To speak is easy; to speak in public is not. To speak in public and off the cuff, is difficult; to speak with great precision, with added humor and with rhetorical devices, is a humongous task.
A lifelong learning and developing process. Nobody can claim mastery not even Winston Churchill. This means once we started this speaking pathway, we are constantly and consistently grinding ourselves, and polishing our desired personal objectives.
When we speak, at times we only focus on the substance of the message, not the form of delivery. That's not good public speaking but perhaps only emotional outburts or sudden roars of thunder. It's the form of public speaking which dresses up the entire message in as precise a way as you possibly can. That's real public speaking at its epitome and expressed intellectual beauty.
Just as a good photographer having taken a beautiful picture must know how to construct an elegant picture frame to make its entirety. Learning how to make a good picture frame is an art, a passive one, learning how to speak well in public is likewise, an art, but an active one.
Both are human development skills, only emotional strings played on the spot which touch you spontaneously, set them apart.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
My Visit Impressions - Brunei
When I first visited the kingdom or Sultanate of Brunei, in 2010, I was full of anxiety and curiosity. Anxious was how to visit this world's richest kingdom from a small neighboring city of Miri, Sarawak and curious was what could I find inside the city. Since this little Sultanate had no manufacturing base to begin with, it was never on my biz travel agenda.
But I was always curious to know how their people enjoyed their lifestyles since nobody pays personal income taxes. I wanted to hire a car and drive across but realizing the rental rates were high, I took a hirer taxi instead, and could enjoy better sightseeing and taking pictures.
It was breeze crossing the checkpoint but nothing really captivating for some 30 minutes except seeing the Shell petroleum signs everywhere, which was understandable. The streets were same as any in Malaysia, none was painted with gold, except the magnificent palaces, which were really golden and enticing from afar. Few cars were on the roads and local people seemed carefree and relaxing.
Some tourists took short boat trips to enjoy the serenity and silent splendour especially viewing the splendid palaces and mosques from the waterfront, undisturbed. I found one small eatery said to be owned by a Singaporean which served non-halal food, to my surprise and delight.
Then I was driven to a 6-star Empire Hotel and Golf Resort to realize what true luxury was about. It has its elegance, sprawling premises and design beauty, but it was under-used, since the occupancy rates were low. The service was great but prices were much higher than elsewhere.
It was easy for those with Singapore Dollars as they could be used as exact equivalents to their Brunei $. At least, I have now visited all the original Asean countries.
But I was always curious to know how their people enjoyed their lifestyles since nobody pays personal income taxes. I wanted to hire a car and drive across but realizing the rental rates were high, I took a hirer taxi instead, and could enjoy better sightseeing and taking pictures.
It was breeze crossing the checkpoint but nothing really captivating for some 30 minutes except seeing the Shell petroleum signs everywhere, which was understandable. The streets were same as any in Malaysia, none was painted with gold, except the magnificent palaces, which were really golden and enticing from afar. Few cars were on the roads and local people seemed carefree and relaxing.
Some tourists took short boat trips to enjoy the serenity and silent splendour especially viewing the splendid palaces and mosques from the waterfront, undisturbed. I found one small eatery said to be owned by a Singaporean which served non-halal food, to my surprise and delight.
Then I was driven to a 6-star Empire Hotel and Golf Resort to realize what true luxury was about. It has its elegance, sprawling premises and design beauty, but it was under-used, since the occupancy rates were low. The service was great but prices were much higher than elsewhere.
It was easy for those with Singapore Dollars as they could be used as exact equivalents to their Brunei $. At least, I have now visited all the original Asean countries.
My Visit Impressions - The Philippines
When I first visited Manila, of the Philippines in the mid-80s, I was more curious of how the people there worked in the same electronics assembly factory of a U.S. multinational corporation. I was then working as an engineer for a same U.S. corp, which had a subsidiary company there.
I was fascinated to note that the majority of employees were women, especially in the production and purchasing departments, unlike any other I visited in Asia. This explained to me why many political leaders were women too. The streets in those days were busy with all kinds of locally designed 3-wheelers, plying the role of normal taxis.
Filipinos were great singers and musicians and choirs and bands were everywhere people enjoyed their drinks and songs.Food variety was close to our local Malaysian dishes, except for one they called "balut" which I never ever tried as I saw it and explained. It reminded me of the same in Taipei where they enjoyed the raw snakes blood soup mixed with some gall juices.
Shops in the malls displayed lots of locally made and handicrafted products which included the lamp shades made from translucent seashells which were practical and beautifully done. I felt that in those days the people really enjoyed their daily living while some more successful ones, in style and elegance, especially in their smart national custumes.
In a country said to cover over 7000 islands, I wonder how the people get to learn more and interact with one another.
This continues to fascinate me.
I was fascinated to note that the majority of employees were women, especially in the production and purchasing departments, unlike any other I visited in Asia. This explained to me why many political leaders were women too. The streets in those days were busy with all kinds of locally designed 3-wheelers, plying the role of normal taxis.
Filipinos were great singers and musicians and choirs and bands were everywhere people enjoyed their drinks and songs.Food variety was close to our local Malaysian dishes, except for one they called "balut" which I never ever tried as I saw it and explained. It reminded me of the same in Taipei where they enjoyed the raw snakes blood soup mixed with some gall juices.
Shops in the malls displayed lots of locally made and handicrafted products which included the lamp shades made from translucent seashells which were practical and beautifully done. I felt that in those days the people really enjoyed their daily living while some more successful ones, in style and elegance, especially in their smart national custumes.
In a country said to cover over 7000 islands, I wonder how the people get to learn more and interact with one another.
This continues to fascinate me.
My Visit Impressions - Vietnam
When I first visited HCMC (or formerly known as Saigon), in Vietnam as recently as 3 years ago, I felt it great as it was not a biz trip, except to meet with a Singaporean guy who had settled down with his family in that city.
It still appears to be like an ancient city, though several towers have sprung up to act as landmarks, especially those owned by Singaporean companies. The streets were filled with motorcycles more than cars.
To a first timer like me, crossing a road was almost an impossibility, until I watched and learnt a trick. Be brave and just walk across at some convenient spot, and behold, the motorcyclists will avoid you more than you need to avoid them, in that spirit. There was always order in disorder in the traffic theory in the streets.
A few old government buildings have been well preserved to become good class hotels or public centers, each with their national flags flying high. No policemen were seen anywhere, and I felt rather safe wandering around even in the evenings.
Most people knew what you spoke in English but they used a simple and large digit display to tell us the price in either USD or Dongs (which has several zeros). Most people were tall and slim, as if they were born that way, and young. Wonder where and how they kept off the older people in the city. Hawkers selling all kinds of simple products or T-shirts or me-too watches dotted the streets.
Nevertheless, people take things easy, including my friend whom I met for the first time in that city. Nothing seemed to hurry anyone, unlike the pace in other major cities in Asia. I long to visit Hanoi in the north, someday soon.
For leisure only.
It still appears to be like an ancient city, though several towers have sprung up to act as landmarks, especially those owned by Singaporean companies. The streets were filled with motorcycles more than cars.
To a first timer like me, crossing a road was almost an impossibility, until I watched and learnt a trick. Be brave and just walk across at some convenient spot, and behold, the motorcyclists will avoid you more than you need to avoid them, in that spirit. There was always order in disorder in the traffic theory in the streets.
A few old government buildings have been well preserved to become good class hotels or public centers, each with their national flags flying high. No policemen were seen anywhere, and I felt rather safe wandering around even in the evenings.
Most people knew what you spoke in English but they used a simple and large digit display to tell us the price in either USD or Dongs (which has several zeros). Most people were tall and slim, as if they were born that way, and young. Wonder where and how they kept off the older people in the city. Hawkers selling all kinds of simple products or T-shirts or me-too watches dotted the streets.
Nevertheless, people take things easy, including my friend whom I met for the first time in that city. Nothing seemed to hurry anyone, unlike the pace in other major cities in Asia. I long to visit Hanoi in the north, someday soon.
For leisure only.
My Visit Impressions - Indonesia
When I first visited Jakarta, Indonesia in early 90's, I was to explore what could be done in biz with some people there. I met with a well-known local Chinese businessman who was a descendant of many generations, but spoke little Chinese.
We could converse in some English but most in their Indonesian language, which I could understand to some intelligible extent, as it is rather similar to our Malay language. I brought some product samples to do a demonstration to test their interest in it. It was so funny that he had all his family members to surround me to watch me and my product demo, as if I was sort of playing a magic show.
I was made to understand that all biz types then had to undergo a personal engagement before anything of substance could be developed further. The key was that all parties must come with a lot of patience, making sure any decision making process would take time, if it did occur at all.
The host was very courteous and offered to us the traditional Chinese tea and some local snacks in the midst of the lacklustre conversations. It was easy to detour into non-biz topics of discussions which was not my visit objectives.
But then when in Rome, one must do with the Romans do. Enjoy as much as possible on what transpired and learn a new culture of the people we came across and their unique ways of making a good living for themselves.
It was hard to find out their strengths of doing biz, perhaps as usual, when we didn't know about it, we always said it was their 'Guangxi' or 'Personal Connections'. How about that?
We could converse in some English but most in their Indonesian language, which I could understand to some intelligible extent, as it is rather similar to our Malay language. I brought some product samples to do a demonstration to test their interest in it. It was so funny that he had all his family members to surround me to watch me and my product demo, as if I was sort of playing a magic show.
I was made to understand that all biz types then had to undergo a personal engagement before anything of substance could be developed further. The key was that all parties must come with a lot of patience, making sure any decision making process would take time, if it did occur at all.
The host was very courteous and offered to us the traditional Chinese tea and some local snacks in the midst of the lacklustre conversations. It was easy to detour into non-biz topics of discussions which was not my visit objectives.
But then when in Rome, one must do with the Romans do. Enjoy as much as possible on what transpired and learn a new culture of the people we came across and their unique ways of making a good living for themselves.
It was hard to find out their strengths of doing biz, perhaps as usual, when we didn't know about it, we always said it was their 'Guangxi' or 'Personal Connections'. How about that?
My Visit Impressions - Thailand
When I first visited Bangkok, Thailand in the late 90's, I wasn't looking forward to much biz discussion with my sales agent, based in that city.
He ran a small mixed mode of all electronic components for retail sales mostly, with a rather consistent but small annual volume. He regarded these components as if they were beans and peas, not electronic devices, since he was more a biz man than a sales professional.
My first arrival at this shop outlet was quickly translated to a good lunch. It filled me up with so much food that my brain was drained of my thoughts for the day. He took things rather easy and appeared to have no serious meetings in his eyes, as if plenty of time was on his side.
He was a Thai Chinese descent of the Teowchew dialect group and so we could sprinkle with some words that we understood each other. The evenings were always fun time, as if no biz meetings or even discussions were in order. The city was filled with shoppers diners and party goers from all nationalities, since the exchange rates were in favour of all foreign currencies.
Traffic was chaotic that was expected, but few if any accidents were reported each day. Those who were in the upper class of the society were seen in expensive cars, in perfect attire and walked in groups, as if surrounded by some personal guards. I have revisited this fabulous city for leisure only several times subsequently, but all visits were rather uneventful or with no striking story to relate to all.
He ran a small mixed mode of all electronic components for retail sales mostly, with a rather consistent but small annual volume. He regarded these components as if they were beans and peas, not electronic devices, since he was more a biz man than a sales professional.
My first arrival at this shop outlet was quickly translated to a good lunch. It filled me up with so much food that my brain was drained of my thoughts for the day. He took things rather easy and appeared to have no serious meetings in his eyes, as if plenty of time was on his side.
He was a Thai Chinese descent of the Teowchew dialect group and so we could sprinkle with some words that we understood each other. The evenings were always fun time, as if no biz meetings or even discussions were in order. The city was filled with shoppers diners and party goers from all nationalities, since the exchange rates were in favour of all foreign currencies.
Traffic was chaotic that was expected, but few if any accidents were reported each day. Those who were in the upper class of the society were seen in expensive cars, in perfect attire and walked in groups, as if surrounded by some personal guards. I have revisited this fabulous city for leisure only several times subsequently, but all visits were rather uneventful or with no striking story to relate to all.
My Visit Impressions - New Zealand
When I first visited Auckland, New Zealand, in the late 90's it was one long anticipated since I had already visited several coastal cities of eastern Australia, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, where they were active R&D works done, requiring my supply of precision components.
I could not justify a biz trip even from Sydney, which was just a couple of hours away by air, since the short trip ticket then could cost as much as if I travel from Singapore direct to Auckland. When I did once only from Sydney, I was very anxious to meet with my parallel sales agent whom we had corresponded for years.
My arrival at the Auckland Airport was in the evening and I could recall it was a breeze to clear the checkpoints. On arrival at a motel, it was past 8pm., and since the motel only eatery was already closed, I tried to find a restaurant out in the city to eat. But it was impossible, as the shops in the whole city closed early.
Most people had early dinners I was told and there was no much traffic in the evenings so I could stroll about enjoying the very fresh air in NZ, for the first. Somehow I managed to find a Chinese eatery which offered a take away meal, and I was overjoyed. If not, I had to depend on the 7-11 again and endured the night.
I asked to add some vegetables, but was told only broccoli was available, for some reason, uniquely. My meeting with the agent was pleasantly successful and meaningful as he explained to me his biz model in the country.
We exchanged some little souvenirs with each other, and I still keep the little Kiwi carved on a small door wooden plate. Though now I have several personal friends living in the capital city, I am still looking foward to a return visit.
I could not justify a biz trip even from Sydney, which was just a couple of hours away by air, since the short trip ticket then could cost as much as if I travel from Singapore direct to Auckland. When I did once only from Sydney, I was very anxious to meet with my parallel sales agent whom we had corresponded for years.
My arrival at the Auckland Airport was in the evening and I could recall it was a breeze to clear the checkpoints. On arrival at a motel, it was past 8pm., and since the motel only eatery was already closed, I tried to find a restaurant out in the city to eat. But it was impossible, as the shops in the whole city closed early.
Most people had early dinners I was told and there was no much traffic in the evenings so I could stroll about enjoying the very fresh air in NZ, for the first. Somehow I managed to find a Chinese eatery which offered a take away meal, and I was overjoyed. If not, I had to depend on the 7-11 again and endured the night.
I asked to add some vegetables, but was told only broccoli was available, for some reason, uniquely. My meeting with the agent was pleasantly successful and meaningful as he explained to me his biz model in the country.
We exchanged some little souvenirs with each other, and I still keep the little Kiwi carved on a small door wooden plate. Though now I have several personal friends living in the capital city, I am still looking foward to a return visit.
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