1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your CyberFair project?
Information technological devices we have used to complete the project included hardware, software and resources and timely assistance from others. In the hardware part, we used telephones and cellphones, digital camera and recording cameras, recorders and voice recorders, scanners, hard drives and flash drive, newspapers and magazines and of course computers. We relied heavily on the following software: Photoimpact12, Microsoft Word 2003, 2007, 2010, Adobe Dreamweaver CS4, IE7.0 Google Chrome, IE7.0 Google Chrome , Adobe Flash CS4 Professional, Adobe Fireworks CS4, Adobe Photoshop CS4, Microsoft Visual Basic 2003 and FileZilla. Without resources and assistance from other people, the project would not be complete. They were information and materials from the libraries, cooperation and assistance from Sanchyi Hair Chain Store Branches, questionnaire surveys, and in-depth Interviews.
2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your CyberFair project both on-line and in person.
At the beginning stage of collecting information, in addition to surfing the Internet, we also made our trips to both the headquarters and branches of Sanchyi and the libraries to search for necessary materials, making the completion of the project possible. Moreover, to get data different from what we’ve known from news releases and official web pages of Sanchyi, we carried out in-depth interviews, giving us a chance to better understand Ms. Shen and having further dialogues with designers and consumers. To strengthen the contents of our project and have a perception on the public’s understanding toward Sanchyi, we also dispersed questionnaires to the public and designers. The above research methods forced us to carry out our project outside school campus, giving us much more time to go outside, so that we could interact more frequently with employees of the headquarters and branches. Through interactions with people, things and objects, we harvested much knowledge unable to get from books, making the contents of the project much more readable. All the above activities rewarded a lot: much more people know of Sanchyi and have some idea of what we are doing.
3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?
Hopefully, through the web pages of our Cyberfair 2013 project, we could make data about hairdressing, such as types of hairstyle, hair quality and maintenance and related development of the hairdressing industry, known to local Taiwanese and foreigners as well. Our purpose is to make people know what hairstyle is most suitable for them, so that they can have clearer understanding to expand their viewpoints of the hairdressing industry, take good care of their appearances and improve their quality of life. What's more, we hope that everyone knows of an enterprise—Sanchyi Hair Chain Store—whose outside filled with stylish atmosphere and inside with the breath of humanity, always taking care of the fashion modeling for local Kaohsiung residents. Finally, we would be very thrilled if foreigners know of Sanchyi when surfing the Net and then come over to Taiwan to pay it a visit and experience the hospitality of Taiwanese people, making it known not only to local Taiwanese but also to people around the world.
4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?
First, when we took on the assignments and began our researches, we found it an impossible mission. Our parents scolded us because we spent too much in front of the computer, though finally they knew what we were doing and gave us some encouragement. Teachers wondered why we were always late for classes after the training sessions. After our explanation, they offered us their professional advice and support. Collecting information and necessary materials were tiresome and grueling, which were usually overcome from the librarians' timely assistance from inside and outside the school campus. What was more touching was the occasions when we handed out the questionnaire copies asking for the passersby to fill in. Though few refused contemptuously, most people did fill in the copies for us. Some even gave us their suggestions about doing a project. Wow! What wonderful people! Staff in Sanchyi's various branches taught us how to become professional hairdressers. The shampooing and rinsing hair have a touch of expertise. Experiencing being a 'one-day' store manager made us know that running a business is never easy. In all, the completion of this project owes all of them great gratitude.
5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)
Doing this project is like sailing on the ocean. Though not smooth, it is rewarding. The following are our findings, surprise and lessons learned. 1. Findings: Through the project, we finally realize that such a small-size object as the head has much knowledge implicit in it, behind which bears vast business opportunities and the importance of managing brand names. Ms. Shen, who was just one of the branch store managers of the Sanchyi empire in the beginning, slowly moved to the peak through keen observations and strong beliefs. Her fighting spirit of never giving up matches perfectly with the theme of Cyberfair 2013—Explore & Unite. She is unmistakably our model of learning. 2. Surprise: From collecting information, doing the in-depth interviews and acting as a one-day store manager, we knew that Ms. Shen was burdened with ten million debt when Sanchyi was nearly closed down. Nevertheless, sticking to her beliefs and plunging herself in the management of Sanchyi, she built her own Sanchyi Empire. Though starting from a severe beginning, her diligence and not feeling ashamed to ask and learn from her subordinates helped her move to the top. Shen’s pursuit further studies in business management when finding that she was good at hairdressing skills but lack of business management concept not only made her the director of Sanchyi, but it also caused Sanchyi to play a decisive role in the hairdressing industry. Such an ordinary woman making such an extraordinary Sanchyi keeps amazing us. 3. Lessons We Learned: It is unusual for us to do a project with schoolmates from other classes. Such a precious opportunity made us realize the importance of teamwork and the value of cooperation. We also learned from continuous kickbacks from the instructors of our assignments, turning our passive learning into active searching. Moreover, we’ve expanded our mental ability to see things in others’ shoes, tolerate others, care team members and listen to different opinions.
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