Alpha Green Preschool Blog

Alpha Green is the first holistic green school in Singapore. I wrote content for their blog. The content is centered around holistic education, emotional intelligence, sustainability, and more.

Excerpt:

"Our holistic approach allows children to develop their intellectual, emotional, physical, and social well-being. Our highly qualified staff and teachers are committed to helping your child become curious, and engaged individuals who are equipped to navigate the world."



Read it here:

https://alphagreen.edu.sg/best-preschool-for-your-child

https://alphagreen.edu.sg/social-emotional-development

Diving Into Digital: How A Leadapreneur Unlocks USD 5 Million in Projected Sales

In our Stars of the Accelerator series, we explore the transformation journey of the participants in the Leadapreneur Accelerator.

Trixia Wong

From the anxiety of waiting for answers, to the pile of paperwork that needs to be filled, applying for a loan can be a long and tedious process. The consequent frustration is not only felt by the customers, but also by bank staff.

Personal Loans Product Manager, Trixia, set out to find a solution to make this process smoother and faster. She noticed that there are two key issues with the existing process:

- Manual processes contribute to a long Turn Around Time (TAT)

-The need for salespeople and processing officers at various stages of the process translates into incurring high expenses

Trixia joined the Accelerator to challenge herself by transforming a business model that had been running on traditional methods for several years. Her project is to revamp and digitize the process using existing tools that the bank already has.

Moving forward, existing bank customers can use a digital platform to apply for a personal loan online. This project has been valued at the astounding amount of USD 5 million in projected sales volumes for 2019!

The online portal will drastically improve customer satisfaction because:

- Customers will be able to receive the bank's decision on their application almost instantly

- They will no longer have to scan and email documents to the bank

- They can apply for loans anytime, from anywhere.

As for the bank, the advantages are tremendous:

- The bank will save money by eliminating paper application forms

- Fewer human interventions mean decreased costs

- Bank staff can focus on other more fulfilling tasks instead of mundane ones

- The project will ensure the bank’s longevity and relevance in the market

- Greater profits will be generated since the bank will be able to process a higher volume of loans

- Reduced overall TAT

Trixia set out to become a game changer and has literally become one. This is only the beginning, as she is now empowered with confidence and drive. She credits the support and encouragement from her cohort and Leadapreneur Coach, Kar Fei, for helping her maximize her potential.

Her motto is One Step At A Time.

Congratulations Trixia on becoming a Star of the Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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Innovation Via Automation: How A Leadapreneur Team Saved RM378K

In our Stars of the Accelerator series, we explore the transformation journey of the participants in the Leadapreneur Accelerator.

Ganesh Ramakrishnan and Manikandan Vijaykumar

Assistant Vice President Bankers, Ganesh, and Manikandan joined the Accelerator because they believe it is a great platform to maximize their potential and achieve the impossible. The pair joined forces to solve problems for their stakeholders.

Instead of picking a problem to solve, the team decided to listen to what their stakeholders needed. They crowdsourced ideas by collecting feedback from multiple end users. After exploring many options, they decided to work on a solution to make Anti Money Laundering (AML) a more transparent process.

AML cases require review by the investigations team. Currently, in order to properly review cases, investigators have to put a lot of time and effort to collect accurate data. The manual method of data collection not only takes time, but it’s also prone to error.

Ganesh and Manikandan created a data collection tool called BEAM (Build Efficient AML Marvels).

To date, the tool has saved RM378k!

BEAM will help to;

- collect data faster using web automation

- ensure that the data is error and bias-free

- free up time for investigators to pay closer attention to case reviews

Initially, the tool was developed using tools that had severe performance issues. The team persevered to address the issues. After extensive research and discussion with technical experts, they discovered that they should be using entirely different tools such as Java and Selenium. Though these technologies were new to them, the pair made the effort to educate themselves on the programming concepts.

Another challenge was that the automation tools were not readily available. With patience and perseverance, the team leveraged their network of colleagues across regions and finally gained access to the tools and packages that they required.

Having no access to the case review applications, the team had to develop the BEAM using test environments and then synchronize the code with production systems.

Despite the hurdles, Ganesh and Manikandan managed to get their project results validated. They credit the Accelerator for giving them the confidence to see this project through. Their common motto is “Dream Big. Dream Impossible.”

Congratulations Ganesh and Manikandan on becoming Stars of the Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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FX Timing Hack: How A Leadapreneur Generates An Estimated USD500k In Profits

In our Stars of the Accelerator series, we explore the transformation journey of the participants in the Leadapreneur Accelerator.

Khay Khoon (KK) Hong

The forex market is a fickle-raging ocean. To haul in big profits, FX traders have to take big risks in the trading market's volatile environment. Losses are part of their daily lives.

Seeing the emotional toll that profit loss has on his colleagues and himself, FX Trader KK decided it was time for a lifeboat. He set out to devise an ambitious strategy that would:

-Minimize losses

-Improve traders’ mental health

-Generate profits for the company

Currently, traders use a variety of tools to help them decide how to buy and sell. The most common ones are news reports, historical price data, and financial data from Bloomberg services. KK observed that there is one crucial factor missing from the equation: timing. His innovative strategy involves analyzing trends and determining at what time of the day to buy and sell.

KK was able to identify a pattern in the prices, for example during which time frame prices go up and at what specific time there is always a downward move. He built a systematic data-driven trading strategy and implemented it across multiple currencies.

After testing it out and some initial losses, KK recalibrated the strategy with a few tweaks in the parameters. He made changes to the timing, modified currency pairs, and more.

This strategy is set to generate an astounding USD 500k in profits within a year!

The biggest challenge was the losses incurred at the early stages. They filled KK with self-doubt about the validity of the strategy. Nevertheless, he pushed through with determination and perseverance. He is continually reviewing and improving the strategy to find the optimal timing. The strategy quickly became increasingly profitable and it's only the beginning.

The Accelerator environment encouraged KK to believe in himself and his ability to bring positive change. He used to navigate the existing system without giving much thought to how he can be an influencer. Now, feels empowered to be part of the underlying current that disrupts the system.

Congratulations KK on becoming a Star of the Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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Priceless Peace Of Mind: How a Leadapreneur Saves RM49k Per Year

In our Stars of the Accelerator series, we explore the transformation journey of the participants in the Leadapreneur Accelerator.

Anna Tan

Data breaches are increasingly making headlines. Before disclosing private information, consumers want the assurance that their Personal Identifiable Information (PII) will be safe. In this climate of distrust and uncertainty over data privacy, banker Anna saw an opportunity to bring peace of mind to clients. Her innovative project would allow the bank to make data more secure and ensure compliance with bank policies.

Anna’s idea is to harness the power of technology to automate certain tasks such as:

- Auto-truncating historical email content. This eliminates the risk of tampering with emails.

- Making email attachments secure by a system-level validation process.

- Masking customer account numbers in email correspondence for extra privacy.

This automation system will ensure zero errors and eliminate PII non-compliance. Anna’s target is nothing short of ambitious: 100% security compliance. The project will save an estimated amount of RM49k per year!

Along with the incredible amount of savings, Anna’s goals are extraordinary:

-Zero penalties from the central bank since compliance breaches will be eliminated.

-Zero legal action taken by clients.

-Maintain the bank’s excellent reputation.

The main challenge was to obtain a consensus among stakeholders on the technical solutions. Anna stayed focused, determined, and patient. She eventually obtained mutual agreement by actively engaging with the stakeholders and giving it her all.

Anna believes that automation will be beneficial for her colleagues and herself. Penalties, legal action, and human error take a toll on employee morale. This project will motivate staff to increase their productivity and free their time to focus on high-value activities.

The Accelerator inspired Anna to overcome the fear of rejection. She discovered that she is capable of courage and persistence. She pushed her limits and is now on a path toward living an extraordinary life. Her motto is “ Above and beyond.”

Congratulations Anna on becoming a Star Of The Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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Collaboration Over Competition: How A Leadapreneur Challenges Conventional Corporate Culture

In our Stars of the Accelerator series, we explore the transformation journey of the participants in the Leadapreneur Accelerator.

TERENCE GOH

The banking industry is going through an era of transformation. Fintech is disrupting the industry at a bewildering pace. Some may view these rapid changes as a threat; some view it as an opportunity to evolve. Banker Terence believes in the latter. By joining the Accelerator, he hopes to dismantle outdated ways of thinking about banking and embrace the exciting new opportunities that are brought by the rise of digitization. His motto is “Be Flexible. Be Bold."

As Head of Credit Risk Management Services, Terence noticed that the credit extension process was due for some fine-tuning. Shortening this process would benefit the bank by reducing the resources it allocates to making the process work, thus saving costs. Also, stakeholders would appreciate a faster and more streamlined process.

With the new process, the team had already become more productive. They are operating the same process with four FTE as opposed to the previous five FTE.

Terence and his team are introducing tech solutions such as:

- An electronic checklist that eliminates the cost of paper and printing.

- An e-platform that facilitates collaboration between the team and Relationship Managers.

Furthermore, Terence believes that true collaboration and shared goals are the key drivers of this project. When all team members care deeply about the project, incredible things can happen.

Showing vulnerability allowed the team to feel safe in sharing their opinions. This allowed them to identify gaps in the process and collaborate to address them. Since the team members felt heard and validated, they became more invested in the project and the team dynamics improved.

Terence used to be weighed down by his own ego and by the conventional corporate culture that preaches competition over collaboration. Since joining the Accelerator, Terence was able to overcome his oppressive drive to outperform his colleagues. He now realizes that there is strength in showing vulnerability.

Congratulations Terence on becoming a Star of the Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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Together Through Thunderstorms: How A Leadapreneur Team Became A Family

In our Stars of the Accelerator series, we explore the transformation journey of the participants in the Leadapreneur Accelerator.

Thunderstorm Cohort

A thunderstorm is a formidable force of nature. Our Star Cohort picked this name because, together, they are unstoppable! Thunderstorm members are Tan Koe Huai, Adeline Chin, Kennix Phang, Lee Swee Mee, Yang Suan Seng, Celine Lim, Leong Shin Lynd, and Hooi Ching Ching.

Their strong support structure and their "can-do!" attitude very much impressed their colleagues and coach from the start. Celine says that the secret ingredient of their cohort is “good chemistry and open hearts.”

Teamwork can often be challenging when bringing together different personalities who have varying opinions with volatile emotions.

How did Thunderstorm overcome such common challenges?

Unanimously, they all agreed that it came down to 3 guiding principles:

- Non-judgmental and open communication

It might be daunting to share innovative ideas for fear of invalidation or even ridicule. Thunderstorm teammates were very mindful of each other’s feelings and remained respectful at all times. They also had the courage to speak up with honesty to keep transparency levels high. Adeline described their success as due to “open conversation, care, and courage.”

- Unwavering mutual support

Thunderstorm trusts each other. They celebrated each other’s successes and gave invaluable support when times got difficult. To do this, they adopted a policy of never leaving anyone behind.

As Koe Huai shares, “I felt comfortable expressing my troubled feelings about my project with my cohort. They would offer their shoulders for me to cry on. They are the best encouragement one could ever hope for.”

- Play hard, work hard

Beyond the scope of their projects, these team players became friends outside of work. According to Kennix, they formed a bond because “we are able to be crazy with each other. We could drink all night but come back and work hard all day. We enjoyed spending time together and that is priceless.”

Shin Lynd goes as far as to say that Thunderstorm “feels like a family. It’s comforting to know that I am never alone.” Suan Seng also agrees with the family feel. Ching Ching’s advice for excellent teamwork is to “be open to accepting ideas from others.”

This is more than an inspiring story. This is a story that demonstrates the strength of each member is the team.

Congratulations Thunderstorm becoming the first-ever Star Cohort of the Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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Turning Colleagues Into Customers: How A Leadapreneur Earns An Estimated RM300k Within 3 Months

In our Stars of the Accelerator series, we explore the transformation journey of the participants in the Leadapreneur Accelerator.

Kennix Phang

Bank Branch Manager Kennix joined the Accelerator because he is on a path to self-improvement. He believes that learning is always time well spent and being on this journey can only benefit him.

The bank mobilizes a lot of time, energy, and resources to gain new customers and cater to the needs of existing customers. Kennix noticed that there is one particular group of customers that is often overlooked: the bank’s own staff!

Kennix believes that staff as customers are an under-tapped resource. Staff do not have the time or chance to familiarize themselves with the bank’s products and services while they are at work. His project aims to help staff learn how to build their financial future and build their knowledge of investments and savings. As per calculations, this project has the potential to generate an astounding RM300k in revenue within three months!

The project will benefit both the business side and the working culture at the bank:

- Staff who are knowledgeable about what the bank can offer will be able to act confidently as the bank’s spokespeople whenever they are interacting with stakeholders

- It will build trust with potential and existing clients when they see that staff are making full use of what the bank has to offer

- Serving staff with the same respect and consideration as external customers will help to retain talent as they will feel valued and appreciated

- It will strengthen the bank’s brand when all staff are clear and on the same page regarding the bank’s ability to serve customers

-Showing a genuine interest in staff’s financial security will create a sense of belonging and community

Despite some initial roadblocks in convincing stakeholders, Kennix pushed forward with sheer perseverance or “stubbornness” as he puts it. He is motivated by the conviction that this project will help his colleagues progress. He also hopes to earn the trust and respect of his peers.

Congratulations Kennix on becoming a Star of the Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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A Hero’s Quest for Smart Data: How A Self-Taught Leadapreneur Became a Fintech Innovator

In our Stars of the Accelerator series, we explore the transformation journey of the participants in the Leadapreneur Accelerator.

Ong Beng Beng

Mortgage Analyst Ong joined the Accelerator because he was keen to embark on his own Hero’s journey. His call to adventure came when he noticed that something doesn’t add up in the data-driven finance industry. Big data has been available for years. Yet, stakeholders still struggle to make well-informed and immediate decisions.

Data may be readily available, however, there are two obstacles: weak data analysis and slow, inconvenient access. Ong’s quest is to create a mobile app that will transform the way data is delivered and read.

Through enhanced data manipulation, the app would deliver smart and efficient reports. Furthermore, dashboards and reports can be customized according to specific business requirements. There are many benefits to this innovative project:

- Time efficiency: reports will be generated much faster.

- Greater Accessibility: the app would be available anytime, anywhere, on any device.

- Cost Saving: risk and loss will be tremendously reduced as compared to the existing data handling.

Ong’s area of expertise is mortgages, which is worlds away from app development. Knowing that outsourcing the app development would incur a heavy cost, Ong decided that it would need to be done in-house.

His first challenge was limited technical knowledge. Through determination and willingness to learn, Ong taught himself app development with resources absurdly online. In fact, Ong designed the initial version of the mobile app himself. It was a tough and tedious journey to get there, but Ong powered on and found solutions by conducting extensive research, and more importantly, utter dedication and perseverance.

Ong’s greatest challenge is the fear of failure. He has been able to overcome this fear by looking to his idols such as Apple’s Chief Design Officer Sir Jony, who failed many times before finding success. Since joining the Accelerator, Ong has acquired a solid understanding of the possibilities and opportunities that can be created in Fintech. The app is only the beginning of his Leadapreneur journey.

Congratulations Ong on becoming a Star of the Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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On-The-Go Data: How A Leadapreneur Turned Data Reporting From Slow To Smart

Syafiqah Shikh Abdul Rahman

Management Trainee Executive, Syafiqah, joined the Accelerator because she aims to earn the title of Leadapreneur. She believes that her achievements in the Accelerator will not only be an indicator of her capabilities but will also push her to level up.

Having noticed that it takes several hours for her colleagues to gather data and present them to General Manager, Syafiqah decided it was time to innovate. Despite not being an IT expert, she took on the challenge of introducing a faster and smarter data reporting tool. With this new tool, real-time data can be accessed anytime, anywhere, and by anyone on the team.

The advantages are tremendous:

- Since the data is always up-to-date, it helps to increase transparency. The likelihood of tampering will be drastically reduced.

- This tool will be particularly useful to vendors. The system will be able to monitor the stock status at every stage. Staff will immediately know if it’s at a critical level and swiftly take action.

- The staff will be able to use their time to focus on other important tasks.

- The GM will be able to access data from any device.

- It will save the company an enormous amount of money as it helps staff to be more productive.

The previous reporting system is tedious and redundant but for certain staff, it has the comfort of familiarity. One of the key challenges is to convince the stakeholders that this change will be beneficial for all parties. To get the vendors on board, Syafiqah is collaborating with the Procurement department.

The biggest challenge Syafiqah faces is her own self-doubt. Since this project presents a completely new territory for her, she has had moments when she questioned whether her project will make a difference. Even though she knows well that this project is a game-changer, Syafiqah is only human and we as humans are often challenged by our own inner demons. And that is OK. She has made peace with these voices and is doubling down by actively devoting her time and energy to make it happen. After joining the Accelerator, she became determined to achieve whatever she sets her mind to.

Syafiqah's long-term goal is to obtain a Professional Engineer license. Her motto is: Be fierce and flexible.

Congratulations Syafiqah becoming a Star of the Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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Paper-free Project: How A Leadapreneur Saves RM100k/Year

In our Stars of the Accelerator series, we explore the transformation journey of the participants in the #Leadapreneur Accelerator.

Kelvin Lau

Marketing Manager Kelvin joined this Accelerator because he enjoys challenges. Especially if they are outside of his job scope and involve stepping out of his comfort zone.

He works in Business Banking of SME products - far removed from nature conversation. This does not stop Kelvin from taking up the task of protecting the environment. Kelvin figured out a brilliant eco-friendly way to save his company a whopping RM100k a year!

Paper production is a major contributor to deforestation, leading to climate change. The banking industry consumes an enormous amount of paper. This entails a huge monetary and environmental cost. One of the money-guzzling paper products is name cards. Kelvin estimated that each of the bank's staff uses four boxes a year, which adds up to RM100k.

The perfect solution already exists digital name cards! His project is to encourage staff to switch e-name cards via free apps that are already available. Aside from the fact that the project does not cost a single penny, this simple paper-free option has many advantages:

1. It will reduce the bank's carbon footprint.

2. Save a tremendous amount of money on printing.

3. Save time for staff and customers as they will no longer have to sift through paper cards and enter contact details manually.

Introducing new ideas can be challenging but Kelvin is up to the task. Some of his colleagues and customers are already using the apps. Some of the Branch Managers are already convinced and are encouraging their staff to make the switch to paper-free.

Kelvin hopes that by advocating for paper-free, e-cards will be adopted by the wider public outside the bank.

Since joining the Accelerator, Kelvin has built strong connections with his cohort and appreciates the mutual support. He has overcome the fear of failure and is focusing on problem-solving.

Congratulations Kelvin on becoming a Star of the Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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Simplifying and Streamlining: How A Leadapreneur Advocates for Work-Life Balance

In our Stars of the Accelerator series, we explore the transformation journey of the participants in the #Leadapreneur Accelerator.

Koe Huai Tan

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”, Leonardo Da Vinci famously said. In banking operations, complicated processes are often regarded as a necessary evil. Inward TT processing is notoriously tedious and time-consuming.

Seeing how her colleagues have been pouring precious energy and sacrificing their own time, Ko Huai (Service and Operations Manager) thought that the processes needed some drastic streamlining.

Before joining the Accelerator, Ko Huai was under the impression that one had to be working in Head Office to be a "change-maker". After talking to the alumni of the Accelerator and hearing about their positive experiences, she felt empowered to dream big!

Koe Huai's project is to identify the processes that are causing frustration and proactively find sophisticated solutions. The benefits are threefold:

1. Koe Huai believes this will greatly enhance customer satisfaction as the bank will be able to get things done faster.

2. The streamlining will bring relief to her colleagues in the centralized office so that they can enjoy a better work-life balance.

3. It's a win-win situation for the bank as this will save time and money.

Ko Huai is collaborating very closely with various stakeholders and the response from them has been largely positive. They have given constructive feedback on how to ensure the project is viable. Her mentor, Mr. Phuah, has also offered valuable guidance and encouragement.

Although she is an introvert, Koe Huai is discovering an ability to network with her cohort members as well as with the stakeholders involved with her colleagues’ projects. So much so, she is now able to help her colleagues with their projects by suggesting potential collaborators.

A personal struggle that Koe Huai faces is the nagging inner voice that tells her that might be biting more than she can chew. Thankfully, she has a supportive manager who provides moral support in times of doubt. Koe Huai also credits her Leadapreneur Coach, Elaine, for helping her keep calm and organized so that she could confidently approach stakeholders.

Congratulations Koe Huai for becoming a Star of the Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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Silver Bullet Solutions: How A Leadapreneur Saves Millions From Going Down The Drain

In our "Leadapreneur Stars" series, we explore the journey of the participants who are creating, leading & delivering agile projects during the Leadapreneur Accelerator.

Sunitaraj Kaur D/O Devraj Singh

Silver bullet: a simple and seemingly magical solution to a complicated problem. Senior Executive at Environmental Services Sunita, believes in cutting through complexity and finding silver bullet solutions. Her target? Sludge. Her company spends millions on sludge disposal. Sunita’s ambitious project is to take a shot at minimizing this cost.

The aim of her project is to reduce the weight of the sludge by removing 25% of its water content in order to make the disposal faster, easier, and less costly. To dry out the sludge, a specialized dryer is required. Rather than purchasing a dryer like every other company, Sunita discovered a revolutionary opportunity to be a game-changer. She plans to build a sludge dryer from scratch based on her own design!

After much sketching and brainstorming, Sunita conceptualized a prototype design. It was brilliant enough to convince Management to get on board with the idea.

One of the major challenges she faced is the slow and lengthy procurement process. It can take up to three months to obtain the materials required to build the dryer. Nevertheless, Sunita has not allowed herself to be discouraged. She firmly believes that her project can not only generate massive savings for the company but also generate new business and profits.

Following her silver bullet philosophy, Sunita is working on revamping the procurement process by collaborating with the CFO of Alam Flora. This would speed up the delivery of the material, thus fast-tracking the project's go-live.

Through DIA, Sunita has found the confidence and motivation to start executing her vision into reality. Her personal mission is to preserve the environment and improve people's quality of life. Her motto is: “Do what is right, not what is easy.”

Congratulations Sunita on becoming a Leadapreneur Star!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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Innovation Through Compassion: How A Leadapreneur Became A Leave Donation Pioneer

In our "Stars of the Accelerator" series, we will explore the innovative projects and achievements of our Accelerator participants.

Abu Bakar Mustafa Bamadhaj (AB)

A believer in “Adversity is the foundation of success”, AB was keen to join the Accelerator program to bring impactful and positive transformation to his company. On average, we spend about 56% of our waking hours at work. Therefore, fostering good relationships with our colleagues is important. The best medium to do this is; to nurture empathy.

As Senior Executive of Organization Development, AB firmly believes practicing empathy benefits the company and contributes to staff well-being. His innovative project will allow staff to donate paid annual leave to their colleagues in need!

This leave donation system will be a welcome relief, especially if a staff member has exhausted their annual leave days or if they are experiencing financial difficulties. It also gives a chance to the donors to practice kindness and lessen the burden on their fellow colleagues.

Studies have shown that empathy in the workplace contributes to higher employee satisfaction and retention. AB plans to measure the effectiveness of the project via a satisfaction survey.

The Head of Rewards (Group Human Capital) is sold on the idea and offered his support. AB obtained precious data from the HR system to analyze the leave trends, which will help to move the project forward.

There are a few challenges to implementing this project.

1. While leave donation exists abroad, no companies are currently implementing it in Malaysia. Although there are no laws that prevent its implementation, which means there is no precedence to draw from. This makes AB a pioneer! He plans to reach out to foreign companies to learn the details of how they implement leave donation.

2. There was some skepticism from team members. They were concerned about ensuring that the system is not misused. AB appeased their doubts by explaining validation mechanisms will be in place as well as the benefits to staff morale and for the company.

3. Getting colleagues on board was challenging but crucial; the success of this project relies entirely on teamwork. AB used storytelling to encourage them to empathize with their colleagues’ situations.

Sharing his ideas with colleagues was intimidating for AB at first, but he sees it as an opportunity to learn and improve. AB plans to pursue an MBA to become a strategic HR business partner.

Congratulations AB on becoming a Star of the Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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Turning Sunshine into Savings: How A Leadapreneur Became A Sustainability Pioneer

In our "Stars of the Accelerator" series, we will explore the innovative projects and achievements of our Accelerator participants.

Nadlatul Iylia Najihah Binti Mohd Rof

Corporate Strategy Executive, Nadlatul Iylia Najihah Binti Mohd Rof, considers herself fortunate to be part of the Accelerator challenge because she believes that it will leave an exceptional impact on herself and her company. As a member of the company’s Environmental Services, Najihah’s vision is to bring game-changing green initiatives to the table.

Her motto is “To live is to learn and to learn is to live.”

Najihah saw an opportunity to be a pioneer in implementing renewable energy through the Accelerator program. Her innovative project is to reduce conventional energy consumption by installing solar panels on the rooftop of the company’s building.

Harnessing solar energy is only one aspect of sustainable practices. Najihah foresees her project will be a stepping stone for other green initiatives, including but not limited to rainwater harvesting and certification of green building. This is yet to be explored by any other employees in the company, motivating Najihah to lead the charge.

Protecting the environment makes sense on an ethical level but it’s also a great business practice. Harnessing renewable energy saves costs and draws new business as the company is already certified as Energy Service Company (ESCO) by Energy Commission. Najihah hopes that this initiative will expand to 83 company subsidiaries in the future!

One of the challenges she faced was getting her direct supervisor on board. With determination and grit, Najihah managed to persuade her supervisor that she deserved a spot in the Accelerator program.

Another challenge was that Najihah had no background in electrical engineering, a fundamental skill needed in designing a solution for solar panels. Thankfully, she was able to learn from a few mentors in and outside the company who shared their wisdom with her and helped to network with subject matter experts in the field of sustainability.

Apart from sustainability, Najihah believes that a company should encourage emotional intelligence, teamwork, and work-life balance in order to thrive.

Congratulations Najihah for becoming a Star of the Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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Romance Your Customers: How A Leadapreneur Won Customer Loyalty

In our "Stars of the Accelerator" series, we will explore the innovative projects and achievements of our Accelerator participants.

CK HO

Banker CK Ho embarked on the #Turbocharge challenge because he believes that the key to growing relationships is to provide solutions that connect with the consumer on a personal level. As Head of Affluent Marketing, CK’s project is to change the way consumers view loyalty programs, not just at his bank but at the industry level! His motto is “Creating value through emotion.”

The bank’s loyalty program was re-branded last year in conjunction with the launch of several new features. Together, they revolutionize the way customers use the points and miles they have collected through their credit card expenses.

Unlike other programs, the bank’s loyalty program allows customers to use their points or miles to redeem almost anything they choose to purchase in their daily lives, rather than just the traditional way of redeeming items from a catalog. This means that consumers now have complete freedom in choosing what they want to do with their points or miles.

Despite these amazing features, the challenge was that customers were confused by the fragmented number of redemption options that are available to them. His solution: Connect with the customer via a digitally-led marketing campaign that served a targeted message via targeted digital media to specific segments based on their past spending behavior. Also, he aims to effectively change the waypoints and miles are seen as currencies in their daily lives.

As a result, the bank will move to become more relatable and consumer-centric. CK's bank is the first in Malaysia to offer a loyalty program with such far-reaching features. The days of being a distant corporate giant are over!

CK has recently launched the full marketing campaign across all selected media, including a microsite. The marketing campaign's success will be measured via digital media metrics.

CK credits the outstanding teamwork and support he received from his team and colleagues as a whole. He appreciates the spirit of collaboration that went into this project. Congratulations CK for becoming a Star of the Accelerator!

Originally written for Leadapreneur Blog

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Jasmine Healing Method Workshop

Copy that I wrote in collaboration with Zorra Designs.

Excerpt:

"Do you feel like something is holding you back from being happy?

Like others around you are living their best life except you?

Like your dreams never seem to come true?

Join us to learn how to:

1. Uncover limiting beliefs.

2. Ignite confidence from within.

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