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| 20A, Rumah Pangsa, Jalan Bendahara, Melaka, 75100 012-2723344 |
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Managing without managers!
Two decades ago, Ricardo Semler, a 24-year-old graduate from Harvard Business School, embraced an egalitarian approach to business management and transformed an ailing company into a flourishing one. When Ricardo took over the realms of Semler and Company, a Brazilian manufacturing business from his father, the country’s economy was going through a recession and had hit the company’s sales particularly hard. The company was in mayhem and on the brink of bankruptcy. Ricardo had never agreed with the autocratic management style in which his father had always believed. So he decided to change things a bit. On the very first day after he took over, he fired two-thirds of the top management. Next he rechristened the company to call it “Semco.” He then began mapping fresh strategies for the company to bring it back in form.
In spite of these changes, the company’s performance kept dwindling. Attempts such as brutal cost-cutting too did not salvage the situation. Finally, after experiencing severe stress for several months, Ricardo decided to drastically change his lifestyle along with that of his employees. The first thing he did was to eliminate needless layers of hierarchy; he trimmed down the hierarchy from twelve levels down to three levels. Today, a front-line lathe operator is only one layer away from the general manager of his division.
Next, he began consulting his workforce for all major decisions. Soon his company started showing signs of recovery and it became clear to him that the only way to drive his company to growth and success is by involving all his employees. He made up his mind to embrace what he calls “participatory management,” which essentially meant empowering employees and encouraging them to participate in running the business. His decision paid off, and handsomely at that.
In only a decade and a half, Semco grew from a five million dollar company with 100 employees, to a 220 million dollar company with 3,000 employees. And these employees are a highly motivated, self-driven and quality conscious lot. The management and workers are so empathetic towards each other and their communication so open that no union is required. Each worker is fully aware of his role in the organisation and is completely committed to company goals. And employee turnover is tending to zero. What brought such a change, you might wonder?
Utopian Workplace
Imagine working for a company where you decide your salary, set your sales and productivity targets, where you review your boss’s performance, where you could walk in at any time, where there is no dress code, where it is mandatory to take a vacation, where everyone knows what everyone else earns, and some workers can earn more than their boss. For most of us, this would be the ultimate workplace utopia. For employees of Semco, this is the way of life.
Semco, one may say, is the ultimate democratic organisation. Semco’s standard policy is no policy – instead of corporate governance, it advocates self-governance. All employees are treated like mature adults. Workers set their own production quotas as well as their own wages. Workers have access to all corporate records, and are taught to read financial reports. Profit-sharing is democratic too – profits shared are negotiated with workers, who then decide how to split the money.
Before people are hired for or promoted to leadership positions, they are interviewed and approved by everyone who must work for them. Every six months, managers are reviewed by workers and results are posted for everyone to see. Not only that – bosses with poor evaluations are actually fired! Each worker votes on major decisions, such as buying another company or moving a factory. Workers are responsible for their own quality control, eliminating the quality control department.
Because a large proportion of what all employees earn is a factor of the firm’s profits, employees tend not to abuse their freedom – they seem to know that if they do, the loss is theirs. Today Semco is reaping rich dividends in return for employee empowerment. The extraordinary manner in which the organisation is managed (or not managed), has earned Semco the distinct reputation of being the world’s most unusual workplace. Plus, it is one of the most sought after employers in the world and has steadily climbed to becoming one of the top five companies in its industry.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Vincent van Gogh Chronology of Paintings
Vincent van Gogh Chronology of Paintings
The following is a chronological list of some of Van Gogh’s most famous works. All of these works are also compiled in an interactive Van Gogh Silverlight Book. This media presentation will take you through Van Gogh’s most famous pieces giving you title, date and location of creation, medium, and current location. So to begin your interactive online gallery experience, click here.
Logos Hope
Vision & Purpose
Bringing knowledge, help and hope
Over 40 million people in 158 different countries have walked up the Ships gangway to visit one of our ships' floating book fairs. For many, it is their first ever opportunity to purchase good quality literature at a fraction of its retail value. Many people without the means to study have learnt vital skills and been able to enhance their lives through a purchase from over 6,000 available titles, including books for studies, professional and career interests, individual development and personal growth.
Cultural variety abounds with over 40 nations meeting on board. For visitors, opportunities to meet crew provide insights into the wider world, while interactive programmes offer fresh perspectives on living in a multi-cultural society. For volunteer crew, time on board the ships provides a chance to experience countries and cultures for themselves, as well as opportunities to learn valuable skills for the future.
Sailing from port to port, crew experience the needs of the world first-hand. Being in a position to help – whether by donating supplies, building a house, or offering a listening ear – is both a privilege and a responsibility. The ships seek to bring aid and relief in situations of particular need as a practical demonstration of God’s love for mankind. Coupled with their promotion of education, this approach aims not only to alleviate immediate needs, but also to bring long-term change in each community.
Every person has a inbuilt need for hope and purpose in life. Our volunteer crew seeks to bring new hope by their service on board as a community focused on the needs of others. They offer hope through their actions and their interaction with others. Every crewmember has a story to tell of a transformation in their personal life that has given them hope and purpose.
Following is a list of the current and upcoming ports for the Logos Hope.
Click on a port name for detailed information.
Please note: All ports and dates are subject to change.
Ports and dates in orange italics are not confirmed yet.
Just by purchasing this souvenir bag, i get 3 books for free!
This book cost USD 181.10, u may get it at cheapest price USD 101.
This book cost USD 80, cheapest u can get it with USD 60
This book cost USD 120, cheapest u might it at USD 110
Bringing knowledge, help and hope
to the people of the world
Bringing Knowledge
Over 40 million people in 158 different countries have walked up the Ships gangway to visit one of our ships' floating book fairs. For many, it is their first ever opportunity to purchase good quality literature at a fraction of its retail value. Many people without the means to study have learnt vital skills and been able to enhance their lives through a purchase from over 6,000 available titles, including books for studies, professional and career interests, individual development and personal growth.Cultural variety abounds with over 40 nations meeting on board. For visitors, opportunities to meet crew provide insights into the wider world, while interactive programmes offer fresh perspectives on living in a multi-cultural society. For volunteer crew, time on board the ships provides a chance to experience countries and cultures for themselves, as well as opportunities to learn valuable skills for the future.
Bringing Help
Sailing from port to port, crew experience the needs of the world first-hand. Being in a position to help – whether by donating supplies, building a house, or offering a listening ear – is both a privilege and a responsibility. The ships seek to bring aid and relief in situations of particular need as a practical demonstration of God’s love for mankind. Coupled with their promotion of education, this approach aims not only to alleviate immediate needs, but also to bring long-term change in each community. Bringing Hope
Every person has a inbuilt need for hope and purpose in life. Our volunteer crew seeks to bring new hope by their service on board as a community focused on the needs of others. They offer hope through their actions and their interaction with others. Every crewmember has a story to tell of a transformation in their personal life that has given them hope and purpose. Upcoming ports - Logos Hope
Following is a list of the current and upcoming ports for the Logos Hope.Click on a port name for detailed information.
Please note: All ports and dates are subject to change.
Ports and dates in orange italics are not confirmed yet.
| Port | Arrival Date | Departure Date | ||
| Penang, Malaysia | August 18th, 2011 | September 27th, 2011 | ||
| Port Klang, Malaysia | September 28th, 2011 | October 24th, 2011 | ||
| Kuching, Malaysia | October 27th, 2011 | November 15th, 2011 | ||
| Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia | November 17th, 2011 | December 13th, 2011 | ||
| Singapore, Singapore | December 16th, 2011 | December 28th, 2011 | ||
| Cebu, Philippines | January 13th, 2012 | February 14th, 2012 | ||
| Manila, Philippines | February 16th, 2012 | March 14th, 2012 |
Just by purchasing this souvenir bag, i get 3 books for free!
This book cost USD 120, cheapest u might it at USD 110
Sunday, September 4, 2011
100 Ways To Reduce Stress
- Get enough sleep
- Get up 15 minutes early.
- Prepare for the morning the night before.
- Avoid tight-fitting clothes.
- Don't rely on your memory.
- Practice preventative maintenance.
- Make duplicate keys and store them where you can get to them.
- Say "no" more often.
- Set priorities in your life.
- Avoid negative people.
- Use your time wisely.
- Simplify everything you can.
- Make copies of important papers and store them where you'll be able to find them.
- Repair anything that doesn't work properly.
- Ask for help.
- Chunk down big jobs into little ones.
- View problems as challenges.
- Look at challenges as opportunities.
- Unclutter your life.
- Smile
- Be prepared for rain.
- Laugh at something.
- Pet a dog or cat
- Don't try to know all the answers.
- Look for the silver lining.
- Say something nice to someone.
- Teach a kid to fly a kite.
- Walk in the rain.
- Schedule some time each day to play.
- Take a long shower or a bubble bath.
- Be conscious of the decisions you make.
- Believe in yourself.
- Stop beating yourself up.
- Stop saying negative things to yourself.
- Visualize yourself winning.
- Develop your sense of humor.
- Stop thinking that tomorrow will be a better day.
- Set goals for yourself.
- Say hello to a stranger.
- Ask a friend for a hug.
- Give a friend a hug.
- Look at the stars.
- Breathe slowly.
- Learn to whistle.
- Read a poem.
- Listen to some music you've never heard before.
- Watch a ballet.
- Read something.
- Do something new.
- Stop a bad habit.
- Buy yourself a flower.
- Smell the flowers.
- Find support from others.
- Give support to others.
- Do eat it today.
- Work at being cheerful and optimistic.
- Put safety first.
- Do everything you do in moderation.
- Pay attention to your appearance.
- Strive for excellence, not perfection.
- Stretch your limits a little each day.
- Look at a painting or a sculpture.
- Hum a song.
- Eat nutritiously.
- Plant a tree.
- Feed a bird.
- Practice grace under pressure.
- Stand up and stretch.
- Have a "plan B"
- Draw a picture.
- Buy some crayons and color.
- Learn a joke.
- Be responsible for your feelings.
- Meet your own needs.
- Know you limitations and let others know them, too.
- Throw a paper airplane.
- Exercise
- Learn the words to a song.
- Get to work early.
- clean out one closet or one drawer.
- Go on a picnic.
- Take a different route to work.
- Put an air freshener in your car.
- Watch a movie.
- Eat some popcorn while you are watch a movie.
- Write a note to someone you haven't heard from in a while.
- Take a walk.
- Go to a ball game and scream.
- Eat a meal by candle light.
- Recognize the importance of unconditional love.
- Remember that stress is an attitude.
- Keep a journal.
- Practice a smile.
- Remember that there are always options.
- Develop a support system.
- Quit trying to "fix" people.
- Talk less
- Listen more
- Praise others
- Stop counting things.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Mooncake festival
The Stories of the Chinese Mid Autumn Festival
I. The Lady - Chang Er
The time of this story is around 2170 B.C. The earth once had ten suns circling over it, each took its turn to illuminate to the earth. But one day all ten suns appeared together, scorching the earth with their heat. The earth was saved by a strong and tyrannical archer Hou Yi. He succeeded in shooting down nine of the suns. One day, Hou Yi stole the elixir of life from a goddess. However his beautiful wife Chang Er drank the elixir of life in order to save the people from her husband's tyrannical rule. After drinking it, she found herself floating and flew to the moon. Hou Yi loved his divinely beautiful wife so much, he didn't shoot down the moon.Note: Chang'e 1 Lunar orbiter was launched to the moon on October 24, 2007. The Chang'e moon satellite, named after Chang Er, will take 3-D images of the moon surface for yearlong. This is the groundwork for the next Lunar Lander (Chang'e 2) project in 2012 , Lunar Sample Return (Chang'e 3) in 2017 and Chinese astronaut on the moon project.
Update: The Chinese moon probe, called Chang'e 2, launched on October 1, 2010 to commemorate the 61st China National Independent Day. Chang'e 3 spacecraft is scheduled to land on the moon in 2013.
II. The Man - Wu Kang
Wu Kang was a shiftless fellow who changed apprenticeships all the time. One day he decided that he wanted to be an immortal. Wu Kang then went to live in the mountains where he importuned an immortal to teach him. First the immortal taught him about the herbs used to cure sickness, but after three days his characteristic restlessness returned and he asked the immortal to teach him something else. So the immortal to teach him chess, but after a short while Wu Kang's enthusiasm again waned. Then Wu Kang was given the books of immortality to study. Of course, Wu Kang became bored within a few days, and asked if they could travel to some new and exciting place. Angered with Wu Kang's impatience, the master banished Wu Kang to the Moon Palace telling him that he must cut down a huge cassia tree before he could return to earth. Though Wu Kang chopped day and night, the magical tree restored itself with each blow, and thus he is up there chopping still.III. The Hare - Jade Rabbit
In this legend, three fairy sages transformed themselves into pitiful old men and begged for something to eat from a fox, a monkey and a rabbit. The fox and the monkey both had food to give to the old men, but the rabbit, empty-handed, offered his own flesh instead, jumping into a blazing fire to cook himself. The sages were so touched by the rabbit's sacrifice that they let him live in the Moon Palace where he became the "Jade Rabbit." IV. The Cake - Moon Cake
During the Yuan dynasty (A.D.1280-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (A.D.960-1280) were unhappy at submitting to foreign rule, and set how to coordinate the rebellion without it being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Backed into each moon cake was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government. What followed was the establishment of the Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644). Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend.
Men’s Hairstyles Trends for Spring/Summer 2012
The Spring-Summer 2012-fashion shows completed, it is time to get to the next page as hairdressing. Next year will be cut 60's she still popular? The line on the side Will it still a must?
Here 20 photos of male models from spring/summer 2011-2012 fashion shows with trendy hairstyles for the next S/S.
Here cons: Adam Kimmel
In town, is as well as along the beach. Wrapped gel along the length, the hair is slightly wavy and gives the impression that we just dipping.
Band of Outsider
Tired of your hair curly? You're welcome. It plays the card of the flexible loop keeping long locks on the top of the head, but by controlling the sides.
Life is full of traps
Some feel that problems exist only in childhood or at early stage of life like this…
Some feel that problems exist only when we disturb someone like this…
Some feel that problems exist only when we are ready to take anything like this…
Some feel that problems exist only when we do things blindly like this…
Some feel that problems exist only when we dare to enter a trap like this…
Some feel that problems exist only when we are in love with someone like this…
Some feel that problems exist only when we try to aim at very huge things like this…
Some feel that problems exist only when we disturb someone like this…
Some feel that problems exist only when we are ready to take anything like this…
Some feel that problems exist only when we do things blindly like this…
Some feel that problems exist only when we dare to enter a trap like this…
Some feel that problems exist only when we are in love with someone like this…
Some feel that problems exist only when we try to aim at very huge things like this…
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