Changes in me and my organization...

 

Just to share that i am very delighted to be in the last LOC Seminar. I rate the course to be very useful for me to continue initiated changes in my organization, Buildcast Sdn Bhd (BCSB), a wholly own subsidiary of UEM BUILDERS BERHAD. Now, i'm fresh, very motivated and will try to share all knowledge that i gather from the LOC with all my staffs. Many thanks to everyone who give me fullest support during the seminar.

Transformational Changes is the one that i aim at to be introduced to my organization. Eventhough this changes can be a challenge by itself. I believe, with positive mindset and focus in facing the challange, i should be able to make changes at least in my organization. On 26 Feb 2009, BCSB has start its first ever casting of segmental box girder (SBG) for Penang Second Crossing (P2X) at their new factory in Batu Kawan, Penang. Everybody seems excited to witness this process of casting as it's also brings UEMB venturing into new business in Malaysia, i.e. being a specialist in SBG. This business was newly introduced by UEMB to support the construction of P2X. It's also helps to manage the risk of completing the bridge if the casting done by others (3rd party). BCSB Team started with few staffs sometime in January 2007 where we involved directly in designing the precast factory in meeting the Project requirement. Determination of scope and requirement of moulds and machineries are fully done by us and we proud to announced that we manage it very well. We have prepared almost all Technical Specifications for the precast factory setting-up contract. All this cannot be done if there is no team effort, skills and good cooperation from all BCSB staffs.

I trust with all support from top management to the bottom (BSCB staffs), i hope we can record this as another success story for BCSB.

Thank you.

Leadership in extreme views

What is leadership? Being outspoken, charismatic, visionary, inspiring and passionate does not mean that you are the leader. Leadership is about traits but not just traits. True leadership is experts at using the right traits at the right moment.

Lots of questions which is more important for leaders to have;

1- The ability to listen or the ability to talk?
2- The ability to be detail-oriented or the ability to see the big picture and be strategic?
3- The ability to learn or the ability to teach?
4- The ability to be humble or the ability to be assertive?
5- To rule by authority or by influence?
6- The ability to drive change oneself or to employer others to lead the change?

The answer to each of the question above is: Both. Leadership is about context and situation. It is the ability to behave in the right way at the right time and to do right thing at the right moment.

In summary, what's really important for one to become leaders is for him/her to have an ability to manage, lead, deal, influence and make decision on behalf of the team and to take ownership to the decision that he make. Good leaders shall act fast and be sure that it will become a success to the Project or task assigned.

Leadership - Sun Tzu's view

Sun Tzu's The Art of War says: "Benevolence and righteousness may be used to govern a state but cannot be used to administer an army. Expediency and flexibility are used in administrating an army, but cannot be used in governing the state" Sun Tzu understood that leadership was contextual and situational. In this case, "context does matter".

What i can understand from this text is that Leadership Strategy can change to suit in the requirement at that time and place. Leaders must be able to manage "situational condition" in administrating the situation. There are also leadership tricks that can apply as and when required. For example, the leaders sometimes make constantly switch between extremes. They swung from staying macro, visionary and discussing strategy in deep, asking questions that enable him to plough through the details of the situation. That's what real leaders do - is to swing from one extreme to another and be able to handle both extremes well. Great leaders also knew exactly the process of empowerment and by doing so; it gives them the ability to use both extremes of leadership traits to the fullest extent. While Leaders gain respect from their subordinates, it’s also helps them to give command effectively when required.

Changes in UEMB Business Culture

There has been demand outside for UEMB to make changes in their business culture. It will ensure UEMB growth and to sustained in the business through tough time today. There are lots of opportunities in our Government Project (RMK-9) that require consistent effort in making our dream a reality. UEMB Business Development Team needs to work extra hours in ensuring that UEMB were in the right track in getting this Project (i.e. LRT Extension Project – STAR or PUTRA Line).

As for LRT extension Project, UEMB has the right experience as we were the Contractor for the PUTRA line when it’s constructed last time. We have demonstrated to the Government that we have the ability and right experience to continue with the work. Knowing to the latest business practices in Malaysia, without hard working and pursuing to the right approach will never guarantee the Company to succeed in getting the Project. UEMB need to compete with another big construction company (i.e. GAMUDA, IJM etc.) as they were also eyeing for this Project (I guess…). All effort from top management to the lowest rank must work hand-in-hand to ensure that UEMB will success in their effort in getting this Project. We need to change our mindset, our old style of working that scratch our good track record like delay in completing the contract and to move forward with enthusiasm in making UEMB’s presence in local construction market felt. We must proved that UEMB can get the Project not because they are GLC’s but because of their good reputation and confidence felt by the Client. That’s what we should proud off….

One thing that comes to my mind is for UEMB Management to have transparent business strategy in order for us to stay compete in the industry. That will enable all level in the Group to have a better understanding in implementing the strategy and enable to support the Management in ensuring success to the business.

“If you’re in a leadership position, you want to be sure that your employees understand your business strategy. If it’s unclear, the culture will become stagnant, or chaotic, as everyone does their own thing and goes in different directions”. – The Transparent Leader/Page 158/Herb Baum

 

Chrouy Changvar Bridge and National Road No.6 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

UEM has moved forward by looking into new business prospect in Cambodia. On 8 June 2009 to 13 June 2009, a group of Technical staffs from UEMB was sent to Phnom Penh to further study the technical aspect of the bridge crossing over Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh and 11km road for widening which will include among others the Toll Plaza (Open Concept). UEM Group was intended to be one of the parties in the Concession Company.

I was selected to join the team for this visit and was shocked when we first touch-down in Phnom Penh to see that Cambodia was not as what has been in the back of my mind before depart from Kuala Lumpur. I can see lots of business opportunities there as the country can be considered as “virgin” for development. There are many Malaysian Companies already invested in Cambodia. Off-late, there are transformational changes happened there and the country is now ready to actively invite foreign investors to develop their country. Lots of new building, new Phnom Penh International Airport and new infra structure planned by Cambodian Government in developing their country. In Phnom Penh, I can feel their people are very open and friendly and make you feel safe even though you are in their country. You can also find “Mamak Stall” in Phnom Penh where most Malaysian’s like to hang-out for lunch and dinner.

What I can say is that Cambodia was about 10 to 15 years behind us in term of development. With their enthusiasm and courage to develop their country, I believe one day Cambodia can also change their status to third world developing country. What UEM should do is to actively study and create good business relationship with Cambodian partner and to explore more opportunity in doing business there. With our focus and determination, I believe UEM can success in their business in Cambodia.

Changes in My Organization, Buildcast Sdn Bhd (BCSB)

Since last month, Buildcast Sdn Bhd (BCSB) was actively invited to support UEMB in providing costing and advice in bridge constructability for several Projects (i.e. The LRT extension (STAR/PUTRA Line and Chrouy Changvar Bridge and National Road No. 6A in Cambodia). This has put some of us in BCSB very busy in making proposals and also visiting sites to conform the constructability of the bridges. Here, we have had numerous discussions amongst seniors in delegating the works and we manage to complete all tasks assign by UEMB on time.

The changes in working environment off late have make our staffs more alert on the coming challenges that the company should take in facing today’s challenge. We must communicate and share ideas all times and work closer as one team in ensuring success to the Company. Our staffs have been trained to take this pressure and I am happy to record that we, BCSB has gearing-up our effort in ensuring our aims succeed. Without team effort, the Project will fail and learning from previous failure has made us become matured in facing the challenge ahead.

As for LRT Project, through our networking we manage to get the complete information of the alignment and technical input required from the respective Consultants in making our costing better. Our team also manages to visit certain critical areas for this Project in understanding better on the problems that may arise during the construction (i.e. the squatters’ settlement and encumbrances, heavy traffic congestion etc.) even though some of the areas is under the Client scope but being a reputable Contractor, UEMB also need to demonstrate that we can assist the Client in solving this problem together with them and not let them facing this issues alone. That will make us different than other normal Contractor. With good support from every staffs of UEMB, I believe we can be the right choice for this Contract.

True Spirit by Malaysian in Indonesian Open 2009

Last night (21st June 2009), Malaysian Badminton Player has created another victory in Indonesian Open 2009. We had won the Men Single and Women Double. Both have shown initiatives and spirit that all Malaysian must have in gaining victories abroad. They manage to control crowd even though when we take them in Men Singles that seen lots of pressure put to our player especially when we met their badminton idol, Taufik Hidayat. Our player, Datuk Lee Chong Wei really got my salute as he had shown us his calm, focused and even seems relax in facing such big crowd in Istora Senayan, Jakarta. That is the true spirit that all Malaysian Sportsmen must have if they wants to compete abroad.

What I want to share in this blog is on Malaysian’s spirit and enthusiasm that everyone in UEMB must also have for us to succeed abroad. The spirit to fight and sustain even though tough should be the guidance for everyone in UEMB. We had gone to Middle East to work, even in India or Indonesia and now looking to Vietnam and Cambodia market. Without having such staffs that have this spirit in them, UEMB will not able to succeed or even sustain in that market. Our staffs must able to learn how to control, manage or even communicate well in those countries. Different country have different working trend. With great enthusiasm and true spirit in supporting the Company achieving their business goal, we think we can grow further in the industry. We should not fear of competition, but we must have proper strategy, stay focused but most important is to sent right talent to the right job.

We can take our victory in sports last night as guidance and transform it into our business culture, we think UEMB BOLEH!!!