APs / Expo weekend
Listening to 988 FM (Malaysian chinese radio) online now, something rather enlightening as the DJ on air has opened the airwaves to listeners' comments on the hot issue of the day - APs (Approved Permits FYI). I'd say "enlightening" cos many callers from all backgrounds are voicing out their opinions. I have this perception that most Malaysians are.. rather apathetic about current issues. I actually am glad to be proven wrong, if at least partially.
It just seems to me that many people can't be bothered about the going-ons in the country as long as it is not perceived to affect their lives. As long as they can work / shop / play / eat in relative peace, other things don't matter. I always think people should at least be aware of governance issues. Students now may not care, but wait till you start paying taxes and worrying about purchasing cars / property / shares, then these issues will suddenly seem to affect you. You'll start ranting about why the local state government needs to spend a coupla million on some unworthy project. If you do business, you'll wonder at the lack of transparency 'n tender processes (if there are any).
People are calling in voicing out alot of frustration, some are speculating, some are quoting hearsay. Someone has even had a mini-rant at our retired PM. Interesting indeed! Have rarely heard any criticism (whether constructive or not) in the media. A caller raised this : he says at least its a start to more openness / transparency in the system. He suggests other government departments follow suit..
My opinion? I think APs are inequitable. Who decides who receives APs? What kind of process is involved? Instead of handing it out to a handful of individuals (enriching them in the process sic) wouldn't it be more beneficial to have to income go directly to the government? The money could be put to better use (please no more white elephants though!) such as building more schools, improving healthcare access and something close to my heart - building & maintaining good public libraries for all levels of society. We really are a deprived lot when it comes to having community libraries. If it exists, the facade looks nice but the core is filled with old outdated books which arouse little, if any interest in reading.
Enough 'bout APs..for context, go to www.jeffooi.com
On other things.. my weekend began and ended with this -
Pharmacy Southern Convention and Exhibition 16th - 18th July
Melbourne Convention Centre, corner Flinders and Spencer St.
Was there over the weekend from Sat to Mon. Managed to obtain sponsorship of the booth hence Desiyah (the YAA thingy I'm currently involved in) was present for our first test - selling our product to the public. Due to the tight schedule, production was.. to say the least - rushed. Features were added but thats yet to be finalised. Product development is ongoing as we had a lot of interesting comments and feedback from delegates and other exhibitors.
Being on the 1st level of the expo, we were rubbing shoulders with Pfizer, Sigma etc. Er.. they were all retailing drugs and we were there selling towels (towel in a bag actually)..
(l-r) Shaz Steph Namita Julianne Di Michael John
Our product - T-Bag (towel in a bag)!
Anyways Saturday was really tiring. Stood the whole day (we all forgot about getting a chair in the booth) from 9 plus till 5 plus. Went straight to church after that. Usually in church there's about an hour plus of worship, then preaching where we get to sit down. That day was "special" - pure worship! meaning I had to stand for another 2 hours straight. It was an awesome day, but my feet just about..died on me.
One thing I liked about the expo was that many of the exhibitors were very approachable. Friendly and open to us going around showing off our product. Since the crowd was quite small (compared to past years') instead of waiting for people to drop by our booth (which was quite unlikely unless they happened to walk past) we decided to take turns going round in pairs talking to whoever seemed available to listen. One exhibitor I talked to actually bought 2 hehe..
The expo organisers provided lunch daily, with hot beverages manned by a beverage counter throughout expo operating hours. The ladies opposite our booth were really nice. Things were really quiet most of the time. They offered me chocolate a coupla times. hehe "to go with your coffee" which was really nice of them. With our dedicated (and lolly-loving) MD Steph around, we were never really gonna run short of chocs and lollies! Literally had a stash of foodstuff in a sandbucket thingy.
Instead of a stuffy meeting on Monday, we ended the expo weekend with dinner at La Porchetta.
Last thoughts on expo.. was very rushed but am glad we participated. Besides opportunities to sell more, it prepares us for the REAL trade expo at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre next month. From all aspects incl booth deco, layout, sales methods, handling of cash procedures, manpower etc, we're sortof had a "trial run" where there were no judges or mystery buyers. We've had an opportunity our competing YAA teams did not have. So hopefully we'll be more than ready when the next expo comes around.
For more information on Desiyah, click here.
For info on YAA's Business Skills Program, click here.
oops gotta run. There's a board meeting later and some stuff to be settled..
It just seems to me that many people can't be bothered about the going-ons in the country as long as it is not perceived to affect their lives. As long as they can work / shop / play / eat in relative peace, other things don't matter. I always think people should at least be aware of governance issues. Students now may not care, but wait till you start paying taxes and worrying about purchasing cars / property / shares, then these issues will suddenly seem to affect you. You'll start ranting about why the local state government needs to spend a coupla million on some unworthy project. If you do business, you'll wonder at the lack of transparency 'n tender processes (if there are any).
People are calling in voicing out alot of frustration, some are speculating, some are quoting hearsay. Someone has even had a mini-rant at our retired PM. Interesting indeed! Have rarely heard any criticism (whether constructive or not) in the media. A caller raised this : he says at least its a start to more openness / transparency in the system. He suggests other government departments follow suit..
My opinion? I think APs are inequitable. Who decides who receives APs? What kind of process is involved? Instead of handing it out to a handful of individuals (enriching them in the process sic) wouldn't it be more beneficial to have to income go directly to the government? The money could be put to better use (please no more white elephants though!) such as building more schools, improving healthcare access and something close to my heart - building & maintaining good public libraries for all levels of society. We really are a deprived lot when it comes to having community libraries. If it exists, the facade looks nice but the core is filled with old outdated books which arouse little, if any interest in reading.
Enough 'bout APs..for context, go to www.jeffooi.com
On other things.. my weekend began and ended with this -
Pharmacy Southern Convention and Exhibition 16th - 18th July
Melbourne Convention Centre, corner Flinders and Spencer St.
Was there over the weekend from Sat to Mon. Managed to obtain sponsorship of the booth hence Desiyah (the YAA thingy I'm currently involved in) was present for our first test - selling our product to the public. Due to the tight schedule, production was.. to say the least - rushed. Features were added but thats yet to be finalised. Product development is ongoing as we had a lot of interesting comments and feedback from delegates and other exhibitors.
Being on the 1st level of the expo, we were rubbing shoulders with Pfizer, Sigma etc. Er.. they were all retailing drugs and we were there selling towels (towel in a bag actually)..
(l-r) Shaz Steph Namita Julianne Di Michael John
Our product - T-Bag (towel in a bag)!
Anyways Saturday was really tiring. Stood the whole day (we all forgot about getting a chair in the booth) from 9 plus till 5 plus. Went straight to church after that. Usually in church there's about an hour plus of worship, then preaching where we get to sit down. That day was "special" - pure worship! meaning I had to stand for another 2 hours straight. It was an awesome day, but my feet just about..died on me.
One thing I liked about the expo was that many of the exhibitors were very approachable. Friendly and open to us going around showing off our product. Since the crowd was quite small (compared to past years') instead of waiting for people to drop by our booth (which was quite unlikely unless they happened to walk past) we decided to take turns going round in pairs talking to whoever seemed available to listen. One exhibitor I talked to actually bought 2 hehe..
The expo organisers provided lunch daily, with hot beverages manned by a beverage counter throughout expo operating hours. The ladies opposite our booth were really nice. Things were really quiet most of the time. They offered me chocolate a coupla times. hehe "to go with your coffee" which was really nice of them. With our dedicated (and lolly-loving) MD Steph around, we were never really gonna run short of chocs and lollies! Literally had a stash of foodstuff in a sandbucket thingy.
Instead of a stuffy meeting on Monday, we ended the expo weekend with dinner at La Porchetta.
Last thoughts on expo.. was very rushed but am glad we participated. Besides opportunities to sell more, it prepares us for the REAL trade expo at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre next month. From all aspects incl booth deco, layout, sales methods, handling of cash procedures, manpower etc, we're sortof had a "trial run" where there were no judges or mystery buyers. We've had an opportunity our competing YAA teams did not have. So hopefully we'll be more than ready when the next expo comes around.
For more information on Desiyah, click here.
For info on YAA's Business Skills Program, click here.
oops gotta run. There's a board meeting later and some stuff to be settled..
posted by xaverri at 11:51 am
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