...killer punch

...many successful entrepreneurs had experienced failure in their route to success...even one of the most talked-about companies, Apple used to fail decades ago... despite its innovative products, it failed to compete with Microsoft...until the right combination of innovative ideas and strategy turned the company around and make it one of the most successful companies in history...just like a boxing match...it is not the number of punches that count but the killer one...used to watch iron mike fight...he just absorbed normal punches from his opponents and wait for the killer punch...one big punch followed by several punches that knocked the opponents down...but i'm not gonna talk about boxing...what I wanna share is about vision, goals, ideas and strategy...i'm not a strategic guy so got to use my common sense hehe...we just finished a 2-day strategic plan workshop...four groups working on it...we adopt a popular model used by renowned institutions...it is a more systematic approach...good discussions, debates with many ideas came up...overall it is a good exercise...for our members to share the same vision, passion and understand the issues and challenges we are facing and together think of the possible solutions...we're young but have a big dream...to be honest, with the time frame given, our vision is a bit unrealistic...but only via unrealistic goals we can provoke breakthrough thinking...realistic goals only promote incremental moves...considering the fast changing and competitive environment that approach won't put us up there... the only thing that's lacking from the exercise is the killer punch I'm looking for...crazy radical innovative ideas that would help us leap frog to another level...fast...but looking at the positive side it is a good beginning for us all...happy to observe commitments from all members...thanks guys...really appreciate your contributions...together lets make it happen...
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...Big dreamer

It is amazing to observe how air asia has grown and created its brand...and in such a short time...air asia and its red colour is everywhere and in different industries...airline, football, motorsports etc...not to mention other businesses like tune hotel, tune talk, insurance etc...all emerged from its core business, airline...air asia may yet to be first in terms of brand value in Malaysia but its value has jumped almost 300% this year...it all started with a big dream (or dream BIG) and supported by sheer hard work, great teamwork, competent members and creativity...how they transform their crazy ideas into something workable and practical is amazing...often against the normal beliefs and philosophy...this is what b-schools should teach...to look at the other side of the coin, not what the theory said...air asia provide 'quality' services...may not be the best but what matters is they provide what the customers want...providing options that others don't...of course they stumble at the beginning...encountered many failings due to their rapid growth but look at how fast they fixed the problems...I guess being 'stubborn', stick the principle and beliefs are their other key values...remember reading his commentary about a year ago...tony said, "look at us "nine" years ago, when we started with "no money" and "no airline experience", we only had a dream to make "flying" affordable...something for us all to learn...cheers
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...I don't have the answer

...we're all doing our job, no question about that...look around us...at every level, everyone seems busy working...ok ignore the minority few that are busy chatting and gossiping rather than working...clerks with their routine jobs, bosses with their daily meetings...but have we ever wondered, despite all our hard work, why sometimes we don't achieve what we want? i think we need to take a break sometimes...just stop (but don't quit, that's your last choice), think, observe and reflect, then we'll understand and able to figure out what went right and what went wrong...let us be frank before we move forward...ask ourselves have we actually done enough?...are we not only doing things right but also doing the right things...are we just happy with what we have achieved?...or are there issues and challenges ahead?...i'm sure there are many, right? many issues need to be improved and challenges for us to overcome...but how do we prioritize those to realize our dreams? do we fail due to our inefficiency or simply due to our growth...are we running or are we just jogging?...if we jog we might be left behind...but if we run too fast we might stumble along the way...so do we get up fast enough to run again?...keep on stumbling may not be good as we might not be able to get up anymore...so what I'm talking about? do I have answers to all these? no I don't...what I'm suggesting is that we need to do reflections...but we can only reflect if we take a break...ain't it? anyway, whatever we do we should leave no stone unturned in our quest for quality...
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...Musyawarah

...some people (or bosses) like to talk about the musyawarah-muafakat concept or deliberation and collective decision-making...I'm not against it, in fact I'm with it...really, look at me, I'm serious you know hehehe...but it must be in its true sense (no ghost riders and apple polishing please) and used only when necessary as it may also decrease efficiency in the sense that it takes longer time...the concept gives an equal opportunity to everyone to express his/her opinion/interest...to make it effectivea, members and bosses need to be open to criticisms and differences...I always believe open discussions would stimulate ideas and encourage more innovative thinking...then only we can achieve the best decision...there's nothing wrong for being different anyway...being honest (not just kind and polite) is the key...no point having a meeting (many meetings) when members keep mum and only listen to what bosses said...avoiding responsibility is not a good culture if we want to move forward...just say what's in your heart but of course in a cool and good manner...that's what my mentor always remind me...it's hard to stay cool sometimes but I'm learning to...again this is just my 2 cents...one may agree or disagree...cheers
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...Teamwork3

...remember reading a book, a very interesting and a must read book... our iceberg is melting...a nicely written book by john kotter, HBS prof...even my boy enjoyed reading the book...the story is about a penguin colony in antartica where a group of beautiful emperor penguins live as they have for many years...then one curious bird discover a potentially devastating problem threatening their 'home', hence the urgent need to move to a safer place...unfortunately no one listens to him...like in our daily life, who wants to get out of their comfort zone anyway...jeng jeng jeng...then members of a newly assembled project team...comprises 6 very different, unique and crazy but passionate characters (one with leadership skills, credibility, communications ability, authority, analytical skills, and a sense of urgency) begin their heroic actions and clever tactics to overcome resistance to change and intractable obstacles...wanna know more? read the book then hahaha...lessons learned...teamwork is not just about forming a team...it is about a team of passionate and capable people who are ready to take up challenges and 'open to be different' while pursuing the same goals...'fight' if you have to but shake hands once its done...I'm not a management guru...far from it...I just love reading...and share my little experience and knowledge I have...like what my 2nd boss always said 'sharing is caring'... hehehe
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