Some of us have retired, others have not lost a job for whatever the reason. There are still many among us who want to have a job, make use of our knowledge, experience and studies, and who want to do something meaningful during our SilverHairs years. Some SilverHairs are lucky, and do not need a job. Some of us see retirement as a time to rest, after all the years of work.
I am looking at launching "Blue Helmet". What is Blue Helmet? This will be a continuous project to look at new job opportunities for SilverHairs. I am not talking about direct selling or MLM. There are ample such opportunities in today’s market. The basic idea behind Blue Helmet is not about finding huge salaries, but finding viable work opportunities so that we can continue to enjoy meaningful SilverHairs years.
Blue Helmet is not a jobs market. At the same time, I have yet to lay down the full structure of Blue Helmet. I see the key is how to create work opportunities, while taking advantage of our experiences and knowledge. Blue Helmet may be a wild dream. But, I guess this is a case of true necessity, in today’s real world.
At the first stage, I am looking to find other SilverHairs within the club, who have an interest to dwell on this topic. Those who have an interest and the challenge to help bring many SilverHairs out of the dilemma of a changing world. If you are a believer that SilverHairs can still be useful in today’s world, and that retirees can still work and be active, then join Blue Helmet. This will be a working group to look at how to take Blue Helmet to the next stage, not just within Singapore, but within the Asian region. Blue Helmet would look at overcoming the negatives, and work more towards the postives and the opportunities.
So, if you see SilverHairs as a positive group, have ideas, willing to not complain about negative policies and regulations, and willing to develop Blue Helmet as part of the SilverHairsClub, please let me know.
I am a firm believer that SilverHairs should keep working actively, way into their retirement years. In this way, the brain stays active, the body parts continue to lubricate at the joints, and we can still enjoy the blue skies and the fresh air. Wild dreams again, I dont think so. And you are welcome to write and talk about this topic. So, share your thoughts.
It seem like a very hard work if not possible but very interesting. I do not have anything in mind yet but I’ll like to participate in your Blue Helmet project and hope can provide some help.
Hi Andrew, I am glad to have your participation in Blue Helmet. Let wait two weeks for the responses to come in.
Terence Seah
I think it does not matter how old you are. Its all about the mindset and how you see things. I beleive that this can be a good way of engaging members towards a purpose that can benefit them. I will be pleased to participate in this and will work closely into making this a succesful program. Count me in.
Rasheed
Yes Terence, can count me in. Ronald
You are right. Without laying down the structure and definition Blue Helmet will remain largely a name without a concept.
It is hard to imagine what it is if it is not a job market.
Is it a forum for some macro approach like sector analysis of the economy and where it pertains to job opportunities for the silverhairs. For example how silverhairs can be retrained and redirected to the IR economy.
On the other hand, are we talking about how, hitherto, managers can find job which can fully exploit their experience and expertise.
Actually, it can be very simple at the senior level. All an experienced manager has to do is to find an opportunity in his line and sell himself and the project as a package to any company that wishes to take advantage of the opportunity in question.
Hi Kong Thean,
I was not thinking of a forum, more I was looking to form a group that can take the concerns of Silverhairs further.
We would be pleased to have your participation in Blue Helmet. Would you like to join this team?
Terence Seah
Sure.
I must confess that I have lost track of the initiatives that I have volunteered for in Silverhairs. Either I must try to improve my memory or the ground organisation can be boosted up.
I’m a new member and would like to participate in the blue Helment project. margaret
Singapore, as a modern city and in order to survive has to move ahead at the fastest pace possible. Together with its ageing population, more foreign talents are required for the needs.
The above is the reality that we are facing. But the most important of all is the mindset of the young and old generations, which make today life a different situation.
“Blue Helmet” is definitely a good project to work on that can lead a direction for the silverhairs. The picture of it may be a bit blur at the moment. Therefore, more discussion is needed to lay down the basic structure of it. Many hard work and dead brain cell are needed to steer to a right direction. Count me in for the group.
Ronald Lee
I guess some bashing on the idea is expected. While my initial thinking may seem wild, I really hope to aim high. Here are my thoughts on its structure. Please share your ideas.
– The target group which “Blue Helmet” will focus on are SilverHairs who have left their full time job ie retired or lost a job.
– Sometimes I hear that Blue Helmet should focus on volunteer services to organisations. However, I tend to think that Blue Helmet should look at opportunities whereby the target group is paid for services.
– I have an idea that there should be a minimum base payment paid on a monthly basis. This minimum should be SGD 500 per month, excluding transport/airfare and accommodation. I feel Blue Helmet should target higher payment, depending on a few factors. The thinking is that upon retirement, retirees can work and still enjoy a meaningful SilverHairs years. The base payment is not intended to equal full time employment payment.
– I tend to favour part time work, rather than full time work. In other words, Blue Helmet looks for opportunities lasting 3, 6 or 12 months, with shorter and flexible working hours. There should be opportunities for leisure too. Again, the idea is to seek opportunities tapping SilverHairs’ experience and knowledge.
– i feel strongly that Blue Helment should tap the strengths of SilverHairs as a group, rather than as individuals. We should present ourselves that SilverHairs are not a burden to organisations, businesses and government enterprises. Without straining budgets, terms are kept short and flexible. We should manage our own health checks, medical needs and insurance. We are not asking for full time salaries, but more figures that would keep SilverHairs active, vibrant while meeting social needs.
– Blue Helmet would not look at full time or high salaried opportunities. Perhaps, this can be another project, but I guess we should stay focus, and find that something that keeps our brains alive and joints still lubricating until we can no longer work.
Yeap, this is wild and still needs more brain storming. Please share your thoughts for others to read.
Terence Seah
Primarily, I believed that there are two parts. The first step is to build up a database of resources from willing members from the silverhairs group. Those who wish to take this challenge should register themselves in this database with some sort of basic résumé and expectation. Members must bear in mind that they should not try to price themselves to market value. Our objective here is not becoming a job agency or headhunter company (because we are nobody initially) but as an alternative for a good spool of experience skilled work force. It is more towards in providing our negotiator more room for a better “win-win” justified negotiation. At the end of the day, BLUE HELMET do not collect agency fee from you. (Terence, you agree to this statement? :-)
The second part is the negotiators, who have the “who are you” and “who you know” status. There are many job opportunities available locally and in the region.
The local situation is tough but not no, being due generally to mindset in generation gap and environmental factors. For example, today market there is shortage of engineers, nurses, part-time child keepers, etc., etc.
Whereas in the region or the world, Singaporean owns a good reputation for being hardworking and honest but our expectation are high as compared. Most properly, you may think that these people do not understand that the living standard in Singapore is high but to place you overseas is not cheap either. Both sides reasoning can go on forever.
So sometimes, we have to, as what the Chinese in China says. You must know how to ”?” (meaning: find your feet or change oneself to adapt)
Terence, correct me if I am wrong because I may have a difference concept from you.
Ronald Lee
Ronald and SilverHairs,
I definitely encourage a good brain-storm on this project. At the same time, I find we do have similar thoughts on Blue Helmet. I would prefer not to have Blue Helmet run as a recruiting or headhunting agency. But, my thinking is Blue Helmet can be be run by a team of SilverHairsClub members, working to a concept and structure, developed after the brain storm. Blue Helmet is not intended to be a commercial enterprise.
I shall keep this short, for more SilverHairs toshare their ideas. Let’s take this opportunity to develop the ideas of how we want Blue Helmet to help us. Do we want to have some form of work during retirement? and if yes, what form should it take. What do you think Blue Helmet can do for you?
Terence Seah
What is Blue Helmet?
Why the colour “Blue” and why “Helmet”?
First, the Helmet represents a profession, experience, knowledge and people.
Second, the Blue colour represents coolness, a still working SilverHair, and the renewed energy in our bodies.
A few people have requested for a name change> Maybe, when the chld gets 18, but, for now, the baby is born and the child’s name has been given. Let’s develop the child “Blue Helmet”.
Many of us are alrady into retirement, and for some, it will come soon.
from yours.
Ronald Lee
Hi SHC Terence,
I love your Vision, Mission and Values for this Blue Helmet project. Please include me in this project though I am not retired yet. I will try to allocate a little of my time for this project as I see great potential in it.
All the best wishes for the successful launching of this project for the benefits (whether it be mentally, physically or financially) of all silverhairs, locally and regionally.
Regards,
SHC George
Andrew, Rasheed, George, Ronald Lee, Margaret Cheo, Kong Thean, Ronald Wi, Dave and Andrew,
You are registered, and I shall get back to you soon.
So far only Terence has given a definitive strategic direction on BH. “I would prefer not to have Blue Helmet run as a recruiting or headhunting agency. But, my thinking is Blue Helmet can be run by a team of SilverHairsClub members, working to a concept and structure, developed after the brain storm. Blue Helmet is not intended to be a commercial enterprise.”
Ronald Lee has given interesting tactical and operational insight in his 2 step database/matching paradigm. But this is not strategic. Whatever form BH takes it will probably have some component of Ronald’s vectors.
I fully agree with Terence’s “Our objective here is not becoming a job agency or headhunter company”. There are too much of these services already out there. Not the least is the govt’s own direct initiatives. The problem is in reality not many jobs available that are naturally attractive to Silverhairs. You can try putting on a brave smile for the camera sweeping leaves, selling burgers or issuing parking tickets. But this is necessity not lifestyle.
And to me this is the crux of the matter. BH should never be involved in necessity jobs only lifestyle. If a Silverhair needs help to stay afloat, there is a universe of infrastructure for him to tap on from govt social services to charity. BH should focus where the infrastructure stops caring ie in caring for the qualitative value of life.
Just one final quick idea. There are very few quality jobs for Silverhairs out there. BH won’t be able to find them. BH has to create these opportunities.
This takes on a much more intense brainstorm session to do justice. Let’s meet.
Hi Terence,
During my recent trip to Japan, I noticed that elderly (retired) men were employed to direct human traffic at the arrival hall, i.e. to direct people who had just arrived to join the right queue to have their passports checked, etc. Another area where I have seen many retired men being employed are inside the toll collection booths located at various express ways. My tour guide told me that these men are employed on a part time basis and are not allowed to work more than 4 hours per day. This is better than staying at home and quarrel with your wife! (Joking)
I thank the different support on the Blue Helment project. SilverHairs are a recognised group, especially if we can present a solid and firm idea to the community, corporations and governments.
The points raised by KT and Ronald solidify the need for SilverHairs to take a helicopter view. But, there are other different views and ideas. Please share your ideas or suggestions.
I believe that we each have our strengths. Now if we can path the way for these strengths to be utilised in a fruitful manner it wil be rewarding for us. There are opportunities for us and we need to visualize it. I beleive if we put our minds on visualizing and creating a viable purpose that each can contribute, we will have a business. I am hoping that we can do it via Blue Helmet projects that we will need to create. In short, Blue Helmet will be used to create opportunities and each member will be give the task to do the neccessary and the fruits will be shared…
Question will be how do we run the Blue Helmet? What is the direction and purpose? I look forward to discuss on this.
Rasheed
Below is an extract from CNA this morning.
“QUOTE”
Wednesday August 30,
Opportunities for Singapore firms in China’s industrial cities
SINGAPORE : Singapore firms can find tremendous opportunities in burgeoning industrial cities in China, according to a trade promotion team from the province of Zhejiang.
They say Singapore companies can offer their expertise in sectors such as real estate, medical, and financial services.
Located in Zhejiang province in the southern end of China’s Yangtze River Delta, the industrial city of Ningbo is less known compared to its neighbours Shanghai and Hangzhou.
But business has been booming there, ad some say this means business opportunities for Singapore firms as well.
Said Zhang Liping, deputy director, Ningbo Hi-Tech Park, “Ningbo is home to a significant number of small- and-medium-sized enterprises. After years of growing domestically, these firms are also looking to expand and list in Singapore. In areas such as management and product research and development, they’re also keen to partner with Singapore institutions to raise their own industry management standards. This makes for very good cooperation opportunities and it’s key that both sides increase their business ties and communication.”
There are also opportunities to invest in sectors such as education, health and tourism services.
And Ningbo is moving into services and advanced manufacturing businesses – areas where Singapore firms can lend their technical know-how.
Said Han Hongxiang, director of the China Zhejiang Centre in Singapore, “Singapore’s strengths lie in management, planning, logistics, environmental, so on, especially brokering services. Zhejiang is strong in private entrepreneurship. These two qualities combined make for great business opportunities. We will get easier access to global markets by leveraging on Singapore’s international links.”
Singapore is now Zhejiang’s seventh largest foreign investor.
There are more than 160 Singapore companies operating in the province, with contracted investments of US$800 million.
Trade between Singapore and Zhejiang amounted to US$4 billion over the past two and a half years.
“UNQUOTE”
Look! Potential opportunities are numerous in the emerging market in our neighborhood. An ideal for the Blue Helmet to tap on.
Ronald Lee
I am not good in writing or debating in any forum. But one idea came to my mind is: with some of the SHC’s backgrounds & connections, we may embark on ‘Foreign Student Recruitment & Guardianship Placement Programme’. This project involves targeting students from neighbourhood countries, school placements, immigration matters and homestay placements. If this is one of the potential, let’s discuss..
Hi Terence,
The course I am attending has two modules on Mentoring. CEOs of successful start-up companies were invited to share their experiences with us; what they have done right and what they have done wrong in making their business ventures a success. Through these imparting of experiences would-be entrepreneurs would be forewarned against repeating such mistakes though it is not foolproof. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
The Blue Helmet project can be built on the concept of a resource centre whereby all the expertise of silverhairs are gathered together to offer mentoring services to individuals and companies locally and regionally. The many years of experience and knowledge that silverhairs have gone through could be put to good use through mentoring sessions at a reasonable fee.
George Sng
Hi everybody, please hold on. I am looking for a place to hold this first brainstorm meeting.
Hi Terence,
As spoken, i will joining in the discussion this coming Friday at the Capital Tower.
See u there KC.
Is Blue Helmet to morph into a ‘business entity’ or is it more a massive database of what members can do (competencies) and also what ‘connections’ (guanxis) they have? Throw in the ‘China factor’ and you will have a wide network of linkages. You will need lots of planners and co-ordinators to work the system!!
Hi Gary, I do agree Blue Helmet is going to take a lot of work and organisation. Is it goin to be a business entity, it is going to depend on us. It is not going to be a database of members’ competencies, as the intention is not going to be job matching project.
The idea is to set a structure whereby SilverHairsClub members would be known for its wide experience and knowledge, in different fields and industries, and that external corporations (big or small) and government organisations can tap on the SilverHairs’s talents and experience.
At the same time, the thinking is to enrich the lifestyles of SilverHairs, see the world, be able to guide, train and administer developing organisations. This is not a job or head-hunting project, and SilverHairs taking up available projects would not be offered salaries, but a small meaningful allowance, in exchange for the coaching, guidance and experience offered to these organisations.
I hope to draw like-minded SilverHairs to join this Blue Helmet project.
The 1st plan is to brainstorm the ideas among SilverHairs. Let’s get the directions first.
Hi Terence, thanks a lot for the response and further clarification. Look forward to a smashing time at the first B/S session. be seeing you. gary
Please keep us inform of next meeting.
Thanks.
thomas kuan
Hi Terence,
I like the ideas on the blue helmet and the suggestion to tap on the govt funding. Would like to come in for your next gathering and discussion on these.
I noticed that there is quite a lot of tender by moe on overseas trips including those to malaysia on eco farming. If we are registered as a company we could even tender some of these projects. First free visit, some experience and may even earn some monies along the way. Some kind of shortstay overseas with income!!
Dear all
I believe Lynn’s observation is quite plausible to explore.
For one thing, being seniors in our age and work experience, leading such tours should not pose major problems. For another, from reading the postings, I note there are quite a number of members who enjoy travelling.
And if I read Terrence right, the rationale for Blue Helmet is for seniors, who have retired, lost a job or got retrenched, to be able to contribute positively in the work place with some form of financial compensation.
Kind Regards
Hi Terence
Count me in for the next discussion or meeting. Thanks :))