What’s In A Name

Article title: What’s In A Name

Where: Recruitment, Straits Times (R56), dated 05 January 2007
Contributor: Tom Greenwood, Sustainable Brand Strategy

This is one article worth reading (and clipping & keeping, as I do) about branding. It’s pretty short, simple and the writer manages to summarize the important elements of branding in a brief and comprehensive style.

Sad though the picture that is used for the article is not quite appropriate – I almost skip the article altogether, till my eyes fell on the ‘branding’ text in one of the paragraphs.

THE TRUIzM
I’m a branding fanatic, so I’ll definitely keep a space for this in my scrapbook!

Sedap Noodles @ Clementi

SEDAP NOODLE
Blk 449, Clementi Ave 3
(nearest MRT station is Clementi MRT Station).

If you are craving for noodles that are chewy and spongy, and to be served along with gurgling soup that is brimming with fresh fish balls (one plain and one stuffed), one crabstick, a bull-eye’s egg and a very generous helping of minced beef (I’m drooling already!) – oh, I have to mention that the soup is actually a mini hot pot, so your soup remains hot till you slurp the last drop – the place to satisfy your craving is at the address above.

I would usually order mine with chili and will tuck into my hot pot with additional raw chilies (I eat chili as you would suck on a sweet). This combination, with the noodles (usually, I’d order kway teow) and the steaming soup, will leave me – at the end of the meal – leaning back and feeling oh-so-contented.

The stall also serves other dishes like fish ball soup, minced chicken noodle and the assorted noodle dishes. But the highlight would definitely be the hot pot!

.: THE TRUIzM
At $3.50 per bowl of noodle/pot, it is crazy to pass by Clementi without trying it! If you manage to locate the stall, you would see some clippings that this stall has been reviewed favorably in the local Malay paper.

Unfortunately, I could not locate any pictures for this entry.

The Ugly Truth about Small Business

Full title:
The Ugly Truth about Small Business
(50 Never-Saw-It-Coming Things That Can
Go Wrong... and What You Can Do about it.)
Author: Ruth King

What I like about this book is that there are many lessons to learn from and many experiences to read about. This book is segregated into two parts – Part One and Two.

Part One is a collection of the featured entrepreneurs’ stories (none of which I am familiar with). At the end of each related experience, the highlights are listed down and there’s a handy ‘what I learned’ list – very akin to an executive summary in a listed format. In addition, there’s even a segment called ‘applying the lessons to your business’ – so that new entrepreneurs do not make the same mistakes as these old-hands did. The listings are correlated to the story prior to it, thus you can easily make your references. And since most, if not all, stories are short; you learn more at a faster rate and are able to do your referencing more rapidly.

Part Two of this book is extremely handy. It summarizes perfectly and clearly what entrepreneurs can do about the things that may go wrong. My favorite is Chapter 5 – Greatest Myths of Owning a Business. Those who want to venture into business should read this first and smell the coffee!

However, due to the abruptness of each experience related in Part One, I was unable to empathize much with each character/subject. I was not able to follow their passion, their flow of thoughts and often, not understand why they did certain things in a certain way. Perhaps, not enough background (family, support etc.) is given to each one, so much so that I could not comprehend their outlook in life/business at times. Furthermore, I was not thoroughly familiar with the industries featured, thus was not able to ‘appreciate the lessons’.

.: The TRUIzM
An excellent book for those who are into quick learning and have less patience in reading. I did had a hard time ‘getting into gear’ when I was reading Part One, for the reasons mentioned above.

Ummah Films

Ummah Films

http://www.ummahfilms.com

This is an excellent site that preaches, albeit in a very different manner. Light-headed, UF will leave its audience smiling and laughing at the comical antics of its spokesperson, Baba Ali.

The design of the site is clean, neat and almost flawless, and the consistency of its theme and look is carried out from the website to the blog. Now, this is crucial (to those who know the importance of branding) as this will breed familiarity and awareness.

Baba Ali is a humorous chap – not for an inch that he looks like a preacher. Or maybe he isn’t. A convert to Islam, he and his crew spread the religion via their amusing videos. The chic editing of the videos is proof that much thought have been put into the storylines and punchy scripts.

Based on my personal experience, ordering the goods online has been a breeze. Last year, Hubs and I ordered a long-sleeved black UF T-shirt each (mine is size S and it fits perfectly). It came through the mail within the reasonable time frame and freebies (a pair of black rubber I AM A MUSLIM bracelets) were also thrown in.

The TRUIzM
If you want to know more about Islam, and laugh at the same time, this is the site to go. Or, if you need some perking up, point your cursor to the link below. After all, laughter IS the best medicine.

http://www.ummahfilms.com

The Fountain of Wealth

The Fountain of Wealth

Suntec City Convention Centre, Singapore

This has been accorded the status of "World's Largest Fountain" in the 1998 edition of the Guinness Book of Records. I would say that is an achievement, considering the size of Singapore - an island so small but yet is the home of one of the world’s largest fountain.

On 30 December 2007, I have had the chance to visit this Fountain and watch the much acclaimed laser show (8pm slot). While the Fountain itself is awesome, the laser show is a huge disappointment.

The laser, on its own, was amazing. However, it was apparent that no thoughts had been put in place to the storyboard (if any). The laser projected a series of random images that had no connection between one another. It started with an image of a circular ball coming out from a pottery-making equipment, and then morphed into a dinosaur. Next, came the earth and the moon and a telephone (!) and some other forgettable images. There was a sequence that was repeated many a time – a kind of a passage going through a door.

Oh yes, it was colourful alright, but perhaps, if the management could put one and one together and create a storyline, it would be an immerse improvement. Or perhaps, there is a story lurking behind those images – however, the continuity and flow are not apparent, that I quite lost it.

The TRUIzM
If you happen to be around Suntec around the laser time shows, do catch it. However, if you go down there just for the laser show, it’s a big waste of time. Thank goodness Suntec City is a happening shopping centre and the Fountain is definitely an eye-feast. So, I guess, all is not lost.

http://www.sunteccity.com.sg/fountain/index.htm

Author: Dean Koontz

Only die-hard Dean Koontz fans will like this one.

I’m not actually into Koontz but I read books by almost anyone. The first few chapters of this book are actually gripping and very often, I would be reading at the edge of my seat. However, as the story (or lack of) unfolds, I find myself wondering – is this guy kidding or what?

This is a fiction, thus I will not spoil the ‘fun’ for you if you choose to pick this book up and begin the literacy journey. As mentioned, only die-hard fans of Koontz can appreciate the drama and plot of this book. I simply cannot.

.:The TRUIzM

To attempt only if you are a fan. Else, you will end up frustrated, with the almost comical and out-of-the-world plot. The title is good, though, as a gift for your other half.

How To Get Rich

Author: Donald Trump

(with Meredith McIver)

I’m a fan of ‘The Apprentice’ and I’ll let you know that yes, I’m a fan of Donald Trump too. I have read his biographies, his books and somehow, I can rattle off his achievements, feats and even the names of his children.

But I’ll also tell you the truth. If you get this book with the main objective on how to get rich – well, forget it. The content of this book does not steer you in that direction at all – it will, however, tell you how to work smarter and many other things which, at least to me, are already acknowledged (the importance of staying focused, branding, being optimistic etc.) but hard to maintain.

Regardless, this book is handy, abrupt and quick to the point. Each chapter in Part 1 is almost a summary. Reading is a breeze and Mr Trump (and Ms Meredith McIver) makes it energetic and comprehensive by using simple words and being brief but straightforward. You will also be allowed a glimpse on how Mr Trump works his office and business.

.: The TRUIzM
Do not be fooled by the title. However, reading it – if you are a fan of Donald Trump or if you read for the sake of reading – is an enjoyable activity.