Done Deal

The deal with the outsource is now complete. Last week the contract was reviewed and the project team agreed to go forward. Transition is expected to be finished with 2-4 months. A lot of rumours swirling around but expect to have move news this week. I expect to speak with our personnel soon regarding my future in the company. I feel no dread except the usual anxiety about the future. I just looked at my savings and stock portfolio and it's not too bad despite some losses due to the market down trend. I sometime feel that my luck would hold and that I would be maintained by the company for at least 3 years. I think that is a good time frame especially with the kids going to junior college. I think that period is enough to sustain us until the kids reach their national service.

Looking at the basic situation, I have a bias in saying that I will be maintained for a few years at least until the situation improves. Some possibilities are 1.) being transferred to another country like Thailand or China, or 2.) working for the boss-man's company for the replacement project. These 2 possibilities are the based on a positive bias in my thinking considering my years of service plus to value of my experience that I can provide. But these probability may not come to pass considering the so called 'Black Swan' which has not entered into my calculations. But after listening to the audio book 'The World is Flat' by Thomas Freadman, my optimism has vanished and my positive bias has turned into a negative bias. But the book has offered some hope in terms of the new role that can be assumed with the new world order. So another possibility is: 3.) to work with the outsource agent.

These 3 alternatives allows me to have a stable job for the short term until a more long term situation can be determined. These 3 alternatives do not entitle me to receive a separation pay as I will continue to work on the job. A fourth alternative is 4.) receive the separation pay and look for another job. Having cash give a good feeling and allows me to look for another job. With the current economy that can take from 3-8 months of looking for another job. Hopefully, if the new job is good, I can last out to at least 3 years which will help take care of my kids junior college. This alternative may require the most change as it will entail adapting to a new company. Looking for work will also be another challenge.

The worse case scenario maybe to 5.) leave with out the separation pay and look for another job. These are the possible scenarios that can happen. After reading Freadman's book, it is now easier to understand the forces that are changing the company I work in. All these scenarios are affecting as I still have to work on my projects and have them delivered. I am also trying to earn extra money whatever happens by learning more about options and stock investing and writing a book. Hopefully, these activities will help me earn some money in my spare time. But I spend too much time reading and watching movies which is just a distraction.

March Review

Seems that the offer from the outsource was a bit high and negotiations have begun to bring down the quote to a more reasonable level. So the project may be a bit delayed. But some news of the proposal have filtered out. Particularly that some support centers maybe created in Thailand, China and the Philippines. So will be good if we will get an offer to move to one of these places. An interesting item is that aside from being paid a separation package, an incentive maybe offered to work for the outsourcer. It seems to be a good deal if topped up with a transfer - on expatriate terms - to one of these countries.

I have been going to the gym these past weeks and I finds it has made me more optimistic and less susceptible to stress and anxiety considering the outsourcing experiment. I was in Manila last week meeting with my developers so I did not exercise. But travelling by public transportation for about 2 hours every day is enough exercise especially for the nerves. I treated the developers with lunch as the project successfully has gone live. This week and the coming ones will the first ones where the Thailand users will be using the new package. So far it has been going well although the batch process is taking some time to complete. I have activated the process yesterday morning but the calculation is still ongoing as of this writing. But my spirits is good and expect no problem.

I attended a 2 day training course starting last Monday about assertiveness and conflict management. An interesting course but not intellectually stimulating. I found myself getting bored a few times but it was enjoyable. We had good sessions role-playing and having games. Met a few interesting people with the course facilitated by a lady from Portugal. The seminar was in the main shopping district in a mall that I particularly like because of the art and curio shops filled with religious items particularly Buddha figures from Tibet, contemporary paintings from China, old Mao statues from the cultural revolution, exotic Chinese lamps and furniture. It also has a good bookshop whith excellent books on Asia. An interesting place to walk around during lunch time. I went to the gym after the seminar.

Last night I attended my monthly Toastmaster meeting. I did my Advance Project 4. I have been a member for nearly 2 years and I enjoy it. It gives me a sense of accomplishment aside from keeping me fresh. I hope to finish a few more project before moving to my new job or place. Although it is still too early, I feel that change is coming. Of course it is and I will be a fool if I think that I would not be affected that somehow I will be spared the ax but it is really wishful thinking. So that is why I feel that I should attend all the trainings that I can and increase my experiences to prepare myself for the new.