Lim Der Shing is currently a private investor, Venture Advisor with Jungle Seedplus and board member with several organizations. Huang Shao-Ning is the Managing Partner of Hub Ventures Fund and a Partner at Entrepreneur First, the world’s leading company builder.
Together, they are the co-founders of JobsCentral Group and manage a regional portfolio of over 17 angel investments in startups.
JobsCentral grew from a 2-man startup into an organization with 150 employees over a period of 14 years. In 2011, JobsCentral was acquired by CareerBuilder, making it one of Singapore’s largest tech exits at the time.
They did all of that while raising a family of 4 kids.
In this conversation, we spoke about
How to discern good advice from noise
Strategies for hiring and managing talents
Effective communication between a couple
and much more!
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!
Show Notes
Huang Shao-Ning shares about her childhood [01:04] Lim Der Shing shares about his childhood [04:18] How did Der Shing and Shao-Ning end up at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor [08:17] How did Der Shing first meet Shao Ning? [12:10] Shao-Ning and Der Shing shares views about taking advice from the elderly [17:14] How do Der Shing and Shao Ning discern good advice from noise? [26:01] Why did Shao-Ning and Der Shing quit their jobs to start JobsCentral? [37:10] What are the different stages of JobsCentral’s growth? [46:13] Shao Ning and Der Shing shares insights on hiring [51:52] How do you develop a “bullshit” meter for sussing out candidates? [56:12] How do Shao Ning and Der Shing define and view entrepreneurship? [59:14] What did Shao Ning learn from Der Shing? [01:06:23]
Links Mentioned
Connect with Lim Der Shing and Huang Shao-Ning: Website (Der Shing) | LinkedIn (Shao-Ning)
Special thanks to Shao-Ning and Der Shing. Until next time!
Peter Ho is the CEO of HOPE Technik, an engineering company specializing in Unmanned systems, Defence, Bio-medical, Smart Logistics and Special Vehicles.
The company has delivered over 400 projects across 18 countries to date and projects included (but not limited to) the last 4 versions of Red Rhino for the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
Click “continue reading” for the link and show notes…
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favourite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Show Notes
Peter Ho shares his love of vintage cars [01:57]
Peter Ho on his ACJC days as a national debater [06:55]
How did Peter get promoted to Chief Engineer at Petronas [10:37]
Why did Peter leave his job as a Chief Engineer at Petronas [15:26]
Peter shares story on how Hope Technik was when it first got started [23:16
The first product that Hope Technik designed [26:35]
Peter Ho shares his struggles during the start of Hope Technik [33:09]
How did Hope Technik get into a $40,000 debt? [37:14]
How did Hope Technik clinch the Red Rhino project? [40:44]
Peter Ho shares the inner workings of an engineering company [49:26]
How does Peter Ho define an engineering company [01:04:09]
What did Peter learn from the failures of the “Skate Scooter” and “Bed Mover” projects? [01:05:18]
Peter’s decision-making process on deciding which project to take up [04:14:07]
How did Hope Technik clinch the deal with AirBus [01:19:07]
Peter Ho shares the inspiration for the 10 company commandments [01:22:55]
How does Hope Technik uphold its company culture of “No finger pointing” [01:30:16]
What is the ONE lecture Peter would give to Year 3 engineering student? [01:32:25]
Peter Ho on innovation and disruptive technology [01:35:10]
What does Hope Technik mean to Peter in the current season of life? [01:40:07]
And if you have any experience with anything we talked about, I’d love for you to open up in the comments.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.
Share your story in the comments.
Also, please leave an honest review for Misfits Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.
Click “continue reading” for the link and show notes…
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favourite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Show Notes
How does Michael Sng introduce himself to a stranger? [0:01:49]
Michael Sng on his childhood [0:12:48]
What is Michael Sng’s superpower when he was younger? [0:1858]
What are the lessons Michael learnt from his time in design school? [0:24:13]
What is the value of an education at a design school when we can learn design from Youtube? [0:30:51]
How did Michael get started with building the ultimate toy “Colosuss”? [0:36:47]
What are the software and skills required to design a toy? [0:4956]
Why did Michael decide to go to Comic Con? [01:02:44]
Did Michael achieve what he wanted at Comic Con? [01:05:09]
How did Michael get invited to TED? [01:09:07]
Michael Sng shares his experience preparing for his TED talk [01:11:41]
Michael Sng shares common mistakes people make with their Kickstarter campaigns [01:24:30]
Why did Michael set a low Kickstarter budget? [01:28:46]
What would Michael do differently for his Kickstarter campaign? [01:30:43]
How did Michael’s Kickstarter project get funded within 6 hours of its launch? [01:34:08]
Michael Sng shares the economics behind his Kickstarter campaign [01:39:49]
And if you have any experience with anything we talked about, I’d love for you to open up in the comments.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.
Share your story in the comments.
Also, please leave an honest review for Misfits Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.
“If you allow all these barriers and challenges around you to impact you, you’ll never walk out of the house and have terrible mental health. So, get over it.” – Claire Chiang
She occasionally contributes to and leads various committees in the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, National Arts Council and Raffles Girls’ Secondary School.
She was named Singapore’s Woman of the Year (1999).
In this conversation, we spoke about
How to deal with the “glass ceiling”
How to be a mum while running a business
What Claire learnt from the study of Sociology
and much more!
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I do.
Claire Chiang on her childhood [0:07:30] Why did Claire choose to study Sociology? [0:14:11] Claire Chiang on her parents’ reaction to her studying oversea [0:18:43] How does Claire define the study of Sociology? [0:21:37] What lesson has Claire learnt from Sociology that she still carries today? [0:23:29] Claire Chiang shares about the people she surrounds herself with [0:29:57] Claire Chiang shares advice on imparting self-agency [0:38:30] What are the characteristics of Claire’s best mentee [0:54:56] Claire Chiang shares advice on eliminating negative relationship [1:03:53] Claire Chiang shares stories about her early travels [1:09:01] Claire Chiang shares advice on raising a children while running a business [1:14:39] How does Claire balance instilling discipline and creativity while raising a child [1:22:19] What are the rules or habits that Claire has learned to build a successful marriage? [1:31:55] Claire Chiang shares advice on juggling work and family duties [1:41:54] Claire Chiang on “being water” [1:47:25] What book would Claire give a class of year 3 Sociology students to read [1:56:05] The first 90 minutes of Claire’s day [1:56:35] What areas of Claire Chiang’s current life is she seeking to improve [2:04:34]
Click “continue reading” for the link and show notes…
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Show Notes ShiGG Shay on his childhood [0:02:01]
What is ShiGGa’s on first paid performance [0:09:51]
ShiGGa Shay shares about his music’s heroes [0:11:11]
When was ShiGGa Shay’s first big break? [0:13:08]
What is the passion that drives ShiGGa? [0:13:55]
What was Jin Shen’s parents’ reactions to his career? [0:15:35]
ShiGGa Shay shares backstory of the song he did with Stefanie Sun [0:19:33]
Why did ShiGGa choose to study for a Diploma in Media and Communication? [0:25:52]
What was ShiGGa Shay’s vision for his career? [0:28:02]
ShiGGa Shay on the passing of his father [0:32:48]
What is ShiGGa Shay’s take on “making money” and “selling out” [0:37:36]
Mentors that helped ShiGGa Shay along his journey [0:40:10]
ShiGGa Shay shares what it means to be an all-rounded performer? [0:46:34]
ShiGGa Shay on “talent” vs “hard work” [0:50:01]
ShiGGa Shay shares advice for young artists? [0:57:52]
ShiGGa Shay shares what does it means to be a director? [1:06:37]
Why did ShiGGa Shay decide to take up the role in 3688? [1:07:59]
What did ShiGGa Shay learn from film director Royston Tan? [1:10:03]
And if you have any experience with anything we talked about, I’d love for you to open up in the comments.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.
Share your story in the comments.
Also, please leave an honest review for Misfits Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.
Special thanks to ShiGGa and Yasmeen. Until next time!
Tay Kheng Soon is the founder and principal partner of the architect firm, Akitek Tenggara.
In the span of his career, he was responsible for many iconic buildings around Singapore. Some of these include (but not limited to) People’s park Complex, Golden Mile Complex and KK Woman’s and Children hospital.
Click “continue reading” for the link and show notes…
Show Notes Tay Kheng Soon on his childhood [0:01:27] Why did Kheng Soon decide to study architecture? [0:12:27] What did Kheng Soon learn from Singapore Poly in the 1960s? [0:22:57] Tay Kheng Soon share thoughts on how architecture is taught in school today? [0:28:07] What does architecture mean to Kheng Soon’s students? [0:47:08] What does architecture mean to Kheng Soon? [0:50:37] Tay Kheng Soon shares advice for young architects [0:54:22] Why did Kheng Soon start Singapore Planning and Urban Research (SPUR)? [1:06:43] Tay Kheng Soon shares his solo-travelling experience in the 1960s [1:23:18] Tay Kheng Soon on “Rubanisation” [0:35:01] Kheng Soon shares the relationship between architecture and politics [1:48:49] Tay Kheng Soon shares story about his encounter with Lee Kuan Yew [1:54:43]
And if you have any experience with anything we talked about, I’d love for you to open up in the comments.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.
Share your story in the comments.
Also, please leave an honest review for Misfits Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.
Special thanks to Tay Kheng Soon. Until next time!
Wayne Cheong is the head writer for Esquire Singapore. He is a two-time recipient of the MPAS (Media Publishers Association of Singapore) “Journalist of The Year”, for both 2014 and 2015.
He has interviewed numerous iconic personalities, including Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Dev Patel, Colin Schooling, “The SMRT Vigilanteh” and Eric Bana, amongst others.
On the side, Wayne performs standup comedy regularly. He has performed at Singapore Comedy Fringe Festival, Talk Cock Comedy 2015 as well as regular improv nights together with other comedians.
In this episode, we talked about
Wayne’s interview process: from crafting questions to writing the article
Click “continue reading” for the link and show notes…
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favourite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Show Notes How did Wayne first get introduced to me [0:02:18]
Wayne’s research process before his interview [0:07:29]
Wayne shares common mistakes when crafting interview questions [0:13:09]
Wayne shares advice on asking following up questions [0:17:21]
Wayne shares advice on creating rapport with the interviewees [0:22:33]
Wayne on planning an ideal interview scenario [0:26:07]
Wayne on his personal interviewing style [0:29:19]
What are the common themes that Wayne likes to cover with his interviewees? [0:44:45]
How does Wayne produce an article from his raw interview materials? [0:51:56]
Wayne shares advice on how to stay inspired to write? [0:58:50]
Wayne shares common misconception of working at Esquire [1:04:50]
What is Wayne’s definition of lazy writing [1:12:02]
Wayne on the difference between a good writer and a great writer [1:13:47]
Wayne recommendation for Japan [1:16:43]
Wayne shares his experience on interacting with people as an introvert [1:23:34]
Why does Wayne perform stand-up comedy? [1:25:22]
And if you have any experience with anything we talked about, I’d love for you to open up in the comments.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.
Share your story in the comments.
Also, please leave an honest review for Misfits Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.
Special thanks to Wayne & Zul for making this happen. Until next time!
Aaron Maniam is the Director (Industry Division) of the Ministry of Trade and Industry Singapore.
He has received numerous awards including (but not limited to), Asia Society’s “Asia 21 Young Leaders’ (2006), Singapore Youth Award (2012), and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader (2013).
Aaron’s poems have won many awards including the National Arts Council’s Golden Point Award (2003). His poems have been featured in online journals such as Stylus and Softblowand in print publications such as Fifty on 50,From Walden to Woodlands, La Traductiere, Journal des Poètes, and Becoming Poets.
He is also the author of Morning at Memory’s Border – one of the three books shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize in 2007.
In 1995, Aaron was Singapore’s top student in the Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level Examination.
Aaron holds a Master of Arts in International & Development Economics from Yale University and a Master of Public Policy from the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University.
In this conversation, we spoke about
Strengths of a Polymath
How can introverts develop the skills of an extrovert?
Tools for a 21st-century innovator
and a whole more!
I hope you enjoy my conversation with Aaron Maniam as much as I did!
Click “continue reading” for the link and show notes…
QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favourite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
Show Notes
Why does Aaron identify himself as a Polymath? [0:01:02]
Aaron’s process for acquiring information on a tight timeline [0:05:57]
Aaron on people either being left or right-brained [0:09:12]
Aaron explains the strengths of being a polymath [0:14:33]
How does Aaron achieve such good academic grades? [0:17:26]
Aaron’s process for remembering new information [0:23:45]
Aaron shares stories from his childhood [0:27:09]
How did Aaron learn to be an extrovert? [0:33:50]
Aaron shares his experience at Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government [0:37:48]
The different between a good mentor and a great mentor [0:52:07]
What does poetry mean in Aaron’s current season of life? [0:56:34]
Aaron on failures [1:04:333]
How did Aaron embrace being different? [1:10:23]
How does a day look like as the Director of Ministry of Trade and Industry [1:13:12]
Aaron shares thoughts on why one should consider joining the civil service? [1:18:43]
Aaron shares some advice on stretching the mind of a traditionalist [1:20:23]
Aaron shares practices to identify and disengage from useless narratives [1:27:23]
Aaron on the highest purpose and dark sides of the civil and private sector? [1:31:51]
Aaron shares his experience on learning to be an idealist [1:40:01]
How does Aaron plan his week to achieve maximum output? [1:47:26]
Aaron on the fluff and importance of thinking about the future [1:52:18]
And if you have any experience with anything we talked about, I’d love for you to open up in the comments.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.
Share your story in the comments.
Also, please leave an honest review for Misfits Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.
Special thanks to Aaron for a great interview. Until next time!
