--- title: "The New SME Playbook for 2026: Outsource, Digitalise, Go Regional [TBS 42, Sponsored by UOB BOS]" description: Experts discuss rising costs, digitalisation, regional expansion, and AI’s role in business growth, offering insights on navigating today’s evolving business landscape. image: https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hubfs/TBS%2042%20(1).png --- [Skip to content](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/thebusinessshow-42#main-content) [![Full_COlour](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Full_COlour.png?width=456&height=80&name=Full_COlour.png)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Retirement Marketspace](https://retirementmarketspace.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) Show submenu for Events - [For Investors](https://tfcmysterymeetup.com/) - [For Business Owners & Creators](https://ipcreatorunite.peatix.com/) - [For Salaried Workers](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/thought-leadership-series) - [TFC Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) - [Shows](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-shows) Show submenu for Shows - [Wise and Shine](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/wise-and-shine) - [The Business Show](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-business-show) - [Chills with TFC](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/chills-with-tfc) - [Blog](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog) Show submenu for Blog - [Work Smart](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/worksmart) - [Invest](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/invest) - [Retire Well](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/retire-well) - [Business](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/business) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Retirement Marketspace](https://retirementmarketspace.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) Show submenu for Events - [For Investors](https://tfcmysterymeetup.com/) - [For Business Owners & Creators](https://ipcreatorunite.peatix.com/) - [For Salaried Workers](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/thought-leadership-series) - [TFC Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) - [Shows](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-shows) Show submenu for Shows - [Wise and Shine](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/wise-and-shine) - [The Business Show](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-business-show) - [Chills with TFC](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/chills-with-tfc) - [Blog](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog) Show submenu for Blog - [Work Smart](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/worksmart) - [Invest](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/invest) - [Retire Well](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/retire-well) - [Business](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/business) - [Contact us](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/contact-us) [Contact us](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/contact-us) Dec 10, 2025, 7:02:45 PM # The New SME Playbook for 2026: Outsource, Digitalise, Go Regional \[TBS 42, Sponsored by UOB BOS\] ![Picture of The Financial Coconut](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Square%20(2)-3.png?width=50&name=Square%20(2)-3.png) [The Financial Coconut](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/author/the-financial-coconut) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/thebusinessshow-42) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/thebusinessshow-42) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/thebusinessshow-42) [Share this page](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/thebusinessshow-42) [![Follow The Financial Coconut](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/46975693/interactive-182431637553.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL2CjCe42iR2RH2MpVX0Ej%2BKJQ%2F3A0Z7pXnUs35To%2Bo6nbKcpBVq9I98X5NUungVEwfs5YCKuM%2FaP97VxIITkTlihT57%2F%2F4XDW9rT3VR4MatSLDi%2BMU5mbQqihfX3LRRz83ij8K19OiD8UXy8sdct4t0Q%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=182431637553&portalId=46975693)   ## *Is your business ready for the future?* We dive into the [2025 UOB Business Outlook Study](https://www.uobgroup.com/asean-insights/articles/uob-business-outlook-study-2025-regional.page?s_cid=gscb:sg:paid:soc:yt:na:vd:na:uobins:111125-evergreen:bostfc:tfc:in&vid=in) with a powerhouse panel of experts. - Paul Kan, Country Head of UOB Business Banking Singapore, who sheds light on the financial landscape for SMEs and how businesses can adapt to thrive - Joseph Soh, Founder of Xpressflower.com, offering his experience in scaling a retail business and the role of data and digitalisation in expanding regionally - Desmond Goh, Managing Director of NETS, who shares how digital payment solutions are reshaping business operations. You'll Discover: - How business sentiment has evolved in 2025 amid rising costs, talent shortages, and global uncertainty. - Real-world strategies for scaling regionally and innovating under pressure. - The latest in digitalisation and AI: what’s actually working for customer engagement, automation, and growth. - Tips for managing costs, increasing productivity, and staying nimble in the face of rising competition. If you're an SME owner or entrepreneur, this conversation is a must-listen! Don’t miss out on the key takeaways that could define your next big move. Watch now and discover how you can stay competitive, innovate, and grow your business. **What We Discuss:** - [01:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=100s) - What does your role in the business entail? - [02:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=166s) - How do you manage the challenges of running 18 outlets? - [04:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=258s) - What is the current sentiment among business owners you interact with? - [06:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=375s) - How are you coping with the rising costs and manpower challenges? - [08:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=484s) - How has expanding to the Philippines impacted your business? - [10:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=635s) - How has digital payment adoption benefited merchants, especially during COVID? - [14:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=846s) - How does your bank help businesses use digital tools to improve efficiency? - [15:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=946s) - What advice do you have for businesses looking to expand regionally? - [18:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=1105s) - What types of businesses have been successful expanding into regional markets? - [22:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=1324s) - Do you think businesses are investing in the right digital tools? - [23:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=1409s) - Can you share any successful use cases of digitalization in business? - [28:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=1721s) - How can AI tools help businesses understand and grow their customer base? - [29:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=1799s) - What are the key factors for businesses to access sophisticated support and growth? - [32:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=1926s) - How do you approach upskilling your staff to handle new technology? - [33:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNfQT_4mao&t=1991s) - How important is reinvention and innovation for businesses today? **Episode Resources:** - [Spotify](https://linktw.in/DWcpOS) - [YouTube](https://linktw.in/YzviTz) - [Apple podcast](https://linktw.in/odHbMA) New episodes every [Wednesday](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tag/tfc-business-show)  Share us your thoughts on this episode and let us know what do you want to hear next. 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