Parkroyal Hotel
During CommunicAsia 2008 event, Parkroyal Hotel on Beach Road became my (so-called official) accommodation. Little did I know, our company’s HQ in Singapore is located a few blocks away from our hotel.
Upon arrival (to Singapore), we checked in immediately to avoid cancellation. We (my colleague and I) were given Deluxe room each.
For Deluxe room, there is either twin bed or a king size bed. Unfortunately, I was given a twin bed room due to full bookings. Nevertheless, I’m alright with it as I’m used to sleeping on a single bed. The room is quite spacious as there is a long bench for people to sit while having conversation or having a cuppa coffee. At times, it was quite spooky.
Besides, there is a working desk with broadband internet access (have to pay for subscription though) for business personnel to do their stuff. However, I did not bring my laptop along. How pathetic was that?!! Being laptop-less as well as internet-less for 3 days 3 nights was bloody suffering.
Like any other major hotels, there is coffee/tea making facilities in the room but I didn’t bother to use that though. I could get my cuppa during breakfast or outside. Afterall, the water in the room ain’t that crystal clear.
A 32-inch (I think) LCD TV, Sharp Aquos, with cable channels installed in front of both beds for viewing pleasure.
Looks comfy, eh? Afterall, it costs SGD$310.00 per night. *My credit card still bleeding while waiting for claims*
CommunicAsia 2008
Last week, I was at Singapore for CommunicAsia 2008. I was there for 4 days (officially) with addition of 2 days (weekends) on my own.
It was a big event whereby countries like Italy, Germany, France, United Kingdom and etc. participated and showcased their technologies. It is something similar like SMIDEX 2008 but multiply that with 10x. Practically, it was bigger and better and was held in Singapore Expo.
Companies such as Huawei, ZTE, LG, Samsung, Ericsson, Canon, Sony and many more were there for this major event.
Samsung was there to showcase their new phone, Samsung Omnia, while LG, which situated right across Samsung booth, was promoting their Black Label series. I managed to play with the Samsung Omnia and I was quite impressed with it. Apart of slight laggy-ness, Samsung Omnia will definitely be strong competitor for Apple iPhone 3G.
Having said about promoting and showcasing, there were no sales involved throughout the event. It was more about discussions between traders.
Besides, we took the effort to visit BT booth too. They were showcasing their latest product, BT Mosaic, which is quite impressive system for broadcasting industry. Yes. You heard it right. BT is into broadcasting too. According to the exhibitors, ASTRO were impressed too.
All in all, it was great event but we were slightly disappointed. As our purpose to attend this event is to scout for new innovative products, we (my colleagues and I) were hoping for more software-based rather than hardware-based products. However, we found out that 70% of the products are hardware solutions while the rest doesn’t really relate to what we are looking out for.
Singapore Business Trip
Wheee!! I’m going to Singapore tomorrow.
Will be attending an event (hint : CommunicAsia 2008) with my colleagues as well as my boss.
So, most likely there will be no new post. I’m still contemplating whether to bring my DSLR or not. Sigh..
Short note : Jason mentioned about the photo above being “3d-modeling-toy” like. After thorough viewing, I’ve to agree with him. It looks as though it was built beside a mini longkang. Hehe.
SMIDEX 2008
For the past 3 days, I was at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) for an event organised by SMIDEC. It was held from 4th June to 6th June 2008.
The event was pretty big as it occupied 5 halls in KLCC and was officiated by our very own Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (as reported in The Star). It is about companies in Malaysia showcasing their new products and/or prototypes. In other words, it is a place for them to show off who has better product/prototype. Hehe. Apart from that, the event is a place for people to share information with one another.
I was one of the exhibitors for my company for this event. It was gruelling yet valuable experience for me as it was my first time and being part of it. “Gruelling??!”, one might wonder. Well, let’s put it this way. Those, who think that sitting in office from 9am to 6pm is boring yet tiring, might want to think again.
Being an exhibitor, you have to stand for the whole day. I did it for 3 consecutive days; i.e. from 9am to 6pm. It ain’t fun at all. Trust me. My legs are aching toward end of the each day and my bad (right) ankle was giving way at the final day of the event. We (my colleagues and I) were hoping that the day ends faster than usual. What’s worst is that we have to go there at 9am to set the things up before the event kicks off and stay back late to pack the things up before we leave the building. It drains one’s energy pretty much at the end of the day.
However, those complaints are negligible compare to what I had learnt throughout this event. I have gained valuable experience due to the fact that I get to interact with various types of people; from Sales Personnel to Sales Manager, CEOs as well as young entrepreneurs. Not only that, I get to witness various type of people’s behaviour, characteristic and occasionally, arrogant (arse) attitude. At times, it was awful experience but most of the time, it was fun. All in all, it went well and thank god that this event is on annual basis only.
Short note:
1) There are plenty of Canon 1D series and L lenses during that event which made me drool uncontrollably.
2) Photos are taken using Nokia N95. They suck badly. Slight reddish colour on white surface.
3) Now, I know why promoters in shopping mall have this ‘I’m pissed’ look. I totally understand their situation now. Hats off to them.
To Be A Good Salesman
Once, my friend said to me that in order to be a good salesman, you gotta learn it from the chaps in Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur.
Regardless true or not, one has to see it to believe it. The way they promote their stuff, the way the reject your offer, they way they counter your offer and the way they give their final price, it is rather amazing to how they work their way to earn a living.
Anyway, one important point that a good salesman must not discard is to be courteous at all times. You must respect decisions made by customers regardless whether they are interested in the product you are promoting. Needless to say, it is how you present yourself that closes the deal rather than how great your product works.
