Commentary

Maximising the potential of your interns

Universities and students in Singapore both believe that accumulating work experience and building a strong portfolio can make or break a fresh graduate's job hunt. Peer at any jobseeker's resume and you'll see at least two internships listed. Come summer, our company receives hundreds of internship applications and the majority of these students already have some pretty impressive work experience under their belt.

Commentary

Maximising the potential of your interns

Commentary

Here's what online shoppers in Singapore really want

With the Great Singapore Sale in full swing, and an e-commerce industry projected to reach SGD4.4 billion this year, retailers and e-tailers around town are battling it out to capture those shopping dollars.

Commentary

Singapore's success, good business practice... and parenting!

One of the keys to Singapore's economic success -- in my view -- is similar to how some of the most successful companies continue to thrive. Indeed the same approach can pay big dividends when bringing up children… namely the rigorous commitment to a relatively small number of principles (or values).

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Why Singaporeans should buy in London now and what questions to ask

Since the unexpected outright victory by the Conservative party last month, the London property market has started accelerating like never before.

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Wise words from women entrepreneurs

It's almost become a running joke now in Singapore that some of the best business networking events are women only. In fact, the results from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor study Women's report 2012 showed that in Singapore, there are more women starting businesses than men, with Thailand being the only other country showing this trend.

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Affluent consumers are driving mobile shopping trends in countries like Singapore

Hop in the MRT, open your Asos or Carousell app and start shopping. Mobile commerce has become a natural part of our daily lives.

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Good time to worry about the next recession

It can be quite depressing to read recent job news surrounding Singapore. Here are a few headlines I’ve gathered:

Commentary

Is a good boss an 'employee benefit'?

Singapore is one of the most competitive working environments in Asia, and is generally in a head-to-head battle with Hong Kong on wages, qualification status, c-suite positions available, and general employment prospects. But Singapore and Hong Kong share some less desirable traits: good people are hard to find, staff turn-over is high, and skilled labour shortages are affecting productivity.

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Transitioning your family business to the next generation

Family businesses make a significant contribution to the Singapore economy. According to the government enterprise agency, SPRING, these businesses are mainly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and form 99% of all enterprises in Singapore. They employ seven-in-ten workers, improve innovation, and contribute over 50% of national gross domestic product. Ensuring the continuity of these businesses is vital to the Singapore economy.

Commentary

Why Singapore should ban Selfie Sticks

Selfie sticks are the cancer of 2015. Time for Singapore to set the trend and ban them completely for the sake of the tourism business here.

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Hiring right in Singapore

Hiring the best talent is more crucial than ever, especially in today's economy and in Singapore's tight labour market. The country's unemployment rate for citizens stood at 2.6 percent as of March, according to figures by the Ministry of Manpower.

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6 keys to sustainable leadership development in Singapore

Many Singapore business owners view people development and training as a 'good-to-have', rather than a 'must-have'. This dangerous viewpoint can be costly to both short-term profits and long-term progress.

Commentary

65% of Singaporean customers are looking at you on their mobiles

Last year, for the first time in the history of the Internet, the number of mobile devices connected to it overtook the number of standard desktop connections. In passing this mobile tipping point the rise of mobile marketing and commerce has cemented itself front and centre in how we do business.

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Bringing down barriers in securities markets – ISO 20022 the way forward

Different languages. Different market practices. Different financial communication channels. Different monetary systems. Different regulatory requirements. Little or no automation of financial transaction processing.

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Where the Australian Dollar is headed and what it means to Singapore

Singapore's interest in Australian assets has been growing for many years given the proximity, stability, and well-regarded educational institutions. With the recent drop in the Australian Dollar (AUD) of more than 25%, this interest has only strengthened. An important consideration for many Singapore-based investors is therefore... 'where to next for the Australian dollar'.

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Expat versus local salaries in Singapore

Several recent media reports have explored the issue of expat salaries and asked if expats are really receiving as much as you think they are. In our experience, few expats in Singapore today are on the inflated packages of the past.

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The cleverest SG50 marketing campaigns

With preparations for the big day in full swing, it seems that the little red dot is practically everywhere – even gracing special edition sardine cans! Some commentators are sceptical about businesses trying to 'cash-in' on the wave of emotion and excitement about the nation's special day. I think they should lighten up.

Commentary