Tak kenal maka tak cinta

This is the Malay phrase that basically means "You don't know about it so you don't love it". I think that's very true for someone that I start getting working closely in the workplace. The more we interact, the more I start changing my perception towards him.

Why people hate their job?

We all know that we spend more than 50% of our time in work, yet how many of us are really looking forward to come to office? I am sure some of us do, however similarly there are plenty of us, if not hate, but forced to come to work. I figure the reason is very obvious when the job don't give you a sense of achievement. The can be many reasons, among them are lack of job satisfaction or mismatch in job expectation. And due to the mismatch in expectation, the management sometimes set unrealistic goals. When everyone is fighting for their own cause, that creates frictions and conflicts. Especially so in office environment, there are always people who like to bulldoze through their objective by pressure. For me, I come to this situation whereby someone who just always over-interpret my message. For a simple act of asking of information, he misread that i'm challenging the authority. All the aggregation of problem really keep me wonder if i'm in the right job. I love the work i'm doing, but the complication of office interaction with people really tick me off. sigh~

Who are my friends? Who are my real friends?

Every morning I have a good 10 minutes walks before i reach office. One of the these trips, my mind swayed while i walked. With no specific reason, a question popped up, "who are my friends?", i probably can name a few... then i grill a bit more, "who are my real friends?"... i halted, and can't give a name.

I knew the problem rooted within me, because i just need to turnaround the question then i knew the answer. Who will i treat them as real friends? i can't be sure to myself. As I get elder and supposedly wiser, I keep things within myself to trade with the feeling of security. Friendship erodes from the center of the stage of my life, replacing them is my family and undisputed me and myself.

I no longer the teenager me, and I'm learning to befriend with loneliness.

If i desire enough, will i get it?

This afternoon I have one round of conversation with my regional senior about one business decision. We came to a small debate about our different view on this decision. Although I am still not convinced by his reasoning, but I totally agreed with him that I have to beef up my communication. Unfortunately this is what matter most to a "consultant", communication determine 50% (or more) of our success, it's not even whether we are make a clever judgement / action. He sharply pick up that I have to avoid the repetitive words like "I know" and "But" etc. We have totally different stands in few issues, but I am overwhelmed and not able to convince him, even i am convicted with my belief. Again, that shows how sucks i am. I don't agree with some of his stands, but he can swarm me with his speech until I have to give way to resists. No doubt this is something that i need to improve on, the pitiable able side of the story, the world is not always reigned by the best decision maker, but the best persuader. I am not saying that i'm the right one in this scenario, i just figure if someone who can persuade but not making the right decision, that where things break and failed in this world.

Strike, strike more.

For me who is just a amateur badminton player, some more an ordinary one, smashing doesn't give me a lot of advantage in winning points. Usually for my badminton gang with the similar standards, they are able to retrieve my attacking shots. In fact, the aggressive playing style will drain me more energy, considering that I'm not that young any more. However, I enjoy the adrenaline rush of attacking, so that my principle is "attack is the best defense". I will rather to play a game whereby I am satisfy to give out my best to charge than winning a game by dragging and defensing. That probably explain part of my intrinsic character.

Rosy Vision vs. Reality

Yesterday, I had a lunch with a customer whom i knew in the past. Our conversation naturally touch about the previous servers that we had sold to them in my previous company. It was touted by my previous company that it's one of the most powerful machine on the earth, with ease of deployment and simple management. However, from what been told, there are apparently some hiccups in the production, and performance is yet to be tuned to the level we preached. Sometimes in sales organization, I tried to be as honest as possible to the customer, but a lot of time that the materials downloaded to us by the company was packaged too perfect. I have to remind myself in future that I shall be true to myself and reckon that I shall not oversell for the benefits of myself and our customers.

Priority

I remembered years back, there is a project manager told me that "You need to prioritize" when she respond to the problem of under-resource in our team. My objection was "well, i can prioritize, but can I drop those items in the bottom of the list". My objection was futile then, i still need to complete everything, but by wielding the magic wand of prioritization, all tasks will be completed brilliantly.

Nonetheless my topic today is not about priority in work, but priority in life. Last week, i heard a talk by my fellow toastmaster. He told us that he sworn to himself that he will spend at least 45 minutes daily with his kids. He said that he rather do it early than late, while he can still shaped the mind of his kids. He told us that if our kids are neglected, you won't know who do they mingling with and you may regret one day. I start reflecting myself, is family my priority, why do I spend much time in front of my laptop or hand phone? Do i spend enough time with my kids.

I think I need to remind myself more often.

Generous gifts

This morning a colleague who just came back from Thailand hand me a bar of chocolate as a souvenir gift. The price tag was still on the gift, I notice that it cost almost RM50. Considering we are not very close yet, and my another colleagues are also receiving other gifts. So far this is the most generous gift i received from a colleague after their trip. Usually we will receive some post cards, sea shells or refrigerator magnetic but seldom "pricey" item like this :) My the other colleague quip that, "she is rich...". Anyway, it's with good intention, it doesn't mean rich people are necessary generous, in Chinese saying, "For some people, the richer they are, the more stringier they become". So we are still feel grateful to her.

Then I share this story with my younger sister. Apparently she has similar experience. Once she received a travelling gift from an fund analyst which worth around RM 100. Considering there is no direct interest on their working relationship, so there is no question of business conduct violation.

For me, I think it boils down to which social classes we usually mix around. For some people, my story may be worthless to brag about. So, what's the most expensive gift that you ever receive in work? Of course, you shall only count those without any intentions behind.

They don't care about what you knows, until they know how much you cares

It happens that after I blog the last post, I run into the above quote "They don't care about how much you know, until they know how much you care". It makes me feel guilty for being too cynical in the last post. What happens outside of me, I can't do anything about it, but I can think positively towards it, and get myself adapt and make use of the external environment.

I feel the quote is very true, and decide to share it here. For if you want others listen to you, you first have to listen to them and understand what's their motive.

Things which are more important than knowledge

After working for a darn 15 years, i am getting more convinced that there are always things which are more important than knowledge. Things like your face. Yes, like it or not, handsome or pretty person has the advantage. People just loath to talk to you, avoid staring at your face, and there you lose your deal. Secondly is about the command of language. Though I had been learning English for good old 20 years, nonetheless flowery words just can't flow out from my mouth naturally. It's merely because I grown up in a non-English speaking environment, I just don't blend in naturally to those English speaking circles. Then it's about how your lifestyle, the more down-to-earth are you, whereby you rather play badminton than play golf, there you choose the place you end up with. I have seen people, now most of them are younger than me, drive the posh car, dressed in the latest vogue, they don't even need to speak, they already win. Who really care what's inside behind your skull. There are just too many other things, like who you know, who's your buddies, who's your drinking partners... so if you prefer to go back after 5, and lock yourself up with your family, you just not belong into the class. Therefore, the world operate in such a order that the technician knows better than the engineer, and the IT architect is talking about business and not IT. The IT vendor are educated to talk business and ROI, the customer told them so "I don't care how the system works, how it's going to benefit my BUSINESS?"

Time's up, I have to get back to my work and continue cram in impressive statements into my business value proposal.

A swimming pool saga

Yesterday, i brought the kids to swimming pool, my youngest is so excited when she reached there, she immediately jump into pool with the lifebuoy surrounding her neck instead of properly putting it on round her waist. Imagine this happened to a 2 years old kid. Immediately she submerge into the water. My father and wife straightaway ask me go into the pool to pull her up. Without thinking twice, i ran into the pool and bring her up back to the pool side. She is okay due to the flash rescue.

Then i realize my phone is still inside the pockets of my trousers. I instantly pull the phone out and see the display is showing distorting images. My heart sinks. Based on what i learned from others, i take out the battery and switched off the phone. After went back home, i use the hair dryer to blow it thoroughly. Then i left it overnight, praying everything will be fine again. I spent a whole night without the phone. I start worrying about my phone contact, my tons of application, data, task lists, e-books, photo etc. Like everybody else, today the phone had become so private and become actually part of you.

Next morning, first thing i do is to turn on the phone, and found the display show yellowish display. I'm thinking I will lost it forever. I switch it off again, and turn it back on after i reached office. I am so grateful the phone revive suddenly, may be water inside the phone had evaporated. I quickly backup everything inside the phone lest it may die again.

This small incident testify again how most of us today are so reliant and mentally attached to our phone. I know this is not a good thing, may be one day when i am no longer working, then i will have the luxury to have some "phone-free" day.

Victory has 1000 fathers, and defeat is an orphan

Ugly faces in workplace

One of the most loathsome things in the workplace for me is seeing a bunch of your colleagues flatter the so-called "expert". The expert do carry some credibility, however the way these people treating him as if he is the god really make me feel sick. In such situation, you have 2 choices, 1) to follow the majority and betray your own conscience; 2) to be yourself and make yourself the only eccentric, and eventually you will be thrown out from the circle.

Whatever you want to say i am just sour grape, but I really wish one day I do not need to deal with this bullshits.

Secret of happiness

Having a lunch listening to friend complaining about his work. The whole conversation becomes grey. That makes me reflect that am I such a person most the time. Will like to know how to become a positive person, and spread the positive energy. Emotion can be contagion. There is always thing that you can't own or get in life, why some can just easily get over it while others not.

That keep me wonder about the secret of happiness. I am seeking the answer.

Some are looking to come in, some are looking to go out

The above statement can't be more true in the sales organization. Recently saw an exodus of employees from our company. And funny still, just recently chat over with a customer whether he/she should accept job offers from our company. Some one I knew in the internet said this is first time she ever immediately reject job hunter's offer even before listening to him. Whether a company is shabby, has nothing to do if it's a company suits you. Some of the friends apparent works in the best performed company but also curse and swear all days.

Don't save a penny, but lose a dollar

Oscillating Trend

Years back, when Nokia was still reigning the mobile phone world, I thought eventually the phone will become smaller and lighter. When handphone was first invented, its size had shrank by lot. However, the latest release of some phone like Galaxy S2 had changed that perception, now Samsung is even going to announce S2 LTE that boast with its 4.5" screen.

By the way, I have been awaiting for the S2 availability for Maxis plan for month, but none of the Maxis center had stocks at the moment. If anyone know it this a market strategy, please leave your comments here.

Melaka foods

Was traveled to Melaka during the weekend, tried a few famous local foods, like Durian Cendol at Donker street, Seafood at Portugese Settlement and Satay Celup. Amazingly none tasted good to my family. Although the crowd are ample at the restaurant, but truly it can't win over our taste buds. One may argue food taste is a subjective matter, but considering there are 3 families of us, it's really an unfavorable contributors to the statistic.

My personal view is that foods like Durian Cendol and Satay Celup is about fusing two different dishes into a new genre. It creates some hype and usually stir people's interest. It really no matter if it's a perfect match, people are immediately attracted by the hype. And a long queue in front of the shop just create a longer queue, especially in a society whereby "sheep following the crowd" mentality is common.

Like in our work, your boss can give you whatever position or title, but the respect from others can only be earned and not given.

Effective communication

To communicate effectively is to add humor in your conversation intermittently. What's humor? it's about looking serious thing at the other side, the light part.

This require quick, witty thinking. Need to talk more, practice more. Like my friend said, what else can you lose further, you can't be worse than sitting down there by not making a move.

Looks lousy and clumsy in front everybody on the stage, but even in my age, i still have lots to learn.

Think through before you say it

Look at the how the stock price plunge, that reassert my conviction that we shall think the consequence before we says something. It shall be a purpose why we say it, isn't it? What the point you announce something that you not yet even decide. There must be some rationale behind it. To trash your own stock price to me will be the last purpose you want to achieve.

IBM must be laughing all the way, sitting back and watch you how to perform the stunt of self-destruct.

Brainless

What this ad try to achieve, to unite or to split the people?

Respect

I always has respect to those people who are willing to share their wisdom and experience with the younger lots. Today I met this Global bank CIO and this encounter itself really impressed me. I believe it wouldn't be pure luck if someone can achieve such rank. Yet he is so humble and soft-spoken, and share his experience and view with us as if we are peer though we are not. He reminds me of another great figure Dato' Sri Idris Jala. I had shared numerous times with my friends how amicable is his personality. I still remember the day we share the same lift, though i'm nobody in the company then, he actually greet and asked how is my work.

However, in Malaysia there are never short of people who will like to show their dominance over you, there never short of people whom will tell you right in your face that "who is the boss here?". If they can ever understand, we are just happened to be in this situation, there are reason why sometimes one is another boss, or, one is another customer; but that doesn't mean one is more superior than another, more so one is allowed to treat another brutally. I hope one day, majority of us will learn this.

At the end, I will like to take my hat off to this CIO whom i met and the like of him in our society.

A world with unprecedented competition

I had this discussion with my brother-in-law recently. Our topic reaffirm my view that the world has become even more competitive than before. There is no more comfort zone for business. Every company is competing neck and neck with each other.

The PC price is dropping, phone price is dropping, TV price is dropping. Oil, land and food are different because they are limited resources. But most other businesses, manufacturing and services no longer enjoy such luxury. Another 10 years, Telco may no longer made money from fixed phone line. You are not number #1 or #2 business, you will be losing, especially so for high tech company like Google (search engine), Apple (iPad), Facebook (social network).

Where will HP and Microsoft heads to? See how Nokia and Cisco lose their glamour considering not so distant ago, they were still reigning the world. IBM had able to turnaround in the 90's because they change and change in the direction, so Elephant can dance, but only if it try.

To customers, it's not good news that they have less and less choice. They only have either less than a handful to choose, say, if they want to buy servers. To vendor, it's not good news, for anything priced above zero is too expensive. For the world, it's so much monotonous as everybody is only flocking to iPhone, or like me owning an Android.

The world no doubt had become a competitive one, and we no longer can go back to the days, when my father works hard, but he can come back from work before sunset, and every family members group together to have an early dinner.

Suddenly, i remember my Sales lady told me about the story that her neighbor left all his belonging and go for "a walk", and he doesn't know when he will be back.

Last day in Oracle

The mixed feeling goes deep into in my heart. Looking back, I had worked with some of the largest MNC over the years and now moving to another giant. But Oracle is special, it's my first ever job in the sales org. My experience here transformed my perception about the sales people. They are more hardworking than I ever thought,more cheerful than I ever imagine, and definitely the most shrewd lot that I ever worked with.

I treasure the friendship I have earned in this company. I remember the glory, the difficult time, and whatever it is, this journey will be a forever memorable one for me.

If you are not big enough to lose, then you are not big enough to win

As aways, i am easily captivated by these clever remarks by them. When he ends his speech with "there is no failure, there is only success .. delayed", i follow the crowd to put my hands together.

That reminds me another quote i heard previously "failure is a temporary condition, giving up makes it permanent"

At times, we need this type of motivational pitch. The selfish motive behind me is that through gaining people respect, it makes me more easy to succeeded in my daily quest. But as another man wrapped it up this sort of selfishness is "sacred selfishness", it not only helps us as an individual but also help those that we reach out to.