Brands Must Align with Growing Digital Headwinds or Taste the Bitter Truth of Irrelevance

By: Rachita Sharma, Managing Editor | Tuesday, 12 September 2023

Has digitization consumed your life? If you live in Asia, the chances are, that it has.

A Meta and Bain & Company report highlighted that Southeast Asia has steadily growing digital consumer population. The number was expected to surpass 370 million by end of 2022 which accounts for almost 82 percent of total people above 15 years of age. The same report also estimated that the number of digital consumers will increase to 402 million by 2027.

Over the past few years, Asia has been the centre of digital growth. While consumers have grown rapidly, so has the number of digital innovations coming from the region. Right before the pandemic, almost 60 percent of the world’s patents in digital and computer technologies came from Asia.

The pandemic played a catalyst’s role for amplifying the region’s digital might. Sectors such as remote work apps, digital payment platforms, e-commerce tech saw major upsurge. Today Asia generates almost 60 percent of the world’s total online retail sales with Vietnam, Indonesia, and India leading the race.

The digital realm has intertwined with every aspect of life and work. It makes sense for brands to align with these digital headwinds or taste the bitter truth of irrelevance.

In the current edition of Women Entrepreneur magazine, we highlight women leaders who are at the forefront of this digital transformation of the business landscape.

In this issue read about Navdha Dhingra, AVP – Digital Marketing, Future Generali India Insurance. Navdha embarked on her digital journey in 2007, at a time when the term ‘digital’ was still nascent. Collaborating with renowned names like Quasar Media and McCann, Navdha took on the role of a brand and digital resource. A pivotal juncture in Navdha's career came through her association with iconic homegrown brands like Café Coffee Day (CCD) and Jet Airways.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Navdha is also a yoga teacher. A healthy body and mind, she believes, fuel cognitive functions, energy levels, posture, and sleep habits, thus contributing to excellence in all aspects of life.

Nguyen Huong Giang, Head of Digital Business, Mcredit is another illustrious women leader featured in the magazine. As a seasoned professional in the field, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. With a Bachelor's degree from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and additional training in Public Relations from the French Vietnam Center for Management (CFVG), Nguyen Huong Giang possesses a strong educational background.

Leaders such as Nguyen and Navdha are helping their respective organisations align with the developing digital trends. Read about their professional journey and their thoughts on navigating the new digital world.

Do let us know your thoughts.