11 Things We Love About Canada

June 12, 2011 • Blog • 6 comments

Moose Lake in Mount Robson Park

After a 16 day trip to Canada’s West Coast, principally Vancouver, Kelowna, Banff, Jasper, Kamloops, and the Whistler Mountain, we’ve been touched in so many fabulous ways. There are many wonderful things about this sprawling – its the second largest nation after Russia in terms of area – and northerly country (average annual temperature is 1.5 deg Celcius across the country) but I’d simply focus on 11. Note that I’m speaking as a traveller of course, so my views could be skewed towards the tourist’s gaze. Let’s hope that things will continue to stay this way for Canada, a land of extraordinary experiences.

Fantastic Mountains

Universal Studios Singapore Opens in Grand Fashion

May 28, 2011 • Blog • 4 comments

Ethan’s certainly enjoyed his first visit to Universal Studios Singapore

Lights… Cameras… and so much action! That sums up the grand opening of Universal Studios Singapore this morning.

After allowing members of the public to visit parts of the park in stages, Universal Studios Singapore finally had its grand opening party. Thanks to the kind folks of Resorts World Sentosa, I was able to bring Ethan along to soak in the hot and festive fun. Participating in the extravaganza were big names like American Idol and pop personality Paula Abdul, Chinese martial arts superstar Jet Li, screen goddess Maggie Cheung, doe-eyed Chinese actress Vicki Zhao (of “Huang Zhu Ge Ge fame”) and Kimberly Caldwell, a finalist from American Idol.

Climbing the Canadian Rockies

May 27, 2011 • Blog • 2 comments

The awesome Moraine Lake at Banff, Canada (source of image)

Today, we’re busy preparing, planning and packing for our upcoming trip to Canada’s British Columbia and Alberta.

Penning Papers that Persuade

May 24, 2011 • • no comments

Courtesy of CGU Writing Centre

Writing papers is not second nature for most of us. It isn’t easy to slave over the words, facts and figures that form an integral part of white collar work, while putting forth a cogent and convincing argument.

Fortunately, there is an art and a science to writing policies, strategic plans, strategies, and other documents geared towards rallying support, budgets and stakeholder buy-in. Here are some tips that I have learnt from my years of experience in wielding the pen as the sword.

Amateurs versus Professionals

May 22, 2011 • Blog • no comments

Don’t merely listen to the experts even if they look as good as this (courtesy of Strategy of Wealth)

In today’s social-technology-enabled world, customers and citizens alike wield considerable influence over the decisions of corporate and political captains alike. In such an environment, we can ill afford to adopt a “I know best” attitude in dealing with our stakeholders (unless of course we are Steve Jobs and Apple).

While there is a rise in the cult of the amateur, as claimed by Andrew Keen, there is still a time and place for the professionals. I’m sure nobody in their right minds would want to be operated on by a surgeon who is fresh out of med school, or to be rescued by novice firefighters.

Destination Marketing: Turning Places into Tourism Brands

May 19, 2011 • Public Relations • 1 comment

Does Crazy Rich Asian help to promote Singapore? (courtesy of Crazy Rich Asians movie)

Everybody’s talking about Crazy Rich Asians, the blockbuster Hollywood movie based on Singapore-born author Kevin Kwan’s book of the same name.

While the movie was celebrated for giving Asians a major role in a Hollywood movie, it garnered its fair share of brickbats by those who felt that it did not fairly represent Singapore in its portrayal.

Why Companies Should Think Like The Media

May 17, 2011 • Content Marketing • no comments

Larry Kramer of CBS MarketWatch (source of image)

In the hypercompetitive world of producing and peddling information, one finds that media companies are often compelled to innovate lest they perish.

The advent of multiple social media and networking channels, mobile connectivity, and citizen journalism have accelerated the need for the media constantly keep abreast of the latest developments in their reader’s, viewer’s and listener’s taste and preference.

Remembering to Recharge

May 13, 2011 • Blog • no comments

How do you regain your balance in life? What helps you to “top up” your inner resources after a particularly trying and hectic week?

Often, the simplest pleasures in life can bring forth the greatest sense of joy and well-being.

Managing in a Maelstrom

May 11, 2011 • Blog • no comments

Charybdis (image source)

You’ve probably heard the saying over and over again – change is the only constant (this quote first came from an ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus), especially in this day and age. Beyond the cataclysmic calamities wrecked by Mother Nature, I bet that many of us also face major shifts and upheavals in various aspects of our lives.

How does one manage oneself and others in the midst of tumultous changes? Here are some thoughts on what one can do to brace and ride the storm.

The Power of Emotions

May 9, 2011 • Blog • no comments

“And Jesus Wept” (Courtesy of A View From The Edge)

Over the past couple of weeks, Singapore’s General Elections captured the attention of many Singaporeans, resulting in a Polling Night that had a nail biting finish. More than 2 million people casted their votes for the future of Singapore.

In reading, viewing and listening to what my fellow Singaporeans have to say about the elections, it is clear that the emotions play a key role in its eventual outcome. There has been shouts of anger, tears of sadness, and smiles of happiness throughout the campaign period for all parties. Much of the rhetoric employed by the various candidates in their speeches tug heavily at the heartstrings.