Ccccccccchanges!!!

March 20, 2009 - the date that confirmed the hush hush all around and the heads up given by a friend from a contact center in Quezon City sometime around January. Back then I thought it was just a big fat joke but as the CEO of the new company was speaking in front of the intense crowd in the cafeteria, it suddenly hit me. It was not a big fat joke after all. It is reality slapping me left and right, telling me to wake up from the coma I have been suddenly induced in to.

I am for the most part still positive about the change, changes in fact. But I know very well that any decision I make now would work both ways but the best one would be to stay and test the waters and wade in it deeper until I make a life-changing one. I have so much faith in Dell, I have been loyal to the company. I have rejected offers from at least three companies (one in 2006, one in 2007 and another last year) because I strongly believed in the culture of Dell, I wanted to win with integrity, I wanted to grow the Dell way in a Dell-badged site. Dell has been a great place to work to say the least. I have been given all the benefits I could ever want. I get a hefty life insurance, phone coverage, meal allowance, transportation allowance, medical insurance for me and my family, budgets for team motivation and outings, a scholarship, accommodations in hotels, discounts in known establishments, strategic planning out of town sessions, trainings, everything I could ever want. My mom used to tell me that Dell is a very extravagant company, I always tell her that's why I am proud to work for Dell, the company would do everything to make its employees the most motivated ones. And sure is, the new company has hit a goldmine in Dell.

But I guess everyone can't have so much of a good thing and all good things don't last.

Effective April 20, another contact center headquartered in Utah will be assuming the management of the site. Yes, I get to keep my job. Yes, I might receive the same pay. Yes, I lost my scholarship. Yes, benefits will be downgraded. Yes, I still and will support and manage the same direct reports. Yes, I will still be talking to Dell customers. Yes, I am still in a state of denial. A lot is still afloat as we transition. Yes, I am giving this change a try.

This time when change remains inevitable, the best thing to do is to pick yourself up and go with the flow. After all, only losers quit. And up to this day, I am still damn mighty proud I belong to the first batch of Dell New Hires (November 7, 2005).

P.S. Can you spot me in the picture? This was taken sometime around November 2005 at the RCBC Bank, Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

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