Kepner - Tregoe

I've been out of the office since Monday for a 3-day workshop on problem solving and decision making and it has been a welcome break from work. While I did appreciate what the speaker imparted through the workshop, I also found it difficult to absorb. Nevertheless, I tried hard to take in everything he had to say as I was told that there will be a revalida in a month's time to show management that I can now apply what I've learned for the betterment of the company. Needless to say, I've been going home with a headache each day.

Below is a general schematic of what was discussed. I found it on the net surfing about KT.

I actually want to pass on what we discussed these past few days to my department. Content-wise, I don't think there was anything new. For me, it was more of a thinking process that makes sure that all relevant details are considered. It's a way of training your brain not to jump to conclusions, to document how you came up with a conclusion so others can follow your thinking process. Then again, I found it difficult to absorb. If I try to pass it on in my current state, it might be a grave injustice to Kepner, Tregoe and the people I pass it to.

For now, there is a lot to do. I go back to a job I've been away from for three days. I have to catch up on the where I left off with the projects I handle. I have to go through 3 days worth of emails, which is lot considering that I got a warning that my mailbox is closed due to the sheer number. But even after all that, I go back to work with a sense of optimism that I can still do a lot to make things better at work. It's amazing how taking a break from what you normally do can make one see things differently. And with my head still fresh with new things to try out, my work became interesting once again.

Just Do It

There are so many roads being fixed these days that I can't help but think that these public works are connected to the coming elections. If you travel around Quezon City, you'll see that many of the pedestrian overpasses have streamers thanking GMA for the construction of the said overpass.

Dear leaders, if you really have a true desire to serve the public, just do it. What I see around me reminds me of how Jesus described the pharisees who would sound their horns as they give alms to the poor. It's disappointing and it makes me question your motives for seeking public office.

Just ranting. Hopefully, I can write about something positive soon.

(Re-posted from I Think Therefore I'm Write)

Change

There will be a number of changes at the office next week. The two managers I've grown quite comfortable working with won't be showing up for work anymore. One will be moving to Canada; the other will be moving to a new job assignment within the group.

It affects me in various ways. First, I expect my boss to lean on me a lot more now. There's still one more manager around, and I believe she is competent and capable. It's just that my boss tended to rely a lot on one of those leaving. I need to step up and anticipate her needs and be ready for what she asks for.

I also expect a lot of work to be turned over. Last Tuesday, as one of the managers turned over his documents, he showed me all the documents that will need looking into, sorting and filing. Aside from cleaning house, I'll need to work at a faster pace to be able to keep up the pace of releasing reports for the Chairman.

One more thing I have started to think about is how to coach each person that I will now supervise. I did not give much thought to this until now, but since we'll be losing two talented people, our group needs to make up for it through the training and development.

Finally, the assets that the two will be leaving behind will be reallocated. The laptops that will be left behind will be given to those who need them. The matter regarding the turnover of company vehicles is a bit more awkward since my boss required that the vehicles be turned over to the department for a change in custodians. I will be benefiting from this so its quite awkward for me to enforce.

With the changes taking effect this April, we'll be in a transition period for awhile. With the possibility of new recruits coming in, the objective is to build the group into an effective multidimensional team that is flexible and experienced enough to undertake projects to the satisfaction of the Chairman. Taking stock of our best practices and learning new tools would greatly help here.

How to do all of this is another problem. And so the story continues...

The Trio is Down to Two

I have a running buddy who'll be migrating to Canada next month. When I think about it, I can't help but get into a melancholic mood because of all the experiences we've shared.

We met when we were both recruited to be part of this team of individuals who would undertake the Chairman's pet projects. After some of the team members moved on to follow their own paths, the two of us moved on to a new group. When I started running more than 2 years ago, I found out that she would also run and it became almost like a ritual that we, along with another officemate would go to UP to run every Sunday morning.

She was quite competitive and if it weren't for some health problems, she would have probably been the faster and stronger runner between the two of us. We've had our differences and we've worked through each one.

With her moving on, it just makes me think about how it will be now that the trio is down to two. I guess I shouldn't see this as an end, but instead as another one of the changes that constantly happen. And I'll now know one person more in Canada.

To my friend, officemate and running buddy, take care, be safe and happy. I am really happy for you. You will be missed.

Far East Bank Forever!

For the past three Wednesdays, I’ve been attending practices with the Far East Bank Chorale. After 10 years since Far East Bank was fully integrated into BPI, this is my first time to be singing again with other chorale members. On the first practice day, I showed up knowing that I would probably not know most of the people there. Nevertheless, I felt I wanted to be part of this project – to sing for the Far East Bank Golden Anniversary.

I always look back at Far East Bank with fond memories not only because it was my first corporate work experience but also because I believe it had the best HR organizations among all the companies I worked for. At the time, I could feel the employee support be it a need for assistance for an administrative transaction, a venue to air a grievance, bankwide or building-wide celebrations and First Friday and other special masses. Far East Bankers were really proud that they didn’t have a union.

I remember that during my New Employee’s Orientation Program (NEOP), it was explained to me that the Human Resources group was a whole division and not just a department because the HR function was taken very seriously there. What was quite impressive then was the number of training seminars that were available for new employees. One had to go through courses of Business Writing, Advanced Excel, an Advance Credit Course (I & II) and Supervisory Training. HR personnel then understood that they were role models and that they had a key role to play in culture building.

I am quite sure many former Far East Bankers have their own fond memories and I think that’s why for many years now, Far East Bankers have been getting together at organized reunions and some informal gatherings. I myself have been to a couple of those gatherings. But I’ve heard that this reunion might be the last and I can only think that it maybe because many of the senior officers are either getting too busy or old to keep organizing gatherings year after year. Anyway, not wanting to miss out on a good thing, I got myself a ticket and volunteered for the practices.

It’s quite entertaining to listen to the stories of the chorale members. They seem to have had such good times before. I already heard about how the chorale was formed and how they would be pulled out from work to perform for branch openings in areas such Aklan and Tuguegarao. They also shared pictures of their competitions against other bank chorales. They must have had so much fun.

Being the newcomer to the group, having been recruited in the last few years of the bank, can only boast singing for of a couple of branch openings and launchings. Nevertheless, I can’t help but feel proud of still being considered part of the Far East Bank and the Far East bank Chorale. This is why attending the anniversary as part of the chorale is important to me now. Although Far East Bank and Trust Company no longer exists as a corporation, I know I miss a lot about what was. I sounds cliché and corny, but yeah, as our anthem goes, “You’ll be there, Far East Bank, forever.”