The Reader

Photos in advertisement

So what is new?Photo is a great advertisement media to send message to the consumers.As they say,a picture is worth more than a thousand words!So in this great photo,no words is needed.I observed that most people will turn their heads looking at this photo as they walked outside this shop.When it comes to getting attention to what the shop offers,it is a great success but to get the customer into the shop is another story..

I hope fellow readers in advertising business could shed some light on this subject.

Please don't wear socks!

"Sir,please don't wear socks",said the salesperson after he gave me my new Clarks sandals in exchange for a few blue notes I have to give up for a pair shoes with no walls around them."I beg your pardon.."...Nobody told me not to wear sock since I was admitted to a full boarding school in 1965.Previously I did wear socks under duress but now I insist that I must wear socks.The socks kept me warm(advice taken from Hani) and the socks also kept my loose bones intact!When I asked why I should not wear socks,the salesperson was advising me not to wear sock whenever I wear sandals.I asked him why not and he replied it is against the  codes of fashion!Oh I see....I thanked him and said good bye.At least I learn something today about how to dress;-)At my age,comfort and safety over ride any fashion taboos.

By the way,I read a few years ago that only geeks wear sandals.

 

Walking shoes #3

At my age I am very particular about my walking shoes.Two criteria must be made first:

1.Comfortable to wear-must test walk

2.Safe to wear without slipping-adequate grip at the shoes bottom

When my  old shoes told me that its design life has ended two months ago,I was looking for a new pair of shoes.So I went scouting around and discovered this favourite brand of mine with the special offer of 20% discount at Jusco-net price RM167.

During my window shopping,I learnt a bit more about shoes.There are so many types available that made me difficult to choose.One obvious thing I learnt is that cheaper shoes don't last long and less comfortable.I tried to use cheaper shoes;they were comfortable for a short while,then they got harder and less comfortable.

Kalah membeli,menang memakai.

Previous posting about walking shoes.

Shoes/hand bags..

What would you do when your wife who was trailing behind you at a shopping complex suddenly gone missing? With more than 30 years experience behind me,I just turned and walked back and scanned certain shops where ladies normally cannot take their eyes off.Below is the photo of the shop where I got back my wife.Men are no better.In my case,I can just got lost in computer shop.Have a good weekend...I am going cycling today.

Enjoy every step..

Clark Shoes
Originally uploaded by Adibi

First the title of this posting.It is taken from the caption in the advertisement of the latest Clark shoes.The good copywriter has captured my attention..He/she is not talking about the shoes but it is about the experience of wearing the shoes.This is great marketing lesson for technical people like me who may have the best ideas/process/product but we don't know how to use the right words to sell to our potential customers.

There were two compelling reasons why I had to go shopping for new shoes. A few days ago,I went to my friend's office(an engineer like me but he was the ex-DG of JKR).As I was entering his room,the sole of one of my shoes just gave away.I was dragging my leg a step at a time before I could sit on the chair.Seeing this,both of us had a good laugh because we fellow engineers(mostly men) have a bad habit of wearing old shoes unless it is special occasion.During one seminar, a fellow engineer sitting next to me and asked me to guess how old the shoes worn by a fellow colleague who was delivering the speech on the stage.I answered those are the same shoes when this Dato' joined JKR more two decades ago!

Before I detour too far our from the topic,I must say that Clark design fits my personal profile and feet very well.It is very 'conservative' and really not much fashion to talk about but I enjoy wearing them..{If you are from Clark company,please take note of my free advertisement here and don't forget to give me 30% discount for next purchase}

The second reason is the coming Hari Raya.Well, that is self- explanatory.

One of the reasons why I took this photo was to experiment on how to take better photos of ordinary things,ex shoes.How to make ordinary thing looks extra-ordinary!So,professional photographers out there,please forgive my shortfalls and kindly offer constructive comments so that I could improve my photography.Thanks.

Man bag?

Ladies always carry their hand bags.This question is only for men.Do you carry a man bag?
Click here to see what is a man bag.

The reason I am asking is that I just noticed it has become a fashion among celebrities like David Beckham to carry one.I am no celebrities but I found it convenient for me to carry one to put my reading materials like book,a compact camera, my PDA and iPod,my Treo smartphones and two moleskine notebooks.By the way, I have been using this type of bag for more than 5 years.The branded ones can cost more than one thousand ringgit but mine is a cheap one I bought at a duty free shop at Zon,Stulang Laut,Johore Bharu for RM 75! Below is the photo.

Interested to see more beautiful bags? Click here.Here is a link to Buyers Guide on how to buy a man bag.

Baju Melayu

Before the last school holidays,I have to make a few pairs of baju Melayu in order to attend a few weddings last month and this month.Now is the period when my peers (those in the 50's) are having "kenduri kahwin" for their sons and daughters.My turn may come in not too distant future.

I have noticed a lot of 'pembaziran' while  attending wedding functions at hotels,coummunity halls,mosques and individual house.I don't  see the reason why we need to spend so much money and effort .Some have gone over board and even borrowed money.Moderation is the word! As a father,I prefer to give the money(if I have) to my son to pay for a deposit for his new home than wasted  paying for unnecessary events. The cost of a wedding function at a hotel is nothing less RM100,000!IMHO, it is still 'pembaziran' even though the person can afford to pay for it.

Coming back to the topic( I got diverted for a while),I observed that Malays in a few states really make an effort to wear their 'baju Melayu' when they go to Friday prayers.My son also has to wear 'baju Melayu' when he goes to school on Friday.I think I should emulate this culture of 'pakaian beradat dan beradab' especially on Fridays.

Comfortable shoes

I always look for comfortable shoes either for business or leisure wear. The above cost about RM 250 per pair. I have yet to select which one? Most of the time, I prefer just to wear sandals as reflected in the mirror.

I have written two notes on shoes.One was about a friend who buys onlyGucci shoes;and the other when someone stole my shoes.

Any suggestion for comfortable shoes?