What do you think society and the economy (global or domestic) will be like in 50 years' time? How likely is it that your industry or profession will still be around and relevant by then?Joe PoonPresidentXchangingIN 50 years' time, the world will at once be a smaller and bigger place.迷你倉價錢 Technology will continue to further reduce the tyranny of distance, accessibility, language and other barriers, making it a smaller place. At the same time, technology will further enable people and communities of all walks and persuasion to better realise their potential and reach opportunities hitherto inaccessible and not invented yet.In 50 years' time, the world will also at once be totally unrecognisable and yet governed by the same themes. Innovation will continue Schumpeter's constant wave of creative destruction. New entrants will continue to replace today's Fortune 500 leaders by doing things differently, just as today's champions had replaced their predecessors. In 50 years' time, themes that have guided mankind's progress, and the same ones that underpin Singapore's progress, will still decide the winners and losers. The two most important are an openness/adaptability to innovation and change, and the insistence of transparency and integrity - where talent and resources can have the best chance to be applied to the best returns.Lim Soon HockManaging DirectorPlan-B Icag Pte LtdTECHNOLOGY and scientific advancements will play a bigger role in the way society and the economy function in 50 years' time. Society and the economy will be even more dependent on technology, through a plethora of smarter devices, more intelligent appliances and more user-friendly applications, consistent with today's trends. We will rely more on technology in the way we live, work and play. For all the new benefits which technology brings, it will become more ubiquitous.For example, in the area of healthcare, scientific advancements will enable people to live longer. I think there will be more centenarians in the next 50 years. Mobile, active and intelligent micro-chips can be implanted in our bodies to detect ailments, ''repair'' malfunctioning organs and perhaps even help grow new organs, through stem cell technologies, to replace diseased ones. People will likely have more leisure time, as a result of better health management and longevity. Both society and the economy will have to adjust to this new development, not only to tap new opportunities but also to ensure that they have the right strategies in place to pursue them.Technology will inevitably lead to faster communications and shorter decision-making cycles. Businesses will need to be more responsive to customer needs and demands, which will change at a much faster rate than today. The world will shrink further in the next half-decade. If there is one development that will scuttle progress in 50 years' time, it would be that the world has not done enough to protect Gaia. I hate to think of the damages which climatic change, especially the warming of the earth, can inflict upon our world. More industries and professions will need to pay greater attention now to protecting the environment and improving sustainability, if they hope to survive and thrive in the next 50 years.Low Lee YongChief Executive Officer / FounderMHC Asia Group of CompaniesFIFTY years ago when Dick Tracy sported his ''smart-watch'', it was ''science fiction''; today we have more processing power in our iPhones than was needed to fly man to the moon. The future practice of medicine will be both exciting and scary.Exciting, because of the emerging innovations that promise to improve healthcare delivery and provide us with longer, better-quality lives. I imagine cancer will have a cure; paralytics will walk again due to stem cell technology; amputees and organ failure patients can 3D-print their body and organ parts in the lab.Scary, because will we still have doctors and nurses, or will they be replaced by robots which are immune to human error? Whichever way we turn, we need to accept with humility that life is not fully in our control. Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, reminds that as a doctor we ''cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always''. Even with the best technologies, machines should never completely replace the caring touch of humans.Teo Lay LimSenior Managing DirectorAccenture, AseanOUR world is evolving to be one in which the boundaries of the physical and the digital will become increasingly blurred. From retail to healthcare, from banking to education, the way we all work and live will be significantly transformed by hyper-connected, intelligent ecosystems.Digitally enabled healthcare will improve practitioner productivity and patient experience throughout the life-cycle of care. Digital banks will become widespread and digital money transfer will become the standard way to make international transfers. Brick-and-mortar retail establishments will blend the digital with the physical, deploying technology such as augmented reality to optimise retail real-estate and connect customers. Biometrics will enable cities to become safer. Students can access education anywhere, any time.Digital manufacturing will become widespread with technologies such as 3D printing and crowd platforms to further abate time and space barriers between producers and consumers. Smart sensors will enable efficient use of resources and more integrated ''smart'' urban services, and machine-to-machine interactions will make concepts such as driverless cars a reality. Wearable technology will make technology less obvious, less intrusive and always on, always close by.There is no time like the present to prepare for this digital future - where innovation can take place not only in the creation of products and technologies but also in the application and configuration of these technologies and data-driven insights to evolve new business models - and organisations and governments have the opportunity to define their digital destinies.Lim Tit MengChief ExecutiveScience Centre SingaporeWE live in challenging times, buffeted by climate change, an ageing population and intensified urbanisation, which have been further compounded by declining birth rates and limited natural resources for sustainable energy, water and food supply. To keep us going as a human race globally, and as a nation locally, innovative solutions through science and technology will be of prime importance. A knowledge-based economy will continue to grow and provide us with smart technologies and creative means to meet healthcare, productivity, transport and communications, food security, energy and water consumption needs. Translating outputs from research and development work of scientists and engineers, coupled with sensible socio-economical and international relationship policies, will be an engine we cannot afford to shut down.Science Centres worldwide will continue to play a pivotal role in promoting science literacy, bringing about awareness of issues and advancements and communicating science to the public so as to bridge the widening knowledge gap between the learned and the learners.Chris ComerCEO and Property DeveloperCastlewood GroupFIFTY years from now, Singapore could quite easily be an Asian version of Geneva from a political and financial perspective. Our banking systems, laws and infrastructure are the envy of most nations. Geographically we are perfectly positioned to become the global gateway to South-east Asia. We boast a multi-racial tolerance and relative impartiality.Singapore's excellent education system is, however, a double-edged sword for the future. With education comes a natural drop in total fertility rate. We are at the bottom of the global chart on total fertility rates and action is required. More women choose career over family; the cost of living in Singapore creates a financial and family planning dichotomy; a woman's salary is a major contribution to the household income. Singapore is getting older and therefore for our ''next 50-year survival'' we must encourage a baby boom. If we cannot, then we must recognise that immigration is the key to our survival and so must lay plans to encourage and attract young, high-quality, educated immigrants.Robin C LeeGroup COOBok Seng GroupWITH the meteoric advancement of medicine and the conscientious practice of good lifestyle habits, there is a good chance that I may live to see the world 50 years later. The economy and society in general will be driven by more advanced technologies eliminating the need of human intervention and participation, allowing us to do the things we most enjoy. Unfortunately, I do not see everyone enjoying the same benefits brought forth by this advancement.I envisage a world 50 years from now, further divided by a gaping wealth gap that is slowly but indubitably creating social difficulties in the world. Such huge disparities will lead to the amplifying of the Gini index, resulting in a deep rupture of the social fabric and a world thrown into pandemonium. People will also be more detached and individualistic as face-to-face communication is abandoned in favour of more advanced forms of media. Humans will hide behind machines. Emotions will also be detached from our daily decisions and activities. Despite all the technological advances, sad to say, the world may become colder, more distant, less caring, less empathising and definitely less fun.I believe in 50 years, our business would be able to stand the test of time and rapid innovation - as specialists in logistics and heavy haulage transportation, we will continue to be an important element of the economy as infrastructure and buildings will still be needed as more people congregate in densely populated cities. But there will be major consolidation of service providers as those who fail to innovate and create efficiency will be eliminated or be acquired. Thus we strive to continuously innovate and break new borders. It may seem like I hold a grim vision of the future. But I sincerely believe that the future can also bring great promise, if we start to emphasise more ''humanity'' in our technological creations and enhance the redistribution of wealth and resources.Raed S HaddadManaging Director, Asia PacificESI InternationalTHE world in 50 years' time will be a very different place spurred by Asia's growing influence in the global economy, scientific breakthroughs and geo-political changes. Technological advances will make transport and logistics easier by blurring boundaries and opening doors for developmental projects across sectors. Population growth will further fuel the need for construction on the commercial and residential fronts. Consequently, projects are bound to become costlier and more complex in terms of scope, degree of risk, and the political, cultural and social factors involved.Organisations will radically change their approaches to stay on track through better leadership programmes and use of lead methodologies to have a firm grip on project controls and implementations. Project management will hence be a core competence and will go beyond traditional technical capabilities. It will enter a more strategic stage, with managers expected to demonstrate business acumen in their project leadership roles. To help evolve and develop these skill-sets, project management education will be critical and more relevant than ever.Joshua SohManaging Director for Singapore and BruneiCiscoWE see in popular movies and books today, the future is either one of bright promise - where humanity's challenges are solved by technology and greater enlightenment - or a dystopian world where today's issues have only gotten worse and the very survival of mankind is at risk.I have an optimistic view of the future we actively create. Within 10 years, there will be 50 billion connected things in the world, with trillions of connections among them. These connections will change the world for the better in ways we may not think possible today. It's not just the ''Internet of Things'' that is making all of this real - it's the Internet of Everything, the networked connection of people, process, data, and things. And analytics brings the intelligence to all to these connections and helps us make smarter decisions.Singapore in 2064 will be the beacon of connectivity, where technology and innovation meet, with a positive impact on the economy. I envision a future where sensors and machine-to-machine communication will impact every part of our lives - whether that means improving how we move from Changi to Jurong or Singapore to San Jose; having an energy-efficient connected abode or primary healthcare delivered to our homes.In this connected Internet of Everything economy, skills to work with the technologies that enable and analyse this connectivity will be vital. At Cisco, we believe education and the Internet are the two great equalisers in life, and we will continue to bring industry-relevant curricula into the schools, polytechnics, ITEs and universities to ensure a future-ready workforce. Welcome to tomorrow.Jack YangPresidentHTC South AsiaWE are expecting convergence of global economies within the next 50 years as we are discovering new forms of resources on earth, new clean and renewable energy. The future will be an exciting place where vehicles are self-driven, drones take care of everyday simple tasks, and data information is centralised for the benefit of citizens.The basic fundamental of life is communication. In the future, communications will be instantaneous and seamless with immediate access to all types of information and technology at our fingertips. The world will become a better place, thanks to more efficient communications through wearable and embedded technology. We envision technology in an organic form, using nano technology - imagine a mobile communicator membrane that can be powered directly from our bodies.Based on today's technological leaps in innovation, mobile convergence is imminent and it's clear that technology will be the key driver in future society. HTC will be a big part of this as we are the technology leader.Soon OngChief Executive OfficerClarity GroupFOR over 35 years, Clarity has championed the future of smart homes and businesses. We have brought smart solutions to over 3,000 homes and our continued investments and focus on bringing futuristic experiences to life place us in a brilliant position to help consumers and businesses evolve and keep pace with game-changers in the next 50 years.Our economic activities have evolved from being transactional to experiential. The next 50 years will only be more experiential for consumers and businesses. From 3D technology to holographic displays, the possibilities for the technology industry will be endless as result of digitalisation, artificial intelligence and true-to-life content reproduction.Picture yourself living in a fully automated world. When you return from a long day of work, the air-conditioning switches on the moment you step home and your favourite music begins to play, all without you having to lift a finger. This would have been unheard of a decade ago, but at Clarity, we have made these advances become reality. We believe that regular everyday items will continue to undergo a massive technology makeover to make way for smarter homes and businesses in the next 50 years.These trends present exciting opportunities for Clarity, our experienced architects, our group of companies and most importantly, our consumers.Dhirendra ShantilalBoard Director & Head, Asia PacificFircroftGIVEN the rate of urbanisation and globalisation today, the global economy and various societies are going to become even more intertwined in 50 years' time. With rising affluence overall, more people will have access to advanced technology and be more connected to one another via these devices (whether they be improved versions of our current smartphones, tablets and computers, or technology yet to be invented). In the development of technologies, engineers and those with special technical skills will be needed more than ever. The specialist recruitment of technical and engineering professions will be a sunrise industry that may grow out of its niche space into the mainstream.In addition, technology will change the way people interface, and therefore recruitment companies in general will have to go beyond the mere sourcing and placing of talents. Rather, their mandate will need to encompass guiding individuals through the lifespan of their careers and tapping into the technology of the day.Mark BillingtonRegional Director - South East AsiaICAEWI HAVE no doubt the accountancy profession will be more relevant than ever in 50 years. Businesses will always need financial expertise and advice, which is what the accountancy profession provides. Business is becoming increasingly more global, which means increased demand for financial management and transparency. I believe we will also see greater demand for audit and assurance services - not just of numbers but of other areas of reporting. For example, as the global population rises, it is likely natural resource use will become more important and demand will grow for greater transparency around measuring and reporting this.As a global financial hub in a growing region of the world, Singapore will continue to require financial and business skills and it is likely that more highly-qualified finance professionals will be needed. One area where we can expect to see significant change is an ageing workforce, and people will likely need to work beyond the current retirement age. This means that workplaces will have to culturally adapt to a maturing workforce, in terms of employee requirements and ensuring skills are in step with the modern world.Hari KrishnanManaging DirectorLinkedIn Asia Pacific & JapanTHE world will seem a lot smaller and closer as the inter-connectivities between people and institutions remove barriers such as geography and information, faster than ever. Much of this, driven by the pace of technological advancement, is already playing out today.At LinkedIn, we have started to work towards our vision of creating the world's first economic graph, by digitally representing the global economy. We believe this will create economic opportunities for all professionals. By identifying the connections between people, jobs, skills, companies and knowledge, the graph will enable professionals to identify and realise opportunities - from getting the jobs they want, to closing the skills gap in certain parts of the world and raising capital for growth.As we build our economic graph, all forms of capital - from human to financial - will start to flow where and when it is needed, helping to bring the world even closer together.Lee Fook ChiewChief Executive OfficerInstitute of Singapore Chartered AccountantsTECHNOLOGICAL advances, especially in information communications and artificial intelligence, will continue unabated and profoundly impact the way we live and work. For example, increasing automation of routine work processes and heightened information flow will result in industries and economies being powered by jobs that require higher analytical skills and professional judgment. These changes to the economic and business landscapes will bring about new challenges and opportunities.To remain relevant, accounting professionals will need to continually adapt, learn new skills and provide value in keeping pace with fast-changing developments. I am confident that the profession will do so, just as it has adeptly done in the past to address and serve evolving business needs. For example, from simple book-keeping, its function has grown to include areas like treasury, tax and risk management.Nonetheless, what remain constant in a sea of change are the core tenets of accountancy ingrained in the DNA of all accountants, ethics and integrity. These values will remain relevant and vital to all business needs and will support Singapore's reputation and growth as a thriving financial, business and accountancy hub.George ChangVP, Southeast Asia & Hong KongFortinetFIFTY years is a long time. Just as today's Singapore today is unrecognisable from the one our parents knew in 1965, it's impossible to accurately predict the scenarios that our children will face in half a century. Going by recent developments, however, the world is likely to become a thoroughly connected place. Everyone will be able to communicate with everyone else, instantaneously and over multiple platforms. The volume and speed of information flow will be unprecedented.One thing, however, will not change - our need for privacy. The immense amount of data being exchanged will need to be secured against prying eyes and unintended recipients, and for this reason, I foresee the IT security industry will continue to thrive. Today, cyber attacks are already becoming more plentiful and sophisticated. As the number of devices - not just for communications but also household and office appliances, as well as medical devices like pacemakers - in the world grow in the coming years, malicious hackings will rise exponentially and these will need to be curbed.Max LohCountry Managing PartnerErnst & Young LLPIN 50 years' time, the gap between today's developed and emerging markets would have narrowed, and the world will be multi-polar with different centres of economic power co-existing, collaborating and competing. Most economies will face intensified urban and social infrastructural challenges, as population growth, demographic shifts and resource scarcity impact governments and businesses. Accelerated innovation and technological advances will radically redefine the way we do and regulate businesses and harness talent. New types of jobs will be created as others become obsolete.Professional services firms like EY will continue to play an integral role, as we envisage a better working world in the future, where there is trust and and confidence in capital markets, businesses grow sustainably, employment rises, consumers spend and governments invest in their citizens. The caveat is that we must continually transform - in terms of human capital, broad capabilities, deep expertise, insightfulness and being client account-centric - so as to stay relevant.Leon PereraChief Executive OfficerSpire Research & Consulting GroupHOUSEHOLD robots will revolutionise personal services as well as household work, helping a much older workforce to remain productive for far longer. Space or near-space travel will revolutionise long-distance transport and accelerate globalisation (hopefully without creating a new arena for military conflict). 3D printing of small batches coupled with big data analytics will enable a degree of product customisation unimaginable today. Extremely stringent green and ethics regulations will shift resources away from simply making and consuming more stuff towards making everything greener, safer and fairer.Research-based consulting will be around for the foreseeable future - it makes more sense for firms to outsource the business of deeply understanding the external environment to experts in research methodology. But highly structured, traditional research will become commoditised or in-sourced. What will remain relevant is multi-disciplinary research that delves beyond customer self-report data to uncover deep pockets of unmet needs and hence opportunity.Yeoh Oon JinExecutive ChairmanPwC SingaporePwC has identified five megatrends which will shape the world in the coming years: demographic shifts, shifts in global economic power, accelerating urbanisation, resource scarcity and climate change, and technological breakthroughs. I believe these five trends will greatly impact how we grow and develop as a nation. Being a relatively open economy, it is imperative for Singapore to embrace change, anticipate the impact of these megatrends and continue to re-invent ourselves so that we are well-positioned to secure our future success in the next 50 years.From current trends, it is quite clear that in the next 50 years, the middle class in this region will continue to grow, thus increasing wealth and spending power in Asia. South-east Asia is also likely to continue to develop rapidly as an emerging market. I am confident that with the right talents and strategic innovations to adapt to the changing landscape, the professional services industry in Singapore will continue to grow and stay relevant. The industry should leverage on these global trends to provide the right innovative solutions to important issues affecting business arising from these mega shifts.Christophe DuchatellierCEOAdecco AsiaWE can look forward to new technologies, new ideas and a far more dynamic future. As a market leader, Adecco enjoys looking into the future and seeing how the recruitment/talent industry could look years from now. We can draw on history and past experience to prepare ourselves for yet more change. When it comes to managing talent and matching talent within companies, HR professionals will have to think out of the box - of innovative and creative ways to attract the best talent.Today, there are far more women in the workforce as compared to two decades ago, which is a good thing and a trend that will likely continue. We also expect to see mature and older workers playing an even more important role in Singapore's workforce. As developing economies develop further, so will the increased expectations of both job seekers and hiring companies. Organisations will need to offer employee benefits other than compensation to attract top talent. Undoubtedly there will be increased global connectivity via social media platforms and job-seekers will connect in new and different ways.Marcel van DoremaeleChief Executive OfficerRabobank International, SingaporeIN 50 years, Asia will be home to 56 per cent of the global population, and 66 per cent of the global middle class. With a world population of over nine billion in 2050, they will not only consume more, but demand more varied and higher-quality food products. We expect a greater demand for agricultural commodities and for global food production to double.While land expansion would be able to alleviate some of the global demand, we expect it to be limited. Even with the right soil and climate, enabling factors such as access to ca迷你倉最平ital, political stability and infrastructure are required to use land to its full potential. There is then a need for food producers, governments, companies and consumers to work alongside to overcome the physical challenges.As the world's leading food & agribusiness bank, Rabobank brings its own expertise to play, acknowledging that responsibility for sustainable food production needs to be shared between farmers, processors, retailers, traders, consumers, governments, academics - and banks.Sharat SinhaVice-President Asia PacificPalo Alto NetworksWE are already seeing the trend of many services going digital today - from banks offering services through mobile to enterprises storing their data on the cloud. This trend will only continue, and in 50 years' time, it's likely that more of the devices that people use in everyday life will come online.This will no doubt be an innovative step for society, but will also mean that the risks of cybercrime and data theft will increase as a result. Cybercriminals will always try to be two steps ahead and will continue to find ways to exploit the network. I would expect that security technology will keep pace with the threats to make sure that the connected world stays safe. While we cannot be 100 per cent resolute on where the cybersecurity industry will be 50 years from now, we are confident that cybersecurity will evolve to become even more sophisticated as service providers, enterprises and governments continue to collaborate to combat cybercrimes.Adam JuddVice-President for Asia PacificBrocadeIN the mid-2060s, I envision a society that is interconnected, not only between people, but also with its surroundings, as the next wave of consumerisation is driven by artificially intelligent technology.From driverless cars to automatic health scans, a world where everyday objects are smart and can automatically carry out actions according to people's needs is fast becoming a reality. An interconnected society will translate into high economic interdependence between countries as virtual currency demand starts to phase out existing currencies. Businesses and industries will rise and fall based on their ability to adapt to the changing technology infrastructures and ways of operating business. The networking industry, which is where Brocade's heritage lies, will be the heartbeat of technological change over the next 50 years as it develops the infrastructure for our interconnected world.Prakash MallyaCountry ManagerIntel Singapore and MalaysiaACCORDING to Gartner, by 2020 the Internet of Things will create US$1.9 trillion of economic value-add and over 30 billion connected devices will be in use. Along with this increase in connected devices comes a plethora of Big Data. If this is the case in six years, imagine what it will be like in 50 years!Companies will then face the challenge of knowing what to do with this data and how to best leverage it. More and more companies are realising that mining Big Data can give companies a significant business advantage and can help them better understand their customers to provide them with the products and services they want and need.Intel has been, and will continue to, develop innovative products and technologies that will help power the era of the Internet of Things and enable the Big Data economy. In Singapore, we have already started by opening the Big Data Innovation Center in Singapore in 2013 and this is only the beginning.Seah Kian PengCEO (Singapore)NTUC Fairprice Co-operative LtdOVER the last 50 years, the supermarket and retail industry has grown in scale, diversity in retail formats and increasing sophistication. Going forward, I am confident the industry will continue to evolve and remain vibrant. Retail therapy is a form of relaxation for many of us, and I see more people taking up cooking as a hobby too. So I remain optimistic on the prospects for the industry.At Fairprice, we will continue to transform and innovate in terms of both services and offerings. We will as before harness technology to enhance productivity while enriching customers' shopping experience. From introducing barcoding in the early 90s to contactless payment last year; and just this year, we launched the Scan2Go system - a self-scanning technology for customers, and another first in the industry. Our online shopping portal, FairPrice Online, with some 100,000 subscribers, has also been growing in tandem with the popularity of online shopping. No doubt online shopping will gain in importance as a complementary form of supermarketing - a space we intend to lead as well.Lance TayChief Executive OfficerTokio Marine Life Insurance SingaporeIN the next 50 years, we anticipate that the global life insurance industry will face challenges including ageing population, changing customer behaviours and other economic and political factors. Technological advances in medical care will improve the survival rate for illnesses like cancer, but these treatments will come at a price. Those who can afford to pay for these advanced treatments may live even longer.We will witness the shift towards an informed, ageing population, with a rise in demand for retirement income products, long-term care products and longevity insurance. Ultimately, innovative products, service and delivery will hold the key in catering to these changing needs. Hence, insurers who can anticipate and plan for change can mould the future.Committed to anticipating changes and staying ahead of the curve, we will continue to deliver more innovative solutions for society's future insurance needs.Jessica TanManaging DirectorMicrosoft SingaporeTHE next 50 years could be really exciting, yet daunting at the same time. We will need to support a world population that will exceed nine billion, with double the number of people over 60 years old. In addition, more than two thirds of jobs in the future simply do not exist today.If we look at how technology has progressed in the last 50 years, I believe that it will be more relevant than ever. Technology will play an even bigger role in enabling opportunities, overcoming these challenges, bridging gaps and in shaping the way we live, work and play.To build a future where we strive to be better, faster and provide value, the seeds of tomorrow's technology breakthroughs have to be planted today. As a people-focused technology company, Microsoft has made that important first step many years ago. We have committed and invested in numerous initiatives that will prepare our youths to acquire skills that will help them stay relevant in the future; encourage the use of technology to enable innovative methods of teaching and learning so that we can also address the needs of the next generation of digital natives to become savvy citizens and leaders of the future, and we continue to drive programmes that will help the under-served, senior citizens and people with disabilities, to bridge the digital divide and to be active members of society.Dumont Jean-MichelChairmanRuder Finn AsiaTHE last 50 years has seen revolutionary changes in how people communicate, share information and interact with political and corporate leaders and each other. With the advent of social media and the speed at which information and commentary is disseminated, consumers can access and react to messages at a level unheard of just 10 years ago. Fifty years from now, the rate at which news will be picked up or go viral will be instantaneous and, because of this, targeted communication and precise messaging will remain crucial.Public relations is about creating, building and sustaining trust among stakeholders, including the public. In 50 years, learning how to best craft and share messages in the most effective manner will have evolved into an art form. PR professionals will be required to make messages resonate in a world where the lifespan of news stories and the public attention span will almost certainly be shorter than it is today.Pinaki RathManaging DirectorGold Matrix Resources Pte LtdTHE next 50 years is always exciting - this adage stands true whether we are in 2014, 1914 or even 2104. I would think that peak hour traffic will be greatly reduced as more and more people start working from their homes. There would be more emphasis on individual merit and getting teams to work together will be a challenge. The concept of leaders in the traditional sense will diminish and those who can use technology and digital networking better than others will be the future leaders - the Steve Jobs and Bill Gates ilk.Product obsolescence and substitution will be so rampant that I am not sure if Gold Matrix can survive in its present form. In fact, it may not even survive as an outfit if it can't adapt to the changes brought forth by rapid technological obsolescence. Product life-cycles will be extremely short; there's also miniaturisation and green technology. The world will use less resources and be far more efficient. We would need to manage machine intelligence and get a grip on a common digital network that will transform the economy - that's how I reckon we shall hope to remain in any business 50 years hence.Sandeep BagariaCEOTagitADVANCES in technology around mobility means that as a society, we are more connected than ever before. We see monumental changes on the horizon for the economy resulting from mobility, which is already giving rise to new industries. The emergence of mobile money in 83 countries is quickly changing the way that people make payments. With new payment intermediaries, new currencies like airtime and digital exchanges, businesses and even individuals are now able to offer services and collect payments via mobile devices. In addition, mobile technology is also giving a high proportion of the world's unbanked people access to financial services, via their mobile devices.The implications of this trend for the economy will be huge, and while it is difficult to know where the economy, and indeed the world, will be in 50 years' time, as more enterprises make the decision to go mobile, we expect our industry to continue to thrive.Ang Shih-HueiPartner and CEO - AsiaBell PottingerIT seems evident that Singapore will have an even richer convergence of cultures in 50 years' time. The cultural fabric of Singaporean society will be more diverse, yet likely harmonised and tolerant, as the population thinks globally. Singapore will benefit from the continued growth of Asian economies and the collective growth of Asean in economy and power.As Asean shifts towards a more business-inclusive policy landscape, companies will need to know how to engage a wider stakeholder base. They will also need to adapt to faster-paced and diversified channels of communication, and the court of public opinion will become a vital factor for success. Already, the importance of public relations is increasingly becoming a critical discussion at the top levels of corporate governance throughout Asia. Companies will view well-managed strategic communications as key to their success in coming decades.Riaz MehtaPresident and FounderImagine GroupIN 50 years' time, the present theory of six degrees of separation will probably shrink to two or fewer degrees of separation. The world is now an interconnected neural network. This power of connection has far exceeded anyone's imagination and will continue to break boundaries.?We are in the content industry (producing TV shows) and I believe in 50 years' time, content will remain king, so to speak. But people will have complete freedom in how, when and where they absorb this content. Viewers will be able to control the direction of the story, which will be personalised to suit the consumer. And of course, content will be multi-dimensional and experiential, that is, you can not just watch the content, but you can smell it, feel it and participate in it!Ronald LeeManaging DirectorPrimeStaff Management Services Pte LtdTHE progress that Singapore has made from independence to its current status as a First World country - within the span of just one generation - is truly remarkable. Due to its small size, Singapore is especially vulnerable to outside forces. Yet, we have also demonstrated the ability to realise achievements against the odds. It is thus hard to predict what the next 50 years holds for the republic. Singapore is going through a major transition period and reinvention will be the name of the game in ensuring we maintain our competitive advantage and continue to prosper for the next 50 years. The world, too, is changing dramatically due to the advances in technology and what is almost guaranteed is that technology will change the way we live. 3D printing, for example, will create a new world of possibilities and Singapore ought to position itself at the vanguard of this technological wave.PrimeStaff's core service is supplying manpower to other businesses. As the world shifts towards the use of automation to increase productivity coupled with a reduced reliance on manpower, it is possible that the demand for recruitment services may eventually shrink in 50 years' time. I believe the industry will still be relevant, as the need for human workers will not be completely eradicated. However, what may change is that demand for manpower may shift towards more ''high-value'' and specialised roles as we become an even more knowledge- and technology-led economy.Leong Soo YeeSingapore HeadACCAACCORDING to findings in a recent joint report between ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) entitled ''100 drivers of change for the global accountancy profession'', the overriding global themes for the next 50 years are those of shifts in regional wealth and power, extreme economic uncertainty and political transitions.The business landscape will be reshaped by a combination of market volatility, globalisation and transformational innovation. Continued globalisation will take place against a backdrop of persistent economic turbulence and uncertainty and growing pressure to rethink the entire global economic and financial governance infrastructure.The digitisation of business and everyday life will be characterised by our growing personal technology ecosystems, the ease of access to the Internet and social media and their impact on attention spans. For business, in particular, the impact of cloud computing, the valuation of digital assets, cybersecurity, the rise of ''big data'' and the value of data mining will be emphasised.Attention will also be drawn to the disruptive potential of new industries and production models, and developments such as digital publishing, intelligent accounting systems, predictive analytics and augmented and virtual reality. Emerging areas of science such as genetics, personalised healthcare, brain science, robotics and nanotechnology will also have significant business and commercial impact in the next 50 years.Impacted by these megatrends, the global and local accountancy profession will need to strengthen its public image and go beyond current financial reporting practices to provide a more transparent, simplified but holistic picture of a firm's health and prospects. The profession must continue to adopt intelligent tools that can analyse and interpret large volumes of data rapidly that will transform activities such as audit and forensic accounting. The ability to master these developments will be the key differentiator between success and failure in the exciting future ahead.Dora HoanCo-Chairman / Group CEOBest World International LtdFIFTY years later - I think by then people will recognise only cities rather than countries. With technology advancing rapidly, the world will be better connected, virtually and physically with sophisticated transport systems. Maybe we will have trains from Singapore to Beijing or London or South Africa or even the North Pole! When there is technological advancement, there will be improvement in societies with people enjoying a higher standard of living. With better lives, the direct selling industry will grow. From there, Best World will celebrate her 75th anniversary with our members from all over the world!Raman SinghRegional Managing Director - Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and AfricaMundipharmaTHE next 50 years is an opportunity for Mundipharma to help further alleviate the increasing Burden Of Pain, not just in the local markets we serve but globally. The official statistics are staggering: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the number of people diagnosed with cancer in the world each year has leaped to more than 14 million. WHO predicts the number of cancer cases will reach 24 million a year by 2035 amid rapid lifestyle changes even in the developing world. There will also be greater public health concerns as a result of population growth, urbanisation, rising energy consumption and pollution.With the growing numbers of cancer patients and other chronic pain sufferers, we see it as Mundipharma's responsibility to continue to improve the quality of lives globally. As the world goes through rapid change, we will work tirelessly to provide patients with easier access to new and innovative treatments so that they may enjoy a better quality of life.Ranjit KhannaHead of South East Asia & Global NRICoutts & Co LtdIT will not be too far-fetched to imagine that in 50 years, we will have a world that - as a result of a myriad new technologies in reverse and forward osmosis or in water treatment, for instance - has clear fresh water flowing freely instead of a shortfall of fresh water supplies because of population growth and increasing urbanisation and industrialisation. Or a world where inexpensive, abundant, universal and low-carbon power, in everything from micro-devices to major power stations, replaces the traditional forms of energy, and oil is no longer so dominant. This could have profound implications for the global energy market, for oil prices and, potentially, for geopolitics in the Middle East and Russia. Or even a world where advances in cancer management and regenerative medicine see changes in life expectancy and transform our assumptions about retirement planning, financial management and investment.The future in 50 years such as this has tremendous implications for us all, and it would also have a huge impact on our clients and their wealth, and correspondingly for the private wealth management industry. To remain relevant to our clients, we would need to show that we are prepared for some of these eventualities that might have an impact on our collective future and that we are ready to explore the possible implications of changes in the world on clients, their families and the businesses they own and run. Only if we do that will we have the credibility to continue advising our clients in the years to come.Tom ZackPresident South-east AsiaEMCAMID the global economic outlook, Asia continues on its upward trajectory with analysts forecasting Asean, India and China to be among the possible ''future states'' of the global economic and business environment.For businesses, the hyper-connected world brings hyper-accelerated innovation. To achieve business priorities and increase their competitiveness, companies will continue to look at the adoption of new-generation technologies and innovations which can support their needs and at the same time improve business performance, productivity and efficiencies.Harnessing the potential of a high growth market, EMC will continue to operate from a position of strength while empowering businesses with the right technologies, infrastructure and innovations, enabling the move to the third platform. EMC will continue to evolve to meet the needs of a hyper-connected world by enabling the software defined enterprise through best of breed storage platforms, software defined storage and converged infrastructure.As we move into the future, organisations should continue to take informed risks and reap the benefits of what technology can bring - an agile environment, an efficient workforce and improved business performance - enabling the move to the third platform and transforming the way we work and live.Thirumalai ChandrooChairman/CEOModern Montessori International GroupTHE world in 50 years seems like light years away now, but in reality it will arrive and when it does, it will be a force to be reckoned with. Singapore and her people are most certainly ready for a new age society and economy - look at how far we have come in the last four decades or so. In 50 years the biggest power will be the astonishing scale of technological growth. We will see technology revolutionise the way we work, play and interact. It will completely transform how we think and react to key issues in our lives and environments.Human relations will change, and the way we do business will depend on how progressive we are technologically. The most serious threats will also come up in the maelstrom of instability that lurks within the technology. Most of the world currently still treats technology as a want and not a necessity. There needs to be continuous education about the power and reach of technology to our young. Early childhood education will be one such avenue to impart this knowledge; any entity that enables the progress of a nation by educating its young will continue to have significance. Fast forward 50 years and I foresee a society and economy that is more vibrant, complicated and demanding of its citizenry.David LeongManaging DirectorPeopleWorldwide Consulting Pte LtdAT today's time-compressed?pace, 50 years is a long time to gaze into. Singapore rises to become a First World nation torn?away from Federal Malaysia and almost could not survive. It took Japan less than 50 years to rise from its ashes after World War II to become the second largest economy after US, but it has now slipped into No 3, after China.In 50 years, I see a?changed migratory pattern where the movement of people will reverse from the West to Asia. The Middle Kingdom will become once again the Middle Kingdom of the world, where people worldwide converge at. China may become the No 1 economic power sooner than later as it overtakes the fiscal-stricken US.Singapore needs to be plugged integrally into the Middle Kingdom and play to?the reversal of roles and fortunes of the US and Europe. We are far too small but?we can become an integral part of the supply chains of finances, commodities, people,?trades between China and Asia and between Asia and the rest of the world.If we are not careful, in 50 years, Singapore can disappear and become a short and forgettable?miracle. Singapore must continue in our drive to evolve and remain relevant in a changing geopolitical and economic landscape.?Julie TayVice-President, Asia-PacificAlign Technology, IncCOUNTRIES around the world will be more interdependent than ever before - an inevitable trend that will be compounded by advances in connectivity, digitalisation, and the ever-rising volume of global trade and consumption.Since its inception, Align Technology has always set the bar for leadership and change by constantly innovating to bring new and better solutions to the market. We advanced clear aligner orthodontics through the use of cutting-edge software and 3D printing for Invisalign. And, our iTero digital scanner has brought about marked benefits, including improved accuracy, treatment efficiency, and enhanced patient experience.Today, Invisalign is offered in more than 60 countries and has been used to treat over 2.5 million patients worldwide. By staying focused and invested in the next breakthrough in digital dentistry, Align will be optimally positioned to lead the sector, to bring healthy, beautiful smiles to patients, and to foster practice growth for our dental partners.Liu ChunlinCEOK&C Protective Technologies Pte LtdTHE global issue that will be everybody's concern in the next 50 years will be the relationship between China and the US. China's GDP is expected to be larger than that of the US by then. The relationship between these two big powers is crucial to the global economy. If the two nations work hand-in-hand with each other, a bright outlook can be expected. Prosperity will prevail, and power struggle between the two minimised. As for Singapore, growth in an economy led by a strong government could be expected. But the voting citizens need to be more careful in future elections by looking into the long-term interests of the country and not just the short-term personal enjoyments. It is crucial to make the correct choice of who should lead the nation in the next 50 years in order to keep sailing in the right direction.The security & protective solution industry which we belong to exists to counter terrorism. Since the 911 attacks in 2001, the terrorism threat has grown - and is unlikely to abate in the next 50 years as regional, religious and social tensions lead to continual conflicts around the world. As such, demand for security services will not subside. As the terrorists become more sophisticated with better understanding of technology, our industry will certainly need to constantly update and upgrade ourselves to effectively counter the threat. Our industry will remain a booming one in the next 50 years.Chua Weng FooChief Executive OfficerUnit4 Asia PacificFUTURISTS are envisioning some exciting and at times frightening predictions for the future of technology that will either enhance or replace activities and products that we hold dearly. Fifty years from now, there will be new ways of consuming and processing of data, resulting in the increasing need to leverage on this data to make real-time intelligent decisions.One aspect of our industry - enterprise resource planning (ERP) - has always been regarded as a reactive application where you extract information when you need it. The challenge, however, is to transform the ERP concept into a more intelligent and proactive partner that offers information to users before he or she knows they need it. Adapting to the new generation is especially key in listening and keeping our pulse on the industry and our customers. While technology will definitely change with time, we expect our core values of catering to dynamic organisations and our principle of delivering change-embracing solutions to remain a strength in this industry.迷你倉
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