Celebrating National Pride: 3 Singaporean-helmed Companies that Took the Global Stage By Storm
Singapore may just be a little red dot on the vast world map, but the impact our country has on the international market is not to be undermined. An unassuming country brimming with talent, Singapore is home to countless MNCs – some of which having achieved global status as some of the top players in their field. Join us as we celebrate the achievements of these 3 companies who have each done our nation proud.
Singapore Airlines (SIA)
Any mention of our nation is synonymous with the Singapore Airlines brand, which pays homage to the accolades of luxury, prestige and service excellence. Not only was the airline listed as the top airline carrier globally in TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice 2018, the brand was also ranked 32nd in Fortune’s 2018 list of ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’. Despite being in an industry saturated with countless aviation carriers, Singapore Airlines has managed to consistently scale new heights (pun intended).
How does the SIA brand remain competitive in this day and age? A big part of it can be attributed to the creation and perpetuation of the Singapore Girl. Decked in an intricately designed kebaya, the Singapore Girl is the epitome of quality, service excellence, warmth, and gentleness, offering the brand a degree of personalisation which would be otherwise impossible to achieve.
The brand also provides their customers with the luxury of choice. Singapore Airlines recognised the importance of affording customers this agency early – back in the 1970s, they were the first to offer a choice of meals and drinks in Economy Class. Now, customers are even able to enjoy a ‘Book the Cook’ service, which allows them to choose from a list of specially prepared gourmet meals before their flight.
Fast forward many years, and SIA still continues to exceed boundaries in terms of offering value-added services and luxuries. A pioneer in the industry, Singapore Airlines is truly a leader in aviation that has propelled our small country to the frontline of business excellence.
DBS Group
With a market value of $29.3 billion, the DBS Group has never ceased to amaze. What impresses the most is the bank’s digital transformation; it’s said that one of their goals is for the bank to ‘disappear from view‘. Being one of the first in the industry to fully embrace digitisation, DBS has managed to leverage on all facets of modernisation to its unparalleled advantage.
While the finance industry is changing at an rapid rates, DBS Bank has managed to keep up with its pace. They attribute the biggest ‘driver of change’ to the humble smartphone – a device that’s ubiquitous in our modern society. Banks become “invisible” and subsumed into smartphone apps that can be easily accessed anywhere, eliminating redundant trips to physical banks or ATMs.
Occupying Singapore’s greatest market share in the banking industry, DBS Bank has managed to insert themselves as an irreplaceable part in any user’s banking journey. Recognising what their consumers need and catering their services and products to fill this gap has allowed the DBS Group to innovate and propel itself forward, both locally and globally.
Razer
Razer has a razor-sharp business objective: “the company doesn’t design gaming products, it designs products for the gamer”, says CEO Tan Ming Liang.
Many companies underestimate the weight of such a statement; it’s easy to churn out a product that you think meets market demand, but will the final product actually value-add to the consumer? Prioritising this has allowed Razer to set itself apart from its competitors, evolving into a behemoth conglomerate that it is today.
One factor that contributes to Razer’s success is its quality assurance – the brand is known to can products simply because the standard isn’t up to par. Studying gamers and finding out what makes them tick is at the forefront of Razer’s business operations – any new ventures they embark on is all done with their customer, the gamer, in mind.
Another factor can be attributed to the brand’s emphasis on forging personal connections with their users. The company has a big presence on the Internet and even built their own ‘Razer Insider’ channel, which provides their fans with a communal space for discussions and interactions on all things gaming. Furthermore, CEO and co-founder Tan Ming Liang acts as a face for the brand, taking to social media to engage with his fans and customers. The Razer brand isn’t just a corporate entity, but a community.
Not only has Razer made a name for itself in the global gaming industry, it has also etched a reputation in the technology and e-commerce sector, rolling out its first smartphone in 2017 and its upcoming acquisition of online micropayment company for gaming, MOL.
This National Day, we honour the businesses that have overcome all odds to become one of the best in their fields. These three Singaporean companies’ global successes were made possible with a perfect blend of superior quality, relatability, and innovation – all without losing sight of their respective brands stand for. To be able to project a feeling of brand assurance has placed them as forerunners on the global stage, bringing pride to our little red dot.
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