Procrastination is Opportunity’s Assassin December 9, 2012 bizadmin I know of a friend who wanted to pursue a PhD Programme in National University of Singapore (NUS) in the Arts Faculty. But due to work commitment and lackadaisical attitude and procrastination, the programme was finally called off and no longer offered by NUS. Such a waste and missed opportunity. Not only that, you don’t have to pay; Besides, she will also get a stipend of S$1,500 per month working as a research assistant to fund her studies. This is a classic case of ‘Procrastination is Opportunity’s Assassin’. I am also in the midst of writing a book with 26 pages of manuscript which is yet to be submitted. For this first venture of book authoring, I have to keep reminding myself not to procrastinate and get the job done as soon as possible. I will only write when in the mood so that my writings will flow with my thoughts. But then again, I keep putting off the ‘mood’ to write to pursue my other hobbies like reading the newspapers and magazines. If there is no pain, then there is no gain. Hence, I need to get myself in sync with my brain to continue writing until the manuscript is accepted and published. I have read many books by local authors and as well as foreign ones. There is cash to be made with published books and the work in write once, earn forever – provided the theme and contents of the book are evergreen topics; those that will never get out of fashion, but be in constant demand.
Follow the Habits of the Ant December 5, 2012 bizadmin The ant is small in size but is a very diligent creature. It will continue to work and work and store up food for winter. Unlike the grasshopper which sings and play all summer, it will definitely go hungry when winter comes. From the book of Proverbs, we have been exhorted to be like the ant, working and storing up for rainy days. When it applies to humans, this means working and saving up for our retirement and old age. During our golden years, hopefully and not woeful years, we should be working and taking every opportunity to save up as much as we can for our twilight years in time to come. Nobody can escape the cause and effects of aging when our bones become brittle, sickness sets in and lost of strength of youth. It is inevitable and everybody will go through this process of growing old and aging. Hence, in our productive years, we should be working hard and saving as much as we can while we are healthy and mobile;. With a mind that is still alert, we should fully utilize it functions for a more prosperous and happy life, with more than enough to tide us through a lifetime. For those with children, you might like to leave some money for your kids, so that they will not have to beg in the streets like vagabonds. They will be well provided for and will not go hungry. God will take care of His children so that they will not go hungry and do not have to beg in the streets. Just like the birds in the air and the flowers of the ground, they are clothed and fed by the Almighty God. This is the nature of living things. The book of Proverbs tells us to work hard with our hands so that we do not go hungry when winter comes. We ought to be diligent and not be slothful. Just follow God’s wisdom and we will never go wrong. God’s kind of success is real, lasting success. Not intermittent success or temporary success.
Contemplating a Franchise Business November 17, 2012 bizadmin Some months back, I was contemplating a sandwich franchise business in Malaysia. The renovation cost comes to about $400,000.00 and this does not include the kitchen ovens, tools and utensils. Moreover, you have to pay 10% franchisee fees for every meal bought by patrons. Although it is the world’s biggest food franchisor in the world due to its low start up capital at $45,000.00, we decided to shelve the idea because too much is at stake. We have the finances, but not the time to dedicate this business full time and concentrate on it 100%. It is like a marriage. You need to put in 100% effort and commitment to see it through to success. As we are currently in the sports business, we cannot allocate more of our commitment and concentration to be diluted to the food franchise business. The issue is that we cannot be everywhere attending to different businesses. It is not good to be Jack of all trades but master of none. If we commit to a business, say sports, then we need to have targeted laser concentration on the said business. Don’t try to do everything and branch into different types of businesses where you cannot possibly concentrate fully. This sandwich franchise business is sprouting everywhere all over the country. It is a very popular brand and easy to clean up, since no cutleries are required, other than paper wrappings that can be thrown away easily. Hence, cleaning up after a meal is easy peasy – as opposed to dining in Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets where the bones, skin and what not have to be removed and table wiped clean.
Happy Deepavali to my Readers November 13, 2012 bizadmin KLCC Kolam Happy Deepavali to all my Indian readers here! The kolam above was taken in KLCC Suria at the ground floor recently, during my stay at Mandarin Oriental Hotel for business. The theme is peacock and you can see the designs similar to the peacock feathers. Peacocks are significant creatures during Deepavali. Most of the kolam theme is based on this magnificent bird. Mandarin Oriental Kolam The kolam above was taken at the lobby of Mandarin Oriental Hotel recently. Here is to wishing a festivity of light and success to all, especially the Indians of this nation. Malaysia is a kaleidoscope of cultures of Chinese, Indians and Malays. It is rich in heritage brought down by our forefathers. This tradition has continue for more generations down the line. Holiday Villa Subang Kolam This splendid kolam was shot at Holiday Villa Subang hotel during our project visit there. We have existing business project here and while waiting for my colleague, I decided to take the liberty to snap this amazing photo of the peacock kolam. There is a styrofoam design of the life size peacock on this beautiful structure. Enjoy your holidays and merry feasting! I am going to E & O hotel later to have buffet dinner at Sarkies Corner.
Blue Ocean Strategy November 11, 2012 bizadmin In blue ocean, there are plenty of fishes and there is no competition, unlike red ocean where competition is very fierce. So, when we do business, we have to pick a niche where there is plenty for everyone and hardly any competition around as in the blue ocean. However, in any prospering business, competition may come from your own workers who have learnt the tricks of the trade, come out and compete directly with you, sometimes even taking along your former clients and contacts. It happens everywhere. However, this can be prevented with discerning boss who knows how to take precaution and keep secrets away from workers. You cannot trust them completely! Sooner or later, they will still come out and join venture with other workers to compete with your business. To maintain the blue ocean strategy, it would be wise to hire a separate worker to handle all the imports and contacts from suppliers and keep this a top secret from your installers who are the biggest threat. If you are in the supplier material business, it would be advisable to remove the source contacts and emails of the labels on the products. At times, competitors may pose as a potential client to check out your products and ask for samples. This is where a wise boss will try to remove all information of the source of material from the samples so that your competitor or whoever contacted you will not be able to contact your source directly and compete fiercely with you. It happens every where, and you cannot presume that the email origin is from a genuine client, but could potentially be from your competitor, out to check and try to benchmark you.
At Mandarin Oriental November 10, 2012 bizadmin I am now at Mandarin Oriental for 1 night. Will meet up with a client later this morning and also took some pictures of scenic kolam, since Deepavali is just around the corner. Business is fine so far but it can still be improved with more drivers in our team of workers. Right now, we are short of drivers to bring the workers all over Kuala Lumpur for the different projects. A night at Mandarin Oriental is $1,200, but with the Elite membership with discount vouchers, we pay $696 net with taxes total. It is just next door to KLCC where I had dinner and lunch. KLCC is the premier shopping centre right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur that carries branded labels like Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Tods, Prada, and so much more. What I like about Mandarin Oriental is its exclusivity and prestige. It also has very cosy bed and furnishings. You will be given complimentary cookies, plain milk and a bar of chocolate sprinkled with dried fruits like peaches, raisin, orange peels, nuts, cherries and such. There is also the welcome basket of fruits to whet your appetite for main course dinner downstairs on the second floor, at a Chinese restaurant. The japanese restaurant is located on the basement, beside the car park. As members of the Elite club, you get complimentary meal for 2 at Wasabi Restaurant, the only Japanese restaurant in Mandarin Oriental. I think, I shall renew the membership for next year.