My motivation for starting this new blog is primarily commercial. Its main purpose is to let people know about my work/business, and especially for potential clients to be able to find me whenever they search the internet to look for 5S trainers and consultants.
During this past few years, I have noticed an increased interest among foreign companies in implementing the Japanese technique of good housekeeping and workplace organisation known as 5S. Sometimes they do get to my website Hoshin Consulting. But other times they approach the bigger consulting firms; and then guess what happens. The 'Big Boys' end up subcontracting the assignment to me and the client ends up paying more, and I end up earning less.
Recently, I attended a internet marketing seminar where the speaker told us that nowadays, all businesses should set up a blogs. And thus My 5S Corner was born.
But, besides 'selling' my services, I really do hope to share knowledge and experience with my readers, including my clients and fellow productivity consultants. To quote my 'gahmen blogger' friend, Ivan Chew, the Rambling Librarian:
"I feel knowledge ought to be shared -- especially if people want to learn. It's also part of the general blogger's culture -- we willingly share and help the people we know, and if the cause is worthy. "Learning" is always a worthy cause"So please do drop by and look around. I will try to blog on topics that will be of interest to the general public as well. My brother Chun Chew (Zen) has also promised to support me with his stories. It helps that he is retired of course.
14 comments:
Years back, I used to visit my ailing parents at farrer court everyday, sometimes having lunch at the hawker centre nearby, where I happened to know a young fruit-seller operating in a nearby shop. Whenever I saw him, he would pour out sad stories of how to compete against the big operators such as NTUC fair price, complaining all the way. In order to encourage him, I often related the successes of SMEs such as Bee Chun Siang, Old Chang Kee, Outram char kway teow and so on. Well after much 'sale talk', I realise the famous quote: 'It is easier said than done' still haunts many small businesses, and that include my brother Chun See's company Hoshin Consulting. After much discussion with Chun See, we concluded, as a small enterprise, Hoshin needs to have as many platforms as possible to display its wares, otherwise how to fight the big boys? and as a result 5S corner is borned, hopefully to gain some headway.
Good for you, Chun See. Doesn't matter if we use blogs for work or personal matters. A blog is a tool. So long it fits the needs and you don't break any T&C or rules etc., it's up to how you apply the tool.
Woah, diversification in blogging. Way to go man!
BTW, what's there to feel guilty about blogging during office hours when you are your own boss? Chey.
People use to say no matter how busy you are, you must know how to 'steal' some time to relax, particularly if you are your own boss. Perhaps being a 5S man, he feels guilty of wasting time, always thinking of 'tiang chiak' (earning for a living). In China people who venture into business are called 'sia hai', meaning to plunge into the sea, really risky undertaking. I remember the story of the founder of Matsushita who had to pawn his wife's kimono to start business.
Good idea Chun See, as a fellow small consultancy operation (just me and my work partner plus some freelance associates) I can see the value in it - well back to work (and ruminating on my next piece for you - how about how plane spotting in Singapore got me into a life of crime?!)
One of the most important things about launching out on your own is that you must have self-discipline. I remember reading a news paper article about self-employed people working from their homes. There was 1 chap who actually dresses up in working clothes everyday, so that he would feel as if he was really at work and not on holiday.
Yes and another way is to go out (say to get a newspaper) and then return home in order to get down to work in 'the workplace' - even though it was your home a few minutes earlier!
Self discipline is all (but I am not claiming any success with this!)
Some years back, there was a story about a Japanese personnel officer issuing retrenchment letters to the company employees. After completing his uneviable task, he committed suicide. In confucian culture, out of job is a serious blow to one's esteem, especially men.
Great initiative Chun See and something which I would advocate all entrepreneurs to do. With a blog for your business, you can share your expertise and knowledge plus establish yourself as thought leader in the field. Too few companies in Singapore blog, citing all kinds of unwarranted fears. Go ahead and be a first mover in this domain! Let me know if you need any help or thoughts on this.
Hi Anonymous,
In TODAY Monday Aug 22, 2011 edition, reported by Ms Lin Yanqin: Dr Tan Cheng Bok shared that when he moved to the Hillview neighbourhood in Bukit Timah, he noticed that a nearby ceramic factory was emitting a large volume of dust particles into the air. "I took (air) samples and got it analysed and proved to them that it was a dangerous level, and they had to close the factory" said Dr Tan
So, probably Dr Tan complained; Mr Lee Ek Tiang reacted.
I think Old Timer posted his comment in the wrong place.
Do you remember a putu-mayam Indian man wearing a white hard hat on a bicycle? He had a big rattan basket behind and rectangular aluminium box at the side storing yellow sugar and grated coconut. Real cheap and good snack.
oops posted in the wrong place again.
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