Harvard's Corner

I can be who I want to be!

2011-03-31T11:15:00.007+08:00

Robert H. Schuller, the famous author once said "when you start to believe in yourself, your life will start to change!", indeed very true.

I remember when I was a little kid, my character represents timid, introvert, shy, passive and I felt uncomfortable to mingle around with strangers because I am very lacking of self-confidence.

Being brought up in a family where my parents work for money day and night, earning enough for all my 5 siblings was tough. I still remember when I was at the age of 7, finally having the courage to ask my mum to buy me a beautiful water container which I want to bring it to school, end up being rejected and I cried for such incident for the whole day. When I was around 10, my dad accidently ultered that "you dont have guts!", destroying my self-confident and create more sadness in me. Worst still, I had an elder sister that likes to "discipline" me while my parents were not at home. She is the "tigress" in our house... until today, lols...

Our past experience, be it what we heard, we saw or we felt affected us so much that sometimes we forgotten the "eagle" in us. We became the "chicken" that follows what others want, being fed with their ideas and ideologies, or perhaps being a victim by ourselves. This is true to me for a long long time...

After graduation, I attended many seminars for self-motivation and improvements. I started to tell myself " Hey, fly high eagle! You can be who you want to be!" I build my confident day after day. From speaking infront of a small crowd of 4-5, into a weekly assembly of 15-20, conducting short training to a group of 30-40, transforming myself to conduct training on stage to a crowd of 50-60, up to a crowd consists of 600 audiences. WOW! We can create live miracle ! I am fortunate and grateful that I had taken the steps to change. I couldnt image this can happen to me when I was a child or teenager. Even today, I think my parents will "faint on the spot" and dont believe that is me on the stage if they can have a chance to join my training programs...lols!

Today, I am addicted when I am on stage! I am totally a different person. When I am on stage I just felt that is the true me. I got excited on stage to share, to care and to deliver my best to the audience, because I know somehow there is a past "me" sitting infront of me, waiting the moments to make a decision to step out and be the new "me" and say "Yes, I can be who I want to be!"

Interest or Commitment

2011-02-28T22:10:00.003+08:00

For quite some time havent update my blogs. Today is the last day of February 2011, so perhaps I need to "fill up the blanks" for this month, and lets not talk about January, I totally forgotten to put anything here. Pehaps giving myself excuses it is our Chinese New Year month....

When I started to write blogs, I think it is something "cool", something worthwhile doing, to share and to give my views so that someone somewhere in this world can rejoice with what I experience, gain some useful insights from what I write, and felt good after reading. It is merely an interest for me. I still remember the first article put on blog, I was excited and keen to let many of my clients and friends know about it :)

Time passes, and the incident is like just yesterday. In fact it was in 2008, the year I started my company. If I say it is still interest in writing blogs, I dont feel the excitement anymore. I realise writing something good for people to read, should be a commitment for me now. My aim is to write something so that in the future, I could pick up part and parcel of my blogs to compile into a useful mini-book as a "legacy" from me, haha...:)

I think my experience sounds familiar to you? When we first involved in something we want, we have the strong "urge", the great momentum and feelings wanting to have it. We do "whatever it takes" just to get it. These includes getting a job, aiming for a promotion, getting a new boyfriend/girlfriend, etc... Then over the time, the intense feeling is not there, and we started to get "lost"!

I believe the next level we should move on is called "commitment". If we are mature enough to understand our feelings, we aware that feelings come and go, yet responsibility and commitment stays. Thus, commit to do something in our life is so important so that we will continue to strive towards our goals.

"I want to be a successful coach, trainer and people strategist to add values to other people's life, to bring joy and happiness to everyone and anyone who knows me!" Such simple commitment to say, take great courage to do. And writing blog is only part of what I am doing....cheers, and happy reading!

Gratitude and True Purpose

2010-12-25T22:37:00.012+08:00

I decided to launch my new company website (www.yrs2u.com) with its logo in Christmas, so that I can remember this date easier 25.12.10. :) Well, this is not the most important part of the launching. The most precious gift I had in life, is having the opportunity to meet many great people in life, that supported me a lot when I started my own company.

Many individual that contributed their testimonial in my website, contributed to my success in life as well! I want to thank them in my blogs, so that their names will be remembered and always be blessed with good health, happiness and prosperity.

First person is Mr Tai Boon Wee, my great mentor in life. When I joined his company, I was still very lacking of leadership skills and self-confidence. Throughout the years, he had "franchise" his great philosophies and life values into me, creating strong impact to my life. I would say meeting this mentor is the key turning point to me, no wonder having mentors in life was so crucial!

"You want to do the right thing, or you want to do the easy job and know it is not right!, "The most powerful person in the company is not me, is Mr Logic!". He likes to quote King Solomon's famous saying " I have yet to meet a poor person who was consciously aware of time and I have yet to meet a wealthy person who was not consciously aware of time!". That is why until today i am also kind of "extreme" about punctuality, haha....the influence by him.

He is a person that values and appreciate family members so much that I was touch to hear his story about how he went all the way out to get medication for his dad. Perhaps this was the triggering point to me where I decided to spend more time with my parents. I am fortunate that my parents are still healthy today and I can do my little part to bring them for tour every year. Tomorrow we will be going to Yunnan for 8D7N, a very special way of welcoming year 2011! I remember someone told me this, if you want to have a successful life, have good completion with your parents.

Every individual is like part of a puzzles. Each puzzle need to play its part so that other puzzle can match and form the beautiful picture. When we do our part to the very best, others will be affected, they will start to change to be better, and perhaps everyone aroud them will be better too! The world will be a better place for everyone!

Again, thank you so much to you, Mr Tai! People Reengineering company was established with the basic purpose of achieving business sales and profit. Yet, its true purpose is to serve the mankind, bringing joy, love, happiness and transformation to lives.

The TALENT in YOU!

2010-11-29T17:45:00.012+08:00

This is a "hibernation" week for me, spending most of my time at home(office) doing research and development related to talent management. Feeling so great.....lols! It has been my greatest interest and excitement to see how my customers are able to transform their ordinary employees into extra-ordinary performers through proper coaching, training and strategies. I like to explore many concepts in managing talent so that I can help some organization to increase their productivity and results.

Who can consider as "talent" in an organization? Sometimes recruiters thought that someone is talented and decided to take him in, then later found out that his skills, experience and knowledge doesnt match with the organization. That is why we always say "the right fit" is important. It lies on the "needs" and "requirements" of an organization rather than feeling right with the interviewee.

In general, there are 4 types of talent:-

1. Type "-" , such talent have a wide range of knowledge, however he does not have creativity, no in-deepth studies about a subject matter, unable to produce new results.

2. Type"I", such talent is an expert in one particuar subject matter, however his knowledge is just limited to such area, unable to associate his knowledge with other knowledge, very narrow into his own world.

3. Type "T", such talent not only have a wide range of knowledge, he is also an expert in one particular subject matter, however he does not have the courage to breakthrough or take risks to achieve results.

4. Type "+", such talent have wide range of knowledge, an expert in his subject matter, and have the courage to take risk, proactive, creative and able to breakthrough.

Which one describe you? :)

Make a plan for yourself to move from "-" to "+" and score flying colours for your career and life!

Stay YOUNG Live RICH Be SUCCESSFUL!

2010-11-04T09:52:00.022+08:00

During the M2M session with my ex-students in HRM, I suddenly realise that getting the people with high energy together and share their successes can be such an awesome experience!

So the "what if?" pop-up in my mind.

"What if I can gather more undergraduates to learn and grow in a more organize and professsional way?" After my discuss with few of my mentees, my heart immediately ask me to go with it, "just fricking do it!" :)

This is the initial program with the intention of helping the undergraduates, with a very affordable tuition fees. My Rational:
1. To build participant’s self-confidence in public speaking
2. To unleash individual true potential through the journey of self-discovery
3. To provide useful interactive coaching for better career success

Entry Phase
1. “Creating Your Stage!” ~ Public Speaking (1 day)
a. New Mindset of Master Communicator
b. The Art of Learning and Sharing
c. The Essence of Effective Speech

2. “Be a WOW candidate!” Preparations for ANY Interviews (0.5 days)
a. The journey of being “ME”!
b. Creating new scripts for my future
c. Presenting the X.O me.

The best part is this!

3. "Life directions coaching” Net meeting discussion on career development.

(45mins 3 sessions/ year)
a. Q&A session – learn together, hear together, and grow together.

Dates:
Expected to be conducted in March, June, September, December 2011. It is a free revision for 2 years. Awesome right?!!!

My Target Group:
1. Undergraduates especially year 2 onwards
2. Working graduates first 1-2 years

3. Corporate participants

I hope my little effort in helping the undergraduates will make our future workforce become more competent in skills, having good life values, and understand their own purpose in life.

Are you interested? If yes, "Just fricking take action!" Contact our Young Rich Successful (YRS) Ambassador!

New Note:

Corporate tuition fees is really great difference to the undergraduates. My objective is very clear here - to help the undergraduates to prepare themselves in the work life! So, take your opportunity!

Namaste!

My Mind and My Heart

2010-10-30T22:36:00.008+08:00

Back to Malacca, my lovely hometown.

Just finish chating with my mum and sister. Everyone is back to their room now.

Tonight seems to be a cool and peaceful night for me to have some "reflection time"

Throughout the day, I realised some conflicts happen in my mind and heart. My heart keeps telling me this is what I must do, yet my mind tells me this is not the right time to do it. Have you gone through similar experience?

"Ability" VS "limitation". Most of the time, we have the ability to do what we want in life, yet we set our own limitation, giving us the excuses and reasons of not doing it. Can I say that ability comes from the heart and limitation caused by the mind? Why say so? because many times I heard this: "if this guy have the right attitude (heart), then nothing can stops him from achieving his goals (ability)!" It is like driving an awesome Porsche, I know that the car have the ability to speed in highway, yet I keep pulling the hand brake while driving, making it tough to accelerate. I realised that it is not the ability that stops me for progressing, it is the limitation that hinders me all this while!

I heard someone told me "wisdom" means taking action on what I already knew, be it a right attitude, skills, or knowledge. Otherwise, I can learn and learn and learn and learn...... and become "intelligent", yet it doesnt serve me in life. A concept can be easily understood by an 8 years old kid (Praise others all the time!) , yet cannot be fulfilled by an 80 years old man (Blaming and accusing others all the time!). I understand but I didnt do it! sounds familiar? lols....

I ask my brain "is this the right time, right situation, right thing to do now?" It normally hesitates, giving me some good reasons for procastination, and never do it. If I ask my heart "why I want to do it?" I gain the new energy and my higher self will normally say" Just fricking do it!"

The Warrior In Us

2010-10-24T17:43:00.009+08:00

One of my favourite movie is "Facing the Giants" (2006) whereby the coach train up the team with his passion and determination, in return they did their best in every single battle they went into.

The best part is the "death crawl" where the coach challenges one of the key player to exceed his limitations and use his heart not his physical strengths to go through the tough moments, thats really inspired me. Sometimes i watch this part of the movie over and over again because it gaves me great inspiration and determination to work towards my goals in life.

I just came back from a 4-days warrior training camp. It was fantastic! There is one part of the training which actually gave me the same impact as "death crawl". It was damn fricking exhausted!!! Yet, the coach wants us to go on and on....then I realised that sometimes I thought I had done my very best in life, yet in actual I underestimated my true capabilities and potentials. And the key factors of getting what I want at the highest level of my life, is to live the "purpose" of life bigger than the challenges I faced. Knowing cystal clear my motivation behind whatever I do is so crucial as it will give great energy and power to continue my pursuance during tough times.

The warriors are willing to sacrifice and went all way out to fight in the battle, either succeed or die, because the great purpose behind their action is to protect the children, the spouse, the family members and the nation ! That's no turning back in the "battle". So, Go Go Go!

Think Time

2010-10-18T14:59:00.003+08:00

When I was in the flight on my way to Kota Kinabalu, I got this thought of "think time" which I heard about few months ago.

I realised that my think time is always "in the air" lols...

I travel to KK every month once or twice, so most of the time i will take out my diary and start looking through my schedules and also do some planning stuff. Most of the time I got very good ideas about my future plans and also get creative ideas about my new training contents.

Think time is the time where I focus on my energy towards my mission, my goals and my achievements for the past few weeks. It also is a time I did some self-reflection about my passion in life...

Even though it is only a 2 hours kind of thinking and review each trip, I think this habit had been great for me when I was alone in my trip. For example, the new program "Transformation Starts from ME" training is actually came through part and parcel along my journy in the plane. Well, it is one of the "hot" program I had so far :)

I remember my mentor told me once that his Saturday morning is the "think time" for him, making him an effective person and brought better decision making for him the following weeks. I think mine just happen coincident, lols. What about you?

Be An Excellent Receiver!

2010-10-14T16:21:00.007+08:00

Yesterday listen to one of my friend talking about his work, the superior's expectation and how he went through his challenges for the past 1 week.

He told me that he is not good enough, he thinks he is performing under expectation, and he told me a lot of his weaknesses.....He felt that he does not deserve what he had now. On the other hand, I understand that he had improved a lot for the past 2 years, and he did awesome!!!

Sometimes we tends to be a 'victim' of our own life. Isnt we?

There are 4 processes to get what we want in life. And we actually already knew about it. This is what I learned from one of the warrior camp:-

It is like buying a burger by "drive through" at Mc Donald. First, we need to say it loud and precisely what we want through the mic, Secondly we drive our car towards the counter, Thirdly we must willing to pay for it, Lastly, to accept the burger we order!

Everyone might "stuck" at certain process thus they cant get what they want. When I am clear about my goal, what is my passion and mission for, what I want to achieve in 3 years time, I say/write it clearly and precisely. Then I work towards that goal with determination and persistency, and I must be willing to exchange my time and effort for that goals, finally when the rewards come, I must willing to open to accept it.

I believe my friend did all but the last one! So, after giving your best, graps your rewards, always remember to be an "Excellent Receiver"!

Mission in Life

2010-09-05T08:48:00.003+08:00

I had been thinking a lot.
Thinking a lot after attending the course on "Mission to Million".
Basically, not thinking a lot about the "million", it is about the "mission" - the true purpose of our life!
Million is like the "achievements", "monetary rewards", "assets", "success" or whatever you wan to name it, the physical and visible gains. The mission is about the "meaning","true purpose", "core values" attached to the success we want in life.
Sounds simple, yet makes me think a lot, haha...

When I heard so many people in the seminar had great mission in their life, I was impressed and blessed them. Felt happy for them. I think it is not because of the size of the mission that makes me think a lot, it is the "block" in my mind that what I want to manifest in this life. Minds dont bring me to anywhere, it "stuck" on this part. So I move to another part....

I had been feeling a lot.
Feeling a lot after realising many people around me is suffering, in many ways. Within a month, listening to more than 5 people sharing their hurts, revealing their wounds openly and expecting things will be better day after, possible happen? It touches my heart...feel it deep inside...

One question being asked which affected me a lot while constructing my mission is " What is the level of pain (ranking from lowest 1 to highest 5) will I feel if my mission is not being fulfilled?"
It struck me for few seconds.......then deep inside me there is an answer! Thats my actual mission in life. Bravo! Got it!

Understanding and live with true purpose (mission) which suits me gave me strength, confident, courage, determination and momentum to pursue my personal achievements (millions). Balancing my emotions (mission) with the right mind targets (millions) gave me peacefulness, joy for life and a sense of self-fulfillment along the journey.

Realising that millions are just the vehicles for me to add more values in other people's life through my mission is great, isnt it?

Leaving a legacy

2010-06-07T17:01:00.006+08:00

4 days of NWA program, I felt wonderful and fulfilled. It is something very new to me when people talk about earning passive income. Whatmore if there are a lot of bombastic words and jargon that I cannot understand well. The past few days were great because the methodologies and techniques explained in this seminar are easily understood.

There are a few things that I learn during this program:-

1.There are parents bringing their children as young as 10years old to attend such program. I think it is awesome! Kids at this age learning what is passive income???!!! Where am I when I was at 10years old?

2. What we want in life is the terminology called "have". Everyone is going after something that they want to have, yet this is very surfaced. It is our external world and materials gained. Often we forgotten that it is the "do" that bring us to this "have". So we started working very hard and do what it takes to achieve the goal. Somehow along the way, I still think it takes too much to get too little. Finally everything comes down to the "belief" in our inner world. It all started here, the
beliefs that we had for ourselves that will determine how much "have" we gain in life.

Beliefs -> Doing -> Having

3. The panel forum on the 3rd night was the best! We get to listen each of the speaker's view on success and money. It was around 2 hours. I could only share with you a few which "hits" me:-

Question: What is the core values that you believe in?

1. I believe in integrity, doing things and speaking from the heart. The one that we lies the most is ourself! Living the true self makes you happy.

2. Integrity is doing things congruence within yourself when you acted externally. It is the source of power. You can be powerful even though you dont have the money.

Question: What do you want to be remember for?

1. I want to be remembered for as a good man, spectacular husband, great father, great friend and make a difference in everyone's life.

2. Helping people, I want to make an impact to the other people's lifes.

3. I want to help others to find their life purpose. My joy comes from seeing other's joy.

4. I believe in the power of love. By giving the love I have, I want to change everyone around me and also the world. I believe generiosity brings prosperity.

It's your life! What do you want to be remembered for ?

Love, Success and Be Rich!

2010-05-25T09:46:00.012+08:00

The ultimate goal in life is "love". Either you want to give your love to others, or it can be receiving all the love others offer to you. In the past, Gautama Buddha, Jesus, Nabi Mohammad, Mahatma Ghandi, Mother Teresa and many more, live their life by giving the love to the people....and they achieve their ultimate goal in life.
We might have different priority in who we want to offer our love. It can be "small" love, just for oneself, thinking only for yourself, and soon or later you are too attached with personal gain, then people quote you as "selfish". It can be "big" love, you care about the people you know, your family members, your friends, your colleagues, your spiritual associates and whoever ask for your help, and then you are being quoted as "kind". It can be "infinity" love, you are willing to give your services to every human being that is in need regardless of their races, nationality, educational level, gender or age - giving them your sincere smile, preaching them goodness, bring happiness to their inner world by sharing your life wisdom, and forgotten about your "self".
Check this out about "Happiness is not Outside you" by Dr. David R Hawkins http://youtube.com/watch?v=8P0xr6AThWQ&feature=related

Success means different for many people, it is merely the gap from your "present" stage to "future" goals. Once you achieve it, then you can feel the success in you. Then you can set another new goals.... I cherish every moment in life when I consider an incident is a success for me. Recent teambuilding is a success for me because I see some participants bringing out their very best as a "person", breaking down the defences of wearing mask infront of others. More importantly, "their success is my success" as well :) So, write down all the successes in your "happiness book", so that your great memory will stay forever, even leaving a good legacy for your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren to read it....this blog should serve that purpose for me...:)

Getting rich is Great! My past experience in life does not create and store good files about "money". Thus, I am always stuck in between if money brings love and happiness to life. Recent discovery understands that money is a form of energy, and it is a positive and higher level of energy. Then it should be congruent with the ultimate goal in life to have meaningful love, success and happiness in life. So getting rich and have more money is a high energy mind state and its is great!!! Yesterday I witness a situation when my client wanted to promote an executive to be a manager, and we are about to offer her a new salary which is much higher than her previous pay. To my surprise she rejected and asked for a lower salary. WOW! In all my past practice, this is the first time I encountered such employee. We do not have much time to negotiate more about it, however I discover there must be some "money files" in her mind that had been "infected by virus". This is an interesting discovery (the diagram) , the higher your energy level in life, you are more positive and happy!

So, receive and offer your love moments to moments, cherish every success we had (be it small, medium or big), and enjoy being RICH! :)

Make any sense?

Mentor-Mentee Program

2010-05-10T13:21:00.003+08:00

I realised the truth in what my mentor once told me - "One way of motivating yourself is to motivate others". Through the recent M2M interview I realised that "One way of helping myself is to help others". Everyone that came for the interview had inspired me in some way - the zest in life, the strong beliefs in pursuing the goal, the breakthrough to achieve what they want, and also the eagerness to live their life to the fullest. It reflected to me many of my past experiences and actually boosted my motivation as well.

Honestly speaking, the M2M program is just a "pilot" test for me to help those that really think I can be their mentor guiding them along their career path. My initial plan is to provide a platform for undergraduates/graduates for continuous personal improvement - it can be in terms of their mindset, attitude, knowledge or skills which will enhanced their future undertakings. Of course, mentee need to go through their own personal breakthrough to achieve their goals, I am merely a "coach" to help.

As a start, I want to accept only 5 of the shortlisted candidate. After the interviews, I might take 6 -8 so that this "Career Success Circle" can be meaningful and effective for ideas-sharing. I would say the best part of this M2M program is to provide on-going mentoring through 121 / face to face coaching or telecasting facilitation. This is a individual coaching where I am willing to sacrifice my time to help those that really want to help themselves.

If I were offer such program, I will really do WIT (Whatever It Takes) to be one of the member, what more it is totally FREE!!! Somehow many does not grasp the opportunity to complete the first assignment and left out.....

Well, you might start wondering, FREE? why do it for free - whereby you need to commit your time and energy for it! Yeah....I think this is a good question. Maybe you can start reading the first paragraph of this blog. :-)

Who am I?

2010-04-07T21:35:00.003+08:00

I think writing blogs had became a channel for me to share my "joy" with my fellow friends, hoping when you read it, it will give you some reflections in thoughts, bringing new insights in your life.
One of my favourite author, John C. Maxwell had always inpired me through his books. Whenever I read his book, the principles that he preaches is so close to my heart and it is like connected to the truth of life.
I want to share with you because writing blog is no more merely a way of expressing what I have in my mind, but more importantly to help you, who knows you might need it?

According to one of his book "winning with people", he said that there are 4 kinds of people when it comes to relationships. Check it out here:

1. Some people add values to other people's life. When we have such friends around us, we appreciate and enjoy their companionship. These people are adders. They normally add value to others intentionally, not by accident. I have many friends around me are adders. Whenever I am in difficulties, they are there to offer their help.

2. Some people subtract something from life. Anyway, because we are surrounded by a lot of negativity, we must tolerate such friends. Somehow, these people actually acted unintentionally. I have friends that actually looks good infront of me, but when I had some challenges in work, they will actually make it worst for me. They do not bear the burden together, they make it heavier.

3. Some people multiply something in life. I am glad that I had mentors and friends that actually lift me up most of time. When I decided to become a trainer, things just didnt work out for me for months. Fortunately one of friend gave me great support and told me that I must live with abundance and go with my passion. These people not only do it intentionally, but they are also strategic and skilled. If you have such people around you now, be blessed and take a time to write or call them to value them.

4. Some people divide something in life. These people always do it intentionally for personal gain. In another word, selfishness overrule them. They will take you down as low as they can so that they can be the "spotlight". Lucky to say, so far I dont have such people around me. But if I had, it is also a reflection of my inner world, I attracted him/her into my world. Normally these people damage their relationship with people.

So which category are you in?

You want to be a millionaire?

2010-02-07T23:20:00.018+08:00

1st January 2010, while re-arranging my old stuff, saw the book "The One minute millionaire" By Robert Allen which I bought 2-3 years ago. Finished read the book in 2 days. Impressed with what Robert Allen had shared, I surfed the net wanted to know more about him. To my delighted surprise, he will be one of the speaker in Malaysia National Achievers Congress, April 2010. So, I decided to go for it.... it seems like there is a "calling"!

5th January 2010 , one of my friends asked me in MSN, what is the goal for this year? Getting excited and kiddingly I said, "To earn RM1 million this year! :) " She written back ".....Wah, at least I had a millionaire friend....."(yea..yea....). Since then I put this objective into my daily reaffirmation statement that this is the new direction to go for this year. Deep inside me, I know that I need a mentor for this.

11th January 2010, searching more about NAC, got into a website wrote by someone in Lowyatt Forum (cool to make publicity there huh!) offering the tickets. Just need to add a little bit extra, I could get into a 3-days course of Millionaires Mind Intensive (MMI). Ok, millionaire? Took the offer.

18th January 2010, a stranger called me up. She knew me through a friend and wanting to introduce me for corporate training. After 2 weeks we met up for discussion, end up borrowing me the dvd of "The secret". She told me this is the first version (never in my mind I know there are 2 versions!). She said Esther Hicks were missing on the 2nd version. It is the part about Abraham, the source energy and the power of Universe.

Finally came the day, 5th February 2010 for MMI programs. Yaahoo!

At the FIRST 15 MINUTES, I was totally "shock" at what I heard. Whatever incident happen since 1st January 2010 all links up! and it makes it so clear in my mind that why I am in the seminar.

Wanna know what the speaker said that struck me?

"No accident in this Universe! You are guided to come here!"

"Everything happen for a good reason! And there's there to serve you!"

"You have a millionaire mind!"

We completed the 3 days program today, which means tomorrow is the actual excution in the real world! Nevertheless, I would like to sincerely thank you to my dynamic mentor, Mr Kieron and the compassionate mentor, Mr Adam for their Extra Ordinary sharings. I finished my tonight's homework before I wrote this! (What homework? wanna know? Go and experience yourself then you know...:p)

Joining the Quantum Leap members, the next 2 years journey with them will be Awesome! I know I am going to enjoy and have a great and fulfilling year ahead and I want to share my growth and success with you, my fellow loyal reader (even though only a few of you, LOLS!) so that I can do my part to add values to your life and maybe inspired you to think of what you want in life! Commit to it!

Passions create Actions!

2010-01-27T14:56:00.011+08:00

This year, I decided to form a team, consist of 3-5 committed person, to take charge of the school talk community service. For me this is a "reborn" project because I had stop it since 2007. Initially, I meet up with a few students of mine to make them understand the program so that they are committed to work with me for our so-called "mission" - to educate the right learning attitude for primary and secondary students, sharing the success studying method of "A" students, the key preparations before examinations, VAK memory methods, to create good life values and building good "kum cheng" with friends, classmates, teachers and parents.

To appreciate this team's effort, I choose to be their personal mentor, to guide them in their career development as long as they are still within the team. It will be a rotating basis whereby after every meeting, I shall meet one of them with a 121 session for around 20 minutes.

Recent 121 session, I realised many undergraduates, especially those that about to graduate, are at the crossroad, not sure about what they want to do, what kind of job to apply, how should they plan ahead .....[ A long list of doutbts ...:-) ]. My dearest students, here I would like to quote one powerful quote taken from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

"What lies behind us, and what lies before us,

Are tiny matters compared to what lies within us"

You have your own answers in you! Here is the assignment for you:

1. Find a quiet place

2. Give some thoughts to your roots on what is important to you, why you want to pursue it?

3. Start thinking for yourself - as no one else but you will come out with the right answers

4. Write down in a piece of paper all the possible reasons for you to pursue what you want

5. Feel passionate about it? If yes, you are on the right track!

Very often, many of us have the ability to do, to achieve and to perform to the standards that we want, it is only the "fear" in us that had stop us in moving forward. According to my mentor, Dr Lawrence Walter Ng:

F - False

E - Evidents

A - Appearing

R - Real

Sounds interesting ? According to a survey done, 80-90% of what you fear will happen, never really come into reality.

Thus, fear is the divider between

1. Victor and Victim

2. Winner and loser

3. Success and Failure

4. Passionate people and the Mediocre

5. You and the rest of the world.....

You decide, it is your choice!

Save the Earth

2010-01-04T12:08:00.007+08:00

1st January 2010, it was a fresh new year for me. I spend this day reading a book at home. Feeling so energized and abundanced. It set my mindset right and determined to pursue my greater goal this year.

As in my long term plan, every beginning of the year I decided to reduce one "meat" so that ultimately I will be a full vegetarian. Many started to ask me " Is it because of religion? or because of any other reasons?". For me, I think this is one way of healthier living, better for my health. At the same time, not feeling guilty of seeing animals being killed in a cruel way (compassion). I heard a friend told me this once " If this is a world of survival of the fittest, the higher level of creature can killed and eat the lower level of creature, then is it possible one day those more intelligent can kill those which are not that brilliant?" I think it is a little bit extreme to say so. Anyway, I think everyone has a choice in their lives, deciding what is the best for them. At the end, we are the one have to accept the consequences of our own behavior, eg: over eating, over indulgence, over sleeping ....:)

On that Friday, in SinChew Plus, there are full of articles talking about how we can help the earth by becoming a vegetarian. Some of the facts are:

1. Over 70% of the forest are cleared for the purpose for breeding animals for human consumption

2. One kg of beef produced will produced 36.4kg of carbon dioxide (the energy used equivalent to having an 100watt bulb on for 20 days)

3. Two-third of American died are due to food habits whereby vegetarian hardly having cancerous sickness.

4. The number of animal being killed each year are 420 billions.

5. Half of the water (50%) used in American are for the animals.

6. 90% of the cereals in America are used for breeding animals whereby 40,000 of children are death due to starving in 3rd world country. Yet, every year USD1.5 billions is spent for slimming or weight lost programs.

7. Becoming vegetarian can reduced the number of animal being killed (43 pigs, 1107 chickens, 11 cows, 3 lambs, 861 fishes, 1000+ prawns)

Well, you might feel hesitate or at a cross-road now not knowing what can you do to help the earth, starting with oneself. Maybe you could start taking action as below (choose any which is suitable for you):

1. Start reducing one "meat" per year as what I did since 3 years ago.

2. Meat free one day in a week (eg: every Friday)

3. Reduced the amount of taking meat compare to vegetables

4. Set every quarter for 1 week "vege week"

5. Every month select 4 days for vege day.

I am glad to know that one of my friend after reading the article from SinChew Plus had decided to reduced one meat this year, including all his family members. Bravo!

The Courage in Life

2009-12-03T23:11:00.007+08:00

A true story, which I gone through during an interview session (as an observer) this morning.

She is now about 21 years old, left school after Form 5. At this age, her mum still beats her. Sometimes kick her, slap her, even worst humiliate her with nasty words. I couldnt imagine how can an adult at this age still able to go through such experience yet wanted to stay with her mum, when all her brothers and sisters had ran away from home.

During the 1.5 hours of interview for her new promotion as Supervisor, I was surprised and very touched to hear some of her views and feelings. She is more matured compare to others at her age. Yet she is very positive, keep her smiling face throughout the interview sessions and we can feel her sincerity in speech.

1. What do you think if the company need you to work on restday or public holiday without paying you any additional allowances?
"I am willing to do it because I believe I can learn new things in the company"
2. But what if you realised later that you cannot learn anything new at all?
"Oh, by just communicating to the seniors, I had actually learn something new"
3. You are more people-oriented or results-oriented?
" I am more people-oriented"
4. Then how are you going to deliver the targets the company wants?
"When the people is well-managed, I believe the results will come".
5. What is your life principle that you like to share or promote to others?
"I don't mind to be at a disadvantage (吃亏), I always believe that no matter how others take advantage on me, I shall not take advantage on them. Sometimes my friends said that it is silly to be like that, yet I think it is all right"
6. When your subordinates did not perform the job well? How do you handle it?
"I must bear the responsibility as a leader. Then I will find out the root cause. I think there must be a reason if someone does not perform. So, I am willing to teach him/her and give her the right mindset"
7. Just now you mentioned about your mum, can you tell us how is your relationship with her now?
"Oh...now she treat me better, even though sometimes she still slaps me. I believe everything happen in my life there is a mission for me to fulfill. Even though my brothers and sisters had attempted to ask me to go with them, i decided to stay. My elder sister ran away at the age of 13. My brother left his cloths at home, only come back 3 hours a day and out again. If I leave this house as well, it wont look like a house anymore....."
8. One day when you are able to earn more and independent, then you can move out from the house!
"My mum is a traditional type of person, I must be considerate....perhaps she had gone through a rough time when she was young....I will still stay with her, hopefully one day I am able to influence her......"
9. What if she gets angry at you and beat you when you need to work longer hours, longer distance to new work place after your promotion?
"The most she will do is just slaps me, when she gets tired then she will stop...haha..I am ok with it..."

Before she leave the room, we realise she got scars on both of her arms, the effect of being canned at home. We also understand from her close friend that normally after work at 10pm, she still needs to clean up the house and wash the dishes and cloths. Sleep at midnight or 1-2am in the morning.

"We stay in a very small house. I sleep together with my mum and dad. One morning I overheard their conversation" "My dad told my mum "she is the only daughter left that is willing to stay with us, why still want to treat her this way........." Tears finally drop when she uttered this part of her sharing........

Well, the panel decided to promote her!

We Have It All

2009-10-23T21:53:00.005+08:00

I got a chance to help out one of my friend on his struggles in relationships. My intention is to help him look into his "heart" and find his own solutions. I am not sure if the NLP methods I had learned is effective on him or not, however I convinced myself that I must do my best to make him cross over his obstacles in life and continue to move on....

There is a method used in NLP when someone lost direction in life, we keep asking them chunk-up questions so that finally they will gain self-realization. Finally, I made the summary based on what he had said for the past 1 hour into powerful self-affirmation statements which I suggest him to recite every morning. If the challenges is greater, then he should read it loudly and re-affirm strongly on himself. I would like to share with you the few last sentences that I wrote to him, which he gained back his confident and love in relationship.

"........I am sure I will get the love I want, I will live a life full of love, all the love I need, with the love I appreciate, the love I give and take, and ALL THIS LOVE IS WITH ME, I HAVE IT ALL!"

You can use your current personal mission statement, then add-in the sentences above if you likes it!

Some thoughts to Share

2009-09-03T15:01:00.005+08:00

I need to plan my time effectively for the coming months as I just took up another 2 key projects on training and consultation. Well, now my new hobby is "making money", interesting enough? haha.... And when you are so passionate about your work, there comes the money. So you know why I seldom write in my blog lately huh! lols.

After getting few reminders, the last one is Sam, so I decided to write something here to give you some tips!

One of my student gave me a set of questionnaires to answer and I want to share with you some of them here. (somehow I modified certain questions to make it easier for you to understand).

Q1: In leadership, do you tend to be more people-oriented or results- oriented?

It is important to have a balance between this two. I would say that most of the time I used "situational leadership". I will tend to be more results-oriented when the person already had good attitude but lack of method and achievements. So I will tend to stretch him a little bit more, let say 10-15% of his ability to see how far he can go. Sometimes I will tend to be more people-oriented when he can produce results but his personal values, attitude or personality is not in line with the organization. Thus, 121 coaching and advice to him is necessary to make him aware of his behavior.

Q2: Which communication style and channel you prefer to use when communicate with your subordinates?

I like to communicate with my subordinates using democratic style, whereby they are encouraged to provide own ideas and solutions, I will provide coaching and guidance. I believe the saying that "dealing with people, slow is fast and fast is slow". Some leader want fast results and push very hard for it. He might achieve short-term results, however in the long run sometimes these organizations lost more. Open communication is good as long as their argument is right. My mentor reminded me that he only accept the highest level of authority, that is "Mr Logic". So, I always accept new ideas openly.

Face to face communication is the best method among all other methods. Nowadays many people tends to use sms, email, messenger to convey their decisions which sometimes causes communication breakdown. In an organization, if permits, face to face communication is the best way to resolve problems. Email, sms or other form of messenges I would consider it as follow-ups activities.

Q3: What are the skills lacking among fresh graduates nowadays?

I believe they are lacking of good "survival" skills at the actual work place due to our education system is too exam-oriented. They tends to be more focus on academic results rather than involving themselves in social actitivies (universities clubs, sports and activities) which will enriched their self-confidence, enhance their interpersonal skills, build their leadership skills and so forth. They might be good at memorising the facts but do not understand how actually it operates in the actual work life situation. Next, i see many of my students do not have their personal goals (be it short term or long term). Understanding own weaknesses and strengths is important for them to know how to perform and act at the workplace with a clear directions, unfortunately many doesnt actually know what they want in their future careers. Of course, there are some that want to take charge of their life in university by exploring ways to improve oneself. And I know that with such experience, they are more confident entering the workplace.

I welcome your feedback as long as you are "Mr Logic"

A "tough" leader @ work

2009-07-26T15:45:00.006+08:00

I see many managers / leaders handled their staff with their own 101 ways. However sometimes they will start to question themselves if the method they used is the right one. For me, one of the “must read” book when you faced dilemma being a leader, is to refer to my favourite book called “The One Minute Manager” by Dr Blanchard and Spencer Johnson. Below is an interesting story from the book that makes me realised that as a leader, we must first master the method of “dush” before knowing the “sayang” to our subordinates.

Once upon a time, an emperor appointed a second in command. He called this prime minister in and, in effect, said to him, "Why don’t we divide up the tasks?" Why don’t you do all the punishing and I’ll do all the rewarding?" The prime minister said "Fine. I’ll do all the punishing and you do all the rewarding.” This emperor soon noticed that whenever he asked someone to do something, they might do it or they might not do it.
However, when the prime minister spoke, people moved. So the emperor called the prime minister back in and said, "Why don’t we divide the tasks again? You have been doing all the punishing here for quite a while. Now let me do the punishing and you do the rewarding." So the prime minister and the emperor switched roles again.

Within a month the prime minister became the emperor. Why? What happen?

The emperor had been a nice person, rewarding and being kind to everyone at first; then he started to punish people. People said, "What’s wrong with that old codger?" and they threw him out on his ear. When they came to look for a replacement, they said, "You know who’s really starting to come around now—the prime minister!". So, they put him right into office.

Start reading! And enjoy the journey to be One Minute Manager.

Celebrate your wins!

2009-07-08T07:36:00.010+08:00

WOW~ Yesterday was my company (People Reengineering Consultancy) 1st year anniversary. Time flies! I only realise it this morning after my prayers. So I took some time to reflect on the progress I had made for the past 1 year. Hm.....still on the right track! :) In fact I know that many organization is now busy with the half yearly performance appraisal review too! Have you gone through your appraisal with your superior? Share with me if you want my advice. lols

This morning I log into facebook and saw my cousin ask this question "Why we need to celebrate our wins?" I shared "In life, we have ups and down. Very often, we tends to think about the "misfortune" (past bad experience/incidents) we had in life. Thus, celebrating our wins can anchor the good feelings in us and creating self-confidence and momentum to move on....". I always count my blessings despite all the challenges that I had to go through since childhood. Sometimes I even tell my friends that I am very happy now (我觉得自己很幸福) because along the way, I realised letting go the attachment of negative emotions make you feel lighter.

And most importantly I alway celebrate my success, be it SMALL, MEDIUM or BIG success. Treat myself a good sushi meal, entertain myself with an inspiring movie, go for a short holiday, or (save money) free myself one day doing what I like at home......as a mean of reward to myself. So nice isnt? Every part of it make you a better person, every part of it make your life more fulfilling! So, start celebrate your wins!

The meaning of "L.O.V.E"

2009-06-18T11:46:00.010+08:00

Yesterday ended my 2 days seminar in Port Dickson. The participants were fantastic. I am inpired by their enthusiasm and passion for life. Most of them are in their 20s, no doubt they have "unlimited energy" to go through all the challenges in the program. Yet what really makes me happy is they really put their "heart" in learning. You can feel the joy in them and it infects you too!

Sharing on the part of "L.O.V.E" is the most touching session. I saw one youtube elaborating LOVE as below:

L - Listen emphatically to others. Listen what is inside their heart.

O - Obligate to what others had sacrificed for you - our family members, friends, colleagues etc.

V - Value the differences in age, gender, race and their model of the world

E - Excuse others for their mistakes and encourage them to do better.

Some of us give our love to our family members and the people we know. Some even willing to give to those that they dont know (doing charity services, helping the disables etc). Unconditional love spread throughout the world and touches every single life! How big is your love?

The "Zen & Zest" of Life

2009-06-09T20:17:00.012+08:00

Last 2 days we have Greeea..aat time together in Kundasang, Ranau, Sabah. We went to a resort called Zen Garden. Beautiful place. I love conducting training here because of the fresh air and cool weather. It makes me feel so near to the nature and it connects to my inner world. I can see Mount Kinabalu clearly when the sky is bright. It looks so great! It is a wonderful world, isn't it?
You guys/gals enjoy so much playing together, laughing together, crying together, teasing together and having personal breakthrough together this 2 days. I think the program matches with the concept of "Zen" (in buddhism) meaning "living in the present moment, the NOW!"

I see some of you really "transform" and willing to take charge of your life, decided to create new chapter in life that is near to your heart. I can see your energy level is higher compare to the first day you walk into the training hall. Some of you really surprises me with your enthusiasm and changes after the training. I want to salute to you because you are making your life a better one now!

I feel very touch during certain activities because some of you have the courage to stand out to share your feelings and let is just flow out naturally. I can see the happy tears filling your eyes when you talk. Actually it gives me greater strengths and confident reassuring myself that what I am doing for my life is right and meaningful. I want to add value to your life.

Doing what you love doing is a blessing! Even though I spend very little hours sleeping for the past few nights preparing for the program, I did not feel tired. In contrary, I felt so energized by the wonderful team spirit, I feel so empowered and self-fulling. I think this is called the "Zest" of life! Are you doing what you passionate about NOW???!!! If yes, let's strive on!

Change can happen NOW!

2009-05-26T08:52:00.009+08:00

It was a fruitful and wonderful experience for me attending a series of weekends classes for Master Practitioner in NLP, TLT and Hynopsis. I know that you are starting to wonder what are all these stuff....well, it is good to wonder because it means that you are thinking. Haha........now I can start adding values to my clients as I acquired more healing tools and methods. It was such a valuable course. We overcome our inner fear, personal breakthrough, changing new values, practice modeling and most thrilling is that we need to go through the voluntary "test" of walking on fire and EAT fire! (nothing else to eat?). Honestly speaking, I passed the test :). And If I can do it, I am sure you can do that too!

Do you believe in the law of attraction? Well, within 1 week after the program, someone came to me for help. At first I wasnt aware that she had a problem. Then later when I look into her eyes and her facial expression, I realised she need some help. Thus, I went through with her to uncover the problem and found out the root cause. I taught her using "collapse anchor" to overcome her negative feelings.

The next day I went to the office and ask her if she feels better. To my surprise, she says that she is already 100% congruent with herself. I was "shocked" to know that the method is so impactful. That makes me realised that "change can happen NOW!" Sometimes we tend to give ourself a lot of excuses, reasons and logics that we need time to change some of our unwanted behavior yet this girl proved to me that we can choose NOT to believe that! If she can, why not you?

Customer Service

2009-04-27T12:15:00.005+08:00

Few days ago, My clients brought me to one of the so called "No.1" hotel in their state. As I had heard many good remarks about this hotel, I was so eager to have a look at the place and expecting the "wow" services there. To my surprise, the employees are not well-trained at all. My clients booked the meeting room earlier. When we arrived, we asked for the direction to our meeting room but we got the typical answer "I dont know! I am not sure! Nobody tell me about this!" (If anything happen, NOT my fault!). Then came the second staff when he saw us about to leave. He answer "Of course we have the meeting room, please follow me". He brought us to a few meeting room which are "messy", expecting us to wait for them to clean up. (Wrong strategy, No results!). I wonder if the management understand the importance of customer service.

There are many incidents when I approached the customer service officer or front desk, he ro she will look at me with a "sour" face as if I owe them "$$$" but in contradict their badge is flowered with words such as "service with smile". What a pity! I believe an organization must always match the company's vision, mission or even core values in line with the employee's behavior at the work place. Communications play an importance role in making sure all levels of employees understand the directions, values and expected behaviors to build the company image and culture. One way to do this is to set clear KPI (key performance indicators) with 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) ratings with clear elaborations on each. These will also serve as a SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) for them to upgrade their skills.

Please rate yourself as below. It covers for both internal or external customer.

1 (very poor) - No alertness in customer services. Very lacking of smiling face and eye contact. Don't like to greet customers and often received complaints and negative feedback.

2 (poor) - Low alertness in customer services. Greet with smiling face and having eye contacts to selective customers only. Most of the customers do not feel happy about the services.

3 (Average) - Customers' basic needs are met. No complaint about the services and no "wow" as well.

4 (Good) - Greet all customers with smiling face, having eye contacts during communication. High alertness at work. Customer requests are dealt promptly and satisfactorily.

5(Excellent)- Greet all customers with smiling face, having eye contact during communication and high alertness. Customer are deligheted with "wow" (gave compliments to him/her).

Where are you?

Inspirations and Motivation

2009-04-23T23:13:00.002+08:00

It has been quite some time I did not write my blog. As a matter of fact, I thought that no one actually log in and read my sharings. To my surprise, when I came to Kota Kinabalu and met Mary yesterday, she told me that for quite some time I "neglected" my blog. I got a shock when I knew that some other ex-colleagues such as Flavia and Sumi oftenly checked on my blogs too! They want to seek for some new inspiration and motivation at work and in life.

As an apology for that, I would present a gift to my dearest and loyal supporters with this 2 wonderful youtube clips :) which gave me much realization of individual potential provided we determine long enough to achieve our dreams.

Both the clips show that ordinary people turn into extraordinary figures overnight. They look too normal on the outside, like you and me. Yet, you will realise how wonderful they are when they perform. So, my dear friends, bear in mind that both had spend years and years to cultivate their interest, determination to continue what they like to do, endless effort to improve their skills, until one day they appear to be a "star". If you want to be a star, start preparing now, maybe after 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, or even 35 years later like Susan Boyle, finally your talent being recognized and overnight you become the "superstar".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leL4smXXiDU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Ultimate goal in life

2009-02-23T15:04:00.004+08:00

Sometimes when I think about the meaning of "begin with the end in mind" from the book - "seven habits of highly effective people", made me realise that everyone live with a purpose here, in this earth.

Recently I met with Ven. Winitha. We keep in touch oftenly through sms as he had offered great help during my brother's funeral a few years ago. My family decided to conduct the prayers according to the buddhist way - cremations and chanting. Venerable gave a dhamma talk as well on that day. This time I met him at Brickfields Vihara. He told me about his "dream" on establishing an old folks home for the elderly people in Sri Lanka. He said that many elderly lost their family members during the tsunami, also some suffering from old age and fear of death. He hope that the home can serve as a place for them to spend their last few years learning dhamma, cultivating good karma, practicing the right path, and leave this world peacefully. As Ven. Winitha is also a very filial son, this home will also give his mother a place to rest.

In order to assure that every donation is being used for the construction of the home. Every single person that donated the money, his or her name with the amount will be appearing in a list under the website: http://www.sewanasarana.spaces.live.com/ . I do hope that through my blog, it helps to realise his dream as well.

I can feel his patient and passion in helping the elderly people. What about you?

Brain works this way!

2009-01-11T00:09:00.003+08:00

The second time when we went to the same clinic, the younger nurse serve us this round.
She ask my friend to sit down comfortably with a smile, then build rapport with soft and gentle voice.
Next, she check the pulse position by pressing gently using her fingers. When she started to draw blood, the older nurse came near to my friend. I started to worry about her words.....my friend might pass out again if she use her old same pattern....

This time, she went to my friend and said " ok, relax, follow me....", "inhale... exhale...inhale....exhale...."....my friend look at her and follow her rythm, then everything just completed in seconds.

Wow, I realised she did it right this time, haha!

Words have power! This is something I learn many years ago from my mentor. I urge leaders used the right word at all times if you want to see significant changes in your relationship with family, friends, colleagues or even your loves one.

How brain works?

2009-01-09T23:16:00.006+08:00

Last week, I went for blood test with my housemate. This is our routine practice, to have medical check-up yearly. To my surprise, this time he was too nervous until nearly fainted during the process. This is how it goes...

There are 2 nurse in the center, one young and one old. When the old nurse saw my friend and knew that he was nervous, she kept telling him that "it is not painful" (which in NLP the brain only takes the word : painful). This makes my friend even worried.

During the process, she kept saying "Dont worry, dont worry" (brain only accept the word: worry!). This had made him very tense and his blood cannot flow out smoothly, then she kept saying "Aiya...dont be tense, dont be tense"(brain accept the word: be tense!). This makes the situation worst. Finally, she decided to pull out the needle. My friend need to draw blood for another round.

When she started the second round, similar thing happen and my friend pass out....

Our brain does not take negative instructions. So, when we communicate with others, it is important to say the right word so that you can be a great communicator.

New Motto New Directions

2009-01-06T23:36:00.004+08:00

Today is the first day of my second semester lecture in University of Malaya for my HRM class. Something caught my attention which I think it is worth to share is the UM motto had been change from "Producing Leaders since 1905" to "The Leader in Research and Innovation". I think this will set the new direction for the university in the near future. I dare to say that new motto bring new energy and new paradigm shift to the staff.

Out of curiosity, I went into UM website and impressed with the welcome message made by the new Vice Chancellor, Ghauth Jasmon. In one of his statement, he mentioned "Entrepreneurship is strongly promoted in the university where innovative schemes managed by the Centre for Technology Transfer and Commercialization are available that makes it easy for staff or students to set up companies, especially if they have new innovative business ideas or patents with commercial value. The university of today needs to strive for more than it did before, especially in setting role models for entrepreneurial success." Wow! So cool!

In many corporate organization that I work with, setting the right vision, mission, corporate values and motto is so important to set the direction right for the company. I remember sharing with my students on the success story of Toyota Motor Corporation when they first decided to penetrate to United States. In order to get everyone committed and make sure the project will be successful, the company involve all the employees in the decision making and finally they came out with the brand "L.E.X.U.S" (Lets EXport to United States). It was innovative yet motivating for the employees and finally became the best selling car in U.S.

With the dynamic and changing business environment, I believe it is all right for your organization to re-think and review your current vision, mission or motto if it is time to change!

2008 Reflections

2009-01-01T22:56:00.009+08:00

Just back home after 2 days of seminars at Sunway Convention Center. I feel great because this year I had chosen to countdown and welcome year 2009 in a different and meaningful way. While others are thinking how to celebrate and enjoy their year end holidays, around 300 participants came here to celebrate through learning and sharing.

After the countdown, I did my own reflections on my past 1 year progress and change which I had made. I know my ultimate (bigger) dream need a longer time to fulfill but year 2008 had set very good new milestones in my life:

Started my own company - People Reengineering Consultancy Sdn Bhd
Realise my short term plans to teach in University Malaya
Having the pride to join one of the multi national company (Doers Knowledge Management Group) as their freelance internal trainer as well as Senior HR Specialist.
Brought my parents to Vietnam tour
Attended Money and You
Attended Business School of Entreprenuer in Beijing for 8 days.
Completed my course of NLP practitioner, Time Line therapy and hynopsis.
Completed my course as certified D.I.S.C trainer in Taipei.
Conducted my first public mandarin seminars in Sibu and KL on "Team Leadership in D.I.S.C"
Having the blessing to secure a 2 years contract with 3 companies on human resources consultation and coaching.

During the night before I sleep, deep in my heart I prayed that every members in my family that love me, every customer that had supported me during my hard time, every participant that believed me, every single person that had helped me through 2008 are blessed with good health and happiness always. I am fortunate to have you in my life.

What is so great about our life if we forget to count our blessings and do not know how to appreciate others?

Great Team

2008-12-20T15:35:00.005+08:00

I like one quote that says“ Your competitor can copy every advantage you’ve got – except one, the business of building team leaders”(Antoine de Saint-Exupery).

Many years ago, my mentor told me that the word “T.E.A.M” stands for “Together Everyone Achieve More”. She says that if everyone in an organization can work together to achieve the common goals, the synergy effects will be 1+1 > 3. I truly believe it.

Last 2 years another mentor told me that T.E.A.M means “Trust, Encourage, Appreciate, Motivate”. Wow! This is very cool! It touches the “feeling” part of a team. When every single member can trust each other and praise their colleagues when things went great (I support you!), giving encouragement when things went wrong (I know you can be better), appreciate the goodness of others (Thank you because ….) and motivate each other towards a desired destiny(Today we are …..next year our aim is to achieve …..) , then you are nurturing a great team!

Trust – When members have trust in the team, they feel the sense of belongings. They will find ways to work through disagreements, take greater challenges, stay in the team longer and contribute better ideas. I like to say that this is the fundamental of a team. My mentor advised me that we should trust a person first rather than waiting him to prove he can be trusted. Do you agree with me?

Encourage – every members in a team or organization must learn to encourage each other during the hard times or good times. I discover that instead of doing this, many people tends to through complains, criticize others, blaming other mistakes and gossiping. If we promote encouragement with positive words in an organization, I am sure the working atmosphere will be great. One of my friends likes to end his words with “gambate!” (Japanese word which means “add oil”), cool right?

Appreciate your team members – If you take the effort to appreciate your members when they did the right thing at work, you will “touch” their hearts. To retain our talents in organization, we need to fulfill their monetary needs as well as non-monetary needs (appreciate them through words on their achievements). Recently, after completed my seminars, one participant came to me and ask if he could give me his feedback. Of course, I love to hear about it. He told me for the first 2 hours, he had compared me with another overseas speaker and felt bored with my training. However, after getting into the mode, he told me he enjoyed my training. He appreciate my passion in training and complimented “You are charming on stage!”(你有舞台的魅力!). He makes me float!

Motivate – when you want to motivate someone, please state his current state and lead him to a higher state. For example, if you want employee A to improve his work, you must state clearly that you want him progress from “average” to “good” after discussing the 3-5 key strategies that both mutually agreed.

Please rate yourself from 1 -10 for the 4 aspects mentioned above. How did you score in each item? What can you do to improve each?

Watch out for my next article, the new definition of T.E.A.M in 21st century.

Talent Retention

2008-12-07T11:25:00.008+08:00

When I ask my clients about their view about next year economy situation, I got different opinion about it.

Some said that their business slowed down and sales turnover reduced at least 15-20%. So, they foresee the situation will be worse in the coming 6 months. So, every single cents must be recorded clearly in the spreadsheet.

On the other hand, I had clients that told me Malaysia is not very badly hit compared to 1997 financial crisis. However, the confidence level had dropped. Most people "believe" it will be worse so they started to be more careful in spending their money. Fortunately, they still think that developing their people at this critical moments is that right thing to do, because once the economy begin to thrive, their people are ready to grasp the market. Grreeeat!!!

Through public media we read about many giant companies started to practice retrenchment, cost cutting exercise, recruitment freezing etc. I think the worst is starting to get "panic" by throwing hasty comments to non-performers, pushing them extremely hard for sales achievements, letting go of good staffs even though knowing that this is not the right move. Sad!!!

It has been long known that one of the most respectable company, General Electric decided to manage her talents during critical moments using the quadrant showed above. It is important to keep the right people at this moment rather than merely going for headcount reduction. As for me, I will definitely encourage companies to use the 4R methods in decision making.

By the way, which category you falls if you are an employee now? If you are under "remove" or "re-train", my advice is to talk to your employer on ways to improve yourself so that you can keep your job. Or if you are an employer, what is the distribution looks like in your company? Do you have all the "A" star employees?

New Year Aspiration

2008-12-06T23:24:00.007+08:00

Recently I heard a few friends talking about their 2009 aspiration. I wonder if the year 2008 plans had been accomplished. For me, I remember every year when I did my new year aspirations, I was very excited at that moment, then forget about the goals for the rest of the months....too common for many people yeah?

Now I do not set new year aspiration goals anymore. Last year when I decided to start my own business, I did my 5 years goals. I think it gave me stronger motivation and drive to pursue it when I can see my route clearer to the future. Ultimately, I am passionate about what I am doing now, helping individual and teams to challenge for excellence, reengineering organization on human capital for creating abundant results.

I created this table so that some of you might want to ask yourself which category you are currently in. Maybe you would like to share with me what do you think about your goals. I love to listen to your exciting goals because sometimes it gives me more strengths to pursue mine. So, gambate and let's dream!

Trainer's Profile

2008-11-27T23:35:00.022+08:00

About Master Trainer

HARVARD CHOO

Master Of Science (HRD)

Master Trainer of
PEOPLE REENGINEERING CONSULTANCY
Director of The Art Of Learning & Leadership

Harvard Choo graduated from Malaysia National University (UKM) in 1999 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. In 2004 he got his Master in Human Resource Development (MSc) from University Putra Malaysia. He was attached to one of the world top 5 rubber compound producer as a Group Human Resources Director and was a part of the core team that brought the company for public listing in year 2004. He is able to consult on all aspects of Human Resources matters in an organization. In addition, he had great passion for training and people development which made him full of zest when he conducts training.

Harvard Choo started his own business by joining Lawrence Walter Seminar as partner in 2007. With his corporate experience, he is able to deliver his training effectively and fulfil most of his customer’s needs. He believed that training and development must be viewed by organization as long term investment in order to see the significant results. Thus, follow-up programs and consultation are one of the value-added services provided to all his customers. As a trainer, Harvard Choo is also actively involved in teaching and educating students on learning attitude, learning skills, examination skills and thinking methods. Thus, he is capable of training both students and corporate as well. Overall, his passion is in the areas of developing a right life attitude, team synergy, team leadership, power communications and creative learning.

People Reengineering Consultancy Sdn Bhd (PRC) was establish in year 2008 with the aim to help organizations to build their human resources functions, system and talent development. Most of his clients work as partners with him on long-term strategies and goals.

As a NLP practitioner, he do provide one to one counselling and therapy for individual and team for peak performance. Combine with scientifically proven profiling tools such as DISC, he is able to match individual career aspirations with organizational goals so that every employee in the company can bring out their best in life.

Training Courses Available
Challenge of 5S Excellence
Leadership Empowerment for Breakthrough Results.
Team Dynamics for Organizational Success
DISC for Team Excellence
Passion for Life!
NLP @ Work

Human Resources Consultation
Developing Talent Management system and program
Compensation & Benefits
People Selection using BARS with DISC
Developing effective Training and developing organizational-wide program
Effective Performance Appraisal System