Leadership and Islam

It is a well-known fact that the Prophet of Islam (saw) was the supremely successful man in the entire human history. But he was not just a hero, as Thomas Carlyle has called him. According to the Qur’an, he was the best example for all mankind. He has shown us the way of achieving supreme success in this world. By studying the life of the Prophet (saw), we can derive those important principles which were followed by the Prophet (saw). Indeed, the Prophet of Islam (saw) was a positive thinker in the full sense of the word. All his activities were result-oriented. He completely refrained from all such steps as may prove counter-productive.

First Principle: To begin from the possible
This principle is well explained in a saying of Aishah. She said: “Whenever the Prophet had to choose between two options, he always opted for the easier choice.” (Al-Bukhari) To choose the easiest option means to begin from the possible and one who begins from the possible will surely reach his goal.

Second Principle: To see advantage in disadvantage
In the early days of Mecca, there were many problems and difficulties. At that time, a guiding verse in the Qur’an was revealed. It said: “With every hardship there is ease, with every hardship there is ease.” (94:5-6).
This means that if there are some problems, there are also opportunities at the same time. And the way to success is to ignore the problems and avail the opportunities.

Third Principle: To change the place of action
This principle is derived from the Hijrah. Hijrah was not just a migration from Mecca to Medina. It was to find a more suitable place for Islamic work, as history proved later on.

Fourth Principle: To make a friend out of an enemy
The Prophet (saw) of Islam was repeatedly subjected to practices of antagonism by the unbelievers. At that time the Qur’an enjoined upon him the return of good for evil. And then, as the Qur’an added, “You will see your direst enemy has become your closest friend” (41:34). It means that a good deed in return of a bad deed has a conquering effect over your enemies. And the life of the Prophet(saw) is a historical proof of this principle.

Fifth Principle: To turn minus into plus
After the Battle of Badr, about 70 of the unbelievers were taken as the prisoners of war. They were educated people. The Prophet(saw) announced that if any one of them would teach ten Muslim children how to read and write he would be freed. This was the first school in the history of Islam in which all of the students were Muslims, and all of the teachers were from the enemy rank. Here I shall quote a British orientalist who remarked about the Prophet of Islam (saw): He faced adversity with the determination to writing success out of failure.

Sixth Principle: The power of peace is stronger than the power of violence
When Mecca was conquered, the entire Prophet’s (saw) direst opponents were brought before him. They were war criminals, in every sense of the word. But the Prophet (saw) did not order to kill them. He simply said: “Go, you are free.” The result of this kind behavior was miraculous. They immediately accepted Islam.

Seventh Principle: Not to be a dichotomous thinker
In the famous Ghazwa of Muta, Khalid bin Walid decided to withdraw Muslim forces from the battlefield because he discovered that the enemy was unproportionately outnumbered. When they reached Medina, some of the Muslims received them by the word “O Furrar (O deserters!)” The Prophet (saw) said “No. They are Kurrar
(men of advancement).” Those Medinan people were thinking dichotomously, either fighting or retreating. The Prophet (saw) said no. There is also a third option, and that is to avoid war and find a time to strengthen yourself. Now history tells us that the Muslims, after three years of preparation, advanced again towards the Roman border and this time they won a resounding victory.

Eighth Principle: To bring the battle in one’s own favorable field
This principle is derived from the Ghazwa of Hudaibiyya. At that time, the unbelievers were determined to engage Muslims in fighting, because obviously they were in an advantageous position. But the Prophet (saw), by accepting their conditions unilaterally, entered into a pact. It was a ten-year peace treaty. Until then, the meeting ground between Muslims and non- Muslims had been on the battlefield. Now the area of conflict became that of ideological debate. Within two years, Islam emerged as victorious because of the simple reason of its ideological superiority.

Ninth Principle: Gradualism instead of radicalism
This principle is well-established by a hadith of Al-Bukhari. Aishah says that the first verses of the Qur’an were related mostly to heaven and hell. And then after a long time when the people’s hearts had softened, the specific commands to desist from adultery and drinking were revealed in the Qur’an. This is a clear proof that for social changes, Islam advocates the evolutionary method, rather than the revolutionary method.

Tenth Principle: To be pragmatic in controversial matters
During the writing of Hudaibiyyah treaty, the Prophet (saw) dictated these words: “This is from Muhammad, the Messenger of God.” The Qurayshi delegate raised objections over these words. The Prophet (saw) promptly changed the word and ordered to write simply Muhammad, son of Abdullah.

These were the principles through which the Prophet of Islam (saw) gained that success which has been recognized by historians as the true success.


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Islamic Banking in Indonesia in Brief

In view of providing a wider banking services alternative to Indonesian economy, the development of Islamic banking in Indonesia is implemented under dual banking system in compliance with the Indonesian Banking Architecture (API). Islamic banking and conventional banking systems jointly and synergically support a wider public fund mobilization in the framework of fostering financing capability of national economic sectors.

The characteristic of Islamic banking operation is based on partnership and mutual benefits principle provides an alternative banking system with mutual benefits both for the public and the bank. This system will give priorities to aspects related to fairness in transaction and ethical investment by underlining the values of togetherness and partnership in production, and by avoiding any speculative activity in financial transaction. By providing various products and banking services supported by varietive financial scheme. Islamic banking will be a credible alternative that can be benefited by all of Indonesian people without exception.

In the context of macro economic management, an extensive use of various Islamic financial products and instrument will help attaching financial sector and real sector and create harmonization between the two sectors. In addition to support financial and business the widely use of islamic product and instrument will also reduce speculative transactions in thus the economy supports the stability of overall financial system. At the end, the Islamic banking will significantly contribute to the achievement of mid-long term price stability.

The enactment of Act no. 21 of 2008 issued on July 16, 2008 has provided a more adequate legal base to the development of Islamic banking in Indonesia ,and consequently will accelerate the growth of the industry. With an impressive development progress reaching an annual average asset growth of more than 65% in the last five years, it is expected that Islamic banking industry will have a more significant role in supporting national economy.

Policy of Islamic Banking Development in Indonesia.

”The Blueprint of Islamic Banking Development in Indonesia ” prepared by Bank Indonesia in 2002 provides guidance to stakeholders of Islamic banking and to set the position and vision of Bank Indonesia in developing Islamic bank in Indonesia. In the process of preparing this Blueprint, various aspects have been taken comprehensively into consideration such as the actual condition of national Islamic banking industry including related tools, development trend of Islamic banking industry within international scale as well as system development of national Islamic finance that has started to be materialized and inseparable from wider architectural landscape such as Indonesian Banking Architecture (API) and Indonesian Financial System Architecture (ASKI) including international best practices formulated by international Islamic financial institutions such as IFSB (Islamic Financial Services Board), AAOIFI and IIFM.

The development of Islamic banking was directed to provide the highest benefits to the public and to give optimal contribution to national economy. Consequently its development path is always referred to other strategic plans, such as Indonesian Banking Architecture (API), Indonesian Financial System Architecture (ASKI) as well as Medium Term National Development Plan (RPJMN) and Long-Term National Development Plan (RPJPN). Therefore, the policy in developing Islamic banking is a part and an activity supporting the achievement of a larger scale strategic planning in developmnet at national level.

”The Blueprint of of Islamic Banking in Indonesia ” defines the vision, mission and target of Islamic banking development as well as strategic initiatives with clear priorities in response to the main challenge and in reaching the target for the next ten years by achieving significant market share of Islamic banking through the advancement of the role of Islamic banking in the national, regional and international financial activities with other Islamic financial sectors.

In the condition of its integration, in the short term, the phase of Islamic banking development is more directed toward servicing the huge potential of domestic market. In other words, Indonesian Islamic banking must be able to become domestic player with an internatioal quality in services and performance.

Subsequently, the Islamic banking system envisioned by Bank Indonesia is a modern Islamic banking with open and universal characteristics and inclusive to all Indonesian people with no exception. It refers to banking system presenting applicative forms of Islamic economic concept that is wisely formulated in the current context of problems faced by Indonesia within the consciousness of the historical socio-cultural condition of this country. Only by doing that, the aspiration development of Islamic banking will always be recognized and accepted by all Indonesian people as a part of the solutions to the various problems encountered by this country.

Grand Strategy of Islamic Banking Market Development
In line with the concrete efforts in developing Islamic banking in Indonesia, Bank Indonesia has formulated a Grand Strategy of Islamic Banking Market Development, as a comprehensive strategy of market development covering strategic aspects, such as: determining the vision of 2010 as the leading Islamic banking industry in ASEAN, creating the new image of inclusive and universal Islamic banking, mapping a more accurate market segment, developing more various products, improving services as well as adopting new communication strategy of Islamic banking by positioning it as a beyond banking position. ( Islamic banking is more than just a bank).

Hence, different concrete programs have and will be performed as the implementation stage of the Grand Strategy of Islamic Banking Market Development including but not limited to the following measures:

First, assigning a new vision of Islamic banking development on phase I in 2008 to build understanding in Islamic banking as Beyond Banking by reaching an asset target of Rp 50 trillion and industrial growth of 40%, phase II in 2009 with the objective of positioning Indonesian Islamic banking as the most attractive one in ASEAN. Phase III in 2010 will have the objective of attaining Indonesian Islamic banking as a leading Islamic Bank in ASEAN.

Second, new image program of Islamic banking that includes positioning, differentiation and branding aspects. The new positioning of Islamic bank as banking that provides mutual benefits to both parties, differentiation aspect with competitive advantages with various products and schemes, transparency, competent and ethical finance, updated and user friendly information technology as well as qualified investment expert of Islamic finance. Branding aspect will be represented by ”Islamic bank, more than just a bank “( beyond banking).

Third, new mapping program which is more accurate on Islamic banking market potential that generally directs Islamic bank services as universal service or bank accessible for all kinds of people and all segments in accordance with the strategy of each Islamic bank.

Fourth, product development program directed to various products variations supported by the unique value offered (mutual benefits) and strenghthened by a wide office network and the use of easily comprehended standards of product name (example : deposit – iB, financing – iB).

Fifth, program of service quality enhancement supported by competent human resources and the supply of information technology to meet customer ’s requirement and satisfaction. This competency is also expected to be able to communicate products and services of Islamic banking to customer correctly and clearly get always complying to sharia principles; and

Sixth, a wider and more efficient socialization and educational program for public interest through various direct or indirect (printing and electronic media, online/website) communication channels with the objective of contributing comprehension on the advantages of Islamic banking products and services that can be benefited by the public.


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Introduction & History of Accounting

INTRODUCTION
Accounting and Bookkeeping, the process of identifying, measuring, recording, and communicating economic information about an organization or other entity, in order to permit informed judgments by users of the information. Bookkeeping encompasses the record-keeping aspect of accounting and therefore provides much of the data to which accounting principles are applied in the preparation of financial statements and other financial information.
Personal record keeping often uses a simple single-entry system, in which amounts are usually recorded in column form. Such entries include the date of the transaction, its nature, and the amount of money involved. Record keeping of organizations, however, is based on a double-entry system, whereby each transaction is recorded on the basis of its dual impact on the organization’s financial position or operating results or both. Information relating to the financial position of an enterprise is presented on a balance sheet, while disclosures about operating results are displayed on an income statement. Information relating to an organization’s liquidity—namely, how it obtains and spends cash—is shown on a statement of cash flows. These three financial statements provide information about past performance, which in turn becomes a basis for readers to try to project what might happen in the future.

HISTORY
Bookkeeping and record-keeping methods, created in response to the development of trade and commerce, are preserved from ancient and medieval sources. Double-entry bookkeeping began in the commercial city-states of medieval Italy and was well developed by the time of the earliest preserved double-entry books, from 1340 in Genoa.
The first published accounting work was written in 1494 by the Venetian monk Luca Pacioli. Although it disseminated rather than created knowledge about double-entry bookkeeping, Pacioli's work summarized principles that have remained essentially unchanged. Additional accounting works were published during the 16th century in Italian, German, Dutch, French, and English, and these works included early formulations of the concepts of assets, liabilities, and income.
The Industrial Revolution of the mid-1700s created a need for accounting techniques that would be adequate to handle mechanization, factory-manufacturing operations, and the mass production of goods and services. With the emergence in the mid-19th century of large, publicly owned business corporations, owned by absentee stockholders and administered by professional managers, the role of accounting was further redefined.
Starting in the mid-20th century, machines—particularly computers—performed many of the bookkeeping functions that are vital to accounting systems. The widespread use of computers broadened the scope of bookkeeping, and the term data processing now frequently encompasses bookkeeping.


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"FAMILY" AND "MOTHER'S DAY"

F-A-M-I-L-Y

I bumped into a stranger as he passed by, “Oh, excuse me please" was my reply. He said, "Please excuse me too; wasn’t even watching for you." We were very polite, this stranger and I. We went on our way and we said good-bye. But at home a different story is told, how we treat our loved ones, young and old. Later that day, cooking the evening meal, my daughter stood beside me very still. When I turned, I nearly knocked her down. "Move out of the way," I said with a frown. She walked away; her little heart was broken. I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken. While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said, "While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use. But the children you love, you seem to abuse. Look on the kitchen floor, you'll find some flowers there by the door. Those are the flowers she brought for you. She picked them herself: pink, yellow and blue. She stood quietly not to spoil the surprise, and you never saw the tears in her eyes." By this time, I felt very small, and now my tears began to fall. I quietly went and knelt by her bed; "Wake up, little girl, wake up," I said. "Are these the flowers you picked for me?" She smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree. I picked 'em because they're pretty like you. I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue." I said, "Daughter, I'm sorry for the way I acted today; I shouldn't have yelled at you that way." She said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you anyway." I said, "Daughter, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the blue." Are you aware that: If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our family - an unwise investment indeed. So what is behind the story? You know what is the full word of family? FAMILY=(F)ather (A)nd (M)other, (I) (L)ove (Y)ou! Fill life with love and bravery and we shall live a life uncommon
http://www.make4fun.com/funny-short-stories.php?stuff=family&id=3727

Mothers day - inspiring story about mother
(An inspiring motivational story)
A man stopped at a flower shop to order some flowers to be wired to his mother who lived two hundred miles away.
As he got out of his car he noticed a young girl sitting on the curb sobbing.
He asked her what was wrong and she replied, "I wanted to buy a red rose for my mother.
But I only have seventy-five cents, and a rose costs two dollars."
The man smiled and said, "Come on in with me. I'll buy you a rose."
He bought the little girl her rose and ordered his own mother's flowers.
As they were leaving he offered the girl a ride home.
She said, "Yes, please! You can take me to my mother."
She directed him to a cemetery, where she placed the rose on a freshly dug grave.
The man returned to the flower shop, canceled the wire order, picked up a bouquet and drove the two hundred miles to his mother's house.
http://www.indianchild.com/short_stories.htm
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An Example of CURRICULUM VITAE-Type 2

Personal Details
Full Name : Raditya Adipramono
Sex : Male
Place, Date of Birth: Palangka Raya, December 18, 1983
Nationality : Indonesia
Marital Status : Single
Height, Weight : 173 cm, 68 kg
Health : Perfect
Religion : Moslem
Address : Jl. Nangka 176 Mundu Depok-Sleman DIY 55281
Mobile : 08132828xxxx
E-mail : addit83@gmail.com

Educational Background
1989 – 1995 : Sidorejo 1 Elementary School, Pangkalan Bun, Center of Kalimantan
1995 – 1998 : Junior High School 1, Pangkalan Bun, Center of Kalimantan
1998 – 2001 : Muhammadiyah 2 Senior High School, Yogyakarta
2004 – 2008 : English Department Faculty of Letter, Ahmad Dahlan University Yogyakarta. Cumlaude predicate with GPA: 3,51.
2009-Present :Postgraduate (Masters Degree) English Learning & Teaching, Ahmad Dahlan University Yogyakarta

Work Experience
August 2009-Present : As an English Lecturer in Sekolah Tinggi Ekonomi Islam – Islamic Banking School Yogyakarta.

Skills
Language: Fluent in English.

Interests
Music (singing, play the keyboard and guitar);
Ventriloquist;
Basketball.


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An Example Of CURRICULUM VITAE-Type 1

Raditya Adipramono, SS.
Jl. Nangka 176 Mundu Depok-Sleman DIY 55281
(0274) 484096 HP: 08132828xxxx
E-mail: addit83@gmail.com

EDUCATION
2004 – 2008 : English Department Faculty of Letter, Ahmad Dahlan University Yogyakarta. Cumlaude predicate with GPA: 3,51.

2009-Present : Postgraduate (Masters Degree) English Learning & Teaching, Ahmad Dahlan University Yogyakarta

WORK EXPERIENCE
August 2009-Present : As an English Lecturer in Islamic Banking School - Sekolah Tinggi Ekonomi Islam Yogyakarta.

SKILLS
Language: Fluent in English, Passive Mandarin.

INTERESTS
Music (singing, play the keyboard and guitar);
Ventriloquist;
Basketball.
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Contoh Surat Lamaran

Jakarta, November 14, 2000
Jl Cipete Dalam I /54
Jakarta 12420
(021-7500671)

Mr Scott Andrew
Director of Marketing
PT Electronic Data Systems Indonesia
Gedung Bursa Efek Jakarta II, 14th fl.
Jl Jend. Sudirman kav. 52-53
Jakarta 12190

Dear Mr Andrew,

As a recent graduate of Prasetiya Mulya Business School with work experience in the Computer and Software industry, I am very interested in the marketing position you listed in the November 12, 2000 issue of Kompas newspaper. You will see from the enclosed resume that I offer the skills and experience you seek.

As a Marketing major, research has been a significant part of my academic experience especially when writing up my business plan and executing various individual or team assignments on services, consumer behavior, retailing, brand management, market entry/penetration, among others, which include on the field or in - company works.

I have acquired strong administrative skills having worked as a sales assistant maintaining daily logs on purchases and sales, client records and follow-up mailings to clients.

My faculty, bosses and friends at work and school have always commented on the versatility of my skills and abilities. I have proven good academic ability and sound leadership and people/human relation skills I work well and am comfortable to cooperate with people from various levels, and quite appropriate in organizing and executing activities (projects /events) where I usually contribute ideas and apply knowledge learnt.

The enclosed resume will provide you with more details of my background. I would be very happy to have the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my background and qualifications could be of use to your marketing team. Please feel free to contact me by phone (021- 7500671 / 081b-7612231) or at the address above. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Sri Wedariyanti
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POPULAR TERMS OF SHARIA BANKING

AKAD
Ties or agreements between customers with the bank which is called ijab and kabul in accordance with the will of the influential Law the burdensome objects, such as opening akad savings accounts or financial covenant.

SHARIA PRINCIPAL
The rules of Islamic law based on agreement between banks and customers for the storage of funds and or financing activities which is expressed in accordance with sharia.

DISTRIBUTION OF BAGI HASIL
Islamic banks profit sharing to customer savings based on the nisbah of agreed monthly. Bagi hasil depends on the amount and term deposits and bank earnings in the period. The amount of bagi hasil profit is calculated based on the bank income (revenue) so that the customers must obtain the results and do not lose their savings.

SHARIA SUPERVISORY COUNCIL
A council that has a charge to monitor compliance of the sharia principles’ application in the Islamic banking operational. It consists of ‘alim ulama who is chosen by National Sharia Council of Majelis Ulama Indonesia, and the approval of the Bank Indonesia.

MARGIN
The amount of benefits agreed between the bank and customers on financing transactions with akad jual beli (murabaha). Financing Margin are fixed did not change throughout financing period.

NISBAH
The portion of the bagi hasil between the customer and the bank on funding and financing transactions based on the akad of bagi hasil (mudaraba and musharaka).

BAI'AL MUTHLAQ
It is regular trading, the exchange of goods with money. Money serves as a media of exchange. Bai'al Mutlaq is done for the implementation of office goods’ (fixed assets) trading.

MUQAYYAD
It is buying and selling exchange which occurs between the goods with goods (barter). It is done as a way out for the export which can not generate foreign currency (forex).

SHARF
Buying and selling foreign currencies which are different from each other, such as the rupiah to dollar, dollar to yen; Sharf is done in the form of Bank Notes and transfers, using the exchange value which up to date at the time of the transaction.

MURABAHAH
Akad of selling and buying where prices and profits are agreed between the seller and buyer. Type and number of items are described in detail. Goods are
submitted after the akad of trading and the payment can be done in handed / mortgage or both.

SALAM
Sale by order, in which the buyer give money in advance for goods which the specifications have mentioned before, and then the goods sent later. Salam usually used for agricultural products in short-term. In this case the financial institution is functioned as buyers of products and gives the money first whereas the customers use it as a capital to manage the farm.

ISTISHNA'
Buying and selling goods in the form of reservations manufacture based on certain terms and criteria, while the pattern of payment can be done in accordance with the agreement (may be done at the beginning or at the time of delivery goods).

MUDHARABAH
Akad which is made between owners of capital (Shahibul mal) with managers (mudharib) where the nisbah of the bagi hasil is agreed in the beginning, while the losses will be the responsibility of the capital’s owner.

MUDHARABAH MUQAYYADAH
Akad which is made between capital’s owners to effort determined by the capital owners (Shahibul mal) with managers (mudarib), where the nisbah of the bagi hasil is agreed in the beginning to share with, while losses are borne by owners of capital. In the terminology of Islamic banking is called Special Investment.

MUSHARAKAH
It is akad between two or more owners of capital to unify their capital in certain business,
while the application can be appointed to one
of them. This akad is applied to a business which partly funded by financial institutions while the rest is financed by the customer.

WADI’AH
Wadi’ah is akad which is made between two parties where the first parties left an item to the second. Financial institutions apply this akad at clearing account.

WAKALAH
Wakalah is akad’s representative of one party to another. Wakalah usually applied to the making of Letter of Credit, for the purchase of goods abroad (L / C Import) or forwarding requests.

KAFALAH
Kafalah is akad’s guarantee of one party to another party. In the financial institutions are usually used for a guarantee for a project (performance bond), tender bond or advance payment bond.

RAHN
Rahn is akad’s mortgage goods from one party to the other hand with the money as the substitution. This akad is used as an additional akad for financing risk and needs additional guarantee. Financial institutions do not take any benefits unless the cost of maintenance or security goods.
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Degree of comparison

In English grammar the degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb describes the relational value of one thing with something in another clause of a sentence.
An adjective may simply describe a quality, (the positive); it may compare the quality with that of another of its kind (comparative degree); and it may compare the quality with many or all others (superlative degree).


Traditional English grammar uses the comparative form when comparing exactly two things, and the superlative when comparing three or more, but in informal usage this may not hold.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Good Better Best
Beautiful More Beautiful Most Beautiful
Big Bigger Biggest
Tall Taller Tallest
Sincere More Sincere Most Sincere
Small Smaller Smallest

Comparative
In grammar, the comparative is the form of an adjective or adverb which denotes the degree or grade by which a person, thing, or other entity has a property or quality greater or less in extent than that of another, and is used in this context with a subordinating conjunction, such as than, as...as, etc.

Two-clause sentences
For sentences with the two clauses other two-part comparative subordinating conjunctions may be used:
as...as ("The house was as large as two put together.")
not so / not as ...as ("The coat of paint is not as [not so] fresh as it used to be.")
the same ... as ("The market square is just the same as I remember it to be.")
less / more ... than ("It cost me more than I had hoped.")

Adverbs
The adverb is determined by the -ly suffix as usual, and in a comparative phrase changes to -lier.

However, adverbs with a greater number of syllables than two, require the use of more (or less), as in ("this sofa seats three people more comfortably than the other one").

Some irregular adverbs such as fast / often may be added without the suffix, ("My new car starts more quickly than the old one."), or ("My new car starts quicker/faster than the old one."), and ("I go into town more often than I used to.").

In grammar the superlative of an adjective or adverb is the greatest form of adjective or adverb which indicates that something has some feature to a greater degree than anything it is being compared to in a given context.

For example, if AJ is 45, Deniz is 35, and Jeff is 25, AJ is the oldest of the three, because his age transcends those of Deniz and Jeff in one direction, while Jeff is the youngest, because his age transcends those of AJ and Deniz in the other direction.

If David, who is 60, and Vincent, who is 20, join the group, David now becomes the oldest and Vincent the youngest.

In English, the superlative and the comparative are created by inflecting adjectives or adverbs.

The structure of a superlative consists normally of the positive stem of the adjective or adverb, plus the suffix -est, or (especially in words of a Latin or Romance origin) the modifier "most" or "least" before the adjective or adverb.

It always has the definite article and is completed by "of" or another preposition plus one or more nouns of entities that it surpasses to the highest or greatest degree, such as in "he is the tallest of/in the class," or "the town is the most beautiful in the country."

Examples:
This is the biggest house in this street. (Superlative)
This house is bigger than any other house in this street. (Comparative)
No other house in this street is as big as this one. (Positive)

The term “biggest” is the superlative version of the term “big”. All the three sentences mean the same meaning.

He is the most intelligent in this class. (Superlative)
He is more intelligent than other boys in the class. (Comparative)
No other boy is as intelligent as this boy. (Positive)
The term “most intelligent” is superlative version of the term “intelligent”. Both these sentences convey the same meaning.
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Skills with People

People are primarily interested in themselves, not you! The other person is ten thousand times more interested in himself than he is with you.

HOW TO SKILLFULLY TALK TO PEOPLE
When you are talking to people, pick out the most interesting subject in the world to them to talk about: THEMSELVES!

Take these four words out of your vocabulary: “I, me, my, mine.”

Substitute for those four words, one word, and the most powerful word spoken by the human tongue: “YOU.”


HOW TO SKILLFULLY MAKE PEOPLE FEEL IMPORTANT
To be skillful in human relations, be sure to make other people feel Important. Remember that they more important you make people feel, the more they will respond to you.
-Listen to them. Compliment them.
-Use their names as often as possible.
-Pause before you answer them. This give them the impression you have thought over what they said and that it was worthy of thinking over.
-Acknowledge people who are waiting to see you.
-Pay attention to everybody in a group.
-Build a bridge with those you are not familiar with.
-Create win/win situations.

HOW TO SKILLFULLY AGREE WITH PEOPLE
As long as you live, never forget that any fool can disagree with people and that it takes a wise person, a shrewd person, a big person to agree – particularly when the other person is wrong.
-Learn to be agreeable, to agree with people. Get yourself into a frame of mind, and attitude of being agreeable. Be a naturally agreeable person.
-Tell people when you agree with them. Nod your head “yes,” and look at them when you do it. Say, “You are right.”
-Do not tell people when you disagree with them unless it is absolutely necessary.
-Admit when you are wrong.
-Refrain from arguing. The poorest technique known in human relations is arguing. Even if you are right, don’t argue. Remember, it takes two to argue.
-Handle fights properly. The best technique to handle them is to refuse to fight with them.
-If a person disagrees with you or a policy/procedure, get them to articulate their thoughts and feelings in writing and tell them that you will forward that to the right person. Let them know you are trying to help them. This will get the person to transfer their anger from you to focus on their writing.

HOW TO SKILLFULLY LISTEN TO PEOPLE
A good listener always ends up far ahead of a good talker in the affections of people. This is because a good listener always allows people to hear their favorite speakers, themselves.
-Look at the person who is talking.
-Lean toward the speaker and listen intently.
-Ask questions.
-Stick to the speaker’s subject and don’t interrupt.
-Use the speaker’s word: “you” and “your.”

HAPPINESS FORMULA
Get into the daily habit of saying one kind thing to at least three different people. Then see how you feel for having done so. This is a happiness formula for YOU. When you see the happiness, gratitude, and pleasure you bring others by doing this YOU will feel good. There is more joy in giving that receiving. Try it.

HOW TO SKILLFULLY MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION
To a great extent we control others’ opinions of us. We start off as strangers to everyone and their opinion of us is largely determined by the way we conduct ourselves. Knowing this, it behooves all of us to conduct ourselves in such a manner that the effect on other people will be good.
Put value on yourself. Be proud of yourself (but not conceited), of who you are, of what you do, of where you work. Don’t apologize for your situation in life or for yourself. You are what you are; so handle yourself with pride and respect.

From the Book: SKILL WITH PEOPLE. – by: Les Giblin
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Meetings: interruptions

Introduction
In business meetings it is sometimes
necessary to interrupt a speaker. This is possible but it should be done politely. We'll be looking at some ways you can do this.


Imagine that you are in a meeting, and you want to interrupt to ask a question or make a comment. How might you do it?


Joko: First of all, the book re-launch. I just wanted to remind everybody that we will be re-launching the fairy-tales range with new modern covers, and that this is going to happen at the beginning of next month. It's important that we get this right and there have been quite a few…

Usman: Actually Mr. Joko, can I just ask you – sorry to hold the meeting up – can I ask you about those dates, because I thought that this was going to be published the month after next, and I understand that everybody has got their dates, but I do feel quite strongly that we’re bringing this out too soon.

Joko: Well, any other thoughts before I comment on that?
Ani: I don’t think we’ve got any choice at all about it. If the radio programs are going out at the beginning of next month, we’ve got to launch the book at the same time if we’re going to have any sales impact.

Useful Phrases:
First of all
Can I just ask you?
Sorry to hold the meeting up
I do feel quite strongly that…
Pardon me for interrupting, but…..
Excuse me, may I interrupt for a moment?
May I take a comment on that?

Politeness
If you are interrupting or disagreeing with people, it is even more important to be polite: your views are more likely to be respected if you present them in a professional and non-confrontational (non-argumentative) way.

There are several ways to make what you say sound more polite and less confrontational:
Use 'can' or 'could'. 
‘Joko, can I just ask you…?'
'If you could go through them in order…'
Both expressions above are more polite than simply saying 'I want to know…' or 'Go through them in order…'

Use 'would like'
'…I'd like to be with other editors…'
'I would like to be able to show her drawings…'
This sounds much more polite than 'I want…'

Say 'sorry'
'I'm sorry, but I really strongly disagree…'
'Sorry to hold the meeting up'
This is a very common way to 'soften' what you say. The speakers above are not really apologizing for what they say - using 'sorry' is telling the listener: 'I'm going to say or do something you might not like, so please don’t get upset'.

Use 'just'
'I just wanted to see…'
‘Sir, can I just ask you…?'
The word 'just' gives the listener a message that you are not asking them to deal with something difficult or time-consuming; that it is not going to be a problem.  

Use 'I think' or 'I feel'
'I do feel quite strongly that we're bringing this out too soon…'
'I don’t think we’ve got any choice…'
These phrases have the effect of softening what they are saying, by presenting their ideas as opinions, not orders or instructions.

Acknowledge people
'Okay everybody, ….'
'…as you can see…'
'Yeah Sir, ….'
It's important to acknowledge the other people in the meeting, by using their names, or words like 'you', 'we', 'everybody', 'my colleagues' etc. If you don’t use these words and expressions, you may give people the impression that you are rather detached and/or authoritarian.
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PASSIVE VOICE

Basic Form:
S + to be + V3 + O
to be:is,am,are,was,were

Somebody cleans this room everyday.
This room is cleaned everyday.

Somebody cleaned this room yesterday
This room was cleaned yesterday.


When we use the passive, who or what causes the action is often unknown or unimportant.
A lot of money was stolen in the robbery.
Is this room cleaned everyday?

If we want to say who does or what causes the action, we uses by.
This house was built by my grandfather.
Two hundred people are employed by the company.

The passive voice of Present Continuous.
Study the following active and passive forms:
Somebody is cleaning the room at the moment.
The room is being cleaned at the moment.
So the form:
S + To be (is, am, are) + being + V3

The passive voice of Future Tense.
Examples:
Anton will finish the work at 5:00 PM. Active
The work will be finished by Anton at 5:00 PM. Passive

Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner tonight. Active
A beautiful dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight. Passive

The passive voice of Present Perfect and Past Perfect.
Study the following active and passive forms:
Many tourists have visited that castle. active
That castle has been visited by many tourists. passive

George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanic's license. active
Many cars had been repaired by George before he received his mechanic's license. passive

Study this example situation:
Jono is very old. Nobody knows exactly how old he is, but it is said that he is 102 years old.

We can use this structure with a number of other verbs, especially:
Believed / Considered / Reported / Known
Expected / Understood

Annisa works very hard. It is said that she works 16 hours a day.
The cop are looking for a missing boy. It is believed that the boy is wearing a white shirt and blue jeans.
It is known that people can understand each other when they speak in a particular language.

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REPORTED SPEECH

(He said that…)
Gunawan : ‘I’m feeling ill’
You want to tell somebody else what Gunawan said.
There are two ways of doing this:
You can repeat Gunawan’s word (direct speech): Gunawan said ‘I’m feeling ill’.
Or you can use reported speech: Gunawan said that he was feeling ill.


When we use reported speech, the main verb of the sentence is usually past (Gunawan said that…). So the rest sentence is usually past too.
Example:
Suyono said that he was living in Jogja.
I told him that I did not have any money.

In general, the present form in direct speech changes to the past form in reported speech:
am/is ==> was
are ==> were
Do/does ==> did
Have/has ==> had
Will ==> would
Can ==> could
Want/like/know/go etc. ==> wanted/liked/knew/went etc.

The simple past (did/saw/knew etc.) can usually stay the same in reported speech, or you can change it to the past perfect (had done/had seen/had known etc.)
Annisa said: “ I woke up feeling ill, so I did not go to work.’
Annisa said (that) she woke up feeling ill, so she did not go to work.
or
Annisa said (that) she had woken up feeling ill, so she had not gone to work.


It is not always necessary to change the verb when you use reported speech. If you report something and it is still true, you do not need to change the verb.
Direct :Tomo said ‘Jakarta is more lively than Jogjakarta.’
Indirect:Tomo said that Jakarta is more lively than Jogjakarta.
(it means that Jakarta is still more lively than Jogjakarta. The situation has not changed)

But you must use a past form when there is a difference between what was said and what is really true. Study this situation:

You meet Annisa a few days ago. She said : ‘Jono is ill.’direct speech

Later the day you see Jono. He is looking well and carrying a badminton racket.

So you say:
'I did not expect to see you, Jono. Annisa said you were ill.’ ==> (NOT ‘Annisa said you are ill’, because clearly he is not ill.)
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Simple Future Tense

Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and practice, the differences will become clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.


FORM “Will”
[will + verb]
Examples:
You will help him later.
Will you help him later?
You will not help him later.

FORM “Be Going To”
[am/is/are + going to + verb]
Examples:
You are going to meet Jane tonight.
Are you going to meet Jane tonight?
You are not going to meet Jane tonight.

"Will" to Express a Voluntary Action
"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something.
Examples:
I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
Will you help me move this heavy table?
I will not do your homework for you.
I won't do all the housework myself!
A: I'm really hungry.
B: I'll make some sandwiches.

A: The phone is ringing.
B: I'll get it.

"Will" to Express a Promise
"Will" is usually used in promises.
Examples:
I will call you when I arrive.
If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.
I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.
Don't worry, I'll be careful.
I won't tell anyone your secret.

"Be going to" to Express a Plan
"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.
Examples:
He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.

She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.

A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.

I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.

Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.

They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.

Who are you going to invite to the party?

A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake? B: Suzan is going to make John's birthday cake.

"Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction

Examples:
The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.
The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.
John Smith will be the next President.
John Smith is going to be the next President.
The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.
The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards.

ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You will never help him.
Will you ever help him?
You are never going to meet Jane.
Are you ever going to meet Jane?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
John will finish the work by 5:00 PM. Active
The work will be finished by 5:00 PM. Passive

Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner tonight. Active
A beautiful dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight. Passive
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SIMPLE PAST TENSE

Common form:
S + V2 +/- O/C

Very often the V2 ends in –ed (regular verb)
Ex: worked, stopped, invited, studied, etc.

But many verbs are irregular. It does not end in –ed.
Ex: write ==> wrote
see ==> saw
go ==> went
read ==> read

In question and negative sentence, past simple uses did/did not.
(-) S + did not + V1 +- O/C
(?) Did + S + V1 +- O/C?
Ex:
A: Did you go out last night?
B: Yes, I went to the cinema but I did not enjoy the movie.

The past of be (is/am/are) is was/were.
Remember we do not use did in question & negative with was/were.
Ex:
1. I was angry because they were late.
2. Was the weather good when you were in holiday?
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SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

Pola kalimat ini digunakan:
untuk mengungkapkan perihal secara umum atau luas, tidak hanya sekarang.
untuk menyatakan sesuatu yang terjadi sepanjang waktu atau berulang-ulang.
untuk menyatakan perbuatan yang sering kita lakukan.


Rumus Umum:
I/you/we/they + V
he/she/it + V(s)

Rumus umum untuk kalimat negatif dan kalimat tanya:
(-) I/you/we/they + do not + V
(-) he/she/it + does not + V

(?) do + I/you/we/they + V?
(?) does + he/she/it + V?

Exercises: use the words in brackets to complete the sentence.
Ahmad speaks English very well. (speak)
1. I never _____ coffee. (drink)
2. John is lazy. He ______ anything to help me. (do  negative sentence)
3. The sun _____ from East. (rise)
4. ______ the sun _____ from East? (rise)

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PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE

Adalah subyek SEDANG melakukan suatu kegiatan sesuai kata kerja, serta tindakan tersebut belum berakhir.
Common Form:
S + is/am/are + V-ing
Example:
Bobby is driving to work.
Negative & Interrogative sentence’s form:
(-) S + is/am/are + not +V-ing
(?) is/am/are + S + V-ing


Kata Keterangan waktu yang umum digunakan:
Now
Today
Tonight
This week

Exercises: use the words in brackets to complete the sentence.
1. Bobby is driving to work.(Bobby/drive)
2. ___________this week?(John/work)
3. ________ for my wallet. (I/look)
4. Let’s go out now, __________ anymore. (It/rain)

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Tag question

A question tag or tag question is a grammatical structure in which a declarative statement or an imperative is turned into a question by adding an interrogative fragment (the "tag"). The term "question tag" is generally preferred by British grammarians, while their American counterparts prefer "tag question"

Forms and uses
In most languages, tag questions are more common in colloquial spoken usage than in formal written usage. They can be an indicator of politeness, emphasis, or irony. They may suggest confidence or lack of confidence; they may be confrontational or tentative. Some examples showing the wide variety of structure possible in English are:
* Open the window, will you?
* She doesn't really want those apples, does she?
* You'd better stop now, hadn't you?
* So you thought it would be a good idea to reprogram the computer, did you?
* It's quite an achievement, isn't it, to win a Nobel Prize!
* Oh I must, must I?
* I just adore Beethoven, don't you?
* I'm coming with you, all right?
* You've been there, right?
* Easier said than done, eh?

Tag questions in English

English tag questions, when they have the grammatical form of a question, are atypically complex, because they vary according to four factors: the choice of auxiliary, the negation, the intonation pattern and the emphasis.

Auxiliary

The English tag question is made up of an auxiliary verb and a pronoun. The auxiliary has to agree with the tense, aspect and modality of the verb in the preceding sentence. If the verb is in the perfect tense, for example, the tag question uses has or have; if the verb is in a present progressive form, the tag is formed with am, are, is; if the verb is in a tense which does not normally use an auxiliary, like the present simple, the auxiliary is taken from the emphatic do form; and if the sentence has a modal auxiliary, this is echoed in the tag:
* He's read this book, hasn't he?
* He read this book, didn't he?
* He's reading this book, isn't he?
* He reads a lot of books, doesn't he?
* He'll read this book, won't he?
* He should read this book, shouldn't he?
* He can read this book, can't he?

A special case occurs when the main verb is to be in a simple tense. Here the tag question repeats the main verb, not an auxiliary:
* This is a book, isn't it?

(Not doesn't it? as the normal rules for present simple would suggest.)

If the main verb is to have, either solution is possible:
* He has a book, hasn't he?
* He has a book, doesn't he?

Negation

English tag questions may contain a negation, but need not. When there is no special emphasis, the rule of thumb often applies that a positive sentence has a negative tag and vice versa:

* She is French, isn't she?
* She's not French, is she?

These are sometimes called "balanced tag questions". However, it has been estimated that in normal conversation, as many as 40%-50% of tags break this rule. "Unbalanced tag questions" (positive to positive or negative to negative) may be used for ironic or confrontational effects:
* Do listen, will you?
* Oh, I'm lazy, am I?
* Jack: I refuse to spend Sunday at your mother's house! Jill: Oh you do, do you? We'll see about that!
* Jack: I just won't go back! Jill: Oh you won't, won't you?

Patterns of negation can show regional variations. In North East Scotland, for example, positive to positive is used when no special effect is desired:

* This pizza's fine, is it? (standard English: This pizza's delicious, isn't it?)

Note the following variations in the negation when the auxiliary is the I form of the copula:

* England (and America, Australia, etc.): Clever, aren't I?
* Scotland/Northern Ireland: Clever, amn't I?
* Nonstandard dialects: Clever, ain't I?

Intonation

English tag questions can have a rising or a falling intonation pattern. This is contrasted with Polish, French or German, for example, where all tags rise. As a rule, the English rising pattern is used when soliciting information or motivating an action, that is, when some sort of response is required. Since normal English yes/no questions have rising patterns (e.g. Are you coming?), these tags make a grammatical statement into a real question:

* You're coming, aren't you?
* Do listen, will you?
* Let's have a drink, shall we?

The falling pattern is used to underline a statement. The statement itself ends with a falling pattern, and the tag sounds like an echo, strengthening the pattern. Most English tag questions have this falling pattern.

* He doesn't know what he's doing, does he?
* This is really boring, isn't it?

Sometimes the rising tag goes with the positive to positive pattern to create a confrontational effect:

* He was the best in the class, was he? (rising: the speaker is challenging this thesis, or perhaps expressing surprised interest)
* He was the best in the class, wasn't he? (falling: the speaker holds this opinion)
* Be careful, will you? (rising: expresses irritation)
* Take care, won't you? (falling: expresses concern)

Sometimes the same words may have different patterns depending on the situation or implication.

* You don't remember my name, do you? (rising: expresses surprise)
* You don't remember my name, do you? (falling: expresses amusement or resignation)
* Your name's Mary, isn't it? (rising: expresses uncertainty)
* Your name's Mary, isn't it? (falling: expresses confidence)

It is interesting that as an all-purpose tag the London set-phrase innit (for "isn't it") is only used with falling patterns:

* He doesn't know what he's doing, innit?
* He was the best in the class, innit?

On the other hand, the adverbial tag questions (alright? OK? etc.) are almost always found with rising patterns. An occasional exception is surely.
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