Good morning World!

Indeed. Good morning. What's so good about the morning?

Well, lots. The sun's up. Been toiling even before the break of dawn. Was working till the wee hours of the morning. Already, communication has broken down. Thankfully, quickly fixed.

What's left to do, now that the sun's rays have broken through the clouds? Follow ups, submissions, waiting for stuff to come in. At least things are moving along quite nicely. If you believe what the newspapers have been reporting, things are looking rosy again. Let's hope we keep the momentum going.

Time to get the next project off the ground. Been brewing in my mind for months. Time to stop thinking and start planning. What's the difference? Like I counseled a friend recently, thinking is pure fluff. No action, no consequences. Planning, well, its simply the opposite. There is action and there will be consequences. Good, bad or downright ugly. At least there will be the fruits of thy labour.

Good morning world!

A Golden Year of the Tiger

Has it been this long? Has it really been 2 years since I last blogged?

Well, its the first day of the Lunar Calendar, and to all ethnic Chinese folks, its the day we took a break and pat ourselves on the back for having survived another year. To those who did well, its to look forward to another bountiful year. For those who were perhaps less satisfied, its to forget the past year and look forward to a new beginning, a new year of hope and opportunity.

Before anything else, I'd like to first wish one and all a Happy New Year! May we roar with gusto and stare into the eye of the Tiger, willing it to deliver good tidings and abundant blessings to us all. Gong Xi Gong Xi!

Now, reflecting on the last year, I must say it was another year of ups and downs. Reading my previous posts about my apprehensions about setting up my business, I gotta say that I am glad I did. Sure, it was no walk in the park. There were days where I really wonder, is it all worth it? What in the world was I thinking! But in spite of all the negatives, there were many a positives I can count as well.

Since its traditionally good luck to say only the good stuff on the first day of the new year, I shall list some of my blessings here.

1. Support of Friends, Family and Loved Ones.
Indeed, I never realised this before. I am blessed. I still am unable to register the fact that I actually have friends whom I can count on. I always thought the opposite was true. It is through their actions, prayers, words, projects... I must say a big thank you. I mean, I would never have come this far without them. I could never made this statement to a potential client last Tuesday if not for the support I got: "I am proud to say that in these 3 years, my team has come far, and I am proud of the track record that we have built up."

2. A good team
I started off the business with a friend. Well, he was a good friend while it lasted. Alas, I am still taken aback by his disappearance. Thankfully, the Lord was kind in giving me a replacement, one as outstanding as any other. Talented, visionary and excellent in his designs. Great chap too. I only wish that my clients realize that the work we deliver is world class. Would you be willing to pay us a little more for top-notch design work? Maybe I need to steel myself a little, to up my rates gradually, and not fear that the clients would vanish if I did so. :) Too sensitive to say much more through this platform. But I hope to report good news in the next New Year message.

All in all, the year started slowly. But gradually, it gained traction. There were days in the first half of the year where all I could ever do was to spend time with the Xbox 360. Then in the closing months of the year, the way things were shaping up, I wondered if my team had time to rest. Between the two extremes, I much prefer the later, I mean, who wouldn't? The challenge now is to maintain the momentum and keep churning out good works. And to put the next plan into action.

Well, Golden Tiger, my friend, I look forward to the challenges you throw my way. Please be kind, won't you. Your earlier brothers, the Ox and the Rat, have given me their best shot. Boy were they mean... took my job, took my car. Isn't it time to pay back what you've taken eh?

Presentation 101

Read this article on BusinessWeek, the Online Version, which gave 1o tips on how to present like Steve Jobs. You can read the article here: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jan2008/sb20080125_269732.htm?campaign_id=rss_topStories

Well, I had to make many a presentation myself over the years, and had to host an event on stage yesterday. Well, some of the tips the writer gave are common sense, and I totally subscribe to. Such as "practice practice practice", or that you had to have a theme, and how not to be Kang Cheong Spider, army lingo for getting flustered when little things go wrong. The rest talks about stylistics and how to capture more attention by using multi-media and having as little text as possible on screen.

I cannot say that I am a pro, but here are my views on what makes a great presenter.

In my opinion, what sets a great one apart from a mediocre, or even a totally bad one, is how one handles nerves, more commonly known as butterflies in one's stomach. Some are born with the gift of having stage presence, some need to force it out of his/her innermost depths, and some, just do not have it, no matter what you do or how hard they try. With that aura, no matter what happens, or doesn't happen, the presenter will have done his job. Even if the audience goes away without anything of value to take back with them, they will go home happy. These would be the best salespersons in the world, just like Steve Jobs. Even if the product was so-so, more likely than not, people will be impressed, and be convinced of whatever little virtue there was on offer.

The other quality a great speaker must have is the ability to think on one's feet, and react quickly in a decisive and convincing manner, and to know when to use the correct humour for the occassion.

There were essentially 2 speakers at the event yesterday, a lady and a gentlemen. What they tried to do was to sell a psychometric tool. They did brilliantly, when they were eschewing their product, and following the slides. But, the lady did one cardinal sin. When asking for questions, and when none came, instead of making a joke, she did a self destruct by saying" I guess my presentation was so lousy that nobody knows what I am speaking about". At that point, I guess it kinda got testy, until her boss butt in and saved the day by changing the subject. I guess, it could have gone very wrong.

A good presenter vs a not-so-good presenter can be discerned in 30 secs. An excellent presenter can be destroyed by 1 wrong word/sentence. So I guess the final virtue is to have the stamina to last the distance, and to be on one's toes from the moment it starts, right till the very end. And its never the end till the last guest has left the room.

Thank you.

A Whole New World

Another year. Another beginning.

Yes, the year 2007 has been an eventful one, to say the very least. Its a year of highs, a year of lows. And that is to put it in mild terms.

Let's see, it was a year that sent me to far flung places, America, Europe, China. Places I never imagined I'd visit when I counted down to this millennium. I achieved much too. Transformed the department, made good connections, and enjoyed a senses of fulfillment, albeit an uneasy one. It was also the year where I travelled more with the Singapore gal than the bus captains. A good year, you'd think. Yes, it certainly was.

Life is all about choices. But I am more inclined to say you lead your life by the choices you make. Good choices are those that you can live with, and bad ones are those you are unable to reconcile with your set of value systems. So, I made the good choice of leaving Great World. I made the good choice of ..... Strange, I cannot think of any more good choices I made in the year.

Bad choices? I guess its a plenty, and I could go on and on and on and on. I shall not delve in them, but what I'll instead is to list my resolutions for the Year of the Mickey Mouse.

Be productive. err, maybe the better word is maybe, have take control of my life.
All this while, I was living in a deluded world, where I thought I was in control of my life. Its become clear to me that, what I have been doing all this while, is to live a life inside a glass bowl. Everything seems so detached, I have had little control over my destiny. Oh well, I have been moving so fast, from one frame to another, that I have lived little of myself, for myself. Its been one hectic journey, and I am weary. What do I really want? *blank* Where do I really want to go? *blank*

In these months where I have been idle, and unproductive, I have had the good fortune to meet a couple of people, who have added new perspectives to my life. Be an entrepreneur. Be my own boss. Maybe that is the way to go. Should I? Should I not? Its certainly a risk worth taking. But, then again, I have this mentality now... have you ever come across the phrase Midas Touch? Well, its this king in ancient folklore, where everything he touches turns to gold. Well, I too have Midas Touch, but on the contrary, whatever gold I touch, will become meaningless. Lets coin a new phrase, shall we? Let's call this the "Special touch of BJ" Well, In order to have any chance of survival, let alone success, I need to snap out of this mindset.

Yes, snap out of BJ. But how do I do that? I guess I need to find peace with myself. Peace with myself. Peace within myself. Peace with all those around me. I have burnt a couple of bridges. And have a few regrets. How can I ever rebuild London Bridge? Will I be able to.... find forgiveness?

The Year of the Rat is the start of a new 12 year cycle. In these 12 years, I have worked non-stop. I have achieved much in my career. I have tasted various degress of success. I too have made blunders, and made bad choices. Well, with this new cycle, there is a whole new world to explore. But one thing is for sure, I will have to continue to make choices, and I will continue to change people's lives. The only difference I hope to make, is to make more good choices and less bad choices, to enhance people's lives, rather than to destroy others', and my own along the way.

'nuff said. Now to put it to action.

Its the final countdown

The end is near. The clock now ticks to a different beat. One less burden to bear on my already tired shoulders.

Its been almost a week since I tendered my resignation. I cannot thank enough all who have supported me through this short stay of time, for their constant guidance and patience, without whom I would surely have wilted even sooner.

I can now heave a sigh of relief. No longer do I need to agonize over my contribution, or the lack of. I can now look forward to a new lease of life.

But, as I anticipate the freedom and free time I will enjoy, I am also apprehensive about the future. I have had no luck in writing my next chapter. I know not what next to do. Sure, I am inspired to perform volunteer work. But, that will not put food on the table. Nor will it to pay for my past sins (read banks). I am now staring doom straight in Doom's eyes. For every cloud, there is a silver lining. Well, thankfully, I do not have any dependents. No wife. no kids. no one to account to. So, damage will be limited to myself. I guess.

I am filled with unbridled pessimism. I have confidence the size of a mustard seed. I now see with crystal clear clarity what a rainy day is. Alas, where is the proverbial umbrella? Oh ya, I forgot to keep one when the sun was shining. Alas, its now simply too late to even spill the milk, let alone crying over it.

Brother John, you're finished. Like a sage once said on national TV... "you're fired!"

At breaking point

I really cannot take it anymore. How? I mean, I know I got no status in the company, and that my tenure is about to be over, but I really think that there is so much to be accomplished. Brand identity is weak. Corporate communications is practically non-existent. Internet leaves much to be desired. I mean.... all my years of experience could be exploited to bring the company to the next level. Alas, they are more interested in corporate governance, kowtowing to the directors, prempting what could go wrong.

Sounds so familiar. Back in the previous company, it was the same case. Exuberant arrogance, thinking that their way is the only way, and thus is the only right way. They are so fearful of going the wrong way, they are practically binding their feet, and shooting it in the process. There is no need for discussion, coz there is always one smart alec who feels that by holding on the fort, the management, and CEO would thus be free from having to make a difficult choice.

I mean, such self deprecating approach to work can only mean one thing, there is no need to have a PR department. As long as you please the customer, and the customer is happy, what need is there for integrated marketing communications? What need is there to have fancy website? They are there only for the customers, and there are only THAT many out there. Why have a proper investor relation strategy? No need, because the parent company owns 81%, and others are so desperate to buy the stock, they are clamoring over each other to accumulate enough, so why bother!

Oh well, that is one reason why I cannot stay here for long. I think they know my ambitions, and they know I will not survive the road blocks. They are a bunch of decent chaps. Its not that I am no good, just that the fit is simply not quite there. That is why I need to go.

Another Week

I "survived" another week. What have I accomplished? What have I done? Well, pretty much nothing. I have no mandate to do what i was employed to do. Living on borrowed time is really quite painful. Knowing that there is much to do, but not being able to do anything is such a torture. The thought of throwing the letter now has crossed my mind, and the urge has been getting ever stronger by the day. But, I know I cannot be rash. I simply need the money.

Like my friend mentioned, given my experience, I should have no lack of offers. Well, in my current state of mind, I really dunno. I mean, I have amassed enough experience to confidently go forth and explore. But therein lies the problem. Confidence is so fragile, it can be easily shattered. Mine has been shattered since I moved into my current seat.

I guess I have moved from being in a position to effect change to a position where I have no room to even make suggestions. Its not like I am an egotistical maniac, just that the company now has a culture that simply shouts for change, but when change is proposed, there are too many possible conflicts that they would eventually revert to the status quo. And I am not even talking about change that would transform, but merely suggestions to make things move in a different manner, for the good of every one concerned. oh well, its not my fight to fight, and to quote my previous director's words, we must pick the fights, the correct fights.

There are 2 certainties now. I will be leaving. I will be leaving by the end of October. In the meantime, i will do my utmost to leave on a good note. I will contribute wherever I can, and leave my mark in this month or so before I do leave.