mat nai cha cha cha - Hong Ngoc
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
First day with clients and surprises...
(Photo: My introduction slide to the clients along with Zum)On September 21st, the much awaited kick-off and introduction to the clients started on a silent note. None of us had interacted with the clients except maybe a "Hi" over email. Don't remember if any of us got a response. The clients were accompanied by a Senior Official from Labour Ministry, who was also the director of a local orphanage (separate entry about the Orphanage visit follows). Apparently Mark informed that there was some issues with the projects short listed and he was there to help us out. The presentation started with an introduction of ABV and its work in Vietnam. Also included was a brief talk about this program. Then my team member John started off with the introduction of IBM and this team, end with a personal introduction of himself. One by one we shared a few minutes about us. The earlier day, when the "musical chair" with translators happened, Mark has analysed the translators and sort of paired us in his mind :-) So Zum was assigned to me to handle my intro - went of very well, I must say. I kept my lines short so that she can translated and she prompted me when there were doubts. The initial apprehension about the translation died off and we were curious to know who our clients were.
(Photo: Clients at the presentation, with Mark and Sarah from ABV in the background)All formalities completed and the meeting ended with each of identifying our clients. As with the previous days, I was in for a surprise :-). Apparently when Mark mentioned that there were some issues with the projects, he meant that my client dropped off from the program!!! I was like, excellent! The orphanage director was there to see if he can use one or two volunteers to help him out with the orphanage projects. This was to offset the dropped clients. Once the meeting was over, the Director was not interested in any of us for his projects and hence his response didn't change things :-)
Mark immediately assigned me to a Project that one of my team members was handling. This is for a boat company looking to improve its business. I was assigned to his project so that he can get a translator - there were ten of us with 9 translators. Jan was the team member and he did not have one. Looking back, I think that was one the best decisions Mark took because I enjoyed Jan's company so much. Jan had close to 15 years of experience with 8 years in IT. He is from Denmark and manages large projects. We hit it off really when the second we knew Mark's decision. The funny part was his client also was not there :-D
The joy of getting assigned to a project sort of went away since we didn't know if the client would show up. Mark asked Zum to handle this and follow up with the client. After some anxious moments, we did get a confirmation from the client that they are picking us up at the hotel in 30 minutes.
In hindsight, I guess Mark did not keep us informed about the dropped clients so that the enthusiasm is preserved. I am sure if I had know that my client was not there, I would have done a namesake job, maybe.
A seperate post will follow, all about the client, their business, what we did etc. Watch out!!! :-)
Until then, Xin Chao & Cam On for reading my blog.
Mark immediately assigned me to a Project that one of my team members was handling. This is for a boat company looking to improve its business. I was assigned to his project so that he can get a translator - there were ten of us with 9 translators. Jan was the team member and he did not have one. Looking back, I think that was one the best decisions Mark took because I enjoyed Jan's company so much. Jan had close to 15 years of experience with 8 years in IT. He is from Denmark and manages large projects. We hit it off really when the second we knew Mark's decision. The funny part was his client also was not there :-D
The joy of getting assigned to a project sort of went away since we didn't know if the client would show up. Mark asked Zum to handle this and follow up with the client. After some anxious moments, we did get a confirmation from the client that they are picking us up at the hotel in 30 minutes.
It was a morning of ups and downs, I must say! And as informed, exactly in 30 minutes, two people from our client walked in - Mr. Vinh (pronounced Mr. Ving) and Ms. Oanh (Pronounced Ms. "Why"ng) walked in, smiling and nervous (we were also nervous :-)). Perfect start to the assignment - introductions were quick, hand shakes exchanged and within minutes we were seated in their car heading to the client office.
(Photo: Like me, Jan was trying to impress the audience, without realising that his client was missing :-D ).
In hindsight, I guess Mark did not keep us informed about the dropped clients so that the enthusiasm is preserved. I am sure if I had know that my client was not there, I would have done a namesake job, maybe.
A seperate post will follow, all about the client, their business, what we did etc. Watch out!!! :-)
Until then, Xin Chao & Cam On for reading my blog.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Meeting with the Translators
As soon as we arrived a the hotel on Sunday night, Mark setup a meeting with the translators. It was a musical chair sorts where we 10 were seated in seperate tables and the translators had one minute to know about us and vice versa. 8 girls and one guy, all recent college graduates from a nearby city called Hai Phong, with major in English. They had a very heavy Vietnamese accent and was tough to understand. Half of them had previous experience with other teams in Vietnam (mine was the 6th team in 2 years). The ones new had trouble understanding us.
For courtesy and style, I asked one of the new (which I came to know later)
translators "How are you?". She heard is as "How old are you?" and said "23". Followed it by a question back to me "What is your age?" :-D I had to really try hard to control my laughter!!!
It was a fun experience getting to know them like that - most of them had a simple upbringing and even simpler ambitions in life. They were looking forward to get a job as a translator, interpreter, tour guide, teacher - smaller ambitions and looking forward to achieve it.
Both our team and the translators were tensed on how the pairing will be and how are we going to manage. But today when I look back after 3 weeks, all that started well, ends well :-)
Post that introduction, Mark took us to a restaurant with the translators. We were hosting the translators for dinner. The entrance to the restaurant was littered with Tubs & flowing water. At first I didn't get what that was all about. On a closer inspection, realised that was all live sea food. All kinds of fish, crabs, squid, clams, oysters and everything you can imaging of. For me, the smell was revolting and my mind was like "Welcome to Vietnam!!!". I was waiting at the entrance for the last cab to arrive and I heard some fast footsteps behind me - one of the other Indians with me came running down - he couldn't bear the smell and wasn't happy with the choice of restaurant.
All said and done, it was a very lively and fun dinner. The translators helped place the food order. The food kept coming, coming,
coming and coming... At this point, it is important to mention that 99% Vietnamese are skinny. But the amount of food (touch wood) the translators consumed didn't say so!!! How can they maintain their body like that and still be able eat so much!!! Consoled myself saying its their Genes :-D
Translator meeting - The girl in the pink dress is my translator Zum. She has done her Graduation with English as major. She is going to pursue higher studies in english.
Dinner with Translators:
For courtesy and style, I asked one of the new (which I came to know later)
translators "How are you?". She heard is as "How old are you?" and said "23". Followed it by a question back to me "What is your age?" :-D I had to really try hard to control my laughter!!!
It was a fun experience getting to know them like that - most of them had a simple upbringing and even simpler ambitions in life. They were looking forward to get a job as a translator, interpreter, tour guide, teacher - smaller ambitions and looking forward to achieve it.
Both our team and the translators were tensed on how the pairing will be and how are we going to manage. But today when I look back after 3 weeks, all that started well, ends well :-)
Post that introduction, Mark took us to a restaurant with the translators. We were hosting the translators for dinner. The entrance to the restaurant was littered with Tubs & flowing water. At first I didn't get what that was all about. On a closer inspection, realised that was all live sea food. All kinds of fish, crabs, squid, clams, oysters and everything you can imaging of. For me, the smell was revolting and my mind was like "Welcome to Vietnam!!!". I was waiting at the entrance for the last cab to arrive and I heard some fast footsteps behind me - one of the other Indians with me came running down - he couldn't bear the smell and wasn't happy with the choice of restaurant.
All said and done, it was a very lively and fun dinner. The translators helped place the food order. The food kept coming, coming,
coming and coming... At this point, it is important to mention that 99% Vietnamese are skinny. But the amount of food (touch wood) the translators consumed didn't say so!!! How can they maintain their body like that and still be able eat so much!!! Consoled myself saying its their Genes :-DTranslator meeting - The girl in the pink dress is my translator Zum. She has done her Graduation with English as major. She is going to pursue higher studies in english.
Dinner with Translators:
Friday, October 09, 2009
Towards Ha Long Bay...
(Sunshine through the trees near a temple in Hanoi)The brief stay in Hanoi (24 hrs for me) included a nice stroll around a lake, a dinner hosted by the Country Manager (Photo posted in the previous post) and a good lunch on Sun
day. Interesting part of the lunch was that we had to place the order the day before so that the "entrees could be guaranteed" :-). I had Spring Rolls, Veg Noodles and an Ice Cream Sundae. Then boarded the bus towards Ha Long Bay.
The drive towards Ha Long Bay was event less. We had a on-board briefing my Mark Warmington about the various things we "need" to know about the place. This included security, culture, food issues, medical briefing and some of his experiences. The heavy lunch and his talk did make some sleep :-). But all of us were clearly excited about the work, the clients, culture and everything associated with Vietnam.
I was at the front seat, next to the driver. It almost resembled India and a video from there could be posted as it was from the eastern parts of India. So much resemblance to the people, road rules or lack of etc :-)
Watch the video below - the bus driver overtakes at a bend :-) Towards the end of the video, you will see Mark and Sarah briefing the team.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Team Photo @ Dinner hosted by Vietnam office
Thats the team photo with the Vietnam Country GM Mr. Vo Tan Long.
Standing (From L to R) Naveen, Myself, John, Kerstin, Albert, Thu Trang, Kanishka
Sitting (From L to R) Jan, Rekha, Mr. Long and Juliana
Travel to Hanoi and more...
Reaching Hanoi was smooth, except a few anxious moments at the Bangalore Airport. The Airline had put me on standby as the flight was overbooked and everybody showed up. Interesting isn't it :-) I was like "This is an important travel and I am not staying back. Especially with so much preparation expectations and excitement, I am not ready to postpone my trip". Then the manager shows up and checks something on the system, comes back to me and says "I have one seat and its a middle row". My response - "Anything is fine, as long as I get into that flight and smiled at him :-)". Finally got an aisle seat and reached the flight on time. The travel was smooth. Transit in Bangkok went without any hassles and there I met my other team member from India. Took flight to Hanoi, immigration went through fine.
The hotel taxi came to pick us - reached the Golden Lotus Hotel in Hanoi. The hotel was in a crowded part of the town. The buildings shared a common wall, without any gaps between them. Hence the hotel was also dark and needed lights throughout the day.
Me and another team member checked in and went to our rooms.
I saw a "Do not disturb" sign outside the room given to me, which was weird. I knocked the door and did not hear a response. Then rang the bell - no response. So assumed that the sign was turned on by mistake. Hence used the card and opened the door - saw an opened suitcase and sounds of shower :-)) Silently closed the door and went down. And there I see my other team member standing at the reception and talking to the front desk. He had the same experience, except he encountered a half naked man in his room :-D Apparently, the front desk assumed that these people had checked out and gave our rooms. Excellent customer service :-)
Realising their mistake, they put us into a single room for an hour so that we can get refreshed and gave us our rooms later. So that was a good way to start my visit to Vietnam :-)
As in any new work, the first week is always exciting. Meeting new people, getting to know the place, who you are working with etc. For me, the first week was filled with so many events I will never forget :-) More to come.
The hotel taxi came to pick us - reached the Golden Lotus Hotel in Hanoi. The hotel was in a crowded part of the town. The buildings shared a common wall, without any gaps between them. Hence the hotel was also dark and needed lights throughout the day.
Me and another team member checked in and went to our rooms.
I saw a "Do not disturb" sign outside the room given to me, which was weird. I knocked the door and did not hear a response. Then rang the bell - no response. So assumed that the sign was turned on by mistake. Hence used the card and opened the door - saw an opened suitcase and sounds of shower :-)) Silently closed the door and went down. And there I see my other team member standing at the reception and talking to the front desk. He had the same experience, except he encountered a half naked man in his room :-D Apparently, the front desk assumed that these people had checked out and gave our rooms. Excellent customer service :-)
Realising their mistake, they put us into a single room for an hour so that we can get refreshed and gave us our rooms later. So that was a good way to start my visit to Vietnam :-)
As in any new work, the first week is always exciting. Meeting new people, getting to know the place, who you are working with etc. For me, the first week was filled with so many events I will never forget :-) More to come.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Corporate Service Corps
Finally, I am in Vietnam - joining a bunch of enthusiastic people from different countries, going to do the best we can offer.
I am a part of a Volunteer Program called the Corporate Service Corps. We go through a self-application and a selection process, endorsed by the management. My team had 10 people ranging from 20+ Yrs experience to 3 yrs experience. The team consists of
1 Person each from Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, 2 people from USA and 3 from India. We are starting from tomorrow (Sep 21st) working with our clients and helping them without individual assignments.
https://www-146.ibm.com/corporateservicecorps/
The journey to this program has been so fast that I cannot believe I am finally here. Was excited to see the faces with whom I have been interacting for the past 4 months through calls.
Here, I need to mention about two important people who have made this possible for us - Sarah Patrick and Mark Warmington from Australian Business Volunteers. This is the NGO assigned to connect us to the clients in Vietnam and coordinate the logistics. Excellent people and have been taking care of us right from the time we landed (and even before with all our invite letters, VISA processing etc and getting our silly questions answered :-) ). It is not a simple task to coordinate 10 people, traveling from different countries, landing in Vietnam at different days and times. But right from the time I stepped out of the immigration into Vietnam, the journey has been flawless, thanks to the efforts of these two people!
Wait for further posts, day wise (or frequent enough to keep everyone posted of what I am doing here, of course with photos.).
Until then, Xin chào (Adios Amigos, Good Bye :-) )
I am a part of a Volunteer Program called the Corporate Service Corps. We go through a self-application and a selection process, endorsed by the management. My team had 10 people ranging from 20+ Yrs experience to 3 yrs experience. The team consists of
1 Person each from Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, 2 people from USA and 3 from India. We are starting from tomorrow (Sep 21st) working with our clients and helping them without individual assignments.
https://www-146.ibm.com/corporateservicecorps/
The journey to this program has been so fast that I cannot believe I am finally here. Was excited to see the faces with whom I have been interacting for the past 4 months through calls.
Here, I need to mention about two important people who have made this possible for us - Sarah Patrick and Mark Warmington from Australian Business Volunteers. This is the NGO assigned to connect us to the clients in Vietnam and coordinate the logistics. Excellent people and have been taking care of us right from the time we landed (and even before with all our invite letters, VISA processing etc and getting our silly questions answered :-) ). It is not a simple task to coordinate 10 people, traveling from different countries, landing in Vietnam at different days and times. But right from the time I stepped out of the immigration into Vietnam, the journey has been flawless, thanks to the efforts of these two people!
Wait for further posts, day wise (or frequent enough to keep everyone posted of what I am doing here, of course with photos.).
Until then, Xin chào (Adios Amigos, Good Bye :-) )
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