You’ve probably heard the saying over and over again – change is the only constant (this quote first came from an ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus), especially in this day and age. Beyond the cataclysmic calamities wrecked by Mother Nature, I bet that many of us also face major shifts and upheavals in various aspects of our lives.
How does one manage oneself and others in the midst of tumultous changes? Here are some thoughts on what one can do to brace and ride the storm.
In reading, viewing and listening to what my fellow Singaporeans have to say about the elections, it is clear that the emotions play a key role in its eventual outcome. There has been shouts of anger, tears of sadness, and smiles of happiness throughout the campaign period for all parties. Much of the rhetoric employed by the various candidates in their speeches tug heavily at the heartstrings.
Singapore goes to the polls tomorrow (courtesy of Wikimedia )
This week has been an especially significant one for many of us.
Right now, the biggest news for many Singaporeans is that of the impending Singapore General Elections 2011, with polling day taking place tomorrow. By this time, everybody would have read, heard, or viewed about the fierce contests taking place between the ruling and opposition parties. Both mainstream and social media channels have carried lots of news, views, and opinions on the election. Also known as Cooling-Off Day, today is the day when all qualified voters around the island will reflect and carefully consider their decision tomorrow.
Prince William and Catherine Middleton now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Courtesy of The British Monarchy)
By now, possibly every man, woman and child with media access would have read, viewed or heard about the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton. Many die-hard romantics around the world would have tuned into this once-in-a-blue-blooded-moon affair, oohing and aahing at the heart-warming courtship stories, elaborate regalia, immaculate trimmings, and pristine settings of this ethereal fairytale event.
Do you have what it takes to be a winner like these guys?
Its Nomination and Election Fever – not just for the General Elections but also for Singapore’s top blogs of the year. Let’s get those flabby content generating muscles all warmed up for the Singapore Blog Awards 2011.
Organised by omy.sg, the Singapore Blog Awards “honours creative, hardworking and persistent “new age wordsmiths” who devote their time and energy to create and maintain informative and innovative blogs.”
The V&A (formerly Victoria and Albert Museum) in the UK is one of the leading museum groups on the British isles and an international cultural brand. It comprises the V&A Museum at South Kensington, the V&A Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green, and its archives and stores at Blythe House, Kensington Olympia. Like many British museums, all V&A museums provide free entry to visitors.
First opened in 1852 and named after Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, the V&A has a massive permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects. Its flagship museum at South Kensington has since grown to now cover 12.5 acres (51,000 m2) and 145 galleries, and is touted as the “world’s greatest museum of art and design, with collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity”. Visitors to V&A at South Kensington can uncover 3000 years of cultural treasures gleaned from many of the world’s richest cultures. They include ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings.
If you haven’t already heard Rebecca Black’s “Friday” (more than 100 million views on Youtube and rising), you must have been hiding under a rock. The huge Internet sensation has been making waves while racking up an incredible number of 2 million dislikes on Youtube.
Association dinners and trips can be good bonding events (ASA Exco 2005)
Through the kind invitation of MCI, a global association management company, I had the privilege of diving more deeply into the world of associations at a recent conference at Suntec City Convention Centre. As the Sec-Gen of the Association of Singapore Attractions, I am always interested to learn about the best practices of running and managing an association.
According to a white paper published by the firm, there are 8 key strategies for associations (whether professional or trade) anywhere in the world to remain relevant in a fast changing future. Key findings from these paper hail from a survey of European associations conducted by MCI, but many of them are relevant to associations here in Singapore. They are:
One of the most fundamental lessons in any professional, personal or social endeavour is to close the loop. Don’t leave things hanging in mid-air or wait until they’re forgotten (and forgiven). Chances are that they might come back again to haunt you if you don’t hit that nail on the head until its well and truly level.
Now closing the loop doesn’t mean that you should try to go for quick and easy wins all the time. Occasionally, one needs to consider if closing a small loop may result in tearing open a larger issue in the long-run. However, the key principle is that you should not leave issues or projects in limbo as far as you can help it.
