November 5, 2023

It’s the little things that matters.

It’s the little things that matter. 

I have been a boss for more than 25 years and have always believed in rewarding those that deserve it. I reward based on results and commitment to get things done. Monetary reward is important but sometimes it’s the little things that matters. Over the years, many of them have lived with me and till today some of them are wearing my watches, driving my cars  and living in my condos. Till today I still take time to cook for some of them and take them for shopping when they first graduate with their work clothes. Spending time to listen and understanding what’s really happening on the ground is critical for us to find solutions to make things better. It’s never perfect and we don’t need perfection as that would only make it perfectly wrong. 

My young team has been with me for a very long time. They may not be the best yet but they are definitely the most committed. Why? They are graduates from PORTMAN College Malaysia and they have our DNA that is committed to hard, smart and fast work.

Since I was in our HQ yesterday, I decided to have dinner with those that worked very late the night before. Took them to our favourite Chinese restaurant at Balakong and then to my ALL time favourite Popcorn at Amerin Mall! Everyone got a large each. 

Its been 25 years and I continue to make that difference because that’s what I believe in. It’s the little things that matters. πŸ™

#ErnieChen #PORTMAN #OurPeopleMatter #MakeADifferenceEveryday #itsthelittlethingsthatmatters

29 comments:

Hamsavathi Ramalingam said...

Working under a boss like you really helps to elevate the whole work experience. Your motivation and kindness are a few traits that make you the great leader that you are today. Thank you Mr Ernie Chen.

Joe said...

Thank you for your leadership and the way you've always gone the extra mile to make me feel valued and appreciated. Your commitment to recognizing not only the big achievements but also the small things is truly inspiring. Your dedication to me is a testament to your exceptional leadership. I am grateful and blessed to have you as my boss. It's the little things like this that make a big difference in my work environment and my life. Thank you, and I look forward to many more successes with the team.

Anonymous said...

Sir, your commitment to recognizing the importance of 'the little things' in leadership and the long-lasting relationships you've built with the team are remarkable. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and reminding us of the significance of small gestures. πŸ™

- Annette

Russell said...

It's the little things that matters. Speaks it all. Listen and understands what's going on - on ground makes a leader a leader himself. That's where the organization gets to grow exponentially.

Anonymous said...

Well said and done sir. Given the opportunity to work and learn under the guidance of such a thoughtful and compassionate leader as you are truly wonderful. It's rare to find someone who combines intelligence with empathy, decisiveness with kindness. However, you effortlessly blend these qualities, making our workplace not just a hub of innovation but also a community where everyone feels valued and supported. It's a sign to your character that this company isn't just an organization; it's a family, nurtured by your compassion and thoughtfulness. Thank you Mr. Ernie Chen.

(From Sarah)

Asyraf Kamal said...

Thank you, Mr. Ernie.

Appreciate your strong commitment to recognizing dedication, your personal connection with the team, and your effective problem-solving approach. Your leadership philosophy is not only easy to relate to but also very impactful. πŸ’ͺ

- Asyraf

fadelah said...

Terima kasih, Sifu,

Di atas perkongsian anda dan menjadi sumber inspirasi kami. KIta perlu menjadi pemimpin yang positif, memahami, komitmen sebagai satu team. Seperti yang kita ketahui, ini adalah pendekatan kepemimpinan yang bijak dan prihatin dan menghargai pencapaian penting dan tindakan kecil, menjadikan tempat kerja sebagai persekitaran yang memuaskan dan harmoni.

-Fadelah

Anonymous said...

Your dedication to rewarding based on results and appreciating the little things is truly inspiring. Indeed, appreciating the little things makes a big difference!

Regards, Haida

Sofea said...

Any efforts that show appreciation and gratitude by bosses and managements make employees feel that their talents and contributions are noticed and valued, and motivates us to do more

Rangjini said...

It's a blessing for both , vice versa to have each other striving through the journey of success.

You are a great leader. A leader not only shows the way but also walks the way. Thank you

Anonymous said...

I am relatively new but have learned immensely about good leadership from observing how you manage the morale of your workers. Hard work is seen, acknowledged, and rewarded, and that simple gestures can really lift up the spirit. I agree; its the small things that count.

- Nurul

Vicky Yew said...

Is our pleasure to be working in PORTMAN, learning from you and growing the business together. I have never thought of making the decision of to stay alone but you supported me when I made this decision. So that I can stay focus on our business and my family relationship becomes better.
Thank you!
VICKY

Alya Sany said...

Inspiring. True leadership lies in guiding others to success, ensuring that everyone is performing at their best. -Alya Sany-

Karen Lim said...

I’m proud to be one of the team members who has benefited from your leadership. Your approach reminds us that it’s the little things that matter most in creating a positive and committed work environment. I’m grateful to be part of the team as well as have the guidance from Mr.Ernie. I will think more and think smart and catch up with speed. Once again, thank you Mr.Ernie. πŸ™

Anonymous said...

Often, it’s the small, meaningful gestures that can make a big difference in people’s lives. It’s wonderful to see a leader who values not only results but also personal connections with the team.

Recognizing and rewarding hard work and dedication, even in unconventional ways like a makan session or giving personal items, can create a strong bond between the leader and the team.

This is a positive culture you’ve built over the years. Your continued commitment to making a difference in the team’s lives. And as the second generation, we’re also inspired to continue this culture with the next team. Feeling so grateful to be on this journey.

Cause WE ARE PORTMAN!

Mimie Alojid said...

People tend to focus on the success itself, but tend to forget the hardwork we put in to make it successful. We need to start to appreciate the little things as it makes a big difference by practicing gratitude for those everyday moments that are so easy to take for granted. All those words, deeds, and passion you put in guiding us is truly admirable, Mr Ernie. What is more important is the time you spent and thought you put in understanding each of us. Being able to experience your leadership is something that I should appreciate too.

Tracy Mah Chin San said...

Thank You Mr. Ernie . I am deeply touched by your leadership and values. Your 'it's the little things that matter' attitude is certainly an inspiration in this results-driven world. πŸ™

I am truly blessed to work under your leadership as an employee because you have inspired me and taught me that care and respect for people are just as important, if not more important. Thank you for your belief that 'it's the little things that matter' and for continually putting this belief into practice.

Aishwaryaa Lakshmy said...

It's truly inspiring to see your commitment to recognizing and rewarding your team, not just based on results but also on the personal connections and little gestures that make a big difference. Your dedication to understanding their needs and nurturing their commitment is a testament to strong leadership. The team is fortunate to have such a supportive boss who values the "little things" that truly matter. Keep up the great work! πŸ‘πŸ‘

Aishwaryaa Lakshmy said...

It's truly inspiring to see your commitment to recognizing and rewarding your team, not just based on results but also on the personal connections and little gestures that make a big difference. Your dedication to understanding their needs and nurturing their commitment is a testament to strong leadership. The team is fortunate to have such a supportive boss who values the "little things" that truly matter. Keep up the great work! πŸ‘πŸ‘

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Mr. Ernie, for providing valuable insights into what business owners should do. When we consider things logically and view them from a business perspective, it becomes evident that people should be rewarded when they deliver excellent results. This approach is fair and beneficial for both employers and employees. I now have a clear understanding of the kind of person you are. You're very results-driven, objective, and highly optimistic, with a strong belief that you will achieve your goals sooner or later. I truly appreciate all the knowledge and wisdom you have shared with us.
-Lyana-

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to you Mr Ernie!
Your blog beautifully captures the preciousness of life and the gratitude you feel for the chance to be alive. It's a reminder to cherish every moment and make the most of our opportunities. Your love for your family and your determination to make your dreams come true shine through in your words. Life is indeed a gift, and your perspective is indeed inspiring.

- Nabil

Niko said...

The team is at full power and is performing wonderfully under your leadership. It has a lot of potential for future improvement.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this message with us, Mr Ernie . It really inspired me, and I'm happy to be a part of Portman. Your message taught us to be helpful and spread positivity among us.

Shaline Mary said...

Thank you for sharing this message with us, Mr Ernie . It really inspired me, and I'm happy to be a part of Portman. Your message taught us to be helpful and spread positivity among us.

Anonymous said...

Well said Mr Ernie. The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do greates things. You are a great leader, Mr Ernie. Thank you so much:)

Nurul Fatihah said...

Tq sir for your sharing. To be a great leader not everybody can achieve the title,the one who is always committed with it can be called a great leader.Seeing your leadership is always admiring me..

Gym Chan said...

Thank you, Mr. Ernie, for your wise guidance and training all this time.

To drive an organization or team to achieve significant results, we need to instil pain or rewarding. Mr. Ernie has consistently excelled in managing this within the team, and I'm continually learning from you.

In Mr. Ernie's eyes, everyone is treated equally, whether it's a cleaner, student, executive, or manager. You consistently reward those who deliver results and show commitment. Apply punishment those who fail to fulfill their responsibilities. Those who are achieving better, you will never forget to give them more challenges and platforms for them to grow further.

Your care and leadership is beyond the ordinary. I'm committed to continuing my learning from you and applying these valuable lessons to my own life.

Thank you sir.

Andrew Yau said...

Small Gestures vs Monetary Rewards

Yes it is both important, however money can’t buy everything, that’s for sure. Because it’s always the small little things that appearing in our daily life, and that built the relationship deeper & deeper.

For example, spending quality time to understand the inner voice of individual is much more valuable, comparing to just rewarding the individual. It’s all about the sincerity of making everyone shine in their respective areas, and this is the real impact we bring to all our stakeholders.

The culture, the meaning behind everything, is all built in the core of PORTMAN Education. Thank you for leading by the example and it will be passing to future generations.

WE ARE JUST ONE DAY AWAY!

- Andrew Ykl -

Anonymous said...

I am truly grateful for the things I have seen and learned from you over the past many years. I am definitely proud to live by these values. They have given me a whole new perspective on how we should live our lives and conduct our business. Thank you for the training you’ve provided throughout this time. We will continue to do good and pass these values on to the next generation. Good people deserve good values.

JL Lai