The Breakfast Grille

Karin Clarke, Regional Director at Randstad Singapore and Malaysia, talks about the talent shortage problem in Malaysia, and how Malaysia should position itself to attract talent. In conjunction with International Women's Day, she also talks about how companies are creating a more work-friendly place for working mothers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rajiv Biswas, Asia Chief Economist, IHS Global Insight, discusses the upturn in global commodity prices and whether they are the main causes of rising global inflation and talks about whether climate change and MidEast tensions are in turn, the main causes for the uptick in these two items. He discusses too, whether monetary policy / interest rates are sufficient in containing inflation, whether governments should also complement monetary policy with fiscal policy, whether state policies such as subsidies and price controls are working and whether these actions will in fact exacerbate the crisis. He provides views on how destabilising rising food costs can be on global growth, whether he thinks Asian governments are mistaking this jump in commodity prices to be cyclical, and not secular, whether Asia is behind the curve on fighting inflation, and whether he thinks that rates need to go higher to reduce price gains risks. He also addresses the problem of hot money and the possibility that higher rates may only attract more of it as investors seek more generous returns. He also talks about another problem with raising rates: the need for central banks to balance inflation risks with poverty. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Leung, SEA Director, Hong Kong Tourism Board, discusses how Hong Kong uses its four product "pillars" (shopping, dining, culture and heritage, and city, harbour and green) as the basis for its marketing and promotional activities in terms of attracting tourist arrivals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mycron Steel Bhd CEO Azlan Abdullah talks about the downtrend in business in the last two quarters, the reasons for the decline and his outlook for the year ahead. He also discusses current utilisation rates, capacity expansion, and his demand outlook.He talks about challenges such as sourcing for quality materials, rising raw material prices, and supply issues. He discusses new business and expansion to the automotive and the galvanizing sector and the opportunity for Mycron to tap into the import-substitution market. He also talks about how buyers still have to pay 25 percent import duties on steel imports, discussing the government’s current iron and steel policy and conditions for import-duty exemption. He also talks about the valuation gap between Mycron and the steel sector in general, its vast discount to net assets per share, his plans to address this gap and in fact whether Mycron a privatisation candidate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Ho, Managing Director of Hovid, talks about how he is restructuring its subsidiary (not associate company) Carotech that has been placed under the Corporate Debt Restructuring Committee, and when it expects Hovid to come out of PN17 status. This has been the most challenging time for Hovid.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Francis Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Berjaya Food Berhad, tells how the company is positioned for higher growth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysian Reserve Group Editor Abdul Halim Wahab discusses the reasons behind launching a business paper in a crowded marketplace, its editorial positioning, staff size, circulation numbers, distribution and positioning. He also discusses talk of its upcoming sale to Redberry and how it works with Rederry's various media platforms and how this 'synergy' is working. He talks about their recent deal with IHT and its publishing alliance, and talks about the strategy going forward and discusses itspath to profitability. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Viets, the CEO of Asian Institute of Finance, offers an insight into the AIF, set up by the Central Bank and the Securities Commission to help augment human capital development in the financial services industry, in regards to benefiting the local economy, funding, staffing, KPIs, the main pillars of competence it is seeking to improve, which sector of financial services is the most in need of effective human capital, and where the biggest room for improvement lies. He touches on Islamic Finance and how the AIF helps Malaysia in plans to become a high income economy by 2020. He discusses the risks inherent in financial sector liberalisation and the perennial dilemma for cental bankers: balancing risk with sophistication; also, he talks about the global financial crisis and the culture of huge bonuses, what the financial services industry has learnt from the crisis and how it is evolving with the Eurozone still grappling with economic problems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GUH Holdings Bhd CEO/MD Dato' Kenneth H'ng provides a short discussion of GUH, incorporated in 1961 and 50 years old this year; he also talks about how it evolved into the current business, and its evolution into the electronics business. He also talks about electronics industry challenges, such as the need to restructure its client base, the move into niche products and its desire to lower this contribution to 75 percent from 90 percent now, as well as margin and competition challenges. He also discusses its other main business in property, which has been around a long time but will be moved more into the forefront, with a plan to acquire land in the Klang Valley, Penang island and upcoming spots in Seberang Prai. He also discusses its diversification into oil palm, water treatment and plant generation, as part of a wider initiative to move into concession, income-based businesses.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dieter Schulz, Managing Director of Kraft Foods Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, tells how he is growing the established snacks business, and leveraging on synergies from the acquisition of Cadbury. Kraft Foods is the second largest snacks business in the world, and owns a number of brands like Jacobs, Twisties, Chipsmore and Oreo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahmad Kamal, Founder of the Asian University for Women, discusses the conception and aims of this residential four-year liberal arts not-for-profit college that has been established in Bangladesh as an international, public-private collaborative. He discusses his reasons for opening it only to women, and how the AWU "can be a force against fundamentalism and many of the sort of narrow identities that seem to be at the root of many social ills." He talks also about the university, its student body, main disciplines, fee structure, partner universities and goals. He discusses too, challenges such as obtaining quality staff, whether remuneration is an issue, financial sustainability, and how important this project is to the future of Bangladesh. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia Smelting Corp Bhd Group CEO/ED Dato' Seri Dr Mohd Ajib Anuar discusses the secondary listing of its shares on the Singapore Stock Exchange, and issues revolving around its main tin business (such as target production rates, applications, prices, physical supply deficit, global production and demand.) He also talks about its earlier investments into non-tin assets like gold, nickel, copper and silver, and then its subsequent decision to divest those assets, due to financial constraints imposed by the global financial crisis. He then addresses issues centring on its financial position, such as a high gearing ratio, trade receivables, thin margins, 'unusual items', prospects for further impairments (due to its non-tin investments) and the possibility of a profit turnaround in 2011. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clifford Clement, Executive Director, Malaysia Nature Society, talks about its work in conservation and education, in addition to its work in parks. He focuses in particular on Wetlands (and whats at stake), the Ramsar Convention, pollution, land use conversion, and reclamation, which are threats that affect all wetlands ecosystems. He also discusses deforestation and what the MNS does about this issue and its successes, when its work helped result in the gazetting of Endau-Rompin as a National Park. He also discusses the significance of Important Bird Areas (IBAs).He also touches on his transition from a 25-year career in banking into conservation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gopi K Ganesalingam, Managing Director of Lava Protocols Sdn Bhd, talks about the early beginnings of his cloud computing firm, staff size, partners and footprint. He then discusses issues and challenges surrounding the concepts of loud computing and software as a service such as privacy, reliability and phishing. He ends with a discussion on industry challenges like language proficiency, and shares financial details such as margins, funding issues and growth plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lim Peng Jin, Managing Director of packaging and property firm Scientex Bhd, offers details on its biggest customers, export market, expansion strategy in ASEAN, plans to be among the top five stretch film producers in the world by end- 2011, capacity expansion and strategies to cut its exposure to crude oil prices. He also talks about his property business, which although contributing around 20 percent of revenues, is successful. He discusses his low-cost, volume strategy and the challenges of going into the high-end of the market. He also talks about whether Scientex is able to pass on costs to customers, EBITDA margins and capex spending See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ng Yih Pyng, Group Managing Director of Tomei Consolidated Bhd, discusses the business of diamond and gold manufacture and retail, conflict diamonds, gold as a store of value, the liquidity of the gold and diamond markets as well as prices, scarcity value and the conversion cost of both assets. He also discusses Tomei's regional expansion to China and Vietnam. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JW Marriott General manager, Mahmoud Skaf, discusses the JW Marriott hotel group generally, occupancy rates, differentiating factors and USPs, Malaysia as a tourism hub and challenges such as terrorism and the economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul W. Jones, U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, talks about the US historically being Malaysia's biggest trading partner and whether that is still the case; the value of trade with Malaysia in 2010; the reason for the trade imbalance with Malaysia; reports that US consumption is slowly coming back and what that bodes for Malaysian producers, against the backdrop of the ringgit's rise against the dollar.He also discusses FTA talks and provides an update on where these talks are in light of the 9-country the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. He then addresses previous stumbling blocks under the now-defunct FTA talks, which include tariffs imbalances, trade of motor vehicles, Malaysia's New Economic Policy and its Investment Requirements. Jones also discusses MidEast tensions and the Egyptian crisis, and comments on articles written by his predecessor John R. Malott, who has been very scathing about PM Najib's 1Malaysia efforts. He also talks about US investment, Malaysia's Human Rights record and .. when - if - whether -- President Obama will visit Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edward Hyde, founder of Gastrodome group, which owns La Bodega tapas bars, The Pressroom and Espressamente illy coffee bars, tells what is important to build brand longevity, and his plans for the group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arrigo Berni, the global CEO of Moleskine, gives a hint on what new products and designs to expect from the premium notebook and writing materials company, and explains the brand cult status, and what is being done to improve quality control.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dheeraj Sinha, Chief Strategy Officer at Bates 141 India and author of the book "Consumer India" helps foreign companies understand the complexities of the Indian market. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ken Myres, President of Tony Romas, tells how the company maintains consistency in quality and customer experience in its 200 plus franchised outlets around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir John Madejski, Chairman Reading FC and Founder of Auto Trader talks about Reading FC, his hometown club and the trials and tribulations of managing a team in the English Premiership, how he made his early money with Auto Trader, slife as a newspaper advertising executive and today's print media world has changed. He also discusses doing business in the UK and how the Eurozone's problems might affect business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parti KITA (Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air) Leader, Zaid Ibrahim, talks about KITA, what it is, what it stands for and its objectives.He also talks about his time in uMNO and PKR and the reasons why he left them.He also discusses corruption, funding and self-enrichment, and the steps towards effecting real and lasting change.He also talks about the Malaysian political landscape, new parties such as the MCLM (Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julian Persaud, Managing Director of Google Southeast Asia, talks about its new Malaysian office and the market dynamics of this country, such as ad spend, usage and demographics.He also talks about Internet freedom, growth of its SEA market, biggest products as well as its forays into desktop and mobile operating systems such as Chrome and Android.He discusses global management changes at Google, where founder Larry Page is now CEO, Eric Schmidt becomes Chairman and Sergey Brin remains as creative sweeper and the reasons for the change. He also discusses issues such as secrecy, privacy, search rankings and Google's secret search algorithm (criticised for not giving enough respect to some sites, such as of search rivals) and SEO players.He also talks about how Google is dealing with trailing Facebook in the social media space and being late to the game. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASEAN GE President, Stuart L Dean, discusses GE's range of businesses in Malaysia and where on the value chain it is. He talks about GE's capital investments in the region, as well as those higher on its value chain, whether Malaysia's missing out on these commitments is related to challenges such as brain drain, human capital issues, procurement challenges and corruption -- as well as how GE approaches and responds to this.He also discusses his role on AMCHAM, and its stance on issues such as FDI, the tax regime, shortage of labour and solar feed-in tariffs.The discussion moves onto how things moved have developed at GE since that landmark $3billion infusion from Warren Buffet three years ago and his views on how bad the situation is in the US today in terms of unemployment - inflation - political despair - Gifford - Obamanomics.He also talks about GE's various businesses and commitments in its other ASEAN countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joseph Tek, CEO and MD of IJM Plantations, one of the most productive oil palm plantation companies in the world, tells how IJM will ramp up yields, his outlook for CPO prices, why there are no plans to go downstream, and tackling environmental issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Too, CEO and co-founder of the World of Feng Shui (WOFS), tells us what to expect for the Rabbit year especially the Prime Minister who is born in the year of the Snake, the science behind using figurines and images, and the company's plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Hardy, founder of the Green School in Bali, talks about how the school is providing children with a green and holistic education. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Mulholland, Managing Director, China-America Capital Company, Chicago, discusses his take on the talks between Barack Obama and Hu Jintao, partciularly on fostering commercial ties (and their differences on currency policy and human rights?, Obama;s (increasingly) tougher line with China, saying their prosperity linked to US military presence, and whether it is true that China has an image problem in the West. He also rates the chances of an interest rate increase in China after its growth accelerated to 9.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010.Finally, he shares his short-term outlook for US shares, given that the S&P is trading at the highest level since Aug 2008.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato Foo Chu Jong, managing director and founder of Prinsiptek Corporation Berhad, talks about the growth prospects of the company and its strategy of developing land near landmarks like schools and hospitals instead. The company is trading below 50sens and at 10x, which is below the maximum industry peer of 16x.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jim Thomas, coach and author of the book, "Negotiate to Win", talks about navigating through high level negotiations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tambun Indah Land Bhd Managing Director Ir.Teh Kiak Seng discusses the company's upcoming IPO, the response, who the biggest buyers of its shares are, and the planned Offer for Sale portion. He talks about landbank, expansion outside of the Northern region, its positioning, his outlook for the property sector and whether there is a bubble, building material costs, its net margins, dividend policy, how it plans to ensure a vibrant market in its shares post-listing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, human rights lawyer, activist, and political candidate for the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) talks about the Teoh Beng Hock inquest, Lina Joy's intended conversion out of Islam, and the release of Raja Petra Kamaruddin from ISA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abdul Mushir bin Che Chik, Executive Director of Century Software Bhd, discusses the IPO exercise, and defends the Offer for Sale and the allocation of shares for Independent Non-Exec Directors.He also discusses their mostly clients, mainly from the Govt Sector, and contract duration being a risk to the business.He discusses open tenders, its "SAGA" (Standard Accounting System for Government Agencies") recognition and how viable it is a USP going forward. He talks about non-govt projects and whether it is a strategy to win these jobs and how it plans to do so. Financial issues such as margins, receivables, recoverability, is also discusses, as are its strategy to expand to overseas markets like Brunei, Indonesia and Cambodia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Irina Bokova, Director General of Unesco, tells how the UN agency is allocating resources to fight illiteracy. UN's Millenium Development goal is that by 2015, every child should be able to complete a full course of primary schooling. EFA Global Monitoring Report for 2009 reported that a relatively large number of countries are far from achiveing education for all by this year because 75 million children are still out of school, half of whom are in Africa. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Dr Joachim Schwass, a Professor of Family Business and Entrepreneurship at IMD in Switzerland, advises on how to improve the success of passing on wealth to the next generation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Eddy Leong, the Managing Director of Firefly tells how he is taking on incumbents, AirAsia in the low cost carrier space.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Wood, founder and Executive Chairman of Room to Read in US and former executive of Microsoft, tells how the non-profit is able to build more than 10,000 libraries and 1,200 schools, and publish 7.4 million books, and raise more than $30 million last year through private companies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

His Excellency Frank Van de Craen, the Belgium ambassador, gave insights on the political stalemate in Belgium and why Belgium is not likely to need a bailout from EU. The Dutch Flemish party is advocating for a break-up of Belgium while the French Walloons want to preserve the status quo as they are economically dependent on the state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato Neoh Soo Keat, founder and Managing Director of Trinity Group, a boutique property developer, tells us his entrepreneur journey since he was nine years old, where he is buying land, how he manages the risk to avoid abandoned projects, and how Trinity is differentiating itself in the market. A future project is to build a floating condominium. Their projects include The Heron Residency, 19 Residency, The Zest and Latitude @ USJ19.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohd Zin, Managing Director of San Francisco Coffee Sdn Bhd and San Francisco Coffee (S) Pte Ltd, talks about the beginnings of this non-American, non-franchise brand, how he went from Bank Pembangunan CEO to San Fran coffee chief, and discusses the investment capital to obtain San Fran coffee from the owners. He discusses the business model, the challenges, the value of the market, the typical customer profile, and talks about success measurability, performance ratios  and the importance of location, location, location. He also talks about his USPs, his biggest rivals, market share, revenues, net profits, margins and funding. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clearwater Group Founder Dian Lee Cheng Ling talks about the challenges of building boutique-style residences and incorporating green strategies such as energy efficiency, rainwater harvesting, waste management and green architecture into the structures. She discusses its property divisions, takeup rate, appeal of living so near the commercial centre, project pipeline, how the company is funded and capitalised, revenues, profits, credentials to build and maintain, quality wise and maintaining standards. She also talks about her outlook for the High End Property, demand patterns, interest rates, outlook for raw material prices and her outlook for selling prices. She also talks of whether she heas learnt any lessons from her father, Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lee Check Poh, Group Managing Director of Tasco Berhad, one of the largest logistics operator in Malaysia, tells how the company stay on top of the game in this cut-throat business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Elliot, co-founder and Group Marketing Director of Quinessentially, a global, private members' club gives us insights on the bizarre requests of the ultra-rich, and the club's expansion plans. Elliot is the nephew of the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greenpeace International Campaign Director Shailendra Yashwant talks about what Green Peace stands for today and how it has changed through the years, discusses the biggest issues in which it is most actively involved and its methods. He also talks about the legal suits that have been taken against Greenpeace activists, its direct actions, motives and methods. He also talks about how it is funded, its role in SEA and the biggest issues it grapples with in this part of the world. He also provides an update on sustainable development and climate change mitigation amd spends some time on some of its 'wins'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tricorona Southeast Asia managing Director Moe Moe Oo, discusses the carbon credit market and its role as a project developer, its biggest project to date, its business in Asia and Malaysia, and his thoughts, in terms of registrability under the United Nations' Clean Development Mechanism, the problems inherent in the carbon credit industry, most notably in the delays in registering clean energy projects, other challenges such as revelations of recycled CERs entering the EU market, more suspensions of CER project validators and confirmation of a sharp fall in CO2 emissions in 2009. He also discusses its own targets for emissions offset portfolio, the main reasons for this decrease and adds his thoughts on how the carbon credit market has developed to expectations. He also talks about climate talks in Copenhagen and Cancun, uncertainty for Clean Development once the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012 as well as providing a outlook for CER prices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pieter Schats, CEO of Toys Li Fung Asia, the owner of Toys R Us, tells us about where the new stores will be in Malaysia, and reveals numbers on market share, and how the China and Indonesia market will be the main growth catalyst for the company. But there are challenges expanding in China, which he explains in the interview. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chua Guan Hock, Director at Khor Joo Saik Sdn Bhd, the owner and developer of Menara Binjai, Kuala Lumpur, a green building certified gold status by the Building and Construction Authority Singapore and also by Malaysia. Chua tells the positioning of Menara Binjai given that the office building market is increasingly overcrowded. He also talks about plans for Coliseum cafe and cinema, properties that are owned by the family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Burson-Marsteller Bob Pickard President & CEO Asia Pacific talks about re-establishing itself in Malaysia, and its target industries. He also talks about the PR industry and its challenges, efforts to legislate the industry and his views on how the industry should develop. He then discusses the dark side of PR in the context of its work for governments and corporations that are in trouble with environmentalists, voters or shareholders. He moves on to the opportunities in 10, 15 years time and how technology can be harnessed to add further value. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.