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Global Times: Xi’s letter to lecturers in Shanghai inspires silver generation to contribute to city building

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BEIJING, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On a sunny afternoon in early November, the warm sunlight pours into a solarium by the Huangpu River in downtown Shanghai. Huang Baomei and several other senior citizens gather around a table, excitedly reading a special letter together.

A day earlier, they received a letter from President Xi Jinping, after writing a letter to him weeks before to share their experiences and thoughts of providing free lectures to local residents in recent years as members of “Laoyangshu,” or “Old Poplar,” a grassroots lecture program in Shanghai consisting of retired officials, military officers, experts, teachers, and role models.

In his reply to the “Old Poplar” members, Xi praised the initiative as a meaningful approach to recount historical events, explain the Party’s new theories, and share the positive changes in the city with residents by blending the lecture content with the lecturers’ personal experiences.

Underlining the principle that cities should be built by the people and for the people, Xi called on the members of the program to inspire more people to embrace and implement the concept of a people-oriented city, the Xinhua News Agency reported. 

“Xi’s letter has given us tremendous encouragement and strength,” Huang told the Global Times with a big smile on her face.

“Even though I’m not young anymore, I never find delivering lectures tiring,” she said. “Instead, sharing the positive changes that have happened, and are happening, in Shanghai and China with my personal experiences, brings me great joy.”

Simplify the profound

With her straight posture and quick reflexes, Huang appears much younger than her actual age of 93. This elegant and energetic elderly lady was selected as China’s first generation of “model workers” in the 1950s as a textile worker, and was awarded the “July 1st Medal” – a top medal for lifelong contribution – by President Xi in 2021. She has been a role model for her dedication and professionalism for generations. 

Huang worked for 42 years at a textile factory in Shanghai. Now, as one of the eldest members of the “Old Poplar,” she passionately engages with residential communities, enterprises, and schools, sharing stories about China’s development with young people.

“At my busiest, I gave three lectures in a day, each lasting two hours, and the audience would give me a thumbs up,” Huang said proudly.

Development is a grand topic. Instead of discussing abstract concepts, Huang often shares her personal experiences filled with vivid and encouraging moments.

“When I worked in the textile factory, I tried many methods to improve efficiency and yield,” Huang told the audience that she made a lot of effort in optimizing the work process, and later successfully doubled the efficiency to simultaneously operate 800 spindles alone. Inspired by Huang’s talent and endeavor, the spinners at the local factory produced nearly half of China’s cotton cloth in the 1950s, a manufacturing miracle by then. 

Moreover, Huang once had an opportunity to become a movie star, but she rejected. “Spinning is my specialty and life career,” she said.

Huang’s heartfelt narrations embody the dedication and relentless spirit of the older Chinese generation, and vividly represent the past decades of rapid development in the country, which have resonated deeply with many in the audience. “As long as my health permits, I will continue to try hard to inspire more people, especially the young ones, in ways that they like,” Huang told the Global Times.

Similarly, 75-year-old Hu Jun, another “Old Poplar” member, is also good at using relatable details to explain macro policies in methods that resonate with the public.

The “Old Poplar” program mainly targets residents of Shanghai’s downtown Yangpu district. When discussing China’s industrial restructuring, Hu used Yangpu as an example to illustrate how this cradle of modern Chinese industry has continuously adapted its industrial structure to keep pace with the times.

“Yangpu was once known as the ‘golden belt’ of industry. After China’s reform and opening-up in the late 1970s, it became the ‘Rust Belt.’ Now, through years of industrial upgrading, Yangpu has transformed into the ‘beautiful belt,’ evolving into a green and livable community,” said Hu.

Hu was an official in the Yangpu district government before retirement. He expressed his excitement and enthusiasm upon receiving the reply letter from Xi, saying it reflects the president’s great expectations for grassroots retired officials and his affirmation of Shanghai’s urban construction.

“Even though I am retired, I will continue to serve as a promoter and practitioner of constructing a people-oriented city.”

Both teachers and friends

The “Old Poplar” members have conducted more than 2,600 free lectures over the last five years. They not only do well in vividly explaining macro topics, but are also good at sharing relatable life experiences tailored to audiences of different ages, becoming both teachers and friends to local residents.

Li Peirong, 75, used to work in a local township-level subdistrict before retiring, from which she gained rich experience dealing with the elderly. Now as an “Old Poplar” member, Li’s lecturers are mainly for senior citizens, whom she teaches how to use electronics such as smartphones. “Most of my elderly audience members have learned how to use [smartphones],” she said.

Li also promotes knowledge about electronic fraud prevention in her lectures. “We want to help more elderly people bridge the digital divide, and enjoy the benefits of modern technology.”

She said that receiving the reply from Xi makes her very proud, and further appreciates the significance of what she and other “Old Poplar” members are doing. “I never feel old,” she told the Global Times. “Even in retirement, we can continue to harness the power of our ‘silver generation’ in contributing to society.”

For young audiences, the “Old Poplar” has also made many efforts to prepare its lectures.

As former chairman of the board of supervisors of a technological innovation enterprise, 64-year-old Xin Peihua now mainly engages with young people through the “Old Poplar” program, giving lectures at internet companies.

Xin said she usually keeps her lectures to about half an hour, considering that most young people have busy work schedules. During and after the lectures, she talks with the young employees about work-related stress and their anxieties regarding potential layoffs, much like a caring senior family member. “Now when they’re feeling confused, they sometimes come to me to share their concerns and seek advice,” Xin told the Global Times.

Xin also regularly talks with the new couples at Yangpu’s marriage registries, sharing with them experiences of getting along with spouses and in-laws, maintaining marriage, and building a happy family. These small talks are so popular, that some new couples from other districts choose to register their marriages at Yangpu, said Xin.

She said that receiving a reply from President Xi is a “supreme honor” to her. “I want to serve as a flourishing old poplar, contributing my strength to the joint effort of building a beautiful city for the people, and creating a happy and fulfilling life together.”

Attract the young

The “Old Poplar” program was established in 2020, following Xi’s inspection trip to Shanghai the previous year.

In November 2019, during his visit to the city, Xi proposed the concept that “the cities are built by the people and are for the people,” and has issued several important directives regarding the construction of a people-oriented city in Shanghai. 

During that visit, Xi met Huang and encouraged her to further share her experiences with the young people, to strengthen their confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Inspired by Xi’s words, Yangpu district established the “Old Poplar” program to share with the public the Party’s stories and promote the spirit of Shanghai city. The program has gathered over 300 retired senior citizens who are well-versed in theory, skilled in public speaking, and eager to contribute as volunteer lecturers, according to Deng Qing, head of the Bureau of Retired Veteran Cadres of the CPC Yangpu District Committee, which built the program.

To date, the “Old Poplar” has had a cumulative audience of more than 280,000. How to make young people interested in this format of lectures, and enjoy listening to the stories shared by these “grandpas” and “grandmas,” have been topics that the “Old Poplar” keeps considering.

To attract a Gen Z audience, the program has created accounts on popular video platforms like Bilibili, inviting its members to host livestream lectures. “A Huang lecture, for example, attracted 5,000 viewers during the live broadcast, with a total of over 50,000 views for the replay,” Deng told the Global Times.

The engaging and diverse lectures have been well received by the younger audience. Xu Yifan, a staffer at a Shanghai-based internet enterprise, said he has watched livestream and videos of “Old Poplar” lectures on Bilibili, and felt the deep love of the elderly lecturers for Shanghai and China.

“Their lectures convey knowledge but also power to us, strengthening our young generation’s aspirations for the future, and encouraging us to actively participate in the development of a people-oriented city,” Xu told the Global Times.

Cheng Yunuo is a fifth-grader at a primary school in Yangpu. She has attended many lectures held by the “Old Poplar” at her school. 

“The experiences and insights of the older generation have made me deeply realize that, as a Chinese teenager in the new era, I have a responsibility to study hard and continuously improve my knowledge and skills,” Cheng said.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202411/1323005.shtml

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SOURCE Global Times

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Tabono Capital Announces Strategic Partnership with Invesco to Deliver Enhanced Investment Solutions for UHNW Clients

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SINGAPORE, Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Tabono Capital today has announced a strategic partnership with Invesco that enhances investment solutions for ultra-high-net-worth clients.

Tabono Capital, a multi-family office based in Singapore, collaborates with Invesco, a global investment management leader with over US$1.7 trillion in assets under management. This partnership merges Invesco’s institutional-grade investment expertise, cutting-edge portfolio solutions, and comprehensive research capabilities with Tabono Capital’s strong relationships with ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families across the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions.

This collaboration enables Tabono Capital’s clients to benefit from the extensive resources and scale of Invesco’s capabilities. For Invesco, the partnership provides enhanced access to sophisticated investors in key growth markets.

Key elements of the partnership include:

Implementation and construction of model portfolios and asset allocation frameworksAccess to institutional-grade investment research and comprehensive market insights for UHNW clientsKnowledge sharing and collaboration on market intelligence and investor insights

Nirish Unni, CEO & Co-Founder of Tabono Capital, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “This partnership represents a significant milestone in our growth strategy. By leveraging Invesco’s world-class investment research and asset allocation capabilities, we can provide our clients with institutional-grade investment solutions while maintaining the personalized service they expect from a boutique multi-family office.”

Santosh Rao, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Tabono Capital, added: “Our clients increasingly seek institutional-quality investment solutions with global reach. This collaboration with Invesco allows us to deliver exactly that, while maintaining our personalised approach to client service. Together, we will create portfolios designed to capture opportunities in key global markets while effectively managing risk.”

Christopher Hamilton, Asia Pacific Head of Client Solutions for Invesco, stated: “We’re proud to partner with Tabono Capital to bring our industry-leading offerings and capabilities to Asia’s expanding family office and UHNW segment. This is a compelling platform for investors to access comprehensive strategies that can help them meet their financial goals.”

About Tabono Capital

Tabono Capital is a multi-family office headquartered in Singapore, licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to provide Fund Management services. Co-founded by industry veterans and former private wealth managers Nirish Unni and Santosh Rao, the firm caters to ultra-high-net-worth families across the Asia Pacific and MENA regions, offering comprehensive wealth management and family office solutions. For more information, visit https://tabonocapital.com

Contact: team@tabonocapital.com

About Invesco

Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ) is a global independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life. With offices in more than 20 countries, our distinctive investment teams deliver a comprehensive range of active, passive and alternative investment capabilities. For more information, visit www.invesco.com/corporate.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2566576/Tabono_Capital_Logo.jpg

 

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RedDrop Wins the $1 Million Dollar Grand Prize from Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition to Empower Period Care Innovation in Teen-Focused Wellness

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ATLANTA, Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — RedDrop, a rising star in the wellness industry for its innovative period care products for tweens, is proud to announce that it won the $1 Million Dollar Grand Prize from Black Ambition.

In 2020, Pharrell Williams founded the non-profit organization Black Ambition to support Black and Hispanic Entrepreneurs to fuel future founders. This year celebrates its 4th Annual Black Ambition Demo Day, where over 250 guests gathered to hear eight finalists’ pitches and celebrate the brilliance of Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. The event was supported by Visa, Comcast, Lennar Foundation, Louis Vuitton and Adidas. The panel of four judges, which included Lisa Price, Founder of Carol’s Daughter; Pinky Cole, Founder of Slutty Vegan; Matt Story, Vice President, Global Brand Integrated Marketing at Visa; and Erik Moore, Founder & Managing Director, Base Ventures determined the top winners to an enthusiastic audience.

As one of the few brands chosen for this highly competitive program, RedDrop will benefit from Black Ambition’s extensive mentorship network, funding, and resources to amplify Black and Hispanic founders and their brands. With a focus on providing personalized wellness solutions and empowering tween girls, RedDrop is excited to partner with industry leaders to scale its impact and reach new audiences. 

“We’re beyond thrilled to be the grand prize winners of this year’s Black Ambition Prize Competition! Having $1 million to invest in our business is life-changing and will give us opportunities to grow and continue to impact our community,” said Dr. Monica Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of RedDrop. “And while the prize money is great, the mentorship and network provided by Black Ambition is priceless and will allow us to open doors that were previously closed and to start building our own table so we can invite others to have a seat.”

One of Black Ambition’s key initiatives is to encourage and support Black and Hispanic founders with funding, mentorship, and network support as each founder develops their footprint in their industries. Black Ambition has awarded over $2.7 million to 30 trailblazing founders across AI, Consumer Products and Services, Healthcare, Media & Entertainment, and Tech. In addition to the $1 Million grand prize, RedDrop will have access to industry veterans, office hours with investors and senior leaders, exclusive invitations to retail partnership meetings, wellness and executive coaching, and more for the next six months. 

Through access to industry veterans, strategic insights, and capital support, RedDrop is poised to take its mission to new heights while promoting wellness solutions that resonate with diverse and underrepresented communities. RedDrop’s inclusion in the Black Ambition network marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey to revolutionize how tween girls connect with wellness products that align with their unique needs and values.

To connect and learn more about RedDrop, please visit www.tryreddrop.com. Follow us on  Instagram (@reddrop), Facebook (@reddropco), Youtube (@tryreddrop), X (@reddrop) and TikTok (@reddropco) to stay up to date with us.

About RedDrop
RedDrop is a wellness brand committed to creating inclusive and innovative period products for tween girls to feel their best during their new stage of life. With a focus on properly sized period products and education-backed solutions, RedDrop is revolutionizing the way consumers approach health, wellness, and self-care.

Media Contact
Sterling Jones
Marketing and Communications Specialist
media@reddrop.co
www.tryreddrop.com

Photos: Getty ImagesJason MendezBlack Ambition

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Chaaat.io to Release Bookingz, a Booking Personal Assistant to Streamline Appointment Scheduling

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HONG KONG, Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Chaaat.io, an emerging leader in providing user-friendly tools for customer acquisition, engagement, and retention, is excited to announce the launch of its latest feature: Bookingz.

Designed to deliver a seamless booking experience, Bookingz allows users to schedule appointments entirely through WhatsApp. This launch arrives at a time when businesses and individuals are increasingly seeking efficient ways to interact with customers on platforms they use daily, as communication channels like email are dwindling in performance. WhatsApp, with its 2 billion active users, has become a central communication hub for both individuals and businesses. Bookingz enables businesses of all sizes to offer efficient, convenient appointment booking directly through WhatsApp.

Simplifying Making Bookings

Bookingz transforms the customer journey in several key ways. Businesses that sign up with Bookingz can send a WhatsApp link to their customers, who can then experience a fully streamlined booking process that stays within WhatsApp, eliminating the friction of switching between apps or websites.

Bookingz manages the process on behalf of the business, eliminating the need for the business owner or representative to tediously go back and forth suggesting availabilities. Users can simply request availabilities and then confirm a booking, all from the safety of WhatsApp.

Bookingz also delivers a much higher click-through and booking rate than email. The platform leverages WhatsApp’s high open rates – roughly 80-90%, compared to the meager 5% standard open rates offered by email, to send reminders and follow-ups that customers are more likely to see, ensuring appointments are top-of-mind and helping avoid no-shows and last-minute cancellations.

Keeping things in one place

Beyond streamlining the booking process, Bookingz enhances customer engagement by staying within the familiar and trusted space of WhatsApp. This user experience approach increases booking rates by reducing the enormous friction that business owners will see with alternative booking solutions that force customers to download apps, sign up and/or log in.

End users can make a booking with businesses by sending a WhatsApp message, with the assistant guiding them through each step in real time. Whether booking an appointment, scheduling a consultation, or arranging a meeting, customers can request and secure bookings without leaving the app. For businesses, this user-friendly design requires no technical skills and can be launched with just a few clicks.

The Future of Customer Interaction

With the launch of Bookingz, Chaaat.io is setting a new standard for customer engagement and service. By simplifying the process of offering booking services through WhatsApp, Chaaat.io is reshaping the accessibility of booking automation. This democratization of business tools allows even the smallest companies to leverage advanced features and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

As businesses prioritize customer experience and seek personalized, convenient interactions, Chaaat.io‘s innovations are poised to influence how SMEs communicate with customers around the world. Bookingz is just one of many Chaaat.io features designed to help companies strengthen customer relationships, enhance engagement, and drive revenue growth.

In today’s evolving digital landscape, tools like Bookingz are essential for any modern, customer-focused business to keep up with modern customer behavior.

For more information or to join the wait list, contact James Hogan at support@chaaat.io

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