MBA EDGE Postgraduate Studies Mar 2013

March - April 2013

Bi-monthly Magazine | Issue 14

People Power

Shankar Nagalingam Country Human Resources Director of Dell Malaysia and South Asia Developing Markets

The Challenges of Supply Chain Talent Management

Dr. Ioannis Lagoudis & Dr. Albert Tan

Malaysia’s New Hub

of Nanocomputing Technology YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin

Business Segment: Talent Gap in mining industry Sia Hok Kiang, MD of Malaco Mining and Council Member of Malaysian Chamber of Mines

Dr Chong Yee Lee

on MBA (Corporate Management)

ISSN 2232-­0342

9772232034009

PP17103/14/2013 (030736) 2013 Issue 14 March/April 2013 RM7.00

BOOST YOUR EMPLOYABILITY Dip Kang, Senior Manager Of HR Talent Acquisition & Sourcing, DELL Malaysia 1

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Enterprise 2.0: Accelerating Business Models and Performance Dr. Tazeeb Rajwani

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4

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EDITOR’S CORPORATE Managing Director: Steven Shim Office Manager: Vicky Shim Key Accounts Manager: Wong Finance Manager: Bonnie Bang EDITORIAL TEAM Senior Editor: Janet Tay Contributing Editors: Alexandra Wong Writers: Nurraihana, Mohd Amil Contributors: Dr Tazeeb, Dr Chong, Sia Hok Kiang, Dr Albert, Dr Loannis, Sr Azita, Massuhaella, Chong Meng Kiong, Cheang Wai Leong, Chua Yu Kiat Photographer: Mccain Photography Graphic Designer: Nazir Tay PUBLISHER Penerbit Wawasan Nusa (M) Sdn Bhd (866716-P), Wisma Wawasan, 19-2 Jalan PJS 8/12, Dataran Mentari, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia Tel: 603-56301802, Fax: 603-6301803, Email: info@pwn.com.my, penerbitwawasan@gmail.com Website: www.pwn.com.my PRINTER BS Print (M) Sdn Bhd No 10 Jalan Indrahana 1, Off Jalan Kuchai Lama, 58200 KL, Malaysia All rights reserved by MBA Edge™ and its publisher.

While every care has been taken, the publisher, writers, and editors will not be held liable for errors, inaccuracies or commissions. Unsolicited material is submitted at sender’s risk. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of copyright owner. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this magazine via the internet or any other means without the permission of publisher is illegal by law.

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T

he 2013 Year of the Snake is said to be a year that promises many changes, from personal development, relationships to international events, governments and economies. If you were thinking of starting that new job, apparently this could be the year to do it!

With a focus on employment and talents, our front cover story features Shankar Nagalingam, Country Human Resources Director for DELL Malaysia and South Asia Developing Markets, on finding and keeping talents for the IT Industry. Dip Kang, Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition and Sourcing from DELL Malaysia shares some tips on how to boost your employability. Also on human resources, Drs Albert Tan and Ioannis Lagoudis discuss the challenges of the supply chain talent management.

EDITOR’S NOTE

NOTES We speak to Mr Sia Kok Kiang, CEO of Malaco Mining on the mining industry, skilled workers in this field and its prospects for geology students while Dr Tazeeb Rajwani provides much insight into how social technologies accelerate business models and performance, and their relevance and importance on modern companies today. We also have an interview with Dr Chong Yee Lee of UTAR on the new MBA module offered at the university and on corporate management in this month’s issue.

If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see in this magazine in relation to postgraduate studies or have any comments about our current issues, please email us at: penerbitwawasan@gmail.com.

Happy reading!

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CONTENTS

COVER STORY

10

PEOPLE POWER

18

Dip Kang, Senior Manager Of HR Talent Acquisition & Sourcing, Dell Malaysia

CONTENTS

Mr Shankar Nagalingam Country Human Resources Director of DELL Malaysia and South Asia Developing Markets

BOOST YOUR EMPLOYABILITY

Highlights

Featuring

22

The Challenges Of Supply Chain Talent Management with Dr. Ioannis Lagoudis & Dr. Albert Tan

36

Student Leader And High Achiever Makes Inspiring Speech At Graduation

32

FACON Education Fair March 2013

40

MEB speaks to Dr. Chong on MBA in Corporate Management.

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CONTENTS

BUSINESS SEGMENT

54

Postgraduate studies speaks to Mr Sia Hok Kiang, Managing Director of Malaco Mining Sdn Bhd and Council Member of the Malaysian Chamber of Mines.

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Enterprise 2.0: Accelerating Business Models and Performance with Dr. Tazeeb Rajwani

Featuring

Interviews

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48 49 50 51 52

Malaysia’s New Hub Of Nanocomputing Technology Minister of Higher Education Launched Malaysia’s First University to Specialise in Computer Science And Engineering

Sr Azita Mohamed Tahir Chong Meng Kiong Massuhaella Binti Mohd Idris Chun Yu Kiat Cheang Wai Leong 9

COVER STORY

PEOPLE POWER

By Alexandra Wong

F

rom an unconventional PC startup founded on $1,000 and a game-changing vision for how technology should be designed, Dell, Inc. has transformed into a global end-to-end solutions

partner driven by innovation and customer focus. In Malaysia, where its presence is felt in three sites - Dell Global Business Center (Cyberjaya), Simon Wong Technology Centre (Penang) and Asia Pacific Customer Center 2 (Bukit Tengah) - the multinational corporation regularly ranks as one of the region’s most desirable employers.

In this issue of MBA Postgraduate, we speak to Shankar

Postgraduate Studies MEB speaks to Mr Shankar Nagalingam about the challenges of finding and keeping talents for IT industry.

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Nagalingam, Dell Malaysia’s Country Human Resources Director for Malaysia and South Asia Developing Markets, on a range of HR issues, including what it takes to secure a coveted job in the company.

COVER STORY

Mr Shankar Nagalingam Country Human Resources Director of DELL Malaysia and South Asia Developing Markets Currently the Country Human Resources Director for Malaysia and South Asia Developing Markets, Shankar Nagalingam has served more than 19 years in the Multinational Corporations within the Human Resources profession. During his nine-year tenure in Dell, Shankar has held key HR positions e.g. Director of Talent Acquisition for South Asia/ANZ and HR Business Partner leading Malaysia Services and Technical Support

Contact Center Operation, Asia Sales Organization and Global Business Operations and Marketing, where he strategized effective and efficient implementation of HR policies and procedures across the organization, played mentor to organization leaders and built strategic alliance with key business leaders across the globe. Prior to Dell, Shankar was attached to Komag USA (Malaysia) for 10 years leading the Staffing organization.

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COVER STORY

1 Q

Your tertiary degree was in Education, but you made a switch to the manufacturing sector 1 1/2 years after your first posting.

Why did you switch careers and how did you adapt to a radically different environment?

During my first posting as a secondary school teacher in Kulim, I witnessed some friends growth in the corporate world. The manufacturing sector was becoming very robust then, and I longed to be part of that exciting growth. As this was during the economic crisis and jobs were extremely limited, I sent more than a hundred applications before being accepted by Komag as an entry level staffing executive.

I chose HR because I believe this is one area you can make a difference to people. Going from a structured environment into a manufacturing environment was a huge change. The speed is much faster. You have to be always on your toes.

You need to be versatile. Even though I was in Staffing, I was expected to get involved in every aspect of the organization whether it’s employee relations, market intelligence, salary preparation etc. You could say

2

Q

I was a Jack of all trades in HR. It was a very tough environment but it was an invaluable learning environment. I had very good support and coaching from my manager, Ismail Abdul Rahim.

You had zero manufacturing or HR experience, yet your employer hired you for a challenging position.

What did he see in you?

My manager, Ismail told me he wanted somebody who was hungry to work and to learn. If I was open to learning, he was willing to invest his effort and energy to guide and coach me.

I learnt that experience was good-to-have but not compulsory.

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COVER STORY

3

Even though I was in HR, Q I was expected to get involved in every aspect of the organization whether it’s employee relations, market intelligence, salary preparation etc.

How has the employment scenario changed today? To put it bluntly, what would it take to land a job in Dell?

With rapid globalization, the whole platform has changed. One of the key things we look for is the ability to think global. It’s so important for even fresh graduates to know what’s happening in US, Europe, APJ and your ability to communicate and influence your team members in different parts of the world. In Dell Cyberjaya, most of the roles are global in nature, reflecting the transformation the company has undergone. You have fresh graduates communicating with customers in US, Australia, etc.

In this globalized new world, having self-confidence and boldness in articulating your thought processes is going to be very important because our job value chain has moved up from manufacturing-centric to services-oriented.

Adaptability is also critical because in any robust organization like Dell, there’s going to be change.

Today, you may do something and believe that this is the best decision you can make. One week down the road, something may change, and while that was the best decision then and you made the right decision then, now everything has to change, and you need to get accustomed to it. You cannot feel frustrated or go into a victim mentality. You need to have that level of ambiguity to survive in the globalized world. You need to be intuitive to navigate your way in the corporate world – yes, it’s getting extremely competitive out there. As part of our CSR, we actively collaborate with academic institutions in Southeast Asia to share real-world industry knowledge.

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COVER STORY

One thing hasn’t changed, though. You still need that hunger for continuous improvement. Regard every day as a learning opportunity. In everything that you do, how can you look at things differently?

Always do that to add value not only to yourself but to the processes and organizations that

4 Q

you support.

In your two decades of industry experience, what are the biggest challenges within the HR profession?

In my opinion, recruiting and hiring the best talent for the organization, followed closely by developing and retaining key talents would be an ongoing cycle for most organizations.

Globalization - where you manage a diversified

5 Q

background of team members - is another key factor.

IT is an intensely competitive industry with a fierce war for talent. What are Dell’s strategies to acquire the cream of the crop?

to contribute to the country’s talent pool by helping graduates to be more employable. When the students

With the changing environment, we have to go

interact with our acquisition team, they have very good

beyond the traditional way of hiring. For example,

customer experience and their time comes to apply for

we hardly advertise in newspapers anymore.

jobs, Dell naturally comes to mind. Ultimately, we want

Instead, we leverage social media tools like

the Dell Malaysia brand to be perceived as a Cool Place

Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to reach out to

to Work and a Center of Excellence.

potential employees. LinkedIn is a goldmine of talent particularly in niche areas. Many “passive

That said, leaders in the most successful companies

candidates” – those who are employed but don’t

believe building their talent pool is a huge part of their

apply for a position - are open to changing jobs

job. This talent mindset cannot be relegated to HR; every

for the right opportunity.

employee must be involved in hiring and retaining the best and brightest talents possible. One strategy that

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For any organization to attract top talent, you

has worked very well is our Employee Referral Program.

need to build a brand as the employer of choice.

We work through our brand ambassadors i.e. our own

As part of our university relations with South

employees, people who know and represent the best

East Asian academic institutes, we regularly give

values of the organization. Now if each of our 4500

talks and participate in career events. It’s not

employees brings at least 5 resumes, can you imagine

about talent hunting for Dell per se; we also want

the size of our talent bank?

COVER STORY

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Q

Does an MBA candidate stand a better chance for getting into the IT industry, or Dell, for that matter?

An MBA degree is always desirable to organizations be it IT or other industries.

More so, if a candidate holds an MBA from an accredited University. Opportunities are varied in Dell and they can always choose their respective career pathways. Be it in HR, Accounting, Marketing, IT or Sales.

A good MBA equips you with the theoretical

confidence, especially when they deal with global team

and experiential learning based on real-life

members. It makes sense. When you upgrade the skills

consulting experiences. In Dell, we offer

of the individuals, they invariably translate back to the

our people advanced learning courses -

organization.

people managers can pursue a graduateship programme with the internationally recognized Society of Business Practitioners in United Kingdom, and we also sponsor masters programmes for selected employees. When we drive these programs, we obviously want to know whether they’re effective. Based on survey outcomes, the students have definitely benefited. Their managers are happy to report that their team members have demonstrated positive changes and grown tremendously in

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COVER STORY

That said, leaders in the most successful companies believe building their talent pool is a huge part of their job.

7 Q

Dell Malaysia has won a number of HR awards, including Malaysia HR Innovations Award 2012, MIHRM; Employer of Choice Grand Gold Award 2011, MIHRM and Malaysia HR Development Award 2012. In your opinion, what makes Dell such a great place to work?

At Dell, we believe people are our greatest asset, so we pour a lot of time and effort into creating

8 Q

There is a close correlation between productivity and company success.

What approach do you use to boost workplace productivity?

Different employees would require different

a diverse workforce and creating a positive,

approach in encouraging productivity.

collaborative environment where everyone is valued

In Dell, we focus on empowering team

and included. From a competitive benefits package

members so that they feel more confident,

and a professional environment that fosters

capable and in control of the outcome

personal development to recreational facilities

of their work. When a team member’s

and flexi-hours, you can really have it all at Dell -

performance positively impacts the

benefits, rewards, balance.

organization, we reward and recognize that person.

We encourage a culture of excellence by setting SMART i.e. Specific, Measurable, Accountable, Realistic & Timely goals that ultimately improve productivity, effectiveness and efficiency of our team members.

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COVER STORY

9 Q

the people managers who can foster an

How do you help your team members to achieve those goals?

environment of trust and engagement that helps

This is where the leadership component comes

all about bringing out the best in our talents so that

their team members excel. Career development is at the end of the day, customers can benefit from

in. As a leader, your role is to ask, what are

better solutions and the company can achieve

the resources a person needs to become successful? What coaching plan do you need?

Dell fosters a 70/20/10 model of development, whereby we create targeted development solutions containing tools and resources dedicated to development occurring on-the-job, learning through others, and recommended formal training to maximize your potential and facilitate meaningful learning. In Dell we

better results.

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Q

Lastly, what is your personal formula for success?

Let me answer by quoting an incident on my first

look at both current and future contributions.

day at work in DELL. My manager, Edmund Chew

For bottom performers, we ask how we can

asked me, “What’s your next role going to be?” I was

transform them and accelerate them in their

stunned as it was not something I was expecting to

areas of development? At the end of the day,

hear on Day 1! This experience gave me a great lesson

an employee wants to know: what is it in for

that drove me in my career, and nearly 20 years later,

me and what can you do to help me meet my

this is exactly the same kind of conversation we have

career aspiration?

at Dell. Always work on a Continuous Improvement mindset. Have the hunger to look at a problem

That was why we created the Caring Leader

differently, how to be better. When you have the

tenet in the early days of my career at Dell.

energy and passion to energize and rejuvenate people

We want to create HR professionals within

around you to excel, it will, in turn, create the aura of success that we want to cultivate in an organization.

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COVER STORY

1

Build a professional online profile. If you haven’t jumped on the social media bandwagon because you feel it’s only for oversharing narcissists, you may have second thoughts after hearing what Dip has to say: “Even Michael Dell is on LinkedIn. You can network and get in touch with anyone globally. LinkedIn is THE place for recruiters to sniff out talent, especially if we want to meet Gen Y candidates who are very active in social media!” Make a list of the top three companies you wanna work with, and start building your network.

2

Treat your resume like a sales tool. “How in one page would you be able to sell yourself?” asks Shankar.

“It’s a branding. If I’m going to have five resumes I want to view, what is going to stand out? You need to be clear, simple, crisp, articulate exactly what your accomplishments are and what you can deliver to my organization.”

BOOST YOUR EMPLOYABILITY Dip Kang, Senior Manager Of HR Talent Acquisition & Sourcing, DELL Malaysia Eying that high-profile MNC job? What can you do to be more desirable to your dream employer? Here are some tips from Dip Kang, Senior Manager of Human Resources Talent Acquisition & Sourcing for Dell Malaysia, on how to elevate your employability quotient.

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3

Ask the right questions in a job interview. A successful interview does not just hinge on the correct answers.

Dip says, “The questions they ask shows the calibre of the interviewee. Are they relevant to the industry and to the company? The right questions show that the candidate is savvy with what’s happening in the global marketplace.”

4

It’s never too early to start thinking about your ideal career. Dip shares, “We are out there in the market always looking out for new talents through our University Relation, Internship and Apprentice Programmes.” So the next time you attend a career university talk (Dell conducts this regularly), show the speaker you’ve done your homework and fire away. This is your chance to stand out from the silent majority. You can bet the recruiters are taking notes.

COVER STORY

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The Master of Science in Supply Chain Management (MSCM) offers the unique combination of a worldclass supply chain degree taught in a truly global setting at the Malaysia Institute for Supply Chain Innovation (MISI), which is located at Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam. The MSCM program is built on the topranked curriculum created by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Transportation & Logistics (MIT-CTL) that has offered globally recognized programs in Logistics and Supply Chain since 1998.

In order for companies to create value, supply chain executives are expected to work as an integrated part of the company’s top executive team. Today the supply chain function of modern firms is becoming an integral part of the top management executive team, building value through innovation and strategic alignment.

Why Supply Chain Management?

1. More than two-thirds of supply chain executives are concerned about shipping disruptions, incidents at supplier facilities and the failure of key suppliers when they consider the potential of supply-and demand-side disruptions to negatively impact their businesses during the next 12 months. And more than a quarter are very concerned about regulatory issues and counterfeit products.

The shift of production from the West to the East along with the opening of more and more markets around the world has made production and distribution more challenging than ever before. The importance of the design and operation of modern supply chains is becoming more and more critical for business performance as global supply chain networks’ increase in complexity.

The role of supply chain management is to enable on one hand the goals set by the top management to be accomplished with the highest efficiency possible, often measured in cost, time, service and quality levels, and on the other hand to support the company to set higher goals or expand its strategic agendas (See exhibit 1).

Based on a recent study by SCM World (2012), among the many key findings that modern professional should pay attention on are:

2. More than 8 out of 10 companies have been hit by supply and demand-side disruptions during the past two years. Almost half have suffered a loss of sales/revenue and more than a third have seen lower profits from both upstream and downstream events in their value chains. A third have also lost customers and 44% have suffered delays to product introductions, new projects or growth plans as a result of supply risks becoming live issues.

Exhibit 1: Supply Chain Importance Does your CEO and executive management team appreciate the alignment of business strategy and supply chain strategy?

Absolutely. Supply chain is understood as an equally important part of business success as sales & marketing or R&D/ product development.

Yes. But only as an enabler of product or sales-driven business strategies Not really. Supply chain is understood primarily as a cost center that affects margins No. Supply chain is strictly seen as a function meant to service the business Source SCM 2012

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even more problematic in the past year, with companies experiencing increasing levels of

Facts about the Master of Science in Supply Chain Management Program Curriculum Duration Credit Hours

Who Should Attend The Program?

2 years (Studies should not exceed 5 years) RM55,000 ( at RM1000 per credit hour

Criteria where native language is not

allows for personalised curriculum based on the candidate profile and interests. Professionals from a range of industries – manufacturing, services, transportation etc – can attend the program aiming at improving their academic and profession can assist as an enabler in reaching top management positions participating in the shaping the Global SCALE Network graduates records, data show that there is a high demand for supply chain professionals around the world and especially in ASIA with salaries starting from $105,000 USD in the USA.

Intake Dateline Core Course Courses Case Studies

July 2013(1) December 2013(2) 31st May 2013(1) (2)

6 (3 Credits each) 6 (3 Credits each) 2 (6 Credits each)

For more information please contact : -

5 Reasons Why You Should Consider the MSCM Program Malaysia Insititute for Supply Chain Innovation

an International setting with an alumni of 600 Supply Chain graduates Malaysia Insititute for Supply Chain Innovation

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HIGHLIGHTS

www.misi.edu.my

THE CHALLENGES OF SUPPLY CHAIN TALENT MANAGEMENT Postgraduate Studies MEB speaks to Dr Ioannis Lagoudis & Dr Albert Tan about the challenges of supply chain talent management (finding and keeping talents for the industry.)

Tell us what your profession now is. What do you do?

I am Assistant Professor at the Malaysian Institute for Supply Chain Innovation specializing in transportation logistics and supply chain management. I am also the Director of Applied Research.

I am an associate professor in MISI and beside teaching and research; I am also the director for education looking after the graduate program, exchange program with overseas universities, executive program and curriculum development.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Albert Tan

Dr. Ioannis Lagoudis

Tell us your brief background. What did you do previously? (research?)

I hold a first degree in Economics from the National and Capodistrian University of Athens, M.Sc. and Ph.D. in transport logistics from Cardiff Business School and Post-Doctoral Degree in Port Logistics from the University of the Aegean.

Prior to joining the Malaysian Institute for Supply Chain Innovation I worked in industry as a consultant and in academia teaching Shipping Management, Strategic Management and Decision Making and Modeling at the University of Aegean, the Hellenic Open University and U21 Global in Singapore.

I was an Associate Director in National University of Singapore managing the Double Master program in Supply Chain Management as well as teaching IT management programs in one of the institute. Previously, I was working as Director in a government agency in Singapore responsible for upgrading the IT capability of the manufacturing and logistics industries.

This involved planning and evaluating e-Commerce solutions for the chemical and logistics industries. I have also provided numerous BPR and ERP consulting for both discrete and process environment in Asia to streamline their supply chain while working in Oracle systems.

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HIGHLIGHTS

What is the main thesis of your doctorate paper?

My PhD thesis focuses on identifying

A decision model for managing reverse

value in maritime transport operations.

logistics operations in the computer

In the thesis a number of processes

industry – objective is to examine

are identified related to maritime

various economic factors to make

operations and these are assessed in order to identify

reverse logistics operations a profitable business.

their importance and value (not necessarily monetary) for maritime companies.

How did you choose the research topic?

The maritime and transportation industry in general even today are considered as a non-value adding activity within the supply chain management concept since no product transformation activity takes place. Back in the mid 90s this idea was prevailing even more and I thought it would be a challenge to prove that transportation is a significant link to the supply chain strategies adopted by companies and thus some value is created.

In the late 1990’s, research in reverse logistics is very minimal as compared to the forward distribution and supply chain.

Therefore, I work closely with a professor who has keen interest in reverse logistics to build models that can help to deepen the knowledge in this field and identify potential ideas for industry to apply or adopt.

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....I thought it would be a challenge to prove that transportation is a significant link to the supply chain strategies adopted by companies and thus some value is created.

HIGHLIGHTS

for more information contact www.misi.edu.my

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT What do you find most challenging about Supply chain management?

One of the biggest challenges is the fact that one needs to coordinate numerous activities, which span around the globe and are exposed to high variability and uncertainty. Coming from a transportation background I can reassure you that the “simple� process of moving goods globally is exposed to significant variability stemming from adverse weather conditions, breakdowns to strikes etc. Overcoming all these uncertainties is a

How is supply chain relevant to your work today?

At research level we have number of supply chain initiatives, which relate to different supply chains. Here in Malaysia and in the wider ASEAN region we have identified a number of problems, which relate to niche supply chains such as Halal, Dangerous Goods, and Cold etc. With the cooperation of our industry partners we try to solve a number of problems that relate to supply chain operations and we try to minimize the level of complexity and uncertainty involved.

great challenge and not always straight forward.

Managing suppliers and customers is the most challenging task as compared to managing resources within an organization due to differences in objectives and expectations between them and the organization. Mutual trust takes a long time to build especially in Asia and thus additional controls are built to ensure quality service and products. Additional layers for check and balances are built at the interface between the supply chain members, resulting in additional costs and

Supply chain is not limited to goods only and can be applicable to service supply chain. I am involved in a number of researches on service outsourcing and it helps me to understand the importance of drafting a contract that is able to protect the consumer in the event of dispute. MISI has outsourced a number of services to vendor and these service supply chains are critical to ensure we are able to deliver consistent and reliable services to our students and customers.

unnecessary delays.

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HIGHLIGHTS

What are the supply chain challenges/concerns

What are some strategies to attract new pool

in a multinational corporation?

of talent to supply chain management? (To the company and the industry)

(Supply-demand disruptions?

Low profit?) I am not really sure from

My understanding is that apart from

where one should begin. The fact

the financial incentives probably, most

that modern multinational supply

important when attracting new talent

chain strategies practically mean global presence and

is that the job should offer challenges

operations one can understand the level of complexity

and significant opportunities for evolution within the

at all levels from top and bottom. I could list just a

company. Our experience shows that applicants weight

few among the many being cultural, production, FX,

the latter two variables more.

transportation, quality, financial etc.

Some organizations have management With economic uncertainty in Europe and

trainee program to attract them into

the USA, it is a key concern for MNC to

their companies with potential for them

ensure business sustainability. These

to accelerate the career development.

MNCs are evaluating various options to

Others have promised new comers exciting roles and

expand their market overseas to increase their revenues

responsibilities to prove their capabilities before sending

and to reduce their supply chain costs to maintain their

them overseas to start new operations.

profit margins.

At the industry level, supply chain management should be positioned not as sweatshop job but as a professional Where there is a short supply of talented

job with strong emphasize on analytical and soft skills.

workforce in the country, how does an organization acquire key talent?

Are they any strategies in retaining talents?

I would start by saying that there is a lack of SCM talent globally with ASIA lagging

Offering new challenges to employees

behind I could say. Acquisition of such

along with showing them that they

talent is one of the biggest challenges

can climb the “ladder of hierarchy”.

that Global HR Heads are facing at the moment. I guess

The offering of continuous education

that one the key sources of finding this talent is via

opportunities to employees is also a

academia. MISI being under the MIT-SCALE network

strategy that works. Financial incentives should not be

offers great opportunities for companies to that extent.

excluded……

Some organizations have sponsored

Supply chain professionals are given

some of their non-supply chain staffs

ample opportunities to work in different

to do a conversion program to become

capacities to understand the entire

supply chain executives while others

supply chain. From sourcing to planning

have offer scholarships for full time students in supply

to distribution and transportation. These scopes will

chain management.

allow them to widen their knowledge and later expand their portfolio or role to manage their internal staffs.

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HIGHLIGHTS

for more information contact www.misi.edu.my

GLOBAL THOUGHT LEADERSHIP Who should apply MSCM? Anyone with high goals and aspirations in solving complex global problems

Offering new challenges to employees along with showing them that they can climb the “ladder of hierarchy�.

regardless of his/her background should apply for such a Program. The reason that ones background should not restrain him/her from attending such a course is that this year we have a lawyer on board and I can reassure you that he excelling.

Those who are analytical and have a passion for supply chain or logistics management should be encouraged to apply for MSCM. Those who have a few years of experience will be ideal, as this course would assume some basic background of businesses that are lacking from freshmen.

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HIGHLIGHTS

What are the career prospects of a MSCM holder?

What is the overall outlook for the market in this region?

Probably among the best globally.

The importance of the role of the

Asia is the place to be. The prospects

supply chain manager is increasing at

in Asia probably far better compared to

a constant pace. Companies having

the rest of the world today and for many

realized this assign higher executive

years to come. The opening of new

positions to SCM people involving them more and more

markets and political developments such as the ASEAN

at strategic level decision-making stages.

community offer significant opportunities for those who want to stay in the area.

Generally, based on the job profiles from MIT SCM alums, most of the

The outline for job market in supply chain

students will end up working for

management is promising as there is

consulting companies as a consultant,

still a shortage of these professionals in

in manufacturing or logistics companies as a business

Asia. Some of the existing supply chain

analyst or in software companies as an IT consultant.

professionals are not trained in this field while other companies are outsourcing parts of the supply chain due

Do they stand a better chance for Asia/ this

to a lack of expertise in their organizations. In fact, more

region exposure?

organizations are seeing the important role of supply chain management to integrate the different functions in

In a recent round table at MIT where the

order to deliver reliable services to their customers.

discussion was on SCM talent the lack of skilled and qualified personnel in Asia was rather evident. HR VPs from over 30 multinationals who participated in this event shared exactly the same concern on how and where to acquire and retain SCM personnel that will be able to meet the needs in Asia and serve the global strategies they try to implement.

Yes, they will stand a better chance with Asia exposure since most of the training will be referring to Asia for discussion as Asia is growing economically. Most of our existing students are from Asia and thus will be able to interact well in class discussions.

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The importance of the role of the supply chain manager is increasing at a constant pace.

HIGHLIGHTS

What is MISI strategy?

What is your advice to students who are

(Academic-industry synergy?)

interested in MSCM?

MISI is committed to reshaping the

Go for it! The future belongs to those

conduct and content of education,

who dare new innovative things!

research and business at global level to create and promote a culture of Value Driven Innovation, which is an integral part of all our processes, practices, methodologies and thinking co-

With a positive job outlook for supply

created with our stakeholders.

chain professionals in Asia, those who are keen to pursue their career in this

In order to achieve the above mission we have three key

field should apply for MSCM and widen

pillars of activities:

their knowledge .The current CEO of Apple was the

i. Education – we offer full-time and part-time MSc

ex-chief Supply Chain Officer before he was appointed

programs on Supply Chain Management following

the CEO. That shows how importance supply chain probably the best curriculum on SCM used by MIT-CTL. management skills are today in an organization. ii. Executive Training – we offer customized in-house

training programs in order executives across different

industries to be educated and become aware on

What is your motto? What inspires

modern supply chain management practices

you?

iii. Research – we partner with industry to conduct

high quality research on supply chain management

problems. The involvement of about 16 companies

today via our thesis program is among the partnering

Innovate! Think Big! Think Supply Chain!

initiatives.

Everyday we are faced with logistics and supply chain issues and it has MISI strategy ensures a win-win

been fortunate for me to apply some of

relationship with industry. MISI conducts

the supply chain management tools to

applied research to solve industry issues

solve these issues. From scheduling, planning events

while industry will learn from MISI to

to negotiating with dealers, I have been able to benefit

improve and streamline their supply chain.

from these tools to achieve my personal goals and satisfaction.

It is a reinforcing loop to gain knowledge from industry and impart new knowledge back to industry to improve their supply chain. for more information contact www.misi.edu.my

29

ANNOUNCEMENT

STAR OUTSTANDING BUSINESS AWARDS 2012 PKT Logistics Group Sdn. Bhd.

P

KT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd (PKT Logistics), has excelled in the past years with the vision

Dato’ Michael Tio with all the 5 awards

to be the leading logistics company in the country. From the humble beginnings of

being a custom broker back in 1974 to a total logistics solution company today, PKT Logistics stands strongly on a 17 acre land along KESAS Highway.

With their commitment in the industry, it was of no surprise that they were awarded 5 awards at the recent Star Outstanding Business Awards 2012. Recognized as the Grand Winner for the Business of the Year Award,

Dato’ Michael & Datin May with the adopted staff

Best in CSR Award(Silver), Best Employer Award(Silver) & Best Green Initiatives(Gold) has reaffirmed its presence in the industry thus allowing its customers to have total peace of mind with their logistics need.

To add to their success, PKT Logistics Chief Executive & MD was also awarded the Grand Winner for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He was quoted in The Star by saying, “Communication was a key factor

Best Employer Award

Grand Winner - Business of the Year Award

needed to survive in today’s business environment. A lot of companies bar Facebook at work, which is not the right move. We are a Facebook-compulsory company, meaning the whole organisation uses Facebook. I take pride in saying that the response time between myself and my staff is 30 seconds,” Dato’ Michael philosophy is Dream of It, Talk about It, Plan for It, Work on It and Get It is what keeps us moving forward with success.

30

Dato Michael and his Uni mates.

31

HIGHLIGHTS

FACON EDUCATION FAIR MARCH 2013

32

Make your way to Facon Education Fair, March 2013 and you will be inspired by more than 1000 globally recognized and award-winning institutions of higher learning from Malaysia and overseas.

As the largest and longest education road shows in Malaysia, the objectives in organizing this show are to provide a venue for Malaysians to gather information on further education opportunities and to reinforce Malaysia as the center for excellence in higher education.

Kicking off one of the largest and longest education road shows in Malaysia on March 16, 2013 at KL Convention Centre the fair will be held at Hall 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 with some 500+ booths. This fair will then moves to another 11 cities in Peninsula & East Malaysia where school leavers and working adults will have a unique opportunity to meet with these renowned institutions. These cities are as follows:

Peninsula Malaysia

Opening Hours : 12 noon – 6pm

Kuala Lumpur Alor Setar Penang Ipoh Malacca Johor Bahru

KL Convention Centre Holiday Villa Hotel Traders Hotel Kinta Riverfront Hotel & Suites Equatorial Hotel Persada Intl’ Convention Centre

Mac 16 & 17, 2013 Mac 19, 2013 Mac 20, 2013 Mac 21, 2013 Mac 22, 2013 Mac 23 & 24, 2013

East Malaysia

Opening Hours : 12 noon – 4pm

Miri Kuching Sibu Sandakan Kota Kinabalu Tawau

Grand Palace Hotel Riverside Majestic Hotel RH Hotel Sandakan Hotel Promenade Hotel MB Hotel

Mac 16, 2013 Mac 17, 2013 Mac 18, 2013 Mac 22, 2013 Mac 23, 2013 Mac 24, 2013

HIGHLIGHTS

meet representatives from internationally renowned institutions from overseas such as Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Russia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Ukraine, USA, and others, making it the comprehensive show to gather vital information on further education. The information gathered will help you make a better chance when deciding on your future education path.

For those hoping to complete their higher education at nearby country like Singapore, they will not be disappointed as there is a Singapore group consisting of renowned institutions such as National University of Singapore(NUS), Nanyang Technological University(NTU), Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

S

ince its inception in 1990, this prestigious event has been attended by millions of visitors underlining its popularity and public recognition for its success and contributions to human resources development and the education industry.

With thousands of programs being offered, visitors will be spoilt for choices as option of courses ranging from Design to IT, Business to Law, Medicine to Mass Communications, Engineering to Sciences, Accounting to Finance to Healthcare and the list goes on……

Those who are interested to complete their higher education locally will not be disappointed as all major local institutions of higher learning will be at the fair. This event will provide visitors a superb opportunity to meet all these big boys all under one roof. These include Advance Tertiary College (ATC), Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) , Berjaya University College of Hospitality, Brickfileds Asia College, HELP University, INTI International Universities & College, MAHSA University College, Management & Science University (MSU), Nilai University, SEGi University, Taylor’s University , The University Of Nottingham, UCSI University , UTAR , UNIRAZAK, UM, UTM … …

Visitors to the fair will also get a unique chance to 33

HIGHLIGHTS

Scholarship & Study Loan: A scholarship information booth will be specially setup at Kuala Lumpur & Johor Bahru venues to assist the visitors with information on scholarships offered by participating institutions. What’s more, PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund Corporation) will be at the Kuala Lumpur venue to disseminate information on study loan.

Academic presentations: At the Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru venues, visitors are invited to attend a series of presentations to have a better understanding of the programmes, institutions and its facilities conducted by the respective exhibitors.

Admission is free and seats are limited.

Special talks & Career Personality Test: Booths will be specially setup at Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru venue to provide visitors an opportunity to have FREE career personality test. At Kuala Lumpur venue, there are special talks by International Psychology Centre on career, interest and personality. Besides, JobStreet.com will be at the fair to give a talk on “Are You Ready To Be Hired”.

Visitors are advised to bring along their result slips and relevant documents for more accurate assessment when meeting the counselors and representative of the institutions.

The opening hours are from 12noon to 6pm for

For more information on Facon Education Fair – March 2013, please visit www.faconex.com

Peninsula Malaysia while the East Malaysia’s show

or follow us on facebook,

will start from 12noon to 4pm. Admission is free.

www.facebook.com/faconeducationfair.

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35

FEATURING

Press Release: 1 November 2012

STUDENT LEADER AND HIGH ACHIEVER MAKES INSPIRING SPEECH AT GRADUATION

S

unway University’s 517 graduates from the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science and Technology and the Sunway University Business School received their scrolls in

a ceremony graced by the Chancellor of Lancaster University, Sir Christian Bonington. The graduates each received two scrolls, one from Sunway and one from Lancaster University, a Top 10 UK university that validates Sunway University’s home-grown degrees in Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, Psychology, Business Management, Business Studies and Accounting and Finance.

Valedictorian Candy Lee Ker Ching, a first class honours graduate in B.Sc (Hons) Accounting and Finance, spoke candidly how she had initially studied pharmacy but decided to switch to accounting and finance. She said “With plenty of uncertainties, I took the courage to leave and embarked on a journey in accounting. It was challenging in the beginning, but the only thing that carried me through were faith and perseverance”. Lee added “Looking back, following my heart and instincts was the best decision I ever made” she said. She urged her fellow graduates to have the courage to take charge of their own destiny; the path of their own and not others.

“Find where your passion lies and strive for what you truly love” she shared.

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Candy Lee received her scroll from Sir Christian Bonington, Chancellor of Lancaster University

FEATURING

Lee thanked Sunway University for providing avenues in which to build critical minds and intellectual abilities.

She spoke of her experience when she visited Lancaster University as a student ambassador to discuss the Sunway-Lancaster Summer Programme in 2011 when it was launched for the first time.

Lee was President of the Sunway University Accounting Society and was co-founder and advisor of the SIFE Sunway which was entrusted with the mission of providing economic opportunities to societies in need.

Lee is currently employed in GE Global Operations in their Financial Management Programme.

Jubilant Bachelor of Science (Hons) Psychology graduates. L to R Rachel Kang Zhi Kone, Ang Ying Fen, June Goh Cui Lynn, Yap Jing Min and Ong Sue May.

This is Sunway University’s 6th graduation ceremony in which it has conferred degrees. Sunway University is part of the Sunway Education Group which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. In his speech the Chancellor of Sunway University Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah said “Our commitment to excellence is reaffirmed this year and it stems from our belief that education provides the foundation for an accomplished nation and it is this belief that drives our determination in providing education of the highest quality. He also welcomed Sunway University’s new Vice-Chancellor Professor Graeme Candy Lee receiving her Sunway University scroll from Chancellor Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah

Wilkinson, an Oxford-trained scientist and added “We will continue to work to lead the way in shaping the educational landscape for future generations”.

Graduating students welcoming the stage party

37

ANNOUNCEMENT

P

rof. Calie Pistorius, The Vice-Chancellor of Hull University discuss the potential synergy with local company as his vision going beyond academics. The innovation

in creating new K economy has to commercialize the research that has big impact on society.

Prof Calie recently visited Malaysia to discuss potential collaborative initiatives between a local company and Hull University as part of the expansion plan into the Asia region. He thinks the way forward for companies as well as Malaysia is to create and develop products and services as well as operating structures with an Asean vision, especially in terms of supply chains.

Different areas or countries will have different competitive advantages and if you join these up in

Profesor Calie giving his speech

the right way, you add another value to all of the components. Prof Calie believes that the regions needs to find its synergy, and that is only possible if

Professor Calie Pistorius, is the current Vice-Chancellor of University of Hull, UK. His PhD in electrical engineering from Ohio State University, Masters in Management of Technology from MIT, advanced management program from Harvard Business School

member countries look at the broader Asean rather than the countries by themselves. Pistorius says that logistic is an obvious choice for Malaysia because of the ready expertise here. Malaysia is well-positioned to be an emerging logistics hub in this region; the country should take the opportunity to be the gateway into the Asean hinterlands.

Tan Sri, Datuk Wira Jalilah & Prof Calie with other successful Hull Graduates

38

Patron (Tan Sri Abu Hassan) and his friends

Patron Tan Sri Abu Hassan welcoming the delegates from Hull, UK

Prof Calie & Dato’ Michael Tio with other guest

Prof Calie mentioned that the political stability in Malaysia is an attractive quality for international business. There is an opportunity to transfer Hull University’s logistics expertise into this country in the future. “The rule of the logistics game is going to change, so part of what we want to do is research new ways of doing things with Malaysia” he says. [The text was originally published in The Star, StarBiz Week, 16

Pistorius says that logistic is an obvious choice for Malaysia because of the ready expertise here. Malaysia is wellpositioned to be an emerging logistics hub in this region; the country should take the opportunity to be the gateway into the Asean hinterlands.

February 2013]

39

FEATURING

FEATURING

MEB SPEAKS TO DR. CHONG ON MBA IN CORPORATE MANAGEMENT. Dr. Chong Yee Lee, Assistant Professor Head of Postgraduate Degree Programmes Faculty of Business and Finance Tell us what your profession now is.

What do you do?

As an academic and Head of Postgraduate Degree Programmes in UTAR, my duties include the following tasks: • Teaching undergraduate and postgraduate

programmes of the Faculty Of Business

and Finance (FBF).

• Ensuring that all postgraduate programmes

offered by FBF are of high quality, innovative,

up-to-date, and focused at achieving a competitive

edge and a “world class” status.

• Establishing academic including research link

D

r Chong Yee Lee is Head of Postgraduate Degree Programme for the Faculty of Business and Finance in UTAR. She graduated with a BEcons, followed by an MBA degree in Marketing and a PhD degree in Tourism from local public universities. She held various managerial positions for 10 years in the industry before joining Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman as a lecturer. As an academic with the University for 6 years now, she has published articles in international journals, attended conference proceedings, and taught research skills to postgraduate students.

40

or collaboration with other universities or

institutions.

• Ensuring that all postgraduate programmes have

obtained necessary accreditation and recognition

from the Ministry of Quality Assurance and/or

relevant professional bodies.

• Maintaining academic standards of postgraduate

programmes via recommendations for the

appointment of external examiners.

• Recommending the appointment of an Industrial

Advisor to provide feedback on the Industry’s

needs and to keep our postgraduate programmes

relevant and up-to-date.

FEATURING

Tell us your background. What did you do

Tell us about your PhD/ MBA experience.

previously? (This is because of the 10 years

(When, where, what)

industry experience before Utar) I obtained my MBA degree, majoring in Marketing Upon graduating with a Bachelor degree in Economics,

from the Univerisiti Putra Malaysia in 2000. In 2006, I

I was employed as a Customer Support Executive cum

graduated with a PhD (Tourism) degree from the same

Research Executive of a software company. As I was

University. The MBA course that I took had an important

young and uncertain of my career path, I decided to

research component. This strong research element

try different jobs. A heavy equipment company then

together with my basic degree in economics gave me a

recruited me as a Parts Executive, responsible for taking

suitable foundation to undertake my PhD study.

care of the Spare Parts Department’s administrative matters, which involved liaising with franchisers and customers abroad. After 5 years in employment, I signed up for an MBA course. During my MBA study, I noted that I loved advertising. Upon graduation with an MBA degree, I was given a chance to work in an advertising firm as an Accounts Manager. My job’s responsibilities include coordinating my clientele’s promotional activities - such as advertising and TV programme sponsorships – with media companies. My previous employer - heavy equipment company - then re-appointed me as their Finance Manager. Actually, I had ambition to be a lecturer during my undergraduate years. In 2006 – after 10 years in the industry – I decided to teach in a private

..hoping to advance in your current company or looking outside for better opportunities, an MBA degree will open up more options for you.

college while pursuing my PhD study.

What motivated you to pursue the MBA? Whether you are hoping to advance in your current company or looking outside for better opportunities, an MBA degree will open up more options for you. This is one of the main reasons that I chose the MBA degree.

As an academic, I feel more confident teaching and relating to MBA students - who usually have working experience in the industry – when I have industry experience plus an MBA myself.

41

FEATURING

What is the main thesis of your doctorate paper?

FEATURING

What are the major differences between the general MBA and the specialized MBA?

I studied the economic impact of tourist expenditure on the tourism sector in Penang. Dubbed “The Pearl of the

First of all, MBAs in general have higher emphasis on

Orient,” Penang has been a popular tourism destination

learning by instruction (as opposed to learning by doing

in Malaysia since the colonial days. The situation has

research work for Masters’ degrees by research, which

somewhat changed as it is now losing out to other

has little or no learning by instruction).

destinations. The economic contribution of tourism is well-known; but the indirect economic effects have been

Under MBAs category, the general MBA is like a

less studied.

condensation of a 3 or 4 years business management basic degree, with more emphasis on case analysis

Therefore, my thesis was with the objective to estimate

and application of knowledge in decision-making,

the direct and indirect effects of tourist expenditure on

critical thinking and discussions. As such, non-business

the tourism sector in Penang, The thesis’s findings can

graduates like engineers and architects would find

provide policy implications to the local government and

this general MBA very beneficial if they want to be in

guidance to other stakeholders in the tourism industry

management positions. Perhaps, these non-business

or Penang.

graduates would benefit more if they already have industry or business experience prior to taking the

How is the MBA relevant to your work today?

general MBA. In a general MBA course, students will learn the basics of all functions in a business

As mentioned earlier, I had 10 years experience in the

organization including marketing, accounting and

industry before becoming an academic. I also earned

logistics management.

myself an MBA to complement my work experience.

Today, I find myself - as an academic - relating better to

On the other hand, a specialized MBA degree course

my MBA students who usually have industry experience

would have more subjects on a specialist function – e.g.

or are working in high management positions.

marketing, accounting, or human resource. Who should

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FEATURING

choose the specialized MBAs? Let’s say you are working in a very large corporation as a human resource executive after obtaining a Bachelor Degree in Business. To increase your chances of gaining promotion to management level in the same HR Department, you may decide to increase your knowledge on human resource management.

In this case, you are more likely to choose the MBA (majoring) in Human Resource Management, rather than the General MBA. Who should pursue the MBA in Corporate Management?

Anyone who has bachelor degree – business or otherwise – and is pursuing a management career should consider taking the MBA in Corporate Management.

What is the career prospect of a MBA in Corporate Management?

The career prospects available to those taking UTAR’s MBA (Corporate Management) include management positions in a large or group of companies. In terms of specialist functions in business, the career prospects include: marketing, finance, accounting, logistics & supply chain management, human resource management, general administration, and management consultancy. MBA holders should have confidence when they want to start their own businesses.

What is your advice to those interested to pursue

What is your motto?

Time should be well-spent – for work or otherwise.

the MBA? Those interested to pursue UTAR’s MBA programme should contact the Head of Postgraduate Programmes based in Kampar. More information can also be obtained from UTAR’s website or by calling the Division of Programme Promotion at UTAR’s general line 054688888.

What inspire you?

The satisfaction of things well-done and time well-spent.

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FEATURING

Press Release:

MALAYSIA’S NEW HUB OF NANOCOMPUTING TECHNOLOGY

YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, the Minister of Higher Education (“MOHE”).

Minister of Higher Education Launched Malaysia’s First University to Specialise in Computer Science And Engineering

C

yberjaya, 31st January 2013 - Universiti Malaysia of Computer Science and Engineering (“UniMy”), the country’s first boutique university devoted to providing

specialised computer science and engineering education was today launched by YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, the Minister of Higher Education (“MOHE”).

UniMy is established in line with the roadmap of the Higher Education Transformation Programme under the New Economic Model, to produce market ready computing professionals and talents as demanded by industry players. According to a study by

“Tasked to bridge the gap between demand and supply

Multimedia Development Corporation, Malaysia’s

for highly skilled IT personnel and professionally trained

demand for IT graduates will experience an annual

graduates in the next 10 years, UniMy takes a new

growth rate of 18.6% between 2010 and 2013 against

approach in higher education by creating a ‘best of breed’

a supply growth of only 2.7%1. Data and projections

ecosystem working in partnership with global technology

show that computing technology will account for

companies including Microsoft, IBM, EC Council,

two-thirds of all job growth in all fields of science

Dell, Huawei and Autodesk”, said Professor

and technology in the future.

Datuk Dr. Halimaton Hamdan, Vice Chancellor of UniMy

44

FEATURING

Committed to adopting high quality assurance, UniMy

In a bid to further distinguish itself from other universities

has signed Collaboration Agreement with University of

and IT disciplines, UniMy has a unique faculty to

Melbourne (UNIMELB), Australia’s top university.

student ratio of 1:10 with a maximum capacity to take in 3,000students. Small and personal, focused and

The agreement with the UNIMELB is through its

specialised, UniMy targets the best brains to train in

Melbourne School of Engineering.

computer science, software and hardware development.

UNIMELB is the No.1 University in Australia with a

UniMy offers an integrated 1+3+1 Computer Science

formidable reputation in IT, Computer Science and

and Engineering programme starting from Foundation,

Engineering. According to QS World University Rankings,

Bachelor of Science and Master of Science. The first

UNIMELB ranked fourth in the world for graduate

enrolment for Foundation Studies is expected to begin

employability. UNIMELB’s Bachelor of Science degree

in May while enrolment for Undergraduate Programmes

was the first software engineering degree fully accredited

is scheduled in September 2013. Two undergraduate

by the Institute of Engineers, Australia in 1996, and is one

programmes, namely Bachelor of Science in

of the first professionally accredited software engineering

Computer Science and Bachelor of Science in

degrees at the undergraduate level in the world.

Software Engineering are available and admissions to

The potential area of collaboration includes the adoption

the degree programmes are also open for registration to

of the quality control, academic board processes and

candidates with A-level, STPM, and diploma or equivalent

external examination. The intended collaboration will also

qualifications. The university also offers Professional

be extended to the development of the faculty members,

Certificate for Microsoft, IBM, Autodesk, EC Council

learning space and the Innovation and Commercialisation

and Huawei programmes, to graduates to increase their

Centre.

marketability and employability.

45

FEATURING

In helping to shape the world through education, the university will also establish an Innovation and Commercialisation Centre (IC2) that will be modelled after renowned research labs such as XeroxPalo Alto and MIT Media Lab. It will showcase the ‘best of breed’ outputs and aims to be the world’s leader in multidisciplinary and intensive application of Computer Science in National ICT Focus Areas. IC2 will serve as a communication platform to culminate ideas, people and funding, all under one roof.

At present, UniMy operates from a temporary campus in Cyberjaya within the Multimedia Super Corridor, while plans are underway for its permanent campus to be built within Cyberjaya City Centre and to be completed by 2016.

Malaysia’s Hub of Nanocomputing Technology In pursuit to be the new hub of Nanocomputing technology, UniMy will form a user-centred environment to assist computational scientist in their research, whereby the challenge is to combine theory, algorithms, simulations, high-performance computing infrastructures, molecular modelling and user interaction into one system that enables exploratory science at the nanoscale. IBM will work with UniMy in this project to define a training programme in computer modelling of nanomaterials and provide training for UniMy post-doctoral researchers at IBM research facilities.

46

FEATURING

About Universiti Malaysia of Computer Science and Engineering (www.unimy.edu.my) Prestariang Education Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Main Market listed Prestariang Berhad, established UniMy in 2012. It is a privately run university located in Cyberjaya, Malaysia. The University is classified as a more selective institution by the Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia, devoted to providing specialised computer science and engineering education in the country. The University is designed towards creating computing professionals and talent in an effort to sustain Malaysia’s economic success to produce market-ready computing professionals and talent which is in line with the New Economic Model and Higher Education Transformation Programme initiated by Malaysian government in 2011.

47

INTERVIEWS

azita@plus.uemnet.com

Sr Azita Mohamed Tahir Head of Works Procurement Department, Projek Lebuhraya Usahasama Berhad (PLUS)

Why made you want to study an MBA?

University : Currently pursuing Victoria

Being in a corporate world and trained as a quantity surveyor

University MBA (VUMBA) at Sunway; I hold

and an arbitrator, I feel like I need to equip myself with better

a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying from

management skills. By doing MBA, I find that I can relate to

Salford University, UK and a Postgraduate

my work better, enhance my working relationship with my staff,

Diploma in Arbitration from the College of

colleague and superiors and more importantly better understand

Estate Management , UK.

what is required of me in my Company. It also feels satisfying, being able to understand and apply the knowledge and skills that I

Brief Job Description : I currently head

have learned.

the Works Procurement Department that looks after all the procurement and contract

What inspires you?

administration needs for all the expressways

Pursuit of knowledge. Learning is a never ending process. I like

under PLUS Berhad such as the PLUS’

to learn new things and skills. The satisfaction comes from being

North-South Expressways, the New Klang

able to apply the knowledge and skills, and to be able to share

Valley Expressways, the Federal Highway

and educate what I have learnt along the way, with friends and

Route 2, the ELITE Expressways, LINKEDUA,

colleagues.

Butterworth-Kulim Expressways (BKE) and the Penang Bridge.

Favorite Quote

When there’s a will, there’s always a way..

48

Learning is a never ending process.

INTERVIEWS

Chong Meng Kiong Assistant Vice President, Alliance Bank University : Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)

Brief Job Description My role is to help grow the businesses thru’ initiatives such as analyze the information available to develop constructive and structural way to increase sales via series of campaigns launched. Besides that, I constantly involve in project management such as new system development (CRM).

Others such as developing and tracking sales achievement via balance scorecard, “stress-test” business model to ensure sales target is achievable, development of sales tools to help business to manage their portfolio and re-engineer existing business processes through segmentation models.

On annual basis, I’ll involve in developing sales strategies and segmentation deck for business review.

What do you consider the best take away value from your MBA? The course covers are pretty comprehensive, where it can be used in any line of industry. It covers areas such as operation process, research methodology, project management skills, entrepreneurship and managing organization behaviour. It is a very practical mode of study, where we hope these are able to add value to our current job and also possible future career.

What is your advice to prospective MBA student to prepare them for the MBA? I would strongly recommend to anyone who wishes for career development or for self-interest such as setting up own business to pursue higher qualifications i.e MBA. It is a good exposure and with additional knowledge, it will definitely help you in various ways.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Basically, this MBA course will help me in terms of managing the work and managing expectations of people in the company. With the knowledge, we can even help the company in achieving its mission in different views, ie the forecasting methodology used in the company may not be suitable. With the understanding through MBA, options of forecasting methodology are taught and research/literature review done. This will help the company as well as individual for the efforts and contribution. After MBA course, the next thing I would plan is, to fully utilize the knowledge into my work expertise. There is no need to change job if the company recognize the effort of the individual that has put in and recognize the real usage of MBA.

What is your motto in life?

I personally have 3 principles in life. First, always do things the right way, the easiest way, the efficient way and the simplest way of all. Secondly, always try doing things differently and learning most out of it. Thirdly, never restrict to own boundary. Always be helpful, diversified work to continuously improve own self.

Like Gandhi say before “Almost anything good you do will seem insignificant, but it is very important that you do it”

49

INTERVIEWS

Massuhaella Binti Mohd Idris

Senior Financial Executive (BancAssurance), Public Bank Berhad

What do you consider the best take away value from your postgraduate programme?

This course is all about communication and it is really interesting where we learnt communication more deepen and broadly. This course was under Faculty of Creative Industry (FCI). The class was lively and we are free to giving our opinions and sharing thoughts. The educators are so experienced.

What is your advice to prospective postgraduate student to prepare them for this programme?

My advice to those who are wishing to further master, once you have think of it, you must go for it. The choice is in your hands. Especially to those who want to further in Master of Communication, I just want to congratulate you that you just made a brilliant decisions. Some people might say that there is no point to further Master if you don’t have any working experience. For me, people are made with different kind of luck and fortune, don’t bother about what people said, just think of what you aim and need that is the most important.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I wish to further my PhD after I’m completed my Master. My hope is I wish that I would get a bright future in my career and whatever things that I do. In future, I also hope that I can contribute what I had learnt now to my beloved country, Malaysia.

50

Current University: Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Master of Communication) Brief Job Description : My responsibilities are: • To sell and promote Bancassurance

products (One Solution Product).

• Provide personal financial advisory services.

• Identify customer segments for new sales.

• Build customer relationship to up-sell and

cross-selling banking products.

What is your motto in life?

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. Herman Cain

INTERVIEWS

12064192@imail.sunway.edu.my

Chua Yu Kiat Business Development Manager University :

What made you want to study an MBA?

Victoria University MBA (VUMBA) at Sunway;

My current business development role requires me to have sound

University of Sheffield Bachelors in Engineering

comprehension on the overall business operations. I felt that I lacked the insights of the bigger picture from my past working

Brief Job Description I work for a South African engineering company with proprietary technology in the manufacturing of insulation oil process equipment. My responsibility is to help the company set up an assembly operation in Malaysia. I work closely with both the technical manager and operations manager to oversee the whole assembly process, from production planning to logistics and supply chain management. On the marketing aspect, my key role includes liaising with government authorities for licenses and trade incentives, planning for marketing activities, organizing

experiences having much focused on the daily operations and

exhibitions and growing channel sales.

are a large number of students with diverse background and

little on business processes and strategies.

From this I hope to acquire in-depth business knowledge such as accounting, financial analysis, marketing, supply chain, human resources and strategic management. This would help me in advising the management when it comes to identifying market demand, assessing opportunity costs and applying best practices in the business.

I also wanted to study an MBA to network with other like-minded people. All the students have one common objective which is to improve themselves by earning an MBA qualification. There experiences to network with in the course, not to mention past alumni students. It is just interesting to make some new friends

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. ~ Henry Ford

and exchange ideas.

What inspires you?

People who overcome adversity with a positive attitude inspire me. I admire people who have the courage to continue pursuing what they believe in in spite of all the obstacles along the way.

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INTERVIEWS

cheangwaileong@hotmail.com

Cheang Wai Leong Fund Transfer Pricing Analyst, Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad

Throughout my experience in VUMBA, I have enhanced my

Current University: Victoria University

personal values mainly to be a good team player, to be more

MBA (VUMBA) at Sunway

self-discipline and to apply what I had learnt in my current job as a Fund Transfer Pricing (FTP) Analyst. As an FTP analyst, I am the

Graduated from: Monash University

key coordinator with treasury, information system and business department for various projects involving FTP rates (internal interest rates or cost of funding) within the bank itself. The major motivation for me to further my studies in MBA is to enhance my knowledge in other area (eg. ERP SAP system, Business Economics, Financial Analysis, Project Management, Supply Chain and Logistic, etc) apart from my current work experience so as to provide ample opportunity in enhancing my career to the next level.

Furthermore, VUMBA covers both technical and analytical assignments and research papers which further enhance my reading and research skills in other area of studies. With most of the classes being held in the weekends, I can rest assure my enrolment to VUMBA will not affect my usual work in any manner.

Moreover, both Australian lecturers and local tutors are helpful and can be reached easily, thus, I am able to get consultation and to solve my problems with them easily.

Apart from study, I am impressed with the activities organized by the VUMBA Club catered to all VUMBA students as well. Through this club, I am able to enhance my network and to learn to be an event organizer.

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All in all, I am proud to be a student of VUMBA and my favourite quote for VUMBA is “Let’s Grow Together With VUMBA”.

BUSINESS SEGMENT Profiles of Extraordinary People

SUBSTANCE, RELEVANCE, SIGNIFICANCE

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BUSINESS SEGMENT

Postgraduate studies speaks to Mr Sia Hok Kiang, Managing Director of Malaco Mining Sdn Bhd and Council Member of the Malaysian Chamber of Mines.

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t’s high time to address the talent gap in the mining industry. Despite the tin sector’s collapse, Malaysia’s best days in mining are yet to come, according to Sia Hok Kiang, CEO of Malaco Mining. He speaks about economic opportunities and job prospects in the mining industry, and gives us his frank views on hot topics Lynas and Rare Earth.

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1

Q

1. Tell us about your profession.

E.g. how did you get involved in your current field?

I am an economic geologist specialized in mineral projects. I graduated in Applied Geology from the University of Malaya in 1981. I joined a mining company after graduation and was lucky to be posted worldwide in mineral exploration and development projects.

Q

2

For the benefit of the layman, what exactly do you do? And how does your line of work impact the common man?

My forte is my hands-on knowledge in the mining industry. That is, a very good understanding of how the various types of mineral deposits are formed; the costs to mine the mineral deposits, the costs of the various types of mineral extraction methods and a good current understanding of the metal prices.

With the above knowledge, I am able to study those mining projects that are in distress (such as under foreclosure or abandoned) and evaluate the geology and mine economics to identify viable deposits from distressed projects.

The science of mineral deposits has advanced tremendously over the last 30 years. By keeping abreast of new knowledge in the geology of ore deposits, I am able to identify “blind� deposits which escaped earlier exploration.

There is always a higher probability of finding new ore deposits from a mining field that was closed down. You hunt elephants in elephant country.

The revival of closed down mineral projects helps to unearth locked and abandoned mineral resources and provide additional employment.

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BUSINESS SEGMENT

There is always a higher probability of finding new ore deposits from a mining field that was closed down.

You hunt elephants in elephant country.

3

Q

What keeps you busy on the professional front these days?

Through the Malaysian Chamber of Mines and in collaboration with The Mineral and Geoscience Department, I am actively promoting the revival of the mining industry in Malaysia. I attend mining conferences and present relevant papers.

I am also actively identifying viable mineral deposits in Malaysia and other countries.

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Q

What is the outlook for the mining industry in Malaysia?

Malaysia is lucky to be endowed with very favorable geology for the formation of mineral deposits. This is why we were once the World’s largest producer of tin. We still have substantial primary deposits of tin, tungsten, rare earth, copper, base metals, iron, gold, coal and other industrial minerals awaiting development.

With the implementation of the New Mineral Development policies the Government is encouraging the development of the mineral sector; coupled with our high geological potential Malaysia’s outlook for the mining industry is bright.

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Q

Q

5 6

What are the job prospects available in the mining industry?

The mining industry will require geologists, mining engineers, metallurgists, safety/ environmental engineers, civil, mechanical and electrical engineers, accountants, human resource officers and other usual industry support personnel.

What is the career path and rewards that await a geology graduate, for example, if he or she does well in the mining sector?

A successful geologist who does well in the mining sector has the competitive advantage of understanding the geology of ore deposits.

He/she will be able to progress to head the exploration department of mining companies, and ultimately head the corporation.

Better still, if he/she is entrepreneurial he/she may be able to identify mineral deposits and start their own businesses.

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Q

In Australia, mining leaders have raised the concern of the lack of skilled workers. Is Malaysia facing a similar manpower shortage in the mining sector?

This problem is even more acute in Malaysia.

Since the collapse of the tin industry in 1985 the Malaysian mining industry has practically ceased, save a handful of mines. This lack of job opportunity discouraged students from taking mining geology courses.

Those who did graduate in geology were unable to obtain industry training and exposure to gain experience; resulting in a huge talent gap.

What is the root cause of the talent gap?

Q

8

Our local universities provide geology as well as mineral engineering courses, so there is no lack of educational opportunity. It is the lack of a viable career path within the country that caused the talent gap.

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9

Q

Should it be an area to reconsider, with the advent of information technology and mining technology, not to mention the fact that mining is on the upswing again?

In view of the upswing in the mineral sector in Malaysia, we must endeavor to close this talent gap.

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Q

What is your personal take on Lynas and Rare Earth? What is fact and what is myth. With so many conflicting views circulating in the media, the layman would appreciate the honest viewpoint from a specialist.

Rare Earth is a collective name chemists gave to a group of 17 metallic elements which have specific chemical and physical characteristics.

It is not “earth” as perceived by the name, and it is not rare too, the occurrence of rare earth group of elements (REE) is more than tin or copper in the Earth’s crust.

Rare Earths constitute 17 out of 37 elements in the earth that had been identified as New Technology Metals (NTM). Example of the usage of rare earth elements is in the manufacture of super magnets, which is critical in the manufacture of hybrid cars, smart phones and high speed maglev trains.

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Q

What is your suggestion to the Ministry of Education to close the gap in this field?

Rare earth metals are not radioactive.

We must enhance the practical aspect in the field of mineral science education.

Rare earth metals do not occur naturally in the earth’s crust, but come in the form of compound in minerals such as monazite, xenotime. Rare earth elements are extracted from these minerals through a leaching process which is what Lynas is doing in Malaysia.

In this respect, it will be good if large mining companies could set up specific mining schools in Malaysia; in collaboration with famous mining and geology schools such as Curtin, McGill, Colorado School of Mines, Geology University of Beijing; and to provide mining and geological training to both undergraduates and post graduates.

The operating mines can then be used as a practical training ground for the various aspects of the industry from exploration to mining, mineral dressing and metallurgy.

Scholarships can be provided by the industry to excellent students.

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The mineral that carries rare earth element contains thorium (Th) which is mildly radioactive. After the extraction of the rare earth elements, the residue of thorium oxide could be contained in concrete containers. The residual radiation is very mild as compared to radiation from uranium in the nuclear reactor cells; and can be easily contained.

BUSINESS SEGMENT

12

Q

Why did these companies come to Malaysia? Does their presence benefit Malaysia, economically speaking?

With the presence of a refining plant right within our country, our own rare earth resources may be developed as the upstream industry to rival China, which currently controls almost 92% of the rare earth supply in the World.

I believe Lynas came to Malaysia because of logistic economics.

The Lynas rare earth mine located in West Australia is very far from the coast. If Lynas were to set up their extraction plant at the mine site, they have to transport the acid (extraction solvent) from the suppliers in the cities to the mine site, and then transport the finished product back to the coast to be shipped to the end user (Japan). Both overland transport and labor costs are high in Australia.

Since rare earth element is the New Technology Metal of the future, the development of our very own rare earth resources will benefit our economy tremendously.

13

Q

West Malaysia is strategic in that the industrial zone is next to the port, we are near to the end user, and we have an acid plant right there in the same industrial park! For Lynas it would cost far much less to ship the ore concentrate amounting to about just 30,000 tons per year from West Australia to Malaysia than to process the ore on site.

What is your advice for graduates and post-graduates who are interested in joining the mining sector? What do you need to do well?

S : Be knowledgeable. Mining is an exact science so there is no guess work. Keep learning and enhancing your knowledge, not just your specific field, but also related fields.

Mining bosses prefer well rounded staff.

For example, if you are a geologist, you must have an in-depth knowledge in the geology of ore deposits. At the same time, you must acquire working knowledge about mining engineering (how the ore deposit found by you can be mined) and mineral processing (how the minerals can be extracted from the ore mined).

With the successful operation of Lynas, Malaysia will join 6 other nations (China, USA, Japan, India, France and Germany) as producer of rare earth elements.

14

Q

On a personal note, do you have any favourite quotes that are your source of inspiration?

Be Specific�; “Sunrise always follows Sunset�

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DR. TAZEEB RAJWANI

ENTERPRISE 2.0: ACCELERATING BUSINESS MODELS AND PERFORMANCE INTRODUCTION

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ocial technologies have radically transformed the world of business. They have enabled globe-spanning supply lines, real-time information exchange, and allowed a swarm of firms to enhance their business performance. These powerful technologies challenge existing management practices and models, therefore many executives are rethinking their infrastructure for collaboration and communication. Typically these technologies include the likes of blogs, wikis, podcasts, information tagging, widgets, mashups, prediction markets and social networks.

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The usage of these social technologies within companies is referred to as Enterprise 2.0. Global enterprise spending on these technologies is predicted to increase dramatically to reach $4.6 billion by 2013, with a 43% year on year growth, which makes it the fastest growing technology in the enterprise software industry.

Despite the recent recession, a growing number of innovative firms are integrating social technologies into their businesses, including General Electric, Procter & Gamble, Shell, KPMG and Airbus. These forward thinking firms are adapting their traditional management practices while leveraging Enterprise

BUSINESS SEGMENT

2.0 technologies. However, when it comes to the current management practices that predominate in the majority of companies – a large number of leaders are still ‘unsure about the relevance’ of social technologies to allocate their resources and capabilities effectively. The big exam question is ‘can these social technologies actually boost business performance?’

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THE RELEVANCE OF SOCIAL TECHNOLOGIES We have found companies can actually boost productivity and enhance performance by leveraging social technologies to support business needs. A number of companies have implemented Enterprise 2.0 applications for a variety of purposes such as research & development, marketing, customer service and knowledge management. Global service firms such as Accenture, Pfizer, BT and IBM have used these technologies to rapidly identify who within their organization know ‘what’ and thus consequently share their expertise quickly. In some cases this goes beyond the UK borders to creating global outreach platforms for collaboration and communication.

Traditionally, some companies used to be in control of designing their products, services and marketing messages based on their own understanding of what their customers wanted. However, empowered by online social technologies, customers are now quickly connecting with and drawing power from one another and defining their own perspective on companies and brands. For example, Ikea has a platform called IkeaFans.com, which has been used to engage customers instantly in product feedback and design ideas. Similarly, Dell features its IdeaStorm Forum on DellCommunity.com for new ideas and product development. While, Pfizer has rushed 62

into developing these technologies for internal usage, thinking that employees will use it like internal Googlelevel search and Wikipedia-level internal collaborations.

Leaders need to acknowledge that these social technologies have implications for business performance, as they can improve various management systems, reduce costs and quicken processes in their business models. Consequently, it facilitates cooperation among information workers, provides a secure and managed collaborative environment for content creators, and helps to orchestrate people to achieve new innovative solutions e.g. Pfizer using Pfizerpedia to increase drug innovation. However, there are many other challenges that leaders and their organizations need to consider in implementing Enterprise 2.0 strategies.

Dr Tazeeb Rajwani: Tazeeb is a Lecturer in Strategic Management at Cranfield School of Management. He also holds or has held visiting faculty positions at London Business School, Kings College London, University of Warwick and University of Nottingham. He has been a Director of Strategy at a high-tech start-up, where he still holds an advisory position. Prior to these roles he held a management

BUSINESS SEGMENT

POSSIBLE CHALLENGES FOR STRATEGIC LEADERS Research shows three possible challenges that leaders will face in implementing Enterprise 2.0 strategies.

Firstly, leaders need to decide which social technologies make sense for their business needs. The choice in social tools can be difficult and also fairly expensive, at times costing in excess of £1m. With the variety of social tools available, each with its own implications for performance, leaders will have to map their desired outputs.

Secondly, with the rising number of companies in the UK using Enterprise 2.0 technologies, companies are training their engineers, managers, accountants and sales professionals on Enterprise 2.0 technologies.

However, implementing any technology strategy requires a significant orchestration of culture. Companies will have to embed and embrace true global working into

position at KPMG Corporate Finance, where he was an Innovation Champion and member of the Thought Leadership group at KMPG Europe. His unique role at KPMG also included managing large complex projects globally with a particular focus on Corporate Finance.

He conducts research into competitive strategies in global firms. His research focuses mainly on competitive advantage, organisational performance and corporate political activity.

Through Cranfield, he advises several firms and educates future

their culture, while networks develop independent of geographic and organisational boundaries. Companies will have to move to a ‘deliverables based performance’ culture, rather than a ‘be seen in the office’ culture, which potentially could positively impact performance.

Finally, some companies will resist adopting Enterprise 2.0 technologies, despite the overwhelming evidence to suggest superior performance. In part because the kind of adoption required is challenging to current best practices. Some leaders will truly believe that their ‘current’ organizational energies, practices and mindsets are going to be successful in the future, not recognizing that they must learn to forget the old ways to compete for the future. With these tough challenges in mind, social technologies are going to be gaining momentum on the boardroom agendas, strategy and budgets meetings in the years to come.

leaders. He has gained a broad range of executive teaching experience. He has taught and facilitated many discussions with executives from major organisations such as Oracle, PwC, IBM, EDF Energy, Royal Sun Alliance, Henkel, Jaguar Land Rover, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), Central Bank of Nigeria, Actavis, Groupe Aeroplan, China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC), Rank Group, United Nations (UN), and others. He has previously studied at the University of Surrey, University of Nottingham, University of Cambridge (Visiting PhD scholar) and has a PhD from Imperial College London.

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