It starts out as a documentary of sorts, but thankfully, Angels And Demons builds from a slow beginning to a thriller that leaves you at the edge of your seat. Well, kinda.

Based on the bestselling novel by Dan Brown, this is the follow-up to the clunker known as The Da Vinci Code (which was un-watchable, not because of the religious controversy it tried to stir up, but because it was a badly-planned, extremely boring film with terrible “acting”). If you want to look on the bright side, Angels And Demons is marginally more enjoyable than DVC.

Those who have read the book will lament: “The book was better!”

But my advice is, don’t judge this movie by its book. They cannot be compared, really: Director Ron Howard has taken huge liberties with the storyline. He has even totally altered the name and race of a main character, Camerlengo (Ewan McGregor).

Watching middle-aged Tom Hanks on an ancient treasure hunt “cleverly” devised by the cult-like ancient group known as the Illuminati is strangely enjoyable. Almost like Forrest Gump in The Amazing Race.

The story: The Pope is dead and the Catholic world is in a tizzy. They need a new Pope and fast!

The Vatican prepares for Cardinals all over the world to join together in a Cinderella search for the new Pope, and as the meeting begins, the four most-likely candidates are kidnapped.

Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is back in Rome once again but this time, he is actually invited by the Vatican to help solve a problem. The body of one of the Papal candidates is found, bearing a strange symbol that Langdon quickly identifies as a sign of the Illuminati.

The Illuminati threaten to kill the remaining candidates, one every hour, and after they are all gone, this group would destroy the Vatican with anti-matter (apparently the stuff that caused the “Big Bang” that launched Creation).

Transported from the written page to the silver screen, the ideas of anti-matter and hidden messages in the ancient Vatican Library from the discoverer Galileo come off, unfortunately, as a big bucket of hogwash.

Thusly, Langdon and his requisite hot female geek companion, Vittoria Vetra (played by Ayelet Zurer) race around Rome, looking for statues that point to the locations of the kidnapped Cardinals.

You might, like this reviewer, find yourself bursting into giggles at the sheer absurdity of the plot: Battery-powered anti-matter that can blow a city sky high? That’s like uploading a computer virus to kill a swarm of evil aliens who happen to have Wifi. Oops, sorry ID4.

An ancient cult threatening to destroy the Vatican? Excuse me, these people own more real estate in the world than McDonald’s. They are indestructible by man!

But I guess that’s the beauty of movies, right? Completely unbelievable situations made to seem real on screen. Unfortunately for poor Tom Hanks, director Howard forgot to include “suspension of disbelief”.

Though it strives to be exciting and thrilling, Angels And Demons lacks the breathless, page-turning thrill of Dan Brown’s book. But if you have never read the novel, this movie could seem pretty entertaining, with its race through picturesque Rome and rib-tickling plot twists. It will definitely keep you occupied for two hours.

Rating:

Motherhood, a play scripted three years ago by Cassandra Yeo (popularly known as Sandy), drama director at City Harvest Church (CHC), and Jaslynn Khoo, assistant drama director, finally made it to the stage during the recent Mother’s Day services at City Harvest Church.

Yeo describes Motherhood as “a timeless theme that waited till an opportune time” before it could be unveiled. The play brought the audience through the different life stages of a woman from a young single woman, to a wife and finally a mother. Both Yeo and Khoo, who directed and acted in this play, used the richness of monologues and dialogues to reveal the “strengths and vulnerability of a mother” through the drama. By capturing the voices of a grieving mother whose child has died prematurely, and that of a struggling mother of an autistic child, the drama directors showcased the “span of emotions” and the acting range of the performers, while connecting to the audience through these very real-life scenarios.

The play was entirely performed by four actresses — Yeo, Khoo, Shelia Ther and Wendy Woo. Beneath the hilarity, each female character was an example of true gentleness and sacrifice that underscores every mother’s character, from pregnancy to the day her baby gets married and leaves home.

In seeking inspiration for this play, both Yeo and Khoo named their mothers as role models. Both their mothers have not only given their daughters practical strategies for juggling work and family, they have both survived cancer. Yeo described her mother as headstrong, while Khoo says her mother is “a traditional mum, a model wife, submissive and cooks well.”

Thanks to the close relationships both Yeo and Khoo have with their mothers, they were able to understand and portray the characters’ maternal anxieties and mixed feelings towards pregnancy and child-rearing. Deviating from the usual linear storytelling experience by employing a “vignette” or short story style of presentation, Yeo and Khoo added layers to the whole play.

The highlight of Motherhood, for many, was the Nonya scene (which borrowed the popular theme song from the TV series The Little Nonya). Ironically, Motherhood was actually written before The Little Nonya even existed! Both Yeo’s mother and Khoo’s mother-in-law are Peranakan, and their portrayal of the Nonya matriarch and female clan was side-splittingly spot-on. But running through the heart of that little story was a shrewd observation that modern women lack the obedience and respect for others that previous generations of women have held dear.

PHOTOS: Jaslynn Khoo And Sandy Yeo

For Yeo, who has two children, and Khoo, who has three, balancing kids, work and parents is their daily juggle — one that they aptly portrayed and celebrated with Motherhood.

Currently, the hardworking duo are preparing for their next drama — this time, one for Father’s Day.

The heartbeat of one of Singapore’s fastest rising small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is the simple and refreshing belief of “prospering thy neighbor” along with yourself.

On that principle, Pinnacle Motors became one of the main sponsors of the SME Fiesta. Says CEO Valerie Tan: “It is the very core of entrepreneurship that when others prosper, you prosper with them. The SME Fiesta was a dream to bring together like-minded entrepreneurs and business people to market their expertise, services and products.”

Started with the desire to contribute to the current economy and job market, the SME Fiesta was a showcase for businesses and their products, capitalizing on the heavy human traffic thronging Singapore Expo over the Easter weekend.

The SME Fiesta is only one of Pinnacle’s contributions to society. In December 2007, the company also threw a party for a children’s home, repainting and refurbishing its premises. In 2008, it also introduced cars that ran on compressed natural gas, which reduces the carbon emission coming from vehicles on Singapore roads.

As proof of its belief that prospering others begats prosperity, Pinnacle Motors enjoyed a chain of successes in 2008, including being the first company in the region to attain the coveted ISO 9001: 2000 certification by TÜV SÜD. Pinnacle Motors is a leader in the car industry and its brand recall among Singaporeans is high, having been in the limelight often for its phenomenal success, particularly in the last year.

PHOTOS: Xaiver Tan

In the midst of the moans and groans of the current bleak economy, Pinnacle Motors projects a voice of refreshing optimism. The company now has a disarmingly bold target to reach 100 countries in the next few years, from the 40 it now already reaches. Tan explains: “Even in these difficult times, there is good business to be made. The potential for the car industry is still great and we have every intention of being part of that growth. As for establishing Pinnacle International in 100 countries, we are not limiting ourselves to merely car sales; we are also involved in the export of car parts, CKD (complete knock down) cars, CNG equipment and car accessories. Our goal is to meet the car needs of our target markets.”

Her advice to companies on staying successful in the recession: “Do not be affected by the negative news you hear every day. It should not affect you if you know your destination and the routes to take. Indecisiveness is the riskiest response to the uncertainties of an economic crisis and staying focus on your course is crucial.”

Ultimately, she feels the key to success lies in one’s own self-belief. “There are two businessmen. One thinks he will succeed and the other thinks he will fail. Who do you think is right?

“Both are.”

Dealing age-old classic, top-of-the-line brands such as Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Porsche, First Automobile Pte Ltd is definitely no stranger to the car trade industry.

First Automobile Pte Ltd was first founded in 2000 by Martin Ong and Gerald Wu to fulfill an imperative need for used cars back then.

Both Ong and Wu have since crafted a specialist market handling the purchase and sale of high-end Continental and Japanese cars. The company’s vision is to provide high-quality vehicles and excellent after-sales service — they aim to exceed customers’ expectations.

First Automobile has not been content to rest on its laurels. It has been on a constant expansion drive. In 2003, tapping on the growing export demand of used Right Hand Drive (RHD) Singapore vehicles, Ong and Wu established First Automobile Global Pte Ltd, and in 2007, First Automobile Premium to cater to their rapidly expanding global clientele.

PHOTOS: Xavier Tan

First Automobile Premium Pte Ltd has recently linked up with new suppliers for its Left Hand Drive (LHD) cars for the global (LHD) market, which represents 70 per cent of the world’s total population for cars.

For all its successes, First Automobile is also mindful to give back to society. The company has been actively involved in the Yellow Ribbon Project, which engages the community in giving ex-offenders a second chance at life. First Automobile has created various employment opportunities for these individuals, and even offer them a chance to own a business, under the company’s car grooming division.

“It is the belief we have in youth — no matter how little or big their talent — that differentiates us”, Ruth Quek, Project Strategist of 77th Street said as she introduced City News to local band Helvem, which performed for the Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Fiesta at the Singapore Expo.

Quek and founder Elim Chew of 77th Street first came to know the band when its members visited a 77th Street outlet. They hooked them up with the organizers of the SME Fiesta and set up a performing slot for them.

PHOTOS: Xaiver Tan

It is this passion in youth that has driven 77th Street in all its 21 years of growth. Having started in 1988, in an outlet the size of a cubicle, the streetwear retailer has grown to 14 outlets in Singapore, plus a sprawling 400,000 sq ft mall in China.

But 77th street has not forgotten its roots — it found its success popularizing streetwear among the youth, and it has stayed faithful to those who have followed the brand all these years. “Many of our customers have grown up together with us, so as a brand, we mature as well”, says Ms Quek.

Indeed, 77th street has followed trends closely. It started out carrying skate and surf brands Billabong and Dr Martens back in the 1980s. When hip-hop fever struck, it carried urban street wear labels such as JNCO and FUBU. Today, apart from carrying numerous international brands, 77th Street designs and produces its own house brands.

Chew’s first businesses were a cafe and a hairdressing salon, then she hit upon youth fashion retail and never looked back.

Since then, besides growing the business, Chew has backed up her passion for youth by becoming a driving force in various community campaigns.

77th Street has become a vehicle to invest in young people, through initiatives such as The Young Entrepreneur Mastery (TYEM), which helps develop young entrepreneurs. 77th Street has also invested in the ITE 77th Street Inc. Retail Training Centre, which prepares ITE students for jobs in the retail sector.

77th Street is not content to rest on its success in Singapore. It aims to bring its passion in youth overseas — the mall in China is just the beginning. 77th street has a huge dream for its future. “We hope to have a youth hub in every city,” Ms Quek reveals, envisioning similar youth-oriented malls all over the world.

Dr Nelson Kim is a living example of a marketplace minister. A businessman before he became a minister, Dr Kim is best known for Mook, the fashion brand he created in 1992 in South Korea. In five short years, by 1997, Mook was turning over US$100 million. Following such success, Dr Kim handed the company over to his brother, and went into full-time ministry after graduating from Hansei Theological Seminary.

At a recent business luncheon organized by The Marketplace, at the Swissotel the Stamford, Dr Kim talked about his life and shared his keys to business success. Speaking to business owners and marketplace leaders, he gave an amazing testimony to the power of God, and the miracles that God gave him and his company over the years.

During the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Dr Kim suffered in his business and also his personal life. Business was so bad he found himself on the brink of bankruptcy. At the same time, his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Dr Kim spoke to his mentor in church and was encouraged to fast and pray at the prayer mountain. During this time of humbling and fasting, He felt that God was removing a pious mask, a façade that he had put on because his heart was not fully committed nor sincerely in love with God.

When he repented, the grace and love of God filled the emptiness inside. His father had built a small church on the company grounds but the creditors had taken it away. God gave him the mandate to “rebuild the fallen tent of David”. USD20,000 was needed but Dr Kim did not have the finances to fulfill this call. Through prayer he received the revelation that the company was not his but it belonged to God. A few days later, after putting his products for auction online, God provided Dr Kim with the exact amount for the rebuilding — through online sales!

When this amount was sown to build God a church, God provided another USD2 million to help to bring the entire company out of debt! Today, 95 per cent of his employees have become Christians.

PHOTOS: Gary Sim

During the luncheon, Dr Kim was posed the question on how one should handle economic difficulties during this recession. He provided an answer that encouraged the people to do business God’s way, instead of the way the world does.

“In running a business, you may go through times of affliction or hardship. But never give up. God wants to bless you much more than whatever you have at present. Learn to hear the voice of God, obey it and never give up!” advised Dr Kim.

He shared that the secret to receiving God’s blessing in business was to obey God immediately and completely. He went into full time ministry upon graduating from Hansei Theological Seminary, and started three churches in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

Interview by Dwayne Lum

“Let your Soul Rock!” would be a phrase that the Director of Singapore’s very first Love the World Soul Rock Bistro and Bar, Mr Samuel Seong Koon, would say to his patrons.

Established in December 2008, the bistro and bar has been attracting droves of people through its fantastic ambience, food, music and excellent customer service.

Intricately designed and well-furnished, Love the World’s cozy, dimly lit interior creates the ideal ambience for couples and friends to chill out. Overlooking Singapore’s waters and the newly added F1 Racetrack, the bistro and bar extends out to a spacious alfresco where patrons can enjoy the fresh sea breeze and a picturesque landscape of the bay.

The Christian-themed bar also displays Christian jokes as a way to let patrons know that walking with God can be fun as well.

Melvin Koh, General Manager and member of Love the World’s resident band, Chapter One, found here his ministry in fulfilling the Great Commission through God’s gift to him in music.

One unique fact about the business is that help comes from volunteers who are part of the management. These include Ms Jennifer Lim; designer of the establishment’s logo, Irene Wong; artwork designer for murals, posters and flyers and many others like Kenny Teo, Gerri Lim and Joel Chandra.

Seong Koon also intends to “exponentially” grow a chain of these bars to cater to the rest of Singapore and in the region. In a brief interview with him, Samuel believes that “if Hard Rock Café can do it, why can’t [he]?”

City News caught Seong Koon and Koh for quick insights into the history of the bar after a YK Zone event held here on Sunday, 26 April 2009.

PHOTOS: Koh Meng Kwang

CN: The ambience of this place is fantastic! What was your drawing inspiration of this bar?

Seong Koon: We want to mirror what is said in John 3:16; that is, to love the world and to spread the message of the gospel. Over here, we have a motto to “Let Music Show the Way”, because neither of us are theologians, nor are we pastors and as such, we spread the Good News through our music and the testimony of this bistro and bar.

CN: Wow that is a great motto! But why a bistro and bar? Why not a coffee joint or a casual diner?

Seong Koon: I prefer the concept of a bistro and bar as the intention is to not only cater to friends and families, but to youths, business people and most especially, pre-believers. We also want people to know that biblically, that there are no problems with drinking and having a great time. However, the bible does not encourage one to indulge in drunkardness. That is where we need to draw the line.

CN: Sounds great! What would be the main selling point of the bar? Do you have any signature foods or drinks?

Koh: Our main selling point would definitely be the music that we offer. We tend to focus most of our efforts on producing good music. In fact, we had, prior to the opening of this establishment, practiced together for over a year. It is of utmost importance that the music is of an excellent quality as patrons, especially pre-believers, have to be impressed and impacted by what they see and hear.

Seong Koon: We specialize in Pan-Asian cuisine, which comprises a mixture of Asian and Western cooking styles. Some of our signatures include Chicken and Prawns in Viet Rice Paper Roll, Padang Oven Baked Chicken, Avocado and Prawn Salad and Cabonara ala LTW (Love the World). We also offer premium house wines at affordable prices. The Love Snow, a sangria-based cocktail, is also one of our latest creations.

We also serve people their daily “Crucial Fix”; a pun on the world Crucifix (laughs), which comprises a selection of coffees and thirst-quenchers.

CN: I’ve noticed that your bar has LCD screens which display Christian jokes. What is the purpose of those jokes?

Seong Koon: (laughs) We believe that Christianity is neither dull nor boring. As such, we have decided to display Christian jokes to let believers and non-believers know that they can have fun whilst serving and following God.

CN: Tell us more about your in-house entertainment. Can anyone just go on stage and perform?

Koh: We have open-mike performances every night. No auditions are required at all. With regards to live acts, we live by faith in God that all the performers have some degree of musicality when they go up on stage (laughs). We have been holding concerts and performances for upcoming Christian musicians and would like to be a venue that supports local and regional talent.

CN: Has anyone gotten drunk in your bar? What would be your response toward criticism in serving alcoholic drinks?

Seong Koon: Up till today, we haven’t encountered anyone who was drunk on alcohol. We also do not advocate an overindulgence in alcohol. Many Christians, priests and pastors come to our bar and support our stand on drinking, although, a few conservatives have raised an issue regarding this. In response to this, we politely suggest alternative, non-alcoholic beverages for consumption.

CN: One final question. If Jesus were to walk into your bar today, what would you offer him?

Seong Koon: Well, since Jesus asked the Samaritan Woman for a glass of water, I would offer him our very own Singaporean Water. I would also offer him our latest creation, the Frozen Sangria as he miraculously turned water into wine.

Koh: I second that!

To find out more about Soul Rock Bistro and Bar, head to lovetheworldsoulrock.com

Saturday services at City Harvest Church premises at 1 Jurong West St 91 were never quite the same for the past two weeks. Packed with a myriad of activities, the after-service events were a hit among the members of Lee Yi Lun’s zone.

About 180 members and their friends gathered together for the first Newcomers’ Tea on 18 April. The session started off with a mini buffet at the rooftop garden, simply because the best conversations happen over food. Icebreaker games were also played after some refreshments in the Chinese Church Hall.

Excited squeals and laughter were heard as the participants rushed to sit on items of the colours that were called out when the music stopped.

“I’ve never played such a game with so many people before, and you really had to run fast,” said Kelvin Huang, on his first Newcomers’ Tea.

The other highlight of the Newcomers’ Tea was when six men were selected from the audience for an unofficial “manhunt” competition. They had to change into a singlet, do a little dance and strut down the walkway. However, the winner of the competition was not determined by his looks, but rather, the length of his underarm hair!

Gay Beng Chong, 20, a student, was among the six chosen for the “manhunt”. He was unaware of the judging criteria, and only found out during the awards presentation.

“The game had a very fun twist! Now I know why the game masters kept asking us to dance with our arms lifted!” said Gay.

PHOTOS: Sarah Lin

The short tea session ended with a testimony sharing by Samuel Lee, of how his life was changed after receiving Jesus Christ.

Besides the Newcomers’ Tea, badminton and basketball competitions were also held on 25 April to ensure that everyone could participate in something that they liked. There was another option for those who did not like sports — they could literally relax and chill-out over drinks.

With the lights switched off and the lit candles on low tables, the entire atmosphere of the function room at the Jurong Sports Complex was transformed to a cozy one. With a live band performing current hits like ‘This Love’ by Maroon 5 and ‘Fearless’ by Taylor Swift, the audience could also dedicate the songs to their friends while sipping mocktails.

Breakdancers from O School also performed an electrifying number with head spins and back flips, stirring the crowd to cheer and applaud, before the session began.

“I enjoyed the chill-out session very much, and I’m grateful that my friend invited me here. It is a very interesting and new idea. I really liked the whole ambience and the music,” shared Kelly Cheong, 24, a social worker.

The activities do not just end there —  there will be Pilates class, basketball and badminton competition and study group sessions in the weeks to come. Saturdays are never dull again!

Over the weekend of 18 and 19 April 2009, City Harvest Church played host to two of Australia’s most anointed worship leaders Andrew Naylor and David Holmes — they led the congregation through a rousing time of praise and worship. City News caught them for an exclusive interview.

CN: Apart from church, what have you guys been up to?

David (D): Many things. Part of what I do is record production. I’m looking after a few children’s projects, and also a demo album for Sony Music in Australia. Andrew and I are also making a record together. We’re calling the group DNA (David and Andrew). That’s what we’ll be working on for the next few months.

CN: That’s great. What kind of songs will you have on that album?

Both: They’re all original compositions. We have all the songs sorted out, just putting them together now. It’s probably more the gentle side of what we do, than the rock side.

CN: What difficulties did you face when you started out in your music careers?

D&A: It’s difficult being a musician actually. A lot of people do not consider it a serious vocation; but music — historically, Biblically — carved the way before an army.

Any band that is successful becomes something new — even to itself. It takes hard work. You’ve got to go up against rejection and all those kinds of things. One difficulty is the amount of time and effort and energy you need to actually cut your craft. There are literally hours and hours you spend on your own that you don’t get paid for. That just chisels away at your diligence. No one’s there to cheer you on, no one’s there to pay you.

PHOTOS: Jason Lee And James Lee

CN: So in spite of these challenges, what keeps you motivated?

A: It’s about stepping up to the dream, what it is you feel called to do. Like any vocation, when someone knows exactly what they should be doing they will put up with the challenges, because if you don’t have those challenges you’re not going to grow strong. You’re not going to improve [on] how you communicate, how you learn, how you play, and how you work with other people. As with anything, music has its challenges. But if it’s in you, you just go “I don’t care!” I’ve been playing the guitar for 34 years and I still get as much out of it, if not more, now, because now I manage to do things I could only dream of as a kid. I still get excited about making music!

D: God’s given me a gift and He’s helped me work at it, preserve it and unlock it. I’ve enjoyed the last 25 years of playing music, teaching, worship leading, working with great people, making albums — it’s awesome! [Just like] how a 25,000-people church doesn’t happen in one year, you’ve got to persevere and keep connected to the principles and the values of what it is you’re trying to do. So, of course, in music, we do it in recognition of our Creator. We’re not just doing it for ourselves — it’s a gift from God that can bless others and connect with them and that’s really rewarding. We could have fallen into just secular music and that would have been fantastic, but the reward would be nothing like the reward we have.

CN: Wow, that is amazing. But have there been times you’ve felt like giving up?

A: Not really. When you start out as a musician, you’re not thinking about the ramification of what it’s going to be to earn a living. We both had times when it wasn’t easy making a living as a musician. But we’re blessed to have gotten where we are. We’re very fortunate to have great wives, great kids, great lives — we’re very blessed to have that.

There have also been outstanding highlights in our careers. And we have to say we’re very grateful to God for bringing us thus far. Hopefully we’ll see another 45 years of music-making.

D: [Laughs] Yeah. Imagine coming back to City Harvest Church when we’re 90 years old, “I’m gonna run with fire…”

The role of human resource is more crucial than ever in a world in which work and jobs are being redefined and restructured.

In the article “The Silent War for Human Resource: Past and Future for the HR Organisation” (2004, SIM online), Peter Duke and Roland Rulz — co-writers and senior management in Hay Group Singapore, highlighted the transformation of human resource (HR) practice and management in organizations over the past 40 years worldwide. The authors have stated the initial understanding of HR policies, in general, as “largely administrative” and staff development in companies is “at best ad hoc and often based on favoritism” in the old days.

There is a need to override these conventional notions if we desire to develop tomorrow’s talents and leaders in business corporations to their fullest potential. This dramatic shift of HR practice in Singapore is necessary to allow a plethora of new HR practices to flourish. HR managers and executives can then venture beyond their means and apply new methods in selecting, developing and promoting employees for better performance management within their organizations in an ever-competitive corporate landscape.

Given the current economic downturn, the Singapore Human Resource Institute (SHRi) wants to address issues and challenges such as job redesign, wage restructuring and job competitiveness that employers and employees are faced with in the turbulent new economy.

Even as the global recession leads to retrenchment and massive layoffs, proficient HR professionals are required to implement policies that will enhance employees’ career performance in the long run. At the 11^th World HR Congress and Business-Connect Exposition in 2006, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong challenged the HR community to be the agents of change to initiate people-development programs in companies to support business leaders in both local and international organizations.

Started in 2004 to recognize HR talents and celebrate work excellence in the HR industry, the HRM Awards — Singapore’s pre-eminent HR awards — are organized yearly by HRM magazine to honor worthy HR professionals and corporate leaders working in Singapore.

HRM magazine runs stories on people issues and company HR strategies used to bring about good business outcomes.

At the HRM Awards 2009 ceremony, SMRT Corporation Ltd (SMRT) emerged the leading company clinching three major HR awards: “Personnel Decisions International Award for Best Leadership Development”, “The Aviva Award for Best HR Team” and the “Kerry Consulting Award for Best HR Manager”. A public-listed company since July 2000, SMRT is Singapore’s world-class public transport provider.

Ng Lee Keng, manager for Talent Management & Employee Communications (SMRT), was one of six HR managers shortlisted for the Best HR Manager Award. She emerged the winner of the award, beating nominees from Shell Eastern Petroleum, IKANO/IKEA, Sentosa Leisure Management, Cold Storage Singapore, Royal Plaza on Scotts and National Heritage Board. Her win was determined by her ability to champion change, customizing strategies that add value to the company and meeting the business expectations of its stakeholders.

Indeed, being a HR professional is not for the faint-hearted. Despite the current uncertainties in the economy, HR managers and professionals have to take the lead and bring about a sense of hope and optimism to the staff by providing realistic measures of performance management, employment benefits and career advancement opportunities.

Ng Lee Keng is a member of City Harvest Church.