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Winning B.I.G.
February is Sales Conference month. The two days of the year when we are brought together by a common goal: to unravel the plans (and targets) for the year. The time to bond and supposedly reinforce our teamwork. It is also the time when we acknowledge that everything and anything in our company revolves around SALES.
This sales conference was extra stressful for the organizers because it coincided with the celebration of the 20th year of our company. I was tasked to do the write-up for the AVPs….not one, not two…but THREE write-ups!!! While writing (in blog mode) is effortless for me, corporate writing entails a different language. There goes the stress. I had to really rack my brain on that one, especially the one about the theme reveal (and the 5 rings).
Here are the highlights of the 2-day Sales Conference (in no particular order).
1. The Triumphant Turned Emotional Big Night. This is a strictly-formal gala night which is billeted as one of our surprises for the salespeople. The jampacked line-up for the night includes awarding of the top sales performers, theme unveil (Win B.I.G in 20..08…B.I.G. stands for Beyond Individual Goals), 20th anniversary toast and a tribute to our president. Pressure on me since I had to co-host the event. Good thing I was paired again with my favorite co-host so that our spiels are more seamless and natural.
2. The Team Games. It has been a tradition for the SalesCon to have team games a la Amazing Race. I was part of the blue team. The games this year are more parlor games than Amazing Race but they are physical nonetheless. I spent most of my energies on the ball toss, hula hoop relay and caterpillar relay. Eventually, our team finished over-all second place. Green Team took the lead only because they were damn lucky at drawing straws (haha…sourgrape).
3. The endless picture taking. We have two official photographers armed with professional cameras and they did a great job in chronicling the activities through high-res photos. Kudos to C and M.
4. The search for our assigned villa. This was such an exasperating experience for us that I have to do an entire blog on this (for posting soon). For now, I have to say that Canyonwoods is “over-rated” and the person in-charge of the front desk needs a crash course in the basics of front desk management and customer service.
5. The celebrity guest. Although this is already the third time that Aga joined us for the SalesCon, he immersed himself in the activities this time. He had fun judging the activities, especially the egg contraption, that I have to call him twice to go inside for the next activity.
6. The accident. One of our KAMs was injured while completing the obstacle course. She had a dislocated shoulder and had to be rushed to a hospital to have it corrected immediately. Another minus point for Canyonwoods: they don’t have contingencies for accidents like this. Anyway, I accompanied C to the hospital since I was finished with my brand presentation by then. I must say that she is one brave girl with a high tolerance for pain.
7. The God-forsaken Dinner. On our way back to Manila, we stopped by Tagaytay for dinner (we were famished and we want M to enjoy Tagaytay). After a seemingly endless debate, we ended up in Antonio’s Grill. Guess who were there?! The GODS! Anyway, nalibre naman kami. Haha!
8. The gossip that was served with the coffee. Call me anything but a gossip monger. I stay out (or take middle ground) on things that are none of my business. But somehow, gossip has its way of finding me. But my lips are sealed. I have enough on my plate already and I will not be senselessly dragged into other people’s mess. I just hope that some people realize that there is a correct use of the grapevine.
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THIRD…BUT STILL AMAZING
I’ve been a big fan Amazing Race and, of late, have been riveted to the The Amazing Race Asia Season 2 (TARA2) because Team Philippines (Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez) has a good chance of finishing first. The two has been called Magnum PI or The Boys From The Philippines and their goofiness reminds me Eric and Jeremy (Frat Boys) and BJ and Tyler (Hippies) from TAR7.
I always knew Marc was articulate and smart since he was a YS writer for some time. I’m a Gameplan fan and have seen Rovilson’s wacko side. I have even met him personally and he has this “good man” vibe. Being subjected to the TARA’s challenges, the two were the epitome of grace under pressure and of enjoying the experience despite being in competition. They are really good on both the physical and the mental challenges. Since this is a game, expect some unfair play. However, their brand of treachery was tactical (read: game-driven) rather than out of spite for the competing team.
M&R finished 1st in 7 out of 12 legs, was a shoo-in for the final three and was the team that everyone was trying to beat. Unfortunately, the last leg entailed arranging the flags in the order of the countries they visited. Too bad Rovilson had to do it because he had a difficulty figuring it out. Watching from the side, Marc remained cool despite knowing the correct order (he took up Geography in university). I was heart-wrenching to see them finish third. But despite that, I think they “owned” TARA2. (Sidebar: How true are the rumors that Marc is eyed to replace host Allan Wu?...hmmmm)
Top Moments in the TARA2
1. Collin and Adrian finishing the fasttrack challenge and then risking a different train route. This eventually put them ahead of Marc and Rovilson in the final legs.
2. Henry and Teri’s constant bickering and verbal assaults on each other. Often, I wished they were not representing the Philippines.
3. The participant’s response to BALUT. Always classic and priceless.
4. Paula suffering from temporary memory loss after completing the pool dive challenge
5. Henry and Teri yielding Marc and Rovilson, who was way ahead of them. They must have misunderstood the concept of Yield
6. The challenge at the orphanage in Africa added “heart” to the show.
7. Bret sticking it out Kinar with, even through their eventual elimination.
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I’m gravitating towards another exquisite extreme. The knowledge that I have to balance the magic and the myth. I’m looking for what’s stable and logical, but I only get what’s happy and hysterical. It is more than enough… but also more than what I can take.
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I promised myself that the day will come. Finally, your magic and spell has lost its effect on me.
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All the things we want each other to be
We never will be
And that’s wonderful. That’s LIFE.