Blog Entry 2: Be A Manager

Marina Bay Countdown 2011

31st December 2010 - 1st January 2011

7.30pm-3am

What is the objective of this event? Give a brief background to this event.

- Every year since 2005, the Marina Bay SINGAPORE Countdown is a tradition that unites people together to bring them together through a collective expression of their wishes for the year ahead.

Who is the target audience?

- Everyone - both locals and tourists. Even friends and family members who are overseas. A dedicated website has been created for friends and family members who are overseas. It enables them to submit their wishes online in the form of photographs, short video clips or plain text and catch the fireworks display via a live webcast on the event website.

How is the event publicized? (In other words, how does the target audience get to know about the event?)

- Advertisements through the media - television, newspapers, magazines. Word-of-mouth, on the Internet. There is an event website - Marina Bay Countdown - set up specially for the countdown.

Is the event reported in the media? If yes, how widely is it reported? (Do a quick analysis of the reports, in terms of the angles that the media take, the importance of the coverage, and your opinion of the impact of the coverage). If no, why do you think the media did not cover the event? What do you think could be done to attract media coverage?

- Yes it is. A report in The Straits Times's Life issue on Saturday, 18th December 2010 has mentioned about the 2011 New Year countdown. It talks about places to party, and where to catch a sight of the fireworks on that day. It also mentions the impact of the event, such as the availability of seats left.

- I feel that the coverage is good because, first, it is a form of advertising for the event. Secondly, it can give people an impression that the event will be grand and interesting. Thirdly, it informs customers of the availability of seats and tables in certain restaurants and how to get tickets and bookings. Fourthly, it advices readers on where to go during that day.

[article provided at the bottom]

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

- The success rate is very high. It is an event which has a great history and past years when the event was held has been successful. I would make sure that this year's would be a huger event. There can be a theme for this event and people will have to dress accordingly, the music and fireworks will also be according to the theme. This will make the event an exclusive and special one.

Online News Articles:

Pre-countdown article by CNA

Post-countdown article by CNA

Scanned articles of News Articles:

[click for enlarged image]

Photographs taken on Marina Bay Countdown 2011:

Blog Entry 1: The Manager

[interviewee is not comfortable with giving her photograph]

Doris Tham Ai Gek

51

Assistant Manager

Semb Corp Environment Private Limited

Job Responsibilities:

-Sales and Admin

Management Style:

-Good relationship with customers, as well as employees [Theory Z]

-Team spirit [Administrative ManagementHenri Fayol’s 14 principles - Henri Fayol’s 14 principles]

Difficulties:

-Meeting sales target

-Handling difficult customers

-Ensuring competitive prices [competition]

How to overcome?:

-Provide quality and trustworthy service to customers, gaining their trust and showing them how the company is better than the others.

-Patience and perseverance. Always allow the customers to feel that their comments are heard and valued. Explain to them patiently and in detail in order to get them to understand the situation. Show them that actions are being taken to curb the problem.

-Trying to match the prices where possible.

In cases where prices cannot be pushed lower, show the customers the differences in quality of service that they are paying for and what more the company has to offer, compared to our competitors.

What do i think a good manager should be?

-The most basic and important thing would be to not only ensure good customer relationship but to also ensure that there is a good manager-staff relationship. This ensures that the staff are all united and share the same drive and mindset, to help the company.

-Always prioritise the company's interest first before your own convenience. For example, do not give up on pursuing a difficult client.

-Make a personal effort to call each client from time to time, to ask about their well-being and let them feel that each customer is valued and not forgotten. Clinching a deal should never be the end of it, in order to ensure long-term business with customers.

-Take time to call and check that your staff are all doing their jobs well and on time. [For example, calling customers and drivers(even though it is not your job) to ensure that the collection has been done on time and that customers are satisfied with the drivers'attitude].

-Take every criticism/complain and feedback seriously, and constantly hold discussions which involve staff like the drivers on how to improve the company and its operations. Constantly brainstorm for ideas on how to upgrade the service standards.