30 C
Singapore
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Home Blog Page 243

The Do’s and Don’ts of Networking in Singapore

Networking is an exchange of information, a cultivation of productive relationships and regular communication. It is turning conversations into connections.

Building your network gives you visibility in the community, critical for broadening your horizons and providing a safety net for the future. It allows you to draw on others for advice, support and friendship.

Singapore is great for networking. There are many formal and informal events on and both are effective for networking. Remember there is only 2 degrees of separation in Singapore. It is a fairly small community.

For many of us Networking can be nerve wracking. Start with baby steps, you’ll come torealise that the more you practise networking, the easier it will become.

Do’s when attending an event

  • Be yourself, be authentic and show the real you.
  • If there is a topic at the event, do some research on that topic beforehand.
  • Set yourself a goal, e.g. to meet and have 3 meaningful conversations. Remember that these conversations can lead to bigger things.
  • Expect the unexpected, you won’t like everyone so be prepared to extricate yourself diplomatically.
  • Ask yourself, what are the hot topics in your community right now? Read up on these topics before the event.
  • Always show good manners, which is particularly important after you have had a few drinks.
  • People enjoy talking about themselves so try to ask questions about them that will get conversation flowing i.e. How long have you been in Singapore? How long have you been in your current role?
  • If you say you are going to do something for a person do it straight away.
  • And join your new contacts through LinkedIn soon after meeting them.
  • Be proactive and ask for advice “Do you know someone I can speak to”?
  • Be collaborative and cooperative.

Don’ts

  • Forget where you are.
  • Be shy.
  • Rely too much on the one person who you are getting on well with. Make sure you mingle; you want to ensure you always have a friendly face in the crowd at any event.
  • Be afraid to ask questions.
  • Over promote yourself.
  • Brush others off or make assumptions. Keep an open mind about who you meet.
  • Do too much for others without accepting something in return.

Adapted from Shikah Gaur’s presentation at the AON Professional Series “Kick Start Your Career in Singapore”

The Waterfall

 

 In the lush green tropical gardens of Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, near the swimming pool and waterfall with its koi pond, The Waterfall restaurant serves de­liciously hearty Southern Italian dishes in a family style atmosphere. Whether seated in air-conditioned comfort or al fresco near the pool, service is warm and friendly.

 

My family and I enjoyed a memorable evening, with the toddlers amongst us choosing home-made spaghetti with tasty meat and tomato sauce. All our ap­petites were enhanced by the presence of colourful Italian tomatoes in various dishes, bursting with flavour and juici­ness – try a light and refreshing salad with a citrus dressing to awaken taste buds. Tagliatelles à la bolognaise was especially good with a wonderful balance of flavours accompanying the al dente noodles.

 

Roast suckling pig was easy to eat with its simple – yet elegant – presenta­tion of tender rolled pork slices served with aromatic rosemary potatoes. Steak from Australia was well-marbled, tender and succulent, and married well with a side salad – while pan-fried fish set atop grilled vegetables oozed with freshness and ‘feel-good’ tastes.

Desserts include sinfully rich tiramisu and signature torta caprese with its choc­olate and almond content; however most of us finished with cool Italian gelato in various flavours.

 

The house wine is stored in a wooden barrel and served in a porcelain jug for a nice rustic touch.

‘Bon appetito!’

The Waterfall
Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
22 Orange Grove Road
Tel 6737 3644

shangri-la.com

Image courtesy Shangri-La

Jin Shan Lou

 

If you are ‘out on the town’ and need to satisfy your hunger pangs late at night, pop in to Jin Shan Lou, in the Marina Bay area, for a Taiwan porridge supper. There more than 70 dishes are prepared by award-winning chefs under the helm of Master Chef Huang Ching Biao, originally from Taiwan. Cantonese, Hunan and Sichuan delicacies include braised duck Jin Shan style ($20), sautéed fresh scallops with XO sauce ($30) and stir-fried chicken accompanied by macadamia nuts ($20). Soup, fish and bean-curd dishes are also popular. My companions and I enjoyed sautéed fresh asparagus with minced garlic, Chinese omelette with chives, and stir-fried prawns enlivened by dried chillies.

It is a great place to watch passers- by, day or night.

Jin Shan Lou
Marina Bay Sands Hotel
#01-05 Tower 2 Hotel Lobby
1 Bayfront Avenue
Tel 6688 7733

jinshan.com.sg

Image courtesy Raelene Tan

What to look for in choosing a Master of Education programme

The world-class International Schools in Singapore offer great job prospects and the opportunity to pursue a fulfilling career. Undertaking the postgraduate Master of Education can open up this career path to you and facilitate career advancement in the education sector. With a plethora of universities offering a multitude of courses, how do you choose a course such as a Master of Education program tailored to your needs?

We have compiled some questions to guide your choice of a Master of Education program.

1. Is the course from a high quality institution?

Universities of quality normally advertise their position in the World University Rankings so look for the university’s ranking. James Cook University (JCU) is ranked in the top 4{254695081dc1e47c66b345e8cc00e7efe44eec9a430db2279f14dc8e0cafe4eb} of universities worldwide. In Singapore, there are other marks of quality for private education providers, the highest one being Edutrust Star. JCU Singapore was the first Private Education Institution to be awarded Edutrust Star and this signifies the quality of its courses.

2. What exactly do you want to study?

The Master of Education is a postgraduate course offered by JCU Singapore, to enable teachers, principals, school administrators as well as graduates from non-teaching backgrounds to further their qualifications. Students have the choice of specializing in either

  • Leadership and Management or
  • Global Contexts

3. How long are the courses?

Most courses are designed to be completed in 12 to 24 months part-time. JCU Singapore operates on a trimester system and fast-tracks courses, enabling students to complete their course much quicker. Master of Education students generally take two subjects per trimester and with maximum advanced standing, may complete in 12 months.

4. How are the courses structured?

If you are working full-time, you will need to find a course that is offered in out of work hours. The Master of Education subjects are offered in one week blocks which include three week-day evenings from 7 – 9pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9am – 6pm.

5. How do I know if the lecturers are qualified?

At JCU Singapore, all full-time academic staff possess a doctorate and also come with a wealth of experience in their respective fields. Further, teaching staff are resident in Singapore and can provide ongoing on-the-ground support for students through each teaching period.

For further information please contact [email protected] or 8222 6833.

Straight Teeth for Adults

Many adults with crooked teeth are self-conscious or embarrassed about their smiles. They are however, deterred from seeking a solution because they think that the only options are braces or veneers. Most adults would rather choose to live with the smile that they have.

It is a fact that misaligned teeth in adults is as prevalent as in childhood. Many people are surprised to learn that teeth have a natural tendency to drift throughout our lives, and can become crowded or crossed-over as we age. Factors influencing the degree of crowding include tooth wear, clenching or grinding, loss of teeth and the health of the supporting bone and gum tissue.

Modern dental innovation and technological development means that even as an adult teeth straightening has never been easier, or less obvious. Invisalign® and Cfast™ are two such alternatives.

Invisalign® is a system that uses clear, custom-made removable aligners to gradually move teeth. Without the wire and brackets the trays are almost undetectable. Invisalign® moves the teeth and can correct the bite if needed; it may take as long as traditional braces to achieve the desired outcome.

Cfast™ (cosmetically focused adult straight teeth) uses a camouflaged form of braces to straighten the teeth, usually within 3 to 6 months. It is “cosmetically focused” because the treatment straightens crooked or misaligned front teeth only, without changing the bite. This is a fantastic alternative for people who do not want prolonged conventional orthodontic treatment nor invasive porcelain veneers and crowns.

If you want straighter teeth and thought that your only options are conventional braces or a mouth full of veneers, you may be excited to know that there are now conservative, affordable and practical options for the busy adult.

Smile Focus
www.smilefocus.com.sg
6834 0877
Camden Medical Centre

AIS Breaks Ground on their Early Years Facility

Work has begun on a purpose built facility with a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities for AIS students aged 18 months to 6 years. Inaugurated in a ground breaking ceremony by His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, MC (Ret’d), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Lady Cosgrove, this specialist early years campus will offer children access to a 22m swimming pool, 470m2 multi-function hall, 5 library and learning resource centres, 9 arts and language specialist classrooms and a dedicated parent café, all in one centrally-located facility.

The campus, set to open in 2017 next to the existing AIS facility at Lorong Chuan, will house teaching and learning for an enhanced Early Years curriculum that launches at AIS this coming January. This progressive curriculum includes daily maths, mandarin and literacy lessons, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) Speech and Drama Program, structured Physical Education under the SMART Steps Perceptual Motor Program and weekly violin lessons taught by specialist teachers.

Sir Peter Cosgrove comments: “International schools not only offer a wonderful life experience they also provide an education and a curriculum that meets every child’s needs, whether it be the NSW Higher School Certificate, the British iGCSE or the increasingly popular Baccalaureate programme, so to be at this school and to be in Singapore is a great opportunity. It is my pleasure to be part of this ceremony, to see the ties of education and friendship between Australia and Singapore develop and grow even further.”

Brian Rogove, CEO at Cognita Asia, states: “This $200 million investment is the largest worldwide for a dedicated Early Years campus, joining the very best in academics and facilities to offer exceptional educational opportunities to young children residing in Singapore. Children at AIS will gain a strong academic foundation and personal confidence ensuring an early passport to success.”

Andre Casson, Principal at AIS comments, “AIS is the only school in Singapore to offer an Australian inquiry based curriculum for children from 18 months to 6 years. Our 22-year history in graduating students from 2 to 18 years old in this curriculum sets us in good stead to take our institution into this next phase. We are exceptional excited about our collaboration with specialist educators in delivering an enhanced curriculum from this January which will be significantly developed with the launch of our purpose built Early Years facility in 2017.”

Professional Networking in Singapore

Networking in Singapore is critical for job seeking and making new business contacts. A number of membership organisations host networking events that are also open non-members. While some organisations are focussed on a particular nationality, events are open to all nationalities. Members can check the ANZA Weekly Update for networking events where ANZA members are offered discounted tickets, such as AustCham Wine and Cheese and Australian Alumni Singapore events.

Business Chambers

AustCham Singapore

The Australian Chamber of Commerce offers a range of networking events, talks and seminars, as well as more social activities such as the Wine and Cheese nights and their annual Ball.

www.austcham.org.sg

New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (NZCC)

The chamber organises business and social events, including networking drinks, talks, seminars and an annual ball.

www.nzchamber.org.sg

BritCham

The British Chamber Of Commerce offers networking opportunities including breakfasts, business lunches, economic briefings evening networking and an annual ball.

www.britcham.org.sg

AmCham

The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore organises events to provide networking opportunities including notable and informative speakers, panel discussions, networking nights and a thanksgiving golf tournament.

www.amcham.org.sg

EuroCham

The European Chamber of Commerce organises breakfast talks, quarterly networking nights and events such as the Europe Day luncheon and annual gala dinner.

eurocham.org.sg

Women’s Networks

PrimeTime

An association for professional women offering activities that include speakers, discussion groups, professional networking opportunities, social gatherings and community outreach opportunities.

www.primetime.org.sg

The Athena Network

A network of women professionals arranging monthly coffee mornings, networking luncheons and social evenings.

www.theathenanetwork.com.sg

Other Avenues

Meetup – Professional Networking Meetups in Singapore

Meetup hosts information about a number of professional networking groups that are general or for specific professions, roles, lifestyles or life stages.

professional-networking.meetup.com/cities/sg/singapore

Alumni Associations

Connect with your university via the Alumni Association, or join the Alumni Association of your home or study country, such as the Australian Alumni Singapore (AAS) or the British Alumni ( Singapore)

ANZA also has many influential members of the business community involved in our activities, often flying under the radar at weekend sports or our events. Many of our members have found their future employers at ANZA events, so get networking in our community too.

The perils of a yoga style queen

There are even conflicts between the mantras of traditional yogis and the flair of modern design, Lee Carsley says.

I confess – I’m a yogi style queen. I have transferred my passion for all things stylish in shoes and handbags to yoga clothes. My Jimmy Choos look mournfully at me underneath some yoga mats. My Balenciaga handbag scowls at me hanging behind some yoga capri pants and sports tops.

Yogis build their lives on a set of moral values called yamas and niyamas. One yama is aparigraha, roughly translated as ‘non-greed’, ‘non-possessiveness’, and ‘non-attachment’. This yama teaches to take only what we need, keep only what serves us in the moment, and to let go when the time is right.

Is style a want or a need?

If I was a monk, I wouldn’t need much. My food is given to me daily, and my robes replaced when they fall apart. I have, though, seen monks in Cambodia and Thailand with mobile phones. Could it be that my yoga clothes are like those monk’s mobile phones – a want, and not a need?

If I look in my wardrobe, I do have too many clothes, shoes and handbags, and they were very public hallmarks of success –beautiful and well-designed. I have not worn them for years, and yet cannot bear to throw them away.

It’s a matter of balance…

When it became obvious that I could not wear these clothes as a yoga teacher – imagine a Ferragamo winter suit on a yoga mat – I made a conscious choice to keep my selection small. I chose companies which pay their employees reasonable wages, and who have thought enough about yoga fabric to make sure it looks good even after five Singapore washes. Those who design with the understanding that everybody is different, as well as look beautiful – for me this meant funky prints, with vibrant, happy colours – were also considered.

I think I am taking only what I need. However, they are not cheap – but then I buy products made in sweatshops, with poor quality fabric. So I end up having to buy more frequently.

Why am I still concerned?

I do have a tendency to want to buy all things beautiful, not just some things – hence the wardrobe. The more we hoard material possessions, the more we attach to and worry about losing these possessions. We start off buying stuff thinking it will make us happy, then one day we have so much to worry about that we are unhappy!

I don’t want to be one of those people again. I can remember what it felt like – on the outside, looking very successful, and on the inside, never completely fulfilled.

If we can lighten the load a little by either selling some of the things we don’t need, or by giving them to charity, then we move towards living a life freer and clearer – who doesn’t want that?

Practicing aparigraha is a case of constant vigilance. It has paid off for me in huge happiness dividends. In writing this, I metaphorically kicked myself in the butt and maybe achieved full aparigraha – I have sent my old work suits, shoes and handbags in a box to my daughter. What she doesn’t want, she will give to a charity that helps women who have been victims of domestic violence.

Om shanti…

Top 5 Bookstores

 

1 Basheer Graphic Books

Blk 231 Bain St
Tel 6336 1917
basheergraphic.com

A coffee table’s heaven. Heavily focused on books for the creative industries like advertising and graphic design, there are visually stunning titles that you won’t likely find elsewhere.

2 BooksActually

9 Yong Siak St
Tel 6222 9195
booksactually.com

Tiong Bahru’s bookworms frequent this hip space to gawk at their next read, from Penguin Classics to contemporary tales.

3 Littered with books

20 Duxton Rd
Tel 6220 6824
litteredwithbooks.com

A charming two-storey store in a Duxton Hill shophouse, this shop holds regular author readings and exhibitions.

4 GOHD Books

142 Bukit Timah Rd
Tel 9090 6181
gohd.com.sg

An antique bookstore like no other. The owner’s collection during her travels contribute to the store’s new, used and out-of-print books on sale.

5 Kinokuniya

391 Orchard Rd
Tel 6737 5021
kinokuniya.com.sg

Arguably one of the best places to get the widest range of books under one roof, offering everything from travel guides to kids books.

Percussionist Elvis Aljus

Melbourne-born percussionist Elvis Aljus is currently touring with Cirque Du Soleil’s latest show, Totem, and spoke to us about the physical and mental training – as well as some of the many instruments he gets to play.

What’s it like touring with Totem?

It becomes your life. If you were to ask me ‘Would you ever imagine doing 10 gigs a week?’, I’d say ‘No way!’. I come from a place where I did around four gigs a week. I’ve played with people like Kate Cerbrano, back in the day with the Black Sorrows, and even those tours were nowhere near as disciplined as these guys are. It was the first thing I had to learn. In Japan alone, it was something like 400 shows in the one year. [Laughs]

How were those first days in the troupe?

The first day I joined Cirque, it was like a bomb. More than 100 staff there, and I think I said hello to the same person five times. [Laughs]
Because you forget, and say ‘Did I say hello to this person?’, and then you see him again and you say hello. You meet a lot of people, the whole cultural aspect of it is really interesting. I never came from a structure like this. Even though it’s artistic and very creative, it’s still structured – or else it wouldn’t operate.

There must be a lot more theatrics that you need to take into consideration.

Yeah, you definitely need to take it into consideration, but you have to perform it. We had Johnny Depp come backstage in Brisbane – you get to meet some really exciting, very talented people. He was so appreciative of what we did, and we were all appreciative of what he did, which was kind of weird. He said one thing to me: ‘When I act, I do it even if I have to do it ten times and then the scene’s done, but you guys have to make sure that you do it with all that intensity and everything every single time.’

You must have to be really sharp and alert to match what’s going on.

Definitely. At the start, I remember the Musical Director saying ‘Can you play that little chime in that part?’, and I’m like ‘I’ve never been asked to play a chime in any stage of my career!’ [Laughs]

Now if I don’t play that chime in that spot, the whole tune misses it. It’s like they could be up on the trapeze, or one of the artists would flick their hands, and that is meant to be glittery and twinkly, and if you don’t hit it at that spot, it feels like there’s nothing connected to that spot and that action. You would really notice it when I wouldn’t hit it.

With the opening number, there’s a skeleton on stage, and there’s frogs and amphibians and things like that. It’s very eerie at the start, very mystical. I’ll start off with bell trees, some shakers, an udu pot, and an African woodblock to create this ambience. And then I’ll go off when the music comes in, I’ll start playing the congas – I play four congas there.

When it breaks down to just a solo acrobat doing a high bar, I’ll be on bongo because it’s a bit smaller – it makes it sound like a bongo solo, being a little thinner. It moves around really quickly. I move around a lot. [Laughs]

Where do you sit?

I don’t sit. I’m up the top-left – they have lighting on us and everything. I’m up there with the bass player and one of the vocalists. But I take up more than half that stage with my instruments. I run across from one to another, which is insane because it keeps me fit. I’d be bored if I sat down!

Cirque du Soleil – Totem
$98-$328
28 Oct-11 Nov
Under the Big Top, next to Marina Bay Sands

1...242243244...266Page 243 of 266
© Copyright 2017-2025 - ANZA