Creativa Partners

Bridging the Digital Divide: ASEAN’s SME Growth Opportunity In 2025,?digital isn’t a choice—it’s survival.?Yet, ASEAN’s SMEs are navigating vastly different digital landscapes. 1. Singapore & Malaysia?lead in cloud adoption and fintech integration. 2. Indonesia & Vietnam?see surging e-commerce but struggle with infrastructure gaps. 3. Thailand & the Philippines?are accelerating SME digitalization with strong government support. 4. Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar?lag due to limited access to financing and digital skills. The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) flags key roadblocks:?poor digital infrastructure, limited upskilling, and financial barriers. The fix??Cloud adoption, digital literacy, and tailored financial solutions. The upside??Wider market reach, higher efficiency, and stronger global play. How is your SME tackling digital transformation? Share your experiences in the comments section below. #CreativaInsights #DigitalTransformation #ASEAN #SMEs #Growth #Innovation

Chaos Creates Openings. Is Your Business Ready? Markets are rattled—bond yields up, tech stocks down, investors running for cover. AI hype is cooling, and geopolitical shifts are rewriting trade rules. Big corporations are struggling to find growth. For small businesses, this is?not a crisis—it’s an opportunity: 1. AI & automation are leveling the playing field?– Use them to cut costs and scale smarter. 2. Big companies are divesting?– Find the gaps they leave behind. 3. Inflation is hitting consumers?– Offer value where others are cutting corners. The world is shifting. The ones who adapt fastest will win.?Want to strategize? DM us to chat. #CreativaInsights #SmallBusinessGrowth #Opportunities

Are US tariffs failing to slow China’s growth? At the?National People’s Congress (NPC), China set an ambitious?5% GDP growth target—despite a?real estate slump?and continued?US tariffs. To hit this goal, Beijing will need?pro-growth measures, but with?private sector struggles, where will the momentum come from? Innovations like?DeepSeek, a rising AI player developing cost-effective AI models to rival Western competitors, could drive?productivity gains and tech-sector growth. Still, with economic and geopolitical headwinds, sustaining this pace won't be easy. #CreativaInsights #China #Economy #GDP #AI

German Elections: Fiscal Conservatism Strengthens Euro, Markets Respond Germany’s election outcome has delivered a decisive victory for the Conservative Party, driving early Euro appreciation in Asian trading. The market response reflects investor expectations of fiscal discipline, pro-business policies, and a more stable regulatory trajectory. Key implications: 1. FX Markets:?Strengthening Euro could impact export competitiveness and capital flows. 2. Monetary Policy:?A conservative-led government may align more closely with Bundesbank orthodoxy, influencing ECB rate expectations. 3. Regulatory Outlook:?Stability in business policy may reduce uncertainty for corporate planning and cross-border investments. For SMEs, a stronger Euro could mean higher import costs but also increased purchasing power for EU buyers—shaping everything from pricing strategy to supply chain decisions. How are you thinking about currency risk and policy shifts in your business? Drop a comment or DM us to discuss. #GermanElection #EUR #MacroTrends #MarketImpact #CreativaInsights

The TikTok Ban Battle: What SMEs Need to Know The U.S. is moving to ban TikTok unless ByteDance divests, the EU is tightening regulations, and India’s ban remains in place. For SMEs relying on TikTok, this isn’t just a news cycle—it’s a?business risk. What’s next??Adapt fast. Diversify across Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and build direct customer channels.?Winning businesses future-proof their marketing, not just react to trends.?The real lesson??Don’t build your business on rented land. How do you stay ahead in your business??DM us to talk strategy. #TikTokBan #SocialCommerce #SMEGrowth #DigitalStrategy #CreativaInsights

Is Europe Ready for an Activist Investing Renaissance? European equities have lagged behind their global peers. Over the past five years, the FTSE 100 has gained just?15%, while the S&P 500 and Nikkei 225 surged?81%?and?63%, respectively. Investors have taken note—underwhelming returns make companies more susceptible to shareholder activism. Activism typically falls into two camps: governance-driven (targeting management and board changes) and ESG-led (pushing for environmental and social impact). Given shifting investor sentiment post-Trump, ESG activism is unlikely to be a key driver of returns. Instead, expect sharper plays: restructuring leadership, unlocking trapped value, and pushing for M&A to accelerate earnings growth and share price performance. Europe, and particularly Italy (due to high concentration of family controlled businesses), could be fertile ground for activist campaigns in 2025. Is your business ready for an activist investor knocking at the door? Let’s talk about how to stay ahead. #ActivistInvesting #EarningsGrowth #CreativaInsights

In the latest blog post, we discuss aspects that made Walmart a success where other retailers failed (due to the rise of e-commerce platforms like Amazon).

Welcome to our new series, where we unpack bold business moves and missteps. First up: the collapse of Toys 'R' Us—what went wrong? #Financialmanagement #CreativaInsights

Why is the UK Stock Market Shrinking? According to the Financial Times, the UK’s primary stock market listings have dropped by 40% since 2007. Pension funds are moving away from UK equities, accelerating the shrinkage. What’s going on? Let’s break it down: Global Valuation Game Fast-growing economies like the US, India, and UAE are offering higher valuations. The UK is losing its edge, with companies opting to list where the growth story is stronger. M&A Activity Heating Up UK stocks are attractively priced, making them prime targets for global acquirers. So far this year, 45 companies have delisted from London, a 10% jump from 2022 (source: Bloomberg). Buyers see value here, even if public investors are hesitating. Rise of Private Markets The global alternatives market—hedge funds, private equity, real estate—hit $26.1 trillion in Q1 2023 (source: JPMorgan). Capital is flowing into private opportunities, leaving public markets to fend for themselves. Uncertainty = Wary Investors Geopolitical tensions and fragmented economic policies are keeping investors cautious. The UK isn’t alone in this, but it’s feeling the impact. Is This a Crisis or a Pivot Point? Some investors see UK equities as undervalued—cheap, even. Others call it a value trap. But one thing’s clear: there’s opportunity here for those willing to take a contrarian view. The UK has world-class financial infrastructure and a strong pipeline of innovative businesses. It’s not just about what’s lost—it’s about what’s next. How is your business preparing for this evolving market??Drop us a DM with your strategy and let’s connect to explore how we can help you navigate the future. #UKEconomy #MarketsEvolving #CreativaInsights

Happy New Year! In our latest (and final) post on 'scaling your business', we go over metrics that you can use and methods you can follow to scale your business smartly and effectively. Get in touch to learn more! #ScalingSmart #MetricsMatter #CreativaInsights #GrowthThatLasts