Charlie Chia: October 2010

MRCA 18th Anniversary: Night of Heroes

Few hours ago, I was at the MRCA (Malaysian Retails Chain Association) 18th Anniversary & Award Night at Sunway Hotels & Resort. The theme for the night was Night of Heroes, aim at giving recognition to successful entrepreneur who are successful in their respective retain venture.

As usual, attended the night of glitz and glamour on behalf of DiGi.

Night of Heroes Photo shoot wall.

The Invitation card

Me & my colleague Ally

Benjamin Chan & myself.

There were more than 1,000 guest presents at the event which includes prominent retain chain owner such as Dato' Nelson Kwok (Founder of Nelson Corn), Ms Valarie Choo (Managing Director of Grand Surf Sdn Bhd, Redbox Karaoke), Dato' Tay Sim Kim (founder of OSIM (M) Sdn Bhd), Mr Lee Hwa Cheng (CEO of Sinma Jewellery), Mr Chuah See Yong (Managing Director of Golden Scoop Sdn Bhd, Baskin Robin Malaysia) and many more.

It's truly inspiring to see all these entrepreneurs being so successful in their respective businesses. Perhaps I shall start a special blog post and interview these successful owners considering that I've access to most of them in my current job scope.

Which Taker are you ?

So seriously which taker are you ? Don't have a clue on what I'm trying to ask? Well why don't you catch the premier of Takers (Everyone is after something) which will start screening on the 28th of October 2010. In a nutshell the movie is about a group of bank robbers(Idris Elba, Paul Walker, T.I., Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen and Michael Ealy) find their $20 million plan interrupted by a hard-boiled detective(Matt Dillon). I'm trying to keep it as short as possible so that it wouldnt spoil the show when you watch it.

If I were to choose to play a role in this movie, I will definitely play as Jesse Attica the runner (played by Chris Brown) for the obvious reason that he is one of my favourite actor. Though he may not be some big superstar compare to Tom Cruise, but hey this guy has got some good acting skill under his sleeves and I'm definitely looking forward to be the first to catch him on the silver screen on the 25th of October 2010(yes there will be a special preview on 25th before the actual release), thanks to Sirens Media and Sony Pictures.

Be sure to catch it ya, will update you on the movie after the screening.

1 Malaysia Entrepreneur Award 2010

Was invited to attended the 1 Malaysia Entrepreneur Award 2010 yesterday evening on behalf of my company DiGi Telecommunications. Held @ Putra World Trade Centre(PWTC), the event was organised by Biro Ekonomi dan Pembangunan Usahawan Pemuda UMNO Malaysia (BEPU), and Leaders magazine, the event aims to highlight the achievements of Malaysian entrepreneurs in various industry. The event was officiated by UMNO Youth leader,YB Khairy Jamaluddin.

My team from DiGi Telecommunications (Jenny Tan, Winnie Ng, me, Yvonne Lim, Benjamin Chan & Emmerine Tan)

Dato' Tony Fernandes, C0-Founder & CEO of Airasia Bhd

Dato' Hj SM Faisal, CEO of Naza Group & me

Tony Fernandes & my team.

The event saw a list of entrepreneur gaining recognition for their success in their respective industry. The list of winners are as follow:

Masterclass Entrepreneur of the Year

Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Leong Hoy Kum - Mah Sing Group Bhd
Dato’ Sri Nazir Razak - CIMB Group Holdings Bhd
Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes - Air Asia Bhd

Awards Sectoral

Outstanding Entrepreneur of the year - Dato’ Sri Edmund Santhara - Masterskill (M) Sdn Bhd
Emerging Entrepreneur of the year - Dato’ Jamal Md Yunos - Rukun Saksama Sdn Bhd
Emerging Woman Entrepreneur of the year - Tiffanee Marie Lim - Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
Automotive - Dato’ Hj SM Faisal - Naza Group of Companies
Entertainment - Tuan Haji Burhanuddin Md Radzi - Les’ Copaque Production Sdn Bhd
Technology - Datuk Shahril Shamsuddin - Sapura Group
Telecommunications - Digi Telecommunications
Bioscience - Datuk David Yeat Sew Chuong - INS Bioscience Bhd
Engineering - Datuk Ir. Kuna Sittampalam - HSS Engineering Sdn Bhd
Pre-Development Land Investing - Dato’ Abdul Razak Abdul Ghani - Walton International Property Group (M) Sdn Bhd
Household - Lim Kim Heng - Sen Heng Electric (KL) Sdn Bhd
Renewable Energy - Ramaness Parasuraman - Return 2 Green Sdn Bhd
Food & Beverage - Dato’ Hj. Syed Jamarulkhan - Syed Restaurant & Catering
Services - En Halmi Jasmin - Metro Parking (M) Sdn Bhd
Textiles & Fashion - Mohamed Faroz Mohamed Jakel - Jakel Kuala Lumpur Energy &
Engineering - Shafiz Shahrani Al-Haj - Shahpadu Energy & Engineering Sdn Bhd

Frost & Sullivan's "Frost the Trail" Corporate Challenge 2010

Was at Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong earlier this morning to participate in the Frost and Sullivan 's "Frost the Trail" Corporate Challenge 2010. Organised by Frost & Sullivan for the second time since the first last year, this Corporate Social Responsibility(CSA) event is aim at gathering corporate Malaysian together and raising funds for the less fortunate. Not sure how much was raised but the beneficiaries were Pusat Kasih Sayang YWCA of Malaysia, Pusat Kanak-Kanak Kurang Upaya, KiRTAR Home and Yayasan Anak Warisan Alam (YAWA).

The event attracted some 25 teams of 4 participants from companies such as DiGi, BP, Ericsson, Symphony House and DataCraft. All participant are required to run across a 8.1KM circuit in FRIM.

This year the event has DiGi as the main sponsor instead of Celcom for the previous year.

DiGi's iPhone 4 booth

Me, Christian Schutt, D'zul, Erik Mossakowski, and Christian Thrane

The Winning Team

This year, DiGi 's team came well prepared and won both 1st and 2nd place for the team category. Well done guys.

Malaysia's longest human domino @ DiGi's 15th Annivesary

DiGi Telecommunication, one of Malaysia's leading telecommunication company recently celebrated its 15th Anniversary with a big bang. In conjunction with its birthday, DiGi got itself in the Malaysia book of records for making the longest human domino.

The day started with all 1,500 DiGizen(that's what they call people who work at DiGi) gathering at the D'House, DiGi's award winning HQ based in Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park. Due to the massive number of people involved, the organised split everyone into 80 teams. I was appointed one of the team lead and guess what, I manage to rope in Mr Henrik Clausen, the CEO of DiGi to be a part of my team.

Henrik Clausen, CEO DiGi Telecommunications & Me

Police Motorcade getting ready to escort some 40 buses of DiGizen to KL Town.

Everyone were transported on 40 express buses from Shah Alam to Pavilion KL where the human domino record will be created. We had a group of traffic police riding on their power bike escorting and stopping traffic along our journey down. We even drive pass tollbooth's without stopping. These really made everyone on the bus feels like a VVIP.

The crowd at D'House entrance.

Audrey Ho, Head of Investor Relation, Henrik Clausen, CEO, me and the yellowman

DiGizen in action forming the largest human domino

At the end of the day, DiGi successfully made it into the Malaysian Book of Record for the longest human domino. The success was made possible with the cooperation of 1,409 DiGizen. if you are wondering where the other 400 DiGizen disappear, well some of them were from the region while some were working back in office to ensure that all you customer out there will be able to enjoy DiGi's service without disruption.

Right after the record breaking event, everyone headed for lunch around Bukit Bintang before returning for more fun fill activities which requires DiGizen to interact with the customer's on the ground. Some of the activities includes, exchanging plastic bags with DiGi's environmental friendly bags(each teams is required to walk to 5 people on the street asking them if they would like to change their bags), giving cup cakes to people(every team was required to give out like 10 cup cakes to the public and inform them that DiGi is celebrating its 15th Birthday), getting the public to write birthday wishes for DiGi(each team was required to get 15 card written with birthday wishes) and many other games took place throughout the day. There was also a treasure hunt which run concurrently with all the games too.

This is me participating in one of the games which require me to entertain the public by dancing in the glass house at the entrance of Fahrenheit 88,

Basically the whole street along Bukit Bintang is painted yellow

This is me chilling with a glass of Carlsberg at the entrance of Pavilion KL.

At the time post is written, I'm not paid by to do this. hope they will consider though, don't mind having to post with a glass of Carlsberg in all my photo if I get paid and get free supplies

Everyone was treated to a really luxurious dinner @ Starhill Gallery where the entire lower ground floor aka Feast was close for DiGi's private dinner. DiGizen can enjoy free flow of food and beverages and hoop around all the 11 F&B outlets such as Enak KL, Fisherman's Cove, Jake's Charbroil Steaks, Koryo-Won Korean Restaurant, Luk Yu Tea House, Pak Loh Chiu Chow,Sentidos Tapas,Shook Restaurant, Tarbush The Village Bar and Vansh.

Right after dinner, everyone is transported with the same buses and police escort from Starhill Gallery to Bukit Jalil to catch Adam Lambert live.

DiGi's booth @ Bukit Jalil

DiGi Music's remote control flying craft

Everyone playing with DiGi's giant ball before the the concert starts.

and this is Adam Lambert live in KL.

If you missed the event, here's a video clip on the record breaking human domino's:

It was really one in a life time experience that money cant buy. How many company in Malaysia would actually charter 40 buses, hire 20 police escort, booked the entire floor of F&B outlets at Starhill for dinner and treat more than 1,800 of its staff to a concert perform by international artist? So far, its only DiGi Telecommunication that is able to pull together such a big project. Thumbs up for everyone at DiGi.

DiGi is celebrating 15th Birthday with Adam Lambert

On the 14th of October, DiGi Telecommunications Bhd will be celebrating its 15th Anniversary. To commemorate its anniversary, DiGi will be celebrating with its staff as well as customer. DiGi will be mobilising its entire work force of 1,800 people away from office. Yes, you read it right, everyone is going to be away from office save for the few key people who has to be on standby. All DiGizen(that's what employees are called) will be transported to the heart of Kuala Lumpur via 40 buses.

They will be going to Pavilion to form the longest Human Dominos. If successful, it will find its way into the Malaysian Book of Record. After that everyone will be stomping around Bukit Bintang area. After which everyone will be treated to dinner at an undisclosed location and before being transport from Bukit Bintang to Bukit Jalil for Adam Lambert's Concert.

woot...Adam Lambert's Concert Tickets

Will give you more update right after the event. Cheers

Nike City 10K Kuala Lumpur 2010

The Nike City 10K Kuala Lumpur made its debut for the first time in Malaysia on the auspicious day 10 of October 2010 (10.10.10), a date which only occur once in every millennium. It was the first time Nike ever organise a race of such scale in the heart of Kuala Lumpur which has almost 9,000 participating. The run is divided into 2 main category, 5KM and 10KM route.

Didn't want to miss out being part of the Nike history, I signed up for the 10KM challenge for a mere RM50 registration fees and got myself a limited edition bright neon green Nike Dry Fit top. Since there are almost 9,000 participants, I'm pretty sure there is gonna be lots of blogs covering the even, thus I will do it the KISS way. KISS = Keep it Short, Stupid aka Keep it Short & Simple.

The race was flagged off at 7.30am at Jalan Binjal, Kuala Lumpur (beside KLCC).

Nike successfully light up the heart of Kuala Lumpur with its Bright Neon Green top

Being in the running business Nike really knows how to treat the runner well. Nike strategically placed 4 Deejay Station(with blaring out loud music) along the 10KM route just to keep the runners entertained and motivated as they battle it out making it one of the best organised runs in Kuala Lumpur.

This is one of the 4 Deejay Station

Runner getting exhausted after some 6KM run.

Unlike some of the race around KL, Nike City 10K were well planned with 4 water station strategically setup along the 10KM route. Not to mentioned, they have more than enough water supply to keep everyone hydrated.

Participants rushing to quench their thirst

I finished the 10KM challenge in 1 hour 12 minutes. Quite an accomplishment I must say as I usually take 10 minutes more.

Me with the Nike City 10K wall.

Everyone who managed to finish the race within time limit were given a Character Doll as a finisher gift. The Character Doll come in 2 version, one male (JAY) and one female(ARI).

I got ARI, the female version.

News has it that this will be the first and last time Nike organise such a race in KL. If any of the Nike Malaysia managements are reading this, here a message for you all. Please make this an annual event to promoted a healthy lifestyle and encourage more Malaysian to take up running. With almost 9,000 participants in the Nike City 10K 2010, there shouldn't be any doubt not to organise it again. Besides I'm pretty sure Nike will reap the marketing reward along the way.

BlackBerry Torch 9800 Launch @ Westin Kuala Lumpur

Sometimes being in the telco does have its advantages. I was recently invited by Research In Motion (RIM) to attend the launching of BlackBerry Torch 9800 on the 01 of October 2010, held at Westin Kuala Lumpur. It was a night full of glitz and glamour, at least for people from RIM as they put on a wonderful showcase.

Registration Counter

As per standard protocol, the event started with a speech by the CEO of RIM Asia before the opening show. It was an eye opener to me when Erika Chen Huan mesmerised me with her Sand Art performance.

Opening Show by Erika Chen

The show was so smooth that it looks like a cartoon animation. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, perhaps you may want to check out this video.

The entire event was rather exclusive with less than 300 invited guess, mostly from the telco's, some celebrities, medias and bloggers. It was held at the Grand Ballroom of Westin with a little twist. The ballroom was setup in such a way that when guest walked into the room, they were greeted by 3 large white wall(left, right and centre) and there were about 8 high performance projector projecting into the white walls turning it into a large digital screen. Accompany by carefully selected music in the background, the event really create an impact to those who attended the event.

BlackBerry Torch Video Presentation

More visual presentation as the pianist plays her masterpiece

We were served with a wide selection of food while seated (some were standing) and enjoying the performance arranged for the night. Very well organised I must say, as they have the food coming to us ratter than walking and queuing at the buffet line.

Everyone was given a break first after the performance and that's when I took the opportunity to collect my door gift with a little card that was given to me when I registered myself earlier.

This is the little card which I mentioned

Waiting patiently in line

This will be my first Tiffany & Co collection. Thanks to RIM.

While enjoying the break, I also took the opportunity to have a closer look at the swanky new BlackBerry Torch 9800 on display.

Ladies & Gentleman, this is the brand new BlackBerry Torch 9800

Soon everyone was usher back into the ballroom where RIM had this mini "Who wants to be a millionaire?" game which will see the winner walk away with a brand new Torch 9800.

The stage of "Who wants to be a millionaire?" with the background being projected

Since there was so many people around, Bernie Chan(a television host, actress and supermodel) the host actually picked cards from the fish bowl to select the lucky guest who will play the game. Guess what, I was one of the lucky guy selected. I was even more lucky when my opponent was Jason Lo, the CEO of TuneTalk. I was really pressure cause its like a battle between DiGi and TuneTalk(or Celcom since they own a stake in TuneTalk).

Bernie, Jason and Me

The rules is pretty simple the first person to raise their hands when the questions was read will get to answer. If the person answer wrongly, the other person will automatically qualify to the next round. Since Bernie couldn't decide who actually raise our hands first when the question was thrown to us, we were ask to play the traditional "Scissors Paper Stone" game.

Unfortunately I had to let the BlackBerry 9800 slip away at the final round when I was thrown with a question related to European History.

Though I lost, I still walk away with a BlackBerry goody bag(will talk about it below)

Bernie Chan, the host of the night.

Erica Chen Huan & Me

Me, Nicky Cheong(celebrity blogger) and his lovely cousin Elaine Daly

Daphne Iking and her lovely 2 years old daughter Isobel.

Me and my colleague from DiGi

Deejay Gold Fish, KL most sought after Deejay.

Now let me show you whats in the Tiffany & Co bag as well as the BlackBerry Goody bag which I won for losing the "Who wants to be a millionaire? game.

In the BlackBerry Goody bag:

A USB hub, Memory Card reader and a portable speakers.