Contrautime August

Inspirational Travel 1

THE CON TRÂU TIMESIssue 8 - August - 2012

2 Inspirational Travel

THE CON TRÂU TIMES

Table of Contents

Tip of the monthSometimes in your life you have to leave some precious things not because you don’t deserve it but because you deserves something better than that and it’s just like creating space for some bigger and much better things waiting for you

in your life ahead.Unknown author

PublisherHr Department

DesignerBui Minh Tan

Staff WritersNguyen Duc HanhDinh Doan Trang

Trieu Thi NgaLuu Trung KienHuyen Phuong

Bao NgocDo Huu Tuan

Nguyen Minh TriTassin Tinnarom

Nguyen Thi Thanh Truc

EditorBev TaylorRay Petts

Customers’s contributionWim Moonen

Ms. Karoline Cacilie Mr. David Akhvledian

Credits1. Joining and Leaving Buffalo Family2. Buffalo Tours Promotion3. Staffs of the month4. Recruitment News5. 12 years of continuously winning at The Guide Awards6. Medical Trek – A meaningful event7. “WOW” experience in Saigon Office8. A wonderful Cambodia Inspection Trip9. Part time Guide Training 10. Guide training in BT Thailand11. IVIVU Summer Talks12. Guests’ Feedback13. Business Tips14. Birthdays and Anniversaries of September


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Joining Buffalo tours

Leaving us

LE Anh Thu – OPErATiOn ExECuTivE ( TrAnSPOrT) Hello everyone, my name is Anh Thu, 24 year-old. I’m very happy that

from 01st August, I have joined the Buffalo Tours as an Operation Executive, focus on transportation. This is not only a very exciting

time for me, but also a new challenge, new phrase in my career. Good working environment, friendly colleagues, attractive benefits, training opportunities. ..Every day gone, I’ve learned more and loved more my

job. It’s a combination of a lot of things that I really enjoy doing (arrang-ing services, satisfy customers working with suppliers, creating new

products…). This job is one where I can work hard and play hard also. Nothing is certain in life and nothing is ever handed to you. Hard work,

drive, guts, being smart and a healthy dose of luck are all essential in this world.

nguyEn Thi Kim TuyEn – DATA inPuT ExECuTivE – SAi gOn OffiCE

Hello everyone, my name is Kim Tuyen, 21 year-old, and I’m an inquisi-tive, active, progressive spirit, extrovert. With the thought “Nothing is impossible” and always ready to learn new experiences from my col-

leagues. I’m very happy that from 27th August, I have joined the Buffalo Tours as a IT Support Executive.

I do hope that gradually I will get to know you more and be able to contribute more to the success of Buffalo Tours!

mS. ATChArASuriyA (nui) – BT ThAiLAnD had worked as a Operations executive from 6th December 2011 until

27th of July 2012.

mS. SirirAT PAKDEErAK (Tum) – BT ThAiLAnD had worked as a Purchasing executive from 7th November 2011 until

2nd August 2012

We all will keep good memories which they gave us and wish them to suc-cess in their life after leaving BT.


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Buffalo tours promotion

and change role

ms. ha Thi hue:

Ha Thi Hue has been with Buffalo Tours since July of 2006 and she worked in a busy sales team servicing UK trade clients. The main challenge in this role is the time difference between Vietnam and UK and 24 hour turnaround time seems like a daunting task. Anyway, Hue’s willingness to stay that extra hour each day until all tasks for the day are finished is one specific example of her giving 110%. Moreover, over the last 6 months Hue really stepped up and cov-ered much of the workload and provided great support to other team members. Hue’s consistently cheerful and helpful attitudes are infectious to everyone and making it a very fun and enjoyable ex-perience for all. Through the passenger feedback, it is highly evident that Hue’s exemplary customer service is greatly appreciated by our travel agents and customers.

I would also like to extend my personal congratulations to Hue in her new excit-ing role of International Business Devel-opment Executive. Her hard work and all the extra effort that she has put forth has not gone unnoticed. Once again I want to thank her for the extraordinary effort, and hope that Hue continues putting in the hard work ever since she began working here and excel in her new role. Things will not be the same without Hue in UK Agent Sales team (a lot quieterJ). Our loss is IBD’s gain.

( By Tran Gia Bach– GR manager)

mr. nguyen Song Tung:

Nguyen Song Tung will be joining UK Agent Sales team on 30th August 2012 in the position of UK Agent Sales Execu-tive. He has been working on Buffalo Tours Online sales team for over 4 years. He brings with him years of experience in travel industry, excellent customer ser-vice and product knowledge. It would be sure that Tung will excel in the new role.


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and change role Staff of the month

mS. PhAm vAn TrAng – uK AgEnT SALE ExECuTivETrang is hard working and pleasant and doesn’t ever seem to complain

about workload or staying late.Her positive attitude is so welcomed by our London sales team – This

isn’t to say the rest of the team aren’t brilliant but she has been consis-tently a shining star.

mS. PhAm KhAnh Ly – OnLinE SALES ExECuTivE Ly just got a big booking with over 60K and also exceed her individual

target. She is good in following up with clients for the old quote and good customer service for clients is on tour. Moreover, she has a good

team work, always willing to help new staff and support on training new staff as well

mS. Amy SCOTT – SALES COnSuLTAnT in BT AuSTrALiALShe achieved an amazing $120K of new sales for month of July

• She is reliable, consistent and hard working• She is great at using her initiative to research new areas, design new

itineraries and teach herself about new destinations• She has been very helpful in implementing the new CRM


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group Training manager Assistant – hanoi Office (01)Develop and conduct training programs for Buffalo Tours (Hanoi and Saigon), iVIVU, Cholon Tours and Mai Chau Lodge (Brands to be added more based on the business growth)

• A degree or BA or Teaching Diploma is a must• Fluent English and mother language (spoken and written)

• Delivery Skills in training• Worked in the Training field as Training Executive or Coordinator level at least two years.

• Working background in International five-star Hotel, Travel industry or Retail-Consumer-related function is preferable / an advantage.

group Outbound manager - Sai gon Branch (01) To set up the Outbound Sales Team, work process, products, website…to become an independent divi-sion in organizing outbound tours

• Vietnamese age from 25-40 • University graduate degree in tourism or hospitality

• At-least 5 years of sales management experience, preferably in the field of tourism, hospitality or airlines • Fluent in English. Other language is a plus

Language intern – hanoi Office (01)To assist with the marketing and sales of Buffalo Tours for German- French and Spanish speaking markets. German intern required to start immediately, French and Spanish positions will also be available around March 2013

• Native German – French – Spanish speaker • Student studying a degree or diploma in Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Marketing or Business Management

Sales manager - hanoi Office (01)The Sales Manager is responsible in the Hanoi area for increasing BTA brand awareness, identifying new opportunities and increasing sales while enlarging the range of outbound products offered by BTA.

• University graduate degree in tourism or hospitality • At-least 5 years of sales management experience, preferably in the field of tourism, hospitality or airlines

Recruitment news:


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The moment that Mrs. Pascale Herry, on behalf of Buffalo Tours, received the Plaque and Certificate of Excellence at the 13rd Annual Guide Awards

(2011-2012) Ceremony on 18 August, 2012 marked 12 continuous years of Buffalo Tours winning this presti-gious award.

Founded in 1999 by The Guide Magazine (one of the publications of The Vietnam Economic Times), The Guide Awards have been granted annually to en-terprises, companies, organizations, individuals and localities throughout Vietnam greatly contributing to the development of Vietnam’s tourism. The awards are judged by a selection of tourism professionals and the Vietnam Economic Times readers’ polls. As a result,

The Guide Awards have become prominent and highly appreciated by tourism enterprises and State agencies. The Guide Awards 2011-2012 honored 120 enterpris-es working in the tourism industry, including 29 hotels, 34 resorts, 8 apartments renting companies (3-5 stars); 25 restaurants/ bars/ cafés, 10 health care and beauty stations, 10 tours and transport companies; and 4 sport and entertainment enterprises. Buffalo Tours was honored as the leading Tour Operator and Destination Management Company in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.

Please join us in celebrating this good news!

Nguyen Thi Duc Hanh - Marketing Assistant

12 years of continuously winning

at The Guide Awards


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Medical Trek

A meaningful event

It has been 6 years consecutive the Village Trek was held. Yet to its participants as Buffalo Tours and Seattle Community Colleges, this challenge never seems to be tiring. More than 30 people, despite the differences in cultures, nationalities and weather, which changing every day, together trek and work side by side in a new area with new people, new faces and friendly, no mat-ter still tentative, new smiles.

From the first day hectic with all kind of logistics to prepare for the trip until the last night farewell with the


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best dancing show ever in Vietnam Village Trek history, bonds was formed not just among the team but also between the team and the community. During this period, we can proudly state that the team was able to provide medical assistance and treat over 900 patients from Na Bai and Phu Mau villages in Moc Chau, Son La. Our heartfelt thanks goes to everyone who volun-teered their time and we look forward to next year’s village trek and witnessing the positive impact of our work has had on these local communities.

By Nga Trieu – VET Executive


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experience in Saigon offi

ce“WOW” fi


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experience in Saigon offi

ce

Over 8 hours we spend at office in everyday. It makes office and colleagues become the second

home and family. That’s why mission for Admin team is to do something new in this place. And we did it, not only fresh

& difference but also “WOW” experience to everyone. Let see what we have done here.

Department direction sign: to show where departments you are looking for. We usually explain to guests that it is urban planning. And of course

after planning, the land and property (guys) enclosed would be more value .

Events dashboard: regularly update group activities or events of Saigon staff. It stands at Relax corner to remind us funniest moments. This summer,

our topic is Company trip to Siem Reap.

Personal name tag: to show name and personal style. Suppose that you visit this office someday and wish to say hello with whose always be lovely via skype/email. Just look around, it’s easy to

find their name and make surprise.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Truc - Assistant Branch Manager


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A wonderful

Cambodia Inspection Trip

Le Hang and I were in Cambodia from 9 – 15 Aug for inspection trip of hotels and touring around Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The trip is to enhance our knowledge of the destinations as we never been to

Cambodia before.

We spent 2 nights in Phnom Penh for sightseeing. Our guide – Dara was outstanding giving us advise, help and explained lot of things to us. He has massive information about history of not only Cambodia but also Vietnam.

We were heading to Siem Reap for 4 nights stay. Long drive for 6 hrs. We stop half way at Kampong Thom for break, run quickly to inspect the Sambo Village without having our lunch. The Lodge is located at a nice, quiet and peaceful villages, big swimming pool. The sales manager was kindly arranged some fruits for us to eat on the bus. Lucky we survived J. We reached Siem Reap at around 3pm, met our guide and quickly go for Tonle Sap boat trip. The scenery are very similar like what we have down Mekong area in the South. Nothing impressive us on our first day in Siem Reap.

The second day, we started our Angkor Wat tour. Angkor Wat exceeded expectations, incredible place to see mag-nificent temples and buildings keeping their intricate stone carving and architecture almost intact despite the ravages of time and jungle. Lot of photos we took. Before we left the county, we had time to catch up with Cambodia team for lunch. The foods was great, taste similar like Vietnamese food and we have no trouble getting famil-iar with Cambodia food.

In general, we had great experience while we were in Cam-bodia. We hope come back again soon.

By Ms. Doan Trang – Agent Sales Team Leader


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rt tim

e Guid

e Trai

ning

Guide Training

in BT Thailand

Cambodia Inspection Trip

First Aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Training Session was held with 25 tour leaders,

guides and office representatives. Training session to provide new knowledge and recap knowledge of first aid process and especially CPR. This was a good

kickoff to the high season in July / August which have seen many FOX guests coming to Thailand during their summer holiday and traditional high season.

We hired the Medic Training Team from Samitivej Hospital. It was successful training as all participants

got more confidence dealing with unexpected inci-dents and giving life supporting first aid.

By Tassin Tinnarom – BT Thailand

Following the success of the first Guide Training in May, 2012 and to enhance the training experience, Opera-

tions Hanoi has conducted another Guide Training for frequent part time guides to foster their understanding

about Buffalotours. The training, held in two days 9th and 10th Aug, mainly focused on the most important guiding

areas such company core values, safety on the tour, pre tour briefing, presentation skill, compliance to guide policy and other essential skills required to run a successful tour. There attended

eleven frequent guides so the course was designed to involve all guides’ participation in discussion, exchanging ideas and

sharing knowledge.Feedback from guides after the course is very positive. They

really enjoyed and appreciated the training as it has been a good chance to share with other fellows what they

have experienced in the job and also improve their own skills.

We believe the course will soon positively result on the guides’ performance, their understanding

about Buffalotours and most importantly the customers’ satisfaction.

By Kien Luu


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Thien minh group and ivivu ‘s talkshow

We are Tuan and Tri, interning in Sales & Marketing at iVIVU. During this summer, we also participated in the program SEO-IIV 2012 (Sponsors for Education Opportunities – Interns in Vietnam 2012) with 25 other students studying locally and abroad (U.S, U.K, Singapore) to engage in various training seminars and community services. On 6th August, 2012, with interns from Thien Minh Group, we helped to organize a talkshow and invited special speakers in management board such as: Mr. Cong Nguyen (CTO Thien Minh), Ms. Tania Koesten (Director Op-eration of Victoria Group), Ms. Hang Do (CEO of iVIVU), and Ms. Trang Dinh (CDO of Thien Minh) to share about the vision, history, and career opportunities at Thien Minh Group to young and bright students from SEO-IIV. We are making a lot of effort to increase the visibility of iVIVU so that more people would use our service when booking hotel online.

how to enhance your sales skills?

On 3-4 Aug, BT organized the Sale course which focus on how to en-hancing staff’s selling skill. This course was delivered with the support of Dale Carnegie trainer - Mr. Le Tan Thao. And here is the feedback from one of the participants:

I am Ngoc - Product Manager of iVIVU.com.

Last month, I had a opportunity to attend the very useful course offered by my company. The training was full of exciting lessons and provided useful knowledge which a sales staff like me so need it. I would like to give my BIG thanks to Mr. Le Tan Thao, a great lecturer. With a lot of role-play sessions & practicing, I got myself a massive improved after the cost. Not to forget to mention the greatest lesson that learnt from this course: I learnt how to step out of my safe zone.

However, we can’t never make it to the reality without the enhance-ment of our CEO - Ms. Do Thi Thuy Hang. She together joined the course with me and has given a lot of effort to gain as much as knowledge with the wish that she could transfer it all to her staffs. Anh eventually, iVIVU staff also were given a short training by Ms, Hang at our humble small office few days after that.

Once again, thank you for everything that company have brought me.By Huyen Phuong – Bao Ngoc – Huu Tuan & Minh Tri --- IVIVU

talksivivu summer


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Feedback on what our staff members have been doing

Dear Supawadee,I promised to send you an email when I would be at home again.Everything went very smoothly to get on the plane both in Phuket and Bangkok and to get off the plane again in Amsterdam.

Thank you again very much for your help to arrange all this. And especially for the nice and warm way you did all this. You made me feel special…Also my wife was very happy with all the help we got. My leg is slowly getting better… but it may take some time to get it fit enough again to run 100 m in 10 seconds..

P.S.: To be sure you remember the right person; I attached a picture of meMy wife made shots of me in the Phuket Bangkok Hospital, but forgot to make a picture of you. Can you please send me one?Thanks again…

With kind regards,WimWim Moonen, directorMowa Consult B.V.+ CGD B.V.Postbus 1085,3330 CB Zwijndrecht

“Guides Nguyen Dang Tinh, Ngo Tien Thanh have been exceptionally good tour guides. They were always helpful and forthcoming and knowledgeable of all the places we visited, the Mai Chau lodge and driver were both excellent. Above all, we think that our guides are excellent tour guides, excellent ambassador for Buffalotours and we will certainly recom-mend them and Buffalo Tours to our friend and relatives.Thank you for your amazing services, fantastic guides, so friendly and we learn lot from them.”

Ms. Karoline Cacilie Nader & Mr. David Akhvlediani


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Business Tip Stop

Wasting

Your Boss’s Time

It’s easy to complain about a manager who wastes time. It’s much harder to see how you might misuse that manager’s time. Here are three ways to minimize the impact you have on your supervisor’s tight schedule:

Self-delegate. Avoid requesting her intervention too often. If you or one of your direct reports can accomplish the task without your boss’s help, do it.

Present solutions, not problems. Don’t bring problems to your boss to solve. Instead, bring proposed solutions, and seek her feedback.

Accommodate her working style. For example, if she prefers to receive information in writing rather than in person, honor those preferences even if it’s not your style.


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Luu hai minhLuu Thao LyPhan my hanhha Thi hueTran xuan QuynhTran Thi Thanh Thaonguyen Dang Thuy Trangnguyen Thi Thuy vanParintr mateveravongnguyen Duc hanhnguyen Thi vanvo nguyen hoan ngoc ThuyDo Thi huongDinh van Thieunguyen Lam Thy Pham Thanh TrangTruong Quang vinhPham minh huongnguyen Song TungPham hong LongSarayuth ToasingTrinh minh haonguyen Thanh huongSasima Pianskool

1-Sep3-Sep4-Sep8-Sep8-Sep8-Sep8-Sep8-Sep8-Sep9-Sep9-Sep10-Sep10-Sep12-Sep12-Sep15-Sep15-Sep17-Sep17-Sep17-Sep18-Sep22-Sep25-Sep28-Sep

Chief AccountantOperation ExecutiveGIT ExecutiveIBDEGIT ExecutiveTicketing ManagerBTA Travel ConsultantGeneral AccountantAirport RepresentativeTour LeaderGerman Sales ExecutiveTravel Agency ManagerGeneral Accountantoperation ExecutiveOperation SupervisorAccountantTE DriverAccount payableGIT Executive TE DriverReservations ExecutiveOnline Sales ExecutiveOperation Executive ( Transport)Reservations Team Leader

Birthdays:

Birthdays Anniversaries&

Do Thi huongnguyen van BachBui Thi haovu minh hieunguyen Phuong Thuyhuynh Thi Thu menLe Thi QuyenTrang Kim Tuongnataphac nakmee Boualavong vOngmiSAy netchanok Sinnong

04 years in service01 year in service08 years in service08 years in service02 years in service04 years in service01 year in service04 years in service03 years in service08 years in service01 year in service

AccountantLegal AssistantGR ExecutiveAgent Sales Team LeaderMKT AssistantBTA Travel ConsultantBTA Travel ConsultantBranch ManagerOperations Team LeaderSenior GuideSales Executive

Anniversaries:

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