Given the rapid growth of technology, more information is finding its way onto the Internet. Details such as customer tastes and preferences can now be gleaned online through a host of platforms, particularly social media channels.
Even for a technology company like Intel, making use of such digital information took some getting used to. This was what some 13 Port Officers’ Union (POU) members and PSA Singapore management partners found out at a learning journey to Intel’s Digital Hub for the Asia Pacific and Japan on 20 October 2017.
Leveraging The Network
“We are currently being disrupted by new technology at our workplace, so we wanted to leverage our Labour Movement network to bring our PSA Singapore management partners to find out how Intel does it. We wanted to learn more about the challenges they faced as they adopted new technology, how they trained their staff and even instilled in them a curiosity for learning,” shared POU President Benjamin Tang.
Through the presentations and discussions on the Digital Hub’s operations, participants picked up fresh insights on how data can be understood and utilised to support an organisation’s operations. Additionally, they also learnt about developing such digital capabilities, the necessary skills and aptitude for success.
The session was organised by the union and NTUC’s U Future Leaders. Intel is part of NTUC’s U Circle of Friends network.
Takeaways
“I appreciate POU for organising this session because like Intel, PSA Singapore is also looking at how to develop an exciting workplace that is not limited by one’s education background or experience. The challenge for us employers and the union is how we can fan this passion in our workers,” said PSA Singapore Managing Director Cheang Chee Kit.
NTUC Assistant Director-General Vivek Kumar explained how unions, being the core of the Labour Movement, can tap the network to benefit both their members and management partners. In this instance, U Future Leaders worked with POU to bring their management partners to an innovation lab to have conversations linked to skills and career development.
“I hope to have more unions come on board to connect to different parts of our network,” he added.
