Don't know if i would be able to log this journey into becoming my own boss as religiously (i doubt i can) but here are some of the happenings last 2 weeks
1) CNA interview
somehow the video we did on the bd trials with the Musso Club caught the notice of the PR people from ITE HQ and subsequently Channel News Asia deem it as news worthy and wanted to do a piece to be shown on Singapore Tonight.
The button was pressed 2 weeks ago while we were in the middle of scaling up the setup by 20X. So in the days that follows I had to juggle all the work really had. like writing a press document, helping setup up teh new system, finialised the design of the 100X sacle up set, manage Todd's new factory's building, keep up training......luckily we had the help of some ITE staff which helped prepared some of the materials needed to do the press wanyang....
Terence gave me last minute Tuition, more like a 5 minute tutorial, on how to constantly stress on the 3 points i want to talk and bending the answer to my advantage. (for a CEO of a 83 man company, 5 mins of 1 to 1 tuition is quite a lot!)
Well the taping happened in our worshop last friday, we had finished the setup just in time and i fixed the filtration system in such a way that you can turn on a tap and the golden liquid (BD) would flow out into the beaker (for the dramatic effect). The CNA guy came with a cameraman and proceeded to ask me questions about what is biodiesels, what is the market etc....i kinda stammered a bit because some of the questions i had not prepared for the onslaught of queries (MUST remember to ask for questions prior to interview if there is a next time).
Then there was the lab part and they shot our 2 champion student workers at work playing with titration and the GC. Huda was kinda nervous when they interview here but i think she did splendidly.....
Thereafter, we did the most exciting part.....the vehicle trials....Jeffery the the gang from the Musso Club volunteered thier trusty cars for the demo....and viola....the results were the same as the first trial we did....and this time we caught it on the CNA video (hope it comes up)
2) KT, Naina and Angelia
It's kinda wierd having the last day of work on friday, saying goodbyes to all the staff and yet appearing again on monday... as if nothing had changed...under the current arrangement, i will stay on to work on some projects for KT for survival to tie over the cash crunch at the business....this is an ideal arrangement although for myself it's a constant juggling act of trying to do many things at one time.....(like what's new)
Angelia and Naina were very concern about my welfare.....when they realised i have not even gotten a table for the office...they jumped into an action plan to help me get redisgn teh arrangements of the tables, explained to me the need for a airport, the need to have my back facing the wall.....and eventually they gave me an airport (the water kind...not themac kind) as a present....It's really a nice gesture! Cool!
3) On EBD
We went to EDB last month to inquire if we could tap into some grants to develop the yet to design 100X plant....after i submitted our first draft to the officer....she infromed me that it's her last day at work and she has passed my case to another colleague which is on leave......and up till last friday...no reply yet.
interestingly he most important criteria in the application of the innovation commericalisation fund is
1) innovation
2) project must not start before approval
with the depts delaying thier approval, we are running out of time. All i need is a simple yes or no so we could move on wirh decisions...
If yes.....happy....we get some money
If no....not game over....we will fund the development ourselves....
Simple?
Will try to call them again tomorrow to sort it out again!
ok that;s it....
looking forward to stalking the TV to lookout for my 1minute of fame tonight!
2 comments:
All the best on this brave new move.
On EDB - They don't have to know that you have started out on the project.
Since the grant is effectively a bonus, then no need to waste time waiting for them. Go ahead 1st.
Don't forget, they will still wanna see your proposal after that.
Then your proposal must be in the same format that they are used to.
A few more rounds of interviews before things get started.
They are generally helpful, but it takes a bit of time.
I think the only issue is explaining the innovative part of your project to them considering the fact that BD is coming up all over the shop.
sounds like alot of juggling indeed...u need mini ovenette in ur office? i can sponser..haa =P u need to keep up the nourishment so that can juggle betta.
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