Shocking Revelation : Will I rise to the challenge ?

Today, exactly a week since I made that call to make the career move. It was a big decision for me moving out from Fortune 500 integrated oil and gas company, to the largest LNG producer in the world and now, with a small listed independent oil and gas company whose main asset is in one of the CIS country- Turkmenistan.

On my first day, I had my first meeting with my boss the Finance Director in a coffee shop [ a nice welcoming gesture from him], the Finance Director.

I did ask him few questions, but this particular one question, a question that really awaken me from my slumber sleep and dream.

" How long this position has been vacant ? "
" Since 2007 ! " replied the Finance Director.
" That long ? "
"Yes. Of course there were stories behind why it was vacant for close to 4 years " .
He explained to me the stories behind in great length. He further explained to me, some critics told him that the company has been doing great for the past 4 years and why do the company need me now to be on-board? He told me, he has different view and strategy on his decision to hire me.

I was still dreaming that time and it did not really sink in my thoughts and rational mind that it came with great expectations and big responsibilities, yet !

I shared the story with a friend of mine, and I proudly told myself- " They have been waiting for me to come for 4 years ! No wonder people told me that they have been waiting for me for too long. That too long was not 2 months [ notice period] but 4 years " I told myself. I was in the cloud 9, so to speak. 

I did not read between the line. Only today, while working on the assignment that my boss is giving me did I realize, that my honeymoon is over. Come next week, I shall start working hard to meet the expectations. Im here to bring and add value, I am here to bring changes, I am here to bring excellence, I am here to bring the change in mindset and I am here not for a mere job and career, but huge responsibility. Otherwise, I am irrelevant. Otherwise, I am not needed here at all . I have only 2 years to make that impact.

What are next ?

Next year, I would like to nominate my company to be part of Nafma - an award to symbolise excellence in the Management Accounting. The 2nd year, I would want my company to be in the top 3. The 3rd year, I would like to see my company as the WINNER of that prestigious of Nafma Award.

Why focus on the award ? Simple, there are lots of work and changes to do and winning the award is just a beginning of a long journey. 


DISCLAIMER: Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive. Hi! I am a green e-mail! Unlike my brothers and sisters, my presence on the Internet does not harm our environment. Please go to greenscroll.org and help make the Internet green like me!

This is what I call...Malaysian Hospitality

I stayed overnight at Ascott Residence [ 3-bedroom apartment ] Kuala Lumpur recently with my family. Why Ascott ? Simply its location nearby KLCC which was convenient for me to meet up my long last ' Jimbengs' of KL and the price too. 

They invited me to participate in their survey for them to hear my feedback on my experience staying with them. Without hesitation, I participated and within hours, I received this reply from them ;

' Dear Mr. Irwan,

It was a great pleasure having you stay at Ascott Kuala Lumpur. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us and for giving us an opportunity to address your feedback.

 

We are glad to learn that you enjoyed your stay with us. We are happy to have met your expectations in service and quality standards. Your compliments will be shared with team. Receiving such positive feedback from our guests motivates us to further improve our commitment to delivering good service.

 

We are happy to update that we will be undergoing our major refurbishment later this year. All our apartments will undergo a facelift which includes the changing of carpets, furniture and electrical appliances. We seek your patience and understanding on this matter and are sure that the facelift will address the concerns you have regarding the apartment.

 

Mr. Irwan, we will continue in our improvement efforts to provide excellent service and products to our guests. Once again, thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback and continued support. We hope to be able to welcome you again soon, and have another opportunity to serve you better.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Vincent Wong | Assistant Residence Manager, Executive Office
Ascott Kuala Lumpur'

This is what I called Malaysian Hospitality, stealing from Malaysia Airlines tagline [ with permission]. How I wish others who are in the hospitality industries to emulate Ascott, Kuala Lumpur. For sure, I will stay with them again in the future and recommend my friends, families and business professional to stay with Ascott, Kuala Lumpur.

We are all LOVE to hear good feedback. In contrast, Many also LOVE giving bad feedback. 

In either case, giving and receiving TIMELY feedback with an opened mind and hearts are the KEY for successful business and relationship. Many love giving feedback especially the negative ones but how many are willing to accept those negative feedback and criticism and turn those into opportunities for improvement to strive for excellence and move forward ? 

I have been in situation before where my stakeholders criticized me and threatened not to provide the data and information that I required. Why did I do then ? I listened to them carefully and emphatically though I was attacked left and right, front and back , up and down. Shall I say, I was 'verbally abused' ? Yes, I was. However, I decided to listen to them carefully, put their concerns on my notebook, understood their concerns and promised to address their concerns TIMELY. At the same time, I took the opportunity to explain the situation that I was in, the risk if I did not get the data from them . Ironically, I was different Irwan that time. Somehow, I was so calm and a peace man. 

What have I learned ?  

1. Listen ;

2. Respect ;

3. Act ;

4. Improve;

5. Communicate

TIMELY.

And the rest were histories....

The 33 Strategies of War-Strategy #1

 1. Declare war on your enemies-The polarity strategy

"Life is endless battle and conflict, and you can't fight effectively unless you can identify your enemies. People are are subtle and evasive, disguising their intentions, pretending to be on your side. You need clarity. Learn to smoke out your enemies, to spot them by the signs and patterns that reveal hostility. Then, once you have them in your sights, inwardly declare war. As the opposite poles of a magnet create motion, your enemies-your opposites-can fill you with purpose and direction. As people who stand in your way, who represent what you loathe, people to react against, they are a source of energy. Do not be naive : with some enemies there can be no compromise, no middle ground.


The 33 strategies of War by Robert Green, pg 3, Copyright Robert Green and Joost Elffers, Viking Penguin, 2006"


DISCLAIMER: Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive. Hi! I am a green e-mail! Unlike my brothers and sisters, my presence on the Internet does not harm our environment. Please go to greenscroll.org and help make the Internet green like me!

Motivational Speech : You are what you do and not what you say

Let us together take our actions, reflect our words !



In the end of her speech, the audience clapped their hands, but was the significant of clapping their hands when back in their mind, it was just a speech of 13 years girl ? So, does this reflect what the father of this your lady told her " You are what you do, and not what you say ", and I have always been telling and reminding myself that words are cheap .
 
DISCLAIMER: Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive. Hi! I am a green e-mail! Unlike my brothers and sisters, my presence on the Internet does not harm our environment. Please go to greenscroll.org and help make the Internet green like me!

Motivational Video : Attitude

Watch and listen to the this video, about attitude and believe. In the early video, the coach said " Attitude is the aroma of your heart ", which I am with the coach in this manner. To be successful in an organization, one should have a good attitude , and give good , nice aroma to the people around him/her. 

Enjoy the video and do pick up the lessons from it ;



In end of the video, the coach said " God have given you the quality of leadership, don't not waste it !" 

 
DISCLAIMER: Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive. Hi! I am a green e-mail! Unlike my brothers and sisters, my presence on the Internet does not harm our environment. Please go to greenscroll.org and help make the Internet green like me!

Leadership ; Giving credits back to the people

Leadership is not about stealing other people's idea and creativity, and claim them to be yours, is the worst and an unethical thing - both personal and professional life. It is about giving credits to its original owner, and even, the original owner can't claim the idea originally him as the idea was developed over a period of time and he/she learns from others. 

I have one story that I can relate with regards of the above, based on true story.

One of the Ahmed [ not real name] personal objectives this year, is to develop training materials and conduct knowledge sharing with the other staff. Out of his own initiative and idea, Ahmed developed not only training materials, but he came out with training schedules [the training schedule goes beyond 2010 i.e. until the end of 2011] complete with proposed topics together with the presenters to his superior. Ahmed requested his supervisor to get endorsement from department manager before Ahmed can proceed with the necessary.  What Ahmed have in mind, that this will encourage the spirit of knowledge sharing among the staff, and as part of knowledge management system.

During the weekly meeting status update, Ahmed's superior announced to all the staff, that HE [ Ahmed's superior] was in discussion with the department manager about HIS proposal of having training calendar for all department staff , and the proposed training will be conducted by department staff. Ahmed's name was not even mentioned during the meeting at all, and the supervisor behaved as if the whole thing originated from him, and it was him behinds the idea. Ahmed was shocked. However, not to embarrass his supervisor in front of other staff. Ahmed decided to keep quite and not to make it a big issue. 

Question(s) here ;

1. Why Ahmed decided to be quiet on the issue ?  Was it the right strategy for him ?
2. Shall Ahmed make it a big issue for what his superior just did to him ?3. What would be the best and ideal situation for Ahmed to tell his colleagues, that it was solely his idea ?

4. What do you think other considerations that Ahmed have taken when he decided to be quiet during the meeting ?

5. What is supposed to be the strategy for Ahmed in his situation ?

6. Do you think that Ahmed' s superior realize that he is taking credit out from Ahmed, therefore putting his reputation at stake ?  Do you think he is taking credit from Ahmed in the first place ?

 Anyone care to share his/her view, please ?



DISCLAIMER: Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive. Hi! I am a green e-mail! Unlike my brothers and sisters, my presence on the Internet does not harm our environment. Please go to greenscroll.org and help make the Internet green like me!

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