Final Reflection on Learning!

It’s the final post for this module.

The greatest development I see in myself through this module was definitely presentation skills. I still recall how I present my topics during project work in JC and the seminar in LSM 2251 (Ecology). Then I knew that eye contact is important but did not realize that scanning the audience is not true eye contact. Also, the pace of speaking is important. I recall my presentation during LSM2251, I sped through my presentation partly because of I wanted to finish the prepared script within the time but felt that it was not at all effective at all. In addition, I did not really know the different style of presentations, and the details to take note of before and during presentations.

Through this module, I have learned that presentation is not just about memorizing your scripts/ notes. I realized that a lot of effort is required to present well. The need to pace the presentation well so as to allow time for audience to understand. Furthermore, I need to know who are my audience, what is the purpose of my presentation (persuasive or informative etc) and the context!

Besides that, the usage of words during presentation should never be the same as those written on paper. I should use simpler sentences and words so that it is easier for the audience to understand. Previously, I had scripts with me and I am not sure if the sentences were simple. However, I thought that after knowing this “DO” for presentations, I will take note of it more from now on. Same applies to the presentation slides – short and sweet, straight to the point!

Attention should also be paid to non verbal skills. The way I stand, my gestures, dressing, grooming etc, all play a role before and during presentation. How I present myself is crucial because I will be judged by the audience the minute I stand on stage, not only during the presentation itself. Eye contact is one area which I understood more, because after watching other people and classmates present, the need to establish eye contact truly is important. Without eye contact, the presentation would be meaningless and a voice recorder can take his/her place. Now, I will constantly remind myself to look at the person for a few seconds and switch to the next person.

The major challenge I felt during my delivery was my stage fright. The many pairs of eyes looking at me made me felt uneasy, and sort of disrupted my thoughts, especially if I am not well prepared. Thus, being prepared for presentations helped me overcome this challenge. This is because the disruptions to my thoughts will be reduced as I am clear and sure of what I am going to deliver.

Before attending this module, I did not think so deeply in to presentations. Now, these main concepts of oral presentation will be etched in my brain.

After attending this module, subconsciously, I tend to pay more attention to how others do presentations. I am glad that I challenged myself to take up this module so that I can force myself to do presentations, and prepare myself better for future presentations (of course, there are other areas as well).

I would like to thank Dr RJ and fellow tutorial mates in the class for providing useful feedback and laughter to me ^^ I never had such lively tutorials before (the most relaxing one ever). 

All the best to everyone! Enjoy yourselves after your examinations! 

Reflection on Oral Presentation

My greatest fear for this module is finally OVER!!

Looking back at the two presentations which I did, I felt that I improved slightly. It could be due to the increased number of hours devoted to the preparation, partly due to the percentage distribution. Thus, I feel that being well prepared is a basic requirement for all presentations, noting especially the purpose, context and audience. Although there might still be some hiccups during the actual presentation, you will less likely enter in to a frenzy mode as compared to when you did no preparation. This is because you will know what to present for each of the slides that shows up. This actually happened during my presentation, sadly.

For the Oral Presentation, I think I did well in projecting my voice, though I thought I was a bit loud. Besides that, by constantly reminding myself to look at everyone also helped me in establishing eye contact with the audience. I felt more confident this time round as compared to the Peer Teaching presentation, although I was panicking madly when Nicholas' group was presenting. However, I was glad that I was able to suppress some of the nervousness during the presentation! Phew! Also, my tone varied slightly which I thought was quite an achievement!

Having said that, I feel that I still have a very large room for improvement. Firstly, I feel that more preparation could be done to make myself more familiar with the slides, so that the presentation will go on more smoothly. I still remember the slide which I forgot (the one on demand > supply for the printing facilities issue). That projected an impression that I was not fully prepared. Nonetheless, I would like to thank Ruo Yan for scheduling time from her very busy schedule, for rehearsals. And we did feedback each other's slides and script. I think we cooperated quite well mainly because there were two issues and it was quite easy to split the portions up.

Secondly, I could have stood further away from the screen so that I do not block Nicholas, Ryan and Puay Bing's view.

Also, I should have noted down things which I forget more easily on my notes instead of writing down my whole script. That would make it easier for me to locate my points. I realized that I gave up referring to my notes halfway through the presentation partly because my hands were occupied with the remote control and my notes. So, flipping the notes were not easy.

Therefore, I feel that preparation should be done at full gear so as to project a better impression for all. Not forgetting the most important aspect to prepare for presentations - Purpose, context and audience! I feel so relieved now. HAHA!

I hope I can do this one day.

Evaluating Intercultural Behavior

I have been to Korea for Summer Exchange this year, and hence exposed to the Korean Language. Korea is one of the many countries which has great respect for the seniors. One thing which left a great impression was that the culture is fused with the language. According to your level of seniority, they deliver the message in many different ways, though it all means the same. This is especially evident when speaking to the elderly. The way they speak includes informal, formal, polite formal, honorific polite formal and maybe some others which I have not yet came across. Each of these has certain subject particles to follow.

In normal situations, when a junior speaks to the senior, the junior is expected to speak formally to a senior, using the particles associated with formal language use, even if they are very close. When a child speaks to their parents, they speak in a polite formal way, using particles and words associated with it. When a child speaks to the grandparents, they use the honorific polite formal way of speaking, again, using words associated with it. It's very difficult to explain in English what this means but I will try. For instance, if a child uses the same words which he used it on his parents to his grandparents, it will be deemed as very rude. This is because the words used on his parents is only polite enough up to the parents' seniority level but not enough to reach the grandparents seniority level. It is similar to saying "please enjoy your meal" with different number of "please" in front depending on the person's seniority level.

In a nutshell, they have different forms of verbs, conveying the same meaning, which they use depending on their seniority level. Hence, if a person of lower seniority speaks in an "incorrect" fashion deliberately, it can be easily inferred as he does not respect his listener.

On top of this, they also respect one another through their actions such as bowing. The person with lower status bows to the person of higher status first. This is common and usually seen in dramas. One thing which I only heard of when I was in Korea is their drinking etiquette. On one occasion while my friends and I were drinking, I realized that my Korean buddy always turn to his side when he drinks. So I asked him and he told us that when drinking with a senior, the junior must never drink with his front facing his senior. Hence, explaining why my buddy turned to his side when he drinks with us. Also, one does not fill up your own glass, others will do so. Additionally, one has to look out for empty glasses and fill them up.

Thus, Korea's way of respecting their seniors has been infused not only in their behavior but also their language usage. I thought this is very interesting because I never came across cultures which uses both their actions and language to show their respect for others in the daily life. Having said that, I think it could be quite difficult to master their language, given their many different forms of similar word.

Therefore I feel that even though globalization has allowed us to experience different cultures, there are still some which we can only experience it when we are in that country itself. Also, I feel that it may not be possible to export a culture entirely to another place because through generations, some practices may be lost. Furthermore, when in a new place, others' culture may influence the incoming culture and cause some modifications to it. Hence, the way to fully experience the culture will be to visit the country itself, though some may be too expensive to go to.

Application Letter (Draft)

BreadTalk Management Trainee

Responsibilities:
Provide Excellent Customer Service
Assist to Manage Outlet Operations
Interact with customers and ensure quality service provided
Maintain Hygiene and Cleaniness
Apply sales and service techniques to promote products and increase sales
Ensure products and display are consistently well presented
Document Management
Other duties assigned

Requirements:
Fresh Graduates Welcome
Cheerful and Bubbly Personality
Highly Initiative
Excellent Team Player
People-Oriented
Good Communication Skills
Willing to learn and able to multitask
Ability to communicate in both English and Mandarin
Able to complete progressive training program from scatch (Full ground-floor training)
Ability to manage shifts
Singaporeans and PRs may apply

Serangoon Ave 2

Block XXX, Singapore 550XXX

9791 XXXX

mingwei.wong88@gmail.com

September 10 2011

Attention: Human Resource Department

BreadTalk Group Limited

171 Kampong Ampat, #05-01 to 06

K.A. Foodlink, Singapore 368330

Dear Sir/ Madam,

Application for Management Trainee job position

I am writing in for the application of the Management Trainee position listed on the BreadTalk Group website. I will be graduating from National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2013 with a B. Sc (Hons) in Biomedical Science.

I became interested in the management of outlets operation after working under BreadTalk Group, Din Tai Fung Brand department for a month. During the one month, I had some insights of how the headquarters and branch outlets link with one another. With this prior knowledge, it will help me better grasp the operations of the outlet. Besides that, I have coordinated with various parties for the company. This experience and skill would allow me to liaise more effectively with the headquarters and respective departments when needed.

In addition, I had worked as a Customer Service Officer in Aviva Ltd. I gained customer service and communication skills which are important as it will allow me to better interact with the customers and my colleagues. Hence, I will be able to provide a better dinning environment for the customers, as well as create a better team to serve the customers.

Furthermore, I was an operations specialist during my National Service period. I carried out the collation of training results of my department for my superiors. Hence, I am confident of my documenting and collating skills which will come in handy when performing it for the outlet’s monthly or yearly reports.

Having mentioned these, I believe that there are still skills which are required specifically to BreadTalk. Hence, being a Management Trainee would allow me to acquire these necessary skills. Thus, combining the skills which I have and will acquire, will provide me with the capability to better manage the outlet.

I, therefore, hope that you would consider my application. I would be available for interviews from Monday to Wednesday 9am to 11am and 1pm to 3pm. Hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Wong Mingwei

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

A few years ago, I witnessed this conflict which happened to my Badminton team. We were having our tournament against other schools. My school was allocated to one of the two groups, and only the first and second positions of each group are able to compete in the finals. In our group, there were 6 schools.

Fortunately, we won 4 schools and the remaining school yet to compete was a former second runner up. Thus, my former captain decided to forgo the match as he thought that we are not able to win and do not wish to expose our team's players to the opponent as we will still meet them in the finals. The Vice-captain and some of the members felt otherwise. When the Captain discussed with the rest about his idea, the conflict arose as the rest thought that the way the Captain delivered and phrased his words and tone do not sounded like he was open to any other ideas.

The Captain said, "We need not put our full force/team in for this match as we are entitled to enter the semi-finals. So the lineup would be..."

"I think we should fight and get first in our group no matter what, and why didn't you discuss with us the lineup for the last match?"

"Why is there a need to go all out when we are entering the semi-finals?"

It was, to the Vice-captain and some other members, more of informing them instead of discussing with them. There were a few bickering going on, but as both parties were firm with their stand, neither gave in. Finally the Captain raised his voice and said that there is a reason why there exist a Captain. That statement intensified the situation as it caused the rest to think that the Captain was using his authority to force his idea. However, as the Captain was alone, while the other group had more people, the idea of putting all the best players was adopted. The Captain felt very unhappy then and did not offer other suggestions for that day. He left after the competition without telling anyone.

I felt that the conflict arose because neither party explained their decision. The main reason could be that there was also an urgent need to submit the lineup to the organizers. The urgency could have caused the tension to escalate as both parties have opposing views and there was no time for a proper discussion. Hence, the way the Captain spoke could have agitated some of the members, leading the them to think negatively. It could also be that the Captain raised his voice because the "discussions" was going off track and he was just trying to get them back to the topic.

The problem was solved when the Captain, Vice-captain and some other members decided to meet up for a talk a few days after the end of the competition when they had calmed down. Both parties talked about their intentions and reasons behind their decision in a milder tone, and seek the other party to understand. The Captain apologized for raising his voice then. They came to an agreement of coming up with a few different lineups and asking the members to vote for the best lineup for subsequent matches. The Captain has two votes while the rest have one vote each. Since then, they were able to discuss things more easily as both their intentions were for the good of the team.

Therefore, in urgent situations or situations where opinions are conflicting, how does one ensure that the point that he/she makes is actually conveyed "nicely" to the other party?

Effective communication

I have just returned from a Summer Exchange Program in Seoul, Korea and realized the importance of communicating effectively especially when speaking to foreigners. As the Summer Exchange Program consist of people from various parts of the World, it is even more important to speak clearly as there exist vast cultural differences. From my personal experience, some foreigners were not able to understand what I was saying, and I have to repeat my point several times. I think the reasons could be that either I was speaking too fast, did not speak in proper English or did not articulate every single word properly this conclusion which I arrived to was actually agreed by a few other Singaporeans.

In addition, growing up in Singapore for 20 odd years, the culture and the language usage which I was exposed to is different from the foreigners. Cultural difference, hence, could be another factor which affected the interaction between the foreigners and I. I tend to use "Singlish" when speaking with my family and friends, and it could that I am so used to it that I could not adjust and deliver my point across properly to foreigners, but to Singaporeans, it was fine.

Furthermore, some might say that it is the accent which hinders the interaction. However, I, personally, do not think so. In fact, I feel that is it the cultural differences in the usage of the language and one's proficiency of the language that might actually affect the communication process. For instance, in Singapore, where most Singaporeans speak to one another casually in "Singlish", it does not really matter as we are able to understand one another, but if Singaporeans were to speak to foreigners in "Singlish", the idea may not be brought across, and the usage of  "Singlish" might even cause some misinterpretation of the actual meaning. Hence, understanding the environment that you are in and the cultural differences, in terms of language use, of other countries is actually very important if you wish to ensure that the other party fully understood you.

In fact, in today's context where Singapore is constantly welcoming foreign companies and talents, effective communication becomes even more important as we have to ensure that the foreigners understood our ideas.

Therefore, I believe that depending on the environment, audience's culture and their language proficiency, the speaker should determine and choose the appropriate communication style to use.