WHY STAFF BECOME "PROBLEMATIC"

In my twenty odd years in the workforce, I can see that there are basically three major reasons why staff become “problematic, indiscipline and under-performing.”

The first thing is they have personal problems, either intra-personal (within themselves) or with others (at home or at work). Sometimes there are also those who "simply" create the problem (on purpose) to send a message to their superior that there is "something not right somewhere" - something that they're not happy with. And hoping that the superior is sensitive enough to pick up the cue and take whatever neccessary actions to rectify the situation. This is the first area immediate superiors should look into when employees don’t perform or don't cooperate.

If it is established that personal problems are not the cause, then the immediate superior looks into the second cause, ie. talent fit. May be the worker is in the wrong job.

For example, in the civil service, if a teacher is not performing well in the teaching profession, he/she could be transferred to other departments where her talents can be put to good use, perhaps to administration or research and development, or be in charge of a school hostel or transferred out of the education ministry into another ministry which requires his/her talent.

It’s about time we realize that people trained in certain disciplines may not later perform well in those areas. In this case, we should allow for inter-department transfers. It’s time to change the rules – be more flexible. We just need to find where they can fit in. Everyone of us has his/her own specialty.

A third reason why people don’t perform is because their immediate superiors don’t know how to manage their subordinates. Once a person has an under-performing manager or supervisor as his/her immediate boss, he/she suffers.

The problem lies not in the subordinate but in the immediate superior, who has no managerial TALENT or skill. To me, there is no such thing as workers who are “problematic, indiscipline(d) and under-performing.” If they're the "problematic type", then why does the company hire them in the first place ?

Either they have personal problems (unhappy with something) or they are in the wrong job-fit or their immediate superiors don’t know how to manage !

Whatever the reasons, superiors must immediately IDENTIFY what ills their subordinates. Then RECTIFY the problem accordingly. Don't wait, or sweep it under the carpet - hoping it will go away ... as that'll only aggravate the matter.

TV versus HANDPHONE

Wife is like TV
girlfriend is like Handphone (HP)
At home watch TV
go out bring HP
No money sell TV
got money change HP

Sometimes enjoy TV
but most of the time play with HP
TV free for life
but HP if you don't pay, the services will be terminated

TV is big, bulky and most of the time old
but handphone is cute, slim, curvy and very portable at any time
Operational cost for TV is often acceptable
but for HP is high and often demanding

Most important
TV got remote…
HP don't have !

Last but not least
TV does not have virus,
but HP … yes ... has VIRUS
Once get it, terus KONG !
hahaha...
so better choose TV lah ... :)

NOTE: I received this article thru e-mail from an office colleague. The original was written and signed by AGNES CHONG. I did some minor modifications including spelling and para-phrasing. TQ Agnes. Good "poem" u have here.

POCO-POCO Dance - by Mat & Mek Sallehs

NGV - Spend Now And Save Later ?

In these trying times when the price of petrol goes to its record high, and some predicted that it is going up even higher and higher, more and more vehicle owners are contemplating on switching to natural gas vehicles (NGV) to minimize costs for fuel.

Based on recent newspaper reports, NGV users spent about RM6,000 to RM7,000 for the installation of the tank. That is installation cost alone, excluding the cost for the natural gas that you have to refill from time to time.

Currently natural gas is sold at RM0.68 sen per liter, while petrol and diesel are sold at RM2.70 (up 41% from RM1.92) and RM2.58 (up 63% from RM1.58) per liter respectively. Of course, with such price tags it looks very attractive to convert to NGV.

But before anyone of you guys jump onto the bandwagon, allow me to crunch some numbers here to determine if changing to NGV is the best solution now, as well as for the future.

Take my case for an example. My routine weekly activities include commuting 60 km (to and fro daily) to work with my 2.4 L Terrano from home in Bandar Baru Bangi to Taman Shamelin Perkasa Cheras. Then over the weekends, go out for family outings which include doing groceries and outdoor activities like light trekking or power walk at the nearby parks. Frankly, I don’t plan to truncate any of those activities as they meant a lot to me and my family.

With those commitments, previously my monthly fuel expenditure at old price (RM1.92 per liter) was about RM400 per month (excluding toll etc). Now with the new fuel price at RM2.70 per liter, the expenditure comes up to RM562.49, an increase of RM162.49 per month.

With the road tax cash rebates (which I don’t know for how long our government is going to do this) of RM625 per year (which boils down to RM52 per month), this translates to mean that I will need to pay an extra of “only” RM110.49 per month (ie. RM162.49 – RM52.00 = RM110.49)

Now let’s do a simple math here. With my current 6 year old Terrano, I plan to keep her for another 3 years, hopefully. Taking the cost for NGV installation as RM6,000, I divide that into 3 years (ie the max number of years I plan to keep my Terrano) - this would come down to RM2,000 per year. Splitting that further into 12 months, I’ll get RM166.70 per month.

Now minus that with RM52 that the government pay us for rebates, I’ll get RM166.70 – RM52 = RM114.18 per month. That'll be the amount I have to pay extra every month after installing the NGV tank. Remember that this amount is excluding the cost of the natural gas that I have to fill up from time to time. In fact, I'll end up paying more if I were to add in all the costs of natural gas needed.

Now compare that with RM110.49 (with rebates, petrol price at RM2.70 per liter, and no change to NGV). Not much difference, isn’t it ? Unless if you have a brand new car, then the conversion to NGV will be worth it. Or else, it’ll just be the same old story - back to square one.

So should we spend now installing the NGV systems, and save later in the long run ? Well, not for me - not with my current 6 year old Terrano ! The numbers above said everything, at least for my case. Not before the price of NGV kits are subsidized, and more NGV petrol kiosks are made available throughout the country.

Or may be the government can consider providing rebate for car owners to install NGV tanks. That would be nice. But again, it’s all a matter of personal choice …

COMPUTER PROGRAMMING IS EASY ISN'T IT ?

Computer programming is about writing codes or commands that is understood by the computer for it to perform a certain task. It is about a place or situation where the absence of a single curly bracket or a presence of a semicolon can destroy everything you are trying to do.

To some of us, high-level programming can be like mathematics or music, whereby it brings order and harmony out of chaos. There is a fundamental sense in which everything is clearly identified as right or wrong – positive or negative, yes or no, pro or con. A musical note is either in tune or it is not. A solution is either correct for an equation or it is wrong. There is no room for in-betweens …

What about a computer program – well, it may fails to work. But with some debugging or “meddling” here and there, eventually some will work right, and when they do there is an extraordinary great feeling of achievements and satisfactions by the programmer concerned.

In this way, programming is more like physics than pure mathematics, because if you apply the right logical or mathematical formula to your input, what comes out is not merely satisfying on its own terms but appears to rule the world as well.

The worst of it is that even this kind of programming has a corrupting fascination, like a videogame you can’t give up. There is always the hope that one more round of changes (or debugging) will take you through to the next level. And this brings pleasure to the programmers concerned.

The difference between a sentence of computer codes that works and one that doesn’t can be quite as large and important as the difference between a computer program that works and one which causes a satellite to crash for want of a semicolon ! Ever heard of infinite looping ?

Now, who says computer programming is easy …

Drive SMART and save on FUEL

Do you know that one of the biggest factor affecting fuel consumption that is within our control is our DRIVING STYLE ? In fact the driving style that saves fuel is also the one that saves lives. Read on.

• BE GENTLE, KEEP YOUR RIGHT FOOT LIGHT – accelerate gently and smoothly when moving off from standstill. Zooming off from one traffic light only to slam the brakes for the next traffic light a short distance ahead may give you the thrill, but it will certainly result in high fuel consumption, and also accelerated wear and tear of the vehicle. A gentle driving style not only saves fuel but prolongs engine life as well.
• DO NOT IDLE YOUR VEHICLE – even for several minutes in the morning in the mistaken belief that an extended warm-up is good for your engine. Most modern engines were designed to warm up to the optimum temperature quickly, and it is best to just start up and drive off gently. The stop-start driving typically encountered by urban motorists is wasteful since the vehicle is crawling around in the lower gears (1, 2 or 3) much of the time. If possible, avoid driving in congested areas and during peak traffic hours. It’s better to stop at any nearest gas station and take a short break or perform solat sunnat at their surau.
• DON’T TAILGATE – keep a safe distance from the car in front of you. Not only does keeping a healthy distance behind the car in front increase safety, it also helps to save fuel. When you see brake lights come on in front, you have ample reaction time to slow the vehicle just by lifting off the accelerator pedal instead of pressing on the brakes. Each time you hit the brakes, you are scrubbing off speed, which is energy that was built up by burning fuel. Minimizing the use of brakes means minimizing fuel wastage.
• DON’T SPEED. A car is at its most efficient in terms of fuel economy when driven in the top gear, while keeping the engine within its optimum rev range (ie. 2500-3000 RPM for most petrol engines & 2000 RPM for diesels). Most cars are designed to achieve this optimum at between 70 and 90 km/h. A 10% increase in speed incurs a 21% drag in wind resistance and hence, fuel consumption.
  
  REF: The Star, 11 Sept 2005 (motoring article by Daddy Fixit)

Feeling the pinch of the rising fuel prices

Last June 5th, the Government finally announces the new prices of petrol as RM2.70 per liter (up 41% from RM1.92), and diesel as RM2.58 per liter (up 63% from RM1.58). Besides that, there’ll also be a follow up (or rather after effect) increase in electricity tariffs, foodstuffs etc, etc and etc. The list never ends. Some even anticipates that an inflation rate increase is just around the corner ...

To cushion the impact, the restructuring package also includes the following scheme :
- 30 sen subsidy for petrol and diesel
- Automatic monthly adjustment in line with global prices
- Annual cash rebate of RM625 for owners of private vehicles with an engine capacity of up to 2,000cc, and pick-up trucks and jeeps up to 2,500cc
- Annual cash rebate of RM150 for owners of motorcycles with a 250cc engine or less
- Road tax discount of RM200 for owners of private vehicles with engine capacities above 2,000cc
- RM50 road tax discount for motorcycles with engines above 250cc
- Fishermen, boat owners and transport operators will get diesel at RM1.43 per liter
- Each Malaysian fishing vessel owner will receive RM200 monthly
- Fishing vessel owners will get incentive of 10 sen for every kg of catch landed

NOTE: Cash rebates will be given to the owners of the cars and motorcycles when they renew their road tax (from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009). Claims can be made at all 686 post offices nationwide from June 14, 2008 (initially July 1st)

The majority of the rakyat seems to receive the news with mixed reactions. Some seems to be happy and others angry. Happy because the “secret” is no longer a secret, and angry because many feel that the price increase is far too much for them to swallow.

The rise in prices puts great pressure, uneasiness and worry on the livelihood of the rakyat in general. Some have already resorted to a change in their lifestyle to help reduce the impact of the price hikes on them. But as history has shown, people will eventually get used to the higher prices and revert to their old ways of lifestyle. If you are feeling the pain and would like to lessen it, read on.

So how do I feel the pinch from the impact of the fuel price surge ? Well, first I’m a very simple and practical man. I don’t get angry for nothing. Most of us know that the price hike was inevitable with the rising global prices. Well, at least that's what our political leaders want us to believe.

It's not that I totally agree or disagree with them but to be fair, we need to listen to all sides, look at all angles. Of course, some quarters blamed it on the predictions or "speculations made by manipulators" from certain "world leaders" ... I reckon you know who they are ?

According to a report by The Star (8 June 2008), in January 2007 the price of crude oil in the world market was only around US$50 (RM164.50) a barrel. Now, 18 months later, it had risen to almost US$130 (RM427.70) a barrel.

And analysts were predicting it would continue to rise up to US$200 (RM658) per barrel !! Wow, if that is really gonna happen, then by that time our petrol price could go up even to RM4.00 per liter, some people say this gonna happen may be in August ? Na'udzubillah ...

The following are fuel prices from the past 18 years - since 1990) :

Mahathir's era

before 1990 - RM 0.89

1990 - RM 1.10 (incr of RM 0.21)

01/10/2000 - RM 1.20 (incr RM 0.10)

20/10/2001 - RM 1.30 (incr RM 0.10)

01/05/2002 - RM 1.32 (incr RM 0.02)

31/10/2002 - RM 1.33 (incr RM 0.01)

01/03/2003 - RM 1.35 (incr RM 0.02)

Pak Lah's era

01/05/2004 - RM 1.37 (incr RM 0.02)

01/10/2004 - RM 1.42 (incr RM 0.05)

05/05/2005 - RM 1.52 (incr RM 0.10)

31/07/2005 - RM 1.62 (incr RM 0.10)

28/02/2006 - RM 1.92 (incr RM 0.30)

05/06/2008 - RM 2.70 (incr RM 0.78)

Note : (Common Justification Scripts - previously)

1. Kenaikan minyak masih rendah berbanding mana2 pun negara ASEAN.

2. Kerajaan akan pastikan kenaikan tidak membebankan

3. Kerajaan tidak mampu lagi menampung subsidi.

4. Kerajaan memberi jaminan harga runcit petroleum tidak akan dinaikkan lagi pada TAHUN INI.

(Scripts/ Justifications - now)

1. Rakyat mestilah mengamalkan hidup jimat cermat.

2. Kita akan memastikan harga bahan api antara yg terendah dirantau ini berbanding Singapura dan Thailand.

3. Bila kita susah, kenalah sama-sama susah, bila masa senang, 'kita saling membantu'.

4. Penjimatan subsidi RM13.7 billion 'dipulangkan balik pada rakyat'.

5. Langkah ini adalah 'situasi menang-menang'.

Sounds familiar isn't it ? Whatever it is, whether we like it or not, the price hike is really happening right in front of our eyes and it’s affecting all of us. There’s no use to get upset or angry. Those who want to go for demonstration etc, go ahead. We need groups like that too. But do it in a "proper, peaceful & reasonable" manner. But for me, the most reasonable and immediate way to face this mess NOW is to find ways of how to get more out of every liter of petrol I pump into my Terrano's tank.

Then for a longer term plan and actions, I guess there are 3 things I can do. First, to increase income. May be have to work part-time, offer tuition classes etc. But will I have the time, and energy ? Secondly, reduce expenditure. Spend less or cut on “unnecessary” things in life. Do groceries at Tesco or Giant, buy generics and avoid expensive labels. These actually I've been doing since many years ago. Thirdly, take EXTRA good care of the things I have so that their lifetime is longer. Do a regular check ups and maintenance of the car and all home electrical appliances like the stove, refrigerator, washing machine, computers etc, including clothes and shoes.

On a personal note, I’ll have to review all my travel arrangements – like going to work, sending kids to school, the weekend family outings, etc. May be I now need to drive less and use the car only when necessary. But going to work is a necessity and there is nothing I can do about that.

And I don’t think I’ll give up driving because public transport is inefficient and unreliable. I want to see the ministers take public transport. See if they can get to their offices on time. The main problem with our current public transport is the poor accessibility and non-connectivity of the different services (KTM, LRT and RapidKL). In the end, it costs almost as much as you would have spent on petrol, but you waste more time on the road.

Or may be I’ll just apply for a change of place of work. Now I’m commuting 60km (to & fro) per day from home in Bandar Baru Bangi to work in Taman Shamelin Perkasa, Cheras. After all KPTM has a branch campus at Teras Jernang, Bangi, which is less than 10 minutes drive from my home at Section 3, BBB.

Hmmm … I wonder if my employer is gonna entertain my request. Heard that the transfer waiting list queue is already quite long ... ;)

Ways To Beat PETROL Price Hike

BEAT PETROL PRICE HIKE (Reference: Treats2u e-magazine Oct 2006)

Here are smart tips to maximize every liter of fuel and stretch your petrol ringgit much further.

AIR IN YOUR TYRE
Tires inflated to the maximum recommended pressure can improve petrol mileage by as much as 6 percent. Periodic wheel alignments, up to 10 percent.

LOSE WEIGHT
Take out unneeded items that only add weight to your vehicle. Extra weight decreases petrol mileage. Just as many people would be healthier without that "spare tyre" round the waist, many cars are lugging around too much unnecessary junk. These should be removed from the boot as they in turn adds up to a higher fuel bill. Extra weight means poorer acceleration too !

BE A DIFFERENT DRIVER
No more aggressive driving style. Accelerate gradually, drive smoothly and you’ll see as much as a 20 percent gain in fuel economy. NOTE: I'll be writing more on this topic in the upcoming posts.

DRIVE SMART
Don’t waste fuel by sitting in that drive-thru lane at McDonald’s or any other drive-thrus. Park and go inside instead. Engine idling uses more fuel than turning the engine off and then restarting it if you’re waiting for someone.

QUIT SMOKING

Smoking costs us dearly both in health & economic terms. Vehicles are designed to perform well aerodynamically with the windows closed. An open window increases air resistance, which results in poor fuel economy. If you can quit smoking, so should your vehicle. A smoky car is a sure sign of an engine that has been neglected.

REGULAR OIL CHANGE & SERVICE

This is important and must be carried out regularly since new oil reduces engine friction and aids in prolonging engine life. Money spent on regular servicing is an investment on which the profit is fuel savings.

ACCESSORIES THAT SPOIL

Fitting unnecessary accessories that are not approved by the vehicle manufacturer is a good way to waste fuel. After-market spoilers and huge "GT wings", wider wheels and big-bore exhausts may make a vehicle look more macho but, in the long run, you may end up with a vehicle that has poor aerodynamics and has to shift a lot of extra weight around, increased rolling resistance on the road and also wastes fuel.

PLAN AHEAD
Combine your errands into one trip and try to go out only during less-congested times of day.

How To Get More From The FUEL You Pump into Your Tank

In light of the recent hike in the cost of fuel, the following are some tips I read from NST 5 June 2008, by Datuk N Marimuthu, the president of Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations.

• Only fill up your vehicle in the early morning when the ground temperature is cold. Remember that service stations have buried storage tanks. The colder the ground, the more dense the fuel. When it gets warmer, petrol expands. Thus buying petrol in the afternoon will give you a liter which is not exactly a liter. A one-degree temperature rise is a big deal for business. Service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.
• Squeeze the nozzle’s trigger at a low speed, thereby minimizing vapors created while pumping. Fast pumping will cause liquid petrol to vaporize and get sucked back through the hose’s vapor return mechanism. You are getting less for your money.
• Refuel when your tank is half full. The more fuel in your tank means less air occupying its empty space. Petrol evaporates faster than you can imagine. Petroleum storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the petrol and the atmosphere in the tanks, so it minimizes the evaporation.
• Do not refuel when a fuel truck is pumping into the underground storage tank as it could stir up sediment.