Dream Drive Desire

The Man Who Inspires Millions of People.

2009-05-10T18:45:00.002+08:00

He inspired millions to want to pursue their dreams and take the challenges that hit them hard in life. I give you, Rocky Balboa

Let me tell you something you already know; the world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows.
It’s a very mean and nasty place.
And I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.
You, me, nobody…is gonna hit as hard as life.
But it ain’t about how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can Get hit, and keep moving forward;
how much you can take, and keep moving forward.
That’s how winning is done.
Now if you know what you’re worth, go out and get what you’re worth.
But you got to be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody.
Cowards do that, and that ain’t you!
You’re better than that!
Until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.

- Rocky, “Rocky Balboa”

Importance of Surrounding Yourself With the Right People

2009-04-13T23:27:00.000+08:00

1. Some people cause stress

To be more precise, some people cause consistent stress. People that cause consistent stress should not be around you. In all, stress devours will, drive, motivation and a positive outlook. A person can only have so much stress before they begin to cave in. If these are the types of people you surround yourself with daily, what are you doing to yourself?

2. Drainer versus Provider

Do the people around you lean on you for things, or do they spark your interest and motivate you to do things. The best people to be around are those people that constantly evolve and take you along for the ride. Personal development thrives on these characteristics. The idea behind these traits is the fact that it will keep you focused and consistently on the lookout for better or new ways of doing things. More importantly, it will show you how you can personally develop yourself.

3. Find people who ask more from you

One of my favorite shows like Rocky, I can always recall the Rocky’s coach demanding more of him. Words like, “You can do 10 more push-ups or get back to running another 5 laps!” Coaching him to do more than what Rocky has faith in himself. A good friend challenges you to your limit and helps you grow.

Conclusion

People can sometimes help you grow to your potential or they can break you. So, surround yourself with people with the right people who have your interests and you will surely go far.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

2009-04-07T00:45:00.003+08:00

These are the main fundamental causes of organizational politics and team failure.

To get the people in a team aligned and rowing in the same direction requires leaders to address the following five dysfunctions of a team.

The "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni is written as a “leadership fable” a story of a technology company that is struggling in the marketplace to find customers. The new CEO recognizes that the company has innovative products and great talent, however the executives are not working together as a team, negating the advantages of the companies innovative products and talented people. The team is struggling with their situation and are unable to come to agreement on an appropriate solution to their problems. The team dynamics erode into naming, blaming and shaming, no one is accepting responsibility, deadlines are being missed and moral is on the decline. The executive team is unable to make important decisions and as a result the company is losing the battle for market share.

This is what a team should apply.

Are You Being Pro-active or Reactive?

2009-03-30T21:10:00.003+08:00

3 Ways You Can Lead Your Way to Being Pro-Active

Take responsibility for your actions
Do not blame others for outcomes, road blocks or problems. When you blame other sources, you are reacting to the situation. Instead, take a step out of the situation and look at it from an unbiased and unemotional standpoint. In this, you will find that you will be able to take responsibility for your actions and deal with them appropriately.

Define where you eventually want to be in life
Just as businesses have mission statements, it is recommended that you create a personal mission statement for your personal development process. Your mission statement can present itself in the form of goals. Making clear and direct long term goals will help guide you through your life.

Prioritize
Think about what things you feel are the most important. When you deem something highly important, you need to put it first; at the top of the list. As you reach your daily goals, you will keep in mind that they come second, third or fourth to the most important aspects of your life.

Conclusion
these three points, you will realize a proactive person is someone who has a choice, who also takes action on their aspirations. The only thing that holds a person back is themselves. Once the first step is taken, the rest fall into place.
Remember, for things to change, you must first change.

Self Development Seminar

2009-03-26T23:49:00.003+08:00

Topic: Team Engagement

Thinking For The Team or Thinking As A Team

When we engage as a team some times we think what is best for the team and not thinking as a team. This will really kill the team because you are only thinking what is best for the team but not as one of the team member.

How To Push Your Team To Go Extra Mile?

- Positive Emotion Connection, we must feed positive emotion so he/she will not feel demotivated.

Self Realization

- If you can't help, you must not be a burden to the team. Your are either the problem or the solution.

- Do it because you want to do it, not because of / for others.

Questioning

- Always ask question, don't assume.

- Don't judge people without clarification.

Can Money Buy Love?

2009-03-17T01:24:00.003+08:00

Can money really buy love? You be the judge. My opinion.... Money is not everything and money can only buy temporary love or affection, in fact money can also buy companionship until a certain degree. Money can bring you good life but love will bring you to live. Money speaks many languages but love says it all. Would girls go for old guys full of money or young guys full of love? Money or Love. I leave it to you.

Project Management

2009-03-12T00:21:00.003+08:00

This is important if we want to carry out a task or a job. Always plan the flow and ask the right question, with the right question it will answer what you need to know to produce the task and get the job done. What happen was that we wanted to create a so called handbook. We were brain-storming, ideas keep coming out.... But the content was not ready. So what happen was our boss was listening at that time and commented on how important project planing is and asking the right question. A lesson learn.

Long day....

2009-03-04T22:37:00.002+08:00

Why a long day? It is because its a "Financial Day" 2 meetings regarding finance back to back. 4hrs on each, the first session was with a "MYOB" consultant teaching on how to use the software and then the next meeting was with 2 accountants, we wanted to out source for audit and get consultations. The company was on sole proprietor and just change to Sdn Bhd this year. I've learn alot from how to do accounts on "MYOB" and what are the requirements / operating from sole proprietor to Sdn Bhd. Im sure some would wonder why am i doing finance? I'm just helping out as i have knowledge in that field. The future position i want to hold is "Business Development Manager".

Road Block!

2009-03-04T00:50:00.004+08:00

It kept me up till 2am yesterday, what kept me up was will i be an asset to the company in the near future or just a normal part timer? I've plan to continue my studies to a higher level of qualification but mean time i want to work. After a 3 hr talk with my boss, we've came to a conclusion. He said i will be an asset to the company as long as i keep up the good work but i will not be the key person of the company. Meaning i have to choose to let go my studies or a higher position in the company. Education or Work? Which do you think i should pursue and why?

Rich Dad? Poor Dad?

2009-02-28T19:15:00.006+08:00

Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I'm sure some of you hear of this book by Robert Kiyosaki, one of his student held a seminar and i went for free. It was interesting, he thought many things and a few main things are... "To be successful you must have compelling reason" and "The bigger the why the easier the how". Robert Kiyosaki also have his own definition of "Financial Freedom" which is A number of days you can survive if you stop working tomorrow. Also in order to achieve this is a balance of Money - Lifestyle - Time.

Too Soon For A Promotion?

2009-02-27T21:41:00.006+08:00

Hell NO! I was asked in to a discussion with my boss alone, and he need me to support the new business. He ask how i could help to improve the "New Business Department" and he ask me to think like a business partner. I was like WOW! (in my heart), and i bring out all the ideas and we came to a much better and clearer conclusion. I believe everyone can shine, the main question is when? Well i took the opportunity and shine. So the next time u see or feel that its an opportunity, don't forget to shine!

Self Development Seminar

2009-02-26T23:20:00.007+08:00

We left work early to go for this seminar and it was a great experience (not that i never been to one), its all bout Corporate Culture and Team Management. For example Starbucks, they are well known for being friendly to who ever and they live by the handbook. We have our own corporate culture and we're applying what we heard in the seminar. Its mostly on how to manage your team and from a well managed team = profit for the company. After this seminar we have a "Action Plan" which is... make a handbook for our company, something like a pledge. Will update on the handbook once its done.

PS: Going to "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" seminar on 28/02/09.

Promoted!

2009-02-26T23:13:00.004+08:00

Oh yes! I got promoted to "New Business Executive" a.k.a "Sales & Marketing Executive". Big job comes Big responsibility. Now my job scope has widen, i will have to do some selling, marketing, follow ups, quotations, pitching and more. I hope i get an increment in my pay =)

A simple quote for this, "To be a great leader, you must first be a great follower". I also believe that everyone is a leader.

Quotation 101

2009-02-24T22:51:00.005+08:00

Yet another presentation which i did. I was ask to "equip" the team with knowledge and this knowledge was by me reading a book and make a presentation on it. The book is 4A's which stands for Association of Accredited Advertising Agent (Malaysia). In that book it tells you the different type of fee and commission in advertising agencies. After that presentation it was the humor sharing where few of us share some jokes. Here is one for the readers, a man walks in a bar during happy hour after a long day at work and saw a horse at the bar. So that man approach the horse and asked "Why the long face?" =)

Pitching For The Job

2009-02-24T22:31:00.004+08:00

This part was fun, well the company i work for came up with a new division called CC+J Community and wanted to role play on how to market the division out. So we sat down and start brainstorming ideas on how and what to market it out. Then we came up with campaign that will boost sales. Although its a fake pitching, my boss invited few guests, his business coach, his accountant who owns his own company and a SME (Small Medium Enterprise) adviser who has been dealing with SME. The feedback was great but there are more room for improvement. Given the time of 2 weeks we manage to put up a great pitch. Tip for a creating a good pitch is prepare for it and know the objective of the pitch. From there marketing skills shall be tested, knowing which media is effective and you must always know the "Target Audience".

Down To Business

2009-02-24T00:36:00.004+08:00

So the week after "Chinese New Year" is over and i hope everyone had fun and enjoyed themselves. When it comes to Monday we each have to do department report and improvement on their department. So i took the time to look up on how to create and present a sales report and its really good and detailed (according to the creative director). From there i report what and how i do sales calls. After getting leads from a "source" i do filtration and called these people up. Well maybe some of you are curious what am i selling? Well I'm selling advertising and marketing materials like website, corporate profile, logo, brochures, stationary set, above and below the line media and etc. Back to the sales call, I've learn a lot from it by creating and improving the sales call conversation. Tips for making a sales call is do research on that company and be confident!

The 1st Week

2009-02-24T00:10:00.006+08:00

This is what happen on the first week of my internship. I was asked to do a presentation based on a book titled "Direct Marketing". I was a bit blur on what to do, but i use the wisdom i have to put up a good work. I did it with flying colors and got great feedback from the team. So here are some tips to prepare a good presentation, the key word is prepare then your slides should be based on "What-Who-Why-When-How" Some are needed and some are not, depends on what are your presenting.

A New Beginning

2009-02-23T23:52:00.007+08:00

Why a new beginning? Well lets just say that my journey starts here. Previously i worked as sales person for Maxis and DiGi then went into Wealth Management.... Now I'm into advertising industry, not as a designer or account executive but sales & marketing. Here i will post any interesting things i would like to share from my experience and hopefully it will help someone.