Too many options from menu

When I called Maybank, there were so many options to choose from!

That the company would benefit from a list of directories online so that callers could save the time from listening to all the options.

Broadcasting promotions

There’re the promotions being aired while the call is being connected, before being picked up on the other end. This is another way of airing advertisements (cheaper than paying newspapers & media?) but I imagine it would make the caller with urgent problems jumping around with the seconds delay.

“Stop telling me to buy things already! I have a problem!”

If the ad plays till finish – because cut ads show bad time management – caller would think that he/she could’ve saved time and be connected faster if only the ad was cut by his/her choice.

Another way to broadcast promotions is to have an option under the main menu that callers can find out the latest promotions. That way, the caller has the option of listening to the promotions or not – instead of being forced.

There were a lot of Star-Jobs staff in bright green t-shirts ushering the guests and speakers. At the registration, each guests were given a box of small, cute little people in various colours (HP) and a bright red pen (Star-Jobs). The hall was like a GSC cinema with descending seats and a stage at the front. The talk started after 10am and in between that time, there were replays of Star-Jobs advertisements and talk show clips where only the talking host was animated with expressions while other hosts remained motionless facing the camera.

Star-Jobs Find the right shoes

I like the funny ad with “Finding the right shoes for you” where the construction worker was bored out of his mind clicking at the mouse (Secretary), the chef wondering how to paint and the nurse (?) pouting as she tried to paint the wall.

The talk started with TF Chong with the facts on HP in the world and locally based on the PowerPoint slides. HP is divided into 3 groups:

1. Technology Solutions (TSG)
   • consultation & integration
   • outsourcing (managed) services like Ericsson’s tech support is outsourced to HP
   • company products like servers, storages, etc
2. Imaging & Printing (IPG)
   • printers
   • scanners
   • all-in-one, etc
3. Personal System (PSG)
   • handheld devices like IPAQ
   • pc (personal computer)
   • noteboook, etc

HP is looking for people to fill up:

1. GCM (Global Center Malaysia) @ HP Towers, which supports internal issues in HP
2. HP Global Application Dev & IT Support Centre @ Cyberjaya, which supports HP’s customers

Originally, TF Chong was going to talk about “A day in his life” but he asked the audiences, “Do you want me to ramble about my day or ask me questions?”

Among the questions asked were, “What are the challenges that you are facing?” and “How do you go from Technical to Sales/other line?”

TF Chong replied, “Let people know that you are good. Have a value system and be articulate. Return trust. Don’t bullshit.”

He also said, “But (I did it in) 10 – 20 years. So you must be consistent and passionate. Give your best and have good attitude.”

HP Malaysia corporate info

According to him, the challenge for him was to generate growth and profit to cover the inflation and prices going up for a lot of things (petrol again!). To do that, HP would have to take competitors’ slice.

He talked about some job seekers, “Straight out of education and I want 2.2K. My friend gets 2.2K so I want 2.4K.”

On why companies cut people, “60-70% of a company’s money goes to employees salary.” Imagine that.

“You’d be surprised that the female staffs are among the most hard working people in HP.”

I am not surprised and it’s not because I’m a female. Just because IT was predominantly geered towards males, it doesn’t mean females are not good in IT or IT companies.

HP Clips – little Happy People

I had problem listening to Eric Ikeda (HP US) and Jim Soo (HP Shanghai, China). Maybe it was the sound system or their slang. Both were here to setup the Cyberjaya team. Jim explained the meaning of his name – something about commitment :)

Eric talked about the Keys to Successful Career:

• Be prepared to excel and not just show up
• Be a contributor, not just a critic, make commitments (to achieve)
• Find the opportunity and stay
• Highest integrity

Jim talked about Technical and Management’s career path but added there was another, “Project.”

The brunch break had egg and tuna sandwiches, fried fish balls, cheese (?) and chocolate cakes and hot coffee. Everyone queued up for their turn. If only it was the same in train and bus stations..

The HR guy, Adrian talked about how to apply jobs in HP:

1. Go to www.hp.com/go/jobs
2. Click Search Jobs in HP
3. Select Malaysia

To apply, you have to create a profile first (register). HP’s HR matches the criterias and your profile with keywords to the job. Since the job portal doesn’t have an option for you to select which field/department, you may have to check updated periodically. It also doesn’t have auto update email functions for new jobs available.

In the Q&A session, 6 guys were invited on stage and the audiences remained quiet at first. One of the managers informed, “Even if we may not be the right person to answer you, we’ll try out best.. we know some.”

Someone asked, “What are the benefits and perks in HP? Does HP have something like Google where employees are encouraged to do their own projects and maybe incorporated into Google’s features?”

The answer was, “HP… is not Google.” Laughter in the hall.

“Don’t look at perks and salary as a reason to join HP. Think about the experience, you can learn a lot here. Robert Kiyosaki mentioned that you must invest in yourself. HP does have.. we have a lab of servers for people to play around with, test.”

Google allows staff to work on their own projects which maybe taken into full launch in Google. HP has “Projects” where staffs can participate on generating new ideas and implement them only for HP.

Google also invest a lot in the sports, food and activities room. Watch Google’s office in YouTube here.
Let’s face it. Even TF Chong said that he made a change from Technical to Sales because he was so good at technical, his customers talked to him and not the salesperson but the salesperson got the commission.

Robert Kiyosaki also encourage people to stop being Employee and become Investor and Business because employee does not have financial and freedom as much as I & B.

There were 5 printers for free in the Lucky Draw. After the talk ended, some left and others rushed to the HP managers to ask more questions.