My quote of the day 22nd March 2013

Superlatives don't make you super.

- King Sze

My quote of the day 20th March 2013

"Trying your luck is for gamblers. Trying your best is for winners."

- King Sze

My Design for a Youth Credit Card Contest

I'm submitting a design for a Youth Credit Card organized by Nuffnang.

The name of the card: The Connected Generation

Here's my design:

The concept behind it is about the generation of youth today and their need to stay connected. The red and blue signify gadgets that are now important to them : music which will and always be relevant to any youth and the technology behind it to keep them connected to their friends and their interest. 

The gadgets shown here are wireless and blends in with any fashion, making it a necessary accessory even if they don't wear anything else fancy.

The 'yellow' sunglasses are in fact a gadget of the future, ala Google Glasses which will play a main role part of the youth's connected future once it becomes available to the masses.

Ok, here's hoping!

My quote of the day 15th March 2013

"I have not been first yet, but I have never been last" 

- King Sze

Simple Photography Tips for your E-Store

Here are some simple photography tips when taking photos of products for your e-store.

Know the product
The dimension or size of the product will determine the space needed, because every photo should be taken with some room around it. You won't want to take it in an area too confined...

 

You don't want to show the keyboard don't you?

Background colour
A background colour can really make a product outstanding. Choose a neutral background colour and a plain surface. Usually, white or grey would be sufficient and if you want to spice it up a little bit, you can always add some decorations to it. You may need to try using contrasting colours, because different products can work better under a different background colours. 

 

Contrasting colours are good. Whoops, there's a loose cable back there.

The keyboard makes a nice background but cannot show the wheel.

Determine which angle fits best for the product.
If the product has features on the side or the back, you may want to take it from a 3D angle, so that you can show more of the product. 
Depending on the product, it will also give the users a sense of depth and size rather than a flat image.

 

 A back photo is to show there's more to the toy car.

The credit card is to help customers visualise the size of the product.

Exposure
Be careful, exposure here is important and should not be too much and too little. Be aware that the photo turns out differently between the camera and the PC so don't close your photo area so soon. 
Normally, a table lamp from the top will be sufficient and a little shadow won't hurt either. Makes it more real!

This photo shows the toy car well exposed in the front but overexposed at the back.

Camera settings
With camera phones improving these days, you can always hold off buying the DSLR. Everything above was photographed using a Samsung S3, at automatic settings. As long as you have sufficient lighting, your photos will turn out fine. Great for idiots like me!

Powerpoint
You might be surprised, but the newer versions of Microsoft Powerpoint (2007 and beyond) allows you to edit picture in a simple and almost professional manner. It allows you to adjust contrast and brightness along with basic tools to make the image stand out.

 What's my secret? I'll tell you next time!

Lessons from the Movies #1

Pop Quiz: How many years did it take Doc Emmett Brown to build his Delorean time machine?

a) 10 years
b) 20 years
c) 30 years
d) 31 years

The answers, is c) 30 years. That's a long time wasn't it?

Now when most of us have an idea, we're all very excited to work on it. At most times, we are so excited that we become very anxious and impatient, leading to quick disappointments the moment the idea becomes derailed or deviated or we're simply told it won't work.

We've also heard and seen plenty of motivational quotes and posters, about not giving up on our idea or dreams so soon, but not many of us have the patience to carry on keeping the idea.

At most times, plans don't often go the way we wanted to, but if you planned it well you are more likely to be prepared whenever there's a moment that tries to derail you.
 Many of us love to compare with overnight success of many successful businessman, but little do we know that, that overnight success was the culmination of months or maybe even years of planning, falling down and getting up again. In the Back to the Future movie, Doc Brown spent 30 years on the DeLorean but we never see what he did in between, which was revealed: he sold off his family fortune and even had to work with terrorists to buy nuclear power!

Just because you didn't see doesn't mean it didn't happen.

Now, when an idea requires you to revisit it, it's a good time to sit down and improve it!

If your friends tell you your idea won't work, ask them or get a few more opinions. Most friends tell you things you need to hear to protect you so they may not be brutally honest with you, so get a 2nd opinion.

If your boss says your idea is silly, try asking your him (although he may not have the time to tell you) but if he does he may tell you more than what your co-worker know, as you boss may have his personal reason and experience to tell you why it didn't work.

If no one wants to tell you, then do a little market research or role playing yourself. Whenever I faced a stumbling block I went running and i role-played in my head as I ran.... and I can tell you that when your mind is clear and body is working with adrenaline ideas or solutions come easier, especially after a hot shower right after that!

So when a plan or idea doesn't work out, take it easy. Keep the idea in view for you to revisit at a later date, because the idea might not work today for various reasons such as poor internet penetration, slow smartphone adoption, the technology isn't available yet or simply it wasn't the right time yet, don't fret. 

It's good to revisit ideas, it let's you improve them. If you have the patience, then you are well on the way to making the idea realize itself!

My quote of the day 10th March 2013

"One man's folly, could be another man's jolly"

- King Sze

My quote of the day 7th March 2013

"Many people want to be different, not realizing that they already are." 

- King Sze

GoMurah.com, e-wholesale for your business

In e-commerce, a very important aspect in your business is product sourcing. If you can't source, you can't sell.

Well, here's an alternative for your if you're in Malaysia or around the area.

Psst, I'll provide a review after I've tried the site myself.

ADVERTORIAL

Do you run a retail shop?

Have problems stocking up on products?

No time to buy stock?

Too tired to travel?

There’s a new online wholesale website in town and it’s called GoMurah.com!

Sounds like a monster from an Ultraman cartoon, but it has a cute blue monster as its logo instead....

Anyway, GoMurah.com is the official e-wholesale partner for GM Klang Wholesale City, located in Bandar Botanic Klang. GM Klang is a very popular wholesale destination if you need to buy products at wholesale prices for your retail shop, whether it is online or offline. Now, instead of travelling all the way to Klang you can order ready-stock items whenever and wherever you need them. 

We know some of you get tired travelling overseas to buy stock, face problems when the items are stuck in customs or if your orders arrive incomplete or damaged; these problems can really hurt your business badly if you need your stock urgently. Most items at GoMurah.com are readily available and at no extra hidden charges like customs & shipping fees! 

At GoMurah.com they sell a wide variety of products ranging from fashion, toys, shoes, beauty products, box packaging, home decorations, shop fixtures and many more products that you may need for your business. You can buy from over 100 wholesalers from GM Klang Wholesale City, on GoMurah.com.

Here are some pictures of what is on sale at GM Klang, that can be found on
GoMurah.com.

All items are sold at affordable wholesale prices and are priced competitively when compared to buying them internationally. If you add up the shipping cost for the things you buy from Taobao or Alibaba, it’s almost the same… but remember that most of the items at GoMurah.com are ready stock! 

The website employs a unique quotation based system, therefore the cost of orders can vary depending on what and how many you buy. A spokesperson from GoMurah.com told us that they are now upgrading the system so that retailers can negotiate for pricing on a live system! 

It’s like being there, without actually physically being there!

The website is only available to retail shop owners, so in order to register, you need a business registration and a valid shop (either a photo of your shop or link to your website, FB or fanpage). It’s closed off from the public so that end users will not be able to see the wholesale prices. It's troublesome, but after all very necessary because you don't want customers to know your cost price.

GoMurah.com currently has a shipping promotion too! If your order exceeds RM300 (West Malaysia) or RM500 (East Malaysia), shipping is FREE! 

So if you need stuff or stock for your business, this is the site to go to!