Ching-ching continues.....

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

The True Leader

I read a book many years ago, it was a book on profiles of successful Amway distributors. This was in the mid-90s when I was actively conducting that business.

The book started with a phrase: the truest measurement of success of a leader is who he brings with him.

I recall that phrase now, as I am faced with a situation where a colleague of mine has recently been a victim of the exact opposite of the phrase mentioned above. Although this person has accepted the 'defeat' graciously, I still think that the 'leader' should have done a better job in extending his full self in terms of energy, efforts, and more importantly, the heart, to ensure that this person succeeds.

Yes, this person has numerous short-comings. However, a true leader will work to identify various traits of those in his lead, strengthen all positives attributes and nurture traits of success.

I am saddened that this has happened. I am not able to do anything at this moment for this person, however, will offer my strong shoulders and a listening heart to understand more.

It is essential, that if you are in a position of leadership: a parent, a teacher, an up-line, a manager, a supervisor or a CEO, or even a political leader, that we realize that the truest measurement of a leader is who he brings with him to succeed equally. Then the achievement becomes more fun and meaningful. Not to mention loyalty attained in the process.

Thinking on a lazy Saturday

I have been thinking after reading an excerpt from a book yesterday, the difference between having knowledge and understanding.

There are many instances where I have been caught short as a result of thinking that it too rigid (having knowledge) as opposed to fluidity in decisions and action (after understanding).

I am unsure if you get my drift here, but this is an area where I am seeking more understanding myself so I can better express myself to my team members. As importantly, enabling and empowering myself as well as my team members to the next level.

The lowest common denominators are as follows:

Making common sense into common practice - whereby an action or a decision is taken to benefit most people without having to wait for instructions or validation.

Another one is, as simply explained by futuristic architect, the late R. Buckminster Fuller (fondly known as Bucky Fuller among student of the Excellerated Business Schools) is the law of precession where if you see the need to do something, and even if no one else sees the need, then you take action anyway. This is vehicle to reaching the highest good to serve others, be they human, animals or environment.

It's going to be an exciting journey for me and my team members.... this is beyond what they would expect from their business relationships with me, but then, this is something that I see the need even if they don't yet. I am serving to achieve my highest good.

Thinking on a lazy Saturday is good!

The wonderful phone call

Some days are often better than others.

Yesterday was one better day where I received a phone call from a new member in one of the referral groups I am leading.

He said: 'Riyaz, I am not sure if I have done the right thing'.

'What's going on?' I enquired.

'Is it okay if I invite my company secretary and accountant firm manager to visit our group tomorrow? Will it cause the present member (who is the accountant) to get upset?'

'Not at all, in fact it will be a good networking experience for your accountant friend'.

'Yes, that's what I was thinking, he could be a customer to some of our members there. That was the plan, and I called you to enquire if this is okay'.

And then we spent a few minutes conversing on various matters.

More importantly, I was so pleased and impressed with this person's initiatives.

So, I consider this as the wonderful phone call for the day.

Ching-ching continues - always pay yourself first

Tomorrow, I'll be paying myself.

I should have done it on Friday last week, but was caught short on time. So, Monday it is.

I have to pay myself first. And so should you. Pay yourself first.

Tomorrow, I shall be visiting my bank and adding to my investment account, which holds my Financial Freedom Account. Like all previous time, as soon as the transaction is completed, I'll say it aloud 'Ching-ching!' although it is to the amusement of the officer and other customers.

Hey, when you add to your Financial Freedom Account, it's time to celebrate! And what better way than to do so with a loud sound of 'Ching-ching!!'.

And then I will also add to my Long Term Saving for Spending (LTTS) account. This account holds money for things big-ticket items I desire such as a new flat-screen TV in time for next year's FIFA 2010 World Cup, a new lazy chair to sit on while watching Mishal Husain on BBC, and even a new ergonomic spine friendly chair that I use to work.

Ching-ching!!

And I will also add a deposit to my Education account. Thus, I will have monies available when I intend to buy new titles of books, or travel for a conference abroad. Birmingham is calling me in 2010 for a European BNI Directors Conference, a space I really learn new distinctions for my BNI business.

I discovered that cutting out this money pizza is a discipline. Something done deliberately. At every moment money comes in for whatever purpose: salaries, commissions, windfalls, profits.

This round of deposits I am making is from monies derived from my sales commissions and from profits from sale of books.

No amount is too big or too small. What's important is the habit.

I am cutting my money pizza, and it's fun. I see a bright future for myself. I hope to see you bright in my bright future.

What time do you start work?

Sounds like a trick question, but it's not.

I was speaking to a group of business people at a networking meeting this morning.

Because it was raining, many were either late or didn't attend at all.

I explained to all that, say for example, you have a potential client who want to meet you at 3pm today. What time would you be at this meeting this client? Almost all answered slightly earlier than 3pm.

Exactly right!

If it was raining, or if your car was blocked by an idiot who double parked (this happened to me sometime back), what would you do?

All answered that they would get there anyhow, and in the event of their car being blocked, even take a cab to the client meeting.

Why? Because it is work.

Then I explained that in a networking environment, it is no different from work.

Networking is work. Literally, the word Network is Net-WORK.

So when networking, get there on time or earlier to assist where you can.

Today, many people discovered that at least one day in a week, you start work at 6am!

Influenza A (H1N1) only spreads during office hours

It was reported on Malaysia Kini news portal that so far, 26 deaths were reported owing to H1N1, with the last 8 deaths within the past 24 hours itself. An upward spiral in numbers.

Now here's my part of the story:

I was away to Hat Yai for a short R&R trip, for some shopping and a long train ride, something I enjoy very much.

On the return journey, our train was scheduled to leave Hat Yai at 2.20pm local time, or 3.20pm Malaysian time (we are an hour ahead). The journey from Hat Yai to Padang Besar (our side of the border) where the CIQ (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine) is located takes about 55 minutes.

Importantly, as part of Influenza A (H1N1) control, we were given forms to be filled out, and be screened by our local health officers at the border on arrival, and be given health advise briefing, etc.

But then the Thai State Railway were out of locomotives so our journey was delayed by 2-hours! Which means that we left Hat Yai at 4.40pm local time and yes, you worked it out by now, 5.40pm Malaysian time. The Thai locomotive that eventually pulled us to Padang Besar did speed up and I believe we arrived Padang Besar in 40-minutes. So we arrived at 6.20pm Malaysian time to Padang Besar.

In a similar trip made in 2003, when the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) scare was in force, the first order of business on arrival at Hat Yai was health screening.

But this time, we were told to clear immigration first: yes get that passport stamped and officially leave Thailand. Then proceed to the Malaysian immigration counter to check-back into Malaysia.

Alright, so when was the H1N1 screening was going to take place?

You think it was the next order of business, right? Wrong!

Straight to Royal Customs and as usual the custom officers were pretty jolly in asking us boisterously, 'Can you please open your bags?'

To which I asked: Do we get screened for H1N1 now?

The reply from the jolly officer was very animated: 'Oh, ko punya train mai lambat, depa dah balik dah!'

Yes, the 'pegawai kesihatan' went back because the train was delayed.

I asked in jest: 'Kenapa Kastam tak balik dulu, tau-tau lah dah lambat ni?'

And then came in the reply I already expected: 'Kita dah biasa dah kerja sampai lewat. Itu orang klinik tak biasa, kot?'

Yes, the immigration, customs and border police were all there, albeit wearing a mask, but our health officers were not. And is it any wonder why this H1N1 thing is spreading so rapidly?

So, the morale of the story is, H1N1 only spreads during office hours, in Malaysia at least.

Working a 'To Do List' Backwards

In view of a short R&R trip I am taking this later week, there was tons of work to complete by Wednesday evening.

Therefore, yesterday early morning, I wrote out my 'To Do List' of all the work I needed to complete by Wednesday.

I must admit it was daunting at first. I was overwhelmed.

But an idea struck me:

I started doing all the work which was due only on Wednesday and worked backwards.

To my amazement, by lunch time yesterday (Monday), I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

In fact by 3pm on Monday, all work for the entire week was complete!

I took the opportunity to spend some time conducting some housekeeping and even had time to spend on me Facebook!

I got it: next time when there's much to do with little time, work backwards!

Shorter week this week!

It is a short week this week for me as I have planned a short R&R trip, by train to Hat Yai. My wife wants to get some shopping done there, so, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get away for a while.

But then, the shorter time available till Wednesday, means more work is compressed into that space of time. And I need to deliver without compromising quality!

For my BNI Business:

I am due to make no lesser than 18 phone calls this morning itself. A majority of them would be to follow-through on the guests who visited Suria Chapter last Tuesday.

A few are prospecting calls. Followed by a phone conversations with the Membership Officers from Alliance and Suria.

I have some banking work for the company which needs to be done as well, and later to instruct the forms of some applicants to be processed.

For Supreme Chapter, I am chairing the meeting this week while getting as many roles in that Chapter operating as we move along. By next week, the Chapter needs to run on its own by it's own members.

For Ampang Chapter, a regular management meeting later today to sort out some issues.

Ramadan is also around the corner in August, so, I have to announce the meeting dues for members who are fasting. Gosh, another phone call to a meeting premise manager!

Lastly, to organize a Chapter growth sessions for all Chapters, and this will be done via team-phone calls. All members will be encouraged to participate to invite their contacts to their Chapters for a Visitor Day for the purpose of adding at least 6 new members.

My Business Consulting practice:

This week, I am meeting my client for the purpose of completing her company mission statement.

I will also have to send in an invoice for two on-going projects done in July. Ching-ching!!

Family:

Lots to do before I leave. This includes concluding a spring cleaning of my study room.

I can't wait to get on that train! Have to leave for the station by 6.30pm on Wednesday