IPM Professional Services was delighted to welcome SIRIM Berhad to our office recently.

The visit gave us a great opportunity to discuss possible collaborations and to make sure both our organizations stay aligned in moving forward. We had meaningful conversations on strengthening ties, sharing expertise, and exploring areas where working together can bring more value to the industry and our clients.

We truly look forward to building a closer partnership with SIRIM Berhad as we continue to provide professional architectural and engineering consultancy services with dedication and commitment.

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Great to have completed another successful joint building inspection with DBKL (Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur) officer and our client at the KLCC District Cooling Plant (DCC2). A big thank you to the DBKL officer and our client for their cooperation and support throughout this inspection project. We are committed to delivering professional building inspection services to our clients in the building and construction industry, along with efficient liaison and submissions to local authorities.

To highlight: Under Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974: Section 85A, visual inspection is compulsory to be carried out for 10 years old tall building (exceeding 5 storeys), and the subsequent inspection shall be repeated in 10 years basis. The objective of the visual inspection is to assess the condition and performance of the building to ensure the building is safe to occupy for another 10 years. Therefore, the report will conclude the level of building safety.

 In common practice, the local authority (LA) will inform the building owner or management corporation by written notice. As soon as the notice is received, the building owner or management corporation has to engage the Professional Engineer with Practicing Certificate (PEPC) to carry out visual inspection for the building. Upon the completion of the inspection, a report will be prepared by PEPC and submitted to the LA within the stipulated time frame.

 The report will consist of the 5 main chapters, which include the introduction of the building, observation during the visual inspection, the root cause of defects, proposed rectification measures, and conclusion (safe or unsafe). If the PEPC in his opinion that the structural defect will likely endanger or reduce the structural integrity, then the PEPC shall recommend a full structural investigation (Building Defect Assessment) to be carried out and it will be under the separate scope of services.

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Ekonomi perkongsian telah wujud sejak zaman kuno. Secara praktikal, ia telah diamalkan di kalangan ahli keluarga dan rakan-rakan terdekat. Pada masa kini, ia muncul sebagai salah satu alternatif dalam memaksimumkan kekangan sumber semula jadi, seperti berkongsi ekonomi yang diperkenalkan menghubungkan dunia dalam talian dan luar talian melalui sumber Internet dalam memaksimumkan aset dan sumber yang ada. Ekonomi perkongsian menghasilkan nilai dengan memadankan aset ini dengan pengguna yang bersedia membayar untuk perkhidmatan yang disediakan yang dihasilkan dari aset tersebut. Perkhidmatan yang ada seperti penginapan hotel dan pengangkutan teksi telah tersedia dalam industri perhotelan dan industri teksi.

Pelbagai permulaan dengan menggunakan laman web dan aplikasi seperti dalam perkongsian kereta (Uber, GrabCar, Zipcar), perkongsian kereta peer-to-peer (Whipcar, RelayRides, SnappCar), perkhidmatan peribadi dan pelbagai (Airtime, GetMaid), perkongsian basikal ( Bixi, HZ Bike), filem (Netflix, Quickflix), sewa peer-to-peer (Airbnb, Globetroopers) menunjukkan bahawa platform ekonomi perkongsian yang timbul dari semasa ke semasa di pasaran semasa. Adakah konsep perkongsian ekonomi boleh digunakan dalam perkhidmatan perundingan seni bina dan kejuruteraan?

Mereka yang berlatih dalam industri pembinaan tidak akan pelik dengan arkitek bebas atau jurutera bebas. Sebahagian dari mereka membawa jawatan sebagai arkitek bersekutu atau jurutera bersekutu untuk berlatih sebagai profesional. Freelancing menjadi semakin berleluasa.

Selama lima tahun terakhir, disebabkan pasaran buruh yang menyusut dalam menyediakan lebih banyak pekerjaan sepenuh masa, orang Amerika memilih untuk menjadi bekerja sendiri. Antara tahun 2014 dan 2018, 3.7 juta orang telah mula bekerja sendiri. Untuk meletakkannya dalam perspektif, itu setara dengan keseluruhan populasi Connecticut. Menurut hasil FIA, kini terdapat 56.7 juta orang yang bekerja sendiri di Amerika.

Ini masanya untuk pekerja bebas. Walaupun menghadapi cabaran yang dihadapi oleh pekerja bebas (seperti ketidakpastian pendapatan dan kekurangan faedah), semakin banyak pekerja sama ada berhenti sepenuhnya dari pekerjaan biasa mereka untuk memilih jadual yang lebih fleksibel atau menjaga keselamatan kedudukan tetap sambil bekerja sambilan. Dengan jumlah yang terus bertambah, secara logiknya pekerja bebas akhirnya akan menarik minat syarikat. Berikut adalah sebab utama mengapa syarikat suka mengupah pekerja bebas:

1. 1. Kemahiran dan Kepakaran Khusus
      Pekerja sendiri selalu didiskriminasikan, dan banyak yang mendakwa bahawa mereka tidak profesional seperti rakan sepejabat mereka. Ini tidak benar, terutamanya sejak akhir-akhir ini. Oleh kerana pekerja sendiri menyediakan kebebasan dan fleksibiliti yang sukar dalam 9 hingga 5 pekerjaan yang biasa, banyak pekerja beralih kepadanya sebagai sumber pendapatan tunggal atau pendapatan tambahan. Oleh itu, sekumpulan yang berbakat meningkat dengan pesat,bermaksud bahawa mereka yang didalam pelbagai bidang menggunakan pengetahuan dan kepakaran mereka untuk pekerjaan bebas.
   2. Keberkesanan Kos
      Syarikat bertanggungjawab untuk memberikan faedah kepada pekerja sepenuh masa, termasuk insurans kesihatan, cuti rehat dan cuti sakit, yang merupakan semua perbelanjaan yang harus dibayar oleh syarikat. Pekerja sendiri adalah ejen bebas, bukan pekerja tetap syarikat, oleh itu majikan tidak perlu memberikan faedah kepada pekerja sendiri. Ini adalah kelebihan bagi majikan, tetapi kerugian bagi pekerja sendiri yang kehilangan wang mereka setiap kali mereka bercuti atau jatuh sakit.
   3. Kerja Berasaskan Projek
      Pekerja sepenuh masa tidak semestinya diperlukan dalam semua projek dan tugas kerana projek adalah tugas satu kali yang mempunyai waktu mula dan akhir yang berbeza sepanjang tahun. Juga, kumpulan berkemahiran yang berbeza mungkin diperlukan dalam projek yang berbeza yang menjadikan pengambilan seseorang secara sepenuh masa untuk menyelesaikannya tidak masuk akal. Di situlah pekerja persendirian ini diperlukan.Pelaksanaan konsep ekonomi berbagi dapat dimulai dengan membuat platform dalam talian Business to Business (B2B) yang menawarkan untuk menyesuaikan dengan profesional dan majikan bebas. Dengan adanya platform dalam talian ini, klien projek dapat mencari pelbagai pakar dan profesional industri pembinaan dengan mudah.

IPM telah memulakan inisiatif untuk mengumpulkan pakar dan profesional industri pembinaan di Malaysia sejak tahun 2016 dan sekarang kami mempunyai lebih daripada beratus rakan sekutu yang mendaftar dengan kami. Kelebihan utama rakan sekerja IPM merangkumi pilihan kerjaya yang diinginkan dengan ruang yang cukup untuk pembangunan peribadi dan kerjaya, masa kerja yang fleksibel untuk disesuaikan dengan jadual peribadi, mempelbagaikan pendapatan untuk mendapatkan gaji tambahan, projek mega memberi pendedahan untuk memperoleh pengalaman praktikal yang secara langsung, pengembangan jenama peribadi untuk memajukan perjalanan kerjaya. Selain itu, IPM bekerjasama secara aktif dengan firma profesional serantau. (Myanmar, Indonesia, Filipina, Laos, Vietnam, India, dan China)

Kami sangat yakin suatu hari nanti kami akan mencapai visi kami untuk menjadi firma perunding profesional terbesar di ASEAN dalam industri pembangunan dan pembinaan, menyumbang kepada peradaban hebat di rantau ASEAN. Apa yang perlu anda lakukan ialah tetap bersama kami!

Ir. Dr. Justin LAI Woon Fatt
CEO/ Pengasas
IPM Group

Rujukan:
[1]https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/11/we-studied-freelancing-for-five-years-here-s-how-work-is-changing/
[2]https://www.business.com/articles/why-companies-hire-freelancers/

**This Malay translation is for reference only. If the meaning of the Malay translation is inconsistent with the original English version, the original English version shall prevail.

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The sharing economy has existed since ancient times. Practically, it has been practiced among close family members and friends. Nowadays, it emerges as one of the alternatives in maximizing the natural resource constraints, such as sharing economy introduced connecting the online and offline world through the source of the Internet in maximizing the existing assets and resources. The sharing economy generates values by matching these assets with consumers willing to pay for the services provided generated from the asset. The existing services such as accommodation from the hotels and transportation from the taxi have available outside of the formal hotel and taxi industry.

Various start-ups by utilizing websites and applications such as in car sharing (Uber, GrabCar, Zipcar), peer-to-peer car sharing (Whipcar, RelayRides, SnappCar), personal and miscellaneous services (Airtime, GetMaid), bike sharing (Bixi, HZ Bike), movies (Netflix, Quickflix), peer-to-peer rental (Airbnb, Globetroopers) shows that the arising sharing economy platforms from time to time in current marketplace.

Is sharing economy concept applicable in architectural and engineering consultancy services?

Those who practise in the construction industry will not be strange with freelance architects or freelance engineers. Some of them carry the job title of the associate architect or associate engineer to practise as professionals. Freelancing is becoming more prevalent.

Over the past five years, due to facing a shrinking labor market in providing more full-time jobs, Americans have opted to become freelancers. Between 2014 and 2018, 3.7 million more people have started freelance. To put that in perspective, that’s the equivalent of the entire population of Connecticut. According to the results of the FIA, there are now 56.7 million freelancers in America.

It’s the time of the freelancer. Even with the challenges faced by freelancers (such as the unpredictability of income and lack of benefits), more and more workers are either totally quitting their traditional jobs in favor of a more flexible schedule or maintaining the security of a permanent position while freelancing on the side. With the numbers constantly growing, it makes sense that freelancers would eventually attract the interest of corporations. The following are the main reasons why companies love to hire freelancers.

1. Specialized Skills and Expertise
Freelancers have always been stigmatized, and many claim that they are not as professional as their full-time counterparts. This is not true, especially as of late. Since freelancing provides freedom and flexibility that is difficult in typical 9-to-5 employment, many workers are turning to it as either their sole source of income or additional income. The talent pool is therefore increasing rapidly, meaning that people in different fields utilize their knowledge and expertise for freelancing jobs.

2. Cost-Effectiveness
Companies are responsible for providing benefits to full-time employees, including health insurance, paid time off and sick leave, which are all expenses that the company has to pay. Freelancers are free agents, not the permanent employees of the company, so the employer does not need to provide benefits to freelancers. This is an advantage for employers, but a disadvantage for freelancers who lose their money whenever they take a vacation or get sick.

3. Project-Based Work
A full-time employee is not necessarily required in all projects and tasks as projects are one-off assignments that have different start and end times throughout the year. Also, different skill sets may be needed in different projects which makes hiring one person full-time to complete them are not making sense. That’s where the freelancers shine.
Implementation of sharing economy concept could be initiated by creating a Business to Business (B2B) online platform that offers to match freelance professionals and employers. With the existence of this online platform, project clients could source for various construction industry experts and professionals easily.

IPM has started the initiative to pool the construction industry experts and professionals in Malaysia since the year 2016 and now we have more than hundreds of associates registered with us. Main advantages to IPM associates include desirable career option with ample space for personal and career development; flexible working time to suit personal schedules; diversify income to earn extra wages; mega projects exposure to gain practical and hands on experience; personal brand development to advance career journey. Apart from that, IPM actively collaborates with regional professional firms. (Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines, Laos, Vietnam, India, and China)

We strongly believe one day we will achieve our vision to be ASEAN’s largest professional consultancy firm in the building and construction industry, contributing to great civilisation in the ASEAN region. What you need to do is stay with us!

Ir. Dr. Justin LAI Woon Fatt
CEO/ Founder
IPM Group

References:
[1] https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/11/we-studied-freelancing-for-five-years-here-s-how-work-is-changing/
[2] https://www.business.com/articles/why-companies-hire-freelancers/

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Vietnam International Retail-Tech & Franchise Show (VIETRF) had been successfully organized at Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) from 1^st to 3^rd November 2018. It is one of the largest annual franchising exhibition at Ho Chi Minh City. This time VIETRF gathered 150 franchise models and 50 companies in retailtech, from 14 countries including Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Canada, India, Hong Kong – China, Phillippines, USA, Spain and France.

IPM proudly representing Malaysia to participate in VIETRF to introduce and promote IPM Franchise System at Vietnam market. The franchise business is a win-win situation for both IPM and franchisees; whereby franchisees receive assistance and guidance from IPM to develop their own Engineering Consultancy Practice (ECP) businesses, while IPM receives royalty as remuneration. IPM aim to be ASEAN’s largest professional consultancy firm in the building and construction industry, contributing to great civilisation in ASEAN region.

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Franchise International Malaysia 2018 (FIM2018) had been successfully organized at Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC) from 20^th to 22^th April 2018. It is the largest annual franchising exhibition and conference in Southeast Asia. FIM2018 assembled main players in the franchise sector from all around the world to discuss current franchise issues and focusing franchise as a key strategy in developing entrepreneurship in Malaysia especially in retail and service sectors.

IPM had participated as an exhibitor in FIM2018 to introduce and promote IPM Franchise System to Malaysia market as well as ASEAN market. IPM franchise business is meant to create lower entry barrier for young engineers to establish their own engineering consultancy firm with guidance of SOP and technical manuals. The franchise business offers systematic procedures, continuous training, quality control, and reduced start-up cost to franchisees. With that, IPM is able to extend its reach in Malaysia and serves more people while enlightening the young entrepreneurs.

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The Malaysia Book of Records

IPM is officially recognised by The Malaysia Book of Records as the “First Engineering Consultancy Firm to Obtain Franchise License”. Hearty congratulation to IPM !

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Congratulations to Ir. Justin Lai, founder and Managing Director of IPM, for being selected as one of the Top 30 Semi Finalists of Junior Chamber International Creative Young Entrepreneur Award 2017 (JCI CYEA). The award ceremony was held in The Swiss Garden Hotel on 29th September 2017.

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Ir. Justin Lai, founder and Managing Director of IPM, was featured on Astro Kah Lai Toi (Channel 304). The interview was aired on 7th August 2016 at 9pm.

Watch how Ir. Justin Lai started his own setup and gradually develop the company into the current award-winning establishment in the building and construction industry.

Trailer of the show

Full video of Justin’s interview

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