Generally people have the perception that IBM is still a hardware/PC/laptop company, even till date. I believe it is part of my role to change that perception. I have not touched the IBM AS400 before, but feedback from my customers has led me to believe that it is one of the most stable/robust servers ever created. I want to own this machine one day.

Although hardware is an easy sell (in terms of sales cycle), it is no longer profitable with all the vendors being engaged in price wars. If I have the chance to meet you one day, I can probably share with you IBM’s acquisitions over the years. The company’s vision of building a smarter planet (http://www.asmarterplanet.com/) is pretty much in-line with my vision of “digitizing the world”, and working in ways where technology can help make the world a slightly better place.

As time moves on, I’m gradually begin to appreciate the company for what it is, and has built a love-hate relationship with this firm. It will take me months to share with you the journey and learning experience I’ve went through over here the past 5 months. Till date, I have been involved in a few global projects, and have customers calling me in from overseas to share with me their requirements after going through my repsite. .

More updates to come as we go along – There’s too much on my mind that I like to share with the world.

Career Planning 

Ever since my return from California, I was contemplating my career path. I didn’t really wanted to go into a career in banking because I can never really understand what the banking profession entails. My impression was that the skill-sets I learnt in there is not easily transferrable – Which other industry will care about how well you can analyze numbers. I was not satisfied with the kind of pitch that banking recruiters gave – “A career full of challenges, projects, exposures, and networking opportunties, only for the brightest and smartest”. What I had in mind was – How do I know whether I’m a fit for your company unless you give me an overview of what is it that you do. Don’t give me generic high-level answers – Tell me what are your challenges. How do you add value? It’s a stark contrast from the technology sector – where information is shared openly and innovation is the key.

Fundamentally I believe that technology can change the world in some ways. It’s about helping businesses and enterprises live a better life. I have always wanted a life like this since I was 8 years old. Wireless mobility, office productivity, and the ability to access and share information around the world. Interacting with people that you never met before. Instant communications instead of snail mail. In a way, the digital age is my age and my dream which I’m living right now.

I have strong beliefs about the kind of company that I want to work in. I wanted to work in a company that innovates (ie Google, Salesforce) and is willing to challenge the status quo. I want to educate businesses how they can use technology to solve business problems. I wanted a company that values performance over attendance. Mobile workers who can work from home. A company that uses the least effort to achieve maximum productivity.

Job Searches
I went for quite a few job interviews. However, it comes to a point where both the interviewer and myself did not see a good fit between their job and my vision/wants. thought I was really specific about what I wanted – A career in technology consulting/sales, and that turned off a few consulting firms.
I took a shot at Accenture. I heard quite a few negative comments about them, even from one of my mentors – But I guess I wanted to give them a shot. Insane working hours should not matter that much if I’m working in a role that leverages technology to solve business problems.

The HR and the first two interviewers were professional and warm, and I already had the impression that I will be working there. The final interview was with a partner of the firm, who I think did not like me. He was 20 minutes late for the interview and I thought he spoke to me in utter contempt. I think the straw that broke the camel back for him, was when I asked whether there’s any networking opportunities within and without the firm. Whether I have the opportunity to go for technology conferences to meet people. But again, probably I did not do well enough for that interview.

I got into IBM eventually, but it was not a smooth path. I went for a consulting position interview, but the interviewer thought that I was a better fit for sales. I went through another 3 rounds of interview before I got in. I received the letter of offer 3 days before my first day.

Being in IBM
I think the nice thing about being in IBM is that it cleared a number of misconceptions I had about the company. Before I went in – My impression of the company is a huge giant who has limited innovation capabilities. Corporate. Boring. Bureaucratic. Lacking in innovation (Dead wrong on this one though I will not elaborate more in this post!). The next best thing is the amount of money they invest in new hires to get us oriented to the company. 12 weeks of sales training, which guided us through various projects on how to engage sales calls.

The innovation scene at IBM is pretty amazing. You can check out how IBM leverages enterprise social media in the presentation below.

I’m an account manager for the banking and insurance industry in Singapore. It’s not exactly a good time to start a career in sales, nor is it the best of times to be serving the banking industry. But nonetheless I will give my very best to work with my clients and understand what they really need and want at this point in time, and how we can help them further. 2009 is not going to be an easy year – But I work hard for it.

The news:

Some of you might have already known that I made the switch a few weeks back from Macintosh to Windows Vista. I went to the PC show with my girlfriend, and we purchased a pair of laptops together – We each purchased the NEC Versa E6300 14” laptop together for S$1199.

-          Windows Vista Home Basic

-          Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7250 @ 2.0 Ghz

-          3GB DDR2 Ram ; 160GB Storage Space

-          6-in-1 card reader, with Bluetooth

-          A 2.0 Megapixel Integrated Web Camera

What I was using

I was using an iBook 12” PPC running OS X 10.4 for the past 4 years, and my girlfriend was looking out for a desktop since she don’t think she will be bringing her computer around. It was an odd choice for me because I had always been on the look-out for another Macintosh replacement, and had reservations about switching back to Windows, remembering the horrible user experience I had with Windows ME (my last OS before I purchased my iBook).

What prompted me to switch

-          NEC’s claim that they are the best in Japan. I thought any company who was that confident to claim that should have some form of backing for what they mentioned. I trusted them, and till now they have not disappointed me. I know I have just fallen as a sucker for marketing campaigns I guess.

-          I believed the purchase was value-for-money (I’m not the only one). I always thought the cheapest laptop I can get will be at S$1500, and I will rather top up $100-$300 for a MacBook with equivalent value. However, the cheapest Macbook I could see then was around S$1700. Sadly, the $500 makes a difference because I’m broke, and I badly want a new laptop. I spent 80% of my non-sleeping time at home with my computer, and I bring them around wherever I go.

-          I witnessed for myself how running XP on Parallels and VMWare on the Intel Macintosh does not work well with my Windows mobile 6.0 phone. I needed a compatible system to synchronize files, photos and contacts with my HTC Touch.

-          I thought it will be pretty cool to have the same laptop with my girlfriend together. It might just “synchronize” us together.

-          Apple releases new versions of their OS too fast for my liking – Leopard (10.5) does not impress me.  The only outstanding feature Leopard I see that’s different from Tiger (10.4) was Time Machine, and I seriously cannot imagine myself using that application.

-          I heard rumors that Apple is going to refresh their notebook lines again in June, with the Intel Montevina (Centrino 2), and made with more eco-friendly materials such as air-craft grade aluminum and stainless steel. Maybe I should just wait a few more months for them to refresh their design?

I have written down a list of my Vista experiences after the switch, and will update more on it soon! Hopefully, it will be helpful for anyone who’s considering switching operating systems (either way).

The question I have is – Isn’t it difficult to get jobs that you are neutral in? How many of us “acted as if we were interested” just to get the job that they want?

Secrets to smart decisions when you graduate from college » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk

Taking your laptop into the US? Be sure to hide all your data first | Technology | The Guardian

Last month a US court ruled that border agents can search your laptop, or any other electronic device, when you’re entering the country. They can take your computer and download its entire contents, or keep it for several days. Customs and Border Patrol has not published any rules regarding this practice, and I and others have written a letter to Congress urging it to investigate and regulate this practice.

• There is no plan – You can only connect the dots looking backwards.
• Think about strengths, not weaknesses – Do what you are good at.
• It’s not about you. - It’s about giving back to society
  
• Persistence trumps talent. – I have a problem with this. +_+
• Make excellent mistakes. - Risk management
  
• Leave an imprint. – What do you want to be remembered for when you die?

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Enjoy!

Post inspired from- QuBitBucket: Chopsticks vs. Parachute – Career Advice 2.0

If I ever have the chance to start a company, I will find all ways and means to keep it from being listed on the stock exchange. I have lost faith in the world’s financial and capital markets. Fundamentally, the reason that drives performing companies to expand their operations from external funds is greed.

FT.com – Anger at Google’s keyword shift

A sudden change in Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) ‘s policy on brand-name advertising in its search results has angered British advertisers, even as it opens up competitive opportunities in search marketing.

From May, Google will allow anybody to buy trademarks as “keywords”, allowing rivals’ sites to appear in sponsored search results when users query a specific brand or company name.

An Awesome AMV which won an award. There is tremendous potential for free-lance artists (song-writers, firm writers and directors), and you have one more option than the conventional way of approaching firms to groom you.

I just chanced across Ling86′s video on Youtube, and was definitely impressed by her passion! Keep it up Ling!

Ling86′s Larkin Step

I love technology, and my life revolves around analyzing and working out new web applications on how technology can make the world a better place. I have the opportunity to stay in Silicon Valley for one year with a group of fun-loving and smart friends. While almost everyone I knew who went over to Silicon Valley prefers it over Singapore, I still prefer Singapore.

My grammar and language is not perfect. I do however, enjoy reading my own writing. I set up this blog not only as an outlet for my personal expression, but also to make a side income from the intruding advertisements that you see (soon).

There was a time where I tried to deny my identity as a geek, but I’ve learnt to accept myself for who I am over time.

There was a time where my knowledge of my abilities, competence and accomplishments made me depressed because they were not up to my standards. I’ve gotten over it.

There was a time where I tried to restrict my blogging towards a specific niche, but I’ve since accepted that my strength was never in my ability to focus. I decided that I will blog on whatever issues I like to blog about.

There was a time when I was confused whether to start a startup, or to work in an MNC. I start to realize there’s no difference between them as long as you are passionate over your work.

I used to fret over my inability to program web applications from scratch. I still can’t (at this point), but I’m going to focus on learning how to develop applications with an open mind.

I used to complain about not being able to find a fellow co-founder, or a team that’s willing to work with me. I’ve learnt that the time could be better spent enjoying myself.

I used to think that a startup would never exist if I do it alone, I realized that’s an un-necessary limitation I’ve accepted from conventional thinking. It’s like accepting the fact that humans will never finish the one-mile run in under 4 minutes. I’m going to try building something myself alone.

There was a time where I network with people with a motive, and thought about how they could benefit me in the long-run. I’ve learnt that enjoying the present moment with who and what they are is what eventually matters.