Its the season to be jolly!

Major events happened throughout the year of 2011 and I am still in my mundane job, no job satisfaction, no idea where will I be in 20 years.

A close friend dies and suddenly it is a wake up call to everybody. WTF? Now catching up, gathering of old friends became an in thing. I used to be very energetic to these events but now I only wonder how many people will shed a tear when I am laying in my coffin.

Working for a big corporation in a big project have its perks, pay is good but you are stuck at a corner of a workstation whole day with senior citizens mostly, who are always nice to you. They are all paid very well, but do I want to end up like them? They work hard and they play hard, most of them are in their fifties, some sixties, many still have a variety girlfriends, travel the world when holiday is due.

It is not a bad existence actually. Well at least I don't screw up I know I will end up just like them. But is that me? Somewhat living in my past glories of being student leader, early over achiever, business owner in the twenties, failed businessman in early thirties, now working for an international company trying to build up enough wealth to pay off my failoed business venture.

I could write a book and be a motivational speaker to young enterpreneurs! I should! but then again I am too lazy to pick up the pen to write down my stuff. Discipline! Thats what I lack? Year over year of planning and half past six execution style, thats why I have not been able to shed any weight, get my PE, write a memoir...

Well it is the time of the year again. Hopefully 2012 will not be the end of the world!

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!

Death of a Brother

He has been complaining about life for the past one year. Things were not going his way for the past one year. He had been a high flyer in his industry and among friends/peers. He is one of the earliest friend who owned a brand new BMW and high end condo in Singapore facing Marina Sanad when he was in his twenties. Fate had just played a tricked on him and things weren't so rosy lately for him.

But he is not the type that gives up easily, he has been trying and also winning his ligitation against a corporate whom engaged his services but conveniently defaulted on payment when task was completed.

He will be remembered, many ladies there will cry for him and loose their sleep. Many brothers from primary, secondary and university will shed a tear or two for him.

Knowing him since 1987 is a long time. We have had our funs, sins and dreams. 10 days ago we were still on email working on a business deal. A piece of me is lost but the memory stays on.

Fate had a car accident taking him away from his loved ones.

RIP Bro!

Steve Jobs' story no.3

Steve Jobs' story no.2

Steve Jobs story No.1

LIfe & Death

Browsing FB after a few rounds of intense meetings with the bosses in Perth, noticed a stark contrast in life which made me to start reflect what I am doing to my life, the last time I did that was years ago when my business collapsed and I thought the end of my life was near...

Story goes like this, there are 2 girls on my FB page whom I have known them since 15 years old (thats like 20+ years!), one a girl guide and one a junior in the Chinese Language Society.

Both share the smae quality, both of them are cute, outgoing, cheerful, bubbly, talkative... (ran out of positive adjectives for them) and I have grew very fond of them over the years.

For some reason after high school we all went our seperate ways and lost contact. The girl guide kept in touch with me during Uni time but I was in a local U and she was in the USA, we did not meet until 2008 over a reunion dinner and she married a mat salleh with 2 beautiful blonde hair babies! I was very happy for her. Today in the FB she annouced she just delivered her 3rd baby boy and everyone was leaving her messages of congratulations etc. Life is good.

The other girl I practically lost contact after High School and only manage to meet her early this year, before CNY (thats more than 18 years!) She looked the same, bubbly and cheerful as ever and she too had married the guy she love and have 2 babies. A month later I bump into her in a park near my house (apparently she stay nearby) but I was shocked that she had lost half her weight and looked sickly, it wasn't then I realise she was diagnose of cancer a week after we met before CNY and she had to undergo chemotheraphy.

In FB yesterday she was declaring that her cancer cells are spreading and things does not lok too good. Everyone in FB chipped in with their prayers and share the good times together.

In both cases I had much to say but some how in FB I only manage to leave a "congrats!" for the girl guide and "our prayers are with you" for the other girl. I have this utter helplessness in both cases.

This bring back to an article I just read about Steve Jobs, regarding a speech he gave few years back, sharing 3 stories of his life with some students. Wanted to copy the speech in this piece but decided not too, the words that kept linger on in my mind at the end of his speech is "STAY HUNGRY, STAY FOOLISH"

I hope you will dig up the piece and have a read yourself. It is amazing, and somehow melancholy as Steve is battling for his life with cancer, somehow conincides with the 2 life stories I just shared.

Dealings with underworld Pt4

Case 2 :

There is this job in Ipoh, people's housing project, the government awarded the main contractor Rm25mil and they want ot sub it out for RM19mil. We worked out the math and thinks it is still worth while, subjected that he payment form the client is prompt.

Problem is we got to know about this project through a middle man, or rather a company. The middle company is a state government link company, which initially led us to believe we were getting the job from them. (Yes, state government link company become a subcontracting company, seeking rent for doing nothing) They told us they got the job for RM20mil and are willing to sub it out to us for Rm19mil.

We had meetings after meetings, karaokes after karaokes with the MD of the GLC to get the job. It wasn't until the very last minute we realise we end up the 3rd tier subcon for the job. (Another lesson learnt, always check the background of the company you are dealing with and verify their claims. We had taken for granted in this case by thinking nothing will go wrong with a state GLC.)

By this time Gan has ganged up with one of the labour subcon for us and basically asked us to take them to perform the job. As the labour subcon was doing a decent job, I did not realise the politics and undertable dealings that was going on until it was too late.

We cleared the site and put up the temporary fence and put in the first progress claim. The money was not forthcoming and we were worried.

Oh! Before that did I forget to tell you that we paid RM150k upfront to secure the job? YUP, RM150k.

Anyway, needless to say, we had to slow down the job and make a scene when the govt officials were visiting the site. Gan came up with an idea and asked our subbie to ferry 50 foreign construction workers to the Main contractor's office to make a scene. He told me to act as if I did not know what had happened for my " plausible deniability"! I was out of wits at that time and allowed him to drag me through the mud.

The main con got pissed and we sat down for a showdown. We worked out the sum and demanded compensation. This part is hazy, can't remember what actually happened but we were kicked out of the job, and we did not get the money. I think they ask us to sue them. (later of course I realised that Gan had played his hand again by getting the subcon to strike a deal direct with the main con to continue working there.)

After that we had again many rounds of meetings, threathenings and finally we manage to retrieve the Rm150k plus some claims from the parent company of the state GLC we were dealing with. (The credit goes to my lawyer partner, made me realise this should work as they should, no underworld should be part of a legitimate company)

Reading back I have not give justice to the whole story, the whole story actually spans over a period of 2 years with multiple meetings and negotiations and threats, travelling & karaokes etc. Definitely much more exciting than what I have tried to describe here.

Dealings with the underworld Pt3

Case 1 : (not in porper order)

We manage to bag a RM60mil job subcontracted from a public listed company. The project was to build a few apartments for the army in an army camp. Margin was low but we still took it as we thought it will be good for the cashflow and also as a good opportunity to turn the tables around.

I managed to secure some financing from a few Towkahs I know and off we go.(Getting poeple onboard without fundamental understanding of the project proved to be another disaster inthe making for both parties. POst mortem note)

The project went well the first few months. Things went south when Chinese New YEAR was coming and subcontractors and suppliers are expecting a full payment, the pressure was intense.

The progress claim we put in to the client for Chinese New Year payment was around RM800k, we received RM200k, just enough to pay off the workers but nothing left for the suppliers.

People were camped outside my office waiting for payment. I have to scarmble for money and request more from investors, which of course they were not happy.

Gan just came into the picture not too long and he asked for a meeting with the client's MD. From what I heard he really bullied the poor guy like what he did to me and the guy came out with another RM200k.

I was sooo happy when I say the check and really thought I have finally met the guy who will save the company from falling apart! Needless to say things isn't always as it seems, or else I will not be writing this story.

We cashed te check and just made it through Chinese New Year. I was not a pleasant CNY for me that year, 2003 if not mistaken. I have to make hard decisions while worried about suppliers coming to my parents house during CNY for payment. (Another lesson learnt : the photocopied IC you submit when you sign up for your credit line with suppliers, thats the time it matters)

Finally we stopped the job after CNY demanding the client to relook into our contract rates to prevent the same issue from happening again. The client pretended to negotiate with me while at the back was secrectly meeting our 3 subcontractors to offer them to take up the job themselves. I found out when one of the subbies came to me, in view of our situation, we finally agreed not to pursue the issue anymore and walked off the project lest stuck in it with a bigger hole. (FYI the company is not PN17 in Bursa Malaysia)

Gan did his magic again and got us final settlement to close out the account, it was much lower than what we have committed but we did not have the will to pursue it legally.

So where is the catch. I ddi not realise the catch until much later, probably 1 year later when we were winding up the company. My investor who once thought I was his golden child become one of them on the other side, demanding repayment for his failed investment (luckily I kept him in the loop for all the dealings, which he had nothing much to complaint about as I consulted him on every major decision before we acted) was comparing books with me. He was accusing me of hiding RM300k from him from a payment from the army camp project client.

Apparently he went to the client and demanded for a set of accoutns before meeting up with me. I of course denied but deep down I knew I was screwed by Gan, he must have asked for the client to issue 2 cash checks and received it on behalf of the company.

That of course did not end well with my investor, Tan. (He never really believed my story) And that, is another story to learn how to pick your partner.

Dealings witht the underworld (Pt2)

The next day, Gan called me, when I sw the number I told myself "shit, what does this guy want somemore??!"

That was the day I regretted ever picking up the phone call.

The conversation was one way mainly, sounded something like this :"Hey there! You still remember me? I was in your office yesterday, I want to make and offer to help you as I see you are a nice person, young and energetic, trying to make something of yourself. I will help you to shun off any future debt collectors coming your way. Even the one who hired me I will tell them I am still looking for you."

Shit! For a guy who was in my situation that time, it was like a message sent by GOD Himself! A wahyu from some Nabi! Who can turn down that kind of offer??

Playing it cool, I calmly asked :"What do you want in return?"

" You will take up our organization's protection program, Rm3k a month."

That was a small sum for the service he was offering... I told him I will get back to him. In actual fact there is no one I could consult on, my 2 partners were in limbo, trying to escape all the shit coming from vendors and subcons. (One of the main reason why the busienss failed, post mortem note)

And after a few days I called him up and took up the offer. As a token of faith, he actually returned the checks I issued to him earlier.

There is when all the nightmare bagun...

HP 7

Finally closure. Finishing the last book 2 years ago was not enough. The movie gave closure.

A decade long marathon. real life kids starring the movie became young adults. There is a bond somehow. The characters in the books as sprung to life with real life person who has committed to this long project. Few of them had become prominent celebrities and belonged to the rich and famous.

It was a good closure.

Then again, there is a sense of lost...

Dealings with the underworld (Pt1)

Cashflow was tight, every dollar we spent on te projects we only mange to collect 50cents, thing are not going well as planned. A another 2 months like this we will be underwater...

Tension was building up with the suppliers and subcontractors who have supported us so far. Some have been patient while some were merely hand to mouth, any delay of payment due to them was a big no no.

The subcons and suppliers wrere always lingering around the office, waiting for me to show up to chasae for payment. I began to evade office, always on the pretext of meetings outside of office or site visit. Sometimes I would just hide at home, waiting for a miracle to happen.

Something did happen, when all hell break loose what do you expect? Hell send his darkest demon to hunt me down.

One fine day, I decided to drop by the office late, having made sure noone was at the office waiting for me. 15 minutes in the room 2 guys barged in, 2 guys I ave never met, one introduced himself as Gan, a middle aged plump man wearing long sleeve and slacks, normal office attire. The other guy (can't remember him name, was scary looking, with a scar over his face and tatoo on both his arms, someone you know is up to no good.

Gan introduce himself as a representative of a debt collection agency engaged by one of our subcontractor. SHIT! Debt collection agency are basicaly run by ah longs who will help you hunt down people who owe you money and beat the hell out of them so they pay up.

I tried to explained that we are also chasing payment from our client, who owes us in the tune of RM1mil while we only owe Gan's client Rm50k. I ask him not to worry that he has my word that we will payment once we collect the money from our client.

Gan was one cool cat (at least that was what I sense in our first encounter), he calmly told me he believed every single word I said but he need to produce result and I can help him by showing intend to pay by issuing a post dated chack for him to bring back to his client. (notice the other guy never utter a single word)

I was not sure when we can get paid and I was not willing to risk a bounce check by issuing a PD check to this guy whom I just met. I tried to explain that I can't issue the check without my MD around. He quickly said : nevermind I will deal with your partner, you just need to preapre the check and sign your part. FXXK he was quick to corner me. Running out of excuses I told him the checkbook is in a locked drawer and I dun have access. Hearing that Gan calmly turned his head towards the goon loking fella and said in Hokkien: it seems today we can't avoid seeing RED... and pulled out a dagger from his pants and gently placed it on the table.

He said it very calmly, but the tone and expression on his face was as if he had just signed my death warrant and the goon was going to get me any a bounce. I quickly changed my tone and stood up, the goon stood up immediately in front of me, showing off his tatooed biceps. I told them I will try to look for the keys to the check drawer.

It turns out that the key to the drawer was really not in the office and I told myself :SHIT I am going to die!!! quickly I grabbed a screw driver and broke the drawers lock and got the checkbook out and issued Gan a RM50k post dated check.

Before he left he told me : nice doing business with you, hope we will meet again. I was telling myself who the Fxxk want to meet you again?

And we did meet, and we became associates for almost a year later, all because he called me and made me an offer I can't refuse the second day after our first encounter...

Screwed by a friend (pt3)

What can you do?

I did not have much options, I was down on my luck and cash, hoping that this will be my big break and more projects to come from the friend who awarded the project to us. If I had cash I would ask him to fly kite and run the project myself. I teamed up with the Taiwanese because on pretext of his financial strength.

All the horrendous expereince of creditors coming to my office with abusing languange, knocking on my door in the middle of the night, red paint, melted door is coming back to me. It took me a lot of effort to manovre myself out fo the shithole and I am not digging another one to jump in again. I reasoned with him for many nights, giving him assurance and analysze the contract with him in great depth, on the pretext that I still believe he is capable to bring in the money to run the project.

I even brought in a subcontractor to start the works going, buying time for the Taiwanese to reconsider, seems there was a silver lining that he will be able to convince Taiwan to send the money. When he saw the subcontractor performing well, he become more convinced that we should just total sub the job to the subcon. I could have done it and pass on the buck to the subcon, but I was worried, from the bad and distasteful expereince I had not long ago, I am worried that the Taiwanese may have the upper hand on the recievables from the client start screwing payments due to the subcon.

And me being the bridge for the subcon and Taiwanese, I will be the natural scapegoat if that ever happened. I can't imagine screwing a friend (the subcon spent money on the project and can't collect) and if things turns bad debt collectors coming to my house again looking for me, whilst the Taiwanese can just pack and leave Malaysia, bagging all the money from the job.

I was in a fix, and this time I will not be the victim, I decided to burn the bridge... the subcon expect payment at end of 4th week for his labours, I do not have much time. The longer I delay the decision I risk losing a friend and befallen to a bigger shit hole.

I drove all the way down to Klang, the HQ of the client, scheduled a meeting with the boss and brought the subcon with me. Introduced them, explained to both parties my predicament and recomended a solution, ie, to cut the Taiwanese company (supposedly my company also) off the contract and deal directly with the subcon, since the Taiwanese is not finanicng the job (the subcon is so far), not managing the job ( I am) and has no contribution whatsoever on the job. Even the fxxking site vehicle for the job was purchased under my girfriend's name (a hint I should have noticed then, we have to take over the loan when the Taiwanese packed his back and left, another story for the laugh)

It was decided then, the deal was strucked, the Taiwanese is out and the subcon is dealing directly with the client., I leave it to the subcon if he needs me my contribution on the job, I could have asked for 2% intro fee if I had stemmed my case but I was too ashamed what had happened and the risk I put him through I did not open my mouth.

I am just trying to remember very hard how the Taiwanese left, if I remember correctly was under the pretext that I sent some goons after him and he was scared or something. Me? sending goons? never! haha. Anyway, the chapter closed with me gaining an extra ounce of failed experienced with my school mate who was dating him end up married to him few years later and I have not heard of him ever since.

I would not say it was an entirely failed exercise as it really gave me insights of how to deal with foreigners or investors wannabe and it also prompt me to quit my dream chasing and landed a job in the oil & gas industry which has brought me to exotic places like Dubai, Sudan, Perth, China, Bintulu etc...

Well, as always, that is another chapter of my life and another story altogether...

Screwed by a friend (Pt2)

Eventually after few hits and misses we manage to land a RM5million infrastructure works, a small parcel from a multi billion upgrading works in Seremban. The local company setup was between the Taiwanese and a mutual lawyer friend. (I decided to trust them and not to be in the company due to my ongoing lawsuit, which is another tale for another day)

The company bank account is a joint signature between the lawyer and taiwanese, no one can take any money out from the bank without the consent of either party. There was no money in the company account, expenses paid so far during business development time was through a private account held by the Taiwanese. With the Rm5mil job in hand, we worked out a execution plan and decided we need at least 10% (Rm500k) to run the project. It will require us to manage the project very carefully to run on a 10% cashflow, with no track record, many suppliers will ask for cash term or COD, labour subcontractor will be asking for prompt 2 weeks payment to cover their wages whilst we have a 30 days term with our client. (Essentially 30 days terms mean 60 days as you spend RM500k first month, you invoice, and by the time you receive your payment 30 days later you would have spent another 500k.)

I had full confidence we can get it through by maintaining good relationship with subcons and suppliers, not to mention prompt payment from client is essential. I have also full confidence with the Taiwanese at the point of time from the several occasions meeting his partner from Taiwan, reading their company profile and track record and even had family dinners with them when his father was i town. (His father was an investor in the parent company) The only thing I did not do was actually going to Taiwan to visit their office and sites, something I actually do to my own subcontractors before they come on board the projects I handled.

Problem surface several days after we receive the Letter of award from our client. While busy working on the execution plan and getting subcons and suppliers to quote for our job, I did not forget to pursue the Tawiwanese to bring in our RM500k lifeline. I knew without it we can't even stand one month of the project.

He looked at me and told me :I was thinking we should get a strong subcon to total subcontract the job. (Classic situation of what I meant more often than not, internal peer pressure or conflict causes more harm than external problems.)

Shit! My heart dropped, either he does not have the money or he has no intention to bring in any investment from day one. I tried to reason with him on 2 fronts, we got the project on strength of that we have strong financial backup from a big Taiwanese company and the rates in our contract has marginal profit as we wanted track record.

If we total sub, first I loose credit in fornt of the client who trusted us during our pitch and I do not believe we will be able to find a credible subcon to total sub at the budget we were working on. They only way we will be able to make money was to manage the job ourselves.

What do you think I should do at the time? He was dating my friend at that time and I thought we could reason with him through his girlfriend, failed, the girl, blinded by love, took his side although we ahve known each other for almost 20 years and only knew the Taiwanese though me for 6 months. The reason he gave his gf was that he was worried that he will loose control of the money if he bring it into malaysia. WTF?! I was devastated not because only no we are seeing the true colour of the Taiwanese but how gullible my friend was taking in the lame excuse. The Taiwanese is majority owner of the company and company bank account is controlled by him, he can just open another bank account solely require his signature if that was his concern.

What will you do in such a situation?

Screwed by a friend (Or is it me being naive?)

This is the story of 2004, I was down with my luck, surviving on my girlfriend's salary and sleeping in a rental flat owned by a close friend. There was time I did not have a single cent that belonged to me! All the money I had that time, was from my family or my girl friend.

And when you thought that was the bottom of the pit a person can get, you are wrong. In the late 2003 I was introduced to a Taiwanese chap in his early 40s. He claimed to be representing a sizeable Taiwanese construction company trying to set foot in the Malaysia construction scene.

Quickly we hit it off, he operates from an apartment facing KLCC twin towers, I started to develop business plan for him and identifying potential projects for him, spending many hours in his condo (sometimes sleep over at his condo). The agreement was simple (or at least I thought it was) Rm3k per month for my services until we land a project, which I will be entitled to 20% of the profit.

Lesson Learnt 2004 Pt1

Guess is about time for me to arrange my thoughts and start documenting my lessons learn from previous failed business ventures.

When I graduated in 1996 from a local university at the age of 23, I, like everyone else, was eager to move into the job market to learn, to experience, and hopefully to succeed. I gave myself a clear and simple mission, to have One Million bucks in my account before the age of 30.

Well, to summarise it all, I actually made it, but that was not end of the story, to put in perspective, at the age of 30 (2003) :

1) I had a thriving business

2) The company went bust in 2003

3) I had more than One million bucks in the bank account

4) Lost all money by paying subcontractos and suppliers even before getting paid from clients

5) Got married to my Uni sweetheart

6) Filed for divorce 2003

7) Had a BMW and 4WD

8) Lost both vehicle to bank in 2003

So you are basically save to assume 2003 was just not my year. But the story from 1999 to 2003 when I had my own business venture is for another day.

Today I want to talk about what happened in 2004.

Life & death

How do you react if a friend whom you know for more than 20 years tells you camly she has stage 4 cancer and she just had 3/4 of her colon and ovary removed? A close friend during the good old school days. After school like many of the friends, we went seperate ways. If not for a mutual friend returning from Canada, we might have not even catch up 2 months ago. 20 years after high school we can still remember the good old times. She is now a mother of 2 and head of department in a huge company. And that time we were amazed that we actually moved into the same neighbourhood for the last 10 years and we never bumped into each other.

Yesterday, having an evening walk by the lakeside near my house, bumped into her, she was wearing shorts, holding an umbrella in her hand. "Odd," I thought to myself as it was a lovely day. Came nearer she looked thin, much thinner than we last met 2 months ago. Before I asked, she told me she could not help me anymore on a problem I had with her company as she is on long leave. "what long leave?" I asked. She smiled and calmly told me that she was dianogse stage 4 cancer shortly after we last met and she had 3/4 of her colon and ovary removed.

The way she explained it was as if it was someone else problem... I was speechless... how do you respond to that?

Work in Progress

Feel like doing nothing again. I have this routine on weekdays, wake up 6am, leave house before 7am, reach nearby office 7.30am, have breakfast, go into office before 8am. Lunch with colleagues 12pm, 3pm tea time, 5pm leave office.

Since I get to go back early in this new posting, I try to go workout at least twice a week during weekdays, either go to the gym or brisk walk at the lake near my house.

Other days I will organise once or twice Happy hour sessions with ex colleagues or new colleaugues from overseas.

Weekend is another story, knowing myself as a sloppy person, I plan ahead by giving myself a to do list over the weekend. Haircut, dentist, laundry, maid, gym, movie etc.

Life itself is quite fulfiling inits own aspect, but when I look at my colleagues who goes skiing in Austria, skiing in Japan, 2 weeks free and easy tour in New Zealand, I cannot help but wonder, I should be planning and doing more!!

My old un achieved list includes - loose weight, get MBA, get PE from IEM, release from JIM, get a baby, all still work in progress and does not seem to be moving much...

Other work in progress :

1) Got our new car last week but was ramped in the butt by a colleage student, now in workshop!

2) My cat has started her own Internet business, hopefully it will blossom into something good.

Suddenly realise if I get to live till 70 years old I already passed my half way mark!

Happy CNY 2011!

Happy Chinese New Year to all!

I am with peace with myself nowadays. Even if I do not achieve more than what I am now I should be happy with my own achievements...

I have a lovely pet at home, just bought a new car, though deep down I still feel I should not as I also view car a a mode of transportation which will eventually depreciate to nothing, but nevertheless, no company car, and my old car is giving a lot of minor problems which is irritating. Change new car that is.

Manage to lose 7kg over last 2 months. Decide to stop the program for a while and then continue after CNY! hopefully can finally reach my desired weight after so many years!!

Tenang by election, who cares?!

Forecast for me :

COMPATIBLE - Generally, as the Ox and Rabbit have good affiliation with each other, you can expect things to good more smoothly for the Ox this year!