Thursday, March 13, 2014

Home Away From Home

Suzelah Ahmad, 41, who lives in Kulaijaya is the director of Human Resource at Thistle Johor Bahru.

By Chuah Bee Kim

I am passionate about our company's new training programme. It is called Our World Class Way and was specially designed for the Thistle Hotel in Johor Baru and Thistle Port Dickson Resort.

First, let me explain what each word of the programme means.

"Our" means "We", which includes everyone in Thistle Hotel, from the stakeholders to the entire team.

"World Class" means being the best in whatever we do and how we interact with our clients and stakeholders.

"Way" means our distinctive approach and style.

The Presidential Suite

The programme, which was mooted in the middle of last year, was unveiled two months ago.

The team is trained to customise their interaction with each guest, taking into consideration their needs and maximising their experience. This approach will leave an indelible impression on guests during their stay with us.

This helps us to develop the hospitality which is inherent our team naturally. We spent time focusing on our team's strengths, particularly as this is Visit Malaysia Year 2014. When we warmly greet our guests the Malaysian way, it is the start of Our World Class Way.

Our mission is not only to give our clients satisfaction, but also to improve the performance of each team member and make a difference in the hospitality industry.

The hotel industry in Johor has evolved from a corporate market to the corporate and leisure market, with the introduction of Hello Kitty Town and Legoland Malaysia Resort.

We have to ensure that the hotel industry can support the economic growth of Iskandar Malaysia.

For me, there is a difference between a nice hotel and a memorable one. My mission is to make Thistle a brand that people will remember.

Thistle, known for being a "resort in the city", has the amenities of a five-star hotel, but we need to provide unparalleled service to make every guest feel at home away from home. When I recruit team members -- I do not like to use the word "staff" -- I look for attitude and passion.

One must have passion, integrity and honour as these are positive attitudes. Other than these, the other virtues can be nurtured.

I love being in this industry. I have been with the company since February 2008, and I see myself growing with it for many years to come.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Precious Resource

Pic by Roslan Khamis

At the site of the water leak at Susur 1. Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Johor Baru.

On a scorching day like this, the sight of water should evoke joy. This one raises concern. How many gallons of water have and will continue to flow down the drain before somebody does something about it?

Water Leak Causing Problems reported on Feb 25.

Edward Kollmer

Edward Kollmer, 44, is the general manager of Thistle Johor Bahru.

By Chuah Bee Kim

WHEN I am working, I don't perceive work as work. That is how much I enjoy my role. I strive to make improvements, big and small, as I believe there is always room for improvement. When I'm not at work, you will probably find me enjoying a game of golf. I also love travelling, as I find it is not only a form of recreation but also something that is educational.

I travel to London, my home base, four or five times a year. When I was growing up in Dublin, Ireland, my father owned a fine-dining restaurant. I helped out in the restaurant from the age of 6 till when I was about 16.

This was really tough as you can imagine. The business was very successful and I learned a lot, especially how to work hard and be part of something successful.

I graduated from Shannon College of Hotel Management and during the course, I worked in London. I then spent a year in Switzerland.

A scholarship from Cornell University enabled me to complete a Master's degree from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom.

Since then, I went on to work in numerous hotels and held many roles and business responsibilities before joining Thistle Hotels and Resorts in the UK in 2006.

Two years ago, I came to Thistle Johor Bahru and I must say that I am very proud of the fact that Johor Baru is a city that is currently experiencing rapid growth.

There is so much I can do here. I want Thistle to maintain its status as one of the leading hotels here. We are currently working with several government, corporate sectors and tourism boards to attract more tourists to Johor Baru.

With our continuous efforts in conducting "Our World Class Way" training for the entire team and extending the warm southern charm and Malaysian hospitality, it gives our guests a sense of feeling of being at home.

The past two years were exceptional years for Thistle Johor Bahru, the best ever.

I see this year as another splendid one as it is Visit Malaysia Year 2014 and we are seeing more business and leisure tourists from Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

The Malaysian greeting of placing one's hand over the heart, for example, is such a warm gesture and you will see the entire team doing that here. It truly reflects the Malaysian hospitality and guests usually reciprocate the same way.

Johor Baru has much to offer tourists, especially with the new development in Iskandar Malaysia and the Legoland Malaysia theme park. This motivates us all to ensure that we are at the centre of transformation.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Pray

We need to move beyond talking and preaching and start PRAYING.

Pray consistently. Pray persistently. Pray for the salvation of others. Pray for clarity and wisdom. Pray for the strength to face whatever challenges you are facing.

I was in church today. I'm not a Christian, but I think the most important thing to do NOW is to pray.

I really enjoyed the sermon. The pastor talked about God opening doors for us, but our pride, behavior and attitude may have closed the door, denying ourselves the privileges and blessings.

I enjoyed the joke which the pastor shared about the two parrots where one was trained to say "Let's Pray". Yes, the parrot can only utter "Let's Pray", while another parrot had only been trained to say "Let's Get Married". One day the owners of these two parrots decided to get their pets together so that they can learn from one another.

When the meeting eventually took place, one parrot uttered "Let's Get Married" and the other promptly replied: "Prayers answered."

There was another joke he shared which I found was pretty funny too, but I shall leave that for another day.

Nothing was mentioned at all about the flight MH370 but as we all closed our eyes to pray, I'm sure many of us were sending prayers to the victims and loved ones of the passengers and crew.

When I read NST online today, I also came across this report where our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had called on Malaysians to continue offering prayers and motivational support for families of passengers on board the missing Beijing-bound MH370 flight. The report was by Adib Povera.

I also read this Prayers for MH370 on http://bigcatrambleon.blogspot.com/ She said it so well here.

I've always been interested in faith and prayer. I don't really pray or chant consistently. I get lazy and also "hilang semangat" at times. But I do believe in the power of prayers. And it is essential to know what we are praying for.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Chill With Avocado Juice

The "juice alpukat" (avocado juice) with ayam penyet at Ayam Penyet Ria in City Square Johor Baru was the highlight of the day. The avocado juice was so so so delicious.

I'm not working today. It didn't start out too well, but after hearing news about the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 that went missing after it left Kuala Lumpur earlier today, how bad could my day be?

Yesterday, my emotions went haywire. I handed a form to someone a few days ago. The form went missing. We both tried to remember that day but I only remembered up to the point where I handed her the form, and she only remembered up to the point where she received the form from me.

Whatever happened after that, neither of us could remember. I could have taken back the form after I had given it to her. I'm not saying I did that but I just couldn't remember. I also cannot say that she left it on her desk and someone took it away simply because I didn't see that. The wind could've blown it away. It could've gotten into one of the files. There are a few possibilities.

I wasn't angry because I can always fill up the form again. It wasn't a big problem.

But I needed to inform someone about the missing form. And this someone said this to me: "Let this be a lesson to you." He said that because he thought I didn't make a photocopy of it. But I had already made a copy.

Anyway, that one short sentence sent an avalanch of thoughts and emotions my way. Immediately, I switched to victim mode. Initially, there was no anger at all. But when the anger took over, I contemplated writing a nasty note. Something like this one, somehow I didn't know how to.

I only had this to say: "Saboteur, what do you get by taking my things except earn demerit points? I can always fill it up again. And I get merit points."

Quite nasty, right? :) Maybe I just didn't have the mean streak.

But all this was yesterday. Today, I don't see it as a personal attack anymore. I was expecting some understanding, some sympathy perhaps, and didn't see "Let this be a lesson to you" coming.

Today I just want to say "Sorry, I should have better control of my emotions."

David vs Goliah

08 March 2014

A tale of two campaigns

By Shahrum Sayuthi

THE end-lot terrace house near Pearl Avenue in Sungai Chua, which is MCA's main operations centre for the Kajang by-election, is a hive of activity from early morning till late night for the past weeks.    Yesterday, election workers, many in their early 20s, were seen arranging posters and party flags while others were briefing party members in the living room, which had been turned into a makeshift conference hall.
   On the wall outside, there were two buntings which have no direct political element, capable perhaps of attracting the immediate attention of visitors. One promotes an anti-dengue campaign while the other offers of free medical check-ups.
   At one corner of the porch, young party workers man a public services and complaints booth.
   Every few minutes, residents, many of whom are elderly, turn up to ask for help in matters ranging from clogged drains to loss of land title documents.
   The workers record the complaints before channelling them to party officials for action.
Barisan Nasional candidate and MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun was, meanwhile, busy making her rounds in Kajang.
   Early yesterday morning, she had a walkabout at Pasar Pagi in Taman Ceras Mas, followed by an appearance at the education and career fair at Kompleks Metro Point. Later in the evening till late at night, she had meet-the-people sessions at several locations in Kajang.
   It is a typical MCA style of campaigning -- low key and down to earth with emphasis given to providing services for the people and keeping it all very community-oriented.
Chew's daily schedule mostly consists of visits to public places and functions in the daytime, and meeting voters in small groups in the evening.
   Not known for giving fiery speeches, she is calm and collected when she explains to those present at her meet-the-people functions about her plans if elected.
   She may not have the eloquence of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PKR's candidate, but Chew holds the advantage when it comes to offering sensible touches to the campaign which is hotting up as nomination day on March 11 draws near.
   Perhaps her lack of aggressive posturing may even turn out to be the crucial ingredient, which could possibly turn the tide come polling day on March 23.
   Still, the underdog tag worn by Chew and the rest of the BN campaign crew seems to be obvious considering PKR's intense activities in Kajang since day one.
   Anwar, on the other hand, has obviously been preparing for the engineered by-election for quite some time as his party workers appeared to be well coordinated, down to the minutest details on how to carry out their campaign.
   Operating from a four-storey building in Sungai Sekamat, they appeared confident, particularly in winning an overwhelming bulk of votes from Kajang's Chinese voters in a repeat of the outcome of the 13th General Election in May last year.
PKR won the Kajang state constituency of more than 38,000 voters in that election by an almost 7,000-vote majority.
   Political observers estimated that up to 90 per cent of the Chinese voters in Kajang had given their support to PKR. Malays make up 48 per cent of the voters; Chinese, 40 per cent; Indians, 10 per cent; and others about one per cent.
   Anwar has, so far, been obvious about his campaign strategy; he is going all out for the Malay votes, believing that votes of the Chinese community are already in his pocket.
   Most of his scheduled ceramah, all the way to nomination day, are concentrated in Malay areas, where they draw a few hundred strong crowd per night.
   PKR's campaign in areas with a sizeable Chinese community has, so far, been led by its vice-president, Tian Chua, during the day.
   Anwar would, on most days, only turn up later in the evening, first for maghrib prayers at one of the mosques or surau in areas where there is a concentration of Malay voters, before proceeding to another venue nearby for his ceramah.
   While Chew may talk about improving healthcare services, traffic flow and basic needs of Kajang folk, the opposition leader mainly focuses on accusing the BN government of being responsible for all the problems afflicting Malaysian society.
   It is a total contrast between the two potential candidates in a contest, which could be dubbed David versus Goliath.
   The outcome, which will have far-reaching consequences, especially for Selangor, could, however, still go either way, depending on what the folk of Kajang want -- a good service-oriented wakil rakyat with a track record of hard work in her previous constituency in Petaling Jaya Utara, or a smooth-talking populist leader who fashions himself as the country's alternative prime minister.