australia. His team works with HR Directors, Managing Directors and APAC Business Leaders post-merger, or when high performance team development is necessary.
Morry discusses the details of how he uses Linkedin as a sales and marketing platform for ClarkMorgan and gives his own personal example. He describes himself as a “Mismatcher that is not afraid to give his opinion”. The road he has taken from Australia to founding of his company in China and its expansion across the APAC region, the personal failures and disasters that he has encountered along the way; his passion for marketing, sales and technology. Morry also provides knowledge and advice that can help entrepreneurs at present or thinking of doing business in China and the APAC region.
Morry is also the author of Wiley published, "Selling Big to China: Negotiating Principles for the World's Largest Market", and "Managing the Millions: Practical HR Management in China". He has also been named as a Top 30 Global Sales Guru, by research firm Global Gurus.
Today, he lives in Melbourne, and travels to Singapore and China every six weeks running training programs and consulting clients.
Also Discussed in this episode
The Google search that revealed his recent award.
ClarkMorgan was founded in China in 2001 and in 2012 they open up in his native Australia, becoming an APAC company. Adjusting from the fast paced business environment of China to the slow pace of Australia for him was challenging.
As well as in China his Mandarin has proved good enough to get him through doors in Malaysia and Singapore.
The next challenge is to open up in Dubai. The next step in the long-term expansion of the company
The lows have seen SARS when all business was lost during the confusion but surviving by being young and subsisting on low salaries.
During the 2008 financial crises, all Q4 revenue was lost when 75%, around 65 employees, of the company was fired, voluntarily redundancy, sweetened by allowing staff to take their laptops. Subsequently some returned to occupy senior positions within the company, which is a testament to his Morry’s people skills. However conflicts have occurred over intellectual property theft and lack of professionalism with colleagues and employees, due to his no nonsense manner approach to building a successful business. This has led to the creation of friends from enemies.
Working in China people forgive errors due to the speed of change. Business happens in Australia is slow.
Singapore and Malaysia small market size limits opportunity
Singapore multiple meetings a day up to 5.
Australia fewer business people to meet with.
Dubai looking to make new connections.
The pace of change in China has seen his business model change from English training, 15 years ago to soft skills training, 7 years ago and a prediction that mobile apps will be key in the next 5 years as technology plays an ever increasing role.
Morry gives the steps he uses to create business relationships on Linkedin in an easy to follow case study. By giving a solution to a problem with no strings attached in the gentle approach to sales.
Linkedin now has a Chinese version and so open to Chinese users to leverage it’s advantages in the sales and marketing process.
Since 2011 ClarkMorgan insights has been used to market and generate sales. Interviews with thought leaders on doing business in China. 150-160 five minute video interviews with staff, MDs, VP’s, General managers, Founders, Authors set to their own format of theory and anecdote. All for free and providing a marketing channel to potential clients.
Further insights in to his personality revealed to him thro...
Barbara Yu Larsson
Barbara Yu Larsson is the founder and CEO of PAKT, which is a Hong Kong-based startup which offers a creative tech solution to the acute space issue that plague all city dwellers globally. Prior to launching her business, Barbara had careers in investment banking and executive search in New York, London and Hong Kong. She has lived all over the world and in her own words has “a wanderlust”. She is multi-lingual and has an extensive and diverse global network.
Barbara discusses how her change from the corporate world into the world of tech was unexpected but developed out of her own need and thinking of a solution to the problem of what do you do with the clothes that you don’t need now but you will need when the season changes and limited space. The idea extends into wardrobe makeover, vintage clothing care, sustainability, the use of organic clothing care products and clothes sharing with your best friends.
Growing a tech company that provides a much needed service that catches the eye of established players that see the benefits of creating strategic partnerships is something that was not originally planned for but came out of focus groups. This led to partnerships with “Quintessentially Lifestyle” a famous worldwide an award-winning luxury lifestyle management & concierge service company and using a range of products supplied by “Mrs. White's”.
Barbara’s adaptability sees her develop skills as a councillor and coach during the financial crises to help men and women in their prime overcome the disaster. She is then able to use these skills to build PAKT.
How it is possible to create a tech startup with no tech skills of your own apart from being numerate and wanting to… and to communicate successfully your vision to the other three core members of the team who are themselves engineers with varied interests.
As your startup develops the benefits of having outside opinions in the form of WHub and Karen Farzam (interview here) give you advice that enables you to raise the level of your pitches to a conversation where you know every detail of your business.
Family support to is important when the decision is made to build a startup and if you can get your children involved to suggest name that is short, relevant and reflects trust; and also provides a great source of interns that are a vital part of many successful startups.
In just over a year the company has grown from an idea to four core members plus six in the office and two more about the join.
While Barbara does not believe she is successful she is following the path of “If there is a will there’s a way and being flexible, willing to pivot and that the original idea can change based on the customers feedback” is a vital part for the success of a startup.
Links
http://www.pakt.hk/
https://www.quintessentially.com
https://hk.linkedin.com/in/barbarayularsson
China
William Leong
William Leong worked in Hong Kong for nine years before moving to China in 2001. He is one of the two founding partners of Willsonn Partners Limited, which has been involved in providing accounting services in China since 2003, and has offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Malaysia and Singapore. He has a total of twenty years experience that places him in a privileged position to know what the difference is between success and failure in these markets.
In this conversation he gives his own insights on how to achieve success in China. He reveals why his own failures occurred and how he met his current partner in 2003 to form Willsonn Partners Limited, which still has the original first three employees among its now eighty staff.
William stresses the importance of considering the risks that can lead to failure and also discusses the practice he follows for the continued success of Willsonn Partners Limited for both the short and long term.
Throughout he gives practical advice on how to seriously approach doing business in China and touches on many other important ideas.
Also discussed in this episode:
Important insights in how inexperience can lead to failure.
What questions to ask when going into a partnership whether foreign and Chinese.
Who will stay with you in times of trouble your business partner or spouse.
Some of the factors that lead to business failures
His assessment and knowledge of his own partner and how it fits in with his own roll.
Using entrepreneur events to learn about and find partners.
The difficulties of a business breakup.
The influence of Li Ka Shing on his thinking and how he uses it to drive the success of Willsonn Partners to take account of the risks involved in a start-up business.
The surprise admission that many entrepreneurs have about keeping financial secrets from their accountants and how this leads to failure.
When he gives advice and when he remains silent on how the business is run.
The relationship between, previous success and future success or failure.
The relationship of speaking the local language with success or failure.
We hope that you enjoy this episode and would like to invite you to leave your comments and suggestions.
Paul Hu
Shownotes:
Paul Hu is the General Manager of the Naked Hub on Fuxing Road in the heart Shanghai. This Naked Hub is first in the series of four planned to create a creative co-working community that brings together a cool, fun, diverse group of companies and people where everyone shares resources and helps each other.
Paul describes the core concepts and the values of a health, environmental awareness and sustainability are being brought into the work place at the Hub, the latest addition to the Naked brand founded by Grant Horsfield in 2007 when it provided a refuge for city dwellers in Moganshan.
The official launch party for the Naked brand is scheduled to be held on the eighteenth of November at the hub, 2015.
So now without further delay lets begin.
Full Transcript
NJM: Hi I’m with Paul Hu and Paul is the General Manager of the new workspace that has just opened in… Where are we?
PH: We’re in Fuxing Lu the exact address is 1237 Fuxing road on the third floor next to Xiangyang Road
NJM: And can you just describe what you do here
PH: Sure we are a creative co-working community; we’re not just about the space. We’re about bringing cool, fun diverse group of companies and people together and create a community where everyone shares resources and help each other.
NJM: OK so can you give me a tour?
PH: Sure, sure so here we have the living as part of our membership. All of our members can host events in the living room for free it’s a great benefit. It’s a great space. Up the stairs leads directly to the forth floor. We have both the third and the forth floor. We have about two thousand square metres we seat about three hundred fifty people. Hear at the bar we have a really cool nine metre wide green wall.
NJM: Why green?
PH: Because Naked is all about sustainability, green, being good to the environment and also sustainability in terms of health as well. Being healthy work life balance etc. So green wall, it’s all real plants. It’s kind of our signature.
NJM: Oh they are real plants. I didn’t realise that. I just assumed that…
PH: They are real. So we not only have a great filtration of air in place we generate actual real fresh air with our green wall.
NJM: Because most of the workspaces I’ve been to in Shanghai have concrete floors, very cubicle like and this workspace looks ideal to hold relaxed meetings rather than industrial type of place.
PH: That’s true, that’s the feel we’re trying to give off and Naked Hub is done by Naked Retreats. So it’s definitely got that feel of being one with nature, , relaxed, comfortable.
NJM: The whole Naked Retreats maybe I will have to look into that and bring somebody back to talk about that some other time.
PH: Oh we will, yes. Definitely
NJM: OK. Lets carry on
PH: OK. Well at the bar we have great filtration water, we have coffee, soda and also beer completely free to all of our members. Here we have a couple of vending machines which we will have some healthy juices, fruits, sandwiches, simple fruit salads. Provide healthy food for our members.
NJM: And this space is well lit. Lots of daylight coming in.
PH: Yea, right. The building, we actually have 360 degree windows, so a lot of lights. Here turning the corner we have a conference room. We call it the Xiao PingPang Room.
NJM: Why is that?
PH: In tribute to Deng Xiao Ping. Also our conference table is a ping-pong table. So we can remove all the dividers, and after hours you can play ping pong. So we basically have two types of seating the private pods (POD), small offices, and also the open desks. We can take a look at them.
NJM: What’s this area on the right?
PH: This area is the meeting booth. They’re more casual. With our conference rooms obviously you have reserve but the meeting rooms you don’t. So it’s casual meetings,
Shownotes:
Peter Lloyd is a very different type of entrepreneur. In his own word he is “Hong Kong British, whatever that is?” He is an interfaith minister, psychotherapist, and importer. He has worked as a journalist, started a publishing company, an online magazine, and also writes articles for newspapers, magazines and websites.
It was in his role as an interfaith minister when I first met him. And for him this is his most passionate role. One he chose after he realised his life should follow a different path than to those around him who measure success to different standards.
He is clearly a sharer and links his roles as an interfaith minister and psychotherapist with his beliefs. One of which is that we all share a responsibility to help and support each other.
His importing business could have failed right at the start but now provides the finance that allows him to follow his true passions. His past life and work guides him as he looks towards the future, and life that revolves around being physically present where people are during life changing moments and offering services few entrepreneurs think to provide but are vital for meaningful lives. And this is theme in his advice to everyone as well as entrepreneurs.
Our conversation was recorded in a coffee shop and due to this there is noticeable background noise. We hope that you enjoy the content but just in case we have supplied a full transcript on the website.
So now without further delay lets begin.
Full Transcript
(2:08)
NJM: Hi, I am with Peter Lloyd. We met about two years ago when I was in Hong Kong and I was lucky enough to get married here. And, Peter can you just introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
PL: My name is Peter Lloyd. I do a few things the reason I know Neville is that I am an interfaith minister and a celebrant. I celebrate weddings, that’s one of my hats. I… I’m also a psychotherapist and I sell spirulina, as one of my incomes. I used to be a journalist. And I set up a publishing company in Hong Kong, I set up a magazine, one on line and one in print. Um, I used to have a small column in a local newspaper, the “South China Evening Post” I’ve done a few bits and bobs, yeah. And yeah. I was born in Hong Kong and came to live here again as an adult just before the hand over and I am still here more or less.
NJM: So how long have you lived in Hong Kong?
PL: Most of my life.
NJM: When you haven’t lived you haven’t lived in Hong Kong where have you lived?
PL: In the UK, mostly.
NJM: In the UK. So would you consider yourself British or Hong Kong?
PL: British, but I am a Hong British, whatever that is. It’s a something
(3:25)
NJM: So you said you’ve done a few things. OK. So what do you want to start off with first? What do you want to tell us about?
PL: Lets do the ministry first because that’s how we met.
NJM: Yeah, that’s how we met. How did you get into that?
PL: : Maybe it was a personal thing. I used to live in a spiritual community in the North of Scotland called Findhorn and then I came back here and after a while I kind of felt spiritual a little bit, like I was missing things I couldn’t keep up with my meditations and stuff like that, so I wanted to do more, and eh yeah, I heard about this course and everybody I knew who did it seemed to really benefit. And it seemed to be really good for the stage of life I was in, so I ummed and ahhed and then I signed up for it. Yeah.
(4:20)
NJM: So how long ago was that?
PL: That was 2006 to 2008 a long time ago. I actually almost did it in 2005 but I thought I was going to move to India. But I moved to India but as soon as I landed at the airport I knew it wasn’t for me. So I had this either or. But I was setting up a… I had this online magazine called holistic Hong Kong, which became “Holistic Asia” and some friends moved to Bangalore so I set up a Bangalore edition and so I thought I would do the India thing, um,
Shownotes
Ben Ivey is a young entrepreneur from the United Kingdom. Ben graduated from Exeter University in 2014 and has visited China twice as a student to gain living and business experience, which he is now using to build a start-up in Shanghai while at the same time applying his expertise as a productivity specialist and motivational speaker. He is already an author and is passionate about using outsourcing to build a successful business.
He has an excellent academic record and could easily have chosen to rise in the corporate world but instead has chosen to enter the unpredictable and exciting world of entrepreneurship in China.
Ben explains how and why he chose to begin his entrepreneurial journey at university and what he hoped to learn from other whilst there. He also takes us on the beginning of his start-up “OnePinkElephant.
His book “How to Dominate Any Exam” is based on his prolific ability as a student and gives the secrets to how he achieved three A*s at A level and a first class degree at Exeter University, one of the UK’s top universities. Ben gives clarity to the strategy and techniques used to pass exams.
Ben’s entrepreneurial activities at university included selling espadrilles, shoes and hats before his success with a university sports bag. He also began studying the Mandarin. However his first entrepreneurial venture produced his greatest failure.
Ben’s first visit to China was an immersion study in a program lasting two and half weeks that included an internship, study course and home stay. The second period lasted 3 months with time spent at Fudan University in Shanghai and working in a company’s import and export department in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. He learned about the peculiarities of business in China and later travel around China led to the realisation that Shanghai was the place to begin his post university entrepreneurial ventures.
When asked can entrepreneurship be taught he stresses that an entrepreneur must take action and that his expertise as a productivity specialist is to get the best out of his team, knowledge learned from experts such as Brian Tracy and other productivity books.
Ben explains why the outrepreneur will succeed and the intrepreneur will fail and the connection with trust. Adding, that entrepreneurs should work to their expertise using outsourcing in the areas that they lack. While at the same time gaining an understanding of the requirements to select and employ the best outsourcer and uses a marketing scenario to demonstrate this.
Discussing his current startup OnePinkElephant Ben explains that the idea was born while working on his bag and wanting to find a better way to learn Chinese Characters by using memory techniques. The development started during “StartupBus Europe”, which is a 72 hour hackathon that started in Manchester, England. A prototype was produced using “MindCraft”. The idea won third prize at the pitching event in Vienna, Austria against hundred of other teams,
OnePinkElephant then moved to China to conduct field and beta testing. Along the way the original team of has changed, however Raphael Weninger described as a “sharpened tool” with his marketing expertise as well as other areas, is the second member that has remained from the start.
Ben admits he lacks technical skills but his expertise allows him to find the best outsourcer and the right people to get the job done. Using lean analytics to get the job done he is able to apply the philosophy of the, “build, measure, learn: feedback loop. Building simple, fast and low cost prototypes to test and obtain data for the next cycle.
The OnePinkElephant is producing is a character learning tool and not a language learning platform and in the future the technology could be used in other areas where the memorisation of information is required. Ben also educates us on the origins of memorisation tools with Simoides of Ceos and the accident at the banquet hall,
Shownotes
Jonathan Brown from Edinburgh, Scotland and Liang Sun from Shanghai, China they are both business consultants and have created a positive business relationship.
Jonathan is a senior executive and an industrialist who has worked in seven countries, started five companies two for himself and three for employers. His passion for China started back in 1983 and it is now his base.
Liang is a start-up management consultant who has been educated in Belgium, India and the USA and since returning to his native Shanghai has built his own management consultancy that specialises in client and partnership development, market intelligence, due diligence and human resources.
Together the two have formed a team that can bridge the gap to enable start-ups and established companies gain a foothold in China.
Jonathan and Liang explain the role of transactions play in China and the difference between the western and Chinese experiences and understanding when building business relationship and trust in China?
Jonathan and Liang reveal the contrasting views they have when creating business relationships and how both their experiences of living and working in several countries has equipped them to deal with doing business and understanding their short comings with regards to patience in creating business relationships.
Jonathan explains that companies should understand the difference and importance of the role that government plays in China and the importance of paying attention to the government five-year plan influence on specific business sectors, creating the grow and development experienced over the recent years and remembering not to let personal frustrations and comparison with other systems affect business decisions.
The two consultants reflect on the concept of “face” in China and what can cause business relationships breakdown give details on their own personal behavior and what they believe should and should not change.
The example of their own partnership reveals the benefits of having complimentary outlooks and skills and how cultural differences may matter to one side and not to the other and the adaptions that each might or might not make in order to maintain a positive business partnership.
Both use their experience to explain how businesses in China can overcome the worldwide challenges of finding and retaining qualified employees and the part the interview process plays in industries and markets where some companies can have attrition rates of 25 - 30% and the choice entrepreneurs have to make with this important issue.
Finally Jonathan and Liang end with their own piece of general advice for entrepreneurs that will equip them to face up to the challenges of doing business in China. Jonathan suggests "Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono"
Show links
Sun Liang on Linkedin
Jonathan Brown on Linkedin
www.liang.be
www.nu-linx.com
BOOKS
Shownotes
Drew Campbell is an Australian national. He is the Founder & CEO of WHS - which is the first independent retail chain of health food stores in Mainland China. His company is the first resident of a new workspace in Shanghai called the Node, and by whose management we were invited. He talks openly and frankly lets us know what it is like to be an entrepreneur in China, about the need to take on a much broader range of responsibilities and skills that are required to compete in, overcome and survive the day-to-day issues in the Chinese health, wellness and fitness industry that has seen many others fail.
Originally from Melbourne, in 2002, Drew started work in the health and fitness industry in Australia and in 2005 he moved to China. Drew and his team are proud to be the first to bring the real "Western" health food store concept to China. It is possibly one of the most challenging business areas to survive with product quality, the navigation of bureaucracy, and rule breaking competition creating extra hurdles that entrepreneurs must get over. However, Drew has with his entrepreneurial never give in fighting spirit has learned many aspects of business and sticks rigidly to doing business correctly in Asia.
Drew discusses scope of his retail business, which is much broader than his native Australia. His reasons for choosing the Node, a new 2,000 sq. meter workspace in Shanghai, as his company's base and why he rejected alternatives.
The humble origin of his business in his Beijing apartment and why he has moved to Shanghai after eight years and the life he now leads.
How his company deals with the issue of fakes, supply chain and the customers desire for the cheapest product.
How he has overcome the difficulties of doing business in an environment that has competitors that don’t always play fair, import and supply chain issues and customers that want the cheapest deal in the health, wellness and fitness industry; and the trap that people with little experience of doing business in China fall into.
The source of the motivation behind his move to the city of Shijiazhang (Capital of Hebei), and how this helped him to deal with life in China.
Drew discusses frankly the two business models that he believes will produce success and how this links to the planned expansion of his business, the difference between marketing to the expat community or general population, the issue of moving production to China, the question of the Chinese market opening up, consumer pressure that affects pricing and product quality, why his competitors fail, the pressure from and cleaning up the grey market as a sole distributor when USA producers don’t police the Asian market allowing product into China from other locations.
The therapy session continues with Drew's open and honest views reveal what it is like to work in the Chinese business environment and he describes the role of business planning, MBA’s and purchased market research, how failure leads to the inexperienced to the conclusion that they will never return.
Drew states how businesses can overcome many of these issues that lead to failure by taking advice from entrepreneurs like him, and hints at the plans he is putting in place to take the next step in his own business’s development.
China has changed Drew for the better but there is a cost to his entrepreneurial efforts and on self-reflection examines what his responsibilities are and what and how he can improve.
The business is a bright light for growth and last year saw an increase in online sports nutrition and vitamins sales of 100%. Business strategy is the key and the concept of O2O (Offline to Online/Online to Offline) has to be considered, which will see the growth of stores and larger warehousing (Bricks and Mortar facilities), which builds brand trust.
Drew finishes with advice with advice to anyone thinking of or taking up the challenge of becoming an entrepreneur in China.
Shownotes: Jeronimo Ramos Leon is a Mexican national and an engineer by training. One of the warmest and friendliest people that I have met anywhere in the world. He grew up on the family cocoa farm in a place called Cardenas in the State of Tabasco, Mexico, which had a population of about 5,000. After school he moved to Merida in the state of Yucatan to study engineering. After graduating he spent two years working for a traffic light company before starting with the company that he has remained with ever since. He started working in China in 1998 and moved permanently to Xiamen, China, in 2005 and has helped his company turnover move from $250,000 to $120,000,000 through his work in R&D, prototype sampling, production costing, quality control, customer complaint management and qualifying subcontractors. A wide range of responsibilities for a company that produces magnetic components for GPS, power meters, computers and solar products. He has a love for cooking, which was initially expressed to family and friends and a chance meeting with Mexican teacher in Xiamen began the evolution of a Mexican restaurant. When a suitable site became available they set to work getting it ready with their own hard work and efforts. His background allowed him to set the standard for authentic Mexican food (not the fast food variety) and on opening day four times the number of people the restaurant could seat turn up to taste food from the heart of Mexico. This indicated that the restaurant would easily see it’s first birthday the most significant mile-stone for any restaurant. Since that day the restaurant has moved from strength to strength as indicated by customer reviews. However after 3 months the partner who inspired the restaurant's beginning decided that his life lay in his home country and left Jeronimo a life changing decision. After consulting with his wife they agree to continue. From the start support and help was provided by a close Chinese colleague that helped to navigate the complexities of Chinese bureaucracy. In this conversation Jeronimo describes his key attributes that enables him to overcome the many challenges that working life in China throws at you such as staffing issues, which he has solved using these skills, and the supply of ingredients. Restaurant hours are Monday to Friday for dinner and weekends for lunch and dinner. Near the end he reveals his plans for the first time with work and his long time passion football and the meaning of La Catrina. By the way Spicy Michelada
Worcester Sauce Maggie seasoning Tabasco Sauce tomato paste pineapple juice orange juice tomato juice salt paprika pepper black pepper white pepper Tajin Pepper lots of love... and some secret ingredients...
Reviews for La Catrina on TripAdvisor.
The La Catrina Homepage.
The first series is now over and you may have noticed that there have only been thirteen casts out of fifteen. The reason for this is that two of the episodes didn't quite fit in with the Entrepreneurs in action theme. We may bring them to you in the future but at this stage it is unlikely. As we move forward we will be making changes to the formate based on some of the comments and suggestions that we receive from our listeners. The next series will begin in a few days so please keep a look out for it.
Thomas Koenig discusses his five reasons why businesses fail. He also gives us the reasons why he believes that entrepreneurs are the future for jobs, the importance of creating a business plan that contains a business model in order to be successful, the three approaches that an entrepreneur can call upon to compete in the market place, unique product or service, price and customer service, the approach he would take to creating a business based on the advantages and disadvantages of each and why he thinks customer service is the logical road to business success. Thomas finally ended with the advice that research and testing were just as important for an entrepreneurs success. Shownotes Thomas is on one of his regular visits to Asia. We met the day before at an entrepreneurs.asia meetup group in Shanghai. The focus of the discussion was the topic that he covered during that presentation “The Top 5 Reasons New Businesses Fail” Thomas starts off our conversation by telling me that he is from California and that he is currently in Shanghai for some business as well as taking part in a entrepreneurs.asia meetup. His background in Asia starts 1980 when he first came to China in a sales role for America Express. He retired 15 years ago and has since been working in corporate training business continuing to visit China as well as Europe. Thomas believes that entrepreneurs are the future, that jobs are created by entrepreneurs and startups, and that the goals are in their hands right now. They will create the jobs and wealth as we move forward especially in countries like China, also in areas of Africa, as well as Indonesian, Thailand. It is the only thing we have going for us as far as jobs are concerned. He asks us to remember that government owned enterprises don't create jobs due to their inefficiencies and that they get rid of jobs. Entrepreneurs are the efficient ones in the market that will create jobs and profits. When an entrepreneur thinks about going into business he or she has probably heard a dozen times, is to first write a professional business plan, get something down on paper. It makes sense in since if the business needs money a venture capitalist is not going to talk to you if you don’t have one. If you haven’t done one before a quick search on the Internet will bring up dozens and dozens and you can choose one to use as a model, and you will be fine. Competing with a unique product or service: If an entrepreneur has a unique product or service then he or she is in the driving seat. You can do whatever you want do, charge whatever you want and not worry about the competition. However if you are a small guy and you have a patent don’t think that you are safe because the big guys will duplicate your product within weeks if they know it’s successful. You could be spending the next fifteen years defending your patent, and since your pockets are not that deep and theirs are, the chances are that they are going to win. A win could also be an approach after many years to buy you out if you choose to defend your patent. This could be fine if you have a good enough patent you could get rich that way, and is seen all the time with the likes of Facebook, Apple and Samsung. They can wait a few years, take you to court, take away your money and then buy you out. Remember that it is the entrepreneurs that create the innovations and not the big guys. In the beginning these companies were themselves innovative but as they have become bigger innovation ends and that it is the small guys starting a new business that drive innovation. An example of this are apps that are created by small guys working out of a garage that make money. Think of a new app, then they sell it. If the app is great then one of the big companies will duplicate it and then they will be fighting it out. Reason 1, Competing on price: If you are going to be the low price guy, in other words compete on price alone then eventually you will go broke.
Emily Zheng and Jeremy Ann both took part in TechYiZu's HackYiZu 2015. Emily is from London and has a financial investment background. However she has recently switched to working for a tech startup property platform that serves the worldwide Chinese community. She is new to Hackathons and uses them to learn about the tech startup world, and meet experienced makers and hackers as she makes her way in the tech startup world. Jeremy has a background in IT consultancy. He currently works in the area of solar technology and. He is an experienced hacker as he has attended many events organised by TechYiZu. He uses these events to improve his skills in electronics, team work and team coordination. Both participants had never worked with the other team members before, which is common for these types of events and allows for ideas to flow between those with open minds.
Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Stitcher | RSS Shownotes EP14
Emily Zheng is visiting Shanghai from London and attends the TechYiZu Hackathon in between attending her company’s annual conference. She has attended events promoted by meetup.com in her search to find new and interesting things to do, and it was through meetup.com that she found HackYiZu 2015. The Previous two Hackathons that she participated in, Wix Hackathon 2014 and Women Who Code Hackathon 2014, were both held in London and software. HackYiZu is the first hardware based event that she has attended and she finds it both amazing and enjoyable. Towards the end of the second day she is exhausted but feels excited that she has and is learning some thing new every minute. The best things for her are that joining a team and learning from the team even though she has no hardware knowledge. Team members include a professor from an engineering university, two academics, experienced coders that can help improve the coding abilities that she learned earlier in the year. When Emily describes her day job she starts by describing her background with a hedge fund. This leads to her 3C’s in life “Choice, Chance and Change”, you must make a choice when you get the chance otherwise you can never change. Many people have asked her why did you move from a hedge fund to a tech startup based in Shanghai. This reminds me of a previous interviewee, Karen Farzam, who went through a similar process from financial investment to tech startups. Emily is fascinated and enjoys hanging out with people that possess solid knowledge and are down to earth. As a result she has stopped partying and drinking and uses her time to learn. The detailed story of how she went from a hedge fund to a startup begins with her desire for a change in her life when 6th Jan, 2014 she attended the Google campus in London and interviewed 10 entrepreneurs asking them the following questions. “What are you doing? Why are your doing it? Why have you joined Google campus? Why did you quit your job? She found out that the one thing they had in common was they were all passionate about what they were doing. This led her to question her lack of passion during the years with her current career in finance for which she was well qualified. Soon the urge to try new things developed in her leading to her attending conferences. It was a chance encounter with her current employer as she attempted to sell them a business idea. The company she now works for is juwai.com, which is a property portal for Chinese people finding properties overseas. The decision to leave the finance had a moral base and she has chose a tech startup because she wants to follow the trends and is committed to doing something that she really believes in as well as the desire to work with smart people. The coincidence that I had recently spoken with the co-CEO of juwai.com, Simon Henry in the head office just before Christmas and that I felt it was good. Emily explained that I was very lucky to get the interview as Simon was very busy. Her desire to work for juwai.
Lionello Lunesu, Kent Zaitlik and Noah Solnick are three Techyizu volunteers and organisers of Hackyizu 2015. Each briefly tells their own story of their journey in technology, their experience as entrepreneurs in China, the enjoyment they get from helping others develop and improve in the world of technology through their work with Techyizu and the events it organises that encourage beginners and entrepreneurs to get involved in the Maker movement for pleasure or in order to solve business needs.
Shownotes EP 13
Lionello Lunesu is a staff member at XinCheJian and a TechYiZu Volunteer. XinCheJian is currently China’s biggest hacker space and is located in the JingAn district in the heart of Shanghai.
Lionello joined XinCheJian 4 years ago. He is originally from the Netherlands and has an Italian father, which complicates this questions.
Throughout his working life Lionello has been mostly involved with startups and has just recently started a new one. This project came out of an side project he and other members of XinCheJian developed. His background is in software but the current start up is developing a hardware solution.
His first start up came after he dropped out of Technical university at the age of twenty-one 18 years ago for his first start up which was to create a virtual reality computer training. At the time it was very difficult to generate interest and used headsets and other technology that is currently in vogue with Oculurs Rift. Five years spent on working on this technology which simulated escaping from burning oil rigs the company was sold to a CAD company that used the software to create a 3D simulation for building construction that enable project managers to visulise the problems to be real time. He stayed on with the company to continue development of the system for eight years. In the meantime he moved to Romania after five years. After a brief business trip to China he asked for a permanent transfer he witnessed the level of advancement there. Two years later he quit to work for Microsoft on components for Windows 8, at the time the world’s biggest software project, that would be integrated into the product in the USA. After two years he and two other managers left to create a new startup on which he worked for a year. He is now working on his own startup which has laid dormant for a number of years is a combination of software and hardware.
One of the ways the hacker space keeps running is to organise workshops. Lionello has been taking the Arduino workshop for a number of years every few months. With the TechYiZu Hackyizu he ran the beginners Arduino workshop. After the workshop he remained to help participants overcome and solve difficulties that they encountered.
In his view the words software and hardware create in the mind a contradiction that places like the
He works at overcoming the division that the words software and hardware create in peoples minds. He gets pleasure from seeing beginners and people with no programming and/or electronics experience being able to complete projects. He also enjoys the magic that is produced when software and hardware are combined to create solutions. He now prefers to create hardware solutions combined with software to real world problems and not apps as he believes that this will create better solutions.
The word “Hacker Space” should be replaced by the term “Maker Space”. At the XinCheJian Maker Space he helps to give the opportunity for example to office workers the chance to gain the ability to make and create in it’s workshops. Activities such as Making Apps, Painting and Urban farming, Electronics are able to release the creativity that people have inside them. The Spaghetti bridge, which is know internationally and has regularly workshops held at XinCheJian. People love to construct bridges using spaghetti and hot glue. Exposing people from a finance background the opportunity to forget about typing and think of spa...
Lucio Pentagna explains how after a career as a company director he left his native Brazil and sailed around the Caribbean and to Europe. He then moved to Shanghai where he discovered his passion for making things and proceeded to set up XinFab, which enables the Shanghai community of makers, inventors, startups and entrepreneurs access to cutting-edge fabrication tools and technologies, which includes 3D printers and laser cutters, at the lowest cost possible, so that every man, woman and child with a project idea and the will power to see it through can make their ideas and prototypes into reality.
https://www.fablabs.io/xinfab
Kevin Chen reveals how his lead in the recent HackYiZu 2015, which is a Techyizu-style Hackathon held in Shanghai held over two days for people with a passion for technology, entrepreneurship, and social innovation. Where the teams of men and women, experienced and non-experienced created hardware solutions to fun problems. He explained how full-training was given to the non-experienced on the Ardrino, the electronic brain of the projects, and laser cutting, for the creation of physical objects, which allows entrepreneurs to create minimal viable products.
http://www.techyizu.org/
Simon Henry gives a detailed look behind the scene at Juwai.com, an award winning online platform. His first startup after seven startups for others after he and his cofounder identified a blue ocean opportunity in the Chinese real estate industry that is being executed exactly and according to the business plan.
Anna Kuznetsova describes the route she took and alternatives to become an art historian and specialist in the art business, and using her experience of linking the Russian and Chinese arts world, relates the opportunities that exist to those willing to take up the challenge of cross-cultural arts projects, the role reputation and connections plays and general advice to just starting out entrepreneurs in any field.
Russian Union of Artists website: www.tcxp.ru
Karen Contet Farzam discusses her role in two startups that motivates and encourages others by her example, ’Women Who Code HK and W Hub’, insights into what it takes to switch industries and career path, her approach to maintaining a rich balance to all aspects of life, and advice to just starting out entrepreneurs.
Raphael Cohen is an entrepreneur that specialises in the development, implementation and support of new internet companies in Asia. In this episode he gives insights into the challenges faced when creating a startup in the Hotel Booking industry and gives advice to just starting out entrepreneurs.
The Entrepreneurs Breakfast (Shanghai) is the informal mentorship event organised by Entrepreneurs Asia Entrepreneurs are given about eight minutes to present their business, talk about your current challenges Other entrepreneurs will then ask questions, challenge the model, provide honest feedback and give suggestions on how to solve problems.
Regular attendance allows entrepreneurs to become accountable for their progress.
One of the most common themes discussed is; how do I market my business?
If you are an entrepreneur with a low budget, I would suggest you look at the online tools available and you learn how to use them. Finding good, reliable and available technical people is very difficult generally in any developing market. They usually have their own projects or are being well paid by someone else.
If your project doesn't take off and you are between ideas you can always become one of the technical people for someone else.
Listen to one entrepreneur get the Entrepreneur Breakfast treatment.
Michael Zakkour, is an author, writer, public speaker and lecturer. In this episode he talks about his latest book "Chinese Super Consumers" and the influence that they are around the world, as well as general insights and advice that can help business formulate their strategy.
Michelle Yeh, a health & beauty industry expert and green lifestyle advocate, as the founder and CEO explains the motivation behind GREEN & Gorgeous, formerly known as myLOHAS beauty - China's first natural healthy beauty& lifestyle company, how being green doesn’t mean you have to compromise on beauty, a vision for online commerce, how to evaluate the advice given by others and finishes with her own advice to just starting out entrepreneurs.
Jean Zimmermann gives a very personal and passionate view of his journey to create China’s first home grown luxury cosmetics brand, Ba Yan Ka La. The professional challenges, the personal challenge that almost lost him the company, and it’s impact; and advises that maybe you should consider taking.
Stone Shi explains, how he sees himself and the motivation behind his startup 'BonApp' formerly ‘IndulgeSmart’. The keys vital to success and the criteria used to select both investors and partners. An approach to relaxation that he applies and instills in his colleagues, and advice he gives to someone just starting.