SOCIALS COMMITTEE 2010

About a month ago, I wrote something about why I did not attend our company’s Christmas Party. I don’t know why but when I found out who was going to be the next SOCOM Chairman, I gad a feeling that there will be a big possibility that I would become a member.

My guess was right, I am a member of SOCOM 2010 of our company. In my 10 years in the company, I’ve been a member 5 times, that’s almost every other year! In between one of those years, I was an RCL (Real Change Leader) that focuses more of the company’s values & mission/vision, cascading them to the other employees of the bank.

The SOCOM on the other hand, deals with the socials and athletics and other extra curricular activities. Our company is not all work, we know how to play too! We had our first meeting last week, and another this week – which I think id going to be a weekly thing.

All the projects have been laid down, budget approved and lastly – the hardest is the implementation. But based on experience, all the activities were fun and fully supported by the employees. From community service, fund raising or simply just fun, everyone enjoys it!

Although we can’t help but enter into arguments because of personality differences and ideas, it becomes more interesting since we get the best suggestions.

I think this will be a very busy and exciting year for me, both at work and at play.

Tags: bank, Events, Happy, Office Party, organization, socials comittee

What’s in store for 2010?

Snake Personality

The person born in the year of snake is the wisest and most enigmatic of all. He/she can become a philosopher, a theologian, a political lizard or a wily financier. Such person is a thinker who also likes to live well. The snake – person loves books, music, clothes, and fine food; but with all his fondness for the good things of life, his innate elegance gives him a dislike for frivolities and foolish talk.

They like communicating and like interesting conversations, although if the conversation becomes repetitive their attention may soon wander. It is almost impossible to fix their attention for long talking about the weather. They prefer to focus on new interesting unusual ides and intelligent discussion in general.

These people have a special feeling that enables them to judge situations correctly and so they are alert to new possibilities and when they have an idea of what to and how to do it, they you pursue it persistently and energetically. These people are self-confident and usually don’t bother themselves listening to someone else’s opinion. But this side of their character has also a negative load. Refusing to listen to constructive advice, they may get into needless trouble. Although it is difficult for such people to take advice, they are patient with others when it comes to give a hand of help, and their ability to look at a problem from a variety of angles is extremely appreciated. When faced with a dilemma snake people as a rule act with speed and conviction, since they believe intensely in what they are doing and rarely waste time or energy on projects lacking in good potential.

It is important to remember that life is not all work and competition. Snake person perfectly knows how to wind down and relax when such opportunity arises. This type of people often makes protective and caring friends. However, their anger can be quickly aroused, and they will soon get back if there is a suspicion that someone has taken advantage of their trust or has hurt those close to them.

Snake Love Affairs

In love, the male snake is romantic and charming. He possesses a sense of humor while the female is usually beautiful and successful. In case person born in the year of the snake chooses a partner, he/she will be jealous and possessive. Even when the relationships are left behind this possessiveness will be clouding the snake’s life. Rejection is the worst thing that can ever happen to the snake person. Such people must be received, welcomed, accepted and approved by those with whom they come in contact. Generally they need a lot of security.

It often happens that snake people have one set of rules for themselves and one for their partner and this side of their nature can become a basis for misunderstandings in the future. But, when they are really romantically involved these people are also loving and attentive, stimulating and playful, though it takes time for them to get over their fears or discuss their weaknesses. The best partner for a snake type person is someone who would give him freedom, but it is also important for him to feel secure and adored.

Snake Career

In money matters, people born in the year of snake have good luck; they don’t have to worry about money too much, such people will always be able to find couple of banknotes if they need it. The snake person has an ability to read complex situations quickly and then set about resolving them in a quiet, controlled manner. It is much more convenient and useful for this people to work independently, because in this case they have freedom to travel and negotiate on their own terms. The snake people can not stand being limited by others and this is another reason for them to work solo. People born in this year are logical and organized workers and have all the qualities needed to acquire new skills. They also have a very good memory and that enables them to fulfil the projects thoroughly. They are purposeful and getting towards their aim spotting potential troubles and reacting immediately. On the other hand, should they have achieved their goal the snake people usually withdraw to gather their thoughts and rest. But they need not much time to renew their energies and be ready for new challenges.

Ideal Job for the Snake Include

Professor, Linguist, Teacher, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Astrologer, Clairvoyant, Personnel officer, Public relations executive, Interior designer.

Horoscope background
Lucky Numbers: 1, 2, 4, 6, 13, 24, 42, 46
Equivalent Western Sign: Taurus
Element FIRE
Color RED
Yin/Yang YANG
Direction SOUTH-SOUTH-EAST

Snake Compatibility
Compatible with : Ox, Rooster, Dragon
Less Compatible with : Rat, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Dog, Ram
Least Compatible with : Pig, Monkey, Tiger

Positive and Negative Capability

Positive: The Snake can be amiable, compromising, fun-loving, altruistic, honorable, sympathetic, philosophical, charitable, a paragon of fashion, intuitive, discreet, diplomatic, amusing and sexy.

Negative: The Snake can also be self-righteous, imperious, judgmental, conniving, mendacious, grabby, clinging, pessimistic, fickle, haughty, ostentatious and a very sore loser.

Tags: 2010 forecast, career, chinese astrology, Work, year of the snake

Why I did not attend our Christmas Party

Everybody close to me were asking why I was not in the party. Well, aside from not feeling well, I did not feel the excitement.

I would have been in our Luzonwide Christmas Party last night – an event that all the employees look forward to.  It’s a sort of reunion, where you get to see your old friends, meet new ones, bond and get to know each other well. It is also in occasions like this that we the “the other side” of our colleagues or bosses.

Our Christmas parties have always been a blast! Each year, a Socials Committee Chairman is chosen, usually a member or MANCOM, to head the coming year’s extra curricular events. Members are personally chosen by the head, usually representing all the departments. I’ve been a member of the SOCOM for 3 or 4 times since I joined the company.

Amongst all the activities of the SOCOM, I usually look forward to the Christmas Party. I take the theme seriously, planning my outfit way ahead of the day and made sure I will be noticed.  I enjoy mingling and socializing with the other employees, as well as having fun dancing.

But this year seems to be different – at least for me personally. So many things have happened over the past few months, and I somehow don’t feel a sense of belonging to any Group or Department. It seems that I am on a “floating” status. Several weeks ago, I already have two authentic Maskara Festival masks, an outfit to match, ready and quite looking forward to it.

A few days before the party, a sudden realization struck me. I am going to be an awardee for 10 years of service. I began to look back at the 10 years I’ve spent with the company. I agree, If I am not happy, I could have not stayed long. This is the longest stint I had in a company but what did I achieve? What were my contributions? Was my performance a mediocre one?

Checking out the other awardees which I consider “batch mates” (but we may not be of the same age ); those  who has been with our company with the same length of service. What have they achieved over the past ten years? Have they climbed the “corporate ladder”? I remember one of the most common interview question when you are applying for a job is “How do you see yourself 10 years from now?”

Yes, its been 10 years, where am I now? Still the same – same as 10 years ago. Oh well, my salary probably is not the same as last year but the increases were “across the board”. I mean  . . . well, you know what I mean.  I’ve had several movements, 3 0r 4 times, these were all lateral movements in terms of rank. The last one and the most recent is going to take effect January, 2010, a position I have already handled before – so it seems I am starting back from scratch.

Around 2pm on that day, my mind was torn between attending or not. I already have a back-up or ready outfit in case I change my mind. But imagining myself going up the stage being awarded for my length of service made me insecure. I am going on stage and limelight with my “batchmates” who have already climbed the corporate ladder, some a step higher, some 5 or six steps higher. Is that something for me to be proud of? Can I carry myself up the stage, heads up thinking “look at me now”? I guess not.

I felt sad, or better yet – self pity would be the right word. And I start to question myself, are my work habits bad? Is my performance mediocre? Or is it because I don’t play “corporate politics”, which they say plays a big chunk in one’s career.

Oh well, they probably didn’t miss me at all. Hope next year will excite me more.

Tags: Christmas Party, Masquerade, Office Party

Get Over It! Move On!

I know my Hubby and Friends are not going to like this post. They have been telling me to forget about the past and move on.  That I should accept the challenge and prove my worth maybe not for “them” but just for myself.

Anyway, in the company I work with, we have a customer service survey for our internal clients – which are the other departments, unit, branches, etc. that  we support or service. For this year, if I am not mistaken, for the first & second quarter, we (now dissolved department) ranked 1st and 2nd for our category.

For the 3rd quarter, which I receive this morning, our department ranked #1 in our category and 2nd overall! This means that our internal clients are very much satisfied with our support and that we are vital to their business.

What hurts me most is that our Department got dissolved last Oct 1 because it was very hard to “justify our existence”! Wouldn’t the survey speak for itself? Doesn’t this mean that we have value and provide support more that the other 15 or 16 other departments?

I’m sorry, but I think it would take me a little bit more time to accept this, get over it and move on. I know for a fact that there is nothing I can do now because I am just a small voice.

To anyone who will be able to read this – no offense meant. I am just venting out what I feel.

Tags: Customer Service Survey, Internal Clients, Satisfied Clients

Dejavu . . .

It’s been a month since I moved to my new assignment. Within this period, I was able to attend a Credit Training Seminar, Area Planning for 2010, met a few clients in the branch and had a few client calls. It’s been a decade since I was last assigned in the branch, although I practically “grew up” as a branch person. It’s basically the same, i just need to update on the new policies or changes in policies and polish my marketing skills.

This afternoon, we went to call on one of the valued client of the bank. Since we were not familiar with the office, we opted to take a cab. It was smooth going to the client’s office and the meeting was fine. Going back to the branch, we waited outside for a cab. It was not easy, and the cab drivers were choosy in picking up passengers. It was at the peak of the afternoon,  so hot and windy, all the dust went to our faces!

This took me back to the time when I was making cold calls, walking around the buildings in Makati, trying to get the offices and the names of the contact person. I was all dressed up, stockings and all, since we had to make an impression to the prospects. But what good is your appearance when you’re sweating and your make-up is slowly getting washed away by your perspiration?

I remember I pitied myself and compared what I do to an “Electrolux Salesman” (I’m gonna knock on your door . . .”). But I guess everyone in marketing has been through this experience. Misery loves company . . . hahaha! Well marketing has its own benefits too, its not just hard work. Sooner or later, if your are really persistent, whatever you have done, will reap its reward. I hope this goes for me too!

Tags: client call, marketing, sales call, Work

New Beginnings . . . .

Its been a few days now since I’ve started to report to my new assignment. It’s not basically new to me since I’ve have been in the same position before. The thing that makes it “new” is that its been a while since I’ve handle the same position and I need further updating and seminar on what were the latest developments from the time I left the position.

During the first day, I felt that I was a “new employee” in a “new company”. Even if I have been in the same company for a decade now, and I know most of the people I will work with, I still am in the adjustment period. So many things has happened, changes in leadership, policies & procedures, market trends, technology and the way of doing things.

Over the past few days, I’m slowly catching up, getting the feel of how it was. I’m a bit disoriented now I must admit, even if I’m not that busy. But i will be able to cope up pretty soon, for sure.

Tags: new assignment, Work

What I’ll Miss . . .

In a few weeks, I’ll be transferring to one of our branches for a new assignment. Although I would say the movement is more positive than negative for me, I can’t help but feel sad and leaving the Head Office with a heavy heart.

I’ve been assigned in our Head Office for several years now, and even if I did a short stint in the branch, I was assigned in our Main Branch which is also in our HO. There was a time when my work world revolved only around our division. My friends were only within our group and although I know some people in other departments, they were mere acquaintances only. Over the last 4 years, I got involved in many extra curricular activities at work and this was where I gained new friends outside my comfort zone. I enjoyed meeting new friends, working with different departments – officially and other activities as well.

Aside from the fact that I’m leaving a department where I was a “pioneer” – from the conceptualization with just 2 people, to its peak of 14 employees, I will miss the friendship that I have developed. I will miss our “breaks”, lunch outs and meetings. Coffee at Starbucks, Seattle’s Best or Bibingka at Tsokonut. Our “joke time” and “chika time”, sharing information on our “specialty” and ideas on several topics.I will miss the HO activities like the WHAM meetings, presentations, seminars and other activities that only the HO employees enjoy.

Maybe my “mission” in the HO has been accomplished, developing deposit products and services to beef up the bank’s deposits. I am leaving with figures more than double from where we took off.

It has been said, life must go on and change is inevitable. I will have to move on and accept the challenges that awaits me. Knowing that they are true friends, no distance can break our friendship and we will continue to be friends even if we don’t get to see each other often. Well there are still other bank wide activities such as Christmas Parties and the like.

Tags: branch, change, friends, lunch out, wham, Work

Moving Forward

In the next few days, i will be making a move in my career. This is not voluntary, I just happen to be one of the other people who are going to make a similar move. I am not saying that I like the move, and neither am I sating that I do not want it. I don’t know what I feel right now.

My department has been “dissolved”, the decision was mandated by management, so I was told. Our department is not that “big”, but nevertheless, I believe has been an essential part to the sales people. Maybe the management thinks the department’s contribution is not that significant, but I think the figures can speak for itself. Whatever the reason is, it’s their prerogative.

Fortunately, there is still a position waiting for me. It’s really not that bad at all. Human’s initial reaction to change is “non-acceptance” or “denial”. That’s common, specially of you have been in the department for almost a decade, and you’ve learned a lot there, met friends, worked with senior officers in the some committees, and somehow made a name of myself. My comfort level has been “shaken”, but I have to move on.

Analyzing the “pros” and “cons” of this movement, it looks like there are more “pros” on my side. However, the biggest challenge here is how to protect and generate. I hope and pray that I be able to do good in this new chapter of my career.

Tags: career, change, movement, Work