Leaving Singapore? Let's look at the Global Innovation Alliance first

If you still haven’t heard, Minister Heng Swee Keat announced in Budget 2017 that the government will set aside $100m to set up a Global Innovation Alliance for Singaporeans to gain overseas experience, build networks, and collaborate with their counterparts in other innovative cities.

The government can set aside countless amounts of money for different plans, but it’s the reception of the people that matter.

So what do the people of Singapore feel about working overseas and the effectiveness of the Global Innovation Alliance? Let’s take a look at what Singaporeans think based on the results of a recent survey.

Out of the 129 survey respondents, 116 displayed interests in working overseas. 19 to 23 year olds have the highest percentage of those who do not want to venture out of Singapore.

Figure 1. Bar Graph displaying reasons why some Singaporeans do not want to work overseas

Everything has its pros and cons. People worry about their family, safety, cost and much more (as seen above) when they work overseas, and this may be enough to deter some people from it.

But nevertheless, most people still choose to venture out of the country. So why do these people want to go overseas? “Better job opportunities and higher probability of success.”

Most mainly feel that going out of the country can give them more exposure and help expand their network of connections.

Many expressed that they want a change in their environment from Singapore, and others find that going overseas can fulfill their desire for adventure as well as build their portfolio.

Some also find that working overseas can give them better employment benefits, such as work life balance and a slower lifestyle pace.

These are the general reasons that were indicated, but here’s my personal favourite: “SG is a lovely place and everything [is] in order but the weather just sucks.”

The Global Innovation Alliance would first involve three major markets of San Francisco, Beijing and selected ASEAN countries. When asked to rank the three markets according to their willingness to work there, these are the results produced by the 129 survey respondents:

Figure 2. Pie Chart on the respondents' first choice in the market they want to visit

These choices are made mainly based on the respondents’ perceptions of the extent of the exposure they will be receiving, worries over cultural differences and safety issues or costs of living.

The proximity of the countries to Singapore are also a concern, especially for those who have family members to take care of here.

While some have very altruistic reasons as well, such as: “I believe that residing in third-world countries helps me to [connect more] with their poverty [to allow me to better] help those in need.”

Others have more basic considerations, like communication: “English is their first language lol.”

I think this is a very important point of consideration, especially for those who don’t speak the native languages of certain countries too, lol.

A good few also mentioned that they would rather venture into less developed markets such as those of some ASEAN countries as it will increase the degree of opportunities for one to learn.

Some merely chose the countries based on their personal attachment to them too.

But one of the most repeated words that I saw—among those that gave their own opinions—was “potential”. Market potential, business potential, job potential… Seems like Singaporeans can be quite far-sighted too, right?

91 out of the 129 respondents rank the value of the Global Innovation Alliance to their professional career as 7 or above out of a total score of 10. That’s more than 70%!

But being a kiasu Singaporean, that number has got to be 100%. So here’s some crowd-sourced information on what Singaporeans want most to ensure a greater approval for the programme as well as to ensure a better transition for workers into their foreign markets: “For non-English speaking countries, I believe personal interest [in picking up the language] also plays a part, you have to be at least conversationally fluent in the language.”

Language bridging courses won the most votes amongst all the respondents, with 101 respondents finding it important, especially for those who do not speak the native languages of many ASEAN countries or China.

No doubt, having a personal interest for the language is indeed important as well. How is anyone going to learn and converse fluently in a language they do not like?

A large majority also find courses that introduce the characteristics of the foreign market they are being sent to and orientation into the company they are moving into to be important.

Some find the opportunity to visit the country before being posted a crucial one, while others think that having a local guide to bring them around when they first arrive is just as important.

A golden question for many Singaporeans is, what if I want to come back to Singapore after working overseas? No worries, your fellow Singaporean has sent in a suggestion to solve your problem: “Career path for their return when needed.”

Figure 3. Simplified guide to 'what Singaporeans think as crucial in ensuring a smoother transition into working overseas’

Overall, Singaporeans have expressed positive remarks for the Global Innovation Alliance, especially since the job market in Singapore has been increasingly competitive.

Indeed, going overseas is a viable option for those seeking greater experience and a wider network of connections, and it may even better cater to your profession.

But more importantly, economic restructuring has resulted in the need for more innovative individuals in Singapore, and how can we be any more creative than we already are if we stay confined in our country without seeing how the rest of the world is run?

Every market in the world is different. The experience Singaporeans will gain in managing different markets is an effective and much needed skills upgrade for workers of the economic hub of Southeast Asia.

Furthermore, going overseas allows us to build connections easier and with more breadth. By understanding how others live and by having connections all over the globe, it will aid in the bid for Singaporeans to be globalised citizens.

As the Committee for Future Economy says,

"By drawing international connections and bringing together a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we can spark new innovation activity… The practice of connecting and working with global partners across geographical and cultural boundaries also inculcates mind-sets and instincts that are more alert and ready to tap into opportunities everywhere".

It’s time for Singaporeans to step out of their comfort zones, under the protection of the world class economy they live in. Especially in the age where protectionist policies are a trend, we need to keep our stand on the importance of globalisation.

(Mar 2017)