Yvonne Tham

Ultimate Guide to Starting & Running a Business in Singapore In this omnibus document, I discuss legal & regulatory aspects a founder would typically encounter in starting and running a business. More than just legal info, I share practical guidance and insights from experience. Our team has helped clients from start-up founders to CEOs and Board Directors of listed companies navigate complex legal terrain, deals, and disputes. We’ve worked with businesses from many sectors, including fintech, media and entertainment, manufacturing, oil & gas, financial services, and food & beverage (F&B). I also cover legal documents, contracts, and agreements which a business can expect to encounter through its lifecycle from founding to growth stages. Read more in the PDF below. Also available on our website: https://lnkd.in/gDXEzmBw #UltimateBusinessGuide #Corporate #Commercial #StartUps #NewVentures #SMEs #Entrepreneurship

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“Why Is the Government Like That?” Whether we like it or not, the government is deeply embedded in our lives. They ensure our water is safe to drink, provide affordable pre-schools for everyone, and attract MNCs to invest in Singapore, creating jobs for Singaporeans. For social enterprises, NGOs, SSAs, and similar organizations, achieving the impact you aspire to can be challenging. Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience and are looking to level up your organization, partnering with the government could be a valuable strategy. They can offer connections, guidance, and resources to support your mission. However, working with the government can be complex and, at times, frustrating. That’s why I’m excited to share insights from my 10 years of experience across the public, private, and people sectors with participants in the Specialist Diploma in Social Entrepreneurship at SIMGE (SIM Global Education). This will be an interactive workshop where I’ll dive into how the government thinks, talks, and acts. I’m also looking forward to learning from the leaders in their respective fields. Can’t wait to meet everyone and exchange ideas.

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Thank you to the speakers, the participants, and the amazing back-of-house support who brought the magic to #SingaporeDesignWeek’s Design Futures Forum 2024. It has been such an uplifting two days! After an incredible day of thought leadership yesterday, as we explored the role of design in the future of emerging technology, sustainability, and care, today we got more practical, with hands-on activities and lots of audience engagement. The future of care session, which I was fortunate enough to curate and moderate, brought together designers, and leaders who leverage the power of design, to examine the roles of fashion, environments, and culture in shaping our experiences and outcomes of care. We ran a “reverse” debate, in which our speakers pitched for one of these design domains as the most critical in impacting the future of care. But, of course, we all agreed that care cannot rely on one of these aspects alone. I loved the fact that my speakers argued their own case, and then argued on behalf of the other panellists too! True collaborators! Common themes emerged across the panels of speakers: The future of care needs us to design dignity, fuelled by empathy, into what we wear, the spaces we exist in, and the cultures we develop. Claudia Poh and Ting-Ting Zhang 张婷婷 showed us that fashion is one of the easiest areas to start designing care for the population into, bringing empowerment and wellness into our lives, and something relatively actionable for all. Designing environments that care, however, would take longer. Proud Patanavanich and Li Lian Liew shared research-backed arguments demonstrating the benefits of designing nature and comfort into our care spaces, to measurably reduce adverse health outcomes, but acknowledged this would take effort and investment to realise. In terms of culture, everyone agreed this needs a long term game plan, and even that we may never live to see the benefits of investments made to design cultures that care. Eason Yang and Maria del Pilar D. shared powerful examples of the impact and need to influence cultures of care. But achieving caring mindsets in our communities will require change across many aspects of life, and design. I found it fascinating that stigma and taboos were also unifying themes. From the stigmas associated with designing for women’s health (when half the population deals with menstruation each month, why do we still pretend that sanitary towels are designed to absorb bright blue liquids, rather than blood?!), to the taboos associated with discussing end of life (an issue that affects the entire population, yet something none of us wish to acknowledge), to the mindsets encountered by cancer survivors (it turns out that society is not very welcoming to those who’ve fought the big C). Perhaps the most critical issue to address, if we want to positively impact the future of care, is the challenging of stigmas and old beliefs.

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I recently came across an article about a trending Reddit thread where Singaporeans shared their "dream careers they'd never pursue." From aspiring museum curators to hopeful mushroom farmers, the thread is a fascinating glimpse into the careers we fantasize about but never follow through on. 🎨🍄 But here's the kicker - **money**. Over and over, people cited financial constraints as the reason they couldn't chase these dreams. "Money still matters at the end of the day," one user bluntly stated. 💸 Are we letting financial concerns stifle our passions? While it's easy to dismiss these dreams as impractical, this conversation reveals a much deeper issue. We're stuck in a cycle where economic stability is prioritized over personal fulfillment. This isn’t just a Singaporean issue; it’s a global one. 🌍 Imagine a world where passion didn't come with a financial penalty. How many of us would be living different lives? Would job satisfaction and mental health skyrocket if people could pursue what truly excites them without worrying about making ends meet? It's time we rethink our approach to careers and money. Shouldn’t we strive for a balance where our professional lives nourish our souls as much as they do our bank accounts? 💬 What do you think? Is it time for a paradigm shift in how we value work and passion? #CareerDreams #PassionVsPracticality #WorkLifeBalance #FinancialStability #CareerFulfillment

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Behind the scenes with Junie😎🤔🧐 With so many panel discussions on every imaginable topic being put up these days and fireside chats( in humid, tropical Singapore) more people are being invited to moderate events. Some may think, " ah, easy, just ask questions and let the people on the panel be on the hot seat". A panel discussion moderator doesn't just show up on the day of the event and wing it. Research is done before the event, a discussion with the panels, and some familiarize themselves with the topic in order to anticipate potential audience questions and prepare for them. We have all attended enough events to identify the good moderators - they are able to hold the discussion without making it about themselves. The moderator is a guiding hand to create the best possible environment for the speakers to shine, without putting too much attention on himself/ herself. Thank you, Philip Forrest AM Suling Lin Shai Ganu for bringing out insights from our panellists and enriching the discussions.... and the glue is the emcee: weaving the tapestry into a beautiful piece of art Soh Chin Ong Singapore Council Of Women's Organisations #scwo #genderequality#sage

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Love these two!!! Ai and Jimmy revisit the Royal town of Klang. I had such a great time doing this episode. The food and location plus these two amazing people were the special ingredients that create magic for me. Together we explore what gives a city its soul. Enjoy! #aichangrm #soulcitiesplacemaker #aplacemakersguide #cities #citieswithsoul #placemaking

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MAORI IWI CHAIR'S FORUM MEETINGS WITH THE GOVERNMENT I need clarity to calm my initial confusion I did not know that all Iwi chairs met with the government to discuss improving outcomes for Maori I wonder how long this has been going on for I wonder if all those IWI chairs considered working together with the government to use settlement money with some government support to create the following Maori led initiatives Maori led Child Care and Protection Services Maori led Health Services including mental health Maori led criminal and civil legal representation Services Maori led Corrections Services It would be interesting to know HOW LONG the iwi forum has been meeting so we can all ask the following questions 1. WHY HAVE THEY NOT STEPPED IN FOR MAORI TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY GIVEN THE STATE HAS CAUSED MAORI SO MUCH HARM WITH THEIR SERVICES? 2. HOW HAVE IWI FORUM ADDRESSED THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF COLONISATION AND INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA?

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I recently had the opportunity to speak on a panel at the Mental Health Film Festival Singapore about help-seeking. We focused on youth, specifically younger children, who are often believed to not commonly develop mental illnesses. Yet, it is perhaps this group that requires slightly more attention, given the unique developmental stage and the subsequent manifestation of signs of potential mental health challenges. Unlike their older counterparts, mental distress at such a young age can surface as seemingly inconsequential signs or be interpreted as the child seeking attention. From psychosomatic issues such as frequent headaches, tummy aches, or other muscle pains, to being clingy or detached, sudden shifts in behavior, emotions, or interactions are signs that shouldn't be ignored or dismissed. Even if they are unwilling or ready to talk about their issues, it's important to create an environment where children do not fear speaking up and raising their concerns. Encouraging and empowering them with a voice while balancing the urge to hover too much over every aspect of their life is difficult but essential to helping children develop resilience. Avoid rushing to problem-solve even if the answers seem obvious. It's more important that a child is able to hear and knows that people are listening. Listen, ask questions, find out more, empathize, and then ask if they want your advice or proposed solution. Children may be young, but the desire to feel heard and seen transcends age, as does the need to know we are supported and protected. #mentalhealth #psychology #Singapore #linkedin

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“From DREAMS to RAIL-ITY” – a cute play on words! Looking at the competition brief, I’m excited by the opportunity to engage the public and gather innovative ideas to transform the former Tanjong Pagar railway station. It appears that Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore (URA) is expecting more technical submissions rather than simple ideas from the general public, judging by the submission requirements. With a top prize of $6,500, I wonder what the intent of this competition is. My guess is that this will be most appealing to students who could improve their portfolio. If given the choice, I would love to make this competition more accessible to the general public. Imagine hosting brainstorming workshops at the railway station! We could have different competition categories – kids, students, adults, and professionals – with tailored requirements to make it more fun and less intimidating for everyone. Would love to hear views from others, especially those in the architecture and design space. See the brief at https://lnkd.in/gXvFdWkD 

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In this concluding post in the series, we explore the final years of Tan Yeok Nee’s extraordinary life, offering a reflection on his business ventures and official roles. It reveals the complexities of interpreting past actions through the lens of modern values, shedding light on the challenges of judging history by today’s standards. https://lnkd.in/gQ_rRHGr

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As we approach World Mental Health Day, it’s heartening to see the increasing support for mental wellbeing across organisations, schools, and tertiary institutions. Everyone faces different levels of mental and emotional challenges, and it's important to acknowledge these experiences, not just for ourselves but for those around us. By identifying and adopting best practices for mental wellness, we can all contribute to a more compassionate and resilient community. Let’s continue the conversation on how we can collectively prioritise mental health—because it matters, every day. #MentalHealthMatters #Wellbeing #SupportNetwork #WorldMentalHealthDay

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Childhood emotional adversities, while often invisible, could have the most significant tangible impact on our citizens' life trajectories. Among the 11 ACEs identified in this Singapore study by Jianlin Liu Mythily Subramaniam and team, emotional neglect was experienced by the highest number of people surveyed (46.5%), and emotional abuse being the 4th most prevalent (8%). This is extremely concerning, considering that both are preventable. The real numbers could be higher as people may forget or choose to hide their negative experiences in the survey. What surrounds the child shapes their experiences. Supporting families with children (direct environment) who are exposed or at-risk of exposing to ACEs becomes very important. I'm glad that KKH has taken an imperative step to identify these families early and provide targeted interventions to help children learn to manage challenges at home and to strengthen parenting capacity. Global findings over the years have also revealed how the combination of nurturing relationships and the power of self-expressive play could mitigate the effects of ACEs and also play a large role in prevention. This is part of the evolving work we are building at Playeum with our partners, including MSF, to support low-income families with children in Bedok (where we are also based in!) through our weekly community play sessions - using artful and creative play as a way to strengthen family bonds, social participation, and resilience in our children. I believe this needs to happen for every child, every family in Singapore and in more communities, because prevention and starting early is truly better than cure. We don't need ACEs to surface to act on what matters! The full study: https://lnkd.in/gtj2ddav The Straits Times Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore (MSF) National Council of Social Service (NCSS)

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In Singapore, we tend to shy away from talking about our failures. They are often waved away as 'past challenges' and the conversation is then steered towards successes or other topics. This has happened many times during my interviews. Initially, I would press newsmakers to get them to delve a bit deeper into their failures, because a story on growth and redemption almost always reads better than a straight story just celebrating success. But it has become increasingly difficult to get people to talk about their shortcomings, especially with many PRs and comms teams insisting on butting in mid-interview. So aside from the typical rehabilitation story, you might find it difficult to pull up a story with a profile that really confronts their failures. I know I did. When I prepare my material for the occasional talk to students about journalism, I try to weave in stories that demonstrate the values needed for the job. Resilience, of course, is a big one. Picking yourself up quickly after failing, pushing forward and pressing on is absolutely necessary for any career journalist. It's also necessary for life. So when I heard that HTX (Home Team Science & Technology Agency) had an award celebrating failure, I insisted on a story. It's not every day you hear about failure being celebrated on an institutional level in Singapore, especially in the civil service. Hopefully this catches on, setting an example for future generations and encouraging those who find it difficult to confront failure to get back up and keep trying. For the kids. Read about the Undaunted Award here: https://lnkd.in/gpp8zJNB

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Every self-professed Singaporean foodie will have something to say about Singapore food, and the good ol’ days, and how things are no longer authentic or good or affordable. Even if it were all true, it still doesn’t solve the issue of preserving “authentic” and “traditional” food and flavours. There is no archival library of flavours and dishes. The best we have is to archive and record the recipes and the history, the narratives and observable cultural practices surrounding the dishes and the community that savours and prepares it. So, I think we should have more of that: more food books by the likes of Christopher Tan and his awesome work like “The Way of Kueh”, which can be treasured not only as a recipe book but an archival of tradition and heritage and culture. So, people should buy more of his books and the likes, and call for more of such books for all the different Singapore cuisines. https://lnkd.in/gHj6FfBM

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My first meeting of the day started at 7.30am, taking a walk with Hock Lin Sng 孫福霖 from Silver Generation Office while we discuss about how we can help address ageing challenges in SG. It was an invigorating discussion as we talk about how important systems-thinking is for us to: 🌿Understand and diagnose the causes of challenges in this ageing space; 🌿Support and enable collaboration amongst agencies in multi-sectors; and 🌿Sustain the activated communities When I was assigned this portfolio in May, I see so many agencies doing so many good work and projects. At the National Healthcare Group’s workplan seminar earlier, I saw 80+ projects up for sharing on posters, and every agency’s work is impactful. (These 80+ projects are likely just a small percentage of the good that is being carried out every day to support healthy ageing) A question my team asks ourselves on a daily basis is what is our role and value add in this? How can we as a grantmaker further support an evidence- and community-driven collective impact approachso that the systems grows to be more intelligent in identifying issues (eg through data to understand and validate the gaps) and more effective in designing interventions? Three big takeaways from my conversation with Hock Lin are: 🎋 Not every good solution is scalable or can be mainstreamed. (Naval wars are fought differently in blue oceans and in small straits!) How can we balance sustainability of interventions and the impact of innovative pilots for different needs on the ground? 🎋 Different generations of aged have different aspirations and demands. How can we ensure that policymakers and service providers have in preparing the next generations for ageing? (This is something that Tote Board is already in discussion with our Future-ready Society partnership with Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy! ⭐️) 🎋 How can we help evolve and sustain these activated communities? Many a time it is the “leader” of such groups that matter. When I listen to our new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speak about different pathways of success, I also ask myself how can we unlock the potential of the people in this third or fourth age? Between retirement at 62-65 years ago and the expected life expectancy of 87 years, there is a good 20-25 years of social wealth, energies and health that we can tap on to make SG a vibrant and loveable (and liveable) city. Thanks Hock Lin Sng 孫福霖 for the conversation and insights! :D #toteboard #dignifedageing #futurereadysociety

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News of Ministry of Education, Singapore (MOE)'s plans to review the Direct Schools Admission are welcomed. Ensuring that DSA remains accessible to students from all background regardless of their family starting point is important. As the education landscape changes, so must Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) work on social mobility. Tuition still remains our key strategy to improve social mobility of low income children. But it cannot remain as the only strategy. We have to acknowledge that there are many learning pathways for social mobility. Perhaps, the time is ripe to review if more could be done to support interest-based learning in CDAC. This is to allow low income children to access learning opportunities which go beyond academic type only. https://lnkd.in/gGTTD8CY.

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The Forgotten First People of Singapore (Melayu) - Singapore History The Forgotten Indigenous People of Singapore, primarily the Melayu, are an essential yet often overlooked part of Singapore's history. Before the establishment of modern Singapore, the Melayu were among the earliest inhabitants, forming rich cultural and social traditions that contributed to the island's heritage. Historically, the Melayu were part of the Malay Archipelago, known as “Orang Laut,” and engaged in fishing, agriculture, and trade. The arrival of colonial powers in the 19th century drastically changed our way of life, leading to land appropriation and reduced economic opportunities. Despite these challenges, the Melayu maintained our cultural identity through language and traditions. Today, we are recognised as a major ethnic group in Singapore, although their historical significance is often overshadowed. Efforts to preserve Melayu heritage, such as language revitalisation and cultural events, are vital for acknowledging our contributions to Singapore's diverse history. The Melayu represent a significant chapter in Singapore's past, reflecting resilience and cultural richness amid colonialism and modernisation, thus essential for understanding Singaporean identity. Fun Fact: Our national anthem is sung in language of Bahasa Melayu, and our currency features the portrait of Yusof Ishak, the first president of Singapore. #GoodRead

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