Working on accounts today. Keying in the past few days/weeks of sales for all outlets that I've yet to key in. Starting with suntec's. Will be going down to far east ltr to help out our temporary staff (the FT staff is off today). Now it's still early still quiet, he can still handle.

Really envy a few other shops who have really very good staffs who are loyal to the company. We don't only observe our staff, we observe other people's staffs too. Despite how much I wish the staffs of other shops can work for us, but I won't be so mean to go & snatch their staffs. Good staffs who work FOR the company & are loyal to the company are hard to find. Though this batch of staff have been disappointing us time after time but at least they're still the best batch that we've so far. No more "don't come to work without prior notice" anymore. But they really have to buck up la. Need to be more responsible, honest, hardworking and push sales (not any1 in particular). We also don't allowed any1 to play politics in the company. Any1 play politics they'll end up kena backfired as they can never crossed the eyes of my parents' watchful eyes. I've a lot to learn from my parents abt managing staffs. After all they have been in the biz line for half their life. After CNY will be retrenching staffs. If can, we also dun wanna retrench any1. But biz is slow, gotta cut cost so cannot blame us that 1 staff (or maybe even 2 staffs) have gotta to go. We'll observe them esp when they working alone focusing on both performance & attitude at work. Sounds like Big Brother eviction. LOL!

Tmr night got LYL appreciation dinner but can't make it as I've got to be in the shop. 2 staffs are off tmr (their off days suppose to be on thurs but since both christmas eve & new yr eve falls on thurs & we foresee that there'll be pple on these 2 days, we shifted their off day to wed instead & got our china staff who's off day is on wed to OT for 2 wks). If only I can "fen shen" then I can be in both the shop and at the appreciation dinner. LOL! But there's no best of 2 worlds right?

Should get back to work liao.

I wanna wish u a merry christmas fr the bottom of my heart

Didn't spent my this yr's christmas eve & day in the shop. But have been bz at home w the arrival of the new stocks (toughest time working on the new stocks was when the new shoes arrived. it was like O_O). Still have got a bit more work to do with the new stocks b4 bringing them to the outlets. That can wait as we will ONLY be bringing them out to the outlets. This is b'coz there're still some gift vouchers (2pcs out of 6pc) & cash vouchers (200pcs) expiring end of this mth out there somewhere in the public. After which I really have to start working on my accounts again.

It's been superly duperly quiet in the outlets this christmas period. It hasn't been like the past few yrs when the crowd would come in almost non-stop...that at times we dun even have time to go to the toilet/eat. When there's no/lesser crowd, we had to take the opportunity to run to the toilet or to grab a bite. Our sales this christmas have dropped by an average of 35% as compared to last yr. This is really bad. Praying for breakthrough of sales in the new year/CNY.

Have decided that none of our FT staffs will be stationed in just 1 outlet. They'll be transferred ard all outlets (except for suntec as that plc is a dead town. we're going to shift out of there when contract ends. confirmed gurantee chop). So right now we've got to train the only FT staff who hasn't been trained/worked in bugis b4 (our china staff hasn't worked in bugis either but she doesn't need training as she knows v. well how we operate in all outlets. we can just pass her the keys & she'll take it fr there). Anyways, we've already been closing one eye towards them too many times already. Ain't going to be too lenient to them liao. Else they'll take advantage. But also cannot be too strict lah. Must have a BALANCE.

Ok...enough talk abt shop, stocks & staff. My maid joined me for christmas service today. She doesn't have any off days but mum let her follow me to church as it is christmas today. The only thing I'm disappointed is that my friend couldn't make it for service. Sigh... Nvm. At least I've sown a seed in her life & she has already gotten to know peeps in W525. I can still invite her for service or other events any time. :) It's a breakthrough for me already since it's been yrs since I brought a friend for a church/cg event. Sandy Jia Youz!

The christmas drama in church was AWESOME. Both funny and touching. Ok...I admit it...I may be biased. But still...CHC has the BEST drama & creative team ever. Great job put in guys! And of course the other ministries in church. I'm proud to be part of CHC, LYL zone & W525! YEAH! Looking forward to the many many many more greater & glorier years to come in CHC, LYL zone & W525! U guys are awesome man! Thanks for everything!

Personality Type - ISTJ

ISTJ - The "Examiner"

ISTJs are responsible, loyal and hard working. They have an acute sense of right and wrong and work hard at preserving established norms and traditions. Because of their deep sense of duty they are dedicated to everything they do and are very dependable. ISTJs care deeply for those closest to them.

ISTJ Career Matches

ISTJs are often happy with the following jobs which tend to match well with the Examiner/Protector personality.

Accountant
Administrator
Auditor
Computer Programmer
Computer Specialist
Dentist
Detective
Doctor
Electrician
Executive
Financial Officer
Judge
Lawyer/Attorney
Librarian
Manager
Marketer
Math Teacher
Mechanical Engineer
Military Leader
Police
Scientist
Steelworker
Systems Analyst
Technical Specialist
Technician

Last few weeks of 2009

Another week has passed by just like that. The crowd still not here. A few days ago I heard that a survey this year shows that this year 91% of people have YET to start their christmas shopping and only 8% have completed their christmas shopping. It's almost christmas yet more than 90% have not done their christmas shopping? Why's that? The economy? I thought it is already picking up but it doesn't so in the retail sector. Whatever it is...just "keep on walking, keep on walking....keep on walking". Praying for breakthrough of sales.

1 of our FT staff doesn't seem to be able to work with anyone else. She doesn't even seem to put in the effort. I see teamwork among the rest but not her though others did try to work with her. She behave as if others step into her territory. VERY CHILDISH! If she still can't work with the others, she won't last long in the company (I've a feeling she'll be the 1 who is retrenched mar next yr). Teamwork is so impt in the retail industry lo (in fact all industry). In this 1 mth, EVERY single of them (I'm tokking abt full-timers) have gotten scolded for various reasons. These staffs ah...dun wanna scold them also cannot. Some time "ren" them until cannot take it man. Staffs are really difficult to manage. God, give me wisdom on how to manage them!

Our shoes are moving...but moving really slow. Only sold abt 5% of our total shoes stocks we've on hand. A lot more to go. Though it's moving slowly, it does help increase our sales in a way. Praying that everyday we'll be able to sell AT LEAST 5 shoes. It's almost the end of the year which also means end of school holidays. As such, we're currently focusing more on our bags for this is the period when students will be looking around to purchase new school bags for the new term. Tomorrow another batch of new stocks will be coming in. Been working on stocks these past weeks that my accounts is piling up. Yet to start on them. Only managed to organise them into the file. Haiz.

Ever since I got started in this retail biz, hadn't had the chance to socialise much. Feels like my life is surrounded between just business and church. I only get to keep in contact with friends via msn and facebook. The only time I really got to socialise this yr was when I attended my uni's alumni gathering early this mth. Got to meet a number of other new peeps from my uni of different age group then.

Met up with my poly mate after service on sun & brought her along to join our cg bbq at our appreciation. I am really glad she joined us and had a good time. All these years have been trying to get my friends to join me at svc, cg and/or church events but always got turned down. It gets really discouraging that at times dun feel like reaching out. But the times that we don't feel like doing sthg are the times we SHOULD actually go and get that thg done. "For the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak". Gotta crucify the flesh. For those friends who did join me b4, a few mths/yrs down the road they're now integrated into another church/cg. To think of it, at least I've sown a seed in their life & they're now serving God as well. =) Really happy and proud of one of those friends when she graduated from SOT this yr. All the way man! I'm aiming to go SOT too. 2010 intake a bit tough as during that period of time we foresee a lot of things to do as that happens to be the time we close suntec and shift out. So I'm aiming & praying to go for 2011 intake. Praying for open doors from my parents. 1 of my goal for nxt yr is to get San Street well known in Singapore by the end of 2010. Jia youz! Okok...got side tracked. Back to main topic. Not going to give up no matter how many I get turned down. YEAH! Tmr will be meeting up with another 1 of my poly mate for coffee. She's attending another church. Haven't met up with her for years. A time for us to catch up and for me to take a short short break.

Ok...better go to bed...feeling REAL tired of late.

Short entry

Many more busy days to come. So many stocks at home to clear. Both new and old. Esp headache with the old stocks. At least managed to clear some stocks at flea market after svc on sun. Still have a lot more to clear. Going to put up the new stocks in the outlets to sell until after CNY. After which will do warehouse sales in all outlets to clear all old stocks (esp since after CNY is the quiet period and there's the only way to boost days to come). After which can start closing suntec liao. That's the plan la.

Been feeling tired and giddy these few days. And also quite a number of times of nose bleeding. Think not enough rest and not enough water. Got to rest more and drink more water liao le. Thus far have sold close to 40pairs of shoes since we displayed them up to sell 2 weeks ago (most of them are sold in far east). Not bad. Our target is to sell at least 1-2 pair of shoes a day in each outlet. Can be done if the staffs do their best to push. For some reason which I'm not revealing here, we're separating a few staffs by not allowing them to work with each other in the same outlet & allocated them to other outlets for a period of time. Cannot let them do whatever they want or else they'll step over your head & it'll be hard to control them. Must be wise in managing them liao. Going to observe all of them in the while and see who is the unlucky one with the worse attitude and/or sales to be retrenched.

Ok lah...got to get back to work liao. Blog another day.

Giddy-ish days

Feeling giddy-ish these few days. Head spinning (on & off). Tired! Body aching. I need more iron. My blood pressure gets rather low almost every mth. Maybe also not enuff rest. So many stocks (old stocks & new stocks everywhere) but still not much crowd. Too many malls in Singapore already lah...pple all spread out now. Went to the outlets with mum to get some furnitures shifted from home to suntec and bugis. Then went with mum to the doctor to get some med and go get some other stuffs b4 heading back home. Was feeling tired and giddy so had a nap. Feeling better now. Think will sleep earlier tonight.

Bosses of neighbouring shops & some friends (who acted as customers to test our staffs) commented to us that a couple of our staffs ...cannot make it. When pple are looking ard in the shop for quite some time, they dun notice/are too engrossed doing their stuff/just dun bother. They also say that our products can sell is b'coz of our products. If our staffs take effort to push, our sales can be even more. They work as if to just kill time & get pay only. I don't call standing there looking at customers and talking among themselves as serving customers. Do you? If we say anything to them, they will give us either zero sales or really really really poor sales. Worse they can walk out on us. Experience that b4! Now (with christmas, new year, and cny approaching) is not the time to lose any staffs. Might as well keep quiet & tahan them until after cny. But DEFINITELY will take note. We already are aware who're the ones who "bo chap" and who are the ones who really want the job.

We've decided to extend the contract of our china staff (but it also depends if she wants to stay on with us. a high chance she'll). After march of nxt yr, we'll cut down to only 2-3 staffs (that's including our china staff). That will mean the staff (or maybe even 2 staffs) with poor sales and poor working attitude have got to go. Teamwork is also impt. Not just within the outlet but with all staffs in all outlets. They should work with one another & help one another to hit individual targets so that it'll be easier for them to hit team target as well (they get more commission in this way). Laziness is another thing we don't like. Also they may think we dunno but we know that there's even bullying going on. That's e.gs of bad working attitude. And those with theses attitude will have to go. Will be joining in the flea market at expo after svc this sunday to clear some stocks. Anyways, I hinted to a staff abt this plan we've for nxt yr & I think she told another staff abt it (these 2 staffs are rather close) as we see both of more active today. Shall continue to observe ALL of them esp when they are working alone in the shop. Though we already know who is the one most likely to go, we shall double confirmed it & have everything settled after march.

Busy month (updated)

Past few days (since saturday) have been busy with the shoe stocks. All shoe designs are now out in outlets. From what I know Far east has sold a total of 7 pairs (maybe more). But yet to sell any in Suntec and Bugis. Took us many trips to deliver the shoe stocks to each outlet. Our shoes are all handmade designer shoes made of leather/leather w fabric / pu / pu w fabric. (For those who dunno what is pu, pu is a better quality pvc, some people called it synthenic leather). All shoes come with leather in-sole and can be made-to-order if requested. We just ordered ladies shoes too. Nice and elegant. I got them to customise a few designs in my size (coz their smallest size doesn't fit me). Those will come much later.

Almost Christmas soon. But the christmas crowd is not here yet. The crowd during this period in the past years were so many that at times we don't even have time to eat/go to the toilet. Got a lot of new stocks....but we've yet to stock check them and bring to the shop. Going to be a busy mth. So tired!

Won't be going to svc this week. Got to work in shop coz 2 staffs are on leave. Talking abt staffs. We're really disappointed in almost all of them. Except for our china staff. She really really really do her best to push sales (can tell coz we see her talk and talk to customers, befriend them and even recommend other colours or designs to customer when anything is out of size. she has a lot of repeat customer who will come back to find her and buy things from her). But english is bit of a problem for us but she still try with a lil hand gestures here and there. Even I'm her boss, I'm also still learning from her. And I think the other staffs should observe and learn from her too. We can't stand it when staffs just keep talking and talking even when they know that there're customers in the shop. They know but they just don't go and serve. Sales can be better if they really serve the customers. Also the way they serve customers. Stand so far & just look at them. When customer want something than only they approach. It makes us think that they have the "want to buy; don't want than forget it. don't waste my effort to serve you" kinda attitude. Come on lo. Some pple can turn ard and buy if u just know what to say. SOMETIMES I feel that it will be so much better to cut down to just one shop (far east). Just employ just one staff to work or maybe work by myself (just like aunty sandy next door). so happy-go-lucky. No need to worry abt staffs problems & no need to pay salary. Don't have to depend on anyone. If that is the case, they will ALL lose their job lo. We may extend our china staff's contract but it is also up to her if she wants to stay on. We asked her to think abt it & let us know b4 the govt letter comes.

During this busy period fr nw till cny, I pray for strength and good night rest, that we'll have a breakthrough of sales, and that all in san street will walk together in one vision. Really hope that I can still go for cg and svc. Usually during this period I'll have to miss a few weeks of cg & svc coz of the peak crowd & my parents want me to be in the shop to help out so as to cut down on part-time staff costs. I haven't even touch my accounts for almost 1 and a 1/2 mths. No time to do so...busy with stocks only!

This week is going to be a busy week. Yesterday our latest arrvial of new stocks consisting of shoes, jeans and tees just arrived. Almost 80 cartons in total. Yesterday morning had staff problems coz a staff on impulse said she wanted to quit. Somemore peak season is creeping up soon. I wouldn't want to go into it. Anyways, last night while I was at CG, mum went to talk to her & at last she decided to stay (we actually prepared her salary in case she really wanna leave). So now staff problem settled! Was actually praying abt this with Jess in CG and tata...it's settled. PTL!

Today was unpacking the new stocks for the whole day. Tired! We're going to reject some of the jeans as most designs we're only given us a few pcs which are somemore in broken sizes. How to sell? Tees to us are NICE. Hopefully it will go fast. Shoes we have yet to do the stock check. More than 1000 pairs of shoes (but less than 2000). Only managed to unpack 4/5 of the shoes. Still have some not yet unpacked. Our house now looks like a shoe factory (dad's words) with the shoes boxes everywhere. Tomorrow and sunday (got to rush back after service) going to work on the stocks again. Got to get them ready all price tagged and everything by monday morning as the shoe display will be brought into the shop on monday. It wouldn't be nice if we have an empty display in the shop. So got to work work work work work on it. On stocks coming soon after this batch - from another supplier. Jia youz!!!!

Today's public holiday - Hari Raya Haji. Those working in the outlet today are all full-timers (1 of them is temporary...working till feb/mar only). We thought that since we've enough full-time staffs, we might as well cut down our part-time staff cost for a little while. When the crowd start coming in then we can get the part-timers to come back. These few days there will be 2 staffs in far east plaza, 2 in bugis iluma, 1 in suntec. But it seems today that the busiest outlet is suntec and we've only 1 person there. Most of the time suntec sales horrible until dunno wat to say. But today....*shrugs* But still...the things there are mostly sales items that we don't really earn anything from. Far east and iluma today got pple but not that many. Okok only. Why pple this year don't seem to be buying christmas presents? December sales should pick up I think. SAN STREET babies (one of my previous staff used to call themselves that) jia you!!!!

Unproductive week

It has been a very unproductive week for me this wk coz I was not feeling well for the past few days. It all started on monday when I keep having the runs & had to go the toilet 5-6 times a day. It continued for a few days. Since wednesday I had a running tap for a nose, cough & aching body. Only got better yesterday. As such didn't managed to get much things done though I was still running abt and working in the shop as usual. Didn't go for cg on thursday. :( Rest at home instead.

Next wk more new stocks will be coming (mostly shoes). There are 78 boxes in total. Nearly 80 boxes. *Faints* Where am I supposed to store them in my house? Now my house is really becoming a warehouse. Also next week the 1st phase of our renovation in far east will be taking place. 2nd phase will be sometime next yr. After that we might have a mini
"shop warming". See how it goes.

Haven't had enough rest lately. My mind is always thinking abt 1 thing or another relating to the shops. I should really learn to relax & get into the habit of sleeping early waking early. And of course be more discipline in my bible reading & prayer time. It's abt 2am now...if I don't get to bed soon, tmr I won't be able to wake up in time for service.

Anyways, got back home slightly after midnite. Went to catch 2012 with my parents at vivo gvmax. Full house today. So many people in vivo and harbourfront....that even the parking in both vivo and harbourfront were full...we had to park opposite where the food centre is. 2012 is nice and it is only the 2nd movie that I've caught so far this yr (1st one was "where got ghost?" also with my parents). I don't get to go to the movies much ever since I started this business.

We were really angry with 2 of our staffs today. We don't pay staffs to sit down, to whatever they like & ignore customers who walk in. Anybody who work like this no matter in which company will have long been sacked! We've already been very patient with them already and they try to take advantage. I don't think any shops out actually allow friends, siblings or bf/gf to work together in the same outlet (same company maybe still possible). Let them work together still take advantage. IF our company at any point need to retrench any staffs, they will definitely be the first to go. They better wake up their idea or else they should know what will happen.... If they only think for themselves (only look forward to pay day) & never put themselves in the shoes of the company (walk in the same vision as the company), how can they work long in the company, let alone grow in the company & have the chance of being promoted. If end up the company have to close down, they will also lose their job. Did they ever think of that? Thank God not all staffs are like that.

One of our temporary staff will be coming back to help us. He'll be working full-time until end of March nxt yr since he's waiting for 'O' lvl result and would like to earn some pocket money in the mean time(he's actually 1 of our member-turned-friend-turned-staff). He used to help us full time too during the sch hols late last yr & early this yr. He's one of the few staffs who we are certain have the potential to work long with us but most probably when he goes to poly he will change back to part time.

18th November 2009

Not feeling well today. Nose has been running since this morning. Can't smell anything as nose is blocked. Feeling hot & cold at the same time. Body aching too. =( But still have to work. Hopefully will be better & can go for cg tomorrow.

Later got to go Iluma to close shop. Iluma staff is off today (she's got 2 days off a week while the rest only 1 day as she works longer hrs each day). Whenever Iluma staff is off, another staff goes over to take over. But since the other staff works shorter hrs, she usually comes in later & I cover the extra few hrs (today she switch timing with me so I'll be going in later to close shop). The reason we're NOT getting her to work full day as 1stly it'll be too tiring for her & 2ndly we wanna save down on our cost (OT pay being one of them). Whatever we can cut, we try to cut.

Old stocks are currently giving me a big headache. They are piling up as new stocks come in. But some pple tell me that those old stocks to us are old stocks but to those who haven't seen them before they're actually new stocks. True also. But still...can't let them keep piling up like that. Must think of some way to clear them.

I'm thinking of participating in the chc christmas sponsorship. But my parents don't want to do it as they afraid it'll not work after all the advertisement/sponsorship that we have been doing and yet we don't see any result. These days dad has been nagging a lot whenever he has to sign cheques to pay supplier for stocks, etc etc. Mum say if I wanna participate in the sponsorship I'll have to come out with my own money coz dad will definitely not come out with the money to do so. I'm still considering which package to take up.

Mum wants to have our far east plaza outlet renovated coz according to the fengshui master (whom she gotten to come down to the shop see the fengshui of the shop) our shop location fengshui is no good & he advised us to change the location of our entrance & the signboard. Mum said she already spent so much to get the fengshui master to come down to see the shop, how can don't do the renovation. Another reason for the renovation is also to make space for our shoes that are coming in soon. So the renovation is not completely to do with fengshui.

We've decided NOT to take up suntec's offer. Think they want us to shift out of our current unit so that they can break down the wall dividing the circular unit we're in & rent out the whole circular unit (we took only 1/2 the circular unit) which is much easier then finding some1 to rent the back 1/2 of the unit. If not, why they can reduce rental (at least $1k) for the other shops but yet they just refuse to reduce the rental for us. Till date the other unit that suntec is offering us has changed hands (tenant i mean) for God knows how many times in these past 3 yrs. Moreover the unit is so small...what can we possibly hang? Not worth it to shift to that unit la. Still have spend money on the renovation. How many times renovation must we do in suntec?Think after the contract in suntec ends, we'll just leave.

We're considering taking a unit in the new Clementi Mall. Not only is Clementi near my place, it's near an MRT station, bus interchange & some schools, ite, poly and unis. Think that place may turn out quite good. Today's newspaper mentioned that the mall will be opening in early half of 2011. That's when our iluma contract ends. Still considering.

Ok...that's it for today. Phew...realised that this post is actually quite long. My head's spinning yet I did such a long post. Was just let it all out. Been thinking too much already. My mind hasn't been fully at rest. Must learn to relax. Aiyo...my nose is feeling like a tap flowing non-stop. Think I haven't had enough rest. Been running aroud lately. Busy with stocks (peak period coming). Have cleared 1 pile of accounts. Another pile still not done. Arrrgggghhhh... Headache sia. Rest for a while 1st then head down to Iluma.

It's been a week since I got back from Taiwan already. Been busy for the last few days but can't remember what have I been busy with. Was working in the shop on tuesday, yesterday morning and this morning.

Today met up with our new supplier (the one who supplied us the new shirts and jeans and also new shoes that are coming) as he's in Singapore for only a day. He flies in and out of Singapore every month. He says he & his partner can source, design, manufacture & supply products to us according to what to we want. And if we want to both he & his partner can work for us to help build our name. If so, he'll stop supplying to his other customers in Singapore & juz concentrate on us & his business overseas. But we've to pay him...something like his salary (that's on top of all the cost for bringing the new products). It sounds good. But it's a really big step of faith esp when now we're still not making any money. Should we go ahead with it? ........

Sales this month so far is worse than sales last month. I wonder why. It's only 43 more days to Christmas. Yet where is the shopping crowd? It wasn't like this last yr. Sianz u know like this. Another of our PT (who worked for us during the peak period end of last yr & early this yr)contacted me to find out when he can come back to work after his 'O' level is over. But with crowd like this we don't need another staff sitting in the shop. When is the crowd coming in? Singapore being juz a red dot on the world map have so many shopping malls. So many that end up people get spread out everythere. So many malls we can't afford to get into all the malls to capture the crowd what. Even if we want to be in the good malls (such as jurong point, tampines mall, plaza singapura) it's so hard to get in coz they're very strict on their selection of tenants. Haiz.

I shall blog another time. Got to get ready to leave for CG.

Taiwan (Updated on 8th Nov 09)

Got back from Taiwan on thursday juz b4 midnight. Dad picked us up from the airport & we went to the a 24hr indian food place near our place for some prata and teh tarik.

Most of the time in Taiwan we were busy in Romantic Life (a bridal company) with my sis & Niall who went there for their wedding photoshoot.

Day 1 (1st Nov): Left Singapore on sunday afternoon. Was at the airport at ard 10...11am to meet up with sis & Niall who just arrived back in Singapore from their KL trip (they went over the day b4 for a friend's wedding). Arrived in Taiwan at night. Checked into Yo Chun hotel, rested for a while then headed to Shilin night market to walk around & have some food. We had oyster egg (which is better than those in Singapore. They've more oysters and veg and less flour), smelly tofu, silky beancurd with pearls, sausage in a sausage (which is a piece of taiwan sausage in a glutinous rice shaped like a sausage) and bittergourd juice (it's not even bitter). Oh yeah...we also saw a lot of lil yorkshires (exactly like yogi when he was small). They're so small size lo & so kawaiiiiiii! Feel like carrying a female yorkshire home. But it's difficult to import back as there're a lot of paperwork & procedure to be done. Also not forgetting if we carry a female yorkshire back home, yoko will get jealous & beat her up (yoko is like double yogi's size as she's NOT a miniature but a mini that means she's triple the puppy's size).

Day 2: Went to Taipei 101 & New York New York dept store to walk around. Bought myself a lime green laptop sleeve/bag for my new lime green dell laptop. Match really well. =D Went to the 85th floor of Taipei 101 for lunch. Good scenery, good food and superb service! After which we headed to Romantic Life to help select gowns and suits for sis & Niall's wedding photoshoot. That took the whole day. Went for dinner after that at a pasta pizza place my sis's friend recommended to us (she & another of their friend were in Taiwan too).

Day 3: Woke up early, mum and I accompanied sis & Niall to Romantic Life to get their makeup and hairstyle done up for the photoshoot. After their makeup and hairstyle are done, mum & I headed back to hotel (which is just 10mins walk away) to rest before going to Ximending & Wu Feng Pu to walk around. Bought some new stocks to try selling in our suntec shop. Went back to hotel to rest & wait for sis to call. Walked to Romantic Life at 7+pm to meet up with sis and Niall and headed to have dinner at a nearby Dan Dan Mian shop which have this Japanese feel to it (at first we thought it was a Japanese shop). The photoshoot including the makeup & hairstyle took them about 12hours (8am to 8pm). They were shack after that.

Day 4: Went for the Northest Coast Tour in the morning. Lasted about 4hrs. Had lunch then headed to Romantic Life to help sis & Niall select the photos of the wedding photoshoot they had yesterday. The photos turn out quite good. Sis don't want us to upload any of the photos as she don't want people to have a preview of the photos before the actual wedding day (which is on 20th March 2010). So I won't review anything. It's just different from we usually see of wedding couples taken in Sin.

Day 5: Check out of hotel in the morning. Went for Taipei City tour in the morning which lasted 3++hrs, had lunch then headed to Romantic Life (yes...AGAIN!) to have some things settled. Then back to hotel where we were picked up to the airport.

That's my 5D4N of Taiwan in a nutshell. Schedule was rather tight so didn't get to visit many other places I heard/read about in the Taipei travel books. Got to go back again one day. Anyways, the staffs at Romantic Life keep telling me to go back to them when it's my turn. Mum told them in 2 yrs time. LOL! Not so soon la. But I think even if I were to have my wedding photoshoot. It wouldn't be in Taiwan. Already know what to expect. Also it's only those few places. Maybe Korea or Japan? But it's going to be ex definitely. Ha. I'm just dreaming for now. My "bai ma wang zi" have yet to appear.

Right now back to Singapore = back to reality = back to work. I didn't tell any of my staffs that I'll be going overseas. Once bitten twice shy...after what happen when we were away in Koh Samui. I just told them I'm not free and won't be coming to the shop, get a couple of them to OT to cover the days I'm supposed to work in the shop. Thank God nothing big happen during the time I'm away. 2 out of 4 of our FT are friends in my facebook account (our weekend PT who used to work FT for us is the bf of 1 of our FT). If they read my blog, they'll know sooner or later. But it's okay la, at least this batch of staff is quite settled. Don't give me big problems like the others in the past. Only thing is that I feel that their sales is not up to standard; need more improvement.

Anyways, other than the new stocks we got from Taiwan, my cousin also bought us some new stocks to try sellling. All these new stocks are ladies clothings. The competition for ladies clothings in Singapore is really high. We bring them in juz to test the market. Not much stock. Just a few designs. 1pc each...those we think can sell also only have 2pc. Very limited stock. Our new shoes are also coming in soon. Hopefully all these new stocks will sell well. With all these new stocks coming in, I'll have more work to do again. And more accounting to be done is piling up.

Been quite busy this week. Can't really remember what I did. It has to do with work and sis & niall's wedding prepartion. This week I worked on 3 days. But 2 out of 3 days, I only went down to open shop and left after staff reported for work. That's basically my schedule in the shop now.

For my birthday these past 2 years, I've been working in the shop on the actual day. This yr I opened bugis shop in the morning, left after staff reported for work. Went to settle some things at our auditor's office then run ard w parents, sis & niall. That night went over to Raffles Hotel for my sis and niall's wedding banquent's food tasting session with parents, sis, niall, and cousins. It was a very filling dinner.

Today did stock take of the new stocks that arrived a few days again (they are mostly bags). After which went for JW service then rushed back right after service to deliver the new bags and to pay staffs as today is the last day of the month = pay day. Only managed to deliver the new bags to far east (coz there was too many and cannot fit all the bags that are for both far east and bugis into the car in just one trip. So just delivered stocks and transferred the data to the computer in far east then went to bugis and suntec to pay staffs. Tmr early morning will deliver the new bags to bugis before heading to the airport for our flight to Taiwan. Going to Taiwan for 5 days. Sis and Niall going over there for their wedding photoshoot. Mum & I won't be joining them for photoshoot. Most probably will go shopping around / do some market research on taiwan fashion. Wonder if I can find anything good to sell in the outlets.

My family have been saying that I dun know how to prioritise and that I shouldn't put church above biz. They say that religion should never be no. 1 in a person's life so it's okay to miss church for the sake of biz. But I disagree...Matt 6:33 says "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Also christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship with God. They also wanted been trying to matchmake me. But I don't want. They say that I'm too restrictive that's why I cannot find a boyfriend (they say I shouldn't restrict my future bf/husband to be juz christians...as long as he's a good man any religion doesn't matter). NOPE! For me, 'him being a christian' is a no. 1 in my kinda guy.

25th October 2009

Today is 25th October 2009. 11 yrs ago today was the first time I stepped into City Harvest Church. It was 3 days b4 my 16th birthday. I was invited by my sec sch classmate for bbq at east coast back after sunday church service. If I didn't remember wrongly, service then was at 3pm. We were then located at the old hollywood theatre at paya laber there. That day they even celebrated my birthday. That's why I remember it so clearly. For the past 11yrs until now, I've been under 7 CGLs (Jairus - Ben - Earl - Bee Leng - Winnie - Zhipeng - YiLun). The longest was with Bee Leng. And my very first ministry was Attributes where I've served for abt 8 yrs...up until last yr. I remember when we were at hollywood theatre we had to set up our booktable. Indeed we've grown from glory to glory. To 11 more greater years in Christ.

My parents are back from London together with my elder sis and future bro-in-law, Niall. Since I won't be in the shop much and will be working from home, I'll now have more time to spare. Now will only have to be in the shop for 1 week unless any staff take last min mc/leave. For the past week, I've been spending hrs working on my accounts esp when it debit-credit doesn't balance. I guess for this week, other than work, I'll be out with mum, elder sis and Niall shopping looking around for things for my elder sis and Niall's wedding. The 4 bridemaids (my elder sis's 2 friends, my younger sis and I) will be in cheongsum in the day & bridemaids gown at night. Since Niall's family is a catholic, there'll be a church wedding in the morning, lunch and a dinner banquet for separate guests (we're having both lunch and dinner banquent coz the hotel we booked, raffles hotel, is not able to cater to that many tables and also other hotels are already fully booked).

Sales has picked up slightly. I think it should do better than month.

Another week has gone by. Only 2 & a 1/2 mths left to end of the yr. Let's end this yr with a BIG bang! The retail peak season should be coming up real soon. Really can't wait for the crowd to start coming in. Still remember what's the crowd like 1-2 weeks b4 the 1st day of this yr's CNY. It was shiok to see people keep coming in though at times no time to go toilet/eat. LOL! It's really boring when there's nothing to do in the shop. Even if we read mags/books/newspapers, we also won't be able to read for the whole day. Our staffs are given lee-way, they can do whatever they like as long as they take note of customers coming in the shop, they have to stop what they are doing & serve them. Only thing we dun allow in the shop are dvd players & laptops (coz last time a couple of staff took advantage of this privilege we gave them & ended up not serving customers resulting in a drop of sales). I know of some shops dun even allow staffs to sit let alone do other things on the shop floor even when there's no customers in the shop. I still remember having to stand at the entrance of the shop to fold clothes & greet every customers who walks in loud enough for the staffs inside to hear. I also remember than I was told if working time is for e.g. 11.30am then 11.15am is considered on time, 11.30am late, 11.45am is extremely late. That was when I was having my poly attachment in...(I won't review what shop it is).

Anyways, as I've blogged previously, our contract in suntec will end in march nxt yr. Dad got a call from suntec recently offering us another unit (a smaller one that is nearer the cinema side) at about 1/2 the rental that we are currently paying. We are not sure whether to take up the offer or not as our faith in suntec have weavered after spending almost 3 years there & yet not seeing any result. Gotta really pray abt it 1st. Dun wanna do anything that's my will BUT not the will of God. Sales in Iluma hasn't been good either. The reason behind the poor sales could only be the 'crowd', the staff, or both. Whatever it is we'll wait till 1mth after the peak period to see how it goes. If sales is still not good, we'll look for a tentant to take over the shop there. If that happens we'll have to cut down on the number of staffs we've. I won't be commenting on any staffs right now. However I do see potential in 1 of our staff as a long time staff / assistant of mine. We'll see if this is the case. Previously we thought we finally found a gd long term staff but as a saying goes "u only see if a person is loyal or not only when sthg happens".

Lately I've been busy with the packing, tagging and delivering of new stocks to the outlets. Backend job is much more tiring than the frontend job. Been having backache and stiff shoulders. Currently, all the new stocks are already in the outlets. So it's a break for now from stocks. More new stocks will be coming in around nov/dec in time for the christmas period. But for now I've to work on my accounts, I still have tons that is yet to be done. Haiz. Going to get myself busy with it the next few days.

My parents have gone to London since Fri morning to attend my younger sis's BSc graduation (she got 1st honours for her BSc. Congrats May! Well done!). She has got another 2 more yrs to go in London to complete her medical degree. I was supposed to go to London together with them. But as elder sis & future bro-in-law will be going to Taiwan for their wedding photoshoot with mum & I tagging along (we won't be going to join them at the photoshoot but will be there to check out Taiwan's fashion). As I couldn't afford to be away from the outlets for too long a period of time (15days to be exact), I had to choose between London and Taiwan. I chose Taiwan instead since I haven't been there b4 and also coz I really wanna check out the fashion there. So right now I'm home alone. Well not exactly home alone when I still have 1 golden retriever, 2 yorkies & our maid with me. But these few days is sure going to be quiet at home.

Busy with new stocks

Been busy these past few days with the new products from the new suppliers. Was price tagging and packing the new products since thursday till today. Yesterday entered the product codes into the system in the shops and also delivered some stocks over at the same time. Got back home at around 11++pm after tabao-ing supper back home with mum as was feeling hungry. Today did more tagging of stocks and again delivered stocks to each outlets. Got back home at ard 10pm. Our other new products like shoes, bags, tees and jeans have yet to arrived. Will ony arrive some time in Nov/Dec, in time for the christmas period. Praying that the new products will be well-received in the market.

Our new supplier will also be our purchaser. He'll go ard sourcing products for us, show us some samples that he thinks is nice and if we like the product we can make the orders thru' him. So now he's our supplier-cum-purchaser. Ha. Is there such a position? Younger than me (only 24) but very entrepreneurial. I've a lot to learn from him. Indeed do not despise your youth.

Our new girl has already undergone 4 days of training. According to our malay girl who's training her in our far east outlet, she's trying to learn fast. Though still a bit blur with the stock location and a bit scared of using the cashier as she has never used the kinda cash register system that we are using (a lot of other shops are using the normal cash register where u juz key in the price. but we're using barcode cash register system that tracks whatever is sold in the outlet).

Apparently this new girl used to work in the shop just next to our shop in iluma selling jeans and some ladies clothings but I don't remember seeing her (that shop has already shifted out of iluma as someone else has taken over at the start of this month). She'll train in far east for 2 weeks b4 heading down to iluma for a few days. As we already have staffs allocated in each outlet, she's an 'extra' staff as such she'll be running ard outlets basically just far east and iluma (she won't be going to suntec coz there is no crowd there & it's a waste of money to pay staff to sit down there). Between far east and iluma, she'll located more in far east as that is our main outlet. She will only be in iluma for 2 days on the days that our girl allocated in iluma is off.

Today marks the last day of september. 3 more months & it is the end of 2009. How time flies eh? Been feeling stressed of late coz this month's sales really depressing. Only 2 words to decribe...."Jia lat". Whatever it is, it is in God's hands. Going to do my best, PRAY, and trust Him for the rest.

Currently it's the "wait and see" period for us. We'll wait till after CNY before we decide what to do next. But for certain suntec will close when contract ends next march (which is also shortly after CNY). That's when the contract of my staff from china (who's allocated in suntec) also ends. So just nice when she goes back suntec contract ends. That will mean another 6 more months of "wait and see" period.

We cannot rely our business on our franchiser for products already. We've losing so much for the past few years instead we're helping them (our principal) to earn more money & help promote their brands in Singapore. Contrary to our business here, business at their side been good. It's been very obvious. Our earlier batch of members have disappeared. Think they have gone to their side to buy instead. Some people who know the brands we carry commented that our prices cost more. But it's just a slight difference to cover up for the GST and transport that we have to pay just to bring the stocks in. Some people understand when we say this to them but others don't. Nothing we can do. Whatsmore, we're NOT the ones who set the price of our products, our principal did. We wanted to change the price, they didn't allow us to. The most we can do is to give discounts. But we can't give a lot. Other shops out there are afford to give a lot of discounts (like 60% or 70%) as their price markup (margin) is high but we can't. Our profit margin is very low. A lot of our current sales items are selling below our cost price. Lose money also have to do so or else how clear them? My house will just pile up with stocks if we don't clear the old stocks and new stocks keep coming in.

A friend (a boss of another shop in queensway) ask me why don't we go make and bring in our own products. Easier said than done! In order to do so, we'll need to bring in stocks in big quantity (like 100pcs of stocks per design). No factory will manufacture for you in small quantity. Now we only have max 3 to 5 pcs of stocks per size that's about 20 plus to 40 plus per design depending on how many colours and size that design have. Our stocks are limited but already we've the problem of stocks getting stuck. In order to clear them we have got to reduce price. What would happen when we have 100s of stocks of just one design. We got to think about this.

Hopefully the new products that we are bringing in from another supplier will sell well. There are a couple of unisex jeans, shirts, shoes and bags. At least this supplier not only allow us to bring in small quantities in stock then replenish when there's a need to, he can customise for us and also allow us to put our own on brand on the products. His jeans and shirts he is selling can be found in other shops in Singapore too (but most of those we bringing in are of different designs from the other shops). As for his shoes and bags, he will only sell it to us. He only wants to work with us for shoes and bags.

This week I'm working almost every weekday coz 2 of my staffs got things to attend to and had to change their off day. One of them changed with another staff & another changed with me. So instead working 2 days a week, I'm working 4 days. That means can't go for cg this week. Monday I was in far east, today in bugis, tomorrow in far east and friday in suntec. Next week I'll only be working 1 day but there will be a new girl so most probably coming down to see how she's doing though I'm not going to personally train her.

Recently a few shops in far east and iluma have closed and shifted out. 77th Street on our level in far east have closed. Not sure if it shifted out or it is closed for renovation. But the signboard is gone. But they still have the other 2 outlets here on level 1 and level 3. The shop beside 77th Street has also closed. In iluma the shop next door has shifted out. Heard from another neighbour that they found someone to take over. Some F&B outlets have also closed and shifted out.

Been spending a lot this month (new laptop, music cds, top up of cashcard etc). Dad's also complaining that my handphone bill is high. =P Must cut down expenditure. Arise and Build coming up end of next month. But my parents doesn't like me "donating to church on instalment basis". Got scolded by them big time when they found out previously (they know how much we have in our bank accounts as they keep our bank passbooks and update them once in a while). They said that if I do so again I can forget about going to church totally. Have promised them that I won't do it again. Think this time I'll only do a one time. Can't break my promise to them right? As pastor preached last weekend, "your word is your bond".

Was in suntec outlet today as my china staff who's allocated there is off. As usual it's really quiet in suntec. Level 3 is always like that. Wonder why.

I just gotten a new mini laptop and new mobile. Have been looking for a mini laptop for some time as it will much easier to carry around for work instead of lugging a heavy laptop around. Also I've a slight problem with my current laptop. It is still usable but it auto shutdown itself esp when I'm playing a video. Yilun had a lobang for a dell mini at a pretty good rate, so I've gotten it. Thanks Yilun! :) Save quite a sum of money on it actually. As for my mobile, it died on me. Sent it to Nokia Care Centre for repairs but was told that it is beyond economical repairs. My parents said that I can either choose a mobile/laptop as a birthday present. Since I've already paid for the laptop, my parents blessed me with the new mobile - Nokia N86. Yeah! So right now I've a new mobile and a new laptop! PTL! =D

Some new stocks have arrived but yet to bring into the outlets. More will be coming soon. We are also going to bring in shoes and bags also from another supplier. Hopefully sales will improve with the addition of these new products. Hari Raya is over. With Christmas and CNY slowly approaching, biz should pick up. This mth's sales is bad. Hopefully sales will improve in Oct. Nxt mth there will be a new girl joining our small group of sales staffs. She applied with us 2mths earlier but we didn't need any staffs then and told her that if she can wait she can start in Oct. And apparently she can. One of my previous staffs message me to ask if he can come back to work us but I dun think so. This is the SECOND time he left us. Main reason is coz of his attitude and we've already given him chances and chances yet he never cherished it. He has worked for a few places after leaving us and still is having problems staying in a job. He never seems to be able to stay in a job for longer than 2 months. Like I said earlier the main problem is his attitude. There's nothing I can do to help him any more.

Mum is away in M'sia since last tuesday. She'll only be coming back next tuesday. So what've been happening since my last blog. Nothing really special. My life basically just work & church. Not much of socialising other than just fellowshipping with CG members after cgm & svc.

I feel that fellowshipping is really important in our walk with God. B4 joining marketplace cg I haven't been really fellowshipping with my cg as I will always be rushing off. Not good but I have no choice. Now must make it a point to fellowship with cell members if I can make the time.

Workwise, I was working in far east and suntec on mon and wed respectively. Other than those 2 days, I've been at home working on my accounts and stocks. More new stocks are coming in. What are we going to do with the older stocks? Sales for this week is much better than the last. Maybe coz Hari Raya Puasa is just next weekend. Next week should be better I suppose. Talking abt Hari Raya. I would have to work on that day as I need to replace my malay staff who will be taken 2 days off. (21st mon is her usual off day. she's taking another day off as she worked on the national day ph. as such she's entitled to either an extra day OFF or an extra day PAY. she chose to take an extra day off to celebrate this festive season). So next week I'll be working 3 days, sun, mon & wed, instead of the usual 2. As such I'll be going for sat svc next week instead of sun's.

Painting is ongoing in my house. So on days I'm not at work, I would have to be at home as the painters are painting our interior. Painting in my room has been completed. Now it's purple and pink.

CG was on thurs night as usual and the msg Yilun shared was on hearing the Word of God. Indeed was a powerful Word. I want and need more of the Word of God (bread) and the Holy Spirit (water) in my life. Alright enough for today.

Sales is becoming from bad to worse as compared to last month. This is the case esp in Iluma. What's happening to Iluma? Got crowd but they are not shopping! Suntec is still the same...dead town as usual. Far East Plaza is doing quite good but ONLY on weekends. Maybe coz a lot of people are shopping around in Orchard area esp in Ion on weekends. It's been really stressful and depressing when we see the 'crowd' in the outlets via the shop cctvs from home/office and also when my staffs sms me the sales at the end of the day. Juz 2 more weeks to Hari Raya Puasa. Hopefully the crowd will start coming out soon.

Yesterday went to my very first dinner & dance organised by a university in Singapore. NTU Hall X Dinner & Dance 2009. I was one of their sponsors and was also one of the judge for the night in the main programme of the night - the manhunt and pageant contest. The winners was what I expected. It was quite a night and I can tell the organisers put in a lot of hardwork in organising the event. Well done!

Service followed by lunch fellowship at marine parade today. Woke up and make it to expo just in time. Little Yogi (1 of my 2 darling little yorkshires) gave me a wake-up call this morning by standing on his hind legs to lick my hands (he can't climb up my bed as he's too small). Carried him up the bed and cuddled him as I lazed on the bed for a while before getting out of bed to get ready. He's so cute man! I adore him to bits. And of coz not forgetting little Yoko.

It's juz 3 weeks away fr Hari Raya Puasa. Yet I don't see the peak period crowd that will normally comes in during this period of time. Usually the peak period crowd will start coming in 1 mth b4 Hari Raya Puasa all the way till the day b4 CNY. But this year no leh. Maybe will come later...1 week before Hari Raya Puasa maybe? Hmm...must think positive...yes yes yes...the devil has no way in my life/mind. Amen! Battlefield of the mind...hehe...it's a constant fight with the devil.

Juz joined a new cell group set up within the LYL zone called the marketplace group and it is led by none other than Yi Lun herself. Currently only 8 members in the cell but we gonna grow grow grow. Yeah! Of course I'm still part of W376. But as retail schedule is v.hectic, I can only go for marketplace cgm held every thursday in suntec office & svc in expo on sunday morning. Thursday was our 1st cgm & today was our 1st svc together...so far all's good & I believe it's going to get better! At least sunday I get to fellowship after svc & get to know cell members better. Whereas Saturday I will always have to rush off right after svc. Sad man....

Haven't done any entry for quite some time. Been bz in the shop lately. Business in far east has picked up after the opening of Ion Orchard. Many people walking around/shopping in Ion walks down to Far East to continue their shopping. But business in suntec and bugis hasn't been that good. Suntec is still the same. Not much improvement. Currently no intention of continuing in suntec after the rental contract there ends in march (that is also when the contract with our china gal staff ends). As for iluma, there are people in there but most of them are there to watch movies or to eat. Not many shop around. Feel that iluma is slowly starting to be more and more like cineleisure where people just come to watch movies or eat. They don't have any intention to shop. Haiz.

Been working in far east for the past few days as my staff located there was off on mon. On that day she informed me that she has to go for surgery the next day and as such cannot come to work. Of course also need to rest after the surgery la. So she said she will informed me again after the surgery when she can come back to work. The next day she told me that her doc has given her 3 days mc and so won't be coming in until the 4th day. At least she show me mc not like some other staffs who say take mc but no mc to show.

Arranged a new temp schedule with my FT and PT staffs located there as a.t.m in time we dun require 2 people to work in the shop on weekends. So for the time being I won't be working in bugis.

Haven't been feeling that well. Last few days have been having gastric-like problems and down with a flu + headache today. Don't wanna and cannot afford to fall sick. I still have a lot of accounts not done. Am so behind schedule. Sharks!

I've been working for the past 7 days. Another 4 more days to go. My own schedule to work in the shops is on mondays to thursdays in various outlets. But 2 staffs took mc so I had to replace them.

One of our previous staff came back to work on tuesday and I was with her for one day to refresh her memory and to train her on the new stocks. Then I left her to work alone on wednesday and thursday while I went to work in bugis as bugis staff is off on those 2 days. Friday morning 1 of our full timer sms me in the morning informing me that she won't be coming in for work as she's not feeling well. Later in the day I received another sms from her saying that the doc has given her 3 days mc (which she did pass to me) and so she won't be coming in for the weekends and also and on mon as she has something personal to attend to. Tried arranging with the other staffs in regards for the weekend schedule so that I can make it for svc but who knows our weekend part timer also said he's not feeling well & also won't be coming in for work. So no choice I had to work & had to give svc a miss.

Been having constant on-and-off headaches and ringing in the ears. Think is coz I dun enuff rest. Tired but can't seem to get to sleep at night. I wonder why.....

Got back from Koh Samui a few days ago. On monday night to be exact. Been working for the past few days since tuesdays as currently we are short of staffs.

While I was still in Koh Samui, 2 staffs (the sisters) walked out on us just b'coz we called the elder sis up from Koh Samui and told her to stop talking on the phone to help serve customer. Even when someone else is serving the customer, to show respect to the customer by putting down the phone in the presence of customer is basic respect what. Right? Some shops don't even allow staffs to talk on the phone lor. We only asked them to stop talking when there's customers. How's wrong with that? Unhappy, the elder sis called her younger sis up to complain & both pack up and left. That is such an impulsive irresponsible action. Whatsmore as confirmed staffs they are required to notify us 2 weeks in advance if they wanna leave. We've been giving way to them a lot already. Have been closing one eye towards what they do. They can try doing what they've been doing when they are working for us for other bosses and see if they are even allowed to do so. One day they will wake up and regret what they did. Such irresponsible staffs can forget about coming back again. Thank God for our other 2 full timers and 1 part timer who held the forts for us while we are still away. Also our very first staff will be coming back to work for us starting from next tuesday. She left last time b'coz of a conflict she had with another staff who she is working with. The other staff ended up to be the actual troublemaker. Have a learnt another big lessons. Never employ siblings/relatives/friends to work in the same company even if it is in diffrent outlets.

Went for service today and then came back home immediately as I initially wanted to get some accounts done. But ain't feeling too well. Having this bad flu and headache...there's also slight ringing in one of my ears. Not H1N1 I hope.

Because of the sudden departure of the sisters and the return of our previous staff, our staff's schedule have changed again. As such my own schedule working in the shop have also changed.

Okok...enough for now.

My laptop is up and running again. It turns out that the adapter is faulty (0 voltage in fact). Now everything's back to normal. Except that it is kinda slow and the speaker has this buzzing buzzing sound.

The end of this month is closing in. Juz one more day then June 2009 will come to an end & will never come back. That will be 1/2 of year 2009 gone by just like that. Wow!

Everybody in the retail industry have been saying that this year's june holidays/GSS is not like it used to be. All thanks to the economic downturn and the swine flu (til' date 599 cases). These few days have been pretty busy. Went for service on Sat but didn't go for CG on Sun (it's been a long time since I went for CG). Was busy the whole day until 10pm++. Only then did I managed to have my accounts done up to date. It was piling up so high with so many months not done yet. Finally! All done...but in a few days time...more will be coming in.

Tonight & tomorrow night I will be working in bugis outlet (for juz 1 & a 1/2 hrs each day) and on Wednesday I'll be in far east outlet for the whole day. Unless staffs have to take leave or change their off day, this is my standard schedule to find me in the shop. After which this thursday will "Koh Samui...here I come" until next monday.

It's been a long time since I last blogged. This blog of mine is getting rusty. Wanted to blog last night but my laptop died on me. And now it refuses to turn on. So sad.... So now here I am using the family comp. blogging away. Just got back home from a lunch in a chinese restaurant (Ah Yat Abalone Restaurant) as a form of fathers day meal. So full now... *Burp* LOL!

Been so busy these days as there are a lot of new arrivals. Quantity check, distributing of stocks to different outlets, packing, tagging etc etc. New stocks have yet to go to the outlets. First and mainly it's coz we don't have time and car space to deliver all the new arrivals over to the outlets and take back the older batch of stocks. Secondly coz we are currently having our gss sales to clear the older stocks and we can't afford to give discount on new arrivals. Only bugis outlet has a few new arrivals (about 1/3 of the new arrivals?).

This whole month has been so quiet despite the fact that it is the gss period and june holidays. Damn...the recession and the swine flu...Haiz...hopefully things will pick up soon. I will be going to Thailand, Koh Samui on 2nd to 6th July for a short holiday trip to R&R from the hectic schedule that I have been having. It'll be together with my parents, younger sis and her bf. Will be leaving the shop to the staffs to handle with one of them taking charge of all the other staffs.

Ok la....dunno wat else to blog liao....another time then. Back to work....with the new stocks.

It's been some time since I lasted blog...abt a mth? Wait...it has been exactly a mth.

Our bugis shop has been opened for 1 month ++, almost 2 months already. So far bugis outlet is doing the best but still not good enough. Coz of the recession that is going on. For the past few months, business has been slow and a lot of things have been happening esp staffs coming and going.

Firstly, sales has dropped. A staff who left sometime last year on impulse & requested to come back to restart all over again with us after few months having worked for others have once again left on impluse. He came and went twice and each of this 2 times, he never managed to stay for more than 2 months. All because of that attitude of his. Recently I heard that he'll be quitting his current job at the end of this month. End of this month would mark exactly 2 months since he left us. Once again not again to stay in a job for more than 2 months. Sigh...he's always changing jobs + that attitude of his.....is not going to do him good or getting him anywhere. But whatever it is, it is his choice....nothing that we tried doing/saying could change him.

After he left, we had a temp staff working a month plus before a new girl joined us a days ago. This new girl is the girlfriend of our weekend part timer(he used to work for us full time and now has gone back to study). Been training this new girl for the past few days and as such have been at the shop front for the past few days. Dunno how she's going to fair. So far she hasn't shown satisfactory performance. Other than this new staff & our weekend part timer, we have our china staff who has been working for us since mar last yr & 2 malay staffs who are sisters.

We already knew the elder sis (22 years old married with a child) before she started working for us as she was working for a neighbouring shop in suntec previously. Her younger sis is only 17 years old. We considered so so so so so so long before deciding to hire the younger sis coz we have already lost faith in 16 17 18 years olds. She doing ok so far not giving us the problem that the other 16 17 18 years old been giving us in the past. After all her sis (who's working for us) and are mum are monitoring her and so she cannot play play. Other than her, we are NOT going to employ anyone younger than 19 years old.

I'm really blogging lesser and lesser these days. Lazy to do so....

Bugis outlet has officially been opened since 28th of last month. And since then I'm back on the front line doing sales...but only for a few days a week (later half of the day on mon & tue will in bugis, Thurs will in suntec and Fri will be in far east) . On days I'm not in the shop, I work at home doing management related stuffs such as accounts and stocks.

Of all the outlets, I'm loving bugis and hating suntec. Far East is doing so so. Really thinking of getting out of Suntec but can't. Have to wait until the contract end in march next year. Have to endure till then. Hopefully things will pick up when the Circle line and Marina Sands open (which is expected to be late this year/early next year). I don't know, really losing faith in suntec already.

Currently in suntec and it's so quiet. No a soul around...sigh...

Damn the economic downturn...and I think people are waiting for GSS to start (this year is fr 29th May to 26th Jul). Might start our GSS earlier. Maybe in a few days time. Clear as much stock as possible before the new stocks come in in jun/jul.

ok...enough for now

Haven't been doing sales lately ever since early feb coz we have got more than enough staffs and I need not be in the shop. Everywhere is quiet these days. Our 3 staffs are enough for our 2 shops.

Apologise to those friends who tried looking for me in the shop. Next time it will be better to call me beforehand.

Been working at home these days doing stocks and accounts. Talking about accounts, I've only completed my feb accounts. Have yet to touch on my mar accounts and it is already almost the end of mar. Should get down to it soon. But that would have to be after bugis opens as these days have been busy with stocks in preparation for bugis opening. Initially bugis was to be opened at the end of last year, and then it was delayed to jan then feb. Then delayed again to 15th march and now again to 28th march. 28th march is the confirmed official opening of the mall. The setting up of our bugis shop will start tomorrow. So so so so so many things to do. And I'm been so tired these days esp today. Been out the whole day. My head has been spinning the entire day. Feeling much better now after taking some medicine. I can't seem to get to sleep though.

Having mental block now. Think I shall try to get some sleep. Nites!

It's already the 1st of March. How time flies? Where did the last 2 months went to so quickly? It's as if the new year just started.

Realised that I've been blogging less regularly. That's coz I've been pretty busy. Been working from home lately doing my management stuffs like my never ending accounts and stock checks(for both suntec and far east). I think that's about it workwise. And of course service and cell group on weekends. It has been a long long time since I attended CGM. It's great to be back. My busy lifestyle have affected my spiritual walk a little. Really must make it a point to go for AT LEAST services and cell group meetings from now on. And also spend more time fellowshipping with cell group members. Hopefully there won't be any more staffs problems like last year that will cause me to not be able to make it for service/cell group.

As mentioned earlier, I work from home nowadays, but when bugis opens I'll be going back to 'work' in the shop...that'll be on staff's off days only. Bugis will be opening in mid of this mth to be exact. Ever since after CNY, it's been rather quiet and 1 person is already enough to man each shop. As bugis have yet to open, far east has 2 salespeople attending the shop on thursdays, fridays, saturdays, & sundays. One of them who's currently in far east is standbying, waiting to be transferred to bugis when it opens for business. Will have to see how the crowd is after bugis opens before deciding whether or not it is necessary to employ 2 part timers to work on weekends in both far east and bugis. Weekdays I suppose 1 person is enough.

Haven't had the time to blog for the past few weeks or touched my accounts (other than the sales entries) for the last 2 months. Coz have been busy since it's the CNY peak period. Weekends leading to CNY were rather busy. But it quieten downs on weekdays.

We had our far east and suntec shops closed for the first 3 days of CNY. Didn't bai nian at all this year as all my relatives are in Malaysia and we didn't go back to Malaysia for CNY. My parents and I went to Bangkok instead for 3d2n (the duration we closed shop) to shop/source around and at the same time check out the fashion there. The day after returning back to SG, went back to work.

Found another staff recently. We have known her for about 2 years already as she used to work in another shop in suntec. We know her boss too and have saw for ourself the work attitude she has in her job. She came to us to ask for a job after she quitted her job in that shop. As we didn't had vacancy then and also we didn't want to offend her previous boss by making them think we snatch their staff from them. We never do that. Only recently did we gave her a call to check if she's still looking for a full time job and apparently she is. She has started work full time with us since monday. All our staffs now are all above 20 years old. I have totally lost my faith in those who are younger than 19 years old (just like other bosses). Right now, we only have 1 part timer who's 17 but he has returned back to study and can only help out after his o level. I really can't stand staffs playing truancy. It's as if the company is their playground and they can come as and when they want to. Hopefully no more of such staff problems.

Wah liao eh! I give up on 16 17 years old girls/boys as staffs. They come as and when they want. When they don't wanna come, they call in sick. Or even worse, they don't even bother to inform when they are not coming in. Come 1 2 days then don't come the next 1 2 days. Somemore they say they wanna work full time. This can't even be called full time? It sounds more like part time. Don't know their "sick" is true or just an excuse. Even bosses of other shop say the same thing. They told us they experienced the same thing before. Now I understand why other shops specify a minimum age (at least 18 years) when they look for staffs. Those younger ones aren't mature enough to work. They seems as if they just come to play play not seriously come to work. Haiz! Give up on them! We no longer have any 16 17 years old staffs (except 1. he's the most responsible out of the lot after all we know his mum & brother). Another staff have came back to work after leaving for 1 month plus.

Today's sales is the best of all since the start of San Street. Feels so shiok. Been standing for more than 6 hours today. Now my legs are v. suan. 1 of my staff even had leg cramps just now. Can you image how busy we were just now? And we actually had 3 people working in far east today. The crowd only started at 3++ pm.

1st entry of 2009

This is my 1st entry of 2009. Been having staffs problems again the last few days. 3 staffs left but 1 out of the 3 who left have requested to come back to work. We have taken him back in and he's now back to work. As for the other 2 staffs, can forget abt it! Even if they do request to come back to work, we will no longer take them back in. Their attitudes can be described as gangster-liked. When you tell them to do/not to do something, if they are not happy, they can fight (verbally) with us (my parents & I). They do not care who you are. What is this? Do they have any respect? For goodness sake, we're their bosses & have the right to tell them what to do and not to do. It's not as if we're mistreating them. These disrespectful youths!!!If they carry on like this, they will not & won't be able to go far in any job they do. Another staff who left about a couple months ago is also requesting to come back to work. But I can't stand his attitude as well. He told my mum he will change but I really have second thoughts abt it. It's not I don't want to give him a chance. A person's attitude can't be change overnight. A new staff who just started work for 3 days was already requesting for this and that. Just started work for a few days & she's already like that. What will happen when she work for us for a long time. She even want us to hire her bf. When we say cannot, she don't want to work already. Give them one inch, they want one mile. Sigh...youths nowadays!We can't change our company standards for just any one of them. Sigh...youths nowadays! None of our earlier batch of staffs ever requested this and that from us or fights with us. So far they are all pretty guai. This batch of staffs...sigh...all i can say in conclusion is that "they are just too young!"

Haven't been attending service for a few weeks already. I miss church. But still won't be able to attend services for the next few weeks. At least for the res t of jan. CNY is approaching. The CNY crowd is expected to turn up at least by next week. Got to help out in the shop for the rest of this mth. Sales have been pretty slow since school reopens. Also with CNY so close to Christmas, we do not have our "extra month of peak sales" this year. Very few shoppers these days; even if there are they are mostly window shoppers. But I believe sales will slowly pick up in the next few days with CNY just few weeks away. Alrighty...Gambatte!