Orchan Consulting | Asia Sdn Bhd

Well – sort of. No matter what industry you are in, networking is an essential skill. Events and other opportunities to meet people from all dimensions of industry not only provide the (hoped for) business opportunities), but the opportunity to share ideas with fresh faces, garner new perspectives and insights, and even to just catch up on gossip with friends new and old. Although not a member, both Farrell and I are supportive of AMCHAM , the American Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia. We met the Executive Director last year at another event (book launch) and have held many fruitful discussions since.  Just a couple of weeks ago we headed to AMCHAM’s “Business Speed Dating” event. Hosted jointly with the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, it was a fun event with plentiful networking opportunities.  Approximately 40 people. Two circles. Sixty (60) seconds each for a quick elevator pitch. Wow, not only does time fly, but saying the same things nearly twe...

Interning with the Orchan family can be quite a roller-coaster experience, in a good way, of course! Just ask Richard Low, Orchan’s most recent intern, who finished up a rather successful four month stint last Friday. Quiet, meek, shy, timid – all words once used to describe Richard. Now confident, more articulate, and eager to take on the world. Richard came to us with one goal in mind – to improve his communication skills. He studied PR, understood the ‘industry from the textbook’, but wanted to improve himself first, prior to graduating. And that he did! During his internship, in addition to all the usual clipping reports, media calls, and client research, Richard got involved in other areas too – being part of the team to brainstorm and craft proposals, working with Orchan’s Directors to prepare and execute corporate training opportunities for clients, draft posts for the company blog, attend a few industry events (both talks, ceremonies, and even the occasional party), ...

Orchan’s Christina How and Craig J Selby discuss the landscape for food and beverage operators and how they can stay current / relevant to their patrons. 1)       What are some of the challenges restaurant operators face in this competitive climate? CJS: There are many challenges operators face. At the coalface, finding suitable and appropriately-trainable staff is a major hurdle; sourcing reliable and consistent suppliers of quality ingredients at non-fluctuating prices. But deeper the issue is staying relevant. It is building a recognisable brand and keeping your customers loyal – getting your customers as unofficial brand ambassadors, and building the business from strength to strength. Restaurants come and go, and in an industry as fluid as this, its important to be able to react positively to trends. 2) We are seeing a “hipsterisation” of the food & beverage industry. Is this shaking things up, or is it simply a fad? CJS: I pers...

Intern Richard Reflects on the Product of the Year Awards 2017 Looking at shelves filled with various brands, I often wonder which brand is someone else’s favourite. I got some answers when Orchan went along to support Harmandar Singh, Director of Product of the Year Asia, in his showcase revealing the best-loved products available in Malaysia. Product of the Year has been around for over twenty-five (25) years, sharing insights to consumers best-loved products.   Through votes from over 2,000 Malaysian households , Product of the Year assess a product’s consumer satisfaction, attractiveness and innovation, to conclude with winners for each category. Held at the Sime Darby Convention Centre; Harmandar Singh announced the winners of household goods from twenty-five (25) categories. From green tea to chocolate, and energy drink. In case you were wondering, Oishi Green Tea won the green tea category, Kit Kat Crunchy Peanut Butter won the chocolate category, and our cl...