Below are sample Scenes and Lessons with my Japanese Boss. Enjoy reading and try to learn from it.
Scene 1:
It has just started then Direct Sales models when one model was not able to ship out due to critical material. MY Japanese Boss was very angry with me and my Colleague Sales Engineer for not informing him earlier.
As my Japanese Boss was in the middle of his litany:
Japanese Boss: Why did not inform?!! You can solve this problem?!! How much is this one? No checking?!! Why?!! No interesting?!! Who can pay?? You can pay??!! Pay na lng……
The Sales Engr(female also) moved behind the wall then fainted like a melting candle. MY Japanese Boss thought at first if it was a joke. He asked: Why? What is she doing? I tried to carry her but she was too heavy. My Japanese Boss ended up carrying her to the clinic near the office. I think Mr Ipposhi was worried too at that time.
Lesson 1:
Inform immediate Boss earlier if there are problems that you cannot solve on your own but make sure that you have done 1st all means and ways to solve it.
Scene 2:
It was in the morning when I was informed that starting that day I’ll be the Production Planner for PCP. There was no turnover at that time; the previous production planner just forwarded to me the latest Production plan and Shipment Plan and My Japanese Boss instructed the daily target. In the afternoon, the Filipino Production Supervisor called and told me to zero out variances and change the plan to actual. I was revising the plan when My Japanese Boss asked me to show him the updated plan, thus, I gave him the revised one. When he cannot see any variances, he kicked my table and with my clipboard on top of it. He called the Filipino Production Supervisor and me in the meeting table:
My Japanese Boss: Why?!! Why did you change the plan?
Sheila: Sir, Sir Joel (Filipino Production Supervisor) said that I change it.
My Japanese Boss: and you followed? Why? Is he your boss?? Is he???
While we were having the conversation, he kept on kicking my chair.
Lesson 2:
You can only follow instructions from other Departments Boss if it was confirmed by your immediate Boss. Also, production plan cannot be changed if there is no Production Volume Revision or no instruction from immediate Boss.
Scene 3:
I was handling then GTI when Drive Production has stop due to delayed delivery from GTI. My Japanese Boss asked for an explanation, I went to him carrying with me 3 papers. I started explaining when:
My Japanese Boss: What is this? Do you expect me to understand?!!!
Are you not ashamed to show me such report?!!!
I Don’t like to talk to you.
After which he throws the papers.
Lesson 3:
Before reporting to your immediate Boss, make sure that to consider your presentation. Make sure that it will easily understand and consolidate the data. Make a summary and be ready for a detailed report.
Scene 4:
It was 11:00pm then when I was in PCP’s van on the way home when Mr Ipposhi called. He was very angry, I tried to explain but he doesn’t let me talk. I was cut every time I tried so I let him talk, let him pour his anger. I think it took him an hour with his monologue when he was finally finish, he said, “hello?” and the only word that I was able to feed was “yes sir?” then he said “ok, bye! The next day, he called for meeting to discuss the issue.
Well, it wasn’t the 1st time anyway and definitely wasn’t the last.
Lesson 4:
If My Janeses Boss is very angry, do not argue. At first, listen to what he has to say. If he is too furious to the maximum level, he will leave you after he pours out his anger afterwards; he calls again for a meeting. Once he asks for an explanation, go direct to the point; he doesn’t need too many excuses.
Have you missed my previous blog on My Japanese Boss? Read more...
Thursday, May 21, 2009
My Japanese Boss
Overwhelming!
I believe that is the best adjective to describe my job now as Production Control Senior Supervisor. Sometimes, I still can’t believe the fast change and increment of my position in a Japanese Company(PCP) especially when I look back how I started.It was January, 2002 then when I pass my resume' in a Japanese company in one of the Economic Zones in Calamba. I was called for an interview 1 week later. It was a panel interview. The interviewers were 1 Manufacturing Japanese manager, 1 Filipino Manufacturing Supervisor and 1 Filipino Human Resource Manager. There were 5 interviewees but only one of us will be hired. It was actually a short interview. Of course I was hired. In one of my blog I will share with you what happened during that that made the panel interviewers decide to choose me which my Japanese finally revealed after 1 month os working with him.
It was February then when I became a member of PCP family as Material Control Engineer. A skinny, hopeful, fresh graduate who doesn’t have any idea as to what a material control engineer does. I was nervous when I found out that I’ll be using excel sheet in almost all reports; a computer application which I have no idea how to use it. I was also scared then for I know that I’ll be paid but I don’t know how to work for it.My first few months’ of working in PCP was truly frustrating. I just can’t get my reports right. If it isn’t the format, the font, the boarder, or the alignment and much worst my formula isn’t correct. Everyday I received endless reprimands and worst, I received comparison between me and other staff from my Japanese Boss. It was really foul comparing you and telling shamelessly how bad your performance is compared to others. Well, I wasn’t a robot; those spiteful words thrown at me hurts so badly. I’ve wanted to learn immediately everything that needs to be learned but this is not school. There are no books to study. The company has just started too, thus, there are no references. There isn’t no way to learn but through his own way; “The trial and error method”. The daily scolding continues until when I reached the month when I said to my self that I couldn’t continue anymore. My self esteem has reached its lowest level; however, I was never a looser too. I cannot resign and let everybody continue to think that I am as dumb as a fish. I said then to myself that it’s about time to fight back. I believed that I’ve learned the basic knowledge which is enough to survive and be recognized. The daily reprimand has lessened and then finally, my efforts were recognized. I have learned to stand on what I believe is right. I ignored whatever insults that I received for fighting for what I believe in. I have learned to motivate myself and convince myself that everything will turn out right.Those were the days when I truly hated for all the embarrassment that he has caused me. However, since I decided to stay and prove my worth, I tried to keep my pace with him. With every discussion/argument, I tried to learn from it. I had to keep on the positive lane if I wanted to keep working with him. It wasn’t easy. I worked hard and in every step of the way, there were always comments. It was never enough. There were always a lot to be learned. He was a perfectionist. In every potential that he see in a person, he takes advantage. He kept on pushing and dragging me to move forward. There are times that I thought that I can’t go on anymore but then after crying out the fatigue that I felt, I kept moving with him. There are times that the difficulty becomes too much to bear, pressure increases by ten folds, but I still went on and fortunately still comes out a stronger, wiser, and more learned person. I strongly feel that working with him is a constant training. There is always a goal to accomplish and achieving it is the most important. No matter how much effort or time you have exerted if you weren’t able to give the expected result, it is as good as you have done nothing. As a result oriented boss, 99% and 101% is still not achieved. Challenge is constant when working with him.
Moreover, as I worked with him I tried to know him as a person. What make’s him tick and what make’s him growl like an animal. As my capability improves; my working relationship with him also becomes better. I have learned a lot. I have learned as well to appreciate him as my Boss , my Mentor, my Icon, my Leader, my Advocate, my Partner my Confidant, my Friend….It has not always been easy. It was not without pain sometimes but I still do take great pride in working with him and proud for what we have accomplished together. Now that his time to say goodbye has come, I cannot just let him go away without once again saying thanks to him…. Without saying to him: “Thank you Sir…I’ll do my best to become a better and successful individual so that when our path cross again, you’ll be more proud…Sir, you have made a mark in my life no one can ever erase; the wonderful memories will always remain in my heart…. ”.
I believe that is the best adjective to describe my job now as Production Control Senior Supervisor. Sometimes, I still can’t believe the fast change and increment of my position in a Japanese Company(PCP) especially when I look back how I started.It was January, 2002 then when I pass my resume' in a Japanese company in one of the Economic Zones in Calamba. I was called for an interview 1 week later. It was a panel interview. The interviewers were 1 Manufacturing Japanese manager, 1 Filipino Manufacturing Supervisor and 1 Filipino Human Resource Manager. There were 5 interviewees but only one of us will be hired. It was actually a short interview. Of course I was hired. In one of my blog I will share with you what happened during that that made the panel interviewers decide to choose me which my Japanese finally revealed after 1 month os working with him.
It was February then when I became a member of PCP family as Material Control Engineer. A skinny, hopeful, fresh graduate who doesn’t have any idea as to what a material control engineer does. I was nervous when I found out that I’ll be using excel sheet in almost all reports; a computer application which I have no idea how to use it. I was also scared then for I know that I’ll be paid but I don’t know how to work for it.My first few months’ of working in PCP was truly frustrating. I just can’t get my reports right. If it isn’t the format, the font, the boarder, or the alignment and much worst my formula isn’t correct. Everyday I received endless reprimands and worst, I received comparison between me and other staff from my Japanese Boss. It was really foul comparing you and telling shamelessly how bad your performance is compared to others. Well, I wasn’t a robot; those spiteful words thrown at me hurts so badly. I’ve wanted to learn immediately everything that needs to be learned but this is not school. There are no books to study. The company has just started too, thus, there are no references. There isn’t no way to learn but through his own way; “The trial and error method”. The daily scolding continues until when I reached the month when I said to my self that I couldn’t continue anymore. My self esteem has reached its lowest level; however, I was never a looser too. I cannot resign and let everybody continue to think that I am as dumb as a fish. I said then to myself that it’s about time to fight back. I believed that I’ve learned the basic knowledge which is enough to survive and be recognized. The daily reprimand has lessened and then finally, my efforts were recognized. I have learned to stand on what I believe is right. I ignored whatever insults that I received for fighting for what I believe in. I have learned to motivate myself and convince myself that everything will turn out right.Those were the days when I truly hated for all the embarrassment that he has caused me. However, since I decided to stay and prove my worth, I tried to keep my pace with him. With every discussion/argument, I tried to learn from it. I had to keep on the positive lane if I wanted to keep working with him. It wasn’t easy. I worked hard and in every step of the way, there were always comments. It was never enough. There were always a lot to be learned. He was a perfectionist. In every potential that he see in a person, he takes advantage. He kept on pushing and dragging me to move forward. There are times that I thought that I can’t go on anymore but then after crying out the fatigue that I felt, I kept moving with him. There are times that the difficulty becomes too much to bear, pressure increases by ten folds, but I still went on and fortunately still comes out a stronger, wiser, and more learned person. I strongly feel that working with him is a constant training. There is always a goal to accomplish and achieving it is the most important. No matter how much effort or time you have exerted if you weren’t able to give the expected result, it is as good as you have done nothing. As a result oriented boss, 99% and 101% is still not achieved. Challenge is constant when working with him.
Moreover, as I worked with him I tried to know him as a person. What make’s him tick and what make’s him growl like an animal. As my capability improves; my working relationship with him also becomes better. I have learned a lot. I have learned as well to appreciate him as my Boss , my Mentor, my Icon, my Leader, my Advocate, my Partner my Confidant, my Friend….It has not always been easy. It was not without pain sometimes but I still do take great pride in working with him and proud for what we have accomplished together. Now that his time to say goodbye has come, I cannot just let him go away without once again saying thanks to him…. Without saying to him: “Thank you Sir…I’ll do my best to become a better and successful individual so that when our path cross again, you’ll be more proud…Sir, you have made a mark in my life no one can ever erase; the wonderful memories will always remain in my heart…. ”.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
