Born Before One's Time

We emphasised productivity about 40 years ago. I was then very keen in computer.

As I had to train the new colleagues, I attended a number of courses conducted by the National Productivity Board (NPB). Those courses included the Advance Techniques in Computer Programming, Job Instruction and Job Relations.

The knowledge I learned from the course helped me to improve my working skills and know better in the methods of staff training.

I then joined the National Productivity Association (NPA) as a member. It was associated to NPB. As a member, I would pay for the concession rate when attending courses. Besides, there were books related to productivity in the NPA Library.

It does not mean that we will raise our productivity after attending courses. It depends much on what we have learned and how well we apply what we learned. The persons who are more creative and flexible may come out ideas in working effectively and more efficient.

Sometimes our productivity does not depend on our educational standard. I ever knew a few of our university-graduated colleagues bothered by a computer system they handled. Whenever there was a new vehicle or a scrap of old vehicle, they had to amend and recompile the computer program. The system was passed from a person to another new-comer and it went on for a few generations. Nobody cracked their heads to find a solution. I once suggested to my senior to amend the system and he asked me to take over it. I took up the challenge as I was influenced by the spirit of many lecturers and instructors. I amended the system. From then on, who ever maintained the system had an easier life.

I also joined the Singapore Production Management Association as a member. I attended a seminar on the Management Problems of Light Industries in July 1978. A member brought up a problem on his company could not fulfill the order from an American Firm. The problem struck me very much. Other than productivity, we might need to have a coordinator to group the effort from various manufacturers to fulfill large order than a company could not handle.

When the national computerisation movement was announced in 1981, I started to work for a then newly-established computer company. As I attended a few courses at the National Productivity Association and Singapore Production Management Association, I gained some knowledge of productivity and would like to apply on our work. When I once discussed with the boss on maintenance of good quality of our products and services, she was very angry. She thought that I hinted she was lousy. I was then condemned.

Although she indirectly apologised to me few years later, but I did not received the justification for years.

Seventeen years later, it was in 1997, the Quality Control Circle (QCC) was popular in Singapore. Our Human Resource Manager requested me to form a QCC at the customer site where I worked for. I was then working for a shipbuilding company and I rejected the request. As there were many capable people in our company, why the Manager did not assign other person to do it?

The Manager kept persuading. I then discussed with my colleagues working in the same site as well as the client's staff work with us about the QCC. After a few discussions, we formed a QCC. I had to impart my knowledge and ideas to the members. We later attended a QCC competition and won an award.

Aim of Computerisation

I carried out a feasibility study in the taxation office in 1982. Most of the elder staff looked sorrow when I interviewed them. I later realised that they were worried. They misunderstood that they would be replaced by computer.

It was a terrible concept. I ensured that they were not be jobless even after computerisation. I told them that they were be much busier when they started to use the computer. They had to learn to use the computer system as well as to carry on their job. When the computer system replaced the manual procedure, they were not need to work overtime. They could go home to see their children after office hours.

They smiled when they heard about meeting the family. My study then progress faster.

Good in Theory and Lack of Pondering

After forming the QCC, I was active in our Group of Companies QCC programs. I even took up the position of QCC Judge at the competitions. I was later invited to be a Judge by the Singapore Productivity and Standards Board.

The Manger of the client was not happy that I had to take off to be the judge once a while. I was very surprised that our country spent so much money to train up some scholars who were short-sighted.

After completing the Year 2000 Project, I tried my best to complete the changing of computer system for the client before my early retirement. Our working hour was from 7.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. I used to stay back to clear some jobs and prepared the work schedule for the next day. When those workers show worked overtime went back at 7.00 p.m., I started to pack up and go home. But a manger was not happy; she wished that I could stay until 10.00 p.m.

She was not only lack of compassion, she was also without wisdom. We started with a fresh day in the morning. After working for 12 hours, we almost used up our energy. We would then spend twice the effort to do our work. It would be worse the next day if we could not go home early to have a good rest.

Productivity does not mean that working for long hours. Was it necessary to stay back until 10.00 p.m. everyday? The company spent much money to engage us; therefore we must be squeezed until no more juice!

There were a few occasions when I worked with a European consultant until after 10.00 p.m. He told me that his mind was totally blank. I told him that I would assist him. He asked me whether I had to work until so late. I told him that if the 'client' was not happy and just gave a call to my company; I would be accused of a false charge. He thought that I was full of energy.

There was a crazy young 'boss' always praised one of our colleagues and asked us to learn from him. A group of more than 20 of us smiled and kept quiet. That colleague used to stay back until 8 to 9 o'clock. He was playing computer games in his cubicle after 6.00 p.m. daily.

Lay our Heads Together and Seek for Excellent

Some people have their own techniques and apply on their work.

One of our colleagues used to finish her assignment in shorter time than others. A colleague asked her to share her experience.

She said, "I have learned it from the guru. He used to share with us regarding job method. Did you remember that he ever told us to use the method of cut and paste? Why type every character from the beginning until the end for the routine job?"