I think I used that title? Well, I heard that in London the Christmas decors are already installed. It's early November and Orchard road in Singapore is not yet decorated. Raffles City has started to install its traditional huge Christmas tree.
This week is a shorter one - deepavali. Might plan for a driving trip to Melaka, stay overnight and come back.
At work, things are getting better now that we are back to full strength. Save for that "one mistake" (who left the company after a few weeks and is not even worth my time mentioning), all the 4 new colleagues are absolutely fantastic. No regrets. I think they are hard working and have the brains. And more importantly, they are "new" and that allows us to really move up a notch. It also gives me an opportunity to drive changes as new-comers are generally more opened to changes because for them, they don't know whether it's a change or not: everything is new.
Business might get better with our front office driving hard at getting new partners and we just need to make sure that we can cope. It's not the best we can do but at least we are not choking to death. People are still leaving on time, save for a couple. Even I can now go gym during lunch time and start to lose those KGs accumulated over the past 3-4 months.
There's so much work to be done and there will always be work. The main thing is to pace oneself. It's a long race and trying to go faster than what is human possible will only lead to tiredness and breakdowns. We need to maintain the right equilibrium between going too fast and not going fast enough. We are like muscles; must be exerted and trained hard else there's no progress. And the initial fews days are the most painful but as the muscles get used to it, there's less pain.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
We are diamonds
It's mid October but I can't help but think that Christmas is already around the corner. I mean, was it not just like... erm... 10 months ago that we had Christmas?
Time flies and you don't need to be a genius to know that. Life has been generally good. You take the good and the bad together and so long you enjoy the good and learn from the bad, you'll just be find.
2010 has so far been relatively eventful at work. We had a 4 staff turnover and we are only now assimilating the new people. I believe that I've mentioned that before: your people is the most important resources you'll ever have. But that's from an employer's view point. The problem for an employee (as I am in any case) to view that "people" is the most important resources is that entitlements become a given and you only look at the "good" examples of the world; this fellow earning $1m or that fellow retiring at 45 yrs old.
As an employee, you have to consider yourself as a very raw diamond. Some will be bigger than others just by the nature of it. Fret not though; a very polished and carved diamond is much more precious than a bigger but very raw and common-shaped diamond!
You might not be as bright as the fellow Ivy league grads. Or you might be an Ivy league grads but still pale in comparison to your Valedictorian. Or you are that chap who gave the speech at your convocation but wish you could be the drop-out earning $1m monthly! The point is that if you keep comparing, you will never end. Be contented with the shape and size you are as a diamond but know and believe that you are a diamond in the first place; that you can be shaped and polished and that the finished product is worth much more than what it is now.
You are that raw diamond. You hope that employer is a good diamond-cutter. You hope that your shop is in the right place. But that's what you are now; a raw diamond still being refined.
So, here I have 4 new raw diamonds with the remaining 8 more-polished (or less raw) diamonds. It is all of our job to make sure that we keep polishing all the diamonds. The goal is to further make sure that while each diamond is polished to its potential, the 13 diamonds (including myself) are viewed as a collection and are thus worth more than if "sold" separately
The sum of our effort as a whole is to be greater than the sum of our individual effort. Mathematically, we believe 1+1 <> 2. Rather, 1+1 = 3. Or 1+1=4 etc.
Time flies and you don't need to be a genius to know that. Life has been generally good. You take the good and the bad together and so long you enjoy the good and learn from the bad, you'll just be find.
2010 has so far been relatively eventful at work. We had a 4 staff turnover and we are only now assimilating the new people. I believe that I've mentioned that before: your people is the most important resources you'll ever have. But that's from an employer's view point. The problem for an employee (as I am in any case) to view that "people" is the most important resources is that entitlements become a given and you only look at the "good" examples of the world; this fellow earning $1m or that fellow retiring at 45 yrs old.
As an employee, you have to consider yourself as a very raw diamond. Some will be bigger than others just by the nature of it. Fret not though; a very polished and carved diamond is much more precious than a bigger but very raw and common-shaped diamond!
You might not be as bright as the fellow Ivy league grads. Or you might be an Ivy league grads but still pale in comparison to your Valedictorian. Or you are that chap who gave the speech at your convocation but wish you could be the drop-out earning $1m monthly! The point is that if you keep comparing, you will never end. Be contented with the shape and size you are as a diamond but know and believe that you are a diamond in the first place; that you can be shaped and polished and that the finished product is worth much more than what it is now.
You are that raw diamond. You hope that employer is a good diamond-cutter. You hope that your shop is in the right place. But that's what you are now; a raw diamond still being refined.
So, here I have 4 new raw diamonds with the remaining 8 more-polished (or less raw) diamonds. It is all of our job to make sure that we keep polishing all the diamonds. The goal is to further make sure that while each diamond is polished to its potential, the 13 diamonds (including myself) are viewed as a collection and are thus worth more than if "sold" separately
The sum of our effort as a whole is to be greater than the sum of our individual effort. Mathematically, we believe 1+1 <> 2. Rather, 1+1 = 3. Or 1+1=4 etc.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
A Sunday morning
It's 1024am Sunday. It's quite rare that I am up at this time and not being at church. Just shared a breakfast deluxe with my wife and in-law - granted, I ate most lah.
Came early to Shaw tower to see an "acupunturist" but it turns out that we needed to call for an appointment first. Saw a TCM doctor yesterday at Marine Parade: reach 8:15am and left around noon! Cost us $90 for some herbs, which it quite worthwhile considering the thousands you may spend on western medicines; fingers crossed that TCM is good though I am not holding my breath.
Going to have dim sum with sisters and a cousin from Mauritius. So here I am at Mac, trying hard to resist getting to chomp on especially since lunch is 2 hours away. It's pretty filled up with many families.
Challenging month ahead. One more month before I lose 2 staff. Already lost 2 staff. Recruiting is a bit of a pain but I have to admit that we do take too long to recruit. Well, I took 1-2 weeks to write a good JD and then that's another 2 weeks before I get to do interviews. You then have to select and get your selected candidates vetted by management; only to find that the candidate has rejected the offer.
Fresh grad from NUS rejected. I now have another grad with working experience asking for a fresh grad pay. I have another who worked in Engineering and still asking for his last pay. I then have a grad through correspondence study asking for a poly salary. I have that sweet young lady barely out of university asking for almost an AM level pay. I have a double masters chinese national asking for a fresh grad pay. Why focus on pay, you might ask. The truth is that I don't need someone who's experienced. I will go for the freshies simply because I believe it's easier to train them. And well, they usually ask for lower. Or I might go for a very experienced fellow, one I know could potentially reply me! After recruiting about 5 people and another 3 soon, I have to admit that I do rely on gut feel many times! Yea, I know, I've read about how gut feelings are not always good but that's me.
For the record, I went with the grad with working experience asking for a fresh grad pay partially because she/he can start immediately (she/he might still reject the offer). And I will also go for the fellow who worked in Engineering but asking for his last pay (though we'd probably offer a lower pay). The double masters will probably come third, and yea, I'll also try to get the freshis from correspondence course asking for Poly pay.
That's replacing almost a quarter of my team. I was prepared for that because I knew that such cycle happens every 3-4 years. The good news for me is that as far as I know, I am not losing 4 staff because of reasons directly attributed to me! Sure I might be responsible in some areas but all in all I doubt so. Anyway, 2 are being transferred out and 1 has kind of already indicated that she/he might resign (family decision).
Time of uncertainties coupled with the ever increasing demand from management to up our value-ad to the company: More internal controls, eLearning, audits, training etc etc. It's so weird because when I became a HOD, there was no such "training". As I was sharing with someone, we the current HOD/managers are probably the first batch of guys who will pave the way for the next generation. We will have the hard work. Then again, I am not complaining. That's part of the beauty of where I work - having the challenge to do new things!
I am 34 this year! I've worked for 10 years but I still have another probably 30 years to go! This is no joke and I need to believe that in another 15 years' time, I will still be relevant and if I am not, I must be wise enough to accept that and well, be contented with what I will have then. Nobody owes me a living. I can only make my own happiness given the circumstances I am in; so should all of you.
Came early to Shaw tower to see an "acupunturist" but it turns out that we needed to call for an appointment first. Saw a TCM doctor yesterday at Marine Parade: reach 8:15am and left around noon! Cost us $90 for some herbs, which it quite worthwhile considering the thousands you may spend on western medicines; fingers crossed that TCM is good though I am not holding my breath.
Going to have dim sum with sisters and a cousin from Mauritius. So here I am at Mac, trying hard to resist getting to chomp on especially since lunch is 2 hours away. It's pretty filled up with many families.
Challenging month ahead. One more month before I lose 2 staff. Already lost 2 staff. Recruiting is a bit of a pain but I have to admit that we do take too long to recruit. Well, I took 1-2 weeks to write a good JD and then that's another 2 weeks before I get to do interviews. You then have to select and get your selected candidates vetted by management; only to find that the candidate has rejected the offer.
Fresh grad from NUS rejected. I now have another grad with working experience asking for a fresh grad pay. I have another who worked in Engineering and still asking for his last pay. I then have a grad through correspondence study asking for a poly salary. I have that sweet young lady barely out of university asking for almost an AM level pay. I have a double masters chinese national asking for a fresh grad pay. Why focus on pay, you might ask. The truth is that I don't need someone who's experienced. I will go for the freshies simply because I believe it's easier to train them. And well, they usually ask for lower. Or I might go for a very experienced fellow, one I know could potentially reply me! After recruiting about 5 people and another 3 soon, I have to admit that I do rely on gut feel many times! Yea, I know, I've read about how gut feelings are not always good but that's me.
For the record, I went with the grad with working experience asking for a fresh grad pay partially because she/he can start immediately (she/he might still reject the offer). And I will also go for the fellow who worked in Engineering but asking for his last pay (though we'd probably offer a lower pay). The double masters will probably come third, and yea, I'll also try to get the freshis from correspondence course asking for Poly pay.
That's replacing almost a quarter of my team. I was prepared for that because I knew that such cycle happens every 3-4 years. The good news for me is that as far as I know, I am not losing 4 staff because of reasons directly attributed to me! Sure I might be responsible in some areas but all in all I doubt so. Anyway, 2 are being transferred out and 1 has kind of already indicated that she/he might resign (family decision).
Time of uncertainties coupled with the ever increasing demand from management to up our value-ad to the company: More internal controls, eLearning, audits, training etc etc. It's so weird because when I became a HOD, there was no such "training". As I was sharing with someone, we the current HOD/managers are probably the first batch of guys who will pave the way for the next generation. We will have the hard work. Then again, I am not complaining. That's part of the beauty of where I work - having the challenge to do new things!
I am 34 this year! I've worked for 10 years but I still have another probably 30 years to go! This is no joke and I need to believe that in another 15 years' time, I will still be relevant and if I am not, I must be wise enough to accept that and well, be contented with what I will have then. Nobody owes me a living. I can only make my own happiness given the circumstances I am in; so should all of you.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Staff Crunch
Tis the season again; good and bad. The economy is looking good and it seems that it's an employees' market. Is it? Well, I am not an expert in the matter. I do know however that I am kind of losing 4 people: 2 transfers and 2 resignation. Of the 2 resignations, one is personal in nature and the other one, well, unknown, though the staff actually has not found another job yet (which to me is not very smart especially when I doubt there's much pressure at work.. but then again, maybe I'm blind).
Contrary to what I thought would happen, I did get a reasonable number of resumes, considering we advertised only once and on the web (Jobstreet and the like). Interestingly though, I mostly got applicants who are trying to switch job; and asking of higher pay. Well, there are 2 categories: those in about the same line and asking for higher pay, and those who want to switch to a different line, the majority of which still asked for higher pay.
I do not know what is in store but I have a feeling that some people are in for a big surprise; getting a pay rise is good only for the long term only if you can ensure that in 10 year's time, someone 15 years your junior can't do about the same thing you are doing at a mere fraction of your salary! The worry is for those above 40, in 10-15 years time!
Then again, maybe that's me only.
So, what should it be then? Well, go for something you like and where you can see yourself for the rest of your career. Sounds "old" I know but hey, many in their 20-30 forget that they most likely will work for another 30 years! As much as we all want, there is only one Bill Gates. Forget all the books you read on "how to be rich etc"; that only makes the author rich.
My motto: enjoy what you are doing, try to have a work-life balance acceptable to you and your family, and well, do your best and know that if you boss is not treating your well, he's answerable to God.
Comparing with others is the worst thing you could ever do, especially comparing riches.
Contrary to what I thought would happen, I did get a reasonable number of resumes, considering we advertised only once and on the web (Jobstreet and the like). Interestingly though, I mostly got applicants who are trying to switch job; and asking of higher pay. Well, there are 2 categories: those in about the same line and asking for higher pay, and those who want to switch to a different line, the majority of which still asked for higher pay.
I do not know what is in store but I have a feeling that some people are in for a big surprise; getting a pay rise is good only for the long term only if you can ensure that in 10 year's time, someone 15 years your junior can't do about the same thing you are doing at a mere fraction of your salary! The worry is for those above 40, in 10-15 years time!
Then again, maybe that's me only.
So, what should it be then? Well, go for something you like and where you can see yourself for the rest of your career. Sounds "old" I know but hey, many in their 20-30 forget that they most likely will work for another 30 years! As much as we all want, there is only one Bill Gates. Forget all the books you read on "how to be rich etc"; that only makes the author rich.
My motto: enjoy what you are doing, try to have a work-life balance acceptable to you and your family, and well, do your best and know that if you boss is not treating your well, he's answerable to God.
Comparing with others is the worst thing you could ever do, especially comparing riches.
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