Say good bye to 2007

Finally the "not so good" 2007 is going to end in 3 hours time. This year, not everything went on smoothly.. At work... I left OCBC, went to concentrate on my biz, and due to some personal reasons (not work related) that i moved on to Adventus to do print mgmt industry. A big change in the industry i have been working in, but i felt that it was a good change.

First i did not think that i can cope with other industries other than banking. Perhaps this is what others call "comfort zone". The moment i started InSource, i had a great time setting up my office in Bugis, and then to Serangoon Gardens. Though i had prob finding good sales people, but im glad the better ones stayed on with me. I have a good chance, a good product and good clients but i didnt have good sales people at first to start it off. I needed a lot of time to do planning for InSource and did not have time for sales, and when i had time for sales, i realise that we had a lot to catch up...But thank god, i still have biz coming in despite the fact that my focus is almost ALL in adventus.

Coming to Adventus was a challenge. First, it was an industry which i never expect myself to be in. Secondly, i seldom come into such contact with people selling copiers, printing solutions. If it were an industry doing corporate identity like letter head, name cards, or other office needs, i would be able to adapt faster as i often get into contact with such industry. But printing solutions was a stranger to me. But God is good to me, when i had my training, i had Kenneth buddy with me to pull the dry training thru. If i were alone thruout, i dun think i will stay awake! haha... And of coz, a good trainer cum boss... Even thou his a little "man" (ego), often expect us to do as per what he says (really photocopy that sort). But when i turn back and think, its not that bad afterall. Cause like the demo training we gotta do.. knowing his pattern, me and kenneth got used to his "photocopy" method that we put in effort to remember the procedures he taught and step by step explanation. Having to memorise the steps, we managed to go thru a rather smooth demo without pausing.. We actually know what we need to explain and what we gotta do. And just one time hard work, we got the hang of it now.

In many companies i worked in, all subordinates never liked their bosses... After InSource, i learnt to understand why my boss would ask me to do certain things. And listen to them, cause like how i used to train my guys, i know everyone have their own ways, but letting them adapt to a certain format will allow them to learn faster and later have a better way to do it for themselves. This is the reason why i never talk back or "challenge" back like what i used to do. Cause after InSource, i know i should not complain and just learn. My leaders would know whats best for me.

Althou i didnt have a good time trying to canvas for prospects, having little time and have to be able to keep up my numbers, i got to learn a lot of things. In Oct when i joinned the company, i got to start prospecting only in the 4th week of Oct. In Nov, i closed my first deal and later in Dec, i had little time as there is the HP closing period. Unlucky - thats the word for Nov & Dec. But i know with my hardwork and no lazing arnd since i took my first step, i know my hardwork will pay off. When? Im not sure, but as long as i dun give up, i would see the light.

Being used to the "numbers orientated" trained in banking industry, i have not let lose any minute at work in Adventus. I meet customers from morning till afternoon. And spend my after work hours searching for leads and paper work, doing all my accounts update and plan how i want to follow up with my customers. The toughest thing - learning how to propose machine to meet the budget and my target. I have to re propose and think of ways to make sure it meets the cust requirements and my costs. And to re propose and make sure that it doesnt hit back on ur previous proposal - meaning u cant re propose the same thing but different pricing so as to prevent bargaining from customer is another tricky thing. Then, i learnt to plan my costing properly so that i need not re propose and crack my brains unless its a change of machines...

Haha.. so much of my ren sheng da dao li right? I never regret changing industry and start again. Although i know it wont be easy to get the hang of hitting numbers for the start as this isnt my forte, but i know if i try hard, it wont be far away. Althou as a newbie, i shud be honeymoon-ing now, but i dun wanna disappoint the company and also fail myself. So this is the first thing i need to get it right in 2008.

As for my personal life, the only thing i did wrong was to get rid of Ernest. It may be the most embarassing thing that no one would want to reveal to people. But i need to face the truth and my mistake. If i say that its not something that i can control, many people would say that this is an excuse. But now that i am in this situation, if someone else were to tell me this "excuse" one day, i would surely understand. I'm sorry Ernest, it isnt the best way, but time will never wait for anyone. If time could wait, there will be you. I know my mistake, but the reason was never you.

I hope to have a fruitful 2008 and for the first time, i know what i want to achieve by 2009 and not wait for things to happen. I will make things happen... Though im not having a easy path to start off with, but i believe if i dont give up, i will be able to see the light ahead. To have the courage to hold on to what u want and what u believe, to not ask for more than what was given to u beyond your means. Of coz, in sales, we need to be greedy, but thats within ur control - to work hard and earn more money. For the first time in sales, i got so many rejections in my submission... but i picked myself up.. i thought being positive is the thing, but i was rejected for 2nd.. 3rd time... den my positive-ness was hit badly.. then i learnt to be brave and never give up.. Thats why im still here... The bigger the challenge, the more i wont say "die". Cause i know, if i try again, i would get it right.

I want to get out of the financial situation which was path down 4 years ago. I want to put to a stop for good.

I want to earn back what i lost over the past 4 years, at least i gotta start them.

I want to learn as much as i can in sales, learn different techniques, try different ways.. till i get it right. Be a consistant player and never a yo yo ball.

I want to re build my life, nuture my passion and open a path to who i want to be but not force to stop chasing my goals by others.

I know it may not be easy, but if i never try, i will never know. People will stare, laugh, comment on ur failure. Dont look around, stand up and continue walk. Never think otherwise, cause falling is part of learning.

If u want it, go get it. There is no right or wrong, there isnt a should or should not. If u want, u need to be daring enough.. If u got no guts, den dont start.

------ Year 2008 == Fruitful & Lucky Year == Made for Dino ------

Whatever you once had, never forget
Whatever you gained, never give up
Whatever you achieve thru hard work, you gotta treasure
Whatever you lost, keep them in your memories
Whatever hardships you went thru, is over
Wish you all the best in what you do...