Lessons From MJ (From My Corner of the World)

If Helen of Troy was the face that launched a thousand ships, then the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson must be the face that touched millions of hearts. Born in Gary, Indiana, Michael was part of the Jackson Five where he sang alongside his brothers in small gigs. He went solo at the age of 13. Many have spoken about the presumably defining factors which charted his success in the entertainment world, factors such as his versatility, his stage presence and his father, who had influenced Jackson, since young to perform.

Jackson’s fame was attributed to the simple fact that he dared to be different, and stood out in an era where black American artistes were not as common yet. The gloved one had first mover advantage – simply by not conforming, he’d positioned himself away from others. Like the concept derived from the Blue Ocean Strategy, Jackson competed in an uncontested space where there were no precedence or rules. He thus created a path for other music artistes to follow.

The Guinness Book of World Records listed Jackson as the King of Charities, with donations made to 39 international charitable organizations. He was not a campaigner of causes but he led by example and made headlines unknowingly.

Even though the magnitude of his fame was unprecedented, he was someone with a vision. A year after the release of chart-topping hit, Thriller, Michael signed a groundbreaking deal with PepsiCo. The choice of a new generation was unveiled and the visionary in Jackson ensured that he was involved in every step of the campaign – from jingles, location to choreography on set. PepsiCo’s integrated marketing campaign was such a roaring success that it set the benchmark for such agreements that followed for other artistes. Jackson was a clear leader and a visionary and that, turned him into an entertainment luminary.

My Lessons From MJ

Build A Very Loyal Audience - No one had a more loyal following and audience than the King of Pop. Across the world Michael Jackson built a following that never went away no matter what happened – even during his highly publicized trials.

Position Thyself - Elvis was already the King. Thus Michael assumed the position of King of Pop

Dare To Be Different - In addition to his signature, crotch-grabbing move, Michael was also known for other simple but unique stunts. When Jackson first performed the moon walk, he electrified the world. The move later became the talk of the world for a long time and was taught in dance studios to new generations of dancers even decades after. Do not be afraid to stand out from the crowd.

Ownership - It's important to own something that is truly, only yours. Jackson owned the famous moonwalk, the robot, The crotch-grab and Neverland. These, will forever remain his signatures.

Pushing the Envelope - Jackson was never trained as a dancer but he pushed the envelope and kept improving his craft. Till this day (and I am assuming many decades after), trained dancers are paying to learn his moves in class.

Constantly Reinvent and Innovate - Keep your brand image fresh with new ideas. Michael Jackson did that with his music and videos. He was constantly changing his image and set the trend with little signature details – such as his single gloved hand, gravity boots and military inspired jacket. Take the lead when no one else dares.

As the whole world mourns his death, I will always remember the lessons I'd learnt from the greatest pop star (of all time) that's gone too soon.



The below... is one of my personal favourites

R.I.P

I have feeling that other than the folks in communist china and myself, everyone grew up with Michael Jackson. But I was glad to have caught glimpses of him when I was a teenager and if there's anything that I can identify about him, it's the concept of the Peter Pan Syndrome

I first heard his daughter's heartbreaking spiel on the radio this morning and later in the evening I saw this and have decided to dedicated this post to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.


It's a pity that a star is gone but a million hearts must have shone when he was born.

RIP, MJ

Don't Malign Us

I was on my way to my fitness class at Somerset this evening when I spotted a tudung-clad lady walking into a wall. I later realised that she was feeling her way about with a walking stick. She was blind. I approached her and asked her where she was headed for and she told me that she was trying to get to the train station. I offered to walk her there even though I was going the opposite direction.

What really surprised me was when she asked if I was headed for the station. She was very considerate. I told her that I wasn’t but was happy to walk her there – it’s just across the road anyway. Unbeknownst to us, someone else lurking in the crowd was actually keeping an eye out for her as well. A young, bespectacled lady who couldn’t be more than 20 spoke up and said, “I am going towards that direction. Let me guide her there”. I felt an immense sense of pride then - the spirit of universal sisterhood. But it's more than that.

When we read the forum pages, when we hear our own countrymen and countrywomen speak about Singaporeans, they keep coining us as “ugly”. What’s so ugly about kindness that sprouts up when one least expects it? Case in point, in the middle of the ever-crowded streets of Orchard, there were two souls who readily came forward to help another fellow Singaporean – regardless of race or religion (we speak the same language). Yes, we don’t (I don’t at least) smile very much, but that doesn’t mean that there is no joy in our lives. I smile with my eyes, I enjoy feasting on the sights that I see when I take the bus, I spot specks and flashes of happy colours in the concrete jungle that I live in. And I am Singaporean.

I once heard a Caucasian lady in my dance class repeat after a fellow classmate, “On the fan la. That is so Singaporean”. I turned around to correct her by telling her that the said classmate’s Malaysian. My point being, I am Singaporean, I am proud of my education and the way that I was brought up to speak properly, in complete sentences.

Years ago, I worked under a Singaporean lady boss who used to wrinkle up her nose in mock disgust whilst telling our Aussie (Caucasian) client, “Singaporeans always drink warm water”. I promptly asked for a glass of warm water for myself at the F&B outlet. I see nothing wrong in drinking warm water. It soothes me.

The point I am trying to make is, we are all ambassadors of our firms, our alma maters, our associations. What’s wrong in making the effort to be ambassadors of our own country? I am not extremely patriotic but I refuse to let others brand us (brand me) unjustly.

Altruism does exist. Therefore, don’t malign (us) me!