International Productivity Conference 2001
2-4 October 2001, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
Welcome Address
by Mr. Lim Boon Heng, Chairman
Asian Productivity Organization
Minister
Lim Hng Kiang,
Secretary-General of the APO, Mr Tajima, APO Directors
and Delegates Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning.
It is a pleasure and privilege for Singapore to co-host
the International Productivity Conference 2001. I
take this opportunity to extend a very warm welcome
to each and every one of you, especially to our speakers
and friends from other parts of the world.
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Asian
Productivity Organization (APO). It is also a significant
year for Singapore as it marks the 20th anniversary
of the Singapore Productivity Movement.
Changing the productivity mindset
Since the launch, the Singapore Productivity Movement
has gone through many different phases. In the early
years, it sought to increase productivity awareness
among individuals and companies, with an emphasis
on human aspects of productivity, teamwork and labor-management
relations. As the Movement gained momentum it focused
on encouraging individuals to "take action"
at the workplace to improve productivity, and to go
for skills upgrading and training. From 1995 to 2000,
a five-year Productivity Campaign with the foundation
theme of "Innovation and Quality" was established.
A whole new generation of workforce has since emerged
from 1981. Many of them would have missed out on the
early messages of productivity such as Teamwork; Action
At the Workplace; Pride in Work; 100% Right; Quality
Work, Quality Life, among others. Last year, the PSB
developed ProAct 21, the third long-term plan to guide
the Productivity Movement for the next 1O years. The
Productivity Movement took on a new focus -- Innovation
and Value Creation. It continues to build on the foundation
laid through teamwork and quality, with a new focus
to foster a mindset and culture for innovation and
value creation. But, we must not forget that the messages
of the first and second long-term phases may have
missed the present cohort. My point is that we may
need to restate or reiterate old but still valid productivity
principles and concepts. We cannot assume that the
new generation of workers has the same mindset as
previous generations.
Creativity and innovation are key qualities required
for the workforce in the new knowledge economy. Mere
quality improvement and problem solving are no longer
enough. The knowledge worker should always seek new
ways of doing the job to create extra value. It is
with this new focus in mind -- to innovate and create
value -- that Singaporeans celebrate the 20th Anniversary
of the Singapore Productivity Movement on 5 September
2001.
International Productivity Conference
In the new millennium, people skills and capabilities
need to be further developed and enhanced to meet
the new challenges. A mindset for innovation will
have to be inculcated while retaining the values of
productivity. I hope that the IPC will provide the
forum for managers to be exposed to new mental images
on productivity and gain insights into the knowledge-based
economy.
Over the next two-and-a-half days, you will hear
a mix of industry leaders, leading practitioners and
experts who will speak of the themes of "Competitiveness,"
"People," and "Value Creation."
Each of these speakers will share their thoughts and
insights on the productivity paradigms and the challenges
that will face us in the coming years.
Conclusion
Productivity has always been recognized and accepted
as the underlying factor for competitiveness and the
driver of growth. Many factors contribute to this
but ultimately, it is people, knowledge and skills,
and attitude that will make the difference.
In the new economy, we have to change our ways of
thinking and working. We have to be prepared to move
into new sectors, new jobs, away from familiar surroundings.
Our workforces will need new technical skills, higher
academic standards and a greater capability to solve
problems. We must be prepared to unlearn old skills,
learn new ones and keep on relearning. We have to
be continually able to absorb process and use new
knowledge and be prepared for rapid changes to our
work life and work patterns.
I hope this conference will help us to realize this
and lead us to take the necessary steps to a new era
of progress and prosperity.
On this note, I wish you all a fruitful conference
and an enjoyable stay in Singapore.
Thank you.
