LEGACY IS GREATER THAN CURRENCY!!!

LEGACY IS GREATER THAN CURRENCY!!!
U need to build brand equity in urself!position urself to succeed!

I wanna build my v.own leechie legacy!!!

U have to do what u love!!!

You only get to play this game once. Just one lifetime. Don't give yourself excuses.

Update: leechie has alot of stuff to update...lemme try to find som time to blog...stay tuned for my updates ya...esp on the pretty gransenbon blushers =)

Check out this inspiring clip shared by Alex...this guy is damn cool! B-)


I dont mean to b a wet blanket...but i've seen some LDR (long distance relationship) cases of my frenz...n the various difficulties tt the LDR couples hav to face...so i was really touched when i saw the following cute clip designed by alex...real-life story of his fren, Gary...mayb can charge alex for advertising fees ler? ;p

The Parable Of The Mexican Fisherman And Investment Banker o.O

Check out this interesting story shared by Rod which he heard from the 4 Hour Work Week series...check out the hidden msg ya ;p

The Parable Of The Mexican Fisherman And Investment Banker

An American investment banker was taking a much-needed vacation in a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. The boat had several large, fresh fish in it.

The investment banker was impressed by the quality of the fish and asked the Mexican how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied, "Only a little while." The banker then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish?

The Mexican fisherman replied he had enough to support his family's immediate needs.

The American then asked "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The Mexican fisherman replied, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos: I have a full and busy life, senor."

The investment banker scoffed, "I am an Ivy League MBA, and I could help you. You could spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats until eventually you would have a whole fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to the middleman you could sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You could control the product, processing and distribution."

Then he added, "Of course, you would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City where you would run your growing enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But senor, how long will this all take?"

To which the American replied, "15-20 years."

"But what then?" asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said, "That's the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You could make millions."

"Millions, senor? Then what?"

To which the investment banker replied, "Then you would retire. You could move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."

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Rod: This is a story I heard from the 4 Hour Work Week series. It gives me a new perspective in life. Can you guys guess what is the moral of the story?

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I guess it really depends on what u want in life...somtimes we go round n round in circles n end up where we started...for a leechie, my goal is to leave behind my v.own leechie legacy when i'm long gone B-)

Another good quote by my fb fren Bertrand: "Boxing reminds me so much of life. Saw openings I didnt take, was bashed a few times too in the head, body. Isnt that just like life, business? Missing out on opportunities we know we should take and dont? At times life has situations that beat us to the ground? It's the hits that make me learn about strategy and my modus operandi...n strive to improve. Boxing toughens more than just the body...the mind and spirit too."
hmmm, this quote reminds a leechie of a kickboxing class tt i used to attend couple of yrs ago (ya, no need to b alarmed tt leechie used to take kickboxing class...i prefer to do kicks than juz stretch (no offence, but leechie fell asleep in som yoga/pilates class ;p)...tt coach is really good at pushing ppl...he would say "1 more set" juz after we had completed a set...n after tt set, he would repeat "1 more set"...n i was "conned" into doing more n more sets...each time thinking tt i'm done with tt set of moves -.-" ya, boxing is v.much like life ya...each time i think abt the missed opportunities...haiz -.-" leechie muz jia you!!!

Update: apologies for the infrequent blog updates n events cos leechie is bz working on our next publication these days...my leechie schedule's pretty tight these days...will definitely update u all once i can arrange for som cool events...really hope to catch up with u all soon...stay tuned for my leechie updates ya =)

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Inspiring clip shared by Eric ---> We r what we do, not what we say! Make ur actions reflect ur words!

Lilja-4-Ever!!!A muz-watch!

Pls scroll down for an important message tt everyone should be more aware of!

leechie attended a movie event by UNIFEM at the picturehouse last nite...thx them for their kind invitation (pls refer to their webby: http://www.unifem.org/). the screened movie was the award-winning "Lilja-4-ever"...this Swedish movie was mostly in Russian...when i read the following synopsis of this movie, i walked into the cinema, prepared to cry buckets (when i told my leechie mum tt i was going to watch a sad movie, she thot tt leechie would come back teary too, esp after she's seen how a leechie cried seeing the living conditions of the poor thai n touching scenes of family love in Pornsak's n Yuan Shuai's "Going Home" series...)

Synopsis of "Lilja-4-ever":
"Everyone dreams. For some, these dreams become far-fetched. For a fortunate few they become realities. For many however, they turn into nightmares. Sixteen year old Lilja is whiling her time away in a small little Estonian village waiting to get the green signal from her mother to join her in the U.S. Bored, penniless and lonely, Lilja sparks up a relationship with Andrei, a charming foreigner who speaks about providing her with a job and lodging in exciting Sweden. Unaware of hidden agendas and led by Andrei’s false promises of glitz and glamour, Lilja takes up the offer. Her entire world shatters, however, when she discovers that she has become just another statistic in the rampant world of prostitution.

Lilja-4-ever is a stark and brutally honest account of an innocent who dares to dream and becomes caught up in a world of betrayal, greed and debauchery."

A rather touching yet disturbing movie...but perhaps i walked in rather prepared...so leechie didnt cry...but as i walked out of the cinema, saw a couple of visibly-disturbed gentlemen...i'm not sure if this is a one-off screening...but do go watch this award-winning 2002 movie if u have the chance to...btw, leechie also likes the german song "My heart burns" tt they played in this sad movie...scroll down to listen to this nice song =)

From UNIFEM's email:
"Each year, hundreds of thousands of young women worldwide are either forcefully abducted or falsely persuaded and sold off into organized crime groups and prostitution rings. Scarred by sexual and physical abuse and burdened with debt, they become disillusioned replicas of their former selves. As the commercial sex trade continues to rack up scores of innocent young women and children to its name, we feel the need to educate our audiences on its various perspectives."

"The opening scene with the Rammstein song 'My Heart Burns' sets the harsh tone of this film as it tries to highlight the dual issues of human trafficking and sexual slavery. The sex montages are successful in juxtaposing the ugliness of the world and of the men who take advantage of another's distress and the innocence of Lilja."

Singapore girl: Time to play the little woman? o.O"

The following article was shared by Abner (another of leechie CNA kakis...can refer to abner musings as "Apples From Abner", not unsimilar to "Lychees From Leechie"?) ;p

"Girls here are smarter, driven but do they better good partners than neighbouring girls? Letter in Straits Times.
Nov 4, 2004

A FEW weeks back, I was intrigued when two male friends started lambasting the Singapore female and exalting the China girl.

It was not because of the concept of cross-matching across countries. That has been going on for centuries now, and I, being half-Peranakan, should be the last to raise an eyebrow about outsourcing for mates. Rather, it was the mindset of the men that was interesting.

'China girls are so pretty and have lower expectations,' said one. Added the other:
'Singapore girls are too demanding, they have a long list of expectations.'

Each glanced at me expectantly, as if waiting for me to put up an impassioned defence of the hard-to-please Singapore woman.

I half-smiled, waiting for the 'prawn-peeling' issue to surface. This was the mode of conversation I would have expected from 50-year-old single or slighted men, but coming from the mouths of 22-year-old boys with bright futures was a stunning revelation of the mindset of the young Singaporean male.

Either they have no originality or Singapore girls are really too much to handle.

The news of the past two weeks confirmed the latter for me: Young 20-something men going to Bintan for cheap sex; 30-something men going to Vietnam for quick marriages. What is going on here?

I have been to Vietnam, and I love the place. The girls, true to form, are slim, tall and soft-spoken. Every word is punctuated with a smile, even when you are driving a hard bargain with them.

Their speech is melodious, and they work hard without complaining, carrying loads of cloth and vegetables in the market stalls and food places. Simple, gentle and hardworking, it's hard not to fall in love with them.

So too are Malaysian girls. Having friends who are dating these girls, I have observed that they are generally of the 'saccharine' variety. Neither loud nor argumentative, they pander to the boys' needs.

Not as doormats, but as cheerful assistants, who see it as their obligation to help their men without expecting anything in return. Not that they are stupid - oh, no, the Malaysian girls I know are smart and hardworking, with careers of their own.

But when it comes to matters of the heart, they play the docile, giggly girlfriend with as much aplomb as their Viet counterparts.

Again, it's easy to see where their attraction lies.

I cannot comment on the Chinese girls or the girls from Bintan, but I can contrast the Malaysian and Vietnamese girls I know with Singapore girls. We are, generally, extremely driven by ideals and emotions.

In an argument, the Singapore girl is twice as likely as her Malaysian or Vietnamese counterpart to stride away in a huff or throw water on the male's face or hold a public screaming or crying fit.

Not for this girl are soft, barely audible replies. The Singapore girl debates and argues impassionedly. She wants to win at all costs and treats her love conquests like those fought in the office arena.

She may be pretty, yes, smart, yes, but, oh, so demanding.

The Singapore girl, in short, is a challenge to love. Although she may, at the end of the day, be a supportive and faithful spouse, the barbs hiding her soft interior are daunting to the suitor.

She is materialistic, and loves being so. Shopping is a major hobby, and looking good is absolutely essential. The man is but another accessory, a helper, chauffeur, bag carrier.

Her girlfriends egg her on, smiling at one friend as her boyfriend picks her up after class each day and cheering the girl who unceremoniously dumps her cheating boyfriend in the middle of the road.

Girl power, we think unanimously. We are not going to be one of those docile wives who nod their heads and cook for you at the slightest command. We are not going to have wool pulled over our eyes by your romantic nonsense. No way. We are women of the new age, liberal, free and... single?

Somehow the whole idea of women's liberation in Singapore seems to have come at the expense of our love lives. We have assimilated Western role models of strong women without taking into account the men that are alongside us.

I have no answers, short of comforting Singapore women with the fact that pets make quite good companions.

However, for the sake of government procreation policies, I think it's imperative that a compromise be struck between the Singapore woman and man, before the Singapore born and bred woman becomes a relic of the past.

I remember an interview years ago in which a prominent local host, very much an image of the career-driven Singapore woman, said that with her then boyfriend, she played the role of the 'little woman'. Perhaps therein lies the secret weapon that Singapore women need to cultivate: a softer un-barbed personality for matters of the heart.

Wong Mei Xuan (Miss)
Straits Times
Oct 23, 2004"

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V.cutie kitties ;p


Funny clip showing the importance of subtitles ;p


Another funny clip...listen carefully to what they r saying manz! ;p


Damn funny clip on super junior ;p

Love Me, Love My Money Habits! o.O

The following article was posted by Sharkie (a banker with a local bank...well, there r rumors linking him to a certain Dont-Bull-Shit bank) at the CNA forum where a leechie used to hang out (http://forum.channelnewsasia.com/viewtopic.php?t=321965)

While the soft aspects of a relationship are important, let us not be so caught up in it that we forget that one cannot live on love and fresh air alone.

It is a fact that disagreements and conflicts on money issues rank high among couples, along with in-laws and work stress. It is no wonder that relationship experts advise couples to talk openly about money and iron out any potential money issues even before they get hitched.

Here's a test to find out how healthy your relationship with your partner is when it comes to money:

# Do you find it difficult to talk to your partner about dollars and cents?

# When was the last time you spoke to your partner about finances?

# Do you know your partner's income, his expenses, savings, loans and investments?

# Do you know each other's financial aspirations?

# Are you able to give examples of his money habits?

# Is there an agreement between both of you on who pays for what?

# What happens if there is a change in circumstances like job loss, parenthood or a windfall?

# If you are a newly married couple, were you comfortable with the amount spent on the wedding and/or house renovations?

Did you manage to stick to the pre-determined budget or was it busted?

If you answer 'no' to any of the above questions, then it is an area for you to work on.

Don't be shy about discussing your finances openly and review your situation a few times a year to make sure you are on track with your goals.

Here are some common myths about money between partners:

1. Money equals love

When I was dating my then boyfriend, now husband, I used to equate how much he loved me with the value of his presents or even where we took our meals.

The more expensive the gift was, the more I felt loved. I didn't feel pressured to go dutch during our dates, as he is older and was already working while I was still in school.

Of course, all that changed after we got married and my 'I' attitude was replaced by a 'we' attitude.

Another danger with equating money with love is that it results in couples shying away from money issues in the early stages of a relationship. This is because they fear that if they question how the other views money, it could mean that they are questioning their partner's love. The problem with this is that it makes it harder to discuss finances as time goes by.

2. My hubby will take care of me

Don't count on it. Many widows or divorcees find themselves helpless when they are left suddenly alone to handle their finances for the first time.

Money is not 'a man's thing'. It is better to bite the bullet now, get over your fear of financial jargon and pick up some basic knowledge like budgeting, credit management, getting a basic financial plan, sorting out your insurance needs and planning for your golden years.

Remember that women live longer and usually the family savings are already spent on your children's education and husband's medical bills, with nothing much left after his death. This assumes he is the same age or older than you.

3. My spouse can change after marriage

If he has a gambling habit, is a big spender, loves to show his affections by buying expensive gifts or by giving treats to friends, don't expect his lavish ways and habits to disappear after marriage.

How we were brought up and our childhood experiences have a hand in forming our attitudes towards money. They are deep- seated and it will take a lot of effort for a spendthrift to mend his ways.

4. Opposites attract

It is often said that opposites attract when it comes to love, and it can be a positive thing, especially if the opposing traits complement each other's weaknesses and strengths.

But when it comes to money issues, it may not be the case. If you are a risk-taker and can stomach volatility while your spouse is the exact opposite and is very careful with his or her money to the extent of even being miserly, there are bound to be conflicts. These conflicts can occur when it comes to money management, such as when deciding which investments to go into.

5. Honesty is the best policy

The first step towards understanding each other's money habits is to be honest.

You must find opportunities to acknowledge them, talk about them and work towards a mutual understanding of how money issues are to be handled.

Talk about your needs, fears and dreams. Try to surface them early in the relationship. As much as you can, share responsibilities by understanding who does what best.

While working for the best, it is only prudent to prepare for the worst. This means knowing how to cope financially should there be a separation, be it through a divorce or death.

Only when your house is in order can you enjoy peace of mind. When that happens, you can celebrate Valentine's Day any day.

Update: leechie always thot tt female bartenders r sooooooo cool n went to sign up for a mocktail-making workshop. but leechie was rather disappointed with this particular mocktail workshop tt i've attended over the weekend...the organizers over-promised n under-delivered...tt's a big no-no for all biz! -.-" anyway, i spent most of my time reading out the step-by-step instructions to the lady sitting next to me on how to do the mocktails...well, it's easier said than done eh? ;p i actually wanted to buy a cocktail shaker kit to DIY at home...then leechie can make lychee martini mah ;p but i found out to my horror tt u need to execute some sharp chops to the tumbler shaker thingy in a certain direction b4 they could become unstuck...n leechie no kung-fu...guess the probability of leechie ending up with stuck shaker thingy most of the time n thus needing help to separate them is pretty high -.-" well, i guess it would b far easier for a leechie to walk into any bar to order whatever cocktail i fancy...fact ---> leechie is far better at drinking cocktails than making them...period ;p

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Sorry, sorry with english lyrics =)


Indian version of sorry,sorry...faintz @.@"

A Plastic World o.O"

Came across some newspaper articles a couple of weeks ago abt plastic surgery...it seems tt plastic surgery is becoming more popular amongst the gentlemen these days...not sure if it's due to their pursuit of perfection? btw, i met tt particular Medan plastic surgeon featured in tt article at a beauty pageant gala dinner som years back...he was in the midst of setting up his plastic surgery centre then...n when frenz commented tt he doesn't need to go for lipo, the aesthetic doc fren featured in tt article admitted tt vainity was one of the reasons...

Anyway, there r so much fako hair extensions, fako eyelashes, fako push-up bras...fako whatevers tt could do wonders to a person's appearance...so it's not surprising tt som ppl may juz see plastic surgey as a further extension of this fako category of appearance-enhancers? o.O"

Was chatting with mr.stingy n he commented tt plastic surgey is too fake n he cant accept it if his future partner has done any plastic surgery...well, if u wanna compare plastic surgery to the fako flower tt mr.stingy plucked from the street decor at clarke quay for a leechie -.-" btw, leechie is allergic to cheapo guys -.-" In my leechie opinion, there isn't much issue with plastic surgey if it can enhance a person's self-confidence...n if a person can b honest abt it...unlike a certain mediacorp actress who blatantly denied having done any plastic surgey when it's sooooooooo damn obvious (well, her denials r insulting a leechie intelligence -.-")

Btw, leechie had the privilege of meeting celebrity makeup artist clarence lee recently...think Urban recently interviewed him for their article on guys doing plastic surgery...i havent seen him before his chin job so i cant comment...but i gotta admit tt i'm rather tempted to touch his chin to feel how real it is (of course i didn't...leechie aint tt rude -.-")...cos i hav always wondered how a fako chin or nose would feel...well, a fengshui master once told me tt leechie chin is too short n a longer chin would b better fengshui...when i told my leechie mum what the fengshui master said, she was like ---> "No! u cant get a chin job...the fako chin will drop off if u knock it!" well, she has achieved her objective of scaring a leechie -.-" anyway, leechie aint tt brave to go for a chin job or any plastic surgery...if i can summon up enuf courage to go for a chin job 1 fine day, i'll definitely let u know...but u gotta cheer me on ya ;p

But i still need to admit tt i admire their courage in taking actions towards pursuing whatever they want...be it a higher nose, double eyelids, a more defined chin...i was watching "200 pounds beauty" on tv last nite...i really admire the lead actress' courage to take such drastic actions to undergo such extreme makeover in order to lead a more "dignified" life...i'm not shy to admit tt i cried while watching it...well, the hypocrisy of those around her was really obvious right after her physical transformation -.-" anyway, we r living in a plastic world, full of hypocreeps -.-" somtimes, i'm really surprised by the antics of those around me...who simply ignored me...surprised by the actions tt they took when they wanna get to know those tt i'm linked to -.-" but excuse me, a leechie is allergic to all hypocreeps -.-"

We r living in a damn practical world, where one cant dismiss the importance of looks...particularly so in certain industries o.O in fact, i'm still really damn annoyed by the v.fact tt my leechie dad named a leechie after a pretty colleague cos my parents' only wishes for me were for a leechie to grow up to b pretty...n yest, my leechie uncle new year wishes for a leechie is to b youthful n pretty...well, sorry to disappoint them, leechie has greater ambitions than to b juz a pretty face! -.-" i wanna b known for more than simply my looks ya! there aint tt many brainy beauties around but leechie wanna belong to this category! =) well, no wanna b a hypocreep here...havent seen my cousins in quite a while until yest...i'm still damn relieved tt i look younger n prettier than a cousin who is 3 yrs younger than me ;p when i told my leechie mum tt...she remarked in a sarcastic tone tt at the v.least, tt cousin has someone who wants her n is getting married soon...n said what's the point of being so pretty n yet unattached? -.-"

Update: leechie has collected her complimentary Stereolab membership card...so do let me know if u r going down to Stereolab ya...btw, they were launching hennesey apple at stereolab tonite ;p gotta thx them for all the complimentary drinks...forgot how many glasses i actually had tonite ;p

200 pounds beauty after her extreme makeover! @.@"


200 pounds beauty before and after her transformation! @.@"


Simply lurrrrrrrrrve this song "Maria" ;p

Postponed: Valentine's Special: Jap Dining on 5th Feb ;)

Dear Friends :)

Thanks for your support in making our Jap-Italian dining event another sold-out event! About 90 % of the ladies who attended this time round were new faces who had joined our networking event for the first time! Quite a few really pretty and successful ladies n eligible bachelors came too =)

Demographics of past events participants: Expats, investment bankers, business owners, traders, bankers, lawyers, accountants, managers, lecturers and phD & Masters degree holders and other senior executives from various industries.

Any plans for the upcoming Valentine's Day? Come join our Valentine's Day Special and spend a special evening with us. You may come alone but you could possibly meet your "Perfect Ten" match =)

Centrally located? Check.. Plenty of networking opportunities? Check.. Yummy food? Check..

Come and discover this unique yet cozy Japanese restaurant which is quietly-tucked away amidst the busy city area and which offers just the right ambience for networking and link up with like-minded people. You wouldn't know what you are missing out on if you are not here to experience it for yourself =)

Date/Time: 5th Feb (Fri) 7:38 - 10:00pm
Venue: Japanese Restaurant only 3 mins walk from City Hall MRT station (exact meetup location is only revealed to confirmed participants)

Programme Timetable:
7:38pm - 10:00pm: Dinner and drinks would be served. Large group rotation to facilitate interaction with many networking opportunities for you to get to know some senior-level executives from various industries. If possible, do bring along your name cards to facilitate interaction and for the lucky draw game (Many attractive prizes to be won!)
After 10:00pm: Those who are interested can stay back for further interaction or drinks at a nearby venue. Leechie would be very glad to facilitate this.

Vacancies are limited so sign up soon and take advantage of our early bird promotional rates!

How to Register & Make Payment?

To register for the above event, please email Leechie at leechietheleech@ gmail.com ASAP with the following details:
- Name:
- Gender:
- Handphone no.:
- Email address:
- No. of friends invited (please include their names, emails & contact nos.)

* Confirmed participants will receive an acknowledgement email latest the following day. Further instructions (exact meetup location details) are included in the acknowledgement email.
* Pls note that the above planned programme serves only as a guide and is subject to changes but we will try to stick to it as far as possible.
* Feel free to invite your frenz to join us and be part of our hip networking scene! ;)
* Pls check out this blog for pics of the restaurant as well as updates on all events =)

Please register early to secure your participation as we received overwhelming response for our previous events and had to reject some applicants on the waiting lists due to the constrain as imposed by the max capacity of the venues. Even the waiting lists were building up. We look forward to hear from you soon! =)

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Testimonials From Past Participants:

"Thanks for arranging for networking event. I have enjoyed myself last evening. You are definitely a good organizer for such events." - B.K., Agency Manager

"Hooray, we are glad to have you indeed as an efficient, effective, meticulous, detailed, expressive and communicative singles social event organiser who got along well with most of us new kids on the block." - K.C., Senior Associate Director

"You have done a good job and I know it's tough to organize such a big group. Keep it up" - L.L., Pilates Teacher

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Would like to introduce to u The Networking Scene Exclusive Members' Privilege Card with many benefits:
- Priority application for all our networking events (so that u don't have to worry about being placed on the waiting list and missing out on our exciting events again...)
- Welcome voucher of $5 off one networking event
- Exclusive invites to private parties with complimentary freeflow drinks* (terms and conditions apply)
- Exclusive members only events
- 5 % off all networking events
- 20% off one networking event in your birthday month

Best Regards,
tono leechie
Be part of our hip networking scene! ;)
Be with the original B-)

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Apologies...leechie is sick n would need to postpone this event...my sincere apologies for all the inconvenience caused...
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Ayumi Hamasaki : Is This Love?

My Leechie Idol Ms. Olivia Lum Live!

Leechie pop ovr to the bluesky exchange thingy where my leechie idol ms. Olivia Lum was the guest speaker! this is the first time tt leechie had the opportunity to hear her speak live! =)

I simply lurrrrrrrrrrrve the following quote tt appeared on the screen when they flashed the intro clip on Hyflux..."I cannot live my life without fulfilling my dream" ~ Olivia Lum, Group CEO, Hyflux

A poster-lady for entrepreneurship...Group CEO of Hyflux...former Nominated member of Parliment n holding several positions in the public service...sitting on the board of a number of companies...receiver of various other prestigous accolades...a name which requires no introduction...despite her success, ms. Olivia Lum came across as someone really unassuming n humble n really appreciative of the ppl tt she works with...she describes it as a stimulating experience with so many intelligent ppl working with her...well, i cant say the same for som of the gentlemen who were here tonite...the way tt they stared at a leechie made me feel really outta place...if they were there to learn from ms. Olivia Lum, i don't see y a leechie had no reason to b there -.-" there is no such thing as being female n too young for anythg -.-" i had enuf of all those MCP crap -.-" anyway, i'm really glad tt my leechie mum didn't bring me up to hav such narrow mindsets as certain individuals! -.-"

Back to the talk, Ms. Olivia Lum covered the importance of the 7Ps: Passion, People, Perservance, Patience, Partnership, Performance, P Factor...here r som short notes tt i took during her talk...apologies for the clumsiness...leechie aint a professional journalist...but u may also refer to the more eloquent journalistic version which was published in biz times tt i've added here...

First P is for Passion...she talked abt starting out her biz with only $20k...she had no $, no technology n no contacts...she started her entrepneurship journey based purely juz on her dream n passion...her dream to own her own biz drove her on...she shared tt the most difficult time was when she was working alone...at the start-up company stage...cos there was no one to look up to...in order to b successful in any field, one muz dream to do somthg...when u hav dream n passion...u start to hav ideas...(rem tt Jack Ma said somthg abt "Never ever give up ur dream!")

Second P is for People...cos without ppl, how r u going to grow ur company? u muz share ur vision to attract ppl of calibre...she talked abt how it was hard to convince ppl to join her initially cos hers was a small company...so she had to paint a big picture n kept telling ppl tt this is the kind of company tt can become big...n asked ppl to take risk to join her company for 1 year...when asked, she said tt this is the most impt out of the 7Ps...cos u can get inspiration n ideas from ppl...n without ppl, u cant do alot of things...

Third P is for Perseverance...u muz establish relationship with clients n ur ppl so tt they will identify to b part of ur company...she described how she stayed up overnite with her employees for an urgent job in Shanghai so tt she could motivate them n b part of them...to show them how tough they work for the company...ur staff will appreciate u being there with them...

Importance of patience for success...willing to wait years for success...but impatient for gloom n doom...need to b mentally n psychologically strong...n brainstorm how to overcome difficulties...

Partnership is impt...but we need to find suitable partners...the right partner who can contribute equally...a growing company shld not partner with too small a company which wanna leech off u -.-"

Performance - Execution is v.impt...aim is to hav zero failure...which also shows tt u r able to overcome any problems...

P Factor, as in, "Plus" Factor +
u muz hav somthg tt u can call urself competitive in this world...how to make urself more competitive? there r soooooooooo many ppl having similar things as u, so u cannot compete based on prices...every company need to hav the "Plus" Factor to go abroad...use ur Plus Factor (unique competitive factor) to win over mkt...what i understood from her sharing is tt...we muz hav our own competitive advantage n use this advantage to win!

P Factor, as in, "拼" Factor
As the hokkien saying "爱 拼 才 会 赢" goes...
To b competitive n hungry n go for the best!

She also shared how it was v.hard to get ur first customer...how to make it? when it was v.hard to convince Singapore companies to buy products from her cos they could deal directly with the supplier company instead...she went to Malaysia n sold her first product in JB...

Learnt thru experience n mistakes tt u made...it's thru trial n error...but u gotta ask urself whether u can afford this error or not...every marriage is a happy one in the beginning...can u withstand a breakup? if this is not going to work, bite the bullet n cut loss!

The importance of vision...when she was young, she told her teacher "One day i'll be doing v.BIG things...v.v.v.BIG things!"

2 big events tt gave her alot of opportunities...during the economic downturn in 1997, she was able to recruit alot of good ppl n enticed them with share options...during 1998-1999, they were doing so well tt DBS approached them to list the company...do u wanna grow ur company much bigger? listing her company...her shareholding in the company dropped from 100% to 75% before the IPO...n dropped to 50% after the IPO...n further diluted to 30+% today with all the placements etc...but it's a win-win situation for all =)

Biz is vibrant n u cannot stick to a set of rules...she refused to go to biz sch...branding ur company...as long as u r willing to share, do things tt ur shareholders n employees (stakeholders) like...(well, she's a great example of how one doesn't need to hav MBA to do BIG things n run a globally-competitive company! Kudos to my leechie idol!)

Overcome obstacles in the intial years...in the last 20 yrs, she has grown her company from a trading company to a technology one n now one with manufacturing capabilities...

Look at ur financial capability n realize which stage u r in...
if u don't hav $, do things which will help u to grow...

She talked abt how she started with only $20k...the first $5k went to 3 months rental of the office...after purchasing photocopier n office furniture n renovation etc, she was left with only $10k...so she approached the big n famous membrane companies here n became a freelance agent...so she did not need to hav her own brand then...n earned commission from the products tt she sold...when most local companies prefer to deal directly with the supplier n refused to buy from her, she went to Malaysia n later Indonesia...n started making $ in her 3rd n 4th yr...then she wanted to hav her own brand...so went to her uni prof n hired ppl to develop the technology...

Really appreciate her practical advice n sincere sharing of her experiences...definitely more interesting than any biz sch classes ;p i'm really glad tt i was there...to learn from her sharing =) it was definitely an evening well-spent! Now, i've managed to hear all my leechie idols speak live...except for Jay Abraham =)

Disclaimer: leechie doesn't own any shares in Hyflux n its affliates...btw, a banker asked Ms. Olivia Lum when would be the right time/price to buy into Hyflux...she told him to consult a crystal ball instead o.O"

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Business Times - 28 Jan 2010


Hyflux's success starts with passion

SEVEN 'P's.

That is the winning formula behind Hyflux's success.

At the inaugural 'Going Global' forum yesterday, Hyflux CEO Olivia Lum told a ballroom of business leaders that growing a company with an initial capital of just $20,000, to a globally competitive business, starts with passion first, above all else. And that's the first 'P' in her formula.

'When I first started out, I had a passion to run my own business. To be successful, you have to dream big,' she said at the forum held at the Meritus Mandarin Hotel, the venue partner, yesterday.

Secondly, it is important to find the right partners and employees who share the vision as the entrepreneurs. Then only can the company attract talented manpower to propel the business forward. That is the second 'P'.

On top of that, Ms Lum pointed out that perseverance, patience and partnerships are critical in seeing the business through difficult periods, particularly in the initial phase of overseas expansion.

In her case, she does not expect immediate results during the first three years in a foreign market, but certainly expects her staff to adopt a 'can do' spirit or in her own words, 'if you are sent to the country, you can only come back and tell me akan datang (coming soon)'.

And the last two 'P's are the performance and the 'plus' factor, which she defines as the value proposition which a company offers.

Later at the question and answer session, Ms Lum also touched on the discrimination she faces in some foreign markets, and her 'innovative' means of overcoming them.

For example, 'when I first went to China 15 years ago, I looked very young'. 'And in China, people respect the elderly. So you come to this market looking like a school girl, they give you a big discount.'

Ms Lum shared that as soon as she realised that, she roped in a 60-year-old retiree to helm the operations there, and businesses took off thereafter.

It was the same approach which helped Hyflux penetrate markets such as Algeria and Africa.

(http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,370019,00.html?)

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Interview by Business Times with Ms. Olivia Lum:

What advice would you give to women looking to build a successful enterprise today?

"I would give the same advice to any man or woman who wants to build a successful enterprise. One would need the '7 Ps' - passion, perseverance, patience, people, partnerships, performance and the 'plus' factor.

First, there must be passion for the business as passion drives one to do better each time. Perseverance and patience are important qualities as there will be many problems encountered in an entrepreneur's journey.

A successful business is not built by one person, which is why it is important to attract, hire and retain the right people for the company. Partnerships are important as a company cannot be good at everything or have the resources to do everything. Tapping on the strengths of others will enable one to accomplish much more. For instance when in a foreign market, one may require the help of a local partner regarding the local laws and business customs.

There must also be emphasis on performance as even a small mistake can be detrimental to a company's standing in the industry. And finally, there is the 'plus' factor, which is 'knowing one's strengths' and competitive edge over its rivals."

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A better version written by my leechie idol, ms. Elim Chew =)(http://www.straitstimes.com/SME%2BSpotlight/SME%2BBlogs/Working%2Btowards%2BSuccess/STIStory_486283.html)

Building a globally competitive company
Elim Chew, Founder and Owner, 77th Street
Feb 4, 2010 Thursday, 11:29 AM
77th Street's Elim Chew explains how she learned to build a successful global company.

I RECENTLY attended the ACE BlueSky Exchange, a collaboration between Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) and The Business Times. This Going Global series features a number of chief executives explaining how they built up their companies' competitiveness and capabilities on a global platform.

In this first session, we got to hear from Olivia Lum, CEO of Hyflux International. She started in 1989 and has since grown her business from a $20,000 company to one worth $1.2 Billion.

Here are some valuable points I picked up from her on going global:

The 7Ps of a Globally Competitive Company

1) Passion
The first key that will ignite the fire is Passion. It is about having the passion to own my own business. When you have passion, you do something not because you have to but it is your dream that inspires you. To be successful in the field you need to have a dream and to take action. You can start to look out for ideas and find the spark to start the idea. When you spot something worthy of your pursuit, dream about it, visualize it and just go for it. Don't limit your boundaries. Think and dream big and grow beyond Singapore.

2) People
The next key is People. You will need people to help grow your Business. Get the right people and the right resources. How do you attract good people? Look around you. Establish relationship with people and find good people to join you. When you have good vision and goals, you will attract people to follow you. When it comes to going global, you will need professional people who have the expertise to help you develop and expand your business.

3) Perseverance
Venturing overseas especially to China can be tough. But challenges are inevitable where opportunities thrive. Perseverance with unwavering determination is the key to overcoming obstacles. On top of that, you need to personally feel the vibrancy of the country and have a better understanding of the culture in any market you want to go to.
No man is an island. We all need a team of people to support us, especially during difficult times. Being connected to your staff is necessary so they will know you are there to go through it with them.

4) Patience
Rome was not built in a day. If you want to build something big, you have got to develop patience for success. Take time to establish strong foundations and take progressive steps to see your dreams and visions realised. People who are impatient will try to look for shortcuts which is sure to lead to doom. Remember, good things are worth waiting for.

5) Partnership
The right partnership is important. Partnership can either propel you forward or hold you down. Find and create good partnerships where both partners are able to contribute their strengths and values equally.

6) Performance
Performance and results are everything. Having a vision and plan is good but execution of a project is the key to determining results. Resources are limited and time is precious. Do not tolerate pessimistic staff and work for zero failure. We can always find solutions and fix the problems.

7)"P" or "Plus" factor
Another key you will need to compete globally is the "Plus" factor or your unique competitive factor. Others call it the X-Factor. How can you stay competitive? Everyone has the same technology and products. What is unique about what you have? Know your personal and company strengths. Use them strategically to win the market competition. But also understand your weakness so that you can work on it and not let it hinder you.

As you plan and move forward, you have got to "ping" or "piah" (meaning 'strive' or 'give it all') to be in the forefront of the market. "Ai piah jia eh ya" - You will only win if you strive hard! As you strive together with your team of good people, they will give you inspiration for more great ideas to achieve success. During tough times, bite the bullet and be quick and decisive to cut your losses if does not work out!

Let's recap the 7 keys:
1) Passion
2) People
3) Perseverance
4) Patience
5) Partnership
6) Performance
7) "P" or "Plus" factor - your Unique competitive factor.


Hyflux has a very big macro vision: To cover every posibility regarding water and water use. Be bold and go for a big vision that is worthy of its cause.

Finally, count your costs. Know your financial capabilities and don't commit yourself beyond it. Whatever funds you have, you must know how to maximize them to keep on growing your company.

As you put your mind, heart and soul into applying these principles, you too, can realize your dream to build a successful global business.

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爱拼才会赢!!!