So, what shall we do?

As we mature to become a developed nation, we enjoy the progress and the growth the status gives us. However, there is a dark side, which if not address, might effect ALL Malaysians. 

Developing the nation, indirectly means we work more and as an effect of that we spend less time doing other activities, like exercising. A busy schedule mixed with limited locations, don't help to provide healthy selection of foods. 

Therefore day in day out, we are moving into a down ward spiral of becoming an unhealthy nation. 

Apparently in 1994, there was only, 14.4% of Malaysians that were overweight and obese. In 2004, the numbers went up to 44.4%. That's an increase of 250%. Now, I think we might be about 50%, which means where ever you look, 1/2 will be overweight or obese.

As we continue this way, our risk of diseases increases as well. When the risk of diseases increase, other costs, e.g. insurance or medical bills increases as well. The increase of this cost will be put back to us in the form of higher premiums, higher medical or medicine bills or even poorer service in hospitals or clinics. 

Government will have to do more, which means also to reduce allocation from other expenditures, which indirectly means increase in expenditure for us. The increase of all the expenditures only shrinks our ringgit. 

So, what do we do? 

Meet the New Employees.

We recently conducted a program for the regulators of the telecommunication and multimedia industry. We conducted their induction program. During this program, the participants were given the awareness of the current market place and how the business environment is right now. 

It was the 4th batch for this organization. For this induction program, all the participants were less than 6 months in the organization. Being all new, there was a significant difference between this program and the first 3 programs. 

To begin with, the overall energy of all of them were so much higher. That made them participate well. Being energetic boosted better team spirit. 

They were more open to learning and took more notes than all the other classes. Although there were not many questions during the class, however there were many small group discussions where they were debating about what they have learnt. 

During one of the small group discussion, I discovered that these new employees look forward to work and their spirits are high. They are personally motivated and they want to achieve a lot in their lives. They are also very driven and want the organization to be successful because that's where they want to leave their mark. 

Being with such highly spirited team of people, I felt a morale booster within myself. It was a good reminder why I'm doing whatever I'm doing and it made me recharge my personal motivation battery. 

So, the next time you get to know there's an induction program going on at the workplace, make an effort to meet the new employees. Even if you can't offer any advice, spent the time absorbing the positive vibes. 

Additional 3 questions.

In a recent workshop that we had with an organization that managers and administers the medical claims of corporate clients’, I discovered that organization face many challenges in facilitating the changes that they want to see. 

Here are 3 questions organization should add into the list of questions they ask when they manage changes. 

Do all parties have a clear understanding on what exactly is expected of them?

Most of the time, the ones at the top can see where to take the organization and sell their idea to the rest of the team. Many see the big picture but fail to translate into actionable efforts. 

Are the leaders/managers facing the brutal facts or are they trying to ostrich their heads into the ground and hoping the problem will just pass?

In facilitating these challenges, there will be moments of complete uncertainty. Being honest and admitting ones weakness is better than trying to be brutal or by giving motivation talks. 

How to get the team to see the big picture while going thru the operation struggles? To begin with, it's better if the leader makes his decision with the intellect rather than being rash because along the way his men will be tired and demotivated and will look for him as a source for direction and encouragement. 

When facilitating change, organization need to ask the right questions in order to get to the right answers. Once they are confident with the answers, they shouldn't stop there but to keep asking questions to have a clearer answer.