Future-Proofing in an Uncertain World: Preparing for the Storm Before the Sun Economic conditions are shifting rapidly, with rising operating costs, supply chain instability and unpredictable shifts in consumer demand across most industries. Globalisation has accelerated growth and expanded market access for many businesses, but it has also made businesses more susceptible to external shocks - where geopolitical tensions and policy changes such as trade tariffs can rapidly disrupt entire value chains. The interconnectedness of global markets means that disruptions in one region can reverberate worldwide, amplifying financial risk and strategic uncertainty. The global economy no longer moves in cycles of calm and chaos; instead, instability has become constant. In this context, the ability to lead with clarity and composure…
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…
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…
Why Rest Never Feels as Restful as We Expect If rest were simply the absence of work, most of us would feel better than we actually do. You might return from a two-week holiday spent “switching off” and doing very little, only to feel mentally foggy, restless, and already craving the next escape. Yet, after a demanding session of a challenging hobby such as mastering a complex musical piece or training for a marathon, you often feel an unexpected sense of calm, focus, and clarity. We live by a rigid binary: grinding through work, then collapsing into leisure to “refill our tank.” We’ve been taught to think about our energy like a battery: work drains us, leisure recharges us. When…
From Complexity to Clarity: Inside Oceanis' Mission to Simplify Maritime Finance Every great business starts with a problem. The most impactful companies emerge when someone sees a gap, discovers a creative solution, and adapts as the landscape shifts. This journey is exemplified by Oceanis, a maritime technology company that is transforming how shipping investments are analysed. At the heart of this transformation is a brilliant team and one of its co-founders and COO, Georg-Maximilian Kuhlmann. From his early days in logistics to redefining how the maritime world approaches investment decisions, Kuhlmann has dedicated nearly two decades to driving progress in shipping. His career spans ship financing, asset management, commercial operations, and technology — a rare combination that gives him a…
