Sara G Paz

Making a difference requires just a little empathy.

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A New Era of Creativity: Insights from Leaders in AI | Think with Google Everywhere you look, advertising leaders are talking about how AI is influencing the creative process. But what does that mean on the ground? We interviewed 15 global leaders who are already using AI to redefine creativity. Their insights reveal a sustainable way for businesses to incorporate AI into their everyday operations. Three key steps emerged from our conversations. By integrating these practices into your organizational journey, you can embolden your teams to take their creative work even further. Read More ~ https://lnkd.in/dUKZdkZb #AI #Creativity #SEO #SEM #DigitalMarketing #Business #Search #SocialMediaMarketing #Entrepreneur #SmallBiz #Marketing #MarketingStrategy #CEO #CMO #CTO #SMEs #SMBs #Leaders

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141 creative agencies are gunning for a place in WOG. Having spent my entire career in Singapore with network agencies, this is always a constant topic. 1. It doesn't make money 2. It is propaganda 3. It is not creative The fact is that in Singapore, a lot can be done to improve how we communicate policies, engagement, recruitment, and whatever else needs to be done to improve the lives of Singaporeans and those living here. The government will always need our expertise to distil policy into effective communications. We make money by operating and working with the right government clients, just as we review our other commercial clients. You have the power to still say,"No." It is not seen as propaganda but how we give ourselves a greater sense of purpose. It has to mean more. Creativity is a journey and a balance of what needs to be achieved and be accountable for. Why 141 and not just 10? Well, we all know that part of WOG's function is to provide another source of revenue for agencies of all sizes, granted that we all start at different stages and circumstances. My advice is to do the work, be part of WOG, and give yourself a chance to produce work that matters.

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Ever met someone who defies conventional roles and thinks outside the box, even in unexpected places? That’s Leonard Teh 郑咏宾 - the Training Maverick who Redefined Marketing at Secret Recipe Cakes & Cafe Sdn Bhd 🚀 He’s living proof that branding and marketing isn’t a department or job title. It’s a culture. And a way of thinking. But wait 🛑 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐝?! For five years, Leonard served as the Training Manager at Secret Recipe, focusing on streamlining operations and enhancing internal training. During his routine visits to the cake outlets, he noticed something curious: Customers often requested personalised messages on their cakes, but not everyone was trained in cake writing. Some did it very well and some were just mediocre. Other cake shops didn’t have cake writers and customers were often to wait several hours or even a day to get it done. To Leonard, this problem smelled like an opportunity. So he gathered all the top cake writers in Secret Recipe to create the Cake Writing Academy. Every shop assistant was trained in cake writing, e.g. how much space to use for foam writing. That training was then codified so that future employees could learn the same skills. Now everyone was able to do cake writing for their customers. No delays. Only customer satisfaction. * I was very impressed when I first heard this story from Leonard. Here was an operations guy with the mindset of a seasoned marketer. A reminder that innovation isn’t confined to boardrooms or marketing departments—it's a mindset and a culture, ingrained in those who dare to challenge the status quo! So, who's your Leonard? And how will you harness the power of innovative thinking to shape your own narrative? 🤔

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🚀 In a move to uphold transparency, the Elections Department Singapore has recently intensified its advertising rules under the Parliamentary Elections Act. Now, every key player involved in election ads, from creation to payment, must be clearly listed to enhance accountability. 🌟 This strategic change could reshape political advertising standards globally. How do you think this will impact digital marketing strategies during election seasons? Could this lead to more honest and transparent political campaigns? 🔗 For top-notch digital marketing strategies, visit our website: [The Alpha Team](https://lnkd.in/gDtv2xfg) #DigitalMarketing #Election2024 #TransparencyInAdvertising #SingaporeElections #PoliticalAdvertising #MarketingEthics #LeadGeneration #TheAlphaTeam #AccountabilityInAds #InnovativeMarketing

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In a constantly changing world, “𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭”. I was in Singapore after a long gap, not that COVID-19 contributed but it had been a while since I’ve been there. Most of the visits have been to go and meet clients and Singapore is one of those easy places where if planned well we can do 3 or maybe 4 meetings a day, but this trip was different. None of the meetings I had happened as a suit and tie affair where you arrive at a reception and meeting rooms are booked… what was booked on this trip was restaurants, a fascinating shift in business interactions: formal meetings in informal settings, thanks to the hybrid framework. With the rise of hybrid work, coordinating face-to-face meetings with clients in their offices has become increasingly challenging. Additionally, clients' office visits vary, making it difficult to align schedules for in-person meetings. In this new hybrid scenario, we've had to rethink how to conduct meetings, especially when involving larger teams. Instead of traditional office settings, meetings now happen over breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Consequently, I thought about the drawbacks and benefits of this new arrangement. In an informal Setup, conversations flow more naturally, often delving into topics beyond work. This leads to deeper, more meaningful connections. There is no rush and more flexibility in time, dress and conversations. You learn about people's preferences for food, places and timings and the structure of the talks is work but not only work. I was having a maximum of 2 meetings a day, but the level of conversations was richer than 4 or maybe 10. However, there is a big challenge which was faced, “Last-Minute Cancellations”. Unlike an in-office setup people have now gotten used to managing both offices and homes together and thus the priorities and urgencies have also multiplied. There are no cards and no screens in most of the meetings and the discussions flow directly to the points that truly matter. My next trip is going to be longer and in days and lesser number of people to meet but I feel the returns are going to be much higher, and I will be eating a lot more 😉 #singapore #meetings #worklife #hybrid #hybridframework #offlinemeetings #clients #business #mrx #marketresearch #businesstrip

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Waste of editorial space. It is not as if PAP has not co-opted media personalities (ie more legit celebs than influencers) into politics - used them and let them be used as an exchange. This is politics. Today, it is influencers. And hawkers - how many hawkers have their pics taken with PMs (Ministers, DPMs and MPs) - so does that mean that the plate of chicken rice is PAP-endorsed? (Kind of. But if your chicken rice is below standard it is not PAP's fault) This is transactional. If the influencer wants to join the Party and stand for election - there is a long screening process. On the other hand, we can have non-constituency MPs that can be influencers in the near future.

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📢 Calling all High-Achieving Marketing Leaders in Singapore! 🇸🇬 CEOs often challenge us: "How can marketing deliver quantifiable results through campaigns?" If you're ready to tackle this question head-on and demonstrate the tangible impact of your marketing & sales efforts, join our exclusive roundtable. In this confidential setting, we discuss about: 1.Innovative Marketing Campaigns: Explore the latest strategies that are captivating audiences and driving results. 2.Advanced Analytics: Learn how to harness data to measure the true impact of your marketing efforts. 3. Demonstrating ROI: Gain actionable insights on how to showcase marketing's contribution to the topline. This is your opportunity to connect with Singapore's top marketing minds, share best practices, and elevate your impact. Limited seats available! This in-person event will be held on June 6th, from 8 am onwards, in the heart of Singapore's CBD. DM me "ROI" to secure your spot. EGN Singapore (Executives'​ Global Network)#Marketingcampaigns #Marketingroi #SingaporeMarketingroundtable #marketingsalesalignment Nick Jonsson Dona Amelia AJ Boelens Glen McFarlane Fraser Morrison Jakub Wachocki Shoba Chandran Ronald Soh Eugene Seah (CSP, COT) Author, Mindset Speaker and Abundance Coach Ross Swan Andrew McArthur-Edwards

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As with all entertainment it starts with the content. No decent content then no reason to go to the movies: "Why are fewer Singaporeans going to the cinema? It's not about cost but value". So just like live concerts it's not about cost and it's not about value, it's about the desire to see and experience the content. There are very few attractive movies at cinemas so why would anyone go? I only go for the most dramatic, most interesting and most can't wait to see movies, which this year has been 4 movies! But I watch TV dramas on planes and at home and there are many of them as well as streaming channels produced movies to enjoy. None of these are on at the cinemas so I watch them on the move or at home. Same with concerts. People find the money to go and see the myriad of amazing Mandopop, KPOP, JPOP and any other kind of pop in Singapore just as I find the money to travel the world to experience the Metallica metal festivals. But cinema, just like concerts, needs compelling content. No content and people don't go to either. It's not a cost thing. I'm not going to spend any money, let alone my time on poor content just to go to the cinema. My time is worth more than anything so it's not value that's the problem here. It's the death of interesting movies to watch that are only in cinemas that is the problem. What do you think? If you’re a B2C entrepreneur and would like help finding new high net worth clients our Ultimate LinkedIn marketing and personal branding service can do this for you, our premium and highly recommended service details are here on this LinkedIn SmartLink: https://lnkd.in/dqWRi6EZ https://lnkd.in/g9GA6ngG

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🤝 Defined as a shared belief that people can take risks, express ideas and concerns, ask questions, and admit mistakes without fear of negative consequences, psychological safety is essential to positive, inclusive workplaces. Beyond being good for morale (and plain good), creating a psychologically safe working environment is better for creativity, collaboration, and ultimately, business. But fostering psychological safety is a constant effort. 💪 Our Head of Creative Futures, India, Averill Sequeira, came together with Ritu Mittal, Head of Marketing & Digital, Bayer | Consumer Health India, to speak with Campaign Asia-Pacific on creating psychological safety in the workplace in India, to address the unique challenges facing women in the marketing communications space. ✍ This article is part of a content series on diversity, equity, and inclusion for Campaign Asia-Pacific and Greater China's Women to Watch, created in partnership with EssenceMediacom. #india #dei #diversity #inclusion EssenceMediacom India

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Chinese tech giant Baidu's former PR chief, Qu Jing, in a screenshot from a video posted on social media. Courtesy Qu Jing/Douyin Editor’s Note: Sign up for CNN’s Meanwhile in China newsletter which explores what you need to know about the country’s rise and how it impacts the world. Hong Kong CNN — A Chinese tech executive has ignited outrage in China with her fiery endorsement of toxic workplace culture, which eventually caused her to lose her own job. Qu Jing, the former vice president and head of communications at Baidu, often dubbed China’s equivalent to Google, sparked a public relations crisis for the Chinese search engine after her controversial comments hit a raw nerve with young workers fed up with grueling hours and relentless pressure. In a series of short videos posted last week on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, Qu spoke about her devotion to her career, strict management style and unflagging demands on her direct reports. In one video, she lashed out at an employee who refused to go on a 50-day business trip during the Covid-19 pandemic, when China imposed stringent travel restrictions and quarantines. “Why should I take my employee’s family into consideration? I’m not her mother-in-law,” Qu said. “I’m 10 years, 20 years older than you. I didn’t feel bitter about it or tired, even though I have two children. Who are you to tell me that your husband can’t stand it?” In another clip, Qu shared her personal sacrifices as a working mother. She was working so hard that she forgot her elder son’s birthday and what grade her younger son was in at school. She said she didn’t regret it because she “chose to become a career woman.” “If you work in public relations, don’t expect weekends off,” she said in a third video. “Keep your phone on 24 hours a day, always ready to respond.” In another video, she also threatened to retaliate against employees who complain about her, saying they wouldn’t get another job in the industry. The American Psychological Association describes “toxic workplace” as an environment filled with infighting, intimidation and other affronts that harm productivity. Following the public outcry, Qu has lost her own job at Baidu (BIDU), a person familiar with the matter told CNN on condition of anonymity. CNN has also seen a screenshot of an internal personnel system that appears to confirm she no longer works at the company. https://lnkd.in/ddj7F83g

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝟳-𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 🚀🚀 This just out! I spoke to Peter Yong from Mr Money TV  on how he build he successful media company today on the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon podcast! Here are my 5 key learnings from Peter! 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 Charging for services is crucial for maintaining value and respect from clients. Giving discounts or free services can lead to poor client relationships and a lack of appreciation for your work. 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Instead of just being a content creator, aim to build in-house brands with intellectual property ownership. Offer clients comprehensive content strategies and multi-channel campaigns focused on delivering results and building brand association. 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀 Clear communication with employees is essential to avoid misunderstandings and inefficiencies. Treat employees well by providing fair pay, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure their happiness and productivity. 𝗕𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Don't simply trust people; wait to see their commitment and value before discussing ownership or compensation. Protect the culture of your company by being selective in partnerships and ownership discussions. 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 Explore lucrative avenues like newsletter businesses, which provide first-party data and direct communication with subscribers. Additionally, consider multiple revenue streams beyond traditional video services to build a robust and sustainable media company. Help us to hit the LIKE button the video on Youtube! https://lnkd.in/gUUjxhs8 #contentmarketing #entrepreneurship #media  

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[NEW EPISODE] How well do you flex your communication muscles? In fact..I wonder if you realise when you are ‘stuck’ in a certain way of communicating…and that, perhaps, it’s scuppering the effectiveness of getting your message across. In this episdoe I share what I’ve learnt from Vinh Giang in his communication masterclasses. Not going to tag and annoy him (he is on holiday with his family at the moment). You know why I needed to share this topic? Well, because I realised how important this knowledge is for you and me, as subject matter experts…because we need to be super clear when we are expressing ourselves to the outside world. I was at a conference recently and I saw first hand how impactful it is to use the core foundations of communication, and also to understand and leverage the vocal archetypes. (And I saw examples of speakers who were also oblivious to these two things). Listen to the full episode (no.46) wherever you like to listen to your podcasts or music. Just look for The Brand Compass Show. #personalbrandstrategist #podcastshow #brandcompassshow #subjectmatterexperts #communicationskills

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People often call me a connector. The label feels uncomfortable to me because connecting and (ick) networking do not come naturally. Some might find this strange, but I'm here to spill the beans. I don't gatekeep! When I moved to Singapore in 2016 it was a relocation with Facebook. That was awesome, but it meant leaving behind a super diverse network in NYC of teachers and bankers and lawyers and consultants and a few tech people in exchange for breakfast, lunch and dinner in my little tech bubble at Facebook Singapore. I wanted more out of my network here, so I formulated a plan and gamified my networking. Here's what I did: 1. Committed to myself that I would meet 2 new people every week. 2. Made a rule that those people couldn't be co-workers or friends of friends. 3. When I found someone I wanted to meet (*more on that below), I would always lead by telling them I had a hard stop at 30 minutes. That way the conversation always had an end point, regardless of how well (or not so well) it was going. 4. I made a game out of seeing how little I could talk. I asked opened ended questions. People usually like talking about themselves. 5. If I felt like the relationship had legs, I would always end by offering some form of help. That could be open ended, but it was often an offer for an intro to someone else I had met - hence the connector label. I treated this like any sales process. I filled the top of my funnel. About 50% were duds right off the bat. No shade to them; you just don't always click with people. Of those remaining, I stayed in various levels of contact with. Many petered out over time, but some blossomed into truly meaningful business and personal relationships. If you're struggling with networkings, try to gamify it. Treat it like a sales process. On making contact with people... there are several ways to do that and I won't get into too much detail here, but one easy thing to do is simply send them a message here on LinkedIn. Be honest about your intentions. You can say something like this: Hi Andrew, this might be a bit odd, but I have a personal goal to meet 2 new people every week and I'd love to have a chat with you. Happy to buy you a coffee or just hop on a quick VC. I've got no ulterior motives and nothing to sell. I'm just looking to learn from some new people in my network. Open to it? What's REALLY important is that you don't then try to sell them something. Even a contact or two later. This isn't some backdoor to fill your actual sales pipeline, salespeople! You will immedately lose creditability and your reputation will suffer. So use this for genuine network building and engagement. Don't think about how it'll benefit you - it will do that naturally. And that's how you become known as a connector.

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🔓 Unlocking the Hidden Power of Business Communities: Chambers, Federations, and Associations in Singapore 🇸🇬 While they may not be as secretive as the image suggests, organizations like Chambers of Commerce, federations, and associations hold significant influence within the business world. They provide platforms for strategic networking, deal-making, and the exchange of valuable insights. I've always been fascinated by their history and purpose, especially those with unique roots like the Dutch business community in Singapore. Did you know the Association of Dutch Business Men started informally in the 1920s near what we now call Holland Village (which fun fact, isn't named after the Dutch!). It even predates the Hollandse School (opened in 1928), which helped Dutch families settle in Singapore. And let's not forget the Hollandse Club, founded in 1908. It's been a social hub for generations, and its diverse membership, with strong international and Singaporean representation, is a sign of its inclusive and dynamic community. The Association of Dutch Business People later merged with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in 2018, further strengthening the links between those interested in Dutch & Singapore business. These groups offer essential support for businesses and professionals: 1. Cultivating strategic connections: These organizations facilitate relationship-building within industries and across markets, often leading to lucrative partnerships 2. Amplifying the collective voice: By uniting businesses, these organizations gain a stronger platform to advocate for shared interests and influence industry-relevant policies. 3. Accessing insider knowledge: Members frequently benefit from exclusive access to market intelligence, industry trends, and other data – providing a potential competitive advantage. So, I'm curious – what's YOUR go-to network or association? Let's share our experiences in the comments! #business #network #singapore #community P.S This is a Video of the DutchCham (Dutch Chamber of Commerce Singapore) AGM Ad Ketelaars Jeroen Vaassen Petra Hemmes Oscar Wezenbeek Ton van den Bosch Godelieve van Dooren Lotte Dunnink Juliëtte van der Burgt, MSc Eline Leussink Serge Krol Rob Boudestijn Chris Devillers Roy Woesthuis

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Serious questions need to be asked on the relevance and sustainability of news organisations, particularly those that are independent and non state-funded. Are independent news organisations inherently unsustainable in today's media environment? Can being "fuelled by passion and purpose" continue to be our excuse for having to don multiple hats, working long hours, and suffering burnout? What (and who) fundamentally needs to change? If you were affected by the recent retrenchments, but continue to believe in the future of your profession and this industry, please reach out. Mothership is growing and may have a place for you.

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Develop "Possibility" Thinking! Attended an incredible EGN Singapore (Executives'​ Global Network) event today led by Kenneth Kwan, Author and Global Leadership Speaker on "How to Build a Culture of Possibilities, Optimistic Change and Results". My Key Learnings: 1️⃣  Listen to the Wish Behind the Complaint: Every complaint has a hidden opportunity. Listen more, and you'll find it. 2️⃣ Think Big: Imagine what’s possible beyond your today's limits. 3️⃣ Envision a Better Future: What Does the Best Future Look Like? Dream about it. Describe a Bright Future to Inspire Action: Talk about the future in a way that gets yourself and everyone excited to act. 4️⃣ Life Without Problems: How can things run perfectly? Think deeply, and you will find the perfect way. Kenneth's talk was a powerful reminder that changing our mindset to focus on possibilities can transform our work and life. Let’s bring this positive energy into everything we do! Here’s a photo with Kenneth, whose ideas have really energized me! Thank you, Kenneth, for the powerful session. #EGN #EGNSingapore #CultureOfPossibility #OptimisticChange

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📕 Brendan's Business Book Review - 𝑻𝒂𝒐 𝑻𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 by Lau Tzu 📕 I do find it incredibly interesting to read the ancient texts that still have an impact on business management and leadership today. Ancient texts like Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu have had an enduring impact on performance psychology and business leadership. For modern business readers, the Tao Te Ching, based on the concept of the Tao, offers a framework for adaptive and responsible leadership by embracing the principles of simplicity, humility, and non-action. Key takeaways: 🌊 Embracing the Flow: Align your business with market dynamics and adapt to change. 🔍 Simplicity & Focus: Streamline operations and prioritise what truly matters. 💁‍♂️ Humility & Service: Lead with compassion and empower your team. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The Power of Non-action: Foster a supportive environment for creativity and innovation. It is amazing how a book so ancient can be so relevant still in influencing approaches to business and leadership. Read more on our blog via the link below https://lnkd.in/gFTR-iZp

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There are 3 angles to execute a brand awareness campaign. Emotional. Thought-provoking. The usual humour. We went for a thought-provoking approach. Pragmatic and relatable. If we do not have that pre-conceived judgement that Athirah was born with low vision, we would not have doubt her capabilities. We wanted her to demonstrate composure and eloquence as a Customer Service Associate on how she deals with day-to-day issues like anyone else. By having her interview her CEO of 1.5 years. On the decision to hire her. She has been serving VITAL, central agency for corporate shared services, a department under the Ministry of Finance. She might have picked up your call, solved your issue as you go on your daily routine. Like any other Customer Service person we’ve dealt with. Athirah has been performing consistently for VITAL’s workforce. We wanted to impact business objectives on both ends. SPD Contact Center to continue to do good and present opportunities for the PwDs. And SMEs, businesses to take on a new perspective and offer opportunities to SPD Contact Center. The business of doing good is good for business. Have a view. Propagate. Amplify. This is more than an awareness campaign. To SPD, this is a form of motivation and encouragement. To the PwDs, this is their dignity. Find out more on SPD Contact Center: https://lnkd.in/gFgRfRTa SPD VITAL (Ministry of Finance) ABrandADay (ABAD) #brandawareness #inclusivehiring #partnerships

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