Commentary

Here's why 2014 is the game-changing year for Singapore's recruitment scene

This year marks an important year to every employer in Singapore. It is a period whereby employers seriously need to wake up and realise the recruitment game is never the same. What worked 2 to 5 years ago will not work again. And unless you only hire bots, you have to attract human beings to work for you.

Commentary

Here's why 2014 is the game-changing year for Singapore's recruitment scene

Commentary

Singapore: Workforce Big Data... or big flop?

The buzz surrounding Big Data and the workforce reached a crescendo in 2013. This interest in employee Big Data coincided with the Infocomm Development Authority’s (IDA) announcement of plans to establish Singapore as the regional hub for data analytics, in an effort to create the world’s first ‘Smart Nation’.

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Great Singapore Sale goes mobile and social: Why it matters to retailers

The annual GSS (Great Singapore Sale) is in full swing right now. As shoppers in Singapore as well as visitors from all around the region flock to stores to get their hands on bargain buys, it’s become one of the most important events on the calendar for the retail sector - generating about 20 percent of total sales turnover for retailers every year, according to the Singapore Retailers Association.

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What the AEC 2015 means for Singaporean businesses

By the end of 2015, the 10-member nations of ASEAN will be united in a common market where the long-formulated idea of a single regional market, otherwise known as the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015, is set to be realised. The idea of an ASEAN single market and production base is based on the free flow of goods, services, investment, capital, and skilled labour among ASEAN member nations.

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What are the real threats to Singaporean businesses?

When Singaporean businesses assess the risks they face, at both the domestic and regional level, a range of dramatic scenarios easily catch the imagination. Marauding rioters, catastrophic fires, and natural disasters are tangible threats to operations, supply chains, and a company's ability to sell its goods and services. While these events do occur, and are well covered by the media, are they really the biggest risk to local business?

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Is free the only value in Singapore?

Free is the magic word in Singapore for any marketing campaign. If you use it, you can promote anything.

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Does World Cup 2014 score for Singapore businesses?

World Cup has attracted billions of viewers worldwide; even for a non-soccer fanatic like me, checking out the games’ highlights and the results has somehow become a “daily ritual” for me during this period of time.

Commentary

When is it time to fire someone?

“After four and a half intense and wonderful years as CEO of Groupon, I’ve decided that I’d like to spend more time with my family. Just kidding – I was fired today.” This was the note that former Groupon CEO Andrew Mason wrote to all employees when he was sacked after the company reported yet another quarterly loss in 2013.

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4 things you need to know about loans and charges

Applying for a loan from bankers to finance your growing business in Singapore? Along with getting that loan sanctioned, there are a few legal matters to be aware of.

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How do you measure the impact of social influencers in Singapore?

The Return on Investment (ROI) that your social influencers can have on your business in Singapore can be tracked in various ways. No matter what platform you use to build your network, it’s essential to measure the real effects of your social influencers and brand advocates.

Commentary

Singapore's aging workforce has a silver lining

As one of Asia's fastest aging populations, it is estimated that one in six Singaporeans will be at least 65 years of age by 2020. So encouraging older employees to continue working is no longer optional but key to maintaining Singapore's economic vitality.

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Local or international? What to consider when buying overseas property

Investing in Singapore property has become a bit of a wait-and-see affair, following the implementation of a variety of cooling measures. The cooling measures, coupled with rising supply, have started pushing prices down.

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Here's why Continuing Education and Training is vital for Women at Work

According to the Ministry of Education’s 2013 statistics digest, women make up slightly more than half of the university graduates in Singapore. What’s more, the number of female doctoral-degree students in local universities have steadily risen over the years and is currently at its all-time highest.

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10 biggest factors towards getting a Singapore PR status under the PTS scheme

Late last month, Deputy PM Teo Chee Hean stated in the Addendum to the President’s Address that Singapore will continue to improve its age balance and prevent its citizen population from shrinking. It will do so by welcoming new citizens who are committed to Singapore, share its values, and are willing to contribute to society. In return, the government will help them integrate.

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Singapore SMEs and their challenges in the second half of 2014

Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have started the year with greater optimism. The Ministry of Trade and Industry recently announced that Singapore economy grew 4.9% on-year in Q1 and the GDP growth forecast remain at 2-4% for 20141.

Commentary

Managing soccer-crazed employees in Singapore

The world’s premier sporting event is here – The Fifa sanctioned football World Cup in Brazil. This is the one event that has such an impact on employee productivity and attendance that has business owners and managers in Singapore tearing their hair out with frustration.

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Redefining digital marketing: An approach to solving business problems

Step into most marketing departments and agencies in Singapore today and you’ll find that almost all of them have some strategy and tactics for dealing with the discipline of digital marketing.

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