Have you registered for ASSAP 2007 on 25 April yet? If not, here's some encouragement for you to sign up right now! If you are one of the first 12 to sign up after reading this newsletter, you will receive a special gift, with compliments from these fabulous sponsors.

$100 spa package from Earth Element
6 x $30 vouchers from Clinique D'Esthetique
5 pairs of cinema tickets from Golden Village

So hurry and call Niki now on 6838 1069 to claim your free gift. :-)

Need to know more about the Asian Summit for Secretaries and Admin Professionals? Well it's going to be held at the Meritus Mandarin Hotel, Orchard Road, Singapore, on 25-27 April. We've got a really fantastic programme lined up for you - leading experts from USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore will be presenting topics on communication skills, leadership, team-building, creativity, stress and time management, and much more!

You are guaranteed to have a fabulous day of learning, self-development, sharing, networking - OK and some fun too! I guarantee you will return to work inspired, motivated, energised and eager to rise to the challenges ahead!

Download a pdf of our dazzling 6-page brochure.

Better news yet ... if you use the Discount Code 'ST' we'll give you a $100 discount - just like that! Regular fees (before discounts) are:

  S$745  Conference only
  S$525  Workshop A or B
S$1170  Conference + 1 Workshop
S$1645  Conference + 2 Workshops

Visit www.ASSAP2007.com now for full details, and sign up early to be eligible for OAG Privilege Membership worth US$60. Find out more about OAG Privilege.

Ricky Lien is one of the presenters at ASSAP 2007. An excellent communicator and very motivating trainer, Ricky wants to share his thoughts with us this month on communication skills, especially listening.

When was the last time you argued with someone? When was the last time someone said something to you and made you angry as a stinging hornet? Did you have a time when someone disagreed with you and called you by a stupid name? Worse still, they swore at you?

If you and the other person are on different tracks you'll be tempted to argue to establish your dominance or knowledge of what's correct or what's not.

But you know something? The problem isn't the problem. We all have problems. Problems need to be solved by communicating and mutual respect for each other rather than shouting and/or insinuations or by calling each other names like squid or blur!

When you don't listen to others, communication breaks down. Listening shuts down. And all you get is a shouting match. Why don't people listen? Let's look at some of the things that stop us from listening:

I know more than you
Different perceptions
Different education levels
Prejudice
Past differences
No respect
Don't like the person
Bossy nature of the other person

If you want some advice on what you can do to improve your listening, take a look at the rest of this article from Ricky for some useful tips and advice.

Isn't she sweet? She's actually called 'Sweet Pea' and she's going to be one of the top lucky draw prizes at ASSAP 2007! Sweet Pea is just one of the Dahon folding bikes available from Speedmatrix.

I reckon these innovative folding bikes are a great present if you are looking for something different for your company's Annual Dinner & Dance, or for a retiring employee or a corporate client!

Learn more about these innovative folding bikes here.

My Dad always used to say "Laughter is the best medicine", and I know I love a good laugh. So I'm looking forward to my favourite Singapore comedy group being back in action in March. The Madhatters Comedy Company will be back on stage, asking the audience to "throw us a line" with your suggestions for relationships, unusual occupations, fascinating locations, and unusual events. In their own inimitable way, they will dramatize them and no doubt have us in stitches.

If you need a good laugh too, come along for some Mad March Mahem! Here are details:

When? Tuesday 20 March, 8pm
Where? The Substation, 45 Armenian Street
How much? Tickets at the door $20 ($15 students,
NS men, and other deserving citizens)
Reservations? Call 9106-9614