Breakthrough sales =D

It's already end of Jan. How time flies. We're left with 11/12 of 2010. Yesterday got back home almost 12mn after closing far east shop. And only had my dinner then. Went over there to help out in the shop. We were supposed to close shop at 10pm today there were still customers walking in. We closed shop close to 11pm. The crowd was non-stop. Didn't even have time to go toilet or to eat. I'm not the only one who didn't get to take my dinner...our 2 staffs in Far East also didn't get to have their dinner (not sure abt those in the other outlets. too busy to notice what they were doing. the 2 outlets did quite well too. if only everyday's sales are like this.....drifting to dreamland. LOL!). We had food ta-bao but don't even have time to eat. All of us brought the food back home to eat. Can u imagine how busy it was & somemore there were 3 pple working in the shop.

Today managed to make it for pre-service prayer meeting. After service headed to the different outlets to pay staffs, then went down to Far East to help out. Pretty quiet today so I didn't stay in the shop till end day. Left to iluma as they were out of small change & need it urgently (most shops there don't allow pple to change money that's why I had to go down). Feeling a bit dazed nw coz only managed to sleep for 2++hrs last night (more like this morning). Couldn't sleep sia. Wonder why. Think will be in lala land much earlier tonight. Tmr a gal who's also from LYL zone will be coming down to help out in iluma 1/2 days for 10 days (from 1st to 11th feb excl. sun 7th feb).

Yesterday we finally broke our record sales in both Far East & Iluma. Nw our new record is $2.2k & $1.2k respectively. Sales in Suntec yesterday is also quite good. Thank God for the breakthrough in sales! Of course we wouldn't be able to breakthrough without the efforts put in by the staffs esp those who OT-ed for the past few days to bring in more sales even though it's already after their working hours. I feel that this batch of staffs is the bestest batch of staffs we had so far. Thank God! More breakthrough to come! YEAH! Today sales was good in Iluma (also 1.2k) but Far East okay-okay only.

The winning outlet this mth is still Far East (with Iluma not far behind). Ind. outlet sales as compared to last mth (christmas), far east sales is still the same; bugis sales has increased but suntec sales dropped. Don't have to be reluctant abt shifting out of suntec liao. Might as if shift out once contract is up. The best salesperson this mth is 1 of our temporary staff (like what I mentioned in my previous blog). His comm. is close to $150 + as promised to him end of last mth we've also increased his basic pay for the hard work he has put in. He looks so happy when he received his pay.

Just heard from our temp staff who will be starting his poly course that he has been posted to do dip. in retail mgmt & that he'll be working for us FT till end of Feb. If Mar we still need help, he can help PT. He can help till end of Feb already good enough since after CNY it's expected to be quieter. And he has already helped us a lot a lot a lot a lot. Really appreciate it. Did I mentioned b4 that he & his bro are actually our regular customers (they're the among the 1st batch of members we had) & now he's a staff of the shop (and it's his very 1st job. never work b4. we trained him up. actually not me. it's our china staff who trained him). That's how we got to know him, his bro & his mum way back in 2007.

We're thinking of sponsoring 2 of our staffs to go for wsq retail certification course. To train them up and get them more equip in the retail industry. When I told them abt it, they were so excited & are looking forward to it. Can also see that they are putting in even more effort to bring in more sales.

My parents been grumbling & are not very happy that I'm still going to church/cg during this period of time. Letting them having to work on the new stocks while I enjoy myself in church/cg. I didn't even ask them to work on the stocks. I said I'll rush back after service. For the past couple of weeks have been compromising by rushing back after service every week. Still was told off & told not to go to church/cg for the next 2 weeks until CNY is over. (They always say that the business should always come 1st b4 church or anything else. But I reckon should be the other way round. God should always be 1st plc in our life. The WOG says that when we seek 1st the kingdom of God, all these things shall be added upon to us).

I've been thinking abt signing up for SOT but b4 I can do so we'll need to confirm the 3 staffs we're keeping so that 1 of them can cover me. The 3rd staff will either be our china staff or our other temp staff who was 1 of our previous staff. However my parents say that it's not necessary to keep a 3rd staff as after CNY 2 staffs for far east and iluma (1 in each shop) is enough & I just need to cover the days they're off. :( If I've to work in the shop then I won't be able to go SOT. Hmmm...maybe SOT next yr is a better option? Well...whatever it is...shall pray abt it 1st.

24th January 2010

Went for a studio photoshoot yesterday. Not a photoshoot of me la. Duh! It's actually a studio photoshoot of models wearing our products. The photoshoot is taken in an actual studio. I was there with mum to see the entire the photoshoot until 6pm++. Long hours but it was cool man! Outside the cost for just 1 full page magazine ad is abt 1.5k & above per mth. The one we're currently doing (2 full page magazine ad with the models + studio photoshoot thrown in) adds up to not even $1.5k per mth. Cheap right? It's actually a promotion rate and honestly we did bargain quite a lot coz we got budget. Don't want to spend too much. Anyways, we'll be doing this 2pg ad + models + photoshoot for at least 5 issues. Bi-monthly. Until the end of this yr. If it goes well, we may continue for the next year. Hope this ad will help to boost sales.

Didn't go to the far east outlet to help out like what I mentioned in my previous entries as this week isn't that busy in the shop and they were able to cope. Think the main reason is coz this week both of them in far east are really working. Last sat 1 of them was either not in the shop or act as if he's a security guard when in fact the whole shop was crowded with pple. Leaving the other person to serve all by himself. Ended up the individual sales for each person that day was a big big big big big big big big big big big difference - 4 figure & 100+. That night before end day that "security guard" was lectured & was told that he don't have to come to work anymore but he asked for another chance to proof himself. He knew he was wrong. Now he is no longer playing a fool & working. That's more like it.

So far sales is not as good as last mth YET but it is picking up with cny approaching and the crowd starting to come in. The best salesperson this mth is 1 of our temporary staffs in far east (his commission nw is alr. $90++. by the looks of it & the way he works i won't be surprised if he gets a commission of more than $100++ this mth. i think he deserves it & i'm more than willing to give it to him). Total far east and bugis sales are now on par. Wonder if there'll be any changes to the best salesperson and which outlet will win this mth. *winks* We'll wait & see. 7 more days to go.

Maybe next weekend I'll go down to help out since it's the end of the mth & that's when most pple will come out to spend money after their pay(*evil laughter* wicked right? lol!). 1st wk of feb got 1 part timer coming in to help out on mon to sat for 2 wks 5hrs a days till the eve of cny eve (lun recommended her to me. thanks lun!).

Though not in the shop these 2 days. But still was pretty busy and tired out. Like I said was stuck in the studio yesterday. Today after service in morning, rush back home to wait for supplier to come by for 'meeting' which ended only at abt 7pm++. After dropping supplier off at orchard area, went to chinatown food street with my parents for dinner. That was already 9pm++. Chinatown area was crowded. It'll be even more so in the next few days leading to cny. Esp on cny eve. I'm tired out le from this last 2 days.

Ever since we started selling shoes in our shops, it has indeed helped to bring up our sales in a way. Staffs are also more onz and aim to sell shoes so that they can hit their target more easily & get more commission. Thank God! Also more new designs of shoes will be coming in soon. Both guys and gals (mostly gals heels this time round). That will mean more work to be done. But it won't be as "siong" as when the 1st batch of shoes arrived. Also got more stocks coming from another supplier. Have to get all the new stocks prepared and bring them to the outlets before cny. Accounts again piling up (but good in a way also. if accounts stop piling up that means no biz. cannot cannot. haha).

ok lah...time to zzzzzzzz liao. Trying to make it a habit to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. Nites all!

It's been some time since I went for hair treatment (+ trimming), indian eyebrow treading & facial. Now I gotten them all done to start off 2010. The beauty consultant commented my eye bags/eye circles are really serious. I also know. :( :( :( Been feeling so tired lately. Body aching. From the rushing here & there? Though I'm feeling tired but still can't seem to sleep at night. Every night I'll turn & toss, toss & turn in bed. I wonder y? Also lost my usb drive. Can't sleep at night & keep losing things. Is the stress kicking in already? Haiz...no use thinking abt it. Happens happen already happen. Just going to continue to pray, do my best & I believe God will do the rest.

The shopping crowd is picking up ever since the mid of jan esp in far east & bugis (on weekends that is). Weekdays is still pretty quiet. Lately it's a rather close fight between the up-to-date total sales for this mth in far east & bugis. 1 day far east wins; the nxt day bugis wins. Let's see which of these 2 outlets wins this mth. I foresee far east coz the crowd there is more. Nthg can be said abt suntec...given up on that place. It's abt time to shift out. 3yrs is more than enuff there. Fr this weekend onwards I'll have to go help out in far east. Looks like I won't be joining in for fellowship after service for few weekend liaoz. Otherwise if 1 staff goes out of the shop to go the toilet or whatsoever, the other staff won't be able to cope like what happen last weekend (the crowd is non-stop after 4pm/5pm). It's abt time to "qin zi chu ma". Suppose to attend a wedding on sat night but looks like cannot make it liao (sorry chailing..congrats anyways). Sat afternn got to bring products to a studio for photoshoot. We'll be having a couple modelling our products for studio photoshoot & these photos will appear in a magazine. It's in an actual studio of a magazine and actual teen models modelling our products. Might sign a 1yr contract with the magazine to advertise with them every mth for 1yr (see how's their 1yr contract rate is 1st). After that will have to rush down to the shop to help. Also more new stocks are coming in somemore. Busy busy busy!

God has always been a Faithful God. Whatever He promises us, it'll always come to pass...it's only a matter of time. Are you willing to tally? To wait for God's timing & not your timing? To continue to trust & believe even though the promise never seems to come? God's timing is never early never late. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS on time. Finally we've gotten our land for our new building in the marketplace for the marketplace to penerate the marketplace. I still remember how we started out in former hollywood theatre then to wild wild west (JW) and now far far east (expo)....few yrs later we'll heading to Central South. Though dunno where the actual location is yet but still I'm so so so so so excited!!!! :) :) :) :) I believe whatever He has promised me, it'll also come to pass. It's just a matter of time. Nothing is impossible!!! Dream big dreams for God!!! I'm determined to put in the 10,000hrs needed to succeed in life & will continue to confess a 1000x (even more) that which seems impossible to man but is possible with God. There is NO shortcuts in life.

There's 4 churches I've always wanted to visit:
(1) Hillsongs Church in Sydney (attended services in Hillsongs City Campus on 2 weekends when I was in Sydney with some friends to attend Hillsongs Conference 2005. The conference's great! Those who haven't gone b4 should go).
(2) Pst Phil's church in Sydney (had transport problems getting to/fro of the church so ended up didn't go. went to attend hillsongs service for a 2nd week instead)
(3) Pst AR Bernard church in US (haven't had the chance)
(4) Yoido Full Gospel Church in Korea (missed the recent study tour with pst kong but there'll always be another time. nxt yr maybe).

Goals for 2010 (summarise)

We almost reached the halfway mark of Jan. Goals for 2010 have been set. Basically my goals for 2010 can be summarise into: BREAKTHROUGH IN EVERYTHING I DO!!!

I esp want to:
(1) have a more intimate/closer relationship with God (rely more on God & not my own strength)
(2) closer relationship/friendship with those ard me (be it family/friends/suppliers/staffs)
(3) financial breakthrough (money to start rolling in. can't afford to keep losing money)
(4) san street to be well known in sg by yr end (i still remember jessica telling me late last yr that this can be done as long as i've faith. amen!)

My goals are more elaborate in the SMARTER goal setting card (lost the card so printed it out from church website to set goals)

13th January 2010

Met up with the representatives of 2 publications yesterday & have decided to go ahead with advertising with them. Their prices are pretty reasonable as compared to many other magazines/publications out there.

Biz is still on the slow side but staffs are more stable now. It's not just our shops; everywhere else is quiet too (think evry1 gone to Ion/313. really like these 2 new malls but rental v. v. v. high there). Anyways, those staffs who really put in the effort at work we know & appreciate them for it in our own way. We foresee at least 1 of them able to work for us long term & we do have plans for her. Lately I've also been receiving quite good comments fr friends & regular customers abt the staffs. =)

After we shift out of suntec mpg end of march, 3 pple in the shop (2 full timers + me) will be enough in the remaining 2 shops. Without suntec we wouldn't be that stressed. Have decided NOT to extend the contract of our china staff as there'll be alot of other costs to be incurred if we were to extend her contract (though she did mentioned to us that wants to extend for another yr). We'll be keeping our current 2 full time staffs. As for the 2 temporary staffs, they'll be working till the most end of march. One of them will be starting his poly education soon.

Will be going back to M'sia (Alor Star, Kedah) to visit relatives during this CNY period. Haven't gone back there for 2yrs liao (last yr, 2009, we went BKK to check out the fashion there; 2008 went to London to visit my sisters there). All outlets will be closing for 3 days during the festive season. This is the only time I can truly take a break from the shop.

Going to keep confessing that this yr is going to be the yr of breakthrough for me in everything that I do. I know at times it'll be difficult, the devil will try ways & means to distract me to pull me away fr the direction I'm heading but I'll be focus focus focus on the author & finisher of my faith. God has greater things in stored for me in 2010. This yr is going to be the BESTest yr ever.

Tired tired

Have been feeling really tired and having some sort of gastrics problems of late. Been thinking alot as well esp abt the high turnover of staffs in San Street. A lot of misunderstandings going on between us & the previous staff. Whatever it is, the past is past..time to move on (Remember Lot's wife). Need to change the way we communicate to staffs & gotta apply the 8 keys that will eventually result in "not bondage but breakthrough" Pst Tan shared in service today (refer to my previous blog entry). So let 2010 be the year of breakthrough for not just me BUT all of us.

After svc today went to changi airport for fellowship and to wait for mum's flight arrival. After picking up mum, went to our bridal & bridesmaid gown designer place to pick up some designs for elder sis b4 heading hm. Together with mum and dad, we brought our 2 lil yorkies to the park to "gai gai" (they're very sensitive to the words "gai gai" & "let's go). After which came back home to rest. Was working on my accounts for the past few days. Still got some more that is not completed yet but not in the mood to do anything today. It's my Sabbath. I need to take a break b4 I break.

Sales in the shop is still kinda slow. But bugis sales did pick up after the departure of the previous staff & the transferring of staffs from far east outlet. Our faith in bugis have increased again. Fr the last few days sales, so far bugis sales has beaten far east sales (for the past few mths far east sales has always beaten bugis sales). The current staffs in bugis used to be in far east. Had them transferred over. Currently in far east are just the 2 temporary staffs. They need to familarise themselves more with the products. 1 of them is taking his o lvl result tmr. Wonder if he's going to jc/poly (if he's going jc, that means he can't help us till after cny :( ). The bosses of the other shops were right. Poor sales alot to do with the staffs u've NOT just the location ur shop is in (although it is also v. impt). Hopefully sales for every outlets will pick up soon. As the crowd picks up nearer cny I'll have to go help out in the shop.

Recently a couple of magazines/publications called me up saying that they've visited our outlets & seen our products and would like arrange appointments with me to discuss about the possibility of advertising in their publications. Wow...I'm kinda overwhelmed by this. Our products have actually caught their eyes and they want us to advertise with them. If the advertising fee is high, my parents will definitely not agree even if it'll help the biz in 1 way or another. Whatever it is, let's hear what they've to offer 1st.

Not bondage but breakthrough

Pst Tan's sermon today was really good. Just a snapshot of a part of the sermon.

1. Leadership

Not laws but liberty

2. Serving

Not hierarachy but heart
It's not abt achievement but reaching out.

3. Ability

Not self-centred but spirit-centred
Learn to depend on strength that comes from God.

4. Discipline

Not legalism but love

5. Love

Not control but care

6. Work

Not duty but devotion
Devotion brings u an extra mile; Duty brings u only to where u need.

7. Attitude

Not getting but giving

8. Lifestyle

Not explanation but example
Lead by example. Dun just talk the talk; walk the walk.

THE RESULT???

NOT BONDAGE BUT BREAKTHROUGH!!!

7th January 2010

Mum's been postponing her trip back to m'sia coz of the arrival of new stocks and all the staffs' problems. Now with everything settled here, she has gone back to settle the new stocks for her family business back there. As there won't any new stocks until end of this mth, I get to do work on my accounts again (that is if I'm not in the shop). Have been a long time since I touched them.

Though a staff left during the most peak period of the yr, we didn't have to face the problem of looking ard for replacement staffs as a previous staffs have returned and also currently biz is still quite slow (ever since schools reopen). But it looks like I've to rearrange the staffs' schedule again. Very soon (mid/end of this mth) we'll definitely need 2 people in far east & bugis so that means those in the same outlet cannot have the same off day.

Our previous staff who's back to work is still familiaring with things in the shop. Just have to give him a couple more days. After all he's been away from our company for almost 1yr & we've quite slight changes ever since he left (not many). He told me that he wants to commit to work in our company for long term. Having worked in so many places b4 and experiencing the good, bad and the ugly of the other companies, he feels working for us is still the best. (I'm not bullshitting...those are his very words). However, we'll have to see about it as we know him too well. He has already been in & out of the company a couple of times already (all on his own accord). The reason we're giving him another chance (3rd chance) is b'coz 1stly he is honest & 2ndly he is one of those FEW good salesperson we've so far (the sales of the rest of our current staffs can be considered quite good but all of them including myself still have room for improvement). The problem with him is his attitude. That's why the past 2 times he couldn't stay long. In the past, when he was working with us, both of us used to quarrel alot in the shop (and i mean really quarrel). When he said he wants to come back, I had my reservations but still decided to give him another chance. His sales doesn't seem to be as good as b4 & he's not serving customers like b4. Maybe he's still not familiar? Shall give him 1 week from the day he started back (normally newcomers take only 2-3weeks to familarise. he shouldn't take that long since he's not a newcomer).

Last yr's CNY our highest record in a day was $1.8k sales just in far east. This yr at least MUST cross $2k sales in both far east & bugis. Our pvc interchangable cover backpacks were totally snapped OUT of stock end of last year. Had the stocks replenished & have already delivered them to our the bugis & far east outlets where they're moving the fastest. Shoes we've sold 100++ so far with 65% sold in far east and 25% sold in bugis, the remaining 10% were obviously sold in suntec. 1 particular model is selling the fastest and we're already totally OUT of sizes 41 and above. We're replenishing them but the stocks will only arrive earliest end of this mth. Having our own shoe factory is good as we get to make-to-order whether is it when a particular size for a particular model has ran out of stock or when the customer who's interested in a pair of shoes but wants it in another colour. We currently already have customers placing their orders together with their deposits.

LYL 1st ever overnight prayer meeting tonight at riverwalk but I'm feeling dead tired. The flesh doesn't want to go but the spirit says go. Gotta crucify the flesh. So conclusion is will go at least for the 1st session. For now got to work on my accounts. Cannot procrastinate liao.

In life it's so hard to please people. Some think of you this way while others think of you that way. Some expect you to do this while others expect you to do that. Yes...indeed we all want to have peace in life (be it family/work/school) but how can we possibly please every single person around us? I rather please God than please people. I find it so much easier. I really don't care what others think of me; I am more concern what God thinks of me. Yeah!!! So come what may, I'll continue to run this race with Him & do what He has called me to do in 2010. God knows what's best for me & has great things in stored for me. I confessed that 2010 IS the year of breakthrough!!!

Edited (03/01/10)

Wow...today's Word was the similar to the revelation I received from the HS during my QT yesterday. Power la... YEAH!!! Indeed when we feel that there seems to be no way out, God will always have a way out for us. Only continue to trust, believe and take the 1st step forward (faith w/o works is dead). Shall start setting my this year's goals. Think last year I didn't really set any goals (oops...)

New Year Day

Happy New Year! Was at Sentosa Siloso with parents & cuzzie Yik Chyen last night. Zhiyan & Chaiying were there too. Had a really full dinner at an international buffet @ rasa sentosa and had fun counting down. Didn't bring a change of clothes so didn't get to go to the foam party. It looks fun though. Left Sentosa at 12++. Close to 1am.

2o1o started out with good sales (almost 2k for overall sales of all 3 shops combined)! =D As usual the staffs do whatever they like when there've no customer (some read newspaper/magazines, some lie down on the table to rest, etc etc), we're alright with that as we can see that when they hear any slightest sound/footsteps they'll look up to see if any1 walked in. If there's customers, they do their best to grab customer & push sales. That's the kinda of staffs we & my friends (boss of other shops) like. Hope this will continue. Mum say the bad 'qi' is gone & the good 'qi' is finally back.

1 staff didn't turn up for work today. Apparently she decided to leave the job after getting her dec pay yesterday. Initially wanted to deliver the new stocks to the outlets but couldn't as now I had to work in the shop. Thought I had to work in the shop everyday for the next few weeks, but managed to contact a previous staff to come back to work for us temporary. He has worked in other places b4 after leaving us early last yr but ended up cannot last in those jobs & keep coming back to visit us now & then to check if he can come back to work for us part time/temporary. He'll be starting work on sunday so I'll helping out in the shop today & tmr. That means I don't have to miss church svc after all. YEAH! PTL! Was helping out in bugis 1/2 day today. We hit 1k again in bugis. 2 days in a week =D Tmr will be helping out in far east as we've transferred a staff over to work in bugis with the other staff there until after CNY. If necessary, we might rearrange again coz 2 guys in an outlet & 2 gals in another outlet doesn't seem too right. 1 gal/1 boy in each outlet seems more like it esp since some gals prefer another gal serving them than guys (i've seen these kinda gals b4 unless the guys are good looking la...hahaha). But a bit difficult coz the gals cannot get along with 1 of the guys.

Most prob 2 wks b4 CNY we'll need total of 7 pple in all outlets (3 in far east; 2 in bugis & 2 in suntec. At that time I'll be working with our 2 temporary staffs in far east (that would mean it'll be back to the same scenerio like last yr's CNY when 3 of us also worked together there). As for the extra person for suntec, my mum can go down to help out as cashier. She has done so b4.