Entrepreneur: Win-Win Solution

Kopi Tiam

Saw a huge hand written notice on the wall of a typical Malaysian kopi tiam that is located near to my house. “Outside Foods and Drinks are not allowed in here”. I think the kopi tiam owner is fed-up with customers bringing outside foods and drinks to consume in the kopi tiam and in the process depriving the owner of revenues.

An old Hainanese kopi tiam located at Jalan Dang Wangi has a win-win solution. It allows customers to order foods from hawkers at the back of the kopi tiam. However the Hainanese kopi tiam charges its Customer a minimal corkage fee of RM0.30 per plate/bowl of hawker's food consumed within the kopi tiam.

Nasi Lemak

I was “tae pauhing” 2 bunkus of nasi lemak in one of the hot store located on Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur. One of the Customers requested 5 bunkus of nasi lemak and wanted additional sotong in each bunkus. In addition, he wanted to buy sotong only (without rice). The Hawker face turned black and told him rudely that, “If I sell you so much sotong – then I will be left with plenty of rice. How am I to sell rice without sotong?”

A more enterprising businessman would have taken up the Customer’s request with happiness. A win-win action is to sell the Customer more sotong at a higher price to cover any potential losses.

Char Kueh Teoh

Take another example of a char kueh teoh stall at a pasar malam in a small kampong. He used to ask his customers if they want egg or no egg. Egg has a higher profit margin than char kueh teoh. Naturally many customers would declined the egg because the price would then be higher. Some smarter customers would bring their own eggs from home - depriving the char kueh teoh hawker from extra profit.

Several years later – I returned to the same char kueh teoh stall – but I noticed a difference. Now the owner's Son is taking the orders. He asked, “Do you want 1 egg or 2 eggs?”. Most customers when given this choice would be embarassed to decline the egg(s) and would rather settle for a minimum of 1 egg.

My guess is that - a hawker son may not have earned a Master Degree from University Malaya to be an effective businessman. However, an effective entrepreneur is a business person that is able to meet Customers demand on a win-win platform and at a price that is profitable.

Lifestyle : Rhan Ah Han Thai

We love eating at Thai Restaurants all over Thailand.

One thing that Thais emphasized extremely well is that they made all Guests feel important and welcome in any Thai Restaurant. Waiters are friendly and courteous. Prices are generally affordable and value for money. Usually nice ambience and more importantly – Thai food are generally delicious although it can be spicy especially the Northern and Southern dishes.

Other interesting and unique identity about Thai restaurants – you may not find in any countries.

Drinks
When you order your initial bottle of drinks – there are promptly delivered. Waiters will automatically pour your drink into a glass of ice unless you tell them in advance not to do so. Throughout the dinner – you may be wondering the reason(s) as to why there are a lot of drinks left in balance. Without your knowledge, you Waiters will ensure you do not lose face (to your guests) and will take his/her initiative to replenish the empty bottles on your behalf.

Baby Sitter
There is no necessity to hire baby sitters at home. Take your children to any Thai restaurants and you will discover that there will be many waitresses who are more than happy to babysit your children for free while you eat your food without stress. Thai Waitresses loves children.

Birthday Cakes
It is perfectly to bring along birthday cakes (outside food) to any Thai Restaurant. Pass the birthday cakes to the Waiter along with instruction. They will stick the appropriate number of candles in the cake and bring them to your table. The sound system will be playing birthday song (Thai version) and/or a group of Waiters will be singing birthday song for you. They will supply you with additional plates and spoon to eat the cake without you having to ask.

Dancing Show
We were fortunate to watch Waiters performing a live show in one of MK Restaurant (chain of steamboat restaurant) at Mahbongkong Shopping Center outlet.

Please leave tips for Thai Waiters.

Socotra Islands

No Bullshit - u can google = Socotra islands

this is the first time I have seen it too

i could not believed it and i check google

sure enuf - its real

incredible

Welcome to the Alien lands of Socotra, with strange trees like the Dragon Blood Tree! You would be inclined to think you were transported to another planet - or traveled to another era of Earth’s history. Socotra Island, which is part of a group of four islands, has been geographically isolated from mainland Africa for the last 6 or 7 million years. The archipelago features narrow coastal plains, a limestone plateau with caves, and mountains which rise to 1,525 meters above sea level.

Entrepreneur: Empowerment

Returned to Bangkok recently for a week and visited all my favorite restaurants. One of my favorite is Zen – a chain of Japanese Restaurant that is extremely popular with local Thais and even Japanese. Food is delicious, reasonable price combined with excellent service. I would normally order a set meal that comes with plain rice. And I will normally request the Waitress to replace the plain rice to garlic fried rice. As usual – the Waitress will smile, acknowledged my request and politely inform me that there will be an extra charge of Baht 20.

I recalled an incidence (around 2005) at a Japanese restaurant that was newly opened at Plaza OUG, Kuala Lumpur. We went to eat in the restaurant out of novelty & curiosity. I ordered a set dinner that came with a raw egg. Not fancying eating raw egg – I requested for fried egg instead. The Waiter excused herself and approached the Manager. She returned and told me that I can have the option of raw egg or no raw egg in the set dinner – but the price shall remain the same. I finished my dinner but left the raw egg intact. And I said to myself – this is the first and last visit. Six (6) months later – I returned to Plaza OUG and the Japanese Restaurant was no longer operating.

The lesson here is that - Customer is KING and Zen empowered its staff to respond positively to Customer’s need. The Japanese Restaurant at Plaza OUG should have agreed to Customer’s request for additional service at an additional price. Such excellent entrepreneurship is the razor blade cuts that separate Zen from baby boys like those so-called Japanese Restaurant “wanna-be” entrepreneur at Plaza OUG.

Lifestyle : Bangkok

Plenty of Taxi
You will instantly notice that there are plenty of taxis plying the streets of Bangkok. Individually owned and comes with an array of colors – but mainly yellow top and green bottom. You can easily get a taxi during peak hours and even on raining day. There will be many taxis queuing to pick passengers at shopping malls even during the unholy hours at night.

Nice New Taxi
Most of the taxis are Toyota Corolla (Altis) and there are usually new, clean and smell good. There are some bone-shakers around but they lose out to newer taxi - who would be insane to flag down an old junk. However when there is a queque system (at airport or Mall) then unlucky Passengers may not have a choice (so embarassing if you refuse the cab infront of so many passengers waiting in queque) but to ride on old junk.

Courteous and Friendly
Thais are generally friendly and courteous. They “Wai” and greet you – Sawardee Karp – when you enter their taxi. Most Drivers will say - Khop khun Barp – Thank You - when you pay them. Please do not forget to tip your Driver with the loose change (round them up - keep the change). Most will help you with the luggage without having you to beg or plead with them. Many Drivers understand simple English and can get you to the right location without hassle.

Honest & Cheap Taxi
Taxi Drivers are generally honest. Most will use the meter – starting at Baht 35 – without asking. It is so so so so cheap compared to Melbourne, New York or London. Bangkok is infamous for traffic jam and some Drivers – on their own initiative – may decide to take a longer route to avoid traffic jam. Please do not be angry - it’s just not cool to lose face in Thailand – but enjoy the different scenery Bangkok has to offer.

Leadership : Learning

Chick was born to farmer Ali Kassim at kampong Batu Gajah chicken farm. Every day, hundreds of chickens at Ali Kassim chicken farm woke up early, roamed all corners of the chicken farm in search of food. And as usual, all chicken will be facing downwards, scratching and pecking the soil.

One day Chick decided to turn his face upwards - towards the sky. He was amazed with the beauty of the sky. Then he saw an eagle - flying across the sky. Every day - Chick would look-up, stared at the eagle. He then started to think – ahhhh what pleasure it is to be able to fly and feel free like the eagle.

One night, Chick was unable to sleep as he contemplated his surroundings. He watched his chicken brothers and sisters – all perched within the chicken coop. Chickens do nothing except searching for food - day in day out. Chick wanted more than this miserable life. It suddenly occurred to Chick that he can and he should. He wants to fly like the eagle.

The next morning, Chick woke up earlier than the rest of the pack. He collected his belongings and dumped them into a haversack. He then stole out of the chicken farm and headed for the mountain where the eagle resides. He started to ascend the mountain – slowly but surely. Chick finally reached the top of the mountain and approached the eagle.

Chick pleaded to Eagle, “Eagle, Eagle – please teach me how to fly”. Eagle looked at Chick, inspected the wing and stroked the buttock slowly. Finally, eagle shook his head and said, “I am sorry – your feathers, wings and buttock are not made for flying. It would be impossible for you to fly”.

Chick was devastated but persisted. Finally eagle gave in hoping that Chick would understand the situation and give-up along the way. The next day, Eagle started training Chick to fly. It was impossible – yet Chick was so determine. Every day – Chick would wait for Eagle at the spot next to the cliff. Slowly but surely – 12 months later – Chick jumped off the cliff and – he can fly.
Both Chick and Eagle flew the sky every day for the next 6 months. They had a great time and wonderful relationship. One night – Chick felt homesick as he recalled all his family members and friends at Batu Gajah chicken farm. He wanted to return home. Chick spoke to eagle and both were sad. Eagle presented to Chick, a Flying Certificate, in his honor.

The next morning, Chick placed the valuable Flying Certificate in his armpit and started to walk down the mountain. He walked and walked until its night time before he reaches Batu Gajah chicken farm. He opened the door of the chicken coop and all chickens were delighted to welcome him back.

“Where have you been? What did you do? How did you do?” they crowded around him and asked.

Chick beamed with pride, stood tall and said, “I went to a flying school. Here – look at my Flying Certificate”. All Chickens stared with awed at the Flying Certificate.

One baby chick stepped forward and asked, “If you can fly – why don’t you fly instead of walking down from the mountain the whole day?”

Moral of the story “we learn but we don’t apply”

Leadership : Paradigm Change

Puppy was borned an ordinary dog in an ordinary home by his ordinary parent. Everything about Puppy was plain ordinary until Puppy attended a Positive Mental Attitude Training conducted by Dr. Robbie William.

Puppy started to dream big and embraced challenges to be extra-ordinary. Puppy aimed to be the first puppy to walk across the Sahara desert. He started training to strengthen his physical body and indulged in yoga to build up his mental superiority. He was ready after 12 grueling months.

Puppy needed critical funds to finance this stunt and he was successful to acquire sponsor from Nike, Coca Cola, Toyota, Fitness World, Forbes and Singapore Airline. All friends, relatives, family members, supporters and more importantly – the media world (CNN, BBC, The Star, New Straits Times, Fox) were at the fringe of Sahara desert to flag-off Puppy.

Puppy was proud and jubilant – waving to the immense crowds that had gathered. Puppy flipped the hover-bag (containing foods, water and medicines) unto its back, looked at the crowd and raised his hand in one final goodbye. He then took off without looking back.

One week, two weeks, three weeks – later – there was absolutely no news from Puppy. His parent was curious and anxious. They hired a helicopter and went out in search for Puppy. Several hours later – they spotted Puppy but lying motionless. They quickly grounded the helicopter and rushed to Puppy’s side. Unfortunately Puppy was dead.

They bundled Puppy’s body into the helicopter, headed for University Malaya Hospital where a post mortem was immediately conducted by the nation’s top 3 physicians. The physicians spent 12 hours conducting the post mortem and finally emerged from the operating theatre. They quickly called for a press conference to announce their diagnosis that leads to Puppy’s death.

All friends, relatives, family members, supporters and the media world (CNN, BBC, The Star, New Straits Times, Fox) were present -waiting and curious. Everyone was speculating - what could have cause Puppy’s death despite his excellent physical and mental health. Was he bitten by poisonous snake or scorpion, mauled by wild animals, dehydration from the sun or robbed and murdered by thieves.

Finally – the 3 top physicians announced their findings. Puppy’s bladder had exploded and killed him – he had not urinated since he stepped into the desert.

There was no water hydrant in the desert and Puppy could not break his old habit when peeing. He needed to lift his right rear leg and aimed at a water hydrant as a precondition to him peeing.
The only thing that is constant is change. In a dynamic world – leaders must accept and adapt to change to be successful.

Leadership : Good Judgement

In my view, though, unchecked ego, rather than money itself, is the real root cause of the problem. Why? Because out-of-control ego badly skews leadership judgment. And good judgment, along with clear vision and consistent communication, is absolutely fundamental to effective leadership. Without it, as we have unfortunately seen of late, promising careers and entire organizations can self-destruct.

Judgment begins with humility - which has a couple key elements. First, humility calls for recognizing that we don't know everything. Too many leaders in the financial sector apparently thought it was impossible for them to make big mistakes. As money poured in over the short term, they simply weren't inclined to reflect on the effect of their decisions over the long term. The truth, of course, is that we are all quite fallible, regardless of our educational pedigree or our professional résumé or the size of our bank account. Humility also requires regular acts that remind us we are not bigger than our organizations. It's not about ego. The mission is more important than anyone's ego.

You must identify the most pivotal roles in your organization, play a key role in filling them and listen to what the people in those roles tell you. That is work that senior leaders in corporations, government and nonprofits sometimes try to pawn off on others. But that is a serious error in judgment. If we put the right people in the right spots, ensure that they have the appropriate resources and training, listen to them and let them do their jobs, the ship will hum. If we don't, we jeopardize our ship's overall performance--and, quite possibly, the well-being of our women and men.

That brings us to a third critical aspect of judgment: the willingness to acknowledge personnel mistakes and to rectify them quickly. After we put a lot of time into filling an important job, we understandably hesitate to undo all that work right away. A sunk-cost mentality dupes us into believing that letting a bad decision stand is still preferable to the huge hassle of redoing it. The moral of the story: Don't wait too long to act when you have the wrong person in a key role.

Reflection - keep a journal, and block time off on your calendar every three months or so to sit down and review the key people decisions you made over the previous year. As leaders, we easily get caught up in our own legacies and lose sight of the men and women we depend on to carry our organizations into the future. And that's dangerous to us and our organizations. Your legacy, after all, will be decided as much by your successors as by you.