Scaling Startups: Balancing Sustainability with Growth
The challenge of managing operations while striving for sustainability and efficiency is real. There is always the pressure to seize the market quickly, scale operations, and drive revenue. Although scaling without compromising sustainability is a tough balance, it is one that I believe can be approached strategically. Quite often there is a natural pull to […]
Rewiring the Value Chain with Digital Innovation
As markets rapidly evolve, enterprises are constantly trying to adapt. Creating digital ecosystems and transforming traditional supply chains into agile, responsive networks—often referred to as “value chain rewiring”—goes beyond updating systems. In an intricately connected world, it is all about rethinking the entire approach to supplier-buyer-customer relationships. Essentially, digital innovation is reshaping how companies operate, interact, and […]
Aligning Strategy and Operations for a Resilient Supply Ecosystem
Aligning strategic vision with on-the-ground operational execution is crucial for businesses operating in the hyper-digital world we live in. While consumer demand can be managed through pricing and advertising, and ensuring a seamless supply-side with high-quality, I believe that timely delivery is often the real challenge. I have seen that misalignment here can dent industries. […]
The SaaS Revolution: Why Banks Must Rethink Their Role
We are at an inflection point in the evolution of value chain financing—and SaaS is no longer just an enabler; it’s the strategic engine powering the next generation of financial services. Banks are being asked a fundamental question: Can you finance the real economy at the speed and scale it demands today? For too long, […]
Strategic Sourcing and Working Capital in a Reimagined World
Strategic sourcing is a boardroom-level priority. Beyond being a procurement function, it is a critical lever in working capital optimisation. Strategies from the old playbook do not work anymore. Geopolitical disruptions, inflation shocks, and the resurgence of trade nationalism have impacted traditional supply chains. Tariffs are volatile. Regulatory regimes are seeing shifts. Currency markets are […]
Malaysia’s Strategic Role in the Future of Global Value Chains
If there is one thing that the COVID-19 pandemic taught us, it is how quickly trends can change and how critical it is to adapt. The post-pandemic era brought about transformative shifts across industries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), strategically positioning Malaysia as a key beneficiary. Across ASEAN, I have since seen […]
Dynamic Discounting: A Win-Win for Buyers and Suppliers
When we think about strengthening supply chains, the conversation often turns to financing. Dynamic discounting is one of those financing tools that benefits both sides of a transaction: buyers and suppliers. Under such programmes, buyers offer their suppliers early payment on invoices in exchange for discounts. For buyers, this can be a game changer. They […]
Transforming Procurement with AI and Digital Innovation
Procurement today is not just about cost savings—it is about resilience, speed, and informed decision-making involving hundreds, even thousands, of suppliers. It’s imperative that procurement teams stay updated on global developments such as supply chain disruptions, geopolitical risks, or natural disasters. In this piece, I share my views on how artificial intelligence (AI), large language […]
2025 Key Trends: Trade finance will go smart to build resilience and unlock growth
Key highlights: 2024 started with significant challenges and shifts in trade and supply chain finance. High interest rates and persistent inflation ruled a large part of the year, with central banks worldwide tightening their grip on monetary policies to stabilise economies. Political tensions continued to plague the year – the conflict between Ukraine and Russia […]
Securing Hong Kong’s Position as a Global Trade Hub through Technology and Digital Transformation
Hong Kong has been a major player in international business operations and trade for over two decades now. The ease of setting up businesses and creating avenues for goods and payment transfers in Asia’s World City has made it a dynamic link between the east and the west. Hong Kong’s total trade accounted for a […]
