Enterprise Explores

Recently a local pharmacy has received plenty of backlash from netizens on its controversial ad. We have seen such controversial ads happen before, with Kendall Jenner’s Pepsi ad and Watsons Malaysia's "Legenda Cun Raya" campaign, which were also both criticised and labelled as racist by netizens when they were released back in 2017. These ads raise eyebrows, stir emotions, and even spark outrage. They push the boundaries, challenge societal norms, and sometimes, they cross the line. But what happens when advertisers find themselves in the eye of a storm? It's now more critical than ever for businesses to engage in ethical advertising and marketing practices.Today on Enterprise Biz Bytes, we explore the importance of ethical advertising and marketing for SMEs as well as what's the balance between promoting inclusivity and responsible advertising that SMEs should practise when producing marketing collaterals. Joining us is Richard Ker, Chief Storyteller at Richard Ker Digital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the amount of incentives provided by the government for businesses to embrace ESG, to the possibility of non-ESG complying businesses having difficulty to receive funding. Businesses are finding more and more reasons to adopt ESG into their practices. But how can they implement ESG in a way that ensures growth and success?We’ll be looking at how ESG goes hand in hand with business growth and profitability, exploring how each business’ approach sustainability affects success, the ESG road from ideation to compliance, how they gauge ESG readiness and success, and beyond.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ChatGPT chatbot can now browse the internet to provide users with up-to-date information; Meta is launching a subscription service for Facebook and Instagram in Europe; AI regulation; Abridge is revolutionising medical record entry for doctors; Google is introducing AI-powered features in a series of updates to Google Maps; How to identify a high EQ boss, according to science; New phishing scam has been reported in Singapore involving fake WhatsApp Web sites and QR codes; And watch parties in New York City and Mexico City hosted by Apple. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent report titled “How Asia Buys and Pays 2023: Tapping into Asia’s Regional Commerce Opportunities,” states that Southeast Asia is anticipating a 100% expansion in its e-commerce market over the next five years. This is driven by accelerated digital payments growth, led by Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), e-wallets , domestic payments, and credit cards.So, today on Enterprise Biz Bytes, we look into how has digital payments levelled the playing field for SMEs within the e-commerce sector, whether it has facilitated cross border e-commerce for Malaysian businesses, as well as how this will impact the SME ecosystem in the long run with Dr Geoffrey Williams, Professor & Economist at Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the back of the International Day of Care and Support, today we look at the “care work industry”. Described as a part of the adult social care industry, it includes various jobs such as disability, elderly, mental health, rehabilitation, and home care assistance. We explore the potential and the workforce-readiness of this industry in Malaysia with the help of Lim Geng Yan, Founder of Jasper Healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between Budget 2024, the newly announced ESG Jumpstart portal for SMEs, the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide for SMEs released last week, and the overall larger push towards ESG standards and adoption by various Malaysian bodies, the landscape can look quite complex for businesses.To help make clearer the ESG path and its impact on businesses, we speak to Margie Ong, the CEO of Thoughts In Gear.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ad-free version of X’s premium subscription coming soon, says Musk; Research reveals AI model’s lack of transparency; Your startup’s success, told by your personality type; Ginkgo Bioworks’ collaboration with Google Cloud to explore the potential of generative AI in biotech; TikTok Music launched in Singapore; TikTok and Disney partnership in honour of 100-year anniversary; Facial recognition-based public search engine now blocks children’s face searches; And Amazon’s humanoid robot trial in their warehouse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last month, 500 Global announced the successful close of US$143 million (RM668.2 million) for its largest Southeast Asian early-stage fund to date, 500 Southeast Asia III (500 SEA III), as well as its growth investment vehicle for Southeast Asia.500 Global also recently released their ‘500 Global Rise Report,’ which highlights four narratives on the next decade of global technology to keep an eye on, and potentially tap into.To explore future trends to keep an eye on in the decade ahead and how 500 Global will be deploying its recently raised US$143 million in Southeast Asia, we speak to Khailee Ng, a managing partner at 500 Global. Khailee is also the Co-Founder and former CEO of SAYS.com.500 Global has a global portfolio spanning over 2,800 companies across more than 80 countries and over the past decade, 500 Global has backed more than 340 companies across Southeast Asia. Some of their previous investments in Southeast Asia include checks ranging from US$5 million to US$20 million in Series C to D rounds of portfolio companies such as Carousell (2018), Carsome (2021), and most recently eFishery (2023).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Enterprise Biz Bytes, we’ll be looking into what the budget has in store for Malaysia’s arts and festivals sector with the help of Rizal Kamal, President of Arts, Live Festival and Events Association (ALIFE).We will be looking into: The RM160 million funding received to grow the live performance industry; Reduction in entertainment duties for international and local acts; And the RM50 million allocated to agencies with the potential to showcase the nation's artistic and literary works, enhance heritage theatre performances, and promote the interest in reading great works among the youth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Enterprise Biz Bytes, you will learn whether Budget 2024 hits the mark for the startup ecosystem and potential areas of concern with Dr. Sivapalan Vivekarajah, Senior Partner & Co-Founder at ScaleUp Malaysia Accelerator. Among other things, we explore: Concerns and clarity needed from the proposed 10% Capital Gains Tax for the startup ecosystem; Tax incentives for individual investors and angel investors to invest in local startups; The placement of Malaysia Venture Capital Management (MAVCAP) and Penjana Kapital under the Khazanah Nasional; The RM 28 million allocated to upgrade MOSTI-run MYStartup so that it can become a one-stop gateway that facilitates business activities of startups; The RM.1.5 billion that GLCs and GLICs are to allocate to support startups involved in High Growth, High-Value (HGHV) sectors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.