Day 5
In the past months, I've been saying goodbyes, some permanent ones some, hopefully temporary. In the next few months, I'm expecting more goodbyes. The latest one would be my emancipation from my responsibilities as the mother of my washing machine babies, though I'm still in charge right now, soon the grace period will expire.
My decision didn't come as a surprise to the management, as early as January, I've told my GM and my then boss that I will leave soon.
What was surprising was how I felt right after I handed my letter to my newest boss, who I've worked with in less than 2 months. After my conversation with him, I rushed to my car because I felt like crying, which I did. It felt like I just broke up with a lover.
I guess a good part of it is because I've poured my heart into it, I remember seeing the first sets of washing machines I was tasked to launch. I called them my babies, not knowing a thing about home appliances, I nursed them and eventually gave birth to them. I guess much like how it's going to be when I actually get pregnant and have a baby.
Oh the experiences, lessons and people I will forever cherish! Some of my favorite stories would be the following:
1. Mistaken for "propositioning" the president to go to "the bed."
During on of the global meetings, the president went up to me to have a little chat, saying he hasn't met me yet. So I introduced myself and said I'm from the Philippines. It was probably too noisy when I told him, "... ooh, you drive to TIBET, right? I've been wanting to go to TIBET." I've repeated that couple of times because it seemed that he's confused.
After a while, he started signaling subtly for help from my GM and my boss, both of whom came to his rescue. Between that time when they were walking towards us, the president finally realized, after I motioned with my hands where TIBET is in an imaginary map, that I meant TIBET and not TO BED!
So after that, some people in HQ calls me Tibetan.
2. Named myself Bea, in front of press people!
...During the brand launch!
Before Midea, I dreaded talking in front of a lot of people. More so when they are the media. It was so bad that when we had the training on how to talk to the press, I froze when I saw a camera recording me.
So during the launch, the GM gave us shots of tequila to calm us, that became a ritual. It calmed me, so much so, that I forgot that my name was Atche. It turned out to be a good icebreaker for everybody. As for me, I became less tensed.
In another press launch, because of hunger, I introduced my Deputy GM with a different last name, that I repeated several times. Also demoted my then boss to Marketing Manager.
3. I blew up an egg, gracefully. My untangling demo, didn't untangle, but again I got out of it, gracefully.
Confidence, calmness, sarcasm, and presence of mind saved me from these boo-boos.
I blew up an egg inside a microwave while I was doing an interview with a media man. I don't think I'll do justice if I write about it now, I'll have to save it on another day. That moment would be a good scene in a Legally Blonde movie.
In another event, I was introducing our products to our trade partners. One of the things that our machine doesn't tangle clothes - less tangles by 83%, based on lab tests. So one of the things we do to show this capability is we knot a towel and make the machine untangle it, most times it untangles. Before the actual event, I practiced several times to make sure that it will untangle, especially at that moment when the decision-makers are watching.
Yes, of course it didn't untangle. Wit and charm, saved me from an otherwise unpleasant event.
4. Atche the Guinea Pig
I'm the lab rat! Lessons that the other PMs can learn from second hand account, quite a few number of them, especially in the beginning, were lessons I had to learn the painful, embarrassing and sometimes annoying ways.
I'd take it as it has happened. I can still remember that moment when after 3 heartbreaking and spirit-killer attempts at OKTS, I've gotten the approval to bring in the first batch of WMs. I remember the boardroom cheering and literally clapping and "wooting," as if the board weren't there! My resilience and patience upped exponentially from that whole exercise.
There are a lot more, but I'll save it for next time.
I've talked to my GM about the formality of me leaving, I say formality because I've talked to him about it before when I was wine drunk, not advisable, but turned out well for me. I guess because he understands me and he is happy for me.
Today, I had a meeting with the chairman. What was supposed to be 5 to 15 minutes slot, took almost 2 hours. He was teasing me that I'm leaving soon, and all I could do was smile and bring up new topics to distract him.
I haven't had that goodbye talk with my old boss, I'm probably going to cry.
These wise men and the people I've worked with are among the many reasons why leaving makes me sad. But I don't think I'll lose them, the good ones at least, as Steinbeck said, "...Nothing good gets away."
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