Blog | Cooler Insights

Amateurs versus Professionals

May 22, 2011 • Blog • no comments

Don’t merely listen to the experts even if they look as good as this (courtesy of Strategy of Wealth)

In today’s social-technology-enabled world, customers and citizens alike wield considerable influence over the decisions of corporate and political captains alike. In such an environment, we can ill afford to adopt a “I know best” attitude in dealing with our stakeholders (unless of course we are Steve Jobs and Apple).

While there is a rise in the cult of the amateur, as claimed by Andrew Keen, there is still a time and place for the professionals. I’m sure nobody in their right minds would want to be operated on by a surgeon who is fresh out of med school, or to be rescued by novice firefighters.

Remembering to Recharge

May 13, 2011 • Blog • no comments

How do you regain your balance in life? What helps you to “top up” your inner resources after a particularly trying and hectic week?

Often, the simplest pleasures in life can bring forth the greatest sense of joy and well-being.

Managing in a Maelstrom

May 11, 2011 • Blog • no comments

Charybdis (image source)

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.

The Power of Emotions

May 9, 2011 • Blog • no comments

“And Jesus Wept” (Courtesy of A View From The Edge)

Over the past couple of weeks, Singapore’s General Elections captured the attention of many Singaporeans, resulting in a Polling Night that had a nail biting finish. More than 2 million people casted their votes for the future of Singapore.

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.

Its Time to Nominate and Vote for Your Favourite Blogs

April 29, 2011 • Blog • no comments

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.”

Visitor Strategies @ V&A Museum

April 25, 2011 • Blog • 1 comment

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.

The Importance of Closing the Loop

April 15, 2011 • Blog • 2 comments

Courtesy of Computer Technology Review

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.

Touring and Learning from the Tate Modern

April 8, 2011 • Blog • 1 comment

Occupying a disused power station in the heart of London beside the River Thames, Tate Modern is one of the world’s leading modern art museum. With an impressive display of art from 1900 to the present, Tate Modern attracts some five million visitors annually, and is one of a family of four Tate galleries in the UK (which includes Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives).

Collectively, the Tates cover the national collection of British art from the year 1500 to the present day, and of international modern art. All their collections are accessible online, and the Tate Group embraces an extensive social media engagement strategy encompassing Facebook, Twitter, Youtube videos, photos on Flickr, a Video Channel, and a Blog.