Skyhigh Morale

Hello Folks, I'm back again...

Morale is at all time high today. Very Very Happy.

My sales performance as at 25th of February 2008 is 1st in Standard Chartered Bank Singapore.

I am so very excited that I bursting with boundless energy that I can't sleep tonight!!! Wealth Management sent out this email today. Was busy diligently putting through investment trades for my clients when suddenly my colleagues at branch saw the email that came in announcing that I am the top PFC in Singapore. I couldn't believe my ears and of course check my mails personally to confirm.

"PHUA CHAN HUI MATTHEW"

Ranked 1st among top 10 PFC. OMFG! I was like so very excited and am glad that it happen. Show that my hardwork didn't go to waste after all and recognise by management. I'm thinking of the next steps to increase my sales over my next four days to maintain my top position. I will get a Cash bonus outright if I maintain my position over the next few days. Going to do teleconsulting on my saved up PB and Excel clients which I have saved aside in case of "rainy days" or period of low sales. I got to date about 80 PB and Excel customers since joining Hougang Branch. Going to ring up my clients tomorrow.

Got my Toyota Vios already and I'm loving my ride very much. Roger, Kaelyn and myself went to Mustafa on Friday and we went shopping for Car Washing material. I got my self a blind spot mirrors, Turtle Wash & wax, special cleaning clothes to avoid scratches and swirls, tyres glow, CD holders, washing sponges, air freshers, tyres valves and many other misc. Damage was around $48.80/= Then to eat this Curry Scissors Rice near by and then to meet Yuemei, Jacelyn and CK at Kampung Bahru pub. I was driving so had coke instead. Didn't know until the bill came that coke was more expensive than beer. Good God. Next time go pub don't dare anyhow order soft drink. $9.90 for a glass of coke. Thank you very much indeed...

Going to do a miracle this month and next. I figure if there is a cash incentive I would aim to ace my sales two consecutive months and more... Imagine one month $2500 outright Cash for Feb '08 then $2500 for March '08 plus a 151% plus my basic....I'm going to be very rich. What some people tries to earn in one year, I earn in 1 month; if I reach my goal that is!! Go Go Jia you!!

想太多 by 李玖哲

你笑着说
他是朋友
但你眼中太温柔
我的不安
那么沉重
只有你不懂
他霸占了你的心中
属于我的角落
所以你说
我们不是你和我
是我想太多
你总这样说但你却没有真的心疼我
是我想太多我也这样说
这是唯一能安慰我的理由
他霸占了你的心中属于我的角落
所以你说我们不是你和我
是我想太多你总这样说
但你却没有真的心疼我
是我想太多我也这样说
这是唯一能安慰我的理由
我想我没有错怪了什么
虽然你不说或许错在我
太晚我才懂爱了你太多
是我想太多你总这样说
但你却没有真的心疼我
是我想太多我也这样说
这是唯一能安慰我的理由

Feb 18, 2008

Been a long time since I last blog here. Been using Friendster all this while. I sold $100,000 of Unit Trusts on Nian Chu-San (Day 3 of Lunar New Year 2008) & my first SP-ILP for $100,000. Total of $200,000 volumes in one Saturday. Wasn't at all pleased at first when I had to go back to office. Cos my peers are still CNY mood whilst Lao Pa, Lao Ma and Liwei went out together. Well blessing in disguise I guess ^_^

Forging forward bravely for more sales to come to leverage on this flying start. I'm delighted to know I am now the top Banker @ StanChart Hougang Branch. I'm not going to let anyone overtake my first position where my Sales Performance is concerned. I thrive on competition. I am also leading in securing new Excel & Priority Customers.

13 Priority & 15 Excels in January 2008. Growing my own port of clients. Every Priority customers $200,000 and Excel is $50,000. I am going to forge for 30 Priority and 30 Excels by this month and then 45 Priority Customers & 45 Excel Customers by end Q1 nx month. 151% personal target. Nothing lesser to be promoted to ERM. My Boss gave Roger and I our own port. There are a few great customers in there.
Was like joking with boss if I continue to grow the PB segment that if I could take over her port. Normally people get most is 7 PB & 20 Excel in 1Q. I will keep carvessing for PB & Excel Banking from rival banks. If I can get 45PB & 45 Excel I think I will be on the road to 151% cos of increased asset under management and prospect for sales closures.

My career target will be Excel Relationship Manager by July 2008 and RM by March 2009. Ideally it will go sumthing like this:

July 2008: I will be 27
- 2008 Career Target: 180P 240E (BUILDING)
- Skills Set: Mortgage, PCI, ELN (Seek growth in these areas)
- Relationship Manager (Excel)
- Average 151,000 RP Per Quarter
- Grow actively in community services for old folks / children

July 2009: I will be 28
- Relationship Manager (Serangoon Garden Priority Centre)
- 300P 500E (Base)
- Continue to growth my port and deepen my r/s with my clients

July 2010: I will be 29
- Associate Director
- At this juncture most people will choose go into management path
and earns lesser money. I will not stop earning money so that to give
my family and myself a more comfortable life. AD is a sales route.

July 2011: I will be 30
- Lao Pa / Lao Ma will be 60 plus and retiring around this period.
- Time for me to settle down.
- I should already get my Director or already in Private Banking with
many affluent clients.
- To buy Springleaf Height (realise my childhood dream)

One of my DB colleagues who also went the Personal Banker path got 171% I am aiming to be as good as her soon or better as the product knowledges and processes come in gradually. I am moving into Mortgage / PCI & ELNs. Got an ongoing mortgage deal for refinancing from a rival bank for half a million plus plus. If I close this one too I get another boost.

I just placed the down payment for my first car over Saturday. It is a Toyota Vios that is Metallic silver in Colour. Am waiting excitely for the arrival of my ride. Been surfing VOGS net. Will prolly join them in their activities once I get my car.

My bro Roger sold his black Fairlady for a new white Mitsubishi Outlander. His new car is quite nice. But too expensive for me to afford @ the moment. I will work hard. Then by the time I become a full RM I will go and buy my first sports car.

Can't wait to see my new car tomorrow. Then can park together with my colleagues: Desmond's red Vios, my silver Vios, CK's black Mazda 3, Jacelyn's white Mazda, Roger's new white Outlander, my lao ban grey Porsche - All the Sales team 6 cars @ Hougang StanChart together. ^_^ So cool. I intend to use my car to go out and carvess for more sales and make more money for my bank and of course more commission $$$$ for myself too.

Keep It Simple

Been a long time since I blog on NomadLife hmm... Work wise, I'm now settled down at StanChart Kovan branch instead of South Bridge / Upper Thomson that I was originally slated for by HR / Pei Si. Considering a blessing in disguise indeed for Kovan is just 3 train stations away from my place at Sengkang.

It is how amazing how my career path has taken such a dramatic turn. I am just glad that my superiors and colleagues had made it happened for me. I am now a fully certified banker with StanChart which I am very happy for. My job is to help my clients who want to be rich become rich, my clients who are already rich become richer and my clients who are very rich already become even richer =)

I spoken to my BM Jessilyn Lee on my career progression. She shared with me and Roger that if we perform consistently for two consecutive quarters (6 months) for our scorecard, she will be recommending us for the next grade which mean a promotion in both basic salary and high position. Compared to Direct Banking, I feel client are generally nicer face to face at the branch level. I am on my On Job Training week since last Monday till now. Next Monday I will be expected to run for my sales already.

I got training nearly everyday and meeting also but I don't mind cos it only make me stronger in my financial knowledge and gain more experience.

西界-林俊杰

阳光越过窗沿
我在阴影里面
才过正午13点
就漆黑一片
没有人看得见
我心深处的阴暗面
只能眺望东边
你的世界太远
撑到想象的极限
幸福有多甜
可黑夜已吞噬我

就是拉不到你的手
因为我活在西界
只拥有半个白天
一到午后夜色就蔓延
虽然和你面对面
却看不到我的脸
感觉到你不安的视线
在西界的那一边
只能有半个白天
暗自祈祷上天的垂怜
在长夜的边缘
给我一丝光线
让你能多看我一眼

Harry Potter

Audrey & I went out together last Sunday. I really enjoyed my day out with her. We had ice cream @ Gelare then proceeded to Cineleisure to catch Harry Potter, which we have been thinking about watching but never really had the time to. Dinner was @ Kobayashi.

We talked about our jobs, aspirations and what we want to pursue in life. Imho, I think that Audrey is really beautiful and intelligent. I really have a lot to learn a lot from her. I am pretty amazed by her constant irrepressible cheerfulness, the sparkles in her eyes and her drive - everything.

Over work today I couldn't stop laughing and smiling myself silly when I think about how she reacted to HP and how excited she was like as if she is a small girl watching HP for the first time.

We will prolly go rollerblading next since it has been a long time since I went to ECP and Audrey is also keen to use her new rollerblades.

My 26th Birthday

Today is my birthday. And Shikin has gave me a day off from work which I am very happy for. Badly in need of rest and am delighted to get it. Many wishes came in over my mobile phone, emails, Friendster & even Facebook. Spent the day @ home with my family watching Korean VCDs with mummy dearest whipping up some of my favourite dishes.

Some great news came in from HR from Direct Banking. Cardin & Meiyan received promotions double in grade to Branch Service Managers. I feel really happy for them considering the hard work they have put into our dept as I personally witness during those stay overs/sleep overs in office during graveyard shifts. @ StandChart, our BSM have to be like 30 something or people in their mid career to be BSM. Cardin is same age as me @ 26 while Meiyan is younger than me by one year @ 25 - I think they will go a long way in the Service Industry; for me wise BSM/CSM is not my cup of tea. To each his/her own or one man's meat is another's poison. For me I am motivated by money $$$. Salary is capped which I don't like. I prefer to aim for high sales then get my comms.

I am expecting a 10% increment this month. Not much but it help to make my life more comfortable. I think this is the highest salary I ever hit since joining the working society. Very happy but got to budget. I literally took a cab everyday to work. So expensive. Think this month I should pump $50 into my Easilink card to force myself to wake up earlier and take the bus/MRT. So that I can save money.

Dogged Day @ Work

My performance since the start of the month has been dipping. And I am struggling to hit my numbers. I used to be pretty good. But recently my numbers are dipping and it is taking a beating on my overall confidence. Straying around the 80++ region per day. Fortunately, I managed to put 100 back today in a "last man saving tackle". Difficult customers. I hate Mortgages especially - cos people take the sales commission and I need to take the shit. Nevermind just got to bear with it under 30th Sep 2007. Never give up. Average handling time increase to 5 minutes 20 seconds per customer which is really bad considering @ my peak I managed like 2 minutes 10 seconds per customer. I think I need to minimise talking with my customers and control the conversation more. It is difficult to have a balance of quantity and quality. Management measured me by my quantity first rather my quality after the score card like 60% go to quantity and the rest go to quality.

Career Advancement

I had a talk with Pei Si, my future superior today about my new role which I am going to assume come 1st October. It was really great to hear her expectations of her staff. Altogether 6 of us will be moving on to branch operations namely: Haoyang, Alecc, Adylina, Jet See, Eric Yang & myself. We have from now till 1 October to prepare for the financial exams which is indicatively 3 months to do so.

I need to run 10 steps faster than my peers, steadily the next career path I aim for is Excel Relationship Manager & next Priority Banking RM. Then get my post grad in finance from WMI and graduate to Private Banking. The entire career path should ideally be 2 years with all everything completed.

Ideally @ 27 : October '08 - Priority Banking RM with at least 50 high net worth CMs with 1 mill USD each avail. for investments. I am driven by $$$ and believe oso with the training at Direct Banking I can do both servicings and sales well. Then around October '08 will be the best time to do my post grad. @ 28: Grad with my masters then enter private banking. Keep it simple.

I figure my long term goal is best attained by breaking my short term goals into easier to achieve ones. Need to move fast for time waits for no one..

Boom time for private bankers

With money pouring into Singapore, private bankers are enjoying double-digit pay rises. But with new players setting up, could too many cooks spoil the broth?

Over 30 banks have booking centres in Singapore, enabling wealthy types globally to register assets and take advantage of its low taxes and favorable regulations. An estimated US$250bn of assets are now booked in the Lion City – double the level of two years ago.

This growth is attracting new players, with Nomura Wealth Management, BHI Switzerland and Standard Chartered among those to open offices in 2007. Swiss bank Julius Baer has also recently announced plans to expand in South East Asia, making Singapore its hub.

At the same time, salaries have increased due to rising competition for business and talent. Recruiters estimate compensation has risen between 20% and 40% in the past two years.

"Banks are increasing salaries and bonuses, especially sign-on bonuses, to get people on board," explains Nick Hughes, manager of front-office banking at Singapore's ConnectedGroup. "Recruitment is focused on getting skilled relationship managers, as they're responsible for winning business. A junior could expect to earn S$70k to S$100k in overall compensation; a mid-level banker might earn S$100k to S$160k; while the most experienced candidates could earn around S$500k."

Hughes believes consolidation is inevitable and as a result expects only moderate salary increases this year. He does, however, believe the overall outlook remains positive. "Banks are looking to expand into new areas, with money moving into Singapore from other Asian countries and Europe, particularly London and Switzerland. This is one reason growth should continue over the next three to four years," he concludes.

Last year, Singapore saw the fastest increase globally in the number of high-net-worth individuals according to the annual World Wealth Report by Merrill Lynch and Capgemini. Reuters reports that the number of people with more than US$1m in financial assets excluding their home rose 21% to 66,660.

Source: http://news.efinancialcareers.sg/NEWS_ITEM/newsItemId-10520

Low Tides & High Tides

There were several staff movement and changes on Thursday because of outsourcing and moving of my dept to KL. It came as really bad news considering I was so focused on my job. The past few days I was so worried and had difficulty turning to bed & rest.

Am glad today, during the HR engagement interview that they are giving me a new job to continue my career with the bank. I will not be a contractual staff any more but rather moving on as a perm staff to be a Personal Financial Consultant (PFC) in 2 months time. I learnt from my HR Manager that they plan to put me under South Bridge Road branch as protege under Ms. Lai Pei Si, a highly experienced banker and whois also our Regional Head for SCB.

This meaning that I am going to be moving on to branch side and one big step closer to enter Private Banking. Of course normal working hours aside, more time for my own growth and endeavours and opportunity to have higher income dependent on how hard I am willing to work. Praise the God for everything! It is indeed a blessing in disguise.

Today I become the ZR for Rotaract in Zone 3 Singapore. There are 17 Rotaract Clubs in my Zone. Heavy responsibilities but I like. I am learning everyday both @ work & @ Rotaract. Very enriching. Eventually when the two endeavour lines meet in 5 years time, I am going to be financially savvy & independent. Must be humble and never proud no matter what the future holds/who I am & this just like my SM Ivy Koh always stressed...

Oh ya b4 I go, my favourite SM Ivy Koh was promoted to Branch Service Manager and move onto HQ @ 6 Battery Road yesterday. She is a very gd. manager - I like her very much and she really deserve this promotion. Alvin Lim my ASM got promoted to Service Manager on Thursday. Really happy for him too....

Verging on Completion

I am very happy with my performance this month.

2420 - 2288 (at of yesterday) - 121 (today) = 11 CMs to go...

Woo hoo!!

+ with 5 more work days for this month. I just need 11 more cms to get my bonus which is relatively a breeze considering I average 120 cms per day or higher.

+ I just jokingly shared with my CSM Sarah abt. my performance tt since I hit Excellent for ESAU scorecard that I am going to ACW & AUX all the way... Of cse, Sarah brings in that she will monitor my ACW & AUX time or I will not get my incentives. I got like 16 referrals and numerous BT and like 100 over compliments from my customers.

Shiok leh... Very happy now. I got an increment in my pay this month after the incentives from APR came in which was a pleasant surprise considering my scorecard was not really impressive in tt month. July & August is going to be my happinest months cos I worked really hard.

Can't wait for the $$$ to come in...

Happiness in Simplicity

I found that the harder you try to achieve something... the harder it is to achieve your dreams and goals. the true happiness is to take a step back and let nature runs its own course and that I will be happier that way.

Woo Hoo!

Pardon my outburst. Today I managed to get 149 CMs which makes me the 1st Overall for SCB Direct Banking. Feeling very good now and leading the 1st runner-up by 100 CMs. Leading at 1561 and 859 CMs to go. My referrals' submissions stand at 7 which means it is the my c-numbers that is deciding whether or not I will get my commission/bonus for July 2007. Pray hard no EOD & more EODIs.

I was browsing thru' Jobstreet and saw a childhood dream job of mine which is to be a Territory Manager with ExxonMobil. I think I have what they are looking for. I am undecided whether or not to apply for the job as I love banking very much. Maybe I should give it a try and see how it go.

Top once more

Monday was a tough day for me. It was the first time I was put on live to serve Mortgage customers. So many forms to remember. To add to my new list of things to learn, I got SME Banking too. Trade enquiries. Glad that got Mortgage Guru of SM Joe Tay around to give the support. Joe is very knowledgable imho.

My performance for Monday was mid table finished. James topped at 148 CMs. Alecc followed closely at 139 Cms. I managed only 111 CMs. Sucky day. So today, I ensured that I topped before I left office. Thank God, I managed 164 CMs and closed the day on a high note. Current standing is 1114 + 164: 1278 which is 30 pts below Alecc, my fellow co-worker. Tomorrow I aspire to cross the 180 range. With this figure, I should expect to top Direct Banking tomorrow.

With part 1 of scorecard completed, I need to move to concentrate on my CSS, C-Care & Compliments. 2420 - 1278 = 1142 / 13.5 remaining wk days - average of 85 Cms per day. I will try to get 120 CMs/dayfor the next 6 days before leaving for Malacca next week so that when I'm back I can concentrate on securing the targetted compliments (50 CMs per day should be manageable) which formed the rest of my scorecard as well.

Strategy is to get the more difficult c-numbers out of the way during the first 2 weeks... Then can rest & relax in the last week for June.

Love begets Great Things in Life

There are people who hates me for the kind of person I am.

There are even MORE people who loves me for whom I really am :)

Skyhigh Morale

Hello Folks,

I set a new personal best again and possibly a new record for Direct Banking once again.

As at 8th June 2007 at 11pm, I scored 220 for number of CMs served. 1st again! Woo hoo! The 2nd place officer only managed 165 & 3rd placing officer come closly with 149.

I will maintain this consistency to better myself to repay my managers especially Sarah, Alvin & Daniel for their support and their beliefs in me.

The relentless pursuit of perfection. I want to be the best and only I myself can stopped myself from being the best at the moment.

The sky is my limit.

Amarillo Starlight

As at yesterday, I was overall 2nd at Direct Banking in terms of performance from 1st - 7th of June 2007. I hate playing second fiddle to anybody and I wish to be at the topgun where my work performance is concern.

Direct Banking has yet to announce the "Best Newcomer Award", I certainly hope to be any where else. I want to be the best new comer & I want to be the 1st.

Yesterday referals' list was out from Claris. I got 8 submissions. Auspicious number indeed. Meaning to say for the month of July 2007, I should be able to get a neat bonus on top of my basic salary once the commissions/incentives are credited into my payroll for next months. Total of 2482 CMs.

I want my work performance to shine the brightest.

Addicted to Work

These few days work has been keeping me happily occupied. Some of the seniors have moved on to other units within SCB like branches, CEM and other industries. Gradually, I have been accorded unofficially as "Senior" status and helped guide the new joiners along.

Of course with the movt., there was a restructuring of the entire department. Daniel, Hock Yam, Eric & Joe got promoted to Service Managers. Congrats to them all.

My Senior CSM Sarah Abdullah called me over her desk the other day and congratulate me for my hardwork and responsiveness :) It feel gd. really to be performing and achieving "Excellent" for my ESAU scorecard. I have also been topping the daily performance consistently. 170 which is a new record personal best for myself.

I have joined SCB on 6th of November 2007. Today marks my 7th months anniversary of joining SCB. SCB is like how our boss Janice Koh put it it is the best place to grow one's career. I believe if I maintain this consistency, with the right guidances from my managers, I should be moving to the next stage of my career really soon.

I might move on to branch side, con'td a career in Direct Banking chionging for ASM vice versa. I really like banking a lot and wish to pursue this industry as a long term career choice.

Thinking also if I wish to accelerate my career progression, I need a Masters. I will need this:
http://www.business.smu.edu.sg/MWM/prg_overview.asp

Visit Australia

Hello Mates! I was away in Perth & Sydney last week! I sure had a great time! Firstly, of course, my main purpose of visit to Perth is to attend my own graduation!

Graduation was completed on 15th of March 2007. It was fantastic. The atmosphere & the pride I felt. When the Vice Chancellor mentioned that all the graduands went through a gruelling undergrad time at UWA, I couldn't agree more and near cry while sitting down.

Desmond & Justina got me to Winthrop Hall at 6.30PM which is just nice for me to adjust my self and get ready for the graduation ceremony. I saw several friends from Singapore, Ivan Heng & Jonathan Tan & several others. Ivan graduated a day earlier than me. And was there to support his GF. I took some pictures there.

The whole ceremony was an eye opener for me in the sense all the professors were donning their own universities academic dress... So it was truly international. I was seated at M11 with an Australian guy who was quite friendly. We had fun laughing/making fun at some of the proceedings of the ceremony. There was a rather attractive lady called Jennifer Pimpinella seated beside me on my right. She is very pretty.

After several long speeches, me together with the other graduands went up stage one by one to do our handshake with our UWA Chancellor. I was really worried that I might fumbled on stage as I have never stepped onto a stage really before. But thank God all went well.

Larry Neale my lecturer for Marketing Mgt & FEC got conferred his Doctorate of Philosophy the same night. Jonathan Tan received his Masters of Commerce. Celina Leng & Kaiqiang were also conferred their degree. I got my self my degree frame from Philips & Father that cost abt 85 Ossie Dollars - Walnut with Blue-Gold Frame as well as a Graduation bear.

Today, Desmond brought me to Cecirello's at Freo to experience the Fish & Chips there. It was really delicious. We also visited "Little Creatures" brewery for drafted beer. Walking around taking pictures.

Life is really good here. I loving Perth :)