GIFT.ed

When it comes to inclusive leadership, what’s one change you’d like to see to accelerate gender equality? At the current pace, closing the gender gap will take 𝟏𝟑𝟒 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬. 👫 Women hold just 𝟑𝟏% 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 and 𝟐𝟐.𝟔% 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬, with a 𝟒𝟎% 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐚𝐩. (WEF's Global Gender Gap Report, 2024) Ensuring diverse voices in leadership and decision-making isn’t just about equality— it’s about shaping a better future for everyone. This #InternationalWomensDay, GIFT.ed celebrates progress while recognising the work ahead. We’re thrilled to introduce our newly appointed 𝐂𝐎𝐎, Elaine Fernandez. #WomenInLeadership #AccelerateAction #IWD2025

What if the world's next big economic growth story isn't in a city - but in the countryside? 🌳 🌾 That’s exactly what China is setting out to achieve with its Rural Comprehensive Revitalisation Plan (2024-2027) - a strategy designed to turn 477 million rural residents into an engine of economic growth. At a time when global trust in government is eroding, and urbanisation remains the dominant development model, China’s approach will offer an interesting case study in how state-led strategy can tackle one of the deepest structural inequalities; the urban-rural divide. In his latest piece, GIFT Managing Director Eric Stryson explains why business leaders should be paying close attention. China’s rural revitalisation isn’t just about farming, it’s about building entire modern economies. First movers will always have an advantage.For businesses looking at China's burgeoning rural markets, Eric recommends these strategic considerations: ✅ 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 – The opportunity spans manufacturing, digital commerce, tourism, and financial services. ✅ 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 – Joint ventures with local players offer the best route to market success. ✅ 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 – Understanding China’s Encouraged Investment Catalogue is crucial for securing incentives and minimising regulatory friction. ✅ 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 – Cities like Chengdu, Sichuan are leading rural-urban integration, providing ideal entry points for expansion. These are just a few of the opportunities emerging in China’s rural transformation. The rest? Well, that’s in the full article. 🔗 Read Eric’s full article to explore the key opportunities: https://lnkd.in/dSj8KynQ

In this month's edition of the Monthly Disruptor, we explore why a just transition framework is crucial as AI reshapes the future of work. #monthlydisruptor #ai #transition

More and more, companies - including yours - are talking about social justice. But what does that actually look like in action? ⚖️ At its core, social justice is about collective responsibility - ensuring fairness, equity, and opportunity for all. But real change doesn’t happen in isolation; it requires multistakeholder collaboration. 🤝 For example? Partnering with civil society - labour unions, advocacy groups, and community organisations that bridge gaps and drive meaningful impact. Some may see this as inviting anti-business sentiment, but in reality, engaging diverse perspectives strengthens businesses, making them more resilient, inclusive, and aligned with the needs of society. Today, on 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞, it’s a chance to reflect on the role we all play in shaping a more inclusive world. 🪧 Check out GIFT.ed expert Karim Rushdy's breakdown of civil society today, below. And if you’re looking for a deeper dive, his full segment explores the impact of these organisations and the challenges they face on GIFT.ed’s platform. Get in touch for more info! #WorldDayofSocialJustice

Research by 𝘈𝘮𝘸𝘢𝘺 found that 60% of individuals were interested in starting their own business in 2024. Clearly, the world is becoming more entrepreneurial. But with more new ventures vying for success, the question is; what truly sets resilient entrepreneurs apart? This was a key discussion in our first Touchstone Webinar with Sandiaga S. Uno, former Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, and our Founder and Chairman, Chandran Nair. Watch below for Pak Sandi's insights into the pillars of the entrepreneurial mindset, or click through for the full discussion: https://lnkd.in/g-YV-NRR If you enjoy conversations like this, follow us to stay tuned for more upcoming events.

From officially joining the BRICS group to the ongoing - and controversial - relocation of its capital city, Indonesia is making bold moves to signal its arrival as a key player in the evolving global landscape. 🧩 🌎 As power shifts and new economic blocs take shape, understanding Indonesia’s role in the emerging world order is more critical than ever. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞? 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝? 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? These were just some of the questions explored in our first Touchstone Webinar with Sandiaga S. Uno, former Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia and our Founder and Chairman, Chandran Nair. Watch below for Pak Sandi's insights on investing in Indonesia, or click through for the full discussion: https://lnkd.in/gZp66QtU

🔎 What makes China’s innovation ecosystems so powerful? Few can speak to this better than Pascal Coppens, one of GIFT.ed’s esteemed experts. In this clip, he breaks down the modular, high-speed, and deeply integrated networks driving China’s rapid innovation. 🧩 Internal ecosystems – How Chinese companies empower employees as micro-entrepreneurs 🤝 Competitive partnerships – Why collaboration and competition go hand in hand 🚀 The 6 S’s of China’s innovation edge – Speed, Scale, Skills, Savings, Sustainability, Security Catch his insights in the clip below. And if you’re keen on actionable insights into China’s business dynamics, Pascal’s segment is part of an exclusive learning module on GIFT.ed’s platform. Get in touch for more details! 🚀

May the Year of the Snake bring balance and harmony to you this Lunar New Year 🐍 🍊 🧧

In this month's edition of the Monthly Disruptor, we explore how resilience is becoming the defining advantage in a world shaped by disruption and uncertainty. #monthlydisruptor

It's official. Donald Trump is now back in the Oval Office, and already he's heralding a supposed 'new golden age' for America. 🇺🇸 But can a golden age materialise if the foundations of the US' political institutions and social contract are failing? As Professor Kishore Mahbubani– one of GIFT.ed’s most accomplished speakers in international diplomacy– highlights in this Oxford Union debate; there are deepening cracks in America’s democracy. He argues that a true democracy must uplift its majority, ensuring equity and wellbeing for all. Yet, as he reveals through compelling data, wealth inequality and declining social mobility have eroded these principles, leaving America increasingly akin to a plutocracy—a system where power rests with the wealthy few - which, by definition, cannot be considered a democracy. ➡️ Watch the full video below: https://lnkd.in/gs_2_zEb