The global pandemic is accelerating new technology usage at a heart-quickening pace. The impact of overnight adoption of remote working tools nearly waterboarded many companies, especially those who were not poised to pivot to a digital, remote workforce.
The impact upon our lives personally and professionally is palpable. Our overnight plunge into automation and reliance upon machines and technology to cover for our human frailty is opening a window from which we can see and “feel into” the future.
If marketing is about exquisite connection impacting decision-making then marketers take heed for the human-machine partnership has begun. The genie is out of the bottle. We won’t go back to the pre-SARS-CoV-2 world, but we can shape how we respond now and in the future, and we can shape how we create and leverage opportunities.
If you’re working from home, pour yourself a coffee and join this virtual seminar.
Tune into our Facebook Live session as we continued our focus on mental health and well-being during the #Coronavirus lock-down.
In Hong Kong, we continue to experience volatility due to the coronavirus outbreak and continued political unrest. The world that we live in is becoming more VUCA – Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous.
The key to being able to navigate the turbulent world we live in, no matter what external circumstances may present, is being able to maintain excellent mental and emotional balance.
Learn from Tony Dickel, CEO, Transcend International will share insights and strategies for managing in uncertain times.
Last Friday we hosted our first “Facebook Live” event at Asia Insight Circle. We wanted to reach out to members and friends to discuss a hot, trending topic. Here in Hong Kong we’re in the middle of the world’s largest “work from home” experiment. I called on former speaker Diana Wu David to speak about making a success of remote work.
Live from Hong Kong! The World's Largest Work From Home Experiment
Have you undertaken a Facebook Live? It’s super easy – and that’s what makes it harder! Setting up is super simple. Open a new post, and choose “Go Live.” Before you start you can add a title. That’s it.
Once you start, there is no one watching. Yet remember – most people will watch this in recording. We started with soft introductions and hoped the audience would build.
When we’re good, Diana and I are in a really engaged conversation. When we’re bad, we’re very distracted and jumpy from subject to subject. On replay the video doesn’t always show the full picture. Did you see the three kids working at the same dining table? Did you see the boys crawl – then slide – behind us to get from room to room.
Even without kids, there are distractions on the screen. You’ll see who’s watching and who has recently joined. Wave at them! Say hello. Viewers can post questions. My advice – agree which one will review questions. Both of you distracted isn’t great.
Use the audience questions to build rapport. You can see who is asking what – Hello Kevin Devlin! You can respond to each person’s question and mention their name. It’s wonderful transparency.
Consider the timing, also. We stretched our session to one hour. Perhaps it would be better at 25-45 minutes – like podcasts.
We’re going to try again this Friday, with advice for all us home-bound workers. During the Coronavirus quarantine it may benefit people to learn new techniques and skills.
Do watch the video and if you have further feedback, please let us know. Thanks – Walter
“Well organised, humble hosts, fantastic service and venue“
In the exclusive and luxurious VIP Tent at The AIA Great European Carnival, some 60 members and guests of Asia Insight Circle and The Marketing Society met together to explore Bravery. “Brave Together” is the latest in a series of talks organised worldwide to explore how marketers make the tough calls and deal with all the challenging aspects of marketing in today’s fractious world.
“Mind-opening chat”
Opening the session were Walter Jennings, CEO, Asia Insight Circle and Darren Chuckry, Chair of The Marketing Society Hong Kong. From there the main discussion was led by Gemma Greaves, CEO of London-based The Marketing Society. She explored bravery in marketing and leadership with Christy Kilmartin, VP Marketing for Kontoor Brands (Lee & Wrangler Asia Pacific). The conversation was part of the “Brave Together” global series.
“We are interested in the untold stories, challenges that have been faced and overcome, brave decisions that have been taken, making the invisible visible and understanding how we as leaders can make a positive impact at work and on society as a whole.”The Marketing Society
“On behalf of Asia Insight Circle and our partner The Marketing Society I wanted to thank everyone for attending and contributing to a great night,” said Walter Jennings.
The
continued unrest in Hong Kong has event organisers, entertainers, conference
leaders, and scrambling to find alternative cities for their events. And many
of the mainstays of the cultural calendar have been cancelled in the last six
months. From small conferences to large-scale productions there have been so
many cancellations that locals are more surprised when an event proceeds.
Clockenflap was perhaps the highest
profile event to get the axe. This three day music festival is held over a
three day weekend each November. In 2019 the line-up of global performers was a
who’s who in contemporary music – Mumford & Sons, Halsey, and Lil Pump were
all announced
in the first round line-up. A few weeks before the event, Clockenflap
was cancelled.
Other
cancellations included the New Year’s Eve fireworks, HKFC 10s Rugby Tournament,
the technology conference RISE 2020, and most recently the Chinese New Year
parade – a perennial favourite for families and visitors. The e-magazine “Hong Kong Living” maintains a site
to track all cancellations.
One
wonderful exception to Hong Kong’s “Cancel Culture” is The AIA Great European Carnival, now open on the waterfront
in Central. This family-focused fair has rides, games, shows, food, and lots of
fun. It’s the brainchild of Michael Denmark, founder
of The Great Entertainment Group. The show
opened on 12 December and closes on 16 February.
“After Dark @ Asia Insight Circle” will be meeting under the VIP Tent at the carnival on Thursday, 16 January 2020 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Together with The Marketing Society, this co-sponsored event focuses on “Brave Conversations” and features Gemma Greaves, the Society’s global CEO. Featured will be an overview of bringing the carnival to Hong Kong by Mr Denmark. With the numerous cancellations and continuing protests, it’s nice to see a family-focused event open in Hong Kong. It’s important for children and adults alike to have a little fun in-between the challenges facing the city.
We’ve entered the world of sponsored content. Our first LinkedIn campaign is underway. We’re targeting Hong Kong-based CEOs of mid-size and larger companies, including finance, manufacturing, shipping – all industries.
