Punctuality

Ever had the thought of showing up slightly later than the appointment time because you think :

• The other party may be late

• It's okay to be late

• I do not want to wait for the other party

If you are guilty of any of the above, you may want to do some self-reflection after reading the following.
In Singapore context, when two parties fixed an appointment to meet, the party playing the role of the consumer assumed the rights to be late because he/she may be giving you a business.

We are constantly puzzled by people who fixed an appointment and cannot be there at the stipulated time and date. In order for the society to progress, the people must change, the mindset must change. If time is precious to you, it is so everyone too.

You couldn't be expecting your potential clients to be on time and you are late for an appointment when you are a potential client to someone else.

There is a high influx of foreign entrepreneurs in Singapore. Some of them are from countries that are very precise in the time. You certainly don't expect to fare too well with these entrepreneurs if you don’t have the habit of keeping track of time. It relates a lot on your responsibility, self-respect and respect for others.

We have our fair share of people who are late for an hour, 2 hours, 3 hours; some never had the intention of turning up, and we also have people who turn up a few days later. You may think it is funny but I can tell you it is not when you are waiting for these people.

Especially the recent years, we have provided support to a few of MNCs and foreign entities coming over to set up Rep Office and branches. Being punctual for appointments and on time delivery, it gives them more confidence to entrust greater responsibilities to us. We are also impressed by their working culture, every employees are punctual. Punctuality doesn't mean being early, it means being at the place at the stipulated time. It some countries, if you are early, you are still not punctual. I personally feel we still are far from this.

Let's cut out the bad habit.