Enterprise Explores

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and reset. But a true annual review goes beyond just listing resolutions, it requires deep introspection to uncover the painful lessons, celebrate the wins, and set a clear, strategic path for the year ahead.Jeevan Sahadevan, Founder of Leverage Labs, returns for his annual tradition of guiding us through "25 Questions to Review Your 2025." He breaks down his framework for an 8 hour to 2-day deep dive into your year, designed to help you find closure, identify necessary endings, and define your "one-word theme" for 2026.We discuss:The 25-question framework: from reviewing 2025 to planning 2026.Why you must identify your "painful lessons" before setting new goals.The "necessary endings": what you need to cut to move forward.The "law of the sixth": auditing the 5 people you spend the most time with.How to find your "one-word theme" to guide your entire year.For entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone looking to level up, this is an essential guide to closing the chapter on 2025 and designing your best year yet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysians have embraced e-commerce, but with maturity comes a shift in behaviour. Ipsos Malaysia’s latest data shows that promotions and discounts now outrank product quality as the top reason consumers shop online.We speak with Kuan Sawu Fang, Senior Client Officer at Ipsos Malaysia, about how this obsession with value is reshaping the digital marketplace. Are platforms and SMEs caught in a never-ending cycle of discounts? And what happens to brand loyalty when price becomes the product?We examine how Malaysia’s digital economy is being transformed by the way we shop, click, and spend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are contributing more to GDP and exports than ever before, but many still struggle to break into global markets. High costs, customs challenges and unpredictable delivery timelines often hold them back, even when demand exists overseas.Denise Wong, Head of Cross Border at Ninja Van Malaysia, discusses what MSMEs need to understand before expanding internationally, how 44 new shipping lanes are opening fresh opportunities in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, and why logistics is becoming a strategic tool rather than a back-end function.A practical, grounded conversation for founders and business owners who want to take their products beyond Malaysia’s borders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Budget 2026 announced, the Finance Bill 2025 tabulated in Parliament last week has revealed key details. From clarifications on Capital Gains Tax (CGT) to a major shift in stamp duty compliance, businesses have a new set of rules to navigate.Tax expert Thenesh Kannaa of TraTax joins us to break down some key updates. He discusses the new and clarified scope for CGT (including preference shares), the move to a self-assessment system for stamp duty and updates around returns and payments, and the upcoming changes to corporate tax installment schedules that will impact cash flow planning.We discuss:Capital Gains Tax (CGT): How preference shares and liquidations are now in scope.Stamp Duty: The implications from the shift to self-assessment and the deadlines for filling returns and payment of duty.RPGT: New rules to improve cash flow and limit loss carry-forwards.Corporate Tax: The transition to a 12-month installment schedule within the financial year.November Updates: OECD guidance on remote work and new Labuan substance requirements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elite athletes spend years sharpening their minds, not just their skills. But what can business leaders learn from that discipline?Today, Mike Way, the head coach of Harvard University’s squash programme, and Bharati Suresh Chand, Founder of Global Edge Pharma and Global Edge Consultancy, discuss how mental fitness shapes performance, decision-making, and consistency. They explain what separates mentally strong performers from talented ones, how pressure influences behaviour, and the habits that help athletes and leaders stay composed and focused.They also reflect on insights shared at the recent Mental Fitness Sports Conference 2025, and discuss practical routines organisations can adopt to build healthier, steadier teams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s data centre sector is seemingly entering a new phase of expansion powered by AI adoption and hyperscale investments. We’re now being positioned as one of Asia’s most cost-competitive markets with a strong balance of affordability, policy stability and regional connectivity. Based on a new report from a global professional services company, Turner & Townsend, Kuala Lumpur was ranked 17th globally in data centre construction costs (at US$11.37 per watt). This puts KL among Asia’s most cost-competitive markets and well below regional peers like Singapore and Tokyo. But as competition intensifies across the region, what will truly set Malaysia apart in a market defined by scale, speed, and sustainability? To help us explore this, we speak with Carlos Garcia Rodriguez, Project Director at Turner & Townsend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's digital landscape, a cyber attack is almost inevitable. But while many companies are prepared to handle the hack, they often fail to handle the headlines. A new analysis by Penta found that reputational damage often stems not from the breach itself, but from how transparent, accountable, and timely the response is.Dan La Russo, Senior Partner at Penta, joins us to discuss the new rules of crisis management. He explains why "speed + transparency = trust," and warns of the emerging threat of "agentic AI" that can launch attacks with minimal human intervention.We discuss:Why cyber risk has moved from the IT back-office to the boardroom.The "Speed + Transparency = Trust" formula for crisis communication.Case studies: What Cloudflare did right vs. the reputational cost of silence.The emerging threat of "agentic AI" orchestrating cyber attacks.The critical first 2 hours of an incident response plan.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What it takes for SMEs to thrive in the future? How can they stay resilient in uncertain times, be resourceful with limited resources, and remain ready to seize new opportunities? Industry leaders will share insights and real-world strategies to inspire SMEs to adapt, innovate, and grow in an ever-changing business landscape.This event was presented by Maybank. Future-proofing your business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2026 brings new opportunities and challenges for SMEs, from updated grants and incentives to evolving tax strategies. This panel will break down what the budget means for your business, highlight ways to maximise available support, and discuss how SMEs can position themselves strategically in the post-budget landscape.This event was presented by Maybank. Future-proofing your business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For SMEs eyeing regional or global expansion, tariffs can make or break profitability. This panel cuts through the complexity of trade agreements, customs duties, and pricing strategy to help exporters future-proof their margins. Expect real-world insights from successful exporters and trade experts on navigating tariff structures and leveraging Free Trade Agreements.This event was presented by Maybank. Future-proofing your business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses are feeling the squeeze from higher SST, rising electricity bills, foreign worker levies, and tougher financing. This panel will explore how companies are managing these pressures through smarter cost control, efficiency, and government support to stay competitive.This event was presented by Maybank. Future-proofing your business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite ongoing privacy changes and rising costs, the global mobile app economy experienced a stable growth this year and this trend is expected to be carried forward with lots of room for growth in 2026. This is a finding from a recent report released by measurement and analytics company, Adjust, titled The Mobile App Growth Report: 2025 Edition that suggests APAC leads all regions in the mobile apps economy through a combination of scale, cost efficiency, and strong user engagement, significantly outpacing the global average.To get a better understanding on how marketers and developers are navigating through this competitive app landscape, where the growth opportunities are coming from and what’s in store for the app economy in 2026, we speak with Mathew Raju, Senior Customer Success Manager at Adjust.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s tourism sector has crossed a major threshold, recording more than RM210 billion in revenue. It is being hailed as evidence of a full recovery and a sign that Malaysia’s tourism economy is back on a strong footing. But behind the headline number lie deeper questions about sustainability, visitor expectations, and our readiness for Visit Malaysia 2026.Are we building a genuinely high-value, experience-driven tourism economy, or are we simply benefiting from short-term demand? And what does this milestone tell us about where the sector needs to go next?Joining the conversation today is Rohizam Yusoff, Champion of the Tourism Productivity Nexus, an industry-led platform under the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), designed to boost the productivity, innovation, and competitiveness of the tourism sector. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s economic fundamentals have been strengthening, the ringgit is holding steady, inflation is cooling, and business sentiment is gradually improving. On paper, things look stable.But on the ground, SMEs are telling a very different story: hiring has never been harder, wage expectations continue to rise, workers are demanding flexibility, and younger employees are increasingly pushing back against low pay, rigid structures, unclear progression, and burnout-inducing cultures.This tension, between macroeconomic optimism and micro-level labour friction, is shaping a new workplace reality. Today, we explore what’s driving this shift, why employees feel more empowered, and what Malaysian SMEs need to rethink if they want to attract and retain talent in 2025 and beyond.Joining this conversation is someone who follows Malaysia’s labour market closely: Dr Carmelo Ferlito, CEO of the Center for Market Education.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia throws away vast amounts of edible and reusable food every day, but initiatives like MPAJ’s waste-diversion programme, which saved over RM100,000 by rerouting 2,400 tonnes of scraps, show there’s real economic value waiting to be unlocked. We speak with Anis Hanani Suffian, Co-Founder & CEO of ReMeal, to take a look at why food waste remains stubbornly high, what it would take to treat it as a business opportunity rather than an environmental headache, and how councils, SMEs, F&B operators, and households could all play a part in building a viable food-waste economy in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CEOs in Malaysia are embracing AI but balancing courage with caution as they push for productivity, innovation, and measurable ROI.Dickson Woo, Country General Manager and Technology Leader at IBM Malaysia, discusses the key takeaways from the IBM 2025 CEO Study and what they reveal about how Malaysian leaders are rethinking the future of work.From calculated risk-taking to building AI-ready teams and bridging skills gaps, we explore how courage, data, and collaboration can help Malaysia’s workplaces turn technology into true performance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corporate gifts and entertainment are essential for building goodwill, but they're also a notorious tax "grey area." Where does a non-taxable gift end and taxable income begin? And how can your business ensure its entertainment expenses are 100% deductible?Tax expert SM Thanneermalai of Thannees Tax Consulting Services joins us to navigate these "grey areas." He explains the critical difference between a personal gift and a taxable business transaction, the rules for 50% vs. 100% deductions, and why meticulous documentation is your best defense in an audit.We discuss:When a "gift" is (and is not) taxable income for the recipient.The "50% vs. 100%" rule for deducting entertainment expenses.How to claim a 100% deduction (e.g. staff entertainment, promotional items with logos).The tax implications of "grey areas" like large monetary gifts and nominees.The critical documentation businesses must keep to justify their claims.For business owners and finance teams, this is an essential exploration into navigating the tax rules of gifts and entertainment, especially as tax authorities become more sophisticated.Image credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's recently passed Gig Workers Bill aims to formalise the industry and provide social protections. But for platform operators, its "one-size-fits-all" approach, heavily based on e-hailing, poses a critical threat to the 70% of gig workers who are part-time and work in diverse sectors like care and logistics.GoGet's Franchesca Chia and Kiddocare's Rahman Hussin join us to unpack the serious, on-the-ground flaws in the bill.  A critical look at the unintended consequences of well-meaning regulation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all Googled our way to an answer — searching, comparing, and digging through sources to learn something new. But that process is changing fast. AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity can now summarise topics, provide instant insights, and even teach you new skills — all without leaving a chat window.XP Ng, CEO of the Academy of Artificial Intelligence, talks about how AI-driven learning is reshaping the way we find and process information. They unpack what we gain — and lose — when algorithms think for us, how this shift could disrupt traditional search engines, and what it means for the future of curiosity, critical thinking, and digital literacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Education has recently announced plans to introduce a co-teaching model by 2027, pairing two teachers in every classroom and weaving moral education into the weekly curriculum. The goal: more engaging lessons, stronger values, and future-ready graduates.But can this approach deliver real change or will it strain an already stretched system?Janice Chong, Co-Founder and Programme Director of Edvolution, shares what it will take for the co-teaching model to work: retraining teachers, preparing schools, and ensuring graduates emerge ready for the modern workplace.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.