What’s your story?
People often ask me what I do and it took me some time to realize that I offer the solutions to one of the biggest fears that we all face – not immortality since that’s not legal (though I could get filthy rich!). But, speaking in public. Yes, I am a Public Speaking Coach.
What is your business:
Feeling unready or under-prepared for your next big speech and presentation? Drop me a note and let’s have a 15-mins discovery chat to see if I can help you. Otherwise, my book, ‘INSPIRIT – How Asian CEOs Inspire Action From The Stage’ will be launched soon and I share insights from 12 leading Asian CEOs from companies like LinkedIn, Bain & Company, Maxus (part of GroupM), Mondelez International etc.
What excites you most about your industry?
The executive coaching industry is evergreen. Every so often, I receive a phone call or email from an executive sharing with me how unprepared he or she is for the upcoming presentation to the board, their company staff or at an industry conference. Nothing satisfies me more when I can maneuver my client from where he is at now to shining on stage and getting the results he totally deserve.
What’s your connection to Asia?
Born, bred and raised here, all my life. Singapore, to be exact. Quick fact – my mum’s a Burmese so I do have attachments to the Golden Land too.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
I work with my clients both physically and remotely via Skype but I still love Singapore for its hyper convenience and connectedness. It can be truly trans-boundary especially when they hail from countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, France, US, Italy and South Africa.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
You are never ready enough and hell, more than half of the successful people you’ve met are likewise, not as well put together as you think they are. We are all WIP so let work be your best measurement of growth and success.
Who inspires you?
James Altucher. I’m a big fan of his writing and love how he makes the complex simple with his personal stories.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
While coaching a medical doctor – for a baby at 1 years old, they understand up to 70 words but are only able use a few of them. And at 1.5 years old, they can learn 1 new word for every 2 waking hours!
It’s a side perk of my job – I get mindblown every other day with new facts and knowledge like this!
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Probably not do college at all and intern with an entrepreneur while running a side hustle. That said, my Accounting degree has been immensely useful in my work.
How do you unwind?
With my Kindle, a library of over 200 books and a solid brew of Chamomile at somewhere no one knows.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
South Korea. I think it’s fast-paced, cosmopolitan and has offer you the frenetic city life and also, the idyllic and off the beaten paths experience like nature and trekking.
Everyone in business should read this book:
‘The Millionaire Fastlane’ by MJ DeMarco. No fluff, straight to the point and there’s a crazy online tribe that’s wildly supportive that MJ has built.
Shameless plug for your business:
Feeling unready or under-prepared for your next big speech and presentation? Drop me a note and let’s have a 15-mins discovery chat to see if I can help you. Otherwise, my book, ‘INSPIRIT – How Asian CEOs Inspire Action From The Stage’ will be launched soon and I share insights from 12 leading Asian CEOs from companies like LinkedIn, Bain & Company, Maxus (part of GroupM), Mondelez International etc.
Check it out at http://www.inspiritbook.com.
How can people connect with you?
Drop me a note at [email protected] and let’s chat.
This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing has started, built, bought and sold half a dozen businesses in a range of industries across two continents. He is the owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 11 countries and he is also the CEO of Entrevo Asia, a company that runs 40 week Growth Accelerator programs.
Connect with Callum here:
twitter.com/laingcallum
linkedin.com/in/callumlaing
Get his free ‘Asia Snapshot’ report from www.callumlaing.com
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