Quote of the day:
"There's no such thing as fair or unfair, there's only unfair." - Pessimist
With agents who have no decency to make appointments at least one day in advanced, and having FOUR agents saying "I'll bring my client there in two hours" and TWO agents saying "I'm on the way", I have no peace in rushing for a perfect viewing of the office buildings. Due to that, my time to blog was taken away. :(
Before I begin with the story, Blood Donation today! Ya, in my building. Hope no more blood donation scare that I had last time. Not talking about business lately as the 'search' for location is still ongoing, and the business world have been quiet except other than the CIMB (actually BCB) giving VSS and some of their security staff have been asking for a job here, as well as the amazingly ridiculous HSBC advert on tv showing a dude half-squatting watching another dude putting his hands in and out of his pocket. It actually looks more like the dude is watching his butt. Anyway, that's another story.
It's interesting to watch the way my son develops intelligence according to cause-and-effect. After pulling propping himself up holding to something, and later falling down backwards hitting his head on the floor and crying a few times, he adapted by letting go of his footing before he falls, so that he falls sitting instead of falling backwards. And then, while falling in sitting position holding the side of the crib, and always hitting his forehead at the crib, he nows pushes himself away first before falling to a sitting position. That's quick. Never knew intelligence start at a very young age.
Lately, there's a "test the waters" intelligence too. That is, before propping himself up holding something, he ensures that the 'something' can really hold his weight before really standing up. So, he ends up putting some of his weight on the 'something' and then pushing the 'something' to see if it's stable, and when all is right, only then will he stand up. I wonder what other things he'll learn by himself within the next one month. Short post today. :D
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Oh, that's the ghost!
I think some of you would have seen the video on two guards in Singapore who saw a pontianak (female vampire) during their night shift. It's been circulating the internet for quite some time, and many have dismissed it as fake, myself included. Just in case you've not seen it, click the link below.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4LnuLBr43K4
At first, I thought the 'ghost' is that white 2-dimensional thingy that appeared halfway through the video beside the gate. And so did everyone else on the internet!! Sure, you can wonder how come that white 2-dimensional board suddenly appeared when the first half of the video it couldn't be seen. I would like to say that the camera angle at the first half of the video didn't reflect the board into the camera, or a light wasn't on to have it reflected.
Anyway, my colleague noticed that I have the video and when I mentioned the fake, he said I've been looking at the wrong thing. Yes indeed. That board is not the ghost. The ghost appeared at the last 10 seconds of the video when the guards started to back off from the gate. Take notice that in the last 10 seconds, a white light started to 'dance' from the bottom left corner of the video, near the security bar, and moved towards the gate and near the end of the video, the light can be seen somewhere near the top of the gate.
Imagine this. Videos cannot capture ghost. If we see white light on the video, imagine what the guards REALLY saw with their own eyes which COULD see the ghost. Creepy! When I watched the video again and see that dancing light, my hairs stood on end. Yup, this is genuine, not a fake video. Sigh... I knew from the scream of the guard it really sounded a 'sincere fear-y scream'... but I was wondering why they feared a 2-D board. Now I know. Eeee.....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4LnuLBr43K4
At first, I thought the 'ghost' is that white 2-dimensional thingy that appeared halfway through the video beside the gate. And so did everyone else on the internet!! Sure, you can wonder how come that white 2-dimensional board suddenly appeared when the first half of the video it couldn't be seen. I would like to say that the camera angle at the first half of the video didn't reflect the board into the camera, or a light wasn't on to have it reflected.
Anyway, my colleague noticed that I have the video and when I mentioned the fake, he said I've been looking at the wrong thing. Yes indeed. That board is not the ghost. The ghost appeared at the last 10 seconds of the video when the guards started to back off from the gate. Take notice that in the last 10 seconds, a white light started to 'dance' from the bottom left corner of the video, near the security bar, and moved towards the gate and near the end of the video, the light can be seen somewhere near the top of the gate.
Imagine this. Videos cannot capture ghost. If we see white light on the video, imagine what the guards REALLY saw with their own eyes which COULD see the ghost. Creepy! When I watched the video again and see that dancing light, my hairs stood on end. Yup, this is genuine, not a fake video. Sigh... I knew from the scream of the guard it really sounded a 'sincere fear-y scream'... but I was wondering why they feared a 2-D board. Now I know. Eeee.....
Beautiful Nightmare
I had a beautiful nightmare yesterday. It was in a hotel room, and I've just taken a rest on the bed watching tv after doing my work at the work-table at one side of the room. While watching tv, I looked into the large mirror beside the tv and can see that work-table. Amazingly, I see myself at the work-table at the same time I'm seeing myself looking at the mirror too. There's two of me!
But when I looked back at the work-table, there was no one there. So I decided to go to the work-table. Sat on the seat, looked back at the mirror, and see another 'me' sitting on the bed watching tv. It got me scared lah of course, but excited too. So I grabbed my camcorder and went back to the bed. At least now I can record the mirror to show two of myself!
The moment I lifted up the camcorder, it felt really heavy. And my attempt to do a short commentary stating time, where I am, and what the tape is showing seems to be very difficult as if my lips at locked and I can't say a word. So, basically I'm hearing myself saying word-by-word in a very slow manner, struggling to have my voice heard.
Then that other 'me' in the mirror got up from his work-table and approached the mirror, looking angrily at me. Of course then I know that was not 'me' at all, just 'something' in my image. Manage to struggle and wake up in real life twice only to fall back to sleep and continue the nightmare. Then I zoned out (pengsan) as it stepped out of the mirror coming at me.
Overall, a bit duh that I zoned out and dunno what happens next. These texts cannot fully potray how it was, and the hotel room is quite nice too. Should draw it lah, but my drawing skill is pathetic. If I try to draw a scenery, it'll look like a dog. If I try to draw a dog, it'll look like a beautiful scenery. :P
But when I looked back at the work-table, there was no one there. So I decided to go to the work-table. Sat on the seat, looked back at the mirror, and see another 'me' sitting on the bed watching tv. It got me scared lah of course, but excited too. So I grabbed my camcorder and went back to the bed. At least now I can record the mirror to show two of myself!
The moment I lifted up the camcorder, it felt really heavy. And my attempt to do a short commentary stating time, where I am, and what the tape is showing seems to be very difficult as if my lips at locked and I can't say a word. So, basically I'm hearing myself saying word-by-word in a very slow manner, struggling to have my voice heard.
Then that other 'me' in the mirror got up from his work-table and approached the mirror, looking angrily at me. Of course then I know that was not 'me' at all, just 'something' in my image. Manage to struggle and wake up in real life twice only to fall back to sleep and continue the nightmare. Then I zoned out (pengsan) as it stepped out of the mirror coming at me.
Overall, a bit duh that I zoned out and dunno what happens next. These texts cannot fully potray how it was, and the hotel room is quite nice too. Should draw it lah, but my drawing skill is pathetic. If I try to draw a scenery, it'll look like a dog. If I try to draw a dog, it'll look like a beautiful scenery. :P
Monday, April 10, 2006
My Son's Memory Diary: Part 1 (Birth - 10th Apr 2006)
Since there was a certain insect that buzzed near me telling me that it's been a while since I've written anything related to my baby (literally), I think that it's high time for me to write something, such as opinions and future thoughts.
My first and current opportunity (that word sounds weird, but everyone says that a 'problem' is an 'opportunity', so I'll call it that) is that my son has started to recognise people and now refuses to be held by anyone who've not been around him on a constant basis. This includes my own sibling, uncles&aunties who've not met him for some time, the garbage man and the Clinique counter salesgirl. I guess the garbage man was too stinko and the salesgirl was too perfume-y. Kidding, no such thing as the last two individuals. As 'sad' as this may seem, since we've met babies who are very friendly who'll crawl at any stranger, I have to respect this as a characteristic that he's developing. Good also that he just doesn't follow any stranger.
Next is that he summersaults! Being able to prop himself to a standing position in the cot, with the cot 'gate' being at a somewhat low level, the top of the 'gate' is at his chest level. There were at least four occasions this week alone whereby he picks up his bolster with one hand, and then proceeded to hugging the bolster with both hands not realising that he has no more support. And taadah, circus act. He falls over the 'gate' out of the cot, luckily onto the bed.
Also, I don't get the idea on why babies 'spray'. It's like he's just done a religious prayer and then started to 'spray' his saliva to 'cleanse' the area in front of him. I've not gone around asking or reading whether this is a normal phenomena, but I guess it is for babies whose teeth are beginning to grow. However, it is an embarassment to have him spray shoppers and items at the shopping mall. At least these people and items are 'blessed'. :D
One thing for sure is that he's photogenic. He's someone who will not look away from any camera or video camera aimed at taking his photo. So it's also difficult to take candid shots of him. Anyway, it's also good that at least I'm not taking the back of his head all the time.
Right-handed or left-handed?! He nearly always pick up things with his left hand. But, he always hit tables, floors, anything that can be hit by the palm using his right hand. Seriously I don't have on the handed-ness, but of course in the future should he be left-handed, he needs to be taught the courtesy of giving and receiving things using the right hand.
The curse of Barney! It is totally weird that babies really do like watching Barney?! What does Barney has that X-Men doesn't have? "I love you" songs, more songs, "I love you", purple in colour and "I love you". Also, teletubbies also hits the right chord with babies. I guess this is the musical stage before they start speaking, so tunes are the way to go for now. Later it'll be Dora the Explorer, my all time favourite Blue's Clues (go figure, I seem to like this duh show), Spongebob Squarepants (I like this show too), and many others like Higglytown Heroes. Only after that things like X-Men, Batman, and all the not-so-cute drawings type of cartoon will come in. Hey, at least he likes watching South Park due to the cute drawings. :P
Baby's first shoes, a product that should be created. We have his first shoe, given by an aunt. The thing is, he's still not walking yet and have only been standing up aided the past two weeks. Why is it that the shoe doesn't fit anymore. This means that the shoe was for 1-6 months or maybe even 1-3 months old kinda shoe. Yes, we did put it on him when he was younger (that's weird to say!) and it fits, but those shoes, I guess it's merely as a decoration then. He can hardly fit in the shoes anymore, his feet I mean, not his entire self.
Uncontrollable weight distribution. This, to me, is a very amusing habit. While carrying a 10kg baby is easier than carrying an 5kg laptop for a long period, the way he distribute his weight is a havoc. At one moment he leans to the left, and I have to follow my own weight distribution to keep the balance. Then, he leans to the right, and as I shift my own posture, he leans to the left. And then he totally bends down that my other hand need to take care of his additional weight. At least it keeps my arm strong to have a firm grip on him and my waist on a constant contraction left and right. Still, I don't think this is a good way to lose weight.
First swim. This is an incident to remember. Instead of buying the swimming diaper, we went straight ahead to the small sized swimming trunk which of course is big on him. Yay, diaper on, ready to go swimming, but first, let's pee on mommy. :P Poor mommy carrying him get soaked by pee from body down to feet. Anyway, first swim was fun with him constantly trying to bend down to drink pool water. Successful twice, and then we really find that holding his head close to the water is dangerous to his health. Otherwise, he enjoys the water.
First mall. Baby's first mall is Ampang Park. 'Nuff said.
First hotel. Sunway Hotel. 'Nuff said.
First hospital. Where he's born lah, duh.
First clinic. Where we go for pregnancy check-up.
First fall. At my parents home, head down first onto the floor while asleep. Lucky there was a mattress and quick reaction from his dad when his mom was woken up telepathically from him calling for help.
First solid food. I dunno whether it was KFC's whipped potato first, or the salt on a french fry.
First drink. Duh!!!
First clothes. Two piece blue shirt and pants from Poney.
First midnight outing. Watching fireworks during New Year 2006.
First car ride. Daddy's car.
First haircut. Night before Hari Raya Haji 2006.
There are a lot of other firsts, but those will certainly push towards a deeper knowledge on family location/information/identity/criminal records/bite marks.
My first and current opportunity (that word sounds weird, but everyone says that a 'problem' is an 'opportunity', so I'll call it that) is that my son has started to recognise people and now refuses to be held by anyone who've not been around him on a constant basis. This includes my own sibling, uncles&aunties who've not met him for some time, the garbage man and the Clinique counter salesgirl. I guess the garbage man was too stinko and the salesgirl was too perfume-y. Kidding, no such thing as the last two individuals. As 'sad' as this may seem, since we've met babies who are very friendly who'll crawl at any stranger, I have to respect this as a characteristic that he's developing. Good also that he just doesn't follow any stranger.
Next is that he summersaults! Being able to prop himself to a standing position in the cot, with the cot 'gate' being at a somewhat low level, the top of the 'gate' is at his chest level. There were at least four occasions this week alone whereby he picks up his bolster with one hand, and then proceeded to hugging the bolster with both hands not realising that he has no more support. And taadah, circus act. He falls over the 'gate' out of the cot, luckily onto the bed.
Also, I don't get the idea on why babies 'spray'. It's like he's just done a religious prayer and then started to 'spray' his saliva to 'cleanse' the area in front of him. I've not gone around asking or reading whether this is a normal phenomena, but I guess it is for babies whose teeth are beginning to grow. However, it is an embarassment to have him spray shoppers and items at the shopping mall. At least these people and items are 'blessed'. :D
One thing for sure is that he's photogenic. He's someone who will not look away from any camera or video camera aimed at taking his photo. So it's also difficult to take candid shots of him. Anyway, it's also good that at least I'm not taking the back of his head all the time.
Right-handed or left-handed?! He nearly always pick up things with his left hand. But, he always hit tables, floors, anything that can be hit by the palm using his right hand. Seriously I don't have on the handed-ness, but of course in the future should he be left-handed, he needs to be taught the courtesy of giving and receiving things using the right hand.
The curse of Barney! It is totally weird that babies really do like watching Barney?! What does Barney has that X-Men doesn't have? "I love you" songs, more songs, "I love you", purple in colour and "I love you". Also, teletubbies also hits the right chord with babies. I guess this is the musical stage before they start speaking, so tunes are the way to go for now. Later it'll be Dora the Explorer, my all time favourite Blue's Clues (go figure, I seem to like this duh show), Spongebob Squarepants (I like this show too), and many others like Higglytown Heroes. Only after that things like X-Men, Batman, and all the not-so-cute drawings type of cartoon will come in. Hey, at least he likes watching South Park due to the cute drawings. :P
Baby's first shoes, a product that should be created. We have his first shoe, given by an aunt. The thing is, he's still not walking yet and have only been standing up aided the past two weeks. Why is it that the shoe doesn't fit anymore. This means that the shoe was for 1-6 months or maybe even 1-3 months old kinda shoe. Yes, we did put it on him when he was younger (that's weird to say!) and it fits, but those shoes, I guess it's merely as a decoration then. He can hardly fit in the shoes anymore, his feet I mean, not his entire self.
Uncontrollable weight distribution. This, to me, is a very amusing habit. While carrying a 10kg baby is easier than carrying an 5kg laptop for a long period, the way he distribute his weight is a havoc. At one moment he leans to the left, and I have to follow my own weight distribution to keep the balance. Then, he leans to the right, and as I shift my own posture, he leans to the left. And then he totally bends down that my other hand need to take care of his additional weight. At least it keeps my arm strong to have a firm grip on him and my waist on a constant contraction left and right. Still, I don't think this is a good way to lose weight.
First swim. This is an incident to remember. Instead of buying the swimming diaper, we went straight ahead to the small sized swimming trunk which of course is big on him. Yay, diaper on, ready to go swimming, but first, let's pee on mommy. :P Poor mommy carrying him get soaked by pee from body down to feet. Anyway, first swim was fun with him constantly trying to bend down to drink pool water. Successful twice, and then we really find that holding his head close to the water is dangerous to his health. Otherwise, he enjoys the water.
First mall. Baby's first mall is Ampang Park. 'Nuff said.
First hotel. Sunway Hotel. 'Nuff said.
First hospital. Where he's born lah, duh.
First clinic. Where we go for pregnancy check-up.
First fall. At my parents home, head down first onto the floor while asleep. Lucky there was a mattress and quick reaction from his dad when his mom was woken up telepathically from him calling for help.
First solid food. I dunno whether it was KFC's whipped potato first, or the salt on a french fry.
First drink. Duh!!!
First clothes. Two piece blue shirt and pants from Poney.
First midnight outing. Watching fireworks during New Year 2006.
First car ride. Daddy's car.
First haircut. Night before Hari Raya Haji 2006.
There are a lot of other firsts, but those will certainly push towards a deeper knowledge on family location/information/identity/criminal records/bite marks.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Market Research Weekend
Following up on the olde entrepreneurial posts that I've written, especially on the new year's resolution that some business should be up and running this year, me and a biz partner went out for market research during the weekend. Ended up meeting old friends pun ada.
Anyway, without too much hints on the business idea,... yet,... our first step was actually driving around the Klang Valley to look for that market we're looking for. In other words, Location of Market. No, not the wet market, but market as in the people who would be our clients, where to they reside, where can we find most of them and all that lar. Interestingly enough, we noticed some trends in commercial areas.
Older commercial areas, will nearly always 'die' to newer commercial areas unless that older ones already have a strong 'base' such as Bangsar. Cannot talk about Hartamas coz' it's considered quite new but Bangsar is such an oldie that's doing very well. Simply put, we actually even drove to Taman Melawati where in the 1980s business was booming quite well there. This time, it was rather dead. Only about 30% of the entire commercial area is in operation, however, the newer Taman Permata where the huge Giant complex is, business is thriving. Pity the former.
We checked PJ and new townships as well. New townships are always a risk. We have fresh community who we have no idea how they're like. However, by the looks of other shops and the kind of people who crowd at the place, we can guess what kind of people come to these areas. PJ, such that of SS2 is always full of people, the best place and one of the most expensive places to start a business. We're talking quantity here, of course we can say the best place is Bangsar or Hartamas, but look at what industry you wanna venture in lah. Like us, opening a shoe shine stall, of course cannot consider Bangsar or Hartamas lah. Eh wait, did I say shoe shine?! Eh, no lar. Not that business, though it is an entrepreneurial business. Is it entrepreneural or rial??
One other thing noticed is the different crowd at different hours of the day. In the morning, one area would have older folks walking keeping fit while at the same time in another area, you see children all biking around. In the afternoon, some area are darn noisy with cars in the workshops revving and revving and revving, sometimes u feel like u just wanna hit a gong beside the driver's ear, while at other areas it's soooo quiet you think no one is around, and we're talking commercial district here! Nights are fun. Some areas are dark by 10pm while others have a good night life. Also, differences in areas, one area malays only... other areas are a balanced mix of people in one mamak shop. Nice to be in Malaysia.
We also notice there are two types of ways to enter the commercial retail industry. One is to join the crowd. Oh, there got 3 already open mah, we open one more lor. The other one is to be the pioneer. Eh, let's create a market here. See there, everyone walking with selipar and kasut koyak-koyak, we'll start the first shop here then. Both are risky, but seriously, it's more fun being the pioneer in terms of strategical thinking and planning on how to attract customers without paying umbrella girls to hold umbrella bearing our logo.
Whatever it is, location has been analysed and determined over a week period. Eh, not really, it's been 3-4 months of choosing locations and narrowing them down. Now on to costing....
Anyway, without too much hints on the business idea,... yet,... our first step was actually driving around the Klang Valley to look for that market we're looking for. In other words, Location of Market. No, not the wet market, but market as in the people who would be our clients, where to they reside, where can we find most of them and all that lar. Interestingly enough, we noticed some trends in commercial areas.
Older commercial areas, will nearly always 'die' to newer commercial areas unless that older ones already have a strong 'base' such as Bangsar. Cannot talk about Hartamas coz' it's considered quite new but Bangsar is such an oldie that's doing very well. Simply put, we actually even drove to Taman Melawati where in the 1980s business was booming quite well there. This time, it was rather dead. Only about 30% of the entire commercial area is in operation, however, the newer Taman Permata where the huge Giant complex is, business is thriving. Pity the former.
We checked PJ and new townships as well. New townships are always a risk. We have fresh community who we have no idea how they're like. However, by the looks of other shops and the kind of people who crowd at the place, we can guess what kind of people come to these areas. PJ, such that of SS2 is always full of people, the best place and one of the most expensive places to start a business. We're talking quantity here, of course we can say the best place is Bangsar or Hartamas, but look at what industry you wanna venture in lah. Like us, opening a shoe shine stall, of course cannot consider Bangsar or Hartamas lah. Eh wait, did I say shoe shine?! Eh, no lar. Not that business, though it is an entrepreneurial business. Is it entrepreneural or rial??
One other thing noticed is the different crowd at different hours of the day. In the morning, one area would have older folks walking keeping fit while at the same time in another area, you see children all biking around. In the afternoon, some area are darn noisy with cars in the workshops revving and revving and revving, sometimes u feel like u just wanna hit a gong beside the driver's ear, while at other areas it's soooo quiet you think no one is around, and we're talking commercial district here! Nights are fun. Some areas are dark by 10pm while others have a good night life. Also, differences in areas, one area malays only... other areas are a balanced mix of people in one mamak shop. Nice to be in Malaysia.
We also notice there are two types of ways to enter the commercial retail industry. One is to join the crowd. Oh, there got 3 already open mah, we open one more lor. The other one is to be the pioneer. Eh, let's create a market here. See there, everyone walking with selipar and kasut koyak-koyak, we'll start the first shop here then.
Whatever it is, location has been analysed and determined over a week period. Eh, not really, it's been 3-4 months of choosing locations and narrowing them down. Now on to costing....
Friday, March 31, 2006
Guerilla Tactics of a Building Management
Sidenote: While some people might whine on having too much work, for this month it's totally different for me. I am actually unhappy at my performance this month due to not having enough time to complete all do-able work. I wish there's two of me. :-)
Scenario: A tenant has stopped paying rental because of bad business. After two months of not paying the rental, they have decided to write to the management that they want to leave the building. The management has agreed to that and have asked them to leave at the end of the third month (of not paying) and then we will contra with their rental deposit given at the start of the tenancy. But, they say they will require an additional month (fourth month) to get everything in order to leave the building.
In summary, this means that they will still need to pay one month. March 2006 is their fourth month in debt and I have been sending reminder letters to tell them to pay up or we don't allow them to leave. What's a marketing dude writing reminder letters for rental?!? That's another story. Back to this, I guess they think we're stupid to say "No, you can't leave if you don't pay!" which translate to mean "You can still stay there and run your business as long as you're in debt!" Duh!
Today is their last day, and they are removing cabinets, tables, chairs, machines and what-have-yous.... only to be stopped by security saying they cannot use the service lifts to bring out their items. Thus, they contacted the management (which means me lah since I am a marketing who has to do PR as well). Went to meet them, and the following was discussed.
As long as I have not received the final month's payment, they are not allowed to take ANY large items out of their premise (using the service lift). They are unhappy! They say "This is our final day as tenant, why can't we take them out?!" to which I replied "Until payment is received, your items will be kept to minimise losses should you suddenly wind down your company tomorrow and lawyers cannot chase after you if you don't pay." Also, because today is the last day of their tenancy, they cannot run their business in that premise (or else we'll charge another month's rental), and to ensure that, the management will place chain locks around their doors until payment is received and we allow them to take down items.
What happened next?! They defy orders. Their MD instructed the staff to lug tables and chairs into NORMAL lifts. Security did not allow them to, but due to overwhelming number of their staff, they managed to sneak two-three chairs into the lift to bring them down.
So what happened next?!? Security informed me of the case, and I, as Marketing Executive who has no power or authority at all logically, switched to guerilla tactics (which I have seen my previous Property Manager done to other tenants in the past). This company is the ONLY company on that floor. As at current time, which is half an hour since that lugging of chairs into the lift, the entire floor's electricity and aircond has been shut off, and none of the lifts stop at that level and that level's lift buttons (to call the lift) is also disabled.
Newsflash. Just In! Security came again stating that they're lugging the chairs and tables down the fire escape!! I've instructed the security to lock the doors leading out to the Ground Floor (ya lah, look ugly if people see chairs being carried in the ground floor lobby).
Please be aware that as evil as these tactics may sound, they have been in effect twice before and I'm just repeating instructions. As bad as this may seem to the tenant, it is very logical if you sit down and really think about it. Yes, RM30,000 of rental is not little. If we allow them to leave everything except their tahi hidung in their premise, they can just close the company tomorrow and we'll have a big problem explaning the loss of RM30k rental to the owner of the building. However, these are guerilla tactics which I believe laywers will never advice to doing.
Scenario: A tenant has stopped paying rental because of bad business. After two months of not paying the rental, they have decided to write to the management that they want to leave the building. The management has agreed to that and have asked them to leave at the end of the third month (of not paying) and then we will contra with their rental deposit given at the start of the tenancy. But, they say they will require an additional month (fourth month) to get everything in order to leave the building.
In summary, this means that they will still need to pay one month. March 2006 is their fourth month in debt and I have been sending reminder letters to tell them to pay up or we don't allow them to leave. What's a marketing dude writing reminder letters for rental?!? That's another story. Back to this, I guess they think we're stupid to say "No, you can't leave if you don't pay!" which translate to mean "You can still stay there and run your business as long as you're in debt!" Duh!
Today is their last day, and they are removing cabinets, tables, chairs, machines and what-have-yous.... only to be stopped by security saying they cannot use the service lifts to bring out their items. Thus, they contacted the management (which means me lah since I am a marketing who has to do PR as well). Went to meet them, and the following was discussed.
As long as I have not received the final month's payment, they are not allowed to take ANY large items out of their premise (using the service lift). They are unhappy! They say "This is our final day as tenant, why can't we take them out?!" to which I replied "Until payment is received, your items will be kept to minimise losses should you suddenly wind down your company tomorrow and lawyers cannot chase after you if you don't pay." Also, because today is the last day of their tenancy, they cannot run their business in that premise (or else we'll charge another month's rental), and to ensure that, the management will place chain locks around their doors until payment is received and we allow them to take down items.
What happened next?! They defy orders. Their MD instructed the staff to lug tables and chairs into NORMAL lifts. Security did not allow them to, but due to overwhelming number of their staff, they managed to sneak two-three chairs into the lift to bring them down.
So what happened next?!? Security informed me of the case, and I, as Marketing Executive who has no power or authority at all logically, switched to guerilla tactics (which I have seen my previous Property Manager done to other tenants in the past). This company is the ONLY company on that floor. As at current time, which is half an hour since that lugging of chairs into the lift, the entire floor's electricity and aircond has been shut off, and none of the lifts stop at that level and that level's lift buttons (to call the lift) is also disabled.
Newsflash. Just In! Security came again stating that they're lugging the chairs and tables down the fire escape!! I've instructed the security to lock the doors leading out to the Ground Floor (ya lah, look ugly if people see chairs being carried in the ground floor lobby).
Please be aware that as evil as these tactics may sound, they have been in effect twice before and I'm just repeating instructions. As bad as this may seem to the tenant, it is very logical if you sit down and really think about it. Yes, RM30,000 of rental is not little. If we allow them to leave everything except their tahi hidung in their premise, they can just close the company tomorrow and we'll have a big problem explaning the loss of RM30k rental to the owner of the building. However, these are guerilla tactics which I believe laywers will never advice to doing.
Monday, March 27, 2006
I Eat Alone
Not to complain. I have absolutely no problem eating alone. Well, lunch that is. Only lately I've been eating with the new Maintenance Manager as I need to 'teach' him lots of things regarding the building, coz' still until today, I have tenants who calls me up saying that they don't want to speak to the new guy coz' he dunno anything. Not that he dunno about electrical stuff, but more towards the ongoing problems they've been facing and they don't want to repeat themselves.
Back to eating alone, again, I repeat that there's only four staff currently in the management office with desks. Others like security staffs are in security room where all the black and white televisions are, and the maintenance staffs are more happy relaxing in their tools room or engine room or whatever. Again, I repeat that my finance executive prefers to tapau food. That leaves the receptionist and the maintenance manager.
I have been asked for lunches quite a few times. I have had tenants asking me out. One issue is that my managers previously have all warned me about going for lunches with tenants. Other tenants will give the look, thinking that there's more than meets the eye. Maybe they're thinking "Ah, this tenant sure got good rental rate, since he's chummy chummy with that dude." Therefore, I've always turned down (tactfully by lying saying "I have an appointment at that time") all the requests.
I have also been asked for lunches by my receptionist and my two staff at our business center. That cannot do as it'll mean I'll be dining with three girls. If I do dine with them, it cannot happen in our building because most of the tenants know my receptionist as well as my two staff, since their looks make them quite popular amongst the single guys of the tenants. I mean, to have 'strangers' calling up to "get to know the receptionist" tells a lot. I've been in the cafe once, just eating on my own, and having seen an interesting scene. Scores of guys who are eating are busy looking at one direction towards the girls. Ya, I'll be darn well not to sit with them or I'll get stupid jealous looks.
Maintenance staff and security staff I totally cannot jive with them. We can joke once in a while, but to hold a decent group conversation is difficult, because the topics are unfamiliar to me. So that leaves eating with someone outside the building. Yeah, I used to eat with an ex-school mate working just beside my building. I have another ex-school mate about 200 meters away, we've talked about doing lunch but has never gotten around to it. I guess one of the reason I eat alone is coz' I eat after lunch hour! Ya, at 2:00pm sharp mostly when crowds are less.
What do I gain? Nothing. It's nothing pitiful eating alone. Some of the pros include cleaning of eye aka cuci mata aka look at girls. I can eat like a king without someone scrutinising "Eh, wah liao, you eat four pieces chicken and 3 sambal eggs and got sotong some more! Crazy!". But practically, eating alone is relaxing, time away from work to be on my own to think about personal life, such as, what to eat for dinner, what to watch on tv tonight, which university to put my kid in. :P Cons?! I don't feel any cons should they really exist. Seriously, it is relaxing to eat alone. :D
Back to eating alone, again, I repeat that there's only four staff currently in the management office with desks. Others like security staffs are in security room where all the black and white televisions are, and the maintenance staffs are more happy relaxing in their tools room or engine room or whatever. Again, I repeat that my finance executive prefers to tapau food. That leaves the receptionist and the maintenance manager.
I have been asked for lunches quite a few times. I have had tenants asking me out. One issue is that my managers previously have all warned me about going for lunches with tenants. Other tenants will give the look, thinking that there's more than meets the eye. Maybe they're thinking "Ah, this tenant sure got good rental rate, since he's chummy chummy with that dude." Therefore, I've always turned down (tactfully by lying saying "I have an appointment at that time") all the requests.
I have also been asked for lunches by my receptionist and my two staff at our business center. That cannot do as it'll mean I'll be dining with three girls. If I do dine with them, it cannot happen in our building because most of the tenants know my receptionist as well as my two staff, since their looks make them quite popular amongst the single guys of the tenants. I mean, to have 'strangers' calling up to "get to know the receptionist" tells a lot. I've been in the cafe once, just eating on my own, and having seen an interesting scene. Scores of guys who are eating are busy looking at one direction towards the girls. Ya, I'll be darn well not to sit with them or I'll get stupid jealous looks.
Maintenance staff and security staff I totally cannot jive with them. We can joke once in a while, but to hold a decent group conversation is difficult, because the topics are unfamiliar to me. So that leaves eating with someone outside the building. Yeah, I used to eat with an ex-school mate working just beside my building. I have another ex-school mate about 200 meters away, we've talked about doing lunch but has never gotten around to it. I guess one of the reason I eat alone is coz' I eat after lunch hour! Ya, at 2:00pm sharp mostly when crowds are less.
What do I gain? Nothing. It's nothing pitiful eating alone. Some of the pros include cleaning of eye aka cuci mata aka look at girls. I can eat like a king without someone scrutinising "Eh, wah liao, you eat four pieces chicken and 3 sambal eggs and got sotong some more! Crazy!". But practically, eating alone is relaxing, time away from work to be on my own to think about personal life, such as, what to eat for dinner, what to watch on tv tonight, which university to put my kid in. :P Cons?! I don't feel any cons should they really exist. Seriously, it is relaxing to eat alone. :D
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Learning the Consequences of Decisions
This can be mistaken for "consequences for one's action", but it's not really action that I wish to stress on. Yes, people murder people, the consequence is jail for life or hanging. But let's not look too much on the action.
I was in KFC once, and right before I reached the counter, a little boy of about 5-6 years old came up to the counter, asked the kakak whether he can change the popcorn chicken small size to a medium size. The answer was a straight-forward "Tak boleh, dah punch dah" which means "cannot". The boy asked for a medium size to buy, but he didn't carry enough cash. So he went back to his seat (sitting alone) and ate his small size popcorn chicken. I guess the parents should be around to leave him minding his own matters.
Anyway, it was a pity. He had this forlorn look, more towards sadness due to helplessness to solve the issue, than being angry at the kakak. Adults would feel the latter I supposed. There was a very short moment that I thought, hmm... maybe I should buy that medium sized popcorn chicken for him, exchange with him his small one. Good gesture no?! Then, it hit me.
What is the correct age for a child to learn the consequences of his own decision making? It's like the story of the butterfly. When a kid tried to help the butterfly open its cocoon, it comes out and die, coz' the cocoon is the "test" for the butterfly. When the butterfly can muster its strength to open the cocoon, then it can fly. So this kid, as evil as it may sound, must understand and learn from his mistake. Simple for me to say huh? Since I'm not related to him.
What if I'm his parent? Would you let that sad look stay on your own son's face, not getting what he wanted just because he made a wrong decision? It's not about him wanting a toy and you say no. It's about allowing him to have what he wants, and in the end if he doesn't like it, he has to face it. In my honest opinion, I think it's best to teach a child consequences of decision making as early as possible. It teaches "Be Careful!".
Of course, as a parent, I do need to guide. If my child wants an ice-cream and he gawks at the colour of the sea-weed flavoured ice-cream being green, I'd have to tell him that it will taste bad. That's my help. If he still demands it, I'll buy it. But if after that he doesn't like it and wants to change, I'll have to really say no (will be fighting against my own compassion here I guess). If he doesn't want it, I'll finish it, but he will not get a replacement. Maybe next time. Sad, but I guess that's the only way to teach consequences.
So when should this 'lesson' start?! No idea... I'm a new parent, I guess it'll have to be by ear.
P/s: I think I 'cocoon' and 'forlorn' wrongly, but,.... heck with it. :D
I was in KFC once, and right before I reached the counter, a little boy of about 5-6 years old came up to the counter, asked the kakak whether he can change the popcorn chicken small size to a medium size. The answer was a straight-forward "Tak boleh, dah punch dah" which means "cannot". The boy asked for a medium size to buy, but he didn't carry enough cash. So he went back to his seat (sitting alone) and ate his small size popcorn chicken. I guess the parents should be around to leave him minding his own matters.
Anyway, it was a pity. He had this forlorn look, more towards sadness due to helplessness to solve the issue, than being angry at the kakak. Adults would feel the latter I supposed. There was a very short moment that I thought, hmm... maybe I should buy that medium sized popcorn chicken for him, exchange with him his small one. Good gesture no?! Then, it hit me.
What is the correct age for a child to learn the consequences of his own decision making? It's like the story of the butterfly. When a kid tried to help the butterfly open its cocoon, it comes out and die, coz' the cocoon is the "test" for the butterfly. When the butterfly can muster its strength to open the cocoon, then it can fly. So this kid, as evil as it may sound, must understand and learn from his mistake. Simple for me to say huh? Since I'm not related to him.
What if I'm his parent? Would you let that sad look stay on your own son's face, not getting what he wanted just because he made a wrong decision? It's not about him wanting a toy and you say no. It's about allowing him to have what he wants, and in the end if he doesn't like it, he has to face it. In my honest opinion, I think it's best to teach a child consequences of decision making as early as possible. It teaches "Be Careful!".
Of course, as a parent, I do need to guide. If my child wants an ice-cream and he gawks at the colour of the sea-weed flavoured ice-cream being green, I'd have to tell him that it will taste bad. That's my help. If he still demands it, I'll buy it. But if after that he doesn't like it and wants to change, I'll have to really say no (will be fighting against my own compassion here I guess). If he doesn't want it, I'll finish it, but he will not get a replacement. Maybe next time. Sad, but I guess that's the only way to teach consequences.
So when should this 'lesson' start?! No idea... I'm a new parent, I guess it'll have to be by ear.
P/s: I think I 'cocoon' and 'forlorn' wrongly, but,.... heck with it. :D
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Value vs Price
Iced Milo costs RM1.50, you still buy it at stalls because you believe the value is acceptable. Nasi Lemak can cost up to RM15.00 in hotels, and since you know the value is usually around RM2.50 - RM5.00, you don't even think about having nasi lemak in hotels.
In the near future when my kid starts to get hooked on his bolster/soft toy, the price may be as high as RM19.90, but the value will be up to RM50 or RM100. This means that should we forget to bring along the toy on trips, the constant whining (maybe) or my kid's difficulty to sleep at night (maybe) would really affect us.
For some, a friend's mug (cup/glass) would cost only RM5.00, and it's of no value to us, but to that friend, the value is priceless, coz' it's given by a loved one, or a gift for winning something, or whatever else. Which brings us to the topic of how do we actually put value to an item.
An item, no matter how small or big that we spend a lot of time with, especially if memories are connected to it, brings the item to a very high value, or to sound better, brings us to really cherish that item. For me personally, there are certain things that I put high value to, like my wireless router,... kidding! Let's talk emotional values here, not price value. There are things that may be cheap but you really don't want to ever sell it should someone comes with 10 times the price. And there will be things whereby you don't need anymore, and never will, but you still keep, because of sentimental reasons.
A personal example would be my spectacles. Used for four years, about to throw it away the other day, and then I remember the 'unconditional service' or 'benefit' it's given me, being able to scout for pretty girls from far away, ok, not that, but the ability to really see well than just foggy and blurry images. This is how memory can significantly rise the value of the item.
I remembered reading a newspaper clipping some 4-5 years back. A helicopter crashed in Pahang I believed, and the pilots were rescued on that same day itself. The wife of one of the pilots was waiting at the rescue drop-zone and when the pilot was brought out of the helicopter, the first thing he said was "I'm sorry I lost our wedding ring". Value! This pilot, after a horrible ordeal, being injured, could realise that the wedding ring was gone from his finger during the crash. The example of how an item of love, or significant gift brings high value of an item.
Really put yourself into the next few paragraphs. You just got married and have bought a house. Few years later, you have your first child. Then many more children. Your family starts to create history and memories in the house. Painting of walls together, remembering your second child tumbled down the stairs when he was 2, planting a tree together, many family gatherings, children playing in the lawn, heck, even being robbed. Twenty five years down the road, that RM150k house would be say RM600k. Good money, your children are all grown up, you don't need that big house anymore, and you sell it. On the day you finally get a buyer, you will walk around the house, over and over again, practically 'seeing' your past, practically hearing your children holding a toy and saying "Daddy, look!". You see your wife in the kitchen smiling while cooking your favourite dish. You see your kid accidentally knocks the glass of juice off the table and it broke when it hit the floor, and your kid cries. Everything starts to come back.
The house is priceless, not RM600k. You know, the new owner will never love the house as you did. You know the owner is just buying the house to rent to others, an investment property, you are angry that there's no love to the house, but you cannot stop it. The last day you leave the house, you scratch at one wooden corner of the house, be it the ceiling near the roof, or some obscure place that you know paints will not reach for some time to come. And you write "Thank you for the all the memories you bestowed on our family. Love, your family." You take one last look at the house before you drive off. You step on the gas, you still glance at the house from the rear view mirror, once out of sight, you know it's no longer yours. No longer able to return the love you gave it. You smile, your cheeks are wet, vision starts to blur, you rub your eyes, and you sigh. Life goes on.
In memory of the little red 'comel' with the 'semut' that has served my wife and our family for the past 7 years. Always in mind and heart.
In the near future when my kid starts to get hooked on his bolster/soft toy, the price may be as high as RM19.90, but the value will be up to RM50 or RM100. This means that should we forget to bring along the toy on trips, the constant whining (maybe) or my kid's difficulty to sleep at night (maybe) would really affect us.
For some, a friend's mug (cup/glass) would cost only RM5.00, and it's of no value to us, but to that friend, the value is priceless, coz' it's given by a loved one, or a gift for winning something, or whatever else. Which brings us to the topic of how do we actually put value to an item.
An item, no matter how small or big that we spend a lot of time with, especially if memories are connected to it, brings the item to a very high value, or to sound better, brings us to really cherish that item. For me personally, there are certain things that I put high value to, like my wireless router,... kidding! Let's talk emotional values here, not price value. There are things that may be cheap but you really don't want to ever sell it should someone comes with 10 times the price. And there will be things whereby you don't need anymore, and never will, but you still keep, because of sentimental reasons.
A personal example would be my spectacles. Used for four years, about to throw it away the other day, and then I remember the 'unconditional service' or 'benefit' it's given me, being able to scout for pretty girls from far away, ok, not that, but the ability to really see well than just foggy and blurry images. This is how memory can significantly rise the value of the item.
I remembered reading a newspaper clipping some 4-5 years back. A helicopter crashed in Pahang I believed, and the pilots were rescued on that same day itself. The wife of one of the pilots was waiting at the rescue drop-zone and when the pilot was brought out of the helicopter, the first thing he said was "I'm sorry I lost our wedding ring". Value! This pilot, after a horrible ordeal, being injured, could realise that the wedding ring was gone from his finger during the crash. The example of how an item of love, or significant gift brings high value of an item.
Really put yourself into the next few paragraphs. You just got married and have bought a house. Few years later, you have your first child. Then many more children. Your family starts to create history and memories in the house. Painting of walls together, remembering your second child tumbled down the stairs when he was 2, planting a tree together, many family gatherings, children playing in the lawn, heck, even being robbed. Twenty five years down the road, that RM150k house would be say RM600k. Good money, your children are all grown up, you don't need that big house anymore, and you sell it. On the day you finally get a buyer, you will walk around the house, over and over again, practically 'seeing' your past, practically hearing your children holding a toy and saying "Daddy, look!". You see your wife in the kitchen smiling while cooking your favourite dish. You see your kid accidentally knocks the glass of juice off the table and it broke when it hit the floor, and your kid cries. Everything starts to come back.
The house is priceless, not RM600k. You know, the new owner will never love the house as you did. You know the owner is just buying the house to rent to others, an investment property, you are angry that there's no love to the house, but you cannot stop it. The last day you leave the house, you scratch at one wooden corner of the house, be it the ceiling near the roof, or some obscure place that you know paints will not reach for some time to come. And you write "Thank you for the all the memories you bestowed on our family. Love, your
In memory of the little red 'comel' with the 'semut' that has served my wife and our family for the past 7 years. Always in mind and heart.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
The Funny Thing About Food Industry
I was just chatting with a friend who went to gym for a free trial. Imagine this, according to the gym, new members are allowed to bring a friend for a free trial within 14 days of signup. So, somebody brought my friend to the gym, and guess what.... the gym says "yes, you're entitled to free usage of gym, but you're not entitled a towel." For those who are not used to gym matters, towel and workout comes together. All gyms will hand their members towels for use. Luckily she brought her own towel, go figure, she must've seen this coming.
Which comes to mind a tau foo fah seller in pasar besar TTDI. If you were to take-away the tau foo fah, she won't give you the plastic spoon. The spoon costs an additional 5 cents. This was back in the late 90's. Wouldn't the price include that plastic spoon? At least you don't have to wash it and come on, how much does a plastic spoon cost anyway? Satay sellers put in satay stick into the cost. It's like buying a pre-packed nasi lemak and they charge you for the plastic you put the nasi lemak in. It's like Makro 'soft persuade' you to buy their plastic bag since you cannot possible cash and carry more than 10 items.
But here we're talking about food industry. I'm sure quite a lot of you would have noticed, and agree with me that if you tapau (take-away, bungkus) an iced milo at a mamak stall, the milo you get in your plastic bag is more than they put into the glass for dine-in clients. There was a time when I was kiasu, buying a bungkus milo ais, and then sit down, ask for empty glass. Free anyway, and yes, I get about 1.25 glass of milo from my bungkus-ed iced milo.
On the other hand, we have restaurants that add charges for plastic bags and the likes. It's nice enough to live in Malaysia than overseas where they charge 20cents a squirt of chilli sauce (personal experience in New Zealand) or 10 cents for salt/pepper in McD. The question is, is it more costly to the food hawker/restaurant to sell at take-away or dine-in? What are the 'costs' involved?
Dine-in requires the following: -
- Degradation of cloth to wipe table before and after you eat
- Water to wash your hands, your plates and forks and spoons
- Degradation of plates, forks, spoons, chairs and whatever you use
- Cost of soap and cleaning liquid for washing
- Labour cost for the above
- Lights and fan/aircond (I know this is used in general, but in a month, you can actually divide the expense of aircond against amount of customers)
Tapau requires the following: -
- Plastic bags cost, newspaper/plastic cost and sometimes
- Labour cost for wrapping
- Additional stuff cost ie wooden chopsticks, plastic forks and spoons
Which comes to mind a tau foo fah seller in pasar besar TTDI. If you were to take-away the tau foo fah, she won't give you the plastic spoon. The spoon costs an additional 5 cents. This was back in the late 90's. Wouldn't the price include that plastic spoon? At least you don't have to wash it and come on, how much does a plastic spoon cost anyway? Satay sellers put in satay stick into the cost. It's like buying a pre-packed nasi lemak and they charge you for the plastic you put the nasi lemak in. It's like Makro 'soft persuade' you to buy their plastic bag since you cannot possible cash and carry more than 10 items.
But here we're talking about food industry. I'm sure quite a lot of you would have noticed, and agree with me that if you tapau (take-away, bungkus) an iced milo at a mamak stall, the milo you get in your plastic bag is more than they put into the glass for dine-in clients. There was a time when I was kiasu, buying a bungkus milo ais, and then sit down, ask for empty glass. Free anyway, and yes, I get about 1.25 glass of milo from my bungkus-ed iced milo.
On the other hand, we have restaurants that add charges for plastic bags and the likes. It's nice enough to live in Malaysia than overseas where they charge 20cents a squirt of chilli sauce (personal experience in New Zealand) or 10 cents for salt/pepper in McD. The question is, is it more costly to the food hawker/restaurant to sell at take-away or dine-in? What are the 'costs' involved?
Dine-in requires the following: -
- Degradation of cloth to wipe table before and after you eat
- Water to wash your hands, your plates and forks and spoons
- Degradation of plates, forks, spoons, chairs and whatever you use
- Cost of soap and cleaning liquid for washing
- Labour cost for the above
- Lights and fan/aircond (I know this is used in general, but in a month, you can actually divide the expense of aircond against amount of customers)
Tapau requires the following: -
- Plastic bags cost, newspaper/plastic cost and sometimes
- Labour cost for wrapping
- Additional stuff cost ie wooden chopsticks, plastic forks and spoons
Seriously, I have no idea which costs more, but I think on a quantity basis, dine-in cost more but on a single customer basis, tapau costs more. So, while mamak stall have to absorb more cost when a customer buy iced milo, why do they give MORE iced milo? Which comes to the same for pre-cooked quick food like fried rice, fried kuey teow and the likes. Err... pre-cooked here means you just need to take it from the tray into your plate/tapau box. Good tapau box like those made in micro-wavable plastic is rather costly as compared to just a simple plastic. But Pizza hut gives spaghetti in that!
Back to topic, you place fried rice in your plate and you place fried rice in your tapau box, the price is the same but you get more in the tapau box. I guess we need to thank the makers of these tapau boxes, be it plastic or sterofoam (or however you spell it). They manage to trick the eye of food-sellers that since the size (width-span) of boxes is smaller than plates, tapau customers get less or somewhat same.
Just a quick summary. You eat McD, if you tapau, you get bonus paper bag, plastic bag, more tissues than you use when dine-in and more chilli sauces than you use when dine-in. You eat roti canai, if you tapau, you get bonus plastic, newspaper, plastic bag and more curry/dhal than you eat when dine-in. You eat yong tau fu, if you tapai, you get bonus plastic bags and more sauce than you get when dine-in. BUT, they cost more to the seller actually.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Maintenance Day
Today is what I would call a "Maintenance Day". From troubleshooting of internet routers and gateways, to configuring emails, to troubleshoot motherboard with com port error, to getting myself involved with the REAL maintenance of the building. The last part was after lunch.
It's amazing to see what happens on certain occasions which RARELY happens. Yes, my building used to have power trips that affected several floors, sometimes even the whole building, but never has it been like it was today.
I was just done with lunch and was lepak-ing at the reception area when my receptionist got about two phonecalls on power trips on the high zones of the building. Then when I saw the "emergency light" came on (the rectangular white light, dunno how to explain), then I knew something bad was happening. I went to the new manager, told him we're experiencing power trip again, but maybe to a greater degree. Even then I saw my accounts assistance also answering calls of power trips.
What an experience, the moment we stepped out to the lift lobby, we hear screaming and banging and bells. Seems that the generator did not kick up and the lift was stuck halfway, with totally no power. We went through the fire escape to two floors down towards maintenance/security room, and the fire escape was pitch black. I can imagine how those people in the elevator must've felt. Pitch black with only my phone light to help me look for the steps, I cannot imagine what the people of 9/11 experienced, with panic and all.
Anyway, the entire maintenance crew was out running about on the power trips leaving only one staff in the room and she had to answer more calls asking about opening lifts, no power, no lights, no airconds. Kesian. Luckily, the power was up again within 5 minutes. Then comes the "What the hell happened?!?" part which I had to handle (being a tenant liaison person and all, which was not even in my employment letter). Things went ok after that. Just a somewhat harrowing experience for them. For me, it was err... mildly exciting seeing the panic. :P
It's amazing to see what happens on certain occasions which RARELY happens. Yes, my building used to have power trips that affected several floors, sometimes even the whole building, but never has it been like it was today.
I was just done with lunch and was lepak-ing at the reception area when my receptionist got about two phonecalls on power trips on the high zones of the building. Then when I saw the "emergency light" came on (the rectangular white light, dunno how to explain), then I knew something bad was happening. I went to the new manager, told him we're experiencing power trip again, but maybe to a greater degree. Even then I saw my accounts assistance also answering calls of power trips.
What an experience, the moment we stepped out to the lift lobby, we hear screaming and banging and bells. Seems that the generator did not kick up and the lift was stuck halfway, with totally no power. We went through the fire escape to two floors down towards maintenance/security room, and the fire escape was pitch black. I can imagine how those people in the elevator must've felt. Pitch black with only my phone light to help me look for the steps, I cannot imagine what the people of 9/11 experienced, with panic and all.
Anyway, the entire maintenance crew was out running about on the power trips leaving only one staff in the room and she had to answer more calls asking about opening lifts, no power, no lights, no airconds. Kesian. Luckily, the power was up again within 5 minutes. Then comes the "What the hell happened?!?" part which I had to handle (being a tenant liaison person and all, which was not even in my employment letter). Things went ok after that. Just a somewhat harrowing experience for them. For me, it was err... mildly exciting seeing the panic. :P
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
How To Say No To A Salesperson
In a superbly short introduction, lemme just say that there are two types of products that salesperson sells, one is a tangible product such as pen, pencils, shorts, undies, etc... and the other intangible like insurance, seminars, investment vehicles, services, etc. There's two ways to sell a product, one is by numbers, that is, to convince you by reasoning and analysis (ie. investment property, business softwares, etc) and another by creating an emotional needs in a person (ie. handphones for status, house for family, etc). How do we really know WHEN to say NO to a salesman.
First of all, listen to the sales pitch. If you already know what the product is and you're totally sure you're not interested in it, that's WHEN you know you need to say NO. If you're willing to wait, means that you're still open to discussion, so, well, it's not yet time to say NO. So basically, there are three feelings in the first 1 minute with a salesperson. It's either a confirmed NO, a "I'll check it out", or a "I think I might be interested". Rarely is there a "YES I WANT!" in the first 1 minute unless you were already looking for that product in the first place.
So, if it's a confirmed NO, you just need to say you're not interested. Not to be racist here, but usually indian salesperson does not understand "I'm not interested". I have had at least thrice experienced an indian salesperson selling to a chinese lady above 35 sitting nearby. At the end of the conversation, it's always something like "You ah... (while taking out purse), very smooth talker lah. Haihh..." and she pays for it. Yep, indian salesperson are smooth talker, and the meaning of "I'm not interested" is intepreted as "You're losing me as a customer, do try harder please! Give a better sales pitch!"
Now, if you ARE faced with someone who still wanna push a product when you already said you're not interested (and you're REALLY not interested, as in, you really do not want to consider it anymore), then you're faced with harassment. Seriously! It's no different from a robbery or extortion. The only difference is that someone wants your money, in exchange for something you don't need. Here is where you do not need to be all nice anymore, because you've said your say. If you're agressive, say "I said I'm not interested", and further harassment will be followed by "Do you need me to call the police to stop his harassment?!". If you're average, just say "I'm really not interested, thank you." and pick up your phone to call someone, anyone at all. If you're all preen and proper, say "F**K YOU!" Kidding! Just say "Look, no matter what you say, I'm not gonna buy it, so why not don't waste your time on me and utilise that time to sell to others who might say yes?" Personally, I just say "Not interested" and break eye-contact. This works very well against salesperson who comes to see you uninvited. If the salesperson is from the phone, and you're totally not interested, just say "Sorry, I'm not interested."
A trick that all salesman learn is that "Once I can see you, I can have a better chance of selling." So, the phonecall will continue normally with "I just want to introduce this product to you, no obligation. Just to meet up with you to introduce the product." Just say "I'm not even interested to know what the product offers." or just tell them that you're really busy and have no free time. Should they insist, (and I hate that), do what I do, which is to say "Okay, next week Thursday"... and then when Wednesday comes and they call you to remind you, you say "Sorry, got something up, why not next week Wednesday?" and keep postponing till they get the story. While this is a 'bad' way to handle pushy salesperson, just remember, you are being harassed eventhough you're NOT interested. Keep that feeling of harassment in mind, stealing your time from what you WANT to do, that way, you'll know how to react.
Okay, next. If you're willing to listen to the sales pitch. The moment you are willing to listen, switch off your emotions. I repeat, switch off your emotions! Unless you're ACTIVELY looking to buy a house, or clothes (salesperson don't sell clothes though), or cars, you will not buy according to emotions. A Dunhill cigarette lover ended up buying Salem from sexy Salem girls are caught in emotions (to please the girls, ya right!!). So, for a third time, switch off your emotions. Look at numbers.
If you're being sold a pen, do you really need to buy a 17th working pen when you have one in your pocket and another 15 at home? What? The pen can change tv channel is it?? If you're being sold a holiday package, take out a calculator, check your usual holiday routine per year, compare it to the package. If the package does not compliment your holiday routine, forget it. An example. I stay in KL. If I go on a holiday, it'll be to maybe Penang, or Johor. This dude is selling me a holiday package in Hotel Sunway. Why do you need to holiday in Sunway when you're in KL!?? Another example, if a dude sells a hotel package in Langkawi that saves you RM50 nightly, and the package cost is RM300. You'll need to stay in Langkawi 6 days to break-even. If you have not planned to go Langkawi and stay for 6 days, the package is useless. If you're sold an investment vehicle, know your risk profile. You must understand that the moment you sign up for an investment stuff, you're already making a loss. Check with numbers and history of the company, the investment package itself, and make your own judgment. Problem is, investment package is like predicting rain. Sometimes it goes ok, sometimes does not. So if you're really interested in an investment package, take it home, study it, give it a week or two and then make your decision.
Coming to investment package, if you're a bumiputera (malay, orang asli, Iban, Bidayuh, Kadazan, and many more), ASB or Amanah Saham Bumiputera is the FIRST investment you should venture into. In the past 5 years, it has never failed to give a minimum dividend of 6%, much better than that of FD or even Bonds on some occasion. Only after you're satisfied with your money in ASB, or hunger for something at 10% or 12% then you can find other investment vehicles, albeit more risky.
Back to salesperson. Not all salesperson are bad. They (myself included) are sometimes just a shipwrecked person wanting to survive. Those on commissions are especially more tenacious in their selling because they need to meet a certain target. Friendly ones are ok, and if they show numbers a lot and don't push, you'll have a good learning experience. Those very pushy ones, are desperate for sales, or are currently the best in their company and wish to remain that way. These you have to be careful coz' there are too many tricks up their sleeves. The best way to deal with ALL salesman is, to never sign on ANYTHING! NO! DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING AT ALL! Not on your first meeting at least!
No matter how amazing the product is, do not sign on first meeting. All those "today's the last day" or "today you get 50% off" are mostly bullcrap. Personally, I'm more happy with potential tenants/clients wanting to see me again on another day then straight away sign up on that day, coz' they did not have some time to think about it, and I might have pressured into something they don't want. Those who pushes with the "buy now or regret later", you'll just say "I'll rather regret not buying than regret buying."
Any questions? Basically, being on the receiving side of a sales pitch is very nice, at least to me. I can learn about a product or services for free. It's like a free lecture a university is giving. But for those who have problems saying "NO", flee as fast as you can.
First of all, listen to the sales pitch. If you already know what the product is and you're totally sure you're not interested in it, that's WHEN you know you need to say NO. If you're willing to wait, means that you're still open to discussion, so, well, it's not yet time to say NO. So basically, there are three feelings in the first 1 minute with a salesperson. It's either a confirmed NO, a "I'll check it out", or a "I think I might be interested". Rarely is there a "YES I WANT!" in the first 1 minute unless you were already looking for that product in the first place.
So, if it's a confirmed NO, you just need to say you're not interested. Not to be racist here, but usually indian salesperson does not understand "I'm not interested". I have had at least thrice experienced an indian salesperson selling to a chinese lady above 35 sitting nearby. At the end of the conversation, it's always something like "You ah... (while taking out purse), very smooth talker lah. Haihh..." and she pays for it. Yep, indian salesperson are smooth talker, and the meaning of "I'm not interested" is intepreted as "You're losing me as a customer, do try harder please! Give a better sales pitch!"
Now, if you ARE faced with someone who still wanna push a product when you already said you're not interested (and you're REALLY not interested, as in, you really do not want to consider it anymore), then you're faced with harassment. Seriously! It's no different from a robbery or extortion. The only difference is that someone wants your money, in exchange for something you don't need. Here is where you do not need to be all nice anymore, because you've said your say. If you're agressive, say "I said I'm not interested", and further harassment will be followed by "Do you need me to call the police to stop his harassment?!". If you're average, just say "I'm really not interested, thank you." and pick up your phone to call someone, anyone at all. If you're all preen and proper, say "F**K YOU!" Kidding! Just say "Look, no matter what you say, I'm not gonna buy it, so why not don't waste your time on me and utilise that time to sell to others who might say yes?" Personally, I just say "Not interested" and break eye-contact. This works very well against salesperson who comes to see you uninvited. If the salesperson is from the phone, and you're totally not interested, just say "Sorry, I'm not interested."
A trick that all salesman learn is that "Once I can see you, I can have a better chance of selling." So, the phonecall will continue normally with "I just want to introduce this product to you, no obligation. Just to meet up with you to introduce the product." Just say "I'm not even interested to know what the product offers." or just tell them that you're really busy and have no free time. Should they insist, (and I hate that), do what I do, which is to say "Okay, next week Thursday"... and then when Wednesday comes and they call you to remind you, you say "Sorry, got something up, why not next week Wednesday?" and keep postponing till they get the story. While this is a 'bad' way to handle pushy salesperson, just remember, you are being harassed eventhough you're NOT interested. Keep that feeling of harassment in mind, stealing your time from what you WANT to do, that way, you'll know how to react.
Okay, next. If you're willing to listen to the sales pitch. The moment you are willing to listen, switch off your emotions. I repeat, switch off your emotions! Unless you're ACTIVELY looking to buy a house, or clothes (salesperson don't sell clothes though), or cars, you will not buy according to emotions. A Dunhill cigarette lover ended up buying Salem from sexy Salem girls are caught in emotions (to please the girls, ya right!!). So, for a third time, switch off your emotions. Look at numbers.
If you're being sold a pen, do you really need to buy a 17th working pen when you have one in your pocket and another 15 at home? What? The pen can change tv channel is it?? If you're being sold a holiday package, take out a calculator, check your usual holiday routine per year, compare it to the package. If the package does not compliment your holiday routine, forget it. An example. I stay in KL. If I go on a holiday, it'll be to maybe Penang, or Johor. This dude is selling me a holiday package in Hotel Sunway. Why do you need to holiday in Sunway when you're in KL!?? Another example, if a dude sells a hotel package in Langkawi that saves you RM50 nightly, and the package cost is RM300. You'll need to stay in Langkawi 6 days to break-even. If you have not planned to go Langkawi and stay for 6 days, the package is useless. If you're sold an investment vehicle, know your risk profile. You must understand that the moment you sign up for an investment stuff, you're already making a loss. Check with numbers and history of the company, the investment package itself, and make your own judgment. Problem is, investment package is like predicting rain. Sometimes it goes ok, sometimes does not. So if you're really interested in an investment package, take it home, study it, give it a week or two and then make your decision.
Coming to investment package, if you're a bumiputera (malay, orang asli, Iban, Bidayuh, Kadazan, and many more), ASB or Amanah Saham Bumiputera is the FIRST investment you should venture into. In the past 5 years, it has never failed to give a minimum dividend of 6%, much better than that of FD or even Bonds on some occasion. Only after you're satisfied with your money in ASB, or hunger for something at 10% or 12% then you can find other investment vehicles, albeit more risky.
Back to salesperson. Not all salesperson are bad. They (myself included) are sometimes just a shipwrecked person wanting to survive. Those on commissions are especially more tenacious in their selling because they need to meet a certain target. Friendly ones are ok, and if they show numbers a lot and don't push, you'll have a good learning experience. Those very pushy ones, are desperate for sales, or are currently the best in their company and wish to remain that way. These you have to be careful coz' there are too many tricks up their sleeves. The best way to deal with ALL salesman is, to never sign on ANYTHING! NO! DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING AT ALL! Not on your first meeting at least!
No matter how amazing the product is, do not sign on first meeting. All those "today's the last day" or "today you get 50% off" are mostly bullcrap. Personally, I'm more happy with potential tenants/clients wanting to see me again on another day then straight away sign up on that day, coz' they did not have some time to think about it, and I might have pressured into something they don't want. Those who pushes with the "buy now or regret later", you'll just say "I'll rather regret not buying than regret buying."
Any questions? Basically, being on the receiving side of a sales pitch is very nice, at least to me. I can learn about a product or services for free. It's like a free lecture a university is giving. But for those who have problems saying "NO", flee as fast as you can.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Get Enough Rest
It is really important for any adult to have enough rest through sleep and vacations and cuci mata look at girls/guys, but the sleeping part is the most important. Without enough sleep, not only will your brain be slowed down, but you might just experience out of body experience, plain blabbering of nonsense to people's question or pure hallucication.
I have had one month of a very tiring job, and at the end of the month when the new manager came in to relieve me off some work, I had another 3 days of lack of sleep, and thus, experienced the following incident on Sunday while my wife was not home for the entire morning till afternoon.
Daily routine for my baby (literally, not "yo, baby... how ya doin'?" type) is to wake up about 5am or so, play around till about 7am or 8am, and then start his bath at 8:30am, have his breakfast, have some activity and by 9:30am or so, he'll go to bed, and I'll have my own rest time to do what I need to do, like taking a bath, having my breakfast and then some activity... hey, me and me baby have the same routine! Except the sleep part lah.
This time, by 10:15 he was awake, just 45 minutes of sleep. Hmm... usually it lasts anywhere between an hour to three hours. Since he was awake, I took him out the living room and placed him in his exersaucer (some contraption to make baby 'stand' and play, but not move about the whole house or kingdom). Now, it's common for any houses to hear slamming of doors, which ends up being the neighbours. Or hearing of voices, which ends up being people talking at the back lane, and the voices come through the kitchen window. In my apartment, though located some levels off the ground, we can hear people talking at the construction site nearby.
Back to story, after about an hour of playing activities ie. reading papers, watch tv, playing with baby and the likes, I heard a baby crying, and coming from the other part of my house. Now, if it was voices then it's common, but now it was a baby's cry. My only guess was that the baby is at the swimming pool downstairs with his/her caretakers or parents. Anyway, my baby looked at me coz' he heard the crying too. So, I picked him up, held him close, walked towards the master bedroom to look out the window, but as I got nearer, the baby's crying sounded sooo close.
Anyway, I opened the bedroom door, heard the baby's crying in the room itself! Looking at the bed, the thick blanket moved a little and the crying originated from there. Feeling very awkward but not fully scared, I moved closer and peeped past the pile high blanket, and saw my baby. Shocked! What the?!? Then I looked my own arm and I was actually craddling his pillow. Now... am I crazy?! I did have some interaction with my baby in the living room just now, so was all that totally hallucination?! Is it possible for lack of sleep to create such a ridiculous hallucination? To cut the story short, I picked him and and brought him out, but I cannot get over what just happened to me.
Later, I was wondering whether I should tell my wife about the incident. Thinking about it, I think I should not let her know. I mean, why should I? Since this is just a tale I coughed up. Sigh of relief.... phewww.
I have had one month of a very tiring job, and at the end of the month when the new manager came in to relieve me off some work, I had another 3 days of lack of sleep, and thus, experienced the following incident on Sunday while my wife was not home for the entire morning till afternoon.
Daily routine for my baby (literally, not "yo, baby... how ya doin'?" type) is to wake up about 5am or so, play around till about 7am or 8am, and then start his bath at 8:30am, have his breakfast, have some activity and by 9:30am or so, he'll go to bed, and I'll have my own rest time to do what I need to do, like taking a bath, having my breakfast and then some activity... hey, me and me baby have the same routine! Except the sleep part lah.
This time, by 10:15 he was awake, just 45 minutes of sleep. Hmm... usually it lasts anywhere between an hour to three hours. Since he was awake, I took him out the living room and placed him in his exersaucer (some contraption to make baby 'stand' and play, but not move about the whole house or kingdom). Now, it's common for any houses to hear slamming of doors, which ends up being the neighbours. Or hearing of voices, which ends up being people talking at the back lane, and the voices come through the kitchen window. In my apartment, though located some levels off the ground, we can hear people talking at the construction site nearby.
Back to story, after about an hour of playing activities ie. reading papers, watch tv, playing with baby and the likes, I heard a baby crying, and coming from the other part of my house. Now, if it was voices then it's common, but now it was a baby's cry. My only guess was that the baby is at the swimming pool downstairs with his/her caretakers or parents. Anyway, my baby looked at me coz' he heard the crying too. So, I picked him up, held him close, walked towards the master bedroom to look out the window, but as I got nearer, the baby's crying sounded sooo close.
Anyway, I opened the bedroom door, heard the baby's crying in the room itself! Looking at the bed, the thick blanket moved a little and the crying originated from there. Feeling very awkward but not fully scared, I moved closer and peeped past the pile high blanket, and saw my baby. Shocked! What the?!? Then I looked my own arm and I was actually craddling his pillow. Now... am I crazy?! I did have some interaction with my baby in the living room just now, so was all that totally hallucination?! Is it possible for lack of sleep to create such a ridiculous hallucination? To cut the story short, I picked him and and brought him out, but I cannot get over what just happened to me.
Later, I was wondering whether I should tell my wife about the incident. Thinking about it, I think I should not let her know. I mean, why should I? Since this is just a tale I coughed up. Sigh of relief.... phewww.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Sales for Hotel Membership (Again!)
I'm not too well today, with bad sorethroat and hot/cold feeling over my body. Something like the symptom of fever, but however, as evil as I sound now, I cannot help but feel so much better receiving an amusing phonecall from a hotel membership sales representative.
His first words were something like "Hello, Mr Java, I'm calling from Park Royal Hotel and I want to introduce you to our membership priviledges. Park Royal Hotel is located at the Heart of KL." Straight away I knew he was practically READING OFF THE TEXT! As aloof as I am to say this, I really believe that no one should sell by reading text. Fine, I understand very new sales people need to have guidance, but I really think they need to just use the keywords, and make the sentences themselves, rather than reading and accidentally reading wrongly and correcting what they read. Anyway, seeing that he's a text-reading guy, and I was not interested in the membership, I swayed the conversation out of his text and see how he does without reading the text. Man, this paragraph sux, my england teruk.
The following is a copy of conversation I had with him as I was able to type out what he's saying, but it just came a bit late in the conversation. Practically, this is after I asked him to explain a bit on the dining priviledge. The italics in bracket is my own comment in my head. If you're bored, you can just skip to the last two bits of conversation which had me laughing my head off.
Salesman: Ok, Mr Java. If you don't mind me asking. Are you married or have a partner?
Me: Married.
Salesman: Oh married. Ok. So just say you and your wife is dining. And the bill is RM200. That's ok right?
Me: No, that's not ok. We normally maintain outside dining up to RM30 only.
Salesman: Up to 30 ringgit?? Okay, at the end of the meal, your total food bill will be reduced to 50%, it will be RM100. That sounds fantastic, doesn't it? Ya, for only RM388. For a 12 months membership. One more is that you can dine out as often as you like next year. So there's no limit how much you can spend. (Wah lan... this guy really encourage people to spend spend spend)
Me: No, it doesn't sound fantastic. I have other financial obligations, of course I won't go spending on dining the whole year.
Salesman: Just say your wife go to buffet dinner and let's say RM50 per person. If you're our club member, you just need to pay RM50. So if you dine 100 times a year, so you'll save RM5000. (Woo hoo... optimism at the max! It's like asking people to buy McD value meal everyday and save up to RM10000 per year!) So, how would you like your name to appear on your membership card, sir? Are you using Visa or Master? (This is the stupid push factor I hate in all salesman)
Me: Look. I only spend at max RM30 for my family, and at RM388 just to enjoy 50% dining is ridiculous.
Salesman: Oh I see, apart from dining benefit, as a member you will also receive 50% reduction or a 5% off promotional rate. Mr Java, don't you that represent excellent benefit? (Suddenly his english perfect again. And I like how he's going. Slowly push additional benefit one by one which is in fact already part of the package.)
Me: I'm already staying in KL. I don't think I need a hotel to stay in KL.
Salesman: We are extremely excited to bring you opportunity to this benefit. (Ha?!) You take leave or valentines, or on birthday can come stay for a romantic night. Or you can give the voucher to other people, and Park Royal is located in heart of KL. So the location is very nice. (Serioucly this guy need to do his sales pitch homework properly. If want me to give voucher to other people, ask other people to buy lah!) Or you can eact with your friend. Mr Java, where do you normally eat with your friend?
Me: Mamak lah.
Salesman: Mamak?! But don't you think dining in restaurant, you know, the status is different.
Me: Ya, but you can't laugh or shout or talk loudly and just be yourself.
Salesman: Ya, but the bill you pay is almost the same, coz' for two people you get 50% discount.
I stopped typing the conversation there coz' trying hard to tahan from laughing. The bill you pay is almost the same eating in hotel and mamak?!? Even at 50% discount?!? Damn, he must really be joking. Or he himself was trying to contain from laughing. As crazy as I have eaten at mamak last time, eating yong tau fu for starters, chicken chop for meal and satay to finish it off, with 2 fruit drinks, that'll bring the bill to about RM18 only. Two people eat is RM36. Hotel starts at RM50 (salesman say), and he forgot to include the service charge 10% and tax 5%, bringing to a total of RM57.50.
Really am tired of facing these new sales people who don't do homework.
His first words were something like "Hello, Mr Java, I'm calling from Park Royal Hotel and I want to introduce you to our membership priviledges. Park Royal Hotel is located at the Heart of KL." Straight away I knew he was practically READING OFF THE TEXT! As aloof as I am to say this, I really believe that no one should sell by reading text. Fine, I understand very new sales people need to have guidance, but I really think they need to just use the keywords, and make the sentences themselves, rather than reading and accidentally reading wrongly and correcting what they read. Anyway, seeing that he's a text-reading guy, and I was not interested in the membership, I swayed the conversation out of his text and see how he does without reading the text. Man, this paragraph sux, my england teruk.
The following is a copy of conversation I had with him as I was able to type out what he's saying, but it just came a bit late in the conversation. Practically, this is after I asked him to explain a bit on the dining priviledge. The italics in bracket is my own comment in my head. If you're bored, you can just skip to the last two bits of conversation which had me laughing my head off.
Salesman: Ok, Mr Java. If you don't mind me asking. Are you married or have a partner?
Me: Married.
Salesman: Oh married. Ok. So just say you and your wife is dining. And the bill is RM200. That's ok right?
Me: No, that's not ok. We normally maintain outside dining up to RM30 only.
Salesman: Up to 30 ringgit?? Okay, at the end of the meal, your total food bill will be reduced to 50%, it will be RM100. That sounds fantastic, doesn't it? Ya, for only RM388. For a 12 months membership. One more is that you can dine out as often as you like next year. So there's no limit how much you can spend. (Wah lan... this guy really encourage people to spend spend spend)
Me: No, it doesn't sound fantastic. I have other financial obligations, of course I won't go spending on dining the whole year.
Salesman: Just say your wife go to buffet dinner and let's say RM50 per person. If you're our club member, you just need to pay RM50. So if you dine 100 times a year, so you'll save RM5000. (Woo hoo... optimism at the max! It's like asking people to buy McD value meal everyday and save up to RM10000 per year!) So, how would you like your name to appear on your membership card, sir? Are you using Visa or Master? (This is the stupid push factor I hate in all salesman)
Me: Look. I only spend at max RM30 for my family, and at RM388 just to enjoy 50% dining is ridiculous.
Salesman: Oh I see, apart from dining benefit, as a member you will also receive 50% reduction or a 5% off promotional rate. Mr Java, don't you that represent excellent benefit? (Suddenly his english perfect again. And I like how he's going. Slowly push additional benefit one by one which is in fact already part of the package.)
Me: I'm already staying in KL. I don't think I need a hotel to stay in KL.
Salesman: We are extremely excited to bring you opportunity to this benefit. (Ha?!) You take leave or valentines, or on birthday can come stay for a romantic night. Or you can give the voucher to other people, and Park Royal is located in heart of KL. So the location is very nice. (Serioucly this guy need to do his sales pitch homework properly. If want me to give voucher to other people, ask other people to buy lah!) Or you can eact with your friend. Mr Java, where do you normally eat with your friend?
Me: Mamak lah.
Salesman: Mamak?! But don't you think dining in restaurant, you know, the status is different.
Me: Ya, but you can't laugh or shout or talk loudly and just be yourself.
Salesman: Ya, but the bill you pay is almost the same, coz' for two people you get 50% discount.
I stopped typing the conversation there coz' trying hard to tahan from laughing. The bill you pay is almost the same eating in hotel and mamak?!? Even at 50% discount?!? Damn, he must really be joking. Or he himself was trying to contain from laughing. As crazy as I have eaten at mamak last time, eating yong tau fu for starters, chicken chop for meal and satay to finish it off, with 2 fruit drinks, that'll bring the bill to about RM18 only. Two people eat is RM36. Hotel starts at RM50 (salesman say), and he forgot to include the service charge 10% and tax 5%, bringing to a total of RM57.50.
Really am tired of facing these new sales people who don't do homework.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Managers Title
This is a half rant and half observation post. The rant first...
This month is a superbly tiring month for me that I don't even have time to update my blog. Basically, I'm okay with my work, just that it sometimes amuses me at what I have to do since there are still no managers around for decision making. I have chaired another 'maintenance' meeting, this time it's even worst. When the meeting commence, I practically said "The purpose for this meeting is to.... bla bla bla, (looking at supplier), basically the things we need are bla bla bla, if you have any questions, these are the maintenance and security staff who will help answer your queries." And that's it! From then on until the meeting end, I just sit and listen coz' I have absolutely no knowledge on whatever they're talking about. Sigh.... even when the Bomba came to inspect the fire safety of the building, I had to get involved. Amusing, but really takes away time from marketing. End of rant.
There is a growing trend, actually, the trend is already in place, that the moment a new staff comes into the company, they're given a "Manager" title, or in some real estate industry, they're given "Senior Real Estate Negotiator". The pay is no different from that of an executive. The reason comes from people we meet who says the following "No, I don't want to waste my time talking to an executive. Can I speak to your boss instead?"
Yes, that's right. It's already a norm in the industry that says, executives cannot make a desicion. They're just a go-between. Might as well talk to someone in power. Power or not, I have met these managers and senior negotiators who still say "I have to get back to you on that." Duh, still NO power of decision making. What's the use of giving a title? It's a con job actually, conning people to really speak to non-decision makers in the end. :D So what's the use of that title?
This month is a superbly tiring month for me that I don't even have time to update my blog. Basically, I'm okay with my work, just that it sometimes amuses me at what I have to do since there are still no managers around for decision making. I have chaired another 'maintenance' meeting, this time it's even worst. When the meeting commence, I practically said "The purpose for this meeting is to.... bla bla bla, (looking at supplier), basically the things we need are bla bla bla, if you have any questions, these are the maintenance and security staff who will help answer your queries." And that's it! From then on until the meeting end, I just sit and listen coz' I have absolutely no knowledge on whatever they're talking about. Sigh.... even when the Bomba came to inspect the fire safety of the building, I had to get involved. Amusing, but really takes away time from marketing. End of rant.
There is a growing trend, actually, the trend is already in place, that the moment a new staff comes into the company, they're given a "Manager" title, or in some real estate industry, they're given "Senior Real Estate Negotiator". The pay is no different from that of an executive. The reason comes from people we meet who says the following "No, I don't want to waste my time talking to an executive. Can I speak to your boss instead?"
Yes, that's right. It's already a norm in the industry that says, executives cannot make a desicion. They're just a go-between. Might as well talk to someone in power. Power or not, I have met these managers and senior negotiators who still say "I have to get back to you on that." Duh, still NO power of decision making. What's the use of giving a title? It's a con job actually, conning people to really speak to non-decision makers in the end. :D So what's the use of that title?
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
The Human Mind: Controlling The Body
Side note: I will not get a computer by first quarter as I will wait for Dual Core Processor to drop in price. While many people will say it's a waste for Dual Core if I'm not multitasking, I do need the second core purely for chess analysis. I'd probably get the compy in August.
Most of my friends are already very aware of what I'm writing in this post because I've been bringing up this issue once in a while since 1998. The reason for this to be in the post is for me to have it documented, and not just stay on my mind, to wilt away. Come to think of it, I should document questions that I've yet to ask experts, but that's another post.
When I made a blunder while playing chess back in 1998, and saw my Knight swiped away for free, this coldness came over me. The panic, the sheer embarassment over my mistake. Believe it or not, my hands were cold. Our hands are cold when we're sitting alone, afraid of ghosts in the dark. Our hands are warm during anger, and we can even sweat being angry, or stressed!
You see, part of our body's temperature actually changes according to our emotions at that time. What I cannot accept is, why can't we control the temperature changes on our own? Who is Emotion, who is strong enough to control our body's temperature?? Why do fear, embarassment, anger and stress able to affect the body's temperature so greatly, while if you just sit down and say "now... hands, be cold!" and your hands will laugh at you... okay lah, if you hands really laugh at you, you're crazy.
Seriously, I've once in a while try to consciously change my body temperature, but to no avail. Somehow, we just don't know how, unless we ask Emotion for help. Simple, we just need to say, "Mind, please remind me of how I got beaten up by thugs last week that stole my wallet". Then the movie clip starts, then Emotion comes in and say "Grrrr.....", and Emotion adjusts the temperature control on our body. It's amazing. If you use memories, yes, you can change your body temperature, but why can't we do it consciously?? We can move our hands consciously. We can rub our eyes, dig our nose, wink at people, salivate or nose bleed when we see pretty girls (oops, okay, this one we cannot control), we can jump, and do so many things but sigh.... the search for the control of body temperature goes on.
Most of my friends are already very aware of what I'm writing in this post because I've been bringing up this issue once in a while since 1998. The reason for this to be in the post is for me to have it documented, and not just stay on my mind, to wilt away. Come to think of it, I should document questions that I've yet to ask experts, but that's another post.
When I made a blunder while playing chess back in 1998, and saw my Knight swiped away for free, this coldness came over me. The panic, the sheer embarassment over my mistake. Believe it or not, my hands were cold. Our hands are cold when we're sitting alone, afraid of ghosts in the dark. Our hands are warm during anger, and we can even sweat being angry, or stressed!
You see, part of our body's temperature actually changes according to our emotions at that time. What I cannot accept is, why can't we control the temperature changes on our own? Who is Emotion, who is strong enough to control our body's temperature?? Why do fear, embarassment, anger and stress able to affect the body's temperature so greatly, while if you just sit down and say "now... hands, be cold!" and your hands will laugh at you... okay lah, if you hands really laugh at you, you're crazy.
Seriously, I've once in a while try to consciously change my body temperature, but to no avail. Somehow, we just don't know how, unless we ask Emotion for help. Simple, we just need to say, "Mind, please remind me of how I got beaten up by thugs last week that stole my wallet". Then the movie clip starts, then Emotion comes in and say "Grrrr.....", and Emotion adjusts the temperature control on our body. It's amazing. If you use memories, yes, you can change your body temperature, but why can't we do it consciously?? We can move our hands consciously. We can rub our eyes, dig our nose, wink at people, salivate or nose bleed when we see pretty girls (oops, okay, this one we cannot control), we can jump, and do so many things but sigh.... the search for the control of body temperature goes on.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
How many people does it take to.....??
We've heard those jokes people ask about "How many people does it take to change a lightbulb?" that touches races, job skills, etc. Due to the fact that my M&E Manager has left the company, I had to attend a meeting this morning, regarding installation of a satellite dish on our mast-antenna (dunno the engineering term for this) rooftop.
The question is, how many engineers does it take to install a satellite dish?! In my case, 16 people! Wah liao, I've never seen so many people in the meeting room before that some had to stand and listen to the meeting. And there's only one M&E supervisor and myself having to discuss all these technical details to which I have totally zilch knowledge in.
Interestingly, I wondered why it takes 16 people. This is the case.
The question is, how many engineers does it take to install a satellite dish?! In my case, 16 people! Wah liao, I've never seen so many people in the meeting room before that some had to stand and listen to the meeting. And there's only one M&E supervisor and myself having to discuss all these technical details to which I have totally zilch knowledge in.
Interestingly, I wondered why it takes 16 people. This is the case.
- Three of them are from the radio wave company (the ones who owns the transmission).
- Three of them are the suppliers of the satellite dish, to discuss with team No. 5 on the size required and other parts required for the satellite dish transmission.
- Three are contractors, who will do the installation of equipments onto the mast-antenna and the control rooms.
- Three are electricians who will study how much heat these equipments in the control rooms will generate, and they have to study on how many horse-power airconditioner is needed, and where to tap the needed electricity from our building's power source.
- Three are engineers who will study the mast-antenna itself, to check in the loading of the dish, the weight, the diameter, whether the mast can hold during thunderstorm, strong wind, how much clamping is needed, etc.
- Another one is the supplier for the equipments for the control room.
My colleague was shaking his head, saying that only one person is needed from each company, or at maximum, two is needed for successful discussion. Right now all 16 are at the rooftop, I think tenants of other buildings will look out their office windows, look at our rooftop above them and think "Hmm.... these people are training to climb Everest". Imagine 18 people (plus 2 M&E staff) standing smiling, holding onto the mast-antenna, instead of a Malaysian flag. :D
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Location vs Hunger
Real estate says "Location, location and location!" or "Location, location and time".... usually to describe that you need to purchase real estate (for investment) in a prime location, and then time will do the necessary in making sure your real estate property goes up.
You buy shop houses in prime location and rent to banks, you're rich. You wanna open a business, you choose a place where there's plenty of people and market, and you open one, such as grocery store, or a laundry, or boutique, or bookstore, or whatever.
Then comes food, which kills that idiom of real estate to the ground. Why do people travel all the way to Melaka for the chicken rice ball when you can find in KL. Why would people travel out of the PLUS highway, just to drop by a Mee Rebus stall in Ipoh?? Why do people go all the way to Pandamaran for chinese seafood?! These locations are at least 50% and below cheaper in per square feet.
And why do I travel all the way from centre of KL, on a busy traffic jammed evening, in the middle of the week, all the way to Klang to have seafood at Medan Muara?!? The answer is, when it comes to food, location is not important. Real estate for restaurant is "taste, taste and distance!" The further it is, the more people will go there. Ask around, people like to TRAVEL to get their food, especially when you first started dating and while you're in college/university.
Gonna go off to get my sotong goreng tepung now at Medan Muara now.....
You buy shop houses in prime location and rent to banks, you're rich. You wanna open a business, you choose a place where there's plenty of people and market, and you open one, such as grocery store, or a laundry, or boutique, or bookstore, or whatever.
Then comes food, which kills that idiom of real estate to the ground. Why do people travel all the way to Melaka for the chicken rice ball when you can find in KL. Why would people travel out of the PLUS highway, just to drop by a Mee Rebus stall in Ipoh?? Why do people go all the way to Pandamaran for chinese seafood?! These locations are at least 50% and below cheaper in per square feet.
And why do I travel all the way from centre of KL, on a busy traffic jammed evening, in the middle of the week, all the way to Klang to have seafood at Medan Muara?!? The answer is, when it comes to food, location is not important. Real estate for restaurant is "taste, taste and distance!" The further it is, the more people will go there. Ask around, people like to TRAVEL to get their food, especially when you first started dating and while you're in college/university.
Gonna go off to get my sotong goreng tepung now at Medan Muara now.....
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Who's That Still There??
Taking a short break from career related posts, this is a combination between career related post and the paranormal.
My good friend's wife used to tell him that everyone in her office would leave the office by 7pm, because once the time reaches 7pm, the water from the water dispenser would start dripping slowly. It happens everyday, and scientifically, maybe we can analyse on the cooling effect the environment has as night comes, that causes some kind of reaction bla bla... dunno lah.
Also, our dear Kookycookie once had an interesting encounter whereby she came to the office with a colleague doing her work at her desk and leaving, only to found out later that the colleague was on MC and has never stepped foot in the office that day and no one else saw her. Interesting tale, or just the mind playing tricks.
Personally, like I've mentioned before some months ago, I don't discount the fact that 'things' live in a place where there's scarcity of people. My M&E Manager, two months ago told me that he used to stay back late at night, but have decided to go home early after two encounters. Nothing to see, but just that while he's alone in his office, the door to the reception opens and closes as if someone comes in, but when he calls out, no one answers. This is about 7:30pm to 8:00pm at night. You see, our office is really huge to place only 6 staff (and now it's only 4 staff!). The other time he keeps seeing someone walking past his doorway but he knows there's no one around. I dismiss this as a tired mind.
Last month, I was given the 'chance' to be alone in the office. Haha... too much work to finish up, while others have gone back. The thought of that 'thingy' moving about the office was not on my mind, but by 7:40pm or so, the door to the reception area did open and close. Then the memory came back. What's worse is that my own office is facing the reception table, with my view blocked by the partitions, and the door is just one meter away. Anyway, after three opens and closes of the door, I packed my stuff and left. Don't wanna stay until whatever it is shows itself up.
As you would have known that I'm taking care of a building, we do have floors which have been empty for the past 2 years. There's one floor in particular, whenever I require for the security to open up the floor for potential clients to view, they will go in pairs. Once I asked my receptionist to open the units there, and another colleague heard, he said "You going to open Floor 16?! Come, I follow you." MANY stories about that floor. Security guards on night shifts will always accidentally kicked something when the floor is totally flat and empty. I've been there myself alone, but have yet to experience anything out of the ordinary.
Anyway, these beings, that comes around after office hours, are actually what I would term as "Ghost of Family Love". They encourage you to go home to your family, because family is what's more important, and not career. The image below should also encourage you to go home when everyone else has left as well.
My good friend's wife used to tell him that everyone in her office would leave the office by 7pm, because once the time reaches 7pm, the water from the water dispenser would start dripping slowly. It happens everyday, and scientifically, maybe we can analyse on the cooling effect the environment has as night comes, that causes some kind of reaction bla bla... dunno lah.
Also, our dear Kookycookie once had an interesting encounter whereby she came to the office with a colleague doing her work at her desk and leaving, only to found out later that the colleague was on MC and has never stepped foot in the office that day and no one else saw her. Interesting tale, or just the mind playing tricks.
Personally, like I've mentioned before some months ago, I don't discount the fact that 'things' live in a place where there's scarcity of people. My M&E Manager, two months ago told me that he used to stay back late at night, but have decided to go home early after two encounters. Nothing to see, but just that while he's alone in his office, the door to the reception opens and closes as if someone comes in, but when he calls out, no one answers. This is about 7:30pm to 8:00pm at night. You see, our office is really huge to place only 6 staff (and now it's only 4 staff!). The other time he keeps seeing someone walking past his doorway but he knows there's no one around. I dismiss this as a tired mind.
Last month, I was given the 'chance' to be alone in the office. Haha... too much work to finish up, while others have gone back. The thought of that 'thingy' moving about the office was not on my mind, but by 7:40pm or so, the door to the reception area did open and close. Then the memory came back. What's worse is that my own office is facing the reception table, with my view blocked by the partitions, and the door is just one meter away. Anyway, after three opens and closes of the door, I packed my stuff and left. Don't wanna stay until whatever it is shows itself up.
As you would have known that I'm taking care of a building, we do have floors which have been empty for the past 2 years. There's one floor in particular, whenever I require for the security to open up the floor for potential clients to view, they will go in pairs. Once I asked my receptionist to open the units there, and another colleague heard, he said "You going to open Floor 16?! Come, I follow you." MANY stories about that floor. Security guards on night shifts will always accidentally kicked something when the floor is totally flat and empty. I've been there myself alone, but have yet to experience anything out of the ordinary.
Anyway, these beings, that comes around after office hours, are actually what I would term as "Ghost of Family Love". They encourage you to go home to your family, because family is what's more important, and not career. The image below should also encourage you to go home when everyone else has left as well.
Monday, February 06, 2006
You Deserve It
Warning: This entry may seem to contradict my earlier entries about finance, but seriously, it does not.
During a certain financial crisis I once had three years ago which I had to spend a week using only the coins from my car, I changed my lifestyle somewhat. And reading those ‘tips’ to reduce monthly expenditure, I cut down on drinks during meals, and just have a plain water. Beneficial to health I agree, but also so-called beneficial for my wallet. If I don’t buy an Ice Tea at every lunch, I’ll save RM1.20 each time which translated to RM24.00 per month.
Then there was a time when I had to walk to a certain bank to put in a cheque for one of my tenant. The walking journey was not that far, about 15 minutes of brisk walking. On the way back, while sweating I walked past a convenience store conveniently located at a convenient road. I so much wanted to get a cool 100 Plus. Then I thought, hey, I’m just five minutes away from my office, I can get my free plain water from the pantry. And so I walked on.
Then it got me thinking. A 100 Plus will cost RM1.50, and it’s a small “want” and not a “need”. Still, RM1.50 (or even RM24.00 per month) when you’re earning over RM1000, it’s just a small percentage. Who are we who don’t flinch paying RM30 for petrol driving to and from work, who don’t flinch having to pay RM1.50 toll to and from work, who don’t flinch having to pay the bank a lot of extra money for our cars and house, and especially those who don’t flinch voting through sms for a celebrity who don’t even know your name at RM1.90 per sms, or sms on Channel @15 just to chat?? Anyway, going out of topic here.
Back to topic. Why do we accept paying these amount of money elsewhere, but we are not willing to get a simple RM1.50 worth of drink, or even a burger that costs RM4.00? These are hardly luxury items, yet they satisfy a “want” and they make you happy. There is nothing wrong with getting a chocolate bar at RM8.90, a small percentage of your salary, just to motivate yourself and say “Hey, life’s a wonderful thing!”
Analysis. (You may want to skip this part). As human beings, we are prone to not realize something we don’t hold physically. Simply put, we accept the interests on our credit cards amounting to RM35, but we have problems buying RM35 meal. We accept paying parking that costs RM4.00 – RM8.00, but we think twice to buy a good RM3.95 pen. That is why, when someone loses RM50 due to carelessness, it’s faster to accept the loss, than having to buy RM50 shoes, which after a few wears, they don’t fit right, and you regret buying it.
Again, the ones who should be receiving the most from your salary are yourself and your loved ones, not others. This one I have to agree with Robert Kiyosaki. He mentioned in his book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” to spend on yourself first, then on others. That is, keep aside your “needs” and some “wants”, before paying your bills and stuff. I prefer to put it as, you don’t need a budget if you don’t like doing it, but if you want to spend something on yourself, and you see that you can afford it easily (note: easily! Not a PDA Phone with 12 months payment!), then go ahead and buy it, and enjoy it.
If you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna stop writing and get myself a pack of Twisties, coz’ I deserve it, and you deserve something for yourself too today. Before you go home, go get something that’ll make you smile, or better yet, go get something that’ll make your loved ones smile.
During a certain financial crisis I once had three years ago which I had to spend a week using only the coins from my car, I changed my lifestyle somewhat. And reading those ‘tips’ to reduce monthly expenditure, I cut down on drinks during meals, and just have a plain water. Beneficial to health I agree, but also so-called beneficial for my wallet. If I don’t buy an Ice Tea at every lunch, I’ll save RM1.20 each time which translated to RM24.00 per month.
Then there was a time when I had to walk to a certain bank to put in a cheque for one of my tenant. The walking journey was not that far, about 15 minutes of brisk walking. On the way back, while sweating I walked past a convenience store conveniently located at a convenient road. I so much wanted to get a cool 100 Plus. Then I thought, hey, I’m just five minutes away from my office, I can get my free plain water from the pantry. And so I walked on.
Then it got me thinking. A 100 Plus will cost RM1.50, and it’s a small “want” and not a “need”. Still, RM1.50 (or even RM24.00 per month) when you’re earning over RM1000, it’s just a small percentage. Who are we who don’t flinch paying RM30 for petrol driving to and from work, who don’t flinch having to pay RM1.50 toll to and from work, who don’t flinch having to pay the bank a lot of extra money for our cars and house, and especially those who don’t flinch voting through sms for a celebrity who don’t even know your name at RM1.90 per sms, or sms on Channel @15 just to chat?? Anyway, going out of topic here.
Back to topic. Why do we accept paying these amount of money elsewhere, but we are not willing to get a simple RM1.50 worth of drink, or even a burger that costs RM4.00? These are hardly luxury items, yet they satisfy a “want” and they make you happy. There is nothing wrong with getting a chocolate bar at RM8.90, a small percentage of your salary, just to motivate yourself and say “Hey, life’s a wonderful thing!”
Analysis. (You may want to skip this part). As human beings, we are prone to not realize something we don’t hold physically. Simply put, we accept the interests on our credit cards amounting to RM35, but we have problems buying RM35 meal. We accept paying parking that costs RM4.00 – RM8.00, but we think twice to buy a good RM3.95 pen. That is why, when someone loses RM50 due to carelessness, it’s faster to accept the loss, than having to buy RM50 shoes, which after a few wears, they don’t fit right, and you regret buying it.
Again, the ones who should be receiving the most from your salary are yourself and your loved ones, not others. This one I have to agree with Robert Kiyosaki. He mentioned in his book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” to spend on yourself first, then on others. That is, keep aside your “needs” and some “wants”, before paying your bills and stuff. I prefer to put it as, you don’t need a budget if you don’t like doing it, but if you want to spend something on yourself, and you see that you can afford it easily (note: easily! Not a PDA Phone with 12 months payment!), then go ahead and buy it, and enjoy it.
If you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna stop writing and get myself a pack of Twisties, coz’ I deserve it, and you deserve something for yourself too today. Before you go home, go get something that’ll make you smile, or better yet, go get something that’ll make your loved ones smile.
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