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.

Entry, Exit, Entry..

According to Business Today. (November 7-21, 1993) , in its article "The Real Story - An Exclusive Account of How Coca-Cola India President Jayadev Raja Plans to Challenge Pepsi", it stated that Coca-Cola, reentered India in 1993, after having withdrawn from the country in the late 1970s, in the wake of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) of 1973. Coca-Cola's reentry was driven both by competitive factors and the company's own global plans. Global rival Pepsi had entered India in 1990 and by 1993 had captured a 25% market share. Coca-Cola could not stay behind.

My organization is in a way like India. So inviting and tempting, so forgiving and generous, so great and mighty, that many have returned after leaving my esteemed organization. Don't get me wrong, I am not condemning the returns, but I am highlighting that , how green the pasture is the other side, this side although lesser green, its still nourished and fresh.

My policy is always to grow with the company. There will always be a lousy boss, there will always be as$%^le colleagues, there surely will be stupid work that you do, and the ever popular, the 'selling-outs', but remember, there has always been the great gatherings, the time when your boss pats you on the back, or the time when your colleagues stay up late together with you to finish up your reports. For all the bads, it should have started from a couple of goods.

I counted at least 1/2 dozen time I was tempted to resign. But somehow, in God's will, there is a someone who managed to talked me out. There was once a senior manager, who has resigned, there were a few colleagues and there was one 'kakak', who did not speak to me, but her actions made me realise, how great this company is.

It's easy to write a resignation letter, and easier to do the exit interview but its as much harder to stay with a job, and live up to the expectation. Take that as a challenge and never give up. Remember Coca-Cola Company's "Exist to benefit and refresh everyone it touches".

Always Coca-Cola, Always One Force.

A litre of Coca Cola or A Litre of Petrol

Malaysian Government announced the price increase of Petrol to RM2.70 (previously RM1.92). As Malaysians are fuming over this drastic increase, I wonder, in places around the world, which is more expensive. A litre of Coca Cola or a litre of Petrol. The more expensive one in BOLD. (Note : Currency Conversion from on http://coinmill.com/ ; Price of Coca Cola from http://www.howmuchatyourplace.com ; Price of Petrol from http://google.com/)

India : Coca Cola (RM 4.63) ; Petrol (RM 4.00)
Malaysia : Coca Cola (RM 2.13 ) ; Petrol (RM 2.70)
Singapore : Coca Cola (RM 7.18) ; Petrol (RM 5.20)
Nigeria : Coca Cola (RM 3.12) ; Petrol (RM 2.21)
Thailand : Coca Cola (RM 2.08) ; Petrol (RM 3.45)
London : Coca Cola (RM 9.05) ; Petrol (RM 7.33)

Another record by Malaysia. The only two countries, amongst the many I surveyed, that has a litre of Petrol more expensive than a litre of Coca Cola. Did our government ever studied this? Petrol is a necessities, whilst Coca Cola is a luxury. How can necessities be more expensive than luxury. Perhaps, to Malaysian policy makers, luxury items is so cheap for them, that they forget that 75 % of Malaysia's household earns less than RM 3,000!! Or have they forget that an average graduate in Malaysia earns only RM 1,800. Oh, I forgot, of course they know. They know how hard it is to be poor, cause they are voted 'Wakil Rakyat'.

Coca Cola Brand Portfolio Definition...(Part 1)

For those who knows me, I often comes out with many analogies to describe a social phenomena or an individual. In the office, both me and my 'best' colleague have tried and define different facets of people in our company, based on their un-normal behaviours. He has used the animal kingdom, and I shall use, the Coca Cola Brand Portfolio. Here's my attempt.

Coca Cola Classic - The all-original classic. Liked by many, conventional, true to himself. Often many may get bored with him, but at then end of the day, he's the man. In the company, he's happy with what he does, delivers what he's being asked, never complains, never bitch, occasionally gives an extra mile, and once in a while, a pat by his boss. He's your average joe.

Coca Cola Diet - The sugar free Coca Cola. Artificially sweetened originally by aspartame. Although he may appear to be your average joe, but there's a lot of fakes in him. He could appear smart, but really, he's just plagiarising his presentation. He could appear to be strong analytically, but really, he copied the analysis from economist.com. Everyone seems to like him, as he is 'in and happening'. His bosses admires him for his exterior personality, but once tasted, although sweet, he's just not original

Coca-Cola Black Cherry Vanilla - A by product of phased out Vanilla Coke and re-christening of Chery Coke. He's true values and contributions remain an enigma. No body knows why he was hired, no body knows what he does, and yet, he's still praised by his boss. Perhaps the saying goes, once you go black, you never turn back. He's also a lady's choice. Getting all the attention because he's 'different' or perhaps he's a minority.

Coca Cola C2 - Marketed as having half the carbohydrates, sugars and calories. He's at best half the value of anybody. Trying to steal the limelight not knowing who he really is. Although he wants to be on top, he never wants to learn the other half which lacks, and often cites, no experience and no time. He takes more than half of other's credit but always less than half of his mistake.

Sold Out or Sell Out..

I was at my office’s drinks vending machine, hoping to buy an iced cold Coca Cola, only to find a SOLD OUT sign. Bitterly disappointed, I salvage around the office for a helplessly lying ‘un-owned’ Coca Cola can. Alas, I was to be disappointed again. Perhaps it was a sign that I wasn’t to have any Coca Cola today. I was upset, bitter, annoyed, slight anger and jilted.

I am sure many of you have faced such emotions before. Being denied of your intentions and hopes, having your dreams demolished, having others claim credits for your good doings or being blamed for something you did not do, even though our intentions were noble and of goodwill.

Many of times, the Coca Cola Company’s good intentions were questioned. On 20th October 2003, the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry Foundation (AAPDF) accepted a $1 million in "research" money from Coca-Cola at a time of growing concerns about the role of soft drinks in causing dental and other health problems for young people (Source : Education Policy Studies Laboratory Website). The Academy President Dr. Paul Reggiardo and Executive Director Dr. John Rutkauskas were accused of ‘selling out’ to Coca Cola.

According to Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.com/) Selling out refers to the compromising of one's integrity, morality and principles in exchange for money 'success' or other personal gain. It is commonly associated with attempts to increase mass appeal or acceptability to mainstream society. A person who does this, as opposed to following the original path s/he laid (or claimed to lay) out for him/herself, is labeled a sellout and regarded with disgust and immediate loss of respect. Selling out is seen as gaining success at the cost of credibility.

Selling out is a big word. I have in many encounters used this word, in fact way to many. In my company, there are many of such characters. One my ‘best’ colleague today was F#$%&ingly upset over an incident today, caused by acts fittingly suiting the definition of Selling Out. I understand where he came from as I have been victimized by such people. For me, whether a relationship falls within the boundary of friendship, colleagues, lovers, siblings or enemies, once should act within the line of engagements. You do not have lunch with a ‘hot’ colleague and sell out your usual lunch buddy. You do not claim credit for a job that your other colleague did and selling him out by further demeaning his involvement. You do not say ‘bad’ things about your ex-boss or ex-colleague, just because you are not in the same department anymore. You do not promise what you don’t intend to deliver. You just don’t Sell Out.

Respect is earned not given. Success is gained not robbed. Money buys you things but will never buy you friends. You may be ‘great’, but you will be despised. I will never label you a Sell Out, but only you will earn the label.

For Coca Cola, it has always gone with the conventional way of gaining success. Believing in itself , having the right attitude, accustomed to people’s feeling and most importantly , maintaining integrity are amongst Coca Cola’s recipe of success. I live by them, why not you!!!! You may be the usual 'bottle' amongst the many, but one day, others will notice, how unique you are. You dont't need to go out of the conventional. Don't Sell Out, otherwise you will be a forgotten Sold Out item.