idealism

Last Day of First Half

That’s what it is today. The last day of the first half 2008. It’s time for a half time reflection of what I’ve done so far…

NOTHING... that is.

I had a full year of plans when I began 2008, and was expecting the year to be more fruitful than the last. Turns out I have either not fulfilled or is forfeiting some of them. Along the way, I picked up new plans and stuck to the new plans instead.

E.g. I planned for us to have a baby this year. Looks like it’s not going to happen. Then sometime in March, I thought it might help both of us if we start going to the gym. Healthier parents will sprout healthier babies, no? This goal somehow coincides with my obligation to pass the annual post-NS (National Service) physical proficiency test. So in terms of this new goal, I’m somewhat 1/3 of my way to the target.

E.g. there were plans to restructure how the company works. Initial plan was that I’d head the administration while my GM will continue with his marketing and sales portion. Along the way, I realized we can’t really separate administration from the sales operation, in terms of leadership. Therefore, I let the GM assume his role as head of administration as well, while I will lead the administration through him.

Other than this, it’s also a big year. My dad is turning 60 and I’m still trying to reconcile the family back together. Hope his birthday bash in China next month, when all his kids will fly over to China, will help.

Keeping fingers crossed

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Just updated Sunsun’s page. Added some new pics.

Wishes and Misses

I am glad…
... I did my undergrad in Boston
... I can help my dad in his business
... I partied before I married
... I met and married my wife

Though sometimes I wish…
... I had taken the offer for architecture undergrad program
... I had a digital camera during my 5-year stay in U.S.
... I had been a better brother
... I knew about blogging much earlier

Have you ever thought how you valued each chapter of your life? Or how you categorized each choice you made or how they turned out? If not, you can do the same exercise like I just did to find out where. Simple… just name 4 or 5 things you’re glad you did, and then the same for what you wish you’ve done.

When you think about the items for each group, not only will you realize how far you have come, you will also know what else you’re missing. If exercised periodically, it serves as a re-assessment of the goals and even as a reminder of those you still want to achieve. Take a step back, and you may even get an answer of what really matters in your life.

Once you have a collection from different years, you may also find the changes in yourself… in your priorities and your goals. Five years ago, I would not have thought I’d get married. I wouldn’t have known I’d take over dad’s business. I was such a party animal! Five calendars replaced off the wall, I now prefer quiet Sundays at my home balcony.

My New Challenge

This is my first week here at my dad’s company in KL, and I’m already foreseeing countless of practices and systems that need changed.

First of all, the accounting system is beyond obsolete. The old SQL-based system simply cannot handle the growing diversification of products sold by the company, hence creating inventory imbalances. Also, the growing size of business also meant growing tediousness of manual processes. The sales and administrative executives have been spending too much time with double inputs of data and thus have not been adding value to the business. I suggested changing to SAP a year ago and they are in the finalizing stage of setting up the new system. Hopefully this new system will help reduce unnecesary work and put the sales team back on focusing on marketing the products.

This brings the next observation. I think the company needs a minor corporate culture adjustment. As most Asian companies, most of the decision makings, no matter how trivial, rely heavily on the GM. With a growing business, this will become an overload for the poor guy. There have been incidents when issues requiring immediate actions get neglected and damanges were done. What we need is some autonomy in some of the areas. I will need to convince and influence the GM and his executive to practice such. Let the admin do the admin decisions. Let the accountant make the call and simply report to the GM what has been done.

Last but not least, no matter how much valuable data we have accumulated on the business and market over the past years, even if manually recorded, most of the details have not been put into valuable use. From my years of painful experience at the big corporations, I have learnt the value of historical data to tell the future (somewhat). Patterns can be calculated and most of the history, under similar internal and external factors, can happen again. That is the predictability of the business world, and can help bloom new ideas to accelerate growth.

Enough for business talks. My job for today is to figure out sales trend vs. prior year and understand the connection to the growing expenses. I have only 2 more hour before I call it a day (I have made it a point not to go beyond my productive hours).

Next Steps…

So my last day with P&G (oops!) was on Friday, and I’ve been clearing some pending domestic items (e.g. checking out HDB HUB, close deal with car dealer, etc) for the past few days. It feels weird not being in the office during workdays. This shows I have been cooping myself in the comfort of the enclosed workplace for too long. I should be feeling free…

So what’s next? Not that I do not know what to expect. I already have everything planned. From tomorrow for next 5 days, I’d be taking a break in Bangkok. There’d be lotsa food and shopping along with visiting my in-laws. Frankly, I can’t wait. I’ve always enjoyed my stay in Bangkok in the last few years.

When I return next week, I’d be packing a bit for 2 weeks stay in KL. Yes, I’d be staying 2 weeks in a go and fly back Singapore for weekends twice a month. Who knows? I might grow to like it there again like I did 5 years ago.

So the plan for my dad’s company? Simple. Dad plans to sell the company when he retires next year. I will have to prove that I can bring the company back in shape to keep it. That’s the first step. The 2nd step is to rebuild the company to such that I can run it remotely from Singapore (via e-mail, netmeeting etc.). It’d be revolutionary for a small company like this, but not impossible. Then the third step will be to venture for businesses other than just processed coconut products. Still thinking about this one, so wish me luck!

I Quit!

I just tendered my resignation today.

Yes, you read it right. I just told my boss I’m calling it quit. The reason I’m giving is partially the truth. If only I had the guts to tell her straight in the face I do not enjoy working for her, that she is not that good a boss. Actually she’s not that bad a person, but being the leader of the pack, she’s not a good motivator nor a good actress.

“Are you feeling happier now?” my wife asked. It took me a while to even know that answer to myself. Apparently, I need more than just a break. I need a change.

So I just quit my job today. My last day will be end of June. So what’s next for me? I’d take a vacation. Maybe Bangkok. Maybe Hong Kong. And then help my dad sort out some operational issue of his business while I take my time to look for a new job. Not the most exciting plan, but it is my chance to heal my sanity.

... And hope things will get better.