How many lives made wonderful by discovering true life-purpose, whose joy is to willingly render self-dedication in bringing this purpose to completion.

And for business professionals, what could be more meaningful than finding a job that they're passionate about, and being given the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience, and use their gifts.

Gifts? Yes. The business professionals we’re about to feature here are skilled migrants. Coming from different countries, they are not only equipped with professional skills but also with the gift of language; they speak at least bilingual: English and their mother tongue – either Mandarin, Korean, Malay, Cambodian, Hindi, or Spanish.

They migrated to Australia for a number of reasons – due to family reason, for better future, or simply their love for Australia. However, searching for job opportunities haven’t been really easy for them, let alone finding one.

Could it be that they know not how? Or could it be employers who couldn’t recognize their capability? Or could it be they know not how to convince the employers?

In fact, there are some truths in all of the above: these skilled migrants after experiencing some unsuccessful job applications, often they become discouraged as their self-doubt starts to creep in. Especially for some of them, who have been out of work for a while due to employment termination or family reasons.

Losing courage and self-confidence is very daunting.

Frodo, in the Fellowship of the Ring – realising that he was in danger but didn’t know how to face it – also suffered such a discouragement.

“But where shall I find courage?” asked Frodo. “That is what I chiefly need”

“Courage is found in unlikely places,” said Gildor (his companion, an Elf)

Indeed, courage, along with self-confidence, is also what these skilled migrants mostly need. While it’s true that courage or self-confidence can be found in unlikely places, however, it’s not just where to find it, but how to get it.

For the 3rd time, Reach Your Potential – a five-week employability skills workshop, sponsored by Crows Nest Centre and Hornsby Shire Council – was conducted. The workshop is specially designed to help skilled migrants reconnect themselves with their skills and experience in order to find their self-confidence back, and develop their employability skills within the Australian working framework.

It was conducted in Lindfield Library (Lindfield), and attended by 12 skilled migrants – from India, China, Korea, Malaysia, Cambodia, Mexico, Columbia, and Spain – whose academic and professional background and past experiences are quite fascinating.

They shared two main challenges: first, how to find their confidence back; second, how to get a job that fits their skills or passions, therefore establish their presence in the Australian working place.

Finding the authentic career story. It was here in Reach Your Potential where Janice Hui and Fourteena Halim led them on an intellectual journey, a journey to return to themselves in order to discover their “intellectual treasure”:  their skills and experience, and to assess their strengths. And captured all of their findings in a story – their authentic and unique career story.

How is it not authentic and unique when you find in their stories a former successful entrepreneur whose passions are in bookkeeping and accounting and wants to find a job as a bookkeeper while pursuing his studies in business; a young industrial engineer who chose to be a marketer, while a senior marketer who found a new talent in teaching wishes to find a job in education; or a web designer – who holds a master’s degree in computer studies but also is a bachelor in economics – had recently undertaken a role as finance controller; or a senior telecom engineer who also has an accounting skill background, but wishes to remain to be a telecom engineer.

Among the 12, there are four who have been in a technical role – hardware or software expert with strong technical background – who aspire to find a role in the same area; and, there’s also a senior purchasing officer who still passionate about purchasing and an accountant with pure accounting background – both want to return to the work force in the area of their expertise, after a few years of career break. And finally there’s one – a bachelor in science who also holds a diploma in computer programming – whose dream job is to be a laboratory technician.

Through their story, they’ve finally found and saw their core values. Upon finding them, their level of confidence increased: they now believe that they truly have something to contribute to the Australian working place.

Refreshing the communication skills. But the story alone wouldn’t mean much unless they know how communicate it articulately. Indeed, it was in Reach Your Potential that they also had a chance to refresh their communication skills, namely, writing, speaking and listening, and self-presentation.

Again for job seekers, one of the most important tools is resume; therefore apart from refreshing their communication skills, a special session was dedicated to writing resume, carefully reviewing job descriptions and responding to them, as well as preparing cover letter and job interviews.

Five weeks have passed since 17 July 2014:  their story written, resume polished, and their communication skills refreshed – their confidence’s back; nothing more exciting than to be once again dare to set out on a further journey – a job seeking journey – but this time, they hold the right tools in their hands!

Spring time is coming, a season of glad songs will be here again (Song of Songs); may we all soon hear a glad surprise, too, from one and each of them, saying: “I did it, I’ve got a job!”

We wish them all the very best, and let's toast for their success!

Never forget to toast for success: "May you face tomorrow confidently and courageously and be successful!"
Cai, Belen, Snehal, Zaneta, Janice, Ninive, Fourteena, Sebastian, Pern, Cecilia, Ethan, Lucy, Jane (Steven, Tony, Sunita -- not in the picture)

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began,
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,  (The Lord of the Rings)

This was the rhyme that heavily-burdened Frodo was softly singing to himself as he was walking further and further away from his homeland, the Shire, to undertake the journey to deliver the Ring to where it belongs.

Like the hero of the Lord of the Rings, Frodo, six skilled migrants: Solmaz, Kim, Chris, John, Astrid and Uta  are now far ahead from where they are from.

They are now in Australia. And like Frodo, these six migrants must also follow the Road, if Frodo has to deliver the Ring to where it belongs, these six migrants must find a job.

"if I can ..." some of them ask.

Of course, you can! Yes, the road may go ever on and on -- in other words finding an employment in Australia can be a never ending quest but walk on, that is the only way!

And a long the way, they stopped and attended Reach Your Potential, a five-week employability skills workshop, specially designed for migrants with skills from overseas. 

For the second time, Janice and Fourteena teamed up and conducted the workshop. This time workshop -- organised by Zaneta Figiel, Crows Nest Centre's Settlement Services Coordinator -- was held at Crows Nest Centre (also sponsored by Willoughby City Council and MOSAIC Multicultural Centre).

Solmaz, Kim, Chris, John, Astrid and Uta were the six participants who persevered and, at last, completed the whole five-week program on 27 March 2014.

It is in Reach Your Potential, Janice and Fourteena took them into an intellectual journey to get in touch with their capabilities; to give their self-doubts a rest and to trust more in their passions: hopes and dreams -- these what kept them going. 

Solmaz from Iran, whose academic background is in architecture, is an artistic and creative interior designer. She dreams to find a job in any architectural firm in Sydney. But she doesn’t have any knowledge of the Australian working culture; she is lost.

Kim from Vietnam, a very bright girl -- fascinated by science -- undertook studies in medical and biomedical science specialising in laboratory technique in pathology at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). In fact she was just recently graduated; she needs guidance as she is about entering into the professional world.

Meanwhile, from China, Chris brought with him his vast knowledge and experience in complex IT infrastructure, project management, and IT consulting capabilities -- but he hasn't been successful in securing a job; he is at the point of his frustration.

John from Korea is a talented individual; he is an expert in business intelligence (BI) analytics. While his short-term goal is completing his master's degree in marketing at the University of Sydney, he is aspired to find a job upon completing his studies. However, John has no clue at all how to be part of the Australian working culture. 

From Germany, Astrid has a strong background in human resources and office administration skills, she loves working with people; for a while she worked at one of European consulate offices in Sydney, and then she took a career break due to family reason; now she is ready to return to workforce but she has lost her confidence! 

Similarly, Uta, also from Germany, she was a senior office administrator specialising in law offices in Berlin; working with people -- lawyers and clients alike -- was Uta's enjoyable duties. She was absolutely good at what she was doing -- she demonstrated it while doing a voluntary work at the Australian Red Cross; she was so good, that she was offered a job on a casual basis. Still, she needs a full-time job -- she has so much to offer. But like Astrid, she has also lost her confidence.

In Reach Your Potential, not only Fourteena and Janice worked closely with them: assessed their strengths, helped them set their career goals, trained them in the most important skills needed in the professional world --communications and self presentation -- but also coached them how to be ready in their job seeking endeavour: from building their resume, writing a cover letter, crafting their self pitch, to interview practices.

In five weeks? Can it be done? 

Certainly! Believe it or not, in week 4 -- Chris shared his joy, he received a job screening call from a potential employer concerning one of his job applications. And in the last week -- week 5, Uta shared hers: she was invited to an interview for a job that she applied in the same week -- her dream job!

Five weeks-- since 27 February 2014-- have passed: Along with their career story is their clear understanding of their unique skills and qualities; best of all Chris, Astrid, and Uta found their confidence back; and Solmaz, Kim, and John found some directions on how to apply a job in Australia.  

Yes, the road may go ever on and on --the quest to find an employment may seem never ending and they must walk on, but now they will walk on with confidence.

Well done Solmaz, Kim, Chris, John, Astrid and Uta! Now, let's toast for your success: "May the stars shine upon the end of your road." (The Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Ring)

Janice and Fourtena  would like to thank Zaneta Figiel and her manager, Denise Ward, Executive Officer of Crows Nest Centre, who have made this workshop possible and successful; Rita Leung of Willoughby City Council and Mosaic Multicultural Centre for her continuous support.

Read the full story of the first Reach Your Potential's participants http://www.14arcaustralia.com/2/post/2013/11/reach1.html

Every Christmas we hear the story of how three wise men from the East travel together to find a child of their dream. With the guidance of one bright star, they did in the end find Him, the little babe lying in a manger.

There are many ways to pursue a dream, but travelling together with people who have the same dream and to have constant support like a guiding light makes the whole effort delightful.

Rina and Andi are two talented housewives who dream to have their own business. 

Rina works wonderfully with her fingers -- she creates arts and crafts, you name it: cushions, table runners, bags, blankets, and so on. Andi, on the other hand, sees business in the pile of pretty dresses and scarves from where she came from, Indonesia. 

Their entrepreneurial spirit persuaded them to undertake a Certificate III in Micro Business Operations course at the Migrant Women's Micro Business Program conducted by the Canterbury City Community Centre in partnership with Sydney Community College. As part of this course, they have to have a 10-hour business mentoring session with a business mentor. 

Slowly but surely. Rina and Andi were indeed two entrepreneurs in the making. It took them six months, from May-November 2013, to complete the 10-hour mentoring program with their appointed mentor, Fourteena of Arc Australia, a business strategy professional.

Having creativity and great ideas are true blessings, but turning them into business takes learning. This is where Fourteena, using her real-business experience and business management practices, inspired Rina and Andi to learn many practical things -- from building expertise (within their business ideas), creating business direction to applying time management technique; from creating their business name to pitching and marketing their products with the right message and pricing strategy.

Sounds exciting? Sure thing! It was indeed an exciting learning journey that has helped Rina and Andi build their professionalism and confidence. 

Andi, now the owner of "Pretty with Scarves" online shop, admitted: "Before meeting Fourteena, I was not so sure with my idea. I didn't even dare to talk about it. I kept it myself. But now, I am confident, I can do this business -- in fact, my "Pretty with Scarves" has been selling!"

Rina also felt the same, though sometimes doubt creeps in, but she knows what she produces are unique and special. By now, Rina's "Crafts with Love" has already been receiving orders from customers.


Congratulations to both of you, Rina and Andi. Your dreams have come true!

Fourteena is now an executive coach for young professionals; through coaching sessions, Fourteena helps them reach their potentials. Read their stories  a-transformation-moment-all-they-need-is-just-a-little-light.html
And here the recent work journey-to-change-nothing-is-too-difficult.html

​Stay connected. Join the circle of "A" great team www.facebook.com/Arc-Australia-Consulting-118192751679453/

Recently, I received a couple of thank-you cards; one from a publisher who thanked me for subscribing its magazine, and the other  from an agent who thanked me for using its service.

Only two simple words written on the cards: thank you. Yet, they were powerful enough to show professionalism that made me felt confident to deal with the people of such quality. 

When did the last time you say thank you to people around you -- people who work for you or with you?

Thank you -- when said sincerely released the power of goodness like fresh air. As essential as fresh air for our health and well-being, so is the power of goodness for our positive attitude in the work place.

Celebrating their contributions
A few years ago, as a bid manager* who managed seven winning bids for airport's IT infrastructure across the Pacific Islands countries, I was invited to speak in front of our support and operations team for airports in these countries. I was glad, as it was also a great opportunity to meet them in person. Apart from updating them what was happening in the airport's business unit, I emphasised two things: their valuable contributions in those winning bids and my heartfelt thanks. 

I was very specific in what I thanked for (the kind of contributions they made) and whom I thanked to. Not just general appreciation. 

At the end of the meeting, the team crowded me, and said thank you in return for thanking them openly. They confessed they never knew the importance of their roles in the whole process. They thought they were just a bunch of engineers who day in and day out worked at an airport site -- dealing with airport's operational incidents and ensuring its smooth operations -- nothing more outside their routine activities. They never realised, they, too, were part of the success. 

When they told me how much it meant for them to be thanked for, I was overwhelmed -- I didn't expect such response. Few years have passed but I still can remember their happy faces. From then on, certainly, it made lives at work purposeful and meaningful for both parties.

Create a culture of gratitude 
Another vivid example: in my recent role as a fundraising's Executive Officer for a Jesuit parish that constituted three Catholics churches in the North Sydney area. Two simple words -- thank you -- were my secret weapon.  In fact, I didn't just say it, I handwritten my thank-yous and sent them to our donors. In a few months I wrote hundreds of them. 

When I unexpectedly met them in person, and when they heard my name mentioned, their first greetings were always: "Thank you for the lovely card you sent us". They didn't just thank me in return but they also acknowledged my presence in their midst. The encounter, then, usually left me with a wonderful feeling, and best of all the returned donors -- they contributed again! Otherwise, how else could I raise (nearly) $500,000 in four months? Read its full story how I did it legacy-what-do-you-want-to-be-remembered-for.html.

Another great example in a bigger scale was when Doug Conant, former president and CEO of the Campbell Soup Company, started at Campbell. The employees' morale was very low. It was one of his main tasks to improve it. How Doug did it: He directly acknowledged and appreciated every employee's contribution, at Campbell around the world, by writing him/her a note of appreciation or thank-you. In the midst of his crazy schedule, he always found time to personalise and write 10-20 notes per day. He said to thank them by email was okay but was not sufficient; on the other hand, thanking them specifically and personally by sending them a handwritten note showed how much he cared. The result was amazing: the morale improved; the productivity increased.

If Doug Conant's approach was for him to thank the employees, at Mattel, Robert A. Eckert, former chairman and CEO from 2000-11, created a culture of thanking each other. The culture allowing employees recognise and thank one another with a simple e-certificate for a free drink or coffee. He believed, a thank-you habit like this was key to Mattel, for six years running, being named as one of Fortune's Best Companies to Work For.

Let it begin with you
Maybe we don't need such a formal ceremony for saying thank you. And certainly it doesn't take extra time to appreciate someone's well-done work. But if anyone cares to make it as a habit, like Doug Conant, it is the most certain way of creating a culture of gratitude in a working place. 

Believe it or not, a culture of gratitude creates much-needed positive energy for sustainable performance. 

How? 

Positive energy drives productivity and creativity of the employees. Positive energy makes them thrive -- in other words, it makes them enjoy and love their work. And what does it mean to the company? The improved bottom line -- the overall company performance. 

Again, when was the last time you said thank you to the people around you -- whose presence or work have made your personal and professional life meaningful? Or when was the last time you sent a thank-you note to them? 

If you don't remember, it's a time for you to do so --  start creating a culture of gratitude -- let it begin with you.

Thank you for reading this article.

*About the author:
Fourteena is a trained and experienced bid manager who acquired her strategic bid management skills in Geneva, Switzerland. Since 2000, she has led virtual bid teams to successfully win about 45 airport's IT Infrastructure tenders/bids, worth $US80 million, across Australia; New Zealand; the Asian Pacific countries: India, China, Taiwan, Japan; and countries in the South Pacific Islands. View her profile http://www.linkedin.com/pub/fourteena-p-d-halim/27/41a/932

 "Pinkish for girls; blueish for boys"
This may be just stereotype gendered-color schemes for babies or children, but it still applies when someone thinks my father is a carpenter, I too, must become a carpenter.

Or I was born and grew up in this town. I will do the same as what others before me have done, including grow old and die in the same place.


Worst, when someone charts his path to success or destiny merely by believing what others say about him. If your boss says: "You're not good enough. You can never get a job else where. Lucky you, we still let you keep the job here!" You believe it -- even listen to it like a lullaby. And, like a puppy obeying its master, you keep doing what you're doing until one day you're about to retire, suddenly your eyes open, silently you regret it and say -- "I wish I had quit the job long ago".  Sounds like an unhappy career ending, doesn't it?

How can you fulfil your potential if you dare not to venture further, let alone disrupt your comfort zone?

"Love and do what you want" 
Lives and careers can go up and down, or around in circles like a merry-go-round, yet they deserve true discernment -- true calling. 

St. Augustine, one of the great saints from the fourth century B.C, advises: "Love and do what you want"

Never let fears hold you back. The only way to past them is to ask yourselves a question: What you love most not what you do best, for what you do best may not what you love. Never mind others saying: "You can never make it. You're not good enough; not clever enough, or not creative enough." 

One thing we shall never forget is, that the other precious gift God gives us, apart from life, is the gift of learning. Having this gift of learning, we can learn almost anything in order to develop our skills and talents needed to do what we love. 

Fixed mindset and growth mindset
DR Carol S. Dweck, a professor of psychology at Columbia University, in her book Mindset, explains that with the right mindset we can reach our goals -- both personal and professional. She discovers that there are two types of mindset -- a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.

In the HBR IdeaCast interview with Harvard Business Review, DR Dweck explains: "A fixed mindset is when people believe their basic qualities, their intelligence, their talents, their abilities, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount, and that's that. But other people have a growth mindset. They believe that even basic talents and abilities can be developed over time through experience, mentorship, and so on. And these are the people who go for it. They're not always worried about how smart they are, how they'll look, what a mistake will mean. They challenge themselves and grow."

If DR Dweck motivates through her discovery of growth mindset, St. Augustine challenges through his  message -- "love and do what you want", in other words he encourages us to follow our heart; to embrace our passions. 

From law school to shoes design. And, a chemist to a pope. 
Manolo Blahnik, one of the world's most successful shoe designers, was raised in a banana plantation in the Canary Islands. His father wanted him to be an international lawyer; he studied law and languages in Geneva. But he knew becoming an international lawyer wasn't his true vocation. His passions were doing something creative with his hands, so he went to art school. Why shoes? In an interview with Harvard Business Review (December 2010), he commented: "Because they have a life for themselves ... I also love the way you see people walking in shoes, how they decorate feet. They bring refreshment to people's lives." He opened his first London boutique in 1973. It took him 10 years to learn the craft. Now, his shoes are available in 20 countries, decorate the feet of many incredible women: princesses, actresses, ladies everywhere. 

Another vivid example is an Argentinian man by the name of Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He let go of his career as a chemist to become a priest -- a real major disruption; he was then ordained on 13 December 1969. What becomes of him now? Effective 13 March 2013, he is Pope Francis!

So, find what you love. Pursue it. Let go of your fears. Never mind stepping back -- if you have to; never mind disruption -- whether minor or major, they are better than silent regret later. Doing what you love is very meaningful -- not only for yourself but also for people around you, and furthermore its rewarding joy is beyond bound!



Note: Image is contributed by Melissa Mu Photography of Sydney.

In 2006, a Jesuit parish in North Sydney received a financial legacy of $6 million from a very generous gentleman -- a faithful parishioner who died in the same year. The legacy enabled the parish to build a beautiful community centre and the Parish office. 

Sadly, many people in the community did not have the pleasure of knowing this generous gentleman. They wished they could have known him earlier to ever thank him in person.

Legacy.  Do we have to leave a legacy only after we've gone? Can we not leave a legacy while we are still alive, so that we can see the fruit of our legacy?

Or does a legacy have to be something big and spectacular, like this $6 million? Or as simple as beautiful smile that brighten someone's day. 

And for business professionals, what about leaving a legacy in the work place? 

Nowadays, many professionals change job and/or company, at least, every two-year. How about leaving well done achievements and great team-work memory as a legacy before moving on? 

In January 2012, in the midst of my career break, I was appointed unexpectedly as Executive Officer of a fundraising office (Appeal Office) in the same parish: a Jesuit parish with a large community that consists of three Catholic churches in the North Sydney area. My main task was to raise $2.5 million! The funds were to be used to restore a heritage-listed big building (the size of ten bedsitters): a house for the priests of the Parish and a Jesuit community. 

Raising funds, how? I've never been a fundraiser before, hence never raised funds.

When I thanked the chairman of the fundraising committee, whom I knew just for a short while, for giving me the opportunity to lead the Appeal Office despite the lack of experience I had, he replied: "I live long enough. I know who can do the job and who can't". 

Of course, he told me the truth -- in January 2012, he was 79-year old! He used to be a CEO of his own company. His intuition about people -- who can do and who can't do the job -- has been sharpened over the years. I was privileged to be chosen to lead the project. But ... how can I do the job? Where do I start raising $2.5 million funds in a year? 

Strangely, though, after I came on board officially, I didn't remember if I was thinking too much about my lack of experience and the end result -- raising $2.5 million. All I did was -- seizing my working hours with diligent and listening to my inner voice: "This is a work of heart. The key to its success is in how to touch people's hearts. Connect with them through their emotions. Treat them with respect and dignity, invite them to be part of the project and (I believe) they will contribute"

I was suggested to meet at least a dozen of people: leaders and key members of the community. "Start from them" said the then Parish Priest. 

Well, I did. I approached them with a heartfelt purpose. It worked! Fundraising is, as the then Parish Priest always reminded me, a "friend raising". 

I made lots of friends since. Beginning from befriending this suggested dozen, within weeks my knowledge and experience about the people in our community widened beyond "strictly business" only (unlike in the corporate world). These people gave me ideas and also more names to be contacted or met. Their friendship and stories became my inspiration.

Apart from solid business strategy and communication skills that I brought with me, inspiration was, indeed, my powerful tool. I communicated this inspiration back to the community through an article I wrote weekly in our church bulletin: This was my only way of knocking the door of their hearts. 

In addition, I took every opportunity to meet other people in our churches at almost every weekend after Mass. I personalised every greeting; thank-you phone calls, letters, cards, and emails. 
When only one chance to make a speech was given, I spoke from the heart. When I ran out of words, I brought music: I produced a classical music concert series (first time in my life producing anything like this) -- bringing back the music experience in the community (not since the 1940's).

The fundraising was launched in end of April 2012. Within four months, in August, we raised nearly $500,000! 

Apparently, that was enough by September 2012. There was a sudden change in the Parish's agenda: priorities were re-arranged and the fundraising was subject to be continued perhaps sometime in 2013. Alternatively, the Parish will make do with whatever we've got.

Was it a work of magic? No. It wasn't. It was the power of inspiration that moved people's hearts in the community to work together with respect. 

Had I been worried too much about my lack of experience and afraid of not being able to raise $2.5 million, I would not have the confidence as I had -- as I made the best of my time and worked with all my heart. That was all I did: Worked with all my heart, bit by bit, focussing only on what my hands needed to do -- did the right things and did them right.

And that by itself became my legacy. Now that I have left the Office, I can ponder -- what I wanted to be remembered as: Someone who was not afraid of the "unknown" hard work -- dared to embrace every difficulty and uncertainty with patience and peace; knowing that sincerity, integrity, and honesty alone will guide the way to success. 

Am I dead yet? No. Not yet. 

But I move on with ever growing confidence that I have the gift of learning (as I've learned about fundraising). And it is very powerful when I always strive to use it with humility. With humility always comes sincerity, integrity and honesty. With these I will mark my next legacy in other work place(s). Not easy, though. But, I will carry on.  

Peter Drucker, once told a story, when he was thirteen, he had an inspiring religion teacher who one day asked the class, "What do you want to be remembered for?" And if someone can't answer the question by the time when he is fifty, that person will have wasted his life. (Thank God when I read this I wasn't fifty yet. Since then on I have always been inspired by this question.)

Now, I urge you, leave a legacy then whatever life's calling you to do:  "What do you want to be remembered for?" 

Does it have to be big and spectacular? I don't think so! It can be as simple as leaving a task and job well done at all times. Start today for tomorrow's legacy. And life will be meaningful and never wasted!

God bless!