Evolving Hybrid Future of Work with new Jabra Evolve2 series

The new Jabra Evolve2 series headsets are meant to empower users with the most useful and professional features to protect their focus zone and enable them to take calls and meetings, regardless of their working environment that are working in. Moreover, they have optimised sound for professional use and music, therefore there is no need to switch headsets when it is time for a break.

Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex

The Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex stands out with its unique fold-and-go design with a collapsible hinged headband, slimmed-down ear-cups and a shorter hide-away boom arm. Users with this headset can be sure to be heard clearly even in loud conditions, thanks to a powerful chipset, advanced digital algorithm and beamforming Jabra ClearVoice microphones for the open office.

The chipset and noise-cancelling technology delivers a best-in-class* Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and close-fitting memory foam ear-cups help seal out even more of the surroundings. In addition, it features the Jabra Air Comfort technology and flexible ear-cups that rotate to move whenever users do – making the headset incredibly comfortable, no matter how long it is worn.

Jabra is bringing Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) into a wider range of professional headsets, with a wireless option, the Jabra Evolve2 55 and a corded version, the Jabra Evolve2 50. The headsets are built with powerful ANC that has a unique acoustic chamber design, 28mm custom speakers, a specially designed chipset that powers speech-separating, and two premium noise-cancelling microphones.

All products are certified for all leading virtual meeting platforms, like Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and Zoom.

Evolving Hybrid Future of Work Sound Better with new Jabra Speak2 series

The new Jabra Speak2 series is engineered to meet the need for an intelligent speaker that is built to handle anything a busy hybrid working day throws at you – whether it’s a conference meeting, direct calls, streaming media, presentations or others.

In a meeting, not all participants get the chance to be heard. With this new Jabra Speak2 speakerphone, participants not feel heard, they also get listened to. This Speak2 range is engineered to go beyond standard speakerphone performance, and a full duplex audio.

The Jabra Speak2 75 is like a boardroom in your pocket, being the only speakerphone in this range to feature a custom-designed Microphone Quality Indicator. This 360 degree light ring shows users how well their voice is being picked up by the microphones, giving users the reassurance of true professionalism from wherever they may be working. This speakerphone includes an advanced full range 65mm speaker, offering a dramatically more powerful audio experience and ultimately resulting in more efficient and productive meetings.

There are choices for users to choose from, if they prefer to use the USB cable for a direct line with the Speak2 40, or they can choose to go wireless with the Speak2 75 or Speak2 55. The Speak2 range ultimately offers, professional, pocketable, and portable devices packed with the latest technology. Each Speak2 product is also designed to work with all leading virtual meeting platforms, meaning users can participate confidently in calls and meetings from any location, without the worry of poor audio quality or connectivity issues.

Holger Reisinger, SVP for Enterprise Solutions at Jabra says, “These new audio tools elevate flexible working to the next level. They enable the modern office worker to work in the most productive way, looking, sounding and being professional. By re-engineering our two leading professional audio ranges, Evolve2 and Speak2, we support the current generation of flexible workers with optimized experiences that will enhance their performance in any hybrid meeting.”

Key Features of Jabra’s new Professional Audio Products for Flexible Hybrid Work

Key features of all three Evolve2 products:

• Maximum comfort with Jabra Air Comfort technology
• Jabra ClearVoice Microphone systems that meet premium microphone for the open office standard
• Integrated 360° busylight
• 28mm custom speakers deliver premium sound for music
• Certified for leading virtual meeting platforms (UC-certified and Microsoft Teams-certified variants available)
• Up to 30m/100ft wireless range (Evolve2 65 Flex & Evolve2 55 only)
• Personalization with Jabra Sound+, Jabra MySound and voice assistants (Evolve2 65 Flex & Evolve2 55 only)
• Connect two devices at the same time with dual connectivity (Evolve2 65 Flex & Evolve2 55) and connect to another device via Bluetooth while plugged in (Evolve2 50)
• Boom arm mute and answer call
• Available in stereo and mono (Evolve2 55 & Evolve2 50 only) – Evolve2 65 Flex available in stereo
• UC and Microsoft Teams variants
• Optional charging stand (Evolve2 65 Flex & Evolve2 55 only)

Key features only of the Evolve2 65 Flex:

• Most portable professional headset* with unique fold-and-go design
• Best-in-class Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)*
• Hide-away boom arm for discreet on-the-go professionalism
• Up to 20 hours of talk time with ANC/busylight off, up to 15 hours talk time with ANC/busylight on, up to 32 hours of listening time with ANC/busylight off, up to 21 hours listening time with ANC/busylight on

Key features only of the Evolve2 55:

• Up to 16 hours talk time with ANC/busylight off, up to 10 hours talk time with ANC/busylight on, and up to 18 hours listening time with ANC/busylight off, up to 15 hours listening time with ANC/busylight on
• A comfortable fit that’s the best-in-its-class*

Key shared features of the Speak2 range:

• Four beamforming noise-cancelling microphones with innovative background noise reduction technology
• Advanced full duplex audio
• Voice Level Normalization technology
• Designed to work with all leading virtual meeting platforms, like Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and Zoom
• IP64-rated protection from dust and water

Speak2 75 only:

• Super-wideband audio and full range 65mm speaker
• Microphone Quality Indicator
• Up to 33% sustainable materials (from mechanical parts)
• Easy connection with Microsoft Swift Pair
• Plug-and-play straight out of the box
• Up to 32 hours of wireless battery life
• Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms

Speak2 55 and Speak 40:

• Plug-and-play for ease of use, with Jabra Speak2 55 boasting up to 12 hours of wireless battery life
• Contains more than 50% sustainable materials (from mechanical parts)

Pricing and Availability

Jabra Evolve2 Series

The Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex, Evolve2 55 & Evolve2 50 will be available from April 2023.

• Evolve2 65 Flex MSRP S$518
• Evolve2 55 Stereo MSRP S$424
• Evolve2 50 Stereo MSRP S$314

Jabra Speak2 Series

The Jabra Speak2 will be available from April 2023.

• Speak2 75 MSRP S$573
• Speak2 55 MSRP S$294
• Speak2 40 MSRP S$263

Information on Jabra’s new professional audio products

For more information on Jabra Evolve2 Series, please visit the following links below:

• Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex at www.jabra.sg/evolve2-65-flex
• Jabra Evolve2 55 at www.jabra.sg/evolve2-55
• Jabra Evolve2 50 at www.jabra.sg/evolve2-50

For more information on Jabra Speak2, please visit the following link below:

• Jabra Speak2 at www.jabra.sg/speak2

* Information and pictures courtesy of Jabra and Gloo *

[Media event photos shot with Canon EOS R50 – A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R50 Explorer Series Production]

The post Jabra launches new Professional Audio Products for Flexible Hybrid Work appeared first on TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog.

Inspired by Fernando Gros “How to choose a Yearly Theme”, this is my 4th year writing and announcing a Yearly Theme, an approach that I personally feel that it’s more forward looking for a new future, a new era of working, thinking and how we connect as an individual, as a collective, society and the world. It’s not that goal settings or setting resolutions are no longer popular or useful, they still have a purpose and it still works for some people or industries

Recap of previous Yearly Themes

Before I announce my Yearly Theme 2023 for my technology, business and personal, let me bring you back into my previous Yearly Themes through a recap below:

• Year 2020: Striving to Excel
• Year 2021: Recovery and Rejuvenation
• Year 2022: Onward

Yearly Theme 2023 (Technology | Business | Personal) – “Transform”

Now let me introduce and announce my Yearly Theme 2023 for Technology, Business and Personal – “Transform”.

Why “Transform”?

This word “Transform” was chosen for its connection to a 15 years milestone for my TGH Technology and Business website, how can I can change, transform and improve, from my media news coverage, business and technology analysis, social media marketing/digital marketing and as a writer?

15 Years of TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog

My TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog is marking and celebrating a 15 years milestone in Year 2023. How has my website and writing transformed over the past 15 years and how am I going to transform my website and writing moving forward? There are probably more questions than answers right now. The answers might appear when I do more in-depth and write more, on both professional and personal basis.

In an upcoming article, I would share more thoughts and feelings behind my 15 years (and still counting) journey, that brought me a lot more than what I could have asked and planned for.

Technology and Business Media News Coverage

How am I gong to transform in how I cover technology and business media news coverage? With more in-depth interviews and thoughts? Should I cover and build up more enterprise/B2B technology media news?

Key technology topics and trends that I am looking to cover more in this year 2023 – Impacts of AI technology, Digital Transformation, B2B technology for SMB, Future of Work, Future Cities, Sustainability, Fin-Tech, Blockchain, NFT and Web 3.0.

Writing and Thought Leadership

I am spending more time writing on topics of heavier load nature, as well as sharing more about thought leadership in the business and technology sectors. How can I improve and transform my technology, business and personal writing onto another higher level of thought leadership, thinking and writing?

My personal writing on a technology and business content heavy website, gives another different perspective and dimension to my articles writing. I am still constantly honing and improving my writing and craft. A personal voice in thought leadership topics, we need to see more these from writers around the world.

New set of Uncertainties and Dark Clouds in 2023

How can I transform, change and adapt in a year of new set of uncertainties in 2023? What are the uncertainties that world economy might be facing in this year? Could the economic and political situations turn for the worst in 2023? We are facing inflation, higher costs of living, economic slowdown (or even possibly world recession) and geo-political worldwide crisis in a worst worst case scenario.

In a period of uncertainties and political crisis in some regions (hopefully it doesn’t escalate beyond that stage into bigger crisis), there might be new opportunities. Time to explore other opportunities as a new set of dark clouds (challenges and uncertainties) looms over 2023.

Yearly Theme 2023 (Photography and Travel)

In this year 2023, I decide to try something different again, I chose two themes, one for my TGH  Technology and Business Portal/Blog, one for my TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog. What did I choose for my Yearly Theme 2023 (Photography and Travel)?

Join me in my “Transform” adventures in 2023

I would like to invite all of you, come join me in my transformation exploration in my technology, business and writer journeys in 2023.

Together we can and we might discover something common to work on, advocate together and transform the way we work and live, and on special themes that we can push for more awareness and publicity.

The post Yearly Theme 2023 (Technology | Business | Personal) appeared first on TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog.

Inspired by Fernando Gros “How to choose a Yearly Theme”, this is my 3rd year writing a Yearly Theme (you can check out my 2020 Yearly Theme and 2021 Yearly Theme), an approach that I personally feel that it’s more forward looking for a new future, a new era of working, thinking and how we connect as an individual, as a collective, society and the world. It’s not that goal settings or setting resolutions are no longer popular or useful, they still have a purpose and it still works for some people or industries. I also published a Yearly Theme 2022 (Photography and Travel) for my other website TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Let me introduce my Yearly Theme 2022 for my Technology, Business and Personal: “Onward”.

Theme for Year 2022 (Technology, Business and Personal) – Onward

Onward – What is the reason behind this theme?

Why “Onward”? This is actually my alma mater school motto. Let me introduce my alma mater, Gan Eng Seng School (founded in 1885), I am also an old boy from the Gan Eng Seng Dragon Scout Group (founded in 1922) where I spent some of my best and fun years learning Scouting skills, knowledge, in the the great outdoors, life skills and camaraderie.

Dragon Scout Group (DSG) is celebrating its centenary milestone in Year 2022, this is no mean feat! The DSG extended family is going to celebrate DSG100 Years in Scouting!

Onward – Strive forward as we work our way out from this ongoing global pandemic mess, it’s not just an economic and financial crisis, the world is facing other crisis in the areas of healthcare, mental health, emotional health, psychological and sociological issues.

The whole world is trying its best to move forward, with setbacks and hiccups that are going to be a common sight for this year 2022. Hopefully, our lessons learnt in Year 2020 and 2021 would come in handy for us as the world move Onward in the journey to recovery. Let’s hope the world can really start to see the true light at the end of the tunnel.

Goals and Plans

This is not the usual way of doing goal settings that you would normally learn or see in your job/training. What I am doing is a bit of a hybrid format sharing of my goals and plans for my technology, business and personal segments.

Technology

Consumer Technology

I have been covering consumer technology sector since the launch of this website. It is stable and well-established, covering about 70% of my total news coverage here. I would take this year to review where I can change and improve in the areas of consumer technology news coverage, gadget reviews etc.

Enterprise Technology

A small segment that is slowly growing and expanding. Enterprise technology/B2B technology is not the easiest to cover and write about this segment.

Business

Media Relations

My media relations and networks with pr agencies have expanded out of Singapore, reaching the shores of Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia. I would continue to build new media relations and networks whenever possible.

As for my existing media relations and networks, I am thankful and grateful for the working relationships and engagements over the years with brands, organisations and pr agencies. Let’s continue to work closer together in this Year 2022.

Just in case, I might have missed out replying to your emails, please do not hesitate to email me again or have a chat via the various communication channels.

Digital Marketing/Social Media Marketing

I announced TGH Digital Studio in April 2021, a digital agency that combines my digital marketing, social media marketing, writing, photography and videography into an entity. In Year 2022, I am going to build and expand on this business model.

Cryptocurrency / NFT

During Q4 2021, I mentioned about cryptocurrency and NFT on this website. Approaching and entering from a technology news coverage and business opportunities perspective, I am threading with caution and optimism in these two areas for this year.

These 2 sectors cryptocurrency and NFT would be interesting and exciting yet cautious at the same time for me in this Year 2022.

Photography Business

On my photography business segment, you can find more in-depth thoughts and views on my TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

The past 2 years, 2020 and 2021, our life and work has been severely disrupted due to the global pandemic that is still ongoing. For those who run a small business like myself, the past 2 years had been very difficult and tough, mentally and emotionally exhausting.

Year 2022 is not going to be smooth sailing, let’s hope the whole world can get themselves together to navigate our way out from this global pandemic situation.

Personal

I may be tweeting/sharing a lot of thoughts on Twitter, some of them are transferred over to Instagram. However, you don’t see me sharing a lot on Facebook. As compared to some of my friends, I might be sharing a lot more, while versus to another group of friends who who share a lot of their personal and family photos, I am very quiet and private on my personal Facebook.

You are not going to see too many photographs of a personal basis on Facebook or Instagram. I am exercising more privacy on sharing personal photos, social media in recent years has been mentally draining at times.

Yes, I tweet a lot a.k.a. “speak a lot” on Twitter. Some of them are my thoughts, views and feelings ranging from business, issues that I am concerned with, as well as key opinions, thought leadership. They are different from sharing what other people do, share their lifestyle, what they ate, where they went to … etc etc on social media.

Last but not least – Onward in Year 2022

Last but not least – Onward in Year 2022. After some harsh lessons from Year 2021, I decided to be cautious, not fearful, be brave, Be Prepared, ready to take on more challenges, hiccups and changes as I trek my way Onward in Year 2022.

I really hope this Year 2022 would truly be the year where we can see some light at the end of the tunnel.

The post Yearly Theme 2022 (Technology, Business and Personal) appeared first on TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog.

I am taking a rest during this New Year long weekend break, consolidate and prepare myself for a new year ahead. This is going to be a quiet weekend, writing on personal topics, I would be sharing my yearly theme soon, along with some of my plans, thoughts and views for this year 2022 before returning back to media news coverage on the technology and business sectors.

In case you missed it, here’s my Reflecting 2021 (Technology, Business and Personal) and also my Reflecting 2021 (Photography and Travel) on my other portal/blog. Today marks the start of a brand new year, a new hope and a fresh new beginning.

There were so many twists and turns of events and many more ups and downs during last year 2021. After reflecting on the year as a whole, I am now taking both the good and bad lessons from there. There’s a lot of things to let go and put it behind me before starting my new journey in Year 2022.

Another new chapter is starting, a new hope, a New Year 2022.     

Once again, wishing everyone a Happy New Year 2002! Stay safe and healthy as we continue battling this ongoing global pandemic. Let’s spread love, kindness, compassion to the people around us, our society and around the world!

The post Wishing Everyone Happy New Year 2022! appeared first on TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog.

Technology

Consumer Technology

For this segment, it has been stable since establishing this website in January 2008, consumer technology news take up approximately 70% of my technology content media news coverage.  While I am still covering consumer technology news, I have also diversified and expanded into the fields of Fin-tech, blockchain, cryptocurrency and NFT that I have a keen interest in. They are not just for news coverage, I have an intrinsic interest in them for both business/investments as well as cross-disciplinary work with my commercial photography.

Enterprise Technology

This is still a relatively small and growing segment for my website. This is not an easy sector to cover and write due to the niche industries, you might/usually need industry and technical expertise as well. I am still working on growing enterprise technology sector news coverage, I would also like to thank the agencies that I am working with by linking up relevant enterprise technology companies with my website.

Business

Digital Marketing/Social Media Marketing/Digital Agency

An area that I identified earlier in the year that I can diversify into that integrates both my photography and travel website, social media, digital marketing and writing together. I went for upgrading courses to get myself certified too. The establishment of TGH Digital Studio is still relatively new and unknown, a lot of work still needs to be done, strategic planning and directions, and finding suitable partners to work together with.   

Media Relations

Although Year 2021 had been a very difficult year for me in many aspects, there were some good growth and developments in media relations segment. My networks and engagements went beyond the shores of Singapore, I am getting media news updates from agencies based in Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia and England.

I hope to build on those new connections and networks, expanding not just in the fields of technology, business and in the areas of my photography and travel sectors as well.

Personal

Mental Health and Emotional Health

Year 2021 was my most emotionally and mentally drained year till date in my life. This was also the time I started to know more about mental health, the issues, awareness, why it matters. The ongoing global pandemic has disrupted not only our daily and working life, it has also seriously impacted and affected our mental and emotional well-being.

The elevated stress and pressure from running and operating a business during a global pandemic crisis with many uncertainties and unknowns, add in family matters concerns and a very personal situation, combining all together resulting in falling and spiralling into a rut. That period was very dark for me personally. I am very grateful and thankful to a few friends who pulled me out from a tipping point.

Running a business brings many additional levels of stress and pressure, throw in a global pandemic crisis into the equation, the levels are at an unprecedented level that we can ever imagine, understand and handle, unless you are right in the deep end of it.

There were many lessons on life, business, mental and emotional health/well-being that were bestowed upon me, in both good and bad ways in the Yr2021. I will learn from them, from both good and bad points.

A reminder to myself to constantly remind myself to never let myself fall as low as I did in Yr2021.

Last but not least

Year 2021 had been a very turbulent year of many ups and downs, disappointments and heartaches from unnecessary expectations. There were many life and business lessons handed out to me, priceless and painful.

Do visit my TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog too! I have also published a reflection, thoughts and views article in my photography (business and leisure) and travel segments.

Signing off Year 2021 with a beautiful sunset to say goodbye to Year 2021, good riddance to bad rubbish. It’s been a very painful time, very difficult and tough, mentally, emotionally and financially for me personally. I will learn, remember and apply the good and bad lessons from this year. I will also make sure that I will never let myself fall as low as what happened to me in 2021.

Year 2022 is starting soon, a new year, a fresh and brand new start in an ongoing global pandemic situation. I would share more about my plans and directions in the Year 2022 for my technology, business and personal segments inside my upcoming Theme and Goals for Year 2022 article.

To all those who had pulled me up when I was down at the bottom, as well as those who supported and encouraged me throughout this very difficult Year 2021, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart, no amount of words can show my utmost appreciation towards what you all had done for me.

It’s time to say Goodbye Year 2021 and Welcome Year 2022.

The post Reflecting Year 2021 (Technology, Business and Personal) appeared first on TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog.

Reflecting H1 2021

H1 2021 had been mixed for me, while we were still battling the ongoing global pandemic COVID-19 at the start, I was cautiously optimistic that we can slowly start our route to recovery. Q1 2021 seemed to be heading that way, I was working towards my 15 years milestone for my photography and travel portal/blog in April 2021, with my business expansion and diversification plans put in place.

However, at the later part of Q2 2021, the ongoing global pandemic situation took a turn for the worse, resulting in tightening measures being put in place, that was known as Phase 2 Heightened Alert (P2HA) in May 2021. While it wasn’t exactly a circuit breaker (CB) like the one we had in 2020, P2HA was close to being a circuit breaker in action on the ground level.

During that trying and difficult period, business plans were derailed, the economy and market started to slow down. There were other very personal situations that came into the picture, I was overwhelmed mentally and emotionally, I thought that after going through the CB period in 2020, I am better prepared mentally and emotionally. However, this wasn’t the case at all.

I wrote about it, “Reflection, Thoughts and Feelings – 1st June 2021” and “Fate and Time”, thinking that I would be feeling better after that. However, it took a twist and turn, I spiralled down further to a level that I called, “A Tipping Point”. If it wasn’t for friends such as Chef Keith who took me out and away on that Monday 7th June 2021, I won’t know how far I might have spiralled down that day.

The 4 weeks from the start of P2HA was a very tough test for me emotionally and mentally, a rare few people would know what was actually going through my mental and emotional state of mind. Alarms and warning signs were triggered, friends started to ask about me. There were some matters that I could say, there were some very personal matters that I can’t say out on social media, only in very private and very personal settings.

Climbing out from this even deeper rock bottom, depressed in a rut, was so much tougher than I envisioned it that I was able to handle them. The recovery took a bit more time than usual, along with reflecting H1 2021 and planning for H2 2021, this recovery started to phase in nicely with my route to recovery. The recovery is not immediate, it’s not fast at all, the key thing is recovery has started.

Mental Health Matters

I would be the first to acknowledge that I was feeling depressed and stuck in a rut at that time. The massive economic impacts, social and emotional impacts caused by this ongoing global pandemic cannot be underestimated.

If it wasn’t for friends like Chef Keith, old primary school friends like Wendy and Michael, photographer friends Ryan and Isaac, and my cousin-in-law Tiffany, they all helped to pull me out from this recent depression and rut.

Mental health matters, it’s time we acknowledge it to be a health issue and look into how we can manage and handle it, on a personal, professional and medical (if need to be) basis. This ongoing global pandemic COVID-19 situation accelerates the impacts, seriousness and fallouts on mental health issues.

New Themes for Personal and Business in H2 2021

My themes for Year 2021 were “Recovery” and “Rejuvenation”, I decided to review them, and my themes for H2 2021 would be:

Care

This comes to a point in time whereby I need to learn to take care of myself more, this does’t mean that I am going to be a selfish person down the road. Maybe I care too much for others and other things that I forgot to take care of myself.

Recovery

Recovering from my depressed emotional and mental state of health and mind. It’s a critical time that I start to recover, in order for me to take on the current ongoing battles and challenges in a better frame of mind, mental and emotional state of well-being.

H2 2021 – Other Business Interests and Personal Interests

This is still going to be a difficult and trying period especially for small and medium sized businesses as we are still battling this ongoing global pandemic.

I am upgrading/learning/working on adding digital marketing specialist diploma to my qualifications, fully transforming into my TGH Digital Studio business setup consisting of my TGH Photography, videography and content creation.

Other digital marketing/social media marketing plans/discussions are taking place, a work in progress.

As for other business interests/collaborations/plans, there are some discussions in progress, planning and strategising. Let’s see if they can be materialised and turn into something feasible and workable.

In Short

H1 2021 had been a mixed of ups and deep downs for me, Q1 2021 wasn’t too bad, Q2 pretty much went diving straight down. I was depressed, in a rut. However, thanks to a few friends, I managed to pull out and started the road to recovery.

I was taught a number of life lessons in the past few months, they will definitely serve me well in the future as we gradually recover from this global pandemic situation and start to rebuild a new normal of life and new future of work in a post COVID-19 world.

The post Reflecting H1 2021 and New Themes for Personal and Business in H2 2021 appeared first on TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog.

As I looked back in time on my stories that I wrote, “Start of Circuit Breaker in Singapore – 7th April 2020” and “Begun the Circuit Breaker has in Singapore”, there were so much things happening and taking place during that time when we entered into Circuit Breaker mode. Some of the measures that took place during that period are now a common and standard procedure in our daily living and work.

What do you recall some of the things that took place for you during the Circuit Breaker period? Working from home (WFH) along with your children studying from home for families were very challenging when I heard their stories and experiences from friends who had schooling children, juggling both concurrently.

We all had our own personal stories, experiences and photos to share from our Circuit Breaker days. While it was very tough, this also resulted in (many) changes in how we do our work, operate a business, daily living and we are now entering into a new era, a new hybrid future of work and living. From all the lessons and experiences learnt, let them be the foundations for a new era of living and working, for a better future and living environment.

We are not out of the woods yet in our fight against COVID-19, not just in Singapore, around the whole world too. While the situation here in Singapore has improved over this one year time frame from 7th April 2020 to 7th April 2021, we cannot let our guard down against our battle against this ongoing global pandemic.

One last message, we DO NOT WANT another Circuit Breaker! Everyone of us here must play our part and continue our fight against COVID-19. Slowly, we can get back to a more normal lifestyle again soon.

The post 1 year ago on 7th April 2020 – Singapore entered Circuit Breaker appeared first on TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog.

From the onset of Covid-19, the massive impacts and changes, economic downturn, circuit breaker and post circuit breaker. The past half a year had not been easy at all, took a toll on many of us mentally and emotionally. While we can see the world trying hard to revive and kickstart the economy, it’s not going to be an exponential climb, more of a slow gentle recovery in challenging market conditions.

Adapting and adopting, making changes and strategic business directions, I had to bite the bullet and preserve on, building up more resilient and tenacity. Working on new personal photography projects, publishing my first photography zine, producing my first vlog video, rebranding my photography business, exploring new business partnerships in other industries.

2 more months to the end of Year 2020, let’s end it on a good note even though Year 2020 had been a very difficult year for all of us. We need to be prepared to ride on the recovery wave in a post Covid-19 world, a new future of work and business.

The post November 2020 – 2 more months to end of Year 2020 appeared first on TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog.

If you are living in Singapore and haven’t heard of this circuit breaker announcement (I don’t know which planet are you on), this is the time to stand up, listen and take note of the new stricter measures in place.

Circuit Breaker – In a nutshell, it’s closure of non-essential services

Most workplaces to close (7th April to 4th May)

No dining in at eateries, only takeaway or deliver (7th April to 4th May)

Schools are shifting to full home-based learning (8th April to 4th May)

All attractions, theme parks, museums and casinos will be closed. As for sports facilities such as public swimming pools and gyms, they will also be closed. (7th April to 4th May)

Advice to public: Stay at home

For more information and details on what you can and cannot do during this Circuit Breaker period, check out the  news links below:

Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/singapore-to-shut-workplaces-and-schools-to-curb-spike-in-virus-cases

Today Online: https://www.todayonline.com/8days/seeanddo/thingstodo/circuit-breaker-measures-stem-spread-covid-19-heres-what-you-need-know

CNA: https://www.todayonline.com/8days/seeanddo/thingstodo/circuit-breaker-measures-stem-spread-covid-19-heres-what-you-need-know

Stomp: https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/covid-19-circuit-breaker-measures-what-you-can-and-cannot-do-for-the-next-one-month

CONSOLIDATED LINKS FOR COVID19 BATTLE

?Gov.sg Whatsapp Subscription

Local: go.gov.sg/whatsapp

Overseas: go.gov.sg/whatsapp-overseas

? To find a PHPC clinic

www.phpc.gov.sg

? To find where to collect mask

www.maskgowhere.gov.sg

? Covid19 online symptom checker

www.sgcovidcheck.com

? If you are feeling chest pain/breathless/gasping for air, or any other emergency concerns, pls call 995 immediately! Don’t bother to check online by symptoms.

? TraceTogether for Mobile

www.tracetogether.gov.sg

? SG United Jobs Portal

www.sgunitedjobs.gov.sg 

?To check how crowded malls are before going

www.spaceout.gov.sg

?To check how crowded parks are before going

safedistparks.nparks.gov.sg

?Stay home as much as you can, minimise going out to malls or parks unnecessarily

? Businesses to apply exemption for circuit breaker period

covid.gobusiness.gov.sg

(Thanks to the person who did the consolidated links for Covid-19 battle)

This is going to be a difficult time for all of us here in Singapore. Let’s stay calm, don’t rush down to the supermarkets and hoard items, daily necessities. Remember to practice safe social distancing and good personal hygiene. Wear a mask if you have to go out. Keep a safe distance if you are going to the parks for your exercises and keeping fit.

#Singapore #circuitbreaker is starting today on Tuesday 7th April, while I have been working from home for past few weeks, I am also adapting to the additional measures being announced. We all need to be #SGUnited #SGTogether and make it work. Let’s don’t let this circuit breaker extend beyond this period!

The post Start of Circuit Breaker in Singapore – 7th April 2020 appeared first on TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog.

Ms Chua Sock Koong, Singtel’s Group CEO, said, “This is an unprecedented time in our history. The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the health of our loved ones and disrupted not just our lives, but the livelihoods of many around us. As a homegrown company, we want to stand together with the broader community and keep them supported during this time. We hope this will provide some relief to vulnerable individuals and families and tide them through this difficult period. We also want to encourage and show our gratitude to our healthcare workers and volunteers who have been working tirelessly and risking their lives to keep us safe.”

Singtel is providing financial support for impacted communities and extending a care package of services to support the broader community. The Group has raised S$2 million collectively to help vulnerable groups in the community and frontline healthcare workers and volunteers. The Singtel Touching Lives Fund, the Group’s flagship philanthropy programme, will channel this donation to 18 charities and social enterprises including S$500,000 to The Courage Fund and S$600,000 to various healthcare groups. The funds comprise contributions from Singtel’s Management Committee who have given at least half a month’s salary and voluntary contributions from Singtel’s directors and staff. The company matched these contributions dollar for dollar.

“The extensive help and courage we have seen during these uncertain times have been very heartening. We are grateful that one of our longstanding partners, Singtel, has stepped forward to help support the community. Their support through Community Chest and The Courage Fund will help augment what the government and social service agencies are doing for those affected by COVID-19. Singtel’s other contributions to special education schools, healthcare groups, social enterprises and seniors are also highly meaningful as they show a thoughtfulness for other segments of society. It is with many helping hands during this climate that we are able to overcome the challenges together,” shared Mr Phillip Tan, Chairman of Community Chest.

Singtel has also been supporting and funding efforts by six SG Cares Volunteer Centres island-wide to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the community as part of the Singapore Cares movement to build a caring society. These funds go toward care pack distribution, meal deliveries, education on health and hygiene and the provision of medical escorts or transport. With befriending services for seniors curtailed due to the current social distancing measures, prepaid mobile services are also being extended to isolated seniors to help them stay connected with volunteers.

Separately, in a show of solidarity with the company and its wider community of stakeholders, Singtel’s Board of Directors have volunteered a 10% cut in fees for the upcoming financial year.

Care package of free services to support consumers and SMEs

With consumers and businesses having to make major lifestyle and work adjustments as stricter measures are taken against the COVID-19 spread, Singtel has put together a care package of free services to support and sustain the wider public with effect from 1 April. These services range from free entertainment for the general public to business solutions for SMEs.

Ms Chua added, “The businesses we depend on, the way we live our lives have been completely upended. People are having to stay home, businesses are trying to cope and survive. We want to offer up some of our services to sustain and support the public through this time. This is our way of saying we are in this together, our commitment to you has not changed and hopefully, we can also spread a little cheer.”

On the business front, SMEs implementing work-from-home plans, remote working or split team arrangements will get six months free usage of productivity, collaboration and security tools. This will help them secure their communications and minimise disruption to business operations while keeping their staff safe. With many SMEs experiencing a drop in customer traffic at their physical stores, they will also get free access to Singtel’s 99sme.sg e-marketplace where they can set up their online shops, build a digital presence and continue to reach consumers.

On the consumer front, with people spending more time at home as a result of social distancing, all residents will get three months free access to Singtel’s CAST streaming app and its most popular entertainment and education channels including Discovery, Asian Food Network, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. Singtel TV customers will also enjoy free access to 30 channels such as AXN, CNBC, Discovery Asia and KBS World on Singtel TV and Singtel TV GO. All Singtel mobile customers will enjoy data-free[1] messaging on WhatsApp to make it easier for them to stay in touch with friends and family. Free 30-day COVID-19 insurance coverage by Income will also be extended to new and existing prepaid customers[2].

We, Singapore are in this situation and crisis together, the Singapore Government has taken massive steps to help the Singapore economy and citizens. The private sector companies can also play a part and do their part too, like Singtel’s rallying Singapore in its fight against the COVID-19 situation.

Time for #SGTogether #SGCares and #SGUnited against #COVID19.

* Information courtesy of Singtel Corporate Communications *

Notes:

[1] From 8 April to 7 July 2020

[2] Applicable for customers who top-up via hi!App

The post Singtel rallying Singapore in its fight against COVID-19 appeared first on TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog.