The Achievement Trap: Why We’re Wired to Want “More”

The Emptiness After the Big Win As the year comes to an end, this is the time when we reflect and take stock of everything we’ve accomplished. Yet, for many of us, we've certainly done a lot of work, but the outcome feels insignificant. It stirs a quiet unease: the sense that, despite the projects delivered, the milestones ticked off, we have this feeling that we still haven’t done enough. This is the arrival fallacy at work, the belief that once we reach a certain goal, we’ll finally feel complete. We chase goals believing they hold the feeling we’re missing, only to discover the feeling never stays. We continually chase more success, more recognition, more wealth, believing that the next…

Is Sales Really Difficult? Are there Proven Methodologies for Success?

In today’s fast-paced business environment, organizations face numerous challenges, particularly when it comes to attracting and developing top sales talent. In this two-article series, we uncover overlooked strategies to boost sales performance, examining the impact of technology, strategy, leadership, performance management, and other critical factors that drive business success. In a recent interview, Professor Frank Cespedes shared his expert insights on effectively managing the sales function to enhance business outcomes. This interview is divided into two articles. This is Article 1, where we begin by exploring Strategic Approaches to Sales and Sales Talent. We’ll delve into foundational strategies and best practices for building a high-performing sales team. Article 2 will follow in two weeks, focusing on the Leadership Role in…

How Birds Connect to Sustainability and The Environment?

Introduction Conservation today is not just about protecting nature – it is fundamentally about protecting people. At the heart of this mission are birds, which serve as essential indicators of climate change, alerting us to the environmental impacts of our actions. In examining this relationship between birds, people, and conservation, one organization stands out not only for its mission but also for its unique approach: BirdLife International (Asia) Limited (“BirdLife”). We have a chance to speak with Mr Vinayagan Dharmarajah, Regional Director, Asia, of BirdLife International to gain insight into the organization’s work and its contributions to protecting the nature. The Transition from Legal Counsel to Conservationist The journey into BirdLife has been a personal transformation. Coming from a legal…

Reckoning with the Future: How to Navigate the Digital Shift in Accounting?

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…

Understanding Trusts in Australian Investment

Australia has long been a popular destination for investment among Asian communities, and the past century has witnessed significant growth through the migration of Asian populations to Australia. Singaporeans are amongst those communities drawn to investment opportunities in Australia for many reasons, including but not limited to the benefit derived from its geographical proximity and historical ties with Australia, which have contributed to the close relationship fostered between the two countries. In investment and financial planning, trusts are often considered one of the most effective tools for achieving tax and succession planning goals. To help our readers better understand how trusts are used in wealth structuring and planning, we are pleased to introduce Rachael Grabovic, who shares her insights into…

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