From Stressroid To Promotion

It’s been 1 year and 2 months since I joined this fast-paced company called e-Globalfocus Sdn Bhd. I started the job weighing around 60kg and now, I am only about 50kg (free weight-loss program ;) No, I'm not kidding – I know I’ve lost a whopping 10kg but I can’t help it as I have even been eating twice the amount of food that I used to consume. I remember when I was working in ICOM, I had to go on diet as I gained so much weight. I thought it was a relationship spell - my weight increased when I started seeing Sze and I blamed it on love. Now, I still love Sze, even deeper than before, but yet I am shedding the pounds. So this time, I blame it on work stress.

As an Application Specialist in my office, I took care of enterprise solutions software - MS Dynamics CRM 3.0, SurfCRM and other Microsoft Business Solutions. I had been very proactive in my job, but yet, some of my colleague’s responsibilities were added to my job scope after she left the company. Soon after, we moved office to Tropicana. Then, my boss secured a really huge deal and that project manager’s job was also given to me. All these additions will tremendously increase my skills and knowledge but of course, my stress levels also increased exponentially.

So, I decided to quit. I had 2 job offers from much bigger companies and one of them was Microsoft. I declined the offer from Air Asia as they did not offer any transport allowances with their office so far away. Although they had offered me the highest pay, I still decided to join Microsoft (everyone wants to join Microsoft!). I tendered my resignation and my boss was shocked. He never really expected this from me. He tried to understand my reasons for wanting to leave. Believe me, I had a lot to complain about. So my bosses came up with a new package for me – a promotion and more streamlined responsibilities… and not forgetting, a raise too.

I have known both my bosses for many years, since 2001. I was just an intern then and while driving to work at their old office in Leisure Commerce Square (famously known as Bali then), I still remember the radio reporting about the Sept 11 terrorist attack on the WTC. I had enjoyed working with them as they were pretty flexible and gave everyone a chance to develop on their own initiatives. This is what I mean by growing your own talents to the best of your abilities. With this history and friendship, and not for financial reasons, I decided to accept their improved job offer to stay (while declining Microsoft's offer in the process) and to be promoted with immediate effect.

So, all I want to say is that, I am now a Product Manager with e-Globalfocus and I will do my best to promote the products and services under my responsibility.