Wee Kian

CHANGE WITH ONE SMALL STEP

2010-10-04T09:22:00.001-07:00

You can change the anything and it is started by doing one small step at a time.

Global warming is huge problem that will affect everyone in the earth. Need not wait for the government to set regulation to save the earth. You can help by simply reusing the paper – one small step; Saving water – another small step; Saving electricity – another small step. Each small step you take changes the world.

If you do not take these small little steps, the world will not change.

Similarly, if you want to help the poor. Simply take one small step – donate 10 cents a day. If you want to improve your health, simply take one small step – take the stairs instead of lift.

By taking these small steps at a time, change will take place, results will come eventually. If there no actions are taken, what do you think the results will be?

HIGH & LOW

2010-09-30T08:09:00.001-07:00

“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high, but that is too low when we reach it.” quote by Michelangelo

The above is something that you may want to rethink your goal. Is it too high or too low?

Too high, you may not achieve it. And get demoralize.

Too low, you may achieve easily but actually you can achieve much more.

Which is better? See the below scenario and decide for yourself.

Scenario A:

I set a target to make $10K a month by January next year. When the timeline is up, I failed and only make 8K a month.

Scenario B:

I set a target to make $3K a month by January next year. When the timeline is up and I succeeded and make 3.5K month.

BOOK: The Secrets

2010-09-30T07:59:00.001-07:00

Positive thinking, believe

DARE TO JUMP

2010-09-27T08:45:00.001-07:00

Recently, I attended a workshop. The speaker shows us how to make 10% of your investment in stock market, risk-free! If you invest $10000.00, your get $1000.00 guaranteed. This is good money.

People in the workshop, I believed, had agreed of the speaker’s explanation. And accepted it can be done. But how many of the attendees will take ACTION?!

Many people have all the needed information, but fear is refrain them from taking action. Even it is proved to be 100% safe, action does not happen. And finally opportunity is lost.

We just need the little bit of courage to take the first step and overcome fear. Once fear is overcome, you will be free for the rest of your life.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

2010-09-20T08:38:00.001-07:00

Many think man cannot fly… but we did.

Many think the earth is square .. but it is round.

There are so many things that we cannot do. But in fact, we can do it.

The blind can move freely with their ears like bats. People without legs can run marathon. People without limbs can swim across the sea. People with cancers live a more fulfilled life than the others.

As long as you belief it 100%, it can be done.

There is no dream too big to be true.

MULTIPLE-INCOME-STREAMS

2010-09-18T05:52:00.001-07:00

Majority of the people has only one income stream which is their salary. Since is it their one and only income, the moment the income is stop (resignation, retrenchment, termination), they will have problem financially.

But if you have multiple income streams, if one income stream is cut, you will have others to depend on.

What other income streams, am I referring to? There are many, income like from business investments, housing rentals, stocks investments, etc.

If you have only one income stream, start building the next now.

LETTING IT GO

2010-09-12T00:41:00.001-07:00

In Thailand, there is a place where people catches wild monkeys and make them pluck coconuts for them.

To catch these monkeys, they use big, see-thru glass jars with a small mouth. In this jar, they place peanuts (monkeys’ favorites). Then they put the jar in the middle of the forests and hide.

When monkeys see the peanuts, they came and stick the hands into the jar’s opening to grab the peanuts. Since their hands are holding to the peanuts, it is a fist shape and unable to come out of jar.

This time the people will came and catch the monkeys. The monkeys start running off with the hand in the jar. As the jar is big and heavy, the monkeys were eventually catch and become slaves.

Morale of the story:

Many of us hold on to something which defer us from achieving further. Things like fear, experience, money. Below are some words they common says:

I afraid I cannot find better jobs outside.
I will never get the same or better pay.
My experience is here, the new opportunity does not fit me.

Let it go, you will achieve further.

BURNING DESIRE

2010-09-06T10:40:00.001-07:00

To achieve your goal, you MUST commit to it.

How much you can achieve depends on how much you want it. If you desire is weak, your goal is far.

If your desire is strong, you will be willing to let go of everything to commit to it. Success is near.

Revisit your goal, revisit your commitment.

MULTIPLY YOUR EFFECTIVENESS WITH 10 MINUTES

2010-08-28T08:58:00.001-07:00

Every day, we have many tasks, in fact overloaded of work. To finish these tasks, one of the technique is to increase your effectiveness.

One method I learnt and implemented is to start each day with a daily plan. Key thing to note is to load the plan within my working limit. This took me only 10 minutes.

Once my daily plan is completed, I simply start working from point one to the last point, one at each time.

Why a simple plan can increase your effectiveness? Well, because it help you to be focus at one task at one time. When you are focus, the results is tremendous!

THE CHOICE IS ALWAYS YOURS

2010-08-24T23:46:00.001-07:00

If you want to be rich, you have the choice.

Not your boss whether he is willing to give you a raise. Not the market is performing well or not. Not whether you are born in a rich family or poor family. Not whether your smart or not.

If you want to be rich there are many ways you can start planning and do it. But many accept the facts and decide to stay the current status and continue dreaming.

The CHOICE is yours. If your choose now to invest your money in more profitable financial instrument, rather than saving bank. It is sure that you will be richer in future than if stay current status.

Do not blame anyone but yourself because the choice is always yours, and it always been.

PLAN FOR RETIREMENT

2010-01-23T17:00:00.001-08:00

I did not plan for retirement, because I am still “intact” and about to work.

Recently I took a serious look into the retirement plan. It was a shock to me that how much I shortfall.

I may be living happily now, but when its time for me to retire, the shortfall for cash will enable to live comfortably.

Moreover, I have seen so much people after age of 40 got retrench and unable to find work. Worst till if something bad occurs.

Below is the link is the tool that can assist you to plan. It is not 100% but you can use it as a guide.

http://buildingabrighterfuture.msn.com/?serviceName=financialTools&dataId=Calculator&source=msnmoney

No harm in planning, but start NOW!

PRICING A PRODUCT

2009-09-28T11:40:00.001-07:00

When new product comes into the market it is normally price high. Example like iPhone, LCD TV, LED TV. After some time the price dropped.

Price a product need carefully plan. Too high, the product will not sell. Too low, the product is consider “cheap” and expecting of low quality.

In my recent book, it stated to price the product at the correct range that will over-whelm the market. In this way, once the product is launched, it deters the competitors from competing. Note the statement is the CORRECT range, not low.

Of course, if your product has patent or feature that cannot be duplicate by competitors. You can price it high.

Low price with high sales volume may not make profit. High price with low sales volume also may not make profit. It is right price makes the best profit – that the way to make the business.

ROOT CAUSE

2009-09-18T08:14:00.001-07:00

Problems are part of life, basically unavoidable.

To solve the problem you will need to identify the root cause. Only by solving the root cause you can eliminate the problems.

Most people only manage to solve immediately problem or surface of the issue. And usually the problem comes back again.

Example, you are tried of working in the company and start searching for a new job. After several months or years you have the same tired feeling again. Why?

Well, it is because you are not tired of the company. But you are tired of the job scope. Most of the people, when they search for new job, they will find same job but different company. Different environment but basically you did not change job at all.

But if you know the root cause, you will not find same job but a different job with different job scope.

BOOK: BLUE OCEANS

2009-09-02T07:48:00.001-07:00

This about a book to create uncontested business.

Many business is focus fighting with competitors. Competitor has a faster speed, the company will come with a even faster speed. Competitor has low price, the company will come with a lower price. This is want happening in the most market. In the book, this competition is referred as the RED OCEAN (red is linked to blood, so bloody ocean).

Blue ocean is about creating uncontested competition. Don’t you think it is great? UNCONTESTED competition!!! That mean you have to create a business that competitor cannot even compete at all!

How? ….. Erm … read the book.

BOOKS: ICEBERG IS MELTING

2009-08-31T10:19:00.001-07:00

Great book, easy to read using a fable. Key message delivered clear within just over 100 pages.

The fable is about changes in a penguin colony habitat. For many generations the penguins have lived on the ice berg. One penguin noticed that the ice berg is melting, thus their habitat will be destroy soon.

This is a big news which will change the whole lifestyle of the penguins. This news need to be handle carefully to avoid panic. And it cannot be told to just any penguin, majority will not believe as they have been staying there for generation.

So the first thing I learnt from this book is, in order to change, you must select the correct person to inform.

People who is of too high level, he may not listen to you. People of too low level, serve no results. Thus, you need to select the correct people to discuss in order for the change to be in movement.

Recommended.

CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS

2009-08-26T06:49:00.001-07:00

We need to be selective of the type of friends you mixed. In real life, there are friends who are good and those who are bad.

Good ones will make you a better person, the bad ones will make you from good to bad and bad to worst.

This is extremely important during secondary schools ( age between 12 onwards)

Unfortunately, these is not one schools that has 100% good students. Every schools there will be a mixture of good and bad. The child to need to choose the friends that ones to mixed with.

The child needs to clearly know who are the one that can make you a better person. And they may not the ones that you are having much fun with, may not be the goods ones. (Idea case will be both – good and fun.)

But if the ones that you are mixing with are not the good ones, you need to keep a distance. Tough choice but a necessary one.

As parent, you need to know you child’s friends either good or bad. Advice your child repeatedly. Make them understand by reasoning.

But note of the following:

Forcing is temporary and may have negative response.
When advice become nagging, that mean advice has no effect to convince them.

Friend or Foe?

EVERYONE IS HAVE TO BE SALES

2009-08-19T10:01:00.001-07:00

Everyone needs to be a sales person. You needs to sell yourself during an interview. You need to sell yourself to get promotion.

Many good hardworking workers do not know how to sell themselves. Without selling themselves, the manager will not know their contribution, effort, commitment to the company.

If you are a manager of a department, you need to sell even more. Not only for yourself, also for the staffs who are working hard for you. If you don’t sell, incentive, promotion, increments will be limited for both you and the people with you.

EVERYONE MUST SELL!

I HATE SALEPERSONS

2009-08-18T08:45:00.001-07:00

I used to hate the sales persons because me as a customer they always keeps hard-sell their products to me, which is irritating.

And as a colleague, the sales people is always have difficult requests, like shorter schedule, lower cost. They are not willing to work within the limits.

My opinion recently has changed. Sales people is the frontline contributing sales. Facing tough customers and their requirements. They are just the like battlefront soldiers fighting hard to win the war.

For the sales people out there, keep up the good work!

THE FIGHT BETWEEN FISHERMAN AND BUSINESS MAN

2009-08-14T07:30:00.001-07:00

A business man is on holiday. After a tasty lunch, he went strolling down a white sandy beach. He came across a fisherman resting under a shady tree and start chatting with him.

The fisherman told him that he made a profit this morning with a fruitful catch of fishes.

Business man asked him why he did not continue to catch more fishes this afternoon.

The fisherman reply him that he has enough catch for the day.

Business-man was a bit angry, he told the fisherman he is wasting his time. He should not waste time and should have spend his time catch more fishes. Earn more money, use the money to employ people and boats and earn even more.

The fisherman asked him, so what happen after he make so much money.

The businessman told him, with lots of money, he can retire, lay under sun and enjoy life.

The fisherman, asked the businessman again, “What do you think I am doing now?”

Morale of the story, you need to know your life objective. There are many ways to achieve it. Once you clearly know your objective, the path will be clear.

PLAN AND GO! GO! GO!

2009-08-08T19:03:00.001-07:00

Every working day is very hectic for many people. Many of us feel not enough time to do so much things. Yet things keep piling up.

Recently, the first thing I do it that I write down what to do for the day. Keeping in mind that I cannot to all tasks at the same day, I plan the tasks carefully and likely to cover 80% of the 8 hours of work. This start of the day plan usually takes me 10-15 minutes.

From then, I start doing each task on the list one by one. Completing one before proceeding to the next.

By doing this, I find myself more focus for each task. And the task is able to be complete more effectively.

15 minutes planning a day, keep the work from pilling.

PRIORITY

2009-08-05T09:54:00.001-07:00

In my team, we have tons of works like everyone else. And like everyone else, we prioritize the work. Important work is being done first. But I notice that when important keeps piling in, the lower priority task is never done.

For example, we service customers who have high potential sales for us (example >100 units). Customers who is buying 1-2 units are always in the lower of the priority list. Well, it sound logical, right? We keep delay these low priority customer till the day they make complaints, angry.

What the problem?

I see two possible cause & solutions:

The problem lies on the priority rules. Our rules are not correct. We should set deadline to service the low priority customer as well. If the deadline is near, automatically, they should be in higher priority.
Since the lower priority customer provide lower sales, attention should not be given as much. Sorry, but provide more inflexible solution. Yes, I did say inflexible. For example, customer ask can we do “this”, we know it can be done with extra amount of effort and time. But as they are low priority customer, we should say “NO”.

For solution (2), it sounded we are providing poor service but it business. A business is about making money, if sales potential and ROI is not justify, we should reject the customer politely.

SHARK IN A TANK

2009-08-03T08:24:00.001-07:00

In Japan, in order the keep the captured live fishes alive in the tank thru the long journey back to main land, they will keep a small shark in the tank. The shark will chase and eat the small fishes.

Comparing a tank with shark and one without shark. Most of the fishes without shark will dies thru the journey. But the tank with shark, majority of the fishes will survive the journey.

The reason is that the shark will tries to eat the fishes. “Challenges” is created to stay alive, the fishes will survive.

Bringing this to apply on people at work, if there “challenges” are available employees, they will be “alive” in the work place. But when there is no “challenges” (work becomes a routine), most employees will die (resign).

BOOK: SECRETS OF SELF-MADE MILLIONARES

2009-07-31T07:23:00.001-07:00

I have purchased this book some years back, recently because of the economy crisis, I re-read the book again. It was written by Adam Khoo, a Singaporean who made his own million from nothing. (I have contributed to his wealth by buying his books as well.. Ha Ha Ha)

It teaches how to build your wealth. Although, after reading I have not made much progress because I have not practice what the book has taught.

The book provide good details and technique to build wealth. For people who are in trap in the rat race, and would like to exit the rat race, this is the book to read. And as important as to read the book, you must practice what the book has taught.

Same here, I will start practicing the technique and hopefully able to join the “millionaire club” soon.

PRACTISE WHAT YOU TEACH

2009-07-28T10:21:00.001-07:00

If you preach balance of work-life yet you set target the requires your employees to work long working hours.

If encourages your staff to work hard so that you can promote them, but yet you keep employing from external people to fill the higher posts.

If you say something yet do a different thing, ultimately you will lose your employees faith and confidence in you. Honor your words by true action.

Don’t believe what I say, believe what I do.

HAVE YOU LIVE?

2009-07-23T10:56:00.001-07:00

In the movie BRAVEHEART (by Mel Gibson), William Wallace said “Everyone dies, but not everyone really lives”.

Many people followed the path people take. Only minority actually live their dreams.

What is your dreams? Have you live your dreams?

If not, make plans to make your dreams come true. There is no dream impossible. Human to step on the moon started of as a dream. Making people fly also started of as a dream.

It is better to regret failing than regret for not trying.

Stop dreaming, start trying. Live your dream.

WHY STUDY AND LEARN?

2009-07-20T10:39:00.001-07:00

We need to study to gain the knowledge and learn life-skill. Without knowledge you are ignorant, and ignorance kills. Without skill, you cannot utilize.

Imagine, if you do not know the mathematics (knowledge), how do you calculate the money you need to pay for your house loan, car loan.

If you do not know English (life-skill), how you communicate your knowledge.

Knowledge and life-skill work hand-in-hand. You need the skill to implement you knowledge.

You have knowledge but you cannot implement, knowledge value is zero. Likewise, if you have skill yet without knowledge, you are in high danger to making mistakes.

SIMPLE WINS!

2009-07-17T10:01:00.001-07:00

In this world, many things get more and more complicated. Just look at the TV remote control, the buttons has increase so much that user needs to read the manual to use it.

Yet sometime simplicity just wins. Example:

GOOGLE Search engine – a simple entry point and a search button. Return clean simple results.
FACEBOOK – a simple idea just to connect people.
Post-it – simply write, sticks and remind.

Sometime, try to think simple. Thing aren’t as complicate as we think it to be. Simplicity can go a long way.

DELEGATION

2009-07-13T17:00:00.001-07:00

“Delegation” – to transfer, entrust, assign to another people.

This word sound easy yet difficult to be implemented. And often abused.

Below is some pointers to highlight:

Ownership still remain with the person who delegates, often by the management. Many times, manager delegates a task but does not track the progress nor asked. And worst of all, when problem arises the manager pushes all blame the person he was delegated to.
Delegation involves assessment. Before you delegate to a person the manager must assess the abilities (not his designation). Different people, the manager needs to handle the person accordingly. A more capable person, the manager will probably needs less attention. A less capable person, the manager needs to provide more attention and guidance.
Delegate and unload. Not only passing the task, the manager needs to remove the current tasks from the person if he is too loaded.

Lastly, I wish you have a superior that is expert in delegation.

STUDY IS NOT EVERYTHING

2009-07-09T09:19:00.001-07:00

Majority parents in Singapore expects good results from their children. Easily seen as tuition centers business have flourish for many years and will continue to boom.

My expectation from my children is along as they have put in their effort I will not reprimand them. I will look into the methods that they have used for learning, look for ways to change the methods they use. Not increase unnecessary more work or burden.

In work, we always work smart not work hard. In study, help your children to study smart not study hard.

Below is some ideas of improving your child results, which you can look into:

Mind-map: easy ways to memories the tons of knowledge taught.
Effective revision: Revision the work taught 3-days ago, instead of burning mid-night oil before exams.
Focus on key subjects: Arts, history are good-to-know subjects. Spend more effort and time for important subject like Math, Science and English even it means cutting time for others. For example, usually we spend 30 minutes on each subjects. Change to 10 minutes on less importance subject and 45 minutes on focused subjects.

IS MANAGER AN EASY JOB?

2009-07-06T09:23:00.001-07:00

For people climbing the corporate ladder, manager will most likely be one of your milestone in the process.

What is the responsibilities of a manager?

Below is my views:

Responsibility to company – to generate profit for the company. You maybe from support team, sales team or administrative team, creating profit is your one of your core responsibilities. Some manager only focus ensuring their operation are running smooth which don’t give the manager much value to company.
Responsibility to subordinates – A team is only effective when everyone in the team work effectively. To work effectively, manager not only needs to concerns subordinates work welfare, he should also consider off-work welfare like their family issue.
Responsibility to other department – Another main concerns is that manager only runs the team. He forget that the company have other teams. Having one super team will not create a superb company. But having a unite normal teams will create a superb company.

Responsibility for manager is not uni-direction but multi-direction: Top (Company), Bottom (Staff), Left/Right (cross-department)

KNOWLEDGE WORTH NOTHING

2009-07-03T11:03:00.001-07:00

We have learnt a lot in schools. Math, Science, English, Chinese, Biology, Chemistry, Literature, A.Math, Physical, Accounts, Finance …

There are tons of things to be learnt. Think back, of all the knowledge you have learnt, how much is being applied?

If a particular knowledge was being taught and learnt but not apply, how much do you think it is worth …… NOTHING!

Same applies on your work. You may have lots of qualifications, lots of knowledge. But what the value of you in the company is measured by how much you have applied on your job.

For example, a degree holder holding the same position as a fellow colleague who is just finished secondary. But the latter performance is doubled of the graduate, don’t you think that the latter person should have a higher salary than the degree holder?

Knowledge depends on you to make it worthwhile.

ROAD TO SUCCESS

2009-06-30T09:47:00.001-07:00

I participated in a 1500 m run during my school time (over 10 year ago). We need to run about 4 round the tracks, after the 2nd round the top 2 winners were clear as they are leading the rest for more than 200m, I was within the others who were lagging behind.

At the last round, I started splinting to catch up with the front 2 runners. At 150m from the finishing line, the audience started cheering and screaming because I converted a long distance race to a 100m dash. The to-be-winner positions are threaten by my aggressive pursue.

When I crossed the finishing line along with the one of the to-be-winner. The first runner up and second runner up places were unclear. When the results was out, I was in the second place. Cheers from the crowds was much louder than the champion. And I received a hand-shake from the 2nd runner up (he did not hand-shake the champion). It was a hand-shake of respect to each other.

Morale of the story: goal is only the guide, it is the process that generate the ultimate winner.

FREEDOM!!!

2009-06-27T03:05:00.001-07:00

Freedom from tons of homework. Freedom from work. Freedom dictatorship. Freedom from illness.

What freedom are you looking for?

I am looking for “financial freedom”. Now we work for money to pay bills/loan/expenses. And that make us money slaves.

When I reach financial freedom, I do not work for money. I work for interest, passion or things that I want to do with my time and my life. I will work not as employee but as free man.

Motivation from movie - BRAVEHEART, by Mel Gibson

BOOKS: SECRETS OF MILLIONAIRE INVESTORS

2009-06-26T10:52:00.001-07:00

By Adam Khoo & Conrad Alvin Lim

Nice easy to read book if you are interested in investing on stocks. Especially you are a beginner like me.

For beginners, there is a chapter that will definitely catch your attention - “Idiot Proof of investing”. This chapter will explain to you about near zero risk of investing and getting 12% returns.

12% is a good return comparing 1% interest from banks.

Just a note of caution, always invest only with your SPARE cash.

NIKE: JUST DO IT

2009-06-23T07:21:00.001-07:00

It is one of the best slogan.

So many times, people wants to do something for themselves but they just keep delaying. Delay is because they have concerns, worries or fears however they more they think about it, the more concerns, worries and fear arises. In the end, they never even start, needless to say about accomplishments.

It is good to think and plan, but is this process is taking too long, you should follow NIKE – Just do it!

You need not plan 100% to start, you need 60-70% of planning you are good to start. Otherwise you will never start.

ENERGIZER: NEVER SAYS DIE

2009-06-20T08:08:00.001-07:00

A winner never quits, a quitter never wins.

Two persons set out to reach the same goals and destination. Encountering lots of difficulty and many hurdles to clear.

If you are a winner, you fall, you get up, re-plan and continue. If you are a quitter, likely you will not reach the 1st quarter of the path. You will quit at the first few obstacles encountered.

Place a Energizer battery in front of you, remind yourself, “NEVER SAYS DIE”.

TRAP SET BY MY PARENTS?

2009-06-16T09:01:00.001-07:00

As a child, we always asked ourselves and our parents , “Why do we have to study so hard?”.

Standard answer received is “To get a better job and better pay.”.

There is a major problem with this standard answer. By replying so you have limited the child’s mind that in order to have more money, only path is to “work”. And also, you have laid the foundation of the “Rat Race”.

Imagine, parents have kept reminding the “Rat Race” to the child for 20 years, what do you think the child will behave when he grown up?

Naturally and automatically he would have fallen to the “Rat Race” trap.

It will take much effort and discipline to change that 20 year old mindset.

Harmless words yet huge impact. As parent, take good care of how you behave and communicate.

GUNDAM ALIVE @ TOKYO

2009-06-14T09:07:00.001-07:00

Gundam a famous animation. For the the first time, you can see the “real” Gundam at Tokyo. Life-size!

BOOK: THINK & GROW RICH

2009-06-11T07:58:00.001-07:00

by Napoleon Hill

First thing I learnt from the book, is DESIRE.

To achieve your goals, you need desire. Without desire, goals cannot be achieve. The greater the desire, the better. Once the desire is high enough, determination, action, commitment, all necessary will come.

If you want something, create the desire within. Remind yourself daily, build and raise the desire level within. You will achieved it in time to come!

MONEY NOT ENOUGH

2009-06-08T05:07:00.001-07:00

Economy crisis – many people will see what are the areas that they should save. Only spending necessities. All because money is not enough.

When money not enough, you should think how to make more than how to spend less. Why?

Only by thinking how to make more, you will find ways to create new income streams.

But if you think how to save more, your income streams remain unchanged.

Which do you think can benefit you more? Which will give you more money?

Of course, you can apply both as well.

BELIEVING IS “SEEING”

2009-06-06T06:41:00.001-07:00

If you 100% believe yourself in something, you will see yourself in that. For example, if you believe yourself in earning million dollars, you will see yourself in that in near future.

The brothers who invested air-plane. The scientist who invest light bulb. They 100% believe in themselves and work towards it even the whole world don’t believe them.

The key words here are “100% believe” and “work towards”. Many says I do believe but things never come. They either have doubts in themselves or they are doing nothing towards it.

People who truly believe will work towards to achieve it.

FACE THE MUSIC

2009-06-03T07:47:00.001-07:00

Employees work hard for their company. Many worked as long as 10, 20 or more years. Their loyalty is clear.

When economy crisis is here, these loyal staffs got retrenched because after they work for so many years their salary is higher.

Many argued, why doesn’t the years of effort, hardwork and loyalty for so many years worth anything?

The fact is effort, hardwork or loyalty worth little to business, it is the value that you bring to the company that is worth. Companies are setup to make money. If your work worth $2000 and company is paying $4000. Then the company is making a lost by employing you.

For employee who have work long enough and has many increment, re-consider your worth to the company. Since you started with basic pay of $1000 and increment to $2000 over the years, has your value to the company increase as much? If not, it is time to change now to increase your value, otherwise be ready to accept the outcome in the time to come.

NEW START

2009-06-01T08:24:00.001-07:00

Computer is have become a necessity for many. When computer is down it create so much inconvenient to people and many people get very frustrate.

For me, when my PC is down, as long as my data is intact. I am happy about it because I will have a new start. With a new start, they system run faster because the system is clean. If it is a new version OS, I can start playing with it because sooner or later the old OS will EOL (end of life). The sooner I start, the earlier I enjoy the new features.

Same to life. If you get retrenched or force to resign with this economy downturn, it just like having your harddisk crash. You are given the opportunity to learn something new, new environment, achieve something different.

Always look forward and be positive, things are not as bad as you think. Cheers!

KNOW YOUR FUTURE

2009-05-28T08:14:00.001-07:00

Let split the population into 2 group of people.

Group 1: The Rich.
- Consist of 10% of the population.
Group 2: The Working Class.
- 90% of the population.

Which category you want your future to be?

If you want to be Group 1, you need to do what the RICH is doing. Buying investment, build business, have goal and target, constant improvement, spend time wisely, take calculated risk, …

But if you are doing like everyone else is doing. Working hard, buying luxury, no goal, no target, saving your money in bank, afraid of investment. Then you are in the Group 2.

The future is within yourself, your action now determine your future.

PARETO PRINCIPLE – 80:20

2009-05-25T08:05:00.001-07:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle

80% of the business sales come from 20% customer
80% of the total wealth of the top 10 world riches is contributed by the 20%.
80% of your values to your company come from 20% of your effort

In another word, if you have 10 task given to you, only 2 of them will contribute most of your 80% of your value to the company.

Assuming all 10 task takes equal amount of time and effort. If you have selected the 2 key tasks and done a good job, you would have secure your job by 80%.

But if you spent your time on 8 tasks which contribute only 20% of your value to the company, your job is not secure and would have spend more time and effort compare to the first.

To conclude, select and complete the tasks that provide the most value to the company first. Being selective of the tasks save you time, effort and give you the edge.

SHARP SHOOTER

2009-05-22T09:02:00.001-07:00

Once upon a time, there is an archer who can hit the every target his eyes fixed on. Ten hits out of ten arrows shot, never missed before.

He went with his King to war. Same, during the war he was able to hit the target that his eyes have set upon. But when they returned from the war, the King kick him out of his army.

Why? Because this archer always set his eyes on the WRONG target.

Same as us, we can be very good in our profession or trade but if we set ourselves at the wrong goal our effort is as good as zero.

You want to be a famous cook but you took mechanical/electronic degree. You are no where near your goal.

Set your goal clear and walk the correct path.

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN

2009-05-20T07:41:00.001-07:00

In the world war II movie, the soldiers were complaining to their immediate commander Captain John H Miller (by Tom Hanks) about the “shit” missions they get.

One of the soldier asked the captain why they never hear him complain before.

The captain answer that complaints only flow from down-upwards, they do not flow from up-downward. Commanders do not complain in-front of his soldiers. Commanders complain to higher command.

The soldier is curious and ask, assuming he is the captain’s commander what will he complain when the “shit” mission was given.

The captain answered the “commander”: “ I am most willing to accept the mission. Its great challenge and will most contribute to the effort of winning the war! (not exact words)

What do you learn from this short scenario?

How a superior handle himself when he is infront of his soldier. Complaining will only de-moralize soldier.
How a superior to handle himself when he is infront of a higher superior. Complaining does not help the incoming shit. Accept it beautifully.

The captain acts with brain & logic, not by his emotion.

DELAY GRATIFICATION

2009-05-18T08:54:00.001-07:00

Definition: The ability to forgo an immediate pleasure or reward in order to gain a more substantial one later.

Example:, I have saved $10,000 for buying a car which cost me 40000. Instead of paying the $10,000 for the car deposit and paying loan. I have decide to “delay gratification” by investing the $10,000. After several years, I may have multiple my $10,000 to $30,000.

In another words, instead of enjoying the transport convenience now, I have enjoy the convenience in a later stage by paying less and saving more.

WHAT TO DO WHEN PROBLEM CANNOT BE SOLVE?

2009-05-15T09:16:00.001-07:00

Previous blog, I have discussed about how to solve difficult problem. Are there problems that cannot be solve even we break it down?

The answer is “YES”.

So what happens when you still cannot solve the problem after breaking down?

Think of alternatives. Engage third parties to provide another view of the issue. Different view different solutions.

For example, as a Engineer, sometime certain issue cannot technically. So we thought of alternative solve, by engaging our sales team we can offer special price to customer. Or we engage other teams and counter-purpose customer with alternative solutions.

The world is round, there is always a solution. Free your mind from imitating constraints.

HOW TO SOLVE DIFFICULT PROBLEM

2009-05-13T06:51:00.001-07:00

In life we encounter numerous problems. Some problems can be easily solve. Some problems are extremely difficult and seem beyond you.

How do we solve these difficult issue?

It is just like eat the elephant. We break it into smaller issues, tackle them one by one.

By breaking them into small pieces, you will see the following:

The problem is not as difficult as you have imagined.
Solving them bit by bit is easier than solving it as one big piece.
The problem is much more manageable.
Certain task can be delegate and assisted by others.

The problem is there, no point worrying, break it down and solve it.

IS YOUR MONEY WORKING HARD?

2009-05-09T10:41:00.001-07:00

RULE 72 is to method to estimate your investment doubling time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_72

72 / annual return = number of years to double

for example, put $1000 in a bank with 10% interest, you will double the amount in 7.2 years time. (72 / 10 = 7.2)

In Singapore, if you put your money in a saving or fixed deposit, the interest is less than 1%. Which also means, $1000 its will takes 72 years for it to become $2000.

World 2nd richest man, his annual return is 24%. Which means, he only takes 3.6 years to reach $2000 of his $1000 investment.

With this measurement, you can see clearly the difference between the rich and the poor. The choice yours, to keep your money in the bank or other better investments?

FREE & GOOD

2009-05-06T07:09:00.001-07:00

In life, a lot of good things are free. But many people just do not utilize it. Below is some recommend software:

IrfranView: It does all the function I required for imaging (resizing, editing, capturing, etc). It is free and the application is very stable. http://www.irfanview.com/

AVG: Free Anti-Virus. Previously my anti-virus will have conflict, slow down the computer system, take up lots of memory. Comparing to my paid anti-virus, this free application gives me no problem. http://free.avg.com/

OpenOffice: I have not used this before. But whenever people ask me for Microsoft office, I would recommend this as an alternative if cost is a concerns. No complaints so far from people who took up my recommendation. http://www.openoffice.org/

If to compared with “Paid” software and “Free” software, of course free ones will not have as much function as the paid ones. But in most cases for normal home user, free software is good enough.

Ask yourself, out of the 100% of MS EXCEL features, how many percent you have been using it often?

KEEP MOVING!

2009-05-04T09:03:00.001-07:00

Life is about choices. Whatever happen, just think of the choices available, make the selection and move on.

Example, You are task to do something, you really hate to do. Instead of keep thinking how unlucky you are , just think of the choices you have and choose one of them and move on.

Of course, each choice will have it pro and con, you will need to choose the best one. The idea is to keep moving on.

Another idea of this, is try to make as much choices available to you. The more you can make the better it is. You can even seek opinion and ideas from friends or colleagues. But do not delay, ask immediately and move on.

ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO START

2009-04-29T09:17:00.001-07:00

When I was young, my family have limited income. There is only money for necessity. Though interested in piano, but there is no fund for hobbies.

Recently, I started sending my son to piano lessons. I took his piano books and started practicing along with him. Even I have zero knowledge on piano, I was surprise after practicing along with him for months, I was able to play with both hands! I always thought that playing with ten fingers is never possible for me.

People always says “you are too old to learn piano”, “You need to start from young”. Well, it is BULLSHIT. You can start learning as long as you are willing to learn. Know to learn the real truth and stop giving yourself excuses. It is never too late to learn.

CHANGE START FROM ME … ALWAYS

2009-04-26T08:40:00.001-07:00

If you want to change something, the first place to change is yourself.

For example, you and a colleague are always in argument. You want to the situation to improve as it affects the company business. However, you keeping thinking, the problem lies on the colleague because of his poor attitude. Have you thought what YOU need to do? Have you thought of why his actions are as such? How can you change the situation by your action.

In short, you cannot change another person if you need to improve the situation. You need to change the way and methods you interact with him.

WHO TO DIE FOR?

2009-04-23T19:35:00.001-07:00

In the army, there are rank and authority. But who do you think the soldier will entrust their life in the battlefield? The rank that the commander holds or the trust that the commander has earned?

People follows the leader who they believe in. Not even a great cause will move them without a great leader. If a leader fails to earn their trust, the cause will fail.

Great leader earn the heart and soul of their followers. Only with the true hearts of men, comes the strength to overcome and excel.

IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION DURING DIFFICULT TIMES

2009-04-19T23:15:00.001-07:00

Current the economy is bad. Employees are worried if they are affected by retrenchment or pay-cut. Most companies’ management does not communicate bad situation to the employees, assuming the alarm that will arise. As such worries continue to linger among the employees. And sometime, untruth stories were created by employees thru assumption, creating unnecessary situation.

At difficult times, companies needs to double or triple the communication to their staffs. It maybe bad news but employees need to know so that they can work with urgency to overcome the upcoming difficulties.

Only by knowing the situation, they will also know the importance of the role. Even the situation turned bad to worst, employee are mentally prepared and understand management has done they best. They will be willing to accept the facts to come.

To fight the war, you need to unite the soldiers. To unite the soldiers you must communicate.

PS: As this is sensitive issue, the importance is how you communicate. Do take utmost care in the communication.

BOOK READING

2009-04-13T09:26:00.001-07:00

When we were young and schooling, we read a lot of books. Information and knowledge are absorbed. We learn and grow.

After started working, some of us reduced or stopped reading.

Looking back, comparing the time that we read and the time we do not read, the knowledge gain is so much difference.

From books, I learn from others people experience and knowledge that they have gain thru many years. Without the books, it may takes years to learn that knowledge or never know at all.

For people who do not read, you may have miss something in life. You will not know the knowledge existence and it usefulness until you start reading.

Make others’ knowledge, mistakes and experience yours.

SEE, HEAR OR TOUCH

2009-04-09T09:43:00.001-07:00

You may think that your spouse is not loving you as much as before. But your spouse may be thinking that he is loving you as much. So what is the problem?

The problem here is that your spouse do not understand what is your expectation of love.

Different people has difference expectation. To simplify it, we can categories into SEE, HEAR or TOUCH.

Some people likes to SEE. Example, seeing you bringing her to tour, seeing the gifts/flowers you buy for her. They need to SEE the love you give.

Some people like to hear. Example, saying “I love you”, talking to her a lot.

Some people like to touch. Example, a daily hug or a simple kiss.

Without knowing your partner expectation, it like a silent bomb. Know your spouse expectation and shower your love accordingly. Know your expectation, let him/her know as well.

REAL JEDI KNIGHTS

2009-04-06T08:24:00.001-07:00

Subtracting the force powers and light saber, you can be a JEDI KNIGHT as in the movie – STAR WARS.

To be one below are the criteria:

Controls your emotion at all times. Actions are not created by how you feel but by what is the right thing to do. In the movie, Jedi control their actions and behavior well even in angered or in feared.
Controls over physical limitation. Limitations are normal created by the mind. Control the mind, hardwork to exceed the limitation. In the movie, they train hard to perform higher and further. They know their exact limitation, not virtual limitation.
Mindful of his surrounding. Knowing what happening around his environment. By knowing the environment, you will know the best action. Ignorance kills. In the movie, they are always aware of the danger and risk around them.
Protects the weak, uphold justice. Needlessly to elaborate.

In the world, there are religion based on Jedi. This blog is based on my own viewpoint and has no relation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jediism

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

2009-04-03T18:58:00.001-07:00

Recently gain my weight increase. It times to start weight management.

I have read some articles on the internets. Its has a lot of details which I feels too much of consideration required to take note. So I have simplify as below which is easy to understand:

INPUT – OUTPUT = FATS

INPUT = How much you eats; Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack … OUTPUT = How much you use; Walking, running, breathing …

Based on the equation, to reduce my weight I have three choices:

Reduce input by reducing the amount I eat. Note that the idea is to reduces the amount, not to stop eating. Too less input will affects your health due to lack of energy required for daily operation.
Increase output. More exercise. Have to be truthful to yourself, if you jog 10 minutes, just expects 10 minutes with of fats reduces.
The last option is the most effective - reduce input and increase output.

BOOKS: EAT THE FROG

2009-03-30T23:59:00.001-07:00

A colleague of mine read it and explain to me as follows:

“It is difficult to eat the frog, because it is ugly and it is not a normal food the people eat. But if you need to eat it, just eat it. There is no point looking at it too long.”

It is just like you need to do a task. There is no point of thinking too much and delay the task. Just start doing and finish it.

Like Nike’s slogan: JUST DO IT!

HOW YOU SEE IT, HOW YOU ACT

2009-03-29T02:36:00.001-07:00

Everything you face will have more than one angle to see it. The way/angle you see will determine your action.

For example, I was given a very problematic project, the customer is very demanding, success rate is low. With this viewpoint in my mind, moral will be low, job will be tough, results will be poor. Everyday, going to work will be miserable.

Let change the viewpoint of this example, I was given a challenging project, lot of opportunities to perform, and lots of experience exposure and learning point. Every daily going to work will be full of life!

With a different viewpoint, the attitude is different, how you feel and how you act will be different. Result will be different.

The task is the same, but the way to see it determines outcome. Controlling your viewpoint not only improves results but also makes your life better.

ECONOMY CRISIS OR OPPORTUNITIES?

2009-03-26T18:35:00.001-07:00

Current economy is bad, in fact, it is the worst for the past decades. People worries as such most money are keep in the banks (with extreme low interest) for the possible rainy days.

But everything has 2 sides. Yes, economy is bad now but opportunities have increases many folds. Now, I see a lot stocks prices are extremely low, and these stocks have good potential to double your money in near future. You don’t get such opportunity when times are good.

For example, SIA price is now below $10, at its peak it hits $19. And normally, when economy recovers it will peak it prices again. And what is the possibilities that SIA closes shop?

Before you invest below are some points to note:

Invest only with extra cash. You should have at least six months of your monthly expenses as reserve after you invest.
Time, waiting game. Expect the wait to be at least 3-5 years. If you cannot wait, do not invest.
Investment is not gamble. Know the tools, cost and risk involved. If you are not certain, either you go find out or keep away from it.

** I am not liable for any losses you made. Please make your own decision and take ownership of your own investment. **

LEARN LIKE A CHILD

2009-03-25T03:58:00.001-07:00

When I was training my 5-year son to ride bicycle (2 wheels), he surprised me because he only took 3-hours to ride the bicycle by himself. Recalling teaching my friend to ride bicycle (during our teens at the time), he took 2 days!

Ever wonder why children learn faster than adult? Does children learn faster because physically their brain is growing?

Big brain or small brain, they are the same. It is how the mind thinks that has limited the learning process.

When we are young, the mind is open to knowledge, willing to accept, learn and without fear. But as we mature, our focus changed from learning (student) to making money (employee). As adult we have less learning time and less opportunities. But importantly more excuses, more fears and more worries.

Free your mind from unwanted beliefs, do not limit yourself. - “Altitude is determine by attitude”.

MEDIACORP EASYREADER

2009-03-23T07:37:00.001-07:00

Just install the EasyReader Version 3.0. It’s a software to read TODAY online news. My rating: 9 of 10.

Likes:

Offline content – Once downloaded, the news can be read without an internet connection.
Archive – Contents are archive up to 30 days!
Easy to read – Fonts can be change easily of 5 different sizes.
Navigation – Easy navigation form pages to page with the arrow keys.
Simple design – Reading on the website contain lots of advertisement (distraction) . EasyReader advertisement are limited.
Free – software is free, content is free.

Dislikes:

It would be great if the Mediacorp can provide small movies clips to add more life to the news.

If you like to read news on the train, this will be a perfect solution. http://www.todayonline.com/reader.asp

EFFECTIVE CURE, NEEDS EARLY DECTECTION

2009-03-20T05:27:00.001-07:00

Children likes to play and they do make lots of noise while playing. After playing, parents has lots of clean up to do. So parents prefer them to go and play outside.

However, regularly you need to invite your children friends to come home and play. Because you will know who are the people he/she spending with most of the time (outside the house).

As children their thinking is not mature yet, the people they spend with will influence their attitude, behavior and their life. It is good to know as early as possible if they have mixed with wrong group of people.

The earlier you found out the more effective the will be the remedy.

WHO IS THE MOST PERSON YOU TALK TO?

2009-03-18T10:05:00.001-07:00

The person that talk to you most will influence how you think and act. So who is the person you talk to most in your life?

Girlfriend, wife, best friend, parents, sibling?

Answer is ….. YOURSELF.

Everyday, unknowingly you speak to yourself constantly. If you want to change yourself, first must be aware of the “other” you speaking to you. Normally, how and what he speaks to you is because of experiences in the past. And experience create a set of rules/answer for you – it may be good or it may be bad depending of the experience.

If you want to make a change to yourself, first know “yourself”, understand the rules that was created. Once understand the rules, the rest will be easy.

TEAM TO SYSTEM

2009-03-16T08:39:00.001-07:00

Previously, I highlighted the importance of team. For businessman, not only you should build a team, you also need to build a system.

One person only 24 hour a day, you cannot learn and do everything by yourself. You need your team – a strong team - assistance.

One team (for example, 5 persons), individually each has different goals and idea. They cannot run your business for the whole of their life. Having a system, regardless of who resign or sick, the system keeps running.

Example, Macdonald create a system that young or old staff can make burger/fries. There is no chef that the company depends on. Business can run at low manpower cost and more stable.

Train yourself – Build & Train your team – Create your system.

LOOK AT THE GOOD POINTS

2009-03-13T21:59:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine told me to look at spouse good points.

After married for a period, husband and wife get to know each other more and more – both good and bad. However, bad points always seems to be more obvious. Thus the good points were overlook. Slowly conflicts grows and relationship turn sour.

Always look at your spouse good points. After all, both of you got married of all the good points he/she has. And good things he/she have done for each other.

After reading this, just do two things:

Think back what good things your spouse has done for you.
With point (1) in mind, give your spouse big hug and a kiss.

BOOK: NLP

2009-03-08T08:44:00.001-07:00

By Dr Harry Alder

NLP – Neuro-linguistic Programming

Brought the book a few days ago. After reading the first chapter, I have glad that I have brought this book.

It is simple to read and it does give you the impact of motivation. It list out the facts of live and how to improve it.

Four steps of success:

Know what you want
Take Action
Learn to notice the results of what you do
Be prepared to change your behavior until you get the result you are after.

“There is not failure, only feedback'” – this line tells you not to give up. Keep change your methods till you achieve your outcome.

And note again, all these in just the very first chapter of the book. GOOD BOOK.

BOOK: SENSE OF URGENCY

2009-03-01T21:14:00.001-08:00

In this book, I have learnt that to have sense of urgency you need to clearly understand the environment. Only by understanding that you know its importance of change.

For example, if you are a customer support team in the company. Daily working very hard in the small cubicle, reply emails, answering calls. But you do not know what going on outside the company.

What is your competitor doing? What is the market responding to the company’s product. Without know all these, your work is just an routine work – not much difference comparing with robot.

If you understand, you will know what you need to do to give the company its cutting edge by your effort.

Human or ROBOT?

PLANNING YOUR FUTURE

2009-02-27T20:30:00.001-08:00

In this poor economy, friends are being retrenched and pay being cut. Immediately their income cease/decrease however their monthly bills are sent to them without fail. Slowly stress level is up, more arguments with family, life turn bad to worst.

I am really worry, if I were out of job, how am I going to pay for my monthly bills?

Insurance I have is catered for emergency use (also contributing to my monthly bills). It does not cater for jobless. With a monthly income, I am nothing.

I MUST build passive income for a better life for me and my family.

Should have done it years ago, anyway it better to be late than never.

SWOT

2009-02-26T23:02:00.001-08:00

SWOT is a simple analysis tactic. By thinking thru your SWOT analysis you can know how to position to the best advantage.

Strength – Know your strength. Example, my product has high reliability.

Weakness – Know your weakness. Example, my competitor has a 30% lower selling price.

Opportunities – Open and see other opportunities. Example, by securing this deal, I will have better chance in secure the customer next 3 years tenders.

Threat – What are the risk involve? Example, we might not able to delivery in time due to so-so.

You can apply this as yourself in your company (if you are an employee). For example, “S” – what is your main contribution to the company. “W” - what area you need to improve. “O” – are the open in other department that you can excel further. “T” – how is the company in the economy crisis? Any retrenchment?

PRODUCT PRICE

2009-02-25T08:11:00.001-08:00

So many time in my company, I see people requesting for lower price to close deal and tender.

As customer, price is not the only main concern. You should look at reliability, stability of the company you are purchasing. Also before and after service.

As salesperson or employee, you are a key person who contribute to the revenue in the company. Yes, reducing price will closed the deal. But it reduces the company overall revenue which in term less profit, less increment and less bonus. As sales you need to look at the big picture as well.

As company, you should equip sales with as much selling tool for them to sell – feature, proven service, training, etc.

DELEGATION & KILL

2009-02-23T07:14:00.001-08:00

Delegates is one of the common technique managers used to work effectively in the fast-paced, competitive world.

However other than delegation, the manager should also kill low-value tasks – for both oneself and his team members.

If manager only delegate and delegate without monitoring the workload of his staff. And his staff is tight up with pile up work which include high-value tasks as well as low-value tasks. End results will be all tasks are incomplete or poorly done.

If you are a manager do monitor the workload both yourself and your staff.

If you are a staff, do highlight to your manager when your are overload. You have the right to provide feedback to your boss.

ECONOMY PROOF MARKET

2009-02-20T07:28:00.001-08:00

Economy crisis is the talk of the day.

However there are some industry are resistant to economy downturn.

1) Education – no matter what happen, leader of the future need their sound education. When did you hear teacher got retrench?

2) Forex – a money game worldwide by banks. Price up or down, traders are able make profit both ways. Money exchange is needed by the banks and organization. And large group of people are there waiting to ride the waves.

3) Medical – Doctors and nurses are always in demand. If you need to see doctors, you need to go. You cannot wait for the market.

Knowing this, which industry you want to build your career?

MY SCAR

2009-02-18T08:56:00.001-08:00

“Time will heal” this phrase is correct but remember the scar will be there.

In one point of my life, I did something really stupid.

I invited a lady as my date to a dinner with my friends. During the dinner, there wasn’t much conversation. Trying to save the night, I cracked some jokes which, accidentally, insulted my date. How stupid and in-gentleman of me!

Even I had “apologize”, I still feel very bad about that event till this day and the days to come. And I believe that the lady friend of mine will also remember that day (and me) for life.

Do think carefully before your use your words, action and behavior. The moment it is said or done you can never it take back.

SHORT TERM & LONG TERM STRATEGY

2009-02-17T02:55:00.001-08:00

In business there is always short term and long term strategy.

Short term meets immediate needs. Long term will help to bring the organization to stretch toward the future.

Actually, this applies to individual as well. My view for short term is my routine job. The salary helps me to meet my monthly expense, housing loans, etc. These are actually my immediate needs.

For long term, I have plan individual improvements, create passive income, portfolio income. These strategy will bring to into a better future.

Many people do not plan their personal long term strategy. If you are one of them, it is time to start one NOW.

THERE IS ALWAYS A BETTER WAY TO DO THINGS

2009-02-16T08:30:00.001-08:00

There was a blind man asking for donation with a cardboard. On the board, it is written "I am blind, please donate".

A kind man walks pass, he donate some money to him. Then he wrote some on the board. For the rest of the day, the blind man was receiving lots of donate from people passing by.

On the white board, it is written as such: “Today is a beautiful sunny day. Unfortunately, I cannot see it”.

Well, routine job or non-routine job. There is always a better way to do.

MINDFUL IN WORK

2009-02-13T03:00:00.001-08:00

Daily at work, each of us has many things to do. After a period of time, these task becomes routine.

The risk is that people become complacency to their job and fail to see that the routine job has become obsolete.

Below is a short story:

Mr Alpha works in a company for25 years. Ever since he joined the company he has been receiving very good complements from his superior, thus receiving good increment, good bonus.

At the age of 40 years old, he has become a management level, leading a team of six people. However, being "trained" that the job is as per his golden years ago, he leads his team to doing according to what he has been doing for the pass 25 years.

He failed to see that his routine job does not provide sufficient value to the company. This may due to technology change, environment change, company direction change. End Result is that he was asked to leave the company.

Well moral of the story is that we must be mindful of what we do. Do not be complacency and be quick to change. Do not let yourself become Mr Alpha.

COMMITMENT

2009-01-30T09:00:00.001-08:00

To achieve what you want you MUST be committed to it, otherwise failure awaits you.

So many times, I have decided to do something. However the results are not successful or half-achieved. Finally, I realized the problem is that I am not committed enough to do what I want.

If I am not committed, whatever resolution or goals is nothing but dreams.

Be committed is one of the key to success!

IMPORTANCE OF TEAM

2009-01-27T23:56:00.001-08:00

A leader cannot do everything by himself. He needs his team to assist him.

If he has a strong, effective, proactive team - his job will be easy and good.

If he has a weak, ineffective, passive team - his job will be tough and tiring.

How to get a good team? You have to train each of them individually. It takes time and effort and a lot of experience.

And to have a lasting strong team, train them to be leaders/mentors as well. Only with leaders/mentors within the team, then the team will be strong and lasting.

If you are a manager, do spend time and effort to train your staffs. They are your valuable assets and key to success.

CONTROL YOUR ANGER!

2009-01-19T07:19:00.001-08:00

Children are often noisy and difficult to obey instruction. And certain times parents/adults will lose their temper.

HOWEVER, when you lose your temper or not, do keep in mind that you need to be in 100% control of yourself.

At times, I do see parent throwing their child onto the sofa with so much strength. Or hitting extremely hard that the five fingers will leave the marking for days. It is so worrying that in a mist of a small error, these parents may injured their children.

So far, I did lose my temper, I will scream at the top of my voice at my kids. I hope that is as far as I will go because I do love them very much. And the last thing I want to see is them getting hurt. I believe all parent feel the same as I do. So, no matter always stay in control of yourself.

WHO IS WRONG?

2009-01-15T08:26:00.001-08:00

In a team, if the leader is very busy while his team members are free. It means that the leader delegation have problem.

If the team members are very busy and over loaded. That means the leader has management issue.

If some members are busy and some are not. There is a unbalance of workload. The leader delegation and job assign is not good. Plus the team cohesion to work together is not sufficient.

We do not expect everything to be perfect but what we should do is identify the problem early, know the cause and solve it.

WIRELESS PRINTER AT LESS THAN $100

2009-01-14T08:25:00.001-08:00

Wireless printer now cost around $500 - EXPENSIVE.

To save cost and to own a wireless printer, I have did the following setup.

Equipments:

1. MIO Wireless Router (Free from package)

2. DLINK Network storage with Printer server at $235.00

3. EPSON Stylus USB Printer at $78.00

TOTAL COST: $312.00 (save approx. $188.00)

Instructions:

My network storage (Item 2) is connect to the wireless router (Item 1). My Printer (Item 3) is connected to network storage (Item 2). After installing the driver on my notebook, and my wireless printer is ready to go!

Limitations:

a) the devices needs to be near to each other. Otherwise you will need to arrange the cable between each other.

b) For the printer, certain feature may not be available (check the ink level).

By the way, my storage device is also wireless. No more cables!

GRANDPARENTS OR CHILDCARE CENTER?

2009-01-12T09:35:00.001-08:00

Previously I have concerns who to take care of my son - loving grand-parents or childcare center?

My choice is childcare center because the teachers there will not only take care of your children. They will also have activities to build the children creativity, to learn ABC, etc. And the child get to make friends and have fun.

Concerns like teachers will not put 100% effort on your child, others children "biting" my children, virus flying around in the care-center. All these are true and do happen. However, as long as it is within control limit, I think it is just parts of life that the parent and child needs to experience.

As for grand-parent, let them rest. Let them enjoy their grand-children by playing with them during weekend. Taking care of them everyday, which is a tiring job.

Parents need to let go to let the children experience and grow.

UPGRADING THE JUNIORS

2009-01-09T11:12:00.001-08:00

You may have come across some drama, where apprentice is learning the skill of his teacher. However, the teacher always will keep some skills within him so that he can always be the master.

I think otherwise. I feel that we should taught as much as to my juniors. No doubt, by upgrading the skill and knowledge of the juniors it will propose threat as they can overtake you easily.

But looking at another view, only with this competition, you will be very motivate to improve further. As you know the competitor have the same skill and knowledge as you do ( because you taught them). As such, you will need to always change and improve constantly to stay at the top.

Only by change human can improve/progress. If the world does not change, human will not fall.

FINANCIAL TRAINING STARTS YOUNG

2009-01-09T10:57:00.001-08:00

Knowing how to control your finance is an important key to success. Unfortunately, this is not taught at school.

For most people, their financial knowledge came thru experience. But why should this come from experience when your parent already have that experience. Can it be taught like any academic subject?

Well, I think it can be taught but not by classroom teaching style.

Parent needs to set the environment for the children from young (around 9 years old). Progressive let the child experience the need of finance control and guide them to learn the skill.

Setting the environment at the right level is important. Too tight, the child may resort to selling, robbery. Too loose, they will not learn the skill.

LIFE LONG LEARNING

2009-01-07T09:00:00.001-08:00

In the current living environment, change is constant. And changes are fast.

TELEVISON : From "B&W CRT TV" to "Color TV" to "Projector TV" and "LCD/Plasma TV".

INTERNET SPEED: From "33.6 kbs" to "56.6 kbs" to "512 kbs" to "1 mbs" to "3 mbs"

In a short matter of 30 years, the changes are great. And you need to keep learning otherwise you will lose out.

My dad went to take up computer lessons. Now he is able do stock/shares online, watching online TV and even MSN with his grandchildren. At his age to pick new things, I think it is very impressive.

Keep learning, what you know now may not apply in the future. What you can make money now , you may not apply in the future.

CURRY FLAVOR

2009-01-03T01:23:00.001-08:00

I am sure in all office there is sure someone who knows to "curry flavor" the boss. The rest of people will be jealous because that person seems to be having all the good jobs and benefits. Worst of all, the person is not doing much work!

Everyone like being praise because it feels good. Bosses too. No matter he is a boss that likes "curry flavor" or not, he cannot avoid it. Simply this is human nature and it will feels goods when being praised.

My view, whether you like it or not, you need to "curry flavor" a bit. Why lose out to untalented people with unrealistic reasons.

If you are a person of talents and is hardworking, showing a bit of "curry flavor" will not kill you. Others team members will support you just as well (instead of jealousy), because you are their good example to learn from.

Be open to change (right or wrong), do not limit yourself.

JOB SECURITY

2009-01-02T07:47:00.001-08:00

In the current world there is no such thing job security, even working for the government or you have worked with the company for 15, 20 years.

You need to plan for the future. I have so many people around me that do not plan for the future. Most people rely very much on their CPF or their children to support them.

For CPF, you will survive, but if you want to live comfortable it will not be sufficient.

For children, even worst, you never know if they are able to provide for themselves or not. Not to even consider, providing for you.

The idea is to build on your portfolio income and passive income. Protect yourself, do not reply on the government or company to plan for your retirement. (They have no obligation to do that).

PLAYING IT SAFE

2008-12-29T07:06:00.001-08:00

Employees like to play safe - avoiding reprimand from superior or getting 'fire' by the company. Below are some common things they do:

1. Transfer or 'delegates' the jobs to other people. In case of any issues arises, they will blame it to the people doing.

2. When executing, they will take the most safe path to achieved it. Even at the cost of achieving losing certain profit for the company.

I find by doing so, playing it safe, this some some major faults.

1. Oneself cannot show their full-potential and capabilities.

2. Missing opportunities to learn valuable lesson. Valuable lessons are learn by venturing and making mistakes.

No doubts, you may get terminate by the company but the experience learnt is priceless.

TRAINING THE MIND

2008-12-27T16:09:00.000-08:00

Our brain cannot distinguish what is real and what it not. Having that in mind, we can actually "trick" the brain that we are able to accomplish certain things.

For example: If everyday, imagine that you are doing certain task, like making a public speaking to 1000 of people. After a period of time, the public speaking becomes a part of you, when the day comes, you are actually a experience public speaker (even it is your first time).

I have pick-up this idea from book. How true is yet to be determine.

ACTIONS!

2008-12-19T06:18:00.001-08:00

I have many business ideas, plans but I lack of one important thing - ACTIONS!

I have read a book, in one of the pages it states - "A poor idea with actions is better than a good idea without. A good idea without actions is equivalent to no idea".

It is better to start working and fix the problems than to plan for perfection but nothing get done.

I totally agreed with the book, TIME FOR ACTION!

BUYING CAR?

2008-12-18T06:40:00.001-08:00

COE of cars has dropped to $2. It is definitely a good time to buy car now...... But my final decision is still to hold.

Buying a car is buying a liability. After calculating the cost, it is not worth buying. Below is a summary of the costs involved once you purchased the car.

1) Parking lot (office and home)

2) Installment of loan

3) Insurance

4) Road Tax

5) Petrol

6) ERP

The above easily sum up a monthly expenses of $700. It is an expensive price to pay for convenience.

It is better to put the money to stock market or funds as the prices are pretty low now. Within 3 years, you can easily make a return of 30% and above.

Who knows, you may even pay full amount for the car with the profits made.

YOUR VALUE IN YOUR COMPANY

2008-12-17T07:28:00.001-08:00

I know a lot of colleagues that work very hard for the company. Yes, it a good employee but let try to answer the following:

If you are a COE of a company which employee will you choose:

a) An employee who works very hard and do to overtime everyday. And generates $500 daily for the company.

b) An employee who comes in punctual and leave office sharp. And generate $1000 daily for the company.

If I am the boss, I will definitely choose (b). Now is your choice, which type of employee you want to be (a) or (b).

iGOOGLE

2008-12-16T07:36:00.000-08:00

Googles has done a great job in their search engine.

Recently I have tested with iGoogle. And this service is just as good - Simple, easy and fast.

I have personalise iGoogle to provide me news, stock information and to-do-list.

In office, one or twice I will need open the browser to access email, or search for info. With iGoogle set as my default home page, every time I open the browser, immediately it gives me quick news around the world, my stocks performance and reminds me of the thing I need to do.

Many website do provide similar service, but I still prefer iGoogle just because 3 words - Simple, easy and fast.

CAREER PATH

2008-12-14T08:01:00.000-08:00

When I was still in school, I have to make decision of what to study - Account stream or Technical stream. When ask my brother or sister, they always says you must know what you want to do in future. Simple words, but yet so difficult to understand.

It is only after I started working a few years, that I know what it meant.

Let me elaborate with the following example:
I want to be a successful business-man. To be a successful business-man, I need sales skill, management skill, account skill, networking. Knowing on the the skill needed, all the decision made should be sail towards that destination. So my studies should be accounts/finance related, or business relation. My job should be sales or marketing.

In short, only by understanding what you want in life then you can decide with path to take. Certain paths may not be what you like, but if you know your goal you will know that it is necessary take the path to achieved your final destination.

If you know your career path, good for you.
If you still do not know, you should consider to plan one now.

CREDIT CARDS - FRIEND OR FOE?

2008-12-12T20:28:00.000-08:00

Credit cards are like guns. You use it the right way, you benefit from it. You use it the wrong way, you will be hurt.

Guns(Good points) - It protects you, your family and country from the enemies. Maintaining peace and order.

Guns (Bad points) - It will create hatred, revenge, chaos, deaths.

Credit cards (Good Points) - Less cash in your wallet, pay around the world, discounts from restaurants, rewards points for free gifts.

Credit cards (Bad Points) - Bad debts leading to stress, unhappiness, family arguments and bankruptcy.

For me, I have 2 cards. But it will be better to have one. With only one card you can focus on maximizing your rewards points.

With the rewards points I have accumulated, I have exchanged them for fan, toaster, kettle, book voucher, toy voucher. My latter card (CitiBank SMRT card) I have earned a good $50 worth of MRT trips. And all these are free by simply using the credit cards.

It not the guns that kills, it is the man. Do not fear or avoid from the cards, learn to control it and use it to your benefits.