Visit to Cape Cod

I had a four days break from the hectic AMP course in Harvard. Most of them went home either in US or to Europe. Some of them their family came down and they went on tour in US. Me and other three guys (Martin from Germany, Rob from UK and Alekh from Qatar) went to Cape Cod, south-west of Boston facing the Atlantic Ocean. They have booked the rooms earlier but a last minute decision for me. I just called the hotel and gave my credit card number and it's all set. We rented a car, Martin drove, though only after 1/2 hour going around the Boston city we managed to find our way out of Boston city on to the highway 93. Nobody told me about the place we are going and what we expect to see there. Provincetown is well known for something that I will tell u later. The only thing that I knew was, it's facing the Atlantic Ocean, having nice beaches, good sea-food and whale watching. We left at 2.30 pm on Saturday 26/4/2008 and arrived in Provincetown at 5.00 pm. It's a small resort town. Most of the houses and motels are kind of run down. Some seem to be abandoned for quite sometimes and either need repair or painting. I was told that during off-tourists period the population is only 3,000 and during peak period in summer the population can go up to 50,000. During night time at 8.00 pm its empty and only four of us are there, and of course there is one or two homeless guys. The only place u can see people are in the bars.

It's kind a easy to find the motel which we have booked since it is the only red color motel in that town. It's called the Black Pearl Inn. The picture below shows the Inn. Wow like the movie - Psycho


When we went inside the Inn to register, there was a mexican guy and he led us the way. I was surprised and amazed. I go.... "My god, what kinda place is this". The walls are full of photos of naked men. I just put my hands on my mouth and kept moving. We registered and took our keys to the rooms. Once outside, we were all laughing. Apparently, the owner is a gay. Then, my fren Martin told the whole thing, which he knew earlier about Provincetown through internet and friends. Its actually a popular gay town. Most of the motels, bars and shops are owned by gays. Massachusetts is the only state in US where partners of the same sex ( species) can legally marry. So its seems that all gays and lesbian moved to this resort town to settle down. (Apparently, Malaysian gays should visit this place). That night, I locked my door and slept with the room light on - takut..... not the ghost but.... . Next morning, my friends told me they did they same thing. hahahahahahha..

In the town the road is quite narrow, similar to the old Malacca town. This town too, was first founded by the Portugese and later the British took over. You can see men and men holding hands walking past by you. Most of the people walk with their dogs. My friend said people here don't have kids, so they tend to have dogs. There are men dressed like women - transvestites singing at the roadside and in the bars. I met the gay guy Carlos from Brazil but now settled here working in a restaurant. (By the way, I'm a straight guy, to put things in perspective before u make other conclusions).

We went to eat at a well-know restaurant in the town - The Loster Pot. Ummmmmph..walaaaaa, the taste of huge lobster grilled with butter.

On Sunday we went on a Whale watching trip. We took a ferry at 10.00 am and the ferry took us into the open sea. We spotted whales, dolphins and birds. It's fun, once in a life-time (don't know will experience it again) 3 hrs trip. The whales came near the boat and it's breath really stinks. they are huge 16 feet long. Its amazing they jump out of the water - the whole body up in the air.

On monday, on the way back to Boston, we visited Hyanis - a smalltown where JFK and his family lived. It seems this his parents place and during summer vacation he comes over here. We visited the JFK meseum in the town and learned more about JFK's life. I admire JFK

Here are some of his famous quotes:

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names."

"If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich"

"If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity."

Irwan's quote: Everyday u experience new things in life. Each thing has a meaning to your life.

My Mum Passed Away - I'm in Boston

Today, at 9.00pm eastern time, 11 April 2008, my mum passed away. She has not been well couple of years back, having heart problems, diabetes and high blood pressure. She has also been going in and out of hospital for the past one year. I have been receivng calls from Malaysia but could not answer since I was in a lecture and the phone was in silent mode. Then, during lunch break at 1.00 pm Boston time (1.00 am Malaysian time) I called my sister and she told me that mum passed away. I was shocked and speechless. I have to make quick decision whether to go home to Malaysia or stay back and finished the AMP course in Havard. I told my sister I'am not coming back and told my brother-in-law to arrange for the funeral. The reason I am writing this in my blog not to justify my decision out of guilt but to tell my mum, I really love her. Hope, she understands me.

Even before deciding to come to Boston to attend the Harvard course, I have been giving serious thoughts about the whole idea of coming to AMP course and what if something happens to my mum. Infact, she has been admmitted to hospital couple of times this year and last year too. Even last year I came to New York for 10 days. Nobody can decide on death. Before coming to Boston, I visited her in Ipoh (100 miles from KL). I didnt tell her I'm coming to Boston, because I dont want her to worry. I always advised her to be courageful and tell her couple of times we are old and everybody will have sickness. I advised her to take things easy. Of course, you can say thousand of words but she feels the pain of sickness.

I'm in a delima. I have to decide fast. Whether to go home and attend the funeral or just stay in Boston and finish the AMP course. If I decide to come back it will take more than 24 hours on one hand and I will be missing AMP on the other hand. I have lost my mum already but I dont want to lose AMP too. So I decided not to attend the funeral on 12 April 2008. Tough decision and life has to go on.

Mum forgive me. I love u forever.
Irwan
Boston, 4.00 pm 11/4/2008

Harvard Business School-The way forward

I have mentioned in the previous entry, that all the different depts and programs will at the same time on 8 April 2008 analyse the same case studywhen celebrating the centennial occasion. The case study given to us titled: HBS in 2008. Harvard Business School (HBS) has made its named since it was established 100 years ago. The scope and type of programs they offered changed over time. HBS continued to be ranked among the top business schools in the world. As Jay Light, the ninth dean of HBS said: The world is changing around us in significant ways, and this is a period of extraordinary opportunity. Exactly how we anticipate, respond or adapt to - even embrace- some of these changes is not yet clear.

The reason I am writing this in my blog, it's a critical moment in history of HBS whether to go global in terms of the their presence and physical operations. Other world class universities have opened up branch campuses all over the world, even Oxford did. Is it wise for HBS to continue to hold back and not opening up in world of tremendous dynamics and globalization.

Why should HBS go global? Is it for money or recognition and competition? Is it to provide more opportunities to people far in the middle and east to attend harvard programs? These are issues I would be discussing in this entry.

HBS is a unique entity, which has been in existence since 1908. It has been recognized as a world class school of business with alumini holding important/senior positions in private, public and even non-governmental organizations. You have have to publicise, everybody knows Harvard. If not why more than 30 countries send thier particpants to this AMP 174 program.

Money - Harvard has USD 3 billion in its account and it does need to go overseas to make money. It can expand its campuses here and offer more places. Even the number number of applicants to MBA programs is overhelming that in 2008 only 15% of the total applicants were admitted to HBS. That means you don't have to go overseas for students.

There are already initiatives to oranganise Harvard courses overseas, especially in China and India. China and India are booming economically and they need more managers and leaders. Is it the right move for HBS to go into this country? Like I said HBS in itself is unique and has its self esteem and respect. If you started opening-up you are going to deteriorate this. Let Stanford or Oxford to open-up but not HBS. The quality and the facutly available wont be the same. Its like eating Mcdee in Indonesia. Obiviously, not all the quality and respected faculty members wont be teaching in these overseas branches. The other aspect, currently, only top notch students are accepted in HBS program. If we allow opening-up then the second and third tier students will enter in these programs making the quality of students graduating to deteriorate.

The other aspect, HBS currenty alloted yearly 33 % of the total admission to international students. This is sufficient to provide opportunities for overseas students to enter HBS. They can come to HBS in Boston and learn in a different environment. The learning culture is entirely different.

Bringing the best around the world to HBS, will create pool of talent and quality researches carried out as in the past. With migration and competition for faculty members, will eventualy deteriorate research activities.

The HBS faculty members arguement seems to be that HBS should move forward to be present in the overseas markets and dont miss the boat.

Lastly, I said to my group 61 members- I dont wanna be crying from heaven or hell ( will be crying anyway if in the hell) seeing HBS going down the drain.

AMP174, HBS - 5.45am Room 61-3

7 April 2008

During the actual discussions on this paper on 8 April 2008, I commented " Peter Drucker, the father of modern management said " Dont follow what others do but do what is important for u" I carried on and said "Monalisa a unique painting by Leonardo da Vinci... but now u go to every corner of the globe u can buy Monalisa for 3 US dollar. The same thing with Mc donald u can find it every corner of the globe - it looks the same but taste different" Prof.Tushman Director of AMP interrupted - what's your point Irwan. I said "You need to strengthen Harvard here in Boston, maintain the Brand and uniqueness, you have lots of money so profit is not the motive, you are not looking for quantity but for quality. So be reasonable in size but produce high quality individuals"

8 April 2008

Harvard Business School (HBS)- AMP 174- Room 61-3

Its been one week at HBS attending the Advanced Management Program (AMP 174). This year apparently, HBS is celebrating its 100th birthday(centennial celebration as known here). Tuesday, 8 April, lots of activities being scheduled for the celebration. Among which all the faculties in HBS will be analysing the same case study at the same time, be it in the MBA program, under grad or AMP. Great. A bit about my AMP 174 program (174 becos this is the 174th batch).There are a total of 160 participants from all over the globe, from more than 30 countries and from all kind of orgnaisations, private companies and public institutions. The 160 participants were divided into two groups (80 per lecture hall). Each of us again, were grouped into what they call the Living Groups, consisting of 8 person per group. This 8 were placed in the executive rooms. My group is on the sixth floor and my room number is 61-3 (group 61 room 3). The bed room is so small enough to put your bags and sleep on the bed with an attached bath room. The reason being, they don't want you to read alone in your room but spend most of the time with your Living Group in the living hall which is much-much bigger with all the sophisticated facilities with food, drinks, tv, computers and printers.

Last week, on Thusrday we had our Living Group Acceleration day where each group sort have ice-breaking event with lots of activities together, with a consultant facilitating us all the way. Well, for the next seven weeks, I will be spending most of my time we this seven new found frens in HBS. I will be with them day and night. They are Pedro (from Portugal but a CEO of a company in Poland), Karl (German guy ( he looks fierce like a typical older generation Germans) now permanently living in US as CFO in a company), Riaz ( French living in Canada), Steve (from US typical american who cant leave his basketball, baseball and american football games on tv), Alec (the youngest from Hong Kong), Lucio (sounds Luchio not lusio similar to the late Luciano Pavaroti (not sure whether correct spelling)) from Australia. He was born in Italy moved to South Africa, England and migrated to Australia and lastly, the only lady in the group, Trish ( US lady) very friendly and understanding. The guys, as any american and european, like wine and beer. She bought a crate of beers and bottles of wine this morning. They are gonna party every nite but they work hard too. Group discussions start after dinner at 7.30 and goes up until 12 to 1 am. Last night, saturday night, Pedro took us to a Portugese restaurant in Boston. Great...i had a grilled cod fish. emm walaaa...they drank wine and beer and shouted ........saaallutte... in Portugese.

Coming back to the AMP course, its too demanding. Everyday there are 3 case studies given and u need to discuss with your group and followed by the lectures on the subject the whole day. Group discussions is crucial since you will argue and analyse each case study in your group to enable you to participate in the next day's lecture. You will hardly have time for yourselves. Anyway, as a Treasury and E-division officer who is so used to pressures and stress, I think i can manage this. Same goes to anyone in E-division. I think Mala wouldnt face any problem in her DPA course (kacang ajer). Anyway, kelakar tengok Mala dlm uniform Bomba.... enjoy and enjoy... girl.

Reminder, in any course we attend, while we work hard, we must always enjoy each and every moment... if u don't enjoy then u will suffer and have unnecessary pressures and stress. If you encounter problem talk to your buddies..me luckily in HBS , i have Pedro..same kepala...

1.20 pm Boston

Flying to Harvard

Its been months since I open my blog. I was really busy before and after election. I will be leaving for Harvard Business School on sunday for 2 months to attend the Advanced Management Course. Really looking forward and hope to learn new things. Christine has left for UK, so no more close fren to argue and punch each other. Mala has gone for her DPA course for six months, where as other girls like Nirmal, Vicky and of course, the Psychogirl, we seldom meet to talk. So no new developments in the office. So its kind of dry dan dull. However, work has to go on. Lots of papers to prepare. Luckily, there are experinced people like Loy, Kupps, Lim, Thurga, Siva and Sundaran. Thanks to them.

Two months is a longtime but as usual time goes by without you realizing it. I hope to write more often during my days at Harvard.

Mental Chemistry

I have not been writing for the whole January 2008. It was a busy month, with lots of work and weddings to attend. It’s already the beginning of a new year, moving fast and without realizing, it’s already February. Another cycle of life for this year – hope new things will happen in my life. Christine came back but will be leaving soon for U.K. I will surely miss her. Lately, I have not been communicating well with her, always arguing about things. Hope she will be successful in her work in the U.K. Marmalade used to say you won’t treasure a person when they are near to you but you will when they are not with u anymore. By the way, Marmalade is also leaving for six month course. Good friends are all going far away. The same thing happened more than a year ago, Noorul went to WB for a period of two years.

You don’t meet or easily get to know good friends. Most of them would like to take advantage of you. But lucky me, some of whom I mentioned their names above are good friends. Good friends are rare species. You need good friends with the same mental chemistry (although Tresna (the lover) and Marmalade (the warrior) do not agree with this term – according to them there is no such thing as mental chemistry). Mental chemistry means the mindset, thinking pattern, knowledge that can all be tuned together among friends or can tolerated by each other. If there is an argument or disagreement, it would not lead to confrontation but would be more of a professional discourse.

You don’t have this kind of friends. Most friends want to put through their views, preferences and ideas. There is no more team spirit or oneness in thinking wavelength. It’s more of an individualistic approach and self-centred. In this kind of environment friends will each fight for glory and success without caring for others and even to the extent of backstabbing close friends.

It’s no more mental chemistry, it’s mental torture.

Penghijrahan Minda Menentukan Kemajuan Kelantan

Saya telah menjadi ahli panel pengulas dalam seminar mengenai pembangunan Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur (ECER) anjuran Majlis Kemajuan Kelantan (MKK) pada 3 Februari 2008. Seminar berkenaan telah dihadiri kebanyakkannya anak Kelantan yang terdiri daripada ahli politik dan akademik, golongan professional, komuniti perniagaan dan pegawai Kerajaan. Saya terpanggil untuk menulis supaya lebih ramai rakyat Kelantan mahupun yang menetap di Kelantan atau yang tinggal di negeri lain serta yang menetap di luar Negara untuk sama-sama merenung mengenai ECER dan masa hadapan negeri Kelantan.

Kerajaan Pusat melalui Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMKe9) mengumumkan pembangunan kawasan-kawasan koridor, termasuk ECER bukan sahaja untuk mengurangkan jurang pembangunan di antara kawasan bahkan untuk meningkatkan taraf sosio-ekonomi penduduk setempat. Kerajaan Pusat akan menyediakan suasana yang kondusif seperti infrastruktur yang mencukupi serta jentera pentadbiran kerajaan yang efisyen supaya sektor swasta dapat membangun dan menjana pertumbuhan kawasan koridor ini.

Kalau kita lihat negeri Kelantan khususnya, data-data mengenai pembangunan negeri Kelantan yang lalu adalah tidak begitu mengalakkan menunjukkan perbandingan di antara semua negeri Kelantan mempunyai kadar pertumbuhan ekonomi yang paling rendah iaitu 3.3% - 2001-2005 dan di anggarkan 5.2 % bagi tempoh 2006 -2010. Walaupun kadar kemiskinan terus dikurangkan kepada 10.6 peratus di Kelantan pada tahun 2004 namun ianya tinggi berbanding 5.7% bagi Negara secara keseluruhannya.

Dari segi jumlah projek sektor pembuatan yang diluluskan di negeri kelantan adalah hanya 40 drp jumlah 4,807 projek bagi Malaysia bagi tempoh 2001-2005. Semua data ini boleh diperolehi dalam dokumen RMKe9


Oleh itu, usaha yang sepadu harus diambil untuk membangunkan negeri Kelantan supaya tidak ketinggalan. Kerajaan Negeri pada masa ini tidak mampu membawa perubahan dan pertumbuhan. Namun dengan ECER adalah diharapkan pertumbuhan yang besar dapat kecapi rakyat Kelantan. Untuk pembangunan ECER menjadi kenyataan dan memberi faedah maksimum kepada rakyat Kelantan maka beberapa langkah harus diambil oleh rakyat Kelantan sendiri:


1. Penghijrahan minda – rakyat Kelantan harus membuka minda pemikiran dan berubah supaya dapat lihat jauh akan manfaat pembangunan kepada anak cucu mereka sendiri. Pembangunan seumpama ini tidak menghilangkan hak dan kekuasaan anak tempatan tetapi dalam jangka masa sederhana dan panjang akan membawa kemajuan kepada rakyat dan negeri Kelantan. Oleh itu, usaha Kerajaan dalam memajukan kawasan ECER perlu mendapat sokongan padu daripada Rakyat Kelantan. Kalau tidak pembangunan ECER, terutamanya manfaat kepada negeri Kelantan tidak akan menjadi kenyataan.

2. Modal Insan adalah amat penting bagi membangun sesebuah wilayah atau negeri. Kelantan telah dan akan terus menghasilkan cerdik pandai (best brains) yang berjaya. Anak Kelantan ramai yang berjaya dalam pelbagai bidang termasuk dunia perniagaan, penyelidikan, pendidikan dan hiburan. Malangnya best-brain ini tidak menetap di Kelantan tetapi berhijrah ke negeri lain. Contohnya di lembah Kelang, Singapura dan Johor, malah ada yang menetap di luar negara. Tenaga kerja yang mahir dan berpengetahuan (knowledgeable and skilled workers) adalah prasyarat bagi pembangunan. Rakyat Kelantan yang telah berjaya ini sama-sama boleh menyumbang kepada pembangunan ECER.

3. Keperluan kepimpinan komited dan anggota pentadbiran berkaliber supaya segala perancangan dapat dilaksanakan tanpa sebarang halangan. Tanpa kepimpinan dan anggota pentadbiran yang forward looking dan bervisi pelaksanaan ECER akan menghadapi pelbagai cabaran, terutamanya di negeri Kelantan.


4. Pembangunan sesebuah kawasan memerlukan sistem infrastruktur dan kemudahan awam yang baik. Jalan raya mesti menghubungi setiap bandar serta kawasan perindustrian atau pertanian untuk tujuan pemasaran. Sistem yang tidak baik bukan sahaja melewatkan penghantaran barangan malah meningkat kos kendalian perniagaan dan kawasan tersebut menjadi tidak menarik kepada pelabur dan ahli perniagaan.

5. Kos kendalian perniagaan yang kompetitif adalah persoalan utama golongan peniaga. Permohonan seperti mendapatkan lesen dan hakmilik tanah mestilah diluluskan dengan kadar yang segera. Penyediaan bekalan air dan elektrik serta lain-lain kemudahan juga dibuat cepat.

6. Akhir sekali saya ingin menekan satu isu yang paling mustahak bagi negeri Kelantan khususnya ialah Agama. Pembangunan ECER mesti diasaskan mengikut ciri dan kehendak agama Islam. Projek dan program pembangunan dilandaskan kepada agama Islam. Bagi rakyat Kelantan pula, pembangunan ECER bukan bererti bertentangan dengan ajaran agama Islam. Islam adalah satu-satunya agama yang menyeluruh (all-encompassing) yang menyentuh mengenai kehidupan sementara di dunia ini untuk melengkapkan kita menghadapi hidup kekal diakhirat nanti - it’s a way of life. Kerana itu diturunkan Al-Quran untuk menjadi panduan supaya apa yang harus kita buat di dunia ini semasa kita hidup sekarang supaya hidup kita bahagia selamanya diakhirat. Orang Islam amat bertuah kerana ada Al-Quran yang dapat memandu kita dalam semua aspek hidup di dunia ini. Malangnya ramai yang tidak memahami sepenuhnya isi-maksud Al-Quran termasuk golongan cerdik pandai dan ulamak. Saya tekankan isu ini kerana tidak mahu ada pihak mengunakan agama untuk menolak pembangunan. Islam menyuruh kita buat kedua-duanya amal ibadat dan juga berusaha memajukan diri. Kalau kita berniaga atau menjadi pengusaha kita berusaha gigih mencari kekayaan tetapi mestilah dijalan yang benar. Kalau ramai yang berjaya maka zakat pun banyak dan kita boleh tolong lebih ramai. Disebaliknya, kalau kita semua miskin siapa hendak tolong kita.

Sebagai kesimpulan boleh dikatakan banyak faedah secara lansung dan tak lansung akan dinikmati oleh rakyat Kelantan hasil daripada pelaksanaan ECER. Antaranya, pembangunan negeri Kelantan secara terancang, taraf hidup rakyat ditingkatkan, peluang pekerjaan yang banyak dan ekonomi negeri yang lebih diversified. Dalam seminar berkenaan juga disaran ditubuhkan Virtual Kelantan dimana satu sistem on-line dibangunkan sebagai one-stop centre bagi pelabur dan juga database bagi pengusaha anak Kelantan dalam pelbagai bidang supaya keutamaan pembangunan negeri diberikan kepada anak tempatan.

Dengan ini, saya berdoa dan berharap usaha Kerajaan untuk memajukan kawasan ECER, khususnya negeri Kelantan akan menjadi kenyataan.

Note: I presented this article at the Seminar on ECER and I also sent the article to Utusan Malaysia to be published.