How To Look For The Best Local Suppliers For Your Biz

A party that supplies you with goods or services is called a vendor. Most people refer to the vendor as the supplier. Suppliers are distinguishable from contractors as the latter allow specialized input before handing the final outcomes.

Finding the most suitable suppliers for your business is as important as running it. You can either attract the suppliers or you can search for them. So where do you look for the Singaporean suppliers, exactly?

QUICKEST METHOD

Do you still recall those heavy books which included all the landline handles of your chums? It brings nostalgic memories of my childhood wherein my siblings and I will put the bulky publications on top of each other to build a tower. It sounds silly now but, we had so much fun back in the day!

These said publications are called classified directories or telephone directories. One of its well-known brands is Yellow Pages. Just when you thought that it is long gone, it stays potent since 1967. Yellow Pages is a “comprehensive classified directory that not only helps consumers make informed purchases but also serves the social, commercial and industrial needs of business users”. It is printed in both English and Chinese editions.

You can visit their website at yps.com.sg to supplement your search. For instance, you can contact this supplier if you need someone to customize uniforms for your office:

Muxette Pte Ltd

998 Toa Payoh North #02-25, Singapore 318993
65098051
[email protected]

Yellow Pages and its counterparts is probably the quickest method to get a supplier. The only downside is the fact that you cannot compare prices by merely browsing a single source. However, it provides you with the fundamental information such as the supplier’s address and contact number.

COMPREHENSIVE METHOD

If suppliers seem to be elusive, consider approaching them directly by attending several trade shows, exhibits, and bazaars. It is the perfect chance to expand your network and to grasp how huge your industry is.

Say you are building an events firm that offers wedding planning services. You can check out the “Her World Brides & Resorts World Sentosa Wedding Carnival” to get a comprehensive list of wedding vendors and speak to a team of wedding experts.

 Image Credits: herworldplus.com/weddings/events-promos/her-world-brides-resorts-world-sentosa-wedding-carnival


Image Credits: herworldplus.com/weddings/events-promos/her-world-brides-resorts-world-sentosa-wedding-carnival

Get the latest schedule of trade shows in Singapore by visiting 10times.com.

MOST CONVENIENT METHOD

One of the most convenient sources of information is the search engine. The Internet has a vast influx of data on local suppliers, manufacturers, and contractors. Use the attached contact information along with the uploaded pictures and videos to your advantage. Start with a minimalist website that gives you the basic details in a form of a classified directory – the STDIRECTORY.

For your safety, refrain from processing everything online. A better approach is to set meetings with the suppliers using the details found on their websites.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

May this post help you to invest time and effort in finding the best supplier who can provide you with quality outcomes at budget-friendly prices.

Sources: 1 & 2

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How To Motivate Your Employees Without Spending Money

There is an abundance of books, articles, speeches, and workshops that claim to know the secrets behind employee motivation. However, not all of these “secrets” work due to the lack of research behind them. This is why it is important to search for methods which are backed by the principles of Science, Social Studies, or Psychology.

Here are three of the well-renowned theories of motivation which can help you increase workplace productivity:

THE POWER OF GOALS

Goal-setting Theory suggests that properly set and well-managed goals increase employee’s motivation. To apply this theory at the workplace, a manager can assign some SMART goals to his or her employees.

Goal-setting and feedback go hand-in-hand. After communicating the goals, you shall track the performance of each employee in order for them to know if they successfully reached them. Proper execution of feedback will enable the employee to adapt the desirable behavior.

If a goal is met, reward your employee by giving recognition. You can personally acknowledge the achievements and efforts of your employees thru group memos, writing an email, handing a personal note, or awarding a certificate.

THE POWER OF OWNERSHIP

Proponents of the Job Characteristics Model states that jobs will have motivating potential if they offer variety, task significance, and task identification among others.

Let me focus on one aspect: task identification. It is the extent to which an employee feels accountable for the outcomes of the job to the point that it becomes an integral part of his or her identity. Increase task identification contributes to performance and job satisfaction.

Boost this aspect by letting your employees contribute to the planning, reporting, and evaluating phases of the projects.

THE POWER OF OBSERVATION

There is a tendency of people to work harder if they know that they are being watched or observed. Researchers dubbed this tendency as the “Hawthorne Effect”. It is named after a series of studies that was conducted at Hawthorne’s Western Electric Company. The studies measured the influence of physical working conditions on productivity. Rather than the physical changes in environment, employees were motivated to work harder as a reaction to the attention given to them.

Apply the Hawthorne Effect at the workplace by asking for your employees’ suggestions regarding their preferences in the working conditions. Then, ensure that you know what your employees are up to by providing regular feedback.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Keeping your workers motivated is easier said than done. May these theories and its applications help you to accomplish your duties as managers or business owners!

Sources: 1,  2, & 3

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Overcoming The Common Interviewer Biases

An interview for a possible job opportunity or salary increase is ultimately founded by an interaction between two or more individuals. Due to the nature of human behavior, both the interviewer and the interviewee are subjected to Psychological biases and errors.

What my background in Psychology has taught me is that these biases can be conquered. Awareness of the different biases is the first step!

AFFECT HEURISTIC

In Psychology, affect refers to the person’s overt display of feelings and emotions while heuristic allows people to make judgements swiftly and efficiently. Putting these two together will produce the Affect Heuristic. The Affect Heuristic is an error in judgement due to interpreting the world based on the person’s current mood.

For instance, if the interviewer had a horrible day due to domestic conflicts then, he or she may project negative feelings onto you. 

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

This error goes hand-in-hand with the negativity bias. Negativity bias happens when individuals give more emphasis on the bad experiences rather than the good ones. Hence, you have to be careful with the pattern of your feelings and thoughts!

CONFIRMATION BIAS

As the name suggests, Confirmation Bias is the tendency to listen solely to the information that approves one’s preconceptions.

Say your parents instilled the idea that superior employees are products of local universities only. As an interviewer, you encountered aspirants who graduated from private schools such as PSB Academy and EASB. You may be more inclined to apply your preconceptions to make false judgements about their abilities.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Spend a substantial amount of time in evaluations to overcome this bias and increase rater’s accuracy.

ANCHORING BIAS

Anchoring Bias is the tendency of some people to rely heavily on the first piece of information they receive. For instance, you are negotiating your salary. The first offer that you make will establish a spectrum of “reasonable” possibilities and the following counteroffers will be anchored by that initial offer.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Negotiating a salary is a conversation that aims to reach an agreement with someone whose interests are not perfectly aligned with yours. Make your first offer count despite of the Anchoring Bias by researching all the necessary information such as the average pay for your position.

CONTRAST EFFECT

Contrast Effect is the “magnification or reduction of perception as a result of previous exposure to something of lesser or greater quality”. A candidate who understands the essence of this effect will immediately volunteer after a poor candidate in order for his or her ratings to be optimum.

Reduce the Contrast Effect by delegating a standardized criteria where you base your decisions on. Thus, your interviews, discussions, and evaluations must all be structured.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

May you apply your knowledge of these common cognitive biases to your next interview! 🙂

Sources:  1 & 2

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4 Singaporeans Whose Jobs Are Far From Boring

Whoever said that all Singaporeans are talentless and boring have not met these extraordinary people:

DR. MARTHA TARA LEE

Sexuality and sexual health are issues that are often ignored in our Asian households. We have a difficulty in discussing these issues openly even to our closest family members. In this case, ignorance is not a bliss because it can lead to ambivalence, tension, and frustration. People who are in desperate need of counseling are often hesitant to seek professional help due to the taboo attached to “sex”.

Dr. Martha Tara Lee is one of the few individuals who addressed these issues head on (no pun intended). Founder of Eros Coaching, she is a Clinical Sexologist, who has been helping single and married individuals since 2009. She provides services such as coaching on sexuality and intimacy as well as customized sexual education workshops. Eros’ past events include “More than Conquerors – 6 Weeks of Skills Acquisition for Men” and “The Art of Feminine Presence”.

Learn more about Eros Coaching’s services, events, and rates by visiting eroscoaching.com.

NICHOLAS FOO

As the only Asia-based LEGO Certified Professional, Nicholas Foo builds impressive gift items and large scale sculptures using LEGO materials. LEGO Certified Professional are not employed by LEGO but, they are trusted business partners with the right to market and sell the iconic blocks company’s products and services. Basically, Nicholas is a LEGO master artist!

This passionate Singaporean artist is the founder of the Blackbulb, a company founded on the values of quality, creativity, and fun. Watch his team in action as they assemble three vibrant pieces for LEGO.

MARK “SABOTAGE” ONG

Mark Ong, better known in the artistic universe as SABOTAGE or SBTG, is one of the most innovative sneaker artist on the planet. He became well-known to the public after winning a sneaker customization competition on Nike Talk Forum.

Notable due to his scientifically precise brushstrokes, SBTG has a loyal following which adores his spunky style of cut and paste. His talent eventually caught the attention of celebrities such as NBA’s legendary Kobe Bryant and Linkin Park’s Joe Hahn. When asked about what drives him to work each day, he simply said: “I stay motivated by constantly making an effort to deliver value and make a difference in people’s lives in every platform I can.”

To get your very own SBTG customized sneakers, you will have to pay about S$250-800!

CARA NICOLE “SYRENA” NEO

Cara Nicole Neo turns the beautiful fantasies of many into a reality by transforming into her alter ego “Mermaid Syrena”. Since 2013, she has been performing as a mermaid for children’s parties and corporate events. You will probably be shocked to know that her clients pay around S$500 per hour.

Her glamorous yet challenging life as a mermaid continues as she opened the Singapore Mermaid School. Watch her in action as she teaches Xiaxue how to become like a mythical sea creature:


Who would have thought that working odd jobs can pay more than some of the 9-5pm mundane jobs?

Source: mustsharenews

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Possible Career Shifts To Conquer 3 Dying Industries In Singapore

Whether you are willing to admit that you are in a dying industry or not, it is a difficult disposition that several of us have to face at one point in our lives. If there are substantial evidences that your industry is doomed, perhaps it is time to weigh your options.

1. FROM PRINT MEDIA TO DIGITAL MEDIA

As my university professor have predicted, one of the industries that was negatively impacted by modern technology was print media. I am talking about the tangible reading materials such as magazines and newspapers. A good illustration of this seemingly dying industry is the closure of the Cosmopolitan Singapore last year. According to their 2014 Nielsen Media Index report, the racy magazine’s readership stood at 22,000. These low numbers did not win the hearts of many advertisers! Hence, everything went downhill from there.

More and more readers have turned into digital media with the rapid growth of larger smartphones (with wider screens) and efficient tablets. In 2012, a global study by Ericsson estimated that approximately 1 in 3 Singaporeans owns a tablet. These flat and handy devices provide a more convenient way to download and read digital publications.

If you want to part ways with the print media, consider turning to the “IT” crowd by joining the club of people who switched to the digital scene. Jobs such as freelance writer, social media manager, and graphic designer are up for grabs!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

2. FROM TRAVEL AGENCY TO TRAVEL BLOGGING

Be honest. When was the last time you booked a trip through a travel agent? I do not remember either!

Whenever I am book for my vacation, I do everything in the comfort of my own home. I start by looking extensively for the best airfare deals available. Then, I read several TripAdvisor or blog reviews about my intended destination. This is followed by a series of searching for quality accommodations at Airbnb, Agoda, and Expedia.

Why shall I hire the services of a middleman when I can go directly to the source and save more effort, time, and money?

These thoughts echoes the mindset of many Singaporean travelers. The exit of big travel agencies such as Five Stars Tours is just another sign on where this industry is heading.

With your wealth of knowledge and experience as a travel agent, you can consider to become a travel journalist or a travel blogger. Highly qualified individuals can enjoy a good salary and a free pass to various places in the world. Are you on-board?

3. FROM DEPARTMENT STORES TO FUNERAL SHOPS

Say you were a part of the salespeople who lost their jobs due to the closure of Isetan Wisma branch or Metro Sengkang branch. Consider diving away from selling vibrant products such as perfumes and swimming towards selling “lifeless” products such as coffins. You read that right!

Ironically, the death industry is one of the hottest industries right now. More graduates are now applying for the funeral sector as the younger generations are more dismissive of superstitions. Worry not about being called an undertaker because has been re-branded to “funeral director.” Sounds more sophisticated, right?

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Note: The aforementioned dying industries are based on the predictions made by a recruitment professional, Adrian Tan of Singapore Business Review

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