Be a Manager

I took a trip down to 8Q SAM (Singapore Art Museum) to explore the current ongoing inaugural exhibition of the 8Q-Rate: School.

8Q SAM is a contemporary art space where the public can directly experience the work and ideas, which includes painting and sculpture, installation, film and video, photography, new media, performance art and sound art from living artists. It is also a place for contemplation, stimulation and discussion about contemporary art and culture, as well as serving as a forum especially for students.

The objective of this event was to evoke individual’s memories as a student. The exhibition showcases artworks from eight young contemporary Singaporean artists: Donna Ong, Tan Kai Syng, Jason Wee, :Phunk Studio, Jahan Loh, Grace Tan, Ahmad Abu Bakar and Chong Li-Chuan, who have worked with eight curators. The artists crafted their art pieces based on the theme “school”, relating back to the location of 8Q that once housed the Catholic High School. Each artwork represents different areas from different parts of the school that allows you to reminisce your past as a student.

The target audience would most likely be adult aged 30 and older. Adults in this age group normally would have already forgotten or miss their life as a student. Thus, through this exhibition, they would be able to recollect their old memories as a student. Also, it targets anyone, especially students who are interested in contemporary art.

The event was publicized through the various mediums:
• Press releases
SingArt:
http://www.singart.com/8qsam/press_release_8q.html
• The Straits Times
• 8 Days magazine
• Various Websites
8Q SAM:
http://www.singart.com/8qsam/school_8q.html
SAM:
http://www.singart.com/current_exhibitions.php
Channel News Asia:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/368442/1/.html
Youth Singapore:
http://www.youth.sg/content/view/5838/51/

Media coverage in the press releases and various websites had the strongest impact among the other mediums. The Internet is an easy accessible tool in which viewers will be able to know about all the ongoing exhibitions just with one search. In this way, the 8Q advertisements or press releases found on the Internet would have more likely to be seen by more viewers than those in the Straits Times and 8 Days magazine.

I feel that this event is unsuccessful because it does not seem to be attracting a large number of visitors. On the day that I was there, there were only about four other visitors viewing the exhibition. When asked about the number of people visiting per day, the receptionist said he was more than happy to have us here to chat with him, as he does not normally get small talks from the visitors since the opening launch of 8Q SAM.

If I were to be the manger overseeing this project, firstly, I would brainstorm on more ways to advertise my exhibition, so that I could reach out to greater number of visitors. Instead of just advertising on The Straits Times and the Internet, I would print out posters and fliers to place them in secondary schools, tertiary schools, art schools, as well as shopping centers. These posters and fliers will have to be colourful and creative that is eye catching.
Secondly, I would improve on the directions in the building. More specific signs would be place from one exhibit to another. This allows viewers to able to move smoothly from one exhibit to another, without having to search for the direction to the next exhibit.
Lastly, an exhibition tour guide would be useful for guiding the visitors through the exhibition and on hand to answer their questions.

The Manager

Madam Sally Lai, 52, the Head of Production Control from Armor Asia Imaging Supplier, was my interviewee for this assignment.

Armor Asia, a company that slits jumbo ribbons into smaller ones for barcodes printing found on all your daily products.

Her responsibility is to plan the orders received from customers. Upon receiving orders, she has to ensure that the production department is able to meet the required dateline set by the customer. Before being able to hand the order out to her workers to start on the production, she has to ensure that there are enough materials on hand and manpower to run the whole production. Aside from that, she also has to make sure the machine capacity meets its daily quota.

I would say Madam Lai’s style of management is a mixture of Classical School of Management and Human Relations School of Management.
She strongly believes that work should be divided according to specialization, as mentioned on Henri Fayol’s principle number 1, under the administrative management. Order in her department is the utmost important factor. With order, it will be easy for Mdm Lai to locate the different kind of jumbos, labels and boxes. There is also the need to promote unity and harmony among workers.

She also mentioned that she sent two of her china workers for English lessons, where they will be able to read simple English instructions. This approach lies under the Scientific Management, where development and training of workers is carried out. Lastly, there is no definite separation between management and employees. She wants to understand her workers well and be a friend to them too.

There will always be some difficulties faced by any company. Unable to meet customer’s deadline due to shortage of material or unforeseen circumstances that causes delay, together with conflicts among employees were Mdm Lai’s difficulties faced during her work.

A good manager will have to look into these problems and solve them effectively. Some of the ways would be building good relationship with suppliers to avoid miscommunication of delivery date, understanding your workers better, not only through employee and employer relationship, but getting to know their personal life outside of work. Be their friend.

In addition, one has to be able to understand each of his or her workers thoroughly, be it in the working environment or their personal life. Besides that, producing the highest quality product to meet customer’s satisfaction is secondary.

Recruitment Ads

Write a recruitment advertisement for Media Biz Advertising, for the position of Account Executive. You should include all the important and necessary details.

Media Biz Advertising

Media Biz Advertising is a successful advertising company not only in Singapore but also all over Asia. We have worked closely with major companies like Printz and Media Colouring. Recently, our company has been ranked 21st place out of 100 during the Asia Advertising Award Ceremony. We are currently seeking highly motivated and talented individuals who share our values and teamwork, to join us.

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Job Responsibilities:
• Ensure that client’s objectives are being met
• Work closely with editors and the design team
• Ensuring that work is done accurately before submitting to client
• Maintain and build good relationship with current partners or develop relationship with other organizations
• Preparing of proposal and executing contracts on time
• Increasing of sales and meeting sales target

Job Requirements:
• Possess a Diploma/Degree in Mass Communications, Advertising, Business or Marketing
• Meticulous and Independent worker
• Outstanding presentation skills
• Excellent personality, out-going
• Able to handle stress and meet strict deadlines
• Fluent in spoken and written English
• Has creative skills and loves to brainstorm on ideas
• 3 year’s relevant in Advertising

Interested applicants are invited to forward detailed resume with a recent photograph and stating your expected and current salary to the email given below.

Human Resource Department
Media Biz Advertising
6 Townsville Lane Singapore 234567
Office: 67879090
Email: HRD@mediabiz.com.sg