Blue Oceaning in Bangkok

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An adventure to Bangkok saw DISTED College staff refining their Blue Ocean strategic business innovation mindset and gaining broader insights into inter-personal communication besides invigorating collegiality and team effectiveness. 

They also took the opportunity to savour the dazzling tourist, shopping and cultural delights of the smiling metropolis. 

The DISTED 25th anniversary staff retreat at Twin Towers Hotel in Bangkok.

The staff retreat from 29 June to 1 July 2012, held in conjunction with the college’s 25th anniversary, engaged the staff in 2 professionalism enhancement workshops: ‘The Blue Ocean Strategy’ conducted by DISTED president Dr Koo Wee Kor and ‘The Art of Communication’ by the college’s senior lecturer Jayaeswari Sangaralingam. 

Dr Koo encouraged the staff to embrace strategic innovative thinking in business ecosystems and management as expounded by W Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne, the originators of the Blue Ocean Strategy. 

“The goal of the Blue Ocean Strategy is not to beat the competition but to make the competition irrelevant. 

“It discourages head-on battling with rivals in a bloody ‘red ocean’ of competition over diminishing opportunities.  

“Instead, it’s more advantageous to venture into creating ‘blue oceans’ of uncontested market space with promising growth by exploring value innovation that creates powerful leaps in value for both the company and its customers,” Dr Koo explained. 

“This strategic move in the market universe is to render competitors obsolete and unleash new demand. A Blue Ocean firm sets out on a bold new journey to winning the future,” he said. 

The staff had a brainstorming to chart out plans, in tandem with Blue Ocean approach, for enhancing productivity and cost efficiency of their respective departments. 

DISTED lecturer Jayaeswari Sangaralingam (standing) conducting 'The Art of Communication' workshop for her colleagues in Bangkok.

Marketing executive Ivan Ooi Wee Liang commented: “The Blue Ocean Strategy is an interesting challenge in a keen business environment.” 

“In moving ahead, we need to break away from competition by focusing on alternatives and potential new customers,” he said. 

DISTED president Dr Koo Wee Kor giving guidance on strategic innovative thinking during his workshop on the Blue Ocean Strategy. Looking on are lecturers (from left) Wan Norhidayah, Sheila John and School of English and General Studies programme coordinator Audrey Keong Mei Cheng.

Jayaeswari emphasized inter-personal communication as a cornerstone of team effectiveness and vibrant relationships. 

“Honing inter-personal communication skills is essential as often 70% of information exchanged between people are misunderstood, misinterpreted, rejected, disliked, distorted or not heard,” she stressed. 

She outlined pertinent keys to improving effective communication, which is interplay of spoken word, written word, visual images, body language and listening ability. 

“For the speaker, good communication requires crisp delivery of a message that is logically thought out and clearly phrased with a sharp focus on what has to be said. 

“To get and understand the message accurately, the listener needs to concentrate and analyse the information given with open-mindedness to ask questions rather than rely on own perceptions and assumptions,” she explained. 

Putting their heads together during the inter-personal communication workshop activity are (from left) DISTED finance manager Chia Choo Chin, library assistant James Teh Liam Teik, international student executive Ko Ko Naing and lecturer Khor Ee Keat.

Admissions officer Marian Leow Sue Mee found the inter-personal communication workshop beneficial. 

“It promoted a greater awareness on the need to be mindful of our verbal and non-verbal behaviours in inter-personal communication. 

“With better communication skills, we can strengthen collegiality as well as build and sustain rapport with customers besides bringing our messages across clearly,” she noted. 

DISTED staff visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok during their corporate retreat.

The excursion participants too had a fun-filled time of sightseeing and leisure. 

International student officer Jacinta Wong Chin Ying shared her thrill: “We had an exciting exploration of the tourism treasures of Bangkok such as its dazzling temples, some of which are famous world landmarks.” 

“The Bangkok trip brought all of us together for a refreshing experience in camaraderie and stoked our ‘we’re family’ spirit as we celebrate our college’s silver jubilee,” she added.

DISTED staff rejoicing during their retreat in Bangkok.