Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

Assessments pertaining to an individual's industry knowledge, personality traits and interpersonal skills have become the primary means of determining candidate viability in the job interview process.  But in some quarters, gamification is being added to the mix to give employers a flavour of what it might actually be like to work with these candidates outside of stellar paper credentials and prepared answers. Emaad and Audrey share some examples on this edition of Breakfast Bites.    Presented by Emaad Akhtar & Audrey Siek Produced by Emaad Akhtar Edited by Trisha Yeong Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to build a company around a technology most people can’t yet see or touch? After all, quantum technology isn’t science fiction anymore, it’s becoming a business. The Breakfast Show invites Dr Goh Koon Tong, Co-Founder and Chief Technologist of Squareroot8 Technologies to explore the use and commercializing cases of quantum technology, what the business model for a quantum startup looks like, and how companies in Singapore and beyond can start preparing for a quantum-ready future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a surprise earnings miss and a 7 percent share-price tumble, the world’s largest beauty company is re-writing its playbook. From China’s cautious consumer recovery to a €4 billion luxury deal with Kering that gives it Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga in its fragrance stable, Dan Koh and Audrey Siek unpack how L’Oréal is navigating slower growth, rising competition, and the next big beauty cycle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A record 55 organisations have earned a spot on this year’s Great Place To Work® Singapore Best Workplaces™ list — recognised for building high-trust, people-first cultures. But the latest Insights Report 2025 also highlights a challenge for the wider workforce: only one in five employees in typical workplaces say they trust their leaders. Evelyn Kwek, Managing Director of Great Place To Work ASEAN & ANZ, joins the Breakfast Show to unpack the report’s findings and discuss what the best workplaces in Singapore are doing differently to build trust, psychological safety, and performance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 40 days of gridlock, the U.S. Senate has advanced a funding bill that could finally reopen the government, and Wall Street is cheering. The Nasdaq 100 jumped 2 percent while Treasury yields edged higher, signaling relief after a selloff. Meanwhile, Warren Buffett’s farewell letter struck a tone of patience, with Berkshire Hathaway sitting on more than US $300 billion in cash. Dan Koh speaks with Fabien Yip, Market Analyst at IG, about what the possible end of the shutdown means for markets, how investors are reacting to it, and what lessons Buffett’s caution may hold for the months ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philanthropy in Asia is entering a new chapter — one where business, culture, and purpose converge to create lasting impact. As the Business and Philanthropy Forum 2025 returns to Singapore, this year’s edition introduces the “Celebrities for Good” theme and a new partnership with Weibo, marking a shift toward cross-sector and cross-cultural collaboration. John Zheng, Founder and CEO of Alliance for Good, joins us to discuss how the forum is reframing the role of wealth in addressing shared challenges, the growing influence of cultural figures in driving social change, and what the future of impact investing in Asia might look likeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global growth is up, confidence is down, and Singapore’s economy is quietly outperforming. Dan Koh and S&P Global Market Intelligence’s Pan Jingyi break down what the latest PMI data mean for investors, sectors to watch, and the macro risks shaping the rest of 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can empowering the marginalised become ASEAN’s next growth engine? The Breakfast Show speaks with Izlyn Ramli, CEO of Maybank Foundation, on how the R.I.S.E. programme is turning disability and disadvantage into entrepreneurship and economic independence across the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re diving into wardrobes and productivity; yes, your clothes might actually make you work better! From pyjamas on Zoom calls to “work-mode” outfits, we explore the science of enclothed cognition and how dressing (even at home) can help you switch on, set boundaries, and boost confidence. Tune in for tips on how your outfit could be your secret productivity hack!   Presented by Audrey Siek and Emaad Akhtar Produced by Audrey Siek Edited by Trisha Yeong Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s banking heavyweights, DBS, OCBC, and UOB, have released a mixed set of Q3 results. With margins narrowing, loan growth softening, and provisions rising, what do their earnings tell us about the health of Singapore’s economy and the road ahead for investors? Dan Koh and Emaad Akhtar break down who’s holding up best, who’s under pressure, and what it all says about the next phase of the rate cycle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.