Singapore

The current list of 17 Shandong-based companies will be lengthened with the MOU.

Mr Wee Chor Yong has taken over starting 27 August.

This is despite sales volume growing 26.3%.

The injection will upgrade ST Aerospace Academy's flight traning capacity.

These days, everyone in Singapore seems to want to invest in properties. It is not surprising, as anyone who had bought a property several years ago would likely be sitting on good returns right now.

Monthly gross rents for CBD Grade A office space declined by a meager 1.1%.

There will be 10% early bird discount for bookings made before September 9.

Asian key tourist shoppers currently hold more than 30% of the global tax-free spend.

As more and more countries start putting ‘boots on the ground’ in faraway places, what are the implications of mobilizing reservists from an HR perspective. Arriving at Singapore’s Changi Airport you are likely to encounter patrols of soldiers armed with assault rifles circling the passenger terminals. A security measure introduced since 911. You may be surprised to hear that a percentage of them are in fact reservists! Recent world events have shown how the armed forces are relying more and more upon part-time reservists as a way of meeting their military obligations. The human resource implications of this are far reaching in that taking employees away from the work place depletes organizations of valuable employees for, it seems increasingly longer periods of time. When employees are called up during peacetime, either to do NS or as reservists, it is always for a stated duration. In war time it can be, conceivably, for an indefinite period. In countries such as the US, the UK, and Australia reservists volunteer their services. As such reservists make up a very small percentage of the population in these countries. In other countries such as Singapore all young men are required to complete two years military service after which, they are eligible to be called upon for reservist duties up to the age of thirty five. Reservists are often drawn from key sectors of the economy. Typically they include, medical personnel , engineering and logistical experts. The majority of Britain’s military medical personnel are reservists. Traditionally reservists have been used in support functions. Increasingly however they are being used for front time duties as well. Employers are not normally required to pay reservists while they are away. Some organizations however continue to do so, usually for patriotic reasons. Employers receive government compensation to cover the temporary loss of the employee. A survey conducted by Buck consultants in the US in 2003 revealed that two-thirds of employers were prepared to offer some form of pay differentiation to employees called away for military service in the Gulf. Between 23% and 43% stated that they were prepared to continue provide medical and dental insurance for up to a year or for the full duration of hostilities. If a company is already short staffed, possibly as a result of downsizing, the calling up of key employees can have a serious economic impact. An employer is entitled to apply to exempt a reservist from call up but, to be successful, the employer must establish that their absence will cause serious economic damage to the organization. Likewise the reservist can be granted exemption from duty on a number of grounds. These might include recent family illness or bereavement or an elderly relative to care for. Others circumstances might include recent promotion , imminent examinations or training that cannot easily be deferred. It is worth noting that 50% of appeals lodged in the US at the time of the 1991 Gulf war were successful. A key concern of the reservist is likely to be that he or she has a job to return to. In all countries legislation exists to protect the rights of reservists. In most instances the reservist is entitled to reinstatement. Bear in mind however, that a lot can happen if an employee is absent for a considerable period of time. Sometimes it can be deemed unreasonable to expect an employer to hold open a job. Generally speaking the majority of employers in the U.S. and in Europe have a favorable attitude towards employees who serve in the reserve forces. Often such employees are perceived as being more resourceful and as having greater integrity. Also there are can also be useful spin offs for the organization. Skills such as leadership skills as well as technical skills cab be transferable to the workplace.

Look around The Lion City – you see brands everywhere. In fact, studies show that the average person living in a city the size of Singapore runs across 3,000 brands every 24 hours. Not convinced? Start counting the brands you see from the moment you wake up tomorrow morning from your brand of alarm clock, to your brand of sheets, toothbrush, toothpaste, refrigerator, coffee, smart phone, computer, and on and on. Then, walk down an aisle at Cold Storage, stop on Orchard Road and glance around, open up the Straits Times and look at all the ads. Get the picture?

Price index in Central and Non-Central Regions also fell 1% and 1.3%.

I am very fortunate to have a mentor who told me the importance of communication very early on in my career. I can still vividly recall her words; “The three most important skills a leader must have are: great communication skills, great presentation skills and great writing skills. Every other skill you can outsource or hire someone to fill the gap. But, you can’t outsource communication skills.”

6 in 10 Singaporeans seek grocery deals online.

Is Malaysian operation next to close?

Singapore has one of the least number of employees leaving work on time.

Avoid this link that teaches women how to attract Mr Big.