THE general business climate in Malaysia has grown tougher over the past two years. The drop in oil prices has hurt us all because Malaysia, with its large natural gas exports, is a net seller of fossil fuels even though we are a net importer of petroleum. (It is important to know that natural gas and oil prices move in tandem.) Nonetheless, that is just one verse in our litany of woes.
Another reason for these rough times is the anaemia of the global economy. And, a third, perhaps most important reason, is Malaysia’s persistent slide down different global rankings on, say, the English proficiency of our graduates, the productivity gains of our industries and the brain drain of high-calibre Malaysians.
People know that things are not perfect in the country. But the truth is things are not perfect anywhere. That is why we need to work that much smarter, toil that much harder and give that much more of our time, talent and tenacity to make more money this year than we did before.
Can it be done? Yes.
The proof surrounds us. Judging from the magnificent homes and luxury cars we all see, it is obvious that many Malaysians still thrive. We know from past and current findings by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) that disgusting, preying individuals lurk among us. Do not emulate them because MACC and God are watching; an accounting will be required in this world and the next. Thankfully, there are many more decent, hard-working, imaginative Malaysians who succeed in viable, commendable ways.
My late mother, Janaki Devadason, passed away on Aug 12. I wrote a tribute column to her last week outlining five money lessons she taught me.
She did not do so through lecturing, but instead, she communicated them through the beacon that was her life. I then internalised them through observation, rumination and application.
When I was young, our mother, my older sister, Viji, and I used a neighbour’s phone for emergency calls because we could not afford to have one installed in our rented home in Seremban.
Our mother would time the calls and pay exactly what was owed. If she was not sure, she would round up what she paid our neighbour. She never rounded down and, thus, never short-changed anyone.
Much later in life, I observed this same trait in the highest-calibre people I have dealt with in countries I have worked and lived in — the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore and Malaysia.
I have learnt that it is best to avoid the temptation of promising the world and then failing to deliver. Instead, we should make it a habit to under-promise but over-deliver.
For instance, in the middle of next month, I will address a group of business owners in Honolulu. In the marketing message the organisers asked me to draft, I focused on under-promising.
My goals at the lunchtime talk, however, are to dedicate the presentation to my late mother, tell the audience about her life and provide them with far more than they expect in terms of financial planning precepts and edutainment.
If you make it a point to under-promise while consistently over-delivering, you will, in time, forge a reputation for dependability and excellence. That sterling name can blossom and then bloom into a wealth generating asset.
So, by extension, when wooing a life partner or a long-term client, avoid coming across as the loudest, brashest, most in-your-face contender for the heart or wallet in question.
If you focus on developing internal excellence while persistently under-promising yet over-delivering, the general orientation of your life will be northward.
In due course, your snowballing success will attract riches. As you save and invest your surplus cash for long-term growth, you will do well to avoid over-promisers when selecting your primary banker, agent, adviser or financial planner.
Always favour substance over form.
The writer, Rajen Devadason, is a Securities Commission-licensed financial planner, professional speaker and author. Read his free articles at www.FreeCoolArticles.com. He may be connected with on LinkedIn at https: //www.linkedin.com/in/rajendevadason