Sunday, November 25, 2007

Do You Sell?

“Stardust” looked starry. But that’s not enough for me to want to watch it.

I wanted to give this movie and me a second chance. So I clicked on the link that brought me to the synopsis. I hoped to be convinced to click the button ‘’Buy now’’. Yet, after reading I still didn’t take action. Oh yes, I hit the ‘Back’ button. My business was done then, and I forgot about Stardust, until an email came.

A few short sentences sold me on the same show. Both the writers have the same goal and intention - to sell tickets. Well not really. The person who sent me the email didn’t.

So what made that stark difference? While the movie site was supposed to be the one doing the job, the viewer became the expert instead.

The marketers had the intention to sell tickets. But my friend certainly didn’t. He merely wanted to share something good to me. Therefore, while his intention wasn’t to sell, he actually sold. Contrast this to the cinema operator who wanted to sell, but actually failed.

I guess the person who sent me the email hit the right notes with me. He knew what my values are (well I suppose he knew!), and he appealed to them. Stardust is about a love story where the witch and the young man both wanted the heart of the princess. While the former wanted it for selfish reasons to retain her youth, the latter certainly did it in the name of love.

As a Love Coach and someone who is dedicated to spreading knowledge in this subject, love stories do strike a chord in my heart. The synopsis didn’t say this well enough, and I thought it was some “Lord of The Rings” mixed with “Harry Potter”.

So, do the cinema operators know their target market well? If they do, then why aren’t they saying the right words to the right people then? I’m sure Stardust has more than one selling point besides the romance part. But they didn’t touch on any of the Unique Selling Points (USP). Result – not one point was being scored from me.

I am using this as a metaphor to ask you this question:

Are you selling yourself the right way?

You may not realise the need now, but when you’re done with your national service, you sure will need the skills.

Imagine this. What will you say to sell yourself to your future employer, potential girlfriend, customers etc? How will you say it?

What are you USPs? What are the values of your target audience? It may be hard to elicit their values, especially since you don’t know them personally. But what you can do is to imagine yourself as the boss, or the interviewer. What sort of values will they have? What sort of qualities will they want to seek in the candidate to fill that particular post?

While generic strengths such as confidence and a sense of responsibility are welcomed, it is more important to think deeper into the role you are applying for. For example, a sales position will require much better communication and persuasion skills than an admin position. An accountant will need much better number analyzing skills than a teacher. I hope you get the point here.

When you have some time in camp, and not doing anything that strenuous, maybe you can give this subject some thoughts?

Now, I am still itching for “Stardust”…

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Pesky Pests That Pain Me

Girls freak out when they see one. Some guys too.

They invade your privacy and disrupt your R&R time when you are watching your favourite TV show.

You will have to kill them immediately, for hygiene purpose and to end the possibility of procreation.

As a group they are categorised as pests. Individually we call them cockroaches. Everybody hates them. But I don’t. I’m scared of them much more than hate.

Each encounter gives me a near heart attack, and the latest one just happened last night.

While my sister used the insecticide on this unwelcome intruder, I had to go through this entire huge internal struggle again.

You see, the intruder will start its escapade the second it felt the deadly poison. As they struggle and run for it’s life, I felt the pain in me too. Funny as it sounds to you, I actually pity this creature.

It will start to run frantically for it’s life, and of course, we will aim the insecticide and keep spraying. Then we leave it to die a slow and painful death. This is why my heart aches.

If I were the one spraying, I would use up practically a quarter of the can. Why? Not because I hate them to the core, but I thought “Why not give them a quick death than to be slowly tortured to it’s last breath?”

Am I psychotic? I’m not sure, that’s why I call it an internal struggle.

It pains me to see this creature running everywhere and struggling, until it turns over and lay still. Yes, I know! It is a pest! Even then, I can’t control my urge to steal some glances and remember how it had put up a brave fight before it’s death.

Life is fragile. Despite how strong a human being can be, we can be brought down by a virus so tiny that you need to magnify it probably a zillion times under a microscope. Even a cockroach, a rat or some bugs will flee for it’s life when it’s endangered. How about us? How are we treating our lives? 

Monday, November 12, 2007

The Faceless Snigger

Well, since it all started with Narev’s post on Facebook, I thought I should continue with a title that is relevant.

Why faceless snigger? You shall find out very soon.

Do you know anyone who was, at some point, or most of the time, the brunt of most jokes? Maybe this person has some physical handicap, or looks not so well groomed, or is on the rounder side, or has some peculiar habits, or even stammer.

Why did this person become the target? Because it’s convenient enough.

I’ve found myself in the middle of such groups where they will continue to laugh at certain people’s less-than-perfect trait. Roaring laughter rise above the heads and fill the room as they create more jokes. Fuelled by such ‘success’, some even start mimicking the subject. 

What do I do? Well, as the saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them.

Join them I shall….. NOT!

What I did usually was to keep quiet at first, and when they continue to build their happiness on the poor guy’s expense, I will make my stand, which tends to shut them up.

My stand is this – we can joke about anything under the sun, moon or even stars. So long as they are harmless and don’t hurt anyone. Especially jokes about people’s misfortune or things that are beyond their control. 

At times, I may also succumb to such wickedness, but only because I was too in the moment and failed to catch myself. But that is only temporary, for when things are carried on, I will surely be aware and stop myself.

I hope you too, will be more aware. To be more self-conscious and to pay more attention to people around you.

To me, that is just not humour. At all.

And guess what? I’m not sorry to say this at all! 

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Women Vs Men’s Talk Vs Cooking?

It’s been a long time since I’ve been invited to a dinner session at a friend’s home. That Saturday night was really enjoyable. Not only the sumptuous food that was laid before us, but also the friendship.

Women bond through chatting. There’s really no doubt about it. The three of us (namely me, my sister and our friend) kept on talking, and the hostess showed us many of her clothes and pretty gowns as we oohed and ahhed at them. I wonder what will the men show their guests? Photos from their childhood days? Certainly not, but we women do!

As we shared tips ranging from housekeeping to career, the night just slipped away silently and swiftly while we snacked on fruits and chips. At this time, I wonder what will guys be talking about?

Certainly not gossiping about their other halves, as what women generally love indulging in. But that doesn’t preclude them from talking about other women. We know.

What will the guys be eating as they chat? Maybe beer and/or wine and/or hard liquor and nuts?

We asked her why she can cook so well, and she told us she picked up this skill for only one reason - to whet her husband and son’s appetite. Wow, and I began to think if I were her, will I do this? Maybe, if the demand is there.

And if it were you, will you spend time to pore over cook books and recipes just so you can whip up a dish to please your girlfriend?

Since we’re on the topic of cooking, let me sidetrack a little.

I know, at your age, you probably won’t be able to cook as freely and as much as you want to, even if you like to. The fact that you’re now in the army with only 2 days in a week that is free, and the fact that the kitchen at home probably is “owned” by your mother, cooking seems like a far and away luxury (if you consider it as not a chore) for you right now.

But, if you really have the heart to, take a rain cheque on this with your girlfriend. Find a day when maybe your parents aren’t around, then cook her something. Even if it’s a very simple dish, it will still mean a lot to her, especially when you’re the one behind the pan.

How about doing it for your family too? I’m sure as much as they will be astonished, the sweetness that is swelling inside them will be overflowing at the same time. 

Why am I saying this? Because there is something about having men cook. Especially a man whom we love. *wink*

Friday, November 09, 2007

The Lowly Cadet vs The Recruit?

I just learnt yesterday that a recruit ranks higher than that of a cadet in OCS. We were having lunch with the former while gossiping about the latter who was at home, getting ready to book into camp that evening.

Now isn’t it funny that the cadet holds the lowest rank, but one that commands influence and power after he finishes OCS?

Of course I can’t comment since I’m not in the army and I don’t know how it is run or why it is run the way as it is. But the look of smugness on the recruit’s face certainly was food for laughter during lunch.

That reminded me of the days when I was a still a child. My primary school teacher could last long enough in her career to teach two generations – father and child.

Well, that father was my dad, and naturally that child was me. So, that led me thinking that if the teacher had mistreated me when I was her student, then maybe, just maybe, her smugness would be short-lived if I were to become a teacher and teach her child one day in the future!

At times, a plan of vengeance would start to form in my head while I sat there, pretending to pay attention in class by the constant head nodding and notes scribbling.

The more I was reprimanded, the more concise my plan evolved.

Those were the days. Did I really become a teacher? No I didn’t, strictly speaking. Non-strictly, I wonder if being a love coach certifies me to be a teacher in life as well?

What was the purpose of this post? I guess the “teacher” in me is itching to give some words of advice again!

Ready?

Here goes:

“Be nice to people on your way up, because you’ll never know whom you’ll meet on your way down” – Wilson Mizner