From Most Inspiring CEO to Best Director to Most Promising Young Achiever to Best for Community Contribution, there are countless awards that honour deserving individuals every year. In a country that places high value on success and achievement like Singapore, prestigious awards are a means of recognising talent and identifying potential success tatler_tatler_stories, distinguishing the very best from the mediocre, and providing inspiration all around.
The first significant award is perhaps the most memorable and the strongest affirmation to keep striving and developing oneself. But subsequently, when even your work files start fighting for office space with your growing collection of medals and trophies, what do those awards mean? And conversely, is the well-decorated individual with an unrivalled medal tally really better than one who simply prefers to let his work speak for itself rather than through awards?
Melissa Gail Sing asks notable award winners in society to share their take on the meaning of an award, how they like to celebrate a big honour, and what distinctions they’d like to see given out in future.
Clinton Ang
Starting from the bottom, Clinton Ang rose to become managing director of his 75-year-old family business Hock Tong Bee – CornerStone. Recognised for his drive and entrepreneurship, he is also a frequent speaker at motivation talks. No stranger to the social scene, he is a member of the Young Business Leaders of the Singapore Business Federation and was a Singapore flagbearer at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. He has been honoured with awards such as the 2010 Junior Chambers International Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World Award, Singapore Youth Award for Entrepreneurship, Singapore Tatler Most Promising Young Person Award and Singapore International Foundation Young Business Ambassador to Australia Award.
You’ve won a string of awards throughout your career. What do they mean to you?
They serve as a great form encouragement and recognition for all the effort and sacrifices, but these are really just the beginning.
How have the awards helped you/your business?
They act like catalysts to push us to scale new heights.
Other than awards, what are some other forms of recognition you value?
We value empowerment and transparency.
What’s the one award that has never been given out which you’d like to see given out?
Best Comeback, like a phoenix award from rising over some major setback.
What's your favourite way to celebrate an award?
By drinking champagne, because (as Winston Churchill famously said) in victory I deserve it, in defeat I need it. Ooh, and a group hug and kiss with my wife and daughter is always sweet.
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