015: The Post-Pandemic "New Normal" World: Marketing & Comms will never be the same - and that's not a bad thing w/ Asia's podcast guru Graham Brown

Let's face it, we're facing a "new normal" in the post-pandemic world. This will create risks and challenges for companies that cannot adapt, but massive opportunities for those that can.  In this episode, we spoke with Graham Brown, host of the Asia Tech Podcast and Chief Storyteller of Pikkal & Co, about how successful companies will transform themselves to succeed in the "new normal" world, in particular around the way they leverage marketing and comms. They will move from a pipeline to platform model - from controlling to curating comms - and from efficiency to effective communications. It's about turning your employees from assets into advocates.  Show Notes: 00:50 How Graham went from travelling the world and living out of suitcases to starting one of Asia's leading podcasts 04:10 An agile mindset is what will allow people - and companies - to adapt to the current crisis and be successful in the "new normal" world. 09:10 As Mike Tyson famously said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." How to survive and thrive in the current environment. 10:30 Covid-19 is driving the innovation of communication. Future comms will transform from a pipeline model to a platform model - from controlling to curating comms - from efficiency to effective communication.  15:50 Who is adapting the comms strategy well?  Zappos' human-centric customer engagement  Xiaomi's "unofficial" advertising strategy that leverages fans McKinsey & Company's "Future of Asia" and "Leap" podcasts 20:05 What advice would you give to a marketing director today to prepare for the post-coronavirus "new normal"? It's not about contacts, it's about connections.  22:45 Is this the end for tech events? 23:45 The Future of Work - companies will shift their focus from B2C to B2E as they realise that leveraging their employees can be great brand advocates. 39:44 What are some of the interesting ways that emerging technologies will help us overcome the crisis? Topics include urban farming, how Japan has used Robots and Zoom - as well as Minecraft - to conduct graduation ceremonies.  46:20 What is the strangest coronavirus story that you have heard? Including how 5G causes Covid-19 and pro wrestling is considered an "essential service" during the lockdown in Florida? 50:00 The rise of Zoom "happy hours" and Graham's after hours podcast, The Grind.  52:30 Graham has done over 750 podcasts - what's the funniest thing that has happened on a podcast? Eating a fried scorpion on a live podcast is not recommended.  55:40 Leaders that communicate with honesty and transparency build a following  1:01:00 What is something you know today about podcasting that you wish you knew when you started out? 1:05:00 Tell me a positive benefit that will come about as a result of coronavirus