def to_text(value, encoding='utf-8'):
    """Convert value to unicode, default encoding is utf-8

    :param value: Value to be converted
    :param encoding: Desired encoding
    """
    if not value:
        return ''
    if isinstance(value, six.text_type):
        return value
    if isinstance(value, six.binary_type):
        return value.decode(encoding)
    return six.text_type(value)