Anticipating change,staying relevant

To act and act wisely when the time for action comes, to wait and wait patiently when it is time for repose, put man in accord with the rising and falling tides (of affairs), so that with nature and law at his back, and truth and beneficence as his beacon light, he may accomplish wonders. Ignorance of this law results in periods of unreasoning enthusiasm on the one hand, and depression on the other. Man thus becomes the victim of the tides when he should be their Master.

~ Helena Petrova Blavatsky ~

This principle encapsulates our basic approach to dealing with our dynamic external environment. While we cannot forecast change in an increasingly volatile environment, we can anticipate it by staying nimble and flexible, and at the same time, exploiting opportunities that come our way.In order to do so,these 3 priniciples are practised in order to uphold this particular principle:

Turn constraints into advantages: Singapore's constraints have compelled us to seek ingenious solutions to our problems. For example, we turned poor regional conditions into an advantage by offering First World conditions in a Third World region. We also turned our small size into an advantage, by better utilizing resources and minimizing wastage. Our effort to make ourselves self-sufficient in our water supplies is a case in point. And what we lacked in quantity, we made up in quality while ensuring we remained competitive. In this way, we were able to develop, for example, PSA and SIA into world class companies, which could take on the more established players.

Exploit opportunities even in adversity: Opportunities do not only present themselves when times are good. While we anticipate and plan for the worst-case scenario, we should also be continually on the lookout for opportunities in times of crisis and find ways to turn them to our advantage.

And lastly,be organized in term of preparation for any impending troubles ahead.A notable example on the importance of this principle is the ending of the two water agreement between Malaysia and Singapore which will respectively end in 2011 and 2061.The solution to this problem has been carried since the early 2000's and has resulted in the creation of Newater.Not only does this act as a solution.It also puts Singapore as a forefronter in the area of Biochemical Engineering

Consequences:Anticipating change has been an essential component in Singapore's Principle of Governance.Its plays a forefront role in Singapore's progress from a third world to a first world country.Without it,our people will only be reactive,instead of pro-active.This is certainly unwanted since everything planning everything at the last minute will not lead to a successful result