Final transmission

Time flies but this semester, it seem to have gone lightspeed. Personally I haven't seem to get past my holiday blues yet. I remember my first blog was about miscommunication and communication in the workplace. 

I have to say I learned quite about commincation in this course. Communication is essential between people. Therefore it is important not only to learn what not to say, but also what is the right thing to say. To use the 7Cs not just in writing but in speech as well is something I aim to do.

This module is titled "Professional Communication" so much of it is applicable to the workplace. I personally have never wrote a resume or job letter so this has been a good and useful experience. 

I had a great time learning so thank you all!

Episode Six - Origins

My name is Yu Weili and I am currently a 4^th year student in NUS majoring in computer engineering on a direct honors course. Engineering is a field that trains its followers to possess an analytical and disciplined mind. I also see myself as a fun-loving person who likes to travel and make new friends.   My personal philosophy is that life is filled with challenges and I must be prepared to rise to the occasion. To do that I am determined to undergo a never-ending journey of learning and self-improvement. The motto “Who dares, Wins" best describes my attitude to life.

The Fifth

It was by pure chance that I ended up in a group with Miko and Zhen Yun. I didn't have any friends in this module so I am thankful I have two such friendly and nice girls as partners. Perhaps it is because this module focus on communication and building relationships that I realise my experience in this group seems different from other groups I was in.

I remember I did this module last year where I had to do a project with 7 guys. We didn't really spend much time together. Everyone would do their own part alone and we would consolidate the efforts. While the project was done, I never felt like it was a group effort; more like individual pieces of work that are clued together out of necessity and not teamwork. This time, while we still split up the work, each of us will often look through one another's work and provide feedback on various things: from minor editing to new ideas. Every part of the report is honestly an effort from all of us as a group and not just as an individual.

It is really fortunate that even we are from different faculties (engine and science), our ideas and work methods are able to mesh together smoothly. I just hope that my future groups will have the same sense of teamwork.

IV

I'm sure everybody has heard of the melamine scandal by now. Of how melamine, an industrial chemical normally used to make plastics, were found in food products made in China. There was this article in the Lianhe Zao Bao last week that spoke of this problem and how it relates to the emergence of a business-centred, corruption-based culture in China.

Corruption and graft in China is more or less an open secret. Government officials expect it, businessmen encourage it, the people suffer it. The milk scandal is just one of the many examples of what happens when officials are willing to turn a blind eye for cash. 

What the author, who profess to be a Chinese national, fears is that corruption which is merely tolerated might have become accepted; that graft has become part of the cultural norm in China. With the boom in China's economy in recent years, it is not surprising that all the common man on the street thinks about is how to make it rich. But what is worrisome is the willingness of some to achieve that aim at the expense of others. 

The Chinese government seem intent on achieving economic prosperity as well. The author cited an example of a party of Chinese delegates that were here in Singapore to learn more on the policies of the Singapore government. They learnt about the economic and city building policies for these are the backbones of a strong economy. They thought that is what the people want. They are right in that sense. What the people need though, is something else. The policies they learnt can help shape a healthy economy but do nothing in shaping the people that can fuel the economy.

The milk scandal is merely the prelude to the impact of a culture where everything goes and money is king would have on its people as well as the rest of the world. Will the author's fears come true or is it too late already?

No. 3

Face it, are there any real reasons for littering these days. There is practically one rubbish bin every few metres. If that is not good enough, there is always a stiff fine of $200 and a chance to be a member of the CWO to dissuade people. But is it really enough?

Look around and what do you see: cigarette butts, abandoned flyers, the occasional beer can. Is it a big problem? No, I won't say so. But why, why with all the above conditions, do people still litter?

The most common reason we heard is that there isn't enough bins. But this is not the case: NEA often hold stakeouts in hotspots and catch these litterbugs in action. In many of the cases, the culprit was not more than 5 metres away from a bin. Yet, they unhesitatingly and unceremoniously litter the floor.

It's clear that it's more than just a question of the placement of bins but rather the mindset of the people. People who felt that it was inconvenient to take a few steps, people who felt that it doesn't matter, they won't get caught anyway and people who just don't care.

How can we then truly make Singapore into a 100% clean city if Singaporeans themselves possess such filthy thoughts?

I am not looking for why people litter, that has been done many times. What I am looking for their justification (or lack of) for such reasoning. It is easy to say "oh there are no bins nearby" or "it is more convenient" but is it really worth getting fined $200 for "convenience"? No. I believe the true reason is something deeper in our minds. As such, the survey will focus on the "whys of whys". Why do you think that? Can you hazard a guess why would people think that? What do NUS students think about the most common excuses Singaporeans come up with for littering?

The objective of this research is to determine the opinions of NUS students towards some of the most common excuses used by litter-bugs.

People don't usually think too deeply into their actions. This is normal but sometimes if we want to change ourselves, we need to think and look deeper into ourselves.

Next

Tan works for a MNC as an assistant under the regional director. Being the talkative, he has no problems becoming good friends with his boss. The boss even promised him that if he is promoted to other positions, he will bring along Tan. Now Tan, with the boss at his back, became arrogant and use this power to boss his co-workers.

Unfortunately, it didn't last for poor Tan. The boss was promoted and moved to Shanghai. But he did not bring Tan along. The new regional director is an old rival of Tan and he hired a fresh graduate as his assistant. Tan was brushed aside to a corner. Under the new reign however, sales suffered. Clients just do not trust the new boss and his inexperienced assistant. Tan, who has the gift of the tongue, was the one that pulled in clients and keep them satisfied.

How can the new boss salvage the situation? He has his own pride and as Tan's rival, he just cannot bring himself to approach Tan for help. But if he doesn't do it, he face the wrath of his own boss. Tan, of course, being a selfish one, will not help and rather sit in the corner and watch.

The rest of the office is too scared to step onto this powder keg. What do you think can be done?

The first

We humans have come far on this tiny planet we call home. From our early ancestors who said stuff like "Me Tarzan, you Jane" to the present "Michelle ma belle, Sont les mots qui vont très bien ensemble Tres bien ensemble", our language has advanced: even though the intent is the same, we require more words now. It is more important than ever to have skills to express yourself clearly and not be misunderstood.

Most, if not all, of us will one day enter the working adult world of endless toil and thankless bosses. With backstabbing colleagues smiling at you, it becomes necessary to arm yourself with proper weapons. Since poisoning or using direct violence against co-workers are frowned upon in today's society (oh back in the good old days), we can only make use of our most basic weapons: our minds and wits.

To stand strong in the web of interoffice relationships, we need good people skills. Adding to the difficulty is the multi-cultural melting pot that are most companies these days.




Effective communication skills are essential to accomplish that. To understand and be understood, to impress but not intimidate, to take charge but not appear aggressive, to give ideas but not appear ambitious. In short, keep your boss happy, but keep your colleagues unwary.

P.S Picture taken from http://www.cultureresourcecentre.com.au/culturalcolumns.html