Telemarketer from Hell!

December 10, 2007 • Blog • 9 comments

Courtesy of Cayusa (via Flickr)

This incident which happened five months ago riled me so much that I still remember it to this day. I guess it was triggered from the recent spate of telemarketers assailing my private space. Yet again.

Ordinarily, you would think that telemarketers wouldn’t bother selling to public officers. After all, most of us are bound by certain rules and regulations to ensure proper governance. There are certain procedures to follow to ensure that public funds are well spent.

Waiting for the Passage of Time

December 9, 2007 • • 3 comments

Shot this from a cab a couple of months ago. Its human nature to wait, regardless of your situation or circumstances.

Good PR and Marketing Reads

December 8, 2007 • Public Relations • 2 comments

Decided to follow the illustrious examples of some of my friends in highlighting the worthy reads in PR and marketing this week, focusing on those in Singapore’s blogosphere.

First up is Daniel’s excellent analysis of the Prima Deli debacle and how the company could have saved itself more heartache by harnessing the media and public opinion. Let’s hope and pray that they will survive this one.

Melvin Yuan of the PR2.0 Universe has a good take on the PR 2.0 bubble. Read it and see if you agree or disagree whether new media is a fad or will eventually exist side-by-side with other more mainstream forms.

How Clients Should Manage PR Agencies

December 4, 2007 • Public Relations • 4 comments

Source of image

Here’s a counter post following my first one on how PR agencies should manage their clients. Hats off to Priscilla Tan who used to work in an agency but will now be joining a global MNC (drool).

Getting the most out of your PR agency doesn’t mean squeezing the life out of them. Conversely, it also doesn’t mean that you just let loose completely and pray everyday that page one news would come on its own. Sorry buddy it doesn’t work that way.

So what can you as a client do to optimise the Client-PR relationship?

Achieving Well Being

December 2, 2007 • Blog • 8 comments

Yesterday evening, my family and I went down to support the launch of my Aunt Cherry Choo’s new business “Being Associates” at Stirling Road (Blk 169, #01-1149). As an ardent supporter of Traditional Chinese Medicine, it gave me pleasure to see my aunt embracing its principles and going into a business venture which supported holistic health. An authorised Natorny Health & Complexion Care Centre, Being Associates specialise in complexion problems and health care achieved largely through herbal nourishment founded on principles of Chinese herbology. You can find out more about them here.

The spanking new shopfront of Being Associates at Stirling Road near Queensway. Note the brand colours of blue and white.

A Rose By Any Other Name?

December 1, 2007 • Blog • 2 comments

Courtesy of krazykid933

Names have always been an important part of marketing (or life for that matter). How essential are they in the art and science of branding? Very much so.

Since time immemorial, organisations have agonised over what they should name their company, products, and services. Which one would resonate with their target audiences better?

Tips for a Thank You Note

November 29, 2007 • Blog • no comments

Here’s yet another gem from Church of the Customer’s Jackie Huba on writing “Thank You” notes that rock! If you want to build a word-of-mouth focused and buzzworthy business, here is the way to go. I would probably add another point which is to handwrite the note – if you can help it!

Spell the recipient’s name correctly (doh!).
Thank the person for choosing your business. If they shared a specific reason why they choose your business of why they like it, reaffirm it. For heaven’s sake, though, don’t turn it into a sales pitch.
Include a personal detail about the recipient that you picked up on. Prove that you were listening. Humanity is a good thing in the antiseptic world of business.
Open the door to feedback. Whether the recipient provides it isn’t the point; it’s the idea that you’re passionate about creating a recommendable experience.
Be authentic: Include your full name and contact info — email and/or phone. Or a business card.

Link here.

How PR Agencies Should Manage Clients

November 28, 2007 • Public Relations • 12 comments

Source of image

I got tipped off to write about this following Priscilla Tan’s expose on what goes on behind the doors of PR agencies and their clients. Many of the situations which she described – expecting page one news, wanting to be called “the next big thing”, and agency bosses “kow towing” to clients – are not unique indeed.

Farewell to Our Dragon Boaters

November 27, 2007 • Blog • 1 comment

Courtesy of Shen_Shifa

It was a terrible tragedy and one of the saddest news which hit our shores this year. Till now, many of us are still reeling from the fact that five of our strapping young men gave their lives to a murky river in Cambodia. Victims of strong undercurrents and hostile rowing conditions, they represented some of the best athletes our nation has produced. The sadness of their family members and friends must be immeasurable.

I used to be a dragon boater, though not at the national level like the boys. I recalled watching the national team trained before – hulking, tanned and ripped guys who looked like bodybuilders (no kidding). I rowed for the Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association (SAFSA) during my NSF days and subsequently the National University of Singapore (NUS) where I studied. Although I wasn’t in the A-team, I had a chance to strengthen my fitness and health during those years. Something which I would be eternally grateful for.

Ethan Turns Four!

November 25, 2007 • Blog • 6 comments

As Ethan celebrates his fourth birthday this coming Tuesday (27 November), we had a great week of multiple celebrations. This actually felt uncannily like his third birthday, if you can recall, with pretty much the same players (close friends and relatives). Looking at the photos just makes you wish you were a kid all over again doesn’t it?

First was a celebration with his good friend Dyann, who turned five on 19 November at her place.

Ethan and Dyann before lighting up the candles.