Alan Soon, Newsroom transformation specialist, Founder, The Splice Newsroom, ONA Singapore Co-Founder.
What led you to start working in digital/media publishing?
I’ve grown up in newsrooms. I started in radio and later moved to TV, newswires, a magazine and an international news portal. It’s been a long journey across two decades, but I love it!
What does a typical day look like for you?
There’s always a coffee somewhere at the start of the day. But that’s where the consistency ends. Much of the day is scheduled around meetings (either in person or on Skype/Hangouts/Messenger/WhatsApp). There’s a lot of catching up to see what’s happening in the media space and I also set aside time to figure out how to make sense of it.
What’s your work setup look like?
My entire business is in Google Suite. Front-end apps include Astro (emails), Fantastical (calendar), Todoist (tasks), Simplenote (notes), Whatsapp and Telegram (chat) and Twist (collaboration).
What do you do or go to get inspired?
I read a lot and I try to make sure I set aside time to do that. Podcasts also go a long way in helping me learn. I also travel a lot, which opens up new thoughts and ideas. Another important thing: I make sure I’m around people who are inspiring. That’s key.
What’s your favorite piece of writing or quote?
“You will never get any more out of life than you expect.” — Bruce Lee
What is the passionate problem you are tackling at the moment?
The transformation of the news industry as it battles changing consumer habits, business models and monetization.
Is there a product, solution or tool that makes you think it is a good design for your digital publishing efforts?
Google Suite. It integrates with pretty much everything.
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Any advice for ambitious digital publishing and media professionals just starting out?
Always ask: What’s the problem that needs to be solved? At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.
