Hope you had a blast...with the Double Celebrations! Appropriately, I chose this subject as most would be travelling during this Chinese New Year Celebration period...
Some of you might have heard about this story from me, over and over again...as I have been using it as an example since 2005...
It's about "The Journey To Penang Island"...
The Story
Back in 2004, I requested the G2 OC team to search for Brand Ambassadors that are fluent in English, at least 5'7" and outgoing personality outside Klang Valley...without even moving a finger (Or try a new method...as they claimed that they've tried before...), the immediate respond was "Cannot lah!".
That's when I gave them the lecture...Imagine if a client, wanted to go to Penang and you're tasked to make all the necessary arrangement. Would you just say "Don't go" or "Not need to go" without giving any valid reason?
At the very least, the "Journey" should still take place and show the client the real reason why he/she shouldn't go to Penang or why he/she will never be able to reach Penang. During which, proving to the client, the fact, that the furthest distance is Taiping...the client should be pleased with your effort to achieve more than half the distance...provided that reaching Penang is really impossible...
However, everyone knows that there are actually many ways to get to Penang Island. You can choose to travel by air, by sea or by land. You can choose to ride on a train or a bus. You can choose to ride a motorbike or bicycle. You can choose to drive a car...or hitch a ride...
Some method are more convenient while some are less, some take a longer time to arrive but less hassle...No matter what, you will achieve the objective of sending the clients to Penang.
What about over achieving? Well, it's really about how you can make the journey more enjoyable and pleasant for the passenger.
Just imagine you are driving the client to Penang. Add a few stops here and there...like a short stop for the famous Ipoh Chicken Rice, continue the journey with another seafood stop at Bukit Tambun before arriving on the island...anything you throw in will be felt and appreciated even though eventually, it is just a trip to Penang.
The Summary
Apply the same principle to your every day affairs...you will see the differences in the results...also, always be aware of the negative effect if "The Journey" never took place...
I'm starting my journey into a new world...every step of the way, it is up to me to make it worth my while...after all, I'm still me. A Chun Toi with Cracks...
Friday, February 12, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Motivated and De-Motivated
What are you doing now? Reading my Blog? Hahaha...isn't it as obvious as the Cracks on the Chun Toi? It's an Asian "common illness"...hehehe...
Motivation and Demotivation are also common subjects that everyone is exposed to every day but it is definitely one of the toughest subjects to crack. Furthermore, it's only a very very fine line bewteen the two...one simple insignificant gesture can sometime swing it from one to another...
Motivating an individual or a group is one of the most difficult task of a leader, especially when everyone "Thinks" and "Wants" different things and have different values in life.
On the other hand, Demotivating can be as easy as a snap of the fingers and all the effort will go down the drain.
Last week, I was watching a sport program, NBA Action, in one of the segment, a player from Charlotte Bobcats was interview when the team slipped into a series of defeats.
His words were what caught my attention...”Negativity is very contagious”...when a team member is not on top of his game, it’ll easily affect the rest of the team, it can be as simple as not doing the usual things and it can go on for a number of games...especially if that player is the inspiration of the team like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade...
Most would look for the easy way out, quit. Perseverance to overcome the issues are almost non-existence these days. The most common reason is trying to solve too many problems at the same time and as a result, everything falls apart.
Putting blames on others are the other common result of demotivation. What most failed to realise is, somehow, somewhere, someone started it... That is why, motivation and demotivation is actually self manifested and it all begins in the ones mind.
Negativity is an attitude. While negative attitude is contagious, so can positive attitude!
Always look at the brighter side of things should be embraced by every one...
The easiest solution is isolating the problems and start addresing them one-by-one. Even the smartest people like Albert Einstein need to solve one methamatic problem at a time.
Monetary rewards such as increments and bonuses are without a doubt a major motivating factor in today's society...to me, it is not and has never been the most important factor in my career as I have been "suffering" from "Highly Under Paid" for years but my "Professionalism" supersedes all those negative factors... What is enough anyway???
After I hand in my resignation letter to G2 last year, I was asked to reconsider my decision again with
1) Stay in G2KL having a bigger role...eventually,
2) Move to G2 Regional Hub with an increment and promotion, or
3) Maintain my final decision to leave.
As promised, I did reconsider. I ensured that I put my commitment to my future, my work, my team, my brands and my clients in front of the monetary package of every scenario so that it will not cloud my judgement...well, the rest is history...
Which brings me to the article on today's Star Metro Classifieds, it offers 10 Tips to "Be Happy At Work". I would like to highlight to you, three of the ten tips...No.5-Ramp Up Your Skills, No.6-Romance Yourself At Work and No.10-Remember, It's All About Your. (Note: Money is not mentioned in the article at all...).
If you stop manifesting negative thoughts in your mind...you will be more and more positive...a Yellow Post-it Note is just a Yellow Post-it Note...nothing more...it can represent negativity, it can also represent positivity. Negativity, you can choose to adress it or let it affect you...Your choice!
After all, if you stay positive, you'll be a positive Chun Toi...although there are Cracks...but still a positive Chun Toi...just like me, I'm still me...a Chun Toi with Cracks...
Gong Hei Fatt Choy to the Chun Toi Universe!!!
Motivation and Demotivation are also common subjects that everyone is exposed to every day but it is definitely one of the toughest subjects to crack. Furthermore, it's only a very very fine line bewteen the two...one simple insignificant gesture can sometime swing it from one to another...
Motivating an individual or a group is one of the most difficult task of a leader, especially when everyone "Thinks" and "Wants" different things and have different values in life.
On the other hand, Demotivating can be as easy as a snap of the fingers and all the effort will go down the drain.
Last week, I was watching a sport program, NBA Action, in one of the segment, a player from Charlotte Bobcats was interview when the team slipped into a series of defeats.
His words were what caught my attention...”Negativity is very contagious”...when a team member is not on top of his game, it’ll easily affect the rest of the team, it can be as simple as not doing the usual things and it can go on for a number of games...especially if that player is the inspiration of the team like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade...
There are a lot of factors that could cause staff demotivation. Unappreciative & unrewarding organisation, unclear & incapable leaders, uncooperative & unsupportive team members, unreasonable & over-demanding clients besides the usual personal problems...and these, are just on the surface...
In an organisation, when morale is low and everyone is demotivated, most often than not, they look for inspirations from their leader/s.
However, what if, demotivation is actually caused by the leader directly or indirectly? What do you do then?
Most would look for the easy way out, quit. Perseverance to overcome the issues are almost non-existence these days. The most common reason is trying to solve too many problems at the same time and as a result, everything falls apart.
Putting blames on others are the other common result of demotivation. What most failed to realise is, somehow, somewhere, someone started it... That is why, motivation and demotivation is actually self manifested and it all begins in the ones mind.
Negativity is an attitude. While negative attitude is contagious, so can positive attitude!
Always look at the brighter side of things should be embraced by every one...The easiest solution is isolating the problems and start addresing them one-by-one. Even the smartest people like Albert Einstein need to solve one methamatic problem at a time.
Monetary rewards such as increments and bonuses are without a doubt a major motivating factor in today's society...to me, it is not and has never been the most important factor in my career as I have been "suffering" from "Highly Under Paid" for years but my "Professionalism" supersedes all those negative factors... What is enough anyway???
After I hand in my resignation letter to G2 last year, I was asked to reconsider my decision again with
1) Stay in G2KL having a bigger role...eventually,
2) Move to G2 Regional Hub with an increment and promotion, or
3) Maintain my final decision to leave.
As promised, I did reconsider. I ensured that I put my commitment to my future, my work, my team, my brands and my clients in front of the monetary package of every scenario so that it will not cloud my judgement...well, the rest is history...
Which brings me to the article on today's Star Metro Classifieds, it offers 10 Tips to "Be Happy At Work". I would like to highlight to you, three of the ten tips...No.5-Ramp Up Your Skills, No.6-Romance Yourself At Work and No.10-Remember, It's All About Your. (Note: Money is not mentioned in the article at all...).
If you stop manifesting negative thoughts in your mind...you will be more and more positive...a Yellow Post-it Note is just a Yellow Post-it Note...nothing more...it can represent negativity, it can also represent positivity. Negativity, you can choose to adress it or let it affect you...Your choice!
After all, if you stay positive, you'll be a positive Chun Toi...although there are Cracks...but still a positive Chun Toi...just like me, I'm still me...a Chun Toi with Cracks...
Gong Hei Fatt Choy to the Chun Toi Universe!!!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Thought Process
Since the first post, I've mentioned several times about "Thinking Process". So, what does it mean?
To me, it's more like a ritual that I go through...subconsciously, every time...before I wake up...and more consciously, after...
I am one of those that is very bad with names and faces...I can immediately forget the name of a person as soon as we let go after an introduction handshake but I can recall a conversation years later.
With my argumentative and "Ai Yhia" nature (Always want to Win...which is slightly different from Kiasu), whenever I'm in a discussion or debate, it just flow through in my mind in split seconds so that I can "Argue" or "Counter" a particular point from a different angle.
Of course, without a doubt, "Experience" and "Knowledge" plays a huge role during these meetings but if one cannot draw upon them when required, there's really pointless to even having them...
"Knowing when to Speak Up and when to Shut Up" is another result of the "Thought Process"...apart from having "Your Presence Felt"...although my brain never really tells me "When To Shut Up"...kakaka...
Honestly, you are really not contributing or having your presence felt when there's loads of relevant information and applicable experience in your brain but not shared at the right moment. The "Right Moment" is also very crucial as you must stay relevant trhoughout the entire discussion...just imagine how awkward it will be to bring up a subject or point when everyone has move on to other subject matter...
For some strange reasons, my mind thinks and my memory stores information in a flow very similar to the Brief format. Using an Agency Brief or Creative Brief as an example, that is created to stimulate Creative Department to generate the Concept/Idea to address the needs of the clients.
The flow below is the "Ritual" I go through:
To me, it's more like a ritual that I go through...subconsciously, every time...before I wake up...and more consciously, after...
I am one of those that is very bad with names and faces...I can immediately forget the name of a person as soon as we let go after an introduction handshake but I can recall a conversation years later.
With my argumentative and "Ai Yhia" nature (Always want to Win...which is slightly different from Kiasu), whenever I'm in a discussion or debate, it just flow through in my mind in split seconds so that I can "Argue" or "Counter" a particular point from a different angle.
Of course, without a doubt, "Experience" and "Knowledge" plays a huge role during these meetings but if one cannot draw upon them when required, there's really pointless to even having them...
"Knowing when to Speak Up and when to Shut Up" is another result of the "Thought Process"...apart from having "Your Presence Felt"...although my brain never really tells me "When To Shut Up"...kakaka...
Honestly, you are really not contributing or having your presence felt when there's loads of relevant information and applicable experience in your brain but not shared at the right moment. The "Right Moment" is also very crucial as you must stay relevant trhoughout the entire discussion...just imagine how awkward it will be to bring up a subject or point when everyone has move on to other subject matter...
For some strange reasons, my mind thinks and my memory stores information in a flow very similar to the Brief format. Using an Agency Brief or Creative Brief as an example, that is created to stimulate Creative Department to generate the Concept/Idea to address the needs of the clients.
The flow below is the "Ritual" I go through:
Background
V
Objective
V
Strategy
V
References
V
Action Plan
V
Execute
Here's an example of how it works...
Imagine during a discussion where the clients wanted to have a Consumer Event. The discussion point is about having an International Act/Performer.
Start thinking about the implications, budget & cost factor, timing issues, relevancies that will help strengthen your point of view, the "Background".
Then, move into asking yourself, why did the client wants an International Act and what will it achieve to meet the main objective of the campaign to form the "Objective".
By now, you should be either agreeing or disagreeing to the point. What is your "Strategy" or reason to agree/disagree with the point.
The "Reference" will help with the why you agree/disagree as this help build a case for your points (Apart from other examples, items you stored away from "Background" will also help).
From there, the "Action Plan" will be about exactly how and what you'll be saying to agree/disagree.
Finally, "Execute"...say it.
The beautiful thing about this flow, is the "Background", "Objective" and "Reference" actually help speed up the next "Thinking Process" as those are relevant information if someone else table another point of view where you can immediately agree or disagree and explain the reason behind your view through those information. I call it "Advance Thinking Process".
Typing this post also made me realise the real reason behind why I can always immediately respond/react every time during discussion or meetings...hehehe...
Try it out...you might be surprised with the result. And once you get the hang of it, you should take the next level by initiating some thing new...
Reading today's Star, I came across two funny comics strips...apart from the funny side of it...I also see the relevant of Hagar The Horrible to this blog and Calvin And Hobbes to LIfe...
After all...I am still me...a Chun Toi with Cracks...
Monday, February 1, 2010
Work Smart...Hard
The saying "Work Smart Instead Of Work Hard" is nothing new...in fact, it stretches back to the days when I first came out to the working society...or even before that... but, really, how many of you out there can really Work Smart?
To me, it's really the generations that are making the differences...besides the outside influences as well as the upbringing. I started in the generation between Working Hard and Working Smart. My father's generation is all about putting in the effort to earn a living. Today, from my observations, the generation is all about Working Smart.
Unfortunately, I also observed a severe misinterpretation of the concept in today's generation. There is absolutely nothing wrong with "Working Smart", in fact, it should be encouraged but it does not mean "Cutting Corners"!!! Similar to the misconception of the phrases like "All Work And No Play Makes Jack A Dull Boy" and "Work Life Balance"...to me, just like "Respect", the rights to claim them is earned rather than demanded.
There's a HUGE difference between "Finding An Easier Way Out" and "Finding A Better Way Out". Both require putting on a "Thinking Cap" but one require a strong understanding of the entire subject matter before coming out with a Better Solution to overcome the problem while the other...
The young ones nowadays, "Think" that they are good because they are very smart, especially most oversea grads I know... They "Think" that the ways others are doing or have been doing are wrong and they have a better way...without considering the reason why certain things are done in a particular manner or way (Especially in our line of business in the advertising industry).
Most refuses to put in the necessary effort (Hard Work) to really learn to "Stand Firmly On Their Own Two Feet" before they even start "Walking". Some even "Think" that they are actually good enough to start "Flying" immediately (Totally ignoring the steps of "Walk", "Run" and "Jump")!
What they don't realise is the consequences of their actions. Without the solid foundation, they are just heading directly to a brick wall (as they are simply too junior to face the result of their wrong doing and is most often shielded by their superiors)...sometimes, I even sensed that they simply don't care...as someone, somehow...will get it done.
Just the other night, I met "John" (Of course, John is not the real name...John is not necessarily a man...John could be a woman...John could also be both...hahaha...). While striking up a conversation, without realising that he was actually setting himself up for a respond that he wasn't prepared for...he asked proudly, "So, when are you going to poach me?"...my answer, "Never!".
I did explain in more details...Back in G2, no matter what happen (Especially F..K UPs), I am sure that I can handle it and even tolerate incompetency (well...almost tolerate...hehehe) as "we" are (In some ways) protected under the "Retainer Structure"...(Even though, this goes against my principle of having an Owner's Mindset...) But I wouldn't want to "F..K Around" with my own business...he is simply not good enough for me to the level where I would "Poach" him.
My intention is to make him realise where he is. Cruel? Yes! But True! I rather tell him the truth than leading him on... (So, "John", start working hard at eliminating your weaknesses...Maybe one day...who knows?). Similar to the intention of this blog. It is my believe that "Everyone can and have the capacity to achieve great things"...as long as they put their Heart and Soul to it. This blog is created targeting at someone like "John".
Without a doubt, especially in the advertising industry, there are success stories of people jumping from one agency to another, getting higher position and better salary package. Some even achieve the status of Account Manager in just over a year in the industry while there are also some that made Account Director in just 4-5 years by hopping agencies...
From some of the points that I mentioned in "A Progressive Mind", those that go through the loop holes in hopping agencies (In other words...cutting corners), can actually "Get The Job Done"...but will they really be able to lead a team as a good leader? Drive a brand as a guardian? That, I really doubt...
Old school remain old school...most method are really not applicable in these day and age anymore...therefore, I would like to offer a new solution to that age old saying..."Work Smart Hard" as working hard or working smart alone is no longer enough.
Work Smart Hard is about putting the same amount of effort in both the Smart (Thinking Process) and the Hard (Building A Strong Foundation) but having the Smart in front...
If you do understand the true spirit of "Work Smart Hard" (Which is different to Work Hard Smart), you will also understand that it is not an easier way out but a change in the "Approach" and "Mindset". In fact, it will be more difficult to achieve than "Work Smart Instead Of Work Hard".
As a leader or future leader, you are in full control of whether you will be a Bad, an Average, a Good or an Outstanding Leader. You can still make the necessary adjustments and changes...
I would like to think that I'm a good leader working toward the goal of becoming an outstanding leader...but after all...I'm still me...a Chun Toi with Cracks...
P/S: After going through the posts over and over again, I still feel it is necessary at this length as the examples need to be clearly defined and explained...otherwise, people like John will not be able to capture the essence...hahaha...
To me, it's really the generations that are making the differences...besides the outside influences as well as the upbringing. I started in the generation between Working Hard and Working Smart. My father's generation is all about putting in the effort to earn a living. Today, from my observations, the generation is all about Working Smart.
Unfortunately, I also observed a severe misinterpretation of the concept in today's generation. There is absolutely nothing wrong with "Working Smart", in fact, it should be encouraged but it does not mean "Cutting Corners"!!! Similar to the misconception of the phrases like "All Work And No Play Makes Jack A Dull Boy" and "Work Life Balance"...to me, just like "Respect", the rights to claim them is earned rather than demanded.
There's a HUGE difference between "Finding An Easier Way Out" and "Finding A Better Way Out". Both require putting on a "Thinking Cap" but one require a strong understanding of the entire subject matter before coming out with a Better Solution to overcome the problem while the other...
The young ones nowadays, "Think" that they are good because they are very smart, especially most oversea grads I know... They "Think" that the ways others are doing or have been doing are wrong and they have a better way...without considering the reason why certain things are done in a particular manner or way (Especially in our line of business in the advertising industry).
Most refuses to put in the necessary effort (Hard Work) to really learn to "Stand Firmly On Their Own Two Feet" before they even start "Walking". Some even "Think" that they are actually good enough to start "Flying" immediately (Totally ignoring the steps of "Walk", "Run" and "Jump")!
What they don't realise is the consequences of their actions. Without the solid foundation, they are just heading directly to a brick wall (as they are simply too junior to face the result of their wrong doing and is most often shielded by their superiors)...sometimes, I even sensed that they simply don't care...as someone, somehow...will get it done.
Just the other night, I met "John" (Of course, John is not the real name...John is not necessarily a man...John could be a woman...John could also be both...hahaha...). While striking up a conversation, without realising that he was actually setting himself up for a respond that he wasn't prepared for...he asked proudly, "So, when are you going to poach me?"...my answer, "Never!".
I did explain in more details...Back in G2, no matter what happen (Especially F..K UPs), I am sure that I can handle it and even tolerate incompetency (well...almost tolerate...hehehe) as "we" are (In some ways) protected under the "Retainer Structure"...(Even though, this goes against my principle of having an Owner's Mindset...) But I wouldn't want to "F..K Around" with my own business...he is simply not good enough for me to the level where I would "Poach" him.
My intention is to make him realise where he is. Cruel? Yes! But True! I rather tell him the truth than leading him on... (So, "John", start working hard at eliminating your weaknesses...Maybe one day...who knows?). Similar to the intention of this blog. It is my believe that "Everyone can and have the capacity to achieve great things"...as long as they put their Heart and Soul to it. This blog is created targeting at someone like "John".
Without a doubt, especially in the advertising industry, there are success stories of people jumping from one agency to another, getting higher position and better salary package. Some even achieve the status of Account Manager in just over a year in the industry while there are also some that made Account Director in just 4-5 years by hopping agencies...
From some of the points that I mentioned in "A Progressive Mind", those that go through the loop holes in hopping agencies (In other words...cutting corners), can actually "Get The Job Done"...but will they really be able to lead a team as a good leader? Drive a brand as a guardian? That, I really doubt...
Old school remain old school...most method are really not applicable in these day and age anymore...therefore, I would like to offer a new solution to that age old saying..."Work Smart Hard" as working hard or working smart alone is no longer enough.
Work Smart Hard is about putting the same amount of effort in both the Smart (Thinking Process) and the Hard (Building A Strong Foundation) but having the Smart in front...
If you do understand the true spirit of "Work Smart Hard" (Which is different to Work Hard Smart), you will also understand that it is not an easier way out but a change in the "Approach" and "Mindset". In fact, it will be more difficult to achieve than "Work Smart Instead Of Work Hard".
As a leader or future leader, you are in full control of whether you will be a Bad, an Average, a Good or an Outstanding Leader. You can still make the necessary adjustments and changes...
I would like to think that I'm a good leader working toward the goal of becoming an outstanding leader...but after all...I'm still me...a Chun Toi with Cracks...
P/S: After going through the posts over and over again, I still feel it is necessary at this length as the examples need to be clearly defined and explained...otherwise, people like John will not be able to capture the essence...hahaha...
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