OpenAcademy is the education arm of marketing-tech consultancy OpenMinds, and is trying to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world skills through microlearning principles.



The platform allows individuals to take 5-minute lessons in the hopes of upskilling learners on the go and covers a wide range of topics including digital marketing, website optimisation, content creation, and more.



Similar to MasterClass or Skillshare, the lessons are delivered by industry experts, with OpenAcademy leaning on local experts, aiming to make it more relevant and engaging.



Today we explore why a mar-tech company started an online education platform, why Celine decided to lead the initiative, how they're incentivising local subject matter experts to become creators on their platform, the current state of the business, and how Open Academy wants to influence the future of education.

OpenAcademy is the education arm of marketing-tech consultancy OpenMinds, and is trying to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world skills through microlearning principles.The platform allows individuals to take 5-minute lessons in the hopes of upskilling learners on the go and covers a wide range of topics including digital marketing, website optimisation, content creation, and more.Similar to MasterClass or Skillshare, the lessons are delivered by industry experts, with OpenAcademy leaning on local experts, aiming to make it more relevant and engaging.Today we explore why a mar-tech company started an online education platform, why Celine decided to lead the initiative, how they're incentivising local subject matter experts to become creators on their platform, the current state of the business, and how Open Academy wants to influence the future of education.

The flagship entrepreneurship show on BFM, featuring personal business stories from early stage start-ups, all the way to billionaire octogenarians in Malaysia and abroad. Notable guests include Martin Cooper (father of the mobile phone), Julian Assange (founder of WikiLeaks), Ralph Henry Baer (father of video games), Tony Buzan (Mindmap Guru), Isaac Tigrett (Hard Rock Cafe founder), Robert Kiyosaki (Financial Guru), Nick Vujicic (motivational speaker) and more. Tap into this valuable resource of shared experiences for the SME industry, which also touches on news, issues and trends affecting the business community and beyond.

Open For Business

Discover fresh concepts, tackle obstacles, and unleash growth - Open For Business is the dynamic show where BFM engages with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry trailblazers, igniting inspiration, sparking success, and exploring new business models.

OpenAcademy: MasterClass Meets YouTube With a Localised Twist

Back in 2016, the e-commerce scene was just beginning to harness the full potential of online and mobile commerce, and social media marketing. Online shopping was popular but still competing with brick-and-mortar preferences in many markets, unlike the widespread adoption that we see right now.



PTT Outdoor boldly ventured where few dared. Embracing the World Wide Web as its sole marketplace, PTT Outdoor set out with a backpack full of ambition and a trail map drawn in digital ink. Today, this adventurous spirit has carved a niche for the company as a pioneer in the e-commerce landscape, selling outdoor gear to a community of enthusiasts who were just a click away from gearing up for their next big adventure.



On the Open For Business show today, we speak with Mike Chu and Jason Khoo, Co-Founders of PTT Outdoor, an outdoor camping and hiking equipment company about establishing and sustaining a successful e-commerce business. 



The duo will share insights on what works and what doesn’t when moving your business online, including the importance of adapting to new platforms like TikTok live and targeting specific audiences. They will also be highlighting their journey of maintaining a purely online business, and making strategic decisions in a constantly evolving digital landscape.

Back in 2016, the e-commerce scene was just beginning to harness the full potential of online and mobile commerce, and social media marketing. Online shopping was popular but still competing with brick-and-mortar preferences in many markets, unlike the widespread adoption that we see right now.PTT Outdoor boldly ventured where few dared. Embracing the World Wide Web as its sole marketplace, PTT Outdoor set out with a backpack full of ambition and a trail map drawn in digital ink. Today, this adventurous spirit has carved a niche for the company as a pioneer in the e-commerce landscape, selling outdoor gear to a community of enthusiasts who were just a click away from gearing up for their next big adventure.On the Open For Business show today, we speak with Mike Chu and Jason Khoo, Co-Founders of PTT Outdoor, an outdoor camping and hiking equipment company about establishing and sustaining a successful e-commerce business.&nbsp;The duo will share insights on what works and what doesn’t when moving your business online, including the importance of adapting to new platforms like TikTok live and targeting specific audiences. They will also be highlighting their journey of maintaining a purely online business, and making strategic decisions in a constantly evolving digital landscape.

E-Commerce Success: The PTT Outdoor Blueprint

Like many founders, entrepreneurship wasn’t in the plans for Selina – she always wanted to become a doctor, and the dream was to become an Intensive Care Unit specialist. Unfortunately that dream came to an end around 8 years ago after she experienced a slipped disc, but reportedly didn't have the support she needed to recover.



She told the Vulcan Post that when she asked to be assigned lighter duties for three months as she healed, she was told she did not have a future in the anaesthesiology and ICU departments anymore, and that she should just leave and find something else to do. And this eventually led to Disruptive Doctors, a platform for doctors to connect with other like-minded doctors within the community, find mentors within their sector, upskill themselves through their academy, and find jobs.



We speak to Dr. Selina Chew to dive further into her entrepreneurial story, the shift from doctor to startup founder, the business potential here, and her ambitions ahead for this platform.

Like many founders, entrepreneurship wasn’t in the plans for Selina – she always wanted to become a doctor, and the dream was to become an Intensive Care Unit specialist. Unfortunately that dream came to an end around 8 years ago after she experienced a slipped disc, but reportedly didn't have the support she needed to recover.She told the Vulcan Post that when she asked to be assigned lighter duties for three months as she healed, she was told she did not have a future in the anaesthesiology and ICU departments anymore, and that she should just leave and find something else to do. And this eventually led to Disruptive Doctors, a platform for doctors to connect with other like-minded doctors within the community, find mentors within their sector, upskill themselves through their academy, and find jobs.We speak to Dr. Selina Chew to dive further into her entrepreneurial story, the shift from doctor to startup founder, the business potential here, and her ambitions ahead for this platform.

Disruptive Doctors: Connecting & Upskilling Forward-Thinking Doctors

Today on the show, we speak with Manickavasagam Palaniandy, Founder of Lean Partner–they’re a boutique consulting firm that specialises in Agile Operation Transformational Management, providing consultations in operational excellence, as well as training & certifications.



Lean Partner was founded back in 2013 and they have executed more than 2800 projects delivering more than US$ 100 million of total value with a client portfolio of over 200 organisations.



This includes the likes of Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and government-linked corporations across multiple countries in both the ASEAN and European regions that achieve a minimum of 10x ROI.



In today’s discussion, Manicka shares his 24 years of experience in the industry, emphasising on Lean Partner's commitment to driving growth and digitalisation in various industries, and how their unique approach to consultancy sets them apart in a competitive field.

Today on the show, we speak with Manickavasagam Palaniandy, Founder of Lean Partner–they’re a boutique consulting firm that specialises in Agile Operation Transformational Management, providing consultations in operational excellence, as well as training &amp; certifications.Lean Partner was founded back in 2013 and they have executed more than 2800 projects delivering more than US$ 100 million of total value with a client portfolio of over 200 organisations.This includes the likes of Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and government-linked corporations across multiple countries in both the ASEAN and European regions that achieve a minimum of 10x ROI.In today’s discussion, Manicka shares his 24 years of experience in the industry, emphasising on Lean Partner's commitment to driving growth and digitalisation in various industries, and how their unique approach to consultancy sets them apart in a competitive field.

OpenAcademy: MasterClass Meets YouTube With a Localised Twist

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