Dream Catalyst

Positive Mindset

How about a place for appreciating peace and quiet in the heart of Helsinki?

The Kamppi Chapel was one of the places that I had to visit during my recent trip.

I love it that there’s no need to make an appointment.

You just show up and staff of the Church and Department of Social Services and Health Care are there if you need them.

Sometimes all a friend needs is just our presence.

To be with them.

To let them know we care.

And that we love them.

I’ve been fortunate to have friends who did that for me and, in turn to be there for my friends.

Take a moment and perhaps  let a friend know that you are thinking of them.

Aug 09.

Happy Birthday Singapore.

I am deeply grateful to be able to embark on this special journey.

By starting my own business.
By doing something I deeply believed in.
By making an impact on others I served.

I also get the freedom to invest time with my family too.

This is something I don’t take for granted.

Thank you Singapore!

Majulah Singapura!

 

A Great Culture Makes All the Difference

Great business leaders know.

A great culture makes all the difference.

Today, I have the honour to witness a client (Feng Ming Construction) hold a Workers Appreciation for its site employees.

Recognizing the sacrifices migrant workers made to be here, the company gifted each worker with something many of us take for granted.

A data card.

That way, they can stay in touch with their families back home.

In addition, we have conducted our signature Pulse Conversations with selected staff to hear from their perspective.

Their inputs will add value to the company’s forward planning exercise.

Question: What is one way you will like to be appreciated for your contribution at work?

 

No One or Thing Can Intimidate You

“No one or thing can intimidate you. Only you can.”

My mentor once said.

With that, I went from:

Being reluctant to apply because the criteria for the award intimated me,

To:

Embracing growth mindset and applied for it anyway.

The result:

An awardee of the 2018 SkillsFuture Fellowship.

This award is presented by the President of Singapore which honors individuals as masters of skills and mentors of future talent.

This afternoon, I am privileged to be an invited guest for the 2019 SkillsFuture SG Fellowships and Employers Award.

I would not be here if not for the wise words of my mentor.

Three things I learnt from winning the award:

☀ Ask “why not?” whenever we feel intimidated
☀ Be audacious and yet patient. Courage allows you to dream bigger while having patience enables you to forge ahead.
☀ Ignore the naysayers. Seek those who motivates you with encouragement and practical suggestions

What are you intimated by?

#skillsfuture #growthmindset

Tale of Two Staff


We were at a department store recently and saw a T-Shirt that we like. We couldn’t find the right size on the rack and looked around for a sales assistant. No one in sight. So I approached the cashier.

“Hi miss, could you direct me to where I could find your colleague to look for a t-shirt size?”

“All the sizes are out on display”.

We checked the mannequin and the t-shirt was the right size. We finally found a sales assistant. He said he will check in the store room for the size first.

There was a size available.

For the cashier, it was the easy way out.

For the department store, it was a lost sale that was recovered by the customers’ determination and the service attitude of the second staff.

Insights gleaned:

🔹 All employees need to understand the impact that their actions have on the business. Their care-less attitude affects the profitability of the business which determines the status of their employment.

🔹 All employers need to consistently coach their employees on business building/ service and to recognize/ reward those who perform.

🔹 Refresher trainings and coaching is important as complacency and a jaded attitude may set in for long time employees. Advice from the supervisor when we chatted with him to compliment the second staff.

SkillsFuture Fellowships Award 2018


As an advocate for lifelong learning, it was a delight receiving Singapore’s highest skills award – the SkillsFuture Fellowships Award last evening. Presented by the President of the Republic of Singapore, the award honour individuals as masters of skills and mentors of future talent. 

It was awesome meeting fellow awardees and hearing their inspiring stories. Love the many engaging conversations about growth and development. Here is the list of fellow awardees:

During the dinner, I took the advice of Nike “Just Do It” and bravely made my way to present my book Fly Free to our President. I never imagined that I will have this opportunity to gift a copy of my book to our President. 

 

Thanks SkillsFuture SG for the wonderful evening and congratulations once again to all recipients! Continue to inspire. Also special thanks to my publisher and friend Phoon Kok Hwa for supporting the nomination.

Indeed, with a learning mindset, all dreams are possible.

 

 

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