She smiled and said, “I’m not ok.”

I was at a cafe and said hello to a server.

She shared the challenge she was facing.

Despite finding a cheaper rental option, she wasn’t happy.

Initially she was focusing on the forfeiture of her current deposit.

Upon closer analysis, she realizes the savings from new housing option was 3X the loss.

She smiled and said:

“It’s not a problem but an opportunity!”

Very often we focus on the challenges of the situation.

Instead of opportunities that come from viewing it via new perspectives.

📸: The cube-houses in Rotterdam are an architectural phenomenon. Whichever perspective you view from.

We, as Singaporeans, are known to complain.

I recently left a review on Facebook about a cafe.

Upon my return visit, I asked the supervisor if the management gave him the feedback.

To that, he replied: “only feedback complaints; not compliments.”

When I showed him the post, where I share my compliments about him on the cafe’s Facebook Page, his face lit up!

As a manager, do you only share complaints or do you highlight compliments too?

By sharing compliments, we affirm the great work of our people.

Because that works wonders for staff morale and engagement too!

At a recent Strategy Meeting with a group of leaders,

I invited them to share ↘️

What they think are non-negotiable as a leader.

Interestingly, one of them said: “Leaders with fixed mindset.”

I cannot agree more.

I once had to work with a manager with a fixed mindset.

Then I had the opportunity to work with one with a growth mindset.

He was:

💡open to ideas,
👀 willing to explore opportunities
👂 pay attention to feedback

With him, the team is more engaged and our performance increased, which in turn contributed to the company’s profitability.

In today’s context, we cannot afford to embrace a fixed mindset.

Or else, the performance and profitability of our businesses will also be fixed.

This afternoon was the perfect way to end the week.

Sharing with a group of human resources representatives from the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.

That culture building isn’t expensive.

But if done wrongly will be very expensive.

What are your thoughts about the cost of culture building in your organization?

In my role as a mentor for budding entrepreneurs, I sometimes hear this:

“But Bernadette, I don’t have the skills or experience or [fill in the blank]”.

Truth is many of us choose to focus on what we don’t have instead of what we do.

Today, I have the good fortune of learning from a local publicly listed company.

The founders were illiterate and don’t read English.

However, that did not stop them.

They found a way to collaborate and start with whatever resources they had.

Don’t wait.

Start with what you have.

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.

It is a promise to deliver.

And deliver they did.

citizenM hotels at Schiphol Airport was a great delight.

Being known for its affordable luxury:

🚿 rain shower for washing away jet lag
🛏 XL king size, super comfy bed
🌐 free Wi-Fi for catching up with family & friends

That’s why I’ve decided to come back for a second time.

Having the right amenities are only one part of the equation.

Having your staff complete the delightful experience is the other.

Thank you citizen for pampering me. 😍

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!

You usually don’t use both terms in the same sentence.

The good people at Reef showed us otherwise.

They understand the user experience by going deep into their demographics, psychographics, preferences, and interests.

What came out of it is TQT: Thirst Quenching Technology.

“There’s no need to get up to open that ice cold beverage when you wear Reef Footwear with T.Q.T. So sit back, relax and quench that thirst.”

How often do we learn from our users, customers, clients so we can create a better experience, a better product, a better service?

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?