This is my podcast, where I speak with folks to explore the nuances of modern work and its idiosyncrasies. Beyond just the enablers and vendors transforming this space, I will also include intimate conversations with people navigating newfound career pivots. They have successfully transitioned to their new careers, and I hope to distil their ups and downs in this unstructured journey so the rest of us can learn from their best practices. www.adriantan.com.sg
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September 6, 202623 min
My 2018 Nanning Trip: How I Almost Joined a Money Game (and Why I’m Speaking Up Now)
My face is all over the news right now. Here’s why I’m okay with that. Eight years ago I flew to Nanning , sat through five days of the world’s most elaborate sales pitch, and walked away from what turned out to be a pyramid scheme. I wrote about it once and filed a police report but nobody really followed up. Then 52 Singaporeans got detained in China over a suspected pyramid scheme, my old article resurfaced, and suddenly my face was in the news. The question I’ve gotten the most since: how the hell did you not realize it was a scam? Fair question. So instead of answering it piecemeal in comments, I sat down and answered everything. What actually happened in Nanning . Who I met (a Singaporean of the Year finalist, a former MP). Why I still won’t name them. When it clicked that something was off, and why I put money in anyway even after it did. I could’ve stayed quiet about all this. A lot of people in my position do, because nobody wants to be known as the guy who almost fell for it. But I don’t think that’s the right instinct. The people running these schemes get to operate in public. I don’t see why the people who got pitched to should have to hide. Full video’s below Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe
August 2, 20269 min
Your First Job Might Never Exist
Is AI really replacing jobs? Or is something even more dangerous happening? Everyone is asking whether AI will take our jobs. I think we’re asking the wrong question. The real disruption isn’t that experienced professionals are being replaced. It’s that the first step of the career ladder is quietly disappearing. In this video, I explore: * Why AI helps junior employees more than senior ones * Why companies are hiring fewer entry-level workers * What happens when AI takes over the work people used to learn from * Why today’s graduates face a very different job market * The hidden risk businesses are creating for themselves * What leaders, managers, parents and young professionals should do next Using research from MIT, Stanford, Harvard and real-world examples (including the ATM revolution, factory electrification, and the Air Canada chatbot case), I explain why the biggest AI problem may not be automation, but the disappearance of apprenticeship. Whether you’re a CEO, manager, HR professional, student or parent, this is a conversation we need to have before it’s too late. 👇 I’d love to hear your thoughts. Is your company still hiring junior talent? Or has the entry door quietly started closing? Leave a comment below. If you enjoy thoughtful discussions about AI, work, leadership and the future of careers, consider subscribing. New videos every week. Timestamps: 00:00 AI Hiring Paradox 00:22 Homework Without Struggle 01:05 ATM Story Misleads 01:55 AI Levels Skills 02:39 Entry Jobs Vanish 03:48 Apprenticeship Gets Cut 04:36 Where Seniors Come From 05:34 Why AI Pilots Fail 06:54 Redesign Workflows 08:08 Trust and Accountability 09:05 Protect the Bottom Rung Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe
July 12, 202610 min
I've Lost My Job Six Times.
Someone is going to get retrenched today — and they have no idea. After 11 years inside recruitment and hundreds of conversations with blindsided professionals, I can tell you retrenchment is almost never actually a surprise. The signals show up weeks or months early. Most people just don't know what they're looking for. This video names all 9 — and the 4 quiet moves to make before you ever need them. 🔎 Track live layoffs in Singapore → https://layoffsg.com ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Someone gets retrenched today (they don't know yet) 0:17 – Why it feels like a surprise (but almost never is) 1:11 – Two things to understand first 1:16 – Why the people who know aren't allowed to tell you 1:43 – Companies retrench roles, not people 2:22 – The signals are structural, not personal 2:37 – Signal 1: The hiring freeze 3:15 – Signal 2: External consultants arrive 4:01 – Signal 3: Communication becomes careful 4:44 – Signal 4: Your manager's behaviour changes 5:32 – Signal 5: You're asked to document your processes 6:21 – Signal 6: Budget quietly disappears 6:48 – Signal 7: A reorg or "strategic review" of your function 7:23 – Signal 8: New leadership with no history with your team 8:08 – Signal 9: Your scope quietly shrinks 8:54 – The two wrong responses (denial vs. panic) 9:20 – Move 1: Update your resume now 9:34 – Move 2: Activate your network quietly 9:49 – Move 3: Build visibility outside your company 10:08 – Move 4: Know what you're entitled to 10:28 – LayoffSG.com — the layoff tracker I built 10:53 – Final thought Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe
June 28, 202615 min
The Iron Rice Bowl Was Never Yours to Hold
I'm an introvert. Small talk drains me, and walking into a room of strangers is the last thing I want to do — so for years my "networking strategy" was finding the food table and looking busy with my coffee. And yet people still walk up to me at events (and once, at a night market) already knowing who I am. That's not luck. It's reputation infrastructure — 8 specific moves that put your name into the world before you ever show up in a room, so trust is already built by the time someone reaches out. I used these moves while running my career coaching practice, and I'm using them again now as I build my fractional career. In this video, I break down all 8: 00:00 Intro 03:52 Move 1: Write a Book 05:57 Move 2: Speak at Events 07:21 Move 3: Academic Affiliation 08:14 Move 4: Win Awards 09:03 Move 5: Join Industry Bodies 09:57 Move 6: Get Board Positions 11:17 Move 7: Media Bylines 12:24 Move 8: Podcasting None of this works in 30 days. But if you're moving into fractional work or self-employment, this is the difference between chasing clients and having them come find you. Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe
June 16, 20266 min
The Side Hustle Rule Your Boss Breaks Every Single Day
My former CEO stood in front of the whole team and said: no side hustles. Too distracting. The company needs your full commitment. He had three board directorships, two committee seats, and multiple rental properties. He wasn’t lying to be cruel. He was protecting what he’d built — and hoping you wouldn’t notice the gap between what he said and what he did. I noticed too late. I went all-in on one company for a decade. $5M revenue, 30 staff, everything I had in one place. Then the partners changed, the investors pulled out, and I spent three months not knowing what to do with myself at 9 am on a Monday. Then I drove Grab. This video is what I learned from that — and what your boss already knows that nobody taught you. What is covered: 00:00 Side Hustle Hypocrisy 00:27 Leaders Diversify Quietly 01:41 The Loyalty Deal Died 02:18 All In Then Burnout 03:04 Uber And Identity Loss 03:21 Diversify Without Seniority 03:49 Build Assets Under Your Name 04:03 Writing Builds Reputation 04:30 Fractional Work And Niches 05:43 Commitment Versus Concentration 06:06 What Equity Are You Building 06:42 Do As They Do Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe
April 26, 202613 min
Fractional Work Explained (From My Experience): Money, Clients, Pricing & Sustainability
After my CNA article on fractional work went live, I received many LinkedIn DMs, so I’m answering the most common questions in this video. 00:00 Intro 00:37 What is Fractional Work? 01:58 Can It Work Financially? 03:14 Handling Dry Spells 05:24 Do You Need a Big Network? 05:59 Set Up a Company or Operate Individually? 06:29 How to Land Your First Client 07:35 What If a Client Wants You Full-Time? 08:11 Retirement & Exit Strategy 09:06 Which Industries Work Best? 11:51 How to Price Yourself Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe
March 1, 20268 min
Die With Zero: Retire With Memories, Not Money
I reflect on Charlie Munger’s wish for more time and share three ideas from Bill Perkins’ Die With Zero that changed how I think about money and life. First, you don’t retire with money—you retire with memories, and some experiences have real physical expiry dates, so postponing them can mean missing them forever. Second, I reframe retirement planning by treating net worth peak as a date, not a number, and explain how dying with unspent money can represent thousands of hours worked for nothing, while the fear of running out is often bigger than the math. Third, I walk through Perkins’ “time bucketing” exercise—mapping life in five-year blocks and assigning goals to realistic windows—plus my own buckets for travel, family, and work changes, to stop drifting and start choosing intentionally. 00:00 Munger’s Wish for Time 00:27 Book That Changed Me 01:05 Retire With Memories 02:06 Experiences Expire 03:19 Peak Net Worth Date 04:11 Fear of Running Out 05:09 Time Bucketing Method 06:16 My Time Buckets 07:07 Bucket List vs Buckets 07:54 Closing Takeaways Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe
February 1, 20268 min
Reflections on Content Creation, Imposter Syndrome, and Staying True to Your Voice
I'm back after a six-month hiatus to discuss the origin of his podcast, his experiences with imposter syndrome, and his journey in content creation. I reflect on the evolution of content creation from blogging to contemporary practices involving AI, and emphasise the importance of maintaining authenticity in one's tone of voice. Also, a shout-out to Typeless : to help you align spoken and written content, and announces plans for more monologue episodes. Stay tuned for a candid look into the world of content creation and personal growth. 00:00 Welcome Back: Where Have I Been? 00:11 The Journey of My Podcast and Book 01:16 Current Work and Future Plans 02:14 The Evolution of Content Creation 03:09 The Importance of Authenticity in Writing 06:03 Tools and Tips for Content Creation 07:20 Conclusion and Future Episodes Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe
July 28, 202529 min
166 - Why Florence Foo QUIT Her Job & Launched FOUR Businesses!
In this revealing episode, Florence Foo shares her incredible journey of quitting her corporate job while pregnant with her second child to launching four successful businesses. From starting a boutique digital marketing agency to organising large-scale events, introducing sunscreen dispensers on demand, and exploring groundbreaking LED technology, Florence navigates the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship. Discover her insights on time management, overcoming challenges, and the strategies behind her diverse business ventures. Don't miss this inspiring story of ambition, resilience, and innovation! --- This episode is brought to you by Deel , the all-in-one platform simplifying global team management with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance solutions, trusted by over 35,000 businesses worldwide. Learn more at https://deel.com/adriantan . 00:00 Leaving the Corporate World 01:11 Introducing Florence 01:32 Florence's Career Journey 02:12 Starting a Digital Marketing Agency 05:00 Expanding into Event Organising 08:59 Venturing into Sunscreen Business 10:26 Exploring LED Lighting 11:51 Balancing Multiple Businesses and Family 17:34 Managing Work-Life Balance 18:22 Health Impacts of Overworking 19:44 Lessons from Nine Years in Business 20:09 Starting as a Solopreneur 21:35 Dealing with Client Challenges 25:36 Prospecting for New Business 27:28 Adapting to Digitalisation 28:08 Advice to My Younger Self 28:53 Future Plans and Contact Information --- Where to find Florence Foo: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/florence-foo/ Oakwood Media: http://www.oakwood.sg Where to find Adrian: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/ Website: adriantan.com.sg 📕 No More Bosses: https://amzn.asia/d/abmPxU6 Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe
July 6, 202544 min
165 - Eric Tan EXPOSES The Harsh Truths About Starting Your Own Business
In this eye-opening episode, Eric Tan , a seasoned entrepreneur and chartered accountant, reveals the staggering realities and misconceptions of starting your own business. From the relentless grind and overwhelming stress to the illusion of having more control over your time, Eric shares his journey from working for Pricewaterhouse to running his own successful accounting and consulting firms. Tune in to uncover the brutal challenges faced by new businesses, the importance of setting realistic goals, and why you should think twice before diving into entrepreneurship. Plus, get invaluable insights on the best business structures and tax considerations to ensure your startup's success. This is a must-watch for aspiring entrepreneurs! --- Eric Tan is a Singapore Chartered Accountant and Certified Management Consultant, best known as the co-founder and Managing Director of The Resource Group Pte Ltd. With a career spanning over 15 years in finance, business advisory, and human capital development, Eric has played a pivotal role in equipping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the expertise and resources needed for growth and regional expansion --- This episode is brought to you by Deel , the all-in-one platform simplifying global team management with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance solutions, trusted by over 35,000 businesses worldwide. Learn more at https://deel.com/adriantan . 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Meet Eric: A Multifaceted Professional 02:21 Eric's Career Journey: From Audit to Consulting 03:21 The Decision to Go Independent 04:49 Balancing Family and Entrepreneurship 06:51 The Reality of Being Your Own Boss 11:20 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship 20:24 The Changing Business Landscape 25:50 Understanding F&B Business Failures 26:12 Case Study: My Cousin's F&B Journey 27:55 Lessons from Starting a Recruitment Business 28:41 The Importance of Accurate Financial Projections 29:20 Acquiring and Retaining Consulting Clients 30:43 Networking Strategies for Business Growth 34:20 Choosing the Right Business Structure 38:12 Tax Considerations for Different Business Entities 40:19 Common Accounting Mistakes to Avoid 44:30 Final Thoughts and Contact Information --- Where to find Eric Tan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-tan-15034111/ The Resource Group: https://theresourcegroup.asia/ Acce Advisory: https://acceadvisory.services/ Where to find Adrian: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/ Website: adriantan.com.sg 📕 No More Bosses: https://amzn.asia/d/abmPxU6 Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe
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