Marina Bay Sands a failure?

There was much excitement when Marina Bay Sands first opened its doors to the public on 27th April 2010. After all, it was developed by one of the world’s biggest gaming companies, Las Vegas Sands and it was expected to generate at least $1 billion in annual profits while providing a significant boost to the hospitality industry in [...]

5 Things You Should Know About Social Media

This is the first part of my series of 5’s on social media.
We all have had problems trying to define social media. I hope this helps you understand social media better.

Misunderstanding Social Media

Social media marketers such as myself face an uphill task explaining social media to local businesses and SMEs and convincing them that a portion of their marketing budget should be set aside for social media.

Defending “Kiasu-ism” – Not just a Singaporean trait

For those who are not familiar with the term “Kiasu” its simply a Singlish word used to describe an attitude of the fear of losing out (losing out on good deals, big savings, perks, etc). “Kiasu-ism” is something that we Singaporeans are tagged with, and some of us, do actually “take pride” in it, going as far to call it a Singaporean Culture.

But, is “Kiasu-ism” or the fear of losing out really a “unique” trait of Singaporeans?

We are Singapore..!

Anyone living in Asia will immediately recognise the sound of the Lion dance – drums, cymbols and an accompanying troupe of typically sweaty performers all decked out in red and gold fiery costumes. Usually part of an official opening or launch ceremony….

Chinese New Year – the season of relationships

Since being a kid, I’ve always looked forward to this day for it means that everyone is returning to our village with firecrackers, fireworks and sparklers all in abundance. (For a child growing up in a city where chewing gum is a sin, that’s certainly a feat!)

Social Media for the Economic Downturn

10 years ago, Asia reeled from the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997-1998. This was followed by the dot.com crash in 2000-2001. Now we face a Global Financial Downturn.

Reducing budgets and layoffs are the usual reactions to such phenomena. Marketers usually find themselves drawing the short straw in such trying times. Since many companies and businesses classify marketers at the top of the ‘dispensable’ resources list.

Are journalists very different in the Far East?!

This is a question that I get asked all the time when I meet colleagues in Europe, the UK and the US. They want to know if they speak and write in English….

Countdown begins

Having marked my fourth decade on this blue planet of ours, I thought perhaps it would be an ideal time to do some thing truly momentous (at least in my world). So I signed up for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. Yes all 42 kilometres, 26 miles, all 6 hours of it.
Now to the running…..Oh.
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An Ang Mo living and working in Singapore? Can Lah!

Singapore doesn’t suck you in and spit you out like a lot of big Asian countries would do to a purely English speaking girl. Of course there are many differences to my life in Australia and a lot of ‘getting used to’ has had to happen, but overall my move to Singapore has been a [...]