Management Journal - December 2006

“Change is Eternal”, so the old saying goes… and true enough, things change really fast…

When I last gave a thought about my management journal for this month, I was inclined to write about USA and the Jewish wisdom that I learned through out my recent trips to Florida and the much US influenced Saigon and Manila as well as my early reading on the subject.

But barely a week after (and after my Christmas break in Macau), I have decided to pay tribute instead to the pride and one of the rare sparks of Malaysia in 2006 although not many acknowledges it – AirAsia. Amazing, as one of its many catchy tags, is the least I can sum it up for a short 5 years journey of “Now Everyone Can Fly!”.

There I was sitting in one of the 100s A320s that they have ordered after yet another fashionable delay of AirAsia, I can’t help but impressed by what I read in the Red Buzz (yes, the inflight newsletter). Sorry Tony, I have taken the liberty to take one home to share with my fellow CAians (well, it is not listed as one of your priced items in “Snack Attaq!”).

The awards, accolades and milestones achieved certainly out weight the delays, the troubles, the hassles and the complaints unknowingly associated with AirAsia. For a start, my wife is not seriously complaining for the extra hours in both the airports, the extra long queue at the check in counters and the extra “economical” leg room. I guess the ultra friendly pricing strategy and the most comforting Pak Nasir’s “Nasi Lemak” on board have some what do the tricks for her. 

In this age of soul searching for Malaysians, AirAsia has certainly provided some hopes and typifying the brand of Malaysian entrepreneurship. Like AirAsia, we have to defy the odds, think outside the box and in Tony’s words of “believe the unbelievable and dream the impossible”!
Who would have thought that:

Flying the flag of Malaysia, in the name of Asia (just wonder where our tourism board gets their inspiration of “Malaysia, Truly Asia”); with AirAsia, we have started to believe. As least, I did.

Using the unconventional wisdom propelled by a book that I read in my journey from Chicago to Tokyo recently – “Freakonomics” that claims the vastly reduced crime rates from the late nineties in the States are founded on legalized abortion in the mid seventies, AirAsia has certainly far greater contribution in changing the way we think, we work and we travel compare to what we were 5 years ago. As a result, my own “Freakonomics” compelled me to declare that Malaysians can be (if only they are willing) the first in achieving true regionalization by being the first really integrated East Asian! Watch this space… 
 
The underlining strategy of this success is simply getting everyone by your side knowing of your own shortcomings. A typical tuned Tony taking on the Goliaths of the home tigers (MAS) and the near home lions (SIA), everyone like to support the underdog! In this stage, every little step is living the dream with celebrations and most of all, you are only expected to put up a good fight! If you can’t win the world, win friends and fans – peoples that like your cup of tea! 

CA has a dream, a dream that has never been, yet! We believe we are living it now, on the way to be the 1st name in professional services and business solutions. We want to be proud CAians with our distinctively “Green” CA culture. We want to make CA the practical training ground and career launching pad for enthusiastic professional service entrepreneurs.

In doing that, we have planned early for 2007. Since 1 November 2006, you would have noticed in our office our many goals and aspirations for 2007 prominently displayed. Although we are struggling to put all these plans into motion, we are proud to announce that we have actually achieved one of these goals even before 2007 arrived.    

Talking about planning, the many events surrounding my recent Christmas break in Macau have certainly proved that you can only do so much about it as mistakes and blips are bound to creep in somehow. The unexpected flight delays, the miscalculation of my passport 6-month validity (that really can break my whole traveling plan), the late delivery of our CA new year greeting cards (hope you like it) and the subsequently “rejection” of a duly executed Bank’s letter of offer (a case of chinese oversea reading English) are all freak accidents beyond planning. Most importantly is how you deal with it within the margin of errors; how you turn negative to positive. That is the art that separates the extraordinaire from the ordinaries. For a start, I have enjoyed my Christmas Break despite the all these, a truly memorable one!

Reading the Red Buzz, I remember what Tony said in one of his many presentations that I have attended. His statement of “most of the marketing that I do is internal marketing” highlighted the importance of human capital. That explains his army of “4,000 amazing, fiery, young and energetic AirAsians”! Judging by the content of the Red Buzz that highlights the many stories of AirAsians, he certainly lives what he preaches. At that very moment, a young Malay female first officer in her slick pilot uniform with her traditional headgear passes me by, I am absolutely “sold”! It’s more than how you look at it, it is how you “DO” it!

That leads me to the very first mission of CA in 2007 that is to attract quality admissions to this CA family. For the first quarter, we are looking for lawyers and experienced paralegals that believe in the Green of CA to join us in our journey. We promise only hard work and challenges in a fun environment. Do let us know if you have any recommendations for CA.

Without actively pursuing it, CA seems to develop a culture of having intern by every year end. Last year we have Elaine from the north and this year we are having Sook Yee returning from down south, Australia. This has triggered our offering of internships through out the year for aspiring young people to sample life as a professional and most importantly a taste of the green CA culture. We have officially written to University of Malaya and Bond University. Meanwhile, feel free to approach us for any interest in our CA internship. By April 2007, I can also take in two (2) pupils. So, we also have chambering position on the offering.

Leaving behind the looming threats of further floods in various parts of the Peninsular, 2007 should be better year for everyone! We are determine to make it a better year, 2007 is on target! Time is ticking fast …