Enterprise Explores

Going into 2023, one of the key things concerned was a global recession, and this continues to be the case.Now while definitions of what constitutes recession differ around the world, it essentially means a shrinking economy, ultimately due to lower business and consumer spending. In fact, some numbers overnight show that U.S. retail sales fell by the most in a year in December, further highlighting this concern as consumer spending is essential for many businesses, and therefore the economy. So today we turn our attention to consumer sentiment in Malaysia and ways businesses can adapt to the possibility of falling consumer spending with Rakesh Mani, Partner at PWC Malaysia - leading the consumer and retail practice across the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Year of Rabbit is hopping in. With talks about recession looming and Malaysians looking to tighten their spending, how are SMEs faring this festive season? Are customers spending more than before? Are businesses in full bloom? We speak to Raymond Khue (Q), Executive Director of household dried meat/bakwa brand Oloiya, and Amy and Ester Tai, the Founders and Sister-Duo of local shoe brand, Machino to talk about how their customers are spending as Malaysians prepare for Chinese New Year.Photo Credit : Shutterstock | Dragon ImagesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Open AI’s ChatGPT has caused quite a stir, with some thinking it could disrupt Google's very important and very lucrative Search business. While we have seen stories of startups disrupting incumbents, over the last 15 years or so the norm seems to have been that these potential disruptors are acquired or copied before being able to do any serious damage. So for founders and entrepreneurs, and the investors who backed them, how do they determine if they should try to go the distance and disrupt the incumbents or if they should exit cash-in? We explore this with Bikesh Lakhmichand, CEO of 1337 VenturesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, two regional fintech unicorns entered Malaysia, offering payments solutions and e-wallet capabilities. With so many cashless payment options out there, too many to some, where could two new players potentially fit in? Vincent Fong, Chief Editor of Fintech news Malaysia helps us uncover all of that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Many business owners might have a love/hate relationship with planning. But planning out your business strategy for the whole year is indispensable to set goals for your business and how to achieve them. We speak to Chan Leong Teng, CEO of Skribble to talk about the Dos and Don’ts of building your business strategy for the new year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Funding is a key part of a startups’ journey and growth. In the last few years Equity Crowdfunding has become an important avenue for Malaysian businesses to raise funds. This includes companies such as logistics player TheLorry.com, P2P lender Fundaztic, homegrown robo advisor Akru, and many more. In fact in 2021, around RM221 million was raised by 104 issuers, representing a 73.5% jump from2020. To dive deeper into the role of ECF in the Malaysian startup and SME landscape, and whether it is a realistic source of funding, on the show we have Kashminder Singh - Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder of pitchIN, Malaysia’s biggest ECF platform, which accounted for 38% of all funding raised in 2021.Photo Credit : Shutterstock | Photon photoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are your employees leaving one after another lately? Well, when it comes to hiring and retaining talent in companies, there are many mistakes that your company is making that you might or might not be aware of. We sit down with Camelia Loh, Founder & CEO of Kabel, an HR Tech company, to discuss these mistakes that might help you figure out what you can do to help with employee recruitment and retention.Photo Credit : Shutterstock | fizkesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China is reopening and we can expect an influx of Chinese tourists soon, especially this Chinese New Year and after. To get perspectives of tourism and travel business owners and the overall industry, today we’re speaking to Nigel Wong, Honorary Treasurer & Spokesperson, of MATTA - the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents.Photo Credit : Shutterstock | Atstock ProductionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s already 2023. Malaysian companies can no longer avoid adopting ESG into their systems. But a common concern is still that ESG may be costly and time-consuming. Is this a myth or reality? To help us better understand the current ESG landscape, common misconceptions, and why it matters for SMEs and startups, we speak to Ahila Ganesan, Founder of Future LinQ.Photo Credit : Shutterstock | Blue Planet StudioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to a recent ECA International research, while we deal with the rising cost of living - our soy sauce, fuel, rice and cooking oil, Malaysia is in fact one of the cheaper places for expatriates to work at. We speak to Lee Quane, Regional Director for Asia at ECA International to understand more about being a relatively cheaper country to work in and what this means to our country.Photo Credit : Shutterstock | DC StudioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.