Editorial

Adapt and thrive

“When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills,” so the Chinese proverb goes. As the world continues to change, businesses that adapt to take advantage of the new environment will be the ones that will gain the most.

As millions work from home, becoming accustomed to the ‘new normal’ that they hear so much about, treasurers across the world are working to build metaphorical windmills in order to continue to stay ahead.

In this edition, we look at some of the ways treasurers are doing exactly that. In times of uncertainty, one thing is most important: liquidity. The Investing feature takes a look at how treasurers can develop and maintain an effective investment strategy in times of extreme volatility – and keep the focus on that ever-important available liquidity.
Meanwhile, the Insight & Analysis piece looks at what challenges and opportunities there are when banking in Asia, with bankers and treasurers alike weighing in. Down a similar vein, in the Point of View feature, David Blair, Managing Director of Acarate Consulting, offers his view on the topic of treasury hubs in Asia.

With cash management fundamentals currently front and centre for most companies, our Cash Management feature focuses on effective cash segmentation, looking at how this seemingly simple process can be enhanced to become a means of optimising current and future cash holdings.

Of course, no edition of Treasury Today Asia would be complete without a look at technology. In the Question… Answered segment, three experts tackle the topic of what treasurers should be aware of with the ongoing digital revolution in the supply chain finance space.

Last but by no means least, in the wake of Japanese firm Takeda Pharmaceutical’s success in the 2020 Adam Smith Awards, we spoke with SVP, Group Treasurer, Amit Singh for the Corporate View. Offering plenty of wisdom and another Chinese proverb, “treasurers sweat more in peace so they bleed less in war,” Singh shares his main challenges and his tips for keeping teams motivated and successful.

To end on another proverb, “Pearls don’t lie on the seashore. If you want one, you must dive for it.” Indeed, treasurers seeking the best opportunities must be proactive in searching for them.