Friday, October 8, 2010

Numbers 3

Numbers 2

I always discussed with the guy I was mentoring what he did good and what he could improve on.  I also let him listen in to my calls, and made sure I got feedback from him.  One of the regular coaches and I even gave him a pep talk, of which he responded to very enthusiastically.  That was all I wanted, that he be willing to learn, both in the technical and the communication aspects.

His enthusiasm was infectious. I found another purpose in my work. I swore I'd never give up on the guy I was mentoring.

Sad to say, it was the system that gave up on him.

A few hours after the coach and I gave the pep talk to the guy, rumors suddenly swirled around the floor that people were being let go.  I could see that one by one, Big Boss was approaching the non-performers and leading them to the aisle where his station was.  When he came to my station to ask me if I could talk to the one I was mentoring, no amount of hushed arguing could change the situation. The client demanded to take out those who were attracting a huge amount of dissatisfied surveys.

It was business as usual the next day. Or so it seemed. In the air, there was a palpable undercurrent of tension. One could almost taste it like an unsavory relish. What was odd though was that Big Boss didn't show up. Later on, both Immediate Boss and Department Head told me they'd be off the floor for a meeting. They asked me and two other people to man the floor in the meantime.  When I asked Immediate Boss what time they'd be back, he said he didn't know. It didn't take a genius to intuit something was amiss.

My hunch was right. It turned out, the client dismissed Big Boss, too. Collateral damage, so to speak. The numbers were downright horrid, and they asked for his head since he had command responsibility of the whole operation.

Department Head was now our New Big Boss.

All of these my Immediate Boss told me as he hitched a ride going home.  Lost in thought, I was silent for most of the time. And when he got off, I remained silent for the rest of my drive home.

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Three weeks after that disastrous turn of events, our numbers are now in the 80's percentage.

The aisles that were once full now seem to be like a ghost town.  Among those who are left, many are contemplating on resigning.

I am still there because I'd like to think my numbers are still safe - for now.

But the whole bloodbath made me realize that in this business, we are all but just figures and statistics; anonymous numbers that are compartmentalized in white-cold Excel sheet cells.

Welcome to the corporate world, Ternie. I hope you survive the experience.
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"Numbers don't feel, and neither do you feel for numbers." 
- re-adapted quote from Mugen

20 comments:

  1. Numbers are absolute. Undeniable. Sadly, in business, it is often the sole parameter that decisions are based on.

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  2. the awful truth about the corporate world. :(

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  3. yeah, it sucks to be treated like a renewable resource.

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  4. And I too, was a casualty of numbers. So much for the venture. But still, I will explore.

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  5. Btw, I enjoy reading your entries lately, it gives me a cold splash of reality, a reminder that what happens at home also happens elsewhere.

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  6. I'm genuinely sorry that despite his enthusiasm, your protege was dismissed, Ternie. On the other hand, the fact that Big Boss got axed, too, was somehow...reassuring. Command responsibility and all that - unlike local politicians, who manage to stay in their positions despite colossal displays of incompetence.

    The prevailing low morale among the survivors is lamentable, but understandable. But life will go on, as it stubbornly does.

    Welcome to the jungle, baby.

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  7. Red: apparently, not only the pope is infallible, but numbers are, too :(

    Engel: sad, noh?

    Ex J: it's not even the good type of suck. hayz.

    Mugen: so what's been your decision na?

    p.s. I enjoy reading your entries lately <<< you mean, all the time e hindi?! >:P lolz

    Dabo: aw. hugs lang? ahihihihi

    Ruddie: i think i'll have to start channeling sheena, queen of the jungle.

    watcha think?

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  8. @ Ternie : I imagine you more as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

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  9. Nightmares.

    The corporate world only gave me horrid nightmares.

    You, you're a tough cookie.

    You shall survive.

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  10. Ruddie: priscilla is fab!

    Guy: i'm like a mentos.

    tough on the outside, but soft and chewie in the inside hihihihi

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  11. "Guy: i'm like a mentos.

    tough on the outside, but soft and chewie in the inside hihihihi"

    Ugh! I mean, seriously?! haha Chos!

    And they say that working in the BPO industry is a breeze - what with just speaking to customers over the phone. *insert rolling eyes here

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  12. Iuri: ay leste ka! lolz

    happy birthday nga pala mmmwaaaaah

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  13. sapul si iurico! this industry is anything but easy. and it sometimes makes me sad na at the end of the day, i've got my name in an excel sheet somewhere. :c

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  14. Gaya ng nasabi ni dabo..

    hugs

    ako, may kasamang tsup(a)

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  15. City: numbers and figures, that's what we are.

    hayz.

    Caridad: haymishutoo.

    hilata ka na. dali! weeeeee

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  16. ganyan din experience ko nung nag call ctr agent ako, nawawalan ka tuloy ng gana kase pa-isa-isang nawawala na mga kasama mo. Kaya mo 'yan ternie.

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  17. Xtian: ay uu naman. keri lang ang nangyari :P

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  18. yan ang pressure sa callcenter yung stats mo monthly na sobra mahirap imaintain

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  19. Hard: hmmm, so far, so good *knock on wood*

    thanks for leaving a comment and following me :) don't be a stranger! ;)

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