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Increase Employability Before Economic Downturn (image source (image modified): investing.com https://www.investing.com/economic-calendar/hong-kong-unemployment-rate-776) According to the statistics released this month (Sep 2019), the unemployment rate stays at 2.9%. A 0.1% increase was seen last month, hinting a possible reverse trend to the continued decrease since 2016 (last rise from 3.1% to 3.4% appeared in 2014-2016). While such a small increase can be seasonal fluctuation, and lower rates were below 2% back in the 80’s and 90’s, it is worth noting that rising went faster than falling. Coincidentally, both falls took 1.79 times…

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Questioned Before Shortlisted: Investment A or B?

February 22, 2018August 9, 2018 Douglascash budget, cash flow, investment, recruitment0 comment

The company is presented with two investment opportunities: Investment A) We invest $1,000,000 and we are guaranteed to receive back $2,000,000 one year from now. Investment B) We invest $5,000,000 and we are guaranteed to receive back $6,050,000 one year from now. The risk profile for both investments is exactly the same. There is no strategic interest in pursuing one of the other. Which option would you take and why? ___ I came across the above question in an electronic application form for a certain job vacancy. I am not…

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The Mask Triumph: to You, Who Keep Trying

February 22, 2018August 9, 2018 DouglasAngela Hui, failure, keep trying, mask, success, trying0 comment

(image source: https://www.facebook.com/littlelittletanktop/photos/a.1351348394942387.1073741826.221854347891803/1493575080719717/?type=3&theater) This is a reply I wrote on a Facebook page. Hope you find your courage in it. ___ That’s what makes her so special, isn’t it? The first video without her face came out unplanned, which “inspired” her to start this channel. Though she revealed her identity only in the latest concert, she never denied anyone guessed correctly. Let’s take 5000 steps back. Suppose she deliberately masked herself and created this page. I think the person most bothered is herself. Identity is the core of show business.…

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3 Simple Tricks to Improve Efficiency at Work

February 20, 2018August 9, 2018 Douglasefficiency at work, short-cut keys, short-cuts, tricks at work, ultrawide monitor, ultrawide screen0 comment

At first, I did them at home. And then, I did the below 3 things in almost every company I was with. They turn out to be very useful tricks and I really want to share with you. 1. A big computer monitor definitely helps Ever since the emergence of LCD monitor, a lot of desk space has been saved. Unfortunately the space saved can do little help nowadays, as more is shown on the screen instead of on the desk. I was sort of obsessed with a big screen…

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Department Goal

February 18, 2018August 9, 2018 Douglasdepartment goal, goal-setting0 comment

I worked on goal-setting for a financial services company. The goal of a department gives the overall direction for the staff. The sub-goals further present what needs to be done to achieve the department goal. Since it is a service company, it saves itself from the trouble of managing inventory of raw materials and finished goods. So the goal of finance & accounting department is rather simple. Similarly, IT department has a clear direction on how to enhance the efficiency of the company. It is a common classification that goals…

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Quality Improvement Case

February 18, 2018August 9, 2018 Douglasquality0 comment

Managing quality is crucial for all businesses. Quality products help to maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty and reduce the risk and cost of replacing faulty goods. Customers expect to buy quality products. Quality is critical to satisfying customers and retaining loyalty. Quality products make an important contribution to long-term revenue and profitability. Challenges Trading company took orders for hair accessories products. With over 20 quality controllers, the company was still running short of hands during peak seasons due to suppliers being too spread out in different provinces in China with…

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Business Process Management Improvement – Knit Factory

February 18, 2018August 9, 2018 Douglas80-20 rule, BPM, business process management, factory, knit0 comment

Business process management (BPM) is a way of looking at and then controlling the processes that are present in an organization. It is an effective methodology and systematic approach to use to make certain that the processes are efficient and effective, as this will result in a better and more cost-efficient organization. The term “business process management” covers how we study, identify, change, and monitor business processes to ensure that they run smoothly and can be improved over time. This makes an important contribution to long-term revenue and profitability. Challenges…

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Business Development Improvement Case

February 18, 2018August 9, 2018 Douglasbusiness development0 comment

Business development can be a good way to grow business. It can also be one of the most time-intensive tasks. It typically requires focus, planning and stamina. A good business developer will engage internal resources and build linkage along the way to ensure the team to meet goals and expectations. Challenges Trading company in Shanghai faced on-going keen competition. European customers placed orders to whoever was good at product development and price point. The company wanted to do a special marketing project to improve business development and service quality. Through…

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Human Resources Case

February 18, 2018August 9, 2018 Douglashuman resources management, recruitment0 comment

Human resources is important in small or sizable business. A small business with few employees may not have specialist human resources staff. Recruitment and management are carried out by line managers. Larger businesses may have an HR specialist or department to oversee and coordinate their employee management policies and procedures. Even when a company employs an HR specialist, it is the line manager who has day-to-day responsibility for implementing HR initiatives. Challenges A small company with few employees, due to business expansion, needs to hire 3 additional engineers to cope…

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6 Ways to Get Enough Sleep

February 18, 2018August 9, 2018 Douglasinsomnia, sleep, sleeplessness, stress0 comment

It is not uncommon nowadays you may not be able to sleep at night because of stress at work. There are many ways to help you to fall asleep. Sometimes, however, it is just an obstacle you cannot “overcome” simply. A long time ago I read a definition of insomnia saying that if you cannot fall asleep within 45 minutes, then you are officially in insomnia. So even if you are able to sleep for a couple of hours, having not enough sleep at night, especially when you have the…