THE CON TRÂU TIMES Issue 10 - Oct - 2012
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THE CON TRÂU TIMES
Credits Publisher Hr Department
Table of Contents
Designer Bui Minh Tan
1. Joining and Leaving Buffalo Family 2. Best Staff of the month 3. Recruitment News 4. New UNIQUE products launched in Saigon 5. “Work smart, play hard” with BT Hanoi 6. Battlefield Interviews with our fellows in Sai Gon 7. Landmark 72 Hanoi Vertical Run 8. Staff Outing - BT Thailand 9. We always party at iVIVU 10. Guests’ Feedback 11. Birthdays and Anniversaries of November 12. New born Buffalo
Staff Writers Trang Kim Tuong Trieu Thi Nga Tran Bich Thuy Pattaranida Lohakul Huyen Phuong Operations Team SG Office Editor Bev Taylor Customers’s contribution Margaret Groetjes Marjolein E.F. Klock
Tip of the month Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
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Winston Churchill
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Joining Buffalo tours
Mr. Thibault Chancerelle – French Intern My name is Thibault, I am French from Brittany (the place where you can eat fantastic “crêpes” but where the sea is a little bit cold). I prepared a business school in Paris. I love food of everywhere, music, cinema, sport, travel… and I am quite curious ^^ It’s my first time in Asia, and I already love so much the Vietnam. I am happy to work for Buffalo Tours because here everybody is nice and I love my job. I am over the moon. I hope I will have the opportunity to talk with everyone. Let’s go for the best collaboration as possible!
Miss Parichart Saengfai – Operations Executive of BT Thailand Miss Parichart graduated from Kasetsart University in the faculty of Social Sciences, in the major of Political Sciences as International Relations. To be an Operations Executive of Buffalo Tours (Thailand) team is her first job of her life. Although she doesn’t have any experience, but we are sure that she can do very well.
Mrs. Sudarat Saengsathittham – Sales Executive of BT Thailand Mrs. Sudarat was born and raised in Bangkok and graduated bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Humanity from Ramkhamhaeng University. She comes to Buffalo Tours with more than 15 years of experience in Travel Industry. Her first job was started at Diethelm Travel since the year 1988 and her last position an Administrative Tour Supervisor in F.I.T Direct Department. Previously, she worked for Gulliver Travel (GTA), Siam Express, Destinations of The World (DOTW) and Pacific World & Hotelbeds in reservation & operation departments. She honed her skills designing custom vacations throughout Asia for clients in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and South East Asia, which she brings to her current position as Sales Exclusive at Buffalo Tours (Thailand). Sudarat is having good confidence that her experience & skills will support her well in her new position and move her portfolio and responsibility forward with Buffalo Tours Team.
Leaving us
Mr. Ray Petts had worked as the GM Inbound of BT Vietnam until 13th October, 2012
Ms. Bui Ngoc Linh Marketing Dept had worked as an Online Marketing until 20th October, 2012
Ms. Rubby Alvarez Marketing Dept had worked as an International Business Development Executive until 17th October, 2012 We all will keep good memories which you gave us and wish you to success in your life after leaving BT.
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h t n o m e h t fa f of
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Ms. Netchanok Sinnong – Sales Executive of BT Thailand Pinky has been with Buffalo Tours (Thailand) for 9 months, but already she has clearly shown that she can develop the area that she is taking care of with excellent results. In French and Spanish market we are getting more bookings and revenue, while we in the German market are having a good start with several important new accounts. Pinky is joyful and always willing to help and support fellow Buffalo Tours team members. One very strong point of Pinky is her “Can Do” attitude and completeness in addressing her tasks.
Ms. Nguyen Thuy Linh – Spanish Sales Linh has done an amazing job in keeping passengers happy. Our passengers have commended her for making it so easy to book a holiday as well as her regular contact on ground to make sure they have best time ever. Congratulations on her winning Outstanding Customer Service Award!
: s w e N t n e m t Recrui vInternational Business Development Executive – Hanoi Office (01) To identify and proactively target new business opportunities. To act as first point of contact for new business enquiries direct to Buffalo Tours. To support Regional Offices, Sales Representatives & Language Teams in responding to new business opportunities & enquiries. • Graduate • Fluent in English • Fluency in French, German or Spanish would be useful • Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating international business development strategies • At least 2 years’ experience in a Sales or Business Development role
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v BRS update – Saigon Office (01) To support with inputting and uploading information to Buffalo Tours BRS System • College Graduated • Attention to details • Communication in English v For detail job description, please visit our website at: http://www.buffalotours.com/action/45/Careers.html Please send us email to: nhanh@buffalotours.com if you would like to apply or if you know any qualified candidates. Thank you
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s t c u d o r p E U Q I n o g N i a U New launched in S
After numerous researches, discussions and site inspections, we have successfully designed two new UNIQUE tours for South Vietnam: Story of Saigon new city tour and Cu Chi riverway/road. The new Cu Chi introduces a great mix of river and road transportation with exciting visit to cricket farm, traditional rice-paper making and superb riverside dinings while the new city tour activities are specially designed to tell guests a story of Saigon from the Past to Independence through the Present and inspirational Future. The two exciting experiences was launched on 1st October 2012 after the in-house and site trainings for our Consultants, Sales and Tour Guides. After 04 weeks of operation, we have carried 160 paying guests with very positive feedbacks from guests. By now, South Vietnam has developed 03 UNIQUE tour experiences including Le Jarai Mekong cruise, Cu Chi river/ road and Story of Saigon city tour. This makes us stand out in the South Vietnam travel market as the leading innovator for new products along with consistent high level of services” Trang Kim Tuong – Branch Manager
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” d r a h y a l p , t r a m s k r o W “ i o n a H T B with 6 Inspirational Travel
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F
ollowing with the first teambuilding of the year in Son Tinh Camp, the second one was held in Ba Vi Resort, Ba Vi district was held with absolutely no less fun and laughter.
Within a day of sunshine and a good sweat promised for any outdoor activity, numerous simple yet interesting and challenge games was played by 60 participants in an wholesome attitude that stays very true to the slogan “Work smart, play hard”. And various astoundingly fun moments were found as again-and-again proofs for the very culture of Thien Minh Group, a solid community regardless of its members’ competitiveness. The team in charge which consists of VET team, Linh “Evil” Marketing, Viet TE, Tuyet Huong Ops could proudly take the honor for the successful organization despite of the first time dabbling in designing and operating a such program with only creativeness and endless enthusiasm. Nonetheless, our sincere thank you to all of our dear colleagues who have participated in this occasion with great patience toward any hiccups in the process and an even greater spirit in the games. Trieu Thi Nga – VET Executive
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: inttion ith pa a r e Op ay w ay, SGN erful d Saturd g. T B e ond e. In @– otin yen had a w n offic to sho first tim u g o r e y.n ! We SaiG gethe in th a “Wo ame in ent to game ? g any t d w ball ybody e playe to do i shoot may y l r d eve e peop n’t how am an nt. The or o g e d r t i Som they d w our ng in f r. Tuon is a i s e M v d an nly kn as mo Cong, use thi o a . w r c e o M W be t y wh rs as are h bod anage idn’t c nd fig !” a d t! m y e u e n o b e. W e fun tress l a c Pas ce to b ed & s it n cha ery exc v It’s
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g lkin e a t : av for BRS able ep. I h es y S @ jo 9 agu ham ry en l on 2 colle ms p . Van as ve ntbal th my it see r our i s w “It ut Pa e wi ell a tch fo king m s w ma o i t b loo t a a rea xing good . I am orga g a rela s y to the ery est for e a v inter mpan his in rking t to b ls and he Co es as er wo l t ft i h sk ard atc xing a w m r n la fo e fu r re niz re fo u fut rs.” o h u
THE CON TRÂU TIMES chi.ngo @ “I had a – Operation E xecutiv n oppo e: rt the firs t battle unity to atten d in chance BT Saig to o full of e shoot our ma n, had a xciting: nager . It was te unders tand ea am work -> I feel ch othe r better ...”
thu.le@ – Operation Executive: “So crazy for the first battle, too nervous, too excited and... too hurt . Some were fainted, some were very powerful, but as the same, all have had unforgettable experiences with their “team” and “enemies”.”
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Landmark 72 Hanoi Vertical Run Buffalo Tours recently made a team and competed in the action of the Landmark 72 Hanoi Vertical Run (LVR) on Sunday, 30th September 2012, featuring a climb up Vietnam’s tallest building, the Landmark 72 Tower in Hanoi, Vietnam. Our team of 4 includes: - Anh Kien CEO - Matthew McGeever (Asia Outdoors) - Ha Van Duy (Mai Chau Lodge – Rock Climbing team) - Ha Van Cuong (Mai Chau Lodge – Rock Climbing team) The course took place in the staircase of the Landmark 72 and finished at the top floor of the building on the 72/F observation deck at a height of 350 meters with a 360 degree view of the city. Participants had to climb a total of 1,914 steps to reach the finish area! There were 8 teams joined in the competition and Buffalo Tours ranked the 2nd, just after CBRE cooperate team of 4 foreigners. Our team average time to finish up the run is just 16 mins while CBRE’s time is 14 mins Matthew McGeever (Asia Outdoors) was the fastest individual among all members who attended the corporate team with the result of 12 mins. We definitely will come back with the run next year and win the 1st Thuy Tran – VET team leader
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d n a l i a h T T B g n
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n the 13-14th October 2012 Buffalo Tours Thailand arranged our annual company Outing, which this year took us to Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima Province (Khorat). It went very well with excellent preparations and entertainment by Operations team and Khun Meemee from our purchasing team. It was an active and happy weekend with many outdoor activities including archery, ATV ride, Go-kart, paint ball and water world challenges. We enjoyed Team Building activities and stayed overnight at Greenery Resort
THE CON TRĂ‚U TIMES
close to the Khao Yai National Park and with plenty of fresh air, nature and a delicious dinner arranged. Through solid competitions we found the outing team which showed clearly showed best results in team working thorugh the competitions. On the last day, we could enjoy outdoor activities at the resort back to Bangkok with lunch at and dairy farming lessons at the Thai Danish dairy farm‌now the entire team in Thailand can milk a cow. Ms. Pattaranida Lohakul - BT Thailand
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THE CON TRÂU TIMES
U V I V i t a y t r a p s y a w l a e W WEDDING OF MS.VIVAN –iVIVU PRODUCT MANAGER on 23rd SEPT, 2012 It was a wonderful wedding, Vivan, and the bride was truly beautiful ;-) Thanks for allowing us to join your special day – we had a lot of fun dressing up, singing and drinking together… ehem! Seriously, iVIVU girls looked so pretty that we all wish they’d dress up every day.
OFFSITE MEETING ON WORK CULTURE Since we never had company trip this past summer (budget constraint, hmm), our team finally had a fancy lunch meeting on Oct 10 to discuss norms in work place. Everyone contributed 3 ideas on how they’d like to be treated in the office. A formal and academic approach, yes, but at least everyone can voice their feelings and concerns about iVIVU culture and also what we can do to improve work environment.
iVIVU also welcomes a few new members: Phuoc (CSC & Sales), Mai (Marketing & Strategy), Nhung (Marketing Intern), Huy (SEO Intern). Welcome you all on board, hope you enjoy working with us!
Ms. Huyen Phuong – IVIVU
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as ur w o t ey the t of ed. Th drivfi e en ch isit al b s we v nd ea Siem e r a n’t t. A lace on, r in llen the p rmati drive le. I ca ae c r ect Ou out e ex info ilab wer em ab elpful lpful. ly ava nd exp n ads r th he ea yo n’t ant dh rive d d n from ing an ite and const ell be provid ity did n a r s t hC nt w d to pol lea ing ipe des res gui nd to f inte very esh w ho we ort an hi Min ensat ived r u arr es a full o t also nd fr n, w airp Ho C omp at o the y th r guid e and er bu ater a Hoi A t the ck to ce in c ay we y and od a s u and off a e ba ervi the d ibilit s go driv ld w t to wo ts ntiv wan to kno ly atte good ith co in Hue see us r plan inary s both e flex visit a d sigh I u h y … s e w “ g e ver od, te t our vari y to ce o aord our ting ilin uid get e unfa only a lly go our g tra da ey, sin d extr noon t precia make rfully i , x l p a wer as not speci t Binh y an e ed val also d s after ally a inh to wonde .. yB he e e r i a u u r w t c s o d o ver rer… r s g e a n n E e p wa h ab t s b n o a . a i W l t r H m o iv g m um y. Ma ote Rea enoug angin he Cha ong in o by g ng Ba oth hi rivers ing n e h etjes h r t k y d t b o u r d al oo m say s in a ur, to .m. C in Tok Gro and s an et b m H -fro am - from s r tion nal to 7:30 p rnight ck fro lness- guide argar g ” ro vice o l r a e p ailand ser diti e unti ay ove ame b ughtfu all ou Ms. M h d t l t ing Th goo ice, leav ur de y we c he tho forge – from ed (Book erv rth of v s i o t a t r .” e no for the d --and ill no rip… rec ock ade t 2. I E.F. Kl r le in the 1 u 0 and a time . We w of the o . nt s, t e trip r er 2 om nce g the ox age ext ossibl ences tob .” - fr e c i r i O rin th ai… 3, F xpe as p exper d e me du 4191 r – 6 itthich o d e o n 0 b r g a 2 eer em t fo r: 1 ave ept Mr. B ds. e h perfec umbe S w d d 23r ith an herlan • “… g was king N n o et al p thin in Boo t tri e Caw from N a e e e r jol ag r. B uest had ides, M 2), a g e W u 9 • “… our g RS 652 from ber: B num
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THE CON TRĂ‚U TIMES
Birthdays
&Anniversaries
Birthdays: Bui Anh Viet Tassin Tinnarom Ngo Truong Phuong Thao Bui Anh Tuan Tran Hai Hoc Mai Huyen Thuong Dao Thi Tuyet Nguyen Thi Bich Van Nguyen The My Ho Thi Yen Nhi Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan Ninh Thi Hong Hanh Nguyen Thanh Ngoc Kenneth Jorgensen Au Ngoc Chi Nguyen Van Dinh Nguyen Bao Quoc Sucheera Sasisuriyab Pham Thi Loan Nguyen Thi Nga Hoang Thi Trang Bui Minh Tan Nguyen Tuyet Huong Thepjinda Boonchai
1-Nov 1-Nov 5-Nov 5-Nov 6-Nov 8-Nov 8-Nov 10-Nov 12-Nov 12-Nov 13-Nov 15-Nov 15-Nov 21-Nov 21-Nov 22-Nov 22-Nov 23-Nov 23-Nov 25-Nov 26-Nov 28-Nov 30-Nov 30-Nov
Office Supporter Operation Executive BTA Travel Consultant IT Manager Project Manager Finance Officer Purchasing Manager Finance Controller Group Training Manager BTA Team Leader Account payable HR Manager Receptionist & Admin GM of BT Thailiand Sales Executive Tour Leader Office Assistant FOX Executive HR Executive Thien Minh Accoutant Bank Accountant Designer Hanoi Operation Manager Sales Executive
Anniversaries: Nguyen Thi Giang Dang Thuy Linh Tran Gia Bach Ngo Thi Thu Trang Sisaleo THAMMATHONGSY Somboun JUNPORN Lertvilay VONGMISAY Panumas Leksuk Nguyen Le Quynh Dao Nguyen Thi My Le Nguyen Thanh Tung Pham Thanh Trang Dao Thi Huyen Le Nhut Anh Thu
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Purchasing Executive Finance Officer GR Manager-deputy General Manager GR Executive Reservations Executive Guide Operations Executive Sales Executive Travel Consultant Travel Consultant Driver Accountant Admin & Reception Operations Executive
02 years in service 02 years in service 02 years in service 04 years in service 05 yeas in service 04 years in service 03 years in service 01 years in service 02 years in service 02 years in service 06 years in service 02 years in service 04 years in service 02 years in service
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New born Buffalo
Congratulation to Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tien – French Sales – on the birth of your beautiful baby on 28th September, 2012. Her name is Nguyen Ngoc My and nick name is “Nemo”.
Congratulation to Mr. Dinh Van Thieu – Operation Department – on the birth of your beautiful baby on 1st October, 2012. Her name is Dinh Thi Thai Ha.
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