Christmas in SMB?

It's December. High time for bookings and high time for parties. For the first time in the history of my existence, I haven't felt the presence of Christmas. I have been so engrossed with work and work that I failed to appreciate this season of joy and Christ. Fortunately the company gave us additional bonus and gift certificates enough to compensate our hardships for this season.

So it will be. High targets. Proper compensations and benefits. We have Christmas party though. I thought we wouldn't have a party for the same reasons with plant personnel; massive production for this season. I sell beers to restaurants. And this season, where people does have extra money for celebrations bookings are coming very fast. And with that I have this tendency to forget about this season and just focus on bookings.

I pray that I may have time, ample time to reflect on what is happening in my life. To ponder on the message of this Christmas season for me, with my new job and with my new environment. I worked so hard only to find out that I failed to give my self that time. Time to be alone. Time to be silent. Time to socialize and mingle. I claim that the Lord will give me this time!

The Merchant Meets the Beer Man

Just this morning as I was in the outlet transacting orders, I was able to see this old man. Like me he was also a salesman. This man is poor and indecently dressed. This old man sells sweet potatoes. Walking in a very slow pace he approached the owner of the restaurant who happens to be my client. I was paused and I just looked at him. I saw in his eyes the desire to market his goods. He was very old, but he was able to carry those crops.

Again he motioned to the owner and told her to buy some sweet potatoes. The restaurant owner told me that she is not interested in buying and eating sweet potatoes. Out of her generosity and kindness, she just buy those things simply to help the old man. The lady left to take some money to pay for the old merchant and for me, the merchant of beers...

The old man told me his undertakings in life. He went to school but he failed all of his subjects and was not able to graduate. He did not have a decent and stable job but he was able to send his children to school. Yes they finished their education. That was just the dream of the old man, to see his children have the proper education which he was not able to attain. He was disappointed though to see them getting married earlier that expected and soon left him all by himself.

The restaurant owner returned and gave the payment to that old man and to me. I received thousands he received a hundred. Quite a difference. After printing the receipts I left the restaurant and went to the nearby outlet, again transacted business. The old man arrived in that same place. I went into my car then we never saw each other again.

In this life we all have our own problems, our own undertakings and our own fate. Both of us were sales man. He sells crops and I sell beers. God is indeed fair, though there are things that I do not have but the old man possesses and things that he doesn't have that I own. One thing is clear about this experience, that I should be thankful because I have this job, I have this company, and I have customers who are willing to do business with me. And I should show it with a heart that is filled with gratitude. That I make myself as an instrument of showing how the grace of God flows in me so others would know how bless they are.

The World of Forms

Working in a big company is my gateway to benefits and compensations but it also entails hard work and sacrifice. Indeed the company really pays well to hardworking workers. And so in this part I struggle. I struggle because I am not acquainted to such mandates and policies. Let me enumerate some.

This isn't Plato's world of Forms, this is my entry to the world of forms. They have a lot of forms, horrible number of forms to be filled up. You will sign before you enter the office. They also have trip tickets, every time you go out the office you need to acquire the signature of your boss with the corresponding beginning-kilometer-run and have it signed by the guard. Request forms. Control Cards. And a whole lot of forms in different sizes,color, paper, texture and content that will surely delight one's senses...

I hope that soon I will encounter all those forms and use it for my benefit. In this company strict compliance and proper documentations must be followed in order to perform the duty properly.

Proud to BE with SMB

This is my first day of working with San Miguel Brewery Inc. After a long series of pre-employment interviews and examinations, I finally made it. I was very happy and excited until it all fade away. All I have left is the feeling of indifference. Will I be happy with this new job, or am I just fulfilling expectations and obligations... As for that, I do not know. What I have in mind is to burn the bridges behind me, and to start anew.

I started the day early, I went into the law firm to sign some documents then immediately went to the plant office located 30 kilometers away from the city. So I just left my car in a safe parking space and eventually rode on a bus to my destination. This day was not so busy and I just spent some of my time reading the papers while waiting for my orientations. I forgot to say, my first two days would be orientation day.

I had an orientation with the corporation in itself and San Miguel Brewery Inc as its subsidiary. The company is indeed very big with markets at strategic cities worldwide. This company is something worth to be proud of, for us as Filipinos. Then I had my pay roll orientation, and statutory benefits orientation... All were easy and light until I went to the finance orientation.

People who knows me enough can really attest how poor I am with numbers, and most especially money. I just wondered why am I in this field where I am not really good in handling money. Fortunately I was really assertive and I made it clear to discuss the matter slowly so I can manage to comprehend. The facilitator smiled and told me to interrupt if I have questions or clarification... God it was terrible. I have to deal with money; cash, post dated checks, due dates, invoice numbers, delivery dates, and many other financial jargons only an accountant or mathematician would know. Everything must be well documented to avoid legal problems... Too bad, I need to be firm with the policies. I guess I have to straighten up the flexible attitude and stick to what is proper and legal.

After a long discussion we finally came to an end. And I waited for 2 hours simply doing nothing, waiting for 5 pm. and then goodbye. Tomorrow would be a long day as I would be having my orientation for logistics and sales matters. I'll be posting some updates soon.

P.S.
I just received this day a red bar pin which must be worn straight for seven day. The pin states: Proud to BE with SMB... Indeed I am proud and I won't fail you guys..!