Across client work in Hong Kong and wider APAC, enterprise IT buyers show a consistent pattern: peer proof first, vendor content second, AI summaries as a triage layer.
Observed habits
- Analyst notes and peer WhatsApp / WeChat threads still open doors
- AI tools compress research time but increase demand for verifiable citations
- Events remain high-trust when guest lists are curated, not open RSVP
Implication for marketers
Invest in quotable proof and peer rooms, not only paid reach. Brands that only optimize ads lose the quiet shortlist conversations happening before RFP.
These notes synthesize anonymized patterns from Moxie engagements; they are directional, not a census survey.