CentreO Blog

We think yes! If you have a chance to travel to a foreign country, gain valuable on the job experience and at the same time get to know a different culture.

And a vibrant city like Hong Kong does seem like the perfect choice. So what is there to consider? First – a working holiday visa!

This type of visa is only available to a small number of young people (18-30) from the countries with which Hong Kong has a bilateral agreement. These include:

Australia

New Zealand

Ireland

Germany

Japan

Canada

South Korea

France

So what will you need to do?

–       Show your first intention of spending a holiday in Hong Kong

–       Have at least HK$ 15,000 –  HK$ 25, 000 in your bank account

–       Have a return air ticket

–       Have a comprehensive and reliable insurance throughout your stay in Hong Kong

That’s about it! Considering a working holiday in Hong Kong? Check out www.rentagwailo.com

 

 

 

 

Hong Kong has seen an increase of nearly 10 per cent in the number of well-qualified people who want to live here, says the Immigration Department. Most of those approved were from the mainland. Since 2006, more than 2000 applications have been approved – 77.6% of them from the mainland.

So what is a quality migrant scheme?

The QMAS programme (Quality Migrant Admission Scheme) allows highly-qualified people to immigrate to Hong Kong without a prior offer of employment required for a normal working visa.

Who can apply?

The programme is open to highly-talented individuals who would be able to make a significant contribution to Hong Kong.

Example?

Qi Jia, 28, first runner-up in the 2004 Asian Figure Skating Trophy championship, was admitted under the scheme for her sporting achievements.

How to evaluate my chances?

There is no reliable method of predicting your success, as the guidelines regarding “quality assessment” are quite fuzzy. Another potential pitfall is the fact that you never know who you are competing against.

Read more about the Quality Migrant Scheme.

We ran a small research and here are a few:

–       Write down long-term goals and then break them down into smaller bits: monthly/weekly/daily/hourly ones

–       If a task takes less than 60 seconds – do it right away

–       Get a timer: have regular breaks and move on to the next task on time

–       Pick three most important things that you have to do today – and DO THEM

–       Create a task list. Give yourself points for everything you tick off and keep a separate list for the things you failed to do. Review the list at the end of each day.

–       Have a ten-minute task list – include all the things that can be done in ten minutes. Whenever you have some spare time – you can work on ticking off a ten-minute task!

Give them a try and be amazed at how much more efficient you can be!

 

In recent years businesses have been encouraged by each and every marketing expert to produce CONTENT: newsletters, blogs, social media activity, personalized emails and so on to help you engage the customer and create a loyal fan base. And it works.  So why try podcasting?

It allows you to reach your customers on a different, more personal level. You will stay with them once they leave the office, when they are driving or just relaxing at home. Your content should also be more personal: talk to your customers, give a few helpful tips, funny stories, interesting experiences or just personal recommendations. Let them hear the voice of your company and the story behind your success. As the old saying goes: “Facts Tell, Stories Sell”.

For details on how to set up your very own podcast on iTunes, go to http://www.apple.com/hk/en/itunes/podcasts/specs.html

And stay tuned for part two of this blog!

 

A few days ago, I was feeling a bit down and overcome with doubt and fear about a speech I had to make. So I was idling away in my office, flipping through my favourite magazine…and I came across something that changed that day for me. And I hope you may find it useful, or a least fun.

It’s a confidence-building exercise called anchoring.

How does it work?

Find a quiet place. Close your eyes. Now think of the last time you felt successful. It can be a big professional achievement or a small personal triumph – just focus on the feeling. Remember every sensation, emotion, thought running through your head at that time. Then try to double this feeling. Then double again. Keep going until you feel that you are actually smiling. Pinch your left or right hand (gently!) and open your eyes.

Feel better?  But that’s not even the best part. Now you can recall those condensed feelings of success throughout the day by gently pinching your hand.

Give it a try before a job interview, important business meeting or a public speaking challenge.

It really worked for me)