ASME has been a steadfast advocate for SMEs, working to empower them through insights and support. As part of this effort, we are beginning a more open and consistent sharing of perspectives on the economic landscape, with more updates planned for 2025. To start, we engaged SMEs to reflect on their experiences in 2024 and share their outlook for 2025. Some of these insights were featured in The Straits Times article, Singapore firms braced for turbulent 2025 after a year hunkering down on transformation. Listen to ASME's Celestyn and Leon's sharing.

ASME Podcast (Singapore Economy 2024/2025)

DigiSôter CISO-as-a-Service for SMEs

This is the AHRMM Subject Matter Expert Podcast hosted by Justin Poulin.  Tune in every month as we speak with Industry Experts to highlight success stories and solutions from the field that advance the healthcare supply chain.  And now, Justin Poulin with this month’s Expert…

Guest:  Jason Isherwood, CEO LinSights health & ClearVu-IQ as well as Chair of the AHRMM National Chapter Relations Committee and healthcare linen and laundry optimization expert.

Topic:  Exploring insights from linen delivery systems, broader applicability to supply chain operations, and the vital role of AHRMM chapters.

Outline:
- Boots on the Ground: Passion for Improvement
   * Personal Insight: Jason shares his passion for identifying operational inefficiencies in 
      linen delivery mechanisms.
   * Real-World Example: A brief anecdote or impactful story about uncovering an 
      inefficiency during an on-site evaluation.
   * Transferable Lessons: How these insights apply to other healthcare supply chain 
      product delivery systems.
- Uncovering Truths in Delivery Mechanisms (6 minutes)
   * The Hidden Gaps: Common inefficiencies in linen and laundry delivery models.
   * The Bigger Picture: How data-driven insights and AI tools are transforming visibility 
      and decision-making.
   * Scalability: Why these truths aren’t just about linen—they’re relevant across the 
      healthcare supply chain.
- The Heartbeat of AHRMM: Chapters and Engagement (4 minutes)
   * Passion for AHRMM: Jason shares why AHRMM’s mission resonates with him.
   * The Role of Chapters: Chapters as the ‘heartbeat’ of AHRMM—community, shared 
      knowledge, localized impact.
   * Vision as Committee Chair: Goals for chapter relations, including enhanced resources, 
      activation teams, and member engagement.


AHRMM SME Podcast with Jason Isherwood

Episode Overview: 
This episode features a deep conversation with Joshua Bicknell, co-founder of Balloon Ventures, exploring how the organisation evolved from a non-profit connecting young people with informal entrepreneurs to becoming a financial institution that's deployed over $14 million in loans to SMEs across Kenya and Uganda, while openly sharing portfolio data to prove the viability of SME lending as an asset class.

Key topics:
- The false gospel of universal entrepreneurship
- Defining and creating "good jobs"
- Blended finance and return expectations
- The power of boring businesses
- Data transparency in impact investing
- Cash-based economies and digitalisation

Notable points:
1. Their portfolio businesses represent 8% of Eastern Uganda's GDP—approximately 0.5% of the country's total GDP
2. The institution provides loans of $10,000-$200,000 bundled with 6 months of business support
3. They're helping validate that SME lending can be viable with the right approach to data and risk
4. Their model challenges the "have your cake and eat it" narrative in impact investing
5. They're open-sourcing portfolio data to encourage other institutions to enter the space

Listen in for practical insights into how traditional brick-and-mortar businesses can drive meaningful economic development and job creation in East Africa's emerging markets.

Image credit: Balloon Ventures

Joshua Bicknell On How Balloon Ventures' 'Boring Business' Portfolio Drives 0.5% Of Uganda's GDP

Created by the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. This podcast discusses "Up Our Game, Canada! Module 2." With our heavy reliance on the U.S. market, Canadian businesses are especially vulnerable to tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canadian imports. Not only are Canadian businesses at risk of significant losses in revenue and customers, these tariffs will also cause disruptions in supply chains and operations, compounding the challenges Canadian SMEs are facing. And, unlike big corporations, SMEs do not have the resources to navigate or influence changes in trade policy. However, in every challenge lies opportunity. This module will provide you with a structured approach to protect your business from all angles. https://sprott.carleton.ca/up-our-game-canada/module-2/

Up Our Game Canada Module 2: Five Strategy Types for Canadian SMEs

This is the AHRMM Subject Matter Expert Podcast hosted by Justin Poulin.  Tune in every month as we speak with Industry Experts to highlight success stories and solutions from the field that advance the healthcare supply chain.  And now, Justin Poulin with this month’s Expert…

Guest:  Brian Zuck, VP of Supply Chain @ Essentia Health
Topic:  Supply chain resiliency and stability initiatives.

Outline:

- Resiliency means different things to different people, what does that mean to you?
- You use resiliency and stability in combination – why is that?
- Unique Challenges for Essentia
    * Rural Health System
    * Staffing Challenges
- 3 Keys to Success
   * Robust clinician led committee structure
   * Integrated ERP, Warehouse Management, Supply and Demand Planning systems
   * Leadership support for Supply Chain – New Highly Automated Distribution System
- The importance of centralized distribution and considerations for rural health systems to implement
    * Essentia had a centralized reporting structure to begin with which helped
- Where do you go from here?


AHRMM SME Podcast with Brian Zuck

Created by the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. This module will delve into powerful strategies—exploring frameworks versus playbooks, navigating the intricate trade block markets, and harnessing the potential of AI stacks. Let’s pause for a moment, reflect on the vast opportunities before us, and prepare to transform insight into impactful action. https://sprott.carleton.ca/up-our-game-canada/module-8/

Up Our Game Canada Module 8: Effectively Learn from New Knowledge and Apply It

Created by the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. This module will explore a comprehensive framework and playbook template specifically designed for Canadian SMEs ready to break new ground. 'Up Our Game, Canada!' is not just a call—it’s a strategic invitation to accelerate your international expansion beyond the U.S.  Equip your top management team with a robust, data-driven framework and a tailored playbook template—your strategic blueprint for success on the global stage. https://sprott.carleton.ca/up-our-game-canada/module-9/

Up Our Game Canada Module 9: Accelerate Your International Expansion Beyond the U.S.

In this episode of the Morning Mix on South East Radio, Neil Hughes discusses the importance of keeping SME businesses in focus, as well as the expansion of renewable energy usage, and mortgage rates being at a 20 month low.

Neil Hughes on Morning Mix with Alan Corcoran 17 - 02 - 2025

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Lyrics:

I understand the day, this should be a wonderland parade, me and bae, kissing and reminiscing, on the day we sway our way to explicit, first touch, burst such a big one, but what I am, damn, the worst, much of me is a gig, from dumb numb expressions, feelings not considered, that’s why in next sessions, with therapist, there I list why I feel then slighted, why she done? I the one, but she just real enlighted, the charade of my life is not built for a wife, I considered that, but done ridded at when it come to you, I wanna do this and do that, but from who true, they be a gonna if they do this, who diss they gal after dating? This pal, my book, look, it not o’vo’ but I need to change the chapter, mating is great in the essence, and I been on a spin finding love since my adolescence. Kind, in the one of a kind mind I possess, sorry that our story bind you, I go stresses, my ex out, next ‘bout I have wit’ my struggles, hit her up again, I been so shit, I want snuggles. I wasn’t your man, I was your boy, I would toy wit’ the plan. I does it again, haven’t really matured, I spurred off in the heat of the moment, beat it, I ain’t beat off, but I meet it, me and other gals, another lost vows, I smother on her pals, but how’s that being true, explicit that we exhibit, seeing through the dark, in this I been piss poor and sure, I spark mo’ connection, but at my own reflection, I hate it, Maybe It’s Me, yeah, Maybe It’s Me.

Maybe It's Me (Intro) (Prod. Yokai)

Up Our Game Canada-SME Resilience Against U.S. Pressures

As part of the FRC's campaign to support SMEs to engage with and access audit, Kate O'Neill, Director of Stakeholder Engagement and Corporate Affairs, and Mark Babington, Executive Director of Regulatory Standards, discuss the role of audit standards and how they can be applied in a proportionate and scalable way.

Understanding audit standards

In this episode of the Morning Mix on South East Radio, Neil Hughes discusses the strength of the Irish economy and the confidence the SME sector should maintain, regardless of the trade and tariff threats.

Neil Hughes on Morning Mix with Alan Corcoran 24 - 03 - 2025

Join Kate O'Neill, Director of Stakeholder Engagement and Corporate Affairs, Mark Babington, Executive Director of Regulatory Standards, and Dhruve Shah, Deputy Director of Professional Body Supervision, as they run through some of the early themes and feedback from the FRC's SME audit market study. 

SME Audit Market Study: What we've been hearing

SME (planet heartbreak edit) - PASHANIM X I HATE MODELS

This is the AHRMM Subject Matter Expert Podcast hosted by Justin Poulin.  Tune in every month as we speak with Industry Experts to highlight success stories and solutions from the field that advance the healthcare supply chain.  And now, Justin Poulin with this month’s Expert…

Guest:  Joseph Carr, Vice President of Supply Chain at Akron Children’s Hospital
Topic:  Product requisition and value analysis processes

Outline:
- Intro to Joseph & Background
- Tell us about Operational Excellence at Akron Children’s
- Two Projects for Improvement
   * Product Requisition
   * Value Analysis
- Product Requisition
   * Challenge:  No hierarchy in the product req process
   * Kaison Event – full process mapping (OE conducted)
   * 80k specials per year
   * Significant opportunity for savings/avoidance addressing a small percentage (5-10%)
- Value Analysis
   * No process in product req to review if VA needs to be involved
   * Big need for templating and were able to shift the work from SC & Clinician’s to suppliers
   * Next step is automation
- What’s next – Inventory Logistics and Distribution


AHRMM SME Podcast with Joseph Carr

In this podcast episode, Kate O'Neill, Director of Stakeholder Engagement and Corporate Affairs, and Project Directors, Ramana McConnon and Peter Kitson, discuss the crucial role audit plays in enhancing trust, confidence and transparency in financial statements.  

What is an Audit?

 Striking off a Singapore company is a cost effective and straight forward method for closing a business that has ceased operations. This process governed by ACRA allows business owners to legally remove a defunct company from the register without going through formal liquidation.To qualify the company must have no outstanding liabilities or legal proceedings. Striking off is ideal for businesses that are  inactive or no longer needed. Many firms in Singapore offer professional assistance to ensure the process is smooth and compliant. Choosing to striking off a Singapore company can help save time and resources.

Striking Off Singapore Company

Striking off a Singapore company is a cost effective and straight forward method for closing a business that has ceased operations. This process governed by ACRA allows business owners to legally remove a defunct company from the register without going through formal liquidation.To qualify the company must have no outstanding liabilities or legal proceedings. Striking off is ideal for businesses that are  inactive or no longer needed. Many firms in Singapore offer professional assistance to ensure the process is smooth and compliant. Choosing to striking off a Singapore company can help save time and resources.

Africa-focused technology, digital and innovation ecosystem insight and commentary.

Subscribe to the AHRMM podcast to learn about the health care supply chain!

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Our purpose is to improve the lives of our clients, our colleagues, and our communities in a sustainable way

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