Commentary

How Singapore companies can grow globally in a post-globalisation world

Singapore’s 2018 Budget includes a new Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) designed to help firms internationalise. This is welcome news, but with today’s growing climate of global protectionism and fragmentation, it will take more than grants and tax breaks to help firms navigate overseas expansion in this post-globalisation era.

How Singapore companies can grow globally in a post-globalisation world

Singapore’s 2018 Budget includes a new Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) designed to help firms internationalise. This is welcome news, but with today’s growing climate of global protectionism and fragmentation, it will take more than grants and tax breaks to help firms navigate overseas expansion in this post-globalisation era.

Payment options for e-commerce businesses in Singapore

Singapore’s e-commerce market is slowly positioning itself as a key player in the country’s retail industry. E-commerce is expected to make up 6.7 per cent of all retail sales in the city-state come 2025, triple that of the 2.1 per cent figure in 2015. The net worth of the e-commerce industry was estimated to reach more than US$5.4 billion (S$7.46 billion) in the next seven years, according to a 2017 financial report by Google and investment firm Temasek Holdings.

Lower satisfaction and loyalty amongst Singaporeans who encounter long waiting times

It seems as if queuing is almost part of the Singapore culture – it appears to be that we’re happy to queue for things we know will be worth the wait.

Responsible tax management: a priority for multinational companies

Traditionally, visibility and scrutiny of a company’s tax position was limited to a small number of interested parties who used disclosures in annual reports to garner what insight they could. In the last few years, that position has changed dramatically. The Panama and Paradise papers, along with numerous news headlines, have led to Boards taking a much closer interest in tax and its impact on reputational risk.

How small Singaporean business can cope with disruptive technology

It was during one fine day in my trip at East Coast Park, when I decided to use a bike sharing app for the first time.

What will be the impact of a Sibor rate hike on homeowners and businesses?

There is much talk about the Federal reserve rate hike. However what is the likely impact on Home loans as well as on Businesses?

Why are Singaporeans so unhappy at work?

45% of Singaporeans are unhappy at work JobStreet recently revealed in a survey.

Smart ICO guidelines could put Singapore on the path to becoming the world's first ‘crypto-hub'

To emerge as the world’s first crypto-hub, Singapore needs to find the middle ground between ‘crypto is a fraud/Ponzi scheme’ and ‘crypto is the best thing since sliced bread.’

Singapore's brands love zero-budget marketing, here's why

Zero budget marketing took hold in Singapore in 2017 and will run rampant in 2018. Why? Because it works.

E-sports: the new playing field for advertisers in Singapore?

E-sports are capturing the attention of sports and gaming fans like never before. Worldwide, players are competing for cash prize pools topping US$24 million, and live e-sports competitions are now bringing in millions of unique online viewers and hundreds of thousands of live spectators. One of the biggest e-sports events of the year, the Intel Extreme Masters World Championship 2017 smashed previous records with 173,000 live audience members and 46 million watching online. 

Building the Singapore Sports Hub through a public-private partnership

In 2001, the Singapore government wanted to upgrade the old national stadium. The government was committed to creating an environment conducive to sporting success, and the infrastructure of the stadium, along with its surrounding facilities, was expected to support the development of promising local talent.

2018 —The Coupon-bot bought It!

What will you see in 2018? Laundry that gets done as you wear it or ordered as it wears out. Sneakers will address deterioration in performance, comfort and quality just as your refrigerator will sense low quantities in certain packaging. Additionally, filters for air conditioners will be optimised by Nest and others, just as your car monitors its own health and usage.

Making Singapore a talent development destination

Singapore’s new brand platform “Passion Made Possible” is an attempt at authenticity – taking on an approach that conveys a facet of the Singapore spirit that both Singaporeans and visitors admire.

Innovation versus yesteryear corporates

There are many in the industry today, who believe that disruption came almost like a tsunami, out of nowhere and swept away all existing trends, processes and practices in place. Whereas, the universal truth of life is, that change is the only factor that is inevitable. This is the first advice I give to all the firms that I mentor.

How to make your side business thrive in Singapore

For many Singaporeans, our passions go well beyond our day jobs – and turning them into viable business ventures has never been easier. As illustrated most recently in the Passion Made Possible campaign, Singapore is truly where our passions come to life.

Strategic global mobility: unlocking the potential of cross-border programmes

Singapore’s job market is on the mend, with the economy expanding 4.6% in the third quarter from a year ago, according to advance estimates by the Ministry of Trade and Industry released in October.

Bitcoin's rise to $7,000 shows Singapore needs to get serious about cryptocurrencies

After breaching $6,500 for the first time a day earlier, Bitcoin prices surged as high as $7,350 in trading Thursday likely thanks to traders in Asia noticing the CME Group’s announcement.