The Forward Podcast with SmartOSC SmartOSC

After 10 years of rocket growth within the eCommerce space, businesses are asking how they can become more profitable. Effective data is a start. But as more and more technologies and tools emerge that promise businesses the world, it is more important than ever to ensure that you are using quality rather than quantity. 

Today we’re exploring Using Data & Insights for Profit: What's Now and Next for Southeast Asia with the brilliant Simon Torring the Co-founder of Cube Asia, a market intelligence company focused on Southeast Asia’s digital economy.

Before founding Cube Asia, Simon spent the last 10 years in Southeast Asia’s retail and eCommerce space. His experience includes stints with beauty eCommerce startup Luxola.com and world-leading beauty retailer Sephora, where he led Omnichannel development for APAC ex-China.

Today, Cube Asia helps consumer brands, retailers, and investors understand the online selling environment better through more reliable, granular, and timely market data and insights.

In this episode, we cover:


What makes a great leader? Honest insights you need to hear
Lessons on market feedback and decision-making
Hallucinogenic data and the quest for validation
Emerging trends in Southeast Asian social commerce
Key drivers of eCommerce growth and profitability
The need for speed in business decision-making
Driving innovation in e-commerce strategies
Overcoming bottlenecks and building great teams

And so much more!

What does it take to truly transform yourself
and your organization from the inside out? Being completely honest with yourself is a start.


And who better to share their honest stories of progression than our next guest? Andy Chang has spent the last two decades working with global organizations to transform and construct their customer interactions and in turn, has worked to tirelessly transform himself and his mindset. 

As a technologist and computer science alumni,
Andy's journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of innovation and a deep-seated belief in the power of technology to shape human experiences. Now as the Head of Marketing Technology, Engagement Solutions at

Electrolux Group, Andy joins us today to share the winding path of his career journey, and the evolving landscape of MarTech, and to discuss both the exciting opportunities and the realities that lie ahead.

 

In this episode, we cover:

Seizing Opportunities and Navigating Career Paths

The Expectations VS Reality of Computer Science & Software Engineering

Enhancing Consumer Experience with Personalization

The Cost of Transforming into a Data-driven Organization

The Untold Stories about Modern Marketing

Dynamics between marketing and technology teams

The Calling for Marketing Technologists and Industry Maturity in MarTech

Importance of Transparency in Consumer Experiences

Adapting to future trends and technological disruptions

Leadership of the Future

Advice to Future Self

 

Mint Kaewmanorom lives a life filled with curiosity, consistently looking at the bigger picture she moves forward by wondering how she can tackle problems with new solutions. So it comes as no surprise that she finds herself in one of the most interesting areas for the future, the Internet of Things.

 As Asia embraces digitalization, IoT stands poised to transform industries, offering a glimpse into a future marked by enhanced efficiency and connectivity.

 In this episode, we’ll hear about the work that True Digital is doing with leveraging IoT technology in Thailand and how they plan to solve some of the pain points that people and businesses face.

Moving beyond the idea that IoT is gadgets and gizmos – Mint, the Head of Marketing and IoT Solutions at True Digital shines a light on how they are working with entire industries, from manufacturing to healthcare, city management, and entertainment. Described as being “limited only by the human imagination”, the rise of IoT technology presents unprecedented opportunities for innovation and connectivity - at the center of bringing these to life in Thailand, is True Digital.

We're bidding farewell to our beloved Commerce Talk as we venture into

Over the past two years and 30 episodes, we've explored the depths of eCommerce with industry experts. But now, it's time to widen our horizons.

Join us on The Forward Podcast, where we delve into the ever-evolving intersection of technology and our world. From Generative AI to IoT devices and Quantum computing, we're embracing the changes shaping the future of how we will live, work, and lead.

As Peter Drucker said, "The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday’s logic." With that in mind, we're inspired by the Forward role in football, those who make bold moves and create pathways ahead.

We'll be speaking to those who are at the forefront of change and future-facing strategies.

With our guests we’ll look at tools, trends, behaviours and ideas that they are leaving behind, and the ones they are choosing to move forward with.

SmartOSC and The Forward Podcast is dedicated to delivering actionable insights, guiding you forward with purpose and precision.



Welcome to a new era!

How many of us really speak directly to our customers and when was the last time we went on their customer journey?

In this episode of Commerce Talk we are talking all about filtered-down insights, the need for psychological safety in innovation, and why it’s important to just be quiet in meetings every once in a while!

With agility in its DNA, across 60 years of business, GQ Thailand has been evolving and shedding its roots from being known as an apparel brand to a problem-solving tech brand that is there to help change your life by simply listening.

With a focus on insights-led product development, GQ's viral product launches have been successful because they resonate with consumers and address the real problems they face. From white shirts that get easily stained, to boxers that are really warm and uncomfortable, GQ Thailand takes pain-points and removes them for their customers.

From the GQWhite Shirt - the Ultimate White Shirt & GQWhite Masks - The #1 selling reusable face mask in the region, GQ Perfect Polo, GQ Perfect Pants, and GQ Cool Tech Underwear, and more, GQ Thailand has managed to sell without having to adhere to the time consumption that fashion-based retailers usually face. 

In this episode of Commerce Talk, we are sitting down with George Hartel,  the Chief Commercial Officer for Supara Group - GQ Thailand, Southeast Asia's Leading Technical Apparel Brand. Specializing in innovative apparel that solves everyday problems.

With over 20 years of transformation and multinational business experience, George brings a rare and refreshing outlook that challenges the status quo of traditional retail, advertising, marketing, and leadership.  From advocating for more “ugly advertising” to removing the filters on what it takes to really understand your customer's journey and needs.

We’ll chat about all of that and we’ll delve into… 

✅ The importance of reconnecting with consumers and understanding their challenges 

✅ Why authenticity and rawness in advertising can be more effective than polished and perfect content

✅How to create a safe and innovative culture within a company is essential for growth

✅Why leaders must actively listen and engage with their teams and consumers

✅GQ's focus on synthesizing innovation rather than predicting the future has been a successful approach

From life-changing devices to advancements in leadership, global logistics, secure payments, responsible AI in marketing, and more. In this episode of Commerce Talk, we get front-row seats to the forward-focused minds of some of the biggest global leaders so that we can keep you one step ahead!



You'll hear from...

🚚Herbert Vongpusanachai - Managing Director for DHL Thailand and Indochina
🖨️Siew Ting Foo - Global Head of Brand and Insights at HP
💳 Tee Chayakul - Country Director, Stripe Thailand
🧠Mei Lee- Partner at Boston Consulting Group
🔒 Jay Hira - Director, National Cyber Security Practice at MinterEllison




00:00  The Future of Marketing: AI, Subscription Models, and Cross-Border Payments04:05  The Intersection of Generative AI, Global Trends, and Leadership: Insights from Global Leaders07:52  The Future of Leadership, Marketing, and Cross-Border Activities14:33  The Future of Trading and Product Deliveries: Insights from Herbert Vongpusanachai18:29  Emerging Trends in Cybersecurity: Wearable Devices, AI, and Quantum Computing