Kelvin Tan

Other than the introduction of shared parental leave, the Government should consider to introduce more mandatory forms of family friendly policies like what was shared by the author on compassionate leave. With the greying population, there should also be a minimum compulsory time off or leave (like family care leave given by some organisations) meant for caregiver to bring loved ones for required hospital checks during working hours. To combat abuse, the doctor should also be required to endorse the attendance of both the caregiver and the loved one. #Singapore #NPTD #Familyfriendlypolicies #leave #compassionateleave #familycareleave #greyingpopulation

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An enjoyable combo of sustainability and volunteer activity “over 3.5 billion pairs of jeans are produced worldwide every year against a world population of almost 8 billion” - 🤔 Kids are very smart 💡 - I learnt a lot from a 9-year old Fong Fong, especially about having a positive mindset and a healthy diet. I bought her an iced chocolate which was a bit bitter. She said that’s great so that she would not have tooth decay from drinking chocolate. She asked me what’s my favourite food and advised me to eat more eggs as protein is good for me versus the Doritos I like. She lent me her favourite Doraemon pencil. 😬 Play like a kid - My biggest achievement of the day was to bring home my DIY utensil wrap. When was the last time we used a pair of scissors ✂️ , cloths, nails and paper? And more importantly, allowing ourselves to be creative, explore and improvise (let our guard down) Experiment and QC - Here is my masterpiece. Looks great! Except that I got the measurements wrong 🙃. Need a smart spoon to fit in. #hangseng #wpb #sustainability #learnandgrow #neverstopexploring

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☕️(CX)presso: A Shot of Customer Experience Insights In my third (CX)presso post I’m pleased to share the insights of Maggie Ng, Wealth and Personal Banking Head for HSBC Hong Kong. Maggie leads the charge in fostering a customer-first culture, and the results are impressive: HSBC has ranked #1 for Net Promoter Score (NPS) in the market for the past three years, consistently widening the gap with competitors. Read on to learn what Maggie believes is critical to their success. 👉 Strategy: How much focus is there on CX in your organization, and to what level? ❝Our commitment to Customer Experience (CX) is paramount. One of our strategic goals in WPB is to become the #1 Consumer Brand in HK for Customer Advocacy. We view Customer Advocacy as a foundational pillar of our business strategy. To achieve this, we embed CX metrics in every employee's scorecard, ensuring that we prioritize our customers in every decision we make.❞ 👉 Lessons: What CX insights have shaped your success? ❝HK’s award winning and well-structured CX Model has been a game changer in WPB.  It ensures we listen and take customer-centric actions with measurable outcomes. As a result, we are proud to have achieved a record-high sNPS consolidating our #1 rank in HK.  We have also championed the sNPS rank across our segments with both Affluent and Millennials sNPS turning positive for the first time. Customer journeys matter most—customers have zero tolerance for broken processes, such as lengthy and tedious steps to complete a simple transaction. They also expect a seamless experience across different banking products and services, rather than encountering them in silos. What we strive to offer is an end-to-end, hassle-free journey that is swift and easy. It’s crucial for us to genuinely listen to customer feedback, drawing from over 250 NPS survey responses and insights from complaints. We are committed to continuously elevating our CX across digital and personal channels, as well as our products. Ultimately, this collaborative effort across the business enhances our overall customer journeys. Accelerating Digitization and Innovation – Digitalization isn't just for Millennials; it spans the entire spectrum from mass markets to affluent and elite customers. As we develop new journeys from design to launch, we prioritize the needs of our most demanding clients. This focus allows us to create sleek, user-friendly experiences for everyone.❞   👉 Future: What role do you see CX playing in the future of your business? ❝CX remains essential for our business in HK as we strive to maintain our competitive edge. We can’t afford to be complacent. CX and a customer-centric approach are key differentiators for us. By actively engaging with customer feedback, we can make informed decisions that align with their needs, fostering trust and loyalty while staying ahead of the competition. Listening to our customers transforms insights into impactful actions, ultimately driving our success.❞#HSBC

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A great summary Adeline Kim and thank you to you, Tancy Tan and the MindForward Alliance for hosting an excellent opportunity to learn and share with ENRICO 'IRONMAN EV' VARELLA , Weng Hong Yong and Emily Ortega. Yesterdays session got me thinking about The “Manufactured Manager Paradox”: Prescribed Behaviors vs. Authentic Leadership The term “manufactured manager” conjures up an image of a leader who operates within a strict framework of prescribed behaviors, often dictated by organizational norms and societal expectations. A veteran leadership coach described it as the “Korporate Kowtow”. While I don’t agree with the vernacular, it captures the vigorous debate about the authenticity of leaders who conform to these molds at the expense of their genuine selves. A manufactured manager is typically seen as someone who has been shaped extensively by corporate training programs, leadership manuals, and a pervasive corporate culture that promotes a one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. Harvard Business Review suggests that these programs, while useful, tend to produce leaders who are adept at following protocols but may lack the spontaneity or personal touch that true leadership demands. It's crucial for organizations to recognize the value of authenticity in their leaders. Authentic leadership is associated with higher levels of trust, engagement, and loyalty among employees. This doesn’t mean throwing out all leadership training but rather tailoring it to enhance the natural styles of leaders rather than reshaping them entirely. Empathy, Vulnerability, psychological safety and authenticity go together. The paradox dictates however that these cannot be manufactured.

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Banking products are a dime a dozen in Singapore. But there is a segment of consumers that experience more gaps than they need to when it comes to financial solutions. When we spoke to them, a common sentiment that they had was skepticism with banks in general. Why would banks help them at the expense of making money? To get there, we first need to fully understand these ground truths, insights that tell us where our customers are coming from, including the emotions that drive their motivations. Yesterday, we launched the GXS Progress Quotient, a survey that deep dives into the emotions that consumers have when making money decisions. It’s a first step but an important one to make sure we are able to design banking products that make sense for consumers. Thank you Stephanie Ong, Pei Ting Lian, Sujun Huang, Kevin Kwan, Ju Han L., Natasha Rahmat, Sherelynn Lin, Maybelline Tan, Winston Ng, Mindy Tan If you’re interested to find out more, insights from the survey can be found here: www.gxs.com.sg/gxspq2024. #GXSBank #BankingMadeBetter https://lnkd.in/gfaGe96h

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"Embracing change: My journey from Corporate VC for industrial company to Portfolio Management in Financial Services 🌟 Breaking out of my comfort zone has been both challenging and enlightening. Recently, I had a fascinating conversation with portfolio optimization experts about the Bank of Thailand's loan relief measure - and the insights were eye-opening. Key takeaways that caught my attention: • While the measure supports vulnerable borrowers, it raises intriguing questions about broader economic implications whether it actually rewards a group of people that shouldn’t be rewarded • Potential impact on financial institument P&L: Reduced provisions and decreased non-performing loans in short term Stepping into a new industry has taught me that every challenge is an opportunity for growth. What are your thoughts on innovative financial policies? 💭 #CareerTransition #FinancialSector #EconomicInsights"

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How can something so simple be so good? Culinary delights can be very complicated or very simple. While the former delivers a complex mix of sensations, the latter shines because of its simplicity. The humble nasi lemak (coconut milk rice) delivers satisfaction in an uncomplicated fashion - the classical banana-leaf-wrapped small bundles rather than the plate of items picked from a lavish spread. The charm of simplicity is that just a few authentic and affordable ingredients have to work together in harmony. There is little place to hide, nor does it try to be anything else. The nasi lemak can be instructive in our daily lives. Its authenticity reminds us not to try to be something we are not. Its balance points out that we should have components in life that blend and complement each other nicely. 🥥 Isn’t it ironic that I am trying a bit too hard to make a simple pack of nasi lemak sound profound? I have tendency for that 😅 Trying too hard to attach a life lesson to it 🤣 A simple, affordable and delicious pack of nasi lemak can never be wrong. Sometimes, let the “nasi lemak” be.

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**Lessons from "Culinary Class War": Insights for Entrepreneurs** Have you watched the captivating drama of *Culinary Class War* on Netflix? Cooking shows have a unique allure, immersing us in a world of flavors, competition, and creativity. Beyond the tantalizing dishes, there are valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and businesses. In both the culinary arena and the business world, one truth stands out: life is seldom fair. Navigating class distinctions and stringent requirements is a reality we must confront. While we can strive to outmaneuver obstacles, they remain constants in our journeys. A pivotal challenge in the show revolves around a restaurant setup, with success determined by sales figures. This highlights the importance of a robust business model supported by data-driven insights. Success isn’t just about skill; it’s about strategic decision-making informed by analytics and market trends. Central to triumph is cultivating the right mindset. The chefs exemplify unwavering dedication, often working grueling hours. The path to success requires resilience, perseverance, and a steadfast resolve to overcome challenges. Innovation is another cornerstone of success. Contestants face challenges that push them to create unique dishes from a limited set of ingredients, showcasing creativity and resourcefulness. Are you ready to turn limitations into opportunities? Finally, a genuine passion for your craft is essential. The chefs who thrive are driven by a deep love for their art, not just the pursuit of victory. Without this passion, the daily grind can quickly become a chore. As we enjoy the drama of *Culinary Class War*, let’s also embrace the insights it offers. Face challenges head-on, strengthen your resolve, foster innovation, and nurture your passion. In the kitchen of life, these principles are the essential ingredients for a recipe of success and fulfillment. #CulinaryClassWar #Entrepreneurship #BusinessInsights #Innovation #Passion #Resilience

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Exciting times! We have a CFO role for a listed real estate company and you will play a strategic and instrumental role in driving their finance, capital management - treasury and tax and investor relations function! https://lnkd.in/eF-9BARN #singaporejobs #realestateinvestments #realestatecareer #realestatejobs #realestaterecruitment #alternativeinvestments #alternatives #alternativeassets #alternative #recruitment #realestate #finance #realestatefinance #cfo #capitalmanagement #treasury #financialmanagement

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EMPOWERING ASEAN As the world faces increasingly concerted, localised challenges independent of geo-political developments, I strongly believe that ASEAN needs to increase its focus on enriching trading activities between member countries, and work to conspicuously increase the value of intra-ASEAN trade. Intra-Asean trade today stands at only 20% of the total trade (by value) of all member countries. The real potential of ASEAN, of course, lies in its population of more than 670 million people, with an economic size of more than USD3 trillion. The fact is, the basic infrastructure required to increase intra-Asean trade already exists: mechanisms such as the CEPT, AFTA and AEC frameworks are up and running, and are fully capable of providing for a unified market and facilitate the required increase in intra-ASEAN trade. What must to be done to realise this potential is to collectively strengthen the infrastructure towards intra-ASEAN trade. This means drawing up long-term plans for ASEAN’s economic development that must, crucially, include parallel industrial development. This is to ensure that ASEAN builds the capacity needed to meet the needs of its population and economy as a whole. Of course, as a trading region ASEAN will always need external trading partners; the ultimate goal here is to reduce ASEAN's external trade composition to more sustainable, balanced levels, and achieve self-sufficiency where it needs to be. Its existing network of roads, ports and railways - while extensive - can still be improved, especially in terms of connectivity between ASEAN's main industrial and cosmopolitan centers, serving as catalyst for more holistic economic development. If this can be achieved then ASEAN’s reliance on external currencies and its related volatilities can be managed more realistically, with the possibility of a currency union in the horizon. The potential benefits of an ASEAN currency union – or at least a basket of regional currencies to start – as a means to facilitate intra-ASEAN trade is clear, particularly in terms of macroeconomic structure and market development, as well as the overall well-being of the ASEAN populace.

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The voices are coming definitive about the need of a supportive Singapore stock exchange for startups. One of Singapore's legendary investors Boon Hwee Koh, who also happens to be the chairman of SGX, chimes in. In his letter to SGX shareholders, he explained that "Should [SGX} fail to enable venture capital and private equity to exit their investments and recycle the capital deployed, the supply of such capital will eventually dry up and threaten the start-up ecosystem that Singapore has built and nurtured over the past decades." In the past 20 years, startups operated independently of the SGX, where trade sales and US IPOs were the norm for exits. But it is timely for an alignment together with the SGX, in order for the Singapore startup ecosystem to evolve and survive. #venturecapital #sgx #startupsg https://lnkd.in/gAqZ9st9

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I recently had the opportunity to speak at the World Economic Forum event in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam at the launch the C4IR (Centre for the 4th Industrial Revolution). This event is a catalyst to accelerate Vietnam's transformation as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Transformation has become an essential part of progress to accelerate changes, increase adoption of new technologies and create new ways of collaborating to achieve joint success. Sharing my experience of driving large scale transformation, we discussed: (1) The objective function is rightfully changing from pure economic growth to a more sustainable, green low carbon intensity growth for companies and economies and role Financial Institutions can play there. (2) The evolution of the transformation enablers from last decade's digital transformation to a data & AI led approach and its implications on the design and execution of large scale transformations. (3) The talent gap to meet the increasing demand of new and rapidly evolving skills in problem solving, data & AI literacy, new technologies that underpin next wave of industrial growth and the ability to connect the dots in new ways across traditional industrial sectors and knowledge domains. It was a privilege to share my experience and also the role we at Techcombank (TCB) can play to support and accelerate this agenda of rapid green growth in the development of Vietnam's economy in the coming years. Exciting times ahead!!

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I spoke to Singapore’s leading trade association and startup ecosystem ACE.SG (Action Community for Entrepreneurship) on what makes an exceptional Founder. The fund-raising market is extremely tough, and more than just credentials, this is what makes a bankable and investible Founder: Humility: Staying humble to recognise that while hard skills and industry experience are highly valuable, Founders don’t necessarily have all the answers, making one constantly curious and open to continuous improvement. Resilience: To assess resilience, we delve into a founder’s track record in handling past failures or setbacks. In interviews, we inquire about specific instances where the founder faced adversity and the strategies employed to overcome it. Foresight: Good foresight allows a founder to see opportunities where others may see obstacles. Leadership: Effective communication is key, as it allows us to evaluate how Founders articulate their vision, strategies, and obstacles, revealing transparency and clarity in their communication. Adaptability: We assess a founder's adaptability through scenario-based discussions and case studies, presenting potential situations that the startups can face and assess how a Founder reacts to it. Across my investing career, I had my fair share of mistakes. I believe picking Founders is very much an art rather than a science whereby a VC investor experience is even more crucial than technical skill. This experience comes only through surviving the ups and downs over decades. In addition, I believe we are in the business of picking great founders and have the responsibilities to work with these leaders to maximise a startup’s success. Thanks ACE.SG (Action Community for Entrepreneurship) for this interview and Robin M and Jaewoon Yoon for the work put into this! #Whatmakesanexceptionalfounder #Startups #Founders #Fundraise @ACE.SG (Action Community for Entrepreneurship) Patrick Lim @Velocity Ventures A. Patrick Imbardelli Nicholas Cocks Jonathon Cocks https://lnkd.in/g77RNF4Y

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Singapore government commits $500 million in matching concessional funding to support decarbonization in Asia, with the funding via Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P) launched by Monetary Authority of Singapore in 2023. Read - https://lnkd.in/gUkwyMSG follow Caproasia | Driving the future of Asia Singapore government has committed $500 million in matching concessional funding to support decarbonization in Asia, with the funding via Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P) launched by Monetary Authority of Singapore in 2023.  Singapore MAS (12/11/24): “At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, announced that the Singapore Government has committed up to US$500 million in concessional funding to support the Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P) launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) last year.  FAST-P is a blended finance initiative which brings together international public, private and philanthropic partners to support Asia’s decarbonisation and climate resilience. The Singapore Government will pledge up to US$500 million as concessional capital, to match dollar-for-dollar, concessional capital from other partners, including other governments, multilateral development finance institutions and philanthropies. This combined pool of concessional capital will be used to crowd in commercial capital and other sources of finance to support Asia’s green transition, and raise up to US$5 billion to support Asia’s green and transition financing needs. FAST-P was announced by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean at COP28 in December 2023. Since its launch, FAST-P has expanded its network of partners, to prepare for capital raising and deployment in 2025. Allied Climate Partners (ACP), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Temasek are FAST-P’s initial partners. AIA Group Limited (AIA), British International Investment (BII), European Commission and Team Europe partners Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) and the German Development Finance Institution (DEG), HSBC, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) are in discussions for a potential collaboration with FAST-P.  FAST-P has also established a new Industrial Transformation infrastructure debt programme, in addition to the Energy Transition Acceleration Finance partnership and Green Investments partnership that were announced at COP28, and engaged managers to implement these three pillars ... ...

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Looking for new Non-Executive Directors 🤔? Often, I am asked to recommend directors for boards. One solution to think about is to use Singapore Institute of Directors’ Board Appointment Service! SID can help with two areas: ✅ Board Listing Service - A listing service for organisations to advertise board positions to SID members. The fee for this service is nominal especially for non-profits that are not corporate members of SID (currently S$109 for non-profits and start ups)! ✅ Board Match Service - Where SID will help to advertise and shortlist potential candidates who are SID members! SID has well over 4,000 directors, including 1,000 accredited directors already! Read more here about the new accreditation framework => https://lnkd.in/gm9KfMJ9 💡And over 25% of SID’s members are women and growing, thanks to the support of forward-looking partners on initiatives to increase the number of board-ready women in Singapore such as Singapore Computer Society, and through supporting our members with our newly formed SID Women Directors’ Chapter. More can be found below. #corpgov #boards #boarddiversity #singapore #womendirectors Terence Quek Lee Edwin Huey Tyng Ooi (IDP-C) #diversity #womenonboards #nominatingcommittees #nomcom #corporategovernance https://lnkd.in/gEu-kfvr.

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Many companies have been interested to diversify their supply chain options and/or built operations in Southeast Asia for better market reach. I am happy to share information from our Partner in Malaysia Chanchal Lahiri that certainly is able to support these companies. #AIMSInternational #ExecutiveSearch #FinancialServices #Malaysia

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Accelerating the Transition to a Net-Zero Future, Bringing Impact to Communities & Conducting Our Business Responsibly! Looking forward to this fireside chat with Mike Ng, Group Chief Sustainability Officer and Jeong Yoon Mee, Managing Director, Global Wholesale Banking Sustainability Office!

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Empowering Financial Stability Through the Assurance Package 💰 In light of rising living costs, Singapore has taken a proactive step to support its citizens. The government’s Assurance Package is set to provide financial relief to over 2.4 million Singaporeans this September. This initiative a response to economic pressures, but it's also a testament to the importance of financial stability for all. This is an example of how financial policies can directly uplift entire communities. It aligns with the ethical principles we champion here at Maybank—equity, inclusion, and the responsible management of resources. 🌍 https://lnkd.in/g-VF9-Vx #FinancialInclusion #Resilience #Economy

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Pleasure to be with Esther An (City Developments Limited), Emelia Tan (SGX Group) , Esther Chang, CFRE (UN Global Compact Network Singapore) and Moderator - Lionel Wong (Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)) at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2024. Our panel discussion focused on building the foundational framework for a national sustainability utility: Greenprint. During the session, I shared UOB's strategic insights and key takeaways from our journey in advancing sustainable finance across ASEAN. 1️⃣ The Competitive Advantage of Nations – ASEAN countries are leveraging their unique strengths to drive sustainability growth. At UOB, we’ve developed seven sector-specific sustainable financing frameworks, recognising that each sector’s decarbonization journey demands tailored technologies, certifications, and financing solutions. 2️⃣ Bridging Knowledge and Practice – While 70% of SMEs understand the importance of sustainability, only 40% have put sustainable practices into action. The main barriers? Limited funds, time, and manpower. This gap between awareness and tangible implementation is a critical challenge. 3️⃣ Empowering SMEs through UOB SAGE – To bridge this gap, we introduced the UOB Sustainability Compass, a diagnostic tool for sustainability readiness, and the U-Series, a suite of green financing solutions for solar energy, EV/charging infrastructure, and energy efficiency projects. Most notably, UOB SAGE, our award-winning sustainability-linked financing solution, simplifies the adoption of sustainable practices by providing preset performance targets. SMEs meeting these targets benefit from preferential UOB interest rates and can tap into Enterprise Singapore grants to enhance their capabilities. 4️⃣ Scaling Singapore’s Greenprint – gprnt begins as a national sustainability utility platform, supported by a strong network of partners. Its potential extends far beyond Singapore’s borders. Just as our 🇸🇬 enterprises—large and small—have embraced global expansion, Greenprint too can scale and serve as a blueprint for sustainability efforts worldwide. Sok Hui Eng | Samuel Tan (Video credits to Jeffery Lim) #UOB #UOBatSFF #RightByYou #SFF2024 #SustainableFuturewithUOB #OneBankforASEAN #gprnt #Greenprint #Sustainability #ESG #GreenFinance #ASEAN #SustainableDevelopment #SMEs #ClimateAction #Singapore #Fintech #FutureOfFinance

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