4th Year 2014 Jason at 31 years old
I had finally graduated from NTU with my MBA. It is my personal dream to attain this. In order to cope with my work commitment and pressure was not an easy task at all. I could remember the core modules such as Corporate Finance for Strategic Decision Making, Managing Human Capital, Crisis Management, Scenario Planning, International Finance, Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility, Sun Zi Bing Fa, Cultural Intelligence and Strategic Ledership Development Strategic Communication, Management and Growth Dynamics of the Family Business, with a Business Study Mission to Vietnam.
This was such a breathtaking scenary to attend the graduation ceremony and I know my fellow classmates share the same sentiments as well. I am sure that with the education that I received will widen my business sentiments and open up a different horizon towards how I can expand my business.
Besides busy studying for MBA, I was heavily involved in setting up a joint venture for Jason Marine Equipment Pte Ltd. I had to travel regionally to source for reputable manufacturers to work with and also to visit vessel owners to network with. It was not easy as alot of the manufacturers will question on my company's financial capability. Therefore, I need to sell a vision and how our collaboration will help each other to prosper in difficult and good times. My effort was not put to waste, as I managed to secure manufacturers of work wires, winches, windlass, towing pins, karm fork, shark jaws, smit brackets, bollards, panama choke and ropes. In addition, I would be talking to deck crane manufacturers and offshore food suppliers. The best part of the maritime industry is the vibrancy and the limitless possibilities of business that you could deal with.
I had to work conscientiously to make my mark. Little achievements should not raise my ego and lower my expectations.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
3rd Year
3rd Year 2013 Jason at 31 years old
I had commenced with NTU MBA and it was not an easy start. I was an engineer by training and I did not excel in business modules such as Financial Accounting and Corporate Finance when I was in university. I had to put in the additional effort to read up on business textbooks in order to match the pace of study.
At first, it was a culture shock as MBA requires a different approach. Everyone needs to do his part in the research and present to everyone in the class. There was alot of presentations and discussions such that it became a way of life. These had horne my skills in negotiation and increase my confidence towards public speaking.
I had made alot of friends from all walks of life and different countries.They had brought with them aspects of life which allowed me to reflect and sharpen my direction.
This was a fantastic year for me as I had purchased Tembeling Courts and moved in recently with my wife. We were staying in a 3 men bedrooms apartment with 1184 square feet. I used one of the bedroom as my work office and I stored all my books there. They followed me throughout these years and granted me wisdom to life. Both my wife and I have a dog as we are all dog lovers. This was the reason why I invested in a friend's business, he opened a pet cafe and it is our favourite hang out on weekend. I took it further to own a small farm from my Kopi Roti's boss friend. He rented me the space for me to breed puppies and I had hired a group of 5 experienced workers to look after them. I will visit the puppies on every Saturday. Once every three months, I will personnally see the grown up puppies been sold to the pet shops. This will always hurt me as they feel like my children. The pain of separation from the family cut me like a sword.
During the weekdays, I will work from home in the study room. With a telefax, photocopy machine, telephone, cell phone and my mac book, I was happily working from home. I was constantly doing research to understand the latest trend in the offshore industry. Most of the afternoon, I would be calling our my customers and following up on the leads. Alot of times, the effort was gone down the drain but as time passed, I felt that it was improving. I felt the satisfaction whenever I clinched a deal.
Every night I will spend some time to hold my wife in my arms under the moonlight and whisper sweet little nothings.
I had commenced with NTU MBA and it was not an easy start. I was an engineer by training and I did not excel in business modules such as Financial Accounting and Corporate Finance when I was in university. I had to put in the additional effort to read up on business textbooks in order to match the pace of study.
At first, it was a culture shock as MBA requires a different approach. Everyone needs to do his part in the research and present to everyone in the class. There was alot of presentations and discussions such that it became a way of life. These had horne my skills in negotiation and increase my confidence towards public speaking.
I had made alot of friends from all walks of life and different countries.They had brought with them aspects of life which allowed me to reflect and sharpen my direction.
This was a fantastic year for me as I had purchased Tembeling Courts and moved in recently with my wife. We were staying in a 3 men bedrooms apartment with 1184 square feet. I used one of the bedroom as my work office and I stored all my books there. They followed me throughout these years and granted me wisdom to life. Both my wife and I have a dog as we are all dog lovers. This was the reason why I invested in a friend's business, he opened a pet cafe and it is our favourite hang out on weekend. I took it further to own a small farm from my Kopi Roti's boss friend. He rented me the space for me to breed puppies and I had hired a group of 5 experienced workers to look after them. I will visit the puppies on every Saturday. Once every three months, I will personnally see the grown up puppies been sold to the pet shops. This will always hurt me as they feel like my children. The pain of separation from the family cut me like a sword.
During the weekdays, I will work from home in the study room. With a telefax, photocopy machine, telephone, cell phone and my mac book, I was happily working from home. I was constantly doing research to understand the latest trend in the offshore industry. Most of the afternoon, I would be calling our my customers and following up on the leads. Alot of times, the effort was gone down the drain but as time passed, I felt that it was improving. I felt the satisfaction whenever I clinched a deal.
Every night I will spend some time to hold my wife in my arms under the moonlight and whisper sweet little nothings.
2nd Year
2nd Year 2012 Jason at 30 years old
This was the turning point of my life. I felt that it was enough and I had equipped myself with the necessary skills and network. With the correct attitude and appitude, I trust my sentiments to step out into the unknown. I could still remember the day I handed in the resignation letter to my director. Both of us had came a long way, I started out as a sales manager in this company and the company was growing by leaps and bound. Nonetheless, he gave me the blessing as he knew that this was what I always wanted. He gave me the blessing and would continue to support me in whatever way he could. I remembered the farewell dinners and lunches.
I set up a website to indicate all the services that my company could provide:
Short and Long term chartering- Vessel Newbuilds and Development
- Sale Purchase / Vessel Valuations
- Marine Projects
- Marine Consultancy
- Technical Knowledge
- Large Diverse Market Coverage
- Extensive Market Information
- Electronic Position and Real Time Vessel Availability List
- Issue of Short/Long Term Requirements
- Preparation of Technical / Commercial Data
- Technical Recommendations
- Contract Negotiation and Charter Party Advice
- Completion / Issue of Contracts & Tender Documents
- Fleet Analysis
This was the birth of Jason Offshore Pte Ltd.
Let my faith be the light into the darkness.
I proposed and she agreed. Together we had stepped into a different phase in life.
I proposed and she agreed. Together we had stepped into a different phase in life.
1st Year
1st Year 2011 Jason at 29 years old
I had finally completed the Master of Maritime from NTU and obtained further to that Chartered Shipbroker after the gruelsome two years of mugging. Definitely the training provided was sufficient for me to wander the shipping industry. However, I must be humble as there are alot of experienced people in the industry whom I can learn from. Education is nothing compared to experience. Education allows one to think, learn and apply on situation.
I was constantly on the move. The air stewardesses had lost their charm on me. The airport seems to be my most familiar place and shopping was done at the duty free more often then I could visit Ion. I could still remember the excitement when I first travel overseas in my first job. It was to Banjarmasin and I simply fell in love with the traveling part.
I was traveling to other countries to meet oil and gas companies, discussing with them on their requirement of vessels. I would then gather my team to fill in the tender and submit to the oil and gas companies. Subsequently, I will negotiate with my clients on the commercial and technical issues in order to fulfill their requirement.
I love the meeting up and working with people from different countries. The different culture is simply intriguing and you can appreciate that the world is full of opportunities. People can simply set up a small stall, earning a living from selling sweets and call cards. If they can do it, so can I.
I had finally completed the Master of Maritime from NTU and obtained further to that Chartered Shipbroker after the gruelsome two years of mugging. Definitely the training provided was sufficient for me to wander the shipping industry. However, I must be humble as there are alot of experienced people in the industry whom I can learn from. Education is nothing compared to experience. Education allows one to think, learn and apply on situation.
I was constantly on the move. The air stewardesses had lost their charm on me. The airport seems to be my most familiar place and shopping was done at the duty free more often then I could visit Ion. I could still remember the excitement when I first travel overseas in my first job. It was to Banjarmasin and I simply fell in love with the traveling part.
I was traveling to other countries to meet oil and gas companies, discussing with them on their requirement of vessels. I would then gather my team to fill in the tender and submit to the oil and gas companies. Subsequently, I will negotiate with my clients on the commercial and technical issues in order to fulfill their requirement.
I love the meeting up and working with people from different countries. The different culture is simply intriguing and you can appreciate that the world is full of opportunities. People can simply set up a small stall, earning a living from selling sweets and call cards. If they can do it, so can I.
Friday, October 23, 2009
5th Year
5th Year 2015 Jason at 32 years old
I am a business man now. It had been three years since I stepped out as an entrepreneur and I never look back. Sometimes, I still feel the uncertainty as an entrepreneur, with tight cash flow and competition. However, I am at the control of my life, this gives me the tremendous satisfaction which working as an employee fails in comparison. Back then when I was an employee, I was always fearsome of the next promotion, pay increment, office politics, and job stability when I turn 40 years old. Now, I am the only person who can take away my job, determine my pay, and set the path that I engage on.
I am now working as a ship broker in my own firm. The company name is Jason Offshore Pte Ltd. I have one fellow colleague and one admin cum account assistant. My fellow colleague is in fact a working partner in my ship brokerage firm. Apart from my brokerage business, I have a joint venture in a marine deck stores company. The company name is Jason Marine Equipment Pte Ltd. I am looking into securing some long term deals with a few oil major companies and if those charter parties are signed, I will go into the market and procure vessels to feed the deal. I need to calculate the ROI and the financing factor.
The money that I make from the ship brokerage firm and the marine equipment companies are bringing in S$100,000 per month. However I truly desire to become a ship owner is my life time dream and I will look forward to the day of stepping on my own vessel. I hop onto my BMW Z4 and zoom down the road back to Tembeling Courts in Joo Chiat.
The door opens at my apartment and I am welcomed by my wife who was the pillar of my life. I thank her for the understanding and the support that she has shown me. She is holding our new born and this is the inspiration of life. They are the reason why I need to work hard for.
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