Cross-Cultural Management in Singapore

2. Country ProfileCountry Profile
Republic of Singapore
Government:
Parliamentary Republic.
Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)
Geography:
Location: Southeast Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia.
Area: 597 km² (230,5 sq. mi.)
Climate: equatorial, a tropical rainforest climate; hot and humid.
People:
Population: 5.4 million
Ethnic Groups: Chinese 77%, Malay 14%, Indian 8%
Religions: Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh.
President: Tony Tan Keng Yam

4. National animalNational animal
Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’
National flowerNational flower

6. Purity and virtue
The crescent moon: a young nation on the rise
Brotherhood and the equality of man
The five stars: the nation's ideals -democracy, peace, progress, justice, equality
The National Singapore FlagThe National Singapore Flag

7. Video about Singapore countryVideo about Singapore country

8. National Anthem of Singapore
"Majulah Singapura“
(Onwards Singapore)
National Anthem of Singapore
"Majulah Singapura“
(Onwards Singapore)

9. CurrencyCurrency
1 dollar
Singapore CoinsSingapore Coins
5 cents 10 cents 20 cents 50 cents

10. S$2 S$5
S$10 S$50
S$100 S$1,000
S$10,000
Singapore Dollar NotesSingapore Dollar Notes

11. The culture of Singapore
• Combination of Asian and European cultures.
• Influenced by Malay, South Asian, East Asian, and Eurasian cultures
• Singapore has been dubbed as a country where "East meets West",
"Easy Asia" and "Garden city"
Local CultureLocal CultureLocal CultureLocal Culture

13. Culture through FoodCulture through Food
A Kaleidoscope of CulturesA Kaleidoscope of Cultures

14. Cultural TreasuresCultural Treasures
Armenian Church of Saint
Gregory
The Illuminator
Central Fire Station
Sri Mariamman Temple Sultan Mosque

15. The Fullerton Bay Hotel The Arts House
Peranakan houses

16. Local FoodLocal Food

22. Local CostumesLocal CostumesLocal CostumesLocal Costumes

23. Cheongsam Baju Kurung
MaleMale

24. FemaleFemale
Sarong Kebaya Nyonya Kebaya

25. Indian Saree Baju KurungCheongsum
FemaleFemale

26. LocalLocal
LanguagesLanguages

27. Video about local languagesVideo about local languages

28. Local FestivalsLocal FestivalsLocal FestivalsLocal Festivals

32. Aluminum
Coconut
Rubber
Home Electronics
Electrical Machine

33. Electronic equipment 30.5% Oil 16.8%
Organic chemicals 4.5%
Machines, engines, pumps 13.2%
Plastics 4%
Singapore’s Top 10 ExportsSingapore’s Top 10 Exports

34. Medical, technical equipment 3.9% Gems, precious metals 2.7%
Pharmaceuticals 1.7% Aircraft, spacecraft 1.4% Books, newspapers, pictures 1.4%

35. Singapore’s Top 10 ImportsSingapore’s Top 10 Imports
Oil 31%
Electronic equipment 25.1% Machines, engines, pumps 12.9%
Medical, technical equipment 2.9% Gems, precious metals 2.7%

36. Aircraft, spacecraft 1.7%
Vehicles 1.6% Iron or steel products 1.3%
Plastics 2.1% Organic chemicals 2%

37. Tip 1
• Singapore is probably
– The most heavily Western-influenced of all the major Asian economies
– Presents a sometimes confusing mix of solidly traditional Asian values
and ultra modern business techniques.
10 Tips in Doing Business10 Tips in Doing Business
in Singaporein Singapore
10 Tips in Doing Business10 Tips in Doing Business
in Singaporein Singapore

38. Tip 2
• Singapore
– An eclectic mix of ethnic Chinese, Malays, Indians and global expatriates
– Difficult to categories.
• E.g. What is true of the ethnic Chinese approach may be very different in
an Indian-oriented company or the regional headquarters of a major MNC.

39. Tip 3
• Business structures
– Tend towards the hierarchical with decisions made
– At the top by senior management
– Being cascaded down the chain.

40. Tip 4
• Unusual for people to display open disagreement with a decision made.
• Any debate would be held in private.

41. Tip 5
• Ensure that people of a similar status deal with senior people.
• Do not show disrespect by expecting them to deal with
younger, more junior colleagues.

42. Tip 6
• Age is respected and managers tend to be older.
• Age brings automatic respect
• More difficult for younger people to interface as equals at
senior management level.

43. Tip 7
• Managers expect and receive respect.
• Holistic interest in the all-round well being of subordinates.

44. Tip 8
• Performance determines promotion within an organization
• Except within family firms where family bonds are strongly felt.

45. Tip 9
• Harmony is sought in meeting situations
• Everything should be done to promote and
maintain that harmony.

46. Tip 10
• Remember the importance of safeguarding 'face'.
• Relationships are the key in Singapore
• Relationships become difficult if people have lost face.

47. • Intense competition and a small domestic market
o a relatively small domestic market compared to other Asian countries.
o difficult to find unexplored niches in the market – especially in the
service industries.
Challenges in Doing BusinessChallenges in Doing BusinessChallenges in Doing BusinessChallenges in Doing Business

48. • Singapore is culturally diverse
o a melting pot of multicultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds.
o a good opportunity for businessman
 to market products and services to a diverse consumer group
 research urban trends for the rest of Asia.

49. • The cost of day-to-day operations can be high
o Attracting and retaining skilled labour can be costly due to
the tight labour market.
o Prime office space is limited and rental prices remain high.

50. • Robust infrastructure and services
o Singapore has excellent infrastructure for transport and communications.
o easily accessible and serviced for the entire market.
o a very low crime rate, making it a safe place to do business.

51. • Strong intellectual property laws
o Regarded as having the strongest intellectual property (IP)
protections in the world – a major benefit to business.

52. • Open and competitive as a free market
o an open border and transparent approach to both local and foreign
businesses.
o As a regional business centre, it offers pro-business incentives,
 such as low corporate taxation and assistance on resources and facilities.

53. • Singapore is a key regional hub
o used as the entry point to Asia
o a large number of businesses have a presence in Singapore
 ANZ, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Lend Lease Asia, Leighton and Toll Holdings.

54. • Build up your Singapore business network
o a number of trade and business associations to help build your
industry network in Singapore.
o include International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, SPRING Singapore,
and the Singapore Business Federation.

55. DifferencesDifferences
in Thai Culture and Singaporein Thai Culture and Singapore
DifferencesDifferences
in Thai Culture and Singaporein Thai Culture and Singapore
Hello
สส
สส
สส
สส

56. AestheticAesthetic
White colorWhite color
Death, mourning
Purity

57. BuddhismBuddhism
ConfucianismConfucianism
BeliefBelief

58. LateLatePunctualPunctual
Approach to TimeApproach to Time

59. Applying Cross-Cultural ManagementApplying Cross-Cultural Management
Concepts in SingaporeConcepts in Singapore
Applying Cross-Cultural ManagementApplying Cross-Cultural Management
Concepts in SingaporeConcepts in Singapore
Adaptation: focuses on the interaction between people from
different cultural

60. Approach to Time and PrioritiesApproach to Time and Priorities
Punctual for business situations
If you late, you must call to them for let them know

61. Must closely watch the facial expressions
and body language of people you work with.
Avoid giving flower , its symbolize of
sickness and burying

62. • Don’t sit with your legs crossed
which bend one knee to place a ankle
when the meeting
• Present and receive the name card before
meeting with both hands.

63. • Never use the left hand to
present or receive things,
eating, and shake hand with
Muslim people
Cross cultural sensitivity is essential
and you must avoid exposing or
potentially embarrassing anyone in
public

64. ConclusionConclusionConclusionConclusion
•Formal and strict rules of protocol
•The group more important than the individual.
•To keep others from losing face
•Much communication will be non-verbal
•The best place for doing business

65. QuizQuizQuizQuiz
1. Do you remember some Singlish words ?
2. Do you remember some interesting tourist
attraction in Singapore?
3. What are the meaning of color and symbol
on the flag ?
4. What is the meaning of “Majulah Singapura”
(Name of National Anthem of Singapore) ?
a. Onwards Singapore
b. Go on Singapore
c. On the way of Singapore
5. In which is the Independence year from
Malaysian Federation of Singapore ?
a. 1865 b.1989 c. 1965 d. 1919
lah, aiyoh, siao, sian, wah lau ehlah, aiyoh, siao, sian, wah lau eh

66. 4. .
5. .
6. Which country is the north of Singapore?
a. Malaysia b. Philippines c. Indonesia
7. Which of the following is not an official
language of Singapore?
a. Chinese b. English c. Takalog d. Tami
8. What is name of this food?
9. What is the symbol of Singapore ?
10. How many population are there in Singapore?
a. 4.5 M. b. 5.4 M. c. 3.9 M.
LaksaLaksa
MerlionMerlion

67. Purity and virtue
The crescent moon: a young nation on the rise
Brotherhood and the equality of man
The five stars: the nation's ideals -democracy, peace, progress, justice, equality