Your Say Presentation Group 1

1. Your Say PresentationGroup 1 Jamie (4) Jie Ying (6) Si Yun (7) Zhi Wei (11) Hui Qi (14) Elliott (23)

2. Topic: Work/ Economy Issue: What are the most important traits that employers are looking for in the 21st century?

3. Definitions Traits : Distinguishedcharacteristic or quality, especially of one's personal nature. (from one’s innate personality) 21st century: Fast changing world ; Globalization

4. Think… • For a start, what traits or qualities do you think that employers in the 21st Century are looking for in employees? • Have you ever thought about it? • Now, let me reveal the traits that we think are the most important…

5. Why?

6. So… • Adaptability • Good interpersonal relationship • Responsibility Why do you think we have specifically selected these traits? We chose these traits as the top few most important traits that employers are looking for in the 21st century.

7. Why choose adaptability? - Without adaptability, workers are unable to absorb new skills • Eg: In the electronic technology departments, employees have to keep up with the ever-changing trends hence they need to be able to adapt fast enough.

8. Now, let’s ask you a question… • From our chosen trait of adaptability, can you think of an animal that has great adaptability to its surroundings? • Yes, it is the chameleon But how does this have to do with our presentation??

9. Analogy of Chameleon • A chameleon has high adaptability. • It changes its colour every time its environment changes. • It blends in with its surroundings to escape from predators, for SURVIVAL Now the question is how is this even related to our point?

10. Explanation… • Similar to a chameleon, one has to have high adaptability to survive in today’s“dog-eat-dog” corporate world. • Most people in the working world will do anything via any means just to achieve their goal, and one has to be adaptable in order to accept new changes and move on. • Adaptability prevents us from being replaced by a more adaptable employee when there is a change in environment.

11. Why choose adaptability? • Increases competency and survival in 21st century • Local example: Companies providing courses for employees to further enhance the skills of workers. (Enhancing Training Support)

12. Why choose adaptability? • Local example: Enhancing Training Support • Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) , has established an enhanced funding in 1 July 2012 to encourage Small Medium Enterprises (SME) to send their employees for training. http://www.wda.gov.sg/content/wdawebsite/programmes_and_initiatives/EnhancedTrainingSupportforSMEs.html

13. Explanation(II) • Most employers would want for every single of their employees to continue on with their tasks as per normal even if there was a change in manpower, policies, benefits, and etc. • Thus, adaptability is a very important trait that employers look for in an employee, in the 21st century.

14. Why good interpersonal relationships? • Foster good relationships in the workplace -Colleagues are able to communicate and work better together -Essential in presentations/projects -Observed during probation

15. Why good interpersonal relationships? Employees can • build teamwork • communicate better with colleagues Work projects would be handled and completed efficiently.

16. when employees get along well, there will be lesser conflicts, maintaining a harmonious working environment which is what employers want. This quality can be observed in one during the probation period. (a time frame which a new employee may have his employment terminated on the grounds of unsuitability) Why good interpersonal relationships? • When employees get along well, there will be lesser conflicts, maintaining a harmonious working environment which is what employers would want. • Good interpersonal relationships can be observed during the probation period.

17. Why responsibility? • Quality work completed on time • Company will have good reputation • Trust built-up between employers and employees

18. Why responsibility? • Ahigh degree of camaraderie, with the boss would be fostered. • A dependable employee’s work productivity would increase

19. Why did we not choose hardworking?

20. Hardworking - Work may not be done with quality, not up to employer’s expectation • One’s working capability is based on IQ (Intelligence Quotient)

21. Think deeper… • Why did we use a picture of a bee in our previous slide as we mentioned about being hardworking is not the mostimportant trait that employers are looking for in employees? • There must be a reason as to why… anyone care to make a guess?

22. Analogy of a Bee • Working bees are very hardworking, as it has to collect nectar by the order of the queen bee. • However, it does not actually know what it is doing. All it knows is that is has to collect nectar in order for its colony to survive. • Although it is hardworking and doing its very best, it is not enough.

23. Explanation… • Hardworking should not be the most important trait. • Being hardworking alone is just not enough. • If all he knows is that he just has to complete all his designated tasks on time and does not know the real aim/goal while doing his tasks, the employee would not be as productive as somebody who has other skills which are more important.

24. In the fast changing 21st century, employers would value employees of better ability. • Not having the competency to excel in the expertise may cause one to be fired • Thus, employers need employees with high productivity

25. Research: Loyalty to the current organisation and furthering one’s career are closely related. • The skills one needs to acquire for his career growth may be essential for the current company. • Employers can foster loyalty, by helping employees to master new skills required for their progression, ideally within the same company.) http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100509/BusinessTimes/bt38.html

26. Loyalty is earned and not given if it is not reciprocated.  • Loyalty has no direct factor in the success or the productivity of the organization. • Thus, loyalty is not important. http://www.corrections.com/news/article/29189-loyalty-in-the-workplace

27. Many workers today hold positions at multiple companies during their careers. • They may feel no particular loyalty to remain at any organization for any great length of time. http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/workplace-loyalties-change-but-the-value-of-mentoring-doesnt/

28. Patience • Required in teamwork • A stepping stone for having a good interpersonal relationship • Does not affect the quality of work that one produces • Thus, patience is not important when employers look for employees.

29. Conclusion • Employers are looking for employees who are able to effectively produce quality work, in the globalised 21st century, which has a competitive working environment.

30. Credits… www.google.com (for the pictures) http://www.wda.gov.sg/content/wdawebsite/programmes_and_initiatives/EnhancedTrainingSupportforSMEs.html http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100509/BusinessTimes/bt38.html http://www.corrections.com/news/article/29189-loyalty-in-the-workplace http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/workplace-loyalties-change-but-the-value-of-mentoring-doesnt/ (for examples)