Proof of Life #1: a long and long overdue update...

My 2024 started with one of those ‘door closing moments’ or maybe it’d be more apt to say ‘punch in the gut moments’ - I was told by my then-CFO that they 'couldn’t afford me' any more. And that was it - my first retrenchment moment - done.

Well not done yet, as a dealing with retrenchment comes with aftershocks…

• What am I going to do next?
• Why did this happen?
• Hey, the employment laws in Singapore aren't great at protecting employees from retrenchment. Read my thoughts about this in the Straits Times, Today and also on a CNA Podcast with Steven Chia (sadly, I was travelling and had to do a pre-record).
• Then, ‘Wow, this is exciting - I could do anything - switch careers, take a sabbatical, travel… the world is my oyster etc etc’.
• Before inevitably going back to the turmoil that comes with job loss... ‘Why did this happen?’

Retrenchment isn’t easy to deal with. Aside from financial worries, you undergo immense mental and emotional turmoil as well. But that’s a post for another time. What happened next?

The adage, 'one door closes, another one opens' could not be truer.

I spent the next few weeks hustling. Reconnecting with mentors, ex-clients, ex-bosses, friends who had also been retrenched, recruiters, HR/talent leads, industry colleagues. I went on a trip to China with my wife to see the Zao Wu-ki exhibition in Hangzhou. I picked up a cold post-trip. I had a couple of interviews. I hung out with my best friend who was visiting Singapore.

Was really amazed and also super grateful for the kindness so many folks showed me during this period - sharing my contacts with recruiters, having coffee/wine, connecting me with HR leads etc - you know who you are. Happy to pay it forward!

whiteGrey x Bankwest interlude

While I thought I’d have some time to take a break, ironically, another Grey studio, whiteGREY in Australia came knocking early Feb. Someone had left and I tapped in to support one of their clients, Bankwest in Australia. Had the pleasure of working alongside some incredibly passionate and talented people there - Justine Leong , Stephanie Cresswell , Enid Sung , James Keeler, CPM Mads Catanese , Georgia Brockett - all under the inimitable leadership of Lee Simpson .

Over a few weeks, we put together a community management playbook anchored to ongoing brand work and a social strategy. We then built out a three-day training program for the community team at Bankwest. Blink of an eye, I was a plane to Perth - delayed by 7 hours, landing at 5am, rushing to the hotel for a quick shower before kicking off Day 1 at 830am. Yikes. Thankfully, there was lots of coffee and great assists from Enid and Steph for moments where the lack of sleep kicked in.

We did our bit and also worked with the H+K team Amelia Tipping , Marcha van den Heuvel , Anna O'Sullivan , Matthew Davenport to workshop crisis scenarios. Training done - I was back in Singapore to farewell my wife who was heading to Paris for a two-month residency.

Then it was back to Perth to spend some time with the brilliant community team at Bankwest again. There’s nothing like being in the trenches of a big announcement to truly see a team come together in support of each other - thank you to Carly Rapley , Sheldon Wan, Jamie Kho , Yasmin Mitchell , Melodi Motiei and many others for welcoming me as one of you and for giving me a crash course in Sprinklr!

We made it through the brunt of the crisis and it was with much sadness that I had to close off the chapter with whiteGrey and Bankwest - but also much excitement as I started a new role.

Green is the new black

In what has to be the longest ‘Starting a new position’ position post in LInkedIn’s history, I’m really proud to announce that I’m rejoining B2B agency Green Hat as a global account director and the Singapore country manager.

<Fun fact: I headed up the content, social and digital functions at Green Hat between 2018-2021.>

Green Hat is Australia’s largest and one might dare say, most successful independent B2B marketing consulting agencies. Clients include Korn Ferry, Nestlé Professional, Knauf, JB Hi-Fi, Superloop, NextDC, and many others. They’ve been doing some cutting-edge work around Account-based Marketing (ABM), working with partners such as 6sense Inc. alongside brand, strategy, marketing automation, full-funnel programs, content and media and more!

Me? I’m buzzing at the chance to help key clients build and deliver ABM programs, underpinned by sharp strategy, clever media targeting and great content. Also champing at the bit to help clients build their regional marketing capabilities, and execute campaigns and plans in APAC out of Singapore.

Working alongside CEO Andrew Haussegger , MD Stuart Jaffray , Head of Strat Joel Thomson (乔尔) , Head of Digital Jakob Naumann , Head of ABM Malte Weyhe , Marketing Director Tushar Warrier and also Tiny, Matt, Gary, Tom, and so many others.

Hopefully, you’re still here at the end. I promise I’m done. More updates as I embark on my new journey with old mates. It’s great to be back.

Hello 2024. So, one door closed. Many others opened.

I picked one - off we go!