Meghan Morris’ Post

Big leap ahead! I'm hitting the ground running on LinkedIn and couldn't be more excited to share this adventure with you all. Why LinkedIn, and why now? 🤔 This platform is all about forging genuine connections, diving into the meaty discussions that get me fired up, and learning a ton along the way. I'm all set to tap into the collective wisdom here and contribute my share, too. So, what's on my radar? 🤩 A big one is making our workplaces in Singapore more accessible - it's time we talk more about it. Then, there's the ever-evolving world of e-commerce; I've got some stories and strategies to share that I believe are game-changers! And, of course, I'm keen to dissect how we can cultivate a dynamic startup mindset, even in places bogged down by the quagmire of bureaucracy. I'm here to swap ideas, challenge the status quo, and maybe, just maybe, inspire a few changes towards a nimble and forward-thinking business environment. So, as I take this plunge, I'm looking forward to connecting with old and new friends, sparking meaningful conversations, and embracing the opportunities that come our way. Ready to dive in? Let's connect! #OnwardsAndUpwards #AccessibilityMatters #EcommerceInsights #BreakingBarriers

I hosted my second Shark Tank 🦈 today! Why? What? How? (14/25)* To make sure the portfolio 💼 of companies we work with at Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) IMDA are dynamic (and are likely to contribute substantially to tech jobs, skills and #innovation in #singapore), we’re testing out an approach where 4 junior officers pitch 2 companies (after we’ve provided some guidance in what to look for and where to look) each for management to consider. I remember the look the junior officers 👨🏽🎓 had at the first meeting: “it's kinda frightening Standing here waiting, waiting” - #taylorswift, ‘Message in a Bottle’ Doing something for the first time is usually intimidating. And often much more so in our minds than the actual experience itself. The officers made good pitches for their companies, and us 2 judges 👨🏽⚖️ ended up suggesting further exploration of 7 out of the first 8 proposed companies. What worked well? 1. 💥 Powering through regardless of the internal feelings - finding out an experience isn’t as bad as one imagined, while learning about how to better prepare for next time built confidence and expertise. 2. 👨🏽🏫 collaborative learning - taking notes and seeing what worked and didn’t from others’ pitches and hunting journey helped accelerate learning. 3.🫰 short, snappy pitches using both quantitative and qualitative data, accompanied by a clear narrative about the value proposition for Singapore’s 🇸🇬 tech ecosystem. It also showed respect for those of us (including me) who feel like “These days I'm restless Workdays are endless” with the range of scopes we manage. I look forward to Round 3 pitches in 2 weeks! 😃 * I’m writing a 25-part series utilising Taylor Swift song lyrics as inspiration for professional life reflection!

Have you ever doubted your ability as an individual to create an impact to the organisation you work in or to the world you live in? How often have you dropped an idea simply because you thought that carrying on with the plan would hardly make a difference in improving the situation around you? I used to have self-doubt in the past and preferred to hide at the back of the room in meetings, keeping ideas to myself for fear that I would be judged, nobody cared, the idea would not work or change anything. Over time, I realised that my fear were unfounded. They were just my left logical brain trying to rationalise what makes sense and making up justifications for not taking action. Fast forward to today, I let my ideas flow freely. No matter how much perceived impact it has, it's worth giving it an opportunity to see the light of the day. After all, life is about continuous learning and exploration. Here I am on a bright sunny morning, clocking in some miles for the #ErbeVirtualCharityRun in support of #doctorswithoutborders. If I had let my left brain rule my decision making, it would have told me that my contribution would not be worthwhile because it would have made very little difference. But by accepting the idea that collectively with many other liked-minded people, we all could make a positive impact together, spurred me on to do my part. Glad to join this event virtually from Singapore! Now, back to the meeting room for the next idea. 😁

Over the weekend, I got to watch Jack Neo’s latest movie I’m Not Stupid 3, which poignantly illustrated the reality of our Singapore education system and the pressure that parents put on their children to get into the best schools as that would determine success in life, and the painful consequences of mental health on them. The next day, I got to listen to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s view on how we need to have a broader definition of success in Singapore that goes beyond narrow metrics of academic and material achievements, and where everyone is valued for who they are. Given that 47 per cent of workers in Singapore feel mentally or physically exhausted by their work, and there is a growing risk of burnout amongst Singapore workers and a need for greater mental health support. This is a timely and urgently needed acknowledgment. How many of us are chasing wrong careers? Is a life of work that is incoherent to our values causing us burn out? What is my purpose and calling? Imagine a Singapore where: - Success is defined by personal fulfillment and well-being, not just grades and paychecks. - Each person is celebrated for their unique talents, passions, and contributions to society. - Work-life balance is not a luxury but a standard, fostering happier and more productive individuals. - Lifelong learning and curiosity are encouraged, irrespective of age or career stage. This is our mission at the Designing Your Life Institute, to equip everyone with design thinking tools to tackle the wicked problems of life and vocational wayfinding for more meaningful and purposeful lives. After all, the most important design challenge we want the best solution for is our own lives. I have a copy of DesigningYourLife I will like to pass to Prime Minister Wong, can someone help me pass one to him? :) We are running a workshop for Mid & Late Career Professionals this Friday and Saturday 28 & 29 June. More details at the link here https://lnkd.in/dgPWzMaP #designingyourlife #lifedesign

When I created this The Peak Singapore digital series, I was adamant the company not have a Singapore HQ. That proved tenuous because to be fair, Singapore is such a business friendly space that for any companies founded by Singaporeans, setting up base here is a given. Still, my writer, Lyn-Chan persevered even when I shared that it’s okay to not be too strict with the criteria especially when the story is meaningful. This profile piece on Kwan Yi Quek, COO of Q Industries Group is a perfect example of that deviation. And the biggest reason why I felt The Peak needed to feature Quek was because he is hyper-aware of the differences in work culture in Vietnam versus in Singapore. In this story, Quek soon found out that the Singaporean maxim of hyper efficiency with little emotive tact and at all costs would not work everywhere he went. But can anyone blame us for thinking our work style and ethics is the gospel truth regardless of where we go? Surely, a country that went from nothing to something in less than 60 years have the secret sauce to business success bar none. And while that might be true in some shape or form, most leaders who stick to this dogma tend to forget one variable not even Singapore can prepare them for: People. And so, in no small ways, this intersection of cultures, people, and work is truly what drives this new series today. As we explore how CEOs view their company through the lens of an overseas landscape, the question remains: how can we adapt and edit our Singaporean brand of work ethos wherever we go? And at what cost? Thanks for speaking to The Peak, Kwan Yi. Have a read.

𝐈𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐬? Each move requires strategy, understanding, and an appreciation for this vibrant nation's diverse yet cohesive culture. Sital Ruparelia and I collaborated on our take on these five elements. 🌏 𝐄𝐭𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞: Singapore's tapestry of cultures calls for a respectful blend of multicultural awareness, from language nuances to the sacredness of food culture. 🕴️ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦: Efficiency is the pulse of Singaporean business, with punctuality and a formal dress code underpinning professional interactions. 🗣️ 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Here, a non-confrontational approach reigns, with an emphasis on listening and networking to foster a culture of open communication and strong business relationships. 🏢 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞: The work-life dynamic is a balancing act, considering multi-generational family structures and a commitment to continuous learning. 🔄 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Being tech-savvy, legally astute, and sustainability-conscious are key to thriving in Singapore's business environment. As we delve into the 'Lion City's' business ethos, we uncover a realm where tradition meets innovation. What else would you add to this? Looking to decode more of Asia's business secrets? Follow along, and let's discover together. 

Will Singapore ever care about the Creative Community? I don't know about you, but being in the creative industry for many years in Singapore, it feels like this sector has been overlooked in the fast-paced, productivity-driven environment. Let's flip the narrative. What if the creative community led the way in innovation? In places like Silicon Valley, creativity is the heart of their success. Imagine if Singapore followed suit. Instead of sidelining the arts, they become the driving force for economic growth. Unpopular opinion? Perhaps. But change always starts with a spark of rebellion. Does this mean bulldozing our current models? No. It means infusing them with fresh perspectives, taking calculated risks, and fostering an environment that fuels artistic endeavours. #singapore #creativity #foodforthought

I just hit my 10-year Singapore Anniversary! 
 November 2013, I landed in Singapore with my partner, a toddler and a corporate job. November 2023, with two more kids and a shift to entrepreneurship, I reflect on my professional journey 🎢 Here are 14 lessons I've learned I wish I knew a decade ago: 
 1.⁠ ⁠Lean into your strengths: I spent the early years trying to fix every weakness. Big mistake. Play to your strengths – it's where you'll shine.
 2.⁠ ⁠Be bold, start now: Don't wait. Your past is a lesson, not a life sentence.
 3.⁠ ⁠Check your cultural biases:  My French approach to management hit a wall in Asia. Key takeaway? Always check your own biases before judging others. Shoutout to Erin Meyer’s Book: The Culture Map. 
  4.⁠ ⁠Diversity is the best teacher: Singapore has open my mind in many ways as I served clients from 40+ nationalities. 5.⁠ ⁠Self-investment > Material goods: Invest in yourself: coaching, training, learning. Best ROI. 6.⁠ ⁠Develop your public speaking skills: In a ChatGPT world where we'll all soon become great writers, public speaking will set you apart. 7.⁠ ⁠Master the art of asking questions & listening: These skills are so underrated and very rare – yet highly valuable.
 8.⁠ ⁠Words shape worlds: They create the lens through which I view life, 
I now choose my words much more carefully. 9.⁠ ⁠Embrace healthy conflicts: As a people pleaser, I learned the hard way to embrace uncomfortable conversations – tough but crucial for my growth.
 10.⁠ ⁠Build your personal board of directors: I felt so lonely as an entrepreneur. A few mentors make a huge difference in my journey.
 11.⁠ ⁠Stop wasting your time on what you can’t control; focus on what you can control: your thoughts,  actions, relationships, your YES and… NOs. 12.⁠ ⁠Systems over goals: Without a daily system, goals are just wishes.. Thanks James Clear for the transformative insight ! 
13.⁠ ⁠Align your mind and body: Starting triathlons in Singapore has been the best confidence boost ever! 14.⁠ ⁠Shifting from complaining (French default mode) to gratitude: A big shout-out to David BACHELIER, to the vibrant culture of Singapore, and to everyone who’s been part of my journey.
 I am Geraldine, co-founder of GoMasterCoach If you enjoyed this, follow me for more on coaching and entrepreneurship in future.

Challenges are fairly easy to talk about. It's easier to share. Failure is a hard thing to talk about. We're closing graftDAGGER on 30 August. It’s been very hard to make the decision to close, though it’s been months in the making. I have my investors, my team, to think about. But, I think we’ve all agreed that this is the best path. We expanded in the middle of the pandemic when we thought we saw a light at the end of the tunnel, and thought that we would be able to grow and scale with the reopening of the world. But, while we anticipated and pivoted well into Covid, we did a bad job pivoting out of Covid. Lessons are really always learned in hindsight. During Covid, we had a captive audience, because people couldn't leave, and could only spend in Singapore. A few lessons learned from the opening up, and other untoward circumstances: 1. People who could afford our cuisine and drink prices can afford to travel, and revenge travel was vengeful 2. There have been a net increase of more than 1,500 establishments in Singapore since Covid - the competition and new openings mean you have to find ways to keep top of mind 3. People used to travel (say to Keong Siak) to eat and drink because they were stuck at home. They now just go down to the places below their offices 4. A story for another day, but a few days after our media preview and right before we were to launch Dagger, our team was busted for doing drugs on premise. It was a blow to the business because we lost the whole team, and a whole stream of revenue overnight. Life is random. We have pivoted by focusing more on corporates, but to be honest, it's not enough. So, we're closing one outlet to focus on Jekyll & Hyde, work on covering debts, and building a sustainable model with one outlet. Ambition and scale can be good, but sometimes, a combination of decisions, luck and life don't work out the way you want it to. Here's to hoping we can right size and be better from this. #experiences #life #singapore #learning #entrepreneurship

Recently, I went to Hong Kong with my Co-Founder for a business meeting. And we are stuck in an unwanted situation. As a CMO of a growing agency, I often find myself juggling multiple responsibilities. Little did we know that our journey would take an unexpected turn. Our flight was delayed, and we found ourselves stranded at the airport. Our phones were running low on battery, and panic started to set in. We needed to stay connected with our team back in Singapore, but without power, we were powerless. Thankfully, I had packed my trusty Anker power bank. It’s a small, unassuming device that has become my secret weapon. With its high capacity and fast charging capabilities, it has saved me countless times. As we sat in that airport lounge, I plugged in my phone and my co-founder’s phone. The Anker power bank worked its magic, breathing life back into our devices. With our phones charged, we were able to connect with our team in Singapore. We held virtual meetings, discussed strategies, and made critical decisions—all while sitting in a foreign country. Anker’s reliability allowed us to manage our team seamlessly, even from thousands of miles away. But Anker Innovations LTD didn’t stop there. Throughout our trip, it kept our devices charged. Whether we were exploring the bustling streets of Hong Kong or attending business meetings, we never had to worry about our phones dying. Anker’s portable convenience gave us the freedom to focus on our work and enjoy the journey. I appreciate the little things that make a big difference. Anker’s power bank isn’t just a gadget; it’s a lifeline. It embodies simplicity, reliability, and efficiency—all qualities that resonate with our company’s values. Anker has become an essential part of our entrepreneurial toolkit, ensuring that we stay connected, productive, and worry-free. P.S. If you are a travel influencer or blogger and want to work with a brand like Anker for a paid brand collaboration. DM US NOW for more information. #Anker #Technology #Hiring #InfluencerMarketing #BrandCollaboration