Yesterday I had my appraisal with my director, my boss and my senior (3 VS 1 - kesian the princess). I wasn't expecting it to be long, but it ended up to be a 1.5 hours talk.
I was naive enough to think that I will get flying colours (scores) for the appraisal and get praises for doing a well done job. Luckily enough, I had my family and my bee to support and enlighten me what is the real definition of "an appraisal" after that.
Basically, I was praised for excelling in my tasks & timelines and creating a good relationship with inter-department. BUT.... there's always a BUT ain't there.... They have to find something irrelevant to get my scores down or not that high. Well, in the end all my scores are at least an average (achieved) or higher (exceeded).
The best they could take out of me -- is my lack of passion for my job. And their arguement is that besides handling my tasks very wel, I should go beyond that and show interest in the whole market research thingy. I am suppose to read books, come out with ideas, questions everything if possible and approach to talk to bosses as much as possible. Some other "suggestions" are that being passionate is that I should influence people who worked with me to be efficient and effective like me (using lotus calendar, manual calendar, drafting timelines etc), making commentaries to clients about data without being asked and go out to retails/shopping malls and make friends with retailers, users and etc so I know the market before my clients do. >_<
My director said, "The world is not fair, when you meet expectations and furthermore exceed expectations, people would expect more from you. That's how it is."
My boss said, "We see so much potential in you just based on the way you make things work. That's why I do not checked your work. But we want to see more of you in other things than doing tasks delegated."
So, in conclusion, if one fulfill their job description (JD) and objectives (set by the bosses anyway), and somemore do a good job... is NOT ENOUGH.....
However, I learned from my family and my bee some truths which I would like to share with you all:
1. An appraisal is where it affects your promotion and salary increment, of course they would have to bring negativity and scores down to save money. (Please keep this in mind). **Consider my company is losing profit, this is even more understandable. **
2. Indians are very stingy in compliments and mostly like to stab you (Sorry, no offense to the Indians. Did I mentioned my boss likes to start conversation like, "Why you Malaysians....?"). So if one can get compliments out from them, one should be happy and proud of oneself.
3. If your scores are not lower than average and exceed average, you are doing okay.
Things one can learn from an appraisal:
1. What your bosses think and expect from you.
2. Things you can improve, things you can maintain and things you can eliminate.
Things I learn from my appraisal:
1. Always expect the worst even if you know you have did well.
2. What is right (methods, talking and actions) for you, may not be right for another person.
3. My bosses are jealous that I have a better relationship with inter-department and not with the research department (OMG, I have to treat my bosses as if they are my bfs huh >_<)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Tran Anh @ 3 hours away from Hanoi City, Vietnam
I was in Hanoi, Vietnam end of December 2008 with my family. We took a one day trip to Tran Anh which started at 8am and finished at 7pm. This Tran Anh place is around 3 hours drive where tourists go there to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of water, greens, mountains and most importantly --- the caves.
The weather was great when we were there, it was around 16 degrees. We arrived there around 11am and proceeded to take the boat trip to visit the caves. These wooden boats were rowed by local Vietnamese woman. The caves are rather dark and were lit up by lamps installed in the caves.
After the 2 hours boat ride enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery, we returned to land and enjoy a typical local lunch. After the delicious lunch, we started our journey back to Hanoi City.
Boat trip begins....
Breathtaking scenery
Monkey
Going into a cave
Coming out from a cave
Reflection of the water makes it looks like a frame
Smallest boat ever.... Man paddling
Ducks
Local dishes from Vietnam
The weather was great when we were there, it was around 16 degrees. We arrived there around 11am and proceeded to take the boat trip to visit the caves. These wooden boats were rowed by local Vietnamese woman. The caves are rather dark and were lit up by lamps installed in the caves.
After the 2 hours boat ride enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery, we returned to land and enjoy a typical local lunch. After the delicious lunch, we started our journey back to Hanoi City.
Boat trip begins....
Breathtaking scenery
Monkey
Going into a cave
Coming out from a cave
Reflection of the water makes it looks like a frame
Smallest boat ever.... Man paddling
Ducks
Local dishes from Vietnam
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Year 2009 so far..... New Year Resolution
***Thanks for all that leave msgs to greet me Merry Christmas or/and Happy New Year. My apologies if I did not wish you back. Anyway, Happy New Year 2009!***
I was in Vietnam and Laos from 20th of Dec 2008 and back on the 3rd of Jan 2009. I was in Laos for Christmas and New Year in Vietnam. Both festivals are not celebrated in these country and was quiet..... Well, in a way, I wouldn't know as I slept before 12am for both days. Haha.... For those who know me long enough, will know that for special occasions, such as christmas, Chinese New Year, Valentine's day etc and even my own birthday, I am mostly on vacation or overseas.
It was really a drag to go to work on the 5th of Jan after 2 long weeks' break and of course work is piling up for me. Considering end of the year, workload should have gone down and with my "out of office" assistant on, I still have 143 emails in my inbox on Monday.
Yesterday I was once again the lucky one to be chosen by the external audit (twice internal audit I was also chosen!) to get audit for ISO9001. Furthermore, I am THE lucky number 1 for our company. My big, big, big boss aka the business development director aka BDD asked me 15mins earlier before the auditors came in whether I am handling this particular project and with a "yes.", he gave me a wicked smile and said "I purposely chose you! Hahahahaha...." and left happily....
Well, suddenly I became "famous" in my company. While auditing, colleagues give me those stares, the twinkling eyes, the wicked smile, the nervous nudge... After auditing, I got so many, "So how?" or "How?" even from other departments.... Today one colleague even jokingly said, "If we got our ISO, we should give you a special award."..... Ok, I finish my ISO story.
It's been a while since I write out my New Year Resolution. I had one for 2006 and one for 2007, but I never wrote it in my blog. Both came true though. 2006 is to work overseas and 2007 is to lose the 7kg I gained in Shanghai. 2008 I did not set any solid New Year Resolutions though.
This year I wanna set New Year Resolutions!!! Haha, well, I do not really want to think or set it, coz I am pretty strict to myself, I don't like to be NATO. However, I would take it as a motivation and reminder and will work hard to make it work with determination.
1. Have a better bodyshape. I am thinking of losing 3-5kg. I have been consistent on my gym-going for the past 1.5 years, however the weight seems remain and a bit unstable. I am rather heavy for my height and I do still have a lot of baby fats ready to lose. So slimmer, fitter and leanier body is what I am hoping for year 2009!
2. A 5-figure salary, manager position and own office room. Haha... this is not year 2009 resolution, but something I hope to achieve by 30. Am I too ambitious? Well, no harm having a dream or a target in life right? **Hint hint, be siu nai nai also I dun mind geh**
3. Better daughter, girlfriend and auntie.
-Daughter role I think so far so good lar. I wanna spend as much time with them as possible as we are apart most of the time due to my dad's nature of work.
-Girlfriend role..... Always got room for improvement geh. But still I think I am a precious gem! Haha... Well, still is a hard role to take on as I am an individualism, perfectionist, nomad, ambitious, stubborn etc. It takes 2 to tango and I am thankful to find someone who is still willing to take the chances on this gal which is so adorable (cough cough) but yet such a headache at times! *Thanks bee*
-As for AUNTIE ROLE!!!!!! Despite the threaten position of my princess status in the family, alas, our family will welcome a baby! It will be exciting as there's been 5 adults in this house for TOO LONG!!! Sad to say though, we all do not know how to handle babies. Hahaha. I think I will spoil my little niece/nephew :) Still got 6 months to go though, can't wait, can't wait!!!
I did not mention a better friend, coz friends, I am a very decent friend right? Someone you can tell a secret and keep a secret, someone who you can say everything right? Hahaha.... I give friends a right to complain if I am not a good friend :P
4. Read more english books to be more knowledgeable and improve my english.
5. Traveling. Permanent every year new year resolution though :P
6. Update my blog more often. I will post my Vietnam and Laos trip later.
I can't think of anymore now. Year 2008 was a great year for me, a Europe trip, a new job and a great relationship. I am looking forward to have a better year in 2009! I wish the best to all who read this blog. May all your dreams and new year resolution come true!
I was in Vietnam and Laos from 20th of Dec 2008 and back on the 3rd of Jan 2009. I was in Laos for Christmas and New Year in Vietnam. Both festivals are not celebrated in these country and was quiet..... Well, in a way, I wouldn't know as I slept before 12am for both days. Haha.... For those who know me long enough, will know that for special occasions, such as christmas, Chinese New Year, Valentine's day etc and even my own birthday, I am mostly on vacation or overseas.
It was really a drag to go to work on the 5th of Jan after 2 long weeks' break and of course work is piling up for me. Considering end of the year, workload should have gone down and with my "out of office" assistant on, I still have 143 emails in my inbox on Monday.
Yesterday I was once again the lucky one to be chosen by the external audit (twice internal audit I was also chosen!) to get audit for ISO9001. Furthermore, I am THE lucky number 1 for our company. My big, big, big boss aka the business development director aka BDD asked me 15mins earlier before the auditors came in whether I am handling this particular project and with a "yes.", he gave me a wicked smile and said "I purposely chose you! Hahahahaha...." and left happily....
Well, suddenly I became "famous" in my company. While auditing, colleagues give me those stares, the twinkling eyes, the wicked smile, the nervous nudge... After auditing, I got so many, "So how?" or "How?" even from other departments.... Today one colleague even jokingly said, "If we got our ISO, we should give you a special award."..... Ok, I finish my ISO story.
It's been a while since I write out my New Year Resolution. I had one for 2006 and one for 2007, but I never wrote it in my blog. Both came true though. 2006 is to work overseas and 2007 is to lose the 7kg I gained in Shanghai. 2008 I did not set any solid New Year Resolutions though.
This year I wanna set New Year Resolutions!!! Haha, well, I do not really want to think or set it, coz I am pretty strict to myself, I don't like to be NATO. However, I would take it as a motivation and reminder and will work hard to make it work with determination.
1. Have a better bodyshape. I am thinking of losing 3-5kg. I have been consistent on my gym-going for the past 1.5 years, however the weight seems remain and a bit unstable. I am rather heavy for my height and I do still have a lot of baby fats ready to lose. So slimmer, fitter and leanier body is what I am hoping for year 2009!
2. A 5-figure salary, manager position and own office room. Haha... this is not year 2009 resolution, but something I hope to achieve by 30. Am I too ambitious? Well, no harm having a dream or a target in life right? **Hint hint, be siu nai nai also I dun mind geh**
3. Better daughter, girlfriend and auntie.
-Daughter role I think so far so good lar. I wanna spend as much time with them as possible as we are apart most of the time due to my dad's nature of work.
-Girlfriend role..... Always got room for improvement geh. But still I think I am a precious gem! Haha... Well, still is a hard role to take on as I am an individualism, perfectionist, nomad, ambitious, stubborn etc. It takes 2 to tango and I am thankful to find someone who is still willing to take the chances on this gal which is so adorable (cough cough) but yet such a headache at times! *Thanks bee*
-As for AUNTIE ROLE!!!!!! Despite the threaten position of my princess status in the family, alas, our family will welcome a baby! It will be exciting as there's been 5 adults in this house for TOO LONG!!! Sad to say though, we all do not know how to handle babies. Hahaha. I think I will spoil my little niece/nephew :) Still got 6 months to go though, can't wait, can't wait!!!
I did not mention a better friend, coz friends, I am a very decent friend right? Someone you can tell a secret and keep a secret, someone who you can say everything right? Hahaha.... I give friends a right to complain if I am not a good friend :P
4. Read more english books to be more knowledgeable and improve my english.
5. Traveling. Permanent every year new year resolution though :P
6. Update my blog more often. I will post my Vietnam and Laos trip later.
I can't think of anymore now. Year 2008 was a great year for me, a Europe trip, a new job and a great relationship. I am looking forward to have a better year in 2009! I wish the best to all who read this blog. May all your dreams and new year resolution come true!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
