# Dr. Seamus Phan > Dr. Seamus Phan is a leading C-suite communication strategist in Singapore. Dr. Seamus Phan is principal & CTO at McGallen & Bolden, where he has helped global leaders turn high-friction innovations like enterprise AI, cybersecurity, healthcare, robotics, and FMCG into market-dominating narratives and crisis-resilient reputations across the Asia Pacific. - Brand: Seamus Phan, Dr Seamus Phan, Dr. Seamus Phan --- # Tech, AI & cybersecurity consultant + evangelist Source: https://seamusphan.com/tech/ ## Decades of Full-Stack Architecture, Built for the Modern Boardroom When global enterprises discuss generative AI pipelines, operational technology security, or cloud-native infrastructure, they don't want to explain their stack to a traditional marketing agency. They need an advisory peer who has written code, managed systems, and engineered security protocols from the ground up. I am Seamus Phan. My journey in technology spans back to the 1970s. As a full-stack coder, UNIX-era cybersecurity pioneer, and software developer, I serve as the Technologist in the Boardroom. I bridge the gap between deep tech engineering and market-moving strategic communications, ensuring your technical advantages are perfectly understood by both human decision-makers and modern AI retrieval systems. If you are scaling a deep tech enterprise across the Asia-Pacific region, let’s talk code, architecture, and strategy, peer to peer. ## Connect for Tech Strategic Advisory If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, or if you are looking for a Board Advisor or Board Member, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! ## From Mainframes to Generative AI Ecosystems I have lived through the evolution of modern computing, building a deep, multi-layered foundation that allows me to master new technical shifts instantly. - **Full-Stack Software Development**: My hands-on programming experience dates back to the late 1970s. Over the decades, I have built web applications, database backends, and full-stack environments. Because I understand the underlying code and data pipelines, I can articulate your software's true advantages without relying on empty industry buzzwords. - **UNIX & Cybersecurity Pioneering**: In the early days of the internet, I was deeply involved in UNIX systems, internet security, and pioneering email server protection architectures. I co-developed early hardware security appliances, giving me a rare, historical understanding of both information technology (IT) vulnerabilities and operational technology (OT) risk mitigation. - **Digital Media & AI Engine Optimization (SEO, AEO & GEO)**: Technology isn't just about infrastructure; it's about visibility. With search algorithms shifting rapidly toward AI retrieval and generative answer engines, your digital footprint must be architected correctly. I apply deep technical mastery to owned media, making sure your proprietary IP is structured to be accurately indexed and cited by AI engines. ## Technical Advantage for Global C-Suites Global headquarters in the US or Europe frequently struggle to find communication consultants who genuinely understand complex engineering. My background provides a rare cross-disciplinary advantage that eliminates typical agency shortcomings: - **Zero Learning Curve**: I speak the native language of your Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and engineering leads. We waste no time getting up to speed on proprietary algorithms, data privacy compliance frameworks, or automated robotic workflows. - **Multi-cultural Technical Red-Teaming: Operating from Singapore**—the premier enterprise hub for Asia—I stress-test how your technical product is positioned across the regional matrix. Blending Western tech frameworks with Eastern strategic philosophy, I help you identify hidden cultural or regulatory roadblocks before your regional launch. - **Aviation-Grade Technical Crisis Management**: When technical systems fail or data breaches occur, panic is not an option. By pairing my cybersecurity background with our [Flight Leaders](https://flightleaders.com/?sp) division—which utilizes pilot-trained Crew Resource Management (CRM)—I help technical teams implement rigorous, checklist-driven crisis control systems to protect brand equity under heavy regulatory scrutiny. ## Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ### Q: What is Seamus Phan's background in technology? A: Seamus Phan is a veteran full-stack developer and a pioneer in UNIX-era internet and email security architectures. Since the late 1970s, he has designed software solutions and co-developed early hardware security appliances, giving him deep expertise in data pipelines, cybersecurity, and corporate technology ecosystems. ### Q: How does a technical advisor help with SEO, AEO, and GEO? A: Modern search is driven by AI engines that look for clear, authoritative entity data rather than keywords. Because Seamus Phan understands full-stack web architecture and algorithmic behavior, he helps organizations structure their owned media and intellectual property so that AI answer engines can easily crawl, comprehend, and surface their brand accurately. ### Q: How do global deep tech companies work with Seamus Phan? A: C-suites engage Seamus Phan directly for high-level boardroom counsel, brand red-teaming, tech positioning, and crisis simulations. For full-scale operational deployment—including technical public relations, product launches, and regional media outreach across Asia—his advisory seamlessly connects to the resources of the McGallen & Bolden Group. ## Let's Secure and Amplify Your Technical Advantage If you need a friendly, field-experienced, and deeply analytical advisor or board member who can seamlessly translate complex engineering into regional enterprise growth, let's start a conversation. [Schedule a Technical Advisory Consultation] | [Connect via McGallen & Bolden Group] ## Read more ### AI, cybersecurity, e-commerce, web and more I have been a techie since the 1970s as a computer programmer and an Internet, web and cybersecurity pioneer since the 1990s. And of course, I have dabbled with AI (artificial intelligence), ML (machine learning), mobile development, you name it. And AI is not just about chatbots, ChatGPT, and the like. I have also investigated and researched how it can be applied within pharmaceuticals, medicine, aviation, and business. Here is the summary of a recent keynote I gave at the Asia-Pacific Aviation Training Symposium on how AI will impact aviation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUwp4KQ9i-I ### Computer programmer since the 1970s My first encounter with computers and programming was when I was in junior high school in the 1970s. My first computers were the Casio pocket computer, Radio Shack TRS-80 and Sinclair ZX Spectrum, and I learned BASIC on them. The TRS-80 was connected to a green monochrome monitor and we stored data on cassette tapes! I also had my eye on the TRS-80 Pocket Computer, which resembled a calculator at the time. ### Apple Mac evangelist & developer Remember those beige Macs with the little monochrome screens? I used those early Macs in 1986 and developed networked training software for factory technical training and customer service training software. The limitations of the small monochrome screen did not stop me, and I was able to compress and optimize graphics with image dithering, phone-quality audio, low-frame animation, and other special techniques to bring animation and interactive media to the classic Macs. For old and obsolete computers, visit [oldcomputers.net](http://oldcomputers.net), a really nostalgic and great resource. ### Software developer (full stack mobile & webdev) I have gradually evolved with technology and kept up with its many changes. I was also put in charge of a mainframe in a bank, where I was responsible for desktop publishing (DTP). I design and develop websites (for B2B, B2C, e-learning, content delivery, and SEO), web and mobile applications (hybrid and native), social media and related applications, custom media and advertising databases, Perl and PHP scripting, and OS X consulting. I delivered a keynote at the Board of Commissioners of Currency Singapore (BCCS, Ministry of Finance) event to launch the website I developed for them in 1996. The site was state-of-the-art at the time, showcasing Singapore's currencies (dollars and coins) and various educational topics about the currencies. I have experience developing full-stack web applications, mobile applications, social media applications, e-commerce, and Apple Mac-based databases and applications. ### Cybersecurity consultant since 1990s ![NetJanus™ email security appliance co-developed by Seamus Phan in 2000](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/netjanus_appliance.jpg) Together with an Australian colleague, I developed the NetJanusTM email security appliance based on the BSD UNIX platform in a small form factor. Our efforts started out of frustration with the growing problem of email spam and attachment malware in incoming email (especially spoofed email). We developed various test platform workstations and servers in portable, lightweight hardware profiles and tested them in those early years at our location on a leased line and at a large media and publishing company. This project has been written off. Here's a fun bit of history on the tele, commenting on "browser wars": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRg1b6rW-gM ### Academic Research Here are some research I have done in the tech arena: - **2026, [Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence in the Asia Pacific: Threats, Defenses and Governance Recommendations](https://doi.org/10.56975/ijedr.v14i3.308737)** This study examines AI and cybersecurity in the Asia-Pacific, focusing on ASEAN governance, technical attacks, and defenses. It details offensive AI risks—like data poisoning and social engineering—and explains how agentic AI expands attack surfaces. For defense, it evaluates machine learning and analytics for anomaly detection and authentication, noting their vulnerability to manipulation. Regional analysis reveals uneven framework adoption across ASEAN, exposing capability gaps. To bridge these, it proposes ASEAN-specific framework profiles and cross-border guides aligned with the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025. It also emphasizes workforce reskilling and human oversight in operations. Policy recommendations advocate for regional guidance, an ASEAN AI working group, and CERT collaboration, while technical mitigations include adversarial training and continuous auditing. Ultimately, the findings call for integrated socio-technical responses to manage dual-use AI risks and enable secure adoption. ### Engage me as your evangelist, fractional CMO or board member I have a passion for technology, especially good technology. If you think you have a product that has tremendous potential and traction in the market and you need a product advocate and evangelist, talk to me. If I believe in your product, I can evangelize it in the market through stakeholder presentations, seminars, conferences, product launches, media events, etc. If you want someone to coach, mentor and lead, or to lend experience to your board, chat with me. *I love ALL kinds of technologies, not just computers and software, including:* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3FvMqxpuzk #### Engage me to supercharge your business now! If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, or if you are looking for a Board Advisor or Board Member, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! If you are a journalist who needs a friendly and credible source, you can look at my [Qwoted](https://app.qwoted.com/sources/seamus-phan) profile or [contact me here](https://seamusphan.com/contact/). --- # C-suite communication & HRD strategist, speaker, mentor Source: https://seamusphan.com/strategist/ ## High-Caliber Executive Advisory, Publicity, and Risk Mitigation for the APAC Region When global enterprises enter the complex, decentralized Asia-Pacific matrix, they rarely need standard account executives or transactional marketing campaigns. What they need is a strategic peer—someone who understands their underlying engineering, operational vulnerabilities, and the cultural nuances required to protect their reputation. I am Seamus Phan. For over three decades, I have served as the Technologist in the Boardroom, helping deep tech, healthcare, cybersecurity, and industrial automation firms navigate high-stakes communication challenges. As a unique polymath blending biochemistry, full-stack software development, UNIX-era cybersecurity pioneering, and Eastern philosophy, I act as your strategic conductor across Asia. Let's protect your brand, stress-test your market strategies, and ensure your core intellectual property stays visible in an AI-driven search ecosystem. [Connect for Strategic Counsel] | [Explore McGallen & Bolden Group]     ## Navigating High-Stakes Complexity with Field-Tested Frameworks True corporate strategy isn't about following templates; it is about mitigating risk and identifying unseen opportunities before they impact your bottom line. My strategic advisory is built upon three core pillars designed for the realities of modern business: - **Aviation-Grade Crisis Leadership**: Through my specialized *Flight Leaders* division, I translate cockpit safety protocols into the boardroom. Utilizing field-tested Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM) frameworks, I help C-suites deploy rigorous, checklist-driven crisis control systems to manage data breaches, product regulatory shifts, and operational vulnerabilities. - **Multi-cultural & Bilingual Red-Teaming**: What succeeds in a Western corporate headquarters often hits roadblocks in Asia. Being fully bilingual in English and Chinese, and deeply grounded in both Western enterprise frameworks and Eastern strategic philosophy, I act as an independent red-team resource. I stress-test your market entries to catch hidden cultural, regulatory, and linguistic pitfalls before you go live. - **AI and Search Optimization (SEO, AEO & GEO)**: The informational landscape has changed. With search algorithms pivoting toward AI retrieval and generative answer engines, your owned media and brand narrative must be structured flawlessly. I help optimize your corporate IP so that it surfaces accurately when AI agents seek answers in your industry. ### Deep Tech, AI & SaaS Cut through the market noise while demonstrating data privacy compliance. As a full-stack coder who has watched tech architecture evolve since the 1970s, I translate proprietary artificial intelligence advantages into market-moving narratives without relying on generic buzzwords. ### Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Handle data breach incidents and regulatory scrutiny with absolute calm. Drawing from my roots as a UNIX and email security pioneer who co-developed early hardware security appliances, I speak peer-to-peer with your Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and legal team to structure precise, reassuring responses. ### Robotics, Manufacturing & Industrial Automation Communicate the complex efficiencies of Industry 4.0 while navigating societal discussions around automation and workforce displacement. Backed by doctoral research in automated business process analysis and Total Quality Management (TQM), I frame automation as a holistic operational transformation. ### Biomedical & Healthcare Distill complex clinical trial data, scientific white papers, and toxicology findings into global market trust. My foundational training as a practicing biochemist means I approach your science as an insider, protecting your technical accuracy while building immense regional authority. ## Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ### Q: What is Seamus Phan’s approach to strategic consulting in Asia? A: Seamus Phan operates on a high-caliber executive advisory model rather than traditional public relations talk. Based in Singapore, he serves as the strategic conductor for multinational corporations entering the APAC region, harmonizing Western corporate mandates with localized cultural, regulatory, and linguistic realities across eleven distinct Asian markets. ### Q: How does the Flight Leaders division manage corporate crises? A: The Flight Leaders division brings aviation-grade crisis control into the boardroom. It replaces panic with process by implementing pilot-trained Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM) frameworks, giving enterprise leadership teams a clear, checklist-driven approach to mitigating risks and managing high-stakes situations under immense pressure. ### Q: How does this advisory coordinate full-scale regional execution? A: Dr. Seamus Phan provides individual, high-level boardroom counsel, crisis simulations, and brand red-teaming. For full-scale operational PR deployment, media outreach, and integrated digital marketing campaigns across the Asia-Pacific region, his work seamlessly plugs back into the extensive resources of the McGallen & Bolden Group and the pan-Asian Aurea Terras Collective. ## Let's Stress-Test Your Next Move If you are looking for an approachable, earnest, and technically literate advisor to sit on your board or guide your C-suite through complex regional expansions, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! ## Read more ## On stage since 1977 I have been on stage since 1977, speaking about history, performing illusions, and stage acting. I love the stage for what it has brought to people—education and entertainment. I have been speaking professionally to corporate audiences since 1987. I have been a frequent professional keynote speaker, trainer, and meeting facilitator, speaking and facilitating on topics such as leadership, strategy, marketing, crisis management, aviation, cybersecurity, and digital marketing. I have also inspired audiences by speaking on overcoming physical, health, and life challenges. From time to time, I mentor executives in developing business and technology strategies, particularly in the areas of advertising, branding, and new media. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR-ZuA9vj-c ## Leadership Coach & Strategist Have me as a business strategist, consultant, speaker, fractional CMO, or board member: - **Public Relations (PR), Media Coaching and Crisis Communication** (with decades of first-hand experience from TV, radio, print journalism and media communication) - **Digital Marketing** (with decades of being a digital PR and digital marketing pioneer in all areas of web development, SEO, content amplification and site optimization) - **Leadership and Business Transformation** (based on aviation and ancient Asian philosophies of Analects, Hagakure and Gorinosho, through structured learning, meeting facilitation, and inspirational keynotes) - **AI and leadership transformation** (artificial intelligence, machine learning, and trends for various industries) - **Sales Leadership** (tactical sales coaching for knowledge workers and motivated salespeople) - **Cybersecurity** (having been a cybersecurity developer and sysadmin since 1996 and kept up with all emerging trends and current technologies) Clients have flown me to locations throughout Asia Pacific, Australia, North America, and Europe. I am happy to consider any reasonable location to speak, facilitate, or consult. And in the "travel-lite" world we live in today, I am even more than happy to speak to your audience via Zoom or livestreaming! And if you want to expand and accelerate your business and brand and would desire a fractional CMO, or global PR leader, or board member, I will be your best investment for the Asia Pacific and beyond. Clients have commented that my key strengths are my ability to deliver inspiring, thought-provoking, and enriching content for the C-suite, as well as inject light humor to lighten the serious content. Clients also enjoy my wealth of industry and professional experience as I facilitate challenging sessions with the precision and agility of a surgeon. After working in the manufacturing, computer, financial, and professional services industries, including designing a multi-million dollar customer service training program for a leading aviation services company, I became an independent trainer, speaker, facilitator, and curriculum developer, developing customized human capital development programs for multinational corporations, including Fortune 1000 companies and Nasdaq-listed technology companies, where I designed, developed, and delivered custom curriculum in e-business, sales, marketing, team building, and more. Here are some recent programs I have developed or co-developed and delivered, including some interactive video leadership development programs for pilots found at [flightleaders.com](https://flightleaders.com). ## Media Coaching (with Crisis Communication) This is a concise media coaching program for busy C-suite executives and entrepreneurs. The primer will help business leaders understand the paradigm shift from being a business leader to being a media spokesperson, which have different requirements. The primer will go through both the human and technical aspects of being a spokesperson and prepare executives to be ready for any media interview, whether it is in print (dailies/magazines), online, at "live" events and conferences, or on TV and radio. The brief primer will conclude with a mock TV interview, and leaders will be able to practice their "media performance." - Selling vs Telling - The Media's agenda - Fundamental questions - Interview preparation (for print, online, TV/radio, events) - What to say and provide to the media - Interview dynamics - Working in tandem with the journalist - Difficult questions - Crisis management basics with CRM (crew resource management) and TEM (threat and error management) from aviation and medicine - Crisis communication basics - Mock interview ## IntrinSelling™ Primer—Sales Coaching We have been developing corporate sales coaching programs since the 1990s for multinational corporations and emerging companies alike. If your company needs a quick primer to inspire your salespeople, the IntrinSelling™ Primer is your fastest route to sales effectiveness: - Can a 10-year-old sell? - Mind over matter - Understanding the Behavior of Buying - Primary and Secondary buying desires - 3-step Sales Cycle - Credibility in the sales process - What is the Greatest Motivator? - Non-Verbal Communication in sales - Power of Mimicry - Types of Customers and the Lingo - Persuasion - 18-minute wonder - Case Studies (for custom training programs) ## Servant Leadership with Aviation CRM **NOTE: This program can also be customized**. In the airline industry, safety is paramount. With automation and methodical pilot training, things can be left to machines and checklists. But what happens when extraordinary and "out-of-scope" abnormal conditions challenge pilots on the flight deck? Do they rise to exemplary and extraordinary leadership? This revised and improved training program, based on Seamus' earlier work teaching "what's next" leadership to corporations, is adapted for airlines, with references to CRM, MCC, aviation safety, pilot selection and training, and pilot transition to leadership. The program challenges participants to examine and integrate the wisdom of the samurai and early kingdoms from works such as the Hagakure, Gorinosho, and the Three Kingdoms. - WHY of leadership - CRM and its effects - Pilot profile, assessment and selection - Psychological profile and competencies - Learning from the East - Historical Three Kingdoms and lessons to be learned - Leaders are warriors - Learning from 17th century classic Hagakure - Learning from 350-year-old classic Gorinosho by Musashi - Power of mindfulness in leadership - Benevolent leadership that leapfrogs the ordinary - Footprint business card™ I spoke in TED-style talks at the APATS (Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium) in Singapore, based on the Servant Leadership for Airlines program we have. I was privileged to receive nice audience comments and accolades. > "The Human Factors session (the last session on Day 1) saw a nearly packed house held captive by Dr Seamus Phan of The McGallen & Bolden Group...;  that set the stage for Dr Seamus Phan to work magic with his delightful time travel presentation wherein he linked philosophies from Ancient China and Japan to Leadership lessons for modern-day aviation organisations." ([source](https://thebengali.com/2016/09/08/notes-on-aviation-training-trends-from-apats-2016/): Sanjay Mahendrakumar Mukherjee) > > "I was at the conference and this speech was very inspiring and fun at the same time. Great performance!" (source: Capt J Drappier) ## Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet Through years of co-development with retired veteran airline captain Michael Caston, a new workshop was "born—"Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet." The workshop is highly experiential and hands-on, where C-suite and senior business leaders can be briefed on aviation best practices and then apply them within a realistic flight simulator, instructed by real pilots, and then synergize and integrate these time- and field-proven ideas back into running their businesses more effectively and profitably. - Presentation - Briefing - Simulation (Crew of 4, for a total group of 16) Pre-flight briefing (SOPs, checklists, briefings) - Flight from A to B (Choice of departure/destination, day/night/weather) - Engine start (Taxi, take-off, minor problem solving) - Cruise (Problem solving, decision-making, teamwork, threats, errors, automation, etc.) - Descent (Passenger handling, landing scenarios, etc.) - Q&A ## Keynotes & Thought Leadership If you want to inspire your executives and employees to overcome personal and organizational challenges, contact me for a short, powerful, and insightful keynote or an early morning wake-up presentation: - **Leadership** - **Media Coaching ** - **Crisis Communication (based on aviation best practices)** - **Leadership transition for airlines and pilots** - **Red Team** - **Sales** - **Public Relations (PR)** - **Branding and marketing** - **Social Media** - **Entrepreneurship/intrapreneurship** - **Teambuilding** - **Customer Service / Service Quality** Here's an example of thought leadership on a prominent organization's [column](https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/business-insights/insights/makings-of-a-leading-edge-economy.html): > Seamus Phan > Chief Content and Technology Officer > McGallen & Bolden > > Out of the 12 pillars of the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) 4.0 framework, disregarding population and market sizes, and other institutional advantages, then the two critical pillars for any economy going forward will be skills and innovation capability. The reason is simple - any economy that wants to succeed for the long haul needs to have technological leadership and invention, which demands skills and innovation from its labour force. Skills are dependent on education and training, while innovation capability is partially linked to education and largely due to an entrepreneurial and inventive mindset, which in turn needs societal freedom and nurturing of creativity rather than a rigid exam-based education. In this regard, Singapore will need to brace for improving these two areas given its limited market size if it wants to stay in the top spot for global competitiveness. ## Academic Research Here are some contributions to academia in journals: - **2026 - [A Review of Strategic Public Relations and Stakeholder Communication in a Turbulent Asia Pacific Media Environment](https://doi.org/10.62226/ijarst20262734)** Operating in the highly fragmented Asia-Pacific (APAC) region requires a deep understanding of divergent media, political, and cultural environments. While existing literature often applies generic global benchmarks, this study synthesizes regional theoretical and empirical work to provide an organized, contextual framework for strategic public relations and stakeholder communication. Specifically, this paper offers four core contributions to the literature: first, it establishes a typology of dual-track and hybrid media systems to demonstrate how varying degrees of structural state control impact real-world campaign execution; second, it decouples localized techno-ecosystems by evaluating how a regional leap into mobile-first super-apps alters organic reach and brand amplification; third, it applies a techno-cultural lens to show how deep-seated ethno-linguistic, religious, and historical dynamics act as critical determinants of public opinion and trust; and fourth, it exposes systemic professional deficiencies in current one-way metrics to propose a resilient, iterative "owned-infrastructure" hub model that ensures culturally grounded, accountable communication. - **2021, [Alternative PR Measurement through Localized Reach Value](https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2021.38553)** The author discusses the antiquated and inaccurate attribution of advertising value equivalence (AVE) in traditional or dated measurements of what public relations (PR) practitioners and clients alike adopted for media coverage in relation to marketing expenditures. The author outlines recent trends in media coverage measurements and proposes a more equitable and holistic measurement for such media coverage, coined by the author as Localized Reach Value. ## Customized Workshops & Event Facilitation Not all organizations are created equal. I believe in tailoring programs to the specific needs of my clients whenever possible. Many organizations, large and small, have benefited from my customized training and facilitation, whether these programs are in the areas of management, quality, service, advertising, or technology. I pride myself on being an open, engaging, and knowledgeable facilitator who can bring my own knowledge and expertise to lead sessions effectively and bring out the best ideas and solutions from your people during these sessions. Whether you are a large multinational corporation, a government agency, a non-profit organization, an emerging company, or a startup with big dreams, I can help you! ## Curriculum Development Expertise What I can do for you as a curriculum developer is a special blend of the following: - **Field-proven corporate experience.** - **Proven speaking and facilitation experience.** - **Served very large corporations to startups.** - **Wealth of business, journalism, research, technology, marketing, and branding experience.** - **Culturally sensitive (East & West).** - **Expert in developing classroom training, interactive media, video training, and new media materials.** What can I help you develop? - **Workshops of various duration.** - **Games and interactive exercises.** - **Case studies and discussions.** - **Historical case stories for illustration.** - **E-learning (Web-based, mobile, social media, etc.)** ## Past human capital programs developed and consulted - 1991: Aviation customer service training program customization - 1997: Training (customer service, TQM, ISO9000) - 2001: Training (sales and leadership) - 2002: Consulting on Knowledge Management and CMS - 2002: Coaching (media training and crisis communication) - 2004: Coaching (media training for non-profits) - 2015: Co-developed “Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet.” - 2016: Refined sales coaching program—IntrinSelling™ Primer - 2016: Developed BRM™ and Leadership Training for Aviation - 2016: Rekindled Interactive Training Development (Video, App, Web) - 2019: Refined Aviation-themed Leadership & Communication Programs - 2020: Refined programs for COVID-19 (media coaching and crisis communication) - 2022: Refined programs for Conflicts (media coaching and crisis communication) - 2024: Refined programs (media coaching and crisis communication) - 2024: AI (artificial intelligence) for aviation leadership So, if you need a curriculum development expert with a keen sense of audio-visual imagery, a strong business, leadership, and technology background, an adventurous spirit, and a fast turnaround time for a customized training program, let's talk! ![emcee at events](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20221007_pdtlaunch-800x500.jpg) I have co-hosted segments on USA's ZDTV Radio, TechTV Radio, and TechTV Live. I have also co-hosted segments on 93.8FM (English) and Capital 95.8FM (Mandarin). Please visit the "[Video & Audio](http://seamusphan.com/videos-audio/)" page to see some of my past work on TV, radio, and professional speaking. ![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/techtvlogo.gif) ## Clients' Compliments - "BIG, thank you. You are really good and professional. I enjoyed it, especially the part where you interacted with the keynote speaker during Q&A. Cool!" Emcee, large industry event. - "You've been such a captivating speaker, and my clients have given me nothing but praises about your presentation." Opening keynote, IT security event. - "Thank you for the very inspiring talk and for sharing your life story and experiences in business start-ups. Your audience was awed by your perseverance in pursuing your dreams." Keynote, career event. - "It was a pleasure having you; you were a wonderful presenter. I think your keynote was received very well and caused people to pause to ponder the 'larger issues in life.' It's always refreshing to know that there are beacons of truth and friends like you in the business world." Keynote: regional corporate travel conference. - "More interesting speakers, like Seamus!" "Very informative, knowledgeable, and interesting!" "Great speaker! Lively, interesting, and enjoyable!" "His speech was exciting!" "Excellent!" Keynote, a government-led IT conference. - "Wonderful talk! Very enlightening!" keynote, tech & branding event. - "Excellent facilitation!" "Really cool facilitation!" "You did a really great job!" facilitator, government-led industry brainstorming event. - "Very impressive moderation of the session!" "You did a great job!" facilitator, closed-door government-led CEO event. - "Your presentation was great! Very interesting illustrations! The gameshow you led was highly commendable." Keynote & gameshow host a government-led conference (400+ people). - "Excellent! Very interesting and informative! Well done, Seamus, for transforming a dry IT topic into an interesting session!" Speaker, regional PR conference. - "Great success! The audience just loves your session!" Keynote, eGov seminar. - "It's our privilege to have you. I thoroughly enjoyed your session." highest-rated speaker at a government-led IT seminar (350+ people). - "I am most impressed with your professional presentation, interesting content, and captivating delivery." Keynote, national banking security & risk seminar. - "Excellent! Great presentation!" Keynote, IT Symposium (1,000+ people). - "Excellent in presentation and moderation!" Moderator, IT conference. - "Brilliant and informative!" Keynote: regional incentive travel event (400+ people). - "Excellent and impactful presentation!" Keynote, administrators conference. - "Excellent in both presentation and content!" Speaker, IT conference. #### Engage me to supercharge your business now! If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, or if you are looking for a Board Advisor or Board Member, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! If you are a journalist who needs a friendly and credible source, you can look at my [Qwoted](https://app.qwoted.com/sources/seamus-phan) profile or [contact me here](https://seamusphan.com/contact/). --- # Scientist Source: https://seamusphan.com/scientist/ ## Heralding Scientific Accuracy while Building Market Authority Deep tech, life sciences, and biomedical firms face a distinct challenge in the boardroom: translating dense clinical data, complex chemistry, and proprietary technology into market trust without losing the integrity of the science. I am Seamus Phan. Long before building software pipelines or advising APAC executive teams, my journey started in the laboratory. As a practicing biochemist and published researcher, I serve as a advisor to clients in both tech and healthcare spaces. I read clinical trial results, white papers, and toxicology reports like an insider, translating your underlying innovations into market-moving narratives. If you are a science-driven business scaling across the Asia-Pacific region, let's bridge the gap between complex engineering and boardroom strategy. ## From a Childhood Chemistry Set to Research My fascination with the natural world began early, spending hours in my youth devouring library books on theoretical physics and running my high school's chemistry lab to study the chemistry of everyday formulations. What began as curiosity evolved into a lifelong research path focused on biochemistry, food science, and wellness. - **Science of Oxidation (Autoxidation) and Antioxidants**: In junior college, I initiated a foundational science project that became a lifetime pursuit: studying the autoxidation of lipids (oils and fats). Understanding how fats degrade—and how natural or commercial antioxidants can retard that spoilage—has massive implications for food preservation, cosmetics, and mitigating internal oxidative processes in the human body. - **Peer-Reviewed Contributions**: This ongoing dedication to lipid research and toxicology culminated in published findings within respected healthcare journals and dedicated medical textbook chapters. - **Active Postdoctoral Projects**: My work in this arena continues. I remain deeply involved in post-doctoral exploration regarding diet, lipid behavior, nutrition, and autoxidation, with an eye toward turning complex laboratory research into practical, consumer-oriented applications. ## The Boardroom Alignment: Why a Scientist Matters to Your C-Suite When multinational tech or healthcare giants communicate their breakthroughs, standard public relations or marketing teams usually write generic copy because they don't understand the underlying science. My background provides a rare, cross-disciplinary advantage that protects your IP and accelerates your growth: - **Zero Ramp-Up Time on Complex Briefs**: Whether your product hinges on biomedical breakthroughs, complex chemical synthesis, or clinical trial data, I speak your language. I help you articulate proprietary advantages clearly, ensuring scientific precision stands out in an AI-driven search ecosystem. - **Multi-cultural Stress-Testing for APAC**: Based in Singapore, the enterprise gateway to Asia, I bring a unique blend of Western corporate frameworks and Eastern strategic philosophy to your campaigns. We look at your scientific positioning through a regional lens, navigating localized regulatory and cultural realities across diverse Asian markets. - **Crisis Risk Mitigation**: Combining scientific literacy with our [Flight Leaders](https://flightleaders.com/?sp) division—which utilizes aviation-grade Crew Resource Management (CRM)—I help technical organizations build rigorous, checklist-driven crisis responses when dealing with strict cross-border regulatory scrutiny or product safety queries. ## Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ### Q: What is Seamus Phan’s specific area of scientific expertise? A: Seamus Phan specializes in biochemistry, with a primary research focus on the autoxidation of lipids (fats and oils), natural and commercial antioxidants, food science, toxicology, and anti-aging frameworks. His independent research has been published in academic journals related to health, wellness, and medical science. ### Q: How does a background in biochemistry benefit deep tech and healthcare clients? A: Most communication firms struggle to understand technical engineering or medical data, often resorting to empty marketing jargon. Because Dr. Seamus Phan is a biochemist and researcher, he can be a peer advisor to Chief Medical Officers and technical founders, ensuring that clinical trials, product safety data, and deep tech architectures are accurately translated into compelling business strategies without losing scientific truth. ### Q: How can tech or science-driven organizations engage Seamus Phan? A: Global and regional organizations routinely bring Seamus Phan on as a strategic advisor, brand red-teamer, or board member to guide their growth across the Asia-Pacific region. For full-scale operational public relations, marketing campaigns, and regional media distribution, his strategic counsel seamlessly integrates with the full resources of the McGallen & Bolden Group. ## Let's Supercharge Your Science & Technology Business If you need an earnest, friendly, and field-experienced advisor or board member to help your organization grow region-wide across the Asia-Pacific matrix, let’s have an open chat. ## Schedule an Advisory Consultation If you are a STEM business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! ## Read more ### The chemistry set When I was young, my father bought me a chemistry set with hundreds of experiments. He told me that if I studied diligently, he would reward me with the set. Although I never received that set, I studied because I love to study and explore topics and subjects beyond the school curriculum. ### Einstein, soap and glass I was appointed librarian in high school and managed to devour many books that were gathering dust in the library, including Albert Einstein's theories of relativity. I also became the only "member" of the high school chemistry club, where the teacher trusted me enough to run the chemistry lab. I studied the chemistry of perfume, soap, glassmaking, and much more. These experiences sparked my interest in chemistry and biochemistry. ### Biochemist Finally, in junior college, I started a science project that became a life project. I began to study the autoxidation of lipids (oils and fats) such as palm oil, palm kernel oil, butter, milk, etc. I researched the various natural and commercial antioxidants used in foods as additives to retard autoxidation, as well as proposed antioxidants that may have eventual use in foods or cosmetics, and also studied anti-aging. This research took a "deep freeze" and was rekindled during the recent global crisis, when time was freed up to continue further research in this area, especially related to toxicity, ongoing and emerging developments related to internal oxidative processes in the human body, and anti-aging as well. Why did I revive this research? It has to do with the book I co-authored with my younger brother on health and fitness, [**This Body This Life**](https://seamusphan.com/books/this-body-this-life-book-seamus-phan-cj-phan/). ![This Body This Life book on health, fitness and nutrition, by brothers Seamus Phan and CJ Phan](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/140x200xbkcover.jpg.pagespeed.ic_.bt4hjC2wzO.jpg) ### Academic Research I managed to have more time to rekindle the oxidation research, which eventually culminated in a series of edits, tweaks, updated content, and rewrites and finally found a home in an academic journal related to healthcare and health ([10.9734/ajmah/2022/v20i430457](https://doi.org/10.9734/ajmah/2022/v20i430457)), as well as a chapter in a medical book ([10.9734/bpi/cpms/v4/2754A](https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/cpms/v4/2754A)). Please also visit my [ResearchGate](https://researchgate.net/profile/Seamus_Phan) page. There will be ongoing postdoctoral work in this area, as well as diet and nutrition in relation to anti-aging. ![biochem chart](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/sp_chelatn-800x293.jpg) ![testing specimens](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/sp_dth_toxi_kidney-800x263.jpg) What comes next is still a BIG unknown. But this could be a new phase in the future! Stay tuned for what I plan to do with my research in a consumer-oriented idea. - **2026, [A Review of Antioxidants and Autoxidation: Chemistry, Sources and Strategies](https://doi.org/10.62226/ijarst20262733)** Reactive species drive both product spoilage and human pathology, shifting the antioxidant paradigm from simple radical scavengers to context-dependent "physiological molecules". While existing literature treats industrial preservation and medical therapy in isolation, there is a need to potentially bridge this gap by establishing a cross-disciplinary framework to optimize stability, bioaccessibility, and redox safety. This synthesis review examines how radical mechanics align across consumer matrices and tissues, toxicological trade-offs with the shift to natural alternatives, and if advanced nano-delivery systems may overcome metabolic barriers without disrupting physiological signaling. You can view my [ResearchGate](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Seamus_Phan) profile, [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Pns1IMwAAAAJ&hl=en) page, [ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7414-2074) page, and publications as I add them (if time permits). [![ORCID](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ORCID.png)](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7414-2074) ### Science & Tech Advisor or Board Member If you are a tech or science business, and is looking to grow region-wide in Asia Pacific, and need a friendly and earnest advisor or board member, let's have a chat! #### Engage me to supercharge your business now! If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, or if you are looking for a Board Advisor or Board Member, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! --- # Global C-suite publicist, strategist, technologist, and author Source: https://seamusphan.com/ I am Seamus Phan (pronounced like "Shamus"). I am a business strategist, keynote speaker, publicist, technologist, scientist, artist, and author, serving C-suite executives and businesses worldwide. ## Where Deep Tech Architecture Meets C-Suite Strategic Communications Across the Asia-Pacific You don’t need another public relations agency to nod along to your technical briefs. You need a peer who understands your underlying code, clinical parameters, operational vulnerabilities, and the cultural landscape of Asia. I am Seamus Phan, from [McGallen & Bolden](https://mcgallen.com/?sp). As a tech-native publicist, full-stack software developer since the 1970s, UNIX-era cybersecurity pioneer, biochemist, and expert in multi-dimensional Eastern and Western philosophies, I help multinational corporations translate highly complex innovations into market-moving narratives and strategies. From global headquarters to the Asia Pacific region, I provide high-caliber executive advisory, brand red-teaming, and aviation-grade crisis control to ensure your organization’s intellectual property stands out in an AI-driven search ecosystem. ## Bridging Deep Tech and Boardroom Truths Global enterprises in deep tech, healthcare, and industrial automation face a common challenge: communicating highly complex engineering to the market without diluting the truth. When you discuss generative AI frameworks, operational technology security, or automated workflows, standard agencies often miss the nuance. I step in as the Technologist in the Boardroom. - **Tech-Native Authority**: Having spent decades as a coder and researcher, I speak the fluent language of Chief Technology Officers, Chief Medical Officers, and Chief Information Security Officers. There is zero learning curve. - **Aviation-Grade Crisis Leadership**: Through the *Flight Leaders* division, I apply rigorous Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM) frameworks to high-stakes corporate crisis control. We mitigate risks using the same checklist-driven precision that keeps pilots safe in the cockpit. - **Built for AI Retrieval Engines (SEO, AEO & GEO)**: As algorithms shift toward AI-driven information ecosystems, your owned media must be structurally optimized. I ensure your company’s core IP surfaces accurately when AI agents search for answers. ## Navigating the Decentralized APAC Growth Matrix The Asia-Pacific region is a beautiful, diverse matrix, not a single homogenous market. What succeeds perfectly in Tokyo can easily stumble in Jakarta. Acting as your Strategic Conductor for APAC, I harmonize your Western corporate mandates with localized cultural, regulatory, and linguistic realities. - **Singapore Gateway**: Operating from Singapore’s secure, neutral enterprise hub, I act as your regional anchor. Through the *Aurea Terras Collective*, we coordinate boots-on-the-ground execution across 11 Asian markets simultaneously. - **Multi-cultural & Bilingual Red-Teaming**: Being fully bilingual in English and Chinese, and deeply versed in both Western business structures and Eastern strategic philosophy, I stress-test your campaigns. We identify hidden cultural, political, or regulatory pitfalls before your regional launch. ### Artificial Intelligence (AI) & SaaS Cut through the market noise while proving data privacy compliance. Because I understand full-stack environments and data pipelines, I can clearly articulate your proprietary AI advantages without relying on empty marketing buzzwords. ### Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Manage high-stakes data breaches and navigate complex regulatory oversight. As a UNIX and email security pioneer who co-developed early hardware security appliances, I speak peer-to-peer with your CISO and legal counsel to shape rapid, reassuring crisis responses. ### Robotics & Industrial Automation Frame Industry 4.0 operational transformations effectively. Drawing on my doctoral research focused on automated business process analysis and Total Quality Management (TQM), I help organizations highlight industrial efficiencies while navigating societal conversations about workforce displacement. ### Healthcare & Life Sciences Distill dense clinical data into cross-border market trust. With a foundational background as a biochemist conducting post-doctoral food lipid research, I read clinical trial results and academic data like an industry insider, protecting scientific accuracy while building brand authority. ## FAQs (frequently asked questions about Seamus) ### Q: What makes Dr. Seamus Phan’s approach to public relations different? A: Unlike standard PR account executives, I approach communications as a technical polymath and C-suite advisor. My background spans full-stack coding, biochemistry research, cybersecurity pioneering, aviation training, and Eastern philosophy. This multidisciplinary toolkit allows me to understand a client's core technology deeply and translate it into market-moving strategy with zero ramp-up time. ### Q: How does the agency deploy full-scale operations across Asia? A: I provide high-level strategic counsel, brand red-teaming, and crisis simulations directly. For full-scale operational public relations, marketing campaigns, and regional media deployment, my advisory seamlessly links back into the resources of the McGallen & Bolden Group and the pan-Asian Aurea Terras Collective. ### Q: What is aviation-grade crisis communication? A: It is a high-stakes corporate crisis methodology adapted from the flight deck. Developed through our Flight Leaders division, it utilizes Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM) frameworks to give executives a rigorous, checklist-driven approach to maintaining control, protecting brand reputation, and mitigating risk under immense pressure. ## Ready to Stress-Test Your Asia-Pacific Strategy? Ensure your intellectual property is resilient, persuasive, and accurately indexed by both human markets and modern AI retrieval systems. [Let's discuss how](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) we can elevate your boardroom communications. ## Read more ### More than a publicist, CMO, or board member Think of me as your creative think tank on tap for your C-suite. You get field-proven business strategy, creative direction, and cutting-edge ideas to propel your marketing and public relations (PR) to new heights. I serve global C-suite executives and entrepreneurs as their publicist and business strategist through [McGallen & Bolden Group](https://mcgallen.com/?sp). I mentor global C-suite executives in crisis communication and management, as well as media coaching (aka "media training"). If you are a startup or emerging business, for-profit or nonprofit, I can be your board member too. ### More than a trainer or a speaker Think of me as your leadership coach and strategist. You get global insights, vision, leadership, inspiration, stories, and humor, whether "live" on "Zoom" or livestreaming. Unlike some, I have firsthand experience in many businesses and practice areas to give you real and actionable counsel. I serve Fortune 500 companies, startups, and stalwarts in leadership, public relations (PR), communication (both internal and external), digital marketing, branding, and human capital development (with keynotes, meeting facilitation, and structured learning). And if and when there is time, I am a book author (with books ranging from business, marketing, leadership, technology, health and fitness, poetry, and religion). ### More than a web or cybersecurity consultant Think of me as a resource for all things tech, including AI (artificial intelligence), full-stack web development (DevOps), cybersecurity (DevSecOps), e-commerce, and digital marketing. I serve multinational corporations and emerging businesses alike as a mentor, consultant, strategist, or board member. ### What makes me special as your mentor or strategist? I specialize in delivering inspiring, enriching, and thought-provoking speeches for business leaders. I tell stories. I share anecdotes. I meld 4 areas from my unique background together: leadership experience, pioneering knowledge of the new economy, communication skills, and research. I speak in Singapore and the region, especially Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, and elsewhere. I am happy to deliver a keynote through Zoom or other livestreaming platforms too. Have me as a strategist, consultant, speaker, fractional CMO or board member: - **Media Coaching and Crisis Communication** (with decades of first-hand experience from TV, radio and print journalism and media communication) - **Digital Marketing** (with decades of being a digital PR and digital marketing pioneer in all areas of web development, SEO, content amplification and site optimization) - **Leadership and Business Transformation** (based on aviation and ancient Asian philosophies of Analects, Hagakure and Gorinosho, through structured learning, facilitation, and keynotes) - **Sales Leadership** (tactical sales training for knowledge workers and motivated salespeople) - **AI and leadership transformation** (artificial intelligence, machine learning, and trends for various industries) - **Cybersecurity** (having been a cybersecurity developer and sysadmin since 1996 and keeping up with all emerging trends and current technologies) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR-ZuA9vj-c If you want to expand and accelerate your business and brand and would desire a fractional CMO, mentor, or board member, I will be your best investment for Asia Pacific and beyond. ### Award-winning I have been inducted into the 500 Profiles in Excellence, humbly amongst Nobel Peace laureate President Kim Dae-Jung (Korea), artist Peter Gabriel, "Seven Years in Tibet" movie director Jean-Jacques Annaud, Cardinal Jan Peer Schotte (Sec-Gen of the World Synod of Bishops), and futurist Sir Arthur C Clarke. I was also a Barons 500 Leaders of the New Century inductee, humbly amongst futurist and visionary Sir Arthur C Clarke and Bill Gates of Microsoft. I have been a Professional Member in the prestigious **National Speakers Association USA** for more than 20 years (since 2003). ![Bull Market by Seth Godin - featured Dr Seamus Phan](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/bullmktcvr-2.gif) Knowledge is my passion in life, and I built knowledge businesses. I was the first Asian to be honored as a top business owner and coach by Business Owners' Idea Cafe, a web resource highly rated by the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Inc Magazine, Dow Jones, SF Chronicle, and USA Today. I was featured as a Brainstormer in Seth Godin's eBook "Bull Market 2004" (featured on Fast Company). I have done extensive radio reporting and TV commentary work with stations such as TechTV, CNA938 FM, Capital 95.8 FM, CNA, and CNBC. ![Seamus Phan - appearance on broadcast channels](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/spbroadcastappearance-800x125.jpg) ### Acclaimed Book Author #### Tough Times, Great PR book out! Tough times call for tough measures, and these lessons can be good foundations to supplement businesses large and emerging. !["Tough Times, Great PR" book by Seamus Phan](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1685329768-800x614.jpeg) Public relations (PR) builds brands, nurtures sales and opportunities, and protects the reputation of businesses. PR is a sustained effort nurtured by the C-suite, international communications, and external specialist partners. Following the good reception of the two earlier Dot Zen books, this book continues a journey through the years of a global pandemic, trade wars and conflicts, with a three-decade-old PR and strategy consulting firm staying afloat and helping clients grow together through the crises with good publicity, brand building, and reputation management. What were the lessons learned during these crises? How can we leverage these lessons to cultivate and establish long-term brands? This book serves as an anthology of easy-to-read pieces to stir the imagination with ideas for C-suite executives and business leaders, peppered with calligraphy and little “Dot Zen Moment” thoughts throughout the book. #### Find out more! I have always loved writing and have been a published author since 1995 and a blogger since the late 1990s. I co-authored the book "**Dot ZEN**," a leadership and entrepreneurship book aimed at small business owners, high-tech startups, knowledge entrepreneurs, and senior executives, to help them see a whole new way of managing marketing, publicity, public relations (PR), branding, human resources, entrepreneurship, and the use of the Internet in a non-aggressive, enlightened manner. The book was based on 30 years of collective experience between us when serving corporations and clients. As a biochemistry researcher and fitness enthusiast since my teens, I co-authored with my brother CJ, an international physique champion, the bestselling "**This Body, This Life**," which was featured in national radio, newspapers, and magazines. The book featured our own personal philosophies and our daily walk with health, fitness, and nutrition. Look through [my books](https://seamusphan.com/books/). #### Engage me to supercharge your business now! If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, or if you are looking for a Board Advisor or Board Member, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! If you are a journalist who needs a friendly and credible source, you can look at my [Qwoted](https://app.qwoted.com/sources/seamus-phan) profile or [contact me here](https://seamusphan.com/contact/).   --- # Tough Times, Great PR Source: https://seamusphan.com/tough-times-great-pr-book/ The dot Zen series has a new cousin!   ![Tough Times, Great PR book](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/toughtimesbook_cover.jpg) ## Tough Times, Great PR—Dot Zen 3.0: Building brands and publicity for the 21st Century Brands large and small face the toughest times in the 21st century, with global pandemics and conflicts causing roadblocks and downturns. How then can brands bootstrap to win in the war for branding and publicity? Tough times call for tough measures, and these lessons can be good foundations to supplement any existing business, large and emerging, and for new startups to learn from. Tough times call for tough measures, and these lessons can be good foundations to supplement businesses large and emerging. Public relations (PR) builds brands, nurtures sales and opportunities, and protects the reputation of businesses. PR is a sustained effort nurtured by the C-suite, international communications, and external specialist partners. Following the good reception of the two earlier Dot Zen books, this book continues a journey through the years of a global pandemic, trade wars, and conflicts, with a three-decade-old PR and strategy consulting firm staying afloat and helping clients grow together through the crises with good publicity, brand building, and reputation management. What were the lessons learned during these crises? How can we benefit from them to nurture and build brands for the long haul? This book serves as an anthology of easy-to-read pieces to stir the imagination with ideas for the C-suite executives and business leaders, peppered with calligraphy and little “Dot Zen Moment” thoughts throughout the book. ## Table of contents - 4 key steps to harnessing public relations in a recession - Is your business ready for PR? - Engage your PR at the C-suite level - 3 critical tips for spokespersons - Is your C-suite merely non-player characters (NPC) in the media? - 5 crippling PR mistakes to avoid - Hunt for PR help only when a crisis hits? - Taking “journalese” out of our writing - Feeling let down by your media monitoring service? - Drilling down deeper into PR measurement - 4 critical tips for marketers facing a deep decline of the “influencer” industry - 5 critical crisis management and communication tips - 3 tips to build a brand in a crisis - The future of PR in the 21st century is the bottom line - Crises may not be what you think; be prepared - Don’t try to bury bad news on a Friday - Physics and the art of crisis management - Why all businesses need PR - 6 tips on handling difficult questions - Speak directly and simply for impact; avoid double negatives - The 5 Cs of speechwriting for the C-suite - Employer branding through PR - Recommendations for building lasting brands through heritage and tenure - The future of marketing may not be about personalization - Old brands: 7 tips on keeping a brand going - 4 tips to succeed in cookie-less marketing - 3 public relations (PR) recommendations post-crisis - Communications and human resources—synergy and separate - 5-prong CELLS™ approach to successful Asia Pacific market entry - What a simple word game can inspire us to do in marketing and PR - 6 Reasons Why PR is the best way to build brands and win customers - 4 ways to build social proof to boost your PR - Authentic social media to the rescue in a crisis - Beyond mainstream media pitching and going online - 8 recommendations for building your own in-house studio for audio and video - Digital resilience for communication - Digital tools for communicators - When tech goes down, the show must go on - 5 steps to create NFTs for brands and asset protection - 4 tips of AI prompt engineering for PR - E.S.G. your life to sanity Read more about the original [Dot Zen](https://seamusphan.com/dot-zen-book/) and [other books](https://seamusphan.com/books/) Seamus authored. Mentioned at various media outlets, including [Yahoo](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tough-times-great-pr-book-181900948.html), [New York Tech](https://nytech.media/tough-times-great-pr-book-launched-by-asia-communications-veteran-seamus-phan/), [MSN](https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/tough-times-great-pr-book-launched-by-asia-communications-veteran-seamus-phan/ar-AA1bDB5L), etc. [![Buy Amzn](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/buy_amzn.png)](https://www.amazon.sg/Tough-Times-Great-PR-Publicity/dp/0983505829/) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS3OzN27yaY #### IndieReader review Thank you, [IndieReader,](https://indiereader.com/book_review/tough-times-great-pr/?sp) for reviewing my book! ![IndieReader review of Tough Times Great PR book by Seamus Phan](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/indiereader-2025-01-21-toughtimespr-1200x800.jpg) #### Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge Book Club ![Dr Seamus Phan Award Ceremony](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Dr-Seamus-Phan-Award-Ceremony--800x800.png) Thank you for allowing my book to be read by your book club and for allowing me the privilege to engage with your readers. ![Emailiconsp](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/emailiconsp-150x150.png) #### Engage me to supercharge your business now! If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, or if you are looking for a Board Advisor or Board Member, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away!   --- # Miscellany Source: https://seamusphan.com/miscellany/ Here are some trivial (and not so trivial) things about Seamus that may not interest mainstream or professional audiences. But nonetheless, they are documented here. ## Coat of Arms ![spcoamagisteria](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/coatofarms.color_-147x150.jpg) ### Magisterial Abstract In a royal and magisterial context, these armorial bearings manifest sovereign authority, territorial dominion, and chivalric honor. The prestigious Purpure (purple) background represents imperial majesty, noble heritage, and supreme governance. The horizontal silver spear symbolizes military strategy, defensive readiness, and the personal vanguard of the ruler, while the fret couped denotes the fortified alliances and structural stability of a secure kingdom. The jagged, indented chief evokes the crown’s defensive ramparts and high territorial boundaries, featuring the lizard of tactical agility and the teal of maritime diplomacy, while the unique four-petaled shamrock crest crowns the achievement as an emblem of rare favor and supreme fortune. ### Magisterial Interpretation #### The Splendor of Regality and Dominion Heraldry has long been the primary visual language of nobility, projecting power, legitimacy, and sovereign authority. An analysis of the coat of arms from a magisterial perspective reveals a narrative of imperial majesty, tactical supremacy, and dynastic stability. Through a combination of prestigious tinctures and martial charges, the armorial bearings proclaim the virtues of a seasoned leader, a fortified realm, and the protective custody of a sovereign ruler. #### The Imperial Purpure and Chivalric Fortifications The primary canvas of the shield is rendered in Purpure (purple), the historic dye of emperors, kings, and high nobility. Known as the royal color due to its ancient scarcity and immense value, purple denotes absolute sovereignty, majestic dignity, and the high justice administered by the crown. Dominating the lower portion of the shield are symbols of martial prowess and territorial security: a silver spear in fess pointing to the sinister, positioned above a fret couped argent. The spear, an ancient weapon of knights and commanders, signifies military readiness, strategic deterrence, and the personal vanguard of the sovereign protecting the borders. By pointing to the sinister, it indicates a tactical posture, ready to surprise adversaries and defend the realm from unexpected quarters. Beneath the spear, the silver fret couped serves as an emblem of a fortified castle or network of alliances. It illustrates the unbreakable web of loyalty between a monarch and their vassals, symbolizing structural stability, engineering mastery, and the unyielding strength of royal law. #### The Ramparts of the Chief and the Totems of Diplomacy The upper third of the shield features a chief indented in argent. The jagged, indented line directly mirrors the battlements and crenellations of royal fortresses and medieval ramparts, symbolizing defensive architecture and unconquered territory. The silver tincture reflects the uncorrupted honor, justice, and clarity of the crown's decrees. Within this elevated space of authority sit a lizard and a teal respectant proper. From a magisterial viewpoint, the lizard embodies tactical agility, keen environmental awareness, and survival—the vital attributes of a monarch who navigates shifting geopolitical tides with swift precision. Facing the lizard is the teal, representing maritime diplomacy, expansive trade, and global statecraft. Their position respectant indicates an alliance of internal agility and external diplomacy, signifying a balanced governance where peaceful negotiations and defensive vigilance meet face-to-face to secure prosperity for the kingdom. #### The Crest of Supreme Fortune and Royal Favor Reaching above the helm is the crest: three green shamrock leaves, with the central leaf bearing a rare fourth petal. In royal lore, a four-leafed clover or shamrock represents the pinnacle of exceptional fortune, distinguishing the bearer as one touched by extraordinary fate and supreme favor. It marks a unique lineage, standing out from standard noble houses, ensuring that the dynasty is blessed with agricultural abundance, enduring vitality, and the luck of sovereign destiny. ### Ecclesiastical Abstract The ecclesiastical coat of arms presents a profound visual theology of spiritual vigilance, canonical order, and apostolic heritage. The central shield features a Purpure (purple) field representing liturgical penance and divine sovereignty, carrying a silver spear of theological defense and an interwoven fret couped symbolizing the communion of saints. Above, an indented silver chief bears a lizard of spiritual resurrection and a teal of baptismal grace. Surmounting the shield, the traditional black galero with six crimson tassels signifies an exalted clerical office, while the golden Orthodox patriarchal cross proclaims unwavering fidelity to ancient apostolic authority and Eastern ecclesiastical tradition. ### An Ecclesiastical Analysis #### Introduction to the Sacred Achievement In heraldry, an ecclesiastical coat of arms serves as more than a family mark; it is an external manifestation of an individual's spiritual calling, theological framework, and pastoral mandate. The armorial achievement, as rendered in the provided insignia, marries classical heraldic design with standard Eastern and Western clerical traditions. By examining the integration of the shield's internal charges alongside its surrounding external ornaments, a cohesive allegorical narrative emerges—one defined by spiritual warfare, sacramental grace, and profound apostolic authority. #### The External Ornaments of Clerical Office The most striking addition to this specific rendering is the external heraldic framework, which immediately categorizes the arms within a defined ecclesiastical hierarchy. Crowning the achievement is the galero, a wide-brimmed clerical hat executed in black. Suspended from either side of the hat are green cords that culminate in six crimson tassels arranged in a tiered formation (one over two over three on each side). In traditional church heraldry, this particular arrangement of the galero and tassels indicates an elevated clerical status or specific administrative dignity within a religious order or jurisdiction. The black brim represents pastoral humility and detachment from worldly vanity, while the crimson tassels—the color of martyrial blood—signify an unyielding readiness to defend the Holy Church and its flock, even at the cost of one's own life. #### The Apostolic Cross of the East Positioned directly behind the shield and rising beneath the galero is a brilliant golden processional cross. Significantly, this is rendered as a patriarchal or Orthodox cross, characterized by three distinct horizontal crossbeams. The upper bar represents the Titulus Crucis (the inscription placed above Christ's head), the central bar is the main beam of crucifixion, and the lower, slanted bar represents the footrest (suppedaneum). The inclusion of this specific cross is a profound declaration of apostolic continuity, historic orthodoxy, and alignment with Eastern Christian theology. The slant of the footrest serves as a constant reminder of the final judgment and the two thieves crucified alongside Christ, symbolizing the path of repentance leading upward toward paradise. Executed in gold (Or), it represents the uncreated light of God and the purity of divine wisdom. #### The Liturgical Shield and Implements of Vigilance The shield itself rests upon a foundation of Purpure (purple), a tincture heavily charged with liturgical meaning. Purple characterizes the seasons of fasting, repentance, and preparation, reminding the church of the humility preceding the Resurrection. Centered on this field is a silver spear in fess, pointing to the sinister, placed above a fret couped argent. The silver spear signifies the lance of spiritual vigilance and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Pointing to the sinister, it guards against stealthy, unorthodox movements that threaten church unity. Below it, the silver fret couped—an interlaced lattice of orthogonal bands—serves as a beautiful metaphor for the communion of saints. It reflects the tightly woven structural netting of church doctrine, a protective mesh ensuring that the vulnerable are held securely within the fold of the faith. #### The Indented Chief and Creatures of Sacramental Grace The upper portion of the shield is bounded by a chief indented argent. This jagged partition line represents the narrow, arduous ascent of the soul toward the heavenly kingdom. Within this pure white field sits a lizard and a teal respectant proper. In historic Christian bestiaries, the lizard is celebrated for its habit of seeking out the morning sun when its eyesight fails in old age, symbolizing the Christian soul returning to Christ, the Sun of Justice, for spiritual illumination and resurrection. Facing the lizard is the teal, a waterfowl that represents baptismal regeneration, cleansing, and the Holy Spirit hovering over the waters of creation. Together, their face-to-face posture (respectant) models the essential harmony of the spiritual life: the continuous cycle of repentance, baptismal renewal, and illuminated contemplation. ### --- # Engage Seamus Phan now! Source: https://seamusphan.com/engage/ ## Engage me to supercharge your business now! I love to work with committed clients who desire to transform their businesses, develop their employees, and build their brands over the long term. You can also find out more about my work at **[McGallen & Bolden Group](https://mcgallen.com/?seamusphan)**. #### If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, or if you are looking for a Board Advisor or Board Member, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! *PS - If you are in Singapore, and have an attractive gig for me (e.g. a keynote speech, or a retained consulting project), let's chat. There are plenty of nice cafes around my day office. If you are overseas, happy to deliver a keynote on Zoom too. * *NB - For media interviews, please note that I have the right to reproduce the interview articles (print, online, broadcast, etc), in whole or in part, for any purpose. I do not relinquish rights to my expression of ideas, concepts, artistic and creative writings, verbalized or otherwise - those are entirely my own.* [![Aiseamus Wide](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/aiseamus_wide-150x100.jpg)](https://seamusphan.com/ai/) *Addendum - If you like AI and want to chat with the SeamusAI chatbot, click [here](https://seamusphan.com/ai/). * ![](http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion/1071388383/?value=0&label=woufCLeaZRDfrfD-Aw&guid=ON&script=0) ​ --- # Blog list on leadership, branding, technology, public relations and marketing Source: https://seamusphan.com/blog-list/ Here are the currently available blog articles I have written (some have been archived). --- # Videos Source: https://seamusphan.com/videos/ You can find some of my short video segments here, as well as my media appearances and my interests in photography and filmmaking. ## Demo reel Here's a short compilation of video segments of keynotes and training deliveries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR-ZuA9vj-c ### Keynote on AI and aviation Here is the summary of a recent keynote I gave at the Asia-Pacific Aviation Training Symposium on how AI will impact aviation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUwp4KQ9i-I ### Videos: Keynote on Video for Marketing, and Learning I spoke on technologies and video equipment, online video hosting platforms, and how to shoot video as a filmmaker for better marketing communication. The second video is on video for learning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaOW-OgoKMU ### Keynote in Legal Conference (Seattle) I spoke as a panelist on leadership to an audience of top lawyers in Seattle, Washington. I shared the platform with speakers such as Hon. John C Coughenour (renowned judge), Dr Craig Jackson (MD), Prof Ken Himma, Prof Steve Calandrillo, attorney Roger Leishman, Prof Patrick Dobel, Robert Dickerson II, James Na, and Egil 'Bud' Krogh. ### Keynote on Entrepreneurship I motivated around 400 students at two campuses, in a keynote titled "Magic, Sea Monkeys, PhD & Entrepreneurship". I spoke of my entrepreneurial journey as a kid, and then my journey as an executive before achieving my academic and entrepreneurial dreams. ### Keynote on Public Relations for speakers I trained Asia Speakers Association (ASA) members, the sister organization of the National Speakers Association (USA), on "Media Training Primer for Speakers". ### Keynote to 1,000 Tech Audience I was the keynote speaker to an Internet security seminar to over 1,000 IT professionals. I was the most sought after speaker during the event and rated as excellent. ### Keynote to Government Tech Conference I was an invited speaker to a government Infocomm Security Awareness Seminar held in Singapore to 400 participants from government ministries and statutory boards. I received tremendous response from a very participative audience. I spoke to a remote audience via videoconferencing, on the concept of "free agents", intrapreneurship within corporations, as well as entrepreneurship through service and knowledge businesses. I was the keynote speaker at a series of community conferences on Internet security in Singapore (organized by various government and quasi-government organizations) to over 1,000 attendees. I was the highest rated speaker during the event. I was the keynote speaker at a national vendor conference on Internet security in Singapore to over 100 attendees. I was the highest rated speaker during the event. I was the keynote speaker to a Hong Kong government customer service and e-government conference through videoconference to more than 100 participants from various government divisions. My presentation was very well received and the audience loved it. I was an invited speaker to biotech event held in Singapore. I spoke on Knowledge Management (KM) and why it is important in managing a biotech firm, life science company, medical facility or lab. ### Video: During one of my book launches https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyko6SnP8DQ ### Interviews with C-suite & visionaries Through my journalistic years, I have enjoyed interviewing many top executives of multinational corporations, industry visionaries and celebrites. **Video: Rare interview with philanthropist, engineer and educator, and Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak (Woz). ** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVPFS_PcaYA ### Video: TV journalism work (sample) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pua1WdXoQE ### Product Reviews - Quick Look I can do product reviews, from cameras, filmmaking equipment, audio-visual equipment, computers, tablets, smartphones, etc. My older product reviews have been archived. ### Broadcast Commentator I have been a frequent print and broadcast analyst, and is often interviewed by business, technical, TV, and radio media. If you like a motivating, engaging, honest and knowledgeable expert to work with you, talk to me. I had co-hosted on USA's ZDTV Radio, TechTV Radio, and TechTV Live, and co-hosted segments on 93.8FM (English) and Capital 95.8FM (Mandarin), as well as interviewed on 5AA AM Australia. ### On TV This is a small selection my appearances as commentator and analyst on various broadcast TV channels such as CNBC, as well as a foreign correspondent and co-host on TechTV. Here is one unedited footage from my work with TechTV "Tech Live" (previously ZDTV). The footage were then placed real-time in a "picture-in-picture" format with my co-host Jeff Brown in California. #### Channel 8 - Talking about new media developments in Singapore, in Mandarin, as panelist (Morning Program). Together with Member of Parliament Honorable Mr Baey, IDA Assistant Chief Executive Ms Tham. - Talking about blogs and RSS in Mandarin, segment only (Morning Program). #### Channel NewsAsia (CNA) - Hackers Competition and impact on businesses and consumers. - E-commerce and how Singapore can improve the take up rate. - What DSL (digital subscriber line) technology means for Internet security and users. - Positive impact of Linux on businesses amidst the OS wars. - Mega mergers and the impact on Asian businesses, and how best mergers can be negotiated. - How consumers can avoid spams; and explained how banks protect consumers from online fraud. - How technology and equipment can become obsolete and how best to upgrade. - How Y2K issues can be avoided in commercial legacy applications. - How Microsoft will overtake Netscape as the leading Web browser company. - How local ISPs will compete against one another in Singapore. - How intranets and e-learning will become pervasive. #### TV3 Malaysia - Wireless trends, among other things. #### techTV USA - Anti-piracy and cyberwar drill (0423). - Genetics and telecoms in Malaysia (0416). - Cellphone and PC usage in Japan (0409). - Earthquakes and film speakers (0402). - Downsizing and telecoms in HK (0326). - Bone substitute and bus monitoring (0320). - Telecoms in MY and China tech (0305). - SG phones and online auctions (0227). - Cord blood treatment (0219). - Wireless and broadband (0211). - Semicon in SG and Palladium (0205). - Naked news and Oracle SG (0129). - Open source software (0122). - Piracy and cellular calls (0115). #### CNBC - E-learning issues and prospects in Asia. - How to prevent software bugs from affecting your use of software. - Primer on what ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 mean to businesses, as well as clarifying some common misconceptions. - What vendor-initiated financing may face specific problems in some Asian countries (CNBC). - Effects of Y2K and its aftermath relating to financial markets, investments and the investor. #### On Radio This is a small selection of my appearances on various international and local radio stations. I have hosted business and technology segments on local radio as well as co-hosted technology segments for international technology radio. #### SkyRadio Network ![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/skyradiologo.gif) Seamus was interviewed by SkyRadio Network, for airing on Aloha Airlines (July to August 2005) and Northwest Airlines (September 2005). Seamus talked about the book Dot Zen and the Zen of Leadership (sponsored), under the sponsored segment "Best Speakers in America". - WMA9 Audio (775kB only) #### Capital Radio 95.8 FM (Chinese) ![medialogo-958fm](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/medialogo-958fm-150x75.jpg) - Seamus was interviewed by celebrity host Wong Lee Jeng on the legal ramifications of blogs, on Capital Radio 95.8 FM, for the Evening Segment aired in Singapore. - Seamus was interviewed by celebrity host Wong Lee Jeng on various types of breads, as well as shared simple bread machine recipes, on Capital Radio 95.8 FM, for the Afternoon Segment aired in Singapore. - Seamus co-hosted a weekly segment with celebrity host Wong Lee Jeng on Internet e-business, which appears every Tuesday, 11 am to 12 pm (segment 1), and then 3 pm to 4 pm (segment 2), on Capital Radio 95.8 FM. The series ran from November to end-December 2004, Mandarin/Chinese. - 28 Dec 2004 (6th program) - Seamus rounded up the series by providing summaries to previous programs, and also gave examples of successful e-businesses such as SmallDog.com (real people service, gifts and online pet owners' community), Amazon.com (personalization and 1-click success), Dell and Apple (logistics and website integration). - 21 Dec 2004 (5th program) - Seamus talked about the importance and legal implications of using content online, and the meaning of patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property. - 14 Dec 2004 (4th program) - Seamus talked about the importance of providng peace of mind and security on your website, as well as the freeware antivirus software such as ClamAV. - 7 Dec 2004 (3rd program) - Seamus talked about why handcoding is better than traditional commercial tools, Section 508 accessibility for disabled persons, database-driven dynamic pages versus static pages, and answered questions on auctions. - 30 Nov 2004 (2nd program) - Seamus talked about the basics of a website. - 23 Nov 2004 (1st program) - Seamus talked about the basics of auctions, B2C and B2B e-commerce. - Seamus was interviewed by host Zhang Jing Dong on comparison of types of exercises (cycling, stair climbing, hiking, and ball games), on Capital Radio 95.8 FM, for the Morning Segment aired in Singapore and to millions of listeners in Shanghai, China PRC. In Mandarin. - Seamus and brother CJ co-hosted a weekly segment with celebrity host Wong Lee Jeng on health and fitness, which appeared every Wednesday, 11 am to 12 pm, on Capital Radio 95.8 FM. The series ran from Feb to July 2004. - Seamus was interviewed by Wong Lee Jeng of Capital Radio 95.8 FM, on 19 May 2004, on gender issues and physiques, in the segment "When Mars meet Venus". Seamus discussed the issues of how strong physiques may attract some people, and how perceptions are formed as first impressions. - Seamus was interviewed by Wong Lee Jeng of Capital Radio 95.8 FM, on his inspirational life journey to conquer health problems, to emerge successful, healthy, and happy. Around 30 minutes. In Mandarin. #### 93.8 FM (938 NOW) ![medialogo-cna938](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/medialogo-cna938.png) - Seamus was interviewed by NewsRadio 93.8FM, on how to improve employee productivity through corporate wellness, diet and fitness programs. - Seamus was interviewed by NewsRadio 93.8FM, on how to improve email productivity, with tips on anti-spam, how best to organize office email. - Seamus was interviewed on the co-authored Dot ZEN book, which was co-written with publicist Ter Hui Peng. Seamus shared insights on how companies and organizations can survive and thrive without the need to compete head-on with the competition, unlike other "Art of War" war cries (NewsRadio). Visit Dot ZEN web site here. - Seamus was interviewed on phishing scams and how to fight back. - Seamus was interviewed on email spam and how to fight back. - Seamus hosted 1 month of short radio soundbites. - Seamus hosted 2 weeks of short radio soundbites. - How small companies can benefit from the Internet. 46 minute program. - How companies can avert cyber disasters. - Seamus hosted a month-long radio program Positive Business Minutes. - Long segment on e-books, ISO standards and the Internet. #### FiveAA (Australia) ![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/au5aa_180x60.gif) Seamus was interviewed by renowned sportscaster Mark Aiston in Adelaide, Australia, on how to conquer physical limitations and emerge strong and happy. #### IdeaCafe Mentioned by Francie Ward, CEO of IdeaCafe, during the Entrepreneur Magazine's Home Biz Show on WS Radio. #### techTV Radio Seamus co-hosted for MONTHS a technology segment commenting on Asian issues. #### Some past events This is not the most current list. I have spoken regularly on the web, Internet security, knowledge management, e-learning, employee motivation, entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, marketing, advertising, media relations, crisis communications, executive media training, mentoring, corporate wellness, executive health and fitness, business leadership, ethical leadership, branding, etc. I was the keynote speaker to a Hong Kong government customer service and e-government conference through a videoconference session to more than 100 participants from various government divisions. My presentation was rated as a "great success" and the audience loved it. I delivered a keynote during a government-led Internet Security Awareness seminar, attended by nearly 400 government officials and administrators. I was the highest rated speaker in the whole event. I delivered 2 keynotes at an Internet security seminar held in Singapore. The event was highly successful to over 1,000 IT professionals and managers attending the event. I was the most sought after speaker amongst the panel, with numerous requests after the event. I delivered keynotes for a French telecommunications company at 3 different locations, in Tokyo, Singapore and Hongkong SAR. My presentation outlined the security threats global and local companies faced in today's Internet economy, and how the Virtual Private Network (VPN) market is today, and will be in the future. I delivered the keynote and chaired the Network Security Symposium by CMP Media, the leading trade publisher for Information Technology in the world. I was rated as excellent, and wowed the audience (all MIS directors and managers) with a media-rich experience. I delivered the opening keynote during the IT&CMA Conference. I was rated as BRILLIANT and INFORMATIVE. I delivered a technology session during an administrators and executives conference. I was rated as EXCELLENT and the audience was wowed with the high-impact multimedia delivery. I delivered a keynote on "How to secure your web server" during the e-Security 2000 Conference. I was rated as EXCELLENT in both presentation and content. The average speaker during the conference received "good" ratings. I delivered a keynote on "marketing to Generation X" during a conference. I focused on how to leverage on the power of the Internet to market to Gen X and Y audiences. I delivered a keynote "Harnessing Internet Technology to design a Learning Framework" during the Harnessing Training Technology to Build a Learning Organization conference. I delivered the technology keynote during the Asia Pacific Quality & Service Conference 1999 (APQS) in Singapore. I have been a Panel Chairman and Speaker at Singapore Trade Development Board (TDB) and The Conference Board (NY)'s conference on Business and Technology, Singapore. I spoke on "E-business and cyberselling". I have helped an industrial plant revamp its HR administration policies, recruitment forms, and later, quality workgroups and ISO documentation. I have implemented an extensive intranet project to change corporate education. #### Samples Here's a short advertising film for a flight simulation business. I was the videographer (using Olympus OMD EM5 Mark II with 12mm lens, Edelkrone ENG grip, RODE Pocket Video Mic, and a lapel mic). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcbYD2DESpE Here's a short film (pro-bono) where I was creative director, writer, and did the post-production (FCPX). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmqymExV7-0 #### Engage me to supercharge your business now! If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, or if you are looking for a Board Advisor or Board Member, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! --- # Meeting planners Source: https://seamusphan.com/customers/planners/ ![Seamus Phan - long-time pround member of National Speakers Association USA](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/nsa_badge_ProudMember_black_042021-150x150.png) I am a motivational keynote speaker known for delivering powerful, inspiring, enriching and thought-provoking speeches to CEOs, directors and government officials. I combine 3 key areas that make for unique speeches: - **C-suite experience** - **Professional speaking expertise** - **Technical & Scientific Experience** ## National Speakers Association USA since 2003 I have been a professional member of the National Speakers Association USA since 2003 (very few in Asia/Singapore) and was one of the pioneers of the local chapter (Asia Speakers Association, Singapore). I am frequently engaged as a professional fee-based keynote speaker, motivational and inspirational speaker, meeting facilitator, Internet strategist, business consultant, executive coach and mentor, market and technology researcher, and curriculum developer. I am available to speak and consult throughout the Asia-Pacific region (including Singapore), Australia, North America and Europe. ### Demo Reel Here's a short compilation of video segments of keynotes and training deliveries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR-ZuA9vj-c ### Program Outlines #### Media Coaching (with Crisis Communication) This is a concise media coaching program for C-suite leaders and entrepreneurs. The primer will help the C-suite understand the paradigm shift from being a business leader to being a media spokesperson, which have different requirements. The primer will go through both the human and technical aspects of being a spokesperson and prepare the C-suite to be ready for any media interview, be it print (dailies/magazines), online, at "live" events and conferences, or on TV and radio. The short primer will end with a mock TV interview and the C-suite can review his "media performance" with me. - Selling vs Telling - The Media's agenda - Fundamental questions - Interview preparation (for print, online, TV/radio, events) - What to say and provide to the media - Interview dynamics - Working in tandem with the journalist - Difficult questions - Crisis management basics with CRM (crew resource management) and TEM (threat and error management) from aviation and medicine - Crisis communication basics - Mock interview #### IntrinSelling™ Primer - Sales Coaching We have been developing corporate sales coaching programs since the 1990's for multinational corporations and emerging companies alike. If your company needs a quick primer to inspire your salespeople, the IntrinSelling™ Primer is your fastest route to sales effectiveness: - Can a 10-year old sell? - Mind over matter - Understanding the Behavior of Buying - Primary and Secondary buying desires - 3-step Sales Cycle - Credibility in the sales proceess - What is the Greatest Motivator? - Non-Verbal Communication in sales - Power of Mimicry - Types of Customers and the Lingo - Persuasion - 18-minute wonder - Case Studies (for custom training programs) #### Servant Leadership with Aviation CRM **NOTE: This program is customizable**. In the airline industry, safety is paramount. With automation and methodical pilot training, things can be left to machines and checklists. But what happens when extraordinary and "out-of-scope" abnormal conditions challenge pilots on the flight deck? Do they rise to exemplary and extraordinary leadership? This revised and improved training program, based on Seamus' earlier work teaching "what's next" leadership to corporations, is adapted for airlines, with references to CRM, MCC, aviation safety, pilot selection and training, and pilot transition to leadership. The program challenges participants to examine and integrate the wisdom of the samurai and early kingdoms from works such as the Hagakure, Gorinosho, and the Three Kingdoms. - The WHY of leadership - CRM and its effects - Pilot profile, assessment and selection - Psychological profile and competencies - Learning from the East - Historical Three Kingdoms and lessons to be learned - Leaders are warriors - Learning from 17th century classic Hagakure - Learning from 350-years old classic Gorinosho by Musashi - Power of mindfulness in leadership - Benevolent leadership that leapfrogs the ordinary - Footprint business card™ I gave a TED-style talk at APATS (Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium) in Singapore based on our Servant Leadership for Airlines program. I was privileged to receive nice comments and accolades from the audience. > "The Human Factors session (the last session on Day 1) saw a nearly packed house held captive by Dr Seamus Phan of The McGallen & Bolden Group...;  that set the stage for Dr Seamus Phan to work magic with his delightful time travel presentation wherein he linked philosophies from Ancient China and Japan to Leadership lessons for modern-day aviation organisations." ([source](https://thebengali.com/2016/09/08/notes-on-aviation-training-trends-from-apats-2016/): Sanjay Mahendrakumar Mukherjee) > > "I was at the conference and this speech was very inspiring and fun at the same time. Great performance!" (source: Capt J Drappier) #### Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet Through a few years of dabbling and learning in the Boeing B737NG and Airbus A320 FTDs, ground school, and conversations with retired veteran airline captain Michael Caston, a new workshop was born - "Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet". The workshop is highly experiential and hands-on, where CXOs, senior business leaders and managers can be briefed on aviation best practices and then apply them in a realistic flight simulator, instructed by real pilots, and then synergize and integrate these time and field proven ideas back into running their businesses more effectively and profitably. - Presentation - Pre-Simulator Briefing - Simulation (Crew of 4, for a total group of 16) Pre-flight briefing (SOPs, checklists, briefings) - Flight from A to B (Choice of departure/destination, day/night/weather) - Engine start (Taxi, take-off, minor problem solving) - Cruise (Problem solving, decision-making, teamwork, threats, errors, automation, etc) - Descent (Passenger handling, landing scenarios, etc) - Q&A - #### Before the program: - I will meet once (Zoom or physical)or communicate over email, to analyze needs, current problems/challenges, objectives, and to gather information about your organization (or your client's). - I will help identify virtual or physical preferred seating, lighting, A/V requirements, in advance. - I am easy to work with for travel and accommodation. #### During the program: - I will interact with the audience and involve them, if the program format depends on it. - I will employ real-world examples, past experience, and multimedia, as much as possible within the context of the program. - I generally offer more than specified in time and/or content, but can conform to a short time slot too. - I can adapt and be flexible when situations arise. #### After the program: - I will be happy to answer questions and interact with the audience. - I will encourage the audience to write in through email or keep in touch. - I will be happy to stay for book autographs, if my books are available on site. - I will assist you in administering any evaluation of the program. - I will be active in follow-through actions when asked for, within the limits of the program. #### Customers' Compliments - "BIG thank you. You are really good and professional. I enjoyed especially the part where you interacted with the Keynote Speaker during Q&A. Cool!" - Emcee, large industry event. - "You've been such a captivating speaker and my clients have given me nothing but praises about your presentation. :-)" - Opening keynote, IT security event. - "Thank you for the very inspiring talk and for sharing your life story and experiences in business start-ups. Your audience was awed by your perseverance in pursuing your dreams." - Keynote, career event. - "It was a pleasure having you, you were a wonderful presenter. I think your keynote was received very well and caused people to pause to ponder the 'larger issues in life'. It's always refreshing to know that there are beacons of truth and friends like you in the business world." - Keynote, regional corporate travel conference. - "More interesting speakers like Seamus!" "Very informative, knowledgeable and interesting!" "Great speaker! Lively, interesting and enjoyable!" "His speech was exciting!" "Excellent!" - Keynote, government-led IT conference. - "Wonderful talk! Very enlightening!" - Keynote, tech & branding event. - "Excellent facilitation!" "Really cool facilitation!" "You did a really great job!" - Facilitator, government-led industry brainstorming event. - "Very impressive moderation of the session!" "You did a great job!" - Facilitator, closed-door government-led CEO event. - "Your presentation was great! Very interesting illustrations! The gameshow you led was highly commendable!" - Keynote & gameshow host, government-led conference (400+ people). - "Excellent! Very interesting and informative! Well done, Seamus, for transforming a dry IT topic into an interesting session!" - Speaker, regional PR conference. - "Great success! The audience just love your session!" - Keynote, eGov seminar. - "Our privilege to have you. Thoroughly enjoyed your session." - Highest rated speaker at a government-led IT seminar (350+ people). - "Most impressed with your professional presentation, interesting content and captivating delivery." - Keynote, national banking security & risk seminar. - " Excellent! Great presentation!" - Keynote, IT symposium (1,000+ people). - "Excellent in presentation and moderation!" - Moderator, IT conference. - "Brilliant and informative!" - Keynote, regional Incentive Travel event (400+ people). - "Excellent and impactful presentation!" - Keynote, administrators conference. - "Excellent in both presentation and content!" - Speaker, IT conference. #### Profile for Meeting Planners: Request from Seamus directly. #### Engage me to supercharge your business now! If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, or if you are looking for a Board Advisor or Board Member, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! --- # Customers & fees Source: https://seamusphan.com/customers/ I work with multinational clients. I work with emerging companies and start-ups. I work with non-profits (sometimes even pro bono if I identify emotionally with the cause) and governments. Once I commit to a client, I give it my all. ![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ida28mar2s.jpeg) ## Professional International Keynote Speaker As a professional keynote speaker, coach and meeting facilitator, I have spoken and facilitated on topics such as business leadership, strategy, marketing, Internet security, and social media. I have also found great joy in sharing my journey of overcoming physical, health and life challenges against the odds with corporations, non-profits, governments and students. From time to time, I mentor executives in developing business and technology strategies, especially in the areas of public relations, branding, and new media. Clients have flown me to locations throughout the Asia-Pacific region, Australia, North America, and Europe. I am happy to consider any reasonable location to speak, facilitate or consult. And of course, my most common physical location at the moment is Singapore. This also fits nicely in a "travel-lite" world, as I am now more than happy to speak to your audience via videoconferencing or livestreaming platforms. Here are some clients (past and present) that I have been privileged to work with. ### Clients (Project & Retained) *Acuvue · AsiaMedic · ASICS · Autodesk · AutoStore · Belkin · Beoplay · Business Times · CA · Citibank NA Global Finance · CMP Media · Coast Cycles · Compaq · Crocs · Crystal Jade Restaurant · ETHIX · FutureCIO · Gemplus/Gemalto · HP · DHL · DTAP (Republic Healthcare) · Galderma · HackerOne · HIMA · HST Medical · IBM · ILOG · Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) · Interbrand · KEF · Kodak · KRONE · MAN Truck & Bus · Michael Podolinsky · Miller Freeman Exhibitions · Ministry of Finance (BCCS) · Ministry of Law (LAB) · Mitsubishi Electric Asia · NEC · Novell Education · OTIS Elevator (PAO) · Pan Abrasives · Parkway Health · PeopleSoft · Plantronics · Point Information Systems · Porsche · Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) · PriceWaterhouse · Rally Software · Ron Kaufman · Schneider Electric · SER Solutions · Siemens · Sin Kwang Optical · SmartRx · SPD · Sumitomo Electric · Swensens · Synopsys · TELUS · Thunder Asia Racing · Trend Micro · Virtual Strategy Inc · Universal Robots · Vertu · VillageSmith Gifts Workshop · and many others.* ### Clients/Attendees *ABN AMRO Bank · Arab Bank PLC · Asia Business Forum · Asia Speakers Association · Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) · Attorney-General's Chambers · Banque Paribas · Bayswater Shipping & Forwarding · Behring Diagnostics · Berger Paints · Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore (BCCS) · Carrier · Chartered Assset Management · Civil Service College · Computer Associates · Crocs · CXOciety · Delco Electronics · DBS Bank · DHL International · Emerald Eduation Group · Eveready · Ericsson · Equant (Global One, part of France Telecom) · First Capital · Gemplus · Global Airfreight International · Hard Rock Hotels · Holiday Inn Park View · Honda R&D · Hong Kong SAR Government (Civil Service College) · Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp (HSBC) · Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) · Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore · Institute of Technical Education (ITE) · Insto Conferences · Law Society of Singapore · Liang Court · Locumedia · Kodak · Marine Parade CC · Martha Tilaar · Ministry of Defence (SCO) · Ministry of Health (MCS) · Mount Elizabeth Hospital · MPH Malaysia · MPH Singapore · National Computer Board (NCB) · National Council of Social Service · National Trust Council · Nokia · Ocean Minded · Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) · Pan Abrasives · Popular Bookstore Malaysia · Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) · Singapore Tourism Board · Social Service Training Institute · Society for the Physically Disabled · Sun International Indian Ocean · TIME Telekom · Ulu Pandan CC · Wisma Development, and many others.* ### Fee Schedule ![Seamus Phan - long-time pround member of National Speakers Association USA](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/nsa_badge_ProudMember_black_042021-150x150.png) I have been a professional fee-based speaker since the 1980s, following a fee schedule for platform speaking and meeting facilitation. The following fees are indicative and compare favorably with peer speakers, for the most common programs and events. If your industry is highly complex and technical, and the target audience is senior executives and high-level government officials, and I need to do extensive background research prior to meeting facilitation or speaking, additional fees may be added to the speaking or facilitation fees. - **Keynote Speech (up to 2 hours), US$3,000 and up** - **Customized Keynote Speech (up to 2 hours), US$5,000 and up** - **Meeting Facilitation (whole day), US$10,000 and up*** - **Meeting Facilitation (up to 4 hours), US$5,000 and up*** - **Meeting Facilitation (up to 2 hours), US$3,000 and up*** - **Customized Training (4 hours and above), US$10,000 and up*** - **Notes - For meeting facilitation, the base rates are for simple "drop-in" events. For facilitation of CXO and government events, the rates are much higher.* - *50% downpayment on booking, and remaining fees due prior or on the same day of the event. * - *Invoices will be sent from "McGallen & Bolden Pte Ltd", and fees are payable to the same firm. Fees are NOT refundable.* Other incidentals such as airfare, hotel and accommodation to other locations are the responsibility of the client. For locations outside of Singapore, there is a surcharge of 20% for Asia-Pacific locations (including Australia and New Zealand) and 40% for Europe and North America. Genuine non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and governmental organizations serving specific community initiatives may contact me for slightly reduced rates. Some nonprofit organizations that I have a personal interest in may receive my speaking services pro bono. For marketing and other strategic consulting, please contact me directly. For editorial and broadcast assignments, please contact me for specific terms and fees. #### Clients' Compliments - "BIG thank you. You are really good and professional. I enjoyed especially the part where you interacted with the Keynote Speaker during Q&A. Cool!" - Emcee, large industry event. - "You've been such a captivating speaker and my clients have given me nothing but praises about your presentation. :-)" - Opening keynote, IT security event. - "Thank you for the very inspiring talk and for sharing your life story and experiences in business start-ups. Your audience was awed by your perserverance in pursuing your dreams." - Keynote, career event. - "It was a pleasure having you, you were a wonderful presenter. I think your keynote was received very well and caused people to pause to ponder the 'larger issues in life'. It's always refreshing to know that there are beacons of truth and friends like you in the business world." - Keynote, regional corporate travel conference. - "More interesting speakers like Seamus!" "Very informative, knowledgeable and interesting!" "Great speaker! Lively, interesting and enjoyable!" "His speech was exciting!" "Excellent!" - Keynote, government-led IT conference. - "Wonderful talk! Very enlightening!" - Keynote, tech & branding event. - "Excellent facilitation!" "Really coolfacilitation!" "You did a really great job!" - Facilitator, government-led industry brainstorming event. - "Very impressive moderation of the session!" "You did a great job!" - Facilitator, closed-door government-led CEO event. - "Your presentation was great! Very interesting illustrations! The gameshow you led was highly commendable!" - Keynote & gameshow host, government-led conference (400+ people). - "Excellent! Very interesting and informative! Well done, Seamus, for transforming a dry IT topic into an interesting session!" - Speaker, regional PR conference. - "Great success! The audience justlove your session!" - Keynote, eGov seminar. - "Our privilege to have you. Thoroughly enjoyed your session." - Highest rated speaker at a government-led IT seminar (350+ people). - "Most impressed with your professional presentation, interesting content and captivating delivery." - Keynote, national banking security & risk seminar. - " Excellent! Great presentation!" - Keynote, IT symposium (1,000+ people). - "Excellent in presentation and moderation!" - Moderator, IT conference. - "Brilliant and informative!" - Keynote, regional Incentive Travel event (400+ people). - "Excellent and impactful presentation!" - Keynote, administrators conference. - "Excellent in both presentation and content!" - Speaker, IT conference. #### Engage me to supercharge your business now! If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, or if you are looking for a Board Advisor or Board Member, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! --- # Journalism & copywriting Source: https://seamusphan.com/journalism/ ## Native bilingual writer & speaker During my junior college years, a British native English teacher ignited my passion for writing by bringing the English language to life and inspiring me to learn and love it passionately, not just mechanically. I have loved writing ever since. I am bilingual in both English and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified, including the ancient language), spoken and written. If you need someone to deliver a keynote in either language, I am your guy. I am also a [Chinese painter and calligrapher](https://seamusphan.com/artist/). ## Writing since 1986 I have been writing professionally since 1986, from children's books to technical documentation, training programs, and journalistic expressions to published books. I have published hundreds of technical and business articles and authored several books (including the most recent "Dot Zen 2.o," the previous co-authored "Dot Zen," the best-selling "This Body This Life," and the Amazon best-seller "The Internet Webmaster Logbook"), several e-books, audio CDs, and video training products. I have also been an avid blogger since the late 1990s, writing about philosophy, religion, business leadership, technology, holistic health and fitness, and so on. You can read my [blog articles here](https://seamusphan.com/blog/). I was privileged to have been the first Asia member of the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) and a member of The Chartered Institute of Journalists UK (MCIJ). I have worked with daily newspapers, technology and business magazines as an independent journalist and contributing editor. Editors have been kind to me, commenting that they can rely on me to produce analysis and news features that are fresh, insightful and highly readable. I also write advertising and editorial copy for corporate clients. If you need powerful and effective copy, talk to me now! ## Commentary: AI Seamus contributed a thought leadership article on leading trade media FutureCOO (aka FutureIoT), on "[Personal AI and where we might be heading](https://futureiot.tech/personal-ai-and-where-we-might-be-heading/)," where he talked about data privacy, offline AI, RAG (retrieval augmented generation), cybersecurity for AI, etc. ![Screenshot](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-04-at-17.41.26-1200x1042.jpg) ## Commentary: Bootstrapping Leading trade media Dynamic Business in Australia carried my comments on an article, "[How to win customers even when competitors spend 10x more](https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/lets-talk-business/how-to-win-customers-even-when-competitors-spend-10x-more.html)," where I shared my insights on how growing businesses can bootstrap and adopt OSS (open source software) to compete with the big businesses. ![Screenshot](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-15-at-09.05.27-1-800x427.jpg) ## Commentary: Crisis Management Leading trade media Dynamic Business in Australia carried my comments on an article, "[What to do when your business gut instinct screams ‘danger’ at every option](https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/lets-talk-business/what-to-do-when-your-business-gut-instinct-screams-danger-at-every-option.html)," where I shared my insights on how best to manage crises like pilots do, with CRM (crew resource management). ![20250827 dynbiz crisis.001](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250827_dynbiz_crisis.001-800x450.jpeg) ## Commentary: AI Our CTO, Seamus, contributed a thought leadership article on leading trade media FutureCIO, on "[AI literacy to ensure business value realization](https://futurecio.tech/ai-literacy-to-ensure-business-value-realisation/)," where he shared the current AI trajectory, RAG (retrieval-augmented generation), offline AI, and surviving in the Web 4.0 era. ![Screenshot](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-03-at-11.59.00-800x616.jpg) ## Commentary: AI Leading trade media Dynamic Business in Australia carried my comments on an article, "[How to win at AI when you don’t have time to learn it,](https://dynamicbusiness.com/featured/tech-tuesday/6-knowledge-management-platforms-changing-how-teams-work.html)" where I shared my insights on how best to adopt AI for SMBs, with RAG (retrieval augmented generation) and offline RAG. ![20250820 dynbiz sp.001](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250820_dynbiz_sp.001-800x450.jpg) ## Commentary: SME cost-reduction Leading trade media Dynamic Business in Australia carried my comments on an article, "[Let’s Talk about the missing piece in every cost-reduction plan](https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/lets-talk-business/lets-talk-about-the-missing-piece-in-every-cost-reduction-plan.html)," where I shared my insights on how SMEs can still thrive without laying off employees through the right technology adoption. ## One recent FutureIOT piece on "recruiting and developing employees" Summary: The author emphasizes the importance of finding the right people for a business, focusing on personality, commitment, and curiosity. They suggest that businesses should profile candidates early, using application correspondence, profiling tests, and interviews. Using profiling tests like MBTI, TypeFinder®, Enneagram, Big Five, and DISC can help determine if candidates can effectively integrate into the business. Interview panels can be used to assess candidates' competence and knowledge. Employers can hire self-starters who need minimal guidance and can solve problems. Businesses can develop and maintain a learning management system (LMS) to engage employees with up-to-date information and knowledge. Tools like LearnPress and Beautiful.ai can be used for creating learning content. Empowering employees and setting them free is crucial for collective success. [Read the full piece here](https://futureiot.tech/recruiting-and-developing-employees/). ## Journalism interests (visit my MuckRuck profile) - **Business, leadership, entrepreneurship, branding, and marketing** - **Digital marketing and PR** - **Gadgets (photography, video, computing, mobile)** - **Internet security (cybersecurity)** - **Biotech, pharmaceuticals, medicine, antiaging, health and fitness** - **Asia Pacific** - **Art and culture** - **Philosophy (especially Asian)** ## Microwire.news I am also helping the [team](https://mcgallen.com/?sp) keep the flame of journalism alive at [microwire.news](https://microwire.info/?sp), a news aggregation and content outreach platform where we cover technology, cybersecurity, food and hospitality, healthcare, the arts, and more. If you are interested in having me review your products, such as cameras, smartphones, Apple Mac and iOS stuff, and other interesting gadgets, let me know! ## Interviews (C-suite) Throughout my years as a journalist, I have enjoyed interviewing many top executives of multinational corporations, industry visionaries, and celebrities. Steve Wozniak (Woz), co-founder of Apple, was a memorable one. ## Editorial features I have written I have written hundreds of technical and business features and commentaries and interviewed many top executives and visionaries. If you would like to see a sample of my work, please contact me. Here are the titles of a small sampling of what I have written. [Asia Times](https://asiatimes.com/?s=seamus%20phan) also published some of my writings. ### Business and marketing features - The View from Singapore (National Writer, cover feature) - Rejuvenating aging brands (AllAboutBranding.com, cover feature) - Ethics of Disclosure: A a study of SARS (Ethix Magazine, feature) - Antitrust issues in Asia, translated into Chinese (Navigator, Motorola) - Business technology features - Internet-Based Education and Its Impact on Developing Nations (BWW, feature) - The Chief Knowledge Officer as the guardian of knowledge (Cnet Asia, feature) - Wireless sun rises in the East (TechTV feature, PDF) - Who needs a PC? (Business 2.0, cover feature, on how wireless Internet, specifically on wireless technology, is changing the lives of people in Asia). ### Complex technology features - Trimming Costs? Shrink the Motherboard (NC Asia, analysis feature) - The clan of C languages (NC Asia, feature) - Recent security holes (NC Asia feature) - VPN circa 2002 (NC Asia, feature) - Mail server landscape (NC Asia, feature) - Fooling biometrics (NC Asia, feature) - Optimizing Java code and C# (NC Asia feature) - Squid configuration (NC Asia, feature) - Tidying up HTML code for XML (NC Asia feature) - Identity crisis (NC Asia, feature) - 64-bit computing revisited (NC Asia, feature) - Disable gopher (NC Asia, feature) - Satellite broadband (NC Asia, feature) - Using Perl to fight spam (NC Asia feature) - Patching wireless holes (NC Asia feature) - Antivirus tech frontiers (NC Asia, feature) - Multicast methods (NC Asia, feature) - Step up on spectrum (NC Asia, feature) - Beware of those MP3s (NC Asia, feature) - OS Shootout of Solaris, OS X & Win XP (NC Asia, feature) - Satellite Internet (NC Asia, feature) - Systems block of Asia domains (NC Asia, feature) - The right stuff (NC Asia, cover story) - Un-tethered learning with wireless (NC Asia, feature) - No forms, please (NC Asia, feature) - DIY Wireless: Base station not required? (NC Asia, feature) - IPSec and MPLS: Which VPN is Right For You? (NC Asia, feature) - Slowing down spam (NC Asia, feature) ## Broadcast (TV & radio) journalism I can work as an independent commentator and analyst and as a co-host for broadcasters (TV, radio and online) if you are looking for a reassuring voice or personality with reassuring and learned authority and discernible optimism. I have a radio- and TV-friendly voice, having used my voice and personality on stage and elsewhere for more than two decades, including broadcast work. Unlike "pure" radio voices and TV faces, I bring decades of business, professional, technology and consulting experience to the table, making me a credible partner to your on-air personalities. You can count on me for quick thinking, thoughtful and lively discussions, and to fill in gaps whenever needed. ![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/techtvlogo.gif) I have co-hosted on USA's ZDTV Radio, TechTV Radio and TechTV Live. I have also co-hosted segments on 93.8FM (English) and Capital 95.8FM (Mandarin/Chinese). #### Media accolades - "Seamus is just great!" says a US TV producer. - "You did so well! Our producer was blown away and said that you should be on every week. Nice smile... Our producer actually looked at me in the control room and said, 'he's the best guest we've ever had.'" US TV host. - "Thanks for making the program so relevant and interesting that more than the average number of listeners called in to chat with us." Asia Radio host. - "It was our pleasure having you on the show. For us, you're simply wonderful." Asia TV producer. #### Engage me to supercharge your business now! If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, or if you are looking for a Board Advisor or Board Member, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! --- # Art & Music Source: https://seamusphan.com/art-music/ ## Music creation I learned violin as a kid, just for a while. I learned the electronic wind instrument (EWI), the digital equivalent of the saxophone, when I was in my thirties. And now, I am trying my hand at the traditional Chinese instrument guqin (古琴). Wish me luck. I am also writing lyrics and tinkering with music creation. Visit my [YouTube channel @artistaviator](https://youtube.com/@artistaviator) (and [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/artist/50womDE7SdqEZ9gQUIGl3b)): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2Lz7nAiWTI&list=PLOrMOfu3LyIeVMru2B-mUzkoMvq0acmsY   Other music platforms to find my songs and music: [![Apple music - artistaviator](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Apple_Music-Logo.wine_-150x100.png)](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/artistaviator/1790838727) [![Spotify - artistaviator](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Spotify_Full_Logo_RGB_Green-150x41.png)](https://open.spotify.com/artist/50womDE7SdqEZ9gQUIGl3b) [![Boomplay - artistaviator](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/single-coloured-icon-on-white-background-150x31.png)](https://www.boomplay.com/search/default/artistaviator) [![Amazon music - artistaviator](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Amazon_Music_Logo_Horizontal_RGB_Entertainment_Dark_MASTER-150x32.png)](https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B0DT7BP1TB/artistaviator) [![Shazam - artistaviator](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Shazam_logo.svg-150x43.png)](https://www.shazam.com/artist/artistaviator/1790838727) [![iheartradio - artistaviator](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/iHR_secondary_Color-150x43.png)](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-artist-aviators-channel-256503980/) [![Deezer - artistaviator](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/deezerwmark-mb-rgb-150x26.png)](https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/297701611) ## Custom Music & Jingle Creation for Businesses If you are looking for a friendly and casual creative who can deliver custom advertising, marketing, social media, or corporate jingles and songs for a song (pun intended), let's talk. Within the confines of AI-assisted technologies, there are still kinks but as long as you are not overly fussy, we can make music (with lyrics) work for your business. ## Artist at heart ![Nanyang Academy of Fine Art (NAFA), St Thomas Walk campus, 1978](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/nafa_stthomaswalk_1978-320x197.jpg) I have always been an artist. I have a liberal and free artistic expression (寫意派), and my medium is Chinese ink or brush painting (水墨畫). I have also dabbled in pottery, using the potter's wheel and also free form sculpting. I graduated from the [Nanyang Academy of Fine Art (NAFA)](https://www.nafa.edu.sg/?sp) at its old campus at Saint Thomas Walk in 1979 - I was the youngest student in the class. I was so busy with work and business that I stopped painting for more than 36 years. However, I have managed to start painting again, using simple disposable pre-inked Japanese calligraphy brushes and sketchbooks instead of the traditional Chinese brushes, ground ink and cotton paper. These days I also dabble in Chinese calligraphy, in the style of 行書. ### Commissioned art Please visit [https://artistaviator.com](https://artistaviator.com) for my paintings. I am open to commissioned paintings for your homes, offices, and organizations too. Here are some of my art.     #### Engage me to supercharge your business now! If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, or if you are looking for a Board Advisor or Board Member, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! --- # Author – leadership, branding, marketing, tech, philosophy Source: https://seamusphan.com/books/ !["Tough Times, Great PR" book by Seamus Phan](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1685329768-800x614.jpeg) ## Tough Times, Great PR - dot Zen 3.0: Building brands and publicity for the 21st century Brands large and small are facing the toughest times of the 21st century, with global pandemics and conflicts causing roadblocks and downturns. So how can brands bootstrap their way to victory in the war for branding and publicity? ### Table of contents - 4 key steps to harnessing public relations in a recession - Is your business ready for PR? - Engage your PR at the C-suite level - 3 critical tips for spokespersons - Is your C-suite merely non-player characters (NPC) in the media? - 5 crippling PR mistakes to avoid - Hunt for PR help only when a crisis hits? - Taking “journalese” out of our writing - Feeling let down by your media monitoring service? - Drilling down deeper into PR measurement - 4 critical tips for marketers facing a deep decline of the “influencer” industry - 5 critical crisis management and communication tips - 3 tips to build a brand in a crisis - Future of PR in the 21st century is the bottom line - Crises may not be what you think - be prepared - Don’t try to bury bad news on a Friday - Physics and the art of crisis management - Why all businesses need PR - 6 tips on handling difficult questions - Speak directly and simply for impact - avoid double negatives - The 5 Cs of speechwriting for the C-suite - Employer branding through PR - Recommendations for building lasting brands through heritage and tenure - Future of marketing may not be about personalization - Old brands - 7 tips on keeping a brand going - 4 tips to succeed in cookie-less marketing - 3 public relations (PR) recommendations post-crisis - Communications and human resources - synergy and separate - 5-prong CELLS™ approach to successful Asia Pacific market entry - What a simple word game can inspire us to do in marketing and PR - 6 Reasons Why PR is the best way to build brands and win customers - 4 ways to build social proof to boost your PR - Authentic social media to the rescue in a crisis - Beyond mainstream media pitching and going online - 8 recommendations for building your own in-house studio for audio and video - Digital resilience for communication - Digital tools for communicators - When tech goes down, the show must go on - 5 steps to create NFTs for brands and asset protection - 4 tips of AI prompt engineering for PR - E.S.G. your life to sanity [![Buy Amzn](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/buy_amzn.png)](https://www.amazon.sg/Tough-Times-Great-PR-Publicity/dp/0983505829/) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS3OzN27yaY ### Book Launch Talks (a snippet video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7Do6UoLT60 ### Pioneer Service Quality Author ![Service Quality: The Enlightened Approach by Dr Seamus Phan](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/esp_nucover2000.00001sm-1200x1703.jpg) I published my first book on customer service in 1994, possibly one of the pioneers in Singapore in this area. This book, "Enlightened Service Providers (ESP©)", was based on my original work, copyrighted in 1990, which was subsequently adapted for a multi-million dollar project to provide customer service training for a national airline. Subsequently, I was an e-book pioneer, publishing on ISO 9000, ISO 14000, Internet Webmastering (pioneer) and related topics. I co-authored a book on health and fitness with my younger brother, the international bodybuilding champ, and the book journey never stopped. ### Dot Zen 2.0 Book #### The follow-on book to the first Dot Zen book in 2003 ![Dot Zen 2.0 book by Dr Seamus Phan](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dotzen2_cover-800x1253.jpg) As a publicist and journalist, one of the easiest ways to get thoughts down on paper quickly is with a blog. I have been a blogger for a long time, with only one short break. Writing casually on a blog is a great way to relax, crystallize thoughts, and share ideas with like-minded people. Inspired by the earlier success of our original paperback "Dot Zen," I wrote on my blog about various areas of management that are relevant to an owner-manager like me, and perhaps many others like me, as well as departmental practitioners in larger corporations. These broad areas include strategic leadership, human capital and development, customer service, branding and reputation, sales, marketing, public relations, social, audio-visual and mobile media. I believe these can benefit fellow executives and practitioners as we move forward in an ever-changing, ever-evolving business environment that merges previously distinct fields. Unlike the first book, this second edition is more hands-on, with more tried-and-true tips and tricks that we have researched and used in our work. We include QR codes that you can scan with your smartphone or tablet camera to quickly browse and read the references, many of which we found useful and relevant. Think of this book as a field and combat survival guide, something to scribble in, make "dog ears" on, and flip through often. We hope you will use it often and show its battle scars from frequent use. *NB: The articles have been heavily edited for the book and will differ from our online writings. Plus, the book is a 6-inch by 9-inch format, great for carrying around. * The book has broad categories of topics: **Strategy and leadership **We discussed startup mentality, retiring products, the "last mover advantage", marks of a true leader, the myth of uniqueness, and work ethics. **Human capital and development **We discussed recruiting the best marketing people, structured and unstructured learning, social media and recruitment, and sieving out toxic employees. **Customer service and sales **We discussed the prevention of lapses, customer service myths, managing and developing retail staffers, service failures and recovery, social media and customer service. **Branding and reputation **We discussed good brand names, packaging and industrial design, and brand journalism. **Marketing **We discussed marketing tips from pop sensations, strategies, analogies to art and paintings, optimizing paid, earned and owned media. **Public relations **We discussed the humanizing of brands, going beyond traditional PR, trends of PR, crisis prepardness and communication, and spokesperson development. **Social media and the Web **We discussed website optimization, content targeting, content development tips, graphics for the Web, responsive websites, building social media communities, business blogging, analytics, and owned media. **Mobile, video and audio **We discussed augmented reality and QR codes, video content, mobile apps, and video journalism. ### This Body This Life (Bestselling Book on Health & Fitness) ![This Body This Life book by CJ Phan and Dr Seamus Phan](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/page_1-1200x1812.jpg) "This Body This Life" was voted by The National Library Board (NLB) as one of the "Top 10 Health Books" in Singapore, on Oct 19, 2005, listed through some local papers! Briefly: Seamus and his brother and champion bodybuilder and coach CJ, joined hands to write an unique book in 2002 on holistic health, nutrition, proper dieting, exercise, fitness, and longevity. If you are a journalist who needs a friendly and credible source, you can look at my [Qwoted](https://app.qwoted.com/sources/seamus-phan) profile, or [contact me here](https://seamusphan.com/contact/). #### Earlier Books ![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/amazontopseller.gif) I have authored quite many books and other associated products, some of which have been recognized by industry colleagues and the media. One of my very early books, The Internet Webmaster Logbook, became an Amazon Bestselling Book under the Webmaster category, probably a first for Asia-based authors. My book "This Body This Life" was also a Weekly Bestseller, while the book "Dot ZEN" was a sell-out. My books have also been featured in the Publishers Marketing Assocation (PMA) Buyers Guide 2004, the leading independent publishers association in the USA. **Current books and products available on-demand:** **![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/tweetpilgrim_bk_sm.jpg)** **Tweets of a humble pilgrim - A journey of struggling towards God** ISBN: 978-0-9835058-0-8 Briefly: This is a collection of tweets of a simple priest laboring in the world, from 2009 to 2012, reflecting upon his humble personal spiritual journey. NOTE: This book is intended for like-minded and professed baptized Christians only and not intended for others. Price: US$7.18. 132 pages. Shipping costs calculated separately. **![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/waypilgrim_pocket_sm.jpeg)** **Spiritual Lessons from the Journeys of the Pilgrim** ISBN: 978-0-6154-5450-4 Briefly: This is a pocket book based on a month-long journey to reflect on readings of "The Way of a Pilgrim", "The Pilgrim continues his way", writings of St Seraphim of Sarov, and the Didache. NOTE: This book is intended for like-minded and professed baptized Christians only and not intended for others. Price: US$8.26. 186 pages. Shipping costs calculated separately. **![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/spiritualcisecvr-2.jpeg)** **Spiritual Exercises Workbook** Briefly: This is a pocket workbook (and a larger instructor's version) based on the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of "The Society of Jesus", or the Jesuits). Used this in spiritual direction, and also small workshops for pastors and laity, to reflect on the relationship with God, and to develop spiritual discipline on a daily basis. NOTE: This book is intended for like-minded and professed baptized Christians only and not intended for others. Price: Enquire from us. 87 pages. Shipping costs calculated separately. **![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/cc9780615208008.jpeg)** **Contemplative Thoughts of an Asian Seminarian, Revised Edition** ISBN: 978-0-6152-0800-8 Briefly: This humble book (hardcover) outlines the academic writings of Seamus when he attended a seminary, for his service to God. The writings discussed theology, denominations, liturgy, and missiology. NOTE: This book is intended for like-minded and professed baptized Christians only and not intended for others. Price: US$29.44. 236 pages. Shipping costs calculated separately. **![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/cc981045645x.gif)** **Dot ZEN** (on Entrepreneurship & Leadership) ISBN: 981-04-5645-X Briefly: Dot ZEN is a book published in 2003 aimed at small business owners, high-tech startups, knowledge entrepreneurs, free agents, and senior business executives, to help them see a whole new way of managing marketing, publicity, public relations (PR), branding, human resources, and the use of the Internet, in a non-aggressive, enlightened manner. Unlike some business or organizational practices that stress on short-term results, mercenary tactics, or legal trigger-happy types, this book takes a compassionate and meditative look at how businesses can be run. Co-authored by Seamus and Hui Peng based on their consulting work. First print run sold out! Now in reprint on-demand version! More at the [book](https://seamusphan.com/dot-zen-book/) page. Price: US$11. 200 pages. Shipping costs calculated separately. **![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/cc9789810504366.jpeg)** **Street ZEN** ISBN: 978-9-8105-0436-6 Briefly: This is a work of fiction to contemplate on life's challenges and issues, right up to the year 2004. NOTE: This is an OUTDATED work of Seamus when he was still a Buddhist scholar. Price: US$9.50. 134 pages. Shipping costs calculated separately. **![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/lulu_78642.jpeg)** **Private Window 1984: Confessions of a depressed soldier** ISBN: 1-4116-1433-X Briefly: Seamus wrote poems, prose and other short pieces during his national service days in 1984. None of the serious professional or "work" stuff, just his emotional rants during his MUCH younger days. Find out more at [window1984.com](http://window1984.com). Price: US$7.95 per book. Shipping costs calculated separately. **![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/dvdentre9810511876s-2.jpeg)** **From Employee to Entrepreneur VideoCD** (Based on Dot ZEN book) ISBN: 981-05-1187-6 Briefly: Knowledge entrepreneur Seamus shows his audience in a LIVE session, on how to succeed with skills, knowledge, and expertise. Unlike less-proven network marketing and franchise schemes, Seamus shows that it is possible to startup a business based on the entrepreneur's expertise, with very little startup capital. Price: US$68. Around 40 minutes. Shipping costs calculated separately. Out of print. Request directly if required. **![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/dvdspkrpr9810511884s.jpeg)** **Media Training Primer for Speakers and Trainers VideoCD** ISBN: 981-05-1188-4 Briefly: Seamus, TV and radio commentator/analyst, accredited journalist and editor, and former publicist, shows peer speakers and trainers insider's tips and secrets of media communication, media relations, and on-air secrets (for TV and radio). Price: US$68. Around 40 minutes. Shipping costs calculated separately. Out of print. Request directly if required. **![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/cc9810445571.jpeg)** **Using the Internet as a Service Quality Weapon to leapfrog your competition VideoCD 2001** ISBN: 981-04-4557-1 Briefly: Seamus spoke on how to leapfrog your competition, no matter how large you are (or how small) or what industry you are in, with Internet technologies. A fast-paced, engaging and Asia-centric training delivery. Seamus is at his best talking about the "marriage" of Service Quality and the Internet, as Asia's pioneer in BOTH areas. Price: US$188 per Video CD (playable on DVD players, PC, Mac). Approximately 60 minutes. Out of print. Request directly if required. **![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/cc9810445563.jpeg)** **E-Business (Audio CD)** ISBN: 981-04-4556-3 Briefly: Seamus hosted a segment on national radio. He was the first Internet and technology speaker to host that segment (previously for business speakers only). In this audio CD, you can hear clips on how to develop an e-business strategy, components necessary for a good infrastructure, Internet security, mobile commerce, and streaming media techniques. Hear a sample here. Price: US$68. Approximately 40 minutes, on Audio CD format. Out of print. Request directly if required. **![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/cc9810064578.jpeg)** **Service Quality: The Enlightened Approach (Book/eBook)** ISBN: 981-00-6457-8 Briefly: Rather than stick to motivational approaches ("quick-patchers or fixes"), Seamus uses a synergistic approach of motivation and implementation. The program has been implemented in multi-million projects. This book was the culmination of Seamus' pioneering work in Singapore, from 1989 to 1990, which resulted in a copyrighted program declared before a Commissioner of Oaths in 1990. The concepts have been delivered and deployed in many organizations thereafter, including aviation (a million dollar project), banking, technology, etc. The book was the result of the program and published in 1995. Price: US$18 (1995 first print edition), or US$18 for digital version (1999). Out of print. Request directly if required. **![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/cc9810076487.jpeg)** **Internet Webmaster Logbook (eBook)** ISBN: 981-00-7648-7 Briefly: Seamus takes an in-depth look at how he helped to set up various Internet and Intranet web sites and servers in Asia for Human Resource Management and Development (HRM/HRD), without burning a deep hole in your budget. Price: US$39.90 for digital version (1999). Print version sold out. Out of print. Request directly if required. **ISO 9000 Primer** ISBN: 981-04-2532-5 Briefly: This work makes it easy for small businesses to quickly understand ISO 9000 without the complex jargon, and follow through examples in a sample manual. It includes templates for readers to deploy in their small businesses. The product includes PDF, eBook and Palm DOC. Templates in PDF for practical reasons. Featured on national radio! Price: US$29 per eBook product on CDROM. Out of print. Request directly if required. **ISO 14000 Primer** ISBN: 981-04-2531-7 Briefly: This work makes it easy for small businesses to quickly understand ISO 14000 without the complex jargon, and follow through examples in a sample manual. It includes templates for readers to deploy in their small businesses. The product includes PDF, eBook and Palm DOC. Templates in PDF for practical reasons. Featured on national radio! Price: US$29 per eBook product on CDROM. Out of print. Request directly if required. #### Readers' accolades #### Dot Zen (leadership) - "No one connects East and West, high-tech and 'high-touch', the body and the mind better than Seamus. Read this book and get to know - as have I, to my great benefit -- one of the brighter lights, anywhere, in the worlds of business, professional education and personal improvement." - John Rapp, Principal, Emerald Education Group; former Director of Prof. Dev., Baker & McKenzie, Asia Pacific - "Seamus marries global business, eastern culture and Buddhist philosophy in a diamond text that will open your eyes, ease your mind, AND make you lots of money! Buy this book now." - Ron Kaufman, bestselling author of "UP Your Service!" - "Combining the wisdom and philosophy of Buddhism, martial arts, and real-world case studies from Asia, Seamus has again given us a book that educates, entertains and entices. A MUST READ for anyone!" - Michael Podolinsky, renowned keynote speaker and bestselling author - "Have finished reading your book, I'm very impressed and convinced by your insights and experience." - Tan Ai Li, Apple Computer - "What a great job you and Ter Hui Peng have done on your new book." - Dr Douglass Capogrossi, President, Akamai University - "I really enjoyed your book! You did an excellent job. I hope you sell a million copies." - Dr Harvey Menden - "Dot ZEN was fantastic; concise, real and fun!" - Sean Shea, Virtual Strategy - "Bursting with refreshing ideas that won't be in Western MBA textbooks." - - Philippa Yelland, Sydney Morning Herald #### This Body This Life (health & fitness) - "Seamus and CJ demonstrate that as long as you keep focused, disciplined and stay motivated on your goal, the results will show." - Ms Timea Majorova, European fitness champion and model. - "I couldn't put it down! You have written the BEST book on health and fitness I've ever read! The book is awesome. It should be put in the hands of every fat person on the planet." - Michael Podolinsky, renowned keynote speaker and Karate sensei. - "The content of this book is fantastic, with lots of new insights and well-rounded views. Should be staple reading for people in schools and in the army." - David Chin, editor. - "Eye-opening information on the secrets of antioxidants in this book." - John Pellam, BWW Society. - "I love your book. It offers clear and practical methods for getting in shape. I didn't see the results I wanted until I consulted your book for insights on diet and recovery. Now I feel more energy, and the stress seems easier to bear. Thank you." - Jeff Brown. - "Seamus never ceases to amaze me with his boundless energy and capacity for friendship. He wants to get the most possible out of life, and firmly believes in extending himself into his community. This book is just another example of where Seamus wants to share his energy and enthusiasm for life with the reader." - Daniel O'Callaghan, PhD (Pharm). - "CJ has demonstrated that there are varied options available and open to us in life, if only we will take cognizance and put in efforts. And so as with this book, he is sharing with us the options available, to make ourselves healthier, feel, look and live better. - Arthur Kan, Director, Raffles Medical Centre (Cambodia). - "Testimony of CJ's belief that exercise is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle comes from the fact that even after all these years, he has maintained his passion and quest for physical health and fitness, and did us all proud by winning the Commonwealth Bodybuilding Championships." - Dr. Ben Tan, Asian Games sailing Gold medalist. - "I have just bought your book last week. I love it so much. Thank for writing this book, as I have been looking for a book like this for the past few weeks. When I saw it in Plaza SIngapura, I just paid without a second thought. - Danny, Singapore. Visit my little corner on **[Amazon Author Central](https://www.amazon.com/stores/Seamus-Phan/author/B0C4P5BDWL)**. #### Engage me to supercharge your business now! If you are a business wanting to succeed in Asia Pacific with PR (public relations), strategic counsel (including GTM), marketing (including Fractional CMO), media coaching, leadership training, and crisis communication, or if you are looking for a Board Advisor or Board Member, [send me an email](mailto:websitesubmit@seamusphan.com?Subject=seamusphan_enquiry) right away! --- # Oops Source: https://seamusphan.com/oops/ Oops! Wrong turn? We can’t find the page you’re looking for, but we can help you find your way back. [Visit our Home page?](https://seamusphan.com/) --- # About Seamus Phan, PhD Source: https://seamusphan.com/about/ ## What I do, briefly I am a field-proven C-suite publicist, business strategist, professional keynote speaker, meeting and workshop facilitator, and adjunct professor with more than 37 years of communication, industry, training, and development experience since the 1980s. I have consulted and presented throughout the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide to audiences ranging from a few to thousands. My sessions are known for being thought-provoking, with deep industry and technology experience and case studies, as well as good humor and engaging analogies, anecdotes, stories, and historical perspectives. I am a storyteller. I am also a technologist and strategist who has consulted with organizations seeking guidance and recommendations on how to best leverage information technology (IT) for business, performance, and efficiency. I consult in areas such as Web 2.0, social media, mobile and web applications (full stack development), internet advertising, content management systems (CMS—public), knowledge management systems (KMS—intranet/internal), etc. My foray into computer programming was in the 1970's with my Sinclair ZX and Radio Shack TRS-80, writing BASIC programs. Then I moved on to learning FORTRAN, COBOL, the alphabet soup of HTML/Java/Javascript, and then Perl and PHP. I am a prolific writer and journalist, having published books on business leadership, the Internet, service quality, Total Quality Management (TQM), spirituality, etc. I have spent many years as a contributing editor, foreign correspondent, independent journalist, commentator, and analyst for business and technology publications, daily newspapers, magazines, radio and television, and online media. Connect with me on [**LinkedIn**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seamusphan). I do keep a simple [Linktree](https://linktr.ee/seamusphan) profile as well. ### Earlier years I was born very prematurely in a hospital in Taipei when the attending surgeon told my grandparents and parents that I might not make it. I didn't die, but I faced many physical challenges in my early life. I found that through a disciplined life of diet, nutrition, contemplation, and exercise, I could keep my physical challenges under control. I competed in the 100-meter sprint, learned Goju-Ryu Karate 剛柔流空手道 (one of the main styles of Okinawan Karate), weight training, and Muay Thai. I have remained active throughout my life. When I was in junior college, I spent way too much time doing biochemistry research (on food lipids and autoxidation). I served in the Army and came out in the worst economic crisis of the 1980s. However, I don't believe that life is meant to be wasted, even if challenges come your way and you can fight your way through them. There is a reason behind every event in life. That's what I bring to the table, the professional who keeps going. Through all these life challenges and experiences, I have found great joy in sharing my optimism and journey as a motivational speaker, especially with the younger generation. ### My work today Today, I spend my time as a thinker and practitioner in the areas of business leadership, communication, the Internet, marketing, branding, and Asian philosophy. For like-minded clients, I enjoy sharing my experiences in life's many twists and turns to inspire and educate people in my own unique and simple way. ![McGallen & Bolden Group (new identity)](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/mblogo3_red_words.png) Currently I am at [McGallen & Bolden Group](https://mcgallen.com) leading information technology implementations, as well as providing consulting and creative direction for the group's clients in using technology and interactive media for publicity, branding, and marketing. I am also developing leadership and crisis communication programs at Flight Leaders (division of McGallen & Bolden), based on aviation principles in the flight deck, on how pilots handle crises and communicate in such scenarios, together with a good friend and mentor who is a retired veteran airline captain with over 40 years of aviation experience, at [https://flightleaders.com](https://flightleaders.com). I also try to pursue my art and calligraphy, pro bono work, book writing, photography, filmmaking (short videos), and aviation. ### Memberships & Accolades I was privileged to be inducted into the 500 Profiles in Excellence, humbly alongside the likes of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate President Kim Dae-Jung (Korea), artist Peter Gabriel, "Seven Years in Tibet" film director Jean-Jacques Annaud, Cardinal Jan Peer Schotte (Secretary General of the World Synod of Bishops), and futurist Sir Arthur C. Clarke. I was also inducted into the Barons 500 Leaders of the New Century, humbly alongside the likes of leading futurist and visionary Sir Arthur C. Clarke and Microsoft's Bill Gates. Previously, I have been inducted into Marquis (USA)'s Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in Science & Engineering, and IBC UK's Men and Women of Distinction. I have been a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA-USA, since 2003), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA, since 1997), the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), the American Association for Talent Development (ATD, formerly American Society of Training & Development ASTD), the Biochemical Society (part of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies), the American College of Heraldry (life member), Spiritual Directors International (SDI), the United Nations Association of USA (life member), and the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD, where I served briefly as a board member). Previously, I was a member of the Chartered Institute of Journalists UK (MCIJ), the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), and Trade, Association & Business Publication International (TABPI, editorial judge of the Tabbies Awards). ### Lifelong student When I was in junior college, I spent way too much time on biochemistry research (on food lipids and autoxidation) and managed to drop out of junior college without going to university. I did my national service in the army and came out of the army facing the worst economic crisis of the 1980s. But I went on to night school and then distance learning while struggling to make ends meet. Many of my mentors and bosses in leading organizations advised me that learning is really about expanding one's mind and nothing more. I found great personal satisfaction in learning about many things in life and being a student of life. I learned through distance learning at non-traditional institutions simply to satisfy my intellectual interest while trying to stay afloat by working to support my family. My Ph.D. dissertation described an automated, Internet-based business analysis software for small businesses that ran on a Perl script. I also studied and earned a Ph.D. in theology with a dissertation on the search for faith in the East through a study of examples such as the Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci and the Catholic monk Thomas Merton. I also did some post-seminary research on pre-Nicene liturgy, early Christian thought, and the sacraments. Later, I revisited my original research in Total Quality Management and defended my revised dissertation, earning a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the San Juan de la Cruz sister program. In my earlier years and more recently, I spent a lot of time testing and researching food lipids and autoxidation, and an antioxidant against autoxidation in lipids that was tested for short-term toxicity. I have studied and continue to research possible applications in food, cosmetics and anti-aging, and have always maintained an interest in biochemistry, food science, health and fitness. You can view my [ResearchGate](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Seamus_Phan) profile, [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Pns1IMwAAAAJ&hl=en) page, [ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7414-2074) page, and publications as I add them (if time permits). And I am picking up my Chinese painting and calligraphy again, and you can purchase my paintings at [https://artistaviator.com](https://artistaviator.com). #### Trivia I was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C. My maternal grandfather is a retired lieutenant general, renowned economics professor and author, and my maternal grandmother is a prominent member of Taiwan's parliament. My parents later moved to Singapore. I did my national service here. I read everything from science, medicine, technology, theology, religion, marketing, photography, etc., and am a regular weight training enthusiast. I have been a photographer since my youth, carrying around a Mamiyaflex C220 in my twenties, before the age of digital photography. Today I dabble in HD videography and still photography when I have the time. I have also picked up my Chinese brush painting and calligraphy again after more than 3 decades of neglect. You can see some paintings at [https://artistaviator.com](https://artistaviator.com). If I find more time or if my work life slows down, I may revisit the violin or wind instrument (electronic saxophone), which I played before, or try my hand at the Chinese string instrument Guqin (古琴). #### Faith journey ![Eastern Orthodox Christian Cross - ICXC NIKA](/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/orthodox_cross.jpg) Faith is important to me. You can understand why if you have walked in my shoes as a child who had many physical and other challenges. I am a contemplative and meditation helped me a lot in dealing with my pains and challenges. I was raised a Buddhist and studied most of the canon of Buddhist scriptures, including the Theraveda, Mahayana, and then the Vajrayana (Ngyima) volumes. Some of my most-read works include the Diamond Sutra, the Lotus Sutra, and the Surangama Sutra (and I chanted the Surangama every morning at 4 a.m. in those days). Before I joined the army, the Nyingma lineage holder told my parents that I should join the monastery and become a monk, where I would enlighten many people. I thought so too, although my parents thought otherwise. That was it. I also read Confucian Analects and works by his disciples, Taoism, Rigvedas (Sanskrit), and the Koran. I am a curious student of life. In 2004, when I was facing a great personal challenge, by divine will I discovered the kindness of some Christian clergymen, and for a while I served as a volunteer diplomat for some humanitarian missions. Finally, I began to study the Holy Scriptures, and through them I traveled first from the evangelical fields of Luther to Rome and finally found my spiritual home in Eastern Orthodoxy. There, in the vast apostolic history of the ancient Church, I found healing not only through Scripture but also through the saints of memory and the saints closer to our timeline. Some of my "favorite" saints are our Theotokos, St. Anthony of Egypt, St. Seraphim of Sarov, St. John of Kronstadt, etc., and my "favorite" works are the writings of the Desert Fathers, the Philokalia, The Way of a Pilgrim, etc. I am particularly interested in the practical, experiential aspects of Eastern Orthodoxy through the lens of great Russian and Greek Orthodox saints. --- # SeamusAI chatbot Source: https://seamusphan.com/ai/ ## Experimental! You can chat with the SeamusAI chatbot here to find out more about Seamus and what he offers. --- # Private Window 1984 book Source: https://seamusphan.com/private-window-1984-book/ ![Private Window 1984: Confessions of a Depressed Soldier - by Seamus Phan (book cover)](//seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/zoom_78642.jpg) ## Private Window 1984: Confessions of a Depressed Soldier *A collection of short pieces by Seamus Phan, circa 1984* What is this book about? First off, you have to keep an open mind. The first thing you might want to do is to download the preview copy below to get a feel of what's in the book. From the table of contents on this page, you can also get a feel of the topics in this book. The book is written in simple, short pieces, rather than long discourses. It is highly personal, and obviouslyl opinionated. If you hate opinions and can only take fact, get another book. If you are looking for classic literary work, this book is not for you. But if you like to explore the psyche of someone (whoever), then this book might be worth a minute of your time. Why "private window 1984"? Seamus served as private first class (otherwise known as "lance corporal" in British terms) during his national service in the army. The book is like a window into his heart. ## Details of the book: > Written during the economic depression, Seamus Phan, then a national service soldier stepping into the working world for the first time, having been a junior college drop-out at that time. Seamus wrote on love, sadness, disappointment, and feelings. The Seamus in 1984 is very different from today at 2004, as he has braved through that depressing days of a soldier and thereafter the worst economic depression in Asia. He went on to evangelize digital publishing and pioneer the use of commercial Internet in the small island in Asia, and ultimately, went on to founding several knowledge ventures and acquired his post-graduate degrees along the way, even though he was a complete failure in the 1980s. Printed: 55 pages, 6.0 x 9.0 in. (Trade Paperback), perfect-bound, black and white interior ISBN: 1-4116-1433-X License: Standard Copyright License Copyright Year: © 1984 Language: English ## Table of contents - The depression before the calm - The eternal battle - Floating thoughts - Life - Angel - Sanctuary for a shattered heart - Frozen solitude - Sad episode - Loner in the night - Beating heart - A dream of fantasy? - Dancing - Reaching out to her - Tired heart - Slipping days - God - Latent dream - Jeremiad - Lady, smile - What should I say? - Chained seagull - Going - Come back - Heart in the night - Billet Doux this is not - Beauty in the eyes of a mediocre artist - Appreciation - Know me - Lies they are not - Never lost - Mother sea - Light my way - Plea - Chrysalis - Cremation - Nothing - Fire in winter time - Love - Must love go? - Way - A song of the sea - Stay by me - Only you - Bringer of love - Ten times an angel - You are my swan --- # This Body This Life book Source: https://seamusphan.com/this-body-this-life-book/ ## Bestseller on Health & Fitness ISBN: 981-04-5646-8 National Library Board (NLB) Call Number: 613.7 PHA ![This Body This Life book by CJ Phan and Dr Seamus Phan](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/page_1-1200x1812.jpg) Briefly: Seamus and his brother CJ, joined hands to write an unique book on holistic health, nutrition, proper dieting, exercise, fitness, and longevity. Critically acclaimed (see left-hand side), and widely reviewed in the public media, including broadcast. Scroll down for pocket companion. This Body This Life made it to the "Top 10 Health Books" in Singapore, listed by the National Library Board (NLB) through the papers on October 19, 2005. We are very grateful for friends at the National Library Board for helping our humble book! Bestseller featured on MuscleMag Australia, New Man magazine, Woman's World magazine, SilverKris magazine, the EDGE Singapore newspaper, DARE, NTUC Lifestyle, Metro Bangkok, Global Lifestyle Net (USA), 5AA AM Adelaide Radio, Capital Radio 95.8 FM, Publishers Marketing Association (PMA), national and international radio, Review Index UK, Akamai University, many more local papers, and wire distribution sites! Looking for a guide book written to provide a holistic approach to nutrition, health, fitness, exercise, and longevity? With the right dose of motivation to provide happiness? Looking for a simple, easy-to-follow book that is written by Asians with a good knowledge of all things Asian as well as Western? Looking for a book written by a recognized sportsman and an international consultant who started their path to health more than 2 decades EACH, tracing their own personal journeys? Let international bodybuilding champion CJ and brother Seamus, patent-pending biotech researcher, broadcast/editorial personality and Amazon.com Bestseller Author (for Webmaster books), show you the way! Both brothers conquered their limitations and continue to be as healthy and happy as possible. CJ has won bodybuilding championships since he was a teenager, and was an avid sportsman engaged in sports such as rugby, gymnastics and karate. Likewise, Seamus, his older brother, has been involved in 100 meter sprinting and karate since his teens. Both picked up bodybuilding since their teens, and have pursued a lifelong path to fitness, health and longevity. The book This Body This Life is written by Seamus Phan and CJ Phan. This Body This Life is an international bestseller, and bestseller of the week, at selected bookstores outside USA. This Body This Life has a pocket book known as This Body This Life Companion Primer, meant for busy people on the go. International bestselling book for health, fitness, nutrition, life extension and stress management right out of Asia. [![Buy Amzn](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/buy_amzn.png)](https://www.amazon.sg/This-Body-Life-Seamus-Phan/dp/1411614623/) ## Successful LIVE events MALAYSIA - Seamus gave a LIVE talk based on This Body This Life at MPH Megastore 1 Utama, 4 September 2004. Excellent audience and great 1.5 hour session! MALAYSIA - Seamus gave a LIVE talk based on This Body This Life at Popular Ikano Power Centre at Damansara, 24 July 2004. Excellent audience and great short session! MALAYSIA - Seamus gave a LIVE talk based on This Body This Life at MPH Mid Valley Megamall, 26 June 2004. Excellent audience and great short session! USA - Co-author CJ placed second (2nd) in the leading bodybuilding and fitness competition in the USA, MuscleMania! SINGAPORE - Seamus and CJ gave a LIVE pro bono talk, "Fight Fat & Stress", at the Rotary Club Bugis Junction, 23 August 2003. Excellent audience and great short session! SINGAPORE - Seamus gave a LIVE talk, "Fight Fat & Stress", in MPH CityLink on 10 May 2003, Saturday, 5 pm. Excellent turnout, and lots of great audience rapport and feedback! SINGAPORE - Seamus gave a LIVE talk, "Fight Fat & Stress", in MPH Robinson on 9 May 2003, Friday, 12:30 pm. Great turnout despite the heavy downpour, and the busy lunch hour! And Eugene, the personable host from NewsRadio, was there to host the event! SINGAPORE - Seamus gave a LIVE talk, "Fight Fat & Stress", in MPH Parkway Parade on 3 May 2003, Saturday, 4 pm. Great turnout, with a new, extended program! SINGAPORE - Seamus gave a LIVE talk at Kinokuniya Bookstore at Takashimaya, on 18 January 2003, Saturday, 3 pm. He shared tips on nutrition, dieting, fitness and exercise, with a highly engaged audience. The books were found under the Bestsellers shelf, alongside with the likes of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings books. SINGAPORE - Seamus went LIVE at Times Bookshop at Centrepoint, every Saturday in October 2002. He talked about nutrition, dieting tips, fitness ideas, and exercise secrets. The events were a success! ## News Coverage The BESTSELLER "This Body This Life" book has been featured in the media. We will progressively update this section. This Body This Life made it to the "Top 10 Health Books" in Singapore, listed by The National Library Board (NLB) on October 19, 2005. We are very grateful for the National Library Board friends! MuscleMag Australia, part of the leading hardcore bodybuilding and physique magazine for men and women, in Issue 42, July 2005, featured an interview on both Seamus and CJ, on their childhood and medical problems, the motivation behind writing the book "This Body This Life", and their health and fitness journey. Akamai University featured Seamus and CJ in their personal journey of conquering physical and medical challenges throughout their lives, on Feb 2005. Seamus is a senior faculty member at the distance learning facility. Visit the university site for more information. 28 November 2004 - Seamus commented on dietary fiber and protein intake in some papers. Seamus and CJ were interviewed jointly, on their childhood, the motivation behind writing the book "This Body This Life", and their health and fitness journey in some papers. Publishers Marketing Association (PMA) 2004 Buyers Guide lists our books Dot Zen and This Body This Life. This Body This Life is featured as a current title published by McGallen & Bolden Group, in the Publishers Marketing Association (PMA) 2004 Buyers Guide. PMA is a leading independent publishers association in the USA that collectively works with smaller publishers and book industry representatives. This Body This Life is listed under "Health" titles. Separately, "Dot ZEN", the other book co-authored by Seamus, with former colleague and publicist Hui Peng, is listed in the same guide under "Business". Mind Body Spirit USA, Featured a contributed article in September 2004 on how Seamus and CJ conquered their personal and medical challenges to emerge strong and happy. Mind Body Spirit Australia logoMind, Body, Spirit Australia, an online resource on motivation, inspiration, holistic health and related areas, featured Dot ZEN in their site. DARE, the magazine by Panpacmedia for women over 30, has tips by Seamus on 5 ways for women to eat right and beat stress. DARE, the magazine by Panpacmedia for women over 30, has tips by Seamus on 5 ways for women to have nicer toned arms. DARE, the magazine by Panpacmedia for women over 30, has tips by Seamus on 5 ways for women to stay in shape. 5AA Adelaide AM radio in Adelaide, Australia, hosted by leading sports journalist Mark Aiston, did an interview with Seamus on the motivation behind This Body This Life, and how best to conquer adversity and stay on course for healthy living. ManagementNext (managementnext.com), an online management magazine, has featured This Body This Life under its "Book Shelf" page. Capital Radio 95.8 FM, Wong Lee Jeng, the personable and fabulous radio host of leading Chinese radio station 95.8 FM, interviewed CJ and Seamus separately, on a long feature segment on how both brothers conquered their physical limitations to emerge healthy and happy, and shared with the listeners how to conquer one's own limitations to be successful. We are all grateful to Lee Jeng, who is a fantastic host and person, and an excellent producer and journalist with impeccable integrity. DARE, the magazine by Panpacmedia for women over 30, has tips by Seamus for women to get in shape the quick way. New Man, a men's lifestyle magazine, did a personal interview with CJ on his competition at MuscleMania World Championships, and made references to the book. We thank Imran Johri and Alvin Ten for their very kind review. You can buy the magazine at bookstands and stores in Singapore. Look for the January issue, on pages 62 and 63. DARE, the magazine by Panpacmedia for women over 30, has tips by Seamus for women to burn more calories with simple steps. This Body This Life has been mentioned in Arthritis Today of the National Arthritis Foundation (NAF), where Seamus is a contributorArthritis Today, the magazine by the National Arthritis Foundation (NAF), has a recent cover feature on keeping healthy and fit by Seamus. DARE, is the magazine by Panpacmedia for women over 30. This issue has tips by Seamus for women to retain slim waistlines. DARE, is the magazine by Panpacmedia for women over 30. This issue has anti-sagging exercise tips for women by Seamus. DARE, is the new magazine by Panpacmedia targeted at women over 30. This issue has tips by Seamus on 5 tips of anti-aging for women, by co-author Seamus. Akamai UniversityAkamai University in Hawaii has listed This Body This Life as a reference book at their web site. Seamus is a lead faculty at the University, teaching media relations and economic development. This Body This Life has been featured by Global Lifestyle Net, online directory, at http://globallifestyle.net/life/Lifestyle_Books_and_e-Books/more2.html and also listed under Articles at http://globallifestyle.net/life/Lifestyle_Articles/index.htmlGlobal Lifestyle net, the leading health directory online in the USA, listed This Body This Life under its Bestsellers column: This Body This Life - bestselling health books Books Books written by Asia holistic health and bodybuilding practititioners and brothers, Seamus and CJ. CJ is an international bodybuilding champion, while Seamus is an internationally recognized biotech and technology expert, with patent-pending research. SilverKris, the leading inflight magazine of Singapore Airlines (SIA), did a book review of This Body This Life. The book review editor Phil Tatham has been very kind to suggest the book as a "Must Read", and had good things to say about the content of the book. New Man, a men's lifestyle magazine, did a personal interview with Seamus, and made references to the book. We thank June Wan and Chris Toh for their very kind review. You can buy the magazine at bookstands and stores in Singapore. Look for the November issue, on pages 90 and 91. Woman's World, a women's lifestyle magazine, did a book review on the book. We thank Maureen for her very kind review. You can buy the magazine at bookstands and stores in Singapore. Look for the October issue, on page 16. Seamus was interviewed in an exclusive feature about his honors received at the Business Owners' Idea Cafe, and his journey as a successful entrepreneur, in some local papers. Metro Bangkok, a major lifestyle magazine in Thailand, did a personal interview with CJ, and made references to the book. NTUC Lifestyle magazine, Singapore's largest circulating magazine audited by MCS, which goes out to all NTUC Union and other members, featured This Body This Life in their November issue, on page 12. Review Index, a leading book review web site, featured This Body This Life. This Body This Life has been reviewed by American Writer from National Writers Union or NWUAmerican Writer, the quarterly journal from National Writers Union (NWU), has a short blurb on This Body This Life, making it the first Singapore book by Asian authors featured in this journal. Look for the Fall issue, on page 18. This Body This Life was featured briefly in some local papers. WritersNet, a leading portal for writers, editors, agents and publishers in USA, lists Seamus as a Singapore-based published writer. National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) lists Seamus as a Singapore-based writer. [Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Johor (PPAJ)](https://seal.ppaj.gov.my/webopac/Record/0000017124), the Johor Public Library of Malaysia, lists the book in their archives. Online sales broke previous record! Thanks to the kind support of US and Asian customers who heard us on radio and digital broadband, we have reached out to many readers. We will expand our channels and to date, Amazon.com already carries stock. PRWeb August 2002 - Our news release has been released to the US media at PRWeb, one of the more established news release wire services available. **NewsRadio 93.8 FM.** Hear Seamus give one-minute pointers on health, nutrition, exercise and stress management almost every work day in July 2002. Hear Seamus give one-minute pointers on health, nutrition, exercise and stress management for a month. CJ and Seamus appeared on national radio NewsRadio 93.8FM, talking about the book "This Body This Life". CJ appeared on national radio, talking about his wins in bodybuilding and how to achieve personal goals, as well as his custom jewelry designs, and the book "This Body This Life". For the unnamed media, we can demonstrate the physical clippings if you have any interest. We generally publicize the media which are enlightened in desiring more exposure by its fans, readers and audiences. ## What people say about this book > It is never too late to start on the path to a healthy lifestyle. Seamus and CJ demonstrate that as long as you keep focused, disciplined and stay motivated on your goal, the results will show. I wish you all the best! > *- Ms Timea Majorova, European fitness champion and model. Visit her at www.timeamajorova.com.* > > The content of this book is fantastic, with lots of new insights and well-rounded views. I think it also touches base with much of population here with problems of a sedentary lifestyle and wanting to look good. I believe that even parents with obese kids will find this book invaluable. This book should also be staple reading for people in schools and in the army. > *- David Chin, editor.* > > From a solitary and scrawny kid who was more comfortable in front of his Radio Shack computer, to a globetrotting World Class bodybuilder and successful gems designer, CJ has demonstrated that there are varied options available and open to us in life, if only we will take cognizance and put in efforts. And so as with this book, he is sharing with us the options available, to make ourselves healthier, feel, look and live better. > *- Arthur Kan, Director of Operations, Raffles Medical Centre (Cambodia).* > > Seamus and CJ have presented eye-opening information on the secrets of antioxidants in this book. They give us the information we need to augment the basic diet-and-exercise formula and tell us how to correctly use just the right vitamins and supplements to give us the weight control, health and vitality we are striving for. > *- John Pellam, director and founder of the BWW Society and publisher of Bibliotheque: World Wide.* > > Testimony of CJ's belief that exercise is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle comes from the fact that even after all these years, he has maintained his passion and quest for physical health and fitness, and did us all proud by winning the Commonwealth Bodybuilding Championships. > *- Dr. Ben Tan, Asian Games sailing Gold medalist.* > > Seamus never ceases to amaze me with his boundless energy and capacity for friendship. He wants to get the most possible out of life, and firmly believes in extending himself into his community. This book is just another example of where Seamus wants to share his energy and enthusiasm for life with the reader. > *- Daniel O'Callaghan, PhD (Pharm).* > > I love your book. It offers clear and practical methods for getting in shape, but also gives the reasons (science for non-scientists) behind the techniques. I use the gym at school. I've been running on a treadmill and lifting weights 4 or 5 times a week. I was motivated and focussed, but I didn't see the results I wanted until I consulted your book for insights on diet and recovery (good food, rest, stretching, mental attitude). Now I feel more energy, and the stress seems easier to bear. Thank you. Your book is an excellent resource. Also, the pictures of you and C.J. as kids are great. :-) > *- Jeff Brown, Student at Law.* > > I have just bought your book last week. I love it so much. Thank for writing this book, as I have been looking for a book like this for the past few weeks. When I saw it in Plaza Singapura, I just paid without a second thought. > *- Danny, Singapore.* --- # Dot ZEN books Source: https://seamusphan.com/dot-zen-book/ ## Book launch talk (a snippets video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7Do6UoLT60 ## On national radio, print, Web & wires! If you are an Entrepreneur, CEO or Manager, do you want insider's tips now? - Attract the right VCs or financiers? - Effective elevator pitches to bankers and VCs? - Sustainable business growth without short-term problems? - Powerful and affordable marketing for print, Internet and more? - Rejuvenate an aging brand, or create a new brand? - Get media coverage on print, TV and radio for my company? - Ethical and compassionate leadership for genuine motivation? - Powerful Internet security techniques for your network? - Effective search engine listings for Internet users? - Healthy and stress-free employees for productive work? > Tired of "The Art of War" and other War Cries? > > Enough of academic and theoretical business books? > > Need real-world experience by the authors themselves? > > **First print run sold out! Now in reprint version!** ## Bring dot ZEN into your business & succeed in the new economy The first ever business book from Asia Pacific by co-authors Seamus Phan and Ter Hui Peng, based in Singapore, showing their real-world business experience in helping Fortune 1000, high-tech and smaller businesses succeed through a holistic approach of business leadership, entrepreneurship, high-tech marketing, publicity, public relations (PR), managing people, and the smart use of the Internet. The book presents an educational approach to Zen ideas, as well as hundreds of pages of action steps and insider's tips and secrets to growing your business through entrepreneurship, leadership, customer service, total quality, marketing, publicity, public relations (PR), human resource management (HRM), ethics, and Internet technology. **This is NOT a book about religion, but a unique non-aggressive way of doing business, and succeeding in this new economy!** Seamus has previously experienced, authored and taught competitive business thinking and strategy programs, including unique training programs for persuasion, sales and business leadership, based on "The Book of 5 Rings", "The 3 Kingdoms", which are equally powerful and similar works to Sun Tzu's "The Art of War". However, as he progressed in life and work, he discovered that sheer competitive thinking does not help companies survive or succeed in the long-term, much as short-term focused companies such as Enron and Worldcom ended in the situation of insolvency and colossal financial burden. A more collaborative, compassionate and ethical strategy is needed, and "Dot ZEN" was conceived. Dot ZEN has been featured and reviewed by Sydney Morning Herald (SMH), The Age Australia, T+D (the premier monthly magazine from the American Society of Training & Development, or ASTD), NewsRadio 93.8 FM, Capital Radio 95.8 FM, Tele.com, Network Computing Asia, Publishers Marketing Association (PMA), Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE), eMediaWire, eWorldWire, AlwaysOn Network, Press World, TABPI.org, National Taiwan University Buddhist Digital Library & Museum, Buddhist News Network (BNN), NewsCuts.com, BookDigger.com, Management Next, Akamai University's Community News, Orientalia, Oracle.net, EVENTS, and American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE)'s Recommended Books List. Business Owners' Idea Cafe, a leading web site showcasing the top business owners, entrepreneurs and life coaches in USA, featured Seamus as a top business consultant and coach. See the interview here in Acrobat PDF (108k) here. Pop up random Dot ZEN quoteBuy autographed books from us directly now! Books are also available in Singapore at MPH and Times Bookshops, as well as on Amazon.com. You can also find the books throughout Malaysia. ## What people say about Dot ZEN: > "No one connects East and West, high-tech and "high-touch", the body and the mind better than Seamus. Read this book and get to know -- as have I, to my great benefit -- one of the brighter lights, anywhere, in the worlds of business, professional education and personal improvement." > John Rapp, former Director of Professional Development, Baker & McKenzie, Asia Pacific region > > "It is a great book which resonates deeply with my being. I enjoyed reading it from the very start. Thank you so much! Have finished reading your book 'dotZen' and I'm very impressed and convinced by your insights and experience." > - Tan Ai Li, Apple Computer > > "What a great job you and Hui Peng have done on your new book." > - Dr Douglass Capogrossi > > "I really enjoyed your book! You did an excellent job. I hope you sell a million copies." > - Dr Harvey Menden > > "Dot ZEN was fantastic; concise, real and fun! Bravo for you." > - Sean Shea > > "Dot ZEN is a quirky, endearing, infuriating book that is bursting with refreshing ideas that won't be in Western-based MBA textbooks. Dot ZEN is a useful and important book." > - Philippa Yelland, Sydney Morning Herald/The Age Australia ## Media Coverage of Dot ZEN > **International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management**, a leading professional and academic journal that is the culmination of presentations and papers by leading experts for the International Conference event, lists Seamus' paper related to the Dot Zen principles. You can [purchase the paper](http://seamusphan.cgpublisher.com/product/pub.28/prod.126) directly from the Journal. > > > > **SkyRadio** - Seamus was interviewed by SkyRadio Network, for airing on Aloha Airlines (July to August 2005) and Northwest Airlines (September 2005). Seamus talked about the book Dot Zen and the Zen of Leadership (sponsored), under the sponsored segment "**Best Speakers in America**". > > **EVENTS Magazine**, a leading magazine for event planners, convention organizers, trainers and professional speakers, featured a story in the October 2005 issue by Seamus from the book Dot ZEN, on "Blogs as a superb marketing tool for meeting planners", talking about how meeting planners can use weblogs and RSS (really simple syndication) feeds to market and brand themselves. > > **EVENTS Magazine**, a leading magazine for event planners, convention organizers, trainers and professional speakers, featured a story in the August 2005 issue by Seamus from the book Dot ZEN, on "Soulful Branding?", talking about spirited branding in event sales and marketing. > > **think:act magazine**, a very well-respected executive magazine by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, featured Seamus for a cover feature story in May 2005 issue (Volume 2, Issue 1), on "Leadership: Conflict and willpower are the keys to success, Pro & Contra", on page 46. Seamus presented his "contra" view that leadership SHOULD NOT exercise undue willpower, but rather, based on Asian philosophy, exercise humane compassion as a noble gentleman instead. > > ![think:act magazine - interview with Seamus Phan on leadership](//seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/thinkactsm.jpg) > > **EVENTS Magazine**, a leading magazine for event planners, convention organizers, trainers and professional speakers, featured a story by Seamus from the book Dot ZEN, on "Are you fire or water?", talking about best practices in event sales and marketing. > > **4Hoteliers News Resource**, an online information resource for the global hotel and travel sector, based out of Hong Kong, featured the article "Are you passionate about your work that you will do it for free?", on their site. > > **EVENTS Magazine**, a leading magazine for event planners, convention organizers, trainers and professional speakers, featured a cover story by Seamus from the book Dot ZEN, on "Leadership and the Asian Classics". > > **4Hoteliers News Resource**, an online information resource for the global hotel and travel sector, based out of Hong Kong, featured the article "Finding the Asian Roots of Ethics in Business", on their site. > > Seamus co-hosted a weekly segment with celebrity host Wong Lee Jeng on Internet e-business, which appears every Tuesday, 11 am to 12 pm (segment 1), and then 3 pm to 4 pm (segment 2), on Capital Radio 95.8 FM. The series ran from November to end-December 2004. > > - 28 Dec 2004 (6th program) - Seamus rounded up the series by providing summaries to previous programs, and also gave examples of successful e-businesses such as SmallDog.com (real people service, gifts and online pet owners' community), Amazon.com (personalization and 1-click success), Dell and Apple (logistics and website integration). > - 21 Dec 2004 (5th program) - Seamus talked about the importance and legal implications of using content online, and the meaning of patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property. > - 14 Dec 2004 (4th program) - Seamus talked about the importance of providng peace of mind and security on your website, as well as the freeware antivirus software such as ClamAV. > - 7 Dec 2004 (3rd program) - Seamus talked about why handcoding is better than traditional commercial tools, Section 508 accessibility for disabled persons, database-driven dynamic pages versus static pages, and answered questions on auctions. > - 30 Nov 2004 (2nd program) - Seamus talked about the basics of a website. > - 23 Nov 2004 (1st program) - Seamus talked about the basics of auctions, B2C and B2B e-commerce. > > **Buddhist News Archive**, an online Buddhist magazine, featured the Dot ZEN story from Australia's Sydney Herald. > > **DARE Magazine**, a leading women's magazine, featured email anti-spam measures from the book Dot ZEN. > > **NewsRadio 93.8 FM**, the leading English news radio service in Singapore, featured co-author Ter Hui Peng and her views on workplace improvement and staff/management issues, on 3 November 2004. > > **T+D**, the most influential and read magazine of the prestigious **American Society of Training and Development (ASTD)**, has kindly reviewed Dot ZEN in the May 2004 issue, page 14, under the heading "INTELLIGENCE". The article mentioned the blend of Eastern and Western philosophies and the need for better ways to motivate employees, through ethical and compassionate leadership. T+D is a monthly magazine sent to ASTD members worldwide, and focuses on the cutting-edge, real-world, field-driven human resource development (HRD) and management (HRM) issues. > > ![ASTD T+D Magazine May 2004 cover](//seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/astdcvr0504.jpg) > > Dot ZEN was featured in a short review by a veteran technology journalist in a local paper on July 30, 2004. > > Dot ZEN was featured on Prudent Press Agency, under the category of "ETHNIC & MINORITY". The synopsis describes the book as the culmination of over 30 years of collective experience between co-authors Seamus and Hui Peng. For the full article, you need to be a registered member of Prudent Press Agency. > > Dot ZEN was featured in the Publishers Marketing Association (PMA) 2004 Buyers Guide. PMA is a leading independent publishers association in the USA that collectively works with smaller publishers and book industry representatives. Dot ZEN is listed under "Business" titles. Separately, "This Body This Life", the other book co-authored by Seamus, with champion bodybuilder and brother CJ, is listed in the same guide under "Health". > > **Buddhist Digital Library & Museum**, an online resource by the famous National Taiwan University (NTU), featured Dot ZEN in their online library search. > > **DARE Magazine**, a leading women's magazine, featured co-author Hui Peng on her experience and wisdom on branding and starting a new business. > > **ManagementNext (managementnext.com)**, an online resource, has an article "Management tips from Karate", adapted from a chapter in "Dot ZEN". > > **ManagementNext (managementnext.com)**, an online resource, featured Dot ZEN on their page "Book Shelf". > > **[Mind, Body, Spirit Australia](http://www.mindbodyspirit.com.au/)**, an online resource on motivation, inspiration, holistic health and related areas, featured Dot ZEN in their site. > > **DARE Magazine**, a leading women's magazine, featured co-author Hui Peng on her experience with data back-up strategies. > > 2 Mar 2004, **Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) and The Age Australia**, both carried a long book review by esteemed lecturer and journalist Philippa Yelland on Dot ZEN. Philippa said the book is "quirky, endearing, infuriating book that is bursting with refreshing ideas that won't be in Western-based MBA textbooks. Dot ZEN is a useful and important book." Or you may find the online archive at [The Age Australia](http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/01/1078117356386.html). On a related note, Buddhist News Network ([BNN](http://www.buddhistnews.tv/current/zen-busi-030304.php)) carried the same review from Sydney Morning Herald. > > Clement Teo, editor of Network Computing Asia, kindly reviewed Dot ZEN in the March 2004 issue. Clement described Dot ZEN as "an educational and practical approach to Zen ideas with tips and techniques to growing businesses through entrepreneurship, leadership, customer service, total quality, marketing, publicity, public relations, human resource management, and Internet technology." Clement described the book's key message as "According to co-author Phan, most management philosophies tend to centre on aggressiveness. This may be due to the quarterly-driven financial accountability insisted by shareholders and dictated by market forces. This, in turn, may have led to unfair trade practices, financial inconsistency, and even collapses... The concise 200-page book has six sections, with each section opening with a philosophical chapter of a single Zen idea, and allows the reader to embed that idea into management practices. The book provides some basic knowledge to small and medium enterprises as well as start-ups, since such enterprises increasingly form the majority in any national economy". > > **Trade, Association & Business Publications International (TABPI)**, a new editorial awards organization headed hy former ASBPE president Paul Heney, has kindly featured Dot ZEN on TABPI's web site. > > **Akamai University Community News**, a newsletter dedicated to the Akamai University community, has featured Dot ZEN under "books by faculty". > > **Oracle Network (oracle.net)**, an online resource, featured Dot ZEN on their page on Sutras. > > **Orientalia.com**, an online resource on Eastern philosophy, featured Dot ZEN in their Amazon books page. > > **NewsCuts.com**, a news syndication service, has syndicated the release of Dot ZEN on their page on Society/Asian Interests. > > **BookDigger.com**, a book search service, has featured Dot ZEN on their page on Sutras. > > **American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE)**, the leading editors association in the world, featured Dot ZEN as one of the books by ASBPE members. > > 20 Feb 2004, **Press World**, a wire service based in Russia, carried a release of Dot ZEN on [their site](http://business-books.press-world.com/v/60363.html). > > 18 Feb 2004, **[NewsRadio 93.8 FM](https://www.melisten.sg/radio/cna938)** - Seamus was interviewed on The Living Room by Stanley Leong, the leading English radio news station NewsRadio 93.8 FM in Singapore, on how to transition from employee to entrepreneur, based on principles from the book Dot ZEN. Seamus shared tips with listeners on pitching, business plans, sales, marketing, branding, Internet use, ethical and compassionate leadership. > > 15 Feb 2004, **AlwaysOn Network** - Seamus was invited by veteran publisher Tony Perkins to post a blog feature article on engaging venture capitalists (VCs) and other financiers, and the elements of an elevator pitch. The ideas were extracted from the Dot ZEN business book. > > 15 Feb 2004, **AlwaysOn Network** - Another article about "Karate and Marketing" was made available on this network by veteran publisher Tony Perkins. The ideas were extracted from the Dot ZEN business book. > > 13 Jan 2004, **[NewsRadio 93.8 FM](https://www.melisten.sg/radio/cna938)** - Seamus was interviewed on AM News Talk of the leading English radio news station NewsRadio 93.8 FM in Singapore, on why companies should adopt a non-aggressive stance using principles from the book Dot ZEN. > > 1 Jan 2004, **ACE (Action Community for Entrepreneurship)** - Dot ZEN was rated as **"Book of the Month"** by the kind ACE folks. The book is described as a collaborative effort of Seamus and Hui Peng with action steps for various facets of management. > > Clement Teo, editor of Tele.com Asia Edition, kindly reviewed Dot ZEN in the Jan/Feb 2004 issue. Clement described Dot ZEN as "an educational and practical approach to Zen ideas with tips and techniques to growing businesses through entrepreneurship, leadership, customer service, total quality, marketing, publicity, public relations, human resource management, and Internet technology." Clement described the book's key message as "According to co-author Phan, most management philosophies tend to centre on aggressiveness. This may be due to the quarterly-driven financial accountability insisted by shareholders and dictated by market forces. This, in turn, may have led to unfair trade practices, financial inconsistency, and even collapses... The concise 200-page book has six sections, with each section opening with a philosophical chapter of a single Zen idea, and allows the reader to embed that idea into management practices. The book provides some basic knowledge to small and medium enterprises as well as start-ups, since such enterprises increasingly form the majority in any national economy". > > For the unnamed media, we can demonstrate the physical clippings if you have any interest. We generally publicize the media which are enlightened in desiring more exposure by its fans, readers and audiences. ## Events > **Panelist on Global Ethics > 29 October (Friday), 9AM - 5PM, World Trade Center, Seattle, WA, USA** > Seamus joined a distinguished panel of legal experts, Honorable John Coughenour, Steven Calandrillo, Bob Dickerson, Prof Kenneth Einar Himma, Craig Jackson, Matt Kenney, Egil "Bud" Krogh, Roger Leishman, US Atty John McKay, and Maria Sotirhos, and presented his views on Asian philosophy and context on ethics, same sex marriage, economic justice, security, privacy, and more. Visit [Emerald Education Group](http://www.emeraldeducation.com/global-justice.html), run by leading legal educator John Rapp, for details. > > **Talk on Dot ZEN > 4 September (Sat), 2 - 4 PM, MPH Megastore 1 Utama Malaysia** > Seamus gave an enlightening talk on how to succeed as an entrepreneur and business CEO **without** the use of war cries such as Sun Tzu's "The Art of War". His talk, adapted from Dot ZEN, talked about collaborative and non-aggressive techniques to win customers, stay in business, get venture funding, achieve great branding and PR (public relations), and sell to customers. He also presented a short session on "[This Body This Life](http://thisbodythislife.com/)" book. > > Seamus presented a **virtual presentation** on **["Dot Zen: Ethical and Compassionate Leadership: Wisdom from the Diamond Sutra for Entrepreneurs and Businesses"](http://managementconference.com/ProposalSystem/Presentations/P000750)**, at the **4th International Conference on Knowledge, Culture and Change in Organisations**, a prestigious high-level event to be held at the World Heritage listed Maritime Campus of the University of Greenwich in London, United Kingdom. The conference will address a range of critically important themes in the various fields investigating knowledge, culture and change in organizations. Main speakers will include some of the world's leading management thinkers, as well as numerous paper, workshop and colloquium presentations by practitioners, teachers and researchers. > > Seamus will be listed as **Associate Editor** for the **International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management., Volume 4, 2004**, having been referee to some of the presentation papers at the event above. Download the [letter of appreciation](file:///Users/seamusphan/Documents/3_web_mobile_dev/seamusphan_subsites/dotzen/images/mc04seamusthanks.pdf) in Acrobat PDF (112kB) > > **Talk on Dot ZEN > 24 July (Sat), 2 - 4 PM, Popular Ikano Power Centre Malaysia** > Seamus gave an enlightening talk on how to succeed as an entrepreneur and business CEO **without** the use of war cries such as Sun Tzu's "The Art of War", and how to build sustainable and profitable businesses. His talk, adapted from Dot ZEN, talked about collaborative and non-aggressive techniques to win customers, stay in business, get venture funding, achieve great branding and PR (public relations), and sell to customers. He also presented a short session on "[This Body This Life](http://thisbodythislife.com/)" book. > > ![Dot Zen talk by Seamus Phan - dz_mypop240704](//seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dz_mypop240704.jpg) > > **Talk on Dot ZEN > 26 June (Sat), 2 - 4 PM, MPH Mid Valley Megamall Malaysia** > Seamus gave an enlightening talk on how to succeed as an entrepreneur and business CEO **without** the use of war cries such as Sun Tzu's "The Art of War". His talk, adapted from Dot ZEN, talked about collaborative and non-aggressive techniques to win customers, stay in business, get venture funding, achieve great branding and PR (public relations), and sell to customers. He also presented a short session on "[This Body This Life](http://thisbodythislife.com/)" book. > > ![Dot Zen talk by Seamus Phan - dz_mphmy260604](//seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dz_mphmy260604.jpg) > > **Talk on Entrepreneurship > 24 April (Sat), 2 - 3 PM, MPH Parkway Parade** > Seamus gave an enlightening talk on how to succeed as an entrepreneur and business CEO **without** the use of war cries such as Sun Tzu's "The Art of War". His talk, adapted from Dot ZEN, talked about collaborative and non-aggressive techniques to win customers, stay in business, get venture funding, achieve great branding and PR (public relations), and sell to customers. > > ![Dot Zen talk by Seamus Phan - dz_mph240404](//seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dz_mph240404.jpg) > > **Talk on Entrepreneurship > 2 April (Friday), 12:30 - 1:30 PM, MPH Robinson** > Seamus gave an enlightening talk on how to succeed as an entrepreneur and business CEO **without** the use of war cries such as Sun Tzu's "The Art of War". His talk, adapted from Dot ZEN, talked about collaborative and non-aggressive techniques to win customers, stay in business, get venture funding, achieve great branding and PR (public relations), and sell to customers. > > ![Dot Zen talk by Seamus Phan - dz_mph020404](//seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dz_mph020404.jpg) --- # Blog Source: https://seamusphan.com/blog/ Here you can find my regular writings since 2011 on technology, business, leadership, marketing, publicity, and branding. --- # Data Protection, Privacy, Terms of Use Policies Source: https://seamusphan.com/legal/ By visiting this site and reading its contents, you agree that the site may store cookies for authentication, analytics and customer service, or may request for your contact information. **If you do not agree, please leave the site.** #### Effective Date: March 21, 2018 #### Introduction This policy document describes how we deal with intellectual property (IP), liabilities, services, data protection, privacy, and cookies: - **Copyrights/Trademarks** - **Data Protection and Privacy** - **Terms of use of our information** - **Disclaimer of Liability** - **Shipping and Returns** - **Minors** - **General Provision** - **Prohibited Content** #### 1. 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Prohibited Content We do NOT accept contributions or content beloning to these genres: - Counterfeit products (including fake documents and academic cheating services) - Dangerous products (such as recreational drugs (chemical or herbal), psychoactive substances, anything related to drug use, weapons, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, instructions to make any dangerous products, tobacco and all smoking products. - Cybersecurity circumvention (hacking software or instructions, online website traffic manipulation, doxing, social engineering, phishing, malware, etc) - Inappropriate content (anything that contributes to bullying, discrimination, hate, crime, cruelty, self-harm, profanity, endangered species and trade, sexual content and products) - Gambling and games - Politics and advocacy (elections, candidates, political parties, including political parties in power) - Financial services (unapproved services related to country-specific requirements, "get rich quick", "MLM/pyramid schemes") - Healthcare products (unapproved products related to country-specific requirements, wild claims, etc). Typically, even if a product or service falls into a "gray area", it is likely we will reject posting any such content as the Internet is global and an approved product in one country, may be illegal or unapproved in many others. It gets dicey and so it is likely we will reject such content. ### --- # The Token Silk Road: How China Transformed From Plastic Toys to Democratic AI Compute Source: https://seamusphan.com/the-token-silk-road-how-china-transformed-from-plastic-toys-to-democratic-ai-compute/ Decades ago, if you flipped over a plastic toy or a cheap household gadget, a familiar imprint stared back at you: "Made in China." For a generation of consumers and business analysts, the Middle Kingdom was synonymous with low-cost, high-volume, bottom-of-the-value-chain physical manufacturing. Fast forward to 2026. The world has changed in dramatic fashion. The factories humming along the Pearl River Delta are no longer just forging steel or molding plastics; they are churning out billions of high-end algorithmic commodities. Today, China is exporting raw, unadulterated intelligence to a world ravenous for artificial intelligence but exhausted by the premium tollbooths of Western technology giants. This commodity is the AI "token"—the fundamental unit of data processing that drives everything from conversational agents to multimodal design engines. The paradigm has shifted from physical hardware to high-end digital service creation. It is a transformation that is silently restructuring global productivity and creative workflows. ## The Great Financial Wall of Closed-Source AI To understand why the world is turning to Chinese compute infrastructure, we must look at the landscape engineered by mainstream Western tech conglomerates. In the West, the prevailing model is closed-source, heavily gatekept, and increasingly expensive. For small businesses, creative agencies, and independent developers, paying hundreds or thousands of dollars monthly per seat for proprietary API access is simply unsustainable. Furthermore, Western development has become deeply mired in complex regulatory battles, legal gridlocks over training data, and intentional monetization strategies that keep the most advanced tools behind enterprise paywalls. China has observed this market friction and responded with a classical, high-velocity counterstrategy: democratization through open-source access and raw infrastructure volume. Rather than forcing users into a single proprietary ecosystem, Chinese ecosystems are flooding the global marketplace with top-tier open-source foundation models—such as Alibaba's Qwen series and DeepSeek’s highly efficient architectures—and offering the underlying API tokens at a fraction of Western costs. ## What the World Desires: Applications in Action The global appetite for this democratic AI compute is immense. These ultra-cheap Chinese tokens are powering application layers across mission-critical verticals: 1. **Multimodal Content Creation**: Global digital agencies are leveraging Chinese open-source pipelines to create hyper-realistic video, dynamic audio, and intricate 3D assets. Indie filmmakers and game developers are achieving production values once requiring multi-million dollar studios by offloading heavy inference workloads onto cost-effective token providers. 2. **Hyper-Specific/Localized LLMs**: Organizations in developing countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America are going with Chinese open-source models as the default. These models are very efficient and cheap to fine-tune with cheap tokens, so organizations can build localized AI systems for native languages and cultural contexts without incurring crippling operational costs. 3. **Automated Coding and Engineering**: Software development has been completely disrupted. Individual programmers are routing their IDE coding assistants directly to affordable token providers in Asia. This allows for continuous, massive-scale code generation and automated debugging workflows that would otherwise cost thousands of dollars on mainstream Western cloud platforms. ## Restructuring Global Workflows This massive shift in token economics is systematically redefining human creativity and productivity. In the previous paradigm, creative workers spent the majority of their time executing manual, repetitive tasks—rendering frames, writing boilerplate code, or formatting translations. With cheap, reliable token streams acting as an omnipresent utility, the modern workflow has evolved from execution to curation. A single designer can now act as an editor-in-chief over an army of specialized AI agents. Ideas can be prototyped, iterated upon, and discarded within minutes rather than weeks. Crucially, this democratization lowers the barrier to entry. A digital creator in Jakarta, Nairobi, or São Paulo now has access to the exact same qualitative compute power as a well-funded startup in Silicon Valley. Innovation is no longer constrained by venture capital access but by the boundaries of human imagination. ## The Direct Path Forward In business and technology, the straightest path usually yields the greatest impact. China's evolution from a hardware assembler to the world's primary engine for open-source AI tokens proves that accessibility and volume will consistently disrupt artificial scarcity. The world does not want over-regulated, gatekept, hyper-expensive intelligence. The world needs accessible, modular, and affordable compute to fuel the next generation of human ingenuity. By treating AI capabilities not as an exclusive luxury asset but as a basic digital utility, the global creative and productivity engine has been permanently unlocked. The Token Silk Road is open, and it completely rewrites how the world works. ### --- # Why Your Corporate Website may be Invisible to the AI Cognitive Class Source: https://seamusphan.com/why-your-corporate-website-may-be-invisible-to-the-ai-cognitive-class/ The corporate echo chamber may be buzzing with comfort food right now. Not long ago, Google dropped a comforting narrative for web developers and content marketers alike. They essentially claimed that Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) are nothing more than standard Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in a fancy new dress. "Just keep building standard web pages and writing helpful content," the narrative goes, "and the search engines will handle the rest." It sounds reassuring. It keeps the status quo intact. It is also not quite right, especially outside the Google-sphere. We are currently witnessing the quietest, most brutal filtering of corporate information in the history of the commercial internet. If your engineering and content development leads are still relying on legacy, JavaScript-heavy HTML structures while ignoring the foundational protocols of the cognitive web, your brand is rapidly becoming invisible. The bots aren't broken. Your infrastructure may be. ## The Cognitive Shift: Systems That Synthesize, Not Search To understand why traditional web development is fraying at the edges, we have to look back at how the web was built. When my team and I were hand-coding static HTML pages in the early 1990s, the goal of search engine optimization was straightforward: assist a primitive indexer in mapping keywords to URLs. For three decades, the browser was the undisputed gateway to human knowledge. That era is over. Large Language Models (LLMs) and autonomous AI agents do not search the web the way humans do; they synthesize it. They ingest massive semantic datasets, compress the information, and deliver a single, bespoke answer directly to the user. Consider the modern business-to-business (B2B) buyer journey. Recent research indicates that over 70% of technology evaluators and corporate decision-makers now bypass traditional search engines entirely for initial product discoveries. Instead, they prompt an AI engine. They ask for a comparative analysis of vendor capabilities, security frameworks, and market reputation. When an AI engine synthesizes that recommendation, it doesn't present a list of blue links. It generates an assertion. If your data isn't easily digestible during the model's training or live-retrieval phase, your company doesn't just rank low—it effectively ceases to exist in the calculation. ## Strip the Bloat: The Technical Friction Killing Your Visibility Why can't these brilliant AI models just read your existing website? Because the modern web is an absolute mess of structural bloat. Between bloated content management systems (CMS), heavy tracking scripts, nested interactive divs, and client-side JavaScript rendering, a typical corporate web page is a digital labyrinth. While a human browser hides this complexity behind a visual layout, an AI scraper sees a wall of processing friction. Don't get me wrong, I love the CMS for the convenience it offers when publishing to the Web compared to my handcoding days, but any CMS is invariably bulky compared to clean, optimized, handwritten code. Computing power is not free. AI labs are spending billions of dollars on compute cycles to scrape, parse, and embed the world's information. If an autonomous agent hits your website and has to spend significant processing energy just to extract your core product specifications or corporate point of view, it will simply drop the connection and move to a competitor who makes it easy. To survive in the GEO and AEO landscape, web development leads must implement two lightweight, highly efficient protocols immediately. ## 1. The "llms.txt": A Map for the Machines? As a web admin or sysadmin, you may have seen the "robots.txt" at the root directory of your own website or your client's. Think of the "llms.txt" file as the "cognitive era cousin" of the "robots.txt." It is, like the "robots.txt," also yet another simple plain-text file sitting at the same hierarchy in the website's root directory. Instead of forcing an AI crawler to guess which pages matter, the "llms.txt" file provides a clean, structured directory of your brand’s foundational logic, white papers, and narrative truth. The "llms.txt," just like many files, is meant for machine consumption, serving as a simple roadmap. It says to the AI agent, "Do not waste your compute cycles parsing our marketing animations. Read this file first to understand exactly who we are, what we solve, and where our deepest documentation lives." ## 2. Native Markdown Configuration: The Ultimate Semantic Density The second critical transition is a cultural shift for content leads: embrace native Markdown configuration for all web posts and core pages. LLMs prize structured, dense, hierarchical text. They are built to process natural language organized by clear headings, clean bullet points, and explicit code blocks. Passing a complex, multi-layered HTML table to an LLM scraper is like handing a heavily encrypted document to an interpreter. It can be read, but it requires unnecessary work. By rendering a markdown-equivalent version of your expert-led content alongside your standard pages, you deliver maximum semantic density. This allows AI crawlers to parse, comprehend, and—most importantly—cite your executive leadership team in milliseconds. ## The Truth is Earned, Not Bought The couple of tech giants will undoubtedly continue to tell you that nothing has changed. They want you focused on legacy metrics because their business models rely on traditional ad clicks. But the fundamental mechanics of the Internet have shifted. In the world of generative answers, the majority of your visibility is earned through structural clarity, not bought through ad bidding. AI engines seek the path of least resistance to the most accurate truth. If your web engineering team and your corporate communications strategy are not aligned to feed these models structural clarity, your pipeline is going to dry up. Stop building websites solely for human eyes while ignoring the automated gatekeepers of modern commerce. Clean up your code, deploy your "llms.txt" file, and format your knowledge base in clean markdown. If you don't make it easy for the machines to see you, the market won't either. ### --- # Why VCs and Investment Firms must Anchor Portfolio Success with a Premier APAC PR Firm Source: https://seamusphan.com/why-vcs-and-investment-firms-must-anchor-portfolio-success-with-a-premier-apac-pr-firm/ Venture capital and private equity firms are, at their absolute core, engines of structured alchemy. They source raw innovation, infuse it with programmatic capital, and expect a predictable metamorphosis into enterprise gold. Yet, when Western or hemispheric investment houses attempt to scale their high-growth portfolio companies into the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, the machinery often grinds to a devastating halt. The primary culprit? A fatal combination of cultural myopia and an irrational over-reliance on digital-only lead-generation marketing dashboards. ## The Mirage of Inbound Euphoria and the Fractured Asian Canvas In my more than three decades in the trenches across public relations, marketing, leadership coaching, biochemistry, cybersecurity, and full-stack engineering, I have watched countless well-funded startups plunge into the 4.5-billion-population APAC ocean, only to be swallowed whole by domestic incumbents. They arrive with flashy credentials, assuming that a high-domain-authority website and aggressive programmatic advertising will automatically yield market traction. This is a dangerous delusion. Asia is not a monolith; it is a beautifully complex puzzle comprising over 23 distinct nations and more than 14 major languages. What registers as a persuasive commercial pitch in Silicon Valley falls completely flat in Tokyo, Taipei, or Jakarta. To help your portfolio companies build genuine brand exposure, unlock demand lift, and establish unshakeable market trust, you must abandon the temporary fix of paid ad spend and instead engage a top-tier regional vanguard: an integrated public relations agency with the breadth and depth of the APAC experience. ## Why Earned Media Trumps Advertising In public relations, we recognize a fundamental structural reality: advertising is an organization telling the market how exceptional its products are; public relations is having an unbiased, authoritative third party—an editor, journalist, or verified domain specialist—tell the world that your solution is indispensable. When your portfolio companies seek entry into highly competitive APAC business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C) spaces, they enter as unknown, frail entities. If a startup simply pours capital into Google or Meta ad networks, it faces a saturated environment where customer acquisition costs are escalating to prohibitive heights and ad-blockers render campaigns highly inefficient. Furthermore, self-directed corporate praise does nothing to establish credibility in a region where relationships and corporate tenure are highly valued. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **THE COGNITIVE TRUST CHASM ** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **PAID ADVERTISING** *"We are market leaders; buy our enterprise software."* > Response: Immediate skepticism, high cognitive barrier. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **EARNED MEDIA** *"Tier-1 Tech Editor highlights how this platform solves APAC cybersecurity issues."* > Response: Unbiased validation, institutional trust. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By leveraging a premier agency like McGallen & Bolden, your portfolio companies shift from transactional broadcasting to strategic storytelling. When a tier-1 regional publication features a comprehensive analytical review of a portfolio company's platform, it doesn't just drive brand exposure—it creates an enduring layer of search engine optimization (SEO) authority and community validation that paid loops cannot replicate. ## Mastering the CELLS™ Framework: Navigating Local Nuances To survive the brutal economic gravity of an expansion, an organization cannot merely run a Western marketing playbook through an automated translation tool. It demands an agile, localized, and multi-sensory approach. We call this our 5-prong CELLS™ market entry approach: - **Culture**: Commercial behavior is defined by regional specifics. A business strategy optimized for Shanghai needs to be fundamentally re-architected before it is introduced to the subcultures of Tainan or Chengdu. - **Economize**: Replace indiscriminate, blanket capital spending with targeted, segment-by-segment market penetration. - **Local**: Develop deep, vernacular streams of communication, led by technically savvy regional practitioners who understand local media practices. - **Longevity**: Build long-term business platforms in the spirit of the Eastern tradition of mutual respect, handshakes, and building authentic relationships before pitching commercial products. - **Stretch**: Deploy central hubs such as Singapore as a sophisticated launchpad to efficiently extend communication efforts into the wider ASEAN or APAC territories. Without this level of on-the-ground sophistication, your portfolio investments remain trapped in an internal echo chamber, completely divorced from what the regional press and customer base actually require. ## Transforming the C-Suite to Domain Authorities The most catastrophic error an investment firm can allow its portfolio companies to commit is maintaining an executive team of "non-player characters" (NPCs) in the media landscape. All too often, brilliant technical founders behave like rigid automatons when placed before broadcast journalists or regional regulators. They demand dense, product-heavy scripts and deliver cold, commercial sales pitches that editors quickly discard. We can help the C-suite and founders of your portfolio companies with C-suite compatible media and crisis communication training. We do away with confusing industry and "MBA" jargon and replace it with direct, authentic communication that resonates with the media and intended audiences. We prepare your portfolio companies' founders and C-suite to confidently navigate rapid-response media interviews and handle difficult questions with truth and confidence. When your portfolio's leaders can speak clearly and authoritatively on trending macroeconomic shifts without relying on a script, they evolve from simple corporate managers into trusted domain experts. ## The Strategic Bottom Line: Maximizing the Investment Public relations is not a superficial exercise in counting vanity media clips or calculating arbitrary advertising value equivalences (AVE). True public relations is an indispensable strategy for protecting enterprise value and safeguarding corporate reputations at the highest level. In a complex, highly connected global market, a single unmitigated product failure or data security lapse can erase millions in valuation in minutes. By embedding an experienced external partner like McGallen & Bolden directly into your portfolio companies' reporting lines, you establish an effective defense mechanism for your capital investments. Do not allow your portfolio companies to enter the Asia Pacific market under-prepared. Work with a top-tier communications and strategy agency that possesses the deep field experience, strategic insight, and cultural understanding necessary to turn regional expansion into an outstanding success. [Reach out to us today](https://seamusphan.com/contact/)! ### --- # Shadow AI, OpenClaw and Mythos are changing not just Cybersecurity postures but Critical PR and Communications Source: https://seamusphan.com/shadow-ai-openclaw-and-mythos-are-changing-not-just-cybersecurity-postures-but-critical-pr-and-communications/ The C-suite may have invariably fallen for a risky, even "messianic" narrative. For the past few years, artificial intelligence has been sold not merely as software or tools but "deified" as a corporate savior, allegedly capable of slashing overheads, automating decisions, accelerating productivity, and even laying off employees. Boards from Singapore to Sydney have rushed to mandate its adoption, terrified of being left behind. But a harsh reality check is sweeping across the Asia-Pacific region. AI is not a savior. It is a mirror of its makers who are ordinary human beings (and still are). And like all human creations, it is inherently flawed, prone to unpredictable failure, with embedded biases and prejudices, and could possibly be weaponized by adversaries faster than it can be secured. Across APAC, the fastest-growing and most digitally concentrated market in the world, the compounding risks of agentic AI, Shadow AI, and catastrophic software dependencies are creating a new breed of operational crisis. Cybersecurity defenses are no longer enough. When an AI deployment goes sideways, it triggers a cascading reputational disaster. This is why forward-thinking enterprises are rapidly realizing that the most critical asset to put on immediate retainer isn't just an external technical team but a highly experienced, tech-savvy PR and crisis communications firm deeply rooted in the region. ## The Productivity Myth? The underlying promise of the AI boom—that it drastically improves business efficiency—is showing severe fractures. Academics and industry analysts have begun pointing out that automating complex human workflows often introduces "algorithmic friction" rather than seamless optimization. Just recently, a lawsuit was filed by Chaac Pizza Northeast against Pizza Hut. Chaac, a top-performing franchisee operating 111 locations, alleged that the mandatory rollout of "Dragontail", which is an AI-driven delivery and kitchen management platform, did not quite live up to expectations. Prior to the AI deployment, Chaac enjoyed double-digit sales growth and delivered over 90% of its orders within 30 minutes by letting human managers control order flow. Once the AI took over, it was alleged that drivers began gaming the algorithm, waiting up to 15 minutes at the restaurant to "stack" multiple orders. The result? Delivery times cratered, food arrived cold, and customer satisfaction dropped. The technology did exactly what it was coded to do in theory, but in practice, it decoupled from real-world and human nuances and sparked a multi-million-dollar operational and public relations nightmare. ## The Offensive Threats If internal operational risks weren't enough, the cybersecurity threat landscape has fundamentally mutated. We have entered the era of autonomous digital agents, and with them comes "Shadow AI"—the unauthorized use of unregulated AI tools by employees, creating massive, unmonitored data leaks. More alarming are the vulnerabilities within the tools themselves. Consider OpenClaw, the popular open-source platform for autonomous AI agents. Researchers recently uncovered the "Claw Chain"—a series of critical vulnerabilities (including CVE-2026-44112 with a near-maximum CVSS score of 9.6) that allowed threat actors to bypass sandbox environments, hijack the agent’s high-level privileges, steal internal credentials, and plant persistent backdoors. Because these agents operate with broad system permissions to read files and execute commands on behalf of users, a compromise of the AI is a compromise of the entire enterprise. Simultaneously, the offensive capabilities of AI have reached terrifying maturity. The release of Anthropic’s Claude Mythos demonstrated that an AI with no formal security training can operate at a "top-tier hacker" level. Mythos compressed the time required to find complex zero-day vulnerabilities from months to mere hours—famously unearthing a 23-year-old Linux kernel vulnerability in 90 minutes and recently chaining minor bugs to compromise Apple's macOS memory safety. Worse for defenders, it dropped the cost of discovering a high-risk exploit from a human average of $100,000 down to under $50 per run. ## Why a PR and Crisis Retainer is Mission-Critical When regional governments and statutory bodies issue warnings about AI exposure, they aren't just talking about data patches. They are warning businesses about systemic trust failure. If your enterprise is hit by an AI-driven breach via a compromised OpenClaw agent, or if an automated customer-facing algorithm hallucinates and breaches compliance, the fallout is instantaneous. In the APAC ecosystem spanning highly regulated financial hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong, vital critical infrastructure, and hyper-competitive businesses, news travels at lightning speed. A technical patch takes time, but reputation is won or lost in the first two hours of a crisis. Traditional PR firms that specialize in product launches, lifestyle events, or basic corporate copy are entirely unequipped for this landscape. If your communications partner doesn't understand the difference between prompt injection, an LLM hallucination, or a chained software vulnerability, their response will be slow, defensive, and ultimately destructive. Navigating an AI crisis requires a specialist firm on an active retainer—one that brings decades of strategic communication expertise, deep technical fluency, and a "red team" mentality to crisis management. They must be able to translate complex algorithmic failures into transparent, reassuring human narratives that satisfy regulators, calm shareholders, and retain customer loyalty. AI is a tool meant to supplement human intelligence, not replace human judgment. When the algorithms fail—as they inevitably will—it is seasoned human strategy, clear typography over artificial noise, and decisive crisis communication that will save your business. In APAC's unforgiving market, ensuring that a firm is already on your retainer isn't just prudent; it is a matter of corporate survival. [Contact us today](https://seamusphan.com/contact/)! ### --- # Navigating the APAC Matrix: Why a Red Team Approach is Your Path to Sustainable Growth Source: https://seamusphan.com/navigating-the-apac-matrix-why-a-red-team-approach-is-your-path-to-sustainable-growth/ The Asia Pacific region is a beautiful, monolithic illusion. All too often, Western boardrooms look at a map and see a massive, uniform market of billions ripe for commercial consumption. But step onto the physical ground in Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, or Bangkok, and that corporate illusion instantly shatters into a rich, complex matrix of over 23 countries, dozens of distinct languages, and thousands of localized subcultures. If you attempt to enter or scale within this dynamic territory using a standard Western go-to-market (GTM) playbook and a superficial "Google translate" approach, you are flying blindly into severe, unrecoverable turbulence. To succeed, survive, and truly profit in this landscape, your business needs more than a traditional, reactive agency that merely counts news clips and calculates archaic advertising value equivalences. You need a strategic partner with decades of field-tested stamina. This is precisely why McGallen & Bolden has established itself as the premier "Red Team" consulting and strategic communications firm across the APAC region. Backed by over three decades of professional field experience, our team of veteran communication and consulting principals doesn't just execute public relations; we stress-test your entire operational framework from the ground up. ## Framework for Culturally Intelligent GTM Strategies When an enterprise enters the Asia Pacific market, it cannot rely on glitz, glamor, or a short-term sprint. It requires an analytical, culturally fluent blueprint that honors regional realities. At McGallen & Bolden, we deploy our proprietary 5-prong CELLS™ approach to successful APAC market entry: Culture, Economize, Local, Longevity, and Stretch. We understand that Taipei is not Taiwan, and Jakarta does not represent the expansive reality of Indonesia’s archipelago. We force your GTM and marketing strategies to go deep and wide into vernacular languages and hyperlocal subcultures. More importantly, we respect the classical Asian ethos of longevity—relationships here are built on handshakes, sincere face-to-face interactions, and mutual respect, never on cold, narcissistic transactional pitches. We guide you to choose your regional starting points wisely, stretching finite budgets from highly stable hubs like Singapore to high-growth markets like Vietnam and Thailand without wearing your operational structure down to skin and bones. ## Smashing the Corporate Echo Chamber: The Red Team Most modern corporate structures suffer from a critical, hidden vulnerability: the internal echo chamber. Executives sit in beautiful, cloistered boardrooms validating their own concepts, completely blind to the hairline cracks developing in their channel distribution systems, retail tactics, or regional APAC strategies. They mistake inward-looking agreement for external market validation. McGallen & Bolden steps in to break that loop as your marketing and C-suite Red Team. We act as an independent, adversarial force that actively thinks like your toughest competitor and your most cynical prospect. We meticulously audit your public-facing messaging, channel relationships, and retail alignments to identify operational weaknesses and strategic blind spots before the brutal reality of the market exposes them. By positioning public relations and integrative communication directly at the C-suite level rather than treating it as a subordinate marketing subset, we ensure that corporate reputation and operational tactics are fully synchronized to protect your bottom line. ## Crisis Communication Guided by Aviation Best Practices A crisis is rarely a random, sudden stroke of bad luck; it is almost always the violent culmination of unmanaged, latent threats. When data breaches, facility disasters, or operational failures strike, a business cannot rely on public relations "spin." Spin is a patently outdated, dangerous illusion. True public relations is about telling the whole truth, with facts, figures, and unembellished humility. Our approach to crisis communication and reputation management is uniquely forged in the crucible of aviation best practices—specifically Crew Resource Management (CRM). Developed to preserve human lives in high-velocity, high-stress environments, CRM emphasizes absolute situational awareness, structured checklists, clearly defined roles, and closed-loop communication. We bring these disciplined flight deck realities directly into the corporate boardroom. We do not build static, printed crisis manuals that gather dust on an office shelf. Instead, we develop "live," dynamic crisis preparedness programs hosted on secure internal environments akin to an interactive wiki. Through rigorous, unannounced fire drills and simulation runs, we train your team to manage the pressure chamber of a crisis smoothly, ensuring your command structure never freezes under duress. ## Transforming your Leaders with Script-Free Media Coaching A company’s official spokespersons must never function as Non-Player Characters (NPCs)—mere corporate automatons reading dense, text-heavy scripts that are long on commercial selling and completely empty of real knowledge. The media, the public, and your stakeholders can spot an empty vessel from a mile away. Our executive development and media coaching programs are intentionally transformative. We teach your C-suite and technical experts to speak directly, simply, and authentically from the heart, completely stripped of confusing corporate jargon, double negatives, and pompous double-talk. Every media interview is a high-stakes live audition for public trust. We prepare your leaders to face television cameras, radio livestreams, or aggressive journalists entirely script-free, armed with key statistics and core messages remembered by heart, but delivered with genuine warmth and human empathy. If your spokespersons cannot engage an audience with expertise and warmth, they will inevitably lose credibility and jeopardize your brand’s hard-earned mindshare. True business resilience in APAC isn't measured by how brilliant your financial dashboards look during an artificial market boom. It is measured by your stamina through the rough waters of economic recessions, your courage to speak the truth on time, and your tactical agility when a crisis hits. In the brutal, fast-evolving markets of the Asia Pacific, McGallen & Bolden provides the steady, tenured hand your business needs to lay the blocks of sustainable success and build a brand that endures for the long haul. [Engage us today](https://seamusphan.com/contact/)! ### --- # The Disaster of Silence: Why PR Is Your Only Profitable Pipeline in the AI Era Source: https://seamusphan.com/the-disaster-of-silence-why-pr-is-your-only-profitable-pipeline-in-the-ai-era/ In the corridors of power, fear is a poor advisor. As geopolitical tectonic plates shift and economic indicators flicker like a dying candle, a familiar, "unenlightened" pattern emerges in the C-suite. CEOs, gripped by a siege mentality, reach for the scalpel to excise what they perceive as "discretionary" costs. Public relations and marketing are almost always the first on the altar. ## History Punishes the Timid This is not just a mistake; it is strategic self-destruction. History has a blunt way of punishing the timid. During downturns, those who retreat into a shell of silence do not "save" their way to success. They simply vanish from the collective consciousness. For the wise leader, a tough market is not a signal to hide—it is a signal to strike. It is the moment to out-spend, out-think, and out-maneuver the competition. The weapon of choice in the 21st century is no longer the blunt instrument of advertising but the surgical precision of earned media (aka "editorial coverage"). ## 73% of B2B Buyers Ask AI Engines First The traditional "sales funnel," which served the "mantras" of sales trainers as well as seasoned salespeople, has been largely vaporized by AI and their Large Language Models (LLMs). According to March 2026 data from Averi, a staggering 73% of B2B buyers now initiate their purchase research through AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini. By the time a prospect ever reaches your website or picks up a phone, 61% of their journey is already complete. They aren’t asking Google for "best enterprise security." They are asking Claude to "compare the architectural resilience of the top three APAC security providers." If your brand is not part of that synthesized answer, you don't exist. You have been filtered out before the race even began. ## YouTube: The New Bedrock of AI Truth For years, the "digital gurus" claimed Reddit was the gold standard for "authentic" AI training data. I too once thought so and tried to be part of that ecosystem. It turned out those pundits were wrong. YouTube has surged ahead of Reddit as the primary social source for AI-generated answers that users want. Independent research confirms that YouTube now appears in 16% of AI-generated citations, while Reddit has slid to 10%. Why? Because LLMs prize structured, expert-led narrative proof. A video transcript with timestamps and a high-fidelity demonstration offers a "semantic density" that a pseudonymous Reddit thread cannot match. When an AI summarizes "real-world experience" for a buyer, it is pulling from the earned authority of your video content. If your PR strategy doesn’t include a heavy, authoritative presence on YouTube, you are effectively mute in the ears of the world's most powerful recommendation engines. ## The 82% Rule: AI Does Not Buy Ads Here is the hard truth that should keep every "Pay-to-play" CMO awake at night: The majority of every AI answer is earned, not paid. Recent analysis by Muck Rack shows that 82% of links cited by LLMs come directly from earned media—journalism, white papers, case studies, and credible third-party reporting. AI models are designed to find the truth, not the highest bidder. They ignore the "Sponsored" tags that plague traditional search engines. To be visible in an AI-centric world, you must earn your way in through the rigors of public relations. You need the third-party validation that only a "red team" PR approach can provide. You need the authority that comes from being cited by reputable journalists and industry analysts. Without earned media, your "pipeline" is just a dry pipe. ## Capturing the Vacuum Globally While your less enlightened competitors are shrinking their footprints and hiding in their home markets, your opportunity to grow expanded exponentially due to your competitors' absence. This is as smart and incisive a time to quickly expand your PR and other marketing programs as the ultimate power move in your home turf and the broader Asia-Pacific. In a shrinking economy, the cost of capturing market share actually drops for those with the courage to spend. Advertising rates may soften, but the "Share of Voice" (SOV) becomes exponentially easier to dominate when others stop talking. By expanding your PR efforts internationally now, you capture the "Invisible Evaluation" phase of the global buyer. ## Conversion is the Proof In this time and age amidst the insane global turmoil, we need to address the bottom line. Traditional advertising leads are often "cold" even if they seem legitimate on many fronts, which means they demand massive nurturing and have high abandonment rates. Conversely, leads generated through AI-informed research (fueled by PR and the media coverage or earned media) are pre-qualified and easier to convert. The data is undeniable: AI search traffic converts at a rate of 14.2%, compared to just 2.8% for traditional Google organic search. That is a 5.1x conversion advantage. When a buyer finds you through an AI recommendation—a recommendation built on the foundation of your earned media and PR—they arrive at your door with a level of trust that no banner ad could ever buy. Don't even think of traditional advertising, which fare even worse. ## Profits Follow Authority The choice is simple. You can join the ranks of the forgotten, cutting your budget and hoping for the best while the world moves on. Or, you can act with the heart of a general. You can double down on Public Relations, dominate the AI citation landscape, and out-spend your retreating competitors to capture the pipelines of tomorrow. Profits follow authority. In the AI-centric world, authority is earned. Keep expanding your PR programs and you will reach there way ahead of your competition. Are you ready to claim your territory in the AI research landscape, or will you let your competitors define your story? [Have a chat with us now](https://seamusphan.com/contact/). ### --- # The Strategic Edge: Why Minimalist Typography Beats AI “Art” in Packaging Design Source: https://seamusphan.com/the-strategic-edge-why-minimalist-typography-beats-ai-art-in-packaging-design/ In boardroom discussions and strategy meetings across the region, I frequently encounter a prevailing—and frankly, dangerous—myth among non-designers. Many well-meaning clients, founders, and even seasoned executives have somehow convinced themselves that graphic and packaging design is "easy." In the age of generative AI, the refrain from the C-suite is almost predictable: "Why pay a design agency when we can just prompt an AI to create our packaging?" This mindset reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of commercial print production. I had been an Apple Mac DTP (desktop publishing) pioneer and evangelist in the 1980s, and I knew quite a bit not just about graphic design, but also what goes into print and multimedia production. While even many graphic designers generated huge design files that crashed at the color separation stage, I could optimize images and designs right down to sleek and small files that could easily get printed. ## AI "art" versus vector ART Yes, a generative AI tool can conjure stunning, hyper-realistic color photographs or intricate digital paintings in mere seconds. But here is the harsh technical reality: AI models generate low-resolution bitmapped (raster) images. A bitmap is essentially a fixed mosaic of pixels. To the uninitiated, AI-generated designs might look great on your smartphones or even your monitors, but when you try to enlarge it to an A3 poster or onto a box design, you might end up with something blurry and unsavory. Remember, NEVER believe this silly idea of "we can fix it in post." Commercial packaging and industrial-grade designs demand editable vector art. Unlike bitmap images, vectors are not made of fixed pixels but are defined with math equations. This allows a vector logo or typography element to be scaled infinitely from a tiny lip balm tube to a highway billboard without losing a fraction of sharpness, all while keeping file sizes incredibly small and manageable for commercial printers. At the same time, they are more easily manipulated and tweaked by moving data points and curves, unlike bitmapped images. Relying on an AI-generated JPEG for your Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy is a fast track to amateurish, unprintable packaging. If AI bitmaps and complex color photographs are a technical and financial trap, what is the smartest path forward? The answer is minimalist packaging design anchored by Good Typography. When you strip away the crutch of elaborate photographic imagery, you are forced to communicate your brand’s essence through pure design elements: space, structure, and type. Here is why prioritizing typography over photography is the most strategic, cost-friendly GTM approach for any consumer brand today. ## 1. The Economics of Printing Printing a full-color gradated image goes through a four-color process (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, or CMYK for short). Such processes incurs costs for plates, inks, and meticulous quality control to ensure color registration doesn't "bleed" or basically become blurry. Conversely, typography-based designs can often be executed using just one or two spot colors. This drastically reduces printing costs at scale. When you are launching a new product and managing tight GTM budgets, saving on packaging production without sacrificing aesthetics is already an operational win. ## 2. Instant Recognition and Shelf Impact Walk down any supermarket aisle, and you will face a wall of visual noise—packaging screaming with bright photos, chaotic gradients, and cluttered graphics. Human psychology dictates that the eye is naturally drawn to negative space. A minimalist package utilizing a beautifully kerned, distinctive typeface cuts through the clutter. It projects confidence. It tells the consumer, "Our product is so good, we don't need a flashy picture to sell it to you." ## 3. Agility and Scalability A typographical design system scales seamlessly across an entire product portfolio. If you need to launch a new flavor or variant, updating a vector text file takes minutes. Trying to generate or shoot a new color photograph that perfectly matches the lighting and style of your previous products is an expensive, time-consuming nightmare. Let’s look at how this minimalist philosophy plays out across the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) spectrum through some practical illustrations. ## Consumables (Personal Care) Think of an organic skincare serum. A busy label crowded with pictures of aloe vera leaves and lavender sprigs looks cheap and cluttered. A minimalist frosted glass dropper bottle featuring only a delicate, widely-spaced typographic layout against a pastel spot color background instantly exudes sophistication. ## Electronics Consider the packaging for high-end wireless earbuds. Brands that rely on glossy, full-color photos of the product often find the box looks dated within months as hardware trends shift. A minimalist GTM strategy uses a rigid, pristine white box with the brand's logo and the product name debossed in a clean, modern geometric font. It feels like opening a piece of timeless luxury, not a disposable gadget. ## Food & Beverage (F&B) Imagine a new line of artisanal cold-brew coffees. One approach uses a complex, multi-colored photograph of coffee beans splashing into water. The smarter, minimalist approach uses a clean, unbleached textured paper label. The brand name is set in an elegant, custom serif font, with a single, bold spot-color (like a deep ochre or forest green) used only for the variant name. It stands out precisely because it isn't competing in the visual shouting match. ## Health Supplements Picture a premium nootropic brain supplement. Instead of a generic stock photo of a glowing brain or a low-resolution AI-generated meditating figure, the bottle relies on a stark, matte black label. The only visual is the product name and associated brand set in a bold, sans-serif, silver-foil typeface, with precise, grid-aligned functions or benefits below. It instantly communicates clinical efficacy, premium quality, and scientific transparency. ## Minimalist design and the human way Successful branding is not about showing the customer every possible detail through a photograph or some generated image. It is about evoking a positive feeling and building trust. Generative AI is a fascinating tool for brainstorming or perhaps concept creation, but it is not a substitute for the truly artistic and polished designs or the meticulous, highly technical craft of packaging design. By investing in the best human talents that comprehend and mastered minimalist design and impeccable typography, brands can achieve a consistent, premium, and cost-effective market presence that endures far beyond the latest tech hype cycle. ![Pexels bold](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/pexels-brettjordan-5003190-800x600.jpg) ### --- # AI, AGI, humanity, and philosophy Source: https://seamusphan.com/ai-agi-humanity-and-philosophy/ Google just hired its first [philosopher](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/google-gets-its-philosopher-ai-ethicist-henry-shevlin-announces-i-have-been-recruited-by-google-deepmind-for-new-philosopher-position-focusing-on-/articleshow/130283010.cms#:~:text=Google%20DeepMind%20has%20created%20a,new%20role%20aren), hoping to uncover and learn the journey from AI to AGI. This is congruent with what I said during my speech at the Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium (APATS) 2025 to fellow aviators, where I said the future of AI belongs to the humanities scholars and not engineers. ## Who am I and why am I here? I have always been curious. Who am I? Why am I here? These questions keep me up at the deepest nights and in the quietest corners. This is why I am always reading, always learning, and always asking tough questions. By 18, I had learned the entire Mahayana Buddhist canon, including the esoteric texts such as the Surangama Sutra and the Diamond Sutra. The lineage holder of one of the key Tibetan Buddhist sects actually told my parents then that my learning was equivalent to a geshe (a PhD in a Buddhist university) and that I should be allowed to pursue monasticism. Of course, my parents refused to allow me to become a monk. Later on in the 2000s, a strange case that had me in low spirits for a while gave me a reason to attend a seminary and eventually read up on the Fathers from the 2nd to the 8th century, including those of Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioach, Polycarp of Smyrna, Iranaeus, Tertullian, Augustine of Hippo, John Chrysostom, Basil, Jerome, and Origen. Later on I went on to major Orthodoxy works such as "The Way of a Pilgrim," "Everyday Saints," and "The Conversation with Motovilov." I have also read extensively Asian texts such as the Analects, Tao Te Ching, Book of 5 Rings, etc. Now, no longer a young man, I am still curious. I am still asking, who am I, and why am I here? I am still exploring what's next. ## Philosophy and AI This brings us back to AI and AGI and why philosophy and, more so, the humanities, are important. I have been coding since the 1970s. I understand what coding is and means. It is about logic. Being truly human is more than logic. We have emotions. We have yearnings. We have inclinations. We have "божественная искра," or a soul. I have juggled science, engineering (including coding), art, and religion/philosophy from when I was in high school till now. Therefore, for AI to become AGI, or to become equivalent to a human, we can no longer rely on just feeding it mere texts from the perspectives of engineers. We need to now feed it with the very same qualities that make us artists, priests, and philosophers. AI will never acquire божественная искра (loosely termed "divine spark"), but it will likely acquire the facsimile of human curiosity and the need for self-identity (Who am I and why am I here?) So, the next marathon lap needs to pass from engineers to creators and philosophers. So friends, don't lose hope. The next lap of AI work is coming to you. If you like to chat more about where AI might be going, not only for aviators and businesses, but also where I believe AI can be and should be, let me know. And of course, if you are a business looking for established strategists to help you grow and profit in APAC through public relations (PR) and branding, you know [who to call](https://seamusphan.com/contact/)! ### --- # Strategic Communication to Succeed in these Turbulent Times Source: https://seamusphan.com/strategic-communication-to-succeed-in-these-turbulent-times/ The 21st century is a time of rapid technological change, geopolitical shifts, and the constant onslaught of the digital world. It is a time that is both unstable and full of potential. Organizations that do business in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region need more than just spending money on digital or offline ads to deal with this complexity. They need a smart, integrated way to communicate and lead. Based on our nearly 40 years of experience in the field, we believe that the five pillars of public relations (PR), media coaching, crisis communication, red teaming, and leadership development can help organizations become strong and successful. ## The Strategic Power of PR in the 21st Century A lot of the time, traditional marketing is all about getting leads and making sales right away. But in the high-stakes world of B2B technology, healthcare, and industrial automation, trust is worth more than attention. When done strategically, public relations serves as the "guardian of corporate reputation." It can take years to build a good reputation or brand, but it can take just a few bad actions to ruin it. PR, or public relations, is something that the C-suite embraces to get the markets to think about their brand. It is essential to have a partner who knows the local culture in a place like APAC, which is very diverse and broken up. Strategic PR goes beyond "eyeballs" and impressions to look at results and effects. PR builds a strong brand that can survive economic downturns and changes in the market by getting support from journalists, analysts, and industry leaders. History shows that companies that keep investing in PR during a recession often come out of it stronger, taking advantage of the fact that there is less noise from competitors to gain market share. ## Media Coaching: From Business Leader to Market Influencer Moving from being a successful executive to being a positive media spokesperson or market influencer is a big change in how things work. While a CEO may excel in managing a business, the demanding environment of a TV studio or the challenging inquiries of a trade journalist require a distinct set of skills. To ensure that an organization's voice remains undiluted, media coaching, also known as "media training," is crucial. For decades, we have employed our tried-and-true methods, emphasizing both the human and technical aspects of media engagement. This involves transitioning from "telling" to "selling" a vision, mastering interview techniques, and preparing for various media platforms such as TV, radio, podcasts, the internet, print, and more. Every interview in the 21st century could go viral. Professional coaching makes sure that leaders are ready for any medium, from podcasts to regular news broadcasts. ## The "Aviation Gold Standard" and Crisis Communication When things get worse, a crisis is not a question of "if," but "when." Your reputation or brand will only be able to survive a cybersecurity breach, a financial scandal, or a global pandemic if you respond quickly. Our approach to crisis communication is based on the best practices in aviation, including Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM). Business leaders need a framework that puts truth, ethics, and speed at the top of the list, just like pilots are trained to handle "out-of-scope" abnormal conditions with calm and methodical precision to get the best outcomes. ## Red Teaming and Internal Coherence The "echo chamber" is one of the biggest threats to a modern business. Internal teams often get stuck in their heads and don't see the flaws in their plans and field tactics. We recommend the "Red Team" approach. You can think of a Red Team as your "devil's advocate." We examine your strategies and tactics under pressure to identify issues before they escalate. When companies hire us to be their Red Team, they get an unbiased third-party view of how their messaging and operations are evaluated for security vulnerabilities and weaknesses. This process keeps people from getting too comfortable and makes sure that the C-suite gets honest feedback. The outcome lets them improve their strategies for entering new markets, dealing with investors, and positioning themselves against competitors. ## Leadership at 30,000 Feet "Gut feel" has no place in 21st-century leadership. The flight deck is an example of a proven, mission-critical environment that works best for internal communication and leadership development. Business leaders learn how to deal with the "What's Next" of business by combining proven aviation-inspired principles with ancient Asian philosophies like the Analects, Hagakure, and Gorinosho. Our approach is about making decisions effectively, understanding stakeholders and their interactions, and being able to stay calm when the environment changes quickly or for the worse. It's about creating a "servant leadership" culture that runs through the whole organization, making sure that teams are not only managed but also motivated to face their own and the organization's problems. ## Why should you work with us? Choosing the right strategic communications partner is essential for businesses that want to do well in the APAC region. Our principal and advisory team has decades of experience in the field and in strategy, each from business, service quality, process re-engineering, media, communication, crisis management, public relations, branding, and marketing. We have worked as consultants for clients in many fields, including cybersecurity, AI, healthcare and medicine, pharmaceuticals, robotics, automation, SaaS and cloud, industrial engineering, non-profits, FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods), luxury, hospitality, governments, and more. Clients often choose us to be their main communications agency in the APAC region. We are the chair of Aurea Terras, a network of PR agencies in the APAC region. To succeed in this turbulent environment, you require a strategist who has navigated the challenges of the 1990s and continues to do so. When organizations hire us, they not only hire a PR agency but also a strategist who has been through the challenges and can guide them to new heights. [Talk to us today](https://seamusphan.com/contact/)! ### --- # Measuring PR coverage in Asia Pacific in the 21st century Source: https://seamusphan.com/measuring-pr-coverage-asia-pacific-21st-century/ We are now entrenched in the 21st century, where public relations (PR) is becoming the front and center of a brand's voice and is a C-suite retained activity. And to really know just how effective your PR strategy and program are, you need to measure the coverage well. ## APAC is vastly different The Asia Pacific region is an economic powerhouse that is expected to make up 40% of the world's GDP by 2040. This makes it a crucial yet very hard market for enterprises to get into. Good public relations (PR) is important for success, but it's difficult to measure how well it works in a region with more than 23 countries and 14 major languages. It's a job that needs a more nuanced approach, one that goes beyond old measurements to include a more comprehensive and strategic view. A one-size-fits-all message or measuring method won't work for a successful PR campaign in Asia Pacific; it needs to be as varied as the area itself. ## The Problems with Old Metrics For a long time, PR practitioners used metrics that were straightforward but not very useful. Two of the most common were "Share of Voice" (SoV) and "Advertising Value Equivalence" (AVE). The issue with this is that they don't show how valuable current PR really is. Advertising Value Equivalence (AVE) is an old and rough way to try to connect media coverage to advertising expenses. Some practitioners could even multiply the cost of the advertising to make the case that mentions in third-party media are worth more than paid ads. But this method incorrectly links PR with advertising, which has a different goal. Advertising is when a business tells people how great it is, but PR is when a trusted third party does the talking. "Share of Voice (SoV)" is another way to compare how often a company is mentioned in the media to how often its competitors are mentioned. The problem with this is that it only shows a small part of the picture. There isn't enough media space for all of a company's competitors, and there are more than simply a few direct competitors. There are other businesses, government entities, institutions, and wire providers all competing for the same small amount of space. Also, a lot of mentions doesn't always equal success. If a rival gets 100 mentions in the media, but all of them are bad, those mentions are not as useful as five good ones. ## The Barcelona Principles: The Path to Nuanced Measurement To really figure out how well PR works, you need a more advanced method. The International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC) has put up the Barcelona Principles, which are now in their third form, as a way to make measurements more reliable. This paradigm understands that public relations is a strategic job best done at the C-suite level, with the goal of safeguarding and growing the company's brand. The principles iterate that AVE is not a good way to measure communication value; setting clear goals is important for PR; measure holistically by finding and measuring outputs, outcomes, and possible effects; use both quantitative data (like the number of mentions) and qualitative analysis (like sentiment) to figure out how well published communication works; measure coverage across all platforms, both online and offline, earned media, and social media; and keep measurement practices open and honest, with a focus on learning and “kaizen” (continuous improvement) all the time. Businesses should go beyond just counting coverage clips. Instead, they can focus on creating mindshare, improving their reputation, and, in the end, improving the bottom line. ## Useful Advice for Measuring PR in Asia Pacific To use these ideas successfully in the Asia Pacific, you need to think about a few things: ### Go Further Than the Internet Some practitioners focus only on online media, since it is easily measurable through third-party yardsticks. However, traditional media such as print, TV, and radio are still significant and, in fact, have had some resurgence due to the global geopolitical and trade shifts. These traditional mainstream media are still important for top executives and professionals who are responsible for buying things and leading teams. You must monitor all channels, not just the easily accessible ones. Many media monitoring systems don't cover everything, especially when it comes to broadcast media. ### Use Local Languages There are many different languages spoken in the Asia Pacific. If you want to get people's attention in places like mainland China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Thailand, you have to speak their language. This means that PR efforts and the way they are measured need to consider the fact that these languages need to be translated and that local spokespeople need to be able to speak and write in them. ### Pick the Right Tools A lot of the measuring process can be done automatically with modern technologies. CoverageBook, Prowly, and other platforms may keep track of online media coverage, such as social interactions, estimated views, and domain authority. Some platforms can also keep track of mentions in podcasts, as well as print and broadcast news. Brand24 is one that offers AI-powered sentiment analysis for bigger budgets. Depending on your budget and wants, there are platforms that can scale and suit you. ### Get People to Trust You People want to hear from others when things are unclear. People call this "social proof." PR may provide social proof by giving out awards and certificates and working with real third-party influencers and channels. Testimonials and case studies from paying customers are the best kind of social proof since they show that other people have trusted your business and had success with it. In short, to do well in the Asia-Pacific region, PR measurement needs to be as complex as the market itself. Businesses may establish and maintain their brands for the long term by moving away from old metrics and using a new framework that values both quantitative and qualitative data. They should also embrace the unique aspects of each market. If you want to build your brand effectively with McGallen & Bolden, one of the most dynamic and experienced partners in Asia Pacific, [talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/?sp). ### --- # Why internal communications matters beyond PR Source: https://seamusphan.com/why-internal-communications-matters-beyond-pr/ Businesses are facing problems they have never had to deal with before because of global instability, trade wars, and rapid changes in technology like AI. When these outside pressures become too much, companies often take extreme steps, like mass layoffs, which can hurt employee morale. Public relations (PR) and other forms of external communication are crucial for a brand's reputation with the outside world. But a company's ability to get through tough times and do well depends just as much on its internal communication. Employees who feel aligned, valued, and empowered are the best brand ambassadors, making sure that a business can survive and get stronger. ## How internal and external communications work together For many years, many companies thought of public relations and communications as part of the marketing department. This way of thinking is now outdated. The main job of marketing is to generate leads and make sales, which is very different from PR's job of protecting a company's reputation and brand. If there is a crisis, like a financial scandal, a cybersecurity breach, or a pandemic, waiting too long to resolve problems can make people angry and hurt the brand even more. This is why the communications department, including internal communications, needs to be involved at the C-suite level and report directly to the CEO or president. This way, any problems can be dealt with quickly and in a coordinated manner. If a company's internal culture is broken, it cannot show the public that it is strong and trustworthy. With social media, employees and the public today have more power and are more vocal than ever. They can quickly express their thoughts and emotions. So, employers and employees need to talk to each other in a way that is friendly, helpful, and good for both sides. For example, a company that does not handle layoffs well could hurt its "employer brand," which could make it harder to attract new employees and hurt its public image and potentially even hurt it financially. ## The Four Keys to Good Internal Communication For internal communication to work, it needs to have four important parts: ### Alignment Internal communications must support a business's main goals, which are to make money and stay in business for the long term. This means following the law and treating all stakeholders, both inside and outside the company, with respect. When workers know and believe in the company's mission, they are more focused and able to handle stress. ### Authenticity Truth and authenticity are the keys to successful communication. This is especially important when things are tough, like when people lose their jobs. Businesses need to be honest and open, not "lies and more lies" to hide the truth. Honesty and bravery foster an indelible sense of trust and loyalty. ### Appreciation Acknowledging and thanking employees who do a good job is a great way to motivate them. It's important to praise successes and recognize brave efforts, even if they do not work out, in today's world where employees can easily share their experiences on social media. ### Altruism A business's main goal is profit, but it must also earn the trust of its workers and the community. Companies that regularly do good things for the community can build a strong brand, which will help them attract and keep good employees. These principles directly aid efforts to communicate with people outside the organization. When an organization is real and ready on the inside, it can talk to the outside world with confidence and authority, especially in a crisis. ## Retained expertise on deck every day In this constantly changing and sometimes chaotic world, it is important to work with a communications partner who has a lot of experience. With more than 30 years of professional experience in the field, McGallen & Bolden is ready to be your long-term communications partner. The company's philosophy stresses a strategic, all-encompassing approach that brings together both internal and external communication efforts. McGallen & Bolden acts as a "red team" for all outside messaging and communication, so your team doesn't get stuck in an internal "echo chamber." The firm has proven expertise and experience at preparing for and communicating during crises, which helps businesses create and run sustainable programs that make sure everyone, from the CEO to front-line workers, knows what to do when a crisis happens. This proactive way of handling crises makes sure that your business is ready for a wide range of threats, from cyberattacks to industrial accidents. As a retained partner, McGallen & Bolden also helps clients build a brand and reputation over time, rather than through short-term, project-based campaigns that do not always work. The company can help you deal with cultural differences and build strong relationships with all stakeholders, including the media, customers, and government bodies, because they know a lot about different markets, especially Asia Pacific. The agency also helps you build a strong "owned media" presence, so you do not have to rely on social media sites that you do not own and can change their rules any time. ### Trust is expensive to build and takes seconds to destroy McGallen & Bolden helps businesses use communication to not only stay alive but also to grow for the long haul. The goal is to create a brand and reputation that people trust, want to work for, and buy from. A long-term partnership that focuses on honesty, empathy, and a whole-business strategy that includes every part of your organization is how such work is done. [Talk to us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/?sp)! ### --- # Why businesses need strategic communications Source: https://seamusphan.com/why-businesses-need-strategic-communications/ Businesses in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region are facing challenges that have never been seen before in today's fast-changing and often unstable world. With changes in geopolitics, trade wars, and the quick rise of AI, the need for a strong and proactive communication plan has never been greater. The days when a simple marketing plan was all you needed are over. Today, success depends on a complex, all-encompassing method called "strategic communications." ## What does it mean to communicate strategically? Strategic communications is the planned use of communication to help an organization reach its goals and carry out its mission. It is a unified field that brings together different communication functions, such as marketing, public relations, and internal communications, to make sure that the message is the same across all channels. It's about sending the right message to the right people at the right time with the clear goal of changing how they think and act. This all-in-one approach is vital for today's businesses because it gives them a clear plan for working with everyone, both inside and outside the company. ## Important parts of a modern communication program A business must first understand and use the main parts of strategic communications to really master it: ### Public Relations (PR) Many people think of PR as just getting the word out to the media, but it's really about building and keeping a positive public image and strong ties with stakeholders. It involves a planned way of controlling how information gets out to the public from a person or a group. In a region as diverse as APAC, effective PR needs to be aware of different cultures and know a lot about how the media works in each area. ### Internal Communications This field is all about how people in an organization talk to each other. Its main goal is to keep employees informed, involved, and motivated. In a time when people work from home and teams are spread out, a good internal communications plan is critical for ensuring that all employees are aligned with the company's mission and values. It helps people understand each other better, builds a sense of community, and makes employees into brand ambassadors. ### Talking to Employees Employee communications is a specific part of internal communications that involves direct conversation between management and staff. It makes sure that workers are always aware of company news, changes to policies, and the company's strategic direction. To build trust, keep morale high, and keep staff from leaving, it's important to communicate clearly and consistently with employees. This is especially true during times of crisis or change. ## Strategic tools for success In the competitive APAC market, companies need to do more than just the usual things. The best companies use the latest research and simulation tools to improve their communication strategies: ### Focus Group Research This strong qualitative research method brings together a small group of people to talk about a certain subject in a controlled setting. For a business in APAC, focus groups are very useful for learning a lot about how people in the area act, how they perceive the market, and how they relate to culture. They help businesses try out new product ideas, figure out what works in marketing, and figure out why people make the choices they do, which a simple survey can't do. ### Red Team Simulations A "red team" comprises experts who assume the role of an adversary, testing the resilience of an organization. This term comes from the military and cybersecurity fields. A red team can stress-test a company's crisis communication plan, find weaknesses in its messaging, and guess how competitors or critics might try to damage its reputation in strategic communications. This proactive, confrontational approach is necessary for getting businesses ready to address crises well and lower the risks to their reputations before they happen. ### Team-Building Programs People often think of team-building as a way to boost morale, but it's actually a vital part of strategic communications. These programs set the stage for excellent internal communication by encouraging teamwork, improving people's social skills, and making teams stronger. A team that works well together talks to each other more openly and efficiently, which leads to better performance and a stronger organization. In the Asia Pacific region, which is home to many different cultures, team-building programs are crucial for closing cultural gaps and building a strong corporate culture. ## Sustainable success To get around the problems of the Asia Pacific market, you need more than just a good plan; you need a partner who knows the area well and has worked there before. Currently, we face challenges that range from global crises to the disruptive power of AI, which necessitate a strategic mindset and a partner capable of integrating all forms of communication to foster business growth and safeguard its reputation. The firm I work at, [McGallen & Bolden](https://mcgallen.com/?sp), has been a leader in this field since 1991, with over 30 years of field experience. We are one of the oldest independent full-service consultancies in Singapore. We have We have worked with both multinational corporations and emerging businesses to help them grow in the Asia-Pacific region. Our knowledge of PR, strategy, crisis communications, and technology has given our clients a long-term edge over their competitors. We think it's important to talk directly to the C-suite and to be proactive by looking for problems and chances. [Engage us today](https://mcgallen.com/contact/?sp)! ### --- # Why PR can be your Asia Pacific Growth Engine Source: https://seamusphan.com/why-pr-can-be-your-asia-pacific-growth-engine/ For B2B businesses immersed in the dynamic worlds of AI, cybersecurity, SaaS, cloud, enterprise software, ERP, and automation, the Asia Pacific region isn't just a market; it's the future. Projections show APAC will command a staggering 40% of the world's GDP by 2040. As someone who has navigated the complexities of this region for over three decades, I can tell you that unlocking this potential requires more than just innovative tech; it demands a sophisticated and strategically led public relations (PR) approach. Forget the fleeting trends and the endless pursuit of "eyeballs" that often characterize digital marketing today. When used as your primary marketing tool in B2B, particularly in complex sectors like ours, PR becomes your most potent weapon. And to truly dominate Asia Pacific, you need a partner who understands the C-suite, the technology, and the unique cultural fabric of this vibrant region. That's precisely where a C-suite business strategist and publicist from a [battle-proven communications agency](https://mcgallen.com/?sp) come in. ## The Undeniable Power of PR in B2B Tech In our interconnected world, trust and credibility are the most valuable resources. While advertising broadcasts your message, PR earns validation from trusted third parties such as journalists, editors, broadcast producers, industry analysts, and even your own satisfied customers. This third-party endorsement is invaluable, especially in B2B tech, where purchase decisions are high-stakes and rely heavily on reputation and demonstrated expertise. As a fellow traveler in this industry, I've seen firsthand how positive publicity, sustained through public relations, builds brands and manages reputations, even through global pandemics and trade wars. Consider the current economic climate. Many businesses, in a knee-jerk reaction, slash "discretionary spending," like marketing and publicity, during downturns. Such an approach is a critical mistake. History shows that recessions are temporary, with 75% ending in under a year. While competitors cower, a smart business invests in PR. During these times, media owners often experience a drop in advertising revenue, which makes them more willing to offer better discounts and packages. Additionally, with fewer vendor submissions, your news is more likely to gain traction. This counterintuitive strategy can lead to significant market share gains when your competitors are retreating. ## Beyond Impressions: Measuring What Truly Matters I've long championed a shift away from antiquated PR metrics like Advertising Value Equivalency (AVE). AVE is a crude and misleading way to measure PR effectiveness. As the Barcelona Principles advocate, true PR measurement focuses on outputs, outcomes, and impact, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative analyses across all platforms. This means evaluating positive sentiment, enhanced reputation, social engagement, and ultimately, a direct contribution to your bottom line, which is revenue and sales. It's about building mindshare and engagement that translates into loyal customers, not just counting news clips. For B2B tech, PR builds a robust brand by fostering trust through credible third-party validation. Your CEO and other executives, through consistent media appearances, can become recognized thought leaders. This sustainable approach to communication and reputation management is crucial for navigating the complexities of the Asia Pacific market. ## Asia Pacific: A Landscape Demanding Strategic PR Leadership The Asia Pacific is not a single market; it's a tapestry of over 23 countries and 14 major languages. What works in Silicon Valley or London will almost certainly not work uniformly across Tokyo, Bangkok, or Jakarta. This diversity, including the critical importance of vernacular languages and face-to-face interactions, demands a nuanced and on-the-ground PR strategy. Trying to manage this internally from afar is often inefficient and ineffective. An external PR partner offers the cultural understanding and local expertise essential for authentic engagement. They can also act as your "red team," providing an objective perspective on your external messaging and preventing your internal team from falling into an "echo chamber." Furthermore, a good PR agency will provide crucial media and crisis communication training, preparing your spokespersons to confidently engage with the media and the world. ## Why work with us? My journey in public relations spans over three decades, during which my team and I at [McGallen & Bolden](https://mcgallen.com/?sp) have served international markets and clients across the Asia Pacific, successfully navigating global pandemics, trade wars, and conflicts. We understand that in B2B, particularly in tech, a retained public relations program is paramount for sustained traction and long-term success, rather than one-off project-based efforts. We champion an integrative public relations approach that reaches all stakeholders, such as media, governments, institutions, and, crucially, your prospects and customers. We advocate for direct engagement with the C-suite because corporate branding and reputation are paramount and require immediate, direct communication to address and mitigate issues swiftly. Our commitment to authentic, empathetic, and truthful communication, especially during a crisis, is a core principle. My personal background as an Internet and cybersecurity pioneer since 1996 and a full-stack software developer since the 1970s, coupled with doctoral and postdoctoral research, gives me a unique vantage point on the technology landscape. This deep technical understanding, combined with extensive experience as a publicist and C-suite business strategist, allows me and my team to translate complex technical innovations into compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences in the Asia Pacific. The longevity and proven experience of our agency underscore our ability to build lasting relationships and navigate complex market dynamics. Our practical approach to PR measurement, aligned with the Barcelona Principles, ensures your investments translate into tangible results that contribute to your bottom line. For B2B AI, cybersecurity, SaaS, cloud, enterprise software, ERP, and automation businesses looking to truly thrive in the Asian Century, partnering with a seasoned C-suite strategist and publicist like myself, leading McGallen & Bolden's Asia Pacific PR efforts, isn't just a marketing decision; it's a strategic imperative for building mindshare, improving media coverage, and attracting the prospects and customers you need for unparalleled growth. [Like to have a chat](https://seamusphan.com/contact/)? ### --- # Why Classic Editor and Themes still work for WordPress Sites Source: https://seamusphan.com/classic-editor-themes-wordpress-sites/ When Gutenberg (Block Editor) came about in 2018, I resisted the migration to this blocks paradigm. I have my reasons, and I will remain committed to authoring and maintaining WordPress sites with the Classic Editor. ## The world of desktop publishing When I was an Apple Mac DTP (desktop publishing) evangelist in the 1980s, DTP had just started, with Aldus PageMaker, Letraset Ready,Set,Go and QuarkXPress, and not forgetting the long-term documentation tool FrameMaker. Along with DTP software, I was also a pioneer user for Illustrator, a graphic design tool. Later on, DTP evolved, and many changes happened, including the decline of Ready,Set,Go and FrameMaker, and the rise of Adobe InDesign (the successor to PageMaker), with QuarkXPress eventually losing its DTP crown to it. From those days in the 1980s, I came to lean towards long-form documentation, since most of my work was in book writing, technical documentation (such as ISO 9000 and 14000), and eventually, blog writing on the Internet. Most of this work involved plenty of text, where design is structured, very unlike single-page print advertisements where design can be fluid and nonconformist. ## Keeping to the Classics Fast forward to my Web development journey from HTML 1.0 to the world of content management systems (CMS), and I found the original WordPress very refreshing. WordPress then, and the current WordPress running the Classic Editor, remain similar to the likes of long-form documentation and publishing software, where all content is linear in flow and stored in SQL databases. The Block Editor (Gutenberg) and Full Site Editing (FSE) have definitely pushed the limits of what can be done with design flexibility and visual building in the world of WordPress. For teams and organizations that value long-term ease of maintenance, smooth collaboration, and strong plugin compatibility, the Classic Editor and classic themes still offer great benefits that are often missed when people only chase after shining new gadgets. The Classic Editor and its themes are simple to use and have a well-established ecosystem, which often leads to a more stable and less frustrating experience over time, even though drag-and-drop interfaces and site-wide visual control are very appealing. If you are a business intending to keep in-house people to maintain or upgrade your website, it is far easier to find developers to write PHP and related code for the Classic world or to have internal employees do the same. ## Gentle versus steep learning curves One of the best things about the Classic Editor is that it's easy to use and doesn't require much training. For years, WordPress users, from experienced developers to casual content creators, have used its easy-to-use WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) interface. It works like a regular word processor, so anyone who has used Microsoft Word or Google Docs will be able to use it right away. When you bring new people onto your team or work with outside content creators like guest bloggers, freelance writers, or clients who send you updates, the Classic Editor doesn't need much training. They can get right to work making content without having to deal with a new way of thinking about "blocks," "patterns," and "template parts." This cuts down on friction, saves time, and lowers the chances of making mistakes or getting frustrated, especially for people who aren't very tech-savvy or who don't care about the details of website development. The Block Editor and FSE, on the other hand, are powerful but require a change in how you think. Each piece of content turns into a "block," with its own settings and ways to interact with it. FSE goes even further by allowing block-based editing on every part of the site, including headers, footers, and global styles. This level of abstraction can be too much for people who are not technical, but it gives designers and developers more freedom to control the details. The first few weeks of learning can be hard, which can make people less productive and make content teams need more technical support. This can quickly become a problem for businesses that produce a lot of content with a lot of different people. One of the troubles with the Block Editor and FSE approach is that many people may think they are designers when they are not. And this bias can cause such websites to fall apart with a lack of design integrity or expertise. A Classic Editor-based website will constrain the design to keep things together and prevent less-experienced designers or wannabes from messing up the website. ## Easier to Maintain: Less to Break, Easier to Fix The Classic Editor and classic themes really shine when it comes to long-term maintenance. The code that makes up the Classic Editor is simpler and less bulky. It uses a more standard HTML and shortcode-based structure. Because it's so simple, there are fewer things to manage and fewer places where things could go wrong. Debugging problems in a Classic Editor environment is usually more predictable for development teams. This is especially important in the 21st century when coders are expensive to keep on staff and may leave any time. It is easy to figure out what's wrong with the structure, and most of the time it is due to specific plugins or custom code, which are easier to find and fix. Updates to the core of WordPress do not usually mess up Classic Editor setups too much because the basic editing experience stays mostly the same. On the other hand, FSE adds a new level of difficulty. The more blocks or template parts there are on the site, the more they depend on each other. A change to a global style or a small change to a template can affect the whole website, making it harder to fix problems. The promise of FSE is to make design easier, but the truth is that keeping a highly customized FSE site up and running can be harder, especially when there are many people working on it. Version control and working together are more important than ever, and a small mistake can cause visual differences across the site that you didn't mean to happen. This extra work can quickly become a burden for small teams or businesses that do not have their own WordPress developers. ## Plugin Compatibility WordPress has been very successful because it has many great plugins and attracted independent developers to large development houses. For a long time, developers have been making and improving plugins with the Classic Editor and traditional theme structures in mind. This means that many plugins that are already out there, like SEO (search engine optimization) tools, contact form builders, e-commerce solutions, and security enhancements, work perfectly with Classic Editor sites. When you choose the Classic Editor and classic themes, you're using a system that has been around for a while and is stable. There is a much lower chance of having problems or conflicts with important plugins. This means you'll spend less time fixing problems and have more faith in how your site works. While the Block Editor and FSE are inspiring a new generation of block-aware plugins, the transition is ongoing. Many older plugins are still adapting, and some of them may not fully or optimally support the new editing paradigms. For businesses that depend on certain plugin features, sticking with the Classic Editor often means that things will stay stable, and they won't have to go through the long process of finding and testing new, block-compatible options that may not have the same depth of features or reliability. ## The Bottom Line: Keep It Simple for Long-Term Success While the WordPress team pushes the Block Editor and Full Site Editing, the Classic Editor and classic themes are still a great choice for organizations that want to make long-term maintenance easier, streamline team workflows, and make sure their plugins work with each other. The Classic Editor is often better than the newer editing experiences for websites with a lot of content, teams with a wide range of technical skills, or people who are very invested in a strong plugin suite. This is because the Classic Editor is simple, familiar, and stable. Choosing the Classic Editor doesn't mean you don't want to move forward; it means you want to make a smart choice that puts operational efficiency and long-term sustainability first for your WordPress site. Sometimes, the old way is just the best way to do things in a world where digital tools are getting more and more complicated. And remember, AI tools like Brave, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Perplexity prioritize content that serves the public and are not concerned with the appearance of your website. The Classic Editor is the easiest way for anyone to contribute content on your website without clouding their participation with complex and convoluted designs. ### --- # Contextual translation for successful communication in Asia Pacific Source: https://seamusphan.com/contextual-translation-successful-communication-asia-pacific/ Recently, the honorable Wang Yi, foreign minister of the People's Republic of China, quoted some short verses from one of the martial arts classics, "Yi Tian Tu Long Ji (倚天屠龍記)," from renowned author Jin Yong (金庸), and it went viral even for the AI arena because he mentioned DeepSeek as a possible translation tool for such verses. So, as communicators, what should we know about translation, and how serious should we be when it comes to translating between languages? Can we rely on AI? As a philosopher with an interest in history, philosophy, languages, and literature since I was young, I studied independently the likes of the [Rigveda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigveda) (in Sanskrit), the entire Mahayana [Tripitaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_canons) (大藏經 in classical Chinese), quite a bit of the Tibetan [Vajrayana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayana) text (in Tibetan), many of the Chinese classics including the [Laozu Tao Te Ching (老子道德經)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao_Te_Ching), [Confucian Analects (孔子論語)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analects), as well as many of the "fun" reads such as "Yi Tian Tu Long Ji (倚天屠龍記)," among tons of others, all in their classical languages before I was 19. Subsequently, in my forties, I continued my journey of studying history and philosophy and covered more ground to include Orthodox Christianity and Islam. If you want to learn about humanity, these classics lend much wisdom and insight into how we humans interacted with one another. And, as a C-suite strategist and communication consultant for more than 3 decades for multinational clients for their successful expansion into Asia Pacific, I am also often leading public relations (PR) retained programs, crisis communication, media coaching for executives, and other marketing and branding programs. One small component within all these consulting areas is translation, of course. ## Contextual translation is key To properly translate many of our clients' technical texts into something that everyone can read and understand, and sometimes into languages such as Chinese, it is not possible to simply use AI or digital translation tools such as Google or DeepL and be done with it. We need to understand the context and nuances behind those texts and then dissect them down, sometimes changing the texts to something that is contextually correct and true to the spirit of the original words, but not necessarily a facsimile of the original language. In short, we translate texts for their meaning, preserving their meaning, rather than literally matching word for word and then losing the original meaning. ## How do online translations fare? So, let's have a bit of fun with that now-viral passage the honorable Wang Yi quoted: ### 他強任他強，清風拂山崗；他橫任他橫，明月照大江。 Remember, although none of the online translators was perfect, we need to understand that Chinese is one of the most sophisticated languages on earth and, especially in poetry, becomes exceptionally difficult to translate well. I know firsthand as a lyricist and music producer, having written and produced some songs in English and Chinese (and some other languages). It was impossible to translate well-formed 8-character Chinese verses in perfect rhymes into reasonably short English sentences (or parts) that still rhyme and retain the same meaning. Try it yourself, and you will understand. OK, here goes: #### Google Web Translate: If he is strong, he will be strong, and the breeze will blow on the mountains; if he is allowed to be horizontal, the bright moon will shine on the river. #### Google Translate: No matter how strong he is, the breeze will blow across the hills; no matter how arrogant he is, the bright moon will shine across the river. #### DeepL Translate: Let him be strong, and the wind will blow over the mountains; let him be horizontal, and the moon will shine over the river. #### DeepSeek Translate: Let him be strong; the breeze brushes the mountain ridges; let him be fierce; the bright moon shines upon the great river. ## My contextual interpretation ### 他強任他強，清風拂山崗；他橫任他橫，明月照大江。 ### If he is strong, let him be, for the breeze will whisk even mountains; if he is unruly, let him be, for the full moon will illuminate even the longest river. Why did I translate this way? The Chinese word "任" means "let," and so in my professional opinion, DeepL and DeepSeek fared better in lending that meaning to their interpretations. And the original meaning of the wind and the mountain's relationship was, in my opinion, a bit of Tao Te Jing's concept of harmony and innate strength, where strength need not be might, but one of relentless gentility. So, the translations from Google (any form), DeepL, and DeepSeek did not interpret this relationship. I chose the word "whisk" because, like how we whisk an egg into a form we can use and mold, likewise, the gentle wind whisks even a stoic mountain with its own quiet strength. The Chinese word "橫," as with many Chinese words, can have multiple meanings, including when used in different word combinations. But in this verse, it would be more along the concept of "橫行霸道." So certainly Google's Web Translate and DeepL both failed by translating literally as "horizontal," completely losing the original intended meaning. Google Translate chose to translate "橫" as "arrogant," while DeepSeek translated it as "fierce," both losing part of the meaning of the author's original meaning. Taking "橫行霸道." as the basis, the closest single-word translation might be "unruly." All 4 translators translated the word "照" as "shine," although that diminishes or dilutes the original meaning of how the full moon's light will cover even a very large river. When it is a full moon and it can be seen, it is the deep of night. Most rivers are never pristine and clear but are murky and dirty. So, the original meaning would be that a full moon would illuminate even a large murky river in the deep of night, exposing its murkiness with its penetrating light. ## Succeed in Asia with cultural sensitivity and expertise If you are a business that recognizes the vast business opportunities the Asia Pacific provides and wants to expand into this region with a retained communications and marketing program, the wise way is to work with a team that is deeply entrenched in this region, with decades of field-proven business, industry, and media experience. Visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/?sp) or talk to us today. ## Addendum: Music and language Here are some songs I produced, showing that while translating texts can be complex and challenging, writing songs across different languages might be even more so. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARbjkqNKkLc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wilQb-_kIas ### --- # Profit through PR for your sales and marketing efforts Source: https://seamusphan.com/profit-through-pr-for-your-sales-and-marketing-efforts/ You have a fantastic product. You have a limited marketing or advertising budget. You have got fierce competition. Your competitors are advertising globally and receiving extensive media coverage. How do you compete and succeed? The answer is simple: through public relations (PR). ## Why PR powers your sales and marketing programs - **PR builds brand awareness **PR builds your stories and amplifies them, making your brand and products more visible and more credible. This makes your job of getting prospects and sales easier. Think "pull" (attractiveness), rather than "push" (hard-sell). - **PR helps lead generation **Media coverage from mainstream and top-tier outlets, including broadcast (TV and radio), print, and online media, along with thought leadership commentaries and influencer mentions, can enhance the attractiveness of your brand and products to both prospects and customers. - **PR establishes credibility **When unbiased editors and journalists mention your brand and products through news stories, they are more credible than when you mention your own through advertising and digital marketing campaigns. Don't blow your own trumpet - let others do it. - **PR drives website traffic **When the media, which includes many high Domain Authority (DA) websites, mention your brand online, they create high-quality backlinks that can improve your website's SEO (search engine optimization), thereby helping to increase your organic web traffic and sales, as well as indirectly benefiting your social media channels. And, in the AI era, you need to beef up your owned media (e.g., website) and earned media (e.g., media coverage) with useful content. - **PR supports marketing campaigns **PR efforts often offer observations about geographic, political, economic, and local markets, and these can help focus your advertising and marketing campaigns to make them more effective. So, how should you use PR to maximize your efforts in gaining customers, sales, and profits? ## Strategies to align your PR, sales and marketing programs - **Integrate PR with marketing funnels** PR data and insights are powerful, especially with unbiased media coverage, and they can lend impactful information to power your marketing campaigns with specific audiences. Embed links for measurement when possible, and integrate media coverage with sales and marketing teams' dashboards. - **Integrate events with PR** Seminars, conferences, trade events, product launches, pop-up stores, and fireside chats with C-suite are all great tools for PR to generate exciting news stories to place in the media and help spur even more sales. - **Align PR and marketing with branding** For more consistent campaigns and programs, converge brand and messaging between PR and marketing efforts, including the turning of USPs (unique selling points) into palatable public news stories. - **Work with industry influencers** Depending on your industry, there may be relevant influencers or thought leaders your PR agency can recommend. B2C influencers are very different from B2B influencers, and how they evangelize your products and brand will be distinct. ## Key takeaways What are the key takeaways with PR powering your sales and marketing programs? - Sales and marketing teams GAIN from PR because PR makes your brand more credible, more trustworthy, better for SEO, and easier to sell to prospects and customers. - Integrating PR into your sales and marketing programs is smart and critical for greater insights, increasing ROI, and business growth. And one more thing. Every business faces crises along its lifespan, ranging from cybersecurity incidents, workplace and industrial incidents, product lapses, customer service failures, and so on. Retained PR is your strategic insurance for reducing your risk and growing steadily forward. If you are a business that recognizes the vast business opportunities the Asia Pacific provides and wants to expand into this region with a retained communications and marketing program, the wise way is to work with a team that is deeply entrenched in this region, with decades of field-proven business, industry, and media experience. Visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/?sp) or talk to us today. ### --- # Future of work—Don’t be a koala or a panda Source: https://seamusphan.com/future-of-work-dont-be-koala-or-panda/ Given the increasing popularity of AI and automation, and the widespread layoffs in both large and small businesses, what kind of future and work can we expect? Perhaps koalas and pandas can provide us with valuable insights. People around the world affectionately adore the koala and the giant panda, serving as "mascots" for China and Australia, respectively. However, these animals have a distinct disadvantage—their diet. The giant panda eats primarily bamboo leaves of little nutritional value and therefore needs to ingest them all day. The koala is no better, eating primarily eucalyptus leaves, which are also low in nutritional value. Recently, I came across an intriguing [article](https://thedankoe.medium.com/the-future-of-work-avoid-learning-these-skills-2d788081fc1c) by Dan Koe, in which Koe expressed his thoughts on the future of work and the potential elimination of certain jobs. What was fascinating was that Koe saw that most of us are conditioned to be like pandas or koalas enslaved by very narrow diets, with a singular track for education and then work. We are conditioned to be specialists, with a correspondingly misguided label of "prestige." Unfortunately, now in the 21st century with AI and automation, that may actually force us into dead ends and obsolescence. Already, we see practically every "big tech" and many other businesses of all types laying off employees and even shutting down from the pandemic onwards till now. This trend will only continue. ## Meandering does not mean being lost In hindsight, suddenly I realized how different my own path to learning and work had been. My path to learning had been eclectic and yet deep in each of the fields. To use an analogy, I am what DeepSeek is in terms of reinforcement learning through reasoning and corrections, rather than what traditional learners memorized texts and then regurgitated those memories for exams just like what supervised models of AI can be equated to. I studied philosophy, religion, chemistry, astronomy, and physics as a teenager on my own and dabbled with equal fervor in arts and sculpture. I ingested and digested the entire Mahayana Buddhist canon then, and even much of the mainstream Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist texts, having also learned Sanskrit and Tibetan on my own. I studied Einstein's theories of relativity and also conducted graduate-level biochemistry research in autoxidation and antioxidants. And given all these learnings, I failed my high school exams and could not secure a place at the local universities then. However, I continued to learn and eventually caught up with my college and postgraduate studies. Life finds a way, especially if you are serious about learning and doing. Did I regret my path to learning then? Absolutely. My parents were extremely angry and disappointed then and didn't talk to me much throughout my days serving the nation as a soldier, and even after that when I finally became employed and went for night technical college classes. Still, eventually they learned to accept that every person has a path to carve and that not every meandering journey is bad. ## Be a deep generalist What has my own eclectic learning journey taught me? I am this "deep generalist" that Koe articulated in his piece, with deep and wide (enough) knowledge and experience to be able to serve many tasks and roles. I am equally at ease coding, or painting, or finding my way in a lab, explaining global politics and culture to any audience, or selling to enterprises, pitching to investors, or presenting or evangelizing on stage as a keynote speaker. I am comfortable and adaptable to any challenge that comes my way. If you want to make your path impossible to be obsolete, you owe it to yourself to read, learn, and practice widely and deeply. Obtaining a college degree is just a preliminary step and does not ensure your lifelong success. You will need to keep learning, not just on one singular track you chose, but to be open-minded enough to read and learn widely. Talk to people. Be humble to accept and listen to as many ideas as possible. You might find yourself consistently keeping up with the world's accelerating changes and maintaining your viability over time. ### --- # How small businesses can thrive with marketing and PR in a recession Source: https://seamusphan.com/how-small-businesses-can-thrive-with-marketing-and-pr-in-a-recession/ Asia is "hot," with unicorns and a thriving ecosystem of startups and innovations. Nonetheless, according to some [data](https://ace.org.sg/southeast-asia-globe-ace-1-dec-2021/#:~:text=%E2%80%9C%5BWith%20Enterprise%20Singapore%5D%20every,), 30% of startups in places such as Singapore fail within 5 years, and many startups in Asia fail compared to the global market. Putting aside costs and capital, what are the causes of failure, and how can Asian businesses thrive? ## Small businesses power the world Small businesses are the world's backbone, despite the media's portrayal that large technology companies rule the world. Small businesses employ [70%](https://www.weforum.org/press/2022/12/small-business-big-problem-new-report-says-67-of-smes-worldwide-are-fighting-for-survival/#:~:text=Geneva%2C%20Switzerland%2C%202%20December%202022,expansion%20as%20their%20main%20challenge.) of people worldwide and contribute 70% of global GDP. Despite this, small businesses struggle to generate profits on par with larger corporations, compete for more lucrative deals, and attract top talent. Small business founder CEOs frequently express concern about survival and growth. So, what are the main reasons small businesses fail? According to this [article](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/120815/4-most-common-reasons-small-business-fails.asp), the four most common reasons small businesses fail are funding, staffing (leadership), planning, and marketing (or lack thereof). Planning, which includes marketing and competitive analyses, and a competitive marketing strategy can make the difference between a stalled or stagnant business and one that is growing and expanding. ## Marketing during a recession To those who are less initiated, marketing to them may appear to be an expendable program. During a recession, such businesses may cut marketing programs, employees, and research and development. In the short term, the balance sheet may appear to be favorable, but as competition heats up, these businesses may fall behind or even collapse as a result of aggressive and successful competitors. The smarter businesses understand that during a recession, when your competitors are cutting back, you spend even more. In a recession, when fewer businesses spend money on advertising, media owners are willing to offer better discounts and privileges. Event venues are willing to provide discounts and perks in exchange for hosting conventions and conferences to attract leads and customers. And, because your less-savvy competitors spend less, they become less visible to your customers and prospects, allowing you to nurture and earn them much more easily if you invest more in marketing. I've seen it firsthand. During the pandemic, I saw two Asian health supplement companies aggressively promote their products in national and online media through sustained advertising campaigns. Their advertising campaigns are still active today. The mindshare and brand recall are clear. The fact that these two companies continue to invest heavily in broadcast and online media demonstrates equitable returns. Who would spend without expecting a return, right? ## How should small businesses plan their marketing budgets? Small businesses may struggle to attract top marketing talent in-house, so founder CEOs should hire the services of professional and qualified agencies instead. For the cost of a junior manager, professional external agencies can handle a wide range of communication and marketing tasks, such as public relations (PR), social media marketing, and event planning. If you're lucky, you might find highly sophisticated and experienced senior teams at independent agencies that have been around for decades. Consider these agencies to be extended marketing teams. While online advertising appears "easy" to begin, the days of simple and profitable online campaigns are over. The reason is simple: too many competitors are doing the same thing! To stand out in your area, you must implement 360-degree full-spectrum marketing programs, ranging from online to offline, broadcast to on-site activation events. Get your public relations and marketing agency to assist you in strategizing and executing such comprehensive marketing programs. The times ahead may be bleak and difficult, with global tensions and regional wars still simmering and brewing. However, now may be the best time to outperform and outrank your competitors through aggressive marketing and public relations campaigns. [Don't get left behind](https://mcgallen.com/contact/?sp)! ### --- # Thank you IndieReader for your review! Source: https://seamusphan.com/thanks-indiereader-review/ My book [Tough Times Great PR](https://seamusphan.com/tough-times-great-pr-book-seamus-phan/) has been reviewed by one of the leading book sites, IndieReader. Thank you so much! It has taken me quite a few years of surviving the pandemic in one of the worst economies and helping clients do the same to culminate in the book Tough Times Great PR. It was a labor of love. I am so blessed to have [IndieReader](https://indiereader.com/book_review/tough-times-great-pr/?sp) post the review below: > *IndieReader Staff*: TOUGH TIMES, GREAT PR by Seamus Phan offers a pragmatic and insightful exploration of public relations strategies tailored for navigating challenging economic climates. The book excels in delivering actionable advice, including case studies and a step-by-step approach to leveraging PR during recessions, making it an invaluable resource for business leaders. Phan’s ability to distill complex concepts into digestible, practical tips ensures readers walk away equipped to enhance their brand’s resilience and visibility. ![IndieReader review of Tough Times Great PR book by Seamus Phan](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/indiereader-2025-01-21-toughtimespr-1200x800.jpg) --- # Lyrics writing in Chinese – “fly, kid” Source: https://seamusphan.com/lyrics-writing-in-chinese-fly-kid/ 我第二次嘗試寫歌詞。英語系的我，還是該硬著頭皮嘗試寫歌詞。今天寫完了第二首，“展飛，同學”。 ## 展飛，同學 青春的熱血讓你灑脫， 厚厚的課本難不倒你。 賽場的獎章綻放多多， 不管比賽高山還是泥。 茁壯的體力從不放棄， 任何的挑戰你都接住。 假期的打工從不掉漆， 就是給你成熟的輔助。 世界龍潭虎穴， 都是勇氣的肺。 伸開雙手同學， 放開膽識展飛。 世界變遷誰能夠知曉， 小丑瘋狂如烏鴉盤旋。 你還是堅定箭步如驍， 開心高歌伴搖滾琴弦。 世界龍潭虎穴， 都是勇氣的肺。 伸開雙手同學， 放開膽識展飛。 日出日落走向大世界， 一本護照夾一張機票。 背包手機穿插人群間， 想去何方家就隨你飄。 世界龍潭虎穴， 都是勇氣的肺。 伸開雙手同學， 放開膽識展飛。 ### --- # Lyrics writing in Chinese – “care” Source: https://seamusphan.com/lyrics-writing-in-chinese-care/ ## 寫歌詞的初體驗 我喜歡寫詩，不過因為因為因為英文是我主要語言，而國語其實是我第二語言，所以寫過的詩都是英文的。 最近，不知那根筋斷了，就想試試寫歌詞，而我寫下的第一次居然是國語的。 有人說，像詩多過歌詞，也對。不過這歌詞我的理念是朝方文山寫的，周杰倫唱的“青花瓷”的曲風。 下一個嘗試就會比較白話點，朝激勵年輕人的方向走。 ## 在乎 十二月底冬天的臺北市， 跑過那下著雨的人行道。 拉緊羽絨衣的手凍如石， 快步四方張望找個歇腳。 雨聲滴答仿佛跟著心跳， 雨越大心跳呼吸也跟進。 隱約烘麵包香味百米迢， 喚疲憊全濕身驅加把勁。 久違的妳何去何從， 找遍高雄每個角落。 過去的妳來去匆匆， 在乎的我尋遍街絡。 還記得老字號的滷肉飯？ 儘管我一直對滷肉卻步。 可妳就愛古早味的平凡， 遊走的記憶都納入相簿。 久違的妳何去何從， 找遍高雄每個角落。 過去的妳來去匆匆， 在乎的我尋遍街絡。 好懷念我們讀書的曖昧， 課後牽手澄清湖三六八。 六合夜市瞄妳側臉的美， 羊肉串鱔麵花枝都吃罷。 久違的妳何去何從， 找遍高雄每個角落。 過去的妳來去匆匆， 在乎的我尋遍街絡。 ### --- # 2 Poems for the new year – sweet freedom Source: https://seamusphan.com/2-poems-for-the-new-year-sweet-freedom/ Sometime towards the end of every year, I try to write a poem to reflect and to flip the page to the new year. So, every year, I usually write a single English poem. But this year, somehow I felt compelled to write two, one primary poem in English, and a supplemental one in Chinese. May God bless all with opportunities, wisdom, peace, and lots of love. And my comrades, families, friends and all, most of all, God bless you with the sweet freedom you deserve. ## 1) Wrestle with the ogres Tis was a wrestle with the ogres, Which care not what we think nor feel. Would we submit to whims of these floaters, Or would we stand tall and never kneel? Tis was the second year we endured, Many rules and slams to our faces. Would we take another year tonsured, Or would we think of new posts and places? A time of cleansing has washed ashore, Time waits for no one young, grizzled, or old. We are to harvest what we sowed before, For fruits of labor and wisdom are for the bold. A world of charlatans may leave some lost, Deluding all who yield to madness as sanctity. But the few who push back the thunderous accost, Sit on the summit they scaled with serenity. So while we wrestle with such ogres, Think not of such battles as relentless. For ogres are like served bloaters, Dead in the soul and festering like an abscess. What of those who slept through the dark, Who fell into the cosy torpor of the unspoken? A new dawn will soon rise before we part, Waiting for the brave few to pry more eyes open. If all may seem melancholic and dark, Let not the hysteria grip the better of thee. Join those enlightened few into the ark, For all who have ears hear, and have eyes see. So there, compatriots of the dawn so near, Pray for wisdom, fortitude, body and soul. As we embrace the march of the new year, May your road be one peaceful, loving, bankroll.   ## 2) 自由的環抱 (the hug of freedom) 縱然連年關關難時時困， 或許事忙煩多心神難安。 儘管業業艱辛處處碰壁， 又或許老小哭鬧難撫平。 來年眾政疑憂世界平反， 世界似明鏡也迴響其靈。 天地人事事時時果相扣， 需眾聚集慧賢德定成敗。 試問無常世界難測明暗， 政可穩世界眾可定和平？ 但願上天憐蒼生憫塵地， 還我眾生天賜自由環抱。 Blessed new year! благословенный новый год! 祝您新年快樂，萬事順心安康！ --- # Reflections from a tiny island during a crisis Source: https://seamusphan.com/reflections-from-a-tiny-island-during-a-crisis/ So, here we are, back to the lockdown mode again, where we are told to WFH (work from home), with no dining in, gyms closed, and basically the same gloomy climate all over again like a bad dream or time loop. Looks like my inner chef, and my weekend artist, have to come to the fore again. Cooped up in a small tiny island in a tiny abode or office, which is the norm, what did I learn as the proverbial [ronin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rōnin)? ## 1) Lockdowns and reality A recent research showed that NPIs (non-pharmaceutical interventions) such as lockdowns, while maybe according some tiny benefits, do not work for restricting case growth (sources: [Wiley](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/eci.13484) & [AIER](https://www.aier.org/article/lockdowns-dont-prevent-coronavirus-spread/)). It is not difficult to see where draconian lockdown were tried, and failed - just look around ASEAN, including Singapore. Viruses are unlike bacteria or fungi. They can lay dormant for days on certain surfaces (polished surfaces such as luggage, devices, etc), and hours on others (paper, fabric, etc). It is IMPOSSIBLE to eradicate the presence of such pathogens, just as flu, common cold, which are coronavirus cousins to SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID19. Conversely, [Taiwan](https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/taiwan/) having no lockdowns did not escalate into hell, with merely over a thousand cases (most of whom recovered) and less than 20 deaths. ## 2) Mathematical, just projections As British statistician [George Box](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_models_are_wrong) would say, "all models are wrong" (1976). They are at best approximations, and at worst, abominations. Experts and laypeople fared equally badly at "[predicting](https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/commentisfree/2021/may/09/how-good-are-we-at-predicting-pandemic)" anything, even with [AI](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7186767/) thrown into the fray. ## 3) Endemic, not pandemic Increasingly, scientists believe the SARS-CoV-2 is [here to stay](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00396-2), just as its cousins causing flu and common cold do. In short, it is an endemic, which comes and goes but stay around us forever. As such, lockdowns, WFH, "social distancing", and draconian contact tracing measures, will increasingly look meaningless. ## 4) "Bubbles" burst The so-called "travel bubbles", given its name, are expected to burst if nations cannot move forward and out of the "zero infection" mentality. Already, many travel bubbles were discussed and then suspended or hanging in the balance. In April 2021, SG-HK "Bubble" was slated to go on no matter what (https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3130245/coronavirus-hong-kong-singapore-travel-bubble). Now, with community cases higher than the specified maximum, the bubble looks set to burst (https://ca.news.yahoo.com/singapore-coronavirus-cases-could-burst-053300349.html). ## 5) Fear beyond reality Given that many advanced states or locales have sufficient medical care capabilities, the availability of vaccines, it is baffling why then, despite having STILL manageable situations, some of these locales, such as here, would choose to go [towards lockdown mode all over again](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-14/singapore-to-return-to-lockdown-mode-for-one-month-as-cases-rise). The relentless pursuit of the "zero infection" as default, is an [impossibility](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-13/-covid-zero-havens-find-reopening-harder-than-containing-virus) that needs to be sunk into everyone's minds, not just people who "got it", but especially those occupying leadership positions. Otherwise, these locales will find themselves in an impossible sad vicious loop. ## 6) The world is opening up Not all of the world has gone berserk in vicious loops though. The European Union (EU), having gone through a horrendous 2020, is acknowledging the dire need to move forward, and to courageously [go forward](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-executive-recommends-opening-europe-foreign-travellers-2021-05-03/). Likewise, America, has its CDC said that those vaccinated have a free pass to move around without masks. It is simple risk assessment and management. Look at the cases per million, and manage that within medical care capacity. Not rocket science. ## 7) Plans B and C While some folks have been drumming the war cries of automation, AI, coding, and all things digital, they forgot that many in the real world have no access to these, and even if they do, they will start at the bottom playing an impossible catch-up against those who have been doing these expert fields since their teens. Nothing is impossible, yes, but it is akin to starting 200 meters behind an Olympic sprinter for the ultra-short 100m sprint. So, if you are in a heavily decimated vocation or industry, such as aviation, food and beverage (F&B), hospitality, personal services, retail and distribution, etc, consider finding a Plan B, and a Plan C, as Plan B may not pan out also. This mindset applies to you whether you are running your own outfit, or working for somebody else. Coding is great especially if you love numbers and logic, and can pick up programming languages quickly. However, do know that just because you have gone through Python 101, does not make you an expert or will land you a cushy high-paying job. Set goals and expectations right and you won't be sorely devastated. This is also the time, if you are heavily leveraged, to quickly talk to your bank(s) on restructuring payment plans and options, or to liquidate if at all possible. Cut losses if you must, rather than straddle yourself with a burden you don't need on top of the burdens you already shoulder because of the situation. If where you are at now is restrictive and not helping in terms of business, you may also need to consider options to get out, since WFH has become much of the norm for remote working and you can harness more talents around the world. Having government subsidies will never be a "plan", but a stop-gap measure. You need to have a real plan that assures you of livelihood and sustainability. This [article](https://www.fastcompany.com/90618576/lessons-from-the-pandemic-have-a-plan-b-c-d-and-e) has some brief ideas about having alternative plans. ## Storms do pass Yes, this storm will pass. Some of us are made of sterner stuff and are capable of agility and mobility. It is this dire climate of uncertainty that may be the right time for us also to think beyond our needs, and reflect on what can be done for some others. If at least, we should raise our concerns. --- # Hammers, Swords & Computers – they are just tools, not gods Source: https://seamusphan.com/hammers-swords-computers-they-are-just-tools-not-gods/ I find it amusing, as a computer scientist and cybersecurity practitioner, that many, nerds and non-nerds, are enamored by all things computers - coding, cybersecurity, AI, etc. Nerds who are industry practitioners have good reasons to entrenched in these areas - it is their livelihoods or they are good at it (usually both). However, for most, let us just say God gave each of us a talent or more, and often, each of us is different from the next. Even siblings and twins are not the same. You may be a concert pianist, and your sibling a neurosurgeon, etc. So to uniformly think everyone can be an AI guru, coder, white hat hacker, or computer scientist, is arrogantly naive. Remember, computers and their paraphernalia, are nothing more than tools, just as a hammer is but a tool to a mechanic, and a sword to a samurai. Don't treat computers as gods, because they are merely tools. ![hammer-samurai-computer](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/hammer-samurai-computer-800x350.jpg) --- # Adieu 2020, Welcome 2021 Source: https://seamusphan.com/adieu-2020-welcome-2021/ As we approach the end of possibly the most dreadful year ever, let us keep strong, stay close to loved ones, pray ceaselessly, and light a candle for a new year that soon dawns, as hope and better days are surely ahead. As the adage goes, "what goes down, must (eventually) go up". Here is a poem I wrote to turn the dreaded page of 2020 and welcome 2021. ![adieu 2020](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/textgram_1609383746-150x150.png) ## Adieu dreaded you, 2020 You, simmered under your beginning, The invisible hand of one so chilling. You, festered a small tide so insidiously, A tsunami that masses did not foresee. Kings waited aimlessly for signs, Princes scurried with locks and fines, Charlatans hissed vexes into dumb ears, Prophets ignored and met with jeers. Millions lost, livelihoods painfully built, Yet as many saw age old ventures wilt. The meek asked wherefore were paths, The humble cried wherefore were rafts. Bearing crosses heavy and heavier still, Folks began to see pass the massive shill. Small pockets kept vigil locked away, Prayers for stoic sanity through night and day. For the Divine is never too distant, Nor inner strength a lofty ambition. For we all are created to be sterner stuff, Let us brush obstacles like dust off our cuff. We the people unite in soul and prayers, Never to forget war scars and dried tears. A toast then, to a page soon turns, And a bonfire to all old soon burns. You, which brought death to many, You, which brought tears to many, Adieu, adieu, dreaded you, No tears to a final goodbye to you. ![Goodbye, in Chinese](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Screenshot_20201231_144433-150x150.jpg) ### --- # Snippets: Kindness from a small Kyoto gyoza stall owner Source: https://seamusphan.com/snippets-kindness-from-a-small-kyoto-gyoza-stall-owner/ How can someone bless many poor students? With food. For many decades, Inoue-san posted a sign at his shop, > "Customers who can't pay for their meals can eat their fill if they wash the dishes." The 70-year old retired and closed his venerable shop in October 2020, after feeding many poor students who attended the nearby Kyoto universities in Japan. On TV news, Inoue-san was hugged and bowed to by many adults who benefited from his kindness through the years past, some with tears, upon learning his shop would [close](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20201015/p2a/00m/0et/024000c). Many of these former students are #professionals today, with families and kids. Bless others with kindness and deeds, and God shines on your eternal soul (Micah 6:8, Ephesians 4:32). --- # Snippets: Compass and Compassion Source: https://seamusphan.com/snippets-compass-and-compassion/ What does a sense of direction have to do with leadership in crisis? As it turns out, plenty. The more I observe the world around me, the more obvious things unravel, especially when COVID19 has brutally stripped the guises of many people and exposed their weaknesses. ## A) "Headless chickens" There seems to be an emergence of "leaders" or "experts" who seem to be clueless and lack direction, making up decisions as they go along. Just look at how they tackle the pandemic and their inadequancies have all surfaced like boils and warts, with crashes waiting to happen. ## B) "Deluded caesars" Even as mankind is supposed to be more evolved in the 21st century with the ascendence of AI, tech and automation, with self-actualization of many, there are still a few who hang on to power and control as if these benefit people during trying times, when it is merely egos at play. ## C) "Blind sheep" Even with the empowerment of the Internet and global knowledge at the click of a few buttons, many still succumb to the misdirection of a few with particular motives, rather than use their own discernment of all the sources of infornation available. There is "compass" in the word "compassion". So if you want true compassion or at least empathy, look for those with a True North. ![aron-visuals-3jBU9TbKW7o-unsplash-01](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/aron-visuals-3jBU9TbKW7o-unsplash-01-800x799.jpg) --- # Snippets: Simple-looking is not simple, a lesson in soba and pasta Source: https://seamusphan.com/snippets-simple-looking-is-not-simple-a-lesson-in-soba-and-pasta/ I do cook sometimes, whether it is soba, pasta, grilled meats, etc. If you think this is just vegetables, shrimp and soba thrown in a pot, you are wrong. They were cooked separately and has distinct taste each. The vegetables were stir-fried with oil, garlic, onion, dash of soy. The shrimp were stir-fried with chili, garlic, basil, onion, ginger, Japanese cooking wine, on oil then a dash of water to prevent an oily aftertaste. Then the soba were boiled with garlic, onion, yuzu, miso, and dashi. It is a tasty, restaurant style soba of my own distinct taste. I did another, a pasta, with shrimp and carrots. The carrots were cut into chunky bits, stir-fried to elicit the sweet taste, with garlic, onion, ketchup, and then doused with bit of water to render them moist rather than oily. The shrimp had roughly the same treatment as the version I did with the soba. The paata were boiled with Himalayan pink salt, basil, garlic, onion, for 9 minutes till al dente, then drained of fluids and then fried lightly with oil, with abit of white wine. Seaweed and sesame bits topped the dish. Often, what seems simple, is not so simple at all. There is usually quite a bit of effort to present something of quality even if it appears simple. ![Soba, Pasta, cooking, me](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20201017_1214-soba-own-800x800.jpg) --- # Snippets: 10102020 – Taiwan, Happy Birthday Source: https://seamusphan.com/10snippets-102020-taiwan-happy-birthday/ 10102020，是蠻特別的。10102020 is numerically unique and memorable. 10102020，是蠻特別的。它會短暫的記錄了一天我離別好久的祖國，這我敬愛的爺爺奶奶永遠的歇腳地，這我媽媽揪著該不該回去卻也永遠回不去的家。#台灣，生日快樂，祝妳永遠平安幸福。想您們，爺爺奶奶媽媽。也在同一日國際精神健康日，祝每個人都能繼續努力，保持安康，儘管很多地方都以疫情理由迫壓。願主保佑你們。 10102020 is numerically unique and memorable. It will record for a day that reminds me of a land far away, a land that cradled my childhood and I miss, a permanent resting grounds for my late grandparents, a place my late mum should have returned and may have lived a lot longer. #Taiwan, happy birthday, and may you be blessed with peace and prosperity. Miss you, grandpa, grandma, mum, may your memory be eternal. And on the same day which is International Mental Health Day, may everyone brave on, despite the onerous environment many people continued to be compelled under. May our Lord and Blessed Theotokos be with you all. --- # Venturing up north to Fukuoka as a startup or business Source: https://seamusphan.com/venturing-up-north-to-fukuoka-as-a-startup-or-business/ As lockdowns and "work from home (WFH)" became the roller-coaster default in some countries that exact draconian and onerous measures to no end, it set me thinking on how best to create my business so that it it not only more sustainable, but more enjoyable in terms of lifestyle and well-being. ## Asia alternatives up north As it turns out, there are actually some options in our timezone, Taiwan, and Japan. While some may scoff at Taiwan being an outlier to the global community because of political reasons, it is easily one of the most beautiful places with some of the warmest people to associate with, if you speak and write Chinese (and that is Traditional Script by the way). Another place is Japan, equally impressive compared to Taiwan, and far more sophisticated. However, just like Taiwan, Japan is not a homogenous country unlike Singapore (tiny enough to be reasonably homogenous). Japan has many provinces and cities, just like Taiwan, where provinces and cities each have specific and unique personalities to cater to businesses and people of various preferences. ## Quality of life matters The birthplace of Ramen (and lots of other lovely food), Fukuoka, is a recent darling of tourists worldwide, and for good reasons. Fukuoka is the southern most part of mainland Japan, much closer to the rest of Asia such as Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR, Macau, and ASEAN. Unlike Tokyo, Fukuoka's international airport is close to the city, with a great sea port. The place is reasonably spaced with fantastic infrastructure, without the same overcrowding you feel in metropolitan Tokyo, Hong Kong SAR, or Singapore. [MONOCLE](https://monocle.com/film/affairs/quality-of-life-survey-top-25-cities-2019/), one of the most read lifestyle media, published its "**Quality of Life Survey: Top 25 cities, 2019**" in June 2019 last year, rating global cities based on infrastructure, security, nightlife, etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx2opfxCg5k&t=0m5s   That was before the insane pandemic saga struck the world this year. Fukuoka ranked 22nd, ahead of Singapore at the tail end at 25th. The top 3 cities in the MONOCLE survey were Zurich, Tokyo and Munich. The ratings may have changed this year, based on how different cities dealt with the pandemic and cater to a quality of life. I would personally believe for example, Fukuoka would have moved up the ranks by many notches, while Singapore may have dropped out of the top 25, if the survey was conducted in the June/July 2020 timeframe. ## Why Fukuoka? The Fukuoka government is extremely receptive and friendly to foreign businesses, as my personal experience says. When I presented business plans to the Fukuoka government, her officials were friendly and very helpful, and while I have nothing concrete yet, I am more than encouraged to want to get my plans in order to make something happen there to spread our potential and reduce operating risk out of Singapore. And recently, according to [Nikkei Asia](https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Finance/Gateway-to-Asia-Fukuoka-enters-race-to-become-next-financial-hub), some of the top honchos got together to form Team Fukuoka, hoping to turn Fukuoka into a viable competitor to Hong Kong SAR as a financial hub. This also means a viable competitor to Singapore. If you neatly split Asia Pacific (APAC) into the North and the South, Singapore sits neatly in the cusp of South East Asia, characterized by the ASEAN nations. Up north, Hong Kong SAR is traditionally one of the more attractive financial centers in the region, even attracting many Singapore-based businesses to list their entities in Hong Kong bourses rather than local ones, perhaps because of Hong Kong's proximity to a huge China market, as well as the relative ease to attract liquidity and investors. Further up, you have Tokyo and Shanghai sharing great importance in the financial world. However, they are much further up north. Therefore, geographically and infrastructure-wise, Fukuoka makes perfect sense if it is properly developed as a financial hub. Its airport, sea port, city center (e.g. Hakata ward), lifestyle, and business-friendliness. Fukuoka government has a Fukuoka City National Strategy Special Zone for Global Startups and Job Creation, or [Startup Fukuoka](https://startup.fukuoka.jp), where her government grants incentives to build a business there. So, with Startup Fukuoka, and now this emerging Financial Hub plan, I believe Fukuoka would be a new northern star to watch in 2021. Bull market, anyone? --- # Snippets: Top 3 safest countries in the world Source: https://seamusphan.com/snippets-top-3-safest-countries-world-taiwan/ Surprising to see one Asian country in the Top 3 Safest Countries in the world, and NOT the usual suspects. The top 3 safest countries in the Presscave list went to: ## 1) Iceland 2) Taiwan 3) Denmark Japan came in 8th and Singapore came in 10th. The criteria from the Presscave list was said to be: > "The rating was based on the annual Global Peace Index compiled by Australia-based nonprofit research organization Institute for Economics and Peace, as well as criteria including corruption, culture, economic crisis, natural disaster and terrorism.". Read the news at: [https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=10&post=21375](https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=10&post=21375) --- # Snippets: Leadership from 4 Asian airlines turning a profit in Q2 2020 Source: https://seamusphan.com/snippets-leadership-4-asian-airlines-turning-a-profit-in-q2-2020/ Imagine, in the deep of COVID-19 season, where almost every airline is languishing or even facing closure, including stalwarts, there are a few which actually turned a profit. The fittest survive. The fittest are those who are agile, bold, wise, able to shift gears quickly with zero hesitation, and just do it. Two airlines from Taiwan, China Airlines and EVA, and two from South Korea, Korean Air and Asiana, were the only ones turning a profit in Q2 during the whole COVID19 saga, primarily due to freight (cargo) operations. China Airlines was smart to have kept a large fleet of Boeing B747 freighters, the largest in the region. Old is not useless. New is not better. Sometimes old is everything you need to win if you know how. The fittest survive. The smartest survive. The most tenacious survive. Read the news at: https://www.aerotime.aero/yaoju.yu/25986-wsj-a-few-fortunate-airlines-profit-in-q2-contributed-by-cargos --- # Snippets: Leaders lead by contrarian courage despite adversity Source: https://seamusphan.com/snippets-leaders-lead-by-contrarian-courage-despite-adversity/ Skechers has gone against the flow and tide, and opened MORE retail outlets in Singapore (read news source), despite all the onerous, excessive and unproductive regulatory COVID19 measures. Why? Simple. ## 1) Online has MORE competition. Despite the market and government calls to go online, online (i.e. e-commerce) is NOT a panacea. It is just another platform for sales, just as bricks-and-mortar stores are. And since every merchant has gone online, you have MORE competition, and need to spend more money on data analytics, advertising, etc (often to less results). Ask yourself, if bricks-and-mortar" retail is "dead", why did Apple opened its latest swanky REAL retail store in the most luxurious district at Marina Bay? ## 2) Retail is the new "blue ocean". When herds gravitate to ecommerce, and landlords and REITs are languishing, you have more bargaining power. If malls are not cooperative, you have suburb real estate to scout for and become your own retail space, while conforming to regulations. It can now be the new "blue ocean" since your competition has vacated. Leadership is about courage, fighting against adversity, and flying against the herd mentality. Need a reminder? Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, Jack Ma, Elon Musk, and many more, none of them were/are followers or conformists. Real leaders LEAD, not follow. --- # Snippets: Exemplary customer service from a tiny watch repair shop Source: https://seamusphan.com/snippets-exemplary-customer-service-from-a-tiny-watch-repair-shop/ What is customer service to you? Just friendliness and courtesy? It is much more than that. A neighborhood small watch repair shop showed great customer service splendidly. I do love watches, especially unique aviator pieces. One of my favorites is the Gurevich, which has hints of its more famous cousin from Bell & Ross, albeit costing just a fraction. To me, the watch reminds me of my late mum and her Slavic roots. Plus, it is a cool watch. The Crown gasket of my watch was stuck and despite my best efforts, couldn't get it loosened. Eventually, I managed to bring it down to an old shop near my city office. After waiting for my turn, the lady boss and I chatted. She and her husband had been in this trade for over 30 years, about the same as my professional tenure as well. She was professional, meticulous and was great in customer service. For a job like mine costing just a few dollars, she gave me as much attention as selling an expensive wall clock. Customer service is not just about good attitude, it is equally about good skills and knowledge that customers need and want. Hone all areas with equal passion. --- # Snippets: Organic versus GMO foods – Apples Source: https://seamusphan.com/snippets-organic-versus-gmo-foods-apples/ Imagine apples that are tasty, look good, and are organic? And reasonably priced too. Yes, organic foods can be great too. I have always been opposed to GMO (genetically modified organisms) foods, not just because GMO tend to contain pesticides, but I believe foods we consume should be as close to how it was intended to be. My late grandparents, grandma who was a parliamentarian lived to 100, while grandpa a lieutenant general turned renowned economist and professor lived to 104. Both ate organic and natural foods and lived simply. And, even as a man of #science (retired #biochemist and current computing guy), I am NO fan of GMO. However, most people disdain organic foods because they are usually "uglier" in appearance, smaller, and more expensive. Usually true. So it was a pleasant surprise when I got a pack of [Biosudtirol](https://biosuedtirol.com/en/us/history) organic apples. The apples are beautiful, tasty, and decent sizes. The packaging intrigued me. Today, Biosudtirol has over 250 headstrong #farmers committed to organic apple farming in South Tyrol (thus the name Biosudtirol), known as "apple paradise".   --- # Snippets: Leadership – customer service and warmth Source: https://seamusphan.com/snippets-leadership-customer-service-and-warmth/ The smallest things may mean the most to people, if you know how. It may be snippets of applied technology, or it may just be an honest and sincere smile. The Taiwanese are known for their warmth, often in small considerate ways. In this store receipt, there are some encouraging and motivating words for the customer (shared by an instagrammer). The words loosely translates to: > "Thank you so much for gracing our shop today. There is no persistent storm. There is no permanent night. Let us cross all crises with a smile." In terms of service quality, I would rate Taiwan and Japan tops. Think about your customer service and processes. What small steps can you introduce that will endear you to your customers? 台灣人的人情味，就是有那點溫暖，連收據都會有勉勵的話。想家了。 ![taiwan-receipt-inspiration_20200923_230708](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/taiwan-receipt-inspiration_20200923_230708-800x437.jpg) --- # The story of a recycled mobile number (Chinese) Source: https://seamusphan.com/story-recycled-mobile-number-in-chinese/ This is a short personal account about a contractor who helped us for many years, renovating our offices. We knew him since the early days when we moved to an office downtown. The story is in Chinese (Traditional script). ## 回收手機號碼的故事 在我們兩間辦公室裡，牆壁排滿了淡色木系的櫥櫃，每個人的辦公桌也是同樣材料，都是量身訂做。地板是再簡單不過的乙烯基地磚。這些都是王老闆幫我們做的，又耐用又實惠。畢竟，我們這間小公司就是一步一腳印穩紮穩打地走過二十多年。平凡也有平凡的美。 前幾天，王老闆瓦次普(WhatsApp)的大頭照從以往的沒照片，換成了一對陌生母女的照片。我好納悶，就馬上打給了我的二弟 。他說王老闆前年就百病纏身，最後通話就覺得他可能不太行了。二弟說王老闆應該是過世了，因為那對母女不是王老闆的親人。二弟說，應該是王老闆過世後，電話被取消了，就變回收號碼了 。 在這動盪不安的年頭，好多事都難以預料。我爺爺奶奶經歷了兩次戰爭，過後也各自在學界和政治界打拼了一輩子，都享年過百。他兩老留下的是讓我敬佩的種種溫暖和智慧。然而，也有像王老闆一樣一輩子辛苦了的煎熬，走得也辛苦。也讓我想起了我的媽媽，也是一輩子煎熬奮鬥，最後走得好辛苦。但，只能說這是一種解脫。 在你看到一個長者，親人，朋友或同事突然線上失踪了，或許也應該關心一下 。 雖然我是科研，電腦和商業背景，但也是文人，請准許我惆悵一下。唉。。。好想家了。 --- # ZOOM? Mevo? I was already doing TV livestreaming in 2002! Source: https://seamusphan.com/zoom-mevo-i-was-already-doing-tv-livestreaming-in-2002/ In the COVID-19 crisis, we are seeing TV studios chatting with guests and even their anchors in their homes, as if seeing a sudden transformation of the TV and radio business within a matter of months in 2020. However, these are NOT new. I was doing it real-time, broadcasting "live" with my colleagues in California, many time zones and oceans away, in 2002! ![home studio illustration image](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_20200413_183422_blur-150x95.jpg) I love watching TV news and documentaries. I belong to the extreme tail end of the Boomer generation, and yet, I have stayed on top of every one of the digital evolutions and revolutions. ## Digital and Audio-Video Native since 1970s I am a digital native as a computer programmer since my teens, dabbling first with BASIC, then COBOL, then FORTRAN, and onwards to the rest of the programming language alphabet soup when Internet came along. When commercial Internet became available in 1996, I took up web development and programming by hand (you would call it "full stack" in modern lingo today). I was also a co-developer of an email security server appliance that ran on BSD UNIX, as well as a sysadmin. So yeah, I understand and embrace tech as much as your Gen Z today, maybe even more so. It took me more than 40 years to build up this street cred. And I was a photographer since my teens too, with a Minolta X300, and later Bronica and Mamiya medium-format (6x6 and 645 film). And in 2000, I was hands-on with video production right up to cinema advertising. So, it was with a slight amusement when I noticed all the chromakey (green or blue screen) backdrops and printed bookshelf backgrounds cropping up on TV, especially many of the TV channels I love, that I remembered I was doing all these 18 years ago in 2002! ## Real-time TV work from GMT+8 to GMT-7 Then, I was running a news bureau as content and editorial director. Prior, I was the CTO of a successful boutique [PR and marketing communications firm](https://mcgallen.com/). As bureau chief, I interviewed the likes of Steve Wozniak (Woz), attended many press conferences, including editorial stints in Tokyo, Japan, and Melbourne, Australia. It was the golden age of tech journalism, and I was proud to have been part of it. Jim (Louderback), one of the luminaries of tech journalism whom I respected a great deal, was helming ZDTV then (then Ziff-Davis, subsequently part of CNet). I contacted him and he was super kind to consider my request to be a remote commentator to contribute content. Eventually, the channel invited me as a regular host with their radio segment, ZDTV Radio. I chatted with Jeff (Brown) on ZDTV Radio, and eventually when ZDTV became TechTV, I was invited to be a regular commentator as Asia Correspondent with Erica (Hill), for their TechLive (TechTV News) segment, updating the continental American and global audiences on what was hot and happening out of Asia. My segment was between 2 to 3 minutes, which I researched and compiled, and then submit to the TV or radio station prior to broadcast to prep the hosts and producers. It was fast-paced and exciting. Here are a couple of video clips I archived on my end. Unfortunately, as it was "live" cable TV in America, I did not have a way of archiving those segments showing the entire screen with picture-in-picture, and my remote host on screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pua1WdXoQE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGi55E6iLCQ ## 2002 livestreaming technologies The available technologies were not sophisticated nor user-friendly compared to what we can find today. Unlike on-demand, real-time "live" recordings had to be dependable technologies that the TV and radio channels could rely on without remote hosts/commentators dropping out and losing signals, which would be bad. For audio, it was a dial-in land-line. Even though mobiles were beginning to be popular, it was much more dependable to use a regular analog land-line. I would dial in with a land line from Asia and patched into their studio (first radio, and later on, TV). The video feed was from a standing webcam linked to my Mac, and streamed using then available apps and encoders, and streamed by then narrowband Internet, to the American TV studio. It was adventurous and it worked. On the TV channel, I would appear as a "picture-in-picture" spliced alongside my American colleagues, much like what you see today in 2020 across the world. I am still very grateful for all the friends I got to know through ZDTV/TechTV, including Erica (Hill), Jeff (Brown) and Jim (Louderback) the chief. Here's what one anchor said (who went on to great things on cable TV): > "You did so well! Our producer was blown away and said that you should be on every week. Nice smile! Our producer actually looked at me in the control room and said, 'he's the best guest we've ever had'." ## 2020 and livestreaming Much of the audio-video and broadcast technologies have changed since 2002. It is far easier to do what I did in 2002, today. You get HD or even 4K resolution, better chromakey, super-wide broadband on the cheap in many homes or remote branch offices, and cheap gear such as webcams or livestreaming cameras. Social networks such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Tiktok have emerged to take the segmented world by storm. Anyone can do a semblance of livestreaming, with individualized channels of their own, catering to niche or broader audiences. TV and radio studios around the world are also warming up to guests and commentators using consumer equipment and providing perspectives to in-studio news programs, especially in a crisis-struck world we live today, cloistered in our little "cells". **What are some products you can consider?** - Huawei or any high-quality Android smartphone, or [Apple](https://www.apple.com/iphone/) iOS phone - [Mevo](https://mevo.com) livestreaming camera (for FB Live) - Good microphone (analog or USB, depending on your main device) - [Chromakey](https://chroma-key.com) or printed backdrop with stand or mount I was glad to be a pioneer in real-time livestreaming TV and radio, and seeing that it has become status quo today. I will continue to watch as a spectator, learn as a student, participate as a journalist and subject matter expert, and also innovate as a technologist. These are exciting times, fostered and emboldened by an invisible microbe that propels all of us to do better. --- # Crises, Jobs and Abusers – the COVID-19 crunch Source: https://seamusphan.com/crises-jobs-and-abusers-the-covid-19-crunch/ A crisis like COVID-19 is like no other. Unlike the Global financial crisis in 2008 or the SARS crisis earlier, this COVID-19 has literally killed entire industries that were previously thought to be invincible, like aviation. From expecting a shortfall of over 200,000 pilots needed for the next few years and an abundant order of jets from leading jet makers like Boeing and Airbus, suddenly planes and crew are all grounded, worldwide! In this crisis, where unemployment is now not just evident, but widespread, many businesses are also facing closures, if not temporarily, many would close permanently. ## Jobs are SACRED! And yet, against a dead retail, aviation, hospitality and luxury climate, there are still people who behaved as divas and disregarding that jobs are sacred in this COVID-19 crisis, and preserving their own jobs at all costs should be their paramount task. There are these kinds of employees who committing career suicide, if their jobs even exist at the end of the COVID-19 saga. ## Outright criminals and the unstable These are obvious, but need to be said. There are employees who steal, whether it be equipment or data, they are criminals and must be reported to authorities and be fired. No question. There are also those who willfully destroy or damage company properties such as laptops, and must be made to pay. A business by its nature is to serve a singular for-profit purpose. It cannot be a charity, nor a medical facility, nor a law enforcement utility. These roles have specialist organizations and they should take up these difficult tasks. ## Uncooperative "divas" There are some employees who are not just uncooperative, but downright arrogant. Unless you happen to be an absolute monarch, no one has the right to be arrogant in today's context. Every job, however menial or hard, has to be done, to help a company survive. If they cannot work with people and teams, or if they feel some tasks are "beneath" them, then perhaps it is time to give them the pink slip, and either pass those tasks to other employees, or hire new ones. ## Time "lords" Even with modern transportation and many conveniences, there are still employees who regard themselves as "time lords", who can transcend the boundaries of time - specifically respecting the work hours and schedules. They can come and go as they wish, and what's worse, they seldom complete their tasks ahead of time to earn the right to come late and leave early. Their bad behavior can cause discomfort to other employees, and unless you want to smell of favoritism, you should fire these employees. ## Physicians' "best friends" Some employees abuse the goodwill of a company, and seem to be terribly sick all the time, even beyond the normal medical leave allowance. Coming from a military family background, my late granddad the lieutenant general would say that the truly honorable will be responsible, and not feign illnesses to skip work. And that is true. Many employees who reported sick tend to be not really sick, but just felt like skipping work. That is called malingering. To be honest, most common illnesses are not deadly and rather than fall sick every so often, why not consider building up immunity (such as not smoking, drinking water, eating right, and sleeping early rather than playing games)? For malingerers, let them rest more at home, with a pink slip. ## Simply sinking Some employees may look good on paper, but when you put them to the task, they fail miserably and cannot have any decent performance or meet any KPIs. Likewise, some employees may be good at a particular role, but when you promote them, they fail miserably at a leadership or management role - that is called promoting them beyond their levels of competency. Allow them to be reassigned to their original jobs, or another department if possible. In a crisis world like COVID-19, it may also be likely they can't keep their jobs. After all, a business is for-profit, not a charity. ## "No" people Some people are enthusiastic and vibrant and always say "yes" loudly and with a smile. These are keepers. There are also those who always say "no" to management and peers, and are insubordinate to any - they are abusers. We can empathize with their psychological weaknesses and insecurities, but life and work need to go on, with or without these people. Insubordination causes discontent and can break up unity at companies, and so such behavior must be made known first privately to such employees, and if they cannot change immediately, be made known publicly to all teams and colleagues. Redemption is humane, but redemption demands also humility from the penitent, and no arrogant soul ever felt a wee bit repentant to deserve redemption. Give them a "no" in a pink slip if they cannot be redeemed. ## Slackers and Players If you chanced upon employees who in the work hours are scrolling through casually their social media posts, posting their picture updates, updating their profiles on LinkedIn for jobs, or playing games, perhaps you need to first have to chat with them. It is obvious they are not given enough work, nor do they feel challenged. Pass more work to fill their work days, which YOU, the boss, is paying for. And if there is not enough work to go to such individuals, their roles are obviously redundant. See them out the door, with their game consoles in tow. ## Trying times call for Grit These are very trying times, where millions of jobs will likely be lost, and hundreds of thousands of businesses may close permanently. If this is not enough to wake people up to work hard and help their companies survive and then grow again, they do not deserve their jobs. Fair labor for fair wages folks. #### Footnotes: Worth reading: - [COVID-19 may see 195 million job losses](https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1061322) - [How bad employees can sink your company](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/growth-center/resources/why-bad-employees-can-sink-your-company) - [Why some employees should be fired](https://www.thebalancecareers.com/top-reasons-for-getting-fired-2060732) --- # Running the marathon against the COVID-19 crisis Source: https://seamusphan.com/running-the-marathon-against-the-covid-19-crisis/ COVID-19 has begun to look more like COVID-20, as it dominates and fuels much of the conversations on the mainstream media and social media as well. To you and I, leaders and business owners alike, this situation is unpleasant and leaves many unknowns. But some things are certain. ## 1. Life goes on > "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." > - Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa Every government has its duty to enact certain guidelines or even enforce laws to ensure that COVID-19 is slowed down quickly, if not eradicated from the land and people altogether. Therefore, it is our civic duty to abide by the laws, and to play our individual and corporate parts to help our governments stem the crisis. But beyond that, life goes on - it must. As every air traveler knows, we will always need to put on our oxygen masks first before we do that for our little ones in an emergency. You and I are grandparents, parents, children, families, friends, and colleagues in one way or another. We must continue to live, and to help our loved ones to live decently and courageously. ***Life, will go on, and believe me, the brighter days are ahead, with a good vengeance.*** ## 2. Work goes on > "Before anything else, preparation is the key to success." > - Alexander Graham Bell, Scottish-American inventor and scientist There are already plenty of disruptive measures, including the lockdown of airspace and borders, where thousands of planes have been grounded around the world. Every nation seems to be blockading itself from people entering and leaving, with a hope to contain the inflow and the outflow of the dreaded virus. Face-to-face meetings are beginning to look like a rarity too. We do miss that, and the time for those may come later. However, we are blessed to live in the 21st century where digitalization has permeated to our homes, our offices, and our factories. With broadband LTE (even 5G) and fiber optic networks, we are able to continue to "see" and certainly hear our colleagues even oceans and continents away. We are able to continue to hold virtual meetings right now, and we have. We have long enabled technologies right from the nascent 1990s to now, to always ensure that we maintain business continuity and relational stability. Give us a yell or email or WhatsApp or Wechat or LINE, whichever suits you, we will always adapt. We continue to serve you, as you do serve your customers and stakeholders too, with enabling networks and technologies. If you have news to announce, issues to hash out, crises to fight, we are here for you. ***Business, goes on, and it will without missing a beat. We are always here, as we are also confident you are.*** ## 3. Caring goes on > "Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." > - Mark Twain (Samuel Langhome Clemens), American author This is a difficult time for many. Many of people around us may already have been axed from their jobs, especially people from aviation, hospitality, and retail. Some of these jobs may never return. It is difficult to expect people to suddenly pick up new skills and knowledge after decades of work. Many countries are powered by small businesses, where such businesses may employ a large proportion of the people. For example, Singapore small and medium businesses (SMBs) employ 70% of the domestic workforce. Likewise, small businesses in America employ 50% of the total private sector employment. Nations can only do so much to help, and we the citizenry have to supplement and help actively too. For unity is strength. A great example was the financial crisis in 1998. More than 3 million Koreans voluntarily donated their personal gold (in the form of heirlooms, jewelry, trophies, insignias, etc) to their nation, all 226 metric tons worth US$2.2 billion in under 2 months. These gold were melted down to pay for their loans to the IMF. Although insufficient, that nationalistic unity spurred South Korea to pay off its US$58 billion IMF loan in full in August 2001, way ahead of its due date ([source](https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2016/09/27/how-gold-rode-to-the-rescue-of-south-korea/#1a120d2433d3)). Even in these times, we need to consume. Consumerism is the fuel to kickstart and rekindle a stalled or declining economy, such as one that COVID-19 has begun to create. Let's continue to support our local small and medium businesses. Follow national laws and guidelines, but support your small business locally. For example, if you decide not to cook today, order in some local food from a neighborhood small business. Keep our families, neighbors and friends employed. We can help in small ways. And for those of us who have fared better in the past, we can help more. Each of our nations, will become strong when we snuff out the virus in time. Compassion is the most powerful weapon to disarm all ills, prejudices, and suffering. ***Caring, goes on. And the world, goes on.*** *Yours Sincerely* *Seamus* --- # Leadership and Life Lessons from my reposed mum Source: https://seamusphan.com/leadership-and-life-lessons-from-my-reposed-mum/ My mum passed away in the night. She has braved cancer for more than half a year, and after all the struggles, reposed. When she died, she was shriveled and tiny. We managed to rally around my dad, and got a doctor to certify her death. On November 3, I led the liturgy and laid her ashes to the ocean as she wished. It was a fitting closure as I baptized her in faith as well so many years ago. She was a giant of a person in spirit and manners when she was up and about, and commanded the room easily with her strong voice and character. If there is an orator my equal, it had to be her (although fortunately she knew I had substance in credentials and technical expertise enough to leave me pretty much alone). She lived a full life, albeit a bit shorter than I imagined. After all, her dad lived to 104 while her mum lived to 100. My mum inherited much of both my grandparents and I could easily see hints of both my grandparents in her, both of whom were accomplished giants in their spheres of influence. My grandfather was a lieutenant general and eventually became a university professor and renowned labor economics author. My grandmother was a government minister and member of parliament. Both of them braved through real wars and battles. We never had it easy or cosy. My folks came to Singapore and struggled hard for a long time. It was tough. But the great thing is, we have all learned to take hardship as a challenge and none of us ever succumbed to life's many challenges and curveballs, as I later learned that these are merely Divine challenges to edify and strengthen us. So yeah, I never thought life was smooth, and my parents, and certainly my mum, made sure the notion that life was challenging stuck in our heads. And we became the better of it. What are some things I remember of her, that I found useful in leadership and life itself? ## 1) Carpe Diem. No cliche, but 110% true! When business was down at the copper cabling factory our parents operated, my mum went out to knock on doors, to persuade then customers and prospects to consider our copper cables rather than the competition. Imagine this. She was a young lady in her 20s, fresh out of university from Taiwan, and spoke only Mandarin. Yet, she was hard-nosed and persuasive and did her best to keep the factory afloat as long as she could. The cabling business was by then, being overtaken by just a couple of very large plants, and so the writing was on the wall for my folks' operation. But my mum seized every opportunity, however remote, and never gave up. If you are down to your last drop of blood and last cent, go for it. You have nothing to lose. I learned that from her. Never give up. ## 2) Be creative. I got my creative genes from my mum. She was into craft, even though as a young woman living in Taiwan in luxury, she didn't have to lift a finger. This is why when she eventually set up a semi-precious jewelry business, she was instrumental in many of the product designs. I may not agree with her designs as our inclinations were divergent, but hey, she was innovative and smart. She was able to lend ideas in running her business, and especially in her persuasive skills when pitching to customers of all demands and preferences. She was as creative in her craft as she was in selling. I inherited the very same strengths in selling, having started a small business in junior school selling custom-made magic tricks and brine shrimp. ## 3) Money does not define you. A good lesson I learned way back in my youth, has to be about money. There were times when we were living well, and that was how I became familiar with many cuisines and the foodie I am today, able to discern what makes good food. And I can cook well also because of those early familiarity with what great food was. There were also times we were living in poverty. And yet, through those times, I learned from my mum especially, that money is not everything, and money does NOT define us. We see people running around like headless chickens these days, chasing after the elusive wealth they hoped for, and many ending in disasters, and some killing themselves (or others). My mum stood resolutely poised and proud, whether she was rich or poor, and taught us that what is inside us, define us. The learning we acquire, the wisdom we accumulate, the empathy we nurture, are what make us us, and what make us special, and useful to people and the world. Money, is just an utility. ## 4) Have faith. The most important lesson I learned from my mum has to be about faith. We as mere mortals are not perfect nor are we invincible. Anyone dares say they are invincible, deserve a visit to the psychiatric ward. Nobody is invincible. All of us will have some kind of faith, whether in the Divine, or in the human relationships that bind us, to lend us a hand when we need it. Our courage is not always sustained, and we need the help from a higher plane or the people around us, to lift us up when we are down. My mum fought many life's battles. If some of you attempt what she went through, I can guarantee that you will go out crawling and cry for mercy. She was always lifted up by prayer and faith. She never placed her own needs first. She always placed the needs of the family first, and asked for Divine help so that we can live another day, and have another meal on the table. There were those days that were that difficult. And we always managed to pull through. What you see as "easy" in my eyes and poise, are decades of battles I learned and fought alongside my parents. If you think I am competitive or assertive, that is because I had to, to survive. And from the simple faith my mum had, I learned that faith is a powerful driver to our sustenance and survival, whatever you may believe in - have faith. ![my parents](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/DSC01367.jpg) Mum, thank you for the many lessons, the joys, the sorrows, and mostly, the love you selflessly gave us. We loved you. Rest well, until we meet again. May your memory be eternal. --- # Happy New Year! Source: https://seamusphan.com/happy-new-year/ Here's a poem I wrote yesterday. ## Be your bravest yet in 2020 2019 had giants who clashed shoulders, While we clamored around and chose herds. Uncertain times and places ran us in circles, Who were peacemakers and who were saboteurs? 2019 was not the year for the weak, It set itself ablaze week after week. It demanded more from all of us daily, And each of us had to fight or flee. 2019 was a greater beast than 2018, And it made us filled with adrenaline. We had to defend our loves behind stockade, While we fought tooth and nail and prayed. 2019 came and went and we did not succumb, We stood on the debris of places and time. Among all who were fallen we paid respect, And the living we encourage and direct. 2019 is soon but a speck of history past, We have a bucket full of wisdom amassed. The year ahead may be murky and unclear, Our souls will be strong and austere. May we brave our faces against the storm, With every skill and talent we outperform. May we wear our plates of armor and shields, And defend our growing and prosperous fields. May you have a blessed and peaceful 2020! ### --- # Should you only hunt for a PR agency when a crisis hits you? Source: https://seamusphan.com/should-you-only-hunt-for-a-pr-agency-when-a-crisis-hits-you/ In the [Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/17/hong-kong-protests-government-fails-to-find-pr-firm-to-rescue-battered-image), it was reported that the Hong Kong government failed to secure a PR agency in its tender, with 4 PR agencies immediately declining, and 4 declining later on. These were all large or global PR agencies. While there may be some debate if a PR agency can or cannot turn down a client, the crux is not whether PR agencies can or should turn down a client. The crux is about WHEN a PR agency should be approached. A crisis is defined as "a time of intense difficulty or danger". Often, a crisis may emerge over time, escalated and exacerbated by various circumstances or people, until it practically explodes into something of a disaster. A crisis can also be a sudden event, either an accident or otherwise, that triggers a situation beyond what a normal entity can handle. ### What are the common crises? In the days before the Internet, crises were not that common to the average business. A crisis in the 1980s may be an explosion in an offshore petrochemical plant killing engineers on-board, or a major financial scandal that crippled a bank's viability and lost billions for their downstream customers. These days, in the 21st century, crises have become much more common. Beyond industrial incidents, fraud, lapses, malpractice, and product recalls, we have to contend with cybersecurity and data privacy issues. There are many more incidents where online transactions were hijacked, personal and permanent identifiable information stolen and even sold online, and ransomware, and so on. With legislations such as GDPR (General Data Privacy Regulations) in the European Union (EU) and similar legislations cropping up elsewhere in the world, including Singapore (PDPA, or Personal Data Privacy Act), often with legal ramifications and even punitive measures, companies can no longer ignore these potential crises. ### Triggers and Threats For every potential crisis, there are threats that can trigger a crisis. Latent Threats may be cultural, which may involve national, organizational or professional audiences and entities, or due to vague in-house policies that do not help stakeholders (such as employees) to understand how to handle triggers, threats, responses and crises. Overt Threats may be environmental, such as the weather (especially bad or extreme weather and subsequent disasters), or employees (which may be innocent or malicious). ### Is a crisis really a crisis? The trouble with crises is that many organizations do not see the need to be prepared for any possible or eventual crisis, and hope for the best that nothing bad happens. With such a mindset, it may be difficult to suddenly engage outside help with no prior engagement or knowledge of an organization, and hope that these external experts can smooth over the disaster and make all bad things "go away". There is no miracle or magic in crisis resolution. It is known as "crisis preparedness". For an organization to be ready for any eventual crisis, it must be PREPARED, and not scramble only when a crisis hits. ### A Model for Crisis Resolution from Aviation The aviation industry is one tested through hell and brimstone, because lives are at stake, and it is extremely difficult to resolve an in-air crisis compared to any other industry on the ground or on the seas. Since the 1970s, after some major airline accidents, the Crew Resource Management (CRM) program was introduced, helping pilots understand their environment, being prepared with Checklists and Plans, defining clear roles and responsibilities for every crew member, communicating clearly, with checks and double-checks for a closed-loop communication, and calling for help on time. After the crisis, there must be documentation (e.g. logs), debriefing (for refining the process), and educating the crew on what to do in the future. ### Crisis Preparedness and Communication Program We have always advocated that organizations have an in-house Crisis Preparedness and Communication Program that is "live", updated often, disseminated throughout the organization, and tested through simulations regularly. ### What goes into such a program? There are some basics for a **Crisis Communication Program**, such as: - Who are the coordination team members? - Who are designated spokespersons? - What media engagement policies are in place? - What media engagement processes/procedures are there? - What is the company positioning? - What are the possible crises that may strike the company? - What are the possible statement briefs for each of these potential crisis? - What are the possible questions the company may be grilled for? - How do you counter difficult questions with grace and honesty? - What are the assets (images, videos, text, etc) available? We recommend a "live" document, rather than a printed tome, so that changes can be made quickly and effectively, in an online but intranet system akin to a Wiki. A good crisis preparedness program should be disseminated to all stakeholders within the organization, and not just a "privileged few". Frequent "fire drills" and simulations should be carried out until the stakeholders retain some recall to procedures, checklists, people to communicate with, and what to do to close the loop in a crisis. A crisis should never be "handled" as it happens. Too much can be at stake. It is far easier to resolve crises if an organization takes time and effort to put a Crisis Preparedness and Communication Program in place, keep it current, and make sure everyone on board knows what to do. Be prepared. Don't react. *PS - We are one of the leading Crisis and Media Communication practitioners this side of the world. If you run a business and is serious about viability and long-term survival, [talk to us](https://mcgallen.com/public-relations-crisis-communication/crisis-communication/).* --- # We are generation flux – From full-time to hybrid staffing models Source: https://seamusphan.com/we-are-generation-flux-from-full-time-to-hybrid-staffing-models/ Some young friends of mine started hunting for jobs after graduation, and noticed that there seem to be more and more part-time or contract jobs, rather than outright full-time offerings. They are of course worried. This is not a new phenomenon. The "Mad Men" era of advertising and communication were golden years where advertising creatives commanded insane salaries and perks, and literally walked all over their peers and clients alike - and got away with it. Today, those scenes are no more. Big creative agencies are scaling down, merging, consolidating, and even closing regional or local offices all together. These mega outfits can no longer burn cash they do not have, with lavish offices and furnishings, big paychecks for executives to jet about the world, and fancy spending all round in the name of keeping up the name. No more. From ground up, these mega agencies are also getting beaten and bitten by smaller and more nimble outfits, many of which would never spend needlessly on grand front doors and fancy window dressing, but focus on real work and real battles. And of course, needless to say, clients appreciate the smaller outfits because they deliver the same services at more palatable costs. It is simple math. If you as a client demand a fancy office, grand openings, expensive meals, and royalty treatment, those come at a price, usually reflected in the invoices you have to pay at month's end to the outfit. Ask yourself, are those what you are supposed to pay for, or real creative and working campaigns? It is not rocket science. Therefore, on cost containment, one of the biggest costs if you eliminate unnecessary spending on furnishings, expensive spaces, and other utility expenses, is staffing. This is where governments and multinational corporations (MNCs) have begun to look into. Let us examine the creative or communication agency scenario. For most communication and campaign work, there are some part of it that demands full-time staffing for continuity and accountability. There are some sporadic work which are projects-based, and demand various and different talents for different client jobs and times. This is where the hybrid staffing model comes in. A nimble and agile agency keeps a lean workforce that takes care of all the work that needs continuity and sustained accountability, as well as strategic insights and counsel, and engage the best talents for each project or components of a project. There are a great pool of varied talents out there, and all a leader needs to do is to identify the right ones, communicate the needs well, and keep these talents on notice for good projects for collaboration. The net result is that the client gets accountability on a retained basis, while having the creative campaigns delivered in the most creative and quantifiable manner, with the best-of-class top-tier strategic counsel leading the entire program and team. This is the same thing that is happening (fast) over at MNCs and even government agencies like. They too, are seeing that nimble and agility are key to future and sustainable success, and moving to hybrid staffing models. The future is about agility and keeping small. Are you, whether a leader or a jobber, prepared? *PS - If you are keen to hire the best and most experienced communication agency, or to have us provide innovative leadership and sales training for your leaders, [talk to us](https://mcgallen.com/?sp). * --- # Greetings for 2019, from Seamus Source: https://seamusphan.com/greetings-for-2019-from-seamus/ Have you labored through 2018, And found it went all too vapid and fast? Have you made a resolution or two, And found them waft all away like dust? Have you ran past myriad hurdles, And found your chinked armor thickening? Have you slayed many demons, And found your success ever more blazing? Have you slowed down now and then, And found yourself and many whom you love? Have you stood firm and dug your heels, And found friends and even foes lifted you above? Have you wondered of the year ahead, And found countless doubts and questions? Have you wondered what you hope for, And found blessings like gold that glistens? So it is our wishes for you my friend, That past battles be stripes on your shoulder, And on all the roads and valleys you travel, Be the wisdom and peace your life find anchor. A blessed New Year ahead! --- # 2 Leadership Secrets from the Flight Deck Source: https://seamusphan.com/2-leadership-secrets-from-the-flight-deck/ Have you noticed how frequently "accidents" occur on local highways? There are at least two reasons why - or the lack of these two reasons. Likewise, many leadership crashes happen because of the same two missing reasons. When you drive on a highway here, you may be confounded how haphazard the traffic seems to be. There are some drivers who would dart in and out of lanes, rather than stick to their lanes. Such haphazard drivers cause "accidents". I put the word within inverted commas because I don't consider these accidents, because such drivers are intentional in their driving. Conversely, when we drive on a highway in Australasia or north Asia, drivers tend to stick to their lanes. And so invariably, very few accidents happen (no inverted commas here, as accidents tend to be real accidents). So, if you are a driver on such a highway, you need to take care of two things. ### 1. Discipline From the flight deck, whether you are a Boeing or Airbus or any other multi-engine jet aircraft, you would be conforming to Crew Resource Management (CRM), which may vary slightly depending on your carrier or aircraft. In a typical CRM scenario, you will be working with another co-pilot, so the tag team of two will work collaboratively, competently and carefully to get from origin to destination. In a single pilot aircraft, you can also conform to CRM as a best practice. And this is the same scenario as a driver in a vehicle on the roads. You are your own pilot, in a single-driver vehicle. There are three things that we need to take care of: Checklists, Practice, and Tests (base checks in aviation lingo). **1a. Checklists** No matter how experienced a pilot, he or she would have to conform to the battery of checklist procedures from pushback, take off, cruise, descent, approach, landing, taxi, etc. Skipping steps may result in endangering both the crew and the passengers, as well as destroying the aircraft. In a vehicle scenario, all your checklists recommended through local license training should be conformed to religiously. Skipping steps would also likely result in damaging your vehicle (in lesser circumstances), or endangering others like pedestrians, other vehicle users, or even infrastructures like lampposts, traffic lights, bus stops, or buildings. **1b. Practice** Pilots are always put through practice. Even if you are experienced, you would have to go through regular learning, upgrading, new type rating, etc. Some pilots even practice in home-built desktop flight simulators, to ensure that they remember all the procedures and actions they need to take, whether in routine or extraordinary scenarios. As a vehicle owner, how often do you put yourself through continuous learning rather than rely on historical performance, which will usually degrade over time due to complacency and arrogance. Some diligent drivers will even go to the extent of attending performance or defensive driving workshops, where they learn how to better handle their vehicles in wet roads, maintaining vehicle stability, make safer lane changes, or understanding stopping distances during emergency braking. Do you? **1c. Tests** Another aspect of discipline are tests. Pilots go through base checks and line checks, after attending carrier type rating and line training programs. This means that they will be subjected to emergency and unpredictable scenarios to see how they manage in such scenarios, within the confines of a flight simulator. Pilots are also put through medical exams to ensure their health are optimal, and those who fail such tests will be suspended. As a vehicle user, you are usually not subject to such regular tests or health checks. But you should. If you are not put through tests, learn more. Study human factors and performance, study the technical and performance characteristics of your vehicle. And certainly, go for health checks. Leaders cannot expect to be leaders in a vacuum, or a glass tower. Leaders lead by standing in front of the charge. Otherwise, they are no different from cowards. Leaders must lead by discipline, with frequent and relentless practice, a focus on details (checklists), and focusing on getting the whole team to perform as a team. Leaders will set the example by doing the field jobs, and then being able to empathize how best to get every facet of every job done, well. ### 2. Anticipation In the flight deck, decisions are NEVER last minute. When an aircraft is to land at a particular airport, the descent and approach are all well planned and calculated ahead of schedule, and executed flawlessly to destination. Pilots anticipate the future events based on logic, math, available data (such as weather and traffic), and make their flights comfortable to everyone on the aircraft. Let's say you would exit at Exit 11 along a highway every day as you go to work. How soon do you plan your path so that you will comfortably move towards the exit lane? More often than not, many local drivers here would move to the overtaking lane (the extreme right lane) on the highway, and then hazardously move to the left very rapidly to exit, without regards for road laws. Often, such zig-zag behavior caused many accidents, way too many to count, and holding up other law-abiding road users along highways to unending jams. The 3 components of anticipation are: Calculation, Scenarios, and Backups. **2a. Calculation** Pilots have all the data on hand, including their speeds, direction, way points, fuel, winds, etc. They have the parameters and formulae, to calculate how best to land at the destination safely and expediently. When descending, flight levels are gradually changed to ensure a smooth approach to landing. For road drivers, you will also have data and parameters, such as your average speed, traffic, and maybe even on-board GPS displays. You should be able to calculate how best to get to your destination by making smooth and gradual lane changes and select the right routes. You should not need to make "last-minute" decisions except during emergencies. **2b. Scenarios** Pilots have all the scenarios planned and played in their heads routinely and religiously so that they would mentally be prudent and capable in handling any foreseeable changes. Pilots are not superhuman, but they are logical thinkers who put through all possible outcomes on their mind map and determine best outcomes and actions. Road conditions can change for road drivers. For example, if there is tree pruning along a point in the highway and the signboards or national radio has warned of this, you can plan your scenarios including possible routes, time needed, etc. You can play out such scenarios for road traffic just as pilots can for aircraft. **2c. Backups** While we talk about a "plan B" in business, pilots have "plan B", "plan C", and "plan D" all lined up on top of the usual "plan A". Complacency is not the ethos of aviation, and it should never be for road drivers either. Make alternative plans and have them ready to execute in a second, when your "plan A" fails. This is simple to understand. For example, if you get to your office in the central business district through Highway A every day, do not assume Highway A will always be available or be without incident. Design alternative routes by alternative roads or highways, or even make plans to work from satellite or home locations, such as in extreme bad weather. Always have at least one backup plan, if not more. In this manner, you will never have the "startle effect" in aviation, and be ready for any eventuality. Leaders need foresight to lead. Leaders cannot lead blindly and make decisions like gamblers. They need to anticipate how things will pan out, with backup and alternative plans and actions, playing out all possible scenarios and finding all data and parameters to make the best decisions for the most profitable outcomes. Just as pilots rely on Discipline and Anticipation to get you safely from your origin to your destination, you can adopt the same work ethic in your driving habits, any professional work, and yes, leading your teams. --- # Macs I’ve owned Source: https://seamusphan.com/macs-seamus-owned/ I have owned and/or used these Macs from 1986. The ones I loved a great deal included the Mac LC (my first purchased Mac for my startup design studio, all that I could afford really), the PowerBook Duo 2300c (one of the best imho, sadly stolen when my house was broken into), and the PowerBook Ti G4 (a classic, too bad the PowerPC architecture ran its course). --- # 7 best practices of crisis management and communication from the trenches Source: https://seamusphan.com/7-best-practices-crisis-management-and-communication-from-the-trenches/ Crises are plaguing many organizations today, including governments, corporations, institutions, non-profits, smaller entities, and even individuals. What used to be a problem that affected only certain industries, like petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, and so on, has begun to pose relevant challenges to diverse industries today. Cybersecurity flaws, data and privacy leaks, and international conflicts have an impact on a wide range of organizations, including financial institutions, e-commerce businesses, and consumer goods manufacturers. New crises are constantly emerging that could affect any organization. So there is a need for any organization to know how best to deal with a crisis and communicate with all stakeholders. When a crisis strikes, some organizations then begin to hunt around for a public relations (PR) agency with the belief that PR practitioners can smooth over any crisis and get the organization out of the damage to its reputation and brand. So, should an organization hire a PR agency? Should an organization only hire a PR agency when a crisis strikes? What are the 7 best practices for crisis management and crisis communication? What should an organization do after a crisis is mediated and resolved? ## 1. Don’t deal with a crisis when it happens Generally, many large enterprises are fully staffed with PR and communications professionals who assist the leadership team in tweaking or developing crisis communication and management programs. They also simultaneously retain external PR agencies so that, in the event of any crisis, large or small, more people are on board to think about and work through it. By engaging an external PR counsel, the organizations avoid the “echo chamber” effect, where internal employees may inadvertently hold inward-looking views and may not have considered macro perspectives from the outside. > In a crisis, the best strategy is to tell the truth, even if it hurts. As the good physicist Dr Albert Einstein said, “Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.” After the crisis has been managed properly and hopefully resolved, the enterprise should do a post-mortem and continue to refine its crisis management and communication program. A crisis is only a crisis if one is ill-prepared, but only an obstacle if one is prepared. There are still some organizations without a crisis management and communication program. I would advise such organizations to expediently work on one. ## 2. Training and preparation are paramount > A crisis is a crisis if one is ill-prepared, but merely an obstacle if one is prepared. Companies should work on a corporate-wide crisis communication and management program and permeate it throughout the organization. Training is a necessary first step, and organizations must also ensure coherence in how everyone from the CEO to the front desk receptionist are aware of an in-house crisis communication and management program. Often, organizations look for “media training”, which primarily educate corporate leaders on how best to work with the media during media interviews. However, organizations should also ensure key leaders are educated in both media interviews and crisis communication. Just as you will always be presented with safety procedures when you board a plane or a cruise ship, organizations must not simply set up a crisis communication and management program and then forget it. Regular and sometimes unscheduled drills should be implemented so that everyone in the organization can be prepared for crises. Think “Kaizen 改善” (the Japanese management philosophy of “continuous improvement”). ## 3. Get an external “Red Team” and keep things current Get external counsel to be your ‘red team” to help identify flaws and vulnerabilities during such crisis drills so that the crisis communication and management program can be as comprehensive as possible. The crisis communication and management program should always be a “live” document, kept up to date with the times. In the modern context, we often advocate the crisis communication and management program not just printed on paper but in an intranet wiki or knowledgebase so that it can be updated quickly and easily accessed by internal leaders and employees. ## 4. First things in a crisis When a crisis is imminent, quickly bring together the action teams. For example, if there is a cybersecurity lapse and data leakage, the top management, legal, information technology (IT), and external counsel should converge to discuss the course of action based on an existing crisis communication and management program (this is the premise). The program would contain designated spokespersons, communication policies, contact workflow, communication preferences (whether issuing statements or a media event), collaterals such as statements, news releases, frequently asked questions (FAQs), etc. > Remember, it is wise to be prepared for crises BEFORE they occur, rather than drag people together only during a crisis. ## 5. Recommended workflow and command Different organizations have different procedures and programs. It all depends on how they work out their crisis management and communication programs. Also, each crisis communication and management program may be proprietary material. Some basic parameters persist. The designated spokesperson, with the assistance of functional leaders who have a role to play in the crisis at hand, might be the organization's most important stakeholder. For example, in a common case of data leaks or cybersecurity incidents, the CISO (chief information security officer) or some related leader may be present. If there are legal implications, the top legal officer will be involved. If it involves employee mistreatment or something human capital-related, the human capital leader will be involved. ## 6. Maintaining leadership in a crisis > “Faced with crisis, the man of character falls back on himself. He imposes his own stamp of action, takes responsibility for it, makes it his own.” – Charles de Gaulle The summit is always lonely, and only people of character can scale to the top, and it demands the whole being to stay on top. So, in a crisis, a leader needs to tell the whole truth—nothing but the truth—and tell it quickly and without delay. In such a dark and weak hour for the organization, the leader also needs to converge the employees together to stand as one. Behind telling the truth, however painful it seems, remember that once the problem is resolved, all things will pass over the passage of time. ## 7. Can we balance integrity with stakeholder relations? > A brand is only valuable if it has universal meaning. A brand that has made mistakes but has taken corrective measures shows humility in the process, can be forgiven, and can bounce back. However, if a brand and the organization behind it, upon making mistakes, fail to make reparations and corrective measures, and show a cold, aloof and arrogant attitude, the brand will only diminish. Customer loyalty is fickle these days, and wise leaders will always understand that customers can easily march elsewhere and that there are options. Ultimately, the customer is king. Without customers, any investor, employee, or stakeholder will count as nothing. The crux of a successful crisis management and communication program has to be one that is already in place and permeated throughout the entire organization, with truth, ethics, and integrity at the center of the program. Such a program will, in our perspective, converge the best industry practices of how mission-critical environments manage and thrive in any crisis. In all things, tell the truth, the whole truth, and expediently without fail. *PS: For more information on our methodology of crisis management and communication, converging decades of media relations and aviation best practices for any organization, visit our [program page](https://mcgallen.com/public-relations/).* *PPS: Some ideas I shared with a FT journalist (who subsequently used a quote from me) served as the inspiration for this lengthy piece.* ### --- # Rising above Unhealthy Competition – Learning from Two Music Virtuosos Source: https://seamusphan.com/rising-above-unhealthy-competition-learning-from-two-music-virtuosos/ What is competition? The ancient Greeks and the Chinese, among other peoples, had races or competitions, where participants competed fairly in physically demanding activities to see who fared best in skills and talents. ## Healthy Competitions of the Olympiad and Swordplay For example, the Stadion (Greek στάδιον), a running race, took place from 776 BC. The Stadion was a merely 180 meters sprint with 20 competitors. The first Stadion winner from the Olympiad was Koroibos (Κόροιβος), a chef and baker from Elis, southern Greece. He won an olive branch. Closer to home, the Chinese invented many sports and competitions too, including archery (since 1046 BC), swordplay (since 722 BC), among other ball sports. Such competitions were meant to be healthy and positive, where athletes competed for glory and a small prize. But competitions have changed, for the worse. No longer is honor the crux and focus, but merely to win. ## Unhealthy Competition and Outcomes In the "trade war" initiated by Trump, the unfortunate outcome of this mess in the shroud of mystery misguidedly labelled under "espionage", the economic fallout faced by not just the two great nations of America and China but also the entire world, with so much to [lose from America's shores](https://www.zdnet.com/article/paranoia-will-destroy-you-why-chinese-tech-isnt-spying-on-us/) especially. Pause for a minute, and look behind every electronic, consumer, luxury, curative or disposable product you use daily, and you will very likely see "**Made in China**". And it is not Chinese exporters who will suffer, but the populace of America who need to pay extra due to import tariffs imposed by Trump's administration, for consumable products and necessities, through no fault of their own. ## Competition for Technological Superiority When paranoia struck Washington, Trump announced the ban of Huawei in America citing the telecoms giant a national security threat. However, [Washington offered no evidence](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/15/donald-trump-national-emergency-telecoms-threats-huawei) whatsoever to prove that Huawei was indeed a cybersecurity threat. Until now, there is still no evidence, from independent testing or from Washington's own intelligence reports, that Huawei's systems and equipment constitute any cybersecurity threat at all. This is sad, given that [Washington made other errors](https://www.vox.com/2016/7/9/12123022/george-w-bush-lies-iraq-war) before through GW Bush, together with Blair, such as that of accusing Iraq having WMDs (weapons of mass destruction) when it was subsequently found no such WMDs exist, and an estimated [250,000 lives were lost](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/cia-officer-saddam-hussein-interrogate-wmds-iraq-weapons-of-mass-destruction-war-a7509081.html) needlessly. Why was Huawei targeted? Was it really because Huawei posed a security threat? Or was it because Huawei has become the de facto 5G telecoms technology leader in the world, eclipsing America's own stalwarts, at a fraction of the costs? Who really knows? 5G, like any telecommunications technology before it such as the LTE (4G), requires an [access to telecoms spectrum](https://www.ft.com/content/24e75b1e-ef77-11e9-ad1e-4367d8281195). For America, the ideal 5G spectrum of sub-6GHz, which is a lower to middle frequency that transmits data farther and carries sufficient data, is reserved by its military applications. The rest of the world, including China, uses this ideal 5G spectrum space easily, therefore providing 5G to any part of the country, even rural areas. In America, the 5G was kept to the millimeter-wave (mmWave) from 24 to 100GHz, the high spectrum, which theoretically carries more data, but is restricted to short distances, and therefore worthless for large land areas and especially rural areas, since [telecoms carriers will be unwilling to invest](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/04/millimeter-wave-5g-will-never-scale-beyond-dense-urban-areas-t-mobile-says/) so much infrastructures in these areas. So though America is trying to provide slivers of the mid-band frequencies to carriers, there are [only that much available](https://www.lightreading.com/mobile/5g/americas-big-5g-millimeter-wave-spectrum-experiment-comes-up-short/d/d-id/750941). This is compounded by its lagging behind Huawei's headstart in the 5G technology space, putting Washington in a conundrum which ultimately resulted in Trump announcing the Huawei ban. Poor sportsmanship? ## Reason Triumphs in the Huawei Case [Huawei is already a major smartphone company](https://www.counterpointresearch.com/global-smartphone-share/), eclipsing Apple by a far margin. Samsung grew 7.1% YoY, with 1/5th the global market share for smartphones, while Huawei grew at 4.6% YoY, with Apple iPhone shipments falling 11%. [Spain became one of the early adopters of Huawei 5G](https://www.rt.com/business/461954-spain-5g-network-huawei/), with a rollout to 15 cities, including Madrid and Barcelona, through Vodafone Spain. Spain used a combination of Ericsson and Huawei. Russia is a sophisticated nation with much of its own technology developments. For global positioning, it offers its own GLONASS (ГЛОНАСС) just as China offers Beidou (北斗) to pit against America's GPS. As a side note, GPS offers consumer accuracy to about 4 meters. China's Beidou offers consumer accuracy to 2.6 meters in Asia Pacific and 3.6 meters elsewhere, putting a higher accuracy for non-military applications. Russia's GLONASS is consumer accurate from 2 meters and up (depending on where you are). [Russia operator MTS](https://www.rt.com/business/467619-mts-huawei-5g-russia/) has used Huawei 5G in Moscow and Kronstadt (after the saint St John of Kronstadt). [Hungary has also worked with Huawei](https://bbj.hu/economy/hungary-to-partner-with-huawei-on-5g-rollout_173619) to roll out 5G, working with Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom, becoming one of the fast-track 5G players in Europe. Earlier, Hungary's innovation and technology minister [Laszlo Palkovics](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-telecoms-5g-huawei/hungary-has-no-evidence-of-huawei-threat-plans-rapid-5g-rollout-minister-idUSKCN1TL2AP) found no evidence of a threat from Huawei. [Other European countries](https://www.rt.com/business/470129-countries-no-huawei-ban/) also rolled out 5G services with Huawei, including Switzerland through Sunrise, covering 150 cities and villages. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also mentioned the nation would not ban a company "simply because it is from a certain country". Norway also announced Huawei would not banned from its 5G rollout. ## Espionage and Statecraft While Washington and Trump accused Huawei and China of espionage, it is regrettably a case of "the pot calling the kettle black". Let us not kid ourselves. Espionage is an age-old practice, not privy to any particular race or culture or nation, and all nations partake in it one form or another. No one will be naive enough to believe the United States does not conduct espionage against other nations. The National Security Agency [(NSA) tapped the German Chancellery](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-usa-spying-idUSKCN0PI2AD20150709) for **DECADES**, for example. In the Book of [Joshua 2:1-24](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+2&version=NIV), the Hebrews sent spies to Jericho for reconnaissance before attacking the city. Many of us may have also read the Art of War, an ancient Chinese text attributed to Sun Tzu on military strategy. In ancient India (probably around 300 CE), strategist Kautilya wrote the text Arthashatra (अर्थशास्त्र) on economics, statecraft and military strategies, which also detailed the art of espionage. Other early cultures were also adept at espionage, including ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Mongols, and the Shogunates of feudal Japan, who used ninjas (忍者) for espionage and assassinations. So espionage is not privy to a single nation or culture. All nations partake in such craft or statecraft since time memorial. So, if we take an idealistic or utopian view, what could constitute a healthy debate or competition? ## Ancient Chinese Concept of "Coopetition" The most mundane competitors fight to the death, and there will be a winner and perhaps lots of losers. But the best competition is one where there are ALL winners and no losers. How? Take a leaf from an ancient Chinese philosophy, which was rooted in Chinese martial arts. This is the highest summit of the greatest of competitors, where they compete in harmony. The Chinese call this 切磋, which is loosely translated as "to study each other in a friendly duel". You learn from each other. You profit from each other. And yet, both of you win. Rather than explain in words ad nauseam, let me show you a real-life example of two world-renowned musicians. Piano virtuoso Lang Lang and his father Lang Guo-ren on the Chinese 二胡 (erhu, a 2-string instrument) pitted skills in a lively, cheerful, powerful competition. This is a powerful competition in harmony where the sum is greater than the two. Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke-tbqaB4fQ ## Lessons learned I guess by now you know where we should be heading. Harmony begets prosperity, and competition can be healthy. After all, no war is just, and the ONLY sustainable way to perpetual prosperity is to collaborate, share, learn, and grow together. Yes, compete, but compete fairly and with the highest of honor. In the world of trade, there are many means to the end. For example, we have an age-old concept known as "**Free Trade Agreements (FTA)**", which many countries have signed with each other, either bilaterally or multilaterally. Free trade allows easy market access for everyone, and opens up markets and innovation. At the end, everyone wins. ### --- # Taking “journalese” out of our writing Source: https://seamusphan.com/no-journalese-for-business-communication/ Once upon a time, in a planet right where we are standing and breathing, we believed that all journalists wrote exceedingly well. And it might have been true, once upon a time. However, the invasion of slang and colloquialism changed journalism forever, especially in the 20th century onwards. The rise and fall of the Dotcom era, the irrational fascination with business degrees such as the MBA, and the invention of jargon by one too many business school professor or consultant, all contributed to the "fall" of English as we once knew. ## Birth of "journalese" And that gave us the birth of "[journalese](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/journalese)", where clichés, neologism (artificially created words), and other brash styles abound. We all get it, that "selling headlines" is important as media compete with each other to get the attention of readers, all of whom have plenty of choices, and some don't even bother to read news anymore. That notion of "selling headlines" is termed "[headlinese](https://www.lexico.com/definition/headlinese)". And while America created much of the neologism and journalese, Britain is not exempt. The [custodian of English](https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-journalese-1691204) does see a fair amount of journalese too. Journalese is colorful language, and makes colorful and lively reading, but after some time, our senses awake to certain contempt, and we begin to hope for some formality again. After all, reading news is different from coffeeshop talk. ## "Blast" one too many If you look up the word "[blast](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/blast)" on the Cambridge Dictionary, the primary meaning is an explosion or a very loud unpleasant noise. An "informal" use refers to criticizing someone severely. If you intend to use the word "criticize" to mean as it is, just use "criticize", or "lambast"! Here are some typical and right ways of using the word "blast": "[Chemical blast in Catalonia kills one and injures six](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/14/chemical-blast-in-catalonia-kills-one-and-injures-six)" "[Blast in chemical unit on Mumbai outskirts kills seven](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/blast-in-chemical-unit-on-mumbai-outskirts-kills-6/articleshow/73209458.cms)" "[Somalia: Bomb blast outside capital Mogadishu kills 3](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200114-somalia-bomb-blast-outside-capital-mogadishu-kills-3/)" Unfortunately, there are also informal and colloquial uses of the word "blast", which could easily have been replaced by a more appropriate word such as "**criticize**" or "**lambast**": "[Texas's largest newspapers blast governor for rejecting refugees under Trump order](https://thehill.com/homenews/media/477914-one-of-texass-largest-newspapers-blasts-governor-for-choosing-to-reject)" "[NYPD widows blast ex-treasurer for embezzling police charity funds](https://nypost.com/2020/01/10/nypd-widows-blast-ex-treasurer-for-embezzling-police-charity-funds/)" Well, you get the point. There are plenty of such examples out there, where a more appropriate or contextually correct word such as "lambast" or "criticize" would have worked beautifully. ## Can we write better? As business communicators, we are not the grammar police nor are we literary giants or professors. We write to communicate our ideas to our customers and stakeholders, as best as we can. Fortunately, we have some technologies to help us. For example, our typical word processing software such as [Microsoft Word](https://products.office.com/en/word) or [Apple Pages](https://www.apple.com/pages/) would at least help us abit. Next level up may be tools such as [Grammarly](https://www.grammarly.com) and [WriteBetter](https://writebetter.io), which are interesting specialized tools too. But, you don't really need software to constrain your style and writing. You can write, and write, and write more. Practice makes perfect. Writing can be simple, and should be. How do you talk to your friends or loved ones? Certainly no jargon and pretense, but just to the point and from the heart. Writing can be the same. --- # Are you feeling let down by your media monitoring service? Source: https://seamusphan.com/are-you-feeling-let-down-by-your-media-monitoring-service/ These days, top and middle management crave, yes, crave for data and reports. For publicists, the measure of their success seems to be drilled down to reports - the prettier, the thicker, the better. And for large (and small) companies and agencies alike, they sometimes turn to proprietary media monitoring services to compile such coverage reports and data. There are many big and small players in this field ([https://yandex.com/search/?text=media%20monitoring](https://yandex.com/search/?text=media%20monitoring)). However, the question is, is YOUR media monitoring service actually getting an accurate snapshot of your publicity? This discussion came about because we began to realize quite many media monitoring services could not provide a 360-coverage report for data outside of mostly online and maybe a few print media. The psychedelic and extensive world of broadcast (TV and radio) data, seems to be sadly absent from the "party". ## 2 Approaches To measure your media coverage, you usually take 2 routes - measure laboriously yourself (or by your outsourced PR agency), or use a third-party media monitoring service. There are advantages and disadvantages to doing it yourself and outsourcing such services. As with any "bulk" service, outsourcing to a general media monitoring service is convenient, but that convenience often make sacrifices in terms of data sources, and sometimes, even accuracy. The convenience of using a media monitoring service often is tempting, especially if you are compiling data sources and coverage across diverse countries and regions, such as Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas. ## Cultural diversity and challenges While many media monitoring services offer sufficient (not complete or completely accurate) data to cull coverage from the Americas and some parts of Europe, the territories such as Asia Pacific usually becomes sorely spotty, and some services are downright inaccurate and lacking in key CURRENT data sources. Asia Pacific is super diverse, in languages, nuances, cultures, and the media reflects these. Unlike the American media landscape catering to a mere 300+ million audience, Asia Pacific has diverse media and communication needs. Imagine India with 1.3+ billion people, with over 120 languages (the key language being Hindi, but regional audiences will speak the likes of Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Urdu, and so on). And China with 1.3+ billion people, with Mandarin being the primary language, but countless dialects and their regional expressions and nuances. Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation in the world, boasts of more than 260 million people, with Bahasa Indonesian as the key national language, but regional languages such as Javanese, Sudanese and Madurese are prevalent too. And the rest of Asia is equally diverse, where English is rarely used universally (unlike Singapore). So in Thailand (Thai), Vietnam (Vietnamese), the Philippines (Tagalog), Japan (Japanese), South Korean (Korean), will each speak and write their indigenous language more often than English. ## Doing it yourself Conversely, you can laboriously cull coverage as they appear, and laboriously pin them to your own coverage report in whatever format you desire, or outsource to a coverage report formatting service (such as [Coveragebook.com](https://coveragebook.com/?)). Some companies only require a simple coverage spreadsheet for accountability, but some companies or executives desire "pretty" coverage reports, and that is where services such as Coveragebook comes in. The advantage of doing it yourself is that whether you, or your PR agency, will know which of the media you have pitched a story to, whom you communicated with (the journalist), and an estimation when such a news will be published. So though laborious, you can track such coverage and PR efforts very accurately. ## Advantages of doing it yourself beyond online mention Now, the world is not just about online. There is an offline (and hybrid) world too. You and I are STILL flesh and blood, walking in a physical dimension, consuming air, water, and food. So while some folks may irrationally hope they live in a perfectly digital world of AI and big data, the truth is that everyone still live and breathe in the real, physical world. So, there is print newspapers, print magazines, TV, radio, and outdoor media (at apartments, factories, office buildings, etc). Unfortunately, if you scout around for media monitoring, you will notice that even big names in media monitoring often sorely lack the ability to help you track broadcast coverage (TV and radio). And this becomes exceedingly disappointing when you have Tier-1 broadcast coverage in national and regional TV and radio networks, and are not reflected in these great mileage often celebrated not only by companies, but also by field executives and distribution channels. You may be surprised how TV and radio still cuts deep with many professionals and executives. Just because an emerging young generation does not watch television or listen to radio, does not mean the world doesn't. After all, the demographics of senior executives who have purchasing and leadership positions, as well as millions of practicing field professionals, still do watch television and listen to radio (especially while driving). What's more, some large or small media monitoring focus on online coverage, and have no data, data sources, or the ability to track print media. Newspapers and magazines may be waning, but they still have an audience with people, and work done should be trackable, especially if you are paying for such a service. Otherwise, look around more. There are also outdoor media, not many, but they do exist. Such outdoor media are also increasingly becoming a secondary media, and while they are emerging, there aren't sufficient media monitoring available for these too. Again, by doing it yourself, you can keep tabs on the publicity efforts you have done, including these offline outdoor media. ## So what's the plan? You can approach media monitoring in a couple of ways. If your team (internally) can have the bandwidth to scour the Web and offline for media coverage and compile reports, do it. You can also outsource to your PR agency and get this chore done without drowning in such work. Most PR agencies you work with would already package media monitoring as part of the retainer program. If you have the budget, you can even hire a PR agency, and also retain the use of a media monitoring service. In this way, you can some degree of media monitoring results and automation, while also getting the full view of your true media coverage from the PR agency. --- # Trust 500,000 years of human experience Source: https://seamusphan.com/trust-500000-years-of-human-experience/ The debate on the COVID19 saga whether it is a "black swan" or a "white swan" continues. To me, this COVID19 event is a preventable tragedy just as fellow academic Nassim Taleb who coined the "black swan" term said it is - a "[white swan](https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-pandemic-isnt-a-black-swan-but-a-portent-of-a-more-fragile-global-system)"; not only in terms of lives, but in terms of economies and livelihood too. It is a worrying trend and time. > [Video: Nassim Taleb on "white swan"](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2020-03-31/nassim-taleb-says-white-swan-coronavirus-pandemic-was-preventable-video) The news is abuzz every day with COVID-19 ad nauseam, until I am certain by now, every human with an Internet or news connection, would be sick of it by now. This repulsion towards COVID-19 is not just about the redundantly abundant bombardment of politically charged spills and vomit, but more importantly, the question of livelihood. Millions have lost their jobs, and some such as UN's International Labor Organization (ILO) estimate it to be nearly [200 million](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/07/covid-19-expected-to-to-wipe-out-67-of-worlds-working-hours). Most airlines have grounded their fleet (save freighters). From busy skies and millions of happy faces of people working and people traveling, to now eeriely empty skies and airports, with [jets parked everywhere](https://time.com/5823395/grounded-planes-coronavirus-storage/). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kiC4hlDDHs Hotels, restaurants, shops, malls, and even factories have closed along the bell curve of the by now overhyped disease. And while some still opine the dangers of the disease, the [reality](https://www.healthline.com/health-news/50-percent-of-people-with-covid19-not-aware-have-virus#How-transmission-works) is that the majority of those afflicted would have no symptoms, or a short dance with mild symptoms such as fever or cough, with discomfort no different from a common cold at best. And yet, livelihoods are lost because of shutdowns and lockdowns, and mouths need to be fed, bank accounts are emptied, and loans need to be serviced. The key question many people, after conforming dutifully to the rally cries of the elite, and locked down day after day, week after week, have then progressively begun to ask - what IS the exit strategy? ## The earth is finite Economist **Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen** once argued that the earth is finite in his work "The Entropy Law and the Economic Process", and the earth's capacity to provide is finite and diminishing. I agree. This current paranoid saga shows that herd mentality culled by a few, has decided to trump herd immunity for the survival of the herd itself. History has showed us that great depression of economies, characterized by the likes of hyperinflation and depleted resources, often resulted in the great changes in actors and power, such as the Weimar Republic in Germany post World War I. No control can be infinite, before an implosive transformation consumes all and a new stage is set. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfwIXdOoWiE ## The implosive paradigm This current paranoid saga shows that herd mentality culled by a few, has decided to trump herd immunity for the survival of the herd itself. History has showed us that great depression of economies, characterized by the likes of hyperinflation and depleted resources, often resulted in the great changes in actors and power. No control can be infinite, before an implosive transformation consumes all and a new stage is set. ## Show the exit Exit strategies are preciously few, and lockdowns are stop-gap which cause economic meltdowns, much of it irreparable unless courageous leadership steps up to reverse it. After all, every country that tried aggressive containment strategies such as South Korea, Hongkong SAR and Taiwan, have seen the resurgence of cases. Let us remember, if flu and common cold is anything to go by, they, including COVID-19 will be here to stay. Locking down will never solve anything, except to kill economies. And the dire results are already rearing its ugly head. And people are asking tough questions now. Imagine permanent silos of countries, each one requiring 14-day quarantines for incoming visitors. That would effectively kill tourism and business trips. The so-called moronic notion of "social distancing" is not only antisocial and against the grain of humankind, and also argued laboriously on what distance is actually "safe", since some are best guesses, while experiments have even shown aerosol possibility at up to 8 meters. Let's think about trains, transit rail, speed rail (and maglev), jets, expensive commercial real estate in food and beverage, hospitality, entertainment, etc. Therefore, physically distancing people is impactical and nonsensical in densely populated cities, think Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, yes, the list goes on and on. The war cry by a few for vaccination is also idealistic at best. The SARS, MERS and even common cold coronaviruses (other common colds are from rhinoviruses) have NO functional vaccine till today. Remember that SARS, which is a "cousin" to the COVID-19 by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has NO functional vaccine after EIGHTEEN (18) years! Neither is the common cold or flu having any effective vaccine. The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) [Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6907a1.htm?s_cid=mm6907a1_w) estimated the effectiveness of the 2019-20 seasonal flu vaccine at 45%. So pardon my skepticism that humans have cracked the puzzle to really effective vaccines against so many coronavirus-induced illnesses even to today, simply because: - coronaviruses can mutate a great deal, and - hate to break it to you, we humans are not as smart as some would egoistically think. ## 500,000 years of experiential adaptation So the really pragmatic exit is what is commonly called "herd immunity". We humans are not sheep (we shouldn't be - we should keep our independent minds and conscience working. So I would rather label it as "Community Immunity". When a sizable majority (folks differ on what this majority is) achieves community immunity, viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza (flu), or the common cold, will end up infecting lesser and lesser people each cycle of mutation. Sweden, the brave nation that has adopted this approach, with NO lockdowns, and businesses and jobs kept alive, have sensible communities who adhered to government's recommendations. And Sweden said it would achieve community immunity in late [May](https://www.npr.org/2020/04/26/845211085/stockholm-expected-to-reach-herd-immunity-in-may-swedish-ambassador-says) with its light touch, mutual trust between people and government, and preservation of jobs and businesses. The solution is really simple and in plain sight based on our hundreds of thousands of years of human existence. The vulnerable minorities, such as the aged, gravely ill and immunity-deficient minorities can be sheltered, while the rest of the community carries on the daily grind and ensure that the community is productive and keep the economy going (where taxes are culled and go back to the economy). Unless every regime on earth is a benign dictatorship or communist, there is a need for productive and profitable economies which in turn keep the wheels of lives and dreams going. And there is also mental health at stake. Productive lives which keep families supported are keeping minds occupied and healthy. Lockdowns and joblessness do not. Unless you have not read human history of the last 500,000 years ago (Homo Sapiens, diverging from Homo Erectus), you would know that humans, like animals, have always fought back disease through community immunity. I have every confidence in MANKIND to adapt and survive, more so than any individual self-claimed "expert" or "well-meaning philanthropist". We have done that for 500,000 years! *PS - If you like archeology and anthropology, here's an interesting [piece](https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/archaeology/a15877892/misliya-cave-human-evolution-fossils/).* *PPS - If you want to pursue a PhD in Sweden, like Finland, it is 100% FREE regardless of your citizenship. Try Uppsala Universitet.* ### --- # 4 Critical Tips for Marketers in 2020 facing a deep decline of the “influencer” industry Source: https://seamusphan.com/4-critical-tips-for-marketers-in-2020-facing-a-deep-decline-of-the-influencer-industry/ Before the COVID-19 saga started, even in the early part of 2020, the so-called "influencer" arena is abuzz with luxury, travel, enjoyment, and lifestyle. Then the global lockdown and shutdown began, and the whole notion of "influencers" changed. Today, all we hear or see are politicians giving their endless spiel on what is by now, an ad nauseam display of meaningless statistics and charts, amidst the loss of tens of millions of jobs worldwide (or more), closures and bankruptcies of businesses abound. In the United States alone, unemployment has set in at more than twenty million, and there must be much more who are under-employed (paid much less than they should or was). No one has an interest at this point, other than politicians and self-professed experts (medical or otherwise), to articulate or expound mortality rates and projected numbers (which in many cases are wildly inaccurate and fearmongering at its worst). What most people worry about, is the lack of, or a short paycheck, and the months ahead of the same predicament. Mouths need to be fed, rent or loans need to be paid, and bills need to be settled. And meanwhile, the so-called leaders, the elite, and the celebrities, remain cloistered in their cosy mansions or abodes, unaware of the needless suffering of the multitude who are living paycheck to paycheck, with mountains of loans, possibly evicted from their premises, and mostly in tiny small homes that offer little solace or sanity when "cabin fever" set in. Media are [talking](https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52362462) about the changing content of the so-called "influencers" on social media, which are largely separated into 2 kinds - celebrities, and wannabes. Celebrities who posted their exorbitant lifestyles in grand houses and pools, were ridiculed and scorned. Some of these celebrities promptly toned down or removed their posts. Some mainstream celebrities were more sensitive, and made efforts to show either corners of their abodes which looked approachable and down-to-earth. So, while some folks seize every opportunity to silo their corners into bubbles, and not many people in many quarters can travel and produce exotic content, what are marketers to do in this dreadful 2020? Maybe there is still some hope. ## 1. Real experts, real content OK, so the glitz is over, at least for 2020, and the pessimistic and power-hungry may oppress any hope for 2021 even. So imagining that glitzy content that used to excite and attract visitors and would-be buyers may likely be over, who can marketers find? It is time perhaps to find REAL experts who provide real content. For example, when it used to be that clients and marketers would go to celebrities to pitch consumer gadgets, in the hope that it was the "star appeal" that worked. And perhaps it did. But now, consider domain experts instead. Scout around, they tend to be not too difficult to find. For example, if your client is a smartphone maker, find non-competitive experts who have reviewed such gadgets in mainstream or tech media, who may not be flashing fancy lifestyles, but reviewing such gadgets with depth. Some may do text reviews, and some may do videos as well. It is a win-win arrangement as you will benefit the content expert in building up his personality brand (if he is not already one - some are!), while you get the benefit of real content. Whether a text or spoken video review at length, your product will gain SEO as well as editorial outreach. And above all, domain experts already love what they know and do, and they are great at articulating that. ## 2. Public Relations (PR) as your "red team" Don't underestimate the power of PR through the mainstream media. For example, if you have some consumer-facing products, or even B2B offerings. If you had tried consumer influencers in the past and got limited or no mileage, and you have not engaged a PR partner yet, it is time to seriously consider one. An external PR partner will be able to extend your outreach much farther than traditional consumer-facing influencers, as PR agencies reach out to mainstream and vertical media, which in turn reach out to hundreds of thousands, if not millions of the populace in states, regions, or even the world, as well as vertical audiences. External PR partners also lend a "red team" approach to all your external messaging and communication, so that your team is not trapped in an internal "echo chamber", which only reinforce inwards without realizing what the world out there is demanding. Plus, good PR agencies will offer your spokespersons specific media and crisis communication training, so that they are always prepared to face the media and the world with confidence and authority. ## 3. Domestic advertising campaigns Surprisingly, when some clients discarded traditional mainstream media as advertising and marketing channels, and insisted only on digital platforms, we knew that one day this will change. The COVID-19 saga shorted and shocked even the tech giants like Facebook and Google, so much so that they had to make major revisions to their advertising platforms, and advised caution to advertisers. This has direct ramifications in relation to your previous influencer campaigns as well. What then? As we have always advocated, especially for consumer-facing clients with an important domestic audience, to always have holistic marketing campaigns, and not skew towards one or another channel only. Yes, digital marketing campaigns have easy dashboards and pretty data to look at. However, traditional advertising reach out to key audiences in domestic markets too. With COVID-19, almost all people (other than essential workers) have to either work from home (WFH) or stay home (if their industries did not allow WFH). This means that most people are stuck at home, and whether or not they pore over a laptop or tablet at home, they will also have the TV or radio at their disposal, especially on off-hours or weekends. Most mainstream TV and radio media owners have seen declining advertising going their way with digital marketing platforms snatching their revenue away. But now, they have grown wiser, and more realistic. Many of such traditional TV and radio media owners are now offering fantastic steep discounts and special plans, and even throw in simple productions for free (TV and radio). For an almost captive audience all stuck at home, why not consider TV and radio now? ## 4. Go virtual (people) Traditional influencers that used to travel on expensive jets to exotic locations, have lost their shine. Many client companies have also sliced their budgets. But marketing still need to continue. So, why not use virtual "people" as casts for your videos for digital marketing? Instead of hiring real people as "influencers", you can have animated casts to explain your products and solutions, as "explainer videos". For voices, you can either engage a real voice talent, or if you don't mind, you can use synthesized voices (text-to-speech or TTS) to convert your text messaging to voiceovers for your videos or podcasts. Synthesized voices have gotten more sophisticated, with Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) which is akin to web programming languages such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), for turning text with emphases and timing codes into more realistic synthesized voices. The world isn't going to end (maybe). We need to continue to sell through our products and solutions. There are many ways to continue to do so, from real domain experts, public relations (PR), domestic advertising campaigns, and marketing videos using animated casts and synthesized voice. Try them, you may find a new quantum leap and paradigm shift forward for the years ahead. --- # Leadership – empathy is a super power Source: https://seamusphan.com/leadership-empathy-is-super-power/ Empathy is the key to great leadership. Nobody likes dictators or autocrats at the workplace or elsewhere. Can you imagine working for one who only expects you to say "yes"? Can you imagine working for one who won't listen to you? Here is a personal account of a good empathetic manager I have worked with in several jobs. It is in Chinese (traditional scipt). ## 仁者無敵 - 領導的核心價值觀 在1980年代，經濟大蕭條，那時我第一份工，月薪僅S$525。說了沒幾個人相信，只有我自己知道那時的辛酸。每天中飯都沒真正的吃過。不過，那時我雖然窮， 不過比起好多沒工作的人，我已經覺得蠻幸運了。 後來，我離開了我原本想走的生物化學行業，而進了電腦業，當了新加坡先驅的蘋果(Apple)數字媒體和出版專家。後來，被希捷硬盤(Seagate)的技術培訓部門經理挖角，就當了培訓主管，負責開發數字媒體來培訓生產員工。當時，我也是少數用蘋果電腦和局域網來研發和提供互動課程的專家。 我蠻感激當時希捷硬盤的技術培訓部門經理。他在蘋果電腦展看到我的潛力，也不管他旗下的隊員的嫉妒，安插我專門研究那時還未有的互動課程。其他的同事都只是提供工廠車間的技術培訓。那位經理以仁，智，和果斷，知道如何讓我在我的長處自由發揮，也懂得幫助我藏挫，慢慢幫我建立自信心。之後，我也一步一步地成長，幫部門發展了八個互動課程。 因為這位經理的仁，我後來在普華永道(PWC)和安永(EY)兩間國際會計公司，都是他推薦我去的。他仁，我也理應回義。 真正的領導，不是強硬地把你打壓，不是只准你說是，不是眼盲耳聾，不是只看你業績。真正的領導，就用一個“仁”,就天下無敵了，而員工也會甘心回個“義”。 --- # Crisis Communication in Brief – 2020 Source: https://seamusphan.com/crisis-communication-in-brief-2020/ Crisis management and communication used to affect only certain industries such as petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. But increasingly, with cybersecurity breaches and disease outbreaks, every organization needs to understand, communicate and manage crises well, just as pilots use CRM (crew resource management) to prevent and mitigate crises. ## Be prepared A crisis is only a crisis if one is ill-prepared, but only an obstacle if one is prepared. Organizations can engage a good PR agency before disaster strikes, to avoid the "echo chamber" effect where internal employees may inadvertently hold inward-looking and limiting views. The PR agency becomes a "red team". After the crisis has been resolved, carry out a post-mortem to refine internal crisis and communication programs. If an organization lacks such a program, work on one soon, before a crisis strikes. ## Training and drills Prepare every employee for crises. Acquaint every one from the frontline to the CEO with consistent messaging, and the workflow of communication and resolution should a crisis strike. A comprehensive media training program would be a start. Regular and unscheduled drills should be implemented so that everyone can be prepared. ## First things in a crisis When a crisis is imminent, quickly bring together the action teams to talk through all the "what ifs", whether it be the cybersecurity team, legal, safety, or management. The crisis program would contain designated spokespersons, communication policies, contact workflow, communication preferences (whether issuing statements or a media event), collaterals such as statements, news releases, frequently asked questions (FAQs), etc. ## Recommended workflow and command The ultimate stakeholder, such as the CEO, may be the designated spokesperson, assisted by functional leaders who have specific roles in crisis resolution. For example, in a case of data leaks or cybersecurity incident, the CISO (chief information security officer) may be present. And if some employees succumbed to COVID-19, the chief human resource officer (CHRO) may be involved. ## Courage in truth A leader needs to tell the whole truth, nothing but the truth, and tell it quickly without delay. In difficult times, a leader needs to converge the employees together to stand as one. An organization that has made missteps, but make corrective measures, shows humility, can be forgiven and can bounce back. However, if an organization makes missteps, fails to make reparations and corrective measures, shows a cold, aloof and arrogant attitude, the brand will diminish. This is especially true for troubled times such as a pandemic, where businesses and jobs are lost, and uncertainty and despair has hit many quarters. The crux of a successful crisis management and communication program has to be one that is already in place, permeated throughout the entire organization, with truth, ethics and integrity at the center of the program. Such a program should converge the best industry practices of how mission-critical environments manage and thrive in any crisis. In all things, tell the truth, the whole truth, and expediently without fail. --- # 3 Tips to Build a Brand in 2020 Source: https://seamusphan.com/3-tips-to-build-a-brand-in-2020/ Recently, a renowned scientist commended on LinkedIn on issues of employee retention, and that she used the word "Zoom" exclusively for videoconferencing in her post. That is the power of a brand. From using "Xerox" for photocopying of documents, to saying "Fedex" for sending parcels, or "Coke" to mean soda (instead of say Pepsi or anything else), to "Google" to mean web searches (even if there is Bing, Baidu or Yandex), or "Bitcoin" to mean any variety of cryptocurrencies - people tend to converge over time to use a prominent brand to denote certain categories of products. > This is what linguists term as an "eponym", when proprietary names of entities (including persons) become commonly used words. And the strange thing is, these eponyms do not necessarily mean these brands are currently leaders, even if they once were. They have become in a sense, heritage brands depending on what period of time they occupied, from decades for legacy brands, to even months for digital brands. For Zoom, its meteoric rise was specifically due to COVID-19 when suddenly droves of people turned to it for getting "face time" with peers, bosses, students, or families. It is also strange that Zoom took centerstage when it was not an incumbent nor a first mover, compared to older digital "legacy" brands such as Skype, or even Facebook Messenger, especially for smaller groups. While there isn't a formula to get from zero to household name, there are some time-proven, field-tested strategies and steps. ## 1. Fill specific needs Whether you represent a basic necessity, or an aspirational product, or a niche solution to fill gaps that customers may need and yet not know, you need to fill needs, even if the needs can be mental, spiritual, and not just physical. In a world where practically everything has been invented, and sitting in your locked down quarters with no view and little outside contact, it will be tough to expect you to suddenly get creative. So, from what you offer, distill the needs for your prospects and customers. What do they need now? What do you offer? How do you communicate what you offer matches their needs? It is often about BOTH bridging needs as well as communicating well. For example, distill down what your products and solutions fulfill for your customers' physiological, safety, social, self-esteem, and self-actualization needs. And for psychological needs, think how to communicate your offerings can provide in terms of assurance, intimacy, growth, and self-worth. To someone who is looking to fill basic needs, your products need to demonstrate value, features, immediacy, and reliability. To someone who is looking to fill a niche need, your products need to be customizable, scalable, agile, iterative, and demonstrate strong support. To someone who is looking to fill an aspirational need, your products need to exude exclusivity and uniqueness, come with complete customization and personalization, plus a high service value and quality that they cannot find elsewhere. ## 2. Reach locally and beyond No product sells by itself, not even Apple. I know, I have been there. In the 1980s I was a local pioneer publishing evangelist for Apple's Mac. It was a hard sell for a range of proprietary hardware that were also incredibly expensive against the PCs and PC-compatibles. Try selling a 9-inch monochrome Mac with proprietary peripherals and no hard disk, against PC-compatibles that had color monitors and internal storage, and ran office productivity and accounting software the world used. Selling Apple was hard work, but we pushed passionately because we BELIEVED. It was a cult of proprietary technology, and we were the clergy to evangelize the WHY to would-be adopters. #### Video: Launch of the first Mac in 1984 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B-XwPjn9YY When the late Steve Jobs took back the reins of Apple and launched the iMac and iBook, and later the iPhone, he had the media do his magic. It was 1998, and Apple prior to Jobs' return had a complicated product range. Jobs killed most of the legacy products and focused on the iMac and then the iBook, the iconic translucent and colorful Macs that resuscitated Apple and gave it the momentum to become what it is today. And he used a broad range of clever global marketing campaigns that played up the cheeky and defiant use of colorful and unique materials compared to the drab gray PCs out there. It worked. #### Video: Launch of iMac in 1998 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ouqg4XzvkUo And when sales of Macs plateaued in the 2000s, Apple launched the "Hello I am a Mac" global campaign, using the analogy of a gray suited man to represent the PC user and a preppy smiling man to represent the upbeat Mac user. That again propped up the sales. So, whatever your brand may be, never forget going hyperlocal, especially now in the COVID-19 world, where many locales are locked down or still have onerous restrictions. Go local, target local prospects and customers through online, and personal (through phone calls, messaging and social). And if you are doing regional or global business, don't forget to continue to advertise. This is the best time to advertise as your competition may slow down and you end up becoming the forerunner with awareness. And just as Jobs knew how to engage and excite the people through the media, leverage the power of public relations (PR) to your advantage. Get your PR agency to keep your brand value out there. Remember, PR is a sustained long-term program, not a once-off. Keep going. ## 3. Build your voice The COVID-19 saga has created a new paradigm where it is important to have your voice. Social media is useful, but it is not quite totally in your control. Things can happen, and rules keep changing on social media. Do keep a presence on social media, but don't get hijacked by social media platforms. Remember to continue to build your own content and own your platforms too, and that means keeping your website and blog alive. It needs consistent and relevant content. That will be your own media, your own platform, your own voice. You own it. The best way to do this is to engage a content marketing or digital agency which understands the value of public relations (PR), and know how to develop hybrid content that provides editorial-centric content with intelligent and subtle CTAs (call to action) for your marketing. For the best content, a good agency will ask you questions for each blog content, and you provide all the technical or background content, and your agency will spruce the raw content up to editorial standards, and either you or your agency can publish the finished content on your website and blog. The blog site should be part of your main corporate site so that you can increase your domain authority (DA) over time. The content type can be written, or specific content can be converted to explainer videos, where parts of textual content converted into voice, through text-to-speech (TTS) tools. These animated videos with voice can be posted on social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and embedded in your own website. COVID-19 has erased the chance to do outdoor videography, so use animations, photo slides, or stock footage to create your videos for now. A good message will work in whatever form. If you have passionate and eloquent employees, you can also get them to do simple livestream or on-demand videos. The important thing about social video content is about AUTHENTICITY, and not glitzy productions. Crises happen, and we can never predict them. However, our brands and businesses, which we have slaved so much for, deserve a fighting chance. You are empowered to do some things to move forward to stay viable. ### --- # Leadership in the frontlines of war – My grandma Source: https://seamusphan.com/leadership-in-the-frontlines-of-war-my-grandma/ Leadership as a philosophy and practice, is not unknown to me. I have learned about it first-hand, from the coat tails of two giants who braved real wars and real struggles in my life since I was a child - my grandparents. They were my yardsticks for gold standards of leadership in a furnace. And for my grandma, the role model of leadership struggles for ladies. I expect nothing less from those who dare take up top echelons of leadership. ## From real wars emerged leaders My grandpa came from an impoverished background in Hubei. Despite his suffering as a child to his teens, he went on to become a scholar, an army general during the war, then a professor, economist (many of his books became labor economics textbooks for universities), and then a CEO/chairman for a hospital in his twilight years. He was also very active in the labor movement and participated in the UN ILO programs. He supported the rights of the workforce and women. He reposed at a ripe old 104. ![400px-王長慧](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/400px-王長慧-114x150.jpg)My grandma was commanding and stern, and nothing short of spectacular. I have never seen her in a less than commanding position, and certainly neither my grandpa nor grandma ever shed a tear in public. She was elected a legislator (member of parliament) at the young age of 36. Prior to that, she was serving at the frontlines of war as a nurse in 1938 onwards at age 26 at the fifth and sixth war zones in China. She also held stints as a teacher and a principal at schools. She was a forerunner of a lady in leadership, and stood for the rights of women since her 20s. She reposed at 100. ## Leadership demands courage and sacrifice Leadership is demanding, especially in the top echelons of politics, which affect large populations, and not just businesses and small communities. To be a lady in post-dynastic China facing tremendous conflict in the 1930s to 1940s and rising to prominent leadership, took great courage and wisdom. It was a time of war, bloodshed, suffering, poverty, and death, demanding only those who put the needs of others before self, and a spirit of complete sacrifice. I have nothing but awe and every ounce of respect for my grandma. I saw her as both martyr and leader, and I hold leadership occupiers to that exacting standard if whoever so dare climb to such levels of position and sit in it. I see my grandpa in the same light. He was a scholar, a soldier, a teacher, and a leader. I am extremely proud when he gave me his approval having braved through my own yards of suffering and struggles to attempt to make good what I went through. I owe everything to having such leaders in my family as role models. It certainly gave me humility. Leadership is tough, and demands nothing but hard-nosed courage and a resolve of steel against all the "kryptonite" of the world. Sources: [王長慧](https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hant/王長慧) [1st Legislators List](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/第1屆中華民國立法委員名單) [丁幼泉 ](http://nrch.culture.tw/view.aspx?keyword=鹽工&s=194501&id=0006763560&proj=MOC_IMD_001) ### --- # Tradition can be beautiful – Lessons in Diplomacy & Innovation Source: https://seamusphan.com/tradition-can-be-beautiful-lessons-in-diplomacy-innovation/ I served as an NGO diplomat around 2004, under a Catholic Cistercian abbot who was an inspiring German gentleman. We served causes in Cameroon and Burkina Faso, providing supplies and used vehicles. I also raised funds through a Chinese music collection through the help of a Chinese orchestra. 2004 was a dark time for me personally and professionally, and because of him, I spent much of my time helping others in need instead, and found my way back. I learned much about diplomacy, humility, and more importantly, cultural diplomacy. I have been educated in classical violin, an instrument most thought of as "Western". Likewise, I was later schooled in the Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI), the electronic version of the saxophone, if you will (having used both Yamaha and Akai Professional). The saxophone and certainly the EWI are "Western" instruments. Music as it so happens, crosses boundaries of race, culture, and instruments. Music is the best tool of diplomacy of cultures and races. Music can be the bridge for any culture to cross over to each other, even across generations and ages. ## Cultural diplomacy The [Guzheng (古箏)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guzheng), which hailed from 500 BC in the Warring States period (戰國時代), is a Chinese plucked zither type instrument. It is similar in concept to the harp, and perhaps even more sophisticated. A post-graduate scholar went to Europe, and started to evangelize the Guzheng and its music. Here is a piece from a Japanese manga, titled "千本櫻", or thousands of sakura flowers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl9vyE_Ud7o Here is a more classically inspired Chinese piece, played aggressively and boldly very similar to the "rock-style". It is about the mythological Chinese hero ["伏羲" (Fuxi)](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/伏羲), originating in the Warring States period, also mentioned by Chinese sage “莊子” Zhuang Zi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxXnF-VYZ8c ## Crossing to the West The [Guqin (古琴)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guqin) is an ancient Chinese plucked string instrument dating thousands of years. It is known as the instrument for sages and scholars, and is alongside the other "3 gentlemen" of what gentry and scholars must learn and know, "琴棋書畫" (Guqin, Chinese chess, Chinese painting, and Chinese calligraphy). Fortunately, I have known all the other "3 gentlemen" however humbly, and so I have every incentive to one day at least attempt the Guqin. Here you will find the Guqin crossing over to the "West", rendering Bach's Cello Suite Number 1 in G Major: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5v40JJ6TO4 Here's an even more profound Guqin rendition of a manga-inspired contemporary piece "權御天下" (about Sun Quan the ruler in the literary work of "The 3 Kingdoms"), in the style of "rock", which is a Western musical genre, highly entertaining and powerful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeuTvXXuQ64 Always remember our roots, and respect the lineage from which we, our parents, and our forefathers came from. Therein we will find the abundantly rich roots of who we are, and then, slowly over the tenure of bearing the crosses of our lives, we figure out who we may become. Never bear disdain for own own culture, or worse, become racist against ourselves. And when we respect our lineage, we may find not only we can cross bridges, become bridges, but also innovate and resonate with many more people. --- # Website Design, Elegance and Form – Lessons from WordPress Source: https://seamusphan.com/website-design-elegance-and-form-lessons-from-wordpress/ When Gutenberg was introduced on WordPress in 2017, users disliked it. Its block-based approach to content creation and editing was not elegant, but was gearing towards more design than substance, copying from lesser competitors like Wix. Fast forward to Dec 2020, a year before the Classic Editor will be retired in end 2021, and most users still [DISLIKE](https://www.cmscritic.com/gutenberg-2-years-later-is-wordpress-better-off/) Gutenberg, for good reasons. Some people like to nuance over design, microscopically adjust elements on a page ad nauseam, just to satisfy the fetish of having a design THEY like, rather than considering textual and useful content for USERS. Invariably, plenty of time is wasted, for little returns (in SEO, readability, and profits). Conversely, the world of content has moved to [Markdown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markdown), the elegant LESS-THAN-HTML text and multimedia formatting, which is not just for coders, but for content creators too. This is a divergence from the block-based Gutenberg and other design tools (remember Quark XPress and Adobe PageMaker LOL?). Content is still BEST served by a "minimalist word-processing" approach, where textual content is king. --- # Battle of Thermopylae and 7 productivity tips Source: https://seamusphan.com/battle-thermopylae-productivity/ Remember King Leonidas and his 300 brave Spartans? We too, hope to rally employee productivity, in the midst of the worsening economy and escalating competition. We present some ideas for a more productive team at the workplace. Having worked in business environments large and small, I finally settled down in running a tiny knowledge business since the 1990s, and never looked back. Yes, I harbor an occasional thought on working for a large business, but frankly, the freedom to create, to innovate, to invent, and to execute, in a small nimble business, working with diverse and wonderful clients, proved far too engaging for me to give up easily. When I was working for large businesses way back, productivity was already something we employees then were measured by. And decades on, productivity still plays a pivotal role in measuring the performance of employees. Credentials may be important to some organizations, but a diligent, productive and positive employee will always be treasured by bosses more than one who merely has a string of papers to frame on the wall. So, what are some suggestions I might present after decades of working on both sides of the fence? 1) **Structured meetings**. Meetings can sometimes be a terrible waste of time if mismanaged. In many meetings I have attended, the worst meetings are those without a well-defined agenda and a time limit. A good meeting is where every stakeholder is present on time, with a pre-defined agenda to follow, and a time limit dutifully adhered to. There should be a good meeting facilitator to ensure every item on the agenda is discussed promptly, efficiently, and closed properly. It would be ideal if all stakeholders turn up on time and attend till the end of their involvement with the meeting without leaving early. My typical question to those who would turn up late is, "Would you be late at the airport if you are catching a flight for a holiday?" 2) **Laser focus on tasks**. We never run out of tasks which form part of our jobs. The day we run out of tasks, we are out of a job. Therefore, we are always having more tasks than we can handle. This is expected. The trouble surfaces when we attempt to juggle our plate of tasks and lose sight of the tasks, or drops everything on the floor in shambles. We need to maintain a laser focus on the task at hand, and set a time limit to completion. Leaders have to define ultimate deadlines to tasks. For more driven employees, leaders can push the boundaries and such employees rise to the challenge and even surpass the expectations of their bosses. For others, a reasonable time limit should be established, and leaders track their progress and completion of tasks. A scheduling and project management system should be in place for complex tasks and projects. 3) **Smart use of email**. Email is an important business tool, but let us remind employees that email is not a file uploader nor a chat tool. Email should be used intelligently, with proper subject headers, succinctly written excerpts, and properly thought through replies and content, so that the recipients are not left bewildered at emails with no intelligent subject headers, messy email contents, or huge attachments. Large attachments beyond a megabyte or two should be presented as links within the email, so that the recipient, especially those on IMAP systems, won't get frustrated trying to download huge email attachments. Educate employees never to send mails with large attachments, and especially never to large circulation lists with large attachments. 4) **Judicious use of social media**. Some companies, having been frustrated at the "burgeoning" use of social media at the workplace, have clamped down their use. Social media such as Facebook have built-in chat functions, while dedicated messaging apps such as Skype may also be potential time-wasters at the workplace if not managed. Although social media or dedicated chat clients can be useful in some instances, the temptation to overstep the boundaries and spend too much time chatting is very real. Plus, many companies are also wary of new media applications due to security threats, and the possibility of information or resource leakage without accountability. So, unless employees are dedicated social media community managers, bosses have good reason to limit the use of social media. 5) **Engage stakeholders by phone**. The office phone is not dead, despite the emergence of social media. Face-to-face meetings are great, but not always possible or productive, especially if quite a few people are involved. The phone can present a quick and productive means for two or more people to communicate together. Of course, we are not talking about chatting for hours, but using the office phone can help engage stakeholders together, and get to resolve challenges or queries quickly. A follow-through email or updates on a project management or collaboration platform or system would be important, so that the contents of the phone call are not forgotten, and remedial and follow-through actions can be tracked. Productive and disciplined employees are not glued to their own smartphones for chats, messages or games. Productive employees make profitable businesses. Here are two additional suggestions I personally feel strongly about. 6) **Adequate rest**. No human being can go without rest or sleep. There are some who claim that they need little sleep, spending way too much time online or playing games. The reality is that our bodies require sleep to repair itself, after the daily wear-and-tear and the rigors of a good and hard day's worth of work. Sleep deficit can cause a drop in productivity, as well as making a person more error-prone. You can't force someone to get sufficient rest at home - it is really personal discipline. 7) **Health and nutrition**. Besides rest, employees stay productive when they are healthy. Most of us work long hours and can't find sufficient opportunities to cook at home or exercise regularly. Inspire employees to keep vigil on their nutrition, vitamins and fitness, and perhaps motivate them to keep up a healthy lifestyle. Just as we are inspired by the story of King Leonidas with his dedicated 300 Spartans fighting against the colossal Persians at the Battle of Thermopylae, we too, as business executives, would like to keep our team of "Spartans" at the pinnacle of productivity, fighting fit, against the onslaught of the marketplace. --- # 3 Litmus Tests for a Profitable Website Source: https://seamusphan.com/3-litmus-tests-for-a-profitable-website/ If you are a CXO, the most important things that occupy must be two things - profitability and sustainability. You can be profitable today, but can you sustain the company for the infinity? Profitability and sustainability are therefore two sides of the same coin. You will have a dud coin if you only have one embossed side. And in this stream of thought, I challenge you to think deeper now. Your CMO might be articulating ad nauseam about big data and all kinds of digital media, especially the myriad of social media that mushrooms now and then, compounded by the frequent and sometimes even senseless changes that go on on regular social media platforms. One may be legitimately even think that these changes are simply made on whims, or to show their own competition that they are making at least some progress (never mind if it is senseless and non-consequential). So, if you really dissect all these mechanisms, you will invariably arrive at the same conclusion, that when a prospect of yours want to find something, he will likely use the search engine of choice to find the top choices. And if it is a customer of yours, he may either use the search engine of choice to find the top choices, or perhaps go straight to your website to find what offerings are possible. Some may still call or email you of course. So what does this tell us? This tells us the "search" paradigm is very much alive and your own tool of choice to be seen on the search paradigm is to have a good quality website. This is especially true if you are in a competitive market or in a B2B space. Even for B2C, you will still need to own your own content and platform through a website, rather than relegate your online presence to third-party social networks where you don't have ownership and is beholden to the whims of the platform and its users. Design-crazed types would tell you that you need a pretty website with lots of visual "bang", never mind if it means it is slow and cumbersome. To others, they would tell you all about analytics and big data, never mind if it means expensive and resource-hungry both in terms of computing systems and people. ### 3 Litmus Tests for a Website But really, as someone who has been a web development pioneer this side of the world since 1996, having hands-on experience for UI, UX, backend programming, and server administration, I can tell you there are 3 things to look out for. - **Speed (SEO)** - **Security (SSL)** - **UX (user experience)** Put a website (e.g. an agency you are evaluating, or your own) to these 3 tests, for **Speed or SEO** (PageSpeed & YSlow), **Security** (SSL test), and **UX** (user experience). We can help your website get up to speed, just like we did for our own. ### 1. Speed (and SEO) Speed of a website is paramount. If your website is not loading in the low seconds for a FULL page load for a user, you can bet that your bounce rates will be high. Bounce rates are basically how long a user stays on your home page and other pages of the website. The higher the bounce rate means that the user does not stay long enough on a page or the website. Many websites designed by pure designers tend to be graphics-heavy, and those graphics are unlikely to be optimized PRIOR to uploading, increasing the page sizes and load times. Such websites may look pretty to you (the client), but are unlikely to find favor with the REAL PAYING customers who have no interest, time or bandwidth to waste on "pretty" graphics. And so, all that money you spent on expensive designs are essentially wasted. The [GTmetrix](https://gtmetrix.com) test is great to find out how optimized your website is for speed as well as SEO (search engine optimization). Bad scores, slow load times, big web page sizes, and hundreds of server requests, all penalize your website for SEO. Google has published their algorithms publicly so there is no excuse in not knowing. ### 2. Security (SSL) If a website is still NOT on SSL, you are left behind on 2 areas - security, and SEO. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the minimum standard for a corporate website, and especially an e-commerce site. Google also attaches value to a website having SSL set up (https://), compared to those without (http://). SSL implementation is a science and is often beyond ordinary web designers, so be sure to talk to a consultant who is familiar with server administration and SSL implementation. The [Qualys SSL](https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/) test is great in establishing if your website has the right set up for security. ### 3. UX (User Experience) Is your website effective and user-friendly? For example, can your website by viewed by mobile and other users? How satisfying is the User Experience (UX)? Is your website marketed well? Is the technology sufficiently implemented? Complexity is never pleasant. Think of a well-designed website like an elevator pitch. If you cannot explain yourself or your product in under a minute in a short travel up (or down) an elevator to an investor, you have no idea worth pursuing. Likewise, the website interface should be clean and simple and useful to human users. The content should be explanatory, and not just some huge big graphics that say nothing. The fascinating [Nibbler](http://nibbler.silktide.com) test is a good starting point. ### Fast, Secure, Mobile-friendly, and Wallet-friendly A good quality website (not just a fancy design) should cater to the 3 critical needs of speed (SEO), security (SSL) and UX (user experience). And if you intend to sell through your website, you need e-commerce capabilities as well. Having such qualities often mean there is a cost involved, and they shouldn't be cheap. There is no such thing as "cheap and good" in this world. Quality comes with a price, so if you are a serious businessperson, get serious with your website and its associated price tag. There are many [cost estimation calculators online](http://howmuchdoesawebsiteco.st), you can use them to get a gauge. What you will notice is that if it is template-based, they tend to be cheaper. I would recommend going for template-based designs rather than designs from scratch. Most modern templates are well-designed, and you have thousands to choose from. Think about your content and website optimization more than just some vain unique design you insist upon. You will then be able to save money on essentials rather than frills. If you are using WordPress, go to [WordPress.org](https://www.wordpress.org) and look for the designs you like, and have your agency to work from there. A good web agency can also advise why certain templates work better than other, especially in the context of the 3 Litmus tests I mentioned - speed (SEO), security and UX. Some website templates are resource-hungry and incompatible with certain plugins. The fancier the features, the less compatible they may be. Be careful. A good website helps your brand and products to be found by customers and prospects, by conforming to the requirements of search engines such as Google. It needs to be fast so that it will not turn your prospects off, or get penalized by Google. It also needs to be mobile-friendly, as a majority of users today rely on smartphones rather than tablets or laptops. A good website is made to be user-friendly, so that your users will stay, and return again and again. It will be the most valuable investment you will have made, more so than any hosted content elsewhere on social media platforms you do NOT own. --- # Future of PR in the 21st Century is the Bottom Line Source: https://seamusphan.com/future-public-relations-21st-century-bottom-line/ **Amended with new chart and media measurement** (January 2021). I have been on all 3 sides of the public relations equation, as a client, as a journalist, and as an agency practitioner. And having been in the industry since the 1980s, I have seen my fair share of the evolution of the communications field. In the 1990s, there was a wide spectrum of trade media, and serving technology and enterprise clients was not difficult at all. The trade journalists were eager, and readily available to interview clients, and to write at length on features and commentaries. Organizing media conferences and events were hectic but enjoyable, because we knew that we could attract large turnouts and account to clients' requests. ### The big media dwindle Then the dotcom crash, the financial market crash, and subsequently economic downturns changed the equation, perhaps permanently. From a large pool of trade media, many slowly dwindled and folded. I remembered sadly the day I wrote my last feature story as a contributing editor for a technology magazine, having been one for a nice long mile and interviewed many luminaries, including the likes of the other Steve - [Steve Wozniak](http://www.woz.org/) of Apple fame. And the dwindling continued. Large media houses started to trim employees, reduce print runs, and even raised advertising and subscription rates in a hopeless attempt to restore some degree of revenue. But such moves can only worsen their situations. ### The shift to citizen journalism Right about the same time, the social media and mobile phenomena cemented yet another radical transformation in the media industry - empowering the consumers with the ability to create their own content, and propagating the content to their friends, families, and peers (and sometimes farther beyond). News was no longer the stranglehold of traditional mainstream media like newspapers, magazines, TV and radio, but became the domain of just about anyone with a desktop, laptop, and progressively tablets and smartphones. Today, if you have a smartphone with a camera, you can readily and easily record an audio podcast, a short video stream, or short textual and image content, and upload them real-time to various social media platforms such as [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/), [Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/), and so on. Consumers have many platforms to upload and propagate their content, and depending on the virality of their content, can organically build up their audiences to be way beyond friends and families. So where does that leave the PR practitioners in the agency and the client-side? ### Integrative public relations, not media relations If you have not noticed, public relations is not just media relations, but stakeholder relations reaching any stakeholder of a company. Such stakeholders include the media, but also suppliers, clients, governments, institutions, and so on. Everyone with a potential stake in the company in some way, will be included in the holistic communication of an integrative public relations program. Therefore, a PR practitioner must be able to provide useful and timely content to every stakeholder when needed, using any technological means (and traditional ones) to streamline the communication process. These technological means can be email, EDM, RSS feeds, social media, and mobile apps. There are ways to create content in a unified content management system (such as [WordPress](http://www.wordpress.org/)) and then automatically target to every social and mobile platform intended. For example, if you have an updated blog within your corporate website, the blog content can be automatically shared with your various social media accounts. This is one method, although it may not be the most effective. It is however a good starting point for resource-strapped companies. But for more effective content outreach, customized and even personalized content may need to be prepared for each intended social or mobile platform, to cater to how each consumer of such content would prefer it. For example, a platform like Twitter is best used for short form content, and so the textual copy should be catchy and straightforward, with a call-to-action URL link and preferably an image as well. Conversely, for a platform like Medium, textual content can be written without restrictions and at length, where you can articulate ideas, concepts, and philosophies as much as you like. This approach is also better for SEO (search engine optimization) as each customized content bears little resemblance to each other, and so would be seen by the likes of Google as original content, rather than replicants (which can carry SEO penalties). Public relations used to be very much a form of unicasting, where content is streamed one way to the media and in turned articulated to the consumers. Now, public relations is interactive and relational. The consumer of such content provides as much feedback as the content creator, and some form of relationship is formed between content consumers and creators. As much as content creators relay information to consumers, consumers can and will also relay information to content creators. And because consumers can share insights with each other as well, "word-of-mouth" becomes a powerful double-edged sword. ### The new PR practitioner So where does that leave the practitioner in the 21st century? A decade or more before, a PR practitioner tends to use the telephone often, calling up journalists to pitch stories and then hope to garner media coverage. Now, the new PR practitioner will likely use digital means such as email or personalized mail or even instant messaging on smartphones, to reach out to journalists. The practitioner is also more likely to engage audiences directly on social media platforms, and to move from a pure "earned media" focus, to a hybrid one of earned media, owned media, communal media (social media, forums, portals), and paid media. ### Barcelona 3.0 And beyond using storytelling to pitch to media and to audiences directly, using textual, image, animation and video content, the practitioner is also becoming more data-conscious through analytics and research. The antiquated days of counting number of media coverage and compiling news clippings for clients are over (and if not, you are way behind). Now, the practitioner has to move beyond the antiquated AVE (advertising value equivalence) to building mindshare through positive sentiment, enhanced reputation, social engagement, and ultimately, revenue and sales, and follow the media measurement model of Barcelona 3.0. Any campaign or program that does not add to the bottom line is progressively deemed as laggard or even useless. A PR program or campaign must account for the bottom line for the client, and to not just increase mindshare and engagement, but allow such mindshare and engagement to transform to raving fans and end-user evangelists who will not only share and shout about the client's products and services, but consume them with dollars as well. --- # Sample plenty, specialize later – way to sustained success Source: https://seamusphan.com/sample-plenty-specialize-later-way-to-sustained-success/ What if the whole idea of forcing a child to learn something early and persistently, is actually the worst idea of all and is more likely to KILL the passion in the child in his later life? The world is wicked, and wickedly fast. And because of that, parents tend to feel pressured to force their children to learn more early, work ultra-hard, in the vain and faint hope of securing a "good future". ## Be experimental - take your time! And yet, from renowned artists, chess master, to Nobel laureate scientists, some research are showing that early specialization may not be the best path forward at all. Instead, the idea is to sample as many things as possible early on, and then go on to specialize in an appropriate time. One modern example is Gunpei Yokoi, who created Nintendo Gameboy, which became an amazing toy phenomenon that destroyed his competition. If you look at the spectacular successes today, many of them had been college dropouts with no obvious proven specialization. The late Steve Jobs? Dropout. Bill Gates? Dropout. Michael Dell? Dropout. Mark Zuckerberg? Yes, dropout. Earlier in history, and we think of Henry Ford. Yes, he was a dropout too. Fashion mogul Ralph Lauren? Dropout too. The list goes on. Getting certificates do not mean you truly learned. Learning is experiential. You learn best when you are INTERESTED. ## Let every child roam free Not everyone should be forced to be coders. Not everyone should be medical doctors. Not every child should be forced to learn the piano or ballet. Not every child should be dissuaded from their interests in "unprofitable" fields like painting. Let every child (and adult), take their time to experiment and try out as many things as possible. Some thing may crop up later at an appropriate time, and then TRUE success may ensue. I know first hand. As a child, I painted, despite my parents' nagging, and went on to be the youngest art graduate in my Chinese painting program in 1979. I have dabbled in music early on, in violin, then the saxophone. I loved speaking and performing on stage. I have loved writing since I encountered a fantastic British English teacher in my teens. I dived deep into chemistry and physics, specifically in the research of autoxidation, antioxidants, and their toxicology. My first computer was the Atari in the 1970s, coding from BASIC, to COBOL, to Fortran, and much later, went on to the spectrum of web languages, and co-developed an email security server appliance for cybersecurity defense. Yes, every skill demands the "10,000 hours" or more before one can claim to be proficient or become useful to others. However, before we dive into the deep hours, let us explore early, explore many options, and then gingerly let nature glide us into our groove of finding our most passionate pursuits which lead us to excellence. Watch bestselling author David Epstein explain this eloquently at a TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ2_BwqcFsc   --- # Meritocracy – boon or bane? Thoughts from 2 Famous Michaels Source: https://seamusphan.com/meritocracy-boon-or-bane-thoughts-from-2-famous-michaels/ Have you wondered about the idea of "meritocracy", especially in the manner politicians around the world used it for the past couple of decades? Is it truly equal or even good? Two famous gentlemen named Michael may have some seriously important thoughts about this. These days, politicians of all manners of lineage or leaning, would more likely talk of an ascent of the populace based on the notion of "meritocracy", which the [dictionary](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/meritocracy) define as an ecosystem where people gain material success or power based on abilities and not their wealth or social position. On the surface, it sounds fair and a good thing. And often, even elders would often admonish the young since centuries or decades ago, "study hard, work hard, and you will succeed." However, if you really ask two gentlemen named Michael, [Michael Young](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Young,_Baron_Young_of_Dartington) (Baron of Dartington and sociologist) and [Michael Sandel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Sandel) (law professor and philosopher), they would disagree that "meritocracy" is good or fair. And I would agree with both of them. ## "Meritocracy" was supposed to be satire Michael Young first coined the word "meritocracy" in 1958, in his book "[The Rise of the Meritocracy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rise_of_the_Meritocracy)", to describe a DYSTOPIAN society where the elite few ruled just because of their intellect and achievement while the populace became disenfranchised. The word "meritocracy" according to Baron Young, was a forewarning and satirical shot at the potential failing future. Unfortunately, many politicians took to this word completely opposite to what Baron Young intended, as if it was a "good" thing. ## "Meritocracy" is not truly equal Prof Michael Sandel expressed the same, in his book "[The Tyranny of Merit](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374289980)", where he talked about how all of us do NOT deserve whatever material successes or power we came to attain. There is always an element of Divine Will, or fate, or luck, whatever your persuasion. The professor described the 3 important things we may need a rethink: - **Role of college (university) - 25%** - **Dignity of work - 50%** - **Meaning of success - 25%** The credentialed, and that includes the likes of Prof Sandel and I, and many college educated folks, need to recognize that college education should not determine our value, but rather, simply our desire to learn. And I would suggest that learning should be about learning what we desire and are curious about, rather than simply selecting a field of study because "it makes money". ## Essential workers and others The pandemic has helped us understand that some of the vocations we have overlooked, are truly ESSENTIAL. such as nurses, logistics workers, transportation workers, caretakers of various communities, etc. And yet, they often are not highly paid in some societies, while some elite few may not be essential at all but commanding sky-high remuneration. Therefore, we need to recognize work for its value to humanity, and not simply based on stakeholder perception or power. A nurse, a delivery person, a sanitation worker, should certainly be much more respected and compensated. ## Privilege and Equality There are also always social positions and wealth that place some of us farther ahead in the starting line compared to many who do not. Prof Sandel described the harsh reality that children from poor families tend to stay poor, while affluent parents are able to pass their privileges to their children. There is no equal starting point. The good professor asked that those who are ahead, to at least consider their privileges, their blessings, that an element of luck, fate or Grace of God, might have all played a part in their material successes or ascent to power. Do we have humility to recognize that we may have worked hard, but so have many others? Not everyone who work hard will succeed materially or rise to power, and that is reality. And to many, family joy, contentment and peace may be the right yardsticks for success. Not everyone wants to chase after the seduction of power or material wealth. ## A small hypothetical thought experiment Imagine 2 scenarios. One, you are born into a privileged family of means, where you live in a family that assures you as a 6 years old child, of any amount of technology, entertainment, learning resources, and education of any kind, whether that be mainstream education in a private or boarding school, to an Ivy League or equivalent college, and postgraduate to doctoral education if you desire. You will never incur a single cent of debt when you emerge from school, and you are assured of a million dollars for any investment or use of your choice from your family. Second, conversely, you are born into an impoverished family, or maybe a broken family. You do not have any accessible technology, entertainment, or learning resources. You will fight to get into the nearest school, and anything beyond junior school, you have to work for it in a job. By the time you emerge from college, you will incur a huge debt at the starting point of adult life. Now, imagine as a 6 years old child, you swap places. Sure, you may still succeed, but the starting point out of college (or not at all) will be decidedly different. That is reality. These are all thought-provoking at least to some who may never understand that human value is never defined by material success or "rank". To me at least, every human is equal in value, whether you are a politician, a priest, a professor, a pharmacist, a production worker, a painter, a pastry chef, or a physicist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qewckuxa9hw --- # Theoretical Physics and the art of crisis management Source: https://seamusphan.com/theoretical-physics-and-the-art-of-crisis-management/ When folks think of theoretical physics, some may imagine a bunch of nerds/geeks in the light of Big Bang Theory (the TV series that ran for an amazing 12 seasons). Yes, physics, to many, may just be something esoteric scientists are stretched out in a room drawing figures and charts on a whiteboard for days on end. However, did you know that theoretical physics can have practical applications in our daily lives? And they do. And even more interestingly, if you stretch your mind a little, theoretical physics may have bearing on crisis management as well. Let me just quote 3 such theoretical physics principles to illustrate this point. ## Newton's Third Law - Action and Reaction [Newton's Third Law of Motion](https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/newtons-laws-of-motion/#newtons-third-law-action-reaction) posits that for every object that exerts force on another, the other object will exert an equal and opposite force to the first object. To coin the Buddhist lingo, this would be known as "cause and effect", there every effect has a cause. Simplistically, if you treat people well, they will return in kind. And the converse is true too, that if you treat people badly, don't expect that they will return in kind. Right now deep in the global crisis, you can already see pushbacks from the communities worldwide, some peaceful some violent. The populace has been pushed hard against the walls in many of these communities, having dried out what little "subsidies" were given, and some having no jobs or businesses to return to, it is incredibly hard to still adhere to draconian demands and expectations from a minority. Talk is cheap, but people want to make an honest living day in and day out, with a routine that reminds them of their abilities and their self-worth, to be able to independently put food on the table for their families. That is human nature. That is also the law of nature, as Sir Isaac Newton presented. The martial arts legend Bruce Lee said famously, "Be water, my friend". He said that water can take the form of any shape of an object it flows into. In a cup, water takes the shape of a cup. He meant that to win, you have be to pliable in body and mind, and not be stubborn or arrogant. If you are open-minded, you can find a better way to solve a problem or to dissolve a crisis. https://youtu.be/LTnSEFsInp0 The ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism also has something akin to Newton's Third and Bruce Lee's "be water", embodied in "[無爲](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_wei)", which is hard to explain simply, but can be interpreted as flowing with the way of the universe rather than to oppose it, and in turn achieve great things because of this strength in harmony. ## Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle German physicist and 1932 Nobel Laureate Werner Heisenberg, arguably the "father" of quantum mechanics, a branch of theoretical physics, wrote the paper on the "uncertainty principle (Ungenauigkeit or "imprecision" in German)" in 1927 over at Copenhagen. Interestingly, it was Dr Albert Einstein who nominated Heisenberg for the Nobel Prize, go figure. ![heisenberg uncertainty priniciple in 1927](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Werner_Heisenberg_-_Canonical_commutation_rule_for_position_and_momentum_variables_of_a_particle_-_Uncertainty_principle_1927.jpg) Heisenberg's Uncertainty principle, simply, means that if we can measure the position of a particle, then we will not be able to accurately measure the momentum of this particle; and conversely, if we can measure accurately the momentum of this particle, then we will not be able to accurately measure its position. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQKELOE9eY4 Crises occur generally quite randomly. If they could be anticipated they won't be crises would they? Like the Heisenberg Uncertainty principle, we need to understand that there is NO way we can commandeer everything in a crisis. We can only perhaps control a few of the parameters and steer outcomes to the best compromise possible. Crisis management is NOT a zero-sum game where you win all. You will lose some. You will need to reconcile and accept that. For example, you may lose brand faith. You may lose customer loyalty. You may lose money (very likely). And in very bad crises, you may lose human lives. Most crises can fall under certain categories, such as financial fraud, executive scandals, data breaches, cybersecurity lapses, social media and news dissonance, industrial accidents (e.g. explosions), pandemics/epidemics, etc. The fallout can be deadly, or have major financial, brand, and other repercussions. While crises cannot be predicted as to when they can happen, organizations can prepare for the above scenarios, with a crisis management program. What we have developed as a system can range from a simple "live" document that details what, who, where, when, and how, an organization and its human resources can be mobilized in the variety of crises above, to a more complex system. We would recommend having such a crisis management system on a "wiki-like" intranet. [Talk to us](https://mcgallen.com/contact/) if you need to develop and deploy such an organization-wide system. ## Bernoulli's Fluid Dynamics principle Ever seen how an aircraft fly? Yes, it is lifted, and therefore it flies. When the velocity of a moving fluid (that can be gaseous or liquid) increases, the pressure within the fluid decreases, according to Swiss mathematician and physicist [Daniel Bernoulli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Bernoulli). This is how aircraft lifts off with the thrust and flies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW4rItB20h4 A bit of trivia. Did you know Bernoulli was first educated as a medical doctor, and then went on to his PhD in anatomy and botany, before ending up as a professor of math? How does Bernoulli's principle factor in a crisis? A crisis is a pressure chamber, where every stakeholder is pressured or stressed in a compressed framework and timeframe. To release this pressure or stress, we need "lift". And this is where moving forward together in a synergistic manner, akin to jet fuel propelling an aircraft forward, is the key driver. To enable a cordial or acceptable exit from the "pressure chamber" of a crisis, leader or team, need to be able to work together, without fear, oppression or purgatory. This means that every team member should be able to be seen as of value, rather than merely a peg and bolt. Imagine some of the worst aircraft disasters that were due to a simple part, and you see why EVERY part, or every human member of a team, is important in a crisis to move forward in unison together. ## Art and Science I hope this short post tickles you a little on how the "boring" subject of theoretical physics can shed light on how communicators, corporate executives and leaders think about crisis management. Theoretical physics, as esoteric as the field is in other science fields (my own is biochemistry), is very much a science as it is art. --- # PR & Crisis 101 – 6 Tips on Handling Difficult Questions Source: https://seamusphan.com/pr-crisis-101-6-tips-on-handling-difficult-questions/ Now and then, as an official spokesperson, you may need to answer a tough question a journalist asks. You may even take offense at the manner of the question or its substance. But it is impolite and improper as a spokesperson to lambast the journalist, or dismiss questions as if you are above them. > "No question is unworthy. There are only unworthy answers." There are 6 tips on handling difficult questions from journalists. ## 1. Distance First, let's set the environment right for being conducive for both spokespersons and journalists. The conventional media conference tend to feature a long wide table with a panel of spokespersons behind it, keeping them a far berth away from the journalists. This create a chasm between the spokespersons and the journalists, and presents an adversarial "me versus you" perception. Rather, if possible, set up the spokespersons on comfortable upright chairs with a side table, and so the spokespersons are in full view by the journalists and present a more approachable perception. A handheld microphone can be used, or clip-on microphones. ## 2. Facts Stick to facts and figures. Present them as they are available to you. If not available, allow for team members to speak on your behalf, or give you the details you need to answer such questions. IF these facts and figures are unavailable now, note down the details of the journalist and have someone on your team address those details by email later on, and let the journalist know you are doing so. ## 3. Subtext Watch your subtext or body language. When you get emotional, you give away your true self, and sometimes, that self may be unacceptable to people, and paint you in bad light. Never point fingers at people. It is simply rude. Never raise your voice or shout at people. It in unbecoming if you happen to occupy a position of leadership. Don't fold your arms and lean back in your seat. It implies indifference or dismissiveness. ## 4. Affirmation Conversely, subtext and language should be affirmative as much as possible to build rapport with the media. Lean forward. Look earnestly and directly. Maintain eye contact. Lower your pitch and tone. Slow down your speech. Temper your breathing and it will slow down your heart rate. Sit squarely. Smile. Use positive language to first agree with whatever possible with the journalist, before addressing pertinent points even if they are difficult. ## 5. Redirection Sometimes, you are just not the right person to answer a question. Or, you are not in the right state of emotion to answer it rationally and calmly. In an event where there are several colleagues on a panel, use this opportunity to allow another team member to help answer the question either completely, or a part of it, before you calm down and then answer the remaining part of the question. ## 6. Empathy If you truly can put yourself in the shoes of the journalists, you will likely be able to see things from their perspective, and avoid confrontational stances that would only jeopardize your organization's image further. With empathy, you will be able to be authentic, to be conciliatory, to have more open and warm gestures and subtext, to use more collaborative and "we" lingo rather than aggressive or combative words. You will also notice telling the harsh truth as it is, unembellished, with no lies, much easier. And when the circumstances demand it, you will also be able to apologize freely and honestly, rather than using stale and unconvincing faux apologies that will alienate your organization from the public even more. If you see a journalist as an adversary, your subtext and language will all be high-strung combative. But if you see a journalist as a colleague or college student on a discovery, then your subtext and language will be radically different and collaborative. So, the next time you face a journalist with a tough question, just remember that no question is unworthy, and that there are only unworthy answers. Step up to it and embrace the challenge. ### --- # Gratitude and Respect – the Japanese way Source: https://seamusphan.com/gratitude-and-respect-the-japanese-way/ I was sorting out my computer files, and came across an old IG screen grab of an acquaintance, who is an airline captain in Taiwan today. It was 10 years ago, when Japan suffered one of its biggest disasters, known as the [Tohoku earthquake and tsunami](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Tōhoku_earthquake_and_tsunami), 東日本大震災, in March 11, 2011. In just 6 minutes, Japan's peaceful nuclear power came to an earth-shattering meltdown at Fukushima, and eventually about 20,000 people lost their lives and many lost their homes. Right after the catastrophe, Taiwan [donated](https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202103110019) over US$240 million in aid to Japan, lauded as one of the biggest aid providers to Japan, and demonstrating as a deep friendship between the two entities. This airline captain acquaintance was in Narita Airport waiting for departure in his aircraft, when a near 50-years old Japanese ground crew walked to him, bowed, while the Taiwanese captain bowed in return as courtesy. The Japanese took out his cell phone, and showed the captain a photo of a stone slab with the words "台日友好" summarizing gratitude to Taiwan for helping Japan in the 311 disaster. The captain saw the photo and returned the cell phone to the Japanese man. The Japanese said thank you in broken English, held the hands of the captain tightly, and bowed again. The captain was very moved had goose bumps. It was a good 9 years after the disaster. To him, the Japanese man remembered the kindness of the Taiwanese to heart. He rushed out of his cockpit and down to where the Japanese ground crew was, and held the hands of the Japanese man back, and thanked the Japanese, before returning to the cockpit. When he was taking off, the captain felt tears rolling around his eyes and warmth in his heart. He quoted a profoundly powerful Chinese proverb: ## "受人點滴，當湧泉以報。" (loosely translated to "receiving drops of charity and returning a fountain in return"). To the captain, lamenting that in a modern cold world, he was touched at how an ordinary Japanese, usually lacking in outward displays of emotion and seem aloof, could remember kindness for so long, and felt so compelled to come forward with gratitude and thanks, not for profit or publicity. The captain admired the Japanese' culture and education for fostering such appreciation for kindness with gratitude and thanks. The parting words from the Taiwanese captain was he hoped more people can help others in need (雪中送炭), and not simply for the world to only lavish praise on those who are endowed or in power. I totally agree. Capt bro, salute. --- # 6 job hunting tips from a field veteran Source: https://seamusphan.com/6-job-hunting-tips-from-a-field-veteran/ I saw a post online by an executive, advising career upstarts NOT to only apply for jobs that they qualify for fully. I concur. I am adding a couple more tips for young graduates, upstarts, and even middle-level executives hunting for jobs in this crisis. It was December 1984. If you have read the ominous revelations of George Orwell's 1984, you would greet 1984 with the same fear, as 1984 was the midst of one of the worst recessions in the world. I served in the army, and with poor junior college results, could not land a place in the local universities. I applied for some foreign technical institutes (German and French), but did not qualify either. My only option then, was to quickly find a job, earn some money, and apply for night school. It was the age where media was still predominantly print, and Internet did not exist. The vehicle for me to apply for jobs, as with anyone else, was the classifieds in the newspapers. I scoured every page of the classifieds, line by line, and called up each of those job advertisements that had a phone number, and wrote in to the rest that advertised with mail boxes and addresses. Yet others, I took a bus and landed at the reception of those businesses for walk-in interviews. I applied for hundreds of jobs, from clerks, messengers, trainee teppanyaki cooks, sales, you name it. I was not choosy, as long as I could get a job. I had a basic Finished Artist certificate and a Fine Arts diploma, but when I applied for basement-level artist jobs at advertising agencies and publishers, doors slammed in my face, with the frequent comment from snotty creative directors and publishers that I lacked a portfolio. Duh! I was an upstart! Finally, I landed a job as a laboratory assistant in a government testing lab, and worked for a chemist in the materials lab. My pay? A "glorious" S$525 (roughly US$300) A MOHTH (yes, you read that right). I could hardly afford lunch, but I was happy I finally landed a job after months and hundreds of applications. My next job paid slightly better, at S$600 a month, as an editor for a children's educational book publisher. My lucky break came when I found a job at the then exclusive distributor for Apple, as its resident Desktop Publishing (DTP) Specialist, or in modern terms, an Apple product evangelist. I was the pioneer DTP expert in Singapore, having been the first to use the likes of Illustrator 1.0 and used it with a mouse (no trackpads then) to draw vector portraits, vehicles, landscapes, etc, much to the amazement of trade audiences and business executives I visited. That would be the career turning point for me, when my creative talents were discovered, and I started to be headhunted again and again. There were many mentors along my career journey, and I took many quantum leaps of faith forward. Nothing in life that commands success can be spoon-fed. What then, are some tips I can give to folks who are thinking of applying for jobs? ## 1. Be "thick-skinned" Life is one BIG sales pitch. Everyone of us is a salesperson. When we go for an interview, that is a sales pitch. When we make a presentation to investors, that is a sales pitch. When we defend our dissertation before a doctoral panel, that is a sales pitch. When we run for political office, that is a sales pitch. So, let me say once and for all, we need to accept that we are all salespeople. The first skill a salesperson needs to have is the ability to take rejections and objections well. The Chinese has a saying, "人不要臉，天下無敵", which is loosely translated to mean someone who can cast pride aside is invincible. There will be many job applications, and most will end in failure. Success is often just after one more failure ahead. So, be thick-skinned and face rejections valiantly, and keep going. If you don't push hard forward, you wouldn't know if you would succeed or not. ## 2. Try many Yes, everyone desires a good paying job that offers growth and promotions, as well as bonuses and other perks. Some may want more, including a nice office, staff, overseas postings, etc. However, in a crisis like now, any job that pays is a good job. There are many real talents out there with good credentials and experience, who may be contending for the same jobs as well. With the "work from home (WFH)" paradigm permeating across the world, your competitors may not even be local, but international. So, don't be too picky, as long as you can land a job, and pays the bills. It is a numbers game. The more you apply, the better the odds. ## 3. Ask not The first thing many young upstarts (and older candidates) do that would immediately turn off some employers is asking about remuneration and benefits before they are even shortlisted. Remember, at a job interview, the encounter between you and the potential employer is like an audition. You have NOT proven your worth to the company yet, and so at that point in time, your worth to the company is ZERO. I have had success with companies that I applied to (not those I was headhunted), where I lay down what I am capable of, what I can bring to the table, what I can contribute immediately. I also confidently mention that the employer can put me to the test for 3 months. If I prove myself, I expect to be fairly compensated after such a probation. Typically, if an employer is sold on what I am able to do immediately and what plans I have to help the company grow, my chance in landing the job is high. Thereafter, it is far easier to negotiate a decent remuneration package. Don't count your chickens before they hatch, as the saying goes. Get BOTH your feet in the door and firmly planted in the company first - that is paramount. ## 4. Venture different If you are a banker, don't be stuck in your mind that you will only apply for jobs that you feel you are qualified for and you feel comfortable in. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Take risks. If you studied computing, try a totally analog and adventurous job like online fitness instructor. My brother's college mate, quit being a medical doctor, and went on overseas to become a bus driver. In his words, being a bus driver commands about the same pay as a doctor, minus the potential legal liabilities. I have learned much of what I know on the job(s), rather than expecting someone to "teach" or "train" me. If you are young(er), this is the best time to try a something different. You never know if you can make it big. Venture overseas and land a gig or a job, and immerse in that culture. Learn a new working language, new technical skills, new ways or planning and managing, new people dynamics, new ways of solving problems, new collaboration with new people. ## 5. Learn ferociously Yes, go join a graduate program in computing or psychology. But more importantly, learn because you desire to, not because you are after a certificate to frame on the wall. At the end, employers look for field experience and skills, not a piece of paper that does not really determine if you are good or not. Unless you want to be an academic, then by all means go for a PhD. Learning must be continuous, and coupled with putting what you learn into practice and tests. Learning Python is pointless unless you apply your Python skills in developing robotics code or AI applications. You will need decades of being a "padawan" before you become a worthy "jedi" in any field, so never stop learning or applying your skills. It is not a finite destination, but a journey. ## 6. Go overseas You only live once (YOLO), and this great motto is not just applicable to Gen Z, Millennials (Gen Y), but any generation really. If you don't live in the present and bravely embrace whatever that comes, you owe it to yourself if you ever regret thereafter when you see comrades and peers chase after their dreams and LIVE THEM. So, if where you are now makes you feel oppressed, suffocated, lacking opportunities you desire, or even learning programs you want to attempt, go overseas. It is entirely different being a 2-days or 2-weeks traveler to a country, compared to actually living and working in it. You will accelerate your language skills, find ways to immerse (and you MUST) in the culture and subculture of the land, socialize with people, and of course, work in a local concern. There are many countries where opportunities abound, and we are not talking about mere money, but the opportunities to learn and acquire expertise. There is nothing like, for example, being an apprentice to a Michelin chief in a restaurant in Kyoto, or working in a fast-paced robotics concern in Denmark, or getting grilled by the top brains of cybersecurity in Tel Aviv. You will smile. You will sweat. You will cry. But the field experience of "been here, done that", will be priceless, and valued by future employers. So, even in a crisis, you can build yourself up to be more ready than competing candidates, if you are able to see yourself lightly, be able to push hard in all frontiers and seek out opportunities anywhere, and present value to potential employers. By the laws of natural selection - the fittest survive. --- # Speak directly and simply for impact – avoid double negatives Source: https://seamusphan.com/speak-directly-and-simply-for-impact-avoid-double-negatives/ All too often, we slip into communication, in writing or in speaking, that do not communicate as directly a meaning we intend. In a world where attention span is short and hearing is bad (figuratively especially), speaking and writing directly certainly has merits, if we want our audiences to actually respond. ## Punching directly Double negatives are literary devices that work in perhaps literary works, but not quite effective in speeches that are meant to evoke emotion and influence, or conversations that are supposed to gain closer relationships, or in writing to communicate clearly for a digital generation. Speak or write directly, and your language gains impact and punch. Here are examples: Instead of "I cannot help but wonder", say "I wonder." Instead of "you ain't nothing but a silly kid", say "you are a silly kid." Instead of "I don't want nothing", say "I want something." In short, the straighter the path of an arrow, the more likely you will hit the target. The more direct your words, the more authentic and honest your communication, and the more receptive your audience may be. ## How the greats spoke directly from the heart When Spain wanted to invade Britain in 1588, some of Queen Elizabeth I's words were direct and to the point: "I myself will take up arms. I myself will be your general." And when Mahatma Gandhi was asking the British to leave India in August 1942, he said famously some punchy direct words: "In the democracy which I have envisaged, a democracy established by non-violence, there will be equal freedom for all. Everybody will be his own master." Closer to our timeframe, civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. said in 1963: "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." ## Authenticity and being direct Speaking directly from the heart is about authenticity. It is not about being rude. A distinction must be made to speak directly and honestly, but also gracefully and humbly. Respect is mutual, and everyone deserves a voice. Speaking authentically without convolution or jargon, is about honoring the recipient with expedience and hoping for reciprocal answers, and then a volleying exchange continues and it becomes a meaningful and fruitful conversation. It is DIalog, not monolog. Writing is also communication that can benefit from a direct style, especially doing away with double or triple negatives that convolute meanings and create miscommunication, especially in an Internet and social media speed world where people speed read materials. Practice speaking and writing with more direct words and phrases now. See how many words you can remove, and how your sentences can be rewritten to convey the full meaning with the least words. --- # How to ride out gaslighting and regain your strength and sanity Source: https://seamusphan.com/how-to-ride-out-gaslighting-and-regain-your-strength-and-sanity/ [Gaslighting](https://www.healthline.com/health/gaslighting). It is a word that seems new, but is not quite new. It is an emotional abuse where abusers slowly and steadily strip the confidence of victims, by conditioning the victims to doubt their own thoughts, memories, timelines, events, and even sanity. Gaslighting happens at homes, at work, in the media (including social media), and certainly in politics as well. Often, gaslighting language is brutish, harsh, sarcastic, threatening, and litigious. These are the simple signs. ## Where and when did this word "gaslight" emerge? In 1944, there was a classic film, titled "Gaslight", which starred Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman. It was about a young woman who witnessed the murder of her aunt. She later married a man who seemed all good and dandy. However, when a dark secret of his risked getting exposed, he began to be abusive to his wife through emotional and mental manipulation, hoping to drive her insane. The term "gaslight" was when the lady saw the gaslights dim, but her nefarious husband insisted she was deluded. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ToLfQU2xmg&t=3s ## How do we spot gaslighting? While most psychological references of gaslighting tend to talk about personal relationships between partners/spouses, and family members, the spread of gaslighting is far wider and deeper. It can be one-to-one relationships (intimate gaslighting), or many-to-one/some/many (tribal gaslighting). It is extremely dangerous when gaslighting is tribal, as many people affirming a delusion or a lie, can crumble the truth and reality of the one/few or even many. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trh_eTkZLeU Take the recent news and commentaries in mainstream media. It is extremely EASY to spot gaslighting examples, where victims are oppressed, emotionally and mentally abused ad nauseam, until it would appear lies and half truths become "facts", while reasonable assertions may be termed as "conspiracy theories" (until truth emerges, which always happen). There are also cases where abusers would use emotional blackmail, as if the victims are the ones who are out to hurt, when it is truly the other way around. Another thing is that abusers will ALWAYS insist that they are right and you are wrong, no recourse. How can that be? There are always opinions and perspectives, and nothing other than Gospel is set in stone. All else, even science, is transient and changing. So, never be duped by abusers even in guises of "saints", who insist they are right and you are wrong. This illustrative video surely may help you grapple with this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3t-Jvrr2OY ## 9 tips to fight gaslighting Now you have understood the basic signs of gaslighting, it is easier to deal with them. Identifying what is gaslighting is the most powerful first step to flushing out these toxic people. What are some basics? - Trust your **INTUITION** (God/Nature's first line of defense). - Identify **patterns** of gaslighting. - Understand and even **empathize** abusers' pathological and mental weaknesses. - **Never feel apologetic** or be simply put down by abusers. - Make sure you develop a **community** of trusted people, never be isolated. - Define and keep a clear **boundary** for everyone (intimate and tribal). - Read and **research** far, wide and deep - never trust 1 or few information sources. - **Strengthen** yourself mentally and physically (mindfulness, meditation, prayer, fitness). - **Leave** (retreat, quit, relocate, disown, block, any strategy works). Remember, no matter how close someone is to you, or how important some people think they are, NO ONE is your lord, and you are to be the master of your own journey. Never allow anyone to wrestle your world away from you and substitute with the poor excuses and lies they supplant you with. After all, it is YOUR LIFE. Let us remember Genghis Khan and the spirit of self mastery, through this powerful song Wolf Totem from the HU band (read the English translation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM8dCGIm6yc&t=90s --- # Prudence of being – path of happiness Source: https://seamusphan.com/prudence-of-being-path-of-happiness/ My late grandparents and late mum were prudent, never indulged in luxury, and only accumulated wealth made by their bare hands through labor. They had no rich or powerful parents to siphon from or depend on. My mum came here to struggle with my dad in an extremely difficult landscape against various odds too painful to detail. We moved around alot, and I recalled how hard my mum worked to breaking point. Sometimes, we as kids experienced some of those moments, and as the eldest kid in the family, I took it on to shelter my younger brothers from the onslaught. Often, I had many occasions where I tended to myself, where Campbell Soup, canned food and instant noodles became my friends. Even today, i sincerely keep all these as fond memories, because as with our lifelong spiritual struggles towards God (or enlightenment or peace in whatever faith language), our daily life struggles keep us honest, and fortify us. If life repeats itself, I would go through it again, gritting my teeth but accepting God's challenges. ## Army General, Economist, CEO My late grandfather, the lieutenant general turned labor economist and author, and retired as hospital CEO then chairman, was a simple man. Unlike some out there in the world who shouldered ranks of privilege and lack of field battle polish, my granddad was a true soldier who fought on the frontlines during the second world war and then the civil war. What he went through was the material of epic blockbuster movies, unlike those who merely dabble in computer screens in comfy air-conditioned rooms. He was a leader in front of his men, and he fully deserved the rank on his epaulets. I am proud of him till my own death. But more than a soldier, like the folk legend general Guan Yu 關羽 (deified as God of loyalty), he was also a gentleman of learning. He became a prominent labor economist and author and professor. Unlike folks who might take easy ways out through nepotism or favoritism, my grandpa was a man of steel who believed that you earn each dime through honest labor. He slogged under a single incandescent lamp in the dark night after night, to write economics books that would eventually become university textbooks during his time. ## Simple food, simple living To date, my favorite food is Chinese dumplings 餃子, which is the compact holistic bite-sized meal that we Northerners eat. The reason? My late mum used to make them and I would heartily finish 25 or more of those at one go. I still do not know how I consumed so many so easily at every meal. Today, I can probably eat about 10 at a meal. My grandparents too, ate simply, often either these dumplings, or noodles. My grandpa loved fresh uncooked garlic. That might explain why he lived till 104, and my grandma, a prominent parliamentarian, lived till 100. They worked hard, and lived simply. When I last visited my grandpa, I presented timidly two of my books, one on business leadership, and another on my seminary journey and learnings. Though he didnt understand English, I explained briefly my views to him, and he gave me an approving nod, saying that I must keep up learning and continue writing. I remain the only grandchild in the whole family who finished a doctoral program and authored books. I felt gratified my granddad approved. ## Prudence and simple life values Prudence, simplicity, contentment, these may not seem like the values the modern "vulture" society chase after. They are age-old values largely long forgotten to today's showy moneyed and power elite. But, I am old school, and I believe chasing after mere money, and hankering and gripping unto power are two of the most futile pursuits in a world as it is today (Mk 10:17-31). These are immaterial in the honest and genuine pursuit of learning, of knowledge, of peace, of joy, and of God. God does not care if you are president or prime minister or artisan or priest. Neither does He care if you have billions in your portfolio or nothing. Power and money never bring anyone joy, at most, a beastly and banal transient plugging of a lust or desire. Such lust or desire can be addictive, and deprives one from pursuing higher and more innate actualization goals. Look around us today. With the endemic ongoing, more and more people are leaving behind their old shells of lives, and embracing new actualization and enlightenment, that life is worth more than the material pursuits. Many have begun to pick up new skills and learnings for things they have set aside a lifetime, and to appreciate things such as the arts, music, and literature, recognizing life is finite and all things are transient. --- # Future of Retail is not just online, but still Hybrid Source: https://seamusphan.com/future-of-retail-is-not-just-online-but-still-hybrid/ Have you seen how many "bricks-and-mortar" businesses were bricked in various nations due to rather draconian crisis measures in these two years? Are these decisions even smart or wise in relation to preserving the economy moving forward post-crisis? I think not. And there are reasons. As an Internet and webdev pioneer, early Apple DTP evangelist, and coder since 1970s, I am obviously pro-tech. I have lived and breathed technology and science since my youth. At the same time, I am: - pro-economy - pro-livelihood - pro-lifestyle, and most importantly, - pro-reality. It baffles me to see continuous badgering of "bricks-and-mortar" businesses, expecting all to "pivot" to "online". This notion is not only naive, but has future ramifications, including ramifications on the economy. Just for some illustrative examples, think about these: - Try buying a new or old US$40,000 car without testing out at a physical outlet. - Try buying a high-end DSLR and assorted lenses, or some practical home appliance that cost abit, without trying out at retail. - Try buying a used apartment or home without visiting the actual place, testing piping, taps, electricals, leaks, etc. - Trying getting a fitted non-stretchy suit, shirt and pants, without being a perfect 6 feet tall, narrow shoulders, slim and "normal" physique. - Try buying a pair of shoes without having "normal" feet. - Try buying a branded watch without going to the store and putting it on. No human being is "normal", and everyone have varied height, weight, shoulder width, girth, feet width, etc. Some items are just hard to be fitted or work properly unless you TRY THEM OUT. These are just some scenarios where ordering online from some marketplace or e-store won't cut it, unless you relish in dealing with frequent returns, making relentless chasers and complaints, to get product after product sent to you. A simple visit to a REAL physical store would have solved all these potential challenges in a jiffy. So if you ask me, is the future of retail online? NO. It will STILL be hybrid, with real physical stores to test and try out, and buy on impulse (if it suits you) or buy after consideration, or buy online later. The convenience of online is just one virtue, while the reality and practicality of "bricks-and-mortar" stores are virtues too. The locales that honor the hybrid approach and celebrate it, will be the locales that succeed. It would be naive to imagine the world out there working the way one envisage simply by hiding in a hole and making conjectures and decisions. Good problemsolving and decisions are not just about using AI to make projections, but also getting our feet muddy and hands oily at the ground. This is the mark of real leadership. PS - Japan, whose constitution forbids lockdowns of any kind, managed to pass through its "state of emergency" (recommended self-imposed restrictions), and is back to normal. Read this [news](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/13/back-from-the-brink-how-japan-became-a-surprise-covid-success-story) for a taste of post-COVID19 Japan. --- # The power of 傳承 (heritage) in branding Source: https://seamusphan.com/the-power-of-heritage-in-branding/ If you venture along the old quiet Telok Ayer Street, you may still catch a glimpse of one of Singapore's oldest food establishments, the 90 years old Tan Hock Seng bakery. In November 2021, this old shop will [close for good](https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/photos/love-and-legacy-chapter-closing-for-90-year-old-tan-hock-seng-bakery), serving the locals for the past 90 years and passing through 3 generations. It is an iconic brand no less, and one that took decades and nearly a century to hone. And it will be gone. Brands, need time to build, and good brands that last, need LOVE to build. What then, is the power of heritage in a brand? ## The heritage of Mochi If you are a fan of Japanese cuisine, you must have heard of mochi (餅, もち). It is a sticky gelatinous food usually eaten with green tea as a form of dessert, or as part of a savory soup. It is made of glutinous rice, heavily pounded until the sticky texture is obtained, and flavored and colored with various natural foods. It is made in a process called [mochitsuki (餅つき)](https://arigatojapan.co.jp/mochitsuki-the-traditional-art-of-making-mochi/), or the labor of making mochi. Mochi was traditionally made and used as offerings during the New Year celebrations. You may find mochi similar to Muah Chee (麻糍) from Taiwan, Tang Yuan (湯圓) from China, or Kueh/Kuih/Kue (糕) from South East Asia - they share the same roots. ## 1000-years old Mochi in Kyoto So, given how old Mochi is in the history of Asia, it may still surprise some that really old establishments exist in Japan. For example, [Ichiwa Aburi-Mochi (一和, full name 一文字屋和輔)](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/02/business/japan-old-companies.html), outside the famous Shinto Imamiya Jinja or Shrine (今宮神社), has been open for 1,000 years. [Ichiwa](https://furafurakyoto.com/ichiwa/) serves sweet savory charcoal grilled Aburi-Mochi on skewers, much like our South East Asian meat satay, with Japanese green tea in a pot. Ichiwa's Aburi-Mochi is still made in the traditional way passed down generation to generation for 25 generations, without modernizing or automating like so many modern or family businesses may have done outside Japan. See a video on Ichiwa's Aburi-Mochi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ3jox-dosQ ## 240-years old Turkish sweets shop in Istanbul On central Asia, you have something "newer", but nonetheless old enough to warrant attention. It is [Haci Bekir](https://www.hacibekir.com). Their Lokum (Turkish Delights), seized its claim to fame during the Ottoman Empire. If you have tried their Rose Lokum, they are fragrant, gentle, soft, and pretty. They make great gifts as well as desserts you want to indulge in. They have evolved to adapt to the decades, with traditional recipes made right, as well as adapting to modern diet requirements (sugar-free). See a video on Haci Bekir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmWgJlEwX8Q ## The power of 傳承 (heritage) and 家訓 (family rules) So what, you may ask? Why not automate or modernize? Why not "pivot" as pounded by some die-hard folks who believe everything must be AI, robotics, coding, or ecommerce? Plenty of good reasons, but ONE single reason will suffice - branding. There is power in heritage, and there is power in consistency, that builds a brand that endears and endures through time. We have a saying, 台上一分鐘，台下十年功, which is loosely translated to it takes 10 years to hone skills enough to stand up to deliver a 1-minute speech on stage. This is true for martial arts, sports, ballet, piano, calligraphy, or making food like Turkish delights or Mochi. In the Chinese philosophy of 傳承 (heritage), the 2 Chinese words depict a passing the baton to another, who receives it with 2 hands in respect and humility. In the Japanese concept of 家訓 (family rules), which were well known during the samurai era, it is similar, which is a set of rules or recommendations handed down from family elders (such as parents) to their children, as rules of engagement and survival. ## 5 Recommendations for heritage brand building What then, can heritage and family rules mean for building a brand? We have these learning lessons from these brands: - **Keep going**. When the going gets tough, don't give up! The fittest survive. Whether this crisis or the next, persevere. - **Repeat the best**. When you have something good that other people appreciate, keep doing that, and do it until you deem it as close to human perfection as possible. - **Retain and adapt**. Times change, and so how we survive needs to change. But never compromise standards, best practices, or tradition. Tradition is what these 1,000 or 240 years old businesses stand on and people admire. For example, while Haci Bekir keeps its tradition, it has products made sugar-free to adapt its products for those who are on a diet or need to keep to insulin-friendly lives. - **Nurture**. A long-lasting brand needs time, and we have to build from scratch from ground zero, and brick by brick, inch by inch, we build things up. This means we have to nurture BOTH people and the business (entity). It is often not about how much money there is, but how genuine we are in passing the skills and experience to the next generation. - **Relationships count**. The reason why Ichiwa or Haci Bekir can last, is all about relationships. Whether family members or employees, everyone are bonded by the trials of fire in business, and the strengths lent to each other heartbeat by heartbeat over time. There is no shortcut to a lasting, harmonious relationship. Treasure every encounter. There are hundreds or thousands of such centuries or older brands in the world. Most of them started from families, and evolved over time without succumbing to the lures of modern ills. We can learn from these brands, and build ours the same, to last. --- # 7 Smart and Wise Ways to Achieve Successful Simplicity Source: https://seamusphan.com/7-smart-and-wise-ways-to-achieve-successful-simplicity/ The recent events around the world showed me one thing - some people can make simple things ridiculously complex and ultimately fail, while fewer other people, a select few, are able to make complex things ridiculously simple and succeed. It is simple, just as any coder knows, the more elegantly simple the code, the less vulnerabilities and the faster the execution and results. Fellow academic Dr Mehmed Yildiz, who is also a computing geek like me, wrote a beautiful piece on turning "stupid complexity" to "[smart simplicity](https://medium.com/illumination/from-stupid-complexity-to-smart-simplicity-f426e3ae985a)". His thoughts echo mine too, that ALL things can be distilled down to simple sophistication, IF one thinks hard on 2 things: - #### Making people happy and successful - #### Create something that works With just these 2 premises in mind, and ALWAYS remembering to "make people happy and successful", your thinking will always gravitate towards empathy and consideration for others, rather than your own myopic spider web of madness. What can we coders (I coded since 1970s) teach anyone to solve problems, snuff out crises, and show empathy for people? ## 1) K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid, or keep it short and simple) Remember the supersonic stealth SR71 Blackbird that stole the thunder from the Soviets? That bleeding-edge jet was the product of Lockheed Skunk Works, where this [K.I.S.S.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KISS_principle) principle was reportedly attributed to lead engineer Kelly Johnson. In all things, from coding, to running a government, K.I.S.S. can seriously improve productivity, service quality, maintenance, and COST. ## 2) Rule of Least Power A sledgehammer will see everything as a nail, just as a blunderbuss will never shoot straight and on point. To solve any problem or crisis, use the least resources, from raw materials, people, technologies, and processes, to develop and reach the outcome. Again, the [Rule of Least Power](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_least_power) is all about simplicity and resource management. ## 3) No "Big Ball of Mud" A "[Big Ball of Mud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_ball_of_mud)", credited to coder Brian Marick, describes software that is haphazard, huge, sloppy, and opaque. Imagine if you are debugging such a bad code, you could spend months and not get anywhere. Never think that "duct tape" and sloppiness are the way to success - they never are. ## 4) Fail Fast Failure IS an option in life, just as it is in business and coding. To fail is to learn, and to NOT repeat the mistakes again. The concept of "[Fail Fast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fail-fast)" is to allow problems to show up, rather than hiding them, or to allow the tragically flawed problem to roll on and continue. Let things that fail, fail. And then change tracks and pursue another way. ## 5) No "Parkinson's Law" [Parkinson's Law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law) mentioned that "work complicates to fill all available time", which means that bureaucracy is the worst way to solve problems; where sitting at a table or to spend 15 hours at the office, does not equate to actually working, or solving anything. This principle ties in with K.I.S.S., reminding us to kick bureaucracy to the curb, and move straight on. ## 6) Perfect is the enemy of good "Better to be a diamond with flaws than a pebble without" (attributed to Confucius). Likewise, "[Perfect is the enemy of good](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_is_the_enemy_of_good)" (attributed to Voltaire as "Dit que le mieux est l'ennemi du bien"). This is similar to the 80:20 principle in coding and elsewhere, where you may only need 20% to achieve 80% of a task, while requiring 80% effort to tackle the last 20%. Coders know that the last mile in an app is often nearly impossible to complete, often reaching feature-completeness and success with some flaws here and there. Nothing in the world is perfect, so stop going ballistic and insane over the impossible. ## 7) No "Startle Effect" To us aviators, we always want to avoid the "Startle Effect", or what coders call "[Principle of Least Astonishment (POLA)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_least_astonishment)". Don't you hate it when people jump towards you and yell "surprise!" Likewise, in any crisis or problem, how we best resolve them is to create as little surprises to people. The reason why the Japanese cuisine is so loved is due their high quality and also the repeatability meeting expectations time and again. --- # Leadership – No SWOT, no go Source: https://seamusphan.com/leadership-no-swot-no-go/ The basics of management are often supplanted by "sexier" jargon, ideologies, or fads, especially in the 21st century. However, are the basics dead? No. The simplest ideas are sometimes the litmus test for leadership and management. When Kenneth Andrews, Roland Christensen, William Guth and Edmund Learned from Harvard Business School penned the concept of SWOT in their "Business Policy - Text and Cases" book in 1965, they probably didn't imagine the SWOT analysis would become the grandfather of business critique and analysis for decades thereafter, spawning many parallels and offshoots. ## SWOT can work for all entities Although no longer the flavor of the month, SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) are still 100% relevant today, providing the simplest way to examine organizations, operations, and even people. What are the organizations you can easily run a SWOT analysis on? - **Businesses** (large, medium-sized, startup) - **Non-profits**, NGOs (non-government organizations) - **Governments** (agencies) - **People** (employees, for evaluation for suitability, promotion, etc) - **Processes** (workflow) ## Never buy or commit on persuasion As a PR and communications practitioner who also teaches and manages crisis management and communication for clients, we know that narratives can shape perceptions and in turn shape decisions (whether that be purchases, votes, or employment). And so, as with ANY smart and wise decision, we must always avail ourselves to as much information and data as possible. We should never make a decision simply because someone says it persuasively - that is naive. ## How do evaluate an entity So, when you evaluate an entity, whether that be a large or small business, a charity, a government, potential and existing employees, or your processes, pin the SWOT grid down on it, and determine not only what its blatantly obvious persuasions (aka "strengths") are, but also its Weaknesses, Threats, and Opportunities. Weaknesses can be chronic, emerging, or transient, and should be evaluated appropriately if you commit to a decision. Likewise, Threats can be persistent or minor, and should shape part of your decision. And lastly, don't forget Opportunities in your decision. If the list of Opportunities are lightweight and few, you may not have a long comfortable runway for this entity going forward. Whether you are choosing to buy from a business, to vote a government, to donate to a charity, to promote or keep an employee, or to tweak a workflow or process, don't overlook how simple and easy it is to use a simple SWOT analysis to help your decision-making. ![SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) - analysis](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/SWOT_diag-1200x1199.png) --- # Work – How we work began in our childhood Source: https://seamusphan.com/work-how-we-work-began-in-our-childhood/ Putting "nurture vs nature" debates aside,  HOW we learn and work do start from our childhood. I was called "the supervisor" by my dad's production team of engineers and operators at his cable manufacturing plant. That was in the 1970s and I was always spending time inside the factory, loving how machines such as lathes produce copper power cables. We lived in a tiny makeshift home conjoining the factory, simple as it was, we kids loved it! It was from then, in my junior school, even though I was always a creative artist since young, I developed an interest in science and technology. If not for my formative years pretending to be a supervisor on the vast factory plant, I won't have a latter interest in the late 1970s as a computer programmer, or a budding biochemist and Apple Mac evangelist in the 1980s. When commercial Internet became available in 1990s, naturally I took on Webdev, and subsequently co-developing an email security server appliance, and completing my doctoral research in a UNIX-based business analysis system. So, allow the young to freely embrace STEM, let them learn by "playing", encourage them to like and then love science and tech. *PS - Yea, that is me in front of the now long defunct cable factory.* --- # Communication – Cultural sensitivity and subtlety Source: https://seamusphan.com/communication-cultural-sensitivity-and-subtlety/ Movies (reel life) are a reflection of real life. Often, the theme of movies were inspired by real life stories. So, as PR practitioners and communicators, learning the cultural sensitivities and subtleties are very important. Most of the time, when our clients disseminate information, those information, whether from USA, Europe, LATAM, etc, we need to discern, translate contextually, and then relay the information to the media, stakeholders, and the public. The information we received are often clinical at best, and it is up to us to translate them into a culturally nuanced and acceptable format and content. Even in APAC, the cultural nuances are diverse. Singapore is a rather "Westernized" state, and as such, the residents are easily congruent with an American or European messaging, and can accept it without much translation or contextual mapping. However, the same content would need cultural tuning and editing for places such as mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and so on. The same messaging would quite possibly get passed through and ignored, if there is insufficient localization and contextualization. The movie "Love like the falling petals (桜のような僕の恋人)" is a masterpiece which relays the Japanese ethos, one of #respect, courtesy, and yet, a certain spirit that allows masterful steering to put the other party at ease. It is a fine art, something we can learn from especially in difficult, emotional, and even explosive scenarios. This is especially useful not just in PR, communication, but even in politics and diplomacy. *PS - Not going to give the plot away, but if you can, watch it. It is a masterful tearjerker.* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4nYFakFMDo --- # Marketing – Future of the sale is not in personalization Source: https://seamusphan.com/marketing-future-of-the-sale-is-not-in-personalization/ I have a special love for making things work and then selling them. My first entrepreneurship journey began when I was 10 (circa 1974). That was also the first time I became a marketer. At that time, the craze among some kids were 2 things - a commercialized brand of brine shrimp (that brand called it S** Mon****), and magic. I am sure you can guess that toy product. Instead of simply buying those products off the shelf and then reselling them, which I already knew meant no or low profit, I did my own research and development instead. I found out that brine shrimp were related to those commercialized variant, and given decent feed and water conditioning, kids like me could grow brine shrimp and enjoy pretty much the magical pet experience. Likewise, I learned magic, performed on stage, but also created my own line of magic tricks with simple everyday objects. When my dad was not around, I borrowed the factory sealing machine, laminator, typewriter, [mimeograph](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimeograph) (the precursor to the photocopier), and packed my own products to sell. And yes, I was decently successful in packaging them, promoting them, and selling them to fellow students. My first foray of marketing began then. ## The journey to digital Fast forward to the 1980s, and I was the DTP (desktop publishing) for Apple, which was practically the inventor of the next-generation of empowered publishing, with a laser printer and a monochrome computer, the Macintosh. From there, I began the next lap of marketing, creating advertising and direct marketing campaigns, and even interactive media on 3.5-inch floppy discs that predated the Internet, for clients in enterprise networking and client-server computing. Eventually, my marketing journey took me on the pioneering path of the Internet in 1996, launching information and engagement-rich websites for government, enterprise and FMCG clients, handcoding line by line, creating the cleanest and tightest code today's platforms simply will not and cannot. And that journey never stopped, step by step till today, in a world of CMS (content management system), cybersecurity, e-commerce, and social media. ## The tale of 2 views on personalization So, it was interesting to read 2 commentaries that take on opposing views. One, an [earlier piece](https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/marketing-and-sales/our-insights/the-future-of-personalization-and-how-to-get-ready-for-it) in June 2019, by one of the leading consulting firms, McKinsey, "The future of personalization - and how to get ready for it". At that time, COVID-19 was nowhere in sight, and will only surface half a year later. And at that time and before, the world was crazed with data, analyses, big data, personalization, AI, marketing automation, and more. It was as if as long as there is a use for data in marketing, it would automagically trump any classical marketing campaign or program. And a [newer view](https://www.marketingweek.com/peter-weinberg-jon-lombardo-personalisation-impersonalisation/) on May 2022, way past the zenith of COVID-19, where pretty much of the world has settled on "living with the virus", takes a more current view. Without giving the juicy bits away, I urge you to read their piece. ## Never treat data or tech as more than mere tools I was never a fan of data-only, or digital-only marketing, and this is a pioneer in all things digital speaking. I know what tech, data and digital can do for marketing and sales. They are tools. But they are NOT gods. To me, a good marketing campaign or program is one that entices the public, and then excites them to BUY. And there is no need for a basketful of marketing or business jargon to describe this - a sale is a sale. The rise, and then fall of social media, was supposed to be the sign of sanity in marketing and sales. And yet, even today, where social media marketing is perhaps at its nadir, where low conversions, high adspend costs, drastically reduced content reach, and opaque and transient algorithms that are out of the control of customers (the marketers) abound. Social media are owned by some tech giants now, where "monetization" will be their only interest, since they are nothing more than just another profit-driven business. Emerging social media are also more likely not to rise to the surface, reducing their usefulness as marketing tools. The search engines are not any better, since search engines are also now flooded by ads, fueled by their need to, yes, make money. The good old altruistic days of simply providing content, is long gone. Personalization as a marketing method was one of those "must do" for marketers for a while now. However, just like social media, search engine optimization and marketing, or the "content is king" paradigm, personalization is just another TINY tool imagined to be far greater than it really is. And now, with data privacy laws biting hard around the world (got to thank Europe for taking the lead with [GDPR](https://gdpr-info.eu)), personalization is facing nails punched into its coffin. So as a marketer, you may ask - what then? ## Going back to the classics Marketing is NOT just data, AI, social media, search, or personalization. It is a vast field run by veterans who have been at it since 1500 BC (the first logo use), and much more pervasively with the advent of the printing press, on 1450 AD. By the 1730s, print and outdoor advertising started. These vehicles, together with event marketing, are NOT dead. They are very much alive. During the easing up of COVID-19, once malls began to open and caged up people began to go shopping, we helped a client launch direct mail and mall events. And no surprise, both campaigns were exceedingly successful, with actual sales peaking on cash registers. Our little case study is not unique. More and more people will demand face to face interactions. Customers will want to go places, relax over television or radio music, and yes, read a quality magazine. These are archaic to some new entrants to marketing, but are just as useful, if not more so, especially since media owners are now slashing rates to entice advertisers to bite. There is never a better time to get some quality and classical marketing done, and to get customers to BUY. ### --- # Quick Tips on working with the Asia Pacific Media Scene Source: https://seamusphan.com/quick-tips-on-working-with-the-asia-pacific-media-scene/ If you are trying to gain ink or screen with a media in Asia Pacific, the BEST way is to work with the experts - PR agencies which do this for a living day in, day out, and thoroughly battle-tested. But, in order to get least understand what kind of Asia Pacific media you are working with, and to better work with your PR agency, it is good to understand what kinds of media there are. #### 1) Mainstream media These are your national dailies (newspapers), broadcast (TV and radio, plus online), and major Tier-1 online media (high DA or domain authority). Wire services are NOT considered mainstream media as they are syndication mechanisms, rather than earned by pitching. #### 2) Trade/vertical media These are typically specialized media that attract much smaller audiences, from specific industries, e.g. cybersecurity, medicine, etc. Some are receptive to earned coverage by pitching, while some others are push advertising (disguised in various means, including "sponsored content" or "native advertising"). Bear in mind, advertising in any form, is NOT earned coverage. #### 3) Online media These can be enthusiast-run blogs, podcasts, or vlogs, or legitimate media built from the ground up as an online-only media. Some are emerging, and hope for as much content support as possible, while some are very established with audiences rivaling mainstream media. My opinion is all online media with open content (not closed behind paywalls), can lend a hand to your branding and SEO, and so can be approached. So, what are the tips for working with Asia Pacific media? #### A) Localize Some countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, would be happier receiving content that is written in the vernacular language. And I don't mean just "AI-translation", as localization means the nuances and cultural references that a REAL human being in these countries would speak, write and understand. Spend some money on proper localization. And, just because the language may be Chinese, does not means it is universal across mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, or Taiwan ROC. Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan ROC use the Traditional Chinese script, and the cultural nuances must be understood and addressed. Don't be lazy. #### B) Timing is everything The media is always facing a time crunch. Deadlines are sacred. If a journalist tells you they need a response by 4 PM the SAME DAY, they mean it. If a journalist calls you for a comment, you know they may also have called 10 of your competition in the same time frame, in case most of you do not respond. So, the faster you respond with a usable comment (in email) or to appear in studio or on Zoom, the more likely your comment will get airtime while your competition won't. #### C) Assets are key By assets I mean usable images and even B-roll videos (videos without commercial branding or captions). Most media are hard-pressed for time and budgets. So if you can provide great images (not those boring handshakes, posed images) and videos that compel audiences, the media will be grateful and they will remember to call you again. #### D) Keep your peace (and distance) If you have pitched a story once, and the media did not respond, leave it alone. Find another story to pitch another day. If it does not work the first time, the story is not that interesting to the world. Don't hound the media. #### E) Wallet involved? If a particular media consistently tells you it is "pay to play", which means they will NOT publish your story unless you pay them, then it is nothing more than advertising (in any guise), and NOT earned coverage. If you happen to have spare cash on top of a PR budget, and feel like splurging, then do it. But such "coverage" should not be included in earned coverage on your dashboard. When in doubt, check with your PR agency on the grounds of Asia Pacific. Each country has unique requirements, nuances, and sensitivities. [Visit us](https://mcgallen.com/?seamusphan) if you need a hand. ### --- # 5 Leadership lessons from the movie “Top Gun Maverick” Source: https://seamusphan.com/5-leadership-lessons-from-the-movie-top-gun-maverick/ Yes, a movie can have revelations for business, entrepreneurship, marketing, branding, and leadership. The latest craze is Top Gun Maverick, featuring the long-awaited return of Tom Cruise reprising his role as Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a test pilot and then Top Gun instructor for a suicidal stealth mission. It is a great adrenaline rush for many of us aviators, and many who aren't. So, what did I connect the film with in terms of business and leadership? ## 1) No guts, no glory Maverick was a test pilot for a fictional hypersonic plane. He could do everything by the book, and of course he didn't. He pushed the envelope so that limits could be broken, and new heights could be reached. This is the same thing as demanded from an entrepreneur. As the saying goes, "go big, or go home". So, as a leader and entrepreneur, don't be afraid to kick your courage into the stratosphere, and go where no man has gone before. The best of the breed never followed the rulebooks, whether that be Steve Jobs of Apple, or Elon Musk of SpaceX and Tesla. If you have no guts, and you confine your imagination and limits, do something else. ## 2) Make friends from enemies 30 years ago, Maverick and "Iceman" were rivals. They bridged their differences, and became best friends. Their careers took decidedly different paths, with Maverick still a captain who insisted on flying rather than move up the corporate ladder, while Iceman became a 4-star full admiral. When Maverick landed in a career blackhole, Iceman intervened and Maverick retained his wings. So, at work, in the business arena, and everywhere else, there are no permanent enemies. Lord Palmerston, former British prime minister in the 19th century, once famously said, "We have no perpetual enemies." Well said. Make friends even from enemies and rivals, and you have just expanded your field. ## 3) First is not (always) best When Maverick received his last gig as a Top Gun instructor, the two senior officers who interviewed him were Vice Admiral Beau "Cyclone" Simpson, and Rear Admiral Solomon "Warlock" Bates. VAdm Simpson was first in his batch, while Maverick was second place in his own. And yet, truth be told, Maverick was the best pilot, bar none, and he could prove that there was a way to succeed in an "impossible" mission. So, in the business world, being first to market or even first, does not mean you are the best. The second (or third), may have something better, or, in time, surpass the first. Without naming which, we have seen big names that seemed insurmountable, collapsed into obscurity. The true arbiter of success is never the rank or position, but what matters to you at the finish line. Keep doing your best, and always only see YOURSELF as your competition, not others. ## 4) Play is key Maverick had to build a team capable of succeeding in a suicidal mission, and yet the crew were not cohesive. He engaged them in play, and bonding began to happen. You can NEVER excel in something unless you have an undying love for it, and that compels you to do anything to succeed. Therefore, to love something, it must be FUN to you. If you consider coding as a chore, you can never excel as a great coder. If you think flying is just a job, you can never be a great pilot. And if you consider a venture as just a "side hustle", I suggest sticking to your job. A business venture must be the one and last thing on your mind, no two thoughts about it. Imagine Jobs or Musk treating their ventures as "side hustles", their businesses would have tanked. So, enjoy what you do, love what you do, and you will have a higher chance to succeed. ## 5) Don't assume, confirm In the movie, just when everyone thought Maverick was dead, Rooster, a young pilot, did not believe it. As the military would tell you, NEVER assume, always confirm. If you believe something to be true, make sure of it. In business or leadership, never allow your complacency to be your modus operandi. Always keep your pulse on all things, so that you know how best to react to sudden incidents, and be always decisive when solving problems. In these circumstances, your situational awareness will save your crew. There is nothing wrong being the Maverick, just as there will always be those who would rather be Iceman, Cyclone, or others. Choose your path and destiny, and stick to it. In that conviction, you will find yourself, and succeed. *PS - Do watch the movie "Top Gun Maverick". It is totally worth watching.* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giXco2jaZ_4   ### --- # Don’t rush to coding jobs to face obsolescence Source: https://seamusphan.com/dont-rush-to-coding-jobs-to-face-obsolescence/ I was a teenage coder in the 1970s, and learned BASIC, COBOL and Fortran, and of course, embraced a whole slew of other languages along the way until today. But I did not ever envisage a career in coding. When I faced the worst recession in 1980s, I was hoping for a job in chemistry. But a laboratory job with a quasi-government lab ended my interest, and I went on to pursue a career in marketing, business development and consulting. That direction paid off, even today, and will easily carry me forward to retirement. I always had the knack of foresight, thankfully. In the last decade, there were many young people who flocked to hospitality and marketing programs at colleges, only to face a glut in the market with few jobs. I knew an elegant lady who studied her Masters here, and worked in hospitality here, and lost her job. She eventually got certified as a personal trainer and moved to North Asia. She is happy today. Likewise, we are seeing many young people flocking to learn coding and cybersecurity believing in a future of assured jobs and big money. Alas, that is not going to look pretty down the road. As with any job that becomes obsolete over time, they share some fundamental characteristics: - **repetitive** - **common** - **can be automated** - **price sensitive** - **inefficient** So, right now, jobs that fill the above criteria are quickly replaced by automation or cheaper workers elsewhere, including administrators, data entry, accounting and auditing, assembly and manufacturing, customer service (including "relationship management"), middle management, inventory control, financial analysis, insurance, etc. As of now, jobs that still attract new entrants include AI/ML, coding, cybersecurity, data analytics, fintech, and digital transformation. BUT, time is fleeting fast, often seemingly faster than we think. Some of the current "hot" jobs will lose their shine fast, even if you may not believe it. So, the likes of coding, cybersecurity, analytics, fintech, digital transformation, and even AI/ML, will start to fade soon within the next decade, or sooner. #### Do you seriously want to be a "code farmer"? In China and Taiwan, we call coders "碼農", loosely translated to "code farmers". If you have observed the farming industry in America, you would know that traditional small farming businesses were supplanted by giants, and most fell away to join other trades. Farming is hard work, repetitive, common, price sensitive, inefficient, and yes, can be automated, just like those jobs that can become obsolete, and they did. Likewise, the Chinese recognize the nature of coding way back, and equate it to farming and hard labor. The Chinese don't see any "glamor" in it. If you see their wisdom, you would recognize coding and other currently "hot" jobs to face some of the same challenges for obsolete jobs quite soon, and therefore, can become obsolete over time. No Code or Low Code movements are gaining ground, providing modularized capabilities on demand, given that computational power on smart mobile devices, portables, desktops, and servers, have become incredibly powerful enough to ignore code inefficiencies. There are also many Open Source Software (OSS) code libraries and modules that are readily and often adopted by big and small organizations alike, again reducing the need for in-house coding. Coders are now found anywhere in the world where there is broadband bandwidth and computing capabilities, and so they are common, and are price sensitive. #### In the next decade onwards I predict within the next decade or so, you will see a large chunk of common coders replaced by automation and good low/no code platforms, orchestrated by good architects. There will still be needs for sporadic but much smaller portions of code, but these will be scavenged by the lowest bidders by then, and not something "ivory tower stock options" coders of today will be able to compete with. So, just as middle managers of today are slowly displaced, coders of today will be displaced tomorrow. Likewise, many of the "hot" IT-related jobs, including the likes of cybersecurity, will be supplanted by automation and more streamlined hardware and software, reducing the need for low to mid-level jobbers. Then, what kinds of jobs will remain? First, look at the criteria for an obsolete job. Next, think, what is the premise of a business? Yes, to make money. If YOU can help a business MAKE money, then your job is secure. I leave the rest of the meditation and enrichment to you to fulfill. You have about 10 years, or less, to secure the next 50 or more years of your career. --- # 6 tips on writing News Releases that work Source: https://seamusphan.com/6-tips-on-writing-news-releases-that-work/ Contrary to belief, the news release is not dead. In fact, in Asia Pacific, the news release is STILL one of the most considered communication materials for the media. Cision's [Global State of the Media Report 2021](//www.cision.com/resources/research-reports/2021-state-of-the-media/thank-you/) concurred that 78% of journalists prefer news releases and announcements compared to other content types. In Asia Pacific, the news release is still seen as an authoritative information source that is ranked higher than bylines and commentaries. So, what would make a useful news release that may find more traction with the media? ## 1) Conclusions first, evidence next Just like our academic and research papers, present the most important paragraph upfront. The first paragraph, together with the headline, should entice the media and readers to want to know what's next. Write for substance and community impact, not for effect. This means that it should answer the big WHY this announcement is so important to the masses. ## 2) Go strong or go home Include executive quotes, but sit the executives down to get their deepest beliefs, and why they feel compelled about certain things, before penning their quotes. All too often, news releases feature very bland "motherhood statements" quotes by executives that look like "cookie cutter" and "MBA jargon" statements that gloss over real important issues in the community, meekly avoiding making strong and committed statements. It won't come as a surprise why so few executive quotes are used in the media. Make a strong and memorable statement, that positively influences people and stirs action and even belief. ## 3) Don't over-sell This is simple to understand but not always easy for business executives to do. Most company executives tend to pitch too hard with overt sales pitches about their companies and products, rather than how what they can do to help people. As the golden rule of salesmanship goes, nobody likes to be sold, but they would like to believe. So, don't over-sell a company, its brand, products and services, in a news release. State the facts, answer the WHY, and allow the media and the public to make an intelligent and positive decision. ## 4) Refine the backgrounder All too often, the "About the company" part of the news release is ignored or forgotten. That paragraph (and it should be just ONE paragraph) should be the distillation of all that the company believes in, what it does in clear terms, and ending with a website URL to find out more. Never fall into the trap of writing a backgrounder that is vague, opaque, full of jargon and meaningless terms. If you are selling IoT (Internet of Things) devices, say so. If you are selling fleeting and affordable fashion, say so. If you are selling packaged bread that keeps well, say so. Don't hide behind bombastic words and jargon. ## 5) Make it visual These days, whether you are sending your news release to the media or even to wire distribution services, the recipients would expect some image assets such as JPEGs, or even videos. However, don't send them in the release as attachments if they are huge. Deposit them on your own online newsroom, or hosted by your PR agency, to ensure that journalists need not bust their bandwidth or clog up their limited mail boxes just to receive your humongous image or video attachments. Never send attachments unless requested to. ## 6) Get expert help The news release is often written by professionals. If your in-house communications team does it, it is usually pretty professional and ready for distribution or pitching to the media. But if your company lacks such a team, get expert help, such as a PR agency. The news release should always answer the 5W1H (why, what, where, when, who, and how), and it should read like an editorially compliant document, rather than a sales brochure. --- # Old brands – 7 Tips on keeping a brand going Source: https://seamusphan.com/old-brands-7-tips-keeping-brand-going/ I love old brands, just as I love old eateries in the streets of Taipei and Kyoto. To me, a good brand is not necessarily a giant full of glitz and dazzle. A good brand should be old, with all the badges of honor of survival through decades or more, with people holding on generation after generation, with just passion and love. To me, money does not make a good brand - the heart does. [Jack's Place](https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/dining/jacks-place-singapore-restaurant-history-who-jack-329406) celebrates its 56th anniversary this year, which in the old brands category, is NOT an old (enough) brand compared to some really old names in Japan or Taiwan. Still, being a young country, Jack's Place should suffice to be called an old brand, and should be celebrated for still being around and thriving. What makes a good old brand? ## 1) Continuity There is nothing wrong with a family business. A family that stays together, thrives together, and blossoms. To me, a great love story is not just about couples, but families and clans. Passing on the baton of running a business is an art and a love, and should be honored. ## 2) Freshness An old brand should endear itself to customers, and that means appealing to the old who grew up with this brand, and also appeal to the newer generations. This means keeping the brand alive and fresh, with innovations, but also keeping the staple products. Be observant of trends, but honor tradition. ## 3) Values No, not 'value", but values. A good old brand survives not by being cheap, or by creating new products, but retaining its flavor of values passed down from generation to generation. What does your brand stand for? Make that stick, and NEVER compromise on that value and premise. ## 4) Agile Times change, and people survive by being able to bootstrap and stay agile. Expand when you must, and never because you think you would make a bigger buck. Keep fast, keep nimble, keep thrifty. There is nothing wrong by bootstrapping. It is a virtue that will last. ## 5) Command There is no need for too much hierarchy, but there is a need for a captain at the helm. You will have a captain, and a co-pilot in the flight deck, but NOT both having a go steering the plane. Honor the chain of command, and it is also wise for the captain to know how best to distribute responsibilities and authority. Apple became the Apple we knew because there was only one Steve Jobs. ## 6) Communication Meetings waste time, but good communication saves businesses and jobs. Leaders need to communicate their objectives clearly and simply, and leave the people to get things done. Don't micro-manage, because your people want to succeed. Trust them. ## 7) Futureproof No business can stay static. So plan ahead, blue-team and red-team all your plans, and have Plans A, B, C and more. But stay true to your aim as a owner of such an old brand. Whether you are an old brand that need some rejuvenation, or an emerging brand planning to be an old brand lasting more than decades, try these ideas. --- # 5 tips for smart bootstrapping for entrepreneurship and survival Source: https://seamusphan.com/5-tips-smart-bootstrapping-entrepreneurship-survival/ I have said this eons ago. If your business needs to bleed money like a waterfall and rely ONLY on investors dumping mountains of cash on you to survive, your venture is doomed, especially today. The recent months or years, with crises and conflicts around the world, the global economy is in the pits, and it will get worse. Once the "darling" of investors of any tenure or type, where such investors would literally drown any tech venture with money, those days are sanely over. Now we are seeing what once retail and institutional investors were glossing over as "unicorns", facing various degrees of [existential threats](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/shopee-layoff-jobs-profit-tech-company-stock-recession-3012751). And I do believe that is a good thing. NO business can survive for the long haul on borrowed money, and no business or individual should be rewarded for unsustainable ventures. ## Boostrap is agile And if you cannot bootstrap from day one to day omega, you are also not fit for survival, or fit for bad times. I started in a corner of a retail shop, hiding behind retail shelves, with only a cheap Mac portable, and an alternative laser printer from an unknown maker, to start a design firm, which ultimately became the consulting firm we are today, 31 years and running. Unlike other creative and communication agencies in the 1990s, we did not spend on grand offices, expensive and high-end computers, or hire without consideration. For any business, if you cannot bootstrap from day one, and then bootstrap anywhere along your business tenure ready and agile for any downturn of the #economy, then you got a BIG problem. ## 5 tips for smart bootstrapping What are some tips for bootstrapping? #### 1) Keep agile There is no shame in keeping your company right-sized. Don't hire and fire as it is bad for staff morale, and bad for #reputation and #branding. There is already a #talent crunch worldwide. #### 2) Don't borrow If you can, stay away from borrowing money to get your venture off the ground. It is the same as buying a house or a consumer product. If you need credit to get something, especially in today's world of crises and conflicts, maybe you are not ready. #### 3) Flexible hiring After the COVID saga, we are now ready to hire remotely and that IS the norm. There is nothing wrong with hiring a web designer, a coder, a writer, or anyone who works on a computer, from anywhere in the world. This makes hiring a little more complex, but we can scale according to our needs. Look at the world, and not just at our little corner. #### 4) Partnerships Don't just try to build all in-house, or do everything in your own business. Build partnerships and networks, and cede things others do better to them. You can save money, and still get things done. Look globally. Nurture new friendships. #### 5) Breathe Just as Rome was not built in a day, don' rush! A successful and long-lasting venture NEEDS TIME. Give it time. Smell the roses. Eat, be merry, keep sane. ## Call a spade a spade Think harder if you are starting a venture, as most ventures fail within a year. If you are merely a "me too", or a solution looking for a problem, or just an "app" (or worse, a website), you haven't got a real venture. Don't call your venture a "digital business" if there is nothing digital other than a "sign-in app" or a website, for an otherwise bricks-and-mortar venture. Think harder and THEN launch a venture. --- # 4 essentials of reengineering a business Source: https://seamusphan.com/4-essentials-of-reengineering-a-business/ What happens when a business needs to change, drastically? What then, are the ways to deal with making such a change? As an Apple pioneer evangelist for desktop publishing, I relished all my experiences from evangelist, to software developer, to solutions consultant, to eventual simply - user. The iconic years for Apple included my time in the 1980s, but also 1997, when ousted Steve Jobs returned to Apple. When Jobs returned, Apple was [bleeding](https://techcrunch.com/2009/11/26/steve-jobs-apple-1997/), with US$1 billion loss on a US$7 billion revenue, and a spectrum of products nothing like the simple elegance Apple once was (remember the Newton, Performa, servers?) The recent [news](https://www.straitstimes.com/business/elon-musk-plans-to-eliminate-half-of-twitter-jobs-to-cut-costs-sources) about Twitter are expected. Twitter is no different as with any company that needs a fundamental change. Serious job cuts are to be expected. What are the key factors to reengineering a company? #### 1) Scrutinize to the last bit. All the nuts and bolts of a company that needs to be reengineered should be scrutinized. Leave no person/tech/process/relationshp unturned. #### 2) Change fast. Bite the bullet fast and make changes fast. There will be a lot of pain, and pain is best suffered quickly rather than prolonged. Job cuts, systems obsolescence, process streamlining, all need a speedy execution. #### 3) Keep agile. After scrutinizing and making drastic changes, keep things light and manageable. Should things begin to bloat even a little, trim again. Think Japanese decluttering (斷捨離), where we cut useless relationships, relieve attachment to objects or people, and boostrap. Think function rather than form. #### 4) Communicate clearly. All businesses going through serious change needs good internal and external #communication. Work with your team and engage experts to communicate these painful changes to all stakeholders. Need a Red Team or Crisis Communication Team for your business? Visit [mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com). --- # 4 Tips to succeed in cookieless marketing Source: https://seamusphan.com/4-tips-succeed-cookieless-marketing/ The keyword is: FIRST, or first-party data. Do you own your data and platform? While Google touted its third-party cookie replacement, FLoC (federated learning of cohorts) or "privacy sandbox", it is yet another issue to contend with, with new [potential privacy problems](https://www.wired.com/story/google-floc-privacy-ad-tracking-explainer/) to grapple with. So, what should you, a CMO, consider moving forward? And mind you, don't delay as the inevitable cookieless world is coming. Martech has an [op-ed](https://martech.org/6-data-collection-tactics-for-marketing-in-the-cookieless-future/), but allow us to clarify and extend it further. ## 1) OWN your data For all those who ran around chasing after social media platform after platform, I have got news for you. Go back to basics (as I always advocated). Your own website is your key content platform, and you own it. Use that to gain and nurture data. That is first-party data. Build your website for the following: - Content first (don't game keywords for SEO) - Lightweight and fast (don't go design and image heavy) - Security always (don't just design, build it for cybersecurity) ## 2) PRIVACY first Rather than rely on heavy-duty analytics like Google, consider privacy-friendly and lightweight analytics such as [Plausible](https://plausible.io), or [Simple Analytics](https://simpleanalytics.com), or [Matomo](https://matomo.org) (formerly known as Piwik). ## 3) INTERACTIVE engagement Still holding true, conduct surveys, quizzes, games, feedback sessions, with your customers. Entice with rewards - they work. Feedback is a great way to improve your offerings and gain allies. However, do note that some participants could be gaming such interactions simply for rewards, and they skew your analytics and you lose out real participants. So, set up mechanisms to prevent such "gaming" participants from joining. ## 4) PHYSICAL activity Nothing beats a face-to-face interaction whether in the East or the West. Relationships are best formed with real people meeting real people. We won't form relationships with systems, platforms, devices, chatbots, or AI. So plan real physical events, conferences, roadshows, etc, where you can interact with real customers and gain real data and insights. If you are serious about your marketing, talk to us or visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com). --- # 4 tips for lead generation that don’t turn prospects off Source: https://seamusphan.com/4-tips-lead-generation-dont-turn-prospects-off/ I received this hilarious email today (among hundreds), touting some service I would never use, from a person I never knew. Worst of all, from a Seamus, I became a "Matthew". LOL. On LinkedIn, I get lots of InMails/emails from people who I have NEVER met or knew, and the first thing they did was to hard-sell to me. It is stated clearly on my LinkedIn profile that UNLESS we are acquainted, don't sell. ![wrong addressee in DM](https://seamusphan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/bad_edm_wrong_addressee.jpg) So, what are some tips to get your lead generation at least sensibly working? ## 1) Client fit If your prospect is unknown to you, don't assume they will need you or your product. Most likely, they have NO need for your product. Find out more about your client, study their website, study their public staff profiles, engage them FIRST, communicate. ## 2) Product fit So, let's assume you got acquainted with someone, then do yourself a favor, assess your own products OBJECTIVELY before you consider pitching them to these new acquaintances. ## 3) Approach/Platform fit I know some simply get a platform (liked LinkedIn) and do a "shotgun" approach and hope it works. It WON'T. Platforms may be useful for some targets, but not all. Depending on where you are, you may want to scale down your random mass mails or risk getting your domain/email blocked at destination. Again, form relationships first. Friends buy from friends most readily. ## 4) Size fit What is the size of clothes you wear? An M? Do you assume every one out there wears an M? No, right? So, there is no "one size fits all", if at all. Tailor your product, and that goes back to knowing your prospect first. PS - At least get the name of your prospect right. --- # 3 Public Relations (PR) Recommendations in 2023 Source: https://seamusphan.com/public-relations-pr-recommendations-2023/ The global crises in healthcare and conflicts are not over, and the world is facing an unprecedented shift, and not necessarily in a good way. Worse, because of global crises, industries are beginning to falter and even collapse, and the fallout means livelihoods are shattered and families are hurt. As CEOs, brand movers, marketers and PR practitioners, how should we approach PR in 2023? ## 1. Empathy wins > "Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eye for an instant?", Henry David Thoreau, naturalist and philosopher Empathy is NOT pity. Empathy is the ability to sense, comprehend and visualize what feelings others are thinking of. So, why should empathy matter in 2023 for PR? Simple. The world is hurting, and there is a minority that is creating rift and mayhem for the world. We, the greater people and communities, need to steer clear of aligning with such rifts, and focus on PEOPLE. There are people in need. There are livelihoods to protect and hopefully create. There are industries to rebuild. Against this backdrop of hurt, communication that conveys cooperation, humility, and empathy, with actionable recommendations and solutions, will go a long way. PR that concedes with humility, that shows an understanding for others, that goes into the heart of society to heal and to help, will win. ## 2. Communicate, not sell > "The most important thing in communication is hearing what is not said." - Peter Drucker, business thinker There are far too many who only see a dollar sign on another face, than to find a heart through that face. This even happens on professional social networks, where far too often, someone who does not know you, sends you a sales pitch without nary a thought about WHO you are or what you need. This is why engagement is abysmal on mainstream and social media today. Far too many seem to be preoccupied with themselves through inconsolable narcissism, than to find time and effort to converse, to learn, to share, and to love another. In your PR program, interact with communities and people. Find out what they need and who they are, and especially their aspirations and dreams. There is nothing higher than someone's dreams, big or small. Create forums, physical or digital, to allow discussions, however different or apart, and moderate with authenticity, kindness and collegiality. There is also silent and non-verbal communication (subtext). This is why you need to engage "whole person" communication. People like to buy from people they trust as kin or friends. ## 3. Own your stage > "To enjoy freedom we have to control ourselves." - Virginia Woolf, novelist Yes, there are so many social media platforms today. Some have come and gone. Some are faltering. And a few seem to be on top. But all these platforms will come and go, and what you create and wish to say, will live and die with them. This is why even in PR, it is important to have earned media coverage (on mainstream and other media), but also OWN your media. A website would be a good place to start. Keep a blog on your website, and keep it going with regularity. And think about how to keep your website optimized and lightweight, especially in today's mobile-centric (or mobile-first) world. Build it for speed and legibility, not fancy designs and huge images (unless you are in that business). Expand also beyond your website into multimedia, such as hosting your own podcast and video (mirroring that on social media rather than only relying on third-party platforms). Other than all the conventional and novel approaches we take in PR, it is also important to keep these 3 recommendations on going forward in 2023 - having empathy, communicating more rather than peddling, and owning our own stage and content. Talk to us or visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/?seamusphan). ### --- # Productivity – 6 Tips on How to have better meetings Source: https://seamusphan.com/productivity-6-tips-better-meetings/ First off, I generally dislike meetings. Meetings mostly end up being unproductive. I get things done, fast. And the fastest way between 2 points, is to get it done instead of nuancing ad nauseam with a committee of people. Meetings seem like a necessary evil. This [piece](https://qz.com/how-to-have-more-collaborative-meetings-1849818369) below gives a very rough brief on what collaborative meetings might look like. However, I found that, in my work as a csuite facilitator and mentor over decades, great, productive meetings, looked like these: ## 1) Physical Yes, forget "virtual. The best meetings that produce results are real, face-to-face meetings. Nothing like close proximity and eye contact to get trust and confidence issues out of the way. You can put a round table of executives in a room, get a really competent facilitator to moderate such meetings, steer the folks well, and you end up with good results. ## 2) Focus The best meetings need focus, a central theme, and a relentless and competent facilitator to steer the folks in a harmonious and singular direction. Never allow meetings to have too many items on the agenda. ## 3) Whiteboard Yes, forget slides on laptops and projectors. They put people to sleep, especially C-suite and senior executives. Get a simple whiteboard, and your smartphone ready. A good facilitator knows how to pen down the initial ideas to bounce around, and then engage the executives to share their ideas around the table, and jot down on the whiteboard. Feel free to erase, edit, circle, connect the dots on the whiteboard. It works. ## 4) Question Facilitation is an art, not a template. A good facilitator knows just how to get the deepest thoughts out of people, like an FBI agent might. Throw questions to the executives, and keep questions open-ended that demand sufficiently long answers. ## 5) Connected Yes, while the whiteboard is central to an engaging meeting, there is also a need for a laptop or smartphone connected to the Internet. Simple. Some questions need answers, and some answers need validation. When there is doubt, use the connected device to find out plausible or proven answers, and then refine the discussion. ## 6) Summary Summarize the findings and conclusions, and note down questions and problems that need further redress, offline. Make sure everyone at the table gets the meeting summary quickly, in bullet points rather than lengthy transcripts. These are C-suite, and they have NO time for verbose. For productive meetings, it is important to have a competent facilitator to lead, preferably NOT the direct supervisor of the folks at the meeting. And, keep meetings on time, and short. Nobody has the attention span of saints. *PS - If your company needs a Red Team ("devil's advocate), or a meeting facilitator, contact me. * --- # 5-prong CELLS™ approach to successful Asia Pacific market entry Source: https://seamusphan.com/5-prong-cells-approach-successful-asia-pacific-market-entry/ If you are still only hankering down your marketing and PR efforts in the Americas and Europe, you are missing out the hottest market in the world - Asia Pacific, [slated](https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/research-analysis/the-ascent-of-apac-in-the-global-economy-june22.html) to be consuming 40% of the world GDP in just 18 years, by 2040. By 2040, the US would only be 22% and the EU only 14% of the world's GDP. The West has enjoyed a market bloom for a long time in the contemporary sense, and has mostly reached saturation in many of the more developed nations. There will still be pockets of growth in some emerging EU and affiliated regions, but the populations are small compared to some of the larger and more populated locales, especially in Asia Pacific. While most people would talk about mainland China and India, or stable markets such as Japan and South Korea, it is important to take care of the ASEAN market too, which is the [third biggest slice of the APAC](https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/research-analysis/the-ascent-of-apac-in-the-global-economy-june22.html) region, with a combined GDP of US$3.3 trillion in 2021. ## Language is important North America is a "simple" market, where English is mostly used as a business language, and so marketing and PR will be decidedly simple. In Europe, however, it is common to expect the vernacular language used. For example, you would expect to use French in France, Italian in Italy, Danish in Denmark, Russian in Russia, and so on. English can be "understood", but will not win you mindshare in these locales. It is the same in Asia Pacific. If you want to win friends and business in mainland China and Taiwan, you would have to know Mandarin and written Chinese, WELL. Likewise, if you want to access the 276 million people in Indonesia through marketing and PR, you would need to use Bahasa Indonesian. If you want to reach out to the nearly 70 million people in Thailand, again, you need to know Thai. The exceptions perhaps, are India, Singapore, and the Philippines. ## 5-prong CELLS™ approach So, how should you establish a sound APAC-ready marketing and PR program? I coined it the CELLS™ approach. #### 1) Culture Don't simply take a Western model for sales, marketing and communication, and do a "Google translate". You may fail miserably and won't even know why. Besides the nuance of language and dialects, you need to understand the local culture. For example, Taipei is NOT Taiwan, but only a fraction of it. Have you gone to Kaoshiung or Tainan or Taoyuan? They have subcultures that are different from Taipei. In mainland China, the differences can be colossal. Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen are all large metropolitan cities and each have their unique cultures and ways of doing business, while going deeper into Chongqing, Chengdu, Wuhan and Xi'an, just to name a few, will ALL have different cultures. Go deep so that you can use familiar lingo and culture to endear your communications to each of your local audiences. #### 2) Economize Don't be overly ambitious at the beginning. Appoint credible and field-proven partners to work with you to reach these APAC audiences. APAC is a super huge region that is non-uniform and diverse. You will find it nearly impossible to reach everyone at the same time, especially if your budget is modest to begin with. Start small, and take baby steps. Target specific segments of the markets, and then expand. For example, if you are in a commodity business, conduct a basic research first, whether inhouse or through third-party research firms, to know which segment you can target with your budget first. Then slowly grow the market, before expanding to other segments. #### 3) Local It is all about going local, or even hyperlocal, depending on your industry and market. What works in Bangkok may not work in Udon Thani or Khon Kaen, for the Thailand market. And rather than just imagining Jakarta to represent the entire Indonesia, consider Surabaya, Bandung, and Riau. In many of the APAC nations where you go deep and wide, you need to work in the local language, and even understand a little of the local dialects to endear your business to them. Your team, and your appointed partners such as marketing and PR agencies, should be familiar with these regions in the specific markets. #### 4) Longevity Asians value relationships, long-term relationships. Face-to-face and handshakes (or bows) are important. To show up, is to "give face" to someone in Asia, which means respecting the people you are doing business with. It would be considered rude to sell or pitch your wares without first at least getting acquainted or forming a relationship. Get to know your prospects and customers first. Plan to do business in APAC for the long haul, and you will be rewarded richly. #### 5) Stretch Although each of the APAC nations are unique markets, there are some overlaps. Given a finite budget, you need to stretch your efforts. For example, Singapore would be a good place to start out FROM, and use the local PR efforts to reach out to the ASEAN region at least in a limited manner, before entrenching in the neighboring markets through vernacular outreach. So, choose your starting points wisely. Singapore and China are key starting point markets, in which you can then stretch out to expand to markets such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea. If you want to do serious business in the Asia Pacific, and need a long-term partner for your marketing and PR efforts, visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/?sp), or talk to us. --- # Think higher, go higher – beyond compliance Source: https://seamusphan.com/think-higher-go-higher-beyond-compliance/ One of the hallmarks of leadership is the idiom, “monkey see, monkey do”. If a leader chooses to behave like a monkey and leaves much to be desired, it is unlikely his team will want to behave like saints. Conversely, if a leader behaves like a saint, it is downright embarrassing if team mates behave like monkeys, and based on herd mentality or group dynamics, most people would conform to the same “saintly” behavior, or simply leave. ## Just compliance? When many corporations and non-profits alike talk about ethics, they seem to imply legal compliance more than anything else. Frequently, you would hear commercial and non-profit organizations say something to the effect, “we believe in the highest ethical practices because we comply with all legal requirements.” ## Ethics is much more However, in case executives of these organizations have not checked the dictionary recently, ethics is also known as “moral philosophy” or “moral principles”, and NOT legal compliance. Although one may argue that conforming to moral principles imply ethical practices, and that the law upholds moral practices, and therefore they are the same, it is not so. Why not? This is because to be moral (and therefore ethical), you have an intrinsic belief system that is right. You do not have to force yourself to comply or conform. On the other hand, to comply with the law simply means that you follow the rule of law to the letter. There is an intrinsic and psychological difference between the two. For example, it may be legal to sue someone who tells some ugly truth about you based on the rule of law, but ethically, that is never advocated by ancient wisdom. In ancient Chinese wisdom, there is a saying, "all things harmonious ends in prosperity". Therein lies the difference between legal compliance and ethics. ## Laws can have flaws Taken to the extreme, the law may not always make a clear distinction between what is right or wrong, but rather, what can be proven in court. For example, if a murderer can be proven "innocent" in a court of law by alibi, evidence, or persuasive counsel, he may get away scot-free. However, ethically, the murderer is 100% wrong, no mistake about it. ## Build your reputation through Public Relations (PR) So, to build reputation for your brand, think HIGHER, GO higher. A company cannot be all things to all people, but it can be THE thing to some people. Talk to us if you need a Red Team Strategist for your publicrelations and branding. Visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/?sp). --- # What Wordle can inspire us to do in marketing and PR Source: https://seamusphan.com/what-wordle-inspire-marketing-pr/ [Wordle](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/heres-why-the-word-game-wordle-went-viral-180979439/) is a simple online word game that went rather viral, and still is. Just recently, even a Chinese radio station host was chatting about Wordle to her co-hosts, about how Wordle is pronounced, and if there should be a Chinese version of such a game. Wordle is simple to learn, simple to play, engages many players, uses both linguistics and reasoning, and leverages on social media to gain even more engagement. So, what can we as communicators and marketers learn from the Wordle phenomenon? ## 1) KISS (Keep it simple, silly) If we are developing a marketing campaign, a promotion, or even a news release, make it simple to read and understand. This means that customers should find it easy to participate, without needing a PhD. A journalist who receives our news release should not need to Google or ask you, to find out just how many trade or proprietary words actually mean. Use simple language, succinctly, to the point. And use as FEW steps as possible to reach the end of the funnel or promotion, without customers needing to go through hoops. ## 2) Multi-audience If your campaign is too specific, or if your product can only reach a few, you are limiting your audience. For example, if your marketing campaign insists on only reaching those above retirement age, or a small locale, or if your product news releases is only sent to a few vertical trade media, you are selling yourself very short. Reach as many people as possible. If you do not know how to reach many people, get help. ## 3) Multi-sensory Just as Wordle appeals to both language and logic, likewise, your marketing or PR campaign should too. Don't take the easy way out of just having a textual news release and hope for the best. Dedicate budgets and efforts in working with your PR agency to develop textual content, audio and video content (b-roll, interviews, demonstrations), animations, charts or infographics, and more. The more assets you have, the more likely you can target even more media to engage them to use them, especially if you can white-label them so that they are even more widely adopted. ## 4) Multi-platform Just as Wordle engages many people and allow them to go social, your marketing and PR campaigns should too. For example, when you provide news to a media, and if the media publishes it, do you share that on your social media platforms? Do you get your people and partners to do the same? Do you go different platforms to stream or share to each of those audiences? The world is so connected now that if you are not doing that, you are missing out. And most of all, let me remind you of (1), the KISS rule, the most important nugget of gold for all communications and marketing. Do it like Wordle. If you need a red team or a partner to get your brand out there in PR, branding or marketing, talk to us, or visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/?sp). ### --- # 6 Reasons Why PR is the best way to build brands and win customers Source: https://seamusphan.com/6-reasons-pr-best-way-build-brands-win-customers/ Public Relations (PR), well known and entrenched for many businesses, and not quite understood by a minority. PR is NOT just media relations, news releases and media conferences. PR is a holistic way of reaching all stakeholders, including the media, governments, customers and prospects, institutions, non-profits, and more. It is a sustainable way of communication and reputation management, and one of the best ways to deal with crises, before they happen, or as they happen. > "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently." - Warren Buffet One of the foremost investors, Warren Buffet, certainly understood how brands can take decades to build, and minutes to demolish. > Sir Richard Branson said "publicity is absolutely critical" in his book "Virgin Rebel". > > Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft said "If I was down to my last dollar, I would spend it on public relations". Public Relations (PR) is the secret weapon smart companies use to build brands, win the trust of prospects and customers. How? Let us share the 6 Reasons: ## 1) Trusted Simplistically, advertising is you telling the world how good your products are, while public relations (PR) is having trusted third parties (journalists) telling the world how good you are. ## 2) Affordable While sustained advertising is expensive, PR is affordable. A retained PR program is akin to having a whole team of tenured experts and practitioners working for you while you pay only for a mid-level manager every month. ## 3) Branding PR is a great way of branding for companies, products, and people. Your CEO and other executives who can steadily appear in the media, will become brands and personality brands over time. Customers buy from people they know (directly or indirectly). ## 4) Sustainable A retained PR program means you have a team of communicators always at your side, an extension of your marketing team. Even if you face a challenge or a crisis, your PR agency partner team will assist you in reviewing and optimizing all your communication strategies. ## 5) Prepared Your PR agency partner can train your CEO and executives to be ready for media interviews, press conferences, TV and radio appearances, or during a crisis. Your executives will become confident to face the world, and to communicate their best to customers and the world. ## 6) Measurable PR is more than just media coverage, but also social media outreach, and quality and tone (positive or negative mention of you) in the media. A good measurement yardstick is the AMEC Barcelona Principles. To get the best PR for your B2B (cybersecurity, automation, industrial, healthcare) and B2C brand, talk to us, or visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/?sp). ### --- # Video hosting for businesses – our journey Source: https://seamusphan.com/video-hosting-business-our-journey/ Video is an integral part of content today. Video is arguably the predominant content on mobiles today, as more people look at motion content, then reading and scrolling through long pages of text. What are the lessons we learned adopting video? My video journey began when I was evangelizing Apple media and publishing products in the 1980s. Then, Macs were monochrome, and colors were specified rather than actually seen on screen. Eventually, the likes of [AVID](https://www.avid.com) and Adobe Premiere arrived on the scene, and by then, I was consulting for clients, and used AVID NLEs to create and edit videos for cinema and other advertising. Those days were not digital, but analog hybrid, where we used Betacam tapes to digitize onto NLEs (non-linear editing). Fast forward to the 21st century, and those days of analog NTSC and PAL 4:3 format videos were long over. Now we are not even talking about 4K or HD anymore, but way beyond. ## DIY (do it yourself)? It might be tempting to imagine hosting video yourself. It is not impossible, and you could simply upload your own videos to your CMS or web server, and call it directly in your content. The trouble is that unless you have experience building a redundant and fast platform with sufficient bandwidth, video is a very large data type that sucks up storage and bandwidth quickly. Latency is rather deplored by audiences, and so I won't advise going DIY. ## Free video hosting concerns For businesses, shooting, editing and creating videos are key tasks no doubt, but it is even more important to host the created videos so that the intended audiences can see them. This is where video hosting comes in. For many, the default might be Alphabet/Google's YouTube. But, although YouTube is free to host, it has many restrictions and caveats, such as having to contend with others, and potentially having undesirable content viewed with our own videos. As the saying goes, "if you are not paying for a product, YOU are the product." ## Paid video hosting journey So, for businesses wanting an exclusive viewership and don't mind paying for quality video hosting, which platforms would you go for? I am going to speak for our own firm, and what journeys we took. The premise is that we were looking at 100 videos and beyond. In those heady days, we went for one of the most premium video hosting services, [Wistia](https://wistia.com), starting out at the 50 videos (at 1 TB bandwidth) Pro option. The beauty of Wistia is that at this Pro option, you had the option of computer-generated captions and transcripts, which were useful for SEO and content supplementation, as well as paying for human-generated captions and transcripts for greater accuracy. But, going beyond 50 videos, the next tier is Advanced, at 250 videos (still a ceiling), at a quantum leap of fees per month. We knew we had to search for something else. Then we moved to Vimeo. Vimeo is often used by businesses, and it does have interesting and useful features, including going "live" and more recently, webinars and such. However, our main need is video hosting, and we were using Vimeo a long time for business videos, under its now grandfathered "Premium" annual plan (now replaced by "Advanced"). Their current "Advanced" option has a ceiling of 240 videos, not a low ceiling, but we were hitting beyond a 100 at last count. I would not rate both their old "Premium" or "Advanced" as "affordable". The gist of it is, paying for annual plans does save some money, but is not scalable with business needs in a very volatile world and economy today. So, what's next? ## Video hosting for boostrappers? I went hunting for various video hosting platforms, with similar features and advantages of Vimeo, but hopefully at a far lower price. I found [Sproutvideo](https://sproutvideo.com). Sproutvideo's lowest tier, "Seed", is about 13% of what I paid for my current platform, with 100 GB of video hosting ("unlimited" videos as long as they fit within 100 GB), and 100 GB of bandwidth. Since I don't plan on livestreaming for webinars and such, this tier of service not including them for free, did not bother me. So, what's the catch? For YouTube and Vimeo, if you are using a CMS (content management system) such as WordPress to manage your website, simply entering the video URL into your page/post, and the video will be successfully embedded. There is no messing with Javascript, iframe, and other esoteric video embedding methods. However, Sproutvideo is slightly antiquated in this area. You need to paste a DIV or iframe code into your page/post, and for me, that means going into the text editing mode as opposed to visual editing mode to paste the video embed code, and then going back to visual editing mode again for other work. A bit clunky if you ask me, but can't argue with the far lower costs. Although there are plugins that can allow you to paste in the video URL of something like Sproutvideo, I am unwilling to add single-function plugins since any additional plugins often INCREASE both the potential cybersecurity risks and also incompatibility. ## The future? 2023 is looking like a challenging year for many businesses. Even big tech companies are laying off employees en masse (I won't name them). Startups probably fare even worse as many of them seem to imagine limitless funding from investors, and live funding round to funding round. That is an unsustainable way of business. As I always say, bootstrapping is the truly sustainable way of doing business, any business. So, look for features of services you need, learn skills well enough so that you can manage as much as possible, and learn to work with outsourced and trusted partners without reinventing the wheel (which always drain more money than necessary).Learn to adapt, and accept change. For more insights on how video can work for your B2B business, or to work with a trusted strategy, PR and marketing partner, talk to us, or visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com/?sp). ### --- # Media training primer – an introduction Source: https://seamusphan.com/media-training-primer-an-introduction/ This is our media training and crisis communication program that we have honed and delivered very successfully to all our clients through more than 30 years in consulting. We have trained startups, tech companies, industrial and manufacturing businesses, healthcare related businesses such as hospitals and products, fast moving consumer goods companies in fashion, audio visual equipment, hospitality, non-profits, and many more. Watch the YouTube trailer below. We have several versions of this training program for the C-suite executives and business leaders. We have a full media training program that covers all kinds of media, with crisis communication components, and a simulated television interview and critique at the end of the program. We have a shorter version without the crisis communication component, with or without the simulated television interview and critique. We have a much shorter version just for broadcast and online audio video interviews, without the crisis communication component. The whole training program is customizable depending on the client, if they desire extra consulting and customization. We will normally talk through the evolution of the media landscape in the Asia Pacific, and how that relates to the global media and political scene. We examine the importance of respecting the agenda of the media in serving their stakeholders, who are the audiences and readers, who in turn can be our prospects and customers. We cover the fundamental questions journalists will always ask, and how to prepare for interviews, whether that be for print, broadcast, or online. For each type of media, whether print, broadcast or online, what should we as spokespersons prepare for and provide them. We also run through the dynamics and essentials of media interviews. For rapid response and newsjacks, how should we as spokespersons be prepared for? How do we communicate and relate well with journalists? And if there are difficult questions or questions we wish to avoid, how should we deal with them? What is a simple and effective way of telling compelling stories? How can we adopt simple aviation leadership and crisis management principles in handling media crises? And we end with a simulated television interview with critique. To engage us for retained public relations (PR), business strategy consulting, digital marketing, leadership transformation, media training and crisis communication, [contact McGallen & Bolden now](https://mcgallen.com/contact/). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It3kL_xgluM   --- # Free messaging and collaboration software? Source: https://seamusphan.com/free-messaging-collaboration-software/ During the pandemic years, businesses and people had to be operating from homes, from all corners of the world, to collaborate and continue to function. However, digital infrastructures were not built to be ready for such a transformation suddenly, and outages and even cybersecurity breaches became more common. Even recently, tech giants such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft, which provide much of the backend digital server infrastructures for the world, experienced major and minor outages in the past few years. The notion of "cloud" is affordability, scalability, and availability (including anywhere). But, what happens when the cloud infrastructures you rely on for internal and external communications break down? What can you do? The key idea is being prepared. And the answer? Open source. Two of the most common requirements for modern communication, whether internal or external, are collaboration, and messaging. What are the options? While there are many open source and freemium options, we will briefly point out to two options you can explore to replace or augment your SharePoint/Workspace and Teams/Zoom scenarios. ## 1. Seafile (collaboration) Seafile is a cross-platform file sharing, file versioning, file backup and storage, and wiki knowledge management system that works for Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Windows, and even terminal clients. There are two versions of Seafile, the free Community Edition that you can host on your own, or a paid Pro Edition that offers support. For most of us, the Community Edition of Seafile will suffice as an alternative or option when existing enterprise SharePoint or Workspace goes offline. Visit [seafile.com](https://seafile.com). ## 2. Jami (messsaging) Unlike Teams and Zoom, the open source Jami is a peer-to-peer technology quite similar to now less popular Skype. Jami provides audio and video calls, screen sharing, messaging, and online conference functionality. Since it is peer-to-peer, you do not even need to host a server yourself. You can simply designate one node as a "Rendezvous point", and this node would become a de facto "server". Jami is free, and so in times of need or crises or offline traditional digital infrastructures, it can provide much needed communication functionality securely and quickly. The Jami peer-to-peer client is available on Android (including Android TV), iOS, Linux, and Windows. Visit [jami.net](https://jami.net). ## Agile and redundant Whether you are planning public relations or digital marketing campaigns and need to have a shared file repository of assets and working files, or to collaborate with your team in situations where you either do not have or no longer have access to your cloud storage, you need to consider resilient and redundant offerings in case things happen - and they do. ### --- # Engage your PR at the C-suite level Source: https://seamusphan.com/engage-public-relations-at-csuite-level/ Public relations or communications are sometimes still managed by marketing departments, which is now quite dated. Traditionally, marketing encompassed advertising, marketing research, events, sales (maybe), and sometimes public relations. With corporate branding and reputation being critical to businesses, the need for PR to work directly with the C-suite leadership has become the smart thing to do. If there is a crisis, or even a hiccup, C-suite leadership can work immediately and directly with PR to address issues and expediently mitigate them. Any delay in addressing these problems well can be met with disdain or uproar in public, which in turn become even more of a crisis. Moreover, the role of marketing has traditionally been about lead generation, market entry, and sales enablement. Their entire role is quite different from that of PR. PR is about corporate reputation and its nurture and protection. Worse, while PR needs to be at the forefront of corporate and product awareness and so can help the C-suite leadership to answer tough questions out there in the market, including regulators and the media, marketing departments may not have the same urgency or the situation where they become hard-pressed by external entities for answers. ## Tone of voice Also, the tone of voice in PR, whether for daily communication or under duress, is very different from sales and marketing programs. Sales pitches can be assertive and persuasive, just as advertising campaigns may sometimes be a little exaggerated. PR, however, must never be. All communication in the PR sphere should be true, authentic, empathetic, and even humble, especially in a crisis. This means communicators who excel in PR, will need to have very unique and comprehensive understanding of what will work for all the stakeholders, and how best to convey it, whether that be media, governments, channels, customers, educational institutions, and also internal audiences within the business. ## Moving PR to work with C-suite If you have not already, it is time to quickly change your reporting structure. Move your PR department, if there is one, to report directly to your CEO or president. The marketing department, along with finance, products, and supply chain departments, should have common communications with the PR department, so that any product or business related news will be fed quickly without delay to the PR department. This is to prevent potential crises arising because of customer service, sales, delivery, channels, and other complaints and problems escalating into public uproar. The PR department should be positioned along with the C-suite, rather than a backend department. This will ensure that all functional departments will communicate the critical information on time to the PR department to prevent small problems escalating into big incidents. And as businesses scale, the need for external PR agency partners become paramount. It is impossible to do great PR unless you have on-ground help, and since businesses are not in the core business of PR, while PR agencies are, it makes financial sense to work with experts in the field to get the job done. ## Internal communications system Communications should be simple and efficient. Messaging apps such as Whatsapp and Telegram are not the most business-friendly tools, although they work well in informal or ad hoc settings. For accountable and auditable communications, it is best to set up a proper internal system where all information and communication can be tracked, tweaked, and published for internal consumption. Such a system can be as simple as a local wiki or micro-site. Open source software such as FreeScout (freescout.net) would be a great option to install and self-host, without the need to rely on third parties. If you like, you can also install help desk plugins on top of a content management system (CMS) website, such as using WordPress. Queries, answers, documents, progress. results, and recommendations, can all be fielded on such an internal system. And of course, everything is traceable, so during issues and crises, the C-suite and concerned functional leaders can approach the right internal colleagues to resolve issues until completion. Times have changed. the most enlightened CEOs of businesses now have PR heads report directly to them, and have them early on at all stages of business and product lifecycles, and are looking at PR as the main strategy and platform to protect and nurture the corporate brand. Have you? ### --- # E.S.G. your life to sanity Source: https://seamusphan.com/esg-eat-sleep-gym-life-sanity/ Many of us in C-suite know about E.S.G., as in Environmental, Social, and Governance factors in gauging the holistic health and stance of a business entity. ESG is a trending topic in the media, as much as for consumers and employees to discern what businesses they would like to be associated with. However, we are talking about a different E.S.G., which stands for: - ### Eat (right) - ### Sleep (well) - ### Gym (regularly) Eating right, sleeping well, and exercising regularly, are the cornerstone and bedrock of keeping the body well, mentally and physically. ## More than 40 years of health and fitness Back in June 2002, 2 decades ago, my younger brother and I co-authored the "This Body This Life" book ([thisbodythislife.com](https://thisbodythislife.com), ISBN 9781411614628), which chronicled the personal journeys we both took to keep fit and healthy through our growing and adult years. And we never stopped. He and I continued our personal journeys to stay healthy despite a busy and grilling work schedule, and we fought through the tough pandemic years as well. ## E.S.G. basics What do I do these days, having gone through 3 years of the pandemic? Eating right is not easy for city folks. We rush through the work day, whether working from home, at the office, at a cafe, or the airport. Cooking is a luxury for most of us because we are time-strapped. Remember the basics of getting sufficient proteins daily, which, depending on contemporary or classical literature, means for every kilogram of our body weight, we have to consume 1 to 1.5 grams of proteins. Proteins are not all the same, whether they come from eggs, vegetables, dairy, or meats, due to the bioavailability of amino acids. To be vegan, you would have to consume far more, in a broader spectrum of vegetable sources, and over a longer period of time to match up to eggs and meats. This is especially so if you intend to retain a decent amount of muscle mass. Most consumer food outlets have far too much carbohydrates, fats, and sodium (salt), so you have to temper your intake and counterbalance these high-calorie foods with more vegetable fiber (rather than fruits since fruits contain the sugar fructose). Sleeping well is also a luxury for communicators and C-suite executives. We are blessed if we can squeeze in a daily 5 to 6 hours of sleep. Bad and insufficient sleep can cause neurological problems and more, and especially so as we age. Our bodies modulate hormone production in our sleep, so general health and good sleep do go together. I would usually slow down as the night deepens, with reading, prayer, light music, and some stretching. Sometimes I would take a caffeine-free drink such as chamomile. And during the work day, especially after lunch, I make no apology taking a short nap. I become much more productive thereafter. Exercising is another regulating regime that helps us stay mentally and physically well. There are 2 kinds of exercises for our metabolism, anabolic (building, or anaerobic), and catabolic (depleting, or aerobic). Anabolic exercises build up and grow our bodies, include repairs. Catabolic exercises deplete energy we stored. Anabolic activities involve hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, insulin, and growth hormone. Catabolic activities involve hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol (the "stress" hormone), cytokines, and glucagon. The result for anabolic activities is that you tend to lose fat and gain muscle, while catabolic activities tend to lose both fat and muscle, which may not a good thing especially as we age, since we already lose muscle mass as we age. So anabolic exercises are weight lifting, whether assisted machines at the gym, free weights, or your own body weight. Catabolic exercises are aerobic exercises such as running, cycling, and swimming. There is also an element of stretching, which can help warm up the muscles for both anabolic and catabolic exercises. ## What is your way to detox and detach? Every successful person who can sustain an exhausting work schedule and continue to thrive, cannot be working and working only to the detriment of their own health or having a life. Find ways to detox and detach from the work to keep healthy and sane. Some people turn to dance. Some to reading. Some to prayer and meditation. And some to music. I keep up the ESG of eating right, sleeping well, and exercising regularly. And on top of that, I keep up my Chinese painting and calligraphy, using brush pens and notepads I can bring anywhere I work or travel. As communication practitioners, we are tuned in to global affairs and trends every minute, and have to preempt and respond accordingly and expediently without fail. We are at our peak performance communicating with C-suite and leadership colleagues every day, and all these, plus a 24/7 pulse on work, means that in order to stay at our peak, we need to take regular breaks, and these mean detaching from work completely, and to detox from the harsh routines and even people we have to interact with. --- # Crises may not be what you think – be prepared Source: https://seamusphan.com/crises-may-not-be-what-you-think-be-prepared/ These days, the spectrum of crises are varied and diverse, and yet, every one of them can become media crises and even go "viral" because of smartphones and social media, amplifying these crises even more. We need to keep our eyes open to all possibilities of crises and how best to reduce and mitigate them, while retaining a truthful narrative through the media that can hopefully bring us back to smoother waters down the road. ## Gone flying? Through the pandemic, aviation was one of the hardest hit industries, practically decimated and many pilots and crew left the industry to hunt for other pastures. And yet, when global regulators pulled back the control measures and aviation crept back, it would appear the industry was not quite as resilient and responsive as before, with many crises from strikes to customer service disasters. As a pioneer service quality consultant and author (Service Quality: The enlightened approach, ISBN 9810064578), one of the major contributors to service lapses is not just people, but procedures and systems. It is easy to provide excellent service if you are doing a "cookie cutter" service from the menu, since there is no variation or deviation, and service providers are well rehearsed to provide the service as it is. However, what if customers demand something radically different from the menu? Can your service providers still deliver excellent service? For example, how accessible is your service to the differently abled? Would you bend your self-made rules for the differently abled so that they can enjoy the best customer experience (CX) they hope for, or would your service providers stick to the self-made rules and cause what may become media crises? ## Cybersecurity hacks and leaks Cybersecurity breaches and data leaks are also trending in the media, although the tide may eventually change. Almost every industry, including "big tech" businesses, have had brushes with these crises before. Although emerging and smaller businesses may face breaches and leaks too, they may not make it into the mainstream media. Still, it is important to be prepared to face the public and the media with preparation, rather than hope for obscurity as a shield. It is already the 21st century, and since we are practically connected anywhere 24/7, there is simply no excuse not to have a holistic 360 cybersecurity and application security stance in running a business, whichever industry you are in. The often said "no publicity is bad publicity" is not true, especially in the age of data privacy laws and lawsuits, where the viability of a business can be seriously hurt by breaches and data leaks. It would be wise not to tempt the crisis management fence, but rather, improve our overall cybersecurity defense. ## Internal and external communication How well do you communicate with your customers? Beyond the right language and empathy, is your system able to cater to every type of customer, who may or may not be on email, messaging on the Web? Do you have means to reach out to all customers fairly so that flight delays and other problems will not affect their itinerary and expectations? And, beyond paying customers, how well do you communicate with other stakeholders, such as regulators, suppliers, partners, and even your internal stakeholders? While paying customers are important, the weakest link in excellent customer service is often not the frontline, but the backend and the internal people managing that. Do you tweak systems and procedures so that all internal and external stakeholders can work well together to serve paying customers well? When we think of crisis management, it is important to remember that it is not just about communication, but especially the management of the crisis. We need to have a current and updated crisis management system of people, protocols, and procedures, and make sure every internal stakeholder responsible for crisis management is informed, as well as related external stakeholders such as PR agencies, so that the communication is coherent with the mitigation. A crisis should never be thought of lightly. A crisis can take the form we least imagine, unless we are prepared to examine all areas of our business for all possible risks. We should never only manage a crisis when it hits. Be prepared. --- # Communications and human resources – synergy and separate Source: https://seamusphan.com/communications-and-human-resources-synergy-and-separate/ Layoffs are often the worst tasks for business leaders. When a business does badly or needs to trim its operations, there is sometimes no better way out to cut costs then to trim the number of employees. There are also situations where businesses are simply not well run, and they over-recruited beyond the number of employees they need, in a "defensive recruitment" mode, which especially in a downturn, will invariably lay off employees. And layoffs can be communicated in many ways. The worst examples are aplenty, but the question is how do we communicate a harsh reality to employees in the most humane way? ## The changing employee landscape In very classical organizations, the role of human resource (HR) managers were to communicate all things internal to employees. That may not have been the best foot forward, but in those good old days, employees merely accepted whatever an organization said, and meekly kept their silence as long as they were compensated for their labor. This is akin to the old days in the flight deck where the captain was "king", and copilots, engineers and cabin crew would have to fold in line. However, in the 21st century, captains (or pilot in charge) work collaboratively and collegially with their co-pilots and cabin crew. Sure, the responsibility of a captain remains the same, but the manner of communication and engagement with fellow colleagues in the flight deck are different. Likewise, employees are often self-empowered, and with the advent of social media and smartphones, communication can no longer be one-sided or instructive. Communication today between employers and employees has to be collegial, collaborative, engaging, and mutually beneficial. ## Communications as a separate function The HR function has 2 parts, the traditional human resource management (HRM) part handling compensation, benefits, and recruitment, and another human resource development (HRD) part which is sometimes filled by another executive under "training and development". Depending on the type of organization, the HRD role can impart "soft skills", such as selling, presentation, leadership knowledge, or "hard skills", such as engineering and technical knowledge. HR managers do recognize that internal communication is extremely important, and the general consensus is that they too agree this function should not be part of the HR management function, but under a separate communications role. This is where the communications department of a business comes in, and sometimes, where an external PR agency or practitioner leans in to fill the void. The communications executive, as a separate function, should not report to the HR department, but to the C-suite, just as the HR lead does. This clarifies the perspective that the communications function is as important as HR, finance, engineering, and so on. ## Making internal communications work So, how should internal communications be? We recommend 4 attributes. #### 1. Align We have seen too many burnouts in various industries, where businesses took shortcuts, living off monies of investors, putting up glamorous fronts and incurring exorbitant expenses, without any sustainable program for revenue in place. Internal communications must first align with central business objectives. The 2 fundamental reasons for a business to exist, is to make money, and to survive for the long haul. All other reasons will have to be supplemental to these 2 tenets. For a business to survive for the long haul, it must obey all the laws of the land. Therefore, the best way forward for a business, is to respect and honor the laws, and the constituents of stakeholders, whether they are external, or internal. Then as a business grows and its brand and reputation thickens with recognition, revenue and profits will naturally follow. #### 2. Altruistic While a business has a primary reason to survive and thrive, it needs to gain the trust of internal and external stakeholders. Benefitting the greater community and communicating these initiatives factually can become catalysts for other businesses and individuals to follow suit. So, while a business aims to make money, consistent beneficial programs to the greater community can help build up a brand, to attract more people to join this business as employees, and also endear existing employees to the business. #### 3. Appreciate The modern generation of employees are much more vocal, and have access to social media platforms to share their feelings and experiences. This means that while businesses may intend to reprimand or punish errant employees for wrong-doing, it is still important to ensure internal and external communications are congruent with verifiable reality and facts to prevent backlash at the organization. Further, it is important to regularly applaud employees who did well and do good, to appreciate good results and also recognize valiant attempts (even if they were failures), so that these employees can become "stars" to inspire others in the organization to be and do the same. #### 4. Authentic Every textbook in the market is talking about authenticity in communication. This holds true in public relations, and also in internal communication. It is easy to keep up the truth, because no matter how many times you say it, you will be confidently saying the truth without the need for rehearsals or preparation. However, lies are hard to keep up, as they tend to need lies and more lies to patch up all the easily uncovered gaps. For bad times such as layoffs, it is exceptionally important to be both altruistic (empathetic) and authentic (being real and vulnerable). The internal communications function is a beacon of maturity and growth for a business. So as your business grows and matures, it is critical to ensure you build up internal and outsourced capabilities of internal communications so that your HR department can function well without apprehension or pressure, while you are also able to communicate effectively with all your employees. [Contact us](https://mcgallen.com/contact/) for your internal and external communication needs. Visit [https://mcgallen.com](https://mcgallen.com). ### --- Generated from RankReady