Category: Human Resource

How to choose between 2 job offers…

On By LS HIn Career, Human ResourceLeave a comment

Congratulations! You have two job offers. How do you choose between them?

First of all, be very Glad that you have two job offers in the current market. Just landing one Job is hard enough, let alone 2. But just how should you choose which one to take? The following are some key considerations:

1) your hiring manager – this person will likely make the greatest impact on your career. If he is a leader, he will spill over lots of good practices you can learn from. He will groom you, give you opportunities and bring you to places if he progresses in his career. So find out what your hiring manager is like.

2) what is the size of the company? A larger one will probably offer more progression for your career. It will also offer more learning opportunities. But a small one is also where you can be part of the growth and learn in that process. Sometimes, it may be better to be a “small fish in a big pond”. Other times, it may be better to be “a big fish in a small pond”. it depends on where you currently are in your career.

3) what is the corporate culture of the company? You can find out lots about this from websites such as Glassdoor and other forums. The last thing you want is to be in a toxic culture where you hate going to work every day. 

Hope this helps in your choice.

Don’t underestimate the importance of experience!

On By LS HIn Career, Human ResourceLeave a comment

You may have read this story on social media…

A ship engine failed, NO ONE could fix it.

Then they brought in a man with 40years of ship repair experience. He inspected the engine carefully. Then he reached into his bag & pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped a particular spot at the engine. Immediately, the engine rocked to life. It was fixed!

A few days later, the owner of the ship received the bill for this repair, amounting to $10,000. “What?!” the owner exclaimed. “He hardly did anything”. So, he requested for an itemised bill. The man sent in the itemised bill as follows:

  • Tapping with hammer – $ 10
  • Knowing where to tap – $ 9,998

Obviously the story is greatly simplified and no one fixes engines with just a tap of the hammer. But in this fast-paced, fast-promotion, high expectation and highly impatient generation, we really should not forget that there is a place for experience.

With the retirement age being extended and many people working beyond retirement, the work place is a complex multi-generation environment. Managers need to be able to navigate this carefully to maintain harmony in the workforce, leverage the youthful energies and tapping on the wisdom that older employees bring to the table. That also requires experience!

The value of values in economic growth

On By LS HIn Business Fundamentals, Economy, Human Resource, ValuesLeave a comment

When countries pursue economic growth at all costs, they will soon find themselves “without a soul”. Hence, I find this article so appropriately put – the value of values in economic growth. When economic growth is experienced embracing values, the social fabric of the country remains strong. The same will be true for companies. Growth should never be at the expense of values. Check out this article.

Will all future retail stores be like this?

On By LS HIn Business Fundamentals, Economy, Human Resource, InnovationLeave a comment

This convenience store managed by Cheers has no cashier and no check-out counter. You register your faceID, visa payment card and start shopping. Sensors in the store will keep track of your presence in the store and the items you scan upon purchase. When you leave the store with those items, your credit card will be charged accordingly. Is this the future of retail? Interesting times!

From banker to hawker – a bold career switch!

On By LS HIn Career, Human Resource, ValuesLeave a comment

This is a story of a 40 year old lady who took the leap of faith to transition from being a banker to a hawker selling Singapore fried radish and noodles. Why? In her own words, there were office politics and the constant chasing after numbers – something she did not want to continue in her 40s & 50s. At the end of the day, she preferred to derive her own P&L – deciding how much revenue she wants and how to manage costs. I salute her for the likely pushbacks she must have experienced from friends and relatives. Being a hawker is an honest profession deserving of our commendation. Keep it up!