Our Memories Together

As a visitor, everyone sees the nice side of an organization. For me, everything seemed nice in the factory, but really, there’s a lot of underlying problems and issues that the factory faces, sometimes so simple that it’s a norm in Singapore, but not overseas. Guess that’s the challenge in working overseas. Changing mindset and attitudes. For one particular incident, as I was chatting with a Quality supervisor, I realize that there are really, a lot of problems with ownership and job responsibility. Attitude is terrible. The manager, overhearing our conversation, called me to his room for a discussion. I thought, why not? However it soon became intense cause there he was, thinking I was just a visitor to the assembly line but in actual fact, I wanna know more instead of superficial beauty. He ended the conversation abruptly, feeling uncomfortable. I talked to Ricky and Khoo and soon realize that he was incompetent, although holding a 6-sigma black belt and iso certification but yet unable to apply these efficiently into the assembly operations. Anyway Khoo mentioned that he employed another quality manager so guess there’s the last discussion I’ll ever have with him, in his room.

I guess everyone think’s I’m here like a normal visitor, just seeing the facilities and hi – bye and that’s about it. However, perhaps to my attitude and keenness to know more about real life management issues, I seem to scare people abit like “ how come this young guy speak with so much conviction”. People here really lack energy and positive mindset, something which is hard to change as it’s a culture.

Also, another problem is the local Chinese do not hold senior managerial positions in the factory, where it’s usually seated by Caucasians or Chinese from other countries like Malaysia and HK. Frankly, these ang moh’s are just walking around and having a very relaxed pace here. It’s not because we can’t surpass them, many a times is because of mindset and mentality that sets us behind them one step. To house so many expats is a huge cost to the factory and Khoo is correcting it by putting Ricky in china as he’s technically competent. Hope to change this mindset and wanna prove myself. Maybe I’m too eager. Business trip for me, in my current capacity is tough cause people don’t really like to share their problems as it reflects their inefficiency at times but I’m just so curious and keen to know about it. Wonder if Edward is gonna reprimand me for stepping on so many people’s toe while I’m overseas. *Prays

Director of operations in my USA factory came to china factory today as he’s gonna be the new boss here. As said by Khoo yestd, the people here really sux balls and would wear long sleve shirt and tie instead of Kalmar shirt. So true. This new boss is efficient kind and those who are inefficient, where there is a huge amount, would be axed.

Everyday I go home at 5pm, with the Swedish but today 4pm because they said they wanted to go back early. So ok, I’ll follow. However, just as I was about to go, Khoo saw me and said ask them to carry on and I’ll follow him. Next, the Quality manager whom I had an intense discussion, asked me out for dinner together with some of his department people. I was shocked and surprised as it was all so last minute. I manage to pull Khoo and Ricky along cause I’m really afraid they’ll make me drink a lot, it’s a Chinese thingy and I’m afraid I’ll be too straightforward when they try to grill me for some info or something, well just won’t feel comfortable going out alone with them. Let’s see how the dinner goes as I’m siting in Khoo’s office, waiting for time to pass.

Princess is finally gonna have a good rest this weekend after a hectic week. Don't go back so late already, you need a good rest and watch the Ch8 show wor..