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🔍 This week’s edition:

• 📕 “No More Bosses” book launch done and dusted

• 📖 Book Review: “Behind The Banyan” by Aaron Low

• ✍️ How I wrote a New York Times-styled article in 5-mins max

📕 “No More Bosses” book launch done and dusted

Last Thursday was the official launch of my new book, “No More Bosses”.

Hosted by ARCC spaces at One Marina Boulevard (the view is amazing), it also happens to be my first book launch event, as there wasn’t any for my earlier books.

Despite the logistical hiccups (I was to print an A3-size poster, but I printed an A0, which is huge!), it was a gratifying experience to receive the love and support of my friends from all walks of life.

Studies have found that social support increases survival by about 50%, comparable to quitting smoking. So, a big thanks to the familiar faces who came and collectively helped me extend my longevity.

There was a fireside segment between me and Reggie of The Financial Coconut that I believe everybody enjoyed.

It was a shame that I did not get a chance to connect deeper with the attendees who came by for the topic, as many are aspiring and even seasoned solopreneurs.

If you are one of them and see this, please get in touch with me on LinkedIn and drop me a DM. I’m honestly interested in speaking with more people on a similar path.

Who knows? That might be the next book!

Reggie kindly recorded the session, which will be featured in a TFC episode. Stay tuned here to receive the alert once it is up.

And if you haven’t yet, the book can be found on Amazon and Kinokuniya.

Should you appreciate my 5-year-old scribble that I call my signature, DM me, and I’ll make it happen!

📖 Book Review: “Behind The Banyan” by Aaron Low

"Behind the Banyan: Ho Kwon Ping on Building a Global Brand" by Aaron Low is an in-depth look at the life and career of Ho Kwon Ping, the founder of Banyan Tree Holdings.

If you don’t already know, Banyan Tree is a prestigious hospitality brand. It targets the wealthy and affluent, and its hotels centre on offering an artisanal blend of romanticism, privacy, and exclusivity.

I doubt I can afford to stay at Banyan Tree, so this book is a great way to learn more about the company, its philosophy, and the events that led up to its founding. (Mr Ho, if you like my book review, I am happy to accept your goodwill gesture via a free stay)

Specifically, this book explores leadership, entrepreneurship, and the challenges of building a global hospitality brand.

Through a compelling narrative about resilience and vision in business, the book introduces us to Ho Kwon Ping's early life and the pivotal moment when he discovered a desolate piece of land in Phuket, which became the location for the first Banyan Tree resort.

I enjoyed the uplift in the introduction, where we got to know Khonshiruwat. From a lowly educated padi farmer to becoming a pool cleaner, he has since risen to head recreation at Laguna Phuket while waiting for his Master's Degree programme to start. He could not be more grateful to Banyan Tree for giving him this lease of life.

It reminded me of my earlier years in recruitment when candidates we placed into jobs would come by with food and gifts because we helped them inch closer to their professional dreams.

Capitalism and doing good need not be mutually exclusive..

The book also delves into sustainability, leadership, and creating lasting impact. Through various anecdotes and examples, Low illustrates how Ho navigated numerous challenges, including the 2004 tsunami and the COVID-19 pandemic.

I enjoyed the candidness that many big breaks came about from dumb luck. From chancing upon the land in Phuket to breaking into the Maldives, it is a much more authentic reflection of the reality of business and, in fact, life, where many things are beyond our control.

But the essence is riding the wave and making the best of that situation. That, I feel, is what made Ho Kwon Ping great.

Low's approach is effective, combining thorough research with engaging storytelling. The book's strengths lie in its detailed accounts of Ho's strategic decisions and personal reflections.

However, it occasionally lacks depth in certain areas. For instance, I would appreciate a bit more deep dive behind the low moments of HKP when he was detained in jail and what his day-to-day was like to keep his sanity in check.

Reading this book was enlightening, particularly in understanding the importance of vision and resilience in business. Ho's commitment to sustainability and his employees' well-being was particularly inspiring.

"Behind the Banyan" is a valuable read for aspiring entrepreneurs and business students. It offers rich insights into building a global brand and the significance of sustainable practices. I highly recommend it to those interested in leadership, entrepreneurship, and the hospitality industry.

Get your copy of “Behind the Banyan” at BookSmart today.

Review copy provided by Booksmart

✍️ How I wrote a New York Times-styled article in 5-mins max

I was given nine months to write “No More Bosses” but sat on it for three months.

That’s because I thought I would need less time if I dictated, transcribed, and edited.

Unfortunately, the tech was not ready when I was writing my book. My Singapore accent was too strong for the AI.

Fast forward to today, it has improved by leaps and bounds.

If I have to write another book, I won’t start the first draft by typing.

And if you can do that for a book, imagine how quickly you can complete a blog or a social media post! 😱

Don’t believe me?

Check this out. The image on the left is my unscripted rant after Singapore’s football team's first defeat by South Korea.

On the right is after edit and formatting by AI.

This is the Oasis iOS app, with free credits you can use to play.

The app lets you record, transcribe, and (based on your preference) spit out a copy of the document you want.

There are other similar purpose-built apps, such as:

1. AudioPen

2. SpeakApp

3. VoicePen

4. SuperWhisper

They all work the same way, so it is a matter of preference between Coke and Pepsi.

For the purist who thinks this is a cop-out, I used to think like that, too.

If so, my book is also a cop-out since Penguin had two editors review my manuscript.

If you see your writing as art, perhaps a more artisanal approach works for you (calligraphy brushes, anyone?)

For everyone else who wants to create consistency around their content creation strategy on LinkedIn or blog posts, this may be the best thing to try if time has not always been on your side to support your writing journey.

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