Time For Giving And Sharing

It's that time of the year again. My favourite time, Christmas season. No doubt the celebration has been commercialised for many years but one shouldn't ignore the generousity of people during this time of the year. Charity work by individual normally increase during this time. All the wishes from unfortunate children hanging on the christmas trees make passer by and shoppers stop to read. Some even buy a gift for the kids. Yes, even though buying teddy bears doesn't solve the children's problem but it bring simple joy to them.

In the corporate world, normally at this time, there will be a exchange gift among the staff. Drawing names out of a box and a amount is set. It's normally minimum $20. Some may choose the easy way out by buying a few toileties at the convenince store. Some may take the time and heart to buy a proper gift to their co-worker.

For me, this is the time for giving and I'm now thinking what to buy for all my friends. Normally this time of the year I'll end up burning a hole in my pocket but it's a great feeling seeing their happy face when opening their presents.

To be continue... :-)

Surviving In The Jungle

Today I received a 'spam' feedback from a commentor of RantingsbyMM. He has his say but to say that "The richest men are chinese, the richest man is indian.....While the malays are left behind economically in their own country..we didnt put him there to belittle the malays.. to grand stand.. to hob nob with pavarotti.. we want him to work for the malays.. at least he had the sense to leave when people are tired after 22 years.." is just too much.

I'm not rich. My Malay, Chinese and Indian friends are not rich either. In fact we are doing our best to survive in view the rising prices of essential goods, tolls, soon maybe the petrol (again) and electricity. Unfortunately, in general everyone's salary scale stays the same over the years. If you're in a multi-national company, maybe you will get a increament of minimum $300 or above. However, if you're in local company of company that practise grade system, the increment can be RM50-200 only. Even though we have increment yearly, but the price increase is much more in relative to our salaries. It is very difficult for everyone regardless of race and religion. All my friends are struggling to make end meets. Entertainment are reduce to minimal and we seldom hang out at restaurants anymore. It's more at mamak stalls. Hardly go to karaoke anymore. When we eat, we try to look for the cheapest place with good food.

Since the last 4 years, everything has gone up too fast and our standard of living is still about the same as 4 years ago. That's why everyone is strugging to survive in this jungle. When the civil servants get a small increment, the essential goods will follow. A combined salaries of husband and wife of $3500 - $4000 is still difficult when they have to pay montgage, loan, children, school, food. New clothes and holiday is the least importance. Some may be rich, but not everyone is rich without working hard. Businessmen are just good at what they doing. If anyone of us dare to persue own business, we have the SME financial aids. If anyone has the brain for business, no one is stopping.

Don't envy others. Don't blame others for your failure and shortcoming. If one don't lift one's hand, money don't falls from the sky. You should ask yourself, have you work hard? Have to try all resources? Is there a proper planning and execution? Do you have the sound knowledge or the skills? If you expect minimal work with good pay, you're lazy. If you expect government to help because you feel entitle, then you're lazy. If you see your neighbour has nice cars or new car, you get jealous, then see yourself in the mirror.

Before pointing fingers, check ourselves.

Sleepy Day

Last Saturday I went to PD for a presentation to our client. I was shocking how the senior managers comdemn their current marketing agency. I don't think it was fair to put all the blame to the agency. One should ask, "what have I done and contribute". This is such a typical scenario I've seen in a local company so far. I've yet to see a local company that operates like a multi-national company. I'm still searching and it's like searching a needle in the haysack.

After lunch, it was our turn to present. I prepare everything and my boss did the presentation. As usual, the Q&A was heated up in momentum. The audience asked why the background colours was dark when our theme was vibrant and fresh. Well, good comment. I'll look into it. Then, there is this stupid question about asking us to do all the campaign and show results to them. If we achieved, then they pay us. WHAT! Nothing is free in this world. If they already had experiences with big agencies and the project fell, I don't believe it is a one side fault. Their internal operations should be look at too.

The feeling of in denial is a biggest issues here. Their competitor is all out trying to kill them. What have they done to prevent it? NOTHING. Paying an agency to plan, strategise and execute everything is not a solution if the company didn't work together. You can't expect that you pay money and you jsut sit there and waiting for good result. If this can happen, I don't think the competitor will work so hard and setting monthly sales target of 1.8 million.

Whether I get this project or not, I don't loose anything. There is going to be a lot of obstacles and challenges if we win this project. I'm not looking forward to it anymore.

With a hectic weekend, I am feeling drowsy and tired the whole day. I think I will get off work early today.