The Global Journey of An Asian...

Ralph Waldo Emerson couldn't have said it better when he said "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us". My good ole fren Datuk Palan PhD has proven what R W Emerson meant. Palan has unleashed what lies within him.

I have known Dr Palan many years now, long before his Datukship from the Sultan of Perak. I was delighted yet humbled to have been in his guest list for the launch of his "The Global Journey of An Asian" book at Dewan Sivik MBPJ recently. Met many old frens and colleagues too. Many HR hotshots past and present. Ishak Hashim, Ramley, Nordin Ahmad, Prof Azizi Dean of OYA, Datuk Prof Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid  DVC of INTI Baccalaureate International University et al... just to name a few.

The Mentri Besar (Chief Minister) of Perak was also present. He smiled when he saw me because he remembered passing me a cup of hot tea under the tent we were staying in Mina while performing our Haj in 2010. It was sweet of him to call his photographer to snap a picture of us. The photographer emailed me the shot immediately the next day..haha.

I was saying? Yes, I knew Palan way back when I was at KTMB. During the early days of the HRD Congress that he organizes every year, there was one year where he asked me to speak. The topic was 'Change your Shoes, not your Feet' very much about personal and organizational change management. I have been with him many times after that either as a participant, moderator or panelist. Of course I like it when its abroad hahaha. I was panelist at one of his congress held in Jakarta and one in Malacca.

What I like about the book is that it give a true and sincere account of the trials, trepidations, tribulations, challenges, opportunities, the sweet and sour experiences of a journey of an entrepreneur. Not too heavy, written in simple language and with parables and stories and fun..yes fun..which is Palan's hallmark. Not too thick but yes thicker than Tengku Farith's 'Sekali lagi' when he chronicled his experiences and the not -so-smooth route of building up and sustaining his company.

Congratulations Datuk Dr Palan. You have inspired me to write about my own journey too..both corporate and personal. Nanti lah..bila senang2 sikit...I'll probably start with a pictorial one hahaha. Plenty already archived in my iPhoto hahaha..