ED 49: May-June 2013

14
CO M M E n ta r y
the Silver
generation – a golD
Mine of experience
tapping into the silver
generation as an alternative
source of labour brings about
numerous benefits: senior
workers oftentimes possess
relevant skillsets that are backed with
almost a lifetime of practical experience,
allowing them to add value to any team
or business function.
ProGuide is a social enterprise formed
by the Retired & Senior Volunteer
Programme, Singapore (RSVP).
Focusing on business consultancy
and training services, ProGuide draws
its resources from RSVP members,
who are mostly seniors who possess
vast working experience across
multiple disciplines. On average, these
members have at least 25 years of
practical working experience as heads
of companies, senior positions in areas
such as corporate communications,
marketing, operations, public relations,
administration, supply chain and human
May | Ju n 2013
En t r E p r E n E u r s’ Di g E s t
ProGuide leverages on the vast knowledge of senior
workers to help companies solve business challenges
resources management. They also
come from a broad range of industries
including IT, chemicals, law, health care
and logistics management.
With this strong base of professionals,
ProGuide helps voluntary welfare
organisations (VWOs), non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) as well as small
and medium enterprises (SMEs) to
achieve higher productivity and growth
through a tailored, hands-on approach.
Tapping on the immense experience
brought by the RSVP members,
ProGuide devises a comprehensive
solution to any business need through
a framework of understanding,
evaluation and close cooperation
with the enterprise. As a not-forprofit
organisation, all proceeds from
ProGuide’s activities are channeled back
to RSVP Singapore, to support their 10
community-based initiatives including
mentoring in schools and computer
literacy.
Far from being in their ivory towers,
ProGuide resources work very closely
with the businesses in need to evaluate,
develop and then implement customised
solutions to tackle pressing issues
plaguing the company. These individuals
have seen it, done it, felt it and touched
it before, so they have every ability to
help a company change its processes
for the better.
To illustrate, a micro-SME in the food
manufacturing business had trouble
upholding its factory’s less-critical
maintenance processes and 5-S
housekeeping chores due to a shortage
in foreign manpower and a cut in labour
support. ProGuide was engaged to
assist the owner with strategic review,
come up with business solutions and
improvement ideas for implementation
to address these issues and for the SME
to cope with the increasing demand.
Instead of merely providing the solutions
and implementation ideas for the SME
client, ProGuide was able to stretch out
further by providing consultants and
resources from its large resource pool,
many whom are seniors and semiretired
professionals, whom are more
willing to help, roll up their sleeves and
work on the actual details for the SME
due to the latter’s shortage of support
manpower. In the end, the SME was
able to circumvent its challenges and
set its sights for the future.
Tapping into the gold mine that is the
silver generation, ProGuide is able to
bring great value to SMEs, enabling
them to achieve greater growth, best
practice and increased productivity to
better tackle an increasingly competitive
market. E