WORK ENVIRONMENT

The pace of business negotiations in Singapore is much slower than that in the United States. Time is rigorously honored. All decisions/clarifications go through formal business channels. You may find that the use of office supplies including the telephone and fax machines are not rigorously defined but don't take advantage of this. Play it by ear and do not make indiscriminate use of these facilities in any case.

Remember that Singapore is a meritocracy. Few people get ahead, either in business or in government, without hard work and long hours. Executives will often work far longer days than their subordinates.

You may find that you require some time to get used to the Singaporean business environment. The Singaporeans also put in a lot of overtime and are not clock-watchers when it comes to quitting time.

These are some of the main differences between the Indian and the Singaporean work environment:

• There are no ‘peons’ or office boys in the Singaporean workplace, and everybody gets their own lunch and tea/coffee from coffee machines in their own mugs which, are washed by them.
• Lunchtime is usually a short and casual time when ‘brown-bagged’ (brought from home) or ‘carry out’ sandwiches are eaten sitting at one's desk or with colleagues.
• Those eating out, rarely take off for more than half an hour. The official lunch time depends from place to place and is normally one hour from 12 noon to 1 pm and some companies have their own Cafeterias.
• It is considered rude to talk loudly at work, or to speak with other colleagues in foreign languages even if they are from your country.

CONCEPT OF TIME

The Singaporeans are also very particular About Singapore honoring deadlines. They take them very seriously and expect you to do the same.

Note the following:

• Deadlines are honored and stuck to, and the same is expected of you.
• Normally, people tend to arrive exactly on time or even a few minutes before the appointed time. In case of any unforeseen delay, make it a point to call the people concerned and tell them.
• Some people may tell you to come over any time. But you must call ahead, and ask them.
• You should meet clients or people in business only by prior appointment.
• Make sure you are punctual regarding meetings and discussions.

MEETINGS

Note that the Singaporeans give a lot of importance to meetings. They are also used to clarifying various doubts that your Singaporean counterparts may have regarded your reports as they sometimes have difficulty in deciphering certain things due to their weak English.

• Meetings are important and have a time limit. You must be able to understand others and get your view across in the allotted time.
• Be on time for the meeting and be prepared for it.
• Listen attentively and take notes during discussions, but don't interrupt a person who is speaking. It is important to show respect for the other person's point of view and
• Be clear on the points you wish to make before you speak and respond to points made before making your own observations. Question but do not accuse and discuss but do not argue.
• Avoid nervous and distracting gestures. When you are meeting two or three people it is appropriate to mention that you would like to take notes on the points discussed.
• As a part of the meeting, you should contribute ideas. Don't hesitate to suggest an idea even if you feel it may not be received well.
• Make sure that you have understood everything that was said at the meeting and that your impressions were correct. Summarize the decisions taken and the action plan.
• Those who propose new ideas and actions must be prepared to implement them.

PRESENTATIONS

While working at a company, you will be asked to present the main points of your assignment to your superior, and at the end of your assignment, you will have to present your results, or the finished product. It is important how you make your presentation, because you will make an impression on your company that will stick.

• Presentations need to be tightly linked to a key objective.
• The time spent on preparation decides the effectiveness of your presentation.
• Your points must be related to the goal you are seeking.
• It should be structured in a coherent and logical fashion. Run through your presentation with a colleague, clearing your doubts on tricky words, which will help you fine-tune it, removing obvious mistakes.
• Choose your words and ideas to reflect your goal clearly and effectively. Do not use jargon, slang, or showy words.
• Choose your words and manner according to your situation and the person to whom you are making the presentation.
• During your presentation, if your audience corrects you, thank them, and remember the correction.
• You will be asked many questions so make sure that your facts are up to date and comprehensive. When responding to a question or an observation, respond first to the concerns of the person before making your point.

You must look at not just the content but also the process of presentation:

• Speak clearly.
• Don't be too loud or too soft.
• Be aware of your nonverbals or body language, and also be aware of the body language of your audience. Their body language will tell you a lot About Singapore how they are reacting to you.
• You have a certain amount of time in which to finish and you should use this time profitably. Don't go on and on.

The principal expectations of a Singaporean audience are:

• clarity
• progressiveness
• gimmicks/slogans
• hard sell

Count on the attention span being About Singapore 30 minutes. The Singaporeans will listen to your presentation attentively, and you must deliver it in a respectful manner.

REPORTS

Reporting is an important managerial process and it is a vital channel of information. Effective practice of your business writing skills is important for sending out good reports.

• Make sure you report is clear and concise. Make sure you use the right syntax, and active verbs are preferred. Whenever possible, keep your sentences short.
• Use simple words and precise sentences, and have as little paper work as possible. Your report must be focussed and to the point.
• Highlight your important points and use graphics or live examples to illustrate a point.
• Be aware of whom you are reporting to and what he/she would need to know.

THE ASSIGNMENT

You must make sure to be fully aware and up-to-date on your job assignment, as you will be expected to be resourceful and productive. It can be difficult with jet lag, fatigue and adapting to the new place, but a little effort will go a long way. Be sure not to be overconfident either, that can be of more harm than help.

DRESS CODES

Because of the heat and humidity, business dress in Singapore is often casual. For the first few days, dress formally but after that, play it by ear. The rainy season is November through January, but sudden showers occur all year long. Many people carry an umbrella every day.

Custom made suits, leather shoes, handbags and wallets, all, relative to India, are very expensive in Singapore. Arrange for these before you leave.

Clothing

Clothing is an important part of first impressions and how we react to someone is largely based on our initial response to the person's appearance and first impressions count. Note the following:

• Standard formal office wear for men is dark trousers, light-colored long-sleeved or short-sleeved shirt, and tie, without a jacket.
• Businesswomen wear a light-colored long-sleeved blouse and a skirt. Stockings and business suits are reserved for more formal offices.
• Fashions for businesswomen tend to be more frilly and decorative than those worn by U.S. businesswomen.
• As a foreigner, you should dress more conservatively until you are sure what degree of formality is expected.
• Men should expect to wear a suit jacket and tie, and remove them if it seems appropriate. Whatever you wear, try to stay clean and well-groomed; bathe several times a day if necessary.
• Casual clothing (like jeans and T-shirts) is acceptable in some companies, but make sure before you turn up for work dressed like that.
• Many Singaporean men wear an open-necked batik shirt to work. These are also popular for casual wear.
• Jeans are good for casual wear, but shorts should be avoided.
• In deference to Muslim and Hindu sensibilities, women should always wear blouses that cover at least their upper arms. Skirts should be knee length or longer.

SOCIAL PRACTICES

You will need to interact with colleagues in a social environment at one time or another, either at parties or business dinners in restaurants. This section contains tips on how to handle these occasions.

PARTIES

Parties and business entertaining usually occurs after business hours and very rarely in the home. You will be entertained often, sometimes on short notice. Take advantage of any invitations to social events. Establishing a successful business relationship hinges on establishing a social relationship as well. Food is vitally important in Singapore culture and social occasions always involve food.

Things to remember:

• When invited to a party, or on a social visit, it is customary to take a small gift.
• When you're invited, confirm your acceptance, and get there on time. Don't be the last one to leave.
• Respond to written invitations in writing.
• Among the Chinese, white and blue are colors associated with sadness; do not print invitations on paper of these colors. red or pink paper is a good choice for invitations.
• Generally, spouses may be invited to dinners but not to lunch. However, no business will be discussed at an event where spouses are present.
• Singapore's anti-corruption laws are so strict that government officials may be prohibited from attending social events.
• If you want to take a friend with you, ask your host in advance.
• If you smoke, it is a good idea to ask first.

DINING OUT

Singapore, being multi-cultural, has a variety of cuisines. As every taste has its flavour, every food has its style. Chinese cuisine is eaten with chopsticks, most Malay and Indian cuisine with the right hand (never the left), Indonesian and Thai cuisine with a large spoon and fork. A gourmet would no more eat a Chinese meal with knife and fork than a filet mignon with chopsticks. Yet, enjoying Asian styles of dining begins only with a first try.

Asian meals are usually served in large bowls placed in the center of the table, with each diner helping himself to a little from each bowl. Piling up your plate with food is not only impolite but unwise. With more dishes to follow, by taking a little you can always help yourself to more. Local people are pleased if you join them in their styles of dining, for a simple reason: they know it tastes better that way.

Otherwise Singaporean table manners are not that different from those in the West though it wouldn't be a bad idea to learn to eat with chopsticks, and you can even ask your colleagues to help you out. Observe other diners and follow their lead, especially when drinking.

If you opt to eat 'Western-style' at a formal or semi-formal dinner, remember the following:

• Place your napkin on your lap when seated at the dining table. If you need to leave the table at any point, place your napkin on the table to your left.
• Keep your free hand in your lap or rest your wrist of the edge of the table.
• Do not gesture with your knife, fork or spoon in your hand. If you are not using any cutlery, put it down.
• About Singapore cutlery, always start from the outside and work your way course by course towards the center.

The hospitality of a Singaporean friend is warm. If invited to a colleague's home:

• it is customary to bring a small gift of fruit or cakes.
• Visitors are received as honoured guests.
• Without hesitating, the hostess prepares some drinks, the best of whatever is available in the house whether it be rare imported tea or an iced soft drink.
• Women pride themselves in serving good food any time a guest arrives, nothing pleases a hostess more than knowing her guests enjoy her cooking.
• All Malays, Indians and Chinese remove their shoes at the door to keep the house free from dust . No host would insist his visitors do so, but it is the polite and appropriate way to enter a home.

There may not be many opportunities for formal dinners, but it would be a good idea to be prepared for such occasions. You confidence at the dinner table reflect your personality and sociability. Dinners are great occasions to get to know people because it is a relaxed atmosphere. Use these opportunities to get to know people better.

TIPPING

Tips are mos t welcome the world over and Singapore is no exception. This is especially true of places like night clubs, friendly bars and expensive restaurants. Here the magic number is 10 percent. Leading hotels are kind enough to do the tipping for you by adding a 10 percent service charge to every bill; so tipping a second time around is not necessary. Bellboys and porter receive from S$1 upwards, depending upon the complexity of the errand. In small local restaurants, food stalls and taxis, the bill includes the service, so a thank you (serima kaseh in Malay), with a smile will do fine.

DRINKS

In Singapore, drinking on social occasions is the norm. However, while purchasing alcohol strict rules are enforced. You have to be above 18 years of age to purchase alcohol so be sure to have some verification of your age, while making the purchase, for example your passport. Alcohol in Singapore is more expensive than it is either in India or the West.

SMOKING

For health reasons, smoking is discouraged, though not banned. In some public places like cinemas, theaters, libraries, lifts, public buses and government offices, smoking is prohibited and the offense carries a fine of up to S$500. No-smoking signboards are on display in such places. So only "light up" where permissible.

• Find out your company's policy on smoking. Observe other smokers, or ask where you are allowed to smoke.
• Never smoke in an area designated as “No Smoking”. Rules are very strict.
• You should ensure you have an ashtray with you and that you never litter the floor with empty wrappers and used matches or cigarette stubs.
• If you are being entertained by a colleague or you are visiting him, never light up without asking first.

HYGIENE

Hygiene is an important but personal issue, and it is assumed that you are able to look after that. Some tips to keep in mind:

• Use deodorants even if you bathe daily.
• Avoid hair oil. If essential use non-oily creams.
• Avoid use of oil on the body, even in cold weather.
• Use mouth-fresheners (mints) after meals (especially after Indian food). If this is not done it becomes very noticeable at after-lunch meetings and is extremely unpleasant.