The Knowledge to Decide

On 4 May, Spire and Yamada Business Consulting (YBC) jointly held a breakfast seminar in Singapore to share ideas on how Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) can drive growth using smart market and industry research. Japnit Singh, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Spire Research and Consulting, discussed how market research decisions impact different operating functions within a typical SME and what kinds of research techniques are commonly used, together with the pitfalls associated with each. Singh highlighted how market research can go beyond customer analysis at manageable cost if the business objective is clear, although the analysis of internal data and business intelligence can only provide limited information. To maintain the accuracy of market research data, a few pitfalls should be avoided. It is crucial to avoid asking the wrong questions, targeting the wrong respondents and over-emphasizing sample size, to name a few. https://www.spireresearch.com/ne

Spire Research and Consulting was honored to be invited as a speaker at Anderson Junior College in Singapore. Spire’s CEO Leon Perera spoke on entrepreneurial opportunities in the global Halal product market, a subject where Spire has published research articles and has been quoted in global media outlets. Leon Perera, Chief Executive Officer of the Spire Research and Consulting, was privileged to give a talk to students organized by the Anderson Junior College’s Malay Language, Literary and Debating Society on 24 March 2017. Perera shared his insights on the size, growth and outlook for the global Halal products market, with a focus on entrepreneurial opportunities for Singapore-based firms. Furthermore, he discussed certification methods used in different countries while also touching on opportunities in non-food Halal categories like skincare and logistics. Finally, he shared his experiences and expertise on entrepreneurship followed by an interactive question an

Economics students from the University of Malaya visited Spire Malaysia for an interactive business consulting session on 17 March. Yap Far Loon, Business Development Director, Telecommunications of Spire Research and Consulting conducted the session. Spire Malaysia had the pleasure of hosting a real-world business consulting session with Economics students from the University of Malaya. The interactive session gave students an insight on the importance of applying the right theories and tools in formulating business strategies. The session focused on the realm of market research and consulting practices. Far Loon discussed the theoretical models deployed by Spire in business consulting while also elaborating on the planning and sampling strategies used in market research. https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/events/spire-malaysia-hosts-students-from-university-of-malaya-for-business-consulting-session-once-more/

Spire Research and Consulting was honored to be appointed as the Official Knowledge Partner at the Global Summit on Bitcoin & Blockchain: The State of Cryptocurrency – Opportunities and Challenges for Indian Economy – organized by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). The summit was held on 3 March 2017 in New Delhi. It aimed to discuss the challenges and opportunities posed by the new technology. Yap Far Loon, Business Development Director, Telecommunications of Spire Research and Consulting, was honored to be a guest speaker at this event. He highlighted key facts about the Bitcoin & Blockchain ecosystem in India and other countries, focusing on market acceptance of cryptocurrency, security risks and regulatory issues. Following last year’s demonetization move by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the government is not in favor of legitimizing Bitcoin as legal tender. However, a few industry players are working on Distributed Ledger T

Spire was honored to be appointed as the Official Research Partner for the sixth consecutive year for the ALYA WTA Malaysian Open – an international tennis tournament sanctioned by the Women Tennis Association (WTA). The event was held from 27th February to 5th March 2017 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Along with the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM), Spire was thrilled to be a part of this prestigious event, organized by Sime Darby – a Malaysia-based multinational conglomerate. Talented sportspersons such as Elina Svitolina, Carla Suarez Navarro, Caroline Garcia and Yulia Putintseva graced the court. As the Official Research Partner, Spire’s Malaysia team aided organizers to improve event arrangements in the coming years using a Face-to-Face intercept research method to interview spectators. Spire’s regular participation in this international event showcases the quality and consistency of the research we provide. h

On 20 January, Spire and Yamada Business Consulting (YBC) jointly held a breakfast seminar in Singapore to explore the impact on India’s economy of the recent Rupee demonetization of high-value currency notes. Leon Perera, Chief Executive Officer of Spire Research and Consulting, Japnit Singh, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Spire and Yasuyuki (Luke) Kita, General Manager of YBC (Singapore), addressed the session. Spire Singapore and YBC discussed the demonetization’s impact on different industry sectors, on e-commerce and on the outlook for doing business in India in 2017. The speakers talked about how demonetisation will spur growth in cashless transactions. Although the retail and car resale sector will suffer short-term damage, there is a visible shift towards modern trade and online transactions. Moreover, ease of doing business and transparency will rise, making India more investment-friendly. https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/events/spire-and-ybc-host-br

On 16 December 2016, Spire and Yamada Business Consulting (YBC) jointly held a seminar on Go-To-Market strategies for effective channel management. Leon Perera, Chief Executive Officer of Spire Research and Consulting and Rajiv Seth, Senior Director (Go-To-Market Practice) at Spire, addressed the session. Rajiv shared his experience of executing disciplined channel and sales force management strategies to improve results. Seminar attendees asked questions and shared their own views on issues like designing incentive structures for channels, when to switch channel partners and how to demarcate sales territories among partners . YBC and Spire offer Go-to-Market Optimization consulting across the Asia-Pacific. . https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom/events/spire-and-ybc-host-breakfast-seminar-on-effective-channel-and-sales-force-management-in-asia/

Spire Singapore hosted its second Client Entertainment Night of the year. Our business associates and partners joined us for a dinner reception followed by the movie screening of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” – the first installment of J.K. Rowling’s trilogy (movies) based on the novel of the same title. The event was held at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard. It was an opportunity for everyone to relax after another hard day’s work. The main plot revolves around Newt Scamander, who stops over in New York for a brief visit after completing his global research for his Magizoology book on magical creatures. However, his muggle friend Jacob accidentally releases a number of dangerous magical creatures from his magically expanded suitcase – worsening the already tense relations between non-magical and magical people. Spire’s team members, clients and business associates enjoyed an evening of catching up over good food and a movie. https://www.spireresearch.com/newsroom

Spire Singapore collaborated with the Singapore Children’s Society (SCS) for the sixth consecutive year, in support of AmCham Singapore’s Corporate Community Day (CCD) 2016. This is the ninth year in which Spire has been participating in the CCD program, which aims to promote corporate volunteerism. Spire Singapore took beneficiaries of the Singapore Children’s Society to an interactive session at a farm. The Farmart Centre provided children with the chance to learn about the life-cycle of animals like quails and Guinea fowl. The children also enjoyed feeding animals such as goats, tortoises and birds – a rare treat in urban Singapore! The feeding session was followed by a treasure hunt and quizzes where the winners were given goodie bags with healthy food items. At the end of the day, each participant took away a pack of freshly laid chicken eggs. Spire is proud to support the wonderful and vital work of the Singapore Children’s Society, our CCD partner for six years.

Spire Research and Consulting was honored to participate in the GATES India ICT Reseller Summit 2016 as the content and research partner. The event was held in Bangalore from 4-6 October, 2016. The Summit is an initiative to provide a powerful business platform for consumer electronics and ICT brands to launch, develop and expand their network in the Indian sub-continent. Saurabh Sharma, Country Director for Spire Research and Consulting India, highlighted the findings of Spire’s survey to assess the experience of ICT customers and vendors for online and offline platforms in India. The survey focused on customers’ purchase habits, preferred price range and product preferences along with future mode of purchase. It also measured vendors’ selling habits, preferred price range and product preferences along with association with e-commerce platforms . The data was drawn from telephonic and online surveys conducted (in October 2016) across five metropolitan cities,

On 28 September, Spire and Yamada Business Consulting (YBC) jointly held a breakfast seminar in Singapore to discuss emerging business opportunities in Asia facing Japanese firms. Leon Perera, Chief Executive Officer of Spire Research and Consulting, Japnit Singh, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Spire; Yasuyuki (Luke) Kita, General Manager of YBC (Singapore) and Takuya Makimura, Manager of YBC (Singapore), addressed the session. Spire Singapore and YBC discussed emerging business opportunities in Asia for Japan Regional HQs. Seminar attendees, who were senior executives in Japanese, heard about how the Asian market can contribute substantially to the revenue of Japanese companies with regional headquarters in Singapore. The speakers talked about under-appreciated opportunities in Asia for Japanese companies. E-commerce will be an important pathway to access markets in Indonesia and India where complex channel structures have often proved forbidding to Japanese investors

As use of mobile wallets grows across Asia, digitalized financial services are transforming consumer behavior. In this context, Informa Business (IBC) organized the 4th Annual Mobile Wallet Conference to discuss key industry trends, opportunities and challenges in Jakarta, Indonesia. Jeffrey Bahar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Spire Research and Consulting group, was honored to be a guest speaker at this event. In his presentation, Bahar highlighted key facts about the mobile wallet ecosystem in Asia with focus on consumer trends, growth drivers and acceptance of digital currency. Bahar mentioned the rise mobile wallet payments is due to faster transactions (71%), ease of use (55%) and the need to have cash on hand (47%). There are more opportunities for organizations, regulators and startups due to the convergence of multi-channel integration, integrated IT infrastructure, digital currencies and Big data analytics, to name a few trends. The Philippines beca

On 23 September, Spire and Yamada Business Consulting (YBC) jointly held a breakfast seminar in Singapore to shed light on business opportunities in today’s dynamic Japan. Leon Perera, Chief Executive Officer of Spire Research and Consulting, Japnit Singh, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Spire and Yasuyuki (Luke) Kita, General Manager of YBC (Singapore), addressed the session. Yamada Business Consulting recently acquired an 80% stake in the Spire Research and Consulting group. This acquisition gives Spire access to YBC’s extensive network of 5 offices and over 400 consultants in Japan to conduct research and advise clients on Japan market entry and growth. Spire Singapore and YBC discussed emerging business opportunities in Asia for Japan Regional HQs. Seminar attendees heard about how the Japan market can contribute substantially to the revenue of Singapore-based companies. The speakers talked about the macro-factors buoying Japan’s economic growth while also highlig