6 Skills With High Demand In Today’s Workforce

It comes as no surprise that today’s workforce is constantly changing and adapting with the needs of our environment. Technology-driven careers are becoming more and more in-demand these days. No matter which field you choose to take part in, having certain skills can increase your likelihood of success.

Consider sharpening these coveted skills:

#1: CLOUD COMPUTING SKILLS

Who does not know the Cloud? Almost all our data are stored in the Cloud. Cloud computing allows access to data storage, software applications, and other services powered by the Internet. Skills in Cloud computing are sought after due to the increasing number of companies that switched its business functions to the remote servers.

Cloud computing requires technical skills to ensure data security, to perform migrations, to negotiate terms with Cloud service providers, and to implement the best practices throughout the process.

#2: ANALYTICAL REASONING

Analytical reasoning is the ability to make sense of the data gathered and to uncover insights that can help business decisions. You already utilize analytical reasoning in your day-to-day lives. Detecting patterns, observing people, brainstorming, interpreting data, making decisions based on several factors, and integrating new information are all required in shaping one’s analytical reasoning.

People who have strong analytical reasoning skills are assets to the company as they investigate the problem and find solutions in an efficient manner. They understand the situation first before making decisions and taking necessary actions to help achieve the company’s goals.

#3: MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT SKILLS

As smartphones and other mobile devices become the center of our communication an job processes, the industry for mobile application development continues to thrive. More and more businesses have converted their consumer experiences and internal processes digitally. Thus, people with experience and knowledge in app development are in-demand.

Mobile app development is a set of procedures involving programming and creating applications or designing software for fast-operating mobile devices. Because apps are so common, you can find plenty of tutorials and classes for app creation. Check out coding boot camps to kickstart your app development career.

#4: PEOPLE MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Despite the technological advancements and the social distancing restrictions posed around the world, people management skills help strengthen the business. Strong people management skills involve building relationships, keeping the team on track, increasing the team’s morale, and helping others achieve their goals.

People management includes the use of both soft and hard skills. We need people who can help us deal with work stress and empathize with us, especially during this challenging times.

#5: UX DESIGN SKILLS

User experience design is essential in making the digital world work for us. UX design is important because it aims to fulfill the people’s needs. Moreover, providing positive experiences to the clients can increase the likelihood of them coming back to the website itself. You can find an increasing number of opportunities in this field. If you want to gain advantage in this field, you can enroll in an online degree program led by UX experts.

#6: SEO/SEM MARKETING SKILLS

Digital marketing (SEO/SEM marketing) help increase the visibility or the web presence of companies and start-ups. People who are experts on the field can help blossoming online retailers to get noticed. Being noticed and having more site traffic leads to increased customers and revenue. Many companies are realizing the importance of digital marketing and are regularly looing for people with strong SEO/SEM marketing skills.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Try exploring the digital marketing courses available at Google Digital Garage. Most of them are free!

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

5 Habits That Drain Your Wallet

A habit is defined as a settled tendency or a usual manner of behavior. Whether you take daily morning walks or sip a cup of coffee at noon, your habits become nearly or completely involuntary as time passes.

The key to developing healthy habits that float well with your finances is moderation. If you are indulging too often on a habit, cutting back may save you money and protect your health. Below are just some of the habits that can drain your wallet.

SMOKING CIGARETTES

Smoking raises your risks of serious health problems such as stroke, heart disease, emphysema, and cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking cigarettes harms nearly every organ of one’s body. Take care of your health by reducing or eliminating your smoking habit.

Let us start with the average cost of a cigarette. Last year, the average retail price for a 20-stick pack of cigarettes in Singapore was at S$13.08. A pack-a-day habit will run you about S$4774.02 a year. Imagine the amount of money you can save or invest in a span of 12 months!

Quitting smoking cancels out the costs for your finances and your health. However, it is easier said than done. There are several ways to quit smoking such as Cold Turkey and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Cold Turkey entails that you stop all at once. According to WebMD, about 90% of smokers who try to quit choose this method. Unfortunately, many of them do not succeed. Using this method may put your body into a state of nicotine withdrawal. Let us focus on the other method. The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) uses the power of your thoughts, feelings, and mental processing in order to reduce your smoking habit. This works best with people who are open to counselling and psychotherapy.

EATING OUT DAILY

Eating out regularly, especially indulging on fast food, is not the healthiest habit out there. It is simply hard to resist! This is due to the convenience and familiarity attached to fast food chains and restaurants. After an exhausting day at work, we just want to relax at home and not spend more time for cooking dinner. It is a lot easier to order a box of pizza or a bowl of ramen with a few taps on an app!

Despite the great deals that fast food chains offer, eating out is more expensive than cooking your own food. A five-dollar meal may not seem expensive, but the costs add up. If you eat out on a daily basis, you can consume about S$35 to S$100 in a week. Reduce your spending by planning your meals ahead of time and preparing on-the-go snacks (e.g., sliced apples or fruit-filled yogurts).

DRINKING ARTISAN COFFEE

Consumed on a daily basis, artisan and gourmet coffees can get expensive. For many people, drinking a cup of joe in the morning seems like second-nature. They wake up and smell coffee. I have several friends who cannot function properly in the morning without having their cup of coffee. And it is not just the smell that wakes them up. It is the caffeine.

It may seem relatively cheap to spend a few bucks a day at a local coffee shop. However, you must consider all the money that you could have saved if you brewed your own coffee at home.

REGULAR GROCERY SHOPPING

Some people have a habit of shopping for groceries on a daily basis. A good way to ensure that you stick to your grocery budget is to restrict yourself to one grocery trip per week. Frequent trips to the grocery store throughout the week can make you tempted to buy more than what you need. Making a routine of hitting up the grocery whenever you forget something indicates that you do not have a proper grasp of your consumption. It is best to plan ahead!

Avoid grocery shopping when you are hungry or when you have an ample amount of time to spare. People are more susceptible to purchasing additional items when they are hungry or when they go for leisurely shopping. These unnecessary items usually go to waste.

CONSUMING ENERGY DRINKS

People who have a tendency to purchase a bottle of energy drink everyday may develop a tolerance towards it. Chances are, you will need to drink more than a bottle per day to keep you buzzed all throughout. That can cost you more than .50 cents a day. Is it time for you to kick out your energy drink habit?

Image Credits: pixabay.com

If you need the energy drink to keep you active throughout the day in compensation of sleep deprivation then, you need to alter your sleeping habits. You will not feel exhausted at work with a full cycle of sleep. If fatigue persists, you may consult a doctor.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

Read More...

5 Attractive Work-From-Hotel Offers In Singapore

Although the Ministry of Manpower has updated its guidelines to allow more employees to return to the workplace, working from home remains to be the default job set-up as it adheres to the social distancing guidelines.

Despite this, not everyone is blessed with a peaceful space at home. Employees have to strike a balance between their personal and professional lives without being distracted with other factors. Concentrating on one’s tasks takes a whole lot of patience and discipline.

If you are looking for a suitable place for a rewarding workcation or a work-from-hotel option to escape the distractions inside your home, look no further than the places found on this list.

1. MANDARIN ORCHARD SINGAPORE

Introduce a new environment to your partner to refresh your minds. Book a Deluxe Room or a Suite at Mandarin Orchard Singapore if you want to work in a space with unlimited high-speed WiFi, refreshments, and 50% off the in-room dining options. Rates start from S$88++.

Mandarin Orchard Singapore offers packages for two through their Deluxe rooms and Suites. The former includes refreshments. While, the Suites include the award-winning restaurant Chatterbox’s signature Mandarin Chicken Rice set for two. Book a room from 7am to 7pm or 9am to 6pm. These packages are available from Monday to Friday (T&Cs apply).

2. MARRIOTT TANG PLAZA HOTEL

Enjoy a rewarding workday by hitting up the Orchard Road for some retail therapy (or Yuletide shopping) and staying in the Marriot Tang Plaza Hotel. It is conveniently located along the Orchard Road shopping belt.

You will be able to work inside a spacious room between 7am to 7pm. The deal includes complimentary parking, in-room beverage-making facilities, access to the hotel’s gym and pool facilities (i.e., by appointment only), and 30% off its dining options. Rates start at S$120++ (T&Cs apply).

3. FURAMA RIVERFRONT

Furama RiverFront indulges its guests with visually-pleasing spaces and comfortable lounges. If you do not want to book a room and prefer working outside of your home, you may consider working at the Furama RiverFront’s common lounge area.

You can get a day pass for S$28 and a monthly pass for S$450. Here are some of the inclusions of the daily pass according to its website (T&Cs apply):

a. $15 dining credits are applicable for all restaurants and food counters within the hotel
b. Free flow of coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks for the Pass Holder and one guest
c. 10% off total bill at any restaurants in the hotel
d. 12% off delivery and takeaways via Furama RiverFront or Furama City Centre’s online menu (food.furama.com) with a minimum order of S$80
e. Free weekday admission voucher to Waka Waka for 1 child
f. 1 Parking coupon for the Pass Holder (i.e., issued upon request)
g. S$10 off Style Theory’s Apparel Starter Plan
h. High-speed WiFi access

4. FAIRMONT SINGAPORE

Whether you are eager to book a room at Fairmont Singapore for work or play, you can enjoy its “Ultimate Daycation” package. For about S$145, you can use the Fairmont Room for two adults and two children. This package is available from Monday to Thursday at 8am to 7pm (T&Cs apply).

Inclusions are unlimited high-speed WiFi for multiple device, beverages, S$75 dining credits. These dining credits can be used at Skai, Mikuni, Prego, Anti:Dote, Clove or for in-room dining options. Guests will also have access to the hotel facilities such as the pool and spa (i.e., advance booking required). This offer is valid until December 30, 2020.

5. FULLERTON HOTEL SINGAPORE

It is not everyday that you can work in a neoclassical building with rich history that dates back to the 20s! The Fullerton Hotel Singapore’s Work From Fullerton package offers 12 hours use of its rooms with access to the hotel’s facilities.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Inclusions are high-speed WiFi, in-room coffee and tea selection, access to the pool and gym, parking, and a dining credit of S$50. The maximum capacity for a room is three adults or two adults and two children. Inquire now as this package is available until November 30, 2020 only (T&Cs apply).

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

9 E-Wallets In Singapore That Let You Buy From Shops Hassle-Free

Aside from the explosion of rock music and big curls in the 80s, we were introduced to the cashless payment method called the General Interbank Recurring Order (GIRO). GIRO enabled its users to make convenient payments to billing organizations through their bank accounts. Since then, the digital cashless payment options have evolved dramatically. Nowadays, we can purchase items on online stores with a few taps of a button!

Let us get to know the nature and the examples of the e-wallets in Singapore.

HOW E-WALLETS WORK

Electronic wallets, e-wallets, digital wallets, or mobile wallets have taken over our lives in the previous months due to the effects of the global pandemic. E-wallets are virtual wallets, which are in collaboration with financial institutions (e.g., UOB or DBS), mobile service providers (e.g., SingTel), and international companies (e.g., Apple, Google, and Samsung). Many people have turned to cashless transactions to avoid carrying money or to avoid trips to the ATM.

E-wallets allow its users to store credit cards, debit cards, and loyalty cards into your device. Payments are made hassle-free as long as they are connected to your bank accounts or cards. Some e-wallets let you send and receive money through paperless transactions.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE USING AN E-WALLET

1. Which e-wallet do you want to get?

2. Does your preferred e-wallet have a maximum value that can be stored inside?

3. What is the expiry date for the money inside your potential e-wallet?

4. How much is the maximum value you can transfer out from an e-wallet per transaction?

5. Are there fees involved in top-up and other services?

POPULAR E-WALLETS IN SINGAPORE

1. Apple Pay

Apple Pay handles secure payment transactions between contactless terminals and Apple iOS devices. It can be used in 7-Eleven, Breadtalk, Giant, FairPrice, Uniqlo, and so much more.

2. SingTel Dash

Dash allows you to top-up your Singtel prepaid account or other Dash accounts to pay partner merchants in Singapore, Thailand, and Visa payWave partner merchants worldwide. You may pay online purchases through the Dash Visa Virtual Account and transfer funds within Singapore and to India, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

3. GrabPay

As the name suggests, GrabPay can be used to pay for Grab rides, GrabFood deliveries, and selected merchants with the GrabPay QR code. You can also use it with the GrabPay Card where MasterCard is accepted.

4. FavePay

FavePay is a quick and easy way to pay your favorite merchants and get instant cashback. FavePay accepts debit or credit cards (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, and American Express), GrabPay, Paypal, Boost Payment, and Air Asia Big Points. You can use the FavePay for selected merchants with the FavePay QR code.

5. AliPay

AliPay is a global payment platform with over 400 million users around the world. It is backed by the Chinese tech giant Alibaba and uses advanced encryption technology to ensure personal information and online payments are secured. It can be used to cover payments to ComfortDelGro and Prime taxis, Resorts World Sentosa, Metro, Singapore Zoo, Universal Studios, and more.

6. Google Pay

Google Pay is an online payment system developed by Google. It enables its users to pay for transactions with Android devices in-store and on supported websites. You can use it in-store at more than 80,000 checkout counters such as Cheers, Cold Storage, 7-Eleven, NTUC, McDonald’s, and Uniqlo.

7. DBS PayLah!

DBS PayLah! is a personal virtual wallet, which allows you to perform transactions such as Scan and Pay (NETS), funds transfer, QR Code payments, online purchases, and bill payments on-the-go. Discover its functions through the DBS PayLah! app.

8. NETSPay

NETSPay enables you to register your POSB/DBS ATM Card digitally. Once you have stored your cards, you may leave it at home and start paying with your smartphone. You can use this digital wallet to pay selected merchants in Singapore and Alipay Connect-enabled merchants in Japan.

9. EZ-Link Wallet

EZ-Link Wallet is personal mobile wallet within the EZ-Link app. You can use it to make payments conveniently at retail outlets domestically and overseas by scanning a QR Code or at an Alipay Connect-enabled merchant. Moreover, you can earn EZ-Link Rewards points for your transactions.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Use these information to make thoughtful decisions when it comes to your e-wallet and online payment transactions.

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

Singapore Will Cease Issuing S$1,000 Notes Next Year

This month, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced that it plans to discontinue the issuance of the S$1,000 notes from January 1, 2021. A limited quantity of this note will be made available each month from now until December 2020.

How will this affect you? What are the implications of this decision?

#1: SAFETY MEASURE TO REDUCE THE MONEY LAUNDERING RISKS

According to MAS, this is a pre-emptive measure to mitigate the higher money laundering and terrorism financing risks associated with large denomination notes. Large denomination notes allow people to carry significant values of money anonymously. The anonymity attached to these notes can be used to facilitate money laundering and other illegal activities.

#2: ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED

To reduce your health and financial risks, it is best to use electronic payments whenever possible. MAS encouraged the use of electronic payments. Moreover, National University of Singapore’s Associate Professor and CGIO director Lawrence Loh highlighted that electronic payment systems are more secure than cash, despite the cyber-risks associated with online payments.

He said that: “You are able to secure two things with e-payments. Firstly, in terms of technical security, you can trace where your money is going, and secondly, you have physical security because you don’t have to carry large amounts of cash.”

#3: EXISTING S$1,000 NOTES IN CIRCULATION WILL REMAIN LEGAL TENDER

According to MAS, existing S$1,000 notes in circulation can still be used as a means of payment. They will continue to remain legal tender and can be used by the banks. To adapt to the upcoming demands of other denominations (particularly the S$100 note), MAS will make sufficient quantities of other denominations available.

#4: THE SELLING PRICE OF THE S$1,000 NOTE WILL LIKELY INCREASE

Currency collectors and dealers acknowledged that the selling price of the S$1,000 note will likely increase due to the limited supply of this note in the upcoming year. However, the currency dealers and collectors interviewed by TODAY have predicted that it will not increase dramatically.

You see, most people gravitate towards collecting notes of smaller denominations. For instance, a S$1,000 note from the orchid series (issued from 1967 to 1976) is worth around S$2,000. In contrast, a bundle of 1,000 S$1 notes from the same series is worth about S$12,000. It is amazing how these items have a S$10,000 difference in its selling prices!

#5: THIS MOVE IS ALIGNED WITH INTERNATIONAL NORMS

Renowned economists, including those from the International Monetary Fund, have advocated the phasing out of notes with large denominations to deter financial crimes such as corruption and tax evasion. This move by MAS is aligned with the international norms. For instance, European authorities stopped the printing of the 500-euro banknote last year.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Read More...