Sustainability?

So as part of my "reboot" of my blog here, I would like to talk about some of the new concepts that I have learnt throughout the journey of my career so far. Today, I would like to talk about this concept of "sustainability" that has been getting more and more attention globally. I have been gradually been exposed to this concept for the past 5 years now and I have seen more and more organisations starting to look at it with a more serious tone.So what is this concept called sustainability? And how does it impact organisations?

Out of all the many definitions that you get all over, the definition I like to use is the definition from the Bruntland Report in 1987, which defines Sustainable Development as development that meets the "needs of the present, without compromising the needs of the future". Think of it as taking a long term, holistic view. There are finite resources in our planet today, energy, fuel, food, forest and all. So if we were to use it all up today, how can people in the future survive.

And this is relevant to corporates as well. If they are taking a long term view of their businesses, they would need to start looking at these sort of issues in a more serious manner. For example, energy and resource scarcity. How resilient if your business when it comes to the increasing prices of energy. The only way for energy prices is up, and if you don't take actions to buffer yourselves from the increasing energy prices, there will come a point in time where energy prices will reach levels which make it... unsustainable. And energy is only one of the key issues under this whole umbrella called sustainability.

Some people are calling it consultant spiel, which air brushes older concepts to make it look more sexy. Companies are saying that they have been looking at it anyway, even though it is not called "sustainability". Well enough, but whatever you call it, you would still need to start thinking of these sort of issues, so that you are well prepared to meeet the ever changing scenario in the future.

On a personal level, awareness of these issues have also made me think about the type of lifestyle choices I make. With oil prices on the rise, and government subsidies I was worried whether I would be able to afford paying for fuel prices in the future. With all the new energy efficient engines, and hybrid engines, I decided to downsize my car from a thirsty fuel guzzling 3 liter car to a smaller, fuel sipping 1.5 liter car. And my fuel expenses have gone drastically down, which leaves me with more spare cash to spend save. So it does make sense then, financially. But there's less excitement though! :)

Reboot

Am thinking of a reboot to my blog, and some clean up on some of the content. No one really reads much of it (judging from the view counts), but I think I may have to go back to the original objective of why I started this in the first place, which is just to keep on practising my writing. As you can see, the frequency of my posts are directly proportionate with how busy I am. Hence, you can guess that I am currently experiencing some downtime at work. Which gives me a chance to start thinking about things again. So let's see how far this goes. And where this heads.

Selamat Hari Raya 2012!!

It's coming to the end of the fasting month in 2012 now. Highlights of the fasting month this year would be:

- First time fasting with the kid this year.

- Have not gone for a buffet buka puasa this year yet.

- Although I've had Japanese for buka, which was good.

- Ooh, actually company event was a buffet buka puasa. But that buffet wasn't great though.

- Olympics, where the highlights of the olympics this year has been:

1) The Dato Lee Chong Wei final. He tried his best. We are proud of you.
2) Didn't watch Pandelela get her bronze, but proud of you too.
3) Awesome Usain Bolt in the 100m, 200m and definitely how the Jamaican's destroyed the 4 by 100m's
4) How Brazil lost the football finals to the Mexicans. I just love it when an underdog wins.

Anyway, the end of the fasting month tonight coincides with the start of the Premier League again.

Watched Gomel game and it was a good performance (2nd leg) where we destroyed them. I know, I know, it's just Gomel, but you can only play against the team in front of you. Looking forward to the start of the Rodgers revolution tonight.

But been reading some of the blogs and forums lately and I have to say some sections of the Liverpool supporters are just a bunch of delusional fools. It's like their not thankful of what they have but are more interested in what they don't have.

Almost 2 years back, we were on the brink of bankruptcy. It does happen. To even the most historically inclined and large teams. Just ask Rangers. In comes FSG, paid their cash to wipe out our debt. Took out Hodgson, and put in the fans choice, King Kenny in charge, gave him and Commolli > 100m to spend (although most of that came from the Torres sales). And it all blew up in their faces. I mean, looking at it from their point of view, I myself would be a wee bit peeved and pissed off by how it all ended up.

So they are now doing it their way. They have appointed their choice of manager now. A young and upcoming manager with his own ideas on how to play football. We aren't gonna be spending outside of our means. Seems we are spending wisely with Borini, Allen and Assaidi. And it seems we are going for the cheaper, less risky refurbishing Anfield option for the stadium issue (oh I just hope we sort that one out soon!). Things seem to be looking relatively positive.

Yes, I am upset Kenny got sacked, but he blew it himself. Ideally, I would have given him until Christmas, but then again, looking from FSG's perspective, do you really want to give him even more money to spend? Really? We just need a fresh start.

But yeah. It is FSG's man in place now. We are planning to run the club FSG's way now. Let's see whether it works now. FSG and Rodgers, and all the LFC players. You will always have my support a long as you are Liverpool. I will question and criticize if I don't agree with anything. But support you always.

You will never walk alone.

Selamat Hari Raya.Eid Mubarak. Maaf Zahir dan Batin to all.