There is a knot in my heart...
And my mind doesn't know how to undo it.
What can I do?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
It's a wrap..
The final curtain draws, the end of another chapter.
"Shu Li, You'll be a good surgeon.."
"All the best."
Its difficult, when someone trusts you more than you trust yourself. It is very difficult.
And when that person says that, how much should you trust it?
Those were the words of my consultant, one of the most senior surgeons at the hospital (if not, the most), an examiner in the MRCS and FRCS examinations and for consultancy posts. Who has been praising me in front of his colleagues, and according to them, very unlike him. Yet, I don't know what is it that I have done! I have not done anything monumental to deserve it.
It has left me thinking..why and what is it that I cannot see.
It has left me with a dilemma. I am in a moment of quandary.
"Shu Li, You'll be a good surgeon.."
"All the best."
Its difficult, when someone trusts you more than you trust yourself. It is very difficult.
And when that person says that, how much should you trust it?
Those were the words of my consultant, one of the most senior surgeons at the hospital (if not, the most), an examiner in the MRCS and FRCS examinations and for consultancy posts. Who has been praising me in front of his colleagues, and according to them, very unlike him. Yet, I don't know what is it that I have done! I have not done anything monumental to deserve it.
It has left me thinking..why and what is it that I cannot see.
It has left me with a dilemma. I am in a moment of quandary.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Smiles throughout..
Right, great day again today.
Good start for the week. No Monday blues.
The only bad thing - was the weight I gained over the weekend. It was a complete, 100% eat-sleep cycle!
Was there a good 10-15 minutes early, made sure I knew what was happening for the day - and that early minutes paid off. Consultant was happy with what I knew, especially when no one else did. haha. But of course, I understand that I'm merely a student. I'm not working and thus have no dire responsibilities. Also, I had the weekend. It definitely helped though, and I was more than happy to be of use. Saved a lot of time, troubles and prevention of negative aura for the team and ward staff!
Its sad to see certain things happening that I shall not reveal here.
However, it also meant that I was the only other person in theatre today.
Only 2 lap chole-s on the list. Was quite happy nevertheless because I have suturing skills teaching which I was looking forward to go to (especially since I have unduly respect for this consultant as well - p/s: he's a Malaysian!). I was more than happy to assist anyway. Secondly, I can't leave just like that.
So, there I was, holding the camera. Many would have been bored, but me, being me, wasn't. I don't know why. Just like how I told the ODP trainee the other day when she asked me what I wanted to specialize in. When asked to elaborate, I came up with the truest answer - that there is just something about it that makes me not sleepy during it despite only having 3 hours of sleep the day before. Must be something, right? I gave myself further thoughts, it is something that I am willing to wake up early for or in the middle of the night. Can't go too wrong with that right?
Right, back to today, I've been scrubbing up and assisting for all his surgeries anyway. So this was no different. Until....he removed the err..forceps thingy from the port thingy (I don't know why I can't remember despite numerous repetition!) and told me to swap places with him. I then realised that he wanted me to have a 'go' at lap surgery!!! Okay, may I remind everyone that for me, the patient always come first, and for this consultant, more than ever. My hands amazingly did not tremble when I put the instrument through the port. What I did then was to hold/retract the g/b and clip the cystic duct. He had to help me a little with the angle of the clip thingy - thank you for that because I had no idea how to work it out. With divine intervention, I managed to get the duct between the clip and clipped it!
Okay, so that worked fine, but it was removed (hahaha) because there was no space to cut. But hey, hand-eye coordination and depth of view were not easy achievements! =P
Next patient - again, he let me clip!! This time, not once, but all 3 clips! And walla! It went perrrrfectly. I got the position right the first time in both occasions! And, no need for removal nor correction from him. I didn't cut, that would have been asking too much, and I don't think I would have liked it either. One step at a time, I'm happy.
I closed one of the port sites too. Start to end. =) Very pleased. Normally I get to suture midway. Glad I gained his confidence in allowing me to start (with knots too!) and end - including local anaesthetic. :D *whoopieee* shuly is a happy bunny!
So I missed my suturing skills session with the cute msian surgeon. But I got the chance to learn how to do it on the g/b instead!!- Very thankful and appreciative of my consultant who took time to show to me; he knew I missed it for his surgery. I did rush off to see if its still happening after the case. It was over, but hey, got the chance to see this other consultant. HAHA! He was very encouraging - he was considering going through with me briefly, but I didn't want to trouble him and told him that I'll ask the others who attended. Guess what, he told me that if I needed any help, come up to him anytime and he'll teach me. How kind!!! *I'm so blessed* Even told me his OT/OR schedule (not that I don't already know) and compared it with my consultant's schedule (they're both in the same specialty).
Right, and to think that they day has gone tremendously well (it is around noon by now), it went better! I stumbled upon my consultant going to his office, and he passed me something, and we met this young consultant whom I've blogged about previously. He seems to be something great here - taking an admin role as well. I wonder if he's Head of Dept. Anyway, my consultant commented on the lack of coordination between teams such that his team had to go somewhere else .. and thanked as well as praised me in front of this 'young' consultant! I didn't know where to hide my head now. I think my mind went blank - as I said, I always thought of my consultant as a respectable figure who encourages, but not really saying it out loud. Have you watched "the Invisibles"? I felt like the girl/daughter there when he repeated what he said.
I walked with this 'young' consultant down the corridor, and he said something to me, which just added icing to the cake for today. I didn't need any. I was already too shy to have anymore.
The afternoon went well, the evening too. The night, not so! No work done!
Again, I'm saying this not to gloat. This is more of an encouraging effect. And I should know better to not let it get into my head. It would not. Never.
Feelings are there to be shared, and I know my friends would be more than happy for me without having negative feelings.
I am thankful and appreciative for all the opportunities that I was given. And if there is something that I can share here, is that it pays to wake up that few minutes early.
Good start for the week. No Monday blues.
The only bad thing - was the weight I gained over the weekend. It was a complete, 100% eat-sleep cycle!
Was there a good 10-15 minutes early, made sure I knew what was happening for the day - and that early minutes paid off. Consultant was happy with what I knew, especially when no one else did. haha. But of course, I understand that I'm merely a student. I'm not working and thus have no dire responsibilities. Also, I had the weekend. It definitely helped though, and I was more than happy to be of use. Saved a lot of time, troubles and prevention of negative aura for the team and ward staff!
Its sad to see certain things happening that I shall not reveal here.
However, it also meant that I was the only other person in theatre today.
Only 2 lap chole-s on the list. Was quite happy nevertheless because I have suturing skills teaching which I was looking forward to go to (especially since I have unduly respect for this consultant as well - p/s: he's a Malaysian!). I was more than happy to assist anyway. Secondly, I can't leave just like that.
So, there I was, holding the camera. Many would have been bored, but me, being me, wasn't. I don't know why. Just like how I told the ODP trainee the other day when she asked me what I wanted to specialize in. When asked to elaborate, I came up with the truest answer - that there is just something about it that makes me not sleepy during it despite only having 3 hours of sleep the day before. Must be something, right? I gave myself further thoughts, it is something that I am willing to wake up early for or in the middle of the night. Can't go too wrong with that right?
Right, back to today, I've been scrubbing up and assisting for all his surgeries anyway. So this was no different. Until....he removed the err..forceps thingy from the port thingy (I don't know why I can't remember despite numerous repetition!) and told me to swap places with him. I then realised that he wanted me to have a 'go' at lap surgery!!! Okay, may I remind everyone that for me, the patient always come first, and for this consultant, more than ever. My hands amazingly did not tremble when I put the instrument through the port. What I did then was to hold/retract the g/b and clip the cystic duct. He had to help me a little with the angle of the clip thingy - thank you for that because I had no idea how to work it out. With divine intervention, I managed to get the duct between the clip and clipped it!
Okay, so that worked fine, but it was removed (hahaha) because there was no space to cut. But hey, hand-eye coordination and depth of view were not easy achievements! =P
Next patient - again, he let me clip!! This time, not once, but all 3 clips! And walla! It went perrrrfectly. I got the position right the first time in both occasions! And, no need for removal nor correction from him. I didn't cut, that would have been asking too much, and I don't think I would have liked it either. One step at a time, I'm happy.
I closed one of the port sites too. Start to end. =) Very pleased. Normally I get to suture midway. Glad I gained his confidence in allowing me to start (with knots too!) and end - including local anaesthetic. :D *whoopieee* shuly is a happy bunny!
So I missed my suturing skills session with the cute msian surgeon. But I got the chance to learn how to do it on the g/b instead!!- Very thankful and appreciative of my consultant who took time to show to me; he knew I missed it for his surgery. I did rush off to see if its still happening after the case. It was over, but hey, got the chance to see this other consultant. HAHA! He was very encouraging - he was considering going through with me briefly, but I didn't want to trouble him and told him that I'll ask the others who attended. Guess what, he told me that if I needed any help, come up to him anytime and he'll teach me. How kind!!! *I'm so blessed* Even told me his OT/OR schedule (not that I don't already know) and compared it with my consultant's schedule (they're both in the same specialty).
Right, and to think that they day has gone tremendously well (it is around noon by now), it went better! I stumbled upon my consultant going to his office, and he passed me something, and we met this young consultant whom I've blogged about previously. He seems to be something great here - taking an admin role as well. I wonder if he's Head of Dept. Anyway, my consultant commented on the lack of coordination between teams such that his team had to go somewhere else .. and thanked as well as praised me in front of this 'young' consultant! I didn't know where to hide my head now. I think my mind went blank - as I said, I always thought of my consultant as a respectable figure who encourages, but not really saying it out loud. Have you watched "the Invisibles"? I felt like the girl/daughter there when he repeated what he said.
I walked with this 'young' consultant down the corridor, and he said something to me, which just added icing to the cake for today. I didn't need any. I was already too shy to have anymore.
The afternoon went well, the evening too. The night, not so! No work done!
Again, I'm saying this not to gloat. This is more of an encouraging effect. And I should know better to not let it get into my head. It would not. Never.
Feelings are there to be shared, and I know my friends would be more than happy for me without having negative feelings.
I am thankful and appreciative for all the opportunities that I was given. And if there is something that I can share here, is that it pays to wake up that few minutes early.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
A day of mine
It was a busy day. Nothing out of the ordinary, but not too bland either. Quite a tangible delight. I am not a very private person. I like to tell things to others. So today, I am going to tell you about a rather tasteful day.
I slept late last night after drinking a cup of tea and coffee, hoping not to fall asleep at 6pm. Oh, and of course, to get some work done. I did stay awake, but my mind wasn't. Ah well. I did wake up early - thus the need for more chemical booster. Thing is, when my mind is bothered with something, I am unable to sleep well. This is something I have probably inherited from mom!
The day started with me attempting to do some work, but ended up finishing a movie instead- How to lose a guy in 10 days! Then, I went for clinics - it was good, and I managed to follow-through with a patient. I wanted to complete the whole process, but was told to go for teaching instead. I thought I was late, but the 'teacher' was later. Good for me! Saw a face that made me smile, and faces that made me cheerful.
Teaching was good and ended at 1220. Then, I confirmed the time for the next meeting from the department I am in with the office staff before heading off for lunch with the rest. Came back at 1pm, only to realise that the meeting had started at 1230! I must have looked bad in the eyes of my consultant. It really wasn't my fault. I hope that people in general would not jump to conclusion about others. I will make it a point not to.
Then, I decided to go for another teaching before heading to theatres for the second case. I have seen quite a number of the kind of case first on the list. Midway through teaching, the coordinator waved me out, and told me that the HO called me to go to theatre because they had swapped the list around. SUCH A NICE GUY HE IS!!! I want to be like him! He knew I wanted to see that case, remembered, and called me!!!!***love***
I observed that op, then scrubbed in for the next. I got to do suturing - again ;P
I am under a consultant who is very stern, strict and thorough in what he does. He is quite a character too. Towards the end, he said, "You are going to do surgery right?" ....I stood there, next to him, flabbergasted. Never in a million years would I expect those words to be pronounced by him. I mean, he's someone who is very particular about the way things are done and should be done, and by all means, I understand that he has his reasons for doing so. I don't see him saying something like that at all!
After some shocking split seconds, I replied, "Yes, I sure do hope so". Then, another unexpected word was dropped onto me. He said, "Good."
(O.o)
Followed by, "You've got a surgical neck."
Me: ".....??...."
(seconds past)
Me: " Mr G, what do you mean by a surgical neck?"
..he explained briefly.
I've never told him about thoughts of my future, neither has he ever hinted of asking!
I know that some people don't give compliments because they think it might get into the head of the person, or that they think better can always be accomplished, or simply, they just don't.
SO, I am making it a point here, that I shall NOT take that into head. Instead, it will be just into my heart. Sufficient to be encouraged, and that bit of confidence to take that first baby step towards the arms of someone/something I can trust to stand tall and straight.
All said and done, this has now made me even more frightened than ever before - because it seems as though there are people who have much more experience than I will ever dream of getting or being, people I respect and admire greatly; who see something in me that is barely visible to me.
After theatre, ran home, ate some food - first for the day, changed and off for badminton! Great game, good match, nice company. Take-away dinner, unnecessary clogging of arteries, some warm fuzzy moments and a nice bath.
Now, time to get off the internet and *attempt* for...(eeks)..w.o.r.k!
I slept late last night after drinking a cup of tea and coffee, hoping not to fall asleep at 6pm. Oh, and of course, to get some work done. I did stay awake, but my mind wasn't. Ah well. I did wake up early - thus the need for more chemical booster. Thing is, when my mind is bothered with something, I am unable to sleep well. This is something I have probably inherited from mom!
The day started with me attempting to do some work, but ended up finishing a movie instead- How to lose a guy in 10 days! Then, I went for clinics - it was good, and I managed to follow-through with a patient. I wanted to complete the whole process, but was told to go for teaching instead. I thought I was late, but the 'teacher' was later. Good for me! Saw a face that made me smile, and faces that made me cheerful.
Teaching was good and ended at 1220. Then, I confirmed the time for the next meeting from the department I am in with the office staff before heading off for lunch with the rest. Came back at 1pm, only to realise that the meeting had started at 1230! I must have looked bad in the eyes of my consultant. It really wasn't my fault. I hope that people in general would not jump to conclusion about others. I will make it a point not to.
Then, I decided to go for another teaching before heading to theatres for the second case. I have seen quite a number of the kind of case first on the list. Midway through teaching, the coordinator waved me out, and told me that the HO called me to go to theatre because they had swapped the list around. SUCH A NICE GUY HE IS!!! I want to be like him! He knew I wanted to see that case, remembered, and called me!!!!***love***
I observed that op, then scrubbed in for the next. I got to do suturing - again ;P
I am under a consultant who is very stern, strict and thorough in what he does. He is quite a character too. Towards the end, he said, "You are going to do surgery right?" ....I stood there, next to him, flabbergasted. Never in a million years would I expect those words to be pronounced by him. I mean, he's someone who is very particular about the way things are done and should be done, and by all means, I understand that he has his reasons for doing so. I don't see him saying something like that at all!
After some shocking split seconds, I replied, "Yes, I sure do hope so". Then, another unexpected word was dropped onto me. He said, "Good."
(O.o)
Followed by, "You've got a surgical neck."
Me: ".....??...."
(seconds past)
Me: " Mr G, what do you mean by a surgical neck?"
..he explained briefly.
I've never told him about thoughts of my future, neither has he ever hinted of asking!
I know that some people don't give compliments because they think it might get into the head of the person, or that they think better can always be accomplished, or simply, they just don't.
SO, I am making it a point here, that I shall NOT take that into head. Instead, it will be just into my heart. Sufficient to be encouraged, and that bit of confidence to take that first baby step towards the arms of someone/something I can trust to stand tall and straight.
All said and done, this has now made me even more frightened than ever before - because it seems as though there are people who have much more experience than I will ever dream of getting or being, people I respect and admire greatly; who see something in me that is barely visible to me.
After theatre, ran home, ate some food - first for the day, changed and off for badminton! Great game, good match, nice company. Take-away dinner, unnecessary clogging of arteries, some warm fuzzy moments and a nice bath.
Now, time to get off the internet and *attempt* for...(eeks)..w.o.r.k!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
A kind of..
I had a special kind of happiness last week.
It was extremely shocking, completely unexpected, but totally pleasing..
But it created and stirred a lot of other 'thoughts'.
Is this justified? Probably not.
No. It is not.
Would there be another moment like that?
That would be the sky falling down.
So, no. It is definitely not.
It was extremely shocking, completely unexpected, but totally pleasing..
But it created and stirred a lot of other 'thoughts'.
Is this justified? Probably not.
No. It is not.
Would there be another moment like that?
That would be the sky falling down.
So, no. It is definitely not.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Go for it
An aspiring medical student was told by a respectable consultant surgeon - don't do medicine. There's no social life!
Whether or not this was a joke or a test of determination, I do not know.
I asked, what about a female wanting to do surgery?
He replies, much to my admiration and respect, "Its a boys' club. As much as 'they' try to say or make it equal. You gotta put more effort in, you got to tough it out sometimes. But go for it. If you want it, go for it."
He adds, "......But whatever it is, most importantly, don't ever let a boy change your mind."
*I heaved a silent sigh but also a straight smile*
=)
Whether or not this was a joke or a test of determination, I do not know.
I asked, what about a female wanting to do surgery?
He replies, much to my admiration and respect, "Its a boys' club. As much as 'they' try to say or make it equal. You gotta put more effort in, you got to tough it out sometimes. But go for it. If you want it, go for it."
He adds, "......But whatever it is, most importantly, don't ever let a boy change your mind."
*I heaved a silent sigh but also a straight smile*
=)
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Fight or Flight
I still get my voice stuck in my throat when I explain things to patients. It is easy to take a history and examine them, because that's what we were taught and trained to do. There is a sequence, an order, and expectations. So, I took it upon myself to start talking to the patients after a history and examination. I am worried to say the wrong things, give the wrong impression, putting my foot into my mouth. But I thought, if I don't try, I'll never learn. So, what is the best practice to learn without causing any significant or even minor problems?
I find it rather difficult when it comes to explaining my findings to the patient or a management plan. What should I say when they ask, "What is the blood for? Do I have a heart attack? Why is this so painful? Will I die?" If I just do the history and examination and not start a conversation at the end but instead excuse myself to discuss with a senior as I would have explained to them at the start, all will be well. It is these non-anticipatory questions that throw me off the sequence/order.
When I told a man my findings - that his heart beat was a bit on the slow side, he asked me why. Clearly, he was worried. So, how do I tell him without causing him more worry. Mind you, a patient can detect and sniff out young docs anxieties. I sure can!
It is so easy to see and hear how the consultant or senior registrar explain and in your head you go, "Yes, this is very good. The content is flowing out completely and very smoothly. Its like any other conversation. I probably can do it too." Then, you realise, it is NOT THAT EASY. Not for me at least.
I hope I don't cause any bad loose ends for the next HO/SHO seeing them.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
For a laugh..
Whatever u give a woman, she will make it greater. Give her sperm, she will give u a baby. Give her a house, she will give u a home. Give her groceries, she will give u a meal. Give her a smile n she will give u her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what she is given. So if u give her crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Malaysian Milestone part II
LINK
Up close & personal with Pua Khein-Seng
By LEE KIAN SEONG
IT’S not easy running a multi-billion dollar business. Such an accomplishment is more impressive when you consider that the person doing it is a young man who not that long ago struggled to pay his tuition fees and living expenses.
The company is Phison Electronics Corp, a listed technology company in Taiwan with a market capitalisation of almost NT$40bil (RM4.3bil). Its main claim to fame is that it changed how many personal computer users store and transfer data.
Pua Khein-Seng
According to Phison’s website, in 2001, the company came up with a product that led to the demise of the floppy disk. It was the world’s first USB (universal serial bus) “flash removable disk”. Most of us know it simply as a pen drive. In fact, that was what Phison named the product.
(USB flash removable disks are also known as thumb drives, yet another trademark that has evolved into a generic term.)
Phison’s president and co-founder is Pua Khein-Seng, an energetic 35-year-old whose childhood memories include fishing trips and living in a place surrounded by paddy fields. After all, he grew up in the pretty village of Sekinchan, Selangor.
Yes, the man behind the pen drive is a Malaysian. Although he has been living in Taiwan for the past 16 years, Pua still considers Malaysia as his home.
His success story began in 1993, when he arrived in Taiwan to study electrical control engineering at the National Chiao Tung University. During his three years there, he worked part time, earning about NT$80 per hour (RM8), to help pay his way.
“My intention was to come back to Malaysia after graduating,” he says, adding that he had already given up his ambition to get a master’s degree because it cost too much to prepare for a qualifying examination.
Then, in his third year at the university, the rules changed. Students need not sit for the exam to gain entry into a master’s programme if they do very well for their first degreee. Pua not only obtained first class honours but was also top in his faculty. He thus kept his dream alive.
Phison takes off
After Pua obtained his master’s degree, a professor at the university offered him a salary of NT$5,000 per month to research and develop memory controllers. The professor set up a company with his friends, and Pua became an employee.
As a key engineer in the company, he travelled to places like South Korea and Japan for meetings. It was a time to gain valuable experience and exposure. That ended when friction and office politics nudged Pua into a decision to leave. However, complications over his work permit blocked his exit and forced a long negotiation.
Eventually, the shareholders promised to invest NT$30mil in a spin-off company where Pua would have a lead role alongside some friends. But things did not go as planned. The shareholders only invested NT$1mil and later opted to give up.
“We faced some problems that time as we had purchased equipment, and the resources were ready,” Pua recalls.
Clinging to the principle of never backing down in the face of adversity, Pua and his friends chose to forge ahead with the new venture. But first, they needed fresh capital.
The target was NT$6mil which they hoped to achieve through borrowings and their own savings. At that time, venture capitalists were not exactly in a hurry to put money in the fledgeling business. Through his contacts, Pua finally secured some investments to get the business running. With that, Phison got off the ground.
According to Pua, the company was not producing USB drives when it began operating in 2000. Instead, it was making USB card readers. In fact, Phison also claims to make the world’s first 5-in-1card reader.
In January 2001, an Australian customer approached the company on the possibility of producing a USB drive. This put Phison on the path to its rapid rise.
“There was already a USB drive but we invented the USB drive SoC (system on chip), which uses a single chip,” Pua explains. He was only 27 at that time.
Despite this milestone, the company still had to grapple with teething problems. It was tough, for example, for a start-up with limited funds to attract talent. “We tried to hire Malaysians who had just graduated in Taiwan but it was hard to obtain work permits,” he says.
The company’s stature and appeal have since grown following its listing on the Taiwan Stock Exchange in 2004. It now has 430 employees, of whom 210 are engineers. Its principal activity is designing USB flash controllers and related NAND (a type of technology for flash memory) flash applications. It also designs integrated circuits and provides system integration services.
Its products include controller ICs (integrated circuits) for card readers, pen drives, memory cards, flash disks, and other electronic devices.
These are exported worldwide.
Its revenue has ballooned from US$500,000 in the first year of operation to US$580mil last year. It spends between US$15mil and US$20mil annually on research and development. Clearly, Phison has overcome the rocky start.
What is it that motivates Pua in dealing with huge obstacles? “My passion has helped me overcome the hurdles and also, there is the desire to prove that we are right. It’s thanks to the support from my staff, partners and shareholders,” he says.
His maxim in life is to do things correctly everyday and to be patient so as to grow better. “I just want to raise my quality of life and be myself,” he adds.
To grow further, you have to keep improving yourself, he says. “We are our own worst enemy. We have to be patient and concentrate on the things we are doing.”
For those who want to go into business at a young age, he urges them to consider carefully such a move because setting up a business is not easy without working experience. “You need a team as it is not a one-man show. You need to have your core technology and values to stay competitive,” he adds.
Leadership management and creating a good environment are essential in the development of a company. So how does Pua treat his staff members?
They are like his family, he says. “We have to do the right thing for our staff and they will do the right thing for you.”
Local pride
To him, it is a simple principle: “Don’t treat others the way you wouldn’t want others to treat you. Your staff will like you more if you treat them like your friends. They will not like to work for you if you treat them as part of a money-making machine.”
This has been tested during the global financial crisis, when millions of people have lost their jobs. Although Phison’s revenue decreased from US$630mil in 2007 to US$580mil last year due to the downturn, Pua does not believe in retrenchment and insists that the company’s best assets are its employees.
“We didn’t implement a retrenchment programme. In fact, we increased salaries and paid bonuses,” he says. He points out that although last year’s net profit dipped, it was a nevertheless a good sign that it was possible to register a profit even in these hard times. Thus, rewarding the staff was necessary.
Pua says his priorities in running a business are the staff, followed by suppliers, shareholders and customers. “I promise to share the company’s profits with my employees,” he maintains.
After being away from Malaysia so long, how does Pua feel about his homeland? “I’m like a foreigner in Malaysia but I like the place very much. I’m not really familiar with it now but I really miss the food here. This is my country and I keep track on the news in Malaysia,” he says.
He describes Malaysia as his motherland and Taiwan as his second home. “I am proud to be Malaysian, ” he adds.
He comes back to Malaysia once in three to four months as his parents are staying here.
“The quality of life is good in Malaysia as the pace is not so fast. This is a nice place to relax and enjoy, as there are mountains and the seaside. I will come back for my retirement.”
Fact File
Born: Malaysia (June 15, 1974)
Personal: Married with three kids
Education: Master's in Electrical Control Engineering
Career: President of Phison Electronics Corp (Taiwan)
Favourite food: Curry rice, Noodles, Hokkien Mee
Favourite place: Malaysia
Hobbies: Golf, Swimming, Sleeping
Values: To judge other people's feelings by one's own and to treat others with sincerity.
____________
Young. Malaysian. Rich. Successful. Intelligent.
Overseas.Opportunity.Country of Residence. (Malaysian)
Haven't we heard so many of the first line followed by the second?
He has probably benefited Taiwan in billions.
Did the country reject him early on? Good for him? Develop and expanded elsewhere first?
Kudoz and congratulations.
Up close & personal with Pua Khein-Seng
By LEE KIAN SEONG
IT’S not easy running a multi-billion dollar business. Such an accomplishment is more impressive when you consider that the person doing it is a young man who not that long ago struggled to pay his tuition fees and living expenses.
The company is Phison Electronics Corp, a listed technology company in Taiwan with a market capitalisation of almost NT$40bil (RM4.3bil). Its main claim to fame is that it changed how many personal computer users store and transfer data.
Pua Khein-Seng
According to Phison’s website, in 2001, the company came up with a product that led to the demise of the floppy disk. It was the world’s first USB (universal serial bus) “flash removable disk”. Most of us know it simply as a pen drive. In fact, that was what Phison named the product.
(USB flash removable disks are also known as thumb drives, yet another trademark that has evolved into a generic term.)
Phison’s president and co-founder is Pua Khein-Seng, an energetic 35-year-old whose childhood memories include fishing trips and living in a place surrounded by paddy fields. After all, he grew up in the pretty village of Sekinchan, Selangor.
Yes, the man behind the pen drive is a Malaysian. Although he has been living in Taiwan for the past 16 years, Pua still considers Malaysia as his home.
His success story began in 1993, when he arrived in Taiwan to study electrical control engineering at the National Chiao Tung University. During his three years there, he worked part time, earning about NT$80 per hour (RM8), to help pay his way.
“My intention was to come back to Malaysia after graduating,” he says, adding that he had already given up his ambition to get a master’s degree because it cost too much to prepare for a qualifying examination.
Then, in his third year at the university, the rules changed. Students need not sit for the exam to gain entry into a master’s programme if they do very well for their first degreee. Pua not only obtained first class honours but was also top in his faculty. He thus kept his dream alive.
Phison takes off
After Pua obtained his master’s degree, a professor at the university offered him a salary of NT$5,000 per month to research and develop memory controllers. The professor set up a company with his friends, and Pua became an employee.
As a key engineer in the company, he travelled to places like South Korea and Japan for meetings. It was a time to gain valuable experience and exposure. That ended when friction and office politics nudged Pua into a decision to leave. However, complications over his work permit blocked his exit and forced a long negotiation.
Eventually, the shareholders promised to invest NT$30mil in a spin-off company where Pua would have a lead role alongside some friends. But things did not go as planned. The shareholders only invested NT$1mil and later opted to give up.
“We faced some problems that time as we had purchased equipment, and the resources were ready,” Pua recalls.
Clinging to the principle of never backing down in the face of adversity, Pua and his friends chose to forge ahead with the new venture. But first, they needed fresh capital.
The target was NT$6mil which they hoped to achieve through borrowings and their own savings. At that time, venture capitalists were not exactly in a hurry to put money in the fledgeling business. Through his contacts, Pua finally secured some investments to get the business running. With that, Phison got off the ground.
According to Pua, the company was not producing USB drives when it began operating in 2000. Instead, it was making USB card readers. In fact, Phison also claims to make the world’s first 5-in-1card reader.
In January 2001, an Australian customer approached the company on the possibility of producing a USB drive. This put Phison on the path to its rapid rise.
“There was already a USB drive but we invented the USB drive SoC (system on chip), which uses a single chip,” Pua explains. He was only 27 at that time.
Despite this milestone, the company still had to grapple with teething problems. It was tough, for example, for a start-up with limited funds to attract talent. “We tried to hire Malaysians who had just graduated in Taiwan but it was hard to obtain work permits,” he says.
The company’s stature and appeal have since grown following its listing on the Taiwan Stock Exchange in 2004. It now has 430 employees, of whom 210 are engineers. Its principal activity is designing USB flash controllers and related NAND (a type of technology for flash memory) flash applications. It also designs integrated circuits and provides system integration services.
Its products include controller ICs (integrated circuits) for card readers, pen drives, memory cards, flash disks, and other electronic devices.
These are exported worldwide.
Its revenue has ballooned from US$500,000 in the first year of operation to US$580mil last year. It spends between US$15mil and US$20mil annually on research and development. Clearly, Phison has overcome the rocky start.
What is it that motivates Pua in dealing with huge obstacles? “My passion has helped me overcome the hurdles and also, there is the desire to prove that we are right. It’s thanks to the support from my staff, partners and shareholders,” he says.
His maxim in life is to do things correctly everyday and to be patient so as to grow better. “I just want to raise my quality of life and be myself,” he adds.
To grow further, you have to keep improving yourself, he says. “We are our own worst enemy. We have to be patient and concentrate on the things we are doing.”
For those who want to go into business at a young age, he urges them to consider carefully such a move because setting up a business is not easy without working experience. “You need a team as it is not a one-man show. You need to have your core technology and values to stay competitive,” he adds.
Leadership management and creating a good environment are essential in the development of a company. So how does Pua treat his staff members?
They are like his family, he says. “We have to do the right thing for our staff and they will do the right thing for you.”
Local pride
To him, it is a simple principle: “Don’t treat others the way you wouldn’t want others to treat you. Your staff will like you more if you treat them like your friends. They will not like to work for you if you treat them as part of a money-making machine.”
This has been tested during the global financial crisis, when millions of people have lost their jobs. Although Phison’s revenue decreased from US$630mil in 2007 to US$580mil last year due to the downturn, Pua does not believe in retrenchment and insists that the company’s best assets are its employees.
“We didn’t implement a retrenchment programme. In fact, we increased salaries and paid bonuses,” he says. He points out that although last year’s net profit dipped, it was a nevertheless a good sign that it was possible to register a profit even in these hard times. Thus, rewarding the staff was necessary.
Pua says his priorities in running a business are the staff, followed by suppliers, shareholders and customers. “I promise to share the company’s profits with my employees,” he maintains.
After being away from Malaysia so long, how does Pua feel about his homeland? “I’m like a foreigner in Malaysia but I like the place very much. I’m not really familiar with it now but I really miss the food here. This is my country and I keep track on the news in Malaysia,” he says.
He describes Malaysia as his motherland and Taiwan as his second home. “I am proud to be Malaysian, ” he adds.
He comes back to Malaysia once in three to four months as his parents are staying here.
“The quality of life is good in Malaysia as the pace is not so fast. This is a nice place to relax and enjoy, as there are mountains and the seaside. I will come back for my retirement.”
Fact File
Born: Malaysia (June 15, 1974)
Personal: Married with three kids
Education: Master's in Electrical Control Engineering
Career: President of Phison Electronics Corp (Taiwan)
Favourite food: Curry rice, Noodles, Hokkien Mee
Favourite place: Malaysia
Hobbies: Golf, Swimming, Sleeping
Values: To judge other people's feelings by one's own and to treat others with sincerity.
____________
Young. Malaysian. Rich. Successful. Intelligent.
Overseas.Opportunity.Country of Residence. (Malaysian)
Haven't we heard so many of the first line followed by the second?
He has probably benefited Taiwan in billions.
Did the country reject him early on? Good for him? Develop and expanded elsewhere first?
Kudoz and congratulations.
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