In 2020, the world was turned upside down by the news of the pandemic. People were forced into their homes, forever changing the way that we live our lives. Part of this change included the shift to remote work.

During the pandemic, millions of people worked from home nearly exclusively. However, even years after the initial lockdown, reports show that approximately 40 per cent of U. employees still work remotely at least once weekly. Although these numbers have steadily declined since the conception of remote work, there are still many opportunities across the country to work from home. Even years into the post-pandemic world, this business model’s benefits to employers and employees cannot be ignored.

Having and maintaining distributed teams both in and outside the office presents many benefits for the employees within the system. When working from home, a commute is no longer necessary. Not only does this mean saving time at either end of the workday, but it also means that some expenses can be eliminated. Workers no longer have to spend money on gas or food and have greater flexibility before, during, and after the workday.

Under this system, the time given back to employees can be spent with family or friends or enjoying other extracurricular activities and hobbies. Some employees even report fewer meetings during the day when working remotely. Overall, the benefits of remote work help to promote a better work-life balance, which in turn boosts the success and efficiency of the company.

When employees are satisfied with their work environment, their employers and companies also profit. There are several ways that businesses benefit from a remote or hybrid work schedule, most of which stem from employee satisfaction in their position. First, studies have shown that offering work-from-home opportunities can reduce absenteeism. Businesses have seen nearly 60 per cent fewer employee absences and have reported 50 per cent fewer employee sick days. In addition, productivity is on the rise under these parameters.

Also Read: Examining global hybrid and remote work trends beyond the West

Many businesses have seen a 68 per cent increase in employee productivity. Employing this business model also has the potential to lower turnover, reducing employee churn by a shocking 50 per cent. Companies are not only seeing higher employee retention but also saving money per employee. Reports have even gone as far as to estimate that a remote or hybrid work schedule can reduce employee costs by US$20,000 to US$37,000 annually.

Even now, four years after the initial lockdown and the conception of remote work, nearly 100 per cent of people say that they have an interest in working remotely some or all of the time. To make this a reality, businesses have to take several necessary steps to keep up with this demand.

The recipe for keeping teams out of the office starts with strong connectivity platforms. There are many reliable platforms to take advantage of, some of the most well-known being Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Regardless of which platform a business decides to utilise, ensuring that it is working efficiently is imperative to success. When employees are calling in and working from all corners of the country or even the world, making sure that everyone stays connected and communicative is a must.

Another important step is to strengthen cybersecurity and IT tools. When much of a business is taken care of in the digital space, there is an increased risk of cyber attacks. To keep employees and company information safe from such threats, a strong IT team and the subsequent tools are non-negotiable.

Finally, new technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be used to optimise business proceedings. For example, advanced software can make schedules and other organisational decisions to ensure that each workday is efficient and runs smoothly. Using this technology will only streamline important processes and take the organisation to the next level.

Combining these techniques and tips can and will prepare a business for the future of the modern workday. Remote work is not going anywhere, and the companies and organisations that embrace it will quickly realise the benefits and find success.

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Running a tech startup is exciting, but you’ve got to be on your game every day, making smart decisions and leading your team through ups and downs. It’s a lot, and sometimes, you might wonder how you can keep up without burning out.

What if the key to enhanced productivity isn’t working harder but understanding how your brain functions? Neuroscience has some great insights that can change the game for tech founders.

I’ll show you brain tricks that can make a big difference in your daily life and your business. These aren’t just any tips; they’re backed by science to help you do your best without wearing yourself out.

Ready to see what they are? Let’s dive in and find out how you can tweak your routine for the better with these neuroscience-backed rituals:

Dawn simulation for enhanced cognitive function

Ever wondered why you feel supercharged after catching the sunrise? It’s not just the beauty; it’s science at work. Our brains are tuned to respond to natural light, kicking our cognitive functions into a higher gear.

Dawn simulation is a simple concept. It involves using artificial light that mimics the natural light of sunrise to trick our brain into thinking it’s morning. This nifty trick can do wonders for your decision-making and creativity.

Why? Because our brain loves light. It helps regulate our circadian rhythms, telling our bodies when it’s time to wake up and get going. When we align our internal clocks with natural light patterns, we’re essentially tuning our brain to operate at its best.

Studies have shown that light exposure, especially early in the day, can significantly improve cognitive performance. One study found that people exposed to bright light in the morning were more alert and had better reaction times compared to those in dimmer environments.

Also Read: Sana Ross: Elevating performance coaching and neuroscience in business

Another research piece highlighted that workers in offices with windows not only had more light exposure but also reported higher levels of creativity and satisfaction.

What does this mean for you? Using dawn simulation in your morning routine is like giving your brain a natural boost, preparing you to tackle complex problems and think outside the box.

And the best part? It’s a simple change that can yield significant results. Whether it’s through smart lighting in your home office or a dawn simulator alarm clock, making light work for you could be the edge you need in the fast-paced tech world.

Monotasking over multitasking

You’re juggling emails, slinging code, and brainstorming your next big project — all at the same time. Sounds like a typical day for a tech founder, right? But trying to do it all at once might actually be slowing you down. Welcome to the world of monotasking, the unsung hero in the neuroscience of productivity.

Our brains are phenomenal, but they have their limits, especially when it comes to multitasking. While we like to think we can handle numerous tasks simultaneously, the truth is, that our brains are just switching between functions really fast, not processing them simultaneously. This constant switching is where things get sticky.

Research has shown that the brain’s capacity for handling tasks concurrently is limited. A study from Stanford University found that heavy multitaskers were less competent at organising their thoughts, filtering out irrelevant information, and switching between tasks than those focused on one task at a time.

Essentially, multitasking can lead to decreased productivity and creativity because our brains are in a constant state of overdrive, trying to catch up.

The beauty of monotasking lies in its simplicity: by focusing on one task at a time, we allow our brain to dedicate its full attention and resources to that task. This focused attention not only improves the quality of our work but can also enhance our creativity. When we’re not distracted by constantly switching gears, our brains can delve deeper into problem-solving and innovative thinking.

The 20-20-20 rule to combat screen fatigue

In a world where screens are our constant companions, eye strain has become as common as coffee breaks. But what if I told you there’s a simple trick to give your eyes a breather and boost your focus? The 20-20-20 rule is like a mini-vacation for your eyes, and who wouldn’t want that?

Also Read: 7 things to consider when distributing leadership roles among founders

Here’s the deal: every 20 minutes, you take a brief pause to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. That’s it. This little break can work wonders for reducing eye strain and refreshing your mind.

Why does this work? When we stare at screens for too long, we blink less, which can lead to dry, tired eyes. Looking away allows our eyes to reset and moisten, keeping them fresh.

But it’s not just about feeling good; there’s science to back it up. Research suggests regular breaks can significantly reduce eye strain and improve overall health. A study published in the Journal of Optometry and Vision Science found that participants who followed the 20-20-20 rule reported fewer symptoms of eye strain and improved focus throughout the day.

Another benefit? These short breaks can also help your brain switch gears and look at problems with a fresh perspective, boosting creativity and productivity.

Nature walks to boost innovation

Imagine stepping out of the tech bubble and into the tranquillity of nature. Sounds refreshing, right? Now, what if I told you that this simple act could crank up your creativity and problem-solving skills by up to 60 per cent? That’s right, trading concrete for greenery isn’t just a breath of fresh air for your lungs but also for your brain.

A study from Stanford University found that participants who went for walks in natural surroundings showed a significant increase in creativity and problem-solving abilities compared to those who walked in urban settings or didn’t walk at all. We’re talking a whopping 60% boost.

The reason? Nature has a unique way of engaging our brains that refreshes our attention and mental resources, which are often depleted by the constant demands of the digital world.

This is where the concept of Attention Restoration Theory (ART) comes into play. ART suggests that natural environments have a restorative effect on our attention. In the hustle and bustle of city life and endless screens, our attention is constantly being pulled in different directions, leading to fatigue.

Nature, on the other hand, provides gentle, engaging stimuli that allow our directed attention to recover and reset. This restoration process is what gives our creative thinking and problem-solving abilities a serious boost.

Final thoughts

Now that we’ve explored some incredible, neuroscience-backed rituals that can supercharge your brain and creativity, it’s your turn to implement these insights. Whether it’s waking up to a dawn simulator, embracing the power of monotasking, taking regular breaks with the 20-20-20 rule, or immersing yourself in nature, each of these rituals uniquely enhances your cognitive function, creativity, and overall well-being.

So, which ritual will you adopt first? Give it a go and see the difference for yourself. Who knows? It might just be the game-changer you’ve been looking for.

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The gaming industry is undergoing a creative shift, driven not just by cutting-edge graphics but by the rise in user-generated content (UGC). 

Games like Roblox and Minecraft are already incorporating UGC, with tools for players to create, trade, and even sell in-game items. Creators on Roblox alone earned a substantial US$525 million in 2021. 

As the gaming industry embraces UGC, a new dimension also emerges where players are not just creators but also contributors to a game’s ecosystem. This evolution signifies a distinctive shift in the gaming world, where community input and creativity become integral to a game’s direction.

Unlocking the power of user-generated content

While the gaming industry has achieved significant success over the years, it now faces a paradox of prosperity: innovation is beginning to stagnate. Game studios, in their quest for control, have created a development ecosystem that is largely “walled off” from its most vital component – the players. 

This has led to a growing concern regarding a decline in innovation emanating from game studios. The lack of ideas poses a significant challenge, as there is a limit to the “newness” that can be injected into graphics, storylines, and game modes each year.

The constant demand for fresh content creates an extremely challenging environment for game studios, leading to concerns about team burnout and pressure from stakeholders to generate more revenue.​​​​

Also Read: How gaming innovations in Web3 are rewriting entrepreneurial playbooks

Building on its success, Roblox, with over 70 million players, is harnessing the potential of generative AI to revolutionise the gaming industry with advanced UGC experiences. Dan Sturman, CTO of Roblox, emphasises the community’s vital role, “We envision the community as a force multiplier for generative AI, creating an ecosystem that our creators and users can leverage to create content and tools more effectively.” 

Enriching the creative gaming experience 

In the broader context of UGC, it has successfully demonstrated strong brand engagement for multinational companies. For example, the “IKEA At Mine” campaign significantly boosted the company’s social media engagement and 3.54x higher conversion rate by inviting customers to share content featuring IKEA products in their homes​.

In the mobile industry, Apple’s “Shot On iPhone” campaign garnered billions of impressions and significantly positive social media feedback, showcasing the power of UGC in enhancing fan engagement​.

For gaming, one example is led by a team of BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning veterans incorporating the UGC model in Shrapnel, a moddable shooter title on the Epic Games store. Its focus on player-created content (PCC) extends beyond character cosmetics or avatars, expanding even to entire playable maps. In this model, players can purchase land, alter the terrain as custom maps, and engage in collaborative decision-making to vote on the community’s favourite creations.

“The creator economy is accelerating, moving us towards a world where individuals can create careers within video games. This shift is not just about bringing enjoyment to others but also about offering creators a means to earn through their player-created content in video games, providing a new stage for the next generation of creator rockstars,” says Don Norbury, CTO and Studio Head of Shrapnel.

Also Read: The future of gaming is female and mobile

This benefit to players and developers is significant, as it not only enriches the in-game experience but seamlessly integrates gamers, creators, and curators. It intricately weaves gameplay and strategy within the community for a more creative and dynamic experience. This kind of approach bolsters community engagement by enabling players to create and trade content, thereby increasing player retention.

Toward a new epoch of player ownership

In the dynamic evolution of the gaming industry, projected to reach US$269 billion by 2025, how can users truly “own” the content they create? A new horizon emerges with the integration of blockchain technology into the creator economy, enabling UGC to be tracked as authentic digital assets that players can directly own and control. 

It ensures verifiable ownership and traceability of digital content,  both in-game and within the broader creator economy. For instance, games such as Fableborne and Shrapnel are being powered by the customisable Avalanche Subnet, enabling users to generate, own, play, and transfer in-game items, all transparently recorded on the public blockchain. 

For indie startups, studios, and entrepreneurs in the gaming industry, integrating blockchain into the gaming ecosystem is not just about keeping pace with technological advancements; it’s a strategic decision to cultivate a more dynamic, engaged, and sustainable gaming community. 

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Business financing solutions encompass a diverse range of strategies and mechanisms designed to help businesses and organisations acquire the capital necessary for various financial endeavours. These solutions operate on the fundamental principle of providing access to capital through various instruments, including loans, credit, and investment vehicles.

Currently, financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, are key players in providing traditional financing solutions. However, the landscape has evolved with the emergence of alternative financing options, such as crowdfunding platforms and peer-to-peer lending, offering additional avenues for securing capital. 

Businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), have long struggled with funding shortages due to information asymmetry, lack of collateral, and high interest and other transactional costs. Specifically, according to the World Bank, about 40% of micro and SME companies had unmet financial needs amounting to $5.2 trillion annually with companies in the East Asia and Pacific making up the greatest proportion (46%) of the total global funding gap. 

Noticing the gap in the market, GB Helios was founded in 2015 as a member of the Goldbell Group to offer financial solutions to businesses, especially SMEs, in Singapore. In response to the dynamic market landscape, the company was recently rebranded as GB Helios in August 2023, reflecting its commitment to evolution and innovation.

GB Helios envisions itself as an Accelerator, driving partners towards seizing new market opportunities, a Game-changer pioneering innovative solutions, and an Enterpriser strategically championing growth through intelligent financing. Today, in collaboration with Venture Builds – Polaris, GB NXT, and Pilon, GB Helios stands at the forefront of financial ingenuity as an institution that invests, finances, co-builds, and accelerates local businesses. 

GB Helios’ comprehensive range of tailored and innovative financial products and services

Firstly, GB Helios’s tailored financing solutions wield transformative power, especially for SMEs facing challenges in securing credit. GB Helios, having originated as an SME itself, empathises with the struggles that small businesses encounter. The company’s commitment to innovation has resulted in a comprehensive suite of financial solutions. This flexibility allows the team to customise offerings to address diverse business needs and foster partnerships that contribute to shared growth.

“We started from an SME, therefore we can understand the difficulties SMEs face when trying to secure a credit line. This is why we try our best to help SMEs, and our team is always thinking out of the box to help them,” shared Alex Chua, Founder of GB Helios.

Rooted in a belief in relationship-building, GB Helios takes pride in understanding the ever-changing market and customer needs. The company’s comprehensive financial suite, combined with an agile and flexible approach, aims to empower startups and SMEs, a commitment best exemplified by their venture build, Polaris.

Also read: Fostering sustainability through education

“Our venture build, Polaris, was set up to provide tailored solutions to the new economy businesses which may face difficulties in securing credit lines due to different business models resulting in the lack of the necessary data required for traditional financing,” shared Tan Chun Hao, Head of Sales & Strategic Partnerships.

Secondly, another strategic financial solution provided by GB Helios is embedded financing, which has emerged as a game-changer, offering a seamless one-stop solution where customers can obtain financing alongside their purchases. “Imagine when your customer purchases from you, and besides purchasing what he requires, he is also able to get the necessary financing for the purchase at the same time. Embedded financing provides the convenience of a one-stop service to your customers, and this in turn builds loyalty and returning customers,” Tan elaborated.

GB Helios envisions this approach not just as a transactional service but as a means to build customer loyalty and encourage repeat business. In a business-to-business scenario, through embedded financing, GB Helios is able to offer simplified financing to businesses of all scales through their partners such as Oddle. Back in 2020, when a famous second-generation Hokkien Mee stall was looking to take up another hawker space for expansion, and needed extra funds for the deposit and renovation. They approached various financial institutions but were rejected due to the complexity of their business structure. When they heard of GB Helios (Polaris) through its partner, Oddle, they decided to give it a try and were surprised when they were granted a loan based on their average monthly sales. Today, they have continued to take up funding to cater for higher demand during festive periods, after their expansion. This in turn, helped Oddle to foster loyalty and encouragement to stay with their platform.

Thirdly, GB Helios also offers venture debt, a strategic capital solution, that distinguishes itself from traditional equity funding where shares are issued. With venture debt, startups can secure capital without diluting ownership, facilitating strategic growth by providing capital through an agreement for principal repayment with interest.

Various SMEs and startups have been empowered by GB Helios’s venture debt programs. For example, Circular’s success story exemplifies how GB Helios’ Venture Debt supported a business model at the forefront of the circular economy transition. The tailored approach, including a working capital revolver and asset leasing facility, demonstrated GB Helios’ understanding of the client’s unique business model and commitment to propelling startups to success. Consequently, Circular enthusiastically recommends GB Helios as a supportive partner in their business journey.

Nick Ramsay, CEO & Founder of Circular, said, “Consumer Electronics subscriptions is a new business model at the forefront of the circular economy transition. As such, finding partners to work with is not easy. GB Helios (Polaris) had the right entrepreneurial mindset to understand the potential of what we are building. They were able to tailor their products to better support our unique business model. We have used both a working capital revolver facility as well as an asset leasing facility. GB Helios (Polaris) really took the time to understand our business model and how they can best support us.”

Success stories with GB Helios

GB Helios emphasises the importance of partnership and growth, showcased through success stories such as the one with KILATS, an emerging startup in the field of green mobility.

Founded in 2021 by passionate motorcycle riders who shared a common environmental consciousness, KILATS aimed to revolutionise the motorcycle fleet industry by providing an end-to-end solution for a seamless transition to electric mobility. One of the key challenges faced by KILATS in its early days was securing funding and credit to fuel its ambitious vision. However, GB Helios, deeply entrenched in fleet mobility as part of the GoldBell Group in Singapore, quickly grasped the potential of KILATS. Hence, GB Helios provided KILATS with a revolving line of credit that effectively bridged the funding gap between suppliers and customers.

The flexibility of this financial arrangement allowed KILATS to draw on credit during critical times, ensuring smooth operations and growth. “We certainly recommend GB HELIOS to our peers as we can see the relationship with GB HELIOS is not only financial but there are a multitude of synergistic opportunities within the GoldBell Group and its network,” shared KILATS.

Also read: Exploring emerging tech at the Future Stage in Echelon X

Other clients that have gained invaluable support from GB Helios include Ritual Gym and MoneySmart, both of whom shared glowing opinions about GB Helios for its timely support of their financial needs.

“Working with GB Helios has been extremely pleasant and easy. It was impossible to have a conversation with the banks about our business needs and how they could help us. This is something that we appreciated being able to do with GB Helios and what we valued most. We were struggling with cash flow post-COVID, and GB Helios helped us out of a tight spot. I would definitely recommend them to friends,” shared Sharma Das, COO of Ritual Gym. Meanwhile, Vinod Nair, CEO of MoneySmart expressed, “GB Helios (Polaris) was accommodating in providing MoneySmart with a flexible solution for our unique situation. They made certain that our concerns were taken care of in a professional and orderly manner.”

GB Helios’s strategic networks and plans

GB Helios, positioned at the intersection of innovation and strategic collaboration, boasts a comprehensive network within the logistics sector in Singapore as a proud member of the Goldbell Group.

The company aligns its vision with government bodies, notably Enterprise Singapore, forging collaborative partnerships that contribute to the broader economic ecosystem. Beyond national borders, GB Helios has strategically established networks in Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Thailand, showcasing a commitment to regional growth and market penetration.

Also read: The first 27 key innovation leaders who will speak at Echelon X

Looking towards the future, GB Helios is set to embark on new ventures and initiatives, including the recent launch of KRONOS, a digital supply chain platform, which signifies a leap into digital transformation, enabling suppliers to seamlessly apply for financing online. Furthermore, GB Helios recently launched AutoMate — a free-to-use online platform for automotive dealers. 

AutoMate is designed to help automotive dealers simplify their work processes through digitalisation and automation. With AutoMate, dealers can apply for car loans, car insurance, auctions, and floor stock financing with a click, on a single platform.

To explore the transformative potential of GB Helios’ tailored financing solutions and strategic connections, please visit the website here.

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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by GB Helios

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According to Statista, inbound tourism is one of Spain’s major economic drivers. The number of international visitors was 104.6 million, and expenditure was 69.2 billion. Barcelona stands out as the most visited Spanish city for overnight visitors. 

When you are on the ground, it is easy to see why. The markets, the food, the buildings, the beach, what more do you want? Well, this has come at a cost, and now the mindful tourist is becoming ever-conscious of its footprint. Today, Barcelona is suffering a major ongoing drought. 

Reading an article in Le Monde provides some stark statistics. “Catalonia has had little to no rain for over three years now. Since autumn 2020, the accumulated rainfall deficit has exceeded 500 millimetres, the equivalent of a year’s rainfall in Barcelona.”

What will the beautiful coastal towns of Catalonia look like if the current drought continues, which has made it impossible for government officials to ignore the consequences of climate change? 

Strolling through the bustling streets of Barcelona, the eye-catching billboards featuring a simple red plastic bucket and the poignant message “Water doesn’t fall from the sky” serve as a stark reminder of the critical water scarcity gripping Catalonia and beyond. 

With over six million residents in the region facing strict water usage restrictions amid an official drought emergency, the daily rhythms of life are profoundly altered. From barren parks to dry fountains and shuttered showers, the impact reverberates through every facet of daily life. 

This isn’t an isolated plight confined to Catalonia; the entire Spanish Mediterranean coast, and indeed much of Europe, grapples with the sobering reality of climate disruption. As temperatures soar and rainfall becomes increasingly scarce, the consequences are felt far beyond parched landscapes and barren fields. 

Also Read: The climate change and gender equality connection: How to support underfunded women-owned business

Hotels resort to filling swimming pools with seawater, farmers face the gut-wrenching decision to abandon entire fruit crops, and iconic industries like olive oil production falter under the relentless heatwaves.

Amidst this turmoil, frustrations simmer, boiling over into protests that echo across Spanish cities, highlighting not only the immediate grievances of farmers but also deeper concerns about bureaucratic hurdles, international competition, and environmental sustainability. 

Against this backdrop, political discourse often seems detached from the urgent realities on the ground, leaving citizens disillusioned with mainstream politics and vulnerable to the allure of populist rhetoric.

As Catalonia grapples with a drought emergency, the glaring dissonance between political priorities and pressing environmental challenges underscores the pressing need for meaningful action and collective resolve in confronting the existential threat of climate disruption.

Will virtual environments provide an alternative for eager tourists?

The metaverse offers a taste of a place, a culture, and a set of values that may otherwise be foreign to us. Virtual landscapes exist to be explored but also to be designed.

Could Barcelona residents re-imagine the city in a virtual space? Projects like Upland mimic themselves in the real world as they understand the importance that the vast majority of people place on their homes. 

A country is an identity, a flag, a set of values, and a cultural representation of where you come from and what you like. Most of all, it is a sense of belonging and a community feeling that nobody from the outside can understand 

Yes, in practical terms, Barcelona residents will have the chance to regain how tourists experience their city. However, they may not enjoy the interpretation of their city, culture or neighbourhoods if they stay removed from the design.

With this said, let’s encourage all to explore, discover and provide an escape from societal woes via the metaverse.

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I’ve heard this a few times when I broke the news that I was leaving my previous company to join a (series C) startup.

While there have been a lot of romanticized notions of working for a startup, understandable there have also been perceptions of immense hard work and long hours.

I held my own opinions of what it would be like working for a startup, some of which admittedly misguided, but not in what you’d think it is. Being ‘one of those’ who made the jump, I’d like to share if such transitions are really hyped up to be what they are.

1. “Goodbye to having a life”

The most common words of a deterrent I’ve heard. No founder I’ve known works marathon 18 hours days, 7 days a week- the notion people build the assumption on that working for a startup will give you no life.

Founders, including my boss, don’t work such ‘punishing’ hours. Rather, I think it is more appropriate to say that they live and breathe what they do and that it comes through not just in emails or company memos but also conversations and observations.

Similarly, as an employee, I don’t watch the clock either when I am doing what I love. Inspiration and the ‘call of duty’ strike when it does, and you simply get down to it. Even if it’s past 6 pm …or 10 pm.

It definitely is not the separation of work and personal life, rather the integration of the two – and that can’t be quantified by hours nor is it confined to the walls of an office.

2. “You’re going to get a major culture shock”

Maybe it’s because I’ve joined companies that weren’t so ‘stiff’, Visenze’s more casual and flexible culture and structures weren’t so much of a shock to me than say someone from a Big 4. Flip-flops or sneakers to work? Sure. Not having an army of executives to help you run the show? Okay.

Also Read: 6 strategies to reduce your e-commerce startup expenses

There is a lot of autonomy and fluidity, and how you adapt and thrive really depends on your working style and agility. This would come hand in hand on what was presented during the recruitment cycle- what was communicated realistically of the company’s culture and what you expect. If those two are aligned, you shouldn’t be in for (too much) of a shock.

But if you do, I hope it’s a good shock.

3. “Joining a startup is risky”

The statement above is often accompanied by “You’re giving up working for an established company for an unknown?”. I think joining ANY new job is a gamble or a risk you take. Whether calculated or reckless.

We have seen startups launch and crash, but we have also seen big companies doing massive layoffs or going bankrupt. Yes, most startups don’t have the deep pockets that MNCs have. But that’s when your depth of belief in the company and it’s purpose makes up for it.

Obviously, before you join any company, you make your own assessment on the success rate of that company or the role. Anything is a risk or a gamble, you just go with the one that yields the rewards (monetary and/or experience) that drive you.

4. “Oh wow, so cool you’re joining a startup”

Pantries with endless food, cool and fun perks, pool tables, PlayStation…etc. Funnily, Visenze checks the box on all! But those are not what makes the company cool, or in my opinion, any startup cool. Do you know what I think is cool?

The technology that the Visenze has built, our purpose and mission, the culture, and the crazy s**t that I get to do. Those are what are cool. After all, I’m nowhere good at playing pool.

Also Read: How startups should approach public relations

Transitioning from an MNC to a startup? Is it all that different or is it not? It is as different from one MNC to another, or one startup to another. I realized that ‘startup’ is not so much your physical office space or the company.

‘Startup’ is a mindset. You don’t have to be in a startup. Sometimes you could be in a very big company but go about your work with a startup mindset, or some would say ‘entrepreneurial spirit’.

So if you are making a transition or vice versa, remember that it’s also about your mindset, what drives you and what you want. If you can’t figure those out, you’ll be in for a shock no matter where you go.

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This article was first published on October 29, 2019

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In recent years, the continent of Asia has experienced significant growth with regard to both digital and technological transformation. According to research published by McKinsey in 2020, Asia has accounted for a particularly large share of global growth in a number of key technology metrics over the last 10 years, enabling local investors to impact global markets.

Metrics of particular importance highlighted in this report include a 52 per cent share in the global growth of technology-company revenue, as well as a 43 per cent share in startup investment and a 36 per cent share in the growth of “unicorns”, reflecting the power of Asian investments worldwide.

With a growing population and an almost equally expanding middle class, both organisations and citizens across the continent have an increasing amount of spending power that may be starting to affect consumption across the globe. With China’s middle class alone rising from three to 50 per cent of the population in two decades, the potential impact of Asian investment is clear. 

However, for startups and small businesses from further afield to benefit from the growth of the Asian market, leaders must understand how to appeal to the desires of local financiers. With this in mind, here’s how cutting-edge software startups are attracting Asian investors. 

Appealing to growing commercial sectors

For startups to reliably attract Asian investors, business leaders must consider which sectors have experienced the most significant growth in the region during recent economic booms. 

For example, as of 2022, the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia now represent the three fastest-growing e-commerce markets in the world, with respective digital sales growth levels of 25.9 per cent, 36 per cent and 34 per cent, figures far larger than the worldwide growth rate of just under 10 per cent.

Software startups either directly or tangentially related to e-commerce operations, including payment processing, cybersecurity and production scheduling software developers, can leverage their positions as facilitators of e-commerce optimisation to garner new investment.

Also Read: Operators turned investors: Navigating the shift to startup investing

Of course, the recent significant growth in Asia’s digital economy has not been limited only to e-commerce, with a wide range of technology-based sectors also seeing increasing amounts of attention from Asian investors. Two of which to note are the fintech and health-tech sectors.

Fintech and health tech investments 

With regards to the fintech sector, the digital assets market is expected to show a revenue growth of 16 per cent by 2025, with total Assets Under Management (AUM) values for the market expected to reach US$12.15 billion in 2024. For fintech startups to attract Asian investors, pivoting to the development of software associated with digital asset management may prove wise.

Analysing the health-tech sector suggests that the digital fitness and wellbeing market will likely experience the largest potential for investment in the coming years, with experts believing the market to achieve a total revenue value of just over US$2.75 billion in 2024 alone.

The recent success stories of startups involved in these industries, like Grab and Lazada, go some way to illustrating the investment potential for technology-based startups in the Asian market. Both are raising significant funds to expand existing operations in Southeast Asia.

Governmental policies and funding schemes 

The growth of the Asian economy and the increasing potential for lucrative investments in technology-based startups have not been overlooked by governments in the region. In fact, a large number of new policies and initiatives have been implemented in recent years to help startups and Asian investors better connect and establish mutually beneficial partnerships.

Of particular benefit to software startups looking to attract Asian investors are the numerous tax incentives offered by jurisdictions in the region. With many funding programs and related regulatory reforms aimed at supporting startups wishing to branch out into the Asian market. 

One such example is the Startup SG Equity scheme offered by the Singapore government. Under this program, Private Limited companies based in Singapore qualify for co-investment opportunities funded by both the Singaporean government and qualified third-party investors. 

In response to programs such as this, some software startups and IT-based companies are choosing to incorporate their businesses in countries like Singapore. So much so that data published by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) reveals between 3000-4000 new local and foreign companies were registered per month during 2022 alone.

In short, cutting-edge startups looking to attract Asian investors are beginning to consider the benefits of transferring core operations to Asian headquarters to secure reliable funding.

Ecosystems geared towards startup success

Another way that startups are positioning themselves to best benefit from Asian investment has to do with attracting talent in the Asia-Pacific region. In the last few years, multiple Asian countries have seen a significant increase in the number of venture capital firms operating in their jurisdictions, leading to a sharp rise in venture capital funding between 2020 and 2021.

While average funding levels may have dropped in recent years, experts believe fundraising activity will begin to increase in 2024. However, the levels of available funding at present are not necessarily the main draw for software startups seeking investment. Rather, the previous growth in Asian venture capital activity has laid a foundation for healthy startup ecosystems.

Outside of the traditionally powerful markets of North America and Europe, Asia now has the largest share of emerging startup ecosystems in the world, with figures published in 2022 suggesting that the continent holds a 16 per cent share. These emerging ecosystems have, in turn, led to a growing pool of talent in the Asian market, specifically in fields related to technology.

Also Read: How to revolutionise the banking and finance industry with Robotic Process Automation

With universities and business schools across the region investing heavily in the creation of high-level courses centred around entrepreneurship and expertise in technology-related fields, the number of driven technology professionals in the region is thought to have grown. This is good news for tech startups looking to branch out into Asia in pursuit of investments.

An increase in highly qualified and innovative professionals in the region enables foreign software startups to gain a better understanding of the Asian market, hiring on-the-ground tech leaders to spearhead expansion operations. When coupled with the aforementioned governmental schemes and incentives for basing startups in Asian countries, foreign-born companies can better attract Asian investors by transferring some operations to the region.

The future of startup investment in Asia

While some funding activity and startup growth on the Asian continent has slowed in recent years, enough groundwork has been laid to ensure the market remains attractive to software startups across the globe. With this in mind, cutting-edge entrepreneurs should continue to weigh up their options with regard to which markets represent the most value to investors.

In terms of startup scenes in particular, it currently seems jurisdictions in Southeast Asia hold the most promise for technology-based startups. Recently published figures reveal Indonesia saw an increase in its GDP by over five per cent during 2022, while Malaysia recorded growth of just under nine per cent over the same period, signalling fertile ground for investments in the coming years. 

In addition, Singapore continues to represent arguably the most promising area for startups to explore investment opportunities. In 2021, the country was said to be home to 20 startup unicorns active in the technology, e-commerce and communications industries, the most of any country in the Southeast Asian region. Furthermore, Singapore as a nation received the most venture funding per capita globally in 2023, signalling vast potential value for startups. 

Looking at the Southeast Asian region as a whole reveals a staggering wealth of investment opportunities potentially available to startups willing to explore operations in the area. While figures may have dropped slightly when compared to 2019 and 2020, startups in the region raised a total of US$17.79 billion in equity and debt funding during 2022, with fintech companies, in particular, receiving increasing levels of attention from Asian investors and financiers. 

All in all, cutting-edge software startups looking to attract Asian investors may benefit from exploring fintech, e-commerce and communications developments in the Southeast Asian region, specifically through liaison with newly established professionals in emerging markets.

In Conclusion

Healthy and attractive startup ecosystems have begun to emerge and grow across the Asian continent in recent years, coinciding with booming local economies and an increase in private spending power. These developments have led to higher levels of venture funding and an increase in government schemes aimed towards facilitating technological growth.

For both native and foreign software startups, the Southeast Asian market has quickly come to represent an attractive opportunity for growth, leading many companies to consider transferring operations to the region in search of reliable investments. In particular, fintech, e-commerce, health-tech and communications companies are geared towards Asian consumers.

For cutting-edge software startups to attract Asian investors, zeroing in on these sectors and pursuing professional relationships with native professionals may prove to be an invaluable pursuit. With venture funding expected to increase in the near future, now is the time to act.

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In the latest edition of its Southeast Asia Startup Talent Trends Report 2024, Glints and Monk’s Hill Ventures revealed that startup salaries in major Southeast Asian (SEA) tech startup ecosystems “cooled” in 2023, with junior engineering roles seeing the sharpest decline of -6 per cent.

“Despite layoffs and salaries cooling, demand for tech talent remains high across markets amid increased supply. Due to tech layoffs, the market has seen a notable increase in the availability of junior roles, particularly within engineering sectors, leading to a higher supply of candidates. This influx has resulted in a downward adjustment of salaries across various positions. However, senior talent, such as VPs of Engineering, remains competitive, highlighting the continued demand for highly skilled individuals,” the report detailed.

Most senior tech roles saw steady growth Y-o-Y, such as two to three per cent increases for senior engineer roles.

The report further revealed that business development and sales salaries spike with increases of up to 20 per cent, signifying that revenue-generating roles continue to take centre stage. The business development and sales function experienced high salary increases (+14 per cent on average for roles in Singapore), reflecting a heightened emphasis on achieving profitability in 2023.

It also spotlighted the increasing popularity of cross-border hiring, stating that 70 per cent of survey respondents plan to increase cross-border hires this year. This trend is expected to continue into 2024.

Skills diversification and cost-efficiency are some of the reasons cited for businesses to tap into hybrid work.

Also Read: Singapore Budget 2024: For startups, talents and funding remain key challenges this year

This report is the third edition that the organisations have released, taking a deep dive into hiring trends, salary and equity data for founders and C-suites, and startup talent from over 10,000 data points, 183 C-suites and founder data points, and 72 interviews with startup founders and operators across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

Spotlight on AI

Previous reports on talent trends in the Asia Pacific job markets had highlighted the increasing focus on soft skills in hiring candidates. This is a trend that Glints and Monk’s Hill Ventures noted in their report.

With an increasing focus on efficiency, the founders’ immediate focus revolves around the automation of administrative tasks, content creation, and customer service, demonstrating a concerted effort to streamline overall operations.

This strategic move aligns with the regional trend where soft skills, such as critical and creative thinking, have gained prominence due to market competitiveness and the evolving AI-centric environment. Furthermore, a notable shift is observed in founders’ expectations, as proficiency in AI tools is increasingly becoming a fundamental requirement for technical and non-technical roles, akin to the ubiquity of skills such as email or Excel.

It is important to note that despite the palpable benefits of AI in boosting workplace productivity, job security remains intact, dispelling initial concerns about widespread job displacement. Founders acknowledge and understand employee apprehensions about adopting AI technologies, but the anticipated fears of significant job losses have not materialised.

Also Read: Innovation in HR: Hacking Talents’s journey in personalised professional development

According to the report, this recognition of ongoing job security reinforces the balanced approach SEA startups are adopting as they navigate the integration of AI into their operations.

“The past year’s challenges in a tightened market have highlighted a greater need for adaptability and resilience. Looking ahead, the increasing value placed on soft skills alongside technical expertise signifies a shift towards cultivating a workforce that is versatile and AI-fluent,” said Glints Co-Founder and CEO Oswald Yeo in a statement.

“When envisioning the future of work, it’s critical to seize AI opportunities while also adhering to fundamentals when it comes to hiring: attracting top talent and building cohesive, high-performing teams, regardless of how the workplace continues to evolve.”

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The first time Amazon showed me the perfect book for me via their recommendation engine, I was truly amazed. The idea that a retailer could not only recognise me as a return visitor, but also learn their interests and alter their experience accordingly, felt like magic. The secret behind this seemingly magical shopping experience? Dynamic content.

The big data revolution has transformed how marketers approach every aspect of their work, from how they design campaigns to how they measure success. At the heart of this revolution is the goal of creating genuinely personalised experiences for consumers and also measuring their results more precisely than ever before. Dynamic content is one of the primary ways companies tailor experiences for their consumers. Combined with machine learning, dynamic content enables companies of any size to create genuinely personalised experiences that are fresh, relevant, and cohesive.

What is dynamic content?

Dynamic content is a piece of content that changes based on a user’s interests, behaviour or demographic data. It is used in emails, websites, landing pages, ad units, and more. Dynamic content is a powerful way to engage with your audience meaningfully. As a business practice, it has quickly becoming table stakes.

Dynamic content can be as simple as inserting a consumer’s first name into an email subject line. For example, “Hi Jane, check out our latest products!” Even this small bit of personalisation has been shown to increase open and click-through rates.

Dynamic content through machine learning algorithms can change every part of a user’s experience. Each variation is automatically crafted for the individual consumer, and decisions are made based on the consumer’s unique tastes and interests. This type of dynamic content works best for brands with lots of customers and lots of products — E-commerce sites typically personalise this way.

All of these techniques are designed to tailor the consumer’s experience to that person’s specific interests and make it personally relevant to them, whether they’re existing customers, prospects, or first-time visitors.

Also read: Indonesian AI platform for natural language processing Bahasa.ai gets seed funding from East Ventures

The two elements of relevance

To ensure content is super-relevant for each consumer, you need two things: an understanding of (1) each consumer and (2) each product:

1. Understanding each consumer

In the Amazon era, it is essential to understand each consumer’s unique tastes and interests. How?  By creating an ‘interest graph’ for each consumer. An interest graph incorporates the full spectrum of the customer’s behaviour, including search queries, browsing activity, and purchases, instantly adjusting to the customer’s actions while incorporating prior history.

For example, someone may be searching for a party dress and a clutch handbag – an interest graph will automatically infer they may be going to a party and can recommend the perfect pair of evening shoes. The shoes may be quirky and unusual: shoes that most people wouldn’t appreciate – but they’re perfect for this specific person. An interest graph enables each customer to get personally relevant recommendations- the kind you’d get from a personal shopper who really knows your tastes, and the kind that drives real engagement.

Spotify, Pandora, and Netflix are best-of-breed examples of brands that use interest graphs.  Each builds an interest graph for every consumer, enabling them to serve a curated stream of personalised entertainment recommendations.

2. Understanding each product

The problem with existing product recommendation technologies is they don’t fully understand product attributes. They either rely on existing metatags, or there may be some simple machine learning involved, which can really miss the mark. The solution? Natural Language Processing. Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a technology that deconstructs product descriptions into tokens. In retailing, NLP deconstructs product descriptions into tokens like ‘Tommy Hilfiger’, ‘slim fitting’, ‘flare shape’, ‘shimmering’, or ‘work to evening’.

NLP is widely used across the web and powers the grammar checks used by Google Docs and Microsoft Office, as well as more sophisticated applications like Google Translate.

To show how it works, let’s use the sentence “The dog began to bark.” The word ‘bark’ can either refer to (a) the skin of a tree or (b) the sound of a dog. In that sentence, Natural Language Processing can see the word ‘bark’ is preceded by the word ‘to’ and is therefore probably a verb, and the word ‘dog’ is two words away. Based on these datapoints, NLP infers that ‘bark’ is the sound of a dog, rather than the skin of a tree.  The goal is to look beyond the words in the product description to see the actual meaning.

Why is NLP so Important to deliver dynamic content?

If you can understand the product’s attributes and the user behaviour at a deep level, this allows you to know what product attributes are valuable for each consumer, and therefore deliver a genuinely personal shopping experience. Read more about NLP here: ‘Creating Serendipity via Natural Language Processing’.

Creating dynamic content

Now that we’ve seen how dynamic content works, what does it look like in practice?

• Individualised communications. Whether as emails, ads, or some other channel the ability to communicate with each consumer on a 1:1 basis is a great way to boost revenues and engagement.
• Targeted recommendations. For retailers and e-commerce brands, this can mean offering recommendations based on a combination of personal tastes and observed behaviour.
• Customising landing pages. You can create curated landing pages based on the keywords and ads that brought the consumer to your site. Did someone reach your website by searching for “evening dress”? If you know them already, you can make sure the first thing they reach is a custom landing page that showcases dresses that matches their unique tastes and interests within the occasion wear genre. A system that offers 1:1personalisation can allow you to create billions of landing page permutations.

Already, 35% of what consumers buy on Amazon and 75% of what they watch on Netflix comes from product recommendations based on personalisation algorithms.

Also read: 4 ways artificial intelligence is innovating e-commerce

Conclusion

As retailers adapt to the ever-changing technology landscape the need to adopt new models has become really clear. To stay ahead of the curve – and perhaps to stay in business – retailers must not only pay attention to evolving consumer preferences but anticipate them and ‘surprise and delight’ with an infinite stream of fresh and relevant content.

The trends that will most affect the retail industry’s future are evident, and the requirements are clear. The time to act is now. Retailers that act now will be the winners when the next chapter of retailing history is written.

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This article was originally published on the Mercanto blog.

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This post was first published on January 29, 2019

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The year 2023 marked a stark reality check for Singapore, where scam victims collectively suffered staggering losses amounting to SG$651.8 (US$485.80) million. This figure not only represents a record high but also underscores the alarming frequency of cyberattacks plaguing both individuals and businesses alike.

With over 46,000 reported cases, the statistics paint a concerning picture, indicating that approximately one per cent of the Singaporean population fell victim to these malicious activities. Such pervasive threats extend beyond the realm of personal vulnerabilities to pose significant risks for businesses, especially those with a sizable workforce.

Consider this: if your company employs more than 100 individuals, the probability of having at least one vulnerable employee is virtually inevitable. This sobering reality compels business leaders to confront a harsh truth — it’s not a matter of if their company will experience a breach, but rather when it will occur.

The increasing prevalence of cyberattacks underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures for businesses of all sizes. In an era where technology permeates every aspect of modern commerce, the stakes have never been higher.

Cybercriminals employ sophisticated tactics, exploiting vulnerabilities in networks, systems, and human behaviour to gain unauthorised access to sensitive data and wreak havoc on organisations. From ransomware attacks that encrypt crucial files and demand exorbitant sums for their release to phishing schemes that trick unsuspecting employees into divulging confidential information, the methods employed by cyber adversaries are as diverse as they are nefarious.

The ramifications of a successful cyberattack can be catastrophic, extending far beyond immediate financial losses. The reputational damage inflicted on businesses can erode customer trust and confidence, leading to long-term consequences that are often irreparable.

Also Read: How an AI cybersecurity company harnesses the power of AI for optimal business performance

Moreover, regulatory bodies are increasingly imposing stringent compliance requirements, mandating organisations to adhere to rigorous data protection standards or face severe penalties for non-compliance. In this hyper-connected digital landscape, the ripple effects of a cybersecurity breach reverberate throughout the entire business ecosystem, impacting partners, suppliers, and customers alike.

Recognising the evolving nature of cyber threats, businesses must adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity to mitigate risks effectively. This entails investing in robust technologies, implementing comprehensive security protocols, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness among employees.

From deploying advanced intrusion detection systems and firewalls to conducting regular security audits and employee training sessions, organisations must take a multi-faceted approach to fortify their defences against cyber threats.

Moreover, collaboration and information sharing within the business community are paramount in the fight against cybercrime. By pooling resources, expertise, and threat intelligence, businesses can collectively enhance their cybersecurity posture and stay one step ahead of malicious actors.

In conclusion, the escalating risk of cyberattacks underscores the imperative for businesses to prioritise cybersecurity as a strategic imperative. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, organisations must remain vigilant, adaptive, and resilient in the face of emerging threats.

By investing in robust cybersecurity measures, fostering a culture of vigilance, and embracing collaborative partnerships, businesses can safeguard their assets, protect their reputation, and ensure long-term viability in an increasingly hostile cyber environment.

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