Tocotoco and the New Playfulness of Modern Art: A Young Korean Artist’s Journey At first glance, the paintings of this young Korean artist might look like respectful homages to European masterpieces. Look closer, and a bright-beaked bird sneaks into the scene. This is Tocotoco, a toucan with a curious gaze and boundless energy who has become the artist’s signature. With Tocotoco, she reimagines classical art through a playful lens, bridging centuries of tradition with the spirit of her own generation. At just her mid-20s, she has already travelled to nearly 60 countries, exhibited solo, painted murals across continents, and developed a whimsical universe that both celebrates and reinterprets art history. Her story reflects not only her personal journey but also…
A New Era of Longevity: Living Longer and Working Longer As global life expectancy rises, so will the average retirement age. In many advanced countries, longer lifespans and economic pressures are extending working lives well into the late 60s and beyond. This shift has created a new reality: a growing segment of the workforce is older and highly experienced. Yet these workers are often overlooked, underestimated or made redundant. In a previous article, we explored how stereotypes about Millennials and Gen Z being "entitled" can prevent leaders from fully engaging the potential of younger talent. In calling out such generational stereotypes, we must also acknowledge how older employees are equally subject to bias. Older employees, especially those over 60, face…
Books Can Spark New Ideas and Shift Your Thinking When your days are packed with meetings, operational fires, and never-ending to-do lists, reading often slips down the priority list. And when you do finally have a moment to crack open a book, it’s tempting to reach for the familiar — that go-to stack of leadership reads that feel comfortable, safe, and predictable. However, if you’re looking to grow, evolve, or reignite your perspective, it might be time to shake up your inputs and that starts with what you choose to read. Fresh insights are unlikely to emerge if you stick with familiar authors and comfort genres. Staying within this echo chamber can limit your perspective and keep you stuck in…
Article 2/2 Leadership and Sales: Bridging Strategy and Execution Building on the discussion of sales team hiring and building a high-performing sales team in Article 1, this second article delves into the Leadership Role in Sales and Sales in a Changing Environment, with an emphasis on how AI and technology are transforming sales functions. The discussion will conclude with Professor Cespedes’s practical advice for SMB business leaders looking to improve their sales performance. About Professor Frank Cespedes Frank Cespedes teaches at Harvard Business School and for 12 years was Managing Partner at a professional services firm. He has worked with companies on go-to-market and strategy issues, and has been a Board member at consumer goods, industrial products, services, PE and…
The Rising Voice of a New-Gen Artist Blending Chinese and Modern Painting In an increasingly interconnected world, the boundaries between cultural expression and artistic identity are becoming ever more fluid. Nawei, a bold young Canadian artist based in Singapore, is among the emerging generation of artists who masterfully blend the heritage of Chinese ink traditions with the color, energy, and imagination of modern art. With work that pulses with symbolism, movement, and soul, she’s carving a space that both honors the past and dares to redefine it. “I’ve been painting for as long as I can remember,” she reflects. “If there was a pen and a scrap of paper, I’d find myself sketching whatever came to mind or whatever I…
