Danny Lee, the Sales Manager and Director of OZAK SEIKO (M) SDN. BHD., was born in Sempalit New Village, near Raub, Pahang, in 1963. New Villages were set up under the Briggs’ Plan to counter the then Communist threat in the country, and many of the rural people were moved to these new villages by the authorities of the day. Living in these New Villages restricted somewhat the economic activities of the people living in them, with the result that some of them went away to earn their living.

Danny and his four siblings, two elder sisters and two younger brothers, were looked after by his rubber-tapper grandmother, when their parents went to Singapore in search of employment. The five of them therefore spent their formative years under the care of a very loving grandmother, who spoilt them on occasion, but could also be very firm, as when she sternly warned Danny to stay away from bad company.

Still, Danny enjoyed an adventurous childhood with his many friends, whereby swimming in the local river was a major highlight of their entertainment, especially with the water being very clean, unlike what it is now. Together with his friends, he also enjoyed rural games such as kaunda-kaundee. In addition to this, he found entertainment by catching and rearing fighting spiders and, of course, organizing fights between his spiders and those of his friends. The mischievous side of him came out when he collected rubber seeds from the nearby rubber estate, rubbed them on a suitable surface furtively, and then applied the hot rubber seed to the skin of his nearest friend who, no doubt, screamed in pain ! All in all, Danny enjoyed a very peaceful and safe childhood growing up in Sempalit New Village.

He attended the local primary school, Sekolah Rendah Mahmud, Raub, and followed this by attending secondary school at Sekolah Menengah Tun Hussein Onn, Raub. In 1979, he moved to Kuala Lumpur, where he completed his secondary education at the Technical Institute. Life was not easy for the young Danny, and he had to supplement the family income by helping to construct drains using pre-cast concrete units, whilst still at school.

Despite the hardships he endured at a tender age, Danny excelled at his studies and extracurricular activities whilst at school. He played basketball and volleyball fairly well, and was appointed the School Librarian (early training perhaps, for his first job, which was that of Storekeeper !). He was also the Secretary of the Interact Club, and organized many trips and activities, even going as far away as Singapore on one occasion. Danny particularly enjoyed organizing activities involving the local Girls’ Schools ! With all these activities keeping him busy, Danny still found time to study and became the top student of his school.

Upon completing his secondary education, he enrolled at the Damansara Utama College, where he completed a course conducted by the Institute of Data Processing Management, and secured an Advanced Diploma. Once again, because finances were a bit tight, he worked as a Pub Waiter to help pay his way through College. Today, he continues his education through reading books on management and self-improvement, and also attending courses organized and sponsored by his employers.

His working life commenced when he started working for SLS Bearings in 1985 as a Storekeeper. He then moved into Sales, and later managed the EDP activities of the Company. In 1995, SLS Bearings was merged into a Japanese Company, and is today known as OZAK SEIKO (M) SDN. BHD. Danny was appointed as the Manager for Sales & Marketing, a position he still holds today, in addition to being a Director of the Company.

Danny believes in working hard, and is willing to learn all the time. He feels that part of his success can be attributed to these two characteristics, and also the fact that he possesses an in-depth knowledge of the Company’s products. As for his management techniques, Danny is a proponent of the “hands-on management style”. He feels that it is important that staff have access to the management at all times. This thinking is reflected in the way the office is laid out, that is in the “open plan” manner. Staff thus have direct access to their manager. He considers each member of staff to be an individual, and therefore treats them accordingly. The Company has just instituted a pro-active human resources policy with input from all the staff, and Danny is determined to implement this policy. He also espouses continuous training for all Company employees.

The main motivation in his life was provided by his elder sister, who strived very hard to ensure that he achieved academic success. She was the one who pushed him to achieve what he has achieved today. In addition to her, Danny was motivated to be better at whatever he did in life. Today, he reads many self-improvement books, especially those written by Bruce Welsh, to keep him at a high level of motivation.

His advice to the younger generation, who may wish to emulate him, is very simple – “Be willing to work hard and keep learning all the time. You must have an interest in whatever you are doing, to be successful. Do not seek self-gratification, but think of society and your Company always. All these characteristics will bring success, and success will bring money”.

Even though he enjoys joking, he seldom gets out to socialize these days. The reason is the apple of his eye - his two and a half-year old daughter. Danny has no hobbies, but delights in taking the little girl out on trips whenever he can.

IA News would like to take this opportunity to thank Danny for his valuable time, and to wish him, his family, his staff and Ozak Seiko, the very best for the future.

Courtesy of Ozak