London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jun 30, 2025

Go digital with empathy to unlock the post-pandemic future

Go digital with empathy to unlock the post-pandemic future

Even in an era driven by algorithms and data, there is value in looking at the business world from a human angle. Hong Kong needs citywide digital literacy and integration of design into non-design disciplines from a young age.

Syed Munir Khasru’s article“Digital evolution key to Asean’s post-pandemic recovery” (June 4) echoes the call for digitalisation from our city’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are facing increased competition from within the region.

The power of digitalisation has enabled us to work flexibly and have online access to finance, health care, education and entertainment. Blockchain-based non-fungible tokens (NFTs) underpinning authentic ownership of valuables have disrupted the commercialisation of art and real estate. Many such novel ways of work and social behaviour will stay after the pandemic.

In the era of artificial intelligence, businesses of all sizes still need to empathetically connect with customers. They need knowledge to navigate the e-business ecosystem and convincing narratives to win customers. They also need agile retail strategies and to offer customers a seamless online and offline experience.

Specialisation, localisation and different cultures and states of play have led to various digital strategies and practices for accessing different markets. Current education needs to better prime students and the workforce with a befitting mindset and skill set to face the new work-life realities.

Going digital also requires a strategic embrace of human-centred design. Noted Journalist and social anthropologist Gillian Tett’s new book, Anthro-Vision, is a timely reminder of the value of looking at the business world from a human angle in an era driven by algorithms and data. Facing a diversity of people and cultures, complexity of sociopolitical and economic structures, and uncertainty over the future, those who can innovate fast with empathy in delivering meaningful offerings will win hearts.

Policy support for SMEs aside, digitalisation ought to be an integral part of training on entrepreneurship, innovation management and good business design. There is a dearth of “business of digital” knowledge, as reflected in comments by founders of emerging brands at recent design industry roundtables held in partnership with PMQ. There have been calls for better coordinated policies and support to design and implement practice-oriented learning platforms and go-to-market programmes, to tap regional and overseas market opportunities.

A smart city needs to be a human city. We need citywide digital literacy and integration of design into non-design disciplines from a young age. It is time to step up practice-oriented research, VPET or vocational and professional education and training, and advanced learning, to meet the competence needs of business and industry. Only the fittest will survive, game on for those who can turn pain into gain.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
×