Stay tuned for the details…Too much to share in just one posting (:
Category Archives: All in a Day’s work
Singapore Green Summit 2010
A group shot of the green team after the completion of our annual Singapore Green Summit held early this month.
Read one of the news reports here>>>.
Being a ‘Joseph’ at work
Since joining my current organisation, the biblical character of Joseph in the book of Genesis has been my daily inspiration.
His journey towards fulfilling his destiny is one that demands respect and rouses one to follow his example.
Key attributes of Joseph
In many aspects, I find Joseph a great exemplary of a marketplace leader that all of us can emulate in this 21st century.
He embodies the key attributes necessary in setting us up for success. These attributes are: (1) character, (2) competence and (3) charisma.
Character
Even with the lack of supervision from Potiphar (his boss), Joseph displayed integrity by being faithful in his work.
He was also trustworthy with what he was entrusted with as he didn’t covet what wasn’t rightfully his (c.f. Genesis 39:7-8).
Competence
It should be the case that things in Potiphar’s household would usually turned out in disarray or went missing when the other slaves were entrusted.
But with Joseph in charge, everything was in order and prospering (c.f. Genesis 39:4-5).
Obviously, Joseph was a problem-solver and not a problem-creator.
Charisma
Joseph’s charismatic flair was not about his personality or mannerism, but it was his ability in using his personal being to interface.
It seemed that he had an innate magnetism that caught the attention and favour of Potiphar. And that was the presence of God in his life (c.f. Genesis 39:2-3).
Ultimately, it was God who brought success to Joseph.
My Prayer in being a ‘Joseph’
I believe this recurring impression of emulating Joseph- his perseverance, credibility and success- is His word for the season for me in this organisation.
Taking my cue from Joseph, I want to carry and exude the presence of God in my life at work.
I pray that I may be favoured as a reliable and trustworthy manager and that everything which is entrusted to me will prosper for His glory.
Amen.
Updates on My New Job
Today marks the first month for me being in my new job.
My transition into this new organisation has been somewhat smooth with nice colleagues and an awesome office environment to boot.
This new job is a blessing. It was an unexpected ‘door’ opened as I was headhunted by my current employer.
Initially, I wasn’t interested in the job that was offered as I had just settled into my newly appointed marketing position then.
But after much prayer and deliberation, I saw it as His move and went ahead.
God is good. Taking that step of faith has led me to a promotion which also came with a generous increment.
But of cos, these are just some of the perks. More importantly, this has brought me another step closer to His plans for me.
Personally, this was clearly a miracle that had God’s finger prints all over.
This was His acceleration at work. And without His grace and favour, this would not have been possible.
My Miracle Breakthrough
I have another testimony to share about a miracle breakthrough in regards to my career.
If you recall, last year I shared briefly about some of my ramblings at work.
Since then, I was praying that this year would be the year that God would give me a breakthrough in my career to take me to the next level of growth.
After five months, He made it happened. And it was nothing short of a miracle.
The breakthrough
Without boring you with the full details, my direct boss who moved to join a private education organisation (PEO) unexpectedly offered me a job position to join him.
The role that I was offered was marketing and communications in nature and required me to oversee and execute the advertising and promotion of the PEO’s offerings.
Needlessly to say, I recognised it as God’s timely answer to my prayer and gratefully accepted the offer.
I am now in my second week with my new job.
The journey through
This miracle breakthrough brings back memories of my relentless search for my initial desired job upon my graduation some years ago.
Yes you guessed correctly, it was marketing communications. However, all my attempts led to closed doors then.
Now after a long and tedious journey of equipping, the door has finally opened. And it opened in such fashion that it gives full credit to God.
He has done it again; making things happen in my life in spite of the odds that are stacked against me.
Thank you God.
Memoirs of a Marketplace Minister
Some time ago I had been praying for God to use me more at my workplace as His minister.
An answered opportunity
An opportunity presented itself when one of colleagues wasn’t feeling too well. I knew this was an answered prayer.
I plucked up my courage, and offered to pray for healing for her. To my relief and joy, she agreed!
I prayed for her and we committed her recovery to the Lord’s Hands.
Looking out for others
My desire is not just to do well at work , but also to be a friend to my colleagues.
In regards to that experience, I believe she was healed as she was able to carry on her work for the rest of the day. Glory to God!
I am also thankful that I could exercised my faith and love in being “a church without walls”.
Like Jesus, I pray that I will become more caring and sensitive to the needs of others around; finding a need to meet it, and to finding a hurt to heal it.
My Experience with Prayer that Works
Last week, I participated in a week long of corporate prayer.
This was an hour session either in the morning (from 6:30am to 7:30am) or in the evening (from 6pm to 7pm).
And of cos, I went for the evening sessions. Ha ha…
Prayer works
I must admit that embarking on this corporate prayer meet was a very energised experience. I could almost instantaneously feel the difference as I immersed myself more into prayer.
The more obvious changes were at work where I noticed how I found favour with my work. My relationships with my colleagues also improved.
I believe the change started with me as I drew nearer to God through prayer that renewed my heart and spirit.
Prayer at work
One remarkable incident that happened during one of the mornings when I was on my way to work.
As I was approaching my office, I prayed to God that He might used me at work to touch lives with His love. I did not know how He would do it, but I told Him I was willing to be used.
Less than a minute later, I saw one of my colleagues who was waiting for the elevator waving cheerily at me.
I didn’t expect that from her as she is usually in a dull mood. And though we were on friendly terms, but we were not on that level of friendliness.
But what surprised me was what she asked after we exchanged greetings.
“You go to church right?”
“The next time, can I go with you?”
Wow… really didn’t expect God to answer almost immediately! Amazing!
Now my next prayer is for her to experience the presence and love of God with the congregation. Amen!
Crossing the Two-Year Mark
This week, I’ve crossed the two-year mark in being with my present organisation.
Though two years doesn’t seem long, but it does feel very long.
Since my first day, I have been through many turbulent phases with the organisation.
Presently, I am relieved and thankful that we have turned the corner and are climbing to prominence.
The turn around truly taught me what a difference a committed and competent leader can do for an organisation. And the reverse being also true with an undedicated and incompetent leader.
Connecting the dots
It has been a very fruitful two years. God has used this particular environment to stretch my vision from a “B2C” to a “B2B” mindset.
Being thickly involved and in tune with the business community has also enriched my perspective in what God is doing in the marketplace and enhanced my business acumen (c.f. Matthew 10:16)
From the social service sector, then to an e-commerce set up and now in this business federation, each working environment has provided me with unqiue experiences, aquired knowledge and honed my skills.
Upon analysing, I do see a pattern or the dots that are connecting each one of these phases of my work life towards my vision.
Being where God wants me to be
Though from a worldly standpoint, I can honestly admit that my resume or portfolio may not be classed with the “elites” in Singapore, but I know I am where God wants me to be and that’s my definition of success.
I think being given a vision beyond what I can see has helped me see my life in His perspective in the light of His plans for me. And knowing God gives me the confidence to face my tomorrows.
At where I am now, I am more excited than I ever was about the future ahead with Him, even in this downturn.
Moving forward, my prayer would be for me to learn patience and stillness in waiting upon God even more; that I may be faithful in all I do and also rely fully on Him. Amen.
Re-thinking Our Economic Expectations
Recent news have been filled with retrenchments, retrenchments and more retrenchments.
It’s quite disturbing to read how companies have heartlessly ‘axed’ their employees who they deem as excessive expenditure in order to ride through the slowdown.
Judging from the recent comments by NTUC’s Labour Chief, Mr Lim Swee Say who conveniently also happens to be a Minister for the Prime Minister’s Office, it’s clear that we should expect no one to owe us a job or pay check; not even from our government.
I’m not sure about you, but seeing of these unfolding each day has triggered me to seriously think about my career path
Everything increases except our pay
It is not uncommon for us to bemoan how daily expenses for our standard living have rocketed, but the truth cannot be said of our monthly income.
From a globalised marketplace standpoint where Singapore is competing with low-cost labour countries like India and China (without even mentioning our regional neighbours), I think the harsh truth is that by increasing our income level any higher would erode Singapore’s competitive prowess and business appeal.
This is the reality that we’ll need to firstly come to terms and accept. We need to renounce the ‘crutch mentality’ and make best out of what we have.
If we really do have any sort of increment regardless of the economic situation, we should learn to be more grateful.
Nonetheless, salaries do differ exponentially across the gamut of industries available and the type of job we are in. So this might not apply to you if you are in a niche industry like the Oil & Gas or Civil Service working as a Minister.
The way out is…
After managing your expectations with our reality and you find that you are a person that is easily satisfied with whatever you have and have no qualms in having others determining your worth and job security, then you can choose not to take any action.
However, if you desire to earn more and do not want a ‘glass ceiling’ to your income level, then some practical actions might need to be taken in order to get to that ideal position.
From my opinion, I think there two routes we can consider in ‘escaping’ from the system. One of it is to start our own business and the other is to switch to politics and join PAP sales where much of our salary is dependent on sales commission.
I think both these routes are career paths that reward us fairly according ly to our efforts invested and performance delivered.
Maybe some of us can take the opportunity of the approaching year-end by taking a ‘stock check’ to re-evaluate our careers.
We can seize the opportunities that are there for the taking in this situation by planning ahead how we can take our career to the next level in the coming New Year.
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