Ask The Experts

    Tuesday, January 20, 2015

    Getting real with work expectations

    Getting the loyalty and commitment from people these days is very tough. I really do not understand why their work attitude is so negative.

    Tuesday, January 13, 2015

    Ingraining care at the workplace

    I am a strong advocate of the principle ‘leave your personal problems at home when you are at work’.

    Wednesday, December 24, 2014

    The key to empowering people

    Question: As time goes by, I am beginning to feel that I am getting less and less effective as a general manager. It is increasingly difficult to ask my people to do the things I want them to do.

    Monday, December 15, 2014

    Managing fear positively

    I have this nagging fear of doing many things, including communicating with people. Some of them include talking with my boss on work matters, getting customers to buy, talking to strangers and even swimming in deep water despite being a swimmer for so many years.

    Thursday, December 04, 2014

    Turning a foe to an ally

    I just started or shall I say, ‘parachuted’ into a very senior position of a subsidiary company. What this means is, I did not have to go through the mill but just landed in this high position on top of many others. While this is a compliment that I have the trust and confidence of the management, there are a number of down sides to it.

    Wednesday, November 26, 2014

    Germinating the big idea for the organisation

    I have been the general manager of a small medium organisation for eight months already. I was brought in to stop the bleeding that this organisation has been experiencing for the last three years.

    Tuesday, November 18, 2014

    To team or not to team

    It is obvious to me that team work is better than individuals working in their own slots. But to tear up a traditional organisation for a team-based organisation is not so easy in reality.

    Wednesday, November 12, 2014

    Sustaining behavioural changes

    People have told me that I interrupt them often during conversations. Some even say that I tend to talk more about myself without asking questions about others.

    Tuesday, November 04, 2014

    Negotiating with positivity

    I am the type of person that does not feel comfortable confronting people, especially when it comes to facing them during meetings to work out any kind of deals - whether it is about a pay rise, better business terms and/or staff disciplinary issues.

    Monday, October 27, 2014

    Are you genuine? Or full of yourself?

    There is a battle going on in my mind as to whether living in righteousness to speak the truth in all instances is better than compromising my values and principles to tell half-truths to protect people’s interests.

    Tuesday, October 21, 2014

    Adapting without compromising

    After joining this company for eight months as a senior accounts manager, I begin to realise that I may not fit in here. In my previous two companies where I have collectively served for 10 years, there was never an occasion that I had my boss or anyone telling me that I needed to change my ways.

    Tuesday, October 14, 2014

    Building a safe working environment

    I cannot confidently say that my new place of work is harmonious, even though there are few open quarrels and arguments among the people.

    Wednesday, October 08, 2014

    Why your boss may never apologise

    During one of my recent training programs on emotional intelligence, there was a major outburst from a participant (let’s name him Jason) who felt wronged by his manager.

    Tuesday, September 30, 2014

    Line managers as HR managers

    For almost 10 years now, our group human resource (HR) department has played the central role in the recruitment and training of our people in all our subsidiaries. Despite this, we feel that they are not doing a good job, as we continue to face long delays in getting vacancies filled up.

    Tuesday, September 23, 2014

    Managing cross cultural conflicts

    I have been working in this African country for almost three years now, where I live in a big Malaysian community who mostly work for the same organisation. Generally, life here is fine and we have no issues with one another. However, I cannot say the same for my African colleagues here as we have big problems with them. We find them arrogant, stubborn and are resistant to following our instructions.

    Wednesday, September 17, 2014

    Instilling confidence and accountability in others

    I am now grooming my next line of young leaders to take over some key positions in the company soon. Being young, they are not very exposed and have not much experience, which also explains why they lack a certain measure of self-confidence.

    Tuesday, September 09, 2014

    Managing effectively during unpredictable times

    Since the middle of last year, my business has plunged by more than 35 percent. I can’t figure out what my company’s business direction should be now in order to pull out of this.

    Friday, September 05, 2014

    Human behaviour at the workplace

    Many underestimate the type of skills and knowledge required when dealing with the myriad of human behaviour and emotions at the workplace, when in actual fact, a whole field is dedicated towards studying this.

    Wednesday, September 03, 2014

    Learning from your role models

    What makes a true leader? This question really bothers me a lot, as I know of people who expect respect as leaders, but still do not get their due respect even when given it formally by their organisation.

    Thursday, August 28, 2014

    Self-esteem: The major key to confidence

    I am such a person that always questions myself as to why I cannot be as free, exuberant and less self-conscious as my other colleagues.

    Wednesday, August 20, 2014

    Good office etiquette is everyone’s responsibility

    I had a shock recently when a senior law partner told me off for not offering a drink to a waiting client. I never thought that this was part of my job responsibilities.

    Tuesday, August 12, 2014

    Organisational change starts from the management

    The people in my organisation are resistant to all kinds of changes, even if these changes are for their own good.

    Tuesday, August 05, 2014

    The one characteristic high functioning people possess

    I often marvel at some people who are so creative in coming up with great ideas that work. They are on the ball from the word go, thinking and stretching their brains for ideas until they find the best ones.

    Wednesday, July 30, 2014

    Taking a moment for silent reflection

    Everyone knows that I am a guy in the ‘fast lane’ who is always working in top speed. When working on something, I do not waste time, finishing my tasks as fast as possible.

    Tuesday, July 22, 2014

    When your boss picks on you

    Question: It took me 5 years to get to this current job as a sales manager of a travel agency. Getting this job was indeed one of my greatest achievements as I finally found something that is in sync with my values and passion.

    Thursday, July 17, 2014

    Measuring the factors that matter most

    In our recent staff morale organisational survey that was conducted, we were perplexed to discover that the findings do not have any connection with the performance results of the organisation.

    Wednesday, July 16, 2014

    Measuring the factors that matter most

    In our recent staff morale organisational survey that was conducted, we were perplexed to discover that the findings do not have any connection with the performance results of the organisation.

    Wednesday, July 09, 2014

    When teamwork isn’t the ideal solution

    For a long while now, my employees have been working in teams, as the nature of their work somewhat calls for such form of engagement. The outcomes of this working style have been very encouraging.

    Tuesday, July 01, 2014

    Consensus-management and leadership

    I believe in consensus-management,which to me means not making any decision alone, but by involving all the stakeholders involved. However, I am now at loggerheads with my boss who thinks I am...

    Tuesday, June 24, 2014

    Rebuilding an organisation through envisioning

    My company has just undergone a painful phase of cost-cutting and restructuring in order to keep our business afloat. In the process of doing so, we have lost a number of people whom we had to let go.

    Monday, June 16, 2014

    What are the essential qualities of a good leader?

    There are a number of qualities that I expect all good leaders to have. They should, ideally, have a clear vision and are focused on doing the right things to get there, with their followers in full support behind them.

    Sunday, June 15, 2014

    5 awesome on-screen dads

    It’s that time of the year again when we take a moment to show our appreciation for our old man, be it with gifts, kindness, or with some good, plain, quality time.

    Tuesday, June 10, 2014

    Getting to the bottom of difficult employees

    I have an unusual employee who is much of a loner, as he does not mix around nor speak much at meetings.

    Tuesday, June 03, 2014

    How to develop the ‘enterprising’ spirit in employees

    I find that the people in my organisation are rather ‘soft’, ‘reserved’ and ‘careful’ when it comes to taking on challenging tasks or making tough decisions.

    Tuesday, May 27, 2014

    Finding the right career path

    I am 45-years-old and I work as an operations executive for a medium-sized company. This is my second job in my entire career life.

    Wednesday, May 07, 2014

    Doing it right as a general manager

    Recently, I got the good news that I will be promoted to become the next General Manager. I am really overwhelmed with this good news as this means I will be at the helm of the entire organisation. Indeed, this proves that my hard work over the last 10 years has paid off.

    Wednesday, April 30, 2014

    Growing new age talents

    We do not want to waste unnecessary money and time as the need to get good results fast is key as we are want to be competitive in the marketplace like what we used to be. So what should guide us to know that the transformation is gradually taking place? What signs do we look for?

    Thursday, March 20, 2014

    Managing chronically depressed staff

    Help! One of my managers' behavior has been getting from bad to worse. He is no longer the person I once knew - who is actually one of the best performer in the organisation. In as much as I try to help, he did not responded well and things are in a bad shape now. Is there any way I could help him?

    Friday, August 17, 2012

    Career Q&A: Getting along with a new boss

    New boss, new style, old story: Learn to like your new boss!

    Thursday, August 16, 2012

    Career Q&A: Dressing for success

    Basic dressing etiquette that works for interviews in any industry!

    Career Q&A: Trying to move on after being terminated

    Coach Loke provides advice on moving on after being terminated at work. The battle may be long and complicated, but there are steps one can take to be more positive and face challenges in a better way.

    Tuesday, April 24, 2012

    Career Q&A: How to deal with yo-yo emotions!

    “One minute I am cool … the next minute I snap!” Life coach Zarina Zainal shares on how to keep a cool head in all situations.

    Career Q&A: How to look and sound more authoritative

    “My clients think I look more like a kindergarten teacher than a boss!” Does this sound familiar? Our Image Guru shares tips on power-dressing.

    Career Q&A: How to manage work stress

    Coach Loke helps you reduce work stress by asking a few key de-stressing questions.

    Tuesday, February 28, 2012

    Career Q&A: Find your passion!

    Our three resident experts from the Malaysian Association of Brand and Image Consultants answer your career queries. Drop them an email at AskTheExpert@mabic.org today!

    Career Q&A: How to look more approachable

    Our three resident experts from the Malaysian Association of Brand and Image Consultants answer your career queries. Drop them an email at AskTheExpert@mabic.org today!

    Friday, February 24, 2012

    Career Q&A: How to handle toxic bosses

    Our three resident experts from the Malaysian Association of Brand and Image Consultants answer your career queries. Drop them an email at AskTheExpert@mabic.org today!

    Monday, February 20, 2012

    Melissa Norman answers your questions!

    The MD of Kelly Services Malaysia and Singapore sits down to talk to you.