Bernard Leong

Journey Featured

The Privilege of a Lifetime is to Be Yourself

This is the note that I write for myself and read it whenever times are tough and difficult.

Journey

Index while Read

In this essay, I discuss the skill of indexing after reading books specific to the field which I want to learn more and have the ability to remember key strategic decisions that will change the battles in a business war.

Startups

The Metaphorical Startup

While I have no ideas at the moment, I have a mental model in what kind of company that I want to build. In this essay, I share my “secret plan” to what & how this startup will look like in the future.

Trends

When Software meets Hardware (or Physical Assets)

In this essay, we discuss why hardware (or physical assets) imposes constraints to the disruptive nature of software startups with the failure of sustainable unit economics.

Media

Thinking about Communication, Truth and Media with Thermodynamics

In this essay, I explain how these laws of thermodynamics have offered me perspectives to think analogously on communication, truth and media.

Loyalty

On Loyalty

In this essay, I explain why the virtue of loyalty is important to me and how I have incorporated the value into my tours of duty in my career.

Trends

Thinking about Cycles & Open Web

In this essay, I updated my thinking on the cycles of open and close webs & the possibility of open web returning.

Economics

How The Economic Machine Works by Ray Dalio

In this short note, I share a video by Ray Dalio, author of "Principles" and "Big Debt Crises" on how the economic machine works.

Reflections

How I write

In this essay, I discuss the frameworks that I adopt behind my writing process.

Reflections

How I Read

In this short essay, I will explain how my reading framework works and offer some tips to how the reader improve their reading process.

Reflections

How I think

In this essay, I discuss the different mental models I adopt when I need to think about things critically.

Strategy

Examining the Super App Strategy in Southeast Asia

In this article, we examine the super app strategy adopted by the ride hailing companies in Southeast Asia.

Startups

How to shut down a zombie company gracefully

In this article, I share the process in how I helped founders to shut down their zombie companies.

Trends

Recalibration of Value in the Sharing Economy Internet Companies

In this article, I will explain what the true value of companies in the sharing economy is that they re-calibrate the value of the physical assets in that traditional industry which they seek to disrupt.

Perspectives

Perspectives on the 9-9-6 work ethic in China

In this article, I want to explain if the 9-9-6 work ethic is really sustainable for anyone out there and offer the perspective when 9-9-6 work ethic can work for an individual.

Startups

When you join a startup, Please keep your eyes wide open

In this essay, I explain why founders and employees in startups need to think about how their compensations are mapped to equity ownership and the risks involved.

Bitcoin

Why the Bitcoin Value is not Zero

In this essay, I argue why the value of a bitcoin is not and never be zero and how it should be valued.

Reflections

On Limited Time

In this essay, I reflect on the limited amount of time which I have, and how I should think about this from now to 65 and beyond.

Digital Transformation

Why Digital Transformations Fail Case Studies II - Digital Assets are not Free

In this article, I want to focus on a specific problem that is common with the mindsets of incumbent operators about digital assets.

Leadership

When Leadership and Management differs

In this essay, I share my perspectives on the differences between leadership and management and how I navigate thru difficult situations.

Digital Transformation

Why Digital Transformations Fail Case Studies 1 - How to Align and Build a Corporate Website

In this article, I want to specifically drill down to a concrete example about why digital transformation can succeed and fail.

Digital Transformation

Why Digital Transformations Fail II - Fighting the Immune System & DNA of the Incumbent

In the second of the "why digital transformations fail" series, I want to focus on explaining why the immune system of the company in the form of cultural and operational DNA pushes back the change effort and what the ways of mitigation that would or would not work.

Digital Transformation

Why Digital Transformations Fail I - The Incumbent & Disruptor Dilemma

I discuss incumbent & disruptor conundrum that are faced by executive leadership and board members.

Education

What have I learned so far from taking my daughter through Khan Academy?

I share the lessons on how I take my daughter through Khan Academy as an online learning tool.

Strategy

Why Vertical Integration is my default choice of Strategy in Business

In this essay, I will explain why I choose vertical integration as my default choice of strategy in business.