Orchan Consulting | Asia Sdn Bhd

At Orchan Consulting Asia, we’ve never believed in being “sector bound.” Whether it’s consumer brands, tech, F&B, or, in this case, sustainable mobility, we roll up our sleeves and get in the trenches to make sure our clients are seen, heard, and remembered. Recently, we had the opportunity to work with QC Fleet Management Sdn Bhd and DFSK for the launch of the DFSK EC35 all-electric van at the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), Cyberjaya. Beyond being another launch event, it was a milestone moment: an EV designed for last-mile delivery, SMEs, and businesses looking for sustainable fleet solutions . Why the DFSK EC35 Matters “Going green doesn’t have to be expensive.”  - Lim Khoon Yee, Managing Director of QC Fleet Management Sdn Bhd The EC35 proves that sustainability and practicality can co-exist. With zero carbon emissions, lower running costs, and practical design features , it’s positioned as a true workhorse for Malaysian businesses navigati...

Six Deadly Blindfolds (Reinvention II) We are all guilty! We are guilty of not seeing the bigger picture. We are guilty of sweeping something under the carpet because it is easier than tackling head on. Whether it be clouding (external forces) or our own distractions (internal forces), this ‘missing the point’ can result in decision-makers making ill-informed choices. We need to address the very real blindspots in our decision-making processes. From that point, we see in a clearer fashion, the reality of circumstances, and can make informed, intelligent decisions to move forward to the next level. At the launch of “Reinvention: Acceletating Results in the Age of Disruption” by Shane Cragun and Kate Sweetman, Kate spent time highlighting the Six Deadly Blindfolds that impact upon entrepreneurs, managers and decision-makers. These resonated strongly with the entire audience, as we all recognized that at some stage along our managerial career path, we have been gu...

Let’s face it: the world of work has been flipped upside down. The pandemic didn’t just throw a spanner in the works - it dumped the whole toolbox into the ocean. Old-school “command and control” leadership? Sinks like a rock. Top-down management? Wiped out. What’s keeping organisations afloat right now isn’t clinging to old ways - it’s learning how to surf the waves of change. And here’s the thing: without a coaching culture, you’re just paddling furiously, hoping not to wipe out. At Orchan, we’ve seen firsthand, in our own team and with clients, that empowerment doesn’t just happen. It takes guidance, experimentation, and yes, a few wipeouts along the way. But when coaching is part of the culture, people don’t just survive the tides - they ride them. The Surfboard of Success Think of resilience, adaptability, and sustainability as the wax, the balance, and the fins. Each is crucial, but without the surfboard - coaching - you’re not going anywhere. Resilience : the wax that keeps yo...

An EV is more than just a Vehicle; it’s a Lifestyle! They say "all good things come in three's"; so join Orchan collaborators Qommune+ on 22 June 2023 (7:30 pm) to enjoy fantastic networking, three great Electric Vehicles (test drive available), and three insightful industry speakers discussing the Malaysian EV market! An EV is more than just a vehicle; it’s a lifestyle! EV drivers build their daily habits around sustainable practices, and this presents lots of opportunities for other brands and businesses like yours. Join the Qommune Networking Event in Lalaport BBCC Kuala Lumpur. Gain valuable insights on the Electric Vehicle (EV) market! 🚗🔌, meet industry experts, and network with fellow entrepreneurs, industry players, government agencies and others who are part of this vibrant industry! You will also get the exclusive chance to explore AEVEKL23 EV mini roadshow and EV test drive. Register now to secure your spot! Please register here: https://eventsize.com/@qommune...

Corporate Social Responsibility is not Public Relations  Many businesses undertake CSR not because they want to, but because they have to. Others, want to, but they don’t know how to execute a great CSR strategy in a way that does not appear to be attention-seeking (read: fake, insincere). It’s a dilemma for brands, regardless where they sit on the spectrum of willingness. And, with much of it being about ‘perception’, engagement with stakeholders in an authentic way, it is essential to develop a strategy which reinforces a positive reputation, as opposed to provoking questions regarding motivation and outcomes. We are often asked (instructed) by clients to include flimsy CSR initiatives into an overall campaign, and for many of us in the industry, cringe at some of the approaches made. And many times, the initiative simply falls flat! So, what drives a good CSR campaign, and how should we approach this? Orchan Director Dr Craig J Selby had the chance to speak to British aut...

Learning is lifelong! Sometimes learning is unlearning; sometimes it is opening our mind enough to recognise when we could learn more than we already have. Either way, we need it for our own personal and professional growth. Keep an eye out in the coming days for Orchan's new 2023 Training initiatives in Public Relations, Branding, and Reputation Management!  We train clients, industry professionals, and entrepreneurs wanting to stay on the cutting edge of 'all things communication'.

Let’s face it. In today’s noisy marketplace, it’s not enough to just have skills. Or experience. Or even a fancy job title. People Google you. They stalk your socials. They make snap judgments before you even say “Hi.” That’s your personal brand in action. Like it or not, you already have one. The real question is: are you shaping it… or letting others do it for you? At Orchan, we know that personal branding isn’t fluff - it’s strategy. Just as companies carefully craft their corporate image, ambitious individuals need to take ownership of how they show up. Because people don’t just buy into brands - they buy into people . Take Dr. Thana Sathasivam, for example. A transformation coach with more than 25 years of corporate, government, and academic experience, Dr Thana recently teamed up with us to launch her book, “Unleash Your Inner Sage.” The book isn’t a dry, jargon-filled manual. It’s written in an easy, approachable style - the kind of guide that feels like a conversation wi...

True Sophistication Be it in design, writing, or even strategy; this ethos still stands out from the rest!  

Sadly, it’s true - social media is not a safe space. Not for people. Not for businesses. Not even for brands that think they’ve got it figured out. But here’s the catch: avoiding it isn’t an option. Social media is where conversations (and controversies) happen. What you can do is engage smartly - with a plan, with purpose, and with your eyes wide open. We’ve seen it first-hand: a brand pours months of effort into a campaign, only for a single post (from an overzealous employee or an unhappy customer) to overshadow the whole thing. Suddenly, instead of celebrating wins, the brand is scrambling to do damage control. Because let’s be real: Brand saboteurs will test you. Keyboard warriors (and worriers) will come for you. One wrong move can be amplified in ways you didn’t see coming. That’s why having a solid social media strategy isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s your armour. It’s your shield. And knowing when to clap back - and when to stay silent - is as important as what ...

Say you’re in PR. You’ll get nods. Say you run food reviews for F&B clients? Suddenly, you’re everyone’s new best friend. The questions always come hot and fast: “So… do you eat everything?” “Champagne on tap, right?” “Do you write the review yourself?” Spoiler: it’s not one giant buffet on our client’s tab. More Than Just a Free Meal Food reviews are about storytelling. Helping our clients stand out in a sea of cafés, bars, and bistros. We curate the menu, frame the experience, and serve up a narrative that makes diners hungry before they even book a table. The Not-So-Secret Sauce Challenges? Always. Colleagues, clients, critics - sometimes even all three at once. But here’s the deal: we plate it up, smile, and handle the mess. (Want the unfiltered stories? Coffee or wine; your pick. We’ll spill.) Why Pictures Matter Words can make you hungry. But photos? They seal the deal. Think steak hissing on the grill. Chicken skin crisping golden. Chocolate cake me...

Elevating Communications and Cultural Engagement Skills | Oracle    Oracle is a global technology company that offer s IOT (Internet of Things, search it up) cloud solutions, and consultancy . If you like playing games, the game was most likely created with JAVA programming which is owned by Oracle (e.g. God of War, Castlevania, Minecraft). The services Oracle provides to its customers in associate with local IT (Information Technology) vendors and systems integrators is wide-ranging, including banking and finance, manufacturing, telecommunications, hospitality public services, commercial, utilities and oil & gas. During lockdown, Craig ran a six-week programme designed to elevate the communications and cultural engagement skills of Oracle Malaysia’s locally based Australian and New Zealand team, to help them be more effective in the execution of their day to day interaction with prospects and clients.  Because of the ongoing lockdown, face-to-face training could...

Some openings are low-key. This was not one of them. On 29 June 2018 , Hong Kong jewellery giant Luk Fook decided to make Genting Highlands even shinier. The location? Sky Avenue Mall . The occasion? A grand opening with all the bells, drums, and sparkle you’d expect when 1,600+ stores strong decide to plant another flag. VIP invited guests participated in the ribbon cutting Ribbon, Scissors, VIPs (oh my) The ribbon-cutting wasn’t just snip-and-done. It was led by Mr Wong Wai Sheung (big boss man, Chairman & CEO) with a line-up of equally distinguished guests - think government reps, trade association heads, and business leaders. Cameras flashed, ribbon fell, and the store’s glow-up officially began. Mr. Wong Wai Sheung opening speech A Brand That Likes to Sparkle (literally) Mr Wong didn’t waste the mic. He doubled down on Luk Fook’s ambition: “Brand of Hong Kong, Sparkling the World.” Genting, with its endless stream of tourists (and shoppers with altitu...

Heritage isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about identity. It’s about continuity. It’s about keeping stories alive in a world that’s moving (sometimes too fast) towards the new and shiny. That’s why conserving heritage buildings isn’t a luxury. It’s an absolute must. Beyond being landmarks, they fuel the economy, anchor tourism, and give communities a sense of pride. Melaka & George Town: Icons of the Straits Melaka and George Town stand as testaments to this. Both UNESCO-recognised heritage cities have carved out a place on the global stage - 12 years and counting. So when Orchan had the chance to work with Liu Men Hotel in Melaka, we knew we weren’t just promoting another boutique stay. We were helping amplify a story of heritage reborn. Liu Men: Where Past Meets Present Championed by Jason Pang, Liu Men sits on what used to be six shophouses along vibrant Jalan Tokong. The hotel’s design fuses colonial art deco flair with Peranakan touches, creating a space...

Shopaholic Heavens, by Design ARA Asset Management Ltd is a real estate colossus with decades of experience behind them in the broader Asian region; with a keen business interest in redeveloping retail malls. Their foray into Malaysia began with 1 Mont Kiara, expanding to include Citta Mall, AEON Melaka, Klang Parade and Ipoh Parade. Grace Chen from The Star looked at how mall redesigns and new malls are being crafted in a certain way to maximize benefits to the community   Malaysia was already replete with news of beautifully constructed, yet poorly managed shopping venues that do not meet the needs of the community they serve, thus explaining the lack of enthusiasm amongst prospective investors. ARA noticed this trend among lacklustre malls, where insufficient attention was given to context, with ARA subsequently making the wise choice in commissioning architects well known for their pragmatic approach. As part of Orchan’s strategy to highlight the credibili...