What everyone is hoping and wishing for. When will it come and it what form? Will it come as some great news or a great win in some contest or lottery.
I have been constantly, during my younger days been able to get some windfall. Things like winning contest getting surprised gifts and many more. However nowadays I find especially during my adult years that this had not really happen for quite some time. In fact some of the time it is the opposite, negative windfall if you would have it, and its rather depressing.
Anyway, I am not totally without hope or positive thoughts because as many people say "it ain't over till the fat lady sings". There are also those that are fully committed to the believe that, if you can think or dream it, then it will come true.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
HR APPRAISALS FORMS / CRITERIAS
Alright, lets see, can any one out there tell me he / she does not have an opinion on his/her own performance at the work they are handling. Now imagine this opinion clashes or is in conflict with their superiors / supervisors / managers. What do you think will happen?
Lets have a show of hands those that feel that their appraisal forms are very objective and that their performances have been properly measured. How many of you think that these forms are very objective and that the set criteria are truly measurable objectively without any chance of interference from personal emotions?
KPIs, this is the commonly used measurements that purportedly allows qualitative items to be measured quantitatively. Work done would be quantified and broken into major areas that are important and measured.
A little on the flaws that arises would be, how can the person control external factors affecting his or her work. Another more major one will be, as mentioned above the emotional factor of the person doing the appraisal. Lets say we have two staff, Ms A and Mr. B. Both of them reports to the Manager who is the sole person responsible for them.
All the while the Manager likes Ms A because they have similar character as well as interests / hobbies. Both likes to have their place very tidy and does their work without using short cuts. Both also are very outgoing and loves to chat and have fun shopping or dining. However, on the other hand Mr. B is a totally different person, he is basically and introvert who likes to be alone and would thus normally keep to himself.
Normally at work Ms A will be late because she says she needs her beauty sleep and because she never cuts corner, her work is normally produced slowly and will normally exceed deadlines given. This is further aggravated by the fact that she likes to chat with her colleagues to catch on latest fashions and gossips. She is also not a very careful person and more often then not would make substantial amounts of mistakes in her work.
In contrast, Mr B is a very punctual person and have never once been late. He is also very thorough in checking that his work is without errors. Efficiency is also one his principal, he does not always follow the rules (conventional way) of completing something when he sees a better way of doing it.
Sometimes when the Manager have functions, he would invite both of them along but generally Mr B would decline as he feels it better to sit home and relax rather than to entertain people with empty talks. Ms A on the other hand would jump at every opportunity to have fun and socialize.
Now its appraisal time and these are the results as appraised by the Manager:-
Ms A - Outgoing, sociable, systematic, friendly, enthusiastic - Very good 90%
Mr B - Introverted, not sociable, haphazard, unfriendly, dull - Below Average 45%
So how, with all her faults hidden or simply ignored, she gets a big bonus and increment, while all Mr A's so called weaknesses (depending on how you judge) are highlighted resulting in no bonuses or increments.
Was the appraisal fair? Are we at the work place to socialize or complete our work? Must we please our bosses or concentrate on our work?
Lets have a show of hands those that feel that their appraisal forms are very objective and that their performances have been properly measured. How many of you think that these forms are very objective and that the set criteria are truly measurable objectively without any chance of interference from personal emotions?
KPIs, this is the commonly used measurements that purportedly allows qualitative items to be measured quantitatively. Work done would be quantified and broken into major areas that are important and measured.
A little on the flaws that arises would be, how can the person control external factors affecting his or her work. Another more major one will be, as mentioned above the emotional factor of the person doing the appraisal. Lets say we have two staff, Ms A and Mr. B. Both of them reports to the Manager who is the sole person responsible for them.
All the while the Manager likes Ms A because they have similar character as well as interests / hobbies. Both likes to have their place very tidy and does their work without using short cuts. Both also are very outgoing and loves to chat and have fun shopping or dining. However, on the other hand Mr. B is a totally different person, he is basically and introvert who likes to be alone and would thus normally keep to himself.
Normally at work Ms A will be late because she says she needs her beauty sleep and because she never cuts corner, her work is normally produced slowly and will normally exceed deadlines given. This is further aggravated by the fact that she likes to chat with her colleagues to catch on latest fashions and gossips. She is also not a very careful person and more often then not would make substantial amounts of mistakes in her work.
In contrast, Mr B is a very punctual person and have never once been late. He is also very thorough in checking that his work is without errors. Efficiency is also one his principal, he does not always follow the rules (conventional way) of completing something when he sees a better way of doing it.
Sometimes when the Manager have functions, he would invite both of them along but generally Mr B would decline as he feels it better to sit home and relax rather than to entertain people with empty talks. Ms A on the other hand would jump at every opportunity to have fun and socialize.
Now its appraisal time and these are the results as appraised by the Manager:-
Ms A - Outgoing, sociable, systematic, friendly, enthusiastic - Very good 90%
Mr B - Introverted, not sociable, haphazard, unfriendly, dull - Below Average 45%
So how, with all her faults hidden or simply ignored, she gets a big bonus and increment, while all Mr A's so called weaknesses (depending on how you judge) are highlighted resulting in no bonuses or increments.
Was the appraisal fair? Are we at the work place to socialize or complete our work? Must we please our bosses or concentrate on our work?
Thursday, 16 June 2011
WORKING HOURS
Hands up, all of you who are afraid to leave the office on time for fear that the bosses will black list you as lazy or not committed to your work. I think I see most hands up, am I right?
Well that's Malaysian culture for you. Never once have any bosses ever thought that the worker goes on time because he is very efficient and finishes his work on time. It is always, "aiyo so lazy wan, not committed at all lah this fellow". Don't these jokers realise that in a lot of the cases, the worker simply stays back and does their own personal things because they are done with their work for the day. Their there to be seen so that the boss perceives them as hardworking.
I belong to the small group that leaves the office on time simply because I manage my time well and does my assignments accordingly within the allocated time. However, I do feel for those that truthfully has to stay back because of being over loaded with work that are meant for 2-3 persons.
What to do want to earn a living have to do, otherwise no money to feed family.
Well that's Malaysian culture for you. Never once have any bosses ever thought that the worker goes on time because he is very efficient and finishes his work on time. It is always, "aiyo so lazy wan, not committed at all lah this fellow". Don't these jokers realise that in a lot of the cases, the worker simply stays back and does their own personal things because they are done with their work for the day. Their there to be seen so that the boss perceives them as hardworking.
I belong to the small group that leaves the office on time simply because I manage my time well and does my assignments accordingly within the allocated time. However, I do feel for those that truthfully has to stay back because of being over loaded with work that are meant for 2-3 persons.
What to do want to earn a living have to do, otherwise no money to feed family.
TEAM PLAYER
Ok, I agree that it is very important to be a team player in any organisation to ensure that goals or objectives are met and synergies created. However, the definition of a team player or team work can have various interpretations or perceptions that generally depends on the emotions of the leader or person in charge.
Take a real life example, something that I have experienced myself. A team, consisting of 6 members, each having their own responsibilities and roles to play. One of them is a very experienced professional, while the others are either certificate, diplomas or normal degree holders with next to zero experiences. Who do you think should lead the so called team? Who do you think deserved to be treated as the senior or supervisor? Who do you think is qualified to train or teach?
Ok, now, imagine being insulted by the so called leader of this team, the manager (without any industry experience) for not doing sufficient (always completes work on time while doing 100% of what is suppose to be done with next to zero mistakes) due to his experience. To add insult to injury the others are praised for their efforts and enthusiasm in doing their work (not necessary correct or completed on schedule). On top of this, these "chicos" are rewarded with extra incentives by management while the experienced fellow gets nothing.
As mentioned above, some of these newbies do not complete their work on time or properly and during meetings the manager tells the rest to help them out. However, the fact is, during working hours these people are not concentrating on their work, they are basically chatting away (I would personally put their concentration level at maybe 50% most of the time). The experienced person on the other hand, does everything well within the allocated time with 100% concentration thus also ensuring that mistakes are seldom. if ever made.
Now that the facts are known, you tell me, firstly if you were the experienced person would you bother to assist or teach those juniors? Secondly, do you think these chatter box "chicos" are team players that warrants assistance? Lastly, would you as the experienced man be motivated to enthusiastically provide anything more than the bare minimal (responsibilities spelt out in contract) for the manager or the management?
You be the judge and decide.
Take a real life example, something that I have experienced myself. A team, consisting of 6 members, each having their own responsibilities and roles to play. One of them is a very experienced professional, while the others are either certificate, diplomas or normal degree holders with next to zero experiences. Who do you think should lead the so called team? Who do you think deserved to be treated as the senior or supervisor? Who do you think is qualified to train or teach?
Ok, now, imagine being insulted by the so called leader of this team, the manager (without any industry experience) for not doing sufficient (always completes work on time while doing 100% of what is suppose to be done with next to zero mistakes) due to his experience. To add insult to injury the others are praised for their efforts and enthusiasm in doing their work (not necessary correct or completed on schedule). On top of this, these "chicos" are rewarded with extra incentives by management while the experienced fellow gets nothing.
As mentioned above, some of these newbies do not complete their work on time or properly and during meetings the manager tells the rest to help them out. However, the fact is, during working hours these people are not concentrating on their work, they are basically chatting away (I would personally put their concentration level at maybe 50% most of the time). The experienced person on the other hand, does everything well within the allocated time with 100% concentration thus also ensuring that mistakes are seldom. if ever made.
Now that the facts are known, you tell me, firstly if you were the experienced person would you bother to assist or teach those juniors? Secondly, do you think these chatter box "chicos" are team players that warrants assistance? Lastly, would you as the experienced man be motivated to enthusiastically provide anything more than the bare minimal (responsibilities spelt out in contract) for the manager or the management?
You be the judge and decide.
SEATING LOCATIONS IN YOUR JOB
Let me tell you about the places where I have sat during my many years of working life. I have generally had the honour of being placed near toilets, facing exits and many more ridiculous and might I say places with bad "fengshui".
I just seem to end up in these places where nobody would really want, and sometimes I believe this could be what is causing major discomforts in the many jobs that I have held. I mean how can u be comfortable with you back facing a door or an entrance with people coming in and out. Hey "bosses",office administrator, or what ever the hell name you go by, do you know what is called privacy and personal space?????
Heck, I just recently was told by one of my colleagues that I am suppose to move again to the original place that I had originally moved out of (in front of the entrance, with my back facing endless traffic (humans of course).
Why move me in the first place, they must think it is great fun moving around getting a new perspective every now and then, but I definitely don't think so. I am not really happy since I was there first, why should I move to accommodate the new comers, but then again "kaki lang, pak si bo siang kan" (own people mah, die die also ok wan).
Well that's CHINAMAN for you. Anyhow, its not something new for me as I have been working for them since day one. I even got played out by one of these A-holes. Sigh, bila mau kena big lottery.
I just seem to end up in these places where nobody would really want, and sometimes I believe this could be what is causing major discomforts in the many jobs that I have held. I mean how can u be comfortable with you back facing a door or an entrance with people coming in and out. Hey "bosses",office administrator, or what ever the hell name you go by, do you know what is called privacy and personal space?????
Heck, I just recently was told by one of my colleagues that I am suppose to move again to the original place that I had originally moved out of (in front of the entrance, with my back facing endless traffic (humans of course).
Why move me in the first place, they must think it is great fun moving around getting a new perspective every now and then, but I definitely don't think so. I am not really happy since I was there first, why should I move to accommodate the new comers, but then again "kaki lang, pak si bo siang kan" (own people mah, die die also ok wan).
Well that's CHINAMAN for you. Anyhow, its not something new for me as I have been working for them since day one. I even got played out by one of these A-holes. Sigh, bila mau kena big lottery.
Friday, 10 June 2011
TNB
Below is the response I got for my complaints to the Ministry of energy Malaysia. Ok, its in the akta so resolved. I mean what kind of crap is this. Its ok to bill users late by 5 days so I can hike my bill to reach the maximum charge per KWh possible because it was agreed upon. This is what I would call daylight ROBBERY and its legal.
Bil elektrik lebih 30 hari. Lambat buat bacaan meter. Mengikut akta bekalan pihak TNB boleh mengebilkan pengguna seawal 26 hari sehingga 35 hari. Jawapan melalui surat akan dimajukan kepada pengguna/KeTTHA.
Lets give an example:
Current increased tariff for house owner
Normal 30 days usage is 10kWh per day so total 300Kwh. Yahoo just within the old rate so no increases.
Now the "ROBBER" comes and write in 35 days (eh its ok because akta say so). Total now is 350 kWh. Ah ha now sudah kena new increased tariff, YIPEE for the "ROBBER". Total increase est 7 cents multiply by the extra 50kWh which comes to about RM3.50.
Ok, lets say it happens to 30% of the people using about the same amount (I haven't even listed the more common high users yet), assume about a low 1 million household. This would increase revenue, which is a straight profit by RM3.5 million.
Ok, now lets use the more common usage of 400kWh per month. Again 5 days late, so extra now would be much more considering they will then reach the next tier of charges of 40.2 sen. If not for this delay the extra would have fallen under the lowest rate of 21.8sen, thus the extra per kWh becomes 18.4sen multiplied by 5days with average usage of 13.3kWh. So the person ends up paying an extra RM12.26. Lets assume 60% of the previous 1 million household uses this amount. Well now the total extra profits becomes RM7.36million plus the remaining 40% of RM1.4million, giving a total of approx RM8.8 million per month. What about a year, that's a whopping extra of more than RM100million.
Ok, now lets use the more common usage of 400kWh per month. Again 5 days late, so extra now would be much more considering they will then reach the next tier of charges of 40.2 sen. If not for this delay the extra would have fallen under the lowest rate of 21.8sen, thus the extra per kWh becomes 18.4sen multiplied by 5days with average usage of 13.3kWh. So the person ends up paying an extra RM12.26. Lets assume 60% of the previous 1 million household uses this amount. Well now the total extra profits becomes RM7.36million plus the remaining 40% of RM1.4million, giving a total of approx RM8.8 million per month. What about a year, that's a whopping extra of more than RM100million.
Adoi SHIOK nya.
HIRING
A daunting task if you ask me. On the one hand you want the best, on the other you have to get someone who is best suited, not only for the job, but also the situations and the cultures that are running in the company you work in.
You may come across an excellent candidate which you truly think is good, but then after some probing, find out that what they want is totally the opposite of what the company does. So, how, should you go ahead, knowing very well that they will within a short period leave because of job dissatisfaction, or just push them aside as rejects.
Not an easy decision when you have just a handful of candidates to choose from. Just today, I had interviewed one such candidate. He was somewhat what I was looking for with sufficient knowledge and experience but the single answer that ended with me in this dilemma was "I like to be appreciated for what I do".I mean, yes, he would from me at least, but not from the company and that's for sure, because, by golly, I myself am getting none.
Companies and management gurus are forever telling people to motivate their staff, but, how to do this, when the problem lies with the company.
You may come across an excellent candidate which you truly think is good, but then after some probing, find out that what they want is totally the opposite of what the company does. So, how, should you go ahead, knowing very well that they will within a short period leave because of job dissatisfaction, or just push them aside as rejects.
Not an easy decision when you have just a handful of candidates to choose from. Just today, I had interviewed one such candidate. He was somewhat what I was looking for with sufficient knowledge and experience but the single answer that ended with me in this dilemma was "I like to be appreciated for what I do".I mean, yes, he would from me at least, but not from the company and that's for sure, because, by golly, I myself am getting none.
Companies and management gurus are forever telling people to motivate their staff, but, how to do this, when the problem lies with the company.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
GETTING THE BEST OUT OF EMPLOYEES
This is a topic that have various views and thoughts from many gurus in management. I personally as an employee myself, will share my thoughts here. As you all know we live in a land and that follows the Asian mentality of management which generally means, "boss talk, you listen" and boss say, you do".
Then there are those that would sometimes, because it is their nature to be rebellious of they are just plain freshies who have not been "hit" before. I am not saying that all of these rebellious or rebuking remarks would definitely be met with disagreement with the bosses but generally they will.
I have personally done this before, when I was a freshie full of enthusiasm and ideas to contribute to the company. However, being in one of those majority cases that I mentioned above, I was shot down brutally, and everything went downhill from there. Nowadays, I am more inclined to agree with whatever the bosses say whether he be right or wrong.
I believe this is the type of hindrance that many Malaysian or Asians in general face when dealing with the "I'm the boss" mentality. This behavioural patterns simply cannot nurture people to perform their best. How are you suppose to let your creative and radical ideas out when you know they will be shot down or made a fool off.
Then there are those that would sometimes, because it is their nature to be rebellious of they are just plain freshies who have not been "hit" before. I am not saying that all of these rebellious or rebuking remarks would definitely be met with disagreement with the bosses but generally they will.
I have personally done this before, when I was a freshie full of enthusiasm and ideas to contribute to the company. However, being in one of those majority cases that I mentioned above, I was shot down brutally, and everything went downhill from there. Nowadays, I am more inclined to agree with whatever the bosses say whether he be right or wrong.
I believe this is the type of hindrance that many Malaysian or Asians in general face when dealing with the "I'm the boss" mentality. This behavioural patterns simply cannot nurture people to perform their best. How are you suppose to let your creative and radical ideas out when you know they will be shot down or made a fool off.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
OUR WORLD, THEIR WAR
The Decepticons, a race of robots with extreme intelligence and highly evolved warring skills has invaded earth, and they are going to destroy earth if nobody does anything about it. However, all hope is not lost as we have allies too, in the form of the Autobots. Together, these two groups of robots are called the transformers from the planet Cybertron, and have been at war for centuries. They have now brought their long war to Earth.
I however, would not like to be one of these "goody two shoes" Autobots, I would definitely choose to be the leader of the Decepticons, Megatron. I would utilize my special Ultimate Movie Card and check out all the movies where the baddies win for inspiration. These innovative as well as creative ideas from the movies would serve me well in my course to destroy the Autobots. However, it is also important that I not miss those movies where the baddies lose. These movies on the other hand will show and teach me how the heroes defeated them. I will learn from their mistakes, and in so doing ensure that I do not make them myself. Again, all this would be made possible because the Ultimate Movie Card will allow me to watch many more movies due to its special privileges.
Ultimately, with my now vast knowledge from the various movies seen with my Ultimate Movie Card, I would device a way to destroy Optimus Prime and this will pummel all hopes of the remaining Autobots. The best plan would be a sneak attack, where a lure would be used to deceive these Autobots especially when they care so much for others, especially weakling humans. This opportunity would be utilize well, where at least five of us Decepticons would be focus on the destruction of Prime permanently. We would make short work of him, and crush his body to debris, which would ensure that he never be reanimated again.
A full fledge assault can then be carried out on the now leaderless Autobots, using the Decepticon’s strongest warriors and weapons crunching and devastating all that stands in our path. When the last of the Autobots fall, so too shall the humans, and it would also mean the end of the world, HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
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