asialife HCMC 1 - AsiaLIFE Magazine
asialife HCMC 1 - AsiaLIFE Magazine
asialife HCMC 1 - AsiaLIFE Magazine
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
people matter<br />
Integrity at Work<br />
By Gary Woollacott<br />
Up until a couple of days before<br />
writing this column, I was<br />
struggling to come up with a<br />
topic. Then an unexpected<br />
resignation in the Thailand<br />
office put me into business<br />
recovery mode where I had to<br />
go through hundreds of emails<br />
to check that everything had<br />
been properly followed up<br />
on, filed in the right places,<br />
or deleted if it was no longer<br />
useful.<br />
What I discovered during<br />
that task was unexpected: a<br />
series of emails with another<br />
colleague (at that stage still<br />
employed) trashing the company<br />
and its image, mocking<br />
me and my business efforts.<br />
I wasn’t pleased, as you<br />
can imagine, and although I<br />
have very thick skin, it was<br />
still upsetting. Luckily I had a<br />
three-day business trip immediately<br />
thereafter and this<br />
gave me a chance to plan my<br />
move, without any emotion<br />
coming into it—which may<br />
have happened had I reacted<br />
immediately.<br />
I’m old enough not to worry<br />
too much what people think<br />
about me (we can't be friends<br />
with everyone, after all) and<br />
we don't have to like people<br />
to be able to work with them.<br />
However, it is totally unacceptable<br />
to have these exchanges<br />
on the company’s email.<br />
When your employer owns<br />
the hardware and the software<br />
that you use every day, it<br />
has a perfect right to inspect<br />
its property at any time it<br />
chooses. So if you are using<br />
your work email to trash your<br />
employer and/or your boss<br />
and you get found out, then<br />
expect to be fired on the spot.<br />
Most people’s contracts<br />
have a clause about<br />
terminating employment<br />
without notice in the event<br />
of misconduct or where<br />
there has been a breach of<br />
professionalism—and that is<br />
exactly what happened, much<br />
to the person’s surprise. He<br />
was asked to leave immediately,<br />
only pausing to take his<br />
personal belongings and that<br />
was it. We had changed his<br />
passwords so that nothing<br />
could be altered within our<br />
system—and then reading his<br />
old emails provided another<br />
set of shocking surprises: we<br />
are better off without him. It<br />
was very poor behaviour for<br />
someone who was entrusted<br />
to develop business for the<br />
company. Now he doesn't<br />
have a job. Don't let that be<br />
you.<br />
As usual, let me know if<br />
you have any particular topic<br />
you would like to see covered<br />
here.<br />
Gary Woollacott is the Chief<br />
Representative for Opus Executive<br />
Search in Vietnam and<br />
Thailand. He can be reached<br />
at +84 8 3827 8209 or gary@<br />
opusasia.net. Opus is an<br />
associate of Horton International.<br />
listings<br />
fashion<br />
ACCESSORIES<br />
Accessorize<br />
48 Dong Du, D1, Tel: 3822 1081<br />
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1<br />
www.monsoon.co.uk/icat/accessorize<br />
Fashion-forward accessories including<br />
necklaces, handbags, wallets, flip-flops,<br />
sunglasses, hair accessories, belts and<br />
more.<br />
Alfred Dunhill<br />
Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1<br />
A timeless style in male luxury providing<br />
formal and casual mens accesories<br />
tailored for the discerning man. Also<br />
stocking handcrafted leather goods.<br />
Anupa Boutique<br />
17/27 Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 3825 7307<br />
anupaboutiquevietnam@anupa.net<br />
The ever-changing boutique retails in<br />
the elegant design of anupa accessories<br />
made from high-quality leather. Collections<br />
available range from men, women,<br />
executive, travel, spa, yoga, board games,<br />
boxes and semi-precious stone jewellery.<br />
Collection changes on weekly basis. Also<br />
carries childrens wear, toys, furniture and<br />
homewares.<br />
Bally<br />
Rex Hotel, 141 Nguyen Hue, D1<br />
Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1<br />
www.experience.bally.com<br />
Flagship store in the Rex Hotel providing<br />
luxury Italian-made accessories for men.<br />
Among these are shoes, belts, wallets<br />
and a collection of male jewellery.<br />
Banana<br />
128 Ly Tu Trong, D1<br />
Women’s accessories and more, from<br />
bags, clutches and belts to clothes and<br />
jewellery, all at reasonable prices.<br />
Cartier<br />
Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan<br />
This well-known designer brand displays<br />
a wide range of accessories for men. Famous<br />
for its watches, Cartier also stocks<br />
pens, key rings, belts and sunglasses.<br />
Cincinati<br />
177P Dong Khoi, D1<br />
www.cincinati.vn<br />
info@cincinati.vn<br />
Vietnamese brand of genuine leather<br />
bags, shoes, accessories and personal<br />
goods for men and women such as<br />
notebooks for a classic vagabond look.<br />
Quality leather from crocodile, horse,<br />
snake and fish made with excellent local<br />
craftsmanship.<br />
Cleo-Pearls<br />
30 Nguyen Dang Giai, An Phu, D2<br />
Tel: 091 3587 690<br />
Jewellery designer Birgit Maier operates<br />
Cleo-Pearls from her home, specializing<br />
in necklaces, bracelets, earrings, key<br />
holders and bag accessories. All pieces<br />
created with gemstones, fresh water<br />
pearls and beads.<br />
Coconut<br />
100 Mac Thi Buoi, D1<br />
Bags of all shapes and sizes rule the<br />
roost in this small shop. Made of silk and<br />
embroidered to the brim, these unique<br />
bags start at about USD $30, and many<br />
are suitable for both day and night.<br />
Creation<br />
105 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 5429<br />
A two-storey shop selling scarves,<br />
intricate handbags (from USD $30), tailormade<br />
silk dresses and tops. Has a wide<br />
range of materials on the second floor.<br />
Prices start from $65 for an ao dai with<br />
simple embroidery.<br />
Deanh Jewellery<br />
Eden Mall, 106 Nguyen Hue, D1<br />
Tel: 3827 6039<br />
Gorgeous selection of gold accessories<br />
imported from Turkey and Italy. Also has<br />
a selection of simple ring designs to set<br />
your precious stones in.<br />
Gallery vivekkevin<br />
FAFILM Building, 6 Thai Van Lung, D1<br />
Tel: 6291 3709<br />
info@vivekkevin.com<br />
www.galeryvivekkevin.com<br />
Handcrafted pendants, necklaces, rings<br />
and bracelets. The gallery’s focus is on<br />
design, craftsmanship and finish, as well<br />
as educating clients on the intricacies of<br />
each piece.<br />
Gucci<br />
88 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 6688<br />
Located on the main shopping street in<br />
<strong>HCMC</strong>, this flagship store brings Florentine<br />
fashion to an array of luxury leather<br />
goods such as briefcases, luggage and a<br />
selection of men’s shoes for office or more<br />
casual occasions.<br />
Ipa-Nima<br />
85 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3824 3652<br />
New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai<br />
Well-known Hanoi-based fashion brand.<br />
Founder Christina Yu is a former lawyer<br />
turned designer who produces eclectic<br />
and eye-catching handbags. Also stocks<br />
costume jewellery and shoes.<br />
J. Silver<br />
803 Nguyen Van Linh Parkway, D7<br />
Tel: 5411 1188<br />
Make a statement without being ostentatious<br />
with handcrafted silver jewellery from<br />
the boutique store. Expect big, interesting<br />
pieces that are simple yet glamorous.<br />
Laura V Signature<br />
11 Dong Du, D1<br />
Tel: 7304 4126<br />
www.laurav.net<br />
Vintage designs aplenty with everything<br />
from jewellery and hair accessories to<br />
funky styled sunglasses, umbrellas and<br />
colourful maxi dresses.<br />
Lovely Lien Jewellery<br />
20 Le Loi, D1<br />
A small and unassuming jewellery store<br />
with beautiful and reasonably-priced<br />
necklaces, bracelets and earrings. You<br />
can also bring your own precious stones<br />
or ask the designers to make something<br />
unique for you.<br />
Louis Vuitton<br />
Opera View, corner of Dong Khoi and Le<br />
Loi Tel: 3827 6318<br />
Designer brand name housing traditional<br />
craftsmanship of luxury leather goods for<br />
men and women. An array of bags, wallets,<br />
cuff links and watches are available.<br />
Mai O Mai<br />
4C Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3829 4007<br />
A superb little place with beautiful jewellery<br />
and accessories to suit all budgets.<br />
Silver necklaces, bracelets, rings and<br />
more in both classic and imaginative<br />
designs, as well as gorgeous handembroidered<br />
bags.<br />
Mont Blanc<br />
Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan<br />
Notable for fine writing instruments, Mont<br />
Blanc also houses cuff links and other<br />
male accessories<br />
Therese Jewellery<br />
Sheraton Hotel, 88F Dong Khoi, D1<br />
www.theresejewelry.com<br />
Small, glitzy retail outlet. Sells everything<br />
90 <strong>asialife</strong> <strong>HCMC</strong>
Change language