Surviving the CEO Sleepout 2011

Dear Friends

Yes, I managed to survive the 2011 CEO Sleepout.

The toughest part was the hunger and cold. I did not have a chance to get a good meal before registering for the night.

Instead of lamb shanks like last year, I had a real soup and roll.

The company was great and I managed to meet  the WA Governor Designate Malcolm Mccusker and his wife Tonya.

At 11 pm. Steve Farano and I decided we had to find a place to bunk down. We decided to bunk at the same place I slept in last year. It was more fun with company this time.

The night was cold but at  least it did not rain. Steve and I got up at 630 am and went to have breakfast with the other CEOs  before walking home.

I managed to stay No. 4 in the list of fundraisers. The final amount raised by myself was $18,350 with a $2000 donation from a charity organised by Andrew Forrest. He actually donated $2000 to each of the 107 participants. That means I was ranked No. 5 but I take my hat off to Andrew Forrest for his generosity and his PR  move.

I was quite close to my $20,000 mark that I set myself.

There was some disappointment that not all the participants worked hard enough to raise funds. I was disappointed that Eric Ripper, the State Leader of the opposition only raised $150 plus $2000 from Forrest. A few other politicians were at the bottom rung of fund raisers.

Thanks to all of you for your generosity. Every dollar donated was appreciated.

The total raised in Australia was $3.9 million of which WA contributed $600,000.

You have all showed that WA cares.

For those who forgot to donate, you can still do so till the next week.

I certainly will take part again next year and try to beat my current record. Till next year, keep warm and sleep well.

Helping the Homeless with St Vincent De Paul Society

CEO SLEEPOUT AND SLEEPING AS A HOMELESS PERSON

Does anyone know what the temperature will be like on the 16 June 2011 in Perth?

I believe it will probably be at least 5 degrees. I hope it does not rain, as being cold is not as bad as being wet.


In my crazy golfing days, I have often been cold and wet while playing in the rain.

However, I know sleeping in the rain is not a pleasant matter.

As my readers are aware, I am sleeping out again as a homeless person to raise funds for St Vincent De Paul Society.


They do a lot of good deeds.

This is some information from their website. Last year WA CEO's raised– $474,185.

The funds were used in the following manner:

• Establishment of an education and training fund to assist Passages Resource Centre clients in gaining the necessary skills to obtain employment
• Allocation of funds for the acquisition of smart-riders for Passages Resource Centre clients
• Rental of 3 properties within the Swan Region as short term accommodation for homeless people including those at risk of becoming homeless
• Purchase of a townhouse in Mandurah to be used for short term homeless accommodation in conjunction with the expansion of our Youth at Risk and homeless services in the region.
• Funding of a study into homeless services and gaps in the provision of these across the metropolitan area
• Ongoing accommodation and support of homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless

I have helped with some legal pro bono work in sorting out some of their land contracts.

However, my heart goes to helping them at whatever level I can as they help people who are most in need.


So far I have , through the generosity of my clients and friends, raised about $10,000. As I said, the target I have set myself is $20,000 this year. I am already half way there.

" Whatever the mind can perceive, it can achieve."

So, if you have a spare dollar , please go to http://www.ceosleepout.org.au/ceos/wa-ceos/profile/?ceo=283

to make a tax deductible donation.

Think about how warm your heart will be on a cold 16 June 2011 when you know you have done your part for the homeless.

ANNIVERSARY OF TAN AND TAN'S OPERATION AT 6/78 TERRACE RD, EAST PERTH

On another note, I just realised that we have been operating at the Terrace Rd office for a year since the 5th June 2011. It has been a great year settling into the new office. The staff and clients all enjoy the location and the convenience of off street parking. We had a staff lunch on Friday to celebrate.

As we did last year, lunch was held at the park in front of the office. We were happy to share lunch with Brian Nugewela and Tony Aristei, 2 leading counsels in Perth. Alison was able to join us with Brian.

MORLEY OFFICE

Another announcement: I started operations at the  Morley branch office on 3rd June 2011. The address is Unit 2/8A Progress St, Morley. I am sharing offices with JJD Accountants. Things are just starting in our collaboration to bring legal and accounting services to our clients. Will keep you updated.

Good night for now and remember to donate to my sleepout.

Sleeping as a homeless person again this year

There has been lots of changes recently. The staff has been restructured to increase productivity.

I am moving part of the practice to Morley together with an accounting firm. This is to allow me to market to the Vietnamese community as the accountant is Vietnamese. I see a great potential with this alliance.


On the sports front, I recently won my first badminton trophy as a C division Mixed doubles player with my partner Jenny. The price of winning was a torn hamstring which I am still nursing. I think I have a a good chance to win a B division mixed doubles as long as my hamstring has healed.


On the personal front, I have celebrated my 16th wedding anniversary. It was a strange one. On the eve of the anniversary, my wife's handbag and purse was stolen from my house. This was because my mother in law ( she suffers from dementia) had left all the doors open while watering the garden. The thief just walked in and took my wife's bag and wallet.

That resulted in me having to cancel all our credit cards. That becomes a problem when you have to pay for an anniversary dinner. Luckily I managed to get into a client's Korean restaurant for dinner. Luckily the handbag was found and returned.

However, that still leaves us with the experience of having been burgled while we were at home. Not a good feeling. Anyway, I will keep you updated re Morley.

Coming back to the issue of sleeping as a homeless person. I raised $7000 in a time frame of 4 weeks last year. I am looking at raising at least $20,000 this year in my attempt to help the homeless. This is a growing problem in Perth and other parts of Australia.

Visit http://www.ceosleepout.org.au/ceos/wa-ceos/profile/?ceo=283 to make a donation to help the homeless in WA.

Turning 50 years of age

Dear friends and readers

Yes, I have turned 50 years old this month!!!

What does it feel to reach that milestone?

Well, let's count my blessings. I have a beautiful wife who loves and tolerates me.

She is my soul mate and I trust her expressly with my children, my business, my love etc etc etc.

I have 2 beautiful boys who keep me occupied in golf and badminton. So, I feel young while trying to keep up with them. At 13 and 15 next May, they are both trying out for the WA Under 19 years Badminton team. I have taken to training with them and pushing my 50 yr old body. I wonder what they both think of when they see their old man training next to them.

I have my mother in law living with me. She  suffers from short term memory loss and thinks every day is the eve of the Chinese New year. What a blessing to be stuck in that time warp. She comes with a 17 year old dog that keeps me busy cleaning up after it.


I have a great business with great employees that I enjoy mentoring.

I have a great group of close friends that meet every week for badminton and gin rummy.

So life has been good. Recently I have been advising public company shareholders on board takeovers. It has been a great experience and I believe there is so much more public company work that will keep me occupied. Who knows, I might be invited to sit as a director in a board for a public company.

Where do I go from here?


I am looking at expanding Tan and Tan Lawyers. The new premises is getting a bit tight already. My business doctor Jeff Miles wants me to expand and get more office space.

I am looking at joining office space with an accountant. I love changes and creating opportunities. I love challenges. The prospective location is Morley. I will keep you updated.

Oh yes, what about my golf.  It sucks and it shines. I can break 90 and just break 100 in the same week.

My son Jaz has been keeping me on my toes. He has been admitted to Royal Perth Golf Club while my favorite golfing mates, Henry, Frank and I continue playing at public courses.

On the eve of my birthday, I arrived home with my wife after buying roast duck for dinner which was to be enjoyed by the family.

When I walked through the garage door, I received a surprise birthday party with all my close friends. It was such a great surprise and I nearly had a heart attack.

Annie had done such a great job hiding the surprise from me. Dinner was enjoyed with all my close friends including Auntie Ee and Mrs Tay. The Jongs, Bitaos, Lees; Ongs,  Buis and Janet were all great company and I thank them for spending their time to spend my birthday with me. That's what good friends are for.

The next day, I brought the family out for a dinner at Mosman Bay Restaurant. It was a great location and the food was great except that these damned noveau cuisine do not really fill your stomach.

Kids were talking about having soup once we got home. These are growing boys.

There is nothing better than having a family dinner. I have made it a rule that all dinners are shared at the dining table instead of occasionally sitting in front of the TV to have our dinner. That rule has proven a great rule as it allows me to catch up with the boys.

Annie being kissed by a 50 year old man

Family photo outside Mosman Bay Restaurant

Family with Popo

Tyz and Jaz, the 2 princes

The next day proved another surprise as the staff of my office threw me another surprise party. It's great to work with all of them. We have all gone through some tough times but many good times together. Their presents were all golf related. Is it not easy to shop for me?

The staff of Tan and Tan throwing a 50s party for their boss.

One of the presents the staff gave to me for Christmas last year was a voucher for a portrait sitting with Viva Photography. As a celebration of my 50th birthday, my wife organised for the portrait sitting. It was fun and the family totally enjoyed it.

Here are the photos.

I just wonder why I was never asked to pose solo???? It was my birthday after all but the photographer only wanted solo photos of the boys and my wife!!!! I felt like I was a prop or supporting cast.

Until I blog again, life is what you make of it. In the words of Forrest Gump, life is a box of chocolate.

New website for probate and estate planning matters

Dear Readers,

It has been a while since my last blog.

Val, a lawyer from my office has been working hard with me to create a new website focusing on probate and estate planning matters.

Yes it is true, there is nothing more definite than tax and death.

Well, the reason for estate planning is to ensure your wealth is distributed according to your wishes and with minimal tax. Have a look at www.affordablelaw.com.au

It is a website totally addressing estate planning matters.

Feel free to browse the site before making an appointment to see one of our lawyers to discuss your estate planning requirements.

Celebrating Chinese New Year

We are now in the year of the Rabbit according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Was the year of the Tiger a good year? That was the year Tan and Tan Lawyers moved to their new premises at Terrace Rd. The move has seen Tan and Tan Lawyers improve on their quality of service. We were granted a Quality Assurance Practice Standard accreditation in the year of the Tiger. Our new office premises are a dream to work from. We have river and park views. I enjoy nothing more than sitting outside the verandah and having a coffee. So all in all the year of the Tiger was quite good. The year of the Rabbit promises to be just as interesting. I was supposed to set up a branch office in the north. However I am advised by my feng shui master that this is the year to conserve energy and funds. However my business doctor/mentor tells me I have to expand. Such is the paradox. Any way, here are some photos of the lion dances at the office to bring in the new year. This year I have decided to focus on providing my legal service to public listed companies. I now act as legal adviser to a public listed comnpany based in Perth. Suffice to say that it has been an interesting experience. On behalf of the current chairman who was the majority shareholder of the company, we managed to get control of the board. The chairman has been inspirational in how he perceives business and legal issues. Suffice to say I believe I am a good lawyer but not much of a businessman. I supposed my legal training prevents me from taking business risks. The chairman of this company looked at legal issues and business issues so differently from how I would tackle the issues. It has been a really great experience delving into the mind of a great businessman.