Street Smart vs Book Smart

As-salam and Good Evening,

Today, at the GAAM gathering, i met with Pok Cik, a long time friend from my A-Level period. He managed to further his study in Germany, whereas i was here, "furthering" my study at UNITEN. I really dont want to talk about why such thing happened. I believe most of my readers are learned and able to deduce why.

Well, our conversation ranges lots of thing. From mh17 to MAS and slowly move towards Proton dilemma. Then, we touched on success in life, particularly on whether paper credentials really help an entrepreneur. While me myself do believe that those credentials help the person, one cannot denies the ingenuity of a natural born business person.

He believes that, what ever it is the papers show you, the most important substance is the "daring" spirit with huge common business sense. He proved to me that many billionaires and including him, are successful in business regardless the magnitude of the return. I do agree with him. Take a look at the list of top 10 billionaires in the world, most of them are street smart. These street smart rely on guts and observation. Taking into their experience with people and stakeholders, pointing straight at their target, and never look back.

However, one cannot discredit the book smart. They are trained with the most updated tools and skills that very useful in the business. Tools and skills they received in business schools or any training center will add the value and able to compete with the street smart. Plus, they are trained in pitching and negotiating, together with compelling writing technique to woo the financier. These book smart leverage on careful study and thorough research in making their business decision.

Well, i want to add up another group. I think, we should have more of this. A hybrid of street smart and book smart. A combination, a synchronization and a unique mixed that has the tools and skills of book smart with spirit and ingenuity of street smart. Surely such mixture will create wonders. Imagine the decision making process will be amplified at large and the guts of taking risk will be moderated by comprehensive analyzed data.

Therefore, i believe, we cant discount any of these two groups and together steered them towards becoming the third group. The street smart has to gain the paper credentials, at least to raise their level of trust. It will help them in wooing the stringent financier. The book smart must have the spirit of risk taking. Have a bit of guts and trained the guts to adapt with the bid data provided. It shall be a wonder.

I guess, the Government realized this matter. With the establishment of MaGIC and various agencies to help nurture young entrepreneurs and SMEs, we hope the hybrid will benefits us, the Rakyat with high income job, low unemployment, high innovation. Take a look at the Koreans, Kia and Hyundai. I read it in Harvard Business Review (HBR), the Koreans have the eastern work ethics, complemented with guts of the western. The hybrids are proven.

Regards

Azwan

Reunion With Old Mates

As-salam and Good Day

Alhamdulillah, today i honored an invitation of my good friend. A learned lady that always surprised me with her believe, conviction and honesty.

At first, i was a bit intimidated by the patrons who came. Some i know, many i forget. I believe most have been successful in their life. I pray Allah S.W.T will grant me ease and success.

The event was organized by German Alumni Association of Malaysia. Although technically i am not one of them, but their openness and appreciation of the brethren spirit is indeed strong. I am honored to be at least their associate member.

I happened to met an old friend of mine from INTEC time. Pok Cik will always be Pok Cik. I admire his spirit and tenacity. We talked about old time, discuss about current time and respecting our future aspiration.

Overall, it is a good and noble event. I've been notified by my good lady friend that proceed from this event will be channeled to an orphanage home and In shaa Allah, the GAAM leadership will meet them tomorrow and assist the unfortunate for the preparation of Eid and life. What a noble spirit and i urge others to become as noble as them. I pray the GAAM spirit to be steadfast and continue the good work for the betterment of Ummah and Nation.

As for my lady friend, i pray for her success in the future. This evening reunion is indeed bring up the memory. I always consider her as my sparing partner. In UNIRAZAK, she showed her spirit of not easily succumb to problems. She always at the forefront of facing her problems and triumph them in a big way. Currently she is a key member in one of the biggest foreign islamic bank in Malaysia. I always seek her advice professionally and personally. She indeed didnt disappoint me when the time comes. Although some time, we had our disagreement on certain issues, she is the one who professionally let them go past by. What a blessing.

Anyway, i should write something about other stuffs. Some might complain that my entries are not reflecting the word practical centrist. In shaa Allah, when the time come, i'll write it.

To GAAM, keep up the good work and May Allah grant you ease and steadfast in your cause.

Regards

Azwan

A Sad Day For Malaysia

As-salam and Good Day to all,

I was having a conversation with my friend last night over some stuffs, when we heard the tragic "mass murder" committed by the perpetrator to our flight MH17.

I am still shocked until this moment. I cant believe the fact that we have to endure yet another tragedy after MH370. The last incident has rocked our nation's core and up to this moment, millions and hours have been spent to locate the unfortunate aircraft. Although, we are far from locating the MH370, we have to be positive and believe that one day, we will find the answer that we were looking for.

However, MH17 is a totally different story. We have seen the pictures, listen to the news and analysis, nothing can describe our confusion over this matter. I cant believe the emotional breakdown suffered by the passenger's family members, surely in the month of Holy Ramadan and just only less than 10 days, the Eid, the shock and disbelieve is beyond our normal reach. I pray to Allah S.W.T to grant the victim's family ease, strength and Iman. In shaa Allah, by is returning to Him and diligently seek His guidance and blessing, we will find calm and "cold for our eyes"

I am with our PM Najib with this tragedy. Yes, and by Allah S.W.T, we will not rest , we will not leave any stones unturned until we catch the perpetrator and bring them to justice. I urge the international community to give full support and access to the site and together we will do justice and provide some comfort, even a little to the victim's family members.

Us, the Malaysian, we must be united and pledge to be together in riding out from this tragedy. It is a sad sad year for us. But we must show perseverance, patience and unyielding believe in Allah, the All-Mighty. This is a test to our nation, a test of reality, a test of unity, a test of humanity. May Allah S.W.T grant us ease and calm and we came out stronger, united and compassionate.

I hope that the public will calm down and exercise our rational and intellect. Indeed Malaysian Airline System (MAS) is one of the biggest loser from this unfortunate and barbaric incident. However, we must not blatantly shot down MAS with just this fact. I urge the Government and Khazanah, to seriously look into MAS post-MH17. Double blow for MAS is regrettable, yet to ensure the continuity of our national pride and the future of thousands of MAS employees, Khazanah must play active role. 

Last but not least, with us facing this tragic crisis, we must be steady and preserve our solidarity for our brethren in Gaza, Palestin. Where here we are facing an injustice to our citizens and asset, there in the street of Gaza, the prolong injustice and inhuman treatment by the Zionist to the Palestinian also need unyielding attention. May Allah S.W.T grant us steadfast in our cause in Palestine and In Shaa Allah, He grant us a win.

Regards

Azwan

Why I Steered My Ship Onto Different Route?

As-salam and a very good iftar to all of my friends and readers.

In my experience, many time i was asked why (in the name of All-Mighty Al-Malik) i recuse myself in pursuing a career in Engineering field,after recieved huge investment by the Government  of Malaysia (read: JPA) and significant 6 years (2 + 4 years, A-levels + Degree) spent.

In any correct, conservative and normal's person mind, such decision is a sure die and ridiculous.

I have my reasons, part of it due to my enlightenment on my real talent and interest. I found out that during my bachelor degree time in UNITEN, i was too, i mean excessively and intentionally, involved in many student activity. I established my name in the ruling circle of the university, be it the Management or the Student itself. I love what i am doing, and i was very good at it (at least i believe it is)

Even though, currently part of heart do regret on my decision back then, i cant live with that such grudge and disappointment forever. I believe also, due to my decision also, the person that you know now, the writer of this article, the man that spoke, eat, laugh and cry with you now, is EXIST.

I am what i am and who i am due to the same decision back in 2005. One shall look at the positive side of it, and work hard and diligently to erase or supersede the sadness resulted, by making new and remarkable result.

Praise of Allah S.W.T, due to His grace and guidance, i landed a job at a Government agency, although it was a contractual basis, with annual review, i managed to score well in the eyes of my supervisor. I was given chances that i never dreamt of before. I was given and honored with an excellence award, and recognized as one of two experts on certain things, within the Ministry.

During my stint with the Government, i decided to further my study. This time, i know that i have to choose program that reflect better my talent and interest. I was accepted to enroll in the MBA program at Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNIRAZAK). There, Alhamdulillah, i fulfill my target and successfully scored A at every subject. I love everything about my MBA time. I dont mind of working and studying at the same time. My life was simple yet meaningful. I worked at the office from 8.30am to 5.30 pm every weekdays and quickly drove my car to UNIRAZAK for the classes. That is my life for 20 months.I had good support eco-system, my bosess supported me and encouraged me to excel in my studies, my classmates (Abg Zahrain, Sis Sum, Iman, Amani, Jim, Tyron), they always be with me, discussing, debating and together compete healthily in the classroom.

After i graduated, i changed job. From Government sector to private sector. I have a short stint at Aminvestment Services Berhad. There, i was exposed with the pros and cons of private sector. I embraced the difference and tried my best to excel. Even i cant imagine, that one day, i was the person entrusted to write a Board of Director's memo for the Board meeting and representing the company in discussion with global bank like State Street Bank.

Shortly after that, i was offered a place as a consultant in one of renowned boutique management consultant firm in KL. I was exposed in Public-Private Partnership, PFI, Financial Models and various management consultant's tools and lingo (jargons). I experienced first hand on how to deal with clients that demanded the consultant to make them instant millions and so on.

Yes, then i decided to pursue my professional certification. I received support from my parents and friend. Alhamdulillah, i managed to bag one. An addition to confirm my MBA knowledge and skills. Allah S.W.T granted me with the CIMA designation, which i proudly wear it as batch of honor. In shaa Allah, i will get the ACMA CGMA designation in the near future.

I believe in doing things that you love the most, articulate and improvised it to make it as a career. In shaa Allah, He will grant me the ease and success, if i continue to seek His guidance and blessing. I always said to others "What is the point doing something that dont love??". I hope i answer the big question now....

A Little Bit About Yours Truly

Assalam,

It has been a while for me to write/blog. Previously, i blogged for a person, specifically an act to impress a person. Guess what, it failed, thus the termination of my previous blog.

My previous blog has a special place in my heart. It can be considered as my entire chronicle of me and my C1-1-7 hommies. Yup, we were great, we felt indestructible, we were invincible. C1-1-7 is an apartment in UNITEN, but for us, it was a White House.

Even UNITEN's regulation stated that an apartment in Cendikawan shall has not more than 4 students, the house hosted almost 6-7 students. We are brothers. Syafeeq, Masen, Mijie, Dunca, Pacat, me and sometime Faliq joined us.

In my previous blog, besides the story of special someone, filled with our brotherhood stories. One time, we nicknamed our brotherhood according to the Third Reich leadership. We have Fuhrer, we Goering, Goebbles, and many others. We were young and silly. We came out with the idea after the Fuhrer, Syafeeq brought us of a movie, starred Tom Cruise, called Valkyrie. One of the most stupid thing we done is the Nazi salute at Syafeeq or any clips from the History Channel on the Third Reich. I still remember, we were at our first hide-out, an eatery in Sungai Ramal, Kajang, we were enjoying our decent Roti Canai and Teh Tarik, suddenly a clip of the Nazi procession in the tele, automatically we stood up and did the Nazi Salute.

Regarding my previous blog also, we detailed some of the Fuhrer life as The Student Representative Council (SRC). What we did, what we talked about, What were our strategies in dealing with many of UNITEN's issues and problems.

It was a great moment for us. Now, we are all adults, Many of us have been married and blessed with beautiful childrens, who we love all of them us uncle. We love each other, the hommies. Many of us, even though many years have passed, still calling in, checking on each other. Alhamdulillah, all of our hommies now are successful in both family and career. I am so proud of them and hopefully, i will join them in the league of successful man. Owh yeah, im still struggling with my career and i am still single, but dont worry, In Shaa Allah, Ar-Rahman All Mighty will grant us the rezeki, providing we seek His assistance and believe that all Banu Adam has the rezki

So as an introduction to this new blog, i believe that i honor it with a short story of my previous blog and why it is an important fabric of my colorful life. I hope this new site, will encourage me to write more and share with you all, some of my stories, my adventure, my believes and also MY HOPE for the future. In Shaa Allah.

May Allah grant us ease and barokah in our daily life.

May Peace Be Upon You,

Azwan O.