The Adrian Tan Show

Adrian Tan
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This is my podcast, where I speak with folks to explore the nuances of modern work and its idiosyncrasies. Beyond just the enablers and vendors transforming this space, I will also include intimate conversations with people navigating newfound career pivots. They have successfully transitioned to their new careers, and I hope to distil their ups and downs in this unstructured journey so the rest of us can learn from their best practices. www.adriantan.com.sg

  1. The Iron Rice Bowl Was Never Yours to Hold

    3d ago

    The Iron Rice Bowl Was Never Yours to Hold

    I'm an introvert. Small talk drains me, and walking into a room of strangers is the last thing I want to do — so for years my "networking strategy" was finding the food table and looking busy with my coffee. And yet people still walk up to me at events (and once, at a night market) already knowing who I am. That's not luck. It's reputation infrastructure — 8 specific moves that put your name into the world before you ever show up in a room, so trust is already built by the time someone reaches out. I used these moves while running my career coaching practice, and I'm using them again now as I build my fractional career. In this video, I break down all 8: 00:00 Intro 03:52 Move 1: Write a Book 05:57 Move 2: Speak at Events 07:21 Move 3: Academic Affiliation 08:14 Move 4: Win Awards 09:03 Move 5: Join Industry Bodies 09:57 Move 6: Get Board Positions 11:17 Move 7: Media Bylines 12:24 Move 8: Podcasting None of this works in 30 days. But if you're moving into fractional work or self-employment, this is the difference between chasing clients and having them come find you. Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe

    16 min

  2. Jun 16

    The Side Hustle Rule Your Boss Breaks Every Single Day

    My former CEO stood in front of the whole team and said: no side hustles. Too distracting. The company needs your full commitment. He had three board directorships, two committee seats, and multiple rental properties. He wasn’t lying to be cruel. He was protecting what he’d built — and hoping you wouldn’t notice the gap between what he said and what he did. I noticed too late. I went all-in on one company for a decade. $5M revenue, 30 staff, everything I had in one place. Then the partners changed, the investors pulled out, and I spent three months not knowing what to do with myself at 9 am on a Monday. Then I drove Grab. This video is what I learned from that — and what your boss already knows that nobody taught you. What is covered: 00:00 Side Hustle Hypocrisy 00:27 Leaders Diversify Quietly 01:41 The Loyalty Deal Died 02:18 All In Then Burnout 03:04 Uber And Identity Loss 03:21 Diversify Without Seniority 03:49 Build Assets Under Your Name 04:03 Writing Builds Reputation 04:30 Fractional Work And Niches 05:43 Commitment Versus Concentration 06:06 What Equity Are You Building 06:42 Do As They Do Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe

    7 min
  3. Fractional Work Explained (From My Experience): Money, Clients, Pricing & Sustainability

    Apr 26

    Fractional Work Explained (From My Experience): Money, Clients, Pricing & Sustainability

    After my CNA article on fractional work went live, I received many LinkedIn DMs, so I’m answering the most common questions in this video. 00:00 Intro 00:37 What is Fractional Work? 01:58 Can It Work Financially? 03:14 Handling Dry Spells 05:24 Do You Need a Big Network? 05:59 Set Up a Company or Operate Individually? 06:29 How to Land Your First Client 07:35 What If a Client Wants You Full-Time? 08:11 Retirement & Exit Strategy 09:06 Which Industries Work Best? 11:51 How to Price Yourself Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe

    13 min

  4. Mar 1

    Die With Zero: Retire With Memories, Not Money

    I reflect on Charlie Munger’s wish for more time and share three ideas from Bill Perkins’ Die With Zero that changed how I think about money and life. First, you don’t retire with money—you retire with memories, and some experiences have real physical expiry dates, so postponing them can mean missing them forever. Second, I reframe retirement planning by treating net worth peak as a date, not a number, and explain how dying with unspent money can represent thousands of hours worked for nothing, while the fear of running out is often bigger than the math. Third, I walk through Perkins’ “time bucketing” exercise—mapping life in five-year blocks and assigning goals to realistic windows—plus my own buckets for travel, family, and work changes, to stop drifting and start choosing intentionally. 00:00 Munger’s Wish for Time 00:27 Book That Changed Me 01:05 Retire With Memories 02:06 Experiences Expire 03:19 Peak Net Worth Date 04:11 Fear of Running Out 05:09 Time Bucketing Method 06:16 My Time Buckets 07:07 Bucket List vs Buckets 07:54 Closing Takeaways Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe

    9 min
  5. Reflections on Content Creation, Imposter Syndrome, and Staying True to Your Voice

    Feb 1

    Reflections on Content Creation, Imposter Syndrome, and Staying True to Your Voice

    I'm back after a six-month hiatus to discuss the origin of his podcast, his experiences with imposter syndrome, and his journey in content creation. I reflect on the evolution of content creation from blogging to contemporary practices involving AI, and emphasise the importance of maintaining authenticity in one's tone of voice. Also, a shout-out to ⁨Typeless:⁩ to help you align spoken and written content, and announces plans for more monologue episodes. Stay tuned for a candid look into the world of content creation and personal growth. 00:00 Welcome Back: Where Have I Been? 00:11 The Journey of My Podcast and Book 01:16 Current Work and Future Plans 02:14 The Evolution of Content Creation 03:09 The Importance of Authenticity in Writing 06:03 Tools and Tips for Content Creation 07:20 Conclusion and Future Episodes Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe

    8 min
  6. 166 - Why Florence Foo QUIT Her Job & Launched FOUR Businesses!

    07/28/2025

    166 - Why Florence Foo QUIT Her Job & Launched FOUR Businesses!

    In this revealing episode, Florence Foo shares her incredible journey of quitting her corporate job while pregnant with her second child to launching four successful businesses. From starting a boutique digital marketing agency to organising large-scale events, introducing sunscreen dispensers on demand, and exploring groundbreaking LED technology, Florence navigates the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship. Discover her insights on time management, overcoming challenges, and the strategies behind her diverse business ventures. Don't miss this inspiring story of ambition, resilience, and innovation! --- This episode is brought to you by Deel⁩, the all-in-one platform simplifying global team management with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance solutions, trusted by over 35,000 businesses worldwide. Learn more at ⁠⁠https://deel.com/adriantan⁠⁠. 00:00 Leaving the Corporate World 01:11 Introducing Florence 01:32 Florence's Career Journey 02:12 Starting a Digital Marketing Agency 05:00 Expanding into Event Organising 08:59 Venturing into Sunscreen Business 10:26 Exploring LED Lighting 11:51 Balancing Multiple Businesses and Family 17:34 Managing Work-Life Balance 18:22 Health Impacts of Overworking 19:44 Lessons from Nine Years in Business 20:09 Starting as a Solopreneur 21:35 Dealing with Client Challenges 25:36 Prospecting for New Business 27:28 Adapting to Digitalisation 28:08 Advice to My Younger Self 28:53 Future Plans and Contact Information --- Where to find Florence Foo: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/florence-foo/ Oakwood Media: http://www.oakwood.sg Where to find Adrian: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠adriantan.com.sg⁠⁠ 📕 No More Bosses: https://amzn.asia/d/abmPxU6 Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe

    30 min
  7. 165 - Eric Tan EXPOSES The Harsh Truths About Starting Your Own Business

    07/06/2025

    165 - Eric Tan EXPOSES The Harsh Truths About Starting Your Own Business

    In this eye-opening episode, Eric Tan, a seasoned entrepreneur and chartered accountant, reveals the staggering realities and misconceptions of starting your own business. From the relentless grind and overwhelming stress to the illusion of having more control over your time, Eric shares his journey from working for Pricewaterhouse to running his own successful accounting and consulting firms. Tune in to uncover the brutal challenges faced by new businesses, the importance of setting realistic goals, and why you should think twice before diving into entrepreneurship. Plus, get invaluable insights on the best business structures and tax considerations to ensure your startup's success. This is a must-watch for aspiring entrepreneurs! --- Eric Tan is a Singapore Chartered Accountant and Certified Management Consultant, best known as the co-founder and Managing Director of The Resource Group Pte Ltd. With a career spanning over 15 years in finance, business advisory, and human capital development, Eric has played a pivotal role in equipping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the expertise and resources needed for growth and regional expansion --- This episode is brought to you by Deel , the all-in-one platform simplifying global team management with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance solutions, trusted by over 35,000 businesses worldwide. Learn more at ⁠⁠https://deel.com/adriantan⁠. 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Meet Eric: A Multifaceted Professional 02:21 Eric's Career Journey: From Audit to Consulting 03:21 The Decision to Go Independent 04:49 Balancing Family and Entrepreneurship 06:51 The Reality of Being Your Own Boss 11:20 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship 20:24 The Changing Business Landscape 25:50 Understanding F&B Business Failures 26:12 Case Study: My Cousin's F&B Journey 27:55 Lessons from Starting a Recruitment Business 28:41 The Importance of Accurate Financial Projections 29:20 Acquiring and Retaining Consulting Clients 30:43 Networking Strategies for Business Growth 34:20 Choosing the Right Business Structure 38:12 Tax Considerations for Different Business Entities 40:19 Common Accounting Mistakes to Avoid 44:30 Final Thoughts and Contact Information --- Where to find Eric Tan: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-tan-15034111/ The Resource Group: https://theresourcegroup.asia/ Acce Advisory: https://acceadvisory.services/ Where to find Adrian: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠adriantan.com.sg⁠⁠ 📕 No More Bosses: https://amzn.asia/d/abmPxU6 Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe

    45 min
  8. 164 - From Gang Fights to Gender Fluidity | Shawn Lim's Journey of Authenticity & Resilience

    06/28/2025

    164 - From Gang Fights to Gender Fluidity | Shawn Lim's Journey of Authenticity & Resilience

    Join Shawn Lim as he opens up about his transformative journey from being arrested as a teenager to becoming a successful content creator and podcaster. Discover why he prefers the term 'content creator' over 'influencer' and learn about his platform, Human Algorithm, which aims to promote authenticity in the age of AI. In this eye-opening podcast, Shawn shares deeply personal stories for his neurodiverse daughter and offers insights on how to navigate life's struggles while staying true to oneself. Don't miss this compelling conversation filled with valuable lessons on vulnerability, authenticity, and the art of being human. --- Shawn Lim is a Singapore-based media entrepreneur, journalist, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). He is best known as the founder and creator of Human Algorithm, a storytelling-led media platform and podcast that spotlights underrepresented voices at the intersection of business, technology, media, and DEI --- This episode is brought to you by Deel, the all-in-one platform simplifying global team management with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance solutions, trusted by over 35,000 businesses worldwide. Learn more at ⁠⁠https://deel.com/adriantan⁠⁠. 00:00 Introduction: Content Creator vs Influencer 01:14 The Human Algorithm Platform 01:29 Podcasting Journey and Background 02:13 Transition from Corporate to Independent 04:57 Balancing Work and Family Life 16:04 Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn 20:12 The CEO's Storytelling Journey 21:04 The Importance of Authenticity 21:49 Balancing Authenticity and Oversharing 23:52 Writing with a Target Audience in Mind 26:07 The Human Algorithm on Substack 28:16 Leveraging AI Tools for Content Creation 32:11 Creating a Content System 35:07 Masterclass and Final Thoughts --- Where to find Shawn Lim: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mediumshawn/ Human Algorithm: https://humanalgorithm.substack.com/ Where to find Adrian: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠adriantan.com.sg⁠⁠ 📕 No More Bosses: https://amzn.asia/d/abmPxU6 Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe

    37 min
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About

This is my podcast, where I speak with folks to explore the nuances of modern work and its idiosyncrasies. Beyond just the enablers and vendors transforming this space, I will also include intimate conversations with people navigating newfound career pivots. They have successfully transitioned to their new careers, and I hope to distil their ups and downs in this unstructured journey so the rest of us can learn from their best practices. www.adriantan.com.sg

Information

  • Creator
    Adrian Tan
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    178
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Adrian Tan
  • Show Website
    The Adrian Tan Show