MORE ON MY VIEWS ON RECYCLING

Following my last post on recycling, I got two comments back (from my usual readers- all of them!) I have edited them, and here they are for reference:-

Divemaster GranDad said...

That's the sad part of recycling. It's seen as expensive and thus not worth the time and effort. I think that if the right products are manufactured in the first place, recycling will be at a minimal straight away, but for any residual waste, that can be recycled easily. Unfortunately, humans are wasteful creatures that want maximum return on as little investment as possible, and damn the environment in the process. 

Fishman said...

But it also depends on the availability of the waste. If it is used in road construction for example, how will you get the it to the construction site? I know they had this idea to recycle used tyres to add to bitumen for road laying. But the transport cost did not make it viable.

So, the reality is that as these resources become more scarce, and as the world recognizes that the continued poisoning of the environment cannot continue, the motivation for the recycling of product will grow.
In the example of tyres, from Fishman, the tyre manufacturers will be tasked to ensure that every tyre that is replaced is returned to them / a central collection point. The manufacturers could, in turn, elect a 3rd party at a central point and make them responsible for this. This would ensure greater numbers of old tyres coming to a single repository  thereby making the next steps to recycling more cheaper, and viable. The permit to conduct business in country could be linked to the proof of recycling! I know it may impact on the cost of the tyre, but at least it will happen.

This might sound a bit out there,but consider the following:-
Olive oil manufacturers will soon have to be able to prove that they have disposed of the waste from their production in a controlled, and environmentally friendly manner. If not, they will be fined, and their production permit revoked! Yup, they have for years just dug the stuff back into the ground, thinking it would rot away, and become "compost". Well, guess what - it does not. In fact, the ground becomes so saturated with oil, that nothing will grow there again for a very, very long time!
Wine producers will be faced with the same problem with the waste product after they have pressed their wine. The waste, which used to be dug into the ground, has now been proven to raise acidity levels to beyond acceptable, and it is having a negative effect on the quality of the soil!
And so with most other products / manufacturers. Internationally, motor car manufacturers are being pressed to design their vehicles so that most of it can be recycled once it reaches end of life.

I know that for now it's going to be difficult to motivate, so, the powers that be will legislate. And maybe, in 3rd world countries they may be a bit relaxed about these issues, and some would say it would be difficult to police, but there are ways and means. Soon enough, it becomes the norm, as creating all this waste has become the norm.

Just my thoughts and opinion.

Salagatle!

EXCITING TIMES

A few years ago (2011) the company I now work for did some test work on a "waste " product, to see if it could be recycled.
Internationally this waste is either dumped in hazardous waste fill site, or used in the road building industry. In some countries that use some of it as an additive to the cement making industry. A couple of companies have come up with recycling plant / machines, but are very expensive, and so does not warrant the capital outlay (ROI sucks).

The test work done in our labs proved that with our technology (actually a couple of our various products are involved) can successfully recycle this product, with a 10 - 20% wastage.

Consider the following:-
Currently, the product is used once (maybe 2 or 3 times), then dumped. 100% replacement costs, plus disposal charges (which could be as much as the replacement costs per ton).

Now, with our plant - replacement costs is 10-20%, and disposal charges are 10-20% of original cost!

I just finished the calculations on a plant to process 60 Tons per day, and the ROI on this is 15 months! Thereafter, the running costs are minimal, maintenance minimal, and profits go through the roof.
Have spoken to 3 prospective clients, and had the same response form all 3 - WE WANT ONE!

So, will go to each one, get a sample of their product (waste) recycle it for them, have the university do tests on the product, and present same to the clients.
This could be even bigger than my shit machines - and because I picked up and ran with the project, its now in my portfolio!

Things are really looking up!!!

Salagatle!

Waste - recycling - my opinion

Hi all - anyone still bother to read this? I know I have been bad at posting, but with the new job, less stress, and not much to bitch about, I didn't really have much to say.
I now have now found vigor for this blog, and you will find that my posts will take up a new look - one with positive messages, thoughts and ideas. That is, until I find something to bitch about.

So what has brought me here today? I passed a comment to a fellow employee today. We were discussing a comment I made in a presentation / document I am compiling for a new client set, in which I make a statement which is, as yet, unproven. However, I am also confident it cannot be refuted - hey, what can I say - that's me!

Basically, I am of the opinion that, apart from spent nuclear waste, there is NOTHING on this earth today, which is considered waste, which cannot be RECYCLED!

Seriously. I have done a mountain of research and read reams of papers, etc.on various subjects, relating to the work I now do, and every time I come across another new idea, invention, thought, which shows how / why something should be recycled.
In fact, I would go so far as to state that if we, as the intelligent species on this planet, had to institute rigorous recycling methods across all sectors / products, we could do away completely with dump sites!
We could probably extend the supportable life span of the earth by hundreds of years.

I would appreciate any comments, thoughts on this subject. Also, if you think of something you don't believe can be recycled, post it here - I will tell you how / why it can be!
That's it for now

Salagatle!

Hectic.....

OK, so I have been unavailable for some time - and my site has been "Off-line" for some time too. Many reasons for both, but I'm not going to go into them for now, suffice to say, I'm back. However, by now, I probably have no more readers left - ah well, that's life!

So what have I been up to? Well, after finishing up at IBM, I came in to the new job offices for a week, to start getting into the new role. Did some work on a new deal, and sorted out what was a seriously questionable document (Quality was poor), it would seem that I have learned something at my previous employer after all, even if it's only to do a professional document - nah, I learned a lot there!
The next week I went in for one day. The Friday in court was short and sweet, postponed again, then me and LuckyL went home, packed the car, loaded the two bikes, and set off for Richards Bay, and the Hippo rally!

Hippo Rally - we had a reasonably good drive down to RB. Got there, and went straight to my brothers home. Unpacked the car, unloaded the bikes, and chilled. Decided we would go and register the next day.
Saturday morning a quick blitz down to the rally site, paid, collected our badges, then blitzed back to town to have breakfast with brother - Big Bear!

So, the Hippo rally was not very well attended. Seems like the previous 2 years were similar. In the past, the local cops were seriously full of shit, continuously harassing the bikers, making it difficult to get around without being stopped 2, 3, 4 times a day! The inland bikers had told the organizers this would happen. Also, due to problems with getting a venue approved by the organizers with the local municipal bodies, meant they had a late announcement, and most of the bikers had already made alternative plans. Be that as it may, we didn't care much either way, as we had the opportunity to attend the rally as the program showed events we wanted to be in / see, and leave to ride around at our leisure at other times.
The Sunday morning mass ride was attended by between 80 and 100 riders. Upfront was a SAPS / Highway police car (VW Golf GTI), followed by a local traffic police car (not sure what it was, then a massive Dodge double cab truck, then the bikers. The drive through town was slow, as expected, but once we got onto the highway to Empangeni, the SAPS car, driven by a policeman who is also a biker stepped up to 160 - 170km/h! And we,naturally, chased him! Highlight of the ride was the lights on top of the traffic officials car, which, at 160km/h decided to desert the vehicle, flew off the roof, and landed somewhere in the veld next to the highway! He had to pull off to recover the unit, and probably spent a lot of time trying to think of a good excuse to give to his boss back at the office!!!! Anyway, overall the cops were quite accommodating, a few roadblocks were set up around the area, mainly to check for drunken driving (I have no problem with that), and we managed to evade all of them, knowing the area as well as we do, and knowing the back-roads.

We hung around in RB for a few more days. Whilst we were there, I visited Alan P (He of the recent cancer operation) and his family, at their home several times. Was great to get together with them again, out of the hospital environment. He's doing much better, ans now has started his next round of chemo. We then made our way down to Durban, to another mates place, to await Friday morning when we were driving up to Harrismith for the Rhino Rally! This is the biggest bike rally in the country. Every year it gets bigger and better - 2012 was going to be no different. It would also be the first rally that LuckyL would attend, where he stayed on site for the duration of the rally, and would witness first hand the shenanigans that go on - throughout the weekend, 24x7! A real eye opener for him, and to boot, one that would start with a serious, destructive storm!

More to follow.

Salagatle!

Blissfully unemployed

So, as previously posted, my previous employer eventually made me a mutual separation offer, and I accepted. Monday 10 September was my last working day, and all I had to do was go in to the office to return my laptop, 3G card, and my access card. Done. By 11 am I was out of there.
I was employed by the big American International IT company - IBM for 16.5 years, and was now actually glad to be going.

The previous Friday we had gone for farewell drinks at a local pub with some of them who worked with me. Was a nice afternoon, but didn't go on too late. Monday I did the returns and left. So what was missing? Well, for 16.5 years every time someone was leaving, one of them who worked with him / her, or the department manager, would have a whip around for donations to get them who were leaving a parting gift. Well, didn't happen for me. No matter, it's the thought that counts!

Another thing that everyone who leaves does is send out a final farewell letter, usually 2 lines basically saying "It's my time for change / to go. It's been a pleasure working with most of you. thank you for everything. Maybe we will meet again." And sometimes they give their new / personal email address in case anyone wants to get in touch with them after they have left.

I decided to do it differently. Below is my farewell letter. I sent it to quite a few people, but mostly them who I got on with during my stay with the company.

To those who I missed out of the list above -
sorry...............................

I suppose the time for this email will come for all of us at some point.
Mine has arrived.

Dec.1995 I joined IBM as a contractor salesman for ITS. I had to have 2 interviews, the first with the person who would be my manager - Klaus Bohm, and the second with Ann Roberts! I was nervous for the interview with Klaus, I was scared sh*&less for the interview with Ann!!!! My foot into the door was that I had a mechanical engineering background, and a good relationship with, and knowledge of the mining industry and had successfully run my own sales company for 7 years. Needless to say, I never got the chance to "work" the mining groups, apart from a few calls when
they happened to be in my "space"!
I clearly remember the day I was called in after the 2 interviews, to be told my application had been successful, but I would have to cut my hair if I wanted to join IBM!! (I sported a thin pony tail at the time). By June 1996 I was made a permanent IBMer - another exciting milestone. I also
clearly remembering chatting to the other guys, and being shocked to hear that some of them had been with IBM for 15 and more years. Some of them from when they left school / varsity! My comment then was "Don't you know there's another world out there?" Little did I know I would become one of the long timers! Now, 16.5 years later, its time for me to take my leave.

So what has happened in this time:-
On average, 8 new white shirts a year = 128 white shirts - I have always kept to the original IBM dress code, smart, presentable, a good impression on the clients of a professional company (and person). I also worked my way through an average of 3 suits a year, and 4 pairs of smart pants a year!!
For the first 10 years, I only wore white socks (some of you will remember this) - that is 12 pairs a year - 120 pairs of white socks! (The wife was seriously glad when I stopped that!) - and I destroyed 2 - 3 pairs of shoes a year.
I have worn the same cufflinks, every working day, for all these years - "Gold" plated IBM, which I bought for myself, and have worn out 2 IBM gold tie pins in the same time. (REMEMBER TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL CASUAL DAY!)

I signed my first deal in my first week with IBM! - and to think I still didn't have a "log on" name / password at the time. Back office support in those days was the read deal - and there is another story in my relationship with "back office" in those early years, when no-one wanted to be my support person - Adri van Tonder will remember that!
I started out on green screens, and as soon as I learned how to use them, we got laptops (those first one's were seriously heavy), and then cellphones came in (the first ones were large, heavy Nokia's, with pull out antennae, and a battery big enough to start a small motorbike!!!) I still have that cellphone number. All IBMers that have 082570.... were of the original first rollout for cellphones.

I made Hundred Percent club several times - Malta, Morocco, and Lisbon, and the last one was a pin and certificate (They stopped the trips - cost cutting) - I made Top achiever - a week in Avignon, France, with my spouse, for closing a big deal with Vodacom - at that time the biggest ITS deal ever!!!! The stories that I could share about those trips. Needless to day "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"! Mark Harris will recall coming back to the Gala Dinner venue in Morocco, only to find that Yogesh Ranchod and myself had taken over the DJ desk, and were spinning disks, with a bottle of wine in each hand (who needs glasses) at 6 am!!!!
I closed the first and second biggest Cisco deals for IBM SA soon after IBM became a Cisco partner - Clover and Anglo Gold (Denis Charnock still suffers because of this!!)

I have been in ITS, as a salesman, for all of the time I have been with IBM. Maybe I should have moved around, into STG and or SWG. That might have made a difference in my career, but service is the hardest sell, and most challenging, and that is what kept me there. I have seen service offerings come and go, and reincarnations of some under different names! Probably the best "division" in ITS is BCRS - not because that is where I find myself now, but because it's a specialised field, and has it's own offices away from the Park, which is today a serious challenge to get to because of traffic!

I have survived several Country General Managers, including Sal Faso - "The Hatchet Man", probably my favorite CGM would be Mark Harris - as he had a big influence on many of the decisions I made, and because he truly had an "Open Door" policy! Best mentor - probably Pieter Kruger - I learned most of my stuff (IT related) from him, and lots of my "attitude" (as it has been called) is probably due to him. He has become a friend... Thank you Piet!
Best "out of country" executive - I have had the pleasure of working with many very professional people, and people like Dan Cohen, Allen Downs, and most notably, Mike Weston come to mind. Thank you guys for you support. One of the ITS managers used to threaten us with Mike Weston. She would say "if you don't do this, then maybe you should go on the call with Mike!" Until one day I did meet him, and realized that the demon that had been painted of him did not exist !! in fact, the total opposite - he's a very supportive executive, who you can call on late on a Friday, and get a fast track OMDT release done - and he does not mind! Thank you Mike!!!
Favorite international support person - Rosa Hofer - she's a real lady, very professional, and nothing was ever too much for her! Thank you!

I survived cancer - lost a kidney, but managed to save my bladder with 6 operations and chemo - (the alternative would have been a bag taped to my side.....), and have been clean for more than 10 years now. (REMEMBER TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL SHAVE-A-THON!)
I survived a potentially deadly motor car accident in January this year - no thanks to the drugged out driver of the other car! Considering the mileage I have covered during my stay with IBM I have been luckier then most.
I survived multiple sales managers - none of which need to be named - none stand out really, each had their good and bad - no wait, some had only bad......, other than to say that good business AND people managers are a scarce breed in IBM, and my current manager, Chris Lucier, is the first I have had in the 16.5 years that is a good business AND people manager, apart maybe from Pieter Kruger, who, in those days, knew and understood that salespeople are motivated by reward!

Probably more incredible is the fact that my marriage has survived 16.5 years of IBM!!! Married 23 years this year, and still on honeymoon!

I have learned many valuable lessons, made some incredible friends, had some great people as mentors, and done some successful mentoring of my own. I've challenged the system, pushed back, led from the front.... In this company you get to play in all of the roles at some time or other. The main thing is to learn from each one of them, and put the learning to good use.

Finally, I  now want to go into a field where I can add value to humanity. I want to be able to see the results of what I do, feel it, touch it, and know the impact on the lives of those people who will be directly positively affected by my actions. And I can make that happen - either via another company who does just this, or on my own, but the opportunity is out there, now. And, you don't have to be Bill Gates to do it!
So, to all of you who receive this email, thank you for the value you have brought to my life, and my time with IBM. I wish you good luck, and happy selling (or sales supporting).
We might meet again - somewhere, you never know.

And, as my colleague and buddy Nick Smith, my manager Chris Lucier, and my sidekick, Tshepo Masigo would say - "lets go walk and weigh the pig"!!!

Ciao

So, I got a couple of email responses, mainly from them who didn't know I was leaving. Not many. Probably the nicest one was this one:-

Hi Wreckless,

Can I wish you all the VERY best and EVERY success in any new endeavors that you undertake, I loved your farewell note and the way you personalized it ...good luck and take care, feel free to reach out ANYTIME - but not later Friday night :-)


Best Regards, Mike

  Like I said in my note, he was a good person, and this can be seen in his response to me. Will definitely keep his cellphone number handy!

So, Tuesday I get up with the Princess, go downstairs, and paint the deck with a sealer! Then I get cleaned up, and make my way down to the offices of my next employer. Start date is actually 01 October, but I figure I can use some time to get to know the products better, look at some of the proposals / quotes that have gone out, etc. While I am there, I'm asked to look through a big proposal, the boss really is snowed under, and would appreciate the help. Speed read the document, mark it up for corrections, and then home.
Wednesday. seal the up stairs balcony. Then, back to the office. This time I recheck the document, ans make more change, and corrections. One thing I did learn at IBM is that the quality of the proposal is paramount! I cannot believe the poor quality that this "typist" passes on to her boss for review!!! No matter, I will train her to do things the right way. This is now a 64 pg + document. It becomes a bit messy reviewing, marking up, checking, and all the time I am adding to it, as I complete more annexures as per the requirements.

Thursday, LuckyL and I went to the Electo-mining show. (LIU). My new boss was also there, and we met up. He asked if I could go in to the office later,as he had left some notes on his desk for the typist to complete, and some stuff for me to check!?!?!?!?! Excuse me, I'm not employed yet!!! But I went in anyway, reviewed the work done, made her correct some of it, again, and then took the whole document apart! I cut it up into relevant sections, and saved each as a separate part. That way you can work on one section, complete it, and move on, without having to wade through 90 pages every time!

The boss - let's call him RB, get back to the office by 7pm. I was still there. I showed him what I had done, and told him that I had incorporated a whole lot of stuff from a previous proposal, which went a long way to answering more of the outstanding sections. Impressed! Then I was off home. By 11pm, I had reformatted all of the documents, so that they at least looked the same, had the same fonts, and font sizes.

Friday morning, took a drive through to the office again. Asked RB for a memory stick, and put all the docs on it for him.Done.

Went home, and then worked through the docs again, picking out the relevant pages where he still needed to add information, or where I had put in a comment where he needs to make a decision. Noted the page numbers and section numbers, put them into an email for him, and sent it off. Now he doesn't have to read through the whole document. He knows I have checked and corrected it. I have completed the required annexures, and can just go to the pages needing input, and do it! Another thing I need to teach his typist.

So why have I done all this? Well, I've proved a point here. I am capable. I can take some of the pressure of off RB. I will change the way he has been doing business! I will introduce a level of professionalism to his business! I will make him understand that he needs me! Done!! Also, I now have the basis for all of my future proposals and agreements that I will need for future business. Just, I want to get it into my preferred format, something I didn't have time to do this time round. I think I'm going to have fun!

Salagatle!

So, fire me - oh wait, you can't, I have resigned! Poes!

Letter to my managers, managers manager.......

Good day W,

My call on you now is as a last resort.
There was a big manual out of my signings achieved number for Q1&2.
After much forward and backward emails, and asking about it, I now know that MK made the decision not to leave the signing in my number.
It refers to the ICA increase for 2012 for the xxxx WAR contract.
I have several problems with this, not least of which is that I was never consulted on the decision, or made aware that it would happen, till I didn't get a commission payment earlier this month.
I am concerned that this decision was made solely because I believe MK has a personal problem with me, and would do this just because she can.
My motivation is based on the fact that the claim is I was not involved in the signing, so should not get any credit for it (as it is I did do the QA), however, I am also completely sure that the ITSM on the same account did get the benefit of the signing. He would not even have been aware of the opportunity, never mind have been involved.

Annual ICA signings have always been allocated to the responsible sales person, even though they are always process in the main, by either the SM on the account, or, in the xxx case, by VL, as the contract manager. But it seems that in just this instance a decision was made to manual out, and it's because it's a big number, and, I now, because I would be the beneficiary.

This problem is not isolated.
Last year, MK decided, after end Q1, that my percentage payment based on revenue was too high, and so initiated a task to "recover" overpayment of commissions, and there was a manipulation of the results, retrospectively so as to show an "overpayment" and my IPL was never changed or reissued! Basically, I earned too much commission, so it was manually recovered with no written agreement, discussion, change in the IPL. It was just done.

I consider the above issues as very serious, I see them as a violation as my rights as an employee, and in fact, can see a basis for BCG violation. I need you to intervene, and resolve for me soonest.
Attached below is some of the email trail, as well as some attachments with regards the numbers.

And below were some attachments showing the FMS statement, the reversal, and my actual achievement calculations - none of which match each other.
Will see how this shit goes down! Damn sure i'm going to face the wrath of Satan's Daughter, but hey, I have resigned! What's the worst that can happen - they ask me to leave with immediate effect?

Salagatle!

I have resigned!

I apologize, to all 4 my regular readers. I have been neglecting my blog, but only because I have been really busy.

So, whats the latest developments/ Well, as you all know, it's been some time that the management here have been trying to get rid of me (my opinion), and some time that I have been telling them "Give me a package, and I will go quietly".... So, about a month ago I sat my manager down, and asked him what the official process was to request a separation package. He said it was through him. We discussed the pro's and con's, and the risk, and agreed to delay it for a quarter, for two reasons - a) The prospects of closing some big deals in the next 3 months was good, so I could benefit from some good commissions, and then leave, and b) If the corporation decided not to give me a separation package, they would make a concerted effort to get me to resign. Point noted.

I had a discussion with the Princess, and we agreed that we would wait one more quarter. A week later the boss calls me at home. Says that our division has been mandated by the corporation to cut at least 15 heads. These would have come out of our overstaffed and inefficient outsourcing department. Seems like the executive said he could drop 60 heads (this is not confirmed). Anyway, so they identified at least 20 retrenchments, a whole bunch of early retirement candidates, and then asked various managers for names of people who might consider a separation package. Did I want my name on the list! Damn right I said! And so he put my name on the list.

We were not sure I would get through the process, as his manager - she who shall not be named - suffice to say she has earned the nickname "Satan's Daughter", knows that I am wanting out, have plans for another job, and could probably save the company the separation moneys. Anyway, 2 weeks ago, I got the letter. They offered exactly what I have been asking for for the past 12 months, so they could have saved themselves some money, and hassles, 12 months ago. I took it home, discussed it with the Princess, and accepted it. Date of resignation - 10 August 2012. Last date of employment with this company - 10 September 2012. That's 16. 5 years done and dusted.

Now the challenge is to get the other job sorted. I did receive an offer, but I was not happy with it, and am talking to the guy about some options. I'm sure we can come to a mutual agreement, and I can then get going with running his company (one of them) and showing him how to do good, profitable business.

So, the short term plan is to get all of this behind me, take the Princess away on a well deserved holiday at the coast. Go and visit my mate AlanP (he of the recent cancer operation), and then get started in my new venture, and earn copious amount of money.

More on this later.
Salagatle!

Bad Boy

I noticed just now that it's been a week or so since my last post. That's bad - seriously. However, I have been busy, and didn't have anything to post anyway. So here's an update.....

Went to a local restaurant last week Wednesday, on the recommendation of various people, for their "half price sushi special". Well, half price it might have been, special it was not.

Cape Town Fish Market is a well known chain restaurant. In general, their service and food is good. We went to the one in the Cresta Mall. On arrival, I saw they were quite busy, but also noticed that they had ample waiters running around, more than 10. So, instead of just going to a table and sitting down, hoping that someone would see us and offer us some service, I grabbed one of the waiters, and asked for a table. He showed us to one, and said he would send a waiter with menu's, and to take a drinks order. At least 10 minutes passed. no one came near us. I called the number on the little condiments basket - Customer Care Center. No one answered - no surprise I suppose. Eventually I cornered a waiter, and got a drinks order in, and managed to secure some menu's. Drinks came, waiter left. More waiting - so we go and get some sushi of the conveyor thingy at the front. Not much choice, and all of them "black" plates (the most expensive sushi dish). We took 6 plates, and then I had to go and find side plates, serviettes, chop sticks, and that soya sauce. Also went and found wasabi......
Terrible, if that's what they serve as sushi, I am very disappointed. So, I grab another waiter, and threaten to beat the crap out of him if I don't get some service. Menu's and another round of drinks. It worked. he figured this grey haired old man is seriously pissed, armed with a pair of nearly sharp chop sticks. Drinks and menus arrived - I didn't let him leave. We ordered some food off of the menu - and sent him on his way. The food arrived, with plates, and cutlery... we ate, paid and left. Never ever going back to that shit hole again.

On Thursday night Italy was playing Germany in the Euro semi-final. I really wanted to watch. We got a notification that maintenance work was going to be done on the electricity network, and our area would be affected - from 9pm Thursday through to 5 am Friday. So I had to find some other place to watch the game. The Princess went to have coffee with a friend, LuckyL went to a pub in Fourways with mates from work, GMan was working.... I drove down to the next town, Roodepoort, and found a seat in the Joker, a "Irish Pub". I know they have several TV's, I know they usually have them on the sports channel. I didn't know that they were having a Q&A quiz nite! Do me a fucking favour! I called Fishman to join me, but he wasn't available. Anyway, I bought a drink. Single Jack Daniels - R19.50, and Coke - R16.00!!! WTF?
A coke sells in the local store for around R4.50 / R5.00. As a pub, they buy in bulk, and probably get it for around R3.00 a can. Where the hell do they come from charging R16.00 a can?
So, I limited myself to one drink, not that I drink usually, and wouldn't have had more than one as I was driving. Game was good - Italy 2 - 1 Germany!!! Drove home only to find that our suburb was the only one unaffected by the power outage, and I could have watched the game at home, or down the road at the club. Ah well.......

Sunday The Princess and I went to a local joint - Cedar Lodge. As the name might indicate, it's owned / run by Lebs. Not that that makes a difference, other than the Lebs know how to cook. They also had a buy one, get one free sushi special. And we had great sushi, as much as we needed, and got away with R100.00 total! (Excluding drinks). Good sushi at great price. Now why the hell would I want to travel 20km (one way) further to get crap food, when I can get good food 4km from home!?!?! Well done Cedar Lodge!

OK, more later. There are some things happening on the work front which I want to share - but can't right now.

Salagatle!

Big Brother watching......

More and more web sites are now being blocked by the corporation. A typical "Big Brother" type of control. I find to day that I can't open Facebook on my PC / Laptop at work anymore. Not that I care one way or other, as I have full access to it from my BlackBerry, and usually use that anyway. it was just interesting to note that it is now a blocked site. have found more over the past few months. Another one is the national lottery site for SA, www.nationallottery.co.za.

So, I just spent the past 10 minutes cleaning out my bookmarks, and sent all those I want to keep to my personal email address. These I will add to my bookmarks on my private laptop at home, and use them from there.

I fully understand the corporation wanting to manage how much 'private" use there is on company assets, I know and understand the concept of "lost work time", and the cost of data transfer / broadband, etc., but I don't think that this action will really save them much. But, it's their option. I have no problem with it.

What will happen now is the following, (and this from a colleague), instead of logging on from home to do "private stuff", like Facebook, and at the same time churn out some work, answer a few recent emails, finish of a proposal whilst online, users will now log onto their network, and update / work on their private stuff, and leave the work stuff till they get to the office, tomorrow.
No work after hours. Lose lose?

Salagatle!

Monday Update

Took a day off on Friday, and went to see the stainless steel railings company. Great stuff! I am definitely going to be doing some business with them. Just need to get the pricing estimator sorted out, and have already started to talk to some guys who are in the building game / in the process of doing building alterations!
Also this weekend, Italy managed to go through to the Semi-finals of the FIFA UEFA cup! What a game! England were nowhere! As commented in the office - Italy were either playing against themselves, ot against the England Goal keeper. The rest of the England team were absent! Amazing to see the Italian team hold more then 70% possession of the ball, have more than 40 shots at goal, and with more than 50% on trget. They just had no luck on their side! it could have easily been a 6 - 0 white wash. As it turned out, 4-2 on penalties was sweet justice! Next game is against the terrifying Germans, and I don't fancy our chances in that game. That said, football is a funny game......

A comment made by (what I thought were very pro-English) commentators, "In football, no two halves are the same, so we can expect to see a completely different outcome in the second half"! WTF? No matter, the second half was more of the same, with Italy in control! Done and dusted - bring on the Huns!
This is how we came through the ranks to this spot. No losses, and a couple of draws, so maybe we do deserve to be in the semi's after all!

Match log

Match log

Date	Competition	Phase
The home team is listed first.					Last updated: 25/06/2012 01:15 CET
03.09.2010	UEFA EURO	Qualifying round	Estonia		1-2		Italy
07.09.2010	UEFA EURO	Qualifying round	Italy		5-0		Faroe Islands
08.10.2010	UEFA EURO	Qualifying round	Northern Ireland		0-0		Italy
12.10.2010	UEFA EURO	Qualifying round	Italy		3-0		Serbia
25.03.2011	UEFA EURO	Qualifying round	Slovenia		0-1		Italy
03.06.2011	UEFA EURO	Qualifying round	Italy		3-0		Estonia
02.09.2011	UEFA EURO	Qualifying round	Faroe Islands		0-1		Italy
06.09.2011	UEFA EURO	Qualifying round	Italy		1-0		Slovenia
07.10.2011	UEFA EURO	Qualifying round	Serbia		1-1		Italy
11.10.2011	UEFA EURO	Qualifying round	Italy		3-0		Northern Ireland
10.06.2012	UEFA EURO	Final tournament - Group stage	Spain		1-1		Italy
14.06.2012	UEFA EURO	Final tournament - Group stage	Italy		1-1		Croatia
18.06.2012	UEFA EURO	Final tournament - Group stage	Italy		2-0		Republic of Ireland
24.06.2012	UEFA EURO	Quarter-finals	England		0-0		Italy

Overall, a nice weekend, damn cold, and windy. Today is more of the same. Started to stir things up at the office as I am not happy to have external influences fuck with my ability to close deals anymore. Have also started to collect all the information I have been saving over time with regards the manipulation of numbers that has adversely affected my commissions. Show down is looming, and I'm ready for it. Fuck the corporation!

The Princess is great, LuckyL is a star, GMan is, well, GMan, still home, still does not have a real job, still does not seem to really want to get one. Will have to work on that.

Salagatle!

A never ending cycle

Those of you who have read my blog for some time will know that I'm not happy working where I do, and that for some time I have been waiting for an offer from another company who really want me on board, but actually can't afford me. Sounds a bit presumptuous of me, but they can't. I have a minimum cost of living to meet, and can't take a job offer for less money at this time.

Had a long chat with a mate this morning, and he's of the opinion I am wasting my time both here and in the next place. Says that I have what it takes to go out there on my own, and do something for myself. he's probably right, but at 50 something, that''s a damn long shot, and the risk is enormous. If it does not work, I stand to lose everything I have worked for over the past 37 years - yup, I started working at 16.

It's a bad space to be in right now. I'm not performing up to expectations in my position, more because of the economy being down, and my client set being "independently self sufficient" in the services I am supposed to sell them. Also, the targets that have been set are so unachievable, that even if I was able to close a bunch of deals, I could never make the expected number, hence can not earn the level of commissions I could / should be earning.

I suppose going out in my own is an option - I just need to find a service that I can offer the market which is in demand, and which the market is willing to pay for.

I have a strong Mechanical Engineering background - Qualified Fitter 7 Turner, Mechanical Design Draughtsman,  Engineering sales, Quality Assurance, Workshop Management, Project Management (Engineering). Some of the skills I have the required certifications for, some I have learned on the way, and can do very well, but have no paperwork to back it up, other than letters of reference. Apart from sales, I have not done much of the other work for many years, so I'd probably be a  bit rusty, and maybe even out of date with regards changes in the policies, and regulations.

Ultimately, I just want to enjoy whatever I do. I want to have the life style we enjoyed as a family 10 years ago. Why should I be disadvantaged because I'm white, middle aged, and a long term employee? In fact, my manager made a comment last week Friday about "Considering what your salary is"..... but didn't continue. What he was talking about was the fact that the senior management are putting pressure on him to get me out, but he's unwilling because my output far exceeds the standard, and he knows that to replace me would cost the company probably 10 - 15% more, and with a person who will not be able to perform at my level for probably 6 - 8 months! He knows that deal closing is not where it should be, but also understands the reasons. Management up the line don't care about the reason, that have a spreadsheet to drive, and that's how the business is conducted.

Either way, I don't mind. I have on numerous occasions over the past 12 months asked for them to give me a package - "Mutual separation agreement" - I'm happy to depart fora settlement of  2 weeks per year served - they don't even take it into consideration.

The end result will be that either they fire me for non-performance, or I resign cause I can't put up with the crap anymore. And in both cases I land up going to the CCMA (LIU), and making a case against the employer and will probably get 6 months severance pay anyway!

Any comments will be accepted - however, if you want to tell me to stop whining and go do something about it, I will tell you to piss off. This is my blog, a place where I get to vent my feelings and emotions as I see fit, and that is exactly what I have done today.

Salagatle!

It has been a long ride

In fact, I started with this company in Dec. 1995, as a contractor. In June 1996 I was signed up as a permanent employee. That makes it 16 years as of June this year.

Bumpy, I think so. Worth it, well for the most part I suppose it was, but for the past 4 - 5 years it's been difficult. And now, with them putting me on a PIP (Performance Improvement Plan) it looks like it could come to an end. And, as I said to the boss about 30 minutes ago, it's fine, let them shaft me. I have enough ammo to go to the CCMA with, and get at the very least 2 weeks for every year served severance pay!

See, although this corporation has multiple processes and procedures in place to prevent us doing business (well, that's how it seems to us salespeople), they also have them in place with regards treatment of employees, as well as what to do if you want to separate someone. They have specific guidelines for everything, like changes in how you are measured / targeted / paid (commissions). What management hope is that the employee is too stupid / lazy to take note of these, make notes of specific events, build personal spreadsheets, and keep all this information for in the event they do try to separate you. In fact, for many of the employees, this is probably true, but then, I am a different animal.

A PIP is usually issued when your performance is below par. No problem with that. It should be issued and explained in the presence of an HR person - this didn't happen. In fact, I was issued my PIP sometime early April, but it is dated way back in November 2011. Seems like Senior management (out of country) instructed local management to issue the PIP, they never did, then had to create a backdated PIP to cover their arses. I immediately sent my manager an email spelling out the fact that when he presented it to me it was the first time I had ever seen it.

Now, most times PIP's are issued in such a way that it is almost impossible for the employee to meet all of the requirements. This gives the company a way to get rid of him/her. did not meet required performance, has been given an opportunity to improve, and failed, so does not meet the minimum requirements for an employee in his/her position!

Great, I have the email trail, I have the proof that last year there was large scale manipulation of the Revenue and GP numbers so as to reduce / minimize my earnings. I have the spreadsheets, and am quite willing to force them to reveal their books to the public to prove me wrong if they want to!

In fact, I think that once I have had a chat with them, they will probably give me 2 weeks per year served severance pay, just for me to go away. i know they don't like "public spats", shy away from any legal issues (i.e. going to court) ans almost every time lose any case they take up with the CCMA!

Either way, I've had my fill. Done the time, now I want to move on. Either I get the job offer from the other company, or I lose this job, and get paid to go. Then I will go work for less money at the other place, and make a pln to make ends meet. What happens after that, will be what has to be.

Salagatle!

Battle of the Titans

So there's an interesting showdown playing out at work!

We recently got a new manager for our division. He has a dual function in that he also heads up a separate division for MEA. (But that's a different story). So he's on assignment, from the USA.

Here's the background. Been with the corporation for a number of years (about 13 or 14). Done well for himself. Has had various positions, including management, has been a salesman, account executive, etc.....
So, from a corporation perspective he's well rounded. He also had a stint working alongside the new CEO of the corporation (before she became the big shot of course) - which means he's well connected. All that aside, I had my reservations when I heard he was coming out. Don't have a good experience with these assignees, but I was willing to let him show his stuff.

Turns out, in 2 months, he has proven that he's a damn fine peoples manager! Probably the first one I have had ever in this company. He knows that people are more than just Numbers, or spreadsheets. He recognizes we have needs, families, need time off, want to earn money (as salesmen). He's already taking on the problems we have with the processes, problems with our commissions statements, with the fact that commissions are wrong, paid late, etc.

He is mentoring us! Yup, he actually knows what the business is about. Brings with him experience in the fields of the "new" offerings we have here in RSA. Does client calls with his salesmen, and makes a good impression with the clients. He is the right person for this job!

The moral in the office is much improved. He's no pushover, does not take crap, and you not going to spin one on him. But then, you wouldn't have to. He understands when you tell him what the problem is, that's it's probable, not like the previous clowns who immediately thought you didn't know what you were doing when in a situation! He respects the fact that sales is relationship driven. People but from people - no matter what you are selling!

So what's with the title of this post, I hear you ask? Well, his local manager is not impressed. She does not accept the fact that he knows more than she does! Does not appreciate that he pushes back when she tries to control / manipulate / threaten him! And therein lies the dilemma. If she does not let him run the business like he knows how, he's going back home - does not need her shit. If the business is not turned around, she will blame him, and probably have him repatriated!

Either way, we will lose a great manager - and the business will suffer because she wants to maintain manipulator control. What she was hoping to get is a yes man, what she's got is someone who knows more than she does, and reminds her of it whenever he needs to - and she has no way of managing this situation!

just got off a private cal to him, following a text message I received from him where he mentions that "We (us salespeople) don't need him anymore, we have a managed services expert on the team already" (meaning her).

So I called him to find out what he meant. We currently working on a few big deals. He has been invaluable with the input he provided to us. This evening he was in a meeting with her (and her lap dog - one of the salesmen who she has identified as "management material" (read "yes man/ lap dog"), and who happens to be the lead on one of the opportunities we are working on. She apparently ripped the solution to shreds - saying we didn't know what we were doing, we had over specked the solution, we had way too many resources included, and the help desk component was over the top......... Funny thing that... I had attended a 4 hour session with the customer earlier today, she wasn't there, neither was her lapdog, but they wanted to tell him we got it wrong. Thankfully, I had given him an update on my return, and so he actually was better informed than they were... and told them so!!! Fact is, I confirmed the solution with the client, who agreed that our approach was correct.
I think the problem is that someone somewhere mentioned a figure of USD20m, our solution (first draft pricing) comes in at USD32m. it's not over the top, even at this price.

But what she does / did not know was we did not spec the solution. Because they (the project team, including her lapdog) had only asked us to get involved in the last week and a half, and they have been working on it for 3 - 9 months (conflicting statements) we took the solution as specified by the hardware team (them who should know what they are doing) and priced THEIR solution as a managed service. We didn't make this shit up!

So, we have another big workshop scheduled for tomorrow - another client - another USD 20m + opportunity. For some reason or other, she got herself invited. I just know she's going to interfere, and maybe even fuck it up for us. My manager is going to be there as well - but I need him there for his expertise. So here is how this shit goes down tomorrow - if she fucks it up - I will make a big stink about it - and escalate the situation right up the sewerage pipe known as corporate ladder.

In fact - my manager says that back in the USA, base on her behavior he has observed here in 2 months, she probably would have been  charged in a civil court, and would be doing jail time for her treatment of reportees!!!  Hows that for serious shit! And here in sunny RSA we just suck this shit up!!!!

Anyway, I see a major clash coming - there's going to be blood, no winners - and if he leaves I think this division is fucked!!! More to follow - watch this space!

Salagatle!

I have to laugh.....

Saw this article, and I just had to laugh. The reality of it is as follows:- Many of the U.S tech companies have off shored a lot of their development and manufacturing - to INDIA. Now the Indians have the knowledge, and experience, they are, basically, taking on their employers. And good for them. The off shoring was done at the expense of the US employees and US economy, and only to exploit the low waged Indians. And, obviously to benefit the shareholders.
I have no mercy or compassion for them in this care.
Good for the Indians!!!! Now they want their government to intervene? Bring the jobs back home you morons, and stop "enslaving" them who have the know how, but are so poor they are willing to work for meager wages. What goes around comes around. Basically, you are fucked!!!

U.S. tech groups alarmed by India purchasing plan

Wed, Mar 07 20:18 PM EST

By Doug Palmer

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leading software and technology companies on Wednesday pressed President Barack Obama's administration for quick action on a new Indian government policy that they said threatens exports to the fast-growing economy.

The Business Software Alliance, Telecommunications Industry Association and other groups said in a letter to Trade Representative Ron Kirk that they were "deeply concerned" by a plan that would require the Indian government to give domestic electronic goods preferential treatment in its purchases.

The plan by India's Department of Information Technology's also covers "products that have undefined 'security implications'" and potentially software, the groups said.

"Most troubling, however, are the (Indian government's) plans to use its regulatory power to force government licensees to purchase domestic electronic products in a manner clearly inconsistent with the letter and spirit of India's WTO (World Trade Organization) commitments," they said in the letter.

They appealed for Kirk's urgent assistance in addressing a development that could have a "devastating" impact on U.S. companies' competitive stance in a key market in India and damage U.S.-India trade.

A copy was also sent to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Commerce Secretary John Bryson, who is leading a trade mission to India later this month to explore opportunities for U.S. companies to take part in infrastructure projects.

The United States has run increasingly large trade deficits in advanced technology products in recent years, unlike the surpluses that were typical in the 1990s. Last year, the advanced technology trade gap was $99.3 billion.

While India is a growing market for variety of U.S. exports, imports from the sub-continent have grown even faster. The U.S. trade deficit with India hit $14.54 billion in 2011, as exports rose to $21.63 billion and imports to $36.17 billion.

The coalition released the letter a day after the Obama administration filed a WTO case against India for its ban on imports of U.S. poultry meat, eggs and other farm products.

The United States says the ban, which India says is needed to stop the spread of bird flu, is not based on sound science. More than 100 countries currently import U.S. poultry.

The White House has made enforcement a major part of its overall trade agenda. Obama, who is running for reelection this year, recently created a new interagency trade enforcement unit to crack down on unfair foreign trade practices.

(Reporting By Doug Palmer; Editing by Paul Simao)

Salagatle!

Early morning meetings, traffic, metro cops, hawkers, bad drivers....MONDAY!

It must be Monday.
On the basis that I have to be in the office for a meeting every morning at 7.55, I decided to get up earlier, and get to the office early, so that if there are any traffic issues, I wouldn't be late. I plan to keep my side clean for now, no need to rock the boat any more than it can manage.
As it was, Friday was a good start. We (sales) were here, in the office, for the 16h30 meeting, but our manager only got here at 16H50, and the meeting only ended at 17h 40!
And the traffic just imploded. A multi-car pile up on the highway, just past the 14th Ave. on/off ramps, traveling North, and there was chaos all around. I eventually got to the office at 7h55!

 Typically, any cars wanting to join the queue from side roads, would fill the intersections, so that when it was green for us to go, we couldn't move anyway. Then the usual black savage coming down a right turn only lane, and then squeezing in through red lights was really getting to me. There is no respect for law, and no wonder we have the highest road death rate in the world. Just wish more of the retards would die and less of the law aiding citizens.
I pull one over, and threaten to beat him to a pulp with my baton. The dumb Fuck didn't even know what he had done wrong?!?! He did, however, understand what Kaffir means, and that a baton can / will inflict serious harm and damage, as he took himself off to the nearest turn off, and fled. Moron.

So, I get to the office in time for the meeting anyway, and guess what! The manager is not in. He calls in from his car / home / local bar / wherever. Salesmen 2 - 0 Management.
After the call I scream off to Sandton to collect a tender response document which needs to be delivered to Pretoria. No idea what the roads will be like. Takes me just under an hour to drive about 10 km!! Collect the docs, and hit the highway.

This is the 5 lane highway from Pretoria to Johannesburg. I measured it over 12 km! Lets assume 1 car per 5m, across 5 lanes, over 12 km = that's about 12000 cars, standing and idling..... Worlds biggest parking lot! Luckily I had a relatively clear run to Pretoria, and found the clients offices quite quickly. No parking, so Im pulled into a loading zone, which was closely watched by 3 of our friendly Metro Police / Parking meter attendants, and asked if I could stop there for 40 seconds whilst I dropped off the tender. "No problem sir!". Great. Park, grab tender docs, run around the front of the building, fond the tender box, deposit, walk back to the car, and thank them, and leave. Best car watch team in Gauteng I think!

And on the way back I thought about taking an alternative route back to the office, then figured "Hey, I'm on the clock, company time, let's do the traffic!". As it was, whatever had caused the backup was cleared, and the traffic was mostly gone, so I have an uneventful / uninterrupted drive back to Sandton. Then I go to the dreaded Graystone off-ramp.

As usual, the horrid scum bags hawkers were there. Easy enough to ignore them. But they are closely followed by the monkeys with the bottles of soapy water, and squeegees, who want to wash your windscreens. And if you wave them away, they get aggressive.  The clown I waved away threatened to scratch  my car, so out came the trusty baton, and I got out, and he beat a hasty retreat. Swear I am quite willing to kill the bastard! Drive across the bridge over the highway, and there is a Metro car, parked next to the road, 2 of the pigs having a notice chat with a taxi driver, no doubt collecting for the widows and orphans fund! I pull over, get out and chirp "You might want to go over there and do your duty, get rid of the illegal hawkers. One of them is liable to get killed soon. DO some work, don't stand around here hoping to make a few bucks off a cellphone user / seat-belt offense!" Eyes light up, they think about getting clever, and notice me take out my cellphone, and said, "Yes sir, we will go sort it out!".

Back at the head office, I take my laptop in to have one of the applications rerolled, so that gives me 2-3 hours to hang around.
Now I'm back at out offices, and waiting for the 16h30 meeting. Wonder if fucknuts will show up?

Overall, a bad start to the week. A typical Monday start I suppose, at it's worst.
Ah well, you have to live it understand!

Salagatle!

Just for my new reader - Johan

So, the problems at work are such that if I wasn't on the way to a new job, outside of the American Corporation, I would either lodge a complaint with the CCMA, or start a union, and cause an internal revolution.

Much of the problems internally are the back office support, the multiple processes that have to be followed, duplication and replication of information, multiple reporting streams, and the fact that the only drive we have is for signings. Fuck service delivery, that's a bloody inconvenience!

Ant the more we raise the issue that back office support, pricing, solution's, QA, and multiple signatories for release of a proposal are hampering business, causing unreasonable delays, and losing clients!

So how do they resolve this? We now have a in office meeting every morning g at 7.55 am, and every afternoon at 4.30pm. Every day! Including Fridays!!!
On the basis that we have to be here by 7.55, and the afternoon meeting will end at about 5.30pm, it means we are now expected to work an average of 9.5 hours a day, 5 days a week, total 48.5 hours a week.

Fuck that!

Salagatle!

Update - overdue.....

Hi all, it's becoming more and more obvious that I am amongst few friends, at least as far as my blog goes. Don't have too many readers anymore (welcome to Johan).

Not too sure what I should do about it, if anything at all. It would seem that for most, blogging has died an untimely death. Wonder what has replaced it? Not FaceBook,  or Twitter, as those spaces are for short comments, not"stories. Ah well, se la vie!

So, whats bee happening?
I'm still working here, for now. The new car is great, just very very heavy on fuel.
Last weekend, from Friday to Monday, the Princess and I were in the Kruger National Park. Had a great time, really relaxed, and saw a lot of good game. The place is green wall to wall, and lots of water around. The animals are fat, and looking very healthy. And loads of young one's!

Will post pics as soon as I down load them from the camera. Strange how there seems to be no rush in getting this done, until you have another event, and find that the camera card is full, and have to quickly "dump" the photos onto a stick / pc / laptop to make space.

LuckyL decided he wanted to learn to speak Italian! so I wrote him in for a 3 month course. If he enjoys it, and does OK, and wants to, I will let him to the 2nd course later in the year. So far (one lesson done) he's excited, and keen. Hope he keeps it up.

The Princess just keeps going, working hard, going to gym at least 3 times a week, and is looking great!
GMan, well, he's still out there, trying to get ahead, and doing it on his own, kind of...... Not too sure he's winning as yet, just hope for his sake they can crack a deal soon.

I'm really keen to get cracking with the new company, and spend some time each week understanding more of the product, it's capabilities, and reading up on various applications where we could market it. Suffice to say, it's exciting, but not going to be easy. But it's back where I belong - in the Mechanical Engineering world.

OK, so I'm online, doing an opportunity update. The damn system wont allow me to click "Save" until I update one of the comment lines. But this line is "greyed" out, so I cannot access it.... DUH!!!!
OK, sorted that crap out.

Where was I?.......... Oh yea, so I have a new manager. Some guy out from the USA, on assignment. Now he's a pretty cool dude, friendly, likes outdoors, chatty, but, did we really have to get some expensive guy from the US on assignment to come and manage this business? For what we are paying him, I'm sure we could have hired 2 local guys, with all the experience required! But then, that's what international companies do.

On the point of international companies:- One of our local companies, which had a 51%+ take over by a European company some years ago, has just gone through tremendous layoffs. it was poorly managed, and not properly thought through, as they are now exposed with too few skills on the ground, people having to co-opt 2-3 positions, overtime will go through the roof, and from being the market leaders in their space, I know they will slip to 3rd or 4th in the next 18 months. However, they made sure that the severance issue happened at the same time as their latest results release! And because they beat market expecttations, and increase share holder value and dividents by big percentages, th story of the lay offs didn't even get a mention in the daily rags. Over 130 people layed off - and at least another 100 who left out of their own before the day of recconing, with who knows how many more to leave after, as they cannot cope with the extra work load.

So, contrary to general public perceptions, I am in full agreement with the government with regards foreign companies buying up local companies. there must be some form of assurance that they will not get rid of staff en mass, that they will ensure continued support of local manufacturers, as was the case with the recent Massmart / Walmart deal. As far as I am concerned, if these big internationals want to invest in South Africa, do so from the ground up. Don't come here, buy up existing business, and destroy it!

Barclays is doing just that now with Absa. Top management are being replaced with Barclays people, and in the ranks, chaos reigns supreme. Every single invoice is now queried by 4 - 5 individuals before payment is approved. Any new contract must be approved at some senior level in the UK! WTF!!! Those clowns are only still in business thanks to a big buy out by the Arabs, and they bought into Absa because the profits were at least 4 x what they were making overseas. Now they want to come here (are here) and tell us (South Africans) how to run a bank? Watch Absa - 18 - 24 months - Fucked up!!!!

My pet hate right now (has been for some time) is bad drivers. I'm not talking about the taxi's who stop whenever / wherever they want to. I'm not talking about the old lady doing 40 in a 60 / 80 zone, in the fast lane. That I can live with. I'm talking about the number of people who just don't bother to stop at stop streets. Every day, without fail, I will see at least 3 - 5 of these idiots. I pulled a guy over the other day. Told him, "That was a stop street". He said "I know". So why didn't you stop? Well, there were no cars coming....! WTF! It's a fucking stop street moron. And you have to stop. Even if there are no other cars! Do you go home on the weekend and rape 3 yr old girls? I asked. You might as well, you a criminal anyway!!!  Man, was he pissed off!!!! But like I should care!

The truth of the matter is that it is those people who will complain about taxi drivers. They the one's who complain about the cops and bribery and corruption. They complain about all the speed traps, and untimely road blocks. But ultimately, they are criminals. Maybe not on the same level as a murderer, rapist, politician (sic), but a crime is a crime, and if convicted, the record will show that you are a criminal. Each time I see one of these stop street jumpers I pray for a car, with another one of them, to be coming across from the other side. Will make for a really satisfying event!

Anyway, time to do some work.

Salagatle!

Update on the new employment opportunity

Had a nice call this morning from my mate down under - Solomonster - those of you who know him, he sends his regards. Those who don't, well, same to you I suppose :).

Anyway, I'm going to refer to him as SM from now on (short for Solomonster). He asked about the accident, our health (esp. mom's) and other stuff. And then asked about the now employment opp. I didn't want him to spend another 15000 AUD on the call, so said I would post details here.

So, I recently read an article which was a piece from an interview with a very successful German butcher here in South Africa. When he had finished school, he had no idea what line of business to go into, and approached his grandfather. The response he got was something like this :- "My boy, people will always eat, drink and shit! If you are involved in anything, it must address one of these needs!" And he did, and made good of it.
Now, the food industry isn't for me - hours are way too long. And it's damn competitive. A bottle store (liquor shop) is very profitable, but I'm not sure I want to be partly responsible for more of the worlds problems, what with drunken driving, killing innocent people, spousal and child abuse attributed to alcohol abuse....... Fuck that.

So, that leaves me with shit. No, seriously. A massive problem around the world is shit. Not that which you all deposit into the big white telephone, and flush down to your local sewerage works, where it can be processed and stuff, but the tons of crap being generated in deep pit latrines, and other such make shift locations, in squatter camps etc. Where there is no proper sewerage processing, and where disease, mostly contributed to by the presence of shit, is rampant.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not suddenly becoming a bleeding heart "green world" styled terrorist, about to attack and bomb capitalism, and all the rich people who done even know this problem exists. No, I intend to exploit the situation for my own personal gain, and if some poor bastards out there do benefit from my actions, well then good for me!!!!


A mate of mine (and future employer) is a metallurgist by trade. He's also self employed, and quite the inventor, especially when it comes to filtration / separation / conveying of various forms of materials. He was approached by a big Metro here in SA to help them design a machine to resolve some of the above mentioned crap problem. They had for some years been cleaning out the deep pit latrines in their squatter camps, and so had managed to keep health problems down. But due to the number of latrines, they only go around once every couple of years. The other problem, and probably more of a problem, was disposing of the tons of human shit that they we re collecting.

Most of you have heard of the Valley of a 1000 hills, in Kwa-Zulu Natal? Well, it was fast becoming 1001 hills. According to my mate the shit pile is so big, it will take years to clear, with 4 machines to process it all! That's, ZAR100,000 x 4 per month - for years!!!!!! AND THAT'S ONE METRO, ONE PILE OF SHIT.  WITH TONS OF SHIT BEING ADDED EVERYDAY TO THE EXISTING PILE - A NEVER ENDING SOURCE OF SHIT.....


OK, so I'm getting ahead of myself. What he designed (AND PATENTED) is a machine that you dump the shit into (use a front end loader - it's safer), at about 70% dry (30% moisture content). This goes through a screw conveyor that separates hard materials from the shit. (Hard materials have included things like cellphones, TV remote controls, tins, bottles, railway truck wheel ??? {WTF???}) and other stuff. The shit is squeezed out through hundreds of holes in the sides of the screw conveyor, and the hard material is ejected at the top to be disposed of in any other way possible. The "spaghetti" strings of shit then travel through an enclosed conveyor system, fitted with a heating apparatus (this is the secret product) which in effect completely dries the product, kills off all germs / bacteria / other nasty stuff, and dumps it off the end of the belt. At this point the material is safe to handle, has no smell, and gets bagged for sale to anyone who wants it as a damn fine fertilizer for gardens or farms / etc. Stru.......!!

Because of the fact that these machines are mainly to be located in remote sites where the recycling of anything / everything is the main source of income for the inhabitants of these places, they needed to secure the plant. I did a design for him and put the whole contraption into 2 x 20ft containers, with a small container attached which houses a generator - diesel powered. The "end product" bagged and sold brings in about  6 x the overall cost of the running of the plant, diesel included!
The upside to this is that it creates jobs. People are needed to run the plant on a day to day basis. There is ongoing maintenance required, which is shopped out to one of the local engineering companies, and there is employment for the people who bag the material, and sell it.
And, the client pays a build deposit for the plant, and a monthly fee of ZAR 100,000 (depending on the size) for a minimum period of 36 months. And they are responsible for running costs and maintenance costs. Geezzz.... can u believe this shit?!?:)



Oh, and the Bill Gates Green World Foundation is talking to us, and are keen on an initial order of 1000 machines in the next 18 - 24 months! These, however, will be for export to the East, and we would sell them outright. But probably still be the prime source for spare parts and stuff. But should I care? 1000 MACHINES - If I pull that one off, I can probably make a fair commissions, and retire!!!!

Also, we are talking to several companies who want to take up a franchise. South America is the main one here.

So there you have it. I will be running the company that will sell / rent / market / produce these machines. I will, over time, have to recruit various people to assist as the business grows. I am trying to secure a share in the business. We will be taking other peoples shit and turning it into money. Sounds like a damn fine idea to me...

Salagatle!

Update on work, and the evil USA Corporation

Reading the title to this post should tell you that either I don't have much to post, or I just don't have a better title. Either way, I'm not going to argue the point.

So, what's going on with me. Well, as I type this I am sitting at my desk in the office for what should be the last time till the 17th of January!!! Yup, I am taking my vacation, all 19 days of it, and I am taking it at the company year end, against all the company management guidelines and woishes that no one take leave now as they have to bring in every single deal possible before the 31st. Well, go fuck yourselves, I have no deal that will close between now and then, and those that could maybe close, should have done so in the past 8 weeks, but because you don't have the capacity and capabiloity to get the shit through your broken process, the documents are not yet done, so nothing can go to the lcient to sign.

What I am expecting is for the senior manager to come back with a "Who approved your leave for this time?". Well, no-one actually. I informed my manager more then 8 weeks ago that I had applied for leave on the system. He had the option of going on-line and either approving it, or declining it. He has done neither. So by default, it is approved! And as far as I am concerned, now it's too late to cancel it, so do what you must, I am on leave - even if you cancel now, I will not be back in the office before the 17th Jan 2012, and then we can sort it out. I am quite happy, and willing to take this up via a legal route if I have to.

So, earlier today I got an invite to a meeting with my executive for the 21st of Dec. to discuss how I plan to make my number in Q1 2012. Well, there is two sides to this.
1) I don't know what my number is / will be - and if I share my opp. with you, who's to say you wont set the number according to my pipeline as opposed to what the business wants?
2) I am on leave then, so if you really want to meet to discuss this, better you make it a conference call. I have no problem dialing in from my apartment in Ballito, but I will  not be in the office. Not even if you offer to pay the airline ticket to get me here and back down again!!!

As for my opportunities for Q1 - well, how's this for a pipeline:-
12 Opportunities with a total value of USD 18.5m!!! If that's not enough, well then shove it! If I sign just 33% I still make the number for the half year, never mind the quarter!

Management are still talking about putting me on a PIP (Performance Improvement Plan). Basically used most times to try and get rid of an employee. It is biased and usually the measurement of achievement is subjective, however, I have had the initial discussion with the manager, and agreed to the PIP - BUT, he needs to be very careful on what they put in as the detail of the document.

Basically they can't challenge me on product Knowledge, Pipeline creation, Process and Procedures, Client Knowledge, Client Satisfaction, Team working, Peer assistance...... The only "Fail" I have for this year is not making my signings target. OK, so I have a spreadsheet of the deals i worked on (and lost) and for every single one of those I have a comment which basically shows that either a) We fucked up with the pricing, b) or took to long to respond, c) or didn't respond. Basically, in many / most instances, I was let down by the company, it's processes, procedures, back office support (or the lack of it). So, don't know what they plan to challange me on, but will be interesting to see.

Then, about 6 weeks ago I submitted a travel claim. We get an allowance for travel to clients, but have to submit a claim form, on-line, to get paid. I don't always bother with it, but did this time as over the two preceding months, it worked out to about R5,5k. Nice money to have to take on vacation.
So it goes through the system. I get a notification that there was a problem with the server / process, but will be sorted out soon. Last week I raised it with my manager. He shot off an email requesting payment to be processed. On-line in the claim system it shows as paid. I get another apology email to say they have a problem with the process. Fine, just get it sorted out.
Today I got my payslip - we get paid on the 15th in Dec, so that people have money over the holiday period, makes no sense to me but whatever.
Anyway, on the payslip the travel payment is reflected, and so I have been taxed on it - BUT I STILL DON'T HAVE THE FUCKING  MONEY IN MY BANK ACCOUNT YOU MORONS!!!!!

So, send off an email, copy my manager and my executive:-

Good day,
I see that my payslip shows payment for travel of R5282.00
However, I have never received this payment. I have escalated it, and got some notification about a problem with process, but nothing else.
If it is on my payslip, I have been taxed on this, but have not got the money yet!
If this payment ever does take place, what's to say I wont be taxed again!!!!

This is not professional at all. Another indication that off-shoring of services is not working.

Not sure how it will be received, but I am way beyond caring now anyway. Fuck them - more ammo for the Labour Lawyer!

Yup, it really is fun working here! You have no idea how bored I would be anywhere else!!!! I know 2 of my readers also work for the same shit hole, and I know they feel much the same as I do. At least I seem t have an option to abandon this stinking ship in the near future. I just need to get the offer upped a bit so that I don't take a knock from an earnings perspective. Have some ideas around how to reduce my monthly expenses, and will do so if I have to. Anything to be able to get the other job, as I do see a lot of potential there, and I will be away from this American Corporate crap!!!

Finally, I am working on a rather large deal, due to close end Q1, early Q2, 2012. What is interesting is how the corporation are "loading" the opportunity. What's more interesting is that I have access to the information. It will not be beyond me to use this information for personal benefit and gain.

So, looks like we in for a great ride.

Salagatle!