Ricky’s Online Business Blog

I watched the film Devil. I thought it was just a normal horror movie. It’s more than that. It’s also about forgiving others for their wrongs against us.

Recently I happened to come across the forgiveness issue from various places. I read about it, post and even discuss it on Facebook. I heard about it from friends. Some seminar speaker told me about it. Someone even sent me email about it!  Is it a hint to me I should be forgive anyone?

Back to forgiveness, I think we really need to forgive others who have done something wrong to us. If we don’t forgive, we harbor the hatred in us. It will not only strain our relationship, but also become a kind of bitterness in us that can curse us in our life and relationships.

But if we could choose to forgive, we will release our self from the hatred and bitterness. Then we are able to enjoy relationships with people and live our life to the max.

Unfortunately, people who do not enjoy true, loving relationships with people are most probably the ones who are in the bondage of unforgiveness.

A customer told me on Facebook it’s very difficult to forgive people in some cases. Absolutely right. Indeed, may I venture to say that by our own strength we will never be able to forgive those who wronged us?

But when we have experienced for our self that someone has forgiven us for our wrong to him or her in the past, it will not be that difficult to pass on the forgiveness to others.

Think about the kids. If they never learn to own a toy, they may not learn to share it with other kids. But if they have learned to own and enjoy a toy, they will learn to share the joy with others.

About one year ago, a friend lent me some lecture notes but unfortunately I misplaced it. However, she didn’t blame me. She forgave me.

But in recent months, I lent some lecture notes to another friend but somehow he also lost it. I felt angry. But if my previous friend could forgive me for my mistake, why can’t I forgive this friend for his mistake?

By the way, we also often hear people say they will “forgive, but not forget”. But I wonder when some of them say this, they are saying it with bitterness in heart. Are they truly forgiving others or not?

I’m thinking that the key is to forgive. Forget or not? It does not really matter. What do you think about this?

I recently wrote a paper on whether globalization is good for Malaysia or not, as an assignment for the subject International Business Management & Policy in my MBA study.

To complete the 4000-word essay (I managed to write 2800 words only), I thought of 10 points and expanded from there. I published in Facebook before and have drawn many comments.

Here are the 10 points for sharing to all.  Welcome to comment and criticize. I’d like to discuss and learn from your viewpoints.

Introduction

The question “Is globalization good or bad for Malaysia?” is not relevant any more. Globalization will happen and is happening to all countries including Malaysia, no matter it’s good or bad.

Quoting an unusual example – The late Qing dynasty in China in late 19th century and early 20th century. They locked the country out from the rest of the world. Unlike the Meiji Restoration that propelled their neighbour Japan into a world power in just a few decades, the Qing dynasty eventually fell in 1911.  Refuse to follow the world trend? It’s either downfall or extinction.

The 10 Points

#1 Malaysian businesses need the global market. The local market is just too small. It’s a matter of survival in the globalized 21st century. Don’t be content with just being a jaguh kampung (champion in home country).

#2 Malaysia needs to specialize. Want to get out of the middle income trap? Do something new, something different. Don’t insist on attracting FDI in labor-intensive businesses. Move up the value chain.

#3 We have been trying to “prepare” for globalization for too long time, even decades. It’s true some of us, some industries, some businesses are not ready. But when will we be ready? Perhaps when we are truly ready, we are irrelevant in the world economy any more.

#4 Globalization raises our competitiveness. Being a frog in a well (Malay proverb: katak dalam tempurung) does not improve our competitiveness. In business, it’s only when we face the real challenges that we grow. Just open up and the competition will hasten up our readiness.

#5 Globalization raises our human capital. Yes, brain drain is a real problem. But don’t dwell on it too long. How about using these “drained brain” in overseas for our advantage instead? How about getting foreign talents into our country instead? Who say Malaysia can’t attract talents? Learn from Mind Valley, the Google workplace of Malaysia.

#6 When we close ourselves out, people will not admire us. When we become an open book and have transparency, investors will come. A 81% drop in FDI is a wake-up call, much too late. Learn the lesson and open up.

#7 Communities in Malaysia have been sharing the same country, yet living segregated. But our diversity should be a great blessing to foray into the largest markets in world. Globalized Malaysian businesses with true partnership among different races and spirit of 1Malaysia can help national unity.

#8 We are living in an integrating, interdependent world economy. We need to keep up this reality. Want to close our market? Check the fate of Qing dynasty.

#9 We are good in many areas. We have leadership in many markets, such as Islamic finance and palm oil. Why can’t we excel in other areas as well? Malaysia Boleh (Malaysia can)? Don’t be defeatist. Think boleh and we boleh!

#10 I never advocate opening up 100% completely without reservation. There are limits. But we need to embrace globalization and even be an advocate in it. Globalization will change us, for the better.

What do you think of globalization? Is it good or bad for Malaysia? Welcome to voice your opinions.