Duke of Rutland

Anyway, Sörenstam was happy for your performance! It’s all your hard work, you proof it yourself! Good job to you and hope you will continue enjoy what we are doing.

Err…the performance also cannot be seen…also cannot be measured…both Sörenstam & Marcus cakap only lah…I am not in denial leh…I can see and know very clearly where the Trade Planning is standing right now...at the tip of the iceberg...which we can fall off very easily if we are not careful...Sir Thomas's remarks to Marcus is also valid...what is the merchandising people doing in the Trade Planning Department...why there is no strong leadership in steering them...beats me...hahaha...

Duke of Devonshire

Coz I asked when confirmation but Sörenstam said only can do when increments. Glad Sörenstam does that for you!

I did WatsApp to Marcus…thanking Marcus for the salary increment…however; based upon Marcus’s answer…looks like Marcus did not contribute anything at all…hahaha…Sörenstam just remember…

Duke of Bedford

I think Mr. Horton’s Secretary got good salary increment too…otherwise Mr. Horton’s Secretary will not mention that the % is consider very good during such an economic climate…hmm…looks like Sörenstam also favor Mr. Horton’s Secretary...

Thanks Journal

Think about it: how has the Lord shown His love toward you today, this week, this month and this year? Don’t just look for the spectacular. His love is seen in the ordinary, every day circumstances of life. Then consider how He has shown His love toward your family, your church and to others. Let your mind soak up the extent of His love for all of us.

The Psalmist added that the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. In other words, He will continue to love us!

Remember to thank God for the ordinary as well as the extraordinary.

Duke of Beaufort

RM8,925 >> THANK YOU GOD, PRAISE TO THE LORD, BLESS YOU GOD!

I didn’t expect to get any increment…and I also didn’t expect to have a 5% growth…

God - How deep…How wide…How great is your love for me…

Gentleness

Be completely humble and gentle.

The troubles of life can make us cranky and out of sorts, but we should never excuse these bouts of bad behavior.

Gentleness is a willingness to accept limitations and ailments without taking out our aggravation on others. It shows gratitude for the smallest service rendered and tolerance for those who do not serve us well. It puts up with bothersome people.

It speaks softly in the face of provocation. It can be silent; for calm, unruffled silence is often the most eloquent response to unkind words.

Ham & Eggs

As we face our own battles and challenges, let’s remember that God is our best ally.

Lord, I want to rely on You more fully. Sometimes, I see only what is around me. Please help me to look up and to trust You more.

Duke of St Albans

…where as Mr. Horton’s Secretary lost some brownie points…hahaha…yes, I am keeping track…even though the decision was make collectively in the Trade Planning department…but it is still in the working hands of Mr. Horton’s Secretary…

Yesterday, Hari Raya Presentation…food tak cukup for the team to makan…Mr. Horton’s Secretary was the one who liaise with the caterer mah…then today have floor walk…Mr. Horton’s Secretary was the one who sent out all of the invites to everyone…but the big boss salah lorong…went to the downstairs store instead…sedangkan…we were in our Puchong store…

Karma…hahaha…Mr. Horton’s Secretary is just damn selfish…last week, imagine when the new leaflet was being distributed around…Mr. Horton’s Secretary didn’t even ask for a copy for me when Mr. Horton’s Secretary knows very well that I need a copy for the floor walk…lucky got Marcus around and got me the copy…celaka betul…

Duke of Grafton

THANK YOU GOD, PRAISE TO THE LORD, BLESS YOU GOD!

Sir Thomas praises me today – good job for this morning…

Today got floor walk mah…even though the floor walk format have yet to transit to the Merchandise Team 100%...but today is much better as the Merchants are more fully prepared, I have more inputs, I have storyline to weave in and uses the right business words…hahaha…

Today, I just have the heart of David, Joseph & Solomon in me…

God Is Able!

The Last Will Be First

Those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Anyone who wants to be first, must be the very last and the servant of all.

Jesus came into our hurried, me-first world not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. We serve Him best by serving others. The lower we bend, the closer we are to Him.

Jesus’s kingdom is upside down.

Duke of Richmond

Hahaha…Uncle Andy was point blank:
Sörenstam lacks direction.
Marcus has no aspirations.
Mr. Horton’s Secretary & myself have no motivation.
So rhyme…hahaha…

Duke of Marlborough

Celaka betul…betul-betul melampau…sungguh kejam...just too much…who else… Mr. Horton’s Secretary lah! Previously, I have already notice…whenever Marcus ask Mr. Horton’s Secretary to run any reports…Mr. Horton’s Secretary will only email back to Marcus; will not share with me…I have to go to our share folder, curi-curi Copy & Paste back the file to my desktop…hahaha…what happen today was…as usual, Marcus ask Mr. Horton’s Secretary to run report lor…and as usual, didn’t cc to me lor…but hor, got cc to Samuel wor…lucky, Marcus got cc back to me…sigh…I wonder if Marcus got notice this or not…and then hor, the second part of the day…Mr. Horton’s Secretary got the copy of the next week Press Ad visual…didn’t even share with me leh…hello…I run the Press Ad sales results leh…I betul-betul feel like strangling Mr. Horton’s Secretary…I already have Celtic removed from my life and now pula muncul this Mr. Horton’s Secretary…I hope Madeleine will be on board asap…but then again…what if the both of them berkomplot pula…whatever lah…God will steer me well…God will protect me...

It’s All A Gift

God gives to us whether we thank Him or not. He’s generous to us beyond our imaginations.

THANK YOU GOD, PRAISE TO THE LORD, BLESS YOU GOD!
Peggy, Jessica, Hanry & Mike was willing to give way…therefore Miguel got the 2 additional blocks…everything have been settle amicably…I have been saved by God again.

Duke of Wellington

Yesterday, Peggy asked me whether I want to join her team as a buyer or not…whether Peggy was joking about it or being serious…well at least, there is still someone who still remember my previous job role & gave a recognition to it…

Marquess of Torres Vedras

It’s not you…whew…

Marcus shared this with me…Sörenstam doesn’t quite like Samuel…wants Marcus to transfer Samuel out…and ask Marcus to get another headcount…so this is where Madeleine comes in…Sörenstam wants Marcus to recruit someone like J___...hahaha…have merchandising background, can present…hahaha…I think I have given Sörenstam a very good first impression…thereafter…I failed miserably…nonetheless…THANK YOU GOD, PRAISE TO THE LORD, BLESS YOU GOD! Ok, now I ada semangat sikit untuk kerja…hahaha...

I rather Marcus mengulingkan Mr. Horton’s Secretary…hahaha…so, meaning now…I have to look forward to Madeleine’s arrival…I actually suggested Uncle Andy to Marcus...I think we need an Analyst; rather than another manager...but then, at the end of the day...Marcus is the one who makes the final decision...

Earl of Mornington

Betul – betul menyampah…Mr. Horton’s Secretary tak boleh diharap langsung…not a team player…must be careful…extra careful…

All these while…during the S&M meeting…Mr. Horton’s Secretary have never left the room, will sit in the room until the meeting ends…regardless whether the meeting is being chair by Marcus or Mr. Horton’s Secretary…and today, the meeting was chair by Mr. Horton’s Secretary...while I was presenting my part…Mr. Horton’s Secretary left! That is also because…I have prompted Mr. Horton’s Secretary this morning…that when it comes to the Hari Raya Promo Space part…Miguel & the Head of Apparel will bising at me and I will have a backlash from them. This Mr. Horton’s Secretary…tak ada semangat kerjasama langsung…abandon me…to let me face all of these alone.

However, my God is greater…THANK YOU GOD, PRAISE TO THE LORD, BLESS YOU GOD! The whole situation was calm…both Jessica & Peggy was calm…Miguel was also calm…

From tomorrow onwards…I and Mr. Horton’s Secretary will have no more conversation related to work…all casual only…Mr. Horton’s Secretary is not only selfish…finally, all the true colors are out…dia sebenarnya tak baik langsung…

Duke of Westminster

Confirmed! Baldwin will join back G13; under Mike.

Virtue not ancestry

Madeleine: Marcus apps me last week, might hv an opening for me thr…so I want to ask some details from u…how Trade’ planning dept? Wat u do thr? Interesting girl? We been a buyer. How different is this to our buying role?

Marcus must be kidding me…want to add one more headcount?! And we are yet to do the real Trade Planning work as well…now, also 3’s a crowd…on Friday, the Group re-structuring news was out…so, Marcus must have apps Madeleine before Friday…Marcus is also on a mission to bring back Baldwin into G13; under Mike…

Virtus Non Stemma

So, buat presentation deck…Marcus tak berapa boleh lah…presentation…also so – so only…I wonder how Marcus felt today…Uncle Andy more pro than Marcus in every single angle…hahaha…and yes…this is where I must learn…I must slay the whole damn thing...

FOY POUR DEVOIR

Hahaha…Marcus’s take…no originality…no breakthrough…no newness…what Marcus did was copy & paste the whole damn thing from FOM, tidy the slides up a bit…add in some colors...draw proper tables...and that was it…so, now we all know where Marcus’s capabilities lies…however, it’s not wrong also…Marcus also confess that Marcus took it from FOM…the whole deck was from the Group (top down approach)...and Sörenstam also ask Marcus to use the original FOM deck…hahaha…

Duke of Somerset

VBL 6503 arrived yesterday!

Virtue alone is unconquered

Feedback from Sir Thomas on my Press Ad Sales Results…not user friendly, data is not robust, numbers are not dynamic, there is no call for action, there is no top of mind, it’s not visually impactful…fine…I’m no analyst either…here’s the thing…both Sörenstam & Marcus are clueless about Trade Planning…they don’t know what the scope is all about…Marcus keeps on doing the remeh-temeh part...I think Uncle Andy, Mr. Horton’s Secretary, Samuel & myself does know…but here’s the thing…we cannot be seen to be overwriting the authorities…Uncle Andy and Mr. Horton’s Secretary don’t want to do the heavier work as well…everything want to outsource...for them, if it can be delegated; delegate as much as possible...Samuel pula take on everything...sigh…but I have to say…for the past 2 weeks…the Store Walk Revamp, the S&M Meeting Revamp, the Promo Charter, the Promo Theme Evaluation…did sort of inject some excitement back into my life…hmm…I don’t mind to do the heavier work…just need the extra effort to convince Marcus & nudge Marcus to the other side without being seen as having any personal agenda…hahaha…being a buyer; it's about putting off the fire on a daily basis…Trade Planning is about looking at the bigger picture of things, at a higher level, doing the priorities; not what is important…

Sola Virtus Invicta

Hahaha…I think Marcus and I share the same merchandising competencies here…we look at the charts the same way…the only advantage that Marcus have over me is the number of years of experience…only Uncle Andy and Mr. Horton’s Secretary see things from a different perspective…

Duke of Norfolk

Oh…the story goes like this…Marcus shared this with me…hahaha…all this while…everyone thoughts that Ursula was the one who hired Christy…so if Christy is not performing…it is still Ursula’s fault because Ursula have chosen Christy in the first place…but, rupa-rupanya…in the very first place, Marcus was suppose to have Christy under Marcus…but mana tahu…Ursula went and undercut Marcus…stole Christy from Marcus…with the perception that if Marcus is taking Christy in…that means Christy got some quality lah…so, Ursula sort of like terburu-buru…because Ursula didn’t want Marcus to have the headcount first…hahaha…so typical of Ursula…

FAITH FOR DUTY

Father God…I don’t know whether it’s right or wrong…but I am just going to pray about it anyway…I pray that the Store Floor Walk will get a revamp…Trade Planning don’t have to worry about losing its role here…we can do the opening part…brief what is the leaflet theme is all about…if it’s the same event as per last year, then what is the LY event sales & margin results, TY forecast…we still can continue to provide a summary of the stock availability & the outcome of the price survey…before handing it to the GM that was chosen to anchor that day floor walk…we must highlight the pallet lead, the second block, the third block, the fourth block, the PWP Power Aisle, a block from Baby World & Non Food…then Miguel can step in and talk about the Main Highway 2 & Seasonal Promotions…in the Middle Highway…each division will be represented…then, move on to Perishable & Fresh…I think it’s a good flow right…everything covered...boleh kan…

Father God…same goes for the S&M meeting as well…let’s reboot it…

Samuel’s idea is good too…we learn the bigger picture of the business plus at the Division level as well…God, you know me…I am thirsty for knowledge…I don’t want to rush Marcus too much…otherwise Marcus will feel that I have a hidden agenda…hahaha…but God, You are different…You can intervene in all of this…God…if it’s the right thing to do…let’s do it…let’s get the ball rolling for the floor walk and the S&M meeting…then we quickly get the Promotion Charter charging up, then the 3 of us can anchor to the respective divisions…

God, You are the Creator, the Game Changer…I am loved, I am blessed, I am favored, I am never abandon…I trust You God, I thank You in advance…and I leave it to You…because You never fail me…THANK YOU GOD, PRAISE TO THE LORD, BLESS YOU GOD!

Aiyo, Not Bad

Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room – Jeff Bezos.

I admit that I am memang lembap…so, Sörenstam wanted me to do a trended graph for the weekly Press Ad Sales Results…I find that Sörenstam’s explanation wasn’t that clear…so I buat and still tak betul…in the end, Sörenstam approach Uncle Andy and ask Uncle Andy to do it…in the end, I finally get the concept correct; which I think it’s important…if I don’t get the concept correct, that means I still don’t understand…but Uncle Andy commented that my data is not that robust so Uncle Andy took some data from 2017 as well…however, for weekly reporting…we throw back to the Finance Department to help to churn it out first…hahaha…hopefully, it works...

So, Uncle Andy commented that I am not very good at taking vague instructions…well, yeah…all of my previous bosses have been very precise & are right on the dot…and all this while…I am the one who shows them the trended graph and they will go ga-ga over it…they were like so impressed with my analyses & findings…hahaha…

Uncle Andy wants me to walk out from this buyer mindset…let’s just combine both lah = Merchandising + Marketing (Trade Planning)…I think it’s a lethal combination in retail…

Dear My Beloved

Marcus…oh…Marcus…I don’t know why Marcus wants to do this…it’s either…Marcus don’t know how to delegate…or Marcus is the type that micro-manages…or Marcus got nothing better to do, so wants to show that Marcus also got contributes…

What happen was…we will need to organize a Hari Raya presentation to all of the Store Managers…just get Mr. Horton’s Secretary to do it lah… Mr. Horton’s Secretary did it before for the previous CNY presentation…adoi…Mr. Horton’s Secretary is a former secretary after all mah…

If continue like this…Marcus is not leading us…we are just doing routine and unnecessary work…we must grow, we must move forward, we must continue to learn & improve…we must add value, we must drive the business, we must lead, we must contribute…then, baru ada job satisfaction, fulfillment and significant mah…and I need the extra push...hahaha...

Sometimes, Uncle Andy’s thinking is also not wrong…I think the both of us need to team up to brainwash Marcus…I don’t know what will be Uncle Andy’s hidden agenda but mine is all of the above…it’s not even monetary leh…hahaha…

Secretly Drunk

Hilarious…Uncle Andy commented that both Marcus & I think alike…so my judgment is also correct lah…hahaha…and I shared this with Marcus this afternoon…we both have a good laugh about it…so, we are on the same channel...and probably same competencies as well...

What happen was…Sörenstam wants to know on how we can measure the effectiveness of a campaign theme…Uncle Andy went and ask Marcus first…Marcus jawab – take the previous campaign sales results and check back…thereafter, Uncle Andy came over to my place and ask me the same question…and I also gave the same answer lor…hahaha…

But ok lah…I learnt something new from Uncle Andy…we are in Marketing right now…the stand point is from the Marketing’s perspectives…we are the customer…so we need to justify between the investment from all of the A&P aspects with the sales in return…then, need to check on whether customer can recall the campaign / theme or not (top of mind)…customer are being call for action or not; as in are they able to receive & understand all of the promo mechanics which will translate into purchases…so communication execution here is very important…if go back to buying…then yes lor…check the previous sales results; got uplift or not lor…hahaha…I still have lots to learn…

However hor…Mr. Horton’s Secretary got 30% correct leh…sigh…

Heartbreaking Nights

Marcus…oh…Marcus, I don’t think you need another manager on board, you need a clerk to champion paper work and reports in the Trade Planning Department…

What happen was…this afternoon, Marcus shared with me…that Marcus would like to get Madeleine on board. Madeleine is currently based in a Middle East owned retail company…Marcus felt that Madeleine will not have much future there…apparently, Madeleine have also went for an interview at Courts Mammoth…hmm…Marcus felt that Madeleine is very outspoken & opinionated, should suit towards Marketing very much…Madeleine is also Marcus’s previous pet…well, having Madeleine on board…means more competition…but also good in a way…can divert Mr. Horton’s Secretary’s attention to Madeleine…hahaha…

I actually favor more of Samuel’s idea where Mr. Horton’s Secretary, Samuel & myself are anchor to the respective Divisions…hence, we will know their buying & trading plan better, it ties up with the S&M meeting revamp format where the numbers are more visible, as in which are the non-performing & performing categories and we get to learn more in-depth on the nature of each of the division business…now…yes, we see the bigger picture of things…but somehow…I felt Samuel are overloaded…I am semi-overloaded…Mr. Horton’s Secretary; kind of too free pula…hahaha…not productive overall lah…if these takes place…Marcus will be the custodian of the numbers & promo space…giving the 3 of us equal opportunities to fight for space…be it in Press Ad, Leaflet or Promo Layout…if down the road…if we ever get bored…rotate lor…good idea isn’t it…

November's Chopin

The last 2 weeks at work has been so fulfilling…I find it so meaningful and fulfilled…for the first time, since I arrive at G13…this is what Trade Planning is all about...Uncle Andy, Mr. Horton’s Secretary and myself…sat down…brainstorm…on the revamp format for the Store Walk and the Sales & Marketing Meeting…it’s all about planning…how to add value to the business, how to drive it through…giving meaning into it…we got the big picture, document it, drafted it and presented it…this is only a small part of the Trade Planning scope, we have not reach the bigger scale of things yet.

I wonder how Marcus feel about all of this…Marcus and I are very similar…ex buyers…we know the Trade Planning concept…sadly, the both of us are also clueless on how to go about it…so, we end out doing routine work every day and Marcus…sort of failed in leading us & the department…sigh…God, I know it won't be easy...it's a tough job...but I do want to learn & do The English's Trade Planning activities.

I bet Marcus feel that both Uncle Andy & Mr. Horton’s Secretary can do a better job than Marcus. Marcus already gotten the feedback from all of the GMs on the S&M meeting…they verbalize to Marcus…but there was a full stop…Marcus knew about it…discuss with us a little bit on it…but didn’t pursue to make it better…as in didn’t organize a brainstorming session among us on the next step…I bet Marcus didn’t feel good about it too…and also it seems like Uncle Andy wants to hijack everything and knows it all…

Missed Date

Uncle Andy thinks & feels that this Marcus is too old school…don’t want to move out from the comfort zone…God, I really hope that the Floor Walk Revamp and the Sales & Marketing Meeting Revamp can really pull through…I pray that Marcus can convince Sörenstam to approve it…I think that’s a good format to try out, to go about it, to add value to all of the stakeholders and to drive the business…Trade Planning is to plan the framework and Merchandise is to work on the details…at least, it adds value and provides meaning…otherwise, with the current format…it’s really is repetitive and duplicative…meaningless too...it really feels like that there is no significant contribution from our part...

Thyme Fried Fish

I have to say that this Uncle Andy is not only good at analyzing at the Leadership Team & Senior Management level…but also good as a Collaborator and Facilitator…he ask questions that stimulates thinking and invites further discussion…must really learn this from him…Samuel pula…have a lot of information…but don’t know how to present them…don’t know how to tie it up to make it a story line to add value into the business…fit into the doer category for now…on the other hand… Mr. Horton’s Secretary…just re-affirm things; but she always gets the timing correct…hahaha…so, where do I fit in…

Mr.J Channel

Stewart updated me:

Kelvin has been transferred down to the Operation level; effective on 1st April…now, he is the Sales Manager for the Subang store.

Tin Min has switched to Kelvin’s Toys Portfolio.

Mak Tiri already found her new buyer…wonder who she is…according to Stewart, the new buyer is a 80’s baby…married…recently have a newborn baby…

Stewart ask me do I know anyone who wants to become a Furniture buyer…so it is confirm that Abigail is leaving…that day Fify also got mention this to me as well…hmm…why Stewart didn’t offer this vacancy to Stephanie…