Enterprise Explores

Apparently, when it comes to finding the sweet spot for your product or service price, looking at costs and competitors pricing is not enough. Customers are getting smarter about pricing tactics and psychology. So how should you price your products or services to keep customers happy? Do consumers still fall for the nine-ending pricing strategy? We speak to Dr Siti Munerah, Lecturer for Principles of Marketing at Sunway University to discuss.Photo Credits: FreepikSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on BizBytes we explore the potential impact that SVB’s collapse could have on the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem with Kevin Brockland, Founder and Managing Partner of Indelible Ventures - a VC that targets seed stage, tech-enabled B2B startups in the region.It’s been just over a week since US federal regulators stepped in to take over Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) - but the effects are still surfacing. SVB’s fall has caused an overall unease in the startup ecosystem, but has had other domino effects, from hitting bank stocks to setting off a political blame-game in the US.Bank failures like this have happened before, Investopedia notes that there were more than 550 banks shut down between 2001 and the start of 2023. But this one was particularly newsworthy - because the abrupt fall of the $212 billion bank has triggered the most significant financial crisis in over a decade as it is the largest bank to fail since Washington Mutual closed its doors amid the financial crisis of 2008.However, if you want to learn more about what led us here and the key developments to watch out for, The Morning Run dove into this a week ago on the podcast ‘SVB Collapse Sign Of Fed's Blindspot’.Other related shows on BFM:-How Exposed Are Malaysian Banks To Global Banking-Credit Suisse Bailout Provides Relief For NowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumers should expect an increase in the prices of fruits and vegetables in the coming weeks due to floods in Johor. These floods have left many farms submerged, affecting at least 30% of vegetable supply in the market.But that’s just the start. Have the recent floods in Johor exposed a food insecurity crisis here in Malaysia?We hear from Dr Sarena Che Omar, Deputy Director of Research at the Khazanah Research Institute.Photo Credits: Freepik | aleksandarlittlewolfSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Digitalisation has been a key tenet for businesses and industries over the last few years, especially so for financial services, especially with the rise of fintech. We’ve seen Digital Investment Managers - roboadvisors - introduced in 2018 and last year we saw the issuance of 5 digital bank licenses. Up next, the insurance industry. In November, Bank Negara finally published the long-awaited exposure draft on Digital Insurer and Takaful Operators (DITOs) and in 2023 we could see up to five licenses issued to successful applicants.Today on BizBytes, we explore the potential of digital insurance, what that means for individuals and business, and whether they’ll be able to compete with the sizable incumbents. Helping us with this discussion is Ravi Kittane, Partner at Ernst & Young Consulting. Ravi specialises in the financial services sector, focused on digital and technology led transformation at incumbents and challengers in the banking and insurance space.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent Swedish study found that the smartest people are not paid the most. If it’s not intelligence that drives occupational success, what does? And what does being ‘smart’ mean in a company anyway?We discuss this with Mallory Loone, Founder of Work Inspires.Photo Credits: Freepik | Drazen ZigicSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've seen a few notable stories of foreign players investing in or entering Malaysia, whether it's Amazon, Tesla, Shopee, or payments unicorn Xendit, and while we often hear about the need to attract foreign companies and FDI - Foreign Direct Investment - in the name of the country’s development, why is it so important?Enterprise BizBytes discusses this with former Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Ong Kian Ming exploring the importance of bringing in foreign players like these into Malaysia and the criticisms of the value that these company's truly provide when setting up shop in Malaysia.Photo Credits: Shuttershock | Fiqah Anugerah Dah BesaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last few weeks, Enterprise has explored fundraising from various angles. Among other things, we now have a better idea of how much we should be raising, what to keep an eye on when raising from VCs, and whether equity crowdfunding might be right for your business. That said there’s one crucial element that we haven’t explored yet - how much work goes into fundraising - from what it looks and feels like on the ground, to the type of questions prospective investors ask and the role of storytelling and community.On the back of their RM 3.4 million equity crowdfunding round, we discuss all this and more with Nadhir Ashafiq, the Co-Founder & Executive Director of regional logistics platform TheLorry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What gets measured gets managed is a key management phrase that’s often credited to famed management theorist, Peter Drucker. This looks to be even more relevant today given the emphasis today for businesses to be data-driven to achieve the best possible outcome in every step of the way, from manufacturers to service providers and everyone in between.But like all things, focusing too much on metrics or the wrong metrics can lead to disaster, so how does one use the right numbers and stats to drive scale and growth?Today we will be speaking to Vijay Tirathrai, Managing Director at Techstars on how to scale a startup fast and sustainably by using the right business metrics.Vijay will be in KL from March 15-17, speaking at EO Taipan’s 2023 event - ‘Challenge the Storm’. Learn more at: https://eotaipan.com/masterclass-2023/Photo Credits: Shuttershock | Prostock-studioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women have a harder time accessing work globally than previously thought, while the gender gap in working conditions and pay has barely budged in two decades, the United Nations said Monday.The UN’s International Labour Organisation said it had developed a new indicator that does a better job than official unemployment rates at capturing all people without employment that are interested in finding work.We hear from E Hun Tan. Executive Director, Research for Social Advancement (REFSA) and discuss the hard truth: The gender gap at work is far worse than expected.Photo Credits: Shuttershock | LightField StudiosSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is EmbraceEquity according to the World Economic Forum and “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality" according to the United Nations and this highlights the need for inclusive and transformative technology and digital education.How have things changed over the years? Has there been any improvements to the gender divide? We take a look at this question and more, on today’s IWD Special.Photo Credits: Shuttershock | Narint AsawaphisithSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.