CHOW Wei Ming
@wmchow.bsky.social
Published author, brand consultant, and Executive Editor of Espoletta.
I'm pleased to announce that I'm now a HRD Corp accredited trainer. After four months of arduous waiting for the opportunity to conduct a trial training, to record, and submit for assessment, I've finally done it. Refer to this previous post - bsky.app/profile/wmch...
July 3, 2025 at 3:38 AM
I'm pleased to announce that I'm now a HRD Corp accredited trainer. After four months of arduous waiting for the opportunity to conduct a trial training, to record, and submit for assessment, I've finally done it. Refer to this previous post - bsky.app/profile/wmch...
Thank you Dr Tan Jin Kit, Chief Medical Officer of IHT Rehabilitation Centre (Selangor), for purchasing a copy of Brand ID. I hope the book will serve you well in all your future undertakings.
May 8, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Thank you Dr Tan Jin Kit, Chief Medical Officer of IHT Rehabilitation Centre (Selangor), for purchasing a copy of Brand ID. I hope the book will serve you well in all your future undertakings.
Free Employer Brand Tips 25-05 : Treat Employees Like Customers
Most employers don't realise this, but you attract and retain customers in the same way as you attract and retain employees. Happy employees will evangelise your brand, and in turn attract even more happy customers.
Most employers don't realise this, but you attract and retain customers in the same way as you attract and retain employees. Happy employees will evangelise your brand, and in turn attract even more happy customers.
March 25, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Free Employer Brand Tips 25-05 : Treat Employees Like Customers
Most employers don't realise this, but you attract and retain customers in the same way as you attract and retain employees. Happy employees will evangelise your brand, and in turn attract even more happy customers.
Most employers don't realise this, but you attract and retain customers in the same way as you attract and retain employees. Happy employees will evangelise your brand, and in turn attract even more happy customers.
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-09 - Advertising Is Subset To Branding
Ever wondered why branding is lumped together with advertising services? Especially when advertising is dependent on brand direction, and not the other way around? Perhaps it's time to look at them as where they actually are.
Ever wondered why branding is lumped together with advertising services? Especially when advertising is dependent on brand direction, and not the other way around? Perhaps it's time to look at them as where they actually are.
March 24, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-09 - Advertising Is Subset To Branding
Ever wondered why branding is lumped together with advertising services? Especially when advertising is dependent on brand direction, and not the other way around? Perhaps it's time to look at them as where they actually are.
Ever wondered why branding is lumped together with advertising services? Especially when advertising is dependent on brand direction, and not the other way around? Perhaps it's time to look at them as where they actually are.
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-09 : What Is Personal Brand?
A personal brand is essentially the qualities that person is projecting. Personal brand can be distilled down to just adjectives that best describes how others see the person.
Image by brandy of Freepik
www.freepik.com/free-vector/...
A personal brand is essentially the qualities that person is projecting. Personal brand can be distilled down to just adjectives that best describes how others see the person.
Image by brandy of Freepik
www.freepik.com/free-vector/...
March 22, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-09 : What Is Personal Brand?
A personal brand is essentially the qualities that person is projecting. Personal brand can be distilled down to just adjectives that best describes how others see the person.
Image by brandy of Freepik
www.freepik.com/free-vector/...
A personal brand is essentially the qualities that person is projecting. Personal brand can be distilled down to just adjectives that best describes how others see the person.
Image by brandy of Freepik
www.freepik.com/free-vector/...
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-08 : Branded Vs Commodity
Little Susie's Lemonade Stand?... Or a commodity lemonade? Without a brand, there's no basis to compare you against your competitor.
Brand ID, Chapter 1.4, page 12
espoletta.com/books-publis...
Image by Freepik
www.freepik.com/free-photo/k...
Little Susie's Lemonade Stand?... Or a commodity lemonade? Without a brand, there's no basis to compare you against your competitor.
Brand ID, Chapter 1.4, page 12
espoletta.com/books-publis...
Image by Freepik
www.freepik.com/free-photo/k...
March 21, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-08 : Branded Vs Commodity
Little Susie's Lemonade Stand?... Or a commodity lemonade? Without a brand, there's no basis to compare you against your competitor.
Brand ID, Chapter 1.4, page 12
espoletta.com/books-publis...
Image by Freepik
www.freepik.com/free-photo/k...
Little Susie's Lemonade Stand?... Or a commodity lemonade? Without a brand, there's no basis to compare you against your competitor.
Brand ID, Chapter 1.4, page 12
espoletta.com/books-publis...
Image by Freepik
www.freepik.com/free-photo/k...
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-08 : Still Wearing A Tie?
It's the post-pandemic age, and people literally wear pyjamas to work. Do you still wear a tie to work? Well, people who still wear a tie do so because they 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 to, not because they 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 to.
Image by Hans of Pixabay
pixabay.com/photos/neckt...
It's the post-pandemic age, and people literally wear pyjamas to work. Do you still wear a tie to work? Well, people who still wear a tie do so because they 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 to, not because they 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 to.
Image by Hans of Pixabay
pixabay.com/photos/neckt...
March 16, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-08 : Still Wearing A Tie?
It's the post-pandemic age, and people literally wear pyjamas to work. Do you still wear a tie to work? Well, people who still wear a tie do so because they 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 to, not because they 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 to.
Image by Hans of Pixabay
pixabay.com/photos/neckt...
It's the post-pandemic age, and people literally wear pyjamas to work. Do you still wear a tie to work? Well, people who still wear a tie do so because they 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 to, not because they 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 to.
Image by Hans of Pixabay
pixabay.com/photos/neckt...
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-07 : SEO, Magic Bullet Or Meaningless Buzzword?
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), an oft-used term to wow clients. Is it a magic bullet to land your website on the front page? Or a meaningless buzzword to confuse unsuspecting clients to say yes to their service?
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), an oft-used term to wow clients. Is it a magic bullet to land your website on the front page? Or a meaningless buzzword to confuse unsuspecting clients to say yes to their service?
March 14, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-07 : SEO, Magic Bullet Or Meaningless Buzzword?
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), an oft-used term to wow clients. Is it a magic bullet to land your website on the front page? Or a meaningless buzzword to confuse unsuspecting clients to say yes to their service?
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), an oft-used term to wow clients. Is it a magic bullet to land your website on the front page? Or a meaningless buzzword to confuse unsuspecting clients to say yes to their service?
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-07 : Dress Casual Like Steve Jobs
If you're established and successful, you too can pull off casual wear like Steve Jobs. But if you're not, what you wear for work, or to meet people, still matters.
Creative Commons Attribution
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St...
If you're established and successful, you too can pull off casual wear like Steve Jobs. But if you're not, what you wear for work, or to meet people, still matters.
Creative Commons Attribution
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St...
March 13, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-07 : Dress Casual Like Steve Jobs
If you're established and successful, you too can pull off casual wear like Steve Jobs. But if you're not, what you wear for work, or to meet people, still matters.
Creative Commons Attribution
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St...
If you're established and successful, you too can pull off casual wear like Steve Jobs. But if you're not, what you wear for work, or to meet people, still matters.
Creative Commons Attribution
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St...
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-06 - Push Marketing Vs Pull Marketing
Don't waste time, effort, or money, to advertise and establish your relevance with your audience. Instead, sprinkle cyberspace with potential search results, and let them seek you out.
The harder you push, the faster they'll run.
Don't waste time, effort, or money, to advertise and establish your relevance with your audience. Instead, sprinkle cyberspace with potential search results, and let them seek you out.
The harder you push, the faster they'll run.
March 11, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-06 - Push Marketing Vs Pull Marketing
Don't waste time, effort, or money, to advertise and establish your relevance with your audience. Instead, sprinkle cyberspace with potential search results, and let them seek you out.
The harder you push, the faster they'll run.
Don't waste time, effort, or money, to advertise and establish your relevance with your audience. Instead, sprinkle cyberspace with potential search results, and let them seek you out.
The harder you push, the faster they'll run.
Free Employer Brand Tips 25-04
Nobody likes to be ghosted, especially in professional interactions. If candidates can take the trouble to personally reach out to you, then the "𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝" phrase won't do.
Image by Betidraws of Pixabay
pixabay.com/illustration...
Nobody likes to be ghosted, especially in professional interactions. If candidates can take the trouble to personally reach out to you, then the "𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝" phrase won't do.
Image by Betidraws of Pixabay
pixabay.com/illustration...
March 5, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Free Employer Brand Tips 25-04
Nobody likes to be ghosted, especially in professional interactions. If candidates can take the trouble to personally reach out to you, then the "𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝" phrase won't do.
Image by Betidraws of Pixabay
pixabay.com/illustration...
Nobody likes to be ghosted, especially in professional interactions. If candidates can take the trouble to personally reach out to you, then the "𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝" phrase won't do.
Image by Betidraws of Pixabay
pixabay.com/illustration...
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-06 : Etiquette Vs Manners
Etiquette is a set of socially accepted guideline in any given situation, e.g. business, dining, corporate, social, etc. Manners is how we make others in our company feel about ourselves. Our target is the middle, where etiquette meets manners.
Etiquette is a set of socially accepted guideline in any given situation, e.g. business, dining, corporate, social, etc. Manners is how we make others in our company feel about ourselves. Our target is the middle, where etiquette meets manners.
February 27, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-06 : Etiquette Vs Manners
Etiquette is a set of socially accepted guideline in any given situation, e.g. business, dining, corporate, social, etc. Manners is how we make others in our company feel about ourselves. Our target is the middle, where etiquette meets manners.
Etiquette is a set of socially accepted guideline in any given situation, e.g. business, dining, corporate, social, etc. Manners is how we make others in our company feel about ourselves. Our target is the middle, where etiquette meets manners.
Finally... One week after completing the TTT workshop (and more than a decade after I dipped my toes into corporate training), I'm finally HRD Corp certified as a trainer. Refer to this post I shared earlier.
bsky.app/profile/wmch...
Next step is to get my accreditation done. Wish me luck. 😁
bsky.app/profile/wmch...
Next step is to get my accreditation done. Wish me luck. 😁
February 26, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Finally... One week after completing the TTT workshop (and more than a decade after I dipped my toes into corporate training), I'm finally HRD Corp certified as a trainer. Refer to this post I shared earlier.
bsky.app/profile/wmch...
Next step is to get my accreditation done. Wish me luck. 😁
bsky.app/profile/wmch...
Next step is to get my accreditation done. Wish me luck. 😁
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-05 : Wear A Watch
A watch on the wrist serves more than just telling you the time. It's the one accessory that men can wear without calling unfavourable attention to himself. But more importantly, it also serves to indicate the wearer's relationship to time itself.
A watch on the wrist serves more than just telling you the time. It's the one accessory that men can wear without calling unfavourable attention to himself. But more importantly, it also serves to indicate the wearer's relationship to time itself.
February 23, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-05 : Wear A Watch
A watch on the wrist serves more than just telling you the time. It's the one accessory that men can wear without calling unfavourable attention to himself. But more importantly, it also serves to indicate the wearer's relationship to time itself.
A watch on the wrist serves more than just telling you the time. It's the one accessory that men can wear without calling unfavourable attention to himself. But more importantly, it also serves to indicate the wearer's relationship to time itself.
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-05 : Make It Visually Attractive
Humans are visual beings. If you can't attract your audience visually, then it's very difficult to attract them by sound or smell, and next to impossible by touch or taste.
Image by LhcCoutinho of Pixabay
pixabay.com/photos/eye-g...
Humans are visual beings. If you can't attract your audience visually, then it's very difficult to attract them by sound or smell, and next to impossible by touch or taste.
Image by LhcCoutinho of Pixabay
pixabay.com/photos/eye-g...
February 20, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-05 : Make It Visually Attractive
Humans are visual beings. If you can't attract your audience visually, then it's very difficult to attract them by sound or smell, and next to impossible by touch or taste.
Image by LhcCoutinho of Pixabay
pixabay.com/photos/eye-g...
Humans are visual beings. If you can't attract your audience visually, then it's very difficult to attract them by sound or smell, and next to impossible by touch or taste.
Image by LhcCoutinho of Pixabay
pixabay.com/photos/eye-g...
It's been more than a decade since I dipped my toes into Corporate Training. It's way overdue for me to finally get certified.
February 15, 2025 at 9:02 AM
It's been more than a decade since I dipped my toes into Corporate Training. It's way overdue for me to finally get certified.
Free Employer Brand Tips 25-03 : Grooming Leaders
Leaders are both born and made, but nothing makes a better leader than appointing somebody as one, and giving them opportunity to lead. The more leaders you have, the more attractive you are.
Image by Lukas of Pexels
www.pexels.com/photo/close-...
Leaders are both born and made, but nothing makes a better leader than appointing somebody as one, and giving them opportunity to lead. The more leaders you have, the more attractive you are.
Image by Lukas of Pexels
www.pexels.com/photo/close-...
February 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Free Employer Brand Tips 25-03 : Grooming Leaders
Leaders are both born and made, but nothing makes a better leader than appointing somebody as one, and giving them opportunity to lead. The more leaders you have, the more attractive you are.
Image by Lukas of Pexels
www.pexels.com/photo/close-...
Leaders are both born and made, but nothing makes a better leader than appointing somebody as one, and giving them opportunity to lead. The more leaders you have, the more attractive you are.
Image by Lukas of Pexels
www.pexels.com/photo/close-...
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-04 : Push Marketing Vs Pull Marketing
If you sell something to a customer, it's essentially worthless to him/her. But if he/she decides to buy something from you, then it's invaluable to him/her.
Image from Clipart Library clipart-library.com/clipart/2161...
If you sell something to a customer, it's essentially worthless to him/her. But if he/she decides to buy something from you, then it's invaluable to him/her.
Image from Clipart Library clipart-library.com/clipart/2161...
February 5, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-04 : Push Marketing Vs Pull Marketing
If you sell something to a customer, it's essentially worthless to him/her. But if he/she decides to buy something from you, then it's invaluable to him/her.
Image from Clipart Library clipart-library.com/clipart/2161...
If you sell something to a customer, it's essentially worthless to him/her. But if he/she decides to buy something from you, then it's invaluable to him/her.
Image from Clipart Library clipart-library.com/clipart/2161...
A cutaway, contrast collar, especially one with wide tie space, simply begs to be worn with a Windsor knot.
February 5, 2025 at 3:46 AM
A cutaway, contrast collar, especially one with wide tie space, simply begs to be worn with a Windsor knot.
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-04 : Convincing Others That You're Good
You know you're good at what you do. But convincing others of your worth isn't easy, especially if your appearance isn't consistent with competence. It isn't fair, but there's no 2nd chance to a 1st impression.
Image by Pixabay
You know you're good at what you do. But convincing others of your worth isn't easy, especially if your appearance isn't consistent with competence. It isn't fair, but there's no 2nd chance to a 1st impression.
Image by Pixabay
February 3, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-04 : Convincing Others That You're Good
You know you're good at what you do. But convincing others of your worth isn't easy, especially if your appearance isn't consistent with competence. It isn't fair, but there's no 2nd chance to a 1st impression.
Image by Pixabay
You know you're good at what you do. But convincing others of your worth isn't easy, especially if your appearance isn't consistent with competence. It isn't fair, but there's no 2nd chance to a 1st impression.
Image by Pixabay
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-03 : Corporate Colours
When designing your visual identity, don't ignore the colours used. This is a sample palette (choose your own colours), with their relative areas on the available canvas. Maximum of two bases and highlights only. Make sure there's enough contrast.
When designing your visual identity, don't ignore the colours used. This is a sample palette (choose your own colours), with their relative areas on the available canvas. Maximum of two bases and highlights only. Make sure there's enough contrast.
January 24, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Free Corporate Brand Tips 25-03 : Corporate Colours
When designing your visual identity, don't ignore the colours used. This is a sample palette (choose your own colours), with their relative areas on the available canvas. Maximum of two bases and highlights only. Make sure there's enough contrast.
When designing your visual identity, don't ignore the colours used. This is a sample palette (choose your own colours), with their relative areas on the available canvas. Maximum of two bases and highlights only. Make sure there's enough contrast.
Was trying for a Half-Windsor knot, but the collar was too short, and the tie was too thick (thick, not wide). Ended up with four-in-hand instead.
January 23, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Was trying for a Half-Windsor knot, but the collar was too short, and the tie was too thick (thick, not wide). Ended up with four-in-hand instead.
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-03 : Keep Your Promises
If you've ever requested for a rain check on any appointments, or said "let me get back to you later", make sure to keep your promise. You may not remember it, but the other party will never forget about it.
Image by RDNE Stock project of Pexels
If you've ever requested for a rain check on any appointments, or said "let me get back to you later", make sure to keep your promise. You may not remember it, but the other party will never forget about it.
Image by RDNE Stock project of Pexels
January 22, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Free Personal Brand Tips 25-03 : Keep Your Promises
If you've ever requested for a rain check on any appointments, or said "let me get back to you later", make sure to keep your promise. You may not remember it, but the other party will never forget about it.
Image by RDNE Stock project of Pexels
If you've ever requested for a rain check on any appointments, or said "let me get back to you later", make sure to keep your promise. You may not remember it, but the other party will never forget about it.
Image by RDNE Stock project of Pexels
Free Employer Brand Tips 25-02 : Open Door Policy
Don't announce Open Door Policy unless you :-
(1) openly accept no-repercussion, heart-to-heart, open discussion with your employees.
(2) actively invite employees to chat. Most won't engage without an invitation.
Image by Tim Douglas of Pexels
Don't announce Open Door Policy unless you :-
(1) openly accept no-repercussion, heart-to-heart, open discussion with your employees.
(2) actively invite employees to chat. Most won't engage without an invitation.
Image by Tim Douglas of Pexels
January 17, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Free Employer Brand Tips 25-02 : Open Door Policy
Don't announce Open Door Policy unless you :-
(1) openly accept no-repercussion, heart-to-heart, open discussion with your employees.
(2) actively invite employees to chat. Most won't engage without an invitation.
Image by Tim Douglas of Pexels
Don't announce Open Door Policy unless you :-
(1) openly accept no-repercussion, heart-to-heart, open discussion with your employees.
(2) actively invite employees to chat. Most won't engage without an invitation.
Image by Tim Douglas of Pexels