OF SOLUTION AND POSSIBILITIES........

One cannot solve a problem at the level the problem was created. Exactly, the reason, we need to have different kind of people at the different level in organisation. This is even true in a family unit. Those in higher postion / leadership position are expected to understand alternative solution thinking. not just basic thinking skill. Its a state of mind that's open to all kinds of looking, for something new. Its neither a magic nor a miracle, just a method , a practical tool that take advantage of how the mind works. New questions redirect attention , change assumptions and sets new possibilities in any moment. This last few weeks I have come across situations that displayed blatantly the lack of this and it dissappoint me because it came from people that are of ' higher level'.It hit me like a thunderbolt. A title does not make a person . Giving one a bigger title when one does not have the capacity to manage / execute responsibilities could cause more damage & harm.

Recently I went up the a Head of Dept in this organisation to discuss on a policy issues. I had previuosly discussed with a junior officer and of course she opened a file and read the policy and looked grimly, answered accordingly. That's fine .She only has that capacity. I requested for Head of department and guess what, .... she did the same?????!!!!. She is the HEAD!! What the heck !! I then suggested that if she could not think of a possibility or solution , I will write in to Forum , then maybe we have some suggestions. 2 days later, I received another call from the HEAD OF HEADS and received different answers. I couldnt believe who return my call............... of possibilities and solutions

FACE TO FACE- A DIFFERENT KIND

We always have this meeting in the office called Face to Face meeting. We fix a date to meet + think. Some came just to meet , others came to think. On a friendlier note , I keep in touch with friends old or new, on the social networking tool eg FaceBook. I know why its called FACEBOOK. cos its meant to replace Face to Face, sadly .These friends are not in my face but I am updated on their routines and lives like an open book.

I am not in the least surprised to have read somewhere that social networks have moved ahead of personal emails . I am a virgin when it comes to FACEBOOK , having been on it only under a month. But i like it instantly because, I can POKE my friends. Poke function , I think , are just to nudge a friend to say Hi , u are on my mind. I am no expert on FACEBOOK but that's my interpretation of POKE. I cant possibly do that on an email, can I? I did communication back then, way back , its a complex process with many error potentials. Some meaning can be lost in that simple transmission process. But when I looked at communication now, its getting shorter and shorter. How communication have evolved. of course. Will i still continue with face to face with friends , of course but a different kind.

AUNTY AGING CREAM

In his 1996 New Year Message then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong highlighted the need for Singapore to become a gracious society by the 21st century. He emphasised that Singapore should not only continue to develop its economy, but should complement it with growth in personal development and in social behaviour. Interestingly, is to measure how much, we have changeD in the the last 13 years towards gracious living.The recent issue of “Who are you calling auntie” in ST stirred some interest in me ( eeerrr my age group I mean ). Though quite frankly, I have not been addressed as auntie yet by hawkers and newspaper vendors ( so some monthly budget on anti aging cream / supplement was worth it) but I am sure in a matter of a year or two, it will come, inevitable. Let me try to tackle this my very best and hopefully something gets done and I get the title only from my lovely nieces and nephews and friends’ children. In our attempt to move towards being a gracious society , I believe in making small changes in our daily routine. Calling some strangers aunties or uncles though, in local terms, is loaded with respect and affections? could be appaling to some people like me. The simple truth is, the word auntie conjures up an image of an older woman with permed hair , who talks loudly in public places, + weird sense of fashion . My apology. Worst is , a blanket approach used, by calling someone older , slight or much older than yourself, aunty. What lies beyond the bounds of logic however ,is, when someone older, address me as auntie. Where is the graciousness in that? Let us start with Sir and Mam ,mmmm that sound better and more respectful too.

FRIENDSHIP FACTOR

I had a wonderful conversation with a friend over lunch on topic of Customer Satisfaction. Conversation mmmmmm, wonderful , but i cannnot vouch on the wonderful customer service experience , I have received. Too often, its more harrowing than pleasant. I am of the opinion that if i pay a premium price for a product , it would come with premium service too.

Surprisingly , i dont feel like I have gotten a premium customer support service when I walked into a a high end boutique shop in comparison to what i received in a retail boutique in heartland say Giordano, for eg. In fact , I got the most welcoming greetings from Giordano . The staff are trained to greet and they greet enthusiastically , they smile from ear to ear , I feel just energised when i walk into their stores. Its unbelievable! I guess , their strategy is to activate the 'FRIENDSHIP FACTOR', because ultimately, ....we would buy from a friend ,wouldnt we?? Often we would. Giordano understands that very well. Recently i went to a premium boutique with every intention to treat myself to a gift. I should believe that , if one is consumed with an intention, one sends out the right signal . I walked into the store and there's like 3 potential customer including me and about 5 staff. No greetings , nevermind but what's not acceptable is that , i was not treated like a customer . I looked around and waited, looked again and waited , and looked again and waited. GOSH !Ridiculuos! I called for some one to attend to me and when she came , I was apalled at her lack of customer service.

Being in the service industry , one must at least enjoy the process of meeting people , and be willing to serve,.Sadly this is not always true. Very often those in the industry are not aware of the value of customer service. The only certain, means of success is to render more and better services.Somehow this is also quite true for political success.

Recently i read in the newspaper about the Jelutong CC job fair , some 4800 job seekeers were there.The next day I read the remarks in newspaper
"'We were a little surprised by the response. It's a weekday...it's not somewhere in town,
yet we are enjoying an overwhelming response. It is a worrisome sign as well."

I am not quite sure how to react. Should I be shocked at the massive turn up or should I be shocked at the remark made by one of the senior guy? Should I laugh or cry

80/20 RULE

When all things slow down , its time to reflect. Wouldnt it be great if I could do this in Bali. By the private pool, overlooking the dep blue sea with the the sound of the waves like music , beating the the white pristine beach ,ooh I am lullabied. soft music ......OOOhhhh how WONDERFUL.


That's exactly how I lose focus! its easy isnt it?
I listed the things i have done in 2008 up till now. Some activities there , what 80% or maybe , 100% activities but bottom line is , I am not heading in the direction of my destination. I am nauseatic at the disparity . Somewhere between Feb and Dec .I got sidetracked . Tell me about this !. And so ,I revisit the 80/20 theory. And so I begin this exercise .Wah 1 whole sunday!Not totally failed, didnt fare too bad not bad in area of spiritual, relationship, could have done better in economic and "commercial development " and so I reasses , reevaluate, restrategise for 2009.