This morning, tuning-in to a radio station while on the way to work, the topic was about glass ceiling. I was an interesting topic about gender equal Opportunity. Glass ceiling means - an intangible barrier within the hierarchy of a company that prevents women or minorities from obtaining upper-level positions. From 2 callers feedback, who was working in a media industry while the latter in the education, both felt that glass ceiling still exists in the working industries. One said that men will plan among themselves their career
In my industry, I'm glad to say that I don't feel glass ceiling exist. Maybe it did but I don't take it seriously. In my previous attachment with a multi-national company, everyone was treated equally base on their performances. In fact, all the female employees were respected for their performance and contributions to the company. We were rewarded with promotions, more opportunities and generous increments. There was a lot of team spirits among the male and female and men are not stingy to share their knowledge and vis versa. I believe the way ones treat the others will result in a better understanding. If women are scare of sharing knowledge with their male counterpart, you can't expect the male to treat you differently.
When I was attached to a GLC later on, I didn't experience glass ceiling too. In fact, I'm sure if there're cases of glass ceiling, one would have experience it in a GLC. GLC is very much monopoly by the male in its top management. However, since the 80's, there are more and more female in the top management. I believe they are there due to their performances. In my previous company, I was the youngest in the top management and once glance accross the boardroom table, you'll see that 90% are male in their 40's, with grey hair and their grey jacket. It was tough during the first 3 months because they thought that I was on the top because of my CEO. They thought that I was brainless and incapable by the way I dressed. I wore T-shirt and jeans to work and attend the management meeting with it. Of course when I had to attend meeting in HQ, I would dress up formally. After I proof my worth of sitting at the management chair, no one doubted my capability and people respect me for my performance. I got alone well with the majority except the few leaches. There is a few who just want to maintain their position until they retired and would do anything to make sure they can hold on to their title and salary.
In my current company, all the local are very supportive and a lot of team spirit except the Singaporeans. I felt that they don't trust the capabilities of the local. Maybe I was wrong but that the vibe I get. I have a very strong team to strongly believe that the team will be able to generate revenue to the company very soon. Some how I felt that for Singaporeans we are very slow. Does anyone has this kind of experience? I asked my friends who work in Singaporean company and they agreed with me. Comments I received are: they think Malaysian workers are second class, not better or same level as them; they think that Malaysian people needs to be very kiasu like them. Well, I'm not giving in but will have to learn and try really hard to be better. I'm sure if I can proof myself to be at par with them, they will be more confident with me.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Bad Services At Kenny Roger KL Sentral
Today is just my bad luck. My friend and I chose to have lunch at Kenny Roger KL Sentral due to the gloommy weather. It was full when I reached there and I found out that Kenny Roger customer will sit at table with red chair, next to Secret Recipe. One glance I noticed the whole place was full. I managed to get a seat after a group finished their lunch. It was 1.15pm, I was siting facing the clock Kenny Roger design. My friend joined me shortly.
At 1.20pm, the waitress took our order. While chatting away, our muffin and ice lemon tea arrived at 1.40pm. By that time, I noticed some guests already finished their lunch and leaving. We were still waiting for our lunch, nothing special but just the usual quarter chicken with 3 side dishes. By 1.50pm, I asked another waitress about our meal and told her tat we waited half an hour already She returned to the counter to ask for table 14's order. By then, there's only few customers left and the restaurant next door was almost empty. The customer behind me and next to me that came leter already eaten their lunch and left. We were still waiting for our lunch and we only have 1 hour lunch time. I think Kenny Roger should take note on that because they only get good business during lunch time. By 2pm, I walk up to the counter and cancel our order after informing her we waited 40 minutes. I told the cashier that I wil pay what we ate, 2 glass of ice lemon tea and 2 muffin. Then the supervisor said we don't have to pay and apologise and thank us. What's the point? My lunch time was over and I haven't eat. We were hungry. I won't go back there again. They received my worst review and services.
Then we walked to McD and noticed the long queue. Nope, I don't want to wait anymore. So we went to KFC and the queue wasn't long. We survey the cashier's speed in handling customer and food before we chose our lane. I waitd less than 5 minutes and it's our turn. We get our food to go in 5-8 minutes. That's what I call service. However, be caution if you fo KFC KL Sentral because some of the staff there are as slow as a snail. Pick your waitress or waiter before you queue.
At 1.20pm, the waitress took our order. While chatting away, our muffin and ice lemon tea arrived at 1.40pm. By that time, I noticed some guests already finished their lunch and leaving. We were still waiting for our lunch, nothing special but just the usual quarter chicken with 3 side dishes. By 1.50pm, I asked another waitress about our meal and told her tat we waited half an hour already She returned to the counter to ask for table 14's order. By then, there's only few customers left and the restaurant next door was almost empty. The customer behind me and next to me that came leter already eaten their lunch and left. We were still waiting for our lunch and we only have 1 hour lunch time. I think Kenny Roger should take note on that because they only get good business during lunch time. By 2pm, I walk up to the counter and cancel our order after informing her we waited 40 minutes. I told the cashier that I wil pay what we ate, 2 glass of ice lemon tea and 2 muffin. Then the supervisor said we don't have to pay and apologise and thank us. What's the point? My lunch time was over and I haven't eat. We were hungry. I won't go back there again. They received my worst review and services.
Then we walked to McD and noticed the long queue. Nope, I don't want to wait anymore. So we went to KFC and the queue wasn't long. We survey the cashier's speed in handling customer and food before we chose our lane. I waitd less than 5 minutes and it's our turn. We get our food to go in 5-8 minutes. That's what I call service. However, be caution if you fo KFC KL Sentral because some of the staff there are as slow as a snail. Pick your waitress or waiter before you queue.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Malaysian Drivers Under The Rain
I don't remember March being a raining season until this year. Surprisingly it has been raining cats and dogs since last week. Each time it rains, there will be traffic jam. I recalled a cabby once told me few years ago that drivers became stupid when it rains.
Why? Because everyone will break all rules just to save a few seconds. They will cut queue, stop at the white line and blocking all the cars behind, dangerously zig-zaging across the next lane, stop at the yellowbox when the traffic light turn red, still drive into the yellowbox when the street in front already queue till the end of the junction and resulted massive jam when the next street light turn green. Nobody wants to give way. Nobody wants to follow the rules. Everybody wants to out-fast and out-do others. At the end, everyone loose because when 50 drivers with that attitude at various spots in KL, the whole city suffer massive jam till late hours.
When this happened, everyone curses the traffic system but fail to reflect their own wrong doing. Drivers become bad temper and rackless and accidents happened. Tonight alone, I witnessed two cars accident at Mahamelu area, another one at the museum area and a motorbike slipped at Lok Yew area. Life value seem to take a back seat during raining season, don't you think so?
Why? Because everyone will break all rules just to save a few seconds. They will cut queue, stop at the white line and blocking all the cars behind, dangerously zig-zaging across the next lane, stop at the yellowbox when the traffic light turn red, still drive into the yellowbox when the street in front already queue till the end of the junction and resulted massive jam when the next street light turn green. Nobody wants to give way. Nobody wants to follow the rules. Everybody wants to out-fast and out-do others. At the end, everyone loose because when 50 drivers with that attitude at various spots in KL, the whole city suffer massive jam till late hours.
When this happened, everyone curses the traffic system but fail to reflect their own wrong doing. Drivers become bad temper and rackless and accidents happened. Tonight alone, I witnessed two cars accident at Mahamelu area, another one at the museum area and a motorbike slipped at Lok Yew area. Life value seem to take a back seat during raining season, don't you think so?
Friendship with Conditions
Nowadays everything is enclosed with conditions. It seem unlikely that we ever find genuineness. When you go and buy a diamond or precious stone, one must go to a very reputable outlet with certificate to ensure you are buying the original thing. When you see someone smiling, you have to wonder is he or she sincere? Is the smile a put-on-a-show? When a stranger walks up t you asking for direction, in yout heart, you think is he really lost or he has bad intention towards you? When you laugh with your colleagues, do you wonder are they laughing with you? When the tollgate girl greets you as you pay your toll, is she genuinely wishing you well?
When your friend is your friend, is he or she really wants to be your friend? When your friend help you, is he or she really do it sincerely? When your friend offers to listen to you, is he or she really listener? Taking in all the good and bad without prejudice? When your friend offer help, does he or she attached any condition? Is your friend a leaves you when you need comfort the most? Is your friend sees you as a burden? Is your friend doubt your sincerity? What is the meaning of friend? What is friendship with conditions?
When your friend is your friend, is he or she really wants to be your friend? When your friend help you, is he or she really do it sincerely? When your friend offers to listen to you, is he or she really listener? Taking in all the good and bad without prejudice? When your friend offer help, does he or she attached any condition? Is your friend a leaves you when you need comfort the most? Is your friend sees you as a burden? Is your friend doubt your sincerity? What is the meaning of friend? What is friendship with conditions?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
My First Attempt On Ayam Masak Merah
Last night was the most horrible jam on my way home. I was carpooling with my friend and he has this habit of getting very, very annony when it's jamm after work. Though out the 1.5 hours journey, he was cursing under his breath and sound. It was a difficult journey because it make me felt as if it was my fault. But the circumstance is beyond my control. I wish I could predict the traffic report, but one knows it's wishful thinking.
So after the 'torture' journey having to sit beside him, I decided to cook Ayam Masak Merah last night. I defrosted the chicken which I bought about a month ago. Took out my recipe book and followed the steps. I found that it wasn't that difficult and the ingredients are fairly easy to prepared. The part I don't like to having to fried the chicken first. I don't know how to deep fried. Yeah, all my friends will laugh at me because they say deep fry is the easiest. Is It? I don't think so because the oil will splatter all over the place and I'm worried it will splater to my hands. Ooch! So, I improvised. I mixed the chicken with the pre-mix 'Tepung Goreng' and I only add about 4 table spoon of EVOO. After the fire heated up, I cover the pan. This minimise the oil splattering and dirty the kitchen. However, my attempt didn't work too well as I was having trouble trying to turn the chicken.
After the chicken was cooked and put aside, I put in the ingredients and add the chicken back. After about 15 minutes,it was done. MY first thought was, the look and feel seem the same as the one I get from the restaurant and economic rice store. However, once I tasted it, it taste the same :-) yippy!! But then again, after a few seconds, I found out that it's too spicy :-( I must have put too much chillie powder. I still have some of it in the fridge and will finish it tonight. Maybe I should add in some sugar when I re-heat it.
So after the 'torture' journey having to sit beside him, I decided to cook Ayam Masak Merah last night. I defrosted the chicken which I bought about a month ago. Took out my recipe book and followed the steps. I found that it wasn't that difficult and the ingredients are fairly easy to prepared. The part I don't like to having to fried the chicken first. I don't know how to deep fried. Yeah, all my friends will laugh at me because they say deep fry is the easiest. Is It? I don't think so because the oil will splatter all over the place and I'm worried it will splater to my hands. Ooch! So, I improvised. I mixed the chicken with the pre-mix 'Tepung Goreng' and I only add about 4 table spoon of EVOO. After the fire heated up, I cover the pan. This minimise the oil splattering and dirty the kitchen. However, my attempt didn't work too well as I was having trouble trying to turn the chicken.
After the chicken was cooked and put aside, I put in the ingredients and add the chicken back. After about 15 minutes,it was done. MY first thought was, the look and feel seem the same as the one I get from the restaurant and economic rice store. However, once I tasted it, it taste the same :-) yippy!! But then again, after a few seconds, I found out that it's too spicy :-( I must have put too much chillie powder. I still have some of it in the fridge and will finish it tonight. Maybe I should add in some sugar when I re-heat it.
Monday, February 16, 2009
New Hobby
Of late, I have been learning new recipes from cook books. I bought a number of cook books since the past few years but I never have the time to try anything. Most of the cook books was bought using the vouchers I redeemed though my credit cards. Since I don't seem to be able to accumulate the points required to redeem one of those fancy items, I can only go for vouchers. I love books, so undoubtly I will go for MPH, Borders or Popular vouchers.
I find that whenever I cook, I don't think about company and work. It's quite therapeutic and I was able to de-stress better. For the past few months, I couldn't sleep properly. No, I don't think I have insomia but I only fell asleep after 4-5am. Everytime I sleeps, my head keeps playing events from the office. Work to be done, oustanding work or overdue deadline. With cooking, I feel better and I can cook for my bf and sis. They are my tester :-) Sometimes, my recipe didn't turn out right during first try. So I will cook the same dish a few times to perfectionise it. There were a few times I have to throw away the dish I cooked because it's beyond repair. Mostly is too salty or weird taste.
I find that whenever I cook, I don't think about company and work. It's quite therapeutic and I was able to de-stress better. For the past few months, I couldn't sleep properly. No, I don't think I have insomia but I only fell asleep after 4-5am. Everytime I sleeps, my head keeps playing events from the office. Work to be done, oustanding work or overdue deadline. With cooking, I feel better and I can cook for my bf and sis. They are my tester :-) Sometimes, my recipe didn't turn out right during first try. So I will cook the same dish a few times to perfectionise it. There were a few times I have to throw away the dish I cooked because it's beyond repair. Mostly is too salty or weird taste.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Spliting emotions
After few months working for an Singapore based company, I'm beginning to doubt if this is the right company environment for me. I've never felt like dragging myself to work every morning in any of my previous company, no matter how though or how crazt the office politic is. But here, I'm dragging myself to work every morning. I have been going to work with a heavy heart and it's getting worse by the days. Never in my career life I felt this low. Not even when I had to work till 7am, or re-do the production over-night just before the deadline, or when I get salary every 2 months, or when the time all the so-call 'senior' management wanted to outcast me. Never back then. I still look forward to work every morning, I enjoy the challenges, the drives. I was still very happy and love my work.
It's all different now. Never have I been blame and shout at so much for the things I didn't even understand, things that I've tried my very best. I've been blame for impossible. Previously, when I was in a situation where I aither sink or swim, I swam. Now, I can't swim, it's just sinking all the way down.
When I wanted to recruited candidates, I wasn't given the budget or choices of head hunters. I had to look in jobstreet. As if I have a lot of time to spare during working hours. When candidates rejected the interview or didn't show up for interview, I was blame for ineffiency, bad planning, not doing my job. I wonder if anyone of you tried to find candidates in jobstreet database. It takes hours and days. Then, we have a lot of holidays during year ends till March. Deadline of the delivery wasn't take these into account. I have to force my staff to work and I personally felt uneasy. Holidays and weekends are for family, regardless of what kind of economic situation we are in. We didn't sell our souls to the company. I didn't buy 24/7 of my staff life. They need life, I need life. With just 3 months operations, my staff has accumulated 10 days off-in-lieu!
In all previous companies, I was able to find solutions for near impossible projects. However, it's really not possible here. It's impossible to build an comprehensive database from scratch in 1 month. It's impossible to QC and ensure data accuracy in a month. It's not advisable to re-do and make-do with what we have due to time. This create double work for everyone when we should be moving forward or further enhance our data. Unfortunately, this is how the company operates. Kia-su and Kia-si to the extreme.
With the impossible deadline, and impposible situation, I wasn't allow to give allowance to motivate staff or show appreciation for their commitment. I wasn't allow to pay a better salary to pull the candidates over to our company. As a pioneer, I believe that staff should be given extra as they have more work to do, to accomplished until we stablised. My hands are tied. Every suggestion was not heard. When I say A,B,C, my boss heard it as 1,2,3 or didn't listen at all. I wonder how other handle the situation. I'm getting very, very tired. I'm holding on for my staff. I'm being strong for my staff. The current economic situation didn't help. MY penniless bank account doesn't help. Or I would have made my decision to further studies.
It's all different now. Never have I been blame and shout at so much for the things I didn't even understand, things that I've tried my very best. I've been blame for impossible. Previously, when I was in a situation where I aither sink or swim, I swam. Now, I can't swim, it's just sinking all the way down.
When I wanted to recruited candidates, I wasn't given the budget or choices of head hunters. I had to look in jobstreet. As if I have a lot of time to spare during working hours. When candidates rejected the interview or didn't show up for interview, I was blame for ineffiency, bad planning, not doing my job. I wonder if anyone of you tried to find candidates in jobstreet database. It takes hours and days. Then, we have a lot of holidays during year ends till March. Deadline of the delivery wasn't take these into account. I have to force my staff to work and I personally felt uneasy. Holidays and weekends are for family, regardless of what kind of economic situation we are in. We didn't sell our souls to the company. I didn't buy 24/7 of my staff life. They need life, I need life. With just 3 months operations, my staff has accumulated 10 days off-in-lieu!
In all previous companies, I was able to find solutions for near impossible projects. However, it's really not possible here. It's impossible to build an comprehensive database from scratch in 1 month. It's impossible to QC and ensure data accuracy in a month. It's not advisable to re-do and make-do with what we have due to time. This create double work for everyone when we should be moving forward or further enhance our data. Unfortunately, this is how the company operates. Kia-su and Kia-si to the extreme.
With the impossible deadline, and impposible situation, I wasn't allow to give allowance to motivate staff or show appreciation for their commitment. I wasn't allow to pay a better salary to pull the candidates over to our company. As a pioneer, I believe that staff should be given extra as they have more work to do, to accomplished until we stablised. My hands are tied. Every suggestion was not heard. When I say A,B,C, my boss heard it as 1,2,3 or didn't listen at all. I wonder how other handle the situation. I'm getting very, very tired. I'm holding on for my staff. I'm being strong for my staff. The current economic situation didn't help. MY penniless bank account doesn't help. Or I would have made my decision to further studies.
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