The World As I know It
The world… just is very troublesome…
One side of the world gathers major global leaders to talk about nothing…
Another side of the world is starving to death…
Another side of the world is celebrating music awards…
Another side of the world is fighting terrorism…
Another side of the world is protesting…
Another side of the world has many being fired…
Another side of the world is waiting for a football match…
Another side of the world is still sick…
Another side of the world is not even known clearly to the rest of the world…
Another side of the world has the critics…
Another side of the world has the critics to those critics…
Another side of the world has a child crying…
Another side of the world has a man living with countless number of servants and wives…
Another side of the world has nothing…
Another side of the world has everything…
Yet we are all waiting for something…
Some say 2012,
Some say a random rock,
Some say tomorrow,
Some say tonight,
Some say now.
But do we know?
No, we don’t. Not until
We get there.
The world
Concerns me,
Yet there is nothing to be done.
Don’t call me a fatalist,
Don’t call me a realist,
I’m just stating the facts.
What Marketing Taught Me
Having studied marketing for 2 years, each and every 'live' project (think there's 12 in total) are totally the same, having to consider the following. And the method involved are what the contestants in The Apprentice underwent, and so, each project felt like being assigned a task by Lord Sugar, just without the firing, but with the persona of his 2 sidekicks Nick and Karen from the tutors. Here goes:
1. The Brief
The brief is a short and sweet piece of paper indicating what are the specifications of the purpose of marketing. More of a guideline into what the client is looking for/ and want. This brief is the ultimate and most vital piece of information from the client.
Usually, people ignore this brief and starts to deviate, especially on project work (YES, I KNOW!!) and surprisingly, the tutors still can pass them (SERIOUSLY?!). Brief sometimes are what we already know, however, it contains the vital information, and is considered a gem if there's a well written one.
2. Product Life Cycle
This is the important and yet kind off boring part of marketing- identifying which stage of the cycle the product is at, and if the market is still idea. Boring because it is all theoretical and administrative, reading reports after reports of consumerism insights, GMID reports and sometimes Nielson market indices. However, still a very important tool.
3. Focus group
Often mentioned in the reports churned out (and always faked in my groups, expect for IMC) but always so seldom conducted. Focus group seemed like the only way of qualitative research, just like questionnaire being the most efficient way of collecting quantitative research unless otherwise stated. I think this is what differentiated the calibre of the groups. For qualitative research, other methods includes placing a mock product in the supermarket and survey how many people pick that product up (used to place other brand of the same product type side-by-side as a kid and see how people reacted), participant observation, supermarket/store trek and more. Definitely it's much easier to pat your head and rub the stomach at the same time!
4. The pitch
The most important pitch is not during the actual and final presentation (15% of your overall grades!!). Instead, is when you're presenting your ideas for the very first time during the small consult between your group and the tutor. This is the best time to mind read your tutors and have some understanding on the reception of your ideas. Thus, it is always wise to asked for the best salesman in the group to pitch the idea, because you want the tutor to not just like the idea, but to be IN LOVE with it.
Just like selling a product, be persuasive and convincing. Selling is an art, and happy people sells, miserable bastards don't. Be happy, and you'll sell. If the tutor love the idea, they'll more than happy to endorse and give recommendations to improve and get a better grade. If they don't like the idea, tough love, but life still continues.
Thankfully there's no really birch tutors, who will go like "I'm here to listen and not help to brainstorm on your ideas" or will walk out of a unprepared discussion. Of course, there are many tutors who love showing group the brief and keep saying "Stick to that".
1. The Brief
The brief is a short and sweet piece of paper indicating what are the specifications of the purpose of marketing. More of a guideline into what the client is looking for/ and want. This brief is the ultimate and most vital piece of information from the client.
Usually, people ignore this brief and starts to deviate, especially on project work (YES, I KNOW!!) and surprisingly, the tutors still can pass them (SERIOUSLY?!). Brief sometimes are what we already know, however, it contains the vital information, and is considered a gem if there's a well written one.
2. Product Life Cycle
This is the important and yet kind off boring part of marketing- identifying which stage of the cycle the product is at, and if the market is still idea. Boring because it is all theoretical and administrative, reading reports after reports of consumerism insights, GMID reports and sometimes Nielson market indices. However, still a very important tool.
3. Focus group
Often mentioned in the reports churned out (and always faked in my groups, expect for IMC) but always so seldom conducted. Focus group seemed like the only way of qualitative research, just like questionnaire being the most efficient way of collecting quantitative research unless otherwise stated. I think this is what differentiated the calibre of the groups. For qualitative research, other methods includes placing a mock product in the supermarket and survey how many people pick that product up (used to place other brand of the same product type side-by-side as a kid and see how people reacted), participant observation, supermarket/store trek and more. Definitely it's much easier to pat your head and rub the stomach at the same time!
4. The pitch
The most important pitch is not during the actual and final presentation (15% of your overall grades!!). Instead, is when you're presenting your ideas for the very first time during the small consult between your group and the tutor. This is the best time to mind read your tutors and have some understanding on the reception of your ideas. Thus, it is always wise to asked for the best salesman in the group to pitch the idea, because you want the tutor to not just like the idea, but to be IN LOVE with it.
Just like selling a product, be persuasive and convincing. Selling is an art, and happy people sells, miserable bastards don't. Be happy, and you'll sell. If the tutor love the idea, they'll more than happy to endorse and give recommendations to improve and get a better grade. If they don't like the idea, tough love, but life still continues.
Thankfully there's no really birch tutors, who will go like "I'm here to listen and not help to brainstorm on your ideas" or will walk out of a unprepared discussion. Of course, there are many tutors who love showing group the brief and keep saying "Stick to that".
The few bad Singaporean habits
Singaporeans by and large had been criticised and sometimes condemned
by foreigners. However, not all of them lies with the fault of the government(which
we love to blame). But these habits are also the social ills of being Asian,
but prominently found in Singapore. Here goes:
1. The Singaporean way of walking
Singaporeans are sneaky, literally. They walk disorderly,
and love to ‘pavement hog’. Be it individuals, or with a group, they tend to
block the whole passageway, not allowing others to overtake and blocking the
way of other pedestrians in the opposite direction. But having said that, Singaporeans
are perfectly capable of negotiating their way, especially against their way.
I observed on numerous occasions how a huge pack of people
walking from point A to point B, and after awhile, the whole path is swarm with
people walking from point B to A. this intrigues me, like how so many people
can just sneak between the crowd and onto their business. It’s like the typical
Singaporean behaviour of ‘my grandfather road’.
Most are also guilty of standing around in a circle with
your group of friends and block the middle of the walkway. It is inconsiderate,
and often creates a roundabout commonly seen in motorways. Being non-confrontational,
the other poor pedestrians will just walk around the circle. Talk about walking
in circles. Ok, bad joke.
.jpg) |
| That is how we should walk, in an orderly fashion |
2. jaywalking
Singaporeans are time conscious, and will stoop into risking
their life if it means saving time and increased convenience. (think how many
time did you jaywalk because you’re lazy to climb the overhead bridge?) even
when a person is just 10 m away from the crossing, he/she will still jaywalk. And
to think Singapore is a safe and orderly country. What an irony. But the pedestrians know that cars will stop for them because the road is 'my grandfather's road'. My grandfather is bigger than your father's road. (Father's road is commonly used by drivers).
 |
| At least Jaywalking in here is not as bad as the photo. |
Last but not least…
3. Doors
Most shopping malls in Singapore have a 2 panel automated
sliding doors. For some older malls, they have a 2 panel manual operated
push/pull doors. Keeping in mind of the very unique way Singaporeans walk, they
tend to just push 1 panel of the door and walk out, while the rest wanting to
walk in will just wait (until they judge it to be safe to just sneak in) all
this while with a second panel waiting. Why can’t people just push the other
panel? It’s not like they’re faulty. This often blocks the flow of traffic, and
slows down everybody’s pace.
Singaporeans also love to not hold the door for others. One
common behaviour is the person in front of me will push open the door to the
maximum, so he can walk pass, I will also walk pass quickly and not touch the
door. The person behind me will quickly push the door to the maximum, allowing
the next person to cross and the cycle continues. This saves time and is
relatively efficient. But some bad behaviour is a person in front of me closing
the freaking door. Thanks a lot(!)
And a very special mention to LIFTS!
Singaporeans tend to stand in the middle of the lift. Not
sure why, but like in MRTs, Singaporeans will often crowd around the middle.
Hopefully, these bad behaviour will improve in years to
come, but for now, keep our fingers cross that they will improve and not meet
someone like them. Even I’m guilty for some of the behaviour. And please, don't get me started on queuing. Leave that for another day.
Closure
We are all constantly in search of the truth, which includes closure. Closure in life, friends and situations/scenarios. But without really finding closure, are we able to be at peace with ourselves, and how will we be able to 'live with it'?
Quotes
I know I had posted this before, but this is a very meaningful quote:
We must be satisfied with the soup that is set before us, and not desire to see the bones of the ox out of which it has been boiled.
Contentment breeds satisfaction, which leads to happiness. Often people aren't able to be happy and be at ease with themselves because of their curiosity.
We must be satisfied with the soup that is set before us, and not desire to see the bones of the ox out of which it has been boiled.
Contentment breeds satisfaction, which leads to happiness. Often people aren't able to be happy and be at ease with themselves because of their curiosity.
Humans are
so often curious, because that is our nature. To question the why and what not. But
it is in this aspect which prevent us from finding closure, closure with the
situation, and with yourself.
Working in
a department which deals with complain letters (why does the word complain even
occurs?!) I find that most of the people uses it as an avenue to vent their
frustration. The frustration of feeling helpless that their parcel are lost (I’m
working in a postal office). Being human, we tend to like to be in control, and
be informed in the whole process. Once we lose that ability, all hell break
lose. These are the people who are unable to find closure. For complain cases,
it usually works like this:
1. You
learnt of the problem occurred (like your parcel was delivered late)
2,. You felt
helpless, and felt bad (about yourself, or your recipient or even just at the
situation)
3.
usually by now we have 2 different types,
a. Those
who accept it, and close the case. Or
b. who
demand to know what happened, how it happen and generally, angry.
3. you
write a complain letter, threatening to report to the CEO, or the MPs or
whatsoever people.
Frankly,
I think my company should not even be replying to such people. Because in life,
shit happens. It is alright to feel angry, but do not let your feelings
manipulate to emotions, which will influence the actions. Sure, some of this
shit are the company fault, but do not vent your frustration by calling the
staff and give them a verbal scolding. Imagine how will they feel, especially
when it’s not even their fault.
Usually,
for people to find closure, they will experience anger, followed by acceptance
and finally closure. In my complain example, however, since there’re no
acceptance (few will accept the ‘official excuses’ made because simply put, the
company really is at fault), thus these complainers will not find closure. However,
it is another completely different story if you call the company and want to
know the process and why it had been late in delivery. This is finding closure
in a way because you want to be educated and informed, and not just to vent
your frustration.
Usually,
when people call the hotline to complain, they in fact do not know what they
want, and the answers they want to hear. They just want someone to hear and
shout mean words to the poor people on the phone because they felt it’s their prerogative.
And after that phone call, the poor people will usually say sorry. I think they
should just use this phrase, “I empathise with you on your frustration, and my
company would like to apologise for the regrettable experience caused by the
lateness of delivery”.
Hopefully,
there’ll be fewer people who complain, because ultimately, they are the ones
who shows how shallow they are, forever judging others by their moral paucity. Sometimes,
it’s great to receive feedback and complains if they have a nice tone. Just not
shouting. Shucks, it’s my last day tomorrow at work. Now I’m a happy kid who
will devote more time here.
Different perspectives and finding closure.
A very
unexpected friend of mine (that wo geng ni jiang hor) asked if I would like to
go to london with him. That was totally unexpected, since I’m not chummy with
him. After much whatsapping, we virtually planned what we’re gonna do and all. The
question is why me? Because I’m not a phony. Well, I try to stay true to myself
and often find myself in weird and hostile situation for firing that stupid mouth
of mine without thinking. Thankfully, I’ve not offended that much people in the
past 3 years of poly education. (an accomplishment, if you asked me).
The end
of a crucial 3 years of education had just faded away from me. The memories
created, friendship and courtship. But what actually holds in that short, yet
eventful 3 years? The competitiveness which is so overrated or the people you
knew. Of course, the subject taken will be with me forever I think, but being
someone who have absolute dislike to marketing, should I further my studies? Or
should I just stick my head in and work till the day I retire, think back and
moan about the mistake I possible had made.
Differing
perspectives from various people I knew had by and large, been cautioning me
about my next decision. Half of me wanted to shut them up, and another half
wanting to listen and pay heed to their advice. Like how (I know!) anthropology
does not have any career prospect and I should just stick to my marketing with
a minor in product management (or something like that). It’s thought that
finding closure with my studies solely based on this marketing.
If only
there is an answer.
I find
myself in this situation whereby whenever I find the light at the end of the
tunnel, next thing I know is the train just has to ram over me at full speed. That
is just so depressing.
Online Media Clampdown In Progress???
The MDA (Media Development Authority) in Singapore had introduced a new ruling, whereby online news site exceeding 50000 unique views will be subjected to a license which includes financial bond as part of the conditions, ensuring the articles published online will be on par with their other traditional media counterparts. This applies, right now to 10 websites, and this license is subject to renewal every year.
The online community had been extremely vocal over this. Many questions are field (and yet to be answered). But they are all missing a point- How is this legislation/ruling passed in parliament with no votes from MPs? It's just like a normal day in the office, checking Twitter in the afternoon and everyone's talking about this. Even newspapers reporting this did not mentioned about a debate in parliament or vote. Given the political structure of Singapore lower house, with majority of MPs belonging to PAP, high possibility of the ruling being pass is high. But what I'm interested is the point of view and opinions of MPs (be it opposition or otherwise).
I'm all for the regulation of Internet media if it calls for greater scrutiny and responsibility journalism online in part from the print media, but online news portal with no physical presence? I don't think it is necessary. The top priority of having such online regulation is to address the following:
1. Cyber-bullying
Most people are now turning into social media to taunt their preys, calling them name and defecating photos and putting them up online. This behaviour should not be tolerated, and please punish them.
2. Imposing of super-injunction to the online community
High prolific cases whereby a gag order is being imposed on traditional news outlet but not the general public on a certain footballer in the UK is being exploited by most people. (Think Giggs). There should be a law on this.
3. Social behaviour (especially hate speech)
Forget about defaming others, but the use of vulgar languages. Enforcing a law whereby it is a criminal case if someone online with the malicious intention to hurt (mentally or physically), including threats, or photos, etc others punishable by law, and not just waiting for the victims to report and take a civil suit. This tantamount to someone spitting or shouting the F*** word to you on the streets and should not be tolerated.
Forget about the bonds and all, just impose this as a deterrence and all will be fine. Better yet if UN convention can have a common internet laws and convention for all countries to adopt (like tort law and common laws amongst most commonwealth nations).
P.S If Xia Xue (one of the more famous bloggers) falls under the category and need a license, I bet some company will sponsor her the financial bond.
The online community had been extremely vocal over this. Many questions are field (and yet to be answered). But they are all missing a point- How is this legislation/ruling passed in parliament with no votes from MPs? It's just like a normal day in the office, checking Twitter in the afternoon and everyone's talking about this. Even newspapers reporting this did not mentioned about a debate in parliament or vote. Given the political structure of Singapore lower house, with majority of MPs belonging to PAP, high possibility of the ruling being pass is high. But what I'm interested is the point of view and opinions of MPs (be it opposition or otherwise).
I'm all for the regulation of Internet media if it calls for greater scrutiny and responsibility journalism online in part from the print media, but online news portal with no physical presence? I don't think it is necessary. The top priority of having such online regulation is to address the following:
1. Cyber-bullying
Most people are now turning into social media to taunt their preys, calling them name and defecating photos and putting them up online. This behaviour should not be tolerated, and please punish them.
2. Imposing of super-injunction to the online community
High prolific cases whereby a gag order is being imposed on traditional news outlet but not the general public on a certain footballer in the UK is being exploited by most people. (Think Giggs). There should be a law on this.
3. Social behaviour (especially hate speech)
Forget about defaming others, but the use of vulgar languages. Enforcing a law whereby it is a criminal case if someone online with the malicious intention to hurt (mentally or physically), including threats, or photos, etc others punishable by law, and not just waiting for the victims to report and take a civil suit. This tantamount to someone spitting or shouting the F*** word to you on the streets and should not be tolerated.
Forget about the bonds and all, just impose this as a deterrence and all will be fine. Better yet if UN convention can have a common internet laws and convention for all countries to adopt (like tort law and common laws amongst most commonwealth nations).
P.S If Xia Xue (one of the more famous bloggers) falls under the category and need a license, I bet some company will sponsor her the financial bond.
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