Analyse Podcast

James Hull from Hullx and co-host of China Tech Investor podcast joined us in a discussion on whether we should replace Baidu with Bytedance in the BAT China. Starting with the question, James dived deep into the business structures of Baidu and Bytedance and examined whether Baidu has lost their edge as one of the three tech giants of China. In the same conversation, James offered his perspectives on how Bytedance will replace Baidu in the future. Here are the interesting show notes and links to the discussion (with time-stamps included): James Hull (@jameshullx, LinkedIn), Co-host of China Tech Investor podcast and Founder of Hullx [0:21] Since you have last appeared on the podcast, what have you been up to? [0:50] Should we replace Baidu with Bytedance in the BAT? [0:56] BAT (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent) & TMD (Toutiao, Meituan-dianping, Didi)  Let’s start with Baidu. How has Baidu performed as a public company for the past decade? [2:08] What are the key businesses of Baidu? (iQiyi is spun off as a separate company)? [3:27] Baidu's advances in AI [4:56] and in the intelligent audio input interface and speaker sector. [5:42] Is Baidu dependent on the advertising business similar to Google in the US? [6:51] Comparison between Baidu and Bytedance in terms of user information feeds [9:30] Bytedance's advantage with user feeds and recommendations through Douyin and Toutiao [11:51] Bytedance has been growing exponentially with a 75B valuation from their recent round with SoftBank, now the most valuable startup in the world followed by Didi. How are they performing as a business? [15:09] What are the key revenue drivers for Bytedance? How are they compared to Alibaba and Tencent? [18:08] What are Baidu’s competitive advantages that you think may allow them to stay competitive within the BAT? [24:30] How Baidu's search engine competes against Google and the rest of Chinese search engines. [28:24] Should we just replace Baidu with Bytedance in the BAT? [31:09] Interesting Chinese answer on the question for this podcast (in Chinese) in Zhihu (similar to Reddit and Quora in the US) which Carol has referenced and mentioned in the discussion.  Closing [37:24] Recommendation for a book, movie, podcast, or any consumable content?[37:24] James' recommendation: "I love capitalism" by Ken Langone , "The Great Rebalancing" by Michael Pettis Carol's recommendation: Louis Cha's or Jin Yong's martial arts novels How does our audience find you? Podcast Information: RSS Feed Apple Podcasts Himalaya Spotify Libsyn Google Play Overcast FM SoundCloud Luminary Twitter Facebook Video Facebook Page Linkedin Stitcher Castbox RadioPublic Acast PodBean ListenNotes TuneIn The show is hosted and produced by Carol Yin (@CarolYujiaYin).  Sound credits for the intro music: Taro Iwashiro, "The Beginning" from Red Cliff Soundtrack.

Joyce Yang, founder of Global Coin Research, joined us in a conversation about the Asian cryptocurrency market in Asia with our new host, Carol Yin. Joyce and Carol discussed the recent publication by Global Coin Research (GCR) "The Small Handbook to Asia Cryptocurrency: On local ecosystems, trends & regulations" and identified the key important trends and currents in the Asian market, specifically China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Indonesia and Singapore.  Here are the interesting show notes and links to the discussion (with time-stamps included): Joyce Yang (@JoyceInNYC , LinkedIn), Founder of Global Coin Research [0:40] Since our last conversation, what have you been up to? [1:03] The Small Handbook to Asia Cryptocurrency: On local ecosystems, trends & regulations published by Global Coin Research (GCR) [4:56] Joyce discuss the GCR's new advisory & venture fund.  How did you and your team in GCR put the handbook together? [5:08] Who are the intended audience? [8:14] What are the main themes of the handbook? [10:26] Are there any common threads on cryptocurrency within Asia? For example, it seems that a lot of Asian countries have banned ICOs. Prolonged bear market, IEO. [11:22] China [13:25] China is probably the most important market for cryptocurrency whether it’s bitcoin and blockchain and have banned ICOs since 2017 and at the same time, reducing bitcoin mining towards zero, what are the key trends in 2019 which you believe that are most important? [13:46] One interesting part on China is that you have broken down the major financial institutions in the Chinese government that everyone dabbling in bitcoin and blockchain must know, which are they and why they are important to the whole ecosystem? [16:01] Are there any major differences between Hong Kong and China when it comes to cryptocurrency? [17:41] Is Hong Kong following China with respect to regulation in blockchain and bitcoin given that it has also banned ICOs now? [19:41]  Japan and Korea [20:34] How has the Japanese cryptocurrency market changed after the major theft of bitcoins from Mount Gox in 2014? [20:49] Can you briefly talk about the Japanese blockchain startup ecosystem and also the Japanese enterprises in blockchain? [22:55] Who are the key players from the startup spaces and major enterprises involved in cryptocurrency within Korea? [24:44] Korea is known for the kimchi premium: can you explain what that means in the context of cryptocurrency? [26:32] Singapore and Indonesia [28:27] Indonesia is the largest market in Southeast Asia, can you talk about how the government is viewing cryptocurrency (bitcoin + blockchain)? [28:29] Who are the key players from the startup spaces and major enterprises involved in cryptocurrency within Indonesia? [29:58] How is Singapore looking at regulation in the cryptocurrency market? [31:05] We notice a lot of major cryptocurrency players (Binance) are based in Singapore, what are its competitive strengths and weaknesses? [32:54] Other interesting Asian markets: Thailand and Vietnam. [35:02] Closing [36:14] How do my audience find you? [36:28] The Global Coin Podcast  Podcast Information: RSS Feed Apple Podcasts Himalaya Spotify Libsyn Google Play Overcast FM SoundCloud Luminary Twitter Facebook Video Facebook Page Linkedin Stitcher Castbox RadioPublic Acast PodBean ListenNotes TuneIn The show is hosted and produced by Carol Yin (@CarolYujiaYin).  Sound credits for the intro music: Taro Iwashiro, "The Beginning" from Red Cliff Soundtrack.

Fresh out of the studio, Chua Kee Lock, CEO of Vertex Holdings and managing partner of Vertex Ventures, Southeast Asia & India joined us in a conversation together with guest host Charles Reed Anderson of TechBurst Asia podcast about the venture capital firm and its footprint across Southeast Asia globally. We start with Kee Lock's story and how he eventually become a venture capitalist. Following on, Kee Lock discuss Vertex Holdings and Vertex Ventures and how the fund assembles and helps their portfolio of high growth startups such as Grab in the region. Last but not least, Kee Lock discuss the evolution of venture capital in Southeast Asia and India and where it is leading. Here are the interesting show notes and links to the discussion (with time-stamps included): Chua Kee Lock,  CEO of Vertex Holdings & Managing Partner of Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India ( LinkedIn) [0:25] How did you start your career? [0:36] In your career journey, what are the words of wisdom you can share with my audience based on your time in Silicon Valley? [2:18] Kee Lock's thoughts on why people are central to building successful technology companies. [3:30] Vertex Holdings and Vertex Ventures [5:00] Can you give a brief introduction to Vertex Holdings and its relationship with Temasek Holdings? [5:10]   What’s a typical day for you like as a VC? [11:07] Can you describe the different funds under Vertex Holdings and their current purposes? Does the different funds reflect the different stages of investment? [12:45] What are the traits of founders and startups which the investment team in Vertex seek? [14:00] What are the interesting companies within the Vertex portfolio? [16:40] Grab Licious Validus Instarem How does the Vertex network help the portfolio companies or companies who might be interested to seek funding? [21:30] Vertex has made very interesting investments globally, for example, Grab, Spacemob (acquired by Wework), Mobike (acquired by Meituan Dianping) and many others, how do you work with the founders and what help do most high growth companies need most in the early stage?  Trends in venture capital across India and Southeast Asia [24:40] What are your thoughts on the investment opportunity in India and Southeast Asia? [25:00] Southeast Asia is not a homogeneous market with different countries at different stages of economic development, how does Vertex see their investments when they do their regional expansion? Do you see India with the same challenge? [26:25] Kee Lock's comments on shortage of tech talent and skills in Asia and how entrepreneurs are solving them. [28:30] Kee Lock's thoughts on returning technology talent to Asia from Silicon Valley and its impact to startup ecosystems in Asia Pacific for the next few years. [30:50] Does the lack of exits in India and Southeast Asia deter the market opportunity for venture capital to thrive? [31:35] With more global funds entering the region, do you see the potential of an overheated market with valuations going up? [33:00] Where do you see the evolution of venture capital in the next few years? [35:30] Closing [37:40] Can you recommend a book or movie or podcast or anything which recently made an impact to your work and personal life? [37:45] Kee Lock's recommendations: Ray Dalio's "Principles" and Simon Sinek's "Start from Why" How do my audience find you? [39:00] Podcast Information: RSS Feed Apple Podcasts Himalaya Spotify Libsyn Google Play Overcast FM SoundCloud Luminary Twitter Facebook Video Facebook Page Linkedin Stitcher Castbox RadioPublic Acast PodBean ListenNotes TuneIn The show is hosted by guest host Charles Reed Anderson (@CRASingapore, LinkedIn) from Techburst Asia Podcast and produced by Carol Yin and are sponsored by Ideal Workspace (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) with their new Altizen Desk (Twitter, Facebook, Medium). Sound credits for the intro music: Taro Iwashiro, "The Beginning" from Red Cliff Soundtrack and this episode is fully produced by Carol Yin (@CarolYujiaYin). Editor's note: We thank Charles for helping us to guest host this episode before Carol starts her new role as the producer and host of Analyse Asia after the live show.

Steve Melhuish, co-founder of PropertyGuru and partner from Wavemaker VC, shares the lessons of his journey from an entrepreneur with PropertyGuru to now a partner in a venture capital firm. Steve started with the backstory behind on how he founded PropertyGuru and shared the lessons in scaling up the company across Southeast Asia and explained the thinking process and execution behind his transition out of the CEO role in the company. Subsequently, Steve discuss his current gig with Wavemaker VC, and the key traits in companies and founders which he invests on and his current thoughts on the proptech space. Here are the interesting show notes and links to the discussion (with time-stamps included): Steve Melhuish, co-founder of PropertyGuru and partner in Wavemaker VC (LinkedIn) [0:12] How did you start your career? [0:30] In your career journey, what are the most interesting lessons that you can share with my audience? [5:07] PropertyGuru [10:17] Can you talk about the backstory when you founded PropertyGuru? [10:42] From the creation of the company till you moving over to be a venture capitalist, what are the most interesting milestones that PropertyGuru? [14:07] What is the rationale for you to step down as CEO and what's the thinking and execution phase to bring in a professional CEO and make that transition happen? [22:52] How are you involved with PropertyGuru now? [29:00] Wavemaker VC [30:00] Can you introduce Wavemaker, the venture capital firm in Southeast Asia to my audience? [30:05] What’s your current role and coverage as a venture partner in Wavemaker VC? [32:31] What is a typical day for you as a venture capitalist? [35:05] What are the attributes in founders from startups that you look for before investing in them? [36:05] Which are the interesting verticals that you are now looking into startups for investment? [39:15] Can you talk about your perspectives on the current wave of startups in proptech, and what are the key opportunities there for startups to solve? [41:10] How would you advise a startup to expand into Southeast Asia? [44:49] Closing [46:30] Can you recommend a book, movie, podcast or anything else that has recently impact your personal or work life? [46:39] Steve's recommendation: "Blue Planet 2" documentary by David Attenborough and the movie "Vice", books such as "Delivering Happiness" by Tony Hsieh, "Start from Why" by Simon Sinek, "Good to Great" by Jim Collins, "Mastering the Rockefeller Habits" by Verne Harnish. Podcast Information: RSS Feed Apple Podcasts Himalaya Spotify Libsyn Google Play Overcast FM SoundCloud Luminary Twitter Facebook Video Facebook Page Linkedin Stitcher Castbox RadioPublic Acast PodBean ListenNotes TuneIn The show is hosted by Bernard Leong (@bernardleong & weibo) until 30 June 2019 and are sponsored by Ideal Workspace (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) with their new Altizen Desk (Twitter, Facebook, Medium). Sound credits for the intro music: Taro Iwashiro, "The Beginning" from Red Cliff Soundtrack and this episode is edited by Carol Yin, and co-produced by Carol Yin and Bernard Leong. This episode is recorded and produced in June 2019.

Grace Park, co-founder & president of DocDoc joined us in a conversation about leadership and regional expansion of DocDoc in Asia. Grace started the conversation, narrating her background as a military officer with the US army and how she moved subsequently from a military career into a business executive in notable healthcare companies. Grace shared the backstory behind the founding of DocDoc as a leading patient intelligence company from her perspective and offered her perspectives in how she utilized her experience to expand DocDoc regionally across Asia. Last but not least, Grace offered her thoughts on leadership and the importance of how to lead teams to success in different settings. Editor's note: This interview was conducted in June 2019, and recently DocDoc has raised their series B funding of US$13M. Here are the interesting show notes and links to the discussion (with time-stamps included): Grace Park (Facebook, LinkedIn), co-founder & President of DocDoc [0:19] How did you start your career? [1:12] Before Docdoc, you have been taken senior executive roles in medical and healthcare sector with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Medtronic, can you talk about what you have done in these companies and how that experience shapes the way in how you operate in Asia Pacific markets? [4:15]  In your career journey, what are the interesting life lessons you can share with my audience? [6:34] DocDoc & Perspectives on Regional Expansion of Digital Healthcare in Asia Pacific [8:08] I am curious to know the backstory of Docdoc from your perspective given Cole has offered the same story in an earlier episode. Can you articulate the founding story from your perspective and how did that translate to founding of Docdoc? [8:24] Let's help our audience to refresh their understanding of the company DocDoc, can you describe the company and its vision and mission? [12:44] What is your current role and coverage as the President of DocDoc? [15:34] What keeps you awake at night or gets you excited every morning about DocDoc’s mission? [16:35] Given DocDoc focus on to be the leader in patient intelligence, how do you build the trust and bringing the doctors in DocDoc’s network? From your engagement with the doctors, what are the doctors’ major pain points as providers of medical care in the entire healthcare supply chain?[17:56] You have led in expanding DocDoc’s business across Asia Pacific, can you talk about how you think strategically on the go to market and build the right teams to expand into countries such as Korea and Hong Kong? [21:56] What are the most interesting lessons you have learned in working in a startup environment with DocDoc? What will you have done differently? [23:15] Leadership [25:37] I understand that you are a great student on leadership. What are the books in leadership which have inspired you and further your thinking on the subject? [26:09] Viktor Frankl's "Man Search for Meaning" Warren G Bennis "On Becoming a Leader" Ron Heifetz "Leadership without Easy Answers" You have an interesting career before Harvard Business School in the US military, and you were based in Korea as an officer, how did the experience shape you as a leader in the military and subsequently in the corporate world? [28:50] In your opinion, what are the most important traits for a leader? [32:40] Do you think that a team learn more by going thru a crisis than going thru the regular motion of the day? [33:40] Do you see a difference between a manager and a leader? [35:13] Can you talk about your style of leadership and how did it come about? [36:18] Closing [38:22] Can you recommend a book or movie or podcast or anything which recently made an impact to your work and personal life? [38:35] Grace's recommendations: Eric Topol, "Deep Medicine" and two articles: (a) Tampa Bay Times, "Heartbroken" and NY Times "Listen to What Doctors in 'times of crisis' said behind doors" How can my audience find you? [41:13] Podcast Information: RSS Feed Apple Podcasts Himalaya Spotify Libsyn Google Play Overcast FM SoundCloud Luminary Twitter Facebook Video Facebook Page Linkedin Stitcher Castbox RadioPublic Acast PodBean ListenNotes TuneIn The show is hosted by Bernard Leong (@bernardleong & weibo) until 30 June 2019 and are sponsored by Ideal Workspace (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) with their new Altizen Desk (Twitter, Facebook, Medium). Sound credits for the intro music: Taro Iwashiro, "The Beginning" from Red Cliff Soundtrack and this episode is edited by Carol Yin, and co-produced by Carol Yin and Bernard Leong. This episode is recorded and produced in June 2019.

In episode 310, Justin Hall, partner from Golden Gate Ventures joined us in a conversation to discuss the state of venture capital in Southeast Asia. Justin shared his career journey in how he progressed from an associate to a partner within one of the well-known venture capital firms in Southeast Asia and explained what he has learned over the years from working with startup founders and companies. From there, Justin extended the conversation to offer his perspectives to how the infrastructure has evolved and the importance of exits for startups in Southeast Asia. Here are the interesting show notes and links to the discussion (with time-stamps included): Justin Hall, partner in Golden Gate Ventures (@JVinnyHall, LinkedIn) [0:15] How did you start your career? [0:46] Does the Kauffman program help you in advancing your venture capital career? [2:30] Prominent alumni in Kauffman Fellowship within Southeast Asia [3:15] In your career journey, what are the interesting life lessons you can share with my audience? [4:02]  Golden Gate Ventures and Venture Capital in Southeast Asia (or ASEAN) [6:12] Can you introduce Golden Gate Ventures to the audience (and yes, just a refresher as I have interviewed Jeff and Vinnie) years back? [6:34] How has the fund evolved since you have started as an associate and eventually now as a partner? Can you talk about some of the successful startups within Golden Gate Ventures portfolio? [8:01] What is your current role in Golden Gate Ventures? [11:09] How do you think about making decisions on whether to invest in startups within the investment committee? [12:35] What is a typical day for you as a venture capitalist? [14:23] What are the industry verticals which you are most excited about in the venture capital space lately? [16:10] Where are the opportunities that you have identified in the logistics space given that last mile delivery is commoditized? [19:09] How about any other interesting verticals other than logistics? [21:27] What do you look for in a startup team when you invest in them? [23:17]  We are now at the tail end of the first institutional funding cycle for Southeast Asia but most VC funds in the region have raised at least 2nd and 3rd rounds of funding, how has the VC scene changed since you first started? [26:15] How do you see the signaling risk for startups within the venture capital circle in Southeast Asia? [29:09] How does the infrastructure within the Southeast Asia market has changed from your opinion? Does it enable more or less startup activity? Let's exclude Singapore given that it is well developed as a city state. [30:20] Recently, in the past two years, there has been a strong interest from tech giants in China and US on Southeast Asia, what are the strengths and weaknesses of the ecosystem from the perspective of startups and venture capital? [33:40] How does a startup founder look at Southeast Asia market? If you are asked to advise a founder in Singapore or in Jakarta to expand into another market, what will be the first advice you give them? [36:18] One major criticism, pointed out by many is the lack of startup exits in the startup ecosystem. How do you define startup exits and what does success in startup exits would mean for Southeast Asia, and if you have any examples, please share them? [39:38] Closing [43:04] Can you recommend a book or movie or podcast or anything which recently made an impact to your work and personal life? [43:25] Justin's recommendation: "Trillion Dollar Coach" by Eric Schmidt et al.  How can my audience find you? [44:54] Podcast Information: RSS Feed Apple Podcasts Himalaya Spotify Libsyn Google Play Overcast FM SoundCloud Luminary Twitter Facebook Video Facebook Page Linkedin Stitcher Castbox RadioPublic Acast PodBean ListenNotes TuneIn The show is hosted by Bernard Leong (@bernardleong & weibo) until 30 June 2019 and are sponsored by Ideal Workspace (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) with their new Altizen Desk (Twitter, Facebook, Medium). Sound credits for the intro music: Taro Iwashiro, "The Beginning" from Red Cliff Soundtrack and this episode is edited by Carol Yin, and co-produced by Carol Yin and Bernard Leong. This episode is recorded and produced in June 2019.

In episode 309, Wilma Gerber, the chief operating officer for project and development services in JLL Asia Pacific, joined us for a conversation on digital transformation in the real estate industry. Starting from her work in building technology before the iPhone turned the smartphone mainstream to building the 4G network in India which becomes Reliance Jio, she offered the important lessons that explained the intersection of business and technology. Moving forward, she offered her perspectives on the why and how for a successful digital transformation and how it can be applied into a traditional industry for real estate. Here are the interesting show notes and links to the discussion (with time-stamps included): Wilma Gerber (LinkedIn), Chief Operating Officer, Project & Development Services Asia Pacific at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) [0:18] How did you start your career? [0:40] Given that you have worked on technology ideas before these ideas become fashionable, for example, the instant mobile messaging app leads to whatsapp, the mobile music player becomes the iPod and the mobile app store before Apple App Store and Google Play, what are the major lessons that you have drawn from these experiences? [3:04] So you spent your early a career in South Africa and Europe. What brought you to Asia? [4:35] What is like working with Reliance to build out the 4G network for India that jumpstarted the smartphone market for the next 100-200M users? [6:01] After you have worked in technology companies for more than 20 years, for example, building the network in India that is now the 4G network for Reliance Jio, why have you transitioned into real estate? [7:41] Given that new upstarts such as Wework has entered into the real estate and the complexity of the real estate supply chain, why would it be different this round for you in executing a digital transformation in a traditional industry such as real estate? [9:34] Digital Transformation in Real Estate [10:20] Can you briefly introduce JLL to my audience and describe your current role and coverage with JLL? [10:43]   How do you define digital transformation and what exactly it entails? [11:21] How has your perception of DX changed since you moved from the vendor to client side? [12:12] How do you define the typical objectives/goals for digital transformation? [13:32] Who should be involved in the digital transformation within the company? [15:00] Do you think that digital transformation is a program or a new way of thinking for a company or business? [16:02] In a digital transformation given that it involves people and culture, what is more important, the transition or education for the organization? When you start off on a digital transformation initiative, what are the initial steps? [17:46] You have been working on digital transformation initiatives for over 15 years - can you provide an example of a successful digital transformation initiative from the wider market that you find compelling? Wilma discuss the case of DBS bank as a successful example of digital transformation. [18:50] What sets this example apart from the typical digital transformation initiatives? [21:07] What are the major challenges for digital transformation? [22:00] Organisational  Cultural Financial Strategic Technological In your perspective, how do you think about aligning the different stakeholders in digital transformation? [23:46] What do you mean by leader-led change? [24:38] The importance of culture in digital transformation. [25:35] So now that you’ve been in Real Estate for about 3 years, what are you seeing as some of the industry specific challenges holding back digital transformation? [26:31] If you had to give one piece of advice for someone who is about to undertake a digital transformation initiative from the leadership position, what would it be? [29:00] References: McKinsey article - Why Digital Strategies fail? Closing [29:29] Can you recommend a book or movie or podcast or anything which recently made an impact to your work and personal life? [29:35] Wilma's recommendation: Adam Grant's podcast "Work Life", the Freaknomics podcast and Malcolm Gladwell's "Revisionist History" podcast. How do my audience find you? [30:16] Podcast Information: RSS Feed Apple Podcasts Himalaya Spotify Libsyn Google Play Overcast FM SoundCloud Luminary Twitter Facebook Video Facebook Page Linkedin Stitcher Castbox RadioPublic Acast PodBean ListenNotes TuneIn The show is hosted by Bernard Leong (@bernardleong & weibo) until 30 June 2019 and are sponsored by Ideal Workspace (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) with their new Altizen Desk (Twitter, Facebook, Medium). Sound credits for the intro music: Taro Iwashiro, "The Beginning" from Red Cliff Soundtrack and this episode is edited by Carol Yin, and co-produced by Carol Yin and Bernard Leong. This episode is recorded and produced in June 2019.

In episode 308, Charles Reed Anderson joined us to discuss the recent report "Smart Cities Success: Connecting People, Proptech and Real Estate" which he collaborated with JLL. Charles discuss the major findings in the report and examine the role that governments are playing in shaping the concept of smart cities. Continuing the conversation, Charles shares the opportunities and challenges for different countries in Asia Pacific from China to India and offers his perspectives to where we are heading on smart cities globally. Here are the interesting show notes and links to the discussion (with time-stamps included): Charles Anderson (@CRASingapore, LinkedIn), founder of Charles Reed Anderson and Associates. [0:17] What have you been up to since we last spoke? [0:29] Smart Cities Success: Connecting People, Proptech and Real Estate report by Charles Reed Anderson & Associates and JLL (full download of the report here) [0:37] What are the main themes of the report and its intended audience? [1:23] Can you discuss the findings of the report in brief? [3:23] Why are cities at the center of this conversation from the perspective of challenges? [6:39] How do you define ‘smart city’ in the report? [7:45] What is the role played by real estate space in smart cities? [9:00]  Can the vision of smart cities eventually be realized? [12:25] In the report, you have looked at the opportunities and challenges for different countries such as Australia, China, India, Japan and Singapore, what are the interesting points on the cities within these set of countries on delivering smart cities? [16:03] Which smart cities will be interesting to you at this moment? [19:50] Where do we go next for smart cities? [21:20] Closing [23:22] Can you recommend a book, podcast or anything else that has impact to your work and personal life recently? [23:39] Charles' recommendation: Reading the transcripts of interviews he did with different people in how they looked at the smart cities. How do my audience find you? [24:22] Podcast Information: RSS Feed Apple Podcasts Himalaya Spotify Libsyn Google Play Overcast FM SoundCloud Luminary Twitter Facebook Video Facebook Page Linkedin Stitcher Castbox RadioPublic Acast PodBean ListenNotes TuneIn The show is hosted by Bernard Leong (@bernardleong & weibo) until 30 June 2019 and are sponsored by Ideal Workspace (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) with their new Altizen Desk (Twitter, Facebook, Medium). Sound credits for the intro music: Taro Iwashiro, "The Beginning" from Red Cliff Soundtrack and this episode is edited by Carol Yin, and co-produced by Carol Yin and Bernard Leong. This episode is recorded and produced in June 2019.

In Episode 307, Gary Liu, the chief executive officer of South China Morning Post (SCMP), joined us to discuss the vision and mission of the media outlet and offer his perspectives on media across Asia Pacific. We started with Gary sharing his career story and how he came to lead SCMP. He discuss the core audience of the media outlet and the new content and innovations that is driving the transformation of SCMP. Last but not least, Gary offered his perspectives on the current trends driving media in the digital age. Here are the interesting show notes and links to the discussion (with time-stamps included): Gary Liu, CEO of South China Morning Post [0:17] How did you start your career? [0:38] Can you talk about the backstory in how you come to join SCMP as the CEO? [1:06] In your career journey, what has been the most interesting lessons you can share with my audience? [2:16] South China Morning Post [4:01] The South China Morning Post aka SCMP is a Hong Kong English language newspaper founded in 1903 and is now owned by the Alibaba Group. In preparing for this interview, I did not realize that both Rupert Murdoch’s Newscorp and a well-known Singaporean real estate tycoon, Robert Kuok were past owners of the SCMP as well.  Starting with an introduction, can you summarize what the South China Morning Post (SCMP) do and talk about its current mission and vision? [4:36] Who are the core audience of SCMP? [7:10] Since Alibaba’s acquisition and your hiring, what are the changes that you have brought to the post? [8:10] What are the interesting innovations and products that are now pioneered from SCMP that will be interesting to take the paper forward into the digital age? [9:34] Ink Stone This Week in Asia Style Abacus News What is your thinking process in making a decision if business and editorial groups are at loggerheads and could not come to an agreement? [13:56] How do you define if SCMP is successful in a few years time? [15:34] Perspectives in Media [17:33] As digital disruption has entered into traditional newspaper and media outlets, what are the challenges and where are the opportunities do you see that a traditional outlet can move forward? [17:42] Media outlets, for example, the Guardian & New York Times have shifted their audience from a local or regional to a global one. Do you see regional media outlets such as Nikkei and SCMP going in the same way in thinking about your audience and putting your knowledge about the region as a competitive advantage? [20:38] In your view, what are the most interesting business models and innovation in media that keeps you excited about the space? [21:59] Given that traditional news outlets can be viewed as institutions of trust, are there opportunities in the curation of media rather than discovery of media? [24:32] Where do you think that Asia journalism and news will go towards with the rise of China? [25:50] Closing [27:42] Can you recommend a book or movie or podcast or anything which recently made an impact to your work and personal life? [27:50] Gary's recommendation: "Team of Teams" by Chris Fussell, David Silverman, & Stanley A. McChrystal and Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin How do my audience find you? [29:11] Podcast Information: RSS Feed Apple Podcasts Himalaya Spotify Libsyn Google Play Overcast FM SoundCloud Luminary Twitter Facebook Video Facebook Page Linkedin Stitcher Castbox RadioPublic Acast PodBean ListenNotes TuneIn The show is hosted by Bernard Leong (@bernardleong & weibo) until 30 June 2019 and are sponsored by Ideal Workspace (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) with their new Altizen Desk (Twitter, Facebook, Medium). Sound credits for the intro music: Taro Iwashiro, "The Beginning" from Red Cliff Soundtrack and this episode is edited by Carol Yin, and co-produced by Carol Yin and Bernard Leong. This episode is recorded and produced in June 2019.

In Episode 306, Tim Culpan, columnist from Bloomberg, joined us in a conversation to discuss the tech cold war. Starting from the definition when the event started with US ban on Huawei, Tim explained how the global technology supply chain will be affected in the process from Foxconn, TSMC to Apple. Tim also offered his perspectives on the recent change in leadership within Foxconn, Alibaba's listing in Hong Kong as a hedge and the impact fo the tech cold war on SoftBank's Vision Fund. Here are the interesting show notes and links to the discussion (with time-stamps included): Tim Culpan (@tculpan, Linkedin, Bloomberg), Columnist at Bloomberg [0:17] Since our last conversation, what have you been up to? [0:31] The Tech Cold War [0:58] You have recently written that May 19 is an important date for the turn of China and US relationship starting with Huawei placed on the ban, why do you characterize it as the tech cold war? [1:03] Is it way past the Thucydides Trap now for US and China? [3:14] With the US and China trade war breaking the global supply chain, particularly its implications to Huawei, Apple, TSMC, Foxconn and many others involved? [3:34]  Is Alibaba’s upcoming listing in Hong Kong Stock Exchange a way to have a hedge against themselves in the US market? [6:32] Let’s start with Foxconn, can you describe the interesting happenings in the Foxconn leadership because of Terry Gou’s decision to run for the Taiwan Presidency and what does it mean for the company? [9:27] Given your understanding of Terry Gou and if he wins, what will he be like as the Taiwan president? [11:25] Does everyone shares Masa’s vision with Vision Fund? [13:50] What does the tech cold war means for SoftBank given that the fund invests in both US and China? [15:51] Are we in a peak SoftBank? [17:29]  What are your thoughts with Masa’s recent floating of an idea to float the Vision Fund public? [18:42] What will we be expecting in the next couple of months or what should we look out for with the tech cold war coming? [19:45] Closing [22:00] Can you recommend a book, movie, podcast or anything else that has recently impact your personal or work life? [22:08] Tim's recommendation: The 996 Podcast by GGV Capital & The Extramilest podcast. Where can my audience find you? [23:06] Podcast Information: RSS Feed Apple Podcasts Himalaya Spotify Libsyn Google Play Overcast FM SoundCloud Luminary Twitter Facebook Video Facebook Page Linkedin Stitcher Castbox RadioPublic Acast PodBean ListenNotes TuneIn The show is hosted by Bernard Leong (@bernardleong & weibo) until 30 June 2019 and are sponsored by Ideal Workspace (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) with their new Altizen Desk (Twitter, Facebook, Medium). Sound credits for the intro music: Taro Iwashiro, "The Beginning" from Red Cliff Soundtrack and this episode is edited by Carol Yin, and co-produced by Carol Yin and Bernard Leong. This episode is recorded in June 2019.