Commentary

2015: A good year for Small Business?

As Singaporean businesses close the first quarter and charge into the second, it is worth a quick reflection.

2015: A good year for Small Business?

As Singaporean businesses close the first quarter and charge into the second, it is worth a quick reflection.

What does flexible working bring to the workplace of the future?

One of the agendas of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) of Singapore is to decentralise business activities and commercial centres outside of the central business district. For URA, this initiative is a way to achieve a more sustainable growth by distributing business and commercial activities to various parts of the island.

Why you might want to shut your business in Singapore

According to the Business Optimism Index (BOI) conducted by the Singapore Commercial Credit Bureau and released early this year, Q1 2015 marks the second-lowest score in two years. Based on their scoring system, Singapore BOI score was +1.11.

What interest rate means for average Singaporeans

In recent months, it has been tough for one to avoid reading articles that highlight the rising Singapore Interbank Borrowing Offer Rate (SIBOR). In general, the trend is supported by an expectation the days of low interest rate haven is about to diminish.

Key to productivity in Singapore's evolving workplace

The world of work is an entirely different landscape from just 10 years ago, and it is no revelation to say so. Even basic elements such as the hours and location of work have altered dramatically.

Enhancing the employability of Singapore's older workers

Workplace discrimination in Singapore still exists. Some employers still judge job applicants by their age. Most employers, however, as pragmatic business people, have welcomed all employees in a tight labour market.

Why the "Why?" behind your big data is crucial for business success in Singapore

Loyalty programs are a great source of Big Data for retailers, and in a poll conducted in 2013, 91% of Singaporeans said they were more likely to shop at retailers that offered loyalty programs.

BestSeller: 6 steps to win big deals in Singapore

How successful was your last big deal negotiation? Internationalisation of business and professional buying teams have led to demanding requirements on big deal management.

Top 3 trends for luxury marketing in 2015

When it comes to marketing to ultra-high net worth consumers, the game is changing. Particularly seen in the demographical melting-pot that is Singapore, never before has there been such a diversity of background, culture, ethics, social class, and methods of media and information consumption.

Is your business sick?

Singapore businesses face a wide range of unique operational issues, none more so than how to retain staff in a highly competitive market and at the same increase productivity. With a limited labour pool, the answer is not just hiring more people.

Addressing accountability skill gaps in Singapore

Toward the end of 2014, the Singapore Government released the Continuing Education and Training (CET) 2020 Masterplan that supports efforts to restructure the economy, develop a career-resilient workforce, and build deeper expertise in Singapore's personnel, with increased involvement by employers in enhancing and valuing skills.

What's the buzz around data analyst jobs in Singapore?

With companies such as Amazon, Google, and Apple understanding and predicting their customers' behaviours for years, the banking industry has been slow by comparison to catch the digital and data analytics wave. As the popularity of online and mobile payment systems grows, banks are now moving quickly to hire specialists in big data analytics.

The business of integrating ageing and employment in Singapore

We have all heard of the well-known proverb "old is gold". Similarly, as we gain more experience and understanding of the business, we bring the “gold” to the workplace.

The banks are here to stay in trade finance

In recent times Singapore has become an important global hub for commodity trading and by extension, commodity trade finance. For the uninitiated, trade finance does very much what it says on the tin.

Why it is wrong to badmouth your competitors in Singapore

Recently, news came viral online about a local marketing agency for a large telecommunications giant which had engaged in an unethical smearing campaign to create non-genuine complaints in order to badmouth the competitors of the telecommunications giant.

The global innovation imperative and how Singapore can lead

Excessive consumption, information overload, unsustainable growth, and spiraling inequality are complex global challenges that require unprecedented levels of coordination and cooperation.

Why I think young Singaporeans struggle to be entrepreneurs

This year is the 50th 'Golden Jubilee' Anniversary of Singapore's independence from its short life as part of the Federation of Malaysia. After less than two years, on 9th August 1965, Singapore was on its own.