Building Self Esteem | Self Development Resource

Bring up the self confidence in your child

2009-09-15T08:33:00.000+08:00

9 September 2009

CHILDWISE
By RUTH LIEW

Children need to be emotionally prepared to go to kindergarten.

I AM a 28-year-old mother of two boys, aged three and five. I am having a challenging time with my older boy who refuses to go to school. When he was four, I enrolled him in a kindergarten. He enjoyed his time there even though we had difficulty getting him to school in the morning. He would cry and protest.

When it comes to concerts and sports day, my son would refuse to participate. This made me very sad. He was the only one who cried.

Five schools participated in these events. No other children cried like my son. He bawled and I felt embarrassed in front of hundreds of parents and students. I acted positively when he cried. I did not scold him in front of others and tried my best to coax him to join the crowd. People who gathered around us ridiculed me but I did not relent. I was determined to help my son fit in.

Later I took him out of the kindergarten because I felt he was not making any progress. I got feedback from the teachers that he liked to do things of his choice. He appeared to be in a world of his own.

Since stopping school, he has not been doing much at home. Every night, I would teach him the alphabet and numbers. I find that he gives up easily and is not persistent. He still tells me that he hates school because he does not like his teachers and schoolmates.

I want the best for him but I do not know how to motivate him. Next year, he will be six. He will need to attend kindergarten.

I am worried about sending him to another kindergarten as he may face the same problems. – Mother of Two

Every child has a different personality and temperament. Some children warm up easily, while others find it hard to adapt to a new environment. There are children who are cheerful workers while others would rather be left alone to do their own thing.

As they grow, children learn and make mistakes. At times, they’ll find it hard to deal with the challenges ahead for numerous reasons. As the school programme is packed with more activities during the second year, your son may find it hard to keep up with the demands, compared with the first year.

Going to school needs preparation. The crying and protests in the mornings are part of your child’s fears and insecurities. Unlike his peers, he does not warm up easily in groups. It is his individual style of doing things

Respect your son as an individual with his own likes and dislikes. Once he feels acknowledged for what he can do and not made to feel inadequate, he will start to show signs of school readiness.

Come up with home lessons to prepare him for learning the alphabet, numbers, colours, shapes, art and craft and even preschool songs. Do role-playing with your boys. Children feel more confident when they know the right words to use in various situations.

Young children are constantly learning and growing. Your son may take some time to be school-savvy and sociable. Meanwhile, you must be proud of what he is presently capable of.

Do not feel embarrassed by your son’s behaviour. You will be surprised that there are many children who are struggling with school attendance. Their parents yell at them and punish them without trying to understand their disposition. Stay positive with your son.

Spend time talking about the things he likes in school rather than asking him whether he wants to go back to school. He needs to work out his role in school as well as learn to accept other people. Once he is prepared and confident, he will be able to take the first step in going to school by himself.

Boost Confidence and Self Esteem of your Teenager

2009-08-27T01:52:00.001+08:00

Adolescence is probably the most awkward years for your teenagers. When a child reaches this age, he or she faces many changes and challenges. It was much easier when they were younger because parents have total control over their children but as babies grow up to become teenagers and just developing the mind to think for themselves.

Teenagers want to try new things and they are increasingly prepared to meet the challenges head on what is scary, but most parents are the facts that all the new things are good and that all challenges are for to be attacked. Parents are careful not to be interfering because at this stage teenagers want to prove themselves so they think that the resistance of their parents is cool.

It is indeed a difficult situation but one sure way a parent can be of assistance to a young person is to help youth build confidence and self esteem. A boy of high self-esteem and confidence have an advantage over those who are easily swayed by the crowd who can not defend themselves against people who just want to manipulate them into bad decisions or to things that are bad for them.

Parents should be able to teach their young people come in all shapes and sizes that way they will be able to be more tolerant of their physical attributes and would also be non-judgmental of others. Encourage them to join in activities where the playing field is equal. Sport is an excellent way to develop social skills and your teen a chance to excel. A teenager with good social skills would be able to treat all types of people and situations. Excelling in anything can strengthen the confidence of a young and self-esteem.

Adolescents should earn their self-esteem, because that way they will not abandon it like that. Parents can support this effort by giving consistently well deserved and genuine praise. While parents may not be there all the way, they must always be ready to lend a hand when their teenagers need a hand to hold. For sure there will be failures along the way, but a little failure is always a good sign. What is most important is to teach them resilience.

Parents are not intended to protect their children against the pain and discomfort, but rather for them to ensure they go through the pain and discomfort, then doing well. Make sure it is clear that you will never abandon anything. Give them the vote of confidence they can manage the situation because it is the only way to show respect to their independence.

As much as parents want to be their number one dear leaders in a manner strong belief in your quiet teenagers will have more impact. Reality Bites, we all know this, but still there is always room to move forward.

Hopefully these things will guide parents in making life easier for themselves and their adolescent children. Nobody said that it will be an easy walk, but as in any other case, we can always find ways to make things lighter for us and everyone around us.

Improve Self Esteem

2009-08-23T16:01:00.006+08:00

Developing self esteem is very important to everyone. Efforts to improve self-esteem can be conscious or unconscious. It simply means that some people actively pursue the objective of raising their own anger, while others tend to increase their self-esteem without knowing it. It is important to know what areas of your life you just want to improve. In this way, you are not simply external indicators to achieve your goal.

The problem is not all people know how to improve their self-esteem. In fact, it is easier for most people to ruin their self-esteem than to build. Unconsciously, we tend to reduce the negative image of oneself in thought. There is nothing like a negative thought to reduce or even destroy our own image.

Here are some tips on how to improve self-esteem:

Make a list of all your accomplishments

One of the best ways to improve self-esteem is to make an inventory of all your achievements. Be honest when you write the list. This way you will get an objective view of your skills and abilities. Also this way you can gain insight on areas of your life need improvement.

Make an effort to improve weaknesses

After making a list of all your achievements and your weaknesses, after the discovery, the next thing you need to do is try to improve your weaknesses. The resolutions are not only applicable during the start of the year. You can make a resolution at any time of year.

One of the biggest concerns of people who made resolutions is how to adhere to the resolution. As everyone probably knows, most New Year resolutions are broken in March, sometimes even earlier.
To adhere to resolutions, we must strive to change one or several things at once. Promising to change many things at once, as you prepare for the failure. Start and small and few and you will be surprised to discover that your life changes already.

Set clear objectives

For you to achieve a certain goal, you must first be able to formulate clearly. If you want to lose weight for example, do not just say you want to have a flat stomach or a small size. Say rather that you want to waist 28 inches and I want to lose 10 pounds.

The advantage of having set clear goals and it would be easier for you to follow your progress. It would also be easier for you to create the best strategies to achieve the goal faster. If you have any goals of fire, you'll be amazed at the way things seem to fall into place. Each case, each person you meet will help you achieve your goal.

Play a game

Some games have the potential to raise self-esteem. This is particularly effective with children. The games are effective in building self-esteem through them because children can assess their abilities and skills. The games can also improve the skills that children already have.

Remember that life is a journey

It is said that the journey is more important than the destination. The same is true with life. So enjoy anywhere at the moment and we believe that life would improve.

Nurturing high self-esteem

2009-08-12T02:43:00.001+08:00

Each year, awards such as Grammy and Academy Awards are given to actors, directors and producers of films and performances that have entertained the general public. One of the people always thanked for becoming what it is today is the parents.

The reason why people are always given gratitude because if not for the hard work and values that have been granted, it would be impossible for an individual to become one of the brightest stars in Hollywood .

This suggests that, except that the person looks is another thing that was given to the self-esteem that also shows confidence.

There are many ways to build self-esteem high. While others use tools for self-help made by specialists or to attend counseling sessions, sometimes the only thing that the person must do is believe in yourself.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has probably been in this life is good in some areas and above average in others. Those who have a gift of something to make the most of it at the same time, work on those who need a little improvement to become someone better.

Secondly, as Aerosmith said "life is a journey not a destination, and nobody can say what tomorrow brings." Yes, people are waking up to a whole new light. The day before the month of May were very bad, but you can always learn from your mistakes and try again.

The upper part of building self-esteem is taking risks. By having a clear objective of what the person wants to do, which increases the chances of success in any effort of May to continue. This is a whole lot better than waiting to see what happens.

Thinking positive is also another factor in building self-esteem high. Life is a risk that they are optimistic of the outcome, whatever the person wants May to increase the chances of success rather than failure.

Having high self-esteem is something that can also be given to others, just like how it was given by the parents of a child. With a good attitude, others perceive the individual as a role of the person and also do the same thing and get the same results.

One way to do this is to treat everyone with respect. It does not matter if that person is a guardian or one of the patrons. Ultimately, everyone is the same.

It is easy for people to see if someone is confident. Once the person arrives in the room and a firm handshake and a smile, that sense of aura itself is something worthwhile.

Confident people are not born. These people are taken. One of the qualities that make a good leader is able to talk and sometimes listen to them. There are things that people are not aware and be able to learn something new the other is always a good thing.

The world does not revolve around the person, it is in the opposite direction. People have to adapt and be sensitive to the needs of others. For the practice of each of these things every day, the person will become very successful which is known by a term known charismatic.

Let the fear past...

2009-08-04T10:52:00.000+08:00

“Every time we choose safety, we reinforce fear.”

- Cheri Huber

7 Habits of Highly Successful People

2009-08-03T12:50:00.000+08:00

Our character is a collection of our habits, and habits plays an important part of our lives. Habits consist of knowledge, skills and desire. Knowledge allows us to know what to do, skill gives us the ability to know how to do it, and desire is the motivation to do so.

The seven habits we move through the following steps:

1. Dependence: the paradigm in which we were born, relying on others to take care of us.

2. Independence: the paradigm in which we can make our own decisions and take care of ourselves.

3. Interdependence: the paradigm in which we cooperate to achieve something that can not be achieved independently.

I suggest you to nurture the following 7 habits of Highly Successful People in yourself:

1) Make money.

2) Make some more money.

3) Make lots more money.

4) Make even more money.

5) Keep making money.

6) Don't stop making money.

7) Repeat 1-7.

Be creative and make money

2009-05-13T10:12:00.000+08:00

Turn creative ideas into money

KUALA LUMPUR: Creative multimedia developers stand to win RM1mil worth of grants at the MSC Malaysia Intellectual Property Creators Challenge (IPCC) 2009.

IPCC organiser Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) will give out 26 grants in the competition’s four categories — animation, computer games, digital interactive comics and mobile games.

The RM1mil total is a slight increase from that during the past three years that the competition has been running. Previously the grants totalled about 870,000 per year.

This year, there are six RM50,000 grants for the animation category, five RM50,000 grants for computer games, five RM50,000 grants for mobile games, and 10 RM20,000 grants for digital interactive comics.

IPCC is in an initiative by MDeC that aims to unearth creative content. It expects 360 entries this year — an increase of 20% from last year.

Saifol Bahri, vice-president of MDeC, said the entries can be as simple as a concept put on paper, with a few accompanying visuals.

Out of these initial entries, 51 participants will be chosen to make a pitch to local industry players in mid-July.

These will then be whittled down to 26 participants, who will be given grants to develop their paper concepts into prototypes over five months.

There is an added bonus exclusively for those who receive grants in the animation category — they will get a chance to make a pitch to a panel of regional industry players next year.

MDeC hopes to extend this bonus to the other categories in the near future .

Stepping stone

Saifol hopes that the annual event will act as a launching pad for local talent in developing content that can meet global expectations.

“Last year’s animation winning team, Roaring Tin Toys, has attracted interest from satellite TV and production company Astro Bhd,” he said.

“Astro was impressed with the team’s winning clip about ghost-hunting superheroes, called Ghoul Smashing Quarters, and are currently in talks with Roaring Tin Toys.”

That year’s runner-up team in the animation category, Insipidea Sdn Bhd, has been shortlisted by internationally-known Cartoon Network for a co-production deal, said Saifol who declined to elaborate.

He said it is time for the local creative multimedia industry to move up a gear because there is a huge global market for the taking, estimated to be worth about US$780bil (RM2.6 trillion).

There is also a lot of space for revenue growth locally, according to him. “Revenue from Malaysian creative multimedia was RM2.4bil in 2007, we hope to hit RM3bil by 2010,” he said.

Those interested in competing in IPCC 2009 should send a brief story outline and accompanying visuals to submitipcc@mdec.com.my.

Participants must be college graduates or working professionals. The closing date for entries is July 12. For more information, surf to www.msc.com.my.

MDeC is caretaker of the MSC Malaysia initiative.

Remove the barriers

2009-04-15T09:06:00.000+08:00

by Azizi Ali

"Want to know how to multiply your turnover 10 times, increase your profits by 500% and get rid of your competitors - all at the same time?" an acquaintance asked me the other day.

Hey, when someone comes along spouting such words, even yours truly can't help but be interested. "What do you have in mind?" I asked.

"Well, I know a way you can do all that with just one stroke," he smiled widely.

Wow! This was getting better by the minute. My eyes lit up.

"All you have to do is lobby the government to raise the tax on impoted books," he grinned.

"Once that happens - you've got it made. The imported books will be so much more expensive that few people can afford to buy them. That means they will have to buy local books only. Your sales will shoot up!"

He went on, "But that's not the beauty of it all. What's even better is that you can then raise your prices without doing any improvement whatsoever to your product. This will increase your profits automatically. Isn't that wonderful?"

That nearly floored me. I looked into his eyes. He was grinning proudly as if he had given me the secrets to eternal happiness, sexual gratification and harmony in the afterlife.

I did not know whether to laugh or cry or kick him in the groin. What I did know was that I wanted to put as much distance between us as quickly as possible. Had a 747 been parked nearby, I would have cranked the engines and flown into the sunset right there and then. But I attempted a retort.

"No, it's not a wonderful thing." I told him. As expected, his jaw dropped and his eyes rolled. "In fact, it will be one of the worst things to happen to this country."

"Why do you say that? Don't you want to make more money?"

"Of course I do. Trade barriers, protection and unfair taxes have never worked in the history of the world. While it may appear to have short-term benefits, it will do serious damage in the long run."

"While the idea behind protecting local industries is good - to give them breathing space - in reality, the reverse happens. Because of the absence of competition, the industries have little desire to improve productivity and quality. They just sit back and enjoy the big fat profits. Now, this may go on for years, but eventually it will all come crumbling down. Eventually, they willhave to pay the piper. It may take 10, 20 or even 50 years, but fall, they will. And when they fall, they have a long way to fall."

"Case in point - communism."

"Yes, of course, I want to increase my turnover and profits. But I want to do so by being good. I want people to buy my books because they want to, not because they have no other choice. I want to be hired because I am good, not because of my looks, my race or my religion. While there will be folks who will welcome such gifts with open arms, and indeed grab them in a split second, I'm not one of them. As long as you are protected, the best you can be is a 'jaguh kampung'. And I have no intention of being that."

He was breathing hard. Finally, he declared, "You're too idealistic!" before storming off into the shadows.

I wanted to tell him that only only the strong would survive in this world. And you only become strong with competition.

Competition will ensure that you remain on your toes, get your better, innovate, reduce your cost, be creative, be resourceful and grow. And that's how you grow big, strong and rock the world.

The only way Malaysia is going to make waves is to have world-class products, services and ideas. That has been the success factor in the past thousand years and that's the way it's going to be in the next thousand.

So, remove the barriers and let the flight begin. No one owes us anything.

Know your Customer 1st!!!

2009-03-04T08:35:00.000+08:00

A disappointed salesman of Coca Cola returns from his Middle East assignment.

A friend asked, "Why weren't you successful with the Arabs?"

The salesman explained, "When I got posted in the Middle East , I was very confident that I would make a good sales pitch as Cola is virtually unknown there.
But, I had a problem I didn't know to speak Arabic. So, I planned to convey the message through three posters...

First poster - A man lying in the hot desert sand...totally exhausted and fainting.
Second poster - man is drinking our Cola.
Third poster- Our man is now totally refreshed.
Then these posters were pasted all over the place
"That should have worked," said the friend.
The salesman replied "I also didn't realize that Arabs read from right to left"

Strategic Business Blogging

2008-10-14T06:40:00.000+08:00

Click image to learn more on blogging with Wordpress.

What does Blogging Provide to Small Business?

If you have a business, you need a blog. A blog can help position you as the expert in your field. You already know a great deal about the products you sell or the services you offer. A blog gives you the opportunity to easily share that knowledge with thousands of interested people across the globe.

Blog software is easy to use. Simply write your thoughts, link to resources, and publish to your blog, all at the push of a few buttons. Blog software companies such as, Movable Type, Blogger.com and Typepad all offer easy blogging tools to get started.

Blogging is a low-cost alternative to having a web presence. For small business owners without the time to learn web html or the money to hire a designer/developer, blogging offers an inexpensive method to get your company's name out on the Internet.

Updating the weblog is a much quicker process than contacting a web designer with changes or doing the coding and uploading yourself.

Business blogs provide your small business with a chance to share your expertise and knowledge with a larger audience. A powerful benefit for consultants and knowledge workers.

Blogging's something for anyone and everyone. I can't think of anyone who can't benefit from knowing more people, never forgetting a thought again and improving on their thoughts with little or no effort.

For some blogging will be like a diary: a historical record of their thoughts at a moment in time.

For others it'll be like speed-networking. You get to know people in a shallow way and then develop a relationship.

For still others it'll be something else entirely.

Decide if entrepreneurship is for you

2008-09-11T01:18:00.002+08:00

An entrepreneur is someone who starts a new business. Starting a business involves a number of risks. It is not a comfortable path for everyone. Here is a quiz to help you decide if entrepreneurship is for you.

Rate yourself honestly on each of the following questions using this criteria:

If this is something you are missing or not good at, give yourself a -1

If you are okay in this are, give yourself a 0

If this is one of your strengths, give yourself a +1

Are you a self starter?
How well do you get along with different people?
How well do you make decisions?
Do you have the physical and emotional stamina to run a business?
How well do you plan and organize?
Is your drive strong enough to keep you motivated when the going gets rough?
Is your family supportive of you doing this?
Do you have the financial resources to keep you going for at least a year if you don't have income from the business right away?
Total

Add up your scores.

A score above 0 means you have the potential to be an entrepreneur.

A negative score means that entrepreneurship might not be the right career for you.

A score of 8 is the highest score. You have a strong potential to succeed as an entrepreneur.

Ready to give entrepreneurship a try? Learn more at Starting a Business.

Tips:

Research shows that most new businesses fail because of poor organization. Make certain that your business has someone with these skills if it is one of your weaknesses.

It is important for the people who rely on you for support to be aware of the financial and time limitations a new business may impose.

Look at what you do for fun and see if there is a way to start a new business in that field.

Check your presentation

2008-07-17T00:46:00.000+08:00

a) What are my objectives and my role?
b) What is the context of my presentation? (Audience & room size, location, time, what precedes and what follows).
c) How will I close the presentation?
d) How will I open the presentation?
e) How will I organise the body of the presentation?
f) How will I get their attention?
g) How will I keep their interest?
h) What questions will I ask?
i) What visual aids will I use?
j) How will I tailor the presentation to this audience?
k) What questions might the audience ask?
l) What notes do I need?
m) Do the audience need any form of handout?

The Path to Wealth And Success

2008-07-17T00:25:00.000+08:00

“How to make nothing but money: Discovering your hidden opportunities for wealth”, Dave Del Dotto, N.Y.

Successful people:
•   Never forget their goals and always work towards them.
•   Adapt to changing situations making decisions along the way.
•   Believe in themselves and what they are doing.
•   Do not get disheartened by other’s lack of enthusiasm for their projects or goals.
•   Spend their pennies wisely.
•   Are up-to-date with topical changes and how these will affect their business.

Ten Common Strategic Mistakes

2008-07-17T00:17:00.000+08:00

“Experience has shown that some strategic actions fail more often than they succeed. Ten examples of strategic moves that usually produce poor results are presented below:

a) Imitating the moves of leading or successful competitors when the market has no more room for copycat products and look-alike competitors.

b) Spending more money on marketing and sales promotion to try and get round problems with product quality and product performance.

c) Establishing many weak market positions instead of a few strong ones.

d) Using debt to finance cost-saving investments in new facilities and equipment, then getting trapped with high fixed costs when demand turns down, excess capacity appears, and cash flows are too small to cover interest costs and debt repayment.

e) Allocating R&D efforts to weak products instead of strong products.

f) Attacking the market leaders head-on without having either a good competitive advantage or adequate financial strength.

g) Making such aggressive attempts to take market share that rivals are provoked into a strong retaliation and costly “arm-race” struggle. Such battles seldom produce a substantial change in market shares; the usual outcome is higher costs and profitless sales growth.

h) Initiating price cuts to win added market share without having a cost advantage.

i) Going after the high end of the market without having the reputation to attract buyers looking for name brand, prestige goods.

j) Depending on cosmetic product improvements to serve as a substitute for real innovation and extra customer value.

These mistakes are usually born out of acts of desperation, poor analysis of the industry and competitive conditions, and/or misjudgements.”- from unknown source.

How to Decrease Professional Costs

2008-07-16T23:39:00.000+08:00

This is where many small business operators have the potential to throw money away. Small businesses often have less complicated needs than their larger business counterparts. This is in referring to Solicitors, Accountants, Consultants, and Advisors etc.

· Shop around, these people sell a competitive service … the price is probably negotiable. There’s no shame in asking for a cheaper price. Remember, if you don't ask ... you don't get.

· What is actually included in the chargeable time of these professionals? Understand how they charge and ensure you receive an itemised billing statement.

(Note: Many of these types of organisations offer employee bonuses based on the proportion of time that is invoiced, and it’s quite common to find more chargeable hours than attendance time)

· Always be mindful of, ‘you get what you pay for’, so work out what you intend to get.

· The scope of the services to be provided should be well defined, as a negotiated price for a poorly defined service is no different to giving the supplier an open cheque.

· Do you really need the professional service? Or could you learn how to sort your issues out yourself? What tools do you need? Have you looked into this or simply taken the easy route? Remember their hourly rates are likely to be substantially higher than yours are.

· Are you talking to the right person? People often speak to solicitors about accounting issues and vice versa, remember they charge by the minute!

· Could you use less expensive service providers i.e. debt collection agencies?

· Clarify up front what documents need to be supplied to the service provider. A billable amount for time spent searching for documents the professional never had is an easy method for them to boost billings artificially.

Teach your kids about money

2008-06-09T22:48:00.000+08:00

1. When it comes to teaching kids about money, the sooner the better.

Up until they start earning a living, kids are apt to spend money like it grows on trees. This lesson will show your kids to handle money responsibly.

Long before most children can add or subtract, they become aware of the concept of money. Any 4-year-old knows where their parents get money - the ATM, of course. Understanding that parents must work for their money requires a mature mind, and even then, the action has its wrinkles. For example, once he learned to accept that his father worked for a living, a 5-year-old asked, "How was job today?" "Fine," the father replied. The child asked again, "Did you get the money?"

2. Once they learn how money works, children often display an instinctive conservatism.

Once they learn they can buy things they want with money - e.g., candy, toys - many children will begin saving every nickel they can get their hands on. This behaviour can determine what kind of financial manager your child will be as an adult.

3. Seeds planted early bear fruit later.

It's important to work on your child's financial awareness early on, for once they're teenagers, they are less likely to seek your advice. Besides, they're busy doing other things - like spending money.

4. An allowance can be an effective teaching tool.

When your kids are young, giving them small amounts of money helps them prepare for the day when the numbers will get bigger.

5. Teenagers and college-age kids have bigger responsibilities.

Checking accounts, credit cards, and debt are as important to the college experience as books and music. Teaching high-schoolers about banking and credit will make them wiser when they leave the nest.

6. Investing should be learned early.

High schoolers can and should be taught about the market - using real money.

Lessons on health insurance

2008-06-07T01:53:00.000+08:00

1. Insurance costs a lot but having none costs more.

There are reasonable means to save money on insurance, but skipping coverage isn't one of them. Medical bills from a small car blow can deplete your savings - a major health problem can lead you into trouble.

2. If your employer offers insurance, grab it.

Group coverage, when it's employer-subsidized, is better than getting it on your own, even if you're young and healthy. If you're old and unhealthy, it's absolutely a bigger deal.

3. Comparing plans is difficult but necessary.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as standard coverage. Benefits and costs differ broadly from plan to plan. If you were given choices, you'll have to consider each one carefully to get the best deal.

4. The lowest premium isn't necessarily the cheapest plan.

What your plan covers is as important as, and sometimes more important than, what you pay up front. Ultimately, the cheapest plan is the one with the best price of benefits you're going to use.

5. Even good coverage can have loopholes.

You can depend on your health insurance for a hospital stay. Most plans cover doctor visits, but coverage for mental health, prescription drugs and dental care are mostly optional.

6. You'll pay more for freedom.

Plans with the most absolute advantage at the lowest price require you to use a defined arrangement of hospitals, doctors, labs, and added providers. The more flexibility you demand, the more you'll pay, in either premiums or co-payments.

7. You can analyse networks before signing up.

A growing number of public and private sources keep informations on the track records of individual doctors, hospitals, and health plans.

8. Your insurance stays if you lose your job.

State and federal regulations assure you from losing coverage in case you lose your job. Unfortunately, they offer little protection from high premium costs.

9. Working couples have more to decide.

If you and your spouse both get health insurance at work, you must decide whether it makes more sense to have two policies or for one of you to cover the other. If you have children, you should decide who will cover them.

10. Tax breaks can help.

Ordinarily medical expenses, including insurance premiums, are not tax deductible until they exceed 7.5 percent of your income. However, if you're self-employed or your employer offers a flexible spending account, you can get a tax break without meeting threshold.

Add Favicon to your blog

2008-06-03T20:34:00.000+08:00

Would you like to add favicon to your blog?. If you do not know what a favicon is; it is the little picture beside the URL of this blog. Here’s a screenshot of this blog:

Some say that having a favicon is like putting on cosmetics. This is only partly true. More importantly, having a favicon on your blog allows the visitors to quickly identify your site in their Favorite folder among the other bookmarked site.

You can have your very own favicon in less than 10 minutes by using the MaxBlogPress Favicon Wordpress Plugin!

If you do not have a favicon currently and you are interested to, here’s how to can do it.

First, you will need to download the plugin.

Install the plugin and go to: Options >> MBP Favicon

Click on the icon which you want to use as favicon:

Click on save

Your blog is now already equipped with the small but powerful tool called favicon. It will help you get more traffic as well as get your blog recognized among others.

You can also use your own image as favicon collection. Go to Chami.com’s Favicon Tool page.

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Antara batu dan permata

2008-05-21T01:55:00.000+08:00

Antara isteri, 3 kekasih

SOALAN
SAYA suami berumur 32 tahun dan berkahwin tujuh tahun lalu. Isteri saya berumur 30 tahun dan kami dikurniakan empat anak yang comel dan sihat.

Saya bekerja di syarikat multinasional dan isteri pula di sektor perbankan. Saya dan isteri tiada masalah, cuma sekali sekala kami bergaduh dan bermasam muka, tetapi hanya sementara, paling lama pun hanya satu hari dan kami akan berbaik semula.

Kedudukan kewangan kami kukuh dan boleh dikatakan kami sekeluarga hidup mewah. Masalah di sini bermula apabila saya mengenali seorang gadis yang kebetulan menelefon saya berkaitan kerja. Saya namakan dia A.

Umur A baru 20 tahun dan hubungan kami sampai ke tahap di mana A sedia melakukan hubungan seks dengan saya. A benar-benar sayang dan mencintai saya serta sanggup menjadi isteri kedua.

Saya keliru dan seronok dengan pengakuan ikhlas A, tetapi niat saya pada awalnya sekadar menjadikan A teman berbual. Tidak sangka pula melarat hingga ke kamar tidur.

Saya tidak sanggup menjadikan A isteri kedua kerana isteri saya pun cukup bagus dan sempurna pada mata saya.

Pada masa sama, saya mengenali seorang pelajar universiti yang kebetulan menjalani latihan amali di tempat saya bekerja. Saya namakan dia B dan berumur 21 tahun. Hubungan kami serius dan B juga takut kehilangan saya.

B juga berharap saya menjadi miliknya. Saya melayan A dan B sama rata. Apa yang A dapat, B juga dapat. Ini menjadikan mereka rasa disayangi dan dihargai. Usah ditanya bagaimana saya mengatur jadual pertemuan dengan mereka dan juga urusan saya di rumah.

Baru-baru ini saya menjalin hubungan dengan bekas pekerja di tempat kerja saya. Perkenalan terjadi pada hari terakhir dia bekerja. Sebelum itu kami hanya senyum bila berselisih dan pada hari terakhir dia bekerja, saya meminta nombor telefon gadis yang saya namakan C.

C berumur 20 tahun. Dia setuju memberi nombor telefon dan daripada situ bermula detik saya berhubungan dengan C pula. Buat masa ini saya dan C belum ke tahap serius dan masih dalam proses mengenal hati budi, tapi saya tahu C sudah lama tertarik dengan saya.

Bukan mengangkat diri atau berlagak. Fizikal saya tidak menarik, cuma saya guna kelebihan mengatur ayat manis untuk memikat ketiga-tiga mereka. Mereka anggap saya romantik dan penyayang.

Ketiga-tiga mereka boleh dikatakan sangat menarik, menjadi rebutan serta bualan. Saya rasa beruntung dapat memiliki mereka sekali gus, tetapi jauh di sudut hati rasa bersalah dan kesal yang amat sangat kerana curang terhadap isteri.

Bagaimana saya dapat menebus kesilapan ini dan dalam masa sama mengelak melukakan hati mana-mana pihak. Saya tersangat sayangkan isteri dan anak. Saya takut kehilangan mereka akibat perbuatan ini.

DAMIEN

JAWAPAN
Alangkah beruntungnya saudara kerana diberi kebahagiaan dan kenikmatan hidup oleh Allah SWT. Pasti ramai mencemburui saudara kerana kenikmatan yang diperoleh.

Kebahagiaan dan kenikmatan yang Dang Setia maksudkan bukan mengenai gadis A, B dan C yang kini berebut-rebut untuk memiliki saudara, sebaliknya isteri yang baik, anak comel serta kehidupan mewah hasil kedudukan kewangan saudara yang kukuh.

Sepanjang tujuh tahun berkahwin pula, secara keseluruhannya rumah tangga saudara bahagia, jadi izinkan Dang Setia bertanya apa sebenarnya menyebabkan saudara menjalin hubungan dengan wanita lain, bukan sekadar seorang tapi tiga.

Saudara ada menyatakan pada awalnya hanya suka-suka dan tiada niat curang, namun keadaan berubah menjadi serius dan saudara tidak sangka boleh jadi begitu.

Bagi Dang Setia, itu alasan ‘murah’. Ramai suami curang memberi alasan sedemikian, hakikatnya punca utama mereka, termasuk saudara, menjalin hubungan dengan wanita lain kerana nafsu.

Dang Setia percaya saudara sedar hakikat ini, namun enggan mengakuinya kerana berbuat demikian bermakna saudara mengakui kelemahan sendiri.

Hakikatnya, mengakui kelemahan sendiri adalah sikap positif yang boleh membawa kemajuan dan mereka yang tidak berani berbuat demikian sebenarnya menipu diri sendiri.

Sebenarnya saudara tidak perlu malu mengakui saudara kini hampir tertewas dengan godaan nafsu. Ini kerana hanya dengan mengakui kelemahan sendiri kita mampu memperbaiki keadaan dengan berusaha mengatasinya.

Saudara juga perlu sedar saudara kini mungkin diuji oleh Allah untuk mengukur tahap keimanan dan ketakwaan terhadap-Nya.

Jangan beranggapan ujian Allah hanya hadir dalam bentuk kesusahan atau kesedihan kerana ujian juga hadir dengan Allah melimpahkan kesenangan serta kemewahan.

Ini kerana lumrah manusia mudah lupa atau lalai dengan tanggungjawab kita sebagai hamba Allah apabila hidup dilimpahi kesenangan dan kemewahan.

Bagi Dang Setia, itulah situasi saudara sekarang. Saudara diuji dengan dua godaan hebat, iaitu kemewahan dan wanita. Kedua-duanya memang menyeronokkan, tapi jangan sekali-kali lupa keseronokan itu sebenarnya nafsu.

Oleh itu, yang saudara perlu lakukan sekarang ialah bermuhasabah atau melihat ke dalam diri sendiri untuk mencari kelemahan yang boleh menjauhkan saudara daripada Allah dan mungkin juga menyebabkan saudara kehilangan segala nikmat hidup yang dikecapi sekarang.

Insafilah betapa isteri yang baik, empat anak comel dan kedudukan kewangan kukuh yang saudara nikmati sekarang sesungguhnya nikmat berharga daripada Allah.

Saudara ada mengatakan sayangkan isteri dan anak serta tidak mahu kehilangan mereka, tapi cuba fikir secara waras, hati isteri mana tidak terluka jika tahu suaminya menjalin hubungan dengan wanita lain?

Bukankah menjalin hubungan dengan wanita lain bermakna saudara sengaja meletakkan diri berisiko tinggi untuk kehilangan isteri dan anak?

Dang Setia percaya saudara tahu, untuk memastikan rumah tangga kekal harmoni serta tidak kehilangan isteri berama anak, tindakan paling tepat ialah putuskan saja hubungan dengan A, B dan C.

Berpoligami? Ya ini boleh menjadi satu lagi jalan penyelesaian untuk saudara, tapi adakah ia lebih baik.

Jika masih teringin untuk berpoligami, terpulangl pada diri saudara, cuma Dang Setia ingin saudara fikirkan kenyataan ini yang disampaikan kepada Dang Setia oleh seorang lelaki yang ada tiga isteri.

Katanya, dalam berpoligami, nikmatnya hanya satu tapi peningnya sampai 10. Fikir-fikirkanlah.

10 picked for Atlanta pre-college science competition

2008-05-13T23:31:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Ten of our country's brightest students will represent Malaysia at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in the United States.

The aspiring scientists will join 1,557 others from 50 countries in competing in the annual pre-college science competition, which will be held from tomorrow to May 16 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The teenagers were chosen because they had come up with science- and engineering-related projects that were solutions to real problems humanity faced.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I hope Intel will continue to support programmes such as these as we continue to strengthen science and technology in schools," said Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom at the sending-off ceremony at ParkRoyal Hotel yesterday.

The students, who leave for Atlanta tonight, will be judged by a panel of judges based on their entries and presentation.
This year's entries are a hybrid electromagnetic drum brake system, a two-way communication system for the deaf and mute, treatment of stomach ulcer and gout with local plants and the development of an alternative energy source using sea water.

Fatimah Thohirah Abdul Halim from SMK Wangsa Melawati said she spent a year researching the potential benefits of local plant kelempayan (Neolamarkcia cadamba) for the treatment of gout.

"Kelempayan has always been used in traditional Malay treatment. We could be looking at the cure for gout without nasty side effects as it is derived naturally," she said.

MRSM Kota Kinabalu, Sabah students Abner Luther Kerangkas, Hafizam Mahat and Ahmad Uzair Zubbir hope that their creation of an electrochemical cell using sea water is an alternative to dwindling energy sources.

"Generating electricity by using sea water is possible. Malaysia is surrounded by the sea. Plus, there is no harmful effect," Abner said.

Participants of Intel ISEF stand to win scholarships and awards worth US$4 million (RM12.8 million).

This is the ninth year that Intel Malaysia has sponsored the Malaysian delegation.

This year, Malaysian participants will be showcasing their creative innovations that can potentially address issues that have stumped scientists for years. Among them are creating an online system for universal data regulation and management; inventing a Hybrid Electomagnetic Drum Brake System; developing a two-way communication method for the deaf and mute; finding treatments and prevention of stomach ulcer and gout; and developing an alternative way to produce electrical energy.

“Intel recognizes the importance of providing opportunities for students to present their innovative ideas and sharing their passion for research on a globally recognized platform. It is our role to continuously mould the next generation of scientists and investors by encouraging them to push the boundaries of science research and eventually lead the world into the next generation of discovery, knowledge and prosperity,” said Ryaz Patel, country manager of Intel Malaysia. “The Intel ISEF is an investment in the next generation of scientists.”

"Providing the finalists with an international platform like the Intel ISEF to compete in is one of the many great opportunities for students to gain knowledge and insights into their future. The challenges they face while exploring the journey of discovery will prepare them to succeed in a knowledge-based economy," said Dato' Haji Alimuddin Haji Mohd Dom, Director General Education, Ministry of Education.

"Over the years, we can see the projects produced by students have become increasingly advanced. This shows the growing passion for problem-solving and an enthusiasm for discovery amongst students that need to be fostered to eventually become a reality," added Alimuddin.

The Intel ISEF, sponsored by Intel since 1996, is the world's largest celebration of science, showcasing the world's most promising young scientists and inventors. Since Intel became the title sponsor in 1996, the total number of Intel ISEF finalists has grown 40 percent - to more than 1500 students - and the number of participating countries, regions and territories has grown 70 percent - to more than 51 countries. In Malaysia alone, there are 58 students who have participated and winners produced in the competition through Intel's sponsorship.

Answer

2008-04-30T06:46:00.000+08:00

Lawyers should never ask a Mississippi grandma a question if they aren't prepared for the answer.

In a trial, a Southern small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly, elderly woman to the stand. He approached her and asked, 'Mrs. Jones, do you know me?' She responded, 'Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you'll never amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you.'

The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, 'Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?'

She again replied, 'Why yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a
youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him.'

The defense attorney nearly died.

The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench and, in a very quiet voice, said,
'If either of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I'll send you both to the electric chair.'

Value of Experience

2008-04-30T06:40:00.000+08:00

A giant ship engine failed. The ship's owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine.

Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a young. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom.

Two of the ship's owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed!
A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars.
"What?!" the owners exclaimed. "He hardly did anything!"
So they wrote the old man a note saying, "Please send us an itemized bill."

The man sent a bill that read:
Tapping with a hammer...... ........ ......... $ 2.00
Knowing where to tap......... ........ ........ $ 9,998.00

Zamzar Ala Kazam

2008-04-10T21:54:00.000+08:00

Some information I got from my email. Go ahead and read.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Zamzar - yeah it's a weird name, but it's a great service that will come in handy.

Let me explain.

Zamar is a free online file conversion site that gives you the ability to convert a file from one format to another
without having to download any software.

==> http://www.zamzar.com

Ok. So how could you use this type of service?

If you don't have a html editor, or aren't yet confident in using one, you could convert a word document into a
html document so you can upload it as a web page.

You can convert your word document into a pdf document. Or vice versa, you could convert your pdf back into a word document, change a few things and then convert it back to pdf.

You can even convert a bmp image file into a gif or jpeg file.

You name it and you can convert it. All you need to do is:

1. Select the file from your hard drive
2. Choose the new format
3. Enter a valid email address (to receive your new file)
4. Press the "Convert" button

The system will then convert your file and send it back to you via the email address you provided.

It doesn't get much simpler than this.

==> http://www.zamzar.com

Have fun.

Three ways to cut your tax bill

2008-04-08T16:05:00.000+08:00

The income tax bill is often the highest expenditure of the working man. It often takes away some twenty (or even higher) percent from the tax payer's take home pay. In short, your January and February income goes just to pay income tax. And that, needless to say, is a lot of money going out just for one item.

As mentioned in the book Millionaires are from a different Planet!, while we should always pay our taxes to ensure the goose continue laying the golden eggs, it does not mean we should just hand over our money blindly. By all means, pay your taxes and pay your dues, but not more. Folks, patriotism is not measured by the amount of taxes you pay. In other words, we should plan our income so that we pay the least tax possible.

Let's look at three ways in which you can reduce your tax bill - legally of course. After all, we do not want to be the richest man in jail.

Change the recipient

The first thing to do is to change the recipient of the money. For example, if the payment collected is paid to the husband, try to change it to the wife's name. This is of course assuming that the husband is in the higher tax bracket.

What is happening now is that the wife is now the recipient of the income. The money will be taxed under her name. Ad if her tax bracket is lower than the husband, there will be a tax savings there.

Change the nature of income

If you run a business, by changing the nature of income, you will also reduce your tax bill.

As you know, in Malaysia, revenue income is taxable while capital is not. So whenever possible and when it make business sense, try to change the nature of income from revenue to capital. In fact, once you do this, there will be NO taxes at all from that particular income as it is now capital.

To show an example, if you close a company down after declaring dividends from the proceeds of an asset sale of RM10 million, you'll be taxed on the dividends. It is revenue income. Not a very good move.

All that you need to do to save that money is to simply close the company after the sale of the asset. The gain is now capital instead of revenue and therefore not subject to tax at all. And it doesn't get any better than not paying anything!

Change the timing of the income

The third way you can save on taxes is by changing the timing of the income. If you are due to receive a large payment near the end of the year (like now, for example), you can request your client to make the payment only in January. Your client will be only too happy to comply. As you have not received the payment this year, you will not be taxed on the money. This will of course save you money as well.

The lesson here today

These are just three ways in which you can reduce your tax bill. As you can see, they are not very difficult to carry out. All you need to do is to sit down and do a little
bit of planning.

A little of bit of knowledge, time and effort will always make or save you money.

Copyright © Azizi Ali 2006

About AZIZI ALI SMP MBA ChFC
The #1 speaker and author on personal finance in Malaysia

Azizi Ali does one thing only - money. He doesn't do quality control, reengineering, seven habits, six sigmas, five disciplines, four musketeers, three kings, two calling birds and certainly not a partridge in a pear tree. But if you want to know more about money - how to master, manage, save, spend and yes, make more of it, then Azizi is your Superfly.

So actually he does two things - money and solves your financial problems.

This perhaps sums up the Azizi Ali. He is the author of twenty-four (24) best-selling books on personal finance in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore which includes "Millionaires are from a different Planet!", "The Millionaire in Me", "Jutawan Dari Planet Jupiter!", "How to Become a Millionaire Landlord", "Lahirnya Seorang Jutawan", "How to Become a Property Millionaire", "mXe!", "Millionaire Chronicles", "Jutawan Ekstrem", "Retire Rich", "Pelita Jutawan", "Winning at Property Auctions", "Pesara Jutawan", "How You Can Get Rich Swing Trading" and the latest which is "ScamBuster".

Azizi Ali has conducted workshops at Securities Commission, Petronas, EPF, PNB Investment Institute, Prudential Assurance, Public Mutual, Takaful Nasional, Malaysia Airlines, HLA Assurance, Am Assurance, LIAM, MIEA, FIABCI, ISM, UTM, UIA, Brunei, Singapore and has addressed a crowd of 12,000 participants in Bangkok, Thailand (despite not knowing a single Thai word) - all on the magical subject of money. His fun, electrifying and enlightening talks filled with simple but solid solutions has helped thousands take better control of their finances. Hey, we told you he solves financial problems.

He has written numerous articles for New Straits Times, Personal Money, Smart Investor and other publications. Even more exciting is that he is also a monthly columnist with Apprentice magazine. No prizes for guessing what he writes about. You've got it - money!

He has also appeared regularly on TV3, RTM, Astro Ria, 8TV, News Radio in Singapore, RTB in Brunei, Radio Era, Radio 24 Bernama and Radio KL.

Azizi is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and also holds an MBA from the University of Bath, UK.

Source: http://www.millionairesplanet.com/articles_040.htm

Choose funds with the lowest fees

2008-04-05T16:02:00.000+08:00

You have followed the suggestions in the book "Millionaires are from a different Planet!" when investing in unit trusts. You have narrowed down the funds to those that meet your desired objective, has good management, a good track record, excellent service and low cost of operation. But there's still five funds that meet all these criteria. So which one shall you choose? How do you decide which fund that will get the privilege of doing business with you.

Man oh man, have you logged on to the right site today, because the answer is looking straight at you.

Performance is linked to low cost

Of course, the acid test in investing is performance. The better performing funds (those with higher returns) will be the best bet for you to invest your money.

Having stated this, I must also add that interestingly, the record has shown that the better performing funds tend to be those with low cost of operations, namely the no-loads funds.

In fact, in the US, the no-load index linked funds has outperformed 80% of actively managed funds throughout the years. For all the brilliance, for all the knowledge and experience of the fund managers, they are often outperformed by the passively managed no-load index linked funds.

Why is this so?

Funds that are actively managed have higher fees than those without. This is because the management company has to pay the salary of the fund manager, cost of research and commission for the agents, among others.

On the other hand, no-load index linked funds do not have to bear this heavy burden. They do not have to pay commission to the agent, research cost or even the salary of the fund manager, and can therefore charge lower fees.

Now comes the interesting part.

For all the ups and downs, for all the lows and highs, the performance of MOST of the funds tends to be about the same after a period of time. Returns above or below long-term norms tend to move down, or up, towards the norm. This effect is known as regression towards the mean.

What all this means is that, most of the funds will give similar returns after some years. (For a more detailed explanation about this, you may want to check out the book Bogle on Mutual Funds: New Perspectives... written by John C. Bogle, former chairman of the Vanguard Group of investment companies, with assets totaling over US100 billion).

Now, I realize that this may be a surprise or even a shocker for many of you. The funds will give similar returns? It may be hard to believe but some things are true whether you believe it or not. And the track record has shown that this is the case here.

So if most of the funds will perform about the same, what will make the difference then? The obvious answer is of course, the cost of operations. The funds with the lower costs will dash ahead of the pack. This is the main reason why they outperformed 80% of the actively managed funds.

Where has all the fund managers gone to?

No doubt there are fund managers that will outperform the others. But the problem is who? How can we identify the stars out there? I for one, don't know of a single fund manager in Malaysia that stand head and shoulders above the rest.

Even in the US, there are but a handful of superstar fund managers. The last great one was Peter Lynch who ran the Fidelity Magellan fund some years back. (Too late - he has retired).

While any fund manager can outperform the market for one, two or even three years, it would be asking too much to ask him to do it year in year out for ten, twenty years. In fact, it would be impossible. No one can do it.

Win the war and not the battle

This being case, we would be well advised to invest in funds with low entry cost (no-load or sales charge) and with low management fees. While these funds may lose out one or two years, but they will come out ahead in the long run and outperform most of the actively managed funds.

After all, we are concerned with winning the war and not each and every battle.

For a more comprehensive explanation, please read my Handbook entitled “Unit Trust Investment”. This 28 pages Handbook is an essential reference for everyone considering investing in unit trust. Includes detailed information on NAV, bonus and how to choose a fund. Ordering details are on the website: www.millionairesplanet.com/books_HB_eng.htm.

Versi Bahasa Melayu yang berjudul "Pelaburan Unit Amanah" ada di laman web www.millionairesplanet.com/books_HB_malay.htm.

About AZIZI ALI SMP MBA ChFC
The #1 speaker and author on personal finance in Malaysia

Azizi Ali does one thing only - money. He doesn't do quality control, reengineering, seven habits, six sigmas, five disciplines, four musketeers, three kings, two calling birds and certainly not a partridge in a pear tree. But if you want to know more about money - how to master, manage, save, spend and yes, make more of it, then Azizi is your Superfly.

So actually he does two things - money and solves your financial problems.

This perhaps sums up the Azizi Ali. He is the author of twenty-four (24) best-selling books on personal finance in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore which includes "Millionaires are from a different Planet!", "The Millionaire in Me", "Jutawan Dari Planet Jupiter!", "How to Become a Millionaire Landlord", "Lahirnya Seorang Jutawan", "How to Become a Property Millionaire", "mXe!", "Millionaire Chronicles", "Jutawan Ekstrem", "Retire Rich", "Pelita Jutawan", "Winning at Property Auctions", "Pesara Jutawan", "How You Can Get Rich Swing Trading" and the latest which is "ScamBuster".

Azizi Ali has conducted workshops at Securities Commission, Petronas, EPF, PNB Investment Institute, Prudential Assurance, Public Mutual, Takaful Nasional, Malaysia Airlines, HLA Assurance, Am Assurance, LIAM, MIEA, FIABCI, ISM, UTM, UIA, Brunei, Singapore and has addressed a crowd of 12,000 participants in Bangkok, Thailand (despite not knowing a single Thai word) - all on the magical subject of money. His fun, electrifying and enlightening talks filled with simple but solid solutions has helped thousands take better control of their finances. Hey, we told you he solves financial problems.

He has written numerous articles for New Straits Times, Personal Money, Smart Investor and other publications. Even more exciting is that he is also a monthly columnist with Apprentice magazine. No prizes for guessing what he writes about. You've got it - money!

He has also appeared regularly on TV3, RTM, Astro Ria, 8TV, News Radio in Singapore, RTB in Brunei, Radio Era, Radio 24 Bernama and Radio KL.

Azizi is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and also holds an MBA from the University of Bath, UK.

Source: http://www.millionairesplanet.com/articles_044.htm

A brief explanation on Capital Allowance

2008-04-02T16:57:00.000+08:00

LATEST!!!

The IRB has made a clarification that the provision for treating rental income as a business income only applies to companies (Bhd and Sdn Bhd) and not to individuals.

1. What is Capital Allowance (C/A)?

C/A is a tax term used by the IRB for income tax purposes. Depreciation is an accounting term. Both are paper entries only and both increases the expenses (and therefore reduce the profit figure). For our own accounts (Profit & Loss account), we deduct the depreciation to get the net profit.

However, for the tax calculations, the IRB will add the depreciation back to the net profit and then deduct the C/A to get the Chargeable Income.

2. Why is it given?

As time goes by, assets (such as cars, equipment, furniture and fittings) depreciate in value. In time, businesses will have to spend money to repair or even replace these assets. And here is where the concept of depreciation comes in. The business will make a paper entry in the Profit & Loss account depreciating the value of the asset every year. The rate can be 20% a year, 25% or whatever sensible figure the business decides. In theory, this depreciation figure would be the money used to replace the assets later on.

However, as mentioned above, for the tax calculations, the IRB will add the depreciation back to the net profit and then deduct the C/A. Unlike the " choose a figure as you please " for depreciation, there is a standard C/A rate for each equipment (rates are given in the Income Tax Act 1967).

Example:

P & L Account

That is for businesses. Now, the same applies for property investment. Investors are given C/A once the Rental Income becomes a Business Income (answer in Q4). The C/A rate is 8% and is only applicable for furniture and fittings (and not the building itself). This makes sense as the furniture and fitting wears out so we will have to replace them in due time.

3. How to calculate C/A?

Let's take the example mentioned in my book How to Become a Property Millionaire (pg 26):

Rental collected

RM24,000

As you can see, the C/A is RM6,000. As mentioned earlier, the C/A rate is 8% of the value of the furniture and fittings, which in this case would be RM75,000.

Of course, as the C/A is dependant upon the value of the furniture and fittings, the figure would rise and fall accordingly. If you spent a higher amount, the C/A would also be higher, and vice versa. (Of course, this also means that if the property is unfurnished, there is no claim for C/A.) It would however remain at a constant 8%. Also, as the years go by, the figure would be 8% of the depreciated value every year.

4. When does Rental Income become a Business Income?

Firstly, let me explain about Rental Income. In Malaysia, Rental Income is under Section 4D of the Income Tax Act 1967. The income is taxable and you have to declare it. Not doing so would be an offence under the Act, and I'm sure you have no deep desire to spend time in a correctional facility (known as a jail cell to the rest of the world) with a roommate named Bubba.

But the IRB is not all thorns. You can deduct most of the expenses incurred to maintain the property. These include repairs made to maintain the property, advertisements made to look for tenants, commission paid to agents, quit rent, assessment tax and also the interest portion of the mortgage (interest only and not the full mortgage). However, you are not allowed to depreciate the building or land.

Now, the story gets more exciting. The IRB has very kindly agreed to treat rental as Business Income when you have a number of rental properties. In other words, the income now falls under Section 4A of the Act and not Section 4D. And because the income is now a Business Income, it means that you can now claim for capital allowance.

Of course, there are some requirements that you must meet before the getting all these fabulous benefits. Nothing worthwhile in this life is free. The following are the minimum requirements you must have before the Rental Income can be considered a Business Income:

3 or more lots in a shopping complex

2 or more shop-houses

4 or more residential properties

A combination of any four of the above

By the way, this only applies to properties that are rented out to external parties (not to directors or staff) and not the property that you are staying in. (If you do not meet the above requirements, then the income is treated as Rental Income and you cannot claim for C/A. You can however claim for all valid expenses mentioned earlier such as interest, commission and taxes paid.)

5. Why is it good?

Although C/A is a paper entry only, it is a valid deduction as far as the IRB is concerned. It is good because it reduces your income (on paper) and therefore reduces your tax due.

6. If you are still hazy about the matter.

Please contact a knowledgeable and reliable tax consultant. He/she will be more than happy to help you with the matter. (If your current tax consultant has never even heard the words C/A, find a new consultant!)

Source: http://www.millionairesplanet.com/articles_045.htm

Pertandingan Mereka Bentuk Duit Syiling

2008-04-02T01:10:00.000+08:00

Bank Negara Malaysia akan menyambut Ulang Thaun ke-50 pada 26 Januari 2009 dan sedang menjalankan pertandingan Mereka bentuk Duit Syiling Peringatan Ulang Tahun ke-50 dari 10 Mac hingga 9 April 2008.

Matlamat pertandingan ini adalah untuk mendapatkan rekabentuk terbaik yang mencerminkan peranan Bank Negara Malaysia dalam proses pembinaan negara.

Reka bentuk duit syiling yang menang akan digunakan untuk penempaan dan penghasilan Duit Syiling Peringatan Ulang tahun ke-50.

Yang menarik ialah hadiahnya ialah wang tunai RM20,000 bagi pemenang ~~banyaknya boleh downpayment kereta atau bayar hutang mana yang patut~~ dan 10 pemenang saguhati menerima wang tunai RM1000 seorang.

Yang tak menarik pertandingan cuma tinggal 9 hari saja lagi dari tarikh posting ini.

Maklumat lanjut sila layari http://www.bnm.gov.my untuk mengetahui syarat-syarat pertandingan dan muat turun borang pertandingan.

And now, some words about Get-Rich-Quick schemes

2008-03-30T16:49:00.000+08:00

One chap has written to me saying that he has lost respect for me for writing negatively about Get-Rich-Quick schemes (GRQ) operating on the Internet. I suppose he wanted to hear me say that the Internet investments are the best in the world.

But how can I say such a thing when all the signs are showing that most of them are Ponzi schemes? How can I say such a thing when all the bells are ringing and red flags are showing that they are Ponzi schemes? So I cannot and will not say it because I know GRQ/Ponzi schemes will not do anyone any good.

In many ways, the GRQ schemes operating on the Internet are pretty much like the Superman movies. Everyone – except the actors in the movie – knows that Clark Kent is Superman. The signs are obvious: Kent and Superman are the same height, same size and heck, they even look the same. What's more, every time Kent is missing, Superman shows up. And every time Superman is around, Kent is not there. So the signs are obvious to everyone, except to the actors in the movie. They do not, cannot and will not see the signs.

Similarly, the signs showing that the GRQ schemes operating on the Internet (and off it as well) are scams are obvious to everyone, except to the voluntary victims. Just as the actors are blind to the fact that Clark Kent is Superman, the voluntary victims are blind to the fact that the GRQ schemes are scams. They do not, cannot and will not see the signs.

Let's look at just a few points.

The typical GRQ operators promise to pay 20 percent return a month. That's the equivalent of 240 percent a year. To put it in perspective, that is better than practically all other investments in the history of the world! It would make the GRQ operators better fund managers than Warren Buffett, George Soros, Peter Lynch and John Templeton put together. Check out the performances of these world class fund managers in the table below:

Fund Manager	Fund	Return per annum (%)	Period (years)
John Templeton	Templeton Growth Fund	14	32
Warren Buffett	Berkshire Hathaway	22	40
Peter Lynch	Fidelity Magellan	29	13
George Soros	Quantum Fund	34	25

Imagine that? Even these legendary managers could only (!) give a return of 14 to 34 percent per year. And they are the best in the world!

Now does it make sense to you? Does it make sense that people who probably never studied investments at all are the world's best investment managers? Does it make sense that people who no one has ever heard of suddenly becoming the world's greatest investor ever? Does it makes sense that they can give returns of 240 percent (or higher) in a year, beating even these legends?

Of course not. There is no way that the GRQ operators are the world's best fund managers. (They could win awards as the world's greatest con artist though!)

Further, the GRQ operators promise to pay the return the very next month after we've made our investment. Wow and double wow! All other investments in the world require some time before the fruits of the investments can be seen, which is why the returns are only paid out after six months, one year or even later. These include the most profitable investments.

If it is true that the ‘managers' of the GRQ schemes invest our money in forex, hedge funds, mutual funds, etc., etc., they must be super magicians because they can pay us in one month even though they themselves get the money once or twice a year! So where is the money coming from? Could the answer be “from the latest ‘investor' into the scheme?”

Bingo!

Hmm, more clues as to where this is getting to.

“You have to give it a chance”

A quick retort from the ‘investors' of such scheme is “You should give it a chance. How do you know if it is good or bad until you try it?”

The retorts are fine by themselves. I have no arguments with the retorts and would agree with them most of the time.

But let's look at the end results here. Some things you do not have to experience yourself to know that it can be very painful. You do not have to jump down ten feet to know that you can break both legs. You do not have to be bitten by a snake to know that it can be very painful (to say the least).

Why should you give a snake a chance to bite you, especially if you have seen it biting your relatives? Why should you dump your money in GRQ/Ponzi schemes when you have seen your relatives losing hundreds of thousands?

Why it works initially

“I agree with what you are saying here, Azizi,” some people will be quick to point out. “But the reality is that the early investors are getting their money back on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, they have not missed receiving the dividends at all. Every month, there's money in their bank accounts. What have you got to say about it?”

Of course they got their money. They got their money because that's how the operators attract more people into the scheme. If the early investors (and I use the term loosely here) lost money, the scheme will come to a grounding halt very quickly. And that is a big no-no to the whole operation. We need to remember that the operators of the scheme are no fools.

Let me now explain how and why the scheme will work in the initial days.

To attract investors, the operators must have a valid business model. If the model is suspect, then few people would want to risk their money outright. But when a valid business model is presented, it is much easier to attract investors. They have to if they want to attract investors into the scheme!

These valid profit opportunity and business model can be running a business (perhaps supplying huge contracts to some governments somewhere) or some exotic investments which can be trading in currencies (or the more glamorous name of forex), futures or commodities or using the power of the Internet. Of course, some schemes will not even bother to have products. Instead, they will come straight out and ask you to send them RM20, forward the mail to twenty other people who will then do likewise. After a hundred days, you'll earn over RM100,000!

But whatever the scheme, the operators will make sure that the early investors will get their money as promised in the beginning days. Not a single payment will be late or missed. Everything is exactly as promised.

Precisely because the early investors are getting their money back is the reason why the scheme works a treat in the early days. They have earned the trust of the early investors. These early investors will then tell others, usually their friends, colleagues or family members, about the scheme. They do this for two reasons: (1) to share their good fortune with their loved ones and more importantly, (2) because they are getting a commission from each new investor that they bring in…

For a more comprehensive explanation, please read my book entitled “Scambuster: How to Protect Yourself from Scams, Get-rich-quick Schemes and Other Unworldly Investments”. This 152 pages book covers Internet investments, how to detect a GRQ scheme and steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. Ordering details are on the website: www.millionairesplanet.com/books.htm.

Source: http://www.millionairesplanet.com/articles_047.htm

Collecting Collectibles

2008-03-27T16:47:00.000+08:00

"Be among the selected people to own ...(fill in the blanks)!" The headline scream. "This offer is never to be repeated again," they go on. "Only 3 million units available!"

That's the typical advertisement for your average collectible. Which you probably have seen more times than any P.Ramlee movies on TV. Further, they promise that your odds of making money from the collectibles (or whatever they are selling) are better than the sun rising tomorrow morning.

Which is not much different from what the average con-artist is touting.

Why I am skeptical about the whole thing

If I sound skeptical about collectibles, then I admit that I am guilty - for good reasons of course. First of all, I have never met, known or even heard of any Malaysian making money from collectibles. As a matter of fact, I don't even know of someone who knows someone else who made money from collectibles.

And by the way, collectibles can include a million things. Among the more popular ones are stamps, coins, postcards, comic books, magazines, antiques, clocks, matches and lately, toys. (Don't tell this to the folks who lined up for hours in McDonalds to collect some furry toys from China).

I fail to see how a "limited edition" of one hundred thousand units (or more) is ever going to be worth anything, fifty or even a hundred years from now. There'll probably be a few thousand still left lying around in the sun even in that period of time. And who'd be crazy enough to pay good money to your great grandchildren for such cheesy items - even if they are approved by the Upper Gambian Ministry of Tourism?

Next, as mentioned in the book "Millionaires are from a different Planet!", collectibles cannot be considered as investment in the real sense of the word. They do not earn income or have a predictable rise in value. Worse, collectibles are not exactly raining dough on the "investors". In short, don't quit your day job.

Collectibles also suffer from some serious flaws to be considered as an investment grade item. One of the main flaw is the difficulty for people, including the experts themselves, to determine the quality or even the authenticity of some collectibles. Also, unlike financial assets, collectibles do not have fair value which can act as an anchor for the market price.

And of course, the secondary market for collectibles in this country is practically non-existent. Imagine; after spending so much money on the collectible, you have no one to sell it to. Even the shop that sold you the item do not want to have anything to do with it anymore. Can you smell your ass getting cooked?

Folks who tell you different

But of course, there'll be folks who tell you differently. "Trust me..." they smile warmly, "this will soon be a collector's item!"

You'll no doubt discover that the only folks who say these things are either: a) selling the stuff or b) fellow collectors.

That ought to tell you something already.

Collect for the love

Of course, this is not to say don't collect anything. If you like collecting stamps, for example, then go ahead and collect all the stamps that you can lay your hands on. Raid the post-office if you want.

All I'm saying is do not expect to make money from it. In other words, do so for the love and fun of collecting and not a place to make money. Treat it as a hobby and you'll be alright.

Copyright © Azizi Ali 2006

Source: http://www.millionairesplanet.com/articles_041.htm

Vacation house is for the dogs

2008-03-24T16:41:00.000+08:00

After making some money, one of the thing that hits most people is the vacation house. It's a common story and almost always with a sad tragic ending.

Folks get sucked in by vacation houses the same way kids are attracted to ice-cream - taste good for a short time but damages your health in the long run.

It seems to be a good deal in the beginning: First of all, you're buying a property, which is an investment. You're not like, gambling, drinking or spending your money on frivolous things. Next, you seem to be going to that one favorite place time and time again. Instead of spending money on hotel rooms why not just buy an apartment/house there and save all that money? And you could even make money by renting it out to vacationers! Wow, what a deal!!! (Notice the three exclamation mark for impact).

Hate to burst your bubble but all you'll get is a great big pin for your troubles.

Vacation house is a drain on your money

By their nature, a vacation house is empty most of the time. But while it is empty, you still have to pay the mortgage plus plus. Even if you bought it cash, you would still have to pay for the assessment, quit rent, electric bills and what not. In short, it drains your money. As Robert Kiyosaki wrote in his book Rich Dad Poor Dad, anything that takes money away from your pocket is a liability. In this case, a bad bad liability.

Penny wise Pound foolish

It's true that you will not have to pay a cent for hotel rooms when you own a vacation house. But it's also true that you will pay a lot more in mortgages to the banks.

If you take a vacation at same place three times a year (which is plenty), the hotel rooms will cost you RM2,700 - assuming you stay for three days each time and the room cost RM300. Even if we double it, the cost is only RM5,400. And that is some major vacation right there.

But buying a house/apartment will suck at least RM12,000 every year from your bank account. And this is assuming a monthly mortgage of only RM1,000. This happens regardless of you taking a vacation or not!

This is the classic case of being penny wise and pound foolish.

Difficult to rent out consistently

Let's forget about the making money bit as well. That is just an advertising gimmick by the developer. In the advert, they flash a girl who looks like Sharon Stone (only more beautiful) and a guaranteed rental of 15 percent per year. Let me tell you that your chances of going out with Ms. Stone is a lot higher than getting that 15 percent rental. Oh, you could get that kind of return but your apartment has to be furnished to an acceptable standard. By the way, an acceptable standard is when you buy our standard furnishing package, which by the way is only an extra RM50,000.

In real life, consider yourself lucky if you can rent your vacation house twice a year. Yes, it that difficult to rent out. Why, you ask? Well, I go for vacation often but has NEVER rented a vacation house/apartment. Why should I when the hotel can offer much much better facilities?

And as a landlord myself, I can tell you that it is a lot of work renting out properties for the short term. The paperwork, running here and there - often times it is not worth the trouble. So much so that I will rent out properties for the short term only if the rental is padded by fifty percent!

Further, after the novelty has worn off, you'll be lucky if you go to the same place twice a year. Some of my friends who bought vacation apartments in PD are in this exact situation. They have an apartment there that they don' go to anymore after about a year of purchase. But remember that they still have to pay for the mortgage. One was so mad about the purchase that he called his apartment a flat with a better paint job! Aiyaa!

Lastly, it is worthwhile to know that it is also difficult to sell the vacation houses because of the reasons mentioned earlier. Add the fact that there are hundreds, maybe thousands on these houses available on the market, you'll see that vacation houses are indeed for the dogs, cats, birds and multi-millionaires only.

Copyright © Azizi Ali 2006

Source: http://www.millionairesplanet.com/articles_039.htm

It's not the money

2008-03-21T16:36:00.000+08:00

Every so often, you'll hear this statement being uttered: "Just look at ...(fill in the name here). He's already so rich, already a millionaire yet he's still trying to make some more money. Isn't he a greedy s.o.b.? How much more money does he want?"

Personally, I find such questions off-the-mark. For a number of reasons.

Rats complaining about the stars

One, the people uttering the statements are usually broke or somewhere near there. Here we have guys who have trouble finding the rent money lambasting those who could help them. They are attacking the very same people who could actually help them get their foot back on the ground.

Isn't that a little like rats complaining about the stars shining too bright?

Why stop someone from doing what he is good at?

Next, why should anyone or anything stop a person from doing something that he enjoys doing? Wouldn't it be a travesty of justice to stop a person doing what he does best? As long as it is not illegal and does not harm anyone, a man should be allowed to do what he enjoys doing.

Should we stop Zanidine Zidane from playing football and winning trophies because he has already won so much? So we ban John Woo from making movies because he is already a multi-millionaire? And let's get Tiger Woods out of golf as well because he too has won many awards already. Aren't these people greedy? How much more awards, trophies, goals or Oscars do they want?

As can be seen, the suggestions above are absurd. Maybe even ridiculous to the extent of bordering madness.

If that is the case with the footballers, directors and golfers, why shouldn't the same apply to millionaires? They are good are what they are doing - which in this case happens to be making money. They enjoy what they are doing, which compounds the reason why they are making the big bucks. Why should anyone stop them or get in the way? If anything, we should be encouraging and applauding their efforts. For having the strength and courage to take on the challenge.

Why do they do it?

As good as Tiger Woods is, he knows that he will not win every game. He has won almost anything there is to be won as a golfer and doesn't need to prove anything to anyone anymore. Even though he doesn't need to play anymore because he is already a multi-millionaire, he still go out on the greens and do his thing. Why? Because he is a golfer. And a very good one at that. And when he strikes the little white ball, we stand back, admire his moves and applaud his genius.

Likewise, when the millionaire attempt a new business, he knows there is no guarantee of success. While he will do his best, there is always a chance of failure. But he still go out there and try. Even though he doesn't need to do so anymore.

Taking it further, the multi-millionaires are doing what they do not because of greed for money. Nor because they want more and more. Most of them know and realize they have more than enough money to last a lifetime and then some. They also know that more money will not make them any happier or healthier. But they still go out there and do it simply because they get a buzz from seeing their effort translate into a river of income. Just like the buzz a striker feels when seeing his shot hitting the back of the net - that's how it feels like. It is not the money per se that drives them on.

Let's learn from them

So instead of lambasting them, I believe a better thing to do would be to learn from them. Observe and if possible, do what they are doing. Even if you have no burning desire to be a multi-millionaire, I also believe that anyone could use an extra thousand ringgit every month. One good way to do this is to learn from the people who have done it before.

I know this much is true: if you want to drive a Mercedes, go and ask someone who is already driving a Mercedes how he did it. While some may turn you away, most will be more than happy to show you how. So likewise, if you want to make money, wouldn't it make sense to learn from someone who has made a lot of it? They will not tell you all you need to know but the few things they do tell can put millions in your pocket!

Copyright © Azizi Ali 2006

Source: http://www.millionairesplanet.com/articles_039.htm

Simple ways to cut your electric bill

2008-03-18T16:33:00.000+08:00

We often take our electric bill for granted. And as time goes by, as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, the bills will creep up. Sadly, even when we see it going up, we just shrug our shoulders and accept that it is the cost of living and maintaining our house.

But it ain't necessarily so. I have discovered that I can cut down at least twenty percent of my electric bills by making some simple changes. It does not take much doing but it saved me a lot of money. Some of the things you can do to save on your electric bills are listed below.

Use fluorescent bulbs

Use fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs. They are more efficient and longer lasting. My electric bills have dropped some RM40 per month since I changed to fluorescent bulbs.

Use energy efficient light bulbs

I realized that saving energy is not a big thing in this country. But these energy efficient bulbs - while being just as bright - can reduce your electric bills in the long run. The manufacturers claim the savings to be over 25%. And that's some big money right there.

Use low wattage light bulbs

For areas that do not need very bright lights and illumination, use low wattage bulbs as they are cheaper to run. Of course, you should also ensure that you do not fix a high watt bulb into a low wattage fixture. For example, putting in a 100 watt bulb into a 60 watt fixture is triple doo-doo. Not only it wastes energy and money, but you also run the chance of damaging the fixture. Banyak rugi loh...

Switch off lights when not in use

Maybe obvious. But guess who is guilty of this? That's right. Yours truly. I often leave lights on even when going out of the room on the basis that I may return in a short while. But often time, I come back two hours later. An expensive two hours, I may add.

Not anymore though. I now switch off ALL electric appliances if I'm going out of a room. After all, if it can reduce my bills and save me money, why not? Heck, I'll switch off anything if I can save money by doing so!

Don't set the temperature of your air-conditioner too low

Of course the whole idea of having an air-conditioner is too keep a cool comfortable temperature. But that does not mean that you have to set the temperature down to Arctic conditions. Other than freezing you to death, it is also very expensive. Choose a comfortable temperature setting - say 24 degrees Celsius - and stick with it.

You should know that each degree lower drains your wallet.

Use ceiling fans instead of air-conditioners

Ceiling fans are very effective while being a lot cheaper to run. So whenever it is not too hot, switch on the fans instead of the air-con.

And according to Consumer Reports in the US, by turning both the air-con and the ceiling fan on, you will also save money. For example, set the air-con at 25 degrees and the fan will reduce the temp by a further two degrees. In other words, the room now is a comfortable 23 degrees.

Don't set the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer too low

You can turn up the temperature of the fridge and freezer by a couple of degrees and your food will remain as fresh as ever. But your electric bills will go down. You win both ways!

Of course, do check the owner's manual as to the recommended setting.

And if you want more...

If you like to find out more ways to reduce your expenses, check out the book 1001 Ways to Cut Your Expenses by Jonathan D. Pond. Needless to say, it is full of ideas in which you can save money. Even some far-out ideas that no one will think of in a thousand years. Examples - ask for a modest tombstone or even more drastic, to be cremated instead of being buried! Nothing will top that!

Source: http://www.millionairesplanet.com/articles_043.htm

Seperti ketam mengajar anak berjalan betul

2008-03-18T01:35:00.000+08:00

Adakah kita telah mendidik zuriat, anak-anak atau murid-murid kita dengan betul?

Mengikut Dr. Ibrahim bin Hashim, bekas pensyarah Universiti Malaya dan kini merupakan seorang kaunselor dan Perunding Sumber Manusia untuk mendidik anak-anak menjadi baik perlulah bermula dengan mempelajari tentang ilmu keibubapaan (parenting).

Mengikut beliau pada zaman sekarang terdapat ramai ibu dan ramai bapa tetapi tiada keibubapaan. Gejala "Mat rempit" adalah hasil dari kurangnya pendidikan ilmu keibubapaan dalam kalangan pasangan suami isteri dan masyarakat.

Jika anak jatuh maka menjadi kewajipan untuk ibubapa mengajar anak-anak bangun semula. Ibubapa perlu mengajar anak-anak menyayangi guru kerana anak-anak belajar dengan baik dari guru yang mereka sayang.

Kesilapan yang sering dilakukan oleh ibubapa atau guru:

Memarahi anak kerana gagal dalam peperiksaan. (Ingatlah marah bukan ubat untuk menjadikan anak pandai)

Pukul atau marah bukan jawapan atau penyelesaian kepada masalah.

Menjatuhkan maruah murid dalam kelas contohnya marah murid tidur dalam kelas (sepatutnya menyuruh murid membasuh muka).

Anak tak nampak niat ayah sebaliknya anak nampak kebencian ayah ( contoh bila memukul anak)

Perbezaan orang dulu dengan sekarang ialah orang dulu lebih banyak mempraktikkan psikologi dan kurang bercakap. Orang sekarang lebih banyak bercakap dari mempraktik.

Ramai guru yang tak pakai adab mendidik (bukan pendidik)

Ramai guru yang menggunakan komen yang negatif terhadap murid (seperti Jumpa saya, Lemah, Usaha lagi, Bodoh)

Kitalah yang mengajar anak jangan berkata benar tetapi kita tidak sedar (kerana tidak belajar ilmu keibubapaan)

Bila anak gagal ertinya mereka minta pertolongan, bantuan atau minta didengari (bukan minta dipukul). Dengar + Tanya = Faham

Kalau pandai pukul mesti pandai pujuk.

Sayang anak tangan-tangankan (bukan bermakna pukul anak tetapi peluk, gosok, atau sentuhan kasih sayang).

Berfikir bersama anak kita bukan berfikir untuk mereka.

"In Loco Parentis" atau "Student Service Law" bermakna seseorang guru bukan hanya bertanggungjawab sebagai guru tetapi juga sebagai ibubapa terhadap murid. Dengan kata lain guru adalah bertanggungjawab terhadap murid.

Kejadian manusia

2008-03-17T22:28:00.000+08:00

Manusia yang Allah jadikan terdiri dari 3 bahagian/komponen:

otak/minda

emosi/perasaan

jasad

Turutan kejadian manusia adalah Allah menjadikan jasad dulu diikuti roh dan akal.

Surah As-Sajadah ayat 7 hingga 9 Allah Ta'ala berfirman yang bermaksud:

Yang demikian sifatnya ialah Tuhan yang mengetahui perkara-perkara yang ghaib dan yang nyata; Yang Maha Kuasa, lagi Maha Mengasihani; Yang menciptakan tiap-tiap sesuatu dengan sebaik-baiknya (dengan sebaik-baik ciptaan yang cantik dan elok mencipta manusia) dan dimulakan kejadian manusia berasal dari tanah liat (Thin). Kemudian ia jadikan keterunan-keterunan manusia itu dari sejenis pati iaitu dari air yang hina (air mani) yang sedikit dipandang orang. Kemudian ia menyempurnakan kejadiannya, serta meniupkan padanya Roh ciptaanNya dan ia mengurniakan kepada kamu pendengaran serta hati (akal fikiran), supaya kamu bersyukur, tetapi amatlah sedikit kamu bersyukur.

What they say and what they really mean

2008-03-15T16:30:00.000+08:00

By now, you would have realized that what some people say and what they really mean are two different things. Often, what they mean is the exact opposite of what they say.Confused? Don't be. You'll see what I mean once you go between the lines of a typical property advertisement.

What they say - Excellent location

What they mean - It's excellent if you are into jungle survival.

What they say - 10 mins to KL

What they mean - 10 minutes by Concorde.

What they say - Proposed ...(fill in the blanks)

What they mean - Hey, you can't sue us if we don't build it. After all, it's only a proposal.

What they say - Freehold

What they mean - We have to include the word "free" somewhere in this ad to attract attention.

What they say - Reputable developer

What they mean - Developer has a reputation of not completing projects before.

What they say - Proven track record

What they mean - See above.

What they say - Close to Putrajaya

What they mean - Close to the least desirable part in Putrajaya.

What they say - The next "PJ/Subang Jaya/Damansara"

What they mean - Since when the next something has overshadowed the original? Ever heard of the next P.Ramlee or the next Bruce Lee?

What they say - Toll-free access

What they mean - The access is free but pay us big money you will. Oh yesss...

What they say - Free legal fees

What they mean - This is the only way we can make people sign those one-sided agreements.

What they say - In the Multi-Media Super Corridor

What they mean - The only thing Super here is the price.

What they say - Damansara

What they mean - The current hot name in properties. Even if the place is a thousand miles away from Damansara, let's change the name to Damansara something. Then we can charge a hefty premium. Heh! heh!

Source: http://www.millionairesplanet.com/articles_046.htm

Good things are never convenient

2008-03-13T16:25:00.000+08:00

Recently, I received a call from a lady. She was complimenting me on my books and wished she could hear me speak so she can learn more.

“That's great,” I told her. “I'm having a seminar this weekend. You should come.”

“Yes, ah?” came her reply. And I heard her voice drop. “Where's the seminar?”

“It's at the Holiday Villa Hotel in Subang Jaya.”

“Ohhh, that's too far.”

“Where are you staying?”

“I'm staying near the Mall in KL.”

I threw up my arms. “Subang Jaya is too far from KL? People have flown in from Sabah and Sarawak to come to my seminars!” I told her. But I knew it was all in vain. She was complimenting me earlier on to be polite. She did not expect to do more and spending a little bit more money to come to the seminar was obviously not in her plans.

I did not have to meet her personally to know that she is having financial problems. See folks, the truth is that the rich became rich because they were willing to do things that were not easy or convenient. Another truth is that everything worthwhile in this life is never easy or convenient. Great things will never fall into your lap or come raining down from the sky. You have to struggle and struggle hard. And then, maybe, just maybe, the heavens will open up.

Anyone who only wants to do things that are easy or convenient will live a life filled with endless financial problems.

So if you want the good life, then you must be willing to do things that are not easy or convenient. You must be willing to do things others are not willing to do.

Coming to seminars or attending training classes is never convenient, but you have to do it if you want to become better and wealthier.

When I decided to become a financial consultant in 1995, there were no such designations or qualifications in Malaysia .

I was so determined to do it that I wrote to universities in Australia and even the CFP headquarters in Denver, Colorado. I planned to do the course by mail but if I had to, I would fly there to complete the programme. Fortunately, I later found out about the Chartered Financial Consultant programme ran by the Malaysian Insurance Institute. I enrolled myself in the programme, attended evening classes twice a week for two years, read many books, sat for many exams, and paid good money to do all that.

Oh yes, I did all that even though I knew I was never going into practice as a financial consultant.

Was it easy? Certainly not. Who likes sitting for exams? Was it convenient? Obviously not. For starters, I had to miss spending time with my wife and children. But I did it anyway.

And the reason you are reading this article today is because I was willing to do things that were not convenient.

So dear readers, if you want to have the good things in life – big house, big car, fat income, slim wife – be willing to do things that are not easy or convenient. Be willing to do things that others are not willing to do.

Doing things that is only easy and convenient is reserved for the non-rich.

Source: http://www.millionairesplanet.com/articles_048.htm

Don't become an ex-millionaire

2008-03-12T23:25:00.000+08:00

Don't become an ex-millionaire

It's so sad and tragic. After years and years of saving money and careful frugal living, you see all your money disappear in a flash. Just because of one error in judgment - unfortunately in this case, a fatal error - you are now facing a bleak and uncertain future.

One day you are a millionaire and the next, you've joined the ex-millionaire club.

Whatever you do folks, make sure that this NEVER happens to you. This is not a case of having loved and lost. This is a case of losing and losing. Hard as it may read, but it is better not to have the big money than to have it, and then lose it all. After all, you never really lose what you never had.

So let's us look at the three reasons why many folks have been relegated to becoming ex-millionaires. In the hope that it will not happen to you.

1. Starting a business

Starting a business is perhaps the number one reason why a lot of millionaires are now ex-millionaires. Particularly those who have never been in business before.

I realized the temptations are there. You have the cash. Why not earn more returns from your money by starting a business. After all, if the business really takes off, your money will shoot to the heavens.

But think again and again. Then think one more time. First question - what do you know about running a business? If you cannot even answer this question, then case closed. Keep your hard earned money in your pocket.

As mentioned in the book "Millionaires are from a different Planet!", 80 percent of business close up shop in the first year alone. After five years, only five percent of business will remain open. Now, that's a mighty high rate of failure. In short, business is already very, very risky. Don't make it any worse by opening up shop if you don't know anything about the business.

As a side interest, check out the list of business yours truly have been offered - property development, importing furniture, Network 21, insurance agent, music shop, CD recording, music studio, managing a rock band, Amway, Cosway, internet MLMs, car repair and best of all, cow breeding! While I'm sure the businesses can make money, what I know about them is as much as I know about the sex habit of earthworms - nothing. So thank you very much, think I'll keep my money this time around.

2. Inappropriate investments

Making inappropriate investments is another culprit. Someone comes around saying why be happy with 12% return from ASB when you can make 30% (or more!) in ... (fill in the blanks). The "investment" can be futures, options, currency trading, commodities, properties, time-sharing, gold, silver, opals and the latest - internet ventures.

If you love yourself and your family, take my advice - keep the cheque book and shut the door. All the above - while it can make a lot of money for some selected professionals - will only drain your bank account like a vacuum cleaner on a jihad.

Folks, any investment that is too good to be true, is exactly that - not true. For starters, no one is gonna broadcast on any investment that can provide a return of 30% plus per year. They'll be too busy trying to keep it to themselves!

3. Buying expensive toys

After years of living from hand to mouth, coming into some big money can drive folks wild to the nth degree. I'm sure you have read reports on some of the big spending Felda settlers. In one extreme case, after getting the money for their land, two sixty plus year olds went out and bought themselves super bikes!

Many others went on a similar buying spree for themselves and their children - gleaming new Protons, big huge bungalows including swimming pools, home theatre systems, gold chains a foot long and just as thick, and any other expensive toys you can think of.
All these wild spending will only take them to one lonely club - the ex-millionaires club. What is worse is that it led them to the ultimate poorhouse - no land, no money.

These are just but three reasons why some folks become ex-millionaires. Now that you are forewarned, make sure you do not join the list.

Stay a millionaire. It's much, much better. For starters, you have more money!

Source: http://www.millionairesplanet.com/articles_042.htm

The Present

2008-03-07T20:36:00.000+08:00

A great note for all to read.

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room ' s only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats.. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind ' s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.
She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can ' t buy.

"Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present ."

Have You Visit Page Strength SEO Tool

2008-03-03T18:02:00.000+08:00

Thanks to www.szab.net for information on the Page Strength SEO Tool, now I can analyze my pagerank and remember the time when I was still a nobody.

Check out this link to view my rank:

Following is a screenshot of my pagerank as of today March 3, 2008:

Technorati Tags: simpe yahoo seo tips, yahoo serp tips, yahoo seo tips, google adsense tips, Yahoo Directory Service, Web site ranks, Search Engine Optimization, SEO, SERP, malaysia blogs

Kenapa kita perlukan backlink yang banyak?

2008-02-29T16:00:00.001+08:00

Ini adalah bahagian dua dari post sebelum ini dan saya namakan "Kenapa kita perlukan backlink yang banyak?". Sebabnya jika kita mahukan populariti blog meningkat disamping menambahkan sumber pendapatan yang ada, maka ianya cara yang amat berkesan. Disamping itu kita dapat mempromosi laman atau blog rakan-rakan yang lain. Berikut adalah kaedah yang saya ambil dari adala satu blog tu:

** Start Copy Here **

We all know how important getting link backs is and with this chain, you can get the ball rolling! You don’t have to be an established blogger to take part in this chain.

Here are the rules:

Copy this post from the point where it says “Start Copy Here” to the point where it says “End Copy Here”

Add yourself and 5 of your favorite bloggers to the end of the list.

Post this on your blog

**End Copy Here**

Why do my backlinks not show up on Google?

2008-02-29T01:23:00.000+08:00

This post is taken from Search Engine Guide - The small business guide to search marketing page. The problem with my blog is when I Google for my backlinks, I am not getting any result. For some reason, my backlinks are not quality enough or simply not enough to reveal in Google search result. I'm pretty sure someone else are facing the same phenomena.

“Why do my backlinks not show up on Google?”

Complete Question: “I often read your articles (even if I haven't put all the advice to use yet) and thought you might be able to help. No one else has been able to yet. The problem is with the backlinks on Google; there are none showing to my site. I am unable, as were my hosting company, to come up with a reasonable explanation. As you can see there are plenty of sites that have my web address on them linking to them - just type www.shotbythesheriff.co.uk into the google search bar to see (some of) them. Also if you do the same thing that I did on Google, search link: http://www.shotbythesheriff.co.uk on Yahoo and MSN, you do get some of the my backlinks to come up.

If you have an explanation as to why these links do not show up on Google I would be most interested to hear from you as it has bewildered myself and quite a few professionals I have asked.

Answer: I took a look and the number of backlinks your site has on Yahoo (34) and on MSN (10) and I am pleased to say I have an answer for you:

A large part of my job revolves around deconstructing the tactics that a client's competitors use to succeed and ultimately provide an improved strategy to my client; we call this competitor analysis . When creating these reports a core step is the analysis of the backlinks for every competitor I am asked to review. During the backlink analysis for any analysis I have done there is only one thing I will bet on; in every situation Yahoo and MSN provide a far more accurate telling of the backlinks that each competitor has. This is why many of the excellent link-analysis programs like OptiLink recommend using Yahoo! to conduct link analysis – it is far more accurate.

So why, might you ask, is Google not as forthcoming? The answer is rooted within Google's growing popularity and the stakes involved in attaining top rankings that everyone strives for – Google simply does not want to give too much information away that might aid those who wish to improve rankings. As a result, the number of backlinks revealed by Google is often dramatically less than there actually are. This does not mean that Google has not seen the backlinks to your site, but merely that it has chosen not to reveal these backlinks.

Additionally, I should note when backlinks do show up on Google they are often from only the highest quality sites; those that are already considered credible themselves and are undeniably relevant to the linked website.

As an example of the absolutely mind-boggling differences between Google, MSN and Yahoo backlink results, here are the latest stats for my site www.StepForth.com : Google (842), MSN (9,501), Yahoo! (25,178).

In summary, I expect the reason you are not seeing your backlinks appear on Google is that you simply do not have enough of them. In addition, the ones that you do have are not of a high enough calibre for Google to merit revealing them. The result is you may not see any backlinks appearing on Google until you have 5 more or 200+ more… there is no firm ratio. For now, continue the battle for more relevant backlinks and I hope that my article gets you a few in itself.

For more information on what constitutes a “quality backlink” here is an appropriate article “ What Exactly Are Good Backlinks? ”. Here are some other articles and postings that may prove interesting to you:

“When Do Inbound Links Dictate Ranking?”

“Thinking (a lot) About Linking”

Kenapa Perlu Guna Linkback atau Backlink

2008-02-27T21:50:00.000+08:00

Linkback atau Backlink adalah satu cara meningkatkan populariti dan page rank untuk carian di enjin pencari. Salah satu blog yang menyediakan linkback untuk blogger adalah dari rangkaian saudara Sukeri iaitu Buat Duit Dari Blog.

Mengikut Jonathan Leger, dalam Search Engine Myths Exposed!, untuk menaikkan populariti dan pagerank, linkback atau backlink tidak semestinya berkaitan dengan tajuk blog. Apa yang penting ialah bilangan linkback yang dimiliki oleh sesuatu blog. Lebih banyak backlink maka kebarangkalian untuk sesuatu blog untuk muncul di kedudukan teratas enjin pencari adalah lebih tinggi.

AIRASIA FOUNDER LIKES WORKERS TO SPEAK UP

2008-02-25T22:49:00.000+08:00

Malaysian Tony Fernandes founded AirAsia, Asia 's first low-cost carrier, in 2001 and expanded the company by setting up joint-venture airlines in Thailand and Indonesia . Mr. Fernandes, 42 years old, graduated from the University of London in 1987 with a finance degree and in 1992 moved back to Malaysia, where he became managing director of Warner Music Malaysia, and later, vice-president of Warner's Southeast Asian operations. He quit in 2001 to start AirAsia.

One of Malaysia 's most outspoken business executives, Mr. Fernandes not only has strong ideas on the way airlines should be run, but also how Southeast Asia 's top-down corporate culture should change. He spoke to reporter Cris Prystay about his style.

WSJ: What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

Mr. Fernandes: My first job was a waiter in London at the Cavendish Hotel. I was 17. I learned that working was hard and you had to be professional, even as a waiter. You had other colleagues. If my performance was poor, it let down the whole team. My first [career] job was as an accountant at an auditor in London . It was mind-blowingly boring. I was a junior auditor and was photocopying and adding up rows of columns. The big lesson there: make sure you go into a job that you enjoy. Otherwise, you don't give any value to your employer, and you certainly don't add any value to your own mind.

WSJ: Who gave you the best business advice?

Mr. Fernandes: It was probably Stephen Shrimpton (the former chief executive officer of Warner Music International) at Warner. I was a man in a rush. I was 28 when I became the managing director of Warner Music Malaysia , and I wanted to be the regional MD. I wanted to take over the world. One night, Steve talked to me outside the Sheraton Hotel in Hong Kong for three hours. He told me there's no need to rush and that it's about developing my own personality and making sure I'm ready for the next job. I see that now: No matter how bright someone is at 25, there's nothing like experience. He slowed me down, and made me understand that you need to take time to understand the business better, to understand your people better.

WSJ: What's the one thing you wish every new hire knew?

Mr. Fernandes: Humility -- and knowing what the real world is like. The new generation is coming in pretty soft. A lot of these young guys haven't lived through a recession. There are plenty of jobs out there and they think, "I can always walk into another job." The hunger and determination to do their best is sometimes not there.

WSJ: Is there a difference between the management culture in Asia and the West?

Mr. Fernandes: The management culture here is very top-down. There's less creativity and fewer people who are willing to speak out. They're more implementers than doers. There's less freedom of speech, and that impacts the business world. Even when they know things are not right, they won't speak out. They just do what they're told to do.

WSJ: What's the biggest management challenge you face?

Mr. Fernandes: To get people to think. At AirAsia, we want 4,000 brains working for us. My biggest challenge is to get people to talk, to express themselves, to get people to challenge me and say "Tony, you're talking rubbish.
" That's what I want, not people who say "Yes, sir." The senior management doesn't have all the answers. I want the guy on the ramp to have the confidence to tell me what's wrong.

WSJ: What are you doing to clear that hurdle?

Mr. Fernandes: We have no offices. We dress down. You wear a suit, and you put distance between you and your staff. We're on a first-name basis. I go around the office, around the check-in desks, the planes constantly, talking to people. Fifty percent of my job is managing people in the company. You get people to open up to you by just asking them to do it, and then responding to them. You don't send a memo, or do some "speak up" incentive program. It's got to be from the heart.

WSJ: What was the most satisfying decision you've made as a manager?

Mr. Fernandes: Once a month, I carry bags with the ramp boys, or I'm cabin crew, or at the check-in. I do this to get close to the operation. I also want to know my people. When I first started this, I met all these bright kids at the check-in or carrying bags. We were starting this cadet pilot program, and I said, "Let's open it up to anyone. Let some of these kids apply." They have the brains, but they just didn't have the money to get the education. Out of the first batch of 19 cadets, 11 came from within the company. Some of these boys got the highest marks ever in the flying academy. There was one kid who joined us to carry bags, and 18 months later he was a First Officer of a 737. Can you imagine what that does for the motivation in the company? Everyone talks about developing human capital, but we did it.

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ASIA

The Simple Six-Letter Word That Determines Success

2008-02-20T00:56:00.000+08:00

This afternoon when I checked my e-mails as always, one interesting subject is from Copyblogger which I opted in to receive newsletter from them.

No doubt this simple word is among the steps which determine whether anyone is a loser or a winner.

Truly, I am still struggling though trying to make ends meet. Payday is not everyday. So, I have come up with an idea to ease my burden and will make the idea public when the project is completed.

So what is the six-letter word that determines success in life....click here to find out.

From RM50 A Day To RM100,000 A Month

2008-02-15T20:50:00.000+08:00

By Soraya Jamal
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Twenty years ago, T. Sundaresan earned his living by selling toys at night markets.

During those days, his daily income was inconsistent, at times reaching only RM50, and on "bad nights" the sum he earned was meagre. Now the 40-year-old Selangor-born has a business chain that gives him RM100,000 a month.

"In Malaysia, it is not that hard to earn money. Even foreigners can come here and toil non-stop to earn money, why then should we find it difficult? " he asked. "If one is lazy, then it will of course be tough. Where there is a will, there is a way," Sundaresan told Bernama recently.

Sounds rather easy. The truth is, there is no short cut to success.

SELLING TOYS

At the age when his peers were still seeking direction in their life, the then 19-year-old Sundaresan was earning an income by selling toys at night markets, with a capital of RM300, using his trusted motorcycle.

In the early 90s, Sundaresan expanded his toy-selling business by acquiring a Chevrolet C20 van and added plastic-based products to his wares. Several years later, the nation was hit by the economic meltdown. But this did not deter Sundaresan from moving a few rungs up.

The young entrepreneur then purchased a one-tonne van and started selling pots. "I travelled daily to the factory in Yong Peng, Johor, to collect the pots. I left home at 3am and by 6 in the evening, I was offering them at the night markets in the Klang Valley. That was my daily routine then", he said.

But Sundaresan did not stop at this point as he wanted to do more. Realising that his neighbourhood, located near the Glenmarie estate and Kampung Saujana, had yet to have any form of public transport, Sundaresan began to ferry school students and other passengers to schools and other destinations.

ENTERPRISING MAN

That was years back. Now Sundaresan is the proud owner of three school buses and a van. He also operates a grocery store.

The father of two has a keen eye for business opportunities. Chancing upon a vacant shop lot located not far away from his grocery store, Sundaresan immediately grabbed at the golden opportunity to expand his business by investing RM80,000 to open a restaurant at the premise.

The eatery, known as "Restoran Ikan Tenggiri," is doing good business. It is managed by his younger brother Ramesh who is also an actor. Encouraged by the public's response to his restaurant, Sundaresan spread his business further by operating office canteens and offering catering services.

HARD WORK PAYS

What Sundaresan has now is all due to his hard work. He did it without resorting to taking loans or business financing. The only loan that he has ever taken was for the purchase of vehicles.

However Sundaresan's success story is not without glitches. His grocery stroe was robbed four years ago. In 2006, the same store was hit by flood, causing him to suffer some RM60,000 in losses.

"I had to start from scratch," he said. Sundaresan said he had faced and experienced many challenges and difficult situations including getting capital and workers. "It is not easy to get foreign workers. The locals are choosy over jobs. At times I have to ask my children and relatives to carry out the work," said Sundaresan who also cares for the wife and children of his elder brother who died 15 years ago.

ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE

Sundaresan's grocery store is open seven days a week, including on public holidays and festive occasions like Deepavali. The only time the shop is closed is when Sundaresan and his family leave for Chennai, India for their annual pilgrimage.

To this day, Sundaresan still drives his school bus despite having 16 workers. "At times, I get sleepless at night, thinking of my business. Patience is a much needed virtue. Sometimes the thought of relinquishing the business did cross my mind, but in the long run, it is really not a solution ", he said.

Sundaresan is rather fortunate as his wife understands his work commitments. "She is a great help. My wife helps to manage my grocery shop when I am busy with other commitments," he said.

NO SECRET, ONLY HARD WORK

For Sundaresan, there is no secret to his success. It comes only through hard work and tenacity. "We cannot hope for assistance from others as in business we have to be responsible. It is not merely a matter of putting up your money.

"Those who wish to do business must have the commitment and will to work very hard at all times," he said, adding that a businessman must also be wise and cautious.

They must not be careless and lackadaisical, said Sundaresan.

He said businessmen should also be creative in their ventures. "Do not think that by starting a business today you can be rich tomorrow. There is no shortcut to success," he said.

Sundaresan has this advice for young entrepreneurs. "You have to be serious in business. It is no fun. If you earn RM10, then is no way should you spend RM12", he cautioned.

-- BERNAMA

Menonton TV tidak membantu pelajar, merendahkan prestasi akademik

2008-02-09T16:00:00.000+08:00

Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) menggesa ibu bapa supaya mengehadkan waktu tontonan televisyen anak-anak mereka memandangkan kesan negatif televisyen terhadap perkembangan prestasi akademik pelajar.

Laporan akhbar tempatan baru-baru ini mendedahkan bahawa remaja Amerika Syarikat yang menonton televisyen pada hari biasa akan menunjukkan prestasi buruk di sekolah berbanding mereka yang tidak menonton pada hari berkenaan, tetapi menonton pada hujung minggu memberi kesan lebih negatif terhadap kerja sekolah mereka.

Kajian terhadap 4,508 pelajar sekolah menengah berumur antara sembilan hingga 15 tahun juga mendapati kerja sekolah terjejas di kalangan mereka yang dibenarkan menonton rancangan dewasa, filem dan rangkaian kabel membabitkan program dewasa.

Data sokongan mendapati ibu bapa yang membataskan televisyen pada hari biasa dan masa permainan video kurang daripada sejam dan menyekat media dewasa dengan membataskan pendedahan terhadap rangkaian filem kabel dan filem dewasa serta video.

Pelajar yang tidak menonton televisyen ketika hari biasa, separuh menunjukkan kecemerlangan di sekolah, demikian menurut kajian terbaru yang dibuat oleh Dr Iman Sharif dari Kolej Perubatan Albert Einstein di Bronx, New York.

Sejak beberapa tahun yang lalu CAP telah menyuarakan kesan TV terhadap perkembangan anak-anak kita lebih-lebih lagi Akademi Pediatrik Amerika sendiri menggesa supaya diharamkan televisyen bagi kanak-kanak di bawah usia dua tahun.

Menonton TV boleh menjadikan kanak-kanak kurang cerdik kerana TV mampu membunuh IQ, membekukan otak, menyekat kreativiti, menghalang daripada berfikir secara mendalam, mencuri masa, mengganggu tidur, merampas waktu bermain dan banyak keburukan lagi.

Beberapa kajian mendapati menonton televisyen lebih berbahaya dan berpotensi merosakkan otak kanak-kanak yang sedang membesar berbanding apa yang dipaparkan di televisyen.

Menghabiskan banyak masa di depan televisyen menjadikan sukar untuk kanak-kanak belajar membaca, memberikan tumpuan yang berterusan dan cemerlang dalam peperiksaan di sekolah.

Apabila kanak-kanak menghabiskan banyak masa dengan menonton televisyen, mereka tidak melibatkan diri di dalam aspek-aspek pembelajaran lain seperti bermain, membaca, menulis, belajar atau bergaul.

Sejak tahun 1977 lagi banyak amaran telah diberikan bahawa menonton televisyen menjadikan kanak-kanak bersikap pasif dan berat mulut, ia tidak dapat bermain, mengeluarkan idea atau berfikir dengan jelas.

Menurut laporan 1994 dari Jabatan Pendidikan Amerika Syarikat, pencapaian akademik jatuh dengan ketara bagi kanak-kanak yang menonton lebih daripada 10 jam seminggu atau purata dua jam sehari.

Kajian tahun 1980 pula yang dilakukan oleh Jabatan Pendidikan California yang mengkaji tabiat menonton televisyen dan markah ujian bagi sesetengah juta kanak-kanak menunjukkan terdapat hubungan langsung di antara jumlah masa seseorang kanak-kanak menonton televisyen dengan jumlah markah yang diperolehi dalam ujian pencapaian yang diseragamkan, lebih banyak televisyen ditonton kanak-kanak, lebih rendah pencapaiannya.

Sehubungan itu, CAP menggesa ibu bapa supaya bersikap lebih tegas terhadap tabiat menonton TV anak-anak mereka memandangkan televisyen sering membawa lebih banyak keburukan daripada kebaikan.

-SM Mohamed Idris (Presiden CAP) 5 Oktober 2006

Kisah monyet

2008-02-06T16:02:00.000+08:00

Maafkan saya kerana saya tidak bijak mengarang. Saya bukan penulis. Apa
yang saya ingin ceritakan pun hanyalah tetang monyet,haiwan yang sering
jadi bahan sendaan kita, bukannya tentang wang, saham, barang kemas,
kekasih yang jelita mahupun banglo besar. Saya tidak bijak bercerita
tentang itu.

Baru-baru ini saya ke Negeri Sembilan untuk mengunjungi rumah seorang
saudara.Sewaktu kereta melalui hutan rekreasi Hulu Bendul di Kuala
Pilah, nun di depan sana ,saya lihat ada sekumpulan monyet mundar-mandir
di sisi jalan yang sibuk. Ia seperti terburu-buru untuk melintas.

Saya terus memandu dan sewaktu kereta semakin hampir,saya terkejut
kerana ada seekor monyet menggeletik di atas jalan. Ia baru dilanggar
salah sebuah kereta di hadapan saya. Pantas saya menekan brek dan
memperlahankan kereta.

Kereta semakin hampir dan dada ini berdebar apabila melihat monyet itu
terus menggelupur dan menghempas-hempas ke atas jalan. Kakinya
terketar-ketar. Di sisinya ada darah dan cebisan daging.

Tapi paling menyentak perasaan saya ialah apabila melihat perutnya yang
buncit itu terburai, dan dari celah luka besar itu tersembul sesuatu
berwarna kelabu. Tahukah pembaca, benda apakah yang saya lihat itu?

Benda kelabu itu adalah anak yang masih dalam kandungannya! Pada ketika
itu saya terasa tubuh ini menggeletar. Saya pasti, si ibu monyet tadi
akan mati sebentar lagi. Begitu juga dengan anaknya,nyawanya melayang
sebelum sempat melihat wajah ibu.

Sebaik melintasinya, saya pandang cermin sisi dan belakang. Saya nampak
kawanan monyet tadi bercempera. Ia berlari-lari mendapatkan si ibu tadi,
tapi kemudian bertempiaran semula ke tepi jalan kerana hampir saja
dilanggar kenderaan yang lalu-lalang.

Mungkin kepada pembaca sekalian, apalah ada pada nyawa seekor monyet. Ia
hanya monyet. Haiwan hodoh. Hidupnya di hutan, tidak setaraf dengan
manusiawi.

Tapi tidak kepada saya. Pulang bercuti, saya terus catatkan surat ini,
kerana peristiwa yang saya sebutkan tadi sebenarnya telah mengingatkan
saya kepada sebuah peristiwa yang berlaku pada awal 1990-an.

Ketika itu usia saya masih di awal 20-an. Hari itu, saya diajak oleh
seorang bapa saudara untuk memburu di hutan berhampiran rumah. Saya
bukanlah minat memburu, tapi daripada bosan terperap di rumah, saya
terima ajakan bapa saudara saya tadi.

Masih saya ingat, beberapa jam berburu,matahari pun sudah meninggi, tapi
tiada seekor haiwan pun melintas di hadapan kami. Pelanduk, napuh,
rusa, ayam hutan dan burung yang selalu berlegar di hutan itu,
seolah-olah bersembunyi jauh dari kami. Hutan itu sepi.

Saya bertambah rimas, pak cik pula saya lihat mula kecewa. Hari kian
beranjak petang, pak cik menepuk-nepuk senapang Relanya. Kata pak cik,

"Kita balik ajalah, hari ni tak ada apa-apa.Mungkin esok ada habuan."

Kami berjalan pulang, tapi selang dua tiga puluh langkah, kami terdengar
suara riuh-rendah di sebalik pokok-pokok besar di hadapan kami. Saya
mengamati suara itu, ternyata ia datang dari sekawan monyet yang sedang
memakan buah-buah hutan.

Saya perhatikan pak cik begitu berminat memerhatikan haiwan itu. Di
bibirnya ada sebaris senyuman. Senyuman yang saya faham benar maksudnya.

Adakah pak cik hendak menembak monyet-monyet itu?

"Haa. Pak cik nak tembak ibunya, lepas tu pak cik nak ambil anaknya,
nanti boleh bela," begitu jawapan pak cik.

Masih saya ingat juga, saya beberapa kali mendesak pak cik supaya
membatalkan hasratnya itu, tapi gagal. Saya gagal mengendurkan niatnya.

Tidak akan saya lupa kata-kata pak cik petang itu:

"Daripada balik tangan kosong? "

Lalu dia mengacukan senapangnya ke arah kawasan monyet tadi, dan ?

DAMMM!!!

Demi berdentum saja senapang, bercempera dan lintang-pukang monyet-
monyet tadi menyelamatkan diri. Hutan itu riuh dengan bunyi ranting
patah serta jerit pekik haiwan berkenaan.

BUUUPP! Ada suatu benda yang jatuh ke tanah.

Saya terpandang seekor ibu monyet jatuh berdekatan kami. Saya dan pak
cik terus mendapatkannya. Dari perutnya bercucuran darah pekat.
Anaknya yang tidak mengerti apa-apa terlepas dari pelukan, tercampak
tidak jauh dari ibunya sambil menjerit-jerit.

Si ibu merengus-rengus memanggil anaknya dengan lemah.
Ia cuba bangun. Dengan bersusah payah sambil tangannya mencapai
akar-akar
pokok untuk mendekati anaknya. Sebelah tangan lagi menekap perut yang
masih berdarah.

Ia berusaha melangkah tapi terjatuh semula. Digagahi lagi sambil
berguling-guling ke arah anaknya. Si anak yang baru pandai berjalan
jatuh, bangun mendapatkan ibunya.

Si anak itu terus saja memeluk ibunya yang kesakitan. Masih terbayang
jelas di ingatan saya bagaimana si ibu monyet tadi memegang tubuh dan
menatap wajah anaknya puas-puas, kemudian dicium berkali-kali. Setelah
itu dibawa si anak ke dada lalu disuakan susunya.

Saya dan pak cik terdiam melihat si anak menghisap susu manakala ibunya
mengerang-ngerang perlahan seakan memujuk sambil menahan sakit. Hati
saya tersentuh. Betapa si anak yang baru melihat dunia tidak tahu bahawa
ibu tempat dia bermanja akan pergi buat selama-lamanya.

Saya tidak mampu menyelami fikiran ibu monyet tadi, tapi mungkin ia
ingin
memeluk anaknya buat kali terakhir, sepuas-puasnya, kerana selepas ini
ibu
akan pergi.

Ibu tidak akan dapat memelukmu lagi apabila kau kesejukan, menyuap
mulutmu bila kau merengek kelaparan, juga melindungimu bila kau
kepanasan.

Mata si ibu monyet itu memandang ke arah kami. Tangannya memeluk erat si
anak seolah-olah enggan melepaskannya, biarlah ia mati bersama anaknya.

Matanya saya lihat digenangi air, masih tidak lepas memandang kami
dengan pandangan sayu, mungkin ingin menyatakan betapa kejamnya manusia.

Dosa apakah yang aku lakukan hungga aku ditembak? Salahkah aku bebas ke
sana ke mari di bumi indah ciptaan Allah ini? Tubuh ibu monyet itu
berlumuran darah, begitu juga dengan si anak yang masih di pelukannya.

Beberapa detik kemudian, dengan tenaga yang masih berbaki, kami lihat si
ibu mencium anaknya untuk ke sekian kalinya. Perlahan-lahan tubuhnya
terkulai ditanah, bisa penabur dari muncung senapang pak cik tadi tidak
dapat ditanggung lagi.

Si anak menjerit-jerit memanggil ibunya supaya bangun dan melarikan diri
dari situ, tapi si ibu sudah tidak bernyawa lagi. Puas menjerit, si anak
tadi menyusu semula.

Di saat itu perasaan saya terlalu sebak. Saya perhatikan pak cik, dia
beberapa kali menggetap bibir cubamenahan air matanya daripada tumpah
ke pipi.

Tapi bila melihat si anak monyet tadi menjerit dan menggoncang- goncang
tubuh ibunya, akhirnya air mata kami tumpah juga. Saya betul-betul kesal
dengan apa yang berlaku.

Suasana sunyi kembali. Si anak monyet itu kami rangkul dan bawa pulang.
Biarpun ia terus menjerit-jerit dan enggan berpisah dengan ibunya yang
telah mati.

Di dalam kereta saya hanya mendiamkan diri. Begitu juga pak cik. Pada
ketika itu saya dapat merasakan betapa kejamnya kami kerana membunuh
satu nyawa yang tidak berdosa. Biarpun monyet itu hanya haiwan yang
hodoh, tapi mereka juga ada perasaan, ada rasa kasih kepada anak, rasa
sayang kepada ibu. Tapi kita manusia??

Mana hilangnya akal waras kami?

Selang dua minggu kemudian, anak monyet tadi mengikut jejak ibunya. Pak
cik memberitahu saya, anak monyet itu tidak mahu makan dan asyik
menjerit-jerit sahaja. Mungkin ia rindukan ibunya. Apabila malam,
keadaannya bertambah teruk, dan akhirnya mati.

Kini saya sudah bekerja dan berumah tangga. Peristiwa tadi sudah saya
ceritakan kepada anak dan isteri saya agar mereka mengerti bahawa haiwan
juga punya perasaan. Yang kejam adalah manusia, walaupun kitalah
satu-satunya makhluk yang Tuhan anugerahkan akal fikiran.

Tidak lupa saya memberitahu mereka betapa agung dan sucinya kasih sayang
ibu.

More on Adi Putra

2008-02-03T16:00:00.000+08:00

Video Adi Putra tentang Bahasa Melayu

2008-01-31T18:51:00.000+08:00

Ah Kau Story

2008-01-31T01:28:00.000+08:00

Ah Kau is a guy who sells newspaper every morning next to your apartment, and you are one of his daily regular customers. Before dashing off to your office every day, you will go to his small stall and buy The Star newspaper. Wearing a newly pressed shirt, a tie, and a pair of Clarks shoes, you grab a copy of The Star, pay RM1.20 and exchange smiles with Ah Kau and greet him."Apa macam Ah Kau ini hari? Bisnes ada baik?"

The normal greeting like you do every day. Yes, Ah Kau doesn't speak English. He speaks Chinese and knows a little bit of Malay. He speaks a little bit of Malay but with a very thick Chinese accent. "Biasa saja... ini bisnes aa, kadang kadang baik, kadang kadang tada untung oo....""Biasalah hidup. Kadang kadang ok, kadang kadang tak ok." You give Ah Kau a pat on the back. You smile and walk away and get into your car. You start the engine and start driving to your office, a multinational semiconductor company located in a premier industrial area. You are a young and promising finance executive and the future looks bright for you. A year goes by and things look pretty good on the track. You decide to marry your fiance and have your new wife moves in to your place. Both of you feel happy because you can save more money as the two of you will be sharing one apartment and can live as one.

Ah Kau is still selling the newspaper as usual. Sometimes in the morning your wife gets the newspaper from Ah Kau instead of you.

A year later a child comes along, and you decide to buy and move into a newly developed condominium just across the street. This place is bigger so it will be perfectly fit for the 3 of you. But since both of you are working, you decide to get a maid to take of the household and your kid.

By this time you're offered a managerial job from another multinational; the remuneration package offered is much better in terms of the pay, contractual bonus, medical benefits, ESOS scheme and a few others which make it impossible for you to decline. So you join this company happily.

You get busier. You realize that you spend less and less time with your family. When your department is busy preparing for the next audit, your working hours become more and more ridiculous. Any internal issues arising in the office means you'll be stuck in the office until 8 or 9 pm. Sometimes, during the weekend, you'll spend your time in your office, buried under paper works and documentations, instead of taking your family for a walk in the park.

One morning, on your way to get your copy of The Star, you realized that Ah Kau is no longer in his stall. So is his rundown motorbike. Instead, there's another young Chinese guy at the stall. "What happen to Ah Kau?" You ask out of curiosity.

"Oh, he is still around, but he is no longer taking care of this stall as he has opened up a new grocery shop down town. I am running this newspaper stall for him."

"Ok," you smile. You feel happy for Ah Kau. "At last he manages to improve his life."

Your normal life continues. A year passes by and at the end of your company's fiscal year, you're rewarded for your effort with a 5 months bonus pay-out by your employer. Wow. Now that is a very handsome reward. You feel your effort has been equally compensated. To celebrate, you decide that it's time to trade your 5-year old Proton Wira to the latest Honda Civic model. It won't be much a problem to you to get a loan scheme from the bank as your pay slip will provide you an easy gateway to access financial help from any bank.

One day, the hardest reality of life hits you right on the face. The company that you've been working for years announces that they're moving their business to China for cost and competitive reason and has asked you to find a job somewhere else. "What?" You scream out cold. "I got a lot of liabilities on the card! Who's gonna pay for my mortgage? My car? My credit card? My gym fees? My bills?" You yell like there's no way out.

This is the first time you feel let down by your own employer. All your hard work seem to go up on the smoke. You feel sick. You now hate your company. On the way home, you stopped by at a mamak restaurant for a cup of teh tarik while pondering about your future. Alone.

Suddenly you saw this new, shiny BMW 3 series being parked nearby. And to your surprise, it was Ah Kau. Yes, Ah Kau who used to sell newspapers nearby your old apartment. "What happened to old Ah Kau?" You whisper to your self.

Ah Kau still recognizes you, and sit next to you, and shared his story. To make it short, Ah Kau had accumulated his money from selling newspapers to open more stalls, one after another. Every new stall is run by his workers so that he focused on opening more and more stalls, which in turn give him more and more money. Over the years, he had accumulated enough cash to open up new grocery store while at the same time buying more assets to grow his wealth. And his current wealth and success is achieved without any loan or financial help from banks and other financial institutions.

There you go. That's the story. While Ah Kau is set to become financially free, you're back to where you're started before. Ground zero .

Before leaving, Ah Kau gives you a familiar quote, "Biasalah hidup. Kadang kadang ok, kadang kadang tak ok." He gives you a pat on the back and walks away.

In reality, if you're observant enough, there are a lot of Ah Kaus out there, that you will see every day and every where you go. The names are different, but inside them is every character of Ah Kau. They might be Uncle Dorai, Ah Chong, Pak Abu, Makcik Gemuk, Pak Man nasi lemak or others.They look to be struggling on the surface, but if you look carefully and compare with you life, many of them are living with little or no liabilities. They ride an old 'kapcai' bike. They live in an old rundown house. They don't have credit card to swipe. They wear a 10-year old shirt and short. No new, shiny Toyota Harrier. In short, their living means are far below than yours. But what you don't realize is that many of them can save more money than yours, and over the years generate enough money to expand their business, or invest in properties. Their asset columns are much thicker than that of yours."SHARING IS CARING".....

Ice Breaking

2007-11-26T23:28:00.000+08:00

Bagaimana anda membuat penonton teruja? "Ice Breaking" adalah teknik-teknik yang digunakan untuk menghidupkan suasana atau memeriahkan suasana terhadap kumpulan individu yang tidak pernah kerja bersama, tidak pernah berjumpa atau tidak kenal satu sama lain. "Ice Breaking" perlu diketengahkan dalam situasi seperti berikut:

Peserta mempunyai latarbelakang yang berbeza.

Merapatkan hubungan peserta yang berlainan untuk mencapai sesuatu tujuan.

Pasukan anda baru dibentuk.

Topik yang anda bincangkan adalah sesuatu yang baru, buakan perkara biasa dan tidak ramai yang berpengalaman.

Sebagai fasilitator, anda perlu mengenali peserta dan membuatkan peserta mengenali anda dengan lebih baik.

Kaedah yang boleh digunakan adalah dengan membuat jenaka, teka-teki, persembahan video, soal-jawab atau apa sahaja teknik yang difikirkan sesuai untuk memastikan anda mendapat kerjasama dari kumpulan. Sesi "Ice Breaking" akan mengurangkan rasa tidak selamat dalam kalangan peserta dan membuatkan mereka merasa selesa.

When we change our ......

2007-11-20T16:00:00.000+08:00

Pada hari ini saya didedahkan dengan apa yang disebut sebagai "Change Chain" atau "Rantai Perubahan" dalam satu kursus yang saya hadiri di ibu negara. Rantainya adalah perkara yang biasa didengar oleh semua dan terdiri dari 7 elemen iaitu Belief, Attitude, Behaviour, Life, Performance, Thinking dan Expectations.

Rantai ini adalah rentetan dari perkara yang perlu untuk seseorang mengubah haluan hidupnya. Ianya bermula dengan kenyataan "When we change our ....., then we will change our ...... (Tempat kosong ini diisi salah satu dari 7 elemen Rantaian Perubahan).

Contohnya untuk saya berubah dari malas kepada rajin maka rantai saya bermula dengan Belief dan diikuti dengan Thinking, Attitude, Behaviour, Performance, Expectations dan diakhiri dengan Life.

Jadi, apakah "Rantaian Perubahan" anda? Turutannya mungkin tidak sama dengan saya dan adalah menurut pandangan masing-masing.

Related links:

Gila-gila

2007-11-19T23:56:00.000+08:00

Untuk mencapai kecemerlangan, selalunya kita perlu memberikan seluruh tenaga yang kita ada. Sentuhan yang berlainan dari biasa atau drastik akan memungkinkan kecemerlangan dicapai dengan cepat. Inilah yang dinamakan usaha yang "gila-gila".

Walaupun usaha adalah "gila-gila", tetapi pendekatan perlulah mematuhi nilai-nilai moral masyarakat dan tidak menjatuhkan martabat seseorang disebabkan pendekatan yang dilakukan.

Contoh yang terbaru adalah pada 12 November 2007 apabila Menteri Besar Selangor memberikan anugerah "Penyapu" kepada Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) yang tidak menunjukkan prestasi yang baik (kerana gagal mengutip hasil cukai yang disasarkan) boleh dianggap pendekatan yang "gila-gila". PBT yang malang tersebut adalah Pejabat Daerah dan Tanah (PDT) Hulu Selangor serta Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor (MDHS). Banyak kontroversi yang timbul disebabkan oleh pendekatan ini tetapi saya memandangnya sebagai sesuatu yang "gila-gila".

Moral of the story: Lakukan sesuatu yang "gila-gila" hari ini dan anda akan dikenang pada esok hari.

Proses Kreativiti

2007-11-07T16:00:00.000+08:00

1. Ilmu Pengetahuan -
Mengumpul maklumat sebanyak mungkin berkenaan tugasan atau masalah.

2. Penyelidikan -
Mengenalpasti percubaan yang lalu dan membuat pendirian dimana tumpuan hendak diberi. Mencari hasil dan percubaan yang lalu.

3. Mendefininisikan matlamat/arah tuju -
Mentakrifkan dengan jelas masalah yang hendak diselesaikan atau hasil yang dikehendaki.

4. Pengeraman (Incubation) -
Tiada apa dilakukan pada langkah ini. Menghasilkan buah fikiran atau ide memerlukan masa dan tidak datang dengan segera. Terlalu banyak berfikir boleh menyebabkan kebuntuan. Ide mungkin terbit pada keadaan yang tidak disangka.

5. Membina kemungkinan -
Adalah lebih baik mencuba pendekatan yang berbeza dari menumpukan pada satu ide. Ide adalah seperti batu loncatan; Ide berkembang dari satu ide ke yang lain dan ide baru sering kali adalah gabungan berbagai ide yang ada.

6. Penapisan -
Ide-ide perlu ditapis untuk mendapatkan yang terbaik.

7. Menyatakan dengan jelas -
Mencari jalan untuk menyampaikan ide. Menjual ide kepada pihak lain dan memberangsangkan mereka untuk memajukan ide tersebut.

Terjemahan dari: Symbiosis February-May 2004, Technology Park Malaysia.

Penjelasan saintifik mengenai khinzir

2007-10-30T21:21:00.000+08:00

Pada kali ini, saya ingin berkongsi maklumat yang saya terima melalui e-mel berkenaan dua karikatur di sebelah dari seorang sahabat di utara tanahair. Karikatur ini memberi penjelasan menarik mengenai mengapa babi dan produk berkaitannya diharamkan dalam Islam. Klik gambar untuk melihat karikatur yang jelas.

Idea sensasi untuk blog pertama anda (bhg. III)

2007-10-27T02:14:00.000+08:00

Idea 22: Gunakan gambar-gambar yang menarik dan unik di dalam blog.

Idea 23: Buat posting tentang perkembangan sesuatu antara dulu dan sekarang.

Idea 24: Galakkan pelawat blog untuk melanggan post anda dengan menawarkan hadiah yang menarik.

Idea 25: Buat penambahbaikan terhadap posting penulis blog yang lain.

Idea sensasi untuk blog pertama anda (bhg. II)

2007-10-26T01:16:00.000+08:00

Seperti yang dijanjikan semalam, pada hari ini saya nukilkan beberapa lagi idea penulisan blog yang dapat anda gunakan untuk memulakan karier penulisan blog:

Idea 12: Buat posting untuk menyelesaikan sesuatu masalah tertentu.

Idea 13: Buat posting yang memberikan ilham kepada pengunjung.

Idea 14: Buat posting yang bersiri (contoh posting yang sedang anda teliti)

Idea 15: Buat posting tentang kelebihan dan kekurangan sesuatu perkara.

Idea 16: Kemaskini posting yang lama dengan memasukkan idea atau penemuan baru.

Idea 17: Buat posting yang memudahkan sesuatu perkara yang kompleks.

Idea 18: Buat posting tentang perkara yang melucukan.

Idea 19: Buat senarai posting anda yang menarik/terbaik untuk dilihat.

Idea 20: Tambahkan senarai yang dimulakan oleh penulis lain.

Idea 21: Buat posting untuk menukarkan sesuatu yang negatif menjadi positif melalui lawak jenaka.

Kita jumpa lagi esok untuk siri Idea sensasi untuk blog pertama anda yang seterusnya.

Idea sensasi untuk blog pertama anda

2007-10-24T20:20:00.000+08:00

Masalah kekeringan idea untuk menulis blog pertama adalah perkara biasa bagi penulis blog yang baru berjinak-jinak dalam penulisan. Ini adalah kerana kesukaran untuk menghasilkan penulisan yang bermutu dan kekurangan ilmu serta pengalaman berharga untuk dinukilkan serta persaingan dari penulis blog sedia ada. Walaupun banyak blog berbahasa melayu yang boleh dijumpai, tetapi kebanyakannya hanya nukilan peribadi dan tidak cuba membawa minda pembaca ke tahap yang lebih tinggi.

Berikut adalah 11 idea penulisan blog dalam bahasa Melayu yang dapat membantu penulis blog baru untuk memulakan kerjaya penulisan blog yang bermutu:

Idea 1: Tulis dan bincang berkenaan pro dan kontra sesuatu isu/perkara seperti "Pemberian jarum suntik dan kondom kepada penagih dadah".

Idea 2: Temuramah dengan orang yang pakar dalam sesuatu isu/perkara.

Idea 3: Buat kajian kes berkenaan sesuatu seperti "Kenapakah ramai rakyat Malaysia yang terkorban kerana kemalangan jalanraya".

Idea 4: Nyatakan pendirian anda tentang isu semasa seperti "Adakah Dr Sheikh Muszaphar layak digelar angkasawan atau penumpang?".

Idea 5: Tulis komen yang panjang tentang sesuatu isu/perkara.

Idea 6: Tulis berkenaan tajuk buku yang anda baca.

Idea 7: Jawap pertanyaan yang diajukan oleh pelawat anda dengan berhikmah.

Idea 8: Tulis berkenaan pro dan kontra sesuatu isu/perkara.

Idea 9: Tulis berkenaan aktiviti dan perancangan semasa anda.

Idea 10: Tulis pandangan anda berkenaan blog penulis lain.

Idea 11: Buat tinjauan statistik kata kunci (keywords) yang diguna oleh pelawat untuk mengunjung blog anda atau blog penulis lain.

Saya akan kembali dengan idea-idea berikutnya esok. Stay tune tomorrow.

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