Referring to http://www.oto.co.id/infootomotif/berita_detail.asp?ContentID=2007052911322902000085
O my, Daimler Chrysler Indonesia (DCI) is selling its C-Class to Blue Bird for use in a taxi fleet. DCI sounds quite positive that the C-Class' luxury car image won't suffer since C-Class sales is not affected in Singapore although the cars are also used as taxi there.
I tend to disagree with DCI's opinion. I feel that the already low sales of Mercedes-Benz C-Class in Indonesia will fall because of this. Nevertheless, it shouldn't affect much though since the sales of C-Class is in the mere few hundreds of cars at most. Indonesians are very conscious of image. 90% of soap operas aired in TV won't talk about rich family's affairs and it always depict the family having certain types of cars, super big houses with golf courses, branded items, and so on. Those soap operas actually sell very well. It shows the dream and/ or of the population on being rich. On the other hand, Singapore's soap operas tend to portray lives of the average family. The focus seems to be different.
Therefore, I don't think DCI needs to be cautious in comparing Singapore's and Indonesia's society. Indonesians who can afford to buy Mercedes-Benz with cash would want to have a car similar to a taxi! However, selling as taxi might actually allow DCI to sell more C-Class? Hehe.. not sure.. I don't have the sales volume.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Fish with leg??
It seems that the pictures above has been chain-forwarded around. It is alleged to be a type of fish with legs!! Imagine the hype it creates. Besides Coelacanth, a "living species" by the virtue of unchanged appearance from its ancient predecessors, which has a resembling of leg at its fin, there is virtually living fish with obvious legs yet found till now. Sorry to say folks, those who gets excited that the pictures above is a fish, that creature IS NOT a fish. Hehe... It is in fact a salamander, called Axolotl, an amphibian from Mexico (http://www.axolotl.org/).
Strangely, Australians and Newzealanders call the salamander, Mexican walking fish. It's anyone guess why it's called so ;-)Well, it's not a fish after all. Haha... it's basically a salamander that maintained its larval form. Probably the easiest way to explain is through the metamorphosis of frog. Tadpoles metamorphoses in phases to become frog. If the metamorphosis stop at a stage where the leg is there but the larval appearance is maintained, well.... the tadpole will look like the Mexican salamander. :P Rather cute actually, this Axolotl, it is kept as Exotic pet although it's listed as endangered :S
Oh by the way, Coelacanth give births to young, not laying eggs as per normal fishes. There is also another queer looking fish, called rabbit fish or rat fish. It has a long tail like rats and a fin resembling a shark although the portion of the fin near the body is bigger than the end forming a "leg" looking fin.
Advertising? Get into the heart
Smart advertising eh? It's when you touch some nerves that the advertisement is effective.
Science and money
Thailand's decision to produce three patented drugs locally has caused one of the hottest arguments about intellectual rights. The pharmaceutical companies talk about their rights to earn a return to their investments in the discovery of the drugs and perhaps, arguably to an extent, the rights of their stakeholders to earn more dividends from the companies' share. While Thailand argues that the government needs to provide affordable drugs to its citizens.
There is only one common issues of those arguments, MONEY. Yes, all are about money. On one side, poor patients (regardless of what they do to contract AIDS or whatsoever), while on the other side, "relatively" poor (arguably) investors and scientists trying to earn more money. I see a vicious cycle of money and the "victims" here.
Science equipments are very expensive (I have experienced in buying some for my laboratories) indeed. However, the huge cost of drug discovery is in paying the scientists behind the discovery. I wonder what the true motive of the scientists in creating the drugs is. Is the motive to help people? Is the motive to somehow strike it rich because of the patents? And how does a scientist value himself when he/ she draws his pay? The key argument is the type of life that the scientist would like to have. Of course if the scientist is willing to live a life unlike Bill Gates and other millionaires/ billionaires, his pay should be relatively a mild point for the pharmaceutical company. Point One.
Arguably again, of course, is the valuation of a pharmaceutical company towards that scientist and its creation. Principle of economics indeed teaches the company to pay the lowest it can to the scientist so it can earn as much as possible. Now, if the pharmaceutical company pays the real value of the drugs by minimizing its profit, the cost of having the drugs would be lower. Point Two.
Another point, what drives an investor besides money and money and money? If investors start to support only the companies with high sense of responsibility to the community, instead of supporting their greed, perhaps more companies would contribute to the community. The cost of the drugs shall be lower since the need to maximize profits for the sake of the stakeholders is inexistent. Point Three.
A responsible human who values his life and steers away from vice, arguably, leads a healthier life and a lower chance to contract deadly disease like AIDS (an example since the case starts with AIDS drugs). Prevention always works better than cure. Reduction of demand eventually reduce the supply and perhaps zero demand may happen leading to zero supply. The choice is there. Point Four.
Therefore, in conclusion, if each human is to value his/ her life and live without greed, perhaps such case of drugs' IP fights can be minimized.
Each cent that you can reduce coming out from your greed will lead a long way.
There is only one common issues of those arguments, MONEY. Yes, all are about money. On one side, poor patients (regardless of what they do to contract AIDS or whatsoever), while on the other side, "relatively" poor (arguably) investors and scientists trying to earn more money. I see a vicious cycle of money and the "victims" here.
Science equipments are very expensive (I have experienced in buying some for my laboratories) indeed. However, the huge cost of drug discovery is in paying the scientists behind the discovery. I wonder what the true motive of the scientists in creating the drugs is. Is the motive to help people? Is the motive to somehow strike it rich because of the patents? And how does a scientist value himself when he/ she draws his pay? The key argument is the type of life that the scientist would like to have. Of course if the scientist is willing to live a life unlike Bill Gates and other millionaires/ billionaires, his pay should be relatively a mild point for the pharmaceutical company. Point One.
Arguably again, of course, is the valuation of a pharmaceutical company towards that scientist and its creation. Principle of economics indeed teaches the company to pay the lowest it can to the scientist so it can earn as much as possible. Now, if the pharmaceutical company pays the real value of the drugs by minimizing its profit, the cost of having the drugs would be lower. Point Two.
Another point, what drives an investor besides money and money and money? If investors start to support only the companies with high sense of responsibility to the community, instead of supporting their greed, perhaps more companies would contribute to the community. The cost of the drugs shall be lower since the need to maximize profits for the sake of the stakeholders is inexistent. Point Three.
A responsible human who values his life and steers away from vice, arguably, leads a healthier life and a lower chance to contract deadly disease like AIDS (an example since the case starts with AIDS drugs). Prevention always works better than cure. Reduction of demand eventually reduce the supply and perhaps zero demand may happen leading to zero supply. The choice is there. Point Four.
Therefore, in conclusion, if each human is to value his/ her life and live without greed, perhaps such case of drugs' IP fights can be minimized.
Each cent that you can reduce coming out from your greed will lead a long way.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Personal branding
Each person always talks and acts according to what one's subconscious mind tells one to. I call it personal branding. In a way, we would like to behave like a certain ideal personality. Therefore, our subconscious mind steers our action towards depicting that personality as ideal as possible. Normally, we don't realize what is happening. Depending on our opinion and/ or view to someone, we would behave in a certain manner in front of that someone while behaving in an opposite manner to another person. Reflect your behaviour towards two persons of dissimilar dominance upon yourself and you'd know how different you are.
I don't think it's bad to behave differently to different persona. I'd call it flexibility. We as social beings always need that flexibility.
I'd like to, however, talk about how one can market themselves using that personal traits. Too often, one sells one ability through tangible goods and services. The subtlety portion of selling "oneself" is rarely undertaken mainly for fear of rejection. However, if one manage to sell one's personality and method of doing things, one shall gain amount of "followers", "admirers", and "haters" in unexplicable manner.
A example of personal branding could be found easily in the field of photography. Let us say one photographer enjoys human photography. That photographer certainly has his own reason why he likes to take pictures of human, either human in action, human in stillness, and so on. When one engages a photographer, the best interaction happens when one is not putting the value to the photo but to the personality of the photographer. It's when one sees through the photographer's self and idealism that the best photo could be produced. Say, that person is buying the idealism of the photographer. Therefore, I'd say a photographer who manages to put to words his passion would enjoy the best customer around and he would be able to produce one-in-a-kind type of photography.
Nowadays, it's not the product and services that count. It's the story that matters and a story that links to the customers is the emotion of that sells.
I don't think it's bad to behave differently to different persona. I'd call it flexibility. We as social beings always need that flexibility.
I'd like to, however, talk about how one can market themselves using that personal traits. Too often, one sells one ability through tangible goods and services. The subtlety portion of selling "oneself" is rarely undertaken mainly for fear of rejection. However, if one manage to sell one's personality and method of doing things, one shall gain amount of "followers", "admirers", and "haters" in unexplicable manner.
A example of personal branding could be found easily in the field of photography. Let us say one photographer enjoys human photography. That photographer certainly has his own reason why he likes to take pictures of human, either human in action, human in stillness, and so on. When one engages a photographer, the best interaction happens when one is not putting the value to the photo but to the personality of the photographer. It's when one sees through the photographer's self and idealism that the best photo could be produced. Say, that person is buying the idealism of the photographer. Therefore, I'd say a photographer who manages to put to words his passion would enjoy the best customer around and he would be able to produce one-in-a-kind type of photography.
Nowadays, it's not the product and services that count. It's the story that matters and a story that links to the customers is the emotion of that sells.
Revolution in fuel technology
Revolution in fuel technology is needed to propel automotive transportation to the next step. Cars has been running on gasoline for far too long. Petrol and diesel engine design has not achieve any significant breakthrough so far. I reckon unless a real significant breakthrough is reached, the increase in fuel efficiency and global warming contribution from fossil fuel burning shall continue to be high.
Future transports are undeniably compact (even mini) with non fossil fuel. There is no way for the world to sustain fossil fuel based transports in 2100. The crunch produced by the overall CO2 contribution to global warming is experienced world wide. Despite the many denials by many countries (big or small), the effects are there. The changes are felt. More and more people are conscious that they contribute to the world's well being. That change of mindset has fueled the growth rate of alternative fuel car sales in US (car like Toyota Prius). However, until now the cars sold commercially mainly utilize a mixture of biofuel and fuel, some runs on bioethanol-fuel mixture. Fossil fuel is still there. Even the argument is bioethanol generates less CO2 in overall is still controversial. It is not easy to formulate an accurate method calculate that.
The real mindset blowing experience could only happen when hydrogen fuel technology, for example, suddenly reach a breakthrough where commercially feasible and safe hydrogen engine could be produced. The world is still waiting for it to happen. Meanwhile, I say reduce your fossil fuel consumption. Start small and accumulate your personal carbon reduction.
Future transports are undeniably compact (even mini) with non fossil fuel. There is no way for the world to sustain fossil fuel based transports in 2100. The crunch produced by the overall CO2 contribution to global warming is experienced world wide. Despite the many denials by many countries (big or small), the effects are there. The changes are felt. More and more people are conscious that they contribute to the world's well being. That change of mindset has fueled the growth rate of alternative fuel car sales in US (car like Toyota Prius). However, until now the cars sold commercially mainly utilize a mixture of biofuel and fuel, some runs on bioethanol-fuel mixture. Fossil fuel is still there. Even the argument is bioethanol generates less CO2 in overall is still controversial. It is not easy to formulate an accurate method calculate that.
The real mindset blowing experience could only happen when hydrogen fuel technology, for example, suddenly reach a breakthrough where commercially feasible and safe hydrogen engine could be produced. The world is still waiting for it to happen. Meanwhile, I say reduce your fossil fuel consumption. Start small and accumulate your personal carbon reduction.
Brain drain
Referring to http://www.antara.co.id/arc/2007/5/27/pembedaan-gaji-bagi-profesional-asing-dan-wni-di-tanah-air-picu-brain-drain/ (sorry, in Bahasa Indonesia), Indonesian students in Australia National University (ANU) lamented the difference in treatment given by companies in Indonesia to local and foreign graduates. Foreigners seem to be paid higher than Indonesians despite having the same skill and qualifications regardless of whether the Indonesians graduate overseas or from local University.
The brain drain phenomenon is fairly common to happen in developing countries. Those countries suffer to make their infrastructure works. No budget of course could much be put into the education. The situation is made worse by the menial political bickering that could easily blow up into non related issues such as race, religion, etc. Other developed countries seem to enjoy these events since it should keep the developing countries as continuously developing.
Even Singapore is having brain drain to a certain degree. Some of its scholars are happily taking up residence and even citizenship overseas, creating war of words (read: thesis) from opponent and proponent. Well, intellectuals like to be challenged. Humans like to be valued. If the value proposition and the environment do not support human development, brain drain naturally runs the course to the perceived better countries. The amount of immigrants (successful and unsuccessful) in US is one clear example. The unreigned freedom in US has enticed so many people to seek for better opportunity there.
Unless developing countries start to invest on their human resources to the fullest, it'd be hard for those countries to progress. Even for resource-rich countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and middle eastern countries, unless capable local human resources are there to utilize those resources effectively, no progress could be foreseen. The adventure of PT. Freeport Indonesia in Papua portion of Indonesia is one example. Papua has been under Indonesia since 1969. It is resources rich both in valuables like metals and species rich ecosystem. However, despite freeport being able to give an individual under the company up to 150,000 USD in 2005, Papua population remains one the most illiterate in Indonesia. Reports (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeport_indonesia, for ease of reference) released by Freeport has shown that it pays Indonesia army to watch over their camps. I'd say this is the direct result of having foreign companies taking over the resource management indirectly. It's not surprising considering the corruptions prevalent in Indonesia.
Well, in short corruption elimination and human resources proper valuation is extremely crucial for development.
The brain drain phenomenon is fairly common to happen in developing countries. Those countries suffer to make their infrastructure works. No budget of course could much be put into the education. The situation is made worse by the menial political bickering that could easily blow up into non related issues such as race, religion, etc. Other developed countries seem to enjoy these events since it should keep the developing countries as continuously developing.
Even Singapore is having brain drain to a certain degree. Some of its scholars are happily taking up residence and even citizenship overseas, creating war of words (read: thesis) from opponent and proponent. Well, intellectuals like to be challenged. Humans like to be valued. If the value proposition and the environment do not support human development, brain drain naturally runs the course to the perceived better countries. The amount of immigrants (successful and unsuccessful) in US is one clear example. The unreigned freedom in US has enticed so many people to seek for better opportunity there.
Unless developing countries start to invest on their human resources to the fullest, it'd be hard for those countries to progress. Even for resource-rich countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and middle eastern countries, unless capable local human resources are there to utilize those resources effectively, no progress could be foreseen. The adventure of PT. Freeport Indonesia in Papua portion of Indonesia is one example. Papua has been under Indonesia since 1969. It is resources rich both in valuables like metals and species rich ecosystem. However, despite freeport being able to give an individual under the company up to 150,000 USD in 2005, Papua population remains one the most illiterate in Indonesia. Reports (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeport_indonesia, for ease of reference) released by Freeport has shown that it pays Indonesia army to watch over their camps. I'd say this is the direct result of having foreign companies taking over the resource management indirectly. It's not surprising considering the corruptions prevalent in Indonesia.
Well, in short corruption elimination and human resources proper valuation is extremely crucial for development.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Self - Part 1
"It's in opening self that we receive others.
It's in opening self that fear floods and self shatters.
It's in opening self that one release oneself from one's possessiveness of oneself."
It's in opening self that fear floods and self shatters.
It's in opening self that one release oneself from one's possessiveness of oneself."
Love - Part 1
"Love is a learning, a journey, never end"
"Love is letting go and letting on"
"It's in the fear of losing that love is born"
"If you fear of losing, grip on to now and hold on tight"
"Love comes but once, it's fleeting, tempting, and yet doubting. Hold on to it cause it won't easily come by again"
"Love is letting go and letting on"
"It's in the fear of losing that love is born"
"If you fear of losing, grip on to now and hold on tight"
"Love comes but once, it's fleeting, tempting, and yet doubting. Hold on to it cause it won't easily come by again"
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Wow, Volkswagen rules in China
Top 10 car sales in China for Januari-April 2007
1 Santana 69.214 Shanghai Volkswagen Co
2 Excelle 62.750 Shanghai General Motors Co
3 Jetta 61.202 FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co
4 Camry 54.123 Guangzhou Toyota Motor Co
5 Xiali 48.421 Tianjin FAW Xiali Automobile Co
6 QQ 46.251 Chery Automobile Co
7 Family 45.352 FAW Haima Automobile Co
8 Accord 42.160 Guangzhou Honda Automobile Co
9 Elantra 41.556 Beijing Hyundai Motor Co
10 Passat 36.865 Shanghai Volkswagen Co
source: http://web.bisnis.com/sektor-riil/transportasi/1id6562.html
Sedan rules there. More young executives have money to buy sedan to impress and increase mobility?
Top 10 car sales in China for Januari-April 2007
1 Santana 69.214 Shanghai Volkswagen Co
2 Excelle 62.750 Shanghai General Motors Co
3 Jetta 61.202 FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co
4 Camry 54.123 Guangzhou Toyota Motor Co
5 Xiali 48.421 Tianjin FAW Xiali Automobile Co
6 QQ 46.251 Chery Automobile Co
7 Family 45.352 FAW Haima Automobile Co
8 Accord 42.160 Guangzhou Honda Automobile Co
9 Elantra 41.556 Beijing Hyundai Motor Co
10 Passat 36.865 Shanghai Volkswagen Co
source: http://web.bisnis.com/sektor-riil/transportasi/1id6562.html
Sedan rules there. More young executives have money to buy sedan to impress and increase mobility?
Routinity and human
Human is a very routine creature, seems so.
Every morning when I took MRT to work, I'd at least see one to two familiar faces. People seem to commute at a particular time with small standard deviation :P
Every morning when I took MRT to work, I'd at least see one to two familiar faces. People seem to commute at a particular time with small standard deviation :P
Managers - Part 1
Managers with bad management ability :
1. Good subordinate with too much free time
2. Good subordinate with too much work - often overtime
3. Bad subordinate with too much free time
4. Bad subordinate with unfinished work
5. Good subordinate with unchallenging work
In short, bad management?
1. Good subordinate with too much free time
2. Good subordinate with too much work - often overtime
3. Bad subordinate with too much free time
4. Bad subordinate with unfinished work
5. Good subordinate with unchallenging work
In short, bad management?
Work/life balance
How difficult is it to balance work and life?? Is it really difficult for a company to formulate a family friendly system?
If a company was to say: hey, today is family life's day, you can leave early provided you finish your work, provided your supervisor allow it to happen.... wow.. doesn't sound family friendly to me.
Yet, to have unfinished work can mean :
1. Slow and unreliable employee
2. Bad management to overburden the employee.
I love Toyota's principle in sharing the work among employee to make sure all have equal burden. Equal burden doesn't mean all has same work burden. It means that everyone is allocated work as one's value demand. Therefore all job finish at the appointed time. Overtime doesn't necessary mean bad employee, it could mean bad employer as well. Go figure...
If a company was to say: hey, today is family life's day, you can leave early provided you finish your work, provided your supervisor allow it to happen.... wow.. doesn't sound family friendly to me.
Yet, to have unfinished work can mean :
1. Slow and unreliable employee
2. Bad management to overburden the employee.
I love Toyota's principle in sharing the work among employee to make sure all have equal burden. Equal burden doesn't mean all has same work burden. It means that everyone is allocated work as one's value demand. Therefore all job finish at the appointed time. Overtime doesn't necessary mean bad employee, it could mean bad employer as well. Go figure...
Balancing your value and chance given by employee
I wonder what does it take to convince an employer to give a junior rank employee, whose responsibility doesn't allow much room to be creative, a chance to prove himself.
The working environment nowadays really relies heavily on the employee to prove themselves. However, hierarchical structure of most companies has created huge pyramid framework such that entry level employee is hardly featured at all. It depends on how "kind" the middle level person then to expose the entry level's added value to the top rank. Sounds a bit heavy handed to me since politics comes into play, often. I wish more tank rank management executives are willing to listen and give challenge to the entry level people. Seems a hard wish considering those directors are busy with their own things. One must really plan and brain drain to plan for methods to show that one's value is higher than expected then.
That's the world today. Truth is that "Patience is the way"
The working environment nowadays really relies heavily on the employee to prove themselves. However, hierarchical structure of most companies has created huge pyramid framework such that entry level employee is hardly featured at all. It depends on how "kind" the middle level person then to expose the entry level's added value to the top rank. Sounds a bit heavy handed to me since politics comes into play, often. I wish more tank rank management executives are willing to listen and give challenge to the entry level people. Seems a hard wish considering those directors are busy with their own things. One must really plan and brain drain to plan for methods to show that one's value is higher than expected then.
That's the world today. Truth is that "Patience is the way"
Flooding thoughts
Maybe it's true that every person has their active timing...
It seems that only at certain times that I can write a lot, at other times, I am as dry as the dessert
But then, what I really wish to do in my life is to be an agent of change, yet often I am not sure how I can do that.
I wish to help the poor but I can't even help myself yet :(
I see so many good disabled musicians. I think it's really possible to set up a good band + vocalist from them. However, I wonder how many people will listen to not-so-good-looking people singing great songs of hope. What about you?
It seems that only at certain times that I can write a lot, at other times, I am as dry as the dessert
But then, what I really wish to do in my life is to be an agent of change, yet often I am not sure how I can do that.
I wish to help the poor but I can't even help myself yet :(
I see so many good disabled musicians. I think it's really possible to set up a good band + vocalist from them. However, I wonder how many people will listen to not-so-good-looking people singing great songs of hope. What about you?
Cutting cost? not so easy... feasible though.. very
For me, cutting cost can be done in 2 methods:
1. Cutting cost, reduced the fixed + variable + bla bla bla cost
2. Makes more profit.
Well, you should be wondering why I put making profit in the cutting cost measure. The bottom line of cutting cost is................ increasing profit right? so.... making more profit in a way, is a cutting cost. Both works for the same goal.
It does seem that normally people think about no. 1 option only in increasing profit. Strange that how people go very far to save on teeny weensy items just to reduce cost. Even in personal life, we scrimp, eat less, spend less on clothes, and so on in order to increase our savings. Rarely does we ever think of making more profit in order to increase savings.
In corporate world, it tends to be hierarchical. Well, it needs to be so if it wants to work. Unfortunately, when cutting cost is done, it uniformly (most likely) affects the bottom rank the most. Therefore, we see laying off here and there. We see the pervasiveness of part time workers for the sake of reducing benefit cost to the company (contract workers are not entitled to paid-leave most of the time and no benefit, no bonus). Rarely did we ever talk about getting the managers to get more projects, perform better and increase profit from their work. Strange huh!?
Say a company of 60 man (small one), having 40 bottom rank people. Not raising their pay by S$200 saves about S$96,000 annually. On the other hand, a manager working harder to seal 2 projects of S$60,000 each with 15% profit margin increases profit by S$18,000 a year. That's with a very conservative profit margin considering that nowadays a profit margin of 50% is entirely feasible. Therefore, 6 managers working harder to seal 2 projects can actually cover the cost cutting measure. Imagine... straining 6 instead of 40 men! Yet.... those high up tend to stress only the bottom rank. I wonder why.
Frankly my dear, those middle managers (in my view) seem to work less than the top and the bottom rank. Since they are at the middle section, their work will tend to rely on the flow from the bottom and the top's approval. Therefore, most have poor time management which should translate to higher cost. I have seen managers dilly dallying at most of the time in the days, churning works slower than the bottom rank (same type of work) and yet not improving the company's profit margin by any bit too often. There should be a way to motivate these managers to improve their productivity, really
1. Cutting cost, reduced the fixed + variable + bla bla bla cost
2. Makes more profit.
Well, you should be wondering why I put making profit in the cutting cost measure. The bottom line of cutting cost is................ increasing profit right? so.... making more profit in a way, is a cutting cost. Both works for the same goal.
It does seem that normally people think about no. 1 option only in increasing profit. Strange that how people go very far to save on teeny weensy items just to reduce cost. Even in personal life, we scrimp, eat less, spend less on clothes, and so on in order to increase our savings. Rarely does we ever think of making more profit in order to increase savings.
In corporate world, it tends to be hierarchical. Well, it needs to be so if it wants to work. Unfortunately, when cutting cost is done, it uniformly (most likely) affects the bottom rank the most. Therefore, we see laying off here and there. We see the pervasiveness of part time workers for the sake of reducing benefit cost to the company (contract workers are not entitled to paid-leave most of the time and no benefit, no bonus). Rarely did we ever talk about getting the managers to get more projects, perform better and increase profit from their work. Strange huh!?
Say a company of 60 man (small one), having 40 bottom rank people. Not raising their pay by S$200 saves about S$96,000 annually. On the other hand, a manager working harder to seal 2 projects of S$60,000 each with 15% profit margin increases profit by S$18,000 a year. That's with a very conservative profit margin considering that nowadays a profit margin of 50% is entirely feasible. Therefore, 6 managers working harder to seal 2 projects can actually cover the cost cutting measure. Imagine... straining 6 instead of 40 men! Yet.... those high up tend to stress only the bottom rank. I wonder why.
Frankly my dear, those middle managers (in my view) seem to work less than the top and the bottom rank. Since they are at the middle section, their work will tend to rely on the flow from the bottom and the top's approval. Therefore, most have poor time management which should translate to higher cost. I have seen managers dilly dallying at most of the time in the days, churning works slower than the bottom rank (same type of work) and yet not improving the company's profit margin by any bit too often. There should be a way to motivate these managers to improve their productivity, really
Be organized
O my, my life is very messy. Time to reorganized. Should take a week or so and everything should be okay.
Folks, when you see your life start to mess up, take a step back and reflect. Get organized. Disorganized life taxes your mental and physical strength to the utmost extreme!!
Folks, when you see your life start to mess up, take a step back and reflect. Get organized. Disorganized life taxes your mental and physical strength to the utmost extreme!!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Type of company - part 1
I wonder when is it started that people are looking for specialized worker. Might be at Toyota's idea. But then, from what I read, Toyota enforces long life training and human development quite well.
Here is what I think happen in some company. In order to bump up the so called productivity, jobs are specialized into a department. Added with slow promotion + low chances to learn something else in that department, the value of the employee will be greatly diminished. A specialized job without variation and urge + effort by the company (and the employee of course) to let the employee develop themselves will create a pine tree type of employee.. thus, a pine tree company. This type of company grows nowhere but 1 single direction. It provides beauty since it might be efficient, but it doesn't provide shelter for anyone. The employee should be able to master the technical skill easily and the departments might be highly efficient. However, once that employee is not there, the entire department might stop to function simply because the job is too specialized and no one else can understand and/or do that person's job. Thus, the inherent risk of specializing.
On the other hand, learning and value adding depends on the employee as well. One must show a great wish to learn. One must also have the progressive thinking mind, being innovative and creative. Process and procedures can always be improved, slowly perhaps, if not, radically. Only when an employee and the company sinergizes that a company can flourish and multiply.
The way out for pine tree type of company is to allow under study and job rotation. Allowing one department's staff to under study under other department's staff would break the specializing barrier without compromising the technical specialties. The study should be limited to the specific purpose of improving inter-department communication and understanding how to perform the basic function of other department. Such attempt would then allow higher understanding and inter-department communication allowing simple task to be redirected and perhaps, to enable employee grooming. It'd ease the talent spotting and perhaps spur the slow "talent manifesting" employee to add value to oneself and perform well above expectations.
Here is what I think happen in some company. In order to bump up the so called productivity, jobs are specialized into a department. Added with slow promotion + low chances to learn something else in that department, the value of the employee will be greatly diminished. A specialized job without variation and urge + effort by the company (and the employee of course) to let the employee develop themselves will create a pine tree type of employee.. thus, a pine tree company. This type of company grows nowhere but 1 single direction. It provides beauty since it might be efficient, but it doesn't provide shelter for anyone. The employee should be able to master the technical skill easily and the departments might be highly efficient. However, once that employee is not there, the entire department might stop to function simply because the job is too specialized and no one else can understand and/or do that person's job. Thus, the inherent risk of specializing.
On the other hand, learning and value adding depends on the employee as well. One must show a great wish to learn. One must also have the progressive thinking mind, being innovative and creative. Process and procedures can always be improved, slowly perhaps, if not, radically. Only when an employee and the company sinergizes that a company can flourish and multiply.
The way out for pine tree type of company is to allow under study and job rotation. Allowing one department's staff to under study under other department's staff would break the specializing barrier without compromising the technical specialties. The study should be limited to the specific purpose of improving inter-department communication and understanding how to perform the basic function of other department. Such attempt would then allow higher understanding and inter-department communication allowing simple task to be redirected and perhaps, to enable employee grooming. It'd ease the talent spotting and perhaps spur the slow "talent manifesting" employee to add value to oneself and perform well above expectations.
Start working with care
Finally, a time to write something. A bit of warning that is.
Foreigners, be aware that you'd need a valid employment pass before you should start working full time in Singapore. Note that if you are without an employment pass, it's illegal for you to start working and if you do so, you might be deported.
If you came on social visit pass, applied and got the job. Then it happens that the company suddenly asked you to work within few days. Remember to gently remind the company that you are to have an employment pass BEFORE you should even touch a finger on that company's computer. You have no right to be paid by that company if you are to work before you have any working pass, valid one. The company can freely work your arses hard for free.
Rest assured, it's really easy to get an employment pass, as long as you have the skill and the company sign the valid application form for you. You just need to submit the application to Ministry of Manpower (MoM). The pass should be ready within a few days.
Please remember that training IS also a form of employment. Don't get cheated and read your contract carefully.
There should be a lot of people out there who is looking to exploit the naive foreigners who really want to work in the "safe haven" of Singapore.
Foreigners, be aware that you'd need a valid employment pass before you should start working full time in Singapore. Note that if you are without an employment pass, it's illegal for you to start working and if you do so, you might be deported.
If you came on social visit pass, applied and got the job. Then it happens that the company suddenly asked you to work within few days. Remember to gently remind the company that you are to have an employment pass BEFORE you should even touch a finger on that company's computer. You have no right to be paid by that company if you are to work before you have any working pass, valid one. The company can freely work your arses hard for free.
Rest assured, it's really easy to get an employment pass, as long as you have the skill and the company sign the valid application form for you. You just need to submit the application to Ministry of Manpower (MoM). The pass should be ready within a few days.
Please remember that training IS also a form of employment. Don't get cheated and read your contract carefully.
There should be a lot of people out there who is looking to exploit the naive foreigners who really want to work in the "safe haven" of Singapore.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Bonus last year?
I read with interest the front page of Today's newspaper on 9 May 2007. It wrote that PM Lee talked about the booming economy of Singapore. He apparently questioned a unionist about the amount of bonus that man had last year. The unionist was said to reply happily that his bonus is SEVEN months. O my.. I wonder why did my friends told me that their bonuses range between 1/2 month to 3 months at the most. I'd love to know where that unionist work at and what his position is so that I can move to that company. I have known some companies which do not even paid 13th month and have no bonus last year.
Ah well, statistics is such that you'd always look at the so called majority and forget the minority. Such is the world. I just hope people with big bonuses don't forget those poor old and homeless men/women living in Bugis and Chinatow. Btw, if you think that no poor people exist in Singapore, contact me and I'd bring you to see some of them :P
Ah well, statistics is such that you'd always look at the so called majority and forget the minority. Such is the world. I just hope people with big bonuses don't forget those poor old and homeless men/women living in Bugis and Chinatow. Btw, if you think that no poor people exist in Singapore, contact me and I'd bring you to see some of them :P
Talent and its inherent value
There has been many reports on talent fleeing the respective countries and that there are labour shortage everywhere. Earlier, all those news do not really make sense until I try to put in the value of a talent into someone and gauge his willingness to stay at his/her current pay. In Indonesia at least, it seems that the labour shortage is not going anywhere but up. A fresh computer science graduates skillful in Java, in fact, is paid for 2.5 mil Rp, equivalent to roughly 500 Singapore dollars a month! That's already above average. While, in Singapore, one with similar skill level can expect a pay of 2,500 Singapore dollar a month or even far more. Using Big Mac Index to measure, it'd be really easy to measure how easy it is for talents to run out of Indonesia. Currently, a Big Mac meal costs S$5 to S$6 in Indonesia, which is the same as in Singapore. A pay of S$500 (Rp. 2.5 million) can only purchase 100 burgers (assuming lowest cost). On the other hand, one working in Singapore with S$2,500 can have 416 burgers, 4 times of the Indonesian counterpart!
To add into the argument, a cost of an average bunk (a room without bed and furniture, of 3 m x 3 m) is 500k Rp in Jakarta while one could get a very nice furnished room for <>
To add into the argument, a cost of an average bunk (a room without bed and furniture, of 3 m x 3 m) is 500k Rp in Jakarta while one could get a very nice furnished room for <>
Toyota and Indonesia
So, Toyota has the following guiding principles (according to The Toyota Way by Jeffrey K. Liker):
1. Honor the language and spirit of the law of every nation and undertake open and fair corporate activities to be a good corporate citizen of the world.
2. Respect the culture and customs of every nation and contribute to economic and social development through corporate activities in the communities.
3. Dedicate ourselves to providing clean and safe products and to enhancing the quality of life everywhere through all our activities.
4. Create and develop advanced technologies and provide outstanding products and services that fulfill the needs of customers worldwide.
5. Foster a corporate culture that enhances individual creativity and teamwork value, while honoring mutual trust and respect between labor and management.
6. Pursue growth in harmony with the global community through innovative management.
7. Work with business partners in research and creation to achieve stable, long-term growth and mutual benefits, while keeping ourselves open to new partnerships.
Wow... really, honestly, I am amazed by the principles. It really looks like the ideal corporate principles. THOSE ARE HOW CORPORATE WORLD COULD BRING THE WORLD OUT OF POVERTY. It seems like a way that could educate Indonesian to reach an at least respectable manufacturing lines. On the other hand, it makes me wonder. Considering point 3 of the guiding principle and the fact that Toyota Prius is the much talked hybrid and future car by Toyota, I can't help to wonder why is Toyota still producing car with only Euro II compliance car instead of Euro IV?
Euro II is applied in 1996 and was replaced by Euro III standard in 2000 before then Euro IV was proposed in 2005. Now, where does the "clean and safe" part of the principle goes to in Indonesia? Admittedly, Indonesia is really slow about environmental related issue (as of India, China, Malaysia, etc for the fact), but with its guiding principles, Toyota seems to be well positioned to take the lead in ALL countries not just in US with their Toyota Prius. Toyota should really show Indonesians that being environmental friendly actually translates to lower cost in the future. Longer term prospect! Come on, Toyota, show and apply your guiding principles in Indonesia. Help the community to change!!!
1. Honor the language and spirit of the law of every nation and undertake open and fair corporate activities to be a good corporate citizen of the world.
2. Respect the culture and customs of every nation and contribute to economic and social development through corporate activities in the communities.
3. Dedicate ourselves to providing clean and safe products and to enhancing the quality of life everywhere through all our activities.
4. Create and develop advanced technologies and provide outstanding products and services that fulfill the needs of customers worldwide.
5. Foster a corporate culture that enhances individual creativity and teamwork value, while honoring mutual trust and respect between labor and management.
6. Pursue growth in harmony with the global community through innovative management.
7. Work with business partners in research and creation to achieve stable, long-term growth and mutual benefits, while keeping ourselves open to new partnerships.
Wow... really, honestly, I am amazed by the principles. It really looks like the ideal corporate principles. THOSE ARE HOW CORPORATE WORLD COULD BRING THE WORLD OUT OF POVERTY. It seems like a way that could educate Indonesian to reach an at least respectable manufacturing lines. On the other hand, it makes me wonder. Considering point 3 of the guiding principle and the fact that Toyota Prius is the much talked hybrid and future car by Toyota, I can't help to wonder why is Toyota still producing car with only Euro II compliance car instead of Euro IV?
Euro II is applied in 1996 and was replaced by Euro III standard in 2000 before then Euro IV was proposed in 2005. Now, where does the "clean and safe" part of the principle goes to in Indonesia? Admittedly, Indonesia is really slow about environmental related issue (as of India, China, Malaysia, etc for the fact), but with its guiding principles, Toyota seems to be well positioned to take the lead in ALL countries not just in US with their Toyota Prius. Toyota should really show Indonesians that being environmental friendly actually translates to lower cost in the future. Longer term prospect! Come on, Toyota, show and apply your guiding principles in Indonesia. Help the community to change!!!
Monday, May 7, 2007
Qantas oh Qantas
I recall that there has been quite a number of news on some companies trying to acquire Qantas. None of them are successful so far. Not much news I know about this, will try to find and fill up more when I have time haha...
Expansion
Ascendas has just started its F&B business few days ago and today's newspaper reported the company buying a logistic center in South Korea. It seems that the company is being aggressive lately. It might not be a surprise for us to read another Ascendas expansion in 1-2 weeks time. Might stop at 3? Who knows..
F&B business should be able to make it big in Singapore. Well, Singapore residents tend to love food very much and Singapore has quite a stringent control on food which works well for an exporting company (if they export to developed countries, of course). Singapore Food Industries is an example how Singapore-based food industry can be successful. Its product is sold in Europe and Middle East, those are what I know anyway.
Logistics is the A-word of today's business. The globalization and ease of link between countries translate into a clear need of proper and effective + efficient logistics. The logistics center can also serve the other Ascendas businesses well.
Amazing hehe.. good move, I reckon
F&B business should be able to make it big in Singapore. Well, Singapore residents tend to love food very much and Singapore has quite a stringent control on food which works well for an exporting company (if they export to developed countries, of course). Singapore Food Industries is an example how Singapore-based food industry can be successful. Its product is sold in Europe and Middle East, those are what I know anyway.
Logistics is the A-word of today's business. The globalization and ease of link between countries translate into a clear need of proper and effective + efficient logistics. The logistics center can also serve the other Ascendas businesses well.
Amazing hehe.. good move, I reckon
Saleswoman/man
I wonder whether saleswomen generally dresses up nicely, tries to walk gracefully, puts on make up, and carry 2 bags. One A4 size office bags for catalogues, stationeries, and purchasing notes; and another "shopping bag" big enough to carry make up equipments, purse, etc etc. Salesmen might carry just one A4 size bag containing catalogues, purchasing notes, and stationeris. They tend to dress nicely as well.
Might lean on stereotyping. hehe.. but those things might be what it takes to be salesmen/women in terms of appearance and work demand. Well, admittedly people like to see man/woman who is smart dresser and show confidence + professionalism. What those people do is simply their attempt to be such.
Might lean on stereotyping. hehe.. but those things might be what it takes to be salesmen/women in terms of appearance and work demand. Well, admittedly people like to see man/woman who is smart dresser and show confidence + professionalism. What those people do is simply their attempt to be such.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Going up steadily? not really.... it's skyrocketting
China auto market is still growing at a super rate. Its the second largest auto market in the world after US last year. The calculation included 160,000 imports unit though. If those cars are excluded, Japan is ahead. Considering the already saturated auto market in Japan and the low automotive penetration in China, China is set to clearly overtake Japan this year even after imports are included. It's not a small wonder to expect China to jump ahead US in 3-6 years time. After all, US has reached the full maturity of its automotive penetration. After all, China is at the bottom of the world in terms of car penetration, about 1.14 per 100 households. The highest penetration is reported at Shenzhen, a "huge" 18.5 units per 100 households (http://english.people.com.cn/200208/02/eng20020802_100799.shtml)
In 2006, local indigenous brand sedans is reported to have 25.7% of market share. Local share of commercial vehicle in terms of buses and trucks has been hovering around 95%, for the past 3 years (http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=14000). The sedan share might be able to increase by ~5% this year owing to the launch of new models from the local brands and the increase in product quality. After a period of design copying, close to design infringement, the local brands are using more and more local content and design in their cars. The design is further apart from what it's originally copied and more creative and original designs have surfaced. Coupled with increasing quality as Chinese brands push for overseas market (even US), it's not far fetched to expect more Chinese brand to be displayed in cars around the world.
Auto Shanghai 2007 can be used an indicator of China's gaining prominence in auto industry. The show features 1,300 participants from 21 countries, providing a show are aof 140,000 square-meter. Local brands (inclusive of foreign join-ventures) put up 69,5% of the 1133 units displayed. The show recorded 500,000 visitors from 108 countries!!! (http://www.mobilku.com/). Even BMW and GM chairman won't want to keep away from the press day, including Vice Chairman of Toyota Motor Group and Executive VP of VW Group. Surely, it's not hard to imagine more high profile auto personnels and more cars to be featured in the same show next year.
It might be wise for China automaker to apply Toyota Way and look real carefully on their design and quality before they take the world seriously. Auto quality is not something that anyone can bluff themselves with. One mistake and low quality car marketed anywhere in Europe or US can easily spin China brand off course and never be even side-glanced any more. After all, a car does cost a lot and noone would ever want to take too much risk with high end items. Perhaps Lexus introduction method in US can be learned at apply. It's not a good idea to ignore GM and Ford mistake in mass production with relatively quality in the past. Thank God they have learned. GM's chevy does seem to have nice grills nowadays.
In 2006, local indigenous brand sedans is reported to have 25.7% of market share. Local share of commercial vehicle in terms of buses and trucks has been hovering around 95%, for the past 3 years (http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=14000). The sedan share might be able to increase by ~5% this year owing to the launch of new models from the local brands and the increase in product quality. After a period of design copying, close to design infringement, the local brands are using more and more local content and design in their cars. The design is further apart from what it's originally copied and more creative and original designs have surfaced. Coupled with increasing quality as Chinese brands push for overseas market (even US), it's not far fetched to expect more Chinese brand to be displayed in cars around the world.
Auto Shanghai 2007 can be used an indicator of China's gaining prominence in auto industry. The show features 1,300 participants from 21 countries, providing a show are aof 140,000 square-meter. Local brands (inclusive of foreign join-ventures) put up 69,5% of the 1133 units displayed. The show recorded 500,000 visitors from 108 countries!!! (http://www.mobilku.com/). Even BMW and GM chairman won't want to keep away from the press day, including Vice Chairman of Toyota Motor Group and Executive VP of VW Group. Surely, it's not hard to imagine more high profile auto personnels and more cars to be featured in the same show next year.
It might be wise for China automaker to apply Toyota Way and look real carefully on their design and quality before they take the world seriously. Auto quality is not something that anyone can bluff themselves with. One mistake and low quality car marketed anywhere in Europe or US can easily spin China brand off course and never be even side-glanced any more. After all, a car does cost a lot and noone would ever want to take too much risk with high end items. Perhaps Lexus introduction method in US can be learned at apply. It's not a good idea to ignore GM and Ford mistake in mass production with relatively quality in the past. Thank God they have learned. GM's chevy does seem to have nice grills nowadays.
Time to praise - Part 1
Yeah yeah, time to lavish some praise to Singapore.
1. Wherever you go, you'd see people queuing. It's a norm! Most of the events are automatically audience-regulated by the automated queue.
2. Park your car unlock in the sideways. It's gonna be still there even after a week. If you don't dare, try do it with bicycle first. Numero uno safety.
3. Cross in the zebra cross. No sane driver will touch you. They will stop for you when they saw you are nearing the crossing.
4. Be a talented and winning sportsman. You'd be uber rich. The government pays very well for the sportsman/woman. Perhaps the highest pay in the entire earth? Maybe..
1. Wherever you go, you'd see people queuing. It's a norm! Most of the events are automatically audience-regulated by the automated queue.
2. Park your car unlock in the sideways. It's gonna be still there even after a week. If you don't dare, try do it with bicycle first. Numero uno safety.
3. Cross in the zebra cross. No sane driver will touch you. They will stop for you when they saw you are nearing the crossing.
4. Be a talented and winning sportsman. You'd be uber rich. The government pays very well for the sportsman/woman. Perhaps the highest pay in the entire earth? Maybe..
Things I wonder about...
1. Lift which smell of cigarette's smoke so thick you can't breathe. I wonder how the smoker could breathe when he smokes and why he never thinks about other lift users.............
2. Lift which smell of urine. I wonder why there is no public toilet in the HDB to prevent people from urinating in the lift.......
3. Crowds in the MRT (railway) who think that the people in front of him is not going to get down in the incoming station. Some people keep saying "excuse me" with their pronunciation of "skius me" to the person in front of him with the hope that the person will step aside. They saying that although the station is not yet even in sight and the subway is so packed toe to toe. Often, that person they hope to move aside is actually also stopping at the same station. Simply amazing....
2. Lift which smell of urine. I wonder why there is no public toilet in the HDB to prevent people from urinating in the lift.......
3. Crowds in the MRT (railway) who think that the people in front of him is not going to get down in the incoming station. Some people keep saying "excuse me" with their pronunciation of "skius me" to the person in front of him with the hope that the person will step aside. They saying that although the station is not yet even in sight and the subway is so packed toe to toe. Often, that person they hope to move aside is actually also stopping at the same station. Simply amazing....
How to enjoy life - Part 1
Here's the things we could do to enjoy life to the fullest, my opinion:
1. Walk with your normal pace and listen. Relax and listen to the sound of your surroundings, savour in the feelings of your surroundings, feel the bright sun or shining moon, the light breeze, the sounds of the people talking, whatever, feel alive! The best place to do this of course is a park or some place with small animals, safe place of course.
2. Take a cup of hot coffee, the fullest flavour you love. Get your music player and play some soft jazz music. Sit down to a soft sofa and sip your coffee, enjoy the music.... heavenly...
3. Lock your door. Turn on dance music (whatever the music type is). Dance to your heart content. Make those move you'll never show the public. Twist, turn, shake, whatever.. release your thoughts, dance, dance, dance.... Lavish the freeedommmmmmmmmmmmm........... just be considerate not to disturb your neighbour with your music volume though.
1. Walk with your normal pace and listen. Relax and listen to the sound of your surroundings, savour in the feelings of your surroundings, feel the bright sun or shining moon, the light breeze, the sounds of the people talking, whatever, feel alive! The best place to do this of course is a park or some place with small animals, safe place of course.
2. Take a cup of hot coffee, the fullest flavour you love. Get your music player and play some soft jazz music. Sit down to a soft sofa and sip your coffee, enjoy the music.... heavenly...
3. Lock your door. Turn on dance music (whatever the music type is). Dance to your heart content. Make those move you'll never show the public. Twist, turn, shake, whatever.. release your thoughts, dance, dance, dance.... Lavish the freeedommmmmmmmmmmmm........... just be considerate not to disturb your neighbour with your music volume though.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)