Between Meetings

I interviewed Cheng Fu on the latest episode of Between Meetings where he talked about his transformation from a backend developer to a business unit lead. We also discussed Builtopia and its benefits for SMEs and the challenges in the Metaverse industry.

Takeaways:

• I put in diligent effort and smart strategies to attain my opportunities
• I had a well-structured career plan
• I understood that sacrifices were necessary for growth
• I joined a small startup to gain insights into startup operations
• The price of entry into the metaverse is exorbitant
• Chinese companies face a trade-off of higher costs for lower-quality products (in the Metaverse)

Cheng Fu is a seasoned software engineer with a proven track record in the computer software industry. He has expertise in Cloud Computing, Cloud Native Stack, and Computer Graphics. Cheng holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering from Zhejiang University and boasts six years of experience in both team and product management.

Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

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Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

Support the show

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

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Thank you for listening/watching.

I interviewed Shameen Prashantham on the latest episode of "Between Meetings." We discussed the inspiration behind his book "Gorillas Can Dance" and explored the complexities of startup-corporate collaboration. Shameen shared valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and how CEIBS is grooming the next generation of leaders.

Takeaways:

• What I’ve seen as constant is recognition of the importance of innovation 
• Some of the smaller companies have no choice but to learn to dance with big gorillas 
• You need equal measures of optimism and pessimism
• See what they are interested in matches with their strategic priorities
• You need to show enough of your capability that the corporate is interested in but not so much that they do not need you anymore
• Three types of mindsets deal with uncertainty: entrepreneurial, collaborative, and global. 
• We have become really interdependent over time
• Obliquity, frugality, paradoxicality

Dr. Shameen Prashantham is a Professor of International Business and Strategy and Associate Dean (MBA) at CEIBS in Shanghai. His latest book, Gorillas Can Dance, offers managers in large corporations a proven guide to partnering and collaborating with startups to improve innovation by delivering the “where,” “why,” and “how” of corporation-startup partnerships. 

Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter

Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

Support the show

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening/watching.

We discussed Vincent's family business, the concept of sustainability in fashion, perceptions of social entrepreneurship, and the role of technology in a sustainable fashion. He shared the story of REMAKEHUB and offered advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Takeaways:

• We are going from a linear to a circular model
• What is considered sustainable today may not be considered sustainable in the future
• Many things come from unexpected places
• Materials science and supply chain is the core of the industry
• Giving back to society while still making money
• Glocalize: global + localize
• Have your own tribe

Vincent Djen is a fashion entrepreneur, innovator, mentor, and manufacturer with 16 years of experience. He works with startups and big brands in using his knowledge, network, and resources to turn their designs into products and make their products and processes more sustainable and grow their businesses.

Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter

Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

Support the show

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening/watching.

We discussed Cyril's background and experiences as an entrepreneur, the changes and developments in eCommerce in recent years, the use of key opinion leaders (KOLs) in marketing, and the challenges Chinese brands face when expanding globally, among other related topics. 

Takeaways:

• I started in China because it was cheap
• Admin part of the entrepreneurship journey never bothers me
• In terms of the business model you need to follow market trends
• It is not easy for brands to make money on eCommerce
• It is getting almost too expensive to have a good ROI on the platforms
• I believe offline retail is coming back to the game
• eCommerce has not killed offline retail, eCommerce has changed offline retail
• Chinese shoppers are more and more loyal to brands
• China market entry is expensive
• The travel retail business moved from airports to Hainan

Cyril has 20 years of experience in digital, eCommerce, IT, and marketing from a background in leading 4A agencies. He has supported global clients from top MNCs in FMCG, luxury, beauty & skincare, home appliances, and pharmaceutical/cosmeceutical categories, utilizing digital solutions and innovations to drive omni-commerce and customer connection, resulting in acceleration of growth for clients.

Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter

Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

Support the show

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening/watching.

Takeaways:

• Coca-Cola and Disney in China are still a bit different from Coca-Cola and Disney in the US
• Act local
• You have to be agile to product-market fit
• Find a team that is a mission-driven
• Execute. Win. Celebrate
• Les Mills works with over 2000 gyms and clubs in China
• 70 m people who regularly exercise in China, which is 5% of the total population
• To fit the local market we need to develop content tailored more toward beginners

Brian's career had bounced between places in the US and China in the last 20+ years, with opportunities to work for some of the world's most respected companies, the likes of Disney and Coca-Cola, leading finance teams and partnering with GM for business growth and strategies.

Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter

Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

Support the show

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening/watching.

Takeaways:

• As I got older I just did not feel I could have the impact that I wanted to have
• We sweat and we connect
• As a generation, we are moving less than ever before
• Make movement a fundamental human right
• Movement is medicine
• If you don’t have guanxi and you are not working with local bureaus and local governments you gonna hit a wall of resistance that I don’t think you can get passed
• External accountability: do not go alone!

Born and raised in California, Cory Arth is an APTA American Board-Certified Doctor of Physical Therapy. Cory has worked in team sports settings around the world including China, Qatar, and Brazil, and also worked with athletes participating in the Olympics, NBA, MLB, NFL,  and additional professional leagues and competitions globally.

Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews in which we discuss innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Our guests are industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. We catch them between meetings. In a car ride across town, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success.

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter

Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

Support the show

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening/watching.

Takeaways:

• East and West work cultures are very much built on relationship
• In Hong Kong, the teams work around the clock
• We have been training these models with historical data, data that created a lot of social disparity and biases, and inherited inequality
• ESG becomes a little bit more of a marketing conversation and branding
• The real work comes after you know what your North Star is
• I hope more people can see the long-term impact on their decision-making process
• If you are not tested you do not know your potential

Ellen Wu has a proven track record of solving complex business challenges with innovative technology strategies. A strong passion for advancing sustainability, ethical AI, diversity, and leadership.

Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews in which we discuss innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Our guests are industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. We catch them between meetings. In a car ride across town, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success.

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter

Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

Support the show

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening/watching.

Takeaways:

• Quite a fair amount of international insurance companies are not making much money in China
• We are counting on the high-net-worth local population eventually will get insured
• Healthcare cost is really expensive in Shanghai
• Local players put a lot of effort into digitalization
• Insurance is still a very traditional industry
• People are looking for more globally portable solutions
• Teleconsultation and AI Underwriting are disrupting the industry

Jonathan Chapon is an experienced General Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the insurance industry internationally. Skilled in business development, negotiation, business planning, and management.

Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews in which we discuss innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Our guests are industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. We catch them between meetings. In a car ride across town, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success.

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter

Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

Support the show

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening/watching.

Takeaways:

• Group classes are on the rise
• Localization is key to the success of the American tech company in China
• More boutique studios with professional couches coming in 
• In China, there is still a very low penetration rate for the fitness industry 
• Traditional big open-space gyms are struggling with their current business models focusing only on long-term membership
• ClassPass in 30 countries, but only in China ClassPass operates in a different way
• At ClassPass the management saw the China team as an experimental project

Simon Wang is a senior executive with diversified industry experiences. He has plenty of experience leading the business, design, and product teams in both multinational and local enterprises with outstanding achievements.

With his computer science background, he has always been committed to using technological innovation to break through industrial barriers and optimize the user experience.

Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews in which we discuss innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Our guests are industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. We catch them between meetings. In a car ride across town, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success.

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter

Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

Support the show

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening/watching.

Takeaways:

• Part of the formula to scale innovations is working with key people 
• Asia’s biggest advantage is a huge blank slate
• You can think of blockchain as an infrastructure of infrastructures 
• We live in very unique times, the most disruptive, interesting, impactful moments in the history of humanity 
• 10 years of fintech road happened in the space of a year in change over COVID

Prof. Michael Sung is a technology venture builder and investor, having founded various companies in diverse high-tech industries ranging from AI, blockchain, semiconductor, and new materials industries. Prof. Sung is Chairman/CEO of FreeFlow Finance, a cross-border payments company focused on regulated digital currency interoperability and FX infrastructure solutions for financial institutions. He has a strong background in cross-border technology transfer, strategic industry engagement, commercialisation strategy, business model innovation, and hi-tech entrepreneurship.

Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews in which we discuss innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Our guests are industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. We catch them between meetings. In a car ride across town, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success.

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

YouTube, Linkedin, Twitter

Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

Support the show

🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.

Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening/watching.