Coca Cola's Basics...

Once upon a time, there was Coca Cola. It was doing very well, with potentials of becoming a leader. Behind it was a sturdy aluminium can, bright colors, good brand name and a solid distribution. But Coca Cola’s bosses feels that it’s not good enough. Coca Cola should and can do more. One boss says, automate the way a consumer can drink Coca Cola, another boss says, no that’s stupid, change the aluminium team, the next boss argues that they should change the color to purple and the final boss says, stop selling Coca Cola in shop, but through vending machine.
But does anybody asked Coca Cola, or its content? The content knows best as it’s the one that serves the consumers. Although they ask the content, the content gave its views, it goes down the drain literally, because the bosses came out with Coca Cola Light and Coca Cola Blak.
Very well then, slowly, the sturdy can left, the bright colors turn ‘blak’ , the brand name becomes fake and the distribution became One ‘Forced’. Coca Cola may become No 1, but it will still need its basics. Please.... dont't Kill Coca Cola

Best of the Best

Coca-Cola retained its Most Valuable Global Brand title in the latest Interbrand Best Global Brand report and some of the success must be down to the marketing strategies of the past couple of years that are beginning to bear fruit.

Here is my tribute to the BEST of THE BEST.

1. BEST “Prime Time Entertainment” – Buletin Utama, for its 1 hour of great entertainment, focusing on the comical snippets of Malaysian politicians.

2. BEST “On Time Guarantee“ - Air Asia, where being on time is 3 hour late!!

3. BEST “Misinterpreted Law” – ISA, the Internal Security Act, which provides detention without trial to provide "protection" to citizens.

4. BEST “Malaysian Sales” – PDRM Online Discount, where you commit an offence and get an early bird discount.

5. BEST “Police Report” – Seputeh Umno Youth , for lodging a police report today against Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, claiming she had insulted the Royal Malaysian Police and the egg, which is an essential food of the underprivileged.

6. BEST “Value for Money Restaurant” – Malaysia Detention Centres, where you can get a 5 meals for RM 4.50

7. BEST “Say No to a Gift” – Perak State Councillor, for not refusing a gift of China woman.

8. BEST “Architecture Marvel” – Smart Tunnel, for creating history with Discovery Channel and yet doesn’t solve flooding.

9. BEST “ Valued Garbage” – Vegetables savaged at Selayang Market is safe for eating, according to Health Ministry.

10. Best “Original Screenplay” - Jumper, written by Anwar Ibrahim, wins this year's award. Although the film suffers from a cast of unknowns, whose number seems to fluctuate from scene to scene (though always at least 31), the script is undeniably original and exciting. It also has the potential for numerous sequels, which will prove profitable for the actors.(Source : Huzir Sulaiman)

Note from Editor...

My Esteemed and Learned Readers :

Please be informed that my latest postings regarding Malaysia's political and social issues are merely entries of personal opinions and do not carry any intentions of hatred and condemnation.

In recent calls by several parties to NOT participate in any forms of protest, in street and in the cyber world, in spirit of unity, I will NOT post any entries with regards to National Interest.

Thank You

Author
I Have A Coke...

Where Are My Rights???

Coca Cola ‘Zero Zero 7’, a re-branded Coke Zero, recently signed to a multi million campaign with James Bond latest installment , Quantum of Solace. The Bond campaign is designed to reinforce the drink’s masculine positioning. “By incorporating the traditional visual elements of a Bond film — the trademark silhouettes, the sophisticated Bond girls and the high-energy action — we are able to engage with our core target audience in a way that resonates with them,” said Derk Hendriksen, global brand director for Coca-Cola Zero. More interestingly, we all known James Bond for his RIGHTS to kill.

In Malaysia, many people ‘feel’ they have RIGHTS to. Here are some ways of practicing those rights and its consequences.

* Rights to Freedom of Reporting – You will get ISAed (Ed : For my foreign country readers, ISA is when you detain a person without trial)

* Rights to Freedom of Blogging – You will also get ISAed

* Rights to Unity – No such rights. But some Northern Guy has the Rights to create dis-unity and get away jack-free. You may be ISAed

* Rights to Protest – You may get ISAed

* Human Rights – What??? What is that ? The only relations to those words is in Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, which still remains as words.

* Rights to a GREAT Government – Only hope is PK (Ed : For my foreign country readers, PK is our Opposition Coalition)

Also in my company, many people ‘feel’ they have RIGHTS to. Here are some ways of practicing those rights and its consequences.

* Rights to Take Leave – You will only be rumored that you are going for a job interview

* Rights to Flexible Hours – You only have the rights of either coming between 7.00 am – 9.30 am. But when you go back, its must be late evening. Otherwise you are not hardworking.

* Rights to Lunch Hour – Only one hour, if you go beyond, you are not hardworking. Hours spend in smoking room and pantry during working hours its okay.

It's a Sad Day...

Today is a sad day for bloggers, information world and freedom of speech.

"Raja Petra, Teresa Kok and Sin Chew reporter arrested under ISA" - thestar.com.my

As a sign of protest, solidarity and support, I will not post for 36 hours.

Hard To Say I’m Sorry…

June 1999 : The World; Coca-Cola Hopes Things Go Better With 'Sorry' .
A ban of Coca Cola in Belgium (after reports of people being sick), which spread to France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands a day later in varying degrees, turned into the largest recall of Coke products in history and created a public-relations mess for the company. M. Douglas Ivester, Chairman of Coca Cola Company said ''I'm sorry'' or ''we regret'' or 'I apologize'' five times. ''We let down the people of Belgium,'' he said, ''and we're sorry for that.''

After-Sorry Effect : Ban lifted, and Coca Cola spent millions to re-build the peoples' confidence

September 2008 : Why Should I Apologise .

A local politician has refused to apologise over his racist remark calling the Chinese community “immigrants who do not deserve equal rights”. “Why should I apologise? I didn’t do anything wrong. Those who do wrong should apologise but I haven’t done anything.”
After-Sorry Effect : Not Applicable. He didn’t say sorry .

August 2007 : I'm sorry, says Negarakuku rapper
A Malaysian who controversially popularized our national anthem where he was faulted for his rough language, irreverent expression and lack of sensitivity when touching on religious matters. The controversial video author issued an open apology to those who were offended by his work. “I’m sorry if my works offended Malaysian Citizens. Please accept my sincerity”.
After-Sorry Effect : Public accepts, but government doesn’t. He even got death threats.

August 2008 : Failed System Upgrade ; The Company’s Not Forgiving
A failed upgrade over a weekend caused hundreds of salesmen selling using manual method. Managers in-directly condemned the Person-in-Charge ‘PIC’ despite the ‘PIC’ assuming responsibility. “ There is always risk in upgrade. Yes we failed this time, but do the company acknowledge the dozens of times the upgrade WORKED, and brought many enhancements to the company?” said the ‘PIC’
After-Sorry Effect : Performance Rating fall flat, ‘PIC’ continued to be labeled in-competent.

What I Noticed When My Colleagues Resigned...

Five CEOs in a decade, a high employee turnover of 30%, Coca-Cola India was in a chaos as constant churn at the top took its toll. “Every time a new CEO took over, he drew out a new strategy and a fresh gameplan to win the market,” recalls a Delhi-based ex-employee. Lack of confidence and patience from the headquarters only made matters worse. “The short-term approach to show quick results was taking its toll,” recalls a Bangalore-based ex-employee who was involved in operations. " (The Economic Time, Indiatimes ; 27 Jun, 2007)

I can't help but relate with confidence, the scenario Coca Cola India had. Every words of the above statement reflect what I am living, in my daily work. As a result, I have lost dozens of colleagues, and I will be losing another in a couple of weeks.

The posting is not meant to comment on my management's strategy, merely its to draw to attention what are the fundamentals of keeping an employee loyal to an organization. I will take a different twist in approaching this. Thanks to a source , called Andy, company's HR or Line Managers should take note of "The Signs that Your Employee Is Losing Interest in Work"

1. Your employee cannot remember the last time s/he got a promotion, above average raise or a special achievement award, and s/he has stopped caring that s/he hasn't got one of these in a while.

2. All s/he care about is her/his paycheck and not about professional growth, future projects or where the company is headed.

3. S/he can't be bothered participating in any after work related social or sporting activities. These are some of the best networking opportunities and committed employees make the time to go to these.

4.S/he only does enough work to get by and to avoid detection of her/his lack of interest.

5. S/he tunes out in a majority of meetings s/he attend and can't remember the last meeting where made a constructive contribution.

Note : I am running a survey. Please post a comment as annonymous and tell me how many items out of the 5, that you are currently facing. Thanks

Marketing Gimmick

Coca Cola Marketing Gimmick

With dwindling Cola sales in America, largely due to the increase of health conscious consumers, Coca Cola launched Diet Coke Plus. It has begun advertising for Diet Coke Plus in the US with the slogan “Great Taste Has Its Benefits.” The company wants the emphasis that this Diet Coke product has several essential vitamins and minerals while giving people the familiar taste of Diet Coke they have grown accustomed to. If consumer were to think that there is a healthy cola, well this goes down as a great Marketing Gimmick.

Hell’s Marketing Gimmick

Satan, acting on the recent statistics of low entry of people to HELL, launched a marketing drive by sending a group of people down to Earth. Their job is to do all it takes for people to hate, criticise and condemn them. Those who do that, will most likely go to Hell. So beware of this Marketing Gimmick to avoid Hell (if you must hate, criticise and condemn, pray for forgiveness more often)


Pro-Gay Community Marketing Gimmick

The community sent a ‘sweet’ looking young man into the working team of the leading opposition party’s adviser of my country and months later, lodge a police report alleging sodomy. Being a conservative country and where sex is a taboo topic (more so homosexuality) the Pro-Gay Community needs to take drastic measures to raise awareness. What better way then to use the most popular platform, Politics.



Proton Malaysia Marketing Gimmick

Due to the recent down trend of car sales, Proton has ‘bought’ weeks of front page ‘free advertising’ with the recent debacle of “Expensive Proton Perdana’s Maintenance’ in an East Coast state. The amount of coverage, plus a mentioned by Prime Minister, surely goes down as a great Marketing Gimmick. Who needs great PR agency, just elect some corrupt politician.

Say No to Racism...

My company organised a movie treat tonight. We watched “Remember the Titans”. A Denzel Washington movie known for its forceful coaxing and team building, which led to two racially-motivated, black and white teams, coming together in unity and achieving success.

Today we lived in racially stained society. Everyday our words, actions, writing and thoughts are infected one way or another with racial discrimination. Such action leads to hatred, lost of friendship and money through legal lawsuit. Most recently it caused at teacher in Klang her job due to racial slur.

In November 2000, the Coca-Cola Company, one of the most global company, settled largest settlement ever in a corporate racial discrimination case, the Coca-Cola Company agreed to pay more than US$156 million to resolve a federal lawsuit brought by black employees.

But racism does have ‘positive’ notes. We all laughed at the occasional racist joke. Racism has also pushed revolution such as the Apartheid. In the movie “Remember the Titans, racism led to unity and success. What is more important is our interpretation of racism. To me, being an anti-racism believer, racism is an instrument of thoughts, in which the thoughts will lead to actionable answers, either for good or for bad.

On a separate but related note, I love Malaysia because of our multi-racial composition and artificial “racialfication” . My college friends said that I am a Tamilan in a Chinese body. My close Malay friend is as Chinese as what Chinese eats. My colleague is as Indian as its skin, but claimed half Chineseness.

I love Coca Cola, I love Malaysia. Happy Merdeka Malaysia!!!

Cost Cutting $$$$$$

From large corporation to individuals, everyone is facing challenges in ensuring survival in the struggling global economy. Let’s see some examples and my comments.

Coca-Cola Company
Newly minted Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent said that as the company undergoes an aggressive review of spending, marketing will be a primary area of focus. Coca-Cola looks to save between USD 400 million to USD 500 million yearly till 2011. As an example, Mr. Kent said Coca-Cola recently completed a global marketing research agreement that will replace a number of local agreements.

My Country’s Government
The government recently disallow usages of Mercedes Benz by state government, but allow them to keep it for foreign dignitaries. Only Proton Perdana’s are allowed. (Ed : I don’t see the logic of allowing even both the cars. Pakatan Rakyat MP drives a Perodua!!)

My Country’s Information Ministry
The ministry announced a 10 pc cut of its budget. However the cut will not affect RTM's (Radio dan Televisyen Malaysia) operations. Its minister Dato' Ahmad Shabery Cheek gave the assurance that RTM, the pulse of the ministry, would continue to move forward without compromising the quality of its programmes. (Ed : I think they should just shut down RTM , buy over ASTRO. Two birds kill with one stone. RTM’s near ‘no-watchable’ programs and ASTRO’s shitty Customer Services.)

My Country’s Government Again
On 9th of July, the PM announced a 10 % cut of entertainment for all minister. (Ed : I am shocked. I don’t know why they still need the 90 %. Rakyat can’t even have 10 % of basic entertainment! Besides, how can RM 1800 per month supposed to ease Malaysian's cost of living??)

“I Have A Coke…” Editor
He has recently stopped giving so much to the ‘usual’ beggars cause he can't feed himself (Ed : Your action will make life tougher for the beggars). Mr Editor also recently downgraded from Four Seasons for holidays to Hyatt, as per his MD’s request, due to higher cost of living. (Ed : Stop taking holidays!!!!!)

Facts, Facts, Facts.

How To Lose....

Don Keogh’s (Board of Director, Coca-Cola Company) 11 Rules on "HOW TO LOSE":

1. Stop taking risks

2. Be content

3. Never deviate from what the founder did

4. Be inflexible

5. Rely totally on research and experts

6. Concentrate on competitors instead of your customers

7. Put yourself - not the customer - first

8. Solve administrative concerns first

9. Let others do your thinking for example, headquarters

10. Rely on T-G-E: "That's Good Enough" and T-N-M-J: "That's Not My Job!"

11. Rationalize slow growth

WaiKit (Author of I Have A Coke...) 11 Rules on “HOW TO LOSE”:
1.Sell out your colleagues
2.Only discuss plans for a major launch 2 days before
3.Do not adhere to other departments timeline
4.Ask to fuck up because we have always been fucking up
5.Openly criticized people in office public
6.Ask other people to do YOUR work
7.Blame other people for your fuck up
8.Don’t stand behind/back up your team when required
9.Recognise the wrong talent
10.Let your emotion to think, not your brain
11.Not having COCA COLA in meetings or dispenser

Coca Cola Getting Naughty(18 SX)

Rated PG-18 for sexual references. The management of I Have A Coke... does not approve references made within the following posting, but is doing it to drive traffic, at the advise of Hotchick.

Reference No 1 : Coca Cola Sex Video

Reference No 2 : Coca Cola Oral Sex

Reference No 3 : Coca Cola Condom

Reference No 4 : Coca Cola Girls

Reference No 5 : Coca Cola Dildo

Reference No 6 : Coca Cola Man

The Battles....

Battle 1 : Coke vs Pepsi

Battle 2: I Have A Coke vs Kannysieh.com (pronounced kennysia.com , original name changed to protect the privacy of the owner)

• I Have A Coke has 5 visitors per day, kannysieh.com has 20,000!.
• Kannysieh gets invited to cool launch parties, I get to read about it in his blog.
• People chat at his website, I chat with people in Facebook.
• I Have Coke is about a geeky Coca Cola collector, kannysieh.com is about an IT dude who writes about everything.
• Kanny maybe ISAed, I may write about it later.
• I know all my readers, he should I think.
• Kannysieh.com has multiple awards, I Have A Coke has multiple comments.
• Kannysieh.com has hot chicks picture, I Have A Coke has pictures of sexy Coca Cola.
• Kanny writes about National Politics, I write about Office Politics.
• Kannysieh.com earns him revenue, I Have A Coke, hopes for sponsorship and donation.
• 9/10 bloggers know's Kannysieh.com, the other 1/10 is Me, who pretends to not know.
• Kanny posts everyday, I post 2 times a week.

Statistics or statements, Kannysieh tops it all.

How to be a Successful Blogger?

Think PASSION, not numbers

My passion is Coca-Cola. For sure many of you thinks that I am a geek, who not only collects Coca-Cola, but blogs about it. Now if you really read "I Have A Coke..." , you will notice that I not only write about Coca-Cola. My blogging methodology centred around the idealism of Symbolic Interactions. I create the linkage between a matter of Coca-Cola, with the reality of my life.

Join the CONVERSATION

I love reading other people's blog, although I refuse to be reading those of celebrity bloggers. I find interest in blogs which challenges its readers and allow readers to comment. "I Have A Coke..." is for you and your reading. Challenge my writings and blast my thoughts, because I believe in being a good listener.

Exhibit THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

"I Have A Coke..." is I think unique and provoking. Postings contained within, speaks of volume, and yet educational. I avoid controversy, but interpretations by readers creates curiosity. A reader ones told me, "... when I read your blog, I started reflecting my own life, and I think I will break up with my BF.."

Enable Comments

"I Have A Coke..." advocates freedom of speech. Everybody is invited to comment. No restriction, no 'admins' to censor. But being Asian, my readers hardly comments, for fear of publicity. My Sales Director said, speak now, or don't complain later.

Become the Starting and Ending Point for All Conversations

I believe that "I Have A Coke..." is as latest in news as CNN.com. I was told that my readers read my blog to keep abreast of 'rumours', or get the most honest opinion about latest happenings, or just listen to me 'crap'. I think conversation starts and ends with my blog.

Have more Friends

When you have more friends, you have a big social network. So when they hear you blog, out of courtesy , they read "I Have A Coke...". And when they like it, they tell their friends. Slowly, like multi level marketing, your blog becomes big.

Have Coca-Cola Sponsor your Blog

I hope this comes true....

My (Coca-Cola) Fan Base

I have discovered recently, I have a big fan base, larger than I thought, who religiously follow postings in my blog. Now, I may have exaggerateda bit with the words 'big', 'fan' and 'religiously'. But Coca-Cola in the other hand, have a large fan base. A Google search on 'Coca-Cola Fan Club' , gives 1640 results (in 0.03 seconds). When I searched " Wai Kit Fan Club", no results.

I asked one of my 'fan' today, what he liked most about my blog. He said the rumours. For the sixth time, I am not a rumour monger!! I guess people who reads my blog finds education and amusement the same time. The fact that my blogging style may be uniquely Coca Cola, my 'fan' feels that they know the Coca Cola much better now ; and the fact that my blog informs them of the latest, my 'fan' now have more 'rumours' to talk about during lunch.

I thought of starting a Facebook Group, but then I am afraid that I may not have time to entertain all my FAN. So, I think I will just stick to this blog . Coca-Cola in Facebook, has over 500 groups! Interestingly, Coca Cola Company does not have an official fan club. I once wrote to them before, through F&N Malaysia, they never did reply me.

Having brought up F&N Malaysia, let me explain my sadness how Coca Cola sole distributor in Malaysia are doing such a lousy job in marketing this brand. Allow me to show you one example. go to myCOKE Promo and you can only find the VERY OLD Vanilla Coke promo and the Beijing Olympics promo. Have they forgotten about Euro 2008 (although they have 'below the line' promos.)

You all know why I like Coca Cola from my recent posting Top 5 Reasons , but if F&N or Coca Cola Asia Pacific continue to ignore us fan, I think I may post 'reasons' why I, a true Coca Cola Fan, hates........

Top 5 Reasons...

Why I Love Coca Cola

1. Makes McDonald Value Meal tastes so much better.
2. Value adds ICE CUBES.
3. Because its RED, and I hate blue. (HINT : PEPSI)
4. It has cool short name, COKE.
5. It's a type of carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants and vending machines in more than 200 countries

Why People Gossips

1. To feel like they are part of a group (Not in my group : RWAC)
2. Because they Lack of Attention (Attention is given, not seeked)
3. Out of Jealousy (Because I am handsome, or 'influential' or I can blog)
4. Because they are BORED (For F@&CKS la)
5. To feel superior (hahah, good luck)

Why People Thinks I am A Rumour Monger

1. Because Senior People in my company said I am.
2. I am good conversationalist, just like how I blog.
3. I wrote a blog posting on Rumours.
4. The real rumour monger spread rumours that I am a rumour monger.
5. Because I have good and reliable sources.

Why I Hate PEPSI

1. To Sweet and not carbonated enough.
2. Because I Love RED (HINT : COCA COLA).
3. They claim to be GLOBAL (PEPSI Ice Cucumber in Japan!!!)
4. Because it sounds like 'pile of shit" in Cantonese.
5. It disrespect Coca Cola in their advertising campaign.

Rumours.....

Past Coca-Cola Rumours (Source : http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/)

1. Child dies after drinking Coca-Cola light® followed by chewing menthol-flavored chewy candy.
2. Coca-Cola can be used by farmers as pesticides for their crops.
3. Coke + MSG = Aphrodisiac.
4. Coca-Cola can be used as a household cleaner.
5. Delhi University student dies chugging Coke.

Present 'My Company' Rumours (Source : Various)

1. The company will take away all car benefit because of the recent petrol increase.
2. A 'semi-major' restructuring is in the plans.
3. I am extremely good looking and I am blogging during office hours.
4. We got an extra month of bonus.
5. Cake cutting are forbidden because managers are claiming it as entertainment.

How to Deal with Rumours

1. Don't attempt to explain the rumours (if you are part of it). My colleague said (in Cantonese) "Kai Sek Chit See Yim Sek, Yim Sek Chit See Mow Chut Sek". Meaning " If you explain, meaning you are covering up, If you are covering up, meaning you are 'useless'.
2. Don't spread them and don't probe more.
3. Read between the lines, the fact may lie between the rumours. Example : I am extremely good looking and I am blogging during office hours. The fact is people can't accept that I can post this much, in such short period and that I am always walking around in office. The good looking part is another fact.
4. Report it to Human Resources.
5. If you can't beat them, join them. But only limit it to lunch time chats and when you want to blog.

Coca-Cola Detergent?

Coca Cola Brand Portfolio Definition...(Part 2)

I have in the last few days, received stares and cynical remarks from my colleagues asking me to classify them, amongst the choices stated in the Part 1. Well, for most of them, I can't, cause they all belong two the choices in Part 2.

Coca-Cola Blak - A coffee flavoured Coca-Cola in 2006 but discontinued in January 2008. He's unique and a strong team player, he's mature and learned. However, he finds it hard in the corporate world as he fights for his survival. His boss and colleagues gets the recognition but he's really the contributor. Though short-term, he adds values, but his environment and superiors, forced him to 'dis-continue'. We will remember him as a great ex-colleague.

Coca-Cola ZERO - Sugar free variations but taste exactly like the original Coca-Cola. Compared to the company's high potential, he is as capable, he is as hardworking, he is as smart, he is as creative and he is as valuable. But his bosses just can't see that. Whatever he does, or present or say, its still not as good as Coca-Cola. At times he's de-moralised and often asked whether is it because he's can't speak as fluent or because he's just not 'good looking'. To me, he's amongst the driving force, but in a different way.

Coca-Cola Vanilla - A Coca-Cola variation made to a recipe of extra vanilla. A radical, and people may not appreciate him. He's word are crude, but he's giving good feedback, his action's are de-meaning, but he's teaching, and his email is blunt, but he's stating fact. Bosses who are 'lesser' are afraid of him. He's vocal, constantly challenging, and slowly the organization can accept this 'flavour' and contribution.

Root Beer - Its neither a Coca-Cola or a beer!! Admittedly, not everyone can be classified. They may not be Coca-Cola, but they are unique to their own ways. The have their own identity, their own style, their own behaviours. But for sure they are not Coca-Cola. Will they be, maybe , maybe not. Only time will tell. But bottom line is, be yourself and don't let others define you, cause you own your identity.