NUS Business School alumna Chia Xin Ling of Hakko Products Pte Ltd shares that her NUS ELT Programme experience has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of her business journey: “The guidance and mentorship from senior advisors and NUS faculty offered invaluable insights and targeted advice. Their high-challenge, high-support approach empowered me to navigate complex challenges, pivot the business, and gain the courage to take decisive steps forward.”.
Xin Ling shared that the NUS ELT Programme's emphasis on carving out dedicated time for strategic thinking and planning has been a game-changer for her business. “My main takeaway was having that time to sit down and think and reflect. It was a game-changer for me. Very rarely do we [as SME owners] find time to think and strategize our next move forward. It’s very easy to get caught up in the day-to-day operations and lose sight of the bigger picture.” Attending the programme gave Xin Ling time to step back and reflect, and she was thus able to identify key priorities, streamline her business processes, and drive innovation within her firm.
Beyond the tangible benefits, Xin Ling also found her people. She shares that the NUS ELT Programme fostered a vibrant alumni community of like-minded entrepreneurs who are passionate about driving change and making a positive impact through their firms. The connections she made, and the relationships formed with fellow cohort participants have been invaluable; providing a source of inspiration, support, and collaboration - “We share quite deeply with each other, it has truly become a community where we talk about our businesses and our lives and support each other into becoming better leaders and business owners”.
Xin Ling came away from the NUS ELT Programme with valued business insight from her mentors as well as a vibrant alumni support network which she cherishes deeply. She reflects that although attending the programme may not be necessary to survive as a Singaporean entrepreneur, it was what she and her business needed to in order to thrive in today's competitive business landscape. “I would recommend any business owner to join the NUS ELT Programme . If you give your time and are committed to this programme, the gains you get will let you transform yourself and your business so you can really take it to the next level”.