a moment of stress in which a person breaks down or a situation becomes critical

wikipedia

Though I haven’t yet reached that “exact” situation, my condition right now, for me, is unbearable.

Almost nobody knew about my current (emotional) situation (except partly my wife). And by making this post, I am making my situation known (if they will be reading this blog).

The Job

Yup, this is one of the main reasons of my “dilemma”. Ever since I moved (or forcibly moved) to sales, my urge to work diminished. I hate sales. When I was transferred, I told myself and some colleagues that my days are numbered. Fortunately, I was able to endure for more than a year (thanks to the help of my managers). However, lately, the papers came flowing. My Father-in-law died and my wife got sick and I wasn’t able to come to work for almost half a month September and October. And that totally pulled down my performance. I was given papers for attendance and performance (wherein attendance is already part of performance – double jeopardy for me).

I was able to get a perfect attendance last month (November). However, my stats still failed. I was required to get 100% attainment (meat ALL my goals). That was like from bottom you have to be the no. 1 agent (since only a VERY few reaches 100%.

And since I wasn’t able to meet the goal (but I moved from the bottom quartile up to the third quartile) I have two weeks to meet the goals we have for this month (divided for the two weeks of course). Unfortunately, I was absent since last Wednesday up till Tuesday. So there is no chance for me to meet the goals. My only hope is if they will lower the goals for last month and my stats would move up the upper 50%. Honestly, I doubt it. Unfortunately, my boss seems to have no plans on salvaging me.

So what’s causing me to break? Well, I have a high chance of losing my job. We’re currently renting a house, paying for utilities (electricity, water, phone and internet) and my wife is also studying (taking up units in education) and it’s close to Christmas.

I was thinking that if I lose my job, I’ll jumpstart the business I want, a computer shop at my home place. I already made some calculations. And based on the current trend there (only 2 shops currently existing on a large community), the business is still feasible. Of course there will be extra services like desktop publishing, computer repair, school supplies and some other perks.

I am planning this for a long time already, keeping an eye on current business flow, equipment prices. The only thing I don’t have is capital.

I tried asking someone if I could borrow/loan money from them. Unfortunately, their funds are all in their business also. I am thinking of having at least 60,000 pesos ($1500) to jump start that business. It is small. But as for my initial computations, that would be enough (no need to pay for rent, this will be in our house; no need to pay for technicians, I can do that; no need to pay for carpentry, my father’s a carpenter). So basically, all I really need to buy are the computers (including networking stuff) and tables.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the money to start. I worked in a call center (people expect us to have ‘good salaries’. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to handle our finances properly. Now, I am struck on how irresponsible’ we’ve been with our money. It is hard to admit. But that is the truth. No savings. Nothing. We were able to buy some stuff but not much (we bought a high end printer that can be used for the business; unfortunately, it is a sleeping investment as of now).

Honestly, I am daydreaming that someone would lend me that money I need (extreme daydream that someone would actually ‘give’ me the money. But reality is reality.

Currently, I don’t know what will happen. I just hope that if my superiors will kick me out of the company, they do this after Christmas.

I haven’t yet talked to my wife regarding this. We actually haven’t prayed together for a long time (and I do feel the result). I am planning to discuss the current situation to her ASAP. She already knew a bit, but not how ‘severe’ the situation is.

I am asking for your prayers. We need strength. I am baffled. My mind is spinning and my heart is pounding. Sometimes, I just want to bang my head on the wall. But I know this will end. However, I am on the breaking point and I need some support.

May God’s will be done.

Dell Pasay, the first Dell Badged contact center in the Philippines (and also considered as one of the biggest contact center in the country) was sold to Teleperformance, an outsourcing company for contact centers. This was part of Dell Inc.’s “cost managemnt” strategy.

Some of us were surprised, though most are already aware of the past rumors that Dell Pasay or Quezon will be sold to Telepormance (this rumors was around last year). But the news earlier confirmed it. As our Area Manager tells us, there will be a psychological effect for us. Because the question lingers our mind… “Are we (Dell Quezon) next?”. Dell Pasay houses Consumer Technical Support for US, Australia and New Zealand, and also the “prestigious” XPS support.

One of my friend told me that their area manager told them that since Dell Quezon is under business segment (Dell Quezon houses Small and Medium Business customer care, technical support, parts and upgrade and ink, and also the Employee Purchase Program Sales) we are “safe” (since we are considered as income generating line of businesses). However, during our huddle with our area manager, one of the agent asked if there’s any guarantee for our site to stay “Dell Badged”. Our area manager answered, “There are no guarantees.”

They say that recession is the reason for the abrupt change. And I realized that the higher offices were silently communicating this already to us via their email updates regarding changes in how Dell will handle their consumer segment.

I really don’t know what to say to our colleagues in Pasay. I can’t say “I feel for them” cause I am not in their situation. I am praying that whatever have happened, or might happen, that God would intervene specially for those who have faith in Him.

Note:

The agents from Dell Pasay will be transitioned to Teleperformance within 30 days. They have a choice to accept Teleperformance’s job offer with a acceptance bonus or leave with their severance packages. Details are not that clear if they will retain the same basic pay. But definitely, a lot of benefits from being Dell Badged Employee will be lost.

I know, many will say “I don’t care!”, “Dell sucks!”. But please, we are also people working to earn money so we can have food to give to our family.

God bless.

it was August 6 of 2007 when I stepped in here in the company. It was my first (real) job. I never expected that I’ll reach 1 year at work.

Been with two departments (switchboard, now sales). Been on the top of the ranks, and also been at the bottom.

Nothing to celebrate really (except that I was able to endure grave yard shift struggles) because I am currently looking for a daytime job.

Anyway. I am thankful to God cause I learned a lot from this job.

Soli Deo Gloria.

(Have to get back to work)

Well, I have to make a sale today (exceed the goals since I was zero yesterday) so I won’t have any problems.

Lord, please help.

Soli Deo Gloria..

When it was my turn. I am a bit shaky. And when I sat on the station, the phone rang and answered the call of the certifier, I was nervous. At first everything was okay. But then, the tools we’re using (since we are using training version of the tool – a bit buggy), got some problems (that never happens on the actual tool we’re using. And since almost everything is dependent on the tool (scripts, configuration, prices), I was a bit lost. I forgot some things.

I felt that call was bad. But I hope I would pass. The person who certified me was my trainor in batch 5 (which I wasn’t able to finish). I felt very bad for that since I supposedly had more training than the others.

I wasn’t able to talk to him yet. So I don’t know his reaction regarding that call.

Well, we already had our graduation and our trainer said we’re all going to take in calls next week. So I assume that I passed.

Anyways, Soli Deo Gloria…

Won’t be able to update my blogs properly since our class is strict.

God bless.

Soli Deo Gloria.

We should be happy with it, but for me, it is a struggle. The offer is somewhat irresistible (not because I badly want it, but because we cannot decline the offer). During the 3 week training, we have a weekend off. But when we goes to the floor, weekend offs are not guaranteed.

It’s a struggle for me ‘coz I need Sunday’s off for church. But after talking to my wife and praying, we came to a decision, I’ll grab to opportunity – for some reasons. I am planning to leave this company when I reached my goal (pay some debts, pay for the title of our small piece of land <mine and my brother’s>, save some money to start a home business or use it while I am looking for a daytime job, reach my 1 year mark working for this company). It is not that I don’t like this company. I plan to leave ‘coz it’s too far from our place and i don’t want to work night shift anymore (very stressing). And with the opportunity offered to me, we expect a little more from our salary that would help me reach some financial goals I need.

Some might say I should decline the offer coz it would sacrifice my Sunday off (for God, church and ministry). But with my current situation, even though I have weekend offs, I feel very tired and exhausted. Grave yard shift’s killing me (exaggeration). The sooner I reach my goals, the better.

Anyway, I am still praying for God’s perfect plan. Though we decided to grab the offer, we still doesn’t reject the idea that God might have a different plan. Please for me also. Thanks.

Soli Deo Gloria

I work in a call center, my shift starts at 11:00pm manila time (9am CST).

My travel from home to work is approximately 1 and 1/2 upto 2 hours. Same with going home.

I work 8 hours (night shift) plus 30 minutes overtime (sometimes, depending on the volume of calls).

I am away from home at least 12 hours (2 way travel and work).

Upon getting home from work (of course tired and sleepy), I have to take care of my baby for at least 2 hours until my wife comes from work (she’s a preschool teacher).

So, I will go to sleep at around 12:30 or 1:00 pm. Then, I have to wake up at 7pm to prepare for work, leave house at 8pm, arrive at workplace at around 10pm… which would make my total time spent away from home 13 hours.

I work from Monday evening to Saturday morning…  every weekends, I try to spend time with my family. Sunday morning, church.

That’s why I’m physically tired, mentally exhausted, but my heart is happy…

I am planning to start a home business, but I have lots of problem with it (usual problems people have when starting a small business).

First of all is,  what kind of business should I establish. I haven’t yet surveyed my place for any info on what our community might need.

Next is budget. This will depend on the first one.

Whoever that might drop by this blog, if you knew something about business (just small, home business), please leave some comments and tips…

Thank you….

Please pray for my health. I am really having a hard time with this cough.  It’s been 5 weeks now.