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Showing posts with label Opinions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Opinions. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

World's Best Bosses and Coworkers

I found this interesting article from BNET and would like to share will my readers.

World's Best Bosses and Coworkers

1) Creative collaborators
  • A creative collaborator has realized that success doesn’t have to entail only individual accomplishment but can be more rewarding when it includes working together. With this awareness, creative collaborators redefine that emotionally packed word “success” so that wealth, position, and fame are no longer the only purpose for defining what really matters in designing one’s life. Creative collaboration is consistent with even the greatest individual accomplishment.
2) Community Builders
  • Some things are worth fighting for, yet most the time there’s a better way. While rebels thrive on the negative attention they receive from their opposition to almost anything, community builders are capable of transcending opposition when appropriate, respecting other viewpoints and exploring areas of potential unity. They learn to embrace the notion that we’re all connected and that no one wins unless we all do.
3) Realizers
  • What’s it like when you’re in the presence of someone who really makes things happen? Most people report having a feeling of effervescence, as if they’d just taken the first sip of a good champagne.  Realizers help open doors that seemed nonexistent minutes before.  There’s a sense that all things are possible.
4) Humorists
  • Humorists are not the office clowns who make inappropriate jokes, or try to use humor to distract people from real problems.  Humorists put our comfort and worries into perspective, so that we can laugh at ourselves and the situation and pause before tackling difficulties. Humorists don’t push us to avoid conflict but instead handle it in a balance, healthy way.
5) Visionarists
  • Visionary leaders have learned the art and craft of conflict transformation. Their core aim is to unite rather than divide people.  They are sensitive to the desires and needs of others and often have internalized the feeling of what it’s like to be judged and told that they’re wrong. Out of that comes an ability to listen to others and imagine a better future.
6) Explorers
  • Explorers find out everything there is to know about a subject. They read books, browse the Internet, go to lectures and talk to just about everyone they can to find the right information. They take interest in a vast array of subjects and have a willingness to learn and an optimistic daring that is infectious. Explorers volunteer for projects and love to collaborate. While everyone else is dreading ambiguity, they will challenge all who seem unsure and hold them accountable for their words and actions. They inspire people to try new things and are always willing to be part of the first test to make sure that a project will succeed.
7) Mentors
  • Mentors know how to listen and give good advice at just the right time. They know how to stand in the background and applaud without needing credit. They’re willing to let go when you’re competent to make your own decisions without them. The best mentors are not those who sailed through life without setbacks but rather those who have had to go through their own intense training and overcome obstacles and challenges.
8) Storytellers
  • Storytelling has played a fundamental role in all societies to help human beings make sense of their world. Storytellers the world over establish a sense of credibility, authenticity, and wholeness in their communities. Rather than retreating from conflict, storytellers help communities understand how problems can be, and should be, solved.  They help communicate company values, share important business knowledge, and limit office politics. They take a firm’s agenda and communicate it to all stakeholders, helping them feel comfortable and motivated even during periods of wrenching change.
9) Integrators
  • Integrators base their success on the ability to see all sides of a situation and allow conflicting parties to not only be heard but acknowledged. They have the ability to gather a group and find ways that individuals can work together and upwards.
10) Truth Tellers
  • Truth tellers have a firm grasp on what they want to say and have given deep thought as to the possible outcomes of their discourse. They will not change their mind just to pacify someone, although they are not averse to adjusting their opinions if that will enable a conflict to push towards resolution. They do not beat around the bush, and people in their audiences generally listen.
11) Initiators
  • Initiators are willing to start work on a project before all the questions have been answered. They take charge and become full participants in situations where creativity is especially important. The initiator can tolerate and moderate the conflicts that inevitably show up before creative process comes into full bloom. The initiator takes joy in the creative process and shows a willingness to let in all who wish to be included. Initiator like to get involved in the thick of arguments, thus allowing them to be resolved more quickly so that the creative process can move forward.
12) Trust Builders
  • Building trust means peeling away the defenses that have built over lifetimes. In the workplace, leaders build trust by considering all aspects of the business, from a successful bottom line to creative and engaged employees.
13) Peacemakers
  • Peacemakers cannot be swayed to side with one group or individual against another.What they care about is the fight to preserve the integrity of the whole system.Peacemakers teach us that peace is a state of mind and that it’s still possible to be happy in the midst of turmoil and chaos.


Thanks to author - Geoffrey James for the wonderful post. To read the complete article, please visit BNET.com =)

*Cheers*

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Great Italian food in Jakarta

Last week, my bosses and I had lunch in Caffe D' Angelo, an Italian Restaurant located in The East Mall, Jakarta. Mdm W recommended that their food was great. Hence, we gave it a try. 

When we entered the restaurant, we found that the ambiance and the designs of the restaurant were nice. Besides, there was a section with wine racks and it was full with wine bottles! Cool!

I had a piece of thin crust pizza and a plate of lagsane. The pizza was so crispy and cheesy!! And the lagsane was very cheesy too! I am a cheese lover. So, the cheesy Italian food can really delight me. Heheh! The food portion was very generous and I couldn't finish it. =( But it was really good!
The delicious lagsane *Yummers!!!*

I also ordered a cup of hot chocolate. Guess what... The drink was so thick! I had to 'eat' my hot chocolate with my spoon instead of drinking it from the cup. It was just like some melted chocolate in a cup. Hahah! I think it should be listed in the dessert menu instead of the drinks menu. Or probably I need some strawberry or marshmallow to go with the chocolate.

This is my cup of hot chocolate

I enjoyed my meal very much!! If I have chance to visit this restaurant again, I would try their cabonara spaghetti too!! Overall, Caffe D' Angelo serves great Italian food =)

*Cheers*

Sunday, October 03, 2010

Another flight delay with the World Best Low Cost Airline

I flew back from Jakarta with AirAxxx on last Friday. As usual, my colleagues and I reached the airport around 5pm to catch the 7pm flight. When I was paying my airport tax at the self check-in counter, the officer confidently told me that there would be NO delay for this flight. I was happily thanking him for the great news. I thought I can get home by mid night. =)

After I settled with all the custom procedures, I continued with my works in a cafe. At 6.15pm, my colleague reminded us that its time for boarding. We quickly packed our laptops and proceeded to the boarding lounge. The guys walked so fast and left me behind... =( You cant blame me for being so slow as I was walking with high heels and carried the heaviest laptop!! There was once I weighted my laptop + adapter in the bag. It was 4kg!!! What an antique dinosaur laptop!!
I was holding my passport and boarding pass while working in the airport

At the boarding lounge, we were informed that our flight would be delayed for 1 hour!! OMG!! Passengers like us were cursing... "AGAIN?!?!??!" Well, we have no choice but to wait for the pilots to bring us home. 

Since my boss was rushing me to submit the work, I got to continue working on it in the boarding lounge. Roughly half an hour later, an officer officially announced that the delay of flight was due to some technical issue. Yea right, there's technical issue every week? However, we were luckier this week as all passengers were given a packet of rice and mineral water as compensation. Woohoo... I was so hungry at that time. The meals came to me just in time to cure my hungry tummy.

We finally boarded the plane at 10 minutes past 8 in the evening. I was not sure if it was raining outside because the flight was so bumpy. I felt the flight was flying high and low at the beginning. To be honest, I was a bit worried and tried to sleep.

After some time, the plane was much more stable and the air stewardesses started to distribute meals to all the passengers who pre-booked their meals online. I got my chicken rice combo (chicken rice with a 100ml mineral water). Since I was still full after eaten the free meal at the boarding lounge, I gave away my chicken rice to the American-British man who sat next to me. It is better to be given away than let it end up into the dustbin.

I had a little chat with him and found out that he is a Hong Kong resident who fly between KL, Jakarta and Hong Kong frequently. However, that was the second time he flew with this airline. Later, he asked for a bottle of mineral water from the air stewardess. When the air stewardess handed him the bottle of water, she said 'three Ringgit, please' softly. Probably the guy didn't hear and he felt curious why she was still standing there looking at him. He asked her in a curious tone. 'Do I need to pay?'.... I was like... 'duhhh....' Hahahah!!! Guess what, he took out one stack of 50 Ringgit to pay his 3 Ringgit drinks. Emmm....

Anyway, he was a nice guy who kept me accompanied during the 2-hour flight. We finally reached LCCT at 11.10pm. Subsequently, I got home around 12.40pm. What a loooong day and this will be repeated in 2 weeks time. Wish me luck.

*Cheers*

Thursday, August 05, 2010

20 Ways to Create More Time


I saw an interesting post by nimmy78, who is one of the Citizen Blog bloggers. She found 20 tips on how to create more time from a Christian publication magazine. I thought the tips are very useful, especially for those who are living in the fast pace and competitive city.

A print screen of Citizen blog by The Star Online

20 Ways to Create More Time
  1. Keep a daily to-do-list
    • I do keep my daily or sometimes weekly to-do-list (it depends on my workload)
  2. Synchronise your calendar
    • I don't think I have so many appointments to manage yet
  3. Write an "Action Plan"
    • This is one of my tasks at work
  4. Generally schedule your most important tasks
  5. Set goals over which you have a large degree of control
  6. Acknowledge that you will not have time for everything
    • Prioritisation is very important
  7. Keep a time log
  8. Schedule less
  9. Minimise interruptions
    • I have temporary stopped using my MSN for quite some times
  10. Schedule the most challenging work for the time of day when you are most energetic and alert
  11. Do the most unpleasant task as soon as possible
  12. Allow time for the unexpected
  13. Use transition time
    • I do have lots of transition time every fortnightly when I am waiting for my flight (AirAsia always delay for at least 30 minutes!!) 
  14. Apply the 80/20 rule of thumb
    • One of the McKinsey ways, which I learned during work assignments 2.5 years ago
  15. When you feel overwhelmed with work, write each task on an index card
  16. Periodically, take time off to 'recharge' your batteries
    • Holidays!! Cameron Highlands will be my next trip! =) 
  17. Think on paper
    • Scribble/ brainstorm your thoughts on paper 
  18. Don't be a perfectionist
  19. Work like a professional
  20. Be flexible
Source: Citizen Blog, The Star 

Many of us find it difficult to manage our limited time. Very often we would wish to have more time in order to meet our project deadlines/ more free time for leisure/ relaxations, friends and family. However, if we successfully pick up some of the above 20 tips, we may be able to work more efficiently and effectively. Then, we will have more time for others! Let's start with keeping a daily to-do-list first. =)


*Cheers*

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Unique Wedding Invitation Card

Last weekend when I was home, I found a unique wedding invitation card on the table.


This is so coool! On my first glance at the card, I thought there were 2 MAS boarding passes given to my parents to fly over to somewhere and attend the wedding. When I looked closer to the 'boarding pass', I found that those were fake passes. Hahaha! They were wedding cards!! So cool and creative!! I like its design.

I wonder if the groom and bride are pilot and air stewardess for MAS. Hahaha!!

For those who are getting married, this may be an idea for you.. Consider the contemporary cards instead of the conventional types. Be creative and make it memorable. Its once in a life time event... :p

*Cheers*

Monday, June 07, 2010

Stop cutting down the trees!!!

I received this funny picture through a forwarded email from a colleague of mine. I find it very funny and meaningful. So, I thought I can share this with all of you. *(^_^)*

See what will happen when the human beings chop down all the trees.

There will be very limited toilets available for the doggies. Poor doggies got to queue-up for their toilets...
Go green! Think before you waste any papers =)
*Cheers*

Sunday, October 11, 2009

The Da Vinci Code

Few months ago, I borrowed "The Da Vinci Code" novel by Dan Brown from my brother's university library. It took me ages to read the book... In the end, I didn't even manage to finish reading it before the due date. The next thing I knew was, my dad bought us the DVD! Hahah! Not only "The Da Vinci Code", he bought "Angels and Demons" too!!

Yesterday, I finally found some time to sit in front of the tv and watch it. Well, not to say I am too busy to watch tv on normal days. I do spend a lot of hours in front of tv daily. However, most of the time we have to tune into the channels that my grandmother likes --> Astro Walaitoi, Channel 311. LOL!

Eventhough this is a very old movie, which was released in year 2006, I still enjoyed the movie a lot! I amazed with how Professor Langdon cracked the codes and removed the clue from the cryptex before destroying it. He's such a genius!! There's lotsa French conversations in between... Thank god there's English subtitles! Or else, I wont be able to understand besides "bonjour"... XD

Anyway, most of my friends advised me to continue reading the book! They say the book is much much better. I think I will grab the book soon... =)

*Cheers*

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Me and my walkie-talkie

I had a few days of nightmare in Genting last week... Don't get me wrong, I didnt encounter any ghost or whatsoever... *touch wood!!!* Well, I was very busy in helping out in my company's convention. I got to check this, check that, confirm this, confirm that... and also to arrange this and that... LOL! So, most of the time, I was running around with my walkie talkie...

You might look cool when holding this walkie (Looks like some tai-lo or tai-kah-jie at work. hehe!). In fact, I find it very heavy and bulky. It is not convenient to bring it everywhere and those people around you will be able to listen to your conversation. This is not so great... However, it saves our phone bill... $$$$$ Kekeke!!! =)

The smallest walkie talkie (on the right) which labelled with "Jac" was mine!! =p
"Jac calling Izz, rodger"

*Cheers*

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Use your Credit Card wisely

1 person can hold more than 1 credit card. Each card could be double or tripple the person's monthly salary. Do we really need so many cards?


Nowadays, we are in this digital world, whereby the usage of e-cash (i.e. credit card and debit card) is very popular. Many of us will use our e-cash to purchase our groceries, petrol, food & beverages, clothes, and even order our goods and services online! The popular online shopping paradise including, Ebay, Amazon and AirAsia

For me, I hardly buy my goods online. However, I will charge my credit card when booking air tickets online. This will eliminate the hassle of withdrawing cash and book the ticket through travel agents. On top of that, I also use my card in the petrol station. Hence, I only need to pay at the pump and do not need to walk to the counter and pay. Hehehe!! Besides saving time, I also can earn extra points! =p Those points allow me to redeem for free petrol voucher!! Consumer yang bijak, kan? kekeke!

Well, according to
The Associations of Banks in Malaysia, only about 30 percent of credit cardholders pay the amount outstanding in full. In other words, most of the credit cardholders only settle their debts partially or only pay for the interest and the minimum amount of the principal outstanding. In this case, I am very proud to be one of the 30% credit cardholders in Malaysia. =p

I believe, we should not spend more than what we can afford. Credit card is merely a tool that gives us convenience in purchasing stuffs and we should think of whether we can afford to pay off the debts in the future. I’m quoting this ABM’s example, a credit cardholder who were to elect only to pay the minimum 5% of the amount outstanding on a RM10,000 balance. With a credit card charging 18 percent per annum, it would take 7 years and 3 months to pay off the amount owed assuming no more charges are added to the card. This is very scary right?

So, I would like to share some tips from the Agensi Kaunselling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), for handling credit cards wisely:
1) Use the credit card as a means of payment and not as a source of long term credit.
2) Keep only one or two cards.
3) Charge only what you can afford to pay back – avoid living beyond your means.
4) Shop around for the best interest rates, annual fees and service fees (there are a few banks offering a “no frills card” at lower interest rates. These cards do not attract the annual and joining fees nor enjoy insurance coverage and/or reward schemes).
5) Pay off the debt each month, or at least pay more than the minimum if one elects to pay in instalments.
6) Avoid withdrawing cash advances as there are charges involved.
7) Remember that a credit card is NOT the same as free money (credit cards must nevertheless be kept in safe custody to prevent theft and fraud).

Additional tips:
So far I know Maybank and CIMB are offering ‘Free for life’ credit cards: (1) Maybank Petronas Visa Card, and (2) CIMB Petronas Master Card. Check them out and save some annual fees=)

*Cheers*

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Tax refund from LHDN

Woohoo... I received a letter from Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri Malaysia (LHDN) this morning. The letter stated that I will be getting my tax refund cheque within 14 days. =) This had proven my colleague wrong! According to her, LHDN will never refund our taxes, which were overpaid. They will only chase after us for the unpaid taxes. I'm gonna inform her about it...

However, I find it funny and what a waste of resources? Why not they just wait for the cheque to be ready and send it to us at one go? Then, we can save the cost of letter printing, envelope, postage fees and even the manpower!

Be environmental friendly. Save resources.

*Cheers*