Notes From the Far East

"Economic downturn more likely behind dip than 'inauspicious' year", The Straits Times, 27 Nov 2010, pg 1. Often effects of living in an modern urban environment invariably causes birth rates to be low. This observation is seen across a wide section of cities all around the world. What then are the effects? Popular issues include the many distraction, high cost or living, lack of support, too much expectations on limited resources. In "People Power", The Straits Times article dated 31 Dec 2010, pg A18 it was stated that the fertility rate is 1.10 children per woman and the median age as 39.6 with life expectancy at 82.1 for the Singapore population. These figures are startling considering the general call by the government to produce more against a backdrop of emerging countries to produce less. In sustaining families, it has come to expect the extended family plays an important role by which siblings and grandparents offer a means of support. Still for ma...

Study Trip to Macau, Zhu Hai, Shen Zhen, Dong Guan and Hong Kong Between 9 Oct and 15 Oct. 2008, 4 Singaporeans proceeded to the Pearl River region of Macau, Zhu Hai, Shen Zhen, Dong Guan and Hong Kong to observe and formulate opinions of the social characteristics exhibited in the said regions. The formulations are for the purposes of understanding China and the SARs and its people. Evidently the observations centred on routine activities such as hailing taxis to obtaining services from the various retail outlets such quality of service and comfort. The study trip was arranged such that any events that occurred were sporadic and spontaneous by nature. To facilitate trip guidance, a broad framework of objectives was developed as it provides directions. However, the actual implementation was sporadic and the programme amended to suit the situation of the day. For data collection and assessment, a simple assessment was done on hospitality, value for money, quality of goods and service...

Management Education “The Key is not giving more money, more market access…. There is nothing more important than giving future manager a good education.” Philip Yeo, chairman of Spring Singapore. In general there was wide acceptance that education, in the longer term provides results and behaviors in reinforcing innovation, creativity, flexibility, capacity to respond to widely different situations. It also provides autonomy, self-direction and self-expression. Often statistical information from institutions suggests a causal effect between education and profitability (Spring Singapore, Mar 2007) Studies suggest a correlation between education, survivability and entrepreneurial qualities (van der Sluis et. al., 2004). Laura Galloway and Wendy Brown (2002) in their paper wrote that the key to improving perceptions and attitudes within society lies in education. In addition to developing skills for business start-up and ownership, entrepreneurship education in universities can represent...

Culture Norms and Personality Traits Influence on Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurs are considered a rare breed in that they would take risk more than the returns they earn, accept lower than median earnings when compared to similarly skilled wage-earners and hold poorly diversified portfolio (Puri & Robinson, 2005) During the start up stages, founding members are usually more passionate as they were the ones who nurtured the firm to its present status and would remain so on all activities concerning the firm. They tend to worry about future prospects and have a high locus of control believing that their life’s event could be controlled (Ang and Hong, 2000). Thus, when failures occur it would attribute it to their own actions. In studies comparing Hong Kong and Singapore Chinese entrepreneurs and SMEs, Singapore Chinese were found to be more risk adverse. It is a given that a Singapore Chinese entrepreneur and a Chinese from elsewhere display many similar traits. The idea that entrepr...

Factors Affecting Entrepreneurial Decisions The common disposition of entrepreneurs is towards undertaking opportunities for wealth-creating and value-adding activities. Entrepreneurial qualities are thought to be innate and inborn rather than acquired through formal training. Can this be so? McClellan (1987) comparison of characteristics of entrepreneurs in developing countries of average and larger sized firms found that proactive qualities such as initiative and assertiveness, achievement orientation, and commitment are equally important complementary characteristics of successful entrepreneurs. Other expected qualities (self-confidence, persistence, persuasion, expertise) were not more characteristic of the successful. Hornaday (1982, cited in Ang and Hong 2000) documented that entrepreneurs have 42 characteristics that distinguish them from non-entrepreneurs. These include perseverance, resourcefulness, ability to take calculated risks, dynamism, and achievement orientation. To t...

One of the factors for considering countries for migration is the standard of living as seen in so many cases of migrant labour. However, the considerations for migrant labour from NIEs to a somewhat developed/stagnated economy may be solely lifestyle where there a balanced work and play environment is achieved. It also translates to a person's being paid his net economic worth against the world market rather than the local market mean. There is relativity between the cost of standard of living and the standard itself. The choice for country of migration is Malaysia due to its strong cultural linkages to Singapore and the number of biological relations that exists in that country. Then it is Australia and New Zealand for their tranquil environment and openess to individualistic attributes. The NIEs (Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, S. Korean and Japan) do not make good migration destination as their cost of living is very high relative to the standard of living offered.

Following the Romancing Weekend at Conrad, Dr Chew told participants that 1/3 of couples 38 years and less have SI 2-3 times a month. 2/3 have SI once every 2-3 months. There are two models in arousal the first being is the Master Johnson Theory and the Second Barson. The fomer has these stages "Excitement -> Plateau -> Orgasmic -> Resolution Phase. Man and Women have the Keygan muscles, he advises us to practise this muscle. He said clicinally only G-spot is relevant although touch is an important factor too. In the context of weigh reduction and incr of aerobic capacity and muscle swimming was recommended. ---------------------- In the session by Aarati, both hands' fingers on the forehead . in circular motion massage the head. Massage technique on temples and back of head. hand massage from the waist upward in a knelting fashion using the sesame seed oil. ------------------------- Violet Onn cooking. Vingette, first marinate the aspragus. in the Vingette, put ...