Below is an Autogenerated Transcript

Dr. Khoureis: So tell me about Singapore. What makes Singapore the place to be now? They’re talking about Dubai or some other places, but Singapore definitely has something. What is it?

Ron: Sure, sure, sure.. let’s say, a place to be. Like you know, one of my colleagues lives in the United Arab Emirates. OK, it’s another place to be. 

Let’s ..let’s look at what these two have in common. Not better or worse. Yeah?

Both of them are small. Both of them are in, historically, very volatile neighborhoods, sure. Both of them therefore have a strong interest in cultivating as many friendships as possible. OK, so therefore both of them are interested in cultivating a kind of a collaborative environment.

Now Singapore especially, but over here in Asia Pacific, you’ve got Chinese and you’ve got Indians and you’ve got Malayan, you’ve got Vietnamese and Laotians, Cambodians, Indonesians and Philippines and Chinese. You know you’ve got. A whole neighborhood. 

That historically is incredibly diverse and yet connected. So what can Singapore do? Singapore, so tiny. It’s a little island with five million people, there’s no hinterland, there’s no agricultural base. You know, it’s just people. 

So. Singapore has literally created its identity to be one in which we want to add more value. I remember an old phrase I love. You know, “if we can’t be cheaper, we gotta be better and if we can’t be better we gotta be cheaper.”

Yeah, that’s sort of the domestic version, but the global version, I think, is much more important where Singapore itself is very multiracial, very multiethnic, very multi religious, and it was really established at the foundation of the nation and Lee Kuan Yew was sort of the founding father who said “We got all get along here and we’re gonna do that by mutual respect.” So all of the holidays are celebrated by everybody.

Dr. Khoureis: Reason I’m asking you those questions and I’m loving what I’m hearing from you because you’re talking about heterogeneous society. heterogeneous environment, an organization can very much.. even an individual organization can very much benefit from a society in a country like this. Because we’re talking about exchange of ideas. 

A team, our team can work and help, overall society can work. This is very very very insightful, right? I’m sure Singapore should be proud that you’re part of it and being there.

Ron: I’m honored to be able to make a contribution. I’m grateful.