Terence for Episode 1: I'm game... for some reality

Reality in show biz terms is ‘really’ different.

I’ve got a taste of it, and that experience reinforced my assumptions on ‘Reality Shows’.

Honestly speaking, I was game for The Firm: Season 2 at the onset - even though with a ‘real’ assumption that reality TV can’t be perfectly real. I could live with such assumptions. Pretty much like going into a game of football knowing that not all players are gonna play as fair as you’d like them to be and the referee is only human with two eyes on the field that can’t see what spectators see from the stand (and on TV).

I’ve been asked of this question umpteen times by those on set and off set - “Why did you join The Firm?” or in more casual terms like, “What made you join a show like this?”. Well, to put this on record, I did it because I needed the prize monies and job offer very much (?). OK, that’s for reality TV record with a punch of ‘real’ honesty for the viewers.

Why does Terence need to win the prize that badly? How about say, I quit my existing job to join the show, and the proposition of joining the organisation of The Firm’s CEO was too hard to refuse. Now - that’s reality TV for you!. (Are you buying into ‘reality’ so far?)


Minus the glitz and the reality TV celebrity wannabe urges... deep down in the real heart of Terence lies the truth (the real truth) that viewers may find boring with no entertainment value.

I was secretly spying (and learning tricks of the trade) in TV show like directing and producing; I wanted to experiment with live walking creatures - what leadership is when given the camera is pointing at these creatures and the lure of a prize worth more than RM100,000; I was tempted for being given a chance to meet and have engaging situations with ‘colourful’ people whom I first met and then having to work as a team although in everyone’s mind everyone needs to out-shine, out-do, and be out-spoken to remain in the game (and ultimately emerge as the winner).

I wanted to be where the ‘real’ action is.

Reality at this stand point is that any reality show needs viewers’ ratings and the ability to bring in revenue. It’s still show business after all. Some choos direct sponsorships in advertisements while others go with the text messaging (i.e SMS) business model.

It would be unprofessional of me to spill the beans here with privileged behind-the-scenes information to all my readers here (wait a minute). I can’t use the term 'unprofessional' (come to think of it) because I was merely a contestant of a game show - not receiving any fees for his ‘acting’ services here, but merely packed ‘economy rice’ meals during shooting sessions.

Come to think of it - with the monies us contestants ‘invested’ in forms of mileage (petrol) , parking fees, and loss of potential incomes in our normal careers; I can’t help but to really feel that I’m actually a customer paying for a TV appearance experience and a chance to win a prize.

So, for the rest of my writing here on my participation in this reality show, please don’t mention the professionalism aspect of us contestants, as explained - I am not a professional TV celebrity then and now. Professionalism doesn’t come into the picture. This is all personal. (Period)

The Firm: Season 2's Episode 1 was a... "Well edited episode".

"With 50 hours of footage recorded compressed into 45 minutes of TV airtime", please get ‘real’ here and don’t get to factually serious on a 45-minute piece of entertaining work-of-art here. Hehehe.

I shall attempt to write here the truth (and nothing but the truth) what actually transpired behind the scenes and probably some of the 80 per cent of ‘left-over’ footages. I’m attempting to write what really happened - with my limited knowledge and of my team (Asset) only. If you think what you’re about to read may constitute some degree of confession and explanation to justify my actions seen 'on air' - so be it. You can now choose to exit here.

How did I end up being a Team Leader?

The team member with the most decorated CV in F&B was clearly shown as dismayed by my act of heroism (or foolishness). That was the ‘real story’. And with the brief interview clip quoting the team member’s intention in agreeing to be the Team Leader (if no one volunteers) clearly added salt to the drama.

Here’s the real twist to the ‘real story’. I wasn’t the first to speak up when Team Asset’s Corporate Leader (Chan Boon Yong) asked the team for a volunteer. (I’m not that heroic after all...hehe.) There was another team member who spoke before me explaining why she wouldn’t be a good choice for a Team Leader for this task. As predicted, everyone was looking at everyone for some cue or (perhaps) some foolish person to say "I do".

Personally, from past episodes’ point of view, he or she who holds the Team Leader role holds the heaviest responsibility should the team lose. His or her head would most likely be on the ‘chopping board’. From an analogy point of view, the situation at that particular scene was pretty much like a poker game (seriously). The Banker at one end of the table, the first game takes place with seven players - and someone had to decide if he or she would like to 'show hand' in that first game. It was an exciting risk to take. As in poker - it was a game of deception and perception.

I took the exciting risk (by volunteering to be the Team Leader) and was unchallenged for the matter of fact. Everyone was obviously relieved as someone decided to take the first 'foolish' step. What’s in it for me? Well, exciting high risk decision has its benefits (if the result in the end turns out positively), my team wins this task - no one will question my leadership at the onset and I get to call the shots. I practically gambled my survival at that table - which I’ve made a decision for it the night before.

Why did I delegate part of my responsibilities to the two most vocal team members who were against me?

Firstly, I wanted to test their credibility on the said task delegated - one claimed to have more than five years of F&B work experience setting up popular night dining joints in KL, while the other has done event management throughout his working life. How timely, isn’t it? Secondly, I’ve always considered a leader as one who spends most of his or her time on people related matters than anything else - like communication, team spirit and relationship, and ensuring the team moves towards the winning finishing line. In other instances would be to problem solve and challenging the status quo.

So, I decided to give the responsibility in micro managing the specific tasks of dining experience and promotion to the two most experienced (cum subject matter experts) team members. (In my mind) Yes, they were the two most vocal team members against me - so what? Because they are vocally against me that doesn’t mean they were going to be disruptive to the team’s goal of winning the task then. If they jeopardized their given tasks the team will most probably lose - and that is a headache no sane person would wish to have at the first episode.

Lastly, they were the two most eager and passionate team members in that particular forte during brain-storming with Chan Boon Yong in pushing their ideas and proposal across. A leader does not deny enthusiasm and opportunity, do they? Besides, it was too early 'to fight fire with fire'.

Was I actually (really) a wimp leader?

Yes, I was (?) I can’t and won’t deny what has been clearly shown 'on air'...hahaha. Yes, I took the comments on me not working my ass out (like some team members) and perceived to be a wimp leader on my stride. I knew those words were coming out, and it’s a 'reality show' that gives everyone the opportunity for freedom of speech (although not in equal perportions). I knew the underlying reasons for such an act, and also the need for dramatic sequence for the show. It’s a game of individual survival and triumphant, not a family get-together game show.

To set the record right, I had to make some pertinent decisions during the course of being a Team Leader. (Ya, not shown on TV). The team decide on the brainstorming table an affordable indulgence is a lunch set at RM42++. Eventually, that didn’t materialise because that someone with the most F&B knowledge gave an impression to the team it was do-able at the planning stage. The proposal was shot down by the chef because of profit margin factor at a subsequent meeting with the chef. Guess who had to make the call to re-package the set lunch at a much higher price - me, the Team Leader. (I’m not complaining, it’s my role to call the shots remember?)

So, I had to convince the team that we can still win the task although the set lunch was not as 'affordable' as agreed earlier on the planning table. Oh yes, I had to answer a late night call from one of the two delegated managers and give assurance of winning as that particular team member was dead worried our product wouldn’t be able to sell. (I’m not complaining, it’s my role to motivate remember?) In the promo part, I had to put on my Team Leader cap in one occasion and provided alternative plans to counter a stumbling block.

The other manager of mine almost 'broke down' when the team was informed by the shopping centre management that we can’t place buntings at common areas and apply visual stickers on escalators and other fixtures - one of the brainchild proposed by the other manager of mine to create visibility for our event. I called the shots (again) by proposing to distribute balloons on sticks instead. We did just that eventually, didn’t we? Speaking of balloons, I was given the impression somehow that I did nothing holding the balloons walking around... like a balloon boy or clown was (personally) distasteful.

I can’t take credit for doing all the job on the balloon without giving due justice to the other team members Yuen Wai and Kian You on the ground with me pulling (and persuading) potential customers. By the way, who did you think had to run up and down the floors replenishing the more than a hundred balloons to the on-the-ground team (Kian You and Yuen Wai)? The balloon boy cum Team Leader... hahaha.

I’m not a perfect leader. I guess the only time I was a wimp leader was by agreeing to one of my delegated cum empowered manager in charge of the dining experience by letting her choose her dining experience team assisting her in the restaurant - and with the condition that no other team members are to 'interfere' with the dining operations on task day as the others would not been trained and briefed. I was indeed a wimp leader when I didn’t insist for one of the boys to be in the restaurant under her team as I clearly know one of the boys is a persuasive (and charming) communicator able to promote our set lunch better and sooth irate customers. In the end, the dining experience team was made up of the fairer sex only. It proved to be a costly wimp decision - as the dining experience team was eventually short-handed.

Lastly, I believe I was a wimp leader for not leading the team like a macho Team Leader (some of) my team members would like it to be.

What have I learned during the making of this episode?

Every colours of personality do flourish for some people when surrounded by cameras and lights... hehehe. People still can’t (or won’t) differentiate between being a leader and a manager in our Malaysian corporate world.

It’s show business after all - where the 'real' of reality is as real as you want it to be.

All said and done, The Firm: Season 2 deserves your attention. It should be a resource material for our local undergrads in giving them a 'real' glimpse of the Malaysian corporate world.

(Too bad viewers can’t see the real drama that transpired 'off air'. I’m giving you some illustrations for your imagination right now)

Cheers!

The Firm: Season 2 corporate profile: Jennifer Eu

Name: Jennifer Eu Wee Fung
Age: 25
Star sign: Leo
Occupation: Marketing Communications Executive
Team: Team Equity

Reason for joining The Firm: To prove that women can perform as well as men in the real corporate world.

Leadership style: Bringing out the best in each individual, turning every encounter as an opportunity to evaluate, guide, and build confidence.

Skills: Able to communicate with all levels of people, have the capacity to see the overall picture and plan ahead of others, fair in delegating tasks, and a quick problem solver.

Strengths and weaknesses: Strengths include being honest and frank, optimistic with a passion that leads to strong determination, creative, and dares to take up challenges. Weakness is being impatient, which leads to to frustration.

About myself: Life is full of surprises. We cannot predict what may happen tomorrow. As well, we do not sit to wait till tomorrow comes. Instead, we create tomorrow by making the full use of today. We do not blame surprises in life, whether they are positives or negatives. Instead we try harder than before to move forward, one step at a time as we face them with courage - because surprises are the point when the life journey begins.

The Firm: Season 2 - Episode 1

Client: C. Club

The task: To feature a special one-day set lunch menu for C. Club that will draw in more diners to the jewelery boutique cum restaurant. The winning criteria will be determined by the team that is able to provide the most satisfying dining experience to customers will win the challenge. This will be evaluated by the customers themselves via questionnaires which, they will need to fill in at the end of their meals.

Team Asset
Team leader: Terence
While it seems apparent that Ain seemed the person most suited to lead the team due to her experience in the F&B line, the opportunity was stolen away from her when Terence volunteers himself as team leader!
However, Terence's leadership skills lead to a lot of questioning. By delegating the leadership to both Ain and Chris on the inside and outside promotion respectively, where does that put him as the team's actual leader? Ain is very vocal about what she feels of Terence - and other team members share her sentiments - that of dissatisfaction.
The task seems to go quite well though. Featuring a chocolate fondue, 'Saturday Indulgence' was all about diners indulging themselves. However, corporate leader Chan Boon Yong didn't seem too happy with the elements brought in by Team Asset like the banner hanging from the balcony and the guitarists playing music to draw the crowd at the entrance as they clashed with the brand's image.
However, Team Asset goes on to win the task despite Team Equity winning on the criteria for the most satisfying dining experience.

Team Equity
Team leader: Anoop
With the theme 'Families are Forever', Team Equity set out to provide diners with an experience that emphasises on special moments with family. This includes presenting diners with a special photo memento of their dining experience at C. Club and complimentary body jewelery for children.
On task day, Anoop is seen limping about - he claims to be suffering from a bout of gout. A last minute change of plans and Anoop's constant limelight hogging leaves team members dissatisfied with his role as team leader. Promoters Boon Yew, C.A. and Ridzuan were unable to draw in much traffic to C. Club - and at one point, C.A. and Ridzuan were seen having their photo snapped up by some curious tourists!
Confusion is apparent on the faces of the members of Team Equity during the result announcement. They clearly managed to deliver on the winning criteria - but they lost anyway. What gives?
In the boardroom, Ridzuan makes an accusation that Anoop has been plotting to get him terminated from The Firm in the case that Team Equity lost - an agenda which, Anoop had 'secretly' disclosed to Team Asset.

Verdict: Team Equity lost - but nobody was terminated.

Next episode spoiler hint: Jingle. "Disgusting green drink."

The Firm: Season 2 Premier

Last night marked the premier of The Firm: Season 2 on ntv7 - an event clearly not forgotten by the contestants of the show who have been waiting in anticipation for the day of the screening. The gang, consisting of Ain, Dyan, Joo Lee, Masami, Jennifer, Ridzuan and Yuen Wai plus Team Equity's corporate leader Peter Pek, made up the 'reunion' crowd at Hush, Bangsar as well as the production crew from Popiah Pictures, and contestants and winner of The Firm: Season 1, Anrie and Joel.

It was a thrilling experience for the contestants who were seeing themselves on telly for the first time. It was amazing how the end result turned out. With 50 hours of footage compressed into 45 minutes of TV airtime, a lot of 'drama' and dialogue had been cut out but if you expected something a lot more 'dirty', hang on! There's still more episodes to come!

The crowd at Hush that night was a noisy one, filled with laughter and jibes. The Firm: Season 2 may lack the fast-paced, adrenaline-stoked action of The Apprentice, but The Firm: Season 2 made for quite a comedic and entertaining show.

The night ended with everyone feeling quite good about themselves (and of the show, of course!). A lot of time, effort and money (or, sweat and tears, if you like) had gone into the tasks performed - with each task ending either in cheers or tears - so for most of the contestants, the fact that they could, for once in their life, feel like a TV star was reward enough.

For those who have missed the premier of The Firm: Season 2, fret not! You may still catch it online here. Happy viewing and do leave us some comments!

The Firm: Season 2 corporate profile: Chris Lo

Name: Chris Lo
Age: 28
Star sign: Taurus
Occupation: Event Executive
Team: Team Asset

Reason for joining The Firm: After watching The Firm: Season 1 and The Apprentice, I have always told myself that hey, that’s the kind of thing that I do everyday - that’s my everyday kind of job. Therefore when the opening came, I sent in my resume to see if I would be chosen and the objective to it was to test myself and see how far I could go and how well I can complete the given tasks.

Being a contestant on The Firm: Season 2 has helped me learn a lot of things about the corporate world and although it’s just a reality show, it really tests an individual’s ability to the max in terms of coming up with ideas to preparation to execution. And with the things learned here, it really helped me to look at the business world from another kind of perspective. Survival in the business world can be mean. Embrace yourselves!!!

Leadership style: Open to all kinds of ideas and willing to listen. But most importantly, knowing when to relax and when I need to be firm! Love to delegate things and be on top of things - chasing for updates on things that has been delegated to make sure things are done accordingly and on schedule.

A very bad habit of thinking positive: Thinks two steps ahead but thinks of negative things three steps ahead. (Due to the nature of my job, this has been drilled into my mind for the past six years.)

Strengths and weaknesses: Multi-tasking, taking the approach of being on top of things and a very hands-on person. I'm good at foreseeing things, cooking up great ideas and am a master of planning and execution. I hate doing sales, period.

About myself: It says all about me above. An easygoing kind of person but when it comes to work, I’m a workaholic and when I want to do something, I make sure it is done and give in a 101 per cent effort. If I don’t like it, I’ll do it for the sake of doing but still giving it 99 per cent effort. A perfectionist and very fussy and particular when it comes to quality checks. Can easily get along with anyone in a natural manner.

The Firm: Season 2 contestant profile: Joo Lee

Name: Toh Joo Lee
Age: 22
Star sign: Aquarius
Occupation: ACCA Student
Team: Team Asset

Reason for joining The Firm: Every year I set out to do something fantastic to bank in on the invaluable experience that awaits. Year 2007 was the Miss Malaysia Pageant and I decided that Year 2008 has to be something that reflects a certain degree of intelligence. Thus The Firm! FYI, the submission of my entry was also at the eleventh hour! Entry via e-mail was sent just before the clock struck 12 on the closing date.

Being a contestant on The Firm: Season 2 provides a platform for networking and to learn more about myself. I want people to openly or secretly (which I will eventually watch it on TV) trash me out so I can improve myself. Of course I also learned to differentiate between sincere statements and plain accusations. Being assigned to various task challenged my capabilities and adaptability to the situations presented. Being a contestant on The Firm: Season 2 also helped to worsen my dark circles and promoted acne breakouts.

Leadership style: Participative and no nonsense. I believe that actions speak louder than words so no lengthy preaching sessions for me. Once plans are finalised, I tolerate no bullshit from slackers. On the quiet side, as I think and brainstorm without blabbering away. Loses cool only when in extreme situations.

Strengths and weaknesses: Daring, wild, has a high level of tolerance and is able to create a fun working environment for all. I hate myself for empathizing too much.

About myself: An extrovert by nature, I get along with people well but my hobbies somehow reflects the personality of an introvert. Namely, reading and swimming. Very enthusiastic and keen on living life to the fullest as my life's experiences has taught me that life is a fragile thing. I have a long time affair with chocolates - and calories are never a concern for me. Best companion for buffets. Weird fetishes includes watching glass windows being cleaned and sleeping in moving cars. Allergic to negative people.

The Firm: Season 2 corporate profile: Terence

Name: Terence Lee
Age: 32
Star sign: Gemini
Occupation: HR Consultant
Team: Team Asset

Reason for joining The Firm: Can't sing well. Can't dance well. At least have some decency and brain power left to challenge myself in front of the camera. And secretly learning the trades of producing a great show. No, it's not about popularity - I just like people watching me do my thing.

The experience of being a contestant on The Firm is priceless. Took the opportunity to do some experiments on leadership and team synergy. Met some pretty interesting personalities and characters. Made some friends along the way.

Leadership style: A champion in seeking talent. Shines only in needful situations. A listening leader most of the time. Not afraid to question the status quo - and to seek new knowledge. There's always a time to work, and a time for play.

Strengths and weaknesses: Trustworthy and reliable. Passion fuels my performance, so can its absence hinders my desires to proceed. Did I mention, a perfectionist and a sarcastic joker somewhere?

About myself: I'm a thinker in life. A communicator in the bigger life. Selects my friends, but never ignores acquaintances. Strong will to live, and to love. Dislikes insincerity and dependent people. Always there to lend a hand in whatever way possible. Forgives and forgets.