Aldrina Thirunagaran (金丽娜）

[A non-work related post] Imagine paying for an insurance premium for three years. Then one day you get the dreaded cancer diagnosis. You submit your insurance claim, only to have the insurance company void the policy and offer a refund. Unimaginable? Well it happened to my wife. Insurance companies have made it easy for people to purchase policies. Answer a few yes/no questions online and the policy is approved very, very quickly. No secondary or medical checks. Manulife does this on the DBS mobile banking app. And when you submit a claim against the policy, they say the questions were not answered correctly, hence allowing them to void the policy. The net result: you have a false sense of insurance protection. It is a win-win for the insurance company – they get to make returns on the premiums, and yet not make any insurance payout. And the policy holder is left with nothing. These easy-to-sign-up insurance policies need to be reviewed. I applaud Minister Ong Ye Kung’s speech and for calling out the health insurance sector. Things need to change. Read his full speech: https://lnkd.in/gwGHTK8D https://lnkd.in/gqH8_HDP #healthinsurance #insurance #singapore Ministry of Health (Singapore)

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MoneyOwl's just refreshed our new offerings via our new website! 🥳 In all honesty though, figuring out messaging for this launch was difficult, because it's more than just a 'website relaunch' with a new look and feel only.   📑𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. All developed by MoneyOwl, a financial adviser and fund management company licensed by MAS. This may sound like a simple proposition, but being in the industry for a couple of years now, I know that this is such a unique, valuable space to be in. See - everyone has an agenda. ❗Financial institutions that sell products aren't able to boldly come out and say things like "don't purchase investment-linked policies because of XXX", because ILPs do make them money. (No hate, and there is a use case for ILPs for an extremely specific group of people! But if you can, DIY investing is much more cost-efficient.) ❗Content pages are sometimes restricted by the lack of funding to be able to come up with statements that may displease their clients. And if they're not licensed, it also limits the depth of advice or product analysis that they can provide. (That said, there are some great content pages out there, like my ex-company, though I may be completely biased 🤗) ❗What's our agenda then? It's to enable better financial security for everyone, through their life's journey. 🍬 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒕. 𝑾𝒆'𝒗𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 - 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒔, 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒖𝒚.  👓 We even created an insurance rating tool to evaluate and rate different insurance products in the market, just to make your decision an informed one! So... I know this post may not reach as many people as I'd like to (because it's a repost and not a new post from scratch.)   But I hope you can take some time to check out our new website, and experience our new model of financial advice for yourself. And if you have any feedback or questions, hit me up! 👋

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When my businesses failed and I was nearing my thirties with zero tangible achievements, I knew it was time to shift gears. My entrepreneurial and sales experiences were invaluable, but I had to return to basics—leaning on my Diploma from Ngee Ann Polytechnic to secure a job. I attacked job hunting like a sales pipeline, applying to around 150 jobs in a week. Eventually, I landed a role at a startup selling music via digital download. It was an eye-opener—organizing files and getting my first real taste of the digital world. From there, I moved on to become a sales engineer for an IT company, but I knew I wanted more—something tied to online marketing. After a brief stint at a small company, I finally found my footing in a digital marketing role at an MNC. That interview? Unforgettable. With my bare-bones resume, I never imagined landing a job at a global MNC. But thanks to Charlie and Yoshida, I got that chance. Yoshida didn’t just hire me for my experience—he hired me in 2008 for my entrepreneurial mindset. He saw the potential to shift the company’s brick-and-mortar focus toward the digital future. I still remembered a general manager telling me, “We’re not Google—we don’t need to dive into online marketing like that.” But Yoshida knew better. He asked me one question: could I commit to 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or 5 years? My answer was simple—I’d work as long as I could because I needed to settle down. And I did—I stayed for 9 years. At the MNC, I hustled to get things in order. I treated my manager with the same respect and dedication I’d hoped for from my own staff when I was an entrepreneur. For the first time in a long while, I found comfort in stability. No more chasing every sale—I had the security of a monthly salary, and that was a relief. But my entrepreneurial spirit didn’t fade yet. I quickly connected with everyone across the Asian countries I was in charge of, building a strong team dynamic. Back then, Facebook was just 5 years old, and I jumped at the chance to learn everything about it. I introduced Facebook to all the countries in the company, helping each one reach its first 10k followers—a huge milestone at the time. I also dived into Google Ads and gradually mastered platform after platform, including programmatic advertising, over those 9 years. Transitioning into digital marketing was a journey of resilience and reinvention. It taught me the power of adaptability—in business and in life. In my next post, I’ll dive deeper into my digital marketing journey. Stay tuned! -- I'm Charles Lau, a digital marketing veteran with over 20 years of experience. Follow me on LinkedIn for Business Growth, Marketing Strategies & Career Success. 📬Sign up for my email newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gZ5k5z5K #DigitalMarketing #CareerJourney #EntrepreneurMindset #Resilience

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Reflecting on a conversation with Mirza Mohammad at our local mamak spot, I realized how much our mundane 9-5 routines can be transformed by a spark of enthusiasm. Over a cup of teh tarik, we delved into the hustle, not just as a means of income generation but as a catalyst for reigniting our passion for our careers. Our chat, flavoured with the age-old saying "duit bukan segalanya" (money isn’t everything), touched on the essential truth that while money does settle many issues, it's the journey and the drive that truly enrich us. With the rising cost of living and stagnant wages in the private sector, the conversation couldn't have been more timely. The heart of our discussion lay in the potential side hustles suitable for salaried workers. It's a reality check that many of us need to embrace. Are we ready to learn new ways to earn, or are we content to complain about economic challenges without seeking solutions? This dialogue left us with lingering questions: Are Malaysians willing to embrace the hustle? Do we merely lament the negative news impacting our economy, or do we break free from stereotypes and seize opportunities to learn, improve, and innovate? It's time for us to reflect and act. Let's turn our struggles into stories of growth and resilience. #CareerGrowth #SideHustle #EconomicReality #PersonalDevelopment #MalaysianWorkforce

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#Exclusive | Singaporean multinational banking and financial services corporation DBS Bank has created over 100 #algorithms that analyse over 15,000 customer data points to provide personalised financial advisory to customers. DBS Bank’s chief data and transformation officer, Nimish Panchmatia told iTNews Asia that the bank’s legal and compliance team uses an AI-driven solution trained on over 300 features and 10 data sources. This helps assess each transaction's risk level and flag high-risk transactions within 25 milliseconds, and this approach has resulted in a 17 percent increase in funds saved from scams. Read on to understand how the bank uses AI to improve risk management, detect scams and complex transactions, how generative AI enhances operations, reduces customer service times, and how DBS ensures transparency, fairness, and compliance in #AI applications across markets. https://lnkd.in/g7tN6BvK

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We are Singaporeans first because we have 4 races in Singapore. Second, English is the language of our education and business sectors. Third, we treasure our democratic institutions and our right to vote to hold our government responsible while sacrificing 2.5 years to serve compulsory national service. Third, it's best to research the history of Southeast Asia on how we got our independence in the 1950s to 60s from foreign powers:

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Jill, my wife has penned a new piece for her monthly column on parenting for The Straits Times https://lnkd.in/gyUzdcn4 Jill is the only one in Life!'s team of parenting columnists who focuses on people with special needs. This time, however, it's not about Kate, but about two young adult writers whom she's had the pleasure of working with and getting to know. In particular, she was Shalom's writing mentor and editor for his book called 'Callum's Courage'. The mentoring experience was a personally enriching one for Jill and she tells us why in her column. Jill asked me how i found her coumn and I said "I like it. It's different." Well, it always is because of Jill's topics of focus (and because I am naturally biased!) But I enjoyed reading this one because it focuses on two things that I have been trying to practise more these days - mindfulness, and putting yourself in another person's shoes. Of course, I can never tolerate or forgive abhorrent and unethical behaviour, but at least, practising the above will help you to become a more empathetic and understanding person. More importantly, it helps you to be calmer in your thoughts and emotions, and be more at peace with yourself when deciding how you would want to continue with certain people in your life: to embrace, accept and love; to keep at arm's length with an occasional smile and friendly nod; or to cut out completely, yet tactfully. And finally, do consider buying Shalom Lim and Sherry Toh 's books. They make great gifts! #specialneeds #specialneedsparenting #parenting #writing

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At 42, I look back on a journey that began when I left a thriving media career at 32. By then, I had launched multiple news channels, holding leadership roles like Managing Editor and Channel Head. Yet, despite the success, I felt stuck in a 'comfort zone' that was anything but comfortable. So, I made a bold choice to switch careers. In the past decade, my career transitions have been a whirlwind: Editor >> Media Advisor >> Serial Entrepreneur (launched 5 ventures) >> Web Series Writer >> YouTuber (during COVID) >> Brand Communication Strategist >> Co-founder (an impact platform) >> Personal Branding Coach Now, you might wonder—why so many changes? Was I failing at each one? Not at all. Instead, I was growing in ways I never imagined. Here are 10 things I achieved that I couldn’t have done if I’d stayed in the media, basking in success and stability: 1. Launched an online venture that supported over 5 million people in distress. 2. Got featured in 100+ top-tier media outlets—print, radio, TV, online—you name it, I was probably there. 3. Landed on the cover of Tehelka magazine as the founder of my social enterprise. 4. Earned recognition from prestigious organizations, including iCONGO in collaboration with the United Nations. 5. Was featured on BBC World Service’s flagship show “Business Matters” and interviewed by the legendary Roger Hearing. 6. Collaborated with 50+ startups, non-profits, political organizations, and CXOs, helping them scale massively—expanding to 40+ countries, securing funding in crores, and generating revenues up to ₹120 crore. 7. Scaled my own ventures to impactful and profitable outcomes. 8. Made it to the “40 Under 40” list and was named one of the “Top 100 Influential Game Changers” in PR & Corporate Communication. 9. Wrote a suspense thriller web series for a major production house and penned regular columns in multiple newspapers. 10. Can’t share the exact figures, but let’s just say my earnings during these transitions are comfortably in the 8 figures. And last year? I backpacked through 11 European countries over 38 days—all while staying on top of work for my 5 clients. To be honest, I didn’t change careers—I upgraded, pivoted, and expanded. I’m an avid learner, always diving into whatever piques my interest, no matter how challenging it seems. Under the broad umbrella of "communication," I explored new realms. From a hardcore political journalist, I evolved into a tech-savvy marketer and an expert in fields I once couldn’t have imagined. An IIMC alumnus, I recently completed a course in Strategic Brand Management & Communication from MICA. Today, I consult startups on brand communication, PR, storytelling, and personal branding. Recently I entered into the coaching business too. If you're thinking about switching careers and want to learn from my journey, join my upcoming webinar:  https://shorturl.at/GfckS Check my other courses here - https://shorturl.at/mQdiA

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The weight of being the eldest, a burden often unspoken, is a unique kind of pressure. It's a role that demands a certain level of maturity, a sense of responsibility, and a willingness to lead, even when one might not feel equipped. My late father-in-law, my father and my mother, all eldest siblings, bore this weight in their own ways. Their lives were marked by misunderstandings with their siblings, misunderstandings that seemed to linger like shadows, casting a pall over their relationships. In hindsight, it's easy to see how these misunderstandings were rooted in the expectations placed upon them as the eldest. There was a sense that they were supposed to be stronger, wiser, and more capable than their younger siblings. Any misstep, any sign of weakness, was often magnified and used against them. The weight of these misunderstandings, however, became particularly heavy in the face of death. As life's final curtain fell, the petty grievances, the unspoken resentments, seemed so insignificant, so unworthy of the time and energy they had consumed. Death has a way of stripping away the superficial and revealing the true essence of our relationships. In the quiet moments of reflection, it becomes clear that what truly matters is not the misunderstandings, but the love, the shared experiences, and the enduring bonds of family. I feel you....., SM Lee. #reflection #reflections #wednesdaythought #misunderstandings

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For banks, happy days are coming to an end — with a declining interest rate environment looming ahead, growth engines will be affected. Banks will have to transform its operating models from loans and interest functions, to fees and treasuries. At UOB day held in Kuala Lumpur for the first time since Covid-19, the bank which has its head office in Singapore spells out its targets for growth in the next three years. Keeping ROE at 14% and closing in on a 40% cost-income ratio by 2026, are some of them. Read my latest:

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*We’re Not Just Storytellers, We’re Problem Solvers* “What exactly do we do?” At my recent strategic communications workshop for Ngee Ann Polytechnic, I posed this simple yet thought-provoking question to a dozen comms pros. The exchange of varied perspectives was inspiring. Here’s my take: We’re not just storytellers; we’re problem solvers. Through communications, we tackle organisational challenges head-on, driving results and creating tangible impact. This thought-starter led to an afternoon of engaging discussions and deep reflections on our evolving role as comms practitioners. Key Takeaways from Our Session: 1️⃣ Start Every Campaign with the End Goal in Mind What is the challenge we want to solve, and how will we define success? Understanding the purpose behind our efforts and the objectives they aim to meet is crucial. 2️⃣ From PR to Integrated Communicators The days of traditional PR are behind us. Our role has evolved into integrated communications, blending integrated, omnichannel strategies to create targeted, cohesive and impactful initiatives. Black and white is out; grey is the new norm. 3️⃣ Harness AI Wisely In today’s fast-paced world, embracing AI and staying ahead of trends is essential. The future demands agility and innovation, where we seamlessly integrate technology with the irreplaceable human touch. 4️⃣ Combine Emotional and Data-Driven Storytelling Effective storytelling marries the heart and mind. Authentic, data-driven content builds trust and credibility, while maintaining genuine connections remains a cornerstone of what we do. 5️⃣ Measure Impact It’s not enough to measure outputs and engagement. It’s essential to link our communications efforts to overall organisational impact and outcomes. Continuous measurement ensure our strategies are refined to drive sustained progress and tangible results. Change is the only constant in our dynamic world. As we navigate this ever-evolving landscape, let’s remember that comms pros are not just responsible for crafting compelling narratives. We’re solving problems, driving results, and creating measurable organisational impact. Leading this workshop at NP, one of my favourite former long-time clients, was such a surreal and delightful experience. Thank you Sheryl Sim, Sangeetha Naidu for the opportunity to reconnect with cherished connections including yourselves, Mei Fong-Looi and May Goh, and to engage with the rest of your lovely team. Brewer #StrategicCommunications #IntegratedCommunications #FutureOfComms

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The importance to bridge the gap. And understand insurance as a form of hedging to your investments. After all, you wouldn’t want to sell off your investments at a bad time just because you need to pay for unexpected expenses. #FinancialPlanning #InsurancePlanning #InvestmentPlanning

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The Bridge from Cannot to Can Is Built with Maybe In Singapore, we use "can" and "cannot" to keep things clear and simple. Their certainty is reassuring, as I argued in this post: https://lnkd.in/gtAAeH7F When someone asks, “Can this be done?” and we say "cannot," its meaning is unambiguous—it’s not doable. Now, I invite you to consider this: Sometimes, we rush to say "cannot" when a "maybe" is more appropriate. Saying "cannot" is easy. And safe. Saying "maybe" is uncomfortable but powerful. It affirms: "I don’t know the answer yet, but I’m willing to find out." ❤️ A “maybe” pushes us to step out of our comfort zone and triggers us to think creatively to find a solution. It encourages us to innovate. And, it gives us permission to defy the status quo. So, next time we face a tough challenge, let us try swapping a hasty "cannot" for a thoughtful "maybe”. It might create breakthroughs that a "cannot" would never imagine. When we transform enough “cannots” into “maybes” and “maybes” into “cans”, we become unbeatable. #NDP2024 #NationalDay #lbfalumni #skyhightower #DrivingInnovation

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Finfluencers were in the spotlight at Parliament! With questions asked about whether complaints have been made to the Monetary Authority of Singapore against them. And if MAS will review the Financial Advisers Act to regulate them. The response from Minister of State Alvin Tan was that only regulated financial advisory firms and their appointed representatives under the Financial Advisers Act can provide financial advice. If a finfluencer wants to give advice, they must be appointed by such a firm. But what constitutes advice? 🤷‍♂️ According to guidelines issued by MAS, any individual who is remunerated for making a recommendation or expressing an opinion on the buying, selling, or holding of investment products will be considered as providing financial advice. Even if they are not remunerated, they will be considered to have provided financial advice if they make such recommendations or expressions regularly. However, posting of general educational content doesn't count as advice. #parliament #finfluencer #influencermarketing #contentcreation #singapore #ccpn

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We make errors too. The recent typo in an article by The Straits Times has been circulating online, receiving substantial criticism from netizens. This reminded me of the days when I made mistakes in my writing (I still do) and was subjected to insults. Comments such as "Mark, can't write for nuts" were thrown at me, among others. It felt like everyone was just waiting for me to fail and eagerly pointing out my flaws at the first opportunity. It was a horrible feeling. It also reminded me of a video where a teacher was writing down multiplications of nine on the board and intentionally made a mistake at the last one. His students quickly seized the chance to judge him for making that one mistake, completely overlooking the fact that he had correctly calculated the rest. We are humans, and we are bound to make errors. It is also perfectly normal to judge and be judged. But let's remember this: we can judge because we are in a position of privilege. If the tables were turned and we were on the receiving end, how would we feel? So, the next time you see someone make a mistake, let them know politely and move on. Judgments and insults don't make the world a better place. Working together does. Image generated by Adobe Firefly.

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