In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Lynette Chew, partner at CMS Singapore and director of CMS Holborn Asia. 

With over 25 years of experience, Lynette handles complex domestic and cross-border disputes as lead counsel in Singapore Courts and institutional arbitrations. Lynette has advised on notable projects such as the construction of Marina Bay Sands.

Lynette’s expertise in construction, projects, and energy work has earned her recommendations in legal directories, and her exceptional legal acumen and industry recognition make her a respected figure in the field, being the sole woman lawyer ranked for both contentious and non- contentious matters in the Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2022 Guide for Construction in Singapore.

In this episode, we cover:

• Lynette’s day-to-day as a partner at CMS Singapore
• Lynette’s shift to infrastructure and construction work
• Navigating challenges in a male-dominated industry 
• The Marina Bay Sands project
• Advice for next-gen lawyers

Join us for this inspiring conversation as Lynette takes us on her career journey and shares invaluable advice for aspiring lawyers in the industry!

Links:

Bluente's Website: https://www.bluente.com/
Lynette’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynette-chew-%E5%91%A8-%E7%BE%8E%E7%8E%B2-98b6222/
Our Socials: @bluente.official (Instagram and Tik Tok)

In this episode of Business Beyond Borders, we had the privilege of interviewing Siew Kum Hong, a seasoned professional whose journey spans across diverse landscapes, with impactful roles at prominent organisations such as Rajah and Tann, Yahoo, Airbnb and more. Starting as a lawyer at R&T, he quickly transitioned to an in-house legal counsel, contributing to Yahoo during its formative years and glory days.

Kum Hong’s journey took a defining turn with Airbnb, where he spent a decade driving the company’s APAC expansion as employee number 2, eventually culminating in his role as China COO with significant involvement in the China office. Today, Kum Hong is an Advisor to Airbnb, as well as the Board Member of GoZayaan, a travel tech startup.

In this episode, we discuss: 

- Kum Hong’s journey from law school to his leadership stint at Airbnb
- Transitioning from legal to business leadership
- Managing the China team and China market during COVID
- Implementing strategies unique to the Chinese marketplace
- Insights and advice for startups

Links:

Bluente's Website: https://www.bluente.com/

Kum Hong’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siewkumhong/

Our Socials: @bluente.official (Instagram and Tik Tok)

In this episode, we are joined by Jason Tay, Head of Business Development and Government Relations at M-DAQ Global. In these roles, Jason spearheads senior C-level dialogues, as well as dialogues with local, state, and legislative bodies as well as government agencies to cultivate essential relationships with key stakeholders, propelling the company’s sales growth and business interests.

Jason is also a strategic advisor to a stealth mode crypto project, contributing his expertise to the cutting-age world of cryptocurrency. He is also a business mentor for the Singapore Leaders Network, as well as an esteemed lecturer at SMU Academy, delivering courses on topics like the Web 3.0 economy, Metaverse, NFTs, Gamefi and more.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The evolution of Jason’s role at MDAQ Global and leveraging government connections. 
• The importance of understanding and managing different stakeholders, including CEOs, CFOs, and media.
• The significance of cultural nuances in relationship building, using examples from Japanese and Korean clients. 
• Overcoming language barriers and the importance of sincerity and respect in building trust with clients. 
• Jason’s philosophy in maintaining client relationships, focusing on trust and becoming a trusted partner. 

Join us for this insightful conversation as we learn from Jason's experiences and gain valuable insights into building successful relationships in the FinTech industry across diverse cultures.

The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of any affiliated organizations or entities.

Links:

Bluente's Website: https://www.bluente.com/

Jason’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayjason/

Our Socials: @bluente.official (Instagram and Tik Tok)

In our latest episode of Business Beyond Borders, we sit down with Emilia Chen, founder of Polygon Search, a global FinTech headhunting firm focused on fintech recruitment, with more than 400,000 candidates across Asia and the US.

Prior to founding her own firm, Emilia was a senior consultant at Michael Page, where she successfully developed new businesses by building strong relationships and generating referrals to secure contracts with family offices, tier-one investment banks, and hedge funds.

In this episode, we cover:
- Global FinTech trends
- Current and future job vacancies and roles in FinTech 
- Fake CVs and scams in applications
- Advice for young professionals wanting to enter FinTech

Listen in as Emilia provides salient advice for young professionals entering the FinTech world. Don't miss out on how faking CVs has become more prevalent for candidates, as well as how important skill sets are being redefined. Tune in to find out about the unique challenges and opportunities facing the FinTech sector!


Links:
Bluente's Website: https://www.bluente.com/
Emilia's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emchh/
Our Socials: @bluente.official (Instagram and Tik Tok)

In this episode of Business Beyond Borders, we explore the world of international arbitration with our guest, Jennifer Lim, a renowned arbitration lawyer and a partner at Sidley Austin. 

Jennifer represents clients in investor-state and commercial arbitrations, with her expertise spanning multiple jurisdictions and arbitration rules, including ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, HKIAC, SIAC, and LCIA.

Jennifer's has also been honoured as a "Thought Leader – Global Elite" by Who's Who Legal and recognised as an "International Arbitration Future Leader."

In this episode, we cover:

• Jennifer’s journey to international arbitration
• Jennifer’s experience at the International Court of Justice
• Key upcoming challenges in international arbitration
• Importance of language skills in international dispute resolution
• The importance of passion and drive when pursuing a career in law

Whether you are a budding lawyer or a seasoned veteran in the field, this episode offers something for everyone, encouraging a broader, more nuanced perspective on the exciting realm of international law. Tune in now! 

Links:

Bluente's Website: https://www.bluente.com/

Jennifer’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zj-jennifer-lim/

Our Socials: @bluente.official (Instagram and Tik Tok)

In this episode, we sit down with Luis Borja, an Ecuadorian attorney-at-law with extensive experience in corporate, commercial, and information technology regulations, as well as China policies. He is currently a Partner at H&W Law Firms Group in Shanghai and an Associate at DeltaLegal Law Firm in Quito.

Luis has a strong background in Hispanic-Chinese comparative law and is passionate about integrating new technologies into the legal practice. His expertise extends to various areas of law, including trade, labor, business, contracts, investment, intellectual property, and more.

In this episode, we cover:

• Regulatory differences within Greater China
• Legal concerns for businesses entering the Chinese market
• Cultural understanding, auditing, and due diligence in cross-border business
• The role of technology in the legal sector

Tune in to this informative episode as Luis shares his insights on cross-border experiences and the evolving role of technology in the legal sector. Click to follow and subscribe for more engaging content. See you soon!

Links:

Bluente's Website: https://www.bluente.com/

Luis’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisfelipeborja/

Our Socials: @bluente.official (Instagram and Tik Tok)

In this episode, we sit down with Jimmy Ong, a senior business leader with over 20 years of experience. Throughout his diverse career, Jimmy has held roles in technical consulting, sales development, and strategic planning, leading teams of more than 50 and driving business of US$5 billion in emerging and developed markets. Today, Jimmy is the Business Development Manager for Southeast Asia at HP, working with channel partners and creating solutions for customers.

Jimmy is also recognised as a leading expert in learning and development. He has been engaged in consulting assignments with multinational companies and facilitated more than 100 workshops on strategy, leadership, and business transformation.  

In this episode, we cover:

• Jimmy's role at HP 
• Investment opportunities and talent development in Southeast Asia
• Cultural differences in leading diverse teams in Southeast Asia
• Benefits of studying overseas and working outside one's comfort zone
• Jimmy's ABCDE philosophy on leadership
• The importance of energy and continuous growth in leadership and learning and development

If you are keen to gain embodied insights into leadership in Southeast Asia, comprehend the subtle art of leading diverse teams with empathy and understanding, then this episode is not to be missed. 

Links:

Bluente's Website: https://www.bluente.com/

Jimmy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-ong-hp/

Our Socials: @bluente.official (Instagram and Tik Tok)

In this episode of Business Beyond Borders, we have the pleasure of speaking with Viktor Kyosev, an experienced startup entrepreneur with a wealth of knowledge in building startups across cultures, having worked across multiple countries Bulgaria, Greece Denmark, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Singapore. 

Viktor is currently the Chief of Staff at Docquity, Southeast Asia’s largest professional community of healthcare professionals, playing a pivotal role in supporting the founding team across various crucial projects, ranging from product development to talent management. He is also an Entrepreneur in Residence at Big Bang Angels Inc., an early-stage institutional investor with a focus on cross-border startups in Singapore and Korea.

In this episode, we cover:

• Viktor's role as Chief of Staff at Docquity
• The importance of learning through doing and prioritizing growth
• Challenges of expanding into new markets 
• Tips for quickly understanding and adapting to different cultures
• Differences between building startups in emerging markets and developed markets
• The unique challenges and opportunities of the Asian market

If you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional looking to expand your horizons, do tune in to this episode. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights from Viktor on the intricacies of the international startup landscape. 

Links:

Bluente's Website: https://www.bluente.com/

Viktor’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viktorkyosev/

Our Socials: @bluente.official (Instagram and Tik Tok)