Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

Britain's biggest ceremonial event in seven decades took place over the weekend. The King’s coronation was a visual spectacle involving 4,000 members of the armed forces from the UK and across the Commonwealth, as well as 19 bands and flag-bearers. Behind the centuries-old traditions, royal watcher and commentator Pauline Maclaran, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Research at the Royal Holloway University of London examinesthe relevance of modern monarchies, what to expect from King Charles III and how the monarchy can move forward amid criticisms of its colonial past. She’s also co-author of a book titled “Royal Fever: The British Monarchy in Consumer Culture”. This podcast is produced and edited by Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)

Our C-Suite chat on Mind Your Business is with a female top brass in the tech industry, who worked in big companies like Google, Twitter and Samsung. But one day, a conversation with her daughter about what more can be done to save the planet, not only inspired her to start a community outreach programme, she also became an angel investor in sustainability-focused start-ups, as well as switched her career path to a climate tech venture. Lynlee Foo speaks with a fellow mom Maya Hari, Chief Executive Officer of Terrascope in this insightful conversation. This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg)

Bill Gates once said, "If your business is not on the internet, then your business will be out of business". In today's HOW TO series, we will delve deeper into one of the most essential social media and digital marketing skills - the search engine optimization or SEO, for businesses to increase their reach and revenue growth in today's digital age. Lynlee Foo speaks with Marcus Wong, Founder, Director of Growth, Neetclick, on some practical advice on getting started, what to look out for, and how to create an effective strategy. This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg)

Christopher Wong, Client Portfolio Strategist, South East Asia, Fidelity International, discusses why Asian markets have been relatively more resilient in the wake of the FOMC's latest rate hike, which saw US markets down for a fourth straight session. He also talks about the more attractive Asian currencies in the coming year.

If you are a digital merchant or startup looking for zero-equity funding to fuel your business growth, you might want to listen to this latest episode of Mind Your Business with Lynlee Foo and Ryan Huang. We are exploring innovative solutions for digital merchants and startups, speaking with Brian Tsang, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Choco Up - a global technology and financial services platform offering revenue-based financing and business growth solutions. He is joined by one of their clients, Olivia Yiong, Co-founder, Cheak, whom they have helped to generate an impressive six-figure revenue in their first year of business. This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg)

As economic activity picks up its pace post COVID-19, Singapore generated more domestic waste last year compared to 2021. But have you thought about where your waste ends up? For example, the old washing machine that you’re throwing out? Well, that may very well end up in the ocean!  Marine scientist Sam Shu Qin, Co-Founder of Our Singapore Reefs shares her personal experience diving to pick out all that trash from Singapore's sea bed and how they're affecting the marine environment. This podcast is produced and edited by Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)

COE prices ended mostly lower in the latest bidding exercise (May 4), due to a higher quota for May to July 2023. But they are still on the high side - over $100k for Cat A, Cat B and Open category - still a challenge for the average Singaporean to own a car.  Question now is, should something similar to the cooling measures being introduced to control the skyrocketing prices of homes here, be also introduced to the COE system? Measures such as the recently raised Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD), have been put in place to prevent property prices from rising too quickly, and to ensure that housing remains affordable for the average Singaporean. However, as home prices are being kept in check, there are growing concerns about the cost of owning a car in Singapore, with soaring Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums making it difficult for many to afford a vehicle. Is it time to reevaluate the COE system?  Listen to this mini panel as Lynlee Foo and Ryan Huang host Associate Professor Walter Theseira, Transport Analyst, SUSS and Julian Kho, Editor & General Manager, Media, sgCarMart. (00:00) - Introduction (01:43) - Should there be a separate COE system for Singaporeans, PRs and foreigners, just like our HDB policies? (04.51) - Will an ABSD-like tax be effective in deterring car buyers from getting a second or third car, and in turn curb soaring COE premiums? (06:17) - What is the impact of the rise in taxes on costlier cars since it was announced at Budget 2023?  (08:03) - How might a more equitable COE system help to address social mobility and inequality in Singapore, such as families with elderly and young children? (12:13) - What policy changes can be implemented to address the role of private-hire vehicle operators in driving up COE prices, and potentially treat them like taxis to alleviate the issue? (14:17) - Should there be a different COE system for EVs, to encourage mass adoption? (15:51) - In conclusion, is it time to re-evaluate the 33-year-old COE system? This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg)

Stocks closed lower for a fourth day running, coming on the back of renewed bank worries, The Dow too, turns negative for the year, pulling back 0.06% year to date, with declines in Boeing, Disney, Goldman Sachs and American Express shares dragging on the Dow. Yussef Gheriani, Director of Investments and Operations at IHT Wealth Management gives a deep dive on ripples shaking the banking sector, how things are shaping up for AI and big tech, as well as spaces to watch out for.  Presenter: Ryan Huang Producer: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)

Louis Teo, Senior Market Strategist, Fullerton Markets discusses why the US dollar will still see some strength as other factors come into play including geopolitical tensions, even despite the FOMC hinting that it has reached the end of its hiking cycle.

Disposable chopsticks are undoubtedly convenient, but they come with a heavy environmental cost. The production of these utensils contributes to deforestation, while their disposal leads to landfill pollution. With that in mind, a power couple became the first circular economy franchise in Singapore - to upcycle single-use chopsticks into style Scandinavian eco-friendly furniture. They count Shaw family scion, Howard Shaw, as one of their early investors and have recently raised USD$7.7 million dollars in growth funding to scale its circular global microfactory network. On Mind Your Business, Lynlee Foo and Ryan Huang speak with the husband and wife combo - Evelyn Hew, Founder and Managing Director, ChopValue Singapore and Justin Lee, General Manager, ChopValue Singapore on how they stumble upon this business, where do they obtain their chopsticks, their rapid growth since its inception in 2016, creating over 150 jobs across 6 countries through 63 in-development franchises. This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg)