XL Podcast

Leaders set the tone. The tone becomes the culture. The culture becomes the DNA of innovation. Our guest in this episode, Howard Yu, is the LEGO Professor of Management and Innovation at IMD Business School and author of LEAP. In this conversation, we share how businesses change and keep changing in order to stay relevant in the 21st Century. It's not about strategy, but about the culture and leadership of the organization - everything from the stories the leaders tell to the teams they build. We look at what it takes to build organisations that innovate not just for the next year, but for the next generation. The case studies Howard shares in this conversation will surprise you. Of course we all know about Apple, but who would have thought one of the most innovative companies of our time was John Deere - the agricultural machinery manufacturer. That goes to show how innovations defies category and, as we'll also learn, geography. We'll look at innovation in Asia and the Asian Century and the shift from West to East.

Many know the AirAsia brand, but who and what made this story possible? Did you know that its founder was sent from Malaysia to English boarding school aged 14, on his own, with just a handwritten address of his final destination in the 1970s? It's these experiences that either make or break you. It's these experiences that empowered our next guest to take on massive risks in his life in the knowledge that it isn't fatal. Once you survived London in the 1970s as a kid, you can take on most challenges, like buying an airline, a football club or an F1 team. In the first episode of the new XL Podcast, Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia, shares exclusive stories about his childhood, experiences, and mindsets behind what has made him one of Asia's most outspoken and successful entrepreneurs.

"The secret of leadership is simple: do what you believe in. Paint a picture of the future. Go there. People will follow." – Seth Godin In the first episode of The XL Storytelling Podcast: Leadership In The Exponential Era we hear the entrepreneurial journey from successful business leaders Tony Fernandes and Rod Drury, as well as get some insights on the secret of leading for innovation from IMD Business School professor Howard Yu.

In this episode, we start with our own journey of how we became Asia's largest podcast agency by meeting business needs, and lessons learnt along the way. We then expand the narrative to look at the challenges and misconceptions of podcasting, and how and why podcasts can help achieve your business objectives.

A huge, overbearing bronze spider (Louise Bourgie’s Maman), a round, reflective bean (Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate), a sculpture spelling L-O-V-E (Robert Indiana’s LOVE)… these are all famous artworks set in public space that have enlivened our interactions with the surroundings. In this episode, we look to Mapletree Business City in Singapore as a local case study on the topic of art in public space. Joining us is Leon Tan, project manager of the public art education trail we will be exploring today. If you enjoyed this episode, support us by liking and sharing our podcast with others. You can also find the hosts Yi Jing Zhou and Shida Osman on LinkedIn. For more information on the artworks and art trail tours, please visit: http://ntu.ccasingapore.org/events/culture-city-culture-scape-2019-3/

Did you know that celebrity such as Charlie Chaplin graced the Seletar Airport once upon a time? In Episode 7 of Sounds of Our City, we have a new co-host, Yi Jing! Join Yi Jing and Shida Osman, as they unveil the lesser known airport in Singapore, Seletar Airport & Seletar Aerospace Park. On a scorching hot Monday, they persevered through the heat to bring you the sights and sounds of private jets & the only operating flight: Firefly, the aesthetic of hidden colonial-styled black and white bungalows, among lush green foliage. Fun fact: Formerly known as the largest British base of formerly the site of the largest British Royal Air Force (RAF) base, “Seletar” refers to the aboriginal coastal dwellers known as the Orang Laut who had originally lived among the mangrove creeks of the Johor Straits. Plans to redevelop the Seletar area for Singapore’s aerospace needs were announced in 2006. Not only that, discreetly tucked away in Seletar, Yi Jing & Shida explored the food and lifestyle hub, endearingly called The Oval. To name a few: The Wildseed Bar & Cafe and The Wheeler’s Estate. Recommended for families to escape from the hustle & bustle of the usual busy Singapore city life. Try it!

In Part 2 of the language special, host Shida Osman is joined by Michael Chua, a Singaporean screenwriter, director and actor. You might have seen him in films such as, Ilo Ilo, Hentak Kaki and The Gift. Sitting at a cafe in Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel, we sat across Read Bridge, which the local youngsters would be very familiar with, as it lies right smack in the middle of Singapore’s popular nightlife spot, Clarke Quay. Michael lays down the joys and adversities of being an actor in Singapore and rekindles the hard work of his father, at a time where his family shared a common kitchen and bathroom with 6 other siblings in a shophouse.

On this episode, we change it up a bit. Host Shida Osman uncovers the different languages that Singaporeans speak, as she strolls with her guests along historical monuments. Shida’s first guest is Tatiana Gromenko, Founder of Singapore Guide Book, a digital magazine for Indonesian travellers. Tatiana is all the way from Russia and speaks fluent Bahasa Indonesia. Tatiana and Shida strolls along Tembeling Road, which is one of the originally the Peranakan estates in Singapore. If you could see the sights, the Peranakan Houses were rather colorful. Tatiana also got to try some local Peranakan kuehs (delicacy). Subsequently, Shida chats with local husband & wife creative pair, Zee & Wan, Founders of PlayPause, a creative brand design company. Zee, Wan & Shida were seated at Kampong Glam cafe, right after they finished their breakfast of local Malay dishes, Lontong, Mee Siam & Epok-epok Sardine (Sardine curry puffs). The lovely pair recalls their grade in their Mother Tongue language, Malay (Shida’s too!), PlayPause’s humble beginnings and dishes into the rich history of the Kampong Glam area.

On this episode, in the run-up to Singapore National Day, host Graham Brown catches up with an array of great guests, to discuss why Singapore is so special to them. He starts out by speaking with Priyanka Nadkarni, Managing Director of digital marketing agency Window Seat Consulting, who shares her experiences moving to Singapore, from Melbourne, Australia, 9 years ago. She also reveals what she thinks makes the people in Singapore so willing to offer help and why it’s such a welcoming place for newcomers. Next, Graham chats with Jonah Lee, Founder of logistic company Moovaz and restaurant chain Reedz. Jonah fondly recalls his beginnings as an entrepreneur, selling waffles at a kiosk, and how he was able to develop it into a thriving business with multiple locations. You’ll learn about the changes in mindset he underwent along the way, as well as how he was able to stay connected to the business as it grew. Finally, Graham is joined by Thomas Gorissen, Organiser of JSConf.Asia, Hugh Mason and Wong Meng Weng from JFDI. They discuss Singapore’s similarities with Silicon Valley and what it is about the place that attracts unconventional people from all over South East Asia and beyond.

In this episode of Sounds of the City, Graham Brown heads to Kuala Lumpur to meet Bob Chua, founder of BlinQ Fashion. Join the pair as they explore the city, taking in the mouthwatering sights and smells of hawker stalls and discussing what modern entrepreneurs can learn from the people that run them. You’ll also discover why, despite growing up all over the world, Bob is most home in Kuala Lumpur and how he feels the city has evolved

We are in Singapore, recording the second episode of Sound of Our City. Cities may look similar to each other, boring at a glance. But stories of people are what make them unique and extraordinary in their own way. Today’s Sound of Our City episode is about people of Singapore. Anuj tells the story of when he first came to Singapore. Dennis Poh tells the story of when he left the law firm to start a business. Sheldon and Chester share their amazing story of lugging horse dung off the steps of Singapore polytechnic. Stuart shares a watershed moment in his career development when he decided to go alone. And at last, William shares the story of being stuck on a bridge between Singapore and Malaysia in the middle of the night. Hopefully, you enjoy the sounds of our city. If you do then, please follow us on SoundCloud, Spotify, iTunes, and Youtube. We would love to know what you think of Sound of Our City and suggest us where we should head next. To sign up for our newsletter, you can go to soundsofourcity.com where you will also get updates on all the latest episodes.

This is the beginning of Sounds of Our City. We want to tell the story of Asian cities through the people and their local stories. So the first episode is on Singapore. We have five stories from local entrepreneurs and investors whom shared their their journeys and took us to a place Singapore that has special meaning for them. There are four others joining me on this journey. We have Cherilyn Tan from Asia law network, JW Ngeow , who has had two successful exits here in Singapore, and now also an entrepreneur and angel investor in other endeavors, john Tanner, who moved to Singapore from Australia, an angel investor, Steven Liew. They all share different stories with different flavors, but they are all meaningful stories for them. Hopefully you enjoy the sounds of our city. If you do then, please follow us on SoundCloud, Spotify, iTunes and Youttube. If you want to find out where we are based on a bit more of the backstory and sign up for our newsletter, you can go to soundsofourcity.com for our newsletter and you will get updates on all the latest episodes.