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Back to Work!

Wow, nothing like an extra day off on the weekend to refresh the brain. The PowerPoint I was working on was a great success, but it took a lot of time and effort to get it done. I was so wiped out by Friday that I took Monday off to rest, and I'm glad I did. I just wish it hadn't been all rainy this morning, it made me want to stay snuggled in bed, even though I was ready to get back at it at work. I really do have an awesome job.

Wow, nothing like an extra day off on the weekend to create some chaos. You get back in the office to find some things done unnecessarily or incorrectly and some things waiting to be done that don't require you at all. The line of the day is "You're not allowed to take a day off!" and you're welcomed back with many requests which begin with the words "While you were gone..." I really do have a crazy job.

Anything for Recognition

The quickest way to get recognition from the top is to do something the top needs done. But if that something is a massive presentation encompasing the accomplishments of several departments of your company over an entire year, and it needs to be ready to present to the company in 15 business days, think twice.

Unless you're crazy (like me) you'll probably decide to keep your mouth shut when they ask for volunteers. Me, I'm in up to my elbows and looking forward to showing off a bit. I'd rather be here, going nuts to make it look good, then be looking at the finished product and wishing I'd taken the opportunity. It's not for everyone, though.

Mysteries of the Morning Mind

As I was taking the lid off my Styrofoam cup this morning to remove the tea bag, I realized that I was holding something steeped in mystery.

 

Wow.

Hearing voices

For the next couple weeks, I'm spending my afternoons filling in for an admin down in our call center. There's a woman sitting near me who could be a voice double for "Corporate accounts payable Nina speaking... Just a moment." That voice just shouldn't be coming from a live person.

It reminds me of the latest thing in drive-throughs. Tell me if this has happened to you: You get up to the order screen at a drivethrough, proud of yourself because you already know what you want. The slightly bored voice from the speaker asks you if you'd like to buy X. You answer no (or yes, I suppose) and continue to give your order. You're nearly through when an entirely different voice interrupts: "Welcome to ______ can I take your order?" Now wait a minute. Who was that you just spoke to? Probably the bored manager of the bored employee who is now waiting impatiently while you mentally rewind. The voice was too real, too human. If you're going to give me a commercial, at least use a tonally excessive voice so I'll know (or at least hope) that I'm listening to a tape.

Sometimes I wonder if it would really be such a big bad change if we switched over to using computers to ask the questions in call centers. Customer Service Representatives go off a script. They aren't supposed to sound bored, so most of them either have either no personality in their voices, or they sound sing-song. So why not use a computer voice? Just have someone typing the answers the peson gives. They could always jump in and speak to the customer live if something unexpected happens... like a person who is prepared.

If a real person sounds bored, we're offended. If a computer sounds bored, we think it's human.

Stand Back, I'm a Professional

My slow slide from punk college grrl to business woman has reached a new milestone. Last night, after getting a particularly short haircut, I decided that I needed to balance it out with a nice pair of earrings and a new purse. Sheesh.

If you do a search for my name online, you'll find a bunch of links to an article I wrote in college which was published in an English textbook. The essay was titled "Woman is a Noun" and was all about how silly it was that it was OK for women to look like tomboys in one way, as long as they balanced it by being obviously feminine in another. And here I am a few years later, living it. And honestly having a good time. Ah, well. at least I still have a haircut that requires clippers.

Please, someone explain this...

I've been thinking about my career and it's direction, and it's come to me that I never want to be an executive. I've met them. I've worked with them. And if I have to give up all of my common sense in order to see the broad picture along with them, count me out! I'd prefer to remember how to perform basic human functions, thank you.

Ergonomics Shmergonomics

Last night, I created some new designs for the Sassy Admin gift shop. My theme for the evening was ergonomics, and as I was creating, I was thinking to myself how lucky I am that my day job company takes such good care of me.

Today, I found out that I can no longer use my graphics tablet at work because it's not company owned, and that they won't buy me one ($100) because it's a "luxury item" and everyone will want one, etc. etc., and it's not justified because I don't have a history of repetitive stress injuries. Never mind that my lack of injury is due in large part to the fact that I've taken care of my hands by using this technology for the past year. Good grief.