Out & About
Dianty Bte Din, the young Biotechnologist,
interviews me on the secrets to success for young
people!
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I'm always invigorated and flattered whenever a
journalist asks me for an interview. So it was
when Dianty Bte Din who's
studying Biotechnological Engineering had to do a
school
project in interviewing successful business people to
find out what were the secrets to their success! She
conducted the interview in true professional
fashion, and I'm going to publish both the questions
she asked me and my answers to those questions! I
hope you enjoy reading this too!
Give me a brief introduction of your
background.
I was born in Mísia, and had the opportunity to
do part of my primary school in Bristol, UK. I part
completed Secondary school in Ipoh, then attended
Manly Boys High School in Sydney, and finally went
to Queensland University to study Dentistry, which I
didn't complete.
I returned to M'sia, and worked in KL for 7 years
before travelling again to Australia with my father
who was very sick then, and was seeking treatment
for his condition in Sydney.
Anyway, we decided to stay on in Australia,
and we applied for permanent residence there,
which was successful.
I conducted many business activities in Australia
which included catering, restaurants, and being the
principal of a cuisine school! Boy, can I cook!
What are the key moral values imparted from
your parents?
My Father always said to us: Work hard, donít waste
time. Make a good career and contribution to
society. Be useful to self & others
Family, Career and Wealth, please rate your
priorities and why?
1. Wealth ñ health, finance
2. Career ñ a satisfying
3. Family ñ last but not least ñ after wealth and
career. Once I'm healthy and wealthy, then I can
fully support my family, and give them the best I can!
What are your personal goals?
I present life enriching seminars to help people reach
success using my drive & passion and in so doing,
also achieve riches and fulfillment for myself
In what way did your tertiary education
training lead to what you are today?
Not much at all! Uni was a fun time for me! Socially,
it was very enriching. I learnt a lot about myself, and
life. I fell in love with my very first real girl friend
there! But I failed to complete my uni studies!
Do you agree that holistic educational
development is important?
Absolutely. Makes one into a fine person. Spiritual,
sports, mental, physical & emotional growth all
together makes the person whole!
How do you balance your time between your
family and your work?
My life's work comes first now. My family understands
as my son, who's our only child, has now graduated
from Sydney University with his B.Educ., B.Teach.
and is already working full time. My spouse has a
satisfying career in hospitality working in a large four
and a half star apartment complex overlooking the
beautiful Sydney Darling Harbour.
If you could have changed anything about
your career, what would it be?
I think I would have been a whole lot more focused in
my studies back at uni and completed my dentistry
degree!
Was there a specific turning point where
success was clearly yours?
Not really. Iíve always been successful in whatever
Iíve done. The most important ingredient for success
is enthusiasm and application. Iíve always done my
very best or acted in such a way that would attract
success in whatever endeavour that I put my mind
to.
For example, I was the captain of the first grade
basketball team at High School; I was the Australian
JKA Karate Kata Champion in 1977; I ran a very
successful restaurant & nite club in Brisbane; I was
a 'Shogun' award winner 3 years in a row with NEC
Computers & Communicatons, and now I'm a serious
player in the training & education profession!
How did your career start, could you describe
your first job?
Ahhh. That brings back some lovely memories of
those long years past! When I was still at High
School in Sydney, I used to work part-time, as a
petrol pump boy during the weekends to earn enough
pocket money to buy my very own, first car! I gave
it my best enthusiastic shot at the BP service
station!
I would jump around and work my little behind off
pumping petrol into people's cars. Then I'd check the
air in the tyres, and also do a quick underbonnet
check of water, oil and windscreen wiper water! I
was always cheerful and merry, and customers used
to line up to receive my smiley and cheerful service! I
loved it, my customers loved me, and my boss loved
me!
After I returned from Australia to Malaysia, my first
permanent job was in KL with Harper Gilffillan Sdn Bhd.
After that, I left for Australia (again!) then worked
in many industries before finally ending up as an ISO
9000 quality consultant and auditor before I finally
joined the training & development industry.
Can you briefly tell me the nature of your
business?
Training and development: corporate programmes
include primarily leadership, communications, sales,
motivation and self-confidence. Helping people to
achieve their best output.
Has your business always been located in
Singapore, and why did you choose this location and
what's special about it.
I started coming to Singapore for business since
2001. I established Mindset Media in 2004. Sípore is
special in
several areas: mainly, it's a knowledge-based
economy. The real capital is in the workforce as
there's very little produce that's grown or reared on
the land!
Could you describe the different stages of
your
business that you have
had to go through?
I first collaborated and partnered with a marketing
organisation who specialised in securing training and
consulting. I was with them for just over 3 years.
After that, I decided to go it on my own and I've
since been adding lots of value to clients' needs.
My business is now mostly by referrals and
many of my clients use my services
regularly. I'm now into developing my business further
and have recently engaged the help of Eileen Lee, in
the position of Market Development Manager to
expand the business.
So what would you say inspires you?
When I can add to someoneís learning and to show
them what behaviours to change or adapt so that
they can achieve more and succeed in life.
I also know that time is finite, and that thereís only
so many years left before I depart to another
dimension! So I'd better hurry up and do everything
important that I want to do!
What are some of the things you have had to
overcome to succeed?
Hah! That's mainly my own "stuff" like to overcome
procrastination and self-doubt by just
doing it. Then studying, practicing hard, investing in
personal development and applying myself to my
profession.
What do you think are the 3 important
qualities it
takes to succeed in business?
Plan, work your plan, persevere & execute well.
Most people donít execute well.
Is there any special advice you will give to
young
people who are hoping to start their own business?
Have a good business plan, ensure you have
sufficient working capital, ensure thereís a need for
your product/service.
Then plan your work. Work your plan. Do it. Review
it. Check it again.
Build relationships and connect with the community.
Always give before you can receive. Ask, ìhow can I
best help you?î
Understand the business fundamentals.
Have sufficient working capital
clearly define your Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities & Threats.
Understand basic accounting.
What is your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)? Come
up with what makes you so special?
Can you answer the question from your
customers, ìWhy should I do
business with you?î
Finally, have strong communication skills. Clear
speaking is clear thinking. Learn to get your ideas
across with clarity. Attend a good
presentation skills, learn how to sell and enrol in a
good communication skills course.
