Pulse Blog

I recently spoke at a UKTI (UK Trade & Investment) conference during a recent whirlwind visit to SE Asia by UK’s Prime Minister David Cameron. The PM and his 86 strong entourage graced 4 Asian countries in 5 days, pushing for stronger bilateral trade ties, and reinvigorating the relationship between the UK and its Asian partners.

Not only is such an initiative much needed in a time of economic difficulty, but more so a necessity in times where trade partnerships with the East become increasingly more influential, and inward investment into the UK most welcomed (to say the least). I must say however, that despite the difficulties at home in the UK, the UKTI had embarked on a very bold and consistent campaign themed the ‘GREAT Campaign’, basically blowing the trumpet of how GREAT BRITAIN, was once a dominant economic force. The campaign ran across an entire gamut of integrated Print, Digital, and Outdoor, which illustrate the many facets of commercial attractiveness of conducting business with the UK.

(The writer Bob Chua speaking about trade opportunities between ASEAN and the UK)

The challenge and opportunity which this particular campaign promoted, was the fact that it is usually extremely difficult to develop a key message that promotes a country based on its numerous traits, be it heritage, commerce, tourism, or trade. The GREAT Campaign not only nailed this in my opinion, but also stuck to a common theme that will hopefully put the GREAT, back into GREAT BRITAIN.

KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 15 – Malaysian companies learnt why the UK is still an attractive businesses destination, especially when looking at going global at a breakfast forum organised by the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and Pulse Group PLC at the Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur recently.

Pulse is a leading digital research agency founded by enterprising Malaysian entrepreneur Bob Chua, who decided to set up a global office in the UK in 2008. In 33 months since setting up overseas, Pulse floated on London’s PLUS market, a stock exchange providing cash trading and listing, derivatives and technology services.

Chua shared the secret of his success with the attendees, many of whom were looking at opportunities to invest in various sectors in the UK, including infrastructure, education, oil and gas, creative services, information technology and property.

“The UK is one of the largest market research buying regions, so we have had business there from day one. The UK is known to have good corporate governance and for operating a solid financial system, so having a base there lent us an element of credibility,” said Chua, a recipient of the Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the year Award in 2008.

Chua added that the initial 90 per cent of Pulse’s business came from international companies, and thanked UKTI for their support and introduction to UKTI’s network of contacts.

With professional advisers across 96 international markets, UKTI helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy and assists overseas companies to bring high quality investments in to the UK.

Tony Collingridge OBE, Director of Trade & Investment at the British High Commission said, “The UK has maintained its position as the most popular location for inward investment in Europe. The UK economy is open, diverse, well-regulated and competitive. It is quick and easy to start a business and take advantage of the high levels of skills, innovation and value that has helped so many overseas companies grow their global business through the UK.”

According to Ernst & Young’s 2011 European Attractiveness Survey, the UK has maintained its leadership in FDI projects and FDI jobs in Europe with investors leveraging on its strength in services and increasingly its industry, investing in business services (14% of the projects received), machinery and equipment (11%), computers (7%) and software (7%).

About Bob Chua

Bob Chua is Founder and CEO of Pulse Group PLC, one of the industry’s fastest growing Digital Research Agency’s, having grown from start-up to IPO (on London’s PLUS market) in a mere 33 months. Prior to Pulse, Bob lived and worked in London, Sydney, Hong Kong, and spent a significant amount of time in the US. His global outlook and management style has seen him achieve significant roles within some of the largest Fortune 500 organisations, as well as consulting some of the leading companies throughout the world.

Bob is a successful Malaysian Entrepreneur with a vast global network, and experience in starting-up, fund-raising, nurturing hyper-growth, M&A’s, and bringing companies public. He is also a winner of the prestigious ‘Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2008’.

Bob also advises the Malaysian Government on policies and matters relating to technology, economics, and innovation by appointment of the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). Bob is a Graduate from Griffith Business School, Australia.

For media enquiries, please contact Sheikh Zain, Head of Marketing, Pulse Group at 603-2167 6666 or email sheikh.zain@pulse-group.com

At the British High Commission, please contact Vivienne Pal, Media Officer, at 03-2170 2200 ext 263 or email Vivienne.Pal@fco.gov.uk

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, January 10, 2012 – Pulse Group PLC recently polled n=130 CEO’s across corporate Malaysia in a study aimed at gauging the economic outlook from a corporate perspective. The study found that a majority (76%) predicted that the Malaysian economy was going to be challenging, while a larger group predicted that the global economic situation was going to be bleaker (85%).

Bob Chua, CEO of Asia’s leading digital research agency commented ‘the results are not surprising, coming out of quite a volatile year while entering a new year of similar prolonged uncertainties. While Malaysia looks slightly more bullish, CEO’s are still nervous about any potential shocks’.

About Pulse Group PLC
Pulse Group PLC is Asia’s leading Digital Research Agency. Its full-service capabilities encompass brand related insights, measurement, sentiment analysis and Consumer 2.0 across Asia-Pacific. It also manages one of the most established Asian Online panels www.planet-pulse.com – an online community of survey respondents throughout Asia-Pacific and Middle East. Please visit Pulse Group PLC www.pulse-group.com for more information.

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SHEIKH ZAIN AL-HUSSEIN, HEAD OF MARKETING
TELEPHONE: +6 (03) 2167 6666
EMAIL: sheikh.zain@pulse-group.com

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We Sincerely appreciate you continuous support throughout the year. Thank you and Happy New Year!

Singapore, 7 Dec, 2011 – Pulse Group PLC has re-appointed Wiryadi Hamidon to take the lead in propelling the digital research agency towards greater success in the Singapore market. He will head client development and government liaisons from Pulse’s Singapore offices.

Wiryadi brings with him over 10 years of extensive experience across multiple sectors and disciplines, mainly in Asia, from government agencies to small and large multinationals. As a researcher, he has been responsible for both small and large project teams, and for growing and maintaining long term relationships with local and regional clients.

Bob Chua, CEO of Pulse commented “It’s nice to have Yadi return to us at Pulse after his short sabbatical. We appreciate the fresh insights his experience will bring to our Singapore business, as well as to our Pulse clients across the board. Yadi truly understands how to turn data into insights, which is our core philosophy.”

Prior to joining Pulse Group PLC, Wiryadi was a management work redesign consultant at a Singapore government-linked organisation, developing strategic research frameworks such as an employee customer satisfaction survey index and an employee motivation index. A graduate in Marketing & Organisation Behaviour, he started his market research career with Consumer Probe Singapore where he honed his skills in both qualitative and quantitative research.

About Pulse Group PLC
Pulse Group PLC is Asia’s leading Digital Research Agency. Its full-service capabilities encompass brand related insights, measurement, sentiment analysis and Consumer 2.0 across Asia-Pacific. It also manages one of the most established Asian Online panels www.planet-pulse.com – an online community of survey respondents throughout Asia-Pacific and Middle East. Please visit Pulse Group PLC www.pulse-group.com for more information.

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