Navigating Cross-Border Transactions with a Client-centric Approach
A client-centric mindset is critical to navigating the complexities of cross-border transactions, especially as businesses today move towards digital solutions. The right approach to client servicing can transform challenges into opportunities. Understanding Client Needs in Cross-border Transactions One of the biggest lessons I learned over the years is that clients may seem similar on the […]
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 […]
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 […]