"What excites me most about working at SBF is the opportunity to create an impact on businesses and Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs). SBF is a member-centric organisation. Our members are at the heart of what we do. The diverse views and aspirations of our 27,000 members inspire and challenge me to create meaningful connections and conversations for them.

By organising “SBF Conversations” and connecting our members through dialogues with the Government, I give our members a voice to shape a progressive pro-business landscape. TACs are important aggregators, enablers and multipliers for the business ecosystem. I nurture a close relationship with the TACs through activities such as the Roundtables on Digitalisation and Sustainability, the inaugural TAC Symposium and the OneTAC App, which are very much “for the TACs, by the TACs” initiatives.

Through the 3Cs approach, I drive initiatives to (1) Connect TACs to build a vibrant TAC ecosystem, (2) Cultivate and uplift capabilities of TACs and (3) Enable Collaboration so we can collectively do more for our members.

I am proud to be part of the SBF team that champions a future-ready business community!"

“I am delighted to be part of SBF’s Jobs & Skills Division and to contribute to the Jobs Development Partner (JDP) Programme which was launched earlier this year. As Programme Manager for the JDP Programme, SBF will work closely with companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to help accelerate industry transformation, and spur job creation and redesign.

SMEs can tap on this programme to receive complimentary holistic advisory services provided by dedicated Industry Transformation Advisors. These advisors will help SMEs review their manpower processes and needs, link them up with specialists for tailored solutions and provide support for project management.

Under the new JDP Programme Office, SBF will work closely with Government agencies, Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) and eco-system partners to complement existing efforts and consolidate resources to help the business community in their transformation journey. More than 10 TACs have pledged their support in the JDP Programme to support their sectoral members and companies in this industry transformation effort.”

“My work at SBF gives me a great sense of fulfilment and keeps me engaged!

At SBF, we represent the interests of the Singapore business community at international platforms such as the APEC Business Advisory Council, Business20, and the International Chamber of Commerce.

There is never a dull moment as my work is dynamic. We have to respond swiftly to global economic developments to effectively champion the interests of the Singapore business community. We develop recommendations and communicate concerns of the private sector to governments, while championing for greater inter-government collaboration over a range of economic issues such as the recent scenario of helping businesses recover more quickly from the pandemic. We also advocate for the lowering of trade barriers and ensuring a predictable international regulatory environment so that Singapore businesses can enjoy a level-playing field globally.

SBF gives me the opportunity to experience different cultures through working with counterparts from around the world. I have formed close friendships with my overseas counterparts, whom I remain in regular contact through the years. I am proud to play a part in the international advocacy efforts for the Singapore business community and flying the Singapore flag high!”

Beverly from NUS Business Administration was an Intern with SBF’s Communications Department. In a span of 3 months, she researched, collated information, and created the SBF 20th Anniversary Wall Mural which adorned the wall of SBF office.

“My greatest accomplishment in this internship is the creation of the SBF 20th Anniversary Wall Mural.

This 3-month long endeavour involved scouring for quotes, crafting blurbs and consolidating pictures to form the content of the wall, providing creative direction and ensuring that progress was made promptly according to the timeline.

I’m grateful for the trust and support my supervisor has given me to drive this initiative and I’m thrilled to leave a literal (9m) mark on our SBF office wall!”

Ryan from SMU Economics interned at SBF’s Africa, Europe, Middle East, Central & South Asia (AEMEA) Department. He gained valuable insights into the business environment of different countries in the emerging markets as he worked alongside SBF employees over a period of 3 months. He conducted research into business landscapes of these markets and assisted in the organisation of physical business events and webinars for companies.

“Before I joined SBF, I did not fully understand the importance of SBF to Singapore’s business community.

During my internship, I had the exposure to participate in meetings with businesses (local and foreign), High Commissions and several international organisations such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Through these meetings and daily interactions with my supervisors, I was able to gain insights to SBF’s role as an enabler, bridge, and facilitator for businesses.

I also received invaluable exposure to the business environments of the countries in AEMEA where I better understand the opportunities and challenges of doing business in those countries.”

Timothy joined SBF as a Human Resources (HR) Intern. His primary focus was to actively participate in HR digital transformation projects.

According to Timothy, the most rewarding part of this internship experience was supporting the HR team in their digital transformation initiatives.

“It allowed me to gain a deeper insight into the functioning and dynamics of the HR department within SBF.  It provided me with valuable exposure, enabling me to acquire hard and soft skills such as automating HR processes, working independently and collaborating effectively with the team.”

Rui En joined SBF as an Intern in the Communications department, where her primary responsibility was to collaborate closely with her team to enhance SBF's presence on social media platforms specifically Instagram and TikTok.

“As a Communications intern, I had the chance to attend numerous events organised by various divisions across SBF, and this gave me a better understanding of the Singapore business landscape and even the international business landscape.”

She also had the opportunity to engage with diverse stakeholders including business leaders, members of the media, and colleagues from different divisions within SBF. These interactions enabled her to gain practical experience in the communications industry and develop valuable skills for navigating the corporate world more effectively.

Sarika joined SBF as a Business & Industries Engagement Intern, in Global Division 3. She worked closely with the (BIE) Business & Industries Engagement department, extending her support to the Singapore Women Entrepreneur Network (SG-WEN), Young Business Leaders Network (YBLN), and GlobalConnect (GC) Community.

According to Sarika, she had the opportunity to immerse herself in a professional environment that was previously unfamiliar to her.

“I have picked up valuable skills such as effective interpersonal communication and conscientiousness in a work setting, which will definitely be useful in her future career.”

On the more technical side, she honed her design skills and gained knowledge of various marketing strategies. She emphasised that the thought processes underlying these skills are of greater importance to her. She learned to think from the perspective of different stakeholders and learn how, when and what to prioritise in order to achieve desired outcomes.