Not in her wildest dreams did Pipi Lau imagine she would win a service award.
Ten years ago, she joined the Swank Shop as a cashier and was glad the job did not involve public contact.
'I had no confidence dealing with people at that time,' said Ms Lau, 33, winner of this year's On the Job Performance Award.
Before joining the 35-boutique designer-label group, Ms Lau worked as a cashier in several department stores.
Her service potential was discovered in 1993 by the manager of the group's Peninsula Hotel outlet who encouraged her to try to get involved in sales.
'I was thinking of quitting the job at that time because my eldest son had started school and I thought I should spend more time helping my children,' said the mother of three boys.
