Remember the money pizza, I did explain that no matter how big or small your income is (from whatever source) it is the habit that matters.
Today, I am cutting my pizza from a commission I received from an editing job.
Ching-ching!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Westerner, the Warlord and the Money
Here's a tale of the westerner, the warlord and the money:
When a westerner opens a business in another country, particularly in the East, is when where we can learn first hand, the business models, methods, standards and business ethics from our western counterparts.
I am among those involved in this type of business and for years I have kept it simple: follow the proven model and work on it, and get inspired by learning the western no-nonsense business operations. In other words, just get on with it.
Eastern leaders often talk of emulating western standards in governments, educations system, health care, human rights, businesses, etc.
Now enter the Eastern world where during the feudal times, we were governed by feudal masters, landowners and on the occasion, a warlord.
A warlord is often a powerful figure who dominates elements and will not tolerate anyone or anything to get in the way. Violence is a possible way to dealing with dissent, whether internal or external, hence the term warlord.
And a warlord brings in the money. That's where it's all anchored.
This is where it starts to get fuzzy with the Westerner.
Because the westerner has invested money and wants to see returns quickly partly because of an exit plan, what with being in a foreign land and all.
Therefore, I have experienced a westerner would then close an eye, so to speak, and compromise on the set of standards which are the norm to him in his own domain, for the sake of money and at times, fame. Kinda reminds me of the oldest (or second oldest) profession on the earth!
Yes, this discussion is from one point of view but this view is glaring enough to expose the compromised standards adopted for the sake money and success.
In the meantime, I feel sorry for the westerner, who all in all, did try his best, but didn't insist hard enough that standards needs to be raised, so that all concerned are adding more value to the clients.
When a westerner opens a business in another country, particularly in the East, is when where we can learn first hand, the business models, methods, standards and business ethics from our western counterparts.
I am among those involved in this type of business and for years I have kept it simple: follow the proven model and work on it, and get inspired by learning the western no-nonsense business operations. In other words, just get on with it.
Eastern leaders often talk of emulating western standards in governments, educations system, health care, human rights, businesses, etc.
Now enter the Eastern world where during the feudal times, we were governed by feudal masters, landowners and on the occasion, a warlord.
A warlord is often a powerful figure who dominates elements and will not tolerate anyone or anything to get in the way. Violence is a possible way to dealing with dissent, whether internal or external, hence the term warlord.
And a warlord brings in the money. That's where it's all anchored.
This is where it starts to get fuzzy with the Westerner.
Because the westerner has invested money and wants to see returns quickly partly because of an exit plan, what with being in a foreign land and all.
Therefore, I have experienced a westerner would then close an eye, so to speak, and compromise on the set of standards which are the norm to him in his own domain, for the sake of money and at times, fame. Kinda reminds me of the oldest (or second oldest) profession on the earth!
Yes, this discussion is from one point of view but this view is glaring enough to expose the compromised standards adopted for the sake money and success.
In the meantime, I feel sorry for the westerner, who all in all, did try his best, but didn't insist hard enough that standards needs to be raised, so that all concerned are adding more value to the clients.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
If I were the boss...
Over a conversation with a prospective partner in my business yesterday, we discussed some plans and we also revisited how things can be more effective for us.
Then I was sharing with him, what would I do if I were the boss, as these things are not in play yet:
1. Start an office with a staff and a PA. The staff will man day-to-day operations of processing paper-work, sorting out payments, banking, and handling of various inventories. It is not a complex set of tasks, so any retired teacher/retired administration type of person can be engaged. In fact someone in their early 50s are ideal as they will be more reliable and probably have fun doing so as well.
The office will be in 3 parts: A reception cum admin area where all interaction is done with the people coming into the business, then a storage space to store merchandise, and a lounge type meeting room where all associates and partners can have interactions to share ideas and info for the betterment of the organization as a whole.
Not to mention, this will be a fully equipped office: telephones, computers, printing facilities, high-broadband internet, full pantry, and a library of resources.
2. A high performance Personal Assistant (PA) to manage all correspondence, manage websites and blogs, handle all business related matters. This will free me of answering e-mails, writing housekeeping information, organizing training classes, interacting with key people in the team as well as represent me in certain meetings.
Then I can spend time in creating the follows:
a. I will create a deeper rapport and relationship with the team of Directors who bring in the business by engaging in conversations over a spot of tea, learning about each other's goals and interests, create a fluid working relationship, have conversations to calibrate mis-focuses and deal with shortcomings. And occasionally, even having fun like visiting a bookstore to pick out new titles, going to plays, visiting networking meetings, gathering and cocktails together, attending programs together on business development, having lunches with common contacts. Of course, as a boss, I will foot all expenses!
b. I will then set goals with my PA to set meetings with key people in various corporations to promote my business and in fact, offer corporate client privileges, where a corporation can agree to take memberships in various branches in the organization in different Chapters.
c. I will spend time writing articles in blogs and websites. Update people with the latest cutting edge knowledge in business networking. This part I am already doing.
d. I will analyse information from my computer systems to identify the movers and shakers, these are individuals who bring in lots of referrals and guests to our networking meetings. I will invite them to an afternoon tea to know them better. Build relationships with them via powerful conversations about their goals and interests. And for networking. The end result is identifying talents for future growth of the organization.
Well, I can go on and on, but then I was thinking: wait a tick: shouldn't these be in place already?
No brainer in the answer.
Then I was sharing with him, what would I do if I were the boss, as these things are not in play yet:
1. Start an office with a staff and a PA. The staff will man day-to-day operations of processing paper-work, sorting out payments, banking, and handling of various inventories. It is not a complex set of tasks, so any retired teacher/retired administration type of person can be engaged. In fact someone in their early 50s are ideal as they will be more reliable and probably have fun doing so as well.
The office will be in 3 parts: A reception cum admin area where all interaction is done with the people coming into the business, then a storage space to store merchandise, and a lounge type meeting room where all associates and partners can have interactions to share ideas and info for the betterment of the organization as a whole.
Not to mention, this will be a fully equipped office: telephones, computers, printing facilities, high-broadband internet, full pantry, and a library of resources.
2. A high performance Personal Assistant (PA) to manage all correspondence, manage websites and blogs, handle all business related matters. This will free me of answering e-mails, writing housekeeping information, organizing training classes, interacting with key people in the team as well as represent me in certain meetings.
Then I can spend time in creating the follows:
a. I will create a deeper rapport and relationship with the team of Directors who bring in the business by engaging in conversations over a spot of tea, learning about each other's goals and interests, create a fluid working relationship, have conversations to calibrate mis-focuses and deal with shortcomings. And occasionally, even having fun like visiting a bookstore to pick out new titles, going to plays, visiting networking meetings, gathering and cocktails together, attending programs together on business development, having lunches with common contacts. Of course, as a boss, I will foot all expenses!
b. I will then set goals with my PA to set meetings with key people in various corporations to promote my business and in fact, offer corporate client privileges, where a corporation can agree to take memberships in various branches in the organization in different Chapters.
c. I will spend time writing articles in blogs and websites. Update people with the latest cutting edge knowledge in business networking. This part I am already doing.
d. I will analyse information from my computer systems to identify the movers and shakers, these are individuals who bring in lots of referrals and guests to our networking meetings. I will invite them to an afternoon tea to know them better. Build relationships with them via powerful conversations about their goals and interests. And for networking. The end result is identifying talents for future growth of the organization.
Well, I can go on and on, but then I was thinking: wait a tick: shouldn't these be in place already?
No brainer in the answer.
Monday, September 21, 2009
SilverOcean Cooking: Chicken rendang
This year for Eid, I thought of preparing chicken rendang. A traditional ethnic malay dish. Doesn't need much explaining.
Here's how I did it:
My wife checked out the recipe from a Chef Wan's cook book.
We wanted to prepare 3 whole chickens (so we can share and also have enough to deep-freeze for later consumption).
We outlined the ingredients as follows:
1. Shallots or bawang ros (Indian ones, they are small, kind of a hassle to peel but very aromatic, and about 30 of them, so I cleverly left the peeling part to the wife).
2. Root ginger (about 6 inches). Use a potato peeler to peel.
3. Fresh root turmeric (about 4 inches). Ditto, use potato peeler.
4. Gallangal (known as lengkuas in Malay), about 3 - 4 inches, but I wasn't measuring.... Peel the sides using a knive.
5. Garlic about 3 whole bulbs, peeled.
6. Lemon-grass bulbs, about 9 of them. This will kick-it up!
6. Birds-eye chillies, about 10 of them, red and green.
7. A couple of table spoons of chilly paste (cili-boh).
8. About 5 - 6 pieces of candlenuts (Buah keras).
Blend these, add some water while blending to make it into a paste.
This took us about 3 whole hours to do.
Then we packed this and placed it in the fridge.
The next day, I woke up early as usual and went to the market to buy some fresh poultry. I arrived at the market at 5.30am. The bar-girls and china-dolls were just leaving the club (there's a club just a block away). But I was looking for real chickens so no worries!
I bought 4 chickens, had skin removed. The trick to having good chicken is to not put the bird in the tub of hot water to remove the feathers. Instead ask the butcher, to remove the skin as soon as the bird is slaughtered (okay, wait for it to die first, okay).
Clean chicken, remove all innards, excess fats, remove all organ meats, and chop into 12 pieces per bird.
Also buy 1.5kg of coconut cream.
Buy some keffir lime leaves (daun limau purut) and some screw-pine leaves (daun pandan).
Buy some coconut paste known as 'kerisik', and some turmeric leaves for garnishing.
Cooking method:
1. In a non-stick wok, put the paste blended yesterday and reduce it. Medium flame. This can take almost 45-minutes to an hour. Add the keffir lime leaves for aroma. Also some screw-pine leaves (daun-pandan)
2. When the water has reduced, add in the chicken. Salt to taste. A bit more salt is fine, but don't kill it with excess.
3. Add in coconut cream. By now, the dish will look light brown. Cook till chicken is almost done. When the oil from coconut cream is released, it's an indicator that the dish is ready, almost.
4. You can start tasting it, and adjust salt levels. Now, add it a couple of teaspoons of coconut paste or kerisik. And this will bring the colour to reddish-fiery brown. And add some character to the dish.
5. When almost reduced, lower the flame to small, and add garnish of turmeric leaves (fine strips). I like more of this. But go at your pace.
Switch off the flame. Let it now settle. Do not cover lid yet.
And yes, start washing up all the mess.
Rendang taste better when it has settled for a few hours, or preferably the next day.
You can re-heat it whenever you like.
Best eaten with plain white rice (hot and steaming), with some stir-fried french beans with chilly. Or just chop up some onions.
Selamat Hari Raya AidilFitri!
Here's how I did it:
My wife checked out the recipe from a Chef Wan's cook book.
We wanted to prepare 3 whole chickens (so we can share and also have enough to deep-freeze for later consumption).
We outlined the ingredients as follows:
1. Shallots or bawang ros (Indian ones, they are small, kind of a hassle to peel but very aromatic, and about 30 of them, so I cleverly left the peeling part to the wife).
2. Root ginger (about 6 inches). Use a potato peeler to peel.
3. Fresh root turmeric (about 4 inches). Ditto, use potato peeler.
4. Gallangal (known as lengkuas in Malay), about 3 - 4 inches, but I wasn't measuring.... Peel the sides using a knive.
5. Garlic about 3 whole bulbs, peeled.
6. Lemon-grass bulbs, about 9 of them. This will kick-it up!
6. Birds-eye chillies, about 10 of them, red and green.
7. A couple of table spoons of chilly paste (cili-boh).
8. About 5 - 6 pieces of candlenuts (Buah keras).
Blend these, add some water while blending to make it into a paste.
This took us about 3 whole hours to do.
Then we packed this and placed it in the fridge.
The next day, I woke up early as usual and went to the market to buy some fresh poultry. I arrived at the market at 5.30am. The bar-girls and china-dolls were just leaving the club (there's a club just a block away). But I was looking for real chickens so no worries!
I bought 4 chickens, had skin removed. The trick to having good chicken is to not put the bird in the tub of hot water to remove the feathers. Instead ask the butcher, to remove the skin as soon as the bird is slaughtered (okay, wait for it to die first, okay).
Clean chicken, remove all innards, excess fats, remove all organ meats, and chop into 12 pieces per bird.
Also buy 1.5kg of coconut cream.
Buy some keffir lime leaves (daun limau purut) and some screw-pine leaves (daun pandan).
Buy some coconut paste known as 'kerisik', and some turmeric leaves for garnishing.
Cooking method:
1. In a non-stick wok, put the paste blended yesterday and reduce it. Medium flame. This can take almost 45-minutes to an hour. Add the keffir lime leaves for aroma. Also some screw-pine leaves (daun-pandan)
2. When the water has reduced, add in the chicken. Salt to taste. A bit more salt is fine, but don't kill it with excess.
3. Add in coconut cream. By now, the dish will look light brown. Cook till chicken is almost done. When the oil from coconut cream is released, it's an indicator that the dish is ready, almost.
4. You can start tasting it, and adjust salt levels. Now, add it a couple of teaspoons of coconut paste or kerisik. And this will bring the colour to reddish-fiery brown. And add some character to the dish.
5. When almost reduced, lower the flame to small, and add garnish of turmeric leaves (fine strips). I like more of this. But go at your pace.
Switch off the flame. Let it now settle. Do not cover lid yet.
And yes, start washing up all the mess.
Rendang taste better when it has settled for a few hours, or preferably the next day.
You can re-heat it whenever you like.
Best eaten with plain white rice (hot and steaming), with some stir-fried french beans with chilly. Or just chop up some onions.
Selamat Hari Raya AidilFitri!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
I'll be happy to help, girlfriend!
In my line of work as a business consultant engaged by the organization BNI in Malaysia, I conduct many workshops, and in particular interest are workshops on Presentation Skills for Referral Generation, which is a very niche program I run, based on my experiences over these past 5 years.
Often, after attending a workshop, nearly all participants will be excited to improve themselves and then 'claim' that they will implement what they have learnt.
Convinced?
Don't let these 'claims' deceive you.
Because the very next moment, the very same participants who 'claimed' that they will improve and implement the elements learnt in the workshop will show zero improvement. In fact, there was a presentation I witnessed where the improvement was there, however, it was 180 degrees in the opposite direction.
But last week, I was pleasantly surprised that a businesswoman sent me a message requesting my assistance in helping her structure a presentation so that she can be effective.
Now, I have no vested financial interest in the success of this person, but I am a believer, among many belief systems I carry that if we go the extra mile to do something, even for no financial or material gain, then the universe will know how to add it all up and abundance will start to follow.
It is an extension from a learning system I attended in the year 2000, when I completed a program called Money & You, that if you do something either because no one else sees the need to do it, or you do so with walking the extra mile, then you are aligning yourself to your life purpose and attaining your highest good.
I like that! My life has been blessed because I implement these powerful lessons I picked up almost a decade ago from this program.
And yes, this will be equally fun because I am meeting this person during the time when I will be hooked up to a machine while donating my plasma in the National Blood Bank in 2-weeks' time.
So yes, I will be happy to help, girlfriend!
Often, after attending a workshop, nearly all participants will be excited to improve themselves and then 'claim' that they will implement what they have learnt.
Convinced?
Don't let these 'claims' deceive you.
Because the very next moment, the very same participants who 'claimed' that they will improve and implement the elements learnt in the workshop will show zero improvement. In fact, there was a presentation I witnessed where the improvement was there, however, it was 180 degrees in the opposite direction.
But last week, I was pleasantly surprised that a businesswoman sent me a message requesting my assistance in helping her structure a presentation so that she can be effective.
Now, I have no vested financial interest in the success of this person, but I am a believer, among many belief systems I carry that if we go the extra mile to do something, even for no financial or material gain, then the universe will know how to add it all up and abundance will start to follow.
It is an extension from a learning system I attended in the year 2000, when I completed a program called Money & You, that if you do something either because no one else sees the need to do it, or you do so with walking the extra mile, then you are aligning yourself to your life purpose and attaining your highest good.
I like that! My life has been blessed because I implement these powerful lessons I picked up almost a decade ago from this program.
And yes, this will be equally fun because I am meeting this person during the time when I will be hooked up to a machine while donating my plasma in the National Blood Bank in 2-weeks' time.
So yes, I will be happy to help, girlfriend!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
From the wife...
Earlier today, my wife sent me this forwarded short story, which she asserted to me that I should send to my colleagues... so here goes:
Many years ago in a small Indian village, a farmer had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to a village moneylender. The moneylender, who was old and ugly, fancied the farmer's beautiful daughter.
So he proposed a bargain. He said he would forgo the farmer's debt if he could marry his daughter.
Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the proposal. So the cunning money-lender suggested that they let providence decide the matter. He told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty money bag. Then the girl would have to pick one pebble from the bag.
1) If she picked the black pebble, she would become his wife and her father's debt would be forgiven.
2) If she picked the white pebble she need not marry him and her father's debt would still be forgiven.
3) But if she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into jail.
They were standing on a pebble strewn path in the farmer's field. As they talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles. As he picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag. He then asked the girl to pick a pebble from the bag.
Now, imagine that you were standing in the field. What would you have done if you were the girl? If you had to advise her, what would you have told her? Careful analysis would produce three possibilities:
1) The girl should refuse to take a pebble.
2) The girl should show that there were two black pebbles in the bag and expose the money-lender as a cheat.
3) The girl should pick a black pebble and sacrifice herself in order to save her father from his debt and imprisonment.
Take a moment to ponder over the story.
The above story is used with the hope that it will make us appreciate the difference between lateral and logical thinking. The girl's dilemma cannot be solved with traditional logical thinking.
Think of the consequences if she chooses the above logical answers.What would you recommend to the girl to do?
Well, here is what she did:
The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles.
"Oh, how clumsy of me," she said. "But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked."
Since the remaining pebble is black, it must be assumed that she had picked the white one. And since the money-lender dared not admit his dishonesty, the girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an extremely advantageous one.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
Most complex problems do have a solution. It is only that we don't attempt to think. Start your day with this thought provoking story!
Many years ago in a small Indian village, a farmer had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to a village moneylender. The moneylender, who was old and ugly, fancied the farmer's beautiful daughter.
So he proposed a bargain. He said he would forgo the farmer's debt if he could marry his daughter.
Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the proposal. So the cunning money-lender suggested that they let providence decide the matter. He told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty money bag. Then the girl would have to pick one pebble from the bag.
1) If she picked the black pebble, she would become his wife and her father's debt would be forgiven.
2) If she picked the white pebble she need not marry him and her father's debt would still be forgiven.
3) But if she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into jail.
They were standing on a pebble strewn path in the farmer's field. As they talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles. As he picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag. He then asked the girl to pick a pebble from the bag.
Now, imagine that you were standing in the field. What would you have done if you were the girl? If you had to advise her, what would you have told her? Careful analysis would produce three possibilities:
1) The girl should refuse to take a pebble.
2) The girl should show that there were two black pebbles in the bag and expose the money-lender as a cheat.
3) The girl should pick a black pebble and sacrifice herself in order to save her father from his debt and imprisonment.
Take a moment to ponder over the story.
The above story is used with the hope that it will make us appreciate the difference between lateral and logical thinking. The girl's dilemma cannot be solved with traditional logical thinking.
Think of the consequences if she chooses the above logical answers.What would you recommend to the girl to do?
Well, here is what she did:
The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles.
"Oh, how clumsy of me," she said. "But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked."
Since the remaining pebble is black, it must be assumed that she had picked the white one. And since the money-lender dared not admit his dishonesty, the girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an extremely advantageous one.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
Most complex problems do have a solution. It is only that we don't attempt to think. Start your day with this thought provoking story!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Efficient or Effective?
Yesterday, I visited a networking group and as usual, we received some guests.
But I must kick myself! These guests were registering just before I arrived. I always like to be earlier so that I can greet all guests on their arrival rather than having them greet me. Hope this is a hint to all others in the team!
But back to the topic: These guests were conversant in Mandarin, spoke little English and some broken Malay. Both were businessmen, supplying aluminium frames for domestic and commercial applications. I was referred to these guests from my colleague in Johor Bahru.
First leverage point:
I do not speak Mandarin other than: Wo ai' nee (I love you!). Therefore I requested the Chapter Chairperson to assist me to invite. And he completed the job within the hour of my request. This is efficient team work.
Second leverage point:
I requested certain members who spoke the language to host our guests.
During the sit-down part of the meeting, the Chairperson used his discretion to invite these guests to introduce themselves in Mandarin, and provided translation to all other members present.
Now, as the meeting progressed, I made a decision: am I going to be efficient or am I going to be effective?
Effective!
I sent a note to the Chairperson to request him to please express in the Mandarin language, the part in the meeting where we promote membership and invite guests to take up a membership in the group.
Because it would be more effective this way.
Because if we had merely followed the scripted Agenda, we could risk these two guests feeling left out, and in the end, the promotion of the membership would be that much harder.
Hence, this meeting was conducted in 2 languages: both English and Mandarin.
From now on, all chairpersons of the meeting will have the discretion to decide which language to use, as long as we are effective. Being effective is better than being efficient. And in networking, it applies as well.
Well done to the chairperson for responding to the situation so well, albeit on such short notice. And yes, our guest, signed a membership application and is keen to be a member to give and receive referrals.
Well done to all! And yes to being effective!
But I must kick myself! These guests were registering just before I arrived. I always like to be earlier so that I can greet all guests on their arrival rather than having them greet me. Hope this is a hint to all others in the team!
But back to the topic: These guests were conversant in Mandarin, spoke little English and some broken Malay. Both were businessmen, supplying aluminium frames for domestic and commercial applications. I was referred to these guests from my colleague in Johor Bahru.
First leverage point:
I do not speak Mandarin other than: Wo ai' nee (I love you!). Therefore I requested the Chapter Chairperson to assist me to invite. And he completed the job within the hour of my request. This is efficient team work.
Second leverage point:
I requested certain members who spoke the language to host our guests.
During the sit-down part of the meeting, the Chairperson used his discretion to invite these guests to introduce themselves in Mandarin, and provided translation to all other members present.
Now, as the meeting progressed, I made a decision: am I going to be efficient or am I going to be effective?
Effective!
I sent a note to the Chairperson to request him to please express in the Mandarin language, the part in the meeting where we promote membership and invite guests to take up a membership in the group.
Because it would be more effective this way.
Because if we had merely followed the scripted Agenda, we could risk these two guests feeling left out, and in the end, the promotion of the membership would be that much harder.
Hence, this meeting was conducted in 2 languages: both English and Mandarin.
From now on, all chairpersons of the meeting will have the discretion to decide which language to use, as long as we are effective. Being effective is better than being efficient. And in networking, it applies as well.
Well done to the chairperson for responding to the situation so well, albeit on such short notice. And yes, our guest, signed a membership application and is keen to be a member to give and receive referrals.
Well done to all! And yes to being effective!
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