Welcome to a game-changing episode of The Adrian Tan Show!

I delve deep with Charles Ferguson, GP's general manager, to explore the astonishing insights from GP's World at Work report.

We discuss the hidden talent pools across the APAC region, including India's and the Philippines' skilled workforce, and strategies on how countries like Sri Lanka are tackling the brain drain.

Navigate the AI hype versus reality and uncover how businesses can leverage Employer of Record models to enter new markets smartly.

From Singapore’s global talent hub status to the 'try before you buy' hiring strategies, this episode illuminates the future of work, revealing how globalisation, AI, and innovative work strategies are reshaping industries.

And don't miss our fun conclusion as Charles picks his dream team from any time era.

Like, subscribe, and leave a review—this is one must-watch episode packed with insights and a touch of humour!

🕛 Time stamps

00:00 Introduction

01:12 Welcome Back, Charles Ferguson

02:04 Discussing the World at Work Report

04:09 Global Expansion and Talent Acquisition

11:49 Generational Perspectives on Global Work

16:11 AI in the Workplace

19:46 Singapore's Talent Landscape

21:20 Global Companies and Singapore's Role

22:15 Embracing Global Opportunities with AI

23:32 Challenges of Setting Up in New Markets

26:43 The EOR Model: A Flexible Approach

29:36 AI's Impact on the Future of Work

32:08 Personal Insights and Future Plans

35:06 Fun Hiring Game and Conclusion

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In this comprehensive episode of The Adrian Tan Show, I speak with design thinking experts Alfred Tan and Ken Kwan, founding partners of The Curious People consultancy.

They discuss design thinking's powerful impact on various sectors, especially SMEs, emphasising human-centred solutions, empathy, and prototyping.

Through engaging case studies like Heavenly Wang Cafe's transformation and practical examples from DBS, the episode highlights how design thinking can enhance customer experience, operational efficiency, and employee morale.

They also debunk common misconceptions and introduce a new AI-powered tool to help businesses gather deep empathy insights.

🕛 Time Stamp

00:00 Introduction

01:17 Welcome to The Adrian Tan Show

01:20 Understanding Design Thinking

01:53 Introducing the Guests

02:37 Defining Design Thinking

04:43 Personal Stories and Inspiration

06:59 Applying Design Thinking in SMEs

11:56 Success Story: Wang Cafe

22:34 Prototyping and Co-Creation

23:53 Common Misconceptions About Design Thinking

24:44 Empathy in Design Thinking

26:37 Business Process Re-engineering vs. Design Thinking

27:53 Workflow Redesign with Design Thinking

29:38 The Importance of Customer Perspective

34:04 When to Implement Design Thinking

36:31 The Role of Empathy in Business

42:07 Conclusion and Resources

📝 Show Notes

• ​Website: ⁠www.thecuriouspeoplesolutions.com.sg⁠
• ​HEARyou (our digital empathy tool powered by AI): ⁠https://www.thecuriouspeoplesolutions.com/hearyou⁠
• ​Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/TheCuriousPeople?ref=hl
• ​LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/the-curious-people-solutions

⁠---

Products:

• ​📕 "No More Bosses = The Journey to Sustainable Self-Employment": ⁠https://amzn.asia/d/09s7KlXc
• ​⁠📈 Get your 30k followers on LinkedIn: ⁠https://adriantan.com.sg/linkedin/⁠

Stay Connected:

📺 Subscribe to my channel for more: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AdrianTan18/⁠

🎧 Or on my Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2db5aN9xKxaTEFQDibzwNm ⁠

Follow me on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/

⁠✉️ For business inquiries: ⁠adrian@adriantan.com.sg⁠

In this episode of the Adrian Tan Show, I host Cheung Hoyin, a returning guest from Episode 9, to discuss the growth and transformation of his company, Remo, a virtual events platform, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hoyin also introduces his new company, Hermessi, which offers AI-enhanced executive assistants (EAs) and chief of staff services designed to revolutionise productivity for CEOs and founders.

The conversation covers Hoyin's journey as a startup founder, balancing work and personal life, the updated role of EAs in managing tasks, and how AI tools like ChatGPT are integrated into their workflows.

Hoyin provides insights on training methodologies for EAs and the evolving role of a chief of staff and shares personal anecdotes and advice for entrepreneurs looking to optimise their productivity and work-life balance.

🕛 Timestamps:

00:00 Exciting News: My New Book is a Bestseller!

01:12 Welcome to Season Four of The Adrian Tan Show

01:49 Catching Up with Hoyin: The Journey of Remo

03:18 The Rise and Challenges of Remo During the Pandemic

05:40 Post-Pandemic: Remo's Sustainable Growth

07:32 Introducing Hermes: A New Venture

09:35 The Importance of Executive Support

14:03 Training and Career Growth for EAs and Chiefs of Staff

16:54 The Role and Value of a Chief of Staff

26:25 AI Integration in Executive Assistance

33:44 Ensuring Security and Trust with Virtual EAs

35:48 Conclusion and Where to Learn More

---

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In this episode of The Adrian Tan Show, Adrian Tan interviews Neal Moore, a seasoned storyteller, entrepreneur, and coach.

They discuss Neal's transition from acting to journalism to content marketing, the impact of AI on creative industries, and the importance of sales skills for business success.

Neal shares valuable insights on how creatives can build businesses that support their lifestyles, emphasizing the importance of personal branding, effective communication, and the timeless skills of listening and empathy.

00:00 Introduction and Book Announcement

01:17 Welcome to the Adrian Tan Show

01:29 Guest Introduction: Neil Moore

02:10 Neal's Journey: From Acting to Content Marketing

02:51 The Transition to Sales

03:42 Starting a Business in Singapore

04:31 Building a Content Marketing Agency

05:38 The Importance of Sales Techniques

09:24 Challenges for Creative Entrepreneurs

11:48 Balancing Creativity and Business

16:49 Aligning Business with Personal Lifestyle

24:23 Balancing Work and Happiness

24:45 Divine Discontent and Societal Roles

25:46 The Value of Diverse Skills

26:21 Challenges Faced by Creative Professionals

27:49 Learning Business Skills for Creatives

30:06 AI's Impact on Creativity

34:04 The Importance of Human Connection

39:31 Sales: The Essential Skill

46:27 Final Thoughts and Resources

---

Neal's LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealpmoore/⁠

Neal's website: ⁠https://www.mooreslore.com/⁠

Neal's personal blog: ⁠https://nealmoore.substack.com/⁠ ---
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Stay Connected:
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In this episode of the Adrian Tan Show, we welcome Dexter Zhuang, a financial innovator and globetrotter who left the US in 2019 to become a digital nomad.

Dexter shares his journey from climbing the corporate ladder in San Francisco's tech industry to exploring various countries, ultimately landing in Singapore, and later Mexico City.

He discusses his initial pursuit of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) strategy, why it didn't align with his values, and his shift towards a more balanced approach to financial freedom.

Dexter also elaborates on the importance of finding work you love, the concept of semi-retirement, and how AI and cultural shifts are redefining conventional career paths.

The conversation touches on the differences in financial perspectives across cultures, the value of side hustles for skill development and networking, and actionable advice for pursuing a fulfilling career.

Check out Dexter's newsletter at https://www.moneyabroad.co/

00:00 Introduction to Dexter Drunk: Financial Innovator and Globe Trotter

01:17 Dexter's Journey: From the US to Singapore and Beyond

05:46 Exploring Financial Independence and the FIRE Strategy

10:04 The Concept of Semi-Retirement

14:03 Real-Life Examples of Career Transitions

17:39 The Value of Side Hustles

23:34 Cultural Differences in Financial Perspectives

30:36 Future Trends in Financial Independence and AI

35:25 Career Advice for the Next Generation

39:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

---
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In this episode, How Meng Hock of OMS shares insights into how Ironman inspired him during a crucial period when his organisation faced potential liquidation in 2019.

The discussion delves into his journey from initial exposure to Ironman through Marvel movies, leading to the initiation of 'Project Ironman'.

As the CEO of an upstream oil and gas company, he demonstrates remarkable resilience in navigating the complexities of preserving jobs and steering the company through financial challenges and industry downturns.

He emphasises the balance between treating employees as social units rather than economic ones.

The conversation includes strategic takeaways from various business books and the practical application of management theories during a multi-year negotiation process.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:11 Ironman as a Role Model

01:00 The Birth of Project Ironman

01:52 Challenges of Announcing Job Cuts

03:19 Understanding the Oil and Gas Industry

05:16 Company's Role in the Upstream Sector

06:58 The Management Buyout Decision

09:21 Navigating Financial and Operational Hurdles

20:53 Support Systems and Team Resilience

27:30 Personal Philosophy and Early Career Lessons

31:26 Balancing Social and Economic Units

31:48 Challenges in the Oil and Gas Industry

32:42 Philosophy of Employee Retention

33:35 Stakeholders vs. Shareholders

34:43 Importance of Cash Flow

35:17 Short-Term vs. Long-Term Goals

37:34 Humility in Leadership

39:40 Lessons from Corporate Acquisitions

42:38 The Impact of Books on Leadership

50:59 Reflecting on Past Mistakes

53:03 Advice to My Younger Self

54:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

---
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Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/
✉️ For business inquiries: adrian@adriantan.com.sg

Jonathan Eg is the Founder & CEO of Partipost, a Crowd Marketing Platform that effectively connects brands to content creators, giving them seamless access to word-of-mouth advertising in the fast-moving world of social media. Since its inception in 2016, Partipost has dedicated itself to transforming how brands connect with their consumers, making it easier to engage and reach a larger pool of audiences through its platform.

Jonathan shares his intriguing journey from electrical engineering to founding an influencer marketing platform in this episode. He discusses the motivations behind his career shift, his challenges, and his parents' pivotal role in shaping his leadership style. Jonathan also provides insights into the evolution and benefits of micro and nano influencers, the impact of AI in influencer marketing, and the current state of B2B influencer marketing in the industry. He candidly addresses the issue of delayed payments in influencer marketing and how his company, Party Post, is working to resolve these challenges.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:33 From Electrical Engineering to Finance

02:27 Transition to Private Equity and Tech

03:22 Founding an Influencer Marketing Platform

05:30 Parental Influence on Leadership Style

08:18 Evolution of Influencer Marketing

11:30 Micro and Nano Influencers vs. Traditional Influencers

16:24 AI Influencers: The Future or a Fad?

19:56 B2B Influencer Marketing

23:02 Challenges in Influencer Payments

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Qiu Jianhan is the principal of strategy at Unispace Asia, where he leads the strategy and change management practice. He has developed innovative strategy and change management solutions that have helped many organisations align their work environment with their goals.

As a certified LUMA practitioner, Jianhan always embeds human-certified design thinking into his solutions, contributing to his success as a seasoned workplace strategist. In this episode, Jianhan shares his intriguing journey from learning magic card tricks to his professional career in finance and workspace strategy. He discusses the importance of engaging employees in workspace design to boost productivity and satisfaction.

Jianhan also provides insights into the impact of flexible workplace arrangements in Singapore and tips for companies seeking new office spaces. The conversation reveals how innovative workspace design can significantly influence employee well-being and organizational success. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:20 Discovering Magic Tricks 01:12 From Finance to Workspace Strategy 02:38 Common Workspace Design Mistakes 04:06 Engaging Employees in Workspace Design 07:24 Impact of Flexible Work Arrangements 11:22 Designing for Low Occupancy 15:46 Balancing Work, Life, and Play in the Office 18:06 Tips for Choosing a New Workspace 24:07 Final Thoughts and Conclusion --- Sign up for Adrian's weekly newsletter: https://adriantan.com.sg/subscribe/ Visit Adrian Blog: https://adriantan.com.sg Follow Adrian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/ Follow Adrian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/adriantan18 Like Adrian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adtan