put the glass down...^^

Assalamualaikum...wah, it is a long time since march 2011 I do not write anything.. Just update my malay blog, until I forget to update "The Blue Sky". I miss to write in English..

So, my first post after 7 months is "put the glass down".. ^^ hope we can get the value of this short story..I start with:

A professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see and asked the students, 'How much do you think this glass weighs?'

'50 gms!'... '100 gms!'... '125 gms' ... the students answered.

'I really don't know unless I weigh it,' said the professor, 'but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?'

'Nothing' the students said.

'Ok! What would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?' the professor asked.

'Your arm would begin to ache', said one of the students.

'You are right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?'

'Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress and paralysis and have to go to hospital for sure!' ventured another student; and all the students laughed.

'Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?' asked the professor.

'No'

'Then what caused the arm ache and the muscle stress?' The students were puzzled.

'Put the glass down!' said one of the students.

'Exactly!' said the professor. 'Life's problems are something like this. Hold it for a few minutes in your head and they seem okay. Think of them for a long time and they begin to ache. Hold it even longer and they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything'.

'It's important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life, but EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is to have trust in Allah (SWT) and to 'put them down' at the end of every day before you go to sleep. That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh and strong and can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!'

So, as it becomes time for you to leave office today, Remember friend to 'PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY' and have tranquility by putting trust in Almighty Allah (SWT).

Noble Qur'an says: "He it is who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they might have more faith added to their faith". (48:4) Tranquility is sign of strong faith while worries and stress is sign of weak faith.

Tell to your mind every day before you go to sleep: "YAA AYYATUHAN NAFSUL MUTMAINNAH, IRJI'II ILAA RABBIKI RADHIYATAN MARDHIYYAH, FADKHULII FII IBAADII WADKHULII JANNATII". (Al-Fajr 89:27-30)

"O soul that is at rest satisfied. Return to your Lord well-pleased (with Him), well-pleasing (Him). So, enter among My servants, and enter into my Paradise" Noble Qur'an.

p/s: enjoy each moment without forgetting Him. Don't hold your problems..It will caused you stress.. be happy dear! (^_^)

coming back! (^_^)

in the name of Allah Most Gracious and the Most Merciful..

alhamdullilah, with His blessing, I'm still here, smiling and never give up and keep on going.. even sometimes, life seem so hard but always remember, we have Him..He always be there for us..

last 28th February, it was our last day in BeST programme 2011. we might see each other on our graduation day maybe in June 2011. alhamdullilah, so many experiences that I have learned from them.. Allah gives me opportunities to see and learn from all my friends in BeST Programme.. It is very valuable for me.. Thank You Ya Allah...

I stop writing for February 2011.. and now I start it again in March..(^_^) February was a busy month for us as BeST trainee.. business plan, financial plan, think thank 2011 competition and many more..wow, it was stressful. but now it's nice to remember.. and on 28th Feb, my group "The Chosen One" won one of the category.. Alhamdullilah.. It was our victory.. thank you dear friends.. and Ya Allah, Thank You..

oraitz, have to go.. see ya!

may Allah bless all of us and be happy always.. assalamualaikum..(^_^)

Dr. Roland Xavier - make it simple and easy!

in the name of Allah Most Gracious and the Most Merciful..

"how are you today?" usually we will reply, "I'm fine" but now, change it..please answer " I feel brand new". and when they ask, "are you ready?" answer, " I am born ready". words and intonation play roles in boosting your spirit early in the morning. And SMILE! =)

last Friday, 7th Jan we were discussing a case study about "Nothing unique to Offer". It is all about George Vasquez who wants to open a pizzeria near the local university. The problem is the area has 3 pizza enterprises already and each of them has their strong point and uniqueness. So our job was to consult him and give him some advises. Each group came out with some solutions. And some of them were good and some must be improved.

In the way to build a business, we must know the market tread, customer need and serendipity.

There are several ideas of sources for business idea such as:

1. You have to examine your own skill set for business idea. Don't discount yourself.

2. keep up with current issue and be ready to take advantage of business opportunities.

3. invent a new product or services

4. add value to an existing product

5. investigate other markets outside of Malaysia

6. improve an existing product or service

7. get on the bandwagon

beside this, Dr Roland also taught us about NABC

N- NEED ( the important customer and market need)

A- APPROACH (a unique,compelling approach)

B- BENEFITS (the customer value)

C- COMPETITION or alternative

before starting up your business, these are the aspects must be considered.

So,good luck! see ya!

doodling.. =)

Alhamdullilah, we meet again and have the chance to repent.. Allahuakbar... today post about doodling.. I miss my childhood.. we used to be very expressive and creative..But when we are getting older, we become too secretive and passive..

On 4th Jan, Prof asked us to doodling,just draw what ever in our mind. let your hand drive you.. And, THIS is my drawing.. I'm not sure why I drew it but all what I know is, this is myself. It represent my heart and attitude.

Actually, Prof said, this is one of the method of idea getting. some of them are using word association,career excursion, direct analogy and others.

and we also can solve the problem through your drawing by eliminating some of the elements in your drawing such as black colour or block.

so, try it.. maybe it will help you in your way. see ya!

cooking times with creativity!!

Thanks to Allah, with His blessing and guidance, we are able to live our life happily and cheerfully.

4 days with Prof Barjoyai, it was awesome!! What the best thing about Prof, you don't condemn and encourage us to think creative. Even some of the ideas are not relevant, but he always trust us..This is the Principle.. "all wrong ideas are creative ideas and good ideas". He planted it into our mind and now, we feel free to think about something that maybe out of the norm. BUT, as Muslim, we know what is allow and what is forbidden for us right? It is okay to be creative but please be creative in the way of ISLAM. These are the activities that we have done with our beloved trainer.. =)

After mix up all the ingredients, ready to put in the microwave..ikkezo!!( let's go)

we were excited preparing "nasi beriani" in the Beriani Rice Cooker.. It is small container, but you can have instant "nasi Beriani" in less than 30 mins!!! wow, most of us will try it Prof. And it taste not bad.. =) smile friends!

This is the bread factory@ maker..We made basic bread with this and it took about almost 4 Hours! And the best thing about thing device is we can choose type of bread that we want.. Most of us never seen it and its great!

negotiation and you...

On 22^nd and 23^rd of December 2010, we met Mr. Hisham again on The Art of Negotiation session. We were taught about the skills to negotiate with other and it was awesome. Thumbs up!

According to the notes that given to us, first step before you want to negotiate, please get know the REAL you. Know your personality (extrovert or introvert), family background, and view towards challenges, failures and success. And also get know the parties that you want to negotiate. Gather the information about their culture and background. In real world, actually everybody negotiates. Before we further on, what is NEGOTIATION? Negotiation is "to discuss with the goal of finding terms of agreement." Unfortunately, nowadays, many people interpret negotiation as being the skill of persuading other people to accept their point of view. Is it? Answer it to yourself.

There are 2 primary types of negotiation. First is DISTRIBUTIVE NEGOTIATION. It is known as fixed pie. Parties will compete over distribution of a fixed sum of value. In the real world of negotiations, two parties face off with the goal of getting as much as possible. For example, the seller wants to go after the best price they can obtain, while the buyer wants to pay the lowest price to achieve the best bargain. It's really just good old plain haggling, just like playing a tug of war. In this type of negotiation, information plays an important role.

There are several tips to seal this kind of negotiation which are:

• Start of the right price

• Do not disclose significant information

• Know the information about the other parties

• Exploit what you learn about the other party in setting your first demand

• Don’t overshoot

Second type is INTEGRATIVE NEGOTIATION. Integrative means to join several parts into a whole. Conceptually, this implies some cooperation, or a joining of forces to achieve something together. It is usually involves a higher degree of trust and a forming of a good relationship. Both parties want to achieve something which has value by getting what each wants. Ideally, it is a twofold process and it is often described as the win-win situation. Both parties will gained many advantages when they take a cooperative approach to mutual problem solving by using creative problem solving methods.

For sealing the integrative negotiation deal, you should:

• Provide significant info on their circumstances

• Explain why they want to make a deal

• Talk about the real interest and business constraints

• Reveal in general terms the preferences among issues and options.

• Consider any additional capabilities or resources that might meet other side interest

• Use what learn to find creative options.

Now, come to the fundamental concepts in skilled negotiation.

• Know your BATNA (Best Alternative To Negotiated Agreement)- you have to know what to do if the negotiation fail and able to make best decision.

• Reservation price – it is a least favorable point at which one will accept a deal.

• ZOPA (Zone Of Possible Agreement) - set of agreement that potentially satisfy both parties.

• Value creation through trades – good exchanged had only modest value to their original holders but exceptional value to the new owners.

As a negotiator, play the game well by:

- Getting the other side to the negotiation table

- Making a good start. For example, express respect for the other’s side experience and expertise.

- Establish the right tone

- Do active listening

- Close the deal

- Frequently asked question.

So, play well and keep practicing dear. Be an effective negotiator and win the best deal. But remember this, in Islamic perspective, it is not about winning the deal. It is useless if you win the situation by cheating or tricks. Be honest, and all we want is only “BARAQAH” from Him. He will lead us to right path. I end up my post with this prayer…

“O Allah! Put affection amongst our hearts, set right our matters between ourselves, guide us to the ways of peace, save us from the darknesses towards the light, save us from all kinds of indecency; the apparent as well as the hidden, and give us barakah in our hearing, our seeing, our hearts, our spouses, our children, and turn in mercy upon us. Indeed You are the One who greatly accepts repentance, One who is repeatedly Merciful.” (Al- Hakim)

be CREATIVE!

Bismillahirahmanirahim,

Alhamdulillah, we meet again. Thanks to Him, give us one more chance to ask His forgiveness and enjoy our life. Almost all the time we forgot to show our appreciation and grateful. First month end yesterday. After had been ‘brain washed’ by Madam Sita, Madam Liza and Miss Nani, my friends and I have come with new spirit in blogging. Sorry for not being such a good trainee. But I know we will try to improve.

Second module for second month in Best 2010. Today is our first day, learning about creativity and innovation with Prof. Barjoyai Bin Bardai. First thing that I have noticed today is every second, our mind keep thinking and make thousand of decisions without we realize it. It’s true. Second, do not judge too early cause you may kill the ideas of other person and make them down.

We were introduced about IQ (intelligence), EQ (emotional), CQ (creativity), SQ (spiritual), and PQ (entrepreneurship). All these aspects must balance in ourselves. IQ has been inherited from parents but others you have develop by your own. For me, it is useless if you have high IQ, PQ, and CQ level but your EQ and SQ are low. You are superb with data and facts but when comes in dealing with feeling, you fail to face it wisely.

Our first topic is about creativity and innovation. At first, some of us thought that this topic was too heavy and suppress our mind. But actually not at all. We enjoy our class today. It is interesting when we know there are so many new inventions out there and sometimes it looks weird and out of norm. But actually, that is CREATIVE. Something that is out of context and some people may say that it’s impossible.

So, what is creativity? How we know that we are creative enough? The definition of creativity is the ability to discover new relationship, to look at subjects from new perspective and to form new combination from two or more concepts that already in the mind. During the process, mind will re-arrange and associate all the knowledge and experiences in new ways. It is process of blending of knowledge, imagination and evaluation.

How about innovation? A convenient definition of innovation is the successful introduction of a new thing or method. It is also known as embodiment, combination, or synthesis of knowledge in valued new products. For example, Alexander Graham Bell was the inventor of telephone, and after that, other people improved the design of telephone and the function. During that era, telephone was only used to voice call but now, there are video call, wiFi and many more. Alexander Graham Bell was a creative person and the persons that improved his product were innovative. They upgrade the value of invention.

But sometimes, when we try to be creative or in other word, being different from others and norm, people will call us weirdo, nerd or alien and look at us like we are criminal. Actually all this is based on the thinking paradigm. According to Edward De Bono, human being has developed their “logic bubble” in mind through experiences and knowledge. When they find some new things that are not install in their logic bubble, their will reject it. In this logic bubble, there are 5 aspects that are considered which are culture, way of life, basic perception, norms and regulations. This bubble is covered by EGO. It is important to have ego to have pride and self important but you have to control it.

So, to be creative, you have to know the concept of creative thinking. The paradox in creative thinking is:

CREATIVE IDEAS = NEW IDEAS = WRONG IDEAS

Hence, ALL NEW IDEAS = WRONG IDEAS = STRANGE IDEAS

All new ideas are wrong because it does not fit to logic base in our mind, and never been accepted before. And all new ideas are good ideas because it is basic spirit in creative thinking. So, all new ideas are creative ideas.

Today session made us open our mind. Don’t be afraid to be creative. Think out of box. People may laugh at you but we never know what will happen in future. Maybe you will the one that smile to them back. Who know? So, keep moving. Try your hard to contribute something to the world.

May Allah bless us and see ya!