New norm, new needs, new clients?
PouchNATION’s Stefan Lim explains how the event tech provider made a few quick pivots in order to expand both its product offering and its client base during the coronavirus crisis.
Stefan Lim, Country Head, PouchNATION Singapore
In June, PouchNATION launched a temperature-monitoring wristband, known as PouchPass, to help or businesses (and events) mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
We operate regionally, and have a team in China, so this gave us a ‘heads up’ about the seriousness of Covid-19. So back in January, we started to have pre-emptive discussions among our board and various country heads, and quickly responded with the launch of PouchPass, which uses Bluetooth technology to continuously monitor temperature data and sync it to a mobile application and/or dashboard for multiple users.
We’re seeing incredible, positive responses and requests from all over the world, across multiple (dare I say ALL) industries. We’re now connecting with brand new clients that we would never have naturally connected with, thanks to this new solution. This is very exciting as it proves that we built a very scalable product in terms of market fit and meets many pain points.
The term ‘new norm’ is haunting businesses and paints a grim future, but scenario planning and innovation helped us address the ‘new needs’ of our clients, and also tap into new markets.
Whether pre-Covid or the current situation, I believe that data is always important. You won’t imagine how many event managers I talk to who don’t know much about their event engagement, traffic, and overall picture other than sales. Data is the key to scaling, projecting, and using resources effectively, which all leads to creating better events for our consumers and partners.
PouchNation has always adopted a result-driven work culture, so the new work-from-home scenario didn’t really change our work styles too much as we communicate very effectively, both locally and regionally. I believe communication is the key to effective leadership — if the team is driven and given clear directions, we are not bound by proximity.
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Collaboration
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I believe that if we want our events industry to recover, we have to stay as one and work closer than ever. Share ideas. Actively showcase our safety protocols to gain confidence from our future guests.
We must support each other’s success as one ‘infected event’ can destroy all our efforts. Look out for your brothers and sisters and keep each other in check. That’s the only way we can do our part while the medical world is doing theirs.
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The global MICE and events industry will be forever changed but Covid-19, but Singapore has built a strong reputation as a leading MICE destination, with good organisers, structure, and support.
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With our government doing everything they can to show how advanced, disciplined and transparent we are in cleaning and protecting our country, so when the world is ready, Singapore will bounce back very quickly.
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SACEOS is the trade association for MICE and Events in Singapore
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