Hugo Saavedra

“Sell the sizzle, not the steak.” Years of experience in Japan taught me. If you want your product to succeed, tell people how their life will change It’s a time proven reality: Any successful product exists to solve a “pain point.” Consumers may not even realize things could be better. That’s where emotion comes in.  The “dream” of something better. It’s no secret that psychology is key in marketing in Japan. Targeting emotions is the bedrock of advertising. Some Japanese brands have taken selling the brand image to new heights Google Nissan Infinity car or Parco ads from the 1980/90s For some fairly extreme examples But that’s not enough. Japanese consumers need the emotional hook. THEN they need the “why I need it.” Nobody buys a product just for its features. They buy the result it promises.  They buy the dream. But the reality of the Japanese customer journey Is more complex, nuanced, and much more pragmatic. You need to use that emotion to get consumers To think about the practical benefits also Remember, consumers are going to buy the quality They are going to buy the trust of the brand’s reputation. Any brand needs to consider what it is selling. Are you selling a suitcase or the allure of a travel lifestyle? Are you selling energy bars or helping people manage their appetite? Here’s how it looks in practice: iPhone: ❌ 5,000mAh battery with 20W fast charging ✅ Charge once, stay connected all weekend Coffee Machine: ❌ 15-bar pressure espresso machine ✅ Barista-quality coffee in 30 seconds iPod: ❌ 5gb of storage ✅ 5,000 songs in your pocket Tesla: ❌ 1,020 horsepower electric motor ✅ 0 to 60 in 2.1 seconds—without a drop of fuel Duolingo: ❌ 1,000 bite-sized lessons to explore ✅ Speak fluent Spanish on your summer trip AI Assistant: ❌ AI-powered transcription with 98% accuracy ✅ Never miss a meeting, even on your day off Nike: ❌ Lightweight, carbon-fiber technology ✅ Stay light on your feet for all four quarters Dyson: ❌ Advanced cyclonic technology with 120AW suction ✅ Clean your entire home in half the time Mattress: ❌ Memory foam mattress with airflow technology ✅ Fall asleep 5x faster and wake up refreshed This mindset is timeless.  The best marketers live by it. Which one of these do you like best? Any more to add? ---------------------------------------------------------- I help brands evaluate, enter, launch, and grow in Japan.  Follow or DM Timothy Connor to learn how to succeed in Japan.

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TikTok Shop is rewriting Southeast Asia’s ecommerce map From newcomer to #2 player in under two years TikTok Shop’s rise is nothing short of explosive. According to Momentum Works & Tabcut, global GMV hit $26.2B in H1 '25. The U.S. and Southeast Asia are driving the surge, but SEA is winning. Global growth has been rocket fuel. → $0.9B GMV in 2021 to $33.2B in 2024 → H1 2025 already at $26.2B → On track for $66B in 2025 The “ban” noise didn’t slow the engine. Indonesia now leads the pack. → $6B GMV in H1 2025 for Indonesia → $5.8B for the U.S. → Malaysia GMV up 150% YoY SEA has become the hottest lab for social commerce. Market share gains are jaw-dropping. → Vietnam now at 28% share → Malaysia and Thailand each at 24% → Philippines at 19%, Indonesia at 11% TikTok is redefining the ecommerce playbook. The hierarchy has shifted fast. → Shopee still leads at 52% GMV share → TikTok Shop now #2 at 18% → Lazada down to 14% In SEA, TikTok has gone from upstart to core player. #tiktokshop #ecommerce #social #commerce #southeastasia #digital #tiktok

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Day 7 – Specialty Chemicals Specialty chemicals quietly power many industries- From pharma to agro, packaging, paints, plastics, and even fragrances. Value chain: intermediates → custom manufacturing → end markets. Why this theme could do very well China+1 strategy:- Stricter pollution norms and higher energy costs in China are pushing global buyers to diversify. India is emerging as the biggest alternative. 🔺Contract stickiness It takes years to qualify as a supplier. Once you’re in, revenues are sticky because switching is rare. 🔺US tariff twist Some Indian chemical exports face pressure due to tariff actions. But segments like fluorination, amines, and performance materials continue to see strong global demand. 🔺Personal care growth India is becoming a hub for fragrances, aroma, and cosmetic ingredients. Rising consumer demand is boosting players like S H Kelkar. 🔺Agrochemicals Global food demand is rising. This drives intermediates and CRAMS (contract research & manufacturing services) in agrochemicals. 🔺High-margin niches Fluorination and complex amines are specialised areas with higher margins and limited competition. . Companies to study: Navin Fluorine, Aarti Industries, SRF, PI Industries, Jubilant Ingrevia, S H Kelkar. Who says finance has to be boring and complex? I talk money, books and investing- sometimes all at once. Stay tuned (Neel Randeria) if you’re into the fun side of finance! #finance #linkedin #investing

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Thrilled to announce Whole Foods Market private label products are coming to Asia for the first time. Starting this week, shoppers in Singapore will have access to hundreds of our most-loved Whole Foods Market exclusive branded products.    This expansion represents more than just bringing products to a new market - it's about sharing our unwavering standards, values, and commitment to quality with a whole new community of food lovers.    Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gjZF62Xz

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