Goodbye, CTS

It’s the end of an era.

My old account, the one I used to work in, has been officially given notice by The Client that it’s not renewing the contract for next year. This means over 100 people will have to look for other accounts within the company, or leave altogether.

Part of me is sad, because I was with Batch 1. We were pioneers who built the account from 70 people up to about 300 during its peak. Twice we were hailed as being #1 Technical Support site, the Best of Breed around the world. After I left, the number of people dwindled to almost half of what it once was. The most competent people had left the company, and no one could really blame them. Management sucked. Big time.

The surest way to fail is to neglect your employees, especially if it’s a service-oriented business wherein your employees, or their talents, are basically your product. I’ve been an agent, an RS, and a QA. Although I would have been a shoo-in for a TC position (a manager), I never applied. Too much politics down that path. I’m happy I stayed with the Quality Department during most of my tenure, because I feel like I grew a lot and learned a lot. Plus, I had many, many friends. QA rocks!

I made a comic strip over at the HoyPinoy! webcomic about call center agent stress. Go have a look.

nothing in this world (can compare to my officemates)

This is a short video I edited for an office get-together a few months back. Senti lang ako at miss ko na sila. Plus touched ako sa testimonial ni Lyn sa Friendster (naks naman, pare! congrats!).

Background: Isang araw, nagtry gumawa ng music video sila Ash, Hazel at Ric. Camera phone yung ginamit kaya medyo madilim saka pixelated. Shempre si Ash yung bida, dahil sya ay laging happy AND gay. Paris Hilton’s “Nothing in This World”. O ha, san ka pa? Funny nga lang nung dulo kasi naging blooper.

Trivia: the girly red shawl is mine. hehehe.

Game, nood na!

And this is the full version (with intro) :

leaving

it’s real now. i passed my resignation letter last wednesday.

i started in the company last october 24, 2005. my last day will be on august 2nd. that’s almost two years. and for someone like me who’s terminally restless, that’s quite a feat. back then i was just looking for anything that could pay the rent, but i actually had a great time and met a lot of colorful people. some, i believe, will be my friends for life.

i’m not leaving out of bitterness, or because i was lured by greener pastures elsewhere. i just think that it’s time for me to start something on my own, and put what i’ve learned to the test. the feeling of uncertainty scares me. but if i never try, then how will i know? if not now, when?

“the race is long… and in the end, it’s only with yourself.”