It all came together for Doug White when social media technology appeared… Tech, data, travel and human factor analysis. He now has a social media business and is based in Asia.
What’s your story?
I was born in a small town of 50,000 people, the population is the same today. I never knew what my future held but now looking back at having lived and worked in 23 countries and being the leader in social media management by many years I think, WOW! I have dealt cards and dice in Reno Nevada and was the operations officer for the largest telephony project in the world in Saudi Arabia. Hong Kong and social media found me. I was poached from within my company to work in Hong Kong and immediately fell in love with it. My long background of tech, data, travel, human factor analysis all came together in a profound way when social media technology appeared.
What excites you most about your industry?
The struggle, those that did not understand it continue to try and bend it to their will and find themselves losing. Their costs go up, performance goes down and their clients get pissed off. That is fun to watch.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I have been here (Asia) off and on for 14 years. Came here for a job, came back for a man. Stayed because it is home.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Hong Kong! First place that I could walk in anywhere and strike up a conversation with anyone on almost any topic with a problem. Travel anywhere else and people are guarded, shut off or completely unreachable. In Hong Kong I can be in virtually any CEO’s office with a few phone calls. That is not a statement about my influence, but on the openness of business in Hong Kong.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Do what you love and the money will follow
Who inspires you?
My dad and my friends. My dad inspires me full stop. My friends are diverse in nature and are all good to their core. Their unique individualism keeps me both humbled and amused.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
Why orbits are elliptical and how fast I am travelling even when sitting still. We are on this huge cosmic carnival ride of things spinning at insane speeds around each other. I almost fell off my chair when I read it.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Hard to say really, never had regrets to speak of. I guess I am saving them up for my death bed.
How do you unwind?
Cold beer and bad TV
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Bangkok – even in the crowded hustle and bustle of the city I achieve a peaceful anonymity.
Everyone in business should read this book:
Any book that has nothing to do with business. Seriously get some different points of view. The highest performers are those with diverse experience and skills. If you ever only learnt how to do one thing, then one thing is all you will ever do.
Shameless plug for your business:
We were the first, we are the best and all the others are just faking it till they fail.
How can people connect with you?
[email protected]
LinkedIn WhiteDouglas
Twitter handle?
@douglaswhite
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This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries. He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence. A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.
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