Central Group’s Post

It was my first time in the city of Hoi An, and I was astonished by the old town where every wall seemed to whisper tales of its rich history. As I sat down and enjoyed the view from the second floor of the 200-year-old Little Faifo, I read more about the history of Hoi An and found profound lessons in trade and business handed down from long ago to today. 1. Strategic Location and Networking: Hoi An thrived as a major trading port due to its strategic location and its openness to international merchants. Modern businesses can learn the importance of positioning themselves strategically and building diverse, global networks to drive success. 2. Adaptability and Innovation: The merchants of Hoi An were adept at adapting to various cultural practices and market demands. This adaptability and willingness to innovate are crucial in today's rapidly changing business environment. 3. Heritage and Brand Identity: Hoi An has preserved its unique identity through centuries of change. Similarly, businesses should focus on building and maintaining a strong brand identity that reflects their history and values, creating a lasting impact. 4. Sustainable Practices: The town’s commitment to preserving its architectural and cultural heritage underscores the importance of sustainability. Modern businesses should adopt sustainable practices to ensure long-term viability and a positive impact on the community. 5. Customer Experience: The charm of Hoi An lies in its immersive experience, from its historic buildings to its local crafts. Providing an exceptional customer experience is key for businesses to foster loyalty and engagement in today’s market. Reflecting on Hoi An's legacy has been enlightening and inspiring. How can your business draw from the past to build a better future? #HoiAn #BusinessReflections #Trade #Marketing #Management #GlobalBusiness #BrandIdentity #Sustainability #CustomerExperience #Innovation #Networking #HistoryLessons

Exciting News from HOA! 🚀 We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Brand International Platform (BIP) - a game-changing service that marks a new milestone in our journey of architectural and commercial excellence. 🏗️ Our Legacy: Originally renowned for our architectural mastery in designing food courts and shopping centers, HOA has always been at the forefront of innovative and meticulous planning. Today, we extend this legacy with BIP, a testament to our commitment to comprehensive commercial solutions. 💡 What is BIP?: BIP embodies the innovative spirit of HOA, integrating advanced technology, logistics, marketing, and social media to offer a seamless, all-encompassing service suite. It’s not just a service; it's a revolution in how brands integrate and operate on a global scale. 🌍 Expanding Horizons: From Shanghai to Hong Kong and London, HOA has enabled businesses to transcend borders effortlessly. With BIP, we’re not just expanding our services; we're transforming the commercial landscape, empowering brands to flourish in the global market. 🔍 Why BIP? This strategic expansion builds on our architectural heritage while amplifying our capabilities to meet the evolving demands of global commerce. By streamlining services internally, we eliminate the need for external partnerships, offering a cost-effective and efficient pathway for international scaling. 🌟 A New Era for Global Commerce: With HOA's enriched portfolio, businesses now have access to a holistic service that champions innovation, efficiency, and global reach, equipped to navigate the complexities of international expansion. Join us in embracing this transformative journey. With HOA’s BIP, the future of global commercial integration is here! #HOA #BIP #Innovation #GlobalCommerce #BrandIntegration #ArchitecturalExcellence #NewEra #innovation #design #Art #technology

Kenya's Future Of Open Air Markets Is Here!!! Maridadi Online aims to bridge the gap between traditional commerce and modern technology in Africa by developing and franchising open-air markets that are seamlessly integrated with digital platforms. Our goal is to enhance the visibility and reach of local businesses and provide consumers with a convenient shopping experience that aligns with the trend of omnichannel retailing. Maridadi Online empowers businesses and suppliers through education, technology, and community building, fostering diversity, sustainability, and social impact. The company's market strategy is built on the convergence of traditional open-air markets and modern digital platforms, aiming to create a dynamic retail ecosystem. Kenya is considered the future of Africa in open-air markets due to its innovative approach to retail modernization aimed at addressing food insecurity. While promoting supermarket development, Kenya also values the persistence of open-air markets in its food systems, recognizing their importance in ensuring food accessibility and security. This balanced strategy acknowledges the significance of traditional open-air markets alongside modern retail structures, highlighting Kenya's commitment to catering to diverse consumer needs and maintaining a robust food distribution network. By embracing both traditional and modern market formats, Kenya showcases a forward-thinking approach that combines innovation with the preservation of cultural and economic practices, positioning it as a leader in open-air market sustainability within the African context. #HappyEaster #EasterWishes #RenewalAndHope #EasterCelebration #EasterJoy #EasterBlessings #EasterSpirit #MaridadiOnline #MaridadiEaster #EasterWithMaridadiOnline #MaridadiInspiration #MaridadiJoy #MaridadiCreativity #MaridadiEmpowerment #MaridadiBlessings #MaridadiCommunity #MaridadiLove #MaridadiFamily #MaridadiJourney #MaridadiMagic #angelinvestor #angelinvestor #entrepreneur #angelinvestors #investor #startup #venturecapital #startupstory #smallbusiness #innovation #businessowner

Reflecting on 25 Years of Transformation and Perseverance at KanHan Five years ago, I proudly celebrated KanHan’s 20th anniversary, reflecting on the achievements that brought us to that point. Today, I'm thrilled to mark our 25th anniversary—a milestone reached despite navigating some of the most challenging and uncertain times in Hong Kong’s history. In recent years, KanHan has been committed to helping our clients navigate the path of business transformation. At its heart, this journey is about adapting quickly and strategically to a constantly evolving environment. I’m immensely proud to see how KanHan has repeatedly reinvented itself through challenging times, each time emerging even stronger. Our journey started as a single-product company with HanWEB, which bridged the gap for global Chinese readers by converting intelligently between Traditional and Simplified Chinese writings. In 2003, we pioneered real-time Cantonese and Putonghua text-to-voice technology with HanVOICE, initially empowering the visually impaired to listen to the Internet via telephone. Over time, HanVOICE evolved into HanPHONE, a comprehensive telecom solution supporting interactive voice response and customer service applications. A few years later, KanHan became one of the first companies to offer WCAG (Web Content Accessibility) services, helping to bridge the digital divide and enable access for the underprivileged. This service naturally guided us towards becoming a web design and development agency centered around open-source solutions. In 2016, we embraced Design Thinking, a human-centered approach that is the foundation for our clients’ business transformation journeys. We leveraged this to create specific solutions for Hong Kong’s societal challenges. One such solution addressed the staff attrition issues caused by emigration. In 2020, we launched a training management system to help enterprises retain departing staff's knowledge, drawing on our 15+ years of experience providing learning management services to Hong Kong schools. Our commitment to serving our community continued in 2023 when we developed technology to support the HKSAR Government’s GREEN@COMMUNITY initiative, encouraging citizens to adopt recycling practices. The Green$ app and related technologies reflect our dedication to sustainable practices and societal improvement. Looking back, I can hardly believe the transformations we have experienced. I am deeply grateful for our loyal and committed team, who understand that change is the key to survival and success. Here’s to KanHan’s continued evolution and a brighter future ahead. #KanHan #25Years #DesignThinking #BusinessTransformation #TechForGood #TrainingManagement #Recycling #GREEN$

Today, we celebrate not only the vibrant culture and history of Pasay City but also its remarkable strides in technological advancement. Over the years, Pasay has embraced smart city technologies that are transforming everyday life. From smart traffic management systems that help ease congestion to digital governance platforms that make public services more accessible, Pasay is making great strides in improving urban living. The city's commitment to innovation is also evident in its thriving e-commerce scene, with digital payment systems enhancing the shopping experience, especially in commercial hubs like the Mall of Asia In addition to these technological achievements, Pasay has invested in digital infrastructure, providing high-speed internet and connectivity to support businesses and residents. The city is also integrating sustainability with solar-powered streetlights and waste-to-energy projects, paving the way for a greener future. Pasay’s growing tech parks and innovation hubs are attracting global businesses, cementing its role as a key player in the digital economy. As we celebrate Pasay Day, we look forward to the city’s continued progress, embracing technology to create a smarter, more connected, and sustainable future for all. Happy Pasay Day! #DigitalTransformation #Technology #Hungryorkhorse

In true acronym-obsessed #Singapore, BIDs (or Business Improvement Districts) are being piloted in some locations, where commercial and retail businesses can band together to make their respective areas more vibrant so that... well... their businesses can improve. I like this idea. And there have been some hits and misses. Let's improve on this BID initiative and make it more worthwhile. And I think it's all about #Placemaking, #Community, #Marketing and maybe Priorities? I see a parallel in this BID initiative. Other cities call it 'Adopt-a-Park'. Same same, but different. Adopt-a-Park schemes engages the Community for the Community. Community is not only the Business Community. It could also mean other individual and organizational stakeholders like residents, office workers, and schools. They take ownership, and they create meaningful spaces for themselves and others to use. Yes, they partake in some form of maintenance too. When you build it, they will come. In similar vein, when the community is involved, businesses will thrive. Vibrancy of place is a function of people's connectedness to that place - whether it is a temporal weekend jaunt or a place they spend most of their waking hours in. People want to enjoy a place whether it results in 'making money' or not. I have a feeling this BID initiative can be more effective if it's more Community-centric rather than 'business is the reason'. What do you think? DM if you'd like to meet for a chat on placemaking in Singapore.

Don’t limit yourself to metros. Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are emerging growth hubs with rising purchasing power. Tailor offerings to local tastes, utilize hyperlocal marketing, and forge community partnerships. Early presence in these expanding markets can give you a head start over larger competitors. #Tier2 #Tier3 #MapMYBusiness #IndiaGrowth #EmergingMarkets #StartupJourney

"𝘐𝘯 20 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴, 𝘜̈𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢.” – Guido Pärnits At our yearly tenants meeting (Suurkogu) last week, Guido Pärnits reflected on 20 years of Ülemiste Center - the growth, successes, and even its biggest “near misses.” From a bold idea on a napkin to Estonia’s largest shopping destination, the journey is nothing short of remarkable. 📈 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀: • 3.7x growth in turnover since 2005 • From 4.4M visitors in 2005 to 7.6M in 2023 • Expansion from 35,000 m² in 2004 to an impressive 72,000 m² today 🏆  𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀: • Bringing global brands like H&M to Estonia after the 2008 financial crisis • Winning Europe’s Best Refurbished Shopping Center Award in 2016 • Building traditions like the Ülemiste Night Run and "Double Gift" charity event ❌ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 — 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻’𝘁: Guido shared three major opportunities that didn’t come to life but ultimately shaped us for the better: 1. Failing to secure a major DIY store in 2003. 2. Not acquiring the "Ameerikanurk" property in 2006. 3. Delaying the first expansion in 2008, which included plans for a cinema. Looking back, these “missed” chances allowed us to focus on areas that have defined its success today. But the focus isn’t just on the past, it’s on what’s next. Guido envisions a future shaped by technology, sustainability, and multifunctional spaces that offer more than just shopping. PS: 👉 We have some interesting future plans and facts still to share. So keep an eye on us 👀 #ülemistekeskus #tenants #retail

In a time when betting companies have increasingly found a foothold in many African cities, one city stood out by charting a different path. Let’s call it Nyanda. Rather than embrace the influx of gambling enterprises, Nyanda made a radical, forward-thinking policy decision: the city instituted a law requiring that there must always be more factories than betting companies. The result? A socio-economic transformation that catapulted the city into a beacon of industrial innovation and job creation in Africa, while averting the negative impacts associated with betting.

Hong Lai Huat Group Limited and The Assembly Place say they (will conduct) … feasibility studies for the fitting out of available units in Hong Lai Huat’s Royal Group Platinum development in Cambodia. The group will also discuss ways to market Hong Lai Huat’s available commercial shop-house units at Royal Group Platinum. In addition, the group says it intends to leverage The Assembly Place’s network to establish new sales channels in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Greater China’s first-tier markets for Hong Lai Huat’s completed and upcoming projects. The partnership will also see ongoing after-sales asset management services and the creation of jobs in local communities. According to Hong Lai Huat’s website, the development is a mixed residential and commercial project featuring 851 residential and 50 shophouse units. It is located some 20 minutes from Phnom Penh International Airport, and is surrounded by 16 international schools and six sports facilities. It is also 10 minutes away from Aeon Mall 2, which is currently the biggest shopping mall in Phnom Penh. https://lnkd.in/gUJDYE4Q