Losing Credibility

It's a holiday today in Paris and I am working in the office. I like working in the office when it is the holidays as the quiet surroundings bring a sense of peace and serenity, especially when you have a big problem on your hands.

This week has got to be the most nerve-racking and morale-deflating week of my life. I have lost my credibility due to the repeated failed attempts to resolve a production issue on the client's side. The problem, in many ways, is complex, and it is not helped by the fact that I was working alone on this, together with the developer who seem to have as much difficulty as I have in deciphering where the issue lie.
As consultants, we are usually put on the firing line first and in my eagerness to move forward, I broke the one rule that should never be broken - I gave advise without first testing it on my end and the advice given was quite a disaster. The client was furious and the matter escalated to upper management. Guess my project manager had a pretty tough time with higher management yesterday, this client is not an easy one to deal with.

My credibility lost and my confidence naturally shaken. It's tough to pick up the pieces and try to move forward, but it's nevertheless a good learning experience. I am glad it is a holiday in Paris today. I miss a hug from my wife....

;-) Today also happens to be my fifth year working in this company ... Nice!

Teachers to be trained to teach Financial Literacy

So, NIE is going to train 500 teachers to teach Financial Literacy over the next 18 months.

NIE is partnering with Citi Foundation to 'build a framework that provides a comprehensive and structured nationwide teacher development education programme to equip teachers in schools with the financial literacy skills,' said an NIE statement.

Prof Lee Sing Kong, Director of NIE said: 'First, we provide teachers with basic financial literacy skills of managing their own finances and thereafter, pedagogical training to empower them with engaging pedagogy to reach out to their students. Equipped with resources and engaging pedagogy for the teaching and learning of financial literacy in a fun and meaningful way, the teachers can apply the financial literacy principles in classroom teaching and enrichment activities for students.'

#interpretation# I think NIE better start paying these teachers a better salary in the event that these teachers decide to make a career change. hahaha...
Financial Literacy is defined in wiki as 'the ability of individuals to make appropriate decisions in managing their personal finances'. Wow. That's a lot of knowledge to impart in order for anyone to make 'appropriate' decisions.

Mr Piyush Gupta, Head of Asean, Markets and Banking and Citi County Officer, Singapore, said it is important to give children a head-start in the disciplines of financial budgeting, planning and investing, to help them better understand how to use financial resources available to meet their goals in life.

#interpretation# I am not too comfortable when financial institutions tie up to 'impart' knowledge to impressionable young people. These institutions earn fat margins on selling exotic and complex financial products - what other better ways to sell these financial products of mass destruction than to teach people how to buy them ...

Stamford Bridge, It's in the Blood

Think me and wifey are on a spectator sports diet this couple of weeks. We are heading for the Chelsea/Everton clash next weekend at Stamford Bridge ... wow wee!

Our First Trip To Wembley Stadium

Wifey and I just returned from the first ever NFL's international series match between Miami Dolphins and the NY Giants at Wembley Stadium.

The London weather was in her usual foul mood and there was constant rain throughout the match, resulting in seven fumbles and a missed field goal for each team. It was a first of sorts for wifey and I. First time at the Wembley stadium - the size and atmosphere was just astonishing, our first time at an NFL match - we were learning about the game as it progresses, and our first cheeseburger since arriving in London.

We took a train to the Wembley Park Tube station followed by a 15 minutes walk up to the main entrance of the Wembley stadium.


The pre-game show included performances by the British band 'The Feeling' as well as R&B singer Jocelyn Brown. John Terry and Lewis Hamilton made guest appearances for the coin toss.


The Gaints eventually topped the Dolphins 13-10, holding off a late challenge in the last two minutes of the last quarter.

Between American football and Soccer, I think I still prefer the latter. Next up, Stamford Bridge. Chelsea Vs Everton 11th Nov.