Event: The Image of Our Landscape, 19^th Century Singapore through Paintings, Prints and Photographs

a. What is the objective of this event? Give a brief background to this event.

The objective of this event is to show people about 19^th Century Singapore. This exhibition shows images documented in the form of photographs, prints or paintings by people who came to seek a fortune in Singapore. The Image of Our Landscape, are images documented in the form of photographs, prints or paintings. Well, a picture speaks a thousand words. The whole exhibition uses of pictures and not words to tell a story; from here we can learn about events that happened in the 19^th Century Singapore as depicted in the images presented in the exhibition.

This National Museum of Singapore originated exhibition will look at the various depictions of 19th century Singapore, examining their meanings and representations. The various works will reveal the topography of the Singapore landscape in the 19th century with views of places such as the harbour, Singapore River, Fort Canning Hill, Raffles Place as well as depictions of the cosmopolitan trade town and Singapore’s rural scenes. Taking an approach that is both chronological and thematic, the exhibition will feature over 130 original paintings, prints and photographs, albums and illustrated books from the museum’s collection, of which a significant number were acquired in recent years and never before shown.

The exhibition is divided into 2 parts, one at the Balcony (level 2) and the other at the Canyon (basement level). The first part of the exhibition located at the Canyon (basement level) of the National Museum, is structured according to the common sites that travelers came across during their stay in Singapore during the 19^th Century. These images document Singapore’s natural and man-made features of the places or region from early settlement to the turn of the 20^th Century.

The second part of the exhibition is located at the Balcony (Level 2) of the National Museum. It explores the industry of print making and photography, showing how these images were produced for and circulated in the tourist market.

b. Who is the target audience?

Their target audience should be focused on children. The reason why I think so is because the exhibition decided to use photos to tell their stories. If their target audience was not children then I think they would use words to tell the story.

Another target audience are tourists, who have dropped by Singapore.

When I was at the exhibition, I noticed that there weren’t many teenagers there. The majority of the people there were adults and they brought their children along.

c. How is the event publicized? (In other words, how does the target audience get to know about the event?)

When we were asking around, many parents said that they found out through the word of mouth and a few of them said they saw the event in the newspaper. When tourists were asked how they knew bout the event, they just answered saying that they just followed the tour group.

d. Is the event reported in the media? If yes, how widely is it reported? (Do a quick analysis of the reports, in terms of the angles that the media takes, the importance of the coverage, and your opinion of the impact of the coverage). If no, why do you think the media did not cover the event? What do you think could be done to attract media coverage?

The event was only reported through The Straits Time Life Section. There wasn’t much advertisement on the television. I think the media did not cover the event because it was a free event and usually only paid events would be more widely publicized.

e. Assume you are the manager overseeing this project. Evaluate the success / failure of this event. How would you do it differently for greater success?

I would assume the event was a failure, as there weren’t much people viewing the exhibition especially the basement level. (Canyon)

To make the project a greater success, I would definitely publicize the project more by doing tv advertisement, putting it on New Paper and publicizing it in schools since the target audience are towards the younger generation.

However, I am sure that even though there weren’t much people viewing the exhibition, those who had gone to the exhibition have definitely benefited a lot. So if we are talking in terms of whether the people were educated I am sure the event would be considered a success.

A visit to this exhibition had definitely taught me a lot about 19^th Century Singapore.

Entry 1: The Manager

The criteria for this assignment is to interview someone who holds a management position in a company. So the first person i turned to was my dad!! He has been working with SIA Engineering Company since he was 17, being an engineer was his first job. :D So he has worked in SIA Engineering Company for... * my mathematics isn't that good, takes me awhile* ... oh! 34 years! (:

So these are his details... this is my dad :D

Name: Tan Cheow Soon

Age: 51

Designation: Assistant Manager, Fleet Management Division

Company name: SIA Engineering Company

As i continue, i shall address my dad as Mr Tan. Sounds nicer and more serious :P oh yes, and my thoughts are in purple while interview is in black, easier to identify and not so messy this way.

a. a. Briefly describe your job responsibility as a manager

My responsibility as an Assistant Manager is to take care of the customer’s airplanes to ensure that they maintain an airworthiness condition so that the airline can concentrate on the airline business.

b. b. What is your management style?

I believe that it is important to lead by example. Thus it is important to set a good example to our employees so that one can be a good role model. This is especially important when you are the one who the people listen to and follow. If we are bad role models, it will mean our employees would not be as efficient as compared to the other department.

To me, having good relationship with employees and respecting each other regardless of our position in the company are also very important.

Also I would set up processes and set targets with timelines for my employees. This is to ensure that everything goes according to planned and we will not miss and deadlines.

[ From this, it can be seen that Mr Tan practices theory Z and abit of modern approaches are also involved. Firstly is theory Z, Mr Tan ensures that there is interpersonal relations between workers and managers. Secondly it involves modern approaches because Mr Tan sets goals and timelines for his employees and shares it with them. This is under Management Effectiveness.]

c. c. What are some of the difficulties you face as a manager?

The difficulties I face includes, not being able to find competent staff. These would result in some staff not being sure of what they are supposed to do and doing their assigned task very slowly. Sometimes, the department would also face unpredictable circumstances and the responsibility lies on the managers to solve the problem. (Sometimes in a very tight schedule) This can be quite stressful at times.

Working in a volatile environment is also another difficulty faced.

d. d.How do you overcome these difficulties?

We can overcome these problems through proper training of staff. Like sending them for courses so that they are more familiar with what they are doing and thus allowing productivity of work to be higher. Once they are familiar with what they are doing they would naturally be more comfortable with the tasks assigned to them.

[By doing as stated above, Mr Tan is following one of Henri Foyol's 14 principles which is division of work. This is where work is given to an employee according to their specialization. Making their job easier for them.]

Another way is to always plan ahead and be prepared for whatever we might face in the future.

e. e. In your opinion, what makes a good manager?

I think the most important thing is that a good manager must be a good individual and a good leader. Also, a manager must learn how to listen and be able to make decisions without relying on others. ( this also involves theory Z, where the management should make the key decision in an organization and the management must maintain a strong sense of authority.)

A good manager must also understand the needs and welfare of his employees instead of only focusing on how well the department is doing. This is because they are also one the major sources that keeps the department going.

In conclusion, we can see that Mr Tan's style of management is more towards the Human Relations School of Management. This is because his way of solving difficulties faced shows that he believes that productivity is affected by the human aspects of work and not the physical conditions, Hawthorne Studies. ( He said that he would send them to courses to increase their productivity and familiarity.) His management style is also closely related to theory Z which is under Human relations School of Management.

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Broadcast Journalist

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Responsibility:

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Requirements:

• At least a Diploma in Communication and Media Management
• Minimum 3 years of working experience in the media industry
• Able to work at any given time as working hours are irregular
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• Must have great people skills and written communication skills
• Vibrant outgoing personality
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• Fluent in English, multilingual abilities are desirable
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If you think that you have got what it takes for this job, please email or write to us with your full resume detailing relevant work experience, present and expected salary, contact number and recent photo by 14 December 2009 to:

Email: MBjobapp@media.biz.com.sg

Address:

Human Resource Manager

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Singapore 987988

We thank all applicants, but apologize that only short listed candidates will be notified.