Some selected popular stories:

• AirAsia: Have net will travel
• Everyday Heroes: Tech Teacher
• Women in IT: Coming into their own
• When teenagers rule the world
• Toddlers on the net: When should you get your child a PC?
• Golden surfers: Older netizens on the info highway
• When old media meets new
• Jaron Lanier: Of dreams and Imagination
• Vinton Cerf: Interplanetary googler
• Kalpana Chawla: Destined for the stars
• The world according to Negroponte
• Nicholas Negroponte: Why bits matter
• Weblogs blur corporate lines
• Levi’s caught with pants down
• Will the real Nissandotcom please stand up
• Malaysian ISP admits ‘human error’ in security fiasco
• ‘Alien’ substance caused Dell notebook battery to ignite
• Toffler to boycott MSC meeting
• Cisco CEO denies he is part of MSC panel
• Malaysia yanks flawed list of advisors
• Malaysia’s MDC admits “slip up”, orders revamp
• Malaysian websites still not error-free
• Malaysian chatters the “most abusive” in the world
• Malaysian elections 1999: On the cyber campaign trail
• Kampung Kirkby first to hear of Merdeka date

By Anita Matthews

Published as Academic writing makes book tedious in ParenThots, The Star, Feb 20, 2012

Amazing Minds: The Science of Nurturing Your Child’s Developing Mind With Games, Activities and more
By Jan Faull, MEd with Jennifer McLean Oliver, PhD
Publisher: Berkley Books New York

This book held much promise and its foreword opened to an exciting read ahead. Unfortunately, after the 30th page, a slight irritation set in and by the time I hit the 50th page, I realised it would not get any better. So, I threw it aside and went on to re-read some fiction from my bookshelf.

A week later, I went back to Amazing Minds. Surely there must be something worthwhile to new parents who harbour a million dreams for their darling children. Is it possible for parents to shape their infants into perfect children? I found it in chapter four where Faull discussed imitation and memory of babies and how our actions shape their early journey from contentment and distress in babyhood to differentiating anger from joy in their interactions or within different environments. The author argued that babies who are disturbed by patterns in adult behaviour would avoid provoking similar behaviour even though they are curious to explore. This is useful as we, parents, often forget how observant babies are.

Why babies, toddlers and children act the way they do can be attributed to the daily conditioning that they have been subjected to since birth. It is widely believed that a newborn up to the age of five has an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Babies would have soaked up a great deal more than we would ever imagine in the five-year period and parents are left to cheer on their child’s good habits and baulk at the display of poor practices.

This places us parents in an unenviable position. After all, which mum or dad wants to be on their toes at all times, thinking through how to act or speak or move, especially when the child is that young and there are so many things to do at that stage. But to think two steps ahead is something parents ought to do. Even for a late learner like me .…

Faull’s book is useful in that it discusses every aspect of an infant’s progress beginning from the sensory growth to their entry to social life. The book is divided according to a baby’s growth pattern – from the beginning when a baby’s senses are awakened by new smells, sights, sounds, touch and taste. As a baby grows, how these senses begin to interact with each other, their parents, the surroundings they are exposed to and the toys they play with.

The resulting effect is seen in each infant’s attempt to mimic their parents’ facial expressions and the appropriate behaviour to prompt a desired response. For instance, if you grit your teeth when smiling at your baby, he or she would associate the smile as veiled annoyance and would be alert each time that expression appeared.

The combination of senses is also related to the baby’s capacity to reason, respond, recognise colours, sorting objects and saying the first word. While the areas discussed would provide many insights, the author’s style of delivery is dulled by its format. Relying on academia-styled writing of relating a situation, experience, expectation, interpretation and possible outcomes becomes trying after a few chapters. It proved too tiring for me.

While Faull must be commended for backing her arguments with citations of renowned psychologists, behavourial experts, brain scientists and paediatricians such as Andrew Meltzoff, B. F. Skinner, J.P. Halberda; the lack of intimacy was telling.

Personalised anecdotes versus the continuous use of terms like “baby,” “toddler” and “children” from the research shared would have been far more engaging especially since the information presented was based on data that was mined and studied under specific circumstances. The examples were cold.

Furthermore, the introduction of a child named Wesley in chapter 11 titled “a mind of their own” was all too brief. Sadly, Wesley faded off.

Parents – new and old – become aware that their babies do have minds of their own. Often this is not too obvious from the onset but the trait of independence does become more apparent as the child grows. The realisation that my children have minds of their own was a shock to me and it did take me a while to realise my role is to guide them. Once we understand we cannot control children 100%, the task of parenting becomes less stressful.

Amazing Minds is an academic parenting tome that is rooted in empirical research. Its “scientific” presentation style places it behind more engaging parenting books that discuss child rearing. However, it would find a place among parents with a bent in academic writing form. Personally, I believe it takes more than science to raise a kid.

YOU – THE OWNER’S MANUAL FOR TEENS
A Guide to a Healthy Body and Happy Life
By Michael F Roizen, MD; Mehmet C Oz, MD; and Ellen Rome, MD
Publisher: Free Press

I had reservations when the editor emailed a snapshot of the book cover to check out. What do two men who found fame largely through talk show host Oprah Winfrey’s largesse know about teenagers? Furthermore, the third author’s name – a woman’s – was half the font size compared to the men. All the more reason to pick up the book and find out what the two men had to say about happy and healthy teenagers.

Nice bits

The book is large with decent-sized fonts and double spaced lines. It was easy on the eyes. The chapters are divided into sections that matter most to teenagers: Skin, sex, sleep, stress and more. The book discusses the biological changes in teenagers and how that affects the way they think when armpit hair, breasts, pimples and erections physically manifest on their young frames. That the information is presented simply without the typical jargon found in textbooks earned You a big plus on my list of good reads.

What I love most is the artwork that shows how different parts of the body function and the consequence of illness or ill care towards oneself. My favourite artworks are those that depict the way the brain behaves, the arrival of zits and what happens to your heart and lungs when you are stressed. The artwork is cute and strangely enough, reminds me of Desperate Dan of the Beano comic fame. You get it at a glance.

Each chapter ends with a question and answer section on what the authors consider essential “stuff-teens-need-to-know” and a tip sheet of fantastic five steps to success.

The authors do not talk down the teens but try their best to use “teen speak” which works some of the time. They have even included a line from famed hip hop group Black Eyed Peas. On other occasions, the tone comes across as trying too hard to fit in. Some jokes fall flat and are not the kind the teens would find hip or hilarious.

And the teens thought it was …

The authors also tend to focus on superficial bits such as looking good and did not spend enough time on the importance of teenagers cultivating their emotional and spiritual quotient. The section on feelings and emotion is thin, at best. This is ironic considering the teen years are among the most tumultuous periods of a person’s life. Personally, the absence of real substance in this area was sorely felt as I am currently dealing with teens wearing their raging hormones 24/7. Unpredictable behaviour and mood swings are the order of my day.

However, I asked both my teens to read the book to get their feedback. My daughter scoffed. My son, who also scoffed, deigned to pick up the book for a quick read. He later told me that teens are not going to race to read the book because “no teenagers are going to read about themselves from a book.”

Anyway, he generously offered his opinion. He thought some of the information presented was “lame” and not consistent to what he had heard from his friends. But this could be due to the book’s American context. He liked the graphics too and found them easy to understand. He also liked the section on illness caused by poor dietary habits and wished it were more comprehensive. Most of all he enjoyed the section on exercises and recipes and he agreed it would appeal to teenagers. From his feedback, I safely assume that unless a teen has intent, the book won’t hold a candle to peer feedback.

Last word

Still the book does serve some purpose, at least in reminding parents what teenagers go through and how parents can monitor and mentor their physical, emotional and mental growth.

You was based on an earlier effort by Roizen and Oz titled You - The Owner’s Manual which was aimed at teaching adults the inner workings of their bodies. Roizen and Oz found that many teenagers were using the first book as a reference. This prompted the writing of the teenager’s version. For that they roped Rome to contribute her insights.

However, I felt that Rome should have been given a larger role in this book as a check on her background showed she is the authority on children and teenagers. Neither anaesthesiologist Dr Roizen nor cardio surgeon Dr Oz are experts in paediatric medicine.

The book merely scratched the surface of issues surrounding the teenager’s growing up years when it could have done more. Perhaps we may see that in the next edition.

DEAR TUA EE
By Eng Seng
Publisher: Chiang Siew Lee

This book brought back memories – warm fuzzy ones, painfully sad bits and mostly, how ignorant first parents are, yours truly included. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being ignorant or being parents for the first time. No matter how much parents arm themselves with books, doctors and advice from well-meaning friends and family members; nothing beats the firsthand experience of an infant in a couple’s life.

Dear Tua Ee underscores the turbulent journey parents embark on when their first-born arrives. Authored from an infant’s perspective, the book charts Eng Seng’s parents experiences in attending to his needs from diaper changes, bottle feeds, baby food, toys, teeth, hair, fever, rash, lullabies that work, and more.

The book begins with a who’s who list of people Eng Seng encounters from birth to 24 months and it is told through a series of letters to his aunt Tua Ee, who lives in Brazil. It opens on the fourth day after his arrival as he recounts his parents’ obsession with photographing him from every angle although his eyes are still shut.

Naturally the adults are worried about Eng Seng’s sleepy behaviour forgetting that he can hear them loud and clear. Eng Seng, however, is more interested in harnessing energy to keep his parents and nanny entertained at night. Indeed, the little fellow instinctively understands his priorities and purpose in the world.

Eng Seng also shreds the popular practice of parents adjusting their entire schedule to fit a baby into their lives. If at all, babies have to adjust their daily pattern to suit the adults. For instance, Eng Seng knows he has to wake up at night to entertain his parents as they are out working during the day.

He also knows that nanny prefers to feed him on demand while his parents feed by the clock even though he is not hungry. He also has to take note which adult is tucking him in bed as the nanny prefers to let him sleep on his tummy but his parents rather he lie on his back.

Truly it is a chore to switch modes and, of course, as Eng Seng notes, a regular routine is better than an inconsistent one.

Not to mention that the adults assume that serving gooey, gruel-like brown stuff that does not look anything like food is appetising. As Eng Seng points out: “I have just learnt a new skill. It is called spitting.”

Month by month, Eng Seng punctures his parents perceptions on how infants ought to act and react. The discoveries are largely fun with some frustrating bits which get resolved when the parents get Eng Seng’s drift – like finger pointing to indicate where he wants to go or riding escalators up and down which gives him infinite joy.

Babies are very easy to please once parents look at the world from their viewpoint.

Eng Seng’s entry into toddlerhood opens a new vista for his parents as they grapple with the idea of letting go. Many parents, Eng Seng’s included, invest in a playpen to limit the child’s movement. This upsets Eng Seng a great deal as he had assumed that growing up meant an open ticket to explore the kitchen, all the rooms in the house and climb the stairs. Not one to be defeated, Eng Seng takes the opportunity to exercise his vocal chords in the playpen.

Naturally his parents prefer it if his vocal chords are used for reciting the alphabet or numbers. Eng Seng does his best to comply to demonstrate his understanding of give and take. Like when Rachel Chi Chi steals a kiss from Eng Seng - he reciprocates by nibbling her ear. That very act receives a roar of approval from his father.

Learning parenting skills from an infant’s perspective is truly invaluable. Eng Seng’s daily adventures are delivered in straight-faced prose peppered with innuendoes. Parents, especially, first timers, underestimate the power of their young infant’s communication skills. Since we were all once babies, it does pay to look at the world from a baby’s perspective.

The bonus of Dear Tua Ee is Eng Seng’s firsthand observation of how his mother’s belly grows when she is carrying his baby sister. While his father tries to explain how babies arrive, no one bothers to explain how the stork got it in his mum’s belly in the first place.

The arrival of his sister Cheng Yen also signals the end of his series of letters to Tua Ee. Eng Seng is roped into the role of big brother and has his hands full in the years ahead. His collection of thoughts prove to be a useful tried and tested parenting template that his parents gratefully apply in raising his younger sister.

Eng Seng’s letters which were published in the Style section of The New Sunday Times in 1992 were left untouched until recently when his parents decided to compile them into a book. According to the book’s website, the authors currently live in Singapore.

Eng Seng is now pursuing his Masters at Stanford University, California, and his sister is a student at Northwestern University.

This book deserves a spot on the parenting shelves at bookstores and homes of parents-to-be for its invaluably entertaining insights that rival the standard Dr Stoppard staple.

BOOK REVIEW: MOTHERHOOD - PHILOSOPHY FOR EVERYONE
The birth of wisdom
Edited by Sheila Lintott
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

The word “philosophy” drew me to Sheila Lintott’s compilation of essays written by academics (women mainly) on motherhood. Marrying motherhood and philosophy is akin to mixing oil with water. You can moralise the joys and pains of motherhood to the ends of the Earth and still end up at the crossroads where the journey first started.

But this book was an awesome read. I loved it! Even though I had cast a wary eye on first sight, these philosophical ponderings were engaging, honest and warm. The writers challenged their belief systems both hypothetically and theoretically. They unpicked, scrutinised and discussed their deepest convictions and fears openly. They squared the ideas of famed philosophers such as Aristotle, Kant, Descartes and even Job of the Old Testament against their personal experiences to deconstruct what makes a mother. And, that is refreshing.

Many a time, philosophical discussions tend to be indulgent and are self-fulfilling prophesies of what is sought or challenged in the hypothesis. This set of essays did more.

Clearly within the pages of Motherhood - Philosophy for Everyone, the presence of a child in the mix had had a humbling effect on a majority of the writers. I think all mothers – upon hindsight – do realise that they have lost some control over their lives (and offspring) during the early years following childbirth. I don’t see that to be a setback but simply a reality of choices made.

Lintott divides the book into four parts. The first part challenges accepted norms and how the presence of a baby disrupts it. Henry’s essay on “How many experts does it take to raise a child” offers valuable insight into challenges faced by new mothers in bringing up kids. Henry discovered some mothering methods proposed by experts (largely male) were myths that only distanced the bond between mother and child. She reckoned that mothers are better off trusting their gut instinct in raising children. However given her background, Henry sought out different methods, perspectives and ideas and chose to focus on what worked. So a combination of old wives’ tales and modern scientific methods is acceptable.

Many mothers, myself included, can relate to Kind’s pained musing titled “Creative mothering: Lies and the lying mothers who tell them.” I have told a fair share of white lies including how there are a set of eyes on the back of my head to keep my then toddler kids in line whenever I took my eyes off them. Yet Kind found it difficult to defend the maternal intuition to lie and argued that honesty is the best policy in the long term. What could previously lying mums like me do? Change tactics to be honest as the child grows older. Rationale and reason works.

The first part concludes with Manninen’s and Anno’s respective thoughts on pro-choice and lesbian mothers. Both essays were painfully honest yet illuminating. Manninen’s decision to have a child after steadfastly avoiding for three years changed her perception on abortions. That a fetal form is actually a being with a heartbeat was a paradigm shift to Manninen. She now advocates pro-choice with a heart.

Anno’s sharing as a mixed race lesbian couple raising a black boy was compelling and truly entertaining. Anno and her partner spoke freely about exposing their son to various cultures and situations, yet at the same time, allowed him to relate to his inner self. All in all, they discovered a true blue macho boy with a violent temper. Their solution to his flawed nature was to nurture and teach him how to manage and control his temper. Their goal: To raise a level-headed man.

The second and third part of the book is focused on issues related to natural childbirth or aided deliveries, the bottle or the breast, leaving baby to cry to sleep or share the bed, breastfeeding in public and the defining beauty of ugly infants. While most parts of this section resonated with my previous experiences of childbirth, breastfeeding and crying babes, such debates have come to pass. But then again, this is about philosophy and so it is valid to analyse infant feeding or labour pains.

The most fun essay was Newhart’s journey to adopt her Guatemalan son, Kevin. How she ironically discovered that her perception of her son based on the photos and news sent by the foster mother during Kevin’s first six months were starkly different from the boy who finally arrived at her doorstep. By starting afresh with Kevin’s diet and sleeping habits, she made huge inroads to connect with her son.

Liberated yet feminine?

After reading the first three parts, the writers bring us back to the age-old argument of where the female race sits in the greater scheme of life. Did motherhood empower women? Or did it firmly entrench women in the traditional role of childbearers and housewives? Or did the twain meet in the middle? I’d like to think it did. No doubt, mothers will continue their angst on bringing up children but I believe many have the benefit of education, media exposure and family networks today that have aided their role.

Indeed, many mothers, especially those in developing countries, struggle but as with any mum, I believe they put their children ahead of themselves and do their best in whatever circumstances.

Kirkham’s essay on “The Virtues of Motherhood” summed it up best. Motherhood propels women into “selflessness, commitment and endurance” even if at the end of it all, they have to let the child go. And no, the above virtues do not define mothers as Amazonian nor tortured souls; mothers on the whole grow wisdom from experiences.

The wisdom gained is a source of great satisfaction.

Motherhood - Philosophy for Everyone, is a worthy read with its collection of experiences that confirms a mother’s deepest suspicions, affirms her beliefs and challenges her perceptions. Two thumbs up!

HOW YOUR CHILD LEARNS BEST
By Judy Willis, MD, MEd
Publisher: Sourcebooks

Parents and teachers who struggle to motivate and inspire their children to learn will certainly benefit from Dr Judy Willis’ book that offers “brain-friendly strategies to ignite the learning process”.

Her combined qualifications as a neurologist and school teacher, who had the opportunity to experiment brain-friendly techniques on her own children, further underscores the value of the strategies shared in this book.

Having read brain scientist Jill Bolte Taylor’s book My Stroke of Insight that documented her full recovery after suffering a massive stroke, Willis’ book had a ready reviewer at hand. Taylor had written extensively of the plasticity and capacity of a brain to relearn the old or learn new things. Imagine what a parent can do with a regular kid by adopting Willis’ methods.

For the uninitiated, Willis journeys the rationale for the book in a compelling introduction and provides a guide on how to use the book effectively. The first chapter, aimed at those interested in how the brain and its limbic system work, clearly states that a stressed child will never learn simply because the information is directed to the reactive or non-thinking brain. On the other hand, an interested and relaxed child’s brain, would be reflective and thinking. Common sense, huh?

Well, I confess all common sense fled when I tried to teach my kids when they were younger. My son clearly had his reactive brain on each time we looked at textbooks. It seemed that kids of the Noughties came wired with the sign: “no textbooks please”. As I delved deeper and deeper into Willis’ book, I wished a thousand times and over that I had read it 13 years ago. (Willis’ book was published in 2008.)

My boy did learn the basics and it was through unconventional methods, some of which bear a mild resemblance to what Willis lists in the book. These were the instances where we played word games such as naming all the four-letter animals or counting the number of red vehicles on the road.

Back to the review, this book is invaluable and should be made compulsory reading for kindergarten and primary school teachers as the techniques listed are proven and successful. The strategies listed can be easily deployed in any classroom as much of the work can be done by the students with teachers acting as facilitators.

Willis points out that parents would benefit a great deal if they discover the multiple intelligences of a child. As each child would have a combination of different intelligences, parents need to figure out the strongest combination of intelligences to leverage upon.

For instance, a child might possess visual and kinesthetic intelligences and is mentally visual and yet sensitive (or perceptive) to his or her surroundings. Other children respond better to logic, order and sequence or some have the capacity to grasp the big picture before going into the details. Discovering the combination of intelligences is fairly straightforward and Willis goes on to state the challenges faced by such learners and how parents can overcome them.

In the second, third and fourth parts of the book, Willis details the strategies to teach children from three to 12 years how to read, comprehend and count as well as the art of discovery through science and social studies. The methods are divided into the different age groups as teaching a three year old how to read would involve recognising words through sounds or pictures whereas a seven year old needs to understand or comprehend the material. Willis employs similar strategies with math, science and social studies.

However, all her strategies are tied to an underlying mantra of providing a nurturing environment for the learning to happen. Children must be motivated, encouraged and supported through the learning process. Their diets must be healthy and their brains are further “fed with dendrite food” to cultivate long-term memory.

To top it off, Willis recommends that children should cultivate a daily habit of putting to paper what they have learnt for the day. This, she adds, allows children to personalise and manipulate new information that strengthens ownership and memory of a particular piece of data.

Willis also connects the parts of the brain that are involved for each learning strategy. The information is fascinating because over time, a child becomes aware of how best he or she can consume and process information for their own benefit. The awareness increases their confidence to embrace, organise, prioritise, judge and analyse new information that would make them better learners.

This is an amazing book that is backed by solid science and proven methods. Not the easiest read as it does get dry and technical in some parts but it is humbling to discover how you can empower your child with a powerful brain.

WE NEED TO TALK - TOUGH CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR KIDS
By Richard Heyman
Publisher: Adams Media

Communications professor Richard Heyman’s book is a refreshing change from the standard staple available on store shelves. Instead of focusing on why parents need to communicate with their offspring, Heyman details the “hows”.

That nailed it for me. As a parent I have often found it difficult to say the right thing to my children and more often than not, I come off sounding as if I am taking sides. Needless to say, most times, the right words come to me only in retrospect. Perhaps I should write down past experiences for future reference. That is exactly what Heyman delivers in the 200-odd pages of this very useful book.

He starts off by sharing his and his wife’s experience of teaching their son the value of responsibility. The latter was 18 and of legal age but was jobless and not interested in college. According to Heyman, his son had always rejected parental authority and they knew they were unable to manage him. The best solution was for him to move out and take charge of his own life.

Heyman then recounted in intimate detail the conversation he and his wife had with the boy. It was an illuminating read as they managed to get their son to come to terms with the fact that he’s an adult and while they loved him very much, they had to let him go for his own good. One would argue that this is hardly an Asian parenting style but I beg to differ. Having witnessed couples, including my parents, suffer as they care for the sons and daughters who never move out, has changed my view on dependence and independence. Elderly parents have a right to enjoy their twilight years, too.

Intimacy apart, Heyman’s greatest value in the book is the potential and actual conversation starters and conservation outcomes for a range of difficult subjects parents can have with their kids. Sex, death, divorce, toys, money, behaviour and attitude are discussed at length here. Each conversation is sensitive of a child’s perception and delivered with logic.

Unlike most books that are written for specific age groups, Heyman has scripted conversations for toddlers to school children to teens. For each age segment, Heyman begins by providing a brief introduction and context to the conversation that would take place and the importance of nurturing good discussions at a young age.

The scripts are articulate, thoughtful and tactful with a positive tone that does not patronise nor preach. Within the script, Heyman also explains why a child would answer in a certain manner and how parents can counter the response without confusing the child. He offers appropriate responses that would encourage the child to think for himself and not judge others through presumption. For instance, a conversation with a pre-schooler about a special classmate on page 91 went like this:

You: Laura was born with something that makes it harder for her to learn as quickly as you and your friends.
Child: Why?
You: It happens that sometimes babies are born that way.
Child: Could I be that way?
You: No, it actually happens before you are born, when you’re still in your mommy’s tummy.
Child: Can you fix her?
You: Do you think she needs to be fixed?
Child: Yes. Then she could do things easier. She could dance better.
You: Don’t you think she dances well?
Child: Yes, but not as good as us.
You: Is it okay for her to be different? Do you still like her? Do the other girls like her?
Child: I like her. Other girls like her, too.
You: How do you think Laura feels? Does she like you and the other girls? Does she like dancing?
Child: She likes me. She always wants to dance near me and play, too. She likes dancing.
You: I hope you will always be nice to her and to any other girls and boys who seem different from you.
Child: I will.

Now the subject of dance that was discussed might seem trivial to adults but in actual fact, it is a serious matter for any child and its outcome does set the tone on how a growing child would perceive special people or how they would perceive their parents’ view on special people.

Heyman has previously written how-to books and this how-to book is an easy read. The information is well thought out and laid out. Each chapter discusses a topic all parents would encounter at some point in the parenting years. The book can be read and re-read over and over again, depending on the issue at hand. It is a great resource for parents.

Since mankind did not get a manual on raising kids, Heyman’s book is a wonderful addition for folks who aspire to connect effectively with their kids. After all, parents do share a common goal – that is to raise thoughtful kids.

Two weeks ago, former Apple Computer software evangelist-turned-venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki made a quick trip to Kuala Lumpur, courtesy of MDeC, to share his perspective of venture capitalists and fund-seekers in conjunction with WCIT 2008.

Kawasaki, who founded Garage Technology Ventures, regaled the audience at NetBASH for two hours with his experience as a venture capitalist and shared insights on pitches that work.

Make meaning
Innovation is driven by the desire to make meaning. Kawasaki firmly believes we should take it upon ourselves to change the world and make it a better place.

Make mantra
According to Kawasaki, there’s a high correlation between mission statements and golfing — it is too long, meaningless and forgettable. Therefore, create mantra for your innovation. Examples of simple and straightforward mantras — Nike’s Authentic Athletic Performance, Wendy’s Healthy Fast Food or Fedex’s Peace of Mind. Unless you run out of options, the Dilbert’s (satirist cartoonist) mission statement generator is not your first stop.

Jump to the next curve
Don’t copy other people’s ideas. Innovators should focus their efforts on creating the next curve instead of remaining on the same track as most companies tend to do, says Kawasaki. He shared an example of ice-making. Ice harvesters stuck to traditional methods and did not move to the next curve by building a factory. Nor did the guy who ran the ice factory invent the factory.

Roll the DICEE
What defines great innovation are products or services that are Deep, Intelligent, Complete, Elegant and Emotive (DICEE). Kawasaki cites several products such as the Reef Fanning surfing sandal that has contoured foot bed and 360-degree heel airbag plus a bottle opener as a product with depth. The Panasonic BF 104 flashlight that accommodates three different battery sizes showed intelligence on the part of the design team. The Lexus car is complete as it combines luxury, reliability and quality customer service seamlessly. The Apple iPod Nano is an example of elegance and the Harley Davidson motorcycles provoke emotion. “When you try to jump a curve, ask yourself if your product meets the DICEE quotient,” he urges.

TOP: The writer managed to get Kawasaki to autograph her yellowed copy of his 1991 book Selling the Dream. Inscribed within — ‘Change the world.’

Don’t worry be crappy
According to Kawasaki, it is okay to ship products that are crappy as long as it is revolutionary. An instance of that is Apple’s MacBook Air that is a sleek and ultra light portable device that uses touch screen technology but only has one USB port, a headphone jack, and an external monitor port.

Polarise people
It is okay to segregate your customers. Kawasaki points out that products like Harley Davidson and Apple have done that for decades. “Innovative products do not need to cater to the mass market.”

Let a hundred flowers blossom
Borrowed from Chairman Mao, Kawasaki’s take on the hundred flowers is that it does not matter if a product or service appeals to a target market not intended by company. “Just take the money.”

Churn baby churn
It is tough to churn or fix the revolution because few shift it.

Niche thyself
A unique product or service that offers high value to customers will set a business apart from the competition. Examples of products that are niche include the smart car, LG kimchi refrigerator, Brietling emergency watch and Trek Lime mountain bicycles.

Follow the 10/20/30 rule
A powerpoint presentation should not exceed 10 slides. This rule is applicable not only for presentations to VCs, but also for any presentation. “If it takes more than 10 slides to explain your business, you probably don’t have a business,” says Kawasaki.
He also believes that VCs can only handle eight slides as the human mind can only handle a maximum of 10 slides. He claimed that he suffers hearing loss and vertigo due to listening to hundreds of crappy presentations from entrepreneurs.

His final advice to fund-seekers is not to let the bozos grind you down and to question if a product or service is truly revolutionary. The key to good products and services is good engineering. Well-engineered products that are easy to fix can endure lousy marketing, as the latter can be fixed. “But you can’t fix a lousy product.”

Published June 9th, 2008, The Edge Malaysia

THERE is something fishy going on at the Still Waters restaurant in Hotel Maya. Swimming nonchalantly at the bottom of your appetiser’s bowl is a live Siamese fighting fish.

“Guests love it,” said chef Adam Haywood. “It’s great way to get the meal off to a good start with some animated conversation. We recently held a winemaker’s dinner and some of the guests were so captivated by the concept they’d even forgotten all about the wine.”

He confirms, with a smile, that the fish is not meant to be eaten, that it’s just a garnish of sorts for the restaurant’s amuse-bouche, a bite-sized treat before every meal (the phrase is French for, literally, ‘‘mouth amusement’’).

Haywood was barely a week into his new appointment as the executive chef of Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur when he came up with the idea with chef de cuisine Michael Koh.

“We try to surprise the guests with the amuse-bouche; sometimes it’s a prawn salad with warm mayonnaise or mixed seafood with mango, or chicken fillet in a crispy basket,” he said.

The Kiwi’s derring-do style and presentation skills are what the hotel hoped to tap into when he was hired in September.

Haywood had just come off a stint at Fiji’s premier five-star resort, Outrigger Reef, where he managed eight outlets with a brigade of 75 staff.

“On busy seasons we had to cater for up 750 people. The resort had one of the most respected restaurants in the Fijian Islands and South Pacific – Ivi – which was featured in the New York Times while I was there,” said Haywood.

Hotel Maya’s general manager I.Z. Melvin said Haywood’s experience lends credence to the hotel’s concept of being an “urban boutique resort”.

“We want guests to experience a truly resort-like feel at our hotel, and Adam is here to extend his tropical ideas to the food as well,” he said.

Haywood’s credentials are impeccable. He has worked in top-rated restaurants and five-star resorts in Britain, the Caribbean and the South Pacific.

In his native New Zealand, he is a celebrity chef and was a regular guest on a popular television show called The Knackered Chef.

It was Haywood’s mother who first got him hooked on cooking in his hometown Christchurch. “My mother wasn’t a chef but she was a very good cook. I spent a lot of time baking cakes at home and realised I had a knack for it.”

He left school at 15 to undertake a butcher’s apprenticeship and then worked in various positions in restaurants and pubs in New Zealand, Australia and across Europe – even a salami factory in Frankfurt, Germany – before ending up training in Oxford College in Britain.

Amazingly, he completed the two-year course in eight months flat and was named Young Chef of the Year – the first of many career accolades.

Leaving Britain, Haywood was lured by a friend to the West Indies where his tropical adventures began.

The highlight of his stint there was landing the plum job as a personal chef to Lord and Lady Sainsbury.

The Sainsburys, of the well-known British supermarket chain, had a holiday villa on Jumby Bay Island, a private hideaway in Antigua for the rich and famous.

Every afternoon, Haywood would make the 45-minute speedboat trip to Jumby Bay from the main island (Antigua). “The mansion they lived in was unbelievable. I was a little nervous at first, but the Sainsburys turned out to be really nice people and very friendly,” he said.

“The kitchen was fantastic – one of the best-equipped I ever came across. Their freezer was well-stocked with tenderloins, meats, quail, salmon, foie gras, caviar – everything you would need.”

On his first night, Haywood remembers serving an antipasto (Italian hors d’oeuvre) for the first course and a poussin (young chicken) with vegetables for the main course. “I had to do everything myself in an unfamiliar kitchen when I suddenly realised I hadn’t organised a dessert and panicked.”

Thinking fast, Haywood sliced up some tropical fruit, whipped up some sweetened yoghurt, and served the combination in alternate layers in glasses he found in a cabinet.

“They were absolutely over the moon with it. I literally put it together in five minutes. It was risky – either it would go down well or not. Fortunately it went very well,” he said.

Haywood said he is excited about his first Asian post because of the different people and cultures here.

He has also started to experiment with the variety of ingredients available in this country and his creations are popping up on the hotel’s menus.

“Malaysians should consider themselves lucky to get to eat out all the time. When you go out to a restaurant and have a really good meal with family or friends, it is one of life’s greatest pleasures. It must be savoured and shouldn’t be rushed. That’s something special you have which must be appreciated and enjoyed,” said Haywood.

Raising the bar
HOTEL Maya’s executive chef, Adam Haywood, may be only 31 but he is a recognised international culinary judge and the Pacific Rim regional assistant for the World Association of Cooks’ Societies.

He was the only guest international judge at last year’s Toque d’Or in New Zealand and the Golden Chef’s Hat in Australia, two prestigious culinary competitions.

“I am a strong believer in training and raising culinary standards wherever I work,” he said.

At the Outrigger Reef Resort in Fiji, he took the level of cooking to new heights. In their first try, the resort’s chefs, with his guidance, took 19 medals at the Fiji Salon Culinaire 2003 awards.

The next year, they outdid themselves with 22 medals including golds for Fiji Chef of the Year and Junior Chef of The Year.

“I see tremendous potential here and by next year we’ll definitely be a force to be reckoned with,” he said.

# Hotel Maya’s Still Waters restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week (closed on public holidays). For reservations, call 03-2333 1360.

On a chilly winter’s day on February 7, 1956, about 300 students of Malayan Teachers’ Training College in Kirkby, Liverpool were told to assemble in the hall to receive a Malayan delegation from London.

The students, aged between 17 and 21, had no inkling at that time they were about to become a part of history.

“Every time a dignitary came, it was customary for us to dress up in our traditional finest,” recalls Chiam Tah Wen, a Kirkby student then.

“That day the ladies were in their sarong kebayas, cheongsams, sarees and Punjabi costumes and we were smartly dressed in our college blazers or baju melayu and songkok. The hall was decorated with various state and Federation of Malaya flags,” said Chiam.

PRECIOUS MEMORIES: The significance of the Kirkby announcement in February 1956 only struck Chiam much later at a rally on Aug 31, 1957 in Kuala Lumpur.

According to The Panduan, the college magazine at the time, the students and staff had “taken great pains” to decorate the compound. “Palm trees and potted flower plants lined the entrance. Flags and buntings adorned the hall. And all the students had put on their best multi-coloured national dresses…”

Moments later, beflagged black Humber Super Snipe limousines drew up at the hall. Alighting from them were the then Chief Minister of Malaya Tunku Abdul Rahman and the then Education Minister Dato’ Abdul Razak.

Tunku had taken the 340-km journey up from London fresh from meetings with the British government.

“When Tunku’s turn came on stage, he said the talks had went well,” said Chiam. “He then made the announcement that we would be getting our independence and the date was August 31st, 1957.

“There was a roar in the hall and we all clapped and cheered. Tunku then cried ‘Merdeka!’ and we all stood up and shouted very loudly in return ‘Merdeka!’ at least three times. Even the ‘orang puteh‘ lecturers stood up and cheered along. It was a very exciting moment,” he said.

It was perhaps the first time the cries of Merdeka! had ever been heard on British soil.

Zainal: ‘I think we were too young to know the implications of that day’

“I think we were too young to know the implications of that day,” said Zainal Arshad, 70, who was in Kirkby from 1954-56 and remembers the hall erupting and the euphoria of the moment when the announcement was made.

“We didn’t understand what independence meant. I was only 20-years-old back then. We only knew it was a happy occasion and we had reason to be proud,” said Zainal.

Chiam said it was only after he graduated, returned to Malaya, and later took part in the rally on Aug 31st, 1957 in Kuala Lumpur, that the significance of the event dawned on him.

“When I heard Tunku repeat the Merdeka cry in front of thousands in Kuala Lumpur, then it struck me emotionally. Especially recalling the incident in Kirkby, over a year and a half earlier. Then I knew what independence meant,” he said.

Ajmer Singh, 70, who was on the Kirkby Students’ Council at the time, said Tunku’s announcement came as a complete surprise to everyone in the hall. “When we left Malaya we had no idea we would get independence that fast,” he said.

Ajmer: ‘The friendship that we had there was something unique’

He recalls in his speech Tunku had specifically said that special effort had been made to send the students to the United Kingdom because the government wanted teachers “to have more knowledge of the world and be broad-minded.”

“Tun Razak also gave an interesting speech about education. He told us if we worked hard there would be a lot of opportunities in the future,” said Ajmer, a former headmaster of Cochrane Road School in Kuala Lumpur.

Chiam, Zainal and Ajmer were among about 1,500 selected students trained at Kirkby between 1951-1962. Over 300 teachers, some of then returning graduates, were also trained to be teacher-trainers there before it was shut down.

Kirkby was a pioneering effort on the part of the Malayan government and the British Colonial Office to Malaya to meet the urgent need for trained teachers in the country after World War 2, particularly in rural areas.

It was the first time a foreign country had set up a college for teachers in Britain. The students were sent in batches of 150 every year for two-year courses.

The returning graduates, along with those from Brinsford Lodge, in Wolverhampton, played a major role in developing Malaysia’s early education system and, as dedicated teachers, touched many lives.

Hew: ‘We were a very genuinely happy, multi-racial family’

Kirkby alumni Moira Hew Lee Siew San, 68, recalls her time there as “the happiest two years of her life.” “Kirkby means a lot to me. We were a very genuinely happy, multi-racial family,” she said.

Another Kirkbyite, former corporate figure and anti-corruption advocate Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim said his best memory of ‘Kampung Kirkby’, as it was known, was “that there was a complete lack of consciousness of race.”

“No one was Indian, Malay, Chinese, Sikh or Eurasian. We were all Malayans. That is etched in our collective memories,” he said.

Ajmer echoed that sentiment: “The friendship that we had there was something unique. I do not remember any institution where you had this kind of feeling among students. Having come from different communities, we became such good friends and we were brothers and sisters there.”

Ajmer said on his return he remembers going to a local college for a specialist course and expecting the same warmth. “It just wasn’t there. If the kind of spirit we kindled in Kirkby could prevail on a larger scale, unity and interaction among the communities would be much easier today.”

SIDEBAR 1
Newspaper And Souvenir Booklets Report The ‘Scoop’
IT may well have remained a footnote in the history books, if not for the memories of 70-year-old Kirkbyites who remember that day well. The story is oft-repeated whenever a reunion of Kirkby alumni is held for the 1954-56 and 1955-57 batches.

Souvenir booklets for these reunions often reprint documents that verify the event.

An article in the Liverpool Daily Post, dated Feb 8, 1956, shows two photographs. One is of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman surrounded by Kirkby students, with some wearing songkok and the others in greased hairstyles and spectacles that can pass off as fashionable today.

The other shows then Malayan Minister of Education, the late Tun Abdul Razak, with his receding hairline and distinctive jowls signing autographs for smiling students.

An excerpt states: “It was appropriate that the announcement should have been made first to Malayan students, for an independent Malaya belongs to the young…and much will depend …on how the young generation of the country use the new…opportunities.”

The Golden Panduan, a 50th anniversary commemorative album, has an uncredited story entitled Merdeka! Kirkbyites Get the Scoop quoting Tunku thus:

“I can now make the disclosure that I have just returned from the Constitutional talks with the Government of Her Majesty.

“The talks went off very well indeed – so well, in fact, what we had set our minds to get, we got. Other matters which we discussed have been settled amicably. The talks began in an atmosphere of friendliness and cordiality and ended on that very happy note yesterday afternoon.”

A beaming Tunku then announced, for the first time to the world, that Merdeka would be on August 31st 1957. The jubilant students, standing up immediately, began clapping and enthusiastically shouting, “Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!” amidst a battery of flashing cameras and whirring cine film gadgets of all sizes.

When the clapping and shouts of joy had somewhat subsided, the Tunku, smiling broadly, told the students, “I knew you would be happy to hear it.”

Speaking without notes, the charismatic Prince told the audience that when he and his team had first set out from Malaya there had been two parties – those representing the Alliance, and those representing the Rulers. But, by the time they had arrived in England, there were not two parties but one.

“We had reached London determined to obtain self-government and independence, and had been prepared to quarrel about it.

“But, after the talks had gone on for no more than a day, we found that we had won over Her Majesty’s Government to our side,” added the Tunku.

When the intermittent clapping and cries of jubilance had stopped, the Tunku continued, “Important tasks still lie ahead. Our independence is won. We must retain it at all costs.”

“We had worked hard to get it. We must work very much harder to retain it. We have enemies all around us. There are also enemies within.”

The article continues that although the students and staff had been told in advance of the impending visit of the Tunku and his party, no one had the slightest inclination that the Tunku would make such a historic announcement there.

The next day, the Independence of Malaya Agreement was inked in London coinciding with Tunku’s 53rd birthday.

On Feb 20, 1956, on his return to Malaya, Tunku announced the date in front of a mammoth rally in Bandar Hilir, Malacca, on Malaysian shores for the first time.

SIDEBAR 2
Autograph Book Holds Rare Signature And Fond Memories
RETIRED teacher Madam Lim Hock Nee, 68, holds an autograph book she has had for over five decades.

In it is a rare signature – “Rahman” – which can be clearly made out in faded blue fountain pen ink, and dated Feb 7, 1956. “When I heard Tunku Abdul Rahman was visiting Kirkby, I made sure I had my autograph book with me,” she recalls.

“I made my way through a roomful of people and asked for his autograph. I don’t know how I had the courage to do that, but I did!” Mdm Lim was only 18 back then and attending the two-year teacher’s training course at the Malayan Teachers’ Training College in Kirkby, near Liverpool.

She adds that she collected autographs from as many people as she could from Tunku’s entourage. “It was a large entourage and I did my best to note the names and dates of each autograph.”

Lim started up the autograph book as a Sixth Form student at St Michael’s Institution (SMI) in Ipoh and collected autographs from her peers, teachers and La Salle brothers back then.

It was a natural thing for her to pack the autograph book along with her to Kirkby as the little green book held fond memories of her student days.

Other autographs Lim has in the book are of her former mentors including the late Brother Ultan Paul (SMI), the late G. J. Gurney (Kirkby principal) and Professor Khoo Kay Kim.

Lim returned to Kirkby for a oneyear teacher-trainer course in 1962. On Dec 7 that year, as a member of the students’ council, she gave a farewell speech marking the closure of the college.

“I remember breaking down during the speech. It was a very emotional moment. The college was closing down after 11 years,” she says.

An excerpt of her speech, which she still has, reads: “After 11 years, this bold experiment, unprecedented in the annals of education, is coming to an end. We are sorry to leave this institution, which … has produced many good sons and daughters who are now spread all over Malaya.

“Yet, I am sure in the heart of every teacher trained in Kirkby are memories of a very pleasant stay of the warmth and hospitality of the English homes, and a sense of dedication which Kirkby, under the guidance of … the Principal and the staff, has instilled in (us).”

Lim says that as teachers, they were driven by a passion and a responsibility towards students back then.

“The closing of the college was not an end but a beginning for us to come back to teach and to live up to the trust that the Malayan public and the people of Merseyside had in us.”

Related stories:
Yes, sir, I’m from Kirkby
Close to their hearts