Hai Tien Lo presents artisanal rice dumplings for Dragon Boat Festival 2026

This Dragon Boat Festival, Hai Tien Lo presents a luxurious selection of traditional rice  dumplings handcrafted by Executive Chinese Chef Edden Yap and his culinary team. 

Available until 19 June 2026, the dumplings include Hai Tien Lo’s latest creation, the savoury pork knuckle and peanut rice dumpling (S$22 nett), which is complemented by notes of chestnut and dried mushroom.Meanwhile, the signature black glutinous (pulut hitam) Nyonya rice dumpling (S$22 nett) combines black and white glutinous rice with minced pork belly and winter melon. 

Source: Hai Tien Lo. The Dragon Boat Festival rice dumpling collection for 2026.

Hai Tien Lo's Hokkien rice dumpling with braised pork belly and salted egg yolk (S$18 nett) is a fan favourite. Filled with chestnut, mushroom, and premium glutinous rice, this dumpling promises a rich and satisfying bite. For those seeking a sweeter option, the Teochew rice dumpling (S$15 nett), inspired by the traditional Teochew dessert, orh nee, is filled with yam paste, coconut cream, sweet corn, chestnut, and ginkgo nut.

For something even more special, the Hai Tien Lo Supreme rice dumpling (S$45 nett) is filled with pork belly, 12-head whole abalone, roasted duck, whole dried scallop, Chinese sausage, salted egg yolk, chestnut, yellow mung bean, lotus seed, and glutinous rice.

Two rice dumpling sets have been curated for gifting. The Classic Rice Dumplings Set ($118 nett) includes:

• Two Hokkien rice dumplings with pork and salted egg yolk 
• Two savoury pork knuckle and peanut rice dumplings 
• Two Teochew rice dumplings with yam paste, chestnut, sweet corn, and ginkgo nut 
• A bottle of sweet and sour spicy bean paste sauce

The Premium Rice Dumplings Set (S$158 nett) includes: 

• One Hai Tien Lo Supreme rice dumpling 
• One savoury pork knuckle and peanut rice dumpling 
• Two black glutinous Nyonya rice dumplings 
• Two Teochew rice dumplings with yam paste, chestnut, sweet corn, and ginkgo nut 
• A bottle of Hai Tien Lo signature homemade XO chilli sauce

Details

View the Dragon Boat Festival Rice Dumpling brochure and order form at https://www.panpacific.com/content/dam/pphg-revamp/en/ppsin/pphg2-0/offers/dragon-boat-festival-2026/ppsin_offer_rice_dumpling_brochure_2026.pdf.

To order, please call +65 6826 8240, email specialevents.ppsin@panpacific.com, or visit panpacificsingapore.oddle.me till 19 June 2026. 

Indulge in discounts of up to 25% off until 19 June 2026. A complimentary thermal bag is provided for à la carte orders with a minimum spend of S$80 nett after discount.

Have your order delivered to your doorstep at S$60 nett per location, or opt for self-collection at Pacific Emporium’s deli counter located on Level 1 of Pan Pacific Singapore, from 20 May until 19 June 2026, from 10 am to 8 pm. 

Complimentary island-wide delivery is available with a minimum spending of S$300 nett. 

Hashtags: #PanPacificSingapore, #HaiTienLoSG, #ShareYourMoments

*Prices quoted are in Singapore dollars, and are inclusive of prevailing government taxes.  

See 2025 off at the InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit

InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit has unveiled A Season to Twinkle in Time, an elegant celebration evoking warmth, wonder, and timeless sophistication. This year, guests are invited to embrace a season of joy through exquisite culinary journeys, artful gatherings, and refined gifting — each moment designed to shimmer with the InterContinental's signature experience.

New Year's Eve dinner buffet at AVA Brasserie
Wednesday, 31 December 2025 | 7 pm – 11:30 pm
THB3,000 nett

Bid farewell to 2025 in style with an extravagant dinner buffet. Indulge in premium king crab and seafood on ice, foie gras, Hokkaido scallops, lamb rack, Australian-aged striploin, roasted prime rib, plus squid ink and coconut octopus risotto.

The Winter Tale festive afternoon tea at THE LOBBY
Available till 30 December 2025
THB 2,200++ for two

Source: InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit. The Winter Tale festive high tea at THE LOBBY.

The Winter Tale presents an elegant selection of delicate sweet and savoury treats, paired with premium teas. Includes two glasses of sparkling wine, and free-flow premium coffee or tea. 

Details

THB1,490++ per set for two persons with selections of coffee or tea
Daily | 2 pm – 4 pm
View the menu at https://bit.ly/4lzCmHY

‎

Book a day in advance.

Festive cocktails at ROGUES 
Available till 30 December 2025

An exclusive collection of festive cocktails starting from THB 380++.

Hampers

Celebrate the art of gifting with InterContinental's Timeless Hampers, curated with artisanal delicacies and premium blends that reflect the grace of the season. Available up to 31 January 2026.

Twinkle Prestige – THB 3,900++ 
A luxurious curation of gourmet indulgences for those who appreciate the finer things in life.

Time Retreat – THB 2,900++ 
A serene, wellness-inspired selection designed to restore balance and inspire tranquillity.

Details

For enquiries or information, contact bkktl.dining@ihg.com

A reservation three days in advance is required.

New Year's Eve Celebration Stay & Feast
THB24,999 nett

Welcome the New Year with a two-night city escape including daily breakfast at AVA Brasserie, and a New Year's Eve countdown dinner for two. 

Details

• Eligible period: 30 December 2025 – 2 January 2026 
• Two nights in a Classic room for two guests 
• Daily breakfast buffet at AVA Brasserie 
• New Year's Eve countdown dinner on 31 December 2025 for two (including soft drinks) 

Make reservations at bkktl.rsvn@ihg.com 

Terms and conditions apply.

Hashtags: #festive, #newyearseve, #IHGOnerewards, #ExperienceIHG, #InterContinentalBangkokSukhumvit, #อินเตอร์คอนติเนนตัลกรุงเทพสุขุมวิท, #InterContinentalLife, #AVABrasserie, #Bangkok, #Thonglor

Mid-autumn elegance at Hai Tien Lo, Singapore

Source: Pan Pacific, Hai Tien Lo. Baked and snow skin mooncake selection (left), Four Treasures Baked Mooncakes Premium Gift Set (right).

This Mid-Autumn Festival, Hai Tien Lo (海天楼) presents an array of elegant creations encased in red or gold boxes adorned with signature Hai Tien Lo motifs.

The limited edition Four Treasures Baked Mooncakes Premium Gift Set can be bundled with a tea set or champagne. The gift set, complete with a Hai Tien Lo leatherette bag, is an ideal gift for business associates.

Hai Tien Lo's No. 1 tea baked mooncake is back by popular demand, this time with the addition of melon seeds to complement the delicate flavours of the signature tea. Other baked mooncakes available this season include the new caramel walnut cocoa baked mooncake, classic single yolk white lotus paste Baked Mooncake, and ever popular double yolk white lotus paste baked mooncake.

For snow skin lovers, Hai Tien Lo has the bestselling mao shan wang durian snow skin mooncake and a new flavour: mango pomelo snow skin mooncake.

Hai Tien Lo’s mooncakes are available for pre-order from 7 June to 8 August 2024 and purchase from 9 August to 17 September 2024 at panpacificsingapore.oddle.me and eshop- ppsin.panpacific.com. Orders can be collected from 9 August to 17 September 2024 between 10 am to 8 pm at the hotel’s mooncake booth, located on Level 1 of Pan Pacific Singapore. 

Alternatively, delivery can be arranged via panpacificsingapore.oddle.me. Delivery is free for orders of S$150 and above, while orders below S$150 will incur a fee that varies by location.

Orders from 7 June 2024 till 31 July 2024 are eligible for an early bird discount of 30% for mooncakes other than for the mao shan wang durian snow skin mooncake (25% discount) and Premium Gift Box (25% discount).

Details*

 

Price per box of four traditional baked mooncakes

- Hai Tien Lo No. 1 tea with melon seeds 海天一号瓜子白莲蓉月饼: S$95

- Caramel walnut cocoa 焦糖核桃可可月饼: S$95

- Single yolk white lotus paste 单黄白莲蓉月饼: S$95

- Double yolk white lotus paste 双黄白莲蓉月饼 $99

 

Four Treasures Baked 四喜烘皮月饼: S$98, featuring 

- Hai Tien Lo No. 1 tea with melon seeds

- Caramel walnut cocoa

- Single yolk white lotus Paste 单黄白莲蓉月饼

- Double yolk white lotus paste 双黄白莲蓉月饼

Bundled with a teapot set and a packet of Hai Tien No. 1 tea leaves: S$188

Including a bottle of Taittinger Brut Réserve champagne: S$288

Price per box of four snow skin mooncakes:

- Mango pomelo 芒果柚子冰皮月:  S$95

- Mao shan wang durian 纯猫山王榴莲冰皮月饼: S$108

*All prices are inclusive of 9% goods & services tax.

SGX RegCo proposes changes to support company restructuring

Singapore Exchange Regulation (SGX RegCo) is proposing rule changes aimed at facilitating the restructuring process for SGX-listed companies under Singapore’s Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (IRDA). The changes, if implemented, will enable issuers to restructure more efficiently and lessen the regulatory burden when they are trying to manage their financial affairs and meet time-sensitive milestones.

For instance, SGX RegCo is proposing that shareholders need not vote on a major disposal undertaken as part of judicial management or liquidation of the issuer under IRDA. This will align SGX Regco rules with IRDA, as well as allow for the quicker realisation of assets.

“IRDA aims to smoothen and speed up the restructuring of financially-distressed companies. This may increase the chances of white knight rescues and trading resumptions. These outcomes, if they materialise, will be of more value to shareholders than years of proceedings that will further deplete distressed companies’ scarce finances,” said Tan Boon Gin, CEO of SGX RegCo.

SGX RegCo also proposes to, among others:

- Provide guidance to issuers on circumstances where a financially-distressed issuer can apply to SGX RegCo to allow its listed securities to continue or resume trading.

- Require an immediate announcement when a financially-distressed issuer or any of its subsidiaries undergo a court-supervised moratorium.

- Exclude a financially-distressed company under moratorium pursuant to IRDA from announcing its quarterly financial statements.

The public consultation is open till 22 March 2024 and can be found at https://regco.sgx.com/public-consultations.

CNY corporate gifts for Malaysia by Signature Market

Signature Market has put together Chinese New Year corporate gift bundles perfect for enhancing wellbeing from RM30. 

The Chinese New Year 2023 Collection is packaged in Chinese New Year gift boxes, with selected gift sets in an exclusive festive box sleeve. The limited edition packaging is decorated in auspicious motifs, including a stylised figure eight, pistachio nuts, mandarin oranges and spring blossoms.

The company offers gifting advice on building packages and provides its products in bulk for any workshops or events a business might host. There are up to 700 choices available in custom packaging.

Source: Signature Market. The Rising Success Gift Box is worth RM120 but retails at RM68. The Rising Success Gift Box contains a classic nut mix (140g)，dark chocolate chip butter cookies (gluten free, 180 g), low carb mix (140 g)，omega-3 trail mix (140g)，salted roast pistachio in shell (115g), and Thai dried mango (130 g).

 

Signature Market has also curated corporate workshops for businesses looking for more ways to engage clients, employees, and partners.

Go for online gifting in Singapore with Knots & Gifts

Knots & Gifts, a new online gifting platform, has been launched to offer freshly-baked goods such as pastries, cakes, and breads from Singapore’s top patisseries; beverages prepared by mixologist Michael Chen; as well as home spa services, flowers and scents.

Source: Knots & Gifts. The Mini Tea Party Set, S$78. To order, choose Munchies from the menu at the top.

The bespoke service is the brainchild of Singaporean self-made entrepreneur Rubina Tiyu, who had to pivot her business from wedding planning to e-commerce gifting. The idea has also given her the opportunity to work with some of her favourite retail shops.

“Inside the Knot was a successful wedding planning and events company, but when COVID-19 struck, I was stuck with a warehouse full of props and no weddings to plan. I had to quickly come up with an idea that would not only be meaningful, after all we’re in the business of creating moments and experiences, but also appeal to people during this crisis.” said Tiyu.

There are currently over 20 options for curated hampers of baked food and drinks, including the Butter Cake Bundle (S$58) consisting of butter cake (choice of plain, almond, orange or cranberry) and four muffins along with sparkling tea by The Gryphon Tea Company, and The Tea Party Set (S$188) - featuring scones, mushroom quiches and croissants by Patisserie G, Basque burnt cheesecake by Aitor, cranberry pecan cookies, jams, fresh berries, Gryphon Tea and flowers.

Gifters can choose preselected food and drink hampers under Munchies, omakase flowers (no two designs are the same) under Petals and Foliage, and bundled pampering gifts (look under Lifestyle). They can also order ala carte items under Marketplace at www.knotsandgifts.com. A 48-hour notice is required for all orders.

Knots & Gifts partners include:

ALEYDA Mobile Spa

Asher BWS, a wholesale distributor with a collection of boutique beverages.

Ashley & Co, a scent company

apohkery, a homemade banana bread specialist

Basque Kitchen by Aitor, a one Michelin star restaurant offering burnt cheesecake

Dunkin Donuts, the American baked goods chain

GK Ground Kopi, offering two blends of Singapore coffee

Gryphon Tea Company, which provides gourmet teas

LAIBA Beverages, offering cocktails crafted by Chen

Nesuto Patisserie, for beautifully-made cakes

Patisserie G, providing Singapore French pastry and baked goods.

Mastercard introduces audio brand identity

Mastercard debuts its sonic brand identity, a melody that signifies the latest advancement for the brand. Wherever consumers engage with Mastercard across the globe – be it physical, digital or voice environments - the distinct and memorable Mastercard melody will provide familiarity, the brand said.

The news comes on the heels of the company’s recent transition to a symbol brand - one without the company's name - and is part of its continued brand transformation.

“Sound adds a powerful new dimension to our brand identity and a critical component to how people recognise Mastercard today and in the future,” said Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Mastercard.

“We set out an ambitious goal to produce the Mastercard melody in a way that’s distinct and authentic, yet adaptable globally and across genres. It is important that our sonic brand not only reinforces our presence, but also resonates seamlessly around the world.”

To ensure the Mastercard melody would resonate with people the world over, Mastercard tapped musicians, artists and agencies from across the globe, including musical innovator Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park.

The result is a distinct melody that maintains a consistent global brand voice. In addition, the use of varying instruments and tempos help to deliver the Mastercard melody in several unique styles such as operatic, cinematic and playful and that is open to a number of regional interpretations.

The Mastercard melody is the foundation of the company’s sound architecture and will extend to many assets, from musical scores, sound logos and ringtones, to hold music and point-of-sale acceptance sounds.

“What I love most about the Mastercard melody, is just how flexible and adaptable it is across genres and cultures,” said Shinoda.

“It’s great to see a big brand expressing themselves through music to strengthen their connection with people.”

With voice shopping set to hit US$40 billion by 2022 , according to data from OC&C Strategy Consultants, audio identities are set to connect brands with consumers on a new dimension.



"Audio makes people feel things, and that's what makes it such a powerful medium for brands, said Matt Lieber, Cofounder and President, Gimlet.

“With the explosion of podcasts, music streaming, and smart speakers, an audio strategy is no longer a nice-to-have for brands — it’s a necessity. A sonic identity — the audio calling card for a brand — is now just as important as a brand’s visual identity.”

In the lead up to the 61^st GRAMMY Awards (February 10 US time), Mastercard will launch a new multichannel marketing programme starring GRAMMY-nominated artist Camila Cabello, which will be the first creative output to feature the brand’s sound logo.

Following the US introduction, the Mastercard sound will head to The BRIT Awards in London, UK and then Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Additional activations and sonic integrations will be announced around the world in the coming months.

Explore:

Watch the Mastercard video featuring the Mastercard sound (after 1.03) and another elaborating on the Mastercard sound

To hear how a corporate melody can be adapted, watch HSBC videos featuring the HSBC sound - the Mindfulness edit, the Connected edit, the Inspiration edit, the Stadium edit, and the Orchestral edit

SmartUp launches Digital Readiness Experience

Source: SmartUp website.
Screen capture of the SmartUp
platform.

SmartUp, which has a mobile-first knowledge-sharing platform, has launched a Digital Readiness Experience for the workforce featuring microlearning modules on hot tech topics. 

Its Digital Readiness Experience is several weeks long and can be purchased by SmartUp customers for their employees, explained Deborah Tan-Pink, Global Head of Marketing, SmartUp. 

"For the Digital Readiness Experience, what companies are buying is a four- to six-week campaign that aims to transform attitudes and knowledge with the specific purpose of increasing employees’ level of comfort around tech, innovation, and disruption.

"During this campaign, a course of 10-15 microlearning modules will be put into the client’s community for their employees to consume. These courses can be on design thinking, fintech disruption, or Blockchain and cryptocurrency," she said. 

The Digital Readiness Experience includes interactive quizzes and polls to test knowledge retention, practical applications, and lateral thinking. The assessments also help corporate leaders identify blindspots and shifts in mindsets.

Global Head of Talent & Learning at SmartUp Laurence Smith says, “What SmartUp delivers is a broad understanding of digitisation and its implications on work, society and organisations. Employees are taught not only the importance of staying relevant in a digital world, but also how to constantly upgrade their skills.” 

Smith said existing systems, processes and incentives for employees will need to evolve as companies transform digitally. “One of the most important roles of leaders today is to prepare their organisation for disruption by developing a ‘digital mindset’," he said.

“Digital transformation is at the very heart of doing business, and companies need to create the seeds of participation to get the learning process started.”

SmartUp is a microlearning app that allows companies to rework their legacy learning materials into bite-sized cards with videos, images, quizzes and polls. Companies sign up to build private communities where they can populate with their own content or with content from SmartUp.

SmartUp's library is organised by Snapshots, courses of 10-15 microlearning modules each on various topics. The Digital Readiness Experience consists of four to six Snapshots, including the Digital Readiness Snapshot. Customers can purchase a Snapshot on its own for US$3/user.

Details:

Corporates with existing SmartUp communities can purchase the Digital Readiness Experience from US$10/user for a four-week campaign. 

New customers can set up their own SmartUp communities from US$2.50 per month per user. Once the platform is set up, companies can purchase the Digital Readiness Experience and also create their own learning content.

CulinaryOn Singapore introduces Lunar New Year dinners

Source: Culinaryon Singapore. Yusheng with salmon sashimi.

This Lunar New Year, CulinaryOn Singapore offers dinners from 26 December 2017 with six- to eight-course premium menus plus a taste of its cooking class experience with a noodle-making session. Diners also have the option of making their own desserts.

The eight-course premium menu begins with yusheng with salmon sashimi and includes courses such as shiitake mushrooms with broccoli, crayfish braised longevity noodles, golden shrimp with honeydew mayo and mango ice cream with pomelo.

Details:

The six-course traditional menu costs S$118 per person; the eight-course traditional menu is S$138 per person, and the eight-course premium menu costs S$158 per person. Up to 15 people can be accommodated for a meal.

Food substitutions are possible.

Dinner will be held at CulinaryOn's cooking studio located at #04-63, One Raffles Place.

Call + 65 3159 1702 with questions or reservations.

Take your pick of MICE packages in Southeast Asia

Three travel companies and properties, Chōsen, The Slate and Samujana, have put together productivity programmes for businesses and workgroups that offer a choice of environments to get the best out of a team.

For adventure junkies

Source: Chosen website. A view of Bali.

Chōsen offer experiences that are ideal for teams seeking new adventures and challenges:

•  Jump off of cliffs, go canyoning, surfing, or try a cooking class
• Check into their estate in Bali or other locations including in New Zealand
• Olympic athletes, life coaches and nutritional therapists are some of the experts available to teach and guide guests throughout the week
• Healthy menus created by a private chef

Chōsen experiences are premium adventure and wellness holidays, adventure getaways, and fitness programmes edited into seven-day packages. Derived from the Japanese characters 挑戦, (sho-zen: to challenge), Chōsen combines physical, social, intellectual and emotional elements in each package. 

Chōsen has been available for select participants since 2013 and can now be experienced by curious and open-minded adventure enthusiasts in new destinations across the world. The locations include a luxury Balinese villa and a stunning mountainside location in Queenstown, New Zealand. 

 

“We have carefully researched, curated and finetuned every aspect of the Chōsen experience; from the adventure activities, nutrition and workouts, to yoga, mindfulness and even the selection process of participants.  The programme aims to challenge, change and rejuvenate each individual by pushing their boundaries both physically and mentally,” says Chōsen co-founder, John Stanton. According to Chōsen, all participants strive for excellence personally or professionally, looking to unlock their full potential or realise it once again. 

 

For wellness aficionados

The Slate, Phuket in Thailand offers a venue for meetings and inspiring incentives:

•  Dishes prepared by The Slate’s in-house nutritionist focus on the benefits of superfoods to increase productivity
•  Daily team activities like group jogs, yoga and archery

Source: The Slate. In the grounds of the hotel.

Relaunched in August 2016, the Bill Bensley-designed hotel has opened its doors for corporate meetings and incentive offerings for the modern, health-conscious business executive.

The Slate has a specially curated wellness-focused meetings and incentives package to ensure the body, mind and soul are at their optimum for collaborative meetings, creative brainstorming, and team building.

Daily menus are created by The Slate’s in-house nutritionist to include meals and snacks that are not only nourishing but encourage energy and productivity. A variety of team-bonding activities such as group yoga classes, cooking classes, and archery lessons can also be included within the experience.

A short drive from Phuket Airport, the property features multiple pools, an array of restaurants and bars, a fitness studio, tennis courts, on-site dive centre, the Coqoon Spa, conference facilities and Thai cooking classes. Core features of the three night MICE wellness package include:

• Three nights accommodation
• Airport transfers
• Three healthful and energising meals daily designed by The Slate’s head nutritionist
• One daily snack that features super foods for the brain: walnuts, green tea, acai, spinach, beets, etc.
• One daily energising cold-pressed juice
• One active team building activity

The three-day itinerary can be tailored to suit the needs of individual
requirements. Rooms start from US $200 per night, inclusive of core itinerary inclusions. A minimum of 10 rooms must be booked.

For culture seekers

Rejuvenate at Samujana’s luxury villa estate in Koh Samui, Thailand:

o Intersperse meetings and workshops with Muay Thai boxing classes, morning beach yoga sessions, a private exploration of Koh Samui's coves and beaches
o Reward the team with a Thai spa treatment, scenic golf experiences, or a day trip to neighbouring islands on a luxury yacht
o Immerse in Thai culture with an Amazing Race-style competition around the island while solving clues for prizes

Source: Samujana. View of a villa.

Surrounded by sea, sky and infinity swimming pools, Koh Samui’s hilltop location, Samujana has launched three new Executive Retreat offerings to meet the goals of any company trip.

Be it a boardroom, banquet, or cocktail party setting, Samujana boasts a mix of 25 luxury villas and outdoor spaces that can host up to 400 guests. The villas can accommodate 40 to 120 guests while the outdoor lawns can accommodate up to 400 guests for a sit-down dinner. All the lawns feature views of the sea and can be configured to fit stages or other unique spaces.

Itineraries can be created that will not only meet business objectives but also foster team bonding and lasting memories. Team-building activities can include racing around Koh Samui in teams, solving a series of clues and instructions that will lead them to a final prize, or a private cooking class. Activities to challenge employees to step out of their comfort zone to achieve new goals include Muay Thai boxing classes, morning yoga and pilates sessions as well as a pop-up circus school.

Incentives can include pampering spa treatments, a golf day, or day trips by luxury speed boat to visit the islands of Ang Tong National Park, an group of 42 islands in the Central Gulf Coast of Southern Thailand.

Samujana amenities include private villa hosts, local and international cuisine from top, private chefs, an all-weather tennis court (floodlit) and access to nearby water sports. VIP transportation can be provided to all of the hot spots on the island, including the famous walking street at Fishermans Village.

Beauty and relaxation programmes can be experienced in the privacy of the villa, while exclusive charters can be made with a choice of various sailing and motorboats to water-ski, picnic on hidden beaches, snorkel, sightsee or just for pure sailing pleasure.

posted from Bloggeroid

Shang Palace presents the Honey Chocolate Collection, three new mooncakes this Mid-Autumn

Source: Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. The Honey Chocolate Collection.

Shang Palace heralds the Mid-Autumn Festival with a luxurious Honey Chocolate Collection, on sale from 28 July to 15 September 2016.

The Honey Chocolate Collection features four flavours: Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and Salted Toffee, White Chocolate Passion Fruit with Mango, and Roasted Sicilian Pistachio. These mooncakes incorporate raw and unprocessed Leatherwood Honey which originates from the rainforests of the Tarkine region in Tasmania where some of the world’s cleanest air and water are found. Unlike commercial honey, the rare Tasmania Leatherwood honey is cold-extracted to retain its flavour and aromatic properties. Tasmania Leatherwood honey is known for its distinctive taste, antibacterial properties and also helps to boost the immune system.

The Honey Chocolate Collection is the brainchild of Area Pastry Chef Hervé Potus. Each Honey Chocolate mooncake comes with a delicate chocolate shell infused with a creamy mousse-like filling, enveloping a dense and luscious honey centre within. Presented in an exquisite honeycomb-shaped gift box with a decorative bee feature, these premium mooncakes are priced at S$88 per box with two pieces of each flavour and will make ideal gifts for business associates.

Master Chef Steven Ng of Shang Palace has created three innovative flavours of the baked mooncake variety: Mini Baked Lychee Mooncake with Rose, Mini Baked Low Sugar Lotus Paste Mooncake with Macadamia Nuts and Mini Baked Mocha Mooncake with Hokkaido Milk. Shang Palace will also be offering perennial classics such as the traditional baked lotus paste mooncake with salted egg yolks. Variations with one, two or four yolks are available.

Source: Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. The Shang Palace Four Treasures Baked Mooncake Gift Set.

The Shang Palace Four Treasures Baked Mooncake Gift Set is another excellent gift. It comprises four regular baked mooncakes (one piece of each flavour): White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Yolks, White Lotus Seed Paste with Single Yolk, White Lotus Seed Paste and Mixed Nuts with Chicken Ham. The Shang Palace Mini Eight Treasures Baked Mooncake Gift Set includes eight mini baked mooncakes (two pieces of each flavour) – Mini Baked Custard, Mini Baked Lychee with Rose, Mini Baked Low Sugar Lotus Paste Mooncake with Macadamia Nuts and Mini Baked Mocha Mooncake with Hokkaido Milk. All baked mooncakes will be presented in a unique gift box with fabric overlay adorned with appliqué orchid motifs. 

Source: Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. The Shang Palace Mini Eight Treasures Baked Mooncake Gift Set.

Interested?

The Shangri-La is at Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350.

Guests may purchase Shang Palace’s mooncakes at the lobby of Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore from 28 July to 15 September 2016 and at retail booths located at shopping malls island-wide, including Takashimaya, Vivocity, and Parkway Parade. The mooncakes can also be purchased online. There is an early bird offer of 25% savings till 21 July 2016, and all online orders will receive 15% savings. For enquiries, please call +65 6213 4398/4473.

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post about Hai Tien Lo's Mid-Autumn specials

Mandarin Orchard unveils mooncake collection for Mid-Autumn 2016

Source: Mandarin Orchard. The new packaging.

The Mandarin Orchard's recent Fly Me to the Moon event was the perfect platform to showcase for the hotel's 2016 Mid-Autumn promotion, which features one new mooncake flavour as well as all the traditional favourites and popular signatures, plus sumptuous new packaging.

Each traditional mooncake will be packaged in individual baby blue boxes and presented as a set of four in a larger custom-designed box for the perfect gift to business associates. The larger box features an embossed chrysanthemum at the bottom left corner and the Mandarin Orchard emblem at the top right.

The hotel has maintained its recipes for the classic Baked Mooncake with Single/Double Yolk and White Lotus Paste (单/双黄白莲蓉月饼). For the health conscious, a low-sugar variety is available: the Baked Mooncake with Macadamia Nuts and Low Sugar White Lotus Paste (低糖夏果白莲蓉月饼). The Baked Mooncake with Azuki Red Bean Paste and Pine Nuts (日本红豆沙松子月饼) is also available this year.

The Mini Snow Skin Salted Egg Custard with Manuka Honey Corn mooncake (迷你冰皮奶黄麦卢卡蜜玉米月饼) debuts this year. The salted egg custard has a subtle taste that is beautifully balanced with the sweetness of the corn and Manuka honey. Fusion snowskin flavours introduced last year, which feature fruit and chocolate as well as lemongrass, will be back this year.

For more traditional snowskin flavours, consider the Mini Snow Skin Yam and Yam Paste Mooncake (迷你冰皮芋头月饼) or the Mini Snow Skin Green Tea Paste with Azuki Red Bean Mooncake (迷你冰皮绿茶与日本红豆月饼.

Source: Mandarin Orchard. The Baked Mooncake with Azuki Red Bean Paste and Pine Nuts (日本红豆沙松子月饼).

Source: Mandarin Orchard. The the Baked Mooncake with Macadamia Nuts and Low Sugar White Lotus Paste (低糖夏果白莲蓉月饼).

Source: Mandarin Orchard. The Mini Snow Skin Yam and Yam Paste Mooncake (迷你冰皮芋头月饼).

Source: Mandarin Orchard. The Mini Snow Skin Green Tea Paste with Azuki Red Bean Mooncake (迷你冰皮绿茶与日本红豆月饼.

Source: Mandarin Orchard. The mini snowskin mooncake with salted egg custard and manuka honey corn is absolutely delicious, good cold or at room temperature, and the hands-down winner for me. Do note that the salted part of the salted egg custard is quite subtle.  Manuka honey can also be bitter at times but the combination is perfect here.

Tea Forte's teabags are in an iconic pyramid shape, with a 'tea leaf' at the top as a holder. The teas can be drunk hot, iced, or blended with other beverages, cocktail shaker-style.

Tea Forte has recommended pairings between its premium teas and the Mandarin Orchard's mooncakes. The company produces black, green, herbal, white and oolong teas, and suggests its Jasmine Green flavour, for instance, to complement the baked mooncake with single or double yolk and white lotus paste. Jasmine Green consists of rare Yin Hao green tea combined with jasmine blossoms.

Other pairings include:
Sencha - premium tea leaves picked in early spring, usually only for the Japanese market - or White Ginger Pear - Pai Mu Tan (white peony, or 白牡丹) tea leaves from the chai cha varietal blended with pears and ginger - to go with the baked mooncake with macadamia nuts and low sugar white lotus paste. White Ginger Pear is in the top two bestsellers for Tea Forte, the other being its Iced Ginger Pear blend.

Sencha is also suggested for the mooncakes with a Japanese component, such as the baked mooncake with Azuki red bean paste and pine nuts, but also for the mini snowskin mooncake with yam and yam paste. Cherry Marzipan, on the other hand, was recommended for the mini snowskin mooncake containing green tea paste and Azuki red beans. The tea is a special reserve green tea which Tea Forte describes as "with the tart-sweet lushness of acerola cherries and the depth of nutty toasted almond".

The event was also a showcase of the versatility of the events team. Chinese, Japanese and fusion cuisines paired with different mooncakes to emphasise the origins of various flavour combinations. The mooncakes with Azuki beans, for instance, were featured next to a live sushi and sashimi preparation station, while the traditional Chinese mooncakes were framed by live music, Chinese calligraphy and freshly prepared Sarawak kolo noodles. A fusion dish specially created for the event was the highlight for the fusion-style mooncakes, involving elements from various flavours, including a martini glass, eggs poached just so, and foam infused with meat.

Traditional Chinese music accompaniment got guests into the mood.

The Chinese section was the largest, and featured a Chinese calligrapher who wrote the Chinese names with a Chinese brush for guests as requested, in traditional Chinese.

Fusion food-inspired cocktail bites were displayed in one room on a table strewn with rose petals.

Nibbles on the left - scallop tartare, lightheartedly reformed in the shape and size of a scallop - a complete surprise to the palate. On the right, a skewered stack of vegetables cut into the shape of sakura, topped with a candied black bean, named 'sweet potato yuzu miso'.

Interested?

Available from 1 August to 15 September, the mooncake collection features five baked mooncakes - sold in fours - as well as five mini snowskin flavours - sold in eights. The Mandarin Orchard has curated two assortments as well, one for baked mooncakes and the other for the snowskin mini mooncakes.

DBS/POSB credit card holders will receive 25% discount for purchases during the early bird period between 1 and 15 August and 20% discount thereafter. All other credit card holders enjoy 20% and 15% off respectively. Discounts are only available at the hotel’s Festive Counter, which will open from 11 August. Customers visiting the Mandarin Orchard before the 11th can pick up the mooncakes at Level 35, Shisen Hanten.

Order through +65 6831 6320. Prices range from S$65 for a box of eight mini snowskin mooncakes, to up to S$75 for a box of baked mooncakes. All prices include GST. Delivery is free to a single destination for a minimum purchase of 50 boxes; it costs S$60 per destination otherwise.

The mooncakes will retail at the following locations:

11 August to 15 September, 11am to 7pm: Mandarin Orchard Singapore, 333 Orchard Road, Festive Counter, level 1  
13 August to 15 September, 10am to 9.30pm: Takashimaya mall, Basement 2
29 August to 15 September, 10am to 8pm: Raffles Exchange Link
29 August to 14 September, 10am to 9.30pm: Bishan Junction 8 mall, Atrium at level 2
29 August to 14 September, 10am to 9.30pm: IMM mall, Atrium at level 1
31 August to 14 September, 10am to 9.30pm: Tampines Mall, Atrium at level 1
2 September to 15 September, 10am to 9.30pm: Tiong Bahru Plaza mall

Read the WorkSmart Asia post about Peach Blossom's mooncake offer for 2016
 
posted from Bloggeroid

Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region for SWIFT

SWIFT announces that 29 new corporates in Asia Pacific had joined the co-operative from May 2015 to December 2015.

SWIFT provides a single communication channel for corporates to exchange financial information with all their domestic and global banks. This allows corporations to gain value from additional global visibility and maximum efficiency from their financial and treasury operations. Through the connection with SWIFT, they are able to collect and achieve greater automation through standardisation.

Today, more than 1,500 corporate groups are already on SWIFT globally, representing an estimated 30,000 underlying legal entities that are using SWIFT to manage multiple banking relationships. The past year saw expansion in SWIFT’s engagement with its corporate customers. Compared to the first half of 2015, the second half increased the number of corporates who joined SWIFT by 50% making Asia Pacific the fastest growing region of new corporate connectivity. Besides multinational corporates SWIFT welcomed Cgnpc and Max Money, which connected to take advantage of SWIFT for Corporates offerings.

Some of the corporates that joined in second half of 2015 include:

China:

Air China
Finance Company of Ansteel Group
Konka Group Company
Volkswagen (China) Investment Company
Yanfeng Global Automotive Interior Systems Co.

Japan:

Nomura Research Institute
Ricoh Company
The Yokohama Rubber Co.

Hong Kong:

CGNPC Huasheng Investment

Malaysia:

Max Money

India:

Tata Consultancy Services

Singapore:

Singapore Power

Korea:

Hyundai Mobis Co.
Lotte Data Communication Company
Hotel Lotte Co. (Duty Free)
Samsung Engineering Co.

Eddie Haddad, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, SWIFT says: “We have been working very hard to assist corporates of all sizes to reduce costs, manage risks whilst increase operational efficiency and visibility in all of their treasury operations. With this new wave of corporate groups joining us, the benefits are clearly pervasive across treasury professionals and we are glad this offering is permeating across all segments in Asia Pacific.”

The Overseas Integration Building Task Force Team of Lotte Duty Free says, “Lotte Duty Free is the top leading corporation in the Korean duty free business. As a global business player with operations in Asia Pacific and United States, we are currently aiming for a country by country rollout plan targeting communication with all our banking partners through an automated environment to increase our efficiencies in operations and management. After a successful implementation in the Japan market, it had proven that having SWIFT connectivity clearly benefited us. We are now able to gain global cash visibility, minimise operational risks, and align a single platform that enables communication to all our banks globally with distinct international standards. We expect that SWIFT will become a key business partner in our global business expansion.”

SWIFT for Corporates offers a range of products and services for multibanked corporates to connect with banks and financial institutions through a single, secure and reliable channel.

posted from Bloggeroid

OCBC launches fingerprint-secured business banking mobile app

Source; OCBC. A finger is all that is needed to check business
account balances.

OCBC Bank has become the first Singapore bank to launch a business banking mobile app, the bank said. The OCBC Business Mobile Banking app, that uses biometric authentication, enables smartphone users to:

 View balances for business accounts, including current accounts and time deposits 

 Check the status of incoming and outgoing funds 

 View business debit card transactions. 

Business customers have indicated that they would like to perform the above three tasks while on the move, the bank shared, as they want to be in control of their company’s operating cashflow; have the assurance that payments are being made, and funds received; and get quick access to related information. Enquiries relating to the three tasks accounted for more than 15% of calls made to the Bank’s call centre for businesses, the OCBC Business Banking Commercial Service Centre, in 2015. 

The new app, featuring OCBC OneTouch which leverages Apple’s Touch ID technology, will allow Singapore-registered users of the Bank’s business Internet banking portal, Velocity@ocbc, to access their account balances and transactional activities using fingerprint recognition. OCBC estimates that over 120,000 customers will benefit from the app, which can be used anytime and anywhere, even overseas. 

Said Gregory Trotter, Head of Cash Management, Global Transaction Banking, OCBC Bank: “With banking information at their fingertips, this new OCBC app will empower business owners to make decisions on the go. 

"Our studies have shown a 30% increase in the number of calls from customers enquiring about their business account information in the last three years. The need to know their account balances and status of incoming and outgoing funds are clearly critical for business owners to effectively manage their day-to-day operations. Understanding this need, we developed this app to provide control, assurance and accessibility to our customers, which fits their business requirements as well.” 

Velocity@ocbc customer Fanny See, Chief Marketing Officer and co-founder of Detrack Systems said: “I like the simplicity and convenience that the new OCBC app offers. I can now check my company’s balances and the status of our payments and receipts – especially business debit card transactions – when I’m on the go. All it takes is the touch of a button and I’m on top of my company’s cashflow.” Detrack Systems developed a mobile app-based tracking system for logistics companies.

Interested?

OCBC OneTouch is available on Touch ID enabled Apple iPhones, such as the iPhone 5s and newer models that run on at least iOS 8 operating system (or later versions). To get started, customers need to download the OCBC Business Mobile Banking app from the Apple App Store. They will need to perform a one-time activation by keying in their Velocity@ocbc organisation ID, user ID and password, followed by a one-time password (OTP) sent via SMS or security token. Thereafter, within the app, customers need only to place their finger on the home button to view their account balances and transactional activities. 

The OCBC Business Mobile Banking app is also available for Android phone users on Google Play. Customers using Android phones will need to perform a two-factor authentication (2FA) using their security token or SMS-OTP to log in. 

Download the OCBC Business Mobile Banking app

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post on Touch ID and OCBC's mobile banking and OCBC Securities apps

Hashtags: : #ocbcbank, #ocbcbusinessmobileapp, #ocbcbusinessbanking

Source; OCBC. A finger is all that is needed to check business account balances.

New HERO Scorecard targets companies outside US

HERO and Mercer have launched the HERO Health and Well-being Best Practices Scorecard in Collaboration with Mercer – International Version. Modelled after the US version, the HERO International Scorecard is designed for use by employers in any country*. Available online and free of charge, the new framework allows employers to evaluate their health and well-being efforts by using a comprehensive inventory of current best practices compiled by industry thought leaders.

“Social and workplace norms can differ greatly from office to office within large companies and from community to community within the US. Companies with an international presence face additional challenges because workplace health and well-being best practices that have been tested and proven in America might not be relevant in the other countries,” said Dr Paul Terry, President and CEO of HERO. “Business leaders need comparative data, but that can be quite costly and difficult to secure without the help of a resource like the HERO Scorecard.”

In the US, where the domestic version of the Scorecard has been available since 2008, employers can benchmark their program and outcomes against companies of similar sizes and industries. As employers begin completing the new HERO International Scorecard, benchmarks will become available that allow employers to compare their programmes to others in their own country and in other countries where the Scorecard is used.

The HERO International Scorecard asks employers to provide information about organisational and cultural support for employee health and well-being, specific programme offerings, integration of health and well-being programmes with other areas of the company, strategies to encourage participation (such as communications and rewards), programme costs, and outcomes. After submitting the online scorecard, the employer immediately receives an email showing their best practice scores in six areas that contribute to employee well-being. When available, benchmarks will also be added.

“Companies benefit in multiple ways by completing the HERO Scorecard: from access to information about best practices and comparative benchmarking, to planning for future program enhancements and building internal consensus for improvements,” said Dr Steven Noeldner, Mercer partner and chair of the HERO Research Study Subcommittee. “Providing this breadth of analysis and comparison for domestic and international business will streamline efforts for employers and give them a competitive advantage in building a healthy workforce now, and in the future.”

“With continuous, double-digit growth in health costs, ageing populations and ever-increasing health consciousness, companies in Asia take workplace health and wellness very seriously. Most employers are looking for the right solution to address health issues and related decreases in engagement and productivity,” said Cecilia Deasy, Partner, Regional Consultant, Mercer, Asia. “Unfortunately, too many organisations are implementing programmes that are passive in nature, with limited experience or guidance. As a result, most programmes fail to generate the material impact that organisations are looking for.

“Workplace health and wellness cannot be effectively managed with band aid solutions. Engagement, motivation, support andstrategy are critical to ensure success. With the best practice framework and achievable results, the HERO scorecard offers the evidence and navigational tools required for employers in this region to implement successful workplace health and wellness programmes and generate real results.”

Interested?

The International Scorecard is currently available in English only. Learn more about the HERO International Scorecard (PDF)

Take the International Scorecard

*The initial HERO Scorecard was intended for use in the US only.

posted from Bloggeroid

Mashreq Bank launches Corporate Credit Card

Source: Mashreq Bank. Mashreq launches new corporate card for businesses.

Mashreq, a financial institution in the UAE, has launched a new premium credit card for corporates that can help to streamline business expense management, while offering more benefits to employees.

The new Mashreq Corporate Credit Card caters to the needs of large companies seeking to maximise control, drive savings and increase efficiency while providing attractive benefits to their employees. Companies may use the credit card for consolidating expenses such as municipality fees, hardware or software purchases, utility payments, stationery bills, insurance payments, import duties etc. The card also helps centralise business expenses of employees relating to travel, hotels and business entertainment, among others.

The benefits for employees include unlimited complimentary access to 500+ premium airport lounges worldwide through the LoungeKey Program and free Marhaba lounge access across the Middle East. Employees can also gain access to professional workspaces in 1,825 locations through the MasterCard business lounge programme, powered by Regus at preferred rates. Also, on offer is complimentary travel insurance covering the cost of medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage and much more, ensuring absolute peace of mind during business travels.

The Mashreq Corporate Credit Card solution also comes with a state-of-the-art web-based reporting tool for expense and information management through the MasterCard smartdata.gen2 platform, helping companies turn their data into business intelligence with access to customisable templates and reports.

The card can be customised with the company’s name, logo or preferred image on the card face. The card can be issued in the name of the employee, company or a department. Companies can also have online control with cardholder limits and will receive SMS alerts when a card reaches 80% of its credit limit. Corporates can also choose one of four statement billing cycles.

Pankaj Kundra, Head of Payments at Mashreq said, “Mashreq Cards are associated with being unique with the most relevant benefits for our cardholders. We have leveraged our strong experience in this domain and are pleased to offer the Mashreq Corporate Credit Card among our wide suite of card products. The card comes with unmatched security features and is also equipped with attractive reward earnings through the Mashreq Salaam Program. While corporates benefit through immense savings, employees will also benefit with access to the various discounts and offers on travel, dining and retail categories through the Mashreq Travel Easy, Flavours and Privileges platforms.”

Eyad Al Kourdi, Senior Vice President and General Manager – UAE, MasterCard commented, “Commercial payment solutions are a key area of focus for MasterCard, and we are excited to collaborate with Mashreq Bank so businesses in the UAE can streamline their purchasing processes to better manage expenses. Through this partnership, corporates can benefit from simple, safe and secure payments and the power of MasterCard smartdata.gen2, all while offering employees the rewards and benefits synonymous with premium credit cards.”

Interested?

Businesses can find out more about the Mashreq Corporate Credit Card by calling +971 4424 4450 or checking online

Leadership workshops with a difference from Flight Experience Singapore and McGallen & Bolden

Source: McGallen & Bolden.

Flight Experience Singapore, Singapore’s first real flight simulator for the public in Asia, invites companies to organise leadership workshops at its premises in conjunction with consultancy McGallen & Bolden.

The Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet programme, targeting business leaders and executives, shares leadership concepts in an authentic cockpit environment. The four-hour customised training workshop features content derived from decades of aviation experience earned by Captain Michael Caston, who has piloted Boeing 747 and 737 jets for British Airways and Singapore Airlines and is a current air transport pilot license (ATPL) instructor at Cannes Aviation. The workshop is facilitated by Dr Seamus Phan, Head of Training, McGallen & Bolden.

“It all started when I became attracted to Flight Experience’s B737NG flight simulator, providing a realistic pilot experience for non-pilots, and subsequently took up the entire learning programme of License 1, Preflight Endorsement, and License 2 under Captain Caston’s team of pilot instructors,” says Phan. 

"A conversation with Captain Caston somehow started the idea that business executives and human resource development professionals are always looking for cutting-edge and powerful training and leadership development methods to up the ante for leaders and line managers managing and sustaining businesses in a tough economic climate. This unique flight simulator coupled with a facilitated programme seems like a perfect fit, especially with Captain Caston who is a 40-year aviation veteran with many real-world scenarios to share.”

The workshop extracts key learning points from aviation procedures and wisdom, and converges them with relevant business scenarios in communication, crisis management, standard operating procedures, partnerships, collaboration, competitive analysis, market conditions, and timing. Unlike traditional classroom training, or simple role-plays, Leadership Secrets at 30,000 Feet provides the participants the opportunity to experience an authentic commercial jet simulator, to equate takeoff, autopilot, crisis recovery, and landing procedures with parallel business processes and methods.

“Effective leadership skills are vital in commercial aviation and only come with dedicated training and experience. Other industries are looking at the discipline and education used by airlines. For example, the medical profession has already adopted crew resource management (CRM) skills into their training programmes and the results are showing a marked reduction in miscommunication and errors,” says Captain Caston. 

“It’s a great pleasure to partner with Seamus Phan and merging our experience and knowledge together to launch this exciting initiative here in Singapore. Our shared background means that we can offer a unique learning experience that is relevant and interactive, providing applicable and important leadership and communication tools for business executives in a challenging and ever changing environment. The use of aviation standards and the flight simulator offers an amazing opportunity for our learning partners to build real skills that can translate and enhance every day business situations and opportunities.”

Interested?

Each workshop is conducted at Flight Experience Singapore, located at Singapore Flyer, 30 Raffles Avenue, #02-06, Singapore 039803.

The program combines briefings, flight simulation sessions for the participants with common aviation and problem-solving scenarios, an integrative discussion to acquaint the participants with how aviation best practices can parallel situations and conditions business leaders face every day, and a question and answer session.

View the associated video