24 min
EIA 066 Stanley Mak: A Multilingual Marketer in Singapore Entrepreneurs in Action
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- Business News
Stanley Mak
Stanley Mak is a regular member of the Brunel Alumni Association Experienced entrepreneur with a rich history of working in the marketing and communications industry. Skilled in Inbound Marketing, Digital Marketing and Integrated Marketing Communications. With an MBA from the Henley Brunel MBA Program.
Originally from Hong Kong he moved with his then employer to Singapore in 1986. Eventually the desire to build his marketing own company took over. Today he leads iSmart Communications. He has successful navigated the innovations that have radically changed marketing and has an insatiable appetite for innovations to come.
“and then in the second and third year the business really boomed then I said wow Hallelujah never look back then during the.com boom period I I saw the opportunity of the internet”
He was also Vice-president of the Hong Kong – Singapore Business Association. He was the original president of the Henley Brunel MBA Alumni Association which which has now been renamed to the Henley Alumni Association and no longer affiliated to Brunel University.
“some people even say that why don't you become president forever I said no no no I don't want I'm not Lee Kuan Yew I don't want to be become a president for life”
His outside interests include being a keen language learner based on his professional languages use and recreational travel.
Contacts and Links Mentioned:
Stanley Mak
iSmart Communications.
Brunel Alumni Association
Introduction and Background [00:00.7]
Stanley Mak is a member of the Brunel Alumni Association with a background in marketing and communications.
He moved from Hong Kong to Singapore in 1986 and eventually started his own marketing company, iSmart Communications.
He has successfully adapted to the changing marketing landscape and has a passion for innovation.
Starting iSmart Communications [02:05.5]
Stanley shares how he transitioned from working in multinational advertising agencies to starting his own business.
The initial years of the business were challenging, but it eventually boomed.
Recognising the potential of the internet, he made the decision to switch from traditional advertising to digital marketing.
Despite lacking a background in computer engineering, Stanley partnered with a computer engineer to complement his expertise.
Adapting to Industry Changes [08:00.1]
Stanley discusses the changes and challenges faced by the marketing industry, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He highlights the high costs of operations in Singapore and the need to find innovative solutions to maintain profitability.
Outsourcing and working with partners in other countries became a strategy to control costs and provide quality services.
Stanley predicts a major shakeout in the industry and believes that digital marketing will continue to be a driving force.
Henley Brunel MBA and Alumni Associations [15:04.6]
Stanley shares his educational background, starting with his accounting qualification and then pursuing an MBA with Henley Brunel in Singapore.
He discusses the differences between the Henley and Brunel alumni associations, including their demographics and focus.
Stanley expresses his admiration for Chris, the founder of the Brunel alumni, and his active involvement in both associations.
Language Learning and Community Involvement [21:21.1]
Stanley reveals his passion for learning languages and how it has enabled him to communicate with people from different countries.
He mentions his current focus on learning the local dialect Hooken...
Stanley Mak
Stanley Mak is a regular member of the Brunel Alumni Association Experienced entrepreneur with a rich history of working in the marketing and communications industry. Skilled in Inbound Marketing, Digital Marketing and Integrated Marketing Communications. With an MBA from the Henley Brunel MBA Program.
Originally from Hong Kong he moved with his then employer to Singapore in 1986. Eventually the desire to build his marketing own company took over. Today he leads iSmart Communications. He has successful navigated the innovations that have radically changed marketing and has an insatiable appetite for innovations to come.
“and then in the second and third year the business really boomed then I said wow Hallelujah never look back then during the.com boom period I I saw the opportunity of the internet”
He was also Vice-president of the Hong Kong – Singapore Business Association. He was the original president of the Henley Brunel MBA Alumni Association which which has now been renamed to the Henley Alumni Association and no longer affiliated to Brunel University.
“some people even say that why don't you become president forever I said no no no I don't want I'm not Lee Kuan Yew I don't want to be become a president for life”
His outside interests include being a keen language learner based on his professional languages use and recreational travel.
Contacts and Links Mentioned:
Stanley Mak
iSmart Communications.
Brunel Alumni Association
Introduction and Background [00:00.7]
Stanley Mak is a member of the Brunel Alumni Association with a background in marketing and communications.
He moved from Hong Kong to Singapore in 1986 and eventually started his own marketing company, iSmart Communications.
He has successfully adapted to the changing marketing landscape and has a passion for innovation.
Starting iSmart Communications [02:05.5]
Stanley shares how he transitioned from working in multinational advertising agencies to starting his own business.
The initial years of the business were challenging, but it eventually boomed.
Recognising the potential of the internet, he made the decision to switch from traditional advertising to digital marketing.
Despite lacking a background in computer engineering, Stanley partnered with a computer engineer to complement his expertise.
Adapting to Industry Changes [08:00.1]
Stanley discusses the changes and challenges faced by the marketing industry, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He highlights the high costs of operations in Singapore and the need to find innovative solutions to maintain profitability.
Outsourcing and working with partners in other countries became a strategy to control costs and provide quality services.
Stanley predicts a major shakeout in the industry and believes that digital marketing will continue to be a driving force.
Henley Brunel MBA and Alumni Associations [15:04.6]
Stanley shares his educational background, starting with his accounting qualification and then pursuing an MBA with Henley Brunel in Singapore.
He discusses the differences between the Henley and Brunel alumni associations, including their demographics and focus.
Stanley expresses his admiration for Chris, the founder of the Brunel alumni, and his active involvement in both associations.
Language Learning and Community Involvement [21:21.1]
Stanley reveals his passion for learning languages and how it has enabled him to communicate with people from different countries.
He mentions his current focus on learning the local dialect Hooken...
24 min