DISCONNECTED

Around fifteen minutes before I logged in for my shift, the phone system went down and all calls on the floor got disconnected. This was a big break everyone on avail are waiting for- evidence that indeed most agent on this account would rather avoid taking calls than do the job expected of them. It was a celebration of sorts as they had time at hand to chatter with those next to their stations. A supervisor informed me that it only was happening in Manila and our counterparts in Cebu are only the ones who are able to take calls, and they have only a few agents on avail to handle the massive queue. While those of us here in Manila rejoice, I was quite worried as every single second that passes by is a lost revenue for our company and that of the client. In this time of financial crisis, the agents should have realized this is not something to be happu about.

Drip

Nothing really to write about; just to bump up this blog. Summer is really here in the tropics, making your underwear stick to your skin, which is kind of icky. Makes you always want to dip in a tub or a pool. However, we should be reminded of the fact that this planet is fast running out of fresh water sources. Let us always be mindful of turning that tap on. Be sure every drop is not wasted.

Together Alone

Basking in the darkness of our room right now. With my wife in my arms. Listening to the new voice of British soul- Joss Stone. Really nothing but the person that I always wanted to spend my life with, the uncertainty of us ever having at least one child, the love we share, and a music that we both enjoy.

CHECK IT OUT!

It's rude to stare, right? That doesn't make checking out somebody any
different. Well, I think it's alright as long as it's the opposite
sex. However, it's another thing if a gay is checking out a person of
the same sex. It should be. It's not descrimination to have a law
prohibiting such. I mean, imagine you're a straight married man, then
there's some dude at the bus or train bigger and more buff than you
are but evidently gay checking you out. I'm not against homosexuality,
and for crying out loud the house music I love so much is frequently
associated with gays; I respect their rights and they have to respect
other people back. Geez! Kaya pala ganun kasi bukas ang zipper ko.

DEMANDING

It's scary how the business relationship between our company and the
client on which account I am assigned to has become sort of
sadomasochistic. The client do know very well it is the "bread and
butter" or the biggest client of the company, and that their departure
will definitely mean the break or make of the latter in the global
outsourcing industry.The former uses this fact to its advantage by
demanding seemingly impossible things in exchange for their continued
patronage of our company's services.

In just a matter of a year, the client have managed to demand at least
25% increase in the sales quota for our company while going tougher on
the requirements for incentives. Additionally, the client also have
indirectly imposed upon us calibrations on the quality standards that
have us almost begging customers for sales. It is a known fact that
they do not have the same high quota, strict metrics requirements for
incentives, and tough quality standards in their own center in the US.

I understand the position of our company on this matter-- the account
serving this client employs anything from a couple to three hundred
people; losing this client means letting go of these people. I would
like to believe that our company, especially now that it has been
bought out by a bigger conglomerate, can survive loss of such a big
client, and that it's main reason for keeping the client was to
continue providing employment for us, agents of this account.

Recently, the managers of the account came up with a mandatory 8 hours
overtime for agents to render within the month. The directive was so
sudden that it makes anyone think the spike in number of calls was
never announced by the client. We have no news about it but certainly
this should mean reduction in queue for our US counterparts,
presumably because of the bad economy of the US and they want to cut
down costs by increasing the volume of calls in the Philippine center,
as our hourly rates are less than half of their agents in the US.

I hope the client soon realizes the injustice they are doing with the
demands they have to our company. On the other hand, I hope also our
company can stand for its employees as we have done in its name. I
believe everyone do have compassion in their hearts.