At the beginning of the workshop, it all started out with a group of students and most of us do not know much about each other. To me, a lot of unfamiliar faces, coming together for the same purpose.
From the preparations, to running the daily programs, the post-trip final presentation, all are run by us - the students with the aid of the lecturers as facilitators. I came to realize that very often, what we see on the surface are not the only things that are done. There are a lot of other preparations done but unseen. This study mission has enlightened me with regards to my views and opinions about China. It made me came to realized that China is really catching up with the rest of the world. China has abundance in raw materials, resources, land and man. In addition, she has long, rich history and culture that are strongly embedded into the younger generation nowadays even.
The potential of China is slowly revealing, however many thinks that China is developing too fast. Companies and fast-thinking businessman that realized this had now penetrated into this large market. Indeed, to work with the Chinese, Patience, Relationship and Cash (PRC) are the most important factors. Having a government official as a partner in the business, it would be half as fast and easy to get things done and procedures cleared.
Visits to the cultural sites made me realize that they have gone through a lot and to preserve their history, something like this Chinese proverb “yin shui shi yuan”. The children there had been sent to training school at a young age to learn marital arts or even skills. Though this, cultures are much passed on the younger generations. Like the lion dance, a lot of training and practices are required, the training that the children has to go through everyday, a lot of hard work and determination are needed. To put up a successful performance, it is not the individual effort that counts but it is of the whole team (to set up the performance ground, the musicians, and the “shi fu” etc).
Bringing me to my next point, being a Deputy CEO, I am exposed to things I have never done before even in leadership position while in secondary school. Learning to work and complement your partner’s strength and weakness are crucial so as to play our roles well. I am not a person who likes to stand in front and gives instruction etc, whilst Kenneth is able to that thus, often, he takes charge of the “Front stage” while I share the “Back stage” work. Being in a team, it is important to complement and bring out the best of your teammates, helping them to realize and maximize their potentials, not complaining and pull each other down. The same goes for my group mates, I’ve learnt to be even more understanding and tolerant towards differences, being responsible. I wish to thank my group mates: Lihua, Esther and KokYong, for being so understanding and helping me out due to the fact that I’m tied down by my duties, be it while on the 10 days or even before the trip commenced.
During the company visits, most of the time, it is the General Manager or the Senior Executive who receives us personally. I think I am very much impressed by the fact that they are willing to take the time off their work to meet us. Usually, people of such high designations would have lots of work to be completed and to businessman, every minute is money to them and not many people would be willing to sacrifice such time. But at this point in time, we being only students, do not bring much value to them yet they kindly took time off their work to meet us. I think Mr Andrew plays a important role as well who helps us to contact those people. (All this are results of networking I guess.)
Even for networking dinners, after a long day of work, those expatriates could have gone home to rest, but they have kindly agreed to meet us and share their knowledge and experiences with us. From them, there are many life experiences told to us that we could never learn off from books.
To be able to go to China and experience this new learning journey is really something new for me. Experiencing it myself has enhanced my learning. It is much more better than just reading from notes and materials. Besides, one will be able to remember better instead of just reading then forget.
All these while, we have been taking electricity for granted in Singapore. In China, it dawned on me the importance of electricity. Over in China, companies have to stop work due to such shortages and it could amount to a considerable sum of losses for the company in the long run if not dealt with carefully. Resources like electricity, oil, natural gas, water and clean air are depleting as the human population rises.
Overall, from this trip, besides learning more about China, I came to find out more about myself like my strengths and weaknesses. I have also made many friends since the start of this journey. I would like to thank the lecturers: Ms Tay, Mr Wong and Mr Lau, my group mate and everyone on this trip. You all certainly has left footprints in my heart!
From the preparations, to running the daily programs, the post-trip final presentation, all are run by us - the students with the aid of the lecturers as facilitators. I came to realize that very often, what we see on the surface are not the only things that are done. There are a lot of other preparations done but unseen. This study mission has enlightened me with regards to my views and opinions about China. It made me came to realized that China is really catching up with the rest of the world. China has abundance in raw materials, resources, land and man. In addition, she has long, rich history and culture that are strongly embedded into the younger generation nowadays even.
The potential of China is slowly revealing, however many thinks that China is developing too fast. Companies and fast-thinking businessman that realized this had now penetrated into this large market. Indeed, to work with the Chinese, Patience, Relationship and Cash (PRC) are the most important factors. Having a government official as a partner in the business, it would be half as fast and easy to get things done and procedures cleared.
Visits to the cultural sites made me realize that they have gone through a lot and to preserve their history, something like this Chinese proverb “yin shui shi yuan”. The children there had been sent to training school at a young age to learn marital arts or even skills. Though this, cultures are much passed on the younger generations. Like the lion dance, a lot of training and practices are required, the training that the children has to go through everyday, a lot of hard work and determination are needed. To put up a successful performance, it is not the individual effort that counts but it is of the whole team (to set up the performance ground, the musicians, and the “shi fu” etc).
Bringing me to my next point, being a Deputy CEO, I am exposed to things I have never done before even in leadership position while in secondary school. Learning to work and complement your partner’s strength and weakness are crucial so as to play our roles well. I am not a person who likes to stand in front and gives instruction etc, whilst Kenneth is able to that thus, often, he takes charge of the “Front stage” while I share the “Back stage” work. Being in a team, it is important to complement and bring out the best of your teammates, helping them to realize and maximize their potentials, not complaining and pull each other down. The same goes for my group mates, I’ve learnt to be even more understanding and tolerant towards differences, being responsible. I wish to thank my group mates: Lihua, Esther and KokYong, for being so understanding and helping me out due to the fact that I’m tied down by my duties, be it while on the 10 days or even before the trip commenced.
During the company visits, most of the time, it is the General Manager or the Senior Executive who receives us personally. I think I am very much impressed by the fact that they are willing to take the time off their work to meet us. Usually, people of such high designations would have lots of work to be completed and to businessman, every minute is money to them and not many people would be willing to sacrifice such time. But at this point in time, we being only students, do not bring much value to them yet they kindly took time off their work to meet us. I think Mr Andrew plays a important role as well who helps us to contact those people. (All this are results of networking I guess.)
Even for networking dinners, after a long day of work, those expatriates could have gone home to rest, but they have kindly agreed to meet us and share their knowledge and experiences with us. From them, there are many life experiences told to us that we could never learn off from books.
To be able to go to China and experience this new learning journey is really something new for me. Experiencing it myself has enhanced my learning. It is much more better than just reading from notes and materials. Besides, one will be able to remember better instead of just reading then forget.
All these while, we have been taking electricity for granted in Singapore. In China, it dawned on me the importance of electricity. Over in China, companies have to stop work due to such shortages and it could amount to a considerable sum of losses for the company in the long run if not dealt with carefully. Resources like electricity, oil, natural gas, water and clean air are depleting as the human population rises.
Overall, from this trip, besides learning more about China, I came to find out more about myself like my strengths and weaknesses. I have also made many friends since the start of this journey. I would like to thank the lecturers: Ms Tay, Mr Wong and Mr Lau, my group mate and everyone on this trip. You all certainly has left footprints in my heart!
iEf!eF
5:32 AM
5:32 AM