buena mano

i know this would sound like very 2010's. much like some of my previous rant entries. but just the same i would like to chronicle another stressful day (actually two days in a row including today) if only to serve as a motivational booster in the future especially when days are long, my temper falls short and my spirit is low.

i was expecting a toxic day yesterday. three sites and a side-trip, an inspection for a new project. my itinerary includes dasma, carmona, and laguna. just enough to fill 10 work hours. it was about lunchtime when i noticed three missed calls on my phone. the number was from the office. obviously it was not from the big boss but either from one of the angels in the office or from the warehouse staff. true enough it was from the former. a project which we were not expecting to come in just yet, the client issued a PO with a very tight deadline.

with every quotation that we sent out we stand by our word to do the project at the convenience of the client to commence and handover at the agreed time. we never renege on our commitment or keep any client on tenterhook because we are still busy with another projects. sounds astig eh? if there's one principle that this company that i'm working for now jive with mine is 'palabra de honor'. maybe it's because it's a 'japanese' firm and japanese are widely noted for integrity.

i'm not saying that pinoys are not reliable when it comes to keeping commitments. and i must be quick to add that, sadly, yes, not all. at times when the work load is just too much for us to handle, we do call in our subcontractors to help us out. reliable subcontractors. and we just have two reliable subcons.

again, sadly, most subcons, in their desire to earn more money, they grab every opportunity that they can lay their hands on, more than what they can handle, without considering their limitation - manpower. in this business breathing humans are necessary. not just any, lest quality will be compromised in the process, but skilled ones with initiative and can work with least supervision. this basic requirement for the labor force restricts the subcon owners from arbitrarily picking up any brawny street guys and include them in their fold. delivery of quality work output is not a numbers game. it's about individual uncompromising discipline, skills, and hasten execution.

tough!

in this rat race craze, more often than not this is but an exception than the rule.

thus my ass was spinning wildly yesterday while i was making rounds in different sites. while discussing the scope with the mechanical and electrical engineers on the phone a staccato sound insistently buzzing in the background. it was the client asking clarifications. and when we were almost through, a familiar sound came bugging again. this time it's the warehouse staff for the materials and tools.

the day left me drained and exhausted. that's why at exactly 6pm i was nowhere to be found in the office anymore. i was on my way to rob-dasma for a relaxing whole body massage. haha.

it's gonna be a long weekend in the site.