Ushering in abundance and fortune

THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: What are your wishes, as a business leader, for the Year of the Pig?

John Bittleston Founder & Chair Terrific Mentors International Pte Ltd

Good societies are built from the bottom up, not from the top down. Legislation, regulation, guidelines, education have all become the dictators of our behaviour, challenging many to defy them if only for recognition.

Process has overtaken thought as the solution to problems. Invention is seen at its most productive when building mechanisms to cheat. Wealth accrues to gamblers more than risk-takers.

As a human being, I wish for the emergence of a society that wants decency rewarded by recognising that exercising personal responsibility is a privilege, not a trap. As a business leader, I wish for the same for all leaders.

It may be a time coming but let us begin. Happy New Year!

Callum Laing Chairman Unity Group

2007 was the last Year of the Pig and what an interesting 12 years it has been since then. The following year was widely touted to be the end of the world as we knew it. Yet a year after that the market was in full upswing with the longest bull run in history.

Pigs are known to be easygoing and have excellent memories. As we face a turbulent year ahead, perhaps we humans can take a leaf out of their book? We should remember to rein in our more extreme emotional reactions. And pigs might fly . . .

Max Loh EY Asean and Singapore Managing Partner Ernst & Young LLP

OUR success is very much intertwined with the wider macroeconomic health and the growth of our clients and our people. Geopolitical shifts, trade tensions and disruptions in many forms, not least driven by technology, are profoundly impacting the way we work, live and do business.

These uncertainties and distractions will not go away, but what matters most is how we as business leaders respond - having the clarity to see opportunities in change, the resilience to navigate the risks and the wisdom to make sure that what we do not only fulfills our stakeholder obligations but has purpose and meaning for our teams and the broader communities.

My wish is that as inclusive business leaders, we all get better at this, one step at a time, every step of the way.

Anders Liss Country Manager Scania Singapore

WHILE we do have to prepare for challenges ahead, may the Year of the Pig surprise us yet with better prospects and good news. On a global level, I hope for more stability and peaceful resolutions to conflicts and unrests. An end to the trade wars would really be an advantage to all Asian economies.

In Singapore, the bicentennial celebration is a time to reflect on the next 200 years. I look forward to the government's and the business community's continued focus on addressing climate change issues, including shifting towards more sustainable transport solutions. May we forge ahead to reduce emissions and move towards zero-waste, for a greener and more liveable city of the future.

Yeoh Oon Jin Executive Chairman PwC Singapore

AGAINST rising pessimism over global growth and CEOs' fading confidence over revenue prospects, we should usher in the Year of the Pig with a mindset that embraces constant innovation with a keen focus on development of workforce skills, workplace culture and experience. That's the mantra of being digital and of being the future!

Having said that, it is important for us to look beyond financial performance for more effective and holistic indicators/measures of progress. For example, we should look for societal indicators that help measure sustainability and quality of life.

I look forward to joining hands with other business leaders in realigning our growth objectives, alongside other stakeholders. Together we must also create opportunities for greater cooperation among governments and businesses on a national and global scale to boost cross-border trade links.

Leong Boon Hoe Chief Operating Officer List Sotheby's International Realty, Singapore

2018 has been a year of two halves for the Singapore private residential market. While we enter the year of the Earth Pig with looming uncertainties such as the much-talked-about trade war and Brexit, my wish for the year is for everyone to stay positive, think big and look outside of our comfort zones.

Even in crisis, there are opportunities. A smart investor will look for bright spots to invest amid all the noise of uncertainties. With the right resources and knowledge, investors can look overseas to diversify his or her portfolio for yields or capital appreciation. Real estate markets are cyclical. With good advice from a trusted professional who can provide access to markets, investors can benefit from entering the market at the right time and purchasing the right property.

Nick Evered Senior VP and GM SAP Concur, Asia-Pacific

UNCERTAINTY always creates volatility and that's what we have with the current macroeconomic environment. All of us, vendors and customers, look at the news - it's not like it's just one issue to plan around; it's many issues potentially impacting almost all parts of the business environment.

So now of all times there is a very tight focus on building on existing success in specific industries or with specific products. In turbulent times, cost management, duty of care for employees and travel management become more important - that's our niche, that's the opportunity. My wish for 2019 - safety for all folk who have to travel for work.

Narinder Kapoor Managing Director Hewlett Packard Enterprise Asia-Pacific

WE are already witnessing the countless possibilities created by digital transformation in a world where everything computes - where billions of connected devices collect and share data at the "edge". Companies looking to make faster intelligent business decisions will need to prioritise the capitalisation of these vast amounts of data.

As we usher in the Lunar New Year, we remain focused on helping customers to adopt a more edge-centric, cloud-enabled and data-driven enterprise approach. By connecting all of their data, edges and clouds, companies can ease the burden of administration and focus on revenue-generating priorities and new capabilities that accelerate customer innovation and enterprise transformation.

Terence Yuen Country President BP Singapore

WE live in a time of unprecedented growth and change. For the oil and gas industry, the world is demanding more energy, but with fewer emissions. At BP, we call this the dual challenge. Our strategy encompasses this challenge and is intended to be flexible and resilient to change.

BP's Energy Outlook, which models probable scenarios for the future, suggests China and India will account for half of the growth in global energy demand to 2040. Though we foresee China's energy growth eventually slowing as it transitions to a more sustainable pattern of economic growth, our existing and emerging operations in China - and Asia-Pacific more broadly - remain an important aspect of BP's overall strategy.

Stephan Neumeier Managing Director Kaspersky Lab Asia-Pacific

LIKE for the global economy, 2018 has been a challenging time for the cybersecurity industry with cyberespionage attacks against governments worldwide and in Asia, the persistent threat of costly ransomware, financial frauds in industrial scale, and the rise of infections against IoT devices.

Singapore has its fair share of well-publicised data breaches and online infections due to it being the home of both big conglomerates and budding startups. So, as a business leader based in the heart of this highly developed nation, my wish is that the country and its citizens will take the cybersecurity lessons of 2018 to better protect themselves this year.

My hope for the New Year is for everyone to acknowledge that practising good cyber hygiene and building defences against these lurking cybercriminals is a shared responsibility - between the government, the public and private organisations, and the individual users themselves.

Karl Hamann CEO QBE Insurance (Singapore) Pte Ltd

AS the Year of the Pig approaches, business leaders will undoubtedly keep a keen eye on China's economic performance, and brace for potential impacts to their businesses. While the expectation is for businesses to be conservative in their projections and outlook for the year, our recently-concluded survey of Singapore SMEs found that businesses here are actually feeling optimistic about their businesses and the economy for the coming year.

Some 38 per cent of SMEs expect to grow their businesses this year, among which almost half (47 per cent) intend to internationalise.

We are ready to collaborate with these ambitious firms, helping them circumvent economic headwinds, ensuring they trot forward on the right foot this Year of the Pig.

Vipin Kalra CEO BankBazaar International

DESPITE the global macroeconomic forecasts, we don't expect a significant slowdown in the digital banking landscape in Singapore, and therefore we continue to be bullish about our business. Customers are increasingly turning to convenient digital platforms such as BankBazaar to search, compare and apply for financial products.

Driven by customer demand and partnerships with industry partners such as MyInfo, we are hoping for the Year of the Pig to be the year that the financial services industry embraces paperless financial processes wholeheartedly.

Emma Thompson Managing Partner Spurwing Communications

DURING times of financial uncertainty like what we have today, a company's reputation and the trust of the public become ever more important to securing long-term business security.

My wish for the Year of the Pig is to continue to work with company leaders who recognise the importance of building a strong reputation to reassure investors and employees of future sustainability.

As the pig is a symbol of wealth, I look forward to supporting companies and business leaders build their prosperity through excellent communications.

Leonard Cheong Managing Director AdNovum Singapore

WITH the challenging economic environment, businesses will need to embody the calm nature and steadfastness of the Pig this new year. In a technology-driven world, geographical boundaries are being erased, consumer expectations are changing and humans are expected to work in tandem with machines.

To keep up with this change, companies should make a concerted effort to strengthen their digital offerings and infrastructure. It is also vital for businesses to also invest in innovation and upgrading employee skills, so that the organisation can create greater value for customers not just this year but for many years to come. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Vikas Nahata Co-Founder and Executive Chairman Validus Capital

IN the Chinese zodiac, the pig symbolises wealth and fortune. Despite the gloomy macroeconomic situation, we are certain that opportunities for growth will continue and SMEs will be able to weather the storm.

We're hopeful the government will support SMEs by opening new digital channels for them to take advantage of in every business sphere. That being said, there's always an option to seek assistance from alternative financing platforms that will enable them to grow and not let tough external conditions hinder their potential growth.

This year, my wish is for growing businesses to use crowdlending platforms to access financing. We hope, as a peer-to-business lending platform, to play a greater role in enabling SME growth and development in South-east Asia.

Joanne Wong Senior Regional Director, Asia-Pacific & Japan LogRhythm

CONTRARY to popular belief, pigs are intelligent creatures. In this Year of the Pig, intelligence will be the central theme specifically in the area of cybersecurity.

As devices get smarter, so do cyber criminals, and it will require the combined intelligence and readiness of people and technology to defend against cyberattacks.

We hope to see deeper joint efforts between governments and organisations in communicating the importance of security to the wider public. While it is impossible to stop all cyberattacks, our wish for the year ahead is to be able to reduce the time it takes to detect and respond to such threats.

Vincent Magnenat Limited Partner and CEO Lombard Odier Asia-Pacific

2018 was a dramatic year for markets as well as asset diversification. As we enter the Year of the Pig, the world is faced again with choppy markets and harsh macroeconomic conditions.

Yet times of uncertainty and volatility make the proposition of discretionary portfolio management mandates even more attractive.

As a leading global wealth and asset manager, our priority is to help clients navigate these uncertain times, seek the right opportunities and protect their wealth for generations to come. Our risk-based DPM approach prevents investment decisions from being dictated by emotions, but rather depends on measurable facts to systematically adapt portfolio compositions, ultimately preserving and growing our clients' assets.

We believe it is in the best interests of investors to ignore the market noise and take a holistic, non-emotional approach to investing. We wish them all a happy and prosperous new year!

Dev Dhiman MD, South-east Asia and Emerging Markets Experian

WHILE the outlook for the Year of the Pig sees growth forecasts trimmed, South-east Asia is still home to some of the world's fastest growing economies. Together with strong technology adoption by consumers and businesses in the region, coupled with a regulatory focus on financial inclusion, South-east Asia looks to continue its strong growth momentum.

We hope for a continued public-private effort this year, to support sustainable growth in the region, and for communities to come together to solve quality-of-life issues and to advance financial inclusion.

Jimmy Yam VP of Sales, East Asia Eaton

DIGITALISATION remains unstoppable - digital products and services will add over US$1 trillion to the region by 2021.

This will contribute to regional energy demand, which is forecast to increase two-thirds by 2040. As such, Asean has developed a roadmap to meet that demand and to do so sustainably through initiatives like green building codes.

As a business leader in power management, my hope is that the private sector will do more to engage policymakers to share knowledge about emerging business models, technologies and lowering risks in energy projects. This would enhance understanding of the importance of sustainable investments and financing to facilitate the transformation of Asean's energy.

Damien Wong VP & GM, Asian Growth and Emerging Markets (GEMs) Red Hat

ADVANCEMENTS in technology will continue to introduce waves of disruptive ideas and innovation. While open source underpins most of these game-changing technologies, it can also be used to counter the threat of disruption and enable organisations to succeed better in the digital age.

Organisations need to be resilient but also be open to new ideas in order to adapt to changes quickly. My hope for 2019 is for more businesses to recognise the threat of digital disruption and reorganise themselves in a way that fosters innovation quickly and continuously.

Organisations should empower employees to share ideas openly and encourage greater collaboration to further facilitate innovation.

Maren Schweizer Director Schweizer World Pte Ltd

I AM concerned about the buildup in short-term risks that are threatening global growth. Global trade tensions pose a threat to the economic outlook. Despite the ongoing economic uncertainties, businesses in Singapore are pursuing innovation to keep pace with a fast-changing world.

An abrupt tightening of global financial conditions could spark financial turmoil.

To attract and retain talent is a prime concern. We come into 2019 at the very top of an economic cycle with record-low unemployment. As family businesses we give special focus on work transformation, employee engagement and teams. In my mind, the word "teams" is more than a description of how people work together; it's a management philosophy focused on work - not jobs - with people freely sharing knowledge and skills across functional silos.

For the Year of the Pig I wish that all of us strengthen the global cooperation that is central to advancing sustainable development for a common good.

Yai Sukonthabhund CEO Crossbridge Capital Asia

TRADE wars, the easing of unconventional monetary policy, Brexit and generally volatile markets are the headline challenges for 2019. Yet despite global uncertainty, we are cautiously optimistic that growth in Asia will stabilise.

The Belt and Road Initiative will help developing nations here as they eventually reap the benefits from the restructuring of free trade. For investors there will be crosswinds to navigate as we move further into 2019; however, with volatility comes opportunity. Warren Buffett's mentor, Benjamin Graham, famously described the markets as a short-term voting machine and a long-term weighing machine. It can be hard to block out the surrounding noise in fluctuating markets, yet those who do will be rewarded.

Laletha Nithiyanandan Managing Director Behavioural Consulting Group

THE business outlook overall forecasts a global slowdown; this will affect us in the region and businesses need to be prepared for it.

I see this as a necessary period of adjustment and in a way it helps to build greater stability further down the road. It is important this year to spend wisely, take stock of the business and also clean up internally. The slowdown is not a sudden event - it was expected, and any business leader who keeps abreast of market trends should have been able to see this coming and should be prepared for it. It can be a good thing if you are prepared for it.

Nilesh Mistry VP, Head of APAC World Wide Technology

While macroeconomic factors loom on the horizon, technology is the key to helping organisations navigate uncertain times by unlocking greater time, cost efficiencies, as well as developing new and innovative capabilities.

As we welcome the Year of the Pig, technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) will move closer to becoming mainstream technologies. The incoming 5G mobile network, combined with IoT and analytics, will facilitate more Smart Nation applications and herald the arrival of Industry 4.0. Amidst all the uncertainty, organisations need to work with experts to ensure the right technologies are adopted and integrated into existing IT ecosystems. This will allow them to capture the opportunities of an increasingly connected world and succeed in the digital economy.

Julian Quinn Senior VP, APAC Qlik

While the buzz around data analytics and artificial intelligence is undeniable, according to Gartner, 91% of businesses have yet to reach a transformational level of maturity in data and analytics.

My wish for 2019 is for more businesses to actively foster a culture of data literacy so that they can harness its power. This can begin with democratising data and making it accessible to every single employee within the organisation. When empowered with data, individuals will be spurred to take ownership, familiarise themselves with it, and ask questions to extract relevant insights. As we move into Industry 4.0, there is a real opportunity for those willing to upskill quickly to be data literate as they can make tangible impacts on their organisations, and additionally, have unparalleled opportunities for their own careers.

Peter Hamilton VP & Regional Director, APAC Kelly Outsourcing and Consulting Group

With global growth forecasts revealing a more uncertain business climate, it is critical for organisations to be agile and to scale up and down according to economic conditions.

Yet according to KellyOCG's latest Workforce Agility Barometer survey, two in three businesses in Asia Pacific are not quick enough to redesign the workforce to meet urgent business needs. My wish is for more organisations to empower HR leaders to step up and drive change with the C-suites. With Artificial Intelligence and machines impacting workers, along with the desire for flexible work and a growing contingent workforce, HR can no longer stay in the back seat.

C-suites who prioritise talent strategies and empower talent leaders as co-drivers can achieve stronger business growth in 2019.

Jonathan Hardy MD, Asia Pacific ADARA

We expect to see travel continue to prosper and flourish in the Year of the Pig - from well-documented trends like millennial travel and the burgeoning 'bleisure' segment, to the impact that pop culture, like the film 'Crazy Rich Asians', can have on specific destinations and businesses. But we will also be watching upcoming trends, including the increased expectation of data-led personalisation in trip planning and destination itineraries, as well as the growing environmental consciousness of travellers, such as the rejection of single-use plastics.

Indeed, we're looking forward to being able to help Asia's travel brands navigate this ever-changing landscape with a surer footing in the year ahead.

Terry O'Connor Group CEO COURTS Asia

As Singapore enters the new year in pursuit of its regional powerhouse aspirations, it is my hope that inclusivity continues to be part of the conversation. With business sustainability tied to social well-being, the COURTS brand continues to stand for the democratisation of good value.

Affordable, everyday prices are coupled with international standards of service and quality to serve homeowners across income segments. This philosophy extends to our CSR approach, where involving employees regularly and with greater frequency in volunteering and donation efforts to serve the needy will promote inclusion and diversity thinking in the company and wider society. Such small efforts can encourage a unified society that is better equipped to face any future uncertainties.

Zachary King VP, Commercial, Asia MediaMath

We have seen strong growth in digital marketing, through the use of programmatic technology and marketing analytics. This is a burgeoning industry in Singapore and the region, as new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence are embedded within marketing tools, delivering more consumer-centric and meaningful experiences for audiences. In line with the evolving digital marketing industry, the upskilling of talent has risen in prominence. Going into the Lunar New Year, we hope to see more ecosystem-wide efforts in growing the knowledge pool and developing the next generation of digital marketers to bridge the skills gap within the industry.

Mark Micallef Regional VP, APAC Cloudera

Although Asia's economy is expected to be affected by China's slowdown, I believe the region can turn the tide by tapping on the transformative power of technology. We are a step closer to living the 5G dream in 2019, which will pave the way for advancing IoT applications and smart city solutions, and help businesses drive new areas of growth and sharpen their competitive edge.

The business world will become increasingly unpredictable and disruptive. Harnessing innovations can help organisations mitigate risks and optimise effectiveness, thereby allowing them to navigate better in volatile landscapes. Moving forward, I hope to see businesses in our region gain from analysing real-time data for intelligence and competitive advantage, and thrive in the digital economy where data will be the new currency for success and prosperity.

Foo Mao Gen Head of Southeast Asia Qualtrics

We are living in an experience economy where people want to buy experiences rather than products, and therefore experiences at every touchpoint matter.

As we usher in the Year of the Pig, we expect that more companies will embrace experience management software to combine O-data (operational data) and X-data (experience data) to ensure that every business decision is based on both facts and the intangibles, to transform their customer, employee, brand and product experiences. The most successful companies in the Year of the Pig won't just react to problems as they occur; they will try to predict and mitigate those problems before they happen. Experience Management (XM) is the process of monitoring every interaction people experience with a company in order to spot opportunities for improvement.

Benjamin Low Vice President, Asia Pacific Milestone Systems

In the Lunar New Year, we hope more companies will discover the massive untapped potential of artificial intelligence (AI). To many people, AI means customer service chatbots and virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa, but the technology has countless applications which can transform a business's operations and invigorate ailing industries.

In retail, for instance, AI technology can analyse a store's video surveillance feeds to identify the areas commonly visited by customers and which parts are being ignored. It can even gauge how well customers react to displays. With this information retailers can improve sales by optimising shop layouts and improving in-store marketing. For a struggling brick-and-mortar retail industry, such assistance could be an important boon. With myriad other applications, businesses should go into the Year of the Pig asking how AI can work for them.

Ambica Saxena Director, Head YSC Consulting Singapore

In this environment of economic uncertainty, resilience will come under the spotlight. Beyond the ability to recover from setbacks, businesses will be judged by how they handle these challenges and sail through uncertain times in the year ahead.

Their respective leaders will be at the helm of that. To do this, they will need to commit themselves to humility, flexibility, and have enough introspection to question assumptions they make about the future.

Although this uncertainty is uncomfortable, it will be the ultimate litmus test for leaders to prove themselves. We look forward to not only seeing true leadership demonstrated at its most critical peak, but to help build and support new leaders to rise to the challenge.

Chua Hock Leng Managing Director Pure Storage, Singapore

Businesses are becoming increasingly data-driven in order to gain a competitive edge. As trends such as automation, analytics and machine learning take off, the Year of the Pig should see more organisations tap on the "piggy bank" of data and information they've accumulated. Much like the wealth and abundance that pigs symbolise in Chinese culture, the true value of data, once unlocked, will enable businesses to thrive and prosper. By combining a data-centric approach with the right storage architecture and multi-cloud strategy, we hope to see more organisations take advantage of this strategic asset and successfully navigate the uncertainties that lie ahead.

Teong Eng Guan Vice President, ASEAN Palo Alto Networks

We hope that organisations will take the new year as an opportunity to reassess their cyberthreat posture. Businesses are fast becoming easier targets for cybercriminals - we predicted that business email compromise will continue to grow in 2019. From mimicking corporate websites to masquerading as trusted partners, attackers are turning to increasingly sophisticated ways to get lucky exploiting the vulnerable.

While the Year of the Dog has taught many businesses painful lessons about what happens when cybercriminals strike, the new year presents a chance to lick their wounds and recover. It's never been more critical for businesses to adopt a preventive mindset towards cybersecurity. Hopefully organisations would be more mindful about the flow of information within their organisation to ensure the safety of their data and other assets.

Jessie Xia Managing Director Southeast Asia, ThoughtWorks

On the technology front, 2018 was a year where we saw businesses trying to make sense of their data. 2019, the Year of the Pig, would be a continuation in their journey to become data driven. We will start to see businesses harness their data to accelerate growth through more hypotheses-driven product innovation, robust and scalable data pipelines, leaner data governance, and continuous intelligence.

"Intelligent empowerment" will pave the way for data driven decision making - and at ThoughtWorks, we are constantly looking to engineer quality and incorporate the best practices into every aspect of this process. We are also looking to continue engaging the community at large to share, learn and grow, and support greater diversity in tech.

Mike Davie CEO Quadrant

Listening to the debates surrounding data at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, I think a bigger concern for all companies is what is and isn't being said. Like oil in the last century, data is now the fuel powering our economies. When properly mapped, anonymous Big Data can unleash societies' hive-mind power to build smarter cities, run more efficient businesses and improve decision-making processes, from healthcare to economic policies. Those calling for data to be locked and controlled by individuals are ignoring the unintended negative consequences that severe restriction of data use will have on our lives. In 2019 we need to articulate the benefits Big Data brings; otherwise misguided regulations will hamper innovation and growth.

Kartik Krishnamurthy Managing Director, Asia Cornerstone OnDemand

In Singapore, concerns about the availability of skills are at its highest since 2008, with 56% of employers reporting difficulty filling jobs. More than ever, skills have become the new currency, and data is the oil that fuels our transactions.

With the number of skilled jobs far exceeding the availability of skilled talent, businesses need to take this opportunity to reinvent the way they look at talent strategy, especially in this digital age, to position themselves for future success. We at Cornerstone OnDemand found that this ability to place the right talent, in the right roles, at the right time, is one of the key differentiators between good companies, and great ones - and which is crucial for companies facing a slow growth environment to be competitive.

Ian Lee CEO Asia Pacific, The Adecco Group

Against the backdrop of technological advances such as automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence disrupting the world of work, economies need to focus on the importance of human capital development, and it is time to put people first.

There is a pressing need to invest in people's capabilities by providing lifelong learning, reskilling, and upskilling to ensure that they remain employable in light of a longer life expectancy. Education systems need to ensure curricula are relevant for the labour markets of tomorrow. More government tax incentives specifically earmarked for this area will encourage businesses to increase their investments in reupskilling their workforce. Businesses should view investment in re/upskilling as an asset, not an expense.

Tan Mui Huat President and CEO, Asia International SOS

Whilst the overall world growth forecasts may be a bit gloomy, we still expect to see a rise in the number of people travelling for business as companies look towards other markets to expand into.

The Ipsos MORI 'Business Resilience Trends Watch 2019' revealed that almost half of decision makers believe that travel risks will increase this year and that organisations have overlooked the changing needs of a modern workforce, from cyber security, considerations for female travelers, bleisure to travelers with disabilities and mental health issues. I wish that, as part of an organisation's Duty of Care, more companies would invest more into their company travel policies and procedures to cater to these new trends this coming year, and ensure that their mobile workforce remains safe amidst an increasingly volatile travel backdrop.

Svend Janssen Head Asia, Western Union Business Solutions

Amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions that bear some risks for the region, Asia's Internet economy retains the potential to be one of the world's bright spots. The proliferation of e-commerce platforms, supported by an expanding middle class and high mobile penetration rates will further democratise growth for SMEs in the region.

Critical to the regional and global aspirations of Asia's SMEs is the support of efficient payment infrastructures that promotes inter- and intra-regional trade.

A cross-border payments platform that promotes connectivity with customers and suppliers, manage forex exposure and streamline business operations will offer them an edge in navigating the challenges of the global marketplace.

Liz Kim General Manager Philip Morris, Singapore

Our wish is that, in the debate on smoking control measures, the focus remains on the people who matter most - the world's one billion smokers - and producing solutions that work for them. To that end, coming up with better alternatives to continued smoking, for the men and women who would otherwise continue to smoke cigarettes, is a matter of urgency. It's clear to us that people expect businesses and governments to work together on these challenges. We stand ready to do our part to drive positive change and create a better future for smokers.

David Leong Managing Director PeopleWorldwide Consulting

The Year of the Pig ushers in great uncertainties. In great uncertainties, there are great opportunities as well. There's a surge of good assets of diminished values looking for acquisition and potential buyers can stand by for cherry pickings.

The narrative around US-China trade disputes leading to shockwaves and economic fall-out is old news. By now, China's centrally-controlled government must have created many scenarios to insure itself from a very likely trade fallout. The impact is also unlikely to last a long time. China may start to shift its branding, design and production out to Asia to capitalise on the lower manpower and production costs while controlling the supply and value chains.

A "Made in Singapore" label may be affixed to the products, particularly in the telco or high-tech industries, when these companies pick Singapore to re-locate to. I look forward to more "Made in Singapore" labels emerging like Dyson electric cars.

Helen Ng CEO Lock+Store

In the Year of the Pig I am hoping for regional political stability and an uptick in China's Consumer Confidence Index. This would set the stage for the expansion of the self-storage footprint in Asia. The industry's penetration rate is still relatively low in the region, with significant room for growth given the right conditions.

Political uncertainty would constrain growth. The troubled political situation in Thailand, one of the fastest growing markets for self-storage in Asia, weighs heavily on investor confidence. Self-storage is essentially a middle-class phenomenon. The depressed consumer confidence data from China give equal cause for concern.

Henry Tan Group CEO Nexia TS Group

My wishfor the Year of the Pig is for world leaders to take a rational and sensible approach towards leadership of their countries. The world today is facing uncertainties because most people do not know what many world leaders are hoping to achieve with their policies. There are increasing instances where "surprise" or " unusual" or "irrational" decisions are valued by leaders with great pride.

Many are trying to challenge one another's limits. Whilst this may signal a move towards changeand new horizons, it also put those countries dangerously close to war. Although until today historians are unable to pinpoint the causes of World War I and II, what is certain is they involved leaders of strong characterand those who challenged limits. So my wish and hope is everyone will live peacefully and adopt a give-and-take approach in 2019.

Toby Koh Group MD Ademco Security Group

My foremost concern in 2019 is both political and economic. The conflicts between Singapore and Malaysia within eight months of the new administration. The looming trade war between China and US, which has had largely negative impact on global economies. The political uncertainty with elections coming up in Thailand, Indonesia and India.

Change of political leadership can have enormous impact on Singapore and regional stability. Brexit is still a concern for the world and not just Europe.

I do hope that global leaders take a measured approach to bilateral relations and open trade. Protectionism will stifle growth. We need a more collaborative mindset for the benefit of all global citizens.

Lim Soon Hock MD PLAN-B ICAG Pte Ltd

The world is getting more fractured and unsafe as a result of divisive trade protectionism and political hegemony. Political leaders must learn from the lessons of the past. They must commit and strive to expand free trade across nations, to uphold international law and the rules-based international order.

It is the proven path to generate global economic growth, peace and prosperity, even as the world becomes more digitalised.

While the Internet has brought the world closer, cybersecurity, privacy and data protection as well as fake news, arising from the accelerating digital disruption, will undermine economic growth and peace, if these are not brought under control by governments, as a matter of priority. Likewise, governments must also take affirmative actions to rein in climate change and to protect the environment for future generations.

My one over-arching wish for the Year of the Pig is for political leaders "not to hope, but to panic and to act ", as "the best way to predict the future is to create it".

Zaheer K Merchant Regional Director (Singapore & Europe) QI Group of Companies

I wish this year to bring great fortune to those that have no power in the big international spats. Companies that empower the traditionally voiceless reach past IMF forecasts and GDP figures. Any longevity begins with a strong community.

I hope that our businesses continue to build their communities, create a global marketplace for quality products and services, and focus on their development for a sustainable future of tomorrow. While each macrogovernmental organisation will have its own challenges and concerns, we as businesses strive to be focused on doing what we do best: building our communities. With that will hopefully come the longevity and success all the way through to the next Year of the Pig - and many more after that.

Jayajyoti Sengupta Head, Asia-Pacific and Japan Cognizant

Digital technologies will continue to remake most industries, and create both significant disruptions and opportunities for organisations in Asia Pacific. Businesses are increasingly focused on embedding digital into the core of their businesses in order to better capitalise on opportunities, neutralise potential threats, and generate growth. In order to become digital-at-scale and tackle challenges head-on, organisations will need to create smart solutions infused with innovation; develop virtual channels to connect with customers, partners, and employees; and invent disruptive business models. This will empower them to unlock new opportunities to stay relevant regardless of how global fortunes unfold.

Cindy Leong Founder Relationship Studio

The uncertain economic outlook can be a destabilising force not just within organisations but also within homes and between loved ones. Mounting stress and anxiety on the workforce will translate to poorer psychological wellbeing, which then feeds into a vicious cycle of lower productivity and even poorer mental health. As we help people in relationship-building both in a corporate setting as well as in personal life, my wish is for individuals to have the desire to be equipped with the skills to develop self awareness, self management and emotional competence, which will improve emotional health during trying times

Annie Yap CEO AYP HR Group

The crux of any successful business is its people - visionary leaders and competent staff. The real challenge lies in whether the business can thrive and be sustained. I wish for a stable transition of top leaders in Singapore. When the flame diminishes, another readily emerges.

While trade tensions ensue in the world, the onus to produce growth and prosperity lies mainly with us- businesses in Singapore. As the mantra goes: "Tough times never last, but tough people do".

Here's wishing you and family a properous and happy lunar new year!

Leslie Ong Country Manager, Southeast Asia Tableau Software

In the coming year I am excited to see the convergence of two trends - Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics - that will usher new potentialities in the way we live, work and play. With the sheer volume of data produced, enterprises will need to tap the efficiency and automation of machines to extract maximum benefits for humankind. The new year will also see Tableau further accelerate this convergence for our more than 82,000 customer accounts worldwide. Soon, people will be able to ask naturally-worded questions of their data, as they would of each other, with Natural Language Processing infused into our platform. We call this Ask Data. This will make data analytics even friendlier and accessible to more workers so that they can do their jobs better and make smarter, faster decisions for their enterprises in this new year.

G Rathakrishnan CEO London School of Business and Finance

2018 has been a rollercoaster year for many businesses. The private education sector in Singaporeexperienced unintended repercussions from changing market and political dynamics, affecting business growth. My wish for the Year of the Pigis to attain some sort of normalcy in the sector with greater consideration and attention from government agencies and policymakers. With so much uncertainty in the international events that hog the headlines, it is time for us to hear some good news that give support and cheer to local businesses that employ Singaporeans.

Magnus Grimeland Founder and CEO Antler

Continued growth and improvement in the world will come from amazing talent using their ability to innovate and build. We at Antler hope more people make that choice in the Year of the Pig.

This is Part 1 of the responses to this week's Views topic.

Part 2 of the responses will be published on February 11.