Statue of Tunku Abdul Rahman – Pearl International Hotel

Don’t rub your eyes, the statue does look edible instead of bronx.

Merdeka Costume Competition in Pearl Point.

I took the pictures two days ago during their rehearsal. They all have potentials to be professional models. Aren't they all cute?

Retail space locations and survival of business – a study. (Part 2 - Central Supermarket & Citrus Park).

Continue from my part 1, the close neighbor to the ‘Pearl Point Shopping Mall’ is the ‘Central Supermarket’. The supermarket itself as an anchor tenant is famous for its economical pricing of sundry items. The fully air-conditioned complex hosts a supermarket, a fish and vegetable markets, a ‘mamak’ and a ‘Malay’ restaurant, DIY hypermarket and many more retail outlets selling varieties from clothing to books and stationeries to florist. Evidently, the complex is successful in attracting shoppers even on weekdays.

My last observation was the third complex currently identified as the Citrus Park and well known as Parkson OUG (It was Kimisawa a long time ago when I was still a teenager). Compared with the first and second complexes, this one encompass different strategy as I can see that the management is establishing the complex more towards a ‘food/eatery heaven’ with lots of restaurants/diners setting up their business in the premise as the name implies. You can even find a Vietnamese cuisine there. The anchor tenant is Parkson (first and second floor) and ground floor is where ‘Giant Supermarket’ is located.

With the three complexes observed and studied, I personally think that those involve in retail businesses especially newcomers and small retailers are susceptible to complex surroundings and environment. Sometimes the architecture and design contribute to success or failure of retailers. Every so often shoppers complain of the costs of parking, visibility of shops or worst of all the inconvenience to shop in certain shopping complexes. So, as a retailer you have to consider all aspect in the respect of location before making a decision to open a retail shop.

Until next time, Hanafi is signing off.

Locations of retail space and survival of business - a study. (Part 1 - Pearl Point Shopping Mall).

Dear readers,
I know nothing about ‘feng shui’, however; I do believe location plays vital role in the success of a business. I suppose there are no ‘thumb rules’ in regards to pick the right location for your business but the characteristics of the location itself, design/architecture of the building and surrounding demographic factor counts a lot in attracting business. I guess a big part should nevertheless be contributed by the management of the premise to enhance attraction of shoppers.

Based on my observation around Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur, once a new building or shopping complex is facing death sentence it is very difficult to resuscitate hence it will be abandon eternally. These had happened to the ‘Best World’, the multimillion dollar ‘Water Front’ in Johor Bahru, the ‘World Wide’ building in Shah Alam and many more.

So where are you going to locate? Sorry, I dont have the answer. As a Muslim, I am not a superstitious neither that I have the ability of Donald Trump to explain, theorized and remedy a financial tragedy and transform a slump into upmarket Manhattan. However, I would like to suggest that before you decide on opening a retail shop please do a lot of research and avoid supporting your decision based only on ‘rental costs’ as you might incur higher costs of failing a business.

In the vicinity where I live (Jalan Klang Lama, OUG and Jalan Kuchai Lama), there are three major shopping complexes that we can study on ‘impact of location’ towards business survival. I will not conclude anything but we shall together ponder on the fate of rising and downfall of the retails glory of retailers of these three buildings which are predominantly occupied by Chinese retailers.

The first one is a retail, hotel and condo complex facing the main road of Jalan Kelang Lama. It is well known as Pearl International Hotel, quite a busy hotel famous with tourist and expatriates. Occupied in the same building (Pearl Point Shopping Mall) are the anchor retail tenant that is the Dhatti Supermarket on ground floor (formerly Jusco Supermarket), with other outlets like Domino Pizza, Watson, Guardian (first floor) and three stories of retail spaces. Most of the first floor is 40 percents occupied with only 20 to 30 percents occupation in second floor.

The second floor used to be full of ‘hand phone seller booths’ which have totally been gone nowadays. There are lots of disappearing act in the first and second floor which I am not definite that the current retailers status in remaining there. Currently there are 2 computer shops in second floor. Even on weekends you don’t get to see crowded shoppers unlike its neighbor ‘Pasaraya Central’ or the other one which is Citrus Park (well known as Parkson). If I am not mistaken, parking is around RM2.00 per hour which is still in higher price compared to the ‘Pasaraya Central’ which is only RM0.50 redeemable if you shop above RM20.00 over there.

Although the management of the building is actively doing lots of promotion like fashion and stage shows but with competition from neighboring complexes, the not so far away giant and modern ‘Mid Valley Megamall’, and hypermarkets in Bukit Jalil, it is very difficult for them even to attract residents around the area. When fate of retailers to survive is largely depending on shoppers, only the right kind of business will do well in the environment.

'E-procurement'and 'computer networking' trainings at Prescott Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

Sometimes when you least expected, the worse happen. My assistant was involved in a road accident, a week before my heavy schedule trainings that I have to conduct from middle of August till a week before end of August. I hope this explains my disappearance from blogging during the time.

Because of his unfortunate accident (I always pray he will get well as soon as possible), I have to do everything by myself from carrying 30 computers and notebooks, laserjet printers, LCD projectors and the rest of my training stuff from hotel to hotel and worse of all to lecture without an assistant. Fortunately, I was self trained to work hard when I started my small business years ago with very big determination.

The E-procurement class went surprisingly well with all the participants (mostly contractors and entrepreneurs) expressed very keen enthusiasm towards the subject matter and me perhaps, hehe. The Internet based subject was smoothly conducted especially with the ‘Izzipro’ that provides the connection. Towards the end of the class I taught them extra module (how to blog) and that was taken seriously by all the participants. We even made a pledge to make a community out of the class with En Bahar as the president and me as the advisor. I like the idea of community very much and I will put a link to their blogs once they are ready.

After the E-procurement training, I was given a new batch of participants to be trained in computer networking. The participants who were mostly from non-IT background were taught computer network in theory and practice both in cabling environment and wireless. They were all given a trip by monorail to the Low Yatt Plaza to familiarize them with computer network devices and suppliers there.

Although the trainings made me very tired, I am very happy and sense a close bond with all the participants. The trainings gave me and all of us another chapter of human and business networking. To all the participants, deep from the bottom of my heart, I pray for your success and thank you very much.

Season of Merdeka.

This is the season for ‘Merdeka‘ in Malaysia. Citizens have been preparing the celebration weeks before the 31’st August by flagging Malaysian flags on buildings and transports. Shops are having sales promotion in conjunction with the big day. The above picture was taken on 18 August, at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman while driving in a heavy traffic.

For Malaysians in the country and overseas, be proud of who we are. To us, regardless of sub-cultures and races, let us be united as Malaysian.

Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka.

Another wireless internet?

Hello everyone.

To my ex-schoolmates from 'Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (Kuantan)' who are going for the ‘Sirih Pulang Ke Ganggang’ event this weekend, I wish you enjoy yourself there. I can’t join you guys as I have to attend my business here in KL though sincerely I am yearning to go as well. Drive carefully ok.

Today I just bought another gadget that I have been looking for weeks; no it’s not a handphone. This new device will come in handy for me especially when I conduct my internet–base training this week in Prescott Hotel, Medan Mara, Kuala Lumpur. The device I bought is called ‘Izzi-pro’, a mobile wireless broadband modem that was launched a month ago in Kuala Lumpur. If you wonder why I bought the modem when I am already connected 24x7 to Tmnet Streamyx, firstly, I can’t bring my Streamyx which depend on fixed landline to the hotel where I am conducting my courses. Yes, most hotels in Kuala Lumpur are connected with wi-fi or hotspot, but I need privacy, speed and cheaper per pc connecting costs not to mention that I need to network more than 5 pcs during my lecture.

The ‘Izzi-pro’ that I bought keep up to its promises to give me 1Mbps of download speed and upload speed for about 340kbps, theoretically should be adequate for my usage. The installation was quite easy with the plug and play concept but first I have to install the driver which is provided in a cd to my Vista Acer Aspire 5570 notebook. Connection was very fast and almost instant after I registered online from the Izzi website www.izzi.com.my.

From what I understand, Izzi is employing ‘iBurst’ Wireless Broadband Solution as their broadband technology. ‘iBurst’ is a wireless broadband Internet system which uses adaptive-array antenna technology as well as SDMA, multi-carrier wideband and other technologies to achieve high speed, high capacity and excellent portability. It makes broadband Internet access easy at any time or place, including real-time video streaming, large-volume data downloads and web browsing.

The price I have paid for my new toy today was RM1,498.00 ‘all in’ including subscription for one year and no extra costs. They also have other cheaper packages (please refer to their website). It’s their policy not to collect monthly fee but the total costs for the device plus 12 months subscription fee unlike other service providers; I guess it’s a good strategy for them to avoid payment defaulters. The only drawback is that the coverage area at the current moment is only in Klang Valley though they will soon be expanding to major cities in Malaysia. Maybe it is too early to say that I am happy with Izzi but I already enrolled to be their reseller. If you guys are interested, contact me ok.
Have a nice weekend.

Malaysian blogs, my personal review.

First of all, let me congratulate the top 20 blogs from AllMalaysian blogger competition. Surfing at each blogs exudes pleasure to me as they display different personality and character that reminds me of numerous ‘reality TV’ shows.

The prime reasons I post this topic is not to judge, discredit or promote any blogs but to share my experience I felt through the ‘power of blogging’ and the self satisfaction derived from blogging and reading blogs particularly Malaysian. Yes, my own blog might only cater to small niche of ‘bumi’ entrepreneurs and it is far from perfect but it does boost my business in certain quarters. For example, to my delight, a department in one of the Government agencies has just responded for my Linux consultancy/training following few e-mails I sent which highlighted the blog to my target readers. I say the success is fairly contributed by the ‘power of blogging’.

Back to my review, I don’t intend to do all of the 20 finalists and my review is also extending to the non-finalists as they too possess talents of their own and deserve to be exposed. In my observation, generally, blogs from Malaysia can be distinctively characterized by genders of bloggers. Female bloggers will delve more on emotional issues and more feminine in their blog design. Most female bloggers have the ability to discuss sensitive issues in subtle way, for instance 'Rantings' by Marina Mahathir.

Many female bloggers are prone to discuss personal and domestic issues and many use blogging for personal expression. It’s especially entertaining and cute to read female bloggers engaging in an office gossip, moaning and groaning about anything and discussing family issues. Yet, they can also be very informative to the current issues. 'As Suanie Sees It’ is a popular female blog that epitomize modern Chinese female lifestyle. Her writing is very sincere like an open book diary. One will feel like paparazzi by reading her blog. I find one unique female blogger, Emila from 'Emila’s illustrated blog' very interesting and original although there are more cute drawings there than anywhere else. Emila is indeed simply marvelous.

In general, most male bloggers in Malaysia are good in using photographic arts to represent statements. I have seen a lot of surprising photos from male blogger like the flash flood photos around Kuala Lumpur. In my observation, male bloggers are bolder and opinionated in discussing sensitive issues while covering topics in broad angle. Humor is the most popular element you can find from Malaysian male blogger; one fine example is Afdlin Shauki’s 'Inside my head'. Things that I salute about his blog is his success to make us laugh without making fun of others.

The male can also be quite poetic yet retaining the aura of masculinity like Faisal Tehrani‘s blog and Nizam Zakaria interesting blog novels. I have read the whole book titled 'Awang Vampiro' from Nizam, online and without a blink for 3 days and I sincerely feels that the novel should be made into a miniseries for TV or trilogy in celluloid. I am certain that ‘Awang Vampiro’ will beat ‘The Matrix’ trilogy anytime.

Well, who can deny our senior blogger Pak Idrus’s popularity, all you need is to Google Pak Idrus and his blog will appear. Expressing all things Malaysian, ranging from fruit season to traffic to interesting places, surfing his blog is like visiting a very dear uncle who serve you coffee and nice traditional music, a very soothing experience.

For entertainment and latest information on Malaysian artist, who else if not Sultan Muzaffar’s blog that we could cherish. Although I personally think that the layout is too crowded nevertheless the blog is the most comprehensive in respect of Malaysian entertainment scene. My favorite AllMalaysian finalist that I like is an anonymous with a blog title ‘Why Must Visit Malaysia’. The info on Malaysia is almost covered with simple yet attractive layout comparable to Mas in-flight magazine with articles that can make Malaysia proud.

One newcomer that worth the surf is Dr Net from ‘Millionaires Are From The Same Planet’. A female blogger who is an ex-lecturer with family and a self made millionaire, blogging about family relationship and money (our favorite topic).

Ok, there are so many good blogs out there but I can’t cover every single one in this post tonight as I need to wake up early tomorrow. Perhaps I should continue tomorrow.
Good Night.

Juggling times until ‘Merdeka’.

This week until the end of August I am commencing my busy schedule as I will be conducting few ICT trainings for PUTEK MARA entrepreneurs (Program Usahawan Teknikal) in Kuala Lumpur. Although it took me an average of only 10 minutes to do a posting here but I am not sure that I have even the 10 minutes. I was thinking maybe I should make a video during my lecture and broadcast it to ‘you tube’ and link it here. Let me consider the option thoroughly.

Few weeks from now we are going to celebrate our ‘Merdeka’, the day that Malaysian should rejoice that we are an independent sovereign nation. For some, ‘Merdeka’ means another public holiday and watching parades despite the fact that ‘Merdeka’ extends far beyond that, for without ‘Merdeka’ Malaysia is like a land without identity. Without ‘Merdeka’ we are short of power to control our destiny nevertheless the rights to our own course.

With our ‘Merdeka’ and our own Malaysian flag, we have the ‘say’ against the invasion of Iraq and the rape of Palestine. Finally, as a ‘Merdeka’ nation, we are proud of our own culture and lifestyle. So thank you God that we are ‘Merdeka’.

'Selamat Hari Merdeka'.

A tribute to my ‘globe trekking’ Parents.

Before I start my writing today, let me express my deep appreciation towards my parents, Hj Mohd Noor Othman and Hjh Salmah Bt Abd Manap. Thank you Mak and Abah, words are beyond praises for the hardships you endured raising the four of us. In every prayer, I will always pray for your good health, happiness, longevity, wealth and the life hereafter.

Without them I won’t be here today not even to write this.
My father was a bank officer when I grew up as a child in Johor Bahru while my mother preferred to be a full time housewife to take care the four of us (I am the third). Unlike myself, I have never seen my father taking a medical leave from his job. Naturally for children, I remember fighting all the time with my siblings and my parents were forced to play referees. If father came back home late after work due to overtime, there were always ice cream or icing cakes for all of us.

I remember when me and my brother undergone the painful circumcision (the old fashion way), my father was the one cleaning bloods and bandages. We learnt lots of Malaysian folklore tales from Mother including ghost’s stories as a reward for helping her household chores like taking the garbage out or cleaning dishes. On most weekends, we were brought to the public library in Johor Bahru to read books while my father enjoyed reading his Sunday paper.

Up till today my parents were the one who always encourage and support me to become an entrepreneur. Sometimes when I slipped and lost, mother especially, asked me to find my way back and to pray. My parents are still very healthy and love travelling the world; honeymoon isn’t over for them especially now that we all have grown up. They travelled frequently and together they have marvelous adventures akin to the ‘Globe Trekker’. Here are some of their recent pictures in Uzbekistan and I will post more pictures of them traveling when I got hold of their pictures.

On behalf of myself, Khadijah, Ghazali and Faezah to our dearest Mak and Abah, 'ampunkan dosa kami' and 'restukan hidup kami' and thank you for not giving up your love on us. May Allah bless you.

We love you both.

The unemployed.

I once have a young Bumi friend who asked me if I could employ him. He was raised by a single mom (my ex boss from my previous employment) and the eldest of three siblings. I did not at the time accept his request as there was no vacancy suitable for him in my small company even though he was quite like a brother to me. However, I thought him few tricks and trade of the business. Without the job market showing any booming sign and the high cost of living, he had no choice but to follow my advice against his conventional young bumi dream to be employed by the Government or big Corporations.

His first business venture was doing computer 'maintenance and upgrade' in a medical clinic. Next he provided t-shirts to a government agency during their family day. Following that, he was awarded some printing job (he sub contracted the job). Ever since the last time I met him (2 years ago)while doing the printing jobs, I have not heard from him until today when I called him to say hello. His latest update is that he is supplying toner for LaserJet printers and doing comfortably OK.

He is a classic example of a young bumi graduate obliged by the economic environment into being an entrepreneur. Personally, I think, rather than wasting time moaning and groaning of failure to get employed, young people should take the stride of marching into the field of entrepreneurship.

Sometimes, thinking small first will get us somewhere. Soon its ‘aidil fitri’, lots of houses in Klang Valley with grass to be trimmed. Why not invest in a decently cheap machine, start distributing leaflets and employ yourself. A lot of houses need to be repainted too, why not 'cut-throat' the price of expensive big contractors and show that you are industrious. For those who can cook, scout around to ‘warong’ or ‘mamak’ and be the supplier of ‘nasi lemak bungkus’, ‘karipap’, etc. Who said you need a big capital to start up a business? Say you are an MBA from an 'ivy league', ssoooo what?

Who knows, from small venture you might get it big. I always believe that starting small before you delve deep into riskier venture is a smart thing to do. After your small venture and you still think you want a 9 to 5, go ahead, at least you have tried and you are a better person. When you strike a good idea, don’t wait, pull yourself together and do it.

I call for all unemployed graduates all over Malaysia; it is time to wake up. If you are not getting any employment then create your own. Read this few simple tricks,

1. Your own enemy is the barriers inside you including the introvert trait you have developed from childhood and your ego.
2. Brave the world; fear will not take you anywhere.
3. Put a logical target, nothing wrong with aiming high but one step at a time only.
4. Practice the practical.
5. Lastly, don’t be afraid to do the dirty jobs (I mean dirty jobs like grass cutting, washing dishes, etc.)

Been there, done that. Cya.

Blog interview - my first.

Today, I did a telephone interview with quite a successful entrepreneur. He agreed to the blog interview but asked to remain anonymous.
Me – “Good afternoon Mr. X”
Mr. X – “Good afternoon and how are you all this while Hanafi?”
Me – “Not bad. How long have you been in the entrepreneurial line?”
Mr. X – “I started in 1998 in the middle of the great Malaysian economic crisis and never look back since then.”
Me – “You are doing trading mainly in timber largely to the international market when it is a well known fact that timber industry is facing sliding trends, do you have any comments on that.”
Mr. X – “I have maintained a number of loyal international clients who constantly demand timber and other products for several years now. The way of doing business is so much different from the past and some of the products traded by my Company were not even from our shores. Sometimes the merchandises were from China, Indonesia or other countries, unlike in the past where most of the products I traded were from Malaysia. Seems that globalization does take effect for traders like me.”
Me – “How did you start up financially and did you get any assistance from Government agencies.”
Mr. X – “It was hard initially; I exhausted my VRS monetary compensation from my previous employment around RM150, 000.00 (I was holding a senior position from a listed company then) with some saving, I open a small office, the rest for my working capital. Up until now, I have never applied for grants or loans from any Government agencies available for a Bumi entrepreneur.”
Me – “I know your wife personally and I reckon that you have successfully raised a wonderful family with 4 kids. I heard your eldest daughter is doing tertiary level. Does a career of an entrepreneur affect your family life? Do you have any comment if any of your children go into business?"
Mr.X - “I met my wife in the USA when we were both Government sponsored students in Michigan, yes she is a perfect wife and understanding towards my career. As a businessman, sometimes I have to leave the country for a number of days for outstation. She’s been my pillar of support even though she has a stable career of her own. Well, I pray to god that my children’s are blessed with entrepreneurial strength and spirit. Our family have been through thick and thin together and a lot of lesson have been learnt.
Me – “Thank you MR.X, I wish you all the best and may Allah bless you.”

Next, I will be interviewing an entrepreneur from a Pasar Malam in Masjid India KL.
So, tune in to the next post.

Celebrities in jail.

First Paris Hilton, then her co-star from 'Simple Life' the reality TV show, Nicole Ritchie follow suit (both are what we call here 'gedik'). Today in the newspaper, wrote, 48 year old Bollywood star Sunjay Dutt was sentenced 6 years in jail for illegally possessing firearms, linking him to the 1993 Mumbai serial blast that killed 257 people in India's financial capital.

Aren’t celebrities supposed to be positive role model or has 'jail' in this generation is being glamorized?

What worrying us is that those celebs influence to the lifestyle of the younger generation will give negative impacts to the nation. There are more youngsters who prefer the hedonistic lifestyle like the ‘bohsia’ culture, ‘mat rempit’, drugs, 'free sex', etc. With the trend rising in Hollywood and Bollywood, let us hope our ‘bolehland’ artists will show better example. Parents have also bigger responsibility to ensure our children are not making mistake idolizing the wrong role models.

Signing off, good night.