SMEs power Singapore’s economy, but rising costs, intense competition and talent pressures are making survival tougher than ever. With people often the biggest expense line, is HR still being treated as back-office admin instead of a strategic function?

We speak with Stephanie Chua, Founder of Vault Personnel, about whether HR has evolved fast enough to meet the realities facing SMEs today, and why getting it wrong can be costly.

Presented by Audrey Siek, Ryan Huang & Emaad Akhtar

Edited by Sean Cheong

Photo credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors

SMEs power Singapore&rsquo;s economy, but rising costs, intense competition and talent pressures are making survival tougher than ever. With people often the biggest expense line, is HR still being treated as back-office admin instead of a strategic function?
We speak with Stephanie Chua, Founder of Vault Personnel, about whether HR has evolved fast enough to meet the realities facing SMEs today, and why getting it wrong can be costly.
Presented by Audrey Siek, Ryan Huang &amp; Emaad Akhtar
Edited by Sean Cheong
Photo credit: Pixabay &amp; its talented community of contributors

Get a head start to your work day with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek from 6am to 9am. 

Listen to insightful discussions on the stories and issues that matter the most to you and be apprised of the markets and the companies to watch.

Get a head start to your work day with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek from 6am to 9am. 
Listen to insightful discussions on the stories and issues that matter the most to you and be apprised of the markets and the companies to watch.

Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Insightful discussions on the latest market events and the top companies to watch.

Get a head start on your workday with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek from 6 am to 9 am. 

Listen to insightful discussions on the stories and issues that matter the most to you and be apprised of the markets and the companies to watch.

Get a head start on your workday with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek from 6 am to 9 am. 
Listen to insightful discussions on the stories and issues that matter the most to you and be apprised of the markets and the companies to watch.

Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek (6am-9am)

Mind Your Business: Not just admin - How SMEs should work on their HR

Singapore’s retail sector is facing intensifying pressure. While nearly 90% of registered retail entities are locally owned, the rapid expansion of Chinese brands across F&B, fashion, beauty and lifestyle has sharpened competition in malls and prime retail spaces. But beyond brand visibility, the real strain lies in a cost environment and competitive model that increasingly rewards scale, speed and capital strength.

Dr Lawrence Loh, Director of the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at NUS Business School, joins the Breakfast Show to examine whether this moment marks a passing competitive wave or a longer-term reset of Singapore’s retail landscape, and what it will take for local SMEs to stay resilient in a market that is evolving faster than ever.

Singapore&rsquo;s retail sector is facing intensifying pressure. While nearly 90% of registered retail entities are locally owned, the rapid expansion of Chinese brands across F&amp;B, fashion, beauty and lifestyle has sharpened competition in malls and prime retail spaces. But beyond brand visibility, the real strain lies in a cost environment and competitive model that increasingly rewards scale, speed and capital strength.
Dr Lawrence Loh, Director of the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at NUS Business School, joins the Breakfast Show to examine whether this moment marks a passing competitive wave or a longer-term reset of Singapore&rsquo;s retail landscape, and what it will take for local SMEs to stay resilient in a market that is evolving faster than ever.

Morning Shot: China’s Retail Wave - Are Singapore SMEs Being Crowded Out?

Jessica Min, Travel Trends & Destinations Expert, Skyscanner shares the biggest hurdles Singaporeans face when planning their overseas vacations, the most popular cheap destinations for 2026, how travellers can maximize value on short trips, and whether there really is a cheapest day to fly.

Produced & Presented by: Emaad Akhtar

Jessica Min, Travel Trends &amp; Destinations Expert, Skyscanner&nbsp;shares the biggest hurdles Singaporeans face when planning their overseas vacations, the most popular cheap destinations for 2026, how travellers can maximize value on short trips, and whether there really is a cheapest day to fly.
Produced &amp; Presented by: Emaad Akhtar

Bigger Pic: Useful money-saving travel tips for 2026!

On Breakfast Bites, we’re tackling one of modern parenting’s trickiest debates. If your child has a smartphone, do you have the right to check it?
Is that responsible parenting, or a serious invasion of privacy?
Audrey, Ryan and Emaad dive into safety versus trust in the age of smartphones.

Presented by Audrey Siek, Ryan Huang & Emaad Akhtar

Produced by Audrey Siek

Edited by Trisha Yeong

Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors

On Breakfast Bites, we&rsquo;re tackling one of modern parenting&rsquo;s trickiest debates. If your child has a smartphone, do you have the right to check it? Is that responsible parenting, or a serious invasion of privacy? Audrey, Ryan and Emaad dive into safety versus trust in the age of smartphones.
Presented by Audrey Siek, Ryan Huang &amp; Emaad Akhtar
Produced by Audrey Siek
Edited by Trisha Yeong
Photo and music credit: Pixabay &amp; its talented community of contributors

Mind Your Business: Not just admin - How SMEs should work on their HR

Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

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Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek (6am-9am)

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