Listening to his gut and trusting his instinct has enabled this entrepreneur to interact with other talented professionals through his venture INNOSPARK.
What’s your story?
I thrive by doing what I love most in the areas of self and professional development where I wear the hat of a professional speaker, a trainer and a curriculum designer.
I breed my passion and profits through my outfit 98 Ft. which designs bespoke and customised training programs for companies, organisations and institutions. We are also passionate about events and offer full-suite strategic events architecture from public relations and event management to speaker curation.
We specialise in developing distinctive content and offering an innovative edge for our clients’ events and experiences.
What excites you most about your industry?
The opportunity to meet, interact and work with other talented professionals. In 2015, I decided to put my passion for putting together quality content into a curated platform helmed under the I N N O S P A R K brand. I invited speakers to illuminate the audience in the areas of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. I N N O S P A R K has hosted both local and global luminaries such as A.P Neil Bearden from INSEAD. We look forward to bringing in the best minds, ideas and solutions through this platform which would culminate in a yearly symposium hosted in Asian cities.
What’s your connection to Asia?
Genetically connected! My mum is Indonesian and married to a Javanese Singaporean and I was bred and raised in Singapore and love the many facets of undiscovered Asia.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
I’ve done business in Singapore, Malaysia, Bangkok and Indonesia. I find that efficiency ranks highest in Singapore. I also like the warmth that Thais bring to business.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
You have to give to receive.
Who inspires you?
People who dare to initiate and lead others to positive change.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
In a recent ‘Innovation and Creativity Symposium’ in Bangkok where I was guest speaker; I discovered that the angklung, a bamboo wind instrument, which originated in Java was brought to Thailand in the early 18th century and was adapted by the Thais and called the angkalung (องกะลุง). I found out from my Filipino participants that the Filipinos also use the instrument and retain the calling of the instrument as the angklung. The cultural affinity kind of blew me away and further motivates me to dig out Asia’s treasures by finding similarities and differences that position us uniquely in the world.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I like how I have always listened to and trusted my gut and intuition. It has led to things I am responsible for today. But if I had time to do things differently, I would have lived in another country and picked up a 3rd or 4th language apart from English and my mother tongue.
How do you unwind?
I travel, listen to great music and read to unwind.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Thailand. I love the diversity of Thailand and its down to earth and humble people. Arts and creativity is allowed to thrive and I can choose between the old, traditional and modern appeal to suit my taste. There are many beautiful escapade islands I can go to unwind such as Phuket and Chiang Mai.
Everyone in business should read this book:
Malcolm Gladwel’sl ‘David & Goliath’ is great motivation especially if you are on a path of entrepreneurship; “We are bigger than we really think we are!”
Shameless plug for your business:
Let’s come together and collaborate, create and innovate.
Check us out at: https://www.facebook.com/I-N-N-O-s-p-a-r-k-915480601872985/
How can people connect with you?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/md9815
https://www.facebook.com/md.indera
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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.
Take the ‘Key Person of Influence’ scorecard <http://www.keypersonofinfluence.com/scorecard/>
Connect with Callum here:
twitter.com/laingcallum
linkedin.com/in/callumlaing
Get his free ‘Asia Snapshot’ report from www.callumlaing.com
