Customers = Your Brand

Customers Are The Brand

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A powerful presentation from my buddy in London, Graham.

Better than Greater

We’ve got an early Christmas present for everyone! And we’re just as anxious as you to reveal this. Stay tuned everybody!

Facebook : www.facebook.com/bernardhor

Engaging Youth at the GrassRoots

Summer Sands signature project – Project GOssip in mobileYouth TV (London).

mobileYouth TV features three (3) signature projects around the globe which has successfully engaged the Youth market.

Bret Bernhoft, Insyght Consuting (Portland) on “Increasing Gen Y volunteerism”.

Bernard Hor, Summer Sands Group (Malaysia) on “Engaging Youths via Social Entrepreneurship”.

Marlon Parker, Cape Town on “Involving Youths in Social Challenging programs”.

Also, for those (brands) interested or still trying or desperately selling hard to the Youth market, this is my early Christmas gift to you – Engaging your Youths (click to download) It’s a Free download courtesy of Mobile Youth – an globally renowned youth marketing and mobile culture Team in London.

Meanwhile, we have another great Christmas gift for all you out there.  Stay tuned!

Freelance as a Kickstart?

Entrepreneurship always sounds cool.  Businessman sounds old.  And self-employed sounds too-not-cool.

 

Mind you, there are differences in these few different words.  Today, many young people are considering Entrepreneurship as an alternative to a career launch.

 

While it is great to see the young ones getting more and more proactive and having big ambitious dreams, it is also vital that one must know and understand the real reason in taking the entrepreneurs route.

 

Many people say kickstarting a business is simple, maintaining and sustaining it is the real challenge.  As much as I would agree to that statement, I would love to think of it more of that it is rather important to know how you are going to kickstart and what is your point of entry into the market is like.

 

There are many ways to kickstart :

1) Incorporate a business or a company.   Simple.  Head on down to The Mall (if you’re in Kuala Lumpur) – go straight to 3rd Floor.  You’ll have Agents, as in ‘Special Agents’ waiting for you to want to ‘help’ you with the application process.  Long story short – grab a form, fill it up, sign your future CEO signature and pay.  In 7 days, declare to the world your new CEO-ship.

 

2) While it might seem easy to incorporate a business or a company, it might not be the PERFECT start for you.  Remember that, it is not so important yet to have a company for a start.  What’s more important is to BE in the Marketplace.

 

Throwing yourself in the Marketplace allows you to take yourself to the limits, judge your own values and experience first hand what is the Marketplace like. 

 

The option of starting of as a Freelancer is not a bad idea in reality.  In the perception of many, freelancer in Malaysia tends to carry the identity of a very casual and ‘too flexible’ (lazy to be rude) individual.  While I’m not in a position to judge what a freelancer really is, I would say that I have a high level of respect for freelancers.

 

Personally I know of many freelancer Malaysian friends who were previously with big corporate companies taking home a 5-figure pay cheque every month.  But the freedom of time and the idea of doing what they really love doing make them opt for a freelancing lifestyle.

 

Being a freelancer in this perspective makes life fun and interesting.  Free from the bosses, make your own time, call your own shots, earn 100% whatever you charge and best part is, call it a day as you wish.

 

Freelancing can be a good kickstart to an Entrepreneurs dream.  It gives you the privilege of getting that first hand experience of what a Malaysian Marketplace is like and how you actually fit into that reality.  What’s more interesting is that while you’re self-employed (your own ‘Boss’), you do not need to actually worry about the rusty structure of a company.

 

Running a company or business is not only about registering or incoporating it.  It is not only about printing your CEO name cards and having your own website to shout to the world.  Staffing, office, accounts, taxes, audits, legal matters, partnerships etc etc…and the list goes on…

 

So to YOU young guns out there – open up your hearts and minds to this alternative route  – freelancing.  While you test your ‘pain’ level in the market, enjoy the ride of the self-employed life.  To a large extent, it is actually pretty exciting and interesting.

 

In truth, the Malaysian Marketplace definitely has abundance of opportunities for freelancers in Malaysia and part-timers in Malaysia.

I Believe to See. I’m A Dreamer, indeed.

I Dream.

 

I’ve been lucky to have inspiring conversations with my current team I’ve been working with on a new project.  These are guys who dreams.  Not at night, only.  Every single second – they dream.  They take ownership of their dream.  And the next thing before you know it, they are actively REALIZING these dreams.  

 

These are guys who make things happen.  These are guys who give life to a dream.  These are guys who believes.  This is the REAL DEAL.

 

The “beautiful” part is none of them knew if their dreams are going to be a runaway success.  None of them knew if it’s gonna turn them millionaires.  None of them knew what will happen 5 years down the road.

 

I Believe.

 

BUT.  Each and everyone of them BELIEVES.  They BELIEVE in a word called HOPE.  There is HOPE – if you believe in it.  It is that hope that drives each and everyone of these Dreamers in making dreams real.

 

Just like these Dreamers, I am an Entrepreneur.  Through the years, I’ve been asked and challenged many times as to why I decide to take this route in life.  Honestly, I do not know if I will eventually become a millionaire.  I do not know if those crazy ideas I had will eventually work out.  

 

One thing for sure that I know is that I BELIEVE.  I believe in those crazy ideas I had.  I believe in the team I worked with.  Most of all, I believe in the dreams i dream.

 

I see.

 

A good friend once asked me, “Do you see to believe or do you believe to see?”  I remember my very immediate response was “I believe to see”.  Weird as it may sound to many.  But try this – visualize (or dream) of something good (or perfect) you want in your life.  Believe in it.  Keep on believing in it.  Don’t stop believing in it.

 

It may take days, months or even years or donkey years.  This is where the REAL game begins.  Many “quits” once the “expected deadline” reaches and the “dream” still does not happen.  You might then say “Ahhhh…these are all bullshit!  Stop dreaming, and be real!”

 

Now, that’s where it all gets screwed up.  Once you stop dreaming, you stop achieving!

 

I’m going to share with you a “trick” to this.  Rule No. 1 – DON’T EXPECT!  Do not set expectations as and when your dreams have to be realized.  Let it go!  Set it free!  By setting an expectation, you are actually focusing too much on the results, which you don’t even know what will happen.  Expect the Unexpected.

 

Rule No. 2 – STAY FOCUSED!  People always tell you to stay focus.  But WHAT is the focus they’re talking about here?  In my opinion, I would say, focus strongly on the passion.  You WILL always get out of focus.  Believe me, you will.  There will be tons and tons of distractions every second once you’re in the game.  Do yourself a kind favor and keep on asking yourself this one golden question – “Why Am I Doing This?”  This leads you back to the roots and keeps you on the ground.  Why did you even start this in the first place?  What was in your HEART when you started this?  

 

Rule No.3 – NEVER GIVE UP!  With the every second distractions, you will be easily attracting millions or even trillions of information (the NLP people call this Bits).  Positives and Negatives.  Throughout the years, our upbringing and the education system, we are conditioned and so “well-trained’ to focus on problems and issues that at many times we forget SOLUTION exist.

 

This is the period I love to call it “Trying Times”.  It is during this time the giving up spirit is darn high!  If you can’t take the heat and the pressure, you’ll snapped.  Just like that.  It is scary, even with so many years of experience, it is real darn scary to see when it snaps!  

 

Don’t allow this to happen!  When you’re at the “Trying Times” period, stay focused.  Ask yourself the golden question.  Keep on asking yourself.  The only one person that can continuously and strongly reaffirm you is you.  ”Give Up” will continue to make courtesy calls into your mind.  Say Hi.  Don’t register it into your mind.  Just say Hi and show “it” the exit door.

 

Sometimes or rather many times, your surroundings will “kindly” inject in something they call “sense” into your head.  Fair enough – take it with an open mind.  BUT, never let it gets to your heart.  Remember, keep your heart clear for your focus.  

 

Your heart will live your Dreams.  Your job is to make sure your heart keeps on pumping.

 

(to be continued…)

Randomly Bernard

It’s been a fantastically long while since I last blog.

 

Oh yea. If it was years back, I would have kinda forgotten the password to this WordPress account.  Many things have happened, come and go, mistakes after mistakes, failures after failures and discoveries after discoveries.

 

Just a quick recap into 2008.  08 was a “cool” year.  ”Cool” because we did a lot of trial and errors.  Testing the waters here and there for the business.  Adapting to the changes in the direction of the company.  Had challenging-to-handle (not hard) staffs in the team.  Made a couple of bold changes and moves for Summer Sands.  Etc etc etc.

 

It’s already March 09 now.  The last couple of months has been a real busy and hectic one.  Thank God for a great team we have.  Throughout these months, I came to realize the many hidden potentials that is surrounding me all the while.  And I don’t mean only the business opportunities but also the people that I’ve been working with.  From our Creative team to the Operations and even the group of trainees – there is just so much potentials in them.  And yes, even the Management team.  

 

I’m surprised and equally amazed with the strength each and everyone has.  I’m grateful for the belief the team has in this small little humble venture of Summer Sands.  It’s always nice to be able to know at the back of the mind that our very own team has strong faith and belief in Summer Sands.  

 

I wouldn’t say we “came a long way” yet.  But I shall say, along this journey, we have made great the opportunities that was presented to us.  Yes, I have to admit that there have been trying times, ridiculous mistakes and people conflict.  But the fact that this young team has demonstrated a high standard of professionalism and maturity in handling tough situations.  I sometimes could not reason out myself how we have came to where we are today.  

 

It is definitely not a Bernard Hor story.  It is the original story of the entire Youth team in Summer Sands.  One thing for sure – this will definitely go down the history.  And one day, we will just sit back and reflect on the humble beginnings of Summer Sands.

 

Summer Sands today is not (yet) a multi-million dollar company commanding 200 staffs around the globe.  Slowly and steadily, Summer Sands is continuing to build a value.  A value that will not only be represented by the dollar sign.  A value many will appreciate.  A value many will remember for a long time to come.  A value that has done good to the community it reaches out to.

 

The disastrous economy times never failed to reserve the headlines spot in the news daily.  And it has never failed to “capture” people’s attention and “creep” very silently into the mindset of many businesses.  We are, however, surviving.  2009 sets to be a year with full maximum brand exposures.  We are confident of the economy.  We are confident that the economy will definitely make a turning point.  As a small company, preserverance spells it all.

 

I have always remembered the two words Donny Kwa used to say to us when we first started – “PAIN LEVEL”.  What’s your pain level?  How far could you take this sacrifices and challenges in business?  It is not a picture where there is only you in it.  This picture is shared by many others – family, friends, loved ones and the list goes on…

 

Oh yea, it is bloody painful.  Painful when you have to at many times see the extremely fast speed of the cash output from the bank but a crawling speed of cash input.  Painful when you have to bear the sight of negative cashflows.  Painful when the stress sets in.  Painful each and everytime you get rejected.

 

Personally, this pain level has exceeded whatever limits it could probably have.  The one thing that really keeps me going is the blessings of family.  Mom has been a real strong support pillar with an amazing stamina.  Sis has been really helping in every way she could.  Most importantly, wifey has been really really really….(i really can’t find an exact word to describe this)…she has been there for me all the time.  Even in the times where the pressure and stress really sets in, she was just there – very comfortably reassuring me.  At many times, emotions took over and I very ridiculously and unreasonably let it go in front of her.  Instead of showing her dissatisfaction or unhappiness, she would patiently stand by me – giving me the strength to keep moving forward.

 

It is during these trying times that I’ve always remind myself – how could I give it up just like that?  How could I give in to the stress and other dominant negative factors?  I’m doing this simply for the future.  I have learnt from the many experiences in the past.  Called it an obligation or a vow or a determination – I’m here to make that difference.

 

It has been a remarkable journey.  I love living this life.

GOssip went Live on National TV!

Just managed to grab hold of the Live footage.  This Live talk show was broadcasted on 19 September 2008. Hosted by Annie and Zamil, I was invited to the Live together with Yan Liang (RAC Taylor’s Business School) and Chian Yee (EMPOWER) to feature our Ultimate Youth Brand – GOssip!

 

Some print screens (thanks to Ning Li) for the record.  It’s Shift+Command+4.

 

On set.  On the left is Annie and Zamil together with humble us

(from right) Yan Liang, Chian Yee and your truly.

 

“We GOssip with a Cause”

 

Rotaract Club makes news – Live on National TV

 

Will upload the edited video soon.

 

Stay tuned!

 

Just a beginning

Our debut ultimate youth brand – GOssip has just made its first ever event appearance in Subang Jaya.  It has been one week since the ‘rush hour’ of GOssip KL ended.  I remember what I told the team after the event ended last two Fridays ago.

 

 

“This whole thing is just like the backdrop.  Pieces of dreams that were fit together to make a reality.  It was not a one man dream, it is the team’s dream.”

 

That’s right – GOssip has turned from nothing into something which has inspired and touched many young hearts.  It all started as a small, humble dream –  a dream that many would just prefer to continue to dream on.  I have to admit making it happen was not at all easy.  Challenges after challenges.  Changes after changes.

 

But, each and every one of these challenges were a new beginning to us.  It is just simply amazing at times looking at how the team handles these challenges and ‘last minute’ changes.  We did not at all see it as a failure or a setback.  We saw a new opportunity.  We were prepared for a new beginning.  And we were just ever ready to take it on positively.

 

Just like how a mother feels carrying a child nine months in the womb.

 

It was never a burden to us.  Instead, it was full of passion, dedication and commitment each and every one in the team has to make this positive difference.  And it was really a sigh of relief and satisfaction witnessing the evolution of this humble youth brand – GOssip.

 

GOssip has took-off.  Now it’s time to make sure it keeps on flying – smoothly, slowly but surely.

 

It is starting to get more and more exciting in the team.  We’re heading up north to Penang to spread the GOssip in the island.  We’re taking it one step further into making a GOssip Talk Show – Malaysia’s First Ever Youth Talk Show Live on national tv!  Yes, it sounds…err…ambitious?  Sit back and watch!

 

The creative team is now working round-the-clock on “Steps : Move to Inspire”.  This is our second youth brand.  I will not go into the details as yet but what I can really say is that, it is really extremely exciting.  It freaks me out at times to just think of the scale of it.  We’re having fun!

 

…to be continued…

Of Life & People

They say time flies when work is done.  I bet.

 

It’s been a week since I came back from Penang.  I have to admit much has been done, many things have happened and many people has touched my life.

 

Among those many people is this group of young people whom I have been working with for the past 2-3 months.  This young group has really been fantastic and inspiring.  Though not the extreme professional, this young group played the most important role in making it all happen.  Yes, I am talking about the GOssips! youth team.

 

From my strategic alliance team to the creative team and the media team – each and everyone’s passion towards making a positive difference inspires me all the time.  There have been tough moments but the one thing that kept me going is the spirit and unity of this young team.

 

There will always be differences in thoughts and ideas but hey, what do you expect in a young and vibrant team as such?  I had a meeting with the team last week and deep down inside I am extremely glad and at the same time proud to note the strong unity this team has.  I shall say not many new and young company will be able to achieve this – not especially when each and everyone in the team is not the “friends already” type.  All of us came from different backgrounds and perspectives.  I have to admit it was tough having to streamline so many thoughts and perspectives into one same paradigm meeting one same end objective and goal.

 

But this journey has been fun and extremely rewarding.  Sometimes I just wish I could spend more personal time with each and everyone of you in the team.  Yes, I shall not just say “I wish I could”.  I am working it out.  It’s not to spend that personal time to buy you dinner and to make you feel happy.  But getting to know each and everyone of you better and to understand from your perspectives of life is something I would want to achieve with my core team.

 

I have had many failures throughout this crazy journey.  And just like any other human being, I am learning through each step to be able to admit with an open heart my mistakes and to accept failures as a turning point and a beginning to a new dimension in life.  I have accepted the fact that it is not easy being a “young boss”.  There are so much to see and learn and I am sure through each step I am taking together with you guys, I am learning.  For those of you who know me, thanks for being patient and understanding all these while.  Those frank feedbacks and straightforward “bombardment” helps a million.

 

Another exciting week coming up!  Stay tuned!

Back in the City

Yep.  I’m back in the city – with city life, city madness, city stress and the city people.

 

In some ways, it is good to be back here.  It’s a little different this time as I have been back in Penang for almost 2 weeks.  Boy, I love the peaceful island.

 

Anyway, I’ve met up with my fellow GOssip team.  There are tons to sort out this coming week.  It’s just barely 10 days away from Project GOssip.  The team has been working hard on the brand and its contents.  We’ve met many people and we’ve learnt tons along the way.  The GOssip Cruisers are on their roadshows now.  I’ve just been told by Michelle we will be at HELP University College tomorrow at lunch.  So, do catch us there for the exciting freebies and giveaways aight.

 

I have, I mean, MUST get these few home things sorted out by Tuesday:

a) Get the 2 toilets in my home fixed.

b) Get the maid to come in for an EXTREME, DETAILED and COMPLETE clean up.

c) Decide on the re-arrangement of my study and the living hall.  Should or shouldn’t I?

 

Wifey is still in the States – think she’s in Vegas now.  Really can’t wait for her to come home.  Well well well, absence makes the heart grows fonder.  I was just having this conversation with a friend of mine and he was telling me about things with his fiancee lately.  I shall not dwell into the details but frankly, at times I just feel why can’t guys be less egoistic.  Or rather if I have to say it, don’t even let ego come into the picture when you’re with your loved one.  It’s easier said than done – I agree.  But then again, what’s easy?  I’ve always believe there have to be efforts put into a relationship and that efforts certainly do not spell E.G.O.  I miss wifey – all those scudgles, cheekiness and every single thing.  5 more days.  Yes, I’m counting.

 

City life AGAIN.  I’m back and it’s cool!