What Makes A Successful Public Admin Manager In This Ever Chaging Environment

Introduction

In the 21st century, we have witnessed many changes in our global environment. This is largely caused by globalization, fuelled by the relentless progress in technology, which inevitably leads to many benefits and problems to the world. Therefore, to achieve success in this changing environment, we need to overcome the challenges that are brought about by globalization.

In this essay, I will assume the role of Prime Minister of Singapore, and elaborate further about the effects of globalization and critically assess several means to overcome the challenges brought upon by globalization.

Ever-changing Environment

Globalization has many definitions. It is the widening and deepening of international flows of trade, finance and information in a single, integrated global market. Or it can be defined as the transformation (shrinking) of the world into a global village, as borders disappear, distances shrink, and time shortens. Alternatively, it can be described as the increasing linkages between the world's people.

The phase of globalization has proved to be of monumental change to how countries collaborate and interact with each other. It is a key driving force in steering the world towards a more integrated society. Coupled with the progress of information technology and the increase in information exchange between countries, it has inevitably caused countries to be more closely interlinked than ever before. Global economies have reaped benefits from this integration; with a rise in efficiency and more competitive business market.

Literature Review

Several literatures exist in which scholars and academics recognized the rapid emergence of globalization in the past century. These articles further discuss the repercussions of globalization, both beneficial and detrimental, on the society.

Advocates of globalization propose that globalization has created life-saving opportunities for the society. With the advancement in medical technology, cures for diseases have been invented and millions of lives saved.

Joseph Stiglitz in his article, titled "Globalization and its discontents", that with social and technological advances caused by globalization, the global life expectancy has increased and the standard of living has improved (Stiglitz, 2002). Professor David Held from the Centre for the Study of Global Governance further talked about the favorable outcomes of globalization in his book, "(Globalization) often point to increased trade, new and better technologies, expanded media, and economic growth." (Held D. 2000).

There are always two sides of a coin; with benefits, globalization encompasses many negative effects as many academics and scholars have concurred in their literatures.

With the developed countries experiencing substantial economic growth, those poorer countries are in fact facing lower standards of living. Amy Chua, a Yale Law School professor, argued that "The expansion of the global marketplace has left half the world's population living on less than two dollars a day and more than a billion people are currently living on less than one dollar a day."

This inequality is further discussed by Dr. JW Smith, an independent economist. He stated that "the exportation of labor-intensive, higher priced finished products to poorer states caused these poorer states to have less circulation of money in their own economies."

Overcoming the Challenges

Globalization has posed many critical challenges that Singapore needs to overcome in the foreseeable future. Singapore needs to rise up to these challenges and political involvement, in particular, plays a crucial role in assisting Singapore to step up to the plate.

In a speech by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the opening ceremony of the IMF-World Bank Meeting 2006, he stressed that to keep up in this fast-paced globalization environment, the key is to help economies open up and making life better for people.

There are mainly four core challenges that Singapore is expected to face. They are intensified economic competition, social inequality, increase vulnerability to regional crises and diminishing loyalty of citizens. As the Prime Minister (PM) of Singapore, I need to critically assess each problem and provide viable solutions in order for Singapore to survive and triumph over these challenges.

Competition and Innovation

As the competition between economies heat up, Singapore definitely need to stand out and differentiate itself amongst other countries to attract foreign talents and investments. However, having a strong differentiating point is no easy task. With rampant information exchange between countries, there exists a high propensity for imitation of ideas almost instantly. Therefore, continuous innovation will ensure that Singapore can maintain its unique quality.

In the Youth Entrepreneur Congress 2003, Mr Yatiman Yusof, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts emphasized that "we need entrepreneurs who can creatively reconstruct market-proven elements to create unique and compelling business propositions. They must seek to create not merely "me too" products, but differentiated offerings that stand out in the crowded marketplace."

Changing the economic structure can help to bring out the competitive advantage of Singapore. By encouraging a more entrepreneurial and diversified economy, Singapore will become a leading global city in the world economy. The Singapore Economic Review Committee proposed that "we must equip Singaporeans with the skills and know-how to realize all these strategies, and take advantage of new opportunities and a continuously changing environment.

Arguably, Chicago has one of the world's most diversified economies. With a workforce more than 4 million strong and an extraordinary mix of humanity, Chicago's economy has been driven at the speed of business. In addition, Chicago has continually reinvented itself, always taking leadership in new sectors, resulting in North America's most diversified economy. This combination of market access and economic diversity offers all of the resources you need to build a successful, world-class business--stability, support, opportunities for growth, and the good life. The ability to achieve success in this ever changing environment was further highlighted by its mayor Richard M. Daley, "The strength of the