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xianggong
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Posts by xianggong
Is a Boy 3.4kg 51cm
Jun 4th
Finally after 2 hours plus of labor pain Niangzi successfully delivered our healthy baby at noon June 4 2010. Weight 3.4kg length 51cm
It’s amazing that Niangzi did not used any kind of pain killer to deliver Zi Zhen naturally. He is very chubby and fair skin.
NiangZi in the Labor room
NiangZi's results after2 hours of labor pain
Zi Zheng Prepare to go home, still sleeping
More photo will be uploaded soon.
High Definition
Dec 16th
I have recently acquired a high definition vision. It’s not your HD TV set but a HD glasses which I can bring around.
I started to notice my vision is getting bad when I have trouble to see the road sign from reasonable distance and can’t distinguish 8 6 9 from the presentation slide. Other than this no other impact to my daily activities.
We visit to several optical shops in Jurong Point and decide to buy from the shop give most discount. After try more than 50 pairs of glasses we decide to this half frame spectaculars
My HD vision
My left eye have 100 degree myopia and right eye 50 degree myopia and 50 degree astigmatism.
After I wear it, I feel like the whole world is now in High Definition mode, and when I look at the my normal TV it start to transform to HD TV. I did not realized in the past I was live in world is less HD.
This glasses is an early X’mas present from my dear Niang Zi, she not only turn my world into color but also allow my to see the world in HD. Thanks again and I’ll take good care of my HD Vision.
Resorts World Sentosa Universal Studios open in early 2010
Nov 23rd
Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) Universal Studios Theme Park is going to open in January 2010
It is just a matter of months now until the grand opening of the Universal Studios theme park in Singapore, but that excitement was tempered somewhat when the much-awaited ticket prices were finally made public on Wednesday.
The world’s tallest pair of duelling rollercoasters, Battlestar Galactica, located in Universal Studios Singapore, will propel thrill-seekers on several inversions, a zero-g roll, a Cobra roll, corkscrews, vertical loops and near collisions mere inches apart.
Those who had been hoping for something more affordable would certainly have been baulking at the admission costs, because an outing to the famous attraction – South-east Asia’s first and only Universal Studios – will not come cheap.
A one-day Universal Studios Singapore weekend pass will cost $72 for adults, $52 for children and $36 for senior citizens. Visiting on weekdays will be slightly easier on the wallet – $66, $48 and $32 respectively.
Staying at one of the Sentosa integrated resort’s (IR) hotels is also going to set one back a fair sum. The rates for three hotels have since been made public – deluxe rooms at the Festive Hotel start at $400 a night, it’s $450 to stay at the Hard Rock Hotel and $500 at Hotel Michael. If Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) wants to realistically achieve its target of seeing up to 30,000 visitors at Universal Studios each day, there are no two ways about it: attracting the locals is their best hope. More >
Unveil our new home 3 @ Sandilands
Nov 15th
After months of cover up with canvas, 3@Sandilands unveil for the first time end of October.
3@Sandilands Unveil as 31 Oct 09
Promotion
Nov 4th
Niangzi and I will soon be promoted middle of next year. We have been get ready for this promotion since December last year. Actually we did plan to have earlier promotion by this year but not successful. I guess it may due to the stress and timing is not right. We was about to defer the promotion to after we move in our new home, we are so excited to know that we are going to promote to mum and dad June next year.
It was unbelievable to heard over the phone from Niangzi that she is pregnant. I assumed this is another joke from Niangzi to get attention. I only knew this is real after reached home and see the doctor’s prescription. Of course we did worried about whether this is right time as we still need to moving to new home beginning of next year. Looks like our baby can’t wait to move in Sandilands which is on track of completion by Jan 2010
Niangzi went for 1st prenatal medical check-up and did the 1st ultra sound scan of our baby. The baby was very active in the image.
Good news is the doctor confirmed the baby is healthy and expected to deliver by 6 June. The top banner is the count down to this day. More >
The Seven S Model
Oct 12th
Holistic management: The Seven S model
By Rick Freedman, Special to ZDNet Asia
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 01:08 PM
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 01:08 PM
The Seven S guides managers to improve their strategic approach to the business. Get an overview of the framework and tips on how to apply it.
A common adage in the management consulting business is that efficiency and effectiveness are completely different measurements.
An organization can be extremely efficient, getting high productivity from their workforce and producing their product or service with very little waste or churn, yet be totally ineffective in meeting their objectives if, for instance, their product or service is not accepted in the marketplace.
This difference is often distilled to the statement “efficiency is about doing things right, while effectiveness is about doing the right things.”
In an earlier column on Six Sigma, I noted that Six Sigma is primarily focused on improving quality in areas such as manufacturing, sales, and customer service; in other words, on doing things right. It’s not a strategic methodology, so it’s not equipped to guide managers to examine their overall business model or strategy.
So how do consultants or managers step up a level from process to strategy?
Understanding the Seven S framework’s basics
The Seven S approach is a framework that focuses on guiding managers to improving, not just our processes, but our entire strategic approach to the business. The model was originally proposed by Richard Tanner Pascale and Anthony Athos in their book The Art of Japanese Management; McKinsey and Company has adopted the model as the basis of its strategic consulting approach. More >
Genting to Mount Faber
Sep 11th
We went to Genting during Singapore National Day long weekend. This time NiangZi plan to get her family to join us and celebrate her birthday with her brother who is just 1 day apart.
Genting Hotel view from window
We drove 3 cars with 10 adults and 2 children to Genting on August 11. 4 generation of Gan family from Grand mum to children of sister-in-laws.
We bought the Genting Theme Park ticket for both indoor and outdoor theme park after check in to hotel. The weather was nice and cooling there.
Niang Zi enjoying ride @ Genting Outdoor Theme Park
Eldest sister with her youngest son
Youngest sister with her eldest son
Xiang took this ride more than 3 times
Application of Malaysia Passport in Singapore
Sep 6th
I just renew my Malaysia Passport in August in Malaysia High Commission of Singapore. This 2nd times I renew my Malaysian passport in Singapore. This time is easier compare to 5 years ago where I had to queue up to submit form and payment in the temporary high commission at Hill Street.
Before I proceed to renewal, I downloaded the Malaysia Passport Application Form IM42 from
www.imi.gov.my or http://www.malaysia.org.au/downloads.html
I planned my trip after I signed my appointment letter and reached there around 10am. And complete the submission around 10:45am. Collection was in afternoon 2:30pm onwards.
The procedure for Malaysia Passport Application in Malaysia High Commission in Singapore
Address : 301 Jervois Rd, Singapore 249077 Tel: 6732 8067
1. Application For Adult
(a) Form IM.42* to be duly completed. – Print 2 page in same sheet or obtain the form at the security post
(b) Three (3) recent passport sized colour photograph in blue background, size: 3.5cm. X 5cm. Polaroid photo is not acceptable. Proper attire is advised (No sleeveless). – Can be done at any photo kiosk mentioned you need blue background for Malaysia Passport
(c) Malaysia Identity Card (Original & Photocopy – A4 size). – Both side in single sheet
(d) Malaysia International / Restricted Passport.
(e) Singapore status: PR / Employment Pass / Work Permit / Student Pass / Long Term Pass (Original and photocopy). - Both side in single sheet
(f) Applicants need to submit personally.
Below are the sample of documents required for Malaysia Passport Application
Forms and Documents required for Malaysia Passport Application
Before you get in the premise you need to change pass at the Guard House, please don’t use Malaysia IC or Singapore IC as the ICs are required to apply Malaysia Passport. The queue number 1067 was issued after the officer review your documents and forms at Counter 11. After the number called, the officer at the counter will counter check the documents scan your finger print couple of time. Then proceed to payment counter to pay the fees. That time was S$126.
For driver, you can park your car along roadside of the landed property near by eg. Jervois Garden.
At collection, same thing you need to do to change pass at Guard House, but the number issue is the same as queue number, the guard in the waiting area will call the number to form the queue for collection.
After collection I noticed the expired date is extended 5 years from your old Malaysia Passport’s expired date. This was a bit surprise to me as my ex-colleague mentioned to me the expired date was 5 years from the application date. eg. old passport expired in 28 Dec 2009, new expired date is 28 Dec 2014. In the sense you don’t lose single day even if you renew it 3 months earlier.
After obtain the new passport the next logical thing to do is transfer the Singapore Re-Entry Permit for PR to new passport. 5 years ago I need to make a trip to ICA office in Lavendar to pay $50 to add new stamp to new Malaysia Passport. Now I can do this by E-services in ICA Website More >
Thank you for your service
Aug 15th
This is not the appreciation statement for long service award as you expected after you served your organization for 5, 10 or more years. This kind of award is very rare nowadays.
To me “Thank you for your service” from management is when your service no longer required in the organization. This happens 3 times in my careers. 1st time was whole department no longer required, 2nd time was whole manufacturing plant sold to supplier and this time around is moving the business out of Singapore.
We knew the company is closing down in June, initial plan was shutdown partial operation in August but the plan have changed several times ,retention bonus confirmed quite late in the sense.
After the initial communication session, I have gather all my staff any advise them to look out for new opportunity as soon. I have to let go 3 out of 6 staff I managed. This is not a fair ratio from my manager I have protested and submit my own name but nothing changed.
I had the intention to leave in the first batch with or without new job offer. I have 1 staff shared the same though. The rest look out for opportunity on their own. I ran through my contacts and try to ask around for suitable company which need same technical expertise my team possessed. I have even write my staff a recommendation letter to the company interested.
The date for 1st batch is keep speculating in the company. For several weeks the name list is keep bothering my mind. Until 1 of my staff accept new job offer and give my resignation letter in the end of June. Looks like I have all the 3 names to submit.
On one of the Friday which management need to finalized list. I have another big headache on the name list again. This time around I have 2 other staffs who is considering the offer and myself also waiting for the last decide from CEO who interviewed me. Now I have 4 names instead of 3. And not one willing to stay back even after disclose the retention bonus plan. After many rounds of communication with my staff and management. More >
12 Hidden Opportunities in a Downturn
Aug 3rd
| 12 Hidden Opportunities in a Downturn | ||
| 1. |
Availability of Talented Staff. For the first time in many years, the balance of power has shifted from Employee to Employer. The global crisis has seen a large pool of employees return to the labour market. There is an opportunity to recruit talented new team members that were not previously available. If there is a key position that you have been wanting to recruit for some time, and the business can afford it, you may be able to secure a strong candidate and increase your competitive edge.
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Productivity Gains Possible. Staff are acutely aware of the economic downturn. It plays out each night on their TV and occupies plenty of air-time in social settings. It can be argued that businesses that have a motivated, empowered and loyal team may in fact increase productivity. With staff more conscious of their livelihood and management analysing the business more than ever, staff may increase their productivity through a combination of anxiety and demands from management.
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Strategic Review. When things are going well, regularly reviewing your overall business strategy often takes a back seat. But when markets contract, business owners are forced to revisit their strategic plan through necessity. The discipline of regularly conducting a strategic review of the business is a discipline that should be followed in all economic trends. This is a constructive side-effect of the downturn.
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Cheaper Finance. Interest rates have fallen massively so the burden of cost of funds on business is lower. Further, if you have a solid balance sheet and serviceability through your cash flow, there are opportunities to consider further borrowing. Make sure any new debt is considered through a due diligence analysis as the opportunity of any investment must be considered against risk.
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Hungrier Suppliers. Your suppliers are trading in this economy too. Price cutting and value-adding activities have emerged in many industries. See what your suppliers are offering and test the water with their competitors. Ask what else they can do for you. You’ll be surprised how attentive they are to your requests at the moment.
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Rationalisation of Overhead. Every business is conducting a review of overhead expenses. Whether it’s wages, cost of goods sold items or general overhead expenses; all should be reviewed. Cut costs but don’t cut too hard. There is a point at which costs can be cut too deep with an impact on service levels, working environment and revenue.
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Restructuring. In good times you can carry staff and be a bit fat. However, a downturn forces you to analyse staff levels and roles. In opening up your mind to restructuring, you can look at individuals and job functions in a new light. See how roles can be combined, consider how certain people might perform in other areas of the business. This exercise may result in exciting new challenges for staff, greater productivity and a leaner labour force.
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Acquisition Opportunities. Some businesses will shut down or put up the sale sign. This will no doubt provide unprecedented opportunities for some businesses to acquire their competitors for a reasonable price. Keep your ear to the ground for tip offs, invite broker contact and listen to industry news.
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Vertical Integration. In addition to acquisition opportunities, the downturn also provides the opportunity to look at vertical integration. With more “key person” candidate talent hitting the market and industry rationalisation, there are attractive opportunities to expand into new business units. This may be as simple as transferring an existing staff member into the new business unit or hiring a new key person to run it. Any decision on this needs to be based on commercial analysis and consideration of your own individual risk profile. But clearly, opportunities exist here.
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Greater Market Share. Those that survive the long winter will prosper. As competitors disappear or lose competitive advantage, continuing market players will soak up greater market share. This organic growth through external attrition will create new wealth for those that survive.
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Improved Morale. While everyone is talking lost jobs, employee fear and lower morale; those businesses that can hold onto their team through the downturn will win loyalty and engagement. Coming out the other side together and united will have a massive influence on staff morale in surviving businesses.
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Positioning for Boom Times. Good times will come again. Businesses that survive and position themselves well for the future will be ideally placed to exploit the inevitable return to boom times. The competitive edge or lead time in the gap between businesses in a strong position competing with businesses coming out of distress will have widened. Those in a strong position can influence products/services, price, volume and innovation in their industry to more competitive advantage.
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Article by Darren Bourke ACTION COMMUNITY FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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2 Right Assumptions of Great Manager
Jun 30th
These are the two assumptions that guide the world’s best managers:
1. Each person’s talents are enduring and unique
2. Each person’s greatest room for growth is in the areas of his or her greatest strength.
These two assumptions are the foundation for everything they do with and for their people.
Sandilands Building Progress Report
Jun 27th
Our new home 3@Sandilands is now completed building to the top level. It looks like it going to complete ahead of Jan 2010 schedule. 
Since my 1st visit November last year the building process is very fast almost completed 1 level every month. I guess the developer want to collect money fast as the project is 80% sold as April.
Free Domain for 1 Year
May 8th
This is the real deal where register.com offer 1 year free domain name.
It’s free TLD (Top Level Domain) and not the usual subdomain you get from co.cc.
More >
How to sort out the messages in new redesigned Facebook
Apr 9th
I’m not Facebook user, but I find following article usefuly to the Facebook user who get sick of the recent “enhancement”. The unwelcome facebook redesigned flooding the user with all kinds of streaming updates which may not be necessary.
April 07, 2009 — CIO — When Facebook redesigned the look and feel of its site last month, the social network took some design cues from Twitter, the service that allows users to share short messages with their friends, family and colleagues. Twitter has been referred to as a “streaming” application; since updates occur in real-time, it causes a river of content to flow down the center of users’ home pages.
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