ONCE...The obstacle in Our Path

Received this from a friend (one of the 5 stories that he sent). I chose this one as it brought smile to my face...made me realize about the opportunity (hikmah) behind the obstacles that I'm having now. Thank you God !

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!.

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition !

ONCE...office reform (3)

The presentation went well. My wife SMS "why felt so bad ?"...wonder how does she knows that i just posted ? Anyway, hope the project will turnout good next year.

Progress report! Not much that I can put it here and I realized why. I didn't get the progress report from TM. And for last week, only AD#2 sent the updated report on Friday. The rest..? Only on the 13th when I asked the TM to get everybody to send. From my notes, this week was spent on the pre-strategic meeting for technical dept. Lots of ideas, issues & concerns discussed, and few suggestions will be made on 29th (Strategic Planning). TM was given 3 hours slot as well as the BDM. MGS has kicked-off yesterday, all the developers have their assignment (except for Prg001).

Just now, Prg001 back in action! But to his surprise...the software that was working on that terminal last week, is no longer working ?!!! And unfortunately, he lost faith already (he's only 55% recover from the downturn). I think he will head back to his house (meet his wife) to regain and recollect the other 45% (hopefully!).

As I was just thinking that my plate is empty...then i realized...there's alot of things...and i'm hardly finding the time to finish it...have to get it over with during this holiday.

ONCE...disturbed :(

I really don't like the condition I'm having now...low, down, lazy, demotivated, dissappointed, frustrated, crazy, stupid, negative, unambitious...

Don't know how to express my feelings, where to express it, who to share to , when to release it, how to say about it, and worst ! how to deal with it?! how to handle it?! how to manage it?! how to cure it?! how to decide for it ?! how to decide on it ?! what to decide on it ?! who to help me ?! who would listen ?! is listening all i need ?! what do i need ?!!!

"Ya Allah, apakah makna ujian mu ini ? Apakah hikmah ujian mu ini ? Mengapa ku rasakan begitu berat cubaan Kau kali ini ya Allah ? Mengapakah simpang yg terbentang begitu sulit utk diputuskan ? Jalan manakah yg perlu aku pilih ? Atau apakah itu sahaja jalannya ? Berilah aku petunjuk ya Allah ! Berilah aku kekuatan untuk menghadapi ujianMu ini."

Atau apakah aku yg terlalu beremosi..? Whatever it is, i need to buckle-up fast ! Presentation in half an hour, I better...(how...?!!!!)

ONCE...office reform (2)

(Sigh) I've missed last week's progress report. Busy with the CBAS proposal. Since tomorrow is my next progress report, i'll post-it for 2 weeks instead.

Currently, gearing for the coming Strategic Planning. Supposed to be today, but postponed to 28th. But later my 'favourite devil advocates' has time-limit, and i'm not going to take any chance in allowing it to happen (huahuahua..!). So, postponed it to 29th ! During the Mgr's Pre-strategic Planning Meeting, i was given a slot (an hour). Thought just wanna do some exercise (mine would be end of day, at 5 pm)...u know the one like "Hands-up ! Hands-down ! Hands-up ! Hands-down !", till LC suggested i share the Branding strategy knowledge (the one that i attend early Dec). Guess, wanna include also the Hedgehog Concept from Good to Great, or the Flywheel and the Doom loop. Or perhaps, about Good to Great ?! Well, there's 7 days to go ! Let see how it goes...

ONCE...Leadership in Crisis Management

It's the first Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad Lecture Series by UNITEN. It'll be an annual program but not necessarily Tun will be speaking. Just the series bares his name. Tun's lecture was very enlightening, resourceful and practical as it comes from his very own experiences especially in managing Financial Crisis 1997-98. Among the best part was, his "unpublished remarks" on the culprits (read: George Soros and COLB).

First, Tun defines that Leaders must:

   1. Have vast knowledge
   2. Able to think
   3. Able to calculate the risk on its own
   4. Able to decide

Tun also defines that "Leaders is someone who is able to decide on bitter path. If someone who claim the leadership position, but just follow the path set before, he is not a leader. He is a follower. Leaders must be able to decide, even if it is a bitter path." I tried to read between the line if he tried to mention someone..but then I take it as general.

During crisis, Tun explained that Leaders must:

   1. Able to identify the crisis - always examine the data, in detail to get the pattern so that able to predict or forecast any potential crisis coming. Studying the graph and charts !
   2. Study in detail about the crisis - why it happen ? who's behind it ? what is the impact currently ? what would be the impact later ? what are the options to solve it ? etc...In great detail !
   3. Use his/her knowledge and experiences to gauge each data to analyse and to decide on the best solution
   4. There is NO PERFECT DECISION ! Every decision made will have its pro's and con's. Whatever it is, decision has to be made ! Fast !!! Leaders can't wait for a perfect solution because there won't be any.

There's a question from the floor asking his experiences in "bad decision" as what he had shared with us are mostly (all actually) "good decision". Tun said "I regret saying I also make some bad decision" that made the hall full with laughter. Of course, we can't really recall our bad decision because when we analyse our own performance, normally the good results or decisions pop-up. "I'm a good person so I guess I'm doing okey". Tun continued with some people did claim his decision as "bad decision" for the mega-projects such as Penang Bridge, KLCC, Putrajaya and PLUS. For this "...maybe we are doing okey without Putrajaya. Without komuter we are okey, just that we don't travel. Tourist don't need to come here to strain their neck to see that tall building, we also don't need to strain our neck. But then, they do come here to strain their neck. Perhaps, we don't need North-South highway, so people don't go back for Raya and there will be less accident". Master or Sarcastism !!! And I've been referred to be one as well...and I'm no longer feel embarrased since I know Tun is the Master ! And again, Tun's remark got full laughter from the floor.

A guy asked Tun whether he could persuade Tun Tan Cheng Eu to speak on the event as he has been very quiet since his retirement. I would say I was fortunate because I was in Penang for MDC's Conference during MSC IAP Meeting. Saturday (10th Sept 2005) there was Penang Lecture Series and Tun Tan was speaking. He's already 82 (if I can remember correctly), so his introduction was quite long about Penang's past. Tun also mentioned that Tun Tan was the man that started the industrialization in Malaysia starting from Penang. The lecture was about Penang: Past, Present and Future (hope I'm right with the title, if not the lecture was about those). Guess what..? He's also have a great sense of sarcastic remarks. One questions about his views on tourism, "...we don't have to invest in tourism. We need to spend money to serve people." Tun Tan believes it is better to spend on high growth technology production or manufacturing. Again about his views on brain drain in Penang, "...we don't have to get those Penangites back here. Penangites serve the world ! (there are few CEOs in Silicon Valley from Penang, top-guns in high-tech industries as well). We have all the technologies like video conferencing, mobile communication, etc. we don't need them to be here. They can contribute from where they are. We just need to utilize or come-up with new technology to enable this." Very proud of Penangites and high-tech enthusiast I would say.

Tun mentioned that Tun Tan can still be approached but he prefers to lay low. He can be approached for consultancy and advice but not on lecturing or speaking like what Tun did today (standing for 2 hours). Which I agree with Tun. My friend who organized the Penang Lecture said "...it was not easy to convince Tun Tan to speak for that day." I thank God for that opportunity because otherwise I wouldn't know who is Tun Tan Cheng Eu.

And for today, I thank God again and I'm glad that I came. Because initially I was contemplating whether to go to the lecture or go to office and finish my work. And honey, this is the third time (as far as I can remember), that I'm glad that I came for the event/meeting. And as I can recall, the reason was always "MALAS! (lazy, complacent)" for don't know what reason. Never really thought thru about it.

As Tun & the VIPs made their way out, the crowd were hogging the lane, to shake hand with him or take pictures or just simply want to see him in-person. Also some asked for his autograph. It's very inspiring to see such great leader still healthy and strong so that he can share his knowledge and experiences for the benefits of this country. My eagerness level to see Tun's memoirs has tripled since then!

ONCE...office reform (1)

My first progress report... I've monitored the team according to the plan & schedule, checking with the PM on the progress and what not. I've also spread the news that we have put up the plan & schedule at the new Whiteboard (just newly hung there actually), so that everybody can see who's who, when and how the resources are being distributed. Another reason is for the team member themselves to see who has more assignments. That in one way, can be considered as performance indicator and bring the competition-to-perform-better environment among the team members.

Last week, I made them tidy-up the cubicles and the 2nd pantry because I want it to be the 2nd discussion area for the team (the board hangs there as well). And I'm glad that this environment made it easy for everybody to sit down (have a drink or lepak) and looking at the board! At one point I realized, "what is TM doing ? he's not in the resource graph at all ?!!" Then, I had a chat with him and these are the things that he need to do:

   1. Be prepared and updated with the project status all the time so that when I asked, the answer will come immediately rather than "I need to check with them first".
   2. Improve his delivery method. The request from Sales team for demo or feedback from customer or solution for customers' inquiries/project must be attended soonest possible. If there's no solution yet, inform them when can he get back with the solution. If request for demo, then get the exact requirements for the demo (when, where, what, etc.) and suggest whether we can accommodate immediately (we have it already) or require some time (for customization or prototype development).
   3. Internal system. Plan, design, implement and monitor internal system for Project, Product Development and Sales synchronization. This is to improve effectiveness and efficiency to increase productivity.
   4. Performance measurement mechanism and SOP on technical unit operations.

So, looking back at my decision, 1 and 3 as planned, but not yet for 2 and 4 together with TM. Looking at the team progress, just had discussion with TM at 9 pm, few changes were made:

   1. AD#1 to drop ePurS v2.0 till end of the year, concentrate in preparing the relevant documents for MGS, managing NL and AS.
   2. AD#2 to drop MPS and PRS, concentrate in preparing and submitting the relevant documents for IGM, managing PNK, planning and recommendation on MyI based on the feedback from customers.
   3. Dev#1 completed MyI (x+1 day), as NL have not kick-off yet (NL yet to confirm the kick-off date), so rope him in for MGS. Assg given on Thursday.
   4. Dev#2 yet to complete PNK (x+3 days). New dateline is today but still 1 report pending. Monday he should start on MGS already but seems like will need to push a bit. All IGM's dev put on-hold.
   5. Dev#3 started picking up on .NET, but will be re-assg for MGS on Monday. All IGM's dev on-hold.
   6. Prg001 has yet to complete BIS (x+5 days) as he was pushed to take-up his previous role (few proposals and meetings to attend to). AS re-engineering put on-hold for MGS.

I've told TM, based on the current situation, as much as possible try to not involving Prg001 for MGS. No doubt he is REQUIRED, but try to put him as the last resort. Looking at MGS that are depending on other project deliveries to get it's resources, I've told TM that given the flexi-hours, the condition is the JOB GETS DONE ! Meaning, if PNK supposed to be completed today and Monday will be new assg, he has to do whatever it takes (read: weekends) to complete it.

Today, Dev#1 is on leave, high-fever because of tired this morning can't wake-up (and that was told by AD#1 before Friday prayer). So, during my discussion just now with TM, I told him to call Dev#1. Ask about his condition, concern a bit, eventhough AD#1 has informed, but as TM he has to call him personally. So that we know whether the condition is severe or not, advice him accordingly, assist if he may require it. The information also needed so that we can plan accordingly for his assg next week rather than caught by surprise again (like today).

22nd Dec will be our Strategic Planning for 2006 (SP2006). I've asked TM to prepare the SOP, performance measurement and reports, recommendations and planning for 2006 for SP2006. I've told BDM also to prepare the market update and sales strategy for 2006 to meet RM 3mil target. TM was adviced to sit in the Sales preparation discussion for SP2006 before he do the Technical one. I will prepare some strategy for Branding, Sales & Technical for that as well...and I've requested to sit-in in their pre-SP2006 discussion.

This week has been a very active week for my brain. And it gets very active after midnight. Really excited with the new knowledge on Branding, IBM's technology and Java. But the strategic and provocative thinking that made me get my paper & pen at 1 am, really caught my wife by surprise.

Very excited to turnaround this company! I'm going to strive for both ME and Co's success coming 2006 !

ONCE...office reform (0)

After few days of thinking, strategizing and planning, I've decided to do the following in reforming my unit:

1. Work closely with TM to lead, guide and assist him on ways to better manage the team.
2. Me taking up the role of Chief Architect (just like Bill !)
3. Enforcing the new structure
4. Plan, decide, write and announce the SOP and Performance Indicator for everybody

Yesterday, I've briefed TM and then spend the rest of the day with every single team member on their assignments. At any one time, the AD member may only have ONE AD assignment. Thus, concentrated on one assignment in lesser time. They will also be managing projects, but PM is not a full-day job as other people will involve in implementing the project. The PM would need to make sure everybody is gearing towards delivering the task ON TIME, WITHIN BUDGET and does not EXCEED SCOPE. As for Dev, same thing; ONE development assignment at any ONE time.

So, these were the things decided yesterday:

1. AD#1 was released from the MGS development work so that she can concentrate on preparing the report, chasing the govt agency(s) approval, and to concentrate more on AS issues. She's also will be managing NL project. Her AD assg is ePurS v2.0 (which include site study and survey at AS & SBS) till end Dec.
2. AD#2 will continue on PNK, IGM and MyI projects. Her AD assg is IGM AES & Portal, followed with MPS and PRS till end Dec
3. Dev#1 on MyI and NL till mid Dec. New assg will be given after he complete the tasks.
4. Dev#2 on PNK then MGS till mid Dec. After that continue on IGM Portal Integration till end Dec.
5. Dev#3 on IGM AES and Portal till mid Dec. New assg will be given after he complete the tasks.
6. Prg001 on BIS and MGS till mid Dec. He also will be working on re-engineering AS's terminal before end of 2005.

The briefing went good even though initially there's some resistance from AD#1. She want to learn that new language, but...I guess the quote below could explain it better (I just can't find the author of this quote, I know I find it in one of my books, but then which page ?!! this quote is definitely NOT invented by me, so please...don't sue me)

I CARE MORE ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF MY PEOPLE THAN I DO MY FUTURE, BUT I CARE MORE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION ACCOMPLISHING IT MISSION THAN EITHER ONE

One very important thing that I need to CONSISTENTLY do is to really enforce, guide and monitor them closely. Make sure i get the productivity and quality level that i want. Who else can I expect to do that isn't it ? One way to measure my performance (that I really enforce, guide and monitor closely) is from my weekly (if not daily) post on the progress. Assuming the whole world is watching the progress, I need to make sure that I won't screw up !