Streamlining doctor appointments through online technology in the ASEAN region. With the ever advancing and changing healthcare industry, Shung Toon Woon believes the inflexion point for change is now!
What’s your story?
Serial entrepreneur, currently the Founder and Head of Strategy / Innovation at Jireh Group. Can’t sit still. Saw large gaps and identified a need to improve how healthcare engagements can be better managed in ASEAN. Realised that every person is a caregiver, having to care for loved ones in the family. Significant gaps of information available in the healthcare industry as well as encountered difficulties in getting appointments to see appropriate doctors or specialists. Got to learn to help ourselves to make the environment around us better.
What excites you most about your industry?
The healthcare industry is constantly changing and advancing. However, the delivery of healthcare and its touch points are lagging. We see many struggles where consumers and patients and families of patients can better engage with providers – both in the public and private healthcare spaces. We believe technology can be used to better deliver and meet these needs on a more personal and customized basis. I believe the inflexion point is now. That is what drives me and my fellow colleagues in this business in the meditech industry.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I am an Asian by ancestry and nationality and proud to be one. While having the opportunity to live in a variety of cities outside of Asia, Singapore is always home to me. I think the opportunities in Asia are great and I believe Asia will make a significant and global impact. I believe we have the tenacity and drive to get there. Being a product of my own experience, I am proud to be both a Singaporean and Asian.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Bangkok, hands down. Bangkok is one of the most accessible cities in Asia with many flights in and out of the city. Entry barriers to setting up businesses are easily navigated and there is a culture of buying and supporting local or budding enterprises. The cost of labour is also one of the most competitive across Asia. Despite the heightened level of political uncertainty, I feel the situation is temporary and climate, both politically and economically, will improve.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
It’s better to give than to receive.
Who inspires you?
God.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
If we spend most of our time sweating about the insignificant things in life, we lose sight of the bigger and more important things and relationships that define us and matter more to us.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
On a personal level, I would like to have had a family earlier on in life. On a sentimental level, I would like to have spent more time with my family and extended families telling them often that they matter the most to me.
How do you unwind?
Spending time with family and watching my daughter grow everyday. It’s therapeutic and at the end of the day it helps me unwind and smile at everything. Other things that help me unwind are reading, and meeting friends over a good meal.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Bali. It has the best beaches and plantations and is a wonderful place to chill out. The people are always at their best disposition and they have a way of not taking the harsh pressures of life too seriously. There is, of course, the lure of some of the nicest hotels on the island and a strong and vibrant art culture.
Everyone in business should read this book:
Art of War, Sun Tzu. Fantastic leadership advice all locked up in a book. His philosophy on leadership, life and how you win at work is well elaborated throughout his writings.
Shameless plug for your business:
We build the best and most engaging apps for doctor appointment bookings, GetDoc, in the business. We also have Hippo, a mobile app with an ecosystem of devices to monitor essential information about our bodies. We are our worst critics when it comes to our products and eat enough of our own dog food before we offer it to others.
How can people connect with you?
Via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp or email.
—
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
