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!

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

Mr Talis WONG is a Certified Global NLP (Neuro-Linguistics Programming) Trainer, a Chartered Engineer, and a Distinguished Toastmaster (Toastmasters International is an organization in public speaking and leadership training).

He is the District Trainer of Toastmasters International, public speaking coach of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (Dual Degree Programme in Technology and Management), and of the Hong Kong Award for Young People (AYP) Promotion Ambassadors, and the Honorary Advisor of the China Enterprise Trainers Association Foundation.

Mr WONG specializes in communication training, including presentation and performance, impromptu speaking, MC and interview training, sales, negotiation skills training, team building and relationship management, image grooming and personal charisma workshops; NLP for personal development; and business applications of NLP particularly in areas of performance enhancement, emotion management and customers relationship.

Companies and organizations/Institutions for which he conducted trainings include the Civil Service Training & Development Institute of Hong Kong SAR Government, Hong Kong Jockey Club, Shun Tak Holdings Ltd, Hong Kong Economic Journal Daily, Swire Properties, KBC Bank, HSBC, The Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong), Manulife Co Ltd, GE Medical Systems, Tuen Mun Hospital, University of Hong Kong (SPACE), Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the Butterfields (Tenants’ Club in Taikoo Place, operated by Swires Properties), the Youth College of Vocational Training Council, the Hong Kong Coaching Community, Hong Kong Junior Chamber, the Hong Kong Management Association, Leadership Training Association, the Hong Kong PR Professional Association.

Mr WONG has also been modulator, facilitator, and master of ceremony for conferences, events, functions for various organizations. He was one of the trainers and judges for the year 2005 and 2006 Hong Kong Master of Ceremony Contest organized by the Hong Kong Jaycettes, four times trainer and one of the judges of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong English Public Speaking Contest from 2006 to 2009, and guest speaker trainer for the 2008 Distinguished Salesperson Award (DSA) Contest organized by the Hong Kong Management Association, and guest lecturer on Human Resources Management Course in Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Mr WONG through his trainings and coaching has helped a lot of candidates and contestants to be successful in job interviews, winning scholarships and awards. The latest one is the Best Outstanding Young Salesperson Award in the DSA Contest 2009, which is the best of the best in the category.

Mr WONG, while as Chief Engineer in the Civil Engineering and Development Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government, was in the inter-departmental team pioneering the public participation process for the Kai Tak Development. He was also highly commended for being able to maintain good and harmonious relationships between project teams and locals, District Council and LegCo members for projects under his purview.

He is the founder and Director of the DD Centre, which is a training programme and venue provider.