Our Housing & Development Board (HDB) residents would remember this photo of the former “Our Home” magazine published by the HDB and delivered to the homes by mail every month in the past.  It was sold at 50 cents each to non-HDB residents at the HDB branch officies.  (Photo credit: Courtesy of s-pores.com .

This blog is inspired by the “memory-aid” photos published in The Straits Times, 31 August, 1989.  (Courtesy of NewspaperSG of the National Library Board).

Most of my former HDB colleagues who worked in the branch offices would remember the 17 years for the staff had to do the work every month of the “Our Home” magazines.

The Work Process in the Past

1.  Pasting of address label on the magazine wrapper.
2.  The magazines are delivered to the branch offices by Times Printer.
3.  Insert advertising samples and pamphlets into every copy of “Our Home”.
4.  The magazines are counted and dropped into sacks.
5.  The completed sacks in bulks were sent to Singapore Post for delivery to the  residents.
6.  Occasionally, the residents would request for the magazines to be resent due to  wrong delivery.

New Work Methods and Computerised Systems

HDB and the civil services, ministries and agencies in Singapore are constantly adopting new work methods, new innovative ideas, change new working methods to improve better ways, increase productivity to provide better services to their customers.

QCC Movement in Singapore

The QCC Movement in Singapore has matured to a stage where companies are now willing to come forward and help others to set up QCCs. In response to requests from industries, PSB introduced a new initiative early this year – the QCC Coaching Scheme. This Scheme helps non-QCC companies to set up QCCs with experienced QCC organisations to coach them in setting up and operating QCCs. Another example of private sector involvement is the Singapore Association of QC Circles (SAQCC). The SAQCC was set up by PSB to tap private sector efforts to promote QCCs in Singapore. The Association organises workshops, factory visits and other educational activities to allow the sharing of knowledge as well as to network with fellow QCC activists. The Association also forms QCC Clubs for companies which are located near each other to develop common programmes to sustain interest in their QCCs and also provide many of the judges required to judge company QCC Conventions.

Another powerful instrument used to sustain QCCs is the national recognition given not only to companies, but also to circles, individual managers, facilitators and co-ordinators. This morning, some of these outstanding contributors will be receiving their awards.