NTUC more worried about their own reputation than rats in their stalls that could harm Singaporeans?

Image:NTUC FairPrice Facebook

A delivery man posted pictures of rat traces in NTUC (Singapore equivalent of Sainsburys and Tesco). NTUC's first reaction was to threaten to sue the delivery man and to expose the delivery man's wrong doing - unrelated to rats in NTUC.

It is clear that NTUC was more defensive of its own reputation than explaining to customers how rats were able to bite into food products. Instead of coming clean with a bigger issue that could lead to lost of lives, NTUC decided to threaten the delivery man. One can assess that NTUC was more worried about defending their name than to address the problem at hand.

I think we need to rethink ethics in Singapore's business ecosystem. It is common sense to every Singaporean that NTUC's potential rat infestation is more important an issue than whether the delivery man stole some bread or not.

Perhaps an MP should ask in Parliament if an investigation of NTUC's warehouses and stalls can take place to Ensure Singaporeans have safe access to food. We need to bring up the ethics of businesses in Singapore. I think we should get citizens to expose these firms and collectively teach them a lesson - the power of the public.

One way is for Singaporeans to go to NTUC and start taking pictures of rats infestation, cockroaches and such. If we are serious about taking matters into our own hands in democratic Singapore, we should consider this option.

成功社交法则

社交除了单纯的“做自己”，也需要技巧。

赢得好感公式：次数频繁，距离靠近，时间持久，质量高

赢得别人好感可以从四个维度着手：频率，距离，时长和强度。

尽量出现在你想要赢得好感的那个人周围，越靠近、越频繁越好。因为拥有相同的环境的人更有可能彼此吸引。

其次, 相处的时间长短很重要。你和某人在一起花的时间越多，你越有可能影响到他们从而让他们喜欢上你。 相处质量-即在有效时间内，通过释放善意的信息，在多大程度上可以满足另一个人的心理、生理需求 。

用身体语言表示好感：动眉毛，头部倾斜，微笑

与萤火虫通过发光器官来吸引交配对象相似，人类使用眉毛的上下运动来吸引关注。 即使从远处做这个动作也可以告诉对方你没有恶意。

第二个身体动作是头部的倾斜。这也是一个没有任何恶意的姿势，因为在你的头向左或向右倾斜的时候，你会露出你的动脉血管。潜意识里，我们只会向那些对我们无害的人露出血管。相反，如果我们觉得受到了威胁，我们会将脖子向肩膀收缩来保护自己。那些与别人谈话时头部向对方倾斜的人比起头部保持竖直的人显得更加友好，善良，真诚。

第三个强有力的身体语言是真诚的微笑。我们通常认为笑脸更可爱，更有吸引力，更友好，且不那么强势。更棒的是，微笑还释放内啡肽，让我们身心舒畅。很难做到不对向你微笑的人回以微笑；一个回应微笑也会让对方如沐春风。

想要别人喜欢，先使别人觉得感觉良好！

到现在为止，你已经释放出足够的善意了，是时候开始交谈了。 到底该如何进行呢？

社交的黄金定律是，如果你想要别人喜欢你，你先要让别人对他们自己感到满意。事实上这一条是所有成功关系的核心。人们被那些可以让他们开心的人吸引，因为他们想要回报以同样的正面能量给他们。想要以更低的价格买到东西？和卖东西的人聊天，让他们感到开心也许有用。

采用“同理心”的谈话策略。使对话一直围绕对方而不是自己身上。比如你看到卖东西的人站在那里一天很辛苦，可以以问候为谈话的开始。

社交进阶公式：吸引力法则

目前为止，我们已经介绍了社交的基本公式。然而在社交理论里，还有一些其他的技巧，比如“吸引力法则”。

吸引力法则定律一， 相似定律， 即选择那些和你持有相同原则或价值观的人成为朋友。该定律有效的原因是相似的人在一起会强化相似的部分从而促进相互吸引。如何运用这个定律呢？你可以在你想展开良好关系的那个人身上找你们的共同点开始对话， 注意避开那些你们并不是都感兴趣的话题。

另一个定律是“好奇心定律”，即当你对一个人表现出好奇心的时候，你也自动引发了对方对你的兴趣。好奇心是人类普遍的特性，你也可以创造“好奇心”来引起你感兴趣的人对你的兴趣。比如，在某些社交场合表现的与众不同特立独行意味着很有可能别人会来找你攀谈，问你为什么这样表现。

第三个定律，互惠定律，即礼尚往来。你可以按下面的例子来实践这条定律，比如你给别人买了咖啡或者顺便带了什么东西，当他们说谢谢你的时候，先别说“不客气”，而说“我知道你也会为我做这些的。”这样就激发了互惠的机会。

让他人讲自己的故事：

首先，你要懂得倾听。如果你在讲一个故事的时候听的人心不在焉，总是望向别处，这感觉是不是很烦？通常来讲，说话的人很清楚对方有没有在听，所以在别人说话的时候要注意倾听，保持眼神交流，千万不要打断别人。

第二，在互动时注意观察对方的身体语言。有些动作，比如向后退，双臂交叉在胸前或者双唇紧闭都是目前的对话进行不妙的表现。如果你看到了这种行为，你可能一直在讲你自己。当对方没有很好的融入你们的互动时，马上转移到对方更感兴趣的话题上。

第三，你回应对方的方式和内容也会影响到你是否能成功社交。你的语气对于你想传达的信息也很重要。比如，低沉得散心音通常与浪漫有关，而高音则表明有意外的情绪。另外一个显而易见的是，你说了什么内容会影响其他人对你的看法。记得要通过认可他人，赞美他人来让别人感觉很好而将你视为朋友。

最后，用共鸣或同理心来让他人知道你理解发生在你们周围的事。比如你可以这样表达你的同理心，在一个服务生很忙的时候你对他说“哦，你这么忙，我都不知道你怎么应付过来的！”

亲密度：验证关系的砝码

亲密的意思是你和别人的关系是建立在互相理解的基础上的。本质上来说，亲密确保你们发展的友谊对双方都有益。测试亲密与否可以让你知道你们的关系进展。亲密度在人们的心理之间搭了一座桥，并可决定友谊的高度。如果你想要开展并维系一段长期的关系，或者仅仅是想从一面之缘的陌生人那里捞点好处，你需要通过测试你们的亲密度来明确你是否可以达成目标。

怎样测试呢？对视是一个百试不厌的方法。如果一个人拒绝在你身上停留目光，那么你还需要加把劲使得你们可以有长时间的眼神交流。

你也可以通过观察行为的方式，比如轻轻触摸或者是模仿对方的动作来测试。由于我们和比人不熟悉的时候，通常只是短暂的触摸彼此肩膀以下部位或握手，碰触其他部位就可以昭示你们的关系非比寻常了。当你们都就坐的时候轻触对方小臂或膝盖可以看出你们的关系亲密与否。

由于心理联系紧密的两个人在谈话时会模仿对方的动作，你也可以通过镜像模仿对方的动作来测试亲密度。做这个，你需要用“领导与跟从”的方式改变你的身体姿势，比如交叉或打开双臂。如果另一个人模仿了你，便证明你们之间的亲密度是很高的。

Minimalism principles to cost cutting - don't sacrifice quality

When you cut cost, you need to maintain quality standards. You cannot decrease service levels.

I like the principle of “Less”. You can start by saving space and unnecessary activities that do not implicate operations. Space is often something you can consider. Also consider hot desking. You don’t have full capacity all the time. Hot desking allows you to cut down space use. 

Another way to cut cost is to outsource non-core business operations. It is cheaper because you won’t have to employ someone and consider costs comprising wages, insurance, training and development.

Also, create the right incentives. Give sales people KPIs that help the firm, not close deals but leave operations unattended.

No matter what happens, firing your staff should be the last option. It creates insecurity and fear in the firm. Once that happens, valuable employees may start finding new jobs. Give employees the option to go for unpaid leave.

We need to shut down tax havens

If an investor from country A buys stock from country B, accounts of country B would record the sale as a liability. If the investor from A record this as an asset in country A, he would be taxed on income of this stock. If the investor in country A were to park it in a Swiss account, he wouldn't be taxed.

Since the financial crisis began in 2008, economic growth has dwindled dramatically, leading to increasing debt. In 2014 alone, income hidden away in tax havens removed $78 billion in tax revenue for European countries.

As we speak, the rich get richer by escaping tax. We need forceful solutions. Tax havens should face economic sanctions and trade levies.We need international compliance. 

We can create an international wealth database to help tax authorities to verify when banks are withholding client information.

Multinational corporations also avoid paying taxes. They earn profits from around the world and apply transfer prices to minimize tax. These practices harm society and add to increasing economic inequality. We need to shut down tax havens.

Don't underestimate the power of a loyal customer - a few tips based on personal experience

The success of a company is tied to the relationship with their customers. Don’t underestimate the power of a loyal customer to spread the gospel of your brand.

Customers are not interested in unclear product propositions. We want to relate to your product in an instant. Your product has to be intuitive.

A loyal customer is valuable. They generate a lot more revenue than others.

A loyal customer talks about your product and return many times to buy your product.

If your product is failing, you need to learn what your customers want. Rethink your product specifications – does it meet the needs of customers?

Visual impression means a lot. If any product is unappealing, it’s hard to get customers.

Your team members are only second to the customer. Hire very slowly, but fire quickly if they are not a good fit.

Consumerism is screwing us up. Own lesser things, have lesser problems in life

How many things have you bought that you have never used before?

Most of us make impulse purchase at the flea market and online. While this trend may not be harmful, it is certainly not without a cost. Hoarding things make it hard for you to stay organized. These things have the potential to destroy our life, take away your attention.

Consumerism have been touted as the engine to fuel the economy. Advertisers also claim that it makes you happier. But today, we want to be anti-consumerism. Buying more things does not make you happier.

You are suffering from consumerism if you bought too many things and if your home and cellar is filled with useless items. Do you still determine happiness by the number of assets you own? Materialism means you have more things to organize and to worry about. Buying more today means less money for tomorrow. Buying more also means contributing to inflationary measures – i.e. your money is worth much lesser.

Many of you will notice that having too much of something does not satisfy. If you have too much of a good food, you begin to get sick of it. Consumerism causes depression because you are in the rat race to continue to buy more, buy newer models of cars and phones.

So what should you do?

Get rid of things you don’t use. Get rid of emotionally charged things. Opt for a simpler life. Experiences hold a higher value than material possessions. Experiences create bonds and they shape our identity more than possessions. A week of family bonding time can strengthen ties. A few more cars will not. You can try being an anti-consumptionist for a while. Detox your life.

Head start to success: Simple principles of a successful career and business venture

Success is unrelated with education

When it comes to business, most people think there’s an official starting line: A degree, an apprenticeship, or stumbling on the right amount of money.

You certainly don’t need an MBA to have a business. Common sense is most important. You will also need to read a lot. Read books written by successful businessmen. It’s the cheapest way to absorb decades of experience.

Will MBA payoff?

The MBA won’t be the one place to pay to receive knowledge and contacts to start a business. After considering the opportunity cost of jobs, MBA fees can go up to $200,000. That’s expensive. But does it lead to success? No, there is no correlation between success and MBA at all.

The 101 of value

You don’t only need to think of a product to tell. It has to be a product that people are interested to buy. Buying decisions are triggered by emotions or specific requirements.

Imagine selling a bottle of stale water to a hiker lost in a desert. He’d be willing to pay just about anything for that lousy bottle, just because it responds to his predominant need. The lesson here? Find your own desperate hiker.

There are four kinds of need

• Desire to acquire and collect thing
• Desire to feel valued and loved
• Desire to learn and satisfy curiosity
• Desire to defend ourselves.

There is no cheap way to communicate with your intended market segment. Sometimes, it’s better to deliver a hand written note than to advertise on social media. People don’t buy a product for its own sake. They buy it because of the end result they’re hoping to attain. For example, a woman won’t pay $20 for a lipstick simply because the color is nice. She buys it because she hopes it will make her more desirable. This is why testimonials are important.

You can close a sale even if the customer is reluctant

The owner of a pet shop can simply convince a prospect by allowing the owner to bring the pet dog for a week as a trial. It is very lightly that the owner will not return the dog. Clients hate to make a bad choice. So we can let them test the product and if they don’t like it, allow a refund.

Communications is key

You might have a great idea, but you need clear communications to implement. If you want someone to do something, you should tell them why. People like to understand what they are doing. If you explain why, you don’t have to micromanage every step.

A simple way to communicate better is to stop putting others down. People can also become defensive and try to save face rather than understand your comments. Create a safe environment for people to share ideas.

Minimalism in reading - the equivalent of speed reading

First, you don't actually have to read everything in a book or newspaper to understand it. In fact, it's impossible to read everything that passes over your desk. Instead, you should get in the habit of selecting and prioritizing what's actually important. 

Second, you don't have to remember everything you read to get something from the material. We develop this misconception about reading in school, where we're under pressure to remember everything we read in our textbooks because we'll be tested on the material.

If you want to retain the information for the future, you'll need to create an easy retrieval system.

Try writing down the crucial information (electronically or on paper), or make highlights and notes in the margins. Then, simply file the materials away. This way you can find the information easily, and it will also take away the pressure of memorizing everything.

We need to get the rape culture out of the way for progress.

 “Like a spider, she drew him into her web.” This was said of an 11-year-old girl when she defended against a guy who tried to rape her. Rape victims across the world are blamed for luring guys to rape women.

In this case, which happened in Cleveland, Texas in 2010, the 11-year-old girl was repeatedly gang raped by several men. You might agree that this was a clear cut case. But the defense said the girl was audacious enough to wear makeup.

Facts were twisted and used to blame the victim. The public were shocked that the men had been “seduced” into such behavior. There was a lot of concern about the case affecting the men for the rest of their lives.

These attitude is the product of the culture we live in. We expect woman to adhere to rules and men’s unspoken policies to avoid getting raped. Girls are told not to go out alone at night, not to talk to strange men you don’t know, not to wear revealing clothing.

We cannot keep putting the responsibility of rape prevention onto the victims makes it easier for people to blame them if a rape does occur.

Rape doesn’t result from the actions of a small number of men. We need to rewrite rules of society.

Buy index funds, but if you insist on trying our stock trading for yourself, read this.

I'm prompted to just tell investors to buy ETFs or index fund. But I realized not many investors are aware of the basics and still believe they can beat the market. So here's a simple 101 of stocks.

You own a business when you own a stock

Every stock represents part of a business, and when you buy stock you’re actually purchasing a share of the company. So in the same way that entrepreneurs can own a business outright or split ownership with other partners, as a stockholder, you can own shares of a company.

But while entrepreneurs and partners work day in, day out to manage their business, as a shareholder you don’t have any responsibility for managing the company and can sell your shares whenever you want.

So stocks are effectively pieces of a company, and many companies make their stock available to the public. This is a strategic decision that depends on the size and financial needs of a company. Every business relies on financing, but some entrepreneurs use their own savings while others come up with the initial capital by asking family and friends like the founders of Google did.

As a company grows, its funding often needs to grow with it. Eventually, the company can become so big that it only has two options for how to raise the massive amounts of capital needed to run its daily operations and make investments

1.        They can borrow money from a bank just like an average person would do to buy a car or a house.
2.        They can sell ownership of the firm for money.

Take emotions out of the equation

Financial news can create distress. Investing is about keeping calm and going for the long term.

In fact, one of the best times to buy stocks is when investors’ emotions drive down financial markets. Market panic is the best tool to get cheap stocks. Don’t feel a sense of “missing out” when your peers make, let 20%, and you sat out of the deal. There is nothing to panic! Investments is best done when you are calm, and your only counterparty is the market.

Don’t invest an amount you cannot afford to lose. Fear can drive people to make irrational choices.

• When looking at a stock, it’s best to act like a five-year-old and keep asking why.
• Why do people like or need the company’s products in their lives?
• Why do they consume its products?
• How is the company making money?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, its better off buying the entire index through index funds of ETFs.

Today, financial markets are prone to drastic drops and spikes. These changes can be caused by mood swings prompted by over-excitement and disappointment.