The term "metaverse" refers to a virtual reality space or a collective virtual shared space where users can interact with each other and computer-generated environments in real-time. It is often described as a successor to the internet, creating a more immersive and interconnected digital world.
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BIODATA - NIK ZAFRI
Kelantanese, Alumni of Sultan Ismail College Kelantan (SICA), IT Competency Cert, Certified Written English Professional US. Has participated in many seminars/conferences (local/ international) in the capacity of trainer/lecturer and participant.
Affiliations :- Network Member of Gerson Lehrman Group, Institute of Quality Malaysia, Auditor ISO 9000 IRCAUK, Auditor OHSMS (SIRIM and STS) /EMS ISO 14000 and Construction Quality Assessment System CONQUAS, CIDB (Now BCA) Singapore),
* Possesses almost 30 years of experience/hands-on in the multi-modern management & technical disciplines (systems & methodologies) such as Knowledge Management (Hi-Impact Management/ICT Solutions), Quality (TQM/ISO), Safety Health Environment, Civil & Building (Construction), Manufacturing, Motivation & Team Building, HR, Marketing/Branding, Business Process Reengineering, Economy/Stock Market, Contracts/Project Management, Finance & Banking, etc. He was employed to international bluechips involving in national/international megaprojects such as Balfour Beatty Construction/Knight Piesold & Partners UK, MMI Insurance Group Australia, Hazama Corporation (Hazamagumi) Japan (with Mitsubishi Corporation, JA Jones US, MMCE and Ho-Hup) and Sunway Construction Berhad (The Sunway Group of Companies). Among major projects undertaken : Pergau Hydro Electric Project, KLCC Petronas Twin Towers, LRT Tunnelling, KLIA, Petronas Refineries Melaka, Putrajaya Government Complex, Sistem Lingkaran Lebuhraya Kajang (SILK), Mex Highway, KLIA1, KLIA2 etc. Once serviced SMPD Management Consultants as Associate Consultant cum Lecturer for Diploma in Management, Institute of Supervisory Management UK/SMPD JV. Currently – Associate/Visiting Consultants/Facilitators, Advisors for leading consulting firms (local and international) including project management. To name a few – Noma SWO Consult, Amiosh Resources, Timur West Consultant Sdn. Bhd., TIJ Consultants Group (Malaysia and Singapore) and many others.
* Ex-Resident Weekly Columnist of Utusan Malaysia (1995-1998) and have produced more than 100 articles related to ISO-9000– Management System and Documentation Models, TQM Strategic Management, Occupational Safety and Health (now OHSAS 18000) and Environmental Management Systems ISO 14000. His write-ups/experience has assisted many students/researchers alike in module developments based on competency or academics and completion of many theses. Once commended by the then Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia for his diligence in promoting and training the civil services (government sector) based on “Total Quality Management and Quality Management System ISO-9000 in Malaysian Civil Service – Paradigm Shift Scalar for Assessment System”
Among Nik Zafri’s clients : Adabi Consumer Industries Sdn. Bhd, (MRP II, Accounts/Credit Control) The HQ of Royal Customs and Excise Malaysia (ISO 9000), Veterinary Services Dept. Negeri Sembilan (ISO 9000), The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (Aspects of Project Management – KLCC construction), Corporate HQ of RHB (Peter Drucker's MBO/KRA), NEC Semiconductor - Klang Selangor (Productivity Management), Prime Minister’s Department Malaysia (ISO 9000), State Secretarial Office Negeri Sembilan (ISO 9000), Hidrological Department KL (ISO 9000), Asahi Kluang Johor(System Audit, Management/Supervisory Development), Tunku Mahmood (2) Primary School Kluang Johor (ISO 9000), Consortium PANZANA (HSSE 3rd Party Audit), Lecturer for Information Technology Training Centre (ITTC) – Authorised Training Center (ATC) – University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) Kluang Branch Johor, Kluang General Hospital Johor (Management/Supervision Development, Office Technology/Administration, ISO 9000 & Construction Management), Kahang Timur Secondary School Johor (ISO 9000), Sultan Abdul Jalil Secondary School Kluang Johor (Islamic Motivation and Team Building), Guocera Tiles Industries Kluang Johor (EMS ISO 14000), MNE Construction (M) Sdn. Bhd. Kota Tinggi Johor (ISO 9000 – Construction), UITM Shah Alam Selangor (Knowledge Management/Knowledge Based Economy /TQM), Telesystem Electronics/Digico Cable(ODM/OEM for Astro – ISO 9000), Sungai Long Industries Sdn. Bhd. (Bina Puri Group) - ISO 9000 Construction), Secura Security Printing Sdn. Bhd,(ISO 9000 – Security Printing) ROTOL AMS Bumi Sdn. Bhd & ROTOL Architectural Services Sdn. Bhd. (ROTOL Group) – ISO 9000 –Architecture, Bond M & E (KL) Sdn. Bhd. (ISO 9000 – Construction/M & E), Skyline Telco (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Knowledge Management),Technochase Sdn. Bhd JB (ISO 9000 – Construction), Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM – ISO 9000 & Internal Audit Refresher), Shinryo/Steamline Consortium (Petronas/OGP Power Co-Generation Plant Melaka – Construction Management and Safety, Health, Environment), Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Negotiation Skills), Association for Retired Intelligence Operatives of Malaysia (Cyber Security – Arpa/NSFUsenet, Cobit, Till, ISO/IEC ISMS 27000 for Law/Enforcement/Military), T.Yamaichi Corp. (M) Sdn. Bhd. (EMS ISO 14000) LSB Manufacturing Solutions Sdn. Bhd., (Lean Scoreboard (including a full development of System-Software-Application - MSC Malaysia & Six Sigma) PJZ Marine Services Sdn. Bhd., (Safety Management Systems and Internal Audit based on International Marine Organization Standards) UNITAR/UNTEC (Degree in Accountacy – Career Path/Roadmap) Cobrain Holdings Sdn. Bhd.(Managing Construction Safety & Health), Speaker for International Finance & Management Strategy (Closed Conference), Pembinaan Jaya Zira Sdn. Bhd. (ISO 9001:2008-Internal Audit for Construction Industry & Overview of version 2015), Straits Consulting Engineers Sdn. Bhd. (Full Integrated Management System – ISO 9000, OHSAS 18000 (ISO 45000) and EMS ISO 14000 for Civil/Structural/Geotechnical Consulting), Malaysia Management & Science University (MSU – (Managing Business in an Organization), Innoseven Sdn. Bhd. (KVMRT Line 1 MSPR8 – Awareness and Internal Audit (Construction), ISO 9001:2008 and 2015 overview for the Construction Industry), Kemakmuran Sdn. Bhd. (KVMRT Line 1 - Signages/Wayfinding - Project Quality Plan and Construction Method Statement ), Lembaga Tabung Haji - Flood ERP, WNA Consultants - DID/JPS -Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plan - Prelim, Conceptual Design, Interim and Final Report etc., Tunnel Fire Safety - Fire Risk Assessment Report - Design Fire Scenario), Safety, Health and Environmental Management Plans leading construction/property companies/corporations in Malaysia, Timur West Consultant : Business Methodology and System, Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya ISMS/Audit/Risk/ITP Technical Team, MPDT Capital Berhad - ISO 9001: 2015 - Consultancy, Construction, Project Rehabilitation, Desalination (first one in Malaysia to receive certification on trades such as Reverse Osmosis Seawater Desalination and Project Recovery/Rehabilitation)
* Has appeared for 10 consecutive series in “Good Morning Malaysia RTM TV1’ Corporate Talk Segment discussing on ISO 9000/14000 in various industries. For ICT, his inputs garnered from his expertise have successfully led to development of work-process e-enabling systems in the environments of intranet, portal and interactive web design especially for the construction and manufacturing. Some of the end products have won various competitions of innovativeness, quality, continual-improvements and construction industry award at national level. He has also in advisory capacity – involved in development and moderation of websites, portals and e-profiles for mainly corporate and private sectors, public figures etc. He is also one of the recipients for MOSTE Innovation for RFID use in Electronic Toll Collection in Malaysia.
Note :
Sunday, June 18, 2023
METAVERSE
Sunday, June 11, 2023
MENGENAI MEMILIH PASARAN PRODUK/PERKHIDMATAN
Petikan dari satu forum tertutup. ("Pok Nik" - salah satu gelaran yang diberikan kepada saya)
Assalamualaikum Poknik,
Saya ada berbincang dengan kawan-kawan berkaitan perniagaan dan keusahawanan, rata-rata bersetuju yang menceburi bidang keusahawanan akan memberi pulangan pendapatan yang baik. Masalahnya, saya dapati ramai kawan-kawan saya ini memberi respon yang mereka ini telah salah "timimg" masuk industri, contoh industri ICT yang terlalu ramai usahawan (players) berbanding peluang kerja yang ada, industri pertanian yang berkembang menyebabkan harga semasa turun dsb.
Persoalan saya:
1. Bagaimanakah cara untuk memastikan yang usahawan itu memasuki pasaran yang diingini pada masa dan tempat yang betul (right time right place)
2. Apakah strategi yang boleh dilaksanakan jika industri yang telah diceburi semakin tepu (dengan andaian tiada peluang dalam industri lain, sukar untuk beralih ke industri lain)
3. Berdasarkan pengalaman Poknik, bagaimanakah pola perubahan dalam sesebuah industri yang bermula dengan fasa permulaan, fasa pertumbuhan, fasa kematangan dan fasa penurunan? Dan bagaimana strategi perniagaan yang boleh diaplikasikan dalam setiap fasa tersebut?
4. Minta pandangan Poknik terhadap peluang dan ancaman jika melibatkan diri dalam bidang pengurusan kebun sawit iaitu, katakan saya bercadang untuk menyewa kebun sawit yang dah berumur 10 tahun untuk tempoh 10 tahun lagi.
Pandangan Poknik dalam perkara diatas saya dahului dengan ucapan terima kasih.
Jawapan
Wslm
Terima kasih di atas pertanyaan berkenaan.
Sebenarnya semua jenis perniagaan dan keusahawanan dapat memberikan pulangan yang baik jika kena dengan caranya.
Bidang ICT dan pertanian juga adalah dua bidang yang kalau diusahakan dengan kaedah/pendekatan yang tepat, ianya masih dapat menjana pendapatan yang tinggi.
Pendapat saudara mengenai salah 'masa' itu tidak timbul jika kita telah membuat kajian yang mendalam ke atas satu-satu jenis perniagaan. Contohnya ICT, jika dibuat kajian, yang paling digemari ramai sekarang ini adalah yang mempunyai unsur 'skim cepat kaya'. ICT itu sendiri adalah satu bidang yang sangat luas. Jika kita lihat dari konteks pembangunan perisian yang disesuaikan dengan kehendak industri maka dengan sendirinya terdapat banyak peluang pembiayaan dan geran akan mudah didapati.
Sebenarnya, pengurusan kurang memuaskan sesuatu perniagaan itu masih saya kaitkan dengan ilmu - kekurangan ilmu, pengalaman dan ketrampilan adalah penyebab utama kejatuhan mana-mana perniagaan sekali pun.
Kekurangan ilmu ini juga penyebab utama kemasukan dalam pasaran hanya berdasarkan pada trend semasa...kalau 'A' memasuki sesuatu perniagaan, maka 'B' juga akan terlibat sama.
Masa dan berita juga memainkan peranan, contohnya, jika kita ingin menceburi bidang pembinaan, kita perlu meneliti perkembangan umpamanya, harga barang-barang binaan besi semakin meningkat (contohnya) dan ketika itu tidak ada satu harga siling yang ditetapkan, maka kita tidak digalakkan sama sekali untuk menceburi bidang pembinaan.
Tentang strategi tu, berbalik kepada asas penerangan Pok Nik, sejauh manakah kita ini mempunyai ilmu dan maklumat yang terkini kepada kita? Dan adakah kita pandai menilai sumber maklumat berkenaan? Adakah ianya perlu ditapis? Adakah ianya hanya satu 'rumour' semata-mata? Perkara ini perlu ada dalam diri seorang usahawan sejati.
Masalah kita ialah kita tidak mahu melabur dalam mendapatkan ilmu - contohnya jika sesuatu kursus/persidangan yang bertaraf antarabangsa, mungkin kita tidak ceburi kerana harganya mahal bagi kita, walhal kita memerlukan ilmu berkenaan.
Secara ringkasnya, pola perubahan berkaitan dengan suasana ekonomi itu sendiri. Kadang-kadang jurang antara fasa tidak begitu ketara kerana faktor 'sustainability' (kesinambungan).
Cuma ramai yang salah faham, bila berlaku 'fluctuation' di antara fasa ke fasa, mereka beranggapan ianya adalah tanda kejatuhan. Jadilah 'panik' dalam pasaran tak pasal-pasal.
Sebenarnya ianya adalah 'market correction'. (jika 'average gap' tak besar le) Faktor ini mungkin disebabkan oleh Keluaran Negara Kasar tetapi 'growth' berlaku secara konstan (Hodrick-Presscott - HP) walaupun terdapat 'naik turun (fluctuations) - input yang perlu kita perhati dan pertimbangkan ialah :
a) pasaran buruh,
b) produktiviti,
c) cara organisasi menggunakan modal atau tenaga kerja,
d) Stok Modal (capital stock)
e) Nilai mesin
f) Bangunan
g) lain-lain peralatan/mesin yang membantu organisasi mengeluarkan barangan mereka.
Perniagaan kelapa sawit adalah satu perniagaan yang berpotensi tinggi.
Dari segi ekonomi, rantau ASEAN adalah salah satu daripada rantau yang dapat mencapai pertumbuhan yang pesat di dunia dengan iklim pelaburan yang paling menggalakkan di mana lebih 70% minyak kelapa sawit dikeluarkan. Kekayaan sumber asli ini akan terus menjadi penggerak kepada pertumbuhan yang berterusan bagi rantau ini dalam dekad yang akan datang. Pengeluaran minyak kelapa sawit akan terus meningkat, walaupun pada kadar yang lebih rendah dari yang telah dicapai sebelum ini memandangkan tanah yang sesuai untuk pertanian semakin berkurangan.
Kini teknologi baru telah mula diperkenalkan antara lain ialah untuk menjimatkan tenaga buruh dan Pok Nik pasti, dalam 1 dekad akan datang, teknologi akan menjadi lebih matang.
Itu belum lagi Pok Nik sentuh kepada produk-produk sawit - yang masih ada dan masih dikehendaki dalam pasaran setakat ini.
Sekian, wassalam
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
SKB GROUP OF COMPANIES
It's refreshing to have an audience with Mr. S. Khugan, The Group MD of SKB Group of Companies - SKB Resilient Sdn. Bhd., a leading financial consultancy firm with more than 2 decades experience in providing viable funding solutions to major corporations and companies throughout Malaysia.
We had an fruitful discussion and reached an understanding of moving forward during challenging times by integrating value-added elements such as corporate governance promoting transparency, anti corruption, sustainable development, risk management, management system standards etc. in the current service provision.
The new initiatives are geared towards strengthening corporate clients in enhancing their ratings and creditworthiness in all aspects - mergers and acquisition, corporate financing, project facilitation, due diligence, marketing and company restructuring for both domestic and international markets.
I thank you and hope for the best in our future undertakings.
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
TYPICAL CORRUPTION PRACTICES IN PROCUREMENT (ANTI-BRIBERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SERIES)
Based on my experience in assessment, one of the most critical department that I would focus on would be Procurement (or Purchasing) This is because the department are involved in various transactions with Supplier/Sub-Contractor/Materials where if not properly controlled or without proper procedure, potential and risk of corruption practices may occur.
Disclaimer - Without naming such organization (s) due to Oath of Confidentiality and the author may change some details/sequence of events - corruption in the Procurement Department can occur through various means and practices. Here are some common ways in which corruption can happen in procurement:
(1) Bribery
Suppliers/Subcontractors may offer bribes to procurement officials in exchange for favorable treatment, such as winning a contract or receiving preferential pricing. This can involve cash payments, gifts, vacations, or other forms of illicit benefits.
(2) Collusion
Procurement officials may collude with specific suppliers/subcontractors to manipulate the bidding process. They might provide confidential information about competitors' bids, set biased selection criteria, or create artificial barriers to exclude certain suppliers, all with the aim of awarding contracts to predetermined vendors.
(3) Kickbacks
(depending of the case where "impartiality" can be proven)
(6) Nontransparent Procurement Processes
Lack of transparency in procurement procedures can create opportunities for corruption. For instance, if the Procurement Department operates without clear guidelines or proper oversight, officials can exploit loopholes to engage in corrupt practices.
(7) Weak internal controls
Inadequate internal controls and poor governance structures within the procurement department can facilitate corruption. Lack of segregation of duties, limited oversight, and ineffective auditing mechanisms create an environment conducive to fraudulent activities.
(8) Influence peddling
Powerful individuals or organizations may exert undue influence on the procurement process to benefit certain suppliers/subcontractors. This could involve political pressure, nepotism, or other forms of manipulation, thereby compromising the integrity of procurement decisions.
Preventing corruption in the procurement department requires robust anti-corruption measures, such as :
a) implementing transparent processes,
b) promoting accountability and ethics,
c) conducting regular audits, and
d) providing training on anti-corruption practices.
It's crucial to establish a strong ethical culture and foster an environment where reporting corruption is encouraged and protected.
Monday, May 29, 2023
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY? WHAT'S WITH LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE IN MALAYSIA?
Thursday, May 25, 2023
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, WHERE DO I SIGNUP? (DEAR MALAYSIANS)
MALAYSIANS!
A) Perhaps you are wondering, how can Artificial Intelligence benefit entrepreneurs.
First, entrepreneurs need to know that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to create income in many ways. Among others :
1) Product Development
Choose one :
(a) innovative products or
(b) enhance existing ones.
Whatever your choice would be, AI technologies can help automate processes, improve efficiency, and enable the creation of intelligent solutions. By incorporating AI into their product offerings, entrepreneurs can deliver enhanced value to customers and generate income through sales.
2) Customer Experience/Personalization
AI can enable entrepreneurs to personalize products, services, and customer experiences at scale. By leveraging AI algorithms, entrepreneurs can analyze customer data to understand preferences, behaviors, and patterns, allowing them to tailor offerings to individual customers. This personalization can drive customer satisfaction, loyalty, and ultimately, revenue growth.
3) Automation and Efficiency
AI can automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, freeing up entrepreneurs and their teams to focus on higher-value activities. By automating processes such as data entry, customer support, inventory management, or content generation, entrepreneurs can optimize resource allocation, reduce costs, and improve overall operational efficiency.
4) Data Analytics and Insights
AI-powered analytics can help entrepreneurs extract valuable insights from large volumes of data. By utilizing AI algorithms, entrepreneurs can identify trends, patterns, and correlations within their data, enabling data-driven decision-making. These insights can inform business strategies, marketing campaigns, pricing models, and product development, leading to increased revenue opportunities.
5) Predictive Analytics and Forecasting
AI can be employed to predict future trends, demand patterns, and customer behavior. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, entrepreneurs can make accurate forecasts, anticipate market changes, optimize inventory management, and adjust pricing strategies accordingly. These predictive capabilities can enable entrepreneurs to make proactive business decisions and seize income-generating opportunities.
6) AI as a Service (AIaaS)
Entrepreneurs can build AI models, algorithms, or platforms and offer them as services to other businesses. By providing AI solutions as a service, entrepreneurs can generate income through licensing, subscription-based models, or revenue-sharing arrangements. AIaaS can be employed across various domains, such as natural language processing, computer vision, recommendation systems, or predictive analytics.
7) AI-Enabled Marketing and Advertising
Entrepreneurs can leverage AI to optimize their marketing and advertising efforts. AI-powered tools can analyze consumer data, target specific customer segments, and deliver personalized marketing campaigns. This can lead to higher conversion rates, increased customer acquisition, and improved ROI on marketing investments.
Next :
B) HOW?
Starting a business related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be an exciting venture for entrepreneurs. Start with the following points :
1) Identify Market Needs
Identifying a specific market needs (or problem) that can be addressed through AI technologies. Start researching various industries and sectors to understand where AI can make a significant impact. Look for areas that can benefit from automation, optimization, personalization, or improved decision-making through AI-powered solutions.
2) Don't be greedy - choose one Niche first
AI is a vast field, so you can't be a jack of all trades.
So it's helpful to choose a niche or specialization for your business. This could be specific industries like healthcare, finance, e-commerce, or areas like natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, or predictive analytics.
Focusing on a specific niche allows you to build expertise and stand out in a crowded market.
3) Build a Team
Assemble a team with the necessary skills and expertise in AI. This may include data scientists, machine learning engineers, software developers, domain experts, and business strategists. Having a diverse team with complementary skills will enable you to develop and deliver AI solutions effectively.
4) Develop AI Solutions
Start by developing AI solutions that address the identified market need. This may involve building AI algorithms, models, or platforms tailored to your target industry or problem domain. Invest in research and development to create innovative and valuable solutions that differentiate your business from competitors.
5) Data Acquisition and Preparation
AI systems rely on data to learn and make accurate predictions or decisions. Identify relevant data sources and acquire the necessary datasets. Clean, preprocess, and structure the data to ensure it is suitable for training AI models. Consider partnerships or collaborations to access additional data if needed.
6) Proof of Concept and Testing
Create a proof of concept (PoC) (it's not easy as it sounds) or minimum viable product (MVP) (not easy as it sounds as well) to demonstrate the effectiveness of your AI solution. Test it rigorously to ensure its performance, accuracy, and scalability (very important) Collect feedback from early adopters or pilot customers to refine and improve your product.
7) Establish Smart Partnerships
Maybe it's new to Malaysians, but you can find many industry partners, academic institutions, or research organizations - collaborate and share with them. This will enable you to access expertise, resources, and potential customers. Partnerships can provide credibility, access to new markets, and opportunities for joint innovation or co-development.
8) Business Model and Revenue Streams
Define your business model and revenue streams. Consider whether you will offer AI solutions as products, services, or a combination of both. Explore different pricing models such as subscription-based, licensing, or revenue-sharing arrangements. Tailor your pricing to reflect the value your AI solutions provide to customers.
9) Marketing and Sales (Another aspect that easier said than done)
Develop a marketing strategy to promote your AI solutions effectively. Showcase the benefits, features, and competitive advantages of your products/services. Leverage digital marketing techniques, content marketing, industry events, and partnerships to raise awareness and attract customers. Engage with potential clients directly to understand their pain points and demonstrate how your AI solutions can address them.
MOST IMPORTANT
10) Stay Updated and Evolve (You're sure you have what it takes?)
AI is a rapidly evolving field, so it's crucial to stay updated with the latest trends, research, and technologies. Continuously invest in research and development to improve your AI solutions and stay ahead of the competition. Adapt to market changes and customer feedback to refine your offerings and ensure long-term success.
CONCLUSION (So called)
Remember!
Starting an AI-related business requires a combination of technical expertise, business acumen, and a deep understanding of the target market. It's essential to create value for customers, build strong relationships, and continually innovate to thrive in the AI landscape.
To be succesful in leveraging AI for income generation requires careful planning, investment in AI technologies and talent, and a thorough understanding of the specific business context. Entrepreneurs should assess their business needs, explore AI opportunities, and develop strategies that align with their overall goals and resources.
Once again, Any Takers?