In this episode of The Adrian Tan Show, Adrian Tan interviews Neal Moore, a seasoned storyteller, entrepreneur, and coach.

They discuss Neal's transition from acting to journalism to content marketing, the impact of AI on creative industries, and the importance of sales skills for business success.

Neal shares valuable insights on how creatives can build businesses that support their lifestyles, emphasizing the importance of personal branding, effective communication, and the timeless skills of listening and empathy.



00:00 Introduction and Book Announcement

01:17 Welcome to the Adrian Tan Show

01:29 Guest Introduction: Neil Moore

02:10 Neal's Journey: From Acting to Content Marketing

02:51 The Transition to Sales

03:42 Starting a Business in Singapore

04:31 Building a Content Marketing Agency

05:38 The Importance of Sales Techniques

09:24 Challenges for Creative Entrepreneurs

11:48 Balancing Creativity and Business

16:49 Aligning Business with Personal Lifestyle

24:23 Balancing Work and Happiness

24:45 Divine Discontent and Societal Roles

25:46 The Value of Diverse Skills

26:21 Challenges Faced by Creative Professionals

27:49 Learning Business Skills for Creatives

30:06 AI's Impact on Creativity

34:04 The Importance of Human Connection

39:31 Sales: The Essential Skill

46:27 Final Thoughts and Resources



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Neal's LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealpmoore/⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealpmoore/]

Neal's website: ⁠https://www.mooreslore.com/⁠ [https://www.mooreslore.com/]

Neal's personal blog: ⁠https://nealmoore.substack.com/⁠ [https://nealmoore.substack.com/] ---
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137 - Navigating Creativity and Business with Neal Moore

In this episode of the Adrian Tan Show, we welcome Dexter Zhuang [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dexterzhuang/], a financial innovator and globetrotter who left the US in 2019 to become a digital nomad.



Dexter shares his journey from climbing the corporate ladder in San Francisco's tech industry to exploring various countries, ultimately landing in Singapore, and later Mexico City.



He discusses his initial pursuit of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) strategy, why it didn't align with his values, and his shift towards a more balanced approach to financial freedom.



Dexter also elaborates on the importance of finding work you love, the concept of semi-retirement, and how AI and cultural shifts are redefining conventional career paths.



The conversation touches on the differences in financial perspectives across cultures, the value of side hustles for skill development and networking, and actionable advice for pursuing a fulfilling career.



Check out Dexter's newsletter at https://www.moneyabroad.co/



00:00 Introduction to Dexter Drunk: Financial Innovator and Globe Trotter

01:17 Dexter's Journey: From the US to Singapore and Beyond

05:46 Exploring Financial Independence and the FIRE Strategy

10:04 The Concept of Semi-Retirement

14:03 Real-Life Examples of Career Transitions

17:39 The Value of Side Hustles

23:34 Cultural Differences in Financial Perspectives

30:36 Future Trends in Financial Independence and AI

35:25 Career Advice for the Next Generation

39:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


---
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🎧 Or on my Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2db5aN9xKxaTEFQDibzwNm  
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✉️ For business inquiries: adrian@adriantan.com.sg


136 - Beyond FIRE: Exploring Semi-Retirement with Dexter Zhuang

In this episode, How Meng Hock of OMS shares insights into how Ironman inspired him during a crucial period when his organisation faced potential liquidation in 2019.

The discussion delves into his journey from initial exposure to Ironman through Marvel movies, leading to the initiation of 'Project Ironman'.

As the CEO of an upstream oil and gas company, he demonstrates remarkable resilience in navigating the complexities of preserving jobs and steering the company through financial challenges and industry downturns.

He emphasises the balance between treating employees as social units rather than economic ones.

The conversation includes strategic takeaways from various business books and the practical application of management theories during a multi-year negotiation process.



00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:11 Ironman as a Role Model

01:00 The Birth of Project Ironman

01:52 Challenges of Announcing Job Cuts

03:19 Understanding the Oil and Gas Industry

05:16 Company's Role in the Upstream Sector

06:58 The Management Buyout Decision

09:21 Navigating Financial and Operational Hurdles

20:53 Support Systems and Team Resilience

27:30 Personal Philosophy and Early Career Lessons

31:26 Balancing Social and Economic Units

31:48 Challenges in the Oil and Gas Industry

32:42 Philosophy of Employee Retention

33:35 Stakeholders vs. Shareholders

34:43 Importance of Cash Flow

35:17 Short-Term vs. Long-Term Goals

37:34 Humility in Leadership

39:40 Lessons from Corporate Acquisitions

42:38 The Impact of Books on Leadership

50:59 Reflecting on Past Mistakes

53:03 Advice to My Younger Self

54:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts



---
Products:
📕 "No More Bosses = The Journey to Sustainable Self-Employment": https://amzn.asia/d/09s7KlXc
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Stay Connected:
📺 Subscribe to my channel for more: https://www.youtube.com/@AdrianTan18/
🎧 Or on my Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2db5aN9xKxaTEFQDibzwNm  
Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/   
✉️ For business inquiries: adrian@adriantan.com.sg

135 - Project Ironman: Saving 600 Jobs and Reshaping the Oil & Gas Industry

Jonathan Eg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-eg/] is the Founder & CEO of Partipost [https://www.partipost.com/], a Crowd Marketing Platform that effectively connects brands to content creators, giving them seamless access to word-of-mouth advertising in the fast-moving world of social media. Since its inception in 2016, Partipost has dedicated itself to transforming how brands connect with their consumers, making it easier to engage and reach a larger pool of audiences through its platform.



Jonathan shares his intriguing journey from electrical engineering to founding an influencer marketing platform in this episode. He discusses the motivations behind his career shift, his challenges, and his parents' pivotal role in shaping his leadership style. Jonathan also provides insights into the evolution and benefits of micro and nano influencers, the impact of AI in influencer marketing, and the current state of B2B influencer marketing in the industry. He candidly addresses the issue of delayed payments in influencer marketing and how his company, Party Post, is working to resolve these challenges.



00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:33 From Electrical Engineering to Finance

02:27 Transition to Private Equity and Tech

03:22 Founding an Influencer Marketing Platform

05:30 Parental Influence on Leadership Style

08:18 Evolution of Influencer Marketing

11:30 Micro and Nano Influencers vs. Traditional Influencers

16:24 AI Influencers: The Future or a Fad?

19:56 B2B Influencer Marketing

23:02 Challenges in Influencer Payments

---    

Sign up for Adrian's weekly newsletter: https://adriantan.com.sg/subscribe/  

Visit Adrian Blog: https://adriantan.com.sg  

Follow Adrian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/ 

Follow Adrian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/adriantan18  

Like Adrian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adtan

134 - From Electrical Engineering to Influencer Marketing: Jonathan's Entrepreneurial Journey

Jonathan Eg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-eg/] is the Founder & CEO of Partipost [https://www.partipost.com/], a Crowd Marketing Platform that effectively connects brands to content creators, giving them seamless access to word-of-mouth advertising in the fast-moving world of social media. Since its inception in 2016, Partipost has dedicated itself to transforming how brands connect with their consumers, making it easier to engage and reach a larger pool of audiences through its platform.

Jonathan shares his intriguing journey from electrical engineering to founding an influencer marketing platform in this episode. He discusses the motivations behind his career shift, his challenges, and his parents' pivotal role in shaping his leadership style. Jonathan also provides insights into the evolution and benefits of micro and nano influencers, the impact of AI in influencer marketing, and the current state of B2B influencer marketing in the industry. He candidly addresses the issue of delayed payments in influencer marketing and how his company, Party Post, is working to resolve these challenges.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:33 From Electrical Engineering to Finance

02:27 Transition to Private Equity and Tech

03:22 Founding an Influencer Marketing Platform

05:30 Parental Influence on Leadership Style

08:18 Evolution of Influencer Marketing

11:30 Micro and Nano Influencers vs. Traditional Influencers

16:24 AI Influencers: The Future or a Fad?

19:56 B2B Influencer Marketing

23:02 Challenges in Influencer Payments

---    

Sign up for Adrian's weekly newsletter: https://adriantan.com.sg/subscribe/  

Visit Adrian Blog: https://adriantan.com.sg  

Follow Adrian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/ 

Follow Adrian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/adriantan18  

Like Adrian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adtan



Qiu Jianhan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jianhanqiu/] is the principal of strategy at Unispace Asia [https://www.unispace.com/], where he leads the strategy and change management practice. He has developed innovative strategy and change management solutions that have helped many organisations align their work environment with their goals. As a certified LUMA practitioner, Jianhan always embeds human-certified design thinking into his solutions, which has contributed to his success as a seasoned workplace strategist.

In this episode, Jianhan shares his intriguing journey from learning magic card tricks to his professional career in finance and workspace strategy. He discusses the importance of engaging employees in workspace design to boost productivity and satisfaction. Jianhan also provides insights into the impact of flexible workplace arrangements in Singapore and tips for companies seeking new office spaces. The conversation reveals how innovative workspace design can significantly influence employee well-being and organizational success.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:20 Discovering Magic Tricks

01:12 From Finance to Workspace Strategy

02:38 Common Workspace Design Mistakes

04:06 Engaging Employees in Workspace Design

07:24 Impact of Flexible Work Arrangements

11:22 Designing for Low Occupancy

15:46 Balancing Work, Life, and Play in the Office

18:06 Tips for Choosing a New Workspace

24:07 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

---  

Sign up for Adrian's weekly newsletter: https://adriantan.com.sg/subscribe/ 

Visit Adrian Blog: https://adriantan.com.sg 

Follow Adrian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/

Follow Adrian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/adriantan18 

Like Adrian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adtan

133 - From Magic Tricks to Workspace Strategy: Jianhan's Journey

Qiu Jianhan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jianhanqiu/] is the principal of strategy at Unispace Asia [https://www.unispace.com/], where he leads the strategy and change management practice. He has developed innovative strategy and change management solutions that have helped many organisations align their work environment with their goals. As a certified LUMA practitioner, Jianhan always embeds human-certified design thinking into his solutions, which has contributed to his success as a seasoned workplace strategist. In this episode, Jianhan shares his intriguing journey from learning magic card tricks to his professional career in finance and workspace strategy. He discusses the importance of engaging employees in workspace design to boost productivity and satisfaction. Jianhan also provides insights into the impact of flexible workplace arrangements in Singapore and tips for companies seeking new office spaces. The conversation reveals how innovative workspace design can significantly influence employee well-being and organizational success. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:20 Discovering Magic Tricks 01:12 From Finance to Workspace Strategy 02:38 Common Workspace Design Mistakes 04:06 Engaging Employees in Workspace Design 07:24 Impact of Flexible Work Arrangements 11:22 Designing for Low Occupancy 15:46 Balancing Work, Life, and Play in the Office 18:06 Tips for Choosing a New Workspace 24:07 Final Thoughts and Conclusion ---   Sign up for Adrian's weekly newsletter: https://adriantan.com.sg/subscribe/  Visit Adrian Blog: https://adriantan.com.sg  Follow Adrian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/ Follow Adrian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/adriantan18  Like Adrian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adtan

Prepare for an electrifying dive into the digital deep end with Marcelo Lebre [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelolebre/] on the Adrian Tan show, where the idea of the future of work takes centre stage. From a spark of pre-pandemic intuition, Remote has ascended to an industry vanguard, igniting the tech sector with pioneering global employment solutions.

This episode's heart beats the tale of Marcelo's voyage from engineer to entrepreneur—a journey fueled by a burning desire to connect global opportunities to talent, regardless of the miles in between. 

Adrian and Marcelo chart the territory of Remote [https://remote.sjv.io/c/2671262/1964842/16274]'s nascent days, the quest for the perfect domain, and the crafting of novel tools from the void—the kind you can't just find lying around; you have to build them.

Navigating the digital age, Marcelo Lebre stands tall as the co-creator and driving force behind Remote—the trailblazing platform rewriting the rules of global employment, now basking in the glow of a $150 million valuation boost. 

This unicorn company sprouted from the vision of a boy from a quaint Portuguese village whose grand ambitions bloomed in the fertile soil of technology, an inheritance from a grandfather with a love for all things electronic. Since its inception in 2019, Remote has been tearing down geographic barriers, offering companies everywhere the power to hire and manage their international teams with unprecedented ease.

Key Takeaways:

➡️ Enter Marcelo Lebre: co-founder of Remote, visionary of a digital workforce landscape altered long before pandemic pandemonium hit.

➡️ Remote's sprint to unicorn stardom, fueled by $150 million, is a testament to their game-changing approach to simplifying global employment.

➡️ Marcelo's leap from engineering to startup wizardry was sparked by an unwavering conviction: global opportunities should know no borders.

➡️ Leading the vanguard, Remote has tackled the complexities of legitimately managing a worldwide workforce, outpacing the competition before they knew the race had begun.

➡️ Beyond evolving their platform to serve global businesses big and small, Remote's influence reaches into worldwide policy debates on the future shape of work.

Notable Quotes:

"You will never have the perfect thing until you craft it, because other people will not do it for you."

"Our biggest competition is our own shadow and not any other brand or name."

"If you have a true passion about something, it's worth much more than anyone being forced into learning or doing something."

"We wanted to create an experience both for the people being paid, employees, contractors, you name it. But for the employer as well, no matter what, what kind of relationship you have."

"The future of work is being defined not just by the offer, but the need of people that today have access to tremendously fast Internet, super powerful computers, and knowledge that can traverse the world in a split second."

132 - Marcelo Lebre on the Future of Work and the Rise of Remote Companies

Prepare for an electrifying dive into the digital deep end with Marcelo Lebre [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelolebre/] on the Adrian Tan show, where the idea of the future of work takes centre stage. From a spark of pre-pandemic intuition, Remote has ascended to an industry vanguard, igniting the tech sector with pioneering global employment solutions. This episode's heart beats the tale of Marcelo's voyage from engineer to entrepreneur—a journey fueled by a burning desire to connect global opportunities to talent, regardless of the miles in between.  Adrian and Marcelo chart the territory of Remote [https://remote.sjv.io/c/2671262/1964842/16274]'s nascent days, the quest for the perfect domain, and the crafting of novel tools from the void—the kind you can't just find lying around; you have to build them. Navigating the digital age, Marcelo Lebre stands tall as the co-creator and driving force behind Remote—the trailblazing platform rewriting the rules of global employment, now basking in the glow of a $150 million valuation boost.  This unicorn company sprouted from the vision of a boy from a quaint Portuguese village whose grand ambitions bloomed in the fertile soil of technology, an inheritance from a grandfather with a love for all things electronic. Since its inception in 2019, Remote has been tearing down geographic barriers, offering companies everywhere the power to hire and manage their international teams with unprecedented ease. Key Takeaways: ➡️ Enter Marcelo Lebre: co-founder of Remote, visionary of a digital workforce landscape altered long before pandemic pandemonium hit. ➡️ Remote's sprint to unicorn stardom, fueled by $150 million, is a testament to their game-changing approach to simplifying global employment. ➡️ Marcelo's leap from engineering to startup wizardry was sparked by an unwavering conviction: global opportunities should know no borders. ➡️ Leading the vanguard, Remote has tackled the complexities of legitimately managing a worldwide workforce, outpacing the competition before they knew the race had begun. ➡️ Beyond evolving their platform to serve global businesses big and small, Remote's influence reaches into worldwide policy debates on the future shape of work. Notable Quotes: "You will never have the perfect thing until you craft it, because other people will not do it for you." "Our biggest competition is our own shadow and not any other brand or name." "If you have a true passion about something, it's worth much more than anyone being forced into learning or doing something." "We wanted to create an experience both for the people being paid, employees, contractors, you name it. But for the employer as well, no matter what, what kind of relationship you have." "The future of work is being defined not just by the offer, but the need of people that today have access to tremendously fast Internet, super powerful computers, and knowledge that can traverse the world in a split second."

Join me in this captivating episode as I dive deep into the remarkable journey of Sunny Saha [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunnysaha/], the GM of Blue Prism [https://www.blueprism.com/]. From his early days in market research to leading Time Warner Asia Pacific and launching the world's first Cartoon Network theme park, Sunny's diverse experience across industries will leave you inspired.   

Discover how he thrived amidst industry transformations driven by technology and his unique approach to embracing diverse perspectives. Whether you're an entrepreneur or simply seeking motivation, this episode is a must-listen to unlock the secrets of success from an extraordinary leader.

---

 * Sign up for Adrian's weekly newsletter: https://adriantan.com.sg/subscribe/
 * Visit Adrian Blog: https://adriantan.com.sg
 * Follow Adrian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/
 * Follow Adrian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/adriantan18
 * Like Adrian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adtan

131 - Sunny Saha On Unleashing the Power of Diverse Industries and Embracing Innovation

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 who are 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.