Rooted Leadership: What Business Can Learn from the Natural World The modern business landscape pushes for relentless acceleration, propelled by an undercurrent of continuous innovation, rapid scaling, and an 'always-on' operational mindset. Leaders are under pressure to deliver continuous growth and chase new milestones which often inadvertently cultivate a "hustle" culture. However, this pursuit of acceleration exacts a heavy toll: employee burnout, resource depletion, and a struggle for sustained relevance. We have collectively fallen for the myth of endless productivity, believing that the more efficient our processes, the more work we can (and should) undertake. This mindset traps us in a loop of constant doing, neglecting the essential value of pause, renewal, and strategic timing. In contrast, the natural world…
What Happens When Two Founders Start a Business With No Clear Rules? Every entrepreneur begins their journey with a good idea, a trusted friend, a shared dream. It always starts with, “We should do something together.” The idea feels fresh, the energy is high, and the possibilities seem endless. Those first moments are filled with hope and optimism, where everyone is enthusiastic, the roles seem obvious and collaboration feels smooth. This is the classic startup story of two friends chasing a dream and finally deciding to make it happen. Party A and Party B were exactly like this: Friends with complementary skills, united by a vision, and eager to launch their business. They set things up quickly, registered the company,…
Although he started his career as an accountant, Mr Loh Hoon Sun could never have foreseen that it would lead him into the dynamic world of stockbroking, where he would spend nearly 33 years with his current company. This reality unfolds for the Senior Advisor (formerly Managing Director) of Phillip Securities, a renowned financial institution spanning 15 countries worldwide. The 85-year-old finance expert, born in Fujian, China, shared some insights on how the path of accounting can unlock incredible opportunities and diverse career experiences. His remarkable journey serves as a testament to the boundless prospects that the field of accounting can offer. Humble Beginnings Even though Mr Loh was born in Fujian, he moved to Penang, Malaysia at the age…
Emotional Intelligence at Work: It Starts with Self-Awareness Given how AI and automation are rapidly taking over routine tasks, this new technological era is forcing us to redefine what makes us valuable at work. It’s no longer about who has the most experience or who can process data the fastest. As machines become better at completing tasks and brainstorming ideas, a new kind of currency is rising to the top: emotional intelligence. This is precisely what helps leaders to navigate stress, inspire confidence, and guide others through uncertainty with emotional steadiness. Emotional intelligence is so much more than being the "nice" or "polite" person in the room. It is the dynamic interplay between how well someone understand their internal world…
Why Are Accounting Firms Still Lagging in Tech Adoption? In our previous article, we highlighted how accounting is shifting beyond compliance toward a more strategic role. Yet, digital transformation is where the sector risks falling behind. The reality is that the pace of digital adoption is far from uniform. While other industries have embraced automation and data analytics, accounting often remains anchored to legacy systems and siloed ways of working. This week, we want to find out: what’s holding accounting back from digital transformation? From cultural resistance to the complexity of integrating new technologies, we’ll unpack the challenges and highlight why people remain at the heart of digital transformation. Technology in accounting is moving fast but many firms still struggle…
