The Forward Podcast with SmartOSC

After 10 years of rocket growth within the eCommerce space, businesses are asking how they can become more profitable. Effective data is a start. But as more and more technologies and tools emerge that promise businesses the world, it is more important than ever to ensure that you are using quality rather than quantity.  Today we’re exploring Using Data & Insights for Profit: What's Now and Next for Southeast Asia with the brilliant Simon Torring the Co-founder of Cube Asia, a market intelligence company focused on Southeast Asia’s digital economy. Before founding Cube Asia, Simon spent the last 10 years in Southeast Asia’s retail and eCommerce space. His experience includes stints with beauty eCommerce startup Luxola.com and world-leading beauty retailer Sephora, where he led Omnichannel development for APAC ex-China. Today, Cube Asia helps consumer brands, retailers, and investors understand the online selling environment better through more reliable, granular, and timely market data and insights. In this episode, we cover: What makes a great leader? Honest insights you need to hear Lessons on market feedback and decision-making Hallucinogenic data and the quest for validation Emerging trends in Southeast Asian social commerce Key drivers of eCommerce growth and profitability The need for speed in business decision-making Driving innovation in e-commerce strategies Overcoming bottlenecks and building great teams And so much more!

What does it take to truly transform yourself and your organization from the inside out? Being completely honest with yourself is a start. And who better to share their honest stories of progression than our next guest? Andy Chang has spent the last two decades working with global organizations to transform and construct their customer interactions and in turn, has worked to tirelessly transform himself and his mindset.  As a technologist and computer science alumni, Andy's journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of innovation and a deep-seated belief in the power of technology to shape human experiences. Now as the Head of Marketing Technology, Engagement Solutions at Electrolux Group, Andy joins us today to share the winding path of his career journey, and the evolving landscape of MarTech, and to discuss both the exciting opportunities and the realities that lie ahead.   In this episode, we cover: Seizing Opportunities and Navigating Career Paths The Expectations VS Reality of Computer Science & Software Engineering Enhancing Consumer Experience with Personalization The Cost of Transforming into a Data-driven Organization The Untold Stories about Modern Marketing Dynamics between marketing and technology teams The Calling for Marketing Technologists and Industry Maturity in MarTech Importance of Transparency in Consumer Experiences Adapting to future trends and technological disruptions Leadership of the Future Advice to Future Self  

Mint Kaewmanorom lives a life filled with curiosity, consistently looking at the bigger picture she moves forward by wondering how she can tackle problems with new solutions. So it comes as no surprise that she finds herself in one of the most interesting areas for the future, the Internet of Things.  As Asia embraces digitalization, IoT stands poised to transform industries, offering a glimpse into a future marked by enhanced efficiency and connectivity.  In this episode, we’ll hear about the work that True Digital is doing with leveraging IoT technology in Thailand and how they plan to solve some of the pain points that people and businesses face. Moving beyond the idea that IoT is gadgets and gizmos – Mint, the Head of Marketing and IoT Solutions at True Digital shines a light on how they are working with entire industries, from manufacturing to healthcare, city management, and entertainment. Described as being “limited only by the human imagination”, the rise of IoT technology presents unprecedented opportunities for innovation and connectivity - at the center of bringing these to life in Thailand, is True Digital.

How many of us really speak directly to our customers and when was the last time we went on their customer journey? In this episode of Commerce Talk we are talking all about filtered-down insights, the need for psychological safety in innovation, and why it’s important to just be quiet in meetings every once in a while! With agility in its DNA, across 60 years of business, GQ Thailand has been evolving and shedding its roots from being known as an apparel brand to a problem-solving tech brand that is there to help change your life by simply listening. With a focus on insights-led product development, GQ's viral product launches have been successful because they resonate with consumers and address the real problems they face. From white shirts that get easily stained, to boxers that are really warm and uncomfortable, GQ Thailand takes pain-points and removes them for their customers. From the GQWhite Shirt - the Ultimate White Shirt & GQWhite Masks - The #1 selling reusable face mask in the region, GQ Perfect Polo, GQ Perfect Pants, and GQ Cool Tech Underwear, and more, GQ Thailand has managed to sell without having to adhere to the time consumption that fashion-based retailers usually face.  In this episode of Commerce Talk, we are sitting down with George Hartel,  the Chief Commercial Officer for Supara Group - GQ Thailand, Southeast Asia's Leading Technical Apparel Brand. Specializing in innovative apparel that solves everyday problems. With over 20 years of transformation and multinational business experience, George brings a rare and refreshing outlook that challenges the status quo of traditional retail, advertising, marketing, and leadership.  From advocating for more “ugly advertising” to removing the filters on what it takes to really understand your customer's journey and needs. We’ll chat about all of that and we’ll delve into…  ✅ The importance of reconnecting with consumers and understanding their challenges  ✅ Why authenticity and rawness in advertising can be more effective than polished and perfect content ✅How to create a safe and innovative culture within a company is essential for growth ✅Why leaders must actively listen and engage with their teams and consumers ✅GQ's focus on synthesizing innovation rather than predicting the future has been a successful approach

From life-changing devices to advancements in leadership, global logistics, secure payments, responsible AI in marketing, and more. In this episode of Commerce Talk, we get front-row seats to the forward-focused minds of some of the biggest global leaders so that we can keep you one step ahead! You'll hear from... 🚚Herbert Vongpusanachai - Managing Director for DHL Thailand and Indochina 🖨️Siew Ting Foo - Global Head of Brand and Insights at HP 💳 Tee Chayakul - Country Director, Stripe Thailand 🧠Mei Lee- Partner at Boston Consulting Group 🔒 Jay Hira - Director, National Cyber Security Practice at MinterEllison 00:00  The Future of Marketing: AI, Subscription Models, and Cross-Border Payments04:05  The Intersection of Generative AI, Global Trends, and Leadership: Insights from Global Leaders07:52  The Future of Leadership, Marketing, and Cross-Border Activities14:33  The Future of Trading and Product Deliveries: Insights from Herbert Vongpusanachai18:29  Emerging Trends in Cybersecurity: Wearable Devices, AI, and Quantum Computing

Alin leads marketing solutions and partnerships across Southeast Asia for ZALORA - Asia’s leading online fashion destination. He is also responsible for the ZALORA advertising platform (ZAP), where his team helps leading brands orchestrate multi-channel campaigns to drive performance and connect with relevant audiences. In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into Alin's journey from his time with M&S in London to the rapidly growing retail and technology sectors within the Southeast Asian landscape. We'll explore insights from both markets, predictions on emerging trends, and... ✅ Retail Media as the next wave of marketing and what brands can learn from this opportunity ✅ Customer experiences of the future and the emergence of Generative AI ✅ The power of ‘trusting the process’ And that's just the beginning!

Have you ever wondered why so many great strategies never get implemented? Or why a staggering 67% of implementations fail? In this episode of Commerce Talk, we sit down with Robin Speculand, one of the world's most sought-after and respected experts in the realm of strategy implementation. Robin, the former VP of Citibank Singapore,  has worked with some of the globe's top-performing organizations to help reshape how they think, act, and approach, implementing their strategies, using his ground-breaking frameworks, tools, and techniques.  As a prolific writer in this field, we'll be delving into his Amazon number-one and international bestseller, 'World's Best Bank, a Strategic Guide to Digital Transformation,' now available in Vietnamese. The book showcases the remarkable journey of DBS Bank Singapore, named by Harvard as one of the top 10 digital transformations of all time.  So what was the secret behind their success?  Beyond uncovering why DBS Bank Singapore succeeded where many stumbled, we'll also explore:  ✅ How leaders are taught to craft strategies but not necessarily implement them ✅ The Implementation Compass, a framework for success ✅ The importance of discipline and action ✅ Robin's insights on why having a 'digital strategy' might be a warning sign for businesses And so much more!

What’s the driving force that gets you out of bed every morning? For the 600,000+ people working at DHL, it is all about Connecting People and Improving Lives. This powerful purpose has helped to shape their success in serving over 220 countries and territories allowing for them to deliver over 1.6 billion parcels each year! In this episode of Commerce Talk, we speak to Herbert Vongpusanachai,  the Managing Director of DHL Express International Thailand and Head of Indochina, to hear more about how this purpose comes to life to drive the success of DHL Express.  Prior to joining DHL in 2003, Herbert's journey began at Microsoft Thailand where he was Head of Sales, Partners, and Marketing. He helped launch many products such as Microsoft Windows and Office. Describing himself as a “computer guy” it is the diverse experience that has shaped his remarkable journey. Today, you’ll find him managing the overall operations and strategic growth of DHL Express in the region! Drawing from over two decades of leadership and logistics expertise, Herbert will guide us through the profound impact of DHL's commitment to improving lives and how it resonates across their global operations.  We also delve into;  The importance of technology and innovation for productivity  Future trends and their impact on global trading  The opportunities for small businesses going global with cross-border selling Sustainable logistics and the plans for DHL Express to be net zero by 2050 How to get closer to customers by getting away from your desk How to build a team for success What makes a good leader in today's world And so much more!

How do you define brand purpose and what does it mean for your customers? It has been proven that brands with purpose are closer to their customers. Today, while the eCommerce space continues to grow and become more cluttered that sentiment may be lost. So, how can brands stand out from the crowd? In this episode, we speak to Siew Ting Foo, the Global Head of Brand and Insights at HP, to understand the importance of purpose and how to define it for your brand. Siew Ting has been 5 times recognized as Asia’s Top 50 Most Influential and Purposeful CMOs and is globally recognized for her incredible work and contributions spanning over 25 years. With extensive experience in multinational marketing and business transformation, she has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world such as Unilever, Mars, and Diageo just to name a few. She is a leader who is anchored in purpose and helps businesses to make a meaningful impact on people's lives and communities. She is a natural innovator, change-maker, and value creator. In addition to sharing the story behind her famous world-first activation with the Johnnie Walker brand and her work to date, we will also delve into: ✅How to strategically navigate being a global brand with a local soul ✅The importance of consistency, courage, and creativity ✅How to get closer to customers with limited tools and resources ✅How to build purpose within your team and brand ✅AI and the marketing function alongside her thoughts on future emerging trends

What’s the best piece of #advice you’ve ever received? 🤔  To celebrate #InternationalPodcastDay 🎧 we’re delving into invaluable advice that some of our incredible guests have shared on Commerce Talk.  👉From the most impactful advice they’ve received in their careers, to the words of wisdom they would give to their younger selves right through to the advice they would share with today’s leaders. This episode will inspire, motivate, and move you. If you’d like to delve into the full interviews that were mentioned in this episode, here are the advice-givers in order of appearance on this special episode… Best advice ever received: Akanksha Rastogi: S2 - Episode 1  Dr. John Sheehan: S2 - World Health Day Part 3 AI Advice Dr. John Sheehan: S2 - World Health Day Part 3 What I wish I had known earlier in my career:  Dr. Avneesh Khare: S2- World Health Day Part 2 Advice that I would give to my younger self:  Mei Lee: S2 - Episode 6 Jay Hira: S2 - Episode 9 Advice for entering the eCommerce landscape Maruay Tangmitrphracha: S2 - Episode 7 The final piece of advice: Dr. Kanpassorn (Eix): World Health Day Part 1