Working Woes ......

When I first started working in the early '70s, I worked with a Company dealing with petroluem and garage equipment, metering pumps, steam cleaners and other products related to the petroluem and automotive industries. 

During that time, I had the pleasure to work under an engineer and a very experienced, middle-aged, businessman who functions as the General Manager of the Company.

Even after so many, many years I can still remember very vividly that when I first joined the Company, Mr. Yeoh took the trouble to teach me everything on pumps himself. Right from how to size a pump to all other issues related to pumps. Every morning, as soon as I arrived at the office, Mr. Yeoh, would finish his coffee and got up from his breakfast table (leaving behind the other colleagues whom he had earlier been having his breakfast with) and walks into the office. He would then take me to the blackboard and start teaching and imparting his technical knowledge to me. In between my technical lessons, he had also told me several times that I must stomach all the unfair remarks, gossips, comments and pressure from my immediate superior and peers as I was still very inexperienced. As soon as it is time for the office to begin work for the day, my lesson for the morning ends. I enjoyed and really took all my lessons very seriously then. I have always appreciated his effort, attention and helping me (as I was a very junior then) to perform and excel better in my work.

After some time, the Country was about to face a recession which had already hit the United States very badly. The Head Office there wanted our General Manager to retrench five staff from the Company in order to trim down expenses. The guessing game for all of us began. Will it be based on 'FIFO'(first in, first out) or 'LIFO'(last in, first out) some asked? 'Who will the 'unlucky' five be'? But, we were still contributing or posting profits in our books every month. Our General Manager pleaded with the Head Office many times over the phone. But, they insisted that their instruction be implemented immediately. Everyone in the office was in a state of anxiety, worried and sad. Everyone was very unhappy then.

After many discussions, pleading and pressure coming from the Head Office, our General Manager made up his mind and announced that he had tendered his resignation. He said to all of us that 'his salary is much more than the total salaries of the five staff that he had to sack'. He said that 'he cannot face sacking them because he is not only sacking the five staff''. 'Indirectly, he is also sacking their families'. So, he decided to resign himself. I continued working there for another few months and then resigned to work with another Company closer to home.

I got in touch with Mr. Yeoh after many months when he happened to spend a night in my hometown while on a business trip. We had dinner together that night. We spoke very briefly on the latest developments in the previous company. Then, it shifted as to why he decided to resign and how he had to face his wife, convinced her  and immediately got her full support in their new endeavour. He told his wife the very evening when he had resigned from work that 'a loaf of bread today cost less than a dollar'. 'With his knowledge, experience and exposure he do do not think that they will have to survive on a loaf of bread a day'. His wife then saw the point and agreed with him. She was inspired by what he had said and was confident that tomorrow can be better. 

They started their own business almost immediately with her working as his secretary. Their business started very well. Many overseas manufacturers were impressed with Mr. Yeoh's action and belief. They appointed the Company as their sole Distributor. They had a very good start. I am still optimistic that their business must have since grown by leaps and bounds.

What Mr. Yeoh shared with me that evening was a very valuable lesson. It moved me. He was a great source of inspiration to me. I have been applying, practising and guided by his principles and belief. From him, I have learnt some of the greatest lessons on 'human relations' and 'management'.

I have completely lost touch with Mr. Yeoh many, many years ago. In my work, I have been relocated here and there. And, have moved into different industries. I no longer have any information about him at all. He is the most wonderful boss that I ever have in my working life. Wherever he is, I sincerely pray that the good Lord will continue to shower Mr. Yeoh with His blessings.