Anndy Lian founded Linfinity, the world’s first distributed supply chain platform.
What’s your story?
Linfinity is a total local technology company that implements blockchain, targeting the various pain points such as costs, bureaucracy, counterfeit frauds and many others, into the total supply chain network.
What excites you most about your industry?
The most exciting about the blockchain industry is that it is a vibrant sphere where there are always new upcoming developments. It constantly seeks to explore its usage in different sectors to make a difference and solve many of the pertinent problems in the world today. Another exciting aspect would be that it is ever moving so quickly. One day in the world of blockchain seems like an actual year.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I have been staying in Asia all my life. It is where my roots are from and identify most with in terms of heritage and culture. In addition, I have had the privilege of working in various cities in the region including the likes of Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and of course Singapore.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
China. With its large size and diverse demographic, it is a nation full of opportunities to harvest on. It is a country where technology is ever changing and full of people with the resources and ideas that one can collaborate and work with.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
To trust myself. Some of my previous mentors and peers have repeatedly confirmed that my gut feel is accurate. Now, whenever I have to make decisions, I will trust my gut feel after all considerations from various aspects.
Who inspires you?
Steve Jobs. I have read his book a couple of times as well as books about him by different authors. I have also watched his biography. He is someone whom I feel possessed tremendous innovation and great guts.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
One thing that I have learnt recently from my employees is that it is better to try to fail than to regret not trying. We were exploring methods in solving an issue that we had on hand. While we could have easily chosen the safe path with a predictable outcome, he boldly suggested to choose a riskier path with a potentially unpredictable outcome. Eventually, we chose the safe path due to calculated risks, but his response and attitude came as a food for thought towards how I viewed certain issues.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
If I had time again, I would love to travel around the world and make traveling an integral part of my life. I feel that through travelling, it is when one gains a great amount of experience and you get to share it with the people you have met while travelling. At the same time, you learn from their own set of experiences as well when we share and exchange thoughts.
How do you unwind?
As I am so busy, unwinding from work becomes a luxury. Whenever I have free time, I will spend it with my family and have a simple meal together.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Currently, South Korea. Seoul is great for their food and the people there while Jeju Island allows one to bask in the carefree nature in one of their many impeccable resorts.
Everyone in business should read this book:
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie. This is a pretty old book, but I always remember how this book teaches practical skills that even applies until this day. It provides me with insights on personal communication and human interaction and has served to be very useful throughout my life.
Shameless plug for your business:
You are missing out on many business opportunities if you are not connected with me and Linfinity. So do give me a call.
How can people connect with you?
I am on Facebook, LinkedIn and you can reach me via email at [email protected]
Twitter handle?
@anndylian
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This interview is part of the ‘Callum Connect’ series of more than 500 interviews
Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started,
built and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder of The Marketing Group PLC. He is the author two best selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’ and ‘Agglomerate’.
Connect with Callum here:
twitter.com/laingcallum
linkedin.com/in/callumlaing
Download free copies of his books here: www.callumlaing.com
