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…
Contributed by: JT Positioning your business as an attractive acquisition target involves strategic focus and meticulous preparation across key areas. In today's competitive landscape, mastering the art of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) requires a systematic approach aimed at maximizing value and securing optimal deals. This article explores five essential steps that can significantly enhance your company's appeal in M&A transactions. By delving into these critical strategies, businesses can effectively bolster their attractiveness and readiness for acquisition, paving the way for successful negotiations and favorable outcomes. Is it time to sell? You’ve spent the last 20 years building your business from a three-man operation to an established and dominant player in your industry. Over the years, you've cultivated a solid corporate…
The Business Doctor Who Brings Companies Back to Life Walter Simson’s career didn’t begin with corporate rescues. He was once a banker at Chase Manhattan Bank, now part of JPMorgan Chase, with a clear trajectory in finance. But a family emergency shifted his course, a call from his father, who owned a commercial printing business in New York and was battling serious vision issues. Walter took a temporary leave to assist, expecting it to last three months. It stretched into three years and set him on a new, unplanned path. “You can't be a turnaround manager until you've done a turnaround,” Walter reflects. That first experience became his unexpected gateway into a career he has now pursued for over four…
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…
