Carolyn Harrington

Recruitment Market Update: Mid-Q2 2024 for APAC and MENA APAC Region: Stability and Growth Market Overview: Post-Q1, stability and growth were evident in Asia. Q2 seems back to cautious ways. Strong hiring in PR and communications for us compared to last year. The digitech sector is gaining momentum, but slowly. Advertising and creative sectors remain flat. Market Sentiment: Businesses are more positive than in 2023 but still cautious. Upcoming elections in Singapore add to the uncertainty. Despite talks of recovery, the Chinese economy shows signs of stuttering. Recruitment Dynamics: Nervous markets mean cautious clients and slower hiring processes. Salaries are being debated and challenged more than usual. Active hiring is happening, but it’s not booming; jobs aren’t pouring in. To secure roles, build trust and leverage multiple tools to find clients with a growth mindset. Key Strategies for Us: Focus on building strong relationships. Produce relevant content and discuss market trends. Be a guide to clients and candidates, ensuring long-term success. Leverage our experience and resilience to navigate these conditions. MENA Region: Positive Yet Challenging Market Sentiment: The MENA market remains very positive, driven by government initiatives. Big projects are being announced across the GCC, particularly in Saudi. Dubai still has an influx of people coming in; anyone driving will tell you that. Abu Dhabi was very good to us in Q1. Much like APAC, for MENA most placements were in PR and communications, with Digitech improving. Advertising and creative sectors remain as last year. Recruitment Dynamics: The market is heavily client-driven. Competition for jobs is fierce, with regional experience winning the day in most cases. Increasing competition as more businesses open daily, driving down prices and squeezing margins for many. The region has a reputation for late payments, impacting cash flow for SMEs, which for us can delay hiring as clients are cautious about when they will get paid. A trend we continue to see is that hiring in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and KSA is mostly for locals, with a limited supply of quality, experienced talent making it very candidate-driven in this area. KSA hiring is in high demand, but processes tend to be very lengthy. Key Strategies We Will Adopt: We launched in KSA and need to hire for that market. We understand and have been adapting our searches to local hiring preferences. We maintain a positive outlook and adapt to familiar challenges; this isn’t our first rodeo, so many of the market moves are those we have seen before. Continue to build strong relationships and stay resilient to navigate the tough aspects of recruiting in the region. Keep hosting events, producing content, and providing market intel. MCG Talent Adam Michael Toctan Sarah Doherty Charlie Bowsher #Recruitment #MarketUpdate #APAC #MENA #HiringTrends #RecruitmentStrategy #GrowthMindset

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“Our calling is one that continues to be very, very clear: How do we make sure nobody's left behind?” shares Anthony Tan, Co-founder & CEO of 500-backed superapp Grab. “Providing 13 million gig jobs is probably the largest job impact and poverty alleviation on a grand scale in 750 cities. That's what I would say makes us all really happy,” he added. Currently, Grab is focused on AI and they are set to launch a new voice assistant designed with visually impaired users in mind. It may seem simple and straightforward, but Anthony’s journey has been far from easy. To founders, he advises, “If you're ever to start again, or you're starting for the first time, be very clear, it has to be your life calling. I really mean it. If you don't, don't do it, because so many fail. It's that hard.” Watch the full interview on CNBC: https://cnb.cx/3Yw7Kyt #500Global #500SoutheastAsia #500Strong #startups #technology #innovation #venturecapital #asia #southeastasia #malaysia #superapp #gigeconomy Photo credit: CNBC

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"Doesn't the GTM team do that?" Was the incredulous response of my friend at Google, when I told him we're helping a young Indian startup founder get early product and market feedback from leaders in her target market in Malaysia. Founders will know the feeling of going to market with a hypothesis. Before you have a mature offering, there’s infinite combinations of countries, product features, value props, price points, ICPs, segments, angles you could prioritise. Startups/SMBs don’t have the luxury of infinite time, money, talent, market intel. Outcomes matter, but, quickness to outcomes also matters. There is a big opportunity cost to every initiative you take up (so no 10 step innovation stage-gate process then) Quickly validating (or junking) your business hypothesis can save money, time, resources and a whole lot of frustration. Evolving the hypothesis to quick wins, is of course the ultimate validation. Unfortunately, this validation is not something that you're going to get from desktop research or a management consulting deck, it needs hard and smart yard on the ground. NOBS Asia is helping clients do just that, let's have a chat if you're looking for quick (and only somewhat dirty) answers to your expansion questions.

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New Echelon PH video recordings are now available! Hear industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs share strategies on scaling startups, innovation, and navigating Southeast Asia’s markets. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/g_aDjNYD. 🚀 Zed’s Silicon Valley-Driven Growth in the Philippines Zed Co-Founders Steve Abraham and Danielle Cojuangco Abraham discussed leveraging Silicon Valley networks, trust in co-founder dynamics, and innovative strategies to navigate the Philippine market 🚀 Angkas: Transforming Urban Mobility in the Philippines Angkas CEO Angeline Tham shared strategies for overcoming regulatory challenges, improving commuter safety, empowering motorcycle riders, and advancing urban mobility with tech-driven and sustainable solutions. 🚀 Web3 Beyond Gaming: Real-World Applications and Innovations Web3 leaders, including Luis Buenaventura, Nichel Gaba, Beryl Li, and Toffer Briones, discussed blockchain, tokenisation, and user-centric innovations addressing real-world challenges like financial inclusion and asset democratisation. Plus, hear from the ecosystem players about the recent Open AI expansion in Singapore and a deep dive at recent startup failures. 🗞️ OpenAI Expands to Singapore: Transforming AI Innovation and Startups OpenAI’s Singapore expansion, featuring insights from leaders like Kevin Quah, Mauro Sauco, and Prantik Mazumdar, promises to boost AI talent, drive innovation, enhance financial inclusion, and create collaboration opportunities for startups. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/giuf7WhU 🗞️ Southeast Asia’s Startup Challenges: Funding Woes, Demand Slumps, and Governance Failures Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem has seen notable failures in recent years due to funding scarcity, reduced demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, and governance issues. Prominent casualties include Zilingo, TaniHub, and HappyFresh, highlighting challenges in resilience and financial management. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gZyQz8fF

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That's a wrap for me for TOKEN2049 here in #Singapore. As I wait for my flight here at Changi Airport, I've got a few minutes to reflect on some observations. Here's my top 10.... 1. #RWA is poised for some big movements, but we've still got some work to do. 2. DePIN is gathering steam thanks to the efforts from the likes of IoTeX, XNET ⓧ, Helium, and more. Although I admit, the #DePIN AI narrative still needs a lot of work on actual use cases. On the wireless side, I would absolutely LOVE for a DAO to actually purchase licensed spectrum and give the carriers a real run for their money. 3. I was happy to see some really cool projects emerge from sideways summer. 4. #Security is finally being taken seriously. Thanks for all the validation of what we and our peers are doing to keep users safe, informed, and educated. 5. Speaking of which, #web3 security companies are appear more open to collaboration.... but I'll reserve judgement until we grow the TAM, and we still need to do better to cover the full lifecycle of the #digitalasset user journey 😉 6. CEX and DEX launches are happening with greater up front attention paid to regulation. 7. #BTC L2 ecosystem is in a bit of a funky state. There doesn't appear to have been much movement since BTC Nashville. 8. Lot's said about #TON.... Personally I'm bullish as this network has something that no other protocols have. 9. Investors are actually doing some real due diligence before jumping in. As someone who use to do tech due diligence for a fortune 50 company, this makes me happy. 10. While we did see the interest rate cut deliver a 5-7% on average boost, we didn't let that get to our heads... there's still a lot more work to be done.

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⏲ Less than 24 hours left to register for SINGAPORE MARKETER'S UNCONFERENCE! You have better things to do than sort through a catalog of talk-track topics that aren't relevant to you. The Singapore Marketers' Unconference is an uncommon model where you can interact, connect, and learn from senior B2B field and partner marketing executives in Singapore. We'll discuss topics like: →Partner Ecosystem: Unlocking Margin Expansion Alongside Revenue— Learn how to build a strong partner ecosystem that drives revenue and margin expansion. →Co-Marketing: Why is it so hard?  Discover the common challenges and obstacles that marketers face when implementing co-marketing initiatives, and get practical tips on how to overcome them. →Aligning Field and Partner Marketing: Navigating the Attention Economy Find out how to effectively align your field and partner marketing teams to drive results in today's attention economy. →Making Leadership Care About Ecosystem-Led Growth Learn how to communicate the value of ecosystem-led growth to your leadership team and get buy-in for your partner marketing initiatives. When: [10th September 2024, 10:00 - 18:00 SGT] Where: [PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore] Who: Marketers, partner marketers, and anyone interested in learning about partner marketing and ecosystem growth Register now: [bit.ly/3PNLFq0] #marketers #partnership #comarketing #b2bmarketing

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Startups within Singapore’s science and innovation industry have seen exponential growth, with many of them being able to thrive. A key driver of this success lies in companies like Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS, which play a pivotal role in nurturing these budding #startups. As an incubator set up by Johnson & Johnson Innovation in collaboration with Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the first-of-its-kind JLABS supports early-stage healthcare startups in bringing their innovative solutions to market. To cultivate the next generation of healthcare innovators in Singapore, JLABS recognises the importance of working within a research, development and technology hub. Located at Ascent within the Singapore Science Park, JLABS is in close proximity to prominent institutions and companies in the life science community, including National University Hospital, A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed), and biotech firm Hummingbird Bioscience. This proximity provides numerous opportunities for ecosystem-building for its portfolio companies. To find out more about how JLABS is transforming the healthcare startup ecosystem, visit: https://bit.ly/3xH8hmv 📷: JLABS, CapitaLand #CapitaLand #SingaporeSciencePark #biotech #startups #healthcare

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Are humans critical for the success of AI? 🔎 Find out what Krešo Žmak, our VP of Products, has to say about keeping humans in the loop of #GenAI development. Discover more about why AI needs humans 👉 https://lnkd.in/gjJVkyic #OneCommunicationsPlatform #AI #GenerativeAI #ConversationalAI

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My sabbatical has ended! I’m back as Head of Content of Playfix.io. We have exciting stories to share about the complete AI platform we’re building for web3 and DeFi. Thanks again to my Chief Bro, Playfix CEO and Co-Founder Tobias Abdon 😃 This was the poster that Philippine Web3 Festival made in 2022, which was my most recent visit to the Philippines. The future isn’t human vs AI. It’s human + AI. Instead of being afraid of AI, collaborate with it. It’s a powerful tool to help us make our dreams come true, improve our productivity, and free our creativity. Let’s work together to build a better world powered by AI and decentralisation. #web3 #AI #DeFi #decentralisation

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Why Are Singapore SMEs Turning to Shopify for Their E-commerce Needs? Singapore SMEs can get up to a 50% subsidy on Shopify plans and e-commerce development through the PSG grant. Here’s why so many are making the switch: -Easy setup and management. -100+ Mobile first themes to match your brand. -Mobile Responsive: Looks great on any device. -Scalable: Grows with your business. -Supports all modern payment gateways like Grabpay, Hitpay, Atome, and Stripe. paypal . - Effortless Cross Border Selling P.S.: Ready to take your business to the next level? Comment below or learn how we can help you leverage the PSG grant and build a robust online store with Shopify! We are also an IMDA Pre-Approved Shopify Solutions Provider. #singapore #startupsg #imda #Shopify #Ecommerce #BusinessGrowth #SMEs

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In the ninth edition of the Southeast Asia e-Conomy report with Temasek and Bain & Company, we see how key players in the region’s digital economy are increasingly focused on profitability and moving towards more sustainable growth. At over 100 pages long, the #eConomySEA report is a dense read. If you too enjoy consuming podcasts, listen to the discussion of the report produced by Illuminate linked below. Illuminate is a Google AI tool that turns content into an audio conversation in seconds — and while it’s very much experimental, I think you’ll agree it does a pretty good job, including conveying great excitement around key trends driving growth such as video commerce and the region’s rise as a global mobile gaming powerhouse. It also gives you a quick snapshot of the key differences across the six markets covered in the report. If you're still keen to read the full report, you'll find it here: https://lnkd.in/ghiBFZg

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Yesterday, I had the pleasure of seeing teams from 26 startups in action at the inaugural Google for Startups AI:First Accelerator. This 10 week hands-on program is supported by Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), Enterprise Singapore and the Ministry of Communications and Information to accelerate #Singapore-based, AI-focused startups. One of these is Atlas. They use gen #AI to help restaurants across Southeast Asia personalise their operations — whether it’s generating media-rich newsletters or tailoring recommendations based on diners’ taste preferences. I was able to join a session hosted by their mentor Faizan Siddiqi, where founders Ernest Sim, Shawn Liam, Surendhar Reddy and Yi Sung (Sung) Yong explained how AI can also bring deeper business insights for restaurants through a better understanding of profit and losses or the consolidation of operations through data. Startups like Atlas Kitchen are only at the beginning of their AI journeys, and it will be fascinating to see how they use this technology to tackle bigger challenges more quickly. And there’s much more to come in terms of exciting tools they’ll be able to innovate with at I/O — our annual developer conference — next week. #GoogleIO

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Did you know Singapore’s tax incentives make it an attractive hub for startups? Key benefits include: 1. Startup Tax Exemption (SUTE) – New companies can get up to 75% tax exemption on the first $100,000 of normal chargeable income for the first 3 years. 2. Partial Tax Exemption (PTE) – Provides tax relief for income above $100,000. 3. Angel Investors Tax Deduction Scheme (AITD) – Tax deductions for approved angel investments. These benefits help startups reduce their tax burden and reinvest in growth. #SingaporeTaxBenefits #StartupTax #BusinessIncentives #TaxExemption #SingaporeStartups #TaxRelief #Bluebox Is your startup taking advantage of Singapore’s tax benefits? What’s your strategy for maximizing them?

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Southeast Asia’s funding winter is not necessarily bad news, says Hian Goh, founder of Openspace Ventures in an interview with MONEY FM 89.3 presenter Tian Tian C.. “I think it’s a healthy sort of change in the temperature. I certainly found it very difficult to invest in 2021 because I couldn’t get into great companies at great prices, but needless to say, it’s a different story today.” What are the most promising startups? Share your thoughts in the comments. #IOTD #startups #funding

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It's that time of year again when we take a fun look back at what captured Singapore's attention in Google Search. Our annual #YearinSearch list is out, and can you make a guess what trended here? If you’re curious to find out what else was trending… check out the explorable artwork created in collaboration with local artist Elle Hoon below (you can also find the answers in the next few slides!) As a sports fan, I could relate to why major sporting events like the UEFA European Championship, Copa América, and the Olympics dominated top searches… it's nice to know I'm not alone! And let's not forget the incredible Max Maeder, Singapore’s youngest Olympic medalist, who soared to the top as the #1 Trending Local Personality.. But it wasn't all sports - pop culture also had its moments. From the Labubu craze to Taylor Swift's magic and the intriguing Thai film "How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies," Singaporeans were clearly hooked. It's fascinating to think that 15% of Google Searches every day are brand new. With billions of us turning to Google to quench our curiosity, it's a reminder of just how diverse and ever-evolving our interests are. Alternatively, you can head to the full Year in Search 2024 list: https://lnkd.in/gCim_ttJ

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Singapore is a unique market—small but highly developed, and a true melting pot of cultures. With an efficient government and extensive support for startups, the Lion City is a fantastic launchpad for brands. But let's face it, moving beyond Singapore’s borders requires a whole new set of strategies and a lot of adaptability. At DSG Consumer Partners, our SEA team frequently hear from founders and fellow investors: "How can I build a consumer brand from Singapore that makes a meaningful outcome?" or "What do I need to do to ensure my consumer portfolio succeeds overseas?" These are crucial questions. Recognizing the needs, we've created a platform to dive deep into the strategies and challenges of expanding consumer brands internationally, starting right here in Singapore. Excited to invite you to our quarterly Investors x Founders meetup with the theme "Building Successful Consumer Businesses from Singapore and Beyond," in partnership with Heroes of DTC and The Mandala Group, taking place at Mandala Club on August 2nd from 4-7 pm! Join us for an evening of insightful discussions and networking with an incredible lineup of panelists: Adrien Desbaillets (CEO of SaladStop Group!), Dione Song (CEO of Love, Bonito), Peck Ying Tan (Co-Founder of Blood), Grace Chua (CEO of NTUC FairPrice - Own Brands and Food Solutions Business), Sarvesh Nevatia (Executive Director at Venturi Partners), and Roshini Bakshi (Managing Director at Everstone Group). Our esteemed panelists will share their real-world experiences and strategies that have propelled their brands to success beyond Singapore’s borders. This is your chance to gain invaluable insights from industry leaders, connect with fellow founders, and engage in thought-provoking discussions about building and scaling consumer businesses. 🔗 Please RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gjhFHHxe by July 31. Confirmation emails will be sent 48 hours prior to the event. Note: Our event is nearly oversubscribed, so registering may not guarantee an entrance ticket. Act fast to secure your spot! Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn, network, and grow. We can’t wait to see you there! Deepak Shahdadpuri Sameer Mehta Leong Hein Hun Anushka Bharvani Anthony Adiputra #DSGConsumerPartners #ConsumerBrands #buildinginsurgentbrands #SEA #consumer #Singapore #GlobalExpansion #Entrepreneurship #Investment #Networking

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Unlock the Power of Data-Driven Marketing in Singapore! In a market as dynamic and advance as Singapore’s, traditional marketing tactics are no longer sufficient. To stay ahead, businesses must leverage a data-driven approach to their digital marketing strategies. We have published a comprehensive guide outlines how to create a robust data-driven strategy that not only boosts engagement but also maximizes ROI for your brand and business. What’s Inside This Guide: Understanding Data-Driven Marketing: Learn why integrating data is crucial for today’s marketing landscape. Key Benefits: Discover how data enhances targeting, personalization, and efficiency, leading to improved ROI. Essential Components: From data collection and integration to strategy development, get detailed insights on each aspect. Top Tools and Platforms: Explore the best tools for analytics and automation that can drive your marketing efforts. Real-World Success: See how leading Singaporean brands like Shopee and Naiise have successfully implemented data-driven strategies. By utilizing these insights, you can transform your marketing efforts and achieve remarkable results. Ready to revolutionize your approach? Dive into our full guide and see how data can propel your marketing strategy forward. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/euf5cBtE Let’s connect and discuss how we can help you implement a data-driven strategy that drives real results for your business! Comment "Guide" if you want to receive the pdf copies. #DataDrivenMarketing #DigitalMarketing #MarketingStrategy #SingaporeBusiness #BusinessGrowth #ROI #Analytics #MarketingInnovation #AI

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