In life, and in business, reputation is everything. That said, reputation is fragile and it only takes one mistake to cause irreparable damage to your company’s image. This is made even more critical in the digital world where radical transparency and high customer expectations are paramount. The rules of engagement in crisis management have changed. Brian West tells us about these 5 paradigm shifts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TOMS has changed the perception of fashion with its One for One® commitment – with every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS provides a pair of shoes to a child who needs it,  and this innovative approach has resonated with markets all over the world. Having distributed 35 million pairs of shoes to those in need, TOMS not only continues to extend their initiatives in areas of need around the world, venturing into eyewear and coffee, but also providing other social entrepreneurs access to their infrastructure to spread the good work.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to a 2014 report by Ernst & Young, male-run businesses are 3.5 times more likely to surpass the million dollar mark in sales than their female-run counterparts and only 2% of women-owned companies ever hit a million. The report also states that women start businesses at nearly twice the rate of men, but far fewer of them actually scale. We find out how this can be changed. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mention ‘branding’ and most will think of the obvious being the visual perception of a business. To the big brands, it is about how much they can splurge their millions in advertising and promotions. To the SMEs, it is a privilege as most can’t even afford the minimal, and they end up doing it wrongly by blindly emulating the big brands. Roger Kerk shares how branding can be economical, if not free.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to SME Corp, over 90% of Malaysian companies are small medium enterprises. And with many being startups, you can imagine that the strategy is to be as lean as possible while striving towards their goals.At the same time technology and connectivity play a key role in their communications with the supply chain, and with customers. How are they using technology and telecommunications?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've been thinking of starting up a social enterprise, diversifying your current business or just looking into sustainable practices, you'll want to know: what makes a social enterprise successful and how many are able to sustain themselves? We speak to consultant and social entrepreneur, Uday Thakka to find out

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nominated for Ernst & Young's Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Adelaine Foo has been working to elevate the skills of Malaysian engineers in the automotive industry. We investigate why the automotive industry is her passion, and tap into her vision for the future.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With so much marketing popping up subtly on our devices - are people actually printing flyers, are they sending one-way sms blasts to their customers? Are the traditional methods of marketing relevant anymore?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From January 2015,  all listed companies are to disclose their D&I policies in their annual reports. What policies can companies deploy for a more diverse workforce and a more inclusive environment? Meanwhile, PWC, which has won awards for diversity and inclusion, is of the strong belief that enhancing diversity requires a specific focus or intervention by corporate leadership.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a cultural climate saturated by technology, marketing professionals have focused their energies on creating newer and more digital methods of promoting their brands, with the fear that if they don’t embrace the internet, or "Big Data," they will fade into obscurity. Tom Doctoroff argues that this frenzy over digital media has created a schism in the marketing world that is hindering brands from attaining their true business potential.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.