Session with Datuk Bridget Lai @ FSTEP

Alliance Financial Group (AFG) CEO Datuk Bridget Lai, a well known lady in banking industry has visited us this morning.

I don't think I need to introduce about her biodata here, you can find out more about her in the Web.

I would share something astonished me this morning. First, she was a FOREX Dealer, a FOREX Dealer who is holding the largest volume in Malaysia. (Every FOREX trader has their own limit in trading.)

Second, she has been to many of the famous business school in the world: Havard, Cambridge, UK Business School...and some I couldn't recall their names. But all these Universities are the 'dream University' of everyone in the world. If you get admitted into one of the University you are considered one of the sharpest knife in the world, yet, she did not go for one only...

Third, she can balanced her busy working life and family life. This is not easy. A lot of people facing this problem and she managed to control it.

She keep telling us that "I am just an ordinary person". Maybe, she is an ordinary person that has made some extra-ordinary choices in life and she climbed up to the top now... that makes her not ordinary... She was a Law student and she made some decision and become a banker... and now the Group CEO of Alliance Bank. Life is full of choices and chances, when the chance comes, don't hesitate and make your choise = Grap the chance!

There are two other ladies she have mentioned: Tan Sri Dato' Zeti, Governor of BNM, the BEST Gorvernor of Central Banks in the World; Ms. Yvonne Chia, Group Managing Director of Hong Leong Bank, the first lady CEO in Malaysia. They are the role model of all of us who want to be successful in life.

Below are something I really like from her presentation:

" I have made a lot of mistakes in my life, do not afraid of making mistakes, you wouldn't learn anything if you never fail before."

If you say you are unhappy with your bonus. Think again, you are paid to do a good job for the company, everyone is doing a good job and that is why they are getting their salary every month; but you have to do excellence job to get good bonus! so stop complaining and be excellent!

If a woman is thinking of marrying a guy and hope to become a full time housewife will have to think again. If the guy you married is a talented and ambitious guy (which every lady is hoping), and you do not have the topics or talents to communicate with him, you will be in trouble. Do you think he will talk to you about kitchen stuff? neighbours' gossip? or some artists' news?

For guys, encourage your love ones to pursue their dreams and career. Sometimes they made their mind thinking of YOU and they give up what they want in life. Ladies are same like us, they have ambition and big dreams, so do not stop them to do something big in their lives. Support them.