Sunday 31 March 2013

FROM THE CHESS KING TO PURPOSEFUL LIFE


FROM THE CHESS KING TO PURPOSEFUL LIFE

Back in the seventies, there was this little boy in Georgetown, who was born with a big head and handsome face, interestingly he liked engaging in all kinds of mind boggling, creative and imaginative activities!! He neither had many toys with him; nor did he know of any cartoon characters. To him all these were of not much benefit to him.

Very active, adventurous, naive and of course the real description would be “playful”, he was well-known as the chess king among his childhood mates. The name “chess king” was not given but awarded, due to his active participation not only in playing good chess, but always sustaining his number 1 position in his school and residential areas. He even represented his school in individual and team event in the Penang State Chess Competition under 12- category in 1973. The chess activities can be mounted at any time, week day or weekend, so long he has time to do so. He was so persistent that he would steal any of his available time. He even can play solo, by either playing both sides of the players or analyse every possible move of his past game he could remember.  His circle of players could come from players that are more than 5 years older than him. They even organise their own tournaments with their own ranking in mind, but without trophy.

The game would begin with any chess set, regardless whether Chinese or Western form. His standard of playing good chess also deteriorated as he aged. This was because he almost stopped his chess game after he failed to deliver his mentor's expectation in the individual event at the State Chess competition. Today he is still a reasonably good chess player, once in a blue moon he plays at home or in the office!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, yes that is me, James Oh!! I still have a big head with handsome face. Very obvious I am a man with a young heart. I am 52 years old, born 25 Feb; my birthday has just passed. Married with one wife, one daughter, three sons, but one is in heaven.

I come from a “big” family of 6 siblings with 1 girl and 5 boys of which only 1 is single and available, any takers? Dating can be arranged secretly, openly or indirectly.

I am, the only one in the family, with two professional degrees specializing in Accounting and Law. I graduated with my first degree in a local university and second degree from the University of London, UK. I am self-financed since my secondary school through some part time jobs to cover the fees and pocket money. I worked as a lottery seller, tutor, marketing surveyor during my university breaks.

Though it was not easy, I enjoyed these challenges as they shape me stronger, better and tougher. No regrets! Honestly, I appreciated my studies more compared to my other university-mates. I picked things up fast and achieved much greater results. My working experiences allowed me to understand my studies faster, better and deeper. Similarly, I had opportunities to apply my acquired knowledge to gain an edge in any workplace. I love and enjoy whatever challenges, because I do not like routines and am more inclined to think.

I began my very first professional career in 1987 as audit assistant. I learned how to develop audit plans, audit report and assess clients' internal policies and procedures effectiveness. Though I have slightly more than 1 year in the audit field, I gained a name for having most up to date IAS standard, company act whereby I even qualified the audit report due to significant effect on its financial report arising from non compliance of foreign exchange loss, which I was the first person to pick up this issue. I moved to commercial sector due to the denial of the recommended promotion put forward by my immediate superior as I was much junior than other staff in the office. At that time, I had gained a well diverse and broad exposure in the various industries such as Insurance, Manufacturing, Trading, Plantation, Co-operatives and professional firms.

I had spent a short span of my professional life with each company I worked with, except the Aviation company. This did not stop me from contributing significantly to the respective companies. I have proposed a change of accounting policy, from operating lease to finance lease that resulted in the company booking in more than RM two million before its right issues exercise; to generate a million in the form of interest income through managing the treasury more appropriately; eliminate the issuance of official receipt; improve the internal control through extending a copy of Purchase Order without unit price to the store; restructuring of loan to cater for the company's expansion program; to tap public fund through listing exercise in order to obtain cheaper borrowing rate and turn around the company after the financial crisis.

I love to read and travel. Reading and travelling are eye openers for me as I learn and see new things. Hence, I wish to leave my foot print in as many hearts and countries as I could so as to leave a good legacy and to repay those kind souls and people who have touched my life.

I have found an unusual path of re-fire-ment instead of retirement, what I would love to see myself hanging around with my buddies, actively involved in writing, contributing to society and coaching people to live more fulfilling lives.

Therefore, I urge more people to embrace lifelong learning and pass our learned knowledge to the young generation, to have a better tomorrow.

As such, you are strongly encourage to join this BETTER THAN THE BEST community so as it can function as what I have planned one day.


James Oh

http://my.linkedin.com/pub/oh-james/12/a11/29b

Friday 29 March 2013

THE MAIN CULPRIT OF THE GLOBAL INFLATION


THE MAIN CULPRIT OF THE GLOBAL INFLATION

Have you ever pondered who is the main culprit that caused high Global Inflation? I do. I am always pro-active in predicting what is the likely main cause of it. This may be due to my nature of "active thinking" of the likely possible scenario in the future despite
knowing that I can't control the external factors. However, what matters most to me is what should I do now  and how to response to such a situation so as to take ride of the waves to be stronger, tougher and better.


As such, I write to share my humble views and its implications so that you too are more ready to face these coming challenges. Therefore, it is critically and crucially important to know who is its main culprit and its rationales behind it. Before I share it further, I need to warn you to exercise your discretion if you choose to read further. This is my  personal humble view only.

You may have read or heard from China's leaders of their recent counter arguments in defending their position when they were accused of "manipulating" their currency. i.e. undervaluing their Yuan currency. On the surface, it may seem logical and sensible. However, when you dig further, the argument may not hold in view of the USA's easy action of printing their currency to address their already mountain high Trillions dollars debts to the rest of the world. That figure is extremely unhealthy and scary in view of their in balance of their current national GDP growth in term of debt growth. Check all these ratios yourself. No doubt that this economy is the driving force of the global economy, so to speak.

Indirectly, their action may indicate to affirm the China's repeated voice of requesting the US to be more responsible for their own currency in view of the current status of being the most preferred International Reserve Currency. The next question that arises is "whether this currency will lose its glory and shine like in the past?"

Based on my personal findings and observation, the answer to the question is in the resounding Yes. I am not wanting to scare you, but this is the clue I obtained from the Chinese leaders' statements on the US dollars. In line with their argument, they have taken other drastic measures such as cut down their national reserve in the form
of US currency, enhancing the barter trade with their trading countries and also using their own currency with other trading partners.


From the above discussion and explanation, I hope that you are able to grasp and understand the entire scenario. Be ready to face this greater challenge in the near future. Be ready and find out "What are the best alternatives for us to ward off or reduce these forthcoming risks?."

Before I end, be honest to ourselves and listen to what the sound economists say on the issue of printing more money. Wouldn't this action be like "devaluing" its own currency if the GDP growth is very much lower when compared to the quantity of currency it produce.

Worst still, what if the rest of the world will also response in this same direction based on this fact discussed above.

I hope you give it deeper, serious consideration and share out your views in this regard. This is because it has significant, relevant and material impact on our wealth indirectly; one way or other.


Through caring and sharing, we strive to be excellent.

James Oh

http://my.linkedin.com/pub/oh-james/12/a11/29b

http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Oh/706849667

http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Oh/706849667#!/pages/Lift-You-Up-Always-there-for-You/176685462397920

Skype me at james.oh18

Wednesday 27 March 2013

GOOD LEGACY IS WEALTH


Toastmaster was formed in 1924 by a well respected missionary gentleman called DR.RALPH C. SMEDLEY, the founder of TI. From a humble beginning , he started the first Toastmaster meeting at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California United States.

Toastmasters International has grown to become a world leader in helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. The non-profit organization now has nearly 280,000 members in over 13,500 clubs in 116 countries, offering a proven, pleasant – and enjoyable! – way to practise communication and leadership skills.

I am grateful and very proud to be part of his esteemed organisation and deeply indebted to him. As such, I urge every member to KEEP HIS LEGACY ALIVE.

Ralph C. Smedley, once said, "Education is our business. It has been so from the beginning." He had a vision of people helping others learn communication skills in an enjoyable and educational social setting. That noble idea sparked the growth of Toastmasters International that have benefited many millions people throughout the world.

There was no coincidence that I joined this esteemed club, but there must a valid reason to be revealed at the later stage. With this friendly environment, I had completed the required 10 speeches of the Communication Manual and earned a title as Competent Communicator. I must say that the journey was amazingly wonderful as I met so many kind people and mentor, whom have shaped me to be a better communicator.

With this fantastic achievement, I urge the readers to take up the courage to join this organisation to keep the above profound missionary legacy alive and thriving into another great year.

Thank you and look forward to welcome you on-board to this esteemed organisation.



Monday 25 March 2013

INTUITION WEALTH



TO READ ITS RELATED ARTICLE, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW:-

you-need-to-grow-your-wealth

Wednesday 20 March 2013

EXPERIENCE ARE GOOD TEACHER


THAT CAN ENHANCE YOUR WEALTH

SHARE WITH US YOUR EXPERIENCE THAT HAVE MADE YOU SO.

Saturday 16 March 2013

BOOK REVIEW ON GET THEM TALKING


Book Review on GET THEM TALKING





This Guidebook is written to give readers an in-depth knowledge on how to succeed at teaching international people English conversation skills in a tutorial situation. It comprises not only a easy to understand step by step guide, but also your goal, the lesson plan,
tips and real insight on building your tutoring business. It is a kind of book that give you complete and comprehensive aspect of being successful on-line and off line tutorials. It is really a helpful guide, I must say.

Through her real insights and hindsight, the readers will be able to know her effectiveness in teaching techniques based on the major areas of coverage to match her delivery result with the proficiency level of her students. Hence, I view it as very meaningful, useful and helpful especially for a new tutor in this industry. You will be rest assured of its enriching, fulfilling and rewarding, experience, worth many folds of your time, energy and money spent in reading this book.

I received a review copy of the book for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation.

GET THEM TALKING is a book which will help you get a clear plan, step up and strategise on how you want to match your goal to be a successful tutor to speakers of other languages, both on-line and off lines. I must say that it serves broad, complete and comprehensive areas and needs for the tutor especially for those who want to teach effectively, efficiently and successfully.

This book will enhance your confidence and competence. It gives you a good understanding of what you really need to prepare for and you will not seem to be doing it alone.

What I enjoyed most about this book is its richness with its scope and coverage. It will equip you to advance in your business. This gives you a competitive edge against your rivals. That’s what makes this book truly worth reading.

As you read through the book, you’ll be able to visualise and assess which of these techniques, paths and tips which are suitable to your model of achieving your success. This book is not meant to persuade or dissuade you – it’s meant to inform, enrich and educate you as how you too can use your gifts in teaching English Conversation to speakers of other language successfully.

So grab hold of this book and make your own assessment by letting the author walks you through her rewarding and fun fulfilling journey.

The title of the book is Precise and Concise. A Clear definition of what is this guidebook all about.

GET THEM TALKING has its noble goal, because it propels and prospers you to reach out the speakers of other languages globally.  Excellent. Constant, Consistent and Persistent application of each and every teaching technique, strategy and tip will ensure your teaching business success!

This book is also ideal for anyone who wants to teach other languages and is looking for ways to go off on his own.

All I can say is thank you!

Stay tune if you like to know more about other authors whom we will publish from time to time.

James Oh

http://my.linkedin.com/pub/oh-james/12/a11/29b

http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Oh/706849667

http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Oh/706849667#!/pages/Lift-You-Up-Always-there-for-You/176685462397920

Skype me at james.oh18

Friday 15 March 2013

CHANGE FOCUS


TO STAY WEALTHY, YOU NEED TO CHANGE FOCUS
FROM MAKING MONEY TO SERVING MORE PEOPLE.

BE PROBLEM SOLVING PROVIDER TO SERVE PEOPLE
TO LIFT PEOPLE UP

AND MAKE OTHER TO BE WEALTHY
BEFORE YOU CAN MOVE THE HIGHER LEVEL OF SUCCESS

Tuesday 12 March 2013

LIVE WEALTHILY



TO READ ITS RELATED ARTICLE, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW:-

Monday 11 March 2013

WHAT I AM DOING NOW


I have decided to slow down my article writing since beginning of the year of 2013, for a couple of reasons.

First, I have begun writing my 1st book and am about to complete it. I intended to publish it and my initial target was before end of the
year. I believe I can complete it ahead of my schedule from the way it goes.

Secondly, I also want to do something different from the past such as more coverage of books review which is more time consuming.
Thereafter, I shall post my book reviews on the respective and
relevant blogs as usual.

I have done 5 book reviews this year and my 6th book review is on the way.

At the same time, I also like to express my sincere thanks for those
who have inspired, motivated and encouraged to do my utmost best.


Thank you.

Hope I have done my utmost best to serve you guys.

Stay tune for more update.

James Oh
http://my.linkedin.com/pub/oh-james/12/a11/29b

http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Oh/706849667

http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Oh/706849667#!/pages/Lift-You-Up-Always-there-for-You/176685462397920

Skype me at james.oh18

Sunday 10 March 2013

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS


Have you realised that you always do not have sufficient time to accomplish the jobs you wanted? I did.

To be better than the best, we need not only be doing things differently, but at a much faster rate and accurately.  Efficiency and Effectiveness are the other required ingredients.


Below are the ways I have been employing to make more things happen which would otherwise be not possible.

1. System

Try to establish an orderly and systematic way or method. Have a friendly, conducive and easy way to store and retrieve your information speedily and steadily. No doubt it may appears to be more work initially, but it pays handsomely at the later stage. In short, S.Y.S.T.E.M  mean Save YourSelf Time, Energy, Money. I have learned from my professional experience that many big or huge organizations have been using standard operating policies and manual to manage their companies' affairs successfully.

2. Be precise and concise.

Make it a point to make your statement precise and concise. I realize that it is not easy, therefore we need to improve the skill constantly. Frequently, I find that lots of time had been wasted due to non precise messages. In the end, lots of efforts, resources and time being spent to clean up the mess.

3. Making use of the most effective mode of communication

Try to make it a good practice to use the most effective mode of communication such as email especially if you have to send the same message to many people. You will be surprised at its outcome as compared to other verbal means. It is very unlikely that you can convey same message to the big mass of people.

4. Do Lists

Make it a point to record down the tasks you need to perform. Then schedule them according to their priority. In this manner, you tend to be more efficient and effective. I love this method as it help you cultivate good habit of planning ahead to ensure that we always optimise the resources we have at that particular time. 


This will also enable you to see other possible opportunities you could otherwise missed. By doing it regularly, you will able to see the whole picture much clearer and easier. By doing it repeatedly, you are shaping up your vision skill

5. Make use of your idle time

God is fair and has given everyone 24 hours. Don't forget that everyone of us have idle time. I always like to schedule this idle time to do some reading or thinking or solving the issue I am
currently facing at work; home or future. Thus, turn your idle time
into productive time to enhance your productivity.

6. Do more than one thing at a time

You can do more than one thing at a time, that is you can multi-task. The best example is that you can brush your teeth while making a long call at your toilet bowl. Schedule and plan them out accordingly so that the quality of work is not compromise or the attention is not divided.

7. Plan your daily tasks in advance

8. Pray about it

You must believe in it before you pray on it.

9. Don't quit

Most of the time, we are defeated because we have given up. As such, we need to have faith in whatever we are doing and also constantly remind ourselves that we can do it. Start with baby step, follow by full step before taking a huge step.

10. Patience

You need to have patience. Only testing can produce patience. Let patience complete and perfect its work. I also discovered that playing chess regularly also can boost your patience. So indulge in such hobbies like fishing, painting and writing.

11. Leave it and come back to it later

Leave it for a while and do something else. Then you may have inspiration to resume your work with new fresh idea/interest. By doing so, you may come back to look at thing in a new and fresh look..

12 Do not push yourself unnecessary

Deadline is good, but you need to follow your heart so as to produce a masterpiece. Being flexible is the key. Take a short rest and nap may be good to refresh yourself. Relax and stay cool.

13. Do not be too anxious

Do not worry or anxious unnecessary, but response to it. By reacting, you will make things worse and eventually you may need to spend more time to rectify it. Here, you may use the 90/10 rule. Focus 90 % on material, essential and significant matter. The remaining 10% on the balance. This skill enables me to take good care and charge of numerous companies within the Group at ease.

14. Think positive

When you think positive, everything will turn more rosy and pleasant. You will rest assure that you will have much higher productivity. Remember always tough times never last, but tough people do.

15. Work in groups

It is undeniable fact that everyone has his own talent and skill. By using the strength of each and every member of the group, it will yield more. Through team work, we work less. This is because nobody is better than all of us. Leverage is the master of all.

16. Find your own work rhythm.

A lot of creative work can be done at odd times and places. So, schedule your work accordingly to your own work rhythm.

The great Canadian physician Sir William Osler, a teacher, medical writer and medical practitioner, set aside only15 minutes every night to compile an annotated bibliography of his huge library. His ambitious Bibliotheca Osleriana contained 7787 entries when he died.

17. Always look out for more efficient and effective way of doing things

Constantly keep your mind open especially when you are doing certain activities which involves lots of repetition. In such instance, keep on asking yourself is there any other way to get things done more efficiently and effectively. Automation is another way of getting rid of repetition and routine tasks.

In short, enhancing applied knowledge, honing your skills and sharpening your mind are the best ways of being better than the best.

Saturday 9 March 2013

Friday 8 March 2013

CHANGE FOR BETTER


CHANGE IS NECESSARY



CHANGE IS NECESSARY

DOING THINGS THE SAME WAY, YOU WILL NOT GET DIFFERENT RESULTS
BY CHANGING YOUR APPROACH, YOU WILL SURELY GET DIFFERENT RESULTS
YOU WILL GET THE SAME END IF YOU DON'T CHANGE YOUR MEANS
SO CHANGE IS THE SOLUTION

CHANGE IS NOT EASY
CHANGE IS GOOD
HOW TO PROGRESS WITHOUT CHANGE
DOING THE SAME THING AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT ANSWER, YOU MUST BE CRAZY

LETTING GO IS COSTLY
HOLDING BACK IS EVEN MORE COSTLY
REFUSING TO CHANGE WILL DEFINITELY BRING YOU DISASTER
BY CHANGING YOU WILL BE SMARTER

ADAPTING CHANGE IS NECESSARY
ACCEPTING IS THE SURE WAY
TO DEAL WITH IT
CONFRONT AND CONQUER IT

to read other poem written by James, please click the link below:-


Tuesday 5 March 2013

MONEY TALKS

So often we wish for more money in our lives. 

It may change our circumstances but it does 

not change the love in our heart. As Neil 

Diamond's song says, "Money talks, but it 

don't sing and it don't walk." May I 

always remember to sing whatever my 

circumstances might be and find joy 

wherever I may walk in life. 

Sunday 3 March 2013

Saturday 2 March 2013

EASY CASH TURNS INTO BANKRUPTS

Easy cash turns many into bankrupts

Read more: Easy cash turns many into bankrupts - Top News - New 

Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/top-news/easy-cash-turns-

many-into-bankrupts-1.5518#ixzz2B44n0NOl

Friday 1 March 2013

3 TIMELESS PARABLES FOR REGAINING PERSPECTIVE


3 Timeless Parables For Regaining Perspective
 
 
 
If you are like me, sometimes I am so busy trying to catch up, stay even, or take the lead that I lose perspective. When things are going well, I am on top of the world. Yet then when bad luck hits or I see others achieving things I wish I could, I get down on myself. It's at times like these that I refer back to three parables from different cultures that have helped me better keep my perspective.
 
1.    Good Luck or Bad Luck? (a Zen koan)
 
Once upon the time there was an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically.

“Perhaps,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “What great luck!” the neighbors exclaimed.

“Perhaps,” replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.

“Perhaps,” answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.

“Perhaps,” said the farmer...
* One take-away I have from this parable is that, while we should certainly celebrate when things go well, we should not get carried away. Simultaneously, when bad things happen we should not lose our cool. Life is not only a series of ups and downs but also, some "bad luck" may turn out to be "good luck."
 
So, it pays to have a sense of equanimity throughout both life's good and bad times. Life is not a collection of discrete occurrences or events but that everything we do is linked together; our lives are a series of interconnected days.
 
2.    I'd Rather Be a Happy Turtle (Chinese)
 
Zhuang Zi was a brilliant philosopher and strategist who lived in ancient China. His abilities were many and several rulers sought his services. One of them, King Wei, sent his courtiers out to Zhuang Zi's pastoral home to invite him to come to Wei's court and be the leader's chief counselor. They found him there fishing by the river bank.
 
Seeing his poor situation, they thought Zhuang Zi would jump at the chance for status and reward. Yet when they made their proposal to him, he said, "Once upon a time there was a sacred turtle, which was happy living his life in the mud. Yet, because he was sacred, the king's men found him, took him to the royal palace, killed him and used his shell to foresee the future. Now tell me, would that turtle prefer to have given up his life to be honored at the palace, or would he rather be alive and enjoying himself in the mud?"
 
The courtiers responded that, of course, the turtle would be happier in the mud.
To which Zhuang Zi replied, "And so you have my answer. Go home and let me be a happy turtle here in the mud."
* The lesson I take from this parable is that we are often easily bewitched by advancement, fame, and reward. And we are so seduced by it that we trade our most precious resource, time, to get it. And many times, looking back, we are unhappy with the trade-off. So before I take on more, I try and think about if I'd be happier with "fame" or woud I have more fun enjoying my time "in the mud".
 
3.    The King and the Pawn (Italian)
 
This is not a parable per se, but a proverb, short simple and sweet, namely:
"At the end of the game, the king and the pawn go back in the same box."
For me there are two messages in this tale:
 
One is that, even though we all hold different ranks, in the end we are all the same. Therefore, I should never take advantage of rank at the expense of another, nor should I allow myself to be taken advantage of or overawed by someone of higher stature.
 
The other lesson I draw from this proverb is that, in the end, all our achievements and rank should not be overvalued, since in the end, we all "go back in the same box."
 
I have found these parables helpful to navigate both my personal and professional life. 

Hopefully these can be of service to you as well.