Current Music : Down by Marian Hill

"Throwing our mortarboards up on the air is one of the pinnacle moment in our university life, because we are no longer thinking inside the box."

My study journey has temporary came to an end.

And, I am officially a HELP Graduate now, or shall I call myself a HELP Alumni.
which also means that
" From undergraduate to unemployed. "
Hahahaha, nah, just joking.

Well, the title says it all: " Charmain is a grown-up now! ". Of course, this post is not just a mere story of what I did and what I do on (or) during my convocation. But, this post is mainly to share what I experienced on (or) during my graduation day.

HELP University 29th Convocation.
There are a few life events that are truly memorable to me, and HELP University Convocation is one of the few events. It is rather a solemn event and therefore all students must suit up/dress in formal. (sandals/slippers/jeans/shorts are not allowed).

From my experience, NEVER EVER BE LATE for your robing session as you will need to wear the rob on your own (unless they pay other people to provide the robing service from the photo shop). Of course, you can ask other alumni(s) or staffs for a helping hand. Never repeat the same mistake I did as I was late for my robing session and it took me an hour to touch up and re-adjust everything.

When you are done with robing, the next session would be Rehearsal session, and this is compulsory for everyone. Remember: You do not want to trip on the staircase when you are about to receive your scroll; Or look like a confusing potato because you don't know where to go after receiving the scroll. Therefore, rehearsal session is a MUST for everyone.
Not to forget, all phones need to be switch off or in a silent/vibration mode until everyone leaves the hall/ballroom.


(Photo Credits: HELP University)

Current Music : Sacral Chakra Chant


The Ghostwriter.
Yes, today's topic is about GHOSTWRITERS & GHOST WRITINGS.

I came to know about GHOSTWRITERS many years back, through a movie called The Ghostwriter. Well, I thought it was somewhat a horror movie, but it turned out to be a thriller/mystery movie.

The first thing that came into my mid when I hear the word "GHOST"writer is something that is paranormal and spooky. As I watched the movie, I begin to know that ghostwriters are people who write on behalf of another person. It's not some ghost or spirits haunting your paper, writing and making the pen floating on the air. Hahah!

So, let's get clear of what is a Ghostwriter?
Basically, ghostwriter is a person who is hired to author books, manuscripts, screenplays, speeches, articles, songs, blog posts, stories, reports, white papers or other texts that are officially credited to another person.

Sounds WRONG?

Not really. Because ghostwriters get paid with lucrative amount and they don't take credit to themselves. Hence, the term "GHOST"writer. Technically, they can't be revealed unless they request for it.

In my previous post, I did mentioned that I was handling a beauty and wellness project. And yes, it was a big project and we had invited the Deputy Minister to officiate the launch of our brand. Therefore, someone needs to prepare a speech for our Deputy Minister. I was assigned by my chief officer to prepare both speech for the Deputy Minister and also CEO.
To be honest, I was very happy and excited when I was assigned to prepare speeches for them. It didn't went well at the beginning as I have no experience in writing speeches, I got stuck in the midst of preparing their speeches and I do not know what to write and how to convey their message to the audiences.
However, with the help of my mentor, I was able to come out with the speeches before the deadline. After that, I got my chief officer to proof read both speeches for me. In return, he has shortened both speeches in to one page each. Without any hesitation, I read the speech again. And I realized something from it:-

When you are about to prepare a speech for any higher levels:
1) Must be clear of what information/points or ideas they want to convey
2) Information/points or ideas must be transparent, unbiased and non-asymmetrical
3) Do some homework/research on the guest of honor/VIP that is going to present the speech
4) DO NOT COPY word-by-word, letter-by-letter; PARAPHRASE it, if possible, restructure the      
    whole sentence.
5) De-clutter your mind. Clear your mind beforehand, so that one can focus on preparing the speech
    with peace.

Do not REPEAT the same mistake I did.

Just before I start writing the speech, a ton of voices keep coming to me until I lost the flow and inspiration to continue with the speech. What I am trying to say is that, JUST BE YOURSELF, DO YOUR BEST and DO NOT LET YOUR VOICES FROM YOUR HEAD HOLD YOU BACK. Always ask yourself these questions :
Do you do it just for the sake of doing it and proving it to people? 
OR do you do it because it is your passion and that you respect your role as a ghostwriter? 
I know it is very difficult for people to understand it, but trust me, when you are stuck, just ask yourself with these questions and you will get your answer. If you don't, you may want to clear your mind and perhaps, change the way how you have perceived your role as a ghostwriter/writer.

Just few weeks ago, I have been talking to someone who works in the corporate finance for more than 20 years. Not to forget to mentioned that he is also an excellent presenter. He has also taught me on how to prepare a good speech not just by conveying information and ideas, but also to play with the curiosity and the human psychology with sentences, words and grammar. (Don't get me wrong here, I am not trying to manipulate anyone's mind, haha.)
For example, one may say "...... we are here to learn, to grow and to understand each other, so that we will have the opportunity to work with each other to come out with a unique business model plan", when there are other competitors in one's launching event.
This, indeed is very important, especially when a new company is launching its homegrown brand in the market. You may want to build a good image for your company and also a good relationship with other people.

Now, here comes the final part.

There is something for ghostwriters to take note of, especially those who are new to the task. When you are assigned to prepare a speech for a higher level, such as Prime Minister/ Minister/ or Deputy Minister/ Government authorities :-

1) DO NOT circulate the script on the internet or any other sharing platform.
2) BE CAREFUL of the caption you wrote/posted when upload the picture of the higher       
    authorities. NEVER EVER mention the word "GHOSTWRITER" as it will jeopardize your 
    own career or company. Like I have said, ghostwriters are not meant to take the credit, and 
    that is why they are "GHOST"writer.

To be honest, I made a mistake as I posted a picture of the Deputy Minister and had also mentioned the "GHOSTWRITER". I wasn't aware of my action until my mentor had to called me, and ask to remove her picture. Later, I knew that I made a mistake on my caption. Don't ask me why I mentioned it, because I don't know why either. Maybe I was out of my mind or screw loose and wasn't thinking rationally. Hahaha,

Don't repeat the mistake I did. This is extremely important for beginners. 

Current Music : Can't Stop Dancing by Becky G


As I have mentioned earlier, I am working on a full-time job. And just recently, I was involved in a beauty and wellness project. Of course, I was fortunate enough to be a part of the sub-committee and I was being assigned to handle and manage the PR of our company, as well as our launching event.
Things did not went well at the start of the project, due to our options on the PR Companies we have. However, I managed to get hold on one of the PR companies. All thanks to Marcus, as he really helped me a lot on the PR and Catering side, as well as the event photos that were needed for press coverage.

WESTCOAST PR Company was the one that we decided to work with for our launching event. It was a very good experience working with WESTCOAST as I had gained a lot of knowledge, and also learnt a lot from them on Public Relations. To be honest, I have zero knowledge on Public Relations and crisis management, as I come from a Finance background.

When I was assigned to handle and manage the PR for our launch event, I actually did asked myself, "WHAT IS PUBLIC RELATIONS?" before engaging with the PR company. PR is a new thing for me.

So, what is Public Relations (PR) ?
PR : In marketing, PR is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organisations and their public audiences.

Well, there is an old saying, " Advertising is what you pay for, publicity is what you pray for. "

Basically, PR specialists are storytellers.
They bring the best of your company out, and showcase to your target/public audiences.
Of course, in order for the PR company to do an excellent publicity on building your company's image and reputation, as well as create a brand awareness on your homegrown services and products, one must be transparent, unbiased, and practical in providing information that you want your target/public audiences to know about YOU, YOUR COMPANY.

IN WESTCOAST,
PR is the way organisations, companies and individuals interact with the public and media. This can be done through direct communications with the target audience or indirectly through a 3rd party (the media, bloggers, key opinion leaders etc.) with an aim to create and maintain a positive image and build strong relations with the audience.

I would say that, WESTCOAST has done an excellent publicity for our company, helping us to build our company's image and reputation, and also to create brand awareness on our company's homegrown products and services.

Well, I have been liaising with WESTCOAST for almost a month, and I am very happy to work with Koh Mayanne (Westcoast Client Service Director), and together with Dr Choy (Business Developement) and also Tun Putri (Consultant).
Through my experience working with PR Company,  I must say that Public Relations require a lot of thorough planning, crisis management, and contingency planning on pre-event, during the event and post-event.
Therefore, they take note on every little details in order for the whole agenda and event to flow smoothly, as well as able to handle and crises faced during the event.

For example:-
1) Ribbon Cutting Ceremony-  PR agency would like to know what is the arrangement and sequence, as well as who stands next to each other
2) Lion Dance Ceremony - What will the VVIPs be doing during the lion dance, do they follow or just enjoy the lion dance? Will it be too loud to conduct media Q&A during lion dance?
3) Media Q&A - The dos and dons; what should be asked, and what should not be asked by the media and bloggers.
4) Usherers - Their dress code, protocols, briefing etc etc.

WESTCOAST always surprised me with their questions, on the little little details. And I will be sitting down there and thinking "Well, why I have never thought about that?" or " Owh ya, thank goodness they've thought about it, or else I would have forgotten about it.".
Clearly, I need to improve myself more, try to analyse the issue more, and be meticulous a little more.

However, the most important for a PR to work on is the PRESS. They are the one who work on the press release too. Press release is the one that matters the most as it will be send and distribute it out to third party such as the media, bloggers, journalists, and reporters. They are the ones who is going to promote your brand to the audiences, spreading it out like a virus. Therefore, press release should be written in a way to attract them. Press release it's not just about bullet points, or points that were copied out from the brochures word-by-word, letter-by-letter. In fact, press release, it's like an actual story narrated by the PR agency.
WESTCOAST has been helping us on the press release, and they really did a great job on our press release. I realize that, in order for the PR agency to do a great job on the press release, company has to provide transparent, unbiased and non-asymmetrical information to the audiences - that's what we call "The Art of Communication" and they are the expertise in it.

How my marketing lecturer always warned us not to use "We are the best....." or "We are the one and only company who provides...."
But, I realized that they are able to restructured the whole sentence so that media/blogger will not raised questions like " Why do you say you are the only company...." or " Are you sure you are the only company...."

After 3 weeks of countless meetings and working with WESTCOAST, I really learnt and gained a lot of knowledge on Public Relations, how it works and how do you communicate with the audiences and at the same time build trust and company image.
Public relation is just as important as Marketing. A company may have top products or services, but without any brand awareness or company image, the products and services may not reach to your audience or your audiences may not be aware of your company brand.

To know more about WESTCOAST PR Sdn Bhd
kindly check out their website at https://www.westcoast.my/
or FB at westcoast.my

Current Music : SEVE by Tez Cadey.


2017, hello readers!

It looks like I've been on hiatus for almost a year.
Yes, I had stopped blogging for a year. Of course, I would not let it go to waste.
As usual, someone asked me where I have been for this one whole year, as if my blog has been shut down. And, some even asked me what I am up to now.
Before I start writing about it, I would like to say a few words to all my friends who I met through writing blog, many many years back.

Dear, I have been reading and checking on your blog even though I, myself have not been writing for so long, so so long. Some of you may have shut down your blog, or some of you may have turn into a star blogger. Those who have been on hiatus/shut down, I just want to say, I miss reading your stories and keeping in touch with you all. And also, to those who has turn into a star blogger. I am glad to hear that, and keep up the good work and your passion. Of course, to those who are still reading my blog and stories, I hope we could still keep in touch. Drop me some message/comment so that we can keep our conversation going. 

First of all,  I would like to thank whoever has encourage and inspire me to continue my passion to blog and write about my story. And the people that I want to thank are new friends I made from the PR Company - Mayanne and Putri.
To be honest, they are the one who actually rekindle the fire in me, revive my passion in blogging and writing.

So, where have I been for this one whole year?
Remember my last post about HELP Gala Night 2015? Yes, after HELP Gala Dinner Night 2015, I was busy with my upcoming Final Year Project, assignments projects and exams. Then and there, I went through some ups and downs on my academics and also personal matters.

[Fast forward]

December 2015, I met someone that would change my life. It was my mum who actually brought me to see this person, right after I finish my exam. Before that, my mum was the one who met this person through her friend as she went to attend a talk during my exam day.
So, I promised my mum that I  would follow her to see this person as my mum knew what situations that I was facing. Instead of psychiatrist and psychologist, she brought me to see this person.

[Fast Forward]

Ever since I met this person, I decided to join his foundation to learn, to rebuild, to realign myself, as well as to help people who are in need, just like me.
I was taking one year time to readjust my body, slowly re-tune and re-align my body, soul and mind. Besides, I also took the time to heal and repair my body as the first time I went and see him, my body's health condition wasn't looking good. IT WAS REAAALLLLL..... BAD.

And, there goes my one year time in the foundation, working, learning and constantly rebuilding and growing. I decided to work for SWO Foundation after I completed my 3 years degree in HELP University. Then and there, I keep learning, keep falling, keep growing and keep rebuilding myself. It is not easy, but I am very,very happy that I manage to survive despite the hard times I faced in the midst of my learning process. I went through some life changes by my own experience. It was scary, yet fascinating. That is because every cloud has a silver lining. With such hardships that I was going through, I am able to carry myself up slowly, rebuild myself again and again despite how many times I fell, and also to re-align myself back bit by bit.
It takes time, a lot of patience, determination and also effort to carry myself forward. I am very happy of what I have went through, or else I won't be at where I am now.

Here comes the second question.
So, what am I doing now?
Well, I am currently working on a full-time job. I will not go so much details on this.
Most importantly, I am able to share my experience and my story in order to help people who are in need of comfort, listener, and also experience through my blog.

Just so you know, I am more active in SWO Foundation. I am managing SWO blog, as to provide a solution for readers and other people on how to manage themselves through my experience sharing.
Head to www.swomalaysia.blogspot.com to know more about yourself.