More to learn

As kinsong has mentioned earlier: If u duno politics, u will not be in politics. But i am already in politics.

To provide you with a better understanding and view of my company, my company building is actually made up of 6 storeys. The front portion of the company is the receptionist and service counters, comprises 15 counter staffs. On the right it is a canteen. On the left is the Private Car service centre, with abt 6-7 staffs. On the 2nd floor, is where all the big shot offices are found. The CEO, AGM, several managers (duno need so many for wat) and their Personal Assistants each. There is also this HR department which comprises at least 20 executives + admin supervisors + admin assistants. On the 3rd floor is the IT department, around another 20 IT personnel, 4th floor is the Finance dept and a training sch for NTC1 and NTC2 course. 5th floor is the Accident repair claim dept. Altogether shld be around 150 ppl working in this part of the building.

Behind the main building is the workshop which comprises 3 storeys. First floor comprises the Taxi Fleet maintenance team,with 150 technicians. 2nd floor is the accident repair and engine overhaul teams, with abt another 150 technicians. On the 3rd floor is the exhaust flushing team with not more than 10 workers. In the middle of the workshop is the Logistic department which houses about 10 admin staffs and 20 storemen. There shld be around 300+ people working in this portion of the building.

This morning, i went to attend a Singapore Quality Award seminar which my company has taken part. Its boring and lots of wayangings. I came back in the aftn, found my superiors away, and decided to venture into the HR department to foster better working relationships with the ppl. I found this very kind looking lady (call her Mdm G), in her late 50s. I decided to strike up a conversation with her.

I ended up talking more than 1 hr with Mdm G. At first, we started off introducing ourselves, and slowly, she began to 'introduce' more on the other ppl in the company, diggubg up some history and stories as a result. However, she stressed that she is not trying to gossip, and asked me to stop her if i found her to be so. She said she is just trying to warn me on the company's politics since i am new, and ask me to be beware of certain ppl in the admin sector. Very easily, I compiled a list in my mind who are the personnel i can approach for help and who are the touch-me-nots.

Mdm G was a senior administrator in her old company before it merges with the present one. Hence, she was posted here and given very little work to do. It may seem good in the surface but the true reason behind it is becos the ppl here are UNWILLING to teach and share their knowledge. They are afraid to be replaced or superseded.. sighz..wat an ugly world. Nevertheless, I am thankful to Mdm G for her tips.

Next, I move on to another senior officer Mr H. Mr H came to my office to chat as its more private there. I was showing him the company's nominal roll and one by one, he described and 'introduced' those interesting personnel to me. Well, guys are guys, our topics eventually move on to talking abt who are the few can-make-it gals in the company haha. True enough, wat Mr H told me seemed to tally pretty much with Mdm G.

Well, my direct boss would nv share with me on the company politics and i could only learn from him on the 'Operations' matters. But i strongly believe there is a need to know both the bright and dark sides of the company if i want to learn and get myself rooted fast. Mdm G later shared with me more tips on how i shld carry myself around at the work place, which my own direct boss din teach me either.

And i must really thank Mdm G for her advice when one of my foreman suddenly brought me a technician to seek approval of applying compassionate leave as his grandma has passed away. However, he could not confirm the number of days he will back to malaysia for the funeral as the number of days is not fixed yet! Mdm G advised me that I shld only allow him to take a max 4 days of compassionate leave, and the rest he has to consume his own Annual Leave. I am too new to know all these... thank goodness for her guidiance.

Well, there is really much more to learn. Mdm G lastly added that this will be a very good exposure for me as a first job as i will not be only working with Admin ppl (white collar), but also technicians (blue collar), engineers and taxi-drivers.

After i have settled down further, I guess i wud be taking up a part time diploma course on Human Resource Management by SNEF. Anyway, my company will be sponsoring us with all these courses, but of cos with a PRICE TO PAY ie. To apply wat i learn and contribute back (with significant performance) to the company. My own superior has advised me against it as he was arrowed to do a lot more stuffs after attending some courses in the past 5 yrs, haha.