At e27, we are committed to cultivating innovative minds and providing a platform where extraordinary individuals can share their unique insights and expertise. Our Contributor Programme is designed to be a portal that invites passionate voices to participate in vibrant discussions around entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation.
Each week, we present a meticulously curated collection of articles from our esteemed community. These articles, exploring everything from evolving trends to in-depth industry analysis and revolutionary concepts, are guaranteed to expand your understanding and ignite your curiosity. Join us in this exchange of ideas and knowledge.
Tried-and-tested marketing strategies for startups across all stages in Singapore
“When I led foodpanda’s marketing in its early stage, I was tasked with increasing the brand’s sales with a limited budget. Taking inspiration from Tripadvisor’s and MICHELIN’s eye-catching window stickers, my team and I planned and executed a branding campaign where we increased the visibility of the foodpanda brand logo through other businesses’ storefronts, riders’ jackets and bags, and DBS Bank-owned ATMs in Singapore.”
OtterHalf’s Founder, Cassandra Ong’s article explores the crucial stages of marketing strategy development for startups and mature brands. It highlights the effectiveness of brand partnerships in the early stages, the role of marketing analytics for customer acquisition during growth stages, and the importance of User Generated Content (UGC) to maintain competitiveness in the mature stage. Examples from foodpanda, Chope, and Tripadvisor illustrate the implementation of these strategies.
In the age of AI, which human skills increasingly stand out?
“Like it or not, AI is like a genie that is out of the bottle and impossible to put back. It will be a huge part of our lives- from healthcare to banking, from transportation to education- and its influence is likely to grow in the coming years.”
Fundomni’s Founder, Daniel Tan’s article discusses the pervasive use of AI and automation, their potential to replace 85 million jobs worldwide by 2025, and the utility of AI tools like ChatGPT in saving professionals’ time. Demonstrating the utility of various AI tools in obtaining information and acknowledging their limitations and the need for human intervention and double-checking, the article highlights the importance of human skills such as common sense, emotional intelligence, and creativity in the era of AI.
How Society Pass is revolutionising customer loyalty in Asia Pacific’s fast-paced business landscape
“Inspiration for Society Pass came from recognising a significant gap in the market – the absence of a universally accepted, open-loop loyalty platform serving consumers and merchants throughout Southeast Asia. Nguyen saw an opportunity to create a seamless rewards experience that transcends geographical limitations, providing a unified platform for users across the region.”
Journalist Surabhi Pandey’s article explores the rise of Society Pass, a unified loyalty platform targeting a market gap in Southeast Asia. Founded by Dennis Nguyen, Society Pass focuses on customer engagement, fostering merchant-consumer relationships, and reducing acquisition costs.
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Should ChatGPT chat with your customers?
“Since ChatGPT has replaced Blockchain and Web3 as the most talked-about topics, suddenly, the internet is full of AI experts. However, AI is a complex matter and a tool that needs to be used in the correct way. Also, AI is not new, but the rise of computing power has made AI much more broadly available, usable, and powerful.”
Executive Chair of Chmiel Global Advisory, Georg Chmiel, reflects on his experiences with early chatbots in the real estate and automotive industries and their evolution to more advanced forms like ChatGPT. His article recognises the productivity-enhancing benefits of AI but provides insights about risks such as fabricated information, emotional volatility, inherent biases, and privacy issues. He advocates for the controlled and regulated use of AI to maximise its potential while mitigating risks.
Achieving a communal goal: How digital tools are changing the game for the Malaysian sporting experience
“As with many other industries, digitising the multiple touchpoints in sports will open up a myriad of opportunities, starting with a more connected sports ecosystem that brings all the different stakeholders together, from casual sporting fans and small establishments to professional athletes and larger sporting organisations. “
Group CEO of AFA, Raymond Hng’s article discusses the challenges of organising sports activities in Malaysia, such as finding suitable, available facilities and coordinating participants’ schedules. To solve these problems, the author and friends created the AFA Sports app, which consolidates information on sporting facilities and allows for easy booking. Hng predicts digitisation in sports will boost Malaysia’s digital economy, connect various stakeholders, and create opportunities for new markets and businesses.
Data-driven healing: The potential of analytics and AI in advancing mental health
“AI is an amazing tool when added to the healthcare toolbox, but not a silver bullet at its current stage of development. It is most powerful when combined with other technologies for a more comprehensive and practical solution.”
Kitty Lee’s article explores AI’s potential in mental health, highlighting benefits like precision in diagnosis, combining physical and mental well-being, and immediate cost savings. However, challenges persist, such as the need for collaboration among technologists, medical practitioners, and financiers and the lack of frameworks to evaluate AI’s efficacy in healthcare. Despite these barriers, the author emphasises AI’s role as a powerful, transformative tool in the healthcare sector.
Striking the right balance: Financial health, talent retention, and business growth
“To maintain a delicate balance between talent acquisition and financial stability, thorough financial planning and analysis are essential. This involves considering different scenarios, cost management strategies, and the impact of wage changes on profitability. This analysis should also be robust and flexible, allowing for quick adjustments as needed.”
Paloe’s Community Development Manager, Benjamin Wong’s article explores the economic challenges Singapore faces, including wage inflation and talent shortages amidst a slowing economy and the looming threat of a global recession.
Emphasising the importance of thorough financial planning and analysis for businesses to balance talent acquisition and financial stability, the article also discusses outsourcing as a strategic response to these challenges, highlighting its benefits and potential risks. Despite market uncertainties, it underscores the availability of effective tools and strategies for businesses to adapt and thrive in the face of uncertainty.
Startups don’t need PR agencies, sirius-ly?
“Needless to say, having a PR agency to handle the image and publicity side of your business is a convenience that not many leaders leverage. Everyone knows that the company’s image can make or break a business – so what’s the harm in ensuring that you’ve got yourself covered if anything goes wrong?”
PR Maestro and CEO of iOli Comms Yan Lim’s article discusses the importance of public relations (PR) agencies for startups, highlighting the key roles they play in crisis management, brand image enhancement, and networking.
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Leveraging blockchain: A new era for small business innovation
“Businesses of all sizes would do well to start using blockchain technology immediately, whether to broaden their payment options or to reassure customers that their information is stored in an immutable record. This is a great way for business owners to increase the safety and efficiency of their operations.”
Converco’s Founder and CEO, Moch Akbar Azzihad M’s article highlights the benefits of blockchain technology for small businesses, including the acceptance of cryptocurrency payments, cost-effective, secure cloud storage, use of smart contracts, and capital raising through Initial Token Offerings (ITOs). It emphasises that blockchain isn’t just for major corporations but can enhance operations, customer service, and security for businesses of all sizes, including traditional brick-and-mortar ones.
How startups can help solve Indonesia’s environmental crisis
“It is important to note that a startup’s cooperation dedicated to state goals can help a startup grow. Support for government initiatives can cause a mirror effect and bring investments aimed at further cooperation.”
IVITECH’s Co-Founder, Artem Moskalev, discusses how startups are tackling Indonesia’s environmental crisis, focusing on air pollution in Jakarta. Companies like Algenesis, Paboco, CarbonEthics, and IVITECH are creating eco-friendly solutions, ranging from biodegradable materials to electric bikes. Despite societal and infrastructural challenges, these efforts are encouraging public-private partnerships and fostering comprehensive ecological initiatives.
Embracing AI in education: Expanding horizons for students
“Resistance might be a natural response, but progress is inevitable. Organisations must champion how AI can help students so that schools and universities can embrace this technology with a more progressive attitude. This task may be slightly afield of their core product marketing, but it’s one that must be done.”
Hazel Hernandez’s article explores the contentious debate surrounding the use of AI in the education sector. While some academics fear that AI, particularly generative AI, might promote plagiarism and undermine educational integrity, others view it as a revolutionary tool for learning.
The article cites various instances of AI application in education, such as Canva’s AI-driven design features, Anthology’s course-building tools powered by generative AI, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT for research and brainstorming. It argues that rather than resisting AI, educators should embrace its potential to enhance personalisation, comprehension, and efficiency in learning.
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