About Us

About DD Centre

DD Centre was founded in Hong Kong in spring 2003, just before the onset of SARS in the Territory. SARS has helped Hong Kong to rediscover and reaffirm our values, namely, care and love to others, professionalism and perseverance. DD Centre carries through and enshrines these values in us.

DD Centre’s mission is to create positive influence to people. It achieves its mission through providing a venue, or more precisely a platform, for exchange of and synergizing like-minded people who are interested in continuously improving and upgrading themselves, who care to help people they know on the journey of self-discovery and growth, and who live their lives passionately and take challenges positively, and encourage others to do the same.

Readers may be interested to know the origin of the name DD Centre. DD stands for Different Drums, from a name Different Drummers bestowed by a word-lover, a best friend of mine, Distinguished Toastmaster Pauline YOUNG, originally to a group of like-minded Toastmasters who, in the words of Pauline, ‘got together at the dawn of the new millennium to brainstorm ways to spread positive influence among and beyond the Toastmasters community.’

Different Drummers include a group of dedicated toastmasters Pauline YOUNG, Susan LEUNG, Philip LAI and myself. Back straddling the turn of the new millennium we together conducted many seminars and workshops in Toastmasters clubs and conventions, among which was the jam-packed “Romance with Words” workshop at the District 51 Semi-Annual Toastmasters Convention in Johor Bahru in November 2000.

In 2001, Pauline departed for sunny California. In 2002, Philip moved to majestic Shanghai with family in tow. I, in the words of Pauline, ‘hold down the forte in Hong Kong and eventually open a training center in 2003 that carries the name and the spirit of spreading positive influence, daring to be different, and marching to a different drum.’

I am forever grateful to Pauline, for the name Different Drum breathes life to the Centre – it is a rendezvous (a meeting place) for people who share the same mission and vision of spreading positive influence.

In carrying its mission of creating positive influence, DD Centre organizes courses, seminars, forums and events, and is interested in sponsoring campaigns and activities, collaborates with other organizations, institutes and companies. Find out more about us and our activities, and DD Centre welcomes you – Be a different drummer, create positive influence around you!

Want to be a Different Drummer? YES

About the Logo

The logo is one of the designs of the biomorphic decoration of the benches in Park Guell, Barcelona of Spain. These designs are the works of the famous Spanish architect, Gaudi (1852-1926). For those who have visited Barcelona would undoubtedly be impressed by Gaudi’s work in the city, including the Temple de la Sagrada Familia, the Casa Mila, Casa Batllo, Park Guell, and many more. Gaudi’s design and architecture were very unique but, to a certain extent, quite controversial in his time. However, his work has stood the test of time and has been very well received now. Gaudi certainly is a Different Drummer who created positive influence.

Want to be a Different Drummer? YES

Trainer’s Profile

Talis Wong

Talis WONG

Director and Principal Consultant of Different Drums Co Ltd (DD Centre) (training and venue provider)

Former Chief Engineer in Northeast New Territories Development Department, Civil Engineering & Development Department, HKSAR Government

Qualifications
Certified Global NLP Trainer (in NLP University, Santa Cruz, US (2003))
Certified Hypnotherapist (by the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (2012))
Distinguished Toastmaster (2002) (Toastmasters International is an organization in communication and leadership training)
Chartered Engineer (1982)
BSc (Engineering) (Hons), Hong Kong University (1979)

Expertise
Mr WONG specializes in Training and individual Coaching in –
(I) Business applications of NLP particularly in the areas of

  • Staff Engagement and Performance Enhancement
  • Stress and Emotion Management
  • Team Building and Leadership
  • Change Management
  • Selling and Persuasion Skills
  • Negotiation, Problem and Conflict Resolutions
  • Rapport Building and Customer Service
  • Coaching and Mentoring Skills

(II) Communication Skills including –

  • Business Presentation and Meeting Effectiveness
  • DSA (Distinguished Salesperson Award) Coaching and Training
  • Performance, Media Training and Interviews
  • Persuasion and Motivation
  • Public Relations Strategies
  • Train the Trainers (TTT) Skills

(III) Personal Management and Development using NLP and Hypnosis, in areas of –

  • Emotion/Stress Management
  • Personal Effectiveness Enhancement
  • Confidence and Charisma Building
  • Phobias Therapy
  • Relationship Management

Corporate/organizations for which Mr WONG has conducted trainings include –

 

Aon Risks Solutions (2014 & 2015) (in English)

BAT (British American Tobacco) (2014 & 2015) (in Cantonese)

BAT (British American Tobacco (Beijing)) (2015) (in PTH)

CCADVOG (Lawyers firm in Macau) (2012) (in English and Cantonese)

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery (2015-2016)(in Cantonese)

Chun Wo Engineering Co Ltd (2012-2015) (in English and Cantonese)

CTM (Macau) (2011) (in Cantonese)

Dah Sing Life Assurance (2013) (in Cantonese)

DBS Bank (2012) (in Cantonese)

Fuhong Society of Macau (2015)(in Cantonese)

HKU Space (2011) (in English)

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (2015) (English)

Hong Kong Baptist University (Faculty of English) (2009)(in English)

Hong Kong Coaching Community (2009) (in English)

Hong Kong Jockey Club (2009) (in Cantonese)

Hong Kong Management Association (2009) (in Cantonese)

Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2015) (in Cantonese)

Hong Kong Productivity Council (2010-2011) (in English and Cantonese)

Hong Kong University (2015) (in English and Cantonese)

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (School of Business and School of Engineering) (2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015) (English)

Hovione (Macau) (2013-2014, 2015) (in English and Cantonese)

HSBC (GLTC, Guangzhou) (2009-2012) (in Cantonese and PTH)

Kerry Logistics (2011) (in Cantonese)

Kingfisher (2012) (in English, Cantonese and PTH)

KPMG (Guangzhou) (2009) (in Cantonese)

Lenovo Hong Kong (2013) (in Cantonese)

LVMH (Loewe) (Hong Kong) (2012) (in English and PTH)

LVMH (Hong Kong) (2014) (in English and Cantonese)

Macau Management Association (Macau) (2012-2013) (in Cantonese)

MaBelle (Global Business Group) (2013-2014) (in Cantonese)

Manulife Hong Kong Ltd (2010) (in Cantonese)

Mattel (Hong Kong) (2011) (in English and Cantonese)

MTR Corporation (Hong Kong) (2011-2013, 2015) (in Cantonese), (2014) Emotion Management (in English)

Pfizer Hong Kong Office (2013) (in English)

Prudential Assurance Co Ltd (2010-2012, 2014, 2015) (in Cantonese)

Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) (2009 – 2011) (in Cantonese)

Towngas (2012 & 2013) (in English)

Union Hospital (2014, 2015) (In Cantonese)

UPS (2014, 2015) (in Cantonese and English)

Wing Lung Bank (2015) (in Cantonese)

Zung Fu Co Ltd (2014) (in Cantonese)

 

Other Relevant Information
Relevant Experience of Mr Talis WONG (Designated Trainer) in Management

Mr WONG was a directorate officer (D1), Chief Engineer in the Civil Engineering and Development Department, HKSAR Government.  He was in the managerial position for a number of years, heading teams of more than 100 subordinates in different works departments and the Works Bureau.  He has extensive management experience including HR/staff management.  On another front being a professional trainer, he was involved as a consultant for the talent development and management of a listed company, including enhancement of the staff performance appraisal system.  In addition, he has been consultant to a renowned international firm on PR and Communication Strategies for Organizational Change Management, which encompassed Enhancement of Staff Performance and Boosting of Staff Morale.

He was also highly commended for being able to maintain good and harmonious relationship between project teams and locals, District Council and LegCo members for projects under his purview, and successfully helping resolve problems and conflicts among stakeholders.

Over 15,000 executives and students have benefited from Mr WONG’s training, and his coaching on personal level has helped many candidates and contestants become successful in job interviews, winning scholarships, awards and contests.  One example of which was the Best Presentation Award of the Outstanding Young Salesperson  Award in the DSA Contest 2009, being the best of the best in the category.

Further details and References to be provided upon request.

Contact Details
Email : talis.wong@gmail.com
Tel : 9834 2112 (Hong Kong), 853-6297 4633 (Macau), 86-147 1430 6306 (PRC)
LinkedIn : Talis Wong

Want to be a Different Drummer? YES