Asian Tiger

Depending on how your performance is measured, there are a few ways to survive the dreaded appraisal period.

If your company uses balance scorecard and measurable KPIs for performance appraisal, you have no choice but to make sure you perform consistently.  Most balance scorecard that I have seen have a month to month measurement, so, you have a chance to buck up towards the end of every month to make sure you meet your KPIs.

If your company use the traditional once-a-year-superior-subordinate-mark-your-performance-based-on-how-much-the-superior-can-remember, you are in luck.  Most superiors can only remember 3 months into the past.  So, if you know that your appraisal is in June, just make sure you work hard from April onwards.  Try to recall your previous appraisals, think back about what your superior said; is it not true that he/she only mentions recent events - good or bad?

During your appraisal, just make sure you smile, dress proper, be extremely courteous and agree with what your boss says.  Compliment him/her whenever he/she mentions good points and take note when negative views are given.  Don’t create a scene and don’t make your boss angry or frustrated.  Most bosses will only recommend for promotion or salary adjustment after the face-to-face appraisal.  So, don’t piss him/her off.

Some bosses prefer to write in pencil and have you sign off the appraisal form in pen.  If this happens to you, it’s time to look for a job.

I look around me and there are many eligible bachelors and bachelorettes who have passed their thirties and have yet to settled into a relationship, let alone marriage.  Many of these are my personal and childhood friends whom I have grown up with.  Somehow, they seem very happy and contented to remain status quo as far as their bachelorhood are concerned.

This trend of “enjoy first, marriage second” seems to be a national issue as well; not surprisingly, giving rise to matchmaking service businesses. Perhaps it is perceived that these group of individuals fail to get into a relationship because of of their inability to get dates but frankly, the friends that I have are all well to do, handsome, beautiful and professionals.

Assuming that this circle of friends that I have all have the attitude of “enjoy first, marriage/family later”, then please allow me to forewarn that the older we get, the longer we have to work to support our young children.  Let’s just take an example of say, John.  Let’s assume that John gets married when he is 35 and Mrs John conceives a child and the following series of events:

• John Jr is born - John is 36.
• John Jr goes to primary school at age 7 - John is 43
• John Jr goes to secondary school at age 13 - John is 49
• John Jr completes secondary school at age 17 - John is 53
• John Jr enters higher secondary school and completes at age 19 - John is 55 (retirement age in Malaysia)
• John Jr completed university at age 24 - John is 60

John will have to work beyond his retirement age just to support his child to complete the necessary education and by that time, John is already 60.  That is only the first child.  What if John has 3 children? How long does he have to work to support his kids?  Worrying, isn’t it?

Lesley came home from the United States for good. With her, she brought in a container load of furnitures, electronic goods and other belongings. I helped her unpack and for the first time, I saw what a dishwasher looks like. I’ve never seen one before nor do I know how to operate it. Lesley wanted to demonstrate how the Maytag dishwasher worked and plugged the power right in. She switched on and there was this whirling sound followed by smoke. Yeah, you guessed it right, the dishwasher operates on 110 volts while Malaysia’s juice runs at 240 volts.

Lesley shook her head and asked me where she could get some Maytag parts. I replied “Maytag what? Here where got sell Maytag brand?” The best bet was to search online but who would know which spare part to purchase. Importing involve not only the spare part cost but also the shipping, handling and insurance. On top of that, you probably need to clear customs.

Lesley discarded the dishwasher and have now resorted to good old fashion hand wash. So, if you are bringing home electrical goods, check the voltage before using it. It might save you from a little shock, literally.