Asia Tech Podcast

[00:05] ASH16 - Ashley Talks with Ashley Galina Dudarenok [00:10] Welcome Fransiska Hadiwidjana to Ashley Talks [01:00] Fransiska tells why she's so interested in STEM and how she went about achieving all these fantastic things [09:50] What does Fransiska have to say to people who say tech, math, physics - stuff she's interested in from early on - is not a "girl thing"? [12:50] How does Fransiska motivate herself to always stay curious? How can everyone keep being curious? [13:50] Who are some of Fransiska's inspirators, mentors, cheerleaders - people who she looks up to and who drive her forward? [14:40] Why programming? What's so fascinating about that and what has Fransiska learned along the way that kept her coming back to it? [16:00] Can anyone learn technology and what is the future of technology in a general sense? [17:45] Does Fransiska think that everyone will know programming? And if so, why shall ordinary people not professionally involved in that be on point? [19:00] Fransiska advises where people should start with regarding programming [20:30] Where does Fransiska think technology is gonna take us in the coming 5-10 years? [22:00] What role does Fransiska want to play in the future of humanity with regards to programming? [23:30] If Fransiska had $1 billion available to her and she could build anything in the world, what would this product/project be that she would like to realize? [24:30] What is Fransiska most excited about in terms of biotechnology right now? [26:10] How is Indonesia unique to the rest of the world? How is doing business in Indonesia different from the rest of Southeast Asia? [27:55] Does Fransiska think that Indonesia is the next miracle of China? [29:22] What does Fransiska think is the biggest threat to doing business in Indonesia? [30:25] Being a woman in Indonesia, Fransiska is an example to many. Does she feel that there are unique advantages/disadvantages for being a female founder, owner and CEO in Indonesia and her particular market? [32:00] What can people learn from Fransiska being strong and successful even as a "minority"? Fransiska's key lessons - believe in yourself and have the right mentors [34:05] How do you find the right mentors? [35:40] What does Fransiska think is the future of this shared economy, second-hand used products and e-commerce in general? [37:35] How soon are people gonna turn more into shared economy and reuse great goods? How soon is this shift going to happen? [39:00] 100 years from now, does Fransiska see people focusing on consumption or people being altruistic beings that are creating a better world for themselves and others? [40:20] How in this economy does marketing come in? [42:30] On recently being named Asia's 30 Under 30 by Forbes - has this transformed Fransiska's life so far and how does it feel to be a "30 Under 30 queen"? [43:30] Fransiska plugs Prelo as founder and CEO of the company

[09:00] What are you seeing on a day-to-day level happening there in Michigan in terms of startups and tech engagement? -- This is a bit of a complicated question. On the one hand there is a lot of resources going into autonomous driving technologies. Many firms in this space have R&D facilities in the state. Oakland County, where DCBA is located, is seeing lots of Chinese interest in the biotech space. This area of Michigan also boasts one of the largest Asian populations in the State. So there's a lot going on. [22:30] What sorts of things can the DCBA do for people trying to come in and get situated there? -- We do all of the economic seeding and gardening. We help make introductions to companies and other partners. We facilitate people meeting and talking to others with deep ties to the community. So Chinese investors who might want to come over can talk to other Chinese business leaders and find out about the community and the business environment in a very helpful way. [31:50] What are some tips and tricks you can provide listeners who might be preparing for or thinking about hosting a Chinese delegation? -- Clearly do some basic background research on who is coming and who you're likely to meet. There are some cultural things you want to know about formalized greetings, how Chinese delegations expect seating arrangements to work, for example. Know that when someone hands you a business card, you should actually look at it before putting it away.

[00:05] Welcome Linda Vlassenrood to Asia Tech Podcast Stories [00:35] How did Shenzhen make an impression upon Linda? [04:10] Do people know about Shenzhen, a city of 20 million, outside of Asia? [07:55] What's it like for Linda as an architect looking at Shenzhen? What does the city get right? Is it a great place to live? [13:35] Top-down organization of the city, including the local government organizing singing contests - is it as bad as it sounds? [17:35] Linda talks about the little merit regarding the top-down approach - the tension between the power to just execute and at the same time, when the priorities are not right, it becomes "different" [22:15] To create better cities, does Linda think there is a need for a top-down approach? [28:05] When Linda looks at Shenzhen, does she see any elements of beauty which leave all "ugly" brutalist architecture behind? What are the buildings/features of the city that she's really impressed by? [35:55] 7 out of 10 of the tallest skyscrapers are in China - is having this tallest structures a "male thing?" [39:20] When people from Europe or America look at Shenzhen, what can they take away from it? [43:20] Beyond Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai, what's another city that we should watch out for? [47:35] With Shenzhen trying to reinvent itself as a creative city, would it price itself out of the market that they would shift a lot of the low-end manufacturing out into Zhuhai? [50:25] How does a student go and get a piece of the action in Shenzhen? What is the best way of getting into and discovering markets like Shenzhen? [52:20] Check out INTI - International New Town Institute

[00:05] ASH15 - Ashley Talks with Amy Blaschka hosted by Ashley Galina Dudarenok [00:55] Amy's story - how did Amy become a business owner, copywriter and brand strategist? [06:26] Is writing a skill that can be learnt by anyone? Amy's perspective on this [10:06] As videos become more popular, are copywriting and words becoming less relevant? Videos vs the written word [14:27] Amy's opinion of ghostwriters and the ghostwriting industry [18:36] More about ghostwriting, from having a template, the time it takes and how much it pays [24:03] Why hasn't Amy authored a book by herself yet? [25:03] Amy talks about her favourite social media platform LinkedIn and how it has transformed itself into a content creation platform [29:42] The importance of being perfectly imperfect and showing authenticity as well as vulnerability on social media [33:12] What program is Amy using to caption her videos? [36:01] Amy answers Ashley's question on whether there is a difference between the way men and women work [40:33] How to choose the best internal writer or copywriter? A good writer is also a good listener [44:30] What platforms can people access to look for writers? From LinkedIn to TripAdvisor [48:06] Amy suggests resources to become a better business writer - Grammarly.com, Hemmingway.com, HeadlineAnalyzer [52:03] What's the difference between a writer, a copy editor and a content editor? [53:50] To work with Amy, find her on LinkedIn, AmyBlaschka.com or write to her at Amy@AmyBlaschka.com

[02:10] You came to Japan to work for Panasonic Corp in 1989. What was Japan like back then? -- This was just after the real estate bubble started to burst. Prior to that Japan always felt like an endless party. In 1989 the hangover was starting. It was a special time. You find Japanese companies all have their own stories. They are not all the same. [28:00] You were actually involved in the aftermath of what was the largest corporate failure in Japanese history. Tell us a little bit about that. -- You're talking about The Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, which went bankrupt in 1998. I joined the bank that emerged from this in 2000, Shinsei Bank. My interests were in rebuilding the bank from a technical / operational standpoint. At that time, Japanese banking technology in services was lagging. We really started to innovate to make Shinsei Bank a leader in banking tech. [43:23] When you look at FinTech innovation in Japan today, there seems to be a lot going on. How has this happened? Who is driving it? -- First, it's important to consider that FinTech is a very broad term, which at it's core means bringing into the world of finance new digital technologies, new companies, and new innovative concepts. In Japan now there is a realization the central places for finance in Asia are in Singapore and Hong Kong, they are not in Tokyo. There's a growing realization banks need to innovate more.

[18:48] Entrepreneurship is difficult. Dealing with the criticisms from people around you and sometimes those harshest voices are the ones in your own head. All entrepreneurs deal with uncertainty. How do you deal with it? Aaron: There's no real answer. Everyone takes a different path. You have to find something you're really passionate about. If it was easy, everyone would be an entrepreneur, but it's not easy. The most difficult thing is to get over the fear to start something new. [37:58] Your companies are not huge. You're not an Apple or an Amazon. How do you get people to want to come and work with you? Aaron: I do things the Singapore way, which is to say if you want to learn and work here then by all means come. If you don't want to work here, then don't come. Kyriakos: It's not that difficult to get good people. We don't necessarily want the people who just want to work for a big name. It has been easier than we first expected. In the end it requires a bit of luck and a bit of hustle. Sabrina: We treat everything like a pitch as if we're the next big thing. We are big believers in culture. We try to give our employees a vote and say in the direction we're going. But it's difficult to find people. We don't have the resources to pay a big bonus to attract talent, for example. The struggle is to get the right people. [49:20] What advice would you want to leave listeners with? Graham: For me it's surround yourself with the right people. You can't underestimate how important this is. Kyriakos: You have goal and you shared it with people. This is important. Share your idea, and not just to the people you feel comfortable with--tell the world! Not everyone will like it or think you're right, but share your idea. Sabrina: Rejections are normal. Maybe 99 people will say you're wrong, but all it takes is that one person to believe in you and what you're doing. Also, don't feel bad towards the people who reject you. Maybe the next time you meet they will come around. Aaron: Think for yourself. Believe in yourself. Do it!

[09:20] Let's talk about GrabJobs. What is the problem you are trying to solve? -- We are trying to solve recruitment inefficiencies, particularly into mid-level tech jobs in Asia. We found the traditional model of recruitment is filled with lots of inefficiencies, lots of time spent opening CVs in email for example. So we saw opportunities to improve how recruitment is done. The result has been our app. [24:15] So can all of this be improved just by using your chatbot? -- Our goal is to improve every step in the recruitment process. The chatbot is just a first step. Another feature our app has is the ability to standardize CV formatting. Employers don't have to deal with all the various combinations of doc, docx, gdoc, pdf, etc. The app will put all the information into a standardized layout to speed comparisons across applicants. An additional feature we plan to rollout soon is interview self-scheduling. If during the interview with the chatbot an applicant scores above some target, the bot will automatically schedule that candidate for an interview.

[00:05] ATP660 - Asia Matters with Graham D Brown [00:10] Welcome Rina Neoh and Abdul Malik of Platform E [00:55] What is Platform E and what is its big goal? [04:00] What was it that sold Platform E to Rina? [06:40] What does Rina want to build with Platform E? When she talks about potential, what's the vision and what's the big idea for the future? [07:40] What sort of people was Rina speaking to - considering she didn't have a traditional entrepreneurial career? [11:05] How would Abdul describe himself? And why did Abdul work for Platform E instead of a law firm or a government trade body? [16:55] Does Rina see her role as evolving the mindset of Singapore that it's been quite safe and now it needs a generation of people who have to take risks and think like startups? [20:10] What does Platform E need to do and who does it want to step up and reach out to them? How can people work with or help Platform e? [24:20] The individual or the entrepreneur is at the centre of everything Platform E does [26:55] Reach out and contact Platform E at www.platforme.asia

[12:12] There is clearly something special happening in Shanghai. What has been your personal experience with this? -- Like New York City or Silicon Valley, people from all over China are coming to Shanghai with the mentality of wanting to create something. There's a very welcoming environment where people are trying to figure out how to work together to make things. [36:00] Let's look at what's going on in the IoT space. What is coming out that excites you? -- In the industrial space in China there are a few big players who may not be globally competitive but who are competitive in China. What's going to take people by surprise are the companies coming up now. We don't know who will make it big, but this is where things will happen. [43:00] Do you get time to go out and walk the floor in Chinese factories? Do you get to see what's going on? -- Running a company means you don't have as much time to do this is you might like. What we see is that the potential for IoT has great potential in discrete manufacturing. This market is very interesting to us. Those medium-tier companies who don't have the resources necessary to retool as often as necessary but whose business model depends on them being nimble in their manufacturing.

[00:51] What is your story? Why China? -- I studied Chinese at university, it seemed a very challenging thing to do. I came to China on a study-abroad and it was obvious China was the place to be. In 2010, I joined a non-profit called Teach for China (link to Chinese language website). What better way to plan for a long-term career in China than to start from the ground up? [25:15] How would you define modern Chinese consumers? -- Young Chinese consumers are slowly moving in a more socially-conscious direction. Things you already see are environmental awareness, health, and a desire for a cleaner, more simplistic lifestyle. This is completely brand new in China. One thing you see is companies who try to copy this model don't do too well because they lack the authenticity. This is really important if you are going to succeed in this space. [39:30] What has been your experience as a foreigner doing business in China? -- As a foreigner you have a ceiling. There are places you can't go and things you can't do. At the end of the day I'm not Chinese and I'm never going to be Chinese. This will always limit what you can achieve. But there are things you can tap into as a foreigner. Interestingly Chinese people have told us they trust our motives more because we are foreigners. There remains a strong suspicion that Chinese people doing charity work are trying to get rich and famous.

Nishtha Mehta joins Graham Brown in the introductory episode of In the Making podcast to share her ideas about this new show, the topics she wants to talk about and the qualities she is looking for in her guests. She talks about the importance of stepping up to start up new opportunities, whether it is a new role, a new job or a new enterprise. She believes that in our industry failure is an important part of "In the making" and people need to hear about it.

[04:00] How would you describe the tech ecosystem in Shenzhen? -- There is a total desire among people to collaborate, to help each other, and to share. If people believe in your vision, they will be drawn to you and you will be able to find the people you need to build your business. [09:55] At Guwoo we wanted to develop a sophisticated user-experience that wasn't simply click a button to turn a page or say a keyword to wake up the robot. We wanted something that would provide the necessary outcome-based experience that could take students ahead to the next level in the classroom. [33:08] Where do you see the opportunities in education moving forward? Where can technology really make a difference? -- In China there is plenty of technology but not enough solutions. In the US, it's the opposite problem, there are lots of solutions but a lack of good technologies. How do we take these platforms and scale them massively? These are the challenges going forward.

[00:05] FIA5 - Founders in Asia with Jodie Collins [00:50] Welcome Edward Tse - Founder & CEO of Gao Feng Advisory Company - to Founders in Asia [02:35] Edward got recruited by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to run their China business in Shanghai in 1992 - pioneering the consulting business which was nascent then in China [08:50] What were the things that Edward learned from working with Chinese entrepreneurs? [13:55] Was it from BGC that Edward moved to start Gao Feng Advisory Company? Also, what was the motivating factor for Edward to decide to start his own consulting firm? [20:25] At the core of it, what is the difference between the traditional way of thinking and the "China way" of thinking? [28:55] How does Edward see this "China way" of thinking gain traction in other markets across Asia? [31:10] Edward talks about his journey of starting his own consulting firm Gao Feng Advisory Company - what challenges have Edward faced and what are the lessons that he can share with other people? [37:25] What sort of channels does Edward use to distribute that thought leadership and get their brand out there? Also, does Edward identify as the brand? Is Edward effectively Gao Feng? [39:30] Edward offers tips for other founders on how they can continue to build their media presence [43:10] Has Edward thought of something which his company wants to go into that's outside of the management consulting sphere?

Note: This podcast contains explicit language [00:05] ATP650 - Asia Matters with Graham D Brown [02:42] Michael R. Bloomberg, American businessman and philanthropist, wants to create a rival to the Davos-based World Economic Forum that will focus on Asia and the Asian Century. The inaugural session will take place this November, 2018 in Beijing. -- This is certainly a way to acknowledge China's lead in the global ecosystem. [07:50] Data from the #AsiaMatters Report published this year bolsters the case for Bloomberg's vision. Key takeaways include Asia is a US$27 trillion economy. This is 50% bigger than either the US or the EU. By 2030, the Asian middle classes are expected to grow to 3.2 billion people -- an enormous market potential! [12:09] The Asia Matters Report talks about four steps that will bring about the Asian Century. 1) The demographic advantage that allowed for low-cost manufacturing production. 2) Capital reinvestment that helped build the Asian middle class and a skills, talent, wealth, and innovation boom, which is now allowing for 3) an increasing innovation advantage (AI, autonomous vehicles, etc). Asia is taking the lead in innovation. Finally, 4) Asia will eventually become the global hegemon and the "default option" for business. [17:12] The Asia Matters Institute was created as a forum to help foster these connection. The goal was helping experts outside Asia find their counterparts in the region, and also to help people in Asia better find and communicate. If you are a speacalist with something to offer, get in touch! [19:56] Exciting news from Singapore as Asia Tech Podcast opens its own studio! Special thanks to the team at Platform E for making this possible! [22:18] Platform E is a co-working space, incubator, accelerator, and community. Shout-out to Rina Neoh and Abdul Malik! They get things done! [26:06] Thunder and lightening shenanigans! [26:25] On networking. There are two types of people: energy-takers and net energy-givers. Find the energy-givers and work with them! [31:05] Why podcasting is the future of personal branding. Conferences and traditional networking events almost never give you information beyond what's available on someone's website. Nothing "wow's" us at those things. Podcasting, on the other hand, brings out the human element. That's what people want! [38:08] Revealing your vulnerability and humanizing yourself to others is one of the most effective ways to get ahead. Show that you have the confidence to take the arrows of criticism. Blaze the trail! Give people the Oprah moment! People want to know about you! [43:10] The vision for Asia Tech Podcast is to create the platform for those human conversations...to give that voice to the Asian tech ecosystem. The new studio will really help to make live radio shows...to make real conversations! [52:28] For all the talk about the digital world being the future, you can't fake a real, human conversation. This is what makes podcasts. And this is what will make the Asian Century. There are countless stories waiting to be told! That's what we're going to do here on Asia Tech Podcast. [55:15] If this sounds like your passion, apply to be our intern. Come be a part of the Asian Century!

[09:36] Where do you find energy for your passions? -- Everyone needs something that can keep them awake at 2:00am. At the end of the day these communities are people in flesh and bone. Serving them is a wonderful thing. [14:48] Why do so many women have a complicated relationship to money in business? -- This is ironic because so many women have experiences as homemakers. Some of the best business skills you could hope for emerge from this work; but for some reason, when women become product-makers or entrepreneurs they become "too feminine" about money and almost shy to talk about numbers. [31:28] What is the future for workers who in a very short time may lose their jobs and livelihoods as a result of automation and technological change? -- Bots and robots are inevitable. The sorts of "cookie-cutter" jobs that were designed in the first place for machines and not humans will go back to the machines. These human workers are not yet ready to take on more specialized tasks. We need to change this.