Osama in Pakistan, US special forces in Pakistan, US drone planes over Pakistan but where is Pakistan's Government?

Although I cringed writing anything political but this time I had to as I just could not understand how someone could still wake up in the morning and feel good with one self.

This particular questiong: "Osama in Pakistan, US special forces in Pakistan, US drone planes over Pakistan but where is Pakistan's Government?" has been haunting me for a few days now.

On a moral, ethical as well as self honour level, how can the political powers in Pakistan can face the world when everything they say are lies/half-truths?

Lie 1: Osama is not in Pakistan > Not True
Lie 2: Pakistan has a say in the flights of the killer drones > Not True
Lie 3: Pakistan does not allow foreign fighters operating on the ground > Not True

These three lies are just the ones uncovered on Sunday. Can you imagine what else could be lurking?

As a matter of policy, I believe in the the practice of not poking into other countries affairs. We should be neutral about this. However, on a personal and moral standpoint, when it is as clear as day the lies being told, please do what is honourable and pass the baton to someone that can at least be seen as still having the moral and ethical high ground.

Yes, politics can be dirty and politicians can be easily sucked into the dark side. Once caught, just own up and resign...

Why it is important to set goals instead of dreaming - the transition of a child to and adult

Today's topic of conversation in FLY.FM was on the number of successful candidates in the recent SPM examination that got all As. There were over 9 thousand successful students compared to the rest that did not get straight As which numbered over 300 thousand.

First of all, congratulations to EVERYONE who worked hard to get the best that they could get.

The DJs on the morning crew focused on the rest of the SPM candidates, those that did not get all As. The idea which they wanted to share with their listeners is that - "IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD".

This fits in nicely on the subject that I wanted to discuss today which is goal setting. When we are young, our world is a world of imagination. This is how we spent hours playing with just a simple stick or ball. However, adult life is reality and we need to switch from the world of imagination to reality as we progress from a child to an adult.

Although UPSR, PMR and SPM are national exams that children take between the ages of 12 to 17 in this country, they must be adult in thinking and not assume childish expectations just because of their age.

I have seen many children traumatised for life because they dreamt of getting something that they cannot achieve. You cannot blame them. Responsibility lies with parents and educators. They must provide the necessary support and guidance to ensure a child will always be positive in life.

Setting goals and achieving them is a very strong confidence booster for children. Although not many people can see this but art classes, drama classes, the choir, public speaking and many more "non-exam-subject" activities in school all provide the necessary life experiences to make one focus on a particular goal. For example, the goal for public speaking is to be able to choose an interesting topic, talk about it in public with such confidence that you can sway the listeners to believe you. This is a goal that is achievable.

Once you join the rat race, your capability as a worker will be assessed in your ability to deliver something that has obvious benefits to the organisation that you work for. Everything you do will need to be documented and presented to your fellow workers for comments. If you have not transitioned from dreaming to setting goals, you will easily be identified by your colleagues as a weak member of the team.


Therefore, to those not getting the results as perfect you have dreamt, DO NOT worry. Life still goes on. With hard work, you can achieve anything.

What to expect when you service your car at Hup Seng Star in Kinrara? Disappointment!

MORE?

I added a posting on the subject early yesterday. Today, I have some pictures with some comments on the experience.

Below is the scene of the reception lounge where all the people that drove their car for servicing wait. Immediate impression - nothing spectacular at all. You would expect, PS3 stations, banks of PCs and the works for owners of Mercedes as they wait. However, what you get is just two PCs (one with Microsoft OS, the other is an Apple machine) with internet connection; two flat screen TV, one showing the Discovery channel while the other runs Mercedes adverts continuously.

Honestly, I was stumped to the bareness of the place. It was only after 10 minutes before I realised why. The bulk of the people waiting are drivers and not the owners themselves. I believe I was the only one there that owns a machine that is being serviced. If this is the reason of the lack of a first class setup,  Hup Seng Star does not understand franchise value.

If you provide a viewing gallery of the workshop floor with floor to roof glass walls, the same kind of effort should not just stop there. Whoever that comes into the establishment must be made to feel special. He or she may well be just a driver but by maintaining the brand grandeur through a rich experience carries along way in making a lasting impression.

A classic example is Proton. I used to own one before. Sending one for services was a nightmare as there was utter disrespect to owners when it comes to servicing. I am glad to note that their main service stations have started to provide things such as food and drinks.

Honestly, I am disappointed with the experience. I thought that owning such a premium marque carries certain privileges. I was wrong....

Respect must be EARNED not expected!!!

I had a very interesting conversation last night. One party argues that they are losing respect from another set of people because the others have more interesting things to do. Is this a justifiable reason?

I do not think so. So what if the other group of people have something interesting to do? What has it got to do with losing respect? The party that feels the "lost" of respect is just hiding the fact that they have not earned it yet.

Just because you have a title or a professional degree does not give you a blanket right to assume you should be respected unreservedly. In the long-run, it is what you do with what has been bestowed to you is what makes you a great individual worthy of respect.



MORE?

Breaking fast with clients

Once you are in business, this particular chore is inevitable. Today is no exception.

Looking at it positively, you improve your business network and increase your business potential. On the flip side of it, you reduce spending quality time with your own family.





MORE?

The internet is changing roles: a joke that is thought provoking

The internet has changed many things. Even the role of a parent to share the secrets of the “Birds and the Bees” has been superseded!

This brings to the important aspects of 2 important subjects that Malaysia is trying to grapple with: sex education and legalised gambling.

1. Sex Education

Why bother when it is easily available on the web?

2. Legalised Gambling

Why bother when one can easily gamble online?

The answer to the two questions is simple. What type of sex education and what type of gambling to you want your countrymen to know? Our destiny destiny lies in our hand. Why allow our destiny being dictated by the cultural norms of foreigners?

Sex education should be plastered with the notion of love and monogamy. Porn does not teach you that. To control gambling you need to control the providers of gambling facilities. Easier to police the provider than a gambler. Moreover, protection of  consumers can be easily supervised.

NANG THIS POST, NANG THIS POST, NANG THIS POST

Dilbert

Some people's ego are too big for their head! Although it can be amusing most of the time, in business it can be very disturbing and distruptive to a company.

Dilbert

Working level staff always feel superior than their supervisors. In this particular episode of Dilbert, they were able to con their boss to provide by the minute information to them so that they would know where he is at any time.

It also show that bosses are quite dumb and easily duped by fast talking/sweet talking brown noser.

Dilbert

Policy makers are always seen by subordinates as "dead wood". Sometimes, you cannot blame them as management sometimes acts in ways that are deemed peculiar to normal people.

Dilbert

It is unfortunate that companies are sometime saddled with staff with the wrong skill set. How best to ratify the situation? Sack them or retrain them? Both have their pros and cons.

Dilbert

There is never a good time to retire. Once someone makes a conscious decision to retire, it is a start of the end. Never make that decision on your own. That is why retirement age is there for.

If you ask me, everyone should work until they die - just like in the animal kingdom.

Dilbert

The expression "problems bring misery" is aptly relevant to the business world. Generally, when the market gets tough, the easiest way to come out of such difficulty is to increase prices. However, this has the effect of making another business face the same problem and the whole vicious cycle gets propagated. Instead of increasing prices, why not look at reducing costs or increasing productivity?

Dilbert

Hummmm. This is interesting. I understand the first two pictures but the
third is a mystery to me.

As I see it, the concept of trust is never being propagated in most
companies. As far as trust is concerned, it is required that you only trust
your immediate superior but not anyone else. This small act of selfishness
is the most costly mistake one can make to staff as the cost to remedy it is
very high.

As for the third picture, I suspect what the boss is trying to say is that a
system has been put in place to detect drug users, but in reality, this
latest signing is in fact a drug user!

Again, a classic mistake of relying too much on technology and systems to
detect human failings.

Dilbert

It is most unfortunate that people in management are not able to differentiate what is important. It is like they are unable to see the trees from the forest.

In this particular episode of Dilbert, the input cost of such exercise is more than the benefit obtained from the output. Nevertheless, due to the misplaced understanding of the true issue, the project continues and resources is wasted.

Dilbert

People are smart to use words to suit the current situation. In
this strip, because of the negative connotation of the problem
it is reworded with a positive word: problem=opportunity.

Surprisingly, it does work to motivate staff. I've tried it and it
works.

Dilbert

CEO's pay packages have always been a subject of vast interest to everyone.
Ever since the CEO of Oracle, Larry Ellison only got a USD1 per annum
paycheck more than 15 years ago, more people are questioning what is
remuneration when it comes to a CEO.

Is the basic paycheck a reference or should it be the other non-cash items
as well? Anyway, after a lot of investigation, the true remuneration for
Ellison that year was actually in excess of USD100 million when stock
options were added in as well.

Dilbert

Revenge could be cruel and unfair. In the world of the executive, it is
often the innocent gets the brunt of any outburst.

In this case, just because no bonus is being paid (due to non-performance
more likely), someone else get the blame.

Dilbert

Staff are cleaver at procrastinating. As management, we must put
deadlines. Otherwise, we will not be able to control them.

Dilbert

Innovation and discovery are getting harder. The concept of trademarks and
patents have chocked the inquisitive nature of humans to an extent that most
are not trying anymore. Instead they are looking at areas that help
propagate the exclusiveness of intellectual property ownership!

Dilbert

Overestimating one's mental capacity due to pride as well as to keep up
appearance as the most important person in an organization is as old the
subject of management itself.

It is unfortunate that most do not want to admit the need for help when it
comes to remembering things.

I guess this is why a personal assistance is always given to someone of
importance.