Entrepreneurship
Management and Organising Skills to Grow a Livestock Business
Zulkifli, or more fondly called Pi or Abang Pi among the locals, had been a business minded person since his school days. While all the children were occupied with their studies, Pi was also busy doing odd jobs, partly to supplement his family’s income. These activities included work on fruit farms, cutting grass, collecting rubber scraps and looking after his grandfather’s herd of sheep. His Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia’s result was not bad. Even though he was accepted for a diploma course in catering at UiTM, he decided to be a production worker in a factory instead. Later, he also applied for jobs with the army, railway and anti-drug agency but none were successful despite attending the interviews.
His life took a change after getting married to Mona Risa in 2005. She is a daughter of a settler in Felda Chuping, not far from his kampung in Kubang Perun. Pi then worked in his father-in-law’s sugar cane plantation. At that time, Chuping was the main centre for sugar cane cultivation and processing in the country. The plantation ceased its operation in 2009. Pi then worked as a labourer at the Felda sugarcane plantation, before venturing into the sheep rearing business the following year.
Finding the Right Niche
It’s in the sheep rearing business that Pi finally found the right niche where his passion and experience could be channeled to good use. He travelled all over Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak to buy stocks which he fed before selling. Business expanded and prospered with the addition of cattles and buffaloes to his operations. It grew further with his new ventures in the production and supply of livestock feed. For a person who does not benefit from a high education, Pi has done well with his business taking off when he started supplying livestock on tenders. These days, one can find more than a hundred cattles, buffaloes and sheep in his various farms. He has two lorries to cater for his transport needs.
Internet Centre’s Support
The Internet Centre at Felda Chuping opened in 2010 is among the earliest one established by Celcom for the programme. Its current manager, Zakiah Rejab joined as a young assistant manager before getting promoted in 2014. The centre contributed a great deal for Pi’s success. He is not computer literate but is a regular sight at the place. Here, he gets assistance from the staff to manage his business which he could not get elsewhere around the area. The centre helped him with designing his logo and stationery, preparing business plans for a bank loan, writing business proposals and correspondence, filing, online banking and printing. He reciprocates the gesture by sponsoring various events organised by the centre. With grit, determination and managing skills, Pi is walking in the shadows of successful entrepreneurs like Henry Ford and Lim Goh Tong who despite their limitations, were able to reach great heights of success by working with the right people and team.
Zulkifli Ariffin, 37
PP Sinar Enterprise
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Served by Celcom Internet Centre
Felda Chuping, Perlis
