Concrete results from our creativity

 

(The Standard  10 April 2014) When I think of young girls in the fashion industry, my mind often jumps to lanky 15-year-old models skipping down the runways far from their home countries.

 

But I didn't forget one familiar face who had a fascinatingly early start at the age of 11 - Tavi Gevinson.

She came to the attention of the world when she started her blog Style Rookie in 2008, where she would post pictures of outfits she put together and write commentaries on fashion trends, drawing 30,000 visitors a day.

Her father did not show much interest in her hobby until she asked if she could be interviewed by The New York Times on an article about young bloggers.

 

Her early success was not met without criticism though - some thought she had help from her mother, and fashion editors doubted her credibility, or, as one put it, her huge bow that blocked her view of the runway in fashion week. Many wondered if her success would last.

 

It has certainly lasted up to today. In 2011, she decided to stop writing primarily about fashion, and at age 15 started the online magazine Rookie, which is mainly written by teenage girls and mixes fashion with other areas of concern.

 

What is inspiring about this young woman is not only her personal talent, but also the community that has recognized, nurtured and supported it to grow.

 

The Tavi story is a true inspiration to young people today. Even without many resources, she was empowered by being willing to put her work out there and gather like-minded young people.

To me, that is a story of true creativity. One often associates the word simply with the idea of creating something in the design or artistic field.

 

But I personally see creativity as the act of finding solutions, sometimes unexpected and unprecedented ones, to problems. It

spans every field and could happen any time in anyone's life.

 

In this case, creativity happens with how ideas are expressed, how human connections are made, how one is self-motivated. These things seem vague and abstract - but they result in concrete outcomes, and beautiful ones at times are created.

So off you go, start getting creative.

 

Art student Gloria Yu is a designer, writer and a citizen of the world.

Waste pilot plan unveiled

 

(The Standard P.4 8 April 2014) Some 40,000 residents at seven public and private housing estates will take part in a waste charging pilot scheme.

 

Three methods - charging according to garbage bags per household, by weight, or volume disposed of by the whole building - will be tested.

The trial run will begin from June and last for six months.

"This is only our first step to practice charging for solid waste. After gathering data and evaluating the effectiveness of the scheme, it will be expanded to other estates," Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing said.

The scheme includes residents paying HK$0.50-HK$1.50 for garbage bags from 0.5 kilogram to 1.5kg, or each block of residents sharing the cost of HK$500 per tonne or HK$60 per bucket of waste.

 

The costs are based on what is being charged in Taipei city.

But in the pilot scheme, residents will not be charged by the volume and weight- based method, and those who use the garbage bags will be refunded the cost of the bags.

 

Amoy Gardens is one of the participating estates, with four blocks participating, said Amoy Gardens Owners' Joint Committee chairman Wilson Yip Hing-kwo.

 

A woman living at Amoy Gardens said the pilot scheme will change the way she handles waste.

"We'll separate those which can be recycled, such as the newspapers before throwing them into recycle bins," she said.

But another resident believes the pilot will not work.

"I don't think others will follow the scheme ... most residents would be dissatisfied."

The other estates are Chun Seen Mei Chuen in Kowloon City, Kwong Tin Estate and Tak Tin Estate in Lam Tin, Island Resort in Siu Sai Wan and The Orchards in Quarry Bay and Chai Wan Estate.

 

Kelly Ip

 

Daily Operation

 

To: Mr. Oscar Wong, the Chief Executive Officer of the Wide Vision Tutorial Centre

From: Richard Leung, the Academic Director of the Wide Vision Tutorial Centre

Date: 1 April 2014

Subject: Daily Operation

 

1.      Introduction

I am writing in response to your request for a report on the daily operation. In addition, I have included some recommendations for improvement.

 

2.      Findings

In March 2014, a questionnaire survey was conducted to gather the opinions of customers about the daily operation. 1000 questionnaires were sent out to the customers, of which 865 were returned. Also, a site visit was made to all Wide Vision Tutorial Centres in mid-March 2014.The findings are presented as follows:

A: Questionnaire

1)      One-fifth, 20% of the customers remarked that they had been studying in the Wide Vision Tutorial Centre for more than a year. Seven out of ten, 70% of them reported that they had been studying in the Wide Vision Tutorial Centre for half a year. A few, 10% of the customers claimed that they had been studying in the Wide Vision Tutorial Centre for one month.

2)      Two-fifths, 40% of the customers commented that the tutors were professional and stylish. Half, 50% of them claimed that the promotion was persuasive and attractive. Four-fifths, 80% of the customers opined that the teaching equipment was sufficient.

3)      The majority, 90% of the customers revealed that the class size was too big because there were 80 students per class. Nearly two thirds, 65% of them reported the assignments were not enough as there were only two assignments per week. Some, 45% of the customers complained that the promotion staff were impolite since they were unwilling to answer customers’ questions. Three in ten, 30% of them commented that the school fee was too high because the school fee was higher than that of the other tutorial centres.

4)      Three quarters, 75% of the customers claimed that they enjoyed studying in the Wide Vision Tutorial Centre. One-fourth, 25% of them remarked that they did not enjoy studying in the Wide Vision Tutorial Centre.

 

B: Centre Visit

All Wide Vision Tutorial Centres were visited. Below are the findings.

1)      The customers opined that the classrooms and toilets of Mong Kok Centre were unhygienic because they were cleaned only once per week.

2)      The customers reported that the interior design of Tuen Man Centre was old- fashioned as it had not been redecorated for over 10 years.

3)      The customers complained that in Yuen Long Centre some teachers arrived late for 10 minutes since they lived far away from the Center..

 

3. Conclusion

To conclude, the majority of the customers were satisfied with the daily operation. However, arrangements should be made for improvement.

 

4. Recommendations

To improve the daily operation, I would like to make the following recommendations for your consideration.

1)      The class size should be appropriate.

2)      There should be more assignments per week.

3)      The promotion staff should be friendly to customers.

4)      The school fee should be lower.

5)      The classrooms and toilets of Mong Kok Centre should be cleaned every day.

6)       The interior design of Tuen Mun Centre should be redecorated.

7)       The teachers’ attendance should improve.

 

I would appreciate it if the above recommendations could be accepted.

 

Richard Leung

Richard Leung

The Academic Director of the

Wide Vision Tutorial Centre

BestYoga Services And Facilities

To: Mr. David Wellcome, the Senior Officer of the BestYoga
From: Ken Wan, the Assistant Officer of the BestYoga
Date: 27 March 2014
Subject: BestYoga Services And Facilities

1.    Introduction
I am writing in response to your request for a report on the BestYoga services and facilities. In addition, I have included some recommendations for improvement.

2.    Findings
From 28 February 2014 to 10 March 2014, an interview was conducted with 10 customers in lately February and a questionnaire survey was conducted to gather the opinions of customers about the BestYoga services and facilities in early March. 300 questionnaires were sent out to the customers, of which 135 were returned. The findings are presented as follows:

Questionnaire Results
1)    The majority, 55% of the customers remarked that they were happy about the facilities provided by BestYoga. Some, 45% of them reported that they were unhappy about the facilities provided by BestYoga.
2)    One-fourth, 25% of the customers commented that the often used the sauna room. Half, 50% of them claimed that they seldom used the sauna room. A few, 13% of the customers opined that they never used the sauna room.
3)    The customers revealed that the size of the sauna room was too small. They reported that the temperature was too hot. The customers complained that the environment was very dirty.

Interview Results
1)    Two-fifths, 40% of the customers claimed that they were happy about the facilities provided by BestYoga. Three-fifths, 60% of them remarked that they were unhappy about the facilities provided by BestYoga.
2)    The customers revealed that the changing rooms were overcrowded. They remarked that the bathroom was not hot water supply from time to time.
3)    One-third, 33% of the customers reported that they would renew their membership the next year. Two-thirds, 67% of them claimed that they would not renew their membership the next year.

3. Conclusion
To conclude, the majority of the customers were satisfied with the BestYoga services and facilities. However, arrangements should be made for improvement.

4.    Recommendations
To improve the BetYoga services and facilities, I would like to make the following recommendation for your consideration.
1)    The sauna room should be enlarged.
2)    The environment should be improved.
3)    The changing rooms should be uncrowded.
4)    The bathroom should be bot water supply from time to time.

I would appreciate it if the above recommendations could be accepted.

Ken Wan
Ken Wan
The Assistant Officer of the
BestYoga

Services of Happy Seafood Restaurant

To: Ms. Wong, the Manager of the Happy Seafood Restaurant

 From: Kitty Ko, the Customer Service Officer of the Happy Seafood Restaurant

Date: 14 March 2014

Subject: Services of Happy Seafood Restaurant

1. Introduction

I am writing in response to your request for a report on the services provided by Happy Seafood Restaurant. In addition, I have included some  recommendations for improvement.

2. Findings

On 28 February 2014, a questionnaire survey was conducted to  gather the opinions of customers about the services provided by Happy Seafood Restaurant. A site visit with 100 customers was made to Happy Seafood Restaurant. The findings are presented as follows:

 

1) Nearly one-third of the customers reported that they liked our food but more than half of them remarked that they did not like our food.

2) Three-fifths of the customers commented that they went to our restaurant taking dinner once a month. Over 22% of them claimed that they took dinner there said that they had dinner in our restaurant three or more a month.

3) Most of the customers complained that they waited too long for food. 55% of them opined that the closing hours of our restaurant was too early. A few of the customers revealed that the attitude of waiters and waitress was poor. Less than 18% of them commented that our restaurant had not provided afternoon tea hours.

 

3. Conclusion

To conclude, the majority of the customers were dissatisfied  with the services of Happy Seafood Restaurant. Therefore, arrangements should be made for improvement.

4. Recommendations

To improve the services provided by Happy Seafood Restaurant, I would like to make the

following recommendations for your consideration.

     1) The food should be served as soon as possible.

     2) The closing hours should be extended.

     3) The attitude of salespersons should be good.

     4) There should provide afternoon tea hours.

I would appreciate it if the above recommendations could be accepted.

 

Kitty Ko

Kitty Ko

The Customer Service Officer

of Happy Seafood Restaurant

Sale of Skirts

To: Ms. Ng, the Director of the Ming Dim Fashion Co. Ltd.
From: Carmen Wong, the Customer Service Officer of the Ming Dim Fashion Co. Ltd.
Date: 10 March 2014
Subject: Sale of Skirts

1. Introduction
I am writing in response to your request for a report on the sale of skirts. In addition, I have included some recommendations for improvement.

2. Findings
On 22 February 2014, a questionnaire survey was conducted to gather the opinions of customers about the sale of skirts in Ming Dim Fashion Co. Ltd. 550 questionnaires were sent out to the customers, of which 121 were returned. The findings are presented as follows:

1) 15% of the customers remarked that they liked our skirts.Over 85% of them reported that they disliked our   skirts.
2) Four-fifths of the customers commented that they had bought one skirt from our shop. Over 11% of them claimed that they had bought two skirts from our shop. A few of the customers said that they had bought three skirts or more from there.
3) Over 55% of the customers complained that the skirts were too short or too long. The majority of them opined that the variety of colour of the skirts was narrow. Nearly one third of the customers revealed that the patterns were dull.
4) One in ten of the customers commented that the attitude of salespersons was poor. A few of them claimed that the location was inconvenient.

3. Conclusion
To conclude, the majority of the customers were dissatisfied with the sale of skirts. Therefore, arrangements should be made for improvement.

4. Recommendations
To improve the sale of skirts, I would like to make the following recommendations for your consideration.
    1) The length of the skirts should fit customers.
    2) The variety of colour should be wide.
    3) There should be varied patterns.
    4) The attitude of salespersons should be good.

I would appreciate it if the above recommendations could be accepted.


Carmen Wong

Carmen Wong
The Customer Service Officer
of Ming Dim Fashion Co. Ltd.

Li alarmed by `surging populism spoiling HK'

 

(The Standard  7 Mar 2014) Hong Kong is like a spoiled child, Li Ka- shing says, as he warns of a surging populism that could change the city "beyond recognition."

 

While it is understandable that a widening wealth gap could worry any government, policies should not be driven by emotions or these will become a vicious circle, the tycoon told chief editor Hu Shuli of Caixin Media, which provides financial and business news.

 

The chairman of Cheung Kong Holdings and Hutchison Whampoa said he had been poor once and knew how it felt to worry about living.

 

"But what is most important is how to solve the problems, instead of remaining in the stage of anger." He said while Singapore was "deficient by birth," Hong Kong is a "spoiled child."

 

Li added: "If Hong Kong steps onto the path to populism, it would be like a wild horse which can't be stopped.

 

"If populism continues to heat up, Hong Kong will change beyond recognition in five to six years."

On the friction between Hongkongers and mainlanders, Li said Hongkongers have a genuine heart and he hopes they will not allow some social phenomenon to distort their sense of belonging.

 

 

"I believe communication and acceptance could resolve conflicts," he said, adding that it is understandable that Hongkongers have "certain feelings" due to resources allocation.

 

"But we should welcome all the visitors genuinely, just like how we want to be welcomed when we travel," he said. "It is inappropriate to say something obnoxious to visitors."

 

On democracy, he said a healthy democratic society includes the rule of law, acceptance and diversity.

 

"We need to strike a balance between social responsibility and government power," he said.

Asked what universal suffrage in the 2017 election would mean, Li said: "I am 85-years-old. I do not view society the same as a 17-year-old. It's dangerous for an 85-year-old to make definitions for a 17-year-old when discussing the electoral system. I can't even say what my grandchildren will do in future."

 

He added that Hongkongers are wise enough to make the right decisions and quoted former British prime minister Winston Churchill by saying: "Politics is not a game. It is an earnest business."

 

  Kelly Ip