Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Platform for PMET

Friday, April 23, 2010

Platform for PMET

Mr Tan,

It will be very good if you could create a platform for the "old & poor" PMETs to network and connect.
They may team up to do somethings meaningful with their experiences & resources. Thank you.

REPLY
Please suggest what are the features that should be made available in this platform or portal. If anyone wish to lead in this portal, please send email to kinlian@gmail.com

18 comments:

Anonymous said...: Standard Chartered to pay Banker It Fired on 1st Day.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601208&sid=aplN4h8fjDwM; April 23, 2010 11:59 AM
C H Yak said...: Good idea.

I would support such a platform. It is also good for networking.
Features could include retrenchment and mediation issues, such as this one in my blog.

http://de-leviathan.blogspot.com/2010/02/speedier-mediation-for-pmes.html; April 23, 2010 1:04 PM
Anonymous said...: Dear Mr Tan
Just wanted to commend you for your efforts in giving a voice to the many forgotten sections of Singapore society.

These 'forgotten" Singaporeans are supposed to be represented by various "official", "non-partisan", "independent" voluntary organizations.

The fact that Singaporeans are reading and posting in your blog tells me something.; April 23, 2010 2:11 PM
Anonymous said...: The three of us includes an Asia Pacific Vice President and two senior Asia Pacific Regional managers got together to do something for several years now but not much results so it is not easy!We were retrenched in late 40 to early 50 then.; April 23, 2010 4:38 PM
Anonymous said...: Many "retrenched" or "resigned" older PMETs felt like they are being forgotten by the "society".

If a platform where they can exchange contact numbers, or even a meeting place for them to meet when they are free (like what you did for the Minobond and Pinnacle victims), it may be useful for them.; April 23, 2010 5:37 PM
Anonymous said...: I'm a former PMET myself.

My respectful suggestion to ANON April 23, 4:38 pm is to forget about your former job titles and job skills.

It's knowledge in the hand and not knowledge in the head that counts when you are on your own.

Without an "organization" structure and subordinates to do your "dirty work", you have to be able to do it yourself. All the fancy corporate phrases, power point presentations, e-mail tai-chi skills, golf and power lunches will not help you. In fact those skills are pretty useless outside of the corporate setting.

That's why I admire Mr Tan KL for being able to re-invent himself. He is a Singapore original, just like one of my former bosses, the late Mr Lee Kum Tatt.

Singapore's culture of only one best way makes us forget many of our Singapore originals. eg Who created the Merlion icon? Who wrote our National Anthem "Maju-lah Singapura". No, it's not LKY if you have to ask. And no, they did not get any royalties for their work. Stupid lah! Don't know how to ask for million dollar salary first.

The reality if you are an unemployed PMET over 40 years old is to answer this simple question:
What is your value proposition as a person? Or in non-corporate language, what value do you contribute to society that you could exchange for money?; April 23, 2010 9:29 PM
michael said...: On TKL is able to re-invent himself. It's unrealistic to expect that the government can come to our rescue whenever we are in trouble. But they(the government) must ensure that there is a level-playing field in all fronts including the employment market. The accountability and transparency of any governments are supreme important. Unfortunately, lacking of two-party system (in Singapore) does not help in this respect. On the individual basis for ensuring own survival. The following mindsets or habits might be helpful.

1. Practise (whatever we learn).
2. Affirm (whatever we experience).
3. Control.
4. Invest.
5. Work hard.
6. Study.

I believe the above-mentioned skills are not likely to be outdated in this fast changing world.; April 24, 2010 6:30 AM
Anonymous said...: More than 30 years ago when we were in the U, a group of us exchanged views on what we wanted to do after graduation.
One of my friends said "If you are good, you should at least be able to create job to support yrself". His "dream" was to become his own boss one day.
I had no confidence, no experience, no resources, no connection, no.... then. I did not buy his "idea". I agreed with him that I was "not good enough just to create a job for myself, not to mention to create jobs for others".
After working for 20-30 years, most of the people at that "meeting" also come to the conclusion that it is better to "work for others".

But in my mind, I still "dream" of one day I could "create" job for my self. At a minimal, be able to support myself.

The big difference between now & 30years ago is that now I could afford to go "without a job" for 2-3 years and still survive. My housing loan has also been fully paid. In theory, this is the best time to "create job to support yourself".; April 24, 2010 8:01 AM
Anonymous said...: Why don't the PMETs who are retrenched or worried retrenchments consider a second career as a financial advisor? It is a self-employed role, you are your own boss and you can choose to recruit advisors under your wing to groom them into someone who is just as successful as you. With your work experience and network of friends, it would be a simple task of reaching out to them to assist them in their financial planning. Most of the PMET are people who would be worried about retirement and protection. This would be the best time to introduce them whole life plans and endowment policies to compliment their existiing assets.

Despite what TKL says, traditional companies are here to stay. Look at Prudential - seeking a dual listing here in singapore and hong kong to raise money to fund its future business. It got the full support of the government to underwrite its IPO. That's endorsement for you that this is the golden career. Smaller companies like Aviva don't even stay a chance. By selling cheap plans only, Aviva will exit the market because it cannot even pay itself properly to retain its good staff.; April 24, 2010 10:53 AM
Anonymous said...: ref: ANON - April 24, 2010 10:53 AM.

If it's such a good business, why do an IPO? Why share your profits with other people. Stay private and keep your profits 100% to yourself.

If retrenched PMETs become financial advisors as a 2nd career .... I wonder what do retrenched financial advisors do?; April 24, 2010 1:18 PM
Anonymous said...: 9.29pm. what you wrote was very nice till you actually try then you know it is not that easy; April 24, 2010 1:53 PM
Anonymous said...: Dear ANON: April 24, 2010 1:53 PM

Yes, I know it's not easy. I'm a former PMET myself. I speak from the bitterness of personal experience.

It's not easy because the skill sets that made us good PMETs are next to useless in a non-corporate environment.

On hindsight, it was and still is stupid to be a PMET in the first place.

Years of hard work to finally graduate from university. More years of hard work to climb the corporate ladder. And then to be retrenched at 40-45 just when you have young children, car and property loans to support. And then you find out just how useless the skills and knowledge you spent your life acquiring really is. This route to be rich and successful requires too much time, effort and resources.

I only started making real progress when I started from a completely fresh slate. The equivalent of what accountants call zero-based budgeting. I challenged all my sense of entitlement (I'm a graduate, so I'm entitled to ..... etc. etc.)

Once you remove the mental blinkers and see the world for what it really is (rather than what it should be), a whole new world opens up. It's as if you were blind and finally are able to see for the first time. You can't grasp the opportunity if you can't mentally see the opportunity.

The only important item left on my bucket list (things to do before I die) is to make sure my son does not fall into the same trap I did. "Be a good boy and study hard in school. Be a good soldier and listen to your platoon commander. Be a good employee and listen to your boss. Be a good citizen and vote .... "

I had faith in my leaders and I know what I got for my faith. Now, I only trust myself.; April 25, 2010 7:56 AM
Anonymous said...: Rex comments as follows,

In my opinion the best job for retrenched PMET is to go into politics. There has never been a better time. The chances of getting into parliament is very, very high. Many Singaporeans are ready and mentally prepared, thanks to the proliferation of Internet blogs which by and large provides a lot of relevant information on the real state of affairs in this land. Just cut and paste the good comments and articles, from bloggers and correspondents, and throw out the rubbish. DIY Manifesto has never been so easy before! If you can, network and form a bigger force with your fellow retrenched PMETS!

Don't defame anybody, dress well, speak nicely, there is a high chance of getting $13,000 a month. And don't anyone tell me about the "passion" argument anymore, it's all about money, just look at the status quo. Maybe after you get the money, you can learn to be passionate, who knows.

PMET are usually quite well educated, some were even VP's level in their old jobs. I am sure the above proposals can be implemented... it is much better for PMET than selling insurance or being a taxi driver. Starting own business is also madness, because the high rents will mean a very very high risk - similar or even worse than the risk of losing the election deposit money.

Do something worthwhile for the country and give yourself a challenge, put back some respectability into your personal life, ye retrenched PMETs!!!
what are you waiting for, go go go!

REX; April 25, 2010 8:19 AM
Tan Kin Lian said...: I can provide the IT platform. But I need volunteers to spend time to manage it. If you are interested to volunteer, send an e-mail to kinlian@gmail.com.

Alternatively, you can go to Gilbert Goh's website called Transitioning Singapore. I think that he may need some volunteers to help as well.; April 25, 2010 9:59 AM
Tan Kin Lian said...: Here is the link to the Transitioning website:

http://www.transitioning.org/

It is also shown in the right panel of my blog.

See if it can be a good platform for the unemployed PMET.; April 25, 2010 10:02 AM
Anonymous said...: Here is an inspiring example of a non-corporate path:

"F.K. Day designed a better machine for the developing world--then set out to teach people how to make it for themselves."

Source:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2010/0510/creative-giving-sram-zambia-charity-armstrong-bicycle-economy.html?partner=alerts

Singaporeans are surrounded by developing countries all over Asia.

And yet we look only to the West for our opportunities.; April 25, 2010 10:56 AM
Anonymous said...: ""In my opinion the best job for retrenched PMET is to go into politics. There has never been a better time. The chances of getting into parliament is very, very high.""

But if u failed to get in, u may be marked for life. Yr children may be affected also.
There may also be "spy" who may be out to "deceive" u. So be very careful.
But what u say do make some sense.; April 25, 2010 12:50 PM
Anonymous said...: REX comments as follows to anon 12.50 pm

There is always a bit of risk. No risk no gain. However, the risk is very small this election year!!The conditions are ideal for retrenched PMET no job for 2 years or more, to try being an MP. Hey man, it's just a job.
Do you want to continue to rot as a taxi driver or insurance runner?

As for "being marked for life". i don't think so. As long as you are credible, people remember you well, some day you will not regret it. There is a starting point. So long as you Don't be like the "slipper man", insteady just be your normal self, carry yourself with self esteem as you do so before retrenchment..Don't deceive, be natural, be sincere, that is all. Dont forget to start collecting, copying and paste all the good ideas from the web, they are everywhere!! Many people in Singapore will be swayed, it is very easy to get in!! Really!

The BIGGEST OBSTACLE as i mentioned before in another thread, is that if the "minister of home affairs" object strongly, then you'd better get back on your taxi driver job.

rex; April 25, 2010 3:24 PM