The Bigger Picture...

So my partner in my ex-company texted me last week how I've been. Well, I've been busy. Swimming, reading and stuff. I just found out earlier today while browsing through some job's website (ya know I was kidding about the retired thing, right?) that they are still looking for my replacement. I resigned last August 02.

Not to lift my own chair, but they would definitely find it difficult to find someone of my caliber. I mean I've been doing that job for the last 16 years. Fifteen years prior to that, It was all my show 'til management decided I could use an assistant. Before I decided to call it a day for what some ambitious manager cunningly did to me, we were three people in our little department.

So, counting the overhead and the additional two guys they are going to hire, they have a total of four people since they opted to have an encoder (wow!) which would have a minimum of eight thousand salary for each of the three of them with the other department head whose probably receiving around 15k. Almost 40k for the four of them, to be precise.

And, there is really no need for additional personnel because we are now solely processing for our own branch whilst before, we had two additional branches in addition to ours. And I did it all by myself. And no, there wasn't any additional compensation, if you are curious to know.

All of these personnel are novice. To be honest, no veteran would accept such a job with such measly pay grade and potential problems along the way. So, it essentially defeats the purpose of cutting down on cost because what's one versus four staff, and, it basically made their life difficult with a bunch of 'idealist greenhorn' running the show that makes the processing longer to get done.

Good thing though is that before I left, I was able to train one guy to a level of competence that he can probably run the show, but he'd still be needing help.

Why this ambitious accounting manager did what she did is basically to show the higher management she's the man. I had a budget which is basically already covered by the customer's payment for the unit he wanted. And, for years I was able to process our documentations with almost zero penalty. We should be penalize but I found a way to diminish the possibility. So, our customer paid the budget and we are not paying penalties. How can that be bad. eh? The millions they save and not a dime of incentive? Ok.

When May or June came and it was announced that we are no longer under the sales department and we will be under this ambitious woman's wings, I knew from that instance - we are doomed. I mean, I've seen most of her staff come and go and just this January, mass exodus happened. Worse, I don't get to be the head of the department which I know like the palm of my hand but some 20-year old lady who is one of her top lieutenants. I mean, if that's not so crystal yet, I dunno what.

I can already sense the power trip of her lackey who is now our acting leader. I wouldn't mind getting led by some lady whose half my age as I have been under a lot people who were younger than me. But ya know, this setup has that sense of some play (watch: Homeland) goin' on. But, I was confident that we are all here for the greater good of the company.

Then, one fateful day, I was suddenly sent to our branch in Mindanao. It was Saturday and her bootlicker told me I have to go there on Monday because there's this guy who holds the same position as me and that his wife is gonna have a baby and he is talking a week off.

Sixteen years and I have never been out of our branch and then out of the blue, I am going to some awesome place in Mindanao?? Why not??

But really, deep inside, I was surprised and pissed. Anyway, being the good soldier that I am, I oblige. Did I mentioned I'm scared of flying? I was hoping if I could get to ride an airplane more, my fear would somehow lessened. It didn't. Hah!

So I packed for a week's provision or at least I thought so. Long story short, I arrived there with nothing to do. The guy I was replacing isn't going to be a father again because his wife already gave birth last February and worst, his partner with whom we trained for our Surigao branch was also there because the branch hasn't opened yet. Meaning, we're like three stooges there. And did I mentioned we can't do jack?

I'm quite irritated now. Texted my lady head what's going on and all I get was a lie. Lie, lie, lie. Amazing. So, bottom line, they want to investigate me if I was profiting from my little action without me getting in the way. Went back the following day and voila! I resigned.

So, lets just say that I am profiting, don't ya think I deserve it? While the sales people are raking in thousands upon thousands (even the new guys already have brand spankin' new car and big bikes), same goes to our insurance babes and the chattel mortgage boys, we in our department receive a measly monthly salary. If I was profiting, is it the company's stash? Nope. We are so very, very left behind  in terms of compensation when in fact, our work and responsibility is so crucial to get the company going like a well-oiled machine. We are the most under appreciated and underrated people. We are always overlooked and barely get an award and yet, if you look at the bigger picture, because of us these top managers can smile and laugh because they are not having any problems with the people we deal with. And mind you, these people I deal with wields a lot of law enforcing powers that if we are caught with our pants down, we pay a very hefty fine.

And, if you look at the system I put there to get things done seamlessly, you would be amazed. None of the other dealers who works the same job as I do can claim the same. That's exactly why I can do it all by myself. All those replacements can coalesce themselves to the system I put in place. However, they are not me, so, good luck!

All I can say is, you can get whoever you want but you would still come out with a bigger overhead and still come out short. When it comes to quality of work, I don't think there's anyone who can compare. Even the guys now who are all veterans working in another dealership cannot compare. That's how confident I am with myself. And just a quick tip to top management if they haven't gotten it already: I don't think these newly hired personnel will survive either being under that ambitious lady manager. Not only that, they also have to survive to the people they liaise with outside especially the people they will be dealing with.

My previous job requires a two pronged approach. The balancing act I did throughout those years was never easy, but I got it done. With the way these lads been conducting themselves with the people they deal with, I doubt it very much if they can get it done fast enough. There will be hassles and unfortunate incidents because you know why? Greed got the best of them.

So I'm sad I don't have a job anymore, but it's better this way. I could not stomach the way they run the show, anyway. I am almost certain that there will be a lot of complains and so I am glad I got out before things got ugly. It would be fun to watch these neophytes answer customer queries and complains. I'm sure their superiors are better equipped to do the explainin' so let them do the accounting, eh?

Oh, I just might get a job tomorrow... fingers crossed. I will try my luck at Virginia Foods. I heard it's a good place to learn how to butcher. Or, nope.



[photo: mindwise-groningen.nl]