Interesting Bites

At work, I now have larger responsibilities and I am fully responsible for all actions taken by those reporting to me.  Because of that, I’ve set very high expectations on the marketing execs and also the design team.  And from Monday onwards, I’ll have the Asia Pacific support to be under my call as well.  In view of that, I have to ensure that all of them instill strong discipline so that they can function even without my strict supervision.  I don’t believe in using fear as a method to make sure they finish their task, however I’d like to motivate them to work harder for themselves.

Its not easy being a boss.  I have to maintain my cool even when the roof is falling off, and solve all the problems that they bring in.  Having said all that, i myself am not perfect.  Today, I was confronted by the boss for saying ‘the wrong thing’ to our principal.  I just told him - that’s why I wanted us to discuss before we proceed to do the presentation, but you are never available for us to discuss.  He just kept quiet.  Sometimes, I understand the frustrations of those who have bosses above them, so I try not to replicate what my boss did to me.  I planned the entire marketing plan till 2am in the morning, worked out all the probabilities, revenues, ROI.. and then he told me that I shouldn’t disclose this…  But then earlier on he told us that if we don’t elaborate our plan, they’ll not support us financially.  ????  Sometimes bosses can be very confusing.  All in all, I hope I can be a clear-vision boss to all.  Say one thing, and mean it.  Don’t change my mind like the way I change my clothes.  Don’t let anger overcome me.  Never allow emotions to overtake my rational thoughts.  I need to make sure that my staff remain comfortable so that they can perform the way they should.

Sometimes I symphatize with them - because other than my orders, they still have to take orders from my boss (those I report to).  Because of that, they get overloaded and sometimes lost.  They dare not say no and dare not voice out their thoughts.  I have to learn to manage the marketing team better, because I know that marketing is very much into planning, strategy and execution.  In a small company like ours, we dont have the luxury to specialise in one specific marketing function.  Its all-in-one.  And with 2 companies and 3 different divisions - its a real challenge for me.  Having to be on top of it all… and still having one division for myself to take care.  Wow….

All in all, I love my job to bits.  Like the geomancer said - its not the situation, but rather its your personality that brings you to this situation.  What she means is that I’m the ‘fast-paced’ person and that I love the adrenalin rush in this job - so she asked me not to complain coz that’s the actual me!  Hmm… I have to think about that….

meiling at work