• Ramblings

    Ramblings About The Economy Crisis

    November 18, 2008

    Some ramblings about the economy crisis.

    1) My colleague who used to complain that he has no time, and very busy, suddenly requested that the company do not employ any more staff, and instead he will take on any of the tasks that are planned. I mean, should not he be actually having this kind of attitude from the very beginning and not just wait till there is a threat of retrenchment before adopting this kind of positive attitude?

    2) I was remarking to my friend who worked in the public sector about how I am worried about my job due to this economy crisis. His response was, ‘Yah. I wonder if my bonus will be affected.’ I mean here I am worrying about whether I will still have a job and he is there worrying about his bonuses. Main difference between working in the public sector and private sector I guess. And yes, he is still going ahead on getting a new car.

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  • Ramblings

    Termination

    November 12, 2008

    It was the first time I witnessed someone got terminated because of poor performance in my working life.

    It was pretty sad actually, he had a family to support, the wife is not working, he just managed to get his mother-in-law into this country, and he was renting his place. But it was not as if chances were not given. My boss had warned him three times about his performance, and with the client sending multiple official emails to complain about him, I guess he really cannot blame anyone. He was lazy, kept missing his promised deadlines, submitting poor quality work, not leading his people when he was employed to, had no initiative to find out what is happening with the project, refused to attend meetings and had absolutely no interests in the project. And nothing changed even after being warned three times. In short, a really ‘no hope’ case. We all gave up on him months ago, and he seemed to be contented doing mundane tasks, like documentation, while everyone just ignored him. His people started to report to me months ago, and he does not even seem to care.

    After hearing the news, he came back to pack up his things, asking for 30 minutes to ‘say goodbye’, which was rejected. He then went around telling everyone that today is his last day, and he was going to join another company, which of course, none of us actually believed him.

    No matter how bad his performance was, I really wish he can find a job soon, since he had a family to feed. Considering the fact that the whole economy is in a meltdown, and companies are retrenching, it is almost impossible to get a job nowadays. And when he does get a job, I really hope he performs better than he did with us.

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  • Ramblings

    Work Ramblings

    November 4, 2008

    So the new Project Manager came in like 2 weeks ago.

    The previous one did not do himself any favours by immediately emailing all the stakeholders about the new guy taking over him. Granted that he was asked to take over the position temporary, granted he was feeling unhappy doing something that was not part of his KPI, but the least he could do was to wait for a few days. Besides, I have been helping him out, taking a lot of burden off his shoulders, things were easier for him. If it was not the fact that I willing helped him because I wanted to gain project management experience, I would have kicked up a storm over it.

    I heard that there was a big hoo-ha as the client was firmly against the idea of introducing a new major risk at this critical point in the project. So I guess in the end, it did reflect very badly on him.

    So far the new PM is doing pretty well, but I have the feeling he was just testing water, slowly probing, slowly learning. Which is not a bad thing actually when it comes to managing a project.

    The plan for me next year seems to be 2 months in Malaysia, and at least another 2 months in Thailand. If everything goes according to plan, which I have learned that it is never so. So far, the short trips to Thailand are bearable, but I am not too sure how I should feel after learning that I will be there for at least 2 months. One thing is for sure, I can never get used to the hot and humid weather there, and this is coming from me being in Singapore.

    I am also very concerned regarding the economy crisis gripping the world now. I am pretty sure there will be a few rounds of retrenchments, so yes, I am worried, enough to keep me thinking about it pretty often. Sure hope this crisis ends soon.

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  • Ramblings

    Working Aboard

    October 19, 2008

    It is with great significance when I read about Cowboy Caleb’s entry on traveling overseas alone to work.

    With the recent trips to Bangkok, and the forthcoming trips next year to KL and Bangkok, I can foresee that I will have the same feeling as him, feeling lonely in the hotel room, wondering what I will do next. I have been fortunate so far, I do not travel alone yet. And nights are spent downloading the whole day’s office emails and replying them.

    There was a time not too long ago that I actually love to travel aboard to work. Maybe I am really getting old.

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  • Ramblings

    The Central

    October 11, 2008

    I think The Central is horribly designed.

    Shops seem to be all over the place. The walkways are narrow, there are no clear signs to any where. I was looking for Barang Barang, and found it tucked in one obscure corner. I must remind myself never to go back again, unless it is to have a meal at the excellent Sun with Moon Japanese Dining & Cafe.

    Whoever designed it should be shot.

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