Rakesh keeps his finger on the pulse in radio interview

A recent survey by PayPal shows fewer than 10% of respondents see cash as their preferred mode of payment when using government e-services.

Our shortlisted candidate for the Hong Bao Media Savvy Awards 2019 in the Best Broadcast Interview Category this week appeared on Money FM 89.3 to talk about going cashless - and in the process showed off his media interview skills.

Rakesh Krishnamuti, Country Manager of PayPal spoke of online payments being crowned king by both consumers and merchants.

Scroll down to see whether he should be crowned king of media interviewing skills in the Hong Bao Media Savvy Awards 2019.

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The Hong Bao Media Savvy Awards 2019 resumes with our third round of nominations in Singapore and Malaysia in the following categories:

• Best Broadcast Interview, in association with Meltwater
• Best Online Interview, in association with Shootsta
• Best Conference Presentation, in association with Dianomi
• Best Live Webcast, in association with The Streaming Company

We launched the Hong Bao Media Savvy Awards to recognise senior local leaders for their communications skills, and to showcase authentic and credible home-grown communicators.

These are shining examples for other local business leaders, and to build a culture of excellence in communication, to maximise the potential of Asian companies in the Asian Century.

Each week until November 30, 2019, we are shortlisting a local corporate figure who has demonstrated excellence in a media appearance for the Hong Bao Media Savvy Awards 2019.

Click on the link below to enter yourself or another Senior Business Leader.

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Here are four observations on his performance:

1. Flagging – Interestingly, Rakesh used this technique not just to communicate his main points crisply, but also to bring the conversation back on track when he was interrupted. Scroll to the 06:30 mark to hear it for yourself. It's where Clarissa says "Our poor moms, Rakesh!" and Rakesh replies, "I know, but she’s going to come around eventually."
2. Question back to the interviewer - Rakesh threw in one question at the very start of the interview. He asked Clarissa to have a guess on the most popular orders made through food delivery apps. By throwing that counter-question in, Rakesh established his control in the interview, and got Clarissa and listeners thinking. 
3. Examples – Rakesh gave a few examples throughout the interview, which helped in engaging and informing his listeners. For instance, he talked about PayPal's partnership with Instagram "so, while you are scrolling down your Instagram feed, you see a jacket that you like, you tap on it and at the next tap, you get to buy it". Nicely illustrated.
4. Statistics – Predictably, the interview hook was PayPal's survey, which showed 7 out of 10 people order food through delivery apps at least once a week, and 80% of merchants are selling their products on social media platforms. To his credit, he went beyond the survey to broaden the story.

Rakesh's delivery wasn't over-polished. Some disfluencies and a few fillers came up, which kept his delivery conversational and accessible. And he didn't dwell on his amusing mix-up of "keeping your pulse on the finger of things", but he glided over it as though nothing had happened.

All of this came together to prompt us to nominate him for the award.

If you know Rakesh Krishnamuti, share this article with him and congratulate him on being nominated for the Hong Bao Media Savvy Awards 2019.

If you have what it takes, nominate yourself or your senior business leader for the Hong Bao Media Savvy Awards 2019!