At e27, our mission is to nurture inventive thinkers and offer a space where exceptional individuals can disseminate their distinct perspectives and know-how. Our Contributor Programme stands as a gateway for fervent contributors to engage in rich dialogues about entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation.
Weekly, we showcase articles from our community members. These pieces showcase dives into emerging patterns, sector studies, and new notions. Join us as we aim to expand your horizons and pique your interest.
People analytics have become an essential tool to help companies show empathy and understanding of what their employees need.
By Terrence Yong, GM (Asia Pacific) at Visier Inc.
Malaysia’s evolving job market, impacted by technology and changing employee expectations, requires innovative solutions. People analytics, using data like surveys and performance records, is helping employers make data-driven decisions in hiring, retention, and skill development.
The pandemic accelerated these changes, emphasising skills development, diversity, and flexible work arrangements. Challenges include data quality and silos between departments. People analytics bridges these gaps, fostering a data-driven culture.
For example, the LEGO Group used people analytics to identify skills gaps and align development with business needs. As Malaysia’s job market transforms, people analytics enhances employee experience, engagement, and performance.
Technology will continue to integrate into our lives, and that will happen, in large part, through spatial computing.
By Brian Wallace, Founder of NowSourcing
Spatial computing, encompassing augmented, virtual, and mixed reality, is emerging as a transformative technology trend.
Virtual reality offers immersive experiences beyond gaming, from pilot training to art appreciation. Augmented reality, with over 1.4 billion predicted users by 2024, overlays digital elements onto the physical world, with applications ranging from medical surgery aids to education and business. Mixed reality, blending virtual and physical realities, holds great potential.
While these technologies are currently costly and bulky, they are evolving and set to integrate further into our daily lives, shaping the future of work and play.
The successful integration of AI technology into the media industry will depend on striking a delicate balance between efficiency and quality.
By Shagun Karki, Founder of makeraves
AI tools like Google and Microsoft’s capabilities to provide comprehensive search query answers are raising concerns among publishers about decreased traffic and revenue.
However, AI’s impact on the media industry is nuanced. It drives demand for high-quality journalism, especially as subscription models prioritise engaging content over clickbait. AI aids wider distribution through translation tools, reaching diverse audiences.
Still, the rise of deep fakes threatens misinformation, urging media to invest in detection and education. Automation could lead to job losses, emphasising the need for a balance between efficiency and quality in the media’s AI integration.
In this renaissance of visual storytelling, brands wield the brush of video content to craft masterpieces that transcend mere promotion.
By Sunil Nair, President of BeLive Technology
In the digital realm, video content has become a powerful tool for brands to engage and unite their audiences, creating a sense of community.
Video transcends language and cultural barriers, fostering global connections. It conveys empathy and shared values, building brand loyalty. User-generated content and live streaming offer interactive and participatory experiences, while inclusive storytelling celebrates diversity.
Data-driven insights refine narrative craft, and augmented reality adds immersive elements. Artificial intelligence is poised to personalise video narratives. Brands now act as modern-day artists, using video to create meaningful connections and inspire digital communities.
Also Read: Community voices: Weekly compilation of expert insights on marketing, AI, and blockchain
We need to boldly prepare and empower locals to lead Singapore’s digital journey, ensuring wider participation in our digital workforce.
By Marcus Loh, Director at Temus
Singapore’s iconic HDB flats serve as a financial safety net for many, but as the country evolves into a digital economy, empowering its citizens to participate in the digital domain becomes crucial.
The World Bank notes the growing importance of the digital economy, with rapid growth in the past decade. However, there’s a talent gap in tech skills.
Initiatives like Temus’ Step IT Up program aim to train individuals in tech roles, enabling career transitions and contributing to Singapore’s digital future. Balancing traditional values with digital advancement is key to the nation’s success.
Liquid staking has emerged as a transformative force in the crypto industry, bridging the gap between traditional finance and DeFi.
By Danny Chong, Co-Founder and CEO of Tranchess
Liquid staking, a fusion of DeFi and traditional finance, is reshaping the crypto industry. It bridges the gap by offering stability and familiarity, attracting a broader range of investors. This innovation unlocks opportunities for structured products and derivatives, transforming investment practices.
While resembling traditional finance instruments, liquid staking maintains low risk within the DeFi ecosystem. Emerging trends include external subsidies, revolving lending, multi-chain support, and institutional LSD pools, promising a transformative impact on the crypto landscape.
Switching to eco-friendly equipment in construction sectors provides environmental, health, safety, economic, and efficiency benefits.
By Muralidharan Angadu, Managing Director at Volvo Construction Equipment Singapore
Singapore is at the forefront of electric construction machinery adoption, with Volvo Construction Equipment introducing electric wheel loaders and excavators to the market. These machines help reduce the construction industry’s environmental impact, which is responsible for a significant portion of global CO2 emissions.
The near-silent operation of electric machines benefits urban environments, extends working hours, and reduces the need for costly fume-extraction systems. The shift to electric machinery also enhances safety, improves air quality, and contributes to sustainability efforts. Volvo CE aims to have 35 per cent of its machines powered by electromobility by 2030.
When assessing contech startups, the ability of the founding team to navigate a complex B2B sales environment is key to their survival and growth.
By Jimmy Ng, VC at Gobi Partners GBA
The Hong Kong construction technology (contech) market is a significant sector due to construction’s global economic importance, accounting for 13 per cent of the world’s GDP. In Hong Kong, the construction industry employs 8.5 per cent of the total workforce, with an average worker age of 47.
Contech has become an attractive sector for VC investment, with startups focusing on areas like BIM, robotics, project management tools, and more. Successful contech startups often possess deep industry knowledge, a track record of project deliveries, and a focus on opportunities in the pre-construction and during-construction phases of the value chain.
The APAC region’s rise in adtech promises a new era in advertising with endless possibilities for brands to connect with diverse audiences.
By Surabhi Pandey, Content Manager at SYNC
The APAC adtech industry, valued at US$886.19 billion in 2022, is set to grow at a CAGR of approximately 13.7 per cent from 2023 to 2030. Tyroo, a regional adtech company, is making a significant impact in the industry through innovative partnerships, performance-driven marketing, and a commitment to user privacy.
CEO Siddarth Puri discusses Tyroo’s achievements and vision. Tyroo recently partnered with LG Ad Solutions to revolutionise Connected TV advertising in the APAC region. Puri emphasises the importance of deep industry knowledge and successful project deliveries in adtech startups. Tyroo focuses on the pre-construction and during-construction phases of the value chain.
Through vigilance against digital scams and collective action, both Singapore’s citizens and authorities protect the democratic process.
By Vivian Wong, Co-Founder and VP of Marketing at ArmourZero
Singapore is facing its presidential election in 2023, but alongside this significant event, digital scams are a growing concern. Malicious actors use fake messages and websites to deceive people and potentially disrupt the fairness of the election.
To counter this threat, Singapore has implemented robust cybersecurity measures, including advanced protocols and constant monitoring. Additionally, citizen education and collaboration with technology companies are key components of safeguarding the democratic process. This collective effort highlights the importance of maintaining a fair and unblemished electoral event in the digital age.
Also Read: Weekly roundup: Diving deep with our contributors’ latest
Your personal life influences your professional life, as they should.
By Chloe Tan, Associate Marketing Manager at Hustle Fund
Networking and connecting with people is like finding your ‘energy circles’. Curating a circle of individuals who think like you, have valuable insights, or share your goals is essential.
Tan writes as an extroverted introvert, it involves balancing highly extroverted and introverted seasons, alternating between personas to be effective in different situations, and cultivating clarity through introspection.
Blurring the lines between personal and professional life can lead to deeper connections and a stronger support network. Building a tribe requires constant recalibration, adaptation, and the intentional pursuit of finding your people.
Remote work has proved easier and more enjoyable for managers, with most embracing the benefits of flexibility and remote collaboration.
By Daan van Rossum, CEO at FlexOS
A recent survey of 200 hybrid and remote managers in the USA found that 66 per cent of them reported increased productivity since adopting the new working model. Furthermore, 98 per cent of these managers trust their teams to be productive on non-office days.
The survey also revealed that 77 per cent of managers find it easy to manage remote teams, and 62 per cent find it enjoyable. Employee satisfaction and morale (60 per cent) were highlighted as major benefits of remote work, alongside reduced commute time and stress (54 per cent) and improved work-life balance (53 per cent).
These survey results demand re-evaluating how we think about hybrid and remote work. You can check out the survey here.
The accelerated adoption of CPaaS by businesses signals the realisation of brands required to adapt and engage customers in today’s fragmented digital space.
By Velid Begovic, Vice President Revenue APAC at Infobip
The global CPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service) market has seen substantial growth, with the APAC region experiencing the fastest year-on-year growth.
In 2022, cloud contact centre interactions within CPaaS platforms increased significantly, with WhatsApp interactions growing by 80 per cent, RCS interactions growing by 62 per cent, and traditional channels like SMS and email also experiencing increased usage.
Businesses in APAC have recognised the benefits of CPaaS, including improved customer messaging, increased security, flexibility, advanced analytics, omnichannel capabilities, and support for emerging trends like video features and data privacy.
In the face of an increasingly volatile and complex global landscape, Singapore’s government must embrace adaptability across all dimensions.
By Joel Koh, Strategy Consultant at Temus
Singapore’s government has made significant progress in digital maturity, reaching Level 3 on Gartner’s Digital Government Maturity Model. However, there is untapped potential to reach Levels 4 and 5 by focusing on seamless data sharing, advanced big data analytics, and pervasive predictive AI.
Embracing digital transformation is imperative for navigating uncertainties, overcoming legacy constraints, improving data accessibility and speed, and harnessing emerging technologies. Key principles for guiding this transformation include a unified data view, reinforcing AI, accelerating tech modernisation, and innovating with emerging tech. This transformation will position Singapore as a forward-looking, Smart Nation on the global stage.
Understanding the needs of a modern, intergenerational work environment is essential for attracting and retaining talented employees.
By Simon Dale, Vice President & MD at Adobe Southeast Asia and Korea
Perceptions of generational differences in the workplace are prevalent as multiple generations, such as Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers, work together. However, it’s crucial for organisations to view employees as individuals with unique work styles, needs, and preferences rather than relying on broad generational stereotypes.
The Future of Time study emphasises the importance of flexibility in the workplace, with younger generations valuing the ability to manage their own time and work when they are most productive. Implementing flexible work arrangements, including remote work options, is essential to attracting and retaining top talent, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z.
To address these evolving workplace dynamics, organisations should invest in technology infrastructure that supports remote work and collaboration while ensuring productivity and efficiency for all employees.
Discover Altair’s commitment to sustainability in the electric vehicle sector through the 2023 Altair Enlighten Award on World EV Day.
By Srirangam R Srirangarajan, Managing Director (ASEAN and ANZ Regions) at Altair
Altair is celebrating World Electric Vehicle (EV) Day 2023 by highlighting its commitment to sustainability through AI solutions. They recently announced the recipients of the 2023 Altair Enlighten Award, which recognises innovations in reducing carbon emissions and championing sustainability in the automotive industry.
Altair emphasises the importance of EVs in addressing climate change and uses computational science and AI to drive sustainability. Malaysia’s efforts to promote EVs, including tax exemptions and incentives, demonstrate the nation’s commitment to a greener transportation future.
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