11 posts tagged “work”

Work has been really overwhelming. Of course amongst all the pressure and stress, I am happy to see that some things are changing for the better - Must always see the other side of the coin mah...

I love my work so much that I have to leave some for tomorrow.

Let's Breathe in Life, Choice, Self-expression and Truth...and Breathe out Insecurity, Pessimisim, Pressure and Judgement.

After weeks of "nearly breath(e)less" days and nights, we have finally brought the Breathe website to live! Well, this is only version 1, which is set up in support of the promotion for the Dancebeatz Hip Hop Competition. Do look forward to the next version which will be online somewhere in Oct 08. 

On 7 Nov 08, we will also be having a breath(e)taking event at the Padang which will feature an electrifying performance by the ELECTRICO! Also not to miss the DANCE PARTY, featuring DJ Andrew Chow from ZOUK! No alcohol will be served though. :X

So.... what is the "Breathe Philosophy"? We believe that everyone is the outcome of the choices they have made and we are the ultimate limited edition - Number 1 in a series of 1.

Do you embrace the Breathe Philosophy? Show the world that you embrace the Breathe Philosophy. Breathe with us (and support us too) @ Facebook and Friendster!

Woo Hoo!!!! Let's BREATHE!!!

(P/S: Ok... I have never visit Zouk in my whole life! But hey, I've been to MOS before ok?!!!)

Given to the number of projects that we are handling, I get to attend quite a few vendor presentations every now and then.

Sometimes, I felt that time is not wasted, cos they really made me go "WOW". However, we are not so lucky all the time. Some just makes me felt that I am wasting my time, especially when we all have other pressing things to do.

So, these are the list things that make me go "WOW" in a vendor presentation...

1. Creativity.

2. Indepth knowledge on the issue/topic.

3. Give me insights to the issue/topic.

4. Good sense of asthetics.

5. Knows how to fit into the big picture.

The following are the list that makes me felt as if I am wasting my time...

1. Demonstrate poor understanding of New Media.

2. Trying to sell me their products/services blatantly, without understanding my needs and requirements.

3. Trying to do Traditional Marketing on New Media Platforms, e.g. Paying Bloggers to write good things (Advertorials on blogs).

4. No sense of asthetics.

5. Thinking in silos.

So... please "WOW" me during your presentation... Don't make me feel that my time is wasted! :)

Yesterday, I was at the induction course together with 36 other newbies. There was an activity during one of the workshops where everyone was all given a number and we were not allowed to reveal the number that we are given.

The game masters asked us, "Do you have any questions?" We will not be allowed to ask any questions after this Q &A session before the game.

One asked, "Where do we start from?"

The Game Master answered, "We cannot answer this question."

Then, I decided to ask for the objective of this activity.

The Game Master said that we will know it after the activity.

...and the activity started after the Game Master told us to take our position in ascending order, without stating which side we should start from.

I was holding number 2, so it was pretty easy for me. I went to the projector screen and took my position, assuming that the first person will probably take position from the screen. After awhile, everyone were in place. We started saying out the numbers that we were holding. It went on fine until 11 and someone suddenly said "22"! Ok, so everyone down the line will probably get it wrong.

So, the Game Masters were kinda happy, since we achieved their objective of showing us communication is very important and that was their takeaway for us after the activity.

However, I had some other takeaways from this activity - While communication is important, clear instructions are equally important.

1. If the people in power never give clear instructions, even if the rest are allowed to communicate, they may still get it wrong as no direction was given. 

2. If people in power refuse to provide enough information for the rest to know in order to perform the given task, the outcome may not be positive too.

The other day, one of my colleagues from another department commented that I still sound very much like a programmes person. This came right after our meeting with another organisation on an upcoming project.

Am I really a programmes person? Well, I think my previous work experience has given me quite a fair bit of exposure to Programmes Development, Advertising and Promotion, and last but not least, New Media.

So don't be surprised that I do not live and breathe New Media only. I am into other fields as well! :)

I have been really busy these days. Totally swamped - Mostly caused by the "CS Cha Cha" act. Told my boss that I am not going to take on anymore new projects as my bandwidth is maxed out at the moment.

I am glad to have friends and colleagues who are supportive around me. A nice dinner after work, be it Zi Cha or "casual Japanese Dining", really helps alot. Ventilating at work does help too, but sad to say that it is being seen as an act of negativity by some people.

Being positive and appearing positive can be 2 different thing. Of course, people love to take things on the surface value. It's is the same as using Social Media is different from understanding and appreciating it - One who uses Facebook and blogs may not understand social media.

So... What is Positive?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary:
positive (HOPEFUL)
adjective
hopeful and confident, or giving cause for hope and confidence

So, am I positive? I certainly think so. I always hope that things will turn better and I am confident in managing my projects. I think I do give my colleagues some hope and confidence, by advising them what to do and what not to do. I think they are positive too. We are always encouraging each other.

No doubt, we are mostly quite stressed up, to the extent of having "to-do list" (to chase others for their overdue work) popping up in our mind during our sleep. Being stressed up is not necessary being negative. We are stressed up because we take pride in our work.

I shall see myself as a Plant because good shit helps.

Damn. Shit has a negative connotation.

OK, I must appear to be more positive, else people may say that I am being negative again.

Let me try again....

危机。有危就有机。
(There are always opportunities in all challenges.)

Woo! I think I appeared to be more positive in my second try! Yeah!!~~~

======================================================================================
My classic and favourite quote of the month:
"I shall see myself as a Plant because good shit helps!"
- Ah Seng, with inputs from Steven Lim (NOT that eyebrow plucker!!)

======================================================================================

Time really files! I am starting to get into the hang of things - meeting my internal working partners to plug information gaps and starting to draw up strategic plans for the programmes under my purview. Challenging, fun, but very intense.

Glad that my new boss is a nurturing person. To date, not even a single overhaul on the paper work that I have done and advised me on the "blind spots" that I have missed - I can always recognise my work. My colleagues are generally helpful and my side of the office is getting noisier livelier, day by day.

I was told that I was the topic of discussions in one of those meetings with "The Star" at my old workplace. I am glad that I am remembered for good reasons, but I guess there is no turning back now? Though I miss some of the people there, but my friends there are still contemplating to join or going to join the alumni group. Oh well, I guess this happens everywhere? I've already attended 2 farewell lunches in my first 4 weeks.

This weekend I shall not be touching work-related stuff. I need some sanity before I can move further. 休息是为了走更长远的路。 Next week will be as busy or even busier, I believe. Wish me good luck! :)

23062008166

It has been a week that I've join the new organisation. My new workplace is relatively quiet when compared to my previous office at DTTB as we are most in our own cubicles. But when compared to my previous office in CMPB (before we shifted over to DTT B), both are as quiet.

Vanessa has been very nice to give me an "unofficial" orientation, just like the usual that I used to give to the new officers in my old workplace. Other than meeting new colleagues and co-workers, I've been also had an orientation around the building - I must say that they have really good facilities! OTO massage chair and Wii at the staff lounge... Gym... Library... But the problem is, how to find time to enjoy the facilities?

Vanessa's portfolio has been divided into two so that the new officers can focus on their area and I am glad that I've been tasked with the Youth portfolio - YAH! (Pun intended!) Other than attending meetings, both Vanessa and I were busy with the Hnading and Taking Over of duties. I hope I can get into full action as soon as possible and to at least come out with a few long term plans for the projects under my care.

Yes, I have 5 more working days in Nexus before I move on to HPB, and I have been attending more meetings than I usually. Currently, I still have 1 project on hand and 1 presentation which I'll need to give my inputs. All these came after my resignation.

4 years in this organisation, with a tour of 2 different departments, has been an eye opener for me. I've learnt through the guidance of good mentors/superiors who have taught me how to present my thoughts logically and gave me a lot of opportunities to prove myself operationally. Without them, I guess I will only be exposed to pure administrative work.

There are 3 milestone projects that I am really proud of during my stay in the organisation.

1. N.E.mation! -  The idea for this project was originated from me during an internal meeting. The national education animation competition for students is now in its third season and will be calling for entries soon. Due to the organisation hierarchy, I wasn't the person implementing the project. Please pardon me for the boring season 2 website as I had given my recommendations to make the website more interactive and engaging, but they were "conveniently forgotten" by my ex-boss.

2. Publicity for in-house compilation of NE stories - I actually did a spoof of a Campbell soup can in the form of a D.I.Y. stationary holder and have been quite well received. The holders have successfully "invaded" the desks of many of our officers and our big boss is rather pleased with this unique marketing strategy.

3. The portal for National Education Practitioners - Conceptualised by AL and me, this portal will be in beta launch sometime in November 08. With the use of new media technologies, NE practitioners will be able to share materials and ideas, call for collaborations, interact online and be updated with NE efforts by NE champions.

Even though I am leaving the organisation really soon, I will still be proud of being a Singaporean. :)