Profits vs Public Health: Why Business Leaders Must Rethink Their Role in Society Most business leaders probably don’t lie awake worrying about public health. They are likely focused on profit margins, sustainable growth, market share, investor expectations, and keeping their team productive. Health, especially the health of people outside the company, can feel distant or like someone else’s job. It's easy to see why we might think public health isn't our problem. Individuals make their own choices. Governments are responsible for healthcare systems. Yet, every business influences public health, whether it intends to or not. The question is no longer whether businesses impact health, but whether they choose to understand that impact and shape it intentionally. Businesses play a powerful…
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…
Ever heard the phrase, 'Accounting is the language of business'? Well, that nugget of wisdom originates from none other than business magnate, Warren Buffett. Consider this: accounting is like a puzzle within the business realm. But Buffett's thoughts in 2014 went beyond this simple comparison. He drew a parallel between accounting and learning a foreign language – and he was serious. Just as deciphering a foreign language as a native English speaker, diving into accounting terms can be like wading through a dictionary with no end in mind. Fixed assets, retained earnings, accounts receivable – they might as well be coded messages! But don't worry; you don't need to become an accounting expert overnight to do business. One key takeaway…
The Business Pre‑Nup vs. The Business Divorce In our previous article, we discussed the importance of a shareholders’ agreement as the “business pre-nup” i.e., setting ground rules for managing a business together as co-owners. But what happens when someone decides to leave the partnership? Every business partnership has two chapters: coming together and parting ways. The Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA) governs the second. If the shareholders' agreement is the "pre-nup", then the SPA is the divorce agreement drafted before the wedding. One party exits and the SPA decides who keeps what, how the price is paid, and who bears responsibility if any surprises come up later. For example, Party A and Party B have been business partners for years.…
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…
