About

Hello, my name is John. I'm a business development and partnerships leader working across data, technology and commerce in Southeast Asia.

I specialise in business development and partnerships, mostly where data and technology meet commerce. Today I'm in a business development role growing the retail and commerce business across Southeast Asia, around transaction data analytics, personalisation and security solutions.

My career spans more than 16 years across Asia Pacific, having worked at Igloohome, Lazada, Shopify and NielsenIQ. Before that, I co-founded and exited Tag Team Inc., a laser tag events business and grew its revenue 45X.

Three beliefs shape how I work. Listen before you pitch. Diagnose before you prescribe. Look past the first transaction, because a customer can become a partner. When the obvious route is blocked, I look for another one. I'm open to consulting and partnership conversations with companies growing in Southeast Asia.

I also write about the less tidy side of a career: being out of work in 2024, what each chapter left behind, and why relationships built before you need them are the ones that matter.

Based in Singapore. Husband and father of two. I speak English and Mandarin. Views here are my own and not those of my employer.

You can learn more about my professional work on my LinkedIn.

I also run On My Own Terms Podcast and Newsletter on career change and growth to help millennials make the most of their careers to live their best lives.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading and listening to podcasts on geopolitical affairs, business and technology.

I started this website for several reasons:

• 1. as a personal reflection journal

• 2. to share my perspectives and experiences

• 3. to connect with like-minded folks.