Last Weekend of 2007

My operation staff (except office boy) are all going back to office this weekend (Saturday and if could not finish, they will return also on Sunday) to clear all the secured cases as we look forward to clear all our production premiums into the system by 6.00pm on 31/12/2007.

I am sure for many, there are a lot of other better programme to look for rather than going back to office to work. Many would have family gathering, new year preparation or company dinners where time is needed to prepare and enjoy.

I am proud to note that all of them have made this decision with high commitment (without be instructed) as they know that the branch needs their vital support at this moment of time.

Dedicated and committed staff is what the company or a team needs. Without these values, we could only perform the requirement but unable to achieve the extraordinary achievements. Whether the result would deliver the desired results, the process of togetherness in delivering such a feat is already an achievement.

To these dedicated team members, I give 3 cheers of success... Hip 2x Hooray (3X)

The Secret

I am now reading "THE SECRET" by Rhonda Byrne, top selling book for self transformation...just reaching page 37 but I am already eager to share with many of you of this great book...revealing the Secret of Success...

"Everything that is coming into our life, we are the one attracting them to us. And it is attracted to us by virtue of the images we are holding in our mind. It is what we are thinking. Whatever is going on in our mind we are attracting to us."

When we keep thinking on certain things, we are building the image and concrete action to have them. This is not just one time or twice...but a constant imaging on the wants would make it a real happening. So, it is good and bad...if we keep on positive notes, then it will be a winning stance but if we are always reflecting on negativity...times will surely lead us to the consequence of it.

Enhance on good thoughts but strictly beware on negative thoughts. When you are on bad mood...we must learn quickly to discard the bad mood into happy refreshing thoughts and that is how we could attract the good things from the Universe...

Still reading on...

Can't wait for the sharing,...you may see the preview on this website : http://www.thesecret.tv/

Big Picture

To be real successful in our undertakings, we must be able to see the big picture. Only when we see the whole picture of puzzle in front of us, we are in a better position to manage, control, lead and solve whatsoever obstacles or challenges ahead with easier solutions or paths.

So..at times, we may have thought that we saw the big picture but then...it may only be small portion of a bigger picture. Not only we need to see the overall perspective the true picture, we must also be able to share or lead our team workers to see the same as if not, the outcome will not be as desirable as we wish and it may also lead to disastrous result.

Well, like the jig saw puzzle..we may only see bits and pieces of the big picture. At young, we could do the try and error tactic as we try to form the picture. As we progressed on, we have learnt the art and skills to be quick to summarise the whole picture and how best things can be managed and observed from a deep look... from a distance ?

Luck may play a part, I guess...as sometime one may be at greater difficulty if he or she happen to only see the blue piece like the above jig saw puzzle when compared to others who may have the piece of the cat's head. But truly,...with experiences, we manage this challenge well and even better if we can learn to complement each other by sharing the information perceived on the big picture through a more effective and efficient way, saving unnecessary hussles or waste of time or resources especially frustrations among members when things get rough.

The process of learning this formation of big picture is important in one's learning of leadership and teamwork. It is a life long learning process...as if we compare it to the process of solving a jig saw puzzle. We can start from easy way...2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64,.....20,000 pieces...or unlimited to try further ??

So, won't we agree that the more successful one would become, one would have resolved or seen many big pictures or bigger pictures. However, many may be just contented to have just see few pieces of the jig saw but asking for the satisfaction of seeing the whole big picture.

Hope we could resolve all our big picture in passing through our life especially the biggest picture of our life...THE REAL REASON of why we are in this WORLD ?

A Respectable CEO

Frankly, tonight as I browse Will's photo blog tonight, I saw his great write up on the man in the photo...you may browse Will's write up here ( http://gonuclear.blogspot.com/2007/10/brother-albinus.html )

I have managed to google this recent photo (2007) from the net...and we can see our once strong head is much older now..but he is still going strong in sacrificing and sharing his passion on education to the less fortunate.

All the boys of Sacred Heart Secondary School have been fearing in respect for him so much so..that even the naughtiest of all still respected him for his strict discipline. My parents like him very much though they always need a translator to communicate with him. They have given him all authority to mould me from the day one I enter the gate of the school. He is Br. Albinus @ Abai, my CEO (Chief Education Officer) in my alma mater.

Many have gave high tribute to his selfless sacrifice although we have been through mentally "torture" during those period in school. He will cane the naughties and also praises those good ones. Even when we are naughty, I remembered when my whole class was summon to come back to school to clean up the old store behind squash court due to our noisy acts in class (above the canteen)...he still treat us to a pail of orange drinks and cakes...

The night self study session is a great method for me to brush up in my study. I started to go to night classes when I am still in Form 1. I actually spent most nights (except holidays) in school even during public holidays from morning till night (7.30 a.m - 12pm, 2.00 to 4.30pm then 6.30pm till 10.30pm)..we are talking about 10 solid hours here....I actually maintain this regime of learning till now..

Thank you Brother...you are my Hero of Discipline. Hope to meet you soon again face to face (I will make sure I do not tremble, had my tougue tie-up, near piss in my pants...but speak to you in clear voice when you called up..the YII's boy, come over here....where is your brother Tom ? ...hehehe)

I am sure many of us have great learning experience from him,...care to share ?

Listen To Learn

Good listening is truly where effective communication begins. It's suprising how few people really listen well, but successful people, more often than not, are the ones who have learned the value of listening.

I must admit that at my age, I am learning hard on how best to listen well to people, learning the real art and skill in understanding the real needs and problems of the other person. In my work as a risk manager, I need to have good listening skills to provide better solutions, risk management and protection programme to the enquired parties.

Not only we must be able to listen well, we must practise active listening. What is active listening ? It is an attentive approach, affirmation of understanding (ok...I understand..yes etc), noting with eye to eye contacts coupled with right questioning skill to understand the fact of the matter shared (it is not belittleing or judging the contents of sharing bu rather trying to understand deeper).

A fact need to be understood...people everywhere love to be listened to and they almost respond to people who listen to them. Listening is one of the best techniques we have for showing respect to others.

One leader also shared with me many years back...God gave us two ears so that we can listen more than we speak, as we have only one mouth. Further, we can close out mouth, but our ears are open 24 hours. This affirmed the importance of listening.

Spent more time to learn how to listen better, we will soon find out that we could learn so much from others.

How Important Is Education ?

I used to receive comments saying that having high qualifications may not be the best option to be successful in life. These comments normally came when comparing the success of non-educated millionaires or even the example of Michael Dell and Bill Gates were put forward. So, it is really true that one may not need education to be successful ?

Before writing further, I have searched for the simple definition of education from Wikipedia. It says;

"Education encompasses teaching and learning specific skills, and also something less tangible but more profound: the imparting of knowledge, positive judgment and well-developed wisdom."

Further indepth...it clarify,

Education has as one of its fundamental aspects the imparting of culture from generation to generation (see socialization). Education means 'to draw out', facilitating realisation of self-potential and latent talents of an individual. It is an application of pedagogy, a body of theoretical and applied research relating to teaching and learning and draws on many disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, sociology and anthropology.

From the above definition, it is clearer to understand that education is a very wide understanding for human perfection in life where many disciplines can be taught. I believe different person will learn their skills or knowledge in different ways; some through watching, feeling, sharing, listening, working, sleeping or dreaming. The main school system normally provide a direct education of read, write and calculate for students and also also marked their success through examination.

Some special students may not have the liking to go through the usual channel of examination as they may be better in certain of type of skills; singing, playing musics, giving speeches, sports etc. These special students could also become very successful giving proper care and attention.

Going back to the initial remarks on people without education could also be very successful can be understood that even those people without education had also received some form of basic education at least on read, write or calculate at young age. The more difficult question to answer would be higher qualification...

Well, I would choose at probabilities to attempt in answering the question.

1. It is a fact that more people became successful when they received proper education programme at least to higher education. Yes, there are also many (but the overall number may be small) those who only complete secondary schools achieved successful status. But how about those only complete only primary or kindi ? Yes, there are still a group....then how about those never learn to read, write or calculate ? I do not recall of any...(may be few...but these people also learn the basic skills on their progress to success).

2. Higher education is only a ticket to let one enter a intermediate level of life however...it does not guarantee one's success as there are other factors to look upon. It is usually hope that education forms a foundation for one to at least able to work independent on its way to success.

3. What else...huh ?...one successful in life must not just evaluate on monetary ground...it must include family upbringing, generation sharing, morality, contribution to the society, legally based and spiritually blessed. Example : A King of Gangster is also successful in terms of monetary ???

Last but not least...I believe only those who learn education (not only in classroom also including society at large) seriously and able to apply as much of its principles to gel it with learning experiences in the real environment and never stop to educate themselves throughout their journey to success are the one who have higher probabilities to reap their fruits at last.

Our journey of life is a lifelong learning (education)....

Remembering Birthdays

Beside our wife, kid, parents/inlaws and brothers/sisters' birthdays, the next important birthday to be remembered is our Bosses' birthdays. In my line, my core customers' birthdays are also a must.

Actually remembering somebody's birthday is good and it helps in appreciating the person. Whether they are close or far, if we could at least send a text message, I believe it will brighten one's face when receiving it. Nobody will forget their own birthdate...unless they are insane. Therefore, it is my practice to remember as many birthday as possible as to appreciate them as my friend.

So, yesterday evening, I celebrated my two bosses' birthdays together with my staff at the club. All of us have good time (though I felt dizzy and blocked nose) as we chatted on all kind of topics (laughing all over). The birthday cake (cheese strawberry chocolate) was from Tom's and I have to admit that it is the best cake that I have tasted this year...yum..yum..yum.

Actually, it is our office's culture to celebrate staff birthday as to share the joy of their birth and strengthen our bonding through this simple gathering.

So, how many birthdays do you remember ?