Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

It's International Jazz Day, but there's never a time where we can't celebrate this wonderful, soothing music genre. Legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and countless others introduced the world to the wonders of jazz, and its only right that we give back through our appreciation of these talented artists.  Emaad and Audrey discuss the origins of the word "Jazz," how jazz musicians “turn off” a part of their brains during improvisation, their use of non-verbal cues to communicate on stage, and some renowned clubs in Singapore where you can get your jazz fix! Presented by Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek  Produced and edited by Emaad Akhtar Music credits: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors 

Since 2014, the DBS Foundation Grand Award was introduced to recognise, reward and support businesses for impact, both Social Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 10 years on, it has provided over $17 million dollars in grant funding to over 100 social enterprises and SMEs to scale their business model and deepen their social and/or environmental impact. We chat with Shaun Tan, Co-Founder, Inclus - one of 24 recipients of the grant this year & Claire Wong, Executive Director, DBS Foundation for more. Presented by Emaad Akhtar  This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg) She produces Mind Your Business, Biz-How-To and Breakfast Special segments on the Breakfast Show. Do contact her for topics: C-Suite, SME, Startups, Healthtech, Sustainability, Property, Intergenerational Family Business, Industry Outlook, Fintech and trending businesses in town.

Early results from the US reporting season indicate that over 80% of companies are surpassing expectations, with first-quarter earnings on track to increase by 4.7% from a year ago.  Meantime in Asia, speculation has emerged that the Japanese government has intervened to support its currency, the yen, for the first time since 2022. The yen experienced significant volatility, rallying over 2% after earlier dropping. Kurt Mayell, Head of CMC Markets, Singapore, discusses all of this with Willie Keng. Produced and Presented by Willie Keng

Have you always been a fan of dancing but never mustered the courage to actually get up on stage and perform? On International Dance Day, you might be encouraged to do so, especially given the myriad benefits this art form offers. From better balance and posture to improved cognitive function, dancing is a great way to feel better both physically and mentally (and by extension, emotionally). Sadly, though, professional dancers are also more prone to injury, but if you're just starting out, baby steps are the way to go.  Emaad and Audrey discuss the pros and cons of dancing, and remind you which style is set to make its debut at the Paris Olympics this summer! Presented by Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek  Produced and edited by Emaad Akhtar Music credits: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors 

More than 50 businesses and corporations have joined a new Corporate Action Network set up by the Public Hygiene Council. It’s a move to urge people to make it a habit to keep the country clean throughout the year. This was unveiled at the launch of this year’s Keep Singapore Clean campaign - along with the announcement that SG Clean Day will be held every two months, instead of three, from next year! For those who might not be familiar - on SG Clean Day, cleaners at selected Housing Board estates, public parks, malls, dormitories and other public areas take a break from sweeping duties.  On this episode of Morning Shot, Andrew Khng, Chairman of the Public Hygiene Council talks about the current state of public hygiene in Singapore and explains why it’s so important for our little red dot. Presented by: Emaad Akhtar & Audrey Siek Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: Public Hygiene Council

In this episode of Mind Your Business, we discover the relentless spirit of a senior entrepreneur who has traversed from zoological research to leading multinational operations and reshaping traditional industries. Now turning his attention to transforming healthcare delivery, he introduces an initiative that is set to redefine convenience and efficiency in medical services. His story is a masterclass in innovation and adaptability, proving that entrepreneurial spirit can flourish at any age. Tong Ping Heng, Managing Director, SmartRx shares what are the key things to consider as a silver-preneur, including ego, experience, network and succession planning.  Presented by Audrey Siek This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg) She produces Mind Your Business, Biz-How-To and Breakfast Special segments on the Breakfast Show. Do contact her for topics: C-Suite, SME, Startups, Healthtech, Sustainability, Property, Intergenerational Family Business, Industry Outlook, Fintech and trending businesses in town.

Inflation data continues to climb at a rate still considerably higher than the Federal Reserve’s 2% annual goal. With a strong consumption spending, and inflation data, what’s the Fed stance on interest rates, and what’s the outlook of the US economy? Matt Taylor, Senior Director, FTI Consulting, unpacks all this with Willie Keng. Produced and presented by Willie Keng

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, finding the right talent for board-level and C-suite positions is crucial for the success and sustainability of any organisation. As businesses navigate through complexities such as digital transformation, globalisation, and changing consumer behaviours, the role of executives at the highest levels becomes increasingly pivotal. We delve into the strategies and considerations necessary to identify and recruit the right board-level and C-suite talent to drive your business forward effectively, with Karunesh Prasad, Founder and CEO, Board Match-Up.  Presented by Emaad Akhtar This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg) She produces Mind Your Business, Biz-How-To and Breakfast Special segments on the Breakfast Show. Do contact her for topics: C-Suite, SME, Startups, Healthtech, Sustainability, Property, Intergenerational Family Business, Industry Outlook, Fintech and trending businesses in town.

In this episode of intergenerational series on Mind Your Business, we delve into the heart of a thriving family business in the world of optometry. From the roots set down by the father in the 1980s to the innovative approaches introduced by his son, they exemplify the evolution and resilience of a family-owned enterprise in the face of modern challenges and technological advancements.  Lee Kai Hung, Founder and Senior Optometrist, KJ Optometrists & Lee Feng Yuan, Optometrist, KJ Optometrists - a father and son duo share how these two generations collaborate, confront industry changes, and continue to drive their business forward with passion and precision. Presented by Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg) She produces Mind Your Business, Biz-How-To and Breakfast Special segments on the Breakfast Show. Do contact her for topics: C-Suite, SME, Startups, Healthtech, Sustainability, Property, Intergenerational Family Business, Industry Outlook, Fintech and trending businesses in town.

Mark Matthews, Managing Director & Head of Research Asia, Julius Baer shares his insights on policy divergence between the US and China, how Chinese companies are placing a greater emphasis on shareholder returns, in part by increasing dividends and buy-backs, what can investors do to build quality exposure when it comes to investing in China and whether there are specific risks they should look out for. Presented by: Willie Keng Producer: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)  Graphics credits: unsplash & its talented community of contributors