The Singapore Computer Society reveals the top 10 tech companies to work for in 2017

The Singapore Computer Society (SCS), the largest professional organization for infocomm and digital media professionals in the country, has revealed the winners of its “Best Tech Company to Work For Award”. The announcement took place at the SCS’s annual Tech3 Forum conference.

This award recognizes four organizations out of the ten “Best Tech Companies to Work For” as overall winners. These companies have developed innovative practices and demonstrated workplace excellence within the infocomm and digital media (ICM) industry.

The “Best Tech Company Award” ceremony was attended by over 200 professionals from both the public and private sectors, and Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say graced the event. During his speech, the Minister emphasized Singapore’s leading position in driving innovation within the ICT sector. He commended the ten companies for their inclusivity in providing opportunities for Singaporeans and acknowledging talent based on skills, ultimately contributing to industry growth.

Now in its second year, the “Best Tech Company to Work For Award” aims to acknowledge outstanding infocomm and media workplaces while promoting a positive work culture throughout the industry. Nominations underwent assessment by an independent panel of judges representing both public and private industry sectors.

Howie Lau, President of the Singapore Computer Society, highlighted the importance of investing in human capital amidst the digital revolution by stating that the success of these ten companies serves as a testament to this principle. He expressed his hope that the award would motivate other tech companies to prioritize creating a robust people culture within the industry.

Selected from numerous nominations, the winning companies exhibited exceptional performance across five key criteria: inspiring people culture, innovative spirit, financial sustainability, people management, and human resource policies.

The following are the ten best tech companies to work for in Singapore:

  • Accenture

    Recognized as one of the 10 Best Tech Companies to Work For in 2017

    Accenture is a global professional services leader, offering a range of services and solutions in strategy consulting, digital technology, and operations. In a video highlighting Accenture’s achievement, employees emphasized the company’s access to cutting-edge technologies and its commitment to developing future tech leaders through practical learning opportunities.

    Key Strengths:

    • Strong team spirit, with evident passion and pride among employees.
    • An innovative performance management approach that eliminates the bell curve system. Each employee is evaluated by their mentor, not their direct supervisor, and receives comprehensive mentorship.
    • Cultivates a culture of learning by providing digital, social, and mobile learning resources accessible to all levels.

  • Carousell

    Winner in the Small Organizations/Startups category

    Recognized as one of the 10 Best Tech Companies to Work For in 2017

    Carousell has established a marketplace that simplifies the process of finding new homes for pre-loved items. The company’s ambition is to become the leading mobile classifieds marketplace globally. A video featuring Carousell employees showcased the company’s open and collaborative work environment, emphasizing problem-solving as a core value.

    Key Strengths:

    • A strong mission and vision with a positive social impact, effectively conveyed through relatable stories.
    • Significant investment in the hiring process to ensure that new hires align with the company culture.
    • A vibrant and positive company culture that attracts top talent.

  • EON Reality

    Recognized as one of the 10 Best Tech Companies to Work For in 2017

    EON Reality is a global frontrunner in virtual and augmented reality (AR)-based knowledge transfer solutions for industry and education. Their objective is to make knowledge accessible and affordable for all. In a video profiling EON Reality, employees expressed their enthusiasm for the company’s commitment to continuous learning and exposure to new technologies.

    Key Strengths:

    • Sincere and people-centric leadership.
    • Fosters employee excitement about the vast potential of AR applications in education, healthcare, and smart city development.
    • Transparent corporate culture that empowers and trusts its employees.

  • IBM Singapore

    Recognized as one of the 10 Best Tech Companies to Work For in 2017

    IBM is a globally integrated technology and consulting corporation. The company focuses on assisting organizations in their transition to cognitive technologies, building upon a foundation of cloud computing, big data analytics, and security. In an IBM video, employees highlighted the organization’s emphasis on its people, referring to them as the “heartware” that drives business growth through the use of IBM technology.

    Key Strengths:

    • A genuine and authentic leadership team.
    • A strong sense of purpose and social relevance.
    • Open workspaces designed to facilitate collaboration.

  • Razer

    Joint winner in the Large Organizations/MNCs category

    Razer is a leading lifestyle brand for gamers. The company aspires to be the world’s top brand for gamers.

    Patricia Liu, Razer’s Chief Customer Officer, stated that the company consists of “gamers who design and create products for gamers.” She emphasized Razer’s commitment to creating a workplace and culture that caters to the needs of gamers.

    Key Strengths:

    • An inspiring and charismatic leader.
    • A company culture that resonates with young professionals, particularly gamers.
    • Dedicated efforts to nurture local talent.

  • Red Hat Asia Pacific

    Joint winner in the Large Organizations/MNCs category

    Recognized as one of the 10 Best Tech Companies to Work For in 2017

    Red Hat is a leading global provider of open-source software solutions. Their mission is to be a driving force within communities of customers, contributors, and partners, creating superior technology through open-source methods.

    Richard Koh, Country Manager for Singapore at Red Hat, emphasized that the company’s open-source culture is deeply ingrained in every aspect of their operations.

    Key Strengths:

    • A strong sense of identity among employees, reflected in a low turnover rate and high Glassdoor ratings.
    • A company culture deeply rooted in openness, transparency, and innovation.
    • A strong emphasis on training and development, with a substantial budget allocated for external training programs.

  • ST Electronics (Info-Comm Systems)

    Recognized as one of the 10 Best Tech Companies to Work For in 2017

    ST Electronics is a leading provider of info-communication technology solutions in Asia, specializing in intelligent transportation, public safety and security, smart ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and defense.

    Key Strengths:

    • A strong, family-friendly culture that embodies the Singaporean “kampong spirit.”
    • Well-structured HR programs designed to attract and retain both young and experienced professionals.
    • Encourages innovation by providing seed funding for promising ideas.

  • Tableau Asia Pacific

    Recognized as one of the 10 Best Tech Companies to Work For in 2017

    Tableau’s mission is to help people understand and interpret their data. Employees described themselves as “high-energy, vibrant, and dynamic.”

    Key Strengths:

    • A dynamic and energetic workforce in a modern workspace.
    • Empowering all employees, including non-IT staff, to use Tableau’s data analytics tools for generating meaningful business insights.
    • A company culture that appeals to young professionals, both within and outside the IT field.

  • Tinkerbox Studios

    Recognized as one of the 10 Best Tech Companies to Work For in 2017

    Tinkerbox Studios is a design and development studio committed to creating innovative products that improve lives.

    Key Strengths:

    • Fosters a strong learning and experimentation culture, exemplified by initiatives such as “TinkerThursday” dinners for team idea-sharing.
    • A robust talent development program with a clear mission to train skilled developers for the industry’s betterment.
    • Emphasis on peer code reviews to enhance code quality, demonstrating a commitment to high standards and peer support.

  • Titansoft

    Winner in the Mid-sized Organizations category

    Recognized as one of the 10 Best Tech Companies to Work For in 2017

    Titansoft is a software development and consultancy firm specializing in gaming and entertainment. The company strives to empower its clients to achieve global leadership in their respective industries.

    Key Strengths:

    • Progressive and innovative in implementing the latest human resources and organizational development (HR & OD) practices, such as self-promotion and self-organizing agile development teams.
    • An open and transparent culture that values bottom-up initiatives, as demonstrated by the employee-driven self-promotion model.
    • A dedicated workforce empowered to take ownership of their self-development and peer reviews.

Howie Lau emphasized the importance of inclusivity within the industry, stating that their vision involves creating an ecosystem where Singaporeans can fully utilize available resources and access all opportunities. He expressed gratitude for the support of their partners, including the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Workforce Singapore (WSG), and e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), in realizing this vision.

The “Best Tech Company to Work For Award” exemplifies the collaborative efforts of industry partners to empower ICM professionals and advance industry growth.

Tan Kiat How, Chief Executive of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), highlighted the significance of the infocomm and media sector in Singapore’s digital economy.

Tan Choon Shian, Chief Executive of WSG, stressed the importance of progressive human capital practices for companies to thrive in the evolving employment landscape. He urged more businesses to follow the example set by the award winners.

In addition to the award, SCS has partnered with e2i to co-organize an “Infocomm Technology Career Fair,” scheduled for August to September.

Gilbert Tan, CEO of e2i, emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting ICM professionals and companies through training, networking, and job placement initiatives.

Further details regarding the “Information Technology Career Fair” will be announced in August.

With over 31,000 members, SCS, founded in 1967, provides a crucial platform for professionals to connect, advance their careers, and enhance their skills.

[Image: Source: SCS. From left: Howie Lau, President, Singapore Computer Society; Tan Choon Shian, Chief Executive, Workforce Singapore (WSG); Andrew Chow, President, ST Electronics (Info-Comm Systems); Sam Liew, MD, Technology, ASEAN, Accenture; Lum Seow Khun, Director, Sales & Transformation, IBM Singapore; Marcus Tan, Co-Founder & President, Carousell; Patricia Liu, Chief Customer Officer, Razer; Lim Swee Say, Minister for Manpower; Richard Koh, Country Manager, Singapore, Red Hat (wearing red hat); Wong Yew Choy, Director of Titansoft; Khoong Hock Yun, Chief Digital Evangelist, Infocomm Media Development Authority; Gilbert Tan, CEO, e2i (Employment and Employability Institute); Kelvin Tham, COO & Co-Founder, Tinkerbox Studios; Sridhar Sunkad; MD, EON Reality and Cherilyn Tay, Territory Development Manager, Tableau.]

SCS categorized companies into three groups: large organizations or multinational companies (MNCs), mid-sized organizations (SMEs) with 50 to 200 employees, and startups or small parties with up to five years of incorporation or fewer than 50 employees. Nominations commenced in September 2016, and the evaluation process included site visits and employee interaction sessions.

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