First week of work

Monday

Took train to Tiong Baru MRT station then transfer service 123. I sensed that the bus was traveling a longer journey, thus alighted and took taxi to work. Nabe short journey less than 5km, costs $8.

Reached office 9++ and only 2 staffs were there. 1 China programmer and the Finance Manager. The Finance Manager gave me a briefing on the company, products, solutions directions ... She then allocated a place for me. She mentioned that the company promoted work-life, wherelse staff can report to work any time, importantly is do whats necessary and spend more time with family. I am starting to like this place.

Soon other staffs reported to work. Sitting beside me is a pretty Malaysian girl who was previously an engineer, mai siao siao. She is now assigned to projects. Got to meet most of the management mainly around 40s.

As the night before, my team-lead and an engineer was at Data Centre doing something, so did not come to work. So i was pretty left alone.

Tuesday

Reported to work, got to meet my new team-leader, which is from Myanmar. Another 2 engineers in charge of network, 1 from India and Malaysia. The team-lead then gave me the resources and accesses to facilitate my work. I was also issued my dream-laptop IBM Thinkpad X60. Its so freaking thin and light as there's no cd-rom installed. But an external cd-rom was provided. The battery life is also amazing. That evening my team-lead to me need to go Data Centre to settle some stuffs, not settled last Monday morning.

The Data Centre Equinix is located at Ayer Rajah. The security there is indeed tight and really an eye opener for me. All visitors need escort and need to enter 4 doors before reaching the server room. Inside the server room its freaking cold and noisy. We spent close to 2hs there before heading back home.

Wednesday
Before lunch, 1 of the managers suggested visiting the CEO's wife which is also a manager. Apparently she was down with dengue fever and awarded at CGH. After lunch, we separated in 2 taxis to CGH. First time to CGH and upon reach, the PA mentioned visiting hours are over. We tried entering the ward, but the door was locked. Managed to go in, after following another visitor.

Met the CEO's wife, she looks good and recovering well. Soon the other manager came and visited her before taking a flight to Philippines. The management team are all ex-colleagues from previous companies, thus the closely knitted relations.

Thursday
Nothing much, but my team-lead had left to KL for a meeting, so most of the time spent self-learning.

Friday
By now, I had met most of the staff excluding the CEO's wife, also the Sales Manager. At around 545pm was about to pack my stuff to go home, the CEO called me and another china programmer into his office to talk, as both of us are new-comers. On his desk was a framed newspaper article like "46yos get down to business", maybe next time i would read in detail. It was a lengthy get-together session.

In brief
-Welcome onboard and told us upcoming plans, pace and expectations
-Work-life flexible work, to spend more time with family.
-Though they cannot afford to pay very well, but they try to match with various benefits and flexibilities.
-Try to make workplace comfortable and happy, so people would stay.
-lots of stress, self-learning,initiation
-prepared to travel regionally and in short notice.

Just 1 wk here, and I could feel the immense pressure.
P.S. I just gotten my school time-table, wonder how can I juggle. In 2 weeks time half of the management and engineers are going to Philipines. Only left my team-lead and me to support local customers !!! I always give my self alot of pressure to achieve perfection and success.

Info
Office the size of 3 room flat, comprising a toilet, CEO's office and meeting room.
14 staff
-1 CEO
-5 Managers
-8 engineers
-System Development
- x2 Chinese National
- x1 Indian National
- Network and Systems
- x1 Myanmar National
- x1 Indian National
- x2 Malaysian
- x1 Local (Me).

So small office seats 14 people, very cramped but warm feeling.
Ex coy huge office and warehouse 1/4 football field, 9 staff.