Course on Website Optimization with Google Services

You may already have a website, but are the right people visiting it? Do your visitors hang around to read and browse the information on your Web pages? Do they do the things that you want them to do?

Want to optimize your website? Take this course to learn how to use many free and yet powerful webmaster services, such as Google Webmasters, Analytics, AdWords and Optimizer.

Submit your site to search engines. Track, measure and analyze the visitor traffic on your sites. Find out how people found your site, how they explored it, and how you can enhance their visitor experience. Check where your visitors are dropping off during the conversion process. Track the performance of your keywords, AdWords (ad texts), email, or other marketing campaigns. As a result, improve your website return on investment, increase conversions, and make more money on the web.

Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you shall be able to:
- Set specific business goals for your site
- Optimize your website in terms of linkability, findability, stickiness and conversions
- Use Google services to drive, track and analyze visitor traffic and goals on your site
- Interpret the data from the perspectives of an Executive, a Marketer and a Webmaster
- Monitor and enhance free/organic and paid traffic sources
- Monitor and enhance offline and other online campaigns

RUN 2: 24 October 200810 October 2008
► CLICK HERE to Register Online
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Venue: NTU@one-north campus, Executive Centre
Fee: Standard: SGD$390.00 NTU Alumni: SGD$312.00 Group (3 & above): SGD$351.00


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Presentation Slide Design for Business People

Within the dynamics of modern organisations today, is the reality that communication and presentation skills is a key assets that managers, leaders and HR persons must possess; and one that can be a career mover or killer.

Many presentations today are done with the aid of Slide software such as Power Point TM , however, audiences will be the first to tell you that most of these presentations are dull, boring, contain too much text, speaker is reading from the slides and much more.

The proper use of a visual aid can greatly enhance the sales of a service or product, interact, motivate and stimulate your audience if used correctly. So if you find yourself guilty of still using multiple bullet-points on white and dark-blue backgrounds in your slides; then its time to re-think, upgrade and gain a competitive advantage in the business by showing impressive presentations.

This course will teach participants how to use Power Point TM to makeover their slides, construct info graphics, add video, introduce them to the concepts and foundations of visual design communication and craft a message in the business context to structure their message.

If you want to showcase your visual talents, have a desire to improve your slides or just have a keen interest, then this course sets out a direction that will change the way you design your presentations.

This course will actively be using Power Point 2003 & XP TM versions as these are most commonly found in Corporate and Educational sectors at this time. Power Point 2007 TM also available upon request. Participants must have a basic working knowledge of Power Point.

Run 2: 23 to 24 October 20089 October 2008
CLICK HERE for Registration
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Venue: NTU@one-north campus, Executive Centre
Fee: Standard: SGD$590.00 NTU Alumni: SGD$472.00 Group (3 & above): SGD$531.00

Registration fees inclusive of course materials, 2 tea-breaks and prevailing GST.



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Do you think female suitable for IT?

A girl left me some comments in my blog, how much is her salary is not so important, but I think she points out some very important topics... namely: expats or foreign talents in IT field, female in IT, and IT specialise certificate versus university degree.

i've a dip in IT, started work in desktop, cs, helpdesk line.
2004 - 1.5k sme
2005 - 1.6k sme
2006 - 1.7k mnc
2007 - 1.8~2.1k sme
2008 - 2.2k mnc

First of all... is the issue of expats or foreign talents:

i noticed its tough to get larger offers due to expats from philippines, indonesia & malaysia whom fight for such desktop IT support roles. i do know its a 'anyone can do' kinda job.

Second.... is she is being a female:

and there are times i've moved on to server administration roles (2007-2008)
therefore the increase salary there. but because of being a female, employers are not very keen.

i'll say, the salary scopes you had here are all males and its easier for them to mark the fee.

i've contemplated leaving the IT industry. what are your views towards women obtaining a degree and keeping to IT roles?

And finally, extra certificate compares with degree:

i've MCSA certifications and such but it actually doesn't get a person on par with a proper degree.

Frankly speaking I can't help you much on these topics, maybe some others can give her some comments. I do know that in some company, got a lot of expat, e.g. IT specialize from India. Or some company simply outsource the support team to India or Philiphine. Well, I can't imagine if myself work in all-male environment...... but maybe they all will dote on you?


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How to Deliver First Class Presentations - by NTU

I think all of us, more or less need to do presentation sometime. I can't make a good one, either speak too fast, or .... You really need to be very confidence to give a good presentation. Anyway.. here is a course if you want to deliver first class presentations...


Participants will learn to:
1. Build self-confidence and oversome stage-fright
2. Organize and structure a presentation effectively
3. Connect with the audience and know what makes them tick
4. Enhance verbal and non-verbal delivery skills

Trainer - Ms Pang Li Kin
Ms Pang Li Kin has 25 years of corporate experience where she developed her expertise in business development, client servicing as well as in leadership, people management, training and development. She held several executive positions with local conglomerates like The Straits Times and F&N Corporate in Singapore as well as senior regional positions at ACNielsen. Her global experience spans 20 countries worldwide, having worked with high-profile clients in both the public and private sectors.

To register: http://www3.ntu.edu.sg/cce2/faculty_courses/apply.asp?id=%7BF0182E3E-F30D-DD11-8E60-001560A3FDED%7D
Run 2: 15 to 17 October 20081
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Venue: NTU@one-north campus, Executive Centre
Fee: Standard: SGD$810.00 NTU Alumni: SGD$648.00 Group (3 & above): SGD$729.00


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A guy that is earning 13k per month telling us something important

Someone work in IT, getting 13k after ten years, left me this comment:

1998 - graduated with BSCS from 3rd world uni

2008 - work for MNC in Singapore on employment pass, monthly is 13k and no, I'm not a manager (though pay grade is senior manager I'm an individual contributor), just good at what I do. I expect another 1k increment this year, I know it's not much relatively to my monthly pay but hey it's ok lah. Also get 1mnth AWS and about 5-8k bonus every quarter. BTW, I never ever bargained for salary or promotion. I suck at negotiation (that's why don't shop at markets, stick to malls with price tags). Getting things done seems to work like a charm with my boss, my boss's boss and boss of my boss's boss.

And finally, he / she tells us something very important:

Remember, getting irreplaceable or getting results that make bosses look really really good work wonders.

So now you know how to get 13k per month..............


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Techniques of Risk Management and Insurance - by NTU

A global market place has presented both opportunities and uncertainties for business organizations. Business organizations competing in the global market are no longer insulated from the risk pervasiveness business environment with lurking dangers of natural perils, terrorist attacks and bird flu pandemic. This two day workshop provides insight of the organizational risks and global exposures of business organizations as well as the understanding of the workings of the corporate risk management and insurance in the global context. The workshop is highly interactive with many active learning activities comprising of discussions, case studies and self-evaluation exercises.

The trainner:
Assistant Professor Chan Kheng Ping, Patrick
PhD, MBA, BSc(Hons), FCII, FSII,FRIM,,FChFP, ARM,RFC
Dr Chan’s teaching and research interest are in behavioral finance and organizational behavior; risk management and insurance; and personal wealth management. He is currently an Assistant Professor and teaches Organization Behavior at the College of Engineering, Nanyang Technological University. He is a Certified Consultant, Asia Management Academy and a Registered Financial Consultant, USA. He is also a Fellow of Chartered Insurance Institute, UK and Singapore Insurance Institute.

Associate Professor Yee Wah Chin
BBA, MBA, PhD, FCII, FSII, ARM, FRIM, FCIS, FChFP, RFC
Dr Yee is an Associate Professor in the Banking and Finance Division at the Nanyang Business School in Nanyang Technological University (NTU). He is the Technical Expert for Singapore in the ISO Working Group on Risk Management and is the Chairman of the Federation of Asia, Pacific & African Risk Management Organisations (FAPARMO).

To register: http://www3.ntu.edu.sg/cce2/faculty_courses/apply.asp?id=%7BD24C7A32-5D0C-DD11-8E60-001560A3FDED%7D

RUN 2: 16 to 17 October 2008 2 October 2008
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Venue: NTU@one-north campus, Executive Centre
Fee: Standard: SGD$590.00 NTU Alumni: SGD$472.00 Group (3 & above): SGD$531.00

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SIM Professional Development Program

We always hear the words "life long learning", but how many of us actually did that? I think many people are like me, never back to school once graduate. Attending lessons and having exams are history! But as things get advanced, and sometimes I really think that we will lose out to the youngster, as they are more up to date and most importantly, they ask for lower pay than you.


Now the SIM university provides some General Managment course, the details are shown below. SIM is one of the most comprehensive HR solutions provider in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific, offering organizations invaluable expertise for more than 40 years. We offer a wide variety of quality programmes effectively designed to meet organisations’ training needs at every level from the chief executives and top management to middle managers, management trainees and administrative staff.


For registration and more information:
+65-6248 9417 or email kellyko@sim.edu.sg


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Preparation for Meetings

No matter how informal the meeting, preparation in advance can improve the effectiveness of the meeting itself. When planning a meeting, visualize in advance how the meeting will unfold: who will stand where, how long the presentations will last, how the meeting will be organized.

Homework
When sending materials in advance of the meeting, be clear what home work you are asking attendees to do. For example, if you send a document for review, ask for comments on specific aspects of the document - different reviewers are asked to comment on substance, design, and editorial issues.

Arrangements
Choose a meeting location that suits the occasion - right size, convenient location, appropriate technological capabilities, proper ventilation, space to hang coats, etc. Then, make sure the room is outfitted with the appropriate amenities and equipment to make the guests comfortable and the meeting effective.

Sound. Test all microphones and amplification equipment before guests arrive. Stand in various parts of the room to be sure the sound is neither echoed nor muffled. Check battery levels on cordless equipment.

Supplies. Arrange for flipcharts and markers, notebooks, pens, sticky notes, pencils, nametags, podiums, projection screens, video equipment, and other materials required by the speakers. If the meeting is off site, it may be worth bringing your own meeting supplies if you are unsure about the venue.

Note taking. One person should be responsible for keeping an official record of the meeting. Designate that person in advance. Formal meetings may call for an audiotape record.

Refreshments. If guests are coming in from outside the organization, refreshments are in order. Order bottled water and a variety of other drinks and food that is easy to eat without spilling or leaving crumbs.

Breaks. Give attendees a rest approximately every 90 minutes. Some meetings may need only 5- to 10-minute breaks. If refreshments are served, a 15-minute break is typically needed.

Interruptions. If the room has a telephone, make sure it is set to "Do Not Disturb." If necessary, post a sign on the door saying a meeting is in session. Let support staff know what types of interruptions are permitted.

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SOA Developer's Day

Date: 11 Sept Thu
Time: 830am till 5pm
Venue: Nanyang Polytechnic, Theatre of the Arts.

At this conference, see real examples of web services and its most accessible, and ready for business. Also with hands-on workshop.

More info: http://www.breadmedia.com.sg/sitfedm/dd/dd.html


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The City University of New York Open House in Singapore

Established since 1847, The City University of New York (CUNY) is America's largest AACSB Accredited business school and one of the most prestigious. Located in the heart of New York and Wall Street, the center of global business, CUNY boost a student population of over 450,000 international students. CUNY graduates and faculty are internationally recognized and include 12 Nobel Laureates, one of the highest number from any university.

There also Executive Masters
» Finance
» Marketing & International Business
» Management of Human Resources & Global Leadership
» Industrial & Organizational Psychology
» Information Systems & Business Computing

The open house information as follows:
Date: 11 Sept (thu)
Time: 7:15pm to 9:15pm
Venue: Le Meridien Hotel, Orchard.
Website: http://www.baruch.sg/


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Investment Insights for the Wise Investor

It has been a volatile ride for equity markets this quarter. Investors should fasten their seat belts, stay calm and look out for new investment ideas in September.

Let our analyst share with you about healthcare and bond funds. Find out why you could potentially consider these generally defensive and stable sectors[1] as part of your investment portfolio in times of market uncertainty.

In addition, we have specially invited our fund partners to provide more insights on market updates to help you make informed decisions for your investments amidst the market volatility.

If you are new to unit trust investment, join us in our Introduction to Unit Trust seminars. We will explain what unit trust investment is, and guide you through our online trading platform, POEMS, to show you how you could purchase your funds in a hassle-free way.

Details of the seminars are as follow:

10 Sept, 12.30pm – 1.30pm, Raffles City Tower 6th Floor
Global Financial Outlook by Henderson

12 Sept, 12.30pm – 1.30pm, Raffles City Tower 6th Floor
Introduction to Unit Trust by Unit Trust Marketing

15 Sept, 12.30pm – 1.30pm, Raffles City Tower 6th Floor
8 Pearls of Investment wisdom by Aberdeen

16 Sept, 12.30pm – 1.30pm, Raffles City Tower 6th Floor
Analyst Updates: Healthcare and Bond funds by Fidelity

17 Sept, 12.30pm – 1.30pm, Raffles City Tower 6th Floor
Introduction to Unit Trust by Phillip's Investment Analyst

22 Sept, 7.00pm – 8.30pm, Raffles City Tower 6th Floor
Analyst Updates: Healthcare and Bond funds by Invited Speaker + Phillip's Investment Analyst

To register, kindly email your particulars comprising your Name, NRIC, and POEMS account number (if any) to utseminars@phillip.com.sg

The seats will be automatically confirmed, unless otherwise mentioned.

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8 Tips to Successful Benefits Negotiation

You just received that job offer and the salary isn't exactly what you hoped for. But starting salaries depend on a number of factors including the size of the perspective employer and their current level of success, your professional level, your previous work experience, and the particular skills you bring to the job. Remember too that your salary represents only part of the overall compensation package. Employers may not be willing to make adjustments in base pay, but you may be able to negotiate some benefits to help make up the difference.

1) Know the Market
2) Think beyond salary
3) Flexible Schedule
4) Hiring Bonus
5) Vacation time
6) An Early Review
7) Relocation Costs
8) Show interest

For more info http://www.salary.com/personal/layoutscripts/psnl_articles.asp?tab=psn&cat=cat011&ser=ser031&part=Par979&isdefault=0


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CPF Trends

This article gives an insight on the changes in allocation of CPF contribution rates since inception of CPF. Read more details on these changes http://mycpf.cpf.gov.sg/CPF/About-US/CPF+Trends.htm.

They got the data on:

Allocation of CPF Contribution Rates (PDF 0.16MB)
Withdrawals under various CPF schemes (PDF 0.16MB)
Profile of CPF members under Minimum Sum Topping-Up Scheme (PDF 0.12MB)
Composition of CPF Balances (PDF 0.30MB)
CPF Education Scheme (PDF 0.06MB)
Transfer of Ordinary Account Savings to Special Account (PDF 0.07MB)
CPF Investment Scheme (PDF 0.06MB)
CPF Interest Rates (PDF 0.04MB)
CPF Public Housing and Residential Properties Schemes (PDF 0.05MB)
CPF Medisave Scheme (PDF 0.05MB)
CPF Minimum Sum Scheme (PDF 0.07MB)
CPF Contributions, Withdrawals and Balances (PDF 0.13MB)
CPF Minimum Sum Topping-up Scheme (PDF 0.08MB)
Contribution Rates (PDF 0.04MB)
Changing Age Structure of CPF Members (PDF 0.22MB)

So check out those documents of your interest.


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Salary Cap - 10 yrs IT experience and cap at $3.2k

Realise there is a comment on my previous post, the information is as follows:

I gratuated from Ngee Ann in 95. My starting pay is 1.4k/mth. After working
in a IT firm for about 10+ yrs , my pay is 3.2k/mth. I have MCSE ( NT4 ) and
CCNA. Recently, I just completed my degree.

This very unfortunate guy, he been working for 10 years and the pay is only $3.2k. That is about the same as the starting salary for very fortunate fresh graduate.

I believe this is due to the salary cap. In many commpanies, they do have a guideline on the salary band. For example, if you have this qualification and this job grade, there is a minimum (I hope so) and maximum salary that you can obtain. So if you find that you been working for many years, and you are not promoted and not getting any more increment, that could be you reach the cap.

So to get higher salary, you got to upgrade yourself, to get a certificate, or move to another company that value more your experience than your qualification.

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