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Typhoon Haiyan and making Tacloban a safer place

Published on by Helen MartinLeave a comment

Living in Asia these past couple of years has taught me a thing or two about extreme weather conditions. I have ‘lived through’ Typhoons Kaitak and Usagi. Whether a typhoon is described as mild, violent or exceptionally powerful as was the case of Haiyan, they are all terrifying when your home and family are being ‘attacked’ by the uncontrollable forces of nature.

In Tacloban, Philippines, they received the full force of Haiyan and you can follow the death and destruction on many global TV stations. But what happens a few days, weeks or months after a disaster occurs? How much relief actually gets through?

Well, if you’re my family doctor and good friend, Dr. Sue Jamieson, you buy 500,000 Hong Kong Dollars worth of vaccines, antibiotics and medicines and get on a plane to Manilla and on a military flight from Manilla to Tacloban to start vaccinating thousands of people against airborne diseases.

But don’t take my word for it, follow the link and watch Sue tell her own story in a short 2 minutes and read her blog and website about the trip to Tacloban.

What do YOU do when there’s a disaster in the world? For starters, you can sit back and thank your lucky stars that it wasn’t you! But, you can also help the people on the ground, from the comfort of your own home, through your donation. The suffering for many, only starts AFTER a typhoon has subsided and the devastation is understood. You can help Dr. Sue Jamieson pay for vaccinations, medicine and antibiotics by making a donation to:

Dr. Sue Jamieson
HSBC Hong Kong, 1 Queens Rd Central
Account no 083-537894-833
SWIFT code (no BIC needed) HSBCHKHHHKH
OR
PAYPAL UNDER ‘drsuej@gmail.com’

Thank You!

Heroes

Published on by Helen MartinLeave a comment
Recently, my twenty year old nephew started work at the RSL in Castle Hill, Sydney. The RSL in Australia was founded as a direct result of the camaraderie, concern and mateship shown for the welfare of returning veterans during and after the 1914 – 1918 War. That ethos of compassion and service remains the motivating influence of the League today.

Cameron is a regular university student who needs extra cash to fund his ‘party-going lifestyle’. It took Cameron quite some time to be noticed by the RSL HR department. So, when he was finally offered a job there, he was ecstatic and while I was visiting Sydney in February this year, he was doing an entire traineeship, learning everything there is to know about the RSL.

Heroes are born every minute but I don’t necessarily think of heroes  and family in the same sentence. Yesterday however, that changed. Whilst scanning my Facebook page, I read Cameron’s latest post . While, he was at work, his quick thinking and his knowledge of CPR, saved a man’s life.

Cameron really wanted a part-time job at the RSL and as he describes it, became a ‘habitual applicant’ to finally get a job there. He was thankfully in the right place, at the right time and with the state of mind to act quickly and calmly. The world works in mysterious ways but we definitely need more heroes in it. I’m proud of you. Well done Cam!

Finding the good inside little boxes

Published on by Helen MartinLeave a comment

Throughout our lives, we put people into little boxes, often deciding in advance in which box people belong. In the past, I would have described myself as a product of the eighties. We valued large salaries, big cars, even larger homes and a fantastic career path. We gave no thought to philanthropy, the environment, doing business sustainably or giving back in any way whatsoever. Anyone that knows me today however, will know that the box that I fit into today is quite different from when I started my career many years ago.

I made the same incorrect assumption of an ex-colleague, Niels Hovestad. Niels is driven by marketing, ensuring that the company’s he works for are successful, profitable and represented well in the market. Whilst this is probably a correct description of Niels as a businessman, he is also driven by doing good and giving back.

Four years ago Niels worked on a project in Ethiopia with AMREF. This year, Niels has entered the Kenya Classic, to collect money for AMREF Flying Doctors (African Medical and Research Foundation). AMREF’s vision is for long lasting health change in Africa. They believe in the inherent power within African communities – that the power for lasting transformation of Africa’s health lies within its communities. They work with some of the poorest and most marginalised people in Africa; those living in remote rural areas, urban slums, nomadic populations and areas affected by conflict.

Niels has rallied 11 of his colleagues to cycle the 375 kilometers along with him, through the Kenyan heat. I fear he’ll encounter much more than just “Dutch mountains” in Kenya (since the Netherlands is flat, a Dutch mountain is any slight inclination e.g. a bridge), much like when he cycled for charity through Ethiopia a year ago. “The things I saw in Ethiopia four years ago, made me realise just how privileged I am. That’s why I decided to cycle along with 11 of my colleagues through Kenya this year, to collect money for AMREF”, said Niels.

Niels and his colleagues only want to collect a meager €60,000. Let’s help him. Every penny collected will go directly to AMREF, to help fund their many initiatives. If you’re based in the Netherlands, you’ll be able to sponsor through this site with ease, however if you want to sponsor and you’re outside of the Netherlands, please use the following details, which can be found on the Kenyaclassic.com website:
If you are using a foreign bank account while donating, you can use the following IBAN or BIC code and transfer the money to EMO Foundation/KenyaClassic in the Netherlands:
IBAN: NL36INGB0651986036
BIC: INGBNL2A
Please clearly state the name of the team or participant you are sponsoring – in this case Niels Hovestad.

So, before you assume (making an ass out of u and me) or place someone you’ve just met into a little box, ask a few more questions. You may be amazed to realise that people are far more interesting than you’d dare to believe.

Namasté

Strengthening the inner-metal in 2012

Published on by Helen Martin5 Comments

2012 was a year of many changes. A change of country, career and way of life. I handed in Holland for Hong Kong, Deloitte for Cisco and my husband for a life on my own.

My husband is one of the nicest people I know, Holland is a magnificent country and Deloitte is a fantastic employer, so why so many changes?

Many people may call it the ‘change of life’ or ‘menopause’. I say, ‘A change is a way of strengthening the inner-metal!’ I’ve often coached people and told them that in happiness, one has to start with ones self.’ If you are happy, you can make many more people happy around you. Sometimes change brings with it necessary challenges, feelings of discomfort which pushes one to the edge and all the way over. However, sometimes living in a total state of contentment is just too safe. Am I a horrible person for creating so much havoc? For some, I probably am. And for others, I’m an absolute hero. They say things like, ‘You’re so brave’, ‘Gosh, I wish I were so strong’, ‘I’m so unhappy but I daren’t make the decisions that you have’. Do I feel brave? Of course not! I cry often and wonder what I’ve done. Am I happy? Yes. I can honestly report that I’m happier with the prospects than I’ve been in a very long time. Am I challenged? Every day! And, I love it.

For me, 2013 will be a year of settling down, regaining balance and equilibrium, making even more new friends and very happily seeing old friends in my new home of Hong Kong. I’ll be involved with new charities, as well as the ones I’ve grown to love and support, new clubs and networks, making the people and the company I work for even more successful, and I’ll be as happy as can be, because I believe in me. 2013 I embrace you!

Here’s wishing you and yours an exhilirating new year, with as many changes as you can handle. Happy New Year!

Storm in a Teacup

Published on by Helen Martin1 Comment

I’ve been in Hong Kong for just over two months and I’ve already weathered quite a few storms. T3’s become T8’s and if you’re unlucky, they become T10’s like Typhoon Vicente, which hit us last month and with a force unknown since 1999. Last night, I lived through the latest typhoon. Whilst I realise that I’m known for stirring things up a bit, I don’t know whether to be flattered or not; the latest typhoon is named after me, Kai-tak (Helen). When a T8 is hoisted, the city can easily ‘close down’. There may be no public transport, schools close, the public is advised to stay indoors or at home and businesses remain firmly shut. When you’re sitting in the comfort of your own home, oblivious to the elements however, it all just seems like ‘a storm in a teacup’.

CSR and doing good is something I’m passionate about and let me assure you, that there’s a lot more good out there than you’d ever imagine. Whether it’s the work of individuals, small organisations or large multinationals, people are joining forces to make waves and improve life experiences. I’ve now been working at Cisco in Hong Kong for about 6 weeks and I’m starting to settle in. Yesterday, I had an inspiring conversation with our head of corporate affairs in Greater China, TC Hsi. TC shared what Cisco is doing around CSR and quite honestly I’m blown away. Besides all the Cisco volunteers doing great work in the community and the focus and determination of the corporate teams, I was pleasantly surprised to hear how Cisco is using its own technology to help disaster victims weather the storm.

When a major emergency such as an earthquake or hurricane strikes, response organizations require immediate communications support to save lives, establish relief operations and provide ongoing assistance in affected communities. Cisco’s Tactical Operations (TacOps) team can quickly deploy IP-based communications to support emergencies. This team comprises expert networking, radio communications, and systems engineers along with logistics and operations coordinators. Members of the team and the employee-volunteer Disaster Incident Response Team (DIRT) are trained in the U.S. National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) and they participate in large-scale exercises to validate technology solutions and train alongside other responders.

Our world is changing. Our climate is changing and many more natural disasters are forecast in the coming years than we’ve ever had before. This is a fact and no ‘storm in a teacup’. So, whilst I’m currently safe and well and settling in to a new home and a new job, it’s comforting to know that my new employer can help when it’s really necessary. Cisco, you make me proud!

Never Assume

Published on by Helen Martin4 Comments

Brands that we know and admire, light the skies and the tops of buildings around the world. When designers roll out the latest trends, whether we live in Sydney, Hong Kong or San Francisco, we’re all wearing the same great new looks within months of one another. Restaurant chains offer internationally acclaimed dining concepts and large multinationals and financial institutions offer international services. So, it’s safe to say that the world is becoming flatter every day and we’ve come to expect the same quality and breadth of services, food and experiences no matter where we are in the world.

Many years ago someone told me that I should never assume, as it makes an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me’. Common sense really! However, you’d be surprised how many times we assume things every single day. I was reminded of this fact just the other week when I transferred money from my European bank account to my Hong Kong bank account. I hadn’t yet activated internet banking, so I went to the ATM daily to see if the funds had been transferred. Everyday, I became more and more frustrated since my bank balance hadn’t increased a penny. I assumed that the money would automatically be deposited into my savings account. Never assume. On calling customer services, I heard that the money had, in fact, been deposited, quite quickly, into a suspense account. The bank wanted to leave it up to me when to transfer the money to my savings account, based on the best rate of exchange. Logical really, but not so, when you’re expecting something else to happen.

Hong Kong is a bustling city and those brand names could fool us into thinking that the world is identical, no matter where we are in the world. Luxury brands line the streets of Hong Kong and extreme wealth and consumer optimism, gloss over many of this beautiful city’s problems which are left undiscussed and well-disguised. A week ago, I met Liz Chamberlain, director of the Samaritans. Samaritans is an organisation providing emotional support to people who are suicidal, or in general distress. As a European, one may assume that if you have a problem, that you discuss it with family or friends in the spirit of ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’. Not every culture is the same, so never assume. Many Chinese will not discuss issues with family or friends and they are then left to their own devices. Liz and her team are doing a sterling job to ensure that people in need are helped and in doing so reducing the numbers of suicides in Hong Kong. The Samaritans is always looking for great people who will give up some of their time to volunteer. Or you can donate to this worthy cause.

My move to Hong Kong has once again reinforced the fact that I have a lot to learn.  Ask more questions and never assume!

The Art of Integration

Published on by Helen Martin2 Comments

When I told people that I was moving to Hong Kong, they asked, “For how long?” I fully recognise that when business people move to foreign shores, that they often do so as expatriates and for a specified or unspecified period of time. Very often these same people do little to fit in. They continue buying their groceries from international brands, they eat in Western restaurants, they don’t learn much of the local language or culture and perhaps do nothing to befriend local people.

When you immigrate as a child, you are forced to fit in i.e. if you’re fortunate enough to be sent to a local school and not an international one. You soon make friends, learn a second language, learn a lot about local culture and feel very much at home. As an adult my move to the Netherlands was also pain free. I immediately started a Dutch language course and I avoided becoming a member of a British or South African Women’s Association. Through work, I soon became acquainted with Dutch nationals, who still remain friends today. 

With immigration, comes integration, or so I believe anyway. I prefer referring to myself as a ‘localised immigrant.’ Beyond professional networking associations, I actually try to avoid groups which may ostracize me from meeting local people. But, I was fortunate! A wonderful Chinese lady reached out to me through Linked-in (prior to my move) after I had posted an update which had inspired her. Neither of us, generally speaking, reach out to strangers through Linked-in, but we agreed that our professional backgrounds and ideals lent themselves to further investigation. When we met recently in Hong Kong, it was as if we had been friends forever. We attended a couple of courses together at the Hong Kong University, during which I have met three of her friends, and we all just know that we’ll be friends for a very long time. Was this just luck? Or, do you attract the people that you need in your life? Or, is it just so obvious, that if you attend activities that you’re interested in, you’re bound to meet like-minded people i.e. as long as you’re open to meeting other people. Remember, you are the visitor to the country and the locals don’t need to change for you. Would it surprise you to hear that we all have an interest in CSR? I guess not! 

This evening we had a fantastic meal in a place that I probably wouldn’t have dared go to on my own, just because I don’t speak Cantonese yet. I say yet, because that’s my next mission; to study the language and to be able to have conversation; no matter how badly I pronounce the words. This evening, I was also christened again as these lovely ladies took the time to discuss what my Cantonese/Mandarin name should be. More on that next time.

Our next step is to meet regularly in each other’s homes, which is entirely unusual for Hong Kong. Homes are small and people generally don’t invite strangers to visit. But, we all believe that if we cook for each other, we will get to know one another better and we can use the time to discuss important personal, CSR and business-related issues. 

So, how long will I be living and working in Hong Kong? Perhaps I’ll answer that question with “how high is up?” I don’t know? But given the fun I’m having, the number of friends I’ve already made and my fantastic new job at Cisco Systems, it could be for a very long time!

Happy farewells

Published on by Helen Martin3 Comments

When I was 8 years old, my parents packed up their belongings and their two children and we travelled what seemed for days, from Scotland to South Africa. Tears were shed and gifts were shared and and you knew that the only form of communication that you would have with your family, would be airmail letters which, would arrive 14 – 21 days after they were written.

20 years ago, the process hadn’t improved much at all. I kissed my parents and friends goodbye, I received many lovely gifts and I travelled from South Africa to Holland, knowing that cards and letters would arrive perhaps a little quicker…..but only just a little and I’d have to pay astronomical costs for long distance telephone calls.

Receiving a farewell gift is always an amazing treat; friends who you’ve known for a lifetime coming from afar to celebrate, a delicious box of Belgian chocolates, a bottle of French champagne, a book, sweet perfume or that beautiful personal gift, specifically chosen with you in mind or which has been in the family for many many years and has now been given to you. The pain of saying farewell is softened by the receipt of something to remember someone by.

But these days, farewells aren’t really farewells at all. Yes, you may miss seeing someone face-to-face however, Linked-in, Facebook and Twitter have become our very large virtual kitchen table, where we continue to ‘meet’ friends for coffee and a chat. Skype means that we can look people in the eye when we talk to them and excessive long distance telephone costs are something of the past.

I hope I don’t sound ungrateful, when I say that farewell gifts should no longer be necessary. Having said that however, I’m glad that farewell gifts still exist, as the best farewell gifts of all are those you ask your friends to give, knowing that a charity will be the benefactor. I was given a full page advertisement, in the business magazine Management Scope, for the charity of my choice. I hope that Orange Babies will be happy with this gift. And, my Brand, Communications and CSR team members at Deloitte contacted Hope Village in Namibia to find out what support they require and surprised me with the result; they are collecting for a school bus.

The pain of saying farewell has been softened by knowing that Deloitte, my colleagues and my friends have donated to very worthy causes. Now that’s what I call a happy farewell. Thank you so very very much everyone. Hong Kong, here I come!

Living your dream

Published on by Helen Martin4 Comments

We’ve all done it at some stage; whether it’s sitting quietly on a park bench, lying on a beach, or during your lunchbreak; Dreaming. Let’s face it, there’s nothing nicer. You can be whoever, wherever or whatever you’d like to be. Dreaming about winning the lottery, moving home, immigrating, driving that new sports car or moving jobs.

I live life by my own motto, “As soon as you start living your dreams, your dreams evolve.”

You can achieve anything you want. I regularly advise people to allow themselves to dream but also to set their sights realistically, “If you can visualise it and write it down, you can make it happen.” Too many people talk about their dreams but, they never achieve them. It may be because they’ve forgotten that fulfilling a dream also takes some required action. “I’ve never won the lottery,” but, you could ask, “Have you ever bought a ticket?”

There are no half measures. I believe in constantly pushing boundaries. Raising the bar. Pushing the envelope. Exceeding everyone’s expectations but most of all exceeding my own. I believe in living life to the full. Life is not a dress rehearsal. We don’t get second chances to do it over again. We need to create opportunities to realize our dreams.

This month I resigned from a company that’s been very good to me. Deloitte in the Netherlands has given me the freedom to achieve many of my dreams and many, many more. There will be people and places that I’ll miss; local charities that I’ll follow on twitter; and, I’ll leave my ‘baby’, Fair Chance Foundation, behind in the competent hands of Anne-Marie de Jeu and Mireille Spapens. Will I miss it all? I certainly hope so! But, one doesn’t give up near perfection for nothing 😉

I once had a dream about living and working in Hong Kong. I’ve been offered a terrific position in Hong Kong and I’ll be moving there next month………..I do hope you’ll continue following my personal and philanthropic antics but, this time, from Asia. Watch this space! 🙂