The Very Group’s Post

Reflecting on 25 Years of Transformation and Perseverance at KanHan Five years ago, I proudly celebrated KanHan’s 20th anniversary, reflecting on the achievements that brought us to that point. Today, I'm thrilled to mark our 25th anniversary—a milestone reached despite navigating some of the most challenging and uncertain times in Hong Kong’s history. In recent years, KanHan has been committed to helping our clients navigate the path of business transformation. At its heart, this journey is about adapting quickly and strategically to a constantly evolving environment. I’m immensely proud to see how KanHan has repeatedly reinvented itself through challenging times, each time emerging even stronger. Our journey started as a single-product company with HanWEB, which bridged the gap for global Chinese readers by converting intelligently between Traditional and Simplified Chinese writings. In 2003, we pioneered real-time Cantonese and Putonghua text-to-voice technology with HanVOICE, initially empowering the visually impaired to listen to the Internet via telephone. Over time, HanVOICE evolved into HanPHONE, a comprehensive telecom solution supporting interactive voice response and customer service applications. A few years later, KanHan became one of the first companies to offer WCAG (Web Content Accessibility) services, helping to bridge the digital divide and enable access for the underprivileged. This service naturally guided us towards becoming a web design and development agency centered around open-source solutions. In 2016, we embraced Design Thinking, a human-centered approach that is the foundation for our clients’ business transformation journeys. We leveraged this to create specific solutions for Hong Kong’s societal challenges. One such solution addressed the staff attrition issues caused by emigration. In 2020, we launched a training management system to help enterprises retain departing staff's knowledge, drawing on our 15+ years of experience providing learning management services to Hong Kong schools. Our commitment to serving our community continued in 2023 when we developed technology to support the HKSAR Government’s GREEN@COMMUNITY initiative, encouraging citizens to adopt recycling practices. The Green$ app and related technologies reflect our dedication to sustainable practices and societal improvement. Looking back, I can hardly believe the transformations we have experienced. I am deeply grateful for our loyal and committed team, who understand that change is the key to survival and success. Here’s to KanHan’s continued evolution and a brighter future ahead. #KanHan #25Years #DesignThinking #BusinessTransformation #TechForGood #TrainingManagement #Recycling #GREEN$

At our last Global Network session on “Innovation Districts and their Role in Advancing Sustainability” an emerging district in South Korea shared how they are using climate as a central proposition. Chungha Cha, Vice Chairman of Paju Medical Cluster, shared their groundbreaking plan set to commence construction in 1.5 years. While they do have the luxury of starting afresh, he described strategies in place for new and existing buildings. What sets them apart is their holistic sustainability strategy based on three pillars: ▶ social sustainability (people), embracing human-centered biophilic design to prioritize the well-being of the community ▶ environmental sustainability (place), beyond energy and carbon, they are dedicated to managing water, waste, and even ensuring clean air. ▶ economic sustainability (profit), focused on local economic development and job creation to foster a thriving community Cha detailed how these pillars serve as an overarching framework, aligning with desired outcomes in nature, energy, water, waste, and local foods. A compelling example of how innovation districts can lead the way in shaping a sustainable future. #InnovationDistricts #Sustainability #ClimateChange

More #weekend musings. #corporatefrugality Reflecting from #PopeFrancis 's recent apostolic visit to #Indonesia , as per ANTARANEWS.com the Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas was quoted "In his message, Pope Francis reminded all Indonesians ..... regarding the importance of maintaining #diversity to create #worldpeace. He also called on his people to preserve and protect the #environment for the sake of life in the future." Beyond that, this Pope is renowned for his messages on #Frugality and the Intrinsic Value of Nature. A past encyclical letter of Pope Francis, “Praised Be: On the Care of Our Common Home” (Laudato si’), presented an excellent opportunity to spark a conversation between economics and faith-based discourses on #sustainability. The encyclical underlined the human origins of the ecological crisis and proposed fundamental changes in organizing our economic life. Among the important suggestions put forward by the Pope are increased #frugality in #consumption and acknowledging the intrinsic value of nature. What a fresh air. So what of frugality in corporate life? I read an extract from Anderson, S.W. and Lillis, A.M. Corporate Frugality: Theory Measurement and Practice, Forthcoming Contemporary Accounting Research, that says: "We define corporate frugality as an enduring corporate trait of consistent, disciplined management of spending to achieve long-term strategic objectives and sustainable profits." IKEA's Kamprad were quoted there: “The true IKEA spirit is founded on our enthusiasm, on our constant will to renew, on our #costconsciousness, on our willingness to assume #responsibility and to help, on our #humbleness before the task, and on the #simplicity in our behavior… Waste of resources is a mortal sin at IKEA. Expensive solutions are often signs of mediocrity, and an idea without a price tag is never acceptable.” Ingvar Kamprad, founder of IKEA in Bartlett and Nanda (1990, 4). Let this be a journal and note for myself. On Corporate Frugality. ------- Pic of Papal visit in Jakarta, Sep 3-6 2024 passing by one of my almamaters. Pic is not mine. Pic belongs to its original photographer.

Thrilled to share that I will be joining an esteemed panel at the upcoming event “𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 75 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐊-𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒁𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑰𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕,” organized by BritCham Indonesia 𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘏𝘜𝘉. It’s a great honor to represent OCS Indonesia and engage with industry leaders such as Pak Bambang Wijanarko from The National SEZ Council, Pak Fikri Mohammad Hakim from The Sanur and Ibu Juliani Kusumaningrum from SEZ Kendal Industrial Park to discuss the pivotal role that 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘡𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 (𝘚𝘌𝘡𝘴) play in shaping Indonesia’s economic future. I’m looking forward to an insightful dialogue moderated by Ibu Prita Suyudi. SEZs are critical engines for attracting targeted investments and stimulating regional development, aligning seamlessly with Indonesia’s growth ambitions. SEZs act as catalysts for sustainability by providing a focused environment where innovative policies, infrastructure, and technologies can be implemented to drive green growth. These zones attract investments in renewable energy, waste management, and eco-friendly industries, fostering a circular economy approach. By offering incentives for sustainable practices and creating hubs for clean technologies, SEZs help businesses lower their environmental footprint while boosting economic resilience and long-term development. For OCS Indonesia, this conversation is particularly strategic. As a company committed to delivering sustainable facility management solutions, SEZs present opportunities to innovate in smart, sustainable operations that support long-term environmental and social value. Our work in various sectors like industry & manufacturing, 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘻𝘰𝘯𝘦, healthcare, and data centers makes this discussion deeply relevant to our ongoing mission to deliver value while fostering resilient communities. I encourage everyone to join us on 17 𝐎𝐜𝐭 at the 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫, Jakarta, for this dynamic discussion. Whether you are an investor, business leader, or simply curious about how SEZs are unlocking Indonesia’s economic potential, this event will provide exclusive insights you won’t want to miss. Let’s come together and explore how we can collectively contribute to sustainable growth and innovative business solutions. #SustainableGrowth #CircularEconomy #StandUpTakeAction #GreenFuture #Innovation #ESG

From a dream 20 years ago to Haplast Joint Stock Company: ✅Exporting to over 90 countries. ✅Reaching 600 target customers. ✅54,000 tons per year. ✅Owning three state-of-the-art packaging factories. ✨Along with many other memorable milestones, let's follow the journey of bringing Vietnamese branded packaging to the international stage by the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors - Pham Thi Hai Thanh, through the article below! #haplast #entrepreneurialjourney

𝗡𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆.  𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. I can’t imagine how she felt when she went to an unfamiliar place and had to do something she had never imagined. Her family's poverty forced her to sell herself, trapping her in a cycle of violence. Yet, her story was not over at that point. Wonderful people, including Dr. Stefan Phang, DBA, discovered her and assisted in her recovery. Watch the TEDx talk of Dr. Stefan Phang telling the story of the girl.  https://lnkd.in/eWFeSg3t In his role, he works with Diversey and Hotel Partners to give poor families a way to earn. They commit to improving the lives of poor people and making our planet a greener place. Dr. Phang crafted the program to create as simple a process as possible, so the community can repurpose hotel waste into: 𝙎𝙤𝙖𝙥 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙃𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙏𝙈 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙏𝙈 𝘾𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙎𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙨. Through his creative work, all the programs have transformed their hotel partners' trash into useful goods that people can either sell or use. These initiatives have a big impact in Southeast Asia and around the globe. It goes one step beyond simply reducing waste.  It creates economic opportunities for communities and promotes environmental sustainability. I believe he has more heartwarming stories.  Also, practical tips for hotels and businesses that are looking to increase their sustainability impact. 🎙 Join me for an exclusive podcast interview with the founder. Dr. Stefan Phang, Global Director of Sustainability and Creating Shared Value Diversey. A Solenis Company. Diversey APAC Mark your calendars for an engaging LinkedIn live session on June 19, 2024, at 3 p.m. Jakarta time. Please do not pass up this opportunity. RSVP here ⤵ https://lnkd.in/dgXUinF7 Discover how Diversey's creative projects benefit people's lives. They are positively impacting the lives of over a million people and the environment.  Share this post join me in exploring how hotels and hospitality can go green. Using #Sustainability to #Empower1MillionLives  #Diversey #Solenis

The lifeblood of Malaysian cities wasn't solely comprised of towering structures. It was the everyday people – merchants, shopkeepers, artisans, and countless others – who wove a vibrant tapestry of urban culture. From bustling marketplaces to cozy coffee shops, these individuals breathed life into the city. Yet, in 1997, a legislative shift went beyond mere rent control; it reshaped the very essence of these communities. Customary rights, once deeply ingrained, were cast aside in favor of unfettered markets and absolute property ownership. This wave of deregulation swept across the nation, leaving a trail of forgotten traditions. From the hallowed grounds of Malay reserves to the communal lands held by Chinese clans, the echoes of social practices faded. Even the remote forests of Sarawak weren't spared. In the chorus of voices championing heritage and conservation, a deafening silence surrounds the dismantling of these customary rights. Think tanks, so often vocal, seem strangely mute on this crucial aspect. The focus, it seems, lies in preserving the physical – the monkeys in the trees – while the very foundation, the "political elephants" causing the tremors, remain curiously unaddressed. The satay here thankfully remained amazing, but I wondered what happened to the rest just around the corner post Covid? #heritageconservation #urbanization #polarization #kopitiam

𝗟𝗛𝗡'𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘄𝗼𝗼: 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 🏠💼 LHN concluded the first quarter of FY2024 with the launch of Coliwoo Singapore Hotel Pasir Panjang. Many more exciting projects are currently in the pipeline. As one of Singapore's largest co-living operators, Coliwoo stands out as a beacon of sustainable and community living, fostering social bonds and a profound sense of belonging. Boasting 2,100 keys and a visionary plan to add 800 rooms annually, Mr. Kelvin Lim, Executive Chairman of LHN Group, aims to meet the continuously rising demand for cost-effective rental housing. Amid Singapore's housing challenges, Coliwoo specifically caters to young adults seeking hassle-free and flexible accommodation. With success on the horizon, LHN is set to sail towards further growth in Singapore's dynamic real estate market. 🌟📈 Analysts predict a promising future with a robust fiscal year, potentially yielding a $50 million profit and a modest 3-times price-earnings multiple. Trading at 35 cents, a discount to its net asset value, LHN's 10% dividend yield outshines top S-Reits. 🔗 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙡𝙚: https://lnkd.in/gPcWXu6Q Stay tuned for more business updates! The Straits Times #LHNLimited #LHNGroup #Coliwoo #Coliving #RealEstateInnovation

Here's another snippet from our recent work on creative clusters, inspired by my time in Hong Kong. It's no surprise that Hong Kong boasts a thriving culture and creative industry, from repurposed old warehouses for artists to the West Kowloon Cultural District. I had the privilege of working on this impressive project, exploring how cultural industries could be a viable business strategy. Key insights from this experience include: _The value of curating a cross-subsidizing mix of uses. _The opportunity to leverage the full spectrum of cultural and creative industries, including high-value, rapidly growing sectors like design, publishing, and digital. _The importance of an evidence-based approach, incorporating market testing with a wide range of stakeholders. Want to know more? Download the report here or come speak to Urbis/Cistri.  Download our report here: https://lnkd.in/dcZkxE4c

📘 Fairhaven: A novel of climate optimism Authors: Steve Willis Director @ Herculean Climate Solutions  Genevieve Hilton ✒️ (Jan Lee) Category: Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction   What will it take to fix the climate crisis❓   "Green Stories" prize winner Fairhaven – A Novel of Climate Optimism follows the path of Grace Chan, born in Penang, Malaysia.   She has experienced the dire consequences of climate change personally and is taking action borne both of hope and desperation.   Her story explores the implications, both at the global scale and on a deeply personal level, of our common dilemma and the possibilities that are open to us.   Unlike most ‘cli fi’ novels, which present apocalyptic scenarios for the future, Fairhaven envisions in an engrossing, readily-accessible story for general readers how a range of practical climate adaptation and mitigation solutions could work when fully implemented.   Fairhaven opens in 2036 as Grace is days away from assuming office as the President of the newly-formed Ocean Independent State. Driving along the edge of a Penang dyke to clear her mind, her truck crashes and she comes close to death as the tide rises.   As she reviews her life, the reader comes to understand what has brought her (and the world) to this point, how she will move forward, and the surprising role that ordinary individuals can play.       📚📔📕📙📓📒📗📘 Lance Scoular 🔹️ The Savvy Navigator 🧭🌐 #amazoninfluencer #book #ad #amazonbooks #fromtheauthorsmouth #climate #crisis #sciencefiction #clifi   https://lnkd.in/gDEA-zfD