Send a free DaySpring Ecard Today

I always enjoy receiving cards with heartfelt message. Today, I finally managed to take a breather and want to send ecards to my loved ones, to let them know I care.  I love the meaningful messages and often feel uplifted when I see them. If you don't have time for anything, at least make time for this. Drop someone a note, to show you appreciate or care for them.

Words laced with grace and love, is always well-received. It dawned on me that no matter what, it is important for us to speak with gentless and show we care. No one cares how much you know, until he / she knows how much you care.

Connecting people through the words of God through encouragement. How sweet.

Staying on Our A-Game for Ladies

What if you could have a career makeover in just half a day?

How much time are you willing to invest into your career? Chances are, you have already invested a lot into your career. Everyday, you are expending time, energy and effort to make your career work.

What if you could have a career makeover in just half a day? Now you can!

This specially designed half-day seminar to get you started on your career makeover. At this seminar, you will:

• Discover your personalized inventory of career strengths and how you can build upon them

• Gain fresh new perspectives on your career pathways

• Learn new strategies for achieving work-life balance and fulfilling your dreams

Investment Tips from the crisis from Dollardex

 Investment Tips from the crisis from Dollardex



1. Don't kid yourself about your risk tolerance

We all know to set our risk level before building a portfolio. But do we fool ourselves into believing we have nerves of steel - and take on too much risk? Shares or commodities always look great during a bull run, but it's easy to forget the downside risks are still high - and arguably get higher as markets reach new peaks.

Examine your own situation and your appetite for risk in a very honest and non-macho fashion. There are no prizes for holding the riskiest portfolio but potentially lots of heartache for over-risky portfolios. No investor should have the majority of their assets in shares or equity funds if they are the type of person who gets nervous every time the indexes turn red.

There are ways to lessen market timing risk, such as to regularly invest your money into the market with a monthly plan. Remember too, if your investment timeframe is short you should seriously consider lowering the risk on your portfolio.

2. Don't panic when markets crash

If you do decide to have a risky portfolio, with more than a small proportion in cash, then it can be a double mistake to panic during a crisis. Although markets are not guaranteed to recover, they usually do. If you sell at the point of crisis you will miss out on the recovery phase. A panicky investor tends to buy high, and sell low - just the opposite of a good investment strategy.

Remember that shares earn more than cash (the risk premium) because they are risky. You should expect ups and downs (not just ups). The best investments over the long term are almost always the most volatile. So if you decide to invest in emerging shares, which have grown much faster than shares in developed countries, also expect them to be most prone to large drops.

3. Understand diversification and risk management

Diversification is one way of smoothing risks and returns, and we've all heard the old saying that you must never put all your eggs in one basket. However, as some investors have found out over the last twelve months, during a crisis many supposedly uncorrelated assets do not provide much diversification protection. Stocks and bonds sank together.

Diversification can be misunderstood and too much expected of it. When we think of two assets that are highly uncorrelated we are tempted to think of them both moving in opposite directions during a crisis, hence buffering our portfolio from losses. This may not be true. For example, the returns of the assets in the chart below are almost perfectly uncorrelated, yet the general trend is still in the same direction. You can imagine how these assets might behave in a crash - both would plummet and the "diversified" investor gets no downside protection.

Don't be pressured or lured into making an investment decision. Any investment that sounds too good to be true, probably is. If a product promises or hints it can obtain above average returns then there must be a catch. The catch could be a more volatile return, an obscure risk condition that one day could bite you, or a too favourable reliance on past performance data.

Great Advice from DollarDex for investment.

Differentiating A Good Coach from a Mediocre One

If you are a female boss, have you throught of ways to coach your staffs? Although the following article is targeted on sales folks, however, therein lies essence of what differentiates a good coach from a leader who simply instructs.

A good sales leader coaches, while a poor sales leader simply directs. Most people who desire success focus almost entirely on themselves, not others. However, this is not the way to be truly successful. As a sales leader, team work is paramount and coaching, becomes a rewarding calling. Certainly, it takes work and may not have immediate returns. Yet in the long run, you get to build up a dream team, exceeding your group target beyond your wildest dreams. How do you develop sales coaching? This article seeks to demystify the area of sales coaching in 3 simple steps.


1. Getting your team members to articulate

A seasoned sales man knows how to ask the right questions to his customers. Similarly, a good sales leader coach must ask his team the right questions and get them to answer. This is truly a powerful tool as the personal articulation creates a self- realization. A good sales coach helps others learn how to analyze their own performance, take responsibility for their own development, find their own answers and gain the team members' commitment to doing it.

2. Focusing only on one priority at a time

Most of us are highly ambitious and seek to accomplish a lot at a time. Perhaps in a bid for time, we often rush through the motion. However, to engage your team and for them to be able to give issues the focus they require to accelerate change, one should not have too much on the agenda. The team member has to learn the ropes and take time to internalise the good habits. Research has shown that simple repetitive tasks require a timeframe of approximately 21 days to condition!

3. Separating evaluation from development

Your team member may feel threaten if they feel that they are being appraised when you are trying to coach them. There is a time and place for everything, thus try to separate the development and evaluation aspect. In fact, some staffs that correctly identify areas to develop may be evaluated more positively. It is good for you to have a list of your team members, with their names, greatest strength, areas to develop and resources to share clearly tabulated in a list. This will allow you to picture your dream team clearly!

When these things are in place, sales coaching become your most powerful tool in achieving results and will far surpass a directive approach. The foundation is then built on trust and strengthening relationship. When coaching your sales staff, you are better able to gain an understanding of the areas where one is stuck and can broaden their perspectives, based on your experience and help to formulate a solution for their obstacles. Sales coaching require affirmation, time and effort. However, this is resources well-invested, and this will help you, as a person to develop lasting qualities for life.

Work Life Balance for Singaporean Women

Source: Robert Half
http://www.roberthalf.com.sg/portal/site/rh-sg/menuitem.b0a52206b89cee97e7dfed10c3809fa0/?vgnextoid=164b7052d3571210VgnVCM1000005e80fd0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=6dff20fa5e38f110VgnVCM1000003041fd0aRCRD

Highlights:
* Work-life balance the top priority (59%) for female accounting and finance professionals

* 68% of participants expect to progress their career in the next five years

However, 45% do not think they will reach a senior management position, such as a Directorship, within finance and accounting

* Only 49% of participants claim their organisations have a formal equal opportunities/ diversity policy

Singapore, 21 May 2009 – Female accounting and finance professionals in Singapore today have strong aspirations to move up the corporate ladder; however, obstacles still line their paths in an environment where fair and equal opportunities for women are not yet entirely entrenched. Work-life balance is importantly also the top priority for women and the key to attracting and retaining female talent in this increasingly challenging environment.

These are the conclusions of Singapore’s first detailed survey of women within the finance and accounting profession in Singapore, jointly launched by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (“ACCA”) and Robert Half Singapore (“Robert Half”). Conducted in March 2009, the survey polled over 700 female finance and accounting professionals across all age groups from a wide range of organisation type, size and industry sector.

The survey found that many women in accounting and finance in Singapore see themselves as career mobile and hold ambitions to develop beyond their current role. When asked where they see themselves in five years, 68% expect to advance their careers, with 32% saying in a new role with their current employer and an even higher 36% citing a senior position in a different firm. The majority of the respondents from the 35 years or younger (44%) age group expect to move on to a more senior role with a different employer, suggesting that younger female workers in general have higher job mobility and are strongly motivated to advance their careers.

However, against the backdrop of a highly mobile female workforce, the survey found that support for female workers in career development and leadership development is currently not forthcoming in many organisations. 27% of respondents claim they do not receive any training support from their companies, with those from the 36 to 45 years age group receiving less support than their peers. During the last 12 months, 64% of respondents had not attended a leadership course and those employed by smaller organisations were less likely to do so than their counterparts in larger firms.

Correspondingly, a significant number of female employees (45%) do not think they will reach a senior management position, such as a Directorship, within finance and accounting. Indeed, 39% of the respondents said their Board of Directors do not have any female representation, with approximately one third (31%) citing that only 1-20% of their board members were female directors. Reasons for this imbalance allude largely to existing gender inequality within their organisations, with comments such as “Such positions are usually given to men” or “There are very few women at the top management levels and these continued to be male oriented”.

The lack of equal opportunities for women is also underscored by the fact that only 49% of participants claim their organisations have a formal equal opportunities/diversity policy. Much obviously still has to be improved on this front, as a sizable 32% do not have such a policy in place, while 21% of respondents are simply unaware if it even exists in their organisations. When asked where an equal opportunities policy would have the greatest impact, 30% said on organisation culture, while a combined 28% saw it as a tool to attract and retain both new and current female employees.

Lastly, but very importantly, even in today’s challenging economic market, female employees are clearly still seeking more balance and flexibility in their lives and the relationship between work and family commitments. According to the survey, work-life balance is the top priority (59%) for female accounting and finance professionals, with respondents ranking flexible hours (61%) and the ability to work from home (51%) as the top flexible benefits that organisations needed to offer to attract and retain female employees. So important is it that the majority of respondents (53%) would leave their current job for one that offered an improved work-life balance, even if it means less pay.

However, contrary to their desire to enjoy an improved work-life balance, an overwhelming 74% of respondents said they are now working longer hours compared to a year ago. The main reasons cited were increased responsibilities (34%) and an increase in workload (24%). Seven percent cited organisation growth which could imply that while business is growing, extra resources are not being brought in to cope with the growth. On average, female accounting and finance professionals work 46.1 hours with those who are married without children working the most number of hours (46.4 hours per week) and those married with children working the least number (45.8 hours).

Mr Tim Hird, Managing Director, Robert Half, comments, “The results of our survey underscore the challenges that female professionals face in Singapore. While women continue to seek greater career advancements, barriers to progression evidently still remain in the workplace today. With Singapore still facing a shortage of skilled professionals despite the weak job market, it is more important than ever that organisations put in place practices to ensure that the funnel of female employees moving up the corporate ladder continues, or risk losing valuable members of the team.

Corporate leaders need to start planning for the eventual market recovery and understand the implications of a talent shortage as we emerge from the recession. Removing these barriers and improving access to flexible benefits is the first step in ensuring that top female talent are not just brought into the workforce, but most importantly, retained.”

Concludes Mrs Penelope Phoon-Cohen, Country Head, ACCA Singapore, “With better education possibilities and career opportunities, women have made a difference to the workplace in the last 50 years and now play an integral part in today’s workforce. As the advancement of women continues in Singapore, it is crucial to understand and ensure that gender equality and fair opportunities exist for female employees. Today, the world is facing unprecedented circumstances. Bringing to the table their unique characteristics and qualifications, women, like their male counterparts, play an important role in tackling the challenges of an increasingly complex economic landscape, and in rebuilding confidence to move businesses forward into the future.”

Make Money while Going on a Holiday

Do you want to save money, make money and yet travel freely? Here is the inside scoop that travel agencies will not tell you and yet, it will make your holiday a memorable one. Have a secret dream of being a merchandiser, well, this is really the stuffs that you want to know, but cannot find in brochures!

The next time you go on a holiday, challenge yourself to turn a holiday trip to a money making venture!

1) Keep your eyes peeled for popular brands / trends

It never hurt to ask the locals for the best places of attractions. When in Rome, do what the Romans do. Check out great sights and sounds with a local, make a new friend! And what is best, is the possibility of seeing something interesting and bringing back a franchise! Do take note of the popular brands in the market, or something that has caught your interest. It may be the latest craze that catches on!

2) Make bulk purchases and sell back home

There are some popular face masks or unique products which are sold elsewhere at a cheap price. You can start surfing the websites and knowing what are some of the popular items sold in the country you are visiting. By doing so, you are able to defray the cost of your travel and it is always fun, to have the feeling of being a merchandiser! Do read up adequately, thus minimizing the probability of getting stuck with a lot of inventory. Keep the items simple and choose items that are relatively easy to be placed in your luggage!

Turn that holiday trip into an investment trip by simply opening your eyes to business ideas! Very often, a travel trip may turn out to be a gem, giving you ideas for even a franchisee! The money spent, is money well-invested! Check out my blog if you want more great tips in turning pleasures into money making ideas.

Insider Tips to Save Money from Travel Experts!

The inside scoop that others will not tell you. From getting the cheapest deals, to finding the best spots in a country. Here is the stuffs that you can't find in brochures!

1) Travel off-season
If you can be flexible about when to go, then travel during off-peak (no June or December school holidays)! Prices can easily be a few hundreds cheaper and no peak surcharge! The queues at amusement parks (such as Disneyland) will also be shorter!

2) Find the cheapest flights
Don't assume that budget airlines will always be the cheapest. This mantra is only true if you book early. Traditional carriers, with the onslaught of poor economy last year, moderated their airfares downwards. Despite slowly creeping up again this year, there are still tie-ups with credit cards and all-taxes packages worth considering. If your dates are flexible, choosing the right day of the week can also slash your flight costs substantially. Friday (people on a holiday) and Sunday flights (people on business trips) are usually the most expensive! Try midweek flights for the best deals and a good bet for long haul flights to UK or USA!

3) Arrange your own excursions
If you are on a package holiday, the tour representatives will be keen to sell you excursions (of course there is comission to be earned!) You can usually get the same trip more cheaply by booking directly. Do your homework!

4) Get the room you want
If you want a room with a king size bed, make sure the hotel knows. Inform them in advance, instead of lamenting about it at the end of the stay. If you want a high floor, just state it. You never know the extra mile the hotel manager may go. I remember staying in Shangrila and receiving a hand written card from the hotel manager to make sure everything was ok for me.

Having the Faith in God's Grace At Work

This is an excellent article from Chip Ingram which I have to share. Many of us have to manage the strugles and dissapointment at work. Have we thought about why do we stumble? It is with the hope that this article can touch you, and remind us, on riding the faith. This is really quite a message, considering my church is doing the Book of Hebrews!

Why do I stumble?

I came into the office early this morning to get some extra time with the Lord. It seems that once the day gets going all the dizziness and people crowd out any quality time to sit, reflect and develop that calm and quiet center to live out of Gods grace.

I’m reading through the book of Hebrews in my personal devotions and was struck this morning by the warning in Hebrews 3:12: “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” Later in the same chapter, verse 19 he says, “So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.” I know this is nothing new, but it struck me that at the heart of all my issues in relating to God is my struggle with temptation in sin; one simple common denominator – unbelief!

I get stressed out because I don’t believe – God is in control!

I get anxious about what might happen because I don’t believe – God is good!

I get worn out trying to do too much because I don’t believe – God will accomplish what concerns me!

I get frustrated when things don’t work out the way I think they should because I don’t believe – God is all wise; His timing and His methods are perfect!

I get afraid and wonder how we will cover all of our costs because I don’t believe – God is a faithful provider!

In chapter 4 the author encourages those who are struggling because of the persecution and difficulty that they’re facing not to drift away from the Lord through unbelief, but to enter His rest. To rest in the fact that He is in control, that He is good, that He cares and knows about all my needs, and is an all-wise and faithful provider. I love the line in Hebrews 4:10, “For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.”

This is not a command about being passive because the very next verse commands us to make every effort to enter His rest. It is a command to believe in who God is and what He has done. So that we may rest from our self effort trying to earn God’s favor and to orchestrate what needs to happen in our own strength to fulfill what we think is best.

My prayer for you and me today is that we will take our eyes off of our to-do list and all the demands that we feel and simply ask God, “What does it look like to trust You today?“ What would it look like to trust You when I feel overwhelmed? What would it look like to trust You in this problematic relationship? What would it look like to trust You for my finances? What would it look like to trust You for my future?

As I ponder these questions and look at the relationship between a “sinful and unbelieving heart,” I realize that nearly all of the sins that we commit are rooted first and foremost in our unbelief. It’s when I do not believe God and take shortcuts in an attempt to make life work through – a white lie, a subtle manipulation, attempts to please people, neglecting my body to work more, pretending I’m something more than I am to impress others or gain their favor… and the list goes on.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).

So let’s trust today with believing hearts and enter His rest.

Keep pressing ahead,
Chip

The Face Shop Inspiring Interview

The Face Shop

When we see inspiring stories of women who have it all, we realise it is possible. With that extra grit and strength (women really have the tenacity within us- see how we queue relentlessly when there is a bargain), we will reach our destination.

The Face Shop is ubiquitous in Singapore and many Asian countries. How was it brought into Singapore from Korea?

Here is an interesting interview, with The Face Shop owners, Ms Doreen Kho Ching Kim & Peggy Kho Ching Ling  when they first start up.

1. Please describe your business.

Our business is made up of a group of young enthusiastic people who wants to offer our customers excellent service and good quality Korean cosmetics to customers at affordable prices. We hope to encourage Singaporeans to be more adventurous with colours for the face and for Singaporeans to have a wider choice of skincare choices formulated from unique natural ingredients.

2. What made you embark on this venture choice?

Personally, I have always been vain at heart and I have a deep passion for cosmetics. I can spend hours at cosmetic counters and experimenting new products. In particular, Korea's cosmetics have caught my attention as they have one of the best technology for skincare development. The ingredients used are also very unique and since Korea has just opened their markets, it is a good opportunity for Singaporeans to finally discover their secret to great skin.

3. How does your business work?

We import our products from Korea and retail them in our outlets located at Bugis Junction and Plaza Singapura. Currently all our shops are self owned as we are apprehensive about franchising too soon.

4. Did you have the capital to start the business or did you have to borrow from someone to get started?

Our partnership includes me, my sister Peggy, my husband Leslie and 2 sleeping partners. Together, we have enough capital to invest into this venture.

5. Do your parents have their own businesses too? Have they inspired you in one way or another?

No, my parents do not own businesses. My mother passed away when my sister and I were young and my father passed away recently, both from illness. Yes, they have inspired us but in a different kind of way. Both our parents fought their illnesses, patiently and silently. When they are in pain, they hide in their rooms to weep and would never let us see their sufferings as they do not want us to feel sad. Seeing their resilent nature in overcoming adversities has made us stronger people. We learnt never to complain no matter how tired we are so that we will not demoralize the people around us. My grandmother and father had come from very poor families. They had worked very hard to make a living. My father had to study at the corridor because they could not afford the electrical bills. But because of that, he was even more determined to succeed so that he could get out of poverty and he did. He had passed on to us his spirit of determination.

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