Prince: Gift From My Friends for my Wifey

Ewe, Cath, Sim, Joshua, Marren & Anna bought my wifey this....vibrating toy...(hey, I am good enough-lar...=P)

Prince: Cyberview Lodge..

We plan to have an event in December, and looking around for Hotel. Someone suggested that Cyberview Lodge is a fantastic Hotel to have event of whatever kind. We went for a look, and to my surprise, the place looks damn good, and it is a 5 stars hotel & resort.

Prince:My Wifey Birthday...

I celebrated my wifey's birthday at Atrium; it is a nice place to hang around with; not so crowded, good services...

Prince: So long-Due...

14 August 2006
My Baby Laptop …

Still remember when my previous laptop was stolen during burglary. I am getting extra cautious of my laptop. Furthermore, my company does not allow personal laptop in office; hence I have no choice but to leave it at home. While leaving it at home reminds me of the previous burglary. After contemplation, I decide to buy a laptop bag.

After I bought the laptop bag; I can now bring my baby laptop with me wherever I go. Here on, it inspires me about backpacking; it feels good to carry something at your back and walk-around. I feel like backpacking somewhere though……

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15 August 2006
Consumer Behaviour with their thought…

After involve in many researches, I can conclude that consumer behaviour is dependent on their thought. Every human being belongs to certain category, and we can somehow derive the category through their background such as qualification, family value and etc.

Of course, nothing can be done perfectly in this world; nothing can be classified perfectly under certain category but those being categorized has enabled marketers to discern & understand their behaviour confidently; at least 80% of accuracy understands each different category.

For example, mother perceives frequently changing diaper for baby is a must. This group of mother consist of certificate holder, SPM holders & below SPM level of qualification. They ignore the quality of disposable diapers, and believe that frequently changing baby diapers can help to maintain hygiene.

While, the other group of respondents with minimum diploma holders; tends to claim that quality premium diaper is important because good quality diaper provide better absorbency & dryness for baby. They also claim that low quality disposable diaper can not provide the necessary dryness; hence they would need to change frequently. When question them about hygienic problem, they believe that frequently changing baby diaper would affect baby’s sleep, and mother’s mental & emotional stability.

The mother from the first example can be segmented under low income, under category of low qualification; while the latter is segmented under high income & under category of highly educated group.

The different situation above shows the different thought affected by their education background. The highest the education level means the wider perspective they could think of, including their own welfare.

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16 August 2006
People tends to think they are the best…

People always fall into the self-hypnosis rift; under this circumstance, they tend to believe ‘they are right’, and starting to make unnecessary assumption to satisfy their thirst for sovereignty. My superior falls into this dilemma as I mention above. She always perceives me slow in making respond to the environment and also discussion.

She always perceive me as somebody who ‘do not think much’, somebody who ‘never dare to voice out’ & she also perceive me as ‘indifferent to deadline’. My response to her is always ‘I know’. The worse is that she purposely voice out my mistake during our department meeting, in front of all my colleagues which I even acted stupid on it, and keep answering ‘yes, I know’.

Office politic is something I want to get away of, and she has been trying to force me into one. She is a very nice lady but headstrong with her idea. She pushes too hard for what she thinks is right, and she never tries to understand people around her. The sale team is particularly hated her due to her stubbornness. One of the sale managers even complaints about her character of being ego & arrogance.

She even pushes my marketing manager for her promotion and increment, and trying to force her way through, and having so many arguments in any marketing discussions. I have always advised her to stay low, because I believe boss would not want to promote someone who goes against the management often. This is office politic. The management will give the promotion or increment whenever they think you deserve it; I see no point forcing her way through, and even the management promoted her; it will be on routine-non-performance based promotion.

The reason they do not provide promotion to internal staff because company pays according to salary scale, and there is a huge gap between Manager & executive. Manager usually earns extraordinary more than executives, and entitled to many different benefits. For example, my marketing manager has just paid for the education of his two children. The total amount is RM 78k for 3 months- and he will claim from company. They are enjoying a director’s benefit as a manager which is far better than any other company out there. Perhaps, that is the reason why company is very strict in promotion to avoid additional expenses.

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18 August 2006
The Marketing Channel…

There are many ways a company can market their products; but still can not deny the marketing 4 Ps. Today I learn something very meaningful; which is to judge if an advertisement should burst on a constant basis or intermittently.

Magazine & TVC are one of the promotion tools which fall under one of the marketing P. In order to decide if you should burst an advertisement out on constant basis or vice versa; we need to first check the % of subscribers because it represents the frequent readers. If the subscriber’s % is low then an ad should burst on constant basis, and similarly, if subscriber’s % is high, then it is no harm for an Advertisement to burst out on intermittent basis since the readers will be reading it every month. The conclusion above derived from the degree of difficulty to get reader attentions.

It is easy to get reader who subscribe to the magazine, then a company will not waste money placing their advertisement on constant basis. On the other hand, non-subscriber will be reading the magazine only when the topic is interesting. Hence, we need to have the advertisement on constant basis to gamble on their purchase intention from month to month.
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19 August 2006
Personal Constraint…

I have got many constraints that stop me from doing thing which I like to do. Career, money, times, and many more which seems insufficient to me at this moment. But I know when time goes in; things will start to change…

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20 August 2006
My wifey Birthday…

I celebrated my wifey’s birthday a little earlier this year since her birthday drops on 24 August (Wednesday). I invited Ewe, Anna, Catheryn, Simmy, Joshua, my wifey & I to Atrium Pub around KL Heritage.

We had a bottle Canadian Whisky before an additional of tequila pops each member; yet it seems to be insufficient; and Catheryn gave a complimentary drink of ‘Flaming Lamborghini’ for my wifey, plus an additional drink called ‘Blow-Job’ before we set home.

(Shh…my wifey puke at least 5 times on our way home….I stopped by the roadside for her convenience…)

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23 August 2006
From Low-Grade Manager to MD…

Our category management manager is leaving for Dan-one; she picked up a photo while she was packing; it was a photo taken 8 years ago in Japan.

We can hardly identify in the photo our current MD who was just a low grade manager during that time. He did not even look like a manager; bold and tanned, short & clumsy; and none would believe that he will be sent here as our MD.

He has in fact built his fame throughout the year working in the company; and I would say his fame is one of the most notorious; none of the team members can get along with him.

A manager from Thailand even wished my manager ‘good luck’ for the coming 3 years when the decision to send him is finalised by HQ. It is seen that he is not welcome in Thailand; perhaps, something had happened during his stay in Thailand?

I was thinking; it is our choice to either leave a good impression or a bad one. We must always believe that there is always a better way to perform within the circle of human relationship; as the old one always teaches us, one is given a choice to be notorious or famous, but human tends to go for the easiest way- choice which seems not favourable…

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24 August 2006
Shouting at Problem…

I am in charge of coordinating the campaign print-ad in newspaper. The print ad is supposed to communicate to consumer that we will be having one month redemption, and the redemption is only available at modern trade.

Since the redemption is only available in modern trade, and consumer may ask for the redemption at lower trade if they saw the ad. Hence it is important for us to inform the consumer that this campaign is only available in certain hypermarket and supermarket. Apart from that, certain outlet starts the campaign in mid of September while the ad will roll-out early September, and there is a possibility that consumer may try to redeem at outlet which yet to start.

I took the initiative to ask our media advisor- JW Thompson, and they finally advised me to add in the sentence ‘While stock last’ & ‘only available in certain super and hypermarket’. These two sentences can help to solve the problem. However, before I am able to show the Print ad. My senior walked over my desk and questions me.

“Do you know that certain outlet start a bit late?” she asked. “Of course, I know”

“Then what should you do? Does that lead you to anything?” she questioned impatiently.

I am puzzled for a while trying to understand what she want to tell me; she keeps asking me the same question again and again, fostering her own impatience while I am giving the same response in a row.

Frankly speaking, I have no idea what she is trying to tell me, and what is in her mind. Similarly, I do not know what she is trying to do by arousing something intentionally in the office.

She commented on my response, and criticised my ignorant; saying that I do not think wide enough, and not responding fast enough. Then she lingered on to the outlet commencement date of the campaign, and raises the question of redemption in outlet that yet to start.

I listen with my left index finger & thumb open wide under my chin; and right hand folded under my left hand, fully concentrated on her reprimand, and acted to ponder. I am not thinking of what she said, but I am thinking of how a fool she can be to think that she knows everything. I should have taken the initiative to ask her “Can the two sentences mention in the ad solve the problem?” Then she will at least realise that she is too impulsive jumping into conclusion. While, even if I have done a mistake, I would prefer somebody to educate me instead of ‘teaching’ me…

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25 August 2006
Humble is a virtue …

Humble is a virtue.

We must always be humble because you can not predict the future.

This is a sad case I saw in the market; a new ‘sales manager’ is hired to look after a team of sales person, and this sales manager used to work under one of the ‘sales executive’.

So, do not ill-treat you subordinate as you may fall under the scenario above one day, then your life will be ‘tough’.

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26 August 2006
Leadership needs trust but …

Trust is an important element in leadership skill. No leader could lead without trust from their team members, and that is what my superior currently weak at.

I could not say I trust her wholeheartedly at this moment; because she has been acting strange for the past few weeks, as if I am stepping into her territory. For the fact that I am starting to assume someone may have spoken ill of me without understanding her character of impulsive & red eye; which could lead to a terrible relationship between both of us.

I truly understand her circumstance at which I am currently trying my best to earn her trust to compensate those possible ill-statements could have said by other about me.

For her, as a senior marketing executive at the age of 29 anticipating a promotion for almost a year, aggravated by her myopia of hitting 30 and yet married. She should be in that emotional stage of insecure…my advice to her is to be open-minded & trust people…as I believe if you want someone to sacrifice for you then you must be able to trust that person…if she can’t trust me then why should I sacrifice for her right…

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27 August 2006
Always a Working Weekend …

I am working my presentation kits for my sales team which is due next week. At the same time, I am preparing for my presentation material in Bangkok on the first week of September. Seems that my weekend is again, filled with my work!

Somehow, I am glad that my company is willing to send me over to Bangkok; my first ever chance for overseas exposure. What can be better…?

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Prince: These are the BAGS I bought...

Prince: Finally.A table at Home..

13 August 2006
finally got a Dining Table…

I bought a dining table to day because we desperately needs table at home. And I swipe my card again, I took the time to calculate my expenses and found out that I swipe up to RM 1000 this months. Damn! It’s going to take me another 3 months to pay-off!

Prince: GSC Bad Operation Services...

12 August 2006
Carry-on with Movie…

We went home, and decided to go for movie at One Utama GSC tonight. I prefer ‘Pirate of Caribbean’ but the movie is out of seat already. We have no choice but to watch ‘Dragon Tiger Gate’. Our movie starts at 9.00pm; we arrived earlier at 7.15pm, and went dinner at ‘Jack’s Place’. I have a mixed Grill while my wifey order a beef steak.

I feel thirsty and decided to purchase a cup of Ice Lemon Tea at GSC counter. But the Q is too long, and looks still. My wifey told me about another counter upstairs, so I went upstair. But to my amaze, the counter is closed but the water is still boiling. We enquires the staff passed-by, and was told that it was a different department. (What kind of service is that?)

We check-in, and before the movie starts (at 9.50 pm), I decided to go ahead with the Ice-Lemon Tea. Well, I thought it will be fast, but I Q 45 minutes before it reaches my turn). I went in at 9.45 pm), Yes, the movie started 45 minutes ago. I reprimanded the GCS staff at the counters, and I also reprimanded the check-in staffs (ticket inspectors). What kind of service is this? If you know that today will be crowded, why can’t you hire more part-time personnel perhaps to ease the situation?

Prince: Jack's Place...

Prince: PIKOM...PI.....KOM..

12 August 2006
PIKOM PC Fair…

We went to the PIKOM PC fair in KLCC. We were forced into a big crowd moving toward the main entrance. I feel agitated, and sense of dislike toward crowded areas, perhaps I feel insecure among the unidentified surging crowd around me.

We managed to reach the entrance; I am surprised to know that the fair is separated into 5 main halls at different floor; and at that short moment, I realise that we (I) were progressing like a flock of sheep in accord to instruction. Some of the walk-ways were cordoned so that we walked through in accord to their will; moving from one hall to another and there is no U-turn for you.

Anyway, I bought two Laptop Bag cost RM 179 each (one for me, and the other for my wifey as her birthday gift). I also bought a cartridge cost RM 170.

We went home, and decided to go for movie at One Utama GSC tonight. I prefer ‘Pirate of Caribbean’ but the movie is out of seat already. We have no choice but to watch ‘Dragon Tiger Gate’. Our movie starts at 9.00pm; we arrived earlier at 7.15pm, and went dinner at ‘Jack’s Place’. I have a mixed Grill while my wifey order a beef steak.

I feel thirsty and decided to purchase a cup of Ice Lemon Tea at GSC counter. But the Q is too long, and looks still. My wifey told me about another counter upstairs, so I went upstair. But to my amaze, the counter is closed but the water is still boiling. We enquires the staff passed-by, and was told that it was a different department. (What kind of service is that?)

We check-in, and before the movie starts (at 9.50 pm), I decided to go ahead with the Ice-Lemon Tea. Well, I thought it will be fast, but I Q 45 minutes before it reaches my turn). I went in at 9.45 pm), Yes, the movie started 45 minutes ago. I reprimanded the GCS staff at the counters, and I also reprimanded the check-in staffs (ticket inspectors). What kind of service is this? If you know that today will be crowded, why can’t you hire more part-time personnel perhaps to ease the situation?

Prince: Trying-Out Pizza HUT...

06 August 2006
Pizza Again…

Another round of pizza when my wifey said she want to try to new pizza hut…namely…..aiik..I can’t remember the name…it tastes well, and at least the service is better. We had it at Giant Kelana Jaya…

After that, we decided to chill-out at coffee bean mont kiara…(where I boss is staying across the street…)…

Prince: Birthday Party...

11 August 2006
Birthday Party…

The very first even of this month -my colleague’s birthday. She has such a big house – well- you could have one if you are born with silver spoon though! Hehe…

She invited the whole company, and we had fun chatting with each other. Unfortunately, I can’t stay –up late especially when my HR manager is around as well (I took MC today!). It is not nice for those to see me eating happily around while taking MC in work!...

We plan to go Jungle trekking tomorrow, but somehow, Sim’s friend FFK – Fong-Fei-Kei-(stood-him-up) so we got to cancel the plan. But at least we can visit PC fair at KLCC tomorrow afternoon.

Prince: What I Hate..'Bad Services'...

05 August 2006
Bad Service At Pizza Uno Centre Point

I got no choice but to frequent Pizza Uno for their special pizza because my wifey desperately needs ‘Pizza Uno’ for Dinner. Anyhow, I have no preference at all toward Pizza; it all looks the same to me.

I ordered a beef steak medium cook at Pizza Uno Centre Point. . While waiting for my food to be served, starvation visited, my thought is moving toward great disappointment. Well, I am practically disappointed with the sluggish service of Pizza Uno at Centre Point. 20 minutes are not much for me, but I am feeling a bit left-out when looking at those late-comers being served with freshly cook dishes not even 10 minutes after their order. Can somebody tell me what’s wrong with them? When I finally got my order arrived, only to find out it is COOK…..ishh….

Prince: Oh..my Thought...

26 JULY 2006
Mis-Comm…

There are always miscommunications in the company, and the worst thing to do is blaming others for the miscommunication. I always have that with my senior executive, and it leads me to retrospect of my degree of understanding. Am I having low understanding?

I struggle for 3 months, and the problem still exist. This time, I realize that the problem does not lay on me alone anymore. Perhaps, the other party needs to change her communication attitude. I have tried to reaffirmed of what I was told to do, and the response is always ‘grudge’ of making the other repeating of what was said, yet it helps me to correct the miscommunication that yet to occurs.

In that case, I have to take a step further to educate her about communication that has passion & patience, and not just merely transmitting information or command. Do you have those problems in your office? Sometimes people do not realise that the problem lay on them, and yet they keep blaming others for not understanding, it could be your communication skills though.

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27 JULY 2006
Another Offer…

I got an offer as an assistant manager from one of the company who called me up at the wrong time, wrong place. I was going out with my Managing director for a presentation in Dietheml. While, shifting the material on the car, my phone rang. I spoke to the person while opening the door with my MD bedside me, I was so worried that he might hear what I was talking about that I only gave a short answer to questions asked in the phone.

‘Are you currently attached to any company?’ ‘Yes’
‘Are you interest of taking a jump’? ‘Not at the moment’
‘We would like to offer you as an assistant manager, will you be interested then?’ ‘Not at the moment’

‘I am sorry for the inconvenient, and thank you for your time’ – ‘Thanks for calling’

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30 JULY 2006
Baby Contest….

I attended the Baby Contest organised by Pa & Ma magazine. We were the main sponsor for the events to have the pleasure of being the honorary guest. Looking at those babies, reminded me about my time working in Kindergarten. I wonder how those babies are getting on now. Perhaps, they have grown up by 1 kg / a centimetre higher than last year. (I smiled to myself)…

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31 JULY 2006
when we not enforce ourselves to perform…

My superior made us study for 15 minutes every morning (5 pages from Stephen Covey’s book), in hope that we would become more effective. We had good sharing every morning, those sharing are from our heart, and insight of what we have learnt from the 5 pages every day. However, talk and walk are always different. I still did not notice any changes from anyone of us, self-awareness is still very low among the teams. What is happening? Perhaps, they would just share for the sake of obligation?

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01 August 2006
Awareness is not Perfect

Self-awareness is not the only criteria to change, persistency is.

I always hear that in my team that they aware of their mistake, and yet they are still doing it again and again.

A normal person would somehow retrospect after their mistake, and try their ever best to prevent it from happening again.

In my company case, it seems that people do not really take serious thought about their mistake.
Perhaps, they think that the word ‘Sorry’ is easier to say than really changing themselves.

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03 August 2006
They plan to leave

My senior colleagues plan to leave the company, she has been complaining about the management since I join the company. Perhaps, she wishes to influence my thought. I have been trying to impart a good value in her but seem in vain. The last thing she said is that, ‘Ok, from now on, I will not talk about our company anymore’. That doesn’t seems to be good, if she didn’t talk about it, she will most probably keep in her heart, and it will burst our one day when she no longer able to keep it anymore. Sometimes, we have to make sure that we think it ‘right’.

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10 August 2006
Sick but commitment is important too…

I am feeling sick today, but recall of the presentation that I have to do in Guardian for all the nutritionist. I believe I have no choice but to present at work since I have promised my sales people for the work. I always believe that if I am committed myself into something, I must try my ever best to make it for the commitment. This is my personal principles…

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11 August 2006
Sick but commitment is important too…

What a restful day to recover from my illness. The doctor is kind enough to give one & a half day Medical Leave. I wake up early in the morning and text all my colleagues about my absence today, and that they shall refer to my senior colleague for any urgent issue. This is to avoid any emergency call while I am resting at home.

I am recovering from fever, leaving a slight sore throat. I decided to go swimming at noon to get some sweats. Feeling starve after swimming; and wondering what to eat, I have been having bread since last night, and I really want something new. I am feeling a bit bored for eating bread again today. I finally decided to visit Giant Kelana Jaya to purchase some ingredient for chicken porridge.

Not forgetting I have got a party tonight. My colleague’s birthday party is having a barbecue session at Puchong. I am invited, and will be going with my wifey.

Talking about the birthday, my sales manager would like to share the birthday gift. I bought it for RM 30, and one of my sales executive expressed his interest to share the gift. Not long after, another marketing executive would like to share it too. It has split into 3 parts. Currently, we have 5 people sharing on RM 30 birthday gift, which may appears to be too cheap. I suggested giving an additional RM 10 each as ‘Ang Pow’, and all agree.

Come on man, RM 30 shared by 5 people, what a cheapskate we could be. Ha! They might be too busy to purchase a gift.

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Prince: Baby Contest At Alamanda PutraJaya

We were the Main sponsors for Pa & Ma magazine Baby Contest, it was so fun and reminded me of my time at Eduland, I wonder how are those babies doing right now....

Prince: Monkey Bar!

Anna & Ewe recevied a complimentary discount for room in Legend Hotel PWTC. They invited us to the Monkey Bar, but to our surprise...it is not as what we thought as bar. hehe...anyway, we enjoy ourselves, still, and visited their room after that. Catheryn was so excited that she wanted to try sleep on the bed, and also, trying on Anna's massage's skills.

Prince: Jade...!...I bought ONE..

I bought a Jade for myself, its a burma Jade, only RM 38 each. Though it is not branded stuff but I like it very much. At least, it looks nice on my thumb.....(he!)

Prince: Office Colleague Outing!!

We had our dinner together (with my colleagues) at one of the restuarant located in front of Dietheml PJ. The 'Tai Chao' is quite nice, you should give it a try.

Prince: Good Food in Good Restaurant

One of our Sales Manager is leaving the company after 8 years working. Perhaps, he is too frustrated with the current management or otherwise. Anyhow, we had his farewell party in one of the famous chinese restuarant called 'Greenview Restaurant'. The food is good but the price is steep.