Your First Act Towards Ridding Malaysian Politics of Douche Bags

Many of us youth today when asked about politics would either run, hide, laugh or sneer. Or we would see the rare cases of staunch anti-Opposition or staunch anti-Government. Rarely would we see someone talk prudently or wisely about politics. Alas, it mirrors our political paradigm.

Youth are at most repelled by politics, may they be in Malaysia or the United States. Politicians are seen as douche bags who summons a thousand or even millions to support them and put them in lofty offices. Politicians are seen as hypocrites who donate a large amount of taxpayers money and credit the donations to their names. Politicians are seen as hypocritical bigots who preach religion and faith while his pager or secretary is giving him a handjob under his desk. That is how many of us perceive today’s politics as.

But deeper than that, the underlying current unseen by the critics of politics as well as critics of democracy is this: the corrupted politicians, the turning of our politics into one that borders on the extremists’ : all these dangers that supposedly cause many of us to detest politics are actually the byproducts of our apathetic attitude towards politics and governance. Ask any of our graduates their parliamentary and state representatives are and many would just give you an apologetic if not a sheepish smile. Some, who may posses an egotistic attitude the size of Jupiter may try to defend their apathy by stating that politics are for douche bags and bullshitters.

Now, now – who is the greater bullshitter here my friend?

These politicians would not be there in the first place if they are not voted by the people. Yet the people who talks a lot about bad politicians and how much screwed up the country is by our politicians merely do nothing. They neither vote, nor even bother to know what is going on around them. Yet they dare raise their voice to criticize all that is holy and praise none. They criticize and lampoon all ideas, yet put none in replacement. While in the same time naively, or rather conceitedly thinks that their life would go on as usual.

Many have yet to realize the true meaning of democracy. In America, they have forgotten its meaning, or perhaps just lose faith. We have yet to do anything to improve the people’s faith in democracy,The only campaign going on full swing is for the people to believe that the government is doing the right thing. In the UK, the strife to make youths understand democracy is in full swing, without bias or prejudice towards any political parties. Whether or not it is successful remains to be debated. But the bottom line is this: at least they are trying to do something to instill the spirit of democracy back into the people.

Here in Malaysia, let us not ask what politicians should do to change what they did wrong. It is not important which politician said what during God knows when. They are the past. The real question that you and me and any other youth should ask is: what could we do to rectify the situation. We may ignore all that we branded as politics in Malaysia and continue to fatten our bank account. But what good would that be if the RM5,000,000.00 that we gathered is only equivalent to USD20 due to bad politicians running the country? Would we still be on our backs wagging our tongues criticizing politics as we had before? Or would we be more alert and ensure that the next politician running the country would not mess our children’s future?

Somehow at the back of my head I could hear what answers would the current generation give. They would still distaste politics and the politicians, ignorantly cleaning their hands of any blame.

Maybe if we have fallen under a dictatorship like that of Adolf Hitler and a large pogrom and massacre done by ‘the rightfully elected’, then would we be more aware of who are the ones selected by the people to be in power. Maybe, just maybe after feeling the lost of freedom and democracy, and the overwhelming burden of national shame like the Germans felt after the war – we would change.

But God forbid such would happen.

Don Cassini

23rd September 2010

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Guide to Copywriter 2.0: 3 Ways to Cost-Effective Communication

Since 2004, Web 2.0 Conferences have been held annually. It’s the buzzword among social media/Internet marketing enthusiasts. Basically what Web 2.0 symbolises is “change”. Internet alone isn’t a static creation. Even more so for the users.

Copywriters 2.0 (sing. Copywriter 2.0) are copywriters who have adapted to the 2.0 ecology. Usually they are Generation Xs and Generation Ys copywriters who are impatient yet determined to achieve. They harness the power of technology to get the work done cost effectively.

What is meant by “cost effectively”? Your communication:

• Saves time;
• Saves money;
• Saves energy.

As a copywriter 2.0, here are the 5 techniques I used with my clients:

1. E-mail communication;
2. Text messaging/short messaging system;
3. Phone calls
4. Instant messaging; and
5. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

If you need to send a bundle of document, send it via e-mail! A Copywriter 2.0 will access it, print it and refer to it.

Through e-mail, your copywriter 2.0 already have a reference he can access easily.

For a course of over 7 months, I managed to work with a Client half way across the country! So, as a person looking for a copywriter, find a Copywriter 2.0!

 

___________________________________________________________

ALDRIC TINKER, founder of Aldric Tinker & CreateChange, is a Certified Neurolinguistic Programmer, trained by William Horton, Psy. D., of the National Federation of Neurolinguistic Psychology. Aldric conducts Life and Executive Coaching sessions in addition to speaking engagements.

 

Technorati Tags: Web 2.0 Marketing,Copywriter 2.0,Malaysian Copywriter,cheap copywriting service,save money on copyywriting,cost-effective communication.

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NLP-Hypnosis: We Are Family!

Born in a Seminar Room…

During the introduction of me as a Certified NLP Practitioner and Professional Freelance Copywriter by my good friend Vincent Cheng, Founder of JeVince and Malaysian Business Network, during his Sales 2.0 Marketing 2.0 Workshop prompted a participant to speak on the relationship of NLP and Hypnosis how the two are not related. He expressed how his trainer, also mine, is bad at it and too academic.

For the purpose of this entry, I’ll focus on the relationship between neurolinguistic programming and hypnosis. What’s the nexus?

Beginnings of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP)

Richard Bandler, then Psychology Student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, joined followers of John Grinder, then associate professor of linguistics at the same varsity, reputedly the youngest in the States at the time.

The two became friends and began fusing their interests and skills and began studying the works of Virginia Satir (mother of Family Therapy) and Fritz Perls (founder of Gestalt Therapy). With the materials at hand, they studied the two for the reasons of their successes. Through a friend, the co-founders of neurolinguistic programming stumbled upon the work of Milton Erickson, MD, Grandfather of Hypnosis.

They were so engrossed with this general practitioner’s works on hypnosis. They incorporated Ericksonian work into NLP.

NLP From the Eyes of Clinical Hypnosis

In Clinical Hypnosis, there are fundamentally three approaches to hypnosis:

• Autocratic: The autocratic approach is telling the Patients (LCCH/BSCH term for ‘Client’) on what to do. Close your eyes. Think of a time when you were…
• Permissive: Patients are ‘invited’ to close their eyes. Whenever you are ready, close your eyes…
• Non-Traditional: Non-traditional methods depart from the two. Non-traditional uses natural occurring hypnotic states to create the change. Briefly, you and I enter hypnotic trances everyday: when we’re day dreaming, concentrated in work, engrossed in reading books, etc.

Where does Clinical Hypnosis put NLP? You can almost guess it – non-traditional.

Ericksonian Influence is “Apostolic Succession” in NLP: Past, Present and Future

Erickson’s work incorporated by the Co-Founders of NLP into this new field of personal change lays the hands on NLP. There are NLP trainers and practitioners who write out that Bandler and Grinder went to meet Erickson, who endorsed their work.

Since its conception in the 1970s, NLP expands and grow because of those who carry on the torch.

Depending on the pre- or post-NLP training of your practitioner, you will see traces of NLP amidst what they bring onto the table.

Just as my trainer, William Horton, Psy. D., is trained in Hypnosis (Dr. Horton is a Certified Hypnotherapist, National Guild of Hypnosis/NGH & International Association of Counsellors and Trainers/IACT), I am doing the same. As a student of the International Certificate in Clinical Hypnosis conducted by the London College of Clinical Hypnosis Malaysia, I’m bringing back hypnosis into NLP as I practice it.

In addition to conducting NLP therapies and coaching, I use my NLP-hypnosis in my copywriting and speechwriting.

At the end of the day, NLP in inseparable from Hypnosis. No matter how far down the line you may be from John Grinder and Richard Brandler, or you got your line through NLP Gurus Tony Robbins, Tad James, Steve Andreas and more, NLP will trace its roots back to hypnosis.

 

Technorati Tags: neurolinguistic programming,nlp,NLP-Hypnosis,hypnosis,hypnotherapy malaysia,Tad James,Tony Robbins NLP Hypnosis Malaysia,nlp training malaysia,clinical hypnosis training malaysia

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Discover How You Can Learn Faster, Cheaper and Easier for Long-Lasting Results!

Did you know you can take something out from a workshop or course in a fraction of the time? Many excellent trainers apply accelerated learning into their programs and both organisers and participants are amazed by the results!

Accelerated learning, as the name implies, means faster learning and comprehension in addition to long term results.

As you grow, you have experienced accelerated learning along the way. It’s the time when you manage to understand and grasp the concepts, principles and applications as soon as you read it – and still remember it.

Children constantly enter and exit accelerated learning states. When in this mental state, children will remember what they learn and will most probably apply it.

Ironically, instead of learning to use accelerated learning, our education system systematically casts it further away from us by recognising one form of learning instead of a holistic approach. Instead of being allowed to explore, be curious and imagine, we were taught to sit down, be quiet and pay attention. Sure it works for some, but not for others. But to explain this phenomenon, those who cannot learn in that ‘intellectual’ manner are given many labels which results in attacks to their self-esteem.

How does accelerated learning benefit you or your organisation?

Consider these:

• Learning at a fraction of the usual time;
• Active participation and holistic comprehension of the subject matter;
• Long term retention of the information or knowledge;
• Shorter learning curve;
• And many more underlying possibilities!

But that’s not all!

Excellent neurolinguistic programmers and coaches can help you enter and apply accelerated learning by recognising your learning style, work with you in getting yourself grounded so you don’t get overblown by excitement when using accelerated learning! If needed, your neurolinguistic programmer is more than happy to teach you the application techniques so you can enjoy your learning and use it longer!

Imagine the satisfactory results as you apply accelerated learning endlessly and enjoy the support of a neurolinguistic programmer. The possibilities are endless!

 

___________________________________________________________ ALDRIC TINKER, founder of Aldric Tinker & CreateChange, is a Certified Neurolinguistic Programmer, trained by William Horton, Psy. D., of the National Federation of Neurolinguistic Psychology. Aldric conducts Life and Executive Coaching sessions in addition to speaking engagements.

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Unveiling Aldric Tinker, CreateChange and CreateCopy Logos

Without further ado, I am proud to share with you the logos for Aldric Tinker (the Business), CreateChange and Create Copy.

Inspired by the soaring phoenix, Mohd. Izwan Ismail designed this logo especially for the use of Aldric Tinker, present and future divisions as well as incorporation of the business at a later stage.

 

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Discover How You Can Lift Your Mood After the Ladder Falls on You

Growing up and going through life is like a journey. A journey you begin from the day you were conceived. A journey which will only end for you the moment you release that last breath. Like any other journey you make, your life’s journey is not spared from the usual weathers: rain, shine, hail, snow, windy and more. Yet as much as you enjoy the journey, you are bound to enter periods of down time; thunderstorms that just suck the mood out, leaving you disappointed and maybe miserable.

The feeling mixed or on its own, is natural. At a funeral, it’s normal to grieve. Even if you’re not crying your eyes out, it’s still alright. It’s natural for you. It’s how your mind has programmed you to cope with the loss. Similarly when your parents are divorcing or when you failed that paper you put your effort in during your undergraduate years.

In some cases, you may even feel like giving up. What can you do?

Before you decide to give up, even though you feel that the world’s against you, think of the time when you were learning to walk. You can also see yourself through the eyes of a baby, trying to stand and take his or her first step. Sure, you cried when you first fell. But see yourself, determined and optimistic, trying to stand up and walk. Can you feel the determination you, the baby, felt? Your focused tunnel vision, concentrated and optimistic on the thing that you wanted to take. Listen to your shrill of excitement as you take that baby step. Although you clumsily fall down, you are still determined and excited.

After several attempts and falls, see yourself, the baby, successfully taking that first step! All his/her optimism and determination paid off! See how excited you are, the glimmer in your eyes. Listen to the accomplishment resonating in your happy cry! Feel that rush of joy crawling and seeping into your body – from your feet, to your ankles, into your calves and then your thighs. See that sensation spreading from your legs all the way up into your body. How, with every breath, the joy, hope and optimism fill your stomach muscles, your chest and your arms. As the euphoria reaches your neck and head, you can’t help but to notice the vibe coming from the baby’s body – your body.

You, the baby, flash that smile and clap your hand. You’re all revved up and excited to push forward and live another day. You are alive!

You keep the beautiful memories of the journey radiant and harmonically loud!

Here you are, today, standing on the road – your journey. Before you maybe crossroads, to roads diverged in an amber wood, straight or winding, you conclude that what’s important is that you push forth and forward. Sharing the strong and comforting glow, vibe and harmony coming from inside you with those you may meet.

Even if there’s a thunderstorm when you’re on the road, after a short while, look up. See the silver lining behind the cloud. Feel the cool earth under your feel as you smell the freshness of the air – under the bright rainbow arcing over you.

Every time you find yourself on the road from a fall, remember how it was when you took that first baby step. You’d feel better and optimistic before you know it.

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Sexual orientation can’t be changed through therapy: American Psychological Association

by Sylvia Tan

Avoid telling clients they can change their sexual orientation through therapy or other treatments, the world’s largest association of psychologists tells mental health professionals.

Mental health professionals should not tell gay clients they can become straight through therapy or other treatments, says the American Psychological Association in a press statement released on Aug 5.

The Washington-based association, which represents more than 150,000 members, presented a 138-page report at the group’s annual meeting in Toronto, Canada on Wednesday.
The "Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts" also advises that parents, guardians, young people and their families avoid sexual orientation treatments that portray homosexuality as a mental illness or developmental disorder and instead seek psychotherapy, social support and educational services "that provide accurate information on sexual orientation and sexuality, increase family and school support and reduce rejection of sexual minority youth."
"Contrary to claims of sexual orientation change advocates and practitioners, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation," said Judith M. Glassgold, chairwoman of the task force that presented the report.
"At most, certain studies suggested that some individuals learned how to ignore or not act on their homosexual attractions. Yet, these studies did not indicate for whom this was possible, how long it lasted or its long-term mental health effects. Also, this result was much less likely to be true for people who started out only attracted to people of the same sex."
The association said some research suggested that efforts to produce change could be harmful, inducing depression and suicidal tendencies.
The 6-member task force examined the peer-reviewed journal articles in English from 1960 to 2007, which included 83 studies. Most of the studies were conducted before 1978, and only a few had been conducted in the last 10 years. The group also reviewed the recent literature on the psychology of sexual orientation.
"Unfortunately, much of the research in the area of sexual orientation change contains serious design flaws," Glassgold said. "Few studies could be considered methodologically sound and none systematically evaluated potential harms."
The association urged proponents of reparative therapy (also known as the ex-gay movement), many of whom are known to be aligned with Christian-based beliefs or groups, to consider multiple options, which could include celibacy and switching churches, for helping clients live spiritually rewarding lives in instances where their sexual orientation and religious faith conflict.
Two of the largest organisations in the world promoting reparative therapy are Focus on the Family through its Love Won Out programme and Exodus International with an affliated network of groups internationally whose chief message is “freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ.”

Rev Steve Parelli (right) and his partner of 12 years Jose Ortiz are slated to give two talks about Christianity and homosexuality in Cheras, Malaysia and Bangkok on Aug 13 and Aug 28 respectively.

Reverend Steve Parelli of the MCC (Metropolitan Community Churches) in New York, who describes himself as ex-ex-gay, says the news should not come as a surprise to the evangelical ex-gay supporters who have read the books of the ex-gay writers themselves; some of whom including ex-gay leader Andrew Comiskey who himself revealed that he continues to "lust" after men even after 20 years of marriage to a woman. [For details, click onto the 'Ex-Gay Ministries in their very own (sorry)' link below.]
Speaking with Fridae in Singapore where he is on a Southeast Asian tour speaking tour and meeting with evangelical churches, Rev Parelli highlighted that the evangelical ex-gay movement in fact  "does not, in the fine print, claim to change sexual orientation."
"To be clear, the evangelical ex-gay movement uses catch words like ‘ex-gay,’ ‘healing,’ ‘coming out of homosexuality.’ But it is a bait-and-switch sell. Upon close examination of what the evangelical ex-gay movement teaches, any one who will give a simple read of their major writings will see that the evangelical ex-gay movement is teaching ‘behaviour modification’ not change of one’s sexual orientation. The evangelical ‘ex-gay’ leaders teach in their writings that the ‘change’ they are talking about is a life-long process that involves multiple disciplines from accountability to rigorous spiritual disciplines.
"This is obviously not change," says Rev Parelli who is the Executive Director of Other Sheep, a worldwide volunteer, non-profit ecumenical Christian organisation with a mission to empower sexual minorities.
Glassgold’s advice: "We recommend that psychologists be completely honest about the likelihood of sexual orientation change, and that they help clients explore their assumptions and goals with respect to both religion and sexuality."

A copy of the task force report may be obtained from http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/publications/therapeutic-response.pdf.

Related Links

• APA press statement: Insufficient evidence that sexual orientation change efforts work
• Other Sheep
• MCC (Metropolitan Community Churches)
• Ex-Gay Ministries in their very own (sorry) words

Related Articles on Fridae

• inside reparative therapy
• singapore government awards S$100,000 grant to group with ex-gay affiliation
• why fund a ”disguised religious cause”? PLU demands answers
• liberty league’s S$100,000 funding raises questions
• religious fundamentalists, science and silence
• fallen gay-bashing evangelist to undergo ex-gay ‘therapeutic restoration’
• public dialogue on christian perspectives on homosexuality, may 10, singapore
• not sure whether ‘ex-gay’ exists: alan chambers, president of exodus international
• ex-gay watch group warns of ”politically motivated” study

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Advancing NLP Beyond Basics, Breaking into Hypnotherapy

Dr. Will Horton, the guy sitting between Fahrin Ahmad and I, is also a certified hypnotherapist. So on the fourth day, my classmates asked about hypnosis. When we began our class, Dr. Horton mentioned that Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) borders closely adjacent to hypnosis. From my personal observation and administration of the NLP techniques, I’d send my Client into a trance! :-p

Let’s backtrack to the opening story. So in that air conditioned room, a few of my classmates gather around Dr. Horton during this break and asked the hypnosis question. As always, it’s better to show than to explain. So Dr. Horton called out, “Thank you for volunteering!” Urm… he was saying it to me~ >_>

So we began, me just sitting there on a chair staring at a hand – couldn’t recall whether it was mine or his’ – and I went to ‘sleep’. I was not unconscious. If you were talking next to me, I could hear everything you say. Although I’d rather enjoy the calm and relaxed moment wrapping me from head to toe.

The Journey from Basic Practitioner to Master Practitioner and Clinical Hypnotist

Yeah, it’s still a long way to go, you know.

The next opening is in August 2009. For this, I need to raise approximately RM5,000. It’s a Certified Hypnotist course organised by John Lee Hypnotist Center. This course is certified by the International Association of Counsellors and Therapists (IACT, USA), the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association (IMDHA, USA) and the International Hypnosis Association (IHA, USA). It’s accredited by the unheard and un-Google-able Alpha University, Alabama, USA.

Besides John Lee Hypnosis, I’m also looking at the London College of Clinical Hypnosis (Malaysia), or the LCCH Malaysia. The structure of this, however, is more organised and more presentable. I’m saying this with reference to the accreditation. The British Accreditation Council for Further and Higher Education accredits the LCCH as a provider of courses in clinical hypnosis. In addition to that, the University of Greenwich, the Open University and the Royal College of Nursing approves and recognises the Certificate, Diploma and Practitioner courses suitable to their syllabuses. The LCCH is also an Organisational Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Let’s now turn our attention to the Singapore-based Dr. Billy Kueek. There are three courses which I’ve set my eyes on: the Professional Hypnotherapist certification course in November 2009 for Singapore and March 2010 for Malaysia, the Master Clinical Hypnotherapist certification course which comes 10 days later in November 2009 and again in December 2009 and finally the NLP Master Practitioner’s course in November to December 2009. Their Professional Hypnotherapist and Master Clinical Hypnotherapist Courses are certified by the American Board of Hypnosis (ABH) while the NLP course is accredited by the American Board of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (ABNLP).

To be consistent, the NLP Academy Malaysia is also tentatively organising a Master Practitioner’s & a Trainer’s Course in November 2009. This courses are accredited and certified by the National Federation of Neuro-Linguistic Psychology (Programming), i.e. NFNLP, USA. This is the same body which awards me my Certified NLP Practitioner status.

NLP and Copywriting

While I do Personal Breakthrough Sessions (PBS), I am still a copywriter with the love for writing at heart. Constantly I’m refining and defining my skills to ensure that my clients get the effective copy that they paid for with the application of NLP. My clients, local or international, large conglomerates or individuals, ought to be satisfied with the results at the end of the day.

Doing the Works Remain Paramount

Because I’m rendering NLP-based personal breakthrough sessions with my Clients, it’s imperative that I remain at the top of my game. True, this 22-going-23 body may be young by many standards; backed with the knowledge and experiences of effective techniques used on millions of patients across the world would prove to be beneficial. After all, I’m but the vessel. You, my Client, are the ones who want the change and are the key player. I help you go to your destination, you do the walking.

So in my daily reading routine, I’ve started to open e-books on NLP, hypnotherapy and other relevant resources.

Apart from that, I’m also drawing up Standard Operating Procedures for the various packages that I will be offering. Because NLP focuses on the How To, it’s important that these Procedures be prepared for a consistent and effective result. There needs to be accountability and quality control, you see. After all, you’d be confident in my services when you know it’ll work for you, making you feel more confident in realising your goals.

Which market do I cater for?

In general, I’m the guy you call to model human excellence in any form. Specifically, I have my attention focused on undergraduates and students, sales and marketing executives and those who want to access their best state in anytime of day.

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You Can Go Far, but NLP Therapies DO NOT Substitute to Medical, Psychological and Psychiatric Attention

NLP may be the most powerful vehicle for change in existence.

- Modern Psychology Magazine

Aye, NLP, or Neurolinguistic programming/psychology, is one powerful tool! During the Certification training, over and over again Dr. Horton repeats of how incredible this tool is. Wouldn’t you want to know about NLP?

The term NLP itself was coined by an Alfred Habdank Skarbek Korzybski.

To different people, NLP brings different meaning. Practitioners can joke that it’s messing with people’s mind. Others would say is a methodology to change the behaviour of a person from the inside to achieve success. Don’t be surprised if some NLP Practitioners say that NLP is ‘wake hypnosis’.

However your practitioner may refer to NLP, it is effectively an integration of several disciplines including neurology, psychology, linguistics, cybernetics, and systems theory. The components of Korybski’s term can be broken down to:

• Neuro – As our experience, conscious and subconscious, comes through our senses and central nervous system;
• Linguistic – Our mental process are all coded, organized, given meaning and transformed through our respective languages.
• Programming – People, you and I, live our lives through a system composed of sequences of patterns, or ‘programs’.

The deeper you go into NLP, the more you realise that the key any success you want lies within you, through the way you perceive life. Your perception, beliefs, attitude, emotions and behaviours will direct yourself with the tools around you to achieve your goal.

As powerful as NLP may be, it is not substitute to professional and licensed medical attention. Similar to other alternative and complimentary therapies, there are no absolute guarantees. Reassurance comes within reason.

Application of NLP really extends beyond therapy. You’ll be amazed by what you can achieve with it! Even when applied as therapy, we’re really teaching you how to use your brain.

How will you find me applying NLP?

I constantly study excellence and then share the skills that promotes positive change that generates new possibilities and opportunities. If you find yourself ‘clicking’ with me and you feel better about yourself, you can suspect I just used my NLP knowhow on you. And what is wrong with leaving you in a better state?

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How You Should Start Your Business – Invaluable Advice from a Kuching Lad!

Dear Aspiring Entrepreneur,

It’s been over a year since I bought John Lee’s Great by 24. The book by one entrepreneur who postponed his studies to do the things he loves the most: translation, meeting new people across the globe and making money while making spare time along the way. After I finished his book, I dared myself to email this young entrepreneur, seeking further advice. But that’s not what I’m going to share with you. Rather, it’s the Six Golden Strokes for Business Overture which you will find in Chapter 3 of John’s book.

First thing’s first: the registration of your enterprise. If you’re conducting your business in Malaysia, you’ll need to register your company or business. On January 4th, 2008, Aldric Tinker was registered as a Sole Proprietorship providing business support with the Malaysian Companies Commission (SSM). They gave me the following certificate:

Fast forward a (slow) year later, I renewed the registration on January 13, 2009. After paying a small fine and the registration fee, Aldric Tinker the Sole Proprietorship’s life was extended for another year.

Next, the Bank. No business can survive without a trustworthy banker. It’s your channel to receive and make payments! For me, I choose Maybank’s Personal Savings Account at the time. With just RM250, you can open a simple account there. For the time being, it’s sufficient. Once I get the minimum, I’ll gladly open up a Current Account with either Maybank or CIMB.

You’re given much flexibility when you’re providing a service such as copywriting. In the long run, you’ll still need an office space. No, inviting your clients to your 2-room flat is the last thing you want to do. I’ve been through this conflict over and over again. John Lee’s third Stroke is basically that: the Office. When I started out, I shuttled between my home in Section 8, Shah Alam, UiTM’s Faculty of Law and landmark Menara SAAS as well as in SACC Mall’s Coffee Bean. When you’re a service provider, as long as you have a PC and Internet access, that’s where your office is.

Though mind you, there is one tricky part: meeting clients. Where? I used to do it at Coffee Bean, KL Sentral and other ‘public places’. This doesn’t impress much. There’s no corporate identity.

As of last Friday, I maintain an office at Amcorp Tower, at PJ’s landmark: Amcorp Mall. From hereon after, I’ll be meeting my clients in the meeting room or the boardroom of Suite 1208, Level 12, Amcorp Tower, Amcorp Trade Centre, No. 18, Persiaran Barat, 46050-Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. My receptionist is ready to accept your call at +6 03 7948 5248. You can still fax me at +6 03 9282 7697, though.

No business can survive on its own. You need to team up with strategic partners and allies. This is the Fourth Stroke. When I started out, I regard a client of mine a strategic partner. Why? Because with this advertising firm based in JB, Malaysia, it’s not just about writing copy. They’ve guided me a lot since I started working with them. Support groups and network are as important. You can only cover so much with so little. You’ll need to delegate if not direct the project to someone else. At the same time, you’re going to need the knowledge you can get when you’re embarking on a new format or range of service.

Your partners alone cannot do anything much if you don’t spread the word! Advertise your business. No business experts can stress this enough, what more to say someone who’s going through it like me! If you fail to execute this 5th Stroke, your venture is as good as dead. Your advertising campaign doesn’t have to cost you half a million or so! There are many ways you can approach this. One way is through your business cards and website/blogs. Blogs and social networking sites like Facebook are relatively cheap and free! Use it!

Finally, a hotel alliance is also important. “Join one of the many hotel’s preferred guest programs or alliances”, says John in his book. You’d save the time and money when you’re familiar with one range of hotel.

There you have it, John Lee’s Six Golden Strokes for Business Overture. For more information, buy John Lee’s Great by 24! It’ll give you a treasure chest full of advices! Did I mention, I turn 23 in October 2009?

Filed under: Economy, Shadow Cabinet, Shadow Executive