Serve, Learn & Lead with Raymond Tay

An Interview by Penny’s Daybook

One of our friends, Adine Chin, a freelance writer/copywriter & a creative writing teacher has contacted us for an interview about Leader’s Wheel and ourselves to feature in her “Inspiring Entrepreneurs” story in their Penny’s Daybook. We are happy to complete her interview and hopefully inspire people who needs some encouragement to take the first step in starting a biz. Below is the interview (answered by Raymond & Keith):

1. In 3 words, tell us what Leader’s Wheel is all about.

Moulding Tomorrow’s Leaders.

2. Which clear, or perhaps, unexpected path in life led you to what you’re doing now?

It was a long journey that led us to discover what we love to do. During our secondary school’s days and continued volunteering service in St. John Ambulance Brigade (SJAB), we had been trained to be a leader and empowered to develop our juniors into leaders as well. Through this CCA, we had many opportunities to attend many leadership courses and after that, we were given the chance to take upon various key roles (like Platoon Commander, Training Officer, Support Officer, Cadet Officer, Finance Officer) to serve, learn and lead. You can say that SJAB shaped our character and destiny.

3. To train leaders, you’ve got to be one too. So tell us how things were when you guys were trying to build this idea from scratch and how you managed to pull through.

Certainly, you must be a leader first before train others to be. A common phrase is “Lead by Example.” Once we are very clear what we are going to do, everything will seem possible. As we have created leadership programmes before, it was not too difficult to continue to use the useful contents to teach young leaders-to-be. Of course, there are many unknowns when starting a business (e.g. knowing how to register a biz, designing website, and contacting the schools). But when you love what you do and focus on your end intention (which is helping & changing young souls), you will continue to take small steps and overcome all obstacles to reach your goals.

4. Before building Leader’s Wheel, how different/similar were your personal goals as compared to now?

I think for majority of us, when we are young, we dream of many different careers (like doctor, lawyer, policeman, prison officer, businessman) as we are not too certain of what we want to do. Thus indeed it was very different for me compared to now. Fortunately, I would say I am lucky to find my passion early in life so I will not be hitting too many walls along.

5. Tell us, what’s the ONE thing (besides leadership, of course) that will cause an individual to stand out from the crowd?

I think it is our “FOCUS” in life or “CLARITY” of our destiny. As many people are not very sure what they want to do, so they will just follow the crowd or listen to their parents, teachers, professors or schools. Thus, it is vital for an individual to be certain of what he/she wants to achieve in life and work towards their goals accordingly.

6. How would you encourage/inspire individuals who want to pursue their ambitions of owning a business, or just pursing unconventional interests?

You can say “easy and/or difficult”. It is easy to inspire people who are clear of their personal direction and difficult to help someone to discover their interests (as it is a personal thing). One thing we would highlight is that not all of us need to be entrepreneur, as you need certain personalities to be one and the world cannot operate if all of us become a business owner (as there is no employees to hire). There is a wonderful mandarin quote: “Every occupation will create its scholars and talents”.


7. How do each of you overcome challenges and prove naysayers wrong?

Perseverance is the key to success. If you do not believe in yourself and what you are doing and chose to give up at the earliest opportunity when facing any problems, you will never succeed in life. Thus, instead of running away from problems, we chose to face our challenges bravely and adjust our strategies accordingly to overcome the challenges faced.

8. What’re the best and worst things about doing what you’re doing now?

The best thing is that we are able to do the things we like and have a passion for as our career. Many a times, people are grumbling about their jobs (e.g. mundane work, unfriendly colleagues) and just work for the sake of money. But for us, we are glad that we have an opportunity to do what we like and have a sustainable income at the same time. The worst thing will be not being accepted by the schools. We treat rejections as reality of life and if we ask enough people, someone will say, “Yes!”.

9. What inspires you?

Personally, I am a person who thrives under adversity. Thus for me, my inspiration comes from sportsmen who have come back successfully after overcoming their personal challenges accordingly because these people have many qualities which I can learn and tap from. One such example is Lance Armstrong who did not quit competing in cycling races even though he was diagnosed with his testicular cancer.

10. What’s one thing we really, really must know about the team at Leader’s Wheel?

In Leader’s Wheel, we are forward looking. We are constantly seeking improvements in all aspects of our company and lives. We look for various avenues to enrich and better equipped ourselves so that we are able to face any challenges ahead.

11. What’s one experience that has touched you the most in your line of work since Leader’s Wheel?

The experience that has touched me the most must be the industry visit I had arranged with one of our partners. They are a non-profit organization which provides job placement service for people with disabilities (PWD). By reaching out to the PWD and assisting them in achieving independence, dignity and integration into the mainstream of society, this experience of working closely with the PWD have truly touched me. I am more determined to bring the awareness of this organisation to the students we are teaching.

12. What are you looking forward to in 2010 (personally and also for Leader’s Wheel)?

Personally, I am looking at being able to share my knowledge with more people; students in particular, as I had always believe that the students can achieve higher well-being with valuable advices and knowledge. As for Leader’s Wheel, we aim to reach out to more schools and enriched the lives of 10,000 students by the end of 2010. (Currently, we have moulded 2,116 and still counting…)

13. As promised, our theme for Feburary’s “Red Hot” and we want you to complete our tiny fill in the blanks section!

My idea image of something “Red Hot” (‘chilli/curry aren’t allowed) is the fire in each of us.

If I weren’t managing Leader’s Wheel, I’d be an educator and be volunteering to develop youth.

If I had to make my way through the crazy Lunar New Year traffic, I’d rather listen to my favourite music and my role models’ speeches to cool down.

I’d like to exercise right now with my buddy.

Exercising and living keep me refreshed.

Our Recent Assembly Talks @ East View Primary School on Goal Setting:

Being Grateful in Mandarin

It’s not my usual practice to put in other languages for my post, but I think it is a good reminder for Chinese people to learn to be grateful. Personally, I enjoy this short scripts:

钱多钱少，够吃就好。
人丑人美，顺眼就好。
人老人少，健康就好。
家穷家富，和气就好。
老公晚归，有回就好。
老婆唠叨，顾家就好。
孩子从小，就要教好。
博士也好，卖菜也好。
房屋大小，能住就好。
名不名牌，能穿就好。
两轮四轮，能驾就好。
老板不好，要忍就好。
一切烦恼，能解就好。
切莫执着，放下最好。
人的一生，平安就好。
不是有钱，一定会好。
心好行好，命能改好。
谁是谁非，天知就好。
修福修慧，来世更好。
天地万物，随缘就好。
很多事情，看开就好。
说这么多，明白就好。
人人都好，日日都好。
你好我好，世界更好。
总而言之，知足最好。

Focus on Small & Consistent Gains!!

Is stock investment risky?

Yes, indeed when we did not have the necessary knowledge and discipline. I’ve started stock & options trading since 2007 and have experienced good profits and bad lossess too. After reviewing my trading performance, I need to improve and learn to apply the right investment strategy/ plan. Thus I went to seek for more knowledge and find out an Millionaire Trader, Mirriam MacWilliams.

Mirriam made over US$2 million in less than 2 years in the options trading with a starting capital of just US$10,000. She is the former National Director of Education of the largest non-profit investment club in USA.

After listening to her tips & advice, I’ve discovered my own mistakes and she really opened up my mind the possibilities & new concepts (esp. Focus on Small & Consistent Gains). I’ve not been in control of my greed & fear towards trading. An automated stop loss & target price need to implement to make us an objective investor. If you can make at least 7 out of 10 trades profitable, your strategy is good.

Also, I never knew that the top 10 rated companies (by the StockScouter in Money Central, MSN) actually outperformed S&P 500 index by 22% since 2001. I’ll make use of it from now on.

Make an informed decision!!

Invest in your education first:

Getting Inspiration to Keep Moving

I always have a strong interest to read/listen/watch any valuable materials that give inspiration & ideas to make my life better. If you share this common interest with me, I welcome you to visit my blog regularly. Today, when I did a search on “wealth“, this man appears again and certainly, he’ll consistently be the one being top of the list. Hopefully, you can guess correctly. None other than Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft. If you think you are introvert and don’t believe that you can make a difference, he’s the Richest Introvert Man in the World. I enjoy listening to him and see how he uses his passion & determination to grow Microsoft. Personally, I think it’s not just about setting a software company at the right time but you love what you are doing and continuously seek improvements. That’s really the key of success. One more thing: ”He empowers people and train up leaders!!” A wealth quote that I can relate to him is “If you want to help the poor, don’t be like them.“ Can a poor person help a poor person? Of course can, but it will be very tough. You need to help yourself first, get wealthy and then you can be help more people. Watch the video and keep moving:

Michael Dell is in the video too. =)

Time to Set Compelling Goals for 2010

Every year without fail, I’ll find time to sit down and write down my goals for the new year. With computer/laptop nowadays, I can easily search and select several empowering pictures for my Vision Wallpaper (instead of a real board) and I think it’s good enough (esp. I need to face my laptop daily). My vision wallpaper will act as a reminder for me to focus and continue to stay motivated & hopeful to reach my goals.

You can follow me or choose the most practical way for yourself. As usual, I have set goals for all aspects of my life (e.g. relationship, financial, business, health and other personal development goals). I encourage you to do so too and not to neglect any areas of your life as we’ll not feel fulfilled if there’s still an area that you are not happy about. My favourite words are “To Be A Complete Human!!”

I believe most of you already know the importance & benefits of goal setting (if you don’t, can drop me some comments) and thus I’ll not elucidate over here.

Have you heard of the 1953 Yale Goal Study? I have read this study in a couple of books and curious whether it really exists. To my surprise, after spending some time in researching, I saw my articles stating that it’s actually a fiction or myth and there are even like-minded people went to ask Tony Robbins/Zig Ziglar/ Yale University about the evidence of this study. It seems like no one can provide the facts or reports. Quite disappointed but still enjoyed the story.

Interestingly, there was a “Written Goal Study“ by Gail Matthews, from Dominican University. This study consisted of 267 participants from  United States, Belgium, England, India, Australia and Japan and they were made up of entrepreneurs, educators, healthcare professionals, artists, attorneys, bankers, marketers, human services providers, managers, vice presidents, directors of non-profits, etc.

The participants were randomly assigned into these 5 groups:

• Group 1- Unwritten Goal (thinking about what they wanted to accomplish over the next 4 weeks)
• Group 2- Written Goal
• Group 3- Written Goal & Action Commitments
• Group 4- Written Goal, Action Commitments to a Friend
• Group 5- Written Goal, Action Commitments & Progress Reports to a Friend

The results of this study concluded that:

1. The positive effect of accountability was supported: those who sent weekly progress reports to their friend accomplished significantly more than those who had unwritten goals, wrote their goals, formulated action commitments or sent those action commitments to a friend.
2. There was support for the role of public commitment: those who sent their commitments to a friend accomplished significantly more than those who wrote action commitments or did not write their goals.
3. The positive effect of written goals was supported: Those who wrote their goals accomplished significantly more than those who did not write their goals.

Now there’s this substantial research to support the impact of written goals. As expected, we have been told and understand the Power of Goals. So why wait if you haven’t start to write down your goals? It’s free anyway and nothing to lose. =)

Also, Performance is maximized even when the goal is not achieved!

Take ACTION now!!

“Think little goals and expect little achievements. Think big goals and win big success.“ – David Joseph Schwartz

“You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you had to overcome to reach your goals.” – Booker T. Washington

Wanting to Write On Your Wall?

This business idea is really creative and solves our writing problem (esp. those who love to vandalize walls). My room has a whiteboard and I’ve almost stopped writing anything on it. Cz if I leave the writing too long, I’ll have a hard time to erase it. Just put a few reminders & posters only. After seeing this, I almost have the urge to purchase this paint and start transforming my entire 4 walls. I think this paint is much better quality than my whiteboard. As an educator, I feel connected with the teaching tools and I believe it can spur the creativity & innovation in many people.

IdeaPaint is created by three Babson College graduates and it dries to create a surface that any dry-erase marker can wipe it clean. Presently, this paint sells for $3.50 to $4.00 per square foot of coating. Any simple idea can turn out to be a profitable biz idea!!

Curious about LASIK?

I believe many of us have some degree of myopia and I need to wear spectacles or contact lenses daily. A couple of months ago, my sister actually went for LASIK (Laser In-situ Keratomileusis) to correct her eyesight (like 500 to 700 degrees) and she commented that it was really fast (less than 5 minutes) and did not feel much pain during the surgery.

Within the first few days of the LASIK, she experienced a bit of mild discomfort and tearing but shortly, she recovered and can see very clearly (almost perfect eyesight). Now, she is free of the trouble of cleaning/wearing contact lenses and saves the cost of maintaining the lenses. Still it is important to understand the risk involved and always seek doctor’s advice.

Watch & learn about LASIK by Singapore National Eye Centre.

For people who situated in U.S, you might consider Stahl Eye Center, which has been serving patients for more than 35 years and has three locations in New York including Manhattan and Long Island.

Giving Matters!!

This Christmas season I attended my friend’s church and watched their awesome performance about love story & the birth of Jesus. In the recent years, I’ve been spending my X’mas days in church as the origin of this festival is created by Him and I feel really peaceful & happy to join their celebration. I’m still a free-thinker and respect all religions. Just enjoy some of the Christianity’s preachings and their followers’ personal stories. At that church, they were issuing their magazines and after the service, I began to read a few articles in it.

There is an article talked about Arthur Brooks, a researcher and professor, and his book, “Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compasionate Conservatism Who Gives, Who Doesn’t, and Why It Matters“. It has struck me about the benefits of GIVING.

“In terms of physical health and happiness, Brooks notes that people who give more charitably are 43 percent more likely to say they are “very happy” than non-givers, while non-givers are three and a half times more likely than givers to report they are “not happy at all.”

In addition, several large studies have also found that senior citizens who volunteer have a 40 percent lower probability of dying in a given year than people of the same age and health level.

Giving also increases personal and well as national prosperity. Pointing to a survey conducted in 2000 that controlled for education, age, race and all the other outside explanations for giving and income increases, Brooks reports that a dollar donated to charity was associated with $4.35 in extra income.

Of this additional income, $3.75 was due to the dollar given to charity. At the national level, a 1 percent increase in national giving appeared to increase real GDP by about $36 billion.”

(Adapted from The Heritage Foundation)

After reading this, we should strive to give whenever we can (esp. when somebody’s doing fundraising). It makes us feel good and let us know that we have more than enough.

Owning Car in S’pore & Car Accessories

Should one own a car in S’pore? It’s very expensive to own a car in S’pore and you’ll need to spend at least S$1,000 a month for petrol, road tax, ERP, parking, servicing, etc. If you would just take public transport, you will only spend about S$150/month. Nevertheless, I believe all of us aspire to own a car as it’ll show your financial well-being. But when you are just surviving, then you should not let yourself struggling to pay your bills every month for the sake of having a car. Although S’pore’s public transport system is very comprehensive, we should strive to own a car and increase our income to live a comfortable life.

For car owners,

What car accessories are you are looking for?
Here are the Top 10 Car Accessories for you:

#1 Auto Seat Cover: Sitting comfortably and protect your seat from burns, stains, wear and tear.

#2 Car Cover: Especially if you always park outdoor or under trees, protecting your car from scratches or dents.

#3 Floor Mats: There’ll always be times when your shoes are dirty esp. raining day. Find the right floor mat to match your car interior’s motif.

#4 Steering Wheel Cover: Do you eat while driving? Improving your grip.

#5 Hands-Free Mobile Phone Connector: Not advisable to talk on phone while driving but there might be emergency situations that you need to answer/use the phone.

#6 Mobile Phone Charger: You can eliminate the chance of forgetting to charge your phone at home.

#7 A Handheld Vacuum Cleaner: Come in handy when you need to clean up the crumbs and dirt.

#8 Battery Charger: Allow you to kick-start or re-charge your car battery easily. 

#9 Safety Seat(s) for Children: Very important if you’ve babies/kids.

#10 Safety Harness for your Pet: Prevent your pet from unfortunate mishaps when you accelerate/ break.

Be the STARS and Shine!!

During this month, I helped out in a life-changing Camp STARS @ Ngee Ann Polytechnic, organised by Clementi Police Division. A 3D2N camp for at-risk students. It was an unique & moving experience for me (esp. when I discovered about their lives, challenges & behaviours).

The camp started off by a talk on Social Entrepreneurship (speaker: Ms Elim Chew, Founder & President of 77 th Street (S) Pte Ltd). She shared about her beliefs and inspiring stories that she has heard of & created. By offering shopping vouchers to the students, she was able to let them realised how opportunities are being grabbed or overlooked.

Everyone has HABITS and if you take out the  ”H”, you have “ABIT”. If you take away “A”, you’ve “H  BIT”. When you throw away “B”, you still have “HA  IT”. It means you will always live with your habits, unless you took tremendous effort to change them. 

What is “IMPOSSIBLE”? It’s “I M POSSIBLE!!!“.

Sometimes we can feel down and unmotivated and there is a very interesting Fun Theory that you can apply or watch. =)

In Barcelona 1992 Olympic, which athlete do you remember? Or what is the name of any gold medalist? This is the man who didn’t win but many people will remember him. He is Derek Redmond and got a hamstring injury during his 400m race. His heavenly father helped him to complete the race.

The Camp STARS was full of powerful cheers and consisted of many students (from different schools, races & CCAs), facilitators, student volunteers & police officers.  The key activity was the Amazing Race which focused on racial harmony and different cultures’ festivals, apparels & music. The game stations are Police Post, Chinatown, Little India, Holland Village, Social Centre and Malay Village. It was my first time making a chinese dumpling and having my hands painted with hanahs. Quite fun and learn to appreciate different cultures. The students also had the opportunity to gain knowledge about investing & trading on gold, oil & diamond through a auction activity.

The whole 3D2N food were buffet and were the most scrumptious camp meals that I’ve eaten. Superb!! Great way to keep the students here.

At the reflection/sharing sessions, each students shared about their families & bad records that they had. One of the students had a single-parent and another student experienced child abuse by his father. Some students had been caught for stealing, fighting and even molesting. There was also a police officer who talked about his notorious brother who was caught for threatening a taxi driver for money and went to jail a few times. I felt a bit heartbroken & grief after hearing their stories.

Hope this camp had made them understand ”Any Action has its own Consequences“ and shared love, peace & joy amongst the people. Building friendship and support groups.