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| CIVO
shares insights into innovation in MTI |
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The
world’s
richest men in the last century were the Sultan
of Brunei and John D. Rockefeller, both oil tycoons.
Today, the richest man in the world is Bill Gates,
a knowledge worker, pointed out Mr Lee Suan Hiang, Chief Executive SPRING Singapore
and Ministry of Trade and Industry’s (MTI) Chief Innovation Officer, in
an interview with Challenge.
He was highlighting the fact that while many countries were able to generate
growth through resource-based development in the past, thriving in today’s
knowledge-based economy demands a rather different approach.
Bringing home the point, he said, “Singapore is a small country with no
natural resources. The only asset we have is our people. Although resources are
scarce, knowledge is abundant and there’s no limit to our imagination.
If we can unleash our imagination and leverage on our innovations, we will be
able to find a niche for ourselves.”
Mr Lee went on to give other reasons for innovation. Tracing Singapore’s
economic development over the years, he said that we had progressed beyond the
labour-driven phase and investment-driven phase and entered the innovation-driven
stage of development. And competition is now more intense than ever.
Hence Singapore has no choice but to find new ways of creating value. He added, “As
the ministry responsible for economic development, MTI needs to take cognisance
of the situation, and change accordingly.”
Blueprint for innovation
An innovation framework based on four C’s was developed to foster innovation
in MTI: |
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Culture — making
innovation a way of life in MTI, ensuring
that it permeates every level and sphere
of activity |
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Competencies — introducing
various programmes, initiatives, tools and
techniques to equip MTI staff to be more
innovative |
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Connectivity — providing
opportunities for staff from the different
agencies to network, learn and share ideas,
and connecting people with ideas with those
who can make things happen |
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Conditions — reviewing
rules and regulations, stream-lining processes,
and allowing staff suggestions to surface,
be considered and implemented if found to
be practical and effective |
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Driving
innovation in the long run
Sharing his thoughts on how to sustain the innovation drive, Mr Lee said that
when doing something new, it is vital to get some quick hits and early successes.
Equally important is the need to reach the tipping point very quickly. He said, “If
we do a blitz and try to cover as much as we can, as quickly as we can, more
people will come on board, and those who do not will see that they are missing
out.
“Once we reach the tipping point, the momentum will see us through. If
we do it
very slowly, we may never get there.”
Another critical factor is to make innovation a stakeholder-driven programme.
This can be achieved by adopting a holistic approach, introducing as many initiatives
as possible, and encouraging 100% participation in WITs, SSS, etc. This way,
staff will soon see how the various initiatives fit into the total scheme of
things in MTI and that innovation can bring about useful outcomes for all, he
said. |
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Next: Innovation
is the buzzword in MTI
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| Hear
what CE SPRING Singapore has
to say about: |
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| “We
need big breakthroughs, but we also
need the thousands of little innovations,
even if they only make 1% improvements.
Both are equally important.… Everyone
has what it takes to be innovative
and can make a difference.” |
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| When
it comes to innovation, take care
to avoid
what MTI’s CIVO, Mr Lee Suan
Hiang, calls the “seven deadly
sins”. Click
here to find out what they are! |
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