Intelligence is Value

The media in Singapore has realized, reluctantly albeit, that tech savvy youth and the next gen of internet users are outnumbering the users of traditional media. It would be correct to say that they have become disillusioned with the traditional media finding it slow and unfit with their fast moving lifestyles. These are the people who find that online media is ideally suited to their lifestyles as they can not only get access to online media when they need it and have the time, they also find that this form of media is much more interactive and allows them to be a part of the media.

The facts are there for everyone to see. The increasing surfing time and decreasing time reading newspapers and watching TV has signaled the decline of traditional media and the upsurge of online media. A comparison of ad revenues generated by traditional media and online media tells the real story. However, Singapore was caught yawning as far as content on online media is concerned as compared t the neighbor Malaysia, the online dailies in Singapore do not hire full time professionals even.

Ease of doing business notwithstanding, doing business in a country with a different culture, people, language, cuisine, and dress code is certainly a shocker especially if you are an entrepreneur coming from Canada or US. But respect for cultural diversity is essential for Singapore society. To make it easier for businessmen, culture in Singapore is based more on relationships than financial transactions. This is something that is hard to understand for an American, but crucial for succeeding in this Asian city state that has a population made up with descendants of Indian and Chinese immigrants brought here to work in rubber plantations by the British in the 19th and 20th centuries.

This is where it is prudent for the westerners to show patience as business does not seem to grow fast initially in Singapore. Singaporeans give more weightage to relationships and let the association cement and take shape. This is why entrepreneurs belonging to alien cultures must remain patient to allow the business to grow. To help his business, an entrepreneur must build relations to build business. Showing respect is also given importance and this is why people call others not by their first names but by calling out Mr. this and that until a relationship has been cemented.

In recent times, the decreasing sales of local businesses in Singapore have got a big boost with the help of online media marketing. The search for local businesses has increased manifold with the advent of internet and search engines and advertising in online media.

Online media has definitely come to stay. From a modest beginning with a single online newspaper way back in 2000 today there are no less than 18 online newspapers being published carrying latest breaking news from different sectors of economy. While some are concentrating on trade and finance, others are providing information on politics and political parties. This reflects the growing trend of more and more Singapore netizens taking advantage of online media to not only get breaking news in their locality but also to keep an eye on the products and services advertised in these online newspapers.

It is clear why youth of Singapore loves online media over traditional media. It is possible to get videos of events as and when they happen in online media while one can only see the images of an event in offline media. There are also surveys and opinion polls that excite people and they take part in them to feel involved with social issues.