The Breakfast Grille

On the Breakfast Grille, Hussain Najadi the chairman and CEO of Arab Investments for Asia Kuwait Limited Group (AIAK). He talks about his rebellious youth in Bahrain: from the setting up the Bahraini Liberation Front (BLF), to staging one of the first street demonstrations in Bahrain, that culminated in him being expelled from the Kingdom. On his work in Malaysia, Najadi explains why he sold his shares to Tan Sri Azman Hashim and exited the banking scene. He talks of the then limiting regulatory parameters in the banking scene, and how vital it is to have the right connections. He also writes, in reference to Bahrain, that during the course of his career he had to deal with “the elite world of high finance, the power play of big oil and the fickle fancy of politics” and how some signs of this are emerging in Malaysia. Najadi talks about the circumstances that led to his 7-year imprisonment in Bahrain, as well as the ensuing international lobby for his release. Listen to the podcast to find out why he hasn't be able to return home to Bahrain since. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daya Materials Bhd's group CEO Datuk Mazlin Junid comes on the Breakfast Grille to talk about the group's prospects and how it intends to stand shoulder to shoulder with the bigger players in the group. He talks about: - Daya Materials four year plan to reach RM1 billion in revenue by 2015, but addresses the fact that revenue for FY2012 actually came in lower year-on-year although margins improved. - However, he remains positive that the group will see about 20% growth for the coming year. - Daya Materials was also one of the companies bidding for the risk services contract for Petronas for Tembikai and Chenang, which was pulled due to logistical issues. However, he does not rule out it coming back on the table and Petronas has announced another 10 RSC contracts potentially in the pipeline. - He also talks about the group's polymer segment, which is losing money and he says is in a "sunset industry". He does not rule hiving it off or letting it die a natural death. - He also addresses the group's business in Indonesia and talks about potential business from Sri Lanka, among others.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Mark Mobius, Executive Chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group, talks on the Breakfast Grille about his view on the current run of the markets and how he expects it to play out in the coming months. In the interview he also talks about:  - About the current movements in the US markets; - Prospects in Latin America, which is the US' third largest trading partner, whose economy is on the rise; - Addresses the issue of crime and drug trade in the country, but says that it seems to be improving and that the on the ground feeling is vibrant;  - He also continues to like Brazil and Russia, he considers a hidden gem thanks to its natural resources; - In Asia, he still continues to like Indonesia, but also sees prospects in the SEA countries.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Breakfast Grille, Naeem Shahab the chairman and CEO of Philips Group of Companies in Malaysia, explains the three main businesses: Lighting, Healthcare and Consumer Lifestyle He also discusses: -- potential for growth within each of the business lines -- the focus on health and wellness, going forward -- the Philips Lumileds facility in Penang and the potential for more investment in Malaysia -- how Malaysia's aim to move higher in the value chain would change the way Philips approaches its business here -- The sale of Philips Electronics' audio and video business to Japan's Funai Electric Co -- The repositioning away from consumer electronics -- The Philips' brand -- The culture of invention and innovation -- The procurement process of the public healthcare system -- The uncertainty of the upcoming elections -- World Sleep Day: Philips and University of Malaya Specialist Center collaborate to open South East Asia’s first excellence center for sleep disorders, the first of its kind in Asia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Affin Fund Management Berhad CEO Datuk Mohamad Ayob Abu Hassan discusses:  - AUMS - reasons behind relatively small size;  - LTAT: Mandates - whether over-dependence;  - Performance - Targets - methodology; - Distribution? Agency workforce - branches;  - Products innovation - rollout plan;  - Target market? Malay / rural savings - Institutionals - non-Islamic market;  - Investmet philosophy - USPs;  - Local - Equities - views;  - Elections - issues - concerns;  - QE-led rally - missing the boat;  - Sectors / companies;  - Invested / cash levels;  - Foreign equities? Issues;  - Foreign competition - Direct to market - opinion;  - Examples like Templeton -- very fast - other big foreign houses - e.g. Nomura, Aberdeen etc;  - Growth - M&A - issues;  - If Hwang DBS - issues - cultural fit- Still-small component of overall Affin earnings -- whether board pressure - demanding KPIs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Breakfast Grille, Hansgrohe Prvt Ltd's MD KC Lee, which overseas the operations in Southeast Asia, talks about the companuy's growth prospects in emerging markets while remaining true to its "Made in Germany" brand. The company is best known in the sanitation space, with a product range that includes showers, taps and bathroom fixtures, and in 2011, the German parent registered a revenue of EUR761 million. Other salient points include: - How China is a double-edged sword. While the market is vast, but there is also the threat of intense competition.  - About how controlling costs remains an issue, and adding to that is the fact that the bulk of their factories are in Germany. - However, KC feels that there is still upside for the higher end segment.  - He admits that the property cycle, where they are a presence, can be cyclical but says that the retail segment can help to smoothen it out - Also the importance of advertising, with an emphasis on emerging markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Breakfast Grille, Yuri Wahab the managing director of Cisco Systems (Malaysia) explains the 'Internet of Everything' and what it means for all of us. He also discusses: -- the Malaysian business and the wide portfolio of its products and services -- the Malaysian infrastructure and the coming rollout of 4G-LTE -- growing Cisco's presence in the SME/SMB market -- the SME/SMB mentality: price-sensitive, wants simplicity -- tech trends to watch for: Cloud & BYOD -- ICT talent gap -- Belkin's acquisition of Linksys and Cisco's exit from the consumer business -- future plans for MalaysiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travis Atkinson, the CEO of AmGeneral Isurance Bhd, talks on the Breakfast Grille on life post the RM1.67 billion acquisition of Kurnia. He talks about the challenges the insurance sector faces and how the company intends to growh going forward. He also addresses: - The teething problems that come with merging two insurance entities. He talks about changing mindsets and how the bring in both entities and finding the synergies.  - He talks about the focus on the car market segment, and how they intent to cross-sell both the brands, and educating consumers on new products.  - He also talks about how the focus is also on growing other segments, such as commercial insurance and the importance in the face of natural disasters.  - He also thinks that the market will grow with GDP See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MGPA Head of Asset Management-Asia, Hugh Andrew discusses: - Story behind inception - James Quille - management buyout of Lend Lease Corporation's Global Property Investment fund unit in February 2004 - early stage PE tumult of fundraising - track record - cashflow; - AUMS - Asia / Europe footprint - breakdown; - Identity investors - time frame for holding - retention rates - 're-ups'; - Broad PE RE industry challenges - global financial crisis: > Changes to fund structuring terms - extent of pressure it placed on PERE fund terms - concentrated focus on fund management fees - shorter fund terms - cash returns and not management fee waivers - pressure to structure fees? > Regulatory reforms playing a bigger role - Liquidity and oversight rules - contrast with compliance costs - extent to which investors willing to compromise; > Regulations that impact the real estate funds industry - Dodd-Frank Act - Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFM) Directive - AIFM (Non-EU-based platforms) - Basel III - etc; > Potential accounting changes - Fair value implications - how rental income, real estate taxes, operating expenses, property level debt, etc. shown on the financial statements - contrast with current investment company model; - Investing philosophy - 'above-average returns' - details; - Investing proposition for European assets - classes - countries details; - Europe Issues - liquidity surfeit (Draghi ‘whatever it takes’) - massive unemployment - distressed asset opportunities - sovereign rating downgrades - etc; - Asia issues: countries - strategy - details - Dynamics: middle class - urbanisation - population boom - rising affluence - changing taste patterns - central bank flush cash - record-low rates, massive liquidity; - Inflation - property curbs - China, Singapore and to lesser extent Malaysia - implications.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Breakfast Grille, Soren Ravn the managing director of Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd discusses: --  the company's FY12 results --  its dividend payout ratio --  improving production efficiency and product mix outlook for 2013 --  brand equity update and competition --  in-house brewing --  the performance of its latest imported premium beer: Somersby Apply Cider --  A&P spend --  Carlsberg as the first ever official beer partner of the Barclays Premier League --  distribution channels --  likelihood of a beer excise tax hike in 2013 --  raw material prices --  possibility of product price increase this year --  hopes of revamping the current alcohol tax structureSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SGX-listed Super Group Ltd's Darren Teo, who heads Group Corporate Strategy & Business Development, comes on the Breakfast Grille to talk about the group's prospects in the highly competitive FMCG space. The group however, recently posted a good round of results where net profit grew by 27.7% to SG1810.4 million. He talks about - What will continue to drive the group's prospects in their key markets of China, Singapore and Malaysia. - The status of Super Group's new plant in Malaysia, and how it will help the group diversify on the back of a new operations dealing with herbal extracts.  - Darren also does not rule out the possibility of partners, given the current consolidation wave going on the FMCG space, but says that there is nothing concrete as of yet.  - He also talks about the recent spate of rebranding that the group underwent in order to give its product a fresher look, in a bid to attract the younger crowd. - He also addresses issues of quality control, given the recent horsemeat scandal in Europe, which has made people jittery. Interestingly he points out that it was because of a food scare in China that Super Group saw the opportunity to go into the food ingredients business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrea Illy shares his passion for the family's eponymous coffee brand, and his distribution strategy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Breakfast Grille, His Excellency Miles Kupa, the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, discusses: --  the Malaysia-Australia relationship, especially in trade and economic co-operation --  the newly effective Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (1st Jan 2013) and opportunities under the FTA --  Independent Senator Nick Xenophon's deportation from Malaysia on grounds that he posed a “security risk” to the country --  the events of that morning, according to the High Commissioner --  his take on comments that Senator Xenophon was meddling with Malaysia’s internal affairs and accusations of foreign interference --  the upcoming Australian polls and the way elections are conducted in the country --  an update on the refugee swap plan between Malaysia and Australia --  if there has been an increase in the Malaysian migration trend to Australian See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Munchy's Group's CEO CK Tan comes on the Breakfast Grille to talk about the current course of the group, which is best known as a manufacturer of biscuits, and how it intends to hold on to its market share of about 20%. According to published statistics, the value of the biscuit market in Malaysia is worth around RM1 billion per annum. He also talks about - How they are hoping to see double digit growth for its topline, driven by innovation and new products.  - They recently entered the snack food space, and says that the group aims to launch new products every year. However, he admits that not all the products launched are successful and they normally give it around three to six month evaluation period.  - They do not rule out the possibility of listing, but says that it is in the far future.  - They have been approached by bigger companies looking to acquire them, but nothing has been decided yet. On the flipside, they are also on the look out for assets.  - China is another of their markets. CK admits that quality control is an issue, in the light of the recent scandal in the Eurozone about products contamindated with horsemeat. However, he says that they will adopt the same measures seen here.  - Indonesia is also set to be another big market, and they plan to see results from a JV they have there over the next 10 months. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tune Ins Holdings Bhd CEO Peter Miller discusses: - IPO - lukewarm market -- election jitters - whether misgivings - issues; - Institutional ownership - details; - IPO proceeds - 'strategic investments' - details - valuations - prospects; - Dividend payout ratio - visibility; - Online: strategy; - Conventional: strategy; - Managing differing insurance 'ethos’ - reconciling;- Chances of disposing conventional division - future; - Geographical segmentation - three-year outlook; - If/when the acquisitions are made, which areas first - importance of culture and fit; - Claims ratios - benign: low-single digits - Reasons - outlook; - A&P strategy - spend - proportion; - Distribtution - hotels - airplanes - tenures of partnership - exclusivity - issues; - Dependence on AirAsia as a potential challenge; - Malindo as a rival airline and therefore a potential competitor; - General competition - issues; - Margins - outlook; - Whether forecasts achievable -- expected CAGR going forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia Debt Ventures Bhd MD/CEO Datuk Md. Zubir Ansori Yahaya discusses: - Business model - rates - tenures - details; - VC model - equity participation - exit options; - Process - time of application; - No. of applicants, award rate; - Total fund size currently -- utility of cash before disbursement; - What has the Malaysian taxpayer received from a decade of funding; - How police disbursements; - Audit of borrowers - action taken - enforcement; - NPL rates; - How MOF polices MDV - properly allocation; - KPIS: 'Nation building' - Profitability; - Details: the biggest successes? Failures; - Audit of investees -- measurable performance; - Of the 450 firms you have funded, how many have deteriorated to legal; - 'Pressure' from above.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The main objective of the Malaysian French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MFCCI) is to promote the development of business relations between Malaysian and French Companies. On the Breakfast Grille, Pierre Cheyron, the president of MFCCI, discusses why more and more French companies are saying "Bonjour!" to Malaysia. He also examines Malaysia's competitiveness and the bilateral trade between the two countries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Breakfast Grille Altran's Chairman and CEO Philippe Salle comes on to talk about the group's aspirations for Malaysia and Asia in general. The French company is better known in Europe, where  its main business is outsourcing R&D for company's starting from the conception of their projects to the end. Altran has just opened its office in Kuala Lumpur and plans to make Malaysia's its main hub for Southeast Asia. Other talking points from the interview include:  - Altran's plans for the rest of Asia, with a focus on China and India. Malaysia is set to serve as the company's main jumping point for the rest of SEA and the group plans to spend several million Euros in investment.  - He also talks about the challenges being faced in the Eurozone, how the economy has definitely slowed and their strategy for overcoming the hard times.  - Finding talent remains the main issue for Altran as it seeks to try and double its workforce in certain areas consistently.  - He also hints at a possible acquisition in India coming up for the group after having completed the acquisition of a German company. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Horst Schulze, legendary hotelier, former executive of the Ritz Carlton, and founder of Capella Hotels talks about where ultra-luxury hospitality is headed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westports Malaysia Dragons president and co-founded Datuk Wira Dani Daim and co-founder and deputy president and co-owner Ruben Emir Gnanalingam talk about what drove them to form a professional basketball team given that Malaysians interests seem to be skewed more towards football and single person sports. They give a history on how it all started, together with Datuk Robin Tan and where they want to bring it. - All three have extremely famous fathers, namely Tun Daim Zainuddin, Tan Sri G Gnanalingam and Tan Sri Vincent Tan. They admit that sometimes having famous fathers means that it is sometimes hard for them to find funding. - All three are also corporate figures in Malaysia but do no run the basketball teams as just a hobby. They do not personally manage the team, but instead have a professional team of managers to run it.  - All the funding came from the three individuals but they wouldn't mention how much was invested, just that it was substantial. - Their ultimate aim is to make the team self sustaining but admits that it will take some time. In the meantime they invest in camps and training to build up the local players.        President and Co-Founder Datuk Wira Dani Daim and Co-Founder & Deputy President and Co-Owner Ruben Emir GnanalingamSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wipro-Unza's Managing Director for Southeast Asia Kumar Chander returns to the Breakfast Grille to give an update on how the company has been doing in the region and the new markets the company is eyeing. The group has a portfolio of 48 brands comprising familar names such as Enchanteur, Aiken and Carrie. On the Breakfast Grille Kumar discusses - How the company keeps ahead in a highly competitive environment, and how it keeps its brand relevant.  - The bulk of manufacturing done by Wipro-Unza is in-house, so while that allows a better control of costs, it also leaves the company open to fluctuations in raw material costs.  - Kumar also gives an update on the acquisition of LD Waxsons and how it is fitting into Wipro-Unza's portfolio of brands, and addresses the issue of cannibalisation within its portfolio.  - He also talks about the new market segments on Wipro-Unza's radarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world’s most powerful bank is one most people have probably never heard of. It’s not Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, HSBC or Bank of America. According to this book, it is China Development Bank. Henry Sanderson Beijing-based Bloomberg journalist and co-author of ‘China's Superbank: Debt, Oil and Influence - How China Development Bank is Rewriting the Rules of Finance’ discusses: -- the CDB and how China's rise as a global economic superpower over the past decade is intricately tied to this bank -- Chen Yuan, the Chairman of CDB since 1998, and the power and influence he wields -- CDB's China-Africa Development Fund — China's largest private equity fund investing in Africa — and its attempts to stimulate manufacturing in Ethiopia, and CDB's lending to Ghana -- CDB's work to secure a steady flow of oil and gas to China through loans-for-energy deals around the world, particularly to Venezuela -- CDB's lines of credit that have helped new Chinese firms in telecom and alternative energy win significant global projects See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Breakfast Grille, Joey Yap, the founder of Mastery Academy of Chinese Metaphysics gives us a preview of what to expect in the Year of the Snake.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some 7.4 million people worldwide are estimated to have Parkinson's Disease -- almost one person in every 500 will get this condition. Currently there are no biomarkers, no simple bloodtest that you can take to diagnose this neurological disorder. But soon, thanks to research by Dr Max Little and his team, a mere 30-second phone call to a computer could very well tell you whether or not you have Parkinson's Disease. Dr. Max Little, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at MIT and the director of the Parkinson's Voice Initiative discusses this breakthrough technology on the Breakfast Grille.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

His Excellency, Dr Guenter Gruber, the German ambassador to Malaysia, discusses: -- If the worst of the Eurozone crisis over -- An expected time frame for a meaningful recovery -- Growing Euroscepticism, especially in the UK -- German sentiment towards the EU, as the biggest contributor to the bailouts of Greece, Ireland and Portugal-- Cyprus as the next point of contention in the Eurozone crisis -- Market turbulence over political uncertainty in Italy and corruption allegations that senior politicians in Spain -- The focus of the general elections in Germany on September 22nd- - What Malaysia can learn from Germany's free education system -- The German embassy’s funding for projects linked to NGO Suaram, as well as Wisma Putra's reactionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Redberry Group CEO Datuk Siew Ka Wei is on the Breakfast Grille. Listen to the podcast for the expanded version, as he discusses: -- his plans for the media division -- the outdoor advertising business -- the performance of the Malay Mail since its reincarnation on January 30th, 2012 -- editorial policy -- coverage on GE -- rationale of distributing one million copies of the Malay Mail on December 7th -- balacing editorial content with the need to sell to advertisers -- print as a sunset industry -- outlook on adex -- performance of Malaysian Reserve -- rationale of buying internet radio Durian FM -- challenges in running print media -- PM's brother Datuk Johari Razak on board of AncomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

F. William Engdahl, the author of 'Gods of Money: Wall Street and the Death of the American Century', discusses the history of money as an instrument of power and the evolution of that power in the hands of a tiny elite.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While not the biggest player on the block, construction and property concern Crest Builder Holdings Bhd is looking to stand with the big boys. With two major projects in the pipeline, namely the redevelopment of the Dang Wangi station and the Malaysian Rubber Board land in Ampang with a combined GDV of RM2.3 billion, the company is poised to break into the big time. However, given the close political affiliation of one of its partners, will this prove a hindrance or a help when the General Election finally rolls around? Eric Yong the ED for Crest Builders on the Breakfast Grille talks about: - The company's latest earnings where net profit halved year-on-year due to rising construction costs. Eric talks about how labour remains the biggest concern in terms of costs, and how Crest Builder is planning to mitigate it.  - He also talks about bidding for between RM200 million to RM400 million worth of construction jobs for the coming year. One of the most hotly contested is the RM3.7 billion Langat Water Treatment 2 plant, the tender of which is under the evaluation. While Langat 2 remains a hot button topic between the Selangor state and Federal government, Eric is confident that the project will go through.  - He also addresses the close political affiliation of Crest Builders partners Detik Utuh and Tindakan Juara, where the major shareholder for both is BN-MP for Pasir Salak Datuk Tajuddin Abd Rahman. Eric says that Rahman brings experience, despite Detik Utuh being loss making. Detik Utuh and Tindakan Juara are Crest Builders partners for the Dang Wangi Development and the Malaysian Rubber Board land respectively.  - Eric also gives an update on the progress of both mega projects. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With over 4000 iconic apple green taxis on the roads, Sunlight Taxi Group of Companies has grown was tremendously since it was established in 1996. The company has operations in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor & Johor Bahru. Choi Wei Yee, the Executive Director for Sunlight Taxi Group of Companies, joins us on the Breakfast Grille to discuss: -- What influenced her to go into the taxi business and how she started -- The early years of joining the company and building up internal operations -- The hire purchase business model of the company -- The daily rental of taxis -- The new GPS system for their taxis -- The use of Proton cars for the budget taxi service -- Addressing the bad reputation of taxi drivers and how to change this perception -- Their process to follow-up on complaints -- The company's stance on last year's taxi protest over Go-KL buses -- If there are too many taxi's in the Klang Valley -- The on-going dialogue with SPAD on the Taxi Transformation PlanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Protasco Bhd GMD Datuk Chong Ket Pen discusses: - Early beginnings - catalyst to striking out in 1992 - engineering consultancy practice;  - Diversified play: Construction / engineering/ trading / property / education and now oil and - mish-mash - issues;  - Construction division: new business in road build or maintenance - pipeline new jobs - Bumi / non-Bumi issues;  - Concessions - govt relations - issues; - Property Development: timing - pricing - positioning - financing - issues;  - Delivery / timing - issues; - Earnings uptick - visibility;  - Education business: Management needs - number of students / lecturers - management - issues;  - Kuala Lumpur Infrastructure University College - upgraded to full-fledged University status - implications;  - Expansion into oil and gas business - Indonesia - extent of price - deposit paid - governance - profit potential - risks - background of vendor - relevant experience of company - duration of acquiriees' concessions agreement (from Pertamina) and renewal - ISSUES;  - Board movements - resignation of Executive Deputy Chairman Dato' Mohd Ibrahim bin Mohd Nor - transfer of 27% of company - new directors - implications;  - Placement - 10% - to who - price. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Omnicom Media Group, MD Andreas Vogiatzakis 2013 - Gold award - Campaign Week - Agency of the Year - 2012; - Basis for award - metrics; - Biggest clients - outlook; - Ad spend - ratios - issues; - Industry challenges- - clients putting accounts up for pitch - 'ruthless price undercutting' - 'aggressive poaching' of staff; - Strategy - keep the ship steady; - Customer retention - update; - New business - new or existing - balance / emphasis; - 2013 spend - elections - imsight - strategy; - Trends - Interactive TV - Digital - Mobile; - Methodologies of measuring success - Nielsen ratings - ABC audits - issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leighton Offshore's new CEO Boyd Merrett talks abouth the group's strategy for the region and in the Middle East. Leighton Offshore is in the business of building and maintaining offshore structures, which is seeing an intense increase in competition. In the interview he talks about:  - The outlook for the region and how Leighton Offshore is finding its niche in a competitive market. Merrett feels that there is more than enough room in the market for the various players.  - He also says that Leighton Offshore is keen on gaining a part of Petronas' RM300 billion capital expenditure plan, but is currently on the lookout for local partners. He also acknowledges the presence of big local giants such as SapuraKencana and says its one of the main competitors.  - Leighton Offshore was also embroiled in a graft scandal in Iraq early last year that resulted in the firing of a senior manager. Merrett talks about how the company is bouncing back from the scandal and how to avoid it happening again.  - He also touched on the most recent scandal in Tanzania, where the officials say there is a missing clause in the contract that it signed with Leighton Offshore, which could result in the Tanzania Port Authority footing the bill.  - Leighton Offshore is also looking to consolidate some of its units within Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Khoo, Country Manager for NetApp for Malaysia and Brunei discusses the current importance of data storage management. NetApp is one of the world's leading storage and data management vendors and its US parent is listed on the Nasdaq, with contracts with the US government. On the Breakfast Grille, he talked about:  -The importance of data management storage and how companies are going about protecting their intellectual assets - How the company deals with competitors undercutting their prices and how NetApp overcomes the challenges - How for Malaysia, NetApp actually started out with govenrment contracts that it bids for with its partners. Now with more players in the market he addresses how the company intends to keeps it edge.  - NetApp has been consistently voted as one of the best places in the world to work, and how tht has translated here?       See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, Managing Partner, Anthonie Versluis, discusses: - Roland Berger - German origins - Europe-based strategy consultants - competitors BCGs, McKinseys and Bains;  - The European Psyche - how European businesses think, act and speak;  - What Asian businessmen and the companies they run need to know about how Europeans conduct business - the 'Essential European';  - What European / Western businesses need to know about the typical Asian businessman - the 'Essential Asian'; - The cultural divide - pwoer distance ratio - issues;  - July 2012 - Roland Berger opened KL office - update;  - Details: clients - sectors - staffing;  - Views: Ports - urban development - rail sector - logistics - overlapping legislation, power circles and 'certain parties'; - The bloated civil service and the need for more simplification;  - The Holland / Europe Political Comparable; - Elections - outcomes - importance of relationships - commercial implications;  - ASEAN - non-BRIC market potential;  - Roland Berger - thought leadership - intellectual force -  (Adopted issues include a new business model for a European rating agency, or the possibility of an economic and financial recovery in Greece, initiatives to reindustrialize Europe, mobilization of private investors for infrastructure development in a European growth strategy, Africa's role as a global growth engine and analyses of the economic opportunities presented by mega-trends such as demographics, resource scarcity and technological progress)  - Adapting these ideas in an Asian context. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eversendai Corp Bhd's Executive Chairman and Group Managing Director Datuk AK Nathan talks about the company's direction in the UAE and projects that the company is eyeing in the pipeline. He also talks about the company's foray into oil and gas through Singapore-listed Technics Oil and Gas Ltd and what it will mean for Eversendai's earnings profile in the coming years.  He also expresses his frustration over how despite Eversendai's solid fundamentals, the share price has remained at depressed levels. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CHEP President of South East Asia, Nigel Branch, discusses: - CHEP's business segments - global footprint - geographic distribution - biggest clients - CHEP proposition;  - Southeast Asia responsibilities - sector coverage - business and trade perspective;  - Malaysia participation - investment amounts - staff size -- sectors served - business trajectory - pros and cons;  - Vew: overall conditions for doing business from a staffing - infrastructure - costs - liveability standpoint;  -Pooling - standardisation - sustainability - issues;  - Black Swan events - Fukushima, floods in Queensland and Thailand - how supply chains adapted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spritzer Group is the largest bottled water producer in Malaysia, with about 30% of market share in the bottled water industry.  Although the Spritzer name is synonymous with mineral water, the full range of products also encompasses sparkling natural mineral water, distilled drinking water, carbonated fruit flavoured drink, non-carbonated fruit flavoured drink and functional water. On the Breakfast Grille, Dr Chuah Chaw Teo, the Executive Director for Spritzer Berhad discusses: -- the difference between mineral water vs distilled drinking water -- the source of the mineral water and maintaining a a sustainable pumping rate -- how Spritzer ensures the water sources are not contaminated or polluted -- royalties on the water resources -- production capacity of its factories -- diversifying its product range to appeal to different market segments -- results of a study using silicon-rich mineral water as therapy for Alzheimer's Disease -- environmental concerns of plastic bottle waste -- variables that could impact their sales -- how its improving its sales for the export market -- hedging against the volatility of oil as a raw material -- how Spritzer has managed to double its 1QFY13 net profit from a year earlier -- and the outlook going forward See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Franklin Templeton Malaysia Country Head Sandeep Singh discusses: - Business update - Assets Under Management - investment professionals; - Growth - government-linked mandates - private sector asset managers and insurance companies - focus - interplay;  - USP - intense competition for mandates;  - Local / foreign mix - equity / fixed income mix - reasons;  - Growth rates - KPIs;  - Business trend - shariah / conventional - local / foreign - etc; - Local IPO trend - GLC versus private - issues;  - Investing strategy - equities / fixed income;  - Geographical footprint - growth rates - frontier markets - participation - issues;  - Global view - Debt ceiling - US Employment - China recovery - etc;  - Malaysia IPO issues: Cornerstone investor - GLC IPO prevalence - privatisations of tycoons - views;  - Malaysia bond market - pipeline - demand - views;   - Governance views: Reliability of financial statements - Activism issues - privatisations - undervaluation / GLC and GLIC market dominance / protected parties - etc;  - Role of institutional investors - gatekeeper issues;  - Malaysia election risks - views - cash/investment levels.   Video link: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/28485709See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alfred Schopf, the CEO of Leica Camera AG, tells how the iconic camera brand is holding its ground as the technology for camera phones and apps improve. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarawak Energy Bhd's CEO Torstein Dale Sjotveit talks about how the state-owned utility has progressed in helping SCORE take off. Among the topics discussed include the future plans for planting up in the state, and what is the fuel mix that Sarawak Energy has set its sights on going forward. He also talks about the possibility of exporting power to West Malaysia in the future and the challenges it brings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EU Ambassador and Head of EU Delegation to Malaysia, HE Luc Vandebon, discusses: - Bilateral trade - details - updates - Eurozone debt crisis - impact - surplus/deficit updates; - FTA / PCA - discussions - resolution - updates;  - FTA Challenges - government procurement - auto sector - services - issues;  - Election outcome - potential for administration change - how alter EU stance - landscape / lay of the land - issues;  - Eurozone issues - progress with fiscal consolidation - chances for a meaningful recovery; - ECB rates outlook - impact;  - CPO - Europe anti-palm lobby - Western NGO participation - Nutella tax - issues;  - Human Rights - efforts abolish death penalty - progress;  - Implications - non-resolution FTA / Death penalty - santions / others? - issues;  - Sustainability / Environment - coal-fired power plants / FiT awards - seeming contradictions - VIEWS - ISSUES; - Forest governance agreement - Sabah / Sarawak participation - issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cheng & Co Chartered Accountants Managing Partner, Dr Chua Hock Hoo, discusses: - Strategy of growth via mergers and acquisition - challenges - staffing - funding;- Managing growth;- Growing and maintaining work culture - vision;- USPs -- Big 6 firms and local firms - STRATEGY;- Services - issues - full range business services – ‘Halal Consulting’ and ‘Document Warehousing’ - ISSUES - - DETAILS;- Halal Consulting;- IPO Market - Taiwan;- Pros: Velocity - Access to China - Govt compliance - Retail participation - depth - capitalisation - investor expertise - 'SPOs' - continuous / ongoing visibility; - Challenges: Mandarin language - distance - Internal Audit regulations; - Taiwan IPO pipeline - regional; - Regional Audit firm: ongoing CG challenges - unreliable financial statements; - Silver Bird - G Plus - Megan - regulatory oversight - enforcement; - Culpability of advisors - views. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alfonso Vegara is an architect, urban planner, economist, sociologist and president of Fundación Metrópoli, which is a Spanish foundation dedicated to studying future of cities around the world, as well as working with cities on issues of innovation and competitiveness. On the Breakfast Grille, he discusses: -- why cities now the engine of the global economy -- how it is no longer countries competing with each other, it is cities -- smart cities: Cities that have been successful in their transformation -- why solutions that are successful in some cities, may not be applicable in other cities -- how polical leadership and business leadership is key for cities of the future Alfonso Vegara also talks about his work in Penang, how he is collaborating with Think City to transform the city into a sustainable urban eco-region, and the strategic location of Penang within the Malacca Straits DiagonalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I&P Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB). It was formed in May 2009 after the successful mergers and rationalisation exercise between three companies -- Island & Pennisular, Pelangi & Petaling Garden. Dato' Ir. Jamaludin Osman, Group Managing Director of I&P Group, discusses: -- I&P's landbank -- New projects and rollout schedule -- Strategy and positioning -- I&P's efforts in affordable housing -- His thoughts on the build and sell model -- Outlook on the property sector and the next hotspotSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), previously known as Malaysian Industrial Development Authority, is the government's principal agency to oversee and drive foreign and domestic investment into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Datuk Noharuddin Nordin the CEO of MIDA on the Breakfast Grille, discusses: -- MIDA's role -- The difference between MIDA and InvestKL and other economic corridors -- The report card for investments in manufacturing and services sector -- Malaysia's positioning, compared to other ASEAN neighbouors -- Moving into generating quality investments in new and emerging technologies -- Malaysia's talent pool for technically trained workers -- MIDA's vetting and approval process -- The establishment of the RM1bil Domestic Investment Strategic Fund to woo local investorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Schneider Electric Malaysia Country President, Peter Cave, discusses: - Global slowdown - impact on global business; - Reports - Schneider and Daimler - among industrial bellwethers to cut (previous) full-year targets due weaker demand - western Europe, China - feedback; - Despite slowdown - group results still holding up - positive returns of over 20% since 2008 -- productivity gains, cost pass-throughs and cost management - manner of discipline represented in Malaysia; - Malaysia Energy Dilemma - Schneider as Clean Energy proponents: - Energy subsidised in Malaysia - seems little current impetus to address - unpopular - feedback; - Cosy arrangement - first-generation IPPs - whether as suppliers Schneider are part of problem; - Federal government - new policy to encourage more IPPs - clean energy challenges - but awarded another 2000MW to coal-fired producers, split between Tenaga Nasional and Malakoff - feelings against backdrop of clean energy efforts; - Malaysia's aims to have over 3,000 megawatts of clean energy by 2020 - but Management is an issue: SEDA - award of feed-in tariff (FiT) allocation to daughter of Petronas chairman - feelings as re Malaysia's approach to renewable energy; - Schneider Energy University - Malaysia application - marketability - penetration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ugonna Hosten, founder of Ugo's Boutique, talks about her entrepreneurial journey from civil service to bag designer who seeks inspiration from African designs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Breakfast Grille is Cesar Harada, environmentalist and the inventor of Protei. Protei is a shape-shifting sailing robot to clean up oil spils and the ocean.  It is a ground-breaking technology as it is using wind power and a shape-shifting hull to propel itself, pulling a long scientific payload or ocean-clean-up equipment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Breakfast Grille is Bob Pain, the Managing Director of Investors Trust Assurance, a Cayman Island-based international insurance company.He discusses ITA’s business proposition, products and services, as well as its recent move into the Malaysian market. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Saul Wurman tells why his www conference is better than Ted, the conferences he founded in the 80s and which he sold the rights in 2002. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.