Taking a break and saw my neighbor’s cat. He is sooo adorable. (shot with my N82 phone)

Today marks the end of all of my project submissions. Finally some calm before the storm.

Looking forward to 10 May 2008. Sunshine after the rain.

“Your my sunshine after the rain
your the cure against my fear and my pain
’cause im losing my mind when your not around
its all…its all because of you”

Cant believe I am humming to that disbanded 98 Degrees’ Song right now. Anything can happen when you are looking at graphs and numbers every night…

…Yes there were technical glitches but they were bearable at Start-Up@Singapore Emerging Industry on WEB 2.0.

I felt the notion of entrepreneurship was succinctly discussed and it made my day!

I especially like Kevin’s point on monetization or should i say Demonetization. I felt he hit the nail on the head. Entrepreneurship is not about monetization per se. It only a small part of the equation. It encompass more on value creation and making the world a better place to live in. So ideas should bounce off how we can help people and improve lives, not $$$. $$ will naturally trickle in from the top tier. They would be the one that would sustain that product or service in the long run.

Thank you Van for bringing down your “Thinking Cap” and contribute in this wonderful discussion. We should meet up for coffee when Kevin comes back.

Lets work TOWARDS A MORE ALTRUSIVE SOCIETY.

An idealist musing? Over to you Stuart 

“Eh.. you not going to Church on Good Friday?” Grace

“No, I will go for Easter mass” Marcus

Long pause

“I am bad…” Marcus

Interested in WEB 2,0. Please click here to register.

Start-Up@Singapore 2008 is delighted to present to you the Emerging Industry Series! Consisting of 3 exhilarating panel discussions on Alternative Energy, Interactive Digital Media and Web 2.0, enthrall yourselves with the many new takes and fresh perspectives on these up and coming industries. Insightful opinions on the industry outlook, investment opportunities and research potentials in these emerging industries will be shared and discussed by industry experts and academics.

Join us in the concluding installment of the Emerging Industry Series to discover the dynamic and borderless world of Web 2.0. Explore in great breadth and depth the emerging trends and business opportunities of web-based communities such as social-networking sites, wikis, blogs and many more! Harness this opportunity to learn how you can possibly make a difference in the rapidly growing online world of Web 2.0!

Date: 29 Mar 2008 (Saturday)

Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm (Registration starts at 9.30am)

Venue: Hon Sui Sen(HSS) Auditorium

NUS Business School

1 Hon Sui Sen Drive

[Map]

Attire: Smart casual

Speakers Profile

Stuart Tan, S.D.C.G., Licensed NLP Trainer Pan South-East Asia Toastmasters Evaluation Speech Champion and EBusiness Coach

Mr. Stuart Tan, MBA (Western Michigan), BA (Hons), S.D.C.G., is the Executive Director of the Adam Khoo Learning Technologies Group (AKLTG) Pte. Ltd. Stuart Tan is one of Asia’s Top Speakers and trainers in Internet Marketing. He has developed comprehensive learning models for beginners to learn Internet Marketing easily and to start using Internet Marketing in businesses. Within just 9 months of using Internet Marketing, Stuart managed to achieve over $400,000 in revenue. He uses his extensive training and education background to coach and help people learn. Stuart also teaches consumer psychology online and how to leverage it when selling products or services on the Internet.
Website: http://www.internetmarketingsingapore.com/

Kevin Lim, PhD candidate in Communication, Author of theory.isthereason

Kevin Lim is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in Communication at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), where he also works as a graduate assistant. For both his work and blog, Kevin studies and shares his interest in the diverse cultural affordances of technology, focusing on the pedagogical and disruptive aspects of social media. Dabbling for both pragmatic and play, he seeks an ideal interplay between online and offline life, through social networking, blogging and lifecasting. He openly wishes to become a “social cyborg”, where the meshing of human and networking technology would allow one’s presence to be augmented by the minds of many.
Website: http://theory.isthereason.com/

Vanessa Tan, Senior Executive, Health Promotion Board

Vanessa Tan graduated from the University of Bristol, UK with a degree in Law. She works as a new media consultant in the public sector. Catering to a wide range of target audience, Vanessa’s projects includes blogging, social networking, user-contributed content and podcasting. She has been featured in the Singapore media, particularly for launching the very first podcast by a Government agency and for founding a Government blogging movement. She has also presented at training courses on various aspects of social media.
Website: www.vantan.org

A mother and baby camel are talking one day when the baby camel asks, “Mom why have I got these huge three-toed feet?” The mother replies, “Well son, when we trek across the desert your toes will help you to stay on top of the soft sand”. “OK” said the son. A few minutes later the son asks, “Mom, why have I got these great long eyelashes?” “They are there to keep the sand out of your eyes on the trips through the desert”, “Thanks Mom” replies the son. After a short while, the son returns and asks, “Mom, why have I got these great big humps on my back?” The mother, now a little impatient with the boy replies, “They are there to help us store fat for our long treks across the desert, so we can go without water for long periods.” ”That’s great mom, so we have huge feet to stop us sinking, and long eyelashes to keep the sand from our eyes and these humps to store water, but Mom …” “Yes son?” “Why the heck are we in the San Diego zoo?”

From Mel’s blog.

Sometimes we are all guilty of ball watching. We know there is a need to change something but we just stand there and watch and hope some one does it.

Bread and curry never fail to make me drool.

Here is my own interpretation of “The Long Tail” Economics by Chris Anderson - where less is more in social context.

Extracts from my journal

Day 3 12th Oct 2005

“….It was tiring and arduous but we persevered. Halfway through, Hong with his deadpan wit joked and fed us cookies. So sweet! We had to paint the interior and exterior and give the walls 2 coats. We had to use bamboo sticks to stick into the rollers to reach the high places. It was the first time I was painting and it painfully tiring. My back was aching when I returned to the house. I slept like a concuss pig who have not slept for days!!….”

Last night, Day 11 20th Oct 2005

“…The people’s hospitality and graciousness in the village will always be remembered.

They have so little yet they offer so much.(The Long Tail- Less is more.)

In comparison, we have so much but we offer so little in.

Sometimes I feel the more money we have the greater tendency of losing ourselves. Vice versa, with less money, we would live in poorer conditions and spend less, however, we could be happier, more carefree and less stressful. We would have time to look back and enjoy what life has to offer, like kids here…”

I have no intention of presenting myself as benevolent or altrusive. I’m just fortunate to witness all these and put it down in words.

Produced by Audrey

I was kinda sad when i heard on the news that our beloved Singapore Zoo icon, Ah Meng had passed away. I remember when i was working in the Night Safari, Ah Meng was always referred by the tourists as some kind of “folk hero”. She was the star of “The breakfast show” in the Zoo. Always endearing and entertaining, she will always be loved.
She will be commemorated for her efforts towards generating a greater awareness on the plight of orang utans in the wild.

Lets recap some of my highs last year:

• NUS Entrepreneurship Society (NES), Start-Up@Singapore 2008 (S@S)

Part of NES annual flagship project is S@S , the national business plan competition. As part of my belief that social entrepreneurship is the only way of sustaining a social cause, I am extremely delighted to be part of this organization. I have been involved in S@S’s marketing collaterals, school outreach and organizing panel discussions like “The Emerging Industry Series” on Alternative Energy, Interactive Digital Media and Web 2.0 & “The CEO unplugged”.

• National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) alumni

I was very privileged to be given this award by his excellency, President SR Nathan. It was one of the proudest moment of my life and I will never forget the little chat I had with him just before receiving my National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA).

NYAA was officially launched on 9 May 1992 by the President of the Republic of Singapore at the Istana. The aim of the NYAA Programme is to encourage young people between the ages of 14 and 25 years to develop personal qualities of self-reliance, perseverance and a sense of responsibility to themselves, to society and to the nation. To find out more about [+]

• Ngee Ann Polytechnic, School of Business and Accountancy (BA), BA CARES

During my studies in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, I was fortunate to meet many like-minded and motivated friends who were passionate about community involvement like I am. Special shootouts to Mrs Joyce Tang, Mr. Ben Tan, Simon, Lawrence, Evelyn, Shi Shi, Melissa, QiongPing and Joanne. Without them BA CARES would have been different.

BA CARES the community outreach arm of the School of Business and Accountancy, and we operate somewhat like a club. Only BA students are eligible to be members, and membership has its privileges. We will tell you more about the privileges later. To find out more on what we did [+]

• Maxus (Umbrella of Group M that includes Mindshare Singapore and Mediaedgecia), Media Agency

One of my interest is in advertising and new media. I wrote in to all the top media and advertising agencies requesting for an internship stint. Maxus was the first to reply and I took up the internship immediately while waiting for University to start. The internship stint was one of the best experience of my life. You could read more at one of my blog post by clicking here. Special shoutouts to Arthur Sung, Wendy, Hazel, Feylynn and Hwee Mein!

_____________________________________________________

Time really flies, I cannot wait know what I will “uncover” in the year of the RAT.

Interestingly, I think I am the only one who thinks rats are cute. I have not heard of anyone else that thinks they are adorable! How about you? Do you think rats are cute? After all, they do look like hamsters right? Just a little uglier.

[2 more hours to reunion dinner. Another steamboat affair, simple but tasty. ]

WISHING ALL THOSE READING THIS A PROSPEROUS LUNAR NEW YEAR !!!!

Now that the “O” level results are out, the Polytechnics are shamelessly blasting their school’s name and showcasing how great and special they are. As I travel to school every morning, I can’t avoid but admire or show disgust at their campaign. Lets analyze their campaign one by one:

Ngee Ann Polytechnic (although i was from there, i am totally unbiased, i cross my heart and fingers!!)

What i like:

1. The professional feel and layout
2. Nice fonts
3. Classy and uncomplicated
4. Color tones are well coordinated

Singapore Polytechnic-

What i like:

1. The clear message- “JAE Course Counseling“
2. “Counselling” spelt wrongly - Very funny
3. The cheeky smile
4. Compared to NP, it’s totally the opposite!

Nanyang Polytechnic- could not find any bus ad but i managed to spot the SMRT ads though

What i like:

1. their campaign is really creative
2. live up to their brand of “the innovative” Polytechnic
3. using paper clip as a symbolic association- a series of paperclip theme advertisement to evoke commuters thoughts

I could not find Temasek Polytechnic’s advertisements most probably because it is located in the EAST and I live in the west. Likewise for Republic polytechnic.

____________________________________________________

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, on a totally separate issue, since I am part of Start-Up Singapore 2008, its good to be shameless and talk about our campaign and advertisement on public transport:

What i like it:

1. I was PART OF THE BRAINSTORMING TEAM “it’s never too late to start”
2. That sand glass image was discovered by me!!

She is gone. 2 ways to look at it Marcus.

1st school of thought: Hopefully the person takes the camera and gets a good price and use the money to feed his or her family. Hopefully his or her children use the money to go to school and eventually become financially independent and never resort to stealing again. This can only happen for his or her future generations.

HOW NOBLE MARCUS?!!

2nd school of thought: He or she continues to steal as it is addictive and challenging. In this case, fuck u. I hope i can afford a n atomic bomb in the future and there is no law and order. I going to bomb Qi Pu Lu. Wipe out every MF(kers) down there and hopefully take the thief along!

HOW NICE MARCUS!!@#??!#$

Disclaimer: These are just thoughts in the moment of despair. When my insurance agent get back to me, all will be forgotten. Canon here I come!!

Once again, it’s that time of the year. I was at City Hall this evening and I realised that i have lost that bubbly feeling of Christmas and New Year. Is this what they term as “Quarterlife” crisis? This is when one gets old and nothing seems to excite you anymore? I hope not. I know for sure I am not young anymore but then again i am not old either. As I recount the days of my life and retrospect on my glory and misses I can always count on my Hoegaarden to wish me a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year [and a big BELLY to go with it]. Cheers everyone!

science is known to be reliable because it is base on testable hypotheses? But the fundamentals are conceptualize base on assumptions. For eg Law of Physics- gravitational and eletro- magnestism. Hence, it is basically faith base. (ST 27/11, p26)

likwise for religion, having belief without evidence is a virtue which i want my child to have.

finally, business is also a faith base. all the planning and forecast will only bring you so far. it is faith and desire that differentiate you from success and failure

NUS library Lvl 6

“MUGGING period”

It’s only in Singapore where u find “mugging” means studying (HELL HARD)

Eriko Yamaguchi, 25, is a successful Japanese social entrepreneur that advocates fair trade. Her ‘Mother House Co.’ is actively fostering the idea of fair trade through direct deals with producers in Bangladesh and other developing countries. She is currently selling a range of environmentally friendly bags/shoes/wallets (made of jute material) and hence creating employment opportunities for the people in Bangladesh. Essentially, her business venture is not just wealth creation per se.

The abstract below, from the Business Times Paper, dated 5th of Oct 2007, is there to remind us that there are people in this world who venture into business primarily to help people. Wealth creation is just the rewards of sheer determination and vision.

As a ‘businesswoman’, Ms Yamaguchi has ambitions to expand sales to the US and Europe but as a quasi-development worker she also wants to expand production into other poorer countries. She has already visited Indonesia and Cambodia looking for raw materials to which value can be added by using them to produce consumer goods.

Ms Yamaguchi rejects charges that she is ‘profiting’ from cheap labour and raw materials. She claims that the wages she pays in Bangladesh are ‘double the average’ and that her profit margins are low relative to those of other goods producers in the developing world. She respects the fair trade movement but argues that consumers do not want to buy developing country produce out of ‘pity’ but only if it is of the high quality she aims at. Neither is Ms Yamaguchi concerned about competition from low-cost, mass-production goods from China.

Japanese and other consumers are increasingly eager to ‘buy a story’ when they buy goods and if that story is one that has an economic development theme attached to it, they will buy it more readily than they would if it is one of mass production and global distribution chains with profit margins in their every link, she says.

Source: “Capitalism with a human face”, Anthony Rowley Tokyo Correspondent, 5 October 2007, Business Times Singapore 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Limited

Maxus was presented Best Relationship Marketing Campaign for the Shell Eastern Petroleum’s Shell Diesel Care for Cabbie Activation account in this year’s Singapore Advertising Hall of Fame 2007.

It was a great campaign once again. Great news for everyone at Maxus.

[Reminiscing my days interning there. Sometimes I wish I was competing in the working world instead of the academic world. My time will come.]