Husband-and-wife co-founders Patrick and Alexandria Gentry had built Sprout Solutions to be one of the biggest Software-as-a-Service human resources management platforms in the Philippines, guided by the mission to "impact the life of every Filipino by improving business in the Philippines." In 2019, they closed a $6 million Series A round of funding; in 2022, they were projecting what a Series B funding round might look like. Crucially, they were pondering two different growth trajectories: to stay in their home market of the Philippines and move towards creating an entire HR ecosystem including fintech offerings; or branch out into neighboring markets, a path which may attract more global investors.

About how Singapore-based natural resources firm Royal Golden Eagle, starting with a palm oil business in Indonesia, eventually expanded into a global conglomerate that also included the kraft pulp and paper, viscose, and natural gas industries.

This case examines the challenges and opportunities of doing business in Seoul, South Korea. It highlights South Korea's economic development in the decades leading up to 2023 in the context of its history, culture, and politics.

Singapore-based bank DBS went through three waves of purpose-driven transformation, overhauling the bank's systems, upgrading employee skills, and re-centering its customer focus, with the bank's purpose growing bolder with each key milestone achieved. Find out how the board, CEO Piyush Gupta and his management committee steered the bank through the waves of change, and the challenges they had to overcome along the way.

Based in China, Envision was one of the world's leading Greentech companies. Chief Executive Officer Lei Zhang had set the goal of achieving carbon neutrality across the company's global operations and supply chain by 2022 and 2028 respectively. As part of its longer-term goal of finding ways to match the supply of renewable energy with demand more efficiently, the company was also pursuing a Smart City project in Singapore as well as building the world's first net-zero industrial park in Inner Mongolia. In face of the many opportunities afforded by the fast-changing energy sector, with constraints on its human as well as financial resources, was Envision taking the best actions for the future? And will they be enough to combat the "climate crisis" that humanity is facing?

This case describes the entrepreneurial journey of David Yeung, from campaigning for plant-based diets to building Green Monday, a purpose-driven business and an ecosystem based in Hong Kong comprising a retail platform, an alternative meat brand ("OmniPork"), a non-profit foundation, and an impact investment arm. Green Monday had been reshaping the traditional concept of plant-based food into a modern and aspirational lifestyle by providing more food options to the growing number of flexitarian consumers in Hong Kong and beyond. But in fall 2021, challenges were emerging that could slow its rapid growth. Externally, the breakdown of the global supply chain caused by the Covid-19 pandemic was affecting the company's expansion into new markets, such as mainland China, the U.S., and Southeast Asia. Internally, the strategy of operating multiple business models was testing the startup's ability to find a balance between growing the business without diluting its strong mission and purpose. Given these constraints, Yeung had some important decisions to make regarding Green Monday's growth plans. Should he continue the multi-business strategy or should he be more focused?

Tencent, one of the largest Internet conglomerates in China, had a vision to become a "Tech+Culture" firm. With dominant market shares in online games and social networking, it had built a vast Internet-based entertainment ecosystem, and was now focused on cultural asset development. Specifically, the company had an opportunity to develop a media franchise that was rich in Chinese cultural elements and had the potential to turn into a blockbuster franchise comparable with Disney's Marvel Cinematic Universe. Edward Cheng, the company's vice president, had to decide how to launch the franchise-whether it should start with a game, movie, a streamed series, or something more innovative. He also had to consider how to promote Chinese culture and project the country's image to a foreign audience.

The Lee family, whose Hong Kong-based Lee Kum Kee company has established itself as a legend within the Chinese and Asian sauce world, sets out to create a daring new vision of what family legacy means. With the family business having been established in 1888, and by 2020 showing no signs of slowing down, the members of the third, fourth, and fifth generations sit down to hash out exactly what it means to be in the family. To this end, they realize that what they need is not a simple one- or two-step succession plan, but a 1,000 Year Plan to guide family governance and values over the next millennium. This grand idea, replete with lofty goals, comes with all types of questions as each generation of the family brings their own perspective. What should those goals be? How can one generation possibly expect to anticipate the needs of the next? Is it right to predetermine the outcomes of a family so far in advance? As the Lee family addresses these questions, they shed light on the more familiar questions about legacy, values, and preparing for the future. Do these same questions not apply even in the case of one generation planning for the next? If a family believes in its ability to hold fast against the chaos of the world, why not plan for the entire future? Each member of the Lee family meets these ideas with their own mix of practical and idealistic solutions, and their landmark document generates a battery of criteria against which other families may compare their own ideas of legacy.

After the legendary founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) retired, the new chairman had to grapple with fresh challenges related to its China market. A recently opened factory in China had to find ways to reverse its financial loss and meet its full capacity; one of its major Chinese customers was facing sanctions by the U.S. government; China was investing billions of dollars in building its own powerhouse to compete in semiconductor production. The transition from 4G to 5G technology in the telecommunication industry, and the U.S.-China trade war also added to the uncertainties facing TSMC. What had changed in the competitive landscape for TSMC, and how should it respond to the changes? What were the options for the company in doing business with China, when the country had become both a customer and a competitor?

China Merchants Bank, the sixth-largest lender in China, intends to boost its family office business as a result of an increase in the population of ultra-high net worth individuals. Already ranked China's number-one private bank with AUM exceeding US$300 billion, the Bank is exploring different ways to cater to the demand from newly minted billionaires and their families, and to maintain its competitiveness in retaining these customers amid fierce competition with domestic and foreign banks. Management also needs to brace for an emerging trend in which super-affluent families opt to reduce their reliance on traditional bankers by setting up independent family offices. The case raises issues in segmentation of private banking, change in organization design, and devising strategies for target customers and value creation.

This case examines four Special Economic Zones in Myanmar. While the country's development had been hobbled by a complex history of military rule, ethnic conflict, and international sanctions, as it pursued liberalization it sought avenues to developing its economy. The four zones described in the case - Dawei, Kyaukphyu, Thilawa, and the New Yangon City project all had different roots and different motivations. The different rates of progress of each reflected the interests and approaches of each of the projects' participants.

Founded in 2015 by serial entrepreneur, Colin Huang, Pinduoduo Inc. (PDD) had become China's fastest-growing e-commerce platform in history. PDD pioneered a new approach to online shopping that allowed shoppers to share products, invite friends to form shopping teams, and purchase together at discounted prices. The company's rapid development helped it debut on the Nasdaq in July 2018, only three years after its inception. The fast growth was partly boosted by PDD's heavy investment in marketing and branding, such as through coupons and promotions. How should the company make its competitive advantages more sustainable? Could its business model be replicated outside China?

Baoneng calls for the removal of China Vanke's board of directors, citing as reasons the directors' mishandling of the Shenzhen Metro proposal as well as the company's various breaches of corporate governance requirements. Vanke defends itself against Baoneng's allegations, and also responds to the Shenzhen bourse's inquiries regarding the validity of the board vote.

In the battle for control over China Vanke, the Chinese securities regulator steps in to censure Vanke and Baoneng for acting against the interests of the market and minority shareholders. The Chinese insurance regulator also finds Baoneng to be in violation of insurance regulations, and subjects its insurance arm to severe restrictions on further sales of its products. A rival private property developer, China Evergrande, also joins the fray, buying enough shares to become Vanke's third largest shareholder. The case finally relays how the battle for control winds down and the eventual resolution.