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…
Mr. Masahiro Nishii, Managing Director of Nihon M&A Center Singapore Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Singapore start off as family-run businesses that are built with blood, sweat, and tears. After about 20 years of steady growth, owners are either looking for succession or to sell the company for retirement. But how does one even start to navigate the complicated M&A landscape, and more importantly, how can one ensure that the legacy lives on even after the company is sold? This is where Mr Masahiro Nishii comes in. As the Managing Director of Nihon M&A Center Singapore, he and his team connect SME owners in Singapore with Japanese investors looking for opportunities in the region. Nihon M&A Center is…
Books Can Spark New Ideas and Shift Your Thinking When your days are packed with meetings, operational fires, and never-ending to-do lists, reading often slips down the priority list. And when you do finally have a moment to crack open a book, it’s tempting to reach for the familiar — that go-to stack of leadership reads that feel comfortable, safe, and predictable. However, if you’re looking to grow, evolve, or reignite your perspective, it might be time to shake up your inputs and that starts with what you choose to read. Fresh insights are unlikely to emerge if you stick with familiar authors and comfort genres. Staying within this echo chamber can limit your perspective and keep you stuck in…
The Rising Voice of a New-Gen Artist Blending Chinese and Modern Painting In an increasingly interconnected world, the boundaries between cultural expression and artistic identity are becoming ever more fluid. Nawei, a bold young Canadian artist based in Singapore, is among the emerging generation of artists who masterfully blend the heritage of Chinese ink traditions with the color, energy, and imagination of modern art. With work that pulses with symbolism, movement, and soul, she’s carving a space that both honors the past and dares to redefine it. “I’ve been painting for as long as I can remember,” she reflects. “If there was a pen and a scrap of paper, I’d find myself sketching whatever came to mind or whatever I…
Mr Leslie Loh, Founder and CEO of Lithan EduCLaaS Digital transformation has been knocking on the doors of businesses, irrespective of their sizes. However, it’s the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that arguably face the most challenges on this journey. As the Founder and CEO of Lithan EduCLaaS, a leading edutech business with a Pan-Asia presence, Leslie Loh has always been keen in the field of education, especially in terms of digital revolution. “Every business needs a differentiated solution. If you don't have one, you're not going to scale. And the way to find your unique solution is through digitalization.” - Leslie Loh Before we dive into digitalization, let's address the Return on Investment (ROI) question. ROI is the holy…
