ELECTRONICS
Hi End Audio 84 Ho Tung Mau, D1 A standout that stocks the very latest and greatest in home entertainment. Retails in everything from giant plasmascreen TVs to audio equipment. Most top brands are available.
By Gary Woollacott
PEOPLE MATTER What Makes a Good Headhunter? What makes a good headhunter? Well, three words came to mind: curiosity; tenacity; and honesty. Let me explain each of them. Curiosity. We ask questions about what the client needs (as opposed to wants), what the candidate can and can’t do. If they fit the client, is the candidate misleading about the CV? We ask about the job, the organisation – its culture, style, reputation and so on. We explore the reporting line, working team (if any), responsibilities, opportunities for promotion and career growth, travel expectations, stakeholders, etc. We distill the information down to perhaps five essentials, without which a candidate won’t be considered. Then our process takes over where we assess all candidates out there against the brief, interview the most promising people and deliver a shortlist. We usually end up with a handful of interested and qualified (important word there) candidates from which to make our choice. I say qualified as, although most people rate themselves very highly, in truth only the top few per cent are in the top few per cent. The rest of us are the general workforce. It’s always good to know how good you really are! Tenacity kicks in when we hear that magic word, “no”. “No, I’m not interested in a move; No, I don’t care if your client has great career prospects; No, I don’t want to leave my job.” We hear that word onehundred times a day. Everybody
has a story and is somewhere on their life journey. Our challenge is to find those who are open to our siren song and respond positively. To do that, as I’ve said before, we have to kiss a lot of frogs to find our prince/ss. Just because quality people aren’t open to us right now doesn’t make them a bad candidate, or count them out of the running forever. Honesty is paramount. Part of our job is managing information, the interface between employers and candidates and, of course, we want to close the position, but we can’t do that without honesty. Changing jobs is not to be done without deliberation, and it’s incumbent upon us to treat the candidates with respect – they are making a big decision. Similarly, clients don’t just offer jobs to someone because they like them, or feel sorry for them. They do it because they think that person can move the organisation forward. It’s vital that we play our part, setting expectations honestly and clearly on both sides. It will only end badly if we don’t. If we don’t assess people honestly it could go wrong. Finally, because we are retained we don’t mind WHO gets the job – we know that one of our candidates will, so we don’t have to play favourites with them or influence the client. We just want them to hire the best candidate out of the highlyqualified and interested selection we have provided. Simple, right? As usual, if you have any ideas or questions for this column, let me know.
Gary Woollacott is an executive search consultant who works for Horton International in Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. He can be reached at +84 8 3910 7682 or via woollacott@hortoninternational.com.
66 AsiaLIFE HCMC
iDEAS Shopping Centre 133-141AB Cach Mang Thang Tam, D3 The largest of the electonics stores along the street, the three-storey iDEAS sells every type of electronic and home appliance imaginable. Offers proper warranties. Staff speaks some English. Future World 240 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3 Authorized reseller of Apple computers and products, as well as some off-brand items like headphones. Excellent service and English-speaking staff. Accepts credit cards. Nguyen Kim Shopping Centre 63-65 Tran Hung Dao, D1 Tel: 3821 1211 www.nguyenkim.com Stocks DVD/CD players, cameras, TVs, hi-fis and more from Sony, Sanyo, Panasonic, Philips and other major manufacturers. Also a good place to pick up electronic kitchen supplies like coffee makers and rice cookers, as well as large and small appliances, from hot water heaters to refrigerators. Phong Vu 125 Cach Mang Thang Tam, D1 Tel: 6290 8777 www.vitinphongvu.com Two-storey electronics store retails in international products conveniently grouped by brand. Carries computers, home audio, printers, hard drives and more, as well as a variety of mobile phones, handheld electronic devices and accessories. Savico 117 Ho Tung Mau, D1 Tel: 3821 7993 One-stop electronics and home appliance superstore. All products have a one to three-year warranty. Tech Street Huynh Thuc Khang Street between Ton That Dam and Nguyen Hue, D1 Sells compact discs, DVDs, electronic money counters, video games and systems, Discmans, mp3 players and portable DVD players.
FURNITURE
Appeal 41 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3821 5258 A small, upscale shop that offers modern accents for the sleek dining room. The colours of the over-sized vases and fruit bowls are either glistening red or lacquered black. AustinHome 42 Nguyen Dang Giai, D2 Tel: 3519 0023 Outstanding quality and style for your home. The shop says its products are hand-picked by an American furniture expert from the best factories in Vietnam. Upholstery, accessories, antiques and more.
Decosy 112 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 9917 Producer of a large selection of European styled furniture and interior fittings, specializing in wrought iron and patine (distressed) wood finishes. Also stocks a wide-range of decorative accessories, crockery and fixtures. Custom design services available upon request.
Esthetic 11 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh Tel: 3514 7371/7372 Fax: 3514 7370 esthetic@vnn.vn www.estheticfurnishing.com.vn Design and manufacture as order with a mixture of antique and modern furniture. Friendly staff speak excellent English. Furniture Street Ngo Gia Tu, D10 between Ly Thai To and Nguyen Chi Thanh Very affordable furniture can be found on this stretch: couches, mattresses, desks, chairs, etc. It often takes some looking to find a gem. A connected sidestreet, Ba Hat, features woodworkers’ shops. Gaya 6/39A Tran Nao Street 12, D2 Tel: 3740 6009 www.gayavietnam.com Gaya is re launching with new name at the new location featuring the work of foreign designers: furniture and lighting by Quasar Khanh, laquerware decor by Michele De Albert and other home accessories and outdoor furniture . Linh’s White 67 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 9863 Furniture shop that focuses on solid wood furniture and decorative items ranging from pillows and lamps to bedding. Also offers kids’ furniture and custom pieces. Mai Home 92 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 08 62 818 399 MaiHomeDecor.com Producer of fine lacquerware lamps and furniture, Mai Home combines modern design with the traditional art of Vietnamese lacquer to create tasteful and durable homewares. Also provides worldwide shipping and customisable designs. The Lost Art 31 Nguyen Cong Tru, D1 Tel: 3829 0134 Extensive product range as well as comprehensive interior design service, from initial conceptualization to design, manufacture and installation of unique products.
LEGAL
Allens Arthur Robinson Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3822 1717 www.vietnamlaws.com Australian law firm for law translation services and legal advice on foreign investment and business in Vietnam. Baker & McKenzie Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3829 5585 www.bakernet.com International law firm providing on-theground liaison and support services to clients interested in investigating, negotiating and implementing projects in Vietnam. Frasers International Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3824 2733 www.frasersvn.com Full service commercial law firm providing international and Vietnamese legal advice to both foreign and local clients specializing in transactions in Vietnam. Indochine Counsel Han Nam Building, 65 Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3823 9640 www.indochinecounsel.com Business law practitioners specializing in mergers & acquistions, inward investment, and securities & capital markets.