Missing the BPO industry

It will be 3 years on Nov. 22 when I've been off work. It is during these times of the night that I somehow miss working in the outsourcing industry. Why somehow? Because I do not regret the decision I made.

In my 5 years of working for the BPO industry, I've learned a lot of things. Most importantly is dealing with clients. I used to take the people who answer the phones for granted but being in their shoes made me feel different about the whole being irate attitude. Although being on the receiving end also taught me how to handle my own complaints when I needed to.

Anyway, during the last year of my employment, I was more into the behind-the-scenes activity. Being assigned different projects made me delve into the deeper aspects of the business. I understood why it was and still is a good investment when outsourcing to the Philippines.

Also, I became more aware of activities within the country that promote this industry. There were organizations like the CCAP and the BPAP who were on top of everything new in the industry. There would be summits and conventions like the International Outsourcing Summit. My appreciation for this industry is very different from what I thought of back in 2003. It wasn't just a job, it was a career.

Now, why am I into all this? Being a part of this industry even for just a short span of time made me realize how it has helped me. If I didn't go into this kind of work, I wouldn't have learned a lot of things, like US geography for instance, or how to check for worldwide weather, or even how insurance works and how to maximize it. Also, being in this generation, it taught me that in running a business, you don't have to be a know-it-all. You can always outsource, like payroll and accounting for starters.

Maybe when I or my little Missy decide to start building our own conglomerate, there are more things to learn. This internet thing makes the game a little bit different each day. Even putting up a website isn't as simple anymore. A lot of techniques are needed like a good Search Profile Index service. I'm sure I have lots and lots to learn, as I've gathered from just blogging so I'm looking forward to more years ahead.

Ah.. I may miss the BPO industry but maybe, just maybe... I'm moving into a whole new world this time.

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My First Deliverable

I just submitted my first deliverable!

I was so scared to hit the submit button but I had to do it. I've been pondering whether to submit it tonight (or early morning since it's past 12am) or later when I wake up. Oh well... better early than late.

Cross your fingers with me that I did a-ok for the first time. Looking forward to more work, work, work!

Hope you all have a great day!

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You are Hired!

I love it! I got my first positive response in one of the online workplaces I've been bidding on. It doesn't pay much but at least it's a start, and I am very thankful. I am very much grateful to the person who hired me because I have no experience whatsoever (in that work place), and she considered my bid solely on my cover letter and blog posts.

I am so happy to have been given this opportunity. I really would love to have a career from home.

How about you? Do you know of any opportunities from home available for me? I'm based in the Philippines so the options are not as many as those based in the US and Canada. If you do know of any, I hope you can share them with me. I would appreciate all the help I can get.

So... gotta do my research and start working :) Thanks for reading and see you later!

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Lanyards to Necklaces

3 years! Wow, my youngest 3 years have now been working for the World's Largest Bank for 3 years now! I am so happy and proud of her. She has had tough times but she has manages to overcome all of them.

Her work took a toll on her health, having diabetes, high blood pressure and a lot more but her employer has been very considerate in allowing her to constantly work the morning shift (work shifts usually rotate every couple of months). They have been very kind to grant her doctor's advice.

Anyway, I noticed that her lanyard was different. It was a different color and had a different design, more specifically, there were now 3 stars. When I asked her about it, she said that their lanyards signified tenure. A certain year would be represented by a specific lanyard color and the stars represent the year/s of stay with the company. Somehow it was a status symbol.

I think it's very effective when you're in the work place. Newbies will know who to ask if they need assistance just by looking at the lanyards. However, once you leave the workplace, it's a different matter altogether.

I admit, there were times when I used to work that I would forget to remove my ID/lanyard as soon as I step out the office. But this is exactly the reason that I wear one of those generic ones. In our society today, people brand you just by where you work. I have even heard a couple of years back, fights would always ensue almost every day at a known hang out place because of where you work. One company would loudly say that they are better than the other then bang, people fight over it. There was also a time when women got kidnapped at a certain drop off point because the kidnappers would know that they work for a certain company. It's actually not a smear campaign about the company but it was common knowledge that during those times, those that work for that company were teens/yuppies from well-off families.

Which is why I'm very skeptical about my sister's lanyard. I would love for her to one of those nice beaded lanyards that can become fashion accessories at the end of the work day. You just need to tuck your ID or remove the hook at the end and voila, you've got yourself a pretty necklace. As she loves wearing accessories, I think I can sell this idea to her. I've seen a lot of good ones online so I'll go window shopping again and print out those that might interest her.

That's it for now. Happy reading!

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Good luck and Congratulations

I did a post last March about speaking with an old friend. Last month we tried to chat via yahoo messenger but since she was newly hired by a start-up company, she really couldn't stay and chat. She also went to meetings and had lots of discussions.

Yesterday, she buzzed me and we tried to catch up. This time, she wasn't in any meeting, she was busy with her duties. You see, she's the Country Manager for HR of the new firm, but since it's new, she's also handling the Admin and Finance units. She's somehow in charge of everything, from placing orders for procurement of an ID card printer, sets of ID card and badge holder, etc. to recruitment of their staff and coming up with HR policies.

She's been real busy but I'm so proud of her. There were times when she really had low self-esteem because she couldn't land a job. What destroyed her more was that her private life was also a mess. I am so glad that she's out of it now, both career-wise and personal life, and that she has landed this great opportunity.

Another great news, is that after 4 years (I think), my sister finally has a job too. For a while they were living by my brother-in-law's pay but since their kids are now 7, 6, and 3, with 2 of them attending school already, it just wasn't enough. A head hunter called my sister to let her know that a new company is looking for people with her past experience (credit cards). The head hunter said, she fit the job to a T. When she went to her first interview, she had to take several long mathematical exams. After 4 hours, only 2 out of 40 made it, one being her. She was told that the final interview will be scheduled the week after.

The following week passed and she didn't get any call. She decided to send a text message to her head hunter. The reply, the final interview was being conducted right there and then (about 100 applicants). They forgot to call her! After a lot of apologies, the head hunter said she'll be scheduled the week after, since it was their fault. What surprise that the interviewer/investor, called my sister on her mobile to do the final interview. He was very pleased and asked her questions about credit cards.

My sister then sent a message to the head hunter to let her know that the interview was concluded. The headhunter replied that my sister got the job and she was the first one to be hired. Great huh?

I'm so proud of my sister. I hope she makes it big this time. I hope she realizes that working isn't for fun anymore, that they need it... for their children. She can't job-hop anymore since people, specifically children, depend on her.

To Iya and Tine, good luck on your careers. I wish you success! Congratulations!!!

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