Scaling a big American brand globally is not a guaranteed recipe for success any more. Market localization is key to building relevance and trust, especially in Asia. Here, locally founded brands move faster, without the shackles of ‘big brand’ bureaucracy. For leaders in the headquarters of multinational corporations, this type of freedom and pace may feel unusual, but as our guest today explains, it’s the norm in Asia. Joining us is Singapore-based Eugene Lee, CMO of fast-growing premium tea brand CHAGEE. Eugene’s transition from growing US brand McDonald's throughout Asia, to now growing a Chinese brand globally, has afforded him the chance to spot the rule differences in how brands activate across markets. And while the ideas come fast and pace of implementation even faster, Eugene stresses it’s never at the expense of a long term ambition. And that, he says, is giving big global brands a run for their money.

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Learn more:

• Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
• Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & Substack & jolepore.com
• Connect with Eugene on LinkedIn
• Check out CHAGEE https://global.chagee.com/id/en

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Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2026. Theme song by Azteca X.

Chaos in business is undesirable, to say the least. But chaos is normal, even necessary, in solving complex problems and capturing new growth. In this Business Brief, Jo reflects on the rejection of chaos in business, in favor of order, structure and process. And why, amidst our quest for predictability and preparation, we may need to embrace a little bit of chaos.

Business Brief is a (very brief) new solo series hosted by Looking Outside podcast host, foresight strategist Jo Lepore.

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Learn more:

• Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
• Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & Substack & jolepore.com
• Watch this Business Brief on YouTube

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

---

Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2026. Theme song by Adrian Walther.

Things used to be simpler. Competition fueled innovation. When wars were fought, you could easily tell who the good guys were. Institutions could be trusted. A lens like this might feel right, but is it true? Richard Hames doesn’t think so. Operating at the intersection of complex systems thinking, philosophy, foresight and organizational readiness for decades, Richard has observed the fracturing – and near collapse – of our societal and governing anchors. But this gradual transition, this disconnection from the ‘old world’, while unsettling, is neither good nor bad. For this future, Richard says openness and curiosity will serve us better than the best preparation.

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Learn more:

1. Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
2. Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & Substack & jolepore.com
3. Connect with Richard on LinkedIn
4. Talk to AI Richard www.upgradethesystem.com
5. More at richardhames.com

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

---

Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2026. Theme song by Azteca X.