Blog Topics

I have not been blogging partly because I've run out of topics to write.

I note popular posts are those that provide useful, practical information to the average Joe/Jane like the Retrenchment payout and Writing complaint letter series. So, if you have anything which you need some research/info or have any suggestion topics, please do let me know

Voting while overseas

We were told that overseas Malaysians cannot vote in the general elections because it will be a logistical nightmare and these Malaysians (having lived abroad for so long) are “out of touch” with the current state of affairs of the country. Honestly, I can’t follow the logic.

Well, our neighbors Thailand and Singapore certainly did not think it was a logistical nightmare or believe that their citizens abroad are “out of touch”. In fact, Thai embassies even conduct campaigns to encourage Thais abroad to vote and have set aside a budget of 45 million baht for overseas voting. Even the country that started the Arab Spring, Tunisia allows its citizens living abroad to vote. And recently in Oct-2011, a Cairo (Egypt) court ruled that Egyptian citizens living overseas “should be allowed to vote” in the nation’s upcoming parliamentary elections. Even Pakistan is joining the bandwagon - a few weeks ago, Pakistan’s special inter-ministerial committee agreed to introduce postal ballot system for overseas Pakistanis on similar fashion as the system of postal balloting works for government servants and armed forces personnel within the country.

Nations where its citizens abroad can vote Voting in person @ overseas polling stations Voting by post Voting by proxy

Australia

Canada

Singapore

United Kingdom

United States

New Zealand

Thailand

Philippines

Tunisia

Egypt (to be implemented in next elections)

Pakistan (in the process of implementing)

Eight ways how Air Asia can charge travellers more

Oh no…Air Asia said it plans to increase non-ticket revenues by 20-30%. That means more bad news to consumers / budget travelers - very likely, we have to pay more for something, somehow.

When Air Asia first started, it only charged booking and administration fees. Now, AA charges for almost anything and everything that it can think of and justify for. AA customers now have to pay for more if they want:

• Priority boarding
• Counter check-ins
• Meals and drinks (during flight)
• To book seats
• To check-in their luggage
  
• To check-in their baggage
• Extra baggage
  
• To call AA's call centre and be assured that their calls are (promptly) attended to (calls are charged by the minute)
  
• To pay via credit cards (AA calls it convenience fees)
  

Are these justified? AA can argue that these are optional items and travelers need not pay anything more if they choose not to have these “extra” services

So what more can AA can offer us travelers and then charge us for them? A lot more!

Here are the eight ways AirAsia can increase their non-ticket revenues:

• Priority to alight from planes (when you arrived at your destination airport) – those who pay can alight first, need not queue like the rest

• Use of toilets /lavatories (either basic and premium) during flight – you know, like shopping malls

• To purchase toilet papers / hand-wash soap etc. – else, bring your own

• To re-heat meals - normal meals will be served cold/ at room-temperature

• Priority, home-like service (during flight) – you pay if you want better treatment from the flight stewards/stewardesses. They will greet you, smile more and attend to your needs promptly. If flights are canceled/delayed, you will be informed first

• Priority, home like service (ground) - pay if you want to be first to be informed about flight cancellations/delays via personal phone-calls (rather than cold, distant SMS), frequent timely flight updates, priority hotel accommodation (on AA) if flight's disrupted, request for any refund would be prioritised etc. -- essentially just better ground service
  

• Extra passenger weight – tickets bought are only valid for certain weight limit. If you are overweight, you will be charged extra. Self-weighing machines will be placed at waiting terminals, with date/time and weight stamps that will be checked upon prior to boarding

• To take photos of AA planes and stewardess/steward (or together with them)

11.11.11 (11th day of November, year 2011)

Today is a special day - it is the 11th day of the 11th month of year 2011 or in short 11.11.11
We were told to mark what we do at 11.11 am

What was I doing? Took short break to make a short prayer in my heart
May everyone be well and happy!

Eight ways of knowing that you are working in a GLC

This is meant to be a light hearted article – do not take it too seriously. Also, note that what’s written is not be representative of all GLCs, so don’t get defensive. :-)

Eight ways to know you are working in a Government Linked Company (GLC):

1. Your workplace is all abuzz over a poison-pen letter: Posion-pen letters are common in GLCs and one of most frequently used medium for disgruntled employees/ex-employees to air their frustrations / grouses openly. Just don’t be surprised if the letter/email is about you. No one is spared – not even the CEO / directors
2. Your workplace is all abuzz over an explosive blog article on your co: Another channel for employees / ex-employees to air their grievances….just whisper into any prominent blogger’s ears. Even if no one whispers, a blog article may still appear as any issue (big and small) related to a GLC tend to be played up by the media/politicians/external stakeholders. Don’t be surprised to see a dedicated blog on your company (e.g. GLC Watch
3. You spend a lot/most of your time playing politics: The higher you are in the organization hierarchy, the more “wayang kulit” you have to witness / perform.
4. Oh no, not another consultant: Chances are you will, at some point during your employment period, encounter an external consultant hired by the Co (you can’t miss them – well-paid, polished, speak well, dress well with air of confidence). A friend who worked in a bank GLC said he has met all the management consultants in town – McK, BCG, Bain etc. But the funny thing is nothing ever changes. All they end up with is a stack of “books” which are largely ignored (no buy-ins?)
5. Spend, spend, spend: Even before your company starts earning money (Start-up GLCs tend to splurge on office renovation, expensive company cars etc). Spend (on entertainment, overseas trips, first-class/business class tickets, anything and everything that you can “justify” charging the company for) before the money runs out and in some cases, even after the money runs out – one of the perks enjoyed by the senior management staff / company directors. Meanwhile, the lower level staff is told to save, save, save (no wonder the surat layangs).
6. It’s not all about profit: Worried because your GLC company has incurred losses since inception? Don’t worry – likely, it won’t be closed down – management would somewhat argue that the investment brings strategic value to the country and politicians are too worried about the political implications of closing down company. If it is a private entity, there’s no question as to what will happen. So, the decision-making process is TOUGH in a GLC—one gotta also weigh in the social and political considerations and sometimes, commercial considerations take a back seat. And everyone wants a say (management, employees, politicians, public at large, cabinet ministers, NGOs etc) as to how the GLC should be managed
7. CYA (Cover Your Axx) mentality : Hence, the need for consultants and papers after papers to be written/submitted before any decision is taken
8. Your chairman/director is an ex-politician/ former high-ranking civil servant (or good friends with one)