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Asia Pacific, Geopolitics, Leadership

Mastering the Boardroom: Unlocking Asia’s Market Potential

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Mastering the Boardroom: Unlocking Asia’s Market Potential May 20, 2025 Diverse challenges, from digitalization to regulation, are preoccupying boards of directors. Asia is not getting the attention it did in the past.Geopolitics has also led to boards paying less attention to Asia, particularly China. Some US firms have even banned travel to China for top execs and board members. ‘I’m worried that our board’s knowledge of Asia is slipping. ‘ The Asia CEO’s role is critical to bridging the gap between HQ and the region. ‘As an American who’s worked both at headquarters and in Asia, it’s a constant battle balancing whatever our people in the US see on Fox News versus what it means to really do business here.’ Why it matters: A board’s lack of attention, lower awareness, and misperceived notions can lead to slower decision-making and resistance to further investments in the region. Outsiders can play a critical role in educating board members about what is happening in Asia. ‘We’re thinking of ways to rebuild Asia insights at the top of the company. This might include regular board briefings by specialist outsiders, either ad hoc or organized into an advisory board.’ But hiring an ‘Asia insider’ has its drawbacks. ‘In the last 20 years, boards would appoint an Asian insider, often with good connections to the local elite. Too often, the insiders were isolated from the rest of the board discussion.’ An advisor with hands-on experience running an MNC’s Asia operations may provide more relevant insights. ‘Today, it might be better to seek a top executive running Asia for a global MNC or one of the big regional firms. This can bring more insights into the rapid evolution of strategy and tactics, which is applicable to every market, not just Asia.’ Some firms have given up. They have found that greater autonomy for Asia helps address the knowledge gap. ‘We have tried to explain what goes on in Asia to headquarters and they have also tried to understand what happens. Now, both sides are giving up. They now say, “I’m okay if you go ahead with the way you want so long as you report back to me what has been done.”’ Deepen your understanding & explore the implications for business and strategy in our latest Asia Brief. Log In to access our latest reports. LOG IN Not yet a member?Contact us to learn more. You might also find these insights valuable Asean Asia Pacific China Geopolitics Japan Leadership Market Strategy Team-Building Mastering the Boardroom: Unlocking Asia’s Market Potential May 20, 2025/No CommentsRead More Hong Kong: Comeback or Decline? May 20, 2025/No Comments Hong Kong: Comeback or Decline? May 20, 2025 Hong Kong’s new National Security Law has raised fears that the city… Read More Bridging the Protectionist Gap in China August 22, 2024/ Bridging the Protectionist Gap in China August 22, 2024 Signs of rising protectionism amidst the country’s push for self-sufficiency are… Read More Load More End of Content.

Asia Pacific, China, Geopolitics, Strategy

Executive Insights on Geopolitical Risks in Asia

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Executive Insights on Geopolitical Risks in Asia May 21, 2025 As the prospect of a potential “Trump 2” presidency looms, bringing with it uncertainty over global trade and geopolitics, the Asia CEO Forum has cast an invaluable light on the situation in Asia. Conversations with 30 regional CEOs last month highlighted a notable contrast in risk perceptions across the continent, with North Asia, because of China and North Korea, perceived as more volatile compared to the relatively stable political environments of Southeast Asia and India, where political risk was seen as acceptable. That also seems to be the working assumption at global HQ as new markets are sought to offset weaker China growth. These discussions offer a direct glimpse into the challenges and opportunities at the forefront of Asia’s business landscape, as reported by those leading companies and teams in the region. Deepen your understanding & explore the implications for business and strategy.Log in for our latest Asia Pacific Executive Brief and other Market Insights. LOG IN Not yet a member?Contact us to learn more. You might also find these insights valuable Asean Asia Pacific China Geopolitics Japan Leadership Market Strategy Team-Building Executive Insights on Geopolitical Risks in Asia May 21, 2025/No CommentsRead More Global Trade Dynamics: A New Era for MNC Strategy May 21, 2025/No Comments Global Trade Dynamics: A New Era for MNC Strategy May 21, 2025 ‘I predict 2024 will be the year of… Read More Mastering the Boardroom: Unlocking Asia’s Market Potential May 20, 2025/No Comments Mastering the Boardroom: Unlocking Asia’s Market Potential May 20, 2025 Diverse challenges, from digitalization to regulation, are preoccupying boards of… Read More Load More End of Content.

Asia Pacific, China, Forecast

Executive Insights on Asia’s Growth Outlook

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Executive Insights on Asia’s Growth Outlook May 21, 2025 ‘Southeast Asia seems to be the exception to the gloomy global outlook. How disconnected are we from the global outlook, and for how long?’ ‘One reason for high growth in China is that many companies had a slow start in 2023. So, 2024 is in comparison to the weak, flat result at the start of 2023 due to COVID.’ ‘China being so huge and Southeast Asia and India being relatively small, factory diversification and Chinese foreign investment can have an exponential impact on the growth of these countries.’ ‘Our biggest concern in China is consumer confidence. The real estate and stock markets are impacting people. People in China can only invest in real estate and stocks; both are down.’ Southeast Asia and India stand out as bright spots for business, despite broader uncertainties in their key export markets. In China, despite concerns over real estate and stock markets, there has been an uptick in consumer spending, albeit from a low base following a sluggish 2023. The investment landscape is also evolving, with Chinese firms expanding their manufacturing overseas to extend their global reach while MNCs are building factories in Southeast Asia, India, and Mexico to reduce their reliance on China. Dive deeper.Log in for the full Forum Insight. Join the peer-group discussion at upcoming Forum events. LOG IN Not yet a member?Contact us to learn more. You might also find these insights valuable Asean Asia Pacific China Forecast Geopolitics Japan Leadership Market Strategy Team-Building Executive Insights on Asia’s Growth Outlook May 21, 2025/No Comments Executive Insights on Asia’s Growth Outlook May 21, 2025 ‘Southeast Asia seems to be the exception to the gloomy global… Read More Executive Insights on Geopolitical Risks in Asia May 21, 2025/No Comments Executive Insights on Geopolitical Risks in Asia May 21, 2025 As the prospect of a potential “Trump 2” presidency looms,… Read More Global Trade Dynamics: A New Era for MNC Strategy May 21, 2025/No Comments Global Trade Dynamics: A New Era for MNC Strategy May 21, 2025 ‘I predict 2024 will be the year of… Read More Load More End of Content.

Asia Pacific, Market, Strategy

Seizing Asia’s Potential: Four Factors for Growth

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Seizing Asia’s Potential: Four Factors for Growth August 1, 2023 ‘Any prudent company is probably not looking at a China exit strategy. The Chinese market is too big to move out of entirely. If we move everything out, we will probably lose the Chinese market. Rather, we are looking at resiliency with a China+ strategy.’ ‘In the last 12 to 18 months, I see a completely different scenario of what’s happening. Previously, I never stepped into India. I now go to India often because many of our customers are investing heavily there. The two countries that our customers talk about are Vietnam and India.’   ‘Talent will be the biggest barrier. In a hybrid world where there will be massive disruptions, the world will go through a series of rolling crises. The biggest shortage is going to be good talent; there is simply not enough in the pipeline to build a good team.’ Four key factors are shaping growth opportunities in Asia Pacific; each with a critical role in guiding corporate strategy. While results may not be immediate, understanding and planning around them will be essential for seizing opportunities as they emerge. Indeed these trends are not only shaping the present and short-term; they will be central to long-term success in the region. Dive deeper.Explore the implications for business and strategy. Log in for the full Forum Insight. Join the peer-group discussion at upcoming Forum events. LOG IN Not yet a member?Contact us to learn more. You might also find these insights valuable Asean Asia Pacific China Forecast Geopolitics Japan Leadership Market Strategy Team-Building China’s AI Evolution: Strategic Insights for Executives May 21, 2025/No Comments China’s AI Evolution: Strategic Insights for Executives May 21, 2025 ‘The requirements imposed on China’s AI products matter. They will… Read More Executive Insights on China’s Sales Outlook May 21, 2025/No Comments Executive Insights on China’s Sales Outlook May 21, 2025 Our quarterly China Survey compiles insights from our members to provide… Read More Indonesia’s Promise: CEOs are confident but cautious May 21, 2025/No Comments Indonesia’s Promise: CEOs are confident but cautious May 21, 2025 ‘So long as they maintain political stability and reasonably good… Read More Load More End of Content.

Asia Pacific, Strategy

Strategies for E-Commerce Success in Asia

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Strategies for E-Commerce Success in Asia July 21, 2023 ‘Marketplaces are good platforms for brands to make quick sales, but sizable volumes of marketplace sales damage brand equity. Customers don’t belong to the brand; they belong to the platform. Customers have no issue switching brands if the price is right.’ ‘A lot of brands go to marketplaces to test the market. They start building an online critical mass that will justify the creation of branded websites. They then acquire the resources to move to the next level: to have their own online ecosystem.’   ‘We are working towards more experiential online experiences, such as live consultations, live shows, and workshops. Experiential online experiences show consumers that the branded.com website can be something more than just transactional. Growing a sustainable online presence requires us to continuously reinvent our online proposition.’ ‘In places like Vietnam, India, and Indonesia, even distributors find it expensive to cover a cluster of customers. Companies are collaborating to see how digital marketplaces can extend their reach. With e-commerce, you can coordinate purchases, reduce the cost of delivery, and track credit. These are ways many companies have started to successfully work in some marketplaces; but this requires collaboration among companies.’ The boom of e-commerce in Asia demands a robust omni-channel strategy and skilled management of diverse markets that are characterised by shifting brand loyalties and high customer acquisition costs. At a recent Asia Management Forum, members shared best practices, highlighting data-driven strategies and the modernisation of outdated IT systems as key ways to optimise operations and cut costs. Dive deeper.Explore the implications for business and strategy. Log in for the full Forum Insight. Join the peer-group discussion at upcoming Forum events.. LOG IN Not yet a member?Contact us to learn more. You might also find these insights valuable Asean Asia Pacific China Forecast Geopolitics Japan Leadership Market Strategy Team-Building China’s AI Evolution: Strategic Insights for Executives May 21, 2025/No Comments China’s AI Evolution: Strategic Insights for Executives May 21, 2025 ‘The requirements imposed on China’s AI products matter. They will… Read More Executive Insights on China’s Sales Outlook May 21, 2025/No Comments Executive Insights on China’s Sales Outlook May 21, 2025 Our quarterly China Survey compiles insights from our members to provide… Read More Indonesia’s Promise: CEOs are confident but cautious May 21, 2025/No Comments Indonesia’s Promise: CEOs are confident but cautious May 21, 2025 ‘So long as they maintain political stability and reasonably good… Read More Load More End of Content.

Asia Pacific, Leadership, Team-Building

Asia’s Workforce Dynamics & the Return to Office

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Asia’s Workforce Dynamics & the Return to Office July 12, 2023 ‘In Shanghai, people generally are happy to come back to the office for various reasons, including finding good ways to connect with each other. But in Singapore, maybe not. All are part of “Asian cultures” but have different behaviours.’ ‘Particularly in Australia and New Zealand, we’re having problems getting people to come into the office, even just two days a week. Like a lot of companies, we’ve mandated Tuesdays and Thursdays that employees should be in the office. I’ve tried doing “pizza quarters” and town halls bringing everyone in, but they’ve been unsuccessful.’   ‘It’s a social engagement process for leaders. This means being purposeful, thoughtful, and well-organised about why people should come in. They know that Tuesdays are cultural connection days, and that Wednesdays are when they get their meetings with clients. There is a cadence to the reasons to be back in; it’s not chaotic.’ The shift back to office work in Asia is challenging corporate leaders, who must consider the varied cultural and generational preferences within their teams across the region. Effective strategies need to go beyond basic incentives and genuinely address these differences. At a recent Asia CEO Forum briefing, members agreed upon three crucial elements: leading by example, showcasing the benefits of in-office collaboration, and accommodating local employee preferences. Moreover, members emphasised the importance of ongoing communication and robust support systems in meeting their team’s needs through the transition. Deepen your understanding & explore the implications for business and strategy in our latest Asia Brief. Log In to access our latest reports. LOG IN Not yet a member?Contact us to learn more. You might also find these insights valuable Asean Asia Pacific China Forecast Geopolitics Japan Leadership Market Strategy Team-Building China’s AI Evolution: Strategic Insights for Executives May 21, 2025/No Comments China’s AI Evolution: Strategic Insights for Executives May 21, 2025 ‘The requirements imposed on China’s AI products matter. They will… Read More Executive Insights on China’s Sales Outlook May 21, 2025/No Comments Executive Insights on China’s Sales Outlook May 21, 2025 Our quarterly China Survey compiles insights from our members to provide… Read More Indonesia’s Promise: CEOs are confident but cautious May 21, 2025/No Comments Indonesia’s Promise: CEOs are confident but cautious May 21, 2025 ‘So long as they maintain political stability and reasonably good… Read More Load More End of Content.

Asia Pacific, China, Geopolitics, Strategy

Adapting to Biden’s US-Asia Pacific Policy

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Adapting to Biden’s US-Asia Pacific Policy January 5, 2022 ‘Biden understands the national mood and consensus that China represents a threat to the US rather than an opportunity – and that constrains his flexibility on what he can do.’ ‘The Biden team is better at ‘quiet diplomacy’ because there are more long-term players. They’re not necessarily smarter but are more experienced.’ ‘What is being done is an attempt to turn China into a focal point of foreign policy, particularly for the Asian region – but not make it a focal point for activity. Japan policy, Korea policy, SE Asia policy all come from China policy. But they will not lead to intense direct engagement with China.’ While upholding Trump-era tariffs and sanctions, the Biden administration has made a nuanced shift towards ‘competitive co-existence’; a move away from outright antagonism. While this recalibration may take a backseat to pressing domestic issues, there is a strong undercurrent to achieve supply chain independence from China, which will reshape global trade dynamics. The technological rivalry, particularly in semiconductors and AI, is at the forefront of this strategic game. Re-engagement with ASEAN and a potential free trade deal with Taiwan add layers to the complexity. In this evolving geopolitical landscape, Biden’s preference for ‘quiet diplomacy’ and alliance-building is more than a policy choice; it’s a strategic imperative for the US to maintain its influence in Asia Pacific. Dive deeper.Explore the implications for business and strategy. Log in for the full Forum Insight. Join the peer-group discussion at upcoming Forum events. LOG IN Not yet a member?Contact us to learn more. You might also find these insights valuable Asean Asia Pacific China Exchange Rates Forecast Geopolitics Japan Leadership Market Strategy Team-Building China’s AI Evolution: Strategic Insights for Executives May 21, 2025/No Comments China’s AI Evolution: Strategic Insights for Executives May 21, 2025 ‘The requirements imposed on China’s AI products matter. They will… Read More Executive Insights on China’s Sales Outlook May 21, 2025/No Comments Executive Insights on China’s Sales Outlook May 21, 2025 Our quarterly China Survey compiles insights from our members to provide… Read More Indonesia’s Promise: CEOs are confident but cautious May 21, 2025/No Comments Indonesia’s Promise: CEOs are confident but cautious May 21, 2025 ‘So long as they maintain political stability and reasonably good… Read More Load More End of Content.

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