BIZSpoke | CNA Summit SBF CEO Shares Key Traits for Future-Ready Leaders

28 FEBRUARY 2025

CNA Summit: SBF CEO Shares Key Traits for Future-Ready Leaders

At the CNA Summit on 20 February, themed "Trade-offs in Leadership," industry leaders tackled the complexities of strategic decision-making amid competing priorities. Discussions centred on navigating internal challenges like talent management while adapting to shifting market dynamics and stakeholder expectations.

Joining fellow panellists—Citi Country Officer for Singapore, Mr Tibor Pándi; Group CEO of Singlife, Ms Pearlyn Phau; and panel moderator, Ms Andrea Heng—SBF CEO Kok Ping Soon highlighted the increasing demands on today’s leaders, from geopolitical shifts to emerging technologies and evolving workforce expectations. Beyond IQ and EQ, he emphasised three critical leadership traits: LQ (Learning Quotient) for adaptability, VQ (Values Quotient) for cultural alignment, and PQ (Personality Quotient) for resilience. He also underscored the delicate balance between short-term execution and long-term transformation, as well as the need to create external value while fostering internal growth.

Watch his sharings at 1:19:36 and 1:31:50.

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BUDGET 2025

Exclusive Budget Insights with PM Lawrence Wong and Business Leaders

Join us at the Singapore Budget Symposium for an exclusive Budget 2025 conversation with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Minister Chee Hong Tat and Minister of State Alvin Tan to gain insights into Budget 2025 and business support measures. Our strategic partner, DBS Bank, and knowledge partner, PwC Singapore, will also engage in a Plenary Discussion on strategies for business growth and resilience.

A Budget for Business That's More Than Just a Safety Net

SBF CEO Kok Ping Soon highlighted Budget 2025’s role in navigating economic uncertainty while seizing new opportunities. With tax rebates, wage co-funding, and a $14B investment in productivity, R&D, and energy, the Budget strengthens business resilience. Over half of SBF-PwC’s recommendations were adopted, including SkillsFuture grants and leadership programmes. However, smaller firms still face challenges in grant accessibility. SBF and SME Centres can help businesses tap available support.

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How Did Budget 2025 Stack Up?

At The Straits Times' The Usual Place podcast, SBF Chief Policy Officer Musa Fazal joined other panellists including Minister Indranee Rajah to discuss Budget 2025’s pro-business and workforce measures. Mr Fazal highlighted tax rebates, productivity grants, and streamlined upskilling initiatives, stressing employer-led training for lasting impact. He also underscored the need for economic dynamism to keep Singapore competitive, urging businesses to seize available support for long-term growth. Click here for the podcast video.

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JS-SEZ Gains Traction at High-Profile Business Forum

At a conference during SBF’s Business Mission to Johor Bahru—supported by UOB, Rajah & Tann Asia, and RSM Singapore—Johor’s Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, highlighted the strong momentum of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) to nearly 350 participants, including 200 investors from Singapore, France, and Germany. The forum reinforced investor confidence, supported by initiatives such as the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre-Johor (IMFC-J) and the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) to streamline investments and develop talent.

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SMART-ENABLED

Driving Business with IP: Sentiments from Singapore Business Leaders

Intellectual property (IP) is a powerful enabler of business growth, offering companies a competitive edge through strategic protection and management. Developed by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) in collaboration with SBF, this compendium provides valuable insights from business leaders on leveraging IP for brand protection, strategic partnerships, and global expansion. Discover key takeaways to stay competitive and future-proof your business assets in an evolving marketplace.

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SUPPORTED PROGRAMMES

MPR Consultation Session: Get Expert Insights from NEA

Join us on 3 March, 2:30pm - 4:00pm, via Microsoft Teams for the online consultation session of the year on the Mandatory Packaging Reporting (MPR) scheme, where you can have your questions answered directly by the National Environment Agency (NEA). This session will deepen your understanding of the reporting and verification process, particularly for first-time submitters. NEA officers will be available to address your queries and provide valuable insights for a smooth reporting experience.