Singaporeans aren’t really Asian – at least not at work – reveals surprising Randstad survey
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, opinions expressed below belong to the author. Data is sourced from Randstad’s Workmonitor 2024 survey. According to preliminary results of a recent Employer Brand Research survey by Randstad, as many as 35 percent of Singaporeans would like to switch jobs. Of these, 41 percent hope for a better work-life balance, closely […]
Singapore’s Real Wage Growth Slows to 0.4% in 2023, though wages grew across all industries
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has just released its 2023 Report on Wage Practices, revealing a slowdown in wage growth despite a tight labour market. The economy grew by just 1.1%, and headline inflation was 4.8% in 2023. Nominal and real wages for resident employees who were continuously employed for at least 12 months with the […]
How these local brands have used behind-the-scenes content to successfully market their biz
As an owner of a business, you’re probably no stranger to running ads for it in hopes that people will notice your brand. But that kind of brand awareness is typically temporary. It’s not easy to get an ad to stick in people’s minds for long. Don’t give up yet though, because there’s a powerful […]
This M’sian started a street food biz that offers tamagoyaki like you’ve never seen before
Growing up as a picky eater, Gordon started learning the skills to cook up his own dishes. Little did he know, this would end up being his bread and butter in the future. He went on to pursue a course in business, but not forgetting his passion for food, he also picked up culinary courses, […]
The family behind Singapore’s SUPER coffee is redefining the way people enjoy oat milk
Oatly. Oatside. Otis Oat Milk. These are just a few of the oat milk brands I immediately notice on supermarket shelves. Alternative dairy products have truly become commonplace nowadays, with countless options available in the market. One Singaporean brand that is changing the game, though, is Oatbedient. Unlike the other brands I mentioned, Oatbedient focuses […]
M’sia-headquartered earned wage access startup Paywatch bags RM141mil funding
Earned-wage access (EWA) service provider Paywatch has raised US$30 million (approximately RM141 million) in funding from a mix of equity and credit facilities. Specifically, the startup received over US$14 million (about RM65 million) in Series A equity investment, led by Third Prime and a consortium of US investors, including Vanderbilt University and University of Illinois […]
Tesla debuts in Penang with a Cybertruck showcase, to open a service centre there soon
If you’re eager to see Tesla‘s industry-leading electric vehicles in person, and are based near Penang, you’re in luck. Tesla is now showcasing the Cybertruck, along with the Model 3 Performance and Model Y, in Penang from June 21 to June 30. This exhibition marks the launch of Tesla in Penang as it will be […]
An injury forced this M’sian to quit engineering, but she found new success in halal vegan food
Manimegalai Parry, the founder of Dodo Vegan Hut, wasn’t always destined for the world of plant-based convenience food. “I began my career as a lecturer at Sunway College while pursuing my postgraduate studies back in 2002. Meeting my life partner, a Penangite, made me move to Penang in 2005, and I joined Motorola Technology as […]
Penang’s got a new attraction—a collection of 300 vintage bags that you can view for RM100
We’ve heard of art museums and science museums, or even a miniature museum. A bag museum, however, is admittedly something that’s quite novel to us. But over in Penang, a relatively new spot has been opened by a business called by StrangebutCool to showcase a private collection of vintage bags. In fact, The Private […]
Singapore Salary Guide 2024: Why Banking & Finance Careers Remain Hot
Data reflects annual salaries in SGD Singapore’s banking and finance sector now boasts a total asset size of almost US$2 trillion and plays a pivotal role in the country’s position as an established global private banking hub. This is underscored by the Links International 2024 Asia Salary Guide, which forecasts substantial growth in the banking, finance, and […]
This veterinarian father-son duo branched out to start a farm-to-table cafe in Batu Caves
Nestled amidst Batu Caves’ iconic limestone hills and serene temple grounds lies an unexpected culinary gem—Farm Cafe. This cosy eatery, founded by Dr Manikam Kumarasamy (Manikam) and his son, Poshyanganapathy Manikam (Poshyan), offers more than just a meal; it serves a mission. A veterinarian’s vision Dr Manikam, a dedicated veterinarian at the KM Animal Global […]
Retrenchment didn’t stop this S’porean’s grind, she started a biz churning out unique butters
It feels like every other week, we catch wind of a new round of retrenchments. For Arden Zhuo, this was something she experienced firsthand. “Honestly, the first few days I was in shock since it was really an overnight thing, with access to emails and Slack revoked,” she shared with Vulcan Post. When one loses […]
This 51 Y/O M’sian left finance to go back to school for clinical aromatherapy, now runs a biz
Enya Lim isn’t your typical entrepreneur. At 51, she was a seasoned professional in the financial industry, with over two decades of experience under her belt. Yet, a twist of fate, a dash of frustration, and a whole lot of essential oils led her down a completely different path—the path to phytoE, her aromatherapy brand […]
Singapore Q3 job outlook: Three industries are hiring heavily but one is bracing for layoffs
ManpowerGroup released its quarterly employment outlook survey for Singapore a few days ago, providing a barometer of sentiments towards hiring among local companies divided into nine broad categories. The methodology is simple. Each quarter the authors survey over 40,000 employers in 42 countries, measuring the intent to hire against the intent to reduce employment. The […]
Tech enthusiast favourite Meizu makes a comeback in M’sia with new AI ecosystem & products
[This is a sponsored article with DreamSmart Group.] Chinese smartphone manufacturer Meizu is making a comeback in Malaysia with the launch of its latest products and “All in AI” vision. A brand under the DreamSmart Group, Meizu integrates smartphones, AR glasses, and smart cars to create a smart mobility ecosystem. While Meizu may not be […]
Singapore’s Job Market Slowly Improved in Q1 2024 With More S’poreans Employed
According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore’s job market continued its gradual improvement in Q1 2024. 5,500 residents found jobs, driven by demand in the Financial & Insurance Services and Public Administration sectors, while non-residential employment declined by 800, mainly in the Construction and Manufacturing sectors. Job vacancies in Singapore continued to increase for […]
Hospitality experts share why hotels in M’sia should be certified sustainable & how to get there
The World Economic Forum reported that up to 8% of global carbon emissions are caused by the travel and tourism sector alone. But based on what we’ve heard experts say, you’d be sorely mistaken to believe that travellers don’t give two hoots about sustainability. Sustainability in this context refers to the environmental, social, and economic […]
We’ve been using AEON Bank & its debit card since it launched, is it worth signing up for?
The second digital bank in Malaysia to join the party, AEON Bank was launched nearly a month ago now. During this time, I’ve been familiarising myself with the digital bank and its offerings. In fact, it saved me when I forgot my wallet and needed to withdraw some cash from the ATM, as it […]
In just over a month, M’sia has seen three billion-dollar investments for AI tech growth
If I had a nickel every time a huge corporation has invested in Malaysia for AI-related reasons this year, I’d have three nickels—which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened thrice. Alright, not weird per se, but certainly noteworthy. It seems like we’re witnessing Malaysia’s emersion as a data centre powerhouse. In case […]
You can use the same tactics that Elon Musk used to win $56 billion pay package at Tesla
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Elon Musk’s massive $56 billion pay package saga came to an end a few days ago, with shareholders ultimately upholding the original agreement that the EV company signed with its CEO in 2018. One of the world’s richest men still has some hurdles to clear before […]
This duo created a platform for M’sians to find love while creating social impact
A self-proclaimed introvert who has been working in tech sales at Fortune 500 companies and regional startups, Grace Tan might seem like an unlikely candidate to start a dating business, even to herself. But here she is, being featured on Vulcan Post as the founder of Date Well Project (DWP). DWP was founded at a […]
BBC: Tech company cuts 60 people, leaving just one managing ChatGPT. And then fires him too.
The impact of AI on the workplace is still a big unknown, with hiring going up in some businesses and falling in others. However, those predicting doomsday scenarios of artificial intelligence making most of us redundant may have just received a big boost in an article published by the BBC two days ago. The story […]
She turned something taboo into a thriving biz empire with over 30 outlets across M’sia
It all started with a dream—a dream of empowering women and making beauty accessible. In 2011, with no “fancy education”, Jesslyn Ho embarked on a journey with just three staff to transform the Malaysian beauty scene. Fast forward 13 years later, with 34 outlets across Malaysia and four lines of businesses, Bubble Gum X has […]
Meet the 58 Y/O ex-army commando who handcrafts miniatures inspired by Singaporean culture
I was scrolling through Facebook one day when I came across something that caught my attention. It was a couple of photographs depicting a Chinese opera. The stage was brightly lit, the actors were busy performing on stage while the next-in-line were getting ready for their cue. There was a sense of candidness captured. The […]
Singapore is Still the World’s 2nd Most Expensive City for Expats
Mercer’s 2024 Cost of Living City Ranking confirms what many of us already know: Singapore remains the second priciest city for international employees to live in, trailing only Hong Kong. The top five cities saw no change this year, with Zurich, Geneva, and Basel remaining the most expensive cities for expats in Europe. “Cost-of-living challenges […]
Learn from leaders of businesses like Mamee, Christy Ng & Montigo at this KL conference
[This is a sponsored article with NextUpAsia.] Many entrepreneurs mistakenly believe that more funding is the key to business growth. In reality, it’s about the know-how, and who you know that can help guide you to your goal. That’s according to Freda Liu, a renowned Malaysian host and journalist. Freda is a former Malaysian BFM […]
Meet the M’sian biz that’s been fostering appreciation for postcard culture the past 13 yrs
You’ve heard of a post office, but have you seen a postcard office? Well, the more common term is a postcard station. These stations are essentially places where you can write and send out postcards, typically ones that are cute and customised. One homegrown team that’s been in the business of creating these postcard stations […]
This M’sian took a leap of faith to work with ceramics 48 yrs ago & never looked back since
There’s a quiet magic in working with clay. It starts soft and yielding, then transforms into something strong and enduring through the heat of the kiln. This transformation mirrors the journey of Cheah Yeow Seng, the founder of A Touch of Clay, a pottery studio in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur. Cheah’s journey from accounting to artistry […]
Renters & frequent movers in M’sia, TIME has a new 12-mth internet plan to match your lease
If you’re someone who rents, you might know that finding internet plans with contract periods that match your rental agreements can be tricky. Recognising this, Shah Alam-headquartered Time dotCom (Time) has released a new 12-month plan that’s tailored just for renters and frequent movers. This contract period is designed to align with those who […]
Future-Proof Your Skills: Ride the AI Wave to Higher Earnings
The Lion City is roaring into the AI age! With the government’s ambitious push to become a global AI powerhouse, Singapore is starting to see a surge in demand for AI-savvy professionals. This means a wealth of new job opportunities, often with higher salaries and faster career growth. And you don’t need to be an […]
