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March 31, 2005
Alfred Hitchcocks The Birds and jockeys fall from the horses
Remember Alfred Hitchcock and the movie The Birds? A movie about birds that suddenly start to attack people?
Well, something like that must have been in the minds of the seagulls that flew into horses racing down the home straight in a freak accident yesterday.
Scary - look at the picture:
Read the full story here.
Posted by Andreas at 03:48 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
My boss and I
Send to me by a friend - I hope there is no posting of it elsewhere
When I take a long time.
I am slow.
When my boss takes long time
He is thorough.
When I don't do it
I am lazy.
When my boss doesn't do it
He is too busy.
When I do something without being told
I am trying to be smart.
When my boss does the same
That is initiative.
When I please my boss
I am apple - polishing
When my boss please his boss
He's co-operating.
When I do well, my boss never remembers
When I do wrong, he never forgets
I hope life is not like that on your side of the working place!!
Posted by Andreas at 03:19 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Building safety - and a new study is being conducted
I asked the question, if the buildings in Kuala Lumpur are safe and sound against the impact of earthquakes.
I am happy to read in The Star today, that guidelines are drawn up.
Director-general of Town and Country Planning Mohd Fadhil Mohd Khir also said that proposed guidelines would also include the drawing up of routes to safer grounds when evacuating people during natural disasters.
I am worried that it will take one to two years, before the guidelines are finalised. Where is the urgency? I also wonder if Peter Tan is happy about this - I doubt it since it doesn't sound reassuring to me.
The Public Works Department will also reassess the structural and safety aspects of its buildings, especially the high-rise ones, because they are not been built to be earthquake-safe - which worries me. The article didn't say if building management will be required to reinforce the structures of high-rise buildings.
Posted by Andreas at 03:12 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Customer service at Banks
Banks have a tough life today. Especially local banks, since they soon have to cope with a liberalised environment in Malaysia, what means more competition.
There are also bank robbers who every now and than want to run away with someone else's money.
However, it is good to nail a mission statement at the wall celebrating your customers, and making it clear to your employees that you value them.
Why then, I ask, do you have this windows or security barrier between you and your customers? Those with a small open gap? Customers have to lean against this gap to speak loudly to you. When your teller responds, customers have to turn their head to give you the ear - otherwise, it is tough to understand.
Is this gap or barrier for security? Not sure. Bullets would still go through the gap. And your poor customers, who stand outside, would still be exposed to the bad guys.
I think, it is because banks still don't really understand the value of customer service well.
Until banks understand it, well, nail a mission statement at the wall.
Posted by Andreas at 02:03 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 30, 2005
Chili's responded - or did they not?
Chili's finally responded to my two entries regarding Kim's experience.
So it took them from March 18 till now, with the intermediate inquiry from my side on March 25.
Not sure, actually, if they replied, or if they just want to get ove with this nuisance.
Their mail reads:
"I would appreciate if you could give me the contact information of the guest that complained on the blog about Chilis.I cannot respond to the blog but I will respond to the guest involved."
They addressed me by name, so that is something that I left out. What is amazing is that there are no apologies from their side. No possible explanation. Nothing. They talk about complaints - as if it was our fault that the foot was bad.
Makes me wonder about the customer experience they try to provide.
I checked with Kim, and she is okay that I provide Chili's with her e-mail address. So Kim, get ready!
Posted by Andreas at 07:40 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
How do you celebrate success?
Over the past couple of weeks, I was a lot under pressure to complete major studies. I am usually not posting much about my work, but these were really major projects.
There was this one cross-regional and highly visible work, which also brought me to Hong Kong.
Next, I also worked on a project that involved a deep understanding of the chemical industry.
Actually, there are no such things as "being under pressure". Not, when the projects are fun. And fun is when it involves the ability to learn new things.
Fun is also to operate outside my own comfort zone.
To know that I cannot afford to deliver something that is not 100% sound, safe, and of highest quality drives me to a 150% performance level.
This is when the hours just fly.
When a project is completed and submitted, I feel the emptiness. Something missing, yearning for something. I am not able to start something new, straight away. I need a couple of hours or even a day to rejuvenate. This is also enjoyable - but I am waiting for the next big bang.
And when it comes, the adrenaline starts rushing again ....
Posted by Andreas at 02:41 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Customer service at Fast Food Restaurants
Just something to think about:
How come, Restaurants such as McDonalds, KFC and similar still call themselves Fast Food Restaurants, when you:
- Have to queue up quite long to be order your food;
- Wait a long time to get your food "on the plate"?
Especially over lunch time - queues are tremendous. I understand that the turnover of frontline staff is high - up to 300% annually -
But then, you still have counters that are not manned. The original intend was to serve food fast - where has this gone to?
Makes me wonder. What was your longest waiting time?
Posted by Andreas at 01:59 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
A simple Mango Lassi entry
My kid loves to eat Roti Bom(which is simple, but great Indian food - comment for the non-Malaysian readers or readers of this blog who are unfamiliar with this).
And yeah, I love Roti Canai, so we two guys drag my wife to our local Indian mamak stall to eat that stuff frequently. My boy's appetite for Roti Bom is unbeatable - over the weekend, we might be the one customer group, who constantly turn up. For breakfast, and even for dinner. If he sees a chance, he sneaks in a Roti Bom session into our weekly schedule.
Anyway - what I also enjoy is a simple Mango Lassi (Mango Yoghurt Drink). This is one of the best drinks that have ever found their way from heaven to earth.
The great thing is, as well, that this is healthy. I guess. Since I am not necessarily a guy who eats enough fruits or even vegetable (the skinning is just so tedious), well, Mango Lassi is the one. The one and only drink that keeps me healthy and my consciousness clean.
(At the edge of picture, a glimpse of a Roti Bom is visible)
What drinks do you like?
Posted by Andreas at 09:28 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
March 29, 2005
What's an earthquake
Thanks Ivy, for some really great outlines in my comments explaining the workings of earthquakes.
She wrote in my entry about the safety of high-rise buildings:
Malaysian high rises are not safe at all. My apartment had cracks on the wall. It's not really the goverment's fault tho. It's just that Malaysia isn't in the earthquake-prone areas.Okay, I gave my lecture on earthquakes (woo! fun!) and the aftershocks and the hop-scotching of earth quakes from fault to fault. Basically, what happens is that one earthquake can trigger another earthquake half way across the world. The boundaries between plates are consistently building up stress. The stress is released when the friction between the two plates can no longer hold the amount of pressure from the stress build-up and then boom. U got an earthquake.
As everyone knows, an energy cannot be created nor destroyed. So what happens when an earthquake releases such tremendous amount of energy? They become seismic waves which would travel across the crusts until it hits another boundary. This energy would then increase the stress of that boundary to the point where friction can't hold it any longer boom there's your second earthquake. It's very common in North America.
Anyways, the problem is when and where would it occure. Geologists have still yet to figure out when it occurs because they do not have the technology for it. They can only tell with ultra sensitive seismometers 20 seconds before it strikes. Utterly pointless. Where it strikes, well there is a possibility in finding that out. That would depend on the direction the energy went to. That by itself would be a big task."
For a deeper inside, check out her PowerPoint presentation - click here
Thanks again - this is a WoW comment!
Posted by Andreas at 08:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Hey PGLAI77 - thanks for the tip
I probably drive Jordan crazy with my English.
It is not my first language - those who know me are aware that my first language is German.
My brain is also no longer big enough to learn more languages. I am happy that I learnt English in school, and French. Throughout my life (and this is probably wrong as well), I learnt to speak Spanish (out of interest) and Italian (I had an Italian girlfriend and her family didn't speak German or English - but wow, great Pizzas).
During my travels in Sri Lanka I picked up 5 words in Singhalese and still remember 60% of those, and some Ashanti in West Africa - gone by now.
I forgot all those languages - all besides French. In French, some tiny fragments are still left.
While in Asia, I started to learn Bahasa, but I wrote about my challenges with this before. Interestingly, every time I speak French, I somehow flip to Bahasa, for whatever reason.
I am always saying that my brain is not big enough anymore and that every time, I learn a new word in Bahasa, I sure forget one French word. Probably more!
I also tried to learn Mandarin, and while I think it is a beautiful language, well, the lessons nearly broke my jaw!
One strength of mine is to see mistakes in reports - in writing, or in the logical sequence. It is fun to put a beautiful report together.
I admit my English is not perfect - and I still dare to blast those who make mistakes.
A PGLAI77 picked up on my usage of "then and than" in my blog entry about "Picking up a Meme" I checked it out at Acden and it hopefully won't happen again!
Another person, JD, wrote "Pot calling the kettle black. Your spelling is quite questionable itself!" as a comment in my entry about the wrong spelling in the promotion for English Tuition - Pity, neither e-mail address nor web-address was provided in this case.
I want to thank both of them, but especially PGAIL! The difference between Than and Then is one of those cases in English where the words are so damn confusingly similar. I tend to make mistakes in those cases (is it those or these??).
Thanks - please come back and correct me some more (sorry THAT one). Or anybody else, for that matter. This might be the only way for me to improve.
Posted by Andreas at 06:20 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
More earthquakes to come?
The Washington Post has quite an interesting write-up about the potential for additional quakes (subscription required).
I hope they don't mind that I am quoting from their article called "Quake in December Set Stage for More Upheaval"
First is stated that yesterday's quake didn't come as a surprise. A Lori, who is a geologist at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, says:
"What happened today was not a surprise. A number of scientists have been talking about an increased likelihood of more earthquakes in this area because of the rupture that happened in December. And it may not stop here."
The article continues:
"In December, a section of one plate about 700 miles long suddenly plunged about 30 feet beneath another, causing a magnitude 9.0 earthquake that created the devastating tsunami. That event probably increased pressure on the next section of the plate boundary just to the south, causing yesterday's similar sudden thrust of one plate beneath the other, this time apparently involving a smaller section of perhaps 200 to 300 miles."We think it's very likely that the extra stresses put on by the quake happening to the northwest is very likely to have triggered this earthquake. It would have happened sometime, but the timing may have been moved up by the quake to the north," according to Bruce Presgrave geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center"
And:
"There is now an increased possibility that yet another massive quake could occur soon, farther along the same plate boundary, experts said.""The timing of the next event is unpredictable because it depends on a host of factors, including whether pressure had been released along the boundary by previous quakes. But more quakes are inevitable."
Dengler also says that:
"It's just a question of when, and how big"
I guess the message is that more is to come. The question is, how we prepare ourselves for it. And, may be, what the governments around the region are doing to protect buildings and other sensitive installations. Additionally, how can knowledge captured now and earlier be finally used to create actionplans, and clear comumunication. When the earthquake happened last night, the blogger sphere sprang into action first. I found the first article online in Yahoo Singapore, around 12.25 AM or so. CNN started to report around the same time. All the major stations provided updates when I got ready at aroudn 6.45 AM, to go to work.
The local Malaysian stations entertained, with programmes called "Motivasi Pagi". Where are the lessons learnt from last time?
Posted by Andreas at 01:26 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Earthquake - one question in my mind
How safe are our buildings? Are they earthquake-proofed? I haven't heard of earthquakes in Malaysia before the one in December and the one yesterday.
Are the buildings sound and safe?
Posted by Andreas at 10:31 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Earthquake update - my story
Last night's earthquake was pretty violent - I experienced three earthquakes in my life, and I feel that this one was the heaviest. Heavier than the one on December 26, 2004
My wife woke me up at 12.15 AM, Malaysian time, saying, that the building is shaking due to an earthqake. I couldn't believe it first, but heard the window grills vibrating. I got up from the bed, and felt it as well. The grills kept shakin and the building vibrated.
We heard people outside on the aisle of our floor - we are staying at the 11th floor, and decided to leave the apartment.
Quickly, we took some of our important documents (may be we should prepare a bag, containing necessary items?), I woke up my child and off we went down. A lot of people were already on the road, and cars drove off, probably those, that had relatives nearby, who stay in low-rise buildings. This was our decision as well. We drove to my sister-in-law.
My child took it a bit badly. He was very worried, and wasn't sure what to do, what would happen to his toys. He was very brave, still, went down the many floors, without complaining.
Posted by Andreas at 06:50 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
March 28, 2005
Earthquake update
There is no news yet in the news. Not even in news.
Residents of some buidings in Taman Desa, where I stay, left their places.
Update - it was 8.2 on the richter scale, according to CNN
Posted by Andreas at 11:52 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Another earthquake?
It is shortly past midnight. My wife just woke me up and I felt the building in Taman Desa shaking. Very very badly.
We left our apartment - we were not the only ones. The whole buildings were emptying,and the guards were trying to alert people to come down.
What's the news??
Posted by Andreas at 11:30 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Taxi drivers
It is said that to know the feelings in the population , you have to talk to taxi drivers. They are closest to the pulse of the people, and have their own unique opinion about events. One trait in their lifestyle is that they always - ALWAYS - complain that they don't earn enough.
I wouldn't want to know what Taxi drivers in Beijing are thinking - they must think about revolution.
"(...) The average cabbie works 106 hours a week, and takes home only US$220 a month. On the average day, they are stuck in jams for at least three hours (...).
A limit on the number of licences and the absence of unions give Beijing's 200 taxi companies an unfair advantage over their employees. The city's 66,000 drivers must pay more than half of their fares to their bosses and another quarter on fuel and repairs. They are left with earnings of less than US$0.60 an hour. To make ends meet, some work 24-hour shifts and then switch with alternate drivers so their cars are never off the road."
Next time you drive taxi - be it in Shanghai, or elsewhere, think that it is a tough job. I drove taxi to finance my studies in Germany. That time, it still was fun. But to survive on the money earnt married and may be with children would be impossible.
Posted by Andreas at 02:59 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Restaurants
Have you ever stood in front of a table in a restaurant that was totally messed up by those eating there before you?
They spit bones at the side of their plates, food leftovers laying all over the table, tissues are on the floor, on the table and it just looks yucky.
Yucky, yucky, yucky!
Couldn't they just put all their rubbish into their plates, just before they leave the table? It would make it easier for the waiter, and especialy for those coming after them.
To me, those people are just yucks as well. Yucks in their manners, in their behaviour, in anything. Sorry, but to me, you suck, bit time.
Posted by Andreas at 10:16 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
March 27, 2005
Exprience subject teacher
I sure trust those teachers with my child.
Do you understand this? People want to promote their business, are enthusiastic about it, spent a lot of money to get it up and running.
And than?
They don't proof-read, or use a spellcheck. A simple task that can derail the whole train they were betting on.
Posted by Andreas at 02:25 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
Fitness First - I need information for Ivy
I received a mail from Ivy, who currently lives in Canada, but soon will be back in Kuala Lumpur for a summer break of 4 months (what a great, long break).
She read my earlier entries about Fitness First, which are not necessarily positive, and inquired about my opinion regarding Fitness First.
I referred her to The Scarfers recent entry about her experience with a personal trainer for a first impression.
I don't want to rant too much about Fitness First now, but would like to reach out to those with experience of it. Either send me your links, or comment about Fitness First in the comment section.
I will then forward this to ivy - or, she will read it on my blog.
In addition - does anyone know how much the monthly fee with Fitness First is? Ivy just wants a 4-months membership.
Thanks to all of you.
Posted by Andreas at 12:58 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Happy Birthday to me
Today is my birthday.
Getting older doesn't look that bad anymore, once you hit the 40s.
The main challenge?
Not to slow down in my activities. I have so many more things to do, so many open loops to close, and still so much fun observing the world. I would love to extend the hours of the days to accommodate what I want to do. But since this is not possible, I have to nibble away some minutes here, may be get up even earlier and still stay alert.
The biggest pleasure?
Well, I think I have a lot of experience developed over the years, but I haven't forgotten my rebellious past. I have adjusted my thinking, developed new or enhanced old point of views. I am now able me to see the world and any opinion from many different sides and it is fun to share opinions and learn some more.
I was active in political movements in Germany, I travelled across the world, worked in West Africa (love that place), and Sri Lanka (I love that place as well). Came to Malaysia and worked in some other nations in Southeast Asia. Fall in love with the region - people, work, food. Married and have a wonderful child.
Nothing better than this.
The greatest regret?
That the Internet only became available when I was already "somewhat" established in my life (aer we ever?). It would have been great to be able to connect with so many different people across the world when I was younger - but hey. I actually do this already, anyway - so no regrets!! It is now fun to communicate with all demographics and I am not in the age that allows me to cross the demographic spectrum pretty easily. And that is fun, since it allows me to learn something new every single day!
My plans?
I would have to write for hours to write down all that I want to accomplish. But I will keep blogging, and blogging, and blogging.
Posted by Andreas at 10:48 AM | Comments (17) | TrackBack
March 26, 2005
Cool bike, but is it WoW?
I saw this bike in Bangsar. It looks pretty cool, but it doesn't wow me too much.
First - how to ride it? It looks fragile and with the long front, it doesn't look too secure as well.
Next - your bum wouldn't fit into the seat, when it gets bigger. And, third - well, you gotta ride the babe alone. But than - there is nothing better than having someone riding behind you, feeling the breeze, leaning together into the curves and having small talk during the breaks.
But this is me - what do you think of it?
The one thing most positive was that it enticed people to talk to each other. I talked to a guy, and we looked and analysed the bike in detail. When I came back, another group was standing around it to discuss. And I am writing about it here.
So it is just like the new marketing. When consumers talk (positively), products become successful. Instead of companies talking to (down on) consumers and hope they would buy their product (why do I always see something like this in anything???).
Posted by Andreas at 04:59 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
March 25, 2005
Gundam and the fineprint
Do you know Gundam? Here is on picture, just in case you don't know:
But basically, it is a fighting figure, like many others (sorry, I might offend real Gundam fans here! - no harm meant).
My boy loves them and he loves to by a model set and puts the different little pieces together. Way smarter in that than I am.
Last weekend, we went to Toys R' US (probably spelled wrongly) in 1 Utama.
They had nice models there - but we would have bought ours in Jaya Jusco although the shop had a nice 20% discount offer
You know why?
Look at the picture ...
The fineprint says that the discount is only applicable if you buy another item of normal price.
No discount if you buy only one product. No discount, if you buy another product that has a discount.
What a cheat!
Posted by Andreas at 03:52 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Chili's: Its been seven long days!
Its been 7 days since I went to Chili's for lunch.
Its been seven days since Kim had the bad aftereffect of the food.
Its been seven days since I contacted them via their form online.
Its been seven days that I wait for a response.
It will be seven more days until I am deeply disappointed with their lack of customer friendliness - nah - I am already disappointed.
Anybody wants to take a bet if they come back to me with a response? Hey - the won closest to the real time wins a lunch with me - in Chili's, lol.
Posted by Andreas at 09:02 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
March 23, 2005
KL Success Shop - a little gem in Bangsar
Those following this blog know that I read a lot - that's the reason I am constantly looking for new bookshelves or how I can rearrange my books in a sensible manner. I can found in MPH, often in Megamall, sometimes elsewhere.
Bookshops are in hypercompetition in Malaysia. You have some pretty big boys in the market - from MPH, to Popular, Kinokuniya, and now, Borders.
Can smaller ones compete?
Yes, the can - as long as they don't try to be what the big boys are. That would mean that they try to be all things to everyone - and sure, death would follow.
I found a gem in Bangsar, called KL Success Shop - they sell management and motivational books, plus CDs and video tapes (those are still around, interestingly). They can compete, and they do!
First of - they don't always have the newest books around. They try, but well, they want to have books at a cheaper price from the distributor, and those distributor probably won't give them new ones all the time. But those that you find are cheap - many of them start at about RM22 - is that a price? On the other hand, you find books that are out of stock at other bookshops.
The service is great - friendly and accommodating. This is a great differentiator - compare this to Popular, for example, which, for me, doesn't appear to be the most organised.
They also sell tapes and CDs of motivational speakers - a larger variety available. In conjunction with this, you can have an annual membership that allows you to rent the tapes. It comes with a point system, but don't ask me now, how this works.
If you go shopping at your birthday, you get a 30% discount. I go there next week when it is my birthday and have already a shopping list. I told them about a CDs that I want, about 2 weeks back, and they order it for me.
So if you are in the area, just give it a try. It is a bookshop that is worthwhile having around and sustaining!
You can find them here:
1st Floor, Jalan Telawi 4 in Bangsar Baru.
You can see them as well from the outside: They have a big signboard at the front.
Posted by Andreas at 10:33 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
March 22, 2005
You are dead already? We are sorry!
Waiting for a heart treatment in Canada? Well, if you die before it is your turn, a computer will at least apologise for your early demise.
The hospital, a place called Moncton Hospital, sent out a computer generated letter to a New Brunswick heart patient in need of an electrocardiogram.
Then it ended with the caring and sensitive phrase "If the person named on this computer-generated letter is deceased, please accept our sincere apologies."
Posted by Andreas at 07:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Hot Chocolat Cafe
The Cafe is located in a quiet place in Damansara Heights, to be exact, at Jalan Lorong Setia Bistart 2.
Its motto is great:
Chocolat is sweet Life is beautiful So are you ... Welcome to The Hot Chocolat Cafe
(as taken from their business card.
We had Western food, which was good - from Italian to "normal" Western food, such as Chicken Schnitzel (something I sometimes miss!)
And now it comes, the thing that put me off! Dramatically!!
We asked for Parmesan Cheese on our spagetti. We were told, that this is possible but would be charged.
What? Actually, this spoiled the fun - damaged the whole superior picture that we had earlier.
See - here is a lesson to be learnt. You provide something interesting, in a quiet place. All your visitors are wow-ed. Than, you charge for something that is free elsewhere, for the same type of food.
This is one rule in business - if you charge for something that is free elsewhere, all you do is upsetting your customers - who than share their experience with others.
So, once again: Never charge for something that can be get for free somewhere else!
Posted by Andreas at 04:23 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 21, 2005
Junior apprentice competition in MPH beats Malaysian graduate unemployabilty
I am not sure what to think about this.
MPH offers a competition to identify the junior apprentice. Below, please find a picture of the competition outline (and sorry for the bad quality - camera phones are still not great!).
This goes along the lines of Donal Trump's reality show in the US "The Apprentice". I believe all of us are watching it, but no one would admit it - or?
Is this competition to identify a junior apprentice good or is this bad?
On the one hand, we have 80,000 unemployable graduates - those who have not learnt enough soft skill to be in demand in the current business environment. May be they would have needed a program similar to this, when they were young.
But than, I don't believe that the skills taught in Donald Trump's show will be the skills that are needed in the 21st century. This is internal competition and politics at its best (or worse).
But than, the competition by MPH asks kids to put in place negotiation skills and risk taking. And those are great skills. So, okay - let's give MPH a WoW for the idea (but I put it into the category "Out Of The Usual) - or is there any objection to this?
Posted by Andreas at 05:22 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
March 20, 2005
Unemployable graduates
The New Straits Times today writes that there are at least 80,000 graduates who are unemployable.
This means, they won't be able to find a job, not now, or in the nearer future.
According to the article, reasons are found in the transition of Malaysia to a service economy, where soft skills are needed more than hard skills. I wrote about it here.
The NST ranks 12 criteria menitoned by the interviewed employers:
"Of the 12 criteria listed by 115 employers surveyed in a study on unemployment conducted by the National Economic Action Council, the top three were soft skills: good communications, being presentable and having a reasonable grasp of general knowledge. Academic performance only came eighth."
Read this again: Academic performance only came eighth.
I am not saying that learning is not important - knowledge is power and to know something will be increasingly important. But may be we celebrate the hard successes too much, celebrate too much the many "A" that have been achieved in the various examinations. We should reconsider how we look at success and learning, espcially in times, when the achievement of an MBA is doubted even by the bluest of the bluest consulting firms.
Posted by Andreas at 12:13 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Band from Ecuador in 1 Utama
This is a picture of a band from Ecuador. They are pretty good, fun to watch, so if you have a chance, just drop by and enjoy their music. They are playing traditional music.
The nice part is that they are selling their own music on CDs and tapes. A bit expensive, at RM45 for a CD and RM20 for a tape, but than, they need to finance their expenditures.
Posted by Andreas at 10:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 19, 2005
Induction course for Pakistanis
Many companies face the wrath of a lack of workers, after the Malaysian finally cracked down on illegal workers. May be they didn't take it serious, that the government, this time, really meant it and executed what they say they would.
So now, employers complain that they don't have enough workers - The Star writes that there is a gap of about 400,000 workers. The newspapers are full of barber shops that close down, and Indian shops that go out of business.
Even in my apartment, the Indonesian cleaners have been replaced by Malaysian cleaners - I actuall preferred the Indonesian ones, they at least cleant better. Those Malaysian cleaners have the habit to oversee the dirt.
Anyway, those closure impact the economic growth, and that is something that the government doesn't want.
So they scrample - a lot. At least it seems like it. Now, to solve the problem, the fast-track "import" of Pakistanis as substitute is seen as a solution.
Home Minister Datuk Azmi Khalid is quoted "We want them to come as soon as yesterday."
To do so the government is willing to waive the induction course. And that is what bothers me.
Bothers me a lot.
An induction course would have meant that those coming would have had some understanding of what to expect. In terms of culture, habits, values, language and so on. Useful information. Which would help them to assimilate into the daily routine.
Now I am a bit worried - I have nothing against Pakistanis, but remember: This also is a country with a lot of internal issues:
They were pretty close to Osama bin Laden and only allied with the US after September 11.
There still is the issue of Kashmir.
Than, recently, there was a lot of newspaper coverage about the girl that was gangraped, because her brother had an affair with a woman of a powerful rival clan. The men who did this were recently acquitted of the crime, although rearrested after the Prime Minister intervened.
I of course don't know who will come to Malaysia and I am aware of the fact that these are just cases that bubble up to the surface. There are pleny of signs in Pakistan that point to the right direction for the country.
However, I think that there is a need for a longterm strategy about the deployment of foreigners in this beautiful country, and not something that looks like an afterthought.
Update
Apparently there now is at least a background check on the workers. This is not done by the Malaysian authorities but by Pakistan authories. Here is the link to the article.
Posted by Andreas at 02:25 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Why are we like that?
I just drove down the highway towards Sprint, when suddenly, there was a jam. Well, not really, everybody just slowed down and traffic came to a crawl.
Why?
Because there was an accident, but the cars involved were already on the emergency lane.
No need to slow down anymore. Slowing down is dangerous, because is comes so sudden. And it "helps" to build up a real traffic jam.
But the worse is - why? Why slowing down and staring in the first place? It is not that people learn to drive better after looking at a traffic jam? Shortly after it, they speed up and cut in anyway.
So why do people stare? Because it wasn't them and they say a little prayer that it will never happen to them?
I don't know!
Posted by Andreas at 01:50 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 18, 2005
10 +1 thing that make me happy!
I, for one, get happy, when:
1.) My son is proud, after achieving something. He than has this little smile, that he tries to hide, but you can see the muscles twitching;
2.) I am happy when I finished something that was important to me. Something that was not easy to achieve, but I finally manage
3.) I am happy, when my kid has school holidays - I don't need to get up too early, and still arrive early in the office
4.) I am happy when I read a difficult book and I understand it (lol)
5.) May be it should be higher up in the ranking, but I am happy to meet new people and learn something new from them, about them, with them(are these two things?)
6.) I am happy when I can share knowledge and I see that people appreciate it
7.) I am happy when I see that someone succeeded. Be it what I read in the newspaper, or someone around me
8.) I am happy when I am in the team that succeeded and I could contribute to the success
9.) I am happy when people tell something nice about me
10.) I am happy when I hold a little child in my arms and see the innocence, the happiness and the willingness to love and to learn
11.) I am happy that I am alive, that I can provide to my family, that I have feelings, and that I realise that the best that you can have in life is to make it a WoW!
Have you made your life a Wow already?
What makes you happy?
Posted by Andreas at 09:38 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Chili's in Bangsar Shopping Center
Chili's is a great place, usually. Okay, I had problems reserving a place for lunch, since they "don't do this", but when I arrived with Kim, well, it was empty enough to get any place in the restaurant.
As Kim wrote, I had a great Burger, and she ordered the chicken salad plus tomatoe juice.
My food was good, but to read her comments and follow-on actions (well don't read it if you don't like graphic descriptions). Sounds like a case of rodden food.
Interestingly, when I related the story to a colleague of mine, she also mentioned that she had severe diarrhea.
Now that makes me wonder about that place. Any other cases?
Update:
I contacted their guest relations department indicated in the webpage.
After filling out all the boxes, I get the message:
"Chat with Chili's.
Your email has been sent to our Guest Relations office. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. We value your feedback and will be back in touch with you after we review your comments. We will do our best to respond to your email within 5-7 business days."
Ahem- a chat, where you have to wait 5-7 days for a response? Nah - I would move on in the meantime.
Update - Update
Kim just told me that there was one person whose father also had problems. Sounds like something more extreme!!
Posted by Andreas at 12:30 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
March 17, 2005
Leadership is doing the right thing
Peter Drucker said that while management is doing things right, leadership is doing the right thing.
This is still right, in its overall context. But consider this:
Fiorina - resigned after not meeting the board's requirements.
Harry Stonecipher - former Boeing chief - gone after an affair with an employee.
Greenberg - AIG also gone, together with company's chief financial officer, Howard Smith.
Bernie Ebbers - in jail.
This followed after Enron and all the other crab.
Doing the right thing?
Yesterday's Asian Wall Street Journal (AWSJ) wrote that may be in order to get the job, potential CEOs need to undergo character tests. And that they need to work closer with the Board of Directors. Both true.
I liked the description that I read at Bert's Open Loops (always worth a read): "Managers climb the ladders; Leaders make sure the ladders are against the right walls."
He also says that "one individual may fill either role in different contexts. One may be a leader in one campaign while filling manager shoes in another."
Agree, agree, agree.
I believe anyone can be a leader. A leader doesn't need to be on the top of the ladder or the firm.
A leader can be just beside you. In the project that you are assigned to or in the team that you are working with.
A leader, however, doesn't wait to be assigned to tasks. A leader takes on tasks, stands up, stands out. Can be quiet, but not all the time. A leader contributes, by keeping the big picture in view. To avoid being distracted.
What else could there be that signifies a leader? In which situation have you been a leader? What was problematic?
Would be nice if someone would share his or her thoughts.
Posted by Andreas at 07:47 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 16, 2005
Internship in companies
There are some interns in my company, or students, that assist my company in the execution of surveys, data entry or just plain updates of databases.
May be it is not the most interesting job, may be they are excited about it, but there are probably more exciting jobs. I don't know.
I know they are young, I know they are quite, well, let me describe it as shy. That is okay.
Let me digress for a second.
Before Christmas last year, I went to do some serious barhopping with a colleague from India. The places we went to were full of youngsters, of course. They didn't look shy or quiet. They danced and laughed and had a lot of fun - things that you do in a pub or disco. At that time, I was wondering how those interns in our company would behave when they go dancing. I assumed they would do this in a similar manner, contrasting their behaviour during the daytime in the company.
I think that this is normal, but I also think that this is lost chance for them.
I believe that internships are a great chance to get an insight into the so-called famous, or secret corporate life. There is nothing special about it, of course, but it let's one snoop into the action.
Okay, many companies might turn out to be shitty, bad, not worthwhile an experience (really? Hey - this is real life as well, and some people earn a living in those shitty companies).
Nevertheless, interns should take the chance to rib the veil off the secrecy. Get up from your seat and talk to those around you! Learn something. Get connected. Hey - this is your chance to get some contacts in the corporate world. Ask, what people do around you. May be, if you are recognised and good, you will be asked back, after your studies? It might just be THE entry ticket for you to find your first job!
When I joined my current company, there was one intern working. She was great. And guess what? She joined us after her studies and is one great colleague! Why not doing it? What do you have to lose?
Posted by Andreas at 04:40 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 15, 2005
A broken value chain
In order to keep a consistent image of your country, product or company, you need to provide some consistency to those for whom you are important (I am avoiding the word target group with purpose)
In order to do this, you need to take care that your value chain is in sync with what you want to achieve. A simple example would be that if you want to promote your products, you should have some in your store to meet potential demand.
Or, if you promote your country as a tourist destination, you should have some checks on crime rate, in addition to the availability of things to see - beaches, buildings, or others.
If taxi drivers start robbing their customers, the value chain breaks down, your image is somewhat shattered.
America's companies are challenged to keep their image ahead of the policies of their leadership. Let's face it - Bush's policies are not favoured in many parts of the world.
So far, companies were able to minimise damages that Bush's policy caused, but it appears that even here, the first scratches become visible.
A new research showed that nearly half of European consumers distrust American companies. That is what I call shattering! The study, based on 8,000 interviews of consumers across different countries conducted by GMI also found "that 20% of European and Canadian consumers reported that they consciously avoid American products because of recent American foreign policy and military action."
Well, it means that the going is getting tough for the former US icons.
(Picture taken without permission from GMI Poll)
Tagged under:
brand
Posted by Andreas at 01:01 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
March 14, 2005
Too smart to marry
Oh man, are men really that dumb? Is it not possible for us MEN to understand that there is something great about a woman that has brains, and are more advanced professionally than us.
Are we so uncertain about us as a person that we need to marry women which are "below our status?" How pathetic can we be?
This comes from the Atlantic Journal Online
"The bad news is coming fast for brainy career women. For one thing, they're less likely to get married—perhaps because (according to a study recently published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior) men prefer to date and marry women who occupy subordinate positions in the workplace, or because (according to a survey carried out by four British universities) female intelligence itself reduces the odds of wedlock. (The latter study found that for every 15-point increase in IQ score above the average, women's likelihood of marrying fell by almost 60 percent.) And another study, led by a professor at Ohio State University, suggests that women who do get married and have children will see their job prospects diminish. Two hundred undergraduates were asked to make hiring and promotion recommendations for a law firm based on résumés that differed only as to sex and whether the applicant was married with children. The result: women with children were less likely to be hired and promoted than either men or childless women, whereas men with children were actually favored in hiring over their childless male counterparts."
Posted by Andreas at 01:53 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Celcom Outsources Contact Centre Functions to VADS
Celcom awarded a 3 years contract to VADS Bhd. for the provision of contact centre transformation outsourcing.
World Markets Analysis says that through this move Celcom will be enabled to "cut its customer management costs. This will allow the operator to focus financial energies on competing more effectively in the increasingly heated Malaysian mobile market."
I am not saying that I understand too much of Managed Network Services. But I am getting worried when I read that they cut costs in the customer management area to compete more effectively.
For me, this is a contradiction. That is basic. It is also scary to know that costs are cut in customer service areas.
Or am I wrong here?
Posted by Andreas at 01:14 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 13, 2005
The National Service and their website
The New Straits Times today has an article about a website of ex- NS (National Service) trainees that appears to have taken on a life of its own.
Originally ste up as a way to publicise a card for those who finished their NS Training, it became a virtual community with plenty of daily hits. ""It has taken a life of its own," said Han K. Hoh, director of Asia Inet Commerce Sdn Bhd, the company which set up the site last April."
So far it is uncensored, and the participants monitor it by themselves. And it is good that this is the way that the site is ran.
It once again shows that in the webspace, companies and organisations don't own the space anymore.
It is their consumer, their user, who drive the content, who create the content. If there is censorship, or if the "relevant" autorities would try to stir the discussion, I believe that the number of hits and the number of participants would drop dramatically, immediately.
Tagged under
co-creation
Posted by Andreas at 01:48 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
E-mail addresses, out of the ordinary
Yesterday, I wrote about great interview questions that would reveal more about a company than the usual, traditional ones.
Well, Bawang Merah made the comment that he was once asked during an interview about the meaning of his e-mail address (fundabonka).
True, this is important. Think about the impression that a "strange" or "funny" e-mail address would make.
In an earlier phase of my job, I had to evaluate resumes and do a precheck before passing them on to the person who actually looked for someone new. While doing this, I received some some applications that really makes you wonder about the person behind. I don't want to reveal those here in detail, but think "CrazyBoy@...", "SexyGirl@..." or similar are a bit "different" from the rest.
What would the interviewer think?
While it surely is important to be different, it is also important to think about the impression that you give as well. And while you might be crazy in a positive way, or sexy is just something that is natural for you, well, those interviewer don't yet know you. So sometimes, a bit more "style" might be appropriate. Okay, I took closer look at the resumes to see if there is something in the write-up that is outstanding. So yeah, they got my attention, but may be that is just me - someone who actually looks for differences!
Tagged under
recruitment
Posted by Andreas at 01:08 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 12, 2005
Discounted IDD cards in Malaysia
I am not sure if you know those cards that allow you to get cheaper long-distance domestic calls or IDD calls.
You can buy them in certain retail shops and they promise to save you a lot of cash.
I recently bought my first one - yeah, yeah, I know, I should have done this way earlier, to get my calling costs to Germany down.
I like the service. It is important. What I don't like is the amount of numbers that one needs to dial. Man - first the access code number, which is already 10 numbers long. Than the passcode - another 14 numbers. Than only can you dial the number that you wish to - another 12 numbers. A total of 36 numbers. And imagine the number you dial is engaged - it starts all over again.
But the worse part is that the numbers are SO small. So incredibly small. Man, my old eyes don't work that well anymore, even with specs. I wonder if some of the younger generation reading this have a similar experience.
Tagged under:
telecommunications
Posted by Andreas at 06:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Interview questions
When you go to an inverview with a company. they very often ask you the same questions. Asking about your background, pointing out gaps in your employment history, checking your job responsibilities that you had in earlier jobs.
Additionally, they ask you, may be, about some strategies that you had to do whatever you did to help your former employers.
Strategies to increase profits, or sales. Strategies to motivate your "subordinates" (don't you just hate this word?).
Some smarter companies ask about your behaviour in stress situations. What did you do, how did you do, how was your reaction.
Basically: bla bla bla.
Stressful for the one that gets interviewed. May be interesting for the interviewer.
Whatever - damn it, how much can you learn about the candidate in an hour or two? A little bit or a lot?
Whatever, again! Those questions mainly operationalise the employee. The favourite question? "What do you think you bring to the table for this company?" Or, worse: "What value do you add to this company?"
Sure, it is important but argh!!! It makes me feel so small, so like a human machine!!!!
Could there be more fun in interviews? What are the questions that would show more of a company? That the company is caring, for example?
A new employee in my company was asked "What makes you happy?", amongst others.
Now this is different, isn't it?
What questions did you hear in your interviews?
Tagged under:
recruitment
Posted by Andreas at 05:41 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
March 11, 2005
Experience economy? Reaction Economy?
I always promote the Experience Economy. That is that a company creates the unique feeling in a customer that s/he is cherished, appreciated, and that feels so great that s/he tells great stories about the place.
There is more, of course, but let's leave it at that, okay?
Jon, over at Business Evolutionist, however, said, that the greatest experience is nothing, if it doesn't cause a reaction by the consumer.
"Someone has an Experience. It produces an Emotion (positive or negative). They focus their Attention on it. They have a Reaction."
Anything that a company does which doesn't cause a positive reaction, is wasted.
How true!
Posted by Andreas at 06:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Ain't gonna watch TV no more
Hm - AGB Nielson Media Research conducted a media research on television watching habits in Malaysia. The 2,600 respondents in the survey watched a total of 140,489 minutes. This is an individual total of slightly more than 54 minutes.
Apparently, those aged 40 and above watch TV the most.
But - so what?
It really isn't the quantity of TV that makes the difference. I believe that you can become pretty smart, if you watch National Geography, Discovery Channel or Animal Planet.
And hey - even those watching other channels such as American Idol, Malaysian Idol, Amazing Race, Akademi Fantasia and Survivor allow people to excel - just read the papers, carefully - I am talking about Nur Amalina Che Bakri, the girl in Malaysia that set a new national record by scoring an amazing 17 A1s in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or SPM tests.
I guess it is the environment that makes people smart. The nurturing of the parents, and their support. Not necessary to blame television - although I try to instill the reading habit into my child as well - and he likes to watch Disney or Cartoon Channel.
I hope I am doing something right here. But one thing for sure - I wouldn't allow im Fear Factor.
But I am sure about one more thing - it shows if you watch too many B-rated or C-rated movies. And I rather read a great book, write my blog or read other blogs than spend those hours in fron of the "Idiot Box". What do you think?
Posted by Andreas at 05:47 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Writing a blog for the next 40 years
We all wrote diaries one time or another. Mostly when we were young, had the first crush on the opposite sex, and needed someone or something to talk about. Right?
The Star (Malaysia) yesterday had this fascinating story about this Chinese educationist called Datuk Sim Mow Yu.
Apparently, he picked up the habit of writing diaries when he was 45 years old and still enters his daily thoughts today, more than four decades later.
Imagine the wealth of information, the great heritage that he is able to share with his children and grandchildren.
Imagine, we all write our blogs in 40 years? Man, imagine that. Just imagine!! What a WoW!
Posted by Andreas at 02:56 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 10, 2005
Yeah, I read your blog
What I realised during the blogger meetings, or any other meeting with bloggers for that matter is the fact that they do know a lot about me, and I about them - Aizuddin Danian recently had something regarding this knowledge that one gains about people whose blog you read (I wanted to ping him, but somehow, it didn't work).
It is very often so that you tell stories about something and what are they saying: "Oh yeah, I read this in your blog." Or, in rare cases "hey - you haven't blogged about this one yet."
Can be fun, can be scary - depends. Since you spread little information here and there, it is pretty easy to build a picture about you, and where you hang out.
Blogging, however, also opens the opportunity for those that are not THAT outgoing to connect with others out there. The fun part is to be a part of a community via your blog and your blog readers.
This blog received more than 270 comments over the space of two months and slightly more than 100 entries. The number of comments declined a bit recently, which might be a function of the slightly increased "complexity" of posting a comments. Hopefully only that!
Part of the fun of blogging is that one goes around the world with a different set of eyes - somehow along the line, I look for topics to blog about. Put the story into context. And it helps me to keep a memory about events, and to frame events correctly. Embedding it into my thinking, so to speak.
But hm - may be one shouldn't blog about ALL the stuff that happens.
Thanks to Gaping Void for the pic.
Posted by Andreas at 09:19 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Watercooler discussions
Watercooler discussions. We all know them. It basically means that employees are talking to each other, exchanging job- or non-job related information.
It doesn't need to be around the watercooler, but can take place anywhere in the company.
Positively speaking, when employees talk to each other, it should increase the positive climate in a company. Family environment, and teamwork might be descriptors for this kind of culture (it might become different if there is too much talk and too little work).
There are other situations when there is silence in a company. I always think that I wouldn't like to work in a company where there is too much silence! Where employees are "hiding" behind their cupicle walls or in their offices, and you can hear a pin falling down. This one, sometimes called "mercenary culture" looks like a fearful enviornment to me.
Anyway - a situation might arise where employees "bitch" about other employees. Internal politics, that is how you can define it, may be.
How would you react if someone comes to you and starts to tell you stories about someone else? Or criticises someone in the company?
Honestly, you shouldn't participate, if the attempt is bad.
I always think that I have problems trusting these persons. Why? Because, when they talk to me about other employees, who guarantees me that they don't talk about me when I am not around?
My tip? Well, it is not an easy one. But actually, you should tell the person to take their issues to the other person and talk to them about it.
However, this is also not always easy and depends on the position of the person talking to you. May be the person is trusting you, and wants you to help. But this is another issue. Remember, I said "bitching about someone" up there.
Do you know have any other advice?
Tagged under:
Posted by Andreas at 08:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 09, 2005
I won a book!
John Winsor, author of the book Beyond the Brand and host of the weblog Beyondthebrand
(and a great guy - I had a couple of e-mail exchanges with him),will send me a signed copy. It is a great book – I have my own copy already, but well, one signed by an author is a different thing, especially when your own copy is worn out already, from reading and writing.
What happened?
Well, John had a subscription with Audible.com. Audible.com is provides downloaded audio content from books, magazines etc. for subscription. John wanted to cancel his subscription last year, did so, but to no avail.
He writes:
that “ a year ago I tried to cancel my subscription. I went to the Audible website and did everything they asked me to only to find a $19.95 charge on my credit card the following month.I finally picked up the phone and called. After the usual 5 minute wait I talked to a fairly responsible sounding person who said they’d take care of it.
Five nights ago my wife, Bridget, leaned over and said “What’s this charge on our credit card for $19.95 from Audible?” It seems that the friendly customer service representative didn’t, in fact, do what he said he’d do! So much for building trust.”
He wrote to them, and asked them for an explanation and a reimbursement. Nothing happened and other blog writers start commenting on it or picked the story up. John offered a price to the one who would guess the timeframe, when Audible would finally respond, correct."
Well, it took them a long time, and my original estimate actually was that they would never respond. They did, yesterday, after 121 hours. Quite a nice response, if you care to read it, so but a bit too late for a company that needs its customers (don't all?) – and I won my book.
Posted by Andreas at 02:04 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 08, 2005
"Don't do this, don't drop the cup"
I like to listen how people talk to each other (this contrasts eavesdropping, okay!).
May be you can recall one or two of sentences:
"Don't be worried, you can make it."
"Hey - don't panic, it all will work out fine."
"Why are you so nervous?"
"Careful, careful, don't drop this cup."
"DON'T you dirty THAT shirt!!"
This is what parents tell their children, or colleagues to each other, before critical situations.
Similarities.
Can you imagine what will happen?
You will be worried, panicked, nervous. The child will drop the cup or dirty the shirt.
Why? Because you become aware of it. Suddenly. It sticks in the mind and distracts you. What if I am nervous, worried, drop the cup?
Suddenly you react to it!
So - listen carefully when other people talk to you. Take care what you tell other people.
And don't forget - remember this entry! (Imagine what I just try to do to you!!)
Posted by Andreas at 05:47 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
March 07, 2005
Operational efficiency ala Wal-Mart
I am not saying that I am a Wal-Mart fan, but one can say what he or she wants. They are a money-making machine and without doubt, have all the right to be the Number 1 of the Fortune 500 companies.
I found this over at Brand Autopsy which brought me to the New York Times.
Wal-Mart last year had profits of US$20,000 per minute.
"Target’s profit per minute is US$6,084 and Costco’s profit per minute is US$1,711."
So, how many dollars do you make per minute, Mr. Asia Retailer?
Posted by Andreas at 03:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Electricity tariff review
Will the electricity tariff be reviewed or not?
Business Times, March 4, 2005:
The Government may review Malaysia's electricity tariff structure to
ensure responsible use of power in the country, Energy, Water and
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said.
Bernama, February 12, 2005
The government has no immediate plans to increase electricity tariffs, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today.
He said although power tariffs m