It is possible to attract and retain tech talent: Robert Walters

Seven in ten hiring managers spent at least 3 months to fill a tech position, and admit that the tech talent shortage had reduced their speed of product development. These are results from a survey by Robert Walters, which  has revealed that the tech talent shortage is causing increasing strain on resources as well as productivity.

According to the survey, sentiments in Southeast Asia are that hiring tech talent is difficult, time-consuming, but critical to business success. In response to this trend, specialist professional recruitment firm Robert Walters has issued a guidebook, 5 Lessons in Tackling the Tech Talent Shortage.

Combining insights from business leaders, HR experts, hiring managers and tech professionals, the guidebook shares key learnings on attracting and retaining tech talent – from creating innovative recruitment and retention strategies, providing learning and growth opportunities within the organisation, to zooming in on the instrumental role of tech leaders.

Based on a survey conducted in April 2019 by Robert Walters with nearly 400 technology professionals and hiring managers across Southeast Asia, 68% of respondents who were hiring managers took three months or more to fill an open tech position on their team. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the hardest, tech hiring managers rated the difficulty level of hiring talent on an average score of 7. Business productivity and innovation took a hit as seven in 10 hiring managers interviewed shared that the shortage of tech talent negatively affected their speed of product development.

Nandita Nandakumar, Associate Director of IT Commerce at Robert Walters Singapore said: “The development of skillsets has not quite kept pace with the breakneck speed of technology. Singapore, which has traditionally focused on skillsets for areas such as engineering and finance, is faced with the challenge of finding and having the tech talent required.

"The guidebook sheds insights on how companies can overcome the hurdle, and can apply to all companies that seek highly sought-after talent. Forward-thinking companies who move fast to embrace the mindset change in talent management by investing, training and supporting talent will be better positioned to secure and retain them.”

Strategy reboot

Companies are advised to review their recruitment strategy – be more proactive, discard conventional notions, and refresh the recruitment process. They are urged to begin early to reach out to and educate potential candidates through increasing the awareness of their employers’ brand and ensure a ready pipeline of quality and motivated talent.

To complement existing sourcing methods, companies can consider non-traditional avenues such as seeking overseas talent or tech talent in other industries to reach out to untapped pools of talent. A review of the recruitment process, such as shortening it or investing effort in engaging the candidates, can help jobseekers feel more valued and appreciated, Robert Walters advises.

Incorporating more flexibility in the benefits package, based on individual preferences, can be an effective tool to attract and retain tech talent. The survey showed that more than half (57%) of tech professionals interviewed would agree to a smaller increment if offered the right benefits. The top three benefits favoured by respondents when choosing a company are flexible hours (58%), family insurance (49%) and remote working options (46%).

A learning culture

Identifying high potential candidates and developing a strong learning culture are beneficial in helping talent shine. Companies are urged to consider candidates who show high potential, such as a good aptitude for learning quickly and working in teams, being comfortable in using technology to create solutions, and having experiences or skills useful to the team.

Setting aside resources and opportunities to help tech talent grow in their roles will help keep them motivated, learn about the different areas of tech, and pick up on skills that they are less familiar with. Tech professionals surveyed cited training workshops on technical and soft skills, cross-functional project involvement, and job rotation opportunities as among the training opportunities that interest them most.

“A strong learning culture where talent are encouraged to learn by sharing and teaching provides an energising environment where employees feel recognised and appreciated, while they benefit from the additional exposure,” observed Nandakumar.

Source: Robert Walters website.

Spark change from the top

To enable change, leaders need to walk the talk to attract, motivate and retain tech talent. Business leaders who believe in the value of technology in accelerating the business, and incorporate it into the culture and direction of the company will set the tone. In hiring management candidates to lead the team, companies are encouraged to look beyond technical abilities, for one who has a good understanding of the current technology landscape and strong stakeholder management skills.

The five lessons mentioned in the report are:

- Go the extra mile in your recruitment process

- Bring the meaning back in benefits by ensuring they work for your employees

- Remember: the whole is greater than the sum so think about your team holistically

- Think 360° learning and develop your talented in a well-rounded manner

- Start from the top and lead change by setting the right example

Robert Walters is a leading specialist professional recruitment consultancy and focuses on placing high-calibre professionals into permanent, contract and temporary positions at all levels of seniority. The Singapore office specialises in placing candidates on a permanent or contract basis in the following disciplines and industries: accountancy & finance, banking & financial services, legal, human resources, information technology, sales & marketing, secretarial & business support, supply chain, procurement & logistics as well as technical healthcare. Established in 1985, the group has built a global presence spanning 28 countries and regions.

Details:

Get more information on the e-guidebook

Tech and innovation business club launched in Singapore

 Business club and ecosystem builder provides members access to seven strategic groups for collaboration

 Co-founded by entrepreneur Cheryl Lee and Golden Equator’s CEO Shirley Crystal Chua

 Mistletoe, a collective impact collective founded by renowned serial entrepreneur Taizo Son, will partner SPECTRUM

 First Mistletoe office in Asia outside of Japan based at SPECTRUM

Source: SPECTRUM. From left: Lee, Son, Chua.

SPECTRUM, a curated tech and innovation business club, has launched in Singapore. Co-founded by Cheryl Lee, a former Asia Managing Director at a private bank who also co-founded lifestyle group One Rochester, and Shirley Crystal Chua, Founder and CEO of Golden Equator, a group of Singapore businesses around finance, consulting, technology and innovation, the organisation aims to create a globally connected ecosystem by providing curated counsel, the right resources and strategic networks to businesses looking to springboard into Asia. 

SPECTRUM developed the tripartite partnership with Golden Equator and Mistletoe to bring together seven strategic groups – innovators, learning institutions, executors, backers, enablers, government agencies as well as ecosystem builders and partners to create synergised collaboration and pursue transformational initiatives. SPECTRUM’s international community and networks include key members from the seven strategic groups. 

These groups can empower fellow club members via access to enablement, validation, innovative ideas, capital, resources and strategic business networks. As an integral part of the offering, the SPECTRUM technology platform supercharges the connections between members both online and off. Beyond the human capital facilitating strategic business networks, the platform empowers members to collaborate and create true commercial value around the globe anytime and anywhere. 

The organisation has six focus sectors: financial, education, healthcare, fashion, food and housing. 

SPECTRUM will also welcome Mistletoe, a collective impact collective founded by Taizo Son, as a partner and one of its key resident members.

“Together with Golden Equator and Mistletoe, SPECTRUM wants to redefine how businesses can scale and grow. SPECTRUM curates an ecosystem that facilitates business-making across moments of a company’s growth journey, and we want to provide a powerful and accessible platform that is committed to empowering businesses of the future,” Lee said.

“Asia’s tremendous growth potential and momentum mean there are opportunities aplenty for companies old and new to innovate and succeed by being part of the right ecosystem with networks that could help grow their businesses in a meaningful way.”

As SPECTRUM’s key partner, Mistletoe will also base its first office in Asia outside of Japan at SPECTRUM. Taizo Son, its founder and a serial entrepreneur, was most recently appointed special advisor by Golden Equator.

“We decided to base Mistletoe’s first office in Asia outside of Japan at SPECTRUM because we are aligned in our strategic vision, along with Golden Equator, to revolutionise the business landscape and build an ecosystem through access, networks and connections,” Son said.

Since its launch, SPECTRUM has hosted a closed-door thought leadership roundtable discussion with technology and innovation industry leaders and a closed-door investor pitch session for its resident member C&R Healthcare’s eight Korean healthcare companies. The eight businesses connected with investors on potential investment, mentorship and guidance on strategic partnerships. 

Further into the year, SPECTRUM will develop more collaboration and partnership opportunities with government-level agencies in the region for its anchor member Golden Equator.

IMDA partners telcos, financial institutions to support SMEs

Seven memoranda of intent (MoIs) have been announced between the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), telecommunications and financial institutions. These partnerships will help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) accelerate the adoption of pre-
approved robust, secured and interoperable digital technology solutions, particularly in the
areas of cybersecurity and data analytics.

Launched in April 2017, the SMEs Go Digital programme helps advise SMEs on the
adoption of digital technologies at each stage of their growth as well as to boost productivity.
SMEs contribute to almost 50% of Singapore’s gross domestic product and employ
two out of three workers in Singapore. Digital technologies have the ability to transform the
way SMEs function and help businesses improve revenue in the long term by managing
operating costs, improve compliance and financing*.

Telcos M1, Singtel and StarHub will provide SMEs with a one-stop service
through digital technology-bundled packages. These packages offer broadband or Wi-Fi
connectivity bundled with IMDA’s pre-approved digital technology solutions, cybersecurity
and data analytics tools and services.

Through the partnerships with the DBS Bank, Hong Leong Finance, Oversea-Chinese
Banking Corporation (OCBC Bank) and United Overseas Bank (UOB), SMEs will have
access to financial instruments such as bridging loans to help defray costs when investing in building new capabilities. The banks will also work with business leaders to kickstart innovative solutions with SMEs and industry partners.

The collaborative efforts were announced by Minister for Communications and Information, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, at the Singapore Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (SCCCI) Annual SMEs Conference and Infocomm Commerce Conference.

“We believe our SMEs need to embrace technology to thrive in a Digital Economy. Through collaborations between IMDA and key industry partners, SMEs can more easily assess digital technologies and financing support to embark on their digitalisation efforts. We welcome more partners to join us in supporting our SMEs in their digital journey,” said Tan Kiat How, Chief Executive, Infocomm Media Development Authority.

IMDA will continue to work with trade association and chambers such as SCCCI, and government agencies in reaching out to SMEs to provide assistance to help them scale efficiently and enhance their business value. As of end July, close to 200 SMEs have adopted over 30 out of the 56 IMDA’s pre-approved digital solutions through the SMEs Go Digital programme.

DBS aims to leverage various SME initiatives like DBS TechMatch, where SMEs are matchmade with tech partners for more efficient technology adoption, and DBS BusinessClass, an engagement program/app platform to connect SMEs with business mentors from around the world. In addition, the DBS SME banking team will continue to support SMEs with working capital products and technology adoption bridging loans.

“As we look towards transforming Singapore to a digital economy, local businesses must evolve along in this momentum. We continue to focus our efforts to help SMEs build their digital capabilities to seize new growth opportunities.” said Joyce Tee, Group Head of DBS SME Banking.

As an established SME financier, Hong Leong Finance intends to influence customers who are industry leaders to seek and pilot emerging technology solutions to help uplift productivity and competitiveness for their sectors. Furthermore, Hong Leong Finance will reach out to hundreds of SMEs to introduce the SMEs Go Digital programme through its different platforms including events and collaborative clinics with SME Digital Tech Hub Specialists. Hong Leong Finance’s SME Relationship Managers will all be trained by IMDA to enable them to introduce the SMEs Go Digital programme to SMEs.

Under its enhanced SME Capability Ready (CARE) Programme, SMEs keen to go digital will be guided by the Relationship Managers to make the right contact. They will also be introduced to government capabilities grants that can help them defray costs in their capabilities building investments and to bridging loans for them to wait out for grants. “Faced with rising operating costs, increasing competition from the digital economy and changing consumer behaviour, many SMEs are keen to use digital capabilities to improve their efficiency and competitiveness. But they do not know how. With the partnership with IMDA, Hong Leong Finance will be that connector between these SMEs and digital advisers to help them find suitable solutions and provide them financing,” commented Ang Tang Chor, President, Hong Leong Finance.

M1 Solutions that have already identified and are now commercially available include smart fleet management and retail analytics. More solutions will be added progressively. "Our strategic partnership with IMDA will enable us to better serve SMEs through our one-stop smart digital services platform, enhancing their productivity and business value add. We look forward to engaging SMEs and help them tap on M1's selection of carefully curated smart digital services in areas such as fleet management and retail analytics," said Willis Sim, Chief Corporate Sales and Solutions Officer, M1.

OCBC Bank’s collaboration with IMDA on the SMEs Go Digital programme underscores OCBC Bank’s commitment to helping SMEs digitalise, the bank said. OCBC Bank will continue to reach out to their customers and for those who wish to integrate certain digital programmes into their business, OCBC Bank will provide them the necessary financial support via bridging financing, invoice financing and other forms of financial assistance. Activities such as industry sharing sessions and focus group sessions that allow SMEs to hear from experts and learn from each other’s experiences will also be organised.

“Going digital is no longer an option for SMEs today. Companies that embrace digitalisation both in the way they engage and serve their customers and in the way they manage their operations, develop a competitive edge and a more sustainable foundation for their business growth. As banker to one in every two SMEs in Singapore, we are committed to working with our SME customers to deliver digital solutions in cash management, trade finance and working capital management, and to support their transition towards a more digitally-enabled business under IMDA’s SMEs Go Digital programme,” said Linus Goh, Head, Global Commercial Banking, OCBC Bank.

Singtel’s suite of solutions are designed to increase SMEs’ revenue growth, raise their productivity and reduce their operational costs, the company said. The 99%SME e-marketplace allows SMEs to market themselves online for free and tap on a wider online customer base, for example. SMEs participating in the e-marketplace can access digital marketing tools, mobile payment and cyber security services.

Singtel solutions also include a Connected Restaurant that enables food and beverage (F&B) owners to overcome the challenge of operating different devices with an all-in-one interoperable solution that integrates online reservations and ordering; self-serve kiosks; eMenus; payment solutions; staff scheduling; payroll management and accounting systems, and a Connected Workforce solution that enhances business communication and productivity of SMEs in the logistics and security business.

“The IMDA’s SMEs Go Digital programme augments our initiatives to help SMEs progress and advance in their digital journeys. With our end-to-end solutions, from connectivity to cyber security, we are well placed to curate solutions catering to the needs of SMEs in various sectors, easing their adoption of digital technology,” said Andrew Lim, MD, Business Group, Group Enterprise at Singtel.

StarHub is supporting IMDA’s SMEs Go Digital programme with Smart Retail, an integrated offering that makes it convenient and cost-effective for SMEs to get the connectivity services, business transformation solutions and technical support needed to optimise their business operations and enhance customer service. StarHub will help to ease ICT adoption for SMEs by enabling Wi-Fi connectivity as well as sourcing and integrating business transformation solutions such as retail analytics, customer relationship management, point-of-sale, digital ordering, e-commerce and digital signage as a single subscription service. StarHub will also drive awareness programmes, government grant application and claiming, training and support services.

“SMEs play a significant role in sustaining the economic growth of Singapore. To survive and thrive in today’s manpower-lean and competitive economy, SMEs must exploit digital technologies to transform their businesses. In line with IMDA’s SMEs Go Digital programme, StarHub is pleased to launch our Smart Retail initiative to help SMEs accelerate digitalisation by reducing the complexity and cost of IT adoption. With Smart Retail, SMEs will get easy and affordable access to a suite of business applications, broadband and Wi-Fi connectivity and technical support as a single subscription service," stated Dr Chong Yoke Sin, Chief of Enterprise Business Group, StarHub.

As part of UOB’s collaboration with IMDA, the bank will conduct industry-specific workshops where its customers can learn more about how they can tap IMDA’s pre-approved digital solutions to overcome challenges, to enhance their capabilities and to seize opportunities in the digital economy. UOB has been working with its partners to provide SMEs with solutions that help improve productivity, competitiveness and profitability.

Mervyn Koh, MD and Head of Business Banking, Singapore, UOB, cited BizSmart as an example of how UOB's Business Banking customers can achieve cost savings of up to 60% by automating their back office processes. BizSmart is an integrated cloud-based business solution with 5 digital applications to help SME retailers increase business efficiency. For organisations in industry sectors such as property management and education, UOB introduced a mobile payment function on the hiLife and snaapp apps, which enables the electronic collection of monthly fees and in turn reduces the manpower needed for administrative and payment functions.

“As the banking partner to one in every two small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore, UOB understands the challenges business leaders face and how digital technology can help them address their concerns. Our partnership with IMDA will extend the support we provide to our business and commercial banking customers by connecting them to IMDA-approved digital solutions based on their business needs. These solutions can help SMEs sustain and grow their businesses as they seize opportunities in the digital economy,” said Choo Kee Siong, MD and Head of Enterprise Banking, UOB.

“As an SME, it is important that our business processes are efficient and lean. We have already adopted UOB’s BizSmart solution to integrate and streamline our key processes such as point of sale (POS), accounting and HR/payroll matters. These solutions have also provided insights that help us to make smart, data-driven decisions for the business. Having experienced the benefits of using digital solutions, I look forward to finding out more about other solutions that can help my business become more competitive,” said Angeline Ong, DishTheFish, a new-age fishmonger transforming their business with digital solutions.

*National Business Survey 2016/2017 report

Singapore Computer Society unveils 2017 10 Best Tech Companies to Work For

Singapore Computer Society (SCS), the nation’s largest body for infocomm and digital media professionals, has announced the winners of the Best Tech Company to Work For Award at its annual conference, the Tech³ Forum.

The award recognises four of the 10 Best Tech Companies to Work For as overall winners for their implementation of innovative practices and their demonstrated workplace excellence in the infocomm and digital media (ICM) industry.

This year’s Best Tech Company Award ceremony was graced by the Minister of Manpower, Lim Swee Say, and attended by more than 200 senior professionals from the public and private sectors. In his speech, the Minister shared how Singapore is ahead of the curve in driving innovation in the ICT sector. He also praised the 10 best tech companies for providing inclusive opportunities to Singaporeans, and valuing talent based on their skills, helping to drive industry growth.

In its second instalment, the Best Tech Company to Work For Award aims to honour the best infocomm and media workplaces and inculcate a strong people culture across the industry. Nominations were assessed by an independent panel of judges, represented by both public and private sectors in the industry.

Howie Lau, President, Singapore Computer Society, said, “The success of the 10 best tech companies to work for is a testament to the importance of investing in human capital in the midst of a digital revolution. We hope that this award will inspire other technology companies to join us in creating a strong people culture across the industry.”

Standing out from a pool of nominations, the winning companies demonstrated outstanding performance on five criteria: Inspiring people culture, spirit of innovation, financial sustainability, people management and human resource policy. The 10 best tech companies to work for in Singapore are:

• Accenture

10 Best Tech Companies to Work For 2017

Accenture is a leading global professional services company providing services and solutions in strategy consulting, digital, technology and operations. In a video celebrating Accenture's win, staff spoke of access to the latest technologies and their dedication to build future technology leaders through hands-on learning.

Winning qualities

• Strong team spirit, with passion and pride displayed by everyone

• Revolutionary performance management system accompanied with solid mentorship programme, where the bell curve distribution is removed and each individual is assessed by their mentor and not direct boss

• Promotes a learning culture with digital, social and mobile learning materials available at all levels

• Carousell 

Winner – Small Organisations/Startups category

10 Best Tech Companies to Work For 2017

Carousell created a marketplace that makes it easy for preloved items to find new homes. Its goal is to become the No. 1 mobile classifieds marketplace in all markets. A video of Carousell's employees reflected the company's open culture, which is focused on problem solving. "The people here are very driven to solve problems for our customers," said one employee.

Winning qualities

• Great mission and vision for social impact - ability to humanise their mission stories

• Significant time and effort spent in the hiring process to find the right hire to fit into the culture

• Strong culture and great vibes in the office, with the ability to attract good talent

• EON Reality 

10 Best Tech Companies to Work For 2017

EON Reality is the world leader in virtual and augmented reality (AR)-based knowledge transfer for industry and education. The company aims to make knowledge available, affordable, and accessible for everyone. Staff shared in the video profiling Eon Reality that they are exposed to lots of new technology and are constantly learning.

Winning qualities

• Leaders are sincere and people-oriented

• Excites employees on the huge potential of AR for applications in education, healthcare, smart city planning

• Transparent corporate culture and staff are trusted and empowered

• IBM Singapore

10 Best Tech Companies to Work For 2017

IBM is a globally integrated technology and consulting company. The company is focused on helping organisations embark on their cognitive journeys, built on a strong foundation of cloud, big data and analytics, and security. According to a video on IBM, people form the heartware of the organisation, and use IBM technology to help businesses grow. "We work together and grow together to become business partners, it's like a friendship formed," said one staff.

Winning qualities

• Sense of sincerity and authenticity among the leadership team

• Prides itself as a company that is essential and socially relevant

• Open workspaces that encourage collaboration

• Razer
Joint winner – Large Organisations/ MNCs category

Razer is the leading lifestyle brand for gamers. Its mission is to be the world’s greatest brand for gamers. "We are always one team, we're always bigger than ourselves as a person," said Min-Liang Tan, Razer CEO, on video. "We play hard, and we play fair."

In her acceptance speech, Patricia Liu, Chief Customer Officer, Razer, said that the company is "made up of gamers who design and make products for gamers". "We constantly ask ourselves what kind of environment do gamers need to be phenomenal and that's the approach that we take to design our workplace and our culture," she said.

Winning qualities

• Inspiring and charismatic leader

• Appealing to young working adults, especially gamers

• Puts in sincere efforts to groom local talent  

• Red Hat Asia Pacific

Joint winner – Large Organisations/ MNCs category

10 Best Tech Companies to Work For 2017

Red Hat is the world's leading provider of open source software solutions. Its mission is to be the catalyst in communities of customers, contributors, and partners, creating better technology the open source way. Red Hat has translated open source principles into principles that connect business success to personal growth, staff said in the accompanying video. The company has a cross-department mentorship programme, for example.

Richard Koh, Country Manager, Singapore, Red Hat, said the win recognises the open source culture all Red Hatters live and breathe daily. "We're an open organisation, we firmly believe in meritocracy," he said. "All Red Hatters are given equal opportunities."

Koh also brought up 'kampong spirit', where villagers would pitch in to help each other, to recognise the efforts of others. "By working together we can actually make the infocomm industry a lot more vibrant and an attractive destination for talent," he said.

Winning qualities

• Strong sense of identity amongst employees, shown by the low staff turnover rate and high Glassdoor rating

• Openness, transparency and innovation is embedded in the company DNA

• Emphasis on training, and sets aside a generous training budget for external training programmes

• ST Electronics (Info-Comm Systems)

10 Best Tech Companies to Work For 2017

ST Electronics is a leading info-communication technology solutions provider in Asia delivering solutions in intelligent transportation, public safety and security, smart infocommunications technology (ICT) infrastructure, cyber security and defence. ST Electronics (Info-Comm Systems) has many HR initiatives to attract and retain staff, shared employees in an associated video. There is a 'work hard and play harder' spirit at the company, they said.

Winning qualities

• Strong family-friendly and Singapore kampong-spirit culture

• Well-structured HR programmes that attract and retain both the young and matured working professionals

• Encourages innovation and provides seed funding to try worthy ideas

• Tableau Asia Pacific

10 Best Tech Companies to Work For 2017

Tableau is on a mission to help people see and understand their data. "High energy, vibrant and dynamic" were adjectives used by Tableau staff to describe themselves.

Winning qualities

• High energy and dynamic workforce with cool workspace

• Empowering staff (even non-IT staff) to use Tableau's own products for data analytics to generate meaningful and impactful businesses

• Appealing to young working adults (both IT and non-IT)

• Tinkerbox Studios

10 Best Tech Companies to Work For 2017

Tinkerbox Studios is a design and development studio on a mission to build innovative products that changes lives for the better. The company has code reviews which give feedback on how they can improve the quality of their software. "For me it's like a family," one staff said on video.

Winning qualities

• Promotes a strong culture of learning and experimentation, eg. TinkerThursday for dinner as a team in the office to share ideas.

• Great talent development programme and strong sense of mission and dedication to train a good pool of developers for the better of the industry, eg. the intern was so impressed with the coding standards that he joined the company after graduation.

• Emphasis on peer code reviewing to enhance quality of the codes, which further demonstrates their commitment to culture of quality codes and peer support.

    

• Titansoft 
Winner – Mid-sized Organisations category

10 Best Tech Companies to Work For 2017

Titansoft is a software development and consultancy company specialising in gaming and entertainment. Its vision is to empower customers to become global leaders in their respective industries. Titansoft's motto is to never stop improving. The company has striven to create an environment which is very open, one where staff can learn something new every day.

The company has a unique self-promotion model, in which staff initiate the process to promote themselves when they think they are ready. They first undergo self-assessment, then a technical assessment followed by a panel interview. In the accompanying video, an employee from Titansoft said the company is "creating an environment I actually want to work with."

Winning qualities

• Daring and advanced in implementing latest thinking in human resources and organisation development (HR & OD) practices, eg. Self-promotion and self-organising agile development teams

• Open and transparent culture that values bottom-up initiatives, e.g. When the self-promotion idea was suggested by the Technical Manager and not HR

• Highly committed workforce that is empowered and serious with their self-development and peer reviews

“Our vision is of an inclusive ecosystem in which Singaporeans can maximise the use of the resources available, and fully access to all opportunities in the industry. It is made possible thanks to the support from our partners, including Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Workforce Singapore (WSG) and e2i (Employment and Employability Institute),” Lau said.

The Best Tech Company to Work For Award is a manifestation of the collaboration between industry partners to support ICM professionals and drive industry development.

“Singapore is in the middle of the most dynamic region in the world that is rapidly digitalising, and our infocomm and media sector is well-positioned to benefit from this growth. To do so, companies will need to be at the forefront of adopting policies and practices to attract and retain talent in this industry. IMDA is pleased to honour the achievements of the companies awarded with the Best Tech Company to Work For Award, which celebrates the spirit of innovation, the creativity and passion of our people, as we work towards building a digital economy,” said Tan Kiat How, Chief Executive, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

Tan Choon Shian, Chief Executive, WSG said, “In this changing manpower landscape, it is critical for employers to put in place progressive human capital practices and take greater ownership in grooming talents for the future, to enhance their competitiveness. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the award winners, and I hope more companies will emulate these role models and adopt progressive human capital practices to develop and retain their employees.”

In addition to the award, SCS has also partnered e2i to co-organise an Infocomm Technology Career Fair which will run from August to September. “e2i has been working with industry partners to enable ICM professionals to stay updated and deepen their competencies through training, networking and masterclasses. We have also initiated integrated career fairs to improve job matching. As tripartite partners, e2i is committed to work with SCS to provide enhanced career support for ICM professionals and companies on skills development and job placement,” the CEO of e2i Gilbert Tan said.

More details about the Information Technology Career Fair will be announced in August.

SCS has over 31,000 members. Established in 1967, the society serves as a key platform for professionals to network with established practitioners, advance their careers, and sharpen their skills and knowledge in order to stay ahead of the latest trends and best practices in the infocomm and digital media industries.

Source: SCS. From left: Howie Lau, President, Singapore Computer Society; Tan Choon Shian, Chief Executive, Workforce Singapore (WSG); Andrew Chow, President, ST Electronics (Info-Comm Systems); Sam Liew, MD, Technology, ASEAN, Accenture; Lum Seow Khun, Director, Sales & Transformation, IBM Singapore; Marcus Tan, Co-Founder & President, Carousell; Patricia Liu, Chief Customer Officer, Razer; Lim Swee Say, Minister for Manpower; Richard Koh, Country Manager, Singapore, Red Hat (wearing red hat); Wong Yew Choy, Director of Titansoft; Khoong Hock Yun, Chief Digital Evangelist, Infocomm Media Development Authority; Gilbert Tan, CEO, e2i (Employment and Employability Institute); Kelvin Tham, COO & Co-Founder, Tinkerbox Studios; Sridhar Sunkad; MD, EON Reality and Cherilyn Tay, Territory Development Manager, Tableau.

*SCS defined the three categories as large organisations or multinational companies (MNCs), mid-sized organisations (SMEs) of 50 to 200 employees, and startups or small parties with up to five years of incorporation, or fewer than 50 employees. Nominations began in September 2016, and the evaluation process included site visits, and employee interaction sessions.

Deep discounts on gadgets galore at the Shopee Online IT Fair

The Shopee Online IT Fair lets consumers score IT deals while avoiding the crowds till 19 March 2017. There is something for everyone on the mobile-first marketplace:

15 March: Everything at $5 Sale

Buy selected products such as the Xplorer 3300 Mouse & Keyboard bundle at S$5.

16 March: Everything at $3 Sale

Selected products such as the Toshiba 8GB Thumbdrive week be available at S$3.

17 March: Everything at $1 Sale

Selected products such as Google Virtual Reality Glasses are to be had at S$1.

17 – 19 March: Bye 2G Phone Mega Sale

Affected by the discontinuation of 2G phones in 1 April 2017 in Singapore? There is a curated list of 3G smartphones such as Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X selling at major discounts at the Shopee Online IT Fair.

Shoppers should also keep their eyes peeled for limited time offers:

11 – 12 March

Source: Shopee. The GoPro Hero 5.

GoPro Hero 5

Original price: S$550
Sale price: S$459 (save 17%)

Capture smooth video in 4K resolution. Designed to withstand rugged conditions, this device can be used underwater too.

15 – 16 March

Source: Shopee. The Xbox One.

Xbox One 500GB Console Bundle

Original price: S$300
Sale price: S$250 (save 17%)

With advanced features like Game DVR and in-home streaming, take gameplay to another level with the Xbox One Bundle. Five games are included, such as theUFC, Dragon Age and Pro Evolution Soccer.

17 – 19 March

Source: Shopee. The Razer Firefly (left), and the Razer Diamondback (right).

Razer Bundle: Razer Diamondback Gaming Mouse and Razer Firefly Gaming Mouse Mat

Original price: S$239
Sale price: S$119 (save 50%)

Featuring the world’s first optical gaming sensor, the Razer Diamondback now supports ambidextrous use to deliver even better accuracy and speed. The Razer Firefly’s micro-textured finish is designed to complement the Diamondback even through the most action-packed gaming showdown.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X LTE Dual Sim

Original price: S$240
Sale price: S$199 (save 17%)

Source: Shopee. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X LTE Dual Sim.

Boasting a 13-megapixel primary camera on the rear and 5 megapixels upfront, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X ensures that there’s no compromise on photo quality. This device also comes with a 5.5” touchscreen display for improved user experience and clarity.

LG G6

As part of the Bye 2G Phone Mega Sale campaign, the LG G6 will be exclusive to Shopee with a sale price lower than the current retail prices in Korea. The highly anticipated phone is not available in Singapore yet.

This mobile phone employs a Hi-Fi Quad DAC for a spectacular audio experience. Control the phone with Google Assistant – the LG G6 is the first non-Pixel device to support the voice activated technology.

One lucky winner will also take home the latest game console, the Nintendo Switch. As part of the campaign, Shopee is giving away a Nintendo Switch and two games, Legend of Zelda and 1-2 Switch, worth S$669 in total.

Interested?

The free Shopee app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play store in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan.

Browse through discounted products by clicking on the in-app Online IT Fair banner.

All sales start at 12am Singapore time on the stipulated dates

Contest giveaway details will be posted on Shopee’s Facebook page. Participants have to ‘Like’ and ‘Share’ the post, and post a wefie in the comments section. Everyone in the wefie must have the Shopee app visible on their devices. The more people you have in your photo, the higher the chances of winning!

posted from Bloggeroid

Singapore firms mulling hires of senior tech PMETs to address talent crunch

Although there is growth in the job market, the Singapore infocomm Technology Federation’s (SiTF) latest 2017 business outlook survey* shows that the infocommunications (ICM) industry continues to be hampered by difficulties in hiring talent with the right IT and business technical skills.

In a poll with 181 companies, 75% of respondents ranked their top concern as being unable to recruit the right talent. Startups faced the most pressure in this area, with 91% listing recruiting the right talent as their gravest concern, followed by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) at 76% and multinational corporations (MNCs) at 75%.

Source: SITF. The talent situation in Singapore for ICM.

Companies of all sizes said they are particularly challenged in getting qualified local candidates, especially for:

· Programmers (52%)

· Business development (50%)

· Cyber security specialists (40%)

· System architects (38%)

· Engineers (36%)

The next two concerns after shortage of talent are the economic slowdown (70%) and increasing manpower costs (57%).

To cope with the shortfall, 61% respondents said they are employing more contractors, part-timers or freelancers. More than half of the companies polled, or 56%, will upgrade their existing workforce so that they can handle more work and 49% plan to deploy technology to reduce their manpower needs. Other measures include reviewing work processes to reduce work, employing foreigners and moving more work offshore.

Another option is to tap the pool of senior professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs), defined as those who are over 45 years old. Three quarters or 75% of companies surveyed said they do not have concerns hiring senior PMETs. Of the remaining 25% that expressed some concerns, the fears were that senior PMETs might not be equipped with the right knowledge and capabilities; remuneration packages which might be too high, and that they may not be able to cope with the pace and workload of existing jobs.

To raise the employability of PMETs, two-thirds or 65% of respondents believe that more can be done to help older PMETs find jobs. Among some of the suggestions include providing grants to make them easier to hire, funding their reskilling so they can become more efficient and productive, and developing a freelance or part-time talent pool that the industry can rely on whenever required. Other ideas include creating paid internships or training courses for senior PMETs, and making the rules of hiring them more flexible (such as relaxing some MOM laws and reducing the need for long-term commitments).

Saw Ken Wye, Chairman of SiTF said, “The talent crunch is not just a concern in Singapore, but a global problem which can hamper our ability to grow and affects Singapore’s drive towards a smart nation. This shortage could become more acute as companies go digital.

“The SkillsFuture initiative and recommendations by the Committee on The Future Economy to ‘deepen’ our skillsets are positive steps taken by the government. At the same time, the ICM industry must continue to be proactive and aware as to how we can enlarge the talent pool and alleviate the shortage. Job seekers must play their part by learning new skills and upgrading themselves.”

On the technology front, the five hottest trends identified by respondents are:

· Big data and data analytics

· Cyber security

· Artificial intelligence (AI)

· Nano sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT)

· Cloud/client computing

The top three business opportunities this year were ASEAN, investment by Singapore-based companies in technologies as well as government procurement.

*The annual business outlook survey allows SiTF to get a sense of the market and a perspective of the issues impacting the industry, so that SiTF can represent members' concerns accurately. A total 181 companies comprising MNCs, SMEs and startups took part in the survey, which was held in December 2016.

Shopee Malaysia presents Christmas gift ideas

Shopee, the leading mobile-first marketplace in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, can make Christmas shopping hassle-free.

In Malaysia, gift ideas include:

Keep surfing all day

Source: Shopee. The PINENG PN966 power bank.

The PN966 power bank comes in blue and green.

Buy

Perfect selfies

Source: Shopee Malaysia. The OPPO F1s The Selfie Expert.

With 5.5" display that has 1,280 x 720 pixels resolution, a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 16-megapixel front camera, OPPO F1s The Selfie Expert is available at OPPO’s Official Store in Shopee. One-year warranty included.

Buy

Musical treat

Source: Shopee. The Sony MDR 100AAP Headphones

Sony MDR 100AAP Headphones come in eye-catching colours and will deliver high-resolution audio, hands-free calls with in-line remote and fold away for ultra portability.

Buy

Achieve the look

Source: Shopee. Laneige BB Cushion.

This Laneige BB Cushion brightens up the skin and moisturises at the same time.

Buy

Pamper your eyes

There is 100% organic, ECOCERT- and NATRUE-certified Moroccan argan oil in the Limited Edition SimplySiti Argan Wonder Colours - Brow Kit.

Buy

Nail it

With a superior range of shades and the hottest special effects and textures, OPI is the go-to brand for nail fashion. Formaldehyde-free.

Buy

posted from Bloggeroid

Digital or tech skills? Your salary is probably higher than average

Source: Willis Towers Watson. Report cover.

There is demand for tech talent in the financial sector, which is helping salary budgets for talent in digital roles hold steady amid broader weakness across other industries, particularly the banking sector, according to global advisory, broking and solutions company Willis Towers Watson.

Business in all its forms is becoming more data- and technology-driven, and banking is no exception. In the competition for talent, it is technology rather than finance that increasingly holds sway. Survey findings released today by Willis Towers Watson, drawn from its 2016 Asia Pacific Salary Budget Planning Report, show banking salary budget increases for 2017 are set to be well below those in the tech sector, and also below those of the financial services sector as a whole.

The findings show that salaries in Asia Pacific's banking sector are set to grow by 4.8% in 2017, the second slowest rate of salary growth among industry sectors in the survey. Eleven of the markets in the region have banking pay increases ranked among the bottom three in cross-industry comparison.

"The data, allied with what we're hearing on-the-ground, shows that as traditional banks move services online in the hope of staying competitive by better meeting customers' evolving demands via digital transformation, they are competing for the same pool of skills as the traditional high-tech sector," said Sambhav Rakyan, Data Services Practice Leader, Asia Pacific, at Willis Towers Watson.

Banking salaries in the financial hubs of mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore are projected to grow by 6.3%, 3.6% and 3% respectively in 2017, well below the expected high-tech salary growth rates of 7.5% for China and 4% for both Hong Kong and Singapore.

"What the data is telling us is that, amid a general slowdown in the banking sector and more broadly across the financial services sector, salaries for digital roles within the financial sector are holding steady," Rakyan said. "It doesn't mean tech talent will necessarily get more in a monetary sense, but it does in percentage terms."

Unlike in pre-financial crisis times, banking no longer stands alone as the industry of choice amongst top-tier university graduates, according to Greg Kuczaj, Asia Pacific Head of Willis Towers Watson's Global Financial Services practice. "There is continued attraction and retention pressure from non-financial services firms, such as those in high tech or fintech, as the pay premium in financial services has decreased to where it is no longer a major attraction," said Kuczaj.

Even at mid- and senior-level positions, technology firms are increasingly attracting key talent away from the financial services industry due to less regulation and scrutiny in the high tech industry, more innovative and entrepreneurial work environments, and highly competitive total rewards packages.

Demand for tech and digital talent is evident elsewhere in the region across many industries, Willis Towers Watson said. As banks move online and adopt mobile solutions, insurance companies are also adopting wearable devices and data analytics technology to tailor policies, pushing insurtech salaries higher. Other areas competing for digital talent include fintech, online-to-offline (O2O) and e-commerce.

"In China, Beijing has been pushing entrepreneurship as a cornerstone of its economic restructuring. Digitalisation plays a significant role in this as a key element of an effective entrepreneurship ecosystem," said Kuczaj. "It's similar in India with the government-backed 'Make-in-India' campaign. India is also home to a huge e-commerce and taxi-hailing market, creating very high demand for talent in mobile payment technology and data analytics."

Digital transformation means there's a need to review and redefine the talent strategy to identify key skills and differentiate compensation for talent in key roles.

"In Silicon Valley, for example, top talent is often rewarded with equity in addition to a competitive base salary and annual bonus. It's very compelling," said Kuczaj. "To truly compete, financial services firms will need to think beyond merely using pay to attract and retain talent. Career opportunities, organisational reputation, security and manager/leadership effectiveness are all critical drivers of attraction and retention."



Interested?



Purchase the report

*The 2016 Asia Pacific Salary Budget Planning Report is a bi-annual survey compiled by Willis Towers Watson's Data Services Practice. The survey, timed to coincide with companies' compensation planning for 2017, looks at a range of industry sectors and job grades from factory shop floor to executive suite, and focuses on salary movement and review practices.

The survey was conducted in July 2016. Approximately 4,000 responses were received from companies across 22 markets in Asia Pacific.

Singapore Christmas Gift Guide 2015: The tech edition

Looking for corporate gifts, or something as a reward for yourself? Have a look at these gadgets and accessories:

Source: Jawbone. The UP2  is available in gold, turquoise and purple while the UP3 is available in dark blue (Indigo Twist).

Jawbone released a new design for its UP2 and nine new colours for UP2 and UP3 in September, further expanding the portfolio of fashion-focussed activity trackers. Crafted by industrial designer Yves Behar, Jawbone’s UP activity trackers feature slim designs that allow for 24x7 wear and can be easily paired with jewellery or watches on the wrist.

UP2 features
• Tracks quality of sleep and steps in a single app
• Get personalised insights, health tips and reminders through the Smart Coach system
• Connect with and challenge friends, track fitness milestones
• Automatic Sleep mode detection
• Up to 10 days of battery life with a single charge

Colours: Violet Circle Classic Flat Strap, Black Diamond Classic Flat Strap, Grey Hex Classic Flat Strap, Black Diamond Lightweight Thin Strap, Gunmetal Hex Lightweight Thin Strap, Turquoise Circle Lightweight Thin Strap, Oat Spectrum Lightweight Thin Strap, Orchid Circle Lightweight Thin Strap

The UP2 retails at S$199.

UP3 features
• Passive and resting heart rate tracking. The passive heart rate is taken periodically throughout the day when the user is still, and provides insights into how daily influences and choices such as diet, caffeine, stressful meetings, and other stimuli can affect heart rate and overall heart health
• Tracks quality of sleep and steps in a single app
• Get personalised insights, health tips and reminders through the Smart Coach system
• Connect with and challenge friends, track fitness milestones
• Automatic Sleep mode detection
• Up to seven days of battery life with a single charge

Colours: Ruby Cross, Indigo Twist, Sand Twist, Black Twist, Silver Cross

The UP3 retails at S$309. The UP3 Ruby Cross is exclusively available at Challenger in Singapore.

Source: Lenovo.

Phone and tablet addicts can have their log cake and eat it too with Lenovo’s debut entry in the phablet market. The Lenovo PHAB Plus addresses consumers’ 24x7 connectivity needs with its dual SIM slots, 4G LTE connectivity, and 24-hour battery life, ensuring a reliable and fast connection whether at home or abroad.

The Lenovo PHAB Plus has a 6.8” Full HD (FHD) display with 326 ppi resolution. The rear camera shoots at 13MP for stills and can also take FHD videos. Advanced lenses offer enhanced sharpness and brightness, even in dim lighting. The 5MP front camera even hsa a Pano-Selfie mode to capture group shots.

Dolby Atmos technology brings the cinema to the user. A 1cc sound chamber on the rear side boosts audio level.

Source: OtterBox.

According to OtterBox’s survey of The State of Our Smartphones in the region this September, over a third (38%) smartphone users in Singapore will damage their new device within three months of purchase. OtterBox has drop-resistant cases for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, offering varying levels of protection. 

All OtterBox case designs undergo a minimum of 238 hours of testing across at least 24 tests. Designs are tested for UV exposure, extreme temperature, jeans pocket wear, abrasion, and drops among others. Cases are available from S$39.90 for the MySymmetry Series, to as much as S$92.90 for a Defender Series case (triple-layer, ultra-rugged cases built with built-in screen protectors, a protective membrane over the Touch ID and a belt-clip holster for hands-free carrying). 

View the full range of cases otterbox.asia/making-the-case-for or from select local retailers.

Source: SanDisk.

The SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick gives consumers even more freedom to save content from their favourite Wi-Fi-enabled devices. The SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick works with smartphones, tablets and computers, and allows up to three mobile devices to transfer content at a time. It can support a single stream for up to 4.5 hours on a single charge. The availability of up to 128GB of capacity allows users to effectively double their mobile storage. The included SanDisk Connect app enables easy management of content on devices including, iOS and Android devices; tablets; Macs and PCs – all via password-protected Wi-Fi connectivity.

The SanDisk Dual USB Drive features a Type C connector on one end and a USB 3.0 on the other for fast and easy transfer between next-generation devices4 and PC or Mac computers. The new Dual USB Drive will initially be available in a 32GB capacity.

Source: SanDisk.

The Dual USB Drive with Type C connector also works with the SanDisk Memory Zone app, available for free download from the Google Play store. The app is compatible with most Android-powered devices and allows users to easily locate, organise, transfer and back up data. When the device is connected, the Memory Zone app auto-launches, and allows users to easily manage and transfer content between their mobile device and the drive.

The SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD delivers more than four times the speed of a portable hard drive. The new pocket-sized drive allows users to transfer big files at up to 415MBps. Available in up to 480GB capacity, SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSDs feature a sleek black finish with unique rubber bumpers, and a metal ring that easily clips into a bag.

Interested?

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog posts about the 2015 festive season, including:

Singapore Gift Guide 2015, the pleasure edition

Who in APAC will be spending the most online, according to the Adobe Digital Index
How Facebook sees mobile redefining the season

Hong Kong's Winter Wonderland experience
The City of Sydney's Christmas programme

Sofitel So Singapore's French fusion Christmas menu
The launch of Casa Ferrero, Ferrero Rocher's popup store
House of Sillage launches the Holiday by House of Sillage fragrance

posted from Bloggeroid

LinkedIn's Asia Pacific members mostly from tech, financial sectors

Need to reach a particular industry? You're in luck if you are looking for people in tech-related industries and would like to mine LinkedIn's professional network for the right audience targets. 

IT & Services is the top industry for Asia Pacific LinkedIn members, while Telecommunications, Computer Software, Semiconductors and Internet also appear.

Financial Services professionals are also easily reached through the LinkedIn network, according to the table below. The other industries in the top five regionally are Oil & Energy and Hospitality, but are likely highly represented in other countries in the region, rather than those shown.

 

Source: LinkedIn