It’s All About The Experience

He whom speaks with humility yet brings about the charisma that commands respect - a leader. I’ve never met him physically, but i do believe that he’s genuinely passionate in listening to whatever ideas that you have. For he, not long ago, listened to my little idea which, its name, have been partly engraved onto my blog’s address. His achievements are accomplished not in his homeland (to which he still calls home and salute with respectful “Salam Sejahtera”), but far abroad. His triumphs, noticeably in SIFE international championship competitions had my awe for he had worked hard and led the team well into victory. Not only that, being a business person in nature, he has his own initiatives and projects. He believes that the youths in Malaysia have much more to offer and that is why he deserves to be the Asian Youth Ambassador.

He, Michael Teoh, is a motivator and a leader. You see I don’t intend to write a post anytime soon, not before my finals are over anyway. But Mike, see what you’ve done to me. My friend, you have my fullest support and greatest wish.

A short description of his AYA Awards nomination:

“A small town boy from Penang who was ridiculed by and rejected in school for being ‘weak’, he persevered through the odds that were against him - winning and representing the country in two international competitions.

Currently pursuing a major in Marketing and International Business in Auckland University of Technology (AUT), New Zealand, he raises the Malaysian flag proudly being hand-picked to the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) business conference. Aside from topping the Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) competition twice, he continues impacting the lives of many through global youth and leadership conferences, and community projects.”

This is the link to the Youtube video

MOST OUTSTANDING YOUTH OF 2008

VOTE FOR MICHAEL TEOH

Step 1:
Type: AYA Y 4

Step 2:
Send to: 36828

The J04Unity re-edited

In the recent weeks, mundane goings-on in UTP seemed to have been sugar-coated a little bit. We saw another successful convocation - the mark of achievement and at the same time,  students’ independence.  I shall savour the moment when it’s mine on the 9th convocation, in 2009. By the way, HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY MALAYSIA. Yesterday, there was a bunch of guys singing (more like shouting), first the lauding of “Merdeka” after their countdown, followed by 15 minutes free concert of patriotic songs. Usually, I don’t welcome such rempit-like menace, but early in this morning of 31st August, it was all understood and forgiven. Independence still exists  but when I thought of Avril’s concert almost being banned,  I think certain parties in the country are still very old-fashioned and as such, Malaysia still have much to be desired in that sense.  Sorry I digress (again), Let me come back. The convocation was warmed up by UTP’s customary convofair. It heightened UTP’s atmosphere (a little bit) for 3 days, which is considered a rare case in this forest-surrounded university. Somehow though, convocation week is always accompanied by rain; not the moderate shower but the heavy downpour kind. Kudos to the organizer this time to have thought of using the car park as the convosquare instead of the field that would have turned the bazaar into a disastrous warzone when water clogs mixed with sand and mud, topped with horseshit, baked by the unclouded sun heat to give a sort of therapeutic aroma that magically fueled hunger-panged utpians to soak their legs into the ‘rojak’ of yucky muddy sludge and enjoy a plate of chicken rice. What a big improvement this time - not only the place was dry, the stage looked bigger and interesting as well. There was even a 5 minutes fireworks display on the opening night. Applause, applause. It could only get better next year.

Ong’s birthday was a pleasant simple party. It is always nice to mingle with the juniors.

Goodbye to Olympic, and again, well done to China for hosting a perfect Olympic. The closing was also very interesting. It was perfect to me, but somehow, people will always find fault and to complain things like security (too tight apparently), and air pollution. I’d say Beijing is very much improved on the latter - try to look at their efforts. For one, they alternate odd and even numbered cars that is allowed on the road to reduce air pollution.

Friendship, is what I always cherish a lot. The recent trip back to Ipoh have been very gratifying not only because we get to salivate on Ipoh delicious food (as always) but it was more on the sharing among Kelvin, Aaron, Shean Chuan, Chung Ginn and myself. It was poignant particularly for Shean Chuan who got “emotional” but in a good way and I see a side of him apart from his solid exterior. Sharing is indeed caring.

Speaking on health, Xi Yi is obese. Any doctor would interpret the bulging of his tummy as 6 months into pregnancy. Please drop the baby man!

I shall wait for my blood test result. Let it be pink!

Eating loads of ‘rubbish’ and tons of rice doesn’t seem to help in my gaining weight. So I’ve decided to increase my bone density instead in my new effort to be heavier to reduce wind effect on me. The target is to gain 10kg before I graduate. Anlene is the formula!

In the spirit of FRIENDSHIP, I would like to preface this particular blog to congratulate China for throwing the most spectacular Olympics opening ever. Well done Beijing, China!

In the spirit of FRIENDSHIP also, that my lovely batch of July 04 had come together to BBQ, to play, to have fun, to share, to talk (crap), and to sing the unity song - Lovely!

WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, GREAT are the three words, habitually used by Kelvin Goh, fit to describe our recent batch outing in Teluk Batik.

J04 in Teluk Batik

July 04 yo!

here in my batch

i tell you what is all about

there’s just one hope, here in my heart

one love undivided

that’s what is all about

please won’t you fall in one by one by one with me

Some snippets from the recent Barcamp in KL.

Official Opening part I

Official Opening part II

Entrepreneurs Going Global part I

• Strategise execution
• Take action fast
• Market your product before it is finalised (eg: 70% complete). Microsoft was never perfect. The important point is to improve when you have the market
• Marketing, Networking & Execution - 80% resources
• Technical - 20% resources
• Perfect partnerships are rare or non-existence. Focus on diversity and strengths instead
• Doesn’t always need a partner / equity. Employ 3rd party service
• Okay to target small goals. Don’t have to be world-changing (at least not at start-up)
• Create your business model. Improvise and change accordingly from time to time
• Find a good mentor who has been there, done that, to guide you through

Entrepreneurs Going Global part II

IVF (invest, value, fund)

• Your idea must be sustainable, novel, profitable
• Understanding customer / market is essential
• Do marketing and networking and enhancement of products
• Support open source, make use of social networking services (eg: facebook - one of the spots where headhunters filter candidates)
• Understanding of technology and application. Don’t be left out, keep up with tech!
• What generally VCs look for - Seed (or pre-seed), Growth, Pre-IPO (history of business or cashflow) & team work (experience of your team)

Entrepreneurs + Developers, Co-working, Co-habitat part I

SIX hit combo

1. Posture (I’m the king / I’m the boss). Be definite. Be concise.
2. Be firm. Be clear of objective(s). Get paid for what you do.
3. Discipline. Define fimeframe. Commitment (of yourself and others)
4. Say NO, when you cannot do in time / lack resources.
5. Brand yourself. Be in groups. Find your strengths (group dynamism). Your identity.
6. Market yourself & your brand. Co-working, Co-habitat.

Entrepreneurs + Developers, Co-working, Co-habitat part II

Effects of Globalisation, Media and Information

TWO things about OBJECTS / SUBJECTS in photography

1. Focus main object(s) on the grid intersections rather than on the center.
2. Your subject(s) should be placed diagonally across the view.

Wireless hacking

• Wireless connections are very much more vulnerable to hacking compared to wired connections.
• Do to wireless hacking, wireless networking card need. Look into chipset information rather than noting the type (eg: a,b,g,n etc).
• For credit card users - BEWARE. A story was told that a person somewhere in US (if I remember correctly) built a simple satellite out of a can (shiny), placed it in his bag and walked around a supermarket. Within minutes, he got hold of thousands of credit card information.

NOW! to PROTECT your CREDIT CARD - wrap it with aluminium foil. This will create a protection called the Faraday shield that wireless can’t access into. Nobody is doing that now in Malaysia (I hope), but I won’t be surprise the next time wallets / purses come with silver coatings.