Hey friends, long time no see! I'm fresh off a week-long trip to Palm Springs where I soaked up a mix of rain and sunshine with the fam. Between rollerblade sessions around town and admiring the beautiful desert scenery and architecture, I also managed to sneak in some good reading time to catch up on things.

I went down a few different rabbit holes as per usual - the future of AI and how it might disrupt work is an area I've been super fascinated by recently. I'll share some of the most interesting reports and hot takes I came across on that front in this email. Speaking of going down rabbit holes, I've got a typically scattershot mishmash of topics to cover today:

1. Emerging Tech Trends (Must Read!! AI fear mongering, or ?)

2. Business at Work Report

3. Ecommerce in Asia

4. Spaces - How they impact your health

5. Interesting links ++++

Fair warning, this email is a beast. If you're short on time, I'd recommend at least checking out the AI stuff towards the top. But I've put plenty of other goodies in here for those who want to dig in.

Alright, let's get to it...

Featured

🔸 Must Read: Emerging Tech Trend Report 

This is a must-read for every industry

Get yourself a huge ass cup of coffee and activate "DND" mode. The complete report spans nearly 1000 pages, making it quite challenging to go through entirely. Nevertheless, there's a video keynote presentation from SXSW summarizing the major trends below, or you can jump straight to the table of contents to find whatever floats your boat.

I watched the video and read the entire thousand-page report. It was a bit of a slog but highly rewarding. Amy Webb's keynote suggests we are entering a technology supercycle, and everyone should take notice and be prepared.

This recent trends report from FTI is a massive but insightful read that's worth taking the time to digest, even if you don't agree with everything in it. While dense, it provides a panoramic view into emerging technological and societal shifts impacting numerous industries. Def one to share with colleagues and work mates:

One overarching theme that resonated with me is the constant need for reskilling, retooling, and adaptability in the era of AI disruption.

Based on the report's findings and my own discussions with peers, it seems clear that careers and skillsets will have shorter lifespans than ever before. Scary. There's an increasing onus on individuals to prioritize building resilience, meta-skills like learning itself (how to learn again), sales, and creative problem solving.

My takeaway: Simply going back to school or learning today's hot AI tool/prompt won't cut it long-term. We have to embrace a mindset of continual "unlearning and relearning" to stay ahead of the curve. This could include changing careers regularly. While unsettling, I see this as an exciting personal challenge and opportunity.

Of course, the other side of this equation is how industries and governments respond. Some nations like Singapore are already positioning themselves as AI powerhouses, proactively addressing workforce challenges through forward-thinking policies (see video below). But for many other countries, the societal impacts remain unclear - both pitfalls and opportunities await.

Take the Philippines for example, a major hub for offshore services and English-speaking customer support roles. Will AI trigger a boom by increasing demand for skilled Filipino workers (AI chat bots + advanced offshore support)? Or will it decimate those industries by making human labor obsolete? Only time will tell, but these are the types of shifts we need to start contemplating.

🔸 “Businesses at Work 2024” presented by Okta

Last year, I discussed this report, and now Okta has released its newest report digging into the latest automation trends, the emergence of compliance apps, and the tools that tech startups and Fortune 500 companies are focusing on to enhance productivity. Less trends, and more actual usage reporting.

Given my previous SXSW blurb above, this topic is particularly relevant, and I'll share a few screenshots that caught my attention below. And if you prefer a video presentation instead of a PDF, you can watch the video here.

Key takeaways:

1. App Categories Growth:

   • Legal tools grew the fastest by customers at 35% YoY.

   • Business supplies grew 63% YoY, winning gold.

   • Travel and design software showed notable growth.

   • Video conferencing apps are cooling down.

   • New entries like electronic signatures and content collaboration are growing.

2. Fastest-Growing Apps:

   • Data compliance tools like Vanta and Drata are surging.

   • Google Workspace ranks high, especially among tech startups.

   • Salesforce and Microsoft 365 remain popular among Fortune 500.

3. App Deployment:

   • Average apps deployed increased to 93 per organization.

   • Large companies lead with 231 apps each.

   • Companies are adding best-of-breed apps like Google Workspace and Slack.

4. Workflows and Automation:

   • Workflows adoption is growing, especially in tech.

   • Compliance tools deployment increased significantly.

5. Security and Authentication:

   • Data compliance tools deployment surged by 120% YoY.

   • Passwordless authentication is gaining traction, especially on Windows.

   • Device trust policies are growing, especially in the tech sector.

The report shows a noticeable bias, focusing extensively on areas where Okta is involved. However, I empathize with the team tasked with creating next year's issue, as the upcoming 12 months in the workplace are bound to be dynamic, unpredictable, and complex.

Commerce

Here are some interesting insights for Luxury Fashion and Commerce from Asia.

🔸 Allgrey = Quiet Luxury

This winter witnessed the rise of the "Allgrey" fashion trend in China. Initially referred to as "grey colour scheme fashion" or "classy grey fashion," the concept gained widespread popularity on December 15, 2023, when the Chinese social media platform RED (Xiaohongshu) launched the #allgreycampaign, amplifying high-quality content and propelling the concept into the mainstream. This trend was swiftly embraced by numerous brands, igniting a fashion frenzy.

Although the ️‍🔥 has since subsided, it's noteworthy how luxury fashion temporarily pivoted towards a quieter and more understated aesthetic, at least for a while.. Perhaps the global economy? Signalling Chinese consumers' growing demand for sophistication, embodies quiet luxury through minimalist, intellectual, effortless, and old money aesthetics.

The grey-red combination of Allgrey has become a new outfit trend during Chinese New Year.

Actionable insight - Stay ahead of the curve by monitoring emerging keywords related to your brand and products. As soon as you identify new, relevant keywords gaining popularity, quickly add them to your product listings and create optimized content around them. Lean in and experiment. Establish processes and implement light weight tools that allow your team to rapidly capitalize on these fresh keyword opportunities before competitors.

🔸 Year of the Dragon

Brands have moved away from IP collaborations and iconic cartoon characters. They are honouring the dragon (year of the dragon) without using explicit depictions and direct dragon imagery. Many are tapping into things like zodiac themes and finding innovative ways to connect with local traditions while staying modern and relevant. For example, showcasing Dragons via thoughtful products and craftsmanship.

They're blending physical and digital in creative ways, setting up artistic pop-up installations while also incorporating interactive WeChat mini-programs for a truly immersive experience.

🔸 TikTok + TikTok Shop

How could I even think about covering the world of ecommerce in Asia without giving an udpate on TikTok Shop? Come on, I practically declared this thing to be the second coming for online shopping in North America and the western world last year.. And it has not disappointed!

Or maybe, it really depends on who you talk to. From the brands and stores I've spoken with personally, social commerce has been lucrative and well worth experimentation. TikTok is consumption (content-first), while Amazon, Walmart, and other internet retailers are intent based (kw search-first). An entertainment platform fighting for your attention that sometimes acts as a discovery engine.

But according to eMarketer, TikTok Shop hasn't been as hot as they hoped - beauty seems to be the big winner so far.

Check this TikTok native brand:

As others have mentioned, TikTok Shop has a serious counterfeit problem to address. However, TikTok has just launched a shopping mall feature (scroll down for details) in Singapore, potentially preceding a wider rollout.

Despite the challenges, the social commerce trend seems to be continuing full steam ahead for now.

If you're buying, selling, or interested in TikTok Shop, hit reply. I'll include your thoughts in the next issue.

TikTok Shop Mall Launch in Singapore

Verified Brands and unique shopping experiences is now available through TikTok Shop Mall (via TikTok Shop). It provides access to a curated selection of local and international brands and guaranteeing 100% authentic and original products, reliable customer service, and exclusive benefits. This is one of the major attempts to curb fake products on the platform.

Note, the additional visibility of Top Brands with 100% authentic + free returns

Read additional details around TikTok Mall here.

Shoppertainment - The Future Of Consumer & Commerce In APAC

How brands can leverage the power of content to navigate the changing e-commerce landscape to deliver real results. Take a look at what’s happening in SE Asia to glean insight and potential ideas.

My summary + Actionable Insight:

The winning formula for content and commerce has changed.

1. Brands cannot solely rely on traditional approaches and must evolve to keep up with local and digitally native brands, who have mastered Shoppertainment.

2. Create engaging content that aids decision-making instead of relying solely on discounts. Leverage cross-channel strategies and on-platform integration for seamless shopping experiences.

3. Tap into online co-creation, participation, and influence-building tactics beyond just loyalty campaigns.

🔸 Crypto SuperApp Integration

Finally, Grab (Singapore's equivalent of Uber) has seamlessly integrated Solana into its app. See screenshots below for details:

Other

🔸 Interesting Stories or Links

• McDonalds leans into Anime [Link]

• The Gig Economy. The delivery rider who took on his faceless boss [Link]

• Why Are (Most) Sofas So Bad? Learn what’s up.. and special shouts to my parents rocking the 80s couch. [Link]

• A rollercoaster internet overshare? Or what needed to be done? “The Lure of Divorce Seven years into my marriage, I hit a breaking point — and had to decide whether life would be better without my husband in it.” [Link]

• Speaking of lovers, import your ex's chats into the app so you can still text/date her even though she dumped you. [Link]

• Nestlé Warns of Sales Growth Slowdown as Shoppers Tighten Belts. [Link]

Qs or Quotes Bouncing in My Brain

Anti-social street blocks negatively affect our health.

How does your local community and street feel?

According to urban design expert Charles Montgomery in his book "Happy City," the layouts of our neighbourhoods and streets can profoundly impact our well-being.

If you find yourself feeling lost or uncertain about navigating an AI-friendly world, you are not alone. Lean into your individual adventure.

Wrap Up

Obviously lmk what you thought and how your AI journey is progressing. Or if you have any interesting links or anything to share.

Thx for reading — have a great weekend!

Kenny

P.S. Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:

1. Ready to grow your startup from 0 to 1 in less time? Let's chat. >> Schedule a call with me.

2. Want an extra pair of eyes on your pitch deck?

3. Are you an IC seeking your next adventure, or are you considering a side gig (because AI tools have given you more free time)? Fill out this form.

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How'd I do? Slam dunk or airball? Lmk your thoughts on this issue so I can level up future content.

About

Hi there! I help b2b2c startups go from 0 to 1 with resources, consulting, advisory, and writing, spanning marketing, product, team formation, frontier technology, and the good life. Prev helped 50+ startups and launched 20+ digital products. Although my perspective is universal, I mainly cover the frontier of North America and Southeast Asia.

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