Reading Materials

Since the world wide web started, we all eventually readings a lot of materials either is it good or bad instead of the good old days when libraries is the main arena for us all to gather all sort of information. Now with the cyber world just at our finger tips, information & knowledge can be obtain with or without any cost involved.

It's only the matter how we going to use the knowledge and information we get. Hopefully it is for the better world better future.

In this labels I'll will share some of the e-books that I read through, collect & make it as my on reference since I don't have the opportunities to learn back in my own time. 

Ayah Chor.

Personal And Interactive Attributes.

PERSONAL AND INTERACTIVE ATTRIBUTES.

What skills and attributes do employers want?

The possession of a range of skills and personal and interactive attributes are at least as important, if not more important, to employers than the possession of qualifications.

Will I need the same attributes irrespective of job type?

There are innumerable studies that have shown that a set of ‘transferable skills’ or ‘competencies’ including communication, team working, problem-solving, leadership, numeracy, self-confidence, willingness to learn and flexibility, are widely required by employers generally. Furthermore these lists of attributes have changed little over time. What I see are that in some circumstances, in some stage of development, some of them will be more important than others, but things like commercial awareness, some basic intellectual capabilities, results orientation, interpersonal skills, will always be important.

Personal Attributes

The personal attributes most employers want are:

Intellect - the ability to analyze critique and synthesize information in order to solve problems;

Knowledge - an understanding of ‘basic principles’ rather than large stocks of specialist knowledge;

Commercial Awareness- an appreciation of workplace culture

Willingness to Learn- the ability to learn and continue learning throughout life;

Flexibility and Adaptability- the ability to respond to change, to pre-empt change and ultimately to lead change;

Self-Regulatory Skills - self-discipline, time-keeping, the ability to deal with stress, to plan and prioritize your workload and to ‘juggle’ several tasks at once;

Self-Motivation- being a ‘self-starter’, resilient, tenacious and determined;

Self-Assurance - self-confidence, self-awareness, self-belief, self-sufficiency, self-direction and self-promotion.

Interactive Attributes

The interactive attributes most employers want are:

Communication Skills- the ability to communicate, formally and informally, verbally and in the written form, with a wide range of people both internal and external to the organization;

Interpersonal Skills- the ability to relate to, and feel comfortable with, people at all levels and to be able to make and maintain relationships as circumstances change;

Teamwork - the ability to work effectively in teams, often more than one team at once, and to be able to re-adjust roles from one project situation to another in an ever-shifting work situation.

10 Must Haves For Your Marketing Plan

As the list of ways to promote your business grows, working out the most effective way to spruik your business can be half the battle. That's why it's vital that small- and medium-sized businesses put a solid marketing strategy in place and make sure they don't deviate from the plan.

Here are 10 things your plan must do.

1. Define your customer base

It sounds easy, but so few companies actually include a detailed synopsis of their target market in their marketing plan, rendering them powerless to make the most of potential sales.

Your customer base can change dramatically from one year to the next and if you're not watching carefully, sales can drop as a result. Even in the last few years, customer behaviour has changed dramatically thanks to the growth in the number of people using the internet to research and compare prices before hitting the shops. Consumers are also sharing brand experiences via social networking sites and could well be naming your business personally; and not all comments are necessarily positive.

Jetty van Kooij, Sydney based marketing consultant, says first and foremost a business should get back to basics and define its ideal customer.

"As a start, a business should consider what its unique selling proposition or so-called point of difference is, and always be sure to talk about your business's benefits rather than its features."

2. Don't look at marketing channels in isolation

It's so old-hat to list your expected expenditure on television, print and digital for the year ahead in your marketing plan. These days, smart marketers know that all these mediums have a significant influence on each other and should be considered collectively.

Jen Storey, founder of Brisbane-based strategy, marketing and communications firm Outside Insights says many companies still treat online marketing separately to more traditional mediums like print and radio, when in reality the two must be integrated.

"I'm often called on to do the online marketing plan, and my action is always to review the traditional marketing plan and explain how and why advertising mediums can't be thought of as separate entities."

"A fragmented plan will provide fragmented results, and yet this is still how many marketing plans are developed."

3. Try something new

All businesses need to push the boundaries from time to time, and marketing is an area of your business in which you should look to extend yourself. If you're still using the same advertising mediums that you were using two years ago, then it's time to try something new. Consider dabbling in email marketing, or maybe PR might suit you better. Either way, make a decision and detail it in your marketing plan.

For a small business, a marketing plan might only be a few pages long, but larger businesses often require a plan that details exactly where their marketing dollars will be spent and how.

The plan needs to be revisited monthly – or, at the very least, quarterly, according to Cecelia Haddad, director of Sydney marketing and PR firm, Marketing Elements.

"Businesses need to realise that marketing isn't an expense, it's a legitimate business building activity," Haddad says.

4. Make a real social media push

Social media engagement also deserves a mention in your marketing plan given Australians are now among the world's most active social networkers.

Mark Allison of customer intelligence company Webtrends says social media outlets give businesses the ability to engage directly with consumers, creating a database of potential customers to market to.

Social media can also provide businesses with valuable, cost-free insights when you're bringing a new product or service to market.

"It's free to set up a fan page on Facebook or a Twitter profile to engage with customers and if you launch something new into the market, engage with your community and see what they think of it," Allison says.

5. Improve your marketing measures

Depending on how much money you're willing to dedicate to measuring your return on investment, there are a range of measurement tools available to businesses which can give you real insight into whether your marketing dollars are being spent wisely.

And with the growth in the number of measurement tools in the market, half the battle is wading your way through the tools on offer and finding one that best suits your needs.

So what tools are available to a business wanting to measure how effective its online marketing activity has been? Many in business agree that one of the first ports of call should be Google, which offers a range of products to help measure online return on investment without charging a cent.

Kate Conroy, ad words strategist at Google says Google Insights is publicly available for free and enables small businesses to plan its marketing activity during seasonal events such as Christmas or Easter.

"This service can tell a business when is the optimum time to spend their marketing budget, which can help you plan your expenditure well in advance," Conroy says.

6. Utilise email marketing
Email marketing continues to be a favourite marketing medium for companies given it's one of the cheapest and most measurable forms of self-promotion around. But there are some hard and fast rules that businesses should stick to when it comes to email marketing.

The experts say you should make sure that each campaign focuses on a single message that's delivered succinctly, manage your database carefully and always include an unsubscribe link.

Megan Hales, head of digital and senior planner of Sydney advertising agency The Campaign Palace says email is a hot topic because it's finally reached maturity as a digital marketing medium. And a growing number of businesses have grown their email databases to a size that enables them to reach the masses with the click of a mouse.

"Email marketing has come of age, and is becoming one of the more preferred methods of contact for consumers engaging with businesses," Hales says.

7. Include expected results in your plan
Your marketing plan shouldn't simply list the promotions you intend on doing for the coming year, but also include expected results, otherwise known as Return on Investment.

Kylie Watson, marketing communications lecturer at the University of Canberra, says the key to any successful marketing plan is to know your average dollar sale and to work out whether any of the integrated tools you use are achieving a dollar return.

Whether a business utilises personal selling, PR, advertising, sales promotions or other forms of marketing, knowing your Return on Investment is key, she says.

"For example, if you place an ad for $450, you need to know how many products you have to sell to get the money back and then to make a profit."

"Branding is fine for the big guys, but SMEs need to be sure they're making a direct return on their marketing spend."

8. At least do the free stuff
There are things you can do to market your business that doesn't cost a cent, so make sure you consider including marketing approaches that are free in your marketing plan.

For example, gain some momentum by engaging the local media by distributing press releases and newsletters about your business.

Carolyn Loton, director of Sydney's Juntos Marketing says a business should think about how it can start, develop and maintain meaningful relationships with people within its target market, with social networking another free option.

"If you're unfamiliar with social media or online marketing tools, the best approach is to get onto the internet and actually try them. Just make sure you start small and build your presence as you feel more comfortable."

9. Be the brand
Smart companies are putting themselves front and centre of their branding, often with great results.

At the big end of town, Gerry Harvey from Harvey Norman or Richard Branson from Virgin have both fronted their brands with outstanding results, but this can also work for smaller operators.

One way to do this is to use your name in your business name or logo, which Nick Bowditch, founder of social engagement agency The Bowditch Group has done. His marketing plan includes points on how he can stretch his personal 'brand' into his business brand and vice versa.

"Using your own name as your company name certainly helps people find you via a Google search."

He also makes sure every photo he uses on his social networking sites is the same, making him easily identifiable.

"Some people don't think a business owner should appear in their own ad as it can look like you're a backyard operation, but I disagree. I believe it can give that personal touch. If you try and be a faceless entity as a business then I think you're really missing out."

10. Never forget SEO
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) strategies straddle the marketing plan and the IT plan and should be considered crucial to both parts of the business.

SEO simply means using key words and search phrases to get your website to rank highly in search engines.

Not surprisingly, this means that more than ever, content is king, with experts continually urging SMEs to adopt quality content on their website.

Mark Baartse, consulting director for Sydney marketing company First Rate, says the search engine's ultimate goal is to show the most relevant result for each search phrase.

"If you can't honestly say your site is relevant and useful to consumers, then you're fighting an uphill battle," he says.

"But if you have a genuinely useful, high quality site which users find valuable, then you'll rank well, although it might take awhile. Blogging on your site is one good way to achieve this."

Also consider offsite optimisation, which refers to who is linked to your site. Baartse says most major search engines see someone linking to you as a vote of confidence, therefore ranking you higher in a search.

"However, if you have a really good quality site, you'll tend to attract a lot of links naturally."

Credits To >> http://www.smartcompany.com.au/advertising-and-marketing/20100629-10-must-haves-for-your-marketing-plan.html

How To Take Care of Leather In Humid Climate

Keep accessories and bags in boxes. Many manufacturers of leather bags will include a dust bag with the purchase. Their products should be stored in these when you're not using them. Keep them in boxes for long periods of storage, and use silica gel packets to absorb excess moisture. The use of dehumidifier to reduce moisture in the air is much better mostly in closet, show cabinet or any other places where you put your leather things.  If you live in a consistently humid climate, consider buying larger units to keep your home drier and protect your leather. This is especially important if you have leather furniture.


Source of Mold and Mildew
Spores of fungi and bacteria are present in the air. High humidity, warm temperatures, and poor ventilation provide the ambient conditions that allow mold growth. Generally, stagnant air above 80% relative humidity may support mold. If above 95%, the humidity will certainly encourage fungi and bacteria to grow. Soiling, organic residues and stains will enhance the growth of mildew on leather and fabrics.

Removing Mildew from Leather and Fabric Surfaces
First, remove loose mold from outer coverings of upholstered articles with a soft bristle brush. Do this outdoors, if possible, to prevent scattering mildew spores in the house. Wash brush before re-using.

Run a vacuum cleaner attachment over the surface of the leather and fabric panels to draw out more of the mold. Remember that the mold spores are being drawn into the bag of the vacuum cleaner. If the vacuum has a disposable bag, remove and dispose of it immediately. If not, empty the bag carefully (preferably outdoors) to avoid scattering mold spores in the house.

Do everything conveniently possible to dry the leather - use an electric heater and a fan to carry away moist air. Sun and air the article to help stop mold growth.

If you have finished leather (leather with a topically applied pigment coating), and mildew remains, sponge lightly with thick suds of soap and wipe with a clean damp cloth. In doing this, avoid getting the leather wet with excessive amounts of moisture.

DO NOT USE THIS STRATEGY UNLESS YOU ARE SURE THE LEATHER HAS A FINISH ON IT (see our leather care page to help you identify your leather type).

In all cases, do a test in a non-obvious area of your leather to ensure that the suds will not darken, stain or discolor the leather. If you have cushions with zipper access, and you suspect the fungi or bacteria have migrated into the internals of the cushion, remove the cushion cores and treat accordingly, or replace with new.

If necessary, a final step to remove mildew on upholstered leather furniture is to gently wipe it with a cloth moistened with diluted alcohol (1 cup denatured or isopropyl alcohol to 4 cup water). Dry the article thoroughly. Once again, apply this strategy only if you are sure it’s finished leather, and only after you have tested in a non-obvious location on your furniture. Be aware that this alcohol solution may adversely effect the top-coat and surface finish of your leather so only do this as a last ditch effort and only after thoroughly testing on a hidden part of your leather.

If mold has grown into the inner part of your furniture frame, open the underside dust cover, then dry and air out the internals as best as possible. You may need to send it to a reliable disinfecting and fumigating service. Such services are often listed under "Exterminating and Fumigating" or "Pest Control" services in the yellow pages of the telephone directory. If they have an “ozone chamber,” have them put your furniture into the chamber for at least 48 hours.

Here are some tips on preventing mildew.
Keep The Leather Clean - Soiling can supply enough food for mildew to start growing when moisture and temperature are right. Greasy films, such as those that form on kitchen walls, also contain many nutrients for mildew-causing molds.

Get Rid of Dampness - Dampness is often caused by condensation of moisture from humid air onto cooler surfaces. Excessive moisture may indicate that repairs or additional insulation are needed. Replace cracked or defective mortar. Some basements are continually wet from water leaking through crevices in the wall. Make sure outside drainage is adequate.

Control Moisture - For waterproofing concrete and other masonry walls above ground, apply two coats of cement paint, tinted with mineral coloring if desired. Waterproofed coatings to seal absorbent brick and other outside surfaces may be needed. Spread a layer of moisture-barrier material over the soil in crawl spaces under houses. You can use heavy roofing paper or polyethylene plastic film. Good ventilation is important. If possible, do not enclose the crawl space. In extreme cases, a fan or blower may be needed to move the humid air from under the building. Cooking, laundering, and bathing may add 2 gallons or more of water a day to the house. If circulation is not adequate use some type of exhaust fan. If your clothes dryer is equipped with a vent, have it exhausted to the outside to remove moist air.

Dry the Air - Cool air holds less moisture than warm air. Properly installed air-conditioning systems remove moisture from the air by taking up warm air, cooling it (which removes the moisture) and circulating the cool dry air back into the room. In rooms that are not air-conditioned-especially the basement--mechanical dehumidifiers are useful. A humidistat can be attached to the unit to control the humidity. Mechanical dehumidifiers, however, can add heat to a room. If you are using air-conditioners or dehumidifiers, keep windows and doors closed.

Heat - Get rid of dampness by heating the house for a short time. Then open doors and windows to let out the moisture-laden air. An exhaust fan may be used to force it out.

Circulate the Air - When the air outside is drier than that inside, ventilation allows the dry air to enter, take up excess moisture, and then be carried outside. When natural breezes are not sufficient, you can use electric fans placed in a window, set in a wall, or ducted to the attic to move air from the house. Poorly ventilated rooms get damp and musty during continued wet weather, and furniture in such a room is prone to mildew. Try to improve the air circulation. If necessary, lay the furniture on its back, cut open, or remove the dust cover under your furniture and run a fan into the open space to help dry the internals of your furniture. It may help to dry the inside by running a de-humidifier, pointing the air-flow into the internals of your furniture.

Get Rid of Musty Odors - Get rid of musty odors as soon as possible to prevent further mold growth. Usually musty odors disappear if the area is well heated and dried. If the odors remain, the following treatment may be necessary. On cement floors and on tiled walls and floors, get rid of mustiness by scrubbing with a diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite or other chlorine bleach available in most grocery stores. Use one-half to 1 cup of liquid household bleach to a gallon of water. Rinse with clear water and wipe as dry as possible. Keep windows open until walls and floors are thoroughly dry. DO NOT APPLY THIS SOLUTION TO THE LEATHER.

Sources From >> Advance Leather Solutions

Movements And What Direction They Wind Guide

The age old question “what direction should I wind my watch on a watch winder? Why is this information important? The rotor of an automatic movement winds the mainspring. The rotor “tightens” the mainspring creating power for the watch and the power reserve. The rotor will either wind the mainspring by rotating clockwise, counterclockwise, or in both directions. This list touches on some of the more common movements like ETA, ETA/Valjoux, Lemania, Sellita, Miyota, and a few popular individual watch brand movements. If you want to know what direction or the minimum rotations needed to keep your automatic movement wound this guide is for you.
                                                   
ETA
Movement      Type Of Turn Direction      Turn Direction      Turns Per Day (TPD)
ETA 2824           Bidirectional                        Both              600-700
ETA 2824-2       Bidirectional                        Both              600-700
ETA 2836           Bidirectional                        Both              600-700
ETA 2836-2        Bidirectional                        Both             600-700
ETA 2892            Bidirectional                        Both             600-700
ETA 2892-A2      Bidirectional                        Both             600-700
ETA 2893            Bidirectional                        Both             600-700
ETA 2893-2        Bidirectional                        Both             600-700
ETA 2894-2        Bidirectional                        Both            600-700
ETA 2896            Bidirectional                        Both            600-700
ETA 2897            Bidirectional                        Both            600-700
                       
ETA/Valjoux
Movement      Type Of Turn Direction      Turn Direction       Turns Per Day (TPD)              
Valjoux 7750     Unidirectional                   Clockwise            800
Valjoux 7751     Unidirectional                   Clockwise            800
Valjoux 7753     Unidirectional                   Clockwise            800
Valjoux 7754     Unidirectional                   Clockwise            800                                        
                           
Lemania
Movement      Type Of Turn Direction      Turn Direction      Turns Per Day (TPD)
Lemania 5012    Unidirectional              Counter Clockwise          800
Lemania 5100    Unidirectional              Counter Clockwise          800
Lemania 5180    Unidirectional              Counter Clockwise          800
8810 thru 8840   Unidirectional              Counter Clockwise         800
                                               
Miyota
Movement      Type Of Turn Direction      Turn Direction      Turns Per Day (TPD)
Miyota 8205      Unidirectional             Counter Clockwise          600+
Miyota 8215      Unidirectional             Counter Clockwise          600+
Miyota 9015      Unidirectional                   Clockwise                  600+
                                     
Panerai
Movement      Type Of Turn Direction      Turn Direction      Turns Per Day (TPD)
Panerai OP III    Unidirectional                  Clockwise                       800
Panerai OP IV    Bidirectional                       Both                        600-700
Panerai OP V     Unidirectional                  Clockwise                        800
Panerai OP VI    Bidirectional                       Both                        600-700
Panerai OP VII   Bidirectional                       Both                        600-700
Panerai OP VIII  Unidirectional                  Clockwise                       800
Panerai OP IX     Unidirectional                  Clockwise                       800
Panerai OP XII    Unidirectional                  Clockwise                       800
Panerai OP XIII   Unidirectional                  Clockwise                       800
Panerai P.2003   Bidirectional                       Both                        600-800
Panerai P.9000   Bidirectional                       Both                        600-800
Panerai P.9001   Bidirectional                       Both                        600-800
Panerai P.9002   Bidirectional                       Both                        600-800
                                               
Rolex
Movement      Type Of Turn Direction      Turn Direction      Turns Per Day (TPD)
Rolex 3000         Bidirectional                        Both                           600+
Rolex 3135         Bidirectional                        Both                           600+
Rolex 3185         Bidirectional                        Both                        600-800
Rolex 4130         Bidirectional                        Both                        600-800
                                             
Sellita
Movement      Type Of Turn Direction      Turn Direction      Turns Per Day (TPD)
Sellita SW200    Bidirectional                        Both                           600+
Sellita SW220    Bidirectional                        Both                           600+
Sellita SW240    Bidirectional                        Both                           600+
Sellita SW300    Bidirectional                        Both                           600+

Sellita SW500    Unidirectional                   Clockwise                     800

Hari Raya Advertisement on TV

Although, some of the Hari Raya advertisement seems funny but it's touch your feelings and strikes a little bit of emotions. I've uploaded a few for your viewing.

Ramadhan Al Mubarak 1434H

Assalaamu ‘alaikum السّلام عليكم…Peace be unto you.

Hi readers, hope all of you in a good health.

As all of us know, this is the Holy Month of Ramadhan 1434H where it marks an important time in the Islamic calendar. Throughout this Holy Month, the universal element of Islam is evident as Muslims across the World take stock of their lives and their faith.

The Ramadhan period has communal aspects to it, with many of the basic values of the Muslim community, such as empathy for the poor, charity, worship, steadfastness, and patience, being expressed more during this period.

May all your prayers be accepted by Allah  … and you are showered upon by His love and bleesings.

I am Wishing You All Selamat Berpuasa At Bulan Ramadhan Al-Mubarak

While I'm surfing through the net, I've came across this blog and it is interesting. 

Click Here >> http://thewordcollector2.tumblr.com/post/28220697097/malay-greetings-for-ramadan-and-eid-ul-fitr

History of Russian Watches

History of Russian Watches

Russian watches have a rich and interesting history dating back over 80 years with the creation of the First Moscow Watch Factory, which today manufactures Poljot watches. A highlight of Russia's watch history came in 1961 when cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin took the first ever flight into space with a watch from the First Moscow Watch Factory.

Here's a chronological summary of key events in the history of Russian watchmaking.

1927 - The Labour and Defense Council passed a decree to establish a watch industry to serve government and Red Army needs. The Soviet watches were to be accurate, reliable and not inferior in quality to their Western counterparts. The equipment for the production of these watches was purchased from the USA. This was the origin of the First Moscow Watch Factory.

1930 - The first 50 Russian-made watches were presented at a ceremonial meeting in the Revolution Theatre, now known as the Bolshoi Theatre.

1940 - The "Commander" watch produced by the First Moscow Watch Factory was commonly used by officers of the Red Army. Watches with distinctive engravings were given by the army as a form of reward. In the ten years since the factory opened it produced 2.7 million pocket and wrist watches.

1941 - During World War II The First Moscow Watch Factory was evacuated to the city of Zlatoust. Throughout the war the factory worked for needs of the front producing aircraft watches and sea and aviation chronometers.

1942 - The Chistopol Watch Factory was created and began manufacturing products for needs of the front. This is the origin of today's Vostok brand.

1943 - The Chistopol Watch Factory started production of the K-43 man's watch.

1946 - The First Moscow Watch Factory began production of Pobeda (Victory) watches. The name, design and characteristics of these watches were personally approved by Stalin himself.

1949 - The First Moscow Watch Company began production of the Shturmanskie watch. These watches were produced for the air force and were not available for the open market.

1957 - The Sputnik watch was produced, in honour of the launch of the first Soviet satellite. This watch was produced in two versions: with a central second hand and with a transparent disk with a mark in the form of a satellite instead of a second hand. In the same year, by special request, the watch Antarktida (Antarctica) with a twenty-four-hour scale, was designed. This watch was intended for the participants of the first Soviet expedition to the South Pole. Both Antarktida and Sputnik are today a collection rarity, due to the fact that both models were only in production for one year.

1959 - The first Soviet mechanical watch with an alarm function, Signal, was developed. The manufacturing of the watch-chronograph Strela with a one-hand stopwatch and 45-min minute counter commenced. Its dial had extra telemeteric and tachometric scales. Strela watches were not available for open sale, as they were specifically developed for the commanding officers of the air force.

1960 - The First Moscow Watch Factory produced the first watch under the Poljot brand.

1961 - The first ever flight into space in the history of mankind took place. Yuriy Gagarin took the watch of the First Moscow Watch Factory into space with him.

1962 - The "Vostok" watch was awarded a gold medal at the Leipzig international fair. Production of "Komandirskie" watches began at the Chistopol Watch Factory. The factory becomes the official supplier of these watches to the Ministry of Defence of the USSR.

1963 - The Vimpel watch produced at The First Moscow Watch Factory won a Diploma and gold medal at the international exhibition-fair in Leipzig.

1964 - The manufacturing of the watch Orbita with an automatic winding system and 29 rubies was mastered. From this year on the watches of The First Moscow Watch Factory are marked with the trademark Poljot.

1965 - Cosmonaut Andrey Leonov took the Strela watch on the first ever space walk. In the same year the USSR Council of Ministers passed the decree wherein The First Moscow Watch Factory was appointed as the head enterprise in the exportation of mens wrist watches. The watches were exported to 70 countries: USA, Great Britain, Belgium, Italy, Federative Republic of Germany, Hong Kong, Greece, etc. Vostok was appointed an official supplier of watches for the Defense Department of the Soviet Union.

1966 - For successfully developing the national watch industry The First Moscow Watch Factory is awarded with the highest Soviet award the Order of Lenin by the Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

1969 - All watches manufactured by Chistopol Watch Factory now use the Vostok brand.

1972 - Vostok exports watches to 54 countries of the world.

1972 - The First Moscow Watch Factory increased the volume of production of mechanical wristwatches to 2.7 million. 70% of what the factory produced was sold abroad. Among the new designs was the water-tight watch Amphibia, capable of working under water at a depth of up to 200 meters.

1976 - The First Moscow Watch Factory commenced the production of a the 3133 model. For this development the association of the designers of the The First Moscow Watch Factory was rewarded with the USSR State Prize. Since these watches were intended for the needs of the army and navy, they were produced in limited editions and were not available for open sale. The cosmonauts of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany took these watches with them into space, and together with V. V. Polyakov, this chronograph set the record for the duration of a space flight.

1992 -The administration of the Russian president selects Poljot to be the rewarding watch "From the President of the Russian Federation".  

2000 - Volmax is formed by ex-Poljot employees.

2004 - Vostok-Europe is created.
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Few people love Russian watches as much as Mark Gordon does. In fact, Mark is perhaps the foremost authority on Russian watches with a personal collection of more than 1,200 Russian timepieces, each meticulously photographed, catalogued and displayed at has website, USSR Time.

Most of the watches in Mark's incredible collection are vintage watches manufactured during the Soviet era, though he also owns a number of contemporary Russian timepieces.

Russian Watch Guide asked Mark to share some of his knowledge with our readers and he kindly obliged. You can read the interview below.
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What movement do you think is the best or most reliable?

From the very first Russian watch production in the 1930s right through to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1992, Soviet watch designers concentrated on producing movements that were practical, reliable, and easy to repair – in short, Russian watchmakers tried to make timepieces that conformed to the socialist ideal. Almost every movement they produced met these criteria, at least on paper. Those movements that did not were quickly taken out of production or never produced at all (like the 1960s 1.85 mm thick Poljot 2200, one of the world's thinnest mechanical watch movements, that was judged to be too prone to breakdown, so it was discontinued after a very limited test run – No. 0628 on my website).

So, the question of reliability doesn't hinge so much on the design of the movement as on the quality of manufacturing… and, Russian manufacturing quality has varied wildly over the years.

Actually, the manufacturing quality of both movements and cases was superb in the 1950s and 1960s. I have many 40 and 50 year-old watches that have never been serviced, which start right up when I wind them.

In the 1970s, some factories were able to maintain high standards, while the quality at others began to slip. Quality at the First Moscow Watch Factory and the Petrodworzowy factory was world-class in those days.

In the 1980s, when things really began to fall part in the Soviet Union, the quality at even the most respected factories became iffy at best. Workers sometimes weren't paid for months at a time and when they did get paid the value of the money in their pay envelope was insufficient for food and rent. At the same time, the factories experienced delays and shortages of parts, which were sometimes produced from substandard materials. You can imagine how manufacturing quality and reliability suffered.

In the Post-Soviet period, some companies like Vostok Europe, Poljot International and Volmax have painstakingly regained control of their manufacturing quality, while the manufacturing quality of some of the other producers, including some who manufacture movements for the others, is still not up to international standards.

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The Russian watch industry experienced an upheaval following the collapse of the Soviet Union. How would you characterize the current state of the Russian watch industry? Has quality improved or deteriorated?

The Russian watch industry, which in the 1970s was the second largest producer in the world after Switzerland, was hit by a triple whammy at the end of the 20th century.

First came the rapid technological shift to quartz in the 1970s and 80s. Then came the breakdown of the Soviet empire in the 1980s that resulted in the loss of traditional domestic and foreign markets. Third, was the complete lack of vision and investment in the years following the post-Soviet shift to capitalism that was necessary for the industry to remain competitive in international markets.

In the last decade, Russia has needlessly lost some very important watch manufacturers. The First Moscow Watch Factory, which produced Poljot. The Petrodworzowy Factory, which produced Raketa. The Second Moscow Watch Factory, which produced Slava. And, most recently, the Tscheljabinsky Factory, which produced Molnija.

The Russian watch industry, which once produced millions of mechanical watches every year, now produces only a few thousand per year and a great pool of horological talent has disappeared and probably can never be reassembled.

Russian producers today are struggling to find their place in the world market. Faced with dwindling and unreliable Russian suppliers, they are turning to Switzerland, China and Japan for parts. Faced with a world market driven by fast-moving trends and fickle buyers, they are abandoning hallmark Soviet design principles for watches with a flashier more 'international' look.

I can understand why Russian producers are doing these things, but I'm not sure this is a sustainable model for them. Eliminate the Russian movement and the Russian design and these watches become a commodity. If there is no longer any difference between Russian watches and the watches produced in Shenzhen, Tokyo and Le Locle, then customers will choose solely on the basis of price. This is not good because Russia is not a low-cost manufacturing centre.

Having said that, I am optimistic that at least the 'Big 3' – Poljot International, Volmax and Vostok Europe -- will find their footing and survive. I can only hope that in the process they don't lose the core Soviet-era values of utility, reliability and ease of repair that differentiate the look and feel of Russian watches from those produced elsewhere.
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How do you think new Russian watches (Volmax, Vostok-Europe, etc) compare to vintage models? For example, is the quality of modern Raketa watches as good as Soviet-era Raketas?

The quality of the watches produced by Volmax, Vostok Europe and Poljot International is generally superior to the quality of similar watches produced in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Not only the movements, but the cases, too. And, the quality continues to get better all the time.

Unfortunately, I can't say this about all newly made Russian watches. There are still big quality problems with Russian watches like the 'domestic' Vostoks produced at the Tschistopolsky factory and the endless stream of brand new 'vintage' Raketas being produced who-knows-where. Even worse, are the today's Slavas, which are slap-dash designs that contain inexpensive Chinese movements, and the exploitively branded Soyuz watches, which are Russian in name only.
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What tips or advice would you offer to anyone who is thinking about buying their very first Russian watch?

First, if you intend to wear it, don't buy a vintage piece. Like any vintage mechanical timepiece, old Russian watches require a lot of TLC.

Second, if you are going to buy a new Russian watch, buy one from an established bricks-and-mortar or on-line seller who is respected by knowledgeable buyers. Choose a reputable seller who has a record of good service and who stands behind the watches he or she sells.

Third, do your homework. Learn about the different calibers and models before you make a choice. Find one that best suites your needs. If you are going to wear the watch when you play football, choose one with a robust movement that is housed in a rugged case. If you are going to frequently use it to measure short time intervals in a kitchen or recording studio, choose a chronograph that has easy-to-use buttons and an easy-to-read scale. Visit the manufacturers' websites, read specialist blogs and visit Russian watch forums to find out which movements and models perform best for their owners.

Fourth, don't just shop for the lowest price. A cheap price suddenly becomes very expensive if the watch needs servicing and the seller won't provide it. A reputable seller checks and adjusts each watch before it is sold or shipped, and provides a warrantee against defects and damage in transit. This kind of service comes with a price and it is a price well worth paying.

Top Tips and Guidelines For Investing in Watches

Investing in watches can sometimes be a rewarding endeavour but it can also turn out to be a disaster. Watches that you have been told that are of investment quality may not always turn out to be a money-making venture while those little known watches may sometimes surprise you with their value. Famous watches like tend to gain value over time. 

However not all the watch models from the above companies will gain value, as the value of the individual watches will still be dependent on the popularity of the watches and the scarcity of the particular watch models.

Scarcity

The rarity of a particular watch model can drive up the value of the watch, especially if the watch is a highly popular model. Over time, the number of pieces of each watch will tend to reduce and you are likely to find fewer of each piece of watch on the market. So naturally for vintage watches that are in demand, the value tends to increase with time. Limited Edition of some watches will also add a further reinforcement to the rarity of the watch. Some of these limited edition watches will be sought after for their rarity. Commemorative limited editions will also be highly sought after and have an increased value over time.

Complications

Collectors are interested in complications in watches. Special features such as perpetual calendar, tourbillon, moon phases, power reserve indicator and day and night indicator distinguishes one watch from the next. Especially if the complications are only available for a particular watch. But this is often hit and miss as plenty of watches do have varying complications but their value do not necessary skyrocket. You need to understand the value of each watch by going through reviews by different watch publications.

The value of a watch does not typically increase overnight and you will not be able to make a overnight profit with watches. The value of a new watch after purchase will drop before any appreciation. That is typical. You should buy watches that you intend to keep and maintain over a few years at least so that you can enjoy the watch and also see the appreciation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_L

How to Make a Smart Investment in Watches

I'm sure you have all heard of record breaking prices of vintage watches at auctions and are considering making an investment in watches. The phenomenal success of quartz watches in the seventies and eighties drove up values of old mechanical watches as they became rarer.

It is this enthusiasm for mechanical watches that has spur manufacturers to come up with new innovation in mechanical watches.

So how do you choose a mechanical watch that will not only hold its value but also rise in value?

Buy a brand which is reputable and has a long history of preferably at least a century old.

Check with auction sites and used watch dealers and find out the value of a 5 year model. Is it worth any value? How about older ones? Are they worth more than the new models? If yes, then this brand may have good investment potential. Whether a time piece appreciates in value depend on the simple law of economics. The rarer it is the more highly prized it is. That's why rarity is so important. A reputable manufacturer can issue a special edition with only a limited number of watches available, preferably of less than 100.

Going deeper into this issue there may be many different brands but they may buy the watch movement supplied by one main supplier which means in essence they are basically the same watch.

For a watch to be unique , the watchmaker should design and manufacture most of the different parts rather than simply source components from another supplier. The watch should be of high quality. It should have a quality movement. Look at the case finish and design too. Check out the innovation in the watch.

Collectors are also interested in complications such as Perpetual Calendar, tourbillon, moon phases, power reserve indicator and day and night indicator. These are extra features besides the standard time telling. Perpetual calender accurately keeps track of the day, date, month and year. You do not have to worry whether the date is correct and set the correct date. Tourbillon is one of the most complicated components in watches which minimizes timekeeping errors caused by gravity.

The appreciation in value in mechanical watches is not as quick as other forms of investment. You should treat it as a long term investment. A investor wouldn't buy a watch today and sell it off the next day.

Potential watch investor should also know that value of a watch is dependent on the amount a buyer is willing to buy. In other words, a watch is worth only as much as a buyer is willing to pay for it.

Therefore it is very important that you like the watch and has emotional and sentimental value to you.

Lastly, you have to take good care of your watch and maintain it too . Remember to keep all the papers and documents too.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Tham 

Malaysian Reading Culture

I came across this website, mentioning about Malaysians reading habit and also this is written inside it

"Reading is one of the single most remarkable inventions in history; the ability to record history is one of its consequences. Our ancestors’ invention could come about only because of the human brain’s extraordinary ability to make new connections among its existing structures, a process made possible by the brain’s ability to be shaped by experience. This plasticity at the heart of the brain’s design forms the basis for much of who we are and who we might become."

click here >> Malaysian Reading Habit

A.I.D.A Selling Technique

This is one of the selling technique that I used in my training. It might be basic but the meaning is deep. 

AIDA describes the basic process by which people become motivated to act on external stimulus, including the way that successful selling happens and sales are made. This technique is also known as

‘Hierarchy of Effects‘.

A - Attention

                FIRST, gets the customer’s Attention.

I - Interest

                SECOND, If it's relevant to the customer, they    are Interested to learn or hear more about I

D - Desire

                THIRD, if the product or service then appears to closely match their needs and/or aspirations,    and resources, particularly if it is special, unique, or rare, they begin to Desire it

A - Action

                FOURTH, if they are prompted or stimulated to overcome their natural caution they may then become motivated or susceptible to taking Action to buy.

Attached are details presentations of How AIDA’s works.

Note: By using this format, Retail Asst should aware of his/her presentations toward  the customers and also where he/she would enhance more.

Sample Introductory Dialog

Attention

RA : Welcome / Hello / Hi … Sir

Cust : Nevermind, I just looking. / It’s ok, I`m just browsing.

RA : It’s ok sir, everything start from the first looks. Anyway, how are you today?

Cust : Good…

RA: Owh, that’s good to hear and thank you for coming into our shop.

Interest

Throw out questions/statement that creates INTEREST.

1.       It’s all mechanical.

2.       Have you heard about this brand before?

3.       I think, you might surprise looking at the brand.

4.       I think, you may not hear about this brand before.

Cust : No / I don’t think so/ I heard it before/ I think

Let me explain a bit about us. Give the RAW Newsletter.

Desire

RA : Personal Presentations (5 – 10 mins). Below are the sample

Let me introduce myself, my name is ……………and your name is…………

In the beginning since 2004 in Singapore, there were the Russians. Charming, mysterious, and totally off-the-beaten track.  We entered Malaysian end of 2008 and as of the last count, Red Army Watches represents 18 watch brands from Germany, Switzerland, Russia, France, Italy and Spain. We also represent two watch accessories brands from Europe.

Nearly all of our watches running using mechanical movement and the best part is you not only can see the common self winding/automatic movement type but also the old way of manual winding. Some of it might be Collectibles, Limited Editions or Special Piece. I can say the price is affordable as the price is ranging from RM1,000.00 to 5 digits.

Every timepiece has their own unique story and history to tell, starting from the brand itself. So, if any of our timepiece caught your eyes and you want to know it in details, please do let me know. Even you don’t have any intention to get one today but who knows in the future you might coming back. As for me at least you got a shopping experience today.

Note: Be ready as the customer might have questions to ask while you are doing the presentations.

Action

This is the part where you can leave your contact no & good impressions OR you manage to close the sales.

OBSERVE & LISTEN, the customer might give a hint/sign of interest. Most of us miss this part.

Active Listening Skills

A skill so important that most retail representative does not aware how it affects the whole scenario when having conversations with customers. Being a good listener is just not enough hence it would not deliver the end results and we do it most of the time. A good listener would not comply with the utmost customer service experience. Those who are actively listening would try to comply with everything he/she can provide and assist; either products, services or even a simple advise to the customers.

Sometimes, what we hear is not what customer want because they might have problem explaining what they want. What can I say is, being proactive is so much better in building customer relations.

 It is a very useful skill when attending customer’s complaint where the person should be ready mentally where feelings might involve and physically where some actions need to be done as soon as possible.

Is no harm for us also to observe what the customer doing as long it is not irritating the customer’s feelings. Some of us might observe little bit too much until a point where the customers feel being watch. This is not a good experience for them when they are in the shop as if they are going to do something bad.

The main objective is to “Hear What People or Customer are Really Saying”. Below is some guidance that I used personally to trained & coach my retail staff.

Listening is one of the most important skills you can have. How well you listen has a major impact on your job effectiveness, and on the quality of your relationships with others.

·         We listen to obtain information.

·         We listen to understand.

·         We listen for enjoyment.

·         We listen to learn.

Given all this listening we do, you would think we'd be good at it! In fact most of us are not!

Clearly, listening is a skill that we can all benefit from improving. By becoming a better listener, you will improve your productivity, as well as your ability to influence, persuade and negotiate. What's more, you'll avoid conflict and misunderstandings. All of these are necessary for workplace success!

Tip

Good communication skills require a high level of self-awareness. By understanding your personal style of communicating, you will go a long way towards creating good and lasting impressions with others.

About Active Listening

The way to become a better listener is to practice "active listening." This is where you make a conscious effort to hear not only the words that another person/customer is saying but, more importantly, try to understand the complete message being sent. In order to do this you must pay attention to the other person very carefully.

You cannot allow yourself to become distracted by whatever else may be going on around you, or by forming counter arguments that you'll make when the other person stops speaking. Nor can you allow yourself to get bored, and lose focus on what the other person is saying. All of these contribute to a lack of listening and understanding.

Tip

if you're finding it particularly difficult to concentrate on what someone/customer is saying, try repeating their words mentally as they say them – this will reinforce their message and help you stay focused.

To enhance your listening skills, you need to let the other person know that you are listening to what he or she is saying. To understand the importance of this, ask yourself if you've ever been engaged in a conversation when you wondered if the other person was listening to what you were saying. You wonder if your message is getting across, or if it's even worthwhile continuing to speak. It feels like talking to a brick wall and it's something you want to avoid.

Acknowledgement can be something as simple as a nod of the head or a simple "uh huh." You aren't necessarily agreeing with the person/customer, you are simply indicating that you are listening. Using body language and other signs to acknowledge you are listening also reminds you to pay attention and not let your mind wander.

You should also try to respond to the person/customer in a way that will both encourage him or her to continue speaking, so that you can get the information if you need. While nodding and "uh huhing" says you're interested, an occasional question or comment to recap what has been said communicates that you understand the message as well.

Becoming an Active Listener

There are five key elements of active listening. They all help you ensure that you hear the other person/customer, and that the other person/customer knows you are hearing what they say.

1. Pay Attention

Give the person/customer your undivided attention, and acknowledge the message. Recognize that non-verbal communication also "speaks" loudly.

• Look at the speaker directly.
• Put aside distracting thoughts.
• Don't mentally prepare a rebuttal!
• Avoid being distracted by environmental factors. For example, side conversations.
• "Listen" to the speaker's body language.

2. Show That You're Listening

Use your own body language and gestures to convey your attention.

• Nod occasionally.
• Smile and use other facial expressions.
• Note your posture and make sure it is open and inviting.
• Encourage the speaker to continue with small verbal comments like yes, and uh huh.

3. Provide Feedback

Our personal filters, assumptions, judgements  and beliefs can distort what we hear. As a listener, your role is to understand what is being said. This may require you to reflect what is being said and ask questions.

• Reflect what has been said by paraphrasing. "What I'm hearing is," and "Sounds like you are saying," are great ways to reflect back.
• Ask questions to clarify certain points. "What do you mean when you say?" "Is this what you mean?"
• Summarize the person’s/customer’s comments periodically.

4. Defer Judgement

Interrupting is a waste of time. It frustrates the person/customer and limits full understanding of the message.

• Allow the person/customer to finish each point before asking questions.
• Don't interrupt with counter arguments.

5. Respond Appropriately

Active listening is a model for respect and understanding. You are gaining information and perspective. You add nothing by attacking the person/customer or otherwise putting him or her down.

• Be candid, open, and honest in your response.
• Assert your opinions respectfully.
• Treat the other person in a way that you think he or she would want to be treated.

Key Points

It takes a lot of concentration and determination to be an active listener. Old habits are hard to break, and if your listening habits are as bad as many people's are, then there's a lot of habit-breaking to do!

Be deliberate with your listening and remind yourself frequently that your goal is to truly hear what the other person is saying. Set aside all other thoughts and behaviours and concentrate on the message. Ask questions, reflect, and paraphrase to ensure you understand the message. If you don't, then you'll find that what someone says to you and what you hear can be amazingly different!

Start using active listening today to become a better communicator, improve your workplace productivity, and develop better relationships.

Training Module

I'm listed out some of the module/topics included in my training. Although it might not be perfect but the effectiveness is the one thing important. How can retail representatives can change and enhance for present and future.

The Training Module

Introduction Training Module

·         Active Listening Skills

·         Effective Communication Skills

·         People Skills

Retail Sales Training Module

·         What it is all about

·         Products Type & Concept

·         Retail Sales inc Unique Selling Point

·         Customer’s Type

·         Follow Up

Product Knowledge Module

·         Company’s Objective

·         Products Type

·         Brands Background Summary

·         Brands Product Details

Assessment

Retail Person

The Store Level Operations are one part and without a retail representative that willing enough to enhance the whole ambience, it just a waste of time, money & effort. What I mean is the experience that being deliver by the retail representative.

From what I see, most of the retail representatives like to look at the customers from top to toe, just to check whether the customers are having big fat wallet full of cash or some big shot. They will find a sign or clues the customers are worth enough to be serve and if they found it, the customers will be entertain and serve. If not it is just a simple greetings and leave the customers wondering around clueless of the products.

Don’t forget, we also a customer or consumer when buying & selling take place. Is this what we want when we enter a shop/store? Let say if we don’t have the money or even the platinum plastic card, are we not able to be entertained and serve? Is only when you want to purchase the product then you can feel the shopping experience?

Anyway, it doesn’t mean the customers are dumb or not up to date. As for today, all the information is at the touch of finger tips making the customers and consumers getting more knowledgeable. I do believe up to certain points, even the retail representative are outdated. The speed or information nowadays is surprisingly outstanding and with just one click, the whole world knew what’s happening.

No matter what type of concept the retailers bring in, whatever hype or vibe created, it would not be happening if the retail representative not delivering it to every level of customers. As I long involved in retailing, developing a retail representative is crucial as they are the back bone of a retailer.

What I’m doing currently is a mix of Self Development and Retail Training as I believe it would enhance the person’s skills and talent. Although not professionally trained or given any proper guidance I manage to create my own training module base on the list of needed skills. With own effort and initiative I do my own research, browsing online & offline gathering information, seek for advise and do some argument with certain friends.

The Base Skills.

A skill is the learned ability to carry out pre-determined results often with the minimum outlay of time, energy or both. In other words the abilities that one possesses.

• 1.       Active Listening Skills
• 2.       Effective Communication Skills
• 3.       People Skills

The hardest part is to create awareness how important this skills is and the end results. Anyway, I manage to execute the training although it is not perfect but the end results shown the effectiveness, the personal sales increase & maintain, shop sales target are reached & the staff are well equipped. The results may be varying depending on the person’s acceptance and conditions.

I firmly believe this is what a retail company should do in return of demanding sales target they can also enhance the staff skills and talents for present and future. Both are in a WIN-WIN situation.