Michael Switow, Founder, Switow Media; Author, Taming The Mouse
Michael Switow is the founder of Switow Media. He dons several hats. He is a writer, producer, editor, and emcee. Also, as a media coach, he helps people bring out their hidden stories. Michael Switow is also an active anti-poverty campaigner.
Podcast
Overview
In today’s episode of The Brand Called You, we discuss the aspects of weaving engaging content, ranging from written stories to conducting conversational events. We will also discuss the diverse roles that we play in society. Our guest of the day is an exceptionally great media professional who also uses his talent and time in contributing back to society. He plays a remarkable role in making poverty history. An episode to be not missed!
About Michael Switow
Michael Switow is the founder of Switow Media. He dons several hats. He is a writer, producer, editor, and emcee. Also, as a media coach, he helps people bring out their hidden stories. Michael Switow is also an active anti-poverty campaigner. Tune in to listen to the stories of this multi-faceted personality.
DISCUSSION
Michael talks about the work that Switow Media is doing in producing engaging content. He shares how in live events, the audience dozes off because of the lack of thought that went into preparing the content. He also talks about his role as a media coach.
He shares, “We help people strategize content around the book. We conduct interviews around those topics and coach you to write your book, leading you on the way.”
Good Writer and Good Story
Michael shares his views on being a good writer. He lays down a few pointers to take into account: how to tell a story, accuracy, crafting details, and relatability.
He further talks about what makes a good story. Michael mentions, “We all have a story inside us and a matter of pulling that out.”
Michael feels if a story can agitate or entertain people, it is a good one.
Book: Taming the Mouse
Michael shares anecdotes from his first book, titled, “Taming the Mouse: How a Small Hong Kong Company Came to Dominate Disney.”
He shares, “It is a story of how any small company can slay giants.”
When Disney came, the general perception was that the local amusement park, Ocean Park, in Hong Kong would disappear. However, with great strategy, the park transformed it every year for a decade.
Michael mentions, “It overpowered Disney in terms of attendance, profitability, community engagement.”
He talks about aspects of his writing discipline and the challenges he faces due to writer’s block as well.
Making Poverty A History
Michael is an active campaigner for anti-poverty. He talks about the importance of giving back to society. He is the founder of ONE (SINGAPORE), an organisation dedicated to raising awareness and taking corrective measures to eradicate poverty.
Michael talks about the steps to be taken at the macro and micro levels.
He explains, “No charity has eliminated more than one percent of global poverty on their own. It needs to be done on the micro-level and thus, advocacy is needed. But at the micro-level, all of us can make an impact on communities.”
The organization’s Emergency fund provides financial and in-kind assistance.
He talks about the funding of the organization. He also delves deeper into the challenges they faced during the pandemic owing to increased applications.
Michael ends the conversation by sharing the milestones of his life. The prime one being, when he learned about the subject of Public Policy, which shaped his career today.
Profile
Michael Switow is a seasoned media professional and author of successful business leadership. He is currently working on his second book, due out this year, and preparing to launch a new Book Coaching service to assist professionals to conceptualize, organizing, and writing engaging, quality content.
Michael is also an experienced civil society leader who has founded and led charity initiatives, including the ONE Emergency Fund, which has provided critical assistance to more than 1000 families since the beginning of the pandemic. Equipped with the economic and public policy tools of a Master’s degree from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs, Michael is passionate about creativity, service, and public policy.
