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INTRODUCTION
Introduction of research project
Since traditional Chinese medicine has started long before writing was even invented, as a group, we have finally decided to make research on it. We have chose 3 different places of 3 traditional Chinese medicine shops to do research on. Which are, Ming Hong (in Petaling Jaya), Lee Wah (in Ipoh) and Kwong Vam San (in Subang Jaya). Most traditional medicine shop
Nong and Huang Di. Historians believe that Fu Xi was a cultural hero who developed the trigrams of Yi Jing or, the book of changes. Shen Nong was believed as the legendary emperor who lived 5000 years ago and is acknowledged as the divine cultivator/ farmer by the Chinese people. This is because he was attributed as the founder of herbal medicine, and he also taught people how to farm. Nevertheless, some of the most specific discoveries of Chinese medicine were made during Zhou dynasty. This includes the theoretical foundation of yin and yang, the five elements, the pathogenic factors of external environment as a cause of disease and further understanding of the meridians of acupuncture.
FNBE JULY 2013 ENGL0205 ENGLISH 2 Name of group members: Cecilia Tie Sing Lu Lim Pui Yee Ee Xin Hua Lee Yin Yi Sofia Nabilah
KEY SUMMARY
(1) Group Discussion
After getting all information of this assignment, we have few times of discussion to ensure all the group members are updated with the progress of this assignment. In the discussion, we managed to finalize some of the main and important details about the projects. First, we decide the possible location to do our interview. Second, we list out the question that are suitable for us to do our interview. We also do some research about Chinese Medicine. Third, we discuss the time to do our interview that all of us agreed on. We also planned the transport that we are going to us. To ease the flow of work, we divided our jobs equally. Lastly, we discuss the problems that we faced in this assignment and try our best to resolve it.
(3) Conclusion
Through the methods of interviewing, references and meetings, we expect to understand the business thoroughly so that the research report will have concrete evidences. We will be able to receive personal opinions as well as in depth information on the history of the shops being by interviewing the owner or worker of the business. We can support our statements through references. Lastly, through meetings, we will be able to complete our report on time and divide the work well.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
(1) How long have the business been running? What are the reasons to start this business? Is it because of the forces of social living? Is it a family business? (2) What is the main product selling? Are the products handmade or by machine? By own company or have supply? (3) What are the products marketed to local or international market? Who are the main customers? (4) Why does the products attract these people? (5) Why choose this place to open your business? (6) How does the business promote this product? (7) What is the main treat of this business? (8) Would you like to expand your business?
FNBE JULY 2013 ENGL0205 ENGLISH 2 Name of group members: Cecilia Tie Sing Lu Lim Pui Yee Ee Xin Hua Lee Yin Yi Sofia Nabilah
RESEARCH ESSAY
Introduction of Ming Hong Chinese Medicine Shop:
The first Chinese herbal shop we have interviewed on 14 November 2013 is Ming Hong . Ming Hong is a shop located at SS2/10 Petaling Jaya. This is a family business and it had been running for 38 years. In 1975, Mr. Hongs father starts this business in 1975 and passes it down to Mr. Hong after years. Mr. Hong always comes to the shop to help his father when he was young and he started to work in the shop after he finished PMR because he doesnt want to continue his study. Their main selling product is Bak Kut Teh, herbs and herbal pack that used to make herbal soup. Most of the product is taking from the supplier. Moreover, because of all the products are natural and will not cause any side effect, it attracted many local customer to come over and some of the parents even bring their children who still study aboard to the shop and buy some Bak Kut Teh pack, bring it back to oversea, and let their foreign friends to try Malaysias food. Furthermore, Mr. Hong will suggest the products that most suitable for the customer and give some comment to the customer when they come to ask him what they need. Mr. Hong thought that the main threat of this business is nowadays, less people believe in traditional Chinese medicine and many people think that western medicines is better than traditional Chinese medicine. Other than that, teenagers dont really like Chinese medicine because that is bitter than western medicine and their parents didnt bring them to Chinese medicine shop. All of these reason caused the sales of the shop getting lower and Mr. Hong didnt think about to expand his
FNBE JULY 2013 ENGL0205 ENGLISH 2 Name of group members: Cecilia Tie Sing Lu Lim Pui Yee Ee Xin Hua Lee Yin Yi Sofia Nabilah
business because his children had no interest towards this profession and dont want to continue this business.
FNBE JULY 2013 ENGL0205 ENGLISH 2 Name of group members: Cecilia Tie Sing Lu Lim Pui Yee Ee Xin Hua Lee Yin Yi Sofia Nabilah
FNBE JULY 2013 ENGL0205 ENGLISH 2 Name of group members: Cecilia Tie Sing Lu Lim Pui Yee Ee Xin Hua Lee Yin Yi Sofia Nabilah
The third shop we had our interview with is Lee Wah Trading Co. The shop is located in Kampung Simee, Ipoh. This shop was opened in the year of 1983 back then. This was the first shop opened by the owner after he graduated. Chinese medication includes a broad scope of medicine practices sharing common concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, comprising various forms of herbal medicine and massage. Varity of Chinese herbs can be found here such as dried Lingzhi, ginseng. They also provide Chinese medication to the patients. They will then offer suitable herbal medicine according to the patients illness. It is also selling its products directly to the overseas. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine lures on ancient practices. Herbal medicine is as old as humanity itself. Early human beings were hunter-gatherers whose survival depended on their knowledge of their environment. Direct experience taught them which plants were toxic, which ones imparted strength and sustained life, and which had special healing qualities. One of the Chinese herbal medicine shops we interviewed is Lee Wah Trading Co. which is located in Ipoh, Perak. Mr. Ng owns this Chinese herbal medicine shop where he had started to run his business since 30 years ago. Mr. Ng decided to open his own Chinese herbal medicine shop after completing his course in one of the university in China. According to Mr. Ng, the main product they selling is Chinese herbs. The products are handmade and a partial list of products made from machine. They get their products mainly from suppliers. The products are marketed to the local more compared to international market. Senior
FNBE JULY 2013 ENGL0205 ENGLISH 2 Name of group members: Cecilia Tie Sing Lu Lim Pui Yee Ee Xin Hua Lee Yin Yi Sofia Nabilah
citizens are the main customers to Mr. Ng. The products attract them because of their traditional culture where they find Chinese herbs as treating the problem without all the side effects that come along with many mainstream medications. Mr. Ng chose to run his business in this particular location because the shop is just few meters away from his house and the shop located near the market where it can attract customers easily. They promote their products by speaking and recommend to others which are appropriate to the customers. Mr. Ng also stated that the existence of western medication has become the main threat of his business. This is because most of the youngsters nowadays are exposed to the western culture and also clinics are easily found everywhere in town. Mr. Ng had planned to expand his business by spreading out the benefits of Chinese herbs medication.
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There are many reasons why people run their own business. In particularly, comparing these three shops, they have their own reasons on running it. Ming Hong shop has been running the business since approximately 38 years ago. This was a family business. Mr. Hongs father started this business in 1975 and passed it down to Mr. Hong after hes capable of running the business. Mr. Hong has always stop by the shop everyday to help his father when he was young. Mr. Hongs father felt as if it was time for him to pass down the business when Mr. Hong was only 15 years old, after his PMR. This was because, Mr. Hong did not want to continue his studies further. Next, Lee Wah shop had run the business for merely 30 years. This was because of self intend. This shop was opened in the year of 1983 after Mr. Lee graduated. Finally, as for the Kwong Van San shop was opened since 30 years ago. Mr. Kwong is actually the third generation in the family to run this business. The business was first opened by his grandfather, and was finally passed to him.
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Although, it is a family business, the reason why the shop is still standing is because Mr. Kwong needed money to support his family, and not for his own interest.
Next, the location of the shop also plays a big role in running a business. This is because, good location of a place attracts customer to come to your shop. As you can see, all three shops are located in old cities in Malaysia. Ming Hong shop is located in SS2 Petaling Jaya. The reason for the opening of the shop way back in 30 years ago is because, this place was near residential area. Which then, may lead to attraction of customers to come to your shop. Next, Lee Wah is located in Ipoh, Perak. Mr. Ng chose to run his business in that area because the shop is just few metres away from his home. Not to mention, the shop is located near the market where it can attract customers easily. Lastly, Mr. Kwongs shop is located in SS14, Subang Jaya. This place is not only near residential area, but also very near to the market. Therefore, customers are easily attracted to come to his shop.
In every business, there must be a main threat. As for these three businesses, their main threat would definitely be the competition between the western medicine. Ever since western medicine has become more known, people dont always come to any traditional chinese medicine shop anymore. Not to mention, that the childrens nowadays are not exposed by their parents to these herbs. Therefore, less customers come to their shops nowadays. But however, Kwong Van san shop also has another main threat. He finds it very dissapointing that the sales are decreasing by days because of the parking problem in Subang Jaya. Many of the customers choose to
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visit other herbal shops around that area, just because these customers couldnt find parking to go to his shop.
In conclusion, all three shops has their own differences in making their shops different than one another with the reasons of the opening of the business, the location of the shop and also the main threat of the business. Although, there are some mishaps here and there in their shops, they are still standing strong in keeping their business running.
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The obstacles are difficult to overcome because the young one will choose western medicines instead of Chinese medicines. 5. What is the nature of their markets (e.g. perfectly competitive, oligopoly, monopolistic competitive) and your justifications. The nature of their markets is monopolistic competitive. This is because there are a few important features exist in the three shops which are existence of large number of firms, products differentiation and some are influence over price. Chinese Medicine shop can be found in almost everywhere in the town. They also sell different types of products according to their customers needs. Different price will be fixed depends on their sales. 6. Summary table of similarities and differences between the 2 businesses. Kwong Van San Similarities a. Selling the same products b. Same kind of customers as in their age. Differences Facing different problems. Enough parking for customers. Not enough parking for customers because near school area. No competitors between the area. Theres one Chinese medicines shop and one pharmacy in the area. Ming Hong
7. Based on your analysis, which business is more commercially successful? And why? Lee Wah Trading. Co, which located at Ipoh is more commercially successful. It was because the owner was completing his course in one of the university in China. He is fully qualified in Chinese Medicine with over 20 years experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine. He can give professional recommendation to his customer.
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Recommendation
Based on the comparative analysis, to improve the competiveness of the business, Ming Hong Chinese Medicine shop should solve their threat where their sales are decreasing due to the presence of western medicine. People believe that western medicines are better than Chinese medicine. Parents also seldom bring their children to visit the Chinese medicine shop. Hence, they might not even know the existence of Chinese medication. Ming Hong Chinese Medicine shop should organize a campaign about Chinese traditional medicine where they can introduce the importance of Chinese medicine to the generation nowadays. Moreover, Ming Hong Chinese Medicine shop should promote their products through advertisement. They should share information where they help you choose the correct Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine formula to treat your health complaint. Kwong Van San Chinese Medicine shop should also solve their threat so that they can improve the competiveness of the business. They are facing the problem of lack of parking resulting their customers change to another place where they can find parking spaces. Thus, it would definitely cause the sales of shop decreases gradually if this problem remains. Therefore, Kwong Van San Chinese Medicine shop either write a letter to the authority in charge or change their shop to other location where their customers can find parking easily. Another Chinese Medicine shop is also facing the same problem as Ming Hong Chinese Medicine shop which is Lee Wah Trading Co. The main treat of their business is the existence of western medicine. Most of the youngsters nowadays are
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exposed to the western culture and also clinic is more easily found everywhere in town. The main step they should take is opening more branches in town. This will allow them to visit the shop easily.
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Bibliography
Better Health Channel (2013). Retrieved from http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcArticles.nsf/pages/Chinese_herbal_medi cine?open Edgar.N, (2013, January 13) Exeprt: Combining Chinese and Western medicine can treat cancer effectively. The Star Newspaper National Institutes of Health. Alternative Medicine: Expanding Medical Horizons: A Report to the National Institutes of Health on Alternative Medical Systems and Practices in the United States. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 1994. NIH publication 94-066. Natural Therapy For All. Retrieved from http://www.naturaltherapyforall.com/Finda/Acupuncture/in/ss14 University of Maryland Medical Center Web site. Traditional Chinese Medicine, Updated August 24, 2009. Retrieved from www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/traditionalchinese-000363.htm on April 19, 2011. Yell. Retrieved form http://www.yell.com/s/chinese+medicine-ss14.html Unschuld.P.U. (1988) Medicine in China: A History of Ideas. California: University od California Press. Ornish. D. (2007, April) New Research: Which Herbs and Spices Improve Your Health. Reader Digest 1(8). Retrieved from http://www.rd.com/slideshows/newresearch-which-herbs-and-spices-improve-your-health/ Schobeanbart. B & Shefi. E. Traditional Chinese Herbs Medicine. Retrieved from http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/chinese/traditionalchinese-herbal-medicine.htm Loh.P (2012, September 18) Chinese medicine here to stay. New Straits Times, 1(3). 163-165
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(1) How long have the business been running? What are the reasons to start this business? Is it because of the forces of social living? Is it a family business? This business has been running for 38 years. In 1975, my father starts this business. My father passed down this business to me so it is a family business. (2) What is the main product selling? Are the products handmade or by machine? By own company or have supply? The main product in my Chinese medicine shop is Bah Kut The, herb and some herb soup. Most of the products are taken from supplier.
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(3) What are the products marketed to local or international market? Who are the main customers? The main customers of my business are local. But there are also parents who bring their children here to brought my products and bring it to oversea. (4) Why does the products attract these people? Because we are selling traditional Chinese medicine and all these products are natural. It wont cause any side effect. Our products are also very suitable for ladies. (5) Why choose this place to open your business? I am not really sure. My father was the one who brought this shop. I started to work here when I finished PMR. (6) How does the business promote this product? They came and ask me what they need and I will suggest the most suitable products for them. I will also give some comment to my customers. (7) What is the main treat of this business? The sales of my business are decreasing. It is because people believe that western medicines are better than Chinese medicine. Nowadays, teenagers dont really like Chinese medicine and their parents didnt bring them here. (8) Would you like to expand your business? No. I dont want to expand my business because my children dont want to continue this business.
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Time: 1:30pm to
(1) How long have the business been running? What are the reasons to start this business? Is it because of the forces of social living? Is it a family business? 30 years. My grandfather is the one who start this business. So I am a third generation. I continue this business because I have to earn money for my family. (2) What is the main product selling? Are the products handmade or by machine? By own company or have supply? The main products selling in my shop is herbs and alcohol. Some products are hand made but most of them are form suppliers.
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(3) What are the products marketed to local or international market? Who are the main customers? Our main customers are local and most of them are eldest people. (4) Why does the products attract these people? These people brought my products because they want to have a healthy body. They believe Chinese medicine is good for them. (5) Why choose this place to open your business? My grandfather is the one who brought this shop. For me, this place is very suitable to open Chinese medicine shop because here got a lot of residences and schools. (6) How does the business promote this product? They came and ask me what they need and I will suggest the most suitable products for them. (7) What is the main treat of this business? There is no parking for my customer. This problem makes our sales decreasing. (8) Would you like to expand your business? Yes, I would like to expand my business if it is possible.
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(1) How long have the business been running? What are the reasons to start this business? Is it because of the forces of social living? Is it a family business? 30 years, I decide to open my Chinese herbal medicine shop after I complete the course in one of the university in China. (2) What is the main product selling? Are the products handmade or by machine? By own company or have supply? The main product selling is Chinese herbs. Some products are handmade but most of them are made from machine. The products are mainly from suppliers. (3) What are the products marketed to local or international market? Who are the main customers? My products are marketed to local more compared to international market. Senior customers are the main customers.
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(4) Why does the products attract these people? The products attract these people because of their traditional culture where they find Chinese herbs as treating the problem without all the side effects that come along with many mainstream medications. (5) Why choose this place to open your business? I choose this place to run my business because this place is just few meters away from my house and the shop located near the market where it can attract customers easily. (6) How does the business promote this product? I promote my products by speaking and recommend to my customers. (7) What is the main treat of this business? The main treat of my business is the existence of western medicine. Most of the youngsters nowadays are exposed to the western culture and also clinic is more easily found everywhere in town. (8) Would you like to expand your business? Yes, I would like to expand my business because I hope more people can know the benefit of Chinese herbs medicine.
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2:00pm-4:00pm
Information sharing and feedback Ee Xin Hua Lim Pui Yee Lee Yin Yi Cecilia Tie, Lee Yin Yi, Lim Pui Yee, Ee Xin Hua, Sofia Nabilah
Agenda topics
2:00PM
DISCUSSION
CECILIA TIE
Found out a few locations that have Chinese Herbal Shops such as SS2 and SS14 which are Ming Hong Chinese Medicine Shop and SYKT. Kwong Van San. We will start doing our interview in this Thursday.
CONCLUSIONS ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
Interview questions.
Cecilia Tie
13.11.2013
2:30PM
DISCUSSION
SOFIA NABILAH
CONCLUSIONS
Everyone suggested five questions each and selected the best seven questions.
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ACTION ITEMS
PERSON RESPONSIBLE
DEADLINE
Cecilia Tie
13.11.2013
3:00PM
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
Lim Pui Yee will interview a Chinese herb shop located in Ipoh.
ACTION ITEMS
PERSON RESPONSIBLE
DEADLINE
14.11.2013 16.11.2013
HOW TO WRITE THE RESEARCH REPORT LEE YIN YI Dividing the works to everyone by dividing into a few parts. Such as DISCUSSION introduction to Chinese medicine shop, introduction of the three shops, compare and contrast essay, conclusion, appendix, bibliography and meeting minutes.
CONCLUSIONS
ACTION ITEMS
PERSON RESPONSIBLE
DEADLINE
Compare and contrast essay. Methodology, Cover page Introduction of the three shops. Appendix Meeting minutes
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3.45PM
DISCUSSION
EE XIN HUA
CONCLUSIONS
ACTION ITEMS
Ee Xin Hua
21.11.2013
Lim Pui Yee Cecilia Tie, Sofia Nabilah Done the report by 28th December 2013
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PHOTOS
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