Page 31 - The Art of Leadership (preview)

Mr Lee Kuan Ye w

‘‘

Being entrepreneurial does not mean only starting big new companies. Every

new business, however small, that fulfils a need is an enterprise that adds to

our dynamism.
’’

to create a living space with enough greenery such as Ong Peng Tsin of Interwoven and not mean we throw out every strength and
and leisure areas. Olivia Lum of Hyflux, are starting up compa- virtue we have developed. We did not do ev-

We have educated everyone. Today, nearly all nies and branching out in successful new erything wrong or we would not be what we
Singaporeans go through secondary educa- directions, applying technology to capture are today. The present generation of leaders
tion. After secondary school, 20 per cent go new opportunities. Those in the professions must build on what we have achieved and
and corporations must also have an entrepre- preserve our cohesive society, better educated
on to universities, 40 per cent to polytechnics
and 20 per cent to institutes of technical ed- neurial outlook, and be able and willing to and skilled people, harmonious industrial
ucation. Now the difficult part is to raise their take their professional services or companies relations and a determined quest for excel-
quality at each level so that they can, through in new directions. Being entrepreneurial does lence. Innovation and enterprise are only part
not mean only starting big new companies. of what we should have more of. We need to
better training and higher productivity, meet
the competition from lower-wage workers in Every new business, however small, that keep our industrial sector vibrant through
China. fulfils a need is an enterprise that adds to our high-tech and high value-added investments
dynamism. from MNCs. We must improve our interna-
More of our firms must expand regionally. tionally-traded services sector by adding
Not everyone has to start a business from The government intends to release more of
its able and resourceful officers to the private medical, educational and legal services, at-
scratch. More could succeed by building on
sector after they have served their scholarship tracting customers from the immediate region
old businesses and expanding internationally.
bonds. However, that may not mean we will and beyond, from India and China. The world
Some of our energetic, resourceful and able has changed and so must we.
people must go into business rather than stay have more entrepreneurs if they do not change
their mindsets.
in salaried jobs. This is a change of culture, of Mr Lee Kuan Yew delivered this lecture
values and mindset. It will not be easy, but We are a much smaller market than Hong on 5 February 2002.
th
some can succeed. Kong or Taiwan. That is all the more reason
why we have to match or better their tax re-
We need a more supportive and conducive
gime, which keep direct taxes low.
environment that will encourage enterprise.
A new generation of emerging entrepreneurs, To conclude, the remaking of Singapore does

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