Life, work and all the Sand in the Cracks

HK’s Love+Hate Relationship with Mainlanders

Josie Tao — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:37:24 +0000

To some, the recent D&G and MTR eating incident seem to be a series of events tipped off by how HKers truly feel about our cousins across the border (and vice versa) . The Guardian muses (quite nicely) that this may be due to the identity issues of HK Chinese (only 1/3 of us consider ourselves “Chinese”).

The professor is clearly a total A-hole, but his views probably do represent how a number of people/visitors truly feel about HK–that we are self-righteous arrogant snobs (especially with some horribly rude experiences/ripoffs from tour guides/travel agencies in HK).

For HKers the feelings toward mainlanders are mixed— businesses lovee their bulk shopping but locals are annoyed with the preferential treatment (although isn’t the sales person at fault?), the government wants their investment (buying apartments, using our hospitals), but locals are suffering from the jacked up prices and shortage of facilities.

The root of the conflicting feelings is that, while we are hungry for a piece of the Mainlander’s frivolous spendings, we hate to feel like they are better than us and can do whatever the f* they want when they are in HK (i.e sh*t at a Broadway, squat at shopping malls, eat in MTRs).

Organic Pizza in Hong Kong?

Josie Tao — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:10:23 +0000

It’s 2 weeks into 2012! How is your NYR going? Still looking to watch your waistline this year? At only 251 calories (+8g of fibre) a pop, would you swap this for real pizza?

If your carb craving is already driving you up the wall, try popping one of these SJLuxury organic pizza bars in the oven/ microwave for 10 seconds and their kitchen will immediately smell like a Paisanos (without the grease and blood clotting cholesterol). The Pizza bar stays true to the Italian classics and is made with sun-dried tomatoes, botija olives and Italian mixed herbs. Since most granola/protein/muscle bars available are sweet, the Pizza bar is a good guilt free option for a savory and crunchy snack.

Available in HK where nice groceries are sold i.e Great & 360.

Are you ready to conquer the world in 2012?

Josie Tao — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:50:54 +0000

It’s almost 2 weeks into 2012 now, have you broken your new years resolution yet? My top priority this year is to spend more time on myself, meet more friends and have a lot more fun.!

I started the NY with a bang with a NYE Hollywood party at Hullett House TST (a.k.a old marine police headquarters). My friends and I put a lot of thought in our Hollywood inspired outfits (as you can see!). On any given night Hullett House is a huge tourist attraction because of the beautiful way the architecture is redone but on NYE it was extra crazy as it is located right in the middle of the action by Victoria Harbour countdown/ canton road parade.

If I was trying to lose weight this year, I’ve already been extra naughty as we sobered up with a 6 hour rooftop barbeque at a friend’s in Sheungwan. Blueroof they call it. Blueroof throws a rooftop movie & bbq night every month, so like their page if you are interested in joining some of their events this year.

Hollywood Glam x Hullett House NYE 2012

Josie Tao — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:42:58 +0000

I’ve spent the last few NYEs club crawling in LKF always with the best hopes only to be disappointed. What did I expect right? It is always the same old LKF crowd, but with 500 squatting mainlander tourist + police controlled foot traffic+ dozens of clueless parents who decide to bring their annoying 7 yr olds to countdown. Oh yes, the bar i went to last year actually got LICENSED by the police (they switch on the lights, turn off the music, and id every single person in the bar to make sure there was no underage drinking).

This year vowing not to repeat the whole LKF ordeal, I will be going to the Hollywood Glamour party at Hullett House, which is promising a night filled with Motion Picture Magic, Retro-Red Carpet Glamour, Scintillating “Starlight Dancers”, Swinging Electro Jazz and Modern Sounds by Celebrity DJ Hallex.M in the magical Palm-Fringed Courtyard. I myself have decided to dress up as Audrey Hepburn circa breakfast at tiffany’s to walk the red carpet!

If you are up for a bit of fancy dress, limited tickets are still available so contact Hullett House at NYE2012@Hulletthouse.com / +852 3988 0000, +852 3988 0206.

Apple Social Media Policy

Josie Tao — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:04:30 +0000

Apple’s Social Media Policy has now come to light, the below excerpt is taken from 9to5mac . This is a great reference for all social media managers, particularly for in house.

Focusing on the Facebook posting situation, Apple is very clear that posting anything insulting or that casts Apple in a negative light is against policy. Furthermore, Apple says that employees should “remember there may be consequences to what you post or publish online including discipline if you engage in conduct that Apple deems inappropriate or violates any Apple policies.”Apple also says “be thoughtful about how you present yourself in online social networks. The lines between public and private, and personal and professional are blurred in online social networks.” Apple’s rules say to use your best judgment, and the Facebook rant clearly isn’t following any judgement.

Here are a few interesting points in realms other than online social networking:

Employees can have their own personal websites, but cannot discuss Apple in anyway on their website
Apple employees are told not to comment on Apple-related websites (that’s why we haveemail)
All employees have @apple.com email addresses, but are given an @me.com for personal use (applied more so pre-iCloud)
No speculating on rumors (as hard as that may be)
Apple has an HRCCC business strategy: Honesty, respect, confidentially, community, compliance
Apple’s business conduct policy and principles apply to employees, independent contractors, consultants, and others who do business with Apple.

Read on to view the entire Apple internal policies packet.

Apple Retail Blogging and Online Social Media Guidelines:

Whether or not you as an Apple employee choose to create or participate in a blog, wiki, online social network or any other form of online publishing or discussion is your own choice. In general, what you do on your own time is your business. However, activities that affect your job performance, the performance of other Apple employees, or Apple’s business interests are still covered by company policies and guidelines. This applies whether you engage in these activities in or outside of work, and whether or not you identify yourself as an Apple employee.

If you choose to participate in these types of online activities it is important that you understand what is recommended, expected and required, whether at work or on your own time. Accordingly, we have developed the following guidelines for you to follow when posting to a blog or some other form of social media like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter or Linkedin.

Be thoughtful about how you present yourself in online social networks. The lines between public and private, and personal and professional are blurred in online social networks. If you identify yourself as an Apple employee or are known to be one, you are now connected to your co-workers, Leaders and even Apple’s customers. You should ensure that content associated with you is consistent with Apple policies.

Respect your audience and your coworkers. Remember that Apple is a global organization whose employees and customers reflect a diverse set of customs, values and points of view. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, but do so respectfully. This includes not only the obvious (no ethnic slurs, personal insults, obscenity, etc.) but also topics that may be considered offensive or inflammatory. Use your best judgment, but if you need further guidance regarding what constitutes inappropriate communications please consult with HR, your Leader or Apple’s Harassment policy.

Respect the privacy of your coworkers. Blogs, wikis, social networks and other tools should not be used for internal communications among fellow employees. It is fine for Apple employees to disagree, but please don’t use your external blog or other online social media to air your differences. Do not discuss your co-workers without their permission, and ask permission before posting their picture. By respecting your co- workers’ privacy you will be helping to maintain the professional work environment at Apple.

Respect the privacy of our customers. It is a priority that we respect the privacy of our customers. Do not use or discuss any information regarding customers for any purpose. This includes contacting customers for social reasons or soliciting outside business. If you need further guidance in this area, please refer to Apple’s policy regarding customer private information.

Use a disclaimer. When Apple wishes to communicate publicly as a company it has well established means to do so. Only those individuals officially designated by Apple have the authority to speak on behalf of the company. If you identify yourself as an Apple employee, however, people may confuse your opinions with those of the company. In order to avoid this problem you must make clear that you are writing for yourself and on your own behalf, and not for Apple. At a minimum, we strongly recommend that you include a disclaimer similar to the following: “the postings on this site are my own and do not represent Apple’s opinions or positions.”

Protect Apple’s confidential information. As an Apple employee you have an obligation to protect the confidential, proprietary and trade secret information of the company. This obligation is laid out in several places including the Intellectual Property Agreement you signed when hired and in Apple’s Confidential Information Policy. For example, do not discuss any Apple confidential information including your store’s financial or business performance, and the timing, pricing or design of Apple’s products. Also, do not post pictures of the inside of the Apple Store – including the back of house – as those are not generally made public. Finally, do not post or disclose the contents of any Apple policy. These documents are intended for the use of Apple employees, and not for public distribution.

Respect copyright, fair use laws. For Apple’s protection as well as your own, it is critical that you comply with all laws governing copyright and fair use of copyrighted material owned by others. For example, this means you should not be using Apple logos or images for your own personal use. Also, you may not copy, digitize, alter or distribute any part of a copyrighted work without first obtaining written permission from the copyright owner. For more information please refer to Apple’s copyright policy.

Don’t use your Apple email for personal use. Your Apple email address has been given to you for use at work. Therefore you should not use your Apple email address on your personal blog or when posting on social network sites. You have been given a
free .mac/.me email address to use for non-work related emails. Please use that email or another personal email address for those types of communications.

In sum, use your best judgment. Remember there may be consequences to what you post or publish online including discipline if you engage in conduct that Apple deems inappropriate or violates any Apple policies. If you’re about to post something and you are concerned whether you are following these guidelines or any Apple policy, please discuss it with your Leader or HR before posting.

Confidential, Proprietary, and Trade Secret Information:

Apple recognizes that its confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information and that of third parties constitute our competitive advantage in the marketplace. Apple takes steps to protect its own confidential information and respects the confidential information of others. As a result, Apple expects all employees to take responsibility for protecting these sources of confidential information. Apple identifies, classifies, and protects all of its valuable business information from intentional or inadvertent disclosure, loss, modification, destruction, and copying. You may not disclose Apple confidential information to an outside party unless a written agreement or license has been previously signed and approved by the division vice president.

Likewise, Apple respects the confidential information of others. You may not use or disclose any such third-party information unless you are authorized by the third party to do so and until you have signed a confidentiality agreement with Apple.

Examples of Apple confidential information include, but are not limited to the following:

sales and financial information of any kind including store and individual metrics
product availability and constraints
information shared through store meetings, corporate meetings, RNN,BulletNews, Kbase, or any other internal
Apple resource
hiring and training information including salaries and bonus programs
Apple policies and procedures
Retail Store Websites
As an Apple employee, you may not create store websites displaying storerelated activities. This includes but is not limited to theater presentations, storeopenings, posting schedules or other store events.

Employee Personal Websites:

As an Apple employee, you are often the first on the block to see and touch new Apple products. While you may create personal websites, you may not display photographs, articles, or commentary about Apple products, services, or initiatives.

Posting Messages on Mac-Related Websites:

As an Apple employee, you represent the Apple brand. While you are free to view any website on your own time, you may not post messages or commentary on Mac and Apple-related websites, whether you identify yourself as an Apple employee or not.

Speculating on Rumors:

Refrain from speculating on anything Apple has not officially announced, even if a customer presses you for a personal opinion or indicates an interest in making a substantial purchase. Information leaks can potentially damage Apple’s interests, and Apple has zero tolerance for those who leak information. When you began working for Apple, you agreed to keep Apple’s confidential information within the workplace, including any information you receive from an internal Apple source. Be cautious of conversations with other employees on the salesfloor. Customers often overhear these conversations which can lead to misinformation.

Do not confirm or deny any information, even if customers pressure you by saying they are about to make or influence a substantial purchase or refer to non-Apple websites as sources of information. Refer to the following speaking points:

Apple does not comment on rumors about decisions, products, programs, or promotions that have not been officially announced by Apple.
By withholding comment, Apple hopes to protect customers from making decisions based on information that is incomplete, inaccurate, or subject to change before the formal announcement.
Apple believes this is the best way to ensure that all customers are treated fairly.
In addition to the above, speculating on rumors with internal Apple colleagues is strictly prohibited. Only those individuals on the Company’s official disclosure list are entitled to receive and discuss information pertaining to unannounced Company information.

The Way We Do Business Worldwide:

Apple conducts business ethically, honestly, and in full compliance with all laws and regulations. This applies to every business decision in every area of the company worldwide.

Apple’s Principles of Business Conduct:

Apple’s success is based on creating innovative, high-quality products and services and on demonstrating integrity in every business interaction. Apple’s principles of business conduct define the way we do business worldwide.

These principles are:

Honesty. Demonstrate honesty and high ethical standards in all business dealings.
Respect. Treat customers, suppliers, employees, and others with respect and courtesy.
Confidentiality. Protect the confidentiality of Apple’s information and the information of our customers, suppliers, and employees.
Community. Conduct business in a way that benefits the communities in which we operate.
Compliance. Ensure that business decisions comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Making the Right Decisions:

When facing a tough decision:

Use good judgment. Apply Apple’s principles of business conduct, review our policies, review legal requirements, and then decide what to do.
Need some help? When in doubt about how to proceed, discuss pending decisions with your Store Leader, your Human Resources representative, or the Legal Department. If you need more support, contact the Business Conduct Helpline.

Your Responsibilities:

Apple’s business conduct policy and principles apply to employees, independent contractors, consultants, and others who do business with Apple. All such individuals are expected to comply with Apple’s business conduct policy and principles and with all applicable legal requirements. Apple retains the right to discipline (up to and including termination of employment) or end working relationships with those who do not comply.

Please see details of the Apple’s Business Conduct policy on the HR Web. Apple Retail may have policies that supplement what is communicated in this link for our employees.

Gift This Not That: The 21st Century Girl

Josie Tao — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 12:38:39 +0000

Yes, tis the season again where almost every HK girl is pouring out their 3 months’ savings in gifts (mainly for ourselves, lets at least be honest here). I don’t know if it’s the holiday music or the decoration I’ve been having the impulses to shop as much as a 39 year old single NY woman wanting a baby.

Anyways, the point I’m trying to make here is, most of us are feeling the urge to splurge this holiday season, so if we are going to spend, we might as well buy something for a good cause. Enter this year’s Viva Glam Lipstick and Lipglass by Lady Gaga. where 100% of the purchase price goes to MAC Aids Funds.

For the social conscious fashion-forward girl, Gift This:

The lipstick has a glossy but unsticky finish. The colour is very natural and makes my lips look very full, a perfect parisan “im-not-wearing-any-makeup-and-just-rolled-out-of-bed-looking-this-hot, see?-totally-effortless”

The lipglass goes on very sheer, but without a frosty finish like most glosses. I would actually not reccommend layering the 2 products and instead use the lipstick for a daytime look and the lipglass for an evening in town.

On a side note, when I showed my friend the products he said it smelt like chocolate. I am not sure it’s true, but have a try when you come by any of the MAC counters!

For the environmentally friendly, all-natural, social equality fighting girl Gift This:

While leading social media for tedxhongkong this weekend and I was so touched by Eddy Yu’s (local design guru in HK) talk, highlighting his new social enterprise So…Soap!

Every piece of So Soap is handmade with all natural ingredients by women working flexible hours in local communities. Every soap bottle reuses a organic soy milk bottle and the product is name stamped by the soap maker to give the women a sense of artisan ownership (while helping maintain quality control).

Who is Mr.Wills?

Josie Tao — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:31:03 +0000

Mr Wills has arrrived in HK! With the recent ban of crotch-hugging yoga pants in some schools, Jack Wills have been coming to the rescue for sloppily dressed students all over America and the U.K.

They have chosen Causeway Bay, the afterschool fav hangout of many affluent international schools as their flagship for Hong Kong.

Curious to see what the buzz is all about? Come out for a drink and be merry tomorrow Dec 2 6:30 for their opening.

Top Marques Macau: If Colin Farrell was a sportscar…

Josie Tao — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:11:38 +0000

Last Saturday this digital girl was shipped out to Macau to live the baller lifestyle for 6 hours at Top Marques Macau. The event promised the following:

–Future millionaire ex-husband prospects (check!)
–Hot cars that get you a little too excited (check!)
–Enough free flow of champagne and food to feed a small army or the Real Housewives (check!)
–Test drive cars worth 1000 times what I have in my bank account (check!)

What I didn’t expect from the day out was:

–Getting sea sick both ON the way to the event AND BACK
–The diversity of Honkers that visit Macau on any given weekend. In my mind the typical wkend gambler is a middle aged man. Reality? 60% over 60 yr old C9s (housewives)!!

A highlight of the hottest at Top Marques, for the girls out there who don’t know many of these brands I am matching each car with a celeb that I think best describes the car:

Pagani, the hot italian jock, Cristiano Ronaldo (if he was Italian that is…okay okay i admit i don’t really watch soccer and dont know any other footballers other than the hot ones)

A 6 TON Conquest MONSTER, a Brad Pitt at Troy meets Transformers

A Sexy and timesless Maserati, the George Clooney

A Lamborghini hot off the race, The Colin Farrell, Hot, dangerous, might catch ur skirt on fire (seriously its 30+ in this ride), but you’ve got to have some anyway!

Preview Party: Festival of Restaurants at JAR

Josie Tao — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 01:32:26 +0000

Festival of Restaurants is this month and JAR x Winebuzz hosted an intimate dinner with a group of HK’s most active (English) blogger. From 7-13th November, grab a few friends and sample some of the best restaurants in HK for under $88/$168/$250/$428 (depending if you choose lunch/dinner etc).

Conversation went quickly from polite Q&A about the dining event to:

“The lamb sirloin is sooo tender and succulent”

“Have you heard of this SEXcapade blog about an expat woman living in Japan? Her tagline is–internationalizing Japan one boy at a time”

“I’m getting the Risotto with foie gras, which means I’m spending the next 4 days at the gym”

“Mr. Gay Hong Kong is not that hot”

“I can’t fit into any pants in HK anymore”

Thanks for the dinner JAR and Winebuzz!

5 steps: How i used Social Media to meet Kimora Lee Simmons

Josie Tao — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:58:25 +0000

Social Media campaigns can be very rewarding if you have a clear and specific cause. This is a 5 step post on how i started my own social media campaign to meet Kimora Lee Simmons in Hong Kong.

Step 1: You cannot start a campaign before making friends. As an active SM person I actively engage with the online community sharing news, attending events. First and foremost social media is about giving before taking.

Step 2: All the information you will ever need is on the internet. That being said, social media is the most effective way to find up to the minute information. I found out Kimora landed in HK via her own twitterfeed that within the hour has been reposted by people I follow.

Step 3: Ask your friends for more details. My next step is to find out why she is in HK: is it to open a shop? personal trip? host an event? The great thing about Twitter is that there are ALOT of active PR/Events/Marketers/Journalists/Bloggers and we love to gossip and share first hand information.

Step 4: Ask for help and be specific. Social Media is a FANTASTIC place to ask for help/favours/information. Once I found out that Kimora was in HK for an event I posted messages on all my social media profiles to ask for help, stating specific details of the date and time of her appearance.

Step 5: Always share the results and thank your fans. Ideally every social media campaign should tell a story. Always post the after result and thank all your online friends for the help.