Just receive the increment letter on friday. After opened and looked over the letter, my morale to work on that day drop to 0.
In the market, my paid is consider below market value. After getting PR status and worked for 8 months, I thought they might be increase some amount for me. However, the amount increase is still far far beyond my expectation. My expectation on this increment has been set at very low. As low as only SGD100 only. Yet, half of my expectation also never reach...
On that very day, all of my colleagues get the letter also. I can know they faced the same thing as I faced as well. The very reason company gave to us is losing money against US currency, but the letter state that the company growth increase compared to 6 months ago!
Until today, my morale is still at level 0.
Aug 26, 2008
Aug 20, 2008
Summary on the 360 Degree Leader
It's been very very long time I didn't write book summary. The only reason is - I didn't finish reading any books. :p
Only until today, I finally finished 1 book - The 360 Degree Leader by John C.Maxwell. It took me almost 6 weeks to complete the whole books. --"
Below are the chapters of the book in summary. The title of each chapter carries the meaning clearly. Here are the break down:
Section 1: The myths of leading from the middle of an organization
Myth 1 - The position myth: "I can't lead if I am not at the top"
Myth 2 - The destination myth: "When I get to the top, then I'll learn to lead"
Myth 3 - The influence myth: "If I were on top, then people would follow me"
Myth 4 - The inexperience myth: "When I get to the top, I'll be in control"
Myth 5 - The freedom myth: "When I get to the top, I'll no longer be limited"
Myth 6 - The potential myth: "I can't reach my potential if I'm not the top leader"
Myth 7 - The All-or-Nothing myth: "If I can't get to the top, then I won't try to lead"
Section 2: The challenges 360 degree leaders face
Challenge 1 - The tension challenge: The pressure of being caught in the middle
Challenge 2 - The frustration challenge: Following an ineffective leader
Challenge 3 - The multi-hat challenge: One head...many hats
Challenge 4 - The ego challenge: You're often hidden in the middle
Challenge 5 - The fulfillment challenge: Leaders like the front more than then middle
Challenge 6 - The vision challenge: Championing the vision is more difficult when you didn't create it
Challenge 7 - The influence challenge: Leading others beyond your position is not easy
Section 3: Lead up
1. Lead yourself exceptionally well
2. Lighten your leader's load
3. Be willing to do what others won't
4. Do more then manage - lead!
5. Invest in relational chemistry
6. Be prepared every time you take your leader's time
7. Know when to push and when to back off
8. Become a go-to player
9. Be better tomorrow than you are today
Section 4: Lead across
1. Understand, practice, and complete the leadership loop (caring->learning->appreciating->contributing->verbalizing->leading->succeeding)
2. Put completing fellow leaders ahead of competing with them
3. Be a friend
4. Avoid office politics
5. Expand your circle of acquaintances
6. Let the best idea win
7. Don't pretend you're perfect
Section 5: Lead down
1. Walk slowly through the halls
2. See everyone as a "10"
3. Develop each team member as a person
4. Place people in their strength zones
5. Model the behavior you desire
6. Transfer the vision
7. Reward for results
Section 6: The value of 360 degree leaders
1. A leadership team is more effective than just one leader
2. Leaders are needed at every level of the organization
3. Leading successfully at one level is qualifier for leading at the next level
4. Good leaders in the middle make better than leaders at the top
5. 360 degree leaders possess qualities every organization needs.
Special section: Create an environment that unleashes 360 degree leaders
The whole chapters are quoted directly from.
It's very clear that this book is trying to tell us the wrong ideas and thinking of common people. A leader is not just to lead below, he/she must be able to lead above and across as well. He need to maintain the relationship with the boss, the peers, the subordinates and even the peers of boss and peers subordinates well too!
Only until today, I finally finished 1 book - The 360 Degree Leader by John C.Maxwell. It took me almost 6 weeks to complete the whole books. --"
Below are the chapters of the book in summary. The title of each chapter carries the meaning clearly. Here are the break down:
Section 1: The myths of leading from the middle of an organization
Myth 1 - The position myth: "I can't lead if I am not at the top"
Myth 2 - The destination myth: "When I get to the top, then I'll learn to lead"
Myth 3 - The influence myth: "If I were on top, then people would follow me"
Myth 4 - The inexperience myth: "When I get to the top, I'll be in control"
Myth 5 - The freedom myth: "When I get to the top, I'll no longer be limited"
Myth 6 - The potential myth: "I can't reach my potential if I'm not the top leader"
Myth 7 - The All-or-Nothing myth: "If I can't get to the top, then I won't try to lead"
Section 2: The challenges 360 degree leaders face
Challenge 1 - The tension challenge: The pressure of being caught in the middle
Challenge 2 - The frustration challenge: Following an ineffective leader
Challenge 3 - The multi-hat challenge: One head...many hats
Challenge 4 - The ego challenge: You're often hidden in the middle
Challenge 5 - The fulfillment challenge: Leaders like the front more than then middle
Challenge 6 - The vision challenge: Championing the vision is more difficult when you didn't create it
Challenge 7 - The influence challenge: Leading others beyond your position is not easy
Section 3: Lead up
1. Lead yourself exceptionally well
2. Lighten your leader's load
3. Be willing to do what others won't
4. Do more then manage - lead!
5. Invest in relational chemistry
6. Be prepared every time you take your leader's time
7. Know when to push and when to back off
8. Become a go-to player
9. Be better tomorrow than you are today
Section 4: Lead across
1. Understand, practice, and complete the leadership loop (caring->learning->appreciating->contributing->verbalizing->leading->succeeding)
2. Put completing fellow leaders ahead of competing with them
3. Be a friend
4. Avoid office politics
5. Expand your circle of acquaintances
6. Let the best idea win
7. Don't pretend you're perfect
Section 5: Lead down
1. Walk slowly through the halls
2. See everyone as a "10"
3. Develop each team member as a person
4. Place people in their strength zones
5. Model the behavior you desire
6. Transfer the vision
7. Reward for results
Section 6: The value of 360 degree leaders
1. A leadership team is more effective than just one leader
2. Leaders are needed at every level of the organization
3. Leading successfully at one level is qualifier for leading at the next level
4. Good leaders in the middle make better than leaders at the top
5. 360 degree leaders possess qualities every organization needs.
Special section: Create an environment that unleashes 360 degree leaders
The whole chapters are quoted directly from
It's very clear that this book is trying to tell us the wrong ideas and thinking of common people. A leader is not just to lead below, he/she must be able to lead above and across as well. He need to maintain the relationship with the boss, the peers, the subordinates and even the peers of boss and peers subordinates well too!
Aug 14, 2008
How to increase saving.
People in this era are being so emotionally tempted and draw by the abundances and multiple attractions. Especially the younger generation are so good at pampered themselves for good food and life enjoyment. These behavior aren't bad; yet there must have a limit and control. Too excessive of all these will become spend thrift and in the end your saving will shrink accordingly as well.
In my opinion, the best is draft a financial plan on your salary. Divide your salary by catering your daily, monthly expenses and saving proportionally. At least leave a small portion for your saving. Once saved, do not think of getting the money out and spend them unless you face a big financial difficulty. The most effective is save that money in a separate account at different bank from you active account.
The other way is to spend at you capability. Typically, people expenditure raise as the income raise. The more you earn the more you spend. This concept isn't wrong but it ain't right too. For example you earn 1k per month at the initial, so your expenditure is base on 1k. However when you income increase to 1.5k per month, that doesn't mean you can increase your expenditure power to 1.5k. Probably you can increase slightly to 1.1k to 1.2k so that you can save more and enjoy more too!
Last but not least, control your own spending urge is the most important. Undeniable to me that shopping can create inner self happiness. However, this just a temporal joy. Must control ourselves at buying what we really need only.
In my opinion, the best is draft a financial plan on your salary. Divide your salary by catering your daily, monthly expenses and saving proportionally. At least leave a small portion for your saving. Once saved, do not think of getting the money out and spend them unless you face a big financial difficulty. The most effective is save that money in a separate account at different bank from you active account.
The other way is to spend at you capability. Typically, people expenditure raise as the income raise. The more you earn the more you spend. This concept isn't wrong but it ain't right too. For example you earn 1k per month at the initial, so your expenditure is base on 1k. However when you income increase to 1.5k per month, that doesn't mean you can increase your expenditure power to 1.5k. Probably you can increase slightly to 1.1k to 1.2k so that you can save more and enjoy more too!
Last but not least, control your own spending urge is the most important. Undeniable to me that shopping can create inner self happiness. However, this just a temporal joy. Must control ourselves at buying what we really need only.
Aug 13, 2008
The meaning of Olympic
People have start to forget the other meaning behind the Olympic games.
This have to track back to a few thousands years ago start from the ancient Greece. There are many separated countries such as Athens, Sparta, Olympia and many more unlike the united Greece today. Wars between these country are often. The Olympic event was first started in the sanctuary for the Greeks' mighty gods and goddesses in Olympia. Then the event grew larger and it became a competition between the countries. Each of the country will send out their best athletes to compete with other country in the games.
At ancients, the game was held in every 4 year. During the Olympic year, truce among all countries are announce. If war is ongoing, soldiers have to lay down their weapons during that year no matter what. This is to make sure all the participants and audiences of the games to have a safe journey to the mount Olympus.
Today, this event is still on going. However, the great nations leaders seems like forgotten the other meaning of the game - Truce among nations during the Olympic event. Sadly, the war between Russia and Georgia are proudly started just before the Olympic games. When the games started, the war should be stopped and yet the fight between them continue as it is. Can't the UN do something to stop this war at least for this moment? Can't the Olympic games committees do something over this? How come the westerners do not make noises over this issue while they only know how to interrupt the easterners on holding this grand event.
This have to track back to a few thousands years ago start from the ancient Greece. There are many separated countries such as Athens, Sparta, Olympia and many more unlike the united Greece today. Wars between these country are often. The Olympic event was first started in the sanctuary for the Greeks' mighty gods and goddesses in Olympia. Then the event grew larger and it became a competition between the countries. Each of the country will send out their best athletes to compete with other country in the games.
At ancients, the game was held in every 4 year. During the Olympic year, truce among all countries are announce. If war is ongoing, soldiers have to lay down their weapons during that year no matter what. This is to make sure all the participants and audiences of the games to have a safe journey to the mount Olympus.
Today, this event is still on going. However, the great nations leaders seems like forgotten the other meaning of the game - Truce among nations during the Olympic event. Sadly, the war between Russia and Georgia are proudly started just before the Olympic games. When the games started, the war should be stopped and yet the fight between them continue as it is. Can't the UN do something to stop this war at least for this moment? Can't the Olympic games committees do something over this? How come the westerners do not make noises over this issue while they only know how to interrupt the easterners on holding this grand event.
Aug 12, 2008
Frustrations
It's been a while after my last blog. Recently, been very frustrated. When you are in frustration, everything seems like going opposing you.
First was my laptop cooler. The laptop cooler was integrated with 4 ports USB hub as it mention on its box. After I bought it for $65, I found that the hub were merely good to power up USB devices such as USB fans... More over the notebook cooler is branded yet produce such a things. I wonder where it made of and the quality control. It's not totally spoil, the USB detection is going on and off. I doubt I can replace with another 1 even I already dropped complains on the official website.
Second is my Bluetooth mouse. The mouse compatibility with the laptop are going on and off as well. Sometimes it can be detected, more of the time the pointer remain idle when I moved the mouse.
Third goes to the stupid 3G signal of my broadband. Always DC. Always can not detect the 3G signals. Always can not detect the stupid devices. Every time I surf net, every time I face these problems...... Complains also useless against my problems although I've been complaining for more then half a year.
The last thing that keep bugging me for a long time is generating extra income over my pockets. I've been thinking of ways to grow them but the problem I faced is do not have a clear idea on how to start. Probably I do need to sit down, relax my brain and perform karma in order to light up the bulb inside my head.
First was my laptop cooler. The laptop cooler was integrated with 4 ports USB hub as it mention on its box. After I bought it for $65, I found that the hub were merely good to power up USB devices such as USB fans... More over the notebook cooler is branded yet produce such a things. I wonder where it made of and the quality control. It's not totally spoil, the USB detection is going on and off. I doubt I can replace with another 1 even I already dropped complains on the official website.
Second is my Bluetooth mouse. The mouse compatibility with the laptop are going on and off as well. Sometimes it can be detected, more of the time the pointer remain idle when I moved the mouse.
Third goes to the stupid 3G signal of my broadband. Always DC. Always can not detect the 3G signals. Always can not detect the stupid devices. Every time I surf net, every time I face these problems...... Complains also useless against my problems although I've been complaining for more then half a year.
The last thing that keep bugging me for a long time is generating extra income over my pockets. I've been thinking of ways to grow them but the problem I faced is do not have a clear idea on how to start. Probably I do need to sit down, relax my brain and perform karma in order to light up the bulb inside my head.
Aug 5, 2008
How they scam you through phone
This is my very own experience. They've grown smarter. They try to con you by making story over a period of time. I'll break down in details as below:
1. They called me on 12 July and told me their company will be holding an lucky draw event on 15 July. It'll be shown as live telecast in Macau. I'm one of the lucky contestant they pick for foreigner. They talk so fast until I don even hear what channel showing live telecast, what is the event name and the company name. What I can hear loud and clear is my lucky numbers and the lucky draw date. They want me to attend the event. I'm not rich, not free and not mad enough to attend. So I rejected them. (Only the rich, the free and the mad one will attend their event in Macau) I wan't to ask them how they get my numbers but they talk so fast and so blurred via the phone and ask me to remember my lucky number, thats it.
2. After a few days, where I've forgotten about this issue, they called again on 16 July. They asked whether I watched the show? I told where the hack I have their Macau channel! They said nevermind as I've won their 3rd prize in the lucky draw! Then they start their skillful talk again which you can't really hear what the F* they said clearly. I just roughly heard I won a car. However I'm a foreigner, the car is useless to me. So the hotel is willing to convert to cash for me worth how much I can't hear. They tell me to go down and collect my own. I just tell them impossible. Then they continue to said that they need my address so that they can sent me a letter . So I told them my company address. I started to question them about their event name and Hotel names. They told me in Chinese and I insist the name in English. What I found is - "Seaview Nations in Macau spend a holiday center" An event name sounds weird right? So I tried to look up this in the Internet and I found nothing.
3. After this issue has been cooled down and I nearly forget about it, they called again on the 29 July. Asking me whether I received their cheque or not. Sincerely, I told them no. Them they said they'll cheque again as they issue the cheque via a lawyer firm. They'll find out and send the cheque to me in 3-4 days time. Then the left me a contact name - 许志豪 (which I think is fake) and a Macau contact number - +85362296401.
4. Really thought this should be over by now. Who knows, they called me on 5 August. They are very polite though. They ask me did I received any letter from them. With polite, I replied no to them. Seems shocked, they ask me to call to their "lawyer" which they entrusted the letter to by giving me another Macau phone number - +85366165384.
5. The fun begins when I called to the lawyer firm. A person answering my call said he's from a lawyer firm!!! I told them my situation and they proceed to check all the info for me. After a few minutes, a lawyer called back. He said I've won HKD 420k in total. The Macau government need a 3.5% tax on every draw prize and he calculated and converted for me into SGD. Roughly SGD2600 taxed and Prize won is SGD70k. Then he said my amount to sent over by cheque was too big, the Macau government only allow HKD120k transaction, higher then that need to go to Macau and settle it our own. Then I scold him why he din't mail or letter to me! He try to back his ass by Bullsh*tting his Macau laws again... He adviced me to arrange a meeting with him by coming down to Macau myself. Before we end the conversation, I insist him giving me his Firm's name in English and what he gave me is just www.cfunion.com and ask me to check myself cause he's very busy. (www.cfunion.com is invalid)
6. So I called back to the hotel telling him the lawyer is useless. Then, they said they can arrange the meeting for me if I come down. So, this time I answered I'm coming down myself. Please arranged for me your hotel room! They seem shock and he'll seek advice from his manager and call me back in a moment. They ask me to call the lawyer for making appointment too. Then, I called the lawyer by telling him I'm going down on this friday!
7. After a while, they called back mentioning the prize withdrawing date dues today!!! They told me the manager already give 3 weeks allowance to collect. My temper rose and scold them its thier useless lawyer and how can I go down to Macau today! There's no more flight to Macau today and how can I make it where it's already late noon. I sounds angry and frustrated as if I'm going to lose the prize! Then, they kept appologized to me and they said they'll tried their best to help me in order to get the prize money.
8. Later, they phoned me again. They told me there's another similar case where the winner can't go collect himself. Gave me a Malaysian number - +60172408773 and ask me to seek advise from him. I called, he told me he is limb so he transfer the tax money to the Macau government and then after 90 minutes, the lawyer transferred back the full amount of prize money back to his bank account. (At the begining of the conversation, I insisted to chat in Cantonese, I doubt any one who lives in KL knows Cantonese but he just laugh and continue with China accent chinese)
9. After that, I called the lawyer again. sound nervously as if I'm going to lose all my prize money if I can't settle today, telling him my awful situation and beg for his help to come out the SGD2600 for me and I'll pay back to him later. He dig out all the Macau Laws again and continue to Bullsh*t for a period of time where I really don't know what the F* is he talking as if he really scared that I can listen clearly to what he said. Until the end of the chat, he slowed down. He said: If the hotel willing to issue a letter to let him proceed with the transaction + after I bank in the money to the Macau government, only he can transfer the prize money to me.
10. After that, they called me again. They said they can issue the letter if I'm able to bank in the money to the government and they willing to give me the government account number if I have the tax money. (How come they know the government account?!?) I told them I do not have SGD2600 as I'm very poor kid just started to work. Surprisingly, they ask me how much I have and they taught me how to borrow money from friends and relatives by not telling them I won SGD70k?!?! Then, they even try to brainwash me by telling me how this SGD70k can help me! Them, they gave me 30 minutes to gather money and they'll contact me before 4pm as the lawyer firm closed at 5pm.
11. from 2-4pm, every 30 minutes, they called me. Seems very concerned on my progress of gathering the money. They even told me they really want me to get the prize money, so that they can promote their hotel! At 4pm, the grand moment, I just answered them I don't want the money, I can't get SGD2600. So, they just said sorry and hung up the phone.......
What a realistic world. Really no money no talk. My fellow friends, please becareful and try not to be conned by this "lucky draw contest" specially they knocked on your door or phone to you. I just want to play and experience that's why I've been so cooperative to them. KIDS, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!!
1. They called me on 12 July and told me their company will be holding an lucky draw event on 15 July. It'll be shown as live telecast in Macau. I'm one of the lucky contestant they pick for foreigner. They talk so fast until I don even hear what channel showing live telecast, what is the event name and the company name. What I can hear loud and clear is my lucky numbers and the lucky draw date. They want me to attend the event. I'm not rich, not free and not mad enough to attend. So I rejected them. (Only the rich, the free and the mad one will attend their event in Macau) I wan't to ask them how they get my numbers but they talk so fast and so blurred via the phone and ask me to remember my lucky number, thats it.
2. After a few days, where I've forgotten about this issue, they called again on 16 July. They asked whether I watched the show? I told where the hack I have their Macau channel! They said nevermind as I've won their 3rd prize in the lucky draw! Then they start their skillful talk again which you can't really hear what the F* they said clearly. I just roughly heard I won a car. However I'm a foreigner, the car is useless to me. So the hotel is willing to convert to cash for me worth how much I can't hear. They tell me to go down and collect my own. I just tell them impossible. Then they continue to said that they need my address so that they can sent me a letter . So I told them my company address. I started to question them about their event name and Hotel names. They told me in Chinese and I insist the name in English. What I found is - "Seaview Nations in Macau spend a holiday center" An event name sounds weird right? So I tried to look up this in the Internet and I found nothing.
3. After this issue has been cooled down and I nearly forget about it, they called again on the 29 July. Asking me whether I received their cheque or not. Sincerely, I told them no. Them they said they'll cheque again as they issue the cheque via a lawyer firm. They'll find out and send the cheque to me in 3-4 days time. Then the left me a contact name - 许志豪 (which I think is fake) and a Macau contact number - +85362296401.
4. Really thought this should be over by now. Who knows, they called me on 5 August. They are very polite though. They ask me did I received any letter from them. With polite, I replied no to them. Seems shocked, they ask me to call to their "lawyer" which they entrusted the letter to by giving me another Macau phone number - +85366165384.
5. The fun begins when I called to the lawyer firm. A person answering my call said he's from a lawyer firm!!! I told them my situation and they proceed to check all the info for me. After a few minutes, a lawyer called back. He said I've won HKD 420k in total. The Macau government need a 3.5% tax on every draw prize and he calculated and converted for me into SGD. Roughly SGD2600 taxed and Prize won is SGD70k. Then he said my amount to sent over by cheque was too big, the Macau government only allow HKD120k transaction, higher then that need to go to Macau and settle it our own. Then I scold him why he din't mail or letter to me! He try to back his ass by Bullsh*tting his Macau laws again... He adviced me to arrange a meeting with him by coming down to Macau myself. Before we end the conversation, I insist him giving me his Firm's name in English and what he gave me is just www.cfunion.com and ask me to check myself cause he's very busy. (www.cfunion.com is invalid)
6. So I called back to the hotel telling him the lawyer is useless. Then, they said they can arrange the meeting for me if I come down. So, this time I answered I'm coming down myself. Please arranged for me your hotel room! They seem shock and he'll seek advice from his manager and call me back in a moment. They ask me to call the lawyer for making appointment too. Then, I called the lawyer by telling him I'm going down on this friday!
7. After a while, they called back mentioning the prize withdrawing date dues today!!! They told me the manager already give 3 weeks allowance to collect. My temper rose and scold them its thier useless lawyer and how can I go down to Macau today! There's no more flight to Macau today and how can I make it where it's already late noon. I sounds angry and frustrated as if I'm going to lose the prize! Then, they kept appologized to me and they said they'll tried their best to help me in order to get the prize money.
8. Later, they phoned me again. They told me there's another similar case where the winner can't go collect himself. Gave me a Malaysian number - +60172408773 and ask me to seek advise from him. I called, he told me he is limb so he transfer the tax money to the Macau government and then after 90 minutes, the lawyer transferred back the full amount of prize money back to his bank account. (At the begining of the conversation, I insisted to chat in Cantonese, I doubt any one who lives in KL knows Cantonese but he just laugh and continue with China accent chinese)
9. After that, I called the lawyer again. sound nervously as if I'm going to lose all my prize money if I can't settle today, telling him my awful situation and beg for his help to come out the SGD2600 for me and I'll pay back to him later. He dig out all the Macau Laws again and continue to Bullsh*t for a period of time where I really don't know what the F* is he talking as if he really scared that I can listen clearly to what he said. Until the end of the chat, he slowed down. He said: If the hotel willing to issue a letter to let him proceed with the transaction + after I bank in the money to the Macau government, only he can transfer the prize money to me.
10. After that, they called me again. They said they can issue the letter if I'm able to bank in the money to the government and they willing to give me the government account number if I have the tax money. (How come they know the government account?!?) I told them I do not have SGD2600 as I'm very poor kid just started to work. Surprisingly, they ask me how much I have and they taught me how to borrow money from friends and relatives by not telling them I won SGD70k?!?! Then, they even try to brainwash me by telling me how this SGD70k can help me! Them, they gave me 30 minutes to gather money and they'll contact me before 4pm as the lawyer firm closed at 5pm.
11. from 2-4pm, every 30 minutes, they called me. Seems very concerned on my progress of gathering the money. They even told me they really want me to get the prize money, so that they can promote their hotel! At 4pm, the grand moment, I just answered them I don't want the money, I can't get SGD2600. So, they just said sorry and hung up the phone.......
What a realistic world. Really no money no talk. My fellow friends, please becareful and try not to be conned by this "lucky draw contest" specially they knocked on your door or phone to you. I just want to play and experience that's why I've been so cooperative to them. KIDS, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!!
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