Malaysia in the Context of Hay Group

I just came back from a short course on Job Evaluation Methodology by Hay Group. Maybe you've heard or attended this course before, so you might understand better. One of the key messages I bring back from this course is the importance of a company to chart and, if possible, to have employees from all profiles (but still depend on the nature of the business). This range from profile P4 (can be P5 too) to A4, which covers from the research-work profile (P4) to pure sales/services-based (A4).

The instructor also mentioned that for a nation to become competitive, it needs (or need to develop) its people so that all these profiles are covered.

Now I understand even better the vision of Tun M who wants Proton to have its own 'pure' R&D capabilities (building a national car is just a small portion of pure R&D), instead of doing what 'Tan Sri S.M. who' does (purely rebadging, or a little cosmetic change and rebadge again). According to Hay Group Methodology, this rebadging work is merely P1 and can be done by people even without vocational training. Then, why bother asking students to enroll in Engineering courses in universities and colleges?! Just to assemble rebadge cars?!

Quoting the instructor again, Malaysia is not competitive because we've yet fulfilled (or have enough in) all profiles. Ask where Nokia and Ericsson originate from? From Sweden with 9-mil population, and Finland, whose population around 5-mil plus. And Malaysia, with almost 25-mil population, have what?! Emmm... M-Mobile perhaps, thanks to the popularity of Mawi, though. Even worse, we're so proud with a P1-product, produced by specialized, skilled, experienced, certified engineers (who're supposed to produce P3/P4-products), in the name of NAZA.

Ivan Lendl: Wimbledon's Exception List

It was a quiet night last night as the World Cup takes a break before quarter final matches resume this Friday and nothing interesting to watch on tv. So, I decided to watch the Wimbledon Open where Federer played countryman, Henman. As expected, it was an easy, straight-set win for the World No. 1. Eventhough Henman lost tamely on home court in the 2nd round, the crowd was very supportive to the player, no boos or jeers or name-callings... Such an attitude!

Suddenly, I wanted to know Wimbledon's roll of honor and came across familiar names who've won the prestigious title (most of them started playing before I was born). The most successful one, the Pistol Pete Sampras, 7x winner (93~95, 97~00), followed by Bjorn Borg (5x: 76~80), John McEnroe (3x: 81, 83~84), Boris Becker (3x: 85~86, 89), and the rest that I recognize who have won one title each: Jimmy Connors (82), Pat Cash (87), Stefan Edberg (90), Mike Stich (91), Andre Agassi (92), Richard Krajicek (96), Goran Ivanisevic (01), Leyton Hewitt (02). Roger Federer (3x: 03~05) may add his 4th Wimbledon title to his name. One big name missing, though... Ivan Lendl. So I did some search on Ivan Lendl.

Ivan Lendl... a tennis legend, some called him the father of modern tennis, is a two-time losing finalist in Wimbledon, in 86 and 87, both losing to lower-ranked player (he was 1st and 2nd seeded, in respective year). His lucks were not with him in Wimbledon but other parts of the world. Here's some stats on Lendl:

• 2x Australian Open winner: 89~90, 2x runner-up, 3 straight final appearances
• 3x French Open winner: 84, 86~87, 2x runner-up, 4 straight final appearances
• 3x US Open winner: 85~87, 5x runner-up, 8 straight final appearances
• 5x Masters champion: 81~82, 85~87, 8x runner-up, qualified 11 years in a row
• Davis Cup champion: 80 (10-0 personal record for the year)
• 270 weeks at number 1
• 157 consecutive weeks at number one

The statistics say it all. So, he may not be remembered when people are talking about Wimbledon but his name rests comfortably in the record book.

Fabulous French, Uninspiring Brazilians

France, surprisingly won the match against Spain. Based from their performance in preliminary round, I had wished Spain win the match last night to mount a serious challenge to Brazil in the quarter final. Well, the French, the old-lady Les Bleus, prevailed and they'll face Brazil next, a repeat of 1998 Final, and hopefully the scoreline will repeat too!

Brazil earlier, uninspiringly, defeated Ghana, the freshman in World Cup Finals. 3 goals - one from close misjudge of offside trap by the Ghanaians, one - from an offside misjudge by the linesman (poor overall match officiating), and another one - scored after Ghana was down with 10 players, results of poor officiating. Nothing was impressive from the Brazilians.

Quarter final prediction: France win

Brazilians and all over-confident Brazil fans, don't dream for your team to make it to the finals. If not France, Portugal will do the job to silence all of you!! And people will not remember World Cup 2006 as the stage for the Brazil's 3Rs who?!

The Most Boring R16 Match-ups

The most boring match-ups, so far. In the end, Italy won through a penalty during injury time and Ukraine won on penalty kicks over another boring team Switzerland. I think the Australian just need to concentrate in rugby or hockey or their "self-created and self-played" Australian football.. and forget about playing in World Cup 2010 if they want to qualify thorugh Asia.

The Quater Final match-up: Italy vs Ukraine. As simple as 1, 2, 3... the Italians will triumph, albeit 2-0 win, maximum!!

Lucky English, Portuguese Heated-Up

Portugal added 10th consecutive World Cup wins to Scolari's belt and I think they'll add somemore, another one at most! :-) England, still not showing what they're capable of (as always emphasized by the media) but at least Beckham did what he was terrified for... his freekicks!!

Portugal vs England

It's easy to predict this time. It's going to be repeat of EURO 2004 quarter-finals, where Portugal won 6-5 after penalty shoot-out (2-2 aet) . But, this time around it won't go to extra time. It will be tough for Portugal though to play without Deco and Costinha but it's not really a problem, facing a team which can only field one effective striker, Wayne who?!