Pure and simple, Willing Hearts!

Tucked quietly away in Genting Lane is an unassuming kitchen with big, big hearts! Thanks to my good friend who recommended me here.

Willing Hearts is a soup kitchen ran by founder, Uncle Tony, and is genuinely a place that epitomises generosity. During my visit there two weeks back, I was so overwhelmed with his concept of 'give, give, give'. Not a word of scrimp or save for the less fortunate at all, on a daily basis, Willing Hearts prepares approximately 3,000 lunch packets to be delivered islandwide. The figure is just an estimate as no one really knows how many packets of lunch are despatched daily. Anyone in real need, will get the food. No need for numbers, just a big heart. 

To ensure food safety, the kitchen is kept super clean! Volunteers handling food will have to wear gloves, and even with the amount of volunteers going in, out and about, I'm impressed how all the volunteers work together to keep it clean. Imagine the logistic nightmare!

This soup kitchen totally has an open door policy. Volunteers can come in any time, and get down to work in anything that you are comfortable with. No need for pre-registration, notice or anything of sorts. Just walk in and get working. 

So, my first time at the soup kitchen went like a kitchen trainee. It was kind of awkward when I exited the lift to be greeted with a totally stranger environment, so I just helped in whatever task I saw, which was to help repackage buns. After washing my hands and putting on gloves, I joined a few other volunteers in repackaging buns from pack of 4s into 2s. After which, getting slightly more familiar with the environment, I moved about 3 metres further into the kitchen to help pack lunch! Sounds like a corporate ladder isn't it? But really, there is no rules at all in this friendly kitchen, just do what you know, what you can, or learn!

I started by helping in 'supply chain management', sending the completed packs over to the despatch area at suitable intervals. Later on I started serving the dishes until the workstation I was helping had 'closed' for the day. After which it was just trying to 'get a job' in the kitchen. Asked around, everywhere seemed fine as WH was filled with volunteers on weekends. Finally 'got a job' in cracking, whisking and subsequently cooking omelette.

I must say it was a fun experience for me to join in food production of such massive scale. I will be back definitely and I hope all of you will make time to go and help out. It does not have any rest day in a year at all as Uncle Tony believes that if we need to eat daily, so do the needy! 

Before I end off, I am slightly disgruntle today as WH's website got hacked. Come on. A harmless and innocent organisation that oversees the wellness of 3,000 beneficiaries. It's like hunting a lion with a guide at a game safari. Shame on you. 

But the website is up and running now thanks to speedy web admin!

Willing Hearts

50 Genting Lane #04-06

Cideco Building

Singapore 349558

http://www.willinghearts.org.sg/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Willing-Hearts/251054094985354

Vlog #3 - Attractions & Bali airport biz class lounge

Welcome to the third and final part of the Bali vlog series. 

In this epi, we'll see the places that I visited on the final day, food that i ate, as well as a peek into the airport's premier lounge.

So long, good bye.

Start to an efficient day!

Really can't deny how smartphones improves our productivity. In the past, checking emails is like an after washing up activity, possible only after you start up your laptop or computer. However, this is probably how technology has displaced the routine of our lives. Double edged sword I must say.

Frankly, I embrace the changes brought about by these advents. So, I'm sharing the first three things on my routine right after pressing the alarm clock away!

First thing, email! Skimming for important emails to clear, just in case.

Second, Facebook! Apart from mobile messaging which I would already have received new notifications when I deactivate my alarm, Facebook is also where sometimes my friends at the othet side of the world will message me. Otherwise, it's always good to catch up with some news bites and friends' updates.

Third! Sometimes I'll stop at two and go wash up. But if I'm feeling lazy, then probably LinkedIn or Twitter..

I realised this has been a routine since schooling days. Yes, we need to start efficient habits early *chuckles* I'm pretty sure my routine is almost the same as many others though. 

So, how about you? 

How Qatar Airways' marketing and crm took my breath away

Qatar Airways officially joined the oneworld today, offering loyal QR flyers better benefits than ever. 

Qatar Airways mabrook! 

*Mabrook means blessed in arabic and is a congratulatory word* 

What it means for us...

Not only are we able to earn mileage on QR and existing partner flights, but also flights marketed and operated by the oneworld partners. As such, we can now earn and redeem on oneworld flights which includes major airlines around the world inclusive of AA, Qantas, Cathay etc. 

Some critics may say that oneworld alliance is not as "great" as other greater alliance like star alliance per se. But what is the basis for "great"? oneworld has a good membership inclusive of at least 3 airlines who are in the top 10 airlines currently. Combining with QR's existing partner airlines like ANA and Asiana, it's incredible. Joining oneworld is a carefully thought business decision by QR which will prove worthy in the long run. 

A greater meaning...

Being part of oneworld meant that QR can now extend its presence into more territories, thus expanding its networks and destinations. Having unprecedented base is definitely beneficial to its flight route expansion. If you haven't realise, QR has one of the best network of destinations globally already, but they are still working conscientiously on it. 

A great news to all flyers indeed. 

Now onto how QR's marketing and crm takes the cake especially for this project #oneworldQatar

The almost seamless marketing and customer relationship management efforts by QR has kept me hooked on since my first trip on QR to Kenya. The flight experience apart, I feel that the customer experience has a crucial part to play in breeding loyalty and QR has succeeded in me. Direct emailers had made their way into my inbox without me feeling annoyed, and my loyalty was appreciated when it was upgraded to silver status after 8 legs. Email exchanges had been prompt as well.

A membership package for silver tier members arrived by snail mail soon after I was notified of the upgrade through email. It arrived nicely packaged with a welcome letter, some benefits at a glance, the membership card, as well as two personalised baggage tags.

Silver status meant access to lounges adding onto pre-flight comfort, and extra baggage allowance which is always appreciated. And then there the fuss-free redemption of mileage. Perfect. My recent experience on its business class leaves me wondering when will be my next. Hope QR will be able to clinch the top post for biz class again next year; they will. Felt right at home on board any QR flight even in Economy class. It's the hospitality plus the maroon corporate colour!

For joining oneworld, all existing members will receive a new card or membership package according to your tier. About a month prior to its inauguration, QR sent an email to notify of the changes. I'm satisfied. So were the forumers at FlyerTalk. Then in the month to follow, QR disseminated more information on the new membership scheme through multiple channels including its privilege club website, its main site, facebook and twitter. 

There was a live webcast of the oneworld inauguration on YouTube. Though there were some glitches at the start, it was smoothed out and I could watch it without interruptions. 

While QR's CEO, Akbar Al Baker made a very charismatic speech, making points on QR's expansion by new fleet and destinations and of course oneworld, the Qatari Business Leader Of The Year kept webcast audience hooked on with carefully planted announcement of new perks. Double Qmiles on oneworld flights!

Simultaneously while the team is busy handling the technical aspects, there were also the social media experts hard at work. Talk about multi-platforming. This is it. A contest was ran simultaneously on QR's facebook page and twitter to encourage loyal fans to hashtag 'oneworldQatar' to congratulate QR's joining into oneworld. The contest winner will win a large amount of mileage. I didn't win, but still, I love my QR!

#oneworldQatar 

Eventhough these social networking sites were kept busy, the social media experts had maintain their efficiency and managed to provide live updates and even replies. I love the personal touch in this. The replies. This made us feel all the more treasured as QR flyers.

If we're talking about how QR can improve in its customer relationship management, then I'm really a little unhappy that in a recent mailer they wrongly saluted me as Mr. However, following mailers came correctly saluted, as it was probably just a generic mistake. It's alright. Oh yes, and I think I saw a slimming pill question on their privilege club members' FAQ definitely put up by mistake last month. I've just went in to check and it's cleared already.

Even though my silver membership is going to expire at the end of this year, I still appreciate all the service that they have rendered to me. 

My copy for QR: 

I heart my QR, keeps getting better!

QR Mabrook!

A bit more graciousness makes the society.

I used to frequent MOS Burger at Raffles City Shopping Centre weekly as I needed to grab a bite before my Thai class. One thing that gains my return is their service crew. Really commendable effort by MOS Burger to continuously engage our older workforce.

Few months after the conclusion of my Thai class, here I am again, served by the same aunties and uncles. Still impressed. They may be older, slower in taking orders, but one thing makes up for everything. Their attitude!

The uncle delivering orders may not be as agile or as fast, but he is so meticulous in ensuring you get your orders correctly, and hot. He warns you of the temperature sometimes!

The aunties taking orders may not fully register your order at first opportunity, but she courteously repeats your order carefully, and asks of every details without fail. "Welcome to MOS Burger! The $3.90 one is rice burger, $3.60 one is bun (the pictures looked similar). Small fries? Small or medium drink? Chilli, ketchup? Anything else? Having here? Okay $8.55 thank you!"

After some time, the queue starts snaking at a certain point. But the service crew's warm and loud welcome really compensated the wait. A little more patience from everyone, look how enjoyable the entire experience becomes.

Kudos to the service crews! 

And let's remember to clear our trays! A collective progression to a more gracious society!

Vlog #2 - of hotel and tour around Ubud!

Welcome back to the second instalment of the Bali series. Some interesting activities and sightseeing in Ubud covered in this vlog.

As I continue to edit the rest of the vlog, it seems like this trilogy may turn into four parts! 

Enjoy!

Vlog #1 - dnata lounge and Qatar Airways business class

Last week I went to Bali for a short weekend getaway. I've split it into two (or more) parts, the first vlog on the flight and airport lounge, and the second vlog on the island's galore.

Some post-birthday indulgence, thus the J class booking. Trying to sound technical & guru here with a 'J class'. Typically, F/P for first class, J/C for business and Y for economy.

So, for this first vlog, it's a photo and video sharing of the new multi-million project - dnata lounge, which is the business class passengers' airport lounge for Qatar Airways and Garuda Airlines in Terminal 3, Singapore Changi International Airport. Then, some peeks into the J.

No stranger to Qatar Airways, this 9th time on board a QR plane really made me felt at home. Even after comparing both legs of my journey, FA Sujit really upped the game. Kudos dude. It was like having a personal butler in flight. Update: QR's business class is world best for 2013 (skytrax).

Enjoy!

FA Vishal extending QR hospitality right from the moment you take your seat