Cross ref: http://anatrader07.wordpress.com/2010/07/30/pro-bono-publico/
Pro bono publico, usually shortened to pro bono is derived from Latin meaning “for the public good”. The term is generally used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in marketing, technology, and trading education. Pro bono service, unlike traditional volunteerism, uses the specific skills of professionals to provide services to those who are unable to afford them.
That brings me to freebies in general. Everyone fancies a bargain. If it is free, everyone loves it even more! Those who do not believe in a free lunch can now eat their words because it is possible to get things for free in Singapore without any conditions attached.
At food festivals and fairs, these food vendors usually put out a lot of bite-sized samples for all to try. Famous ones include the Singapore Food Festival held once a year in the month of July at various locations including the Takashimaya Square and Plaza Singapura.
Road shows and other promotional events always come equipped with goodie bags packed with freebies to be given to the passersby. Pens, bookmarks, notebooks and many others.
There are renowned hair salons every month that require hair models for their hair stylists and apprentices to exercise their skills or experiment with new styles.
Most spas and fitness centres offer a free trial of their services with no strings attached. Choose from a range of the many manicures, pedicures, facials and slimming treats at these centres.
Girls just want to have fun! There are abundant clubs in Singapore that feature ladies’ nights which offer free entry for women only, and some even extend their generosity to include free drinks.
With cutting edge technology sure has its benefits. If you own a laptop, there are many cafes in Singapore that offer free wireless surfing, and power points for unlimited free internet usage, such as Starbucks.
Free shuttle buses can help you save on some transportation costs!
If you are a visitor to Singapore , the Singapore Tourism Board has arranged for you to be pampered with a free two hour city tour that offers you a choice between a Sentosa Island tour or a bumboat experience.
The list goes on. All these are well and good.
However, when a professional is trying to give a little back to society with a free whole day seminar at a 5-star hotel with tea and beverage provided, is it not too much to expect more?
I recently assisted in the organization of a weekend seminar at a 5-star hotel which attracted more than 1000 when only 600 seats are available. Knowing how some registrants will do because it is free, we advised those who could not secure a seat to turn up and queue in case some did not show up 15 minutes before show time. Sure enough, those who took the trouble to show up early managed to secure some seats; as expected, some did not show up because it was a Saturday morning! A good excuse?
At breaks of the seminar, I overheard some attendees commenting: Why is he giving us free seminars for a whole day and at a 5-star hotel FREE? What is his motive?
Another attendee went to the registration counter and asked: Can I have a free T-shirt? He did not answer correctly a question posed to win a free T-shirt! So, he reckoned, he could try his luck at the counter.
THIS is really amusing: an elderly lady confronted the speaker at a break: You are giving away too much free information about trading. I am going to report you to the Authorities! - LOL
To give or not to give FREE especially for preview seminars is now the BIG QUESTION for us.
I personally believe that a nominal charge should be imposed for future preview seminars which occur once a year. Unless there is some value or consideration given in return for a service , there will be abuses or suspicions cast on the organizers, who not only go to great lengths to organize at great expense but to suffer indignant abuses.
Personally, as a trader, I still believe there is no free lunch!
Idkit
Ag Moderator
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