AIMING FOR GOLD WITH MIB STRATEGY

Bandar Seri Begawan: The Brunei Darussalam National Lawn Bowling Association (BDNLBA) is now aiming high for gold at the upcoming Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to Aug 3 next year.

BDNLBA is hoping to send a strong team of at least 12 players. But with less than 12 months to go, the association will surely be under a lot of pressure to produce best team players to win some gold at the Commonwealth Lawn Bowl Event that has 8 gold medals for grab in four categories that include Singles, Pairs, Triple and Fours.

The newly elected Executive Committee of BDNLBA is however confident that its team players, some who have good standing at several past international and regional events, will be ready for the challenge. Ready they will, not only in term of their skill or their physical fitness, but watch out, the team players will be spiritually prepared too.

Last Wednesday evening, BDNLA took the first step forward by organising its first series of motivational workshop for several Of its players. It was held on Nov 27 and was facilitated by a local Human Resource Development Consultant, PPP Ilmu Alim.

During the workshop, Malai Haji Abdullah, a Senior Consultant at Ilmu Alim introduced the players to the 'Psychology of Winning'. In this context, he said, the key to winning performance are 'Positive Attitude, Hard Work and Smart Practice'.

However, said Malai Abdullah, the most important elements besides having those positive attitude, hard work and smart practice in the 'Psychology of Winning' is 'iman' or faith, enthusiasm and teamwork. PPP Ilmu Alim also introduced to them the Brunei's way of inciting excellence in the three phrases, i.e. bekareh (struggle), bejareh (sacrifice), belureh (accomplishment)'.

Meanwhile at its recent meeting, BDNLBA newly elected President enthused that , "We are Bruneians that have MIB as our good values, a culture and ethics to strengthen our competitive spirit and the spirit of 'jihad' or struggle and sacrifice, not to win by hook or by crook but to win through 'taqwa' or strong faith in Allah.

According to BDNLBA President, they are also now working on a comprehensive preparation programme for meaningful participation in the Games. In addition, the association is also planning to hire a professional coach to get ready its squad for the Commonwealth Game.

The programme focuses on the preparation of the Brunei squad in terms of mental attitude, skills and physical fitness. BDNLBA has also outlined a programme that include facilitating selected team players for exposures at International, regional and local tournaments so as to get them as competitive as possible prior to the Commonwealth Games.

At its meeting on Nov 15, BDNLBA also announced its newly appointed Executive Committee as follows: Dato Malai Ali Othman (President), Pg Haji Mohd Salleh Pg Hj Kamaluddin (Vice President 1), Hj Matnor (Vice President II) and Pg Salleh Chuchu (Honorary Secretary).
 
Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Entreprenuership programme for National Service trainees

By Azlan Othman
Article from Borneo Bulletin. Published on Tuesday Jan, 01 2013

The enterprenuership course for trainees of the third batch of National Service Programme (PKNB) participants ran smoothly in line with the aspiration of creating excellent Bruneian youth in accordance with Bruneian styles.

PPP-Ilmu Alim, a local consulting company involved in training and management was given the responsibility of running the programme.

During the introductory session on December 25, 2012, trainees were briefed on entrepreneurship and how it differs from business.

A businessman only deals with buying and selling to gain profits, while the entrepreneur focuses more on services to the community and contributes toward nation-building.

In the dynamic context of global entrepreneurship, trainees were introduced to entrepreneuralism based on the al-Quran and Sunnah. This is crucial in creating a Zikir Nation.

Modules for the entrepreneurship programme cover three aspects and basics of good practice for entrepreneuralism from an Islamic perspective.

Holistically, the entrepreneurship course modules contains the aspiration to guide youths to be 'Glokal', which refers to a Bruneian entreprenuer with an Islamic and national background as well as a global perspective.

PPP-Ilmu Alim expressed its gratitude at being given the opportunity to contribute toward making the PKBN a success.

It believes that components provided in the implementation strategy of PKBN projects should be equipped with relevant materials in accordance to the national needs that are in line with the aspirations of the establishment.

PPP-Ilmu Alim is also proud to run this programme with experienced local human resources, who are knowledgable and possess a good understanding of the MIB philosophy.

Thumbs down for 'Command and Control' Leadership Style  

FACILITATION SKILL for LEADERS A WAY FORWARD

Heads of departments, team leaders and heads of task-force need to modify their leadership style if they wish to build a strong and effective team. 

One aspect of leadership they need to adjust and rebalanced  is the conventional 'command and control' style. This style is no longer effective in building a dynamic team.

The plus factor for effective leadership today is those leader who has a 'Facilitation Skill'. 

Such leader is not only good in giving orders but very skillful in facilitating and motivating for the development of a strong and effective team. Such leader stands better chance to have a capable and competent team in taking up huge and challenging task such as in implementing policy directive or project.  

These were the core objectives of a three-day Workshop on “Facilitation Skills for Leaders” organized by the Civil Service Institute (IPA) Brunei.
 

PPP Ilmu Alim, a local management consultancy firm has been assigned to run the three-day workshop.

To meet the objective, PPP Ilmu Alim has introduced a “Visuals and Graphics” methodology, tools and templates to transfer the skills in how to facilitate the creation of a team environment that would be aligned and oriented towards a common objectives,  a team strengthened with collaborative and cooperative relationship, a team that has the capacity, competency, and united in their commitment to achieve results.

These “Graphics and Maps” have been in use by International Consultants. There are “Roadmaps”, “Planning Charts” “ Strategy Mappings” “Task and Scope” matrix, “SWOT Analysis Grids” and many more techniques to facilitate the acceleration of the learning process. 

These “Visuals” will simulate the experience and anticipate the challenges in the implementation of plans, projects and policies. 

The workshop participants have benefited and appreciated these “Visuals” stated Dato Malai Ali the Principal Consultant for PPP IlmuAlim.

The “Visuals” have made it clear to them of their roles as Project Team Leader particularly their roles in facilitating and leading a team through processes towards agreed-upon objectives in a manner that encourages participation and involvement, ownership and creativity from all involved.

By utilising the “Process Maps” and “Analysis Grids”, group leader and task force chairman will have clear vision of their roles. 

Their role is not only to solve problems and deliver results. FIRST and foremost, their big challenge is to facilitate positive relationship among the team members. They need to facilitate to develop the team and group capacity to plan, to solve problems collaboratively and collectively. 

The visual tools will also assist them in facilitating collaborations and cooperation among team members. Importantly the “Visual Tools’ will help them channel the “energy” and manage the “group dynamics” to achieve results. 

18^th Sept 2011. PPP IlmuAlim

'Act Locally, Think Nationally' Community leaders make paradigm shift

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

A CONSULTANT engaged to speak at a workshop for community leaders held at the National Disaster Management Centre yesterday urged them to "Act Locally" but think "Think Nationally".

In changing the mindset of 23 village heads and penghulus of mukims at the two-day Leadership Development course organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Malai Hassan HjMalaiOthman said community leaders need to implement national policies at the local level.

Malai Hassan expressed on the importance of "acting locally, thinking nationally". Citing the example of a cleaning campaign, he said, "it actually advocates environmental awareness and supporting environmental policy".

Representing PPP IlmuAlim Consultant with HjMalai Abdullah HjMalaiOthman, the consultant said, "As ears, eyes and voice of communication between residents and government, it is important for the participants to lead the residents in building community values." HjMalai Abdullah explained that the course aimed to improve the credibility of participants, as well as boost collaboration between the leaders and relevant agencies. It is also aimed at "empowering capacity, capability and resources". Another objective, he added, was to introduce Islamic leadership qualities.

Acting Brunei-Muara District Officer HjMatusinOrangKayaSuraHj Tuba was invited to present certificates to the participant. The Brunei Times

 

Policy Management Workshop Focuses On MIB 

Bandar Seri Begawan: Contrary to what many may want to believe, the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy is a "way forward" formula to achieve Brunei Wawasan 2035.

This was what many participants of a Policy Management Workshop agreed to when going through their course programmes during the past two days. It commenced on September 23.

The two-day workshop was organised by Civil Service Institute (IPA) and conducted by PPP Ilmu Alim, a local management consultancy firm. Some 20 senior government officers took time off from their routine duty to partake in the workshop that aims at reinforcing their know-how in policy making process and management.

As a local management consulting firm with vast experience in public administration and policy management, PPP Ilmu Alim went the extra mile in using many good virtues of 'MIB' and 'Zikir Nation' as components in its training development programmes.

"MIB as a national philosophy and our objective to remain as a 'Zikir Nation' is definitely not a hindrance to progress as may be seen by some MIB cynics. It is indeed a way forward in our endeavour to bring the nation and the nation to greater height as envisioned in Brunei Wawasan 2035. 

It is indeed the key to our success.

"This is because MIB is not just an ideology or a philosophy limited to traditional and cultural values but beyond that, it provides practical concept compatible with good governance and good practices in management," stated PPP Ilmu Alim while sharing their experience in assisting IPA reinforcing the positive mind set on MIB concept of a nationhood.

"In this context, it is only appropriate for us to design and provide a training and development programme in Policy Management within the MIB framework. We look at this course as an opportunity to contribute in the campaign in, 'Effecting, Enhancing and Enriching MIB'," added PPP Ilmu Alim.

The workshop took off with participants going through an interactive learning module on the concept and the guiding principles in policy development in Brunei political landscape where MIB and Zikir Nation ideologies are part and parcel of its ecosystems.

During the introductory session, participants had their mindsets refreshed on the national motto of Brunei - 'Always in Service with God's Guidance'. This motto is enshrined in the national emblem of Brunei. The emblem is featured prominently on the flag of Brunei. It was adopted in 1940. They were also given the opportunity to study and understand the elements of mood, and mind settings, the need to have clear direction, objective and (consciousness of) Allah the Almighty as featured in Surah Al-Fatihah, the National Anthem and in our supplication before starting the day's work.

On the first day of the workshop, they also had the opportunity to examine and understand better the process and mechanism in the decision making system of the public administration and governance in the country.

One of the interesting aspects of the workshop module is the Islamic components in risk management, issue management and problem solving.

For example in Islamic teaching the overarching objectives of Islamic jurisprudence is mercy, or the benefit of society. In summary, it could be categorised as the establishment of justice; educating the individual; upholding morality, in public and private; preventing hardship, on individuals and so

ciety; and preventing oppression in the context of preserving of religion, life, intellect, lineage, wealth, needs and comforts of the society.

"It's a very enlightening workshop. For the first time I have the opportunity to recite and analyse the Syair of Brunei Constitution composed by Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien. He is indeed a visionary leader. His wisdom as featured in his Syair is very much relevant to our line of work in policy development and management," stated one of the participants.

They agreed that the Syair is rich in excellent tips in good practice in the process of formulating policy and how to handle challenges wisely. It's an excellent MIB management and administration Syair, agreed by many participants.

TRAINEES OF BRUNEI NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME (PKBN) AT ENTREPRENEURSHIP WORKSHOP SESSION

PPP Ilmu Alim is greatly honored to be part of this program and to be entrusted with the tasks to deliver development training programs on JATI DIRI, MOTIVASI, KEPIMPINAN DAN KEUSAHAWANAN in line with the tenets of Melayu Islam Beraja.

The National Service Program (PKBN) provided the trainees with invaluable experience while instilling unparalleled patriotism for the Sultanate based on the core aspects of national dogma, the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB).

The PKBN has proven that it can produce youths who have strong morals, discipline, responsibility, spirit of volunteerism guided aright by piety unto God.

Parents are strong supporters of the programme and have high hopes for the children when they finish their training. Some of the trainees described the programme as beneficial to their personality, accelerating maturity and self-reliance to face the coming storms in the not so distant future.

PKBN is certainly an identity development programme. The process includes education, personality building, discipline and physical training that are again based on the doctrine of MIB.

The programme is carried out in accordance with the Zikir Nation and “Baldatun Taibatun Warrabun Ghafur” which refers to “An Excellent Nation Blessed by Allah the Most Forgiving”.

Entrepreneurship workshop for trainees of Brunei National Service Scheme PKBN youths