gotta love nik

When things gets a bit stressful and out of hand in the office, we do get a bit cranky. It was such a draining and tiring day for us (myself and Nik, in particular) - we were out almost half the day doing site recce and buying some stuff for an upcoming project as well as of course, our Halloween party! A visit to our favourite gift/toy store never fails to pick up any damp spirit. The shop is always equipped with the most up-to-date toys, gadgets and notebooks! (yes, I am a total sucker for pretty notebooks!) Look at what we picked up today (and see how excited Nik is with our purchase)!

Boo!

blast to the past

We were doing a site recce today in Petaling Street when we stumbled upon this tiny little cafe called "Old China". It was a rather small cafe drown by many big colourful sign of its neighbours. We decided to stop for a cuppa, and of course, to check out this very unique cafe. The entrance of the shop has this old cowboy town type of door - where you push it and it will swing back. Very antique indeed. The place was very dimly lit and there was only a table occupied by a group of Japanese tourist, having their late lunch. Chinese classic song was being played (I remembered a song by "Ge Lan" - as I am quite a fan of these classic old song myself) - and the walls were filled with old pictures (in sepia), chinese words and vintage posters. We quickly scanned through the place, caught the attention of the waiting staff and ordered our drinks. Food menu was pretty decent and intensive from fish head curry, assam fish, stuffed tofu to many other nyonya-style cuisine. It was quite an experience for us all - after all, it is quite hard to find a cafe with such character nowadays.

I thought it would make quite a nice place for a private small event for a hens night, birthday party or even a Shanghai night theme party. Whilst we send our Hunter & Gatherer team to package up something amazing with this unique place, do contact our Pleasure Team should you wish to have an experience there either for yourself or for someone who has the soft spot for all things old and vintage.

Lovely, isn't it?

Red thinking cap

As we are fast approaching 2012, I can't help but to wonder what lies ahead in 2012. So much prediction for the end of the world come Dec 2012 - but how many of us are actually taking this with a pinch of salt? Come what may, life goes on and doesn't help to just sit around for the whole of 2012 and wondering if it is going to be the end of humanity. So for me, life goes on like normal - and of course, more growth and expansion plans for RedRibbon Days®. Come June 2012, RedRibbon Days® will be 4 years old - and like a toddler of that age, RedRibbon Days® is now walking steadily and is even starting to run. So much to think about for the next course of growth - that I've been putting on my red thinking cap for the past 2 days at work. Of late, I've been thinking a lot. About my team of people, the performer, the letdowns, the next promotion, the next person who will be taking over Nik's responsibilities and duties (while she goes on a sabbatical leave - but my money is on she's trying to conceive).

Things are slightly slower around here on a Monday morning...which gives me some time to dwell deeper into my thoughts and the future direction for the company. Later peeps. Happy Monday.

The thoughts and intention behind a "gift"

I was having a cuppa over the weekend in this trendy upcoming café when I overhead a group of people having this conversation. They are deciding what to get for their best friend’s wedding. When it comes to the word “gift” I can’t help but to eavesdrop further.

So this group of people, aged between 28 – 35 was discussing an upcoming wedding of one their mate. And most naturally, the topic of “What should we get for them” pops up. It was very interesting – and definitely a new perspective to how people makes decision when it comes to buying gifts. I overheard one of them saying, “We shouldn’t give them anything physical – because they are having difficulties with storage.” And don’t bother with gadgets, because they are well equipped in that area as well. One of the savvier friend then interrupted. “They rarely have time for each other due to their heavy workload. Let’s buy them something that will make them spend time with each other”.

Brilliant decision-making skills, I thought.

Their conversation got me thinking about “gifting”. When it comes to giving a gift to someone, do people in general put in much thought about what they are buying for the recipient? This group of people gave me a new insight to how people make decision when they are making a decision on what to buy.

A gift can make or break a relationship, so I was told once. A great well thought gift will be cherished and appreciated – whereas a bad gift can wreck a relationship. How can a gift in general wreck a relationship, I thought? A gift is a gift, no? A company (with good intention) wants to reward their team of people for a good job done on a project. So they bought everyone involved in the project a GPS (car navigator). It is a good gift, many would think. However, the next two days, the management received a resignation letter. When probed further, they found out that the person resigned because he is handicapped bottom down – and will never ever have the opportunity to drive a car. So why would he have use for a GPS? In this context, the buyer has not put in much thought when deciding what to give as a gift – hence wrecking a relationship.

Back to the conversation I eavesdropped earlier, I was thinking how a RedRibbon Days voucher would satisfy all the requirement of a perfect gift for this group of people. A gift that is not physical (hence not taking up space) and allows the couple to spend quality time together.

If I have the opportunity to ever propose the ideal gift for a couple as such, here’s one perfect gift : An epic day out for the couple.

Since it’s going to be an epic day out, the couple should never worry about driving, finding parking and etc. The couple will be drive around the whole day (from the start of their experience till the end)!


Personal Limousine Chauffeur

Their very own chauffeur will be waiting outside the couple’s house waiting for the couple to embark on their epic day out.


First stop: Hearty Breakfast

There is nothing quite like a big hearty breakfast. Indulge in a range of healthy, scrumptious breakfast in a laid-back, cosy restaurant.


Second stop : ATV Waterfall Adventure

Perfect for that busy couple who is constantly buried with work. Take this opportunity to explore the beauty of our natural surroundings in this amazing experience. With a stop-over at a 7 tier waterfall, pristine surrounding untouched by humankind – this experience will definitely be a good breather from the city.


Third Stop : Mandara Massage

After all that adrenalin rush, head down for a pampering, relaxing and indulging couple massage. Let our masseur work their magic, and put the couple into deep relaxed state of mind. For the next 50 minutes, you will be at total bliss.


Fourth Stop : High Tea

So the couple had a hearty breakfast, and by now, should be feeling a bit peckish. Time to indulge in some sweet and savoury treats. Head down to the savvy BSC and indulge in a high tea experience fit for a socialite! Well known for it’s amazing range of chocolates and macarons, this experience will tease all your taste bud. Indulge in quiche, sandwiches, macarons and chocolates over a cup of fine tea.


Fifth Stop : VIP Shoe Shopping for Her

All girls have a soft spot for sexy, glamorous shoes. Proceed next to the experience, the VIP Shoe Shopping Experience where the show will be exclusively closed for an hour just for the couple! Let our personal stylist attend to the every need and advice on how to wear the perfect shoe for each occasion.

A bottle of bubbly and fine chocolates will accompany the couple while carrying out this experience. Imagine sipping bubbly while trying out shoes, without the intervention of others – definitely an experience not to be missed for all shoe aficionado.


Sixth Stop : Golf in The City for Two

Now that she has gotten herself 3 pairs of new shoes, it is time to do something that will make him happy as well! The couple will head down next for a “Golf in the City for Two” experience – whereby the couple will get to learn how to play golf – indoor style. For beginners, it will a good introductory experience to see if you really like the game (before you invest on the golf clubs) – and for the professionals, it will be a good time to practice your swing , and show her how good you are in this!


Seventh Stop : Stylish and Contemporary Asian Dining for Two

The couple must be famished by now - proceed next to a unique dining experience at ISHQ that features authentic Asian recipes from the humble Thai cuisine to Kampuchea and Vientiane and also the infamous Kahsmiri food. Served with a slightly modern twist, ISHQ dishes retain their original, traditional flavours. Having undergone a million dollar renovation resulting in the cosiest of ambience for patrons of fine dining, ISHQ boasts a large pillar-less dining hall that accommodates up to 200 persons, a garden courtyard with alfresco dining and an upper level which acts as a stylish cocktail bar and lounge.


Eight Stop : Movie for Two – Platinum Suite

What better way to end the night with a movie in the comfort of a Platinum Suite? With plenty of facilities to enjoy before the movie, you and your partner are bound to enjoy every minute of the night! Hop on to the massage chair, sip on complimentary soft drinks or surf the net before your movie starts. You and your partner will watch the movie in a 20-seater hall – fit with deluxe sofa that reclines for your ultimate comfort. There is also a service call button – so feel free to call for service any time during the movie! Slump on the plush sofa, eat popcorn, and relive the day’s experiences.

The perfect gift for the busy couple who rarely have time for each other, and yet nothing physical that will clutter their home! You won’t be just giving them an experience, but also the gift of time and love.

*Note: Package above is just a suggestion of an epic day out. All RedRibbon Days experiences are customizable to suit the recipient’s lifestyle and most importantly, your budget.

To customised a gift as such, email us at info (at) redribbondays (dot) com (dot) my or simply tweet to us @redribbon_days or call us at +603 - 2093 5973

Lean v. Fat

I had the most amazing conversation last night during an event with a friend and her husband. We were talking almost about everything until my friend's husband enquired about RedRibbon Days, and if I'm doing any marketing at all - as he only knew about it when my friend(the wife) told him about it. Quite honestly, I do not have an up to date marketing plan for RedRibbon Days. All our marketing was executed as we go along - and as a university graduate, I've done 1 subject on marketing - so I know the importance of a marketing plan. Right...Really ? Do we really need to have a marketing plan that we adhere to like a bible?

Back to the conversation I had with my friend and her husband - so, we went on to discuss about the market for "experience gift" in Malaysia, and he went on and mentioned that "RedRibbon Days is a great product - unfortunately, I think you do not have a very strong marketing strategy". I gulped - I had to agree. After being in this business for 3 years, finally, a very honest soul came to me and said that to my face. Was I offended? No. I was thankful.

As we chat into the night, I learnt more about my product - and he went on to give few very critical feedback. He quickly surfed through our website, and within seconds, he pointed out to me things that should be there but was not there - and things that shouldn't be there but was there.

I had to be honest on this. As a growing company, everything that we do is constantly in a "chop chop" pace. Quite simply, there is no room for too many pilot testing - and to gather feedback for everything that we do. Everything has to be done in-house, seeing that I'm rather fussy when it comes to designing work ; from the type of font use, to the very red that represents RedRibbon Days.

And then my friend went on to say "Lean is the way to go" - I had to pause for a second or so ; and I thought it was an answer to a question that has been disturbing me for the past one week. Lean is good. Lean is this context refers to "a small company but with very good,efficient people". It is better than a company that is big(fat), with many team members, but only a handful are top achievers/performers. I had to agree. I had rather have a small team of good, efficient people working with me, rather than a big team - that does nothing productive but give me problems. Of late, I've been very troubled by the fact that I had to let go of some staff. I hate letting people go, as I believe each of them has something unique in them that will do good for the business.

So, when my friend said that - like a light bulb lighting up a room, my question was instantly solved. I do not need a big team for now especially if they are a team of people who are not pulling their weight to meet the company's objective. I need a very lean team - not a fatty team that will cause health problems to the business down the road.

I had to asked myself last night before I slept - Did God/The Universe sent them my way to give me answers to all the questions that I've asked myself before?

We are turning 3 !!!!!

RedRibbon Days is turning three this 19th June 2011! How time flies and within a blink of an eye, we will be blowing 3 candles on the lovely pavlova cake that we will be having tomorrow. I'm very thankful for what we are today, the group of wonderful people supporting me all the way - relentlessly.

It is customary for everyone to indulge in a whole day of good food, good cake and good company! (well, it's not like we are already doing that every day!). For lunch, we will be having the famous Sunrice duck rice - the yummy black sauce, thick chilli sauce and sour soup is just mind-blowing. Story of sunrice duck rice begun 3 years ago, during our launch date (19th June 2008) - we were frantically running around for our launch and we were supposed to have that very duck rice for lunch - but we totally missed it as we were too busy. So, it was a whole bag of duck rice gone to waste. To commemorate this very auspicious day, we decided that we should make up for the waste and eat duck rice every time we celebrate RedRibbon Days birthday. Sound silly ? Well, it might be to some, but to us, the whole tradition of eating duck rice must continue and must be adhere to come this day, every year.

And yes, a birthday celebration can never be complete without birthday cake! Last year we had tiramisu and we even water it down with a bottle of bubbly. This year, we have ordered a Strawberry Pavlova cake (absolutely divine) and waiting to be popped is a bottle of Veuve.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my team members (who seldom comment on my blog, although I know they follow me and read my blog ardently). This day, 19th June forever belongs to us all at RedRibbon Days - and without you guys, we will never be what we are today ; and without you all, we wouldn't be having so much fun and food!! Thank you, thank you and thank you for everything bestowed to RedRibbon Days and me. We are very blessed to have you all as part of the team.

Happy Birthday RedRibbon Days and may our future days ahead be filled with abundance of fun, happiness, joy, pleasure, experiences, good food, good people and good PROFIT !!

Father's Day

Father's Day this year falls on Sunday (19th June). Like any other years, I never had the opportunity to spend Father's Day (or Mother's Day as a matter of fact) with my dad/mum. Come every weekend, I'm either tied down with events or too busy to travel all the way back to my hometown. The 3 hours journey was to me a complete drag and I get edgy even before the journey home starts!

Anyways, I was going through RedRibbon Days website to decide what I should be getting for dad this year. Dad is a very fussy recipient - he never appreciates me buying cologne, wallet, handphone or watches for him. I have actually given all the mentioned to him for his previous birthdays, Father's Day and Christmas. And whenever he sees me giving him a present, like a remote "ON" button, he will say the same thing each time. "Why you waste money and buy this type of things for me? I got so many bottles of perfumes and I don't even go out that often to spray them"....and he will go on and on..

So when RedRibbon Days was borned 3 years ago, I told him - there will be no physical or tangible gifts from us all from now onwards. You will either be receiving cash (who will say no to cash/ang pow, right) or an experience from RedRibbon Days! Dad was clueless at first. What is RedRibbon Days - and what exactly I do in RedRibbon Days? I explained and knowing Dad, he probably nod as if he understood, but when he explained to others about what I do - it is always somehow not that accurate. Anyways, since I won't be going back to spend Father's Day with dad this year, I need to go through the list of "gift options" that is suitable for him and - that gift must be something that he will really like, remember and have no complains about me wasting money ...

Dad loves to eat - but he has to cut down on his food intake due to the rise in his sugar level. So, I'm opting out on our gourmet/dining experiences. He is not really into adventure/outdoor experiences - so that is out too. I'm putting my bet on a get-aways experiences. That is something that he really likes and I know he will not even murmur a word when he receive the gift!

Seeing that we have so many wonderful get-away experience locally, I've filtered my list to the top three get-away experience for dad:-


1. 3D/2N Survivor Island Adventure

2. 2D/1N Jungle Lodge Weekend Getaway

3. Countryside Hill Tour Overnight Getaway

I know dad will surely not object to these gift options as I'm buying it for him and the whole family will be doing this experience together.

What are you planning to get dad for Father's Day this year?

weddings, weddings & more weddings!!

We are barely into the 3rd month of march and I'm already overwhelmed by weddings! By tradition, the Chinese normally will give red packets on this joyous occasion. Be it a Malay, Chinese, Indian or western wedding, I always ended up giving the couple a red packet as my token of appreciation for being invited.

Ever since the birth of RedRibbon Days, I'm extremely particular about the kind of "gift" on weddings. Nik mentioned to me that she received up to 3 toasters on her wedding day! Boy ! What will a girl do with 3 toaster? Hmm... And I've friends who returned the gift back (and some had the cheek to call up the giver of the gift for the receipt so they can do the exchange!) Gulp!

So, I make it a point from then on that every gift that comes from me on my friends wedding will be carefully thought and intended for. So what makes a good wedding gift, besides cash? Speaking of the latter, I have actually received an invitation card that clearly states that the couple would much prefer to receive their gift in the form of cash. Very direct - but hey, at least they are sparing themselves from the multiples photo frames, toasters and mugs!



I reckon a nice quick getaway experience for the newly weds would be something nice. For those who have no immediate plans for a honeymoon, they could sure do a quick escape from the gift. And a romantic, dining experience never goes wrong. Everybody loves food ! And not to mention, spa & pampering experiences. The newly wed could surely make do with one from pre-wedding preparation.

So yes, I have two lovely experiences nicely wrapped up with our signature gift pack ready to be sent on first thing on Monday morning for two weddings. I sure hope the couples will enjoy the experience and most importantly, understand the intention and emotion behind the gift.

Working hard makes you invisible?

I came across the saying above few months ago - and today the exact same saying popped up in my head again. Is it true that working hard actually makes you invisible? Well, unless of course, if you are working hard to make yourself to be seen then that would be completely irrelevant.

Since the beginning of the new year, I've been totally swarmed with work, back to back events and hardly had anytime on hand to focus on "being seen". This I refer to appearing on media, interviews and etc. So when I stopped doing all that, am I making myself or the business invisible? But isn't business about being preoccupied about getting lots of "real work" and not socialising or attending functions. Isn't business about providing the best you can to your customers ? If so, why then these hard work will make the business less visible and less renown?

And if I'm only working hard to be seen and not working hard in doing the real work, wouldn't that also reflects on how your product/services is? Wouldn't this affect your business or business credentials in the long run? Yes, I may ended up being really popular, in the who is who list - but if my product / services is crap (due to negligence in running the business, because I'm working hard to be seen) wouldn't that make your affect your business or diminishing its value as well?

Xmas @RedRibbon Days

Since it is already 2011, and I've already begun a blog on 2011, I will not be blogging about our RedRibbon Days Xmas Annual Company dinner this time. For interesting reads on this, visit our other blogs at :-

http://redribbondays.blogspot.com
http://nikhida.blogspot.com
http://blackbunnyjournal.tumblr.com

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011 !

In a blink of the eye, 2010 is over and we are bestowed with 2011. 2010 has been an absolutely fabulous year for me personally as well as for RedRibbon Days. I'm extremely grateful for all the things that was bestowed to me last year. Firstly, we moved to a bigger office space that has the capacity to fit in at least 20 new employees! We are definitely in a much better position compared to when we first started - and totally ready to face new challenges. Secondly, I was thrown into "pr" work where I have to socialise with prominent socialites and the get to know the "who is who". Certainly not my preferred cup of tea, but an eye opening experience for me. I got to meet some very superficial people - whom I was introduced to and subtlety snubbed. This however, did not affect me in anyways - if it did in anyways, it only made me stronger and thirsty and eager for success.

As I sat down ushering 2011 last night, I asked myself if I have any resolution(s) of 2011. Quite frankly, this year, I decided to make things easier for myself and the universe. I do not need any resolution(s) - because I believe resolution(s) should be made when it is necessary. For the past 20 years of my life, I never failed to have a list of resolution. Do I actually see and attend to it? I've not much recollection for the past - and frankly speaking, I don't think resolutions works.

So this year, no resolution(s) for me.

However, I strongly believes that the universe is my genie, and my wish is the Universe command.