Are You Still Running Your Business Like It's 1995? We live in an age defined by digital signatures, seamless cloud collaboration, and powerful AI. Despite having endless tools for efficiency at our fingertips, a shocking number of companies and professionals remain stubbornly anchored in the analog past. The continued reliance on hardcopy documentation, mandatory in-person approvals, and manual processes actively stalls progress and productivity. This persistence of 1990s playbooks begs the central question: Why do so many successful leaders and companies knowingly choose to resist transformation? The answer lies not in outdated technology, but in deep-seated human psychology. This instinct to cling to the familiar, even when innovation offers a clear advantage, is known as the status quo bias. We…
E-Invoicing is at a Turning Point: Europe’s Digital VAT Future Following our earlier look at Singapore’s InvoiceNow initiative and its push for nationwide e-invoicing adoption, we now shift our focus to European Union (EU) where momentum is building under a distinct regulatory and tax environment. Across Europe, e-invoicing is quickly becoming the norm. With the European Commission’s VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) initiative driving major regulatory changes, the region is taking major steps toward full digital VAT compliance. Across the EU, e-invoicing is reshaping how businesses manage their financial operations. Built for accuracy and speed, electronic invoices are processed far more efficiently than traditional methods. As ViDA is accelerating the shift to e-invoicing as a regulatory standard, business leaders…
Everything Is Connected: A New Way to Think About Business and Nature Leaders today confront a level of uncertainty far greater than previous eras. From climate-related disruptions impacting supply chains to public health issues which affect workforce productivity, the degradation of natural systems directly translates into operational risks and diminished human capital. Amidst this complexity, a growing number of forward-thinking leaders are asking deeper questions to focus on resilience and the creation of long-term value. Within this dialogue, you may have encountered a term gaining significant traction in discussions: nature-positive. This article is an invitation to understand what nature-positive means, why it matters for you, and how embracing its principles can unlock new perspectives on the future of business. In…
Profits vs Public Health: Why Business Leaders Must Rethink Their Role in Society Most business leaders probably don’t lie awake worrying about public health. They are likely focused on profit margins, sustainable growth, market share, investor expectations, and keeping their team productive. Health, especially the health of people outside the company, can feel distant or like someone else’s job. It's easy to see why we might think public health isn't our problem. Individuals make their own choices. Governments are responsible for healthcare systems. Yet, every business influences public health, whether it intends to or not. The question is no longer whether businesses impact health, but whether they choose to understand that impact and shape it intentionally. Businesses play a powerful…
With the enormous growth of wealth in Greater China, many wealth managers are focusing on capturing the High Net Worth (HNW) market in the region. Eric Phua is one of the Market Heads at Pictet Wealth Management who looks at this sector. With more than two decades of career experience in the wealth management space, spanning prestigious financial institutions such as Citibank and UOB, he and his team of bankers specialise in partnering HNW clients in Greater China to manage, preserve and help with the transfer of their wealth across generations. In this interview, Eric shares some insights on his career, the needs of HNW clients, methods of wealth transfer and management, as well as trends in Greater China. Mr…
