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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Its about relationship building...



Business environment now in a state of doldrums and sometimes it can be due to our own bad business practices. During good times, I do come across companies who rejected "Small Clients" due to "Small profit margins". Dont they understand such bias attitude towards these clients will have a negative impact in the long run? Why be selective in the amount of revenue make when the purpose of doing business in the first place is about building relationship with your client. And when these companies became desperate, these clients with small jobs will gave them a taste of their own medicine by snubbing them with no jobs at all. The thing is, you must help these clients when they are small and growing... and I am sure they will remember you when they have grown to have more "Big Profit Margin" jobs to give away.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Letting go...


Letting go something you loved can never be easy. It can be emotionally painful, and set you to depressed-mode instantly. But the truth is nothing in this world is ever permanent, what you got is actually temporary bliss and usually we just dont bother when it will end or when it's time to let go. Now I am in amidst of letting a little boy who have grown up to be young adult. He is in a state of wanting space and it feels quite difficult to comes face to face with the fact that he needs to be let go... Well thats parenthood, you just need to know when to let it go. Like what they use to say... they may have gone away physically but the memories will always be close to you. And this I will never let go.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

A Book summary...



The story is about three teenage girls trying to live on their own on an island. One is the mother, another is the mediator and the other is the baby of the group. They face challenges living with each other as all of them have different outlooks on life. The mother of the group, Jennifer, always try to act responsibly and let the plans that she had, for the 3 months there, run smoothly. But, her two friends don't always like the plans that she had. Amy, the mediator, always try to avoid conflicts and confrontation while Chelsea, being the last child in her family, always want things to go her way. So, naturally, there were disagreements and fights, even over petty things. One good thing about the book is that it helps me understand the feeling of independence, as the characters in the book try to lead their live with no restrictions or existence of their parents. They use their own money to pay the utilities bill and handphone bills. They are learning how hard it is when you have things to take care of, things to be responsible about.

However, their island life doesn't go as plan as obstacles, such as boys and strays, get in the way of their summer holiday. As teenagers, it is perfectly normal that they tend to find things to distract them from the norm of their life. Although the three girls have each other, they find other means to have fun and be happy. Throughout the book, i was sad to see that they always view other elements to be more important than their friendship. They each has a boyfriend by the end of the book. I stopped to think whether this is important for the characters, since they are younger than me. (The characters are awaiting their entry to college. So, i assume they are 18 or 19 years of age) Nevertheless, i really like the fact that by the end of the book, they live their life as how one would on an island. As you know, people living on an island are usually carefree and they live and let live. The girls realise that the obstacles that they face help to loosen the gap that had occurred between them and they were serene by the end of the book as they know that grieving is of no point. It definitely help me see that to live life to the fullest, we have to view the positive side of life and not dwell on the past.

summarised by:
adila nurhana

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Bad Odour...



Lastweek after my fishing trip, my car seems to developed a terrible odour. Even after reinstalling new Airfreshener, it doesnt seem to help. So I spent the whole afternoon cleaning up the car interior and boot and sure enough the source was a leftover bait from my fishing toolbox that was not cleared properly. It have stained the boot carpet and it stink big time. So I gave a call to my fishing buddies to check if they have experienced the same problem and here's what they advised me to use to get rid of the smell. All I need are some households items like: Charcoal, Coffee Grounds & Vinegar.
I tried the charcoal and it works. No need for expensive air fresheners or professional car cleaner. Just a simple house charcoal. Here is what I did. After the mess has been properly cleaned the carpet or fabric, I placed a bag of charcoal in the car boot. I left it there for a day and thats it. The smell is gone!! Do you know Charcoal is one of the best natural products that you can use to absorb and get rid of odours, and the best thing is, you can still use the charcoal for outdoor grilling.
As for the Coffee Grounds & Vinegar, I have yet to use it. I hope I dont need to...

Monday, January 19, 2009

Closure,,,



Closure: "...A sense of psychological certainty or completeness" definition of "Closure" by Dictionary.com. Yes, we all need closure in most of the things in life. And it most cases it always tends to be in relationship matters. Be it with your friends, parents, brothers, sisters and so on. And often not the term "closure" seem to incline to something of a negative or sombre note. Usually it will affect one party more than the other.

It good to have closure in all issues, I agree. As it gives a sense of "psychological assurance". And it gives a chance for oneself to continue life a fresh and with new perspective. Our minds will be able to accept closure more easily if we can act on it. We have to learnt to let it go... literally..., tear it, burn it, buried it whatever fits your needs.

Why are we so insecure that we need closure all the time? Well, it all depends on the issues we are facing. The more emotionally attached we are to it, the harder it will be. Let your heart think for you, at least for some issues in life. Our minds can only do so much in decision making all the time. Let it be heart of the matter.

Nelson mandela used to say: Courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. A brave person is not one who does not feel afraid, but one who conquers that fear.

That dreadful thing...



The 10 most difficult questions you will be asked in a job interview IF YOU are one of those executive types unhappy at your present post and embarking on a New Year's resolution to find a new one, here's a helping hand.
The job interview is considered to be the most critical aspect of every expedition that brings you face-to-face with the future boss. One must prepare for it with the same tenacity and quickness as one does for a fencing tournament or chess match.
1.) Tell me about yourself?
Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extra careful that you don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover four topics: Early years, education, work history, and recent career experience.
2.) What do you know about our organisation?
You should be able to discuss products or services, goals, problems, management style. Let your answer show that you have taken the time to do some research, but don't overwhelm the interviewer, and make it clear that you wish to learn more.
3.) Why do you want to work for us?
The deadliest answer you can give is "because I like people". What else would you like — animals? Here, and throughout the interview, a good answer comes from having done your homework so that you can speak in terms of the company's needs.
4.) What can you do for us that someone else can't?
Here you have every right, and perhaps an obligation, to toot your own horn and be a bit egotistical. Talk about your record of getting things done, and mention specifics from your resume or list of career accomplishments.
5.) Please give me your definition of(the position for which you are
being interviewed).
Keep your answer brief and task oriented. Think in terms of responsibilities and accountability.
6.) How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?
Be realistic. Say that, while you wouldexpect to meet pressing demands and pull your own weight from the first day, it might take three to six months before you could expect to know the organisation and its needs well enough to make a major contribution.
7.) Your resume suggests that you may be over-qualified or too experienced for
this position. What's your opinion?
Emphasise your interest in establishing a long-term association with the organisation, and say that you assume that if you perform well in this job, new opportunities will open up for you. Mention also that a strong company needs a strong staff.
8.) What is your management style?
You should know enough about the company's style to know that your management style will complement it. Possible styles include: task oriented, result-oriented, or even paternalistic
9.) Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job?
Be brief, to the point, and as honest as you can without hurting yourself. If you were laid off in an across-the-board cutback, say so; otherwise, indicate that the move was your decision, the result of your action.Do not mention personality conflicts.
10.) What do you think of your boss?
Be as positive as you can. A potential boss is likely to wonder if you might talk about him in similar terms at some point in the future.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Another Adobe Power tool..



I was a Freehand fanatics for alot of my design years to the extent of using Freehand to create publication artwork instead of the publication tool like the pagemaker . But after moving on to using InDesign, I realised this is the design software that works for me. I loved the transparency effect in InDesign much more than Freehand, and the Eyedropper tools is really cool to use. It saves me alot of time. This software is definitely going to be Adobe main revenue puller in the years to come, along with their established Photoshop PhotoDigital Software. The best about InDesign is that, it caters for the end prepress printing setup. It creates pagination imposition for files to be send for offset printing, Hires pdf for print can be accurately setup with all the details required, no more fonts issues like those in Freehand, and this is very important for print product as it will be a case of whether you get paid for the job done or you get rejects and bear the brunt of the print cost incurred. The best design tool for me... for now.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Its a global market...



I have been using the iPhone for about 5months now. And the only gripe I got with it is the battery life span. Most of its features like:
1. Wifi
2. Video App
3. Email Access
4. Internet
5. Music
they are all fine....
But the best of all are the Applications downloads features.
Most of the points from 1 to 5 will probably available on other phone like the Omnia and others. But the Apps are not, am pretty sure about that, pls correct me if I am wrong. Now I realised that Apps creators are making it good with their creation. With cost as US$0.99, these people can easily make hundreds of thousand if their Apps are popular. This can happen, as the market for these Apps are Global. I, myself have paid for some Apps for my iPhone. May be we should start thinking of a niche Apps that can be marketed to cater for the iPhone... Lets go for it, before it gets too late. And all this can happen only from Apple, thanks Steve Jobs for the opportunity..:)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Never be afraid...

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

What's in my Store...

What are we concern about...?


What the world are concerned about now are just economics and how it affect one lives. But nothing will ever be equal to what, our Bros & Sisters, the Palestinians are going thru now in the face of hardship. Lets us shares a prayers that all the suffering will be over soon for them and may they have the strength to persevere and face the hardship with Allah's guidance.

The best for all..



The new year have passed.. be it for the month of Hijrah or Masihi. Some will continue with their life as monotonous as it was before, some will be facing new challenges while some will try new plans to embark on. As how we run our lives, there is no one to say if that is right or wrong. Only you will know whats best for you or your loved ones. But for myself it is time to look at the crossroad again and see where to start from here on... The funny thing is that, I am facing this crossroad again and again. And the priority keep changing with time. I dont know about other people.. Just hope the best for all..