Bangkok Business Trip

Was informed by my boss to fly to Bangkok for a visit cum meeting on the 16th June. Guess what the meeting is on the 20th June. i basically have only 4 days to prepare. Luckily it was not a formal meeting but rather a Market Visit cum learning trip for me.

Of coz going to Bangkok i have to inform my very good friend there Mod, Ying and Bik.....

Was excited coz will be meeting a totally new team from Ice Cream and it's different from the MAGGI people that i know regionally. In the meeting the Phillipines team is also there. Another excitement is that Mod told me that we're going to Mansion 7 for dinner. Heard lots about this place since their last visit here in Malaysia. It's a haunted house concept mall.

The first day was a visit to the factory at Bang Chang. Its great to see that the complex is built vertically and only take up very small part of the land. But it was a very nice complex.....hmmm and very nice receptionist.....hahhahah.....then we were hosted with a dinner at Kempinski Hotel. We were treated with the Thai Fusion dishes. The starter is like7-8 types, and very nicely decorated. Very much reccomended for those who like to enjoy good fine dining.

The second day was a day of Market visit. We visit lots of school and to my amaze that how much Thai people especially the kids enjoy ice cream. Throughout the market visit i've learn lots about Ice Cream from the NSM there. Lots of things which i thought is the same with grocery shopping is actually not. The strategy is so much different from the Grocery which i feel it's more interesting to capture impulse purchase. And we ended the market visit with a visit to one of the dealer. The dealer is what i would say business simplified. Very simple setup, very simple people and very simple facilities.

The dinner that i look forward to. Mansion 7. We did not have dinner there but rather we enjoyed out Thai Dinner at Central World. And of coz the mango sticky rice as desert. We then proceed to Mansion 7. It was a Haunted mansion concept and with a haunted house inside which is the main attracttion. $TH 180 per person to enter the haunted mansion. We were so excited and 4 of us went in Me, Mod, Billy and Vincent. Bik did not join coz he had experience it before. Its a feeling of that you know something will happen along the walkway but you dun know what. We had fun in the haunted mansion.















We then had some beer at the pub there and just before we make a move back there was this bar tender show at the pub. Was great performance and was actually treated a glass of their cocktail before we left the pub.

3rd day was a day at the office discussing on the strategy and tactics implemented by Thailand. We shared our strategy and also the Phillipines team. It's great to learn from all parties and it actually benefit me especially in times of planning for ICP.

We then meet up with Mod and Ying for dinner and a night out at a roof top pub. We tried almost all their snack and dishes there. We wanted to make a stop at the palace but it was closed. Back to the hotel and planned for a shopping trip to Platinum Mall the next morning. We were told that there is a planned rally front of Central World so we have to plan our route wisely.


It was a great learning trip and also to catch up with my friend there.

updates

It has been a while now since i last blog. Many things has happen, like the Sales Convention, WINA Summit, and also a redefine job role. Sales Convention has been great a am able to meet lots of people in the organisation. Had great fun at Penang where all my former colleague was there.

WINA (World Instant Noodles Association) Summit was an eye opener for me as to see so much strategy on Instant Noodles being presented in the Summit. Many of those where i think we can learn and many of those who we have already implemented. I've not put much time for this summit as i was handling the Sales Convention before this. But thank god no major hiccups.



















So what is next and coming. Flavour World Workshop, and Merchandising day. Maybe i will be involve again in the workshop but not the merchandising day. Cause now i'm given more time to focus on what really matters most in my position. Category Development. You'll see more strategy in the coming quaters.....

Beside what happen in Nestle, there are also a few events that caught my attention. The by election at Hulu Selangor and also the coming one at Sibu. I read today that the oppossition claim that the government uses the same tactics at Sibu which is money politics to win the election. Reading this statement i see many other consistent comment by the opposition in every by election. Is the Government using the same tactics or the opposition using the same tactics. I wonder. Everytime when the opposition wins the election no more mentioning of money politics and when the lose, it's because the Government uses money. Hmmm.....i wonder but anyway its just my point of view as many others hard core supporters will feel offended by my comment.

Just would like to voice out my point of view

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

MERRY Christmas and HAPPY New Year everyone......i know it's abit too late......been busy celebrating the holidays as 4 Friday in Dec are public holiday. took lots of leave to rest and relax and took sometime to go back to Penang to celebrate Christmas with my former team mates.


Was really great to see all of them again and the changes at the ASO. Now all the exec do not have their own office anymore and are in cubicle. People changes, new faces, new challenges. That what i see in when i was back at Penang.













































The feeling is abit different now as i feel that i'm no longer talking the language of the Branch anymore. Maybe i'm getting wiser with the knowledge and experience i had in HOU. Able to guide and give clearer direction now. Am feeling comfortable at HOU also as i've learn more about the system and proccess. And with the new year i've made a resolution also. Firstly is to get my promotion and second of coz after promotion will be the next level in my life. So to say moving up the ladder in career and life.

As for New Year, went to cineleisure at Curve with my dear to watch AVATAR 3D. Was really a great movie and think will be the revolution of 3D entertainment. Heard in the Radio today that they are coming out with 3D TV, which i think will change entertainment to a totally new meaning. Had a great time with my dear and even took some pix with the machine.


So it's back to work now. Given lots of opportunities in HOU to handle projects. Sales Convention, WINA, Brand Champ workshop, Flavour World Workshop, Team Building and MAGGI Roadshow. So moving towards 2010 with a positive note. No.1 Promotion No.2 Wedding.

Cheers and Happy New Year to everyone. May you find success in your new quest !

Today is a Battle

Kinda tired today as i have to attend meeting the whole day. It feel like that you are in a battle against time. Preparing presentation at the last minute and so many call to attend to and issue to solve. Feel very tired and wanted to go off early. But then there are so many thing to do and so many more problem to solve.

It was about 8pm that i wanted to go off office when the agency called informing me that there are still things not arrived at the event venue tomorrow. Have to drive all the way from my office to Subang to ractify the issue. And when i went into the outlet for a short market visit. Many thing wasn't right at the outlet. We've sponsored the event and spend so much that they didn't even gave us a proper display. Was very disappointed.

To make things worse my dear was angry when i'm back home coz i came back very late. What a day. Hopefully it'll be better tomorrow.

You just have to strive to hold on to it and never give up in what you do. It'll keep you going. We talk about passion in our work. Does work like that make you passionate? But there is always something that makes you hold on to it. Money? Rank? or opportunity? As for me i feel proud to be an achiever. I feel good when the event i run is to be recognise. I guess for me that is my passion for my job. Everyone has their own goals.

Sales Division Roadshow

woThe whole month of July, i have to attend roadshow. Starting from Central till Sabah. The KL Roadshow is held at Allson Klana, Seremban and East Coast is held at Swiss Garden, Kuantan. This are the 2 roadshow which we have mix grading. Think that the Seremban one wasn't that good and we made up in Kuantan. Next will be Southern at Avillion Legacy, Melaka. Hope that things goes well there.

Throughout this Roadshow, i have met alot of people. People who are famous and some stars. People like Lewis Pragasam and Diana. Where i met them during the preparation for MIDI launch at Kuantan. Lewis was a great drummer in ASIABEAT who i use to watch during my teenage year and Diana who i voted for in the Project Superstar2....i was hoping she would win at that time. It ws truly a great journey at HOU as i was given the opportunity to meet so many people. Here i attached MIDI Launch at Kuantan.

Along our life we will meet someone who is special in our life. Your Love ones, someone you adore and most importantly someone who touches your heart. Meeting Lewis that day really reminds me of the day where i was working as a banquet staff at Rasa Sayang Resort. We're a;ways excited every New Year eve when ASIABEAT will perform at the hotel. Listening to Lewis play that day reminds me of my friends, the fun time i spend there and most important is bringing back the memories that i have long forgotten. It'll be great if you can sit down and find some time to call your long lost friends and talk to them.

Sarawak Working trip

Just came back from Miri and Sibu, Sarawak. It was great to have been in the biggest state in Malaysia. The trip there is for MAGGI MIDI launch at Sarawak. It's similiar with the Penang one. The launch is at Sibu but we went to Miri first for market work. Miri is somehwhere near to Brunei and the market is growing very fast. It was great to see the visibility at Miri and the dealer had done a very good job there.

Then we travel to Sibu the next day for the launch. Stayed at a hotel near the Rajang River which is the longest river in Malaysia. The launch was great as we had alot of lerning from the Penang launch. The business review earlier also generate lots of idea to grow the MAGGI product there.

We had a flight delay on our flight back to KL and it was fun although tiring spending time waiting for our delayed flight. Had nice chat with the team members.

On the flight back to KL i was seated near the window. Looking out the window at night flight was great. looking up you can see stars shining and looking down you can also see light from highway and houses. It's like you are in the middle of two world. We can always imagine how it would be like looking at the stars above but have never imagine that we could be stars to other also if you are looking from above. Overall it ws a great trip getting to know the business more.

Working Trip Back to Penang

'Great to be back' is the phrase that my senior will always use when he's presenting at his hometown Sarawak. As for me it was Feels good to be back at Penang. Last week as the greatest week i've had in a few months. I get to travel back to Penang for a week and to be with my friends and family. It was great although its for work purposes.

Was back at Penang for market work at Taiping and also the MAGGI Midi Launch. Was given a session on the launch day to present about the support we have behind Falvor World in the second half of the year. It really feels great to be presenting in front of familiar faces again and i really enjoyed presenting it. Athough many will tell me that it's not the same like last time since i left but for me the feel is still the same.



The warm welcome i recieve when i'm back there at the dealer and also during the launch really makes me miss the good old days. And to be able to have a drink or two with OAJ and team now was great. Did not have such fun for long long time. Although RACHEL Pub is no longer there and now the new hang out place is The Origin Restaurant just next to Rachel it still gives me the family feeling when i'm there. The drinking till late night and all the jokes we make during the drinking touches my heart and deep down inside i just wanted to go back.

The funny thing is that the swimming at 4am in the morning when all of us have to attend a function the next day was really funny. Hope to have the same fun with you guys again in the coming Nestle Roadshow this July. Adios....

MAGGI

MAGGI the brand. Everyone know about MAGGI noodles. Thats what i thought when i first join the MAGGI team. MAGGI Noodles is so well known till some Malaysian know instant noodles as MAGGI noodles.
It all changes when last month met a few dancers who dance at the Sales Convention at East Mal when they are on the flight back to KL. Just happen that we met them on the flight back to KL. Was introducing ourselves and few of the dancers recognize us as the night before some of us were pull by them to the dance floor. When we intro ourselves as MAGGI team, they do not know what MAGGI is??? huh???after some explanation then they only know we're from Nestle. There are still some people who spell MAGGI as maggie. gosh.....

In my mind i was thinking if they do not know MAGGI then there might be more ppl like them. Then we have some issue here to tackle. We're so focus on our own category that we forgot about the Brand. So it's the CCSD job now to promote the brand as a trusted cooking aid Brand. When u thnk of cooking you'll think of maggi. Thats will be my vision and mission in Nestle.


MAKING FOOD DO WONDERS

IGD 8th - 13th February 2009 - Kuala Lumpur

It's my first international training in Nestle, was very excited and at the same time tension as the feedback from seniors in Nestle is that this training isn't easy one. The story about previous training lasting till late night tell it all. IGD was previously call Marketing 1 and it's hard for one to get a chance to join the course. Lucky me that my boss ask me to attend the course when i'm only 3 months old in the Business Unit.

When the first day started i was very excited coz lots of new faces and also some of the people i know is there. We were placed in a group of 5 people. My group consist of me, Swee Rin who's from the same dept as i am in Malaysia, Vu a RSM from Vietnam, April Sales Manager from Philiphines and Joy a Brand Exec from Thailand. I would say that it's a combination of expertise from many angle. I&R, Brand, Sales and CCSD.

Our facilitator was Benard, Ian and Tim from Nestle SGDU and Mr.Khoo, Vela, Mr.Lim, Razlan and Don from Nestle Malaysia. The training was really a great learning from me who is still lost of direction in my new JD. It gives me a whole picture of the planning process and also where my job as a CCSD comes into the picture.

Dinner with the rest of the participant was great as we have to look for our own dinner. As a Malaysian of coz hospitality is a trademark of Malaysia. We brought them out for dinner. Old Town cafe was the first place we brought them. Then a a few of us went to a pub for a drink. Vu, Tomo from Japan and me we re enjoying a glass of beer then.

I really like the time when we are in the group discussion as all of us have different point of view in the discussion and everyone is trying to convince each other in the discussion. Guess that is the case when u have much of a diversity in a group. Everyone was trying to present their country best practice and of coz i won't want to lose out.

We had a few good presentation and a few bad ones and will learn from it. The finale was a great one as dinner was arrange at KL tower. Dinner was great and everyone started the craze of taking photo as the view was great. And maybe because the training is closing its curtain and everyone just misses the time we spend together. Tomo who was very quiet throughout the training was suddenly the center of attention when we're taking the photo. Not to forget Karl from Philipines sang us a song. It was great.

I was not able to join them for the after dinner celebration coz am going up to Genting with my GF the next day. Am planning to meet up with Ying and Mod from Thailand at Genting the next day. But too bad didn't get a chance to meet them there as we're staying at a different hotel at Genting. It was Valentine Day the next day and was great spending time with my GF family.

Will post some photo of the Seminar when i have them as the connection here is slow and unable to post them. It'll give you a better picture of the enjoyment we have in the Training and it was not as tedious as mentioned earlier as we have the tools to manage the business better now.

Adios signing off......

Transfering to KL

Finally the news is comfirmed that i'll be transfering to KL. I'll be joining the Maggi team. It's something that i've expected for months and finally the speculation came true. Was excited at first that finally i'm going to KL and can be near with my dear. But when i sit down and think of the journey that i've gone through in Chin Heng, i felt reluctant to go. Even went to negotiate with my boss to let me stay for another year.

Major changes will happen to the branch as many people will be transfered. Ezan will be at Johor separating the drinking group everywhere. Kinda sad actually. But then again my new task will be challenging. Maggi is a growing brand and i'll have to make sure that it keep growing. So to all my friends take more Maggi products okie. Support a bit la.

Buying a new car as i felt that the old one is a bit run down. Getting a Nissan Sentra manual as i dun like auto car. Dunno y just like to control the car with manual shifting and not the auto one. 1 more month to go before my transfer and hoping to get my car before the transfer.

Thanks alot to Chin Heng team as the 4 years with the team is truly a memorable one. How we try to hit our target every month end and to close the sales and also all the fun and laughter in the sales office will always be in my heart. Thanks You and hope to be back to work with you'll again in the future.

Signing out.......someone who's heading to Nestle House

MAGGI Cukup Rasa Challenge

Yesterday we had a direct sales project at Bagan Ajam Wet Market and the challenge of the day is to break the sales record which was previously held by PGEL. My target was to achieve higher then that sales and we brought more for the direct sales. Pretty confident that we're gonna sell all the stock but can only sold most of it from 7-11am. And at the end the Chairman of the wet market came and buy everything from us. Thus we achieved the sales we wanted and now hold the sales record.

Got some pics from Zainal blogs.

Getting Ready to rumble

Preparation before the challenge. Choosing the right spot is essential for us to hit our target.


Teoh selling to this auntie. 'Cukup Rasa 120g cheap cheap'.

YB Zainal in his usual gesture as the Tongkat Ali Champion for the Branch. Promoting to the crowd at Pasar Awam Bagan Ajam
.

FPO team in action supporting the event.

Replenishing the stock after wave 1.

Strategy : Selling in package

per package with free container.

Lunch after the challenge....or celebration after the achievement as the record holder. Look out for July challenge at Pasar Awam Kampung Baru.

CHEERS TEAM PGCHHK !!

Thruput Closing May2008

Wanted to blog about the closing of May sales but couldn't find the time. Since i have some lunch time today so will blog about that day.

Was very confident that we will hit our target, so that day i was very relax. The challenge is to hit maximum incentive for May 2008 that is 106%. Asked all the salesrep to be back that day so that i can finalise my sales. Surprise waiting for them....heheheh...this is not the first time that we've cook at office but usually it's spaghetti that we cook. This time wanted to cook something different. Went o C4 with John and we bought 30pcs of chicken drumstick. And ask Tung to sponsor some maggi ayam goreng seasoning. Then we start our fried chicken project.



And William came back to help in the cooking also.



The two cook. We had little bit help from Lily and John.

Chicken was nice and it wasn't enough to cater to everyone. So sorry for those who didn't manage to get a bite of the delicious fried chicken.....hehehe...

Anyway thank to Chin Heng team for a 106.2% achievement for May 2008.