eHomemakers Malaysia

I've been a dialysis patient for more than 5 years. And in these 5 years, I have experienced the death of many friends. Most of them, people above the age of 50. You would experience a sense of detachment when you read of people dying in accidents or natural disasters in the newspapers or even if you have visuals from a TV news report. It's like a 'things that happen to others who has nothing to do with me' kind of feeling. You feel that it is not likely to happen to you and it's none of your concern, so these deaths that you read, watch or hear about takes on an unreal kind of feeling. But when someone you personally know like a friend who undergoes dialysis with you passes away, then it brings it much close to home. It becomes too close for comfort when you think : "Oh my God, the next one could be me!". Death becomes a lot more real. I, personally have been warned again and again : "Watch your fluid intake, you don't want to end up like U...

Some first-time conversations over the phone leave you feeling happy and upbeat, whilst others make you cringe. Which experience would you like your customers to have? A few weeks ago, I had tried out for a voiceover (my first time ever!) Whilst I put the huge headphones on, the technician moved a stand aside so that they could see my face clearly. That particular script needed a lot of emotion in it. Whatever I felt as I read the short script would be reflected on my face. Which in turn, could be heard in my voice. The truth that we sometimes forget is that our voices can easily convey happiness, irritation, joy, hope, nervousness and more. Half the time we are not even aware of how much our voices are telling the world about our emotions. What does this mean for you as a businessperson? It means that no matter how you feel deep down inside, you’ve got to pretend to be happy, energetic and excited when you speak over the phone (unless it’s a negative situation). On a ...

Is it worthwhile spending your time with a customer who isn’t going to buy much from you? Is how you communicate with this small customer important? YES! We all know it but small business owners still break this golden rule, resulting in a loss of repeat customers who may bring in big business. Here’s an example. Caught in an unexpected situation, I had to buy a new handphone. Since I only needed something very basic it automatically meant a lower end model that did not cost much. At the first outlet, the owner looked disgusted when I told him what I was looking for. I fled from his sneering arrogant attitude. The young “punk” seated at the next outlet made my heart sink. I should have remembered not to judge a book by its cover. He turned out to be a load of surprises. Politely, the young lad me relevant models. Patiently, he explained the features of the different handphones. I was impressed. Along the way, he did politely inquire why I didn’t go for a higher end mo...

I attended eHomemakers’ Work-Life Balance Conference last week and listened to speakers from around the world discuss the tenets of work-life balance.  In general, participants looked to European countries as models for the work-life balance they would hope to implement in Malaysia.  They argued this is the future.  This choice of an idol, however, made an easy target for critics, who claimed the European system was unproductive and inefficient.  As evidence, they pointed to the crises facing the European economies and threatening these half-century old social democracies.   Both proponents and opponents were making a fundamental mistake, however, in equating the European-style social system with the fundamental changes that are occurring in the way people work.   Both of these subjects certainly affect work-life balance and alter people’s work environments.  The European social system subject pertains to politics and decisions on...

By Margaret Rickmann: YB Dato’ Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil gave an inspiring address to the Work Life Balance Conference . The Malaysian government has a strong commitment to continuing the economic growth of the country and encouraging greater participation of women in the workforce is definitely a major factor in the development of a nation. It was good to hear from many multinational companies working in Malaysia.  They all stressed the benefits of implementing a programme of flexible working that helped give their employees the ability to develop a positive work life balance.  The success of the companies like Microsoft, IBM, Ericsson and many others must surely encourage Malaysian companies to implement similar successful work life balance strategies and contribute positively to the growth of the nation. Throughout the conference this theme was energetically and enthusiastically endorsed by Datul (Dr) Rafiah Salim Director of NAM Institute for the Empowerment ...

I'm a little embarrassed that until this past weekend, I hadn't read Muhammad Yunus' Banker to the Poor . It was one of those glaring gaps into my personal and professional development that, looking back, is completely inexplicable. I probably shouldn't even be admitting this in public but I suppose it's never too late to get with the program. When I have a few moments to myself these days, I often find myself thinking about current aid structures and imagining how things might be different with the introduction of microfinance. Just this morning on my run, I was listening to a This American Life collaboration with Planet Money about NGOs in Haiti. They tell the story of a local mango farmer who has the land and the water for one hundred mango trees but needs a small canal to expand her business and the mango exporter who wants to distribute plastic crates to mango farmers because better packing methods would double his and the farmers' income. The canal-b...

Just 5 minutes to improve Tips for improving your level of English. That’s what today’s piece is about. It all came about during a session with an inspiring group of working adults in, what I would call a "prestigious" body in KL. I shared some of the tips that I had successfully used over the years with students. At the end of it all, there was one request to have them written out. It shows how serious he is in improving himself, and I do admire him for it. The better your level of English when you communicate with customers, the better the impression you leave on them. So, here are five simple tips that just needs an investment of five minutes per activity. Good luck! 1. Write for five minutes each day Write on any topic that you like. It could be about what you did yesterday, your plans for the weekend, the colour blue, your ambitions, etc. The sentences do not have to be perfect. The whole paragraph does not have to flow well. This is just a practice sessio...