| About this blog |
| No Holds Barred: A compilation of rants, raves, movie and book reviews, R & R escapades, relationships, office workloads, and stories to ponder. For this year, this is also going to be our wedding blog. Updates and Review on Wedding Suppliers will posted here...Honeymoon experience and other escapades will also be posted. |
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| RANTS! RANTS! RANTS! |
| Tuesday, July 31, 2007 |
I apologize for using profanity in this post. It's just that, I couldn't take it anymore! I feel like I'm gonna explode.
BAD TRIP NO. 1- I just had my salary appraisal. It wasn't that much but I'm still grateful. Miski naan papano, an increase of 2k (more or less) will help me. Pang transpo ko din yun for two weeks. But what I am really pissed about is the fact that my tax went up to 4.2k. kamusta naman yon!!! ang sakit-sakit na ng tax na binabawas sa sweldo ko. sa isang buwan, pumapatak ng 8k+ ang tax ko. syet!!! para akong kumakayod sa panggabi para lang magbayad ng punyetang tax. ok lang sana kung maayos ang serbisyo na nakukuha ko sa mga government agencies. ang kaso mo, last week I helped my father renew his passport and darn it! poor sa pinaka poor ang level of service na nakuha ko. hindi na nga nakangiti, sarcastic pa ang tono ng pananalita nung nagtanong ako, next time pag may imbyernang government employee talagang in your face kong sasabihin, "Ang tax ko ang nagbabayad sa isang buwang sweldo mo. Jan mo kinukuha ang pang manicure at pedicure mo kada buwan.busettTtttt !!!
BAD TRIP NO. 1b- I don't know what's with our payroll and benefits department but I think the person behind the department is too dumb (or is "too insensitive" a better word) to see that "money matters" is an urgent thing that needs immediate attention. Ok, here is the case-- one of my QAS (who has been on LOA for a while) did not get his salary this 30th. I really went ballistic when I learned that because I had to go to work on Thursday (last week) just to do payroll (on top of other things). I made sure that the payroll data for team are correct because I really hate payroll discrepancy. I am too sensitive when it comes to money matters. Bakit naman hindi, eh pinagtrabahuhan na nila yan. Kaya dapat lang na buo at tama din ang sweldo. Cut off time was 4pm but I sent the data at around 8pm. JT emailed me back saying that he could no longer entertain the data that I sent since all data from our company have already been forwarded to our payroll provider. SyeTttT!!! Hindi naman araw ang pagitan ng deadline sa oras ng pagsend ko ng emai kung di 4 na oras lang. What was even worse is the fact that we did not get our salary on the 30th. It was 6pm of 31st na! Punyeta talaga! Bulok na palakad. Kung kelan nagkaroon ng payroll manager, saka nagkaka-aberya sa sweldo. Hindi naman dati ganyan. dati 14th and 29th pa lang eh may sweldo na... Ok, going back to my QAS, it turned out that he didnt check the data at all. He just "assumed perfect attendance" for my team and he based the list of employees on the previous payroll data that I sent him... eh kumusta naman. Naka LOA nga ung QAS ko na hindi sumuweldo kaya di sya kasama sa payroll list before. Eh pano na lang pala kung may nag AWOL akong QAS at sumuweldo pa? NAPAKA GUNGGONG talaga! Ang tagal mo ng ginagawa yan pero isa ka pa ring kuto sa field mo. Pucha!
BAD TRIP NO. 2- As a team leader, I am very used with hard-headed subordinates. But still, I'm really trying my best to reach out each and ever team member. I wanna build a connection, some sort of trust and most importantly, earn their respect. If one QAS is on the brink of resigning (especially if I find a QAS an asset to the team), I would really encourage this person not to resign. Ang dami kasing career opportunities sa company.But this one QAS really pulls the end of my strings. Konti na lang at mauubos na ang pasencia ko. Isang-isa na lang, bembang ka na sa akin. I'm tired of your litany. Kung gusto mong mag resign, eh di magresign ka. Leche ka! Ang hirap mo i-handle! Hindi ka kagalingan at lalong hindi ka kagandahan. Wag ka na rin magmalaki na galing ka sa isang mamahaling unibersidad kasi hindi halatang may breeding ka. Galing ka lang ng ----- Lintek!
BAD TRIP No.3- Pakialamerang kasambahay. Naku, talaga naman! Nagsisisi ako kung bakit ko tinuruan at hinayaang maglaro ng Wii ang isa naming kasambahay dahil ngayon, sira na ang Wii ng pamangkin ko. The equipment came from Japan so it has a 100v power capacity. Mantakin mo ba namang isaksak ng derecho ang Nintendo sa 220v outlet!!! naku!!!! it turned out, she didn't know that she is supposed to plug it in a transformer first. Nagmaganda kasi eh...buti na lang at may kakilala kami sa mall na gumagawa ng mga gaming electronics. We had my nephew's PSP fixed in the same shop. Manalangin ka na lang na di mahal ang pagawa nyan.
.jpg) Nintendo Wii na walang power...Lintek!
Tuesday has not been a very good day for me. I hope Wednesday will be a better day. hayyyYyYyY!!!
Labels: career, stories to ponder |
posted by ruther @ 6:05 PM   |
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| After college, what's next? |
| Monday, July 16, 2007 |
Today, I met with a prospect client in Makati. After that meeting, I went ahead to MRT-Ayala Station (CDR-King) to buy a new keyboard and headset when I bumped into an old friend. Since I know that some of my college and high school friends are reading this blog, I won't disclose whether this friend is from high school or college.
Anyway, it took me a while before I recognized her. When I finally realized that she was indeed an old friend, there goes the never ending chismisan. And then finally, she asked me if I could recommend her for any position in my current employer. I was really surprised to know that this girl is asking me for referral because I know that she's one heck of an intelligent lady. She was far more smart than I am. Anyway, as our conversation goes, she disclosed that she is having a had time looking for a job with a more desirable salary. She was complaining how "overwork-underpaid" she is. I told myself, "Huh? Ano? Ikaw? Hirap maghanap ng work with that salary range? Can you just please repeat what you said?"
I gave her my calling card and asked her to forward me her resume so that she can be interviewed by our HR department ASAP.
This friend reminded me of another friend, who in order to land a job, had to take some masteral units first (I know mejo weird ung school na tumatanggap ng masteral student--hindi pwede ang ganyan sa UPD-MBA Program--ayYy ayan, may clue ng sa business school sya galing).
As I was heading home, I had some time to reflect what I have accomplished in my 25 years of existence. Have I really reached what I wanted? Apparently, not. When I was small, I was really determined to take up Law. I wanted to be Ally McBeal. I did excellent during high school but when I entered college, I found myself "nangangamote" in Calculus. Exams on how to compute for derivatives and logarithms are really pain in the a$s. LOL Funny how I thought of those people who make it "BIG TIME", only to get disappointed.
I won't brag about how much I have accomplished since it wasn't that much (after all, kuntento naman ako sa kung anong meron ngayon). But financially? you don't wanna bet your pwet on that... LOL ahihihi... ganun talaga eh. Moreso, I would say that I would credit my pagiging madiskarte on that.
Another person who I thought of, as i am having my "moment" is Russell's mother. Sobrang madiskarte. She didn't even enter college. From sari-sari store, to paglalako ng isda gamit ang balde, to pagbili at pagbyahe ng tricyle, Russell's parents experienced those. But hey, they now own 2 gasoline stations (Caltex) in Cavite and a few appliance stores. They have also invested in some fish brokerage business.
AS I think of these things, I can't help but think that education is indeed VERY IMPORTANT. But I firmly believe that having a diploma alone will not give us the security that we're gonna succeed. Having a college degree is like entering a police academy and earning a license to own a gun. But knowing how to fire the gun especially when a situation asks for it is more important. Moreso, a college diploma will help us be more competitive in the labor market. BUT, it doesn't guarantee that we will land to a good job. How one climbs up the corporate ladder though performance and experience will matter more. Para rin yang sa business, it doesn't necessarily mean that if you have an MBA degree, you will be a successful businessman (Look at what happened to Northwest Airlines...sanmakmak na Phd and MA holders pero ligwak pa rin ang business.)
I know that I have some fellow bloggers who are still studying and I want to give you guys a sisterly advice: Study hard (i mean really hard). It will give you passport to be successful. However, don't rely solely on what you can achieve academically. As you study in the four corners of your classrooms, remember that after your 'campus days' there lies a BIGGER JUNGLE. Education together with DISKARTE SA BUHAY will make you live a better life. You are the pilot of your own flight. Be sure how to manage your plane when turbulence comes. (,")
Labels: career, stories to ponder |
| posted by ruther @ 6:15 AM |
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| Four Years of a Call Center Career Journey |
| Saturday, July 14, 2007 |
June 14, 2007 marked my 4th anniversary as a "working girl."
This is really a long overdue post. I should have posted this one a month ago pa. My mind is just pre-occupied with too many things especially with a small business I am venturing to. Secret na lang muna yon. Hehehehe
I can't believe that I've been with my present company for two years already. In a call center environment where the employee turnover rate is outrageously high, one would say that I've been with the company long enough to get burn out, to feel bored or to be too familiarized with the in and out (especially chismis LOL). Luckily, I got wonderful co-workers that make my stay here worth even for a little more time (didn't I say in my previous post that I'm planning to leave mid 2008?). Out of that two years, I spent less than a year being a quality assurance specialist before becoming a QA Team Leader. ahHhH, time really flies so fast. I am really surprised as I count the years when I graduated from college that I have been in the call center bandwagon for four years already. Yep! That's right. The moment I step my foot out of the U.P. campus, call center has been my haven. But penetrating this indurtsy wasn't that easy at all. I have experienced rejection din naman. That was when I applied in INFONXX as a call center agent without even knowing what does a call center agent really do. All I know back then is that call center agents are earning good money but they have to work on a grave yard shift (which didn't really bother me since I am a night person talaga). When I applied in their Makati RCBC office, I could still remember that applying for that position was like enrolling in U.P. ---super haba ng pila at ang dami ng tao. Nakngpating!I was given a series of test (which I all passed by the way) but not the final interview. On my final interview, I could still remember that the interviewer asked me to pronounce "Des Moines" and "Sioux Falls." Pakshet, I really didn't know how to pronounce those words. Malay ko bang key cities in Midwest U.S. pala yon. When she asked me what I know about call center, I stuttered and can't even remember the things that I said. Mental-blocked talaga.To make the long story short, I was not hired. That was my first attempt applying for a job. Because I was too disappointed (but not unmotivated) in finding my spot in the call center industry, I hurried back to Ortigas and went to Netopia to search Jobstreet. com.There I found Ambergris Solutions--- looking for a sales person for a north American computer company. But before going to their office, I researched first what a call center rep really does.
I hurriedly went to their office. I even took a cab because it was already 3:00pm and I really didnt know where exactly Ambergris was. I didn't know where is Discovery Suites during that time (imagine mo naman, nasa megamall na ko at ung Ambergris eh nasa harap lang ng podium, ADB avenue kasi.) I just had two cross two blocks (ang shonga-shonga ko talaga!)When I entered the building, feeling ko, probinsyana ako. Ganda kasi ng interior ng Disovery suites. Feeling hotel setting talaga unlike other call center offices. Unlike in INFONXX where I had to wait for two excruciating hours, I was immediately interviewed by Ambergis' HR people. It was so quick that the only thing I can remember was that I was asked how do I define success and walla! I started on the next business day. (It was Friday by the way.) Later on, I found out that Ambergis was conducting mass hiring for Dell Computers.
I admit, I was a little frightened over the fact that I could barely burn a cd without turning to a guide. Way back mid 2004, the only thing I know is to surf the net, send/receive emails and of course, ang walang patumanggang online chatting.
My very first call center stint in Ambergris, Discovery Suites (October 2003)
Anyway, since my Dell and Ambergris days to this moment, I have learned a lot. Now I can reformat/reinstall my HD and Windows OS. Kaya ko na rin magbaklas ng computer from video card to sound card to memory and reinstalling another hard drive. I no longer have to call our stupid DSL tech support hotline kasi mas marunong pa akong magtrouble shoot kesa sa kanila. LOL I can now even explain what a cache is for in a lay man's term.
From a computer sales person to a Level 1 Dell technician to quality specialist to QA Team Leader. That's my career path in the call center industry (if you would consider a call center as a career, really). In the four-year period that I have been a working girl, one year was (and is) dedicated as a QA Team Lead. In that short period of time, I know that I have proven my worth not just to the management but also, to the people that I (handled) am handling. There even came a point where was asked to handle 27 people with 3 different accounts...kamusta naman yon? tao lang. Napapagod din...I think dito ako namayat ng husto. LOL arRRRRRRgGgHH!!! As I develop and recommend people, a lot of them have already been promoted. HmMmm, let's go fast rewind.
1. Aaron C. - from QAS to Helpdesk Associate. When the interviewing manager asked for a recommendation, I told him that Aaron was my DSL tech support guru for helping me troubleshoot our DSL connection (miski hindi naman totoo...LOL)
2. Andre dl P - QAS to account coordinator. Even though he has a terrible attendance performance, know that he can handle the job very well so made sure that attendance wouldn't matter during the selection process. (bad bad supervisor..LOL)
3. Xylo C.- This one s one big child with ADHD.. LOL (Mwauhugs.. know you are reading my blog). Xylo was promoted even without applying. We have a love-hate relationship. He 's like a younger brother to me. He is good. In fact, too darn good that would let him learn the tricks of the trade of being an EPS (employee performance supervisor). When the time came that our department needed some temporary QAA, I was quick to recommend him. He became a permanent QAA in less than 6 months, even without applying. He s now vying for the ES position and from time to time, he would go to my workstation to seek some advise on how he can manage the team more effectively. (he s a temporary EPS Now). I was deeply honored when he asked for my recommendation as he is trying to enroll himself in of the masteral programs in U.P.
4. Bryan C. - More of a silent worker who would just do his job. Together with Xylo, I recommended to him to our manager because I know that Bry is an deal QAA who would just do the job effectively and efficiently. I'm crossing my fingers that he would get (1 of the 2) the EPS position especially now that Sheng (also my former QAS) is gong to deliver their first baby.
5-. Ayell- QAS to back u trainer- to account coordinator. I couldn't think of any other words to describe this girl but WOW. She's really a fast learner and she knows her accountability.
6. Mike, Andy, Dino and Erika- These are the best people my team. They have proven their worth that is why all of them became an EPS.
Right now, I am grooming my QAA, James, to be the next EPS.
 My bestest friends in our Department: Moi, Erika and MJ (Si Eunice ng Ana Luna--- sya ung batang kontrabida pero in fairness, bait-bait nyan..mas maldita pa ko sa kanya eh ...LOL)
Having said these things, a lot of QASs (both old and new) are asking me if they could be a part of my team. Bukod daw kasi sa mukhang "swerte" ung team ko when it comes to promotion, masaya daw sa team ko. It seems that we are all "buddies" here. Di mo mararamdaman ung supervisor-QAS barrier. That's why also have "ampons" when hold team-building activities. When I was still an agent I had this"feeling that there a wall between me and my supervisor" and frankly speaking, that really sucks. So I told myself that when the time comes that I'm gonna be a supervisor, I'm gonna break those barriers. Ayokong maging power tripper and kupal na team lead. Up until this time, whenever my people would introduce me to other people as their "BOSS", I am very quick to say that "Hindi po, we're friends." I also feel awkward whenever my people would call me "MISS/MADAME THET" on the floor. A simple THET will do.
It really feels great knowing that people in our company respects me without me imposing or asking for it. Sabi nga ni Bea ng PBB, "ang respect, di in-impose yan...ine-earn yan maricris...LOL"
OhHh well, I got so much stores to tell but I am afraid that this post is long enough to keep my readers entertained. Lately, I've been thinking of resigning because I am really frustrated with how things are doing with the company. I could have just accepted an offer from another company with 5 grand higher than my current rate but what is holding me back, really, is the people that have been all dear to me. When I told a few friends about this, the only thing that they sad is that "Pano naman kami? Alam mo namang kaw lang ang nakakantindi sa amin. You are the only person we know who is not afraid to say what you think is wrong."
I am still contemplating.
I don't know. Maybe I am just a people -oriented person. Sabi nga nung sa kong QA, pede na daw akong maging Miss Congeniality ng QA Department. (work peace...LOL).
I would like to end this post with this note: Pay me for my work but I don't do it for the money.
 When the QA Dept. was still young. One of those pigging out session at Saisaki (June' 06)
 One of those "walang kamatayang" EK team building
 One of the Saturday early morning drinking sessions...(sa bahay nila Xylo)
 Qwest Launch party wth the American and Canadian Expats @Elbow Room, MetroWalk Ortigas
 Halo-Halong Team Members :)
 Halloween 2005
 Friends from QA-TPG
Magdamag na kumagan at karaoke sa Laguna...
Labels: career, celebrations |
| posted by ruther @ 6:42 AM |
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| Back from the Dead |
| Wednesday, June 13, 2007 |
Ahhhhhhh!!!!
It's been a while since I last updated my blog. A lot of things has happened and it will take me a week before I could post everything that has happened. SO I guess, I'll just enumerate the more important ones.
- December 2006: I had my hair dyed (as in blonde) and everybody loved it! I was also able to attend FFF's grand EB- there were lots of faces but only a few were familiar
- January-March 2007: My new year started right. I'm handling a quality team with 24 members and half of them have already been promoted. It was pretty rewarding for me to see the people I have developed climbing up the corporate ladder. Though there wasn't any monetary gain for me, the fact that I was able to touch their lives in one way or another is enough for me. On my birthday, it was so touching that a lot of people have remembered my natal day. Some of them even gave me some things that really made me smile.
- April : I was transferred to a new account. It was actually pretty challenging for me since the task orientation is quite different from what I used to do. I was also able to update some of our wedding vendors and we're doing great with our wedding preparations.
- May : Transition period of the account that I am currently handling. We were ramping up. We struggled with our efficiency performance but it was taken againts our team stats since the problem has something to do with the client itself, not ours. Effectiveness wise- ahemmmmm! modesty aside, my team has the least number of reassessment and error rate! yipPpPeeeeE!!! Nevertheless, I didnt have the luxury of time and opportunity to enjoy summer vacation because of my new task. Being the most senior quality supervisor in the account, I was assigned to teach the new supervisors some of the "Must-Do" daily task of being the leader. In short, I was the OIC for the entire 75-people special project.
- June: I have stopped myself from attending bridal fairs (though i really want to). The fact that I am going to these fairs ALONE really makes me sick. I will also have my oral surgery later this week (ouchHH!). This will deprive me from pigging-out...LOL
I have always been updating my friendster blog. But since i found out about PPP, that made me relive my passion for blogging. So expect some more frequent updates on this blog. Hehehehehe. It's like hitting two birds with one stone- I will earn some moolah while doing my first love- Writing!Labels: career, people, wedding preps |
| posted by ruther @ 7:22 PM |
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| About Me |
Name: ruther
Home: Ontario, Canada
About Me: *25-something faggot
*proud pinay
*business degree imbecile
*iskolar ng bayan
*former student activist
*call center quality assurance supervisor* former DELL computer technician*
*prefers grave yard shift rather than day shift job
*doesn't drink nor smoke
*koreanovela sucker
*lead guitarist
*internet-holic
*bossa nova aficionado
*KFC extreme hot shots lover
*imago's fan
*sydney bristow apprentice(wish!)
*gil grissom struggling student(talk about being geek!)
*jack bauer's love interest(another wish!)
*michael scofield's savior(get real!)*
avid follower of jerry bruckheimer
*soon-to-be-bride of a very wonderful groom.
See my complete profile
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