Individual Assignment 2

Entry 2: Be A Manager

1) What is the objective of this event?

Kampong Fest! hopes to accomplish a lot of objectives. The objective of the event is to relive and revive the Malay culture and traditions. It hopes to bind the different communities together just like old times when people come together to participate in traditional Malay arts. Besides that, it also wishes to evoke the memories where Kuda Kepang, Silat, Tarian, and Zapin were very common during the traditional Malay era. Nowadays, it’s not performed as much as it used to; only at special occasions like weddings and events. Thus, this event is to bring alive the magic and aura that the past generation has experienced and share it with the current newer generation in the hope that it will never be forgotten

2) Who is the target audience?

The target audience for this event is everyone and anyone from all the different races. There is no specific audience for the event as everyone is welcomed.
However, I noticed that most of the people who were present compromises mostly of Malay people from all different ages. There were toddlers, teenagers, young adults, working adults and middle-aged adults.

3) How is the event publicized?

The event is publicized through brochures and through its blogspot:
http://www.malay-village.blogspot.com/
It was also on the event calendar of Uniquely Singapore’s website. I got to know of this event there when I searched for entertainment/cultural events in the website’s search bar.

4) Is the event reported in the media?

No, Kampong Fest! was not featured in the media at all. There were no TV cameras present when the Guest of Honour, Dr Fatimah Lateef was present to start off the event.

i) If yes, how widely is it reported?

Not Applicable

5) Assume you are the manager overseeing the project. Evaluate the success/failure of this event. How would you do it differently for greater success?

On a scale of 10 with 10 being an ultimate success and 1 being an ultimate failure, I would rate this event as a 7. Why? As a manager, I strongly feel that we have reached our target audience and have succeeded in meeting the objectives of this event. However, as we cannot be complacent, I feel that more can be done to make this event an 8 or 9.
I shall now name my reasons why this event was rated a 7.

1) Kampong Fest! had performances all way around the clock right up till the event was finished. Kuda Kepang’s performance took place almost the whole day while other performances like Malay Dance from Ping Yi Secondary had only one chance to perform on stage. The same goes for Zapin and Wicked Aura Batucada.

However, I feel that equal chances should be given to all the performers as they all had amazing talent to show off to the public. I feel that it is not fair for them to come all the way down to perform for only ONE TIME and furthermore, for FREE. The performers are not paid at all for this event.

Furthermore, some of the performances show the evolvement of traditional and modern music, for example Wicked Aura Batucada, which made use of modern drums like the snare and traditional drums like kompang to perform an exquisite blend of African samba music.


2) The stalls that were set up that day did not look complete as I felt they looked messy and unorganized. The “bazaar” consisted of small wooden tables with sellers sitting on white, plastic chairs selling their wares. It does not seem… professional. I then discovered that the sellers need not pay anything for the set-up of their stalls as it was FREE. So, how much does it take for them to come up with a small banner with their stall name on it? I am sure it does not cost much, especially if it is home-made.

As I walked around and surveyed the place, I saw a small table covered in tablecloth with a small water cooler on it. No one would have known that it was actually a stall selling almond milk and promoting its INAI services. Where were the signs advertising their wares? There did not seem to be any. And even if there was, they did not look noticeable enough to the people walking by.

To improve this situation, I would propose that all stalls be given a standard banner which they would then use to indicate clearly the name of the stall and the things they are selling. Even the pasar malams (night market) looks better compared to the “bazaar” in Kampong Fest.

3) I feel that this event should be further publicized on all different types of media- broadcast, radio and print. There should have been advertisements on The Straits Times and Berita Harian, radio (94.2FM preferably) and the television telling people of all ages and races to come down to The Malay Village on 27th December. With this, we could have attracted a higher number of people who could have spent more on the Mini Bazaar and rake in much higher profits.

Overall, I felt that the event was successful as it was entertaining and enjoyable. It was impossible to feel bored as there were many activities to do, watch, and learn. The event managed to entertain and educate at the same time as free admission to the museums were given to everyone and there were fun traditional games to play like Gasing and Congkak. I would recommend another event like this in the future, but with improvisation implemented, of course! :):)

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About the company

Media Biz Advertising is an established and leading media company in Singapore that has a strong focus in print, broadcast and online media. We are a graphic design communication agency who are passionate about what we do.

Having built a good range of clients across various industries, we are very much attuned to our clients' and their branding needs. We are looking for an experienced and motivated individual with project management skills to add to our team of dynamic staff. It’s a great opening for one who is looking to contribute and grow in a small agency environment, loves being in a challenging working environment and enjoys ownership and management of design and creative projects


Account Executive
Job Scope

• Client servicing / pitching
• Brief the graphic designers and others within the company of the clients’ requirements
• Ensure requested artwork and copy revisions are done accurately before presenting to clients
• Preparation of business proposals and presentations
• Co-ordinate with third party vendors such as printers, stock photo libraries, production houses etc to get jobs done
• Proof-reading and double-checking contents of artwork before the drafts are sent to clients and final artwork released for print.
• Assist in developing time paths, job quotations and other relevant correspondences
• Expand customer base and meeting sales targets
• Maintaining, building on relationships with existing partner organizations & developing new relationships
• Maintain existing accounts
• Generate and source for new and potential projects / accounts
  

Requirements

• Diploma / Degree in Business / Marketing
• Minimum of 3 - 4 years' experience in sales / account servicing / business development
• Strong understanding of customer and market dynamics and requirements
• Creativity and ability to think strategically
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation skills
• Able to work with clients and to understand their needs
• A good team player with leadership capabilities
  

If you are a highly motivated, engaging and creative individual
who is business oriented and if you want to
work and excel in a challenging and demanding environment,
we, at Media Biz Advertising
invite you to
join us.

Please forward a detailed CV
with a recent photograph, stating your current and expected salaries, your qualifications and any relevant working experience that you may have to:

Human Resource Manager
Media Biz Advertising
6 Robinson Road, Singapore 626364
Fax: 63798428
Email : HRdept@mediabiz.com.sg

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Individual Assignment 1

Entry 1: The Manager

Name: Mr Safie Bin Hussain
Age: 49 years old
Designation: Field manager of 2nd Chance,
Tanjong Katong Complex, Singapore and First Lady in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Description:
His job responsibilty is to ensure that the stores are run in accordance with the Group's operational procedures and computerisation system within the Group. His new responsibility is to oversee the First Lady store in Johor Bahru.

Mr. Safie has been with the Group for 28 years ever since he started working as a sales staff in 1980. Between 1984 and 1989, he was one of the franchisee of 2nd Chance Men's Store.

However, although he is a busy man and leads a hectic schedule of having to travel to Johor Bahru frequently to meet his boss to discuss the progress of the shop in Singapore, he is a family man who also prioritizes his loved ones and never fails to bring them out on weekends for
"some family bonding."

(Here are the excerpts from our phone interview)

1) Briefly describe your job responsibilities as a manager.

I am basically in charge of the branches in Johor Bahru and Singapore. However, I lean towards the IT aspect of this job; basically configuring computer problems and trouble-shooting them. Whenever a computer needs repair works or has a virus installed, I would be the person the staff would look for. I am also in charge of booking advertisement space for the new products and capturing of the sales.

Besides that, I also have the responsibilty of overlooking the branches in Johor Bahru. Twice a week, I will make my way there and have a meeting with my Boss where we will discuss the overall progress like what is done and what that has not been done yet. My job brings me to places. I am sometimes required to travel to Pasar Larkin, Batu Pahat, Pandan and Petaling Jaya. There, I will then learn how to manage a different set of staff.

2) What is your management style?

Having worked in 2nd Chance close to 29 years, my job almost feels like a routine everyday. I have also faced so many different staff such that my management syle varies from person to person. It is almost imposibble to use the same method for everyone. However, I believe that if a staff does not listen to the management despite being given countless warnings to amend a certain aspect of his character that will/will not benefit the company, I would take action and
carry out a recommendation with my Boss whether we should terminate the staff or not.

I do not believe in carrying out threats or enforcing pay cuts. I feel that this does nothing to help motivate the staff to strive harder for the company. In fact I feel that it encourages them to do the opposite.

( Note: I feel that his management style is more towards 'The Hawthorne Studies.' Mr. Safie realizes the importance of monetary incentives as a way to motivate his staff )

3) What are some of the difficulties you face as a manager?

As what every other manager faces, there are always the occassional cases whereby a staff would not be cooperative with his/her colleagues and would create problems until the management has to be called in.

Also, there are times when I feel that my job is too much to handle and I feel the pressure.

4) How do you overcome these difficulties?

We do not have the time to entertain all these. Either we issue them a warning and tell them to "shape up and buck up" or we have discussion with the Boss on whether we should terminate them. Also, I am aware that every manager will feel pressured at a certain point of their career and it is up to them to find a way to handle the pressure. This is what a manager does.

5) In your opinion, what makes a good manager?

A good manager is one who is responsible in any types of field. Also, a good manager is not calulative on the number of hours put in for the company. He is always there as and when he is needed. Lastly, he should be sincere in whatever he does and do his work with the mission in mind that he is doing this for his company.