The Most Influential Women To Watch In 2023

From Editor’ s Desk

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Everybusinessownerandexecutivehasuniqueexperiencesandviewpointsregardingthestrategyandtraits

requiredforeffectiveleadership.Furthermore,notallcircumstancescallforthesamekindofleadership approach.Greatleadersempowertheirteamstosucceedcollectivelyandadapttotheirsituations.

Whenitcomesdowntoit,themostcrucialconsiderationiswhetherornottheleaderisaccomplishingthetaskat hand.Thisissomethingthatnumerousspecialiststhroughoutinnumerableleadershipbooksandarticlesconcuron. CIOWomenMagazine’sthisissuefeaturesthestoriesofsuchstaunchleaders.

FortheCoverStoryreadabout-

SusanGatehouse,thefounderofAxeaSolutions,hasplayedapivotalroleinthehealthcareindustry.Susan's fundamentalprinciplesaregroundedinservicetoothers,avisionforagreaterfuturewithatenacitytosucceed. Althoughtheprecisedefinitionofaninfluentialpersonmayvary,Susanisaclearportraitofit.

SusanestablishedAxeaSolutionsin1999withtheprimaryobjectiveofofferingclientsup-to-date,comprehensive, andaccurateauditingservicesaswellaseducation.AstheExecutiveOfficer(CEO)ofAxeaSolutions,Susanisthe drivingforcebehindthecompany'ssuccess.

Lookingback,MarleneKisslingerneveractuallywantedtobecomeanentrepreneur.Infact,shegrewupina familyofextremelyhard-working,successfulemployeeswithhighworkethics,abovetheordinary,butnoneof themhadstartedcompanies.

Marlene’sbeliefsystemtaughtherthatlaunching&runningasuccessfulcompanyissomethingthatonlyrich peoplewouldbeabletodo.Littledidsheknowthatwithasparklingidea,perseverance,consistency,andtheright partnersyoucanachievealmostanything.

Comingfromafamilyofdoctors.Theyoungestofthreesiblings,nooneinSonicaAron’sfamilyhasstudiedor practicedbusinessmanagement.So,thiswasacompletelynewworldforSonica.Fromhavingmedicaldiscussions atthedinnertableasachildtotodaywheresheandherfamilytalkaboutsocialjustice,genderexpression, awarenessaboutdisabilities,andinclusion.SonicaisanHRprofessionalwithmorethan2decadesofexperience.

MarchingSheep,anHRadvisoryfirmestablishedin2013,isfocusedonbuildinglong-termorganizational capabilityandeffectivenessforitsclientsthroughstructuredinterventionsandsolutionsintheareasofDiversity andInclusion,HRProcessDesignandImplementation,LearningandLeadershipDevelopmentandTalent Management.

"Earn your leadership everyday”

Michael Jordan

This list is NOT a ranking. The companies on listed in magazine serve different aspects of the market, making ranking them in any order except revenue impossible and unfair. We try to bring a perfect platform for business organization to showcase their valued products/ services.

PR News Section

AmantyaTechnologiesRankedaLeader intheER&DServices–Telecommunications,SMECategory,in ZinnovZones’2022GlobalER&D ServicesRatings

Amantyahasbeendeclaredaleaderinthe SmallandMediumServicesProviders verticalinER&DServices–Telecommunicationssegmentandhasbeen rankedintheExecutiveZoneintheoverall ER&DcategoryinZinnovZones’annual ER&DServicesratings.

AmantyaTechnologiesInc.,aleading globalproductengineeringandsystem integrationcompany,announcedtodaythat ithasbeenrankedinthe‘LeadershipZone’ intheER&DServices–Telecommunicationsverticalandinthe ‘ExecutiveZone’intheoverallER&D ServicescategoryinZinnovZones’2022 GlobalER&DServicesRatings.

Theannualreportbytheprestigiousglobal managementconsultingandstrategy consultingfirmprovidesa360-degree evaluationofengineeringresearchand development(ER&D)serviceproviders, identifyingtheirexpertiseandscalability acrosskeymarketsandtechnologies,andis consideredanindustrystandard.The2022 studyevaluatedover75+topglobalservice providersacrossindustryverticalsand micro-verticalsfortheirdigitalengineering prowess.Theratingshavebeenassessedon multipledimensions,includingscalability, growthrate,innovationandIP,services capability,maturityofdeliveryandservices capabilities,ecosystemlinkages,and feedbackfromenterprisebuyers.

“Wearethrilledtoreceivethisrecognition andbeincludedinZinnovZones’ER&D Servicesratings.It’sahugehonortobe felicitatedbysuchaprestigiousbodyand

berecognizedforourstrongcapabilitiesto delivervalue-addedservicesandsolutionsinthe 5Gwirelessanddigitaldomains.Buildinga cultureofR&Danddisruptingnewtechnologies areattheheartofwhatwedoatAmantya.Our in-houseinnovations,5GSACore,5G Network-in-a-Box,and5Genterprisesolution, 5GAstra,areatestamenttothiscommitment.

Theratingacknowledgesourcontinuedability anddeepcommitmenttoexploringand disruptingcutting-edgetechnologiesthatdrive next-gendigitaltransformations.Overthepast fewyears,wehavepartneredwithsomeofthe bestcompaniesglobally,andourleadership positioninginZinnovER&DServicesreiterates ourgrowingstatureinthemarket.Welook forwardtoacceleratingandbroadeningour expertiseinemergingtechnologiesandbeinga frontrunnerinprovidingsolutionsthat transformeverydayexperiences,”saidAnuradha Gupta,CEO,AmantyaTechnologies,Inc.

Thecompanywasalsorecognizedas“Best SMEinTelecomEcosystem2022”atIndia MobileCongressand“MostPreferred WorkplaceinIT/ITES2022-23”byMarksmen Daily.

ToknowmoreaboutAmantyaTechnologiesand thecompany’scompleteecosystemof transformativesolutionsin5G,IoT,AIML, Digital,Cloud,andEdge,contact connect@amantyatech.com

AboutAmantyaTechnologies,Inc.

AmantyaTechnologiesisaleadingproduct engineeringandsystemintegrationcompany withoperationsintheUSA,Canada,andIndia (Gurugram,Bangalore&Nagpur).Aglobal organizationwithprovenexpertiseinnextgenerationtechnologieslike5G,IoT,AIML, edge,andcloudservices,Amantyaworkswith someoftheworld’sbestbrands,including Fortune500companies.

C O N T

E N T S

12

The Many First Women

Princess Diana - A Humanitarian, and the Queen of Hearts

Special Profile

A Thought Leader and Trusted Partner in the HR Consulting Market

Monuments

Merlion - The Mascot Of Singapore

Best Business Communication Trends For 2023

Article

The Many First Women

A Humanitarian, and the Queen of Hearts

ThePrincessofWales, Diana

FrancesSpencerwasbornon 1July1961.Shewasoneof themembersoftheBritishroyal family.Dianawasinthelimelightnot becauseshebelongedtotheroyal familybutbecauseonereasonforher popularitywashersocialworkand gooddeedsforpeople.Herpersonal lifegotmanyupsanddownsyetthe ladyisaninspirationformany womenoutthere.Dianawasthefirst wifeofKingCharlesIIIandthe motherofPrincesWilliamandHarry Herleadershipandmystiquemade heraglobalsymbolandgainedher persistingvogueaswellasanalmost unparalleledpublicsurvey.

AlthoughDianawasinaroyal family,shewasfascinatedbythe people'sproblemsandwasconcerned aboutthemsinceshewasveryyoung. Thesensitiveprincesstowardsthe citizensmadeherworkmorefor theminthefuture.In1981,while workingasakindergartenteacher's assistant,shegotengagedtothe PrinceofWales,theeldestsonof QueenElizabethII.In9181,the grandweddingtookplaceatStPaul's CathedralandmadeherPrincessof Wales,aroleinwhichshewasover excitedlyacceptedbythepublic.

EarlyLife

DianaFrancesSpencerwasbornto BritishnobilityatSandringham estate,Norfolk.TheSpencerfamily wascloselyrelatedtotheBritish royalfamilyformanygenerations. On30August1961,Dianawas baptizedatSt.MaryMagdalene Church,Sandringham.Dianagrewup inParkHouse,situatedonthe Sandringhamestate.Thefamily rentedthehousefromitsowner, QueenElizabethII,whomDiana usedtocall"AuntLilibet"fromher childhood.

Dianawasatasmallagewhenher parentsgotseparatedbytaking divorced.Dianalivedwithherfather Dianamentionedherchildhoodasnot beinggoodorstablelikeothersdueto thedisputeswithherparentsbutinher teenageDianaruledovermanyhearts withhergooddeeds.Shecametobe knownasLadyDianaafterherfather tookoverthetitleofEarlSpencerin 1975.Atwhichpointherfathermoved theentirefamilyfromParkHouseto Althorp,theSpencerseatin Northamptonshire.

TheirinitialschoolingofDianatook placeatherownhouseunderthe guidanceandsupervisionofGertrude Allen,hergoverness.Later,shebegan herfurthereducationatSilfieldPrivate SchoolinKing'sLynn,Norfolk.She movedtoRiddlesworthHallSchool nearThetfordwhenshewas9years old.Asachild,shewasnotinterested inacademicsandfailedrepeatedly.She leftschoolwhenshewasalmost16. Thoughshewasnotinterestedin academics,shewasaperfectpianist andgotseveralextracurriculartalents likeswimming,divingandalsostudied balletandtapdance.Thiselaboration ofDianaclearly[pointstowardsher loveandpassionforMusicandDance.

Duringhercollegedays,shelivedin Londonwithherschoolfriendsinher mother'sflat.Duringthosedaysshe learnedadvancedcooking.Alsotook somelow-payingjobsasadance instructor,andapreschoolassistant, andalsoactedasahostessatparties.

Socialwork&Patronage

DuringaPremierofNewfoundland, BrianPeckfordIn1983,Princess Dianaconfessedthatitwastoughfor heraftermarriagetohandlethe pressureofaPrincessyetshegrewup strongandmaturedandgotusedtothe conversationswithpeopleandtheir problems.Duringthattimeshewas

expectedtogivevisitsregularlyto hospitals,schools,andotherfacilities. Fromthemid-1980s,shebecame increasinglyassociatedwithnumerous charities.Shecarriedout191official engagementsin1988and397in1991. Shegraduallydevelopedaninterestin socialworkandhelpingoutotherswith theirproblems.Herintenseinterestin theworkhelpedoutseveralpatients andstudentsinthehealthcaresector andeducationsector,andinvolvement, includingAIDSandleprosy.In recognitionofhereffectasa philanthropist,StephenLee,directorof theUKInstituteofCharityFundraising Managers,said"Heroveralleffecton charityisprobablymoresignificant thananyotherperson'sinthe20th century."

Dianacontributedtocharitiesand groupsthathelpedtheelderly,young people,drugusers,andthehomeless. Shehadtheprivilegeofservingasthe hospital'spresidentstartingin1989. ShealsodonatedtotheNaturalHistory MuseumandservedastheRoyal AcademyofMusic'spresident.Diana servedaspresidentofBarnardo's,a charitableorganizationthatDr. ThomasJohnBarnardoestablishedin 1866tosafeguardvulnerablechildren andyoungadults.In1988,shebecame amemberoftheBritishRedCrossand hassincehelpedtheorganization's effortsinplacesincludingAustralia andCanada.

ThehighesthonorthattheCityof Londoncanbestowuponsomeonewas giventoDianain1987whenshe receivedtheHonoraryFreedomofthe CityofLondon.Shetraveledto MoscowinJune1995.Shevisiteda children'shospitalthatshehad previouslyhelpedbydonatingmedical supplies.Shewasawardedthe InternationalLeonardoPrizein Moscow,whichispresentedto"the mosteminentpatronsandindividuals

inthearts,medicine,andsports."Diana washonoredinNewYorkCityin December1995astheUnitedCerebral PalsyHumanitarianoftheYearforher charitablework.Shereceivedagold prizeinOctober1996forherwork withtheelderlyatahealthcare conferencehostedbythe PioManzù CentreinRimini,Italy.

Sheannouncedherresignationfrom morethan100organizationstheday followingherdivorceandjustsixwere stilllistedaspatronages:Centrepoint, EnglishNationalBallet,GreatOrmond StreetHospital,TheLeprosyMission, NationalAIDSTrust,andRoyal MarsdenHospital.Althoughshewas nolongeridentifiedasapatron,she continuedtocooperatewiththeBritish RedCrossAnti-PersonnelLandMines Camp.

DianaacceptedRichard Attenborough'sinvitationtoopenthe RichardAttenboroughCentrefor DisabilityandtheArtsinLeicesterin May1997.Someofhergownsand suitswereofferedforsaleatChristie's auctionhousesinLondonandNew YorkinJune1997,athersonWilliam's recommendation,andtheearnings fromthesesalesweregivento charitableorganizations.Herlast publicappearancewasonJuly21, 1997,whenshewenttoLondon's NorthwickParkHospital.Thedayafter shereturnedfromParis,onSeptember 4,1997,shewassupposedtoattenda fundraiserattheOsteopathicCenter forChildren.TheglobaliconPrinces ofWalesdiedinacaraccidentwithher companionDodiFayedandherdriver HenriPaulon31stAug1997.

Authentic Leadership

Founder & CEO, Axea Solutions

SusanGatehouse,thefounderof AxeaSolutions,hasplayeda pivotalroleinthehealthcare industry.CIOWomenisproudto introduceherasTheMostInfluential WomantoWatchin2023.

Susan'sfundamentalprinciplesare groundedinservicetoothers,avisionfor agreaterfuturewithatenacityto succeed.Althoughtheprecisedefinition ofaninfluentialpersonmayvary,Susan isaclearportraitofit.

Withnearly30yearsofexperienceasa topproviderofrevenuecyclesolutions andcreativeinsightsintothebusinessof healthcare,Susanisawell-known speakerandanauthoronanationalscale. Breakingdownbarriers,redefining solutionmanagementtoencourage innovativethinking,andbringingpeople togethertodevelopsustainableremedies aresomeofhermanystrengths.

Bythis,shehasacquiredseveral accoladesandrecognitionovertheyears forherwork.Susanwasrecognizedby Becker'sHospitalReviewasoneoften femalevendorleaderstoknowand receivedaProfessionalAchievement AwardfromGeorgia'schapterofHealth InformationManagement.Shehas servedasaguestcorrespondentand contentcontributorfornumerous broadcastsandpublicationsforthe healthcaresector

Herexpertisehasallowedhertodeliver speechesandlecturesforindustry organizationssuchasAHIMA,HFMA, GHIMA,GAMA,andGHA.Youmay alsofindherco-hostingandor participatingfromtimetotimeon MedlearnMedia'sweeklybroadcasts withTalkTenTuesdayorRACMonitor

Mondaybroadcast.Shealsoservedasa contributingauthorandeditorforthe book,ImplementingInformation SecurityinHealthcare:Buildinga SecurityProgram.Susanisacontributing authorfortheCenterforDiseaseControl (CDC),MovingSciencetoCoverage. Additionally,sheservedasthekeynote speakerattheGlobalConferencein PublicHealth.

SusanestablishedAxeaSolutionsin 1999withtheprimaryobjectiveof offeringclientsup-to-date, comprehensive,andaccurateauditing servicesaswellaseducation.Asthe ExecutiveOfficer(CEO)ofAxea Solutions,Susanisthedrivingforce behindthecompany'ssuccess. Herinitialinspirationcamefromher fascinationwithscience,illness mechanisms,andmedicaltreatment alternatives.Shefindsgreatsatisfaction inbeingabletotransformthisknowledge intobigdatafortrendingsettingsand problem-solving.Withregardtoher career,Susanseesthisasagift.

Healthcaredataanditsimportancehas evolvedsignificantlysincetheinception ofAxeaSolutions,Inc.Today,under Susan'sleadership,Axeahasdeveloped intooneofthetoprevenuecycle improvementandhealthinformation management(HIM)firmsintheindustry, servingavarietyofclientsacrossthe country.In2019Axeawasawardedone ofthe50bestplacestowork.

Wheredidthiswonderfuljourney begin?

FoundationalBeginning

“... always, always practice gratitude."

Susanhadafull-timejobandspenther

night'scontractcoding.Shewasableto immerseherselfinmanyhealthcare settingsasaresult,quicklybecoming highlyversedinthefield. Shetraveledfivedaysaweekwhile employedbytwolargehealthcare consultingorganizations.Asaresult,she garneredabroaderunderstandingofthe functionaloperationsandrevenuecycle withinhealthcareorganizations.

WhenSusanacceptedthepositionas DirectoroftheDepartmentofSurgery forasignificantteachingorganization, thisfurthercustomizedherbreadthof healthcareexperienceasshemovedinto thephysicianworldofreimbursement.In thisnewrole,shehandledthebillingand codingformorethan40general surgeons.Evenwiththiselevated position,Susancontinueddoingcontract worktostaycurrentandexpandher practicalknowledge.

SusanearnedherdegreeinHealth InformationManagementfromLouisiana TechUniversity,whichhelpssupporther organicunderstandingofhealth informationmanagement.Still,she attributesmuchoftheexpertiseshehas acquiredtotheexcellentmentorsshehas metthroughherprofessionaljourneyand thecontinuousdesiretodevelopdeep foundationalknowledgeintheheartof therevenuecycle.

AxeaSolutionswasfoundedfroman identifiedneed;astherequestfor contractservicesgrew,socamethe inceptionofAxeaSolutions,Inc.She thinksofherselfasfortunate,asallofher experiencesallowedhertobuildthe companyfromasolidfoundationof industryknowledgeatafundamental level.

"The way you do anything is the way you do everything."

Whenaskedaboutherinfluencersinthe entrepreneurialjourney,shesays,"Imust saymyfatherwasasignificantinfluence. Heisaninspirationandshowedmehard workanddisciplineareparamountin achievinggoals.Mypersonalhealthcare experiencescontinuetoallowmetolook throughthelensofthepatient,guiding meindeliveringsupportinavalue-based healthcareenvironment.

Ingeneral,lifehashelpedmetolead withempathyandvulnerabilityandto alwayspracticeGratitude."Gratitude leansitselftoaheightenedsenseof appreciationfor"whatis."InSusan's personallife,sheisanavidhikerand certifiedyogainstructorandrecently completedhercertificationinGrounded Kidsyoga.Sheispassionateaboutkids andtheabilitytogivebacktothe community.Teachingkidscoping systemsfornavigatingasignificantly differentenvironmentisparamount. Holdingtruetoherbeliefinmindfulness andtheimportanceofminiworkbreaks. Sheimplementedmindfulmovement withinthewallsofAxeaduringCOVID. "Ouremployeesneededabreaktostand,

stretch,andbreathewithoutbeing attachedtoamonitor."Fifteenminutes madeatremendousdifferenceinthe employees'abilitytomanagestressand maintainfocus.TheAxeaTeamfoundit sobeneficialthatthepracticehas continuedtoprovidethisbenefittoday andisexpandingthistotwiceamonth verseonetimepermonthattherequest oftheemployees.

AxeaSolutions– Principalelement

outcomes.Theteamisdedicatedtotheir workandtheclientstheyassist.

AxeaSolutions,Inc.isareliableand trustedfirmintherevenuecyclespace. Thecompanycollaborateswithpartners toprovideneededtoolstoimprovethe heartoftherevenuecyclewhile supportingrevenueintegrity.

Thecompanyhelpsitscustomersgrow theirbusinessesbyoffering knowledgeablerevenuecycleservices andtechnologythathelpthemincrease theaccuracyofclinicaldocumentation andcoding,optimizepatientfinancial workflow,andimproveclinical

Withmorethan30yearsofexperiencein everyfacetoftheheartofthehealthcare revenuecycle,Susanisaseasoned expert.Susan'sstrategicleadership empowerstheAxeateamtoassistclients inovercomingtoday'scomplexrules, regulations,andcodingchallenges.With anin-depthunderstandingofpayer, quality,industryregulations,clinical documentation,ICD-10medicalcoding, andrelatedtopics,Susansignificantly impactsthecompany'shighperformance. WorkingcloselywiththeCsuite, Clinicians,RevenueIntegrity,Health InformationManagement,and compliance,SusanandtheAxeateam developsolutionsforchallenges frequentlyassignedwiththedynamic worldofhealthcarereimbursement.

WeavedintoAxeaSolutions'cultureis theimportanceofgivingbacktothe communityandsupportingselectnonprofitorganizationstohelpmakea differencethroughteamvolunteer projectsunderthecapableguidanceof

"Work with integrity and earn success via the caliber of the results."

Susan.TheteamatAxeawholeheartedly supportsthevariousopportunitiesSusan andherManagementTeamhavecreated tocontinuouslymakeanefforttoget outsideoneselfandmakeatangible differenceintheworldbyliftingupthe vulnerable.

Stepping-stone

"Always ask why…you will be amazed at what you learn."

Everysmallbusiness'sfoundermust balanceavarietyofresponsibilities. Susan'searliestprofessionalyearsare tiedtowearingnumeroushatsandtaking onvariousroles.Thoughtherearemany challengesinrunninganybusiness,time managementwasthegreatestchallenge. Anotherchallengingareawas maintainingfairpricingwhiledelivering ahighstandardofwork.Healthcareisa continuouslychangingindustry,bringing variouschallengesinupholding accuracy

ForSusan,overcomingthesechallenges hasbeenrelativelysmoothbyfocusing ondevelopinganexceptionalteamof efficientandcompetentexpertswhile simultaneouslybuildingthetechnology tosupporttheteamwithclient endeavors.

Long-standingsuccess

AxeaSolutions,Inc.wasinitially establishedtoprovidecodingaudit services,andsincethen,ithasintroduced additionalservicelinestosupport complexitiesandincreasedcompliance requirementsaroundcoding.Ithas continuouslydevelopedtechnological solutionsforefficient,accurate improvements.

Thebusinessquicklyrealizedthe necessityforindustry-wide,holistic trainingandeducationforaccurate medicalcodingandconciseclinician documentation.AxeaAcademy®,a

trainingplatform,wascreatedasaresult. Ithasdevelopedintoacomprehensive solutionforthemanagementand educationofcodingteams,inaneffortto satisfythedemandsofever-changing codingguidelinesandgovernmental regulations.Thistoolhasalsoproven invaluableinonboarding,cross-training coders,andprovidingre-enforcementof acoder'sknowledge. Approachlifewithaspiritofexcellence isingrainedinthecompany'scorporate culture.Itisoneofthefundamental reasonsthecompanyattainedandhas sustaineditssuccess.Itiswitha consistentmessagetoperformwith integrityandsucceedonmeritthrough thequalityofthework.

Asaresult,AxeaSolutionsmaintainsits commitmenttohelpingitsclients succeedfinanciallywhiledelivering solutionsinstreamlinedprocesseswithin therevenuecycle.Thehealthcare industryandtechnologieshaveseena dynamicshiftinthepost-pandemicera. Duetoitsstaunchvision,thecompany remainsstrongandsuccessful.

Thecompanymaintainsitsclientfocusedapproach,withaloyalcustomer base.Ithasexperiencedsolidrevenue growthwithinthehealthcarespaceandis expandingoutsideofhealthcare.

Susansays,"Axeamaintainsitssimple andclearcorporatevision;toprovide superiorvalue-addedservicesby listeningtoandmeetingclients'needs, guidedbyacommitmenttointegrity."

Astepahead

"If you are the smartest person in the room, change rooms."

Healthcarerulesandregulationscontinue tochangeatarapidpaceand implementingchangeswithina healthcarecontinuumisoftenalong, arduoustask.Nevertheless,thecompany isatrustedpartnerthatconsistently

deliversresults.

Susaniscommittedtoprovidingservices thatsupporttherevenuecyclewhile beingaresourceforthosewithinand newintheindustry

Thecompanyprovidesservicesinand aroundtheheartoftherevenuecycle. Susanadds,"Ourfocusisnotonadding servicelinesbutrathertofurtherexpand oursolutionstoreachandresolvethe clients'obstacles.Forexample, integratingourtwolegacyplatforms, AxeaAcademyandAccuTrend,to expandclientsupportandautomation."

Iflifewasabook?

"Pivot:Liferequiresustochangeand adapttoourenvironmentonaregular basis.Theworldofhealthcareisno exception.Going"Pro"atone'sabilityto pivotwillservethemwellinlife."

Awordofadviceforthebudding entrepreneurs

Susanadvisesemergingentrepreneursto tryandfindamentorintheirindustryfor wisecounsel.Withconstant technologicaldevelopments,staying abreastofinnovationandindustry changesiscritical.

Shesays,"Alwaysremaincurious--A mindsetoflifelonglearningisparamount whilerealizingonecanneverasktoo manyquestions.Itiscriticaltoremember thatpatienceisavirtue;attainingone's professionalgoalsinanyfieldtakestime toachieve.Continualprofessional developmentisvital,asisembracing learningopportunitiesthatpresent themselves.Keepyourmindopento businesspossibilities;oneneverknows thepathtowhichanopportunitymay lead,thepeopleonemayencounter,and expandingknowledge.

12 Best Business Communica

Communication Trends for 2023

1.Videoconferencing

Whilevideoconferencinghasbeenaroundsincethe1980s, newtechnologieshavechangedhowteamsworktogether Video-enabledphones,tablets,andappsallowemployees andmanagementtoscreen-share,conductpresentations,and communicateinrealtime.

Web-basedvideoconferencingserviceshavealsomadeit easierforteamstomeetinvirtualrooms,whichhasgreatly improvedcollaborationefforts.Mostvideoconferencing solutionsalsocomebundledwithonlinecollaborationtools suchasdocumentsharing,textchat,andscreensharingin BusinessCommunicationTrends.

2.Cloud-basedapps

Bystoringcompanydatainthecloud,yourorganizationcan accessanything,anywhere.Cloud-basedservicesandapps arealsoaccessibleonmobiledevices—makingithighly convenientwhencollaboratingonprojectsand communicatingwithyourteam.Withreal-timeediting capabilitiesandotheradvancedsharingoptions,many BusinessCommunicationTrendsareoptingforcloud intranetsoftwareduetoitsflexibility.

3.ChatServices

Chatservicesareanimmediateanddirectwaytocollaborate withteammemberswithoutthecomplicatedemailthreads. Younotonlygettheinformationyouneedfasterbutcanalso usearangeofmediatypesincludingvideoandvideo conferencing.Withtherightintranetplatform,youcanalso integratechatintoyourdigitalworkplaceorinBusiness CommunicationTrends.(Forinstance,here’showAxero’s Slackintranetintegrationworks.Manymodernintranet solutionsalsocomewiththeirbuilt-inchatfeatures—like Axero—soyoucaneliminateonelessplatform.Intranetchat isreal-timewhileremainingunobtrusive.

4.InfographicsandImages

It’snosecret:contentwithinfographicsandimagesreceives higherengagementthanplaintext.Withthisrealization, BusinessCommunicationTrendsareequippedwithasuiteof WYSIWYGpublishingtoolstomakecontentengaging, beautiful,andstandouttoyouremployees.

Thesetoolsempoweryoutoincludeinfographics,bright images,andvisualsthatconveyyourmessageina compellingandengagingway Theyarealsoveryeffectivein

explainingaprocesstoemployees,andtherearemanytools andappsavailablethatcanhelpyoudesignandcreatethem foralowcost.

Ÿ BusinessCommunicationTrends

Ÿ OnlineCollaborationTools

Ÿ Cloud-BasedApps

PhonesWillContinueToBeTheMainBusiness CommunicationToolGoingInto2023.

Thevastmajorityofbusinessesarenowusingpersonalcell phonesastheirprimarytoolsforcommunicationwithboth co-workersandclients.EvenBusinessCommunication Trendsthatdon’tnecessarilyusephonesastheirprimary channelarestillgoingtocontinuetousecellphonesasan importanttool.

Althoughmostpeoplestillpreferin-personconversationsas opposedtophonecalls,there’snodenyingthatphone conversationsaregoingtocontinuetocompetewithinpersontalksastheprimarymodeofcommunicationbetween consumersandBusinessCommunicationTrendsintheyears ahead.

5.CompanySizeIsn’tAFactorWhenItComesToPhone UsagePercentage

Nomatterhowmanyemployeesworkatanyparticular BusinessCommunicationTrends,theoverallusageof phonesisrelativelythesameregardlessofacompany’ssize. Thisessentiallymeansthatphonesarestillprimarybusiness communicationtools,nomatterhowbigorsmallan organizationis.

6.EmployeesAreIncreasinglyPreferringPhoneCalls ForInternal&ExternalCommunications

AnothergrowingBusinessCommunicationTrends,going into2023involvestheproclivityofprofessionalstoward phoneconversations.Thisisdirectlyrelatedtotheboomof remoteworkersinrecentyears,butnextyearwillprove oncemorethatpeopleareexcitedbytheideaofliving wherevertheywantandbeingabletoeasilycommunicate withco-workersandclientsviatheirpersonaldevices.

However,it’sstilllikelythatinternalgroupconversations willcontinuetobeonZoomorothervideo-conferencing softwareprograms.Thisisbecausemostemployersand businessleadersprefertobeinpersonwhenspeakingwith groups,butevenbusinessleadersarebeginningtoprefer

phonecallswhenspeakingwithindividualemployees.

7.Cloud-BasedPhoneSystemsWillContinueToClose TheGapWithTraditionalSystems

Althoughtraditionalbusinessphonesystemsstillholdthe majoritywhenitcomestowhatbusinessesareutilizingthese days,there’sagrowingnumberofcompaniesthataremaking theswitchtointermediacloudsolutions.

Asmorecompaniesmaketheswitchtoremoteworkingvia theCloud,themorelikelywe’llseeanadoptiongapbeclosed betweentheseinnovativecommunicationsolutionsandwhat businesseshaverelieduponfordecades.

8.OverallBusinessPhoneSystemUsageIsExpectedTo ExponentiallyIncrease

Mostcompaniesareexpectingtousetheirphonesevenmore in2023thantheydidin2022,aswellasoverthenextseveral yearsintothefuture.Prettymuchnooneexpectstobeusing theirphoneslessinthefuture,soitgoestoshowthatBusiness CommunicationTrendsareonlygoingtogetmoreexciting andtech-savvy!

9.MostBusinessesWillPreferMulti-DevicePhone SolutionsWithFlexibility

Oneofthebiggestthingsthatbusinessleadersandemployees wantfromtheirBusinessCommunicationTrendsphone systemisflexibility,whichdirectlycorrelatestomost businesseswantingtobeabletoutilizemultipledevicesper person.Oneofthefeaturesthataregoingtogrowalotin 2023isbeingabletoreceiveandsendSMSmessagesand businesscallsviaapersonalcomputer,becausethisismaking everydayworklifealotmoreconvenientformillionsof people.Andasbusinesscommunicationsolutionscontinueto becomemorestreamlined,morecompanieswillincorporate thesefeatures.

10.TheVastMajorityofBusinessesPlanOnIncreasing TheirSMSUsage

Whetherit’sforcommunicatingmarketingmessageswith customersorspeakingwithco-workers,SMStextmessages arenowthego-tooptionforalotofbusinesses.Most BusinessCommunicationTrendsstillutilizedifferent strategiesmoreoftenthantext,butthetrendtowardSMSis onlygoingtocontinuetogrowin2023.

SMShasalsobecomemorepopularamongstlargerbusinesses

whentheywanttosendoutcompany-widemessages,and thisisbecomingamoreeffectivecommunicationstrategy ascomparedtocompanye-mailsandnewsletters.

DataTalkIsHereToHelpBringYourCompanySuccess Into2023!

DataTalkhasbeenaroundsince1963,sowe’veseen countlessBusinessCommunicationTrendscomeandgo overthedecades.Butwe’vealsoneverseensuchrapid changesinourindustryaswehaveinrecentyears,andour expertsareheretohelpensurethatyourcompanyremains onthecuttingedge.

11.Accelerateddigitaltransformation

In2023,weseethecontinuationofinnovationsand developmentsintransformativetechnologiessuchas artificialintelligence(AI),theinternetofthings(IoT), virtualandaugmentedreality(VR/AR),cloudcomputing, blockchain,andsuper-fastnetworkprotocolslike5G. What’smore,thesetransformationaldigitaltechnologiesdo notexistinisolationfromeachother,andwewillseethe boundariesbetweenthemblurring.Newsolutionsfor augmentedworking,hybridandremoteworking,Business CommunicationTrendsdecision-making,andautomationof manual,routine,andcreativeworkloadscombinethese technologiesinwaysthatenablethemtoenhanceeach other

Thisbringsuscloserthanevertothepointwhereweare abletocreate“intelligententerprises”wheresystemsand processessupporteachothertocompletemenialand mundanetasksinthemostefficientwaypossible.

12.Immersivecustomerexperience

In2023,customerscraveexperienceaboveallelse.That doesn’tnecessarilymeanthatpricepointandqualitytakea backseat,though.Bothplayapart,tosomeextent,inthe wayweexperiencetheprocessofchoosing,purchasing, andenjoyingthegoodsandserviceswespendourmoney on.

Therolethattechnologyplayshere,traditionally,hasbeen tostreamlineprocessesandremovethehasslefromthelife oftheconsumer.Thinkrecommendationenginesthathelp uschoosewhattobuyoronlinecustomerserviceportals thatdealwithproblemsandafter-salessupport.Thesewill stillplayakeyrolein2023,butthegamehasevolved,with thisyear’skeywordsbeingimmersionandinteractivity

MARCHING SHEEP

Thought Leader and Trusted Partner in the HR Consulting Market

A

SONICA ARON Founder and Managing Partner

Establishedin2013, MarchingSheepisan HRconsultingfirmto makeadifferenceinpeople's livesandcareersanddrives respectandequalityforall. Today,thefirmisunequivocally themostrecognizedfirm globallyforitsworkdonein buildinglong-termsustainable organizationalcapabilityand effectivenessforitsclients throughstructuredand customizedinterventionsand solutionsintheareasof DiversityandInclusion,HR ProcessDesignand Implementation,Learningand LeadershipDevelopment,and TalentManagement.Theywork closelywithclientstoarriveat customizedandeffectiveHR interventionsthatsupporttheir strategyinthecurrentlifecycle stage,aswellassupportthemin therealizationoflong-term businessplans.

MeettheWomanoftheHour

Anexperiencedandpassionate HRprofessional,Leadership Coach,andInclusionChampion, SonicaAron Founder isthe andManagingPartnerof MarchingSheep,anHR advisoryfirmspecializingin StrategicHRadvisory,Diversity andinclusioninterventions,and capabilitybuilding.

APostGraduateinHuman ResourcesfromXLRI, Jamshedpur,Sonicahasworked withcompanieslikePepsico,

Vodafone,RocheDiagnostics, andICIpaints.Shestartedher careerwithasound understandingofbusinesswhen shewentroute-ridingwith Pepsicoandwaspartoftheteam thatlaunchedPepsi200mlatRs 5.ShewasthefirstladyHR Managerstationedatafactoryin UpcountryUPandtherethe seedsofherdiversitypractice wereborn.

ShewasheadingHrforPhilips ConsumerLifestylebusinessin 2012whenshedecidedtotakea breakfromthecorporateworld andfoundedMarchingSheepin 2013,sheintendedtorollout interventionsthattrulymadea differencetoorganizationsand people'slivesandcareers.

BeaPartner,Notjusta ServiceProvider

MarchingSheepsolutionsare completelycustomized.The organizationdoesn'tactas “externalconsultants”,butas partners,whostaywithclients throughouttheentirejourneyfromdiagnosticstosolutionsto implementationtomonitoring!

Itunderstandsthenuancesofthe situationalongwiththesocietal backdropandthemindsets individualsandorganizations strugglewith.Itproposesand implementsmulti-pronged solutions,therebydriving visible,long-term,sustainable change.Itsdiverseinterventions basedonextensiveresearch,a deepunderstandingoflived

realities,andcontextualized industrialbackdrophavebeen verywellreceivedbythe industry.

MarchingSheepistheleading HRfirmgloballytoday,featured twiceinForbesandoncein Fortune,andrecognizedbyYour Story,BusinessToday,IAF,and severalotherplatforms.Their CEOSonicaAronisseenasa thoughtleaderandheropinions andarticlesarepublishedby leadingmediahouseslikethe TimesofIndia,Hindustan Times,TheHindu,The Statesman,andThePioneer.She isinvitedasaspeakerand panelistbyconferencesand educationalinstitutions,

Beingindustryandgeography agnostic,someoftheirclients includeUber,Concentrix,UPL industries,MercedesBenz,Tata Group,MahindraGroup,Avery Dennison,GSK,JohnDeere, SterlitePower,SBIcards, Diageo,CliffordChance,GOMMTGroup,JCBIndia, ContinentalTyres,Reckitt Benckiser,GAIL,IIFLtoname afew

TheFantasticFourMain Services:FromSonica'sDesk

1.Diversity&Inclusion

Strategiesandinterventions: Wetrulybelievethatinclusive organizationsaremore productiveandweenableour clientorganizationstoarriveat theirInclusionanddiversity charterandstrategythrougha

diversitydiagnostic,and executableplans,andalso partnerwiththeexecution,drive mindsetchange,andculture building.

2.HumanResource Consulting:Organizationsneed theirHRstrategy,process,and policiestoenableemployeesto deliveronthebusinessstrategy andgoals.Weworkcloselywith

clientorganizationsto streamlinethevision,mission, values,behavioralframeworks, HRstrategy,policies,and practices,drivecommunication andsocialization,andthe

internalLeadership,and managerialcapabilitytoenable thesame.

3.Bespokelearning interventions:Inthelasttwo yearsofthepandemic,theworld haschangedsignificantly.Asthe socio-economicfabricis evolving,thecompetencies neededtosucceedatworkare evolving.Weworkwithclients toenableindividual contributors,managers,and leaderstosucceedbybuilding therightcompetencies.We curateeachinterventiontodrive therightbehaviorsthroughthe facilitationofinsights, reflection,andpractice.

4.Health&Wellness Portfolio:Wellnesstoday includesemotional,mental,and physicalwell-being.While policiesandinsurancecantake careofthephysicalaspect,there stillneedstobeawarenessand lifeskill-buildingarounddealing withissueslikeanxiety,stress, andburnout.Withprograms curatedafterresearchandwith thehelpofclinical psychologists,weenable individualstobecome emotionallyresilientby identifyingtheirstresstriggers, theirstressresponses,and copingmechanismsandhence moreproductive,personally,and professionally

ConqueringChallengesto buildanEmpire

BeinganHRprofessionalturned

entrepreneur,Sonicaenteredthe worldofentrepreneurshipwith littleknowledgeofrunningher business.Sheknewhercraft, whichwasHR,butlittleabout thestatutoryrequirements associatedwithhavingone's setup.Whetheritshouldbean LLP,LLCorcompany,or proprietorship.Makingher websitefromscratchwasa challenge,beingbootstrapped, shewasinaviciouscycle,to hireateammemberortomake revenuestoreachacertainlevel.

Sheisconstantlyjuggling,doing everythingfromBDtodelivery toinvoicingtoclient managementtopayingtaxes herself.Beinganintroverted, andshyperson,doingBusiness Development,thatissalesdid notcomenaturallytoher.She washesitantaboutsingingher praisesasaconsultant,butthat wasneeded.Shewashesitantto network.Ittookhertimeto learnthisart.Thencamethe issueofmanagingcashflows.

Slowlyandsteadily,shelearned, hired,andgrew.Theclientbase grew,andrevenuesstabilized. However,therewere governmentalchallengesthat cametimeandagainlike demonetization,GST implementation,andmore recentlythepandemic.

Eachtime,theindustrygot destabilizedandtheclientfocus shiftedfromHRinterventionsto businesscontinuity.Thefirm hadtoevolveeachtimetomeet

theneedsoftheclientstostay relevant.Thattaughttheteam flexibilityandadaptability

SlowandSteadywinstheRace

Therewasnoonespecificpoint. Growthhasbeensteadyand planned.Thefirstfewyears wereaboutestablishingthefirm asanauthenticpartnertoclients thatofferedcustomizedcurated interventionsbasedon diagnostics.

"Wedidnotpeddlecannedoffthe-shelfprograms.Thatearned usclientrespect.Wordofmouth

andclientreferenceshelpedin gettingusmoreclients.Wehave beenoperatingintwoverticalstill then,ODconsultingand DiversityandInclusionwitha focusonwomen'sinclusion.Once thecredibilitywasestablished, weevolvedwiththeevolving markettrendsandexpandedour portfolio.Wecarriedout extensivemarketoutreach, research,surveys,andpanel discussionstogatherthepulseof theclientneedsandevolving workforceneeds,"addedSonica.

Today,itworkswithclientsto buildinclusiveculturesforall

dimensionsofdiversity-for women,theLGBTQIA community,peoplewith disabilities,the multigenerationalworkforce, racialandethnicdiversity, inclusionofindigenouspeople, andintersectionality.

WhileCovid-19broughtits challenges,italsoopenedmany doors.Itbrokedown geographicalbarriers,and MarchingSheepwentglobal. Today,ithasconductedsessions across80countriesacrossthe globeandoneverycontinent.

Overthelastnineyears,the companyhasgonefromstrength tostrength.Frombeingaonewomanarmytotodayateamof committedHRprofessionals. Fromoneclienttoahealthy rosterofclientsacrossindustries andgeographies,withPan India'spresencetoaglobal presence.

WinningBusinesseswith Hearts

MarchingSheepisuniquein manyways.Beingapurposedrivenorganization,itspurpose cutsthroughallitssolutions.

Also,thecompanyistheonly firmthatisdrivingInclusion Holistically.Itisnotfocusedon anyonedimensionofdiversity buthelpstheorganizationbuild inclusiveculturesirrespectiveof anykindofdifferencesthereby buildinglong-termsustainable capability.

Lastly,eachofitssolutionsis completelycontextualizedtothe client'sneedsandthereforeisa highimpact.

Sonica:TheGo-Getter

Sonicaalwaysthoughtofherself tobethemostrisk-averse person.However,asshe navigatedthroughdifferent professionalandpersonallife stages,sherealizedoversome timethatwhatmadeherhappy wasmakingadifference,areal difference.Shetookasabbatical in2012.Shewasatthattime headingHRforPhilips Consumerlifestylebusiness.

Afterayear,amotheroftwo, whenitwastimetogetbackto work,havingbeenanHR professionalforoveradecade andhavingworkedacross industrieslikeFMCG,FMCD, telecom,andhealthcarein StrategicHRbusinesspartnering roles,sherealizedthepowerof havingstreamlinedHRpolicies andprocesses,aligned,the motivatedandcapable workforceindrivingbusiness results.Havingbeenawoman professional,shehadalsoseen theevolvingnarrativeof

diversityandinclusionandthe gapsintheindustryclosely. Armedwiththeseinsightsand experience,itwasbutnaturalfor hertoestablishMarchingSheep withservicelinesintheseareas.

GloriousTriumphs

Today,MarchingSheepisthe leadingHRfirmglobally,having doneworkinmorethan80 countriesacrosstheglobe.Their founderandmanagingpartner SonicaAronhavebeenlisted amongtheTop10Women Entrepreneursin2020byForbes India,India'sMostValued PeopleinJune2021byForbes India,InspirationalIconsin LeadershipbyFortunein2021, amongthetop100Digital InfluencersbyYourstoryand mostrecentlyastheWoman EntrepreneuroftheYearby IndianAchieversForumat75th AtmanirbharBharatSummitin 2022.

MarchingSheep'sLongstandingSuccessisa Benchmark

Beingconsultativeservice providers,MarchingSheeptakes prideinthefactthatthe organizationdoesnothave cannedproductsorservices. Everysolutionorintervention offerediscuratedafteran extensivediagnosticand engagementwiththeclientteam tounderstandtherealneedor problemstatement.Thisensures high-impactsolutionsand outcomes.

Secondly,theteamcomprises expertsfromtheindustrywho haveexperienceofhaving workedasHRpractitioners acrossdifferentindustries.They bringinnotonlyconsulting expertisebutastrong understandingofwhatbusiness expectsfromHRinterventions.

Theyarenotjusttrainers,but HRprofessionalswhohave recognizedtheirpassionfor contributingtoclient organizationsintangibleways, andarerealizingthispassion throughourworkatMarching Sheep.

Thirdlyitdoesnotjustconsult, butalsohelpsinthe implementationandallits assignmentsareKPI-linked.It trulyhelpsclientsmovethe needle.

CherishinganEmpowering andExquisiteWork EnvironmentwithPassion, Focus,andFun.

MarchingSheepisateam passionateaboutwhatitdoes.It believesthattheworkitdoes impactspeople,andindividuals, andthatmakesthemhappy.

Everynewclientornew interventionisanopportunity forthemtoconnectwithmore people.Thatkeepsthemfocused onthequalityofthe intervention.

Everydayisapresent.And everymemberworkswell togetherasateam.Ithasfun together.Thereareno hierarchiesinMarchingSheep. Everyoneisclearabouttheir rolesandyet,nooneshiesaway fromstretchingandhelpingeach otherout.Everyoneisjustastep awayandonehastojustask.

Everymeetingstartswith pullingeachother'slegandends withlaughter

Awinmakesthemcelebrateand alossmakesthemdetermined.

ATeamandCulturelikeNone

MarchingSheep'steamisits mostvaluableasset.Sonica believesthatonecanteacha persontasks,andskillsbutnot attitude.

TheMarchingSheepteamis passionate,committed,and dedicatedtoitspurpose.Evenif Sonicaisnotavailable,theteam

ensuresthattheshowgoeson. Handpicked,nurtured,and continuouslydeveloped,each teammemberdemonstrates completeownershipand accountability

Thereisempowerment, delegation,coaching,nurturing, rewarding,andfamily atmosphereinMarchingSheep thatkeepstheteamtogether throughthehighsandlows.

GivingaToughFightand ThrivingtheCOVID-19 Situation

WhenCovidstruckandthe lockdownwasannounced. Overnight,allclientscanceled

theirplannedinterventionsand theirrevenuestreamdriedup. Itrechargedandre-invented itselftomeettheneedsofa turbulent,uncertain,and evolvingmarketplace.

Asateam,itconducted extensiveresearch,client outreach,paneldiscussions, andsurveystofindoutwhatis itthatorganizationsneededto buildorganizationalcapability forbusinesscontinuityand recoveryduringthosetough times.Itisproudtosharethat withtheseeffortsnooneinthe MarchingSheepteamwaslaid offorsufferedasalarycut.It recruitedtwonewteam members.Theorganization honoreditscommitmentsto thesummertraineesfrom instituteslikeIIMRanchiand IMI.

ShiftingGearswith ChangingTimes

Pre-pandemic,allMarching Sheep'sworkusedtobeinpersondeliveryattheclient site.Today,ithasahealthy mixofin-personandvirtual delivery.

Thishasenabledthemtogrow globallyandreach internationalmarkets.Thishas alsoenabledthemtoexpand theirteam.Whilethe MarchingSheepteamwas alwaysworkingremotely, Covid-19helpedthem strengthentheirremote workingprocesses.

DefeatingtheSetbacksofthe HRConsultancyMarket

Employeestodaywanttowork fororganizationsthatare purpose-drivenandprovide themwithanenvironment wheretheycanlearnandgrow. Theyarenotlookingfor mandatedtrainingcalendarsand forcednominationsbut meaningfullearningframeworks thathelpthemmovetoward theircareergoals.The organizationwillneedtolookat thelearningframeworkfroma newlens.E-learningmodules aregreat,andtechnologyis greatbutdotheydrivebehavior change,oraretheyatickinthe box?Therewillbesomehard questionstoaskandanswer

Secondly,intheeraofgreat resignation,quickquitting,and quietquitting,whereemployee retention,employeeattraction, andemployeeengagementwill bekey,itwillbeessentialto identifyandretaincriticaland toptalent.Organisationswill needtoinvesttimeandenergy inidentifyingthesepeopleand nurturingthem.Assessment centers,developmentcenters, ongoingfeedback,constructive feedback,anddevelopmental feedback,aresomeofthe interventionsandcapabilities thatorganizationswillneedto lookat.

PoliciesandHRpracticesasa one-size-fits-allapproachdonot holdanymore.Withamultigenerationalworkforce,multiple

waysofworking-remoteor hybridorworkfromanywhere, evolvingmindsets,and increasingirreverencetowards stereotypicalnormswillcompel organizationstotakeahardlook attheirpoliciesandmakethem morecontemporaryand meaningfultomeettheneedsof theirpeople.Stayinterviewers werelisteningtoemployees, understandingwhattheyneed, andthenaddressingthoseneeds inastructuredwayissomething thatisbothhighimpactand sustainable.

Thebusinessworldand workforceneedswillcontinueto evolveandHRconsultancies willneedtokeeppacewiththe evolvingneedstostayrelevant.

Sonica'sClassicAdviceto BuddingEntrepreneurs

"Follow your heart, and be persistent. There will be obstacles, and there will be naysayers, but you need to be confident about what you are doing and keep at it. Nothing succeeds like success."

Merlion

The Mascot of Singapore

Merlion

TheMerlionmascotofSingaporeisan exceptionalstructurewithhalfbodyof aLionandhalfofthefishmakingit uniqueanditshugesizemakesit mesmerizing.Themythological monsterknownastheMerlionwas createdbyadesignerinthe1960s.So let'sstartwiththeLionsection.A Malayprinceissaidtohavebeen shipwreckedonTemasekIsland,which isnowSingapore,accordingtoanold tradition.

In1964,FraserBurner,adesigner, createdaconstructionthatcombined theshapeofalion'sheadwiththatofa fish,creatingauniqueandcaptivating structure.Afterthat,thecity'siconic buildingwasbuilt,makingitsmascot, theMerlion,famousallovertheworld. Themetropolisconsistsofatotalof6 merlionswithdifferentlocations aroundthemetropolis.Theoriginal Merlionstructure,whichstands8.6 meterstall,spitswaterfromitsmouth. Sincethen,a2-meter-tallMerlioncub

hasjoineditandiscurrentlypresent adjacenttotheoriginalmonument.

AbouttheMerlionAdesignerinthe1960sconjuredup themythicalcreatureknownasthe Merlion.

TTherefore,let'sbeginwiththeLion portion.Anoldlegendclaimsa Malayprincewasshipwreckedon TemasekIslandwhichistoday's Singapore.Heandhiscrewthought theyhadseenalion,sothey appropriatelynamedtheisland Singapura,whichmeansLionCityin Sanskrit.Thereisstilldebateover whetherornottheanimalwasalion. Exceptforthezoo,therehavenever beenanyreportsoflionsonthe island.

TheMerlionconsistsofhalfbodyof alionandtheremaininghalfofa fish.TheMerinthemerliondenotes afishingvillagefromthehistoryof themetropolis.Inthe1960s,the metropolisneededalogoiconforthe tourismboardofthemetropolis.A designernamedFraserBurnercame upwithamergedstructureofthe headofthelionandthetaleoffish makingitamesmerizingand exceptionalstructurelikeMerlionin 1964.Thereafterthemetropolisgot itsiconicstructuremakingthecity renownedworldwidewithitsmascot Merlion.

TheerectionoftheMerlionstatue wasofficiatedbyPrimeMinisterLee KuanYewonSeptember15,1972. AttheextremityoftheFormer MerlionPark,atthemouthofthe SingaporeRiver,theoriginalMerlion statueoncestoodwiththeAnderson Bridgeinthebackground.Thestatue anditscubweremovedtothecurrent MerlionPark,whichfacesMarina Bay,in2002.There,theynowstand onarecentlyreclaimedpointinfront ofTheFullertonHotel.

OriginalandrelocationoftheStatue

TheerectionoftheMerlionstatuewas officiatedbyPrimeMinisterLeeKuan YewonSeptember15,1972.VicechancellorKwanSaiKheongofthe UniversityofSingapore conceptualizedit,andLimNangSeng, aSingaporeansculptor,builtitbetween November1971andAugust1972.Its heightis8.6meters,anditsweightis 70tonnes.Theapproximateproject costswere$165,000.

TheconstructionoftheEsplanade Bridgegotcompletedin1997,and althoughtheconstructionwasreadyit blockedtheviewsofMerlionfromthe MarinaBaywaterfront.Bythattime, theSingaporeRiver'sentrywasno longerattheMerlion'soriginal location.Thus,thestatueanditscub weremoved120metersin2002tothe currentMerlionPark,whichfaces MarinaBay,wheretheynowstandon arecentlyreclaimedpointinfrontof TheFullertonHotel.

Thehistoricrelocationtookplace betweenApril23andApril25,2002. Onebarge,twoDEMAGAC1600S craneswithacombinedliftingcapacity of5000tonnes,20engineers,and personnelonsitewereallnecessaryfor thecarefullyorganizedjourney The completestatuewasloadedontoa barge,whichwasthendriventothe newlocationforinstallationatthe currentMerlionPark,closetothe mouthoftheSingaporeRiver.The statue,whichwastootalltopass underneaththeEsplanadeBridge,had tobecarriedoffthebarge,overthe bridge,andbackontothebargeduring thevoyage.

OnSeptember15,2002,precisely30 yearsafteritwasformallyintroduced, then-SeniorMinisterLeeKuanYew traveledbacktoSingaporetoformally welcometheMerliononcemore,this

timeinitsnewlocation.Visitorscan nowposeforpictureswiththe Merlionfromthefrontortheside, withthenewcityskylineservingas thebackdrop,thankstoaviewing deckthatspanstheSingaporeRiver Theartworkwaspositionedtoface East,whichisconsideredtobethe mostauspiciousorientation.After beingmoved,themonumentstarted spewingwateragainafterceasingto dosoinitsprevioussitein1998due toabrokenwaterpump.Anewtwounitwaterpumpsystemwithunits thatalternatelyoperatehasbeen installedontheMerlion,ensuringthat thereisalwaysabackup.

Significanceofthemonument-

ThenationalanimalofSingaporeis theMerlion.Itisshownasa legendaryanimalwithalion'shead andafish'sbody.Itisfrequently utilizedtorepresentboththecitystateanditspeopleinsportsteams, advertising,branding,tourism,andas anationalpersonificationsinceithas astrongsymbolicmeaningfor SingaporeandSingaporeansasa whole.

StructureofTheMerlion

The8.6-meter-talloriginalMerlion structureshootswateroutofits mouth.AMerlioncub,whichisnow thereandissituatednexttothe originalmonumentandisjust2 meterstall,hassincejoinedit.AwellknowntouristlandmarkofSingapore istheMerlion,locatedinMerlion Parknotfarfromthecitycenter.

MerlioninArt&Culture-

TheMerlionisfeaturedinmanyfilms mostlyinHollywoodandBollywood filmsincludingtheotherSingapore heritages.Thefilmswhichincluded Merlioninitwereasfollows:

Ÿ Inthe2018filmCrazyRichAsians, whichisbasedonKevinKwan's bookofthesamename,the Merlionmakesanappearance.

Ÿ The2019animefilmDetective Conan:TheFistofBlueSapphire featurestheMerliononmany occasions.

Ÿ Ananimatedcharacterfrom Singaporewithadesignobviously inspiredbytheMerlioncanbeseen inthe2021filmMyHero Academia:WorldHeroes'Mission. Hecanspithigh-pressurewaterout ofhismouth,justlikethemain Merlionstatue,thankstohisquirk (superpower).Hisname,BigRed Dot,isaplayonthemoniker "LittleRedDot"givento Singapore.

Thetelevisionsectorandwebseries alsoincludedMerlioninit.Various shotsandaspectsofthemerlionwere showninthevariousseries.Theseries wasnamely.

Ÿ TheMerlion(Japanese:)madean appearanceinepisodes18and24 ofthewell-knownanimeCowboy Bebop,providingSingaporean amnesiacbountyhunterFaye Valentinewithaclueastohertrue ancestry.

Ÿ Inthe2005animeKaras,Hajime Sat's,(SatHajime)areimaginingof Shinjukuprominentlyfeaturedthe Merlion.

Ÿ Episode11oftheJapaneselight novelSeitokainoIchizonfeatures theMerlion.

Ÿ Thefirstspecialepisodeofthe mangaHidamariSketchfeatures theMerlion.

Ÿ InEpisode10ofHidamariSketch X:"Hoshimittsu,"thefemale landlordislookingforan apartmentkeywhentheMerlion comes.

Ÿ WhenKyokoHoshinonoticed ChizuruIkedadroolingin

YuruYuri'seighthepisode,she exclaimed,"TheMerlion!"

TheliteraturealsodescribesMerlionin averyamazingwaybyplayingwith thewordsanddescribingthebeautyof theexceptionalstructureofthe Merlion.

Ÿ Withthepublicationofhispoem "UlyssesbytheMerlion"in1979, EdwinThumboosolidifiedthe Merlion'splaceasaniconic representationofSingapore.Future generationsofSingaporeanpoets havestruggledwiththesymbolof theMerlion,frequentlytakingan ironical,critical,orevenhostile stand-andpointingoutits artificialityandtherefusalof ordinarySingaporeanstoaccepta touristattractionastheirnational icon.ThisisduetoThumboo's statusasSingapore'sunofficialpoet laureateandthenationalistic mythmakingqualitiesofhispoetry. Thepoem"attractedsignificant attentionamongsucceedingpoets, whohaveallfeltcompelledto writetheirownMerlion(orantiMerlion)poems,illustratingtheir anxietyofinfluence,aswellasthe continuinglocalfascinationwith thedialecticbetweenapublicanda privaterole,"accordingtotheNew YorkTimes.

Ÿ InGweeLiSui'sMythoftheStone in1993,thefirstfull-lengthgraphic bookpublishedinSingapore, merlionsasaspeciesweremade-up characters.Theywereportrayedas serene,sageanimalsthatstoodup forrightandeventuallydefeated theterribleKraken.Intheearly 1990s,Gweehelpedtofurther popularisetheiconoclastic depictionofthespittingMerlion.It resurfacedsubsequentlyinhis poetrycollectionWhoWantsto BuyaBookofPoems