FOR THE BETTER CHANGE: BE AN EMPTY CUP!

Perhaps, you have ever heard about the story of professor and Zen Master. OK, in this article, I invite you to recall the story and I will tell you the story with modern tone.

A professor was curious to Zen Master's knowledge. He had heard about the Master from people concerning the teachings of the Master. The professor had learned many thing during his life. He was experienced and skillful in his profession. One day, his friend suggested him to learn something from the Master for the change of his life.

The Professor visited the Master's house. That evening, in the Master's living room, accompanied with the song “Open Up”, two cups of coffe and a teapot on the table, the Professor and Master sat face to face. May be, some of you still remember the commercial break soundtrack of Nescafe,“Open Up” by Shunza. You may remember the lyrics.

The Professor told the Master the intention of his visit. The Professor also said that his friend suggested him to visit the Master for better change. Then, the Master put the teapot and poured the water into Professor's cup, which still contained full of cofee drink.

“Master, my cup is still full. The cofee will spill out if you keep pouring water intu it.”
“So, you should empty your cup then I can pour the water into it.”
The Master smiled.
“Mr. Professor, your mind is full of judgement. You cannot learn anything from me if you cannot empty your judgement. If you want to learn, open up your mind and don't judge. Then, you will be receptive to the lesson”

Open your heart, open your mind, and open your eyes. They are keys for self-development. By opening our mind, we will have more ability to understand what we learn. Openess is receptive attitude for the change and lesson. In contrary, bad supposition will make a ban to the change. Consequently, you will not listen and understand and moreover the supposition will blind us.

It is undeniable that learning is long life process. At work, we need to open up to the change. Commitment is essential at work. But unfortunately, some of employees close their heart not to commit. They close their heart not to learn and try the new things (such as the new tasks). That attitude will make them left behind. So, what attitude should we have when getting new tasks at work? The answer is “Open Up”. Be an empty cup and learn!

Why did Nescafe choose song “Open Up” as the soundtrack of its commercial break? Because the cofee is the friend for you in chit-chat, a moment when we open ourself to our friends. Openness is also useful in teamwork. We open our heart and mind to listen the suggestion by our boss, subordinate, as well as management discretion for the better change. With this attitude, we will be more dynamic. A leader is supposed to open his heart and mind to motivate his subordinates to express their idea.

During training or learning new thing, never think that you are smartest. Openess is the appropriate attitude. In learning, we should have a willing to open our heart to receive the lesson from the others. Consequently, our mind become more receptive to the training.

By becoming an empty cup, we will be open-minded. Open Up! Because the idea can come from any where, from small things, and from anyone. It may came from the people whom you have not known or those whom you think unimportant. .[]

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Do’s and Don’ts in Dealing with Indonesian Employees

Cross-Cultural Understanding is essential in dealing with people to be accepted in their community especially with those who have different culture. By understanding the culture, we can maintain harmonious relationship with the society where we live.

Taboo for one culture may be considered not taboo in other culture. Something acceptable in your culture may be considered taboo for Indonesians. To understand what is taboo or not taboo for Indonesians, you shall read “Do’s and Don’ts” below.

Do
Introduce yourself with handshaking and smile
Indonesians are a polite people and very tolerant towards foreigners and their manners. Handshaking (salaman) is customary for men and women alike on introduction and greeting, accompanied with the usual smile. Indonesians like to establish relationships. The greeting process is very important. Well begun is half done. Always shake hands with your business partner. Be humble in your negotiations and give your business partner the highest respect.

Greet and smile at everybody notwithstanding their level position.
Smile indicates friendliness. Arrogant people will not reply their smile/ greeting with smile. They will think people, who do not reply their smile, are not easy to talk with. Smiling at them can make them comfortable.

Win the informal leader’s heart
In the company, there are formal leader such as managers and supervisors. However, among the staff or operators, there is person that is respected and always listened by the others although this person does not have high job level position. This kind of person has strength in social/ interpersonal relation. To approach and make good relationship with this person can help you to win his/ her group. Politely, build his/her character and he/ she will act as a channel to your employees and give you information about employee’s conditions and their response.

Ask a simple question and call their name
Asking simple question can make them feel that you care about them. Indonesians prefer personal closing. If you ask simple question and call their name, you have done the ice breaking. They will feel secure and think that you are friendly.

Be a good model of discipline and give them real example
Indonesians tend to duplicate the behaviour of the people they respect. If you are their superior, they will imitate your behaviour because you are their model. This feature can be used to build their attitude toward discipline. If you are their superior and they see you put the rubbish to the dustbin or clean the dirty cup, they will follow your action. They will follow you because you are their model. When they see you participating in maintaining cleanliness, they will understand your action and they will act together to realize the cleanliness.

Build family atmosphere
Indonesians view family as intimate integral relationship, in which its members support each other and feel comfortable and secure. When Indonesians feel as a part of family, they will feel secure and motivated to increase their performance. In good family, there is harmonious interdependent relationship. There is sense of belonging and sense of ownership in its members’ attitude. For example, to print name card for your employees, even if for those who in low level, can make them feel as your big family members. They will be proud because their names are mentioned in their company’s name cards. Indirectly, it is also a promotion of your company because proudly they will show their name cards to their friends. Create the events to build their solidarity as one family, such as outbound and company travelling. Make personal contact rather than writing letters or memos. Don’t consider time spent to develop personal relationships wasted.

Provide a channel for their ideas/ grievances.
Their idea/ grievance is an expression of their morale in the company. If no grievance, it does not mean that it is good conditions. Some Indonesians purpose to keep silent when they lose their enthusiasm and trust in their leader/ superior. It is better to welcome their idea/ grievance but it does not mean to be totally permissive. It also does not mean that you bear all their problems. In this situation, art of listening to show that you care about them is essential. If they feel that you care, they will feel humanized and comfortable. On the contrary, if their ideas/ grievances are underestimated, they will be passive and tend to hide their problem. Grievance that is ignored can cause disharmony because they feel that they are not humanized. By providing channel for their aspirations, conducive culture is developed. In other word, any one will feel comfortable to express their idea and give information to you.

Provide the opportunity to worship and respect their belief
For Indonesians, religion is essential and sensitive matter. They need the opportunity for worship. All Indonesians are religion embracers. The subject related to religions is mentioned in Pancasila (Basic Principles of RI) and in Indonesia Constitution. The majority of Indonesians are Moslems. Moslems shall performs five times required prayers (Sholat) in a day and engage Friday prayers mass (Jumatan) at mosque. Respect this tradition and give them time to worship, provide prayer room at your office for them to pray. Provide sufficient break time in Friday for your employees to give them opportunity to engage Friday prayer mass. The government has set public holidays for religious celebration. In condition that you need your employees to work on holiday, give them opportunity to worship -- let the Christians worship on Sunday and Easter, let the Buddhists worship on Veshak Day, Hinduists worships on Nyepi Day. During Islamic fasting month, don’t eat something in front of them. Usually, during this month, they go home early. It is good to conduct fast breaking dinner at your office to maintain the solidarity. Give a greeting when they celebrate their religion.

Offer edible food and non-alcoholic drink
For Indonesians, rice (nasi) is staple food. They are not satisfied if they eat without rice. In their mindset, they will be weak without rice. When providing meal for them, the rice must be included. Majority of Indonesians are Moslems. Not all foods and drinks are allowed for them to consume. Don’t offer pork or alcoholic drink, pork and alcohols are forbidden (Haram). Any animal with fang is forbidden. Amphibian is also forbidden. If you want to buy food or drink for them, choose the food or drink, which are Halal certified. Don’t offer beef to your Balinese friend because most of them are Hinduists.

Be aware of diversity in Indonesia
Various religions, Race, ethnic groups with various cultures exist in Indonesia. Respect and make good and harmonious relationship with all of them, notwithstanding their religions and ethnics. SARA (Ethnic Group. Religions, Racial Relation) issues are very sensitive in Indonesia. Be careful when you use humour or make a joke, as it may be misunderstood.

Try to get up-to-date information on your industry and regulations
Try to get up-to-date information on your industry and regulations as the country is in transition. You should up date your company regulation with new government provisions. You may consult it to Human Resource Service in order get the up dated information of it. If you face problem related to industrial relation issues, you can consult it to Human Resource Service/ Consultants because they know about the culture and prevailing provisions in Indonesia. Visit www.e-jobz.com to get info concerning recent HR issues in Indonesia or you can ask Human Resource services promoted at this website.

Be patient with tardiness and imprecision
Indonesians usually call the tardiness as “Rubber time ( Jam Karet)”. It is common in Indonesia to be unpunctual in meeting, dating and in starting an event. However, try be punctual. If you are late, in the future they will be later than you. Don’t be late for meetings (even if they never start on time). Punctuality and technical precission requires a lengthy learning process.

Be low profile
If you disagree with your business partner/ friends/ employees try to say it in a manner that it will give the impression of non-confrontational. Be modest in your negotiations/ discussions and give them the highest respect. Bowing with smile is also gesture of salutation. This low profile attitude shows that you are respectful person.


Learn Indonesian Language
Language is a mean of communication. It is essential to convey the meaning. Not all Indonesians acquire International Language, such as English. By communicating in Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian Language), communication with Indonesians will be held understandably. If you cannot communicate in Indonesian Language, you can use English but you must simplify your language, speak slowly and clearly to make it more comprehensible.

Reward the employees for their loyalty
Payment by result is not readily accepted. People expect to be rewarded also for their loyalty.

Avoid dismissal of employees
Dismissal of employees is culturally undesirable.

Conduct “Gotong Royong”
“Gotong Royong” is Indonesian term for mutual cooperation. It calls for community commitment.

Understand status differences
In Indonesia, status differences are unavoidable and viewed positively.

Be polite
Formal politeness and restraint of emotions are imperative.

Show the respect to the family of the deceased
Do condolence visit and assistance. Use cash for token donation. Wear black, white, and blue dress. These are the dress code for condolence visit.

Be careful in handling the disobedience against company regulation
Transgression against company regulation must be handled carefully.

Give direct appraisal of performance
Direct appraisal of performance can be delicate. It is as delicate balancing act.


Don’t:
Give, receive, and eat with the left hand
To give, receive, and eat with the left hand is unacceptable and considered impolite. The left hand is toilet hand. They usually use their left hand to cleanse up after urinating or defecating. That is why they consider the left hand dirty.

Touch or pat on another’s head
The head is sacred and should be respected. Patting on another’s head is not done among adults and even should be avoided with children.

Spit in the presence of people
When an Indonesians are disgusted at seeing the filth or something disgusting, they usually spit. They will think that you insult them or that you are disgusted at seeing them. Spittle is also considered nauseating.

Say that you are atheist
Indonesians had traumatic experience with communists. The past national tragedy in 1966 was related to Indonesian communist party. Many Indonesians still consider communists their enemies. In their mindsets, they always misinterpret atheists as communists. It is common for Indonesians to ask about someone’s religion. If you say that you are atheist or do not believe in God, they will think that you are communist. Don’t say that you are atheist.

Put your head up when you are in front of them
It is better to make eye contact with them with friendly smile. If you put your head up, they will think that you do not want to see them. They will think that you are arrogant.

Waste your time and effort against Labour Union.
It is a trouble if treat the labour union as a group of militant troublemakers. Keep in mind that they and your company have the same dream. Both labour union and your company try to find the very best way to care about the employee’s welfare. By respecting them, they will contribute their support in time and effort. In recent most cases, presence of ‘authentic’ local labour unions does help facilitate the negotiation process when Companies and workers are in disputes. Companies and workers will need continue to trust in each other’s mutual goodwill to settle disputes in bipartite negotiations. It does imply to be a degree of willingness on both parties to overcome obstacle through dialogue. If you need any assistance in Industrial Relation and Human Resource Development, you can use human resource and industrial relation service at www.e-jobz.com. Please don't hesitate to contact us at admin@e-jobz.com.

Instruct/ warn your employees rudely with the high stress intonation or in the presence of other people
Don’t Show anger. Pointing your finger to people to show anger is impolite. Indonesians are also sensitive to the high stress intonation and impolite behaviour. If you feel angry or impatient about something don’t show it as you may loose face. Shouting at them harshly is considered impolite. It makes them uncomfortable and decreases their morale. They will be afraid to talk with you or prefer to avoid you. Even if you do not meant to be personal, they will feel it is personal and you do not like them. It also makes them nervous and their performance may get worse. Avoid over criticism and scolding them in the presence of other people, especially their friends or subordinates because it they will feel disgraced. If you do it, you decrease their self-esteem, especially if you do it to the older man. “Saving their face” is wise action when you criticize them. Evade shaming them openly and avoid losing their dignity. Avoid the use of rude or taboo word because they tend to judge the people based on the way they speak. If you want to warn them, try to use polite way and interpersonal approach, give suggestion and guide them.

Be offended if Indonesians ask question about your private life
Don't be offended if Indonesians inquire about your religion, your marital status or number of children. Those are common questions Indonesians ask each other, too. These topics usually occur during chit-chat. These questions are the opening conversation to get closer and more familiar to the persons they speak with.

Kiss in greeting and in front of public
It is not common in Indonesia to greet each other with a kiss. It is only applicable in their immediate family. It is acceptable to give small kiss your spouse if there are other people. However, kissing your spouse or your fiancé passionately in the presence of others is considered taboo. Kissing your friends is not common in Indonesian’s culture even less is kissing those who are of different sex. Be aware of your touch. Giving a hug to or putting your arm around your friend of different gender is uncommon in Indonesian culture.

Hold arms akimbo
People will consider person, with his/her arm on the hips and elbows bent outwards, showing arrogant way. Indonesians label it as cocky stance. In maintaining relationship, Indonesians prefer low profile person to arrogant persons.

(This article has been distributed by PT.Tunaskarya Indoswasta to the expatriates in Batam and Bintan)

Note:
If you need information concerning human resource services and talent market in Indonesia, please don't hesitate to contact us at editor@e-jobz.com. We also provide free job vacancy advertisement posting facility at www.e-jobz.com.

Why Fresh Graduates Avoid Sales and Marketing Position

It's phenomena in Indonesia. When I was a fresh graduate, I saw that most of my friends avoided the positions related to sales and marketing. Many of them thought that rejection from prospects was embarrassing. It made them shy to offer or sell something. That's why they rejected the offered positions related to sales and marketing.

However, every body has ever felt shy, almost every body has ever experienced rejection when offering something. So..rejection is not embarrassing, rejection is normal because every one has freewill to decide whether to accept our recommendation.

Most of fresh graduates avoid the career related to sales and marketing. However, whatever your job, you sell something. Sales and marketing are related to offering and recommending something. And, every one has experience to propose, offer, and recommend something. When you write your application letter or CV/resume or when you are a candidate in job interview, you propose and recommend your skill and the benefit if the company recruits you in order to get money. It means you try to sell your skill and time to get money. Many times, some companies reject what you propose in application letter as well as in interview – but it doesn't mean that you die, you keep going for other opportunity. If you are university graduate, you have experienced in thesis exam. When you make proposal for study or take thesis exam, you propose the benefit from your study and recommend reference of theory which supporting your hypothesis. It means you also sell something – you offer your idea for your future. Sometimes, your lecturers reject your idea – but it's not big thing. You keep going for your future. Many times we give suggestion to our friend and family and sometimes your suggestion is not accepted by them; it means you try to sell something – you sell your idea.

Why rejection is a big thing? Many of you have experience of rejection when you propose your love to beloved one. Perhaps, you experience broken heart, rejection when you try to propose idea in your company, in your study, or in your community and some of your friends mocked at you that your experience of rejection is embarrassing. And, it make you frustrated but the fact is that you can make another better opportunity. The fact is that “rejection itself is not a big thing”. Our environment has created to our mind set and programmed in our mind that rejection is scary and embarrassing. However, most of success people experienced of rejection, too. But they had perseverance to recommend and sell their idea. Jack Canfield experienced rejection when proposing 'Chicken Soup for The Soul”. Friends of Thomas Alfa Edison laughed at him when he proposed the electric lamp. Scientist mocked Albert Einstein when he proposed the theory of relativity. Dou Wead experienced so many rejections when he was doing his networking business, but there will be no Mercy Corps, if he did not dare to fail. For them, rejection is too small, comparing what they will realize – their dream their future.

So, the biggest enemy is not those who reject you. The biggest enemy is your fear of failure – fear of rejection. Don't let it close your heart and make you not take the opportunity. Dare to fail and take the opportunity. Make decision to take opportunity and overcome your fear, you will learn a lot from it.[]

Read other info of career and human resource development at http://www.e-jobz.com

MENJADI CANGKIR YANG KOSONG DEMI PERUBAHAN YANG LEBIH BAIK

Mungkin anda pernah membaca kisah ini tetapi di sini saya ceritakan kembali dengan sedikit sentuhan yang agak modern. Mungkin beberapa dari anda masih ingat soundtrack iklan Nescafe yang berjudul “Open Up” yang dinyanyikan oleh Shunza.

Pada suatu hari seorang professor bertamu untuk menemui Sang Guru. Sang Profesor begitu penasaran terhadap Sang Guru. Ia telah banyak mendengar dari orang-orang tentang kiat-kiat yang diberikan oleh Sang Guru. Sang Profesor memang telah belajar banyak hal selama hidupnya. Ia juga seorang yang ahli dalam profesinya. Tetapi atas saran sahabatnya ia menemui Sang Guru untuk belajar suatu hal yang merubah hidupnya.

Sore itu di ruang tamu, sambil diiringi lagu “Open Up” dan dua cangkir kopi serta satu teko di atas meja, Sang professor dan Sang Guru duduk berhadapan. Sang Profesor menyatakan maksud kedatangannya atas saran temannya. Sang Guru mengambil teko lalu menuangkan kopi pada cangkir kopi profesor yang masih penuh.

“Guru, kopinya kan masih penuh nanti airnya tumpah”
Sang Professor mengingatkan Sang Guru karena kopi di cangkirnya meluap tumpah ketika Sang Guru menuangkan air dari teko.
“Kalau begitu begitu kosongkan dulu gelasmu.” Sang Guru tersenyum.
“Professor, anda tidak dapat belajar apapun dari saya kalau anda tidak dapat mengosongkan cangkir dalam pikiran anda. Kalau anda mau belajar anda harus bebas dari prasangka dan membuka diri anda..”

Membuka diri, membuka pikiran dan membuka mata seperti yang dilantunkan oleh Shunza dalam soundtrack iklan Nescafe merupakan kunci untuk mengembangkan diri kita. Dengan membuka diri kita dapat lebih mampu mengerti apa yang kita pelajari. Membuka diri merupakan sikap reseptif terhadap perubahan dan pelajaran. Sebaliknya, prasangka buruk dan tidak mau mendengarkan serta mamahami hanya akan membutakan diri kita.

Tidak dapat dipungkiri bahwa belajar adalah proses seumur hidup. Dalam bekerja kita pun perlu membuka diri terhadap perubahan-perubahan. Dalam bekerja perlu yang namanya komitmen. Sayangnya tidak jarang kita menutup diri kita untuk tidak berkomitmen. Tertutup untuk belajar dan mencoba hal-hal baru , seperti tugas-tugas baru hanya akan membuat kita tertinggal. Lalu bagaimana kita harus bersikap bila kita mendapat tugas baru dalam pekerjaan kita? Jawabannya adalah bukalah hati, jadilah cangkir yang kosong dan mau belajar.

Mengapa iklan kopi Nescafe memilih soundtrack Open Up? Karena kopi merupakan teman saat ngobrol, minuman di saat kita saling membuka diri dengan rekan kita. Membuka diri juga bermanfaat ketika kita berada dalam teamwork. Kita membuka diri dan mau mendengarkan usulan rekan kerja, bawahan, bahkan kebijakan manjemen demi perubahan yang lebih baik. Dengan sikap ini kita akan lebih dinamis. Seorang pemimpin yang mau membuka hatinya memotivasi bawahannya untuk mengemukakan ide baru. Dalam hubungan dengan rekan kerja, kita berkembang karena kita terbuka terhadap kritik yang membangun. Sebagai bawahan pun kita akan lebih dapat menyesuaikan diri dengan kebijakan manajemen.

Ketika kita sedang dalam training atau belajar hal baru, merasa diri paling pintar tidaklah membantu, keterbukaan pikiran merupakan sikap yang tepat. Dalam belajar kita harus bersedia membuka hati kita untuk belajar dari orang lain. Pikiran kita pun menjadi lebih reseptif terhadap training yang diberikan.

Dengan menjadi cangkir yang kosong pikiran kita lebih terbuka dan wawasan pun menjadi lebih luas. Terbukalah! Karena ide bisa datang dari mana pun, dari kejadian-kejadian kecil dan dari siapa saja, bahkan bisa saja dari orang yang tidak kita kenal atau dari mereka yang tidak kita anggap penting Keterbukaan inilah yang dapat merangsang kreatifitas kita.[]

Bila Anda siap membuka diri Anda untuk belajar internet marketing baik untuk ide bisnis pribadi Anda maupun untuk pengembangan website Anda, bergabunglah di Asian Brain.

The Alchemist and Goal Setting

Dream identification and goal setting is essential process in our personal life plan. Identify your goal and you will be able to decide the dirrection you will to go. Identify what you want to achieve and you will know what you want to focus on. Be aware of your dream, follow your personal myth so you will get self discovery."The Alchemist" is a novel that may appeal to everybody, because we can all identify with Santiago: all of us have dreams.

The novel “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho tells the tale of Santiago, a boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. After listening to "the signs" the boy goes on his personal journey of exploration and self-discovery, symbolically searching for a hidden treasure near the pyramids in Egypt. In his journey, Santiago sees the greatness of the world, and meets all kinds of exciting people like kings, alchemists, and his soulmate. However, by the end of the novel, he discovers that "treasure lies where your heart belongs", and that the treasure was the journey itself, the discoveries he made, and the wisdom he acquired.

All of us have dreams. All of us have personal myths. All of us have visions and values in their hearts. But unfortunately, many choose not to follow their personal myth. It needs to be brave to realize our dream. In the novel “The Alchemist”, Santiago optimistically goes for his dream. He learns and learns to follow his personal myth and realize his dream.Defining our personal myth and setting our goal will give great effect on our self motivation and self confidence development. Goal setting techniques give long term vision and motivation. They help us in knowledge acquisition, learning process, and assist us in managing time and resource so that we can do our very best and make our life meaning full. []YW

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