Why AI is no longer optional for SMEs

UOB's Awareness-Action-Acceleration framework

From cold calls to AI lead generation

You don’t need an AI team, just AI muscle

Keeping the momentum

The AI future is here, but for many SMEs, adoption feels overwhelming. Discover how UOB FinLab's 'AI Ready' programme transformed this anxiety into competitive advantage for second-generation businesses. Hear how to turn operational bottlenecks—from repetitive tasks to client generation—into practical, de-risked AI solutions. Learn how to scale efficiently without a massive hiring spree.

Synopsis: The Business Times Podcast Channel presents diverse perspectives, in-depth analysis and news covering career, business, markets, investing, current affairs and tech.

This episode is produced in collaboration with UOB.

Highlights:

01:21 Why AI is no longer optional for SMEs

04:08 UOB's Awareness-Action-Acceleration framework

07:49 From cold calls to AI lead generation

09:11 You don’t need an AI team, just AI muscle

12:15 Keeping the momentum

More about:

AI Ready

SME Elevate

UOB FinLab Community

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Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.

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Written and hosted by: Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com.sg)

With Eelen Lim, programme director, UOB FinLab and Ecosystems; and Elson Low, director at Events Partner

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

Executive producer: Claressa Monteiro

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Follow BT Podcasts:

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Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/pcAP

Spotify: bt.sg/pcSP

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Website: bt.sg/btpod

Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

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Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt

BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson

The AI future is here, but for many SMEs, adoption feels overwhelming. Discover how UOB FinLab's 'AI Ready' programme transformed this anxiety into competitive advantage for second-generation businesses. Hear how to turn operational bottlenecks&mdash;from repetitive tasks to client generation&mdash;into practical, de-risked AI solutions. Learn how to scale efficiently without a massive hiring spree.
Synopsis: The Business Times Podcast Channel presents diverse perspectives, in-depth analysis and news covering career, business, markets, investing, current affairs and tech.
This episode is produced in collaboration with UOB.
Highlights:
01:21 Why AI is no longer optional for SMEs
04:08 UOB's Awareness-Action-Acceleration framework
07:49 From cold calls to AI lead generation
09:11 You don&rsquo;t need an AI team, just AI muscle
12:15 Keeping the momentum
More about:
<a href="https://bit.ly/4bZWZed">AI Ready</a>
<a href="https://forms.uob.com.sg/eservices/finlab/sme-elevate.html">SME Elevate</a>
<a href="https://community.thefinlab.com/">UOB FinLab Community</a>
---
Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to <a href="mailto:btpodcasts@sph.com.sg">btpodcasts@sph.com.sg</a>.
---
Written and hosted by: Howie Lim (<a href="mailto:howielim@sph.com.sg">howielim@sph.com.sg</a>)
With Eelen Lim, programme director, UOB FinLab and Ecosystems; and Elson Low, director at Events Partner
Edited by: Howie Lim &amp; Claressa Monteiro
Produced by: Howie Lim &amp; Chai Pei Chieh
Executive producer: Claressa Monteiro
A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media
---
Follow BT Podcasts:
Channel: <a href="https://bt.sg/pcOM">bt.sg/pcOM</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://bt.sg/pcAP">bt.sg/pcAP</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://bt.sg/pcSP">bt.sg/pcSP</a>
YouTube Music: <a href="https://bt.sg/giK9" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bt.sg/giK9&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1757992386890000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0bIf09Xh5-r8oKBeoEHCxe">bt.sg/giK9</a>
Website: <a href="https://bt.sg/btpod">bt.sg/btpod</a>
Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg
Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party&rsquo;s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.&nbsp;
---
Discover more BT podcast series:
BT Money Hacks at: <a href="https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks">bt.sg/btmoneyhacks</a>
BT Correspondents at: <a href="https://bt.sg/btcobt" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bt.sg/btcobt&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1725767545308000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1MZyDZ2ZxkzhbmmY3UOc3Z">bt.sg/btcobt</a>
BT Market Focus at: <a href="https://bt.sg/btmktfocus">bt.sg/btmktfocus</a>
BT Lens On: <a href="https://bt.sg/btlenson">bt.sg/btlenson</a>

The Business Times Podcast Channel presents diverse perspectives, in-depth analysis and news covering career, business, markets, investing, current affairs and tech.

Powered by the Journalism of The Business Times and Tech in Asia.

Available on all your favourite audio and video content apps and at www.businesstimes.com.sg/podcasts

Produced by BT Audio, thrive and Tech in Asia. The Business Times, SPH Media.

The Business Times Podcast Channel presents diverse perspectives, in-depth analysis and news covering career, business, markets, investing, current affairs and tech.
Powered by the Journalism of&nbsp;The Business Times and Tech in Asia.
Available on all your favourite audio and video content apps and at www.businesstimes.com.sg/podcasts
Produced by BT Audio, thrive and Tech in Asia. The Business Times, SPH Media.