Challenges. Problems. Uncertainties. Obstacles. Stress.
These words form the lexicon of modern life, where resources – both financial and natural – are increasing being depleted while the demands of work, school and life put a severe drain on our beings.
Courtesy of America’s Story from America’s Library (CREDIT: Fleischhauer, Carl, photographer. “Branding Iron [35mm slide].” Date Recorded 79/10. Buckaroos in Paradise: Ranching Culture in Northern Nevada, 1945-1982, Library of Congress.)
It is interesting to note that even after so many decades, marketing professionals and senior executives alike still think that a brand belongs to either of the following:
A) A huge ego exercise
At the kind invitation of Alvinology from Omy.sg, I was invited for a Trishaw Night Tour as part of the Night Out at Bras Basah, Bugis Precinct activity organised by the National Museum of Singapore. Part of the overall effort to inject more buzz and excitement into the Civic District, the activity showed us how much more vibrant and fascinating Singapore’s cultural hotspots can be after dark.
Helmed by the DJs Jianwen and Kemin from the Radio Station 100.3 FM, the three-wheeled tour was an interesting blend of whimsical fun and wonder through the brightly lit nightscape of Singapore’s cultural hub. Commencing at the Bugis Trishaw Park (between Albert Centre Hawker Centre and Fu Lu Shou Building on Queen Street), it ended at the Settler’s Cafe at SMU where food, drink and friendly conversation capped off the night on a high.
Here’s a photographic account of our journey. No prizes for guessing who the real stars of the night were. 🙂
Courtesy of Learning By Doing
To heed the country’s latest call to increase productivity, help entrepreneurs and managers everywhere, and satisfy my own need for intellectual stimulation, I wonder if its useful to start an online forum to discuss ideas to increase productivity.
This could be a way for all of us to contribute our share of ideas, innovations, and suggestions towards the national cause. Such a forum could also be used to clarify misconceptions on productivity (for example that we should all work 18 hours a day), or to build upon each other’s plans in a (hopefully) constructive manner.
Courtesy of papershine the art of learning
The fine art of listening seems to be one that is fast becoming lost. It is ironical that in an information overloaded world, people actually has a lower propensity to absorb feedback and act on them.
I suppose that this could be an impact of the numerous digital distractions that plague one. With so much available at the tap of a screen and click of a mouse, who really needs to pay attention to the person in front of you anymore?
Courtesy of eTour Singapore
Festive holidays have always brought much cheer to those in the retail and service businesses, especially seasonal ones like Christmas, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Hari Raya Puasa. Considered peak periods for those in the consumer and lifestyle industries, festive holidays are peppered with numerous promotions and special deals by shops in order to trigger purchases both impromptu and planned.
Many retail outlets are dressed to the nines during these occasions, decked in splendid eye-catching and attention-grabbing hues.
Teamy the Bee at NHB’s Love Me Love Me Not Exhibition (Courtesy of Youth.sg)
Anybody who has been around long enough would have heard that old anthem for productivity helmed by the mascot “Teamy” the Bee . Perpetuated by the National Productivity Board in the 1980s (now SPRING Singapore), it goes something like this…
“Good better best,
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Courtesy of The Right Time Is Now
Productivity, the old panacea of economic goodwill, is making a comeback yet again. Several of our leaders have cited its importance, and the latest budget to be unveiled on 22 Feb will announce measures to boost productivity. I am certainly excited about this outcome as it may be the only way forward in a natural resource constrained economy like ours.
In order to understand what productivity is about, let us look at its basic ingredients, which is Value Added. According to Wikipedia,
Courtesy of A Fresh Start (up)
As some of you may know, I am in the midst of switching portfolios in my organisation and heading to the National Art Gallery, Singapore to lead the corporate services function. Unlike my previous role at the National Heritage Board, this one covers a broader spectrum of responsibilities – from HR, Finance, Admin, Strategic Planning, Policy, Marketing & Communications, to IT. You can say that it stretches from conceptualisation, development, funding, and staffing to communication, reporting and implementation.
Due to the start-up nature of the institution (which just celebrated its first birthday), many things need to be put in place. It has certainly been an exhilarating couple of weeks thus far, and I look forward to more excitement ahead.
Courtesy of Inside Retail HK
How can retail and service businesses differentiate themselves through service?
That is the age-old problem faced by numerous consumer-facing businesses here in Singapore and everywhere around the world.
