I have first seen the cartoon some time early in my Singapore teaching days. Back then, I only thought of it as a funny cartoon, nothing more. In my 2nd month in the industry, I can already tell that (unfortunately) the joke is much more than just the funny cartoon. As Murray said during the introduction to my Spora teaching stint, equally applies here as well: keep your sense of humour!Monday, August 31, 2009
The comedy of errors: software development
I have first seen the cartoon some time early in my Singapore teaching days. Back then, I only thought of it as a funny cartoon, nothing more. In my 2nd month in the industry, I can already tell that (unfortunately) the joke is much more than just the funny cartoon. As Murray said during the introduction to my Spora teaching stint, equally applies here as well: keep your sense of humour!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Negotiation Dreaming
Here is some preparation in advance for the anticipated future events to take place, probably on multiple occasions, during what is shaping to be the very successful professional career.
Two of them, Boss and Z were sitting in the meeting room on Level 8 behind the closed doors. Z is not a big fan of the office space on Level 8, much more preferring his comfy corner cubical on the 4th floor. There are quite a few reasons why he finds Level 4 much more comfortable, but considering Z’s strong dislike of air-conditioners, the least of them is definitely not the room temperature that is kept at rather low levels on the 8th floor. And with just two people sitting in a modestly sized meeting room, yet the one with the two outlets vigorously pumping in the air-conditioned air, and having closed door, for Z, it gets cold really quickly in there.
As the conversation already took quite a few minutes, and Z, in addition to feeling the air-conditioned breeze slowly crawling trough his nicely ironed shit and chilling out his body almost as though from the inside, felt that the negotiation process is getting him nowhere. So next, he decisively said: ‘Yes, it is a team effort, it always is. Though, the main, 0iginal idea on top of which everything else is build upon is usually generated by one person only. And, in the regards to BlubberyPie revamp – our biggest project to date, EVER – the person who came up with the most of those ideas has been me. Most of the time I was responsible not just for the ideas but for all of the content provided as well, starting back with the business case proposal, all the way through the analysis and design work until today. Yes, the team did try to help, but I have to say, I’m only grateful for their trying effort, but not for the resulting contribution provided. Most of the time, pardon the programming, whatever they did was not even close up to the standards, leaving me to rework their portion by myself. I am sorry that you haven’t seen this – it is my responsibility and my fault that you haven’t seen it yet – and hence, that you don’t appreciate the difference that my contribution has been consistently making. Also, I don’t think there is much point at this time to get into conversation about the positive effect my ‘happy go lucky’ attitude has on the overall staff morale. If you don’t mind sir, I will move back to my cubicle now to continue the work. At any point in time, should you wish to resume this negotiation process you know where you’ll find me. Thanks for your time.’
a)
Z, then slowly gets up and walks out from what will turn out to be the last meeting of that particular type, in that particular meeting room. Two more weeks that he still had left on the current contract will pass by quickly, very quickly. For the next two weeks, Z will work even harder then ever, exercising his professional range on the pursuit of the perfection at everything he did.
Or, the most preferable but definitely less likely scenario:
b)
The Boss smiles, and says: ‘I am well familiar with your contribution, both tangible and intangible, but I must admit that I definitely didn’t know about your negotiation skills. That’s something we can definitely utilise a lot better from now on. Sure, you can have the 50% increase on your base salary.’ At this point Z fleshes his big bright smile and enthusiastically gets up - more like jumps up - from his chair to shake Boss’s hand, and Boss reciprocates ... And just then, right in the moment of Z’s utter feelings of satisfaction, Boss throws him a surprise. While shaking hands, he says: ‘and to really show you just how much your contribution is appreciated around here, we’ll double your bonuses. I’ll get HR-Flirt to prepare the new contract.’
c)
Something between the two extremes would be just fine – also can, lah...!
Saturday, August 08, 2009
The Graduate
The flight which I boarded straight from the office was delayed for an hour. It landed at 8:40am. I was in the car at 9:05, on the way from the airport to the uni . Picked up my dress at 9:25 - the official cut off time for gown dressing was set at 9:30am. The ceremony started at 10:00am and finished at 12:30pm. With it my extended journey towards Masters in Information System was officially completed, and so has the university education that started in 1998 - at least for now. As expected, Mum was ecstatic throughout the ceremony (3rd point in the letter). Surprisingly, both Dad and Sister had fun during the proceedings... And me, well most of the time I was bored, tired and falling asleep - as expected. But also - in strike contrast to nine months ago - feeling the immense amount of gratitude, accomplishment, happiness, pride...!
Monday, August 03, 2009
Rethinking the Graduation Plans
UPDATED: I will attend the graduation proceedings. As of 11:30am this morning, my request (see below) has been approved, the airline ticket bought (Emirates for SGD630), and the gown rental paid for. All set. Mum will be ecstatic, the rest of us will be bored :)
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Yesterday's post on my 'Phoenix Degree' got me to rethink the plan to graduate in absence for the third straight time. Current thinking says this likely will not be the last degree for me, but still the chances are quite high that it might as well be. This led to some phoning and writing (below) after the run this morning in order to secure my seat at the ceremony. The RSVP was due three days ago on the 30th July, last Friday at 5pm - being late, business as usual...!
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Attention: Graduation Office; The University of Melbourne
To Whom it may concern,
I would appreciate if I can still attend the graduation ceremony on the 8th of Aug 09.
I apologise for the late notice, but please take the following points into your compassionate consideration:
- Even before the official end of the semester I had to leave Melbourne for a visit to my home country (Croatia, Europe). In the mean time, after the departure, I have managed to secure a job in Singapore. Considering the current economic situation, there was no much room for deliberation, and I had to alter my travel. Instead of coming back to Melbourne, I flew directly to Singapore to start the work on the 13th of July 2009.
- I speak to my parents couple of times per week over the phone, and just during our conversation on the last Saturday (two days ago) they have told me about the later that I received from The Graduation Office. Hence, I am responding to you in the earliest time possible. Considering that the official deadline was on the last Friday (30th July at 5pm), only the weekend had passed since the time when I had the right to reserve the seat for the graduation ceremony and now when I am asking for your favour to arrange the spot for me.
- This is all about my Mum, a lady who grew up in poverty. As a kid working on other people's fields in order to be fed, she made the oath to herself that her kids will have an opportunity for a decent education which will give them choices and prosperity in life. In 1995, after the civil war ended in our home county, my Mother convinced my Father that in order to give their kids this desired education they would have to move. Thereafter, we migrated first to New Zealand in 1996, and three years later they settled in Melbourne - I stayed in Auckland, NZ two additional years to complete my undergraduate degree. As I graduated in absence from The Auckland University, and have been living - on and off - in Singapore since 2006, my parents never had a chance to see me graduate. This is the point I have taken for-granted, and was thinking from my perspective only - having no desire to go through the ceremony proceedings myself - not considering how my parents would feel to experience it. Again, this became apparent only this last Saturday after the conversation with my Mum regarding the latter from your office.
- As I have just started my current job, in this competitive job market, I am not in the position to take an annual lave at my convenience. It just happens that Singapore celebrates the National Day on the 9th of August, and everyone is given a holiday on the following Monday, the 10th of August. This gives me perfect opportunity to fly for the ceremony on this particular occasion.
I hope my justification is adequate, and in time, to still secure my seat for the upcoming graduation.
I thank you for your understanding, and apologise for the inconvenience cased.
Sincerely,
ZB
(Id: )
Email:
Phone:
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Yesterday's post on my 'Phoenix Degree' got me to rethink the plan to graduate in absence for the third straight time. Current thinking says this likely will not be the last degree for me, but still the chances are quite high that it might as well be. This led to some phoning and writing (below) after the run this morning in order to secure my seat at the ceremony. The RSVP was due three days ago on the 30th July, last Friday at 5pm - being late, business as usual...!
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Singapore, 3rd August 2009
Attention: Graduation Office; The University of Melbourne
To Whom it may concern,
I would appreciate if I can still attend the graduation ceremony on the 8th of Aug 09.
I apologise for the late notice, but please take the following points into your compassionate consideration:
- Even before the official end of the semester I had to leave Melbourne for a visit to my home country (Croatia, Europe). In the mean time, after the departure, I have managed to secure a job in Singapore. Considering the current economic situation, there was no much room for deliberation, and I had to alter my travel. Instead of coming back to Melbourne, I flew directly to Singapore to start the work on the 13th of July 2009.
- I speak to my parents couple of times per week over the phone, and just during our conversation on the last Saturday (two days ago) they have told me about the later that I received from The Graduation Office. Hence, I am responding to you in the earliest time possible. Considering that the official deadline was on the last Friday (30th July at 5pm), only the weekend had passed since the time when I had the right to reserve the seat for the graduation ceremony and now when I am asking for your favour to arrange the spot for me.
- This is all about my Mum, a lady who grew up in poverty. As a kid working on other people's fields in order to be fed, she made the oath to herself that her kids will have an opportunity for a decent education which will give them choices and prosperity in life. In 1995, after the civil war ended in our home county, my Mother convinced my Father that in order to give their kids this desired education they would have to move. Thereafter, we migrated first to New Zealand in 1996, and three years later they settled in Melbourne - I stayed in Auckland, NZ two additional years to complete my undergraduate degree. As I graduated in absence from The Auckland University, and have been living - on and off - in Singapore since 2006, my parents never had a chance to see me graduate. This is the point I have taken for-granted, and was thinking from my perspective only - having no desire to go through the ceremony proceedings myself - not considering how my parents would feel to experience it. Again, this became apparent only this last Saturday after the conversation with my Mum regarding the latter from your office.
- As I have just started my current job, in this competitive job market, I am not in the position to take an annual lave at my convenience. It just happens that Singapore celebrates the National Day on the 9th of August, and everyone is given a holiday on the following Monday, the 10th of August. This gives me perfect opportunity to fly for the ceremony on this particular occasion.
I hope my justification is adequate, and in time, to still secure my seat for the upcoming graduation.
I thank you for your understanding, and apologise for the inconvenience cased.
Sincerely,
ZB
(Id: )
Email:
Phone:
Pragmatism
Think before you act!
This old cliché, is simply explained by Peter Bregman in this post which might help you to put it into practice more often.
In summary:
...is the natural way to react. We react reflexively - before thinking (back in a day when humans were facing a 'hungry tiger' on a daily basis, there was no (much) time left for deliberation) - to the event and face the consequences - be it good or bad - of this automatic reaction as an outcome.
The better - and the more appropriate for today's day and age - approach, instead of reacting directly to the past event, is to take a moment to think about the future outcome that we desire following the event that just took place and then react accordingly:
The better - and the more appropriate for today's day and age - approach, instead of reacting directly to the past event, is to take a moment to think about the future outcome that we desire following the event that just took place and then react accordingly:
This small change in the activity chain yields big results. I first learned it a while back as the SOCS principle (easy to remember by thinking of socks) when reading Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman:
Situation - what is it that you are facing
Option - which reaction options are available to you in this situation
Consequences - what are the consequences of the each reaction
Solution - chose the option that has consequences most aligned with the desired outcome
Option - which reaction options are available to you in this situation
Consequences - what are the consequences of the each reaction
Solution - chose the option that has consequences most aligned with the desired outcome
gdLuck...!“You can’t escape the consequences of your actions.” - Steve Pavlina
Sunday, August 02, 2009
The Phoenix Degree
As February 2009 was coming to an end, so was the unpaid holiday, and two choices were left standing as the possible next step:
- go back to Melbourne, should the uni approve my request to continue the study for one more semester and complete the degree; otherwise
- get to Zadar from Singapore without the use of the aeroplane transportation in time for Puhi's wedding on the 30th of May. I gladly accepted Puhi's ultimate compliment to be his best man a few years earlier.
Luckily, I passed the two out of three subjects while studying during the August-December 2008 semester at NUS. Thus, providing the proof to the UniMelb that my leave of absence has not gone beyond 2 years - one of the sticky points - and more importantly, a justification to resurrect my degree from the ashes.
I enrolled into Knowledge Management class. Landed in Melbourne on the 5th of March 2009, just in time to make it to my 1st class of the semester. Taking all the events that took place prior this into consideration, it's needless to say that I enjoyed the study like never before. For a change, I did the work as it was suppose to be done - to the best of my ability, and on time. The subject did not have the final exam - a lucky coincidence, as I choose it quickly based on the 'sexy title' (as Ray might say) - so I managed to arrange to make it to Puhi's wedding and stay for half a year - if not more - away from Melbourne. After the wedding, there was two more weeks of school work that I did remotely while in Zadar. Gratitude goes to the KM teaching team and my project group who OK-ed my contribution to be provided remotely. When it came to the last bit of work, the individual component, I did well, but not as well as I could have. At the end of the day, the grade did not matter so I compromised my effort on the final component in favour of enjoying the time being back home-home. The main objective was just to pick up few more credit points and close the chapter on the formal education (at least for now). In addition, being a teacher for a while, I knew that the work done for the group project was by itself already adequate for a decent final grade. After the final submission - the individual component - the feeling of contentment/happiness/pride was making me do the triple-backward-flips - in my head that is. On the outside, I just had a slight grin. Actually, thinking about I grin now as well. In the end, I ended up with 83% for the finial subject mark, and with it successfully completed the journey that started back in February 2002.
On the 8th of August 2009, they will call out my name -in the absence for the third ceremony of this kind (plan changed) - during the graduation for The Master of Information Systems...!
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Thirst for Travel:
As the unpaid holiday was approaching to an end, and with no news from the UniMelb, option of going back to uni was becoming less and less likely, and simultaneously, option b) more and more exciting by the each passing day: to travel lightly - very lightly - from Singapore to Zadar on trains and buses, slowly moving from on place to another... At the end of the February, with the approval to continue the study finally secured, part of me was sad that the option b) will have to stay on the back burner until the next opportunity... maybe to (motor)bike the route.
I enrolled into Knowledge Management class. Landed in Melbourne on the 5th of March 2009, just in time to make it to my 1st class of the semester. Taking all the events that took place prior this into consideration, it's needless to say that I enjoyed the study like never before. For a change, I did the work as it was suppose to be done - to the best of my ability, and on time. The subject did not have the final exam - a lucky coincidence, as I choose it quickly based on the 'sexy title' (as Ray might say) - so I managed to arrange to make it to Puhi's wedding and stay for half a year - if not more - away from Melbourne. After the wedding, there was two more weeks of school work that I did remotely while in Zadar. Gratitude goes to the KM teaching team and my project group who OK-ed my contribution to be provided remotely. When it came to the last bit of work, the individual component, I did well, but not as well as I could have. At the end of the day, the grade did not matter so I compromised my effort on the final component in favour of enjoying the time being back home-home. The main objective was just to pick up few more credit points and close the chapter on the formal education (at least for now). In addition, being a teacher for a while, I knew that the work done for the group project was by itself already adequate for a decent final grade. After the final submission - the individual component - the feeling of contentment/happiness/pride was making me do the triple-backward-flips - in my head that is. On the outside, I just had a slight grin. Actually, thinking about I grin now as well. In the end, I ended up with 83% for the finial subject mark, and with it successfully completed the journey that started back in February 2002.
On the 8th of August 2009, they will call out my name -
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Thirst for Travel:
As the unpaid holiday was approaching to an end, and with no news from the UniMelb, option of going back to uni was becoming less and less likely, and simultaneously, option b) more and more exciting by the each passing day: to travel lightly - very lightly - from Singapore to Zadar on trains and buses, slowly moving from on place to another... At the end of the February, with the approval to continue the study finally secured, part of me was sad that the option b) will have to stay on the back burner until the next opportunity... maybe to (motor)bike the route.
Hua Hin - carbon copy
In January 2009, just after my return back to Singapore from visiting family (grandparents included - Dad's parents were staying there for 3 months) and friends in Melbourne. I flew to Bangkok where I met Roza on the airport. She flew in from Teheran, Iran.
Upon meeting, we moved straight to the bus station to get a ride down south to Hua Hin.
There, exactly as on our first visit 10 months earlier, we:
Upon meeting, we moved straight to the bus station to get a ride down south to Hua Hin.
There, exactly as on our first visit 10 months earlier, we:
- stayed at the same room of the same motel,
- eaten the same dishes at the same restaurants,
- rented the same bike from the same Uncle,
- went to the same beaches,
- took the same photos,
- had the same fun!
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Unpaid Holiday
The paid holiday came to the end with the end of September 2008. Making it exactly two years since first arriving to Singapore to take on a full time post as a teacher..., and more importantly to travel around.
At the time when the teaching job came to an end, I was already a student again for a month, giving me something to do, and with it, the ever needed feeling of purpose. I was to successfully complete the three subjects during the one semester at NUS, and subsequently my way-overdue-degree. But it wasn't to be. I failed one subject - and since my home university gave me the strict condition to complete ALL the requirements for the degree by the end of the year, or lose it all - I lost it all. Beyond stupidity: Seven years of invested effort, time and money that went towards the degree got flashed down the toilet due to submitting one last assignment, for one last subject, one week too late; all thanks to my old companion, the procrastination. I failed miserably - or so I thought.
About half way through the semester I had some very positive job interviews with the IT consulting company, HC. I was expecting I'll start work in December, just after completing the NUS semester. Eventually, all that happened was that I wrote another letter trying to recapture their attention in order to get yet another interview. I failed. No interviews were to take place any more - or so I thought.
So there I was: degreeless, jobless, ...less, and considering the current economic situation, with no hope of finding an industry job any time soon. Though, luckily it took only few days for me to go from feeling sorry for my (lucky) ass to get back to best enjoy the situation that I was in. It was a conscious switch that took only seconds, but made a world of a difference to my attitude: I went from unemployed, to HAPPILY unemployed.
From then on, it was all about the fun times on the unpaid holiday...!
At the time when the teaching job came to an end, I was already a student again for a month, giving me something to do, and with it, the ever needed feeling of purpose. I was to successfully complete the three subjects during the one semester at NUS, and subsequently my way-overdue-degree. But it wasn't to be. I failed one subject - and since my home university gave me the strict condition to complete ALL the requirements for the degree by the end of the year, or lose it all - I lost it all. Beyond stupidity: Seven years of invested effort, time and money that went towards the degree got flashed down the toilet due to submitting one last assignment, for one last subject, one week too late; all thanks to my old companion, the procrastination. I failed miserably - or so I thought.
About half way through the semester I had some very positive job interviews with the IT consulting company, HC. I was expecting I'll start work in December, just after completing the NUS semester. Eventually, all that happened was that I wrote another letter trying to recapture their attention in order to get yet another interview. I failed. No interviews were to take place any more - or so I thought.
So there I was: degreeless, jobless, ...less, and considering the current economic situation, with no hope of finding an industry job any time soon. Though, luckily it took only few days for me to go from feeling sorry for my (lucky) ass to get back to best enjoy the situation that I was in. It was a conscious switch that took only seconds, but made a world of a difference to my attitude: I went from unemployed, to HAPPILY unemployed.
From then on, it was all about the fun times on the unpaid holiday...!
Indonesia: hop-overs
Back in September 2008, I had two quick weekend trips to Indonesia.
One just a nice resort place that's more like a Singaporean playground. Bintan is about one hour boat ride from Singapore, providing for a nice getaway from the big city routine. I spend few pleasant days there, eating and enjoying the beach with Dr Love, Irene and her mum, Auntie Vicky.
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The next was the trip to Lake Toba with the American boys. That was some crazy fun as we got to enjoy some nice herbal products of the kind that is very hard to find in Spora. The trip would have been even better if I could have gone there as originally planned at the same time as Dan and Greg and climb some volcanoes for few days. Unfortunately Kevin and I had to change our departure date, spending only the weekend on the lake. I had to change my one because Prof Henry of my Globalisation class could not bare me missing yet another session. Of course, I gave him a nice excuse, teaching related, yet he did not budge. Moreover, to make things 'better', later I failed that class (eventually it all turned out for the best - as it always does). None the less, though the trip was short, it was indeed very sweet...!
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Ps: since the Lake Toba trip I stayed in Spora on the social pass (tourist visa) as my Employment Pass expired it was taken by the customs. Three months later, this led to the abrupt departure when I did not get the extension for the social visa approved. I ended up in Iran.
One just a nice resort place that's more like a Singaporean playground. Bintan is about one hour boat ride from Singapore, providing for a nice getaway from the big city routine. I spend few pleasant days there, eating and enjoying the beach with Dr Love, Irene and her mum, Auntie Vicky.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next was the trip to Lake Toba with the American boys. That was some crazy fun as we got to enjoy some nice herbal products of the kind that is very hard to find in Spora. The trip would have been even better if I could have gone there as originally planned at the same time as Dan and Greg and climb some volcanoes for few days. Unfortunately Kevin and I had to change our departure date, spending only the weekend on the lake. I had to change my one because Prof Henry of my Globalisation class could not bare me missing yet another session. Of course, I gave him a nice excuse, teaching related, yet he did not budge. Moreover, to make things 'better', later I failed that class (eventually it all turned out for the best - as it always does). None the less, though the trip was short, it was indeed very sweet...!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ps: since the Lake Toba trip I stayed in Spora on the social pass (tourist visa) as my Employment Pass expired it was taken by the customs. Three months later, this led to the abrupt departure when I did not get the extension for the social visa approved. I ended up in Iran.
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