Sunday, 24 February 2013
Friday, 15 February 2013
Finally, official results for my ACTA certification
It has been a long journey since I took the first ACTA module. At the time I took Module 1, it was together with 2 of my business partners. We had an intention of taking the lead in competency based training for the facilities management industry.
After we took module 1,2 and 4, there was a change in plan within the organization's strategy. Our plan in conducting Training has taken a back seat. I was quite disappointed actually. Why? It's because training has always been my passion. I see training as an avenue to contribute to others by improving a small area of their personal and professional growth.
In 2011, I sold off my ownership of the company to pursue training and development on my own.
In 2011, i took module 5 and 6. Finally took the last module(3A) in November 2012.
After we took module 1,2 and 4, there was a change in plan within the organization's strategy. Our plan in conducting Training has taken a back seat. I was quite disappointed actually. Why? It's because training has always been my passion. I see training as an avenue to contribute to others by improving a small area of their personal and professional growth.
In 2011, I sold off my ownership of the company to pursue training and development on my own.
In 2011, i took module 5 and 6. Finally took the last module(3A) in November 2012.
Yup.. here is a screenshot of the transcript. Unfortunately, the market now is flooded with ACTA certified trainers. Guess i have to find a different niche.
Monday, 11 February 2013
Warren Buffett's Management Secrets by Mary Buffet & David Clark
I bought this book during Popular Bookstore's Expo a few months back. It has been a very long time since I purchased a book. It seemed that the collection was rather limited, not quite I expected. I bought about 10 books for my own reading pleasure. Target to complete - end March 2013.
One of the books that I am reading now is Warren Buffett's Management Secrets.
We all know who Warren Buffett is. His investment ability and management of companies has been exemplary and sometimes I do wonder if it is really as smooth as it was made out to be.
While his investments from 1979 to 2007 grew 19.78% per year, his company's annual net income grew 21.39%, indicating that his management ability outshines his investment ability. Interesting..
There are a few interesting fundamentals which was brought up in this book. Some of it includes;
a. Find the kind of business that offers the greatest career opportunities. He made a comparison between a company that needs to keep on innovating at a fast pace in order to be profitable and a company that do not need to constantly innovate. This part alone is a surprise to me. Throughout the days since I started working, I've been getting advice from consultants and bosses to 'look for a company that continues to innovate to stay competitive.' Here Warren explains that a company that needs to innovate in order to stay competitive will usually less profitable and will not be able to channel those profits to managers and staffs for the job well done. Companies like Coke and Gillette, will always have profits for their shareholders, managers and employees.
b. Delegate not just jobs, but authority.
Staffs need to be trained. Once they are trained, they need to be trusted with the job that they are paid for. And they will appreciate these trusts. Delegating authority to staffs to make decisions is a sign a trust. Warren Buffett owns more than 88 companies from various businesses and industries. There is no way anyone could have managed it, if micromanagement has been the call of the day. Instead, he has more than 88 competent CEOs to manage and run those companies. He will only get in touch with the CEOs once a year and requested them not to send him anything special.
c. Work at a job you love. This one hit me, directly. Warren Buffett said that
"There comes a time when you ought to start doing what you want. Take a job that you love. You will jump out of bed in the morning. I think you are out of your mind if you keep taking jobs that you don't like because you think that it will look good on your resume. Love what you do, Hire people who love what they do and both will lead to gold"
This book is a good read. In the next chapters, i will be going through his sharings on motivation. For someone who has 88 CEOs working for him and has become one of the wealthiest man must definitely have a strategy to keep his team motivated.
One of the books that I am reading now is Warren Buffett's Management Secrets.
We all know who Warren Buffett is. His investment ability and management of companies has been exemplary and sometimes I do wonder if it is really as smooth as it was made out to be.
While his investments from 1979 to 2007 grew 19.78% per year, his company's annual net income grew 21.39%, indicating that his management ability outshines his investment ability. Interesting..
There are a few interesting fundamentals which was brought up in this book. Some of it includes;
a. Find the kind of business that offers the greatest career opportunities. He made a comparison between a company that needs to keep on innovating at a fast pace in order to be profitable and a company that do not need to constantly innovate. This part alone is a surprise to me. Throughout the days since I started working, I've been getting advice from consultants and bosses to 'look for a company that continues to innovate to stay competitive.' Here Warren explains that a company that needs to innovate in order to stay competitive will usually less profitable and will not be able to channel those profits to managers and staffs for the job well done. Companies like Coke and Gillette, will always have profits for their shareholders, managers and employees.
b. Delegate not just jobs, but authority.
Staffs need to be trained. Once they are trained, they need to be trusted with the job that they are paid for. And they will appreciate these trusts. Delegating authority to staffs to make decisions is a sign a trust. Warren Buffett owns more than 88 companies from various businesses and industries. There is no way anyone could have managed it, if micromanagement has been the call of the day. Instead, he has more than 88 competent CEOs to manage and run those companies. He will only get in touch with the CEOs once a year and requested them not to send him anything special.
c. Work at a job you love. This one hit me, directly. Warren Buffett said that
"There comes a time when you ought to start doing what you want. Take a job that you love. You will jump out of bed in the morning. I think you are out of your mind if you keep taking jobs that you don't like because you think that it will look good on your resume. Love what you do, Hire people who love what they do and both will lead to gold"
This book is a good read. In the next chapters, i will be going through his sharings on motivation. For someone who has 88 CEOs working for him and has become one of the wealthiest man must definitely have a strategy to keep his team motivated.
Aggressive Upgrading In Progress
28th February 2013 will be my last day as the Head of Operations for Moneytree Singapore Pte Ltd. Till date, I have;
- established an operational system/process for the company to follow.
- established partnership and operational strategy with 3rd party organization that will help with the organizational deliverable.
- established a basic structure for innovation and enterprise program.
- handed over my roles to 2 full time & 4 freelance replacements. (it takes 4 program managers and 2 project coordinators to fully take over my role and responsibility)
The CEO of Moneytree has finally announced my resignation last Thursday during a meeting with the core sales and operations team. During the meeting itself, i received calls and smses from fellow trainers asking me if the 'rumour' was true. Oh my... news at the speed of thought.
Looking at the number of people taking over my role, I was asked many a time "How was it possible?". My honest answer... it's the heart that makes it possible. It's pure PASSION that drives me for the past 2 years to do what I've been doing. It's PASSION that keeps me up late at night. It's PASSION that keeps me on the move and on my toes. It's PASSION that gives me the 6th sense of what could have gone wrong and attended to it before it happened or cause more damage. A few told me that I did that because I get paid handsomely. Well, I don't. It's almost a 2k cut from my previous assignments and I have to front most of the operational costs. No one will be able to go through this if its not for PASSION, and for helping a friend whom I've known for almost 10 years...
In March 2013, i need to have my passion channeled to my own dream - TRAINING. I've begun to take training assignments for March. I've also begun applying for more training opportunities. I am not asking for a favour. What I asked for, is an opportunity to show what I can do, and hope to earn more opportunities.
Over the Chinese New Year, I've done a lot of reading. Reading is an important activity to me. How else can we gain from a lifetime of experiences in a matter of days. Nevertheless, reading is not enough. We need to be able to draw out the key ideas and share it along. I'm a strong believer that a learner is proven learned, if he is able to break down his learnings and share it with others.
Come 1st March 2013, I will be back as a freelance trainer and program developer. Till then, I'm handing over my tasks and knowledge, and at the same time, upgrading myself to be much better trainer and program developer. May I be given the strength and wisdom to provide my customers with the best.
- established an operational system/process for the company to follow.
- established partnership and operational strategy with 3rd party organization that will help with the organizational deliverable.
- established a basic structure for innovation and enterprise program.
- handed over my roles to 2 full time & 4 freelance replacements. (it takes 4 program managers and 2 project coordinators to fully take over my role and responsibility)
The CEO of Moneytree has finally announced my resignation last Thursday during a meeting with the core sales and operations team. During the meeting itself, i received calls and smses from fellow trainers asking me if the 'rumour' was true. Oh my... news at the speed of thought.
Looking at the number of people taking over my role, I was asked many a time "How was it possible?". My honest answer... it's the heart that makes it possible. It's pure PASSION that drives me for the past 2 years to do what I've been doing. It's PASSION that keeps me up late at night. It's PASSION that keeps me on the move and on my toes. It's PASSION that gives me the 6th sense of what could have gone wrong and attended to it before it happened or cause more damage. A few told me that I did that because I get paid handsomely. Well, I don't. It's almost a 2k cut from my previous assignments and I have to front most of the operational costs. No one will be able to go through this if its not for PASSION, and for helping a friend whom I've known for almost 10 years...
In March 2013, i need to have my passion channeled to my own dream - TRAINING. I've begun to take training assignments for March. I've also begun applying for more training opportunities. I am not asking for a favour. What I asked for, is an opportunity to show what I can do, and hope to earn more opportunities.
Over the Chinese New Year, I've done a lot of reading. Reading is an important activity to me. How else can we gain from a lifetime of experiences in a matter of days. Nevertheless, reading is not enough. We need to be able to draw out the key ideas and share it along. I'm a strong believer that a learner is proven learned, if he is able to break down his learnings and share it with others.
Come 1st March 2013, I will be back as a freelance trainer and program developer. Till then, I'm handing over my tasks and knowledge, and at the same time, upgrading myself to be much better trainer and program developer. May I be given the strength and wisdom to provide my customers with the best.
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Birthdays Mean Differently To Different People
31st January was the day I turned 34. I thanked my friends and colleagues for their well wishes and cards, I really do. However, it got me thinking if i really deserved those things. Why I asked that? Let's see... I think it's because my birth into this world is not of my choice or doing. This day should belong to my mother. The lady who carried me for 9 months and with God's permission, gave birth to me, painfully, 34 years ago.
I think birthday celebrations are overated. I have never seen the whole point of celebrating a person's birthday when all effort was from a mother. I wonder how many shares my sentiments...
On that day, I spent a lot of time thinking and pondering.. wondering what have I done to get to where I am and what I need to do to go where I want to be. It got me thinking, if I have contributed enough to make a difference to those who might need it.
I think birthday celebrations are overated. I have never seen the whole point of celebrating a person's birthday when all effort was from a mother. I wonder how many shares my sentiments...
On that day, I spent a lot of time thinking and pondering.. wondering what have I done to get to where I am and what I need to do to go where I want to be. It got me thinking, if I have contributed enough to make a difference to those who might need it.
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Why I Choose To Leave My Job and Risk Everything?
I think the title of this post is a common question i get from my friends in the training fraternity. Especially when Moneytree is growing at a pretty fast pace and if I stayed, I could have get a taste of the fruits of labour which I planted and nurtured for 2 years. A few of my friends tried to talk me out of it.
I do appreciate all your questions and concerns, I really do. Yes, Moneytree is growing and it's growing fast. They have a dedicated team and i had fun working with them. The only thing that is not growing, professionally, is me. I am a trainer. One of the reason I left Engineering is because I want to contribute to others in the workforce, through training. In my first job, there were people of different specialities but they couldn't go further simply because of the lack life's skills; skills that you do not learn in school, at least not in those days. When my former partners and I formed up Metropolitan FM Solutions, we had the vision and every intention to move into training. When the company changed its focus, I decided to leave that company which I co-founded because I want to do training. So far, my involvement with Moneytree has been operations management and co-ordination. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I am unhappy but its just that a large part of me want to do more than just operations.
Yes, I am risking forgoing my fruits of labour by leaving Moneytree at this time. I believe Sustenance is not in the hands of mortals but decided by the Rabbil Al Amin(Lord of the Worlds). If it is meant to be mine, then it will be. If not, then it will not be. Decision on this is not mine to make. The decision that is mine to take is that I need to build up my profile as a trainer.
Its been more than a year since I been actively training. I am not sure if my ability to train has dropped. If it has, I'll ram it up again. I will need to rebuild myself as a trainer. I will take up assessment and program development projects. I would like to take up overseas assignments and extend my contribution and also to strengthen my profile.Having said that, I am not without fear. Yes, I am fearful of all the what ifs.. This road is the one less taken. Hopefully I can find a mentor.... May this road lead me to new heights and new opportunities that benefits me and everyone around me, In Shaa Allah..
I do appreciate all your questions and concerns, I really do. Yes, Moneytree is growing and it's growing fast. They have a dedicated team and i had fun working with them. The only thing that is not growing, professionally, is me. I am a trainer. One of the reason I left Engineering is because I want to contribute to others in the workforce, through training. In my first job, there were people of different specialities but they couldn't go further simply because of the lack life's skills; skills that you do not learn in school, at least not in those days. When my former partners and I formed up Metropolitan FM Solutions, we had the vision and every intention to move into training. When the company changed its focus, I decided to leave that company which I co-founded because I want to do training. So far, my involvement with Moneytree has been operations management and co-ordination. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I am unhappy but its just that a large part of me want to do more than just operations.
Yes, I am risking forgoing my fruits of labour by leaving Moneytree at this time. I believe Sustenance is not in the hands of mortals but decided by the Rabbil Al Amin(Lord of the Worlds). If it is meant to be mine, then it will be. If not, then it will not be. Decision on this is not mine to make. The decision that is mine to take is that I need to build up my profile as a trainer.
Its been more than a year since I been actively training. I am not sure if my ability to train has dropped. If it has, I'll ram it up again. I will need to rebuild myself as a trainer. I will take up assessment and program development projects. I would like to take up overseas assignments and extend my contribution and also to strengthen my profile.Having said that, I am not without fear. Yes, I am fearful of all the what ifs.. This road is the one less taken. Hopefully I can find a mentor.... May this road lead me to new heights and new opportunities that benefits me and everyone around me, In Shaa Allah..
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Resignation as the Head of Operations & Training for Moneytree Singapore Pte Ltd
This has got to be one of the most difficult decision i had to make. Letting go was not an easy option but it is something that, i felt, had to be done.
For your general information, I submitted my resignation as the Head of Operations & Training for Moneytree Singapore Pte Ltd. I assumed that role since March 2011 and I have learned a lot. Throughout the years, I developed and customised training programs, trained batches after batches of trainers and facilitators, systemised the processes within operations division. Today, the systems are in placed. The trainers are able to deliver as far as school projects are concerned. I think my job is done.
I had a long chat with Ryan Soh, CEO of Moneytree Singapore on 31st Dec. This week, I had another round of meeting with him. I do understand that getting a replacement is not easy. Hence, I offered an extension to my notice to 2 months. Effectively, my last day of work with Moneytree as the Head of Operations and Training will be on 28th February, instead of 31st January. Ryan even offered to start a corporate training company and let me head it. From the bottom of my heart, I do appreciate his offer and attempt to keep me within the circles of Moneytree. I had to reject his offer, for now. I would love to remain as a freelance trainer, though..
I've enjoyed my work and have built very good relationships with the teachers i've met. Can you see how hard is it for me to make this decision?
However, I think it is time to pursue my passion. After completing my ACTA, I need to restart my connections and continue where I've left off 2 years ago. While I was at Moneytree, I had a few projects, locally and regionally, offered but had to turn it down. A lot of opportunity cost lost there. I completed my last module and now awaiting the results. I should be able to get the full ACTA certification by this month and hopefully get started with corporate program, WSQ or not, soon.
For your general information, I submitted my resignation as the Head of Operations & Training for Moneytree Singapore Pte Ltd. I assumed that role since March 2011 and I have learned a lot. Throughout the years, I developed and customised training programs, trained batches after batches of trainers and facilitators, systemised the processes within operations division. Today, the systems are in placed. The trainers are able to deliver as far as school projects are concerned. I think my job is done.
I had a long chat with Ryan Soh, CEO of Moneytree Singapore on 31st Dec. This week, I had another round of meeting with him. I do understand that getting a replacement is not easy. Hence, I offered an extension to my notice to 2 months. Effectively, my last day of work with Moneytree as the Head of Operations and Training will be on 28th February, instead of 31st January. Ryan even offered to start a corporate training company and let me head it. From the bottom of my heart, I do appreciate his offer and attempt to keep me within the circles of Moneytree. I had to reject his offer, for now. I would love to remain as a freelance trainer, though..
I've enjoyed my work and have built very good relationships with the teachers i've met. Can you see how hard is it for me to make this decision?
However, I think it is time to pursue my passion. After completing my ACTA, I need to restart my connections and continue where I've left off 2 years ago. While I was at Moneytree, I had a few projects, locally and regionally, offered but had to turn it down. A lot of opportunity cost lost there. I completed my last module and now awaiting the results. I should be able to get the full ACTA certification by this month and hopefully get started with corporate program, WSQ or not, soon.
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