CATEGORIES

Unethical Self-Promoters Walk Amongst Us

Back in 1988, I was introduced to a body of research that focused specifically on the concept of self-promotion, prospecting, and new business development. This body of research was an illuminating, eye-opening, life-changing experience for me in many ways – it was a key catalyst that helped kick-start the work I do today.

A Helping Hand Amidst Tighter Restrictions

On 14 May 2021, Singapore’s Multi-Ministry Taskforce’s (MTF) announced the tightening of restrictions from 16 May through 13 June 2021 to curb the rise of COVID-19 cases. In line with this, targeted support measures such as the enhanced Job Support Scheme for food and beverage (F&B) firms and one-month rental relief for hawker stall and coffeeshop tenants of Government agencies would be offered to affected businesses.

Thailand's Economy Faces An Uphill Battle

Before the pandemic, Thailand was considered one of ASEAN’s success stories. It was the No. 2 economy in Southeast Asia; had a strong manufacturing sector; and was a favourite among foreign investors.

Why Sustainability Reporting Matters

Sustainability is the trending story right now. As we enter a second year dealing with COVID-19, companies and their stakeholders alike are starting to catch on to the importance of environmental, social, and governmental (ESG) factors.

Know The People Issues That Sabotage Your M&A Deals

To survive in an economy so impacted by the pandemic, many business leaders and investors are turning to deals to adapt and survive.

Placing App Development Into The Hands Of Entrepreneurs

The coming ‘no code’ revolution will change the way entrepreneurs and start-ups bring new products to market

Growing A Sustainable, Plant-Based Meat Business

Plant-based meats are now the latest trend in global cuisine. Fuelled by concerns over animal welfare and the environmental impact of livestock farming, consumers and restauranteurs are looking to assuage this demand with alt-meat.

Squeezing The Last Drop Of Productivity

In business circles, ‘productivity’ is a magic word. It triggers reactions from business owners and government alike, both of which seek to increase it. Increased productivity leads to greater output, decreased cost, and a more efficient operation all around.

In The US, Employees Are Quitting Instead Of Giving Up Working From Home

In America, the pandemic is receding. But in response, the push by some employers to get people back into offices is clashing with workers who’ve embraced remote work as the new normal.

What New Brands Need To Know

Many emerging entrepreneurs understand one thing: they need to build a brand. Your business is your relationship to your customers, your reputation in the marketplace, and what people think of when they think of your company. All of this equals brand.

Is Your Boss A Chief Critic Officer?

Leadership excellence with Marshall Goldsmith

A RAMPAGING PANDEMIC

WITH COVID-19 ON THE RISE AGAIN, WHAT ARE GOVERNMENTS DOING TO HELP SMEs?

Mastering Video Call Etiquette

By now, we’re probably all masters at how to set up and receive video calls. Video call software has made it so easy and user-friendly, even your grandmother can join in the video call bandwagon.

How Gas Grills And Gardening Mimic Your Sales Team

We have a twenty-year old gas grill built-in to a stone wall on our back patio and this year I decided to replace all of the components. New burners, new heat plates, new briquettes, new grates, new ignitor, and new wiring. All told, it took three hours of work. When I got it all reassembled, everything worked except the ignitor despite the fact that I smartly tested it prior to reassembly. I opened it back up and discovered that the battery had become disconnected. A tweak later, it was reassembled, the ignitor was sending sparks, but it was still failing to ignite the gas. After all that work, and despite all the new components, I still must use a hand lighter to light the grill and will have to call a gas grill expert to get the sparks to ignite the gas.

The Alternative Way Of Resolving Disputes

Let’s say you end up in a business dispute. Whether it’s a simple dispute about payment or a highly technical case, you’d want to resolve this quickly.

Singapore The Best Place To Be In A Pandemic, No Longer As Virus Regains Surge

A month ago, Singapore was widely considered to be a great place to be during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even regional counterparts Malaysia, Japan, and Taiwan were doing well, thanks to successful containment strategies.

The Next Big Leap In Tech

Many believe that the next big leap in technology after smartphones will be augmented reality, or AR. Google has tried it with its Glass project, with mixed results. Apple is rumoured to be making a prototype AR headset or glasses, hoping to create an iPhone-like impact.

Turning Video Games Into Big Business

This week, SME speaks to Nikhil Hathiramani and Matthew (Matt) Djonjonegoro, co-founders of Singapore-based IMPLS Entertainment. From video editing, DJ-ing, graphic design, and software development, the two schoolmates are looking to help brands connect with esports fans and entertainment in a new format.

Making Recurring Payments Painless

This week, SME speaks to Zac Liew, co-founder and CEO of Curlec, a FinTech company that makes it easy for businesses to collect recurring payments.

UMBRAGE OVER SPH'S RESTRUCTURING?

That Singapore Press Holdings decided to unload its media outlets is not surprising. SPH lost S$11.4 million last year, and recorded a S$122.5 million drop in advertising revenue.

IT'S LONELY AT THE TOP

This is an oft-quoted statement that many of us will find affinity with.

THIS WEEK IN NEWS

BYTEDANCE GOES ON HIRING SPREE, CHALLENGING INCUMBENT ALIBABA

The Changing Face Of Sustainability

Over the past decade, the role of business in sustainability has been increasingly highlighted by stakeholders around the world. The pandemic has proven the viability of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda for both stakeholders and investors. It has specifically elevated the significance of social factors in the current moment, and environmental factors in the long term.

SMEs AND CSR

When the topic of corporate social responsibility (CSR) comes up, almost invariably, big companies come to mind.

PRE-CRASTINATION

One of my treasured friends and mentors, Dr Denis Waitley, is among the greatest success authors and speakers of our time. He often describes a mythical, magical place he calls Someday Isle (Someday I’ll). Denis describes Someday Isle as a tropical paradise where the gentle waves lap up onto the golden sand and the palm trees sway in the warm breeze. Someday Isle would be a paradise on earth except for one thing: nothing ever happens.

KNOW WHO YOU ARE SELLING TO

Consumers are increasingly hard to pin down using demographics alone. Building a personality profile is much more helpful

Why Startups Fail

About 90 percent of startups fail within the first five years. 10 percent of startups fail within the first year. Across all industries, startup failure rates seem to be close to the same.

In The US, Banks Ready To Return To Office

As the vaccination program gathers pace in the US, the financial sector gears up for a return to normal office life. Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s top brass has formulated a plan to have US and UK employees return to offices next month as Wall Street’s march back to its skyscrapers gathers pace.

When Should You Share Bad News?

A company knows they have a problem, they can see the problem, they know the problem will affect the customer, but don’t tell the customer until the very last minute. And then they really have a problem.

Skilio - SOFT SKILLS, HARD BUSINESS

The modern education system can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution, where children were taught reading, writing, and mathematics for a better future. Or for a more cynical view, to prepare them as better workers for the factories.