1.
www.ciolook.com
THE DRIVING FORCE OF A GLOBALLY
ASCENDING ORGANIZATION
TEAM
ARIIX
BEST PERFORMING
BUSINESSLEADERS TO WATCH
2020
®
November 2020

2.
Discovering New Horizons
f you think it is the Covid-19 which brought about visible and
Iperceptible changes in the world of entrepreneurship and
business, think again. Most changes were already being
contemplated about including work-from-home, movement of
data to the cloud and the likes. It is just that the pandemic, having
pushed humanity to the wall, brought to fore these and other
initiatives.
Heraclitus of Ephesus once said ‘the only constant in life is change’
which fits rather well when it is about changes in the
entrepreneurial world. In the normal order most changes come
about so gradually that it does not register in our subconscious.
We tell you about some of the changes in the world of
entrepreneurship post the Covid-19 pandemic which does seem of
the latter kinds.
Work from home; a reality that may seem interesting initially but
may affect mental health and job productivity later
Companies like Google, Universal Music Group, Warner, Sony
Music, Amazon, Viacom, and Scotia Bank to name some have made
WFH conditionally i.e. it continues till their management thinks it
isn’t conducive to come to a public office. There are others like
Facebook, Twitter, Slack, Shopify, and Zillow which have
sanctioned work-from-home forever. Yes, in the latter category,
employees will not need to come to office at all. The office in their
case would be their home with connectivity coming through cloud-
based systems.
Are employees liking it? A study in Australia brought out some
interesting details
- 82% of respondents found that lesser or zero commute and lesser
time spent on getting ready were godsends!
- 76% of respondents said cost saved by not traveling and buying
lunch makes sense
- Up to 50% said their work-related productivity had increased
ever since they have been working from home
- Close to 45% see the lines between home and office work
blurring given their physical presence at home throughout the
day
- 25% found the switch from office to home to be a challenge
EDITOR’S NOTE

3.
A similar survey half-way across
the globe in Britain gave the
following results:
- 35% said they missed meeting
colleagues
- 32% missed office chit-chat
- 6% said they missed birthday
celebrations
- It was found that remote
working too has burnout when
people overdo things just to
keep their jobs and incomes
Specialists thus advocate that
folks working from home should
do certain things to keep the
show going including finding
permanent comfortable
workplace, regular exercises, and
self-care, and most of all, short
breaks, and a stroll at regular
intervals
Work from home could then be a
mixed bag with its own pluses
and minuses!
Evolution of a hybrid system
with suburbs and smaller towns
gaining acceptance
Work from home may find many
avatars at the end of the
pandemic. Some could use the
hub-and-spokes model with a
central (though small) location
being the hub including shared
spaces. Others could include
people actually shifting into
suburbs, distant towns and
hinterlands which could give a
fillip to the real-estate and
facilities in far-flung places.
Others to benefit could be
commuter systems like Uber and
meet-and-eat joints which could
double up as meeting and
working places.
The era of specialists instead of
hordes of generalists
When the economy stalls, the first to
take a hit are generalists. Also, with
robotization and mechanization,
their days are numbered. Post-
pandemic, when the job mills start to
churn and hum, the need would be
for specialists with the right
CREDENTIALS (not necessarily
qualifications) who could either be
employees or entrepreneurs sharing
time between employers. The latter
could be the norm and more so with
start-ups that have tight budgets.
For workers, it could mean having
many hats to wear and a head that is
always covered!
Reskilling could be a great industry.
Mundane jobs were always the
target of machines. Their days were
numbered way early after the Covid-
19 pandemic. Reskilling in large
numbers, delayed as it was, could be
the next great entrepreneurial
activity whose time has truly come.
Content would become king in the
world of marketing with ever-
lessening reliance on physical
approaches
Patience is a virtue for the well-
provided. For others, there has to be
crispy, classy and concise content be
it on products, websites, blogs,
social-media, white-papers and what
have you. The pandemic may have
seen a general lull in the field of
digital marketing (or for that matter,
every kind of marketing) making it
imperative on manufacturers and
marketers alike to create content
that holds attention and gets the
right message across in the shortest
time. That of course goes without
saying that costs too have to be
competitive in the absence of which
the whole argument fall flat!
Funding and loans would be fact
based instead of hunch-based
Venture funding once flowed like
water till there was stuff in the
reservoirs. The pandemic and its
accompanying mayhem dried up
most fund reservoirs or drained
them. Banks failed because monies
lent never came back. Equities
tanked as demand for products
tanked worldwide. With most
monies in the market given under
government-backed stimulus
packages, the time now is to show
results upfront, and not depend
upon grand ideas leading to grander
funding plans.
It’s times such as now that have
made fund-providers more cautious,
thoughtful and circumspect, and
fund-takers more careful than ever, a
direct contrast to times when ideas
irrespective of use, got sky-high
valuation and even larger funding.
Hereon, funding, be it bank-related,
VC or even individual-based can be
expected to be against rock-solid
evidence of productivity and returns
rather than tall talk and cronyism.
Abhishaj Sajeev
abhishaj@ciolook.com

4.
Expert Speaks
Greening the
Economic Recovery
46
10
Team ARIIXThe Driving Force of a Globally
Ascending Organization
In Context
How Quality Content
Creation Helps Businesses
Scale Efciently!
30
ARTICLE
Cover Story

5.
Christopher Deck
58
50
40
26 34
CONTENTS
42
54
A Strategic Leader in
Innovative Solutions
62
Coral Puig
Guiding Others
to the Path of Building
Trust and Relationships
Joseph Chan
An Exemplary Leader in
the FinTech Revolution
Frontage
Laboratories
A Drug Development
Partner, Turning
Services into Solutions
Stefan Kozak
Creating Memories with
Live Communication
Elena Kyria
Finding Exceptional
Talent
Nin Desai
An Avid Leader,
Investor and Tech Geek
Souad
Benkredda
Inspiring Entrepreneur
supporter

6.
CONTENT
Senior Editor Alan Swann
Executive Editors Rohit Chaturvedi
Alex Spellman
DESIGN
Visualizer Dave Bates
Art & Design Director Sanket Zirpe
Associate Designer Kushagra Gupta
SALES
Senior Sales Manager Kshitij S.
Customer Success Manager Jack Ryan
Sales Executives John, Kane, Irfan
TECHNICAL
Technical Head Aditya K.
Technical Consultant Victor Collins
November, 2020
Copyright © 2020 CIOLOOK, All
rights reserved. The content
and images used in this
magazine should not be
reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without prior
permission from CIOLOOK.
Reprint rights remain solely
with CIOLOOK.
FOLLOW US ON
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WE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON
Email
info@ciolook.com
For Subscription
www.ciolook.com
CONTACT US ON
Abhishaj Sajeev
Editor-in-Chief
sales@ciolook.com
abhishaj@ciolook.com

7.
BriefCompany Name
Standard Chartered Bank
sc.com
CREATIVE PRO group
creativepro.agency
TheLoveComes
thelovecomes.com
Frontage Laboratories, Inc
frontagelab.com
NIN Ventures LLC
nin.vc
AsiaPay
asiapay.com
EleMed
elemed.eu
ARIIX
ariix.com
Megabite Design
megabite.com
Deck Commerce
deckcommerce.com
AsiaPay is a world-class electronic payment service, solution,
technology provider, and merchant aggregator in Asia.
Megabite Design is a trusted source for providing responsive
web site solutions from start to finish.
EleMed recruits exceptional people that solve regulatory and
compliance problems, so patients all over the world can have
access to safe, innovative and life-changing Medical Devices.
Standard Chartered Bank is a leading international banking
group, with a presence in more than 60 of the world’s most
dynamic markets.
CREATIVE PRO Group is a leading, award winning live
communication agency in Central Eastern Europe.
ARIIX is an international opportunity company that creates
superior, exclusively branded products marketed through
independent representatives.
TheLoveComes is in the business of using creativity, social
innovation, neuromarketing and consumer psychology to help
business to grow, expand, and develop
Deck Commerce is the culmination of 15+ years of experience
helping companies maximize their eCommerce potential.
Frontage Laboratories, Inc. is a CRO that provides integrated,
science-driven, product development services throughout the
drug discovery and development process.
NIN Ventures (or NIN.VC) is a unique and first of its kind
crowdfunded technology venture capital fund for accredited
investors
Rochelle Parry
CEO
Elena Kyria
Founder and CEO
Team ARIIX
C-Level Executives
Coral Puig
Co-founder
Nin Desai
CEO
Stefan Kozak
Fonder and Managing
Director
Song Li
Founder
Souad Benkredda
Head of Financial
Markets
Christopher Deck,
Founder and CEO
Joseph Chan
CEO
Featuring

8.
The Driving Force of a Globally Ascending Organization
COVERSTORY
Team
ARIIX

9.
T
he future is paved through hard work and
innovation. This is especially true in the direct
sales industry, where there is a multitude of
reasons why people start and then quit.
Network marketing's unique platform gives
independent representatives great freedom in how
they choose to set up their business and sell the
company's products. The possibilities that come with
that freedom are nearly limitless.
But that freedom rears success only through
dedication, self-motivation, and a true spirit for
entrepreneurialism. That has never been more certain
than now as we face, together as a global community, a
pandemic that has changed the world in which we live.
Building Through Change
ARIIX has always been a company about change. It was
created on the principles of disrupting the network
marketing industry to create a company that focused
on its representatives in a way that had never been
done before. The impetus of that design is to make
success possible for the average person.
ARIIX's relationships with its representatives are the
building blocks of the company. And fostering those
relationships is essential for its overall health and
continuing growth. ARIIX understands the importance
of promoting and recognizing these relationships.
In these changing and uncertain times, it is both its
long-time, devoted, and loyal representatives, coupled
with those new faces who have gone forth with
unprecedented energy and enthusiasm, who make up
its foundation. All have inspiringly grown their
businesses with creativity and adaptability in a time
when it is most needed.
Opportunity Is the Mother of Invention
The direct sales industry is a business that can
transcend travel restrictions and other limitations.
Where more traditional sales related enterprises rely
heavily on face-to-face interaction, ARIIX's unique
network marketing design inherently allows for
technology to help foster a broader, more global reach.
In the pages below, you will read about ARIIX's up and
coming emerging new leaders and its steadfast
veterans. Some have been with ARIIX for less than two
years, and some are veteran members of the ARIIX
Founders Club – where membership provides a
position to serve as advocates in their markets, with the
power to make critical decisions.
It is the combination of that wisdom and fresh insight
that makes this company thrive. ARIIX General
Managers from all across the globe have selected these
representatives to highlight the inspiring waves they
have created within the company. These are the hearts
that have refused to succumb to doubt or fear in these
changing times and, instead, have embraced it as an
opportunity, spinning creative webs that have
empowered others to join and cast their own net. With
an insatiable desire to learn and an openness to
challenges, these representatives are paving the path
to success on the shifting sands of world around us.
Let us now delve into the journeys and success stories
of these respresentatives.

10.
AKIRA KAMINO
Throughout his life, Akira Kamino has faced many
challenges. He dedicated 11 years to a company
that folded, and he had large sums of debt
because he could not balance his income and
expenses. Yet, he overcame these challenges by
continuing to believe in himself.
Akira discovered ARIIX through a chance
encounter with a work colleague. Intrigued by its
unique opportunities and top-quality products, he
enrolled as a representative. Holding firm to his
belief in himself, along with a willingness to
continue despite rejection and other daily
obstacles, he has quickly become an outstanding
and budding leader within the company. For
Akira, it is the challenges in life that make a
person stronger.
Having joined ARIIX in 2011 and now an ARIIX
Founder's Club member, his style in direct sales is
to enter all endeavors with sincerity and passion,
but also with humor. He keeps his heart light and
optimistic and encourages others to have faith
and courage in their convictions to achieve
success. Akira understands that this industry is
built on relationships, and trust is the foundation
of those interactions. He has also learned the
value and importance of listening to other
members and learning from their wisdom and
experiences.
One of the many exciting factors about network
marketing through ARIIX is its global reach and
appeal. Since beginning his business, it was
Akira's dream to give a speech on a stage where
his words would broadcast and interpreted into
multiple languages. This dream came true when
Akira appeared on a stage at an ARIIX World
Reunion in Hong Kong. Akira's hard work and
determination have paid off and with ARIIX, he is
truly living his dreams.
“Never give up. Many things happen in
this business, but they will only make
you stronger.”

11.
DR. ALBERTO PEÑA DEL MORAL
As a physician, Dr. Peña was always motivated by health
and prevention. However, being a full-time doctor left
little occasion for family and friends and created
conditions where he was largely unable to enjoy free time.
That all changed when he discovered direct sales with
ARIIX. With its top-of-the-line products, he found the
perfect vehicle to achieve success and time freedom all
while continuing his love for educating people on health
and wellness.
Having joined ARIIX only a few short months ago, and
now a member of the ARIIX Scientific Advisory Board, Dr.
Peña has learned that focusing his energies on people who
are motivated and hungry garners greater growth. He
says he wants everyone to aspire for more but has come
to accept that not everyone wants that. Dr. Peña says, “I
am an idealist and a visionary. I visualize the potential in
everyone. I try to listen more and talk less. Success in this
industry is making the opportunity about them and not
me.”
An interesting hurdle Dr. Peña has had to overcome in his
business is people's assumption that the reason for his
success is because he is a doctor. He would hear people
say they did not believe they could not achieve his success
because they did not possess his technical knowledge or
that they felt unable to explain the products like he could
as a physician. Dr. Peña has innovatively adapted to that
situation by simplifying his explanations of the business
and products so that it is relatable to anyone. He says,
“Success comes from solving problems. It is a result and
not a goal.”
Dr. Peña inspires others to work with him by illuminating
their worth and placing their talents and potential under a
spotlight. Dr. Peña says, “Many talented people contribute
greatly but are not being fairly compensated. I show that
them that with this vehicle they can achieve their true
potential. That network marketing with ARIIX is not just
the means to an end but the means to a dream.”
“Success comes from solving problems.
It is a result and not a goal.”

12.
AMY NIE
Amy Nie's motto is, “Only when a woman is
financially independent can she become
personally independent.”
This philosophy has motivated Amy throughout
her 14-year career in the network marketing
industry. Amy believes deeply in the platform of
direct sales and was drawn to the outstanding
products and opportunities available through
ARIIX.
Amy says her success in the network marketing
field over the years, and today still, is to “believe,
learn, act, and persist.” Amy continues that what is
important is to, “Believe in yourself, keep learning,
and continuously improve your business ability
and market development ability. Continuous
action is the guarantee of success, as time will
prove your choice of career, and persistence will
help achieve your dream.”
An ARIIX Founders Club member having been
with the company since 2011, Amy finds her
direct sales business to be both charming and
exciting. It was those two factors that attracted
her to the industry in the beginning. Her
enthusiasm for her work has remained her
constant companion over the years, and that joy
grows greater each day on her journey with. Her
success has allowed her all the things she
dreamed of in life; passive income, time freedom,
personal growth, and travel around the world.
Amy continues to find inspiration and motivation
from working in an industry in which she helps
countless people gain health, wealth, and beauty.
She considers this almost daily reality to be her
greatest achievement.
“Believe, Learn, Act, and Persist.”

13.
HELEN BLESA
MARTINEZ
Like many others, Helen Blesa Martinez was looking for
a way to earn extra income. Working eight hours a day,
struggling to pay for her vehicle and other debts, and
trying to support her family, she felt apprehensive
about the future. More than that, she was uneasy. Then
she discovered ARIIX, the company that's changing the
landscape of direct selling in favor of the independent
representative. It was at that moment she thought, “this
is for me!”
Having been with ARIIX for just over a year, in an
incredibly short period Helen has created and fostered
a team of more than 5,000 and she wakes up every day
inspired by them. She feels her purpose is to help as
many people as possible live their full potential. Helen's
motto is, “If I have helped a person find hope, I have not
lived in vain.” Her inspirational message is directly in
tune with ARIIX's own mission of providing an
opportunity for unlimited human potential through its
wide array of quality wellness products.
With desire and boundless energy, Helen's leadership
skills are exemplary. As a steadfast guide for others, she
explains the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset
and believes the best way of demonstrating that is to
lead by example. Helen strongly subscribes to the
philosophy that you must be the energy you wish to
attract. And she has manifested and proven this by
creating a team of incredible, professional leaders, all
motivated and united to achieve their full potential.
Helen says one of the greatest things about building her
business with ARIIX is that she has primarily been able
to do so without ever having to leave home. Effectively
marketing her business online through social networks
such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, this
freedom in the workplace has given her generous and
precious time with her daughter.
“If I have helped a person find hope,
I have not lived in vain.”

14.
SHUYUAN LIN
ARIIX's “disruptive by design” approach to network
marketing, coupled with its high-quality products and
unique business model is what inspired Shuyuan to get
into this business. Shuyuan continues to be motivated
by her belief in ARIIX, which is reflected in her
accomplishments and efforts that continue to make
her a distinguished leader in the company.
Since joining ARIIX in 2014, Shuyuan has achieved the
highest title possible within the ARIIX organization and
has set records from the very start. A member of the
ARIIX Wellness Council and the ARIIX Founders Club,
Shuyuan helps shape the future of her market and is an
invaluable leadership resource. Shuyuan also holds the
record of being the No. 1 Power Ranker two years in a
row!
Shuyuan provides incredible inspiration for women
entrepreneurs everywhere, and her responsible nature
helps her create and focus on clear goals that yield
powerful results. She understands that to succeed, and
continue with that success, you need to be what she
describes as “a mover and an improver,” and not just a
thinker. Shuyuan knows the importance of action and
follow through.
Continually setting new goals and seeking out ways to
improve is also part of Shuyuan formula for success.
She feels compelled to be in a constant pattern of
conquering herself and surpassing herself. It is this
drive that has helped her reach multiple milestones
with ARIIX.
Her outgoing, enthusiastic, and sincere attributes are
what attract others and continue to help her thrive in
this business. Shuyuan says, “Attraction is far more
important than persuasion. I inspire others to think and
make choices by telling my own stories.”
Shuyuan greatest achievements continue to be her
witness to and participation in the transformation and
success of others. It is those relationships and success
stories that keep her passionately engaged in her
business.
“Attraction is far more important than
persuasion. I inspire others to think and
make choices by telling my own stories.”

15.
LUZ EVANGELISTA
Focus and consistency have been a foundation in
Luz Evangelista's life. Luz saw great success at a
young age but moved away from the demands of
that work after having her daughter. Luz did not
want to give up her dreams or ambitions but
wanted a better way to feel productive and to
generate income without sacrificing time with her
daughter. That is when ARIIX entered the picture!
Luz loved the idea of operating her own business
through the direct sales of ARIIX's excellent and
innovative wellness products.
Using her innate focus and consistency, she took
her business seriously and went forth as though
she had invested her entire wealth, as though her
success depended on it. Her tenacity and
approach have paid off handsomely, not only with
financial security but in obtaining personal
happiness by loving what she does and having a
passion for the products. What is more, since
joining in 2011, Luz has become an influential and
outstanding leader and ARIIX Founders Club
member.
Luz also credits her love of working with people
for her success. She says it is not just the idea of
her own achievements, but the growth and
betterment of others, that keeps her motivated.
She inspires others to work with her by listening
carefully and providing examples of how working
together can help them reach their goals. She lets
others know she will accompany and stand with
them in the process. Luz says, “This business is
not for everyone. Not everyone stays. It takes
passion and discipline, and everyone has their
own pace, but I always strive to be attentive and
listen to the needs of those who trust me.”
“I always strive to be attentive and listen
to the needs of those who trust me.”

16.
MIRIAM GIULIA CASU
Miriam Giulia Casu does everything with her heart.
And her heart is full of passion, desire,
determination, and a genuine love for helping
others. With ARIIX and its unique products and
entrepreneurial opportunities, Miriam has realized
her heart's full potential. Having joined just over a
year ago, with hard work and dedication, she has
achieved extraordinary personal and professional
success!
Since she was a child, Miriam felt she always had to
settle for less. She used to spend 14 hours a day
tirelessly working a cleaning job and feeling she had
no future. When ARIIX presented itself to her, that
feeling changed. At that moment, she felt a
significant opportunity to make her dreams come
true.
So, she dug in. She committed herself. She kept
going and believed in herself, despite the daily
challenges. She let go of her fears about what
others would think. She concentrated her energy
toward constant and consistent action. And she did
it with passion. She pursued opportunities to study
new techniques and grow her team. And her results
have been amazing. In just a short time, she has a
team of over 1,000 collaborators and is an
emerging leader in ARIIX.
Miriam says, “You must fall in love deeply with your
chosen ambition. It must be your priority!”
By marketing herself through various social
networks, Miriam talks about her daily life to
people all over the world. Through her own
personal stories, Miriam shows others how her
direct sales business with ARIIX “changed her life.”
Helping others make their dreams come true
continues to be what motivates Miriam most. It is
seeing the success of others she has helped along
the way that truly fills her with joy.
“You must fall in love deeply with your
chosen ambition. It must be your priority!”

17.
SIMONA MORETTI
For Simona Moretti, the seed of her rebirth came
from her despair and what she can only describe
as a “a sharp, pounding need to change.” At that
time, her world was encircled with the darkness
of a divorce, the pain of loneliness, the loss of time
with her three-year old child, and financial
difficulty.
That need for change led her to open herself to
new channels and that is when she discovered
ARIIX. It is that relationship, and her leap of faith
into an unknown business venture, that has
proven her most significant life-changing event.
Simona says, “If you want to take the leap, you
need to trust yourself and have a high self-esteem
regarding your own potential. Potential that you
will learn to develop and that you will need to
succeed during the difficulties life presents to
you.”
When she began with ARIIX in 2019, Simona
knew nothing about direct sales. But she had an
insatiable desire to learn. That desire, coupled
with her willingness to transform, has led, in just a
short time, to great heights within ARIIX, and she
has emerged as a standout leader.
Simona has built her new business on a
foundation of empathy and connection. Because
of her own life experiences, she approaches her
trade with a remarkable humility that is absent
judgment and preconceived notions of others.
Excited about life and the opportunities she has
through ARIIX, she wakes up each morning with a
willing spirit and an understanding that every day
is a new lesson. Simona says, “When you become
an opportunity for others and you witness their
blossoming of aroused self-esteem, then every
moment becomes precious time.”
“If you want to take the leap, you need to
trust yourself and have a high self-esteem
regarding your own potential.”

18.
STEVE SWARTZ
Steve Swartz is a truly remarkable human. A former
US Army Captain and manager of a top-ten
American corporation, he started in the network
marketing field part-time. But, as with everything
he does in life, Steve offered his best effort and
within a few years was earning six-figures. Five
years into his business with ARIIX, he earned over a
million dollars and was the first Multi-Markets
Founders Club Member in the USA and Europe.
Steve's example and leadership within ARIIX are
immeasurable. And his accomplishments in the
company are legendary. Steve says it is fear that
deters and makes people unsuccessful in this
business. In the beginning, it was overcoming his
own fears, particularly about what others thought,
that pushed him past the rocky ledge of giving up.
Steve says, “I was so worried about what other
people thought that I almost quit. It went really
slow at first. As soon as I stopped focusing on what
others thought, my business went much faster.”
From that point, he went forth as a soldier, arming
himself with a no excuses, stay positive attitude,
and a get-it-done work ethic. He rounds this out
with a great sense of humor. Steve says, “Be a
winner not a whiner. Take personal responsibility
for your life. No one is coming to save you. You have
to save yourself.”
Every day, Steve celebrates his emancipation from
a corporate job that meant no freedom, to living a
life where he can spend time enjoying his three
teenaged children. He utilizes a broad scope of
avenues in sales to attract others to this business
and his optimism and humor are captivating. He
looks forward to taking his business with ARIIX to
new heights and to change the way network
marketing is done globally.
“Be a winner not a whiner. Take personal
responsibility for your life. No one is coming
to save you. You have to save yourself.”

19.
LANXIN SUN & ZIXIAN DAI
Lanxin Sun and Zixian Dai understand the value
of network marketing. A 10-year direct sales
veteran, Lanxin considers it a “sunrise industry.”
She became inspired by the platform of the
business and was motivated by its remarkable
features of low cost, high efficiency, and high
yield. In Lanxin's own words, “Network marketing
is the inevitable product of the development of
science and technology.”
Its unique and pioneering comingling of science
and technology is what attracted Lanxin to ARIIX.
Having joined in 2012 and a member of the ARIIX
Founders Club, Lanxin has become an inspiring
leader by doing what she does best as a master
network marketer; obtaining a deep
understanding of and respect for the products,
breathing passion into her work, and having that
innate instinct that allows her to recognize and
seize opportunities.
Commitment and teamwork are Lanxin's two
trademark attributes in her business. Sun
understands the importance of obtaining the
customer's recognition. To achieve this goal, she
knows she must garner their trust and help them
realize, not only the value she can provide, but
their own value as part of the network. Lanxin
stresses that this is achieved only by acutely and
accurately understanding and explaining the
products, and persevering with the customer,
never giving up too easily.
For Lanxin, the reward for the achievement of
meeting her goals in direct sales is financial
independence and free time. She advocates these
values to others when inspiring them to invest in
themselves and work with her. She further
emphasizes that enjoying happiness alone is not
nearly as sweet as sharing it.
Lanxin says, “I try to remain full of passion and to
share all things with sincerity.”
“Network marketing is the
inevitable product of the development
of science and technology.”

20.
ASAKO &
TASUKU HASHIMOTO
Asako and Tasuku Hashimoto are partners in the
adventure of life and in the adventure of their
business with ARIIX. Tasuku was a professional
baseball player and Asako has always lived a
philosophy based upon love and wellness. When they
discovered ARIIX and learned about its incredible
health food and wellness products, they immediately
knew it was the right business for them.
The couple quickly began making an impact with
others and in just three short years, have grown their
business at a rate that demands recognition and
reward. Tasuku and Asako are not only emerging
leaders but role models in this business.
Asako's philosophy and approach to business is to
keep an open mind and to do all things with love. She
carries what she calls a “for you” spirit in her heart. In
making connections and growing her network, Asako
is willing and happy to go an extra 100 miles for each
person and let them know that each is uniquely
special.
Asako says, “Any connection you make with others is
priceless. I am still learning new lessons every day.
When I meet people, I always have my love and I try to
convey it, not just through words but through deeds.”
Asako's and Tasuku's positive and open spirits are the
catalysts for inspiring others to invest in themselves
and work with them. Asako says, “I believe there is a
power in being genuine and sincere. In turn, I strive to
spread my love and joy and excitement about this
amazing business through my genuine and sincere
actions.”
Their light continues to shine as they rise as bright
stars within ARIIX.
“When I meet people, I always have
my love and I try to convey it, not just
through words but through deeds.”

21.
TORU TOYODA
Patience and perseverance have been the key for
Toru Toyoda. When he first ventured into the world
of network marketing, he went several years with
little income. But he truly believed it was his path. He
continued to give his time and what little he had to
others to try and build his business. His dedication
and commitment have led to just rewards. Since
joining ARIIX in 2017, Toru has come to the forefront
as a charismatic and significant new leader.
Toru believes the key to achieving your goals in this
business is to keep trying until you make it. Toru says,
“This is not a business where you can see success
overnight. You need to decide what kind of lifestyle
you want and, more importantly, you need to know
what kind of person you want to be.”
Toru unselfishly invests in the human capital that
makes up his business. He understands that trust and
connection with others is the backbone of his
profession. More than that, he cherishes those
people around him, and he willingly invests in others
without expecting any return on those investments.
Toru states, “I am always willing to invest my time,
money, and effort into someone uncertain about this
business because I believe in this business.”
That sense of community pours out of Toru and
brings him immense personal and professional
gratification. Toru says his greatest achievements are
seeing those he introduced to ARIIX transform into
successful, radiant business entrepreneurs of their
own.
Toru continues to stay on the cutting edge of
network marketing by doing things with his business
that no one has done before. This innovation pairs
harmoniously with ARIIX's continued evolution in
the industry. He says, “Let's aim higher together!”
One can only imagine the impact these leaders are
making through their diligence, commitment, and
compassion. ARIIX will continue to take pride in
these leaders and their contribution towards the
success and growth of the organization.
“Let's aim higher together!”

22.
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23.
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24.
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27

25.
| November 2020 |
28

26.
| November 2020 |
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27.
CONTENT CREATION
How quality
CONTENT CREATION
helps businesses scale efficiently!
n an apple to apple comparison, who do you
Ithink would win, a marketer with average
products that are backed by the great
information in the right format at the right time or a
great product backed by less-than average
information? From all indication, it shall be the
former which may win hands down and keep doing
so for quite some time, unless competition improves
the quality of its content.
Why, you may ask, is content important when it
comes to increasing business and visibility? In one
sentence, it is important because what gets sold is
what can be seen. More the visibility, more the
confidence and hence, more the sale!
To elaborate further, quality content creation helps
businesses scale efficiently for the following
reasons:
Gets you the right audience and hopefully the right
reasons to scale up things!
Where the right audience get the right product and
accompanying content, there is just about no reason
why things will not look good and result in desired
action, including sales and eventual scaling-up. That
precisely is the effect of great content. It gets you
your desired audience, and they either give you
business or take you to those who can. Either ways,
it is a win-win.
Gives visitors additional touchpoints to come back
to marketers!
These are interesting days for a marketer given the
number of fora and platforms on which a product or
service can be sold. Practically every day a new
system/ platform is reported with user-friendly
features which if used the right way with the right
content, can help marketers get additional
touchpoints. For instance, a marketer with a website,
and social-media presence can use the latter to lead
visitors to the website. Where the content is
informative and inviting enough, the engagement
shall surely result in a conversion!
Lets a marketer do no-strings attached marketing
which gets higher yield!
There was once a time when marketers first
concentrated on getting the required clients on
board. Once they did, the rest of the time was spent
serving them…and them ONLY! Competition put
paid to this idea with loyalty being a virtue available
to only those who bring forth quality, both in their
products (and services) and the content of their
marketing efforts and campaigns. The idea today has
shifted to putting forth quality content to the world
without strings attached with the expectation that it
appeals to the audience in general and brings forth
easy conversions.
| November 2020 |
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28.
Brings the benefit of SEO and a larger audience
which can help scale a business
Search engines these days are led by AI and
advanced algorithms which can decipher the
difference between great content and its opposite.
For this reason, quality content with the right
keywords and ideas can get a marketer the benefit of
higher ranking which shows the value of one's
content, and can get more leads, conversions and
engagements. Scaling up business thus need the
support of quality content.
Quality content in blogs and white papers can get
you repeat audience all the time.
Irrespective of product type, marketers who post
quality content frequently including articles, blogs,
success stories, social-media posts and the likes are
sure to have repeat audience who may come to the
site just to catch up on the latest, and with luck the
same could convert into a sale. As opposed to this,
marketers who do not post frequently or post
uninteresting things may miss out on account of this
one great point.
Brings recognition on the right forums leading to
increase in leads and conversions
What can be seen can be sold being the adage,
frequent and inspiring content across forums, media,
sites and platforms can give a visitor the reassurance
that the brand/ business is there for a purpose and a
cause, and can be trusted with the latter's time,
money, patience and perseverance. Once the
connect is, and provided the marketer keeps putting
across quality and interesting content, the relation
could last for a long, long time and bring fruits in the
form of further business that customer(s)
themselves might refer.
Quality content, and a solid, identifiable audience-
base leads to authority and a sense of competency!
Quality content curated and created with the
intention of informing a large customer base speaks
of the writer/ marketer's position as an authority on
the subject. An important point to be remembered
while on the way to being acknowledged an
authority is to write frequently and on trending
topics. One-off articles do not get any traction
beyond a point as people move on to those who post
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In Context

29.
quality content frequently. To get people's attention, the writer/ marketer while holding authority over the
subject, should have a list of subjects to write and present on. What it calls for is originality along with the use
of keywords for easily location by search engines.
Leads to conversion of clients' clients and leads!
Conviction leads to conversions, and the most convinced convert helps with more conversions! One of the best
ways to generate conviction on one's goods and services is by the use of quality content across mediums! A
satisfied client they say is the best salesperson. In fact, not only is such a person a great sales-tool but also a
great motivator for others to follow his/ her/ their patch and try out the products of the marketer! All this
takes place for a start with great content!
Once done, and with the leads coming in, subsequent work becomes cheaper
If quality content seems expensive, do remember that it pays for itself initially by bringing in more conversions,
and with the systems falling in place, only incremental work needs to be done. In the end, with the kind of leads
and conversions it brings, in most cases good content turns out to be one of the most cost-effective ways of
marketing. And besides, the kind of name, fame and following it brings is something nothing else can ever
match.
Helps in making a content creator an influencer
It is only an authority who can influence! And an authority is one who creates the best, most contemporary, and
authentic of content around a business and its products. Be it a great content creator who gets the position of
an influencer or the influencer who has come up the hard way with great content, what's primary is great
content, every time.
In the end, it is content which is king. To be there right on top, there is no alternative to great, self-curated and
customized content across languages and cultures which excites people and gets them to act decisively, not
once, not twice but always!
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30.
Coral PuigGuiding Others to the Path of Building Trust and Relationships
Coral Puig
Co-Founder
TheLoveComes and
Coralpuig.com
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34

31.
hen learning new things, there are always moments of clarity where all the
Wvariables in the equation present a clear picture of what is in front of us.
After that there are only two situations that arise from the new found
knowledge; either to exploit it for personal gains or help the world understand it the
same way that you did.
The latter is exactly what happened with Coral Puig, Co-Founder of TheLoveComes
and Coralpuig.com.
And this moment came into her life after observing Simon Sinek' TED talk “Start with
why”. This epiphany of sorts where there is no mention of the functionally or technical
details when it comes to create “lovemarks”, helped Coral realize that an effective
marketing strategy is all about just being simple, humane, and genuine; which leads to
efficient, relatable/trustable and memorable marketing.
Things such as Apple not talking about facts and features stuck in her mind igniting the
question of how this type of marketing works without boasting about the features of a
product. Intrigued by the question, Coral went back to school to study what governs our
existence, our decisions, our actions, i.e. the brain.
As a closet geek who devours learning, Coral reskilled at 42 years of age and connected
the dots to the success of marketing. She learned that our emotions control 80 percent
of our daily decisions. Hence, she realized why telling customers about rational rating
does not work, where emotions are the controlling factor.
Quote: “I have learned that intentions don't drive behaviors, the pursuit of unmet
psychological needs does. Fixing the climate crisis, for example, is difficult because it's
not necessarily fulfilling a psychological human need. But this problem can be
re-framed, in a way that becomes like the veganism movement”
In 2014, she established a business 'couch' boutique consultancy firm to support
business founders and senior managers to build trust and loyalty by understanding
consumers' fear, psychological needs, insights, and emotions.
Connecting People
Coral applies cultural anthropology, neuro-marketing, and consumer psychology for
brands and consumers to understand where they were let down and how to fall in love
again. She leverages universal psychological triggers and behavior to help companies
adjust their strategy to be more effective and create a better impact in their
communities.
“I believe trust is what creates brand equity, business growth, and ultimately “love brands”.
And there is a lot of research on how to build trust in psychology that can be transferred for
businesses. And human trust is built through vulnerability, consistency, transparency,
experience, sharing… essentially, brands and companies can build trust with their communities
in the same way people build trust with each other. The interactions are remarkably similar,”
she asserts.
Therefore, she and her consultancy add value to marketing departments,
communications, and PR departments, start-ups, and founders by helping them
| November 2020 |
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32.
understand how to build trust and love from the
consumer psychology perspective and to understand
what comes first: to have a purpose or to build trust.
She comments, “You cannot have a purpose-led strategy
without building trust first. A lot of businesses are jumping
into endless workshops and seminars 'to find their purpose'
to fine-tune their branding strategies and then nothing
happens. In my experience, the best business tools to rely on
during these unpredictable times, during a global crisis, like
a financial crisis or covid19 pandemic, are trust,
performance, consistency, delivery, authenticity… and
anything that has been proven to work to comfort people
and release stress, things we have been learning for decades
from human behavioral sciences research.”
Further, highlighting the modern evolving world and its
demanding challenges, Coral highlights the fact that we
need to be on the move continuously. Hence, she
depends most on the human universal psychological
needs and social anthropology. She also emphasizes the
reliance on practices that have been deemed
dependable before and be vigilant to shift, adapt, and
predict things on the run.
Expertise at Hand
Twenty years of corporate marketing strategy and
innovation experience, social anthropology, and
consumer psychology studies, and passion for social
innovation, shaped Coral to come out as a brands' and
consumers' 'couple therapist.'
She mentions American professor, Doctor Brené
Brown's The Power of Vulnerability to discover the
answers for effective brand architecture and healthy
business growth. Moreover, she is quite confident
about her uniquely positioned place to approach things
from a completely different perspective than most
marketing professionals.
She asserts, “I'm fortunate to be able to combine my two
decades of work experience, with the tools provided by my
formal education with my ongoing learning to deliver a very
different approach to any project or job. Additionally, I have
a very personal passion and commitment to providing the
best insights and viewpoints I can for my clients. There is
nothing more rewarding than working well with one client
that leads to referrals to another. I practice what I preach by
building trust with my clients and that can only come from
a place of genuine authenticity.”
Coral is also a fan of Singularity University webinars
and TED talks. She stays curious, open-minded, and
fully aware that no one can be an expert in all the
domains. Hence, for personal curiosity, she keeps tabs
on everything she can and for the professional side, she
focuses on her area of expertise.
Future Lookout
Coral cites her future plans to be as simple as the
fundamentals of marketing. For the forthcoming years,
she wants to help companies and brands to realize the
big opportunities that building trust can bring to their
business and how that is indeed the best 'purpose-led
strategy' they can think of. She concluded the interview
with a powerful statement, “A purpose, a mission, a set of
values, do not mean anything if they are not sustained by
trust, transparency, and authenticity.”
“Marketeers should evolve the traditional strategy “target and optimize”
to “target, educate, inspire and entertain”, in order to build communities
with the same life values, while delivering performing products and
services. Exactly what we do when we are in love; I am a business and
consumers couch. Not a coach”
“
| November 2020 |
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33.
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34.
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35.
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36.
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37.
JOSEPH CHAN
An Exemplary Leader in the FinTech Revolution
M
oney is dear to everyone be it the receiver or
payer. Any technology that helps quicken the
process of monetary transactions while
keeping things absolutely safe and secure at both the
ends is a service everyone wants, be they individuals or
businesses, irrespective of what they do.
ASIAN VISIONARY PLAYERS
The Asia Pay Group of Hong Kong which came about
at the turn of the millennium, aims to be in this space
while being acknowledged as one of the world's most
prolific providers of secure and speedy digital
payment solutions in Asia.
Joseph Chan, the founder and CEO, started out by
providing third-party quality digital payment, mobile
payment solutions and related technology-support.
A self-confessed lifelong learner who believes in
staying positive and innovative all at once, he read
the writing on the wall, of the world going cashless
and digitization disrupting things in unprecedented
ways. He rightly gauged that the ways to stay
relevant would include:
Ÿ Adhering to known industry and technology
trends
Ÿ Innovating & developing customer-centric
products and services to remain part of the trend
- if not the leader, and
Ÿ Creating brand awareness and bringing it in line
with customer needs to enhance the latter's
experiences while using one's products.
His views have held him remain in good stead in the
present, with AsiaPay providing multi-payment
options ranging from credit and debit cards,
eBanking, QR payments, and smart POS across Asia
which come with multi-currency payment features
that accepts cross-border payments as well.
AsiaPay on its part, also runs a multi-channel digital
payment management platform which allows
convenient payment transactions from any web-
connected devices. With a wide range of products,
AsiaPay is today a leading and trusted payment
gateway entity for businesses across Asia with local
operations flourishing in 15 country operations.
Staying Ahead
We have built an enthusiastic team of developers,
product managers and fintech professionals to
accomplish vision and mission ,with payment
technologies designed to bring newer revolutions
faster than the blink of an eye, Joseph does not
expect competition—intense as it is in this part of the
world—to remain far. Joseph keeps his mind on the
innovation and his flocks in line to provide his ever-
growing list of clients, the best there is that
technology can provide.
He says, to stay ahead in such competitive times and
in a field as competitive as payment technologies,
innovation remains the cornerstone, followed by a
very high level of autonomy to his team to keep
important projects going at the right pace.
Innovation, he reasons, is the single-most important
of abilities to envision every creative and viable
opportunity and then championing towards bringing
it to life in a realistic and practical manner. With two
decades of experience behind him, he adjudges the
ability to provide strong business leadership as also
being crucial to the growth of enterprise where the
leader himself has the ability to identify and fix
| November 2020 |
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38.
problems in the organization and its business
models. Doing so at an early stage, he says, plugs
gaps and leaks which power the business for a long
run.
AsiaPay under Joseph has gained immensely. Among
its product-based USPs the following are worth
noting:
-On data security, they remain PCIDSS level 1-
compliant since 2006, one of the earliest PSPs in
Asia to achieve such high standards.
-To help merchant minimizing PCI work and
investment, they offer features like Direct Client
Post, Customized payment page, member
tokenization etc. Their newly launched SDK is sure
to facilitate secure interface from merchants' mobile
app to their gateway.
-On payment Authentication, they remain one of the
very few advanced 3D Secure certified vendors in
Asia who are compliant with 6 card brands - Visa,
MasterCard, Amex, Discover/Diners, JCB and CUP
for both issuing side and acquiring banks since 2003.
-They are also one of the very few certified vendors
who support the latest card tokenization standards
of Visa (VTS) and MasterCard (MDES)
-On Risk control & monitoring, they offer advanced
anti-fraud processing & reporting tools to merchant
bundled in their payment service FREE and have
been used every day by banks and merchant clients
in 12 countries in Asia since 2005.
-On a high degree of internal controls matching
international standards, it is their adherence to an
annual SOC audit that ensures such quality
standards.
Delivering Quality
Talented people make excellent products. And Good
people ought to be part of one's team. Joseph, the
quintessential team player reasons that a leader,
how-so-ever effective and deft, can never be ahead
of the team.
To know the pulse of his organization, it's USPs, the
direction it is headed is and it's needs, Joseph has
developed a second line of leaders among his
employees who remain high on confidence, positivity
and outlook, and who can be expected to go forth
and create the right environment in the organization
that encourages internal co-operations leading to
the building of effective teams which deliver more
than they promise.
The best of one's products is no match for the worst
of destiny's handiwork. The Covid-19 pandemic and
certain geopolitical posturing has left businesses
worldwide feeling unsure and insecure about their
very existence.
For this, his remedy remains quite unique. A diet! He
surmises that if a person undergoing a diet comes
back feeling healthy, why not a business? Continuing
with his human analogy, businesses he says, need to
stay agile and aggressive in order to survive while
keeping their eyes peeled for opportunities brought
about by changes in technology.
With Data continuing to be the new “crude oil” that
shall power industry worldwide, its effective use is
an essential for organizational survival. To this end,
“In this highly competitive and
fast-changing business
environment, the ability to
make more effective use of
data will set a business apart
from other players in the same
industry.”
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39.
for effective strategy building
and execution, he newly
launches the Merchant
Dashboard for merchants and
advises the use of the latest in
technology including big-data
and AI to predict business and
market trends and unlocking
hidden business ideas and
revenue streams. It is for this
reason that his take on the
future of AsiaPay's business
outlook strongly include
globalization of business reach,
use of intelligent systems and
personalization of products and
services to keep customers
hooked for more.
Joseph 's vision of the future
takes him back to his own
beginnings. 'Acknowledge Your
Client as an Individual' says he
while also aiming to
productively support start-ups
to expand and scale up the
payment and digital eco-system.
Tying these disparate ends, he
says is sure to keep an
organization afloat in the worst
of storms and squalls!
| November 2020 |
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40.
2
020 was set to be a big year in the drive
towards zero carbon and sustainable business.
Offshore wind farm developments were proposed,
as were funding boosts for carbon capture and
storage (CCS). Electric vehicles (EVs) and nuclear
projects were announced in the March 2020 budget,
as was a manifesto commitment to create two
million jobs in clean energy within the next decade.
What happens now? With the world facing the worst
recession for decades, are sustainability goals to be
side-lined? Or is this a chance to make a fundamental
and essential change?
The UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has spoken about
“greening” the recovery after pandemic, including
actively exploring routes to achieving the target to
cut greenhouse gas emissions to “net-zero” by 2050.
Reports suggest plans for a “green industrial
revolution” to support job creation, as well as an
investment in clean energy as part of an economic
stimulus package.
Indeed, a growing body of evidence suggests that
green recovery could deliver significant benefits.
Researchers at the University of Leeds believe that
for every £1 of public investment in such projects,
close to £2 would be generated from a higher tax
take.
The outcome, they suggest, is that government
action towards a greener economy could provide a
£800bn boost to GDP by 2030 and 850,000 jobs in
the next decade.
Greening the
ECONOMIC RECOVERY
ESG Investment
Government-led green initiatives are clearly
important, not least in providing financial incentives,
but there are other issues to consider – not least a
company's reputation.
While global stock markets plummeted, sustainable
investment – which requires asset managers to
consider the way companies address environmental,
social and governance (ESG) issues - gained
increasing prominence.
In global equities, ESG leaders outperformed
companies with poor ESG ratings by almost 7
percentage points during the first two months of the
pandemic crisis.
Attitudes towards business are changing. We're
seeing this in the way companies have reacted to the
COVID-19 pandemic – in June, more than 200 UK
businesses and investors called on the government
to deliver a COVID-19 recovery plan that prioritises
the environment.
As Jessica Alsford, global head of sustainability
research at Morgan Stanley stated in a recent article,
“With both COVID-19 and carbon there are two
elements to consider. The first is the impact on the
operational performance of the company. The
approach taken in the transition to a low-carbon
economy will have a bearing on costs and revenues.
Management of the COVID-19 crisis could influence
customer behaviours and the recruitment and
retention of talent.
| November 2020 |
46

41.
Carmen Ene
CEO
3 Step IT
| November 2020 |
47
Expert Speaks

42.
“The second part is corporate ability to generate
both profit and purpose. A growing number of
investors are looking to allocate capital to companies
that can fulfil both criteria.”
Owning Sustainability
Are businesses ready to respond to this greener
commitment? A report published just before the
enforced lockdown revealed that just one quarter of
UK businesses consider IT sustainability a top
priority, beyond mandatory reporting and regulatory
requirements.
Yet one third of managers believe IT departments
have a greater impact on improving sustainability
than any other department; while almost half of
respondents (48 percent) said they could do a lot
more if they had more money and time, as well as
greater support from the board.
There are significant opportunities for businesses to
drive their own change and move towards zero
carbon, while also gaining a financial benefit. Such
change requires a significant expansion of current
thinking, which today ranges from tracking the
energy consumption of IT equipment to simply
throwing end-of-life devices in landfill.
Addressing a company's approach to electronic
waste (e-waste) should be a significant element of
any sustainable or green strategy. With an insatiable
appetite for new devices, the mountain of e-waste is
growing exponentially - 44.7 million metric tonnes of
e-waste are generated each year according to the
UN Global E-Waste Monitor (2017).
Our own survey reveals that half of businesses
dumped equipment in landfill or destroyed devices –
yet 98% of the end-of-lease devices returned to us
are refurbished, resold, and given a second life.
They say one man's trash is another man's treasure.
Rather than destroying the asset, embracing renewal
and refurbishment can deliver a range of financial
and productivity benefits to businesses. Better
management of the entire lifecycle, through
effective monitoring to flag potential issues before
they occur, for example, can also extend a device's
life and efficiency.
With tough economic times ahead, combining
sustainable strategies that appeal to stakeholders
with more efficient, long-lasting digital assets offers
a commercial win-win.
Conclusion
Rebuilding businesses and reinvigorating economies
will require a concerted effort from both the public
and private sector. The Government commitment to
greening the recovery will be a good start, but
companies need also to explore their own
opportunities.
Understanding and managing the entire IT lifecycle.
Questioning the way devices are acquired, managed
and disposed. Extracting value from end-of-life
devices through refurbishment. Challenging
assumptions that devices are obsolete. Considering
whether some tasks could be managed with reliable
second-life equipment. This should become the
default approach of all IT equipment management.
Making the change will be easier in some businesses
than others. But whether you opt to push the
financial benefits, the ESG investment and
reputational value, or simply leverage any
government incentives that arise, every business
should be committed to greening the recovery.
| November 2020 |
48

43.
Nin DesaiAn Avid Leader, Investor and Tech Geek
I
nvestment is often an art rather just a business
facet. The market is filled with lots of
opportunities thus, many budding companies
with exceptional potential striving in the industry.
Realizing this potential requires a keen
understanding and strong tactical sense of doubling
the investments. Such qualities can be seen in Nin.
Meet Ms. Nin Desai, President and CEO of NIN
Ventures, an experienced fund manager and a
technology geek. She specializes in investing in
disruptive technologies. She seeks some exceptional
disruptive technologies that changes an existing
industry and also helps create a new market and
value network, displacing an earlier technology or a
way of doing business. Her company, NIN Ventures
(or NIN.VC), a venture capital firm offers financing to
early stage emerging companies with high growth
potential in exchange for equity / an ownership
stake.
The risks VCs take investing in disruptive
technologies or business models yield higher returns
their limited partners (or investors) require. Since
the beginning of the 20th century, venture capital
has been the domain of wealthy individuals and
families. A typical LP base in a venture fund would be
institutions, pension funds, endowments, family
offices, etc.
CIO Look admire such organization and appreciates
Nin contribution in its special edition.
Below are the highlights on Nin’s journey, in their
own words:
The 2008 Financial Meltdown led to liquidity crises
for entrepreneurs, companies, LPs, & VCs. Fewer
IPOs in the market mean no exits for VCs, no returns
for LPs, and as a result venture funds were on a
decline. No new funds mean less startup funding, low
employment, and slow economic growth. Thus on
April 5, 2012, The Jumpstart Our Business Startups
Act (the JOBS Act) was introduced, which enables
crowdfunding for all Americans and that’s how
NIN.VC came into existence.
NIN.VC is a unique and first of its kind crowdfunded
technology venture capital fund for accredited
investors who can invest in the NIN Ventures
Technology (QP) Fund with a minimum amount of
$100,000 using multiple investment options like self-
directed IRAs, Defined benefit plan, or a regular
checking/savings account. NIN Ventures invests in
early / growth stage 3D printing, the 4th industrial
revolution, cloud computing, virtual reality, financial
services, education software, and other disruptive
technology companies.
Ms. Nin Desai is the President and CEO at NIN
Ventures. As of 2017, only 6% of the venture
capitalists were women, and 2.7% of women-owned
businesses received venture capital funding. Ms.
Desai is among the handful of VCs we have around
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here. Her experience spans all facets of mergers and
acquisitions and corporate finance including public
offerings and private placements from private equity
to investment banking and investment management.
Until now Venture Capital was the domain of the
super-wealthy and institutions, like pension funds,
endowments. NIN.VC is a unique and first of its kind
crowdfunded technology venture capital fund for
accredited investors. While there are restrictions on
who can invest in NIN Ventures Technology (QP)
Fund, it is never too late to start investing in venture
capital. One must be an accredited investor and
“Funding potential
organizations for
the greater good.”
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verify themselves as an accredited investor to invest
in the NIN Ventures Technology (QP) Fund.
However, note that Venture capital is a long term
investment and the life of the fund ranges from ten
to sometimes twelve years with returns coming in as
and when exits occur in the form of an IPO or M&A,
which could be five or seven years into the life of the
fund.
The top three criteria any investor should look for in
a venture fund is team, experience, and
honesty/transparency. As far as returns are
concerned, Technology focused funds generally tend
to outperform USVC (United States Venture Capital)
Index. Historically, USVC Index tends to outperform
both USPE (United States Private Equity) Index and
the S&P 500. Also, unlike popular belief, first-time
funds tend to outperform Non-First-Time funds and
All Venture Capital funds.
Most people are familiar and have a three-
dimensional portfolio (i.e. stocks, bonds, and mutual
funds), but if you look at Harvard and Yale’s portfolio,
they take a long-term approach and invest in
alternatives like venture capital. E.g. Yale is currently
the best performing endowment fund in the United
States and its venture investment returns exceed all
other asset classes. From 2008 to 2019, Yale has
increased its asset allocation in Private Equity /
Venture Capital from 20.2% to 37%, out of which
21.1% is venture capital, compared to 13.7% in 2014
and just 10% in 2013. Yale’s target venture capital
allocation for 2020 was 21.5%, w. Yale’s venture
capital portfolio is expected to generate real returns
of 12.3% with risk of 37.8%. Over the past twenty
years, its venture capital program has earned an
outstanding 241.3% per annum. NIN.VC is your
gateway to this asset class – Venture Capital. As a
female CEO in the venture world, Ms. Desai hopes to
set an example for businesswomen worldwide by
educating people about venture capital and explore
the potential of women in the investment world.
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A Drug Development Partner, Turning Services into Solutions
Frontage Laboratories
CRO (Contract Research Organization) is an essential
partner for the biotech, pharmaceutical and MedTech
companies in order to support their customers' attempt
of developing, testing, refining and marketing the
improvised medical and pharmaceutical related
products.
In order to enhance the full-service capabilities of
organizations, CRO marketplace has become quite
competitive. Though markets are filled with many such
CROs yet merely few have experienced the taste of
success. Among various such CROs, Exton,
Pennsylvania-based organization, Frontage
Laboratories stands tall in this ever-evolving sector. It
is a unique platform which provides its comprehensive
services for the development of the relative industry.
In an interview with CIO Look, Dr. Song Li, the Founder
of Frontage Laboratories has shed a light on the
interesting facts about the platform, and also provided
a detailed information about the cutting-edge solutions
which the company offers.
Below are the highlights of the interview conducted
between Dr. Song Li and CIOLOOK:
Give a brief overview of your company, its uniqueness
and its vision.
Frontage Laboratories, Inc. is a CRO that provides
integrated, science-driven, product development
services throughout the drug discovery and
development process to enable pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies to achieve their development
goals. Comprehensive services include drug
metabolism and pharmacokinetics, analytical testing
and formulation development, preclinical and clinical
trial material manufacturing, bioanalysis, preclinical
safety and toxicology assessment, and early phase
clinical studies. Frontage has enabled many
biotechnology companies and leading pharmaceutical
companies of varying sizes to advance a myriad of
molecules through development and file regulatory
submissions in the United States, China and other
countries.
“Our commitment to investing
in highly trained and
experienced scientists, state-
of-the-art facilities and
instrumentations, and a strong
commitment to operational
excellence will allow us to
deliver results that meet or
exceed our customers’ needs.”
— Song Li
Song Li, PhD
Frontage Laboratories, Inc
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Describe your company's cutting edge solutions,
which address all the needs of your customers.
We benefit greatly from having operations in both the
United States and China (the two largest markets for
CRO services in the world), and are well placed to
capture growth opportunities in both markets. Our
"Two Countries, One System" approach is integral to
our commitment to maintain high quality standards.
This approach assures our customers the same quality
standards, operating procedures and systems in both
China and the United States, whilst also providing our
customers with a detailed and highly experienced
understanding of the regulations and requirements for
drug discovery and development in both countries. This
approach enables us to be a partner of choice for
companies with multinational requirements or
companies that need support for parallel submissions
with the US FDA and China FDA.
Give a detailed description of the featured person's
influence over the company and the industry.
Dr. Song Li founded Frontage Laboratories in 2001 with
the ambition of building a client-focused organization
to help solve the most complex drug development
challenges. Prior to Frontage, Dr. Li held management
positions at Great Valley Pharmaceuticals and Wyeth.
During this time, he led numerous projects related to
the development of pharmaceutical products.
Dr. Li has authored more than 15 scientific publications
spanning a wide range of topics, including chiral
separations, drug-protein interactions,
pharmacokinetics, and analytical chemistry.
Importantly, Dr. Li has been the recipient of numerous
awards, most recently Healthcare CEO award from
Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies,
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the
'Realizing the American Dream' award from the
Pennsylvania Welcoming Society, and the Outstanding
50 Asian Americans in Business Award from the
AABDC.
Dr. Li earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in
analytical chemistry from McGill University and a
Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from
Zhengzhou University in China.
How does your services differ from the other
companies' offerings?
New developments in immunotherapies, gene and cell
therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates are
continuously contributing toward the growth of
biologics. With the ever-expanding biologics market,
CROs not only need to support standard pharma and
biotech drug platforms for projects like small molecule
and therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, but also novel
therapies using novel platforms for gene and cell
therapy as well. While these novel platforms support a
wide array of pharma projects, they are technically
challenging. In order to successfully take on these drug
development projects, CROs require a broad array of
highly-trained specialized scientists and new
technologies and instrumentation.
What technologies are you leveraging to make your
solutions resourceful and bringing advancement in the
industry?
Leveraging its strong scientific and management
expertise, the company is committed to provide the
highest quality for each project. Over 70 percent of the
company's scientific staff have advanced degrees. The
team provides the required knowledge on utilizing
novel pharma tools in the most creative way to its
clients in order to help companies deal with complex
challenges such as issues in drug formulation,
bioanalysis and data interpretation. The company's
focus on technical and scientific excellence helps them
to form strong, long-term relationships and
partnerships with the customers.
Describe the experiences, achievements or lessons
learned that have shaped the journey of the company.
Frontage Laboratories' varied services include
Discovery services such as Drug Metabolism and
Pharmacokinetics (DMPK), PK/PD and Lead
Characterization, Safety and Toxicology Assessment,
Bioanalytical Services, Pharmaceutical Development
Services such as Chemistry, Manufacturing, and
Controls (CMC), and Clinical Phase 1 studies. Frontage
applies the same rigorous quality system across its
business units in North America and China to ensure
consistency in quality standards, operating procedures,
setup, and systems.
What are your company's future aspirations? What
strategies are you undertaking to achieve those goals?
Frontage Laboratories will continue to grow its
capacity and capabilities both organically and through
mergers and acquisitions as appropriate. In just the last
six months, the company has expanded its footprint in
both North America and China, acquiring a majority
share position of a CMC group in China and setting up
new labs in both China and North America to
accommodate growth in the CMC and Bioanalytical
areas. Along the same lines, Frontage Laboratories will
continue to look for opportunities that will enhance its
end-to-end discovery and drug development services.
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Inspiring Entrepreneur Supporter
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Stefan
Kozak
Founder & Managing Director at CREATIVE PRO
Creating Memories with Live Communication
“Nothing is older
than yesterday's
success.”
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E
very business leader needs to be as much of a
practitioner as a facilitator. If you want to remain
a leader, it's crucial that you keep a finger on the
pulse of what's happening, and stay on top of relevant
facts, figures, and best practices. Other than that, the
ability to come up with new and innovative ideas that
propel your business forward is what allows leaders to
stay around for quite a while.
“I think, one of the most important characteristics of a
business leader is self-awareness,” says Stefan Kozak –
Founder & Managing Director at CREATIVE PRO. “You
should know your strengths and weaknesses while
understanding the fact that sometimes you are up and
sometimes you are down,” he adds. Through years of
practice he has learned that it is crucial to make
decision quickly, and not to hesitate while taking any
action. Stefan strongly believes that it is necessary to
lead people with passion and enthusiasm. It is an
unbreakable force.
A Distinct Journey
In his early days of education, Stefan was able to
successfully connect with creative people and enable
unforgettable experiences for his clients. At University
of Performing Arts, he was surrounded by actors, set
designers, and architects who inspired and helped him
in curating unique concept set design, dramaturgy for
really outstanding live events. He always had a clear
vision and stayed focused on bringing innovative
solutions and measurable results.
In addition to the daily management of CREATIVE PRO
Group, he is also active in BTL Association – BTLka. He
oversees the development of foreign relations and
cooperation between organizations.
CREATIVE PRO Group always remains open-minded
and thanks to the international knowledge gained and
imparted by Stefan, its team is able to come up with
bold and fresh ideas. The company's strategy is to be a
leader and influencer in the live communication
industry.
Dynamics of Live Communication
Live communication offers a wide range of services.
From conferences, creative team buildings, festivals or
gala events to brand activation, retail events and much
more. It is always creating unique solutions that will
absolutely fit the needs of its clients, helping them to
reach their KPIs.
Live communication is an extremely important part of
marketing. It has huge impact on internal as well as
external communication of the brand. The company
cooperates mostly with marketing and HR
departments, but the impact of its work has been
observed throughout the event management industry.
“In these COVID times we came up with new solutions how
to connect people and how to deliver required message,”
explains Stefan. His quick decision-making and ability
to act quickly came out as a major differentiator in the
market. He managed to build a virtual studio and
offered solutions through various virtual events and
hybrid events to the clients.
With professional attitude and unique know-how for all
types of live and virtual events, Stefan and his team can
create unique concepts, build up dramaturgy with
natural flow and deliver smooth execution without
technical issues.
Future Course of Action
Due to coronavirus, corporate businesses were shaken
as well. “What I can recommend to counter this is to not
wait, but act. Take an action and find new solutions how to
deliver message to your audience even though there are
restrictions for live events,” Stefan advices. Virtual events
or hybrid events have no limits and can beautifully
cover all your needs, so this suggestion is actually very
helpful if considered.
Stefan is attending several conferences a year (as a
speaker and as a visitor) to keep himself updated with
the latest trends. He also had the honor to meet and
network with many inspiring people. The thing that
enabled the company with an overview of live
communication in Europe was its extremely enriching
membership in 27Names network.
Stefan wishes to continue to explore new opportunities
that the technology is bringing in every day, focusing on
pushing the boundaries of live marketing industry. “We
are entering a new era of virtual and hybrid events and we
are excited to lead the innovations together with our
clients,” he concludes.
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