The Art of Neuro-Linguistic Programming

By looking at the module title, the first thing came to my mind is psychology. Something to do with your mindset where you decide to operate your brain, the 'motherboard', to the way that you want it to be, and then it will reflect back to your emotion as well as your behavior. Well that is what i defined NLP after we, the BeST participants at UniRAZAK had a emotional (in a good way), informative and entertaining session with Mr Faizal Kamal who i could say the 'mind reader' on that day.

NLP is actually a system of psycho-therapy based on interpersonal communication concerning relationship between behavior patterns and subjective experiences underlying them. It aims to educate people in self-awareness and effective communication, and to change their patterns of mental and emotional behavior.

Depends on the individuals, but usually past experiences such as things happened and their surrounding reflect the way he/she behave and their pattern of thought in present. in the session, there was one activity that has make me to believe that this NLP thing could actually work. 

The trainer called out two of the participants (girls) to be volunteer for this particular activities. He asked girl X to close her eyes and think about something or experience that make her feel sad. Then, he asked girl Y to close her eyes and he asked girl Y to try to feel what was the girl X felt about her past experience. I am not sure what exactly he said and how exactly he did, but after couple of minutes, tears started to come out from girl Y which means she could somehow feel what were the girl X felt. Interestingly, what i heard from participants who seat just in front of the two girls while the activities was conducted, they could see the eye movement of the two volunteer when they closed their eyes, was almost the same!

It's all to do with your perception because the way you perceive something it will affect your physiology , emotion and behavior. If you perceive it to be negative, then you will behave in a negative way. That's why people always say "think positive" or "Look at the bright side".

CA: took a class on psychology during foundation year. Similar to NLP, it was about how your half-conscious mind controls you and psychological processes.

Seal the Deal

Another session by Mr. Hisham. I'm really looking forward to this class. Because it's gonna be fun and informative. So, YEAY!

The Art of Negotiation Skills - everyday you negotiate. but how effective is your negotiation? Did you manage to get the deal or you're the one who have to give in? My father, i believe, is one of the best negotiater. He always get his reservation price. I don't know how he do it, but it didn't work for me. Although i managed to get it for sometime, it's not very much. 

I don't really need to tell what are the skills and how you can be like Trump-style negotiater. There is always Goooogle for you and they also got a book of it. you might want to read it because it could really help you to get your best deal.

In the class just now, we had several FUN activities which its objective to give us a chance to show what we have learn from the class. the activities needed us to act on the given situation and it was really funny. Negotiation Skills? haha..it didnt work most of the time. It was  full of emotions and talent to be an actor/actress which gave us big laugh. I tell you the whole class including Mr Hisham are very SEMPOI!!!

At the end, the best story and actor/actress were awarded with chocolates by Mr Hisham...and we got to see Nazrin sang a song by Boyzone, WORDS. Till then,

 

Show Time!

In 'you can't avoid it' I've already told you that we already did a theory class of public speaking, where we learn important skills on how to be a good public speaker. And at the end of the session, my group was given a title 'immigration' as a assignment for us to prepare for the practical session. As for me, i chose to talk about 'the factors that cause illegal immigration in Malaysia'.

So, yesterday was a session for each and everyone of us to give a talk on individual's topic. There were groups presented social problem, Eco-tourism, sports, women entrepreneur and also information technology. It was a fun and informative session but unfortunately my turn was late in the afternoon, about 4.45pm. So, i was a bit tired.

Mr. Hisham is a good trainer. The comments are very useful and helpful. He's willing to share his valuable experiences to the students and i believe he has created a strong interaction with us. In fact, he is one of my favorite trainer. Congrats Mr Hisham.

Mock Interview

It's happening now. Everyone is currently preparing for their mock interview which is conducted by two trainers with  two different groups divided respectively. Even a mock interview could give me a mix feelings. You already set your mind with regard that it is just going to be a mock, yet you are still feel nervous. It was a good session anyway. Before the interview started, we have been taught on how to tackle a tricky and difficult-to-answer questions that commonly asked in interview. For example, 'what are your weaknesses and how do you overcome it'. .simple but yet you might struggling and your hands are shaking while you are trying to answer that questions. You just need to tell your weaknesses but try to answer it in a positive side..and do not be too honest until you jeopardize yourself.

There are many factors or solutions that could lead you to have a smooth-sailing interview. importantly, to build up your confidence, you need to do your homework..Be prepared for the interview and try your best to sell yourself so that the interviewer could really fell your interest on that particular job.

Do not forget to groom yourself in a profesional way!

Conducting effective meeting

I just got back from playing futsal. It's 4.00 am and i don't feel like going to bed yet. So, what else to do? Since i already lay back my body on the couch, i decided to go online. It has been a week i did not post a comment. 

Alright, what have i learned in BeST programme this week? One of them is as stated in the title. It is not actually as easy as i thought before when it comes to organize a meeting. There is a standard procedure you have to follow on, from the notice until inside the meeting room. The trainer have focused on an annual general type of meeting, the role of chairman and secretary. But i'm not quite sure how exactly it could relates to my future career. I expect that it would be more to ordinary meeting which usually conducted among management committee of the company itself. However, it was a full of information session. At least, i got to know the basic knowledge and requirements on how we could organize an effective meeting. Who knows, one day you will be a CEO for a new biotech company, this session could really help you on what are the needs in order to organize meeting among your shareholder/partnership etc.

Weekend

It has been two weeks since i joined BeST program. Not much getting done around here. Yesterday i played futsal which the most thing i like to do. Then, a little bit here, a little bit there. Oh, i did some research too. Each person in the group has to think about a topic or idea which it has to be a biotech-based. This is purposely for our finale presentation in this program which require  every group to come out with a business plan that could be a credit to the industry, perhaps. Tomorrow, we will have a discussion and only the best idea or topic will be selected to be done for the presentation.All the best for me!

Kindly send your resume to...

Yeah, for job-seeker, you got that everyday in each job advertisement you're looking at. As for BeST participants, we got one slot for how to write an effective resume as well as cover letter. Your resume is basically defined you in words. Therefore, you need to be careful while preparing your resume; your layout, sentences, content and most importantly your picture.

• Use type of sentences or words that could attract and impress the interviewer. 
• Bullet points might be better rather than you use a wordy sentences.
• Be not to exaggerate as that could affect you in later time. 'Honesty is the best policy'
• Always remember- employer will have an average 45 seconds to view your resume. Wordy and too many pages is totally a no-no.
• NASH - Neatness, Attractive, Simplicity, Honesty.

The session is an add-up to my knowledge on writing a good resume. But, cover letter? it's the first time i learned on how to write it (well basically it won't be in written form as we have PC and laptop). So, it's just like a formal letter you learned in standard or high school. It will be just one page letter and try not to be elaborative. A cover letter is just an introduction of your resume; basically people will put where they are graduated from, interested fields, a little bit of experiences as well as their eagerness to convince the employer that they could be an asset to the company. You may want to google it as there are a lot of cover letter samples that you can refer as a guideline.  Good luck!

You can't avoid it

Yesterday we are thought about the art of the public speaking.  This particular module is not a new thing for me. I already learned this during my foundation year. It was really a helpful session where it leads me to build my confidence level to speak in front of a hall-size audiences. Last time, i was really afraid up to the point when i would make whatever excuses that i could think of to avoid from speaking in front of the audience. However, as i went along my degree years which full of presentations and public speaking, i think i have improved myself. Of course the nervousness is still there, but not like what i used to be before. I am very grateful to 'meet' this session again when it's scheduled as one of the BeST's module. It was a fun session with talented and funny trainers.

From the session notes, there is an excerpt that could really help you to practice your pronunciation, volume, pace as well as clarity.

"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,

To the last syllable of recorded time,

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools,

The way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle!

Life 's but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon stage

And then is heard no more; it is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing." - from Macbeth

Always remember that - Practice Make Perfect

Hijrah

Assalamualaikum WBT and Good morning!

Today, i don't have classes because it's a public holiday. For Muslims, it's called Awal Muharram which for us to remember the Hijrah (migration) done by our beloved Prophet (Muhammad SAW) together with Muslims during that time.

For my Muslim's friends, what Hijrah means to you? Our religion encourages us to do a change or so called a shift in our life where we 'migrate' ourselves from bad to good and from good to a better person.

"Verily Allah will not change the condition of a people until they (first) change it themselves (with their own souls)" (Ar-Ra'd, 11)

As for me, i determine to change myself. Hopefully, the BeST programme i attended since last week would be a good platform for me. I was pointed to be group leader and also a programme leader. Honestly, i'm lacking the characteristic to be a leader, but i want to change myself. I want to try as best as i can to make things for the participants and the programme go very well, insyaAllah. Therefore, i hope a cooperation from everyone from the programme to work with me, together we make the BeST programme batch of 2010 to be at the top among the others, the best BiotechCorp ever had.

A new assignment!

'How to Reach An Audience Through Blogging' 

There are various platforms people used to expand their audience; chatting rooms, social network website where most of it offer a space for us as a human being to interact with each other even we are miles apart. As how Facebook rises and expands all over the world (i would say  a number 1 social network being used currently), Blog is another form of e-interaction that the generation is addicted to. I would say it is an extension of other social network website ( Facebook, Twitter and Friendster) where it provides space for people to share their thoughts, interests, feelings, informations and almost everythings depending on the author's willingness. 

How exactly it happens? -  When the author writes a particular post on his/her interest for example, if other people found it interesting or they share the same thought/interest as what has been posted, they can start to converse with the author by leaving comments or opinions to that particular post. From there, people start to interact each other widely by changing a phone number and also possibly they could meet up or hangout if the author and the reader want it to be deeply discussed. because for some people, it would be more effective if they meet and talk rather than through comments and chatting.

Some factors might help you to expand your audience and attract more reader to visit your blog.

1. The original design of blog is already help the author to encourage readers to leave comments and interact with the other readers.

2. Use of wonderful and nice template and layout could actually attract readers to read your posts.

4. Interesting posts - refer to the capability of the author to write a post (or more) that could actually trigger the readers to share opinions and thoughts.

3. Good use of widgets and plug-ins also very important that it allows author to post links for example to his/her Facebook account, or link to bring  readers to the other site that has detailed discussion on particular topics. Readers will found it convenient for them and they will attracted to visit your blog again and that is your stepping stone to reach your audience.

All the factors given above is based on my four-days experience as a blogger. So, me, myself , a first time blogger and i would say the B-L-O-G would join in my hobby list soon. Peace!

A way foward

Good morning pals! Alright, a little bit about science today. I think everyone knows well about this particular widely spread disease known as diabetes. I'm not sure how the other asian countries do, but we, Malaysians love sugar very much. We love teh tarik, kuih-muih, rice, carbonated drinks, everything that gets in our stomach contains sugar except for the non-sugar foods and drinks, but most of it they do.in fact, my father is one of the billions diabetes-infected patient and in malay culture, some of us called it as 'penyakit keturunan'.

Currently persons with diabetes are treated by injecting insulin derived from bacteria and yeast which is if i'm not mistaken the production and selling cost are expensive. However, in the next decades, we will be anticipating a plant-based insulin (an insulin derived from plant) to replace the conventional bacterial or yeast-derived insulin to treat diabetes mellitus. How? ok let me make it simple so it would be easy for the non-science readers. Basically, the scientists ask the plant to produce human insulin by putting a gene or expression system into the plant. I know this might be an ethical issue for those who are antis to genetic manipulation. however, in clinical trials, it has been proved that the plant-derived insulin is capable of reducing blood glucose level in mice effectively without toxic side-effects!

As they claim:  Cheaper production costs, it's stable (does not require refrigeration when being transported), the most interesting is it is edible-easy delivery without the need of professional healthcare!

 Maybe in the future, patients could expect to get an insulin by just eating the leaves (macam makan ulam) or fruits from the engineered plant, a way easy right? So lepas ni jangan takut nak pergi hospital sebab takut kena cucuk.

  

Korean Wave

I was so busy yesterday that i could not write post here. I don't have broadband or whatsoever at my new rented house and also my family came to KL to attend my cousin's wedding ( what a lame excuse...haha).Alright, let's just proceed. I won't be writing about what happened at the kenduri but this particular issue has somehow triggered me to share something with you guys. Last night i was stuck in a traffic jam at Bangsar and i listened to this no. 1 radio station in Malaysia(as it claims). Suprisingly, they played three consecutive korean pop (kpop) songs at that time. Well, it might not be a surprise for those who are kpop fan. But, yeah korean entertainment is a current global phenomenon. In fact, some of the korean boy and girl groups had successfully promoting their albums not only in asia (particularly in japan,china and thailand) but also in United states. 

What actually impressed me is despite a crisis issue going on between the north and the south korea, the government decided not to halt their local entertainment activities. I think they do not want the world or their resident itself feel the pressure occurred because of the crisis. For Korean, entertainment is their life. Beside their beautiful environment and places which most of it become tourist attraction, the culture is famous with songs and wonderful dances which the young generation now addicted to.

CA: had an experience dancing zapin back in high school time.

Blogging 101

First,

Assalamualaikum WBT

Second,

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. I'm being infected with BLOGerichia coli...pfft

Sigh, i'm gonna have my own blog. It never crossed in my mind to create a blog. I wasn't born to be a writer or blogger. In fact, i have no interest on blogging and i seldomly visit and read other people's blog. Today, as part of BeST programme, i was 'forced' to create my own so called e-diary. To those whose not a participant of BeST or have no idea what BesT is, I'm not gonna tell you guys in this post although i see most of the participants who also a newbie for blogging put a brief introduction of BeST as their first post. You guys can google it anyway or (promoting) go to other participant's blog, they have it for you.

So, i guess starting today i have to start reorganize my life's schedule. Let's give a space for blogging and we will see how far it can go.Till then, see you in the next post....hopefully!

CA: Heard of hindustan's song played by a dvd's shop while walking back from Friday's prayer. i used to be a die-hard fan of hindustan's movie. Tujhe dekha to heja na sanamm....