Image by Freepik Every company strives to navigate its strategic course with the lightest possible asset footprint. Yet, finding the optimal balance can resemble solving a complex puzzle. Executives often grapple with a perplexing choice when considering the heft of their assets. On one hand, there is the allure of asset-heavy, vertically integrated models that promise unmatched control. But do they also tether too much capital and lack the nimbleness needed in today's ever-shifting business environment? On the flip side, asset-light business models offer newfound flexibility, but can they be effectively managed? Do they raise concerns with the looming risks of Intellectual Property (IP) leaks and potential depreciation in value? "The art of business lies in the ability to make…
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…
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…
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…
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…
