Keynote Speaker For Standard Chartered Bank Young Apprentice Programme 2011
It’s always gratifying to train youths as I know I can make a special impact in their lives. This is especially so when they are all fresh out of school and are eager to absorb as much as they can before they join the working world.
Organised as part of a 3 day programme for Standard Chartered Priority Banking customers’ children, I’m honoured to be involved in the Young Apprentice Programme 2011. This is a by-invitation event.
On each of the three days, there would be a keynote speaker who would share his/her expertise on a specific field. From what I learnt, the three topics chosen were planning, public speaking and personal grooming.
While waiting for the rest of the youths to check in, I took a seat among the chairs. Some of the youths who came early found me unfamiliar and asked if I belonged to another team. Then it dawned upon them that I was too formally dressed to be their team-mate. And it also struck me that I wished I was given such an opportunity to learn about grooming at their age. Funny as it may sound, it was from such a beautiful misunderstanding that I got to know some of the participants better. They were keen to find out what made me interested in becoming a style coach.
From their dressing today, it was clear some took extra efforts to impress. Chic and immaculate were some; and totally casual were others. But regardless of what look they turned up in today, I’m very sure that they will know how to up their image quotient on the last day tomorrow so as to impress the judges. I was told that besides the presentation skills, the look they chose to project tomorrow would constitute a percentage of the score in determining the winner of the Young Apprentice Programme 2011.
To help them for tomorrow’s presentation and to help them get all dressed up for their future job in the corporate world, I went into great details on how to select key pieces in one’s wardrobe and what to look out for. Covering both the male and female aspect, they were more than eager to pick up every tip I dished out.
Sometimes when the crowd energy is good, I really hate to leave as it means people are interested. And as a speaker, I would love to impart more knowledge. But then again, not all things are within my control as the organizers were very strict with time. And most keynote speeches have to be capped at maximum 45 minutes.
I love what I do and I do what I love. I am happiest when I know I have made a positive difference yet again in the lives of these youths today!