Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, this is a season for giving and sharing - and as we reflect on the year or look forward to well-deserved bonuses, promotions and vacations, my thoughts also turn to the people whose passion for their work have inspired me.
Some of the most inspiring people are found in the most unlikely places at the most unexpected times. My very first tribute goes to caregivers around the world, especially the selfless relatives, doctors and nurses who have supported us, my mom-in-law and the family through this challenging time. Special acknowledgment to the Singapore Hospice Council and the Lien Foundation for launching the Life Before Death campaign.
Fortune's 50 Most Powerful Women in Business photo feature includes a few of my career heroines: Indra Nooyi (Pepsi), Andrea Jung (Avon), Anne Sweeney (Discover), Ann Moore (TIME), Shelly Lazarus (Ogilvy), Mary Minnick (CocaCola) and Colleen Goggins (J&J).
Despite choosing the corporate path for 7 years now, I often contemplate moving into the public service, NGO or nonprofit realm - first as an undergrad economics TA/RA, again when I collaborated with the United Nations and the World Bank throughout my MBA, and most recently while debating a career switch after we relocated to Asia. Maybe I will take the plunge someday, but in the meantime, these are two role models who've successfully leveraged their business expertise and experience for the greater good.
Elizabeth Littlefield. Formerly a managing director at JPMorgan in their capital markets division, she now serves as a World Bank director and CEO of the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor, a consortium of public and private development agencies working together to expand access to financial services for the poor in developing countries.
Jeff Skoll. The former eBay president wanted to be a writer as a youth. Today, he's founded - inter alia - the Skoll Foundation which links up with Oxford's Saïd Business School to invest in promising social entrepreneurs; and Participant Productions, that has brought us Syriana, Good Night, and Good Luck and An Inconvenient Truth.
A little light reading on for profit v. public/nonprofit trade-offs:
Doing well and doing good (Economist)
What's wrong with profit? (New York Times)
The power of philanthropy (Fortune Magazine/CNN Money)
When is being good not good enough? (Forbes)
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Our Asian heroes
Looking back at 2006, there's much for Asians to be proud of. As long as we don't let success get to our heads, 2007 looks promising!
Not only did we survive countless natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, hurricanes) this year, several individuals also gained prominence in the global arena. Mohammad Yunus became the first businessman to win the coveted Nobel Prize for Peace for his pioneering efforts with Grameen Bank in microcredit. Ban Ki-Moon was sworn in as the next United Nations Secretary General (apparently with a healthy dose of humour) at a critical time when the UN needs to restore trust, rebuild its image and regain some semblance of authority. Upon successfully combating the SARS and bird flu epidemic, Margaret Chan was elected as the next Director-General of the World Health Organization with a renewed focus on health in Africa and women's health.
Coincidentally, TIME just published a special feature on 60 Years of Asian Heroes (see below). Check it out for familiar and maybe new Asians who've made their mark as nation builders, artists and thinkers, business leaders, artists and explorers, and overall inspirations. Is there anyone not on the list who should be?
Asians are making waves in Hollywood as well. Ang Lee became the first Asian to win a Best Director Academy Award for Brokeback Mountain, a film which transcended myriad cultural and social boundaries. Don't forget the outstanding quintet of Asian actresses - Sandra Oh, Lucy Liu, Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh. Then there's Yul Kwon (click L photo below for Entertainment Weekly's interview), the Stanford/Yale/McKinsey alum, who won over viewers, critics and the castaways of Survivor: Cook Island - and rising star Masi Oka (click on R photo below for New York Times feature), a TIME Asian American whiz kid, who secured a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe nomination for his work in the hit new TV series Heroes. See these LJ tags for more of my thoughts on Survivor and Heroes.
We've heard about Yao Ming, Tiger Woods, Se Ri Pak and Fu Mingxia - all leaders in their respective sports fields. This year, younger athletes have emerged as their proteges such as Grace Park who drove the Asian golfers to victory (see below) over the International Team led by Annika Sorenstam at Singapore's recent 2006 Lexus Cup. And lastly, there's my personal heroine from my hometown and favourite sport: Nicol David, the world #1 women's squash player who together with compatriot Ong Beng Hee (also a Penangite) swept the squash gold medals at the 15th Doha Asian Games.
Not only did we survive countless natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, hurricanes) this year, several individuals also gained prominence in the global arena. Mohammad Yunus became the first businessman to win the coveted Nobel Prize for Peace for his pioneering efforts with Grameen Bank in microcredit. Ban Ki-Moon was sworn in as the next United Nations Secretary General (apparently with a healthy dose of humour) at a critical time when the UN needs to restore trust, rebuild its image and regain some semblance of authority. Upon successfully combating the SARS and bird flu epidemic, Margaret Chan was elected as the next Director-General of the World Health Organization with a renewed focus on health in Africa and women's health.
Coincidentally, TIME just published a special feature on 60 Years of Asian Heroes (see below). Check it out for familiar and maybe new Asians who've made their mark as nation builders, artists and thinkers, business leaders, artists and explorers, and overall inspirations. Is there anyone not on the list who should be?
Asians are making waves in Hollywood as well. Ang Lee became the first Asian to win a Best Director Academy Award for Brokeback Mountain, a film which transcended myriad cultural and social boundaries. Don't forget the outstanding quintet of Asian actresses - Sandra Oh, Lucy Liu, Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh. Then there's Yul Kwon (click L photo below for Entertainment Weekly's interview), the Stanford/Yale/McKinsey alum, who won over viewers, critics and the castaways of Survivor: Cook Island - and rising star Masi Oka (click on R photo below for New York Times feature), a TIME Asian American whiz kid, who secured a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe nomination for his work in the hit new TV series Heroes. See these LJ tags for more of my thoughts on Survivor and Heroes.
We've heard about Yao Ming, Tiger Woods, Se Ri Pak and Fu Mingxia - all leaders in their respective sports fields. This year, younger athletes have emerged as their proteges such as Grace Park who drove the Asian golfers to victory (see below) over the International Team led by Annika Sorenstam at Singapore's recent 2006 Lexus Cup. And lastly, there's my personal heroine from my hometown and favourite sport: Nicol David, the world #1 women's squash player who together with compatriot Ong Beng Hee (also a Penangite) swept the squash gold medals at the 15th Doha Asian Games.
Congratulations! YOU are TIME's Person of the Year
Welcome to the hallowed ranks of Adolf Hitler, Ayatollah Khomeini, Bill Clinton and George Bush!
Either the TIME Magazine staff have all left on early holidays or rather than "seek out great examples, they chose the mostly weird and embarassing ones" (per this WSJ Op-Ed piece). Or we can just relish the fact that we're truly "the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or for ill" this year. Still, this tribute to the power of the people in today's Information Age should give this self-confessed geek, my fellow techie colleagues and each of you - my virtual friends, much glee. Geeks rule! More at my geek blog here.
PS - The cast of my fave TV show, Heroes, has also been recognized as one of TIME's People Who Mattered in 2006. Reaction and discussion here.
For seizing the reigns of the global media, for founding and framing the new digital democracy, for working for nothing and beating the pros at their own game, TIME's Person of the Year for 2006 is you.TIME's latest cover story cites Wikipedia, YouTube and MySpace (errm?!) as three examples of the success of Web 2.0, the internet's latest social experiment.
Either the TIME Magazine staff have all left on early holidays or rather than "seek out great examples, they chose the mostly weird and embarassing ones" (per this WSJ Op-Ed piece). Or we can just relish the fact that we're truly "the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or for ill" this year. Still, this tribute to the power of the people in today's Information Age should give this self-confessed geek, my fellow techie colleagues and each of you - my virtual friends, much glee. Geeks rule! More at my geek blog here.
PS - The cast of my fave TV show, Heroes, has also been recognized as one of TIME's People Who Mattered in 2006. Reaction and discussion here.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Addicted to Heroes
While skyping a friend in NYC today, I realized that I haven't blogged here in a while. Real life has been pretty predictable (job interviews - which are now officially over, in-law visits, birthdays, weddings, parties and the occasional outings). But the main reason why I've evidently forsaken you all for my Live Journal geeks is because a certain TV series called Heroes has eaten my brain. If you've not seen it on NBC, SciFi or Global TV, check it out! (If you don't have access, let me know). Both the hubby and I are hooked and think it's one of the best new TV series this season - certainly better than the local programming via Starhub. BTW, if you're already a fan, come join our discussion over here.
Update: And evidently, the media critics agree! Heroes - in the middle of its first season - is already up for several awards and nominations from the Golden Globes, Writers Guild Association and American Film Institute. See more details here.
Here's an introductory trailer:
The Heroes premise is an age old one: "What if, in times of profound global duress, Mother Nature created new forms of life to deal with it?" Each episode this season tracks how ordinary folks around the world discover and learn to control their unique gifts. While it's a serialized drama with supernatural elements (think Lost, X-Men or the 4400), what sets it apart are the ways in which each character is introduced and how the plot unravels when their stories unfold and cross. In Heroes, there are no black and white characters or easy decisions, and I found the end result endearingly real, fresh and fun. The proof is in the numbers: Heroes has raked in 15-16 million viewers each week, making it the most watched new TV show among all the US networks since its premiere. Broadcast rights will no doubt be snapped up by global networks before the first season is over, if the BBC's latest move is any indication.
Update: And evidently, the media critics agree! Heroes - in the middle of its first season - is already up for several awards and nominations from the Golden Globes, Writers Guild Association and American Film Institute. See more details here.
Here's an introductory trailer:
The Heroes premise is an age old one: "What if, in times of profound global duress, Mother Nature created new forms of life to deal with it?" Each episode this season tracks how ordinary folks around the world discover and learn to control their unique gifts. While it's a serialized drama with supernatural elements (think Lost, X-Men or the 4400), what sets it apart are the ways in which each character is introduced and how the plot unravels when their stories unfold and cross. In Heroes, there are no black and white characters or easy decisions, and I found the end result endearingly real, fresh and fun. The proof is in the numbers: Heroes has raked in 15-16 million viewers each week, making it the most watched new TV show among all the US networks since its premiere. Broadcast rights will no doubt be snapped up by global networks before the first season is over, if the BBC's latest move is any indication.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Democracy is alive and kickin'
Since I've blogged about politics in Singapore and Malaysia, I thought I should say something about the recent midterm elections in the US. So I started rambling about voters who exercise their rights to show the world how democracy can work; checks and balances in a bicameral Congress that has both House (population) and Senate (state) representation; accompanied by a tirade about politicians who dither in their indecisiveness, who abuse faith and patriotism to justify their actions, who overpromise and underdeliver, shooting themselves and others in the foot along the way. As Henry Kissinger once said: "Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation."
But y'know, a song speaks better than a thousand words, certainly any of mine! Hence, I will just say this: "Thank you, US voters, for saving our collective asses" (If it sounds familiar, you're a BSG fan). I'll now leave you with Shut Up and Sing by the Dixie Chicks (trailer below):
And Not Ready To Make Nice, the longest running #1 VHS single in 2006 (lyrics here and music video below):
But y'know, a song speaks better than a thousand words, certainly any of mine! Hence, I will just say this: "Thank you, US voters, for saving our collective asses" (If it sounds familiar, you're a BSG fan). I'll now leave you with Shut Up and Sing by the Dixie Chicks (trailer below):
And Not Ready To Make Nice, the longest running #1 VHS single in 2006 (lyrics here and music video below):
Sunday, November 05, 2006
When hai gui 海归 become hai dai 海待
Since I stopped travelling on projects, I finally began to look for a new job in Singapore. I was warned that the process could be mind numbingly slow here (3-6 months), given the time of year, the small market and niche that Singapore occupies vis-à-vis the rest of Asia, my decision to switch out of a consulting/finance career, and the lower compensation that comes along with it. All of the above did come to light, but what I didn't expect and didn't fully appreciate, were the occasionally unreasonable biases that overseas returnees like myself would face after spending years abroad.
Many Asian cities have seen a reverse brain drain in recent years. In the past, overseas students like my hubby, siblings and I would find a job and settle abroad in pursuit of greener pastures. Many still do but a growing number don't - trading in their foreign education and experience for unique opportunities at home. This wave of returnees are dubbed hai gui (海归), a pun on the sea turtles (海龟) that swim to home shores to lay their eggs. As the returnees failed to find good work, they became hai dai (海待) or floating seaweed (海带).
It's a shame to see this negative phenomenon in cities like Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong where a meeting of supply and demand is not only needed, but beneficial for both sides. Overseas returnees are perceived as arrogant, unrealistic in their expectations and unfamiliar with the Asian market. Furthermore, locally-based companies claim to be more pragmatic than foreign companies, in that they demand "value for money," hence, every new hire must have what it takes to do the job from the get-go. A few local managers and headhunters have also admitted that it's hard for overseas returnees to fit in given their brash manners, awkward accents and foreign outlooks. There might be a sliver of truth in these arguments BUT:
Related articles of interest:
Many Asian cities have seen a reverse brain drain in recent years. In the past, overseas students like my hubby, siblings and I would find a job and settle abroad in pursuit of greener pastures. Many still do but a growing number don't - trading in their foreign education and experience for unique opportunities at home. This wave of returnees are dubbed hai gui (海归), a pun on the sea turtles (海龟) that swim to home shores to lay their eggs. As the returnees failed to find good work, they became hai dai (海待) or floating seaweed (海带).
It's a shame to see this negative phenomenon in cities like Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong where a meeting of supply and demand is not only needed, but beneficial for both sides. Overseas returnees are perceived as arrogant, unrealistic in their expectations and unfamiliar with the Asian market. Furthermore, locally-based companies claim to be more pragmatic than foreign companies, in that they demand "value for money," hence, every new hire must have what it takes to do the job from the get-go. A few local managers and headhunters have also admitted that it's hard for overseas returnees to fit in given their brash manners, awkward accents and foreign outlooks. There might be a sliver of truth in these arguments BUT:
- Arrogance goes both ways. Some locals might feel envious of/intimidated by overseas returnees or have a misplaced superiority complex given Asia's rapid growth. This is particularly true for those who lack exposure to the global economy or racial, political and cultural diversity.
- Manage risk, not avoid it. The world's best companies don't use pragmatic as an excuse for being risk adverse. Instead, they compete by reinventing themselves, attracting and recruiting diverse talent with both potential and experience.
- Protectionism and colonialism alienate the wrong people. Not only do overseas returnees deserve the same respect and acceptance accorded to both locally born-and-bred folks as well as foreigners, they possess the understanding and ability to bridge these "we know best" and "white is right" camps.
Related articles of interest: