Corporate Quarterly
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Corporate The Quarterly JAN|2017 #008 2 3 The nightlong performances kicked off with DJ Caveman and Kev spinning music from the stage to set the mood for the night, providing the amassing crowd with a recap of this year’s most popular tunes, including the annoyingly catchy and unbelievably viral earworm, PPAP (Pen-Pineapple- Apple-Pen). There were then performances by X10SN Dance Crew, Keanu Tan, Scalia, and Tenisya, all of whom drew resounding applause from spectators. Many can agree 2016 came and went by so swiftly that some of us are still struggling to catch our breaths, but the annual fireworks display at CITTA Mall on New Year’s Eve slowed down that fleeting transition for many, as we set foot into an uncertain yet exciting future together. It was in that moment of mass hysteria as the celebrity host, Baki Zainal, screamed “Happy New Year”, and when bright sparks of light illuminated the night sky, that many of The main show commenced around 10:15pm, and us felt somewhat relieved to leave behind a bizarre this is where headliners Dina Nadzir, Shawn Lee, An 2016, and to enter a brand new year. Honest Mistake, Rejuvenate Dance Crew, and Alvin Lee performed all the way through till midnight. Host Baki Zainal proved to be a hit among audience members with his charismatic personality and inextinguishable wittiness, though the prizes he threw into the sea of people, like Ninetology smartphones, bags, and music albums, helped too. 2016 then ended with a spectacular display of fireworks as the countdown timer hit zero at midnight. It was “16 Going on 17”, and partygoers started flocking into CITTA Mall as early as 7:00pm, ahead of the scheduled stage performances that kicked off about an hour later. Though it was an overall risky juncture to host an outdoor event during the monsoon season, the weather was kind that evening and light rainfall ceased by 6:00pm, thus allowing for a smooth event all night long. Aside from the stage area, a mini-carnival was set-up within the mall, and there were clowns walking around making balloon animals for children, unicyclists whizzing by bemused shoppers, magicians enthralling by conjuring items from thin air, and fire-eaters that exhaled balls of flames, much to the delight of everyone present. 4 As we now begin the new year, we reflect on the achievements of the past and our aspirations of the future. In the past year, CITTA Mall has experienced some significant improvements, such as the introduction of its monthly (now signature) Chill Out Saturday event, a burgeoning bazaar scene, and the addition of a reputable supermarket, Village Grocer. The mall has also seen a steady increase in visitors largely in part of bigger and better family oriented activities. As such, the mall looks forward to achieve greater heights in 2017, bringing in more appealing attractions to its patrons in the exciting year ahead, and the fireworks tradition is here to stay at CITTA Mall against all odds, for better and never for worse. We’ve just swum through 2017 and everyone’s already busy preparing for the next big festival that will be hitting Malaysia at the end of January. There’ will be much shopping ahead of us, plenty of zodiac consulting, and endless live streaming of the much anticipated Spring Festival telecast from CCTV. CITTA Mall is jumping on that bandwagon as usual with its own annual Chinese New Year celebration, themed “Garden of Eternal Prosperity”. The mall’s décor will feature heavy floral designs, as appropriate for the occasion as we welcome another prosperous year ahead of us. For 2017, CITTA Mall is focused towards greater progress and growth, and thus settled on the idea of a garden as the basis for the Chinese New Year theme as it is a setting where “growth” is represented visually, gradually, and literally. The design for this year’s campaign also pays homage to the Year of the Rooster, known as a symbol of advancement and, unsurprisingly, brilliance and punctuality. 5 Christmas across The Malls! Dato Richard Ong, to present the mock cheques to ‘ the representatives from the homes at both the season locations. Twas to This combined effort is part of the ARA CARES be Jolly! (Comprehensive Assistance and Responsible Engagement Services) initiative, launched by the ARA malls in Malaysia just this year to help Christmas has been a magical season for all the malls this year as they were filled with fun, laughter, and communities that are in need of financial support in the spirit of giving. For 2016, all malls had the light of the economic slump. Most of the privilege of working together with the Tan Sri Tan organisations engaged are homes for Foundation (TSTF) to spread some festive cheer to underprivileged children and they have been invited a select list of homes. to participate in the activities hosted at the malls. A total of RM80,000 was generously donated by the And what a plethora of activities hosted across the Foundation to eight welfare organisations, namely malls! Over at CITTA Mall, there was the Ohara Sunbeams Home, Perak Palliative Care Society, Matsuri to kickstart the mall’s Christmas campaign, Bethany Home, Rumah Hope, Pusat Penjagaan “CITTA Snowman Village”; its closest neighbour, Kanak-Kanak Cacat Taman Megah, Yayasan Chow Klang Parade, decided to go with the palatial Kit, The Pure Life Society, and Agathians Shelter. “Frozen Wonderland” that dominated its Main Court; 1 Mont Kiara went for the whimsical with “A Foundation CEO Ms Yap Su-Yin was present over Bounciful Christmas; and finally, Ipoh Parade the weekend of the 3rd and 4th December at adopted a similar “Christmas Balloon Wonderland” CITTA Mall and Klang Parade, where she was joined to complement its 7th Annual Grant A Wish with TSTF Council Members, Dato Robert Teo and campaign. 6 7 Case Study: The 1 Mont Kiara team has achieved an enviable synergy between its departments and continues to develop what was once an obscure location into a lifestyle destination. For the longest time in its history, 1 Mont Kiara had existed inconspicuously in spite of its coveted location at the gateway to the affluent Mont Kiara community. The issue with pre-refurbished 1 Mont Kiara was obvious—no one knew it was a mixed- use development with a retail mall situated at its core. But fast forward to 2017, the mall has constantly reinvented itself through its various events and activities, along with an invigorated tenant listing. Consumer feedback had been worryingly non- existent; but now, the mall enjoys a greater rapport with its neighbouring community, and is building Staff setting up the Christmas decorations stronger relationships with its patrons, listening and Of course, many of the mall’s latest milestones have understanding their demands to create a truly been achieved because of the team that resides enjoyable space to be in. there. Even in the absence of a Centre Manager pull the reins, the 1 Mont Kiara management has managed to operate independently without one, often working together (even if it meant driving back from home at night to help set up fixtures for an event) to create an environment that is orderly, efficient, and fun. “Good things come in small packages with time and patience,” says Rufaida, affectionately known as Fifi among her colleagues. “I have been with 1 Mont Kiara since April 2012, and have since had a hand in supervising concierge, helping out with Passionately Coffee event housekeeping under Operations, and now, Leasing and Advertising & Promotions.” It is an open secret that the team at 1 Mont Kiara is stretched, and everyone has had to wear many hats when it comes to their daily responsibilities. But it is because members of the team willingly weathered through adversity in times of great stress that they have come out better and more productive than ever. Yoga at the rooftop 8 “The biggest lesson for me is learning how to communicate effectively and efficiently with all of my colleagues, usually in large groups at once and across departments,” states Arwen Ong, Senior Executive for Tenancy Fit Out. “A certain amount of tact has to be practiced when we’re articulating our intended messages, regardless of the urgency of the matter.” There have been plenty of challenges: the late night emergencies, the surprises that come with event planning, and the usual disagreements. But the 1 Mont Amzil with the children from Agathians Shelter Kiara team has always managed to set their differences aside, even using them to their advantage, in order to create the reliable and dependable team they are today. “I think the greatest challenge we’ve had to overcome was working without a Finance Manager,” says Norkamilia on working in the Finance department with Vishnu, another Finance Executive who shares the same sentiment. “This is why I’m really grateful for and humbled by our CEO, Ms. June Lim, who’s always trying her best to guide us whenever she can. And now, I feel more confident with what I do.” Azrin helping a child from Agathians Shelter Slowly, and surely, everyone at 1 Mont Kiara started loving what they do. Many of them realised they were gradually enjoying their work, and were rejoicing over the fruits of their labour. “There is plenty of opportunities for growth here,” says Navamani, Operations Manager. “I started out with 1 Mont Kiara as an Assistant Security Manager, and now, I oversee Carpark and Operations as well. Though it has been tough, I’ve discovered that I actually love what I do.” There are now also more team building and staff recreational activities, such as the weekly English Badminton meets classes whereby everyone is invited to contribute to an existing discussion while learning new linguistic concepts, potluck parties, and badminton meets.