#KitaJuara | #BangkitBersama

Happy Birthday Malaysia!
60th Today :)

Letting Go

When God asked Abram to leave his homeland and family, He didn’t offer much information concerning the destination. No geographic coordinates. No description of the new land or its natural resources. Not even an indication of how long it would take to get there. God simply gave the instruction to GO to the land He would show him. Abram’s obedience to God’s instruction, despite lacking the details most humans crave, is credited to him as faith.

If we find ourselves grappling with uncertainty or a lack of control in our lives, let’s seek to adopt Abram’s example of following and trusting God. The Lord will steer us well.

Help me, Lord, to trust You with the uncertainty in my life.

God can be trusted to guide us.

The Shrinking Piano

Spiritual growth, like physical growth, often happens slowly over time. It is an ongoing process that involves becoming more like Jesus, and it happens as we are transformed through the renewing of our minds.

When the Holy Spirit is at work in us, we may become aware of sin in our lives. Wanting to honor God, we make an effort to change. Sometimes we experience success, but at other times, we try and fail. If it seems like nothing changes, we get discouraged. We may equate failure with a lack of progress, when it’s often proof that we are in the middle of the process.

Spiritual growth involves the Holy Spirit, our willingness to change and time. At certain points in our lives, we may look back and see that we have grown spiritually. May God give us the faith to continue to believe that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Dear God, give me a desire to grow spiritually.
I want to honor You with my life and experience the joy of the Spirit’s work inside of me.

Spiritual growth is a process.

The Small Things

When we’re low, it can be hard to look up. Yet if we do, we see that God is the giver of all good gifts in our life – great and small – and we learn to give Him thanks.

Don’t Give Up

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

When we fail to see improvement right away, our resolve can weaken and we may eventually give up. We discover that what we hoped would be an immediate change has become an ongoing process.

Work, time and waiting it takes for a farmer to see a harvest.

The Lord encourages us today to trust Him, to remain faithful to others, to keep on praying and to not give up.

In prayer, we call on God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

When Morning Comes

Sometimes life can get clouded over by a heavy fog of despair. Our situation may look so dark that we begin to lose hope. But just as the sun burns away a fog, our faith in God can burn away the haze of doubt. Hebrews 11 defines faith as confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. The passage goes on to remind us of the faith of Noah; who was warned about things not yet seen, yet obeyed God. And Abraham who went where God directed – even though he didn’t know where that would be.

Though we have not seen Him and cannot always feel His presence, God is always present and will help us through our darkest nights.

Father, thank You for Your promise to walk with us through all of life. In moments of doubt, help us to have the confidence You are in control and we can trust You.

Faith is the radar that sees through the fog.

Questions For God

Do you ever wonder why God has allowed suffering in your life? Instead of answering that specific question, God may satisfy you with His nearness today and remind you that you can rely on His strength when you feel weak.

There is peace in knowing that whatever we do and wherever we go, we go with God who promised never to leave or forsake His followers.

What could be better than getting answers to our why questions?
Trusting a good and powerful God.

Five-Minute Rule

God cares for you and wants to hear from you. Whether you follow the five minute rule asking for blessings on the day or need to spend more time crying out to Him in deep distress, talk to the Lord each day.

Teach me to be aware of Your presence, Lord, and to talk to You freely and often.

Prayer is an acknowledgment of our need for God.

Painfully Waiting For You

I have to wait for Marcus to officially come back into the office.

This Mr. Horton’s Secretary…

She has a certain level of expectations…she wants quality of work…she is firm (while Marcus is more diplomatic & layan everything and everyone)…she is very articulate…she has a very good listening, interpreting & understanding skills…very analytical too…BUT…

Don’t know leh…maybe because the both of us…if what Uncle Andy said it’s true…if we cannot drive the Trade Plan to where it should be, then this role which is to coordinate & to compile…also no need 2 people to function…1 people also can already lor…maybe she scared she will lose out to me…

I find her to be very selfish in certain ways…never update me on things…never remind me on things…never prompt me on things…we work in a team mah...we are suppose to help each other...besides being a sounding board or punching bag to each other...she didn’t even bother to introduce my name to the Process Guy…I haven’t ajak her to sit in yet in the meeting with Miss Dong, she already invite herself in…when I kena hentam the other day in the meeting regarding the Press Ad Sales Tracker, she also didn’t come into my defense…I find her to be very fake lor…she is also quite good in getting you to agree with her subconsciously…sigh…must be careful of her lor…

She is also the type that can get along with people, have a very strong capability, also the credibility...an influencer, trustable…observant...not easy for me to go against…but I also don’t want to go against her…I want to learn from her…

A Warm Winter

Afternoon lunch with Uncle Andy today…hmmm…

The Trade Plan at The English is like a tree…while G13’s Trade Plan is like a seed…

Uncle Andy commented…it is only how are we going to grow to become a tree? How are we going to get there? Who drives there? What drives there? In order to answer the How, we have to challenge the Status Quo…but right now…no one wants to become the bad guy, no one wants to challenge the status quo, no one wants to offend anybody, no one knows how to deal with the potential confrontation if arises…hahaha…if these don’t happen…then G13’s Trade Plan is going to be a coordinating job, a thankless job, if you do it well; it is because it is expected of you…but if something screw up; it is your fault.

Uncle Andy also mentions this…entah betul ke tak betul… Sörenstam expects me to challenge Marcus, so the status quo can be challenge and bring changes into the Trade Plan dimension…aiyo, then I fail short already lor…I remember that during the interview… Sörenstam did mention that I need to lead…I need to become the second Marcus…but currently hor…I am just doing compiling & coordinating work…this role can be make redundant quite easily as well…sigh…I also feel guilty that I’m doing so little of work and yet so highly paid…hahaha…but I also believe that God puts me back in G13 for a reason. God has a plan for me.

Building blocks. Small Steps, Big Impact.

Somemore I Mr. Nice Guy…lagi teruk lor…how to challenge the status quo…

Love and Symphony

Liverpool 4 - 0 Arsenal.
The Gunners kena trashed...
But we also cannot be too proud...we always flat tyre in the middle...

The Never Old Legend

So, this is what and how a Trade Plan Division function…

Thank You God that you let me stumble into this LinkedIn Profile of a former Trade Planner who used to work with The English…

Tommy is right…G13’s Trade Plan division is not even near there yet…The English is way so far ahead than us…they are already a tree…where as we are only a seed…

Nonetheless, this is the building blocks heading into that direction…the building blocks evolving into that direction…building blocks for us to build on it…something that perhaps will occupy me for the next couple of years to come…hahaha…

TRADE INSIGHTS MANAGER

Set up a brand new trade insight unit for Supermarkets division

Managed Supermarket's forecast to provide the best anticipated view of future performance

Work closely with Finance reporting and Commercial to establish trend and trade insight to help business to understand more on trade performance

Establish trade forecast process within the business to identify business’s opportunities and risks

Provide competitor and market share analysis through market data that drive change in the business

Liaise with Customer Engagement Team to bring together insights from what customer do through Everyday Reward Card to help the business to improve the customer shopping trip

Assist business and Marketing team to identify the key issues & opportunities to formulate the business strategy based on customer behavior and trade pattern

Establish one single database for Marketing department and develop reports which meets the needs of the Marketing teams

Train and coach new trade analyst to establish value of trade insights in Woolworths’s world

CUSTOMER & TRADE ANALYSIS MANAGER

Provide timely and excellent insight into our trade performance and help business to identify key issues and opportunities, so that they can address them

Set trade targets that are realistic but challenging and help business to achieve sales plans

Produce accurate sales forecasts by week and identify trade risk and trade gap to business

Explain clearly the previous week's trading performance to the Board / Leadership Team

Analyse trade trends/patterns and identify what impacts to our trade

Lead, develop and continuously improve trade reporting and forecasting to make things simpler

Support the corporate budget process on the phasing with a clear trade view

Initiated SAS project within Marketing to bring in business intelligent to department

Project lead for SAS work plan and using simpler & better principles to improve reporting

Step change Marketing reporting and improve their capability through SAS system

Undertake ad-hoc investigation of trade, customer and competitor issues

Manage analysts team, help team to simplfied the work and improve their capability

Work with Dunnhumby on segmentations to measure and report on Customer behaviour and explain what is driving trade to help business 'earn customer lifetime loyalty'

Liaise with Site Research to use new store performance data and impact data to input into trade reporting and forecasting process

Track and report competitors' promotions or activities and understand how we are performing

Develop the use of targeted communications through Clubcard to grow customer loyalty and support the local store marketing program

Consult and work with International team to implement the best practice policies, processes, share knowledge

HEAD OF CUSTOMER & STRATEGIC INSIGHT

Produce, present annual Brand Review to the business and key leaders across department

Articulate future customer needs and trend through research, analysis and Clubcard data

Bring together insights from what customer tell us and what customer do through Clubcard to help the business to understand customers and improve shopping trip

Help business to identify the key issues & opportunities and formulate the business strategy based on customer research, customer behavioral study and trade pattern

Maximize the use of Customer data across the business and provide actionable insight which is valued by the business and change or differentiate our offer

Centralize all the customer and sales data into a secure and single point and develop reports which meets the needs of the Marketing teams following the principle of simpler, better and cheaper

Consult and work with International Team to implement the best practice policies, processes, share knowledge and experience

Provide competitor and market share analysis through market data that drive change in the business

Improve capability of my team by coaching and training them, manage their performance, recognizing their contribution and ensuring continuous improvement in delivering

SENIOR TRADE ANALYST

Prepare sales forecast for company based on trade patterns and trade activities

Identify, analyze and measure impacts and trade patterns on the business and provide the business with a clear understanding of business performance

Produce weekly reports for Board and used as a tools by the Business to forecast and measure against

Review all types of promotion and measure its impact to the company

Produce an ad hoc reviews of trade and activities to capture learning to improve delivery and performance of the trade plan

Assist in monitoring the implementation & progress of trade plan calendar to ensure it will deliver the agreed company's key performance indicators

Investigate current and potential data sources to set up processes and reports

Work closely with Commercial, Marketing, Retail, Site Research &; Finance teams as well as external agencies on developing the understanding of the dynamics

PRICING ANALYST

Manage the price basket to ensure that we meet the needs of customer and be recognized as the most competitive retailer

Analyze and interpret the results of all price baskets report and make recommendations on our price position in order to support the business strategy

Track the performance and analyze its impact and prepare weekly price report to Board to report how competitive we were in the total price image

Develop understanding of how we can maximize our investment in price to the benefit of the customers

Assist in preparing price policy to provide a better insight in Price Function and its impact

Manage the agencies responsible for price collection to an agreed schedule of collection

Audit and validate all price collection activity throughout the business

Where Is He

Hahaha…bump into Pietro during Wednesday store floor walk…don’t know betul ke tak betul…but this is what Pietro share with me…apparently…when Maximoff & Miguel heard that I coming back to G13…the both of them were clamoring for me…and whatever Alice kutuk about me previously; it vanished…hahaha…meaning that even after I have left G13, The Witch still talk bad things about me non-stop lor…then, when everyone sees that both Maximoff & Miguel were sort of fighting over me with Marcus to have me back in the team, I guess everyone know that The Witch is wrong and that I am good…hahaha…THANK YOU GOD, PRAISE TO THE LORD, BLESS YOU GOD…I am here today because of God…God is good…work is temporary…office colleagues are temporary…no doubt, some of them have become close friends; but those were from the days when everything is much simpler…

The 1 Practice That Will Help You Live in the Moment

How often do you use your phone while eating? Chances are that your answer is most of the time. We go about our everyday lives passively, going through the motions without actually digesting what we see. That's where mindfulness comes in. David Schiller best describes mindfulness as "intentional seeing" in his book See Your Way to Mindfulness: Ideas and Inspiration to Open Your I. To break it down, it means to "hit pause, slow down, try to let go of the endless stream of thoughts, and just focus on what's in front of us." It means to be aware of your surroundings and your thoughts and to be fully present. We are all capable of mindfulness; it's just a matter of tapping into it.

When we get wrapped up in and worried about what has happened or what hasn't yet happened, we get anxious. It's easy to get overwhelmed by our endless thoughts, but mindfulness is an effective solution to help ease the panic. By recognizing your feelings at that moment and thinking of each thing individually, instead of as one big clusterf*ck, you'll feel more in control. And while it's difficult to be able to slow your mind down, it takes practice like anything else.

A simple way you can practice mindfulness right now is to put your hand over your stomach and breathe slowly. Pay attention to your breaths, and feel the rise and fall of your belly under your hand. In those few moments, you are shutting out everything else around you by focusing on your inhalations.

It's important to stay connected with ourselves, especially when life gets a little chaotic. But mindfulness should be practiced regularly so that it becomes natural. It's been proven to help lower stress, boost focus and memory, and help you be more in control of your emotions. So the next time you're waiting in line or walking somewhere, recognize where you are, how you're feeling, and who's around you. Turn off autopilot and make it habit to think about what you're doing. You'll be able to make better choices, feel calmer, and be more present.

Running through 1999

Hi, can copy POD moving forward? thanks

Email from Sörenstam…POD is the CEO…this is lagi gila…I also don’t know whether this Sörenstam got betul – betul tengok my template or not…stress! Nonetheless...I take it 5 - 3...I win...hahaha...

Wavin' Flag

The Top 20 sale by qty & value is very helpful
The summary also very good very indicator for one glance for the GM
Can we add in the average sales by line by division too?
Please find out how many lines advertised in the ad?

Marcus’s email…so I also don’t know…was it actually good, sufficient or bad…

Wake Up Dreaming

Dear J___,
Pls include our names in the below email circulation

The above email came from Rodrigo’s minions…no comment but just ask me to keep those 2 minions in the loop…if really teruk or any feedback…they would have commented right…confidence level totally drop; hit rock bottom...

Zhou Yu's Train

Hi please send result to merchandise director as well. Thanks.

That’s the email message that I have received from Miguel. If it is indeed so bad & awful & confusing…I think Miguel would have ask me to improvise on the template, instead of telling me to email a copy to Maximoff right…yesterday, Miguel was also in attendance…but of course, Miguel didn’t come to my defense…I am no longer Miguel’s punya anak :(

Always Listening

Isn't it comforting to know that God cares enough to listen to all of our prayers - from the shortest to the longest?

Thank You, loving Father, for blessing me with the beautiful privilege and opportunity of prayer.

Our God is big enough to hear the smallest voice.

The Gift Of Giving

Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Ju Dou

However, I was brought back to earth today…today, during the Sales & Marketing meeting…I did my first Press Ad Sales Tracker review…kena so teruk…kena tembak…so sad…kena until I don't even dare to elaborate other points further...

Jordon – very boring…
Peggy & Jessica – I don’t understand what you are trying to say…

Like this die lor…everyone in the office will know about it tomorrow…I feel so malu...
Adoi…

Codename Cougar

Well Done as the reports are very good & clear.
Seem like missing is what is the target sales for each line in the press adv :)

Email message from Ursula…

Previously, another colleague from the Marketing Department will run the report for the Merchandising Team; but they were very raw data...

Getting praises from Ursula...to me...as usual...a rare recognition or sarcasm...hahaha...

Red Sorghum

Hahaha…Marcus told me this…that this Barry went and told Marcus that this Celtic is teruk betul…sigh…you all already know Celtic’s perangai when Celtic was a buyer in G13…so manage Celtic accordingly lor…

Leisure Moments

Adoi…this Uncle Andy ar…came over to my workstation the other day…asking me why I am so busy; I am not even on a full force momentum yet…or am I pretend to be busy…hahaha…tahu pun…I am under utilized…I am not on a full force yet…and do you know that it is also very tiring to be pretending to be busy…hahaha...but as I have said…I’m ok…low season work…I get to pursue other things…God has a plan for me…

Where Else Café

This Uncle Andy is so bad…on my first day at work in G13, over lunch…this Uncle Andy commented that I can retire on this job already…Uncle Andy also commented…see whether I can tahan or not in this new job scope…why…because don’t know whether this new portfolio is able to give me the job satisfaction or not…rupa-rupanya, this Uncle Andy also can see through me…besides the monetary reward, the job satisfaction is also something that is very close to my heart…because I want to be of use…hahaha…

Intuitive Leaps

Liverpool 1 – 0 Crystal Palace

Nyad

Ok…finally, bump into Maximoff…say Hi…we greeted each other…shake hands with each other…Maximoff said welcome back…ok, now I need to go all out and socialize more…so that I can get things done more easily…hahaha…

He Understands & Cares

Whatever situation we face, Jesus understands and cares. And He will carry us through.

Lord, we give thanks for Your knowledge of our circumstances and Your care for us. Today we want to walk with You and honor You in all we do.

Blackberry Caramel Blondies

This afternoon…G13 make an announcement…store re-structuring…meaning that there will be layoffs…this is only the tip of the ice berg…will involve the HQ people pretty soon…and I am a newbie! :(

It’s good that this announcement will create a sense of urgency…people will start want to perform…however, on the other hand...there will be more drama…people will be more defensive…protecting themselves…protecting their rice bowl…

There is movement…God is moving people and circumstances in G13 right now…the process of me leaving The Japanese and coming back to G13…the healing of my face (yes, THANK YOU GOD, PRAISE TO THE LORD, BLESS YOU GOD…I am Healed)…the timing of getting this job…the templates, the words, the characters…let’s wait and see what God does..

watch the cute video

Zurick :) came up to the G13 office last week…passed me back the RM25 that Tommy hutang me previously…making plans to meet up with Tommy soon…

the second wife of George Orwell

Ohhh…rupa-rupanya…this Mr. Horton’s Secretary is the one who encourage Marcus to head the Trade Plan Department…Marcus was already busy with FOM…however after FOM, a question mark will linger on Marcus…what’s next for Marcus…Marcus is actually under Maximoff’s headcount…Marcus can take up Emerson’s portfolio…it is still vacant until today…but with Mr. Horton’s Secretary’s encouragement, Marcus went and meet up with Sörenstam…had a discussion together…and viola, Marcus is in Trade Plan…Maximoff also okay wor, with this kind of arrangement…hmm; that means Marcus is also not part of Maximoff’s plan…then what about me leh… Mr. Horton’s Secretary got play a role in it or not…or did Marcus got actually thought of me or not…this Mr. Horton’s Secretary…must also be careful a bit…the mastermind…very dangerous; work behind the scene…

Mrs Orwell

Liverpool 3 – 3 Watford…
As usual lah…want to win already one…then, last minute the opponent sempat to sumbat masuk one…

Taking Calculated Risks

What is the worst that can happen?
I was afraid that I would:
Make a fool of myself.
Be asked questions I didn’t know how to answer.
Be kicked out from the office.
Be embarrassed.
Be told that I was wasting everyone’s time.

What is the likelihood of this happening?
Be realistic. The fear may distort your objectivity. Often you will find the likelihood to be small.

If this did happen, could I live with the outcome?
If yes, go for it. If no, then strategize another plan. I decided yes, I could live with the fact that I will be embarrassed. I wouldn’t enjoy it, it would be uncomfortable and emotionally painful but I could live with it. I would learn from my mistake and not make it again. Did this experience leave me alive? Yes. Was it uncomfortable? Extremely. Did I learn from it? Yes, I was better prepared moving forward.

What am I afraid won’t happen?
Sometimes we fear what won’t happen as much as what will happen.

What are the benefits to my not taking the risk?
It’s comfortable at this current comfort zone. No pain.
I don’t have to think much. I can do my job on automated pilot.
I’m making enough money to get by.
If I try something new, I might fail.
I’m at the top of the heap right now.
If I try something now, I could fall on my face.
I’m too old to change.

What are the benefits to my taking this risks?
I would learn new skills.
I will feel better about myself because I’m trying something outside my comfort zone.
I could be wildly successful.

Anything that comes up in your life that will be to your betterment, say Yes to it immediately. Don’t think about how uncomfortable you will be or that you’ve never tried this before or that you don’t think you can do it.

What Is Empathy?

Cognitive Empathy >> just knowing how someone might be feeling and what thoughts might be running through their mind. At the core, this is perspective-taking, where we may not necessarily have sympathy but we are aware of the emotions of others.

Emotional Empathy >> when we can actually tap into and feel what the other is feeling. This is a skill that doctors and nurses would have cultivated during time spent with patients under their care.

Compassionate Empathy >> the most holistic form of empathy. Not only are we aware of how someone may be feeling and attuned to their emotions, but we are also driven to help the person if needed.

Prison Minion

Marcus told me…before I even arrive at G13…this Miguel did ask Marcus in a teasing kind of way – when is your newcomer joining in…without mention my name lah…and of course…Marcus understood the hint and say in August. Marcus continues to add on that it was a new portfolio and it was something that I wanted to do…hahaha...

Marcus is also very funny…before I arrive…my placard name was ready…this placard is suppose to put on the table…this Marcus take it down first…don’t want to be so high profile wor…hahaha…aiya, I small potato only lah…

Then, when I inform Marcus that I was shy in going over to meet the team…Marcus then volunteer want to bring me over there, then changes the mind pula…hahaha…because don’t want people to say that this Marcus is showing off…hahaha…

So Drum

Laptop >> yes, I do not have a desktop…I am actually given a Laptop…whew…stress…the laptop is given to me is because I am expected to lead store walk and chair & lead work group meetings…stress…nonetheless, if God can bring me to it, He will bring me through it…

Orchestre des Carabiniers du Prince au Monaco

Bump into Lawrence this morning; on the way back from Pantry…Lawrence told me that G13 did approach Harriet…I wonder who was it…Miguel? Maximoff? But Harriet rejected the offer lah…because of the highly demanding Buying Income collection…hahaha…

What Lasts Forever?

Indeed, many things can happen in two years – a career change, newfound friendship, illness, death. Good or bad, a life-altering experience may be lurking just around the corner, waiting to pounce! We simply don’t know. What great comfort, then, to know that our loving heavenly Father does not change.

In our changing circumstances, we can be assured that our Good God will always be consistent to His character. He is the source of Everything Good, and everything He does is Good.

A Shepherd For Life

God…has been my Shepherd all my life to this day.
Father, I thank You for being the shepherd of my life.
I praise Your Faithfulness.
God never abandons us.

Faux Suede Kitten Heels

Hahaha…I was so shy…just so shy...yes, I came back to G13…it is like Déjà Vu…the same kind of feeling that I have when I went back to The Japanese last year…yes, The French have change their name to The Japanese but the familiar faces are still there…but here in G13…it’s really like going back home…I was just so shy & awkward…to approach the familiar places & faces…luckily, Marcus was in the office on my first day…so was Mr. Horton’s Secretary…aww, it was so sweet that Pietro, Jordan & Ursula drop by to see me…the support team; hahaha…so, I eventually drop by on my old team on last week Friday, but only Lionel, Amelia, Kino & Gina was around…today, I drop by again…shaking hands with Miguel, Alice, Anderson, Laura…hahaha…now, only left Maximoff...

Wendy Deep V Heels

Hmm…so, where do I fit in and how?

This Trade Plan Department is a new department in G13, newly created...park under the Marketing Department…according to Mr. Horton’s Secretary; under The English…both the Trade Plan manpower is allocated under the Merchandise & Marketing Division…previously Maximoff used to have 15 people under Trade Plan alone...wow…what I am currently feeling from the external vibe is this…some people have high expectations on this division…some people commented that this division can only succeed if power & authority are given, acknowledge & recognize, and well some people just dismiss us as an excess baggage…meanwhile Marcus have stated that Marcus did not want to do too much until Marcus is fully on board…and currently I feel like…well, I am just doing menial work…even though I like the process of generating reports, analyzing the numbers, interpreting them…and this time is the whole total of G13…well, let’s see what God have in store for me…low season work is fine with me…I can get to pursue other things first that I usually don’t have the time to do so…

Lolly On the Larder

Hahaha…both Stewart & Celtic told me that…since Lawrence arrived at The Japanese…Lawrence have been complaining non-stop and repeatedly wants to resign.

Then, Mr. Horton’s Secretary told me…when Lawrence arrive at G13…this Lawrence also went to complain to Mr. Horton’s Secretary about The Japanese…didn’t expect that this polite and mild manner looking Lawrence is such a big complainer…cry baby…hahaha…

BoBo

Before I left The Japanese…I had a short conversation with Captain Johnson…rupa-rupanya, Lawrence will be doing one of the Appliance category in G13…eh, then what about Nigel or Shawn...

Then, when I enter G13 on last week Wednesday…I found out that…Shawn still remain where Shawn is…Nigel was the one who got transfer out…doing Home Furnishing…so, this is how Lawrence manage to slot into Appliance lah…