tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post116109939010065032..comments2024-03-19T15:12:54.893+08:00Comments on EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA: Attracting TalentUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1162528139450910202006-11-03T12:28:00.000+08:002006-11-03T12:28:00.000+08:00Much has been talked about attracting talents. But...Much has been talked about attracting talents. But you didn't realised that after attracting these talents, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO USE THEM WELL! <BR/><BR/>The ability to do so is measured in the amount of salary a particular company is willing to pay these talents. <BR/><BR/>If you are unable to pay them as well as a competitor can, then it only means that you can't use them as well as your competitor. Otherwise you might me losing money for "overpaying" a world class talent for doing jobs which even a monkey can do!<BR/><BR/>In the free market, 21st century environment, talents flow to corporations, nations that can utilized them best! <BR/><BR/>So, it is a problem of Leadership -a very sensitive issue in Malaysia since top corporate CEOs and chairman positions are highly political posts which are out of bound of these so called homebound talents!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1161390045973146182006-10-21T08:20:00.000+08:002006-10-21T08:20:00.000+08:00I met quite a few Malaysian - among the brighties ...I met quite a few Malaysian - among the brighties and the most productive, in UK and they are all employees of investment banks. It is indeed a lost to Malaysia for them to remain here rather than helping to develop Malaysian capital market after a few years stint here. (That is of course a hyphothetical situation - I don't think Malaysian government is that interested in developing KLSE to be a world class capital market).<BR/><BR/>Money/salary is never the only issue to attract talent - it is about giving what the talents wants. Sometimes, this can be as simple as giving their spouse an easy way of settling down in Malaysia. (I know of Malaysian in UK who has deep resentment on this).<BR/><BR/>While I would argue that Singapore system has gone a little bit too far in emphasing on the importance of "scholars" (yes - some scholars are just book worms), I agree completely that they are doing a much better work <BR/>to attract talent.<BR/><BR/>Our government also appeard to be pretty selective on talent development as well. Our government will jump on first opportunity of sponsoring a child prodigy who have a faint Malay connection as we have witnessed before.<BR/>But when a prodigy child of equal potential came from a different ethnic background, he/she is ignored.<BR/><BR/>Half hearted attempt will only give luke warm result, no matter how loud one shouts. This, I suppose, will remain the case until Malaysian is under real presure to compete, either as a result of depletion of natural resources or the awakening of Thailand, Indonesia, Phillipines etc. You just need to be a notch beter than your rival.<BR/><BR/>Let's revisit this in 10 years time.Casperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06968066001104486355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1161323252862863982006-10-20T13:47:00.000+08:002006-10-20T13:47:00.000+08:00Attracting Talent ...a very interesting topic..MD ...Attracting Talent ...a very interesting topic..<BR/><BR/>MD says: the staff has worked very hard and you all are the most valuable "assets" of the co..keep up the good work..<BR/><BR/>Fin. dept says..but in accounting standards, staff / labour are treated as "expenditures"<BR/><BR/>Consultant to co. says: Business is becoming slow..the co. may have to down-size..implement the VSS..<BR/><BR/>Fin. dept says : ah..that would mean long term "cost-savings "<BR/><BR/>but then..the MD is confused..<BR/><BR/>.. wouldn't that result in "loss of assets" and a corresponding impoverishment of the co.? <BR/><BR/>..just curiousAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-1161126376573680502006-10-18T07:06:00.000+08:002006-10-18T07:06:00.000+08:00The issue of attracting talent is a highly complic...The issue of attracting talent is a highly complicated one. The truth is one must differentiate 'attracting talent' from 'retaining talent'. The former is a liberal embrazing policy of recruting whoever based on merit while the latter really is about some pre-existing criteria either based on nationality, race or political view. The truth is in the past Singapore's policy of scholarship was based on 'retaining talent' which frankly they knew even from the start was insufficient for global competitiveness. Currently the government emphasis is 'attracting talent' regardless of race, origin even political correctness if necessary.<BR/><BR/>The biggest problem with Malaysia is that it is NOT even able to retain talent not just attract. Primarily its because it offer few opportunities for the best and brightest. Coupled with political needs, attracting talent has no way of really succeeding.<BR/><BR/>At best we can achieve some cosmetic mediocrity. Talent is globally competitive and knows no boundary. We can always build nuclear bombs and make showy projects with money and mediocre talent but to really be competitive globally - go ask Singapore how tough it is - they are still losing their best and brightest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com