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Beating the Algorithm: Overriding the Script of Life
Dive into the riveting journey of Cheo Ming Shen in Beating the Algorithm, where entrepreneurship, life lessons, and personal growth intertwine to form a narrative of resilience and vision. From his childhood dreams inspired by the Japanese manga Doraemon, to navigating the high stakes of corporate leadership and the unpredictable tides of Silicon Valley-style innovation in Southeast Asia, Cheo's story is a masterclass in understanding the game of life.
This book isn't just about business; it's about the human spirit's capacity to adapt, learn, and succeed against all odds. Cheo shares his ascent from a self-described academic underachiever to the CEO of a publicly listed company, detailing the rollercoaster of launching startups like Nuffnang and Dayre, facing betrayals, and embracing the unexpected joys of life like his marriage and fatherhood.
With candid reflections on success, failure, and the art of pivoting in both business and personal life, Beating the Algorithm offers invaluable insights for entrepreneurs, dreamers, and anyone looking to find their path in an ever-changing world. Cheo's narrative is both a cautionary tale and an inspiring saga, proving that with the right mindset, you can indeed "beat the algorithm" of life. Discover how to find purpose, build trust, and turn every life experience into a stepping stone for greatness.
This book isn't just about business; it's about the human spirit's capacity to adapt, learn, and succeed against all odds. Cheo shares his ascent from a self-described academic underachiever to the CEO of a publicly listed company, detailing the rollercoaster of launching startups like Nuffnang and Dayre, facing betrayals, and embracing the unexpected joys of life like his marriage and fatherhood.
With candid reflections on success, failure, and the art of pivoting in both business and personal life, Beating the Algorithm offers invaluable insights for entrepreneurs, dreamers, and anyone looking to find their path in an ever-changing world. Cheo's narrative is both a cautionary tale and an inspiring saga, proving that with the right mindset, you can indeed "beat the algorithm" of life. Discover how to find purpose, build trust, and turn every life experience into a stepping stone for greatness.
288 pages, Paperback
Published February 17, 2026
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17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 23, 2026
Beating The Algorithm is a rare Singaporean gem - honest, raw, and deeply relatable.
What struck me most wasn’t just the business wins, but Ming Shen’s courage in navigating betrayal, failure, and the uncertainty of starting again.
In an Asian culture where success is often neatly packaged, or tied to academics and your job titles, this book reminds us that the journey is rarely linear and that resilience is built quietly, behind the scenes.
Two quotes stayed with me:
“Always play the game to your strengths.”
“Find your path.”
Simple, but powerful.
If you’re especially a Singaporeans or Asian, figuring out your next move in business or in life, this book will speak to you :)
What struck me most wasn’t just the business wins, but Ming Shen’s courage in navigating betrayal, failure, and the uncertainty of starting again.
In an Asian culture where success is often neatly packaged, or tied to academics and your job titles, this book reminds us that the journey is rarely linear and that resilience is built quietly, behind the scenes.
Two quotes stayed with me:
“Always play the game to your strengths.”
“Find your path.”
Simple, but powerful.
If you’re especially a Singaporeans or Asian, figuring out your next move in business or in life, this book will speak to you :)
Review of advance copy
Ming's book reminds me a lot of Nelson Mandela's famous line, 'Life is measured not by how many times you fall down but by how many times you get back up.' His resilient learning from setbacks also reminds me of another famous quote, "Success is 99% failure." Gratifyingly, his book oozes wisdom and inspiration from his past experiences as young boy and as an adult. I was deeply appreciative of his acknowledgment of my minute role in moulding his vision. As his Literature teacher in 1997 at ACS (Barker Road) in Singapore, I was impressed with Ming's warmth and energy. Our rapport was the bedrock and I was overjoyed when, in addition to participating passionately in my Literature classes, Ming joined my ECA Cricket team, where he thrived. Now, relationship building is a cornerstone of Ming's entrepreneurial success and I feel privileged to have witnessed this gifted trait blossoming in him at such a young age. And reading his book, for me, was deja vu as Ming manifested his relationship skills to foster meaningful and harmonious collaborations in the business world. I originally came up with the Time Capsule concept in 1997 as a way of capturing the present moment with the purpose of reigniting it in the future (as it turned out almost 27 years later). At the unearthing of the time capsule in 2024, I was able to reconnect with my now young adults in a very special and magical way as they were now CEOs, business leaders, entrepreneurs etc...Ming's recount of the unearthing and its personal significance to him is poignant, and perspicacious. However, his life story which he covers in later chapters, is also very interesting and I applaud how he has built in lessons for all budding entrepreneurs. I highly recommend this book because it is an authentic account of one young man's metamorphosis from an impressionable young student into a successful entrepreneur.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have known the author for over two decades and consider him my friend. For that very reason, Beating the Algorithm surprised me in the best possible way!
The book reveals a depth and clarity shaped by lived experience that I had not fully appreciated before. It is not a memoir, yet it carries the richness of real journeys, deliberate choices, course corrections, and resilience earned over time.
At its core, the book frames life as a series of games and gently challenges the reader to consider which games are worth playing and how to play them well. The idea is simple, but its implications are meaningful, especially for those navigating complex professional and relational environments.
The book also prompted reflection on partnership and alignment, particularly the importance of trust, transparency, and open communication when incentives diverge and the stakes are high.
Its leadership lens is thoughtfully confronting. The Machiavellian idea that if one cannot be both feared and loved, it may be safer to be feared encouraged me to reflect on my own instinct to lead through niceness alone, and on the value of steadiness, boundaries, and resolve.
The sections on betrayal and adversity especially resonated. They create space for the truth that painful experiences often become the most illuminating teachers.
Beating the Algorithm is a book that stays with you, offering clarity that unfolds long after the final page ❤️
The book reveals a depth and clarity shaped by lived experience that I had not fully appreciated before. It is not a memoir, yet it carries the richness of real journeys, deliberate choices, course corrections, and resilience earned over time.
At its core, the book frames life as a series of games and gently challenges the reader to consider which games are worth playing and how to play them well. The idea is simple, but its implications are meaningful, especially for those navigating complex professional and relational environments.
The book also prompted reflection on partnership and alignment, particularly the importance of trust, transparency, and open communication when incentives diverge and the stakes are high.
Its leadership lens is thoughtfully confronting. The Machiavellian idea that if one cannot be both feared and loved, it may be safer to be feared encouraged me to reflect on my own instinct to lead through niceness alone, and on the value of steadiness, boundaries, and resolve.
The sections on betrayal and adversity especially resonated. They create space for the truth that painful experiences often become the most illuminating teachers.
Beating the Algorithm is a book that stays with you, offering clarity that unfolds long after the final page ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2026
Ming Shen offers a raw and deeply relatable look at the highs and lows of the entrepreneurial journey in Singapore. An honest and quintessentially “Singaporean”read, Beating the Algorithm isn’t just about business; it’s about the resilience required to turn life’s unpredictability into an advantage.
"Investing in somebody other than yourself, is an acknowledgement that they are better than you in some regard, and that's okay" —Ming
By sharing his failures alongside his successes, he provides a powerful reminder that losing one thing often clears the path for a different kind of win.
I especially appreciated his heartfelt tributes to the family, friends, and mentors who stayed by his side—they speak volumes about his character. This is an inspiring, quick read for anyone looking to start something or just simply to live with greater zest and purpose!
"Investing in somebody other than yourself, is an acknowledgement that they are better than you in some regard, and that's okay" —Ming
By sharing his failures alongside his successes, he provides a powerful reminder that losing one thing often clears the path for a different kind of win.
I especially appreciated his heartfelt tributes to the family, friends, and mentors who stayed by his side—they speak volumes about his character. This is an inspiring, quick read for anyone looking to start something or just simply to live with greater zest and purpose!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy and early manuscript from the author in exchange for comments and feedback.
Beating the Algorithm is an honest and reflective account of a journey that doesn’t pretend to be tidy. What I appreciated most was the author’s clear effort to distinguish between what actually happened and how it is remembered—an imperfect process, but one that underscores the vulnerability, authenticity, and integrity of the book.
The story takes readers through the highs and lows of one of Singapore’s digital media pioneers, tracing the path of Cheo Ming Shen, co-founder of Nuffnang and an early front-runner in the space. He is candid—sometimes brutally so—peeling back the facade to reveal the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable.
The most compelling moments are the tender, reflective ones. While the book offers lessons and advice, it avoids sounding preachy; instead, it feels like a big brother simplifying hard-won truths. Honest, human, and quietly generous, this is a book that values clarity over polish.
Beating the Algorithm is an honest and reflective account of a journey that doesn’t pretend to be tidy. What I appreciated most was the author’s clear effort to distinguish between what actually happened and how it is remembered—an imperfect process, but one that underscores the vulnerability, authenticity, and integrity of the book.
The story takes readers through the highs and lows of one of Singapore’s digital media pioneers, tracing the path of Cheo Ming Shen, co-founder of Nuffnang and an early front-runner in the space. He is candid—sometimes brutally so—peeling back the facade to reveal the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable.
The most compelling moments are the tender, reflective ones. While the book offers lessons and advice, it avoids sounding preachy; instead, it feels like a big brother simplifying hard-won truths. Honest, human, and quietly generous, this is a book that values clarity over polish.
March 26, 2026
Appreciate the opportunity to read real, local stories. An accessible, interesting read. Would be nice to see the pictures in colour in an extended anniversary edition one day!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews