EXPECTATIONS (:

I hope that after paying these two companies a visit, I will learn more about the following:

1. how do these companies operate in general
2. how do they manage to innovate new products
3. what led them to innovating new products
4. how do they actually put their ideas to actions
5. working enviornement which enabled them to be so dedicated to their work and resulted in their success

IMPRESSION MATTERS!!!!!

BEFORE

Before I researched on Qioptiq and 3M, I had 0% knowledge of these two companies. I had never heard of these two companies at all in my life. I was wondering how famous could these two companies be if I didnt even heard of them before. I even thought that these two companies wouldn't have much achievements. I was even afraid that I will not benefit much from visiting these two companies.

AFTER

However, after I had researched on these two companies, my impression had a 180 degree change!!! The two companies basically WOW-ed me!!! I didn't expect Qioptiq to design and manufactures photonic products and solutions that serve a wide range of markets and applications in the areas of medical and life sciences, industrial manufacturing, defense and aerospace, and research and development. And, I also didn't expect 3M to be a diversified technology company serving customers and communities with innovative products and services. Hence, after the research, I am very amazed by these two companies and look forward to visiting them.

WOW & un-wow

Both Qioptiq and 3M wow and un-wow me in different areas.

Qioptiq wow me in aspects they deal with. When I first logged on to their website, www.qioptiq.com, I was impressed and captured by the 4 pictures there, stating the 4 different aspects they deal with. I was shocked at the fact that Qioptiq has the abiltiy to be involved in these 4 big sectors as not many companies have the resources and financial ability to do so. An example will be for the medical and life sciences, they provide a cost-effective and reliable optical solution, comprising many different types of appliances for the various forms of medical treatment. Qioptiq basically cater to all kinds of needs in the 4 different fields. However, what un-wow me is that Qioptiq has nothing to un-wow me! I feel that Qioptiq is such an awesome company whose mission is to design, develop and manufacture products and solutions for their extensive customer base. Their skilled employees and professional managers are committed to offering a world-class service in photonics. I am totally awed by Qioptiq! Hope that Qioptiq will WOW me even more when I visit their company!

For 3M, they wow me in the many different fields they are involved in. 3M creates as so many new products to help us in our daily life. 3M serves a multitude of consumer and industrial markets and is a market leader in many of these markets, which include electronics, oil and gas, shipbuilding, automotive aftermarket, construction, health care, semiconductor, aerospace, and consumer markets. Without 3M, our life will be much more troublesome and inconvenient. In short, 3M had invented new products, bringing convenience to us. What un-wow me is the first impression of the 3M website as compared to Qioptiq, 3M is not as organised and is more messy, perhaps due to the greater range of products they have. As such, I was confused on how to navigate at the starting. But afterall, I am still WOW-ed by both companies.

Overview of Qioptiq & 3M

Qioptiq

• designs and manufactures photonic products and solutions that serve a wide range of markets and applications
• deals with medical & life sciences, industrial manufacturing, defense & aerospace and research & development
• uses the microscopy and DNA sqeuencing principle for their bio-tech and life sciences sectors

3M

• creates new products and solutions for the challenges and opportunties we face
• deals with a wide range of areas such as: display & graphics, manufacturing & industry, electronics, electrical & communications, office, safety & security & protection, health care, transportation industry and home & leisure.
• uses the principle of everyday challenges and problems to create solutions

All the aspects that Qioptiq deals with interests me and I am really curious to know more about how do they design and manufacture these products in these 4 different areas. Qioptiq focuses more on the technology side and it will be very enriching for me to find out how the different deparments operate. Regarding to 3M, they deal with stuff that are simpler in a sense that the things they create are what most people will use in their daily life. This will give me an insight of how 3M solve the problems and challenges we face in our daily life through creating new products. I am glad that I had chosen the right cluster as these are what i am looking out for.

ME, MYSELF & I

Hey! I am Ng Yong Hong (24) from 2A3! I guess some of you will know who I am already. However for the benefits of those who do not know, I shall give a brief introduction of myself before I proceed on.

Basically, I am from Track & Field and my event is Javelin. I achieved a third placing in the recent Track & Field Nationals Championships 2011. I like to train in the gym, play basketball, badminton, table tennis and bowl. I like to read chinese martial novels and watch action, violent movies or comedies.

Personally, I have interest in chemistry, biology, physics and biculture. I decided to join SMTP instead of BSP as I feel that I will be able to achieve much more in SMTP compared to BSP. Now, I am pondering over should I join CSE or IPSP as I am afraid that I cannot cope with the stress and the amount of work and whether I have the ability to balance school work, CCA and personal life. As I am from t&f, my trainings are rather frequent and intense. However, thats not an exuse for myself to not further enrich my learning experience by going to CSE. As such, I think I will join SMTP CSE if possible as I had attained a msg of 1.33

I am a talkative boy and always participate enthusiastically in class. I always remain optimistic and cheerful even in times of crisis. I believe in the chinese quote, " 忍一时，风平浪静。退一步，海阔天空。“ People always want to win others even in a trivial matter. If we could just give in a bit, then everything will be fine.

Regarding my future, I hope I will form a healthy and happy family and achieve my dream in life.