Stromg customer confidence in e-commerce retail was seen in 2020 despite mobility restrictions and mounting concerns over the global pandemic, according to iPrice Group, an e-commerce aggregator, in its Map of E-Commerce Year-end Report 2020. This report was compiled in collaboration with SimilarWeb and AppsFlyer to discover the impact of Covid-19.

Globally, international remote work appeals to many but a Decoding Global Talent, Onsite and Virtual study ny Boston Consulting Group, The Network and SEEK Asia has revealed major shifts in atitudes in what may be the pandemic's long-term impact on work. As Asia-Pasific reaps the benefits of relatively lower global caseloads, Singapore has risen 10 spots in global rankings to place eight for most attractive location for work, while Malaysia, South Korea, new Zealand, Australia and Japan are increasinglu perceived as favourable destinations by global talent.

The digital economy of Southeast Asia continued to be resilient in 2020 despite the Covid-19 pandemic ravaging most of the region's largest economies. Led by Indonesia and Vietnam, the total gross merchandise value of Southeast Asia's digital economy reached US$100 billion last year. Despite that, funding was lower as a result of the pandemic. This lack of funding led to fewer "unicorns" emerging in the region, with only one company getting on the unicorn list.

For small farmers, taking the leap to start contract farming come with many advantages. Firstly, the nature of the pre-agreed contract protects agropreneurs from loss of profit in the future. This means that if the open market price goes down – due to cases such as oversupply - this would not impact the take-home income from the chilies sold. At GrasiCili, this arrangement has worked largely because the extra profits from whenever the market price is high, are strategically funneled into the participants’ collective funds. Thus in seasons of low market price, these funds will later be paid out to the participants to match the pre-agreed sale price. This modern business model is agreed by participants and minimizes risks of failing.

“Every day on the job is a process of learning. Raising chickens is an art – thus, contract farming is a great opportunity for farmers to upgrade and perfect their farming techniques, allowing specialization in this line of business.” - Syaizul Syamil, Founder and Farm Manager of Tube Ventures

LEAN menunjukkan keberkesanan dalam pelaksanaan Prosedur Operasi Standard (SOP) dalam operasi perniagaan TLP. Penetapan SOP bertujuan untuk memastikan operasi perniagaan dijalankan secara konsisten dan teratur.

LEAN is a systematic approach that helps the management of an organisation to identify and eliminate the non-value activities that could lead to inefficient business processes. Over and above that, waste that have been around for a long time can be eliminated in the workplace due to unproductive and inefficient work culture. The LEAN project in TLP started in August 2019 and was successfully completed a year later. Normally, any of SPPE project only takes six months to finish, however, the TLP project took 12 months due to the enforcement of the Movement Control Order in the country on 18 March 2020, to curb the spread of COVID-19.

SEAAT’s comprehensive care for safety and health are one of its biggest attractions that bring repeat or referral customers. Its trip packages include not just a first aid-trained motor guide but also a certified paramedic (although fortunately no medical emergencies have happened). This feature alone has resulted in new client recommendations by previous customers from even Singapore. As a rule, for motorcycle tours, one motor-guide is provided for every eight bikers, while the maximum number of bikes allowed per tour is 20 machines with three guides.

As in any business, there has to be a balance between good value-for-money and profit sustainability. Hasan and the Santika team are always on the lookout for what visitors want, what works and whether it can be done as cost-effectively as possible. How do they gather the data on customer behaviours, preferences and trends? While as a small family-run entity, they may not use highly scientific methods, they do use keen observation and feedback especially direct questions to visitors and even potential visitors met at other places.

After a near-miss experience in 2018 when Rashihah herself was hit with a sudden water gush from probably a cluttered logs dam that broke after heavy rain, RNR became even more cautious when handling trips especially during the rainy season or in any conditional uncertainties. During rainy seasons, clients are advised that booked activities would only be confirmed two to three days before the actual trip because heavy rain over the forest could affect conditions and make it dangerous. Thus, a rain monitoring app is used for near real-time data. Other than that, RNR will also contact Taman Eko-Rimba Gunung Datuk Park office on the weather and other conditions at the area as it could also affect caving activity safety at Gua Batu Maloi.