Daniel CF Ng 伍长辉’s Post

The promise of AI is alluring — optimized productivity, lightning-fast data analysis, and freedom from mundane tasks — and both companies and workers alike are fascinated (and more than a little dumbfounded) by how these tools allow them to do more and better work faster than ever before. Yet in fervor to keep pace with competitors and reap the efficiency gains associated with deploying AI, many organizations have lost sight of their most important asset: the humans whose jobs are being fragmented into tasks that are increasingly becoming automated. Across four studies, employees who use it as a core part of their jobs reported feeling lonelier, drinking more, and suffering from insomnia more than employees who don’t.

Europe wants more cooperation with Singapore on all things digital, including scientific research, technology supply chains and governance of artificial intelligence (AI), the European Union’s tech chief said on July 5. Ms Margrethe Vestager, the executive vice-president of the European Commission in charge of implementing the political priority of “A Europe fit for the Digital Age”, was on a three-day visit to Singapore. “Singapore is a very important destination for research and innovation, very impressive in things that are of high priority for us – semiconductors, AI, and everything from that ecosystem,” she told The Straits Times at the end of the visit, aimed at deepening

Technological innovation, advances in remote work, and reshaped post-pandemic priorities have led to companies hiring fractional leaders, or part-time senior talent, to occupy key leadership roles. These leaders, who typically have 20 to 30 years of experience, blend strategic and functional leadership with a hands-on approach, and they offer their skills to multiple organizations, typically startups or small and medium-sized enterprises. The arrangement enables organizations to benefit from senior leadership without the expense and commitment of a full-time hire, and it allows senior executives both career flexibility and stability. This article looks at the pros and cons of fractional leadership and outlines three crucial conversations to have before engaging in this kind of arrangement.

One in 10 contact lenses used globally comes from Singapore, as does one in five cardiac-related implants such as surgical structural heart valves, pacemakers and stents. The Republic also produces half the mass spectrometry systems used worldwide to test for a range of things such as drugs or food contamination, and 90 per cent of gene chips that allow scientists to evaluate and store large amounts of genetic data. Made-in-Singapore medical devices are not the only ones punching above their weight in this growing market that the Economic Development Board (EDB) estimates will hit US$225 billion (S$304 billion) by 2030 in Asia alone.

IT IS employment pass renewal season in Singapore, and the new regime is dominating the conversation at after-work cocktails on Fridays. From September, overseas employees on a work visa will need to fulfil the city-state’s new points-based system and earn a minimum salary threshold to stay in their jobs. While this mirrors what happens in other countries, it risks turning foreign companies away and could tarnish the nation’s image as a global business hub. The programme was announced in 2022 in a bid to promote fair hiring practices. Points are awarded for how a candidate’s salary compares to local peers, along with their education and skills, and whether their nationality improves the diversity of the firm. It puts the onus on employers to prove why they need to hire foreigners. The government knows that catering to the local population on jobs is important. In 2020, resentment over foreign workers led to the worst showing since independence for the ruling People’s Action Party. It is undergoing the biggest leadership transition in its history, and elections are expected by the end of the year. The issue is a vote winner, a convenient political tactic that both the opposition and ruling party raise whenever polls come around.

In a fiercely competitive job market, distinguishing oneself requires more than just fulfilling basic duties. Drawing from 15 years of recruiting over 500 individuals, this essay outlines 12 key traits of high-performing employees. These include demonstrating leadership without a title, proactively solving problems, showing humility, supporting colleagues, prioritizing tasks, embracing new ideas, treating everyone equally, focusing on impact over KPIs, resisting micromanagement, actively listening, continuously upskilling, and avoiding gossip. By cultivating these qualities, employees can significantly enhance their career prospects and contribute to a positive, productive workplace environment. https://lnkd.in/gSuhqxjD

Ms Carolyne Marak’s family has faced financial difficulties since the death of her father four years ago. But a nursing job in Singapore may help change things for the family of four. The 29-year-old, who has six years of nursing experience, passed the Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) licence exam in April. She has a job offer from a nursing home in Singapore and is waiting for registration from the board. She will then apply for a work permit, according to her recruitment agency, Ajith Enterprises. Singapore was her top choice when she attended a Meghalaya state government job fair for nurses in 2023, at which international recruiters from other countries such as Japan and Britain were also present.

Industry 5.0 is emerging as a game-changer for businesses of all shapes and sizes. This transformative new phase in industrial development is more than just a buzzword – it represents a fundamental shift towards a more human-centric, collaborative and sustainable approach to conducting business. Furthermore, 5.0 has the potential to create unprecedented opportunities for SME manufacturers to innovate, grow and stay competitive in an increasingly complex market. Professor Chris Harrop OBE, Made in Britain Chairman explains.

ON THEIR second date, Serena Wong and her boyfriend discussed an all-important question for young Singaporean couples: when to buy an apartment together. Six months later, they applied for a public housing flat in the city-state. After taking part in several ballots over 10 months, they were allocated a unit and agreed to put down a S$40,000 deposit. That kicked off a five-year wait to purchase a S$620,000 three-bedroom apartment in Queenstown, a centrally located neighbourhood where similar homes cost as much as 50 per cent more in the resale market. “We already knew what we wanted in the relationship and had marriage in mind. But housing prices pushed things forward much faster,” said Wong, a 28-year-old business development manager at a tech company. The couple will have to submit a copy of their marriage certificate to Singapore’s housing board within three months of getting the keys to their flat.

Employers can expect to pick up strategies for developing the skills of their workers at a forum at this year’s SkillsFuture Festival, which will run from July 9 to Aug 21. The SkillsFuture Forum, the festival’s opening event, is titled Recognising Skills, Building Careers. Attendees can find out how companies and industry bodies are working together to certify and recognise the skills that will improve the employability of workers. The event, organised by SkillsFuture Singapore in partnership with The Business Times, will be held at the Lifelong Learning Institute in Paya Lebar. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, the guest of honour, will deliver the opening address.