Pan Pacific Hotels giving away 25,000 free nights to Singapore healthcare workers

We’ve seen lots of airlines launch initiatives to recognise those involved in the fight against COVID-19, from Qatar Airways’ 100,000 free tickets for healthcare professionals to Singapore Airlines’ 30 million miles for frontline personnel. 

However, hotel initiatives so far (at least in Singapore) have mostly come in the form of room discounts. Don’t get me wrong; some of these discounts are extremely generous, but I can’t recall an out and out giveaway until now. 

Pan Pacific Hotels is giving away 25,000 free nights to healthcare workers

Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore

Pan Pacific Hotels Group has announced that they will be giving away 25,000 complimentary nights to staff from SingHealth, National Healthcare Group (NHG) and National University Health System (NUHS). 

These rooms are valid for stays from 1 December 2020 to 31 March 2021. 

Which hotels are participating?

PARKROYAL Pickering

These rooms will be available across six properties in Singapore, namely:

Hotel	Approved for Staycations? (as of 12-Aug)
Pan Pacific Singapore
Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Beach Road
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering
PARKROYAL on Beach Road
PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road

The Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard and PARKROYAL Serviced Suites are not participating. 

There’s no word on how the 25,000 free rooms will be distributed across properties, but in any case, it’s interesting that the total value of the initiative has been pegged at S$6.5M. That works out to an average value per night of S$260 (though they’re probably using rack rates to calculate this figure?).

What do stays include?

All complimentary stays for healthcare workers will come with the following perks:

• Free breakfast
• 50% off dining at hotel-operated restaurants
• 30% off spa services at St. Gregory

Children under the age of 12 will stay for free, and all healthcare workers will receive a fast-track to the next elite tier of Pan Pacific DISCOVERY. No details have been given on how the fast-track program will work, but here’s how many nights are usually required for each tier:

Other Pan Pacific initiatives for healthcare workers

Lime Restaurant at PARKROYAL Pickering

Beyond the free nights, all healthcare workers in Singapore will receive 30% off the bill at any Pan Pacific Group Hotel restaurants in Singapore from 1 December 2020 till 31 March 2021. They will also receive a 10% discount on room rates at Pan Pacific Group Hotels worldwide, for bookings made by 31 August 2020. 

The 10% discount on room rates is already reflected when booking rooms online. Do note that members of the public can enjoy the same 10% discount by simply signing up for the free-to-join Pan Pacific DISCOVERY program. 

Update: Pan Pacific has clarified that there will be a further preferential rate for closed distribution to healthcare groups directly, that will not appear on the website. Do contact the hotel directly if you’re eligible.

In addition, note that staycation packages for the public also include 30% off on F&B, so long as you’re a DISCOVERY member.

I’m checking with the Pan Pacific PR team what the incremental dining benefit is here for healthcare workers, and will update if/when I hear back. 

Conclusion

All in all, it’s great to see companies recognize healthcare workers in tangible ways, and hopefully this initiative spurs others to do likewise. 

Since the free rooms are in limited quantity, I’m hoping they’ll be prioritized for those lower down on the ladder. While there’s no doubt in my mind that doctors and management have been working as hard as anyone else, it’s the lower level staff who would benefit the most from this. A stay at the Pan Pacific might be a once-in-a-lifetime thing for an entry-level nurse or cleaner, for example. 

Well done Pan Pac. 

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Investing cash in your own business is important for every SME owner

Even when you are investing cash into your own business, the best advise would be to separate family from personal.

By: Hitesh Khan/

There are several businesses you can start with investing cash in small amounts. You can put in your time and a little bit of money and give it a go. But many others—those with large physical presences like retail stores or restaurants, those that have to stock inventory before they can begin to sell it—require a stash of cash in order to get up and running.

Investing cash is also important for marketing, advertising, public relations and shipping. And one of the worst mistakes businesses make is trying to run on such a short shoestring budget that they don’t give themselves a chance at success.

If you need money, here are some resources that will help you determine what kind of capital outlay you need to acquire.

Yes, I need capital outlay, but how much?

As you get ready to launch your business, estimate how much money you will need to keep your business running for 12 to 18 months, or however long you believe it will take to give it a shot at success. Then figure out how much you can provide from your own stash – your savings, your family and friends, or cash flow from a current job. The difference between what you need and what you have is the amount you’ll need to raise from other sources.

For investing cash into your own business, carefully consider personal loans

Many people opt for personal loans in the forms of credit cards and home equity loans and lines of credit in order to fund their start-ups. They do this for two reasons – either they can’t get actual business funding (or they don’t think they can) or they believe this sort of funding will be cheaper.

If you can get a great deal on a home equity loan, it may seems like a very inexpensive way to go. The problem is you’re putting your home on the line. Likewise, if you charge up your credit cards to start a new business, realise that you are putting your personal credit score and family’s financial health at risk. You should try to keep the business and the personal separate.

Get some free advice when you think of investing cash

Free advice is useful to help you wade through the challenges of getting start-up financing. One of the persons you should talk to to get free advise is the independent loan specialist. The documents required to get the financing you need could be daunting. The documents required will be determined by the type and amount of credit you need. It may be as simple as a single-page application for a business credit card, or it may require business and personal tax returns, and financial statements.

It is good to understand the legal jargon in that stack of papers you will have to sign before the small business loan is disbursed. A close look at those documents now could save you a lot of headaches later. Be mindful that your bargaining power over your small business loan vanishes completely after you’ve signed the documents.

The small business loan documents could be a bit overwhelming, but with the help of a lawyer of an independent loan specialist, you can get a full understanding of what the legalese means. In fact, many independent loan specialist encourage loan applicants to understand the loan documents before they even complete a formal application for a loan.

Still want to ask family and friends?

The Bank of Mom and Dad may seem to be the best place to go to for the cash you need, especially if you need it in a hurry. But borrowing from relatives (even close ones) or friends can be a very quick way to put a hitch in an otherwise solid relationship.

So, when you borrow money from your nearest and dearest, do it with paperwork, a payment schedule and a plan to follow if and when you can’t make a payment. Interest is optional. Your lenders can charge it if they chose to, but many do not.

One best small business loan tips most people won’t give you is to not wait until you are desperate to ask for money. This is not a good foundation for a successful loan application. The bank wants to feel secure in its decision. It does not want to hear that your business needs the loan to survive; it wants to hear that your business needs the loan to grow.

All business owners – whether their businesses are large or small, well-capitalized or operating on a shoestring ‑ should develop a working relationship with their primary lender for obtaining business loan.

However, remember that the lender’s first responsibility is the financial health and profitability of the lending institution, just as your first responsibility is to your business. You would not jeopardize your business to save the lender, so don’t expect the lender to jeopardize the lending institution to save your business.

In obtaining business loan be mindful that your expectation should be that the only way the relationship will continue is if the relationship is in the best interest of both parties. Obtaining business loan is important because capital outlay is a requirement of almost every business regardless of whether it is a start-up or an on-going business. When applying for a loan for capital outlay be prepared to present all aspects of your request so the lender can make an informed and accurate decision. Put in writing what you want to do. This may involve preparing a business plan.

about the author: Ravi Philemon

Ravi Philemon has been writing and editing for prominent publications in Singapore since 2008. He played key roles in revamping leading publications, which allowed them to grow and be among the leading news outlets.

In 2012, Institute of Policy Studies recognised Ravi as being among the most influential persons in the the Arts, Culture and Media sector by inviting him to their Prisms (Scenario Planning Exercise) Project.

Holding the qualification of BA in Management from Heriott Watt University, Ravi is often described as an independent self-starter.

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Evo Foods wants to disrupt India’s food market with plant-based eggs

Evo Foods claims it has created the country’s first 100% plant-based liquid egg.



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The golden age: Southeast Asia’s future as a leading digital gold hub

Southeast Asia is home to one of the fastest rates of digital payments adoption —which is forecast to grow to more than US$1 trillion by 2025.

Reinforced by an internet economy of 400 million users and almost two-thirds of consumers in Southeast Asia choosing card over cash, it is no surprise that digital payments have become an accustomed part of everyday lives.

As the region’s digital economy continues to surge, it is a natural progression that traditional stores of value such as gold are receiving the digital treatment.

While the demand for gold has been on a one per cent year-on-year rise globally, gold consumption in the 10 ASEAN countries reached 309 tonnes in 2018, making it the third-largest market for gold globally.

In Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam together accounted for over 80 per cent of the region’s gold market. With a rich cultural and traditional importance in Asia, gold holds an important role in customary traditions such as weddings or baby showers —where gold jewellery, bullion, and coins are prized possessions that are handed down for generations as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

The combination of rapid digital adoption and the cultural importance of gold in Southeast Asia makes the region a prime location for users to drive and pioneer the adoption of digital gold—enabling consumers to reap the enduring benefits of gold with the convenience and speed of digital payment.

Also Read: 4 ways you can capitalise on the food tech gold rush in Asia

Going digital simplifies the process of purchasing gold for mainstream consumers, as it removes the need to worry about high premiums, insurance, or safe-keeping of their gold. As a result, Gojek is also catching on to this trend and is now offering an online gold investment feature.

Governments across Southeast Asia have also played a crucial role to help emerging financial innovations, such as digital gold, to excel and thrive in the region. This is a result of progressive regulations and a favourable technological infrastructure—cultivating the growth of emerging technologies and digital innovation.

As a result, countries such as Singapore have experienced more than S$1.2 billion (US$875 million) in fintech investments in 2019, more than double the investments from the year before, further showcasing the region’s potential and growth. Understanding that digitisation is crucial to future-proof the region’s economy, governments in Southeast Asia have further legitimised new technologies through grants, funding, and piloting proof of concepts—fostering greater acceptance as users understand the benefits such technologies will bring them.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, governments across Southeast Asia remain committed to the acceleration in technology development and adoption—further driving cashless initiatives to reduce physical contact in an effort to help flatten the curve and limit the spread of the virus.

The Singapore Government allocated SG$500 million (US$364 million) to boost e-payment adoption and neighbouring Malaysian Government assigned a digital stimulus to accelerate the adoption of e-wallets, providing all eligible Malaysians a one-off MYR30 (US$7) incentive to spend via selected service providers Boost, GrabPay, and Touch ‘n Go eWallet.

As a result, countries across Southeast Asia are seeing an uptake in digital payments adoption—as Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced that more than 50,000 businesses have adopted Paynow Corporate since April 2020, and GrabPay Malaysia reported a 1.7-time increase in cashless transactions.

While digital payments were seen as a convenience prior to the pandemic, they are now a critical factor in the “new normal” and will be a driving force for innovation within the region—sparking the growth of emerging technologies such as digital gold which places a traditional, physical asset within the digital realm.

However, anything placed in the digital realm is open to cyberattacks which have prompted businesses and authorities to explore blockchain technology due to it’s secure, transparent, and immutable characteristics.

Also Read: Indonesia to regulate digital gold transaction by the end of the year

Organisations and governments across Southeast Asia have been strong advocates of blockchain technologies—implementing the benefits of blockchain into its ecosystem through various initiatives such as Project Ubin and the establishment of Tribe Accelerator, Singapore’s first government-backed blockchain accelerator.

Such progressive blockchain initiatives have played a key role in the development of digital gold, offering an alternative channel for consumers and industry players to purchase this shiny metal in a manner that is secure, convenient, and transparent.

The unique combination of rapid digital adoption, enduring cultural traditions, and progressive government regulations will further develop the potential for digital gold and other innovations to come.

As Southeast Asia’s digital economy continues to flourish and thrive, the region’s future shines brightly—not just as a digital gold haven but also as a global leader in digital payments.

–

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Xiaomi Announces Mi 10 Ultra with 120W charging, 120x Zoom and Highest DXOMark

Xiaomi is celebrating its 10th Anniversary and announces a number of new products. One of them is the Mi 10 Ultra smartphone that comes with 120x AI Super Zoom, 120 Hz refresh rate, 4,500mAh battery, 120W charging, 50W wireless charging, 10W Reverse Wireless Charging, and has the current highest DXOMark of 130.

The Mi 10 Ultra will be available in China from 16th August. Read on for more details.

The Mi 10 Ultra comes with 4 cameras. The specs are really good.

And I believe it is the first phone from Xiaomi to have the 120W wired fast charging. From the information, it can charge the battery to 41% in 5 minutes and 100% in 23 minutes. Wow!

And recently, everyone is looking at DXOMark. The Mi Ultra 10 has an amazing score of 130.

Here is the breakdown in terms of photo and video.

In the test, they also compare it with the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra and Huawei P40 Pro. If you want an in-depth of how they got this score, click HERE.

Here are the specifications of the Mi 10 Ultra.

Mi 10 Ultra Specifications

Display	6.67″ OLED TrueColor curved display 19.5:9 aspect ratio, FHD+, 120 Hz refresh rate 240Hz touch sampling rate Color contrast ratio: 5,000,000:1 (typ)800nit (HBM) / 1120nit (typ)  Gamut: 100% DCI-P3, Color accuracy: ∆E <1.0, JNCD: <0.6310-bit color depth TÜV Low-Blue Light Rheinland and HDR10+ certifications
Color	Obsidian Black, Mercury Silver, Transparent Edition
Dimensions	162.38 x 75.04 x 9.45mm, 221.8g
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 KyroTM 585 CPU, Octa-core CPU, up to 2.84 GHz AdrenoTM 650 GPU
Storage	LPDDR5 + UFS 3.1 Variants: 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB, 12GB+256GB, 16GB+512GB
Cooling System	LiquidCool 2.0 vapor chamber + 6-stack graphite layer +graphene
Rear Camera	48MP ultra-clear primary camera 1/1.32” super sensor, 2.4μm 4-in-1 Super Pixels Supports OIS, f/1.85, 8P lens 120x digital zoom telephoto lens 20MP ultra-wide angle 128° camera 12MP portrait lens Up to 8K 24fps video recording AI 2.0, Night mode 2.0, ShootSteady video, Vlog mode, 960fps macro slow-motion video
Front Camera	20MP 1.8mm in-display selfie camera HDR, AI portrait selfies, AI scene detection, portrait video 720p 120fps slow motion video
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6, 5G MultiLink Multi-functional NFC and IR blaster USB Type-C
Battery & Charging	4,500mAh (typ) battery2 120W wired and 50W wireless fast charging 10W reverse wireless charging TÜV Rheinland 3.0 certification for fast charging
Audio	Dual stereo speakers Hi-Res Audio certification AI noise reduction
Security	In-screen fingerprint sensor Face Unlock

¹ Data acquired through Xiaomi internal test.
² Two series-connected cells equivalent to 4,500mAh

Pricing and Availability

Mi 10 Ultra comes in four variants, 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB, 12GB+256GB, and 16GB+512GB, priced at RMB 5,299 (approx. S$1,048), RMB 5,599 (approx. S$1,107), RMB 5,999 (approx. S$1,186), and RMB 6,999 (approx. S$1,384) respectively. It will be available for preorder with a RMB 100 down payment from 9:30 p.m. Beijing time on August 11, and will be available for purchase from 10 a.m. Beijing time on August 16.

In addition to Mi 10 Ultra, a number of accessories have also been launched, including a Mi 55W Wireless Charging Stand and a Mi 100W Car Charger. The Mi 55W Wireless Charging Stand is compatible with all Xiaomi smartphones that support wireless charging. It also supports EPP specification for fast charging. The Mi 20W Smart Tracking Pad can intelligently detect devices and charge accordingly, even though they are placed randomly. Users can charge two devices consecutively. 

Mi 55W Wireless Charging Stand is priced at RMB 199, and the Mi 20W Smart Tracking Pad is priced at RMB 499. Xiaomi also offers two smartphone cases for added protection, priced at RMB 99 and RMB 69 respectively.

There is no news of a global release or when Singapore will get the Mi Ultra 10. BTW, Xiaomi also introduces the first mass-produced transparent TV, Mi TV LUX OLED. That is another story though.

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One-Day Access to Swimming Pool (with Dining Credits) at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore

Guests who pay for the one-day access package will enjoy the sun beds and deck chairs located around the landscaped pool. They will also get to enjoy the towel service and outdoor shower facilities. One complimentary parking coupon will also be provided. If you are planning to dine-in at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, purchasing one of these packages might be a good idea. Limited availability per day. Book now at (65) 6213 4398 or email dining.sls@shangri-la.com.

The Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore is part of the Virtuoso network, and booking a Virtuoso Rate (essentially the Best Available Rate) will give you exclusive amenities like property credits (typically USD 100), room upgrades and complimentary breakfast. These perks can only be accessed when you book with a Virtuoso advisor and The Shutterwhale partners with ClassicTravel.comto bring these perks to you at no additional charge. Most importantly, you can still earn elite-qualifying nights and points if the hotel participates in a loyalty program (e.g. Marriott Rewards).
Booking Link: Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore

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QIQ electric cars for rental in Punggol – General Car Discussion

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/qiq-electric-microcars-last-mile-journeys-qiq-pods-13006284

 

Come next year, some commuters may be able to make the last-mile journey between their home and the MRT station in a small, two-seater electric car. 

Singapore firm QIQ Global plans to launch the microcars for hire. Dubbed the QIQ Pod, it will be no bigger than 2.4m long and 1m wide.

The concept is similar to the shared electric vehicles currently offered by BlueSG, said QIQ Global chief executive and co-founder Justin Sim. 

Mr Sim told CNA he believes there is demand for such vehicles, especially in towns such as Punggol. 

“For a lot of the residents in Punggol, they are still required to take a feeder service or to walk a long distance to reach the LRT (Light Rail Transit) station,” he said, adding that there is still “a lot of inefficiency” in the town’s public transport network. 

QIQ Global, which operates about 400 e-bikes and e-scooters in Hanoi, had previously expressed interest in Singapore’s now-suspended shared e-scooter scheme. 

Mr Sim said he hopes the QIQ Pod will be the company’s flagship product moving forward, and plans to introduce between 300 and 600 microcars in Punggol.

The company intends to launch a trial by next year, he said, adding that it is in discussions with two companies in the transportation and logistics industries.

To ensure that the vehicles are used for short trips, Mr Sim said there will be geo-fencing, which uses GPS or radio frequency identification technology to create a virtual geographic boundary. 

Unlike BlueSG cars which need to be parked at charging stations, QIQ Global intends for its microcars to be able to autonomously direct themselves to park at the nearest charging station.

“It’s so easy to drive you don’t even need to learn how to park the car,” said Mr Sim. “When you end the ride, you leave it by the curbside and it will park by itself.”

It also aims to employ a method called platooning, which involves a human-driven car leading a convoy of driverless cars using wireless communications. This would cut down on the number of people needed to distribute the cars to areas where they are needed.

During off-peak hours, drivers would be able to use the QIQ Pods to perform deliveries, maximising the use of these vehicles, said Mr Sim.

It would likely cost S$2 for an ad hoc ride lasting 30 minutes, and between S$30 and S$50 per month to use the QIQ Pod multiple times daily, he added.

Those using it for logistics purposes would have to pay a monthly fee of about S$180 to S$240, Mr Sim said. 

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