Reinventing oneself

This is an entry I hope will further inspire my readers and anyone who is thinking of making a change.

Three years ago I made a decision to move on after 14 years in a company. I have shared how difficult it was to make the decision, but now I want to talk about what happened after that.

Whilst I was going into a similar industry, mobile business was something I never did seriously before, especially when it is core business. I knew little else beyond the mobile phone I had in my hands of which I wasn't even paying for. I just knew it worked when I needed it to.

Stepping into my new place, I had a lot to learn and extra effort to make, for my fresh perspective to be heard (at least I thought they were), to speak with credibility on a business I have limited experience in, amongst the many experts who have slept, ate and breathed mobile most of their working life. And by experts here, I don't mean only locally, they were also global multi market experts.

There were moments I got inspired. There were moments I got frustrated. Sometimes, I was scared. But I was focused on learning, leveraging all my past experience and market understanding into this new area and contribute. Then I was slowly given more projects within the mobile business, not just postpaid but also partnerships involving prepaid business. I gained the trust of a boss who saw the potential in me.

Long story short, here I am today, presenting in a room full of media and press representatives on our latest mobile offering. I am also now responsible for the product development, management and marketing of mobile business in the Enterprise segment which has an annual turnover of more than RM1billion. As cliche as it may sound, I feel this is an accomplishment for myself. I still have plenty to learn as this industry hardly stops evolving thanks to our friendly competitors but I believe the challenges ahead just promises more excitement!

So to you out there contemplating a change, don't be afraid. Reinvent yourself. The worst that could happen is you discover yourself and move on. 

Good luck!

Reliable is not boring

August marks my 17 years as an employee. Where I started my career, there were many who worked their whole life in the company and at that time, knowing of anyone who has worked 20 or 30 years made me go wow..that's a long time. But here I am now, 3 more years into my own 20 year mark :/

I didn't find the transition from school was hard. School was fun but I believe school always feels more fun after you leave it :P

Anyway, back to the topic today. Throughout my career I have probably had around 12 bosses (must have forgotten a few too when they really didn't make an impression..haha. we'll talk about bad bosses next time. I'm sure we've all had one). I want to talk about what I found common including for me as a leader today.

All bosses want reliable employees. By reliable I mean someone I can trust to deliver any task required, in good quality and on time. Someone who may not know 100% of everything but will ask and manage my expectations on timelines.

Opposite to this is someone whom cannot be trusted with deadlines. That I have to keep following up with and asking what is progress. Worst, someone who just keeps his or her head down until the work is overdue and come up with a million excuses why it wasn't done.

So you see, while being super intelligent, competent, innovative, proactive, high energy, diligent bla bla are qualities all bosses like to see, let's not forget the basic of just being plain old reliable. It creates trust and that believe me, is important to be happy at work. Trust is fundamental to empowerment and empowerment means freedom. Freedom means happiness.

So what's your reliability rating?

People Management

Part 1. Simply because I think I will write about this topic again in future. Never short of experiences to write about when it comes to this.

There are a lot of books out there on leadership and specifically on managing people. The ones I have read almost always talks about the same things, the same tips. I can't remember when I stopped buying them. Nowadays, I think the Harvard Business Review keeps me updated enough on the new adaptations (I say adaptation because people management principles don't change, we just need to flexibly adapt to the generation and lifestyle we live in), latest research and management fads. And more so since over the years of being a people manager, nothing is like truly experiencing it on the job, everyday. Obvious, you could say.

I realized managing people has many similarities with managing your own children. Except in this case you have many (many many) more and that they're all adults who have been nurtured differently, come from different environments, have different perspectives on life and other people in general. Nevertheless, there is one dilemma about people management I find consistent with raising my own children. When do you be all supportive, encouraging, motivating and when do you be firm, demanding i.e. tough without necessarily meaning you 'love' them any less?

It's situational. 

There are times when a little bit of unreasonable-ness is needed to drive change. Else, everything stays status quo because it is the path of least resistance. 

There are times when you are extra supportive because you feel guilt that you have somewhat 'neglected' that particular area and your team is obviously trying hard.

There are times you need to be more motivating and understanding, not because you want to be popular and be liked but because we are all humans, and we need that encouragement occasionally.

..and there are times when toughness and 'guru besar' discipline is just needed. period.

Nevertheless, a key condition to situational leadership is professionalism. It's not personal and should not be.

Also, the further we climb up the ladder, expect that you will 'receive' TLC and 'tough'ness in a whole different light (darkness sometimes :P) and in different form than before. But that is fair, as demands and expectations of you are also higher.

Agree to disagree with me?

Negotiating your salary

So I haven't written in ages and in this constantly online world, 'ages' can feel much longer than calendar dates. I haven't written not because I stopped believing in this cause but I just did not take the time to sit and write.

But now I have many things to write about. Because I've been busy and experienced new situations. A few days back I attended a Women Leadership Conference and that was inspiring. To listen to stories of international level achievements, of women like Datuk Dr Mazlan who deals on a daily basis with Russia and NASA and Tan Sri Datuk Dr Rafiah. What is more interesting is they each have their own story to tell which makes them seem human...like you and me. So yes, we can!

I have also finally started reading Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In. Admittedly, it didn't quite take my fancy before, I was afraid that it would be too cliche (I hope that's not what people feel about my blog) but I think curiosity took the better of me. And there is a chapter on Negotiating your Salary. I haven't read it but it inspired me to write my own take on this topic.

There seems to be a general perception and even research I read before that women are more afraid than men to ask for what we deserve. And because of this, I have read many articles urging women to be more assertive in this area.

My belief is that this is not and cannot be a general rule. There are situations when it is best that you leave the 'valuing' of your skills and capabilities to the boss. As long as you know he or she is not discriminative in any way and especially if you believe in achieving greater things ahead with the new project or role you're undertaking. I believe it leads to a more positive starting point. The last thing you want is to 'win' the negotiation but with resentment, pushed beyond your capabilities just because the boss thinks you should then take on more.

However, if you do feel undervalued, address it. Do it professionally. I recommend listing down your experience and past achievements and how it makes your potential, how you would use them to add value to the current or future task at hand. Don't complain or whine and do not compare with someone else's salary even if you peeked through Salmah's salary slip the other day :/

Choose a good time which means not Monday mornings, not before a big meeting or right after a difficult meeting. I think Friday is a good day, for me it would be Friday mornings (ok now you know but if you're from my team I'll be off next Friday :P). Ideally, set a proper appointment and not barge in. You want to be able to say everything you need to.

And if it is a new job, email is best. The same guidelines would apply on the content. Ok now good luck!

What about MBAs

I sometimes get this question. Is an MBA still valued by employers? Will it give any edge to my career? Will I get more salary or faster promotion with an MBA?

Well...yes and no.

Yes, if you think of acquiring an MBA for the actual management knowledge as your purpose. The process of getting the degree is your goal. When you believe that actually learning about all areas of business management from strategy to management accounting and 4Ps of marketing (ok there's 7Ps and 5Cs and many theories we could go on for days..) will be useful as you move up the corporate ladder and have bigger responsibilities.

But....

No, if your actual goal is only about walking up the stage on convocation day and holding a certificate stamped with your name that you later proudly include in your already long resume (primary school qualification, hobby, favourite color... Yes, I'm kidding). Or if you start marching into the boss's office demanding a promotion because you now know PnL actually means profit and loss, not the petite collection of Ralph Lauren.

There was a time when such qualifications did 'entitle' employees to some sort of extra allowance or better salary. I don't quite understand the rationale but I guess it was because such qualified employees were rare then (God I feel old!). But those days are gone.

I acquired mine many moons ago for none of the reasons above but just because I was offered a scholarship to study part time by my employer and well, everybody seemed to be doing it so why not. As icing on the cake, I knew most of the people who would be my course mates I thought it'd be fun. 

Now, studying while working full time and having a family was another thing altogether. It was tough because like everything else I get myself into, I want to do my best and there's just so much hours in a day to juggle everything. My course mates would smirk at this if they read this now because to them it looked like a breeze for me to a point I also had a baby (my third!) during that period. Haha. Super multi tasker eh? 

Rubber stamp manager

The first time I heard the term 'rubber stamp management/manager' it was directed at me, pointing out a presumption I made which someone wasn't too happy about. Needless to say, it was a valuable lesson but I found humor in the term itself to never forget the incident..

You see, the most effective to way to build a positive, credible reputation at the workplace for ourselves is to consciously make a point to add value to the task we are required to deliver.

Ask ourselves. When something is in hand, are we adding value to it before the final output is delivered? or before it is passed on to the next person? or division? or (and especially..) the boss?!

If we feel our role in something is only a messenger, believe me that should be enough to be insecure about. It's too easy to become irrelevant and redundant from such a role.

I have seen others take it to the extreme. There are those who just declare it and walk out of meetings where they feel they can add no value. Asians are too polite to do this but I believe it is needed sometimes. Time is precious.

So, what is a rubber stamp manager/management and what has this got to do with it? Well, at any level and even more so when you're a boss, you must ensure you are adding value. 

Bosses are not there just to sign a.k.a 'rubber stamp' documents for approval (Most Malay TV drama series to this day portray bosses as doing just that! That is so 80s…). Nor as employees, we should expect our boss to not question us and that they should just approve our papers the moment we send it to them. 

And that was the lesson I learnt that day..many moons ago, when I was a young and eager executive (younger and more eager now :P). Having brought up a paper I presumed is a no-brainer at the last minute, only to find the boss had a view on it and needed time which I did not hide my frustration about. "We are not rubber stamp management" is what he said to me. Thank you DBO. I carry this with me to this day….

Picture courtesy of Google Images

Glass ceiling

Is there really one? Is there a maximum where a woman, a Malaysian woman can climb up the corporate Malaysia ladder? Are there jobs that are 'meant' only for men?

We are in an era where most companies, local or multinationals, voluntarily or if probed, would claim inclusiveness and being pro diversity. Whether they are true in practice, there are differing views. I think we can make our own conclusions on this. Actions speak louder than words.

What have I seen? My observation tells me that in considering a candidate for most jobs, competency, experience, attitude and potential are the primary considerations. I have not witnessed or heard a consideration being made for the candidate's gender that could influence the four aspects mentioned. 

However, there are jobs due to its nature (dangerous, far or in my case, where there are no commercial establishments *read malls*) tends to appeal less to women. There are jobs, like in some areas of sales where most interactions are known to be with men and therefore, a man who can hang out and have a cup of 'teh tarik' with the group would be better suited.

A friend once told me that in consulting companies, there are usually equal interest from both genders at the entry level but after a few years, the women tend to leave as the 'nomadic' lifestyle no longer fits their biological plans (the clock is real alright!) Hence, one would find most middle management positions in this business being held by men.

So what does this means to us women? I believe there is generally no limit to how high a Malaysian woman can climb the corporate ladder here. We see competent women CEOs around us managing big important organizations as proof it isn't impossible. And for the jobs we don't get, well they are not suited to our needs too and as long as we feel it is a choice we make, it seems perfectly ok to me.

Anyway, the best way to gain the most satisfaction is to put aside titles and positions, but to make sure you enjoy the journey.


Picture courtesy of Google Images

Choosing your battles

When you work for someone or some'body', be it a private owner or institutional shareholders i.e. when you work for a company, you are almost always dependent on others in some aspects of your job. Be it acceptance of your ideas, views, perspective or just simply, to get the other half of a job done and complete.

And there are days you will feel like:

a. pulling your hair

b. pulling the other person's hair

c. just leaving (and go shopping)

d. all of the above

Because, there are days when you feel people don't get you or what you're trying to make them see. When things just don't go your way.

And you feel like you want to charge head on and get your point across there and then. All fired up. Not just that, you want to insist on having things your way. 

But here is a thought. When I was young-er (ehem!), someone wise told me to learn to choose my battles. Over the years, I think the better term would be to learn to 'choose when to fight your battles'. As important as the when, is also the 'how'. 

Pause and think it over or perhaps bring it up at a different time. Sometimes, after giving it some thought, you will find other people's perspectives are not wrong too although it could have been opposite of yours..

Don't get me wrong, being open and transparent is good. Not accepting things as it is and pushing relentlessly for things to get through are admirable, sought after qualities in an employee *read extra points when you emphasize these qualities in an interview*. 

But there are many ways to resolve a conflict or to influence your views unto others. Best not 'charge ahead' all the time. Trust me, the reputation you gain will be the opposite of the 'sought after' attitude above.

On the other hand, as a boss I get impatient when there is too much 'redha-ness' i.e. acceptance for the way things are just because they are. Remember the familiar phrase of, "Ahhh…but it has always been that way". Don't go there (if you want to gain points in my interviews!)

Also, if you are part of a decision committee. State your views (all sides of it) and weigh the pros and cons during discussion but when a decision is made, honor the team spirit and support the decision. If you can't deal with this expectation, then you need to think about a career as your own boss. Then, it's different.

Confused yet? Perhaps you are..because it is situational. There is no template or framework of ways to react. It requires judgment of a situation and some understanding of the personality whom you are dealing with. I guess the trick is to balance and assess the best approach for handling every situation. There's also the saying, don't win battles but lose the war..

Feel like pulling your hair yet?

Picture courtesy of Google Images

Having fun

What a day. Started the morning performing a Grease musical. Yeah you read that right. Performing. As in singing and dancing. In a roomful of 200 people.

But I ain't quitting my day job for Broadway...not yet (p/s: talent agencies can contact me directly please :/)

Thereafter, it's serious business of course with our partners...but on occasions such as this we try to make sure we have fun too. Life is short, why be so serious :)

Eat your heart out Olivia!

Bosses do get bullied I tell ya....

When you can't find them, go where the food is...tsk tsk

At least someone got my opening speech

I can even get beauty tips from this bunch

Ok we actually mean business too!! 

Work for the cause, not the boss

If you had to read the title twice, it's ok. This is something I too only figured out upon several observations and reflections throughout my journey.

Unlike entrepreneurs, employees like most of us seldom have the luxury of working on our true passion (or passions if you're restless like me). But, even in the concrete jungle and between the maze of cubicles, there are causes we can find our belief in.

Be it a cause to provide the best customer service

Or a cause to create the best work place

Notice a cause is never a small thing. Yes, not all of us have 'big important' tasks you may say, but it's not about how 'big' your title is or having your name plate on the door.. Everything we do in an organization is part of a bigger cause (well most of it, unless you are mafia - then again, even they can justify a cause). You just have to know what it is.

So, if you can, find one that you believe in. Because it makes getting up, going through 2 hour traffic jams 5 days a week, and just being in the rat race worth the while. 

But never work only for the boss. For many reasons. 

When you work for a cause, you will naturally have a principle. And that ensures your actions and decisions are consistent. When everything you do is centered around an individual, your actions will be inconsistent (and I say 'will' not 'may' as I have seen this too many times), because you are focused on pleasing the individual. 

And inconsistency is a bad habit that leads to poor leadership. There's a Malay word for this, 'lalang' i.e. tall weeds that sway in the direction of wherever the wind is blowing. Don't get me wrong..decisions can be changed, but for logical reasons.

And most important, as long as the boss is earning a monthly salary like you, who the boss is can change. And in situations, when there is a 'hostile' takeover (which happens!), your obvious allegiance to an individual and not your principles will not help you in the eyes of the new person. 

Then, there are bosses who expect loyalty above all else. And disagreeing to them equals disloyalty. That's unfortunate, more so for the boss because then all he / she will have around them are 'yes' men (or ladies), people who only think like them and that's a recipe for disaster..

Picture courtesy of Google Images

My preference as a boss? Loyalty is hoped, but not above all else. Most important is to align on the cause. There is nothing wrong to disagree or debate about the many options to achieve it.

So, when you're stuck in that traffic tomorrow, ask yourself this for a moment:

What's my cause or am I a lalang?

Now you have a degree..so what?

So, I haven't written for awhile (4 days to be exact). After the holiday intervals from December through January, things are now really moving at work. The current festive period is also a time of a lot of after hours Lou Sang celebrations. Hence, late nights. Whilst the waistline is suffering, these occasions are a good time to meet old acquaintances and meet new people. In my line of duty, this is important.

I'm in sales and marketing. Have been for at least two thirds of my career. And how did I end up here? What choices (or missteps..) I made along the way and how can you make your choices too?

Let's rewind a few (ok ok...many) years back..

Apparently, when I was asked the classic high school year book question of what is your ambition, I said Engineer. I don't recall why or if I had too much 'air rakyat' (classic boarding school drink of sugared water and colouring) to drink that day but yeah, it says 'Engineer' in my yearbook (don't mind the hair if you ever see that picture...the perm WAS in I tell ya..)

I was also one of the lucky few who was offered many options of college education. My shortlist was a medical degree in UM or an Engineering degree and the opportunity to study overseas. Guess which I chose.. Of course not Engineering, but the opportunity to live overseas. Haha. (blame the teenage hormones)

And that was how it was. I must say very few things about Engineering interest me (except the very good looking professor in Dynamics class). So fast forward, I finished it because I just didn't want to fail all the people who were always praying for the best for me (ok ok and also to avoid my scholarship giver from breathing down my neck..)

When it was time to start facing the real world and earning my own moolah, I was also then fortunate to be given the opportunity to choose which department I wanted to start with. Simple answer.."anywhere but the exchange" (yes those old telecom buildings that don't seem to have windows). It was not really about the place or people but I realised by then, Engineering and me was never meant to be..

So I started my career in sales although the technical part of sales. That gave me the opportunity to use what I have formally been educated in as well as a completely new area of sales and marketing.This is what I conclude. Starting your career in sales department has a lot of advantage. It is the fastest place to learn about the market, the business, the process and people in the company. Being in the frontline forces you to understand the customer and most times, turn back and look inside every nook and corner of the company, especially when you're trying to solve a problem. I believe no one in any other department would get that chance to do so.

Don't get me wrong, sales is tough. But when you're young and starting out *read eager and naive*, you're forgiven for many things so best face your challenges early on. What doesn't kill you does make you stronger!

Gen Y for the Gen X

I believe I am a borderline Gen X, according to Wiki by the year I was born and according to traits I read about Gen X-ers. We are gorgeous, lovable and simply fabulous. No. Ok I lied. That is what my mirror tells me everyday :P

Anyway, a big part of the team I work with for the past 5 to 6 years have been Gen Ys. And there have been a lot of discussions in HR and Management communities in recent years on managing Gen Ys for Gen X *read old* bosses like yours truly. 

But, my best insights come from actually opening myself to engage with them and observe their perspective on things.

And all that talk about us being different, I must say is mostly true. But the point is, to embrace the differences and capitalize on understanding and using these traits to motivate them.

Things like they have to believe in the cause of doing anything so explain the context of your strategy or assignment to them. The why and not just the what. 

They are opinionated so use them when you need honest feedback. 

They like visibility and recognition so give them praise, celebrate their wins and get them involved. 

They appreciate regular feedback, so point out clearly when they need to improve.

They're respect must be earned and doesn't come from authority or positions, so stay on your toes boss!

They 'work to live' not 'live to work' so respect their need for work life balance, as long as they are delivering. You'll get the best out of them.

And...this is in no way related to maturity. Over the years I have found maturity is not necessarily a factor of age but more a function of what gets thrown to you in life but that's a topic best left for another day.

Do good looks matter..?

Ok here's an almost controversial one. I am sure this has crossed your mind at some point or you have experienced moments that make you wonder..

Do good looks matter to get ahead?

This post would not be applicable for those in the beauty line, creative arts or if your job involves insuring any parts of your body. It's a question for the 9-5 employee in most industries working our way up the 'food' chain.

Here are my observations:

• It doesn't matter but helps, provided there is substance
• Looking neat and groomed does matter. It's psychological and appeals to the reasoning capability of the human mind. If you made an effort to 'take care' of yourself, it most probably will reflect how you treat tasks given to you or for a customer, the business they give you
• If it seems to be the ONLY thing that matters, you probably need to reconsider if you're in the right place

And if you have it but misuse it, trust me, you will make no one proud except maybe yourself.

Let me know what you think.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend...not

not saying i wouldn't mind diamonds for our next anniversary, honey...but this is a tribute to my bestie who...as she has clearly and loudly pointed out in my previous post, kept me sane this whole time I was growing up, really growing up.. i.e. from being just concerned for yourself to having responsibilities like a family and career

and my other best friends..

in childhood it was unacceptable to have more than one best friend. i'm sure we all remember that phase. 'chop, she is my friend' and any slightest form of betrayal would warrant war.

looking back, I have made many friends along the way..school, college, work place you name it. i think i'm friendly but i get close to only a few. so now, i have best friends from each part of my life and also best friends for different 'references' i need in my life, like the group where I can ask about the best doas and ovulation cycle issues ;)

a bunch of best friends from work so I can..'you know what' about work at times (yes, I have my days...) now, here's an ivory tower perspective. when climbing the corporate ladder and you begin to get ahead of your friends and peers, use that positively. stay you, do not change, be aware and respectful of when they're friends, when they're colleagues and when they're part of the team that makes the company. you will find this much more rewarding as an important part of leadership is to also understand the pulse of the organisation and it's people. get real. you can't lead with just listening to the good things that some make it a profession to do, the moment it would interest them..

and then a bunch of best friends from all other places whom over time have overlapped as colleagues, neighbours, PIBG moms and etc. you know who you are. 

From the Ivory Towers...

the pressure of writing your first post in your first blog..

as like I always make a point to do, when getting into things, I prepare. so for this, it was pages and pages of 'blogging for dummies', 'blogging 101' and etc. 
the first question you get asked, "What niche are you blogging about?"

hmm.. niche? i'm a woman..i multitask. how can i be niche?

after some thought and prioritising over life *read sweat* and a few ideas from friends (more like critics I must say..but I love them), here's what my niche will be.

this blog will be about sharing my experience, of climbing the ivory towers of corporate malaysia as a woman, a mom, wife and only daughter to my parents (see the point of how difficult it is to be niche with all these roles!..)

i am a good 10 (oh well, maybe 5 now) years younger than the average age of my peers in the board rooms I sit, and most often than not, the only woman. i'd love to see more of my womankind there and this blog is in the hope that my perspective 'from the ivory towers' will help others who are in other board rooms feeling like me or aspiring to be one some day.

and yes...you'll also find my occasional craziness for food, travels, bags and shoes. they keep me sane.

stay tuned!