Titans of Transformation: Patrick Grove
- Mawarni Adam
- Apr 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 20
"Titans of Transformation" is a segment on Mawarni Adam's blog, where she interviews transformational leaders across industries, including startup founders, heads of departments, and C-suite executives of multinational corporations. The format involves 33 rapid-fire or 6 elaborative questions on any areas of transformation, which can be broadly categorized into business, organizational, technological, human capital, and personal contexts. These areas may include changes in processes, business models, culture, talent and technology, as well as shifts in individual mindset, skills, and behaviours. Unlike the typically heavy theme and coverage of such topics and interviews, Mawarni takes a lighter approach by designing the Q&As to be relatable and semi-casual, allowing her readers to get to know the “Titans” on a slightly personal level while also learning about the areas they are transforming or have transformed.
[From the Archive]
The following interview with Patrick Grove was first published in 2016 by Mawarni, when she was at M Consulting Asia.
Patrick is the Group CEO of Catcha Group, a leading international investment firm focused on unearthing value in the media and technology sectors in Asia. Catcha Group’s investments range from four publicly listed Internet-related companies to privately held Internet start-ups.
33 questions with Patrick Grove
Question 1: We’ve all heard and read the stories in the media about how you brought Catcha to life. But what is the untold story? What is the real guts and glory? Can you please share your tear-jerking, heart-wrenching, heart-warming, and laugh-out-loud stories?
PG: The untold story is working 7 days a week, 15 hours a day for 15 years. lol. And yes, a few tears along the way!!
Question 2: If an entrepreneur comes to you with an idea, what would you say to him or her? Let’s say in these 3 scenarios...
a. Just an idea
PG: Ideas mean nothing; it's all about the execution!
b. An idea with the potential to be disruptive
PG: Ideas mean nothing; it's all about the execution!
c. A great disruptive idea;
PG: Ideas mean nothing; it's all about the execution!
Question 3: What advice would you give someone who wants to be the next Patrick Grove?
PG: Don’t. Be someone better!
Question 4: Were you named after a famous person?
PG: Nope!
Question 5: What is the first thing you notice about someone?
PG: Face.
Question 6: Your most used word in your meetings.
Question 7: Top 3 most used apps on your phone.
PG: Whatsapp. Yahoo Stock. Mail.
Question 8: What was the last thing you bought online?
PG: Xmas gifts!
Question 9: Dumbest purchase?
PG: A company called hauteavenue.com. The idea was good, but the execution probably wasn’t as great as we had liked.
Question 10: Describe your power breakfast.
PG: Banana smoothie, and that’s it! Eat light!
Question 11: What colour describes you best?
PG: Red, Fire!
Question 12: What object represents your personality?
PG: A handphone. Distracting and annoying, but you can’t live without it!
Question 13: What would be the title of your autobiography?
Question 14: What would be a good theme song for your life?
PG: Kanye West “Harder Better Faster Stronger"
Question 15: What’s your one biggest pet peeve?
PG: Interviews with more than 34 questions. :)
Question 16: Describe your team.
PG: Rockstars, all of them!
Question 17: Best invention?
PG: In South East Asia, Air Con!
Question 18: Here’s a philosophical question. You’re lost, far out at sea on a boat with Socrates and Plato. There is only enough food for 2. Who do you throw off the boat?
PG: None, need all hands on deck to catch more fish!
Question 19: In The Matrix movie, would you choose the blue pill or the red pill?
PG: I’m greedy, both.
Question 20: Beach or mountain?
PG: Beach any day.
Question 21: Mark Zuckerberg is building an “Ironman-type of artificial intelligence butler named Jarvis” version in 2016 to help him with his life at home and work. What would you build?
PG: A disruptive mega company based in Asia that changes the World.
Question 22: The most annoying question you’ve ever been asked.
PG: Are you Robert Groove?
Question 23: The one superpower you wish you had…
PG: 100% Health!
Question 24: If you bought a boat or a yacht, what would you name it?
PG: #BOOM
Question 25: What were you doing the last time you looked at a clock and realized you had lost all track of time?
PG: emails!
Question 26: What movie, no matter how many times you’ve seen it, do you have to watch when it’s on?
PG: Inception
Question 27: What period of history most fascinates you?
PG: Now, the digital revolution is the greatest game changer in the history of mankind.
Question 28: If you could be one person in history…
PG: Me.
Question 29: What is the one thing you still have from your childhood?
PG: The memories!
Question 30: What’s a skill that you think you can never master?
PG: Chinese.
Question 31: What is your kryptonite?
PG: When Peggy has Famous Amos Cookies.
Question 32: If you’re a hip hop artist, what would your stage name be?
PG: Notorious P A T
Question 33: If you could witness any event of the past, present, or future, what would it be?
PG: Earth 100 years from now! I want to see what comes next….
This interview was made possible with the assistance of Peggy Lee, who served as Catcha Group's Director of Corporate Communications from 2014 to 2016. And Patrick Grove, himself, for being gracious with his time.
Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn, here.
About Mawarni
Mawarni Adam is a marketer and brand builder. She is a 2x business founder and has worked with individuals and companies for over 20 years, helping them shape, sharpen, and strengthen their brands through strategic branding, integrated marketing, communications, and customer experience. She is a mother to two daughters and writes about her personal experiences in topics she is passionate about, such as self-growth, women's advocacy, and community development. Read her full bio here.
