Singapore is best known for its vibrant and cosmopolitan culture. However, it is also a great place to do business, with a strong infrastructure that makes it a hub for many different industries. One such industry is marketing and especially innovation and digital-focused marketing.

In fact, thousands of marketing professionals and enthusiasts visit the country each year to attend a variety of marketing events that highlight the latest trends, insights, and innovations in the field.

Singapore has plenty of events to offer, whether you want to network with like-minded people, learn from industry experts, or get ideas for your next marketing campaign. This dynamic city has something for everyone, from large-scale conferences to intimate workshops.

Let’s take a closer look at five of Singapore’s best marketing events. There are so many to choose from, so I tried to put together a varied list that should hopefully provide enough variation for the myriad of marketers across all disciplines.

So, whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, keep reading to learn about the top events to keep an eye on.

CONNECT Spring 2023 by Gevme

Event technology platform, Gevme returns for CONNECT Spring 2023, a quarterly product launch event that showcases the company’s revolutionary product developments and improvements. This is a critical event for those looking to keep abreast of the innovations in event tech and so much more.

In this upcoming edition, Gevme will be introducing the latest features and announcements focusing on sustainable and environmentally friendly event technologies. Join them on 15th March as they pledge their responsibility in taking a step towards a more eco-conscious future for the event industry.

• When: March 15
• Type: Virtual
• Registration: https://www.gevme.com/site/Connect-Spring-2023-home

B2B Marketing Leaders Forum Asia 2023

Thousands of B2B marketers from across Asia have joined the event virtually in recent years, but the event is now both in-person and virtually for those unable to travel to Singapore. This continues to be a popular event to discuss the B2B space and how to reach new audiences and help the brands scale.

Also Read: We can no longer adopt a cookie-cutter approach to marketing: Gunalan Ram of CINNOX

Tickets are limited, with space for 300 B2B marketers to gather in Singapore for the in-person Forum to discuss their roles as business leaders driving revenue and growth for the business. The goal is to establish marketing a place at the leadership table as we continue to innovate.

In its fifth year, ASIA’s largest gathering of B2B CMOs and marketing leaders will be held on the 17-18 August 2022 at the Parkroyal on Pickering in Singapore.

• When: August 16 and 17
• Type: Virtual & in-person
• Registration: https://b2bmarketingleaders.com.au/singapore/ 

The World CX Summit by Trescon

The World CX Summit is a global series of thought-leadership-driven, business-focused events held in strategic locations around the world. This invite-only event is an inclusive look into the customer experience world and how marketing, tech and more impact the industry.

This Singapore edition of the world tour brings together pre-qualified CX leaders, marketers, and technology experts under one roof to discuss how the latest technologies and customer insights can be combined to change CX as we know it.

The summit will feature a variety of insightful sessions, keynotes, case studies, and panel discussions that will provide attendees with actionable insights that they can apply to their Customer Experience strategies.

• When: May 17 and 18
• Type: In-person
• Registration: https://worldcxsummit.com/singapore/ 

The Martech Summit by BEETc

The 2-day flagship event of The MarTech Summit in Singapore has built a stellar speaker lineup and agenda, including panel discussions, keynote presentations, fireside chats, in-summit roundtables, and more. This marketing technology summit is a must-visit for those looking to stay ahead of the innovation in the industry.

The event has been divided into tracks to delve deep into the latest Martech trends, the power of data-driven marketing, and customer/client digital experience! Join us for a learning and networking experience with CMOs, Heads, Directors, and others.

• When: April 25 and 26
• Type: In-person
• Registration: https://themartechsummit.com/singapore/ 

DigiMarCon Singapore

This is the fifth annual DigiMarCon Singapore and is one of the top digital marketing, media, and advertising conferences in the country. This will be held on September 28th and 29th, 2023, at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

The event aims to bring together the marketing community to learn and discuss digital marketing best practices, the latest trends, practical solutions, strategy, and networking, as well as a look at the next generation of technology and innovation: Internet, Mobile, AdTech, MarTech, and SaaS Technology.

The event will consist of strong keynote speakers, sharing of case studies, strategy sessions and networking.

• When: September 28 and 29
• Type: Virtual & in-person
• Registration: https://digimarconsingapore.sg/

Conclusion

The events industry has been making a strong pushback to in-person, and we have upgraded the virtual experience faster than ever before. With great tech events like Echelon and more, there continue to be amazing opportunities for the business community to learn, network and grow together through these events.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic

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Dear Pro member,

AI is the most widely discussed topic in the tech world today. It has “invaded” our lives, and tools like ChatGPT and Dall-E-2 are used by many of us to automate time-consuming and repetitive tasks. We — the e27 newsroom — are also experimenting with various AI tools to produce articles and features.

While they are undoubtedly useful, AI tools are far from perfect. There are many ethical concerns about AI; gender bias is one. (UNESCO has listed a few examples of such ethical biases in this paper).

So how can we address these concerns? The first thing is: regularly review your AI algorithms to ensure they are aligned with society’s ethical standards and continuously monitor your AI systems to identify and address potential biases. There is no other go, at least for now.

Have you integrated AI tools into your workflow? How do you find them? Have you ever faced any ethical issues while using AI tools? Please email us your experiences.

In today’s ER edition, we have included an interview with Warren Leow, Group CEO of Inmagine, who talks about various aspects of AI in the creative world. Plus, there are news stories about Zenius, Zilingo, and many other startups.

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VC fundraising in SEA topped pre-pandemic levels in 2022
VC firms in the region closed 31 funds and raised US$4.14B in total proceeds in 2022; Most funds were closed in H1 2022, benefitting from carry-over deals and lingering effects from 2021’s liquidity glut.

Indonesian firm Zenius to lay off 30 more employees
This is part of the edutech company’s efforts to become cash-flow positive amid an adverse economic climate; The new wave of layoff comes after the firm let go of 800+ employees over several months in 2022.

Zilingo’s net liabilities exceed US$328M, show regulatory filings
Its total current assets – these include cash and cash equivalents, and trade and other receivables – had an estimated value of US$1.13M as of Oct 31, 2022, vs a book value of US$210.27M.

Grayscale Ventures makes Ist close of its DevInfra-focused micro-fund
Grayscale writes a cheque of US$200K to US$1M per startup; The VC firm was started by Nikhil Kapur and Siddharth Verma, who were previously part of Japanese early-stage VC STRIVE.

DEG makes US$18M commitment to latest Vertex SEA and India Fund
The proposed equity investment is for Vertex SEA and India Fund V, which has a target of US$500M, higher than its previously reported target of US$400M.

Malaysia’s Involve Asia raises over US$10M for SEA expansion
The investors include Bintang Capital, 500 Global, and Orbit Capital Malaysia; Involve provides a platform for advertisers to measure, manage and scale their marketing partnerships by automating workflows.

Genesia Ventures joins Japanese NFT platform’s US$1.5M round
Japan-based Microverse provides NFT-related services such as content production, distribution, and sales support; Other backers are B Dash Ventures, Cygames Capital, giftee, and F Ventures.

Indonesian agritech startup Semaai nets bridge funding
The investors are Accion Venture Lab, XA Network, Surge, and Beenext; Semaai provides customised consultancy, productivity tools, farming inputs such as seed and fertiliser products and access to better markets.

Malaysian drone company Aerodyne invests in Italy’s Aiviewgroup
This marks Aerodyne’s 21st global M&A transaction; Prior to this, the company has invested in Australia’s Sensorem, Middle Eastern drone player FEDS Group, and two local Kazakh companies.

Netflix competitor Viu taps Southeast Asia for growth
The HK-based company is one of the top three video streaming platforms in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Go big or go home: Why young startups need to exhibit on a global platform like 2023 TOP100 APAC
You will never know where opportunity lies. This is why it is extremely crucial to widen your reach from Day 1.

AI has the potential to perpetuate harmful biases, says Inmagine CEO
Warren Leow also says AI technology can enhance the creative process but is not a replacement for human intuition and creativity.

How Ampotech helps energy managers improve the performance of buildings
Ampotech’s proprietary device AmpoHub becomes the brain of an electrical panel, logging usage data and detecting anomalies for specific equipment like air conditioners and motors.

How to launch collaborations that grow communities: A guide for Web3 founders
To build a successful Web3 business, founders must create products that meet the needs of their customers’ needs and foster a sense of community and engagement.

Finding your groove: Balancing the hustle and emotional health as a startup founder
Building a startup can be an intense and unpredictable journey, and it’s crucial to prioritise your well-being to maintain your mental and physical health.

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The post Ecosystem Roundup: SEA’s VC fundraising topped pre-COVID levels in 2022; Zilingo’s net liabilities exceed US$328M; More layoffs at Zenius appeared first on e27.

Job hunting is not as simple as it used to be. Especially post-pandemic, when the job market has undergone a paradigm shift with increasing competition, companies are adopting a distributed workforce model and are more willing to operate digitally. This shift compels job seekers with a more aggressive approach to their strategy, and Global Class emerges as a potent ally.

Today, Global Class frameworks sit primarily on the desks of international expansion teams, providing a playbook for them to execute global growth initiatives. But did you know there are many ways to utilise these tools? You might not be aware, but they can also be used to get you to the next step and get hired for a dream job in international business.

Take Troy Malone, a tech executive with 15+ years of experience taking US companies into the international markets, who was applying for the role of Vice President of International Operations at Drata.

The role would require Malone to oversee all endeavors that occur outside the US, where Drata is incorporated. That includes looking at revenue and growth opportunities, logistical challenges and ensuring that business operations adhere to local regulations and tax policies.

Handling a multiple-stage interview process

Malone’s interview process with Drata was rigorous. In a span of one month, he was interviewed separately by five different stakeholders in the company: three Founders, the Vice President of Marketing, and the Vice President of Business Development.

Malone says, “Most executives hiring for a position like ‘VP of International’ or any other type of ‘expansion’ position are usually not highly sophisticated about international or expansion. So there’s a fair amount of education that a candidate needs to do on what these roles entail, and the outcome you want is to essentially illuminate the need for you.”

Also Read: How Localisation Discovery is setting up the yardstick for successful international growth

In previous job interviews, he used simple lists to explain the complexities that come along with international expansion. But to stand out from other similarly-experienced candidates, he needed a visual tool that took localisation and complexity away from just an abstract conversation to a concept that was easily understood.

Enter the Localisation Premium Analysis (LPA) tool

The answer to Malone’s needs is the Localisation Premium Analysis (LPA), a tool that maps out, tracks, and manages the complexities (localisation premiums) that come along with entering and scaling within new global markets.

As Malone explains, the spider chart visualises the various subcategories of localisation premium to help companies understand to what extent they need to localise and are adding organisational complexity. If dots are far away from the middle “PMF in your initial market”, it indicates that the expansion takes a lot of effort and work to be successful.

Malone was part of a list of 400+ expansion executives that the Global Class co-authors interviewed for the book. As soon as the frameworks were made available to the public, he immediately began to incorporate the tools from the book into his video job application to demonstrate his competency for the role.

Interviewing tactic: Creating a video job application

Since the job interview required five separate interviews with five different people, Malone devised a plan to compile all of their questions and answer them in one video. He downloaded the LPA tool, loaded it on Canva, and projected the image through Mmhmm software. 

Using knowledge based on the various conversations he had with the different stakeholders during the multi-stage interview, he created his own LPA canvas to illustrate the expected work that needed to be done should he assume the role of the VP of International Operations. The leadership was instantly sold, and could clearly see Malone being more than capable of driving the international efforts for the company.

He explains, “I use dots to mark and go through each dimension of the LPA. Typically at companies I work for, Product Premium is pretty low, Sales Premium is very high, and so on. I would go through the process of connecting each of the dots and rating each one. Then, I would take another color and say, ‘Right now, we’re not even localised on the marketing front.’ This allows me to visualise where the company is now and where we need to go.”

The LPA demo became central to Malone’s ability to showcase his own ideas for Drata’s international growth.

Advice for those looking for a career in international business

The job interview was a success. Not only did Malone get hired for the job, but he also impressed the interviewees so much that they considered making all business executive candidates submit a similar video format.

Also Read: How Uber reached global scale by empowering localisation

When asked about tips to ace a job interview, Malone says, “Do things that have never been done before.” In his case, the video job application made him stand out. For roles specific to careers in international business, he explains, “If you’re early in your career, take some chances that could get you international exposure early on. That could mean accepting a role at an earlier startup in a country that you want to work in because they desperately need international people.”

He adds, “If you’re mid-career, note that bigger companies have opportunities where you can find assignments in different areas of the world. Start actively looking and applying for those while also developing the skill sets required. If you’re in your later career, then it becomes mostly your reputation and contact base.

“Hanging out with great people is always the best way to do that because there are so many opportunities that come out of that. In all the jobs I’ve had in my life, I never had to look for any. It’s always through connections and being available to listen to the market to find where the opportunities are.”

A recommended tool to land a dream job in international business

Initially, Malone used the LPA tool to get hired. But it also has another important purpose once an executive lands the gig: get leadership buy-in. During the interview, he showcased his capabilities and understanding of what needed to be done. But once he started working, he continued to use the LPA to build internal consensus and secure resources for the company’s expansion plans.

The LPA is just one of several Global Class frameworks that could be used to communicate the intentional changes or “localisations” necessary to scale in multiple local markets.

Today, Malone considers the LPA an essential tool in his international operations role. “I didn’t know what I was missing until I had the LPA tool. It has allowed me to wrap up and clarify all of my philosophy and strategy into a comprehensive visual tool in a way that I’ve never really thought of. It was a happy discovery; it felt like home.”

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic

Join our e27 Telegram group, FB community, or like the e27 Facebook page

Image credit: Canva Pro

The post How to get hired as an International Expansion Executive appeared first on e27.

Registration for TOP100 is now open and we are looking forward to seeing your startup on the list!

TOP100 Program gives you the one golden chance to connect with hundreds of investors, showcase your startup at Echelon, pitch on the TOP100 stage, and access special programs. Find out what’s new in TOP100 and join here: https://bit.ly/TOP100_2023
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You may have read various articles on e27 about fundraising for your startup –from creating the perfect pitch deck to stepping up your communication game.

But have you ever wondered when you are going to implement the skills and knowledge that you have learned? You know that VC firms are always on the lookout for potential investments, but does that mean you can simply walk into Mordor—oops—their office and start pitching?

This is why we believe joining the 2023 TOP100 is great for your startup in its fundraising journey.

Also read: We know fundraising sucks, so e27 Connect is here to help you

As part of the annual Echelon Asia Summit, TOP100 is a curated programme designed to discover, showcase, and accelerate the next generation of up-and-coming startups.

Joining TOP100 is a great opportunity for you to meet leading investors in the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem. Here are the three reasons why:

You will be judged by partners at leading VC firms in the region

For the qualifying rounds, the e27 team curated a team of judges consisting of leading names in the regional VC scene. Apart from deciding who makes it to the next stage, this year we make sure that the judges will spend extra time to give you feedback on how to improve your presentation skills. You will walk out of the room feeling more prepared for your fundraising journey.

You will meet your match on Echelon Connect

Designed specifically to match startups to a meeting with potential investors, Echelon Connect is the platform that is meant to help your startup grow. Investors themselves can expect a factsheet of companies and facilitated business meetings to accelerate deal flow.

You will get to meet and rub shoulders with them during Echelon

At the Echelon Asia Summit 2023, you get to see exciting talks on stage and network with fellow participants and potential investors on the side. Who knows? A single light conversation can lead to many things.

So make sure that TOP100 is part of your fundraising journey. Register now.

The post Fundraising? Here are 3 reasons why should join the 2023 TOP100 appeared first on e27.

Research has shown that it costs 5 to 25 times more for businesses to acquire new customers than to retain existing ones. Consequently, in today’s turbulent business landscape, it is essential for businesses to strategise ways to nurture customer relationships and retain the right customers if they want to succeed.

The Big Leap Roadshow, an event jointly organised by e27 and CleverTap, brings together hundreds of growth leaders, experts, investors, and entrepreneurs from Southeast Asia to exchange their ideas and insights. The collaborative event centres around actionable strategies and best practices for building strong customer relationships, reducing churn, and maximising customer lifetime value.

Following the success in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, the highly anticipated “Retention Playbook Philippines: Orchestrating Campaigns for Different Customer Segments” is coming to the Philippines on March 8th, 2023. This event is an absolute must-attend for businesses looking to gain an edge in today’s competitive landscape. Industry experts will lead discussions on the latest trends and insights in customer segmentation, which is the trending topic of focus at the event. Attendees will gain valuable insights and learn about the best approaches to segment and retain different groups of customers for long-term success. This game-changing event will make a significant difference to your business.

Also read: Why your startup deserves to take part in the 2023 TOP100

The Big Leap Roadshow Philippines features a panel of key insiders and industry leaders, including Daryll Santillan, CMO of Booky, JC Medina, Head of Innovation of PalawanPay, Victor Lim, Co-founder and CEO of Kraver’s, Marc-Antoine Hager, SEA Regional VP for Sales at CleverTap, and Bern Pangilinan, Business Development Manager of CleverTap.

These industry leaders offer a unique opportunity for attendees to learn about insights and strategies that can help grow their customer base while keeping existing customers happy. Industry experts will share their real-life experiences and insights on customer relationship management techniques such as segmentation, personalisation, loyalty programs, and more through engaging presentations. In addition, attendees will have access to a wealth of valuable resources including case studies from successful brand campaigns and exclusive networking opportunities to help boost their professional profiles.

The Big Leap Roadshow Manila’s focus on customer segmentation

Customer segmentation is a critical process for businesses to better understand their customers’ needs and preferences, leading to enhanced satisfaction. Segmentation can be done by demographics, psychographics, or behaviour patterns. It helps develop targeted marketing strategies that can reduce promotional costs, identify opportunities within existing customer bases, and prioritise important relationships for upselling and cross-selling instead of solely relying on acquiring new customers. Personalisation is becoming increasingly important as customers have become more demanding and show greater preferences for customised products and services.

Following the customer segmentation process, businesses must learn to utilise data and insights about each segment’s behaviour and preferences to help them make informed decisions about which products/services should be offered at what price points, and even the channels to engage customers with — which make all the differences when it comes down to driving sales numbers up.

Also read: The first 10 frontrunners closer to competing in the 2023 TOP100

For instance, unlike previous generations, Generation Z and Millennials can best be reached via social media networking sites such as Instagram and Facebook, video platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, and mobile applications. This is only one of the many examples of how one’s marketing approach can vary depending on the customer segment you intend to target.

Moreover, customised promotions can capture more conversion opportunities and increase satisfaction levels. Other retention strategies include excellent service quality, loyalty programs, automated messages, referral campaigns, and regular social media engagement. Positive experiences among current customers generate word-of-mouth, reducing the cost of paid advertisements and generating more organic sales.

These strategies help businesses in two folds: by cultivating a positive experience for the existing customer base while attracting new ones through word-of-mouth generated by happy consumers. Consequently, businesses can reduce the cost of paid advertisements and generate more sales organically through earned promotional coverage. 

Why it is imperative for businesses to learn from the best

Attending the Retention Playbook Philippines is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in customer retention. In addition, entrepreneurs will be equipped with tips and tools to implement the process and track and measure the successes of their retention campaigns through the insights that will be shared by key industry insiders. 

Retention Playbook Philippines also offers all participants a slew of benefits such as learning from industry experts, accessing case studies of successful campaigns, and ample networking opportunities with other businesses that they may want to form strategic partnerships with in the future. Furthermore, interactive sessions and activities enable participants to co-create the experience, share and discuss their real business cases, and put learned strategies into practice.

Also read: Get to know the first two sponsors who will be at Echelon 2023

By joining the event, attendees will be equipped with the ability to directly and personally engage with key insiders that enable genuine connections and potential partnerships, all while participating in fun team-building activities. 

Learn from industry experts across various sectors about how they have created magnetic experiences to grow customer retention, increase lifetime value, and go from good to great.

To sign up for the event, click here.

The post In today’s unpredictable market, is customer retention possible? appeared first on e27.