Which Opportunity?


As usual we adjourned to our 'bistro' last night after the 2 business presentations.

Interestingly earlier, for once we had a small crowd but colorful characters. It was interesting to note how these people - obviously educated, obviously experienced in network marketing and obviously had themselves all burnt out with some not so pleasant experience.

One young chap who was around 23, asked lots of questions on the future of Iraq, later to find out that young punk was a Master Co-ordinator with one of the companies around and obviously very successful and also, I would reckon have been hurt as well.

Another fine couple was obviously very experienced and didn't look too happy with their latest outing.

And all those confirmed my simple belief that, at the end of the day, it was all about most of us chasing rainbows ending up having to face the basics of business and life. If life has to have the real meanings of building something to end as a legacy, it then has to be legitimate, simple real business that gets back repeating turnovers month in month out without all the hoo hahs of getting artificial turnovers.

And for things to grow and last, again it is back to basics of creating meanings in people's life, providing them a positive environment for life long growth, fun and fulfilment.

And of course, this crowd of adventurers that have gone through the extremes of business adventures provided another side of wisdom as well. Yes, something could be done entirely for profits, short term extreme wealth creation.

Is it wrong? How could they be wrong when they made lots of money up to millions within a short span? But then again, there has to be a balance between business and integrity. It has to be an obligation, for followers to be educated of the prospect of the business longevity. Otherwise, they would all end up merely as sacrificial lambs.

Life is long enough to do all the wrongs but more often, short enough to see the price payable for the wrongs committed. When the dust has all settled down, the wiser part of us then (if one ever got wiser that is...) life and business would then be looked upon in a very different perspective. It shall be then, business is not about making money alone, but how the money was made...

M.A.
KL.

People, Business and Opportunities.

Today met Kenny and the gang (Salafian, Ng and another guy) at our Corporate Board Room. a.k.a. KL Sentral further discussing what had to be done next. Ah Han of another company called during the meeting, informing that the boss wanted to speak to me proposing to have me on the commitee designing their business developement program.

The only thing they have probably failed to understand was simply that I am only interested in shaping something with lasting effects to people's life and business. Nothing otherwise. Great rewards are attractive, but I am old enough to understand that business not done on the proper fundamentals will simply not last. Doing things defying the basics and yet expecting lasting success is an illusion.

Ah yes! As I was having lunch alone, Sani the Great appeared out of nowhere. What else did you want Sani, after betraying our trust in you? You were telling me how disappointed you were with this particular figure that have 'used' you. That's really nothing compared to what you guys have done to us as a family and friends. Now it is pay time and you probably knew how screwed up all of you are now with the dream company which in reality has gone totally belly up! And no! I don't need your help. We are fine. A lot more better than you would hate to know. Thank you.

Earlier I also called a friend in Miri of what we are planning to hit the market. He sounded very interested. Well, to put it plainly, you could be missing an opportunity to create history. Later in the evening met Abg Ghani and Halim at our bistro, somewhere near Vistana Hotel KL, in front of 7 -Eleven. Our favourite meeting place to discuss business opportunities and loads of strategies. It has always been about business and opportunities.

Do people like us deserve to continue living in near poverty for the rest of our life? I don't think so! We are genuine (at least me, for sure). Integrity matters. And wealth also matters. It has to be in that order.

Thank you, ye Almighty, for answering my prayers.
Good night KL.

MA. KL.

Opportunities Are Everywhere

The most fearful thing to think of by a salaried man is where is the next cheque going to come from should he quits his job.

Well, I have been self employed since 1989. Have not been rich materialistically, in fact in debts to a certain extent. The most important thing is, we survived reasonably well as a family living quite a decent life. I don't think others are living 10 times a better life than me working for a boss. I have not been working for I have been doing everything I enjoyed ever since. Have lived a free man. And the most important thing is, I have come to understand that financial security that salaried earners normally talked about is very much an inside job.

At the moment on a speaking engagement with this particular outfit. Not too bad, getting paid RM4,000.00 a month for working 16 hours or so a month. But they forgot that a free spirit is a free spirit that money could not buy. Freedom, intelectual substance, expertise and experience have got to be treated with due respect.

You guys do not know the missing links in your organisation. Your future is all but already massive grafitti on all the walls you can imagine. Success has to be treated with respect. By the time you guys discovered what goes wrong, it's probably a little too late.

Good luck. I believe a man has got to be treated with respect for the contributions he can offer in preventing your empire from crumbling down. Unfortunately as well for you guys, I have this simple faith that I am but the master of my own destiny with the guidance of the Almighty.

Sure enough, as one door closes, another opens... Wealth does not have to be built by surrendering one's freedom.

MA.
KL.

Wedding Dinner or Business Event?

It was a grand affair alright. A fortune was spent on the big hoohaa over nothing. And that was what they were asking for, when events were held without proper definition of objectives. The whole circus could have been organised for just 30% what was spent and yet having people going back home taking a piece of an emotional experience that would spur them into going for something more meaningful in their life.

But typical as Al Ries said in his book, 'Big Brands, Big Troubles', "Success leads to arrogance and arrogance leads to failure." Big businesses did not grow big by accident. Everything was well planned and established from day one. From vision, mission, action plans and culture; all were decided and defined before hand. Everbody talks about going for global expansion and long term business, but what a tragedy when they did not even know what are they looking for, in the first place. Go blast the global market. But overlooking the basic fundamentals of business would certainly guarantee a cancerous rot that would lead to the company's eventual collapse. It has happened before and it looks like, history is going to repeat itself in this industry - the only difference, the name of the company, the owners and the corporate leaders. Business can be rather unforgiving.

And please for goodness sake, never assume I will stay with you guys forever with the culture that you guys are living your organisation. I don't want to be part of the circus for the rest of my life.

All the very best of luck.

M.A.