S$1 = 1000 KRW: Singapore dollar hits 13-year high against the Korean won

 

Asian currencies have broadly declined against the buoyant US dollar, sliding to levels not seen since the Asian financial crisis.

Among the worst-hit currencies is the Korean won which extended losses this month, dragged down by the U.S. Federal Reserve’s aggressive monetary tightening. South Korea which is export-dependant also comes under increasing pressure with higher oil prices and a deteriorating trade balance.

On the flip side, the Singapore’s dollar has been resilient against the US dollar. To fight inflation – which is expected to keep rising – the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) allows the Singapore dollar to appreciate against peer currencies. This helps to slow the inflation momentum and ensure price stability thereby driving down the cost of imported good in local currency terms.

The SGD/KRW crossed the 1000 mark on Sep 30, 2022

On Friday, the SGD/KRW went above the 1000 support, a level not seen since March 2009.

According to the CashChanger’s site, one can get a rate of approximately S$1 = 975 KRW at local money changers in Singapore on Friday, Sep, 30, 2022. That’s a good rate if you are planning a travel to South Korea any time soon.

 

 

 

 

 

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Want 100GB at $10? Sign up for heya, a contract-free 4G postpaid SIM-only plan with the best network!

Need more data but don’t want to pay extra? We present to you heya, a simple contract-free 4G postpaid SIM-only plan that can meet all your needs at an affordable price.

The heya plan consists of 100GB (for the first 3 months and 50GB thereafter), 300 local minutes, and 50 local SMSes at just $10! FREE caller ID and FREE local incoming calls included. Plus, you can add up to 500 IDD minutes to 9 countries with the $5 IDD add-on.

Why should you choose heya?

  • No contract: Wave goodbye to being tied down by contracts and say heya to more value without shocking bills.
  • Best network: Backed by Singtel, one of the major telcos in our sunny island, you will be supported by Singapore’s fastest and widest mobile network, validated from users in Singapore, as encapsulated in the HWM+HardwareZone Tech Awards 2022, Reader’s Choice – Best Telco Service Provider in Singapore. Consistently good network will be right at your fingertips!
  • Data rollover: Do you find yourself frequently forfeiting unused data with your current mobile plan? Waste no more data because any unused data (up to 200GB) can be rollover to the next month if you top up before the plan expires.

How to sign up and make easy top-ups?

Signing up is easy as 1, 2, 3.

If you’re at least 18 years old, simply proceed to any of the authorized heya retailers and bring along your NRIC, passport, or valid pass to sign-up. Click the following link for the full list of heya retailers located islandwide.

Need a top-up? Call *119# to check your balance first and top up every month from a heya shop. Alternatively, you can choose one of these methods for a fuss-free top-up before your plan expires:

  • Ask to top up more heya credits in the heya wallet from a heya retailer
  • Request for remote top-up (e.g. through PayNow or Shopee) from a heya retailer that offers the option

Refer your friends now and get FREE 50GB

Loving the heya plan? Spread the good news and get rewarded with 50GB! You can introduce up to 3 friends to heya per month and the FREE 50GB data will be credited to your heya number the next day.

Here’s how:

  • Have your friends sign up for heya at any heya retailer.
  • Refer to the referral code sent to you via SMS from sender 74005. Get your buddies to SMS your referral code to 74005 using their heya number.

Hesitate no more with heya! Check out these FAQs and visit www.heya.sg for more information today.

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Is an in-house SEO specialist or an SEO agency right for your business?

colleagues in a work meeting

You’ve been tasked with scaling up your company’s SEO efforts, but you’re not sure if you should hire an in-house specialist or engage an SEO agency.

What’s the right decision for your business? Well, that depends on a few factors. If you decide to hire an in-house specialist, you need to make sure that person has the experience and knowledge to get the job done. They will need to be up-to-date with all the latest changes to the algorithm and have a strong understanding of how search engines work.

On the other hand, if you decide to engage an SEO agency, you can rest assured that they will have years of understanding and wisdom in the field to know all the updated shifts to the game plan and be able to help your business achieve its SEO goals without a hitch.

Pros of an in-house SEO specialist

An in-house SEO specialist will be more familiar with your website and your business changes. They will know your target audience and what content works best for them. This insider knowledge can be incredibly valuable when it comes to SEO.

Pros of an SEO agency

An SEO agency, on the other hand, has a team of specialists who will work with you to develop a comprehensive SEO strategy. They will have access to the latest trends and techniques and are likely to be up-to-date on all the search engine ins and outs.

Cons of an in-house SEO specialist
an interview with multi interviewers

Image Credits: livecareer.com

If you’re not 100% sure that you’re going to need an SEO specialist for the long term, it might not be the best investment. They might also be limited in their abilities when compared to an agency. During the hiring process, make sure that your web development team gets to sit in the interview too. If there’s tension between these two, you will probably be expecting challenging times ahead.

Cons of an SEO agency

An SEO agency can be expensive so if you don’t have the budget, you might only be able to engage their services for the short term. Also, since they aren’t your employees, chances are that you may not have as much control over your campaign as you would like. Depending on your account manager, some may not be able to tailor their services 100% to match your specific needs.

How to choose the right fit for your business

First, think about your budget. An in-house specialist will likely be more expensive than an SEO agency in the long run. Second, consider your time constraints. An in-house specialist will need time to learn about your business and its website, whereas an SEO agency will come with pre-existing knowledge and experience.

Third, think about your goals. An in-house specialist will be more focused on achieving your specific goals, while an SEO agency will have a broader range of services that they can offer. Finally, ask around. Talk to other business owners and get their opinions on the best way to go about scaling SEO for your company.

There are pros and cons to both hiring an in-house SEO specialist and working with an SEO agency. An in-house SEO specialist can be a great investment for your business, but only if they have the right skills and experience. On the other hand, an SEO agency can provide you with access to a team of experts who have a wealth of experience in SEO. They will be up-to-date on the latest changes to the algorithm and will know a range of different industries. Weigh your options before you part with your money.

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How to Handle Conflicts with Your Boss

Sometimes the toughest part of your job is not the work…it is the people. The mixture of personalities and individual differences can cause conflicts. In the workplace, conflict causes a significant degree of frustration, discomfort, sadness, anger, and pain. It is a different story when the conflict is between you and your boss.

Where your boss is concerned, you want to be sure to apply plenty of finesse. It is crucial that you remain calm and objective. There is nothing to be gained and much to lose by getting angry and being disrespectful. You may not be able to see each other eye-to-eye, but you will have shared thoughts by further nurturing your relationship. Thay being said, here are some tips you can apply to handle the conflicts with your boss:

#1: ACKNOWLEDGING AND RESPECTING AUTHORITY

Put all your energy into understanding and empathizing with the management’s point of view. Ask open-ended questions until you fully understand where your boss is coming from. Resolution begins with respecting each other’s point of view.

#2: RE-DIRECT THE DISCUSSION

Find a common ground that makes sense for you, your boss, and the organization. Stay on this topic until you identify a mutually beneficial outcome that you can work towards to.

#3: ASK FOR HELP

An honest, sit-down conversation is more likely to yield a thoughtful response than an emotional exchange sandwiched between meetings. Unless it is an emergency, you can ask your boss for an appointment so that you will have time to gather your thoughts. It is best to approach your boss with a calm and collected attitude to get your point across and to ask for necessary help.

#4: KNOW YOUR TIMING

Timing is essential when approaching your boss about issues and other combative events. You may be the perfect target for a feisty exchange if he or she just had a major setback.

Know your timing! Try to avoid addressing conflicts before lunch when hunger might distort reason or just before the end of shift when everyone is eager to go home.

#5: ASK IF YOU CAN SHARE YOUR VIEWPOINT

Once you are given permission to discuss your concern, be clear and compelling. Link your perspective to what matters most to your boss, the organization, and your common goal. If your boss is not (physically and emotionally) available to talk, reschedule the discussion when the dust settles.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1 & 2

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Cut the clutter: The real newborn essentials you need

newborn essentials

You are about to welcome your little one into the world and you’re probably feeling overwhelmed with all the new baby items you need to buy. A crib, stroller, a car seat, and no-scratch mittens – the list goes on and on.

But what if we told you that you only need a few essential items to take care of your newborn? In this post, we will share some of the most necessary newborn items you need to have. So before you go on a spending frenzy, take a look at our list.

Diapers

Trust us, you’re going to need a lot of diapers. Like, a lot. Newborns go through them at an alarming rate, so be prepared to stock up. Baby wipes are also a must-have—you can never have too many.

Boppy pillows

Boppy pillows are great for nursing and bottle feeding, and they can also be used as a support when your baby is learning to sit up. They’re versatile, and they’re worth every penny. So don’t go out and buy a bunch of newborn gear that you don’t need. Stick to the essentials, and you will be just fine.

Newborn clothes
baby clothes

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Think about it—your baby is going to grow out of those clothes fast, so why spend a lot of money on them? Instead, invest in a few high-quality pieces that will last.

Cotton is an excellent choice for baby clothes because it’s soft and breathable. And if you want the best for your baby, look for clothes that are made of organic cotton. Save your money and use it for other things—like wipes and diapers!

Swaddle blankets

When it comes to newborn items, one of the most essential ones is a good set of swaddle blankets. These help you soothe your little one and keep them cozy and comfortable. But not just any swaddle blanket will do.

You need something soft, breathable, and lightweight. We recommend looking for a set made of muslin or bamboo, which is gentle on your baby’s skin. As a bonus, swaddle blankets can also be used as burp cloths, nursing covers, and more! So they’re worth investing in.

Bottles and nipples

For newborns, bottles and nipples usually come in various sizes. And as your baby grows, you will want to transition them to the next size slowly. But it’s not just about the size of the nipple. You also need to consider the type of nipple.

There are two main types: latex and silicone. Latex nipples are the most flexible and mimic the feel of a human breast. Silicone nipples are firmer and stay in shape longer. So what’s the most suitable nipple for your baby? That’s really up to you and your little one to decide. Just try out a couple of brands and see what works best.

You don’t need to go out and buy all the newborn items that are marketed to you. Many of those items are just added clutter and could be skipped altogether. In this article, we’ve looked at the essentials that you need as a new parent: diapers, boppy pillows, newborn clothes, swaddle blankets, and bottles and nipples. Everything else can wait until later.

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