When home becomes a real distance of our own creation and karma #170 当家园成为我们亲手与因果共同造就的真实距离
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When home becomes a real distance of our own creation and karma #170 当家园成为我们亲手与因果共同造就的真实距离

What makes a place feel like home—its landmarks, its stories, or the people who remember them with us? I was recently invited to a screening of That Girl in Pinafore (《我的朋友、我的同学、我爱过的一切》), Chai Yee Wei’s 2013 Singaporean comedy-musical, at the Tanglin Club. In that nostalgic setting, the film felt like a time capsule. It preserved many…

It was inspiring to be part of Franchising & Licensing Asia 2026 at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. #169
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It was inspiring to be part of Franchising & Licensing Asia 2026 at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. #169

It was inspiring to be part of Franchising & Licensing Asia 2026 at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. #169 Across F&B, education, fashion and other sectors, one message came through clearly: as brand owners expand into Southeast Asia, they are seeking trusted partners who can drive sustainable revenue while creating meaningful benefits for…

Beyond Partnerships: Where Growth Comes Next #168
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Beyond Partnerships: Where Growth Comes Next #168

Beyond Partnerships: Where Growth Comes Next #168 I had the privilege of attending the SMEICC Conference Series 2026, organised by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI). The conference reinforced that we are navigating a world that is increasingly fragmented, geopolitically contested and being reshaped by AI. Yet amidst these challenges, ASEAN continues…

Are We Ready for a New World? | Reflections from the 7th Annual GEX Conference 2026 #167
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Are We Ready for a New World? | Reflections from the 7th Annual GEX Conference 2026 #167

Are We Ready for a New World? | Reflections from the 7th Annual GEX Conference 2026 #167 It was a privilege to attend Dr Patrick Liew’s 7th Annual GEX Conference 2026, where diplomats, economists and business leaders shared their perspectives on navigating an increasingly uncertain world. A key takeaway was that today’s geopolitical landscape bears…

#166 When Subsidies Fail to Reach the Vulnerable: Why Public Healthcare Vendor Relationships Deserve an Independent Audit 当补贴无法惠及弱势群体:为何公共医疗机构与供应商的关系值得接受独立审计
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#166 When Subsidies Fail to Reach the Vulnerable: Why Public Healthcare Vendor Relationships Deserve an Independent Audit 当补贴无法惠及弱势群体:为何公共医疗机构与供应商的关系值得接受独立审计

Outsourcing may transfer work, but it must never transfer accountability Outsourcing is frequently promoted as a solution. It is supposed to reduce costs, bring in specialist expertise and allow public institutions to focus on their core responsibilities. But outsourcing can also become a convenient way to move responsibility out of sight. The contractor blames the…

HR Learning Fest 2026 Executive Masterclass at Singapore Polytechnic #165
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HR Learning Fest 2026 Executive Masterclass at Singapore Polytechnic #165

Spent the morning at the HR Learning Fest 2026 Executive Masterclass at Singapore Polytechnic on the theme:“Work, Reimagined. People, Elevated.” A few takeaways stood out: #165 🔹 Only 28.5% of firms in Singapore have adopted AI, while just 3.8% have actively integrated it into business processes. 🔹 Among firms adopting AI, more are redesigning roles,…

Some business conversations take an hour. Others take only a few minutes. Both can create meaningful opportunities. #164
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Some business conversations take an hour. Others take only a few minutes. Both can create meaningful opportunities. #164

Some business conversations take an hour. Others take only a few minutes. Both can create meaningful opportunities.#164 Yesterday, I attended two very different events: SIGEP 2026 and the SME Cybersecurity Symposium with ST Engineering. SIGEP brought together businesses exploring franchising, food, hospitality, technology and regional expansion. The cybersecurity symposium focused on a different but increasingly…

#162 Digital First, But Are We Truly Integrated and First-class? 数码优先,但我们头等体验的系统真的已经整合了吗?
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#162 Digital First, But Are We Truly Integrated and First-class? 数码优先,但我们头等体验的系统真的已经整合了吗?

Singapore prides itself on being a digital nation. We digitise forms. We digitise appointments. We digitise payments. We digitise applications. But digitisation is not the same as integration. Recently, a reader shared an experience that raised an uncomfortable question: Are our systems talking to one another? Or are citizens still acting as couriers between departments…

#154 Many Singaporeans still have SkillsFuture Credit available.
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#154 Many Singaporeans still have SkillsFuture Credit available.

Many Singaporeans still have SkillsFuture Credit available. #154 The question is not only: “What course should I take?” The deeper question may be: “What human skills will remain valuable in an age of AI, automation and digital transactions?” One area worth paying attention to is customer experience excellence. At its best, luxury thinking is not…

#144 Asia-Pacific Theatre of War III: Two Boys in The Temple of Heaven 《亚太战争剧场 III:天坛里的两个男孩》
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#144 Asia-Pacific Theatre of War III: Two Boys in The Temple of Heaven 《亚太战争剧场 III:天坛里的两个男孩》

This is not a boy band fan article; neither is this new Indiana Jones movie. This is a geopolitical inflection during a time of turmoil where things either can go well or completely south. I. The Korean Peninsula — The Most Dangerous Trigger Point in Asia In my earlier article, “Asia Pacific Theatre of War…