THE CON TRĂ‚U TIMES Issue 4 - April - 2012
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THE CON TRÂU TIMES
Credits Publisher Hr Department Designer Bui Minh Tan Staff Writers Truc Nguyen Hai Nguyen Pinky Hijaaz Latheef Luon Pheany Editor Bev Taylor Ray Petts Photography Hoang Hai Customers’s contribution Paul Dunleavey
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Table of Contents Staff of the month Events 1. Have you ever visited in Sangklaburi? 2. The Mai Chau Lodge’s staff teambuilding 3. Happy weekend with CB Club 4. Happy New Year in Cambodia 5. Green Office in Sai Gon Guest feedback Vacancies Tips 6. Make your cube a better place to work Birthday and anniversaries 7.List of May birthdays
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Staff of the month Ms. Vu Lan Phuong Operation Executive Starting with BT officially in Aug 2011, Phuong has always delivered a high standard of work and has ensured Flight Centre clients receive a high quality service. Phuong is considered as a real buddy to the FC team and receives excellent feedback from the team regarding her level of work and cooperation.
Ms. Trinh Minh Hao Online sales Executive Outstanding feedbacks from clients regarding Hao’s professionalism, enthusiasm, good customer service and problem solving skills Hao met her targets for both New Sales and Travel Date in Feb and Mar
People are our most valuable resource! Nominate someone you think deserves recognition – someone who truly shines!
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THE CON TRÂU TIMES
Have you ever visited
in Sangklaburi?
W
e’re confident that many people never been to Sangklaburi or don’t even know where it is or in which part of Thailand?
Buffalo Tours Bangkok office’s recently visited Sangklaburi as an inspection trip consisting of 9 staff with the following breakdown. Hayo & Noi from the Fox team. Mod & Pinky from Sales, the Purchasing Team of Mee Mee & Tum, the Operations Team of Mattie & Pou plus Marijn our Intern We started from Bangkok in the early morning due as it was a long 5 hour journey heading west in the direction of the Burma border. Sangkhlaburi is one of district of Kanchanaburi province where is best known for World War II’s background. On the way we did inspections at some hotels, restaurants and new attractions. First we stopped to inspect Mida Resort and we were delighted at the hotels natural beauty. Located less than three hours from Bangkok the resort is situated near downtown Kanchanaburi and the famous Bridge over the River Kwai. After enjoy a delicious lunch, we drove to Sangkhaburi. We were surprised by elegant scenery. The floating House on the Songkaria River has a mountainous background like a painting.
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We felt that we arrived in Sangkhlaburi because we saw local people who were in traditional dress and powdered their face similar to what they do in Burma. Sangkhlaburi borders to Burma at Three Pagodas Pass to Muang Phya Tong Sue which is the commercial area of Myanmar and famous for wooden furniture. Next destination is Saphan Mon. It is also called “Saphan Uttamanuson” This is the longest wooden bridge in Thailand with a length of 445 meters crossing Huai Song Ka Lai where people in Sangkhlaburi and Mon Village travel back and forth. This place is another great sight – seeing point of Vajiralongkorn Dam where many creeks; Song Ka Lai, Bi Khli and Ran Ti, meet together leading to “Sam Prasop”. We had a chance to meet and greet from little boy local guide to tell history of bridge (It was pity that he couldn’t speak English). We were smile with lovely and
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Next was time for adventure and we looked forward to taking a boat trip to visit Wat Saam Prasob (The Sunken Temple) The sunken wat is the last remaining vestige of the old town flooded for the creation of Khao Laem Reservoir and the top 1-2 meters of the Temple is in view in September.
kindly host. He can be a tour guide and tell story from his grandparents or parents’ saying. We arrived at P. Guest House the accommodation for this trip. P. Guest House & Country Resort is a fusion of boutique resort mixed with wild blend eco style. It is located in the edge of the Lake at Srinakarin Dam. Next day, some of participants got up early to offer food to monk which is the local people’s routine in the morning and the Buddhist way life. You can buy set of Monk food offering according to your preferred, price of set between 20 – 200 Baht. Mon’s Buddhist will knee and pay homage before offer food. It is worshipful and faithful a long time from generation to generation. After that relaxed with fresh air and drank coffee and tea in local shop. Then, visit Chedi Buddhakhaya (the huge golden chedi) and Wat Wang Wiwekaram. The Wat was built by the late Abbot Uttama, who was one of the most important Monks in Thailand, and is still highly revered in the Mon community.
Next was the elephant camp. We sat in local truck on dirt road and red earth and passed the small Mon community – Kong Mong Ta Village. We enjoyed a 60 minutes elephant ride on a natural seat without belt or you could sit on elephant neck, and command them to walk like a mahout. After lunch we travelled 20 minutes to the bamboo rafting centre where 2-3 persons per raft stand for 60 minutes for travelling downstream. This is one of the activities which can help you relax and enjoy your life through screaming and laughing. While rafting, we were able to swim and cool down. We then visited Weaving for Women, the shop is run by Daisy Dwe, who fled Burma and has settled in Sangkhlaburi to help other refugees. Products are excellent and money goes towards a great cause. On the way back, we dropped off to visit Three Pagodas Pass and the border market (and, if the border’s open, cross over to Payathonzu, on the Myanmar side of the border). On the way, we visited Kreongkrawia Waterfall – it’s near main road and it use for tourist drop before continue drive to next destinations. Finally, we reached our purpose and mission complete!!! It was unbelievable that we could fall in love with this district easily. We are waiting for your turn to visit Sangkhaburi P.S. Thank you all of participants who cooperate and have a great trip together. “By Pinky- Thailand Sales Executive”
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THE CON TRĂ‚U TIMES
s e g d o L u a h C i a M e h T ilding
u b m a e staff t
T
he staff at the Mai Chau Lodge enjoyed undertaking various fun and challenging team building activities to promote and learn about working as a team. Throughout the day they participated in a number of games aimed at pushing not only their physical ability, but also their mental power as a team. By overcoming tricky obstacles such as a giant spider web, they learnt an important lesson about working together to reach a common goal; which they can use not only in their working environment, but at home and in public as well. The event was organized by the Mai Chau Lodge Sports and Welfare Association, and was coordinated by Ruth Davies, Hijaaz Latheef and Dang Duc Hoa. This was the first team building event for many of the staff,
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and they were excited and enthusiastic to participate. All the staff showed unity by wearing the Mai Chau Lodge polo shirts. The Mai Chao Lodge team was completed by the involvement of Sales Manager M Ha, Chief accountant Mr Truong and Operations Manager Mr Hoa who all keenly took part in all the activities and brought the team together.
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The day’s event, started in the Mo Luong cave with a group sing-along to the Mai Chau team song, followed by group meditation and a speech by the Jetwing Indochina CEO Mr.Kumar Senaratne on the importance and implications of good team work. The cool conditions and open spaces of the cave created the perfect conditions for many of the planned activities, which included; ‘Finding the candy’, ‘Balloon tower’ and ‘Banana game’. The staff were divided into 5 teams, named after local villages; Poom Coong, Vang, Chieng Chau, Chieng Sai and Mo Luong. Before each activity the teams appointed a team leader and were given time to plan. The games were scored based on team work, leadership and enthusiasm; the winning and runner-up teams were promised a great reward. After a long lunch break, everyone rejuvenated by showing off their best dance moves in a group dance
competition, followed by a quick group massage which complete the rest of the day’s activities. Each activity was followed by a short speech by Mr Kumar who explained the lessons learnt from each activity and how it can be applied to the work place. The day ended with a group pyramid, an award ceremony and group photo, and of course a trip to the local Bia Hoi! The organizers received positive feedback from the staff, and are keen to repeat the event in the future. By: Hijaaz Latheef- General Manager Operations-JWI
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THE CON TRÂU TIMES
d n e k e e w Happy
b u l C iw th CB
On Saturday afternoon, 14 April, Crazy Buffalo (CB) members organised a small but meaningful out-door activity – called Paintball. In the beginning, someone in my team said “ the pain was unbearable” but the most important thing is we had a great time shooting each other and share our happiness and laughs with each other. We plan to have more out –door activities like this in near future, as it’s a great chance we show our team spirit, strengthen our solidity not only to CB Club members but also to extend to Jet Wing, Mai Chau, and Thien Minh Group staff as well. “By Nguyen Hoang Hai – GR executive”
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THE CON TRÂU TIMES
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THE CON TRÂU TIMES
Happy New Year in Cambodia
A
ll countries celebrate their own New Year every year. They set the time of celebrating according with their belief, customs, and traditions. For Cambodian people we celebrate New Year since the ancient time over for 3 days, usually from 13th to 15th of April or during a time Khmer call “Khe Chet” which is best the time when people take a break from the hard work of harvesting rice. During this time, everything is very expensive. The price can double the normal price for food, fruit, bus tickets etc. However people who work away from their village will go home to spend time with their parents, relatives and also go to pagoda or enjoy traditional games together. When the New Year comes, it means that we are one year older, we try to avoid the negative things and what happened in the past and look to the future. Buffalo Tours Cambodia team celebrate New Year every year and also have a party with the staff and suppliers. There were 40 people who joined our party this year, they are office staff, freelance guides, drivers, and we were lucky to have Panya join us this year during his holidays. It was nice to all be together enjoying the celebration and time to have fun with our friends and colleagues as we enjoyed a meal and drinking. Here in Cambodia the BT team is like one big family. We wish our colleagues in the Vietna, Thai and Laos office a Happy New Year and wish them a lucky and successful year ahead. By Luon Pheany (Ms Pheany, Operations Executive)
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n e e rG
THE CON TRĂ‚U TIMES
off in Saigon
Buffalo Saigon plants rice at our office. There are many recycled materials were used up in this time. We have yogurt cup, water bottle, Lipton box and even eggs of rice plant. It grows up every day and now taking green breath to each corner. Let see these photos, they will explain about rice growing in our office.
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THE CON TRĂ‚U TIMES
Feedback on what our staff members have been doing Dear Buffalo Tours, I am not sure to whom I should address this email, but should appreciate it if you would make aware all those involved, both in London and in Vietnam, of our good wishes. You arranged for my wife and I a holiday in Vietnam, reference 29413. We are now back home in England and want you to know that we enjoyed the holiday very much, and were most grateful for all the help given by the Buffalo Tours people, and by your agents. May I thank the company for remembering my birthday, and for the generous present which we received from your company whilst aboard Prince 2 junk. We had never been to Vietnam before, and were struck by, amongst other things, the beauty of the country and the friendliness and generosity of its people. Mr Dunleavey
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THE CON TRÂU TIMES
Vacancies in Vietnam . Assistant - Hotel General Manager (Mai Chau based): 01 Qualifications & skill requirements: • Graduate of a recognized hotel institute, having specialized in front office operations & sales, having knowledge of all areas of hotel operations • Computer literate • Good knowledge of English with writing skills & with knowledge of a European language such as French • Flair for Public relations & Customer care Experience: • 2 year in a similar position preferably in a resort operation Desired Characteristics: • A young & energetic individual who likes to take up the challenge & lead a team of young locals delivering a good service to customers • Looks into little details in making the operation different from the rest. • Creative individual who can suggest/introduce practical new ideas.
2. Sale Manager – BTA Hanoi: 01 Qualifications & skill requirements: • Vietnamese • University graduate degree in tourism or hospitality • At-least 5 years of sales management experience, preferably in the field of tourism, hospitality or airlines • Fluent in English. Vietnamese and other languages a plus • Computer skills, including fluency in Microsoft Office • Excellent interpersonal skills across variety of cultures • Positive attitude, practical experience, with the ability to lead and motivate a team • Can work independently and with a team • Excellent sales and negotiation skills • Communication skills including reporting • Strong sense of customer service • Knowledge of destinations is an added value • Willing to work irregular and long hours in high season • Strong organizational skills, ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks
3. Spanish Intern: 01 Requirements: • Student studying a degree or diploma in Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Marketing or Business Management • Student studying for any degree or diploma and interested in pursuing careers in Travel & Tourism or Marketing • Native Spanish speaker • Fluent English • Online marketing and search engine optimisation skills • Computer skills including fluency in Microsoft Office For detail job description, please visit our websites at: www.buffalotours.com and www.thienminhtravel.com
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THE CON TRÂU TIMES
Make Your Cube a Better Place to Work Many people spend more time in their office than they do in their bed. You deserve a comfortable workspace. Here are three ways to make your office a place where you can accomplish your best work: • Sit with your back protected. Research shows that people are more comfortable when their backs are not exposed. If your back is to an open space, pivot your chair and use a different section of your desk. • Make adjustments. Solving small discomforts—adding a light to your workspace or bringing in a small fan—will help you feel in control of your physical environment. • Make it yours. People who personalize their spaces are happier at work. Put a family photo on your desk or hang up a poster of something important to you. Harvard Business Review
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& Anniversaries
Birthdays
THE CON TRÂU TIMES
Birthdays: Nguyen Van Bach Do Hoang Long Nguyen Thi Tam Dao Thi Huyen Nguyen Cao Xuan Vinh Nguyen Thi To Uyen Porjai Chaiwongyart Nguyen Quang Huy Pham Ngoc Minh Nguyen Trung Cong Sisaleo Thammathongsy Huynh Nam Phuong Nguyen To Tran Taylor Beverley Nguyen Thi Thanh Hong Doan Thi Lan Phuong Lo Thi Viet Ha Graham Harper Nguyen Thanh Hoang Tran Thi Minh Tam Tran Thi Bich Hue Vu Thuy Tu Mi Bui Ngoc Linh Doan Thu Hien
May 1st May 2nd May 2nd May 2nd May 3rd May 5th May 7th May 7th May 8th May 10th May 10th May 11th May 11th May 12th May 17th May 20th May 23rd May 23rd May 24th May 26th May 26th May 26th May 31st May 31st
Legal Assistant Driver Tour Guide Admin & Receptionist IT Supporter Purchasing Executive Branch Manager Chieng Mai Driver Tour guide CTO- Thien Minh Deputy Director Reservation Executive Guide – Cho Lon Travel Consultant MKT Director Accountant VET BTA Team Leader VET Business Development Driver Chinese Inbound Sales CEO Assistant Operation Executive Online MKT Team leader Account receivable
Anniversaries: Tran Thu Trang Nguyen Thi Mai Lan Nguyen Thi Thu Hien Bui Minh Tan Ninh Thi Hong Hanh Thammasak Busbong Ho Thi Thu Thuy Vu Thuy Tu Mi Sucheera Sasisuriyabhoom Parintr Mateveravong
French Team Leader German Sales Ticketing Executive Designer HR Manager Team Leader Fox Team BTA MKT Executive Op Executive Reservations Executive Airport Representatives
07 years in service 04 years in service 01 years in service 03 years in service 07 years in service 02 years in service 01 years in service 02 years in service 02 years in service 02 years in service
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