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On Digital Transformation

Over the last 5 years, I have assumed leadership roles in multiple digital transformation projects.

In 2017, I worked as a senior consultant at Accenture, helping Cathay Pacific Airways transform their mobile app from a legacy platform to new native mobile technology. I led the sprint process and actively communicated priorities to remote team members. I gained hands-on experience coding for Node.js and Java Spring Boot servers, while simultaneously addressing client business challenges at the intersection of organizational structure and technology.

In 2018, I served as a consultant at EY, leading a project for HSBC's Payme business mobile app. The rise of e-commerce and AliPay's aggressive expansion into new products posed a threat to traditional banks. If these banks failed to adapt to the emerging QR payment trend, they risked becoming obsolete. My role was to help the bank navigate this transition successfully. I presented technical architecture and agile delivery methodologies, gained hands-on experience coding in Kotlin on Android, and advised on the migration from AWS to Azure for compliance reasons.

In 2019, I led the HSBC merchant online payment project as a technical lead. The pandemic accelerated the shift toward e-commerce sales, and the existing legacy platform struggled to keep pace, resulting in numerous failed transactions. I was responsible for building a new website with a more robust technology stack to replace the old platform. I led teams in delivering solutions from kick-off to launch, using Angular in TypeScript on Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), and fostered relationships across engineering, design, and stakeholder teams.

In 2021, I worked on a newly licensed, digital-only bank in Singapore. Unlike traditional banks burdened by legacy systems, this digital-only bank had the competitive advantage of utilizing cloud-native technology. Traditional banks may have more customers, financial resources, and market data, but new banks have the agility to innovate, enabling more efficient and cost-effective operations.

In 2022, I am currently involved in a Vietnamese Digital Bank project. As a key technical member of the Client Service team, I help build financial products on the platform. My tasks include working on bank deposit and lending products and implementing Python smart contract code. I analyze and translate business requirements into technical specifications, ensuring timely and successful delivery while collaborating with customers, partners, and other teams.

The most significant aspect of digital transformation projects over the past 5 years has been changing mindsets and introducing new ways of working. I have a decade of experience in software development, application architecture, and cloud solution deployment for enterprise customers. With master's degrees in both Computer Science and Business Administration (MBA) in Finance, I have a unique blend of technical and business acumen. I hold certifications in Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, Kubernetes, and Scrum, and have experience building banking products from scratch.

My career goal is to lead digital transformations, which are complex endeavors requiring innovative approaches to strategy. Launching large-scale projects without sufficient information can lead to resistance at various organizational levels. I aim to overcome these common barriers by winning early supporters through smaller successful projects and demonstrating clear financial impact.

My strength lies in my ability to learn and apply knowledge quickly. In a volatile business environment, it's crucial to adapt swiftly and test assumptions at a low cost. My test-and-learn mentality serves as a source of continuous improvement, enabling me to provide valuable feedback and help teams succeed.

However, my weakness could be my tendency to focus solely on technology. Digital transformation is not just about technological change; it's about meeting customer needs more effectively. As an engineering manager, I realize that technology alone cannot transform an industry without a business model that connects it to an emerging market.

Innovation requires a diverse skill set. A team that includes both business and technical individuals, working alongside domain experts, ensures projects address organizational priorities rather than isolated departmental issues. When I, as a software developer, involve end-users in the design of applications, the likelihood of successful adoption increases significantly.

On Digital Transformation

Welcome to Continuous Improvement, the podcast where we explore the world of digital transformation and discuss strategies for success. I'm your host, Victor, and in today's episode, we'll dive into the career journey of a digital transformation leader.

But before we begin, a quick reminder to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a review if you enjoy the content. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Now, let's get started.

Over the past 5 years, our guest today has assumed leadership roles in multiple digital transformation projects, working with renowned companies like Cathay Pacific Airways, HSBC, and EY. With a unique blend of technical and business acumen, our guest has tackled complex challenges and obtained hands-on experience in various technologies.

In 2017, as a senior consultant at Accenture, our guest led the transformation of Cathay Pacific Airways' mobile app, moving it from a legacy platform to a new native mobile technology. Through effective communication and the utilization of his coding skills, our guest successfully addressed both the organizational and technological challenges.

Following this, in 2018, our guest worked as a consultant at EY on a project for HSBC's Payme business mobile app. The rise of e-commerce and the disruption caused by AliPay posed a threat to traditional banks. Our guest was entrusted with guiding HSBC through this transition, advising on technical architecture, agile delivery methodologies, and even driving the migration from AWS to Azure.

In 2019, our guest took on the role of technical lead for the HSBC merchant online payment project. With the sudden surge in e-commerce due to the pandemic, our guest played a crucial role in building a new website to handle the increased demand. Leveraging Angular, TypeScript, and Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), our guest ensured a smooth launch while collaborating with various teams.

Continuously pushing boundaries, our guest then joined a digital-only bank project in Singapore in 2021. Unlike traditional banks burdened by legacy systems, this digital bank had the advantage of utilizing cloud-native technology. Our guest witnessed firsthand how agility and innovation can lead to more efficient and cost-effective operations.

Now, in 2022, our guest is contributing to a Vietnamese Digital Bank project, working on building financial products on the platform. With a diverse skill set and the ability to analyze business requirements and translate them into technical specifications, our guest is helping drive innovation and success in the banking sector.

Throughout these experiences, our guest emphasizes the importance of changing mindsets and introducing new ways of working. Digital transformation is not just about technology—it's about meeting customer needs effectively. Our guest's journey highlights the need for a diverse team, involving both business and technical individuals, and working closely with end-users to ensure successful adoption.

While focused on technology, our guest acknowledges the importance of developing a strong business model that connects technology to an emerging market. With a test-and-learn mentality and a commitment to continuous improvement, our guest aims to lead successful digital transformations.

And that's a wrap for today's episode of Continuous Improvement. I hope you found our guest's journey inspiring and learned valuable insights about digital transformation.

Don't forget to tune in next week for another exciting episode. Until then, keep exploring and striving for continuous improvement.

Thank you for listening to Continuous Improvement. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave us a review. We appreciate your support.

關於數位轉型

在過去的5年裡,我在多個數位轉型項目中擔任領導角色。

2017年,我在埃森哲擔任高級顧問,幫助國泰航空將其手機應用程序從傳統平台轉換為新的本地移動技術。我領導了迭代過程,並積極與遠程團隊成員溝通優先事項。我獲得了在Node.js和Java Spring Boot服務器上編碼的實戰經驗,同時解決客戶在組織結構和技術交叉點上的商業挑戰。

2018年,我在安永擔任顧問,領導滙豐銀行的Payme業務移動應用項目。電子商務的興起和支付寶對新產品的積極擴展對傳統銀行構成威脅。如果這些銀行未能適應新興的二維碼支付趨勢,可能會變得過時。我的角色是幫助銀行成功地進行這項轉變。我展示了技術架構和敏捷交付方法論,在Android上使用Kotlin進行編碼的實戰經驗,並就由於合規原因從AWS遷移到Azure的問題提供建議。

2019年,我作為技術負責人領導了滙豐銀行的商家在線支付項目。大流行病加速了向電子商務銷售的轉變,現有的傳統平台無法跟上,導致許多交易失敗。我負責建立一個使用更穩健技術堆棧的新網站,以取代舊平台。我帶領團隊從啟動到上市提供解決方案,使用TypeScript on Adobe Experience Manager (AEM)的Angular,並在工程師,設計師和利益相關者團隊之間建立了良好的關係。

2021年,我參與了在新加坡新獲許可的數位銀行的工作。與受傳統系統限制的傳統銀行不同,這家數位銀行有利用雲原生技術的競爭優勢。傳統銀行可能擁有更多的客戶,財務資源和市場數據,但新銀行有進行創新的機敏性,使得運營更高效,成本更低。

2022年,我目前參與越南數字銀行項目。作為客戶服務團隊的關鍵技術成員,我幫助在平台上建立金融產品。我的任務包括在銀行存款和貸款產品上工作,並實現Python智能合約代碼。我分析並將業務要求轉化為技術規範,確保及時和成功的交付,同時與客戶,合作夥伴和其他團隊合作。

在過去5年的數位轉型項目中,最重要的一部分是改變思維模式並引入新的工作方式。我在軟體開發,應用架構設計,和企業用戶雲解決方案部署方面有十年的經驗。擁有計算機科學和金融商學碩士(MBA)學位的我,具有獨特的技術和商業智識結合。我擁有Amazon Web Services (AWS),Google Cloud Platform (GCP),Microsoft Azure,Kubernetes和Scrum的認證,並有從頭開始建立銀行產品的經驗。

我的職業目標是領導數位轉型,這需要創新戰略來應對複雜的挑戰。在沒有足夠信息的情況下啟動大規模項目可能會導致組織各級的抵制。我希望通過更小的成功項目早期贏得支持者,並展示明確的財務影響來克服這些常見障礙。

我的優勢在於我學習並快速應用知識的能力。在多變的商業環境中,迅速適應並以低成本測試假設至關重要。我的測試和學習的心態是持續改進的源泉,使我能夠提供有價值的反饋,幫助團隊成功。

然而,我的弱點可能是我過於關注技術。數字轉型不僅僅關於技術變革;它是關於更有效地滿足客戶需求。作為一個工程經理,我明白單憑技術無法改變一個行業,除非有一種商業模式將其與新興市場連接起來。

創新需要多種多樣的技能。包括商業和技術人員的團隊,與領域專家共同工作,可以確保項目解決組織的優先問題,而不是孤立的部門問題。當我作為軟體開發人員將最終用戶納入應用程序的設計中時,成功採用的可能性大大增加。

Think and Grow Rich - Book Review

The book I'm going to review is "Think and Grow Rich," written by Napoleon Hill. Reading this book in public might be a bit awkward, not because it's poorly written, but because its title could come off as superficial. Given that people often judge a book by its cover, I worry they may judge me based on what I'm reading.

Let's start with a quotation from Henry Ford that is featured in the book: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right." This quote encapsulates the essence of the book. Initially, I was skeptical about reading it. Was it a scam? A Ponzi scheme? Or perhaps an attempt to persuade me to invest in Bitcoin and NFTs? The author claims to reveal "the biggest secret of all time," even though he has faced accusations of fraud and business failure.

However, before passing judgment, it's important to understand the book's historical context. It was published in 1937, during the Great Depression. Today, we find ourselves in a similar situation, with the stock market having dropped by 20%. Despite this, the book remains a bestseller, has sold more than 20 million copies, and belongs to the self-improvement genre. I've read many self-improvement books, and if they were as effective as they claim, I'd already be wealthy and retired on a yacht, enjoying my life.

The book emphasizes mindset, distilled down to a simple formula: desire, faith, and then action. Despite its title, the book clarifies that you can't simply think your way to riches; action is required. If you possess enough desire, have faith in yourself, and conquer your fears, you'll be compelled to act.

The book features numerous motivational stories and case studies of successful individuals, like American industrialist Andrew Carnegie. While it claims to be supported by research, the methodology doesn't appear to be rigorously scientific. The best way to test the book's ideas is to put them into action.

Don't expect to get paid simply for knowing something; you have to act on that knowledge. The world doesn't pay people for what they "know"; it pays them for what they do or for their ability to inspire others to act. A skilled leader can significantly increase the efficiency of others, persuading them to provide better service than they would on their own.

It's one thing to want money—everyone does—but it's another thing entirely to actually be worth more. Many people confuse their desires with their true worth. Your financial goals have nothing to do with your actual value, which is determined solely by your ability to provide valuable service or to encourage others to do so.

Success is unattainable for those who repel people with a negative personality. Power is achieved through cooperative efforts, and a negative personality won't facilitate such cooperation.

Having a college degree doesn't necessarily make one educated. An educated person has learned how to achieve their goals without infringing upon the rights of others. Education is less about accumulating knowledge and more about applying it effectively and consistently.

If you're obsessed with the idea of becoming rich, my first recommendation would be to read this book.

Think and Grow Rich - Book Review

Welcome to Continuous Improvement, the podcast that helps you unleash your full potential and achieve success in all areas of your life. I'm your host, Victor, and today we're diving into the world of personal development with a book review of "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill.

Now, before we begin, I want to address the elephant in the room. Yes, the title may sound a bit superficial, and you might even feel a tad awkward reading it in public. But trust me, there's much more to this book than meets the eye.

Let's kick things off with a powerful quote that sets the tone for the entire book. Henry Ford once said, "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right." This quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of "Think and Grow Rich." At first, I too had my reservations about this book. Was it a scam? A get-rich-quick scheme? But as I delved into its pages, I discovered something much more profound.

To truly understand this book, we need to consider its historical context. Published in 1937, during the Great Depression, "Think and Grow Rich" remains a bestseller, having sold over 20 million copies. It belongs to the self-improvement genre, and like many self-improvement books, it raises skepticism. After all, if these books were truly effective, we'd all be living lavish lives by now. But let's not jump to conclusions just yet.

The core message of the book revolves around mindset—a key factor in achieving success. It's not just about thinking your way to riches; action is required. Hill presents a simple formula: desire, faith, and then action. If you have an unwavering desire, faith in yourself, and the courage to conquer your fears, you'll be propelled to take the necessary action.

Throughout the book, Hill shares captivating stories and case studies of successful individuals, including renowned industrialist Andrew Carnegie. While some accuse the book of lacking scientific rigor in its methodology, I believe the best way to test its ideas is through action. Knowledge alone won't get you paid; it's the application and the ability to inspire others to act that holds the key to financial success.

"Think and Grow Rich" also tackles the importance of character and mindset. Building positive relationships and cooperative efforts are crucial for achieving power and success. In essence, your ability to provide valuable service and inspire others is what truly sets you apart.

The book challenges the notion that a college degree equates to true education. True education lies in the effective application of knowledge without infringing upon the rights of others. It's about consistently pursuing your goals and making a positive impact.

If you're someone who's passionate about becoming wealthy, I wholeheartedly recommend reading "Think and Grow Rich." It's a powerful exploration of mindset, action, and the principles that can guide you towards your goals.

And that brings us to the end of this episode of Continuous Improvement. I hope you found this book review insightful and inspiring. Remember, success is within reach if you're willing to embrace the right mindset and take consistent action.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to Continuous Improvement on your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to leave us a review. Until next time, keep striving for greatness.

[END OF SCRIPT]

思考與致富 - 書評

我要評論的書是由拿破崙·希爾所著的"思考與致富"。在公眾場合讀這本書可能會有點尷尬,不是因為它寫得不好,而是因為它的書名可能顯得刻板。人們常常以貌取人,我擔心他們可能根據我正在閱讀的內容來評價我。

我們先引用一段亨利·福特在書中說的話:"不論你認為自己能,或是你認為你不能,你都是對的。"這句話概括了這本書的精髓。起初,我對於閱讀這本書感到懷疑。這是個騙局?是庞次宗吗?還是試圖說服我投資比特幣和NFT的一種手法?儘管作者被指控欺詐和經營失敗,他仍宣稱揭示了“有史以來最大的秘密”。

然而,在做出評價前,了解書籍的歷史背景很重要。它是在1937年,大蕭條期間出版的。今天,我們發現自己處於類似的情況,股市下跌了20%。儘管如此,這本書仍是暢銷書,已經銷售了超過2000萬冊,並被歸類為自我提升類型的書籍。我讀過很多自我提升的書,如果他們像宣稱的那樣有效,我應該已經富有並在遊艇上過著享受生活的退休生活了。

這本書強調的是心態,明確的表達成一個簡單的公式:慾望,信念,然後行動。儘管他的書名明示你可以通過思考致富,但書中明確表示你必須付諸行動。如果你足夠渴望,對自己有信念,並且克服你的恐懼,你將被迫去行動。

書中有很多成功人士的激勵故事和案例研究,如美國的大工業家安德魯·卡內基。儘管書籍宣稱受到研究支持,但其方法似乎並未嚴格遵循科學準則。測試書中思想的最好方式是將之付諸行動。

別指望僅僅因為知道某件事就能得到報酬;你必須將那知識付諸行動。世界不會因為人們“知道”什麼而付給他們報酬;它會根據他們做了什麼或者他們的能力來激勵其他人去行動來付賬。一個技巧純熟的領導者可以顯著提高他人的效率,說服他們提供比他們自己會提供的更好的服務。

想要錢是一回事–每個人都想–但真正的價值在於你是否真的價值連城。很多人把他們的慾望和他們真正的價值混為一談。你的財務目標與你的實際價值無關,因為你的實際價值完全取決於你提供有價值的服務的能力或鼓勵他人這樣做的能力。

對於將人們以負面的個性推開的人來說,成功是無法實現的。力量是通過合作努力來實現的,而負面的個性不會促進這種合作。

擁有學位並不一定使人受過教育。一個受過教育的人學會了如何在不侵犯他人權利的情況下實現自己的目標。教育不在於積累知識,而在於如何有效且持之以恆地應用知識。

如果你對致富的想法痴迷,我首先建議你閱讀這本書。

Vietnamese Street Food

Today, I am going to review Vietnamese street food. All the photos featured in this post were taken by me during the trip. I will showcase the authentic Vietnamese street food that I enjoyed throughout my journey.

Food during the Vietnam War

In the Củ Chi Tunnels

Food during Vietnam War

I traveled with a vegetarian colleague for two weeks. Due to her dietary restrictions, all our meals were vegetarian. Honestly, I found the vegetarian dishes somewhat disappointing. This photo depicts food eaten during the Vietnam War—a dry, flavorless potato. The harsh reality of the time was that people were so hungry they had little choice. An elderly man told me he even had to eat dogs to survive. It's important not to judge in this context.

Motorbike Local Street Food Tour

Motorbike Tour

I could only indulge in proper street food on weekends when my colleague was not around. The most local way to enjoy street food is by riding a motorbike. Driving in Vietnam is an adventure in itself; traffic rules are more like suggestions. People say if you can drive a motorbike in Vietnam, you can drive anywhere in the world. Thankfully, I made it through without any injuries.

Bánh Tráng Nướng (Vietnamese Pizza)

Vietnamese Pizza

Vietnamese pizza is another popular dish. It is made with rice paper, making it light and easy to eat. Authentic Vietnamese pizza is cooked over an open flame, without concern for safety regulations. The end result is simply delightful.

Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Pancake)

Vietnamese Pancake

Next up is the Vietnamese pancake, cooked in a wok over real fire. The pancake is filled with various aromatic ingredients like morning glory, making it incredibly fragrant.

Bột Chiên (Fried Rice Flour Cakes with Papaya on Top)

Fried Rice Flour Cakes

While fried rice is a favorite of mine, this dish takes it up a notch. It's essentially fried rice flour cakes, and it's delicious.

Nem Bò Nướng Sả (Smoky Sweet and Savory Pork Skewer)

Pork Skewer

Pork skewers are also a hit. Pigs might be smart, but they're also incredibly tasty.

Bánh Mì (Vietnamese Baguette)

Vietnamese Baguette

The French colonial influence in Vietnam has left us with this delicious Vietnamese baguette, also known as Bánh Mì.

Bún Bò Huế (Beef Noodle Soup from Hue)

CO AN, 001 BIS C/C NGUYEN THIEN THUAT, P.1 Q3, TPHCM

Beef Noodle Soup from Hue

This isn't Pho; it's called Bún Bò Huế and it's a bit spicy. Hue is the name of the city where this dish originates. I apologize to vegetarians, but it's too good to pass up. In Vietnam, veganism is not commonly understood; people often add fish sauce even to salads.

Bún Cả (Fish Cake)

Fish Cake

Bún Cả is a delightful fish cake dish. It becomes even more flavorful when you add fish sauce, the ultimate flavor enhancer.

And More

Various Foods

There's plenty more delicious food to try.

Chuối Nếp Nướng (Banana Sticky Rice)

378 VO VAN TAN, P.5. QUAN 3, TP. HCM

Banana Sticky Rice

For dessert, I recommend Banana Sticky Rice with coconut. It's a delicious alternative to the Mango Sticky Rice found in Thailand. Just be careful with the pronunciation; you don't want to accidentally say something inappropriate.

Dessert

Miscellaneous Dessert

Various jelly-like desserts offer a perfect balance of sweet and salty.

Coconut Ice Cream

Coconut Ice Cream

In this picture, you see two ice creams, although I'm eating alone. The upside of being single? You get both for yourself.

Coconuts

Coconut

Here's a plain coconut, in case you've never seen one.

Coconut Coffee

Coconut Coffee

My current favorite drink is coconut coffee. It's like Starbucks' Frappuccino but much better.

And More Vietnamese Coffee

Vietnamese Coffee

Of course, Vietnam is famous for its coffee, especially the kind made with condensed milk. It's as good as it looks.

Useful Phrases to Learn

Rượu (Getting Drunk)

The first word is "rượu," which means getting drunk. Whether you're happy or sad, getting "rượu" is the answer to everything.

Một, Hai, Ba, YO (1, 2, 3, Cheers)

The second phrase is "Một, Hai, Ba, YO," meaning "1, 2, 3, Cheers." It's simple and easy to remember, so grab your beer and say it with me: "Một, Hai, Ba, YO!"

Vietnamese Street Food

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Continuous Improvement." I'm your host, Victor, and today we have a mouthwatering topic to dive into - Vietnamese street food! So grab a snack, sit back, and let's embark on a culinary adventure through the vibrant streets of Vietnam.

Vietnam is known for its rich history and diverse culture, but its street food scene is truly something to behold. During the Vietnam War, food was scarce, and the first dish we'll discuss serves as a reminder of that challenging time. It's a photo of a dry, flavorless potato - a representation of the hardships people faced. It's important to approach this with empathy and understanding.

Now, let's switch gears and delve into the exciting experiences I had while sampling authentic Vietnamese street food. The best way to truly immerse oneself in the culture is by joining a motorbike local street food tour. Trust me, driving in Vietnam is an adventure in itself - traffic rules are more like suggestions! But don't worry, I made it through unscathed.

One of my favorite street food dishes is Bánh Tráng Nướng, also known as Vietnamese Pizza. Unlike its Italian counterpart, this dish is made with light and crispy rice paper, cooked over an open flame. Just don't expect any safety regulations here!

A popular dish that you must try is Bánh Xèo, the Vietnamese pancake. Cooked in a wok over real fire, it's a fragrant and savory delight. The pancake is filled with mouthwatering ingredients like morning glory, making it a must-try on your culinary journey.

Another dish that caught my attention is Bột Chiên. It takes fried rice to a whole new level. Imagine tasty rice flour cakes fried to perfection and topped with flavorful papaya slices. It's an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving for more.

Now, let's talk about Nem Bò Nướng Sả, smoky sweet and savory pork skewers. Pigs might be smart, but they are also incredibly delicious. The succulent pieces of grilled pork will satisfy any meat lover's cravings.

The French colonial influence in Vietnam gifted us with Bánh Mì, the Vietnamese baguette. Picture a crispy yet soft baguette filled with various delectable ingredients. It's a mouthwatering blend of flavors that will make your taste buds sing.

For the soup lovers out there, I recommend trying Bún Bò Huế. This spicy beef noodle soup hails from the city of Hue and packs a punch. Although it might not be suitable for vegetarians, it's simply too good to pass up. Keep in mind that fish sauce is a common addition in Vietnamese cuisine, even to salads.

If you're a fan of fish, you must try Bún Cả, a delightful fish cake dish. But wait, there's a secret to enhance its flavor - fish sauce. Known as the ultimate flavor enhancer, it takes this dish to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Now, let's satisfy our sweet tooth. I recommend trying Chuối Nếp Nướng, banana sticky rice with coconut. It's a mouthwatering dessert and a delightful alternative to Thailand's famous Mango Sticky Rice. Just be careful with the pronunciation, as we don't want any unintentional miscommunications.

Vietnam offers a wide variety of desserts. From jelly-like treats to miscellaneous sweet and salty delicacies, there's a dessert to satisfy every craving. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new - you won't be disappointed.

Coconut lovers, get ready for a treat! Vietnam is abundant in coconuts, and they're put to great use. Whether it's a simple coconut itself or a creamy coconut ice cream, you're in for a refreshing delight. And for coffee enthusiasts, Vietnam is famous for its coffee, especially the kind made with condensed milk. It's an indulgence worth savoring.

Before we wrap up, let's learn a couple of useful phrases. If you're up for a night of festivities, the word "rượu" means "getting drunk." But remember, everything in moderation! And when it's time to raise your glass, you can join the locals with the phrase "Một, Hai, Ba, YO" - it means "1, 2, 3, Cheers!" So let's practice together: "Một, Hai, Ba, YO!"

And that's a wrap for today's episode of "Continuous Improvement." I hope I've whetted your appetite for Vietnamese street food. If you ever find yourself in Vietnam, be sure to explore the vibrant streets and indulge in these mouthwatering delicacies. Until next time, remember to keep improving, one flavorful bite at a time.

越南街頭美食

今天,我將評論一下越南街頭美食。這篇文章中展示的所有照片都是我在旅行期間拍攝的。我將展示我在旅程中享用的道地越南街頭美食。

越戰時期的食物

在Củ Chi隧道中

越戰時期的食物

我和一位素食的同事旅行了兩個星期。由於她的飲食限制,我們所有的餐點都是素食。誠實地說,我覺得素食菜肴有點失望。這張照片描繪的是越戰時期的食物—乾燥、無味的馬鈴薯。當時的世貞現實是,人們餓得並無選擇。一位老人告訴我,他甚至為了生存而不得不吃狗。在這種情況下最重要的是不要進行評判。

摩托車當地街頭美食之旅

摩托車遊覽

只有在我的同事不在的週末,我才能盡情享用正宗的街頭美食。最地道的享用街頭美食的方法就是騎摩托車。在越南駕駛本身就是一種冒險;交通規則更像是建議。人們說,如果你能在越南騎摩托車,你就能在世界任何地方開車。謝天謝地,我並未受到任何傷害。

Bánh Tráng Nướng(越南披薩)

越南披薩

越南披薩是另一種受歡迎的菜肴。它是用米紙做的,吃起來輕盈易嚼。正宗的越南披薩是在開放的火焰上烹製的,而完全不顧安全規定。最終的結果簡直讓人愉快。

Bánh Xèo(越南餅乾)

越南餅乾

下面是越南的餅乾,這是在真火上的鍋子中烹製的。餅乾裡為滿是各種香料像是番薯葉, 讓這餅乾充滿香氣。

Bột Chiên(炸飯粉餅上加木瓜)

炸飯粉餅

雖然炒飯是我的最愛,但這道菜帶來了更多的享受。這基本上是炸飯粉餅,它很美味。

Nem Bò Nướng Sả(煙熏甜味和鹹味的豬肉串)

豬肉串

豬肉串也是很有人氣的。豬可能很聰明,但他們也非常美味。

Bánh Mì(越南法棍)

越南法棍麵包

法國在越南的殖民影響留下了美味的越南法棍,也被稱為Bánh Mì。

Bún Bò Huế(來自順化的牛肉麵湯)

CO AN, 001 BIS C/C NGUYEN THIEN THUAT, P.1 Q3, TPHCM

來自順化的牛肉麵湯

Bún Bò Huế是一種稍微有點辣的菜。Hue是這道菜發源城市的名字。對素食者深感抱歉,但它實在太好吃了。在越南,大部分人並不懂素食主義;他們甚至會在沙拉中加魚露。

Bún Cả (魚餅)

魚餅

Bún Cả是一種令人愉快的魚餅菜。當你加入魚露時,它變得更有風味。

更多

各種食物

還有更多美味的食物等著你去嘗試。

Chuối Nếp Nướng (香蕉糯米飯)

378 VO VAN TAN, P.5. QUAN 3, TP. HCM

香蕉糯米飯

甜點 我推薦香蕉糯米飯配椰子。 與泰國的芒果糯米飯相比,這更加美味。 小心發音,以免說錯關鍵字。

點心

雜式點心

各式各樣的果凍狀點心提供甜鹹味的完美平衡。

椰子冰淇淋

椰子冰淇淋

在這張照片中,你會看到兩份冰淇淋,儘管我自己一個人在吃。單身的好處是?你兩份都可以拿到。

椰子

椰子

這是一顆普通的椰子,如果你從未見過的話。

椰子咖啡

椰子咖啡

我目前最喜歡的飲料是椰子咖啡。 它像星巴克的冰奶茶,但味道更好。

以及更多的越南咖啡

越南咖啡

当然,越南以其咖啡而著名,尤其是用炼乳制成的。 它和看起来一样好。

有用的短語學習

Rượu (喝醉)

第一個字是 "rượu",意思是喝醉。不論你是高興還是難過,"rượu" 都是解決一切的答案。

Một, Hai, Ba, YO (1, 2, 3, 乾杯)

第二個短語是 "Một, Hai, Ba, YO",意思是 "1, 2, 3, 乾杯"。這短語簡單易記,所以拿上你的啤酒,跟我一起說: "Một, Hai, Ba, YO!"

Product Strategy Recommendations

I recently completed an online course where I learned the frameworks and concepts needed to create compelling and memorable product experiences. I chose to apply this knowledge to Thought Machine, a company that has developed a core banking product. This product is revolutionizing the banking industry by empowering banks to offer innovative services to their customers.

Thought Machine has experienced substantial growth, recently raising $200 million in a Series C funding round. The round included industry-leading VCs and global banks such as Nyca Partners, Molten Ventures, JPMorgan, and Standard Chartered. This brings the company's total funding to $350 million, with a valuation exceeding £1 billion. Thought Machine collaborates with several banks, ranging from Tier 1 institutions to challengers, including Atom Bank, Curve, Lord Banking Group, Monese, SEB, Standard Chartered, TransferGo, Arvest, ING, and JP Morgan Chase.

The company's flagship product is Vault, a cloud-native ledger platform that operates on various cloud services, including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure. Thanks to smart contracts, Vault offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing it to run various retail banking products like current accounts, savings, loans, credit cards, and mortgages.

Levels of the Product

The best products offer more than just functionality; they meet a psychological need. Here's a breakdown:

Augmented Product

  • Real-time data transmission in and out of the ledger enables rich data streaming for AI and reporting.
  • Banks can manage everything from international currencies to cryptocurrencies and reward points.
  • A payments processing platform that allows any bank to manage payments across all methods, schemes, and regions worldwide.

Actual Product

  • A modern core banking platform in the cloud utilizing state-of-the-art infrastructure.
  • Product Library features a catalog of over 200 pre-configured financial products, such as current and savings accounts, loans, and mortgages.
  • The platform is designed with an API-first architecture, enabling banks to easily connect to services and technologies from other vendors.

Core Product

  • Reduces capital expenditure for on-premise hardware, significantly lowering a bank's carbon footprint.
  • Enables banks to innovate and introduce new financial services to their customers.
  • With Vault Core as the Universal Product Engine, banks can run any product they desire.

Competitive Landscape

Understanding the competition at various levels — narrow, form, need, and substitute — helps in positioning the product.

Narrow

  • Products nearly identical to yours, sharing both core and actual features.

  • Mambu

  • Temenos
  • Finastra

Form

  • Similar actual products competing for wallet share, but not perfect substitutes.

  • Microsoft Dynamics 365

  • 10x
  • FIS MBP

Need

  • Different actual products that meet the same core needs for the user.

  • Legacy systems, like IBM mainframes

Resource

  • Products competing for the same customer resources (i.e., money, time, attention).

  • Excel

  • Fiserv
  • Silverlake

Niche Evaluation

Evaluate the product's niche using Professor Alter's four criteria for a strong niche.

Size

  • The global retail core banking market is estimated to be worth just over £6 billion.

Identifiable

  • How to identify individuals with this need:

  • Newly established banks with digital banking licenses.

  • Banks needing to migrate legacy systems to a cloud platform.

Accessible

  • Channels for marketing to these individuals include:

  • Management consultants working in the banking sector.

  • Partners operating within the banking ecosystem.

Predictable Behaviors

  • Banks looking to compete and differentiate their financial products.

Friction Audit

Identify all customer touchpoints, pinpoint areas of friction, and suggest how Thought Machine could alleviate these issues.

Phase: Pre-Purchase Customer Touchpoint: Assessing Risk Friction: Banks are risk-averse and unwilling to change. Solution: Introduce Agile Methodology

Phase: Pre-Purchase Customer Touchpoint: Joining Demo Sessions Friction: Banks with outdated technological knowledge Solution: Introduce modern cloud architecture

Phase: Pre-Purchase Customer Touchpoint: Decision Making Friction: Bank decision-makers have close personal relationships with competitors. Solution: Build relationships with decision-makers

Phase: Purchase Customer Touchpoint: Signing Contract Friction: Complex software licensing documents Solution: Simplify and standardize the terms and conditions

Phase: Purchase Customer Touchpoint: Writing Statement of Work Friction: Banks may lack complete requirements. Solution: Engage early and provide a technical estimate

Phase: Purchase Customer Touchpoint: Team Formation Friction: Lack of talent within the bank for project participation Solution: Bring in system integration partners

Phase: Post-Purchase Customer Touchpoint: Product Installation Friction: Banks struggle with product installation Solution: Offer expert support

Phase: Post-Purchase Customer Touchpoint: Product Documentation Friction: Bank developers struggle to understand the product Solution: Provide enablement training and a self-service learning portal

Phase: Post-Purchase Customer Touchpoint: Production Support Friction: Need for platform stability Solution: Offer 24/7 product support and triage by severity levels

Product Innovation

The sweet spot for incremental innovation lies at the intersection of articulated needs for unserved customers and unarticulated needs for served customers. Here are some targeted customer needs:

  • Out-of-the-box core banking service
  • Flexibility with an easy-to-use configuration layer
  • Hosting options on both private and public cloud platforms
  • A scalable solution capable of high demand and throughput
  • Better integration with other banking systems
  • Enhanced reporting and data analytics
  • Data protection and privacy for personally identifiable information (PII)
  • Operational resilience to minimize production incidents

Priorities and Recommendations

To fully realize the potential of cloud core banking technology, we suggest the following initiatives:

  1. Focus on narrow niches, such as Shariah-compliant banking products, and leverage platform flexibility.
  2. Build an open-source integration library with other banking systems as augmented products.
  3. Conduct a friction audit to make the product easier to install and offer a SaaS solution that requires no installation effort.

For any questions regarding this proposal, feel free to get in touch with me on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/victorleungtw.