Book 40: How to Open a Dessert Stall (教你開間糖水屋)

Title: 教你開間糖水屋 (How to Open a Dessert Stall)

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:
A simple how-to guide to open
a small business, specializing in chinese
desserts aka 糖水 : )
Plus a detail list of common
Chinese desserts and their recipes.

What went through my mind:

- I did not know that there are so many
interesting Chinese desserts out there!
& that to make them require loads of patience,
because the 'dry/moist' ingredients need
to be prepared for various amounts
of time in advance : 0

- A great point that this book makes is the
distinction between Chinese & Western desserts:
Western desserts are often for mere pleasure --
think about cakes, ice-cream, cookies and the like...
What do girls usually say after eating them?
"I FEEL SO FAT!"& it's true...
They tend to be made of cream/butter/sugar,
none considered too healthy 0_o"
Meanwhile, Chinese desserts often contain
healthy ingredients like seasonal fruits/herbs,
& are created with the main intention
to help balance the diet & enhance bodily functions.

- Like all businesses, the most crucial
element is: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

- I NEED to practice/learn my CHINESE
DESSERTS! i'm kinda ashamed of myself now...
-_- how can i claim to love food/sweets
and yet know nothing about any 糖水?!?!

Favorite Quote:
- "努力不一定成功，
但一定有成果。"
(Working hard doesn't guarantee success,
but it would surely bring fruitful results.) (Pg. 76)

What came out of this:
*Goal: Learn to make more 糖水!

Why Should you read it, too?
Aren't you curious about Chinese desserts, too? : )

Book 25: Six Thinking Hats

Title: Six Thinking Hats --
The International Bestseller that has changed
the way the world's most successful business leaders think

Who wrote it: Edward De Bono

Whom I borrowed it from:

Bought @ Amazon.com

What is it about:
When we try to think things through,
or have business meetings,
more often than not we argue our way out
to make a decision,
and many times we mix up
emotions, information, logic, hope and creativity
all at the same time.

Instead of trying to juggle too many balls
at the same time, De Bono suggests the
Six Thinking Hats thinking method:
- White: Present neutral, objective info;
- Red: Express emotions without having to justify them;
- Black: Criticize and find out the weaknesses/faults;
- Yellow: Provide positive & constructive prospects;
- Green: Explore creative options & solutions;
- Blue: Oversee the thinking process & make conclusion.
By putting on/off these hats,
people can think about one thing at a time,
and thus come to conclusion in a much shorter
period of time, with a clearer mind / consensus.

What went through my mind:
- Thinking is a skill that can be learned & taught.
That itself is an encouraging thought : D

- This is certainly a very intelligent
and educated thinking method.
I'd love to practice this more in daily life,
and thus become a better thinking /
decision maker myself!
- I can see how this thinking method would be
very constructive to help improve
effectiveness for corporations and businesses : )

Favorite Quote:

- "The biggest enemy of thinking is complexity,
for that leads to confusion.
When thinking is clear and simple,

it becomes more enjoyable and more effective." (Pg. 172)
* This book certainly shows how that can be achieved : )

What came out of this:
* Smart Idea:
A) Practice switching on/off the six hats while thinking!

B) If i get a chance, teach it to others, too! : D

Why Should you read it, too?
If you've ever wished you could be less 'all over the place',
make better decisions in life,
or simply be a smarter thinker,
this book is SO worth your time!

Book 14: Job Hopper

Title: Job Hopper --
the checkered career of a down-market dilettante

Who wrote it: Ayun Halliday

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:

Ayun graduated with a theater major from college,
and went on a journey through various job experiences,
including: Museum guard, waitress,
being a Bert mascot in the mall,
shot girl at a bar, waitress again,
salesgirl, substitute teacher,
nude model, temp in offices,
costume designer, telemarketer, gallery assistant,
customer service personnel for a newspaper,
last but not least, massage therapist.

What went through my mind:

- I didn't know that being a mascot pays
so well -- $75 per hour!
Then again, i don't know how stuffy it is in there either.
- Temping sounds really BORING & awful...
& why are they forced to wear tights again?
- What makes tedious jobs bearable is always
gonna be: GREAT CO-WORKERS.

What came out of this:

* Caution: Do not order any desserts
with glazed strawberry in any restaurants!
She said the waitresses are in charge of scraping
the molds off and keep serving them! 0_o"""

Why Should you read it, too?

If you needed a reminder of how blessed
you're with your current job,
or you just need to know that someone else
has been in your shoes with your crappy job(s).

Book 5: Brand Name Development - Online Stores (網路商店自創品牌)

Title: 網路商店自創品牌
(Brand Name Development
-- Online Stores)

Who wrote it: 數位人
(A group of Taiwanese editors)

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Jamaica)

What is it about:

A) How to open & maintain a successful online store?
B) Why is a Brand Name important?
C) What kind of products should you develop?
D) How do you promote your online business?
E) How do you protect your Brand Name once it's developed?
F) Real Life Successful Studies
(including my favorite fast food chain: Chipotle!)

Important idea:
This trend of shopping/selling online
will only get more popular, not less --
it's an ever-increasing business nowadays,
esp. the young people, who are amongst those
shopping online the most right now,
will eventually become the 'more mature' generation

with more capital to spend;
while the younger generation will no doubt
get used to shopping online at an early age!

What went through my mind:

- Running your own business is no easy job.
It's a mix of: hard work + creativity + research + vision!

Having sufficient capital, knowing the right people,
devoting mucho energy towards advertisements,
staying alert about the market & trends are all essential!
Wow, i wonder if i have what it takes...?

What came out of this:
* Goal: Read->Learn more about this topic.

Why Should you read it, too?
Just to challenge the business genius in you : )