EnterpriseZone.cc Connecting Global Leaders
Terng Shing Chen may not follow the traditional paths in business but that does not diminish his passion or his commitment to bring about change in the PR industry.
What’s your story?
I’m an entrepreneur who took a chance and started my own PR and content marketing startup – SYNC (www.syncpr.co). After three years and being able to survive the pandemic, it has grown and currently has teams in 4 markets. I’ve also co-founded a podcast ‘Business over Drinks’ (www.businessoverdrinks.com) and a travel platform Travel Wanderlust (www.travelwanderlust.co).
Besides that, I’m still the same as before. Passionate about what I do and still fighting the good fight to bring about positive change to my industry.
What excites you most about your industry?
The potential in PR and content marketing in Southeast Asia is pretty insane. The industry hasn’t really changed in about half a century and that is both a problem and a great opportunity.
As the media goes digital, PR has to find a way to provide real digital solutions that compete against and complement digital marketing. It is such an open industry at the moment, you can’t help be excited about it.
What drives you in business to push beyond what other people consider normal?
It has always been my nature to commit to a goal and do anything to get there. I might not have recognised that as part of me until I started my own business, and then the countless late nights and cups of coffee started to make more sense when I had a real goal in mind.
The concept of ‘normal’ is so subjective, because how can it not be normal to give it your all when you’re doing something you want to do.
What have been the most useful skills you have learnt and applied in your journey?
Understanding the administrative aspects of the business has led me to be a better entrepreneur and leader. Knowing which forms need to be filled in when applying for government approvals, how to automate payroll and more, has helped me better understand businesses in general.
Another skill or at least something I’ve come to better understand is business consultancy – identifying and developing the business models and revenue generation models that most businesses need to create to be successful. Knowing this has helped in my own business, but also enabled me to understand the pain points of my clients.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“There’s no one path to success.” I read that somewhere and it kind of stuck because I did not have a traditional path and do not follow the usual mantras of leadership gurus.
Who inspires you?
I think I take inspiration from almost everyone I meet. Being in the startup, entrepreneur and SME segment has enabled me to meet people who understand passion. Meeting people who work harder than me, are often smarter than me or more driven, fuels me to be a better person.
What have you learnt recently that blew you away?
I learnt that even a pandemic cannot dampen the startup ecosystem in Southeast Asia. It can be a setback, but as a region, we are on the way back already.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Probably started my entrepreneurial journey a lot earlier, but other than that, nothing much else. Every setback was a lesson that I felt made me a better person and entrepreneur.
How do you unwind?
I try to keep active and fit, so exercise or playing sports. I also read in my spare time.
What is a major mindset change, belief shift or ‘ah ha’ moment that you’ve experienced in relation to your business?
We cannot focus on providing ‘PR’ or ‘content’, we need to focus on providing value – whatever that means to businesses.
Everyone in business should read this book:
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Shameless plug for your business:
Visit SYNC at www.syncpr.co and learn how we help startups and businesses scale throughout Southeast Asia. Give our podcast www.businessoverdrinks.com a listen and visit www.travelwanderlust.co if you just love and miss travel.
How can people connect with you?
Find me on LinkedIn – search my name – or contact us via our website www.syncpr.co.
Social Media Links?
https://www.linkedin.com/company/syncpr/
https://www.facebook.com/Syncpr
This interview is part of the CallumConnects series. Every entrepreneur featured has been recommended by one of our previous guests.
