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发表于 20-9-2009 12:39 PM
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Managing MBO
MBO's Chief Operating Officer (COO) Ikmal Nizam Ariffin poses outside MBO Cineplex at The Spring Kuching. PHOTOS: LESTER GERES
By Antonia Chiam
The highly-anticipated cinema is finally here. MBO at The Spring drew crowds of movie-goers on its opening day and with each passing day, sees the steady influx of patrons through its newly-opened doors. Kuching City has not seen such grandeur in the interior of a commercial building for a long time.
As Kuching folks continue to rave about the posh and opulently-decorated 8-screen cineplex, Chief Operating Officer (COO) Ikmal Nizam Ariffin and his staff were seen busying themselves to give the best movie experience for their patrons.
Eastern Times managed to catch up with the KL-based Nizam, as he prefers to be called, for a quick chat recently.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you got into the cinema business.
It's a long story, but to make it really short, I was previously an architect by profession. MBO opened its first outlet in Ampang in 2005. As a part of its expansion plan, I was given an offer that I couldn't refuse and I joined them in late 2006.
Do you watch movies at MBO? What are some of your favourite movies?
Yes, of course I do watch movies at our own outlets, usually with family and friends. My favourite movies include The Usual Suspects and Hook.
What do you do in your daily work as a COO?
I basically manage the day-to-day operations of the outlets. If I'm not busy dealing with human resources, planning and quality control matters, I will be in meetings. I go around the various outlets at least one to two times a month.
What are some of the challenges you face in your work?
Dealing with the staff. The HQ personnel are fine, but some of the ground staff tend to be simple-minded and it can be very difficult trying to get my points across to them. It's a challenge to me because I'm in a customer-oriented business and I think communication and employee relations are very important.
With many options available to view entertainment these days, including pirated movies, why should people still go to the cinemas?
You don't get the same effects and sound systems if you buy those pirated DVDs. People still appreciate the cinematic atmosphere, so they will surely still go and watch movies at cinemas.
Why should people go to MBO Cinemas?
MBO has a different concept from the rest. We are a very new company compared to some of the bigger and more well-known chains. However, we do not compromise on quality and experience even though we are small. Our concept is more family-oriented. We target suburban and rural areas, which is why you don't see us in major shopping malls over in West Malaysia. Also, we have a 3D digital projector hall, the only cinema in East Malaysia to offer such technology.
Talk a bit about MBO's themes and designs for the respective outlets. Where did the company draw inspirations from?
As I mentioned, we are family-oriented. So our themes and designs are very much fun and colourful. We try to give each of our outlets a vibrant feel and a comfort level that appeal to people of all ages. The designs are mostly done by our CEO Toh Kim Hock, while I helped out with the floorspace design. We are movie-goers ourselves, so we understand what customers look, such as leg space and so on.
We couldn't help but noticed the use of different speakers in the different halls.
We use state-of-the-art Dolby Digital Surround EX system. The speakers we use depend on the size or capacity of the hall. For the bigger halls, JBL four-way systems are used, while smaller halls use the KCS (Kelonik Cinema Sound) 3-way systems.
Outsiders would think working in the cinema business is fun and glamorous. Care to share any bad experience you have in this line?
It boils down to employee relations again. I have experienced staff who just didn't turn up for work one day and then appeared after couple of days without giving notice of their absence. This kind of behaviour is bad for daily operations. Another thing, in the process of setting up here in Kuching, we got overpriced quotations of building materials from the local suppliers. We are not inexperienced in building and construction, so we knew. It seems like there is a kind of misguided mentality and practice that West Malaysian companies must be charged higher than the norm.
That happens, sadly. So how many times have you been to Kuching? How do you find it?
Since March this year, I think I've been here about seven times already. I love the food here, especially the Sarawak Laksa and the Kolo Mee, the halal version, of course! Then there are the friendly people and the laid-back pace of life that we don't get in KL.
Any last words before we take up too much of your time?
I have to say, opening a cinema is easy. However, the maintenance of it is another thing. We need to take care and upkeep the place when and as necessary. For example, our fully-carpeted halls. Depending on wear and tear, we might have to change the carpets after two years. This is to ensure the ambience of the cinema is continuously attractive and appealing to our patrons.
A sophisticated set-up of the ticketing counter.
A very nice touch to the cinema's interior decor.
An opulent stairway leading to the movie halls.
Classy entrance into the movie hall.
Comfortable seats in one of the bigger halls.
Posters of upcoming movies and those already showing.
Hall 1 makes you feel like you're in a grand opera theatre.
The Digital Hall has the most number of seats.
新闻来源：Eastern Times |
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发表于 17-9-2009 04:27 PM
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